Heavy Metal Reviews In Brief

Short Metal Reviews Archive

2006-12-31T13:18:00.000-05:00

Click "read more" below for a complete archive of reviews:

Aborted - The Archaic Abbattoir
Agents Of The Sun - Monarchs Of A Fallen Society
Akercocke - Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone
Animosity - Empires
Arch Enemy - Doomsday Machine
Anubis Rising - Funerary Preamble
A Perfect Murder - Strength Through Vengeance
ASG - Feeling Good Is Good Enough
At All Cost - It's Time To Decide
A Wilhelm Scream - Ruiner
Bane - The Note
Barcode - Showdown
Beautiful Creatures - Deuce
Beecher - Breaking The Fourth Wall
Beecher - This Elegy, His Autopsy
Beseech - Sunless Days
Brand New Sin - Recipe For Disaster
Brides Of Destruction - Runaway Brides
Bury Your Dead - You Had Me At Hello
Caldwell - Accidental Renovation
The Cardinal Effect - Red Light Carousel
Charnal Valley - The Dark Archives
Cipher - Children Of God's Fire
Darkane - Layers Of Lies
Delphian - Oracle
Dew Scented - Issue VI
Disbelief - 66Sick
Donnybrook - Lions In This Game
The Duskfall - Lifetime Supply Of Guilt
Evergrey - A Night To Remember
Exodus - Shovel Headed Kill Machine
F5 - A Drug For All Seasons
Fear Factory - Transgression
Foo Fighters - In Your Honor
Grace Gale - A Few Easy Steps To Ensure Heli-Camel Safety
GZR - Ohmwork
Hammerfall - Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken
Hate Eternal - I, Monarch
Hoods - The King Is Dead
Horse The Band - The Mechanical Hand
Hypocrisy - Virus
James Byrd's Atlantis Rising - Crimes Of Virtuosity
Kids Like Us - Outta Control
Killwhitneydead - So Pretty, So Plastic
Life In Your Way - Ignite and Rebuild
Megadeth - Greatest Hits: Back To The Start
Mercenery - 11 Dreams
Meshuggah - Catch Thirty-Three
Mind's Eye - A Work Of Art
Mistress - In Disgust We Trust
Municipal Waste - Hazardous Mutation
Nashville Pussy - Get Some
Neshamah - Communicating In Heartbeats
On Broken Wings - It's All A Long Goodbye
Opeth - Ghost Reveries
Overkill - ReliXIV
Paths Of Possession - Promises In Blood
Premonitions Of War - Glorified Dirt + The True Face Of Panic
Primal Fear - Seven Seals
Resistance - Lies In Black
Rikets - Anything For The Devil
Ringworm - Justice Replaced By Revenge
Scar Symmetry - Symmetric In Design
Scars Of Tomorrow - The Horror Of Realization
Seventh Wonder - Become
Siebenburgen - Darker Designs & Images
Six Feet Under - 13
Stratovarius - Stratovarius
Strength In Numbers - The Veil
Symphorce - Godspeed
Ten 33 - Nightmare On Grace Street
Terror - Lowest Of The Low
This Moment - Finding A Voice In The Dark
To Kill - Watching You Fall
Trigger Point - A Silent Protest
Unsane - Blood Run
Various Artists - Armageddon Over Wacken Live 2004
Various Artists - Dead Band's Party: A Tribute To Oingo Boingo
Various Artists - Masters Of Horror Soundtrack
Vesania - God The Lux
Vio-Lence - Eternal Nightmare
Wolverine - The Window Purpose
YOB - The Unreal Never Lived

Primal Fear - Seven Seals (Nuclear Blast)

2005-10-18T21:29:00.000-04:00

On their sixth studio album Primal Fear shows exceptional diversity. From simple riff-laden straight up metal to sophisticated epic compositions, the German band can do it all. It's traditional metal with power metal influences and great vocals by Ralf Scheepers. The guitars are outstanding and the production is flawless. Highly recommended.

Grade: 96

Scars Of Tomorrow - The Horror Of Realization (Victory)

2005-10-18T20:25:00.000-04:00

Hardcore and metal have different styles of aggression, and Scars Of Tomorrow manages to harness both of them into one volatile package. With each album they improve musically and become more diverse. Death metal growls, hardcore shouts and melodic singing complement the intense metal riffs. Atreyu frontman Alex Varkatzas guests on one track.

