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  • Best Death Metal Bands: The 13 Most Important Bands Ranked

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    What Are The Best Death Metal Bands?

    The best death metal bands include Death, Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, Obituary, and Carcass—based on influence, legacy, and impact on the genre.

    How This List Was Ranked

    • Influence on the genre
    • Album quality and consistency
    • Legacy and long-term impact

    TL;DR:

    This isn’t just a history lesson; it’s a blood-soaked roadmap to the most extreme sounds ever recorded. This definitive ranking is featured in Loaded Radio’s flagship “Dark and Brutal” content section, the authority for this genre, and is informed by our Friday Night Death Metal Show. We explore the relentless origins and evolution to spotlight the 13 legendary death metal bands that defined the genre. From the technical wizardry of Death to the groove-laden warfare of Bolt Thrower, this is the definitive ranking for those who crave brutality.

    Death metal didn’t rise through radio or mainstream charts—it was built in underground tape trading circles, sweat-soaked clubs, and a global network of fans chasing the heaviest sound possible.

    Since the early ’80s, the genre has evolved from raw, primitive aggression into something far more complex, technical, and diverse. What started with a handful of bands pushing thrash to its breaking point became a worldwide movement with its own identity, culture, and standards.

    This ranking isn’t about hype or surface-level popularity. It’s built on influence, consistency, and the bands that actually moved death metal forward—whether through innovation, sound, or sheer impact on the scene.

    The Bloody Genesis: Forging the Extreme Sound

    The genesis of this aggressively new form of heavy metal traces back to the early 1980s. Artists like Possessed, Death, and Morbid Angel played pioneering roles in forging the raw, aggressive sound that would define the genre. Chuck Schuldiner, universally hailed as the “Godfather” of death metal, single-handedly shaped its early sonic architecture with the legendary 1987 debut album, Scream Bloody Gore.

    The 1990s Surge: Evolution and Expansion

    The 1990s saw an explosive surge in popularity. Florida’s scene continued its creative assault with landmark releases like Death‘s intricate Human and Morbid Angel‘s crushing Covenant. Simultaneously, a distinct “Swedish” style emerged, characterized by the “buzzsaw” guitar tone pioneered by death metal bands such as Entombed and Dismember. This tone, achieved through a Peavey amplifier and a Boss HM-2 distortion pedal with all knobs dimed to max, became the hallmark of Swedish death metal.

    Loaded Radio Recommends – The Big 4 Of Death Metal: The Most Influential Bands Explained

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    A Symphony of Suffering: Key Subgenres

    As the genre matured, it fragmented into a dizzying array of subgenres:

    • Technical Death Metal: Precision meets brutality. Bands like Nile and Necrophagist weave complex musical passages and odd time signatures.
    • Deathcore: The modern hybrid. Bands like Whitechapel inject punishing breakdowns into the framework.
    • Melodic Death Metal: Harmony amidst the havoc. Artists such as In Flames and Dark Tranquility pioneered this Gothenburg style.

    Check This Out – From Zero to Headbanger: 13 Essential Death Metal Albums for Beginners

    Death Metal: 13 Of The Genre’s Defining Bands

    13. Dying Fetus

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    Dying Fetus Formed in 1991 in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Dying Fetus quickly became a major player by mixing technical proficiency with the “slam” elements of hardcore. The band’s main man, guitarist/vocalist John Gallagher, has been the anchor since day one.

    Their unique mix of technicality, raw power, and sharp political songwriting instantly made them stand out. Having seen them live multiple times, I can tell you their precision is terrifying. Albums like Destroy the Opposition (2000) and Reign Supreme (2012) track their journey from a raw underground act to a respected powerhouse. They changed the game by seamlessly blending brutal death metal bands tropes with intricate technicality and grindcore ferocity.

    12. Autopsy

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    Coming out of the dark depths of California, Autopsy kicked off in 1987 as a truly groundbreaking band. Drummer/vocalist Chris Reifert (who played drums on Death‘s debut) and guitarist Eric Cutler formed the band to explore a sound more disturbing than anyone else.

