Author Archives: Kodi McKinney

Photos: Multiple eras of Mayhem perform at Inferno 2016 in Oslo

Posted by on March 28, 2016

Fans of extreme metal and black metal know that Inferno Festival in Oslo, Norway has become a destination for die-hards the world over. Filled with a combination of uncommon performances from underground favorites (Mysticum and Craft being two key ones this year), high-profile headliners and emerging talent spanning death, thrash, folk, doom and black metal, […]

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Kodi McKinney’s Top 10 of 2014

Posted by on December 12, 2014

I really did not come into 2014 expecting to see 2012 and 2013 topped for metal records, but this year was nothing short of historic. It’s almost criminal I can’t just make a top 30 this year and be done with it, really. Any of my honorable mentions this year would be top 10 in […]

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AC/DC surprise fans at New York listening party

Posted by on November 19, 2014

Last night marked a very singular kind of world premiere for AC/DC’s new album Rock Or Bust, as Columbia Records took over NYC’s Webster Hall for a two-hour, free public playback of the full album two weeks before it hits stores on December 2. Most listening parties we end up at are more intimate affairs […]

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Metal Insider’s Top 5: Performances of Heavy Montreal 2014

Posted by on August 11, 2014

Featuring Metallica’s only North American performance of 2014 (along with Slayer and Anthrax!) and drawing 40,000 bodies through the door on Day 1 alone, Heavy Montreal shut down Parc Jean-Drapeau in Quebec this past weekend to create the ultimate metal destination for Canadians, adventurous Americans and even a few fanatical travelers from overseas. We had […]

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SXSW panel asks if underground metal has surfaced

Posted by on March 14, 2014

It’s cool when other music fans get into the metal you like, right? Tell that to the underground faithful, who are often so protective of death, black, thrash and other forms of extreme music that they’re constantly concerned that metal will get diluted by outsiders. SXSW’s panel “Has Metal Lost Its Edge?” sounded like a […]

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Ask a DJ: Metal Radio’s Most Anticipated 2014 Albums

Posted by on January 9, 2014

As 2013 drew to a close, we highlighted several of our favorite albums of 2013 while doing something a bit unusual: we included metal radio’s favorite albums of the year, both in an official most-played capacity and in the form of consensus favorites.  That naturally made us start wondering…what are metal radio’s most anticipated releases […]

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Metal Insider Contributor Kodi McKinney’s Top 10 of 2013

Posted by on December 16, 2013

As 2013 draws to a close, we’ve been giving the site over to artists to let us know what they’ve been listening to. It’s proven to be a diverse year for artists and albums alike. You can check out part 1 here, part 2 here, part 3 here, and part 4 here, and part 5 here. However, we also want […]

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Metal Insider CMJ Showcase: Byzantine

Posted by on October 7, 2013

Metal Insider’s CMJ Showcase, which will take place on October 16 at Club Europa, will feature Nachtmystium, Byzantine, Black Anvil, Ramming Speed and Vattnet Viskar. This showcase will be Byzantine’s first New York City show since 2007, and it will be a much-deserved welcome back for one of the most underrated American metal bands of the past […]

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What’s Inside Our Metal Insider 2013 CMJ Showcase Prize Pack?

Posted by on September 27, 2013

We’re counting down the days until Metal Insider’s 2013 CMJ showcase, and if you’re just now joining us, we brought the party this year.  Nachtmystium’s first show in nearly a year, Byzantine’s triumphant return to New York City, hometown black metal heroes Black Anvil and intense sets from Ramming Speed and Vattnet Viskar all have […]

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Metallica Plays ‘ Kill ‘Em All’ In Its Entirety During Surprise Set At Orion

Posted by on June 8, 2013

“Don’t miss Dehaan,” said James Hetfield via a post on his Instagram account, along with a handful of revealing hash tags, prior to the kick off of Orion‘s first day. While our initial guess was that it had something to do with the star of Metallica’s 3D movie, “Dehaan” turned out to be our second guess: a […]

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