Grade: 86

Ringworm - Justice Replaced By Revenge (Victory)

2005-10-18T19:59:00.000-04:00

This is a great combination of thrash metal riffs and angry hardcore vocals. The songs are mainly mid and up-tempo, with double bass pounding under skillful guitar topped with the shouting of the strangely named vocalist Human Furnace. This sounds like one pissed-off band, but their anger is our pleasure.

Grade: 88

Various Artists - Masters Of Horror (Immortal)

2005-10-18T15:21:00.000-04:00

This is the soundtrack to the Showtime TV series of the same name, a 2 disc set of new and unreleased material from metal, rock, punk and hardcore artists. Some of the names you'll recognize include Mudvayne, Shadows Fall, Mastodon and In Flames. A highlight is It Dies Today's version of the Depeche Mode song "Enjoy The Silence."

Grade: 89

Charnal Valley - The Dark Archives (Paragon)

2005-10-12T17:51:00.000-04:00

The black metal duo Charnel Valley are writers Marty Rytkonen (Worm Gear) and S. Craig Zahler (Metal Maniacs). Their debut EP is a low-fi dose of classic black metal recorded in analog. The vocals are raspy and the guitar riffs are outstanding. It's a raw and extremely well-written album.

Grade: 90

Agents Of The Sun - Monarchs Of A Fallen Society (DCide)

2005-10-12T14:44:00.000-04:00

The Baltimore, Maryland band's second album is a mix of hard rock, modern rock, and a hint of metal. It's melodic and radio friendly, but there are some hardcore style vocals and the guitars are front and center. The album was mixed by 311 drummer Chad Sexton. It's very catchy stuff.

Grade: 86

ASG - Feeling Good Is Good Enough (Volcom)

2005-10-11T15:08:00.000-04:00

ASG's latest album has a ton of different influences. It's hard rock with both modern and '80s Guns 'N Roses type influences. You'll also hear elements of stoner rock, classic rock, metal and punk. They're hard edged enough to be on Ozzfest, and melodic enough to be on Warped.

Grade: 88

Neshamah - Communicating In Heartbeats (Blood & Ink)

2005-10-10T17:02:00.000-04:00

Neshamah are a Christian hardcore/metalcore band from South Africa. Their latest album is more toward the metalcore side of things, with raw screaming vocals and metal riffs along with some breakdowns and melodic parts. The songs are well-constructed, and the lyrics are on the inspirational side as you would expect. A solid album.

Grade: 77

Akercocke - Words That Go Unspoken, Deed That Go Undone (Earache)

2005-10-10T12:51:00.000-04:00

UK Satanic metallers Akercocke have a new guitarist, former Berserker shredder Matt Wilcock. They also have a different sound on their latest album. In addition to their usual death and black metal, there are many progressive elements, including long instrumental sections. There are also some mellow and melodic moments that complement the intense brutality.

Grade: 94

Various Artists - Armageddon Over Wacken Live 2004 (Magick)

2005-10-10T12:19:00.000-04:00

Wacken is Europe's largest open air festival, and 2004 was its 15th anniversary. This 3 CD/2 DVD collection features over 3 ½ hours of live performances from artists like Dio, Motorhead, Anthrax, Cannibal Corpse and many more. The audio quality is great, and if you weren't able to make it there yourself, this is the next best thing.

Grade: 90

Paths Of Possession - Promises In Blood (Metal Blade)

2005-10-05T16:17:00.000-04:00

For the first time in 5 years we have a new album from George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher (Cannibal Corpse) and Paths Of Possession. Corpsegrinder's vocals are just as intense as you'd expect, but they are a lot more understandable than his Cannibal Corpse work. The music is in the Swedish vein, melodic and brutal with thrash influences.

Grade: 88

At All Cost - It's Time To Decide (Combat)

2005-10-04T16:57:00.000-04:00

What an odd combination. All All Cost combines metalcore with synthesizers and along with usual hardcore screaming and melodic singing they also use the same strange"voicebox" effect used by Cher in the song "Believe." It may be a novelty, but at least it's something different in the ever homogenized metalcore genre.

Grade: 76

Premonitions Of War - Glorified Dirt + The True Face Of Panic (Blackmarket Activities)

2005-10-04T16:25:00.000-04:00

This album is a re-recording of the band's 2000 EP with new vocalist Nate Johnson (Dead Water Drowning) along with the out of print 2002 album The True Face Of Panic. Even though the vocalist has changed, the band's style has not It's still indescribably brutal and intense with indecipherable pained yowling vocals.

