Opeth’s ‘The Last Will and Testament’ Is a New High-Water Mark
Opeth’s The Last Will and Testament is their most focused, disciplined piece of music to date and their heaviest work in more than 15 years.
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.
Iron Maiden’s World Tour Explores Their Past, Present, and Future
Contemplating the future of Iron Maiden by celebrating the present and looking back at an album that was all about looking ahead. That’s a good hook.
Supergroup BEAT Served Up a Masterful Rock Clinic
BEAT’s tour had the potential to be a revelation, especially to the generations that were too young to catch the King Crimson foursome more than 40 years ago.
Rediscovering the Joy of Discovery at Festival De Musique Émergente
Festival De Musique Émergente is about discovering new music. When you go exploring on one night, you’ll uncover at least one new favorite artist, guaranteed.
Osheaga Festival 2024: Extremely Hot to Go!
After almost four years of darkness, violence, cultural malaise, and fascism’s threat, today’s young generation fight back with sincere joy at Osheaga.
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’
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
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
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
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 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
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.