Cory Smoot, a.k.a. Flattus Maximus, was the lead guitarist of GWAR before dying of a heart attack in 2011. His talent lives on in “Countdown To Oblivion.”
The Agonist features impressive performances from singer Alissa White-Gluz, who can switch on a dime from hellbound growls to Lacuna Coil-style choruses.
Swedish punkers fresh off 20th anniversary shows and looking back on their career. The Melancholy Connection is a compilation of rare, unreleased tracks.
Garagey rock, recorded in Detroit, vocals that start mirror-staring introspection and wind up howling catchily over swaggering guitar and thumping beats.
Finnish power metal mainstays Sonata Arctica have toured the world with everyone from Iron Maiden to Dragonforce and almost had a video game based on an album.