Saxon alternates between soaring power metal, radio friendly arena rock, and gritter blues based songs. It's a fine line between diversity and dilution, but Saxon has the chops and experience to pull off just about anything.

The best songs on Into The Labyrinth are ones like "Crime Of Passion" that have an edge to them, but also plenty of melody and a memorable chorus. I've always like Biff Byford's voice, and ballads like "Voice" show that he still has power and range in his distinctive pipes.

Read the complete Saxon - Into The Labyrinth Review

(CD cover courtesy SPV Records)

Kreator has been one of the most influential European thrash bands. Since their beginning in the early ‘80s as Tyrant to Tormentor and finally Kreator, the German band has become one of the longest running and popular thrash acts. In 2009 they are still going strong, and their latest CD is Hordes Of Chaos. Vocalist/guitarist Mille Petrozza gives us the lowdown on the band’s 12th studio album, their upcoming U.S. tour, the thrash revival and much more.

Chad Bowar: What can Kreator fans expect from Hordes Of Chaos?
Mille Petrozza: They can expect a very heavy record with sheer Kreator brutality, nothing less. It’s a very heavy album with a lot of fast songs and brutal stuff. It picked up where Enemy Of God left off. It’s a progression, but we tried not to repeat ourselves. It’s the next logical step.

I understand you changed your recording process a bit for this album.
Yes. The basic tracks were all recorded in a live situation. We had the whole band in one room recording drums, both guitars and bass at the same time. We didn’t do overdubs to fix things afterwards. We left it like it was and tried to play as close to perfect as possible with the energy of a live show. For us this time it was more about the vibe and the emotion than perfection. It gives the listener a clue to what the band sounds like live, rather than a perfect polished studio production.

Read the complete Kreator Interview
Read the Kreator - Hordes Of Chaos Review

(photo courtesy SPV Records)

Metallica is part of the class of 2009 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. The thrash legends were selected in their first year of eligibility. Joining Metallica at the April 4 induction ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio will be Jeff Beck, Little Anthony & the Imperials, Run-D.M.C. and Bobby Womack. The Early Influence category inductee is Wanda Jackson, and Sidemen category inductees include Bill Black, DJ Fontana and Spooner Oldham.

Metallica has issued a statement in response to the honor. In part it says, "Wow . . . what a great way to start off 2009! We are beyond proud to let you know that we will indeed be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in a ceremony held in Cleveland on April 4, 2009. As a refresher, it has to have been 25 years since your first record was released to be eligible and while it certainly doesn't feel like it's been that long, we hear that's the case!"

Congratulations to hall voters for getting it right in electing Metallica, but there are a bunch of other hard rock/heavy metal bands still deserving a place in the Hall Of Fame such as Kiss, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Rush, Motorhead and many others. Here's a list of everyone that's been inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Who do you think should be in there that's not?

Meshuggah will be returning to North America in February 2009 on a 17-show headlining tour presented by MySpace Music. Direct support will be provided by the legendary progressive metal band Cynic. Opening all shows will be technical progressive death metallers The Faceless. Meshuggah's 2008 CD ObZen was named one of the best of 2008 by this site. Cynic is touring in support of their comeback album Traced In Air.

Meshuggah, Cynic and The Faceless Tour Dates:
02/01/09 House of Blues – Anaheim, CA
02/02/09 House of Blues – San Diego, CA
02/03/09 House of Blues – Hollywood, CA
02/04/09 Slim's – San Francisco, CA
02/06/09 El Corazón – Seattle, WA
02/07/09 Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR
02/08/09 Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver, BC – CANADA
02/09/09 Knitting Factory – Spokane, WA
02/11/09 Gothic Theatre – Englewood, CO
02/12/09 People's Court – Des Moines, IA
02/13/09 Station 4 – St. Paul, MN
02/14/09 The Eagles Club – Milwaukee, WI
02/15/09 House Of Blues – Chicago, IL
02/17/09 Phoenix Concert Theatre – Toronto, ON – CANADA
02/18/09 Club Soda – Montreal, QC – CANADA
02/19/09 Irving Plaza – New York, NY
02/20/09 Recher Theatre – Towson, MD