Like clockwork, each and every year metalheads compile a list of their favorite albums that destroyed their earholes for the year, and 2023 was no different.
So, what was it about 2023 and metal releases that made this year so special? For starters, it was certainly the year of death metal. Who would have thought that thirty-five years after the release of many of the classic albums that birthed the genre that we would be here today still critiquing albums from these bands?
This year saw some incredibly relevant albums from many of our death metal overlords, which included Cannibal Corpse, Suffocation, Incantation, Dying Fetus, and Obituary. In fact, all five made The Metal Pit’s year-end list, with Obituary taking the number one spot. Additionally, we had one contemporary death metal band, Tomb Mold, make our list, with many of our contributors placing it quite high. It’s good to see death metal so strong all these years later.
Similarly, black metal proper has been infecting ears over the last thirty years yet remains just as strong today as it did back in those early church burning, murderous days. This year saw some stellar releases from the Nordic contingent with albums by the mighty Enslaved and Tsjuder (the latter releasing one of their most vicious albums yet). Again, we had a couple of contemporary black metal albums make our year-end, which includes newcomers Blackbraid and Hellripper.
If The Metal Pit’s year-end list is any indication, 2023 wasn’t quite the year of thrash, with only a couple of albums making the list. That said, one of those albums, Overkill‘s Scorched, scored the number two spot. A fantastic album that showcases the consistency and relevance of this legendary, genre-defining band. We once again have to speak about Scotland’s Hellripper (who we previously mentioned when discussing 2023’s black metal releases). When it comes to thrash, Hellripper certainly fits the bill, with a ton of killer riffs that display a decidedly 80s thrash attack. Definitely a band to watch out for.
Rounding out our list we have few outliers, two of whom comfortably fit in the alternative metal category. The first of those bands is Prong. Another legendary act who released perhaps their best album since 1990’s Beg to Differ and 1991’s Prove You Wrong. An incredible album that showcases the relevancy of their crossover take on thrash and alternative metal. The UK’s Tailgunner was probably the surprise band of 2023 with their debut full-length Guns For Hire, an album chock-full of solid metal goodies. Quite the feat for a band that has only been in existence for a few short years.
The last band of our list, Swedish legends Katatonia, is a band that I’m certain makes year-end lists for each and every album they release. They truly are one of the most consistent heavy bands in existence, and this year’s Sky Void Of Stars once again proves this.
The Metal Pit is looking forward to a bevy of releases in 2024… stay tuned, as we will definitely be covering tons of metal this coming year! We thank you for supporting us and are looking forward to seeing you all in the PIT!
Interview with Tomislav Perkovic – Drummer for Elm Street
Photo by Vidic Images
Our writer Tom Elke connected with Tomislav Petrovic, Drummer Extrordinaire for the Australian Band Elm Street for a “Q & A Session.”
Tom Elke: Hi Tomislav, Thanks for joining me! It’s great to chat with you. I want to get into all things Drums with you, but why don’t you get us up to speed on what’s going on in the Elm Street Camp. Of course the new album, perhaps some touring plans, etc?
Tomislav Petrovic: It’s been busy and exciting year. We always had plans to finally release our new album after COVID delays with studio time. We started off back in the studio finishing off the recordings and at the same time, had a few shows in Australia with Udo Dirkschneider, which were our first shows back since 2021. Since releasing the album in October this year, we’ve been focused on promoting the album with live shows around Australia and have some exciting plans to extend the live shows overseas in 2024. We’re hoping that the wait between the next album, won’t be so long and we’ll begin writing soon.
When did you start playing the Drums? What made you interested in them?
TP: When we formed the band called ‘Raid’ at the time back in 2003 in high school none of us knew how to play any instruments. We were heavily influenced by Iron Maiden at the time(still are). Aaron, Ben and myself all wanted to play guitar and have 3 guitarists in the band. My older brother Roko plays guitar and I wanted to get lessons from his teacher but there were no spots available. I waited 6 months hoping someone will quit so there could be a spot for me haha but that didn’t happen and my brother suggested to give drums a try. I did, I found my drum teacher Simon Gatt at his school Rhythmic Passion and I’m glad I did.
