It is based in Tallinn, Estonia, but caters to an international audience, symbolically recognized by the acquisition of an EU domain in 2008.

[1] The site features a database of over 5,000 bands, alongside album reviews, news and interviews.

[2] Metal Storm users can register for free and create a custom profile based on their specific preferences.

These lists, along with the favorite bands and ratings categories, are analyzed to compare users and match those with similar musical tastes in the "Neighbours" area of the Collection tab.

Metal Storm states that the trading of albums is to be done at the member's own risk and that the site won't be responsible for any outcomes.

Bands that fall in between two sub-categories are usually allocated based on what elements are historically more prominent in their music though there is no strict enforcement of any rules.

Nevertheless, Metal Storm still has visible profiles for stylistically ambiguous bands such as Slipknot, Candiria and Led Zeppelin.

As such quality of reviews vary in terms of writing style, subjectivity and even standards of spelling and grammar.

The number of reviews on the website has declined in recent years with much of the emphasis being on promoting staff favorite bands as opposed to providing a more broad outlook.

There has been some controversy in how the official nominees are chosen with staff deliberately trying to steer voting away from releases by popular bands in favour of their own preferences.

It was the first year that this award has been able to be voted for by Metal Storm users, with various dramas listed as nominees.

[10][11][12] Regarding the 2008 awards, news of Oceans of Sadness' victory in the avant-garde metal category was printed in the Belgian/Flemish newspaper "Gazet Van Antwerpen."