INTERVIEW: ORODRUIN (ROCHESTER DOOM LEGENDS)

Photo by Julia Rabkin* 1. Talk about the humble beginnings of Orodruin. How did the band first form? How long have you guys known each other, the story behind the name, etc. John: We started back around 1998. We all basically have known each-other all our lives. Nick is my cousin and Mike his best […]

INTERVIEW: SOPHIE WESSELHOFF (BLOOD DESECRATION)

photos by OOAK IMAGERY* If you’re familiar with, or remember the bands SPIT NICKELS (FFO: Motorhead) and UNDEAD MESSENGERS (symphonic metal), you’ll know John “JT” Taylor. He’s a well-known guy, stellar guitarist, and powerful harsh vocalist in the Central New York and Southern Tier NY metal scenes. His latest musical offering to the community is […]

INTERVIEW: CHRIS HULL (ANTHROPIC)

Immediately after our December 2022 printed issue went live online, Anthropic announced that they’d been signed to CDN RECORDS! Congrats, boys! Now back to the original interview, printed in late November 2022: This year’s METAL CLAUS is none other than CHRIS HULL from Buffalo, New York grindcore kings, ANTHROPIC!! Chris was one of three people […]

MIKE’S TOP ALBUMS OF 2022

Not that anyone asked my opinion about anything, but every year I make it a point to talk about my top picks. These are the albums that really jumped out at me this year and got my blood pumping. If you’re reading this and you have any thoughts on these records, drop me a message […]

STUDIO OF NERDS: VINCE MAYER (DRUMMER @ GRIZZLY RUN)

WE’RE BACK! Just when you thought STUDIO OF NERDS was over for this month, we’ve got another unique take on the modern hardware and software of the music world from Vince Mayer (drummer of Grizzly Run, digital recording wiz, and mad scientist of elaborate light shows)!! 1. What first inspired you to start playing drums? […]

INTERVIEW: DESIGN THE VOID (METALCORE FROM KANE, PA)

Whenever the progressive metalcore kings from Kane, PA drop new tunes, I usually write about it. Their new vocalist, Jesse Isadore, has been one of my favorite harsh vocalists in this whole region since I met him in 2016. Combining their sound with ambient, ‘80s-influenced synth, this band is tearing down the proverbial walls of […]

INTERVIEW: MIKE HERMANN (enemy of the rose, tines, the missing worker)

In November of 2021, almost one year ago, James Hallenbeck released the album of his dreams – Event via his eclectic, folk infused metal band, ENEMY OF THE ROSE. The album received praise from mostly his friends and family in the Buffalo and Rochester music communities at first, but would soon catch on throughout the […]

INTERVIEW: CODY MCCORMICK (ASHES)

From out of nowhere, ASHES crushed the internet with their new single, “Shrouded” released in June of this year. I perceive this band as being right on the cusp of metalcore and deathcore, but with a modern djenty twist. They have some techy moments too which are really cool. You can check out a cool […]

INTERVIEW: MATT SHERWIN (ENDSTEP)

EndStep is something of the culmination of different disbanded acts from the Buffalo area going back to 1999. Matt Sherwin, EndStep’s drummer was kind enough to take us on that journey, and if you’re at all familiar with the Buffalo heavy music scene going back to the ‘90s, then you’re bound to recognize a lot […]

INTERVIEW: DAGGERMIND (BUFFALO DOOMGAZE)

I still don’t fully understand “doomgaze” and I may never understand it, but I am trying. I’ve known Andrew Sobotka (pictured above) for several months now, and had my first live Daggermind experience in late August 2022. To this day, they’re the loudest band I’ve ever seen/heard, especially in a smaller venue like Mister Goodbar […]