Metal Rules, also known as Metal-Rules, is a heavy metal webzine created by EvilG and online since 1995. Based in the province of Newfoundland, Canada, the site was founded with the goal to promote 'Real Metal'. It is one of the world's largest and longest running heavy metal websites. The site now has an international staff of 16 members and half a dozen additional contributors from around the world, including Canada, America, England, Sweden, Finland, Australia, Malaysia, Estonia and most recently India. The website contains a wide range of features including news, CD, DVD and book reviews, concert reviews and interviews. The site has almost 8000 CD and DVD reviews, over 1000 interviews, over 700 concert reviews. In the summer of 2011, Metal-Rules introduced a new section called The Library Of Loudness specializing in hard rock and heavy metal book reviews, which currently has over 145 book reviews. The site also has a number of Internet chat forums with over 100,000 registered members since its inception. Other features include streaming audio, and video, interactive polls, editorial pieces, cartoons, guitar samples and tabs, tour blogs and more.
Metal Rules, along Metal Sludge, was cited in a New York Times article, after the death of Dimebag Darrell, in 2004. Its tribute to Ronnie James Dio featured on Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles website. It received praise from heavy metal world.
Metal Rules Records
In 2002, the site founded Metal Rules Records. On December 30, 2002, Metal-Rules Records released their first album, Metal-Rules.com Volume I. This is a 16-track compilation CD featuring songs from heavy metal bands from around the world. The CD was mastered by Mark Briody of Jag Panzer. On July 24, 2004, the label released its second record The Predator Awakens by Viperine.