Heavy Metal Time Machine

Vendetta-Feed the extermination

2012-01-27T04:47:00.000-08:00

Massacre
2012

Germany's Vendetta came out in the late 80's when thrash was heating up. They knocked out a pair of decent albums and then broke up not too long after that. Fast forward to just a few years ago and they reformed and knocked out "Hate" on 2007. Now they are back again with ten new songs. This is a mix of old school thrash, some classic metal edges and even few layers of more modern metal here and there. Despite hailing from Germany I always felt that Vendetta owed more to the Bay area sound from our shores than they did to the thrash scene from their country. That is still the case as this album has far more Metallica and others than say Kreator, Sodom or any other German thrash act. Where this band excels is in creating some instantly likable and catchy riffs. You start with those and you get the listeners attention and that is a sound approach that works here. Off the top of my head I would say that "Cancer","Storage of anger" and "Trust in God" has some of the best main riffs and are prime examples of how this band can capture your attention early on. They don't hold back and obviously their experience comes into play here and they could sure show some younger bands a thing or too. So if you want driving riffs and solid vocals you get that, but don't expect Vendetta to go beyond that style. There are not a lot of solos or much of any attempt to progress beyond a limited sound. Maybe I didn't expect that, but there are a lot thrash bands both young and old playing this style and to get noticed a band probably has to push ahead a little more. This is still a likable album, but not really impressive enough to be anything special.

Hair Metal Hell:Slave Raider - Take The World By Storm

2012-01-26T08:49:00.000-08:00

Bmg Music
1989

Andy says-

Consider this a confession. Well, two confessions really. The first is that this week's Hair Metal Hell group is actually more hard rock that hair metal. Secondly despite that groan inducing album cover I have nobody to blame but myself for buying this load of crap rock back in 94 or so. I don't recall the exact date but I do remember finding a used copy (on tape) at a thrift store and saying to myself "Self, maybe this is some decent traditional heavy metal". Decent would be too good for this album. Try dull and boring. That is my biggest complaint. If there is a musical equivalent to watching paint dry then "Take The World By Storm" takes the prize. While it doesn't surprise me that a band from the eighties has a singer called Chainsaw Caine I am surprised by how many people swear by this album. From reviews on the web you would think these guys were some unsung heroes of heavy metal. Take this review from Amazon (where the asking price is over $100 for this "classic"): "Should do plenty for fans of W.A.S.P., Exciter, Omen, Hellhammer and maybe Destruction." Notice I didn't bother fixing that sentence because quite frankly the whole thing is wrong. Slave Raider are awful and generic hard rock. They are not even close to sounding like any of those groups. Not even W.A.S.P. my friends. This is why I never go by reviews on Amazon. There is something seriously wrong with the people that post there.

Checklist:

Out of tune vocals- 4, There is something to be said for a guy with the name Chainsaw Caine. And that is man, he is one flat vocalist. Very one dimensional in fact.

Wanna be rockstar guitars- 5, From the way these guys "rock" out you would think it would all lead somewhere. Instead these guitars just wail away creating the most boring riffs in all of hard rock history.

More hairspray than bass- 3, Even though I don't hear a lot of bass there doesn't seem to be much interest in hair spray. Not that Slave Raider were any better than your normal sleaze rocker of the eighties.

One dimensional drum beats-4, Sort of like one of those clapping monkeys.

Make me wanna puke ballad- 5, The whole album made me want to stick a finger in my mouth and puke. Did I mention how dull and lifeless this album was?

Metal Mark says- I remember first hearing of this band probably not long after it came out. I read a review on it back then and although I remember none of the specifics I am sure that it was positive. In fact every review I read on this over the years has been positive. So here recently I downloaded it (for free) and came to the conclusion that those who like this are either.

A)liars

B)tone deaf

C) both of the above

Based on the album cover it looks like the only raiding they did was to raid their sister's closets and make-up kits. Obviously they spent more time on their look than they did on umiportant aspects of being in a band like rehearsing and learning how to play your instruments. No that's not a compliment to their image either.

Checklist-

Out of tune vocals-4 Uh, yeay dude the tape is rolling so you may want to spit that wad of gum out of your mouth and take a drink of water first. Oh, that is your singing voice? Too bad...for us.

Wannabe rockstar guitars-5 It's like bad Poison riffs only ever so slightly heavier. Yes it really is that bad.

More hairspray than bass-4 There is a lot of things that I hear on this album more than the bass and none of them sound very good. Maybe I am giving them a point off here for not making us hear another bad instrument.

One dimensional drum beats-5 Somehow I picture whoever formed this band finding some friend he thought had "the look" and pulling him in as the drummer. The fact that he didn't know how to play the drums didn't matter. So I picture the other band member slapping his knee and saying this is all you have to do on the drums "slap-slapa-slap-slap-slapa-slap" and once you get the hang of it just mix it up a little from there. Needless to say "the drummer" never rose to the level of mixing it up a little.

Make me wanna puke ballad-These guys tried to be heavier than glam bands of the day, but the results were just as abusive on my ears and digestive system. Stomach Churner would have been a more fitting band name than Slave Raider.

No thanks to Slave Raider for making this album.

Church of misery-The second coming

2012-01-26T06:20:00.000-08:00

Rise Above, Metal Blade

2012

Originally released in 2004 this was more stoner, psychedelic rock from Japan's Church of misery. You get some straight out groove driven songs like "Candy man" and "Filth bitch boogie" which the band really excels at. Then you get something like "Red river blues" which sounds like early Sabbath being played on a trip to another planet. As you get get some space rock tossed in with the thick, fuzzed out gliding riffs. We get some cover tracks here as well. Those being "One way... or another" by Cactus and "For mad men only" by May Blitz. Church of misery's proto-metal influences are obvious on their originals and that be a large reason why they really do justice on these cover songs. You can tell when a band is covering a song because they enjoy and when they are just going the motions. Church of misery are obviously thrilled to be playing these songs and treat them a such. Compared to the previous album "Master of brutality" this album is similar, but there is definitely more space rock components tossed in. The previous album has so much of a Sabbath influence and this one does too, but you can tell they were listening top Hawkwind and others as well. The results are perhaps even more impressive as this album saw the band branching out a little. I never heard this album the first time around, but am glad it was re-issued so I found out what I had been missing out on.

Forgotten Gems: Abattoir - Vicious Attack

2012-01-26T06:11:00.000-08:00

Combat Records
1985

For this week's particular Forgotten Gem segment Metal Mark and I decided to tag team the classic album "Vicious Attack" by Abattoir. As with Top Of The Heap and Hair Metal Hell we have broken things down into our two separate parts.

Andy says-
Given the fact that "Vicious Attack" was originally a demo recording it can be forgiven for being a bit raw production wise. The story is that Combat Records loved the pure raw energy of the demo and decided to release it as is. Chances are though that Combat Records either didn't have the money to allow Abattoir to re-record "Vicious Attack" or they were too cheap. Regardless this 1985 album is pure speed/thrash gold. Almost punk like in it's approach it has a Motorhead on a Metallica bender feel to it. That is probably a fitting description as the band choose to cover "Ace Of Spades" for the album. Don't let the raw thrash title fool you though as the band plays tight heavy metal. While the album originally listed Mark Caro and Danny Olivero as guitarists the real credit should go to Agent Steel's Juan Garcia. Vocals were handled by Steve Gaines (Bloodlust, Pagan War Machine and Bitch among others) and are rough while still giving it a thrash metal feel. Overall the album is raw and gritty with a punk streak a mile long. It is also a classic of the genre and a must have for thrash metal manics.

Metal Mark says-
I enjoyed their 1982 demo and really this album is similar. However my first exposure to this band was hearing their cover of "Ace of spades" on Hit Parader's cassette only compilation "The Wild Bunch". I liked it, but couldn't judge the band very well on just a cover song. It was almost another two years after that before I heard this album. This is kind of early speed metal in that it's fast but doesn't hit on the level that thrash soon would. Still it's well put together with plenty of speed and heaviness. Plus perhaps most importantly it still holds up well today. I listen to it a few times every year. They never quite made it though probably mostly due to there being so many speed/thrash bands pouring out at the same time. You just knew some good bands would fall through the cracks and Abattoir were one of those. Their second album "The only safe place" the next year saw 3/5 of the band change (!). The sound was similar to the debut to some extent as there is still plenty of speed metal, but there is also Judas Priest kind of classic metal feel to many songs as well. It's another solid album, but the band broke up not too long after that. Like many 80's metal bands they did reform in recent years. Both albums are worth checking out.

Crypticus/Scaremaker-split album

2012-01-26T05:14:00.000-08:00

Selfmadegod

2012

Denver, Colorado's Crypticus offer up four tracks of old school death metal with some thrash undertones. It's only two guys creating all this noise and they do an admirable job of creating some intense metal. The plus side is they are relentless and do an excellent job crossing dark tones with some spine cracking riffs. There isn't much of a technical side to their, but they push hard at the style they play in. The slight downside for Crypticus is that they are not overly creative, the music can get repetitive and the vocals are average for the genre. Overall on these tracks the power wins out and I enjoyed it. Scaremaker are a newer band who have only been around for a few years, but this trio is intense. They also play death metal, but with some black metal and thrash tossed in. They contribute five songs to this split album and every track is dripping with anger and wrapped in harsh often chaotic sounds. They excel at this style and they can go from thick battering marches to blasting bursts and back again while retaining the same energy throughout. Their final track "Mansion of the macabre" is their longest at over seven minutes, but it's their most accomplished track with calculated tempo changes and a true sense of control and they build the song to it's peak. Overall a decent split disc although I was slightly more impressed by Scaremaker.

Slingblade-The Unpredictable Deeds Of Molly Black

2012-01-24T01:00:00.000-08:00

High Roller Records
2011

Female-fronted Slingblade hail from Stockholm and were formed in 2009. The band released their debut 7" single on High Roller Records the following year. This past November the group issued their debut album creating quite a bit of underground buzz. Seeing as it is on High Roller Records you just had to know that "The Unpredictable Deeds Of Molly Black" would be classic metal. While early comparisons have been made to NWOBHM groups like Girlschool and Rock Goddess it would be safe to say that there is more of a traditional heavy metal sound to be found with Slingblade. It is easy enough to point out other female-fronted heavy metal acts like Girschool, Satanic Rites, Rock Goddess, Taist Of Iron, Warlock or Hellion as a way to try to pinpoint the sound. Especially since in Slingblade's music one does tend to pick up on those sounds as well as older acts like Coven. But for a band like this that has made it their mission to create an album similar in nature to a King Diamond album there is so much more. Warlord, Malice, Obsession, Accept and even the classics like Rainbow/Dio/Saxon/Iron Maiden/Judas Priest have helped shape Slingblade. I'd even wager to say artists as diverse as Grace Slick have helped shape this group. For a band like this to survive in 2012 there obviously has to be more and Slingblade have that little edge thanks to the detail oriented nature of their sound. Getting back to the King Diamond bit for a second with this new album Slingblade has created a ten song conceptual album that is highlighted by the sensual vocals of Kristina Karlsson. With all the songs making up the story it is almost as if your listening to Kristina tell you this dark and twisted tale on a cold, dark and stormy night. You get caught up in it and become a part of a story that is chilling. It does have the feeling of an old King Diamond or Merciful Fate album where you get those shivers. You know where you have the feeling that things are not quite. Fan's of traditional minded heavy metal will want to hunt this release down. It is well-crafted, features a wonderful production job and has a sincere nature to it that will leave you longing for more.

