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Author Archives: Mark Uricheck

I'm a freelance music journalist based out of Scranton, PA with 15 years experience, accumulating writing credits for Metal Hammer, The Weekender, ION Indie Magazine, NEPA Scene, and many more. I'm a lifelong media hound, with my day job at a local FOX television affiliate, and a bit of commercial radio in my past as well. I'm thrilled to contribute to Metal Insider and be part of a team totally dedicated to the music.

Interview: Roland Grapow talks Masterplan, his time in Helloween and more

Posted by on August 28, 2017

Roland Grapow is simultaneously accomplishing a couple different things with the release of his band Masterplan’s new record, PumpKings. First, the former Helloween guitarist, who began his career in the NWOBHM-inspired band Rampage, is celebrating music that he wrote for said German power metal institution during his 12-year tenure with the band, replacing original guitarist Kai […]

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Interview: Michael Monroe talks career revitalization, ‘The Voice of Finland’

Posted by on July 11, 2017

Things have seemingly never been better for Michael Monroe. The Finnish rock ‘n roll icon and ex-Hanoi Rocks frontman has been on a roll with his past few solo records, which have contained some of the most infectious, anthemic material he’s ever laid down. He’s also fresh off of a successful stint as coach on […]

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Broken Teeth/Dangerous Toys’ Jason McMaster walks us through his career, talks Lemmy, SXSW

Posted by on June 22, 2017

Jason McMaster goes through the Broken Teeth discography one by one, at the beginning of a conversation surrounding his band’s eighth overall effort, 4 On the Floor; some titles perhaps not so quick at the tip of the tongue amid a 20-year career for McMaster’s most enduring project since Dangerous Toys. “Maybe Broken Teeth is […]

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Remember when Manowar’s Karl Logan was in a hair metal band?

Posted by on May 17, 2017

Remember when Manowar guitarist Karl Logan played in a glam band? Well, if you’re not a native of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, PA area, you might not be familiar with Logan’s 80’s band, Arc Angel – thankfully there’s this video from 89/90 to remind us. Technically, Arc Angel wasn’t a glam band, per se, but they certainly […]

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Remember When: Iron Maiden was (kind of) on ‘Mr. Belvedere?’

Posted by on May 15, 2017

It’s not that often when metal creeps its way into mainstream pop culture. So when metal/hard rock acts do actually pop up in beloved sitcoms, dramatic films, cartoons or even reality series, it’s kind of awesome. So in the weekly column Remember When, Metal Insider recalls the most random instances of metal’s elite appearing in front […]

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Interview: Prong’s Tommy Victor talks next album, subgenres, glory days of L.E.S.

Posted by on April 26, 2017

Metal Insider sat down with Prong’s Tommy Victor prior to the band’s set at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia as part of their Spring tour with Testament and Sepultura. Tommy gave us the lowdown on Prong’s ramped up activity over the past several years, which includes a new album titled Zero Days this Summer. He also […]

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Metal Insider’s Top 5: Paul O’Neill’s best Savatage/Trans-Siberian Orchestra tracks

Posted by on April 17, 2017

The very idea of a rock opera was a bit antiquated when Paul O’Neill helped take the reins of a Florida metal band named Savatage in 1987. Long gone were the days when kids flocked to record stores to pick up The Who’s Tommy or Pink Floyd’s The Wall, but this was the stuff upon […]

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Interview: Anthrax talk branding, beer, Killthrax tour

Posted by on April 13, 2017

Metal Insider caught up with Anthrax vocalist Joey Belladonna and drummer Charlie Benante at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia last week. Anthrax, currently in the midst of the “Killthrax” tour, which also features Killswitch Engage, has had a productive 2016-2017, of which the guys talk up in this interview. The expanded re-release of 2015’s For […]

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Interview: Signum Regis talk Slovakian metal scene, power metal

Posted by on February 27, 2017

Looking for a new guilty power metal pleasure? Check out Slovakia’s Signum Regis. The band, active since 2007, and producing five full-length studio albums and one E.P., has recently released Decennium Primum, a sensory assault of near Dragonforce-like musicianship and Stratovarius-soaked grand melodic posturing. This new album is perhaps the most accurate snapshot of what the […]

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Interview: Former Sabaton guitarist Thobbe Englund talks leaving band, solo career

Posted by on February 22, 2017

If you’re not worshipping at the six-string altar of one Thorbjorn “Thobbe” Englund, you’re missing out on some shred-tastic (yes, shred-tastic – I did indeed go there) old-school metal meltdown. The Swedish guitarist, best known for handling co-lead guitar duties in Sabaton from 2012-2016, has had a professional career that’s seen him accrue a discography with […]

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