Grade: 78

Grace Gale - A Few Easy Steps To Ensure Heli-Camel Safety (Blackout)

2005-10-04T15:33:00.000-04:00

Grace Gale is a band with a sense of humor. Their music is hardcore with some metal and rock influences. The vocals are a little more screechy than your usual hardcore screams, and you'll hear melodic vocals here and there. It's their funny lyrics and great song titles like "Part Time Gravedigger, Full Time Scumbag" that set them apart.

Grade: 83

Hoods - The King Is Dead (Eulogy)

2005-10-04T10:34:00.000-04:00

Ten years into their career Hoods have released one of their best albums. It's old school hardcore packed with intensity, angry vocals, chunky riffs and breakdowns. They also add enough polish and metal elements to appeal to metalcore fans without alienating their original hardcore fan base.

Grade: 85

Exodus - Shovel Headed Kill Machine (Nuclear Blast)

2005-10-04T09:56:00.000-04:00

Legendary Bay Area thrashers Exodus are back with a new singer and a new album. Rob Dukes is the new singer and his voice is angrier than the previous Exodus vocalists, and that adds an edge of intensity to the band's sound. That combined with guitarist Gary Holt's patented thrash guitar riffs makes for a crushing new album.

Grade: 95

F5 - A Drug For All Seasons (Cleopatra)

2005-09-27T17:37:00.000-04:00

Not many people buy an album because of the bass player, but former Megadeth bassist David Elleson is a member of F5. The album is melodic metal, chock full of crunchy guitars and pop hooks. It's in the same vein as Sevendust or Disturbed. There's also an interesting cover version of the '80s song "What I Am."

Grade: 75

Beseech - Sunless Days (Napalm)

2005-09-27T16:49:00.000-04:00

Gothic metal by design is full of drama and emotion, and Beseech utilizes those elements to the fullest. The Swedish band's songs are complex and diverse with both male and female vocals. It's a wide-ranging album with many different tempos, textures and instruments. Recommended especially for fans of groups like Lacuna Coil and Evanescence.

Grade: 87

Siebenburgen - Darker Designs & Images (Napalm)

2005-09-27T16:29:00.000-04:00

The Swedish vampiric metal band Siebenburgen are back with another demonic dose of darkness. Growling male vocals mixed with melodic female vocals tell grim tales over epic guitar riffs and ominous keyboards. It's black metal combined with power and traditional metal elements. They also do one song in their native Swedish, which is an interesting twist.

Grade: 84

Beautiful Creatures - Deuce (Spitfire)

2005-09-27T10:20:00.000-04:00

Four years after their debut, former Bang Tango singer Joe LeSte and his band Beautiful Creatures are back with a new album. Their brand of hard rock/metal is in the same vein as their first record, with melodic hooks, catchy chorus and plenty of guitars. Roll down the windows and crank it up.

Grade: 82

Horse The Band - The Mechanical Hand (Combat)

2005-09-27T10:04:00.000-04:00

Known as "ninentendocore" because of their keyboards that sound like an '80s video game, Horse The Band returns with an unusual and interesting sophomore album. Their music is hardcore mixed with some thrash metal and the ever present keyboards. They are heavy, fast and intense, but also very creative and unique.

Grade: 87

Brides Of Destruction - Runaway Brides (Shrapnel)

2005-09-27T09:53:00.000-04:00

Even though Nikki Sixx has gone back to Motley Crue, Brides of Destruction's second album is even better than their debut. Veteran guitarist Tracii Guns is in top form with some great solos, and vocalist London LeGrande is solid. Their sound has evolved into an appealing combination of retro metal mixed with modern rock and some grunge.

Grade: 85

Hypocrisy - Virus (Nuclear Blast)

2005-09-20T13:39:00.000-04:00

Almost 15 years into their career, the Swedish death metal band Hypocrisy has released one of their strongest albums to date. It's filled with devastating drums, shredding guitars and growling vocals. They combine death metal with thrash and grind and play at maximum tempo and intensity. A great return to form.

Grade: 95

Nashville Pussy - Get Some (Eagle Rock)

2005-09-20T11:01:00.000-04:00

If you want to get a party going, play this CD. It's kick ass hard rock/metal with the raspy vocals of Blaine Cartwright and the great guitar work of his wife Ruyter Suys. Their lyrics are funny, the grooves are excellent, and it makes you want to grab a cold one and whoop it up.

Grade: 91

Stratovarius - Stratovarius (Sanctuary)

2005-09-13T16:50:00.000-04:00

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.