    Their debut, Severed Survival (1989), cemented their status as masters of brutality. It was a raw, suffocating mix of doom and death that left a permanent stain on the genre. Autopsy is influential because they weren’t afraid to slow down; they embraced the sludge and the horror, proving that speed isn’t the only way to be heavy.

    11. Nile

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    Formed in 1993 in Greenville, South Carolina, Nile rose up as a unique force by blending technical death metal with an obsession for Ancient Egyptian history. Led by Karl Sanders, this band is essentially a history lesson delivered at 280 beats per minute.

    Their debut, Amongst the Catacombs of Nephren-Ka (1998), kicked off their journey. Nile is famous for liner notes that are as long as essays, explaining the mythology behind the tracks. Their blistering speed and Middle Eastern scales make them stand out in a crowded field. If you want a sonic trip through the underworld, spin Annihilation of the Wicked.

    10. Bolt Thrower

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    Hailing from Coventry, England, Bolt Thrower is the sonic equivalent of war. Formed in 1986, they built their legend on consistency. They didn’t need to change their style because they perfected it immediately.

    With albums like The IVth Crusade (1992) and Those Once Loyal (2005), Bolt Thrower mastered the mid-tempo groove. They don’t rely on blistering speed; they rely on riffs that feel like 100-ton weights dropping on your chest. The tragic death of drummer Martin Kearns in 2015 led the band to respectfully disband, cementing their legacy as one of the most honorable and uncompromising death metal bands in history.

    9. Deicide

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    Straight out of the unholy depths of Tampa, Florida, Deicide stands as a powerhouse of controversy and crunch. Formed in 1987, they are famous for their no-compromise anti-Christian stance. Frontman Glen Benton—who famously branded an inverted cross into his forehead—is a legend in the scene.

    Their self-titled debut (1990) and the technical masterpiece Legion (1992) are essential listening. I’ve interviewed Benton before, and the intensity you hear on the record is very real. Deicide was crucial in defining the genre’s “evil” aesthetic, pushing boundaries that many others were afraid to touch.

    8. Entombed

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    Hailing from Stockholm, Sweden, Entombed practically invented the “Swedish Death Metal” sound. Formed in 1987 (originally as Nihilist), they unleashed the buzzsaw guitar tone on the world with their debut, Left Hand Path (1990).

    That album is a masterpiece. The guitar tone sounds like a chainsaw cutting through bone, a sound that hundreds of bands have tried to copy since. They later evolved into “death ‘n’ roll” with Wolverine Blues, proving that death metal bands could have swagger and groove without losing their edge.

    7. Obituary

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    Another pillar of the Florida scene, Obituary formed in 1984. While others chased speed, Obituary chased the groove. The Tardy brothers, John Tardy and Donald Tardy, created a sound that is instantly maximizing the “stomp” factor.

    John Tardy’s vocals are unique—a pained, guttural howl that often prioritizes sound over intelligible lyrics. Albums like Slowly We Rot (1989) and Cause of Death (1990) are non-negotiable classics. They are the meat and potatoes of death metal: reliable, heavy, and absolutely satisfying.

    6. Carcass

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    Coming out of Liverpool, England, Carcass went from inventing goregrind to perfecting melodic death metal. Their early work like Reek of Putrefaction was a wall of noise, but their evolution is what lands them this high on the list.

    With Necroticism – Descanting the Insalubrious (1991) and the iconic Heartwork (1993), they shifted gears. Heartwork is often cited as the blueprint for melodic death metal, blending Jeff Walker‘s snarl with Bill Steer‘s rock-god guitar harmonies. They proved that extreme metal could be catchy without being soft.

    5. Suffocation

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    Suffocation, from Long Island, New York, basically invented “Brutal Death Metal.” If you love breakdowns and slam riffs, you owe everything to this band. Formed in 1988, they introduced a level of technicality and percussive heaviness that was unheard of.

