By Jake Ryan
Published: July 5, 2010

On April 30, Colorado’s own Arcanium played the first of many dates on tour along side Bullet For My Valentine, Chiodos and Airbourne. Midway through the tour, we caught up with the amazing Fort Collins metal quintet on their bus after performing in front of their home-state crowd to discuss their experiences on their second tour opening for a major national band within a year’s time, the first of which was with Megadeth in late 2009.

By Jake Ryan
Published: May 2, 2010

There are two generalized groups of local musicians: those who are content with making music a part-time hobby, and those with aspirations of making a career out of it. For the latter, it takes years of hard work and loads of talent to stand out from the pack and be able to have the true chance to follow your dreams to success. And for one Ft. Collins band, Colorado can no longer keep them a secret from the rest of the world.

By Jake Ryan
Published: September 19, 2009

There’s something about seeing a band work hard for the recognition they get, earning every step they take up the ladder in the music scene, that makes you proud when both fans and the music community appreciate the art they create. One such band that has done this is Denver’s Devil Got 5. Though still fairly new to the scene, people have begun to recognize their talent and originality, and they have been rewarded with shows at some of the state’s most influential venues.

By Jake Ryan
Published: August 14, 2009

Unless you live under a rock, there was no way you couldn’t know the name Spools Of Dark Thread. At this time last year, they were flirting with the peak of their popularity in the Colorado local metal scene, with some even referring to them as the kings of local metal.

By Jake Ryan
Published: April 23, 2009

For several years, one of Colorado’s most talented music groups has been right under the metal scene’s nose. Referred to by many as the local scene’s most underrated metal act, 9/10 of the Law has been tirelessly performing to satisfied crowds without gaining the accolades other groups get. But like most things, Colorado metal fans can’t stay ignorant to 9/10 of the Law’s prowess for much longer.

By Jake Ryan
Published: March 20, 2009

It’s not often that a local band’s album has music fans chomping at the bit in anticipation for the release, or literally counting down the days before they can get their hands on a copy. Yet, Less Than Under’s newest album accomplished just that.

The wait is over.

By Jake Ryan
Published: October 8, 2008

Fresh off of their advancement into the Top 6, second performance round of KBPI’s Best Band in Denver competition, Denver’s thiC is building up steam and rolling forward like a band on a mission. They are working on back-to-back years in the competition, all the while gaining fans and making sure the metal community is taking notice of their infectious sound along the way.

By Jake Ryan
Published: July 10, 2008

Fort Collins-based rock/metal group 20XIII has begun to turn heads in Denver, which has earned them higher-profile shows in the Mile-High City (Online: myspace.com/2013rock). The five-piece group, Pete (vocals), Shamrock (lead guitar), Mikus (rhythm guitar/backup vocals), Ian (bass) and Brandon (drums) will be headlining at the Gothic Theatre on July 17.

By Jake Ryan
Published: March 24, 2008

After intense anticipation, the third and final group to partially come out of the now-defunct Adam’s Ruin is upon us. With their debut live show on Mar. 27 at Hodi’s Half Note in Ft. Collins, the unveiling of RestHaven is finally here, and for Colorado metal fans, not a second too soon.

By Jake Ryan
Published: March 4, 2008

Denver-based Fault Line has been treating Colorado’s local metal fans to great shows with great music for seemingly countless years now. Though they formed nearly 10 years ago, the local scene had yet to see a studio album from the metal quartet. That was, until now. Touted as an album that has been 10 years in the making, Fault Line is set to release Verge of Destruction on March 8, and they have one hell of a bash lined up for the CD release party at the Bluebird Theater.

By Jake Ryan
Published: February 8, 2008

The Gothic Theatre has been home to some of the best entertaining and well-attended concerts for Colorado local metal bands. These concerts receive great acclaim within the local metal community, and are, for many, the highlight of their week. This is exactly what happened at the Englewood concert hall on Friday, Jan. 25.

By Jake Ryan
Published: November 26, 2007

Before headliners Divine Intervention took to the stage, internet radio disk jockey Raven went outside and tried to recruit people to mosh. As the band was about to begin, he saw some people still standing outside. In a move to get the remaining crowd to come inside, Raven played Devo’s "Whip It" as a punishment.

By Jake Ryan
Published: February 12, 2010

One of Colorado’s premiere heavy metal acts has had fans salivating at the prospect of hearing a new album release from them for some time now. With the promise of a collection of songs that would far surpass anything they had previously done to date, Iconocaust is ready to unleash the beast of an album known as Judas Complex upon metal fans with a co-CD release party with Cryogen at the Gothic Theatre on Thursday, February 18.

By Jake Ryan
Published: January 14, 2010

Colorado’s local metal scene is commonly split up into three hubs: Denver, Northern Colorado and Colorado Springs. Rarely do bands have the ability to carry a fan following and gain notoriety in an area outside of their own. However, Colorado Springs’ Sanguine Addiction has been doing just that for many years. And, with a new album recorded and nearing release, they are poised to make yet another surge to expand on what they’ve already accomplished.

By Jake Ryan
Published: November 21, 2009

For nearly a decade, there has been a Colorado band braving the countless waves of ups and downs in the local music scene, gaining audiences’ appreciation and making people take note of their infectious style. They have seen bands, trends and popular styles come and go, yet have still remained true to themselves and their music throughout the process. This band is Ransom.

By Jake Ryan
Published: October 31, 2007

Inside the heart of FireStorm Studios in Lakewood sits one of Colorado’s most original, talented and hard working metal bands, hot on the trail of recording their long-awaited debut album: SmackFactor.

