Tool is well known for being one of the most innovative, abstract metal bands of the last 20 years. What many people don’t realize is how protective the band is of every aspect of their career, including their image. After being told again and again that she would never get approved, Jen Cray was shocked to be allowed inside the band’s Orlando show with her camera.

Fables From a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times is True (Universal Republic/ Serjical Strike). Review by Jen Cray.

For their first headlining American tour, Japan’s Dir En Grey have brought along Fair To Midland and Bleed The Dream to further challenge young audiences with new hybrids of Metal. Jen Cray caught show #2 at Orlando’s House of Blues.

Fair To Midland are blessed, and cursed, with the title “the first band to be signed to Serj Tankian’s label.” Jen Cray sat down with vocalist Darroh Sudderth and keyboardist Matt Langley outside of Orlando’s House of Blues just before the second night of their first ever major tour.

The Drawn and Quartered EP (Serjical Strike). Review by Jen Cray.

Steady (In Music We Trust). Review by Tim Wardyn.

Blood Inside (The End). Review by Matthew Moyer.

Testing the Atmosphere (Universal). Review by Andrew Ellis.

You’rNext (Small Stone). Review by Aaron Shaul.

Flies the Field (Quarterstick). Review by Aaron Shaul.

The former frontman for the seminal hardcore punk outfit, The Misfits, unleashed an evening of pure, dark, bluesy metal on an eager Florida crowd. Jen Cray escapes unscathed.

Terraforming (Now Or Never). Review by Addam Donnelly.

Beginnings (Columbia). Review by Nick Plante.

Memento,Beginnings,Columbia,Nick Plante

Cover, Protective, Individual (Firecode Core). Review by Stein Haukland.

Evidence (Eucommia). Review by Sean Slone.

Chris Grace,Evidence,Eucommia Records,Sean Slone

San Francisco,Piano Wire Smile,Foot,Psychedelic,metal,Post-grunge,Less,Cover, Protective, Individual,Firecode Core,Stein Haukland

After a decade with one of the most influential bands in today’s metal, Helmet, drummer John Stanier finds himself in Tomahawk, featuring members of the Melvins, Faith No More and the Jesus Lizard. Gail Worley talks about the ups, downs and sideways.

Thirteenth Step (Virgin). Review by Julio Torres.