Matt Fields 
For nearly 20 years, Greek black-metal band Rotting Christ has been at the forefront of underground metal in Europe. Inspired by periods of isolation and introspection, its music evokes a darkness within humanity that most wish to hide.
Growing up on a US military base in Japan, Kevin Kmetz overcame his gaijin status to become a master of Tsugaru-shamisen — but his band’s metal-infused genre-bending has drawn the ire of more than a few purists.
Japanese sludgy drone rockers and frequent collaborators Boris teamed up with Ian Astbury of The Cult for a heavy, moody four-song EP that brings the best out of both parties.