Features

For extended reading and interviews

Features

For extended reading and interviews

HM Magazine Exclusive

Top 25 albums of 2024

Featuring Top 25 albums of 2024

A year of bold evolution and expansion, 2024's list of top albums pushes boundaries in ways HM has never seen.

Nothing Gold Can Stay

Featuring Starflyer 59

On Starflyer 59's new album 'Lust for Gold,' frontman Jason Martin reflects on themes of nostalgia, change, and the elusive pursuit of meaning. Despite life's shifts, including his son now drumming in the band, Martin remains in search of the past's "gold," with his music steeped in the yearning that has defined his career.

Top 25 albums of 2023

Featuring Top 25 Albums of 2023

Whatever your taste, 2023 had something worth celebrating, and as you brace yourself for what's to come in the next year, we hope you enjoy HM's top 25 albums of 2023.

Forging a New Path

Featuring Blacforje Magazine

Former HM writer Andrew Voigt shares more about his passion for black metal, the artists he's met, and his latest journalistic venture, Blacforje Magazine.

HM Magazine Exclusive

Gideon's Power and Pain

Featuring Gideon

As Alabama metalcore warriors Gideon celebrated their new album, MORE POWER. MORE PAIN. on the road, drummer Jake Smelley sat down to talk to us about the reality — both the anguish and the freedom — behind their latest release.

HM Magazine Exclusive

20 Years of August Burns Red

Featuring August Burns Red

We spoke with August Burns Red guitarist JB Brubaker about the band's 10th studio album, what it's like coming back from COVID as a band, and the collaborations they were able to include in their latest release.

HM Magazine Exclusive

A Calling Stronger than Death

Featuring Zahna

Rock artist Zahna gives HM an exclusive, intimate look behind her latest record, 'Stronger Than Death,' with a song-by-song breakdown.

Top 25 albums of 2022

Featuring Top 25 Albums of 2022

It was an eclectic year for artists, fans, and everyone who touches this corner of the music industry we’ve built our hearts on. We hope you enjoy HM's top 25 albums of 2022.

To Hell and Back

Featuring Fit For A King

Fit For A King frontman Ryan Kirby opens up about the life-changing events that shaped the powerful content and delivery of their latest full-length release, 'The Hell We Create.'

BlackBraid's Native Voice

Featuring BlackBraid

Rising artist, BlackBraid, ties their indigenous roots to the mystical themes foundational to black metal in their new album, 'BlackBraid I,' connecting both legacies through the power of music.

Kutless' Refining Fire

Featuring Kutless

In the wake of the deconstruction movement, Kutless guitarist James Mead talks to us about the band's hiatus, their return to heavy music, and shares what tested his faith and brought him back to the heart of the Gospel.

The World in Color

Featuring The Devil Wears Prada

Between music, hockey apparel, woodworking, and whatever new hobby he can get his hands on, The Devil Wears Prada frontman Mike Hranica sits down with HM to discuss the theme, artwork, and inspiration behind their new album, 'Color Decay.'

Pushing Boundaries

Featuring Northlane

Northlane's self-produced success, 'Obsidian,' peaked as the No. 1 Australian Album on the ARIA charts. We sat down with drummer Nic Pettersen to hear more about how the record came to be, and what it means for the future of Australia's metalcore stalwarts.

Anberlin's Silver Lining

Featuring Anberlin

Eight years since their last album, Anberlin is back with a brand new EP, Silverline. In celebration of the release, vocalist Stephen Christian shares more about the band's revival and what it means to be an artist in the golden era of alternative rock.

The Highlander

Featuring Saor

The juxtaposition of metal and folk music has deeply personal roots for Scottish artist, Saor. HM contributing writer Andrew Voigt sits down with the mind behind Saor, Andy Marshall, to discuss the evolution of his music and the meaning behind his self-proclaimed genre identity.

The Forest Beyond Iniquity

Featuring Within Thy Wounds

Among the themes of black metal are tenets that span the entire spectrum of belief, including, in the case of Within Thy Wounds, Catholicism. Andrew Voigt, a contributing writer at HM, sat down with the anonymous artist to talk about theology's place in the genre and the mystery of music.

The Ride of a Lifetime

Featuring Convictions

Since 2012, Ohio-based metalcore band Convictions has been a force to reckon with in heavy music. HM editor Nao Glover catches up with vocalist Mike Felker to talk about the band's humble beginnings, his run with August Burns Red, his latest headlining tour, and what drives him as an artist.

Through The Eyes of Fascination

Featuring The Birthday Massacre

A fantastical force in rock, The Birthday Massacre keeps imagination and nostalgia alive in their new record, 'Fascination.' Long-time fan and HM contributing writer, Andrew Voigt, spoke with vocalist Chibi about the band's newest album, the current tour, and the mystical significance of The Rabbit.

Existential Clarity

Featuring MØL

True savants of their art, Denmark blackgaze force MØL capture the fullness of existence both on and off the stage. Andrew Voigt sits down with vocalist Kim Song Sternkopf to discuss the band, their recent release, the band’s ethos, and what comes next.

The Sound of Winter

Featuring Unreqvited

With a sound not-so-different than their home in icy Ontario, blackgaze act Unreqvited sits down with Andrew Voigt to discuss their history, new music on the horizon, and who they are beyond the sounds of winter.

