Nicholas Franco, Author at Cryptic Rock

Primordial – How It Ends (Album Review)

Nicholas FrancoNicholas FrancoOctober 17, 2023

In these modern times of over-produced, churned out music for the masses, it’s easy to become jaded and think that perhaps Heavy Metal’s glory days are well and truly behind it. There are, however, voices in the void who resist the cheapening of art, and ... Read More

Tsjuder – Helvegr (Album Review)

Nicholas FrancoNicholas FrancoJune 23, 2023

In the world of Norwegian Black Metal, there are few names as synonymous with uncompromising consistency as Oslo’s dark sons, Tsjuder. Formed in 1993 as Ichor by Jan-Erik Romøren aka Nag, the band etched its foothold during second wave Black Metal’s formative years, though they ... Read More

Dødheimsgard – Black Medium Current (Album Review)

Nicholas FrancoNicholas FrancoJune 5, 2023

With all the years of their rich history, it might seem strange that Norwegian Black Metal originators Dødheimsgard have only just released their sixth full-length album. Black Medium Current comes to us via Peaceville Records, and sees the brainchild of Yusaf Parvez, aka Vicotnik, coming ... Read More

Immortal – War Against All (Album Review)

Nicholas FrancoNicholas FrancoJune 2, 2023

The word for Immortal these days is revitalization. Having long-ago fractured beneath the weight of internal conflict, the Norwegian Black Metal masters returned five years ago, helmed by Harald Naevdal, known in such frozen circles as Demonaz, with a new album. The co-founder of one ... Read More

Enslaved – Heimdal (Album Review)

Nicholas FrancoNicholas FrancoMay 5, 2023

The wheels of creation keep turning for Bergen, Norway’s eclectic purveyors of Extreme Metal, the ever-evolving Enslaved. Released back on March 3, 2023 through Nuclear Blast, album number sixteen, Heimdal, continues a legacy growing since 1991 with its gnarled roots embedded in the old school Black ... Read More

Interview – Tom Angelripper of Sodom

Nicholas FrancoNicholas FrancoNovember 2, 2022

Longevity is an achievement in itself, but being together for forty years while also continuously making vibrant and relevant music is a distinct rarity. In the realm of Heavy Metal music, German Thrash titans Sodom have always done things their own way. From being misunderstood ... Read More

Nicholas Franco

Primordial – How It Ends (Album Review)

Tsjuder – Helvegr (Album Review)

Dødheimsgard – Black Medium Current (Album Review)

Immortal – War Against All (Album Review)

Enslaved – Heimdal (Album Review)

Interview – Tom Angelripper of Sodom

Primordial – How It Ends (Album Review)

Tsjuder – Helvegr (Album Review)

Dødheimsgard – Black Medium Current (Album Review)

Immortal – War Against All (Album Review)

Enslaved – Heimdal (Album Review)

Interview – Tom Angelripper of Sodom

This Week In Horror Movie History – The Faculty (1998)

This Week in Horror Movie History – When a Stranger Calls (1979)

This Week In Horror Movie History – Motel Hell (1980)

Developing Artist Showcase – Blood Command

Developing Artist Showcase – Whitney Lindquist

Developing Artist Showcase – Joyous Wolf

Interview – Mike Einziger of Incubus

Interview – Bai Ling

Interview – Marcus Dunstan

Fright (4K Ultra HD Edition Review)

Claudio Simonetti’s Goblin – Fear: The Ultimate Anthology (Album Review)

The Supremes – A Bit of Liverpool (Limited Edition Mono Vinyl Review)