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There are plenty of "Best Metal of 2011" lists floating around out there, but almost none of them take the true metal perspective. True metal is that idea that metal has a particular spirit and way of writing songs, and that just adding distortion and power chords does not make metal out of otherwise ordinary music.

• Esoteric - Paragon of Dissonance
• Gridlink - Orphan
• Death Strike - Fcukin' Death (re-issue)
• Cianide - Gods of Death
• Deceased - Surreal Overdose
• Heresiarch - Hammer of Intransigence
• Morbus 666 - Mortuus Cultus
• Nunslaughter - Demoslaughter
• Ungod - Cloaked in Eternal Darkness
• Apocalypse…

You may be a metalhead, or have a metalhead in your life. You may also want to save some money. In either cases or both, you're in the right place. The following is a list of metal items on sale through the end of the year that you can mail-order from the safety of your cubicle, and have delivered to the metalheads in your life in time for the year-end.

How to shop for your metalhead this holiday season

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From 1995 to about 1999, the old underground tried to live on in a new modern form. Then it collapsed, and what took over was an indie/alt-rock hybrid of metal that lost the raw aggressive spirit of metal and replaced it with self-pity. Starting in 2006 or so, the revival of the underground began. A new radio show is helping blast that door wide open with a solid diet of underground death metal, black metal, grindcore, speed metal, thrash (crossover), and hardcore mixed in with dark ambient and possibly classical music. Meet Devolved, the voice and choice of music…

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Some foolish people did a study in which they claimed heavy metal caused depression and risk of suicide. Our mainstream media thought that was a great idea because they're just not that fond of heavy metal.

The follow article refutes the idea that heavy metal "causes" depression or suicide:

Modern-day crusaders want to blame heavy metal and declare a witch hunt because these people want a scapegoat. They are afraid of the actual problems with our society because those are big and deeply-rooted problems. It's easier to blame heavy metal, burn a few records and then declare victory. It…

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The new Demoncy track is inspiring and dark, bringing a power that has been missing from black metal for almost a decade. With less dynamic variation and more pure energy than the epic Joined in Darkness, this new track bodes well for another album of unsettling and feral black metal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXIb5xSegDI

* Demoncy - "Winds of Plague" (]Enthroned in Darkness)
* Demoncy "Enthroned is the Night" sample track "Winds of Plague" (Examiner.com)
* Demoncy - Enthroned is the Night pre-order ($8 + S/H)
* Demoncy discography, samples and reviews

Related artists:

* Havohej
* Inquisition
*…

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Underground metal radio that takes the best of classic death metal, black metal, speed metal, thrash, grindcore, punk and dark ambient and updates it.

Listen online: 8 PM - 10 PM CST

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"Does this mean Dead Horse is continuing? None of us are really sure at this point. Some of us are becoming friends again. We're all trying to enjoy the moment."

Interview with Scott Sevall of Dead Horse

* dead horse
* Pasadena Napalm Division
* Deth Kulture BBQ
* Force Fed

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During the 1980s and early 1990s, Houston was lucky enough to have its own metal magazine.

With the slogan "Free - Take One!" emblazoned across the top, Rivethead Magazine was a familiar sight in Houston-area record stores, especially those that were – how shall we say – metal-friendly.

Interview with Lisa of Rivethead Magazine

Founding death metal musician Kam Lee (Death, Massacre, Bone Gnawer) blasted those who rely on formula to sell records, instead of making quality music.

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It's from "formula" in metal music that has either been the downfall or the up rise in the genre and among many of the bands. When bands set a distinct genre - and a set "formula" is established, once those bands begin the mix or change that formula, is when they take a risk of failing.

When a band decides to forsake the formula that works, and forsakes integrity in exchange to gain “a piece…

I just created a group for The Metal AE, which was a 1980s dial-up file server that centered on metal information, hacking and Apple warez at a time when all of these were hard to find.

Inspired by The ANUS Metal AE tribute site.