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June 2nd -

Artefix Fraudis (doom metal)
For The Suffering (death metal)
Head On Collision (thrash/metal)
Ironwood (metal)
Kylesa (psychedelic /metal /rock)
Shelter Red (metal/experimental/instrumental)

May 29th -

Foreshadow (thrash/metal)
Ground Of Ruin (thrash/black/folk)
Inquinok (black metal)
Razor Wire Shrine (metal/instrumental/experimental)
Scale The Summit (instrumental/progressive/metal)
Seizure Crypt (thrash/hardcore/punk)
The Under (rock)

April 8th -

Dichotic (metal)
Ghouls (death metal)
Katedra (metal)
Realm Ex (metal/guitar rock)
SOS (hardrock)
Stoned (metal)

April 1st -

Black Light Burns (pop/rock/industrial)
Grand Selmer (rock/alternative)
I Was Here (metal/crossover)
Saxon (rock/progressive)
Silent Fate (metal/rock)
Six Six Crush (punk/metal/rock)
Voetsek (metal/punk/thrash)

March 17th -

Crematory (deathcore / gothic metal)
Fairytale Abuse (blackened death)
Fall From Grace (alternative / punk rock)
Siebenburgen (gothic black metal)

 

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21 LUCIFERS - "IN THE NAME OF..." - (Pulverised Records)
    Style - Death/Grind
    Origin - Sweden
    Rob's Review: I get hot pants now-a-days every time a band from Sweden graces my review rotation (maybe I'm sharing too much with you people) and I'm forced to write a plethora of kind words and gushing accolades. Someone much more important and uglier than I should stand up someday and anoint this country as the shrine to metal and build a statue of a giant metal hand sign to commemorate the event. It would be like the Metal Hall of Fame and you would ride through the museum on a giant flying V guitar.
    At any rate, there hasn't been many, if any, Swedish metal recently that has disappointed me and 21 LUCIFERS is just another example of the excellence that flows from the loins of that country. They're calling this death/grind which is a label that has come to mean much more than just your father's Napalm Death sound. No, that label is much more diverse and almost requires sub-genres to weed everyone out. In 21 LUCIFERS' case, their "death/grind" has the familiar Gothenburg twist to the music inspired by an At the Gates and The Haunted style. Which is really a great combination with the classic grind sound throughout and is tighter than my short and curley's on a chilly day. There are 21 tracks (ooh, creative) to this CD and not many clock in over 2:00 in length.
There is absolutely no filler here and the songs bump along at a frantically brutal pace which is also comparable to that Gothenburg aura. One of the highlights here is the vocals which have a healthy array of Lamb of God-ish dirty death style mixed in with a more controlled black metal thing with a few drive-bys of some old school death gurgles as well. Very diverse and never boring especially considering the abbreviated length of most of the songs. Me likey long time.  www.21lucifers.com  - www.myspace.com/21lucifers 

Production: 10/10;   Performance: 10/10;   Originality: 8/10;   Vocals: 10/10
Overall: 9.5/10

286 - "THE VIEW INSIDE" - (Innerlight Records)
   Style - Hard Rock
    Origin - Los Angelas, CA
    Rob's Review: It's good to see 286 is forging ahead into a bright future. I seem to remember reviewing their first three-song EP called "Profile" a couple years ago to a somewhat glowing review and a hope for a full length soon after. We now hear from 286 again only to be graced with one less song than its predecessor. But alas, they do include a video this time. My opinions haven't changed much on the music of 286 from the last time. The band JUNKYARD is still pretty evident as an influence (intended or otherwise) and the performance is filled with high energy liveliness that would make any fan of dirty, sleazy rock 'n' roll want to run out and throw a few beer bottles at them out of pure love. But c'mon man give us some more to chew on. I think maybe the whiskey and beer are taking its toll on the 286 rehearsal space out in Tinseltown to only accomplish a two-song EP in the two years after releasing a three song-er. Can't wait for the one song EP to arrive. www.286music.com - www.myspace.com/286music 

Production: 8/10    Performance: 9/10    Originality: 7/10    Vocals: 7/10
Overall: 7.75/10

40 BELOW SUMMER - "Rain" (Crash Music)
    Style - Metal
    Origin - New Jersey
    Heather's Review -  In this day of metal, it is difficult to try to find a way to excel amongst the masses. With their aggressive melody, powerful riffs, and a vocalist that can jump between vocal styles like it was nothing, 40 Below Summer pulls it off. The music sounds like a combination of Tool, Shadow's Fall, and Faith No More, but what emerges is a completely original sound that will take them far in the music business. Why go and buy this? The music kicks ass!
    Recorded at Crash Records, Inc, the overall sound is suburb with great dynamics and an ever changing melody. All of the songs are backed by defined riffs, powerful drumming, and a creative vocal style that leaves many bands in the dust.
The band also had other albums. Their first demo, "Sideshow Freaks" , was the demo that got them noticed by No Name Management. (think Slipknot and Fear Factory ) Not long after, the band was invited to sign on. The band eventually signed a deal with the London/Sire Records label. They then released their second album with Razor And Tie Records in 2003, and sold over 100,000 albums with the two releases! With Crash Music, the band released 9 new tracks plus a bonus dvd. The new album is called "The Last Dance".
    For more info on the band, check out www.40belowsummer.com  or www.myspace.com/40belowsummer

Originality: 9/10   Vocals: 9/10   Production: 9/10
Overall: 9/10

40 BIRDS - "Shotgun Therapy"
    Style - Hard Rock/Metal
    Origin - Canada
    Heather's Review - It is so nice to come across a band that would be great for radio without falling into that "new metal" category. 40 Birds delivers a hard rock/metal blend with hints of progressive metal as well as thrash. The music is not overwhelming, making them great candidates for radio play, which is not a bad thing, considering most people at some point in the day tune in. Every song on the cd features a new melody, with vocal style variation(clean as well as harsh), and you come away with a vibrant feeling after you realize that you liked every song on the cd. (11 songs of goodness in all). The guitars and bass carry a vibrant edge while the drumming keeps you interested in that non over-powering progressive feel. They are a very talented band that you won't get tired of listening too. The Canadians already know this as they played during Canadian Music Week. They also became the 2008 Samson Jammie Winners for Best Group Performance, which gave vocalist Matthew Pelletier the honor of being an honorary Samson endorsee for the Samson Stage 55-VHF True Diversity Wireless System for the month of February 2008. Make sure you check this band out! You will not be disappointed!
Find them at www.myspace.com/FORTYBIRDS , at www.FORTYBIRDS.com or at BAND@FORTYBIRDS.com

Originality: 9/10;   Vocals: 9/10;   Production: 9/10
Overall: 9/10  A 

ABSTRUSE - "Transgression"
    Style - Weird/Progressive/Metal
    Origin - Greece
    Taylor's Review - Abstruse is a musical vision of two members Veiler and Substant to bring forth an entity that encompasses both the visual and musical art.
The musical aspect of Abstruse takes on a more progressive sound similar to
King Crimson at times and something totally unique at others, using the instrumentation as the driving force and vocals only as filler.
    The visual part of Abstruse I am very sad to say I was unable to witness due to the incompatible nature of the dvd and my dvd player. I think it would have added another dimension to the music.
    An enjoyable listen from a unique band. www.abstruseweb.com or www.myspace.com/abstruseweb 

Instruments: 7/10;   Vocals: 4/10;   Originality: 9/10
Overall: 6/10

AEONS OF ECLIPSE - "The Hour of Desolation"
    Style - Death Metal
    Origin - Kentucky
    Gus's Review - In the fairly new, yet quickly wearing out genre of death metal with technical influences, Aeons of Eclipse doesn't do a whole lot to distinguish themselves among the deluge of other emerging bands. The first few songs on the album are fairly generic and aren't very appealing to the ear. The vocals are very monotonal with the occasional higher-pitched squeal. Occasionally, the vocals get lost beneath the fancy guitar work, making it hard to discern anything but a low, breathy rumble. The second half of the album, however, is far more worth listening to. The riffs get heavier, the drums get heavier, and the solos get more complicated, creating a very nice run-of-the-mill death metal sound. Still fairly generic, but less so than the rest of the album. A few melodic incorporations make the songs interesting enough to keep you listening but don't quite make up for the lack of engaging vocals. With some fresh new vocals, Aeons of Ecplise could become quite a strong band, but until that happens I don't see much changing.

www.aeonsofeclipse.com

Originality: 6/10   Production: 9/10   Performance: 9/10   Vocals: 5/10
Overall: 7/10

AIRBOURNE - "Runnin' Wild" (Roadrunner Records)
    Style - Rock and Roll
    Origin - Australia
    Darren's Review - Pedal to the metal full on rock and roll assault is an excellent summary of what this band is all about. From the opening anthem "Stand Up For Rock and Roll" to the closer "Hellfire" and all 9 tracks in between, this album will punch you in the mouth and come back to sucker punch you in the gut. If I didn't know any better, you would swear this album is from the 80's. Obviously influenced by AC/DC and hair metal retro bands (good ones) - sums up the Airbourne experience. Full throttle rock and roll friends! Most tracks are excellent, however there are a few fillers. Another album that you can party with and doubtful you will find any guests asking you to turn it off, if so, they don't belong at the party anyway! They are doing a ton of touring at the moment, make sure you check them out. Great for a good time and for listening to while on the road.  www.airbournerock.com or www.myspace.com/airbourne

Production/Engineering: 8/10;   Originality: 6/10; 
Instruments: 8/10;  Vocals: 8/10
Overall: 7/10

A NEW REVOLUTION - "RISE" - (Koch Records)
   Style - Modern Hard Rock
    Origin - Austin, TX
    Robs Review: Usually, when a band is presented to me for review by comparing themselves to bands such as the slit your wrists favorites Lincoln Park, Disturbed and Staind and has former members of the band Slaves on Dope it ends up being a lesson in self control to not want to turn the disc into a flying saucer before ever listening to it. Luckily for A NEW REVOLUTION I had to expose my senses to this possible life ender of an album or risk losing my lofty status as king dipshit of the Adrenalin review board. And if I lose that I lose what's left of my low self esteem (sniff). But like other recently reviewed, prematurely prejudged bands lately I was pleasantly surprised by what I feel is the lack of parallels to previously said bands. Sure, there is an obvious commercial value to the music but not so that it makes you play Godzilla to its Japan. Although, every once in a while the inevitable radio friendly vocal atrocities creep into the songs and make the fists slightly clench but ultimately the catchy melodies and jumpy riffs shroud any unforgiving vocal deficiencies. And their damn lucky I have a nostalgic spot in my heart for some obscure 80's pop because that cover of "True Faith" by NEW ORDER could have sealed their fate. I think A NEW REVOLUTION has benefited greatly from the stars in my crazy little universe aligning at just the right time to hear their catchy little ditties. But maybe there just pretty good. Judge for yourself but don't prejudge if at all possible. If you get into bands like Stone Sour or Soil you'll probably dig these guys.  www.myspace.com/anewrevolution 

Production: 10/10     Performance: 8/10    Originality: 6/10    Vocals: 7/10
Overall: 7.75/10

ANGERPATH – “Forgotten World” (Epitomite Productions)
    Style – Death metal
    Origin – Bielsko-Bia³a, Poland
    Dion’s Review – It’s so hard to come up with an honest, accurate style description, without putting people off the review before they get to read it. I mean, this is most definitely death metal, but I nearly put ‘melodic’ in there, which it has more than a few moments of, but since there’s a negative connotation a lot of people apply to that sub-genre, I forwent it. It’s like hearing “Brazilian Fart Porn” and refusing’ to watch it with your hysterically giggling mates; there’s a whole lot that goes on in those quality productions besides the butt-grunts, right? So, you’re about to read a review of a death metal band’s debut release. All farts intact.
I have to say first off, that it’s rare that you look up a band’s discography and find that a full-length is also the band’s first release. There’s usually demos, splits or compilation appearances. The ‘starter’ before the ‘main’. Although this band is made up of members of NEWBREED, EGOIST, DREAM SYSTEM and SPACEBRAIN, so you‘d figure they‘re rather studio-seasoned metal warriors. Forgotten World is a really well-produced offering, too. Seven tracks of mid-paced death metal that reminds me of a somewhat more aggressive IMMOLATION and the slower parts of BEHEMOTH. I <I>nearly</I> wrote ‘BEHEMOTH breakdowns‘. Phew! That’s grounds for instant dismissal right there! But this isn’t to say that ANGERPATH are direct rip-offs. Those bands are just obvious influences… I hope. The guitars are very notey, and are at times melodic, yet by contrast can be very dischordant. The drums are tight and can be fairly imaginative. The vocals are a rather monotonous low hardcore-like yell. He delves into a guttural bellow every now and again, but there’s no highs to speak of. No real tricks of the mic-strangler’s trade applied, to be honest. And ANGERPATH have joined the growing list of bands that have forgone the employment of a bassist… sadly. I good bassist can add a whole dimension to the sound… but you usually get someone who’s quite willing to follow the guitar. I understand why they did it. I just don’t like it. But the guitars are tuned low enough so that it’s not all that noticeable, to be quite natural with you.
Overall, if you’re into IMMOLATION and BEHEMOTH, with a few of the newer death metal tricks throughout, you might just get a kick out of this disc.
www.myspace.com/angerpath , www.epitomite.com , www.myspace.com/epitomite

Production: 9/10;   Originality: 6/10;   Instruments: 8/10;   Vocals: 5/10
OVERALL: 7/10

ANMOD - "Monstrosity Per Defectum" (Deity Down Records)
    Style - Death/Grind
    Origin - Brazil
    Heather's Review - If you blend together grind and death metal, the result is Anmod. The music has a brutality that is clean, yet powerful. I would recommend this band to anyone into aggressive death metal. Formed in 2005 from a prior band called Fornication, this trio displays an extraordinary amount of talent and song writing skills. Recorded under Deity Down Records, Anmod portrays the elements needed for death metal, and the skill required to expand that to another level. Vocally, it is mainly death, but the guitars and drums give this band a whole new element that makes you keep coming back for more. Check them out at www.myspace.com/anmod  or www.anmod.com.br  for more information or to check out their other cds under the Fornication name.

Originality: 7/10;   Vocals: 8/10;    Production: 7/10
Overall: 7.3/10

ARTEFIX FRAUDIS – “The Scarlet Womb” (Unsigned)
    Style: Doom Metal
    Origin: Italy
    Steve’s Review: I don’t necessarily understand the Genre of Doom Metal. Some bands are extremely slow Death Metal while others are an extremely atmospheric blend of Black and Death Metal. It’s just one of those genres that has a wide variety of different sounds. When it comes to Doom Metal, Artefix Fraudis has something going that not every Doom band has. Of course they have the Doomy depressing sound typical of Doom Metal bands but the acoustic aspect they add really smoothes everything Doom-like about this band out. Every thing about this band from the Rock-based drumming, to the low guttural vocals, from the soothing bass lines, to the very production of this album screams Doom Metal. I absolutely loved the way they are able to play a melodic style of Metal without making it sound prissy and upbeat. The best word to describe this band’s music is melancholy. If you are a speed freak looking for blast beats and tremolo picking throughout this album you will be majorly disappointed. Artefix Fraudis isn’t that type of band, instead their music resonates through the foggy climate of Extreme Metal and leaves you feeling breathless, hungering for more of the Doom that pierces your soul never once leaving until the disc is done. Like I stated before, I don’t think I’m the only one confused by the genre of Doom Metal. I still hear people referring to Black Sabbath as Doom Metal but once you listen to the track, ‘Last Man Standing’. Starting off with a guitar riff that reminds me of a supernova’s dying light then moving on to the beautifully depressing acoustic progression. The sounds of the strings ring out and the simplistic drums and vocals take me to a different level even as it kicks into the more upbeat chorus, there can be no other definition for Doom Metal. Artefix Fraudis is as beautiful in their simplicity as they are serious of their sound. I thoroughly enjoyed this album and as I play the disc over and again I’m 100 percent sure that I will never tire of this sound.   www.myspace.com/artefixfraudis

Vocals: 8/10;   Instruments: 8/10;   Production: 7/10
Overall: 7.5/10

APOKALYPSE - "...Too Far Back"
    Style - Thrash
    Origin - Peabody, Massachusetts
    Heather's Review - I would love to tell everyone that this cd is great, being that one of their main influences is Moonspell, whom I absolutely love, but I can't. The recording is poor, which is never a good thing. Despite that, I was hoping to have liked the songs. With good musicianship and talent to boot, bands have been known to make up for a lax recording. But, the songs were not impressive either. The first song was ok, but nothing that made me think they had what it takes to make up for the recording. Vocally I think they have a chance. They were strong at times, even. Musically, I think they need to concentrate on variation and dynamics. The second song isn't even really a song. It is more
like a conversation, that is not even clear at times, with music in the background. I did find it humorous that the conversation going on stops when the music is about to change. The third song was very similar to the first song in terms of musicianship, which is ok, but I am not jumping up to go see what else they have. The cd art looks like a little kid did it. It is drawn, not colored, and looks very non-professional. I have never seen them live, nor heard anything else that they have done so I will not totally discredit them, but this cd needs some work.
If you wanna check them out, they are at www.myspace.com/apokalypsetheband or at www.apokalypsemetal.tk 

Originality: 2/10;   Production: 2/10;   Vocals:4/10
Overall: 3.75/10

A SECOND FROM THE SURFACE - "The Streets Have Eyes" (This Dark Reign Recordings)
    Style - Hardcore/Thrash/Metalcore
    Origin - Minneapolis, MN
    Jeremy's Review - A Second from the Surface. This battering ram of a band dishes out insanely fast and pummeling hardcore in the vein of SYL. As the band name suggests, there is something seething and boiling, but it's only a second away, as you can see the skin bubbling and bursting out from within. Anger, malice, frustration, and paranoia form the black liquid that spews forth from this urban monstrosity.
www.myspace.com/asecondfromthesurface

Production: 6;    Performance: 6;    Originality: 5
Overall: 6/10

ASHEN REIGN – “Immortality” (self-released)
    Style – Hard rock/heavy metal
     Origin – Atlanta, GA
     Dion’s Review - ASHEN REIGN. Somewhat of a cool name, although if you use your imagination, it can call to mind an anaemic king, an alabaster queen with the flu, or an emperor that’s on his death bed and demanding the sacrifice of his favourite stallion. But, I’m not that imaginative.
     Brent McDaniel is, however. Brent is ASHEN REIGN. Vox, bass, drums, guitar and keyboards. He’s the heavy metal Dick van Dyke. Except with technology being what it is, he didn’t have to play all the instruments at once. Playing guitar with his toes, with a bass and drum sampler strapped to his back, playing one of those kick-arse keyboard guitars that I wanted as a kid. But speaking of technology, he recorded himself, too, with the credits for tracking and mixing going to Brent van Dyke. Brent intentionally hearkens back to a day of metal when it was ‘heavy”; before it became black, thrash and death. Before it became black with a little thrash, and death-throat. Or death/grind with punk-metal intros and a twinge of hardcore, heavy blues/southern rock. Remember those pre-metal sub-genre days?. Brent does all of this… just not very well. I’m trying not to just outright slag this CD. Think OZZY vocals over JUDAS PRIEST, and MOTORHEAD when they were learning their instruments… drunk, high and deliriously tired from drinking and drugging. Brent can play the instruments, but he’s stale, not progressing the genre at all, which from what I gather is what he’s all about, although he has “progressive” as one of his myspace genre-listings. He also can’t keep time.. .with himself. The drums seem steady, but quite often the guitar will be slightly out, or his vocals seem to have to spurt to catch up with the rest of the music. He solos a lot, and reasonably well, but his vocals try (and strain audibly) to reach higher notes. The toms on the drums sound like they’re skinned with Glad Wrap and I have a sneaking suspicion that he tried that old 80’s trick of going back and recording fills over the beats. I could be wrong however.
     For some reason, the CD seems to get better as it goes along. Well, not better, but it’s more in time, and his vocals have better effects. There’s also a cover of “Sometimes When We Touch” by Dan Hill. I can’t say it’s good or bad. It just… happened. Pretty much what I think of the whole production. I’d just check him out yourselves and make your own judgement.
www.myspace.com/ashenreign , http://www.ashenreign.com

Production: 6/10;   Originality: 2/10;   Instruments: 4/10;   Vocals: 3/10
OVERALL: 3.5/10

ASHES OF YOUR ENEMY – “The Undying” (Crash Music Inc.)
    Style – Heavy metal/Nu-Metal
    Origin – New Jersey, USA
    Dion’s Review – Have you ever been jumpin’ around your bedroom, bangin’ your head for Satan, aiming haphazard spin-kicks at your innocent little brother, and suddenly stopped and thought “I wonder if Tom Araya has a sensitive side.”? Feel free to exchange Tom for any of the greats. Hetfield; Barnes; Benton; A fourth metal vocalist. Well, if you’re anything like me (and never admit to that) you didn’t care two shits about the side of Tom’s personality that only his wife should see, flipped your SLAYER mix-tape to side B, and started rampaging your bawling brother again.
Don’t get me wrong, reader. I don’t believe that men don’t have emotions, or have to drink until they can’t experience them any more. I‘m quite a sensitive bloke, myself, hence why I‘ve never submitted my reviews for review. I just don’t see that you can accurately portray your emotional side in a chorus, before launching into an angry-as-hell verse again. ASHES OF YOUR ENEMY are damned good at what they do. They seem to be mixing thrash-based metal with nu-metal influences quite well. I definitely hear METALLICA, and PANTERA in there. They use a wah-wah pedal for these kick-arse, quick runs that smacks of old thrash. There are some riffs and arrangements that are a bit too radio-friendly for my tastes, but I have to say that the lads of AOYE are bloody talented. They’re tight with a damned good production. I just can’t stomach that fucken singing! He’s not even that bad at it. I’ve heard much, much worse, and will remember that ‘til the day I die. It just doesn’t make sense to me. I’ve mentioned the term ‘bipolar metal’ before. This is more of it. We’re expected to believe that they’re pissed and all about the metal in the verses, but forgiving and harmonious for the 30 seconds of chorus. That would be my only real beef with AOYE, ‘cause “The Undying” is a damned good album, otherwise.
    So my advice to the vocalist (if he accepts any) is: “Take your medications, mate, and get back in that rehearsal room and do it better! If you want people to know you have a sensitive side, go out and save a penguin or something. Adopt a disease like a real celebrity would.”  www.myspace.com/ashesofyourenemy , www.crashmusicinc.com

Production: 9/10; Originality: 6/10; Instruments: 7/10; Vocals 4/10
OVERALL: 6.5/10

A THOUSAND YEARS SLAVERY - “A Fury Named Spartan”
    Style -  Metal-core
    Origin - Switzerland
    Baird’s Review - Metal-core. My expectations are not high. In fact, my expectations are lowered every time I see (insert genre here)-core listed for a band. I find it unnecessary, and to be honest it seems to me like the major record labels just decided one day, that if they took a perfectly good existing genre band, dressed them up, and cut their hair, combing it all over to one side of their head, and than slapped a new “-core” that they would sell more records. I digress. None of these guys have that snappy haircut.
    This is a really good ep. The drums are tight. The guitars are tight. The bass is punchy and tight. The vocals are pretty good, but they would be a lot better if this guy stopped trying to sing and do spoken word parts. What’s the problem you ask? If I wanted to listen to The Black Dahlia Murder, I would be. In conclusion: if you like B.D.M., and you want to hear more music like them, go pick this up, you will not be disappointed.   www.myspace.com/athousandyearsslavery

Production 9/10,   Musicianship 9/10,   Vocals 7/10,   Originality 6/10
Overall 7.75/10

A TORTURED SOUL - "KISS OF THE THORN" - (Eyes Like Snow)
    Style - Traditional Metal
    Origin - Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA
    Rob's Review: Here is a band that hails from the very backyard of the Adrenalin Metal Union and is quite interesting in that my previous band had been put on the same line-up with them at a couple shows and had actually had some run-ins with a couple of the members in the band over a rumored faulty fog machine that seemed to have been "mistakenly" left on to the tune of full nebulous cloud engulfment for about our first 4 or 5 tunes. The result was pert-near a night's stay in the Waukesha County Jail for a pissed off bass player looking for some revenge. But cooler heads and a persuasive girlfriend prevailed and we got through the rest of the evening without anyone coming unglued. Needless to say first impressions of A TORTURED SOUL were tainted to say the least and we really didn’t think much of the music either but by then we had the pissy goggles on magnify.
    So when I got my batch of CD's to review this month and saw the familiar "A TORTURED SOUL" moniker gazing bitterly at me, I was at the very least "disappointed". The guys actually turned out to be pretty cool the next time we shared the stage with them. Even our bassist played roadie for them upon realization that the previous encounter was all a misunderstanding. But we still werent impressed with their performance. The word on the street had them pretty comparable to PRIEST and KING DIAMOND and they just weren’t pulling it off live. So in goes the CD with all the personal excitement of a festering boil on my ass. First song...hmm...hmm hmm...alright...so far, so good...not bad...actually alright...borderline pretty good.........WHAT THE FUCK! Were the hell was this when we played with them?? The PRIEST/DIAMOND comparisons were a little more evident, the vocals were pretty damn close to being a spot on clone of referenced bands and now that they've had studio seasoning you can actually hear the intricacies of the old-school riffs and dual guitar harmonies and, of course, the now seemingly in key vocal attack. Gotta love that studio magic! It sure strips away that "standing straight legged at the front of the stage with arms sternly crossed staring blankly at a rival band" attitude real quick. Nice job guys. You have made me a believer. Maybe next time I see you I'll stand straight legged with arms sternly crossed but instead nod my head in unison with the newly appreciated beat.
www.myspace.com/torturedsoulmusic 

Rating: 7/10

ATTICA RAGE - “Ruin Nation” (Vanduara Records)
    Style: Heavy Metal
    Origin: Scotland
    Steve’s Review: This year hasn’t been the greatest year for Power Metal and Thrash.   There has been some older bands releasing great material this year, but for the most part  most of the newer bands are just coming out with watered down crap. That is until I  heard Scottish Thrashers Attica Rage. Bringing out the best from bands like Metallica,  Nevermore, and Testament, mixing it up with some Biker Thrash, and even adding some  Gothic Doom elements, Attica Rage has a sound that is fresh and entertaining. I’m  hesitant to call this Power Metal, considering all of the other obvious influences, but that is pretty much what these guys are with songs like, Attica Rising, In My Dreams, and Ghosts. The rest of the album is a sonic force of great Heavy Metal guitar riffs, powerful drumming, and some pretty decent leads. If it fails anywhere on this album it would be in the lead guitar department. Not that the guitarist isn’t talented, he just plays some odd sounding scales so to speak. Ruin Nation is not Brutal, Evil, Hate music in any sense but it is a Melodic, Heavy, Aggressive blend of good Metal. If you are a thrasher/rocker and enjoy listening to metal that has many different atmospheres then Attica Rages’ Ruin Nation is a great pick.  www.myspace.com/atticarage  - www.atticarage.com 

Instruments: 8/10;   Vocals: 6/10;   Production: 6/10
Overall: 8/10

AYREON - "TIMELINE BOX SET" - (SPV/inside Out)
    Style - Prog Rock/Metal
    Origin - Netherlands
    Rob's Review - If you've never heard of Ayreon before, think 70's prog ala Emerson Lake and Palmer, Yes and Jethro Tull updated to modern times with the finest metal and prog musicians and vocalists on the planet. The primary writer, founder and otherwise evil genius of this undertaking is one Arjen Lucassen who has made quite a living out of putting out some of the best progressive rock and metal out there over the last nearly fifteen years by basically having a different line-up of musicians each time. Each CD is highly conceptual and usually science fiction themed with many characters established through the entire cd which is why the need for various musicians throughout. Mostly, what is showcased on any AYREON CD are the vocals and the many talents attached to them. Usually there is an average of 8-10 new vocalists for every CD handpicked by Arjen and in most cases press released when the announcement is made. As expected most of the talent is based in the Prog/Power world but not always.
    If you're looking to introduce yourself to this megalithic endeavor, Timeline is probably your best bet at getting what you need to make an informed opinion. This a major league retrospective totaling three CD's and a DVD Chronicling everthing AYREON since 1995 as well as some new nuggets intermingled in. Like everything Arjen lays his God-like hands on nothing is done half way. Everything about AYREON from the crystal clear depth of the production to the high class performance of the musicians to the unrivaled packaging and art layout and production make anything you purchase from them worth every penny. Only the most committed heart and soul could put these efforts together with this much precision. I would advise any of you who take the chance on this who've never experienced it to do so with open mind and a pair of high end headphones. AYREON will take you through musical journeys rarely attempted.
www.ayreon.com - www.myspace.com/ayreonauts 

Production: 11/10,   Performance: 10/10,   Originality: 10/10,  Vocals: 10/10
Overall: 10/10  B

BABYLON MYSTERY ORCHESTRA - "Axis Of Evil"
    Style: Metal
     Origin: U.S.A.
     Taylor's Review: One man band can either be a hit or a miss with few exceptions that are universally known among metal fans. I find that the final product is better when there are multiple collaborators. I found Babylon Mystery Orchestra lacking. Despite the scary message that he chose to send with this release, the music is predictable in nature followed by an uninspired vocal delivery. The positive thing I can say about "Axis of Evil" is a decent production job, very crisp and clear. Music is a great vehicle to move beliefs and thoughts, and though I find Babylon Mystery Orchestra treading dangerous ground with his anti-Islam preaching, I commend him for utilizing his freedoms.
www.babylonmysteryorchestra.com 

Instruments: 3/10   Vocals: 1/10   Originality: 8/10
Overall: 4/10

BACKDRAFT - "The Second Coming" (GMR Music)
    Style - Southern Rock/Metal
    Origin - Sweden
    Darren's Review - When I got a hold of Backdrafts previous release Here to Save You All, I was a changed man. Being a huge fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, Molly Hatchet and a slew of other southern rock gods, Backdraft made me realize how much I appreciate southern rock. In this business, you really don't come across a lot from this genre There are plenty of bands that were influenced, but virtually none that would proudly call themselves southern rock. What I think is absolutely GREAT about them is they are from Sweden! Can you get much further from the south? Second Coming comes six years after Here to Save You All. All I can say is good things come to those who wait. The album comes out firing, offering a catchy, mid-tempo rockin' tune "Just Ain't Right". Next comes a quick tempo'd hard and heavy hitting track "Backstabbin' Bastards" - featuring a catchy chorus along with matching guitar riffs. Track 3 is my personal favorite, "Cannonball". A southern fried, get your ass up and rock and roll... ah - distorted banjo never sounded so good! Track 4 "Oldtimer" is a smooth flowing number with a relaxing feel. "Game of Life" picks things back up and adds a little attitude and aggression. "Gypsy" is an easy to love acoustic tune. "Sugar Mama" I think everyone could benefit from! "Hog Tied" is tune that one could sing along while not spilling your beer. "Rising" pours equal parts heart and soul into it. "Lady" sings about every rock and roller's favorite gender. "Rise and Shine" closes things out with a seventies feel-good style jam. This album is solid. Excellent sound production, fantastic vocals (clean), talented musicianship, and can please almost all rock fans. Please do yourself a favor and score this release. And, make sure you check out Here to Save You All!

Track Highlights: All

www.backdraft.se or www.myspace.com/backdraftse 

Production/Engineering: 9/10;  Originality: 9/10;  Instruments: 9/10;  
 Vocals: 10/10   Overall: 9/10

BENEATH A BLACKENED SKY - “The Art of Suffering” (MEI records)
    Style -  Hardcore
    Origin - U.S.
    Baird’s Review - Do you like hardcore? Than you will probably like this band. “The Art of Suffering”, this bands freshman release is about the best I could expect on the merits of a genre based cd. Starting with an intro that sounds like it belongs on a PS1 game, I was aurally assaulted with somewhat cliché guitar parts, drum beats and standard “hardcore” vocals.
    Then I got to track 4, “The Lonely Road“, and I was so pleasantly surprised that I completely changed my opinion. These guys would have done well to start the cd here and insert the first three tracks at the end. The guitar work takes on a more original sound at this point crossing the standard “hardcore” riffings with interesting melodic harmonies. Although the drummer never reaches a clip above 170 beats per minute or so he manages to keep a nice pace using creative half time applications executed nicely with the bass player. The vocals sound very nice, albeit expected for this style of music. The production sounds decent, however, the guitars are slightly back in the mix and get muddled on some of the more complex parts. Their record label would have been well advised to send this to a third party for mastering, instead of sending to their other studio as stated in the cd liner. The compression levels are not high enough and the bass levels are extremely hot. So be warned if you have a big car stereo. As a whole this is a good hardcore disc, and as stated in the bio, it is from a young band. I look forward to their sophomore offering.  www.myspace.com/beneathli 

Production 7/10,   Instruments 9/10,   Vocals 9/10,   Originality 7/10
Overall 8/10

BEYOND THE VOID - "GLOOM IS A TRIP FOR TWO" - (Endzeit Elegies/Avasonic/Rough Trade)
    Style - Gothic Rock
    Origin - Germany
    Rob's Review: Another in a long line of European Goth bands, this time from Germany. I thought Finland cornered the market with the 17th century vampiric anthems of blood and love? I've slowly gained a favorable opinion of this sound over the years but usually after you sift through the goth superpowers such as Charon, Sentenced, Entwine, To/Die/For, HIM, etc, you find that they are mostly pretty much the same. Most of them seem to have those low baritone vocals coupled with 80's dark new wave keyboards, scattered female vocals and a clean verse/crunchy chorus pattern. BEYOND THE VOID doesn't stray too far from this formula except that they tend to sit on more of the dark mellow dramatic side of the rainbow. It's very melodic and moody as are all of the others so there is really nothing that sets them apart. Although good, it's just the same sort of mid paced hypnotic vibe all the way through and doesn't really stray too far over that creative edge. What more can be said aside from if you get into the aforementioned bands you will probably get into BEYOND THE VOID. In other words, "Gloom is a Trip For Two" is a good CD to get your blood (or other things) sucked to.   www.beyondthevoid.com - www.myspace.com/bevoid 

Production: 9/10   Performance: 9/10   Originality: 6/10   Vocals: 7/10
Overall: 7.75/10

BEYOND TERROR BEYOND GRACE – “Extinction|Salvation” (Grindhead Records)
    Style – Progressive (Mountain) Grind
    Origin – Blue Mountains/Sydney/Adelaide
    Dion’s Review – Any gore/grind freaks out there kinda bored with listening to the same oratorical prattle? You know, the short and bitter ditties about “Yeah, I took this slut’s entrails, and I stuffed ‘em in my gingivitis-riddled mouth while I had my pimply cock in this other whore’s maggot-eaten arsehole ‘cause she was dead ‘cause I choked her with the hundred dollar note I owed her for suckin‘ my pus-drooling beanbag in front of my Viagra-fuelled Grandpa! Yeah!”. Not that there is anything wrong with that! I’m a fan of such classics as “I Cum Blood”, “Knee-Deep In Menstrual Blood“, “Anally-Injected Death Sperm” and “Leaking, Reeking Pregnant Cunt”. I’m quite the gore/grind freak… hence why it only took me a couple of seconds to come up with that lyrical scenario.
But for the sake of a new (and much-needed) option in grind’s direction, I introduce you all to BTBG. I classify them as progressive grind, but only in the lyrical sense. The music is awesome grind/death/punk. Old-school feeling, old-school sounding, and yet a refreshing, revitalizing breath of fresh mountain grind… air. “Extinction|Salvation” is 19 tracks (26 minutes) of ungorificated, sample-less death/grind bursts with unusual lyrical messages. Messages written with metaphors and similes so that you have to consider and digest the messages included, as opposed to having it spelled out for you, with you learning nothing more than a few more medical terms for newly exposed body parts coated in a cocktail of bodily secretions. Just to give you an idea of the direction BTBG takes the listener in, song-titles include “Smiling In The Face Of Despair“, “Reinvention Ghost”, “Born And Raised”, “Unattainable” and “Apathy And Acceptance”. Don’t have any idea what the song’s could be about? Then order the CD from the band’s MySpace (PayPal accepted!!!) or from Grindhead Records. Invest, ingest, digest. Repeat. You’ll be the envy of all your grindmates.  And besides; how many times can you hear about some depressed guy jerkin’ his gherkin’ into the soup that he made out of his dead ex’s uterus before serving it to her grieving parents? 12; 13 times?
www.myspace.com/beyondterrorbeyondgrace , www.grindheadrecords.com

Production: 7/10;    Originality: 10/10;    Instruments: 9/10;    Vocals 9/10
OVERALL: 9/10

BLACK LIGHT BURNS - "Cover Your Heart"
    Style - Pop/Rock/Industrial
    Origin - California
    Heather's Review - I am not exactly sure why this band chose to send their cd to a metal zine. This 17 track collection includes 10 cover songs, including "Hungry Like a Wolf" (popular song from Duran Duran) and 7 instrumental melodies in case you were tired of the covers. If I had to choose one, I think I would go with the cover they did for "Lucretia My Reflection" by Sisters of Mercy only because it sounded like something The Cure would do. They get points for adding originality to cover songs, but again, I'm not sure many of the Adrenalin fans will appreciate them. The instrumental songs included are a cross between psychedelic and industrial. Combined with the creative edge they show with the covers, it would have been nice to hear some originals as well. Overall, I think this band has great potential for what they do and I would recommend them to fans of Nine Inch Nails, The Cure, and maybe Tool. If you want to know more about them, visit their website at www.blacklightburns.com

Originality: 6/10   Production: 8/10   Creativity: 9/10
Overall: 7.67/10

BLAKAGIR - (Pulverised Records)
    Style: Instrumental
    Origin: Poland
    Taylor's Review: Blakagir is the instrumental project of the man behind Hellveto. I do like this far more than his black metal project. He seems to have stronger take what he wishes the overall outcome of this music to be. For someone that likes dark instrumental music, this would be a winner for you.  www.pulverised.net

Instruments: 7/10;   Originality: 8/10;   Vocals: n/a
Overall: 8/10

BLEAKWOOD - "Demo" (An Out Recordings)
    Style: Black Metal
    Origin: Australia
    Taylor's Review: This is a very rough demo from Bleakwood looking to join the evil in our world at hand. A one man band tackling all the instruments in a almost painful array of sound.( A compliment not an insult.) He travels through faster paced ideas to atmospheric playfulness. Bleakwood has a strong understanding of what is takes to hold the blackhearted at attention while listening. At 12 minutes this three track demo is way too short in my opinion because I want more. My favorite track is "The Sight", out of all three I think it shows what he is true talent he is capable of. The subtle keyboards and melodic disharmony with chugging riffs is what really reaches out to me. Bleakwood will see a strong future if we see more from him. I recommend this band for obscure black metal fans everywhere. www.myspace.com.aor000  -  www.myspace.com/bleakwood 

Instruments: 10/10   Vocals: 8/10   Originality: 9/10
Overall: 9/10

BLESS THE FALLEN – “Eclectic Sounds Of A City Painted Black & White” (Crash Music Inc.)
    Style – Metalcore
    Origin – Poughkeepsie, NY.
    Dion’s Review – So it seems that my most pressing question has been answered! The one that would keep me up at night. “What would Robert Smith sound like if he were in a metal band?” I know I’ve got you curious now. You’re either intrigued by the result of this concept, or wondering who Robert Smith is. BLESS THE FALLEN’s vocalist doesn’t always sound like THE CURE’s frontman. Only when he attempts to sing. Which, if you know anything about metalcore, is quite often.
    He does all the usual metalcore vocal trickery. Screams, roars, yells, and sings… for whatever reason. I can’t get over how much Robert Smith I hear in his caterwaulings. It’s not all his fault, I expect. The guitar harmonies behind him sound fucken atrocious!!! The two axes sound like duelling violins at the New York State’s “Band Camp for Beginners & The Aurally-Impaired“ (Whoops. Nearly wrote “Deaf“!). I don’t know how they got their guitars to sound like violins, bad or good, but they did it. They just separate into their harmonies too often, and they don’t blend. It just sounds like two guitarists who forgot what octave they’re supposed to be playing in (“It‘s s‘posed to be G minor you douche!!”). The only reprise from this wailing is a surprising acoustic track called “Eclectic Sounds”. Three and a half minutes of awesome acoustic guitar that blends. It’s a diamond in the rough, really. And then it’s back to the same old disharmony with “The Fine Art Of Pretending”. There’s nothing about this album I like, to be honest. Anything that lies under the radar of atrocity, is just uninspired and obviously not noteworthy enough to have caught my attention.
    I think the whole operation would be better served if the two guitarists started their own acoustic duo with constant appearances at a musician’s retirement village. The vocalist could instigate a THE CURE cover band if he shaved his face, bird’s-nested his hair and purchased some lipstick. What about the drummer and bass-player you ask? They could look at an illustrious and exciting career in the fast food industry, I suppose.
www.myspace.com/blessthefallen , www.crashmusicinc.com

Production: 5/10; Originality: 4/10; Instruments: 3/10; Vocals 2/10
OVERALL: 3.5/10

BLIND THARM - "Morbid Visions" (Tyntis Records)
    Style - Metal
    Origin - Norway
    Taylor's Review - This album is one that I really want to like, but due to the quality of the recording I am having a hard time. "Morbid Visions" lies in that irritating zone where the song writing is quality but the sound it just a hair away from a decent production, especially for the vocals. I am left then listening to it over and over again hoping it will grow on me.
    My other complaint is how Blind Tharm chose to write their biography. I never saw the soap-opera antics of band drama appealing. Why hang your dirty clothes out for everyone to see, all it does is let everyone know how much you stink from a distance.

www.myspace.com/tyntisrecords or www.myspace.com/blindtharm

Instruments: 6/10;    Vocals: 4/10;   Originality: 4/10
Overall: 5/10

BLOODSWORN – “All Hyllest Til Satan” (Agonia Records)
    Style – Satanic black metal
    Origin – Norway
    Dion’s Review – Apparently, the members of BLOODSWORN (who shall remain anonymous… ‘cause they are) “were here before the first church in Norway burnt to the ground”. That shows my ignorance of the scene, since I’ve not heard of them, or any of the vast amounts of projects these blokes are affiliated with. Bands such as URGEHAL, KVIST, ANGST SKVADRON, BEASTCRAFT, VULTURE LORD and IN LINGUA MORTUA… to name six. From what I can gather this band’s about more than just the music, being involved in Honefoss Militsen, a Norwegian satanic circle. But, I’m hear solely to opinionate on the music.
    All Hyllest Til Satan (or “All Hail Satan”) is pretty much a mess. This is purported to be a re-recording of a ‘99 album. There were problems with releasing the CD back then, due to labels folding, with these seven tracks eventually seeing the light of release last year thanks to the good folk at Agonia. This truly could be the ‘99 recording, or the ‘08. The guitars are a steady barrage of trem-picked power chords, slowed down at times, but not often, with countless noodley solos thrown in, sometimes at bizarre junctures. The bass, for the most part, trem-picks the root notes of the guitar’s note-progressions. The drums are an overpowering drum-machine; not the worst I’ve heard, but certainly not the best, with some pretty uninspired programming. And the vocals are a monotonous onslaught of yelled satanic preachings and teachings, through what sounds like, to this reviewer, a soggy toilet roll wrapped in tin-foil. Don’t ask how it got soggy. Just go with it. I’m not even particularly slagging this album. It’s raw, pretentious black metal that‘s aimed at those who are all about the entire image, more than just the music. This lacks, thankfully, long keyboard passages (I counted one short intro), acoustic guitar interludes, and annoying-as-fuck church-bell samples. So there are some upsides.
    So really, if you’re into black metal ‘cause it’s black, it’s metal, and production values are low on the list of priorities, you should check out the MySpace below.
www.myspace.com/bloodsworn666 , www.agoniarecords.com 

Production: 5/10;   Originality: 5/10;   Instruments: 7/10;   Vocals: 3/10
OVERALL: 5/10

BONE SHAKER - "BANG...YOU'RE DEAD" - (Turkey Vulture Records)
    Style - Hard Rock
    Origin - Waukesha, Wisconsin USA
    Rob's Review - BONESHAKER plays a fairly predictable brand of traditional hard rock that may be good for the fine folks in Waukesha but I'm not sure it will go far in the outer reaches of this cold, cruel world. This kind of reminds me of those stereotypical small town bar bands that build up a local fanbase of legendary proportions and ultimately never leave town. This may or may not apply to BONESHAKER but they sure carry most of the symptoms affiliated with this disease. I feel kind of dirty slagging a local band from right down the road because I'm sure their busting their ass like everyone else but there just isn’t much to chew on here. "Bang...Your Dead" is a pretty un-inspiring collection of stripped down predictable rock that I would find myself retreating for the bar for a bevy of mind numbing substances and perhaps an overly salted basket of stale popcorn until the next band of local hero's hit the stage. Hopefully the next effort will be a step in a better direction.
www.boneshakerinfo.com  - www.myspace.com/boneshakerinfo 

