The Interactive Metal Genres Graph offers interactive family tree

Heavy Metal is a genre with many roots and influences. It's coming along and has evolved constantly all the way from 1968 up to present days. But how did it all come together? A brand new website called Bound By Metal has taken the task to set up a accurate graph that feels a bit like a family tree of our beloved genre. Here's a little preview snippet for you to check out:

A preview of The Interactive Metal Genres Graph, (c) by Martin Schmid, used with kind permission

But it's far more. You can not "only" check a detailed overview on the timeline, influences and subgenres of Heavy Metal. You can do some interaction with the graph. The instructions are given directly on the page above the graphic. If you take your time you'll surely make some surprising discoveries this way. Or did you always know where your favorite metal subgenre has it's roots from?

All feedback or idea's for improvements are welcome. You can post them directly in the discussion area underneath the graph on the homepage. Make sure to follow this great project further with a like on the Facebook page of Bound by Metal​.

INDIAN INVASION 2015: free online compilation of metal bands from India

The metal scene in India is very active and alive! If you're following this blog regulary you know that the bands from that region like Bevar Sea, Grey Shack or Inner Sanctum have released great material in the recent time or are at the moment working on new releases that sound already very promising from the previews available.

But what about all the other bands from there? How do the bands from that part of the world sound like, what is their (fresh) attempt on Heavy Metal music? You can easily check that out for yourselves with the brand new free sampler "Indian Invasion 2015" which has been set up for free download as well as for streaming on the pages of the excellent Headbangers India blog. 

The package is completed by fine artwork from Headbangers India author Ishaan Kumar.

(c) by Ishaan Kumar / Headbangers India

These bands and tracks are featured on the Indian Invasion 2015 compilation:

01. Albatross – Jugglehead the Clown

02. Heathen Beast – Drowning Of The Elephant God

03. Dormant Inferno – Deliverance

04. Sycorax – Designing Eradicaton

05. Bevar Sea – Where There's Smoke (There's A Pyre)

06. Primitiv – Lords Of Primitiv

07. Zygnema – The Phoenix Effect

08. Against Evil – War Hero

09. Shepherd – Spite Pit

10. Chaos – Violent Redemption

11. Demonic Resurrection – Trail Of Devastation

12. Before The Holocaust – Clockwork Orange

13. The Minerva Conduct – End Creation

14. Biopsys – Surgical Symmetry

15. Trinergic – Rise Of Xyrith

Inside the zip file weighting around 161 MB in size you'll also find a pdf file with detailed information for each band. It contains links to websites letting you quickly gather more information about the artists (mostly their sites on social networks) so you will quickly have a good overlook on the featured styles. Further links for streaming more songs and contact data as well as URL's for purchasing the full releases are provided in the document.

One thing I can promise to you: it will be a journey letting you discover bands you don't want to miss out anymore. The bands have created exciting songs which combine the best from the past and present days of Heavy Metal history. And while you're waiting for the download to finish why not log in to your favorite social network and let your friends know about this free sampler? They'll for sure like to know about this cool summer goodie!

It's also a good choice if you know a friend out there celebrates it's birthday and you're on the lookout for a proper gift. Just link him to the compilation and I think that will be one thing he'll remember being a something special even years later.

By the way: this is already the second compilation released by the crew of Headbangers India. If you would like to get to know some more bands from India just see my post about the first sampler which is still up for streaming and free download.