With the second issue of Chips & Beer, this new metal mag has already developed it's own distinct voice, one that exalts a back-to-basics attitude and appreciation for classic underground metal, a distaste for pretension, and an appreciation for the visual black arts that I can definitely get behind. I'm starting to feel like this rag fills up a weird, previously unidentified space that existed between the classic Forced Exposure magazine and Metal Forces, though that could just be me. Regardless, it's a solid read with lots of opinionated writing that doesn't balk at calling shit out as they see it. This issue has interviews with Swedish death metallers Morbus Chron, Virginia DM stalwarts Deceased, Ian Christe from metal-centric publisher Bazillion Points, black thrashers Midnight, artist Halsey Swain, a Stewart Voegtlin interview with the bassist of The Mentors, a massive piece on King Diamond that also includes a bunch of album reviews and chronological info, Obsequiae, Finnish illustrator Ola Larsson (the genius behind the striking artwork for Disma's latest), Joe Preston of Thrones, power metallers Twisted Tower Dire, an examination of Black Sabbath's Mob Rules, weird doodles, and lots of (often scathing) record reviews.