Rating: 3/10

BOURBON BREATH – Self-titled
    Style – stoner/southern rock
    Origin – Quad Cities, IA
    Mike’s Review – Slow…….sludgy…..stoner…..southern rock goodness. I take this album. I pop it into my CD player. I grab a beer. And I just chill. And I chill some more. I stare into space and think about those little things that you usually don’t ever stop to think about. Why do you we spend so much time thinking about all that other shit? We all just need to pop in a CD, grab a beer, and chill.
    Thanks to Bourbon Breath’s self-titled album, I had a chance to bob my head to some good ol’ southern rock tunes tonight. The 4-piece from the often overlooked state of Iowa take their Clutch and Soilent Green influences and meld them into a solid presentation of hard crunchy riffs and mental bliss. At first listen, I was quick to judge the initial simplicity of a few of the tunes. But when I tune out the rest of my surroundings and tune into Bourbon Breath’s music with some quality headphones, I slip into some kind of trippy rockin relaxation mode. I checked these guys out live a couple months ago and pretty much experienced the same effect. I like it. Check them out.  www.myspace.com/bourbonbreath 

Vocals: 8.0   Music: 9.5   Originality: 7.0
Overall: 8.5

BURIAL RITUAL – “Last Rites EP” (self-released)
    Style - Death Metal
     Origin - U.S.A.
     Taylor's Review: Death metal and not that much more. Bits and pieces of the "Last Rites" e.p. are descent, especially when they reach their faster tempos. At these times the drummer really shined. The guitar work is to repetative and predictable for my tastes, they never really venture outside the box and stay in rather sterile territories. The vocals are done well with a strong and vicious belting of death metal goodness. If Burial Ritual took a little more time utilizing the obvious talent they possess, I think they would make a more convincing sound for themselves.   www.myspace.com/burialritualband  www.trig.com/burialritual 

Instruments: 5/10   Vocals: 7/10   Originality: 4/10
Overall: 5/10

**oops....I accidently had two people review this CD.  Here's the other review:

BURIAL RITUAL – “Last Rites EP” (self-released)
    Style – Thrash/Death metal
    Origin – Milwaukee, WI
    Dion’s Review – Okay. I’ve listened to this CD a few times through now. That’s not hard; there are only four tracks. But I cannot really come to any definitive opinion on BURIAL RITUAL’s EP. I can’t put my finger on anything. I feel as if I couldn’t pick my nose for fear of jamming that unplaceable finger in between a pair of my toes.
    There’s really nothing I don’t like about this Milwaukee outfit, but there’s nothing that gets me excited, either. I wouldn’t even call them mediocre. That’s not it, at all. It’s pretty much happy-sounding thrash, with some definite Slayer-influenced riffs, add a teensy-tiny bit of black metal, and it all accompanies death vocals. Well, not all death-neck. There’s also some shrieking/yelling, and this insanely high-pitched screech that is ripped out every now and again. I can nearly taste the blood in the back of my own throat whenever he does it. The production’s snappy and clean with a well-polished drum-sound… that sounds like drums (have I mentioned that I like drum-sounding drums before?). In fact it’s so clean, that it squeaks. Maybe what I’m feeling is that the “Last Rites” EP is a conglomeration of things that have all been done before, and isn’t particularly original in its approach and presentation. Or I’m just in a death/grind mood. That happens a lot.
    I definitely recommend these lads to any thrash-junkies out there that have a slight penchant for death metal. Not into it enough to scare the kids that walk past when you play your CDs loudly, or convince their mother’s they should be contacting some form of authority, but enough to give “the man” “the finger”.
www.myspace.com/burialritualband

Production: 9/10;   Originality: 4/10;   Instruments: 7/10;   Vocals 8/10
OVERALL: 7/10

BYFROST – “Byfrostmetal EP” (Byfrostmetal Records)
    Style – Black/thrash metal
    Origin – Norway
    Dion’s Review - As I always do, through the first spin of the disc I researched the band - or e-searched the band. Yup. My word smithing knows no bounds, reader. Eventually I got around to looking up the definition, thinking it a term for a specific layer of ice in a frostbitten land - or at least a nasty trick involving a fistful of snow and the inside of an enemy’s trousers - but it’s an alternate spelling of bifrost: the rainbow bridge of the gods from Asgard to earth. No snowy undies, no millennia-old layers of frost. Just a highway for the holy to come and slap mortals around like red-headed stepchildren.
    I truly cannot find anything else wrong with this four-track EP except that each riff is played beyond the amount that I would let myself play it. Now, I’m aware that - as a grinder/tech. deather my preferences lie in the direction of short bursts and flurries of riffs. A five-minute track for BYFROST involves a series of the same five or six riffs, and maybe a rhythmic fill or two. For me, that same five-minutes would be a year’s worth of riffs, two months of formulation and a vein or two bulging on my forehead. My roots, however, are firmly entrenched in thrash origins - a reason that this album is inoffensive to my ears - which were huge advocates of the ‘intro-verse-chorus-verse-chorus-solo-interlude-verse-chorus-outro’ type arranging. So I’m no stranger to it, I just prefer a little more creativity these days. But the riffs themselves are thrashy black metal guitar driven by solid drumming, with a fairly clean production, which allows even the bass to be easily identifiable… and a personally appreciated lack of synthesizer. This is all overlayed with a mid-range vocal attack that leaves the lyrics fairly easy to pick out. The four songs are written at around the same beats per minute, with no tempo-changes within the songs, which tends to lull the mind into a state slightly above ignorance, making my awareness of the music dip in and out.
    On the whole, the CD isn’t offensive, or talentless, and that’s what really counts. If you’re into thrashy black metal, then there really isn’t anything about this EP you wouldn’t like. Since I’m not a fan of the genre, I can’t really give you any educated comparisons to help you out, but thanks to MySpace, all you have to do is check the link below and hear it for yourself. www.myspace.com/byfrostmetal

Production: 8/10;   Originality: 5/10;   Instruments: 7/10;   Vocals: 7/10
OVERALL: 7/10  C

CARBON 9 - "The Bull" - (The Interface Entertainment Group)
   Style - Modern/Alt Metal
    Origin - Los Angeles, CA
    Rob's Review: There are many elements in the music and vocal of CARBON 9 that normally would force me to hate them in another life. First you have your resurrection of the digital early 90's industrial fad, which I was never a big fan of. Then you have a slight (very slight) touch of 80's new wave (just enough to make you twitch). Mix that in with a mid 90's alternative rock edge with vocals that teeter on the edge of being good or bad depending on your mood that day and drive it home with a heaping portion of a hammering distortion metal crunch for the final touch. These elements on their own (aside from the metal captain crunch) don’t necessarily make for a good day in my little world but then if you put it all together and call it CARBON 9 and somehow it fucking works. Don’t ask me how, but there's obviously a good and bad way to do it and by god they've figured it out because it’s pretty damn cool.
    Any time a band comes along that does a little experimenting in the metal genre I'm usually a big fan. Like most things there is a time and place for everything and right now CARBON 9 is hitting the spot. The older I get the more I seem to appreciate this kind of stuff. It breaks up the monotony quite nicely. The vocals are tolerable if not above average, slightly raspy delivery without too much of the alternative whine and more of a metal edge to them. I hear a lot of Non-Fiction and Hades in these guys at least in the metal parts and a little in the vocal department. A more rock-y comparison would be a band called Beyond Surface if you’re one of the 13 people that have herd of them. Overall a very good effort from a band that seems to have put everything together perfectly.
www.carbon9.com  - www.myspace.com/carbon9 

Production: 10/10    Performance: 9/10    Originality: 10/10    Vocals: 8/10
Overall: 9.25/10

CAVALERA CONSPIRACY - "Inflikted" (Roadrunner Records)
    Style - Thrash Metal
     Origin - Brazil, USA
     Mike's Review - Since I specifically requested this CD for review, I was praying not to have my hopes smashed once I finally got a chance to listen to it all. I am a huge fan of all the Sepultura albums, so finding out that Max and Igor Cavalera were together again ( and making new music ) really got my blood flowing. Max's vocals are definitely similar to his Sepultura days and the music has a definite Sepultura influence to it (more like sound on "Arise" and "Beneath The Remains"). The differences are great enough though, so that I can honestly say that this isn't just a continuation of the Cavalera Brothers' venture of their previous bands. Along with guitarist, Marc Rizzo and bassist, Joe Duplantier, this album is an evolution into another chapter of their careers and a step into a slightly different direction. Overall, it's a great CD for both fans and for newbies to metal (who may have no idea who Max and Igor Cavalera are). I look forward to checking more of these guys in the future. I imagine they will continue to explore their sound so one day people like me won't feel the need to constantly compared them to Sepultura.  I just had the urge.  Go check them out! www.myspace.com/cavaleraconspiracy or www.cavaleraconspiracy.com 

Vocals: 8    Instruments: 9     Production: 10     Originality: 8
Overall: 8.5 (out of 10)

CANOBLISS – “Psychothermia EP” (self-released)
    Style – Heavy/radio metal
    Origin – San Diego, CA.
    Dion’s Review - Okay, I’m aware that I’m not the best person to be reviewing this self-released EP. I don’t listen to the radio, unless I catch the odd BBC broadcast that my wife makes me listen to. I gave up on it a long while ago. I even gave it a few years after it’d started disappointing me before I wiped radio like a shitty-arse. It made it into the same list as Metallica, aging and the McRib. Awesome at the beginning, followed by a few years of frustration before leaving an awful taste in my mouth.
    So, due to my lacking knowledge of current radio trends I won’t be able to come up with qualified comparisons for CANOBLISS. They’re decent heavy metal, with a majority of the same tricks incorporated by all the radio metal greats. The vocals are a mix of singing, spoken word and some mid-screams which are well-executed even if they‘ve already been overdone by other acts. The drums are solid, but not flat-knacker fast, or technical. The guitarists write some riffs that are damned good at times, too. While mostly generic, the do try and make an effort into progressing. The bass follows the guitar for the most part, but he does attempt to separate himself at times, and it sounds pretty inspired when he does. Nothing about this release is annoying or terrible, though. If you’re happy with what the media-gurus are serving to the masses, then this should be kept for dessert. There’s some awesome wah-wah solos that are very thrash-reminiscent, some riffs that have a heavy chord-progression, a kick-arse bass intro that actually sounded a little Primus-influenced for a moment, a few spurts where the drummer “kicked it up a notch! BAM!”, and as much as I don’t appreciate the vocals, they’re never out of key (that this tone-deaf reviewer can pick). He sings mostly, but roars or screams every now and again to display aggression. The band’s obviously talented, and apply themselves to their chosen style of metal.
    If radio-metal bands don’t annoy you, then I think you should check out the links below and pick up a talented one for your ever-growing repertoire. Hand over your hard-earned McRib money for the CD, ‘cause I’m sure the radio wouldn’t play the better tracks off it! www.myspace.com/canobliss , www.canobliss.com 

Production: 9/10; Originality: 5/10; Instruments: 7/10; Vocals: 6/10
OVERALL: 7/10

CLERIC – “Cumberbund” (Sound Devastation Records)
    Style – Eclectic, grindy, doomy ambience
    Origin – Philadelphia, PA.
    Dion’s Review - So apparently cumberbund is a common misspelling of the word cummerbund, which is the wide sash normally worn with a tuxedo. I don’t know how correct I am, but this Pennsylvanian quartet seem pretty damned clever, so maybe it’s a play on using cumbersome with cummerbund. It’s possible I’m looking way too much into it, but it really seems plausible considering the cumbersome nature of this release. And truly, this is one of those bands that you have to hear to believe. But I’ll do my best to make it believable…
    CLERIC are a mix of grindcore, ambience, doom and noisecore... sorta. It’s really hard to pigeonhole these fellahs, but if it’s any help to you, they’re reminiscent of such acts as MR. BUNGLE, FANTOMAS, MESHUGGAH and BOTCH (to name a minimal few) so if you’re into those bands you might get this record (yup, I’m reviewing a download of a strictly vinyl release). But you might not, either. I think deciding who would appreciate CLERIC and who wouldn’t would be harder to pick than a busted nose, honestly. This 12” is two tracks “Cumberbund” and “The Tower” - or Side A and Side B - and in total runs for about 25 and a half minutes. It moves from avant garde grindcore to ambient doom to passages of electronic, atmospheric noise. Somehow the musicians know exactly what’s going on, but for the listener this album’s unpredictable, out of the box, and certainly outside the square. The production’s not crystal as it resides mostly in the red, but that in no way detracts from the music and in fact would be a hand-rail for the path that CLERIC are trying to guide you down (or shove you, depending on the musical passage in question). This is some bizarre stuff, but it’s not “these blokes need their heads read and some time in a padded cell” bizarre; more “it’s not been done to this extreme before” bizarre. Despite the tuneless ambient movements of this pair of songs, I like it. It’s somewhat background music for me… ‘til one of the grindy/metal moments kick in to drag my attention back to it. All the instrumentalists are talented as well as creative, with a couple of them stepping up to create music on unmusical objects.
I’d get this release if… well, if you have a working record-player for one, but also if you’re at least sometimes eclectic in your musical tastes, and as long as it’s talented no matter what’s going on, you can still appreciate it.
www.myspace.com/cleric , www.myspace.com/sdrecs , www.sounddevastation.co.uk

Production: 8/10;    Originality: 9/10;    Instruments: 8/10;    Vocals: 7/10
OVERALL: 8/10

CLUTCH - "FROM BEALE STREET TO OBLIVION" - (DRT)
    Style - Alt metal/stoner groove
    Origin - Maryland, USA
    Rob's Review - I can't believe I actually get to review this CD since our staff's senior CLUTCH specialist, Darren, usually engulfs everything from this band as soon (or earlier if he hijacks the mailman) as it arrives in our mailbox and will probably be buried next to Neil Fallon upon his departure from this sad sack of a planet. But I digress. CLUTCH has been quite an enigma for me since their early 90's inception. I never really gave them a chance until "Elephant Riders" came out and even then it was just a passing, "yeah, I guess their kinda cool" reaction to them. Then they fell off the map again for me until a little album called "Blast Tyrant" came along in 2004 and blew the doors off my top ten list forever. To this day it is firmly planted into my desert island discs. It is that good. I believe it may have been because I think that specific disc was recorded digitally whereas the others, including the releases afterward, are done analogue. There was a completely different sound to "Blast Tyrant" but the songs where that much better as well. Its like they sold their soul for one album. So naturally, the bar had been set pretty high for each succession of albums and of course the follow up, "Robot Hive: Exodus" failed to produce in my eyes aside from a few winners here and there. But thankfully, with "From Beale Street to Oblivion" they just may have captured a little bit of that magic again. The songs are once again consistently catchy and thick with groove and as always consumed with the articulate bassy toned Neil Fallon who continues to amaze with his unique lyrical prowess. He is truly gifted. Analogue or not this is a nice return to form in my opinion. Still doesn't knock off "Tyrant" but you cant win them all. www.pro-rock.com - www.myspace.com/clutchband 

Rating: 8/10

COLD MEAT SOCIETY/ KONVOI - Split CD
    Style - Stoner Metal
    Origin - Finland
    Heather's Review - These two bands from Finland have created a cd that features 2 songs from each band. First up is Cold Meat Society. This stoner metal band brings forth a very unique sound with metal guitars turned down very low and an alternative feel. The music is very melodic with a heavy tone without the fast-pace. There are even some acoustics to keep you interested. The vocals are also very unique and somewhat reminded me of Blind Melon. Overall, this band that formed in 2006, is music for the fan that is willing for something new and refreshing. Next up is Konvoi. They deliver a much heavier sound, with rough vocals, and heavy riffs. The music is mostly made up up broken melodies with that stoner feel, but they have also added a gloomy, doom feel. The result is a hypnotic sound that is sure to be greatly loved by fans of stoner metal. Even though they offer a very different sound from their predecessors, this band is definitely worth checking out, especially if you are into the heavier sound. The production was great, bringing out the unique attributes that each of these bands has to offer. The cover artwork was also well done, with a very unique drawing that gives equal emphasis to both bands.
Check them out at www.myspace.com/coldmeatsociety 
and at www.myspace.com/konvoiband

Originality: 7/10;   Vocals : 7/10;   Production: 7/10
Overall: 7/10

COMMON GRAVE – “Dehumanized” (Twilight)
    Style – Death/thrash metal
    Origin – Regensburg, Germany
    Dion’s Review – I just can’t help it! Every time I think of “German metal” I think of filthy-lookin’ nut-bar thrashers toting denim jackets with the sleeves ripped off at the last show they attended, jeans that both genders have to be lubricated into and studded belts that double as weapons against would-be car-/truck-/bus-jackers on their trip home.
    Before you demolish your keyboard typing up hate-mail to me, my European friends, please rest assured that I know it’s not like that anymore. You metallers grew with the rest of the world, and look back on those days with the same mix of reminiscence, envy and humor that we all do. And the lads of COMMON GRAVE progressed with us. This mid-paced death ensemble’s sound is awesome. Both talent-wise and production, with the latter being accredited to Stephen Fimmers and Muhammed Suicmez, bassist and vocalist/guitarist of Germany’s NECROPHAGIST respectively. See! Members of another Deutch band that have all their jacket sleeves, and don’t have to peel their jeans off! I’m hip! I’m with it! NECROPHAGIST have always had one of the crisper death metal sounds that I’ve encountered, and they’ve used their knowledge to make COMMON GRAVE sound professional. While they’re a decent death metal band, I can’t help but feel that they sound at their best when they slow it down. I understand that the faster bits give contrast to the well-written tempo-dives - I’m not a complete dummkopf after all - and I’m not asking them to stop the speedier moments in the least. I just prefer these lads when they’re chugging it out. They have such a great palm-mute sound.
    Check out the links below if you’re into old-school death metal with a new-school production. Hell, you can even tear the sleeves off your best jacket if it’d make the experience more organic-feeling.
www.myspace.com/commongrave , http://www.commongrave.de 

Production: 9/10;   Originality: 6/10;   Instruments: 8/10;   Vocals 6/10
OVERALL: 7.5/10

CRADLE OF FILTH - "Harder, Darker, Faster: Thornography Deluxe" (Roadrunner Records)
    Style: Black Metal/Metal
    Origin: England
    Heather's Review- This well known black metal band composed of vocalist Dani Filth, guitarists Paul Allender and Charles Hedger, bassist Dave Pybus, drummer Martin Skaroupka, Keyboardist Rosie Smith, and female vocalist Sarah Jezebel Deva are on a mission to dominate. Already very sinister in nature, this album proves that this band is out to conquer the scene. The album is as the title proclaims. It is a harder, darker, faster Cradle of Filth, and it is more brutal than anything I have heard from them in the past and I loved every minute of it! They even bring on a guest vocalist for the song "The Byronic Man" (This song features HIM's Ville Valo). This deluxe cd also features a bonus disc with videos, behind-the- scenes footage, as well as other goodies that is a must have for every fan. I would recommend this cd to current fans, as well as those that have never heard them. You will definitely be impressed!  www.myspace.com/cradleoffilth  or www.cradleoffilth.com

Originality: 10/10    Vocals: 10/10    Production:10/10
Overall: 10/10

CREMATORY – “Pray” (Blistering Records)
    Style: Deathcore/Gothic Metal
    Origin: Germany
    Steve’s Review: I have been a fan of Crematory’s past records and it was a pleasure to review ‘Pray’, the German Goth-Metal giants 10th Studio release and once again featuring both guttural and clean vocal styles simultaneously. Any huge metal fan would look at the cover of ‘Pray’, read the words, then wonder whether or not this is a Christian Metal album. I, myself, am still pondering that but even while doing so I thoroughly enjoyed this album. Overall the album follows the sound of their last release and falls more into the Deathcore genre than Gothic Metal. The first track ‘When Darkness Falls’ is a really good song starting off with quiet cymbal work, clean guitar picking, and grim yet whispered vocals before building up into the powerful chorus featuring distorted rhythm guitar and duel guttural and clean vocals. This is a pretty catchy tune and has a cool breakdown towards the middle before hitting the chorus again. I didn’t care too much for the tracks like ‘Left the Ground’ which had too much of a Linkin Park feel, and ‘Sleeping Solution’ which was too bland, but even these songs weren’t too awful. There are also some songs that have the ‘oldschool’ Crematory feel like ‘Burning Bridges’ and ‘Have You Ever’ if you don’t let the clean more mellower parts get to you. The entire album is something that you can pop in if you don’t feel like listening to the super heavy shit, and come on guys we all have been there. It’s not Crematory’s greatest work but it’s a fresh take and a Godlike album compared to some of the other Deathcore crap out there. Pick up ‘Pray’ if you feel like hearing something new or if you just love Crematory. www.crematory.de - www.myspace.com/crematorymusic

Instruments: 7/10;   Vocals: 7/10;   Production 7/10
Overall: 7/10

CRIMSON ORCHID - “Chapter XIII: Nightmares and Fairytales”
    Style - Metal/Rock/Prog
    Origin - U.S.A.
    Taylor’s Review - This band has a strong ability to bridge the gap between pop music and extreme metal. The pop melodic style of the vocalist is well matched by the intense instrumentation. Where Crimson Orchid falls short is the singer’s tone, which detracts from his great vocal melodies. With some concentration on bringing out the fullness in his voice Crimson Orchid would be a very strong and complete unit.
The backdrop of sound created by the rest of the band is impressive and well constructed, leaving them set up to do great things. www.myspace.com/crimsonorchidband or www.justrockpr.com/crimsonorchid

Instruments: 8/10   Vocals: 5/10   Originality: 6/10
Overall: 6/10

CRITICAL BILL – “Downtown The World” (SMC/Westbound Records)
    Style - HipHop/Rap/Rock/Metal
    Origin - Mount Clemens, MI
    Mike’s Review – Hmmm…..as much as some people would love to see rap metal go away, some groups such as Critical Bill and standing up strong against the haters with a big “I don’t give a fuck what you think” type of attitude. As a fan of the old-school crunchy rock guitar sound, I am drawn to some of the music of Critical Bill. I am also strangely drawn to the Rap/HipHop vocals. It brings me back to the days when I would simply listen to whatever music MTV was pounding into my brain. Buuuuuut, at this point of my life I search for music that is more original. The Linkin Park/Dope/Rap Rock/Nu-Metal sound has gotten old quite awhile ago. About 25% of this album gets a 9.0 in my mind. The other 75% is below average due to lack of originality and the weak sound. That leaves me confused on how I want to rate this album….
www.critical-bill.com  or www.myspace.com/criticalbillmusic 

Vocals: 7   Music: 6.5   Originality: 2   Production: 8
Overall: 6.0

CUNTSCRAPE – “Thrush Bang Mania” (Prime Cuts Music)
    Style – Pornogrind
    Origin – Western Australia (it’s a state)
    Dion’s Review - Yeah, I know. Australians got a little lazy when they were naming states. Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria (named after the Queen at the time) and Tasmania (named after the Dutch dude who discovered it). The US names 52 states - fairly imaginatively - and we have trouble dubbing eight. We were gonna do it, and then decided we’d just wait for CUNTSCRAPE to do it for us, and then headed to the pub for beer o‘clock.
    As you can well imagine, that never actually happened. I shudder to think what embarrassing titles they’d give our states, and besides, THE SCRAPE are way too busy watching porn and composing romantic opuses to rename the eight states of Australia. 20 romantic opuses including “Cactus Sack“, “Womb of the Mutilated”, “Hurtin' the Beef Curtain” and “Fucked in the Arse, Shot in the Face”. All 20 songs are completely caked in porn samples - which I thought I was completely over - but these buggers managed to find a couple that made me physically LOL. There’s even an instructional on the last track “The End Cumplete!” that teaches you blokes how to find the G-spot. Apparently it does exist, and isn‘t just an excuse for women to act unsatisfied! This is crystal clear production if you compare it to other pornogrind that‘s around, and it draws musical influence from death and thrash as well as grindcore and grind ‘n roll. And with five members, five members, all doing vocals there’s a great range of styles to keep you grinning. Vocally, bugger-all tops the gang chant of ‘Tits! Jugs! Boobies!’ in “Thanks for the Mammaries” though. There’s nothing about this CD I don’t like. From the penile pentagram on the back of the slick, to the vagina around the hole in the disc, to the horrific 80’s pop intro of “Tragic Tockley Terror”, to the gag-inducing, disgustingly wet fart sample in the last track. I’m not usually a fan of pornogrind because it’s mainly just an excuse for half-arsed, semi-talented perverts to show off their porn knowledge, but there’s enough actual music in Thrash Bang Mania to keep me listening right to the very end… and again. This really makes me think of CUNTSCRAPE as the GWAR of Pornogrind.
    I’d have to say that Thrush Bang Mania would get my vote for Pornogrind CD Of All Time, if there was such a poll. Needless to say, If you were offended in any way by this review, then I would recommend that you don’t check out the myspace link below. But I do think that anyone who’s into extreme metal and laughing, and isn’t offended by samples of farting, humping, gagging or some bloke who’s in extreme, excruciating agony ‘cause there’s something somehow stuck somewhere in his body, then you’ll get your jollies from this 2007 release. www.myspace.com/grindecologyst , www.primecuts.com.au 

Production: 10/10;   Originality: 8/10;   Instruments: 9/10;   Vocals: 9/10
OVERALL: 9/10

CURSED - "Three" (Good Fellow Records)
    Style - Metal/Punk
    Origin - Canada
    Taylor's Review - Cursed is a Canadian metal band that is anything but pretty. There are no sing-along choruses wooing the pop fanatics. No trendy angst-driven teenage rage. Just noisy distorted aggressiveness, screamed in an awesomely raw fashion.
    The vibe carries a dirty rock/metal sound that is very guitar-driven in a simplistic yet effective array of primitive skull cracking sonic pleasures.
The mid-paced doom assault of my favorite track "Unnecessary Person", conveys a musical equivalent of the slow peeling of flesh. Songs such as "Magic Fingers" and "Dead Air Pulpit" could have a punk comparison to Nausea from New York. (Could just be me) Cursed is a band who harness a sense of distorted brilliance. Check em out.

www.your-funeral.com -  www.goodfellowrecords.com  www.earsplitcompound.com 

Instruments: 9/10   Vocals: 9/10   Originality: 9/10
Overall: 9/10  D

DEADEN – “Displaying The Art Of Carnage” (Epitomite Productions)
   Style – Brutal death metal
    Origin – Chicago, IL
    Dion’s Review - I’ve had this CD for a little while now. Not quite as long as its release in 2006, but it feels like it. I’m just not the biggest brutal death metal fan, and I’d heard DEADEN before, and knew them to be balls out, by-the-book gory death. It’s not that I don’t appreciate death, I just like some twists; a little flavour. I’m not really the kind of tea-sipping twat who wants a twist of lemon or a drop of honey. Or a Corona enthusiast who can’t drink it unfiltered by a lime-wedge. In fact, if anyone tried to stick fruit in my beer, I’d quaff that beer, and bang ‘em about the knees with the empty bottle ‘til they promised never to do it again. I will not waste beer to punish a fruit-toting lunatic.
    So we’ve established that I take beer ungarnished and DEADEN are brutal death metal. I actually like this Chicago outfit. They’ve got a clean sound, and they never lose time, which I’m starting to get a little pissy about bands that do. The drummer is metronomically solid, without tricky flair, except some awesome high-hat work spattered through this full-length. I don’t really care for his snare-sound, but that’s just me bein’ a bit picky. The bass work is pretty good too, executed by Jake Lahniers (credited for backing vocals) who’s also in HUMAN ARTIFACTS and ARMOROS. He has his moment or two in the sun, which really shows what he can do, and then pretty much follows what the guitars are doing with a couple of somewhat memorable exceptions. But he keeps in time, and isn‘t fore in the mix. Good enough for me. The guitars are fairly straightforward, but do come out with a couple of whacky ideas that are definitely out of the box. A couple of black metal sounding moments, and even an intro that would belong more on a thrash album than a death release. With the sample they chose playing over it, it creates a certain amount of apprehensive atmosphere though. The vocals have a fair range, and are performed by guitarist/vocalist Von Young, also of LIVIDITY and PUTREFACTION. He bellows out shattering highs, guttural lows, and phlegmy mids. There’s even a croaky low style he does. All completely unintelligible.
    If you like your death metal brutal and gory, with more than a couple of samples of a lot of heavy breathing and panting, then Displaying The Art Of Carnage might be your lemon-free, honeyless cup of tea. And with song-titles such as “Perverted Fecal Embodiment”, “Vomiting Felch” and “Only Genitals Remain” you know you’re going to get your gortastic money’s worth.
www.myspace.com/deaden , www.deaden.net , www.epitomite.com 

Production: 8/10;   Originality: 5/10;   Instruments: 8/10;   Vocals: 9/10
OVERALL: 7.5/10

DEADNIGHT – “Messenger Of Death” (Rotting Corpse Records)
    Style – Blackened thrash.
    Origin – Chicago, IL
    Dion’s Review - Okay. So I think I’ve got this right. There were four members in DEADNIGHT, then when it came time to record, there were only two. John on bass, and Mike Thrasher on guitars, drums, vocals and keyboards. And now the drum-slot’s been filled by Jeremy and they have a session guitarist in Tom. This was recorded between ‘04 and ‘06, mixed in ‘07 and released in ‘08. Phew. I hope that’s right, or I’m going to be up for nomination to replace Adrenalin Rob as King Dipshit. I’m already the “imported worker who works for no pay”. There’s a more concise and notorious name for that, but I’m not gonna go there… girlfriend!
    DEADNIGHT; Chicago thrash metal with some definite black metal tendencies. This is rather good for a “Devilish Duo Of Deathness And Stuff”. The production’s clean, with the kick drums being a little too prominent being my only complaint. They’re just not in the mix. They kind of sound slapped on top of the rest of what’s going on. The music’s tight, the keyboards sparing and nothing is drowned out by anything else. The solos, I have to say are definitely the high point of this CD. I’m not even into solos all that much, thinking them “stringed wank-fest ego-stroking”. I appreciate the talent, of course, but there’s no I in band. Despite my opinion of them, Mike Thrasher’s solos are well-written, well-executed and thrashy. Other than that, there’s not a whole lot that sticks out about this band. Vocals have the one range, although I appreciate him not busting out into clean vocals just to break up the monotony. The drums are called percussion, but to me they’re just drums. And the bass doesn’t step out on it’s own. At least not audibly. Fairly unprogressive as far as thrash and/or black metal’s concerned.
    There’s really nothing to complain about on the CD if you’re a black/thrash fan. Eight misanthropic-, death-, Armageddon-themed tracks of tight, thrashy goodness. Available for purchase from their NightSpace, link below. Tell ‘em Adrenalin Metal Union’s Mr. Slave sent ya.
    No! Wait! That’s not right…
    Jesthsusths Christhstt!
www.myspace.com/deadnightthrashmetal , www.myspace.com/rottingcorpserecords 

Production: 7/10;   Originality: 3/10;   Instruments: 7/10;   Vocals: 5/10
OVERALL: 5.5/10

DAEMOS - “Surface”
    Style - Metal/Hardcore
    Origin - U.S.A.
    Taylor’s Review - Daemos is a four piece metal band from San Diego that has reached a few accomplishments that any band starting out would be proud of, the building of a solid fan base and openings lots for touring acts.
    This e.p. titled “Surface” has shining moments in the riffing department. I enjoy their simple yet articulate musical approach to songs. Their biography states: “A Daemos show is one of the few places where you’ll see an old die-hard Iron Maiden fan head banging next to a kid in a Slipknot hoody.” I couldn’t agree with them more, they combined the best of these two worlds into one. Simple yet intelligent.
www.daemos.com or  www.justrockpr.com/daemos

Instruments: 7/10   Vocals: 6/10   Originality: 6/10
Overall: 6/10

DARKANE - "DEMONIC ART" - (Massacre Records)
    Style -Melodic Death/Thrash
    Origin - Sweden
    Robs Review: DARKANE is another is a long line of Swedish metal bands that have single handedly revived metal in recent years in my opinion. The so called Gothenburg sound which was put on the map by At The Gates and spawned numerous other bands such as In Flames, Dark Tranquility, Arch Enemy, Soilwork, The Haunted and countless others. Technically sound, guitar based melodic death metal birthing dozens of accomplished soloists out of a genre that shows no signs of letting up. In DARKANE's CASE the gears of the machine are well oiled and clicking together at a frantic pace just as the others are. But what sets these guys apart from the rest is...well...nothing really. After this many years of listening and enjoying and trying to emulate this Gothenburg thing it’s really gotten to be old hat. Don’t get me wrong it’s still some of the best shit around with its nonstop barrage of unabashed technically melodic masterfullness that it’s tough to figure out where they go next with it. In the mean time I think we can just enjoy it for what it is but it may need some sort of revolution at some point. At any rate, "Demonic Art" is DARKANE's fifth full length effort and having dabbled a bit with their earlier works I can say that this one at least is on par with the rest if not a bit more robotic overall, sort of like a Meshuggah sound. Not sure about the vocals of former Construcdead singer Jens Broman here especially in the clean parts but his aggressive side sort of has that annoying edge to it that actually grows on you in a hypnotic sort of way as the CD carries on. But it does mesh with the music very well which is very precise with machine gun cohesiveness with a superb production. The one complaint I have actually has nothing to do with the band itself but with the record company. This business of planting voice overs in every song really takes away from the listening experience and I really hope it goes away for review purposes. I understand why it’s done with all the downloading going on but give it a break with the promo copies. That being said, nice job DARKANE. You carry the flag well.

www.darkane.com - www.myspace.com/darkane 

Production: 10/10   Performance: 10/10   Originality: 8/10   Vocals: 7/10
Overall: 8.75/10

DAWN OF RETRIBUTION - "Blood Drunk - Demo"
    Style - Thrash/Death
    Origin - Geelong, Victoria - Australia
    Darren's Review - I've come across some decent Aussie music lately. Seems as though the exposure is greater or the country is starting to put its stamp on the metal world. Dawn of Retribution makes quite a statement with their 3 song demo. I am impressed with the pure aggression captured on just 3 tunes. Guitars are massive and create such a full sound in the mix. Props to the recording engineer too by the way! Vocally I wouldn't call it clean, however it is pretty apparent what the bloke (Clint Williams) is saying. These folks have been dosin' heavy on the testosterone and in many ways represents just what metal needs. I'm very impressed and am looking forward to a full length in the near future.  www.myspace.com/dawnofretribution

Production/Engineering: 9/10;   Originality: 7/10;   Instruments: 8/10
Vocals: 7/10;   Replay Value: 8/10
Overall: 8/10

DAY WITHOUT DAWN - "UNDERSTANDING CONSEQUENCES" - (Forgotten Empire Records)
    Style - Progressive-experimental rock/metal
    Origin - Matawan, New Jersey USA
    Rob's Review: I believe I remember DAY WITHOUT DAWN making its way through the hallowed doors of Adrenalin and into my arms the previous go around for these guys. If I remember right I think the debut EP came away with a glowing review. Standing out from the masses really helps a band like this. Especially if the reviewer has been inundated with a number of other bands beforehand that claim to have a different band name but suspiciously sound the same. OK it’s not all that bad but a band like DAY WITHOUT DAWN tends to throw the customary wrench into the big wheel of metal to shake things up on occasion and force us to take heed. As before, the band is still heavy into the progressive metal vibe but maybe even less heavy than before. They have leaned a little more in the rock direction as their sound has matured. So consequently you need to be in the right mood for it and unfortunately I am not today so it’s starting to sound a bit tedious and a little on the pomp side as some prog tends to get. But that’s not to take away from the talent which there is a slew of as usual. Great musicians all around and a lot to offer in the unique musical instrument department. Some strange sounds clawing their way through my headphones at times even hinting of trumpets in one of the songs. If you like your rock/metal to grab you and whisk you away into a heavy cloud of moodiness and technical prowness this is your band. But if you desire not to think too much when listening to metal you may need to wait for another day for this one.

www.DayWithoutDawn.com - www.myspace.com/daywithoutdawn 

Production: 9/10   Performance: 10/10   Originality: 9/10   Vocals: 7/10
Overall: 8.75/10

DEATH MENTAL - “From The Archives OF The Asylum” (Bloody Carnage Music)
    Style - Thrashing Death Metal
    Origin - U.S.A.
    Taylor’s review - I am a firm believer in using art as a means to cope with personal issues. That is what I believe Ian Aiken has chosen to do with Death Mental. Thrashing guitars and pained growls screaming the “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder” and Panic Attack/Drug Induced Dream” from mere song titles to the fore-front to be dealt with in true metal style. Music is a form of mental therapy, and if this is what Death Mental is all about, I am glad he is using it. If you like old death metal from the early nineties you’ll appreciate Death Mental.

Instruments: 8/10   Vocals: 8/10   Originality: 10/10
Overall: 9/10

DAYMARES - "Can't Get Us All" (Selfmadegod Records)
    Style - Hardcore punk/Metal
    Origin - Poland
    Heather's Review - If you took Entombed and combined it with hardcore punk, you have Daymares. Formed in 2006, this band combines various styles of raw riffs and vocals to produce a sound that is intense, melodic, as well as emotionally heavy. Most of the vocals were close to a death metal sound, but the clean vocals really gave this band originality. And from not being around very long, this band has the potential to excel.The cd contains 11 examples of why this band is going places. This cd, as well as a previously recorded demo, got them signed Self Made God Records. They play out often to get more exposure, and continue to devote their time to producing more music.
Check them out at : www.myspace.com/yourdaymares  or www.daymares.org

Production :8/10   Vocals: 8/10   Originality: 8/10
Overall: 8/10

DEADSEA - Self Titled (Chrome Leaf)
    Style - Metal/Experimental
    Origin -Columbus, Ohio
    Heather's Review - If you are a fan of Sabbath, Voivod, and Mastodon, you will love this band. Their unique style and interesting dynamics make them one to watch out for. The songs are lengthy,with one lasting as long as 16:20 minutes, but it is worth it. With mood-changing riffs and vocals that ring on in your mind long after the song is over, DEADSEA is a little bit of everything we love about metal. There are hints of black metal, prog-metal, thrash, death metal, and even some jazz to keep you interested. It is a versatility that few bands have, and this band is overflowing with it. It is aggressive music at times, but with an intellectual feel, and that is what kept me wanting to hear more. The bands has other cd's as well, including a demo in 2002 and "Desiderata" that was released in 2005. Check them out at www.myspace.com/deadsea or www.deadsearising.com and for contact/booking find them at deadsearising@gmail.com

Originality:10/10;   Vocals: 8/10;   Production: 8/10
Overall: 8.7

DECADENCE – “3rd Stage Of Decay” (Massacre Records)
    Style – Melodic death/thrash
    Origin – Stockholm, Sweden
    Dion’s Review - If you’re into your grammar and diction like I am, then you’ll be aware that the word ‘decadence’ can have both a positive and a negative connotation. My good mates at dictionary.com assure me that it means the act of falling into an inferior state - a negative definition - but it also means excessive self-indulgence, which can be taken either way. Especially with the long-standing efforts of extreme metal bands to have the worst name possible. The badder then name, the gooder the band. There’s my grammar comin’ out for ya.
As the ‘style’ at the top of the review states, this Swedish outfit are melodic thrash. They have some definite moments inspired by DEATH, KREATOR and even some EXODUS, but they’re broken up by various movements with melodic overtones, which somewhat lose my interest personally. They are an extremely talented unit, who keep it together under a pristine production, but they’re not really pioneering any new paths in the extreme music world. They do have a few oddly groovy moments that I really dig, however. The guitars are crunchy, yet melodious, the drums are tight and audible, the bass is indistinguishable for the most part, and the vocals range from a mid-death roar to a mid-thrashy yell. There’s actually nothing about 3rd Stage Of Decay to dislike, really. It’s just that I’m not into the whole melodic movement. In fact, I “missed the meeting” on the new sub-interim-genre when DECADENCE’s predecessors started the whole movement. I hate it, but I feel obliged to let you know that this death/thrash outfit is also fronted by one of the fairer gender. With the feminist movement demanding that we treat women no different from men (which I agree with) I feel a little sexist even giving it a mention. I understand it’s a male-dominated style of music, but after the first few female-fronted metal bands, I think it stopped bein‘ the anomaly it was. And besides, we don’t go around braggin’ about our mate’s homemade curtains, do we?
     “You don’t like these curtains, eh? What if I told you that Derrick took time from his body-shop to stitch ‘em up for me then?” That’s right. If you didn’t like the curtains before the statement, you’re not gonna like ‘em any more afterwards.
http://www.myspace.com/decadenceswe , www.decadence.se , www.massacre-records.de 
Production: 9/10;    Originality: 5/10;     Instruments: 8/10;     Vocals: 8/10
OVERALL: 7.5/10

DELIVER US FROM EVIL -"Behold a Pale Horse"
    Style - Metal
    Origin - Indiana
    Heather's Review: Ever since I saw this band live, I have appreciated what they can do musically. After I got the cd, I was convinced. They are a fast paced, technical band with melodic attributes that make them difficult to classify. With the addition of movie-type clips and other sound effects, the cd is downright evil. With the soaring guitar solo riffs combined with the heavy, dark vocals, this band is definitely portraying their talents to the fullest. Playing with well-known acts such as Diecast, In This Moment, DAATH, Goatwhore, and Drowning Pool, among others, they are trying to gain a larger fan base. And by playing 2007 Milwaukee Metal Fest, Indianapolis Metal Fest, and in many other states as well, they are looking to expand their music to the masses! Don't just get the cd. Go and see them live! You will not be disappointed! Look for them at www.myspace.com/deliverusfromevil   

Originality: 8/10    Vocals: 8/10     Production: 8/10
Overall: 8/10

DEMON DOG SPERM – “Hopeless” (Open Grave Records)
    Style – Stoner/Death Metal
    Origin – Pennsylvania
    Mike’s Review – Demon Dog Sperm. Great name. Great sound. I love stoner rock. And I love death metal. These guys blend these two genres together as if it was meant to be. Sludgy death metal with a lot of pissed-off aggression. The trio of vocals styles (growl, clean, and screeching) are all done well and keeps the monotony away. That definitely adds to the originality and overall sound of the band. This is their debut album and an impressive one it is. I look forward to hearing more from them in the future.
www.deomdogsperm.com - www.myspace.com/demondogsperm666

Vocals: 8.0   Music: 9.0   Originality 8.
Overall: 8.5

DEN OF GERMS – “Beer And Anger” (shopping for a label)
    Style – Drunk metal punk
    Origin – Baltimore, MD
    Dion’s Review – BOTTOMS-UP TO THIS FUCKEN BAND!!! Den Of Germs sent lyrics! I unfold the bio with “Beer And Anger” crankin’ in my headphones, and lo-and-behold! The third page: lyrics! The printed lyrics (or the lack thereof) can, and will, decide whether I hand over my hard-earned beer-allowance for a CD or not. No lyrics? No sale!
    But moving right along. D.O.G, self-proclaimed drunk metal punks, actually live up to their proclamation. Well… musically and lyrically, at any rate. They could be jolly bus-drivers, mild-mannered reporters, or that old bloke down the road who has two poodles called Queenie and Buttercup-Snugglebear for all I know. But considering they’re ex-members of Fear Of God, Have Mercy and Jakkpot, I somehow doubt it. And besides, that old bloke probably listens to Liza Minnelli and Charlie Pride anyways. Not Venom, Black Sabbath and Carnivore like these guys. D.O.G are fans of, and perfectly recreate, old-school heavy metal and punk. This 8-track promo of their 13-track full-length (that’s a lot of hyphens!) include songs such as “Cocktail”, which is about drinkin’ yourself into a booze-fumed oblivion and bumping uglies with a barmaid in the carpark. Or “Row House Stomp”. A timeless ditty about bein’ a Baltimore-bred grog-sponge with a penchant for Natty Boh and fisticuffs… although I put it a bit more eloquently than they did.
    So if you’re fond of Maker’s Mark with the Misfits, or Black Tooth Grins with Black Sabbath or just plain punchin’ the bejeezus out of unsuspecting victims, then Den Of Germs should be your cup of tea… hard-tea, obviously. And if it’s just struck you like a well-thrown beer-bottle that you don’t have enough (if any) booze companies in your myspace friends, then check out D.O.G’s top 20 mates. Maker’s Mark, Newcastle and Crown. All the companions a self-respecting drunk metal punk needs. Well… them, metal and punk.
    AND THEY PRINT LYRICS!!!
http://www.myspace.com/denofgerms , http://www.denofgerms.com

Production: 7/10; Originality: 6/10; Instruments: 7/10; Vocals 7/10
OVERALL: 7/10

DESTROY EVERYTHING - "Freedom Of Speech Means Talk Is Cheap" (Trent City Records)
    Style - Punk
    Origin - U.S.A.
    Taylor's Review: Destroy Everything is a punk band from Chicago that understands catchiness. They have common ground between the new and old punk sound. The abrasive sound of the classics meshed with the semi-pop sing-a-longs of the non-commercial currents. The one thing that stood in the way of this being a phenomonal  album is the vocalist. His use of a nasally high registered sound was mildly distracting from his strong ability to properly place his lyrical delivery in the music. I believe this is just a personal preference in punk vocals, and many others could easily see he is good at what he does. The band doesn't stray too far from traditional punk chording, the bassist holds his own though constructing solid catchy bass lines over the rest of the band's sound. Check them out, they really are quite good at what they do.
www.destroyeverything.com  - www.justrockpr.com 

Instruments: 7/10   Vocals: 7/10   Originality: 6/10
Overall: 7/10

DEVASTATOR - "Morbid Force"
    Style: Black Metal/Thrash
    Origin: N/A
    Heather's Review: Starting with the name Avathar and then changing their name to Devastator in 2003, this band is out to revive the old school black and thrash metal sound and style. The music is compelling, evil, aggressive, and addicting. The production quality of the cd was well done, and the quality of the music reminded me a lot of Kreator (A band that they actually played a show with at one point) The vocals have more of a black metal feel and the music that follows has definite thrash dynamics. The band also has other recording you can check out including "Infernal Devastation", and an album titled "The End". Following that, the band recorded a split cd with the Black Metal band, Blasphemer. In 2005, they recorded "Nuclear Proliferation" which was created in honor of the old days. Their newest creation is "Morbid Force", and they are working on the next assault, "Conjuring Evil" as we speak. Check them out if you a ready for a trip back to the good old days!   Find more info on them at www.morbidforce.com.

