“I have to be honest and admit, I feel like a a bit of an asshole for not doing this sooner but now it’s done and it will never be coming back.”
— Stevie Rachelle

LOS ANGELES, California — The World Famous Metal Sludge Gossip Board is Dead.

I am happy to report, that I have officially killed off the World Famous Metal Sludge Gossip Board.

After 27 years, I have put the Gossip Board and all of its related Forums out of its misery once and for all.

The time had come long ago, that the bad was far out-weighing the good and I had simply had enough.

What started out as a random, unique and original idea of mine back in the summer of 1998, evolved into much more than I had ever imagined.

Thus meaning… the official Metal Sludge website, along with its related Forums / Message Boards and going way back to the early days, the Chat Rooms as well.

I have to be honest and admit, I feel like a a bit of an asshole for not doing this sooner but now it’s done and it ain’t coming back.

As for the content and related members that gathered on these boards, the endless posts, countless comments and replies… it’s all into the ether now.

Of course there were tons of awesome posts, opinions and people created some amazing and often very funny memes, but subsequently, there was the bad as well, which featured harsh attacking content that some found joy in, while others suffered at the hand’s of their words.

As we’ve watched the internet and social media platforms evolve and grow… we’ve all experienced levels of cruelty along the way and watched people’s personal information get used, and real life was affected more times than we could count.

So why now?

My answer, why not?

Simply put, it was time… not to mention – it is my ball – my game, and I am not playing anymore.

Or… perhaps it was something else that gave me a moment of clarity, and I could no longer find reason to allow the endless mean-spirited attacks, jabs and trolling to continue… from anyone – towards anyone – and often for next to no reason at all.

It pretty much affected everyone who ever logged on, which over time, made most become lurkers only, to avoid being a target.

And the overwhelming majority of those on these forums, who did interact, were essentially playing with burner accounts and hiding behind their fake online identities for years – decades even.

How ironic is that… right… especially when the site was founded on that very position… as myself and my then cohort, as the original Metal Sludge founders chose to remain anonymous from the jump.

But… that’s a much different story, and a much different blog… which will come to light in the future – maybe.

Let me add, that I was barely into my 30’s when this thing started and the internet in general, was in its most infant stage… and for what it’s worth, next to nobody on the planet had a real clue where this thing was going!

Now today, I am 5 months away from turning 60 years old… time to turn the page I guess.

And dare I add, much of what the internet was as a whole, with its innocence and naivete in 1998, had all but dissipated in recent years… it had long lost its luster and for sure much of its comedic value.

Fun Fact: In 1998 when Metal Sludge launched, 26% of homes in the U.S.A. had the internet and by comparison, in 2025, 93% of homes in the U.S.A. have the internet.

Social media is a toxic cess-pool, and those who are splashing in it the hardest, will continue to do so but not here… as for the outlet known as the Metal Sludge Gossip Board… is closed for good.

Lastly, I say thank you to the good people for being part of the Metal Sludge community, and I ask that you continue to support this website, wear your swag, buy some new, feel free to donate and check out my band TUFF along with my indy label RLS Records and official store.

The Gossip Board is Dead at 27… and now forever a member of the 27 Club!

P.S. The website isn’t going anywhere!

You’re Welcome – Stevie Rachelle

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