Grade: 76

The Duskfall - A Lifetime Supply Of Guilt (Nuclear Blast)

2005-09-13T16:18:00.000-04:00

I'm not sure about guilt, but it certainly seems there is a lifetime supply of melodic death metal bands from Sweden. The Duskfall's latest release showcases some great thrash metal riffs to go along with the death metal vocals and power metal melodies. The production by Daniel Bergstrand (In Flames, Meshuggah) is top-notch.

Grade: 82

Beecher - This Elegy, His Autopsy (Earache)

2005-09-07T13:15:00.000-04:00

The UK mathcore band Beecher have recorded a complex and creative album. It is a roller coaster of tempo and time signature changes, progressive interludes and crushing riffs and precise musicianship. Beecher stands out in the metalcore field for their uniqueness and willingness to experiment. The album was produced by Converge's Kurt Ballou.

Grade: 90

Caldwell - Accidental Renovation (Indianola)

2005-09-07T12:52:00.000-04:00

There seem to be a lot of bands mixing punk, hardcore and metal. Caldwell is one of them, and their debut album doesn't break much musical ground. The riffs are decent, but the vocals are mediocre. The hardcore screaming is okay, but the melodic singing definitely needs improvement.

Grade: 72

Scar Symmetry - Symmetric In Design (Nuclear Blast)

2005-09-07T12:33:00.000-04:00

The Swedish band Scar Symmetry combines death metal with power metal on their debut album. Clean vocals alternate with death metal howls that are reasonably understandable. Along with the metal riffs you'll get a healthy dose of keyboards and plenty of guitar solos. Fans of groups like Soilwork should dig this album.

Grade: 83

Watch Them Die - Bastard Son (Century Media)

2005-09-06T18:46:00.000-04:00

Watch Them Die fulfill their name perfectly as they bludgeon the listener to death with their latest brutal effort. From beginning to end it is nonstop intensity with influences of old school thrash, hardcore and death metal. Extra props for paying tribute to the late Quorthon by covering Bathory's "Armageddon."

Grade: 92

Opeth - Ghost Reveries (Roadrunner)

2005-09-06T18:04:00.000-04:00

There are always high expectations for Opeth's albums, and they don't disappoint with their latest effort. Ghost Reveries is unbelievably diverse, both musically and vocally. Heavy riffs, acoustic interludes, tempo and key changes, screaming and clean vocals, this album has it all. You'll hear something new every time you listen.

Grade: 96

Symphorce - Godspeed (Metal Blade)

2005-09-06T17:41:00.000-04:00

The German power metal band Symphorce is back with another excellent album. Vocalist Andy B. Franck is very versatile, sounding great in the lower, middle and high registers. Their music combines power metal with progressive influences. They can pull off both melodic soaring ballads and heavy, more intense songs.

Grade: 90

Trigger Point - A Silent Protest (Corporate Punishment)

2005-09-06T15:45:00.000-04:00

Even though the pounding of drummer Dave Gentry is what initially draws your attention, the rest of the band's skills come into focus quickly. Trigger Point's debut album is packed with great metal riffs and hooks. Vocalist Taylor Wallace transitions easily from screaming to melodic vocals and back again.

Grade: 86

Rikets - Anything For The Devil (Corporate Punishment)

2005-09-06T15:12:00.000-04:00

The band features members of Switched, Erase The Grey and Genitorturers, and was produced by Switched vocalist Ben Schigel. Their debut EP is diverse, with elements of metal, industrial and grunge. It's both melodic and dissonant, with interesting keyboard samples and distortion blended with the riffs. The songs are radio friendly, yet intense enough for your average metalhead.

Grade: 84

Municipal Waste - Hazardous Mutation (Earache)

2005-08-26T17:23:00.000-04:00

If you're a fan of old school thrash, this is a must have album. Richmond, Virginia's Municipal Waste take you back to the best of '80s thrash metal mixed with an ample dose of hardcore punk. The songs on Hazardous Mutation are short and sweet and played mostly at breakneck speed with shouted vocals and great guitar riffs.

Grade: 89

A Wilhelm Scream - Ruiner (Nitro)

2005-08-26T15:08:00.000-04:00

A Wilhelm Scream are influenced by several different styles of music including punk, hardcore and metal. They have great melodies and harmonies, but add in some heavy parts and guitar solos which keep that harder edge. They also vary the tempos of their songs and include some unusual song constructions.

Grade: 87

Fear Factory - Transgression (Calvin)

2005-08-23T14:04:00.000-04:00

Industrial metal pioneers Fear Factory are still going strong. Vocalist Burton C. Bell's pipes are in good form, transitioning from screaming to melodic vocals at the drop of a hat. Producer Toby Wright (Metallica, Korn) polishes the band's sound while keeping it recognizable. Their U2 "I Will Follow" cover is also surprisingly good.

