About

I am a musician and writer living in Seattle, originally from Southern California. I play in several bands (with Draghkar being the main one- more on that below), and write music-related journalism for several websites. I also run a small record label called Nameless Grave Records. The purpose of this website is to collect all of my writing in one place, as well as keep an updated release of my various musical releases, additional work (layouting, guest musicianship), and label releases.

If you are only here to try and get coverage for your band or record label, scroll to the bottom.

My active bands are, alphabetically: Azath, Draghkar, Drawn and Quartered, Reaver, Serpent Rider

As I said above my main band is Draghkar, which is a sort of melodic black/death/heavy metal thing that’s sort of hard to describe- influences from bands like Trouble, Cartilage (Fin), Demigod, Mortuary Drape, Mercyful Fate, just a ton of stuff going in there. We put out a record last year on Unspeakable Axe Records that I’m really proud of, and Nuclear Winter Records did the vinyl version (which was really cool because I’ve been a huge fan of theirs for years- it’s Anastasis from Dead Congregation’s label). We are currently working on our next album and on a very cool 7″ split with some great buddies that I have admired for years.

Drawn and Quartered is Seattle death metal since 1992. They’ve been one of my favorite death metal bands for years and years now, and it’s my absolute joy and honor to have been invited to join the band on rhythm guitar. This is Kelly’s baby and I’m happy to be able to help the dudes present the band live the way they’ve always wanted to.

Serpent Rider plays epic heavy metal mixed with some black metal and thrash, and it’s myself, my wife, and some friends having a really good time. Another one that’s hard to describe- influences from bands like Manowar, Brocas Helm, Varathron, Mortuary Drape, etc. Largely the same influences as Draghkar but stripping out completely the death metal. Serpent Rider is signed to No Remorse Records and has a new split out with Ezra Brooks.

Azath is a side band with longtime buddies, and we put out an album last year on Pulverised Records from Singapore. Hyper-speed death metal. We are working on a very cool split 7″ and on our next album right now- 7″ in 2022, album 2 in 2023, most likely.

Reaver is a little two-man project with my good friend Andrew, who also plays in Azath and who has in the past played in many other bands with me. This one is just a straight tribute to the old Swedish death metal scene. Demo came out this year on cassette as well on 7″ via Pulverised Records and my label. Album 1 probably next year on Pulverised!

I have in the past also played in Skullsmasher, Grave Spirit, Fourth Knight, and Ghul. I left Skullsmasher after their first full length album to focus on my other bands, and Ghul, Fourth Knight, and Grave Spirit have since broken up.

I currently write for Invisible Oranges . I have in the past written for Ride Into Glory (rest in peace), Toilet Ov Hell , Howling Flesh (my previous blog, now deceased) and Fetid Dead (rest in peace).

I also have a print zine, The Highway Corsair, which focuses specifically on high-quality, long interviews with mostly (but not exclusively) death metal bands on full-sized and full-color professionally printed paper. You can find those here. Current issue: #4.

Nameless Grave Records release list
List of all of the releases from my bands

Website background image taken without permission from the Mark of the Beast inner artwork. If you are a former member of Manilla Road, represent Jim Fitzpatrick, or were part of Monster Records and want it changed, let me know.

Bands and labels:
I understand from personal experience how hard it can be to get good promotion, and if your release is good I do want to support it. HOWEVER, I have limited time, and get hundreds of emails a week. When you email me, please make sure to include a full EPK with all of the songs available to stream (seriously- nobody wants to download your music to check it out), make sure your EPK has a good, reasonable description of the music so that I know if it’s up my alley, and most importantly, don’t harass me after sending your email.

If I liked your release I will be reaching out. If I didn’t hit it or didn’t like it, I will not be reaching out. It’s that simple. There are other places to get coverage out there, and I’d suggest you reach out to all of them, not just me. Also, please don’t email an alternate address trying to reach me for band promotion. Promo emails to the wrong email just go in the trash. All of the same stuff applies if you’re in a band looking for me to release your music on the label.

Contacts:

Music coverage- highwaycorsair@gmail.com

Label – namelessgraverecords@gmail.com

My music – draghkarband@gmail.com