Rick Skidmore

Order: Metal. Family: Swedish. Genus: Death. Species: Melodic. Just as new-wave keyboards revealed Andrew W.K. to be the complete prat that he is, a similar approach here gives Sonic Syndicate a disturbing edge into creepiness. Syndicate's technically astute, piston-pumping axes and precision double bass give Dark Tranquility a run for...

According to legend, Ian Astbury disbanded Southern Death Cult because of overwhelmingly positive press. Fact or fiction, it does explain how he and longtime sparring partner, guitarist Billy Duffy, have methodically alienated their fan base several times. The Cult abandoned gothic frippery for metal at a time when Ministry's Al...

Remember that two-headed gibberish-speaking muppet? The Lawrence Arms is like that, only they're intelligible. And instead of a puppeteer with his hand up their furry hinder, Neil Hennessy is in back, pounding away like Animal on the skins. Bassist Brendan Kelly and guitarist Chris McCaughan are so like-minded in their...

Over the course of twenty years, eight studio albums and one live offering, Prong has shared musicians with Swans, Danzig, Ministry, Killing Joke and, uh, Madonna. While copping to backing that last artist is probably a confession best left to the dance floor, consider that bassist Monte Pittman also provided...

It's fitting that McRad sounds like a skateboard trick. The act has been featured on several skateboard videos, and mastermind Chuck Treece had more than a few sponsorship deals as a pro. McRad's new album, FDR, is the group's first since 1987; the upcoming split with Denver's Frontside Five will...