Grade: 88

Vesania - God The Lux (Napalm)

2005-08-23T13:39:00.000-04:00

Vesania is a Polish symphonic black metal band. Vocalist/guitarist Orion is also a member of Behemoth, and drummer Daray splits his time with Vader. The songs on God The Lux are very well constructed and orchestrated, and you'll hear similarities to Dimmu Borgir. The guttural vocals are secondary to the arrangements and act like an additional instrument.

Grade: 84

YOB - The Unreal Never Lived (Metal Blade)

2005-08-23T12:53:00.000-04:00

If you see a CD with 4 tracks, you assume it's an EP. Not so with YOB. The Oregon doom metal band's latest clocks in at over 50 minutes. From the slow powerful riffs to the spacey solos and gruff vocals, they prove that you don't have to play at breakneck speed to make a memorable album.

Grade: 89

Animosity - Empires (Metal Blade)

2005-08-23T09:30:00.000-04:00

Even though they're only in their late teens, the Bay Area death metal/hardcore band has been together for five years. Their sophomore album is nonstop brutality with bludgeoning riffs and both low and high-pitched unintelligible yowling vocals. It's dark and extreme, but not at the expense of quality musicianship.

Grade: 84

Arch Enemy - Doomsday Machine (Century Media)

2005-08-16T13:18:00.000-04:00

Angela Gossow is a rarity, a female metal vocalist who doesn't sing in an ethereal melodic soprano. Instead she shrieks and growls and howls in true death metal style. The melody is provided by the fantastic guitar work of brothers Michael and Christopher Amott. From grungy riffs to crystal clear solos, they can do it all.

Grade: 91

Resistance - Lies In Black (Lion Music)

2005-08-09T17:31:00.000-04:00

Even though they are on a Finnish label, Resistance is from the USA. The California band's debut is a combination of Bay Area thrash and European power metal. It has thrash riffs and power metal solos and the guitar work is front and center. The vocals are shaky in spots, but generally pretty good.

Grade: 81

Delphian - Oracle (Lion Music)

2005-08-09T16:45:00.000-04:00

Delphian is a Dutch progressive metal band with a female lead singer. They lean more traditional than symphonic. Their debut album varies from heavy to acoustic, mixing in plenty of metal guitar riffs and solos. Aniek Jansses' vocals are slightly operatic and work better on the softer songs.

Grade: 86

Anubis Rising - Funerary Preamble (Uncouth Industries)

2005-08-03T12:57:00.000-04:00

Anubis Rising were an L.A. metal band influenced by groups like Isis and Neurosis. This is a compilation of their EP and split CD releases along with 4 previously unreleased songs. The music is slow and doomy and the vocals unintelligible growls and screams. They're decent, but nothing to write home about.

Grade: 73

Ten 33 - Nightmare On Grace Street (Blood & Ink)

2005-07-30T09:39:00.000-04:00

Ten 33 is a Christian hardcore band that mixes old-school with punk and a little bit of metal. Shout-a-long choruses, breakdowns and metal riffs abound. It's all intense, but they vary the tempos to avoid monotony and bring in the 11 tracks at just over 20 minutes.

Grade: 82

This Moment - Finding A Voice In The Dark (Uprising)

2005-07-30T09:25:00.000-04:00

The Southern California metalcore band This Moment have released a solid debut album. It has parts that are brutal and intense with hardcore-style vocals, but other parts that are melodic with clean vocals. The songs are varied in tempo and style, and is more interesting than the usual mosh and scream metalcore album.

Grade: 82

A Perfect Murder - Strength Through Vengeance (Victory)

2005-07-26T09:09:00.000-04:00

A Perfect Murder is a whole new band, with 3 new members added since their last album. It's more thrash and metal than hardcore with a Pantera-like feel. The vocals are mainly screaming with a few clean parts. They even throw in a Metallica-esque instrumental. The vocals aren't great, but the guitar work is excellent.

Grade: 77

Kids Like Us - Outta Control (Eulogy)

2005-07-26T08:49:00.000-04:00

Very few bands mix hardcore and Southern rock. Kids Like Us, from Tallahassee Florida, are one of the few. They also add thrash and punk to that mix. Their brand of hardcore is straightforward, angry and intense, with traditional hardcore style vocals and attitude. Not groundbreaking, but a solid effort.

