In 2008 King's X is as vital and vibrant as ever. XV finds the trio of Doug Pinnick, Ty Tabor and Jerry Gaskill in excellent form. The band's fifteenth album has some of the heaviest songs they've done in a while. It's also packed with King X's trademark groovy medium tempo songs and a couple of ballads.

King's X are excellent songwriters, and this CD has a lot of memorable hooks and catchy choruses. The band has never been afraid to state their beliefs, and there are a couple songs, including "Pray For Me," that explore the spiritual side of things. XV is a little more polished than some of their past work, but it has a lot of variety and shows King's X has a lot of life left in them.

Read the complete King's X - XV Review

(CD cover courtesy Inside Out Music)

The Dutch band Hail Of Bullets just released their debut CD Of Frost And War. They’re an experienced crew, made up of vocalist Martin van Drunen (Pestilence, Asphyx), guitarists Paul Baayens (Thanatos, Asphyx) and Stephan Gebedi (Thanatos), bassist Theo van Eeklen (Houwitser) and drummer Ed Warby (Gorefest). The CD was mixed and mastered by death metal guru Dan Swano. Stephan Gebedi tells us about the concept behind the album, whether their other band obligations will allow them to tour, and the metal scene in the Netherlands.

Chad Bowar: How did the band get together?
Stephan Gebedi: I already had the idea to form a band with Ed Warby on drums many years ago. Due to various circumstances (Thanatos reforming and Gorefest reuniting for example) it never happened. About 2 years ago my other band Thanatos played a show with Martin’s band Death by Dawn and I mentioned the idea to him. He liked the idea, we kept in touch and I asked the other guys if they were interested. We got together at the end of 2006, had a few drinks to find out if all five of us clicked on a personal level and that night we decided to form a band together.

How would you describe the sound of Of Frost And War?
It’s pure old school death metal. Nothing more, nothing less. We’re obviously influeneced by bands like Autopsy, Massacre, old Death and Celtic Frost, but of course we added our own touch to these influences. I think we managed to transport the old school death metal feeling into a sound that fits 2008

Read the complete Hail Of Bullets Interview