Corrosion of Conformity-s/t

2012-01-22T05:02:00.000-08:00

Candlelight
2012

Strap yourself in because this is liable to take a while. COC started out as a hardcore punk band in the early 80's and then they released their debut "Eye for an eye". "Eye for eye" was full of short bursts or noisy and fast tracks. After that the band parted ways with vocalist Eric Eyke and bass player Mike Dean took over vocals for "Animosity" in 1985. "Animosity" saw the band going to more of a crossover path with elements of hardcore. Then the band added Simon Bob Sinister to be their vocalist for the "Technocracy" EP in 1987 which was similar in style to "Animosity". After this we get into more drastic changes. Simon Bob left and bassist Mike Dean both left as well. The band replaced both guys and added a second guitarist in Pepper Keenan. The next album was "Blind" in 1991 and is was a huge style change. It was a stoner and doom mix which was a huge departure from where the band had been in the 1980's. The revolving door kept moving as vocalist Karl Agell and bassist Phil Swisher were out after one album. Mike Dean came back and Pepper Keenan took over on vocals. This would be the line-up they would have for most of the next decade and the sound would continue in a stoner style with southern influences mixed in. Early last decade drummer Reed Mullin departed and the band knocked out another album before the members left to do other projects although no one involved said COC was done for good. In 2010 it was announced that the "Animosity" line-up of Woody Weatherman, Mike Dean and Reed Mullin would reform and record. Last summer Pepper Keenan indicated he would like to record with them at some point on some "Deliverance" type material. So that brings us to 2012 and the band's self-titled release with a line-up that has not recorded an album together in 27 years and the first album without Pepper Keenan in over twenty years. That's their background and now I need to lay down my thoughts at them before I get to the new material. "Animosity" was the first album I heard by them and this was around 1986. It blew me away, the raw mix of speed and crazed vocals had me hooked. I heard the debut "Eye for an eye" next and admired the energy, but knew Animosity had been a step up. "Technocracy" was almost as good as "Animosity" and many of my friends preferred it, but I liked Mike Dean's chaotic style more than that of Simon Bob. Fast forward more than four years to the fall of 1991 and "Blind" comes out. All traces of hardcore are gone and the band has slowed down. Now I knew that they liked this style because Woody Weatherman always had that Saint Vitus sticker on his guitar in the 80's and he wore Sabbath shirts frequently at that time as well. However the new approach was a shock, it was alright but not what I hoped for. However for me the band got worse after that. Pepper Keenan seemed to take over and all traces of the band's early days were wiped away. Now I love stoner and doom, but` those next several albums from the band calling themselves COC were quite honestly dull to say the least. However they certainly became more popular during this period. I heard that the "Animosity" line-up was returning, but didn't hold a lot of hope that they would return to that style because it had been so long and they made more money going with the slower style. Now after that long rant I'll get to the music here. I have been playing this thing on and off for two weeks trying to pin down what I think. The album is a mix of the styles that the band has done during their long career. There are slow winding tracks and some fast ones, but it's not an even mix because there are definitely more slower tracks. So out of 11 songs we get four where they kind of step the pace up. "Leeches" is the closest they get to the "Animosity" style. They even toss in some guitar squeals on this one, of course the difference is here it was planned. It's a solid track even though Mike Dean's vocals are much more sedate than they were back in the day. "The Moneychangers" is a fast chugging track but nothing like the old COC hardcore. It's more of a southern rock with some charge behind and it has slow parts too. "Rat City" is fast, but slick with a decent groove going. "What we become" is probably my favorite track on the album. It's pace is similar to say material from "Blind" and "Deliverance", but the spirit and heaviness is closer to their mid-80's output. The result is a hard punching song with Mike Dean's vocals leading the way. The other seven songs are slow and of varying quality. Mike Dean sounds far better than Pepper Keenan and there is more of a doom sound mixed instead of just southern fried stoner rock. However some of these songs eventually go somewhere, but there is still plenty of filler. Like much of their output over the last twenty years there are too many songs where what I hear in the first thirty seconds is all I am going to get for the next four minutes. The riffs are decent, but they never really do enough to build the songs but instead just glide along. I have no problem with a band changing styles if they have something to really give in that new style and they attempt to progress. To me COC got worse with each album during the stoner rock period with this new release being the one exception to that. This new album has several good songs and this may be favorite album from them in a long time. However overall it's a rather average album because the number of memorable tracks are about equal with the forgettable ones. They claim it's a return of the "Animosity" line-up and it is just a return of the line-up, but not the sound other than on a couple of songs. Instead it's mixed bag of what they have dabbled in over the years. There are a few sparks, but this band will never be nearly as good as they were around 1985-1987.

Steel and Fire Records-True Metal Never Rusts Vol. 1

2012-01-21T10:08:00.000-08:00

Steel and Fire Records
2012

I happen to love compilation albums. In fact I've been collecting them now for longer than I can remember. From "Rising Metal" to the "Metal Massacre" series to "Metal For Muthas". You name it and more that likely I have it (even if they are mixed and matched between tapes, CDs, LPs and MP3s). So, with that I had to check out this compilation from upstart label Steel and Fire Records. First things first this is a free download although they are asking for a donation if you can swing it. It is well worth it and it will help the label out. I'm all for new record labels especially when their goal is to sign and release material by traditional heavy metal style bands! Really though the bands here cover all sorts of genres from NWOBHM inspired to power metal, thrash and speed. Pretty much everything except for doom. And you know what? These bands actually sound good. Where did they find 14 bands this good that were unsigned? Do yourself a solid and check out this compilation and if you can throw them a bone or two to help out.

http://steelandfirerecords.bandcamp.com/

Church of misery-Master of brutality

2012-01-20T03:21:00.001-08:00

Rise Above/Metal Blade

2012

This album was originally released back in 2001 on Southern Lord. There have been other re-issues prior to this edition as well. Japanese band Church of misery play stoner rock/doom with many of the songs being about serial killers. This is fairly typical swirling down tuned fodder with basic structures nd not many turns and twists. However the tones and the way they hit on every note and beat is what helps make this one better than just ordinary. They chug and churn their way through their songs with a definite 70's influence s underneath the layers of sound. One of my favorite tracks was their cover of BOC's Cities on flame. I have heard so many bands of this genre misfire on covers because they put nothing of themselves into it. However these guys remain faithful to the original, but put their own stamp onto it as well. Hearing most of the songs being about serial killers isn't really my thing, but I loved the music and on that level they certainly kept my interest throughout the album. I didn't hear this when it first came out, but certainly enjoy it now. This re-issue from Rise Above includes bonus tracks.

Forgotten Gems: Johnny Touch-Fight For It Demo

2012-01-19T12:30:00.000-08:00

Abysmal Sound
2010

Can a forgotten gem be only two years old? Sure, why not. We have not set any firm rules in stone or anything right? Besides, I'm not sure how else to go about reviewing this 2010 demo since it isn't a modern day release. Or at least modern in the sense of under six months. So with that (and since I've been on a real traditional heavy metal kick lately) I thought why not just share this demo with fellow minded rock and heavy metal fans? Seeing as it is making the rounds at all the various heavy metal blog sites I visit there must be something to this three-track demo. By way of the group's Myspace page (link below) I'm directed towards groups like Judas Priest, Loudness, Metal Church, Cloven Hoof, Diamond Head, King Diamond, Rainbow, Cities, Megadeth, Van Halen and Toxik as a point of reference. Fair enough I'd say. Maybe throw in some Black Sabbath and Dio although neither quite reaches the dark corners Johnny Touch aim for. Heck, if one didn't know better you might even swear you felt some of that punk metal (Motorhead, Tank, Venom,etc) that we grew up on although it could just be my imagination. Anyway, this particular hard, heavy and somewhat fast group comes straight out of Australia and features Sam Marzden on lead vocals, Jamie Whyte - lead guitars (which are a blast from the past), Damon Good-bass and Denny Blake -drums/guitar. Given the song titles ("Knife Fight Night", "Master Your Masters" and "Leather Reputation") you should know that this demo is a nod to the old school or the "lost scene" as they put it. This one was a cassette release limited to only 300 copies so I've provided a link below for the download. If you like your music (metal) to be heavy/speed/power then you'll want to check this out. I must give props to the excellent site "Cassette Back to Rock Again" for the link. That is where I first ran across this three-track delight. I'm not sure who originally posted this demo but whoever it was had good taste!

http://www.mediafire.com/?an7emmek2460nk3

http://cassette-tapes-what.blogspot.com/

http://www.myspace.com/JohnnyTouchAus

Forgotten Gems-Arabia-1001 Nights

2012-01-18T09:31:00.000-08:00

Having been released in 2001 this album isn't quite as old as many of the other albums we feature in this segment. However it certainly is forgotten or just overlooked, but more importantly it really is a gem. I believe I won something form a seller on eBay like 7-8 years ago and saw this CD going from the seller for a buck with no bids on it so I picked it up too hoping the music would be as good as the album cover. This is an album that either came out too late or too early depending on how you look it. Too late in that the style here was first popular around the late to mid 80's so they were too late for that. However 80's hard rock has seen a slight resurgence in recent years that wasn't quite as big back 11 years ago when this album came out.So first who were these guys? The only two guys you may have known from other work are drummer Bobby Marks (Keel, Scarecrow and others) vocalist John Blaze also of Scarecrow. The sound here hard rock/melodic metal along the lines of Whitesnake, Blue Murder and Dokken although there are some AOR touches too. Blaze's vocals are wonderful, the kind of marvelous pipes this style of music really needs to make it stand out. The music is very much together and catchy. It's an album where you hear it wonder why you didn't hear of these guys sooner? I would guess part of the reason for that is the one I mentioned above. They probably didn't get a great deal of noticed 11 years ago, but it's worth tracking down now. Fans of this style will likely take to this album right away. These guys did knock out a second album just last year with only Blaze returning from the first album. I have not heard that one, but did read in one source that it had more of a modern rock sound than "1001 Nights".

RAM-Death

2012-01-18T08:49:00.000-08:00

Metal Blade

2012

RAM formed back in 1999 with the founding members wanting to form a real metal band as they were unhappy with the current metal scene of the day. RAM hails from Gothenburg, Sweden which is a place known mostly for it's melodic death metal. These guys went a different route though going back to classic metal roots. "Death" is there fourth album, third full length and first on Metal Blade. Most the tracks are mid-tempo with a few slower bits worked in the middle here and there, but only breifly. The two most common influences I hear are Mercyful Fate and Judas Priest, but I am sure that plenty of lesser influences can be heard throughout the album.

"...Comes from the mouth" is one of the top tracks with it's winding early Mercyfal Fate type passages. The early Judas Priest inspired "Release Me" is another top track here with it's pounding beats and searing vocals. RAM stick to a fairly predictable script, but they do it very well. All the licks, solos, beats, thumping bass lines and every word of the vocals just scream out late 70's to early-mid 80's metal. They just jump it and rip it up and they are strong in every aspect except of course originality. If you enjoy metal from years ago then this is definitely a treasure.

Rocka Rollas - The War Of Steel Has Begun

2012-01-18T01:12:00.000-08:00

Stormspell Records
2011

After reviewing Rocka Rollas previous demo material (and loving it!) I am still not sure how I let this one slip by me. Released in November this LP is a perfect fit for Stormspell Records. After all this Swedish band sure knows a thing or two about crafting pure speed metal bliss. Given the name of the band you might be tempted to expect more of a Judas Priest vibe. I'm sure these guys have listened to Halford and company of course (after all doesn't every young metal musician at one point or another?) and know a thing or two about traditional metal. That said what you have here is more of a Running Wild party going on with a side order of Helloween and a shot or two of liquid courage (or some New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal love if you will).
With great song titles like "Metal The Posers To Death", "Fight For The Loud" and "More Metal Than The Steel" you just can't go wrong folks. Tack on a cover of "Heavy Metal Machine" by Steel (a band that Dan Swäno and Mikael Akerfeldt took part in briefly) and what you end up with "The War Of Steel Has Begun" is a nice slab of old school loving traditional/speed metal fun.

The Sacrificed-III

2012-01-18T01:00:00.000-08:00

Roxx Records / DMD
2012

The Sacrificed have brought in two new members for their aptly titled third album and the results are nothing short of amazing. Really this new album speaks volumes about the difference new blood can make for a band. With new guitarist/ backing vocalist Michael Phillips (Deliverance, fasedown) and new bass player Daniel Cordova (Vengeance Rising) joining founding members Eli Prinsen (lead vocalist) and Jay Williams (drums) "III" has ended up being not only the best album so far from this Christian metal band but also one of the more enjoyable power metal/progressive metal albums I've heard in quite sometime. When the promo promised to take the band to a whole new level both musically and lyrically it wasn't kidding. On this new album the group has finally started to form their own sound as they look to move away from the comparisons to bands like Queensryche and Sacred Warrior. Sure the group was influenced by those two acts and there is no doubt that this new album will appeal to fans of Queensryche, Symphony X and Dream Theater. That said there is some excellent power metal to be found within and you can tell we have the two new members to thank for that. While the Queensryche vibe is still present it comes off more as early Queensryche when Geoff Tate and crew were more power metal and less progressive rock. This album also makes a turn into the heavier side of metal much like where Deliverance started off. Opening with "The World Is Changing" (which is just news clips) the album tackles topics ranging from The Ark of the Covenant to The Nephilim Agenda. The band has never been shy about tackling controversial topics while also wearing their faith on their sleeves. As with the groups previous efforts ("2012" and "The Da Vinci Hoax") "III" is a release that might turn off those who are not Christian. Even the cover (which is a symbol and representation of the three nails that pierced the hands and feet of Jesus Christ) makes a bold statement that The Sacrificed are not going to hide their faith. Take the song "Behold The Power Of God" for example. No confusing the meaning behind that one. Yet here is the beauty of this band as they get their message out while laying down seriously intense power metal. My guess is you won't hear a praise song like that everyday! Even if your not a Christian there is plenty to enjoy about this album as honestly well crafted progressive/power metal like this really pulls you in. A great effort and an album I will be listening to a lot down the road.

Forgotten Gems-Medieval Steel-s/t

2012-01-17T12:15:00.000-08:00

Medieval Steel formed in Memphis, Tennessee back in the early 1980's. They soon cranked out this four track self-titled EP in 1984. The sound here is a mix between classic style metal such as Iron Maiden, Jag Panzer and Omen mixed in with early prog-metal like Queensryche and Crimson Glory. Since there are only four songs I'll take them indivually. For "Battle beyond the stars" I am guessing they had received enjoyment from the 1980 Roger Corman film of the same name. This one kind of sounds a little like early Crimson Glory with a pounding beat. It's basic and very controlled, but tight. "Warlords" is heavier with a churning riff reminding me some of Omen, but the vocals are of the higher variety reminding me more of early Geoff Tate or Midnight from Crimson Glory."Echoes" is a very mellow track that almost feels out of place. Not bad, but not so much metal. It features the vocals above all else and they sound fine yet this still sounds like a song that might have been tucked away in a soundtrack for a mid-80s romance film. The solos help though too. "Medieval Steel" is the real gem here. A more expansive track with great melodies and a real bite to it. A definite headbanger with great squealing riffs and some mighty vocals. I loved three out of four songs and the other was just alright. Still a definite gem that I never heard until recently although I had heard of the band for years. The band reformed back in 2005 and were active in recent years. I have heard so many bands over the years, but it's still great to find albums like this with so much to offer.

