Words by Justin Donnelly

Despite releasing their new album Murder Of Songs midway through last year, long running Melbourne based metal act Frankenbok were notably absent for the better part of 2007. The reasons behind Frankenbok’s inactivity came down to two major events. The first was the departure of vocalist Adam ‘B. Metal’ Miles (Who decided to concentrate on his own outfit The Departed) just prior to the release of Murder Of Songs. Although parting ways amicably, touring was put on hold while a replacement was found. His replacement was found soon in ex-Block/McDougall Brothers/Repugnance vocalist Daniel McDougall, and Frankenbok looked all set to move forward once again. Adding to their run of bad luck, guitarist Aaron Butler broke his leg in a skateboarding accident in early 2007, which further put the band’s live activities on the backburner.

With 2007 well and truly behind them, 2008 sees Frankenbok (Who also comprise of guitarist Nathan ‘Yeti’ Amatnieks, bassist/keyboardist Tim Miedecke and drummer Mick Morley) return with a renewed energy, a new E.P. in The Last Ditch Redemption, and plans to undertake their most ambitious tour to date.

Relaxing at home discussing business with his fellow band mates, I cornered vocalist Daniel McDougall to discuss the details of the band’s latest release, how plans for their movie like D.V.D. were coming along, their plans to cover every corner of the country while on tour and their relief that 2007 is nothing more than a bad memory.

Words by Justin Donnelly

Although having amassed a strong following within the metalcore scene with their first two full-length albums (2001's The Stings Of Conscience and 2004's The Oncoming Storm), it wasn’t until Boston (Massachusetts) based act Unearth released III: In The Eyes Of Fire that the band really made an impact in a major way, elevating them into the ranks of metalcore’s elite. In the two years since the release of their third album, Unearth has maintained a gruelling tour schedule that has seen them tour across the globe (Including two tours of Australia).

Prior to heading into the studio to record their fourth studio album, Unearth have released their first official D.V.D. Alive From the Apocalypse. What can only be described as all-encompassing, the double D.V.D. set not only features a full live set from the band (Which was recorded in front of a sold out Californian audience in October 2007), but also a seventy minute documentary that covers the band’s ten year history, eight promotional video clips and a host of extras.

With the release of Alive From the Apocalypse, Unearth have once again taken to the road for a quick two week sprint across the U.S. While in a stopover in St. Louis (Missouri), I caught up with vocalist Trevor Phipps to talk about the making of the D.V.D., the D.V.D.’s runaway success in Canada and the group’s progress on album number four.

Words by Simon Milburn

Norway’s Dimmu Borgir are on the up and up. Starting out as an underground black metal outfit, sure enough, album by album, the group has not only grown in popularity but their style has also shifted as well. Still clad in black metal getup (read corpse paint, black leather gear and spikey stuff), the group still maintain their black metal roots but musically today, Shagrath, guitarists Erkekjetter Silenoz and Galder, bassist ICS Vortex, keyboardist Mustis and guest drummer Hellhammer (he of Arcturus and Mayhem fame who replaced Nick Barker a couple of years ago), their output is infinitely more complex, more expressive, and ultimately more mature as well.

And their latest album, In Sorte Diaboli, is further proof to that, as is the response that it has been receiving in the press since its release. “Over the top! The press seem to get more and more into the stuff,” begins bassist ICS Vortex. I caught up with the rather tall bassist to discuss touring Australia on the back of their latest album, the band’s previous attempts to do so which didn’t become reality, the departure of Nick Barker and subsequent hiring of Hellhammer’s services which were put on hold as Tony Lorenzo filled in whilst Hellhammer is injured, the writing process and pressures felt for In Sorte Diaboli, and Vortex’s perspective on the band’s increased popularity in recent times.

Gene Hoglan is on a mission. To show you things you thought not possible. To change your drumming life. His resume boasts endless thrash luminaries: Death, Testament, Opeth and Strapping Young Lad. Hoglan is the undisputed metal master. See the "Atomic Clock" blast live - or else!

Words by Justin Donnelly

There’s no denying that one of the biggest melodic death metal acts on the scene today is Swedish outfit Soilwork.

Over the last decade, Soilwork have seemingly gone from strength to strength, with the band pushing their sound beyond the confides of what is generally considered the typical melodic death metal mould with every new release, which in turn draws more and more followers to Soilwork’s cause.

In mid October 2007, Soilwork released their seventh full-length album Sworn To A Great Divide to overwhelmingly high praise, followed immediately with a European tour (Dubbed Eastpak Antidote Tour) alongside Dark Tranquillity, Caliban and Sonic Syndicate.

Keen to keep the momentum going, the band stuck to the road for a quick month long North American tour (The Clash Of The Metal Titans tour) with Killswitch Engage, DevilDriver and Lamb Of God, followed by a Finnish/Baltic tour with Path Of No Return.

Having just wrapped up their month long second Scum Of The Earth North American tour (With Throwdown and Through The Eyes Of The Dead and War Of Ages), I caught up with Soilwork vocalist Björn ‘Speed’ Strid, who’s taking a well earned break from the road in Phoenix (Arizona) after completing some thirty-two shows in a short thirty-four days! While soaking in the perfect weather, I asked Strid about the Soilwork’s return to a thrashier sound on their latest release Sworn To A Great Divide.