You’re associated with DW Drums, how did that come about?
TP: I’ve always wanted to play DW drums for many years and lucky for me a friend of mine Joe Torre who is the drummer for Aussie artist Shannon Noll was signed with DW at the time. He guided me in the right direction, I signed with D’addario who distribute DW, Pro Mark sticks and Evans drum heads.
Take us around your set-up. I love the Arial Toms and some of the smaller “Octobon” like Toms.
TP: The set up I have right now has been in my mind for many years and I couldn’t quite figure it out until this year. Slowly over the years I’ve added toms, experimented with different heights and angles as drummers do and finally worked it out! I bought a few lengths of stainless steel tubing and a pipe bender and through trial and error I managed to come up with what you see on this new album. New additions I’ve added are 8×6, 8×8, 8×10 rack toms. 4 rata toms at 6×14, 6×16, 6×18, 6×20 and lastly my favourite my mega 20×20 floor tom that actually hangs off the rack. haha
I love how you use you China’s. Take a Track like “Sabbath,” you just shower the listener with China Cymbal strikes in the Intro. Share some thoughts on your utilization of the China’s.
TP: Great question! I love it when my cymbal work gets noticed haha always great to hear! ‘Sabbath’ is one of my favourite songs to listen and jam out too. The way I approach using the china cymbal is where does the song need more colour by accenting certain guitar sections or vocal lines. ‘Sabbath’ was an easy one because it’s so energetic but also there’s room to breathe.
Will you be able to bring your DW Set with you when you go out on tour? Or will it have to be Backline/House Sets?
TP: Unfortunately I’m not in the position yet to use this set up live. But if I had it my way I definitely would! So for now backline would have to do.
If you would like, just comment on using Backline/House Sets. I as a Drumming Fan find it frustrating when a Drummer has to do that. Your set-up is a very personal, specific to your wants/needs with how everything is in place. So I always get frustrated by that whole concept.
TP: In my early years of touring I used to get frustrated about using backline, especially when the quality of the hardware isn’t the best because cymbals always tend to fall during songs and we all know how frustrating that gets! As I’ve gotten older I try not to let it get to me. Going through those challenges make you a better drummer so I just I smile at the boys and get the show on.
Do you have any Drummer favorites? Or who influenced you?
TP: I have many drummers who have influenced me over the years. Growing up I really liked the style of Nicko McBrain, Vinnie Appice, A. J. Pero, Tommy Aldridge and my drum teacher Simon Gatt. When it comes to set ups I was influenced by Robert Sweet of Stryper, Nick Menza of Megadeth and Scott Rockenfield of Queensryche. Especially his set up on Operation Mindcrime. The last few years drummers like Mike Portnoy, Thomas Lang and the late great Dom Famularo have inspired me.
What would you say to young _Or older) Drummers out there who want to improve their skills?
TP: The most important thing about improving as a player is consistency. Try to play as much as you can everyday even if it’s only 20 minutes. Also keep in mind when sitting behind the kit try not to get distracted by noodling around and try to focus on metronome work, exercises, learning new styles etc…
Any parting words or anything you would like to mention in closing?
TP: Tom Elke thank you for reaching out, I had fun answering these questions. Im a fan of your posts. keep up the great work, thank you for your support, take care.
Thank you!!
TP: Thanks Tom! I had fun man. You’re a legend! Tomisla
Wolves in the Throne Room – Crypt of Ancestral Knowledge (EP)
Cattle Decapitation – Terrasite
Xasthur – Inevitably Dark
Honorable mention: Iotunn – Mistland Single
By far the highlight of 2023 was my trip to Bergen, Norway this past August for the annual four-day extreme metal festival, Beyond The Gates. This year’s edition was pure perfection, with incredible performances by Deicide, Gorgoroth, Primordial, Enslaved, Dimmu Borgir, Kreator, Bolzer, Perturbator, among many others.