Forgotten Gems: Dr. Skull-Wory Zover

2012-01-17T10:55:00.000-08:00

Ada Muzik
1990

Turkish band Dr. Skull was formed in 1983 by a group of high school kids. Originally the band was known as Skull with the Dr. being added later on when members were in medical school. Even though they have been described as a "Turkish Iron Maiden" the group's 1990 debut has more in common with hard rock/traditional heavy metal bands than the NWOBHM sound. Actually "Wory Zover" (War Is Over) sounds to these ears like a cross between a more metal Blue Oyster Cult (without the keys) and several bands from the FWOSHM (First Wave Of Swedish Heavy Metal) movement. As one of the first true heavy metal bands from Turkey Dr. Skull was able to manage three albums before folding. As stated "Wory Zover" is the band's debut album and has more of a traditional heavy metal/hard rock feel than Iron Maiden making me wonder who ever connected the two bands? According to my sources the group's later material took on more of a punk edge although I have honestly not heard the other two albums so I can't say for certain that is the case. What I can say for sure is that "War Is Over" and "The Gate Of Brandenburg" open the album up and give you two slabs of true heavy metal. The album is good like that in the way it presents such a straight ahead metal sound. Sure for 1990 this LP is dated. That sort of regular hard rock/heavy metal sound was just about played to death and yet this album has it's own little charm. "Lonely Nights" is a great rock number with great guitar riffs as is "Rock The School". There was a lot of garage rock to be found in Dr. Skull as well and one can't help but wonder if the group actually started off as greasy hair rock and rollers. For me any rock band from Turkey is a bit of a novelty because frankly it just doesn't seem like the sort of place that produce hard and heavy guitar loving maniacs. Yet here it is and it is really worth tracking down online if for no other reason than the fact that it is a piece of heavy metal history. Who knew history could be such a fun topic?

Blood Ceremony-s/t

2012-01-17T06:01:00.000-08:00

Rise Above/Metal Blade
2012

This is a re-issue of Blood Ceremony's self-titled album which originally came out in 2008. I remember a couple years before this came out someone had sent me a link to their Myspace page and I checked out the rough versions they had of their songs. So I was very excited by the time this album finally came out. They embrace the very early days of metal and slightly before. Think Sabbath, Jethro Tull, Pentagram, Jefferson Airplane, Dust and others. Although don't think too heavy because there is a definitely a hippie edge to their sound with flutes, organs and more chiming in frequently. As you may have guessed from the band name magic is a prime theme as in songs like "A wine of wizardry" and "Into the cover". Honestly I had not listened to this album in a while and I can appreciate it even more than I did a few years ago. Alia O'Brien's haunting vocals fit in nicely and really compliment the mood on so many songs. Like Withcraft, Blood Ceremony are not just influenced by early 70-s acts, but instead they try hard to really re-create the sound from that period. In that they certainly succeed. Like the bands they love, this is an album that isn't going to run you over but instead you need to lean back and let it soak in a gradual level and indeed it will. I was expecting to enjoy this once I spun the re-issue, but I actually enjoyed it enough to play it three times in a short period time. I found more to enjoy about it with each turn. If you missed it the first time around don't make this time.

Thunderkraft-Totentanz

2012-01-17T05:55:00.000-08:00

Svarga Music
2012

I'm not sure which is weirder for this Ukrainian act the fact that the lyrics are written in Ukrainian, Russian and German or the fact that they mix folk, industrial and death metal with black metal and symphonic elements? The album is said to explore "problems of mankind’s relation to the past, ideas of greatness and boundless possibilities of the human spirit, and the strength of will and character". Combine that with "Cosmology concepts are also represented, albeit leaning toward the social aspects explore problems" and you end up with a release that is certainly compelling. The group's sophomore release is certainly experimental and from all signs this is the direction they wish to go. If you find yourself looking for something different and don't mind that this Ukrainian act really does march to the beat of it's own drummer then this is an album you must hear. Folk black metal is one thing. Mixing in electronic elements though transports this one to a whole different realm. Interesting to say the least.

Witchaven-Terrorstorm

2012-01-16T16:48:00.000-08:00

Metalhit
2011

This is actually a re-issue of an album that originally came out in early 2010. This version comes with new cover art. Formed in 2006 South California's Witchaven are old style thrash with some tinges of early black and death metal tossed in. The most obvious influences are Show no mercy-era Slayer and Kreator around 86-86. Almost every song starts with some tightly wound swirling riffs with the drums pumping hard to keep up. Instead of Tom Araya type growls we get an approach that's closer to several German thrash bands back in the early days of the style. The whole album reaches back to about 84-85 and doesn't try to go beyond that time period. The energy level is high and that helps to a certain extent. The problem here is that most of the songs were around two or three minutes yet I still felt myself growing bored all too quickly. I have been listening to old style thrash well since it was new and not old. So for a band playing this style to really impress me and draw me in they are going to have reach out a little and do more than just re-hash their influences. This is a little better than a lot of bands playing retro-thrash these days. I could imagine them possible being pretty entertaining live due to the energy. Yet on "Terrorstorm" they are above average, but a bit too routine to really make an impression. You have heard this before many times over before.

Midnight-Satanic Royalty

2012-01-16T15:40:00.000-08:00

Hells Headbangers
2011

It's hard to imagine that a band like Cleveland's Midnight (who have been around since 2003) are just now releasing a full-length album. This more or less one-man project (obviously with demons helping out now and then live and in studio) has had plenty of demos, splits, EPs, compilations and even a live release and yet this is the first real album to see the light of day. Jamie Walters (A.K.A. "Athenar") is the main driving force behind Midnight. Walters is pretty well known around Ohio having spent time in Abdullah, Destructor, Boulder (who I actually have several LPs from!) and Mach II. With Midnight the name of the game is gritty, raw and black Venom inspired thrash and man if this thing doesn't leave you feeling a bit bloody and spent by the time it is all said and done. This one isn't for the faint of heart or those that like their metal to be technical and precise. This is ugly, sweaty and just as nasty as the hell from which it was spawned. In other words it is METAL!!!!!!!!!!

Forgotten Gems-Saint-s/t

2012-01-16T05:53:00.000-08:00

If you of a certain age you probably recall a time when AOR bands ruled the airwaves. Whether you enjoyed that style or not is up to you. For myself I liked some bands but it seemed like for every solid band like Journey you had two annoying bands like Loverboy. AOR to me is a style I have to be in the mood for, but having it burned into my eardrums in the early 80's has giving me somewhat of an appreciation for bands that do it right. That brings me to an overlooked gem in this style. Not to be confused with the christian metal band of the same name and not to be dismissed for the lame album cover, this Saint played pure AOR with some hard rock touches. Their self-titled debut was released in 1984 and was hard to find. Retrospect released it on CD in 2006, but has since gone out of print. So were they any good? Opener "Desperate Times" is so much like Journey that you might be wondering if it was some bonus track that was left of the "Frontiers" album. Much of this album has definite similarities to what Journey did between 1978 and 1983 with maybe a touch of Foreigner thrown in. They don't earn many originality points for that approach, but if you are going to copy someone you may as well copy the best. I am not trying to dismiss Saint as just a copy band because that's not fair or entirely true. They possess a good knack for controlling the melodies and pace. Every song has plenty to offer for fans of AOR. When I am in the mood for this kind of music I frequently find myself pulling this one out for a spin. Definitely worth tracking down.

Forgotten Gems-Cancer-Death shall rise

2012-01-16T05:14:00.000-08:00

I remember buying this one on cassette back in 1991. This was back in my death metal phase so anything that growled and flew by at 100 MPH was up my alley. In the early 1990's one of the top death metal scenes around was in the Tampa, Florida area. Cancer didn't hail from there. In fact they were from England, but the sound here was pure Florida death metal. Obituary, Death and Autopsy are all influences. A large part of the sound and the quality is likely due to the fact that James Murphy (Death, Testament and a pile of others) came to the band for this album. That probably explains the influences too, but he also brings his experience and his flair. I wore this one out back in the early 90's, but my tastes changed and I hadn't heard this album in about 17 years. Until the other day I decided to download it and give it a shot. Not every album of this style from back that has held up well, but fortunately this one has. Only eight songs and it's fairly predictable for the style, but it's actually even better than I remembered. It retains the speed and heaviness, but there are also some real grooves that many acts of still were sadly lacking. On "Death shall rise" every song is solid with a strong attention to detail. That last part is likely what has made this album hold up so well for 20 plus years. My only regret was that I waited so long to give this one a chance again.

Wykked Wytch-The Ultimate Deception

2012-01-16T04:36:00.000-08:00

Goomba Music

2012

What do you make of a band who plan to release an album called "The Ultimate Deception" on February 14th? Anyone else see the irony? Wykked Wytch (not to be confused with J.J. Merciless' Wicked Witch) is fronted by the one and only Ipek (one of the few female vocalists I can think of who can go from death growls to high pitched screams to operatic and not even blink) and features session drummer Kevin Talley (Daath, Six Feet Under, Chimaira) and new lead guitarist / songwriter Nate Poulson. Musically this is a mixture of black metal, gothic metal, technical thrash and melodic thrash. Production work came courtesy of engineer Daniel Castleman (As I Lay Dying, Winds of Plague) who recorded & mixed Wykked Wytch's fifth full-length and gave the group an upfront sound. Finishing touches were handled by Alan Douches (The Dillinger Escape Plan, The Black Dahlia Murder) and the result is an album that captures the raw nature of this unique band. What I liked about the album was the fact that it moved along keeping you on your toes with it's technical drumming and guitar solos. Musically this release is very interesting. The down side though is of the nine original tracks there wasn't any in particular that really stood out. So as good as the album is there isn't that one moment or song that really did it for me. The group throws in a black metal inspired cover of Metallica’s “Fade To Black” which is interesting even if it doesn't add anything to the original. As the promo states Ipek and company were determined to break new ground on this release and judging from the different elements I would say they succeeded. It's a good release even if it doesn't scream "must own".

Young Blood-Transfusion

2012-01-15T07:46:00.000-08:00

ANGEL AIR
2011

Angel Air is a label known for specializing in quality re-issues. Their re-issue of "Transfusion" is an import album that actually was released this past September although it just recently came to my attention. It supposedly comes complete with a nice booklet/package however my copy came from Itunes originally so all I have is the music to go by. "Transfusion" is made up of some Young Blood demo cuts, Young Blood's "First Blood" (Young Blood's 1984 debut EP) and a 1989 demo of the band when they had changed their moniker and become known as Saviour. Before we go any further I know the question your asking right now. So, who exactly was Young Blood to begin with? Well, the group was formed back in the early 80s out of the ashes of pop band Civilian. As part of the NWOBHM movement (the later part actually) the band's sound garnered critical acclaim from Sounds journalist Garry Bushell and they were (like so many before them) predicted to be the next big thing. With what was more of a melodic take on the genre (no doubt leftover from the band's days as a pop group) the band had a style not too far removed from the likes of Praying Mantis, Samson or Tygers Of Pan Tang. Lead by frontman/guitarist and chief songwriter Stewart Goodchild (who is the only thing that connects Young Blood to Saviour by the way) the group was a power trio from Darlington that managed to play with acts like Grand Slam (featuring Phil Lynott), Tokyo Blade, She, Thor and even Motorhead! The tracks by Young Blood are worth the price of admission alone especially if your into the NWOBHM scene. Goodchild had a knack for crafting catchy hard rock and had Young Blood not been done in by bad management, line-up changes and health problems things might have turned out different for the three-piece act. Following Young Blood's folding some years passed before Saviour appeared in 1989. By this point Goodchild had hooked up with drummer Geoff Armstrong (of Tygers Of Pan Tang fame) and former Pauline Gillan Band bassist/keyboard player Chris Wing. With the new members came a new sound and a new demo to be shopped to labels. The new sound was still melodic although this time it had more in common with AOR acts like Journey, Foreigner, Bad English and Survivor. By 1989 that was not really what people were pinning for and with no takers Saviour was laid to rest. Despite it's production set backs (Saviour just screams eighties AOR) the material isn't that bad and again if Goodchild would have had better luck (lets say it was released in the early parts of the eighties) it could have possible gone somewhere. Instead it sat collecting dust somewhere until Angel Air came along. "Transfusion" is really a tale of two cities and unless your a fan of melodic NWOBHM/pop metal and AOR this release will fall on deaf ears. For me it is a nice little gem from an era long since past.