Grade: 81

Barcode - Showdown (Nuclear Blast)

2005-07-26T08:46:00.000-04:00

Listening to this album, you'd think Barcode was from New York, but the Danish group proves Europeans can do hardcore, and do it well. T production is crystal clear, but the rawness of the music and the lyrics keep it from sounding too polished. This is first-rate old school hardcore.

Grade: 85

Foo Fighters - In Your Honor (RCA)

2005-07-20T17:35:00.000-04:00

Dave Grohl and company have released a 2 disc set. The first is electric, the second acoustic. The acoustic disc is far more interesting, featuring collaborations with Norah Jones, Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones and Josh Homme from Queens Of The Stone Age. . Disc 1 is straight ahead alt rock, good but pretty much what you'd expect from the Foo Fighters.

Grade: 84

Cipher - Children Of God's Fire (Uprising)

2005-07-13T12:33:00.000-04:00

You definitely get your money's worth with Cipher. Their debut full-length clocks in at over an hour. And it's not filler, either. It's a passionate album with very political lyrics and unique song constructions. You'll hear a variety of styles and influences from metal to hardcore punk to hip-hop.

Grade: 88

Darkane - Layers Of Lies (Nuclear Blast)

2005-07-13T10:08:00.000-04:00

Darkane is a Swedish band with a lot of different influences and a unique sound. They combine thrash, death metal and symphonic metal into a very appealing package. The songs are mainly up-tempo utilizing different vocal styles. Their music is a great combination of the brutal and the technical. Highly recommended.

Grade: 95

Dew Scented - Issue VI (Nuclear Blast)

2005-07-13T09:57:00.000-04:00

Their name is completely misleading. Dew Scented are a brutal, intense German death-influenced thrash band. They combine shrieking vocals with catchy riffs and skillful solos and have enough variety to avoid sounding monotonous. Their musicianship is excellent, especially the guitar and drum work. A powerful album.

Grade: 89

Megadeth - Greatest Hits: Back To The Start (Capitol)

2005-07-06T12:19:00.000-04:00

Since Megadeth is one of the best metal bands of the past 20 years and this is a collection of their best songs, simple logic would indicate this album would be outstanding, and it is. Dave Mustaine and crew have written great songs throughout their career, so the most difficult thing was to pick which ones to include.

Grade: 94

Mind's Eye - A Work Of Art (Lion Music)

2005-06-28T13:07:00.000-04:00

In anticipation of a new album to be released later this year, Lion Music has re-released the 2002 album A Work Of Art. Mind's Eye combines elements of metal, progressive rock and melodic rock into a very appealing package. The musicianship is excellent, the songs very catchy, and the production is flawless.

Grade: 86

James Byrd's Atlantis Rising - Crimes Of Virtuosity (Lion Music)

2005-06-28T12:52:00.000-04:00

James Byrd has been called "one of the best guitarists you've never heard of." This is a re-release of his 1998 album. He is truly a guitar virtuoso in the vein of Yngwie Malmsteen and Uli Jon Roth. There are enough vocals to make it interesting, but Byrd is unquestionably the star of the show.

Grade: 82

Seventh Wonder - Become (Lion Music)

2005-06-28T12:43:00.000-04:00

The Swedish progressive metal band Seventh Wonder is made up of several former members of Mankind. This is a blend of progressive and neo-classical metal with soaring vocals, lengthy instrumental sections, solos and multiple tempo and time-signature changes. For the most part it's a very solid and enjoyable album for prog metal fans.

Grade: 84

Disbelief - 66Sick (Nuclear Blast)

2005-06-28T12:22:00.000-04:00

Disbelief are a German death metal band with a dark, melancholy sound. Vocalist Karsten Jager stands out with his tortured, emotional cookie monster vocals that are actually semi-understandable. Melodic vocals are also mixed in. Disbelief is an acquired taste, but listen to the album a few times and you'll be hooked.

Grade: 83

To Kill - Watching You Fall (Catalyst Records)

2005-06-27T10:03:00.000-04:00

The Italian straight-edge hardcore band To Kill keeps it short and sweet. Their songs are mostly under 2 minutes long, but they pack plenty of aggression into that short time frame. It's traditional hardcore with not a lot of surprises, but To Kill delivers the goods. They're a band to keep an eye on.

Grade: 87

Life In Your Way - Ignite And Rebuild (Indianola)

2005-06-21T12:43:00.000-04:00

Some metalcore albums sound like one long song. This is not one of them. Life In Your Way are a Christian metalcore band that can be really intense one moment and then melodic and mid-tempo the next. That variety is one of the things that makes you notice them in a really crowded genre.