It seems that 2023 was also the year that live shows returned with a vengeance. There were so many great tours that it looks like things are finally getting back to normal. With all these awesome tours and festivals, 2023 was also a year that made it easy to make some lifelong friends, both closer to home (Canada) as well as overseas. No matter where I go, I now have a crew of like-minded, metal-thrashing mad friends to hangout with!
Finally, it was also the year that saw all our hard-work here at The Metal Pit grow into something incredibly special. We now have a fantastic crew of contributors who pump out world-class metal coverage. All that hard-work is being noticed as the site is growing by leaps and bounds! Onward and upward into 2024 we go!
1981 Year In Metal
Written by: Blake Mossey
News Items from 1981
January 21 – The first DeLorean automobile rolled off the assembly line. Later made famous in the Back To The Future movies.
March 30 – Attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan: U.S. President Ronald Reagan is shot in the chest outside a Washington, D.C., hotel by John Hinckley Jr.; two police officers and Press Secretary James Brady are also wounded.
May 13 – Pope John Paul II assassination attempt: Pope John Paul II is shot by Mehmet Ali Ağca, a Turkish gunman.
June 5 – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States report that 5 men in Los Angeles have a rare form of pneumonia seen only in patients with weakened immune systems, the first recognized cases of AIDS.
July 9 – Donkey Kong is released, marking the first Donkey Kong and Mario smash hit arcade game developed by Nintendo in Japan.
July 29 – A worldwide television audience of over 750 million people watch the Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, UK.
August 1 – The first 24-hour video music channel MTV (Music Television) is launched in the United States and airs its first video, “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles.
August 24 – Mark David Chapman is sentenced to 20 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to murdering John Lennon in Manhattan eight months earlier.
Use of crack cocaine, a smokeable form of the drug, first reported in the United States and Caribbean.
New Wave of British Heavy Metal
1981 is going back to the time, when bands would have new albums almost every year. Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Saxon to name a few that had albums in 1980 and again in 1981. Nowadays were lucky to get a new album every 3-5 years from bands. So many classic Metal albums released in 1981 from our British Metal stalwarts. Here are a few more notable ones.
Iron Maiden – Killers The 2nd studio album from Iron Maiden. The last to feature Paul Di’Anno on vocals. The 1st Maiden album to feature Adrian Smith on guitar and the first of many to be produced by the legendary producer Martin Birch. ‘Wrathchild’ is still played live at most shows. A great Maiden album but of course adding Bruce Dickinson for the next album The Number of the Beast really broke Iron Maiden to the world. Best track: Killers
Ozzy Osbourne – Diary Of A Madman The 2nd solo album from Ozzy and sadly the last to feature the late great guitarist Randy Rhoads who died in a plane crash in 1982. Despite his short career Randy inspired so many with his guitar work on these 2 Ozzy albums and that alone makes them classics. Some would even say the last great Ozzy album. Best Track: Diary Of A Madman
Black Sabbath – Mob Rules Following up the classic DIO debut with SabbathHeaven And Hell with Mob Rules. Most would say not as good as the predesessor but still a great album with great tracks like ‘Turn Up The Night’ and ‘The Sign Of The Southern Cross’. This album also produced by Martin Birch. Dio left Sabbath after this album but only to return again about 10 years later for Dehumanizer. Best track: Turn Up The Night
Venom – Welcome To Hell Debut solo album from extreme metal band Venom. A very influential album along with their next release Black Metal as they influenced so many bands and opened the doors to more darker evil lyrics and of course creating the genre name of Black Metal with their 2nd previously mentioned album. Best Track: Welcome To Hell
Motorhead – No Sleep’til Hammersmith I think if my memory serves me well I saw this at the record store and bought it before I even heard of Motorhead before. Its my first live album I ever purchased and ‘No Class’ remains my favorite Motorhead song ever. A great introduction to the live show that was Motorhead. Best Track: No Class
Canadian Metal/Hard Rock
As a Canadian back in the year 1981 before we had the internet and being able to listen to anything we wanted we would hear a lot of Canadian bands on our local radio. Canada’s 2 biggest hard rock and bordering on Metal bands were RUSH and TRIUMPH. Both 3 piece bands. Both making big waves in the USA. And for a lot of Canadians you were either in the RUSH camp or the TRIUMPH camp. I choose Triumph. Also 1981 featured the debut album from ANVIL – Hard ‘N’ Heavy but for me their next 2 releases were their masterpieces.