A Haunted Refrain

Featuring Uada

HM writer and black metal super fan Andrew Voigt sits down with Uada vocalist Jake Superchi to discuss the intrinsic details about the band members, their main inspiration, and what life looks like outside of the music.

On the Edge of Darkness and Light

Featuring Daygraves

From the mind of Travis Estes, Daygraves has garnered a quality fanbase throughout its brief existence in a niche musical community. Andrew Voigt sat down with Estes to learn more about his origins as a blackgaze artist, his main motivation, and who he is outside of music.

Heartache, Loss, and the Beauty of Life

Featuring Sylvaine

Melodic black metal artist, Sylvaine's kind demeanor and bubbly personality are quite the contrast to her music. Andrew Voigt learns more about her upcoming album, her inspiration as an artist, and what it's like to be human during seasons of brokenness and loss.

Eventide

Featuring A Hill To Die Upon

Through the evolution of black metal, A Hill to Die Upon has stood the test of time. Andrew Voigt spoke with drummer and vocalist Michael Cook about the band's history, upcoming releases, and cats vs. dogs.

Black Metal Mystic

Featuring Woods of Desolation

Woods of Desolation is returning to the scene with new inspiration, 7+ years since his last release. Andrew Voigt got to know the man behind the mystical forest of black metal, talking about his work, the recent signing to Season of Mist, and what inspires him as an artist.

The Top 25 Albums of 2021

Featuring Top 25 Albums of 2021

No genre remains untouched: metalcore, blackgaze, indie, emo. Your listening flavor had something for you this year, and it's reflected in the results. EPs were a concerted gut punch (Of Mice and Men, Impending Doom), cornerstone acts like Zao and The Devil Wears Prada released new material, and there's plenty of room for sophomore triumphs (Sleep Token) and instant-classic debut releases (Spiritbox). It's a rainbow of musical taste, and it's years like 2021 that yield lists like this one to remind us how vibrant music can be across the spectrum. These are HM's selections for the Best Albums of 2021.

Into the Heartland

Featuring Last Year's Model

For Last Year's Model, every song starts with a story. Andrew Voigt sat down with vocalist Brendan Gallagher to talk about the band’s history, their influences, the essence of their music, and why storytelling still matters.

HeartSupport leads the fight for mental health

Featuring HeartSupport

HeartSupport is a street-level and online community helping people brave their wounds, discover healing, and find purpose. Hear from Houston chapter Director John Williford as the coalition prepares to host its 3rd Annual Banquet Dinner and Presentation.

Alphaville’s Metal Renaissance

Featuring Imperial Triumphant

With influences that span Miles Davis and Stravinsky to Geddy Lee and Les Claypool, jazz metal force Imperial Triumphant is the epitome of genre-bending. HM contributing writer Andrew Voigt spoke with the band about their unique style, the massive bass presence in their music, and the rise and fall of civilization.

Five Death Metal Bands You Need to Know Now

Featuring In-Conquered, Incarnate Deity, Mangled Carpenter, Pantokrator, Symphony of Heaven

Death metal is no longer strictly a one-kind-of-sound genre but a cloud under which many elements have formed. We have assembled five must-hear death metal acts you should be listening to now, each distinctly set apart from another in form, yet still brethren in the death metal community.

More News from HM Magazine

The Devil Wears Prada

The Devil Wears Prada announces 2025 Metalcore Spring Break Tour, band shares video for acoustic version of ‘Chemical’

10 Dec 24 By Nao Glover

Spiritbox announces the Tsunami Sea North American Tour

3 Dec 24 By Nao Glover

Killswitch Engage

Killswitch Engage releases ‘Forever Aligned’ video from upcoming album, ‘This Consequence’

20 Nov 24 By Nao Glover

Memphis May Fire

Memphis May Fire announces new album ‘SHAPESHIFTER,’ shares video for title track

20 Nov 24 By Nao Glover

Architects drops new single and video, ‘Whiplash,’ off new album, ‘The Sky, The Earth & All Between’

19 Nov 24 By Nao Glover

Spiritbox announces new album, ‘Tsunami Sea,’ unveils single, ‘Perfect Soul’

17 Nov 24 By Nao Glover

HM PREMIERE: InTheosis releases gripping new single, ‘Iconoclast,’ feat. Damien

14 Nov 24 By Nao Glover

HM PREMIERE: Visitor Pass unleashes new single, ‘Bad Habit,’ feat. Idle Threat’s Zeke McKinney

14 Nov 24 By Nao Glover

Until I Wake drops ‘Messenger’ lyric video

7 Nov 24 By Nao Glover

Skillet’s new album, “Revolution,” is out now, along with lyric video for ‘Not Afraid’

1 Nov 24 By Nao Glover

HM PREMIERE: Divine Grave unveils new single, ‘Grief’

31 Oct 24 By Nao Glover

SharpTone signs No Cure, band announces new EP

30 Oct 24 By Nao Glover

Haste the Day makes triumphant return with video for new single, ‘Burn’

18 Oct 24 By Nao Glover

Memphis May Fire

Memphis May Fire shares ‘Hell Is Empty’ music video

9 Oct 24 By Nao Glover

Imminence announces Spring 2025 U.S. headline tour + share new ‘Continuum’ video

8 Oct 24 By Nao Glover

Brandon Dabbs forever: Meadows partners with KingdomCore and Ritual Print Co. to honor their brother and bandmate

8 Oct 24 By Nao Glover