Have You Heard of Lamenter?
Spirit filled melodic/post-hardcore out of West Texas. FFO: Plead the Widow's Cause, The Dwelling, In Shepherds Arms, (Un)worthy, Remembering Never
THE MOST RECENT
July 12, 2025
July 11, 2025
Heaven's Metal Announces 40th Anniversary Print Edition with Flip Cover
After going out of print with its 150th issue in early 2012, Heaven’s Metal (HM) Magazine has returned with a 40th Anniversary special edition.
Editor Doug Van Pelt was discussing print options with his friend Anthony Gober of Anchor Merchandising, who wanted to print a program for the upcoming two-weekend Immortal Festival events this summer (July 25-27 & August 29-31). One thing led to another, and Van Pelt volunteered to take on the whole project when he proposed, “Why don’t we make the festival program a legitimate 40th anniversary issue of Heaven’s Metal Magazine?”… Continued →
Grace Graber Drops New Song "Run"
Female pop-punk artist – Grace Graber, just dropped a killer new track titled “Run”. The song has an accompanying music video to go with it and you can view it below. Make sure to give this new song a listen now on your favorite digital networks. She has an awesome sound and it’s sure to put a smile on a lot of faces out there, not to mention inspire hope.… Continued →
Allison Eide Will Release New Song on July 18th
Allison Eide released “For The King” back at the end of May and now will release her new song “IDK” on July 18th (next week). If you want to catch up on the last song released, check it out below. This is an artist definitely on the verge of breaking out so hop in line and get ready!… Continued →
People of Punk Rock Records Launch Orders for Craig's Brother "Homecoming" and "Lost at Sea" on Vinyl
People of Punk Rock Records are back with another amazing vinyl re-releases. They are doing a pre-order for “Lost at Sea” and have put up for sale “Homecoming”, both albums by So Cal punk legends – Craig’s Brother. “Homecoming” is out and ready to ship now and “Lost at Sea” is a pre-order ready to ship in September. The two releases were last pressed to vinyl by Veritas Vinyl a decade ago. Order both these fine albums by clicking this link here or by visiting peopleofpunkrockrecords.com… Continued →
Seth Davey Releases New Song "39 Years and Counting"
Seth Davey formerly of the band Attalus, has just dropped his beautiful new worship centric, solo song titled “39 Years and Counting”. It is honest, beautiful in sound, and all together engaging on a deep spiritual level. Don’t ever count out a great indie artist and don’t discount their talents just because their songs might not have that major label/promo stamp on it. This is really incredible stuff and worthy of repeat listens. It has the IVM stamp of approval so there you go!… Continued →
Advent Return With New EP
After years of silence, these legendary hardcore music makers known as “ADVENT” are back and BETTER THAN EVER!! This hard hitting, soul crushing new EP is titled “God Is The End” and features 4 insane, heavy songs with that signature Advent hardcore sound. If you’ve been sort of a casual Advent fan or haven’t really thought about them in years, definitely don’t sleep on this EP. Give these songs a listen and ignite that spirit with their uncompromising sound and lyrics. This is probably one of the best hardcore releases of 2025 (so far).… Continued →
Song of the Day: Clear Convictions - Arrepientete
Hardcore band Clear Convictions originally formed in their home territory of Puerto Rico, but have since settled in Florida. I got to see the band live (for the first time) at Audiofeed last weekend and they absolutely killed it! In fact, they rocked hard enough to get this 51-year-old gray-haired guy out of mosh retirement. In fact, I surprised myself at how hard I went. But when the grooves are this deep and the riffs this thick, it’s hard to resist.
The band formed sometime in the 2000s, but I couldn’t find a specific year.… Continued →
July 4, 2025
Song of the Day: The CT Four Plus - Exodus II
Okay, forgive me, but we’re doing two obscure instrumental songs in a row for Friday’s Song of the Day feature. Last week it was Dutch experimental noise artist Dolenaer. This week we have German psych rock band The CT Four Plus. I know very little about the band, other than the fact they were German and active in the 1970s.
