A boy called Girl Talk. A bio-engineering DJ. Rick Astley and Metallica? Gregg Gillis wholly embraces the philosophy of the “mash-up.” Reyan Ali wonders if what Girl Talk does is legal, good for the industry, or can even be considered music. So, he asked Gillis about it, point blank.

When Skies Wash Ashore (KOCH/Raging Nation Records). Review by P. McEver.

Valient Thorr is on a mission to save the planet through the power of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Jen Cray witnessed their latest victory on the battle fields of Orlando.

Anthology (Candlelight). Review by Matthew Moyer.

A group of Iraqi youths learn English from Metallica and Slayer and form a head-banging band in the middle of a war. Carl F Gauze doesn’t need a translator for the universal language of metal.

As music festivals spring up all over the country, Bonnaroo attempts to live up to its reputation as Rolling Stone Magazine’s “Best Festival.” Jen Cray fears that the heart has gone right out of it.

Rodrigo y Gabriela (ATO Records). Review by Tim Wardyn.

Immortalis (Bodog Music). Review by Jen Cray.

To look at the DVD box, you might thing the Great Kat is some sort of Bizarro Nancy Wilson. Not so. She’s so much more, Matthew Moyer declares.

Season of Evil (Goodfellow Records). Review by Matthew Moyer.

The Sons of Odin (Magic Circle Music). Review by Bob Ham.

Pop-collagist/Party-Starter Girl Talk (a.k.a. Gregg Gillis ) talks to Omar de la Rosa about sampling, doing remixes versus Girl Talk originals, the like-minded performance stylings of tourmate Dan Deacon, and Gregg’s favorite mixed drink.

Dimmu Borgir may have been the draw that brought in the crowd, but the night was stolen by openers Kataklysm and Unearth, according to Jen Cray.

God Bless the American Plague (In Music We Trust/Long live Crime Records). Review by Tim Wardyn.

The Blackening (Roadrunner). Review by Jen Cray.

Rodrigo y Gabriela (ATO). Review by Jen Cray.

Amongst The Flock (Bridge Nine). Review by Jen Cray.

Temptation Come My Way (Mono Vs. Stereo). Review by Jen Cray.

Unsaved (Pure). Review by Carl F Gauze.

The Crusade (Roadrunner). Review by Jen Cray.