    Vocalist Frank Mullen also pioneered the “hand chop” stage move and the deep, barking guttural style. Effigy of the Forgotten (1991) and Pierced From Within (1995) are blueprints for the genre. They are the reason modern deathcore exists, though Suffocation does it with far more class and complexity.

    4. Possessed

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    Hailing from the Bay Area, Possessed is widely debated as the first death metal band. Their 1985 album, Seven Churches, bridges the gap between thrash and death metal. Vocalist Jeff Becerra coined the term “death metal” on the demo tape, and his vocals were the first to truly cross over into the growl we know today.

    Despite tragedy—Becerra was paralyzed in a robbery in 1989—the band reformed years later, proving that you can’t kill true metal. Without Possessed, the genre simply wouldn’t exist in its current form.

    3. Morbid Angel

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    Morbid Angel is the dark heart of Florida death metal. Guitarist Trey Azagthoth is a visionary who treats the guitar like a weapon of occult warfare. Their debut, Altars of Madness (1989), is arguably the greatest death metal debut of all time.

    With the charisma of bassist/vocalist David Vincent and the inhuman drumming of Pete Sandoval, they pushed the genre into faster, more Satanic, and more technical territories. They were the first death metal band to sign to a major label (Giant Records) in the 90s, bringing the underground to the masses without compromising an ounce of brutality.

    2. Cannibal Corpse

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    Let’s be real: Cannibal Corpse is the face of death metal. If you ask a random person on the street to name a death metal band, this is the answer. Formed in Buffalo, NY, they have been the most consistent machine in the genre.

    From the Chris Barnes era classics like The Bleeding to the modern dominance of George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher, they have never released a bad album. Bassist Alex Webster is a virtuoso disguised as a barbarian. Their shock-value album covers got them banned in several countries, which only made them more legendary. They are the AC/DC of death metal—reliable, loud, and unstoppable.

    1. Death

    Death Chuck Schuldiner band

    here can be only one. Death isn’t just a band name; it’s the law. Chuck Schuldiner started this beast in 1983, and his trajectory from the raw gore of Scream Bloody Gore to the progressive mastery of Symbolic and The Sound of Perseverance is unmatched in music history.

    Chuck realized early on that death metal could be high art. He hired the best jazz and fusion musicians to play extreme metal, elevating the entire genre. Every album Death released is a classic. Chuck passed away in 2001, but his legacy is untouchable. He is the reason we are all here. If you want to understand this music, you start and end with Death.

    Final Words

    Whether it be the harmonically rich melodies of melodic death metal or the tank-heavy grooves of Bolt Thrower, it only takes one riff to get hooked. The death metal bands on this list represent the absolute pinnacle of extreme art. If you are looking for something to rattle your bones, this list is your bible.

    Check This Out – The 13 Heaviest Death Metal Albums That Redefined Brutality

    FAQ Section

    Q: What defines death metal music? A: It is characterized by guttural “growled” vocals, down-tuned guitars, blast beat drumming, and complex song structures. Lyrical themes often explore mortality, gore, anti-religion, or philosophy.

    Q: Who is the “Godfather” of the genre? A: Chuck Schuldiner of the band Death is widely regarded as the father of the genre, pushing it from a raw noise into a sophisticated musical form.

    Q: What is the “Florida Sound”? A: In the late 80s and early 90s, producers like Scott Burns at Morrisound Recording in Tampa sculpted a thick, bass-heavy, and clear sound for bands like Obituary, Morbid Angel, and Deicide, making Florida the world capital of death metal.

    Q: Why did you include Bolt Thrower over Napalm Death? A: While Napalm Death is legendary, they are the kings of Grindcore. Bolt Thrower represents the pure, mid-tempo, groove-heavy side of traditional death metal that needed representation on a definitive list.

    The post Best Death Metal Bands: The 13 Most Important Bands Ranked appeared first on Loaded Radio.