Zebulon Pike-Space is the corpse of time

2012-01-14T06:11:00.000-08:00

Aquarius

2011

Thanksgiving was almost two months ago, but that doesn't mean that I still can't thankful for the return of Zebulon Pike. So we get the first album from since 2008's Intransience and their forth total. If you are unfamiliar with this band they are prog/stoner/doom instrumental masters. They have an electric yet elaborate sound because it encompasses so many styles, but unlike some other bands of similar genres they don't to caught up in themselves. They realize it's about the music not about the individual players. Each of the five songs here has it's own personality. Each track clocks in around the ten minute mark. Given the length and this band's ability for diving into different styles you are treated to so many various sounds and tones on every track. At times they meander around a bit longer than most people might like, but hold on because eventually they are going somewhere with each musical passage. I found this album to be slightly darker in tone than some of their previous work, but that was with me because they weave that mood into the proceedings on spectacular fashion. Probably an album that requires some real patience from the listener, but well worth the effort.

On Top-Top Heavy

2012-01-14T01:00:00.000-08:00

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions
2011

Don't let the album cover fool you into thinking this is some sort of sleaze rock release. Far from it! This three-piece band are another fine example of throwback metal. By way of the album cover you'd think that this would be a waste of time. Yet again this is why I preach the right art for the right band. Here we have a group spoon feed stuff like Motorhead, Saxon, Accept, Judas Priest, Malice, Dio, Metallica, Grim Reaper and Helloween. The band has even been compared to cult acts like Obsession. So this band has some serious metal chops. With that about as sleazy as this thing might get is the subtle nods of appreciation towards early Motley Crue, Twisted Sister, Scorpions, Ratt, Dokken and W.A.S.P. Even then it is only the hard rock essence of those groups and not the glitz and glam. This album is a solid debut from a group bound to get better with age. Listening to this one is sure to remind you of heavy metal's heyday when you raced down to Mom and Pops record store looking for the latest albums from the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Armored Saint, Loudness, Saxon, Megadeth and Iron Maiden. Back when the genre was still dangerous a band like On Top would have been on top of the metal charts thanks to this foot stomping metal romp. This is another band I am excited about watching grow into a serious contender.

Hate Squad-Katharsis

2012-01-13T09:16:00.000-08:00

Massacre
2011

Germany's Hate Squad started up in the 1990's and sound wise they are still very much stuck in that decade. The positive part of that statement is that their music is straight forward, there's no apologies just plowing forward like they hate everything and they'll let you know. The music is basic, but heavy and aggressive. Obviously they enjoy this style and just crank it up and churn it out. I like this album for a few minutes or so, but it's old really fast. The power of metalcore has a certain appeal, but we've all heard this before from these guys and better acts. Many of the songs bleed together if you take enough of the repetition of a song to listen to the whole thing and last into the next song. There is plenty to be said for being heavy and steady, but lack of any attempt at putting in some variation or different hooks is what kills this album for me. I admire their spirit to a certain extent, but there just isn't enough going on here to keep me interested for the whole album or make me return to it. Those that loved these guys years ago will probably embrace this album too, but fans looking for metalcore with some depth to it will need to look elsewhere.

Steelwing-Zone Of Alienation

2012-01-13T07:03:00.000-08:00

Noiseart Records
2012

Swedish metal band Steelwing are one of those acts that like to pretend they are a product of the eighties. As Metal Mark pointed out in his review of their debut album, "Lord Of The Wasteland" (link provided below) their sound was born out of groups like Iron Maiden, Saxon and Anvil. Following their 2010 EP ("Roadkill (Or Be Killed)" which included two Judas Priest covers-another influence) the group set out recording this new concept album. For their sophomore release the group choose to work with producer Rikard Löfgren (Deathstars, Manakin and Enforcer) and the result is another fine example of NWOTHM (New Wave Of Traditional Heavy Metal). Who wouldn't appreciate a young group like this who pays tribute (through their music) to groups like Dio, Megadeth, Riot and Omen? This is the sound of heavy metal at it's finest from a band that no doubt grew up spinning all the classics in their bedrooms. It might not be groundbreaking or anything you haven't heard before. If your willing to move past that thought for a moment you will find that what you have with Steelwing is a young group that is actually playing heavy metal. Good, old fashioned heavy metal. That alone isn't a novelty per say I know. With so many bands these days trying to recapture that old sound the market actually has been flooded. What with Enforcer, White Wizzard and the like. What strikes me though about Steelwing is the fact that it doesn't come off as cheesy or retro even if this sound was made famous in the eighties. Instead it comes across as modern metal influenced by older metal. And since the band is made up of top-notch musicians and a lead vocalist who can hold his own this concept album proves to be a winner. This is a great sophomore release from a band on the rise.

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=Steelwing-Lord+of+the+wastleand+

Strikemaster-Vicious Nightmare

2012-01-13T06:09:00.000-08:00

2012

Hailing from Mexico these guys formed in 2005 and this is actually a re-issue of an album originally put out in 2009, but it's my first time hearing it. I hear a lot of throwback thrash acts and that's fine by me as I loved this style back in the late 80's. Yet therein lies the tough part, that being how do these young bands do enough to make me want to care about them instead of just listening to the bands they are influenced by instead? I am an old metal fan and kind of picky too so I certainly don't feel that I have to embrace every band just because they play a style I enjoyed twenty some years ago. So for me these bands have to prove something other than they can just copy a classic thrash band. Strikemaster pull upon influences that are both numerous and obvious. They include Bay area acts like Exodus, Testament, Vio-lence but also bands like early Dark Angel as well. The sound is definitely based around what were going on about 1986-88 so right before many thrash acts began to tone down the speed. So there is nothing earth shattering to their sound. Yet they manage to tap into the power and the pure chaotic part of what made so many bands worth listening to back in the prime days of thrash. If I had to describe Strikemaster in a word it would be "relentless" because they never stop. If you love classic thrash then you need to hear this one.

French Metal Friday: Nightmare

2012-01-13T01:30:00.000-08:00

French power metal band Nightmare formed in 1979. Originally the group was greatly influenced by the NWOBHM movement (their early sound coming off as a cross between Iron Maiden and Def Leppard) before morphing into the power metal that they are now known for. As one of the first French heavy metal bands to sing in English they ended up signing with Ebony Records (home at one point to Savage, Demon Eyes, Blade Runner and Grim Reaper) for their first two releases. Their big break came initially after opening for (then) NWOBHM rockers Def Leppard in 1983 at the Alpexpo of Grenoble. Playing for a crowd of well over 4,000 the group impressed fans with their brand of traditional heavy metal. Despite a built in fan base and two well-received albums the group was unable to hold things together. Done in by musical differences, problems with the record label and a changing landscape (traditional heavy metal was out and thrash was in) they folded in 1987. French metal bands (like their NWOBHM brothers) never seem to really die so in 1999 Nightmare was back in action. This time around though they were led by former drummer turned lead singer Jo Amorereb. The "Astral Deliverance" EP followed. It was released as a tribute to their late singer Jean-Marie Boix. At that point the music changed as well as the band gravitated toward a power metal sound. Since then the band has remained committed to putting French metal back on the map.

Jucifer-Nadir

2012-01-11T04:44:00.000-08:00

Grindcore Karaoke
2011

For those of you who don't know Jucifer is a two-piece sludge metal band. The band was formed in 1993 by Gazelle Amber Valentine and her then-boyfriend Edgar Livengood. According to Wikipedia their name comes from a comment made at O.J. Simpson's trials for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman: "If he's guilty, then he's the devil and The Juice is Lucifer." Certainly an interesting name for this nomadic band that more or less just lives on the road. "Nadir" features some of the earliest music the band ever recorded. Since it was laid to tape in a home studio the sound is primitive and raw although honestly so is much of the later day music of Jucifer. Sure this EP has been remixed and mastered by Scott Hull (meaning the sound isn't as rough as it would be otherwise) and yet you still feel the underground vision that drove Jucifer then as it does now. While Grindcore Karaoke is handling the release for now this EP (which is must-have for Jucifer fans) will see a vinyl release by Handshake Inc. in 2012.

Arise The Titan Interview

2012-01-11T01:00:00.000-08:00

Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing vocalist Mike Leone of Columbus based metal act Arise The Titan. For those who haven't read my review of their album I have pasted the link at the bottom of this post. If crushing hardcore metal is something that brings a smile to your face then be sure to check out their new album.

Andy-Tell me how did Arise The Titan come about?

Mike-About 3 years ago our guitarist, Kyle, just started it up with a group of friends who wanted to play metal and bring something fresh to the Columbus scene. Over the years the lineup slowly formed into what it is today, with me being the most recent addition. When I joined the band in August I had a full CD of instrumentals to write to, got them done and recorded the album with the guys.

Andy-Somehow the name seems to really fit. Is there a story behind it?

Mike-Yes, actually there is! I was not personally around for the name selection, but when they were determining the name they wanted it to embody the thought of something huge coming from nothing (which is exactly what we’re trying to do by reaching as many people as possible with our music). The exact phrasing, however, was taken from a Robot Chicken episode. Once Kyle heard the quote ‘Arise, chicken, arise!’ he and his band mates at the time put that together with their original idea and Arise the Titan was born.

Andy-The usual question asked of all bands is what are your influences. Why break with tradition then. What makes the band tick?

Mike-With 5 members in the band all contributing to our music, this is a pretty broad question. All in all, we love metal in all of its various forms and just want to produce something fresh. In our music you can definitely hear bits and pieces of all sorts of metal sub genres, but as far as specific bands go, I’ll say that Bleeding Through/Unearth are very big influences. We like to mix our thrash with breakdowns, and those are some of the very best bands from the earlier days of metalcore that we’ve been able to look up to as we produce our own music. As a vocalist I can say that I’ve been influenced in many ways by many different bands, and I like to bring a bunch of different vocal styles to the table when I perform/record. Of these bands, I’d say that All Shall Perish has had a very big impact on me: their lyrics are passionate and emotional and the delivery is brought with a metric fuckton of power, which is along the same lines of what I like to do.

Andy-This is a similar question then. I caught the hardcore in ATT's sound. Is there a background in hardcore or is that just an interest?

Mike-There definitely is a background in hardcore/metalcore in ATT. Adam, one of our guitarists, and myself have both performed in smaller hardcore bands in the past, so we tend to be the driving force behind the hardcore sound in our band. Like I said earlier, I like to write my lyrics from the heart and deliver them with passion, which is a characteristic that I see in a lot of the good hardcore that’s out there. Hardcore is very much embedded in our background and is something that will continue to come in and out of our songs

Andy-Fill us in on the scene in your part of Ohio.

Mike-The central Ohio metal scene is, in my humble opinion, one of the fastest developing local metal scenes in the country. There are so many great but these are some of my favorites. Shores of Elysium are definitely the first band I’ll list: just go fucking listen to these guys, they are heavy as fuck and bring a great live show with them wherever they go. My other favorites from the area would definitely be Flawless Among the Fallen and Shall Be the Conqueror, each a very different take on progressive metal.

Andy-What bands have you shared the stage with?

Mike-Some notable bands that we’ve shared the stage with are Sylosis, Psychostick, Gwen Stacy, Mushroomhead, Bury Your Dead, God Forbid, For Today, Macawber and Reaping Asmodeia. In about a month we’ll be able to add the mighty Children of Bodom, Revocation and Threat Signal to that list: I couldn't’t be more pumped.

Andy-What bands would you like to play with?

Mike-In addition to Children of Bodom, who I’m incredibly excited to play for, I would absolutely love to play with Whitechapel, After the Burial, The Black Dahlia Murder, Born of Osiris, All Shall Perish, Arsonists Get All The Girls, Attila, Within the Ruins, Veil of Maya, The Ghost Inside, Stick to Your Guns, etc. I could list bands that I love all day, but I think that’s a good list for you.

Andy-Fill in the blank time. One thing people would be surprised to know about ATT is?

Mike- Our age spectrum! Our youngest member, Shane (drummer) is only 19 years old while the ‘[grand]father-figure’ of the band, Adam, is 29 years old. Adam graduated high school when Shane was only in second grade: who would have thought that they’d end up melting faces together later in life? The rest of us are pretty evenly spread out across that 10 year difference.

Andy-Favorite film you can never get enough of.

Mike-This is a very tough question, haha. I know you asked for one, but too bad, I’m giving you a small list! The LOTR trilogy (I’m a fan of the books first, don’t get me wrong, but the films are brilliant as well!), anything that Quentin Tarantino has touched (especially Four Rooms, Jackie Brown and Pulp Fiction), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless mind, and, er… Mrs. Doubtfire!

Andy-Last album you listened to?

Mike-This may come as a surprise, but the last album I listened to was The Spill Canvas’ Sunsets and Car Crashes. I have a softer side too! The last metal album I listened to was After the Burial’s Rareform.

Andy-Any favorite pit stories?

