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, […]

After effects of Aftershock 2019

Wow! Can’t believe this is the 8th year of Aftershock in Sacramento, CA. This year, the festival took place at Discovery Park and had a sold-out crowd, including huge headliners. The bar was set very high, but the music, fans and overall experience definitely delivered. Fans were dressed in metal, gothic, and alternative clothing on […]

Day One aboard Megadeth’s metal MEGACRUISE

One year ago, I saw a post that said MEGACRUISE with photo of Testament. Megadeth is hosting a five-day cruise with thrash metal bands!! As months went by, more bands were revealed: Anthrax, Queensryche, Armored Saint, Death Angel, Metal Church, Suicidal Tendencies… I was not about to miss this boat! October 13th couldn’t get here […]

L.A. Guns at Ramona Mainstage

L.A. Guns with special guest Taz Taylor rocked Ramona Mainstage on August 10th, 2019. It was a night to remember what rock is supposed to sound like. Taz Taylor is a San Diego favorite who has been special guest for The Last in Line, John 5, Uli Jon Roth, UFO, Ace Frehley, Lynch Mob and […]

Symbolic at San Diego House of Blues

Symbolic rocked the House of Blues San Diego on Saturday July 6th, 2019 with supporting bands Casual Yak, Wicked Tongues and Daughters of Men. A little background on Symbolic: Symbolic combines their melodic energy with the excitement of old-school metal mixed with the power and skill of modern metal. Since the inception of the band, […]