  • Poison Demanded Candy + Canned Fish in Unearthed ’90s Tour Rider

    The rider from a 1990 show in Nashville reveals Poison and Warrant allegedly wanted dressing rooms filled with canned fish, candy, alcohol and cigarettes. Continue reading…
  • W.A.S.P. Band Facts, Members, History And What They’re Known For

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    A Definitive Look at the Shock Rock Icons’ Career and Legacy

    W.A.S.P. is a heavy metal band formed in 1982 by Blackie Lawless in Los Angeles, known for shock rock theatrics, controversial lyrics, and a legacy that still sparks debate.

    If you’re here for W.A.S.P. the band—not the insect—you’re in the right place.

    W.A.S.P. Quick Facts

    • Formed: 1982
    • Founder: Blackie Lawless
    • Origin: Los Angeles, California
    • Genre: Heavy metal / shock rock
    • Known for: theatrical live shows and controversy

    TL;DR:

    W.A.S.P. is a heavy metal institution known for its controversial shock rock theatrics and influential music. From frontman Blackie Lawless’s pre-fame days with the New York Dolls to the band’s clashes with the PMRC, this countdown reveals 13 essential facts. We explore the meaning behind the name, the story of their most infamous song, and the personal transformations that shaped their four-decade career.

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    13. The Band’s Early Name Changes

    Before settling on the name W.A.S.P., the band’s core members, Blackie Lawless and Randy Piper, went through a series of name changes. They initially formed a band called Circus Circus. This brief period, which also featured a young Rik Fox on bass, laid the groundwork for the musical direction and theatrical image that would later define W.A.S.P.

    12. The Mysterious Acronym

    The meaning of the band’s name has been a subject of speculation since its inception. While the most famous rumor suggests it stands for “We Are Sexual Perverts”—a phrase that perfectly aligned with their early rebellious image—frontman Blackie Lawless has consistently denied this. He claims the periods between the letters were simply a design choice, a stylistic element to make the logo look more aggressive and imposing.

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    11. Blackie Lawless’s Early Career with the New York Dolls

    Before his career-defining work with W.A.S.P., Blackie Lawless (born Steven Duren) had a brief stint in the late 1970s with the legendary glam punk band the New York Dolls. This experience immersed him in the provocative, theatrical style of rock ‘n’ roll that would become a cornerstone of his own band. After his short time with the Dolls, he moved to Los Angeles and formed W.A.S.P. in 1982.

    10. The Gruesome Stage Antics

    The band’s early live performances were notorious for their shocking and gruesome theatrics. A staple of their shows included the tossing of raw meat—sometimes liver or other cuts—into the crowd. This act, alongside other props like a torture rack featuring a chained-up model, was a direct nod to the shock rock traditions of artists like Alice Cooper. These spectacles earned them a fearsome reputation and solidified their place in the burgeoning heavy metal scene.

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    9. The Famous Codpiece

    One of the most recognizable elements of Blackie Lawless’s stage persona was his elaborate codpiece, a piece of clothing that housed a spinning circular saw blade. This striking visual became a defining symbol of the band’s menacing and overtly sexualized image, further fueling their controversial reputation and drawing both outrage from parents’ groups and fascination from fans.

    8. The PMRC Hearings and the “Filthy Fifteen”

    In the mid-1980s, W.A.S.P. became a prime target of the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), a group co-founded by Tipper Gore. The band’s provocative anthem “Animal (Fk Like a Beast)”** was included on the PMRC’s “Filthy Fifteen” list, which cataloged songs with explicit content. Blackie Lawless and the band’s defiance during this period helped spark a nationwide debate on censorship and artistic freedom.

    7. The Story Behind “Animal (F**k Like a Beast)”

    Originally written for their debut album, the song was famously removed at the last minute by their record label, Capitol Records, due to its explicit content. The label feared it would cause the album to be banned from major retail chains. The song was ultimately released as a single in the U.K., where it became a classic and a fan favorite. For years, following his spiritual transformation, Blackie Lawless refused to perform the song live, but he recently reinstated it for the band’s 40th-anniversary tour.