Mike- Haha, I have so many good pit stories it’d make your head spin! Mind you, moshing is a large part of how I got into heavy music in the first place, and is definitely my favorite pastime. One story worth mentioning is from all the way back in Warped Tour in ’08. It was a good day for moshing in general: I was going hard all day to the likes of All that Remains, Evergreen Terrace, Hit the Lights, A Skylit Drive, etc and in the afternoon I finally made my way into the Bring me the Horizon pit. The pit was absolutely fantastic: I started a wall of death at one point, there were circle pits aplenty and life was just good. At some point, though, someone’s skull collided with my knee. Now, this particular hit hurt a bit more than most, but I shrugged it off and kept going for the rest of the evening. When it came time to walk back to my car, I had a pretty significant limp as the adrenaline wore off, but I didn't think much of it. When we arrived, I had to physically lift my leg into my car, but still I thought I would just sleep it off and have a lot of bruises to deal with for a while. Wrong. We stopped at IHOP on the way home and once I got into the booth I could not move my leg at all. I had to have my friend carry me back into the car and then I (yes, my friends really made me fucking drive… they said they were ‘too tired’) drove 3 hours back home while the pain developed. I went to the ER to find that I had torn my knee all to hell and I spent the next couple months in a leg brace and going to physical therapy sessions.

Andy-What was the worst gig you ever played?

Mike-I wasn't in the band at the time, but at some point they all played a show in Middletown, OH where they had to carry all of the gear up 4 flights of stairs during the summer only to play a show with basically nobody there (the local bands that showed didn't bring anybody out, and a few of them dropped off altogether). After playing the set for those who were there and dragging all of the gear back down, the club owner simply vanished as he went to go get the gas money that they were promised. So they drove down to Middletown, carried extremely heavy gear up and down 4 flights during extreme heat, only to play in front of just a few people and get stiffed for promised gas money.

Andy- That is really messed up. Tell me, if the world were really going to end in 2012 and you could play one last gig where would it be?

Mike-If we could only play one more gig this year, it would HAVE to be at download festival in the UK. I want to travel overseas so badly, and that is one of the biggest festivals offered in Europe during the summer. It would be amazing!

Andy-A major studio approaches you and says there is a soundtrack being put together and they want ATT to do some covers of punk songs. What songs would you choose?

Mike-I’m sure that the answer to this would vary greatly depending on who you asked within the band, but I would love to do a metal cover of some Blink 182 or New Found Glory songs, specifically "First Date" and "Head on Collision", respectively.

Andy-Other than these interview questions what is the weirdest thing anyone has ever asked the band?

Mike-We were asked recently on a radio interview who we would have play each of us if there were a movie made about Arise The Titan. I was home sick during the interview, unfortunately, and my band members decided that I would be best portrayed in cinema by Sandra Bullock. (I mean, we both have great hair, right? Or something… haha)

Andy-Where would you like to see the band this time next year?

Mike-I would like to see us sign with a great metal label, such as Sumerian, Prosthetic, etc, or at least a booking agency that works with some talented metal acts, like Pantheon. Even if neither of these things happens, though, you can certainly expect us to be on the road full time by this time next year. We’re getting our first taste of tour when we go out for 10 days in March, and I’m sure over the course of a year we’ll be going out more often and for longer periods of time.

Andy-How can people get a copy of the new album if they can't make it out to see you live?

Mike-Our Collective Destroyer will be available on iTunes and Amazon as of Friday, January 13th. If fans want a physical copy, they can send us a message on Facebook and we’ll ship it out to them.

Andy-Final thoughts? The Captain's log is all yours...

Mike-Wherever you may be, I hope that everybody does what they can to support local music and live music in general. Go to live shows, mosh your faces off, and show support to whatever music you like the best. Artists are allowed to succeed and do what they love to do (and what you love for them to do) because of the community that supports them. The metal community is an amazing group of people worldwide that, chances are if you’re reading this interview, YOU belong to. Take part in what makes us as a community amazing by going to see live shows in your area to support both the local bands you love as well as the touring bands that are trying to get heard Also, as a metalhead, I find that it always pays off to keep your eyes and ears open for new music: chances are that you’ll find something great that you did not even know was there.

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=arise+the+titan-our+collective+destroyer

Ladder Devil-Forget English

2012-01-09T08:55:00.000-08:00

Handshake Inc/Grindcore Karaoke
2011

Consider yourself fortunate if your into the sort of alternative/post-rock/garage rock of bands like Archers of Loaf and Drive Like Jehu. This EP is filled with that same sort of indie rock with a devil may care attitude. Post-hardcore, punk and garage rock are played with a serious sense of urgency making this 5-track affair both noisy and poetic. Music like this found a home on college radio stations back in the day when guitars could be loud and messy and the message was just as important as the fuzzed out wails coming through the speakers. It might be a hair rough around the edges and a little too steeped in nostalgia for some people and yet it all works itself out in the end and at only 5 songs it doesn't overstay it's welcome.

Ritual-The resurrection

2012-01-08T12:06:00.000-08:00

2012

Not to be confused with a bunch of other acts by the same name, this Ritual knocked out three demos in the early 90's followed by three albums in the late 1990's. Now they return with their first album of new material since the 90's. Essentially this is a one man band with Ian Ritual handling all instruments and vocals. They get listed as melodic black metal. Now the pentagram and all the demon wings and pitchforks might have you thinking this will be some fierce, bone-crushing black metal. That's not so because when they say melodic the mean it because the music is very smooth. It's played well enough but pure black metal fans might be able to take just a little of this before having their stomachs turned by the slick music. However the vocals are far more of the growling variety. Overall the sound owes much more to doom than it does to black metal. It's not a thick sludge kind of doom, but a more slow yet steady barrage. It's a bit more showy for this style as Ritual (the guy) likes to swirl and noodle around on his guitar bits more than many players in this style. That's alright with me because it's sets them part a bit and he knows what he's doing. Once I got past this not being a stab you in the gut black metal album I actually it for what it was. Not an album I would listen to every day, but certainly it has plenty to offer for fans of slightly down tuned doom that's not afraid to show some classic metal roots as well.

Forgotten Gems: Hellraiser-Cut Yer Teeth On This

2012-01-08T08:39:00.001-08:00

Hell Hound Productions
1995

Forgotten albums are one thing and then there are those albums that most people know nothing about. Such albums were usually private releases with at best regional exposure. Most likely these albums were one and done affairs by bands who scrapped together all of their resources just to lay something to tape. "Cut Yer Teeth On This" is an album even die hard heavy metal collectors have never heard of. Released in 1995 (a fateful year for me) this would prove to be the sole release for River Bend area Hellraiser. This Hellraiser should not be confused with the other Hellraiser bands featured in the Encyclopaedia Metallum. Given that they are not even listed at the otherwise pretty reliable Metal Archives says something about how underground the act was. This River Bend Hellraiser featured Jeff Street on lead vocals, Tom Ackman on lead guitar, Robert Thornton on rhythm Guitar, Brett Hall on bass guitar, and Rich Wilkinson on drums. I have Bett Hall to thank for my copy of the album otherwise the only way I would have heard this gem would be to hang out on Youtube. It really was only by accident that I stumbled across this Hellraiser. Youtube is like that where you follow one or two wrong turns and suddenly your hit by something totally unexpected! In this case it was the heavy metal thunder of "Cut Yer Teeth On This". Listening to the album a few times through I'm struck by how much these guys were a product of the mid- 90's metal scene. Well, maybe it would be better to say they had more in common with the various genre jumping bands of the 80s like Mox Nix. Genre jumping might sound like a crummy deal however let us get something straight. These five fellas were not jumping on the latest trend. Not in the least bit. Instead they dug into their influences and rode them straight to heavy metal heaven. Throwing in everything from Twisted Sister to Dio to Bay Area thrash (especially Metallica/Megadeth) here was a band that like Spartanburg's act Mainiax explored everything that made heavy metal great. The opening number "Will To Be" sounds like Megadeth taking Twisted Sister to a hole in the wall bar and getting stone cold drunk. The title cut sounds like a wicked mix of Ratt like sleaze and Motorhead style hard edge rock. "Confusion" has a mild case of 90's funk while "Passion To Rage" takes Judas Priest, Motley Crue and Dangerous Toys and beats them over the head with Heathen's thrash riffs! The whole album is like that where you hear all these different bands like Alice Cooper, Kiss, Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath getting a cold beer raised in their direction along with super thick and crunchy riffs. Like Mox Nix this was a band that didn't care if people thought hard rock and thrash metal couldn't or shouldn't hang out together for a night of wild drinking and crazy antics. They were going to do it anyway and have fun along the way. While the band disbanded in 1996 like all good heavy metal acts they didn't stay dead. In the Fall of 2011 there was talks about a reunion so who knows what the future holds for Hellraiser.

Orange Goblin-A eulogy for the damned

2012-01-08T07:06:00.000-08:00

Candlelight
2012

This year is certainly starting off on the right foot with the return of Orange Goblin. Certainly one of my most anticipated albums for 2012. The huge five disc boxed set from Metal Blade last year with all the bonus tracks had me slobbering for new material even more. I wasn't sure what to expect from them at this point in their career. Well what they bring this time around is an album that is slightly stripped down and there is definitely a great focus on simply churning out some real groove-charged tunes. There is a definitely a hungrier mood in a number of songs here including the opener "Red Tide Rising" which sets the tone for much of the album with a controlled attack. "The Fog" shows the band still has a knack for creating massive glides that can dominate an entire track even with basic rhythms. Don't for a minute think this band has mellowed with age because they can still stomp you flat as you can plainly hear on tracks like "Death of Aquarius" hits like jackhammer to the head. Of course Orange Goblin can still knock out songs like "Bishop's wolf" which falls back on the slick groove driven rock that this band has always excelled at. If anything this band has become slightly more flexible this time around. Not that they stray too far from their past, but they push the limits a little more and sound very comfortable with every track the offer up on "A Eulogy for the damned". I didn't have expectations as much as I did just hopes that this album would be solid and if anything it's better than I hoped. These guys have generally been very consistent over the years and this is album is no exception.

Bëehler-Messages to the Dead

2012-01-08T03:46:00.000-08:00

HR Records
2011

Once upon a time when I wore a younger man's clothes and wasn't so gray around the edges I happened upon a double tape of Exciter's first two albums. Given the "interesting" album art and the fact that it was priced rather reasonably for two albums I plucked down my hard earned cash and was given a crash course in Canadian speed/thrash. Obviously Exciter has had a pretty solid career and for the most part I've always found their later work to be enjoyable. So with that said I went into "Messages to the Dead" with high hopes. After all we have two members here of the classic Exciter line-up in Dan Beehler (Vocals/Drums) and Alan Johnson (Bass). They are joined by two guitarists in Sean Brophy and Scott Walsh. First things first. Brophy and Walsh are not John Ricci. Let us be perfectly clear on that. They are not bad. In fact they are pretty solid. But, John Ricci had his own style so for those expecting "Messages to the Dead" to sound like Exciter you might be disappointed. Sure, Dan Beehler sounds in top form and there in no denying those heavy bass riffs from Alan Johnson. But that doesn't make this Exciter. Instead this is classic thrash. In other words this is similar to bands like (early) Death Angel, Slayer, Lääz Rockit, (early) Exodus and other eighties thrash acts. Exciter fans will no doubt like this for what it is-crunchy thrash with the excellent vocals of Dan as icing on the cake. In fact one could even say this is a must-have for Exciter fans simply because it is two thirds of the classic Exciter line-up. Pound for pound this is an album that stacks up to classic thrash albums and really there wasn't a single song I couldn't get into. The only drawback I can see for now is that this is an import and thus rather pricey. I was fortunate enough to have a friend from overseas send me a new copy. While it has gone down in price on Amazon (as of this writing) it is still a bit steep in price. That said it is a worthwhile addition for Exciter fans and thrash freaks in general.

(drama)-Zastor Tisine

2012-01-07T05:29:00.000-08:00

Altsphere
2011

Hailing from Croatia (drama) formed in 2004. They recorded a demo in 2006 and then began focusing their writing skills even more. This album was actually recorded in 2010, but was just recently released. This is not in English, but that really doesn't matter because the music certainly does enough to relay the emotions they are trying to get across. The idea behind this album was influenced by five albums of nature situated in a wintry landscape. The album ranges from simple stripped down riffs to much more complex patterns. The start with a basic doom foundation and on layers of textures and different sounds to build the songs up. They excel at using melodies, heavy riffs and thick plodding passages too. (drama) are powerful song writers who realize the importance of subtlety. They have the playing skills to really control their songs and they do so in expert fashion. Their greatest strength to my ears is their ability to transition from one style to another without losing any power in their music. Some bands get caught up in pushing different styles in your face, but this band has a definite plan for each song and they stick to it all the while pulling you along and exposing your senses to all they have to offer. This is definitely an album that requires several spins to really get the most out of it, but it's certainly worth the effort.

What's coming up?

2012-01-06T12:07:00.000-08:00

I still need to review albums by Orange Goblin and (drama) tonight. For next week we hope to have out reviews by Beehler, Panzer Bastard, Ladder Dogs, Ritual, Jucifer, Zebulon Pike, Hate Squad and COC. Plus an interview with Arise The Titan, French Metal Friday and maybe more.

***Have a great week!

Heirs-Hunter

2012-01-06T04:55:00.000-08:00

Denovali Records
2011

Back in March of 2011 I reviewed Heir's full-length album "Fowl". This latest release really picks up where that full-length left off. Released last month this 3-track EP features more of the same beautifully constructed avant-garde post-doom from this Melbourne based instrumental outfit. At 25 minutes in length the songs take their time by building up somber passages before winding back down with mellow and inspired post-rock. If anything "Hunter" is more mellow and reserved. However none of that takes away from the intense emotional impact of tracks like "Symptom". Of the three tracks here I enjoyed the title track the most although each number has it's own feeling and unique structure. "Never Land" for one opens with wonderful jazz influenced bass riffs creating a sense of security even as you are fully aware of the loneliness the track conveys. A great follow-up to "Fowl" which is reviewed in the link below.

