Justin Criado

Justin Criado is an award-winning journalist and editor, as his pieces have been recognized as some of the best in the West over the years.Inspired by heavy metal and the unusual, Justin’s work has been featured in the Denver Post, Westword, Salt Lake City Weekly, Phoenix New Times, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. His first collection of essays, Chronicles of Chaos, is out now. Visit justincriado.com to find out more.

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The Ten Best Blues Venues in Denver

By Justin Criado
Jul 17, 2017

Face it: Denver is no Memphis. We're just not a blues town. But if you look around, you can find bars, restaurants, pool halls and more that host regular blues jams and showcase touring and local blues artists that are as good as anything you'll find in the South.
Charlotte Wessels on Bringing Her Dutch Power-Metal Act Delain Stateside

By Justin Criado
Apr 28, 2017

Power metal may be an unfamiliar subgenre to most, especially here in the States, but it’s one of the most theatrical, empowering and popular forms of heavy metal. Originating in Europe, a power metal concert can feel like a party in Middle Earth.
How Of Montreal Combats Trump-Era Bigotry and Homophobia

By Justin Criado
Apr 19, 2017

Kevin Barnes, the gender-bending lead singer of psych-rock band of Montreal, has been using his act to challenge the rising homophobia and bigotry of the Trump-era. Since 1996, the Athens, Georgia band has been carving its path through the contemporary rock genre.
Daya Talks About Her Meteoric Rise Into the Spotlight and Her Grammy

By Justin Criado
Mar 21, 2017

Pop-star Daya has been busier than most high schoolers over the past two years.
Swamp Music: Five of the Best Southern Metal Bands

By Justin Criado
Mar 21, 2017

Southern metal bands Norma Jean and He Is Legend will be in Denver this Wednesday, March 22, during their Polar Similar Tour. Their Denver stop is sure to be one of the most Southern fried shows this side of the Mississippi River. To amp you up for the concert, below are...
SuperMagick Does Disco Funk Like No Other

By Justin Criado
Mar 16, 2017

SuperMagik, the Denver disco-funk band formerly known as Filthy Children, has seen lineup changes, a shift in its sound and a new name.
No Amount of Drugs and Graffiti Fulfill Emmure's Frankie Palmeri Like Music Does

By Justin Criado
Feb 27, 2017

Since its inception in 2003, Emmure has been one of the most polarizing metalcore acts. Vocalist Frankie Palmeri hasn't shied away from Internet trolls, meeting trash talk with a no-fucks-given attitude. He's had beef with bands like the Acacia Strain, rattles off offensive lyrics like "Ask your girl what my...
Dreadnought Brings Flutes and Flowers to Doom Metal

By Justin Criado
Feb 6, 2017

In five short years, Kelly Schilling and Lauren Vieira have helped turn Denver's Dreadnought into a behemoth band powered by a mixture of folk, jazz, black metal and classical elements, amongst others.
AFI Bassist Hunter Burgan on Whether the Group Is Really Punk Anymore

By Justin Criado
Jan 27, 2017

It’s 6:16 p.m. in Seattle, Washington. AFI bassist Hunter Burgan just finished a longer-than-usual sound check at The Showbox. Music starts in less than 45 minutes, and he has to field a call from Westword.
Mayhem Survives Long After Murdered Guitarist, Lead Singer's Suicide

By Justin Criado
Jan 26, 2017

Over 30 years, through numerous line-up changes, murderous scandals and tumult, Norwegian black metal band Mayhem has defied death.
Five of the Best Christian Metalcore Bands

By Justin Criado
Jan 17, 2017

In honor of August Burns Red's Denver stint, Westword compiled a list of the top five Christian metalcore bands.
Christian Metalcore Band August Burns Red Keeps On Grinding

By Justin Criado
Jan 16, 2017

The story of Christian metalcore outfit August Burns Red is a "weird" one, says longtime guitarist JB Brubaker.
The Five Best Anti-Flag Music Videos to Watch Today

By Justin Criado
Jan 4, 2017

Anti-Flag has been blasting politicians for more than twenty years.

Archives from 2017

Justin Criado

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