Production: 7/10    Vocals: 7/10    Originality: 7/10
Overall: 7/10

DICHOTIC - “The Deepest Rise”
    Genre - Metal
    Origin - Wisconsin, USA
    Baird’s Review – “Sounds like: Pantera, Killswitch engage, Iron Maiden, Hatebreed, Opeth”.  That is a tall fucking order to fill. There is a couple of my favorite metal bands right there. Unfortunately Dichotic falls somewhat short of this illustrious list. These guys are so close, but their brand of melodic metal has been done so many times before that it is truly a difficult thing to stand out in a crowd here. With a multitude of break tempo riffs and groove parts, the only thing missing from the equation are more intricate harmonies. Many times through the course of listening to this disc I found myself saying, “ok guys, you set up the pins, now knock them down”. but it just never happens. They just go into another break tempo part.
    The production is pretty decent, the guitars stand out clean and legible. Their drummer uses some nice fills to break up the monotony. The vocals sound like they went with the old school “scream in the bath room” trick, utilizing some kind of plate reverb instead of the fairly (industry) standard short delay. The only part that stands out in the negative to me in this department is the triplet pattern that this guy uses on every song. The nice part of being a vocalist in a metal band is the fact that there are thousands of vocal patterns you can rip off from other bands without fear of a plagiarism lawsuit. Hopefully Jester Exodus reads this and gets the idea for their next release. There are a couple really painful guitar solos in this, notably a whammy bar trick at the three minute mark of “A Sucker for Failure” and an inexcusable finger tapping part in “desecrated” but the rest of them are fairly well played. It seems to me that all the talent is here, but they need to think out their composition better if they want to stand up with the big boys, in an industry already flooded with thousands of other bands aiming at the same market.

Production 7/10   Musicianship 7/10   Vocals 6/10   Originality 4/10
Overall 6/10

DISARRAY - “Edge Of My Demise” (Inner v.o.i.d. Records)
    Style: Metal/Rock 
     Origin: U.S.A.
     Taylor’s Review: Disarray is a band from Tennessee that bridges the gap between rock and metal nicely. Taking gritty guitar driven tones laced with raspy vocals that move along at a mid to fast paced onslaught reminiscent of 70’s rock and 80’s thrash. The music on “Edge Of My Demise” is catchy with no shortage of attitude enhanced by a production that is anything but crisp, it’s dirty, and that’s part of the charm. Disarray has a strong work ethic and believes that anything worth doing takes hard work and drive. At 13 years of existence they show no signs of letting up. They have the talent to compliment their drive and I hope they succeed. Check them out. www.disarrayonline.com    www.myspace.com/disarray

Instruments: 7/10   Vocals: 9/10   Originality: 7/10
Overall: 8/10

DISSENT AND REVOLT - "Demo"
    Style - Experimental/Hardcore
    Origin - USA (Madison, WI)
    Darren's Review - I've been listening to Dissent and Revolt for quite some time now. What really caught my attention about this band was what they deliver live. Having experienced many shows - few match the intesity, sheer power and energy of a Dissent set. They found a way to instill that happy feeling within that reminds me why I adore music so much. When I got word the five song demo was going to be released, I was grinning from ear to ear. Having cited Dillinger Escape Plan and Necrophagist and influences, Dissent finds a way to put their unique spin on some fuckin' heavy and hardcore beats. This five song demo does an excellent job showcasing the bands talent and creativity. One of a kind vocals delivered by Aaron Miller that mimics an instrument itself. The instrumental representation is tight and powerful. The demo tunes were recorded at two points in time (winter 2006/summer2007) so there is some slight variances in the sound recording. All five tracks are genius but I would have to give my nod to "Dripping from our Tongues" and "Servants Erupt". I cannot wait to see what comes next with this band - and I hope they find a way to embrace longevity. Live, one of the better bands I have ever seen. Preview some tunes on their myspace page - but better yet, go see them live - you will thank me later.

www.myspace.com/dissentandrevolt

Production/Engineering: 8/10;   Originality: 9.5/10;   Instruments: 9.5/10;    Vocals: 9/10
Overall: 9/10

DOMINICI - "O3 A Trilogy - Part 3" - (Inside Out Records)
   Style - Power/Prog Metal
    Origin - New York
    Robs Review: Once upon a time in, Charlie Dominici had stock in a band that would come to be the pinnacle in the world of progressive metal, inspiring a bevy of similar bands along the way and commanding respect throughout the metal world for years to come. That band was Dream Theater and the album was "When Dream and Day Unite". Unfortunately, Charlie cashed out his stock one album too early and was left floating in limbo for the next 15-20 years becoming a somewhat anonymous former member of a now famous band. There were reasons for his demise in the band and the split had been amicable. Sounds like the band decided a different singer would be a better fit and the rest was history.
    So what has Charlie been up to? Well, he ended up on skid row eating out of dumpsters and wearing old ladies shoes with no help at all from his former band mates and just about the time he was ready to give up and cash in his next stock for the afterlife a beacon of hope reaches down to him in the gutter and....wait a minute...that's not how it went. No, in fact, none of that happened. Although it would've made a better story. In the real story Charlie fell out of the music business for a fairly long stretch working as an automobile finance manager at one point. Then a few years back he managed to get back with his former bandmates for some onstage appearances for the 25th anniversary of his day in the sun. This then inspired him to get his ass in gear, so to speak, and return to what he was meant to do. To be honest I never like his voice in Dream Theater so I always thought it was a good move on their part to go another direction and we all know how that worked out. But enough about them....
    DOMINICI...I gotta admit I've never heard the first two of this three part trilogy O3. I've read that they were mostly on the acoustic side rather than the full on progressive metal that O3 A Trilogy - Part 3 has morphed into. And goddammit if Charlie's voice isn't anything like I remember. This guy has somehow gathered up the many storms above his head over the years and released them unto the world with F5 status. Its damn near a flawless performance for a dude his age. I guess when you're out of commission like he was you don't spend a lot of time wasting your pipes. It also helps that the rest of the band (former members of the band Solid Vision from Italy) is phenomenal and really was the perfect choice to compliment his voice. It does have slight similarities to the Dream Theater in parts but then most prog metal does these days. Mostly it's just aggressive as hell and really, very well written. There's not a wasted track on the album. You can tell this final installment in this three part conceptual undertaking was painstakingly thought out and mapped out exactly how they intended.
    So, no, it's not a "gutter to glory" story but by god its good enough in my mind. A lot of respect is deserved to Charlie for never giving up and realizing what he had. Nice job!! www.dominici.com - www.myspace.com/charliedominicimusic 

Production: 10/10    Performance: 10/10    Originality: 9/10    Vocals: 10/10
Overall: 9.5/10

DOWNRIVER – “Seethin‘ Heathen” (self-released)
    Style – Heavy/Stoner/Doom Metal
    Origin – Melbourne, Australia
    Dion’s Review - Damn! I’ve been getting a lot of Aussie bands to review lately. This is the second out of three in this batch, and I did four in the last batch. It seems that I’m listening to more Aussie bands now that I’m in the US than I did when I was back home! Isn’t that always the way, though? I miss things I didn’t really eat back home, and I think I’m using more Aussie slang now than I ever did. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder. They never mention the pining, though.
    DOWNRIVER. Aussie hard rock band with some definite stoner and doom influences. This really isn’t my chosen genre(s), but I have to say that this band isn’t bad at all. To me it sounds like MOTORHEAD with a pinch of SABBATH, and a bit of MAIDEN to garnish. Serve with a cold beer and a smoky pool-table and you’ve got the full effect. This is definitely pub-rock feeling, and I think my appreciation would be a lot stronger in that setting. A lot of Seethin’ Heathen is up-tempo hard rock with some doomy moments interspersed. The vocals are sung, however gravelly at times, and makes me think of a mix between the first MAIDEN singer (Killers-era) and the UGLY KID JOE vocalist (I’m terrible with names evidently). The guitars are heavy - or wailing - depending on what part of the song it is. The drums are solid and easy to follow (not a bad thing in the slightest). And the bass lends its feel, more than its sound… the way it’s supposed to be when you follow the guitars. The production’s dirty, making me think of a suffocatingly hot, carpeted rehearsal-garage, complete with a smelly couch that people have bumped uglies on and a graffiti-riddled beer fridge.
So if you’re into the bands that I’ve mentioned, plus others like ARTIMUS PYLEDRIVER, ZEKE and even some MONSTER MAGNET, then you should most definitely check out the link below to buy the CD. Even if it’s just something to chuck in the beat up old CD-player in your drinkin’ space where you fix oily, greasy things that aren’t really broken, while you sweat and swear. www.myspace.com/downriverband

Production: 8/10;   Originality: 5/10;   Instruments: 7/10;   Vocals: 7/10
OVERALL: 7/10

DRAMMAGOTHICA - "IRA"
    Style - Goth/Metal
    Origin - Italy
    Heather's Review - If you blended together Midnight Syndicate, Obituary-like vocals, and everything else from Nightwish, the result is Drammagothica. This dark, melodic, orchestral band is aggressive (in a subtle way) and I found myself really looking forward to hearing all the tracks. I think that the goth crowd, as well as the metal crowd will feel the same way. Dynamically, they definitely bring about some variety. I love the vocal offset with the female voice intermingling with the low, death-metal male voice. Although it's not an original idea, this offset works really well in producing the gothic/metal mood the band portrays. They also have a 4-song demo titled Inver No. Yeah, I would recommend checking them out.
You can find out more about them at www.kickagency.com or www.myspace.com/drammagothica  

Vocals: 9/10   Originality: 7/10   Production: 9/10
Overall: 8.3/10

DROWN IN HATE – “Promo 2007”
    Style - Modern Metal/Thrash Metal
    Origin - Finland
    Taylor’s Review - Finland has no shortage of talent. There has to be something in the water that feeds the musical prowess of their country. Drown in Hate play a style similar to a thrashier version of Machine Head with a little Grip Inc. thrown in. A strange American metal influenced release from a country that has its own sound for the most part. This is music that inspires both mosh pits and energetic stage shows, but really does not stand out too much. Drown in Hate is a talented metal band that with good music, but doesn’t hold my attention as much as the American metal bands I believe they try to emulate. www.myspace.com/drowninhate 

Instruments: 6/10   Vocals: 5/10   Originality: 5/10
Overall: 5/10

DUB TRIO - "Another Sound is Dying" (Ipecac)
    Style - Experimental/Instrumental Rock
    Origin - Brooklyn, NY
    Darren's Review - Dub Trio offers a release of hypnotic, instrumental rock and roll in varying fashion. The band is signed to Mike Patton's Ipecac records, and Mr. Patton does make an appearance on "No Flag", delivering the only vocal track on the album. This is their fourth album (three studio/one live). I can't comment on how their sound has or hasn't changed, but judging by this release, I think I will be inclined to explore earlier albums. The album opens up with a heavy hitter "Not For Nothing" that uses the guitar, bass and drums as a foundation as it loses you into mid-tempo bliss. As the album progresses it does a great job of graduating ambiance from track to track. Some resemble a calm and collected mood, while others get wild and crazy in parts and groovy and jazzy in others. The listener is left with a fresh feel by the time each track is finished. You aren't going to hear any blazin' solo's or riffs, but you will get a chance to experience something unique. I love instrumental albums, and this one is pretty good. Some tracks take awhile to develop, and some don't develop at all, and some are great.

www.dubtrio.com or www.myspace.com/dubtrio

Production/Engineering: 7/10;   Originality: 9/10 ;   Instruments: 7/10
Vocals: N/A
Overall: 7.5/10

DUST IS EVERYWHERE -"Attics and Catacombs" (Creeping Vine Productions)
    Style -Black Metal
    Origin - Creeping Vine is located in PA
    Heather's review - After the first note, I was addicted. This band kicks ass! With King Diamond inspired vocals (he once screamed, "Every Night To The Attic Shrine") and the primitive Gorgoth sound, D.I.E. is taking black metal to the next level. The gloomy feel of the music, the shrieking vocals, and the funeral-like drumming invite you into the attic with no hope of return. The cd is divided into 2 parts: Attics and Catacombs. With songs such as "Horrid Places"(Attics) and "Inhaling Cryptic Air" (Catacombs) the intoxicating rhythm and feel keeps you wanting more. This band is black metal at its finest. The cd production was very well done, and each creeping note is noticeable. The artwork for the cd, provided by Mike Hrubovcak (vocalist of Monstrosity, Vile, and Devine Rapture) has also done work for bands such as XXX Maniak, Mortician, Revolver Magazine, and the Relapse Slimewave Series. Check them out! Look for them at www.creepingvine.net

Vocals: 10/10;    Production: 10/10;   Originality: 10/10
Overall: 10/10

DYING REGRET – “The Price Of Human Ruin” (self-released)
    Style – Metalcore/Bipolar Metal
    Origin – San Diego, CA
    Dion’s Review – You know what? I like everything about this band… except for the music! Isn’t that odd? I’m still scratchin’ my melon trying to nut-out why I really dig these guys, yet constantly fight the urge to hit the eject button. Am I a bad metalhead? Am I an intolerant music-fascist? I really don’t know. I just know that I don’t like this. I love the band name - even amongst all the other metalcore bands out there with variations of either ‘dying’ or ‘bleeding’ in their name… and there are just a couple - the album title’s awesome, the CD packaging, although a little lacking due to it’s self-released and promotional nature, promises to be professional, and the bio was well-written. I’ve just heard these guys plenty before. And I loathed it when I heard their predecessors doing this, too.
    It really is that bland, flavourless recipe of “Bipolar Metal” that we’re all used to, even if we change the station when we hear it. “We’ll roar and heavy it up for the verse, then I’ll sing for the chorus while you guys become tender. Then the bipolar meds will wear off, and we’ll do that all over again, then have a meaningful interlude before we do that verse/chorus for a third time. Then it’s valiantly onward to the passionate outro. Cool? Band meeting adjourned, then.” That meeting happened completely in my own imagination, but it comes with an hilarious picture of them jealously eyeballing each other’s Celtic/tribal tattoos and sipping iced chai, which I really wish you could all see. I know that was uncalled for, but I’m trying to make this review interesting enough so that you’ll make it to the ratings at the bottom. If you’re into As I Lay Dying, Between The Buried And Me, Bleeding Through, Everytime I Die, Bleed The Sky, After The Burial, Dead To Fall, bleeding, dying and being buried (or going to funerals), then you should check out the links below, too.
    And I can’t, in all good conscience, take credit for the term “Bipolar Metal”. That is thanks to my lovely wife. The poor woman weathers enough drama with my mood-swings. She doesn’t need to hear it when she flicks through radio stations too.
www.myspace.com/dyingregretmusic , www.dyingregret.com which takes you to their myspace, anyway.

Production: 10/10;   Originality: 2/10;   Instruments: 6/10;   Vocals 6/10
OVERALL: 6/10

DYSCORD – “Dakota” (Prime Cuts Music)
    Style – thrash/death metal
    Origin – Perth, Australia
    Dion’s Review - Firstly, this band is pretty bloody kick-arse! Secondly, I wanted to classify this Aussie outfit as “deathcore”, but for some reason, and I totally disagree with it, there’s a very smelly stigma attached to that particular metal subgenre, and even any subgenre with the syllable “core“ anywhere near it. So I didn’t stylise these blokes as deathcore, just so you’d read this review before judging them. You’ll thank me for it.
    Now that we’ve established exactly which genre DYSCORD fall into, let me opinionate on this ‘08 full-length release. This is a well-produced (with the sound engineer nominated for an unfamiliar award), tightly-executed extreme metal CD. How’s that? Bands such as SLAYER, JOB FOR A COWBOY, and CANNIBAL CORPSE are audible in this band’s sound, even if it is unintentional. Dakota is 10 tracks of aggressive mid-paced, mid-range deathcore thrashiness with an angry bloke mostly yelling (with some gutturals and shrieking) over it all. There are a couple of tricks they pull out of their sleeves that I’m not a fan of; a clean vocal passages in “Dakota“ and “The Picador” and some very nu-metal parts where the guitars, bass and kick-drums do the same percussive rhythm, but for the most part it’s a damned solid CD that I might even play on my own time… if I ever get any more of that. There’s not a whole lot of blasting, or flat-knacker foot-work from the drummer, with the guitars’ chord-progressions, which make it a little less death metal, and a little more deathcore for me, but the overall effect is a very uncomplicated, easy to follow CD.
    If you’re a fan of any metal that sounds good and is played well, no matter what over-populated, mostly-talentless, sub-genre it‘s stuffed into, then you’ll probably get a kick out of this band’s second release; first full-length. You know what? “DYSCORD: Style - Dyscord”. Wrap your aural organs ‘round it.
www.myspace.com/dyscord , www.primecuts.com.au ,  www.dyscord.com

Production: 9/10;    Originality: 7/10;    Instruments: 8/10;    Vocals: 7/10
OVERALL: 7.5/10

DYSFUNTIONAL BY CHOICE “Traveling in Travel” (Dirty 8 Records)
    Style -  power pop/metal/grunge
    Origin - France
    Baird's Review - There must be an absolutely amazing scene in France. I haven’t been so surprised by a genre crossing band since I heard Ghengis Tron’s “cloak of love” 4 years ago. And I expected to be in for something similar judging from the intro. This band seems to have an amazing talent for giving you the unexpected every 2 minutes. I have to admit I am at a loss to describe this music. As I listen to it I note bands that I am reminded of in hopes of narrowing things down but to no avail. To the best of my ability which is at a loss here I could say Helmet meets Orange Goblin meets Tool meets Isis meets later Sepultura…The list just continues.
    The only down point I can pick out here is that there are some elements of this music (mainly the vocals) that do not qualify as metal whatsoever. Since we are a metal publication I am forced to knock off a few points in the “vocals” department, but I do so grudgingly. I am also forced to knock off a couple points for musicianship, but only because there are not a lot of parts that really require a high degree of technical ability, but they more than make up for that in composition. In conclusion, if you appreciate music on any level, or you partake in recreational drug use, you should listen to this cd at least once. And if that is too much to ask, go to their myspace. You might be surprised at what you find.
www.dysby.com - www.myspace.com/dysby

Production 9/10;   Musicianship 8/10;   Vocals 8/10;   Originality 10/10
Overall 8.75

DYSFUNCTIONAL BY CHOICE - "Traveling In Travel"
    Style: Grunge/Metal
    Origin: France
    Heather's Review: It has been a long time since I have heard a band that can pull off the grunge style well. This band makes a good attempt at it, and I can say that I was somewhat impressed. The music is full of heavily distorted guitars, contrasting song dynamics, and apathetic lyrics. Vocally, it is somewhat raspy, but it works. This is not the most original grunge band I have heard, but they have the talent to make that jump. The sound quality of the cd was ok, and I can imagine that this band would put on a good live show as well. I would recommend this band to anyone that is into hardcore grunge. Check them out at www.myspace.com or at www.DYSBY.com 

Originality: 7/10   Vocals: 7/10    Production: 7/10
Overall: 7/10 E

EHNAHRE – “The Man Closes Up” (Sound Devastation Records)
    Style – Doom/grindcore
    Origin – Boston, MA.
    Dion’s Review - Damn! This CD moves like a bone-tired acrobat suffering an epileptic seizure and lethargic listlessness all at once. Each song palpitates like a somnolent heart. Each arrangement wriggles like a hyperactive baby that’s been awake for a week. Descriptive enough for you reader? Have I got you even just a little intrigued? Well, that’s two of us. “Ehnahre” could be bloody Klingon for “intriguing” for all I know… or “what am I feeling, and why isn’t this making any sense?!?”. Probably just means “the cheese is old and mouldy” though.
There seems to be an underlying compulsion of manic death and grind-influenced mania that’s trying to burst free from under the heavy, debilitating onus of doom. As confusing as this concept album is, all of the components move in the same direction, and are tighter than a nun’s nasty. There are all the usual rock instruments, plus several people lending their necks for vocals, but there are also credits for double-bass, custom percussion (you know. Shit you find to bang on that’s not useful anymore) and even trumpet and violin. Considering the music’s very discordant already, these orchestral instruments seem to augment that to an even higher level. The Man Closes Up is five tracks, “Part I“ to “Part V“, at a run-time of 44:26 that’s based on the writings of the poet Donald Justice. I know dick about poets and poetry, but maybe that info’s useful to you. The production’s not the greatest on this CD, but this is a predominantly percussive album anyway. The drums, guitars, bass and whatever other instruments sound at the same time in bursts, for the most part. It does burst out in solid music every now and again, and that’s when it gets into the red, distorting and crackling, which lends to the grind-feel of the CD. To dirty for death metal; too fast for doom. The vocals aren’t a constant on this album, either (why should it be the only one?). There are large gaps of voicelessness, but they do range from a decent death-style that reminds me of old UNLEASHED, accompanied by whispers, squeaks, croaks and various tricks, making the throat another instrument. And then, right at the end of all that, they go and add female operatically-trained voices who purposely hit bung-chords in their one outro aria! Can you believe that?
    All in all, this is a conceptual album performed by talented musicians who want to offer you something different. If you’re a fan of any one of the genres mentioned, then I really don’t think you’re going to get The Man Closes Up. But if you’re into grind, death and doom, then you might just make more sense of this than the average metal-enthusiast. Check out the links below and judge for yourself. … And tell EHNAHRE I said QA TLHO‘. www.myspace.com/ehnahremetal , www.myspace.com/sdrecs , www.sounddevastation.co.uk 

Production: 7/10;    Originality: 10/10;    Instruments: 8/10;    Vocals: 8/10
OVERALL: 8.5/10

ERA VULGARIS -"What Stirs Within"
    Style - Progressive/Metal
    Origin - Ireland
    Heather's Review - With the ever growing style of progressive metal, "What Stirs Within" is just what the scene needs. The music is fast, the guitars are heavy, and the overall heavy metal melodic tone gives them originality.
    With their own label titled Open Your Ears Music, formed in order to gain the attention of those that choose to pass by unsigned musicians, as well as a full UK & Ireland distribution deal with PlasticHead/Code7 in order to line up more shows, they are one to look out for. With Rock Sound Magazine calling them "prog-metal overlords in waiting", Era Vulgaris is on the way to becoming one of the top progressive metal bands. Opening for bands such as Amon Amarth, Candlemass, and Entombed,their goal is to play their music live in front of their fans. As "one of the top 100 acts you have to know in 2007", you will sure to become a fan as well. Check them out at www.eravulgaris.com or www.myspace.com/eravulgaris

Production: 10/10;    Vocals: 10/10;    Originality: 10/10
Overall: 10/10

EREBUS – “Prey For Our Nation” (self-released)
    Style – Heavy/thrash metal
    Origin – Green Bay/Madison, WI.
    Dion’s Review – “Erebus”. Interesting name for a band. It’s both the darkness the dead must pass through before they get to Hades in Greek mythology, and an active volcano on Antarctica’s Ross Island. Now I hope you’re all thinking either “these guys must be all about the majesty of death in battle with a band-name associated with Hades”, or “He’s gonna say that Erebus sound like a plane crash”. I have one thing to say to you all… “PSYCH!!!”
    This local thrash outfit are neither heroic, or a soundtrack to an aerial accident. They’re straight up thrash, with tinges of rock, and/or roll. For me the standout is the vocals. It’s all there; death growls, spoken-word that sounds Pattonesque, yells, squeals, whispers, and even a little raspy singing. I’m not trying to slight the band, though. The guitars are balanced in both the mix, and their tone. Not too much high, or low. The bass is there, and even gets a few of it‘s own moments, and the drums are tight and unpretentious. It’s everything a good heavy metal band needs. Nothing seems to drown out the other. I’m not saying the production’s as crisp and clean as unsoiled undies, but it’s well-balanced. There’s a couple of really kick-arse riffs, and a vocal build up in the opening track “Failure” (I think) that really impressed me. There’s even some groovy (dare I say “funky”?) moments as well that fit tighter than an 80s thrasher‘s jeans. I am told however that their live performance outshines their recording more than a really shiny thing does. Maybe some tin-foil, or a halogen lamp? They’re pretty shiny.
    At any rate, this is a solid heavy metal album that‘s not (in my opinion) even an obvious “let’s get back to our roots“ album. For all I know, these guys have been doin‘ heavy metal since before all the cool kids were doin‘ it. The same cool kids that thought women were selfish for keeping all the make-up for themselves, and discovered you can get high on cans of whipped cream.
http://www.myspace.com/erebuswi  ; http://www.erebusband.com 

Production: 6/10;   Originality: 6/10;   Instruments: 7/10;   Vocals 9/10
OVERALL: 7/10

ETERNAL DESCENT - "Losing Faith" (Incendium Records)
    Style: Metal/Industrial/ Experimental
    Origin: London
    Heather's Review: By far, this is the most interesting cd I have come across. The cd is based on a story, and each track represents a comic book. The music is surreal, with a lot of melody and rhythm, combined with hints of metal and an industrial feel. With emphasis on each individual story, vocalist Elysha West changes her tone and feel with each emotion that is expressed. She does an amazing job getting the listener to feel as the "characters" feel. With that, there are also sound effects, such as rain, to get the mood flowing. This 2-member group, headed by Llexi Leon, has split the cd into 3 chapters with 4 tracks. Each chapter is to be released separately as a 4 issue "mini-series". The cd sleeve itself portrays an anime picture of the main character, accompanied with artwork telling more of the story.
    The story, and the music, is very well done, and I recommend this to metal and Industrial fans alike. This is definitely a cd worth picking up. You can find more info on them at www.myspace.com/eternaldescent  or at www.eternaldescent.com  (which contains anime, games, videos, and more to further entertain)

Vocals: 10/10;   Originality: 10/10;   Production: 10/10
Overall:10/10

EVANGELI DVD - "...in sin"
    Style - Black/death metal/folk
    Origin - Sweden
    Heather's Review - After reviewing this DVD, the only thing I found wrong was the lack of participation from the crowd. The band kicked ass, with heavy riffs, pulsating drum sounds, and violins to keep it interesting. The clarity of the DVD was very well done (loved the graphics) and I loved the fact that the band added the song title on screen before the song begins. There is even a photo of the band included when you open it up. What distracted me was that fact that it's not until a multitude of songs go by that the crowd made any visible interest! There was no headbanging or anything....which is surprising because the band played great!! That's not a reason not to get this though, I would Definitely recommend getting this!! It is well worth it!!!! Check them out at www.evangeli.se , info@evangeli.se  or they can be found at www.myspace.com/evangeli

Clarity: 9/10   Production: 9/10   Creativity: 9/10
Overall: 9/10

EXCITER – “Thrash Speed Burn” (Blistering Records)
    Style – Speed/thrash metal
    Origin – Ottawa, Canada
    Dion’s Review - Wow! These blokes have been doin’ what they do only one year shy of the 28 that I’ve been drawing breath! You just don’t have that kind of life-expectancy in most genres of extreme metal. Your body (and your fans) just won’t allow it. From their formation in ‘80 to their current-day existence, EXCITER has been an entity with a surprisingly small amount of line-up changes, even for a band with a quarter of their life-span, with only five ex-bassists, one ex a piece for guitars and drums and four ex-mic-stranglers. It’s actually surprising, since most bands don’t really survive one vocal-change, let alone five (first drummer did vocals too).
     But EXCITER kept on keeping on, and here we are. Thrash Speed Burn is the thirteenth release from these Canadians in their sporadic discography which includes a demo, an EP, a live album and a best of in 2004. As far as the music goes, it’s really what you’d expect from the style description “speed/thrash” from a band that was began when it was the most extreme form of metal there was. The guitars are fast chords, the bass follows the guitar, the drums are straightforward and the vocals are sung/shrieked between the ranges of a mid-high to “are your ears bleeding too?”. They’ve kept all the hallmarks of the genre alive, too. The slight reverb on really high notes, the gang-chant chorus (which is usually also the track-title) and the wanky, wailing solos. They did forego the stricture of an album ballad, however, and I thank them profusely.
    So if you were into metal in the dawn of the 80s, or just really dig metal from that era like IRON MAIDEN and MANOWAR, there’s nothing to dislike about this release from these musical old-timers. They even have a regressive sound-production that could only have been crystalline in the 80s. Truly old school.
www.myspace.com/exciterofficial -  http://listen.to/exciter , http://www.blisteringrecords.se

Production: 9/10;   Loyalty: 9/10;   Instruments: 7/10;   Vocals: 7/10
OVERALL: 8/10

EZURATE – “An Ending To Revelations” (Rotting Corpse Records)
    Style – Black metal
    Origin – Chicago, IL
    Dion’s Review - As far as I can tell - and I’ve tried to do a little research - this is a “rerecorded best of” deal. They’ve chosen their best songs, rerecorded them, and stole the album title from their 2004 best of release. I figure the ’04 CD were the original recordings. I could be wrong, though. This could be a remastered re-release of a best of/compilation conceived of in ye olde Temple of Spirits Sibilant. I seem to be having to use a lot of guesswork in this batch of reviews, and nothing gets more obscure than black metal. It’s very kvelt to give your fans as little information as you possibly can to remain more underground than something that can dig really big holes. EZURATE are even at the point of not having any top mates on their EzureSpace, and they - faithful to the genre- have given themselves ennobled aliases… or alter-egos. Depending on how serious you take this business.
    What I could find out about EZURATE is they used to be called AMAYMON, started off based in Lemont IL, but now spread their sickness out of Chicago and are currently made up of some members of SKORCZED BIFROST, IMPIOUS and NIHASA. Whatever this album actually is, it’s damned good black metal. I know in the last batch I was slagging black metal, to some extent, but that was bad black metal. I’d slag bad barbershop if there was such a thing. Lucky for us there‘s no such thing as bad barbershop. This is crystal clear black metal. No white noise, or prominent instruments. Everything is mixed extremely well. The vocalist has a few ranges, mostly settling in a croaky mid, but having a little low, a little high, and an err… ultra croaky style that makes my eyes water. There’s plenty of trem-picking, but the guitarists break it up with some harmonious, melodic scaling and even some chugging chord work. Drummer’s tight, and doesn’t lose himself in the speed which tends to be a symptom of black metal. And as usual with BM, you wonder if there really is a bass-player, or if they’re just giving the credit to a mate who helped ‘em get to a show that one time back in ‘04 when their tour bus didn’t have enough incense, red wine and candles.
    This really is a decent release. If you like your black metal without keyboards and orchestral instrumentation, but with some well-written mid-paced moments to break up - and give texture to - your flat-knacker speed, then I’d seriously consider spending your hard-earned clams at Rotting Corpse Records’ online shop. Tell ‘em you were recommended by Kount Cerberus Defekatius Ekliptikii. And tell ‘em I said “Oogidy boogidy!”. They’ll know what I’m talking about.
www.myspace.com/ezurate , www.myspace.com/rottingcorpserecords ,
www.rottingcorpserecords.com 

Production: 9/10;   Originality: 7/10;   Instruments: 8/10;   Vocals: 6/10
OVERALL: 7.5/10   F

FACE BREAKER – “Dead, Rotten and Hungry” (Pulverised Records) **2nd review**
    Style: Death Metal
    Origin: Sweden
    Heather's Review: I have always been a fan of death metal bands that can pull off a melodic edge. Facebreaker, who have been around since 1999 and have since joined Pulverised Records, is straight-forward death metal with a twist. They are definitely brutal and they have all the elements that we love about death metal, but what makes them interesting is their dark melodic undertones. They somewhat reminded me of Entombed, but they have their own style as well. I would recommend them to all fans of metal! Check them out at www.facebreaker.com  or at www.myspace.com/facebreaker666

Originality:8/10   Vocals: 8/10   Production: 9/10
Overall: 8.3/10

FACE BREAKER – “Dead, Rotten and Hungry” (Pulverised Records)
    Style – Death Metal
    Origin – Sweden
    Taylor’s Review: I like zombies, and “Dead, Rotten and Hungry” has a great one on the album cover. So with this little yank of my heart strings, my entrails are jiggling with joy.
    Face Breaker is a crusty old-school influenced death metal band from the birth place of my personal heroes Grave, Blood Bath, and Entombed. This album creates something quite similar to those Swedish death metal bands, especially in guitar tone and song structure.
    Death metal was best in the years following its conception, and has lost something in the present scene. The charm of stripped down brutal, yet catchy material seems to be lost in a sea of flashiness and ego driven guitar heroism. I find it comforting that bands are still here such as the old greats, and the currents such as Face Breaker to keep the true flame of death metal’s hay day lit.
    Pick this album up to support Face Breaker. If you don’t for the great music, do it for the zombies. www.pulverised.net - www.facebreaker.com - www.myspace.com/facebreaker666 

Instruments: 8/10    Vocals: 9/10   Originality: 6/10
Overall: 7/10

FAIRYTALE ABUSE – “Perversions of Angel VI” (Blistering Records)
    Style: Blackened Death Metal
    Origin: Denmark
    Steve’s Review: Do you smell that? That’s right; there is no bullshit here just fresh, reinvented Black Metal. I truly love it when bands in the Black Metal genre aren’t afraid to embrace other genres, like Death Metal, and create original, rare sounding music. Fairytale Abuse does exactly that with 2007’s ‘Perversion of Angel VI’. Some would argue if this is truly Black Metal but that is exactly why I couldn’t have enough of this album. I have never before heard of Fairytale Abuse but this album ripped right through my ear canals and replaced the crap I’ve been listening to with some truly aggressive Black Metal. The Black Metal genre has bands like Dimmu Borgir and Enslaved worrying too much about sounding pretty but Fairytale Abuse isn’t afraid to make brutality their priority and then add the pretty crap later. The drums bash right through the mix you can hear everything and it all sounds amazing. They are some of the most innovative drums I’ve heard and probably one of the best things about this album. When you hear rock beats you are sure to have some crazy fills mixed in and when it’s time to thrash the drums blast through with unrelenting aggression and speed. The rhythm guitars are melodic at times and technical as ever when they need to be. I absolutely love the leads and it’s hard not to hum the tune with them while listening. The bassist does what he needs to do and not a whole lot more but I really like the fact that you can actually hear him, that’s a rare thing in metal today. Fairytale Abuse delivers pure ass-kicking brutality and it’s common with more aggressive Black Metal bands like that to simply remove synth all together but I like the fact that Fairytale Abuse uses keyboards to add effects that improve their overall brutal and evil sound. They don’t rely on elaborate string arrangements because they are all about the beauty of their aggressive, evil, melodic Metal. Standout tracks are ‘Vivid the Blood Ill-Natured’ with its grooves and simplistic song structure and the epic closing track ‘Our Glorious Revivification’. Like I said before I could not get enough of this album and I keep listening to it over and over. Revelation VI is an album that you will play over and over again. It’s not everyday that Black Metal offers something that can destroy some Death Metal bands.
www.fairytale-abuse.com - www.myspace.com/fairytaleabuse

Instruments: 9/10 ;   Vocals: 9/10 ;   Production: 8/10
Overall: 9/10

FAITHXTRACTOR – “Razing The World Of Myth” (Aphotic Records)
    Style – Blackened thrash
    Origin – Cincinnati, OH
    Dion’s Review - Regrets? Yeah, I have ‘em. Like this one. I’ve been putting off reviewing FAITHXTRACTOR for about a month now, and simply because of the name. It sounds like the name of a collective of 16 year olds jamming it out in their garage and this name won out of “FaithExtractor“, “Killing Stuff“ and “Stabbing Downward“. Sorry guys, but that’s the impression that I got.
    Impressions aside, though, these guys are pretty fucken awesome. Ash and Marquis Thomas classify ‘emselves as straight-up death metal, but to me they sound like awesome old-school thrash with blackened edges. Well-roasted metal. I never once got bored with this album, and I have to say that the other Aphotic release I’ve reviewed, TME was the same. I think Aphotic are onto something, and we should stick with ‘em. FAITHXTRACTOR remind me a lot of early Slayer. “The Metal Blade daze”, but with better production… obviously, this is a 2008 release. Mix that with some Kreator, awesome, unpretentious black metal, a bit of melodic death, with the old-school thrash being predominant and you‘ve got a top-notch metal release. Yet with all these old-school sounds coming through, the find creative ways to combine and arrange them. I don’t get the impression of these guys going back to their roots - they’ve stuck to their guns the entire time - and don’t seem to be that brand of thrash that’s “we’ll play thrash ‘til we get fast enough to play death”, either. With a somewhat broad genre-base, everything seems to fit together. It doesn’t seem forced, and it’s all well-executed. The vocals are cool, but not really breaking any new ground, which are from both members. Ash also having credits for drums, bass and guitar, all of them talented as hell, and Marquis being accredited for guitar and “vokills”. The upside of this being a new-release in an old-school theme, is they’re not wasting time with massive “wank-fest” guitar solos. I don’t mind them, SLAYER being my favourite band, but come on. It’s awesome for shit to get to the point, too. In fact, nothing seems to drag on for this CD.
    I think that if you’re into all kinds of extreme metal from the early years, you’ll love this album. Look out for these guys touring the States with Estuary, and a summer European tour with TME as well. “Enjoy Razing The World Of Myth. It’s metal’s great new look with the flavours you know and love“.
    www.myspace.com/faithxtractor , www.aphoticrecords.net

Production: 8/10;   Originality: 7/10;   Instruments: 9/10;   Vocals: 6/10
OVERALL: 8/10

FALL FROM GRACE – “Sifting Through the Wreckage” (Bunk Rock Music)
    Style: Alternative/Punk Rock
    Origin: Seattle, Washington
    Steve’s Review: When I prepared myself to review this record I must admit I saved it for last. Everything from the name of the band to the way the band looked all screamed ‘DO NOT LISTEN’. I popped the record in and tried with all my might to get through the entire disc. Surprisingly I made it alive and the following is what I think about the torture I had to endure. Fall From Grace is your typical mainstream alternative rock band. I honestly don’t know how, but they managed to beat 7000 bands in the Bodog Music Battle of the Bands and from that they won a record contract with Bodog Music, now known as Bunk Rock Music, a name the surprisingly fits the bunk music this band plays. ‘Hated Youth’, the first track on this record, Sounds like every other song you’ll hear on your mainstream rock station. This is nothing new, nothing great, and definitely nothing worth listening to. ‘King of Lies’ managed to annoy the hell out of me with it’s more than simplistic structure and the extremely annoying leads, if you would even call them leads since they are more like additional noise. It was on this track that I noticed that the vocalist sounds extremely close to Melissa Etheridge even while looking as emo as he possibly could. The 3 chord progressions found in this song aren’t really surprising and typical of mindless musicians. Next came the track ‘Wake Up My Friend’. Besides being a really lame song title, this song is even lamer for ripping off the guitar tones, the drum rhythms, and even the vocal style of Weezer, a lame band to begin with. Next, here comes the thrashing tune of ‘The Last Straw’. They really decided to tear it up here with some super cool double bass rhythms and fast guitar riffs. If you can’t sense my sarcasm then please note that I’m not serious. While ‘The Last Straw’ may be the heaviest track on the record it has trouble keeping up with bands like Disturbed and simply proves how horrible this band can really be. Less than halfway through the record I started to feel jittery and began to crave my metal fix like some kind of junkie. I was feeling extremely tortured by this cliché-crap music and at this point I was wondering if I would ever make it through. The next 2 tracks, ‘Burned’ and ‘Destroy the Champion’ are watered-down crap that we have all heard on the radio but I started feeling sympathy after hearing their choppy guitars, misled bass lines, and drumming a five year old could play. I realized it’s not really these guys fault that they suck so much. They won a battle of the bands. It’s the idiot responsible for them winning and then signing them who should have his head bashed in, not Fall From Grace. I really can’t help but to say that the rest of the record sounds pretty much like the songs I have described above. The musicians should be worried about playing music instead of making noise. On a more positive note, if there is any stand out track on this record it has to be ‘This Sickness’. I actually enjoyed this track with piano accompaniment. It really reminds of something that Sentenced would have written and something along the lines of their ‘Killing You, Killing Me’. Just depressing, hard rock that makes you wonder about suicide. If I didn’t already feel like shooting myself from the rest of the album I would probably say it’s a good tune. Besides copping off of other bands and creating a bland style of crap I don’t really think Fall From Grace has too much going for them and they should highly reconsider not writing anymore music in the future.
www.myspace.com/fallfromgracemusic - www.fallfromgrace.us 

Instruments: 5/10;   Vocals: 4/10;   Production: 8/10
Overall: 6/10

FALL OF EDEN – “Dawn Of A New Age” (Sonic Wave Int’l)
    Style: Melodic Death Metal
    Origin: U.S.A.
    Taylor’s Review :Fall Of Eden has no shortness of melody and catchy integrated riffs to latch onto. In their biography they reference Iron Maiden, which I can see in their guitar phrasing, but I can see a stronger comparison to melodic death metal bands, Ablaze My Sorrow, old- Dark Tranquillity, and Sins Of Omission.
    This Chicago based band has talent and strong musicianship, but it is shrouded by a poorly recorded album that leaves Fall Of Eden a little behind of their full potential.
This recording makes for a good demo, I hope though that Fall Of Eden takes the extra time and money to enter a quality studio to fill out their sound some more. I can’t wait to hear more from this band, if they keep at it they will get the recognition they are looking for.  www.fallofedenrock.com  www.justrockerpr.com/fallofeden  www.myspace.com/fallofedenrock

Instruments: 9/10 Vocals: 8/10 Originality: 7/10
Overall: 8/10

FIFTYWATTHEAD "Fogcutter" (Signed by Force Records)
    Style - Doom/Sludge
    Origin - Canada (Ontario)
    Darren's Review - I am quite the fan of slower, experimental, yet aggressive band like Mastodon, High on Fire, ISIS, Transmission0, Bison B.C., etc. (just to name a few!) When I found Fiftywatthead in my inbox, I thought this album would feel right at home in my collection judging by name alone...to my surprise, I was exactly correct. Fogcutter opens with max horsepower on "Whiteout". Which is a perfect way to describe the track. The vocals are clean with distorted overtones, the guitars thick and rugged. As the album progresses, the tempo and mood slow down a bit, but not the heaviness my friends. The band isn't reinventing the wheel, rather making subtle tweaks to improve performance. The eight track epic is filled with mostly lengthy tunes spanning in the five to seven minute range. The highlight for me was the closer "Followed by Thunder", which again seems to be the perfect song title. Any fans of aggressive, atmospheric, sludge metal deserves to check into them. Yet another great one from Canada! www.myspace.com/fiftywatthead

Production/Engineering: 7/10;   Originality: 7/10 ;   Instruments: 7/10
Vocals: 7/10     Overall: 7/10

FIGHT AMP – “Hungry For Nothing” (Translation Loss)
    Style – Heavy metal/punk/hardcore
    Origin – West Berlin, NJ
    Dion’s Review - Damn! JANE’S ADDICTION are pissed!!! Well… if you use your imagination they are. Hungry For Nothing sound like JANE’S got lessons from Utah grinders GAZA, and then went and slapped a sound-engineer around like he were a red-headed step-child ‘til he agreed to record them. This is aggressive, hardcore hard-rock.
    This CD seems to have an uncanny mix of crisp sounds with a somewhat fuzzy production. I wasn’t kidding when I mentioned a likeness to GAZA. You can hear everything that’s going on with this recording, hence the “crisp” impression that I’m getting, plus the down-tuned, ponderous aural assault that definitely puts the point across that they’re unhappy about a couple of things. The bass is heavy as hell, with a slight distortion - whether that’s an effect or just that his goes up to 11, I’m unsure - with a guitar harmonising a lot of the time, but with the other guitar hanging back and doin’ chords. Drums are just steady, solid and portray the overall “ponderous” feeling damned well. Vocals are okay, too. Nothing particularly special, but it sounds like he got vocal lessons from Perry Farrell, with some other yelling styles thrown in to give variety. All of this doesn’t seem to speed up, or slow down all that drastically. I’m not saying they’re the same tempo and time-signature the whole time. There’s just no extreme diversion from what they do.
    FIGHT AMP is an odd band-name, but if you can get over that, they’re actually a decent hardcore/heavy metal outfit. If you like your hardcore clean and your punk talented, then they’d be for you. Put this on when you’ve got a job you don’t like doing, but have to do it steadily. Like dishes, sweeping, or pretending to care when the neighbour complains. You definitely don’t want to seem too excited.  www.myspace.com/fightamp , www.fightamputation.com

Production: 8/10;   Originality: 7/10;   Instruments: 7/10;   Vocals: 6/10
OVERALL: 7/10

FIR BOLG - “Paganism” (Unsigned)
    Style: Celtic Black Metal
    Origin: France
    Steve’s Review: In times of old myths and legends the Fir Bolg were people under slavery in Greece. They set forth to invade Ireland which was the home of their ancestors the Nemedians. Today Fir Bolg is a one man Celtic Black Metal band officiated by Vocalist/Guitarist Dagoth from French Black Metallers ‘Assacrentis’. After many years experience of writing and performing for ‘Assacrentis’ Dagoth decided to create a Black Metal band that would focus on the story of our ancestors before the time of Christianity. This mini-cd ‘Paganism’ is an excellent listen with good production. The lyrics focus on myths and Celtic legends while the music is second-wave Black Metal with a darkened atmosphere and acoustic folk elements. The entire disc reminds me of old Satyricon and Darkthrone and is just the type of Pagan Metal that makes you want to down a church. I really enjoyed the ‘oldschool’ Black Metal feel where the music focuses more on vocals, guitars, and drums rather than large keyboard arrangements. While there are some keyboards on this recording, you will find that they are strategically placed in parts to simply create atmosphere. Even though this CD is one the best Black Metal releases I’ve heard in a while, the drumming could be better and falls short of what could have made this release near perfection. It is often quite sloppy and takes from the mood that the rest of the music creates. With that being my only complaint, I’m very pleased to hear that in a world full of commercial Black Metal that true Black Metal still reigns supreme. Now knowing that, I’m eager to hear what Fir Bolg has in store for the future. www.myspace.com/firbolgtruepagan  

Instruments: 9/10;    Vocals: 9/10;    Production: 8/10
Overall: 9/10

FLESH - "Worship the Soul of Disgust" (Pulverised Records)
    Style: Death Metal
    Origin: Sweden
    Heather's Review - If primitive death metal is your style of choice , than this is the band for you. The music is raw, the vocals are indecent, and the style is completely ruthless. With tracks like " Sadistic Penetration" and "Feast on the Soul" this solo project by Pete Flesh (from DECEIVER, THROWN, and MAZE OF TORMENT) will make your ears bleed for more. Produced by Pulverised Records and recorded by Tagtgren at the Abyss Studio (Hypocrisy, Dimmu Borgir, and Marduk), this album steers away from the technical sound that is often heard nowadays and concentrates on delivering raw brutality. I would recommend this to any fan of death metal and metal alike. You will not be disappointed. For more info on the band go to www.myspace.com/peteflesh.