RUSH – Moving Pictures Their 8th studio album Moving Pictures. Filled with shorter and more radio friendly songs then previous efforts like their classic 2112. ‘Limelight’ and ‘Tom Sawyer’ leading the way. This album sold over 5 millions copies in the USA alone. Best Track: Limelight
Triumph – Allied Forces After hearing their epic track Rock and Roll Machine from their 2nd album I was hooked on Triumph with Rik Emmett’s amazing guitar work. And this their 5th album featuring their massive hit ‘Magic Power’ but I was into the more heavy rocking songs like ‘Fool For Your Love’ and the title track. A few albums after this the band started to fall apart and just kept getting more and more commercial. Best Track: Allied Forces
The Other Stuff
Late in the year Paul Di’Anno fired from Iron Maiden and replaced by Bruce Dickinson
AC/DC released For Those About To Rock (We Salute You), really the only Brian Johnson album I enjoyed
Girlschool released their 2nd studio album Hit And Run. One of, if not the first real all female Metal bands.
Iron Maiden released a live EP titled Maiden Japan which of course was a play on words on the classic Deep Purple live album Made In Japan. It featured 5 songs with Paul Di’Anno on vocals.
Motley Crue‘s debut album Too Fast For Love was released. One of the earliest hair metal albums even though this was more raw then anything they would release after.
The Canadian animated science fiction movie titled HEAVY METAL was released featuring voices of some notable actors like John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy and Harold Ramis. And the title track of the movie done by Sammy Hagar.
Motorhead and Girlschool joined forces for a EP title St. Valentines Day Massacre featuring 3 songs, ‘Emergency’, ‘Please Don’t Touch’ and a cover of the Motorhead song ‘Bomber’. They went by the name Headgirl.
Notable Metal Bands formed in 1981—Look what is on the horizon for Metal in 1982
Anthrax
Manowar
Metallica
Mercyful Fate
Motley Crue
Overkill
Pantera
Ratt
Queensryche
Savatage
Slayer
Suicidal Tendencies
Twisted Sister
Vixen
1981 was such a great year for Metal. Make sure to check out some of our podcasts on some of the album talked about on this page. To finish it off here is my top 10 albums of 1981.
Interview with Vocalist Jemiina Heloise of SWANSONG
Interview with Jemiina Heloise, Lead Vocalist of Melodic Death Metal band SWANSONG. Hailing from Finland they recently released their debut full length album Awakening. They also have one EP released in 2022 titled Winter Maiden.
Interview by Blake Mossey
Photo by: Teemu Myöhänen/Karmamediafi
The Metal Pit:Your bands debut full length album just came out recently. How happy are you with early reviews and fans reactions?
Jemiina Heloise: It has been amazing and we are very honored and grateful. It has truly surprised us and we are very excited! I have been a bit emotional, it feels so amazing!
I myself (Blake Mossey) wrote a album review and was really impressed with what I heard. In my review I stated that your songs didn’t really follow the traditional structure of songs. Was this something the band set out to do or did it just come naturally?
JH: Thank you so much! Everything comes naturally. We don’t plan or calculate these things: Topi is a very emotional guitar player and composer. He composes freely and lets his emotions run. No one is telling him what to do or what not to do.
When I do the lyrics and arrangements, I also just let everything come out and I see the story of the song in front of me. I don’t usually change things afterwards. I do it freely without restrictions or rules. We trust in our intuition what it comes to making our music.
