Bloodstock Community

I started reading Mental Hamster in 1996. I subscribed to it about 5 years ago and stopped when it started losing its objectivity. Then there were a few years in which I didn't read anything.

Over the last couple of years, I've been reading Mental Hamster and Terrorizer pretty much monthly. I do this because I get an awful lot of trains and frequently need something to read.

I have the same problem that 80% of contributors to this thread have with MH, but I'll try and articulate it this way: they obsessionally eulogise Dimebag Darrel. He was on the front of this month's issue and, guess what, he was the top-rated riff lord, or whatever daft phrase they use instead of "Guitarist." I find their obsession with him sad, creepy and amusing all at the same time: much like the Daily Express's obsession with Princess Diana.

The covermount CDs have introduced me to some of my favourite bands over the years, however, so I keep gamely plugging away.

Metal Hammer, Terrorizer, Powerplay and Classic Rock evry month.

But never ever ever Kerrap!

obscurus169 wrote:I started reading Mental Hamster in 1996. I subscribed to it about 5 years ago and stopped when it started losing its objectivity. Then there were a few years in which I didn't read anything.

Over the last couple of years, I've been reading Mental Hamster and Terrorizer pretty much monthly. I do this because I get an awful lot of trains and frequently need something to read.

I have the same problem that 80% of contributors to this thread have with MH, but I'll try and articulate it this way: they obsessionally eulogise Dimebag Darrel. He was on the front of this month's issue and, guess what, he was the top-rated riff lord, or whatever daft phrase they use instead of "Guitarist." I find their obsession with him sad, creepy and amusing all at the same time: much like the Daily Express's obsession with Princess Diana.

The covermount CDs have introduced me to some of my favourite bands over the years, however, so I keep gamely plugging away.

I'm inclined to agree, they go a bit overboard there's no denying that he had some great riffs and that is reflected by a lot of press he received in guitar and music magazines in his lifetime but Hammer have kinda taken it to a bit of an extreme...still i'd rather they did an entire magazine on Dime than another 6 page spread of Bring Me The Horizon or Asking Alexandria.

obscurus169 wrote:I started reading Mental Hamster in 1996. I subscribed to it about 5 years ago and stopped when it started losing its objectivity. Then there were a few years in which I didn't read anything.

Metal Hamster!! That sounds like an awesome magazine!

Green Man wrote:

Metal Hamster!! That sounds like an awesome magazine!

That is an amazing picture, sir.

Hamsters rule! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6gxSC3k_7A

Anybody else checked out Iron Fist? Haven't read it fully yet but it seems pretty good, not sure if I like it as much as ZT though. Shame that despite both being bi-monthlies they both come out the same month rather than alternate months.

I have read bits and bobs. Given who half the staff are it seems unsurprising that it seems like a more in depth Terrorizer, or how Terrorizor was a few years back.
My only complain would be the reviews. 150 words +/-10% doesn't tell you much, and the Bloodstock review was for the most part superfluous. It basically read like a running order at times.
"By the time the bass kicks in on 'Hammer of the North' Bloodstock 2012 is well and truly pumped, paving the way for more Viking fury from blackened horde Moonsorrow before we cross the ocean for a soaring set from Iced Earth and an admittedly thrashing taste of South America from Sepultura, even though we all secretly want the Cavs back. "

that doesn't really tell me anything I couldn't have found out from a quick glance at last years line up. Plus the order seemed a bit out, and they credited Testament as doing a machine head track.

But aside from that blip, I do think Iron Fist has a lot of promise. Moreso than Terrorizer which I've all but given up on.

I read less and less of terrorizer every month it seems. Every interview is seemingly some American hardcore act with their "sick" riffs and how they are pumped with the new heavy material thats just totally killer.

Used to feature a nice mixture of black/death/doom/folk (even some power!) etc. That's getting less and less IMO. There's less every single month of stuff I want to read and I'm not entirely sure I will renew my subscription as it's taking less and less time to read.

Going to try Zero Tolerance (I bought one with a Wodensthrone article in a few months back but not read it yet - no rush as I read magazines for interviews etc; not news) and I might try Iron Fist.

Iron Fist is pretty damn good

I used to get Metal Hammer every week. If for nothing else but the Subterranea and the gig listings. Also reviews of stuff I went to. I read Kerrang for about 6 months when I was about 14 but even then it was pretty much skip to the gig announcements.

Terrorizer and Metal Hammer.

Terrorizer

Terrorizer out of habit and Powerplay just has the best CD reviews out of any metal publication out at the moment.

I recently bought Metal Hammer and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

Is Terrorizer available at any shops/newsagents? Because judging by the website, they're right up my alley.