Originality: 7/10   Vocals: 7/10   Production: 8/10
Overall: 7.3/10

FORBIDDEN SON - "Arise" (EP)
    Style: Metal/Rock
    Origin: Ireland
    Heather's Review: If there was ever a band out there that just genuinely wanted you to hear their music, Forbidden Son is that band. They offer the EP for free. All you have to do is send them an email that they have on their myspace site (Yes, I am going to make you to to their page and look for it!) Now, often when bands are just giving cd's away, usually they are doing that because they can't find anyone that likes it enough to want to buy it. That is not the case with Forbidden Son. They are a very talented band with a very melodic vocalist. Dynamically, they were right on. They have a unique style and are good at what they do. It is a combination of metal, rock, some progressive metal, and even a bit of jazz. They have a great song variation and will definitely keep you interested. They have been around since 2005 and have other cd's out as well. Check them out! They can be found at www.myspace.com/forbiddenson  or www.forbiddenson.bebo.com.

Originality: 7/10     Vocals: 9/10     Production: 9/10
Overall: 7.7/10

FORESHADOW – “Nations Of Failure” (Blastzone Entertainment Group)
    Style – Thrash/metal
    Origin – Tampa, FL.
    Dion’s Review - If I had written this review after just the first spin of Nations Of Failure, I would’ve dubbed FORESHADOW “musicians of failure”. I wasn’t exactly gonna tear them a new’n, but I was going to be harshly critical. But, the disc somewhat grew on me. I’m still not saying I’d rush out to buy this CD, but that’s simply ‘cause it’s not my thing.
    The first thing I noticed about these Floridians was that their vocalist kicks arse. He has a decent mid-low and a damned good mid-high. He doesn’t have a scream as such, but his natural range is in the upper mid anyway. Plus he has a voice that carries spoken-word really well, and used effects and panning creatively; not too often, and in the right places. After this, the music settled in; the drummer’s decent, with a couple of really creative parts; the bass is too loud for a bass-player that follows the guitar; and the guitar solos are plentiful and really not that good. I mean he’s better than me, but not a single soul has heard me solo anyway… unless you count when I was learning the “Come As You Are” solo way back when, which I wouldn’t. The production’s not that good either, resembling demo-quality more than it does full-length release. I have to say it suits them on the second spin a lot more than it did on the first. There are some interesting parts, I have to say, and some pretty good chord progressions, and it’s all kept moving aggressively in the right direction by the vocals. There’s a drum-solo-ish moment that I really don’t like in “Obstruction Of Justice”. Ignoring the fact that I just don’t appreciate drum solos, the drums sound fake; whether through triggering, sampling, or being a decent-sounding electronic kit I don’t know, but it becomes apparent in the solo.
    That being said, I don’t normally relinquish advice all that often, considering it a mild form of arrogance; preferring to approach from the “humble” angle. But here it is: Drummer, keep the blasting up; you do it well, and it lends an arse-load of aggression. Bass-player, drop the pick and become a bassist. I know you want to… or turn down a little. Guitarist, drop the solos and write more heavy-arse riffs into the songs; you do ‘em so well. Vocalist, err… have a beer and think of more shit that pisses you off.
    You don’t have to listen to me guys, most don’t, but that’s my two cents. Now I just have to hunt down three hundred and forty-eight more cents, and I can get myself one of those beers.
www.myspace.com/foreshadow76 , www.myspace.com/blastzoneentgroup

Production: 6/10;   Originality: 6/10;   Instruments: 7/10;   Vocals: 8/10
OVERALL: 6.5/10

FOR THE SUFFERING – “For The Suffering” (Crash Music)
    Style: Melodic Death Metal
    Origin: New Mexico
    Steve’s Review: From the minute you start the record to the minute you finish it your ears tingle with euphoria. It’s not everyday that the Melodic Metal movement releases something with a fresh new take. For the Suffering takes it back to the ‘old school days’ when bands like At The Gates slayed the crowd and other bands like In Flames didn’t suck complete ass. What they also do is add a more modern take to the Melodic Music I love. Vocalist Kierston Graham bellows out a deafening growl that punishes Angela Gossow of Arch Enemy fame. Kierston’s vocals are what surprised me at first. On the first track ‘The Revolt’ Melodic Metal starts kicking my ass with fast drumming and riffing and of course Kierston’s amazing vocals. I must admit that later in the track when Kierston jumps out there with her clean vocals I got to say they don’t do the band any justice. This band stands out where others fail. With influences like Arch Enemy and Machine Head you see the band moving from brutal Melodic Death Metal to parts where they try to play on the Nu-Metal or Metal-Core movement with clean vocals and slower guitars that just don’t cut it for me. I think this band should stick to what they do best which is annihilate the listener with talented and original drumming.
    Drummer Marty Williamson does a great job with the slams and fills you would normally find on any Melodic Death Metal album but also adds excellent blast beats and double bass rhythms you wouldn’t normally expect from a band like this. Not once did I hear any sloppy drumming and that’s a plus. The guitars are handled by Dave Williamson and while the leads aren’t the most innovative and definitely don’t compare to anything the big guy’s can do, Dave delivers great sounding riffs with good picking and chord progressions. I had trouble hearing the bass at times, played by Bryon Little, but as a Metal head I realize that pretty much common in all genres of metal. What I did hear Byron play, he played with aggression adding the extra low-end that is a prerequisite of any Metal. One of my favorite things about this band and this record is the production. The drums cut through the music like a knife cutting through flesh making this an album easily enjoyed. The guitar tone is great, although typical of most Melodic Metal Bands, and it really does remind me of greats like At the Gates. Besides the clean vocals that stray me away from the true aggression of this band, For The Suffering is definitely a Band and disc that you must pick up.
www.forthesuffering.com – www.myspace.com/forthesuffering

Instruments: 9/10;   Vocals: 8/10;   Production: 9/10
Overall: 9/10

FRACTURE POINT – “Inherit The Downfall”
    Style – Metal
    Origin – Arizona (USA)
    Mike’s Review – I like this band. They found a creative formula that makes them sound really original without having to invent a new genre. It’s cool finding what strange off-beat things some bands come up with. But, sometimes I need to hear things close to homebase too.
    This is metal. Very aggressive metal! But, there’s a twist. Their music is both talented AND catchy. That’s a deadly combination. Any band that can find away to combine the two without being a bunch of pussies or totally copying another band should gain quite a few fans. They have already roped me in. We even got them on our Adrenalin Rush Vol. 2 compilation. An adrenalin rush is exactly what they provide. Deep & screamy vocals, blasting drums, shredding guitars. Yeah. This is a great find. Go buy their CD…..or at least check them out!

www.fracturepointmetal.com – www.myspace.com/fracturepoint 

Vocals: 10   Instruments: 9   Production: 10   Originality: 7.5
Overall:9.0 (out of 10)

FRANKENBOK – “The Last Ditch Redemption” (Prime Cuts Music)
    Style – Heavy metal
    Origin – Melbourne, Australia
    Dion’s Review - My first thought? These blokes should be called FRANKENBEARD. Or BEARDENBOK. I haven’t seen this many big-arsed beards in one place since that Santa convention that left me rocking myself and sucking my thumb in the corner of a toilet-cubicle for several hours. They haven’t all got huge beards, but all have face-fungus in one form or another. I swear I can see their roadies peeking out at me from under a couple of the larger specimens.
    But moving right along. I’ve actually seen FRANKENBOK; when they supported SLAYER in Melbourne in 2001... I think. The Last Ditch Redemption is this Aussie outfit’s fifth release, but it seems quite different from their impression on me in a live setting. Back then, FRANKENBOK somewhat reminded me of early MR. BUNGLE, with a little less whackiness and a little more heaviness, but this CD is definitely not what I’d expected. I haven’t kept up with this band, and I was a little distracted at the show, avoiding MACHINEHEAD fans, and waiting for SLAYER to kick my arse, so I guess I shouldn’t have had any expectations. This release is actually a concept EP, with four songs, and five sample-tracks, about a bloke who realises he’s a bastard, and tries to redeem himself for bein’ a bastard by saving assorted loved ones, before realising his biggest challenge is not reverting back to his old cuntful ways. I think there’s something in that for all of us. This is awesomely produced, with everything being crisply evident, the talent of the band aiding in the production quality. This is fairly straightforward mid-paced metal, with some thrash tendencies, all in a verse/chorus/verse chorus/solo/verse/chorus kind of arrangement. Kinda reminded me of InVitro a teensy bit, actually. I don’t know why, but there you have it.
    I’d say you don’t have to be an Aussie, or have a beard to enjoy this CD, but seeing as I‘m one, with the other, it might‘ve helped. This EP’s available, as well as their recent full-length Murder Of Songs, from both the band‘s and label’s websites, linked below. www.myspace.com/frankenbok , www.myspace.com/frankenbokmusic , www.primecuts.com.au 

Production: 10/10;   Originality: 7/10;   Instruments: 8/10;   Vocals: 8/10
OVERALL: 8/10

FROST - "EXPERIMENTS IN MASS APPEAL" - (SPV/inside Out)
    Style - Prog Rock
    Origin - United Kingdom
    Rob's Review: I gotta say, I've always been a fairly big fan of most things Progressive just because most of the time it’s just different than a majority of what’s out there now. Although, sometimes it can be a bit of a chore to get through some of it, prog at least dares to be different and concentrates on songwriting a little more. The downside is the pompous nature of it at times with all the long winding epic numbers. These days anything over six minutes is too long for this dude. In Frost you get the very best of what prog can be. Yes the songs do get a little lengthy at times but the variance of ideas and resourcefulness of the musicians doesn’t allow the songs to get long winded or boring. Musically, this is some very polished and well thought out material that really seems to bring you to a good place while listening. There's sort of a serene atmosphere to it all. And that’s not to say it’s a completely melodramatic piece of drivel. There are those moments of soft passages that send you into some downright dreamy states but there are great amounts of heavy change ups as well. The vocals, I think have a great responsibility in the overall feel though. Very subtle at times and as smooth as creamy Jif. Reminds me a little of Ty Tabor from Kings X but with more of a refined style and feel to the voice. Really fits the music perfectly. I've liked these guys ever since their 2006 release "Milliontown" and have become even bigger a fan on "Experiments in Mass Appeal". The later seems to be a little less aggressive than its predecessor but with the same amount of texture and dynamics. Maybe a little mellow for this crowd but well worth the shot if you have an open mind.
www.frostmusic.net - www.myspace.com/planetfrost 

Production: 10/10,   Performance: 10/10,   Originality: 10/10,   Vocals: 10/10
Overall: 10/10

THE FROST/BLACK FIRE – “split” (Nerbilous Productions/Kerzakraum Records)
    Style – Black metal/Black metal
    Origin – Croatia/Columbia
    Dion’s Review - This is the first time in my short career with the Adrenalin Metal Union, that I’ve wanted to not review a CD. Not just an “I’ll pass it on to So & So ‘cause they’re into this genre”, but an “I’m going to hurl this fucken thing into the biggest, hottest fire I can find and laugh uproariously about it when I tell my grandkids”. Black metal’s always had a very loose approach to production quality. That’s not a problem in the slightest. Some awesome albums (in any genre) have a shitty production, and you can get past it. It’s just a little more extreme with black metal. But many well-received and highly-praised BM releases have sounded like an infuriated Fraggle squealing whilst he strangles his least-favourite “Chihuahua Of Most Evility” while his band, recording at the bottom of a slimy, half-filled well (I guess they’re on a pontoon?) are playing absolutely nothing, but as fast as they can. With that said, how fucken bad do you have to be for me to call you bad black metal? It’s like being called “The Crazy Jackson”, or having “the ugly genitals”.
    This CD’s two EPs. The first five tracks is Between Ice And Fire by Croatia’s THE FROST, and the second half - six tracks - is Illucescit Mortis Jesu by Columbia’s BLACK FIRE. I thought THE FROST were pretty bad. The bass was too loud, and the drums (by a session drummer) were off time a lot. Guitars and vocals didn’t seem too bad. Everything but the drums are performed by Gorgoth, and he seems somewhat talented. I still thought the recording wasn’t all that good, but I got over it. And then it clicked over to track six, and BLACK FIRE’s half begins. It made THE FROST sound like Grammy-winners by comparison. You could barely hear the guitar, and there is no bass to speak of. The drums are so fucken terrible. I thought they were a drum-machine at first, but they just could not keep time and were so staccato, that they have to be either over-sampled drums, or on an electronic drum kit. They completely took my focus so I have no idea what the vocalist was like before I had to stop the CD.
Really, you should just check them out for yourself. I may have been a little harsh, but I’ve never had to stop a CD I’m reviewing before. It’s possible that I could’ve enjoyed this if I was a rhythmless, tone-deaf masochist, but I’m not. And I’m assuming that you aren’t either.

www.myspace.com/gorgorthefrost , www.myspace.com/blackfirehorde
www.nerbilous.org ,

The Frost - Production: 4/10; Originality: 2/10; Instruments: 3/10; Vocals: 3/10
Black Fire - Production: 4/10; Originality: 2/10; Instruments: 0/10; Vocals: ?/10

FRAISE – “A New Beginning”
    Style – Heavy Metal
    Origin – Sweden
    Dion’s Review – Well, Fraise’s bio states that they were spawned in the year 2004, therefore making them retro-metal, as opposed to being classified as ‘survivors’ of the pre-2000 heavy metal movement. Friends 2 and 3 on their myspace are Helloween and Queensryche, which pretty much says it all. But seeing that I’m a long-winded Aussie with an extensive vocabulary, I intend to embellish. And besides, you don’t like short reviews, do ya? Nah. Didn’t think so.
    My first thought was that the word ‘fraise’ was something Swedish for “first” or “front”. Something valiant like that. But after checking an online Swedish-English dictionary, with no satisfactory results, I just fell back on the familiar dictionary.com. The first result was most definitely the appropriate one: “Fortification. a defence consisting of pointed stakes projecting from the ramparts in a horizontal or an inclined position.” It makes sense, considering the other options were a feminine article of clothing resembling a ruff from the 16th century or a 19th century variant of a scarf.
    Fraise, I can confidently tell you, couldn’t give a rat’s arse about what old ladies are wearing around their necks. They sing (and I mean ‘sing’ in the literal term’) about death, dying, and the afterlife, as well as touching on mythology. All fairly metaphorically, of course. Early-Queensryche and Iron Maiden are obvious influences, as well as - my wife insists - Bon Jovi. Fraise really aren’t bad. With damned good production, and professional packaging, these guys should make a bit of a name for themselves - even if people are going to argue about what the correct definition of that name is.
    All I can say is that Fraise are most assuredly not a brandy distilled from strawberries despite what dictionary.com tried to tell me! Up yours dictionary.com! You can just suck my male chicken; rooster!
    Wait a minute. That doesn’t sound right…
    www.fraise.se , www.myspace.com/fraisemetal 

Production: 9/10;   Originality: 3/10;    Instruments: 7/10;   Vocals 5/10
OVERALL: 6/10

THE FUCKING WRATH – "Season Of Evil" (Goodfellow Records)
    Style – Southern rock/Punk
    Origin – Ventura, CA
    Dion's Review – You know what? If I really wanted a high-pitched ringing in my lug-holes, I'd cuddle up to a chainsaw for a day or so and give myself tinnitus! In my opinion, feedback should be accidental, not a performance. And it really is a terrible way to start off an album. But then, it doesn't go on for all that long, and it's only an intro. And as you're aware, intros have a way of moving onto bigger and better things, which is what I should also do.
    The Fucking Wrath. Weird name. Even weirder song-titles. Serious music. In the first track alone, entitled "Ride The Lighter" ("what the… ?") they shoot from irritating feedback, to ponderous swamp-rock, into flat-knacker punk. If you're not an Australian, or haven't been exposed to our "unique" way of expression, "flat-knacker" is pretty bloody quick. If you're into those two genres of music, then there really isn't anything about these lads to dislike. The vocals are mid-range yells which don't have to adjust all that much as they shift from their southern feel to high-energy punk. The music's toe-tappingly straightforward with the southern feel blending with punk rock much better than I could have imagined. But then again, I've been accused of lacking imagination before, so GET OFF MY BACK!!! However I can, for some strange reason, picture bearded crawfish-trawlers in sleeveless flannelette shirts, mohawks a-blazing, facial piercings a-glinting, leaping through the windows of a re-creation General Lee on their way to the next gig.
     So if you're into DOWN, Minor Threat, Artimus Pyledriver, S.O.D, 'Gator-huntin' and slapping around minorities whilst wearin' big boots, then The Fucking Wrath are right up your stinky, muggy bayou. Serve obnoxiously loud, with a cold whisky-sour and 'skeeter-bites. www.myspace.com/thefuckingwrath , www.goodfellowrecords.com  .

Production: 7/10; Originality: 6/10; Instruments: 8/10; Vocals 7/10
OVERALL: 7/10      G

GEISHA – “Die Verbrechen der Liebe” (Crucial Blast)
    Style – Experimental/alternative
    Origin – Bristol, UK.
    Dion’s Review - That’s got to be one of the most difficult style descriptions I’ve had to decide on for a review, and I still don’t feel all that content with it, to be honest. These brits are GEISHA, and their MySpace URL is GeishaNoiseResearchGroup. ‘Nuff said, eh?
    Die Verbrechen Der Liebe is six songs in 60 minutes and are, as far as I can tell, porn-themed. Track titles are “Prelude to Amber Pays the Rent”, “Stop Talking, Let's Fuck”, “A Wilderness, Except by Sight”, “Cocktown & The G Boys”, “Sportsfister” and “Theme from Diana”. I couldn’t swear to the porn theme, but that’s what I’d guess. And it‘s a very avant-garde approach if it is. Musically the tracks are a distorted recording of a hodgepodge of styles. Experimental explains it, as does “progressive” and “downright nutty”. There’s a lot of ambience and a lot of moods which leads to mood swings as well; aided by the intermittent, highly-distorted vocals. The production’s pretty good, although it resides almost continuously in the red, which I’d have to imagine is exactly what the band wanted. As much as the sound sizzles, you can still hear everything that’s going on that you need to. It’s not really something you sit down to listen to with the intention of paying uninterrupted attention to, but more a ‘soundtrack for you goings on’. You can listen to this and get your day-to-day stuff done as well… like writing reviews. Good thing for me, huh? There’s nothing about this to dislike, except maybe the direction these blokes are trying to take you.
    If you were to play CDs from THE MELVINS, PINK FLOYD, JET and MR. BUNGLE all at once, and placed that awesome stereo lovingly into an empty metal rubbish-bin, then… you’d probably do your fucken head in. But if you’re head’s already “in” and that notion didn’t scare the voices out of your head, then you’d probably really get what GEISHA are doing, and the noise they are researching. www.myspace.com/geishanoiseresearchgroup , www.freewebs.com/geisha , www.crucialblast.net 

Production: 8/10;   Originality: 7/10;   Instruments: 7/10;   Vocals: 6/10
OVERALL: 7/10

GET THRASHED - The Story of Thrash Metal (DVD)
    Darren's Review - As a documentary junkie (as some of you well know), when I first heard about this project - I was already drooling. Get Thrashed is the brainchild of Rick Ernst (Producer) who got his start as an intern during the Riki Rachtman Headbangers Ball era, and Rat Skates (Associate Producer) from OverkilI. I feel that I was pretty up to speed on the history of thrash, as I lived a part of it. What the movie clearly indicated was I really didn't have much of a clue. I learned so much about the history, regions, worshipped "classic thrash" albums, and even some acts I had never heard of. The film was beautifully assembled with tons of informative interviews from the people that ate, slept and shit thrash! Members of Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer, Megadeth, Exodus, Sodom, Death Angel, Stone Sour, Pantera all featured, not to mention many more. I was mesmerized and wore a smile the entire length of the film. The soundtrack of course is phenomenal. The DVD also features an additional 90 minutes of bonus footage. I don't want to give too much away, but trust me on this! Mandatory viewing for any metal fan, worldwide. Hell, even if you aren't a metal fan it can be appreciated. In fact, I am fucking going to watch it again right now!

Running time: 99 minutes

www.getthrashed.com

Overall: 10/10

GHOULS - “Until it Bleeds”
    Genre - Death Metal
    Origin - Italy
    Baird’s Review - This thing says promotional copy. It’s a cdr in a single fold paper sleeve with the album art and track listing, stuffed in a little plastic envelope. It doesn’t have the album title listed, and If I were any lazier I wouldn’t even bother looking it up on the internet.
    Well, besides my complaints about the packaging I can’t find anything really bad to point out here. This isn’t the most original recording I have ever heard, but cookie cutter death metal it is not. These days when everything is metal/hard/crap-core it is good to see bands still playing brutal death metal and looking the part, instead of playing “ken doll” for a record label. The composition is a bit repetitive, and a I have a striking suspicion that their guitarist(s) listens to a lot of Necrophagist. The bass sounds is really good, and so do the drums. I really don’t like the guitar sound, but I think this is probably more of a personal preference than a production flaw. I would guess they were recorded on mesa boogie heads, and there just isn’t a lot of gain in the tone.
    In closing, if you like the old school death metal sound, this disk will suit your preferences. www.myspace.com/demonghouls 

Production 8/10 Musicianship 7/10 Vocals 8/10 Originality 5/10
Overall 7/10

GNAW THEIR TONGUES - "An Epiphanic Vomiting Of Blood" (Crucial Blast)
    Style: Doom/Black
    Origin: Netherlands
    Taylor's Review: The introductory track on this release, "my body is not a vessel, nor a temple, it's a repulsive pile of sickness" captures the overall emotion of this release in it's title alone. Thick distorted sound waves of Gnaw Their Tongues make the air thick around your head, and fill your soul with a sense of uneasiness as you take a trip into the darker aspects of your psyche.
The over-lapping of screams and operatic vocals contrast each other, but join into a sickening choir of putrid musical devourment. As the trip progresses the weight of this beast pulls your mind down into murky soil soon to be a vast orgy of all that breeds depression and discontent. Fingernails began to claw at your fleshy imprisonment, not for relief, but to be driven further into madness. Low crunching atmospherics with subtle string orchestrations laden with black metal shrieks. Gnaw Their Tongues is the grimness that creeps up your skin and digs deep to reveal the rot within.

www.crucialblast.net - www.myspace.com/gnawtheirtongues  www.gnawtheirtongues.blogspot.com

Instruments:6/10   Vocals: 5/10   Originality:9/1
Overall:7/10

GOJIRA - "THE WAY OF ALL FLESH" - (Prosthetic Records)
    Style - Melodic Death
    Origin - France
    Rob's Review: I am slowly growing very fond of France lately. Not sure what’s going on with the rest of that country but the dark seedy part is pumping out some very inspiring talent in the music world. I feel somewhat ashamed that this is the first time I'm hearing anything from this glorious band called GOJIRA since they've been ruling France and probably half the world since 1996. I should have my metal credentials suspended for that little gaffe. These guys sound like a mix of Meshuggah and Morgoth to me. I think the Morgoth comparison involves the vocals which I didn’t really like at first but the more I listen the more they are kicking my ass. They have sort of an airy death grind feel to them yet fairly audible and consistent. Really fits the music which has that awesome disjointed Meshuggah riffing like running a buzz saw through a knotted piece of wood with railroad spikes jammed through it. And tighter than a nuns...well...you know. C'mon this is a fuckin family metal zine! Anyway, this masterpiece called "The way of All Flesh" could quite possibly be one of my favorites of the year and is going to make me run out and experience the GOJIRA past a bit. Maybe I can then reclaim my suspended Metal Head license and not feel so bad about myself. You should do the same. If there are those of you out there that need a little more push, preferably by gunpoint, to get you to listen to something (gasp!) new and different other than all the other sheep like bands out there, then here you go; Randy Blythe of Lamb of God also makes an appearance along the way on the song "Adoration For None". Not that they needed his help but they picked probably the best song to include his services. One of the many "best" songs on the disc. Please forgive me Metal Godz-illa for not recognizing the greatness of GOJIRA long ago. I shall not fail you again with my ignorance!
www.gojira-music.com - www.myspace.com/gojira 

Production: 10/10   Performance: 10/10  Originality: 10/10   Vocals: 10/10
Overall: 10/10

GOLLUM - "LESSER TRAVELLED WATERS" - (Self Released)
    Style - Grind/Prog
    Origin - North Carolina USA
    Rob's Review - This is some crazy stuff. Very experimental , this is. GOLLUM (not to be confused with the 118 other bands by the same name - one of which has been reviewed here in the past) is part grind, part industrial, part prog, part old school metal, part Dodge Dart...you get the picture. Mostly instrumental through a majority of the songs with the maniacal pieces forced in until they fit the crazy puzzle GOLLUM has birthed. Just when you think you've figured it out, they throw you a curveball laced with crybaby wah guitar solos over killer thrash riffs right out of the mid 80's. But then its right back into the voiced sound samples and sporadic death or scream-o vocals. This reminds me a bit of the Intronaut/Anubis Rising vibe in parts, the more I listen. It may be a lot of things but it definitely isn't boring. Lots to chew on here and there is a lot of gristle in this meat. There's even an acoustic instrumental thrown in to really throw you off the cliff. There's something here for everybody I think and that's something to hang your helmet on in my book. If you're on the search for something completely different your search has ended with GOLLUM...the 119th.   www.myspace.com/gollum - www.justrockpr.com/gollum  

Rating: 9/10

GORED – “Incinerate The Vanquished” (Forever Underground)
    Style – Death metal
    Origin – Sequin/San Antonio, TX
    Dion’s Review – With all the different genres of metal there are, and even the sub-sub genres of death metal there are, I was surprised to hear just some straight up death! Turn of the millennium death. I actually - probably a little arrogantly - thought I was beyond just death metal. With the ‘death/grind‘, ‘blackened death‘, and ‘somewhat overcooked death with a twist of electrified booby-thrash on a bed of zesty hatecore’, it’s easy to forget that at one time there was just “death metal”. Consider GORED a much-needed reminder.
During the first couple of tracks, I couldn’t really get behind Incinerate The Vanquished. My pomposity and “stiff upper-lip and all that hmm-wot” was preventing me from making the arduous climb from atop my high horse. GORED grabbed me by my ears and, not at all gently, wrenched me back to reality. Unadulterated death metal is still alive; wretched, reeking and rotting. Though this CD was released two years ago, it hearkens back to a time of at least five years prior. It’s production is a tad muddy and makes it sound older (or younger depending on your school of thought) than it’s contemporaries, I think, and it definitely reminds me of why the hell I jumped into death metal in the first place. So that my long hair and poverty-inspired kneeless jeans made sense. Oh - and the brutal music too.
    GORED is definitely for you if bands like ANGEL CORPSE, CANNIBAL CORPSE and a third mid-’90s CORPSE-band are consistently finding their way into your CD (or dare I say “cassette“?) player. All Forever Underground releases are available through Epitomite Productions.
www.myspace.com/gored , www.myspace.com/epitomite 

Production: 6/10;   Originality: 4/10;   Instruments: 7/10;   Vocals 6/10
OVERALL: 6/10

GRAND SELMER - "God's Only"
    Style - Rock/Alternative
    Origin - Göteborg, Västra Götalands län-Sweden
    Crystal's Review - You can't tell too much about Grand Selmer as their main Web Site is not currently running any longer and their Myspace page doesn't give you much information except a few pictures and some video. Also the article on recording of their demo is only in Swedish which I am not fluent in. Other than that the 6 Song demo released in 2008 sounds like the a bit like the Foo Fighters with a Psychedelic touch added to it. I would consider them to be a grunge type of band that hasn't been around for very long. The band sounds okay though. Hopefully they will add some more news in English along the way. I would be interested in knowing a bit more about them.
www.myspace.com/grandselmer 

Production: 6/10   Originality: 6/10   Instruments: 7/10   Vocals 7/10
OVERALL: 6/10

GROTESQUE – “Museum Of Human Disease” (Prime Cuts Music)
    Style – Technical death
    Origin – Perth, Australia
    Dion’s Review - So, as the ‘origin’ states above, this is the Aussie GROTESQUE. Don’t confuse them with either the Finnish, Swedish or American outfits (they‘re the ones I could find. I‘m sure there‘s more). To some extent they’ve asked for the confusion, or any band that has a horror word as their name. But whatever. There’s only so many words, and only so many ways you can warp or commingle them into a band name. There’s a few GROTESQUEs, a DISGORGE or two. The world keeps spinnin’… for now.
    So I’m sittin’ here, letting these Aussies’ debut full-length kick my arse. It’s a very even mix of technical, sweeping death metal, and just balls out brutal death metal. I find myself constantly thinking of them as a mix of CATTLE DECAPITATION and ORIGIN. The CATTLE… more a musical comparison, while ORIGIN is more a lyrical/theme comparison. They wax intellectual on things related to the universe and theories of said universe - and death and disease (it is death metal after all) - while they technically progress through 11 songs. I have to say that this band is tighter than a Scotsman’s money-clip, and the technicality is more in the actual riffs than they way they’re arranged. That’s not to say that they don’t fling out surprises. I’d just say that the technical aspect of GROTESQUE’s music is dominated by discordant chords (“dischords“?), bizarre trills, plenty of artificial harmonics and a fair smattering of sweep-picking more than whacky amounts of repeats, mathematical time-signatures and inexplicable tempo-swings. The vocal styles are mixes a little, but all in the low ranges, and the production’s more in the vein of brutal death metal, lacking the polished crispness of most technical death; not necessarily a bad thing, just a thing. The drums sound a little “slappy” for me, but it’s a damned good sound otherwise, and this CD will definitely make it onto my hard-drive and CD rack.
    If you‘ve got a penchant for bands such as SUFFOCATION, CATTLE DECAPITATION, VISCERAL BLEEDING and DECREPIT BIRTH , this CD’s probably for you… just make sure you purchase the right CD. If the bloke you buy it off says “G’day”, “Crikey” or “Aveagoyamug”, he’s more than likely not Finnish.  www.myspace.com/grotesqueaustralia , www.myspace.com/primecutsmusic

Production: 7/10;   Originality: 8/10;   Instruments: 9/10;   Vocals: 9/10
OVERALL: 8/10

GROUND OF RUIN – “Cloaked In Doctrine” (self-released)
    Style – Thrash/black/folk
    Origin – Carlow, Ireland
    Dion’s Review - It’s kind of hard to take angry Irish people seriously. It always sounds affected. Even when their threatening you, they sound cheery about it. “Oi caahght you hoompin’ me woife, no Oi’m goona foock you in yoor arse wit moi machete!” If you want angry-soundin’ look to Russians, or the Scots. A Scottish gentleman could be offering to split his lotto-winnings with you and you’ll cringe away from him covering your face. I’m not gonna make any cracks about them being a miserly race of people and quite unable to split said winnings with anyone. I heard that a Scot bought a complete stranger a beer once.
    GOR pull off pissed pretty well, though. Fairly aggressive thrash fronted by angry vocals, mostly in a croaky black metal high, that are regarding religion and its leaders, and GOR’s*to put it mildly*distaste towards them. Cloaked In Doctrine is a twenty-three minute, four-song EP, with one of the tracks being an acoustic guitar/cello instrumental intro with wind blowing in the background. Pretty nice sounding, although I’ve always enjoyed the dulcet tones of the cello. The other three songs are the thrashier side of black metal (or the blacker side of thrash metal?) with some definite folk-influenced note progressions throughout. This EP was not hard to sit through, in fact, I really wish it had more material on it. This is these Irishmen’s fourth release, the other three being two demos and a single/promo. Their bio says they’ve worked tirelessly since 2003, but it obviously hasn’t been in the studio. Not that I blame ‘em. Recording sucks arse. When they did hit the studio, they were ready. The music’s tighter than a man’s pre-machete-abused anus with an awesome production. They should be proud of their, and their engineer’s, studio-work. I am. GROUND OF RUIN actually remind me a fair bit of TME with some SATYRICON thrown in there. Not sure if they were influenced by those bands, but I hear similarities.
    If you’re into thrash and black metal, buying this EP would be putting your hard-earned dosh to good use. Before you purchase, however, you can check out tracks at the links below.   Top of the mornin’ to ya!
www.myspace.com/groundofruin , www.bebo.com/GroundofRuin 

Production: 9/10;   Originality: 6/10;   Instruments: 9/10;   Vocals: 8/10
OVERALL: 8/10

GRUESOME STUFF RELISH – “Horror Rises From The Tomb” (No Escape Records)
    Style – Early death/grind/horror
    Origin – Asturias, Spain
    Dion’s Review - “GRUESOME STUFF RELISH”. It’s a damned cool name. Sounds like something an Ebola-riddled zombie would request on his hotdog at a charming little diner in Dis. Or something you’d intentionally create to smother your in-laws’ (if all goes well) last meal.
    But this isn’t what GSR are about at all. I’m sure they love their in-laws… if they’ve got any. This early 90’s death-influenced grind outfit are all about the 50’s - 80’s Italian horror films that they’ve grown up on since they burst from their respective parents’ wombs. Formed by members of REPUGNANCE (the Spanish one), and heavily influenced by bands such as IMPETIGE, ENTOMBED and CARCASS, these lads hearken back to pre-millennium death, grind, horror and gore. With catchy, down-tuned riffage, simple, easy-to-follow drumming (recorded on a zebra-print kit… another lost 90’s phenomenon) and unassuming bass (duties shared by the guitarists in the studio) they grind through the album smoothly. The lyrics are screamed, roared, yelled, growled, and even pitch-shifted, and are as simplistic as the music that backs them up. Sometimes I like my grind whacky, unpredictable, and harder to pick than a broken nose. But sometimes, just sometimes, I like my grind cruisy. Smooth and creamy, if you will, without the chewy chunks of odd time-signatures, syncopation and virtuosity. I’m not saying that Horror Rises From The Tomb is in any way boring. There’s a couple of cool thrash solos, and an awesome sliced-throat gurgle at the end of “The Dead Will Walk The Earth”. But overall, it’s simple. Like listening to BLACK SABBATH after pummelling yourself with CRYPTOPSY. Both bands still kick arse. GSR is a breath of cryptic air. This whole album reeks of death, blood, rot and the grave. Song-titles such as “Love Goddess Of The Cannibals”, “Z Is For Zombie” and “Feast Of The Tribe” conjure mental images of all the bad (or good) horror movies you’ve ever weathered.
    If you’re into 90’s death, grind and horror films, then this CD’s for you. This should be sold with a packet of popping corn, and those 3D glasses that we all love… nowadays.  www.myspace.com/gruesomestuff , www.noescaperecords.com  - www.myspace.com/noescaperecords

Production: 8/10;    Originality: 6/10;   Instruments: 8/10;    Vocals: 8/10
OVERALL: 7.5/10 H

HATRED - "Blasphemous Deliverance" (Deity Down Records)
    Style - Metal/Death Metal
    Origin - Netherlands
    Heather's Review: Formed in 1999, this band from the Netherlands is very brutal, but keeps a melodic edge. This band is great for fans of death and thrash alike. Dynamically, the band is great, and lyrically, they are all about anti-religion. The supporting back-up vocals and movie-based intros keep you interested, and the heavy unpredictable riffs leave you wanting more. I could do without the first track, but loved all the other ones. By the end of the cd, I wanted to hear more. With an old-school approach to death metal, combined with a thrashy edge, Hatred is definitely one to check out. Find them out at www.myspace.com/hatredholland  or www.hatred.nl

Vocals: 8/10   Production: 8/10   Originality: 8/10
Overall: 8/10

HEAD ON COLLISION -"Ritual Sacrifice" (Beer City Records)
    Style: Thrash/Metal
    Origin: St. Louis, Missouri
    Heather's review: If you are into thrash, then this is the band for you. It is loaded with straight-forward, aggressive riffs, precision drumming, and fantastic vocals. They somewhat reminded me of a cross between Kreator and Slayer. Mind-numbing riffs are ongoing throughout the cd beginning with the first completely instrumental number "Arise From The Wreckage". Melodic rhythms, tempo changes, and good lead guitar solos (not over the top, just down-right aggressive), make this one that all thrash fans should have in their collection. I'm certainly glad it's in mine! Production of the cd was also well done and the cover art was drawn by Joe Petagno (who worked with Motorhead as well). Make sure you check them out. You will not be disappointed. More info on them can be found at www.myspace.com or through www.beercityrecords.com

Production: 8/10   Vocals: 8/10   Originality: 6/10
Overall:7.3/10

HELLVETO - "966" (Pulverised Records)
    Style - Symphonic Black Metal
    Origin - Poland
    Taylor's Review - Through numerous listens soaking in the music from the one-man band Hellveto the album "966" failed to really hold my interest. The instrumentation is well crafted, but doesn't contain many hooks or secure melodic ideas to hold you in the aura of the song. The songs have an almost jumbled quality to them, perhaps through to many ideas crammed into the structure of the riffs. The other thing that lost me is the production that has a very dry sound making for a hard listen. I can see a lot of potential in Hellveto if his ideas take on a more solid and set nature in his songs.

www.myspace.com/hellveto or www.pulverisedrecords.net

Instruments: 5/10;   Originality: 6/10;   Vocals: 4/10;
Overall: 5/10

HEOROT -"Ragnarok" (Stygian Crypt Productions)
    Style - Viking Metal/Folk/Troll Metal
    Origin - Finland
    Heather's review - I have come to the conclusion that Finland kicks major ass in providing us with some of the best metal I have ever heard. Heorot is, without a doubt, one of the best up and coming viking metal bands out there. The music itself is a combination of folk and viking metal. The music, more than just guitars and bass (piano,flute), adds to the cultural feel that both folk music is commonly associated with. Some songs are soothing and very melodic, while others just make you wanna grab the nearest ax and start swinging, giving the music a viking metal edge. This is a great band for anyone into Finntroll. I loved the vocals. Both the clean and the higher pitched vocals were right on. The dynamics of this band excelled as well, adding so much to the theme with their melodic changes and musical variety.
    The band, throughout their hardships, (the vocalist and founder of the band, Teemu "Modsognir" Ollikainen passed away in 2006) are well one their way to becoming one of the most powerful viking metal bands of all time. Teemu would be proud!
The band also has 2 other demos that you can check out as well. Find them at www.heorotband.com or at www.myspace.com/heorotfolkmetal

Production: 10/10    Vocals: 10/10    Orginiality: 10/10
Overall: 10/10

H-GEORGE - "Neurotic" - (Unsigned)
   Style - Trash
    Origin - Italy
    Rob's Review: H-GEORGE is a dude spending way too much time trying to sound like Jeff Waters and look like Kane Roberts. I thought bare-chested unmuscular electric twanger fellas were reserved for 80's metal. I guess it is making a comeback but I didn’t know it came in the form of drunk Italians who can’t write songs (Wow, this is starting off well. I hope he doesn’t send the mob after me for all this). I'm sorry but this is some pretty unimaginative stuff. H-GEORGE has billed itself as Alcoholic Thrash Metal so I'm sure you get a pretty good idea of what spins their wheels. Very little redeeming structure to these four merry melodies of rough riffage other than seemingly spending the better part of each song trying to get to the next Annihilator inspired idea. Usually there’s a time and place for any style of music but I really can’t think of one for this. Maybe while massaging your grannies swollen bunyans. Or possibly bangin the babysitter. But definitely not any other time. Unless thoroughly trashed. Which is maybe the idea here. If so, they may have succeeded in their quest for world domination. If not, just picture you or your buddy's first high school metal band and you have H-GEORGE.
www.h-george.com  - www.myspace.com/hgeorgemetalbeer 

Production: 6/10    Performance: 4/10    Originality: 3/10    Vocals: 4/10
Overall: 4.25/10

HOLY MOSES - "Agony of Death" - (SPV Records)
   Style -Thrash
    Origin - Germany
    Rob's Review: After the over twenty years of existence for HOLY MOSES I have to say this is the first time I've ever heard them. One thing is certain though, this is the strangest sounding vocals I've heard from a female in a while. Sabina Classen reminds me of a million other obscure below average MALE thrash vocals from the 80's. A lot from the same country these guys hail from. Crazy. Never saw that coming. But you do seem to grow accustom to them after a while. Aside from that the music definitely has its roots firmly planted in the 80's thrash craze that is recently experiencing a long awaited revival this time with better production techniques and resources at their disposal. The line-ups within the band have changed quite often over the years with Sabina being the sole survivor since 1986. Countless bassists, guitarists and drummers later (including at one point Danny Lilker), she has recruited a nice cohesive outfit that sounds to be perfect for the new chapter of the band. That good ol' thrash feel is abundant all through "Agony of Death" and gets you feeling nostalgic as it sinks into your leathery metal tempered skin if you were lucky enough to live through the first incarnation of this mayhem. By now you’re almost in your forties and reliving your glory days through faded pictures and puke stained jean jackets littered with patches, pins and specially designed tatters and tears. Those were the days. I'm liking HOLY MOSES the further I get into the CD and I think the Sabina machine is beating me into submission. A good lesson in listening to the whole body of the work before forging that ever impressionable opinion. I think I will investigate the early works a little further to see what they knew back then. You should do the same, starting with this one.

www.holymoses.de  - www.myspace.com/holymosesgermany 

Production: 10/10   Performance: 10/10   Originality: 7/10   Vocals: 7/10
Overall: 8.5/10
 

HOT BUTTERED ANAL – “Please Kill Me”
    Style – Punk/Rock
    Origin - Rhode Island (USA)
    Mike’s Review – This old-school punk rock band with humorous sick and twisted lyrics consists of Bob Cocks (gitar/vocals), Chris Cornhole (drums, background vocals), and Ziggy Drynuts (bass). Join them as they sing about gay cowboy robots, true love, freedom for the lobsters, daddy’s banana boat, and more. The vocals are crazy and psychotic. The music is fitting for the theme. And the whole album is there to remind you not to take life so damn seriously. Ready for a Dead Kennedy/ Suicidal Tendencies crossover on crack? Check these guys out. www.hotbutteredanal.com or www.myspace.com/hotbutteredanal 

Vocals: 9   Music: 9   Originality: 9   Production: 10
Overall: 9 (out of 10)  I

IMPIETY - “Dominator” (PULVERIZED RECORDS)
    Style: Blackened Death Metal/2nd Wave Black Metal
    Origin: Singapore (Bedok Central)
    Steve’s Review: Impiety’s Dominator is a prime example of how the brutality of Metal with never die. This ‘Barbarian Horde’ has been at the front-line of the Singapore Metal scene for 18 years ripping fans apart with their Blackened Death Metal. Dominator starts out with ‘battle-like’ strings and hellish chanting, add a battle scene complete with the gallops of war-steeds. When the chaotic drumming begins you know that these guys know what they’re doing. I enjoyed the EP with it’s ‘throaty’ black-death vocals spewing blasphemies over ‘thrashy’ and fast-paced powerchords accompanied by aggressive ‘machine-gun’ blast beats, great doublebass drumming, and catchy-fills. The leads, on the otherhand, weren’t too impressive. They feel like they take away the brutality of the music but luckily there aren’t too many and they are very short. I feel like the recording quality could be slightly better but it sounds good enough and the rougher sound compliments the early Black Metal style. This short little EP(about 15mins), featuring a cover from Brazil’s Sarcofago, rips right through you and has you begging for more. If you haven’t heard of Impiety this is a good time to start. This is a great release for any Death, Thrash, and Black Metal fans.

