Reviews of the latest heavy metal, extreme, hardcore and hard rock CDs in 50 words or less from Chad Bowar.
Scoring
95-100: One of the best albums of the year (A+)
90-94: A (excellent)
80-89: B (good)
70-79: C (average)
60-69: D (disappointing or below average)
59 and below: F (sucks!)
If you have a CD you'd like reviewed on this site, contact the editor.
After nearly imploding a couple years back, the Finnish melodic band Straovarius have returned. Their latest CD isn't anything groundbreaking, but it is heavier than some of their more recent stuff, and the songs are less epic and more focused. It's power/progressive metal with soaring vocals, melodic hooks and plenty of guitar solos.
posted by Chad Bowar @ 4:50 PM
Bowar is a freelance music writer and the heavy metal editor for About.com, a New York Times company. He has written for Outburn, Amp, Loud Fast Rules, Caustic Truths, Snaggletooth, Explicity Intense and many other print and online publications.
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