For anyone that hasn’t heard your band yet how would you describe your bands sound?
JH: It is a bit difficult to describe it, since it has so many elements. But 80’s and 90’s beautiful guitar harmonies iced with thick layer of brutal, versatile extreme vocals. The vocals are influenced by such bands as Dark Tranquillity, 90s melodeath, death and black metal, and for a more modern use of sound from Shadow Of Intent. In terms of composition, the biggest influences are Iron Maiden, Children Of Bodom and the 80´s neo classical metal, to name a couple. Brutal yet catchy!
Do you have any immediate plans for shows to play these songs live?
JH: Definitely yes, and we can’t wait for that! But we can’t announce anything yet. So please follow our social media to keep updated!
Do you personally have a favorite track or 2 on this album?
JH: It is hard to choose, because they are different. But I would have to say my favorite right now is ‘Shot In The Heart’ because the music is so versatile. It reminds me of Children Of Bodom a bit. There is a femme fatale story and low growls in some parts. This is a story about a woman your mother warned you about, we all know the type. Fascinating but deadly.
Another favorite is ‘Frost Of Winter’, An atmospheric, melancholic and melodic beautiful song that tells about separation, life lived or death depending on the listener. When life has been experienced, the world seen, a home built and lost, a heart broken and it’s time to leave: ‘Frost of Winter’ take me away deep into the land. Wash away all my sorrows, for my time has come. Bury me and walk away.
As a bonus I have to mention ‘Blood Widow’ since it has crazy extreme vocals and double vocals in verses: high and low growls on top of each other.
The musicianship on this album really impressed me. Introduce your band mates?
JH: Thank you! Yeah the guys are amazing and experienced players! I am very thankful to be in the same band with them.
Topi Pitkänen: our composer and guitarist, best known from metal band Verjnuarmu. Topi loves 80s and 90s heavy metal and Children Of Bodom. He is highly skilled and plays emotional solos. When a guitarist is both emotional and technical: BOOM! Amazing composer. He just sits down with his guitar and creates all this amazing music from nowhere.
Tuomas Leskinen/Finn Widdow: Our guitarist, best known from Carnal Demise, Bad Baron. He is something else! How cool is it to be in a band with TWO AWESOME technical solo guitarists?! Tuomas makes half of the solos by himself and he is incredible. He is the type of guitarist that when he hears Topi’s composing, he grabs his guitar, goes through it and then he can perform it almost instantly. Impressive! He is skillful and he has also been a tour hired gun for such bands as the mighty Bloodred Hourglass.
Lauri Huovinen our bass player, best known from Bad Baron and Late_Lokakuun. Lauri is a skillful bass player and also an incredible clean voice vocalist in his own bands. Topi sends the songs to him and he creates awesome bass beats in them with no guidance or anything. This guy does not need anyone’s guidance, because he has the talent to create and dive into music. Everything comes so naturally and effortlessly from him, natural talent! He also shares my love for deathcore, cool guy! Lucky to have him.
Jimi Myöhänen our drummer, best known from Sadistik Forest, Se Josta Ei Puhuta, and Kaera. Jimi is incredible. Every time I go to see gigs somewhere in Kuopio, people come up to me and praise Jimi! It is so cool! He is fast and accurate. He has a sense of style with his drum arrangements and also he has speed and danger in his playing! He also shares my love for many extreme metal bands. He is admired by many people: I know because they have come up to me and told me that. I think he does not even know how good he is. He recorded our debut album drums in one day.
How did the band come together?
JH: Well I had old lyrics and song arrangements in my own archive, that I had not shown to anyone. Topi is an amazing guitarist and I decided to show my lyrics to him. He liked them and he played me his old riffs and guitar melodies from his computer. I really loved them and we decided to join our forces and make music together.
At first this was just for fun: playing music on the weekends Tomas Ahlroos, Markus Tikkanen and Mika Tikkanen made our first EP with us, great talented guys!
