A look into Black Veil Brides’ discography & forthcoming album

What do you think of when you hear ‘black veils’? Women at funerals, crying over loved ones who are no longer with them? To me, I think of probably the heaviest rock band on the planet, Black Veil Brides, fronted by Andy Biersack. They are a phenomenal band, formed in 2006 in Cincinnati, Ohio bringing joy […]

Ice Nine Kills: an introspection from a true metalhead

Do you like Ice Nine Kills? That seems to be a question everyone struggles with. Straight out of Boston comes another heavy metal band with tricks up their sleeves. Fronted by Spencer Charnas, Ice Nine kills is a band who gets their inspiration from literature and horror movies, such as 2018’s The Sliver Scream album, which […]

Knotfest announced for Los Angeles November 2021

Knotfest, a touring metal festival from renowned metal heavyweights Slipknot, has announced an LA addition for 2021! Gracing the Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles on November 5th will be, of course, Slipknot, with direct support by Bring Me The Horizon, Killswitch Engage, Fever 333, Code Orange, Vended and special guest Cherry Bombs. Bring […]

Aftershock Festival set to return to Sacramento Fall 2021

After a concert-less year in 2020, festivals are making their comeback! One of the biggest festivals each year is Aftershock in Northern California, who announced a larger than life lineup for 2021! Presented by Danny Wimmer, the return of Aftershock (a.k.a. the west coast’s biggest rock festival) heads back to Discovery Park in Sacramento this October […]

First ever Rebel Rock Fest to hit Florida this fall

Having to delay their inaugural fest from 2020 to 2021, Rebel Rock Festival is finally (almost) here!! This new rock and heavy metal fest will take place September 24th through 26th at Orlando’s Central Florida Fairgrounds, kicking off on Thursday with a Taco Metal Party hosted by Jose ‘Metal Ambassador’ Mangin. Volbeat just got announced […]

Non Neutral bursts forth with “Lust Conquers All” single

Costa Rican band Non Neutral is forging ahead with their latest “Lust Conquers All” single, combining elements of hip hop and metal to render a commanding rock anthem. The new track follows the band’s Every Direction Is Forward EP of late 2016, a release that cemented Non Neutral as a catalyst amongst the top Latin […]

Metal industry updates during quarantine, by a true metalhead

It’s hard to believe MEGACRUISE was just 7 months ago — where we were all on a boat for five days together! We were singing together, moshing together, sweating together and here we are hanging out in our own homes, anxiously awaiting to swap mosh pit sweat again, someday. Let’s focus on the cool shit […]

NwRootz podcast welcomes Top Shelf Editor-in-Chief Kristy Rose

Nwrootz, a podcast out of the Pacific Northwest, welcomes Top Shelf Music Editor-in-Chief Kristy Rose to the microphone for their 12th episode! Chatting about the history of the brand all the way to personal music preferences, hosts Kris and Joanna get to know our commanding Editor through this enlightening podcast. “…get to know our commanding Editor through […]

Megadeth’s MEGACRUISE 2019: Day Five

I have dragged out this final day as long as possible. I just want to relive it over and over. Where does Day Four MEGACRUISE end and Day Five begin? Somewhere around 5am, closing down the Bliss once again. I had to get a few hours sleep. I managed to get up in time for […]

Queensrÿche brings the metal to San Diego’s Music Box

The vibe at the Music Box is always great, especially at a metal show! Opening the night was Eve to Adam, a New York-based band formed in 1997 with five albums. I’m not sure how I missed them before, but definitely will check them out moving forward! I love their sound; it fit great in […]

Annual Dimebash All-Star jam rocks Observatory OC

Dimebash, an annual tribute to the late Dimebag Darrell (guitarist of Pantera), rocked The Observatory Theater in Santa Ana on January 16th, 2020. Dimebash is where metalheads come together to remember Dimebag Darrell and his brother Vinnie Paul, all in the name of charity. The tickets were only $33 for four straight hours of all […]

Aboard MEGACRUISE 2019: Day Four

Bueños dias — Ensenada, Mexico! I actually never even left the boat. I debated going ashore, but there was so much going onboard that I wasn’t about to miss it. Day Four on Megadeth’s MEGACRUISE had a photo experience with Testament, Lamb of God (we all missed the LOG photo experience, we’ll get to that later), […]

Megadeth’s MEGACRUISE 2019: Day Three

There was lots happening Day Three aboard Megadeth’s metal MEGACRUISE, starting with ‘Among the Brewing’ with Charlie Benante of Anthrax… yes — Charlie has coffee, too! ‘Sip and Paint’ with comedian Don Jamieson and Megadeth’s Dirk Verbeuren was also going on, as well as ‘Mega Clinic’ with Megadeth member Kiko Loureiro, Q & A’s, ‘Vic’s Garage’ […]

Cleaver, Nu Ritual & Worldwide Panic at LA’s Rainbow Room

It was a crisp, crystal clear autumn night as the historic Rainbow Room sign stood tall over the Sunset Strip in Hollywood on November 11th, 2019. ‘Metal Mayhem’ night, hosted by LA Talk Radio’s Jennifer Devoe (of Jenny’s Real Talk on the Block), was on the rise and things were about to get loud AF! […]

Megadeth’s MEGACRUISE 2019: Day Two

We woke up on a boat in San Diego… my home sweet home. The second day aboard Megadeth’s metal MEGACRUISE started out with Dave Ellefson’s Breakfast Club. He did a little Q & A, told some stories. One of the stories that fascinated me was him talking about doing his ‘Basstory’; there was a show in Fullerton, […]