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=heirs-fowl

Necrotic-S/T

2012-01-04T15:13:00.002-08:00

God of Thunder
2011

This is the debut from Florida-based act Necrotic. So this is old style thrash with some classic metal mixed in and the vocals sometimes have a more modern take. Okay, so that sounds like an ambitious undertaking. Indeed they attempt to include more ideas than the usual outpouring of retro-thrash acts going today. I'll start with the positives. First off the energy level, there is no denying the enjoy what they are doing here. There are times where their enthusiasm makes up for some some other shortcomings. Also I would say they are not afraid to try different things, although thrash is the dominant style they pull in classic metal, some more modern crunch passages and they even try a few slightly melodic bits too. Plus they don't just separate the styles, they try to blend several together in each song. Okay, now the down side. While they have the talent to play different style they don't always possess the the creative ability to put the different pieces together and make it work. There are many moments where the different bits clunk rather click. However don't see this as a failure. No, there is definitely enough potential here to make this worth a listen. The know how to create so many parts and most sound good, they just need practice getting it altogether in a more seamless manner. Sometimes that works on this albums and several times it does not. I think they are onto something, but they need some practice and a bit more focus. Indeed I hope they keep at it because this album had enough to make me think they really be something special if they keep at it.

Patrick Hemer-More than meets the eye

2012-01-04T14:42:00.000-08:00

Nightmare
2011

Patrick Hemer is perhaps best known for his work with Horizon. Here on his solo album he teams up with drummer Tom Wagner and keyboardist David Casanova. Hemer shows his new-classical style and works it into songs in the genres of melodic metal, power metal and prog-metal. The songs work in both showcasing Hemer's playing talents and and the tracks are well composed to boot. I was a fearing a major wank fest full of nothing but self-indulgent solos and little else. However that's not the case. Instead the songs are well written plus they vary in pace and tones as evidenced by tracks like the heavy pounding of "Panem Et Circenses" and the bouncy "Legend in your own mind". Don't worry, Hemer opens up with the shredding on every song. Much like the main riffs of the songs, his solos vary in style and tempo as well. Fortunately he knows a thing or two about control and restraint too. So we get some blistering fretwork and some great use of tones to boot. There are eleven tracks, but Hemer churns out enough riffs for two albums full of material yet I never felt overwhelmed. This isn't always my favorite type of metal, but this album is very well done and has plenty to offer for fans of different kinds of metal.

Poison Idea-Darby Crash Rides Again: The Early Years

2012-01-04T10:22:00.001-08:00

Southern Lord
2012

One can't help but notice that this seems to be a rather odd release for our friends at Southern Lord. Usually a label to be counted on for top notch doom or sludge it does strike a rather weird cord having them release material by seminal hardcore outfit Poison Idea. Even if it does seem weird at first though this Portland, Oregon band have the much need credibility to be on a label like Southern Lord. This collection gathers together the "Darby Crash Rides Again" 1982 demo along with the previously unreleased "Boner's Kitchen" demo from 1981, the complete uncut live-on-the-air set from the 1983 KBOO radio benefit and outtakes from the "Record Collectors Are Pretentious Assholes" recording session. With twenty-nine tracks from the band's earliest days this is a great introduction for those who have never been properly assaulted by Poison Idea's brand of Black Flag influenced hardcore. Since much of the material presented here has been out-of-print or never before officially released this is a great collection for Poison Idea fans or hardcore fans in general! All the recordings have been meticulously restored and mastered by Jack Control at Enormous Door Mastering and it comes with a booklet containing liner notes, old fliers and tons of previously unpublished photos from the band's humble beginnings. This is a great album from an unsung American hardcore band. Sure it is punk at times. More than anything though these guys were the real deal and this album includes the sort of bone crushing streetcore that made the early eighties scene so intense. Besides, how can you not like a collection that includes their cover of the Hawkwind penned "Motorhead"? Lemmy wasn't the only one to make this number a real rage!

NWOBHM WEDNESDAY: GIRL

2012-01-04T04:13:00.000-08:00

Even though the English glam metal band Girl were only active for three years (they were formed in 1979 and split up in 1982) they left a lasting legacy thanks in no small part to their members. In Girl's ranks was lead vocalist Phil Lewis (who later sang for L.A. Guns) and guitarist Phil Collen (who later joined Def Leppard). Despite the fact that both musicians went on to bigger and better things we shouldn't just write off Girl. They were part of the early NWOBHM scene even if glam metal isn't always thought of in the same way as bands like Saxon, Iron Maiden and Def Leppard. Signed by Jet Records the group released two singles before releasing their superb debut album "Sheer Greed" in 1980. Helped out by the growing appeal of hard rock among English kids the album went on to chart a pre-L.A. Guns version of the song "Hollywood Tease". Also featuring "Do You Love Me?" is (a cover of the song from Kiss' album "Destroyer") the album peaked at No. 33 in the UK Albums Chart. "Wasted Youth" followed in 1982 peaking at number 92 in the UK. Shortly after the release of the album the band broke up. The band's label went on to release "Killing Time" in 1987. Made up of leftover tracks from their two earlier albums (as well as unpublished tracks from a third unreleased album) it is really an album for Girl' collectors only as the material is marginal at best. Other post-breakup releases from Girl include "Live At The Marquee", "Live At The Exposition Hall, Osaka, Japan", the 37 track anthology "My Number: The Anthology" (Editor's Note-This is the collection to own as it gives a fantastic overview of the band!), "Bootleg - Live in Tokyo 1980" and "Girl-Sheer Greed-Gerry Laffy - The Rare DVD Collection". Sadly Girl are not thought more highly of and it seems as if only die-hard glam fans and NWOBHM collectors know of their early work. Both Def Leppard and L.A. Guns overshadow Girl which is too bad as Girl crafted quality glam metal. They had the hooks and the looks to go onto bigger and better things as the true glam metal/pop metal explosion was right around the corner obviously. Girl though are another case of a band being so close to glory only to implode at the last second.

Wizard's Beard-Four Tired Undertakers

2012-01-04T02:51:00.000-08:00

Altsphere
2011

Wizard's Beard offer up six songs of low tuned torment. Subirse el Muerto trickles on and the music continues to stab like a dull knife for more than eight minutes. The seared throat vocals weave and bob between the music. The pace stays in one gear, but the heaviness bumps up and down enough to keep it interesting. Abandon the wolf revolves around a very simple riff and even more so if relies on the vocals which stay at a frenzied level throughout. My favorite part of this song was the agonized riffs and labored drum beats at the end that stretch the song out a bit. Daemon operates around a twisted lead riff that quickly fades away for some sparse patches of music. This song really rides on the reverb and they make a lot out of very few licks and beats. Even the normally constant vocals are used sparingly in comparison. Seeth Inside is a thick monster of a track with and edge of grief and despair guiding the way. The vocals are very effective here really pulling out as much emotion as possible. Accursed rambles on steadily with slightly more power than normal. Again just when I think the song is winding down they keep it going by spitting out just enough beats and venomous vocals to keep it going for another minute or two. Harbringer clocks in at over 11 minutes yet it's perhaps the most interesting song here. Again the writing is strong as they both control and manipulate the pace pulling you along while keeping the format simple. After this is a ghost track where you have to go almost two minutes into the running time to find it. Wizard's Beard operate on a basic format, but manage to squeeze so much out of so little by really piecing it all together and stretching it out. Also they let each not and beat echo out and get so much out of everything they put their hands on. There are some moments where the tracks bleed together a little due to the similar sounds. Overall this is a strong offering of agonized doom

My Life's Burden-My Life's Burden

2012-01-03T10:07:00.000-08:00

Self-Release
2012

Chances are good you've already heard My Life's Burden. At any given time most people have heard groups such as Tool, Pearl Jam, Bush or Foo Fighters. With My Life's Burden the influences are put right out in front for everyone to see. Adding in Pantera, Metallica, Mudvayne, Deftones, 311, Acid Bath, Motley Crew, Guns N' Roses, Janis Joplin and Taproot as music that help carve out this Ohio band's sound helps one to flush out the exact nature of My Life's Burden's debut album. While it might come across as a bad thing it isn't exactly as if every band out there these days is completely original. Few are anymore basically. At least with these guys there is a sincere outpouring of emotional hard rock/metal even if the end results are not always as complete as one would like. Tracks like the heavy, modern crunch rocker "Ashes Of Truth" with it's Pantera riffs are the stuff alternative radio fans drool over as is "Unfair". Take a listen to "Suffering" with its Tool meets radio metalcore and it is true that there is indeed appreciation for the deeper tones that move this album along. The band's song "Gravitate" has received quite a bit of local airplay and gives you a good idea about what drives this Akron band. If only the band was able to keep things wrapped together so smoothly throughout the full-length debut. At times I caught wind of a group tripping over each other with guitars out of sync. Not always obviously and honestly when it does happen I'm reminded of the sounds of 90's hard rock and grunge acts who worshiped at the alter of Black Sabbath riffs. While it was always nice to hear those meaty riffs it wasn't always the most technical affair. Also, as much as lead vocalist Brandon Allen gives us amazing songs to hang onto and soak in there are moments when he sounds either winded or strained. A minor complaint though as the emotion behind his voice is rather addicting in much the same way as many early 90's MTV hard rock heroes. With time to mature his voice could be the one thing that puts these guys over. Overall a good debut with room to grow. Find out more at the group's FaceBook page below.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Lifes-Burden/132410726812578

Forgotten Gems: Culprit - Guilty as Charged

2012-01-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

Shrapnel Records
1983

US heavy metal at its finest. That is what you have with Seattle, Washington's Culprit. Formed in 1981 the band would release "Guilty As Charged" two years later. Who knew it would go on to be a classic? And who would have guessed that the album still hasn't been made more readily available? One has to wonder why. Lead by vocalist Jeff L' Heureux (who would show up in another band I plan to cover down the road-Mistrust) the band were a perfect fit for Shrapnel Records if only for the fact that Culprit had insane power metal riffs. Like a more primal Riot these guys played true traditional heavy metal that still sounds as fresh and amazing all these years later. Whether it is the excellent title track or songs like "Ice In The Black" or "Steel To Blood" Culprit played the sort of timeless eighties heavy metal that was all the rage then and is still loved now. Why they were not bigger I will never know. They had everything going for them from the licks to the looks with attitude to spare. Simply put "Guilty As Charged" should be an album every heavy metal fan talks about and yet most people will give you a blank stare if you mention Culprit. More people know of TKO which is where several of the members ended up. Such a shame really. Beware when tracking down a copy of this album as several "official" releases are nothing short of vinyl transfers and not good transfers at that! Eventually I hope to pick up a proper album but in the meantime I got my copy from the excellent site Vibrations Of Doom Magazine. Part webzine and part Internet radio the site also offers copies of long lost and OOP heavy metal/thrash metal releases. The nice thing about going through these guys though is that part of the profits for the albums (which are very reasonable) go right back to the bands themselves. And if the band members can't be found the money is saved for them. Seeing as there were lots of bands who never got their proper payout thanks to shady record labels this is a good way to help out underground acts that played heavy metal for the pure thrill of it. You can find Culprit's album there along with hundreds of other rare releases! Find out more at the link below.

http://vibrationsofdoom.com/default.htm

Nails/Skin Like Iron-split EP

2012-01-02T06:10:00.001-08:00

Self-Release
2012

This self-release is a split 7” EP with Skin Like Iron on Side A and Nails on Side B. San Francisco’s Skin Like Iron are modern hardcore with a punk rock backside. With hoarse vocals and one foot planted in eighties punk this hardcore act treats it's two songs like pieces of meat getting tenderized. Of the two cuts the track "The Parade" is more melodic. Or as melodic as a band like this is going to get. Side B gives us Oxnard, California's (the same town as the legendary Dr. Know) own Nails. Now these guys don't mess around. Brutal hardcore is one thing and then there is Nails who take brutality to a whole different realm. Wow. Now, this one-time pressing of 1000 copies will be split between a publicly available reserve of 900 copies on black wax and 100 copies on blue, available from the bands only so don't sleep on this release folks. I have a strange feeling this one will sell like crazy given the cult status of both acts.

New Years Resolutions

2011-12-31T11:18:00.000-08:00

Now these are from me and just for this blog. I think I wrote some last year, but I am not even going to look to see what they were because I may be writing the same thing again this year. Still it applies again in 2012.

-I will be honest in all of my reviews. Expect it. I am not writing these to be liked, I write reviews to tell how I feel about an album. However if I find problems I will offer reasons why I felt that way. I never bash an album just for the sake of bashing it although had some thin skinned artists accused of me that before.

-I will try to write several reviews per week. Having Andy write here has helped because he is far more consistent at getting reviews than I am. I have no excuses for that, but I do hope to stick to getting several reviews done per week.

