Forty years ago this July, a band called Anthrax formed in Queens, New York. Twenty years ago this May, an album called Lateralus dropped on an unsuspecting world. A lot has changed in the decades since — including the possibilities of heavy music, which have expanded in many ways, some spearheaded by Anthrax and Tool. Those two fearlessly innovative bands paved the way for the likes of Jinjer, Beartooth, Backxwash, Amenra and others, who are making this a season of exciting, far-reaching sounds. Welcome to our Summer 2021 Issue.
The new print edition features Anthrax, Tool, Beartooth, Jinjer and Red Fang across its alternate covers. Check back next week for exclusive collector's bundles for each cover and other special products!
See a full list of the issue's contents below.
Five Artists You Need to Know Now
Extreme-rap visionary Backxwash, Svalbard frontwoman Serena Cherry's Skyrim-themed black-metal project Noctule, theatrical doomgaze outfit King Woman, and screamo-sasscore partners in crime SeeYouSpaceCowboy and If I Die First
Tool
It took fights, side projects, epic jams and one of math's most famous formulas. The result was an all-time masterpiece. Adam Jones look back on Lateralus 20 years later.
Beartooth
Frontman Caleb Shomo looks back on the experiences that made him who he is today
Anthrax
The Big 4's East Coast kings reflect on 40 years of trailblazing thrash with friend, fan and famed collaborator Chuck D
Jinjer
A self-professed wallflower, singer Tatiana Shmayluk is no stranger to isolation. No wonder then that quarantine brought out the best in her and her band.
Red Fang
The Portland stoner-metal funnymen reunite with their "Blood Like Cream" co-star Fred Armisen. "Dad jokes are coming!"
At the Gates
The Swedish melodic death-metal pioneers have always had a "no limits" attitude. Three decades in, they're embodying it more than ever.
Dark Nights: Death Metal
Inside the renegade DC comic series and its star-studded, cutting-edge soundtrack that both "dial the lunacy up to 11"
Colin H. van Eeckhout
Amenra's vocalist talks rituals, suffering and the "long farewell"
Plus, an original piece of psychedelic artwork by visual artist and tattooist Jondix inspired by Tool's Lateralus