www.mightyimpiety.com , www.myspace.com/impietyofficial

Instruments: 8/10;   Vocals: 7/10;   Production: 6/10
Overall: 7/10

IN AETERNUM – “Curse Of Devastation” (Pulverised Records)
    Style – Black Metal
    Origin – Sweden
    Taylor’s Review - This is band I had lost contact with when Necropolis Records went under. I am tickled bloody to see the band still bringing their special brand of melodic black metal. “Curse Of Devastation” is a four song e.p. containing three new tracks and one re-recorded version of “Reaper In Black”. In Aeternum focus on molding the perfect combination between melody and a intense delivery that is a must for any band wishing to carry the black metal flag. The two guitars are put to use well through the weaving of sinisterly delicious melodies and a brutal delivery. The overall delivery of the band has not changed too much since the last time I heard them, but why change something that has been perfected already by past In Aeternum releases. A convincing display of their musical craft, “Curse Of Devastation” is yet another great release by this band.  www.pulverised.net www.inaeternum.com - www.myspace.com/foreverblasphemy 

Instruments: 9/10   Vocals: 9/10   Originality: 7/10
Overall: 8/10

INNER SURGE – “An Offering” (Cyclone Records)
    Style – Progressive metal/hardcore
    Origin – Alberta, Canada
    Dion’s Review - I knew I’d bloody-well find them! I knew if I stuck with it, my purely fictitious hunt would pay off! PISSED OFF CANADIANS!!! Some told me they were just a myth. Others went even further and told me to give up my search. But I persevered, and I prevailed. So to those naysayers… “nerner nerner ner ner!”
    INNER SURGE. Can’t say I like ‘em, to be honest. My Ma told me that if I can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all. That would just make for a laughably short review that would leave you and I unsatisfied, though. She also told me that if at first I don’t succeed then try, try again. And I always do what my Mummy tells me. These progressive metallers are damned good musicians. When I say I don’t like ‘em, it in no way suggests that they’re bad. They just don’t do it for me. An Offering is inspired musicianship, with some creative song-writing all served on a bed of crystal-clear production. There’s some whacky arrangements, surprising acoustic bits and pieces, and a lot of clean-tone vox, which aren’t bad, but I think belong in the 80s. He shrieks okay, and yells fine, and he really does do some odd combinations. As I said, these guys are good at what they’ve chosen to do, and payed out for a sound-engineer to present it to its full potential. Lyrically INNER SURGE tackle some international and home-grown issues in the government and society at large, but I have to say that it’s just a little on the whiny side of things. I guess I can’t really call them “irate Canadians”, but more “flummoxed”, “flustered” or “disgruntled”. He gets angry and pissy at moments, but a lot of the lines, as well as their presentation are more in the vein of complaining than rage. “Indignant Northerners”?
    There are a lot of people out there who’d get INNER SURGE. It’s new stuff, with a new sound, and a lot of the tricks that fans of progressive metal would be familiar with. Just with some new twists and turns in an effort to stand out amongst a crowd. Their name doesn’t really allow for that, but if they let headlines leak out, it might lend them a promotional helping-hand. Headlines such as “Whacky Canadians actually disagree” or “Our Northern Brothers slap back… with some riffs”. Or they could just ignore me and continue what they’re doing.  www.myspace.com/innersurge , http://www.innersurge.com , www.myspace.com/cyclonerecordsca

Production: 10/10;   Originality: 7/10;   Instruments: 9/10;   Vocals: 8/10
OVERALL: 8.5/10

INQUINOK - “Immortal Dawn”
    Genre: Black Metal
    Country US
    Baird's Review - When I was 15 I bought my first black metal album, “In the Nightside Eclipse” by Emperor. To this day that album still defines my concept of “real” black metal. Heavy reverb on the vocals, Atmospheric keyboards, melodic tremolo picked guitar parts, and blast beats. It’s just awesome. You can picture goblins in your head, pillaging the snow covered country side, praising dark and ancient gods. Black metal before the bands discovered polished production, vocals lessons, and fucking sweep picking.
    Inquinok, has taken the same direction with their album “Immortal Dawn”, which is a no frills aural assault of the classic black metal formula. The production is very good for a self released title, which is becoming very common with the affordability of recording gear these days. It is nice to come across a band/engineer that knows how to use it. The guitar riffs are catchy. I have listened to the first track “Legions” three times already. The guitars sound exactly how they should, and the vocals are a spot on match for the style. My only qualm is the kick drum sound. On the fast double bass parts it “hums” and I have a sneaking suspicion that they used programming for some of the kick drum rolls, although there are no programming credits on the cd.
www.myspace.com/inquinok

Production 8/10     Musicianship 8/10     Vocals 8/10    Originality 6/10
Overall 7.75/10

INTRONAUT - "The Challenger" (Translation Loss Records)
    Style - Technical/Hardcore
    Origin - Los Angeles, CA
    Darren's Review - Intronaut has raised major eyebrows with their unique approach to metal with their previous release "Void" (See also, Null). Having myself evolved with the times embracing such recent acts as "High On Fire", "Isis", and "Mastodon", I have too found a place for Intronaut. The Challenger offers instrumental breaks at the right times and when one might least expect. Heaviness breaks way from clean, flowing transcendent gaps that quickly close with hardcore vox and punishing riffage. What I like about this release is it takes a step away from standard and dabbles in creativity. A true must these days. Evolution is natural and I am pleased to find more and more of it in the metal community. To listen to front and back repeatedly is a bit tough for me, but it doesn't mean this isn't a quality release. I encourage you if you are new to Intronaut to give them a shot. A nice add to the collection. www.myspace.com/intronaut

Production/Engineering: 8/10;    Originality: 9/10
Instruments: 8/10;   Vocals: 6/10;    Replay Value: 7/10
Overall: 7.5/10

IRONWOOD – “:Fire:Water:Ash:” (Unsigned)
    Style: Progressive Metal
    Origin: Australia
    Steve’s Review: Hailing from Sydney, Australia, Ironwood is a Progressive Metal band with major emphasis on nature and the Earth. I am going to immediately state that Ironwood is not a Black Metal band whatsoever. While they might have some Black Metal elements this original sounding band can be strictly classified as Progressive Metal. :Fire:Water:Ash: begins with the acoustic track ‘Ond Ascending’. While listening to this opening track I become extremely nauseas with the horrible vocals emanating from my speakers. The entire track, acoustic based, is not what I would have opened the record with. Just when I thought I couldn’t be any more displeased with the vocals, comes the next track, ‘The Oncoming Storm’. Over a pretty catchy guitar riff is an overly annoying tone similar to that of horrible Grunge rock. Atmosphere is definitely the strength that this band beholds as the music morphs from Metal to Folk and back again but the vocals really steal from the ethereal essence that this bands music brings to life. There are some songs that I really enjoy but once again the vocals ruin the whole feel I could have from this music. I do enjoy them much more when I ignore the vocals, but quite honestly these vocals are difficult to ignore. It’s not ever day that you hear backup vocalist’s singing much better than the lead vocalist. It’s also hard to pinpoint who is doing vocals because every musician, minus the drummer, takes part in some vocal activity. I will say whoever is doing the lead vocals needs to be fired. My attention is never fully averted to this music until it progresses to the more Blackened Metal aspects which brings me to the song ‘Jarnvidr Gallows’. This track is over twelve minutes long and begins with Dark guitars and vocals. I find myself feeling like I can actually stand these vocals until it hits the 2:12 mark. At this point I find myself struggling to ignore the annoying vocals once again as the track builds up to the heavy part that resembles a sound like Enslaved and Immortal. The guitar solo in this track starts off sounding odd then makes it’s way into frantic fretting comparable to Black Metal greats. If you rid this track, or the entire album, of the Jello Biafra sounding vocalist I would consider this a work of art. This record could have been much better and I’m not going to try to make this band sound like anything more than what it is. Opeth fans would love this album if they could get around the bad vocals and Immortal fans would love it if Ironwood didn’t foul it up with their unnecessary Folk elements.        There are many songs that I could have enjoyed but if I have to work to enjoy a band (ex. struggling to ignore really bad vocals) than most likely that band isn’t doing anything for me. There are many moments that can be enjoyed if you can make it past the bad parts but, as a whole, this record doesn’t have enough Metal for Metal fans, not enough Folk for Folk fans, and definitely a poor approach of melding the two genres for those who enjoy Folk or Progressive Metal. For a band whose name sounds like industrial strength furniture polish,Fire:Water:Ash: is not a complete utter failure, but Ironwood should definitely rethink their approach, or at least hire a vocal coach before writing anything else.

www.ironwoodsound.com.au – www.myspace.com/ironwoodband

Vocals: 4/10;   Instruments: 8/10;   Production: 7/10
Overall: 6/10

I WAS HERE - (Self-Titled Demo)
    Style - Metal / Crossover
    Origin - Italy
    Heather's Review - This 33 minute demo is heavy, the vocals are strong (the harsh vocals were preferred over the clean style), and musicianship shows that they have what it takes to make it to the next level. There is nothing that stands out, but that is just fine. Bands that want to show-off all the time kinda irritate me anyways. They have good melodic variation, and that was enough to keep my interest. I would love to hear more from them as they progress. The production was well done as was the cd artwork. If you want to learn more, check them out on www.myspace.com .

Originality: 6/10   Production: 8/10   Vocals: 7/10   Overall: 7/10   J

JEWISH JUICE – “In Memore” (self-released)
    Style – Black metal
    Origin – Tuscany, Italy
    Dion’s Review - As you can tell by the band name, JEWISH JUICE is an anti-Semitic, National Socialist (or NS) black metal outfit from Italy. I’m not going to dwell on their beliefs, because beliefs have never deterred me from anything that has decent music. I’ve reviewed and enjoyed misogynistic or racist music before. Or even bands that preach hatred to all who like metalcore, new hardcore or any other scene music. I’ve even reviewed music from a genre called rapecore. Some bands preach hate of one type or another; some don’t; I like mustard; let’s move on.
    This four-track EP is nowhere near the worst black metal I’ve ever wrapped my aural organs around. In fact, it’s actually fairly decent. JEWISH JUICE is a three-piece BM project that doesn’t incorporate any of the romantic trappings of the popular side of black metal. This is just guitars, drums and bass screamed and roared over. Hatred-fuelled BM is fairly rare for me, and good-sounding BM even rarer. I can hear everything that’s going on in this EP. The guitars progress through chords and riffs that don’t resemble white-noise in the least. The bass, while mostly following the guitars creates his own presence and the drummer stays in time, with all drums being audible. Everything’s audible. This isn’t blazing fast white noise. This is music. It’s fairly slow in comparison to its genre, and has some definite thrash flavour, and even a little death metal in the vocal stylings. Ahh the vocals! I’m just overjoyed that they don’t resemble a Chihuahua being throttled before getting dropped into a cauldron of bubbling fondue… or what I‘d imagine that would sound like. This band actually try some tricks that aren’t generically common, which I’ve always appreciated. This is probably the best black metal I’ve ever reviewed simply because they’ve tried new things, and have a decent production. I mean I can handle raw, demo-quality recordings, but black metal usually tests that to the limit. JJ have a more recent EP from ‘07 which I’d like to check out just to see if they’ve gotten even better.
My only problem with this CD would be their message. I’m not saying that I don’t dislike people. I just dislike them because of what they do, not what they are. I don’t avoid drive-through attendants because they’re drive-through attendants. I just avoid them ’cause they keep screwing me over and are terrible at their job. I mean, how bad do you have to be to get labelled terrible in an industry that hires you on the premise that you’re slightly more helpful than an ambulatory coma patient?  www.myspace.com/jewishjuiceband , http://jewishjuice.cjb.net

Production: 6/10;   Originality: 8/10;   Instruments: 7/10;   Vocals: 7/10
OVERALL: 7/10

JOHN DX - "Wastelands Nation" (Unsigned Demo)
    Style - Death Metal
    Origin - Poland
    Jeremy's reviews - Okay, from what I understand, this is no longer just John DX. It appears that he has formulated something called Individual Monoxide, which is completely different from the demo I'm spinning now. Despite what you are about to read, I encourage anyone interested in technical style death metal to check this guy out, because he has obviously improved since I got this demo. Very simply put, this demo is a very rough sounding mix. All of the instruments are done by (Lukasz "Johnny" Sputowski) himself, and the concept here represents a post-apocalyptic land, and the man incorporates some various effects and "proggish" (dare I use such a term?) ideas that may need a little more clarifying. The music doesn't seem to flow or mix quite as pleasantly, but the concept may yet work with some additional talent behind the drums and bass. Now, as I preview the website, I'm intrigued quite a bit more. The sound is a bit better and the mix flows better. Individual Monoxide, as it is currently, is a work in progress and something to keep tabs on in the future.
www.myspacecom.com/johndx 

Production: 4    Performance: 5    Originality : 5
Overall: 5/10

JOHN WILKES BOOTH - "Sic Semper Tyrannies"
    Origin: New York
    Style: Rock
    This 4 member New York based band rips it up on their 15 song EP with Rage Against the Machine style riffs with a bit of a Soundgarden style added to the mix. You could say they are a bit old school stoner rock based with a unique twist. Their main theme is based on the American stage actor "John Wilkes Booth" who assassinated Abraham Lincoln in 1865. The CD cover is also genuinely neat as it's cover is a penny reading in Rock We Trust. The band abides by a strict "no-pay-to-pay" policy, refusing to financially compensate venues in order to be added to the bill which is pretty killer to say the least. If your into Rock it would definetaly something worth checking out. Recorded at 54 Studios -www.myspace.com/trak54  You can check the band out at:
www.myspace.com/jwilkesbooth  and www.jwbooth.net  

Originality: 9/10;    Vocals: 7/10;   Instruments: 8/10
Production: 9/10;   Overall: 8/10 K

KAMELOT - "GHOST OPERA" - (SPV)
    Style - Power/Prog
    Origin - Florida, USA
    Robs Review - I first discovered these guys back around 2000 when they came out with The Fourth Legacy, their fourth album and second with vocalist Roy Kahn (who they recruited from a kick ass Norweigen metal band called Conception). Now, to get into a sound like this or most prog/power bands of these days, you almost had to have had at least some affection for some of the over-saturated melodic hard rock that came from the 80's scene. Because vocally it seems to follow somewhat of the same pattern albeit without a lot of the cheese factor of that crazy decade. For this reason, a lot of your hard-core metal heads hate this stuff and I'm convinced its the vocals. Roy Kahn fits this mold perfectly with his soaring and operatic delivery. But in my opinion, cheese factor opinions or not, he's easily one of the most polished and crystal clear performer in recent memory. With "Ghost Opera", the band's ninth release, KAMELOT continue down the same flawless path as past works with the trademark masterful vocal work and classically influenced yet unpretentious solid musicianship. This isn't your typical power metal though. It's very much a stripped down version with traditional timings and subtle but very precise guitar work. In that respect, it's sort of comparable to an early 90's version of Savatage, at least musically. There is very little over the top-ness to KAMELOT's sound (unless you count the production value which is, as always, top notch) and that seems to be what will ultimately be their calling card to a successful career. If there is a complaint at all it's that album to album you can hear many similar sounds, vocal phrasings and overall layouts of songs but I guess you could find that in almost any band. If it ain't broke...    www.kamelot.com - www.myspace.com/kamelot 

Rating: 10/10

KATEDRA -"Ugnikalnis" (Atra Musica Records)
    Style: Metal
    Origin: Lithuania
    Heather's Review: Meaning "cathedral" in English, Katedra has been around since 1986. With a sound like that of Iron Maiden, as well as a large fan base, this band has played countless well-known festivals. They were also the band chosen by the Lithuanian government in 1994 to represent the country in Lithuanian Culture Days. Wow. Not a lot of bands can say that! The music is very technical, and dynamically, they are very well-rounded. Vocally, it would be great to hear some more variation, but overall, I would definitely recommend them. This cd, which came out in 2008 after they signed a contract with Atra Musica records, is one of 3 other recordings that the band has made. To find out more about them, visit www.atra-musica.com or www.myspace.com/atramusica

Production: 7/10   Vocals:7/10   Originality: 7/10
Overall:7/10

KICK TO THA HEAD - “As We Think…So We Are” (Turkey Vulture Records)
    Style: Punk/Hardcore
     Origin: U.S.A.
     Taylor’s Review: In the wonderful world of American music, almost void of integrity due to mass marketing and the appeal of big business is something called Hardcore. A genre that I could be more familiar with, but I am enough to realize the drained and tired place that it resides now.
     Kick To Tha Head is a Springfield, Illinois band venturing to breath life into the genre and spread a positive message while doing so. The music itself stands uniquely on it’s own with a slight metal feel to it, and is similar to such bands as Sick Of It All and Agnostic Front. There are no fashion following antics here in sound and style, just music from the heart to take on the world. Great album  www.myspace.com/kicktothahead           www.turkeyvulturerecords.com

Instruments: 10/10   Vocals: 10/10   Originality: 10/10
Overall: 10/10

KONTRO - (Self -titled)
    Style - Death Metal
    Origin - Italy
    Heather's Review - If you in the mood for some kick-ass metal, then this is the band for you. The vocal style varies from a low death metal growl to a high pitched scream. The only part I wasn't thrilled with was the presence of the clean vocals. That is what you hear first vocally, and I wasn't too impressed. It was in tune, but it sounded like it didn't belong. It took away from what was going on, whether it was interrupting another vocal style or just the music itself. But, as you get past that, the rest is completely brutal. I heard some of the best drumming I have heard in a while. The guitar and bass brought it all together with mind-boggling riffs and melodies. I even liked the artwork that they put into the slipcover. Overall, I would definitely suggest checking them out. You can find them at www.myspace.com/thekontro  and at marco2026@libero.it 

Vocals: 7/10;   Production: 9/10;   Originality 8/10
Overall: 8/10

KREATOR - "HORDES OF CHAOS" - (SPV/Steamhammer)
    Style - Thrash
    Origin - Germany
    Rob's Review - If you haven’t heard of KREATOR yet than you for sure have a Terrible Certainty coming your way of Endless Pain and Extreme Aggression. Because they are Enemies Of God with a Pleasure To Kill and they will usher you Out Of The Dark and Into The Light to fly the Flag of Hate for metal. You will be deemed an Outcast if you refuse which will give them Cause For Conflict, for your Endorama will soon be near and you will become another victim in their Coma of Souls. But never fear young naives, your lesson well learned will be cause for acceptance and Renewel into the metal community at large and you will soon be a blood brother of KREATORS Hordes Of Chaos! (that was... A-W-E-S-O-M-E!)
    KREATOR has yet again proven that they will never stray too far (ahem...TOO far - hello...Renewal???) from the force of hateful energy that bought them the keys to the Thrash kingdom for the past nearly 25 years. Out of the big thrash three in the early 80's (including Sodom and Destruction) KREATOR is by far my favorite. I'm sure there have been many drunken arguments in stinking back alley pubs on the subject over the years but as soon as everyone figures out I'm right the better off we'll all be. It seems like the older Mille gets the closer he gets back to his heyday of "Extreme Aggression". Hordes of Chaos is one step closer but not quite there yet. Still ass kicking though with that trademark Petrozza snarl with the moshy change-ups and tried and true pedestrian solos. Definitely nothing new here but if it was there could quite possibly be some metal civil war as a result. It’s not like these guys are going to turn around and be the Scorpions. You get what you get with KREATOR and that’s just fine for everyone. Except you damn Sodom and Destruction lovers. Why don’t you just marry them...
www.kreator-terrorzone.de - www.myspace.com/officialkreator 

Production: 7/10;   Performance: 8/10;   Originality: 6/10;   Vocals: 10/10
Overall: 7.75/10

KYLESA – “Static Tensions” (Prosthetic Records)
    Style: Psychedelic / Metal / Rock
    Origin: Georgia
    Mike’s Review: Well, I gave this CD a few listens. I thought a while about how I wanted to review them. I often get overly critical on vocals and dock some major points if they suck. There are some exceptions though. Sometimes you get so absorbed into the music that you forget what the vocals even sound like. This happened to me the very first time I heard this CD. The psychedelic rock was pure sugary candy to my ears from the very second the CD begins to the very last second of the very last track. I definitely got sucked into the groove on this one. I could play this CD quite a few times in a row and still get into it. After applying a few quick slaps to my face though, I realized that I need to concentrate on the vocals as well. Some people worry way too much about vocals while others just let them blend in with the music as if it is its own instrument. Anyway.....
    Here’s a separate review for those vocals……THEY DON’T SUCK! I love it. Great music and great vocals together on the same album! What a concept! It’s hard to believe more bands haven’t thought of that. Ha ha. I find way too often that musicians seem to get so caught up on their music they don’t step back and realize that their band’s vocalist is horrible. This band has it all though. Towards the middle of the CD I think the monotonous screaming vocals got a little boring, but during the other 90% of the album (which features both male and female vocals) the variety of vocal styles compliment the music very well. I definitely get more excited over the music than the vocals, but they create a great blend together.
    If you like psychedelic-influenced music or have the need to check out a band that has the ability to control your head like a puppet and force it to bob up and down repeatedly, then this is the band for you! Just type www.myspace.com/kylesa into your favorite web browser and prepare to get a small taste of the sweetness that you will experience when you go out and buy their CD with excellent production and quality! And that’s all I have to say about that.

Instruments: 10    Vocals: 8    Production: 10    Originality: 9
Overall: 9 (out of 10) 

LAAZ ROCKIT - "LEFT FOR DEAD" - (Massacre Records (EUR)/Blistering Records (USA)
    Style - Thrash
    Origin - Oakland, California USA
    Rob's Review: Another long lost 80's metal band coming back to life for another run at the glory days of yore. I first heard these guys back in '87 or so when "Know Your Enemy" came out. It was the song "Euroshima". I still love that song to this day. This Bay area thrash was the shit back then. But with most of them coming back now, unless their name was Testament or Death Angel I pretty much left them where they died. Hence the title of LAAZ ROCKIT'S comeback effort "Left For Dead". Because that’s pretty much what I did. When I first heard of the reunion my first question was...WHY? Didn’t think they were all that popular back then to begin with. The good thing though is all the original members are back except the old drummer so it’s kind of cool in that respect but what can they possibly do to recreate a fire that really was never there aside from a little nostalgia. This one is right up there with what Exodus and Metal Church are doing now. Pretty basic familiar riffs with an updated old school feel, if there is such a thing. And Michael Coons vocals were and still are awful. Only now it’s twenty years older awful. For this reason I would stay away from songs like "Desolate Oasis" and "Ghost in the Mirror" if you knew what was good for ya. He's tolerable on the heavy material but you get him in the mellow mood and its game over. On the other hand the guitars are sounding better than ever. The solos are shredding like never before benefitting, I'm sure, by superior recording technology compared to what they had in the 80's. It’s not a bad effort overall but really, what is expected in the first place. I guess you can’t fault them for wanting to rekindle that old thrashing feeling again. I'd probably do the same.
www.laazrockit.com.com - www.myspace.com/thelaazrockit 

Production: 8/10   Performance: 7/10   Originality: 6/10   Vocals: 4/10
Overall: 6.25/10

LAHMIA - "Forget Every Sunrise"
    Style - Melodic Black Metal
    Origin - Rome, Italy
    Gus's Review - Rome, Italy, being a religious capitol of the world, isn't exactly the first place you'd expect to produce a black metal band, but there's an exception to every rule. In "Forget Every Sunrise," Lahmia combines acoustics, classic black metal, and melodic undertones to create a dark, flowing masterpiece. Each song is like a painting, with many layers and colors, accentuated with intricate solos. Each song transitions smoothly from one to the next, creating a liquid smooth listening experience that invigorates as well as calms. The only flaw on this otherwise flawless album is the clean vocals, Now, while I'm not a huge fan of clean vocals, I do not utterly despise them and I can appreciate them when properly used. In "Forget Every Sunrise," however, the clean vocals often seem random or misplaced, and the singer's delivery is far below satisfactory. Aside from that, "Forget Every Sunrise" is a nicely structured album in which each part of the band comes together to form a beautiful yet powerful machine, which I very much hope to hear more from soon.

www.myspace.com/lahmia

Originality: 9/10   Production: 9/10   Performance: 9/10   Vocals: 8/10
Overall: 9/10

LAZARUS - "The Onslaught"
    Style: Thrash
    Origin: Kenosha, WI
    Heather's Review: The first time I heard this band was when I saw them live. The live show was phenomenal. The thrash style of the music, combined with stage presence of the band, made the show worthwhile. The cd further exemplifies this bands talent. With a slightly industrial sound, this old school thrash band has excellent dynamics,extremely fast tempos, heart-pounding drums, amazing guitar solos, and vocals that will ring in your mind hours after the show is over. To top it off, the cd was mastered by non other than Testament/Death guitarist James Murphy!!!!!!!! Producer Chris Djuricic also gets tons of credit for obtaining that old school thrash feel. Anyone into metal will love this band!  Check them out at www.myspace.com/lazarus1 or www.lazarus1.com

Production:10/10   Vocals: 10/10   Originality: 10/10
Overall: 10/10

LONG PIG – “Barren” (Grindhead Records)
    Style – Grindcore/death metal
    Origin – Budapest, Hungary
    Dion’s Review - Okay, so I wanted to put the terms experimental and progressive into the style description, but I didn’t want to put anyone off of reading this review. I’m, by no stretch of the imagination, speaking for everybody, but when I read those terms in a band’s genre, it puts me off. I’ve been pleasantly surprised sometimes, but for the most part, the words are harbingers of styles of music I’d rather not expose myself to. Just like bright colours on an insect, someone carrying a bible or other religious texts, or anyone (or anything) that hangs out under bridges, the words experimental and progressive just mean “RUN AWAY!!!”.
    LONG PIG are most definitely experimenting with what’s accepted and allowed in grindcore and all its sub-genres… which is pretty much anything. I love grindcore for that reason. You can do different things and get away with it. I’ve heard grind that sounds like it was written on a gameboy. Or was simply a guy with a microphone and a guitar and amp, minus distortion. Grindcore’s just like that. LONG PIG aren’t that far out, but they’re mid-to-slow-paced grind (with blasting moments) that experiments a lot with effects, particularly on the vocals. With some vocalists, you know it’s cheating when effects are brought in, but not in this case. There’s actually two vocalists, and no bassist, with bass-credits going to the guitarist. There’s Kisz on vocals, and Vajsz on vocals/effects. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m totally over vocalists with only one or two ranges. So much more is expected from our vocalists nowadays, and I‘m definitely helping to paddle that boat. With two microphone stranglers and all their ranges, plus the effects, you’re definitely getting a lot of variety. Some amount of the time, they both sound like a variation of Max Cavalera, just to bust into some other whacky shit that you wouldn’t think possible from the same throat. The drums are tight and straightforward, without actually being boring and unpredictable. The guitarist has his whacky moments, but is definitely on the rhythmic side. A lot of chugging. A lot of licking. And he cranks out bung, disharmonious chords a lot. And I’m all over that.
    If you’re into grindcore, there’s nothing about this CD you won’t like. Having a penchant for that genre already means you’re in it the obscene, the extreme and the unpredictable. You’re definitely not in it to get the ladies or the loot. After those, obscene and extreme is all that’s left. And sandwiches. There’s always sandwiches. www.myspace.com/longpigband , www.grindheadrecords.com 
www.myspace.com/grindhead , http://longpig.uw.hu/ 

Production: 8/10;   Originality: 10/10;   Instruments: 9/10;   Vocals: 9/10
OVERALL: 9/10

LUCID DEMENTIA - "Trickery"
    Style - Hard Rock/Industrial/Goth
    Origin - Austin, Texas
    Mike's Review - I love getting a CD, reading the influences, other reviews, and still not knowing what to expect. I had a hint though that this CD was going to be something to add to my collection of regulars (I was hoping anyway). AND......and......and......in a weird twisted type of way, I was hooked on this album before I even got done listening to the third track. A ton of complicated riffs it definitely lacks. Wicked Guitar solos? Nope. Growling vocals? Nope. This is some warped gothic industrial metal bliss with a metal steak or two driven into it. As simple as their music seems at times, my brain cells keep bouncing along to the music. It's like the musical version of a cheap horror flick. You keep listening because you can't believe the artists found a way to take bit of parts of something (different styles of music) and meld them together to create an artistic compilation of sounds.
    At first listen you may compare them to Marilyn Manson, Dope, Wednesday 13, Dog Fashion Disco, and similar bands. But with the violin, flute, harp, female/male vocal combination, the slight murder/rap influence, and the theatrics of the album, I learned they are much more than that. And after looking deeper into the band, their myspace page, their lyrics, and even their photos, I realize that there is even more to this band than what I hear on this CD. I can definitely picture half of these songs showing up in a Rob Zombie type of horror flick some day.
    I am assuming that most of you who just got done reading my review are still confused and no idea what the fuck I am talking about. Well, there is a good way to figure it out. A small taste of Lucid Dementia can be found at www.myspace.com/luccidementia or www.luciddementia.com  Unfortunately, my favorite songs off this album cannot be found there but go check it out anyway!

Vocals: 9    Instruments: 9    Production: 10    Originality: 8
Overall: 9 (out of 10)   M

MAGNET SCHOOL – “Tonight we drink… Tomorrow we battle the evil at hand”
     Style - Alternative Rock
    Origin - U.S.A.
    Taylor’s Review - This album brings back fond memories of my pre-metal days full of 90’s Alternative Rock, back when good music was still on the radio. Magnet School is a solid rock group with great songs. Two of them that stand out from the already amazing cod is “XX” and “Sweetheart In German”, sticking to a rock base while dwelling in a slight experimentation zone that makes alternative rock so good.
    Magnet School will lead a musical revolution of great rock that was forgotten with such current killers of good music as Nickelback. This talented group is worth keeping an eye on, I’m sure they will have a bright future.
www.themagnetschool.com or  www.myspace.com/themagnetschool 

Instruments: 10/10   Vocals: 10/10   Originality: 10/10
Overall: 10/10

MAN OF THE HOUR – "Destroy The Machines Of Slaughter" (No Face Records)
    Style – Heavy metal/heavy metal/heavy metal
    Origin – Edinburgh, Scotland
    Dion's Review – O ye veterans of 'Eavy Fucking Me'al, unite! Ye olde forces of Evil, Destruction, Darkness and Magicks-Most-Perilous threaten to overrun all ye of the metal faith so true! Whom shall standeth 'gainst the aforementioned forces? Whom shall champion all ye faithful, defenseless metal masses?
    Enter Man Of The Hour (MOTH)!!! Rally behind thy brave protectors as I prepare to reveal them! Bud, Stevie Power, Soo C Diamond, Matt Justice and Tommy Concrete! Now hearken 'pon mine words of critique concerning these mighty Caledonian Conquerors!
    Had enough of the "Ye Olde Linguisticals" yet… -eth? I have. It takes too long to get to the bloody point and I have to use an exorbitant amount of exclamation points.
    If you are in fact a veteran of heavy metal, then you might want to check MOTH out. If you've ever jammed to Judas Priest, banged to Black Sabbath, and done the "metal-fingers" to Manowar. These guys have it all. The shouts, yells and high-pitched shrieks of " waaa-aaa-aaa-aaa"s of tried and true metal coupled with the guitar squeals a la Zakk Wylde. These Scottish Warriors Of Yore aren't so much original, as they are faithful, and they've mounted their armored steeds and joined the sudden stampede of old-school, epic warrior metal that's made a resurgence.
    Not that I'm complaining about having some new-sounding old-school (or old-sounding new-school?), but it does have the feel of bein' yet another popular fad… like chainmail armor, horseback as popular transport, the bubonic plague and other fun stuff that still pops up periodically.  www.myspace.com/manofthehour , www.manofthehour.co.uk 
www.nofacerecords.co.uk 

Production: 9/10;   Originality: 4/10;   Instruments: 6/10;   Vocals 5/10
OVERALL: 6/10

MASS OBLITERATION - "Abrahamithic Curse" (Self-Produced)
    Style - Death Metal
    Origin - Roma, Italy
    Crystal's Review - Mass Obliteration says they wanted to make their disc more experimental and I would have to say it is. Half the time I was awake and half the time I was falling asleep. The songs seemed to flow mainly towards more old school black metal and laggin more of the 'death' metal in my opinion. Overall the vocals were probally the best, production inbetween and everything else definately could be worked on better. Nice try for now guys.
www.myspace.com/massobliterationdeathmetal

Production: 7/10;  Originality: 5/10;   Instruments: 6/10;   Vocals 8/10
OVERALL: 6/10

MATSUDO - "No People No Problems"
    Style - Metal
    Origin - Sweden
    Heather's Review - This 2 song cd needs tons of work. The production is horrific. It sounds like it was recorded in a garage. There is no sense of dynamics or rhythm, and the riffs are simplified. I was somewhat bored listening to this. The music (if you listen very closely past the horrific production) sounds very much like a muffled Motorhead, also giving them a lack of originality. I would say at least something good about the cover art on the cd case, but I didn't like that either. The photo looks blurry. The only thing good about this cd was that I only had to suffer through 2 songs. If you must check them out, they are at www.myspace.com/matsudosludge  or  matsudosludge@hotmail.com

Originality: 1/10;   Production: 1/10;   Vocals: 1/10
Overall: 1/10

MECHANICAL ORGANIC – “Disrepair Part One: Permafrost Dreams” (Lockstep Records)
    Style – Industrial/conspiratorial rock
    Origin – Melbourne, Australia
    Dion’s Review - I have no idea why I was picked to review this CD, but I’ve come to a dual conclusion. Either Mike (who receives and distributes the material) sent me this because I’m Australian (I know. I know. I’m as surprised as you are!), or he just plain doesn’t like foreigners! Not the band. People from other countries. I don’t like the band either. I think Apu does “Hot Blooded” better than Foreigner ever could! But I digest…
    MECHANICAL ORGANIC are definitely not my cup of tea. I considered seeing if another member of Adrenalin Metal Union would review Permafrost Dreams, but I figured I could put across what Eddie Katz (yup, another solo-project for me) is all about, without running him out of town just because he’s doing something different. Besides, he’s only an hour’s drive away from where my Mum lives. I don’t want to offend him too much. Industrial/conspiratorial rock pretty much sums up MECH.ORG in a pigeonhole. He reminds me a lot of bad (which is always also good) 80’s rock, with plenty of modern industrial tricks thrown in. Most of the vocals are in an 80’s vein, and I reckon he’d pull of “Tainted Love“ and “You Spin Me Right ‘Round” at his local really bloody well. Well enough to win himself a meat-pack, anyways. There’s no guitars in this recording, but a distorted bass lends this CD its low-end heaviness. Techno-esque drum sampling that periodically features double-kick keep it all moving in the right direction, and may be the only tie-in with metal. There’s some awesome keyboard/piano pieces, and a whole lot of eeriness in the atmosphere. He has a lot of samples of dialogues from Daryl Bradford Smith from The French Connection. Dialogues about political situations that make him unhappy, and therefore make Eddie Katz unhappy. If you can imagine Duran Duran bein’ pissed about what their government was doing instead of what the chick next door was (or wasn’t) wearing, you might come close. As far as industrial goes, it’s talented, and therefore not as hard to sit through as most for me. You know what? That was unfair. Whatever my opinion about industrial music is, Eddie Katz is talented.
    Check out this one man, down-under project if you’re into creepy, political, synthetic heaviness. Tell him Dion sent you. We must know each other. There’s only 22 million of us, after all. Well… we may have been drunk in the same city at one time or another.  www.myspace.com/mechanicalorganic , www.mechanicalorganic.com

Production: 9/10;   Originality: 7/10;   Instruments: 7/10;   Vocals: 9/10
OVERALL: 8/10

MENTAL FUNERAL – “EP” (Horror Pain Gore Death Productions)
    Style – Death metal
    Origin – Philadelphia, PA.
    Dion’s Review – Here’s another ‘death metal Van Dyke’ album, folks MENTAL FUNERAL is Mike Juliano. Mike Juliano is MENTAL FUNERAL.. Well, he’s also Horror Pain Gore Death Productions, and probably a really nice guy to boot. I shouldn’t simply pigeonhole him like that. That’s just impolite.
    This five track EP is, as I said, a one-man project of early death metal persuasion. Four tracks are original, and a cover of AUTOPSY’s “Twisted Mass of Burnt Decay” is included for good measure. Actually, only half of the fifth track is the cover. The other half is a bizarre synth. instrumental beginning with a “jewellery box” tune with some high-pitched whining… something that leads into an uptempo orchestral movement that‘s reminiscent of a movie-theme. It’s actually quite frightening that Mike thought to include this at the end of a solid slow- to mid-paced death metal EP. I like it for it’s whacky unexpectedness, though. But the rest of the album is reasonably well-produced faithful death metal, with the odd guitar solo, low vocals and uninspired bass. It’s all fairly predictable except for Mike‘s penchant for closing an open hi-hat with the foot-pedal, which I really dig. Speaking of the drums, I can’t actually tell if the drums are a drum-machine, or Mike on an electronic drum-kit. I think it’s the latter, but I’m not ruling anything out.
    There’s not a whole lot to say about this disc. If you like early death metal, and don’t mind electronic drums and highly reverbed vocals, then you might want to check into this release. www.mentalfuneral.tk , www.myspace.com/mentalfuneralband , http://hpgd.comoj.com 

Production: 7/10;   Originality: 4/10;   Instruments: 6/10;   Vocals: 5/10
OVERALL: 5.5/10

MENTAL KILLING SPREE – “Vae Vistis”   
    Style – Deathgrind
    Origin – Germany
    Mike’s review – Brutal deathgrind.  Even though it can sometimes be far far from the truth, I view straight-forward, old-school, deep growling death metal to be more of an evil sound than grindcore or even black metal.  BUT, when you mix a little grind with your death, that is just fucking awesome!  The rumbling, the growling, the killer guitars......I can’t help but let my guts fill with this invincible brutal feeling.  I thoroughly enjoy it.  Mental Killing Spree has just kicked my ass.  Go check out their website and let them kick yours too.  www.myspace.com/mentalkillingspree 

Vocals: 9.0   Music: 8.0   Production: 8.0   Originality: 7.0
Overall: 8.0 (out of 10)

METAL CHURCH - "This Present Wasteland" (SPV Records)
    Style: Metal/Thrash
    Origin: U.S.A
    Heather's Review: Since 1984, Metal Church has delivered an impressive display of musical talent and ambition. With aggressive guitars and a melodic appeal, they have enhanced our love for metal. Today, after many albums and numerous line-up changes, Metal Church has shown that they are stronger than ever.
    Released on September 23rd, 2008, with a bunch of tour dates, the new album aims to please. With songs like "Meet Your Maker" and "Crawling to Extinction" we are reminded why we loved them in the first place. The music is still heavy, the themes are still dark, and I love the fact that they stayed true to the original style. I would recommend this album to everyone that liked the old stuff, as well as anyone that loves metal. You will not be disappointed! Check them out at www.metalchurchmusic.com or at www.myspace.com/metalchurch

Originality: 9/10   Vocals: 9/10   Production: 9/10
Overall: 9/10

MOONSPELL – “Under Satanae” (SPV Records)
    Style - Dark Metal
    Origin - Portugal
    Mike’s Review - To most fans of metal, Moonspell should need no introduction. They have been around for 15 years now. Their music has gone through transitions and has evolved over the years on a rollercoaster that brought sounds such as gothic rock, black metal, ambience, darkness, and majestic bliss. This album resurrects the roots of Moonspell. All 10 tracks on this album are modernized versions of songs that were originally recorded prior to their “Wolfheart” album (the one that turned me into a Moonspell fan many years ago). One track, “Serpent Angel”, even traces so far back, the band was still going by the name Morbid God. Regardless of all the history that can be found on this “Under Satanae”, this is an album that will be in my collection for a very long time. As a fan of Moonspell, when I first heard of the plans for this album, I thought it would be awesome. The first time I listened to it I thought it was awesome. And after a couple dozen spins of the disc, I still rank it high on my list of recommendations for metalheads to check out. So….GO CHECK IT OUT! www.moonspell.com or www.myspace.com/moonspell 

Vocals: 10   Music: 10   Originality: 10   Production: 10
Overall: 10 (out of 10)

MONGREL - “Fear, Lies, & Propaganda” (Locomotive Records/Screaming Ferret Wreckords)
    Style: Punk
    Origin: New Hampshire & Massachusetts
    Steve’s Review: I’ve said it many times before and I’ll say it again. I absolutely loathe Punk. I can’t stand the immature lyrics, the rebel attitude, and the cheesy music that most Punk bands display. In that sense Mongrel is nothing special. With a music style copped off of Punk bands like The Misfits, Black Flag, and Dead Kennedy’s, I tried to take them seriously but just couldn’t. They sound like the average punk band you can hear in any venue or washed-up bar across the world. Although I was mostly disappointed with this album that follows a dead and tired trend, I actually was able find within it some really good surprises. Like the song ‘Bound to Crash. It’s a slower less ‘punky’ song sounding more like Danzig than the Misfit’s and I actually enjoyed rocking out to this one. The next song ‘Shut Up, Get Dead’ was just odd. It didn’t flow like the other songs but skipped from Blues to Punk then to Rock and left me feeling extremely dizzy. The rest of the album is sporadic. There are Some more pleasant surprises like the Guns and Roses inspired songs ‘Houdini Act’ and ‘Immolation’ but add the other cliché punk crap and it’s back to utter disappointment for me once again. To sum it all up Fear, Lies, & Propaganda is a slightly better release than what the average Punk band has to offer with clever lyrics, guitar work, and bass lines but other than that it’s just another punk release that everyone has heard already. www.myspace.com/mongrel  

Instruments: 5/10;   Vocals: 5/10;   Production: 5/10
Overall: 5/10

MOTORHEAD - "MOTORIZER" - (SPV)
    Style - Classic Metal
    Origin - UK
    Rob's Review: It's 'eavy me'al blokes. Damn. Motor'ead is back. How old is Lemmy now sixty something? I tell ya what he hasn’t lost a step. In fact he and his band sounds better than ever on this one. It’s been a long time since the Ace of Spade days but MOTORHEAD has aged like a fine wart...oops...WINE, and even seems to have really brought in a little more groove to their music much more so than the early days in my opinion. Was never a huge fan but I always appreciated them for what they brought to metal and where they stand in the history of it. I can’t imagine all the images (wonderful, deranged and otherwise horrific) stored over the years in the head of Mr Kilmister. At least in what brain cells are left. What is there to say about MOTORHEAD that hasn’t already been said? It would be easy for a band like this to ride on the coattails of its name and reputation and get complacent. Fortunately, unlike most genres, this seems to be a pretty rare occasion in metal. Bands like MOTORHEAD are around this long because they stay true to what has worked for them and respect what the scene has done for them and the rest of the metal world (cue patriotic background music now). Rise from the gutters of society and jack those fists and studded arm bands in the air in triumph fellow metal veterans and pledge allegiance to the immortal devil's chord. Amen.
www.imotorhead.com  - www.myspace.com/motorhead 

Production: 9/10    Performance: 10/10   Originality: 7/10     Vocals: 10/10
Overall: 9/10
 

MOTORHEAD - "Better Motorhead Than Dead - Live at Hammersmith" (SPV)
    Style - Rock and Roll
    Origin - UK
    Darren's Review - Motorhead has done it all. Influenced some of today's most powerful metal acts, toured relentlessly, keep pounding out album after album, and their biggest accomplishment...over 30 fuckin years or rockin and rollin! Live at Hammersmith was recorded in June of 2005, in front of a sold out rowdy crowd ready to celebrate. The two disc set is exactly what one would expect, loud, rude, in your face rock and roll. The audio quality and mix is top notch. The band was on that night and sounded like they were having a blast. The fact that they have been blessing their fans with album after album and tour after tour for so long is such a giant accomplishment, one can't say enough. In this industry, longevity is the ultimate. I am not the biggest Motorhead fan, but am very pleased with this release. There are some great tunes on here and this is an album that a new rock and roller who isn't familiar with the legendary act can get into right away. Another solid release from the mighty Motorhead!

http://www.imotorhead.com/ or www.myspace.com/motorhead

Production/Engineering: 9/10;  Originality: 9/10;    Instruments: 9/10;  
Vocals: 8/10     Overall: 8.75/10

MY FATE - "MMVI"
    Style - Metal/ Melodic Metal/Aggressive Metal/Thrash
    Origin - Finland
    Heather's Review: Plain and simple, this band kicks ass. There is nothing about this band that I didn't like. The vocalist( Jukka Ruostila) does it all. From growling to screaming, he pulls it off with ease. He somewhat reminded me of Phil from Pantera. With the added combinations of fast riffs, heavy bass lines, heart -pounding drums, and melodic themes, My Fate is ready to blow you away! Not only does the music kick ass, but the band as a whole kicks ass as well, allowing their fans to download this EP for free on their website www.myfateband.net !! The band also has other cd's out (a total of 4 other ones). The band has been making music for 7 years. Seven years of passion that has paid off! Check them out at their site or at www.myspace.com/myfateband

Vocals: 10/10;    Originality :10/10;   Production: 10/10
Overall: 10/10

MY OWN GRAVE -"Unholy" (Pulverized Records)
    Style- Death Metal /Thrash
    Origin-Sweden
    Heather's review- After hearing this cd, all I wanted to do was play it again! The main style is death, but the thrash dynamics kept me coming back for more. I don't normally choose any song over another, but the last song titled " Cross after Cross" blew me away. The vocals are typical death style, but his range goes from the low growl to high pitched evil screams. The riffs are heavy and distinct, and the drumming was nothing short of brutal. The production (by Pulverized Records) was very well done, as well as the cover art, a depiction of a graveyard mirrored with a church down below. (the cd portrays the cover art as well). This band put time and effort into their music, and it has paid off! The band also has 5 other cds dating back to 2001. I would recommend this band to everyone! Underground metal lives on!!! Check them out at www.myspace.com/myowngraveyard or www.myowngrave.com

