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When you’re talking about the top five metal bands of all time, most people would probably agree on a few key names, Judas Priest, Metallica, Megadeth and Testament. Although not as commercially popular as the other three aforementioned bands, Testament is widely considered one of the true innovators of thrash metal that has influenced so many metal bands today. After…

On April 16th, in Toronto, Canada, Metal Monsters Slipknot dug in and played a ridiculously amazing set incorporating a seizure-inducing light show and a crisp sound unlike that heard in larger arenas. Obviously this band needs no introduction and as such we’ll simply say this… While Trivium tore up the stage and hyped the crowd for the aforementioned music juggernauts, we managed to grad Slipknot DJ and member #0 (aka Sid Wilson) in a relatively sound-proofed room for a quick interview. In full gear and with his remote controlled mask buzzing and whirring, PureGrainAudio asked questions pertaining to touring, their new wardrobe and more about the force that is the ‘Knot.

Early Man is an old school metal band, formed in 2003. The band is comprised of Mike Conte on guitar/vocals, Adam Bennati on drums and Pete Macy on guitar. They are originally from Columbus, Ohio. Early Man signed to Matador Records in 2003, releasing one EP Early Man and one full length Closing In. Early Man signed to The End Records in 2008 and have since released the EP Beware the Circling Fin.

Who is the biggest metal band in the world right now? If you said Metallica then you better go back to the 1980s. Over the last five years, Slipknot has become one of the biggest and most popular rock bands in the entire world. The guys rose to international prominence upon the release of 2004’s Vol. 3 (The Subliminal Verses) and have managed to keep it up with their fourth studio album All Hope Is Gone released last summer. Currently the band is getting set for some Canadian tour dates before some dates in the U.S. and then a run through Europe. Recently, we were fortunate enough to catch up with Slipknot bassist Paul Gray, otherwise known as #2, to talk about what the band’s up to and the latest album. Paul is without a doubt one of the coolest and nicest musicians I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with; here’s how it went.

Upon receipt of Healing Through Fire by Orange Goblin, I looked at the cover and title and was thoroughly expecting to be writing a review on a Death metal band, especially with song titles such as “Beginners Guide To Suicide” and “Hot Knives And Open Sores.” Man, was I surprised when I popped it in my player and was greeted by good and raucous, ruff-around-the-edges, straight forward Metal. There are no pretenses here, this disc is not super polished and glossy but it seriously kicks ass.

F5 is a heavy metal band based out of Phoenix, Arizona which features Megadeth bassist Dave Ellefson and ex-Megadeth drummer Jimmy DeGrasso. Founded in 2003, F5 quickly realized their mission to be heavy, but always melodic. With the creative flood gates wide open the group eagerly wrote scores of new songs and recorded their debut album A Drug For All Seasons with producer Ryan Greene, who is recognized for working with bands like Megadeth, Bad Religion, and NOFX. In 2008, F5 finished their highly anticipated second album and enlisted the talents of veteran drummer Jimmy DeGrasso to round out the new recording and touring lineup. With producer Ryan Greene at the helm, the band’s new album The Reckoning was released in 2008 via OarFin Distribution (Koch). Source: Wikipedia.

Testament have overcome all sorts of adversity to become one of the most respected and heralded metal bands today. After dealing with cancer, record label woes and membership issues, the band has returned with their best album in years, The Formation of Damnation. After over a decade of exiting the Bay Area band, original lead guitarist, Alex Skolnick rejoined the fold and added his trademark solos to the album.