By Jake Ryan
Published: September 7, 2007

Local metal bands are usually left to fend for themselves when it comes time to step into the recording studio, which includes self-funding of the entire process. This was exactly what local rock/metal group Shadow Work had to deal with while recording their recently released demo album, "The Hollow Effect."

By Jake Ryan
Published: July 25, 2007

Imagine 12 of Colorado’s most talented and popular metal bands on one bill. Imagine the addition of free giveaways, massages, barbecue, a guitar solo competition, and a metal girl fashion and magic shows. How could any self-respecting metal fan have possibly passed a show like this up at the cost of $10?

By Jake Ryan
Published: May 1, 2007

The chance to see one of Denver’s premier metal groups perform in town as a local act may be fleeting, with the doors of opportunity seemingly opening around every turn for them.

By Jake Ryan
Published: June 7, 2010

For years, Saved By Ruin has brought their eclectic sense of music to the scene, entertaining each and every crowd they play in front of every time. In 2008, this all-female metal ensemble delivered the four-song EP entitled Explore And Reminisce to their fans. Now, on Thursday, June 10, for the first time, Saved By Ruin will unveil their debut full-length album New Perspective at the Gothic Theatre during their CD release show.

By Jake Ryan
Published: June 2, 2009

For many years, the worlds of heavy metal and hip hop have collided with in several projects and musical acts. These seemingly polar opposites have somehow gravitated towards each other, and made for a recipe for success by bridging genres and creating a larger mass appeal. However, Denver’s No 1 Left Standing has managed to meld these two genres of music into a style that forces you look at it as a style in and of itself rather than a mixture of the two.

By Jake Ryan
Published: April 22, 2009

With less than two years as a band, they already have several accomplishments under their collective belts. They have opened for nationally famous metal acts. They earned one of Colorado’s most sought after awards for local bands. And they are ready to unleash their debut album on the world. On April 25, fans can finally get their hands on 20XIII’s full-length CD, Just Take Two and Call Us in the Morning.

By Jake Ryan
Published: December 9, 2008

Melodic brutality reinforced by originality.

This, in a nutshell, is the simplest way to describe the sounds coming from the Denver metal quartet Iconocaust.

By Jake Ryan
Published: November 4, 2008

Very rarely does the opportunity arise to interview and give insight on a band that has yet to hit the local metal scene with a live show. However, given this particular band’s jaw-dropping music, as well as their uncontainable drive and outlook on music in general, giving local metal fans an advance look at Spare the Legion (myspace.com/sparethelegion) is a no-brainer.

By Jake Ryan
Published: August 14, 2008

Time and time again, one local musical act has forced fans to recognize that great metal music isn’t something to be based on gender. Denver’s Saved By Ruin (purevolume.com/savedbyruin and myspace.com/savedbyruin) has had music fans in Colorado, as well as other states, taking notice of their talent and originality. The metal quartet offers three opportunities to see their live set between this and next month, with shows on Aug. 23 at The Toad Tavern, Sept. 6 at the Oriental Theater and Sept. 20 at PT’s Club Inferno.

By Jake Ryan
Published: May 18, 2008

In Denver, local metal bands with a female lead singer are few and far between. Local metal bands with more than one female member are even fewer. Born In Winter is one of these rare bands, and they relate to music fans in a manner that the vast majority of Colorado bands as a whole cannot.

By Jake Ryan
Published: March 10, 2008

Within one year of existence, bands would do just about anything to reach the level of popularity and mass appeal that Loveland-based Arcanium has achieved. They have torched the Colorado metal scene with their originality and infectious style, and they have only just begun to hit their stride.

By Jake Ryan
Published: January 16, 2008

You can see their logo on hats, T-shirts and stickers at nearly every concert venue in Colorado. Everybody in the Colorado metal scene knows their name. They are one of the most recognizable bands the state has to offer, and they bring an earth rattling sound that sticks with you after hearing their music. They are Less Than Under.

By Jake Ryan
Published: December 3, 2007

Learning to run before you walk.

This not-so-common circum- stance for local bands has become almost an unspoken motto for Denver-based Spools Of Dark Thread. Within one year of existence, they have reached a level of notoriety in the local metal scene that throws all rules for success out the window.

By Jake Ryan
Published: November 12, 2007

In Colorado’s massive hard rock and metal scene, one power-trio is spearheading a movement of local progressive metal with a unique addition to the genre. Making more noise on the local scene with every show they perform, Autumn Burn has gained Colorado’s attention as one of its top progressive rock/metal groups.

By Jake Ryan
Published: September 14, 2007

When you’re at one of their shows, all you have to do is look around to see the crowd decked out in this band’s merchandise. From the large groups wearing their shirts, there’s no mistake who you’re about to see. You know you’re at a Mojo Kamikaze concert.

By Jake Ryan
Published: August 20, 2007

Swarms of people gathered in Windsor for what was arguably the largest birthday celebration/metal festival of 2007 in Colorado. This $5 show was the metal party event of the year: Red Fest 7.

By Jake Ryan
Published: August 15, 2007

Of all the metal bands in Colorado, only one sits at the peak of it all, fueled by pure aggression, passionate lyrics and a rabid loyal fan base.

By Jake Ryan
Published: June 25, 2007

Amidst countless metal bands on the local scene tagging along with the current trend of scream core, one band rises above the rest by sticking to its metal roots. After listening to their latest album one thing is clear, it will leave you begging for Moore.

By Jake Ryan
Published: April 10, 2007

When local bands wish to put on a concert, it’s hard to play anywhere except very small clubs and bars. But when several bands come together, the opportunity to play a larger venue opens. Such was the case at the Bluebird Theater near the end of 2006.