But with the attention we got with our EP “Winter Maiden” our band grew. Not everyone have the time to be in a growing band and that is understandable. So that is why we had a change in our band members. No drama, just life and schedules against us. The guys are still our friends of course and follow and support us.
Topi asked Finn Widow to join, because he liked his skills with the guitar. And after we got the record deal with Noble Demon records, we asked Jimi Myöhänen and Lauri to join us. And gladly they did!
Where did the band name SWANSONG come from?
JH: I live in the countryside in a lake house. Every year the same swan couple returns to my beach cottage, so I love swans. That image is inspiring. Also death is a natural and interesting theme in songwriting and swansong stands for that in a beautiful way. And of course Carcass has a killer album called Swansong so many things led us to this name.
What is the song writing process within your band?
JH: Topi Pitkänen our guitarist composes everything, I make the lyrics. Arrangement is 50% by me and 50% by Topi. I create at my own peace and so does Topi We all trust each other.
What vocalists (for you) or bands influenced you and the band to play this style of metal?
JH: Topi’s influences are mostly Iron Maiden, Amorphis and Children Of Bodom to name a few.
For me there are so many influences starting from my youth: Cannibal Corpse, Carcass, Cradle Of Filth, Children Of Bodom, Demented and Go (psychobilly band with horror themed lyrics), Kalmah, Amoprhis, Dark Tranquillity, Soilwork, and In Flames. Behemoth’s Nergal, Finntroll Mathias Vreth Lillmåns, Death vocalist Chuck Schuldiner. Moonsorrow is amazing. So many influences. I think it is a good thing to be in love with so many metal genres. I went to school wearing a Cannibal Corpse hoodie, our teacher was not happy!
And of course deathcore bands Lorna Shore and Shadow of Intent inspire me to evolve and train my vocals to be more versatile hopefully. Ben Duerr from Shadow Of Intent is amazing! Growling women also inspire me and they have shown the way: the legendary Arch Enemy. What they have done for all women: respect. So many awesome bands out there, I could talk for hours about this subject. And I have to mention Nightwish. I had their posters on my walls.
The band is from Finland What are the biggest positives of being a metal band from Finland?
JH: Snow everywhere, awesome landscape, lots of lakes and nature. Great place to write metal music. Forests everywhere so you can take your promo pics and get lost in the woods (just joking). People here are passionate about metal and we Finns are lucky that people around the world have supported Finnish music.
What if any are the negatives of being a metal band from Finland?
JH: Maybe long distance.
You sing very extreme metal vocals. Did you take lessons for this type of vocals?
JH: Thank you! When I started, I asked Mathias “Vreth” Lillmåns (Finntroll, …And Oceans) to show me how to start doing it safely! I did not want to harm my vocal chords.
Markus Laakso (musician, artist, writer, author, journalist, so much more) helped me to get in contact with him. Mathias showed me how to get started in a skype meeting and then I started to train them by myself at home: I study extreme vocals on my own and I train them, I want to get better and evolve.
If you could open for any metal band out there which would it be?
JH: Difficult question because there are so many! In Flames, Soilwork, Carcass, Arch Enemy, Cradle Of Filth, Shadow Of Intent, Amorphis, Bloodred Hourglass (this happened earlier!), Finntroll, Amon Amarth, Iron Maiden, Kalmah, Swallow The Sun, and Behemoth.. The list goes on!
What is the biggest challenge of being a fairly new metal band in 2023?
JH: There is so much awesome new music coming that it is hard to get noticed. Also people love the old familiar metal songs and bands, me included. So it is challenging, but we are so happy and amazed that so many people have discovered our music!
Thank you for taking the time with me today. Anything you would like to add to this interview?
JH: Thank you so much for the awesome review and this interview was truly an honor! Great job lifting metal music and artists through your page.
Also thank you all so so much from all of us to everyone who has listened to our music! Without you there would be no Swansong, so PEDAL TO THE METAL!!
Thanks and I wish you all the best to you and your band.