Grade: 79

On Broken Wings - It's All A Long Goodbye (Eulogy)

2005-06-21T12:26:00.000-04:00

The Boston metalcore band On Broken Wings has taken a quantum leap with their latest album. Their metal riffs are superb, the breakdowns really heavy, and the songs well constructed. The vocals are a combination of cookie monster and melodic that make for a diverse and first-rate album.

Grade: 86

Various Artists - Dead Band's Party: A Tribute To Oingo Boingo (Indianola)

2005-06-15T13:11:00.000-04:00

Oingo Boingo were one of the coolest and strangest bands of the '80s, and one of the most underappreciated. This is an appropriately reverent tribute album done by a diverse group of artists including Finch, Reel Big Fish and Clear Static. As with any compilation there are hits and misses, but many more hits.

Rating: 87

Donnybrook - Lions In This Game (Hand Of Hope)

2005-06-13T12:43:00.000-04:00

This is the full-length debut album from L.A. hardcore band Donnybrook, but they sound like old-school veterans. Dre Stewart's vocals are intense, but actually understandable, which is a refreshing change in this genre. The band is tight and the songwriting is top-notch. If you're a fan of groups like Terror and Madball, check this out.

Grade: 90

Terror - Lowest Of The Low (Trustkill)

2005-06-08T13:18:00.000-04:00

This is a re-release of the hardcore group's debut EP with some bonus tracks and a live set added on. Terror plays hardcore at breakneck speed with monster breakdowns. The EP is excellent, the bonus tracks average, and although the live set sound quality isn't the best, their raw energy and passion really comes through.

Grade: 89

Mistress - In Disgust We Trust (Earache)

2005-06-07T14:56:00.000-04:00

To describe Birmingham UK's Mistress as extreme is an understatement. Grindcore and crust with shrieking vocals and bone crushing riffs make for an intense listen. They even throw in a couple of guitar solos and brief melodic sections for variety. They're influenced by groups like Napalm Death and Brutal Truth.

Grade: 86

The Cardinal Effect - Red Light Carousel (Tribunal)

2005-06-06T17:42:00.000-04:00

The North Carolina band's debut album blends metal, hardcore and emo. The vocals alternate between hardcore screeching and melodic singing. The melodic singing and harmonies are very good, the screeching average. The songs are catchy and the production very good. A promising debut that fans of groups like Funeral For A Friend will enjoy.

Grade: 84

Killwhitneydead - So Pretty, So Plastic (Tribunal)

2005-06-06T17:32:00.000-04:00

Their music is standard death metal/grindcore, but Killwhitneydead's gimmick is the liberal use of movie and TV samples. They also have really long song titles and hateful lyrics that seem to be delivered tongue in cheek. Musically they're very talented with some great guitar riffs and could do fine without the samples.

Grade: 78

Bane - The Note (Equal Vision)

2005-06-06T15:49:00.000-04:00

Hardcore veterans Bane return with their first album in nearly 4 years. They haven't jumped on the metalcore bandwagon and keep to the traditional hardcore style vocals and shout along choruses. The songs are well-written with excellent riffs, and the lyrics are interesting and actually understandable. Highly recommended.

Grade: 91

Meshuggah - Catch Thirty-Three (Nuclear Blast)

2005-06-06T13:53:00.000-04:00

Every release by the Swedish band is unique and different, and this is no exception. Strange rhythms, complex riffs and heaviness mixed with some mellow interludes makes for an unusual album. It's one long track broken up into 13 sections of interesting and diverse technical death metal.

Grade: 89

Hate Eternal - I, Monarch (Earache)

2005-06-05T21:26:00.000-04:00

If you're in the mood for some intense, extreme music, you can't go wrong with I, Monarch. The riffs are crushing and the blast beats come at you at warp speed, but the precise and technical musicianship of Hate Eternal makes it more than just angry noise. Death metal doesn't get any better than this.

Grade: 95

Bury Your Dead - You Had Me At Hello (Eulogy)

2005-06-05T21:24:00.000-04:00

This is a re-release of their 2002 debut album. Bury Your Dead's style of metallic hardcore is intense and aggressive, mixing metal riffs and hardcore breakdowns with reasonably understandable hardcore vocals. From chugga-chugga to math metal, they've got all the bases covered.

Grade: 84

Brand New Sin - Recipe For Disaster (Century Media)

2005-06-05T21:20:00.000-04:00

Joe Altier has a bluesy voice with a pretty decent range and the ability to pull off both the rockers and the acoustic ballads on this diverse album. Influenced by everyone from Black Label Society to Motorhead to Skynyrd, Brand New Sin's style of good old American hard rock isn't groundbreaking, but it sure is fun to listen to.