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    6. The Band’s Lineup Instability

    Throughout their career, the band has experienced numerous lineup changes, with Blackie Lawless as the sole continuous member. Original members Randy Piper and Tony Richards departed early on, and guitarist Chris Holmes had two separate stints with the band. The revolving door of musicians has led many fans and critics to view the band more as a solo project for Lawless than a traditional group.

    5. Chris Holmes’s Relationship with Blackie Lawless

    The dynamic between guitarist Chris Holmes and Blackie Lawless has been a major point of contention and interest for fans. While the two created some of the band’s most iconic music, their relationship has been fraught with tension. Holmes has openly referred to Lawless as a “narcissist” in interviews, stating that their personal conflicts prevented the band from reaching the heights of other heavy metal acts like Metallica.

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    4. The Crimson Idol: A Tragic Rock Opera

    Released in 1992, the album The Crimson Idol is widely considered the band’s masterpiece. This ambitious concept album tells the tragic story of Jonathan Steel, a young man who runs away from his dysfunctional family to become a rock star. Despite achieving fame and fortune, he is unable to escape his inner demons or gain the love of his parents. The album was originally intended as a Blackie Lawless solo record but was released under the W.A.S.P. name due to pressure from the record label.

    3. Blackie Lawless’s Spiritual Transformation

    In the late 1990s, Blackie Lawless became a born-again Christian, an event that had a significant impact on his life and the band’s lyrical direction. Albums released after this period, such as Dominator and Golgotha, began to explore more mature and spiritual themes, with a focus on faith, morality, and redemption. This shift alienated some fans who preferred the band’s earlier shock rock style but showcased Lawless’s growth as a songwriter.

    2. The Influence of Music Videos

    The band’s rise to prominence in the 1980s was significantly aided by the emergence of MTV. The band’s visually striking and often controversial music videos for songs like “I Wanna Be Somebody,” “Love Machine,” and “Wild Child” were crucial in introducing them to a broader audience. These videos captured their energetic performances and theatrical imagery, making them a household name in the metal world.

    1. The Who’s Endorsement of their Cover of “The Real Me”

    In a testament to their musical prowess and artistic evolution, W.A.S.P. earned a rare and significant compliment from rock royalty. On their album, The Headless Children, the band included a cover of the The Who classic “The Real Me.” The ferocious and raw energy of their rendition caught the attention of The Who’s legendary guitarist and songwriter Pete Townshend.

    Blackie Lawless recounted meeting Townshend and being told: “A lot of people have covered my songs, but no one has ever done to one of my songs what you’ve done.” Townshend followed it up by saying it must have taken a lot of courage to attempt it. This incredible moment solidified W.A.S.P.’s reputation not just as shock rockers, but as true musical artists capable of honoring and reinterpreting the work of their heroes in a powerful and meaningful way.

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    FAQ

    Q: What does W.A.S.P. stand for? A: W.A.S.P. has been rumored to stand for “We Are Sexual Perverts,” but Blackie Lawless claims it is not an acronym and the periods are just a design element.

    Q: Why was “Animal (Fk Like a Beast)” so controversial?** A: The song’s sexually explicit title and lyrics led to its inclusion on the PMRC’s “Filthy Fifteen” list and its exclusion from the band’s debut album due to censorship concerns.

    Q: Is W.A.S.P. a Christian band now? A: While frontman Blackie Lawless became a born-again Christian, the band is not a Christian band. Lawless’s personal faith has influenced his lyrical themes on later albums, but the band’s back catalog remains a blend of heavy metal and shock rock.

    Q: Did Blackie Lawless and Chris Holmes reconcile? A: No, their relationship remains strained. Chris Holmes has openly discussed the animosity between them in interviews.

    Q: Is the band still touring? A: Yes, the band is still active and continues to tour. They recently completed a 40th-anniversary tour and have ongoing plans for live performances.

    W.A.S.P. Bio

    W.A.S.P. is an American heavy metal band that rose to prominence in the 1980s with a reputation for outrageous shock rock theatrics and provocative lyrics. Formed in Los Angeles in 1982 by frontman and primary songwriter Blackie Lawless, the band quickly garnered attention for their intense live shows, which featured elements of horror and macabre spectacle.