-If you write something nasty about a review we wrote then that's great. I welcome it. I post every comment I get unless it contains spam or links to illegal downloads. However if you rip us for something you don't agree with then give some reasons for why you think we are wrong. If you write something nasty and don't give reasons why you disagree or your reasons are something like "you are an idiot" or "you must be deaf" then I respond in a not so nice manner. Opinions I respect, but have some good reasons for your views. I love to debate about music, but if you post a comment talking like a jackass then I'll give you the response you deserve.

-I hope to continue to be as objective as possible when reviewing music. I review all kinds of metal, hard rock and punk rock. I give it all a chance, but I have my favorite styles. Still I hope to continue to be as objective as possible when reviewing any and all material.

There you go, hope you keep coming back in the New Year.

2012-The year of big releases or big busts?

2011-12-31T10:39:00.000-08:00

I'lll be honest with you I read a lot of music blogs and music sites. I look at numerous sites almost every day. However it's always to read reviews both past and present. I rarely look at any kind of music news site. So I don't keep up very well with what new album are coming out unless the link is sent to me review it. However recently I heard some buzz about veteran bands who have albums due out in 2012. Now before I get into that, I have to say that 2011 saw some fine releases from some veteran acts including Alice Cooper, Saxon, Megadeth and U.D.O. However some of the acts who have new albums on the horizon next year may not be as promising. I am going to briefly breakdown a few and give you my initial predictions for these.

Black Sabbath- Okay, so the original line-up is back together again and an album is finally supposed to happen next year. The Heaven and Hell album with the late RJD on vocals was quite mediocre. That was surprising considering Dio had been so consistent in his band. So I wonder how many ideas Iommi and Butler really have left? Add into that instead of a steady performer like Dio they now have to prop up Ozzy and hope whoever mixes this album can make what comes out of his mouth sound like words you can actually understand. Good luck with that. Maybe the music pulls it over and there is some magic left, but I doubt it.

KISS-Oh, look the kings of merchandise actually decided to record some music instead of issues more action figures and shower curtains with their logos on it. Although you know when the album comes out there will another onslaught of merchandise coming out to coincide with the album's release. Sonic Boom was above average and plenty of silly KISS fans ate the junk up like 1977 again. Really it was just a re-hash of their old style. It was better than most of what they have done in the last almost thirty years, but nothing special. I expect the next album to be another round of the same old thing as well.

Aerosmith-Remember the last time Aerosmith put out a good album? Yes, I have to think about that. Uh, well it's been a long time. Their last really good album was back when I was in grade school and I am over 40. So does anyone really care that these guys are putting out a new album? Probably not.

Judas Priest-Now a new Priest album should be a good thing because for so long they were one of the leaders of the scene. However things have changed. Two poor albums with Ripper Owens at the helm tarnished the good name Judas Priest. Yet we all thought when Halford came back that they would be back on track. Instead it got even worse. Two ridiculously terrible albums ensued. This band still acts like they think they are still the metal gods. Well it's been over twenty years since they have done a good album. Most of the material Halford has done outside of Priest since the early 90's has been decent to good. However with Priest it's been different matter. Now KK Downing is out and the band has promised ( or threatened) to release a new album next year. My hopes are that they get back to basics, forget about epics and concept albums and just crank out a solid metal album. I think they may have it in them, but the badness of their recent album has me dreading what kind of crap they will conjure up next year.

Van Halen-This one is a better to gauge just because no one involved had recorded much of anything in some time. Neither Roth or the brothers Van Halen have done anything remotely decent since the 90's and even that's debatable. Their reunion tour generally received positive reviews a few years ago. However can that translate to the studio? Are we going to get the natural follow-up to 1984 or re-hashed garbage that will make us wish Roth hadn't returned? Logic would say the second choice. However, I don't if it's because I am a fan and have some hope or what, but whatever the reason I think there is a glimmer of hope for this one. Not a lot of hope and I wouldn't be surprised if it stunk like a mound of garbage under the August sun. Still I think maybe these guys find some magic and release an alright album. We'll have to wait see.

Primal Fear-Unbreakable

2011-12-31T09:17:00.001-08:00

Frontiers Records
2012

Since I wasn't too impressed by Ralf Scheepers last solo album I honestly expected "Unbreakable" to be the same sort of release. Instead I must admit that this German power metal band sounds good here. It has to have something to do with the rest of Primal Fear's players because "Unbreakable" is some nice straightforward speed/power metal with just enough of that glossy European style of power metal to make it enjoyable. As a one time potential replacement for Rob Halford in Judas Priest the skill is obviously there with Ralf Scheepers. Formed in 1997 by the former Gamma Ray vocalist and bassist/vocalist Mat Sinner the band has become one of the most well known European power metal acts. With eight studio albums to their name Primal Fear has remained a rather reliable band. While they might never break from the mold of what made them so good at least one knows what to expect. I know I should have expected that "Unbreakable" would be something heavy and worthwhile with the group's track record. There is a reason Primal Fear is one of the most respected German metal bands out there. All "Unbreakable" does is add to the group's impressive catalog.

What's coming up?

2011-12-30T12:26:00.000-08:00

Next week (the first week of the New Year) we hope to have out reviews of albums by Primal Fear, Orange Goblin, Poison Idea, Patrick Hemer, Nails, Skin like iron, Wizard's Beard, My life's Burden, (drama), Necrotic and maybe more.

So party responsibly, watch football and get ready for 2012.

***Have a great week!

Macabra-Blood Nurtured Nature

2011-12-29T16:53:00.001-08:00

Metalhit
2012

Macabra is the joint project between Belgian vocalist Adrien 'Liquifier' Weber and American illustrator and multi-instrumentalist Mark Riddick. This is highly influenced by old style death bands like Asphyx and Death. The style is extremely basic and the production borders on a bare bones variety. If it wasn't for the volume and the production on the vocals then this album might pass as some long lost demo from around 90-91. That sound has both positive and negative traits. The vocals certainly capture a ferocious style that relies on deep, thick vocals. Plus the vocals even have some variation that helps to add some much needed depth. The music is far more one dimensional at times. They keep the pace going and the music never sits gliding on one tempo for too long, However the guitars often lack the heaviness needed even when the speed picks up. The results are that some of the tracks sound a bit thin and I certainly found my eyes checking the running time to see how much more I had to listen to. I admire their dedication to adhere to a retro style and they capture some of the spirit of the style. Yet they never manage to capture the power and steady attacks that defined the best bands of this style say twenty years ago. Plus they never really add any of their own ideas. Which makes this at best a slightly above average effort with a few sparks here and there.

Immolith-StormDragon

2011-12-29T15:55:00.000-08:00

Metalhit
2012

The cover of this album from US outfit Immolith just screams out black metal in large, growling tones and indeed in this case you can judge a book (or album) by it's cover. This old style black metal owing much to 90's acts. So expect swirling rhythms intermingled with bludgeoning attacks and occasional mid-tempo marches bridging the gaps. The music is frequently relentless and they benefit from throwing out chaotic passages and just changing up the tempo frequently. The vocals are of the sore throat growling variety. However they are slightly low in the mix on several songs and this robs them of some of the power they could have had. Most of the songs are around 4-5 minutes in length and the band manages to keep the momentum going throughout. The only complaint I have is that this has been before and that's where it's difficult for a band like this to establish their identity. Everything they do they pull off well enough, but it's hard to find a reason to listen to this band instead of listening to 90's acts they are influenced by. However they do enough to prove how tight and focused they are. So hopefully they keep at it and the next time around they work on developing some of their own ideas and working them into the solid foundation thy have already created.

Trucker Diablo-The devil rhythm

2011-12-28T17:21:00.000-08:00

Ripple Music
2011

I received this disc a few weeks ago. I don't if it was due to the holidays or just laziness on my part, but whatever the reason I didn't get around to taking the plastic off it today. So today the weather in my area didn't get above 40 degrees, but when I put this disc into my car stereo it sure melted away the chill. They have some big nasty riffs at their disposal. However this isn't the straight ahead total rawk fest I was figuring it might be. There are definitely some 70's and 80's influences mixed in there from AC/DC to ZZtop. However they are display a knack for writing some catchy choruses and they easily use the melodic approach needed to really put this off as you can hear in tracks like "Rattlehead" and "Big truck". Now don't read that last part as a weakness because they can still still stomp you flat with massive storms of gritty rock like Juggernaut (with Ricky Warwick of Thin Lizzy) and "Drink beer, destroy". Almost every song is the kind where you here it once and it seems like and old favorite right away. I guess that is due to the fact that this band knows the correct buttons to press to get and keep your attention. Trucker Diablo have managed to put out a selection of tracks that proudly disblay their spectacular writing skills and they have the chops to pull the songs off as well.

Forgotten Gems: Alternative Attack - No Turnin' Back

2011-12-28T06:24:00.001-08:00

Loony Toons Records
1987

This three-track EP would prove to be the only release for punk thrash three-piece Alternative Attack. Formed in the mid-1980s the band would change their name to Destroy Babylon after this sole release. Seeing as this one was supposedly only released on 7" vinyl digital downloads are the only option for those seeking this somewhat crossover band. The band is mostly known for featuring Spike T. Smith (or Spikey) on vocals and drums. For those who don't know drummer Spikey played with English Dogs and Sacrilege. I have the blog site "Who Killed ET?" to thank for this EP. Really it isn't much more that just raw thrash with a punk streak and yet for crossover fans and those that appreciate the sounds of punk metal this is a fun little album. With a total playing time of only 07:22 things are over with before they even start sadly. Just when your getting into some seriously fun basement thrash the EP wraps up. It is a shame this is all we have of Alternative Attack. For whatever reason it seems like these sort of bands and releases were a dime a dozen in the 80s. Still it is a nice little trip back in time to a world where punk and thrash were not that far apart and bands like this were doing their best to unite different fans.

Beyond The Bridge-The Old Man & The Spirit

2011-12-28T06:03:00.001-08:00

Frontiers Records
2012

Beyond The Bridge is a German band that was started in 1999. Originally going by the name of Fallout things looked promising for the young group. Before long though the band would dissolve. This was partly due to the fact that the band members were all still in school. With their university studies and professional careers awaiting Fallout was put on hold until 2005. At that point guitarist Peter Degenfeld-Schonburg decided to revive the band and work on a project he called "The Old Man and The Spirit". Without giving too much away this concept album deals with the search for meaning and how one man transcends this world into a higher realm. Pretty heavy stuff indeed and yet it is all handled in such a professional manor that one can't help but feel transfixed by the journey. Musically this is progressive metal with an opera mindset. Male and female vocals share the stage and frankly the whole affair is a stunning achievement. Even for a label like Frontier Records this is classy stuff and obviously it won't appeal to everyone. For those with a sense of adventure and a willingness to let the music soak in the end result is rewarding indeed.

Degradation-Juggernaut

2011-12-27T14:30:00.000-08:00

2011

Chicago's Degradation have been around for a decade, but their total output is an EP in 2007 and this full length. Their style is very much of the Bay area variety with Exodus, Testament and Vio-lence are major influences. They have a tight style with quite a few pace changes. They certainly get beyond a basic approach on every song. There is more of a technical leaning to their approach than their is a straight ahead steamroller type of attack. However the music is heavy enough and they mix their tempo changes in with solid thrash blasts. The vocals of Alex Manske fall a bit short for me as he alternates between a talking style and a slight barking sound. However he lacks the force and variation that would really fit with the music. Every track here is decent, but certainly not anything that you didn't hear twenty plus years ago by more memorable bands. These guys show enough promise enough to keep me interested. However I hope they work at developing their own sound to add into the mix and the vocals need to be stronger for this band to really get to the next level.

77-High Decibels

2011-12-27T06:04:00.000-08:00

Listenable
2012

Everyone has their influences and some are more obvious than others. Then on occasion you get a band who flat out just tries to copy a more established band. In more recent years this trend has become more commonplace. 77 have done just on their sophomore album as try emulate 70's AC/DC. That of course has been done by acts before as along with Black Sabbath, I would AC/DC are one of the two most copied hard rock/metal bands of all time. It's not just the simple riffs of Angus Young and the vocal stylings of Bon Scott that 77 try to copy, but even the tones and the production attempts to make this album sound as though it were recorded around oh, 1977 of course. They get pretty much no originality points for doing this. However I like Bon Scott era AC/DC and as far as that goes they do a far better job of copying it than do bands like Rhinobucket and Airbourne. They hit the pumping groove lead tracks like "Gimme a dollar", but what really impressed we was they sounded even better on slower tracks like "Let's beat it up" and "Since you've been gone". I think that last part shows that 77 have a good grip on what made early AC/DC so special. That is not just the riffs, but the attitude and the control and patience to really build the song up. Vocalist/rhythm guitarist Armand Valeta tries to be Bon Scott and he's decent singer, but not original because of course there was only one Bon Scott. Still this album is fine effort and better than anything the real AC/DC has done in a long time.

So Is The Tongue-a Child of Divorce

2011-12-27T04:05:00.000-08:00

Nefarious Industries
2012

I've always found experimental rock to be an odd description. It makes me think of some mad scientist taking rock and rock and doing illegal experiments on it. It is also a rather loose term. Really it can mean anything and lets face it when you don't know how to describe a band's sound it is a easy way out. All of that brings us to New Jersey-based experimental rock outfit So Is The Tongue. As the group looks to release their sophomore LP, "A Child Of Divorce" I find myself as a loss how to describe it. It truly is experimental rock as these New Jersey musicians grab blindly from various genres to create a very odd creature. Post-rock, jazz, folk, and progressive metal all get pulled into the picture and frankly it is all rather confusing. A better term for the group might be post-rock as "A Child Of Divorce" hits quite a few of those familiar chords. Even so that doesn't do a proper job with describing So Is The Tongue. The best I can do is suggest you check out this band for yourself. It is all so odd and yet maybe you the reader can make sense of it.

Mollo/Martin-The Third Cage

2011-12-24T10:39:00.000-08:00

Frontiers Records
2012

Mollo/Martin (formerly The Cage) is a heavy metal project made up of former Black Sabbath vocalist Tony Martin and Italian guitarist/producer Dario Mollo. "The Third Cage" is really the 3rd album from The Cage. While both "The Cage" and "The Cage 2" were well received by the press and fans this is the first time I had heard the collaboration. As I am a Tony Martin fan I was looking forward to hearing "The Third Cage". Now honestly I have to say I found the album hit or miss and since I've never heard the previous two albums I can't say if this is something new or the way this outfit has worked out. For the record album opener "Wicked World" is pure heavy metal not unlike something out of the Black Sabbath/Dio hard rock camp. The same could be said for "Wardance" really. Now since Dario Mollo handles guitars, bass and keyboards the music is solid if nothing remarkable. He is backed up by drummer Roberto Gualdi, bassist Fulvio Gaslini and two additional keyboard players in Dario Patti and Brian War. The whole group gels rather well even if the album does sound quite like every other Frontiers Records release at times. In the end the album is as stated earlier hit or miss. Production wise there are not any problems as everything is clear for the most part. It is just that nothing here really reaches out and catches hold of you in the end. Not a bad record by any means just a rather standard hard rock/melodic rock affair from a record label that is flooded with similar acts.

Grigori 3-"Inferno" Single

2011-12-24T07:26:00.000-08:00

Dark Star Records
2011

I'm never quite sure what sort of promos will show up in my Inbox. On any given day you can get flooded with various requests from bands, promoters, PR folks and upstart Record Labels. I'm not quite sure what to make of this one honestly. From what I have been able to gather this single has been out now for a month or so. Certainly this is something interesting and different from Dark Star Records. "Inferno" is the latest single from this young Chicago band. Apparently the band has been a big hit among the goth and industrial crowd and has had plenty of write-ups in alternative music magazines. Based on web research it sounds as if their early work fit into a sort of goth/industrial/alternative rock area with only a slight hint of heavy metal here and there. On “Inferno” the obvious point of reference would be Amy Lee and her work with Evanescence. You've got a song not too far removed from said rock band only with a heavier edge and more intimating approach. Supposedly the group's sophomore album “On Your 6” (due in the stores in 2012) will focus more on the their heavy metal roots.The band has been working with Grammy nominee producer Matt Mercado in an effort to showcase more that metal edge and draw in legions of new fans. "Inferno" is one of those songs that should appeal to the goth metal crowd while also drawing in those who enjoy heavier rock radio. Hopefully I'll be able to snag a copy of "On Your 6" when it hits stores as I'm always interested in finding new alternative rock bands that embrace their heavy metal roots.

What's coming up?

2011-12-23T11:25:00.000-08:00

I hope to have reviews of albums by Orange Goblin and Patrick Hemer out in the next day.

For next week we hop to have out reviews of albums by Primal Fear, 77, Mollo/Martin, Degradation, Beyond the bridge, Immolith, So is the to tongue, Macabra and Trucker Diablo.

Plus Forgotten Gems and more.

***Have a great week!

Majestic Downfall-The Blood Dance

2011-12-22T05:42:00.001-08:00

Chaos Records
2012

Majestic Downfall is a one man doom death project from multi-instrumentalist and composer Jacobo Córdova (Ticket to Hell, Antiqua, Zombiefication). While the album does feature a guest guitar solo from Roberto Granados (Denial, The Suffering) and a partial studio drummer "The Blood Dance" is all the vision of Jacobo. On the Majestic Downfall's sophomore release things might start off all peaceful (thanks to a deceiving intro) but soon they dissolve into a nightmare of dread and utter despair. Jacobo has obviously suffered the ills of his own inner demons as "The Blood Dance" is a desperate reach for some sort of peace. He never achieves it as "The Blood Dance" marks one man's slow descent into madness. Doom death is a hard genre to tackle if only for the reason that it can end up as a pitiful mess. Majestic Downfall avoids those dangers by making this sophomore album both dreadful and inviting.

Iron Savior-The landing

2011-12-21T16:31:00.000-08:00

AFM
2011

For me power metal is a genre that's normally hit or miss for me. If a band gets too caught in lofty passages I normally say forget it. However they remember their metal roots and do more of a mix of metal and soaring melodies then I can normally get into it. Fortunately the latest album from Iron Savior certainly falls into the second category. This is old hat for these guys because they have been around for 15 years. However this is there their first album in four years which is the longest gap they have had between albums during their career. This is a slight upgrade from 2007's Megatropolis. The songs here are pure metal at their core and they just add in melodies and even some fast surgin passages as well. This style has been done before, but they do it very well. They bring a steady stream of strong riffs and heavy beats. Even a song with cheesy lyrics like "Heavy metal never dies" sounds splendid from Iron Savior because they know that forceful music and vocals can make it work. This album turned out so well because the band just forges ahead and you go with them. The only negative thing I can say about it is I wish that I heard it two weeks ago because it may have made my lsit for best album of 2011.

Top Of the Heap: Scorpions

2011-12-21T16:03:00.000-08:00

Andy says-

Its mind boggling to think that the Scorpions were formed back in 1965. When you consider that fact and that they also didn't start out as a heavy metal band then the transformation that took place over the course of six albums is amazing. "Lovedrive" was released in 1979 and proved to be the start of the group's transformation into more of a radio-friendly style of heavy metal. With Uli Jon Roth quiting the group UFO's Michael Schenker returned to the fold for what would prove to be the band's most metallic offering. The disc kicks off with the stomper "Loving You Sunday Morning" followed by the cut "Another Piece of Meat". Both of these tracks are pure 70's heavy metal and classic Scorpion tunes. I love the title track as well. It sounds like something UFO would write even though it wasn't written by Michael Schenker. Speaking of UFO the instrumental "Coast to Coast" is another song that sounds remarkably similar to Schenker's earlier band. Changing gears somewhat "Is There Anybody There?" is a song that doesn't get enough airplay even though it stands well on its own. Yes it is a tad odd structure wise and yet I love the song regardless. The fantastic "I Can't Get Enough" is a song I can't get enough of and I even dig the song "Holiday". Sure it is a ballad and more or less started the trend of having all of these slow songs on their albums. But it is what it is and frankly it is a damn fine ballad. I can't forget about "Always Somewhere". This is another tune that few Scorpion fans know of and yet the arrangement is top notch. All in all "Lovedrive" is just a killer hard rock album and one of the band's most consistent LPs.

Metal Mark says-

This is a tough choice. I would say that anything between "Virgin Killer" and "Love at first sting" would be a good choice for their best album as I think that was their real prime. I go back and forth between "Lovedrive" and "Blackout", but usually it's the latter. I was first introduced to the Scorps via the radio around 83-84 as they were frequently played on my local channel and I actually I think they still are. No surprise there because alongs with the likes of Motorhead I would say that the Scorps are on of if not the most consistant metal bands of all time. There is a certain formula to their music although to the extent of say AC/DC. There sound has changed some depending on what guitarist was teamed up with Rudy Schenker at the time. However for me "Blackout" is the ultimate combination of heavy rockers, steady stompers and solid slow tracks. These guys were always ahead of the curve in many ways. One example of that is while I may cringe when many hard rock/metal bands did a ballad, that normally didn't happen with this band. Even most of their ballads were cool because they were talented enough to know that slow song could still be tough if you didn't wrap it in silly sappy nonsense. Now I feel the need to pull out some of these albums again and give them the playing time that they deserve.

***What is your favorite Scorpions album?

Dies Irae-Secret Veils of Passion

2011-12-21T07:36:00.000-08:00

Chaos Records

2012

Let me start off by saying that this is not the Polish death metal Dies Irae or any of the other dozen plus bands to opt for this name. Instead this is the Mexican version. Any band that plays "melodic dark death metal" (so says the Encyclopedia Metallum site) is worth a listen even if said band seems to have started out as some sort of post-metal/post-rock project. What could best be described as standard melodic death metal flirts with progressive touches resulating in a rather standard production. Formed in 1994 and disbanded in 2002 (only to reform again) this Dies Irae doesn't offer anything new at all though. The album isn't a drag or anything. It has moments when things look promising. It is only that feeling like you've heard it all before and that when you did hear it things were done better. A decent enough release.

Blood Mortized-Bestial

2011-12-21T05:12:00.000-08:00

Chaos Records
2011

Swedish death metal on a Mexican metal label? The world is a crazy place. What we have here is four tracks of old school death from a band made up of members of Crypt Of Kerberos, Amon Amarth, Malfeitor and Stigmata. Nothing more and nothing less. I wouldn't break down doors to snag this EP but then again I wouldn't pass it up as a stocking stuffer for the holidays either.

Forgotten Gems-Deathrow-Deception Ignored

2011-12-20T16:56:00.000-08:00

Noise
1988

I first heard Germany's Deathrow on their 1986 debut Satan's Gift/Riders of doom and enjoyed it. I was huge in the thrash at the time and this album filled that need. It was basic German Thrash not far off from what Kreator and Sodom were doing around the time. The next year Deathrow released Raging Steel and the band sounded even heavier and tighter. By 1988 the band was on to it's third album. Again there is a progression, but perhaps it doesn't follow a course that everyone thought they follow. It's still thrash, but instead of just going in one speed they mix it up. The styles and the tempo receive some changes and the band handles this approach with expert hands despite the fact the previous albums were far more basic. They show great technical skill that the other albums never really hinted at. There are three tracks here that are over seven minutes a piece yet they fill the time with as much sound as they can. Now don't think for a minute that technical and progressive elements take away from the heaviness of this album. I have heard that argument stated in reviews by people who obviously did not have a clue. This is still killer thrash only you get even more ideas and changes mixed in. They sound great from the pounding of "The Deathwish" to the swirling chaos of "Bureaucrazy" to the unbelievable instrumental "Triocton". This was one of the most pleasant thrash metal surprises of the late 1980's and it still holds up well today.

King Giant-Dismal Hollow

2011-12-20T16:07:00.000-08:00

Graveyard Hill
2012

Northern Virgina-based quintet King Giant return with their second album. I remember hearing and enjoying their debut just a little over a year ago. So they have been busy in getting sophomore releases out so quickly. Really "Dismal Hollow" follows up a similar sound to the debut. This is groove inspired fuzz rock that blends 70's influences, stoner rock and even acts like the Cult and Danzig to some extent. The major strength here are the huge hooks that dominate tracks like "Tale of Mathias", "O' Drifter" and "The Fog". They know how to use and manipulate simple riffs and beats and squeeze all they can out of them. The only problem here is a number of the songs are quite similar. Since they are mostly basic to begin with this means a few songs lose some of their momentum before the running time is over. Not an album I could listen to all of the time, but certainly an album that's worth a listen.

Blackfinger- All The Leaves Are Brown (single)

2011-12-20T14:54:00.001-08:00

Dark Star Records
2011

When Eric Wagner left Trouble in 2008 many people were left with the impression that he was not just walking away from the band but music as well. While he had been with the band since the very beginning it appeared he just simply had had enough of the constant touring. So he didn't completely cut off music as is evident by this new single. For the record Eric has been recording under the band name Blackfinger since ending his time with the doom metal greats. It is hard not to expect this new project to sound like the band Trouble. Since Eric's voice is one of the things that made Trouble stand out so much with Blackfinger I'd wager that others will get the same sort of vibe I did. "All The Leaves Are Brown" isn't going to suddenly thrust Eric back into the spotlight obviously. What it does do though is make me wonder what a full-length album would sound like. While Eric's other post-Trouble project Lid sounded like an acid soaked Led Zeppelin this song reminds me more of the white metal warriors work. There is a real 70's heavy metal feel here along with an obvious nod to Trouble making Blackfinger a intriguing project. I'm keeping my figures crossed that this leads to a full-length album in 2012!

Black Skies-On The Wings Of Time

2011-12-20T14:23:00.000-08:00

Self-Release
2011

From the same area that brought us the Archers of Loaf, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Southern Culture on the Skids, Superchunk and of course Ben Folds Five comes the very interesting Black Skies. So what are we to make of Chapel Hill's latest gift? At first listen this three-piece band lays down a sort of Discharge induced sludge rock. Repeated listens though give the listener a heavy, proto-metal psychedelic lesson in rock. Drenched in feedback and layers of fuzz this hybrid band take a page from Sleep's playbook and then give it the garage rock treatment. Things get somewhat warm and hazy along the way as progressive rock does acid with Halo Of Flies resulting in an unholy sound that is strangely invigorating. Call this post-punk, psychedelic grunge if you want. