Chapter IX

At the heart of The Wailing Ossuary lies an ancient ritual summoning pentacle surrounded by laughing skulls. They challenge brave metalheads to lead five mighty musicians in an epic performance to try to conjure a monster of metal.

As our brave metalheads venture through the deepest, darkest corners of Europe the maddening whispers of the Wailing Ossuary are never far behind. Always calling, tempting, luring them back through its gates and down to the deadly ritual.

The Chorus

There may have been only one vote cast in last week’s poll but we honour it nonetheless. Fans of classic Metallica will rabidly devour WWIII, the third album from Albanian thrash metal giants Crossbones. The album is loaded with monstrous chopping riffs, like our favourite on Gates of Hell, the folky alternating time signatures exemplified on Gjallë, and wailing harmonics duelling with rough, spacious vocals shown on the modal That Kind of Feeling. Music this heavy will surely summon a particularly ferocious entity in your ritual, we hope you’re ready…

The Champion - I

Lzzy Hale has without a doubt one of the most dynamic voices in metal. Like a human tube amplifier she has an uncanny ability to naturally overdrive her voice just the right amount to smoothly transition from clean to hot, full metal screaming. Forming the legendary Halestorm when she was only thirteen years old, her iconic voice is the golden thread that runs through all of their music. Lzzy has also recently toured with Skid Row as well as having collaborated with so many of her fellow pantheon of metal gods. The Ambassador for Rock is as much a legend off stage as she is on, constantly leading conversions surrounding mental health, gender equality and sexual orientation inclusion. With a champion this fearless by your side, how could your ritual ever fail?

The Curse

All of this immense power has called forth one of the Karkanxholji, a Balkan plague bearer wielding characteristic iron chains. Impressed by your offerings, the undead creature imbues you with his pestilent breath, particularly useful in repelling irritating paparazzi and also bigots. However it could be embarrassing in your personal life so just be extra careful how you use it. As an added bonus the monster’s iron clothing is probably the most metal outfit you’ll ever need on stage. Thrash on!