Who's Westad?
I'm Westad. I play metal, I've spent far too much money on gear, and at some point I started telling people what was worth it and what wasn't. This site and the YouTube channel are where that goes now.
Why the name
Because that's what people say. They watch a review, they buy the thing, and the next message is “this is your fault.” Fine. Blame Westad. The name is the disclaimer and the promise: I'll tell you what I actually think, and you can hold me to it.
What this is
Reviews of metal guitar gear: guitars, amps, pickups, pedals and plugins. Each one gets played properly, compared with what else is out there, and given a verdict you can act on. Video goes up on YouTube first. The written version lives here with the rating, the specs and the stuff I didn't have time to say on camera.
What this isn't
A spec-sheet rehash. A press release with a face on it. A place where everything is “great for the price.” Some gear is bad. I'll say so.
Disclosure
How I pay for gear, and who pays me:
- Most gear reviewed here is bought with my own money. If a unit was provided by a manufacturer or a retailer, the review says so at the top, and whether I kept it.
- Nobody pays for a review, nobody sees a review before it goes live, and nobody gets to change a verdict.
- If a link on this site earns me a commission, it's marked as an affiliate link. It never affects what I recommend, and it costs you nothing extra.
- The opinions are mine alone, not those of any brand, shop or band.
Questions people ask
Are your reviews sponsored?
No. Nobody pays for a review, nobody sees a review before it goes live, and nobody gets to change a verdict. If a unit was provided by a brand or a shop, the review says so at the top.
Do you accept review units?
Yes, with conditions: I keep the right to say it's bad, there's no pre-approval, and the loan or gift is disclosed. If that works for you, use the contact page.
Can I send you something to review?
Probably. Use the contact page, say what it is and why it's for metal players, and read the disclosure first so there are no surprises.
Where do reviews go up first?
YouTube. The written version follows here with the rating, the specs and the things I didn't have time to say on camera.
What do the ratings mean?
Five points, no half marks. 5 means buy it and blame me. 1 means don't. The full scale is on the reviews page and the How I review page.
Why is it called Blame Westad?
Because that's what people say after they watch a review and buy the thing. The name is the disclaimer and the promise: honest opinions, and I'll own them.