Adrien Begrand

Adrien Begrand has been writing for PopMatters since 2002, and has been writing his metal column Blood & Thunder since 2005. A regular contributor to Decibel, Terrorizer, Iron Fist, NPR, and more, he resides in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Follow and interact with him on Twitter and Instagram.
The 10 Best Discoveries at Festival de musique émergente 2023

The 10 Best Discoveries at Festival de musique émergente 2023

Festival de musique émergente, the annual new music festival in Northern Quebec, brought sunshine, diversity, and fun to concert-starved audiences.

Metallica Go on a Healing Journey with ’72 Seasons’

Metallica Go on a Healing Journey with ’72 Seasons’

While their most musically cautious work, Metallica’s 72 Seasons still takes some huge risks. We all deserve to be happy, including our heavy metal heroes.

“I Am the Fire”: Iron Maiden’s ‘The Number of the Beast’ at 40

“I Am the Fire”: Iron Maiden’s ‘The Number of the Beast’ at 40

Forty years ago Iron Maiden’s The Number of the Beast introduced 39 minutes of fury that would turn heavy metal on its ear and introduce new superstars.

Ghost’s ‘Impera’ Is a Morbidly Exhilarating Soundtrack to Dark Times

Ghost’s ‘Impera’ Is a Morbidly Exhilarating Soundtrack to Dark Times

Twelve years after setting the underground metal scene ablaze, Ghost’s Impera establishes them as a commercial hard rock force.

On Est La!: Returning to Live Music in Northern Quebec with FME 2021

On Est La!: Returning to Live Music in Northern Quebec with FME 2021

The 2021 lineup of Quebec’s Festival de Musique Emergente was simply dazzling, reflecting the breadth and quality of post-millennial Canadian music.

Metallica’s Black Album Turns 30 with a Remastered and Expanded Edition

Metallica’s Black Album Turns 30 with a Remastered and Expanded Edition

Metallica took a huge risk on their fifth album, unsure and a little worried where it might take them, and the rest, as they say, is history.

The 15 Best Judas Priest Songs

The 15 Best Judas Priest Songs

Presenting the 15 best songs by Judas Priest, expanded from the original idea of ten choices simply because the band’s legacy is too important.

Iron Maiden Are As Exhilarating As Ever on ‘Senjutsu’

Iron Maiden Are As Exhilarating As Ever on ‘Senjutsu’

Iron Maiden’s Senjutsu is not without its share of bumps and plenty of familiar scenery, but after more than 40 years, the band are as exhilarating as ever.

10 Songs That Will Make You Love Rush

10 Songs That Will Make You Love Rush

Consider this list of ten songs an attempt to coerce a newbie into the vast, rewarding, fun, and often beautiful Rush back catalog.

The 20 Best Metal Albums of 2010

The 20 Best Metal Albums of 2010

In 2010, the metal world honored the memory of Ronnie James Dio in the coolest possible way: by making it the best year for new music the genre saw in a very long time.

A Hardwired Triumph for Metallica

A Hardwired Triumph for Metallica

Metallica has perfected the arena rock experience, creating as immersive and inclusive an atmosphere as possible by performing "in the round".

Ghost’s ‘Prequelle’ Subverts Metal Clichés and It Has a Strong Sense of History

Ghost’s ‘Prequelle’ Subverts Metal Clichés and It Has a Strong Sense of History

Underneath the catchy melodies and snazzy artwork, Ghost have created one of the cleverest heavy metal records in recent memory.