Originality: 10/10;   Vocals: 10/10;   Production: 10/10
Overall: 10/10

MYSTIC GRAVE - "DOOM, DEATH,DARKNESS" - (Unsigned)
    Style - Blackened Death Metal
    Origin - Finland
     Rob’s Review: At first listen MYSTIC GRAVE is a pretty pedestrian effort with a sub-par recording, below average vocals and a lack of fire and originality in the writing. But then that’s the technical reviewer outlook. Like having Rolling Stone reviewing The Toxic Avenger. Of course everyone knows that Adrenalin is the sister company for Rolling Stone so...OK maybe not. But you get the idea. Do you ever notice that sometimes when you actually get to know and are somewhat intrigued by the behind the scenes of a certain band that might not be that attractive of a listen at first they somehow appear to be better? Or at least more interesting. Kind of like if you have a buddy that plays in a really shitty band but you like them because you know what they're about and what their niche is. You go to every show because he's your buddy but because you get it when others might not (Yes Dan Marr I'm talking about Monument). Well, that is the feeling I get with this band. The deeper I dug into their myspace page the more I got it. Make no mistake it’s still pedestrian but it’s sort of cool pedestrian. Right down to the oh so darling pet black metal names and cutesy descriptions of what they do (see myspace page). Oh those little wisecrackers! All kidding aside its actually cool shit in a raw sort of way. MYSTIC GRAVE consists of two members of normal descent and one with a zombie looking devil dude descent with a perpetually angry and scary evil comic book thing going. Even the logo has a sketched on ruled notebook paper look to it. This is one of those bands that would really take off if everything was polished up and they really ran with the idea. But maybe they like the rawness of it and to be honest it might not have the same appeal if it wasnt. It may not show in the rating but MYSTIC GRAVE is worth the listen and look. Go check these guys out. They will make "wet, fierce demons crawl out of your ass!"

www.mysticgrave.com - www.myspace.com/mysticgrave 

Production: 6/10   Performance: 7/10   Originality: 8/10   Vocals: 5/10
Overall: 6.5/10 N

NADJA - "Desire in Uneasiness" (Crucial Blast)
    Style: Doom
    Origin: Canada
    Taylor's Review: Music can transcend creative boundries. If done properly it can create displays of mood engaging mental images. The mind being its own limit to fantastical journies. Nadja is emotional absolution, with no thin skinned quick fixes. Playing with your soul in a romantic but disturbing marianette freak show. The music will tame you into submission to become part of it's strangely beautiful world. Nadja's "Desire in Uneasiness" is music that is not just for listening, but absorbing. To let it slowly sink into your skin and slightly alter the already bitter taste of your tainted blood. This canadian export has created a monumental sonic boom similar to Isis, Jesu, and Earth. Nadja has music not for immediate satisfaction, but something enjoyed as a progression from sight to taste to bodily nurishment. Everything that this caliber of musical craft accomplishes. www.nadjaluv.ca - www.myspace.com/nadjaluv - www.crucialblast.net 

Instruments: 10/10   Vocals: N/A   Originality: 10/10
Overall: 10/10

NECROBLASPHEME – “Destination : Nulle Part” (Agonia Records)
    Style – Death/black metal.
    Origin – Paris, France
    Dion’s Review – On www.metal-archives.com these blokes are listed simply as death metal. I disagree with such a simple summary of what NECROBLASPHEME are about. To be completely natural with you, I was totally expecting some gross-as-all-get-out gore/grind that was going to make me giggle, puke, laugh uproariously, puke-burp, then suffer a massive case of the hiccups before looking at the cover-art and giggling with a persistent gag-reflex rising. You know, like any other Friday afternoon. But instead I get talented blackened death metal from France with some thrash undertones.
    This album’s pretty damned technical. I mean they settle into their groovy, breakdown moments betwixt note-laden riffs, but the album’s chock-a-block full of mental time-signatures that, if you’re nodding your head, would throw it completely out of whack, thereby making you look like a rhythm-lacking toss-pot. Well, that’s what all your friends would call you, anyway. The production for this CD is just as tight as the musicianship, with everything being audible except for the bass which sits low in the audible register, but can be felt when necessary. Even those massive bass-drops - or ‘sonic booms’ don’t make the music itself suffer. The guitars flit from rhythmic chugging, to some octave-harmony chording to melodic trem-picked progressions. Drums are blasting when necessary, but can lay back and do a simple beat when the other instruments step up. The vocals, while not breaking any new ground, are fairly aggressive, sitting in the mid-register with a throaty roar. They’d be the only downside to this full-length, but only in that he doesn’t really experiment with different vocal tricks. The one he does, he does to a tee, however, so it’s not talentless. Just monotonous.
    All in all, this CD’s pretty damned aggressive. If you like technical extreme metal that’s welcome in the death genre as well as black, thrash and just plain heavy, then you should definitely check into this release. Even if it’s for the massively distorted PHIL COLLINS’ “Sussudio” sample at the end of “Wounded”: it definitely left this reviewer feeling that way. www.myspace.com/necroblasphemeband , www.agoniarecords.com ,

Production: 9/10;   Originality: 8/10;   Instruments: 9/10;   Vocals: 6/10
OVERALL: 8/10

NETHERBIRD - “The Ghost Collector” (Pulverised Records)
    Style: Gothic Black Metal/Theatrical Black Metal
    Origin : Sweden
    Steve’s Review: Netherbird, hailing from Sweden, begun their careers in 2004 releasing two EP’s entitled “Blood Orchid” and “Lighthouse Eternal (Laterna Magicka)” before signing to Pulverised Records and releasing their first full-length album “The Ghost Collector”. Following the Gothic/Theatrical Black Metal style of bands like Graveworm, Hecate Enthroned, and of course Cradle of Filth, Netherbird has a very well put together album here featuring lovely female singing, deadly screeching guitars, heart-throbbing bass, nicely placed keys, a vast assortment of vocals ranging from ‘Dani-like’ screeches, Glen Benton sounding bellows, and our course very impressive drumming. While not all their songs hit me that hard the ones that do are better than anything COF have done in their entire existence, especially now. The first seven tracks of “The Ghost Collector” flow flawlessly into one another creating an epic atmosphere that makes it feel as if they were one very long song ending with dark strings of “The Beauty of Bones”. After a quick pause “Forever Mournful” begins with bells and slower paced guitars until it blasts into melodic gothic mayhem once again. The next two tracks, “Adrift Towards Eternity” and “Blood Orchid” flow from the aforementioned “Forever Mournful” creating that epic feeling for a second time. The end of this beautiful album is quite a disappointment with the last three tracks. Stealing music from other bands is a disgrace, especially when you do the same thing a band has already done. For example “Ashen Nectar” is a complete COF ‘rip-off’ especially with the familiar yet slightly altered piano arrangement at the end of this track stolen straight out of COF’s Midian.  The unnecessarily 14:06 long track “Boulevard Black” isn’t a prize either. Not only do the ‘oldman’ sounding vocals bother me but the song itself is like listening to 8 songs in one and can be very confusing. This song could have been a great 5 minute song. The album ends with a reprise of “Boulevard Black” played on the piano. It’s not a bad track but it doesn’t do the album any justice as an outro. Besides these minor letdowns “The Ghost Collector” is an excellent album displaying a bright future for Netherbird. It has definitely made me a fan and I’m sure to follow this band closely. The production is great, other than the fact that the drummer’s cymbals could be louder. Because of the ‘story-like’ arrangement of this album, it must be listened to from start to finish to fully experience the way the band intended it to be heard. An excellent listen at the top of my list. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of “The Ghost Collector” now!   www.netherbird.com , www.myspace.com/netherbird

Instruments: 9/10;   Vocals: 8/10;   Production: 8/10
Overall: 9/10

NUESTROS DERECHOS - "Struggling with the Dark"
    Style: Thrash
    Origin: Utrecht, Netherlands
    Crystal's Review: Nuestros Derechos (meaning "Our Rights" in Spanish), consisting of two guys and one girl, deliver engaged and very energetic thrashcore which sounds like a crossover similar to the '80s when punk and metal first met. With vocals coming from all three members through out and the constant fast thrash rhythm that flows together great it puts it to the top. The CD was very well produced and mastered and the cover art is pretty cool too. What more can I say but a great CD that I am happy to have in my collection and share with a few others.
    All tracks were recorded at the Bunt Studios in Utrecht, The Netherlands under the guidance of well-known producer Menno Bakker.
Mastering duties were handled by the critically acclaimed Alan Douches at West Side Music, who previously offered his services to Sepultura, Shadows Fall, God Forbid, Sick Of It All, Converge, From Autumn To Ashes, Dillinger Escape Plan, Hatebreed, and Unearth among others.
    You can check them out at: www.myspace.com/nuestrosderechos - www.nuestrosderechos.nl

Production: 8   Performance: 8   Originality: 8
Overall: 8 (out of 10)

NIGHTSHADERS - "Rougayah's Revenge"
    Style - Melodic Death Metal
    Origin - Malaysia
    Taylor's Review - One of the coolest things about working for Adrenalin
is coming across bands from different parts of the world, countries that I have heard of but could not tell you much about. Nightshaders is a death metal band from Malaysia playing metal rather well in the vein of Gates Of Ishtar, old At The Gates and a hint of Slayer. The musicianship is great and the songs are well constructed, keeping ideas flowing in interesting directions. The enclosure of a hand written note from the vocalist was a nice touch to earn them some extra brownie points as well.
    Straight forward melodic death metal that is not inventing new directions in the genre, but is not holding it back either. Check them out.

www.myspace.com/nightshaders

Instruments: 8/10;   Vocals: 8/10;   Originality: 6/10
Overall: 7/10

NOCTIS – “For Future Past” (Prime Cuts Music)
    Style – Melodic/doom
    Origin – Perth, Australia
    Dion’s Review - Ever had something that you just know is awesome, yet it’s just not for you? Like those woollens that your Nanna used to knit for you every Christmas. You just know they’re kick-arse and well-constructed, but just not your thing. Whether it’s the colour, the design, or that you just don’t like teddy-bears (no matter how many hints you drop in that direction. No Nanna! Koalas aren‘t any better!!!). Ahem! Anyhoo, I really like everything about NOCTIS… except NOCTIS. Doesn’t make sense? Then read on!
    My thoughts through the first spin of this CD was “OPETH”. That hasn’t changed in the slightest. These guys are heavily influenced by those blokes, as well as KATATONIA and NOVEMBER’S DOOM to name a few. Their production’s fairly crisp (except the kick-drums seem to distort a little when the rolls kick in). The talent’s most definitely there, as well as their songwriting/arranging abilities. They write awesome songs, and can back it up by playing them. The tempo doesn’t really change all that much, a mid-fast doom pace, but the arrangements keep it interesting enough without having to resort to whacky time-signatures and tempo fluctuations. There’s a fair share of acoustic and orchestral instrumentation throughout these six tracks. The vocalist has a decent low roar, as well as a very talented singing voice. The drums are moderate, and not too flashy. Bassist does his own thing without relying on the guitarists to do his writing for him. The guitars are both harmonious and chuggy. It’s all just not my thing. The CD seems to drag on a little long, despite only being six tracks, but I can appreciate the talent and creativity that’s put into it, and I can honestly say that they haven’t misplaced their efforts in this endeavour. And the end of the whole disc, the clicking of a car’s blinker, is actually a damned good idea. For some reason, it gives me a sense of loneliness, whether that was their intention or not.
    So, with that all said, if you’re into the bands I mentioned earlier, or just melodic, emotional mid-paced metal, I think you’ll appreciate For Future Past. Go ahead and buy it, if for no other reason than as your next Christmas present for Nanna. Make her have to fake a smile and gratefulness for a change.
Bah! Who are we kiddin’? She never liked your macaroni art, either!
www.myspace.com/noctis1 , www.primecuts.com.au

Production: 7/10;   Originality: 5/10;   Instruments: 8/10;   Vocals: 9/10
OVERALL: 7.5/10

NOISELUST - "Noiselust"
    Style - Experimental/Melodic
    Origin - Athens, Greece
    Heather's Review - When I got this cd and put it in, I was not initially impressed to say the least. The music itself had the slowest tempo I have ever encountered, and the intro was sooo long. I kept listening though, with the notion that things were going to improve. They did, but not in the way that I thought. The music was slow throughout the cd, but the dynamics of the music became very melodic, emotional, and psychedelic. I give this band credit for experimenting with the different expressions of music. The sound is heavy, but with the rhythm and the melodic overtones, the music could make it into the world of contemporary artists. But unlike a lot of contemporary bands, Noiselust brings passion. The production of the cd was manageable and the artwork goes along with the theme of the music (completely psychedelic with many colors and a glimpse of a live band performance in the background). I think it is worth checking out for the fan that is looking for something unique, yet very subtle.
    Check them out at www.myspace.com/noiselust or at noiselust@hotmail.com

Vocals: 7/10;   Production: 7/10;   Originality: 10/10
Overall: 9/10

NOISM – “±” (Crucial Blast Records)
    Style – Grindcore/noise/breakcore
    Origin – Tokyo, Japan
    Dion’s Review - Just from reading the name NOISM my first thoughts were “and now for something completely different!” And lo, my expectations weren’t in the least disappointed. You know, it’s like looking at a pile of vomit, completely expecting to see carrot, and when you look, as much as you want to add to the puddle, deep-down you’re comfortable with the fact that yes, there was carrot. Now, just wipe your shoe off on the grass, and be on your way.
    "±" is NOISM’s fifth release - yet first full-length - and is a maelstrom of twelve psychoses-inducing tracks of organised, grinding, noisy chaos. From the techy-grind fret-wailings and balls-out death metal riffage of guitarist Yoshiro Hamazaki to the mind-bendingly impossible drum-programming of Tomoyuki Akiyama, this is truly not for the faint of heart, weak of bowel, or anyone prone to seizures of any description. If you could imagine PSYOPUS tunes thrown into some kind of midi-blender with ORIGIN tunes, and then poured out onto a blank CD for insertion, then "±" might come close to what you’re imagining. And if you’re still reading this review after that bizarre metaphor, then I really think you might just be cerebrally open to what NOISM offer the world of extreme music enthusiasts. You can check out one track on their GrindSpace “BPM”, which is off this release and make up your own mind… or have it broken for you.
    Oh, and before I forget; concerning the midi-blender - PATENT PENDING!
www.myspace.com/noist , www2.ttcn.ne.jp/~noism , http://www.crucialblast.net

Production: 7/10; Originality: 10/10; Instruments: 7/10; Vocals: n/a/10
OVERALL: 7.5/10

NOMINION  - "Terra Necrosis" (Konqueror Records)
    Style - Death Metal
    Origin - Sweden
    Taylor's Review - A tasteful slab of death metal with old-school flavor bringing to mind Centinex, Dismember and Grave. Crunchy guitars and a production that leaves in the flavor normally taken out by too much refinement. Weird to think this particular sound that hooked current bands a decade ago is hard to come by today. Terra Necrosis features well constructed songs that don't lose the listener among blazing speeds of technical pomposity, but retain enough dynamics to hold interest.

www.nominon.com or  www.konqueror-records.com 

Instruments: 8/10;   Originality: 6/10;   Vocals: 7/10
Overall: 8/10 O

OBITUARY - "Best of Obituary" (Roadrunner Records)
   Style: Doom
    Origin: U.S.A.
    Taylor's Review: This will be a positively biased review. Obituary is the very first death metal band I heard at an influential age of 15 some 12 years ago. "The End Complete" still remains a classic for me along side "World Demise"
This best of album covers all the Roadrunner releases. With choosing only a couple off of each, I would have hard time with the decision making process. A broad overview is available here for potential new fans wishing to look into the past of this highly influential band. This may also be a chance for old fans to relive the glory days of death metal by remembering a few albums at a time. I prefer to listen to albums in their entirety, but to spend an afternoon driving around listening to John Tardy and company covering everything from "Slowly We Rot" to "Frozen In Time" is not a bad thing.

www.myspace.com/obituary - www.obituary.cc - www.roadrunnerrecords.com

Overall: N/A (go check it out)

OKOSU – “Okosu” (Poveglia Records)
    Style – death metal/deathcore
    Origin – Kingston, NY
    Dion’s Review - I don’t think I’ve ever come across anything that knit’s the old and the new so seamlessly. There have been some horrific blunders with people attempting some anachronistic pairings. Mixing the old with the new like hula hoops on a futuristic foil skirt, or 80‘s pop remakes of classical opuses - you can’t tell me you don’t remember those. Or even the bell-bottom pants/fishnet shirt ensemble. Well… I made that last one up, but wasn’t the mental image horrendously puke-inducing?
    But OKOSU are definitely a well-executed marriage of past and present. Their new-wave leanings are evident by the clean production, a multitude of those new-school percussive riffs - you know, the guitars, bass, drums and vocals all working to the very same rhythm - and the dead giveaway is the numerous bass-drops (or “sonic booms”). But they create some truly old-school measures too, flitting between what’s been done and what’s to come in what seems like an effortless manner. No sooner have they slipped comfortably into something that JOB FOR A COWBOY could’ve written than they rip out with a riff inspired by the greats like CANNIBAL CORPSE, MORBID ANGEL and even a little MALEVOLENT CREATION. These New Yorkers are audibly inspired by what I personally love about death metal, and are as open to what’s currently happening in some circles of death metal. There are a few metalcore and melodic-metal moments that I’m not a fan of, but they’re easily forgivable and just as quickly forgotten amidst the ensuing ferocity. They have ‘grindcore’ as a listed genre, which I don’t personally get, except for maybe the odd sample, but they’re definitely death metal, and - as much as the description makes me nervous and apprehensive - are obviously progressive.
    This self-titled CD’s due out in January (I’m reviewing a pre-release download), and you should keep an eye out for it if you’re into death metal no matter who’s doing it and how, as long as it’s brutal and vicious. This new-school-sounding old-school full-length should be bought as a reminder that it could be a lot worse. You could be toting a faded and shredded Altars Of Madness t-shirt and girlie-shaped bleach-stained boy-jeans. www.myspace.com/okosu , www.myspace.com/povegliarecords 

Production: 8/10;    Originality: 7/10;    Instruments: 8/10;    Vocals: 7/10
OVERALL: 7.5/10

ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET – “Grim Tales” (Massacre Records)
    Style – Melodic death/thrash
    Origin – Gothenburg, Germany
    Dion’s Review - This is the second CD from Massacre Records that I’ve reviewed this batch. They’re second - not by accident - but because I alphabetised them, as I always do. Point and laugh all you like! At least I know exactly where all my CDs, books and chip-flavours are! Well, I was kidding about the last one… or was I?
    Anyhoo, as the last Massacre band, these Germans are a melodic and deathy thrash band. They’re a little more thrash, a little more death, and a little less melodic that their label-mates. The production’s just as awesome, just as crisp, except for some annoying German guy piping up at odd, vocal-less moments that completely extract any aggression from the build-up moments. Just when there’s a prelude to an angst-ridden crescendo you hear, clear as a bell “you are listening to a new promotional CD which is property of Massacre Records”. You know what? That really gets on my tits. For one, possession is nine tenths of the law, and it’s in my bloody computer tower! Secondly, the actual CD is the only fringe benefit of being an unpaid reviewer. Most music’s ruined for us since we have to train such a critical ear upon what we’re listening to, taking all the fun out of it. And now Massacre Records wants to rob us of even that small reward. I’m definitely not biased against ONE MAN ARMY… because of their label’s shenanigans and goings on, but I just want the Massacre crew to know they’ve taken my one perk. Despite that, I got into most of Grim Tales. There’s was a lot of thrash, and a little death, and the melodic moments didn’t drag on too long for me, and there was some thrashy solos, yet sparingly placed. There was actually a fair amount of aggression involved too, and the vocals seem to amplify it, since you can understand a fair bit of what he’s on about. There’s a particular “bitch” that he’s not happy with, a “sonofabitch“ he want to take down, and you can hear the hard ‘P’s in his pronunciation. I can just see him red in the face with cranial veins visibly throbbing, and spitting into the mic with every ‘P’, ‘B’ and ‘F’.
So if you like melo. death and thrash, and bands with bizarre names, but like getting pissy about stuff too, then this CD’s probably for you. Just do yourself a favour and buy the disc. Don’t get a rip of the promotional copy, or it’s not going to be the music that gets you balling your fists and shrieking at the gods of metal for vengeance.  www.myspace.com/onemanarmyandtheundeadquartet ,
www.massacre-records.de 

Production: 9/10;    Originality: 6/10;    Instruments: 8/10;    Vocals: 8/10
OVERALL: 8/10

ONE STEP BEYOND - "BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL" - (Independent)
    Style - Grind/Funk/Metal
     Origin - Adelaide, Australia
     Rob's Review - I'm not sure exactly how to categorize this one and I'm sure the blokes in ONE STEP BEYOND are having a good chuckle out of it. Here's two words to break you into the review; FUCKING...BRILLIANT. Now that we got that out of the way we can continue with the rest of my mindless blather explaining why. First of all, since Dion is the resident Aussie here at Adrenalin I almost feel like I'm imposing on his territory so I'll have to make this good...mate. I guess I should start by asking what the hell is going on down under that is making it a hotbed for metal all of a sudden. Everytime I turn my little pinhead around there's more mind-blowing bands coming out of the world's smallest continent. Maybe everyone feels trapped on that little island and channel their frustration into an aggression that can only be released by strumming guitars vigorously while screaming in pain. Or maybe getting drunk and beating the shit out of fellow countrymen. Whichever.
    There are many catagories ONE STEP BEYOND can fill in one's metal rolodex. Predictable is not one of them. In a metal world where many try to achieve that "wall of sound" so often talked about (I'm sure at dinner parties around the world, as they sip fine wines with pinkies outstretched), are confused with the thinking that everyone in the band has to play the same riff at the same times throughout the song. Whoever decided this have missed on the chance to be more like ONE STEP BEYOND and create that same sound with nobody seemingly ever playing the same thing...EVER. Its almost like jazz for metalheads. If it wasn't for the grind-ish death mix of vocals thrown around willy nilly this could also pass at times for a heavy and occasionally blast beat laden version of 70's psychedelia. Add to that a band bio that professes a combination of Napalm Death and Primus influences and you have a band that defies categorization. I can count on one finger the number of bands that have that quality that I know of. This is it bitches. I've listened to "Beyond Good and Evil" a few times now and each time I hear different shit. This is how I believe ONE STEP BEYOND came to fruition; bass player walks in with an daunting collection of insane riffs for the new song...guitar player tries playing along...guitar player says "fuck it". ..guitar player plays own riffs...drummer laughs. BANG! Unconventionable, uncategorizable, capable of knocking your dick in the dirt band is born. The rest, as they say, is history.
www.geocities.com/onestepweb  - www.myspace.com/onesteprockstar 

Rating: 10/10

ONUS – “November 17th” (self-released)
    Style – Black/death metal
    Origin – Appleton, WI
    Dion’s Review – I’ve not even started this review, and I’ve probably started an argument. The OnusSpace tells me that they’re style is death metal. I personally think that they’re black metal with some definite death tinges (or stains). I’ve been trying to think of why these guys wouldn’t think that they’re black metal. Are they too well-produced? Most black metal sounded like it was recorded in the bottom of a really deep well with a karaoke mic. Those days are gone however. Bands like COF and DIMMU BORGIR (to name a few popular ones) upped the bar for BM and the days of audible mediocrity have ended. I wouldn’t bloody know if it’s the lyrical content, but with songs like “Lay Waste The Gates OF Heaven” and “Revelations Through Overture”, it seems that they’ve stuck with the black theme… at least for those two songs. It can’t even be there location. Appleton has snowy forests to meditate and frolic through to draw inspiration and blasphemies from… at least for three or four months of the year. It’s no ice-bound kingdom, but it gets icy, and used to be land owned by a king of England (I assume). In this reviewer’s humble opinion, ONUS simply does not want to be affiliated with the abbreviation of ‘BM‘. Oh yeah, readers!… I went there!
    ONUS are far from sounding like a BM; or feel like a heavy burden for that matter. This does not sound like a local production. Everything comes through clear as mountain air. It’s not generic BM, either. There’s not a lot of blasting… in fact, there’s not a lot of anything. “November 17th”is an ever-shifting, ever-changing creation. There’s some cool clean-tone bits that fail to annoy; the solos aren’t dragged out so long that they become an onus; the drums are solid; and the bass (god forbid!) is distinguishable as an entity of it’s own, not just an inexplicable rumble somewhere in the mix. The vocals are impressive as well. He changes up his tones, being far from monotonous, and he busts out with some Dani-esque squeals every now and again, but doesn’t over-use them. There is some clean vocals that I don’t really agree with, and I can’t explain why. They seem to fit, and I don’t think he hits any bung notes. I just can’t get behind them. And it gets chaotic when there’s another, roared accompaniment added.
    All in all, though, I really liked listening to “November 17th”. As far as BMs go, it was comfortably painless. I never once prayed to any northern god for the agony to just be over with. That’s no mean feat. A lot of BM leaves me crying and sweating, and I’ve left fresh bite-marks on the bathroom door’s handle.
http://www.myspace.com/evilonus 
Production: 8/10;   Originality: 7/10;   Instruments: 9/10;   Vocals 8/10
OVERALL: 8/10

OUTREMER - "Turn Into Grey" (Pulverised Records)
    Style: Doom Metal
    Origin: Sweden
    Taylor's Review: I am in love, and not the fleeting kind of love that lasts as long as trucker with a truck-stop whore. Slight leanings towards Cathedral, which right there shoots there guys up to regular rotation status. Rocking and gritty doom metal that defines what being heavy is all about. Great production, great music, and a song that hooks me like a fish that is happily waiting to be gutted and fried - "Twilight Tyrants".

www.pulverised.net or  www.outremerhorde.com 

Instruments: 9/10;   Originality: 7/10;   Vocals: 10/10
Overall: 9/10

OVERHEAD SPACE - "Beyond THe Scope Of Days" (Iron Lion Records)
    Style: Rock
    Origin: U.S.A.
    Taylor's Review: Straight ahead rock fro Detroit. Overhead Space is inspired by rock such as AC/DC to metal. Though the structure here is slightly more intricate than what their influences would lead you to believe. "Beyond The Scope Of Days" is done up with convincing promotional material l think that more bands should take note of. They have a well drawn out biography with a strong layout complete with a business card. It shows that Overhead Space are serious about what they do. Musically they have strong song writing with obviously seasoned musicianship. Vocally this band is slightly off. His tone is a little far from where it needs to be leaving me wanting to like it, but I can't bring myself to do so. Overhead Space is so close to being a good band, just not quite there yet. www.overheadspace.com

Instruments: 6/10    Vocals: 4/10    Originality: 5/10
Overall: 5/10 P

PANIK - "A Page Torn" (Shrunken Head Records)
    Style-Modern Hard Rock
    Origin-Canada
    Panik is a modern melodic hard rock band based out of Canada. Their sound reminds me of bands such as Nickelback, Soundgarden and maybe a lil Alice In Chains style mixed in. Something I would listen to if I was just chilling at home or taking a long road trip. A more relaxing atmosphere compared to just metal. The band came together after 2 previous bands fought it out at a battle of the bands contest and members joined together to form Panik. It's a good thing they did because they do sound pretty good. They are signed to Shrunken Head Records at: www.shrunkenheadrecords.ca  Website: www.panikweb.com  and www.myspace.com/panikonline 

Production: 8    Performance: 8    Originality: 8
Overall: 8/10

PATHOLOGY – “Incisions Of Perverse Debauchery” (Grindhead Records)
   Style – Brutal death metal
    Origin – San Diego, CA
    Dion’s Review - Oh man! Another band that needs their country of origin in parentheses after their name. There’s more than a few of this example, having just reviewed GROTESQUE (AUS). I think that there should be an international protocol to sort out which one (1) band gets to keep their name, while all other contenders have to think of something else to call themselves. Each band chooses its representative to run at the other band’s representative with rubber gloves donned (so as not to scratch) and slap the absolute bejeezus out of each other ‘til one cries “Mummy” or some derivative. The protocol should be called “fisticuffs” ‘cause I really dig that word.
    So this is the American PATHOLOGY, not the Dutch, Polish, or OTHER American one. Being comprised of current and ex-members of some greats such as CATTLE DECAPITATION, DISGORGE (US) and THE LOCUST (to name three), a lot is expected from these lads. I have to say that they don’t really deliver. I’ve listened to this CD any number of times, yet I always get the same “blah” impression. The production and music’s brutally beefy, but I think the riffs and arrangements are fairly unimaginative, without breaking any new ground, and there’s not really anything to chop it all up. No little bass, drum or guitar solo moments. No vocals outside of the guttural range. What they do is kick-arse, but after two or three songs, you’ve heard everything the album has to offer. I’m not even really saying that Incisions… is repetitive, exactly. It’s just way to constant, making the songs blend together.
    So without having heard any of the other PATHOLOGYs, I can’t pick my favourite one to win “fisticuffs”, so I’m not even going to hazard a guess. And I’m well-aware that it’s a little hypocritical that I can have a name that several thousand other people have, yet PATHOLOGY can’t be one of four, I doubt there’s more than one Dion with my surname though. Besides, if fisticuffs is never instigated, I could just follow my name with where I came out of in parentheses. So go check out PATHOLOGY and make your own mind up. Tell ‘em Dion (LOIS) sent ya.  www.myspace.com/pathologydm , www.pathologymetal.com, www.grindheadrecords.com , www.myspace.com/grindhead 

Production: 8/10;   Originality: 5/10;   Instruments: 6/10;   Vocals: 5/10
OVERALL: 6/10

PLAGUE ANGEL - "Raped By Lies"
   Style - Death Metal
    Origin - Sweden
    Taylor's Review - These sickening gutteral growls is where it's at. To not understand a single word, but love every second of it is something limited to this genre of music or a foreign language. Plague Angel are not reinventing anything with the release of "Raped By Lies", but who cares, they do what they do well. The music takes on a groove akin to Skinless and a toned down Dying Fetus, with a slight classic Florida death metal sound on "Broken" The band sees past members of such bands as "Butchery" and "In Strangulation" who I have not heard, but they both have great names. A thick and pounding production helps move the delivery of the music along, crafted well with tight musicianship.
"Raped by Lies" is the first recording of the band, and in my opinion is a great prequel to a full length.
    P.S. - I did understand one line in "Deviants Of Humanity", only in death metal can a line like "kill your children" be considered cool.
www.myspace.com/plagueangeldeath

Instruments: 7/10   Vocals: 8/10   Originality: 6/10
Overall: 7/10

PLANET RAIN - “Re-Parture”
    Style- Death Metal
    Origin: Sweden
    Taylor’s Review: This e.p. from Planet Rain is a very solid recording from start to finish. A even balance between melody and brutality staying nudged right in between the two enough to defy a set modern melodic death metal label akin to their popular peers of the same country. The production is spectacular in its fullness, and the music is intense along with a great vocalist. Planet Rain is a musical beast that I am proud to give a great review to. I wish this was a full length release because I am eager to hear more.

Favorite track: “The Breath Of Enceladus” www.planet-rain.net

Instruments: 10/10   Vocals: 10/10   Originality: 8/10
Overall: 9/10

POETS & PORNSTARS – "self-titled" (Wenzl Hopper Records)
    Style – Rock and/or Roll
    Origin – Los Angeles, CA
    Dion's Review – Dictionary.com defines "progression" as "the act of progressing; forward or onward movement." With that stated, I ask - Why the fuck are there dark corners of the music-world moving backwards, refusing to progress like the rest of us?!? It's like they're squalling, red-faced bastard kids grabbing at door-frames when their parents are trying to drag them to the bathtub.
    Playing (and for the most part butchering) styles of music that are long, long dead is regression, not progression! There's a very good reason that musicians used to write in these styles of music… 'cause they didn't know any fucken better! The best that your listeners are going to get out of it is a better-produced soundtrack to embarrassing, scarring (and possibly soggy) memories that were best left unremembered. But on the other hand, some people enjoy dredging up the same old shit. Like that prick-of-a-mate who, every time you catch up, is sure to remind you of that time you were showing off your toe-touches to a group of girls, whilst sporting a gaping split up the seam of your strides… err… for example.
    But moving right along, I'm not saying that Poets & Pornstars are shit. They have talent and a frontman that manages to stay in key for the duration of this self-titled release. This is ol' fashioned rock and/or roll, which doesn't leave me much to say about them. Though the misses and I tried to come up with comparisons for you faithful readers, we just gave up in frustration. There's so many (of what sounds to us like) rip-offs, that I couldn't help but think to myself that this is the major pitfall of writing in a genre that's been around longer than you have. However, it's safe to say that you'll eat these guys right up if you're into that particular style of reheated rock that's reminiscent of The Black Crowes, Oasis, Buckcherry and Jet.
    And speaking of; just 'cause I'm an Aussie, it doesn't mean that Jet's my bloody fault! I'm done apologizing, already! www.myspace.com/poetspornstars , http://www.poetsandpornstars.com 

Production: 7/10; Originality: 2/10; Instruments: 5/10; Vocals 6/10
OVERALL: 5/10

PREY FOR SLEEP - "A Bitter Beginning"
   Origin - Austin, Texas
    Style - Hardcore/Melodic Thrash
    Crystal's Review - Man these guys are something. Everything happens so fast! Very fast hard thrashing with added brutal screaming vocals from singer Hunter Townsend. There is also pretty dynamic guitar work to top it all off. Reminds me a lot of Pantera. The tracks are all pretty damn quick. They bust up their ten song EP in less then 30 minutes. Great quality production from Grammy nominated producer Tim Gerron. Make sure to check the song "Bridges Were Meant To Be Burned" if you get to purchase this disc. One of my favs. You can see why these guys burn it up! Great job!  You can check them out at: www.preyforsleep.com     and www.myspace.com/preyforsleep

Originality:7/10   Production:9/10    Vocals:9/10    Instruments:8/10
Overall: 8/10

PROJECT: FAILING FLESH - "The Conjoined"
    Style: Thrash/Death/Industrial
    Origin: Virginia/France
    Heather's Review: With ex-vocalist of Voivod, Eric Forrest and the musical talents of Kevin and Tim Gutierrez, the result is mind-numbing, aggressive metal with hints of thrash, death, and industrial all rolled up into one. Musically, look for ever changing drum tempos, raging guitar riffs, and vocals that have no end. The music is innovative with great dynamics and a unique mixture of sounds that you would not expect. Thanks to Burning Star Records, the production was well done, picking up on everything that makes this band's originality stand out even more. Musically, the band quotes many influences, but cannot be compared to any one band. They have a style all their own and that's just how we like it. The band signed in 2003 with Karmageddon Media and with them released "A Beautiful Sickness" which is also definitely worth checking out. Look for them at www.projectfailingflesh.com , www.myspace.com/projectfailingflesh

Originality: 9/10   Production: 9/10   Vocals: 9/10
Overall: 9/10

PUSCIFER - ""V" is for Vagina"
    Style - Experimental
    Origin - CA (USA)
    Darren's Review - I'll start of my mentioning this release is the brainchild of Maynard Keenan from one of today's better bands, Tool. That being stated, Tool fans are in for quite a surprise. Maynard has stated this album is "A playground for the various voices in my head". Oh what voices he has accumulated over the years! Very much experimental noises with an industrial style base. Each song makes me scratch my head and wonder just what the hell is going on. The good news is I can't say I have ever heard anything like it, which is always a big plus. The engineering and sound recording is very innovative. The artwork on the release is just as puzzling as the music, featuring ridiculous images of what to do if the plane you are on crashes, to blow up dolls, to smoking crack. The album title is just as bizarre. I give props to Maynard for letting his creative side let loose, however I just can't get into the music. Fans of "what the fuck" will get into this, and die hard Tool/Perfect Circle fans. I would urge you to listen to a few tracks if you before purchasing. I'm glad I was selected to review this, because I can bet I will never hear anything like it again!  www.myspace.com/censorshipisacancer or  www.puscifer.com 

Production/Engineering: 8/10;   Originality: 9/10;    Instruments: 5/10
Vocals: 6/10;    Replay Value: 2/10
Overall: 6/10

PUT HER IN THE TRUNK - Self titled demo
    Style - Metal
    Origin - Wisconsin, U.S.
    Baird’s Review - I’m a lazy guy. Far too lazy to do research here, so I really have nothing to go on. I am listening to a fairly good four song demo right now. It came in plain white envelope and it didn’t have anything else with it. The track listings are printed on the cd, which is in my cd player right now.
    I hear a lot of different influences here, they definitely have a “hardcore” sound, but they change things up enough to keep it from sounding cliché. The vocal style fits nicely in with the guitar work, and it seems like the singer really put some thought into the modulation of his different techniques. The production is decent. The kick drum is a little hot, but everything else is blended nicely. My only complaint is the clean vocals (which only appear on one song for a few lines). They are pretty out of tune, and it sounds like the guy is singing from his throat instead of his diaphragm. The song structure is entertaining, and I am not bored. And with the length I will give it another listen. Since I am sure they are just giving these out free I would advise anyone to check it out, or go to their myspace. I look forward to a full length with label backing. www.myspace.com/putherinthetrunk

Production 6/10;   Musicianship 8/10;   Vocals 8/10;   Originality 8/10
Overall 7.5/10 Q

QUI – “Loves Miracle” (Ipecac Records)
    Style - Progressive Rock
    Origin - U.S.A.
    Taylor’s Review - Progressive is a term that gets tossed around a lot in music nowadays, but I believe only a few bands really are as forward thinking as the label defines them to be. Just because a band has time signature changes and flashy instrumentation does not make them progressive, since they are not progressing, but wading in stagnant waters of many other sound-a-like bands.
    Qui stands alone in their refreshing uniqueness, offering twists of musical cultivation that progresses from levels rock has previously set. The band only does what is has to do and is not over-indulgent, stripped bare to the raw and adventurous three piece that they are meant to be and nothing more.
    Judging by the delivery of Qui on cd I can only imagine the great live band they must be as well. Check them out. www.myspace.com/qui or www.ipecac.com

Instruments: 10/10   Vocals: 9/10   Originality: 10/10
Overall: 10/10

QUIPS - "Take Two"  (Translation Loss Records)
    Style - alternative rock/stoner
    Origin - Philadelphia, PA USA
    Rob's Review - QUIPS. The farthest thing from Metal yet strangely fascinating. Sort of has a modernized BEATLES feel to it. And although I would much rather listen to BEATALLICA than the BEATLES most days, I still find this somewhat appealing in a sick sort of college radio way and I'm feeling dirty because of it. I can't begin to tell you why I like this. I usually hate this vocal style. You know, the whiny alternative sounding drivel you hear in every song on what some people still refer to as "Radio" these days. The music is mostly on the trippy, clean guitar side but with some pretty catchy melody's and choruses. Jesus, this is freakin' me out. I did O.D. on cough medicine recently but that should be out of my system by now. I think most of our readers would probably hate this and I admit I probably wouldn't even listen to this much more after this but for this insane moment in time I kind of dig it. I hope I'm not turning gay.
www.translationloss.com/v2/band_quips.com

Originality: 8/10;   Production: 8/10;   Performance: 8/10;   Vocals: 6/10
OVERALL: 7/10 R

RAZOR WIRE SHRINE – “The Power Of Negative Thinking” (PMM/Lone Wolf Records)
    Style – Metal/Instrumental/Experimental
    Origin – Erie, PA
    Dion’s Review  - I’ve never really gotten into this kind of metal. The instrumental, avant garde side of extreme music. You almost expect goateed beatniks wearing Psyopus shirts and berets sipping iced-Chai debating their favourite poets to this kind of music. It’s kick-arse musicianship on awesome instruments that, in my opinion, leaves their talents ill-employed. It’s like a stand-up comedian writing for that Jimmy Kimmel’s show, or that chick at school who could breathe through her ears becoming Donna Deep Throat. It’s awesome that you’ve found your talent, but be careful how you use it. But that’s just my opinion.
RWS are fucking gifted, no matter what I think of what they do. Think of bands like BEHOLD! THE ARCTOPUS, PSYOPUS, MESHUGGAH, DREAM THEATRE, PRIMUS etc. Just talented musicians that make me feel like I should be demoted to tapping cardboard boxes and bin-lids with used chopsticks. The Power Of Negative Thinking is seven tracks, mixed and mastered by people as talented as the instrumentalists are. To be honest, they don’t do anything I don’t like. There’s metal (or else I wouldn‘t be reviewing it) that dips into almost death metal moments, some funk, some jazz, and even this weird country moment that failed to get on my tits. But whatever style they feel like adopting, it’s always the heavier side of that genre, and incorporates tricks of the virtuoso’s trade such as mathematical time signatures, syncopation and genre-tourettes. In my humble opinion, RWS don’t have to be an instrumental outfit. It would just be frustratingly difficult to find someone who’d have the talent, and the creativity to pull off something that would compliment the band’s style. MIKE PATTON could do it, but I think he’s run out of fingers to stick into pies. You’re invited to tell me that vocals, no matter how gifted and eccentric, wouldn’t work, and that I’m wrong, and that my Nanna told you she really doesn’t think I’m cool, but that’s how I feel.
At any rate, if you dig the bands I’ve mentioned, which are only a few that are called to mind, I think you should quit googling Donna Deep Throat (‘cause I know you are), and check these blokes out, linked below.
www.myspace.com/razorwireshrinemusic , www.pickledbeast.com/pmm/rws.htm 

Production: 9/10;   Originality: 7/10;   Instruments: 10/10
OVERALL: 8.5/10

REALM EX - “Comprehension of SELF”
    Genre - Metal/Guitar rock
    Origin - Russia
    Baird’s Review - “Where’s the vocalist?” That’s pretty much what you are going to be asking yourself the entire time you listen to this disk. I just can’t help myself from hearing some guy singing “I am a Viking” in the back ground or something. Although it could just a s easily be Laiho spouting off about suicide attempts at the points where it gets heavy.
    This cat has some talent, and it appears that the 1980’s are most definitely alive and well in mother Russia. I hear a LOT of Joe Satriani here as well as Malmsteem and to a lesser extent Laiho and Rhoades on tracks such as “In the grip of fire”. So basically it comes down to a simple question, do you like instrumental guitar rock/metal? Because that’s exactly what you are going to get from Realm. Well played with decent production values. The drums are ALL programmed, as well as the synths, and I think the bass, although it is hard to tell. In fact I think the only part of this recording that was not done with a machine is the guitar. Take from that what you will.  www.realmxmusic.com

Production 7/10   Musicianship 9/10   Vocals 0/10   Originality 6/10
Overall 5.5/10  *Overall rating would have been a 7.3 if vocals were included with the music.
 

RISE TO ADDICTION - "A NEW SHADE OF BLACK FOR THE SOUL" - (Mausaleum Records)
    Style - Traditional Metal
    Origin - Sheffield, UK
    Rob's Review: SO. It's getting to the point now that I'm doing exactly what I absolutely hated as a young metalhead by prematurely judging the proverbial book by its cover. In this case I'm not really sure why but for some reason the name and cover art screamed Metalcore. We see a lot of it here at Adrenalinland so I guess I've contracted some mild form of itchy trigger finger. Well no more dammit! Because what I heard has blown my expectations to pieces by what can only be described as the cleanest, clearest, purist legitimate breath of fresh air to come out of metal in a while. And that says a lot coming from a jackass like me. Honestly, I was blown away the minute "Cold Season" hit my headphones and sat misty-eyed through the duration of the disc thinking, finally someone gets it. They're not Nu Metal, Rap Metal, Alt Metal or any other commercial label you can dream up. Nor are they Grind, Stoner, Death, Black, Power or Scream-o (thank god). No, this is the long lost art of pure, high grade, street value, straight forward...Metal. RISE TO ADDICTION has put together an album that has the bank of memorable riffs and the air to breath between them, a wealth of dynamics without drowning themselves in technical madness, and finally...FINALLY, a singer who can fucking sing! And sing his nuts off at that. Ahh, the lost art of singing is making a return. Hallelujah!  If I heard one more band with those Alt metal vocals I was going to have to slit my wrists and bleed out on the soiled floor of a public bathroom in some desolate backwoods park. Just to really drive the point home of my disgust. Unfortunately, I probably haven’t heard the last of it though which makes RISE TO ADDICTION all the more captivating. And to top it off you have an album that is produced by true talent with a considerable ear for Metal in Andy Sneap. Andy "Nevermore, Opeth, Trivium, etc." Sneap. Nothing better than having a kickass metal band SOUND kickass. I can with clear mind and true conviction place this album alongside Machinehead's "The Blackening" and Trivium's "The Crusade" as flag flying recent albums that are pushing Metal forward into new AND classic territory.
www.risetoaddiction.com  - www.myspace.com/risetoaddiction 

Rating: 10/10

RONIN - "Dissolving Pinch Roller"
    Style - Various
    Origin - New Yourk City
    Heather's Review - There is a little bit of everything in Ronin. You can finds hints of Jazz, Rock, Funk, and even grunge in the music. There are a total of 6 vocalists on this album of 13 songs, and each one brings something different. From mellow to death-like vocals, this band keeps you wanting more. The music itself goes from mellow to heavy, and the vocals are almost secondary at times when compared with the vast array of musical diversity that accompanies it. The overall sound is almost stoner like, but there is enough diversity to attract music lovers of all kinds. The band, formed in 2003, also has another album titled "The Sun Rises in The East" which was released in 2004. Check them out at www.roninband.com , www.captaint.com , www.myspace.com/roninband or you can email them at roninband2003@yahoo.com

Originality: 8/10   Vocals: 8/10   Production: 8/10
Overall: 8/10

ROSETTA - "Wake/Lift" - (Translation Loss Records)
    Style - Sludge/Stoner
    Origin - Philadelphia, PA USA
    Rob's Review - If anyone out there in Adrenalinland has paid attention to my silly reviews in the past you would know by now that I'm always on the lookout for something different in my music. Something that stands out as unique and thought provoking without getting too pompous or weird. Well, ask and ye shall receive with ROSETTA. This is hard to categorize other than its a very well crafted, moody, PINK FLOYD of the grindcore world type thing. And truthfully this is not as much grindcore as much as an experimental metal project with some extreme overtones. This stuff is all over the place but in a good way. More of a mood "allover the place" than a riff thing. And usually, unless your name is OPETH or maybe DREAM THEATER I steer clear of the bands that churn out ten minute and above opuses (just because of the boredom factor). But like those two bands, ROSETTA seems to utilize every minute with precision and creativity. There are riffs and mood swings aplenty in the journey throughout each song yet every change seems to go on forever to the point of hypnotic delirium. Hence the OPETH comparison. Twelve minutes later you wonder where you've just been. It can get repetitive but somehow it sucks you into its black hole and transports you to the ROSETTA quadrant of dimension zero. The vocals are abrasive and hard-core but are pretty low in the mix, letting the music take the reigns and welcome you into its dreamy Siberian bliss. I've never been to Siberia but living in Wisconsin comes close during winter time. For some reason that's what comes to mind when listening to this. Trudging through miles of icy tundra under blustery northern winds and blinding horizontal snow. Barefoot and uphill of course. Excellent stuff! www.rosettaband.com - www.myspace.com/rosetta

Originality: 10/10;   Production: 10/10;   Performance: 10/10;   Vocals: 8/10
OVERALL: 9.5/10

ROYAL BLISS - "Life In-Between"
    Style: Rock
    Origin: Salt Lake City, Utah
    Heather's Review: This modern rock band from Salt Lake City is one of the best rock bands I have heard in a long time. Results of real-life struggles evokes a great deal of emotion in their music. Their single titled "Save Me", the first song on the cd (my fave as well), is climbing in sales, as it should. This song is the beginning of the musical passion that is heard throughout the cd. There was not one song on this cd that I didn't like. I am glad to see there are still bands out there that are doing their own thing instead of trying to fit in with the rest of today's modern rock that simply all sounds similar. With their music airing on stations in South Carolina, XM radio, California, as well as others, I'm sure this is just the beginning of a great career for them. Having been noticed by Virgin Records and signed to Capital Music group label under EMI, I don't think this is the last we are going to hear from them. Find out more about them at www.royalbliss.com or at www.myspace.com/royalbliss .
    I normally don't do this, but I am going to end this review with a quote from the band. "The elements of life lie in the process and the adventure, these songs are the result of that journey, a place where tragedy and beauty can exist side by side, where every emotion is valid and every emotion is need. Such is the essence of Royal Bliss."

Production: 10/10   Vocals: 10/10   Originality: 10/10
Overall: 10/10

RYCHUS SYN - "Rebirth"
    Style - Metal/Thrash
    Origin - New York
    Heather's Review -  "Rebirth" is a great name for this album. It brings you back to old-school metal and how things used to be before all this 'new metal' came about. The style is from the 80's but with their own thrash/power metal twist mixed in. Overall, the tempo is steady and the sound is well rounded. Vocally, there are not many changes in pitch. There are no flashy guitar solos or screams that last an eternity either. It's pure, 80's old-school metal. Nothing more, nothing less. It's great to know that there are still bands out there that do this style. Be sure to check them out at www.myspace.com/rychussyntemp 

Originality: 7/10    Vocals: 7/10    Production: 7/10
Overall: 7/10   S

SAPROGENIC – “Ichneumonid” (Forever Underground/Epitomite Productions)
    Style – Brutal death metal
    Origin – Fraser, MI
    Dion’s Review – Well, folks, I think we have a new candidate for the (completely imaginative) prestigious title of “Greatest Death Metal Mumbler”. In my opinion, Effigies Of The Forgotten-era Frank Mullen (SUFFOCATION) was definitely my premier nomination. But Jeremy Swanson of SAPROGENIC might just wrest that purely fictitious crown from Mullen’s scone.
    In fact, if you’re a SUFFO fan, then the chances are that you’ll dig SAPROGENIC. They’re less technical in that melodious part of SUFFOCATION’s sound, but that doesn’t mean that these lads aren’t proficient. They’re clean, tight and write some damned awesome riffs! They have those minor-3rd harmonies that I’m such a fan of, and they’ve got an underlying thrash flavor that really tickles my taste (ear) buds. The drummer isn’t all about blasting, either, which is just fine by me. I love blast beats, but it’s like anything that you get too much of. And speaking of, they have those kick-arse ‘sonic booms’, but don’t overuse them. I don’t know the technical term for those insanely low bass-samples, but ‘sonic boom’, I think, says it all. The vocals remind me a lot of Chris Barnes, in his highs as well as his lows, but could do with some variation. That’s my opinion, though. I like a lot of variety in my metal-throat, and Jeremy just didn’t deliver it. The variety is definitely in every other aspect of SAPROGENIC though. While consistently death metal, they have undertones that can at times be surprising, yet welcome. They’re not trying to bust out into funk, or something else entirely different. They just don’t always go where you think they’re going to go. In case you were wondering, “Ichneumonid” I think is a derivative of the term “ichneumon” which is a title given to any insect that is a parasite of other insects. I’m not sure if this is a shot at humans? That’s why lyrics are always handy. It’d be clever if it is a misanthropic concept, nevertheless.
    All in all, SAPROGENIC are solid, brutal death metal. Not constant, but solid with drums that sound like drums. I was even whistling along to some of the catchier riffs while I was doin’ the dishes, yet I’m rarely in the mood for whistling accompaniments when I’m doing any form of housework. Come to think of it… everyone usually clears out as soon as I start running the dishwater…
www.myspace.com/saprogenic , www.myspace.com/epitomite 
www.epitomite.com 

Production: 8/10;  Originality: 7/10;  Instruments: 9/10;  Vocals 7/10
OVERALL: 7.5/10

SAPROPHYTM - Promo
     Style: Thrash/Death Metal
      Origin: Sweden
      Taylor’s Review: Saprophytm is a one-man band that is just painful to listen to. The music is not that bad beyond its uninteresting nature with a weak thrash metal feel to it. The vocals are poorly done and recorded, reminding me of a bad version of Emperor’s “Wrath Of The Tyrant”. I had a hard time making it through this album, and I don’t know why someone would send this out expecting anything positive to be said.

Instruments: 2/10     Vocals: 0/10      Originality: 1/10
Overall: 1/10

SATARIEL – “Chifra” (Pulverised Records)
    Style – Progressive black metal
    Origin – Sweden
    Dion’s Review – There’s something about the word “progressive” when applied to any form of metal that just sticks in my throat. Like that bite of hotdog that’s a bit too big and sits there, lodged, ‘til your saliva (and possibly throat-clenching panic at the thought of choking on something that‘s loosely labelled ‘meat‘) softens it up enough for it to painfully slide down your oesophagus, eventually giving you indigestion and heartburn. That’s my natural response to “progressive metal”, anyways.
    I’m not saying that SATARIEL are all that painful, they’re just not always my thing. There’s a few parts during this four-track promo (with a bonus video that failed to bribe me) that sound pretty decent, and appeal to the harmonious part of my nature… YES!!! I do have an appreciation for melody and other fancifications… just in small doses. These Swedish progressors remind me of OPETH… well, the OPETH that I’ve heard anyway. I can’t be accused of over-exposure to them. The production is really crisp, and I think that everything that’s supposed to be heard is audible… or else I can’t hear it. The keyboards are used (or audible) sparingly, but the clean vocals aren’t. There are parts where I can’t imagine the vocals not being clean, and he really is a kick-arse singer, but there really is too much of it. I think he should have done more black/death vocals as he’s pretty decent at those too. The music is new metal-influenced with a Nordic twist; squeaky-clean with a chance that your grandparents would like some of the slower parts. Yet, as progressive as SATARIEL claim to be, they aren’t really breaking any new ground. OPETH and IN FLAMES are the two immediate similarities that are called to mind, with a lot of other bands that they can be likened to.
    After all, you can’t be called “progressive” if you’re not progressing. It’s like calling yourself an explorer ‘cause you’ve seen every episode of Globe Trekker.
http://www.myspace.com/satariel ; http://www.satariel.com ;
http://www.myspace.com/pulverisedrecords ; http://www.pulverised.net 

Production: 9/10;   Originality: 4/10;   Instruments: 6/10;   Vocals 4/10
OVERALL: 5.5/10

SAW IV – “Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” (Artists’ Addiction Records)
    Style – Industrial/Rock/Metal
    Origin – Los Angeles, CA
    Dion’s Review – Crikey! I seem to have put myself up Shit Creek without a paddle… in a barbed-wire kayak! My interests pretty much lie in the complete opposite direction to this CD. For one, industrial/metal really isn’t my cup of Foster’s. And for another, in my expert opinion (where’s that bloody sarcasm emoticon?!) movie and music rarely make a heavenly (or in SAW’s case, “hellish”) union. I’m enamored of music, and I don’t mind the odd movie, but soundtracks and musicals - FUCKING MUSICALS!!! - are a concoction of some over-achieving, overtime-working demon that enjoys tormenting the bejeezus out of me. However, this review really shouldn’t be about me. But aren’t you impressed at how I can turn it all around so that it is about me? Hey?
    So… SAW IV soundtrack. All the sadistic little ditties on this release are songs from, or inspired by, the movie, which I haven’t seen. Not for any particular reason. I just haven’t gotten around to seeing the fourth installment yet. But if you have handed over your hard- (or hardly-) earned clams to see it, and you’re into the industrial flavored metal sub-genre, then I daresay that you’ll be impressed. Which would be handy considering you’d have just handed over more of those aforementioned clams. I’ve even heard a couple of these tunes on the wireless. Madison’s JJO, from memory. There are 19 tracks on this release, some of which can only be found on this soundtrack. Bands and artists (most of which I’ve actually heard of) include Nitzer Ebb, Saosin, Drowning Pool, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Avenged Sevenfold, Ministry, Everytime I Die, Soulidium (whom I’ve also reviewed), Skinny Puppy and Charlie Clouser. I’ve actually left some of the artists out, but for a full list, just visit the web link below. The only two tracks that stood out for me were The Red Chord’s “Dread Prevailed” and Fuelled By Fires’ “Thrash Is Back”. I’m assuming that it’s because they were both in styles that are familiar and favored by me.
    I reckon that if you’ve seen the movie and dug the tunes, then you’ve already decided that you’re buying this soundtrack. Just don’t be surprised if I’m not waiting in line with you. You’ve got just as much chance of seeing me queuing up to see The Sound Of Music… Well, now that Mum’s still in Australia and not around to make me!
www.artistsaddiction.com , www.myspace.com/artistsaddiction 

Production: 10/10;   Originality: 6/10;   Instruments: 6/10;   Vocals 7/10
OVERALL: 7/10

SAXON - "Into the Labyrinth" (SPV)
   Style - Rock/Progressive
    Origin - England/France
    Heather's Review - This was a really charismatic cd to say the least. If you blended together rock and progressive, you are getting close, but the unique style that they have makes them hard to describe. While very melodic, the music is also very powerful. I personally loved their energetic guitar solos and wide vocal range. The songs themselves were also very entertaining. Some were very rock orientated, like "Live to RocK" while others like "Valley of the Kings" took on a completely different aspect. (This one is about the grave opening of a Egyptian pharaoh). To make things better, they are offering the limited edition of the album which contains a 70-minute bonus DVD that includes a documentary and a video. Overall, this is a well-rounded band and I think they will go far. Look for them on tour in 2009. For more info on them, check them out at www.Saxon747.com or at www.spvusa.com

Vocals: 8/10   Originality: 9/10   Production: 8/10
Overall: 8.33/10

SAXON -  "The Inner Sanctum" (SPV)
    Style - Heavy Metal
    Origin - UK
    Jeremy's Reviews - I will say it's a shame I haven't gotten into this band in its heyday, because much like the new Priest incarnation, Biff's Boys have definitely not lost any of their youthful playing style. The Inner Sanctum is a classic revisitation of old metal harmonies and new age production. It's crisp and clear, has an excellent bottom end, and this album is nice and heavy, with a great ballad (Red Star Falling). The album also comes packaged with a DVD (Night Out with the Boys) and covers new live footage of '80s classics only (To Hell And Back Again, Suzie Hold On, Never Surrender, etc.). Obviously because of how long they've been around, there's no way to put in every good tune, but it gives anyone who grew up with Saxon in the '80s a taste of those classics. The total package is an excellent value for heavy metal heads and Saxon fans alike, or if you're just discovering them now.   www.saxon747.com/en/is/

Production: 9    Performance: 8    Originality: 7
Overall : 8/10

SCALE THE SUMMIT – “Carving Desert Canyons” (Prosthetic Records)
    Style – Instrumental/Progressive/Metal
    Origin – Houston, TX.
    Dion’s Review -  Oh man! Yet another band with a sever misuse of their talent. This really isn’t my bag baby. I’ve tried to like it, but just can’t. If you’ve written and/or directed a movie about a metalcore kid’s life, trauma and travesty, then I’m currently listening to the perfect soundtrack for it. Even if you just let it play while the end-credits roll.
    Thank fuck that SCALE THE SUMMIT don’t have any vocals, since these eight tracks are made up of the kind of music that supports all the clean-sung bits in any metalcore, deathcore, prog., melo. song you’ve ever heard while you‘re standing in a sticky, stench-peppered bar trying to get drunk enough to appreciate the semi-brutal headliner for the show you‘re at… under duress. I know that’s mean, and I’m actually a little rueful that I wrote it, but this music’s frustrating the bejeezus out of me. If the bathroom wasn’t occupado I’d be bleeding myself in one of its corners. This isn’t my thing, and so I’m not going to over-opinionate on it.
    STS are definitely talented musicians, that have gained a superior production for their release. They never slip out of time, and I didn’t recognise one covered-up error. They’re not over-triggered, they don’t employ too many effects, and everything’s audible. The packaging of their CD is even kick-arse. If you dig metalcore and prog. metal and all the solos and widdly-widdlyness contained therein, you’d probably get into this. That’s if you don’t care one way or the other whether there’s vocals over it. I hope anyone who checks ‘em out below enjoys them.  www.scalethesummit.com , www.myspace.com/scalethesummit , www.prostheticrecords.com

Production: 9/10;   Originality: 5/10;   Instruments: 8/10
OVERALL: 7/10

SCARS OF CHAOS – “Daemonic Alchemy” (Forever Underground/Epitomite)
    Style – Heroic black metal
    Origin – St. Herblain, France
    Dion’s Review – Is it just me, or has black metal come a long way? I have to admit that I’ve never followed the genre, as I’ve never found it that appealing. I even liked some bands in the genre, CRADLE OF FILTH, EMPEROR and ABIGORE but got so disillusioned with BM - with all the BS - that I even stopped listening to them. It would explain why SCARS OF CHAOS sound like a breath of fresh air to me, yet still remind me of particular bands.
    I want to call SOC “heroic” black metal. Not to be confused with epic, though. It’s in the keyboards, for the most part. It brings to mind triumphant, armored warriors holding up a long-sought grail of sorts. Or two huge lines of medieval soldiers facing off in verdant pasturelands giving each other the finger and calling each other “mealy-mouthed twats“ or “cess-swigging pillocks“. It really reminds me of Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk-era EMPEROR, mixed with post-Midian COF moments and definitely a DIMMU BORGIR flavor... Without the clean vocals. You know what? In retrospect, this CD’s not really a breath of fresh air, considering I just quoted a comparison of Anthems… which is just over a decade old. Let’s just call them faithful, shall we?
    At any rate, Daemonic Alchemy has everything a black metal album should, right down to the epic acoustic guitar and/or keyboard intros and a chick with her filthy pillows out in the cover-art. It’s a free gawk without having to sneak a peek at a Target catalogue’s smalls-section and using your imagination. And for that, we should all be thankful.
www.myspace.com/scarsofchaos , www.epitomite.com,
www.myspace.com/epitomite

Production: 9/10;   Originality: 4/10;   Instruments: 7/10;   Vocals 7/10
OVERALL: 7/10 

S-CORE - "GUST OF RAGE" - (Dirty 8 Records)
    Style - mid pace grind
    Origin - France
    Rob's Review: Another offering from France. Dirty 8 is kicking some ass with their scouting department. They seem to have quite an eye for talent. Especially in the recording engineer department. After not hearing much in the way of aggressiveness from this country all of a sudden I've had three to review this go around. Talk about a quick initiation into the plights of metal Frenchmen. S-CORE delivers unto us another version of grind that shows a little more depth and groove with some nice variety in the vocal department. Mostly a pretty attacking delivery with some fairly cool clean vocals littered about. Everyone is so damn good at this style now that it’s hard to really differentiate between all the good ones so the scene is getting a little oversaturated. It’s getting to be where you’re just another smelly shirtless fan up at the front of the stage with your arms crossed and head bleeding from some jackass that kicked his boot a little too high and saying "yeah, they're fucking great. When's the next band come on?" I mean how much better can you get at this. All the riffs click up with the double bass with impeccable precision while stopping, starting, slowing and speeding up at a finger snap. It’s perfect execution...just like everyone else. How do you stand out? S-CORE are a pretty damn good bunch of musicians that aren’t fucking up a good thing. At least their website is in English.
www.processengaged.com  - www.myspace.com/scorepower 

Production: 10/10;   Performance: 10/10;   Originality: 7/10;   Vocals: 7/10
Overall: 8/10

“SEE YOU IN HELL, Vol. I” w/ Brandon Bond (Full Lock Media)
    Style – DVD documentary
    Origin – Atlanta, GA
    Dion’s Review – Before I took this job, I’d never even reviewed music let alone a DVD. I’d always given people my unsolicited (often unwanted) opinion, so I figured I was up for the challenge of writing down my views on something I’m obsessively passionate about: Music. I’ve not really ever been a TV/Video junkie, so reviewing was a little more difficult this time around. Oh sure, I’ve watched my fair share of Roseanne, The Simpsons and Spongebob marathons (and probably some of your share too), but I’m not really into anything feature-length. But just for variety’s sake, here goes…
    I was informed that “See You In Hell” was a doco concerning tattooing, metal, and a smattering of boobs and lesbianisms. But it turned out to be much more (and less about the music) than I was lead to believe. It’s a lot about the tattooing, seeing as it’s a 90-odd minute documentary on the life and crimes of Brandon Bond, the well-renowned (and somewhat notorious) owner/proprietor of All Or Nothing Tattoo. If you’re into tattoos, guns, fireworks and a couple of chicks kissin’ for a few seconds, then this would be well worth your time and moolah. And that’s quite alright, ‘cause Brandon’s all about the green. Watch him setting off firecrackers in the carpark of the shop where he just bought said firecrackers. Gag slightly when you watch him make out with a dancing black Santa. Be wowed when he and a couple of mates get stormed by a SWAT team in a hostage situation. Or just listen to Brandon’s views on life, work, women, dogs, money, health and much, much more. In fact, the DVD could’ve just been called “Just Ask Brandon”. Some parts are funny, some are cool, some are boring. But the latter’s probably just my no-TV-watchin’ arse. But I do have to say that it had very, very little to do with music. The soundtrack was so quiet, and there was so much talkin’, that I forgot that there was even music playin’. Although, I seem to remember seeing a drum kit in one scene… I think.
Come to think of it; a behind-the-scenes, tattoo-riddled home-documentary that has fuck-all to do with music? Sounds reminiscent of “Pantera III: Watch It Go” to me.

www.allornothingtattoo.com , www.fulllock.net , www.strangleholdmerch.com 
www.brandonbond.com , www.myspace.com/brandonbond 

Production: 7/10;   Originality: 9/10;   Soundtrack: 3/10
OVERALL: 7.5/10

SEIZURE CRYPT - "Under the Gun"
    Style - thrash/hardcore/punk
    Origin - New York
    Heather's review - Having recorded this in only a few days to produce 20 minutes of music, I am not surprised that it was not very good. The music is simplistic, the vocals are all over the place, and the tempo is yet to be found. Even the cover art is terrible. You even have to turn up songs 4 and 6 just to hear what they are saying, since they both begin with them just talking. I am sure they have a following in New York since they are very comical in nature, but if this is all they have to show for it, I am concerned. If you must check them out the website is www.seizurecrypt.com

Production: 3/10   Vocals: 2/10   Originality: 2/10
Overall: 2.3/10

SEIZURE CRYPT – “Hello, My Name Is… Madness” (Independent… AND PROUD!)
    Style – NYC hardcore/punk/thrash
    Origin – Queens, NY
    Dion’s Review – “Seizure Crypt!”. “SEIZURE CRYPT!”. “SEIZURE CRYPT!!!”. Just in case you didn’t read the CD cover (or the CD) before you slipped the disc in the drive, these accommodating lads give you a good ol’ New York City Hardcore Role-call to bring in the first track “The Great Defector“. It was about to piss me off, but then I reminded myself that I’ve weathered much worse CD intros (not mentioning any black metal names). This one was short, sweet, and sample-less.
    But with that said, I have to say that I really like these guys. I don’t know that I’d personally rush out to buy this album, but I dig it. It appeals to the punk in me that never got to grow a mohawk and wear tartan and safety-pins. It appeals to the hardcore kid in me that never got to sport a baseball cap and whirlwind-slap people who were whirlwind-slapping other people in a circle-pit. And it appeals to the musician in me that would never feel comfortable bringing it back to the basics that these scene-veterans have done. But while they sound basic, don’t confuse that with sounding bad, or boring. They have an awesome hardcore production cheers to Don Fury (Agnostic Front, Sick Of It All), and with dual vocalists, they are far from boring. One of ‘em even reminds me a bit of Exodus’s Paul Baloff (R.I.P.).
    So if you love your punk fast and furious, your hardcore angry and groovy, and your thrash… well, thrashy, then I highly recommend “Hello, My Name Is… Madness”. Crank it the next time you have to whirlwind-slap that guy that’s been on your sofa all weekend to get him to leave. But remember that you’ve got to shriek the New York City Hardcore Role-call at him…
    “SEIZURE CRYPT!!!”.
www.myspace.com/seizurecrypt , www.seizurecrypt.com

Production: 7/10;   Originality: 6/10;   Instruments: 7/10;   Vocals 7/10
OVERALL: 7/10

SEPULTURA – “A-Lex” (SPV/Steamhammer)
    Style – Hardcore punk/thrash
    Origin – Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
    Dion’s Review – Let me just start this review by stating that I haven’t kept up with SEPULTURA. I got into Chaos A.D. then back-tracked and became a massive, undying fan of these Brazilian thrash gods. Then I heard what Roots had to offer, turned <I>Arise</I> up full-blast and did my neck in bangin’ my head. Since I’ve never heard anything from The Derrick Green days, I’m treating this as just another CD. No expectations. If you want this to compare the disc to other SEPS albums, you might want to read a different review.
    Apparently “A-Lex” is a Russian term meaning “no law”, and is an album heavily influenced by the movie A Clockwork Orange. “A-Lex” is a series of four instrumentals that pop up periodically during these 18 tracks of really well-produced ultra-violent hardcore. I coined that term for the reference to the movie, and because I hear a lot more hardcore/punk influence than I do thrash. They do some thrashy moments throughout, and there’s a little bit of the tribal work that SEPS are known for, and a flamenco-sounding moment that I really liked. They even do their own rendition of Ludwig Van Beethoven’s <I>Ode To Joy</I>. You may not know the name, but you’ve definitely heard a passage or two. It was a little too “Hooked On Classics” (classical pieces re-written à la 80’s pop) but it was entertaining nonetheless. The vocals are fairly aggressive, but are kept to the same mid-range hardcore yell with rare exceptions, such as a clean-ish spoken/sung style. The drums, courtesy of Jean Dollabella are fairly simple, but hard-hitting. More in the slower thrash style minus the exorbitant double-kick work. The guitars are chuggy, sometimes dischordant and with more than a couple of noodley interlude melodies and the odd solo here and there. The bass, while not all that audible is felt in the mix.
    To be completely honest with you, it really wasn’t that hard for me to ignore the old while I perused the new. I couldn’t do that for METALLICA and refused to do it for SLAYER. If you’re expecting anything resembling pre-Roots SEPULTURA, you‘re going to be disappointed. If you’re searching for an album filled with aggressive, thrashy hardcore fairly different, then definitely check into I.
http://sepultura.uol.com.br , www.myspace.com/sepultura , www.spv.de

Production: 9/10;   Originality: 9/10;   Instruments: 8/10;   Vocals: 6/10
OVERALL: 8/10

SEVEN PLAGUES - "The Dawn Of Brutality"
    Style - Metal
    Origin - U.S.A.
    Taylor's Review - This band rides along well with the breakdown driven metal/hardcore vibe of current U.S. metal. For an upstart band, Seven Plagues is taking huge step in the right direction along the murky lines that is the Wisconsin metal scene. Where "The Dawn Of Brutality" stands above the rest riding this sound is the retaining of a aggressive style while having memorable and intelligent song structures. Seven Plagues is definitely unique. The thing that won me over to this band is their live presence. I have seen this band numerous times, and not only are they entertaining to watch, but the crowd response surpasses most bands from the area. This album is a great start for the band by letting the world know it exists, hopefully the band will seek a more professional production down the road to really capture their amazing vibe. Seven Plaques is one of my favorite local Wisconsin bands, and I think they will see a bright future.
www.myspace.com/7sevenplagues7

Instruments: 7/10   Vocals: 8/10   Originality: 7/10
Overall: 7/10

SEVENTH AVENUE – “Terium” (Massacre Records)
    Style – Christian power/speed/melodic metal
    Origin – Wolfsburg/Lower Saxony, Germany
    Dion’s Review - Alright. Let me start by saying that this is really not my thing. I seem to have “gotten the black egg” and drawn this German power metal outfit’s most recent CD. So, I’m going to be completely objective for this review. SEVENTH AVENUE are in no way talentless, so it’s really not that difficult for me to put my opinions aside and write about the facts. It would be impossible for me to be impartial if this full-length was terrible, but <I>Terium</I> isn’t a garage recording on a mono tape deck played by “musicians” I wouldn’t trust to sit the right way up on a toilet seat, let alone lend them my musical equipment because their dead-end McDonald‘s job doesn‘t allow them the means to buy their own. Phew! Now that I’ve got that out of the system, let’s move forth fellow metalhead.
SEVENTH AVENUE are a faithful replication of music that began 30-odd years ago. Inspired by greats such as IRON MAIDEN, HELLOWEEN and GAMMA RAY, with Christian-inspired messages, everything you love about power/speed metal is here for the offing. The wailing, harmonised guitar solos. The high, sung vocals. The steady, uncomplicated drums. The easy-to-sing-to choruses. There’s some acoustic guitar moments, some piano and orchestral-keyboard passages and some insanely falsetto notes from the vocalist Herbie that were just this side of painful and even a (bile-rising) power-ballad or two. No matter what I feel about this CD I have to say that it’s damned good! Well-executed with a superior production. If you’re into the bands I’ve mentioned, then you should really get a kick out of this release. You might want to check out the link below which features two songs off the new’n plus some older material.
    I truly wish I appreciated this CD more than I do, to be honest. And to make it worse, I only got a promotional copy (no cover) of Terium. I can’t even hock my copy for some Pringles and Alf pogs. Now that really hurts!
www.myspace.com/seventhavenueband , www.massacre-records.de

Production: 9/10;   Originality: 5/10;   Instruments: 8/10;   Vocals: 9/10
OVERALL: 8/10

SHELTER RED - "Strike a Mortal Terror"
    Style - Metal/Experimental/Instrumental
    Origin - Oregon
    Darren's Review - Sometimes, when you least expect it, serendipity punches you right in the gut. I hear a lot of current music, a lot of it... most of it is crap, some good, some great, and some excellent. Speaking of excellent... I was at my Brother in law's partying a few weeks ago. Everyone else had turned in, and him and I were up having some cocktails. I was so excited to play for him the new Mastodon album, which has taken me to places no drugs could even imagine! After listening to "Crack the Skye" (twice), he turned in, and I was left drinkin' alone. I had a ton of albums at my disposal, but I decided to give Shelter Red a spin. I like to listen to an album I review a few times, in different states to give it a fair shot. I hesitated due to the fact - "how could anything follow up what could be the best album of all-time"! But, then it happened, I pushed play. I wore a grin the entire time "Strike a Mortal Terror" jammed. I keep saying to myself "wow!" and "no way!".. I wish I would have written that! Later on, I found out the band was a two piece, what the fuck!!!!! Wow. I love the fact that they are instrumental. Usually instrumental bands are a nice change of pace, but tend to get old quickly... not with these guys. I am a huge fan of Tool, and I could hear that come through loud and clear. Deron Miller (CKY/Foreign Objects/World Under Blood) is one of my favorite guitar players, and I happen to hear a little of his style mixed in as well. The album has 7 tracks - all of which do a great job of telling a story without a single spoken word. I have listened to this album over and over, and I am really proud for the guys. I am telling you - it doesn't matter what type of music grooves you - you owe it to yourself to pick up this release. Fans of any types of metal will get into it, hell even country folk can knock a few back while grooving out to Shelter Red. Perfection! Now I just have to get a hold of their previous release "Masters of the Universe" www.myspace.com/shelterrock

Originality: 10/10   Production: 10/10   Creativity: 10/10
Overall: 10/10

SIEBENBURGEN – “Revelation VI” (Blistering Records)
    Style: Gothic Black Metal
    Origin: Stockholm, Sweden
    Steve’s Review: I remember picking up Siebenbürgen’s 2001 effort entitled ‘Plagued Be Thy Angel’ and I couldn’t stand it, in fact, I gave it to a friend who offered me 5 bucks for it for free. I didn’t think it would be worth his money because it was so completely horrible I never wanted to hear or see the words Siebenbürgen again. Well here I am reviewing Siebenbürgen’s 8th effort ‘Revelation VI’ and their resurrection after disbanding 2006. At first I was very reluctant to even listen to this album even mocking it as I listened to the introduction track ‘Awaken’ which featured ritualistic sounding percussion and effects. I laughed at how cheesy it was then actually realized it wasn’t cheesy at all. The intro sounded really dark and epic and finally it kicked into ‘Rebirth of The Nameless’. The drums weren’t too fast but fast enough and the music wasn’t anything spectacular but it was some pretty good black metal. Then I asked myself, “Wasn’t this a female-fronted band?” I knew that it used to be but what I heard were some pretty good grim vocals performed by a guy named Marcus Ehlin. Finally I heard her in the background and it didn’t sound bad. No longer did Siebenbürgen hide grim Black Metal vocals behind a horrible female vocalist. I was definitely surprised and I was happy to experience this great Black Metal album. ‘Revelation VI’ is Gothic Black Metal to the max minus the cheesy string arrangements and bloated female bullshit. Everything on this album surpasses mediocre, although not extraordinary. The female vocals appear on most tracks but only add to the Gothic-metal soundscape and like most Gothic Black Metal the guitars are simplistic yet practical and well written. The keyboards aren’t flashy and provide the necessary strings and effects that make Gothic Black Metal so epic. I like the overall sound that Siebenbürgen provides for us on this extremely surprising release but what really shines out on this album is the drumming and most of all the grim vocals. While many bands try to accompany Gothic Black Metal with Dani Filth like screeches or throaty vocals this guys keeps simple, evil, and therefore perfectly adding to the atmosphere that this album provides. I am proud for Siebenbürgen; they finally released an album that can compete with other bands in the vast genre of Black Metal. I will definitely check out any of their future releases as this is an album that most Black Metal fans should check out and enjoy. www.siebenburgen.net/ - www.myspace.com/siebenburgenband

Instruments: 8/10;   Vocals: 9/10;   Production: 7/10;
Overall: 8/10

SIEGES EVEN - "Playgrounds" (Inside Out Records)
    Style - Progressive Metal/Rock
    Origin - Germany
    Taylor's Review - This is the first live album from Sieges Even. They rely more on the rock aspects of their sound than the metal. The heaviness does make appearances though. All of the instrumentation is executed by well trained musicians only showing off their talents as needed. No pompous fretboard theatrics taking away from the overall product like so many of these current progressive metal/rock bands do. My favorite track off this release is "The Waking Hours" showcasing their strong song writing ability. In this song they travel between both a mellow and exciting vibe leaving you uneasy with the beat, but wanting more. The singer is the only member of the band that is lacking for me. I know it must be hard to construct a solid vocal hook over such complex music, but he fails to draw me in at all. He has a decent voice but I would be just as happy if Sieges Even was an instrumental band. Check them out cause almost anything off Inside Out Records is awesome.
www.myspace.co/siegeseven -  www.siegeseven.com - www.insideout.de

Instruments: 9/10   Vocals: 6/10   Originality: 5/10
Overall: 7/10

SIGH - "HANGMAN'S HYMN" - (The End Records)
    Style - Black Metal/Traditional Metal/Overall Craziness
    Origin - Tokyo, Japan
    Rob’s Review: I was first introduced to this band by a black metal friend of mine with their album "Imaginary Sonicscape" and I remember thinking at the time they were the craziest most wonderful band I'd ever heard and that I should give up trying to be different because they had already laid claim to that title as far as metal was concerned. Since that time though, SIGH haven’t often found their way into my trusty CD spinner and I'm not sure why other than maybe needing the stars to be aligned perfectly in order for my mood to be right for this eerie Black "Circus Freak" Metal. Oddly enough, "Hangman's Hymns" actually sounds sort of normal compared to "Sonicscape". The music seems to be more straight-forward save for the familiar murderous organ passages, witchy screams and background chants and overall vocal strangeness. The torturous black metal growls of one Mirai Kawashima (who also handles keyboards for Gore Metal favorite Necrophagia) work favorably in campy tandem with the underlying classic metal inspired riffs that formulate much of the music. Combine that with the Big Top Grind Em Up show and you got yourself a bizarre brew of everything you won’t find in your typical metal menagerie. If you really need a comparison for the hell of it, Think Mr. Bungle on a Black Metal fix. You won’t find much out there like this without turning over some graves. So put down that shovel and throw in some SIGH to feed that carnivorous undead metal monstrosity within your soul.
www.sigh.gospel-virus.net  - www.myspace.com/sighjapan 

Rating: 9/10

SIKH - "ONE MORE PIECE" - (Dirty 8 Records)
    Style - Modern Metal
    Origin - France
    Rob's Review: Here's another gem from the land of Eiffel towers. Only this time we get something on line with what a band like Soil does here in the states. Crystal clear top shelf production and lots of bouncy riffs, breakdowns with clean vocals and many interludes of aggressive Slipknot inspired mayhem. If you listen real close you may also hear some Pantera sprinkled in especially vocally at times. The more you listen the more modern sounding it gets. This would probably do well over here in the suck-land for metal. While these characteristics usually steer me away from most bands over here somehow SIKH performs these tasks that much better. It's actually a very convincing representation of the modern approach and really isn't too cliché like most of the other sheep out there. There are the familiar symptoms of suckness but these guys execute the same parts with an acceptable amount of suck-LESS. Very precise with much more groove which is where the Soil comparison works. Not sure if I would run out and purchase this but I wouldn't kick them out of my metal spinner either. Check out their websites for more info and make sure you brush up on your French before you do so since there isn't a lick of english on either of them.  www.sikhmusic.net - www.myspace.com/sikhmusic 

Production: 10/10;    Performance: 9/10;    Originality: 7/10;    Vocals: 8/10
Overall: 8.5/10

SILENT FATE - "Burned, Buried and Forgotten" (MEI)
    Style - Metal/Rock
    Origin - New York
     Crystal's Reviews - This is the second Silent Fate CD I got to review. Their first main EP in 2007 was "The Autumn Machine". With their new album "Burned, Buried and Forgotten" not too far after they have change it up a bit but not much. They add in a lot more keyboard style effects and it seems the riffs are a bit more faster on this disc then the last with the exception of some slow break downs. They still have the mixed in high pitched screams with awesome low brutal death metal growls. Again another well produced CD from the makers. The album inside art is filled with blood splat effects which is sweet to me as well. Very well done again for round two. www.silent-fate.com - www.myspace.com/silentfate1 - www.meirecords.com 

Production: 9/10   Originality: 8/10   Instruments: 9/10   Vocals 10/10
OVERALL: 9/10

SILENT FATE - "The Autumn Machine" (Damn Fate Publishing)
    Style - Rock
    Origin - New York
    Crystal's Review - I was overall impressed with this band. This band was resurrected after 2006 to complete the album The Autumn Machine. They classify themselves as rock but sound a lot more metal to me. Pretty much reminds me a bit of Despised Icon.
    They rip it out with high-pitched screams, low death metal growls and melodic overtones at times. Definetaly a band that can mix everything up well together and it still sounds great. At times they break it down with a few slower songs relating to shit they have been through in relationships. CD sounds great well put together & produced. Pretty damn decent.
www.silent-fate.com  - www.myspace.com/silentfate1

Production: 9/10;   Originality: 8/10;   Instruments: 8/10;   Vocals 10/10
OVERALL: 8/10

SINGLE BULLET THEORY – “On Broken Wings” (Crash Music)
    Style – WTF Metal
    Origin – Philadelphia, PA
    Dion’s Review – Seriously. WTF Metal. What the fuck? Single Bullet Theory are just way too broad to be enjoyed. There are so many influences crammed into every song. Every change (and I’m not really exaggerating) takes you to a completely different style/genre/influence. I think SBT are trying to appeal to too many people, and they sound confused, manically depressed and third-rate attempting it. Wait, did I say ‘manically depressed’? ‘Cause I meant ‘maniacally’. You settle in for a measure, and then SLAP! You’re into a totally unexpected change. These guys are just fucken awesome at the instruments they’ve chosen to conquer. Their musicianship is extraordinary - out of this world, really - the vocalist is insanely diverse and proficiently so, and they’re tighter than a nun’s cunt. Truly, I can’t brag on these guys’ talent enough, but I think I’d have to be on fucken PCP to get into any of their songs! ‘WTF metal‘. ‘PCP metal‘. ‘ADHD metal’. Even this review is coming across as maniacal whilst I’m listening to SBT. I threw around the idea of starting it all over again, but I think this will somewhat put across the impression that I get. I don’t seem to be dealing well with how impressive these musicians are, but how repugnant these songwriters can be. I mean, mathematically-speaking “On Broken Wings” should get a rave review, considering the production, originality, instruments and vocals (all the criteria that I have) are just fucken brilliant! But they won’t. I can’t see myself ever enjoying this, unless I unexpectedly suffer an episode, or suddenly decide that I do want to take hallucinogenic trips… which SBT would just make worse… or better, depending on your outlook.
    In my honest, and constructively-critical view, Single Bullet Theory would be better off and better served doing three or four bands together. Get all the influences that they want out, while still appealing to as many punters as they are trying to. Just not all at once.
www.myspace.com/singlebullettheory , www.singlebullettheory.net

Production: 10/10;   Originality: 10/10;   Instruments: 10/10;   Vocals 10/10
OVERALL: 4/10
Dion Brass and the other members of Adrenalin Metal Union in no way suggest that you ingest hallucinogenic substances to enjoy Single Bullet Theory. You‘re old enough and ugly enough to make your own mistakes without our help.

SIX SIX CRUSH - "On A Path"
    Style - Punk/Metal/Rock
    Origin - Minneapolis, MN
     Crystal's Review - Six Six Crush draws its inspiration from punk, heavy metal and classic rock. They derived from the Minneapolis music scene in 2004 and they released a five-song demo in 2005. With the success of that it leaded them further to release their first full length album "On A Path" in 2008. They are currently signed to an indie label called Evil Twin Records.  The band bases most of their song titles from comic book inspired horror with songs like "Bucket of Blood" and "Evil Goblins".  They mostly sound like punk to me. The closest thing I could put them to rock or metal would be Motorhead and the riffs that sound like Ace of Spades. The album is not very long. 13 tracks under 25 minutes long and each song is about 2 minutes long. I do appreciate punk and give them credit for being in the scene without cutting loose for so long.  You can check them out at: www.myspace.com/sixsixcrush

Instruments: 7/10   Vocals: 7/10   Production: 7/10   Originality: 7/10
Overall: 7/10

SLEEPYTIME GORILLA MUSEUM - "Inglorious Times" (The End Records)
    Style: Avantgarde/Metal/???
    Origin: U.S.A.
    Taylor's Review: An experience that is finally cultivated in an adventerous, but entertaining endeavor. "Inglorious Times" can be easily described as going off the deep end, and an ultimate "fuck with your head" experience. A melodic dance between the dark and light, sane and insane. A guessing game in audio driven musical theatrics. Sleepytime Gorilla Museum is unique, and short of the less metal Swans/Jarboe, one of the most original musical voices around. This is a release that is not for those closed to infinite possibilities. With a band that among normal instruments chooses to create their own, one can only expect to be exposed to exciting new territories. This group of misguided musicians are progressive, but with that said they are so much more. A art form all their own outside the tired creative landscapes we tread upon.
    The End Records have always had an eye for talent, and this is one more fine example. Sleepytime Gorilla Museum are beyond comparison, ruling a universe all their own. We are only spectators allowed to listen to their musical
genius.

www.sleepytimegorillamuseum.com -  www.theendrecords.com

Instruments:10/10    Vocals:10/10    Originality: 10/10
Overall: 10/10

SNEW - “Snew You”  (Unsigned)
     Style: Heavy Metal/Hard Rock
     Origin: Hollywood, California
     Steve’s Review: I’m not sure what I should say about this release. I’ll start by stating that it is not modern metal by all means. It’s more like what the hippie generation called Heavy Metal. For fans of AC-DC, Jackyl, Motorhead, and other rocking bands like these, Hollywood’s Snew is the kind of hard-rock that I don’t mind listening to every now and then. Following in some of the previously listed bands’ styles, Snew’s music is quite simple. Simple guitar riffs, simple drum beats, your typical ‘Cock-Rock’ vocals, and not so simple leads and guitar solos. Within this simple formula for rock lies some great song writing that makes a good rock album you can actually bang you head to. Though the guitars are great, I wasn’t ecstatic about this album. I didn’t find myself starting the disc on fire either though, so although I have no clue what the hell ‘SNEW’ means, this a decent album that will rock the pants off of any oldshool metalhead. So whether you like big hair and leopard print leotards, or you simply just enjoy listening to some good old classic rock to tone things down a bit, then go find yourself a copy of Snew You. www.snewyou.com/ - www.myspace.com/snewmusic  

Instruments:  7/10;   Vocals:  5/10;   Production:  9/10
Overall:  6/10

SOCIAL DISEASE – “Decades Of Disease” (Self/Indie)
    Style – Grindcore/Hate thrash
    Origin – Long Island, NY
    Dion’s Review – Well! Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed, didn’t they?! I listen to some damned aggressive, heavy, guttural, irate shit that has been likened by family members to “someone fixing a lawnmower”, “a V8 driving without engine-mounts” and “your old Aunty Kevin making pooh after chilli night”. But nothing conveys animosity, belligerence and downright pissed-off-itry like a big, hairless red-faced ball of frustration trying to strangle an innocent microphone whilst bellowing “You must fry! You will die!”. Enter Tom Bush, Social Disease’s own personal ball of frustration.
    I have to admit that I don’t really get the genre “grindcore”. Most of what’s been classified to me as grindcore can be stuffed into another overly-full genre. Thrash, punk, hardcore, death. And I know there are people reading this going cross-eyed and yelling “IDIOT!” at their monitor, ready to rattle off 20-odd grindcore bands. Well, don’t bother. These guys call themselves grindcore, and that‘s good enough for me. It’s fast, it’s hate-filled, and features the “Pierced From Within” drummer Doug Bohn… before he recorded that greatest of Suffocation albums. Social Disease‘s “Decades Of Disease” is just what it says. It’s 27 tracks of two sessions recorded in ‘87 and ‘89. But this release is just to tide you over ‘til a more current recording is released. Social Disease recently reformed and entered the studio in spring to unleash more aural disgruntlement upon the music-going world. Good for them, I say! It’ll be one more resurrection in this planet’s rich “back from the dead” history. Kiss, The Police, Alvin and the Chipmunks. And do I even need to mention a little holiday called Easter?

http://www.myspace.com/socialdisease1, http://www.tombush.us 

Production: 5/10;   Originality: 6/10;   Instruments: 6/10;   Vocals 5/10
OVERALL: 5.5/10

SOCIETY 1 - "Live and Raw"
    Style - Industrial/Thrash Metal
    Origin - Hollywood, California
    Heather's Review: Recorded live on 6/6/06 in L.A., Society 1 describes themselves as "a social experience and cult art statement forcing one to understand that nothing is as it seems." Headed by Matt "The Lord' Zane, that is exactly what Society 1 is. They bring back the sex,drugs, and rock and roll theme, but pursue it in a manner that invites you along on the journey with them. There is an intelligent feel to the music, and that only adds on to why no other band comes close to them in terms of originality and style.This live recording is a must for anyone looking for something out of the ordinary. As far as the sound quality goes, I was somewhat impressed that that music never sounded blurred or uneven. My only complaint would be that sometimes it is difficult to pick up the electronics used. The song variation also keeps you interested. "Everyone Dies (Rock Star's Don't Count" is an example of a song that leaves you wondering what they going to do next. This song can also be found again on the cd as a bonus track featuring Jay Gorgon of Orgy on vocals. Two tracks of this album are also available as a free download from itunes. If you need more info on the band, check them out at www.myspace.com/Society1music or at www.Society1.net You are in for a journey from which there is no return!

Originality: 10/10   Vocals: 10/10   Production: 9/10
Overall: 9.6/10

SOIL – “Throttle Junkies” (Crash Music Inc.)
    Style – Hard Rock
    Origin – Chicago, IL
    Dion’s Review – I’m not familiar with SOIL’s work, so I’m fairly ignorant, except for the brief bio that I just read. Darren (Adrenalin Metal Union) assures me that these guys rock and/or roll, and I tend to agree with him. This CD is a re-release of their 1999 debut full-length “Throttle Junkies”. I often think that re-releases are a cop-out… like live albums. You’re releasing work that you’ve already released. But Soil’s still releasing new shit through DRT Entertainment, so it doesn‘t seem like a “revenue-needed“ or “we’re losing fans” release. I don’t know why Crash Music Inc. picked this re-release up, but there you have it. They know what they’re doing, though. They’ve used the old ‘bonus-tracks’ trick to bait people who already own this CD.
    SOIL in 1999 was most definitely hard and rockin’. Well-produced, tight, and chunky. It’s not even a complaint, really, but the vocalist (or maybe a backing vocalist?) goes through times of wanting to sound like ALICE IN CHAINS’ Layne Staley… and/or Scott Weiland of STONE TEMPLE PILOTS. Whoever it is pulls it off rather well, actually, and doesn’t seem to overdo it. If you’re not familiar with SOIL (which I suspect I’m the only person) it’s good ol’ late-90s hard rock that is reminiscent of all the other bands on late-90s hard rock radio. Influences from METALLICA, ALICE IN CHAINS and STONE TEMPLE PILOTS are audibly evident, and this CD might actually make it to upload onto my computer.
    So if you’re bugging out ‘cause you don’t have the complete collection of SOIL’s works, then the “Throttle Junkies” re-release is most definitely for you. You could even cross it off that list of other cool shit that you’re waiting to reoccur ‘cause you missed it the first time, including hoola-hoops, acid-washed denim and fanny-packs. Arrgh, c’mon people! Fanny-packs were cool! They were very practical, and took the focus away from that terrible hairstyle you had!  www.myspace.com/soil , www.crashmusicinc.com , www.drt-entertainment.com 

Production: 8/10;   Originality: 6/10;   Instruments: 7/10;   Vocals 7/10
OVERALL: 7/10

SOLDIERS OF SCRAPE - "Operation: Shifting Gears" (Vision Records)
    Style - Metal
    Origin - Detroit, MI
    Mike's Review - WOW. The 4 guys in Soldiers Of Scrape (formerly known as Bowlscraper) have one hell of a good thing going. You won't hear a single negative thing come from me about this band. It almost feels like I am addicted to this album. Once I start playing it, I can't turn it off until it's done. 11 tracks of some old-school ass kickin' metal!
    Go now. Pick up this album. Indulge yourself in the old-school styles of Pantera, Slayer, COC, thrash, and heavy metal. Be captured by the catchy riffs, the killer raspy metal vocals, the musical crunch, and the excellent percussion.  Make sure you don't have a place you have to go for awhile though. After you get done listening to this album, you are going to want to hear it again.  For some, this album will be a trip down memory lane. For others, this will just be a kick ass album that will find its way into your regular rotation. That's all I have to say about that.
    With song titles such as "Kerry Fucking King Rules", "Cold Beer!", and "Old School Metal", their lyrical content varies from songs about metal memories, to drinking, to living life, and growing up. Perfect.
    I saw them live. It was awesome. They played 4 songs. I would have loved to see them play 20 more. If they are coming to an area near you, go check them out. www.soldiersofscrape.com or www.myspace.com/bowlscraper

Vocals: 10    Music: 10    Originality: 10    Production: 10
Overall: 10

SOS -  “Adult Situations”
    Genre - hard rock
    Origin -  U.S.
    Baird’s Review - I should have done this review last night when I was drunk. This is drinking music. It is not metal though, it’s hard rock at best. Normally I find myself picking apart vocalists like this, but it seems this guy can hold his own. He hits all his notes on key. The guitars change it up enough to keep me from boredom, and it’s apparent that the drummer is experienced enough. He uses a good amount of fills and odd beats that compliment the Spartan composition.
     Think 80’s rock/”metal” meets jam band and you have SOS. If that’s your thing check them out. I know I would if they played a bar near me. www.sosnyc.com

Production 8/10   Musicianship 7/10   Vocals 7/10   Originality 5/10
Overall 6.75/10

SOUL DESCENDERS – “Destruction For Tomorrow” (self-released)
    Style – Thrash Metal/Nu-Metal
    Origin – St. Louis, MO
    Dion’s Review – If you’ve ever been 16 (which I assume most of you didn’t get to skip) and were in a metal band, then you’re going to absolutely get this review. For those of you who just leaned back in your computer chair, took your hand off the mouse and got that distant look in your eyes as you reminisce about that raven-haired goth-chick who thought you were hot up there singing and/or playing guitar in that anonymous Battle Of The Bands. Well, I know you were either a guitarist or a vocalist if you actually scored yourself a groupie! I’ve been in bands. I know how it works. Drummers get other fucken drummers wanting to talk about fucken drums (or about other fucken drummers), and bassists, you’ll find, are in that dark corner furthest away from where the ladies are at, but closest to the refreshments. And now you’re wondering whatever happened to that raven-haired goth-chick, aren’t you?
    At any rate, now that you’re back here in the present with me, remember how awesome everybody you knew thought you were? Your mates? Your parents? Your groupies? Well, these guys, I’m assuming, are going through the same thing. Everyone they know is telling them that they kick some serious arse. But just like we did, they have that damned ‘maturing’ thing to do. I’m trying real hard not to be one of those patronizing pricks patting Soul Descenders on the back and saying “Give yourself a few years and you’ll be…” I’m telling them that they aren’t that good. They lack originality and diversity. But they definitely have talent, and I hate to admit it, but they’re in a better band than I was when I was 16. The music’s a little too predictable and “high school thrash”, and the vocalist could do with a little training, but (and I hate to sound like that patronizing prick) they’ve got the makings of a popular heavy metal outfit. The production of “Destruction For Tomorrow” is damned good, and Soul Descenders’ professionalism and motivation is way beyond anything I was musically-achieving when I was their age. So apart from making me feel like a geriatric under-achiever who never got groupies ‘cause of my chosen instrument, these guys aren’t difficult to sit through at all.
    Oh, and that raven-haired goth-chick? She ended up working at the Subway just down the road from me. And she told me that you kissed like an inebriated, numb-lipped iguana!
    www.myspace.com/souldescenders , www.souldescenders.com 

Production: 8/10;   Originality: 3/10;   Instruments: 6/10;   Vocals 4/10
OVERALL: 5.5/10

SOURVEIN - "Ghetto Angel" (This Dark Reign Recordings)
    Style -Metal/Doom
    Origin:
    Heather's review - If you are into slow-tempo doom metal then this is the band for you. Actually, this change in tempo sparked my interest.The music is full of southern flavor with that doom feel throughout. The vocals fit right in with the dark, methodical sound heard from the bass. Guitars are slow paced, but not un-interesting. Dynamically, the band is right on. This band definitely has potential, and I wouldn't be opposed to checking them out further. This 4 song EP is their second. The first is called, "Emerald Vulture". I loved the artwork, but I wasn't too thrilled with the recording. Despite that, they are one to keep an eye on. Check them out at www.myspace.com/ThisDarkReign.

Originality: 7/10;   Production: 6/10;   Vocals:8/10
Overall: 7/10

SPINESHANK, The Best Of (Roadrunner Records)
    Style – Metal/Industrial/Rock
    Origin – LA, CA
    Mike’s Review – Personally, I got really sick of hearing their song “New Disease” on the radio over and over and over again. It was a cool song at first but it wore its welcome. Credit can be given to the local radio station who claims to not play songs repeatedly yet does it all the freakin time. Fortunately, the rest of this “Best Of’ album is a lot more original and entertaining. It is still “radio-friendly” but in a much more creative way. I like a lot of the rhythms and production of the songs. A couple of the songs remind me of this industrial rock band I use to listen to in the mid-90’s called God Lives Underwater. Overall, about 75% of this album gets approval from me. I could do without some of the clean whiney vocals though. Too repetitious and annoying. Stick to the heavier vocals. Unfortunately, I read this band broke up about 5 months ago so I can share my excellent advice with them (I am being a smart ass). You can still check them out though. I didn’t find a website but you can find more information by searching for them on google.

Vocals: 6.5    Instruments: 8     Production: 9    Originality: 7.
Overall: 7.5

SPITFIRE - "Cult Fiction"
    Origin - Richmond, Virginia
    Style - Progressive Hardcore
    Crystal's Review - I don't know if I should call this disc interesting or whacked out. The music flows pretty well all instruments are pretty good but I really disliked the rough dying like scream vocals. To me it's pretty much God aweful. Sounds like something the high school kids would listen to when they whale their arms around and do those lil jump kicks. There are times when the singer actually slows it down like David Grohl (Foo Fighters) and it sounds way more better. Maybe he should of stuck to the slower stuff. Not much else I can say about this album. The only thing pretty nice is the unique cardboard packaging/artwork and CD insert artwork. www.myspace.com/spitfirerock

Originality:7/10   Vocals:3/10   Instruments:8/10   Production:9/10
Overall:6/10

STIGMA – “Solitude 24/7” (Tyntis Records)
    Style – Melodic heavy rock
    Origin – Trondheim, Norway
    Dion’s Review - I’m just not getting a lot of metal this batch! I know it’s not from a lack of metal acts. There are STIGMAs from the Czech Republic, Spain, Greece, The Netherlands, Hungary, Italy, Italy and this outfit from Norway. That’s not a typo, by the way. There are two from Italy. This particular STIGMA has elements of metal, but are mostly heavy rock with a folk, melodic feel. You can’t call a meat pie a meat pie when there’s elements of meat, and a lot of that protein slop that the herbivores are clambering for. I’m sorry for the swing in the vegetarian/vegan direction, but if I want a meat pie, then meat’s half of my needs.
    I’m in no way saying that these Norse Folksters aren’t talented. In essence, this is a two-piece outfit that employs the talents of what I assume are various local musicians. The metal tie-ins would be a sparing death-metal voice to give contrast to the numerous and predominant clean vocals, and distorted, sometimes even palm-muted guitars. That would be it for the metalheads to feast the aural organs upon. Solitude 24/7 is this band’s fifth release, but is purported to be the follow-up to their second CD released in 2000. With a mostly ponderous, low-BPM tempo, it’s lent a doomy feel in addition to the melodious sometimes Viking and Celtic chord progressions These folksy moments, I think, are aided by the use of nylon-string acoustic guitars instead of the less effective steel-stringed. Well, they’re effective during flamenco-inspired music; just not ancient European, in this humble reviewers opinion. It is a little hard to opinionate on the production, however, since the bio states that this is actually a release mixed and mastered specifically for a vinyl release, with the CD included with your LP purchase.
    Overall, this CD’s on time and in key. It’s just not my cup of mead. I can hear, and appreciate the talent of STIGMA; I just can’t get behind it. If you’re already pre-disposed to folk metal and melodic death/black/metal, then you might want to investigate Solitude 24/7. This maybe the answer to your desired “kick-back”, “maxin’ and relaxin’” or “playin’ solitaire” soundtrack.
A footnote for this review is that the final track “Epilog” doesn’t play to the end due to some malfunction. I’m hoping that it’s just my promo copy and not an indicator of a bigger problem.  www.myspace.com/stigma , www.stigma247.com , www.myspace.com/tyntisrecords 

Production: 7/10;   Originality: 6/10;   Instruments: 6/10;   Vocals: 7/10
OVERALL: 6.5/10

STONED - demo
    Genre - metal
    Origin - Wisconsin, U.S.A.
    Baird’s Review - Try as I may there is absolutely nothing positive I can find to write about Stoned. From the completely cliché name and logo (a bloodshot eyeball with a pot leaf in the pupil) to the terrible production. Nothing. The singer is horrendously bad, and whoever writes the lyrics relies on the single device of rhyming the last syllable of every other line (which got old two minutes into their first track). Every track has the same theme, describing some act of violence or this person maliciously imposing their will on someone else. The whole thing just reeks of stale beer and redneck sweat.
    The drum sound is in complement to the these negatives I have already pointed out, and I would guess that the “studio” they recorded this in did not have a surplus of microphones, and the guitars aren’t much better. The only notable part is the clean intro on the (4th?) track which they promptly ruin by recycling it with the distortion turned on.
    Lay off the weed guys, it’s not helping your cause. www.myspace.com/stonedmetal

Production 5/10   Musicianship 5/10   Vocals 2/10   Originality 3/10
Overall 3.75/10

STRAIGHT LINE STITCH - "WHEN SKIES WASH ASHORE" - (Raging Nation/Koch Records)
    Style - Modern Metal/Metalcore
    Origin - Knoxville, TN USA
    Rob's Review: 9:19 Monday morning. Writing my first review of the day and hoping it will be the lucky one that kick starts my day for me. Something that will supplement the coffee kick and pull me through until lunch. I gotta say this approach has never really been my cup of tea with its Mtv-ish/Ozzfest sort of feel and by that I mean that heavy verse into clean/melodic chorus thing that everyone looking to make a million dollars in a month is playing. All the power to them for seeing the trend and grabbing it by the nuts though. Thats just good business sense I guess. It definitely is for the younger fans out there though, hence the MTV reference. The CD is very well done with plenty of tight fairly imaginative riffs and melodic breaks which gives it a little variety at least. The vocals for me are the strong point. As far as I can tell Alexis Brown takes care of all of them, aggressive and clean, and pulls it off with flying colors. They have quite a talent there. So many times when women attempt the aggressive vocal style it tends to sound a little forced but not here. She has a very controlled and smooth delivery and it flows nicely into the clean parts which to me have a little Lullacry/Skunk Anansie sound to them. So nice job there. Like I said its not something I would throw in often if at all again but I do appreciate the talent. So, congratulations you have successfully supplimented my caffeine kick. Onward to the obliveon that is a Monday.

www.kochentertainment.com/artists/detail/?Artist=Straight+Line+Stitch - www.myspace.com/straightlinestitch 

Production: 10/10   Performance: 9/10   Originality: 6/10   Vocals: 10/10
Overall: 8.75/10

SUFFOCATION – “The Best Of Suffocation” (Roadrunner Records)
    Style – Brutal, technical death metal
    Origin – Long Island, NY
    Dion’s Review - Is it me, or is it just a bit unfair to call this CD “The Best Of Suffocation”? I think they had arse-kicking songs both before and after their career with Roadrunner Records. Couldn’t the label have gone with “SUFFOCATION - The Roadrunner Years”? I admit it’s a little BEACH BOYS, but it’s a lot more realistic. This New York outfit still enjoys major success in the death metal world, and crank out wondrously technical masterpieces to this day. I say “to this day” because they’re currently working on a new’n Blood Oath. Do you guys realise that next year, SUFFOCATION will be 20? Did that make you feel old, too?
    However you consider the title of the CD, it’s a trip back. If you’re reading this, you’re obviously a metalhead. And if you don’t think SUFFOCATION are at the pinnacle of death metal, then you know that other people do think that. This CD’s made up of 12 tracks from three albums. Five from Effigy Of The Forgotten (two of which are re-recordings from the pre-Roadrunner EP Human Waste!), three from Breeding The Spawn and 4 from Pierced From Within. These songs have been remastered, and whoever did it managed to make them sound better, even the Breeding… tracks sound pretty kick-arse. Although I am a little tired of people complaining about the much-lamented production of SUFFOCATION’s second full-length, I’d have to agree that it does sound like it was recorded with a 1960’s microphone in the middle of their rehearsal space, with a sock over it to muffle the treble. But whatever. It’s still an awesome CD with a lot of heart-racing moments.
    As it is, I’ve never been a fan of “Best Of…” albums. The songs I really like are rarely on them, and this one’s no exception. I don’t think SUFFOCATION have a shitty song, but there are some, that I think, should’ve been on there. I’d consider buying this CD, because most of my Suffocation CDs have been lost either at parties, or during moving, and I don’t really want to fork over more moolah to replace them. This CD just reminded me of why I got into Suffocation, and therefore tech-death, in the first place… to avoid Best Of… CDs!
http://www.myspace.com/suffocation , http://www.suffocation.us 
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com 

Production: 9/10;   Originality: ?/10; I  nstruments: 10/10;   Vocals: 8/10
OVERALL: 6.5/10

SUICIDAL WINDS – “Chaos Rising” (Pulverised Records)
    Style – Black/thrash metal
    Origin – Uddevalla, Sweden
    Dion’s Review - Unlike the last CD I reviewed, my expectation of Chaos Rising lay in a completely different direction that the actual listening led me. In my discerning mind, SUICIDAL WINDS sounded very “rehearsal-room blackened thrash”. Angst-riddled adolescents with what they’ve chosen to call moustaches warbling about things that piss ‘em off.
    I was (thankfully) wrong. This Swedish thrash metal quintet are a surprisingly aggressive outfit. This is the 16th release in a demo-, EP-, live album-, best of-, split-laden discography spanning fourteen years. If an angry-as-Niflheim thrash barrage is what you’re after, then SW wouldn’t be leading you astray. The production value’s fairly good. I’ve heard better, but I’ve definitely heard words. The solid drums move everything at a mid-pace that does fluctuate to break up a possible monotony. The guitars are fairly standard thrash, with a few solos, which thankfully isn’t in every song. The bass is actually pretty good. Following the guitar for the most part, but filling out his own lines on odd occasions. You can also hear his work on a bass-solo for the hidden track after one of those annoyingly long silences. If you’re going to have a bonus track, at least let it have it’s own track apart from the silence. If for no other reason than to appease those faithful listeners who’ll skip the silence to hear it. Plus, those are fucken annoying if you decide you want to listen to the CD in a random/shuffle. All of this is yelled over by a fairly standard throaty mid-yell that doesn’t really differ from itself. Other than the annoying hidden track, there’s nothing about this CD I disliked. I wasn’t overly excited, but the talent’s there, as well as the angst. There’s an acoustic-led track that I didn’t much care for, but you can’t win ‘em all… unless cheating‘s your bag. In that case you would be jammin’ your fingers in your lug-holes shrieking “la la la” for a good two and a half minutes.
    If you like your thrash a little blackened and irritated, then I think you’d get a kick out of Suicidal Winds. Their MySpace has a pair of tracks off of this album for your aural pleasure plus a few besides. Don’t worry, though! One of them isn’t a silent track… I’d hope. www.myspace.com/suicidalwinds -
www.pulverised.net/suicidalwinds.asp - www.pulverised.net 

Production: 7/10;   Originality: 6/10;   Instruments: 8/10;   Vocals: 7/10
OVERALL: 7/10

SUICIDAL WINDS – “Chaos Rising” (Pulverised Records)
   Style – Thrash/Death/Black Metal
    Origin - Sweden
    Taylor’s Review: I had the honor of reviewing Suicidal Winds before with their “Total Death N’ Live” album, so this is a treat for me to hear them in their studio element rather than a live one. I remember this band displaying a more thrash metal sound with that live album than this release displays. By no means is this a bad thing though, with Suicidal Winds taking a small step from the basis of their previous effort to a more death and traditional black metal approach to their sound. Bands such as early Marduk and early Dark Throne come to mind. The moods vary on this album from a fast pace driving onslaught, “Death To All” to a slower more melodic vibe “Ballade Of Death”, but staying with the faster speeds a majority of the time. The production on this album is wonderful, complimenting the viciousness of the music with a dirtier sound that brings out the essence of the music rather well. Suicidal Winds is a band that has found its way into my personal rotation. Buy this album. www.pulverised.net - www.myspace.com/suicidalwinds 

Instruments: 8/10   Vocals: 8/10   Originality: 7/10
Overall: 7/10

SUIDAKRA - "13 YEARS OF CELTIC WARTUNES" - (SPV)
    Style - Melodic Black/Pagan Death Metal
    Origin - Germany
    Rob's Review - Retrospective CD's are sometimes hard to tackle as you are trying to sum up a whole career in a paragraph or two based on a collection of tunes that, depending on when they were put out initially, really have a different sound and style based on when they were written and at what progression the band was in at the time. On the other hand for a band like Suidakra (Arkadius spelled backward-referring to vocals/guitar and founding member Arkadius Antonik), who has been around for almost fourteen years now, they have managed to stay pretty true to the roots they grew over that time in the Celtic/Pagan/Metalized Folk road they chose. A number of bands have sprouted from the seeds Suidakra have planted since 1994 but few have stayed committed to the ideals that initially made them prevalent. Even though the style Suidakra plays is not considered the most original any more they clearly have a firm grasp on how to do it right by really getting down into the past with a variety of instruments such as bagpipes, flutes and tin whistles as well as the familiar Irish folk harmony standards, choirs and orchestral arrangements. All this mixed in with the black and sometimes death metal overtones really give the music a nice texture that stands the test of time.
    On "13 Years...” they have handpicked a collection of some of their best material, re-recorded or re-mastered them and unleashed them unto the world making it a pretty complete retrospective of their careers thus far. Those of little knowledge of the band will benefit the most as is the case with most collection. One advantage of checking out a best of release, at least now days, is that they are usually packed with some kind of extra perk to liven up the otherwise rehashed material. In this case, it is a DVD that gives a glimpse of their live performance from a couple different angles. One show is from the famous Wacken Open Air in Germany and the other is an entire acoustic set. But wait! There’s more. Also on the DVD are bonus interviews from Wacken and a couple video clips of the songs "The IXth Legion" and "Forth-Clyde". All this should give even the most ignorant a decent piece of Suidakra to chew on.
www.suidakra.com - www.myspace.com/suidakra 

Production: 8/10,   Performance: 9/10,   Originality: 7/10,   Vocals: 7/10
Overall: 7.75/10

SUREFIRE MACHINE - "SureFire Machine"
    Style - Rock/Blues
    Origin - Toronto, Canada
    Heather's Review - If you took the vocal style of Lemmy from Motorhead and you fused that with the guitar style of ZZ Top, the end result is SureFire Machine. With the motto "Have a Good Time, All the Time", this Toronto based band has a 80's rock attitude with a 70's twist. There is nothing technical or complex about them. They play down and dirty rock with a blues influence that is quite addictive. With the combination of fast-paced riffs combined and melodic vocals, they bring a unique twist to modern rock. I think this band is definitely headed in the right direction. Check them out on www.myspace.com/surefiremachine or at www.surefiremachine.com

Originality: 7/10    Production: 7/10    Vocals: 7/10
Overall: 7/10

STIGMA - "When Midnight Strikes" (Pivotal Recordings)
    Style - Death
    Origin - Italy
    Heather's Review - If you take Napalm Death and Himsa and add a horror-theme to it, you have Stigma. This Italy-based band brings forth their brutality with a vengeance. With songs like, "Flesh Ritual" and "Walking the Fields of Apocalypse", this band brings you into the realm of horror at its finest. With unpredictable riffs, mind-numbing drums, and vocals that could wake the dead, this debut is definitely one to pick up. Cd production was well done, and the artwork is phenomenal (done by Davide Nadalin, who has also worked with Nile!!)
    The band also has a music video out for the single "I am Dracula" which is also featured on the cd. Other work from the band are their 2 EP's titled, 'Epitaph of Pain' and 'Metamorphosis'. Be sure to check them out at www.stigmahc.com. You will not be disappointed!

Originality: 9/10;   Vocals: 9/10;   Production:9/10
Overall: 9/10

STONE LAKE - "Uncharted Souls"
    Style - Melodic Metal/ Progressive
    Origin - Sweden
    Heather's Review - If you blend together hard rock (think Steel Dragon from the movie Rock Star) and progressive metal with a big scoop of melodic tone, the result is Stonelake.They are energetic, entertaining, and very passionate. The music is almost like a heart-felt expression, if that makes any sense. They have an old-school metal outlook, up-beat melodies, beautiful ballads, soaring guitar riffs, and vocals that have no limit. The song "Glory Days" is a serene ballad. Following that is "Don't Leave Me Behind" where the vocals become guttural and the music becomes harder and more intense. Other songs have extremely high-pitched vocals, with fast paced guitars and drums. The reason I like this band so much is for that reason. They have a lot of variety, and they play well in all of them. A very good band for fans into various types of metal. Production of the cd was excellent, catching every riff, every pitch, and every drum beat at the right moment. There is nothing about this band that I didn't like. Check them out at www.stonelake.se  or on www.myspace.com/stonelaketheband 

Vocals: 10/10 (Amazing range)   Originality : 10/10 Production: 10/10
Overall: 10/10

STRAIGHT - "Jacket-Vices" (Shrunkenhead Records)
    Style - Rock
    Origin - Toronto, Canada
    Crystal's Review - Straight Jacket is another Shrunken Head Records Release. I'm not into cover bands very much so this band just barely pulled it off for me. They remind me of the local WI band Vic Ferrari. The only thing that kept me going was the old school 80's covers. I'm an 80's chick what can I say. Everything was put together great on the disc with great production. Phenomenal guitar riffs and the higher pitched vocals were exactly on key. All I have to say is hopefully in the future they try some originals. I might even buy a disc then. www.shrunkenheadrecords.ca 

Production: 8    Performance: 6     Originality: 5
Overall: 6/10

SWINGSHOT - "There's Nothing Like A Beating" - (unsigned)
    Style - Modern/Alt Metal
    Origin - Knoxville, TN
    Rob's Review: As the opening track to "Nothing Like a Beatdown" dance between my ear canals, I get a funny tingly feeling that made my arm hairs bristle with excitement of what may be in store. The first track, "Fifteen", is an instrumental and not an overly fantastic one at that but it has that classic build up to it that really keeps you on the edge of your seat for what awaits. Kind of reminds me of the old 80's thrash instrumentals that seemed to open every band's cassette back then. I was getting pumped up. Ready to get my ass kicked. Track two, "From a Memory" opens. So far so good. Getting more excited. Patiently awaiting vocals. Uh...wait a minute...Something doesn’t fit. dammit! Not the metal core vocals and choppy one note riff runs! Say it isn’t so metal Gods. Don’t worry SWINGSHOT dudes, I'm not going to destroy you for simple lack of judgment. I realize this is the big thing and everyone needs to be a part of this seemingly fading genre so I guess I'll have to grin and bear it until it finally dies a horrible and humiliating death somewhere down the line.
All these bands, including SWINGSHOT are really good at what they do and I commend them for their efforts, but really, how much more of the same things can hundreds of bands do? I mean, it really has a lot of promise in the music department even with the boring runs of minimalist riffing. But it's really the same formula; Promising intro/build up followed by predictable, metal core wanna be death metal grunt, growl and scream verses over the "I just learned my guitar last week" E string hop, to the sickening dread of the clean vocal pre-chorus or chorus or worse yet for SWINGSHOT, the hip-hopp-ish Sublime breakdowns (ughh...kill me now). Wash, rinse, repeat. What started out as an intriguing bit of anticipation really had zero payoff for me. It’s just the same gift in a different package.  www.swingshotmusic.com - www.myspace.com/swingshot 

Production: 9/10    Performance: 8/10    Originality: 3/10    Vocals: 3/10
Overall: 5.75/10

SWORD TOWARD SELF - "Dissolution Manthras"
    Style - Progressive Black/Death Metal
    Origin - Sydney, Australia
    Jeremy's Review - Well, it seems musical styles are certainly merging in ways I never dreamed possible when I was growing up. Back then it was either heavy or not. Either way, it was probably good. Sword Toward Self is blackish, death-like, and progressive. Yes, it does happen. However, this amalgam of "progressive" death and black metal is just a teaser for a future full-length. Sword Toward Self, Regress/Regret, and Iridescent Wings of the Ungods is chaos defined with blastbeats and screeching guitars. While I admit, Sword has much to be desired in the way of vocals, this Australian act puts on a musical hammering of such variety, it's going to be a few listens before you grasp what is actually happening here. It's a lot of stuff. Doomy, fast, crunchy, wailing, screaming, and pounding riffs puts art in darkness. www.swordtowardself.com
www.myspace.com/swordtowardself

Production: 6    Performance: 8    Originality: 7
Overall: 7 (out of 10)

SYMPHONY X - "PARADISE LOST" - (SPV/inside Out)
    Style - Symphonic Power Metal
    Origin - New Jersey, USA
    Robs Review - Ahhh, SYMPHONY X. A brilliant band that nobody seems to like much. At least in this black hole of the metal universe called the US of A. When you hear them you could swear it was European born with all its pomp, symphonic power metal glory. Everything about SYMPHONY X is over the top starting with the production value and ending with guitar virtuoso Michael Romeo. The man is not a man. He is a robot. I'm convinced of it. Like I said, I don’t think a lot of metal guys that would normally read our stupid reviews are particularly fond of this style but you can’t really help but at least be respectful of it for its technical prowess and cohesive dexterity. Think Dream Theater played a little faster and a little heavier in both the music and vocal departments. In fact the vocals, which are sometimes annoyingly soaring through the music are very gruff here and more metalized than most bands of their ilk. Don’t get me wrong Russell Allen has his moments of pretty passages but the overall tone and feel of his voice is definitely more on the gravely side. Hopefully that will win some of you over that release a techicolor yawn to the sounds of James Labrie from Dream Theater. I am heading that way. What really makes SYMPHONY X what they are besides the previous points is the overall movie soundtrack feel to their music. You could swear sometimes that John Williams (c'mon, you know him right? - Star Wars, Indiana jones, etc) was scoring the music. Therefore the music more than lives up to the band name.
    Paradise Lost is the band's seventh studio release since 1994 and continues quite nicely on the SYMPHONY X tradition of extravagance. Once again Michael Romeo drives this machine with great precision. The guitars are definitely the centerpiece on any of their CD's but each album they seem to get a better sound and mix out of them and personally it kicks my ass every time. What really sets this band apart from the rest of the many many many out there are the songwriting skills and arrangements. Top notch all the way. They pretty much can do no wrong. SYMPHONY X decided long ago what they wanted to be and concluded that staying the course was the best road. They have thus perfected the genre.

www.symphonyx.com  - www.myspace.com/officialsymphonyx 

Production: 10/10,   Performance: 10/10,   Originality: 9/10,   Vocals: 10/10
Overall: 9.75/10  T

TERMINAL DESCENT – “Host Age To The Devil” (Vitriolic Records)
    Style – 90’s Death metal
    Origin – Forest City, IA
    Dion’s Review – Well, I’ve had “Host Age To The Devil” for about 8 weeks now (most likely more) and I’m still having trouble thinking of anything to say about it. I can’t say that I’ve listened to it every day, but it has been stuck in my “ho-hum” pile. I don’t like it. I don’t dislike it. There is some awesome points to this full-length, and there are some downsides.
    Tony Mikkelson is TERMINAL DESCENT; Guitars, vocals, bass and drum-programming (one of those downsides I mentioned earlier). This is very 90s-sounding death metal in the vein of Morbid Angel, Malevolent Creation and Vital Remains. Some of the riffs seem to drag on too long, but there are some pretty kick-arse arrangements, even ignoring the fact that it’s the one dude writing and recording everything. There’s a third guitar-track that pops up periodically that sounds bloody terrible, however. It’s very reminiscent of (I think) the soundtrack to that old Sega Mega Drive game with Duck Tales in it. Kinda like the opening solo in Cannibal Corpse’s “Orgasm Through Torture”. You’re all absolutely free to disagree with me, but just keep it to yourselves, hey? I actually have to be quite honest, and say that I really don’t think I’d have picked TERMINAL DESCENT as a solo-project, so Mr. Mikkelson has done something right. I’d say if you’re still stuck in the early- to mid-90s with your death, then you’re gonna appreciate “Host Age To The Devil”.
    As much as I want to say “There’s no ‘I’ in ‘band’, Tony!”, I think the bloke’s onto something, and he sounds a damned sight better than other “one-man bands” I‘ve endured in my 28 years - Dick Van Dyke resides at the top of that shit-list. And besides, I’d say he’s had a gutful of pissy, arrogant bandmates rockin’ up to rehearsals drunk and late. And this way, he doesn’t have to share any of the groupies either… wink-wink, nudge-nudge. Eh Tony.
www.myspace.com/terminaldescent , http://cdbaby.com/cd/terminaldescent 
Email: eternalmindsect@aol.com

Production: 6/10;   Originality: 6/10;   Instruments: 5/10;   Vocals 5/10
OVERALL: 5.5/10

THE FUTANTS – “Pass Me The Butter” (Dino Viking Records)
    Style – Rock
    Origin – Kansas City, MO.
    Dion’s Review - I’m still trying to figure out why this CD was sent to a metal e-zine. It’s definitely rock - even a little grunge - but there really isn’t any metal in this debut full-length from FUTANTS. We all know the ancient Chinese adage: “Distorted guitar does not the metal make. Ahh-so”. Rumour has it that Ike Turner discovered distorted guitar by using a split speaker cone despite his better judgement, and he ain’t metal. “Nutbush City Limits“ may have created a dance phenomenon, but it‘s not metal. “River Deep, Mountain High“, whilst being up-vibe, is not metal. “Private Dancer”… well. I’ll give you that one, but that was after Ike anyway.
    But I digest. THE FUTANTS, as you may have guessed, have a moniker that’s the fusion of future and mutants. I don’t really know what to say about this Missouri act. It’s heavy rock, with a Primus-influenced bassist, and a bare-bones, but solid rock drummer. It’s all sung over by both the guitarist and bassist, one of which sounds a hell of a lot like David Cross. Pass Me The Butter is fairly well-produced. Actually it’s really well-produced since it was recorded in the guitarist’s basement, and then professionally mastered at Oasis Mastering in LA. The music’s tight, without any wanky solos by anyone and the singing’s in key. I’m having a hard time coming up with appropriate comparisons in my head. It’s rock, with some hard rock, grunge and maybe even a little blues chucked in for good measure. There are a couple of metal moments, but they’re fleeting. If you’re into metal but like a mellow break every now and then, you might want to check out the links below and find out for yourself if you dig these blokes.
    After all is said and done, I’d have to say my major complaint would be that it’s not metal. I’m aware that that sounds narrow-minded and biased, but I do write for a metal fanzine after all. You wouldn’t ask Martha Stuart to repair your stairway. You wouldn’t get Tim The Tool-Man Taylor to cobble your shoes. Therefore it’s a little inappropriate to ask a metal-reviewer to review non-metal. Right?
Right.
www.myspace.com/futantsrock , www.sonicbids.com/futants 
Production: 7/10;   Originality: 6/10;   Instruments: 7/10;   Vocals: 6/10
OVERALL: 6.5/10

THEORY OF A DEADMAN - "Scars and Souvenirs" (Roadrunner Records)
    Style - Rock
    Origin - BC - Canada
    Darren's Review - I am no stranger to Theory of a Deadman. Their popularity has risen since their debut in 2002, and to not hear their music being played in today's media circuits, well.. you would have to be deaf - or at least hard of hearing. "Scars..." is their third release, and a with a handful of chart toppers under their belt, the three piece is back with what seems to be more of the same. Okay, if you think that I am approaching this review in a negative fashion, I'll put a stop to that right now. I have liked what I have heard from TOAD previously, I didn't own any of their albums, but I didn't turn the station when they appeared on the radio waves. A big part of that is Tyler Connolly's vocals, call it a personal preference, but it sits very well with me. If you have never heard TOAD, hard rock with a radio friendly twist would be accurate. Some tracks seem to dive into the ballad cesspool too much for me, but they are good at what they do, and the tracks that do rock make up for it. Chances are - you have already familiar with the band, and I can say if you like them, you won't be disappointed. I see more success and chart toppers with "Scars and Souvenirs". www.theoryofadeadman.com or www.myspace.com/theoryofadeadman

Production/Engineering: 8/10;   Originality: 7/10 ;   Instruments: 7/10
Vocals: 9/10
Overall: 7.5/10

THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE - "Way Of The Blade"
    Style - Progressive Thrash Metal
    Origin - Wisconsin
    Jeremy's Review - The Ottoman Empire is a little progressive metal band out of Wisconsin that sounds to me like Persuader with female vocals. The guitars consist of fast picking, progressive changes, and some pretty good craftsmanship. Mary Zimmer starts off in Anemic World with soaring vocals like that of Anneke van Giersbergen, but switches back and forth to screaming (a.k.a. Angela Gossow). Way of the Blade consists of tight musicianship and decent production; a progressive journey in the spirit of classic Maiden, Helloween, Dream Theater, and probably too many other influences that abound through this record. Heaviest of these tracks is Wrathshot, which just blasts away the rest of the album and shows off Ms. Zimmer's vocal range. The Mercenary clocks in at over 12 minutes long, and really highlights the band's capabilities and poetic talent. The rest moves and flows with heavy, progressive abandon. Though their style is an acquired taste altogether, by the third listen you'll be hooked.   www.myspace.com/theottomanempire or www.theottomanempire.net

Production: 8    Performance: 9    Originality: 8
Overall: 8.5 (out of 10)

THE PARLOR MOB - "And You Were A Crow" (Roadrunner Records)
    Style - Rock
    Origin - USA (NJ)
    Darren's Review - I have spent quite some time listening to this release, and have already recommended this to my friends. The Parlor Mob started off as "What About Frank" and changed their name in 2006. "And You Were A Crow" is the debut (there was an EP previously and a debut by "What About Frank" in 2004) released in March of 2008. The band is rock based but has more unique elements like guitar rock and a bit of blues. Mark Melicia offers vocals that don't really sound like anyone else, geared toward the higher side of the spectrum. The guitars are well above average, offering different tones and riffs throughout. The songs are a perfect blend of rock, blues and even a little pop...just enough to add a sing a long factor that can keep things from getting stagnant. Fans of classic rock, or hell, rock in general can lend themselves to the Parlor Mob. Recognized by the Asbury Music Awards as twice being the best live act, sounds like these boys know what they are doing live as well. A fantastic add to any collection, one of the better albums I have heard in 2008.
www.myspace.com/theparlormob 

Production/Engineering: 8/10;   Originality: 8/10;
Instruments: 9/10;  Vocals: 9/10
Overall: 8.5/10

THE PRICE OF HATE - "The Price of Hate"
    Style - Thrash/Death Metal
    Origin - Manitowac, WI
    Gus's Review - Classic thrash elements mix with modern death metal/deathcore characteristics in this first demo from The Price of Hate. Unfortunately, as is the case with so many new bands, the production quality reduces the overall quality of the album, in this case nearly muting the bass guitar and bass drums. Even so, The Price of Hate has managed to come out with a decent demo that is definitely worth listening to. From the very beginning, each song comes at you with the force of a tank. While the guitars aren't as polished as they could be, they provide the intense, gritty feel that most metalheads have come to love. The vocals, while clearly not professional, are dynamic enough not to bore the listener. With a little bit of work, though, his guttural screams could go from decent to amazing. This is the kind of music that gets mosh pits started and makes headbangers' necks sore.

www.myspace.com/thepriceofhate

Originality: 8/10   Production: 6/10   Performance: 8/10   Vocals: 8/10
Overall: 7.5/10

THE SECRET - "Disintoxication" (Goodfellow Records)
    Style - Aggressive Metal
    Origin - Italy
    Heather's Review - When I put this cd in, I was instantly interested. The music is brutal, with aggressive melodies and a raw edge. Vocally, they reminded me of Brutal Truth. Musically, they have an original edge that made them stand out. The most unique song being "Umea" which also happens to be a location 4 hours away from the Arctic Circle that the band visited. They describe the location as "unsettling and isolating." Upon reading this, the song fits in perfectly. It starts out very somber, with an isolated guitar melody, that then works it's way into a dynamic change that results in a dark, surreal song with that aggressive style that is heard throughout the cd. Overall, the lyrics describe troubled times, but musically, it can bring out the metal in all of us. The band describes "Disintoxication" as, "leaving behind your bad situations and bad influences which slowly start destroying your life." "It's about sleepless nights and desperation as well as spitting in the face of the world." The music is a direct reflection of this. Recorded with Goodfellow Records, The Secret is definitely worth checking out! Find them at www.myspace.com/thesecret 

Originality: 9/10;   Vocals: 9/10;   Production: 9/10
Overall: 9/10

THE UNDER - “Mercurial”
    Genre: Rock
    Country: US
    Baird's Review -     Man this guy really sounds like Geddy Lee when he sings. I hate Rush. I know that’s almost sacrilegious considering the fact that I am a bass player, but I just can’t help it. Either Daniel Costa needs to take some vocal lessons, or The Under needs to solicit the skills of a Vocalist that knows how to sing. There are some parts that are just completely out of key, and I have no idea how their studio technician couldn’t convince him of this fact. I know if I was in the booth for this one I would have called him on it. It’s just painful.
    Besides the vocals this is some pretty damn good rock music here. I can hear the Rush, Kyuss/Queens of the stone age, Black Sabbath, etc. there are some parts where it sounds like the drummer is playing with a third arm, and the bass player does a good job standing on his own with only one guitarist. There are a couple heavy parts where Costa screams the lyrics that sound really good. The guitar riffs are quite innovative and the guitar solos seem very well thought out, using a good combination of theory and soul without relying on lame “tricks” and arpeggio runs. I always enjoy listening to a 3 piece band when they can make it sound complete without the use of many overdubs and studio tricks, and these guys pull it off well. This is a solid cd, and hopefully these guys solve their vocal issues because there is a lot of potential in this band.
www.theunderband.com

Production 8/10   Musicianship 8/10   Vocals 3/10   Originality 8/10
Overall 6.75/10

THE UNDER – “The Under”
    Style - Progressive Rock/Rock
    Origin - U.S.A.
    Taylor’s Review - This e.p. from The Under offers an edgy rock infused listen full of melodic vocal hooks and a strong musical accompaniment. An obvious display of many hours spent creating and perfecting songs to bring their name effectively to the masses.
As stated in their bio, “Combine the finest elements of progressive rock, metal, and punk with a strong songwriting emphasis and a style that often strays from convention” they know their sound and understand what defines them. All these genres are The Under, and they combine them in such a way to create a personality all their own. A good listen from a good band.

www.theunderband.com  / www.myspace.com/theunder /  www.sonicbids.com/theunder 

Instruments: 8/10   Vocals: 7/10   Originality: 7/10
Overall: 7/10

THE WISHING - "Hearts and Death"
    Style - Goth/Industrial
    Origin - Milwaukee, WI
    Heather's review: With a subtle dark atmosphere evoked by keyboards and some electro effects giving off bits of rock, The Wishing proves that rock and Industrial can co-exist. With an utterly melancholic essence combined with a serene, yet edgy, voice, the music paints the soundscape with wishful sounds, matching the albums interpretation and lyrics perfectly.
    The music is well layered with great dynamics and it is definitely something you can dance to. They develop a sense of their own atmosphere rather than music with a defined plan.The melodies carry you on a journey; beautiful but haunting, like the photo depicted on the cover-art. Best yet,the sound is almost stereophonic. Unlike some other bands that produce flat strings of sounds here and there, this music runs through your nerves and flows in your blood. Composed of only 2 members, The Wishing leaves you wanting more. Check them out at www.myspace.com/thewishingonline

Originality: 9/10   Production: 9/10   Vocals: 9/10
Overall: 9/10

THIRD DEGREE - "Punk Sugar"
    Style - Metal
    Origin - Poland
    Heather's Review - When I first saw this cd, I was very curious. The cover art depicts this insane looking little girl holding cotton candy. The back of the cd art depicts the same girl, only now her face is covered in blood. The music, however, was not as interesting unfortunately. In fact, most of the songs sounded very similar to one another. The vocals are harsh and mono-tonal. It is the same voice with the same tone in every song. It wasn't until song 12 that I even noticed a variation in the music. It reminded me of Greatful Dead in a way because you could blend all these songs into one, and you would never know when one ended and one began if not for the short break in between. Musically, however, I think they have talent. I could not help but notice that this band has a great drummer. Cheers to him! The production of the cd was also decent. I don't think I would judge this band completely just based on this one cd, but this one needs some variation to keep the listener interested. If you want to check them out they are on www.myspace.com/thirddegreewarmia

Vocals: 4/10;   Originality: 4/10;   Production: 7/10
Overall: 5/10

THOSE WHO BRING THE TORTURE - “Tank Gasmask Ammo”
(Pulverised Records)
    Style: Death Metal/Grindcore
    Origin: Sweden
    Steve’s Review: A brutal concoction of soul-crushing Death Metal, potent Power Grooves, and Grindcore rhythms that rip your face off like a saw. Those Who Bring The Torture have a great old school sound melded with the more modern Death Metal/Metal core elements. While most of Tank Gasmask Ammo is straight double-bass blasting in your face aggression, I find myself occasionally banging my head to their catchy grooves as well. TWBTT has a definite apocalyptic feeling to them, especially after viewing the gasmask-clad warriors on the cover art. This carries on over to their music with the opening track “Napalm God”. With skin melting riffs and brutal drumming that radiates
right through you. The rest of the recording follows this fashion with some unexpected variances. By unexpected I mean songs like the heavily punk influenced “Expecting a Search - Visibly Hiding the Flesh”. I’m not a big fan of Hard-core or Punk but these guys do it well with their metal influences backing them up. The album continues to pick up pace, speeding m