1. Machu Picchu, Peru
The ruins of this pre-Columbian Incan city sit at 7,875 feet above sea level in the Peruvian Andes, about 50 miles northwest of Cuzco. Surrounded on all sides by mountains, the nearest of which Huayna Picchu (pictured above) was purported to be the high priests’ residence as well as the home of the local virgins, Machu Picchu is perfect for just about any death metal band aiming for the mystical and awe-inspiring. And, listen to Mortem! (more…)

You know it’s metal when the members of Enslaved and director Patric Ullaeus (Dimmu Borgir, In Flames) hold invisible oranges against a chroma key backdrop. Actually, it’s just guitarist Ivar Bjørnson, bassist/vocalist Grutle Kjellson and Ullaeus cupping the almost uncuppable IOs. In fact, from the expression on their faces it looks like those are some damn heavy (metal) IOs. Look at Bjørnson. He can handle weird chords and obtuse compositional turns pretty well, but he’s struggling to keep that IO aloft. (more…)

If you’re a black metal fan, the chances are right around 100% that you’re familiar with the work of photographer Peter Beste. Dude’s photos have graced 1349 and Nattefrost album covers and have appeared in just about every metal mag in the history of forever—not to mention XXL, Mass Appeal and Field And Stream. (Okay, maybe those weren’t black metal photos—Beste also enjoys photographing the Houston rap scene, the London grime scene, and the occasional Cuban fishing trip). (more…)

Art galleries aren’t just in big cities such as Richmond, Chula Vista, Aurora, or Henderson. They’re in almost-big cities like Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Believe it or not. (more…)

First there was Aria.

Then there was Gorky Park.

And then Mental Home.

Well, Moscow-based ANJ have arrived. Not only have they arrived, but they were recently rockin’ small clubs nationwide with none other than Yngwie Malmsteen.

Click here to visit ANJ’s website.

Click here for hot obligatory hot Russian girl.

Today is the day, folks. Get out and vote!

In honor of our esteemed, sometimes dubious election process here’s a way back gem from Corrosion Of Conformity. Obviously.

Amon Amarth headbangs heroically while warriors sail on longships and battle ensues in “Twilight of the Thunder God.”

Twilight of the Thunder God is in stores on September 30 on Metal Blade. Get it. Thor demands it. Otherwise, it’s Hammer Time!

Check out the cover of Grails’ new album, Doomsdayer’s Holiday.  I mean really study this masked she-warrior galloping through the mist astride her porcine steed. Note the sumptuous curve of the hip and breast. Note the naked fist raised triumphantly in the air like a skinny antenna toward heaven or whatever. We find this image so fascinating on so many levels—especially in the chestal region—that we had to ask Grails guitarist Alex Hall what the story is. But instead of just telling you what he said, we’re gonna hit you with a little multiple choice. The first honest-to-goodness Decibel subscriber to post to the comments section with the correct answer on the first try will win… well, something. (We can pretty much guarantee you it won’t be a date with this woman.) Deadline is 24 hours from this posting. Go cave.

Is it:

A)    A photo of Grails guitarist Zak Giles’ mom, from the ’60s.

B)    A photo of Hall’s bi-polar hippie neighbor, taken in his laundry room.

C)    A random photo torn from a book or magazine a long time ago.

D)   A still from Ingmar Bergman’s 1968 skull-riot classic, Hour Of The Wolf.

E)  A one-off British liqueur ad from the ’70s featuring Swedish sexpot Britt Ekland, later pulled from circulation due to its thematic similarities to the cult horror flick The Wicker Man (which Ekland also starred in).

Grails Doomsdayer’s Holiday will be released by Temporary Residence on October 7.