    The original lineup, including guitarist Chris Holmes, became synonymous with the raw energy and rebellious spirit of the Los Angeles metal scene. Throughout their career, W.A.S.P. has released 15 studio albums, from their self-titled 1984 debut to their 2015 effort, Golgotha. While the band has seen numerous lineup changes, with Blackie Lawless remaining the sole constant member, their influence on heavy metal and rock ‘n’ roll culture remains undeniable. Their legacy is defined by a blend of hard-hitting music, defiant lyrical themes, and an unapologetic approach to artistic expression.

    The post W.A.S.P. Band Facts, Members, History And What They’re Known For appeared first on Loaded Radio.

  • THE SYNN REPORT (PART 193): DOODSESKADER

    Recommended for fans of: Nine Inch Nails, Deftones, Death Grips, Godflesh, clipping. The thing about blending genres is – just like mixing together too many shades of paint – what you often end up with is just… beige. But when you get it right, not just sloppily blending together all the most generic and familiar […]

    The post THE SYNN REPORT (PART 193): DOODSESKADER appeared first on NO CLEAN SINGING.

  • Johnny Blue Skies & The Dark Clouds Announce 2026 Tour Dates

    Sturgill Simpson and his longtime band have been having themselves a year. The group, now going by the name Johnny Blue Skies & The Dark Clouds, announced the physical-only release of their sex-crazed protest album Mutiny After Midnight with a manifesto of sorts, then leaked it to YouTube a week and a half before release. (The album has since been removed from YouTube, though Simpson says it will be on streaming services eventually.) Mutiny After Midnight debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200, a career best for Simpson, without any streaming to juice his sales figures. Now they’re taking this show back on the road.

    The post Johnny Blue Skies & The Dark Clouds Announce 2026 Tour Dates appeared first on Stereogum.

  • U.S Military Examines the Lethality of Death Metal

    The U.S. Military’s Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) was forced to perform an emergency shutdown of their experimental combat-focused AI program after it attempted to weaponize former Cannibal Corpse and current Six Feet Under vocalist Chris Barnes’ pig squeals into a lethal sound beam. Had the AI program successfully executed this plan for a terrifying new weapons system, experts theorize it could have resulted in a global extinction-level event.

    An experienced combat trauma surgeon who was willing to speak off the record explained that humans aren’t equipped physiologically to process these kinds of high-intensity, abrasive sounds, and even limited exposure could cause brain damage, organ failure, erectile dysfunction, Pygmalionism and the condition known as Hammer Smashed Ear Canal Syndrome.

    Upon learning that his vocals were being used in a top-secret weapons program without his knowledge or legal consent, Chris Barnes remarked, “This should end the fucking debate over who’s the better Cannibal Corpse vocalist, right? Fuck yeah, eat it Corpsefisher! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!”


    Headlines:

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    Arch Enemy announces new vocalist Pippa Emeritus III

    The post U.S Military Examines the Lethality of Death Metal appeared first on Angry Metal Guy.

  • The Starting Line & Algernon Cadwallader Members Announce Debut FILM Album Permanence: Hear “Roundabout”

    In 2025, emo veterans Algernon Cadwallader and pop-punk cult favorites the Starting Line both released their first albums in over a decade. (The Starting Line, for what it’s worth, also got namechecked on Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department.) While all that was going on, it turns out Algernon guitarist Joe Reinhart and Starting Line…

    The post The Starting Line & Algernon Cadwallader Members Announce Debut FILM Album <em>Permanence</em>: Hear “Roundabout” appeared first on Stereogum.

  • Skinhead – “The Plan: 1”

    Imagine a really scary version of the Hold Steady. As in: The Hold Steady don’t just record triumphant story-songs about dangerous, desperate people; they are dangerous, desperate people. This is a wild oversimplification, but that’s basically what’s going on with the band known as Skinhead. Skinhead started out as a solo project for Joshua Long,…

    The post Skinhead – “The Plan: 1” appeared first on Stereogum.