The band released four different singles (for a total of seven songs), all on the MFB Produktion label, a Christian label based in Germany that was active from the 60s through at least the 1980s.… Continued →
June 28, 2025
Vengeance Rising vocalist Roger Martinez has passed away
Roger was the vocalist of one of the big 4 of thrash metal in the Christian industry which also included Deliverance, Tourniquet & Believer. Vengeance released 4 albums & this writer unfortunately didn’t hear about them until their last Released Upon the Earth. Pastor Bob Beeman’s hand is on the cover of their S/T debut. If you ever get to meet Pastor Bob, make sure you talk to him. He is a real man of God. Afterwards, Vengeance disbanded & formed several other bands including Die Happy & Once Dead.… Continued →
June 27, 2025
Watashi Wa and Lakes Vinyl Available For Order Now
I have some exciting news. Two different labels are releasing Watashi Wa and Lakes vinyl. Lakes if you were unaware, was the band that continued on the Watashi Wa legacy after they first broke up including lead vocalist Seth Roberts. Lakes released an EP in 2005 called “Photographs” that dropped in The Militia Group originally. The re-release is being put out by Sing Along Records right here (while you’re there make sure to check out the Long Since Forgotten vinyl). In addition the label Lost In Ohio are releasing the much loved and critically acclaimed Watashi Wa album “The Love of Life” on vinyl for the first time and you can preorder here.… Continued →
Song of the Day: Dolenaer - Stormen uit het Westen
Okay, we’re about to go crazy-obscure for this Song of the Day. First off, is this even a song? I recently discovered Dolenaer while listening to Hymns of the Blackest Light Volume 2, a compilation of black metal and experimental noise put out by Fallen Oak Recording. You might recognize that name as being closely affiliated with atmospheric black metallers Vials of Wrath.
Dolonaer ride that incredibly fuzzy line between ambient, experimental noise, and black metal, with a sound that hints of all three, but leads them into something entirely new.… Continued →
June 24, 2025
Song of the Day: Flynn Adam- Dishes
Flynn Adam Atkins was part of the Cali collective LA Symphony. He continued on in another project called Rootbeer along with going solo. As opposed to last weeks SOTD, this one focuses on what love is really about. Check out these lyrics.
I do the dishes; you know I love you Take out the trash; you know I love you Saving my kisses; you know I love you My love’s like that, love’s like that
And be sure to check out my website www.castingsuchathinshadow.com and my pre-recorded radio show on Ripper Radio aired on Sundays 5-6 pm EST.… Continued →
June 23, 2025
Rusty Shipp to release new album this Friday!
Everyone’s favorite nautically-themed hard rock band, Rusty Shipp, are set to release their latest marine-inspired offering, Capsized Empire to digital outlets this Friday (06/27). The album addresses the Problem of Evil from a philosophical standpoint–you know, standard, lightweight indie rock material (/sarcasm). In true Rusty Shipp form, the album follows a storyline, all of which will be included in the liner notes.
Order from the band’s website here:
rustyshipp.com… Continued →
June 21, 2025
REVIEW : Teeth for Eyes - Mines Along the Strand
Many of you will already be aware of the deep credentials held by Teeth for Eyes: members have played in Cicero, Empty Tomb, Godspeed, Crux, Government Hate Mail and many more. Naming these connections is both helpful and problematic. Sure, it tells us that the band members are seasoned veterans of the punk/indie scene, but how much does it tell us about the current music?
While musically the band are still cranking out fast-paced punk rock with touches of both hardcore on the one hand and/or alternative/grunge on the other, they are somewhat of an anomaly in that they have a singer.… Continued →
June 20, 2025
Song of the Day: Neal Morse Band - Bird on a Wire
Before he became a household name in prog rock, Neal Morse had already played in a handful of bands throughout the 80s and 90s. He’d recorded at least half a dozen albums with the notable Spock’s Beard, and also formed a prog-rock supergroup called Transatlantic with members of Flower Kings, Marillion, and Dream Theater. In fact, Morse’s partnership with famed drummer Mike Portnoy would carry over into several other projects, most notably (for our purposes here) the Neal Morse Band.
In 2002, Morse became a born-again Christian, and began writing music with distinctly Christian lyrics and purposes.… Continued →
June 17, 2025
Plead The Widow's Cause "Burn Bright, Burn Out" Epic Hardcore in Music Video Format
New Jersey based hardcore punk outfit – Plead The Widow’s Cause, just dropped an epic new music video that’s totally diy but filled to the brim with some of the best hardcore sounds around. If you haven’t heard these before then do yourself a favor and press play on the video below and check them out. They recently released a new full length that is available on your favorite digital networks. This song is titled “Burn Bright, Burn Out”.… Continued →
Song of the Day: Pushstart Wagon - Affection
This quirky alternative rock band has members that are still in the music industry after all these years. I had this one on CD back in high school. The opener (no pun intended) Open was pretty popular on Christian rock charts. This SOTD reminds me of what happens when we remove God’s intended plan for love.
And be sure to check out my website www.castingsuchathinshadow.com and my pre-recorded radio show on Ripper Radio aired on Sundays 5-6 pm EST.
… Continued →
June 13, 2025
Song of the Day: The Juliana Theory - To the Tune of 5,000 Screaming Children
There was a lot of anticipation about this band before they ever released one song. Founder/vocalist Brett Detar had been in Zao, playing on one of their most popular albums, Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest, as well as the unique and creative–and tragically underrated/unheard–emo-core band Pensive before that. With The Juliana Theory, Detar, along with bandmates Neil Hebrank (drums), Chad Alan (bass), Joshua Fiedler (guitars), and Joshua Kisker (guitars) took emo in a more accessible direction.
The band released four full-length albums between 1999 and 2006, along with a few live recordings, EPs, and the seminal split release with Dawson High.… Continued →
June 12, 2025
Indie Vision Music Statement and Reels
There has been an ongoing silence on the latest happenings in the Christian music realm and it’s not by accident, it’s pure engineering. So much so that we’ve decided (well me actually) to amp up the fun by diving head first into the world of “Reels” and short streaming clips as evidenced by some recent posts on Instagram and Facebook. While not as cutting edge and China-centric as say TikTok or as private as a Snap (not that kind of private and also, do people still use this app?),… Continued →
Demon Hunter - Light Bends (New Song + Music Video)
Demon Hunter are back with another new song and this one is just as good if not more so. The song is titled “Light Bends” and you can listen/watch the music video for it, below. What do you think?… Continued →
June 10, 2025
Song of the Day: Globalwavesystem - Smog
This is raw industrial music. The 3 core members of the band were from Iowa & I am pretty sure the Quad Cities area where my family is originally from. They were likened to mainstream’s Skinny Puppy. Check em out & this article that goes in depth about the band.
https://opus.ing/reviews/life-equals-death-globalwavesystem-1993-intense-records
And be sure to check out my website www.castingsuchathinshadow.com and my pre-recorded radio show on Ripper Radio aired on Sundays 5-6 pm EST.
… Continued →
June 6, 2025
Song of the Day: Zurisadai - Rehabilitation
Brazilian black/death metal band Zurisadai came from the coastal city of São Luís in the northern State of Maranhão. The band formed in 2001 and released their debut album Symphony of the Souls the following year via Extreme Records, one of the more prolific Christian metal labels for Latin America.
After a lengthy silence they released the follow-up The Coming of the Annihilation in 2014, also initially on Extreme Records. However, the album was impactful enough that it was re-issued no less than four times (!)… Continued →
June 3, 2025
Song of the Day: Red Sea - Hellbound Train
I used to have this one on cassette tape back in the day. Red Sea was a hard rock/bluesy band that included Die Happy’s vocalist & Fear Not’s guitarist. It was released on Rugged Records which also featured artists such as Reflescent Tide & Disciple. I remember 3 singles from this one & this SOTD was the first. Roxx remastered & released the LP in 2021.
And be sure to check out my website www.castingsuchathinshadow.com and my pre-recorded radio show on Ripper Radio aired on Sundays 5-6 pm EST.… Continued →
June 1, 2025
New Song From B is Bridgie, Vote for This Song to Be Featured
B is Bridgie has just dropped a really fun punk rock with pop flair to it. Imagine Yeah Yeah Yeahs meets Letters to Cleo meets Sixpence None The Richer meets Pat Benatar and Joan Jett. The guitars are great and have a certain crunch to them mixed with Kim’s otherworldly and gentle sounding vocals but delivering enough punch to keep it all interesting. Please head to their site here to vote for them to get featured at The Punk Rock Museum. Voting ends tomorrow. Listen to the song below (or at the link).… Continued →
May 30, 2025
Song of the Day: Rivulets and Violets - Paperchain Stories
Rivulets and Violets was a short-lived project spearheaded by Masaki Liu. Liu is a producer and engineer whose name appears in literally dozens (actually over a hundred!) of albums from Christian alternative and metal bands, especially in the 90s. He also owns his own studio, and has been a member of post-punks The Lonely Now and roots rockers Dimestore Prophets.
But R&V was a unique project. Their first album was released in 1993, and featured mostly instrumental songs. While there were no lyrics, there were occasional vocal parts, mostly in the form of la’s and other non-verbal vocal sounds.… Continued →
May 27, 2025
Song of the Day: Coretex - Lay Your Wings Around Me
Jonathan Emanuel Gremyr aka Jonathan Vrålstad under the moniker Coretex is an early Christian EDM trance artist from Sweden. This SOTD was featured on a couple compilations from N Soul & 3 Cell. He released a lot more music just like many EDM artists so check him out.
And be sure to check out my website www.castingsuchathinshadow.com and my pre-recorded radio show on Ripper Radio aired on Sundays 5-6 pm EST.
… Continued →
May 26, 2025
Sower Releases 'I WANT TO SEE CLEARLY' LP
I’ve been a big fan of Eric Tuffendsam’s Sower project since connecting inadvertently last year over Instagram. Our initial conversations were around around the theological distress of the so-called Christian music industry and the need for greater clarity Gospel; in retrospect, I shouldn’t be surprised that all of these conversations were building toward Sower’s most complete work to date.
Before we get into the details of the music, I feel it necessary to explain this truly is a one-man show. Tuffendsam not only played all instruments and did all vocals (apart from a few noted guests, including the likes of No Treaty), but he also did all production, mixing, AND mastering.… Continued →
May 23, 2025
Song of the Day: Zion - Who Pulls the Strings
Zion was a melodic/glam heavy metal band from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After releasing a pair of self-released cassette demos in 1982 (Roll the Rock/Less of Me) and 1984 (Rock for Eternity), they signed with Image Records out of New York. The band’s full-length debut Thunder from the Mountain seemed to be a huge success for the label, getting rave reviews from critics and fans alike. “It It a Crime?” spent several weeks on Christian rock radio charts.
For my money, Thunder is a top-5 album in the glam metal genre, a list that also includes Angelica’s self-titled debut, Holy Soldier’s self-titled debut, Guardian’s Fire and Love, and just about any album from Stryper’s early years.… Continued →
May 20, 2025
Song of the Day- Onceblind - See the Lies
This is an early nu metal/metalcore/screamo band that released one full length on Rescue records and some other songs on compilations. Unfortunately, I don’t have much insight on the band itself or where they were from.
And be sure to check out my website www.castingsuchathinshadow.com and my pre-recorded radio show on Ripper Radio aired on Sundays 5-6 pm EST.
… Continued →
INTERVIEWS
The Julies: From Delusions of Grandeur to Current Bamboozlement
Fine China: Sophisticated Pop Music and the Art of Being a Non-Perfectionist
An Interview with Rusty Shipp
Carly Ann Taylor
The Weird, Wild World of UnoriginalVinyl
Starflyer 59's Jason Martin Looks to the Future but Waxes Nostalgic
Getting Horror-bly Brutal with Seth Metoyer
Linden Hope Releases Debut Single / Exclusive Q & A
Symphony of Heaven: Going to Extremes to Make a Point
New Band Spotlight: Voluntary Mortification
Getting to the Heart of Goth Rock: Skot Shaw of Leper
Paul Hyde (Grandpa Loves Rhinos & Small Step Records)
Reese Roper of Five Iron Frenzy
Light The Way
Tom Read
Chase Tremaine
Bryan Gray of The Blamed Gets Interviewed by Movie Geek Feed
Jason Martin of Starflyer 59
Rusty Shipp
VEAUX Goes Behind the Scenes on New Single
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