Metal School

A retrospective on a largely overlooked US power metal band from New Jersey. You may not know Attacker but if you're into some old-school hidden gems, this is one to check out. They definitely had more than their share of rough patches, career detours, and member shakeups, but they still managed to put out some great albums that are worth checking out. No Headbangers Ball appearances and no music videos, but the music speaks for itself. So, get your brain ready to get schooled on Attacker!

A retrospective on the Canadian metal band, Exciter. Inspired by bands like Motorhead, Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, this group would be a major influence on the burgeoning speed metal scene in North America. However, they'd run into a series of obstacles, from the typical internal band issues, to the more overarching problem of sticking with a single record label. Still, they released a series of must-listen 80s albums and even got out some cool stuff after that. Join me as I take a look at this classic power trio that was sometimes a four-piece, but always heavy and fast.

One of the very first American doom metal bands. Join me as I take a look back at a classic group from Chicago that pioneered some the heaviest sounds in metal, even with unusually religious lyrics.

Picture are considered the Godfathers of Dutch heavy metal. So why do we never hear about them? Join me as I dive into the history of an iconic heavy metal band from Holland that couldn't quite get the international foothold they deserved, due to changing styles too often and being influenced by their record label. But Picture still has some excellent stuff that is well worth checking out.

Pretty Maids is a Danish hard rock/heavy metal band from Horsens. They were formed in 1981 by Ken Hammer and completed with Ronnie Atkins in 1982.

A look back at Bathory and Thomas "Quorthon" Forsberg, a unique and important figure in the history of heavy metal in general and specifically the formation of both black metal and viking metal. Very little footage exists of Quorthon but there are a lot of interviews. Although even then, it's hard to know what was true and what was just Quorthon leaning into the mystery of his band.

Extended Patreon Version (with music clips and video reviews) Twisted Sister is often remembered as an overnight MTV cartoon sensation. But before the massive radio hits like "We're Not Gonna Take It," the band that spent a grueling 10 years in the cutthroat tri-state bar circuit before finally exploding worldwide with their Stay Hungry album in 1984. But by 1985, they were already well on their way to falling apart. Join me for a comprehensive look back at the history and discography of an essential component to the American metal scene, including how they took ten long years to conquer the underground with their raw debut Under the Blade and the hard-hitting follow-up You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll. We also explore the creative roadblocks that fractured the lineup, Dee Snider's historic stand against the PMRC censorship hearings in Washington D.C., and how Twisted Sister survived the collapse to eventually reunite as one of the most respected live festival acts in the world.

YouTube Version (no music clips or video reviews) Twisted Sister is often remembered as an overnight MTV cartoon sensation. But before the massive radio hits like "We're Not Gonna Take It," the band that spent a grueling 10 years in the cutthroat tri-state bar circuit before finally exploding worldwide with their Stay Hungry album in 1984. But by 1985, they were already well on their way to falling apart. Join me for a comprehensive look back at the history and discography of an essential component to the American metal scene, including how they took ten long years to conquer the underground with their raw debut Under the Blade and the hard-hitting follow-up You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll. We also explore the creative roadblocks that fractured the lineup, Dee Snider's historic stand against the PMRC censorship hearings in Washington D.C., and how Twisted Sister survived the collapse to eventually reunite as one of the most respected live festival acts in the world. Dig in, you SMFs!