Being reported that Vinnie Paul, drummer for Pantera, Damageplan and Hellyeah, has died. Very sad news for the metal community.

Was probably mentioned here at some point but - any Ghost fans here? Being well into my 30's now it's rare that I get into music after like 2010, especially mainstream stuff, but these guys definitely have some appealing tracks. Very Opeth-esque with more melody which I like, maybe a touch of doom laden metal in there too. Can sound borderline poppy at times but it's catchy and heavy, which at the end of the day is all I care about.

Just noticed this latest post.. That's a bummer, wasn't huge on Pantera, but Vinnie was a one of a kind talented drummer. As a (amateur) drummer myself I'm sad to hear this. Man, Pantera's gone through quite a bit of tragedy between Dimebag and now Vinnie..

Anyone excited for the new Static X CD?

Absolutely! When I saw the news the other day I actually got super giddy, and some of the guest vocalists too... yes! :D

I know. I can't wait. I'm gonna pre-order one of the bundles.

Just here to tag for some more metal in my life.

So we're over four months into 2019 now. What metal albums have you enjoyed this year thus far?

- The new Swallow the Sun has been a standout. Feels like their most accessible album yet but the song writing is still top notch.
- Soilwork appear to have blended their sound with Bjorn's Night Flight Orchestra project on Verkligheten. The result is pretty damn good.
- Children of Bodom's Hexed is another solid effort with some quality standouts in "This Road", "Glass Houses" and the title track.
- Lahmia are a melodic death metal band I have come across who've released a strong album in Resilience (their first in around eight years IIRC).
- Extreme metal supergroup Vltimas delivered the goods with their debut. Very easy for these sorts of projects to fall flat on their face.
- Skeletoon lead the power metal category with the ultra catchy and melodic They Never Say Die.
- Nightrage continue to be a dependable melodeath monster with Wolf to Man

Major disappointments from Avantasia, Battle Beast and Rotting Christ.

Unanimated's Ancient God of Evil is a classic. I recommend it to any fan of death or black metal, particularly the melodic varieties.