Grade: 86

Beecher - Breaking The Fourth Wall (Earache)

2005-06-05T21:19:00.000-04:00

The Manchester, UK band came to the US to have Kurt Ballou (Converge) produce their debut, and in addition to the original tracks the re-release includes 4 bonus BBC Radio session tracks and a remix. Screamo and melodic vocals mixed with some unusual sounds and song constructions make for an interesting listen.

Grade: 84

Wolverine - The Window Purpose (Earache)

2005-06-05T21:15:00.000-04:00

This is a re-release of the Swedish progressive/power metal band's 2001 album. Stefan Zell's emotional and soaring vocals relate the story of The Window Purpose, a man who dies and tries to find the afterlife. The music is melancholy and melodic, with a few growls thrown in to balance Zell's melodic vocals.

Grade: 83

Vio-Lence - Eternal Nightmare (Megaforce)

2005-06-05T21:12:00.000-04:00

A re-release of the Bay Area band's 1988 debut album, and a must own for thrash fans. Also included is a live CD. Vio-Lence was less technical than some of their thrash contemporaries, but their riffs were killer. It's about time this great album was back in print.

Grade: 90

Unsane - Blood Run (Relapse)

2005-06-05T21:10:00.000-04:00

Their sound is thick and abrasive and intense. Chris Spencer's vocals are angry and distorted, and his guitars really groove. Unsane also varies the tempos of their punishing songs, going from plodding to mid-tempo to fast. After a long absence, Unsane are back to claim their crown as the kings of noise rock.

Grade: 87

Strength In Numbers - The Veil (Ironbound Recordings)

2005-06-05T21:08:00.000-04:00

The full-length debut album from the New Jersey six-piece Strength In Numbers is a polished one, a combination of '80s thrash, old-school hardcore and modern metalcore. Vocally they have a nearly equal balance of hardcore and melodic styles and also do a good job of balancing the metal riffs with the melodic choruses.

Grade: 85

Six Feet Under - 13 (Metal Blade)

2005-06-05T21:05:00.000-04:00

Chris Barnes and company don't break any new ground on 13, but for fans of their style of old school death metal it's a solid release. As usual, Barnes' vocals sound like he just gargled with razor blades, and the songs are medium tempo and heavy.

Grade: 78

Overkill - ReliXIV (Spitfire)

2005-06-05T21:02:00.000-04:00

Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth and the boys haven't slowed down one bit. They're still pounding the double bass and shredding the guitars. ReliXIV sounds gritty and dirty, and that's by design. The band produced the album themselves, wanting a ferocious and raw sound.

Grade: 82

Hammerfall - Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken (Nuclear Blast)

2005-06-05T16:26:00.000-04:00

The Swedish power metal band Hammerfall has returned to form with everything you'd expect from a good power metal album: great riffs, layered arrangements, melodic hooks, memorable choruses and the soaring vocals of Joacim Cans. The sometimes over the top epic 12 minute closing track features Venom frontman Cronos.

Grade: 87

GZR - Ohmwork (Sanctuary)

2005-06-05T16:21:00.000-04:00

The first release from legendary Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler's group since 1997 features Clark Brown on vocals. He's a good singer with a powerful voice, but should stick to singing instead of the rapping he does on a few songs. There are a couple of good songs, but most are forgettable.

Grade: 67

Evergrey - A Night To Remember (Inside Out)

2005-06-05T16:02:00.000-04:00

2 disc collection of a concert recorded in 2004 in Evergrey's hometown of Gothenburg featuring tracks from all 5 studio albums. The recording quality proves singer Tom S. Englund's powerful vocals are not just a studio creation. This is dark progressive metal at its finest.

Grade: 92

Aborted - The Archaic Abbattoir (Olympic)

2005-06-05T15:47:00.000-04:00

The Belgian band's brand of goregrind is really heavy and played at breakneck speed, but still manages to remain accessible and not descend into pure noise. Aborted has really come into their own on their fourth full-length album, varying the song styles and adding some melodic riffs to the cookie monster vocals.

Grade: 83

Mercenery - 11 Dreams (Century Media)

2005-02-08T21:34:00.000-05:00

Mercenery's sound is a blend of progressive metal and melodic death metal. The Danish band has the ability to be both symphonic and extreme, which is a unique combination and one of the factors that makes the album so good. The dual vocals also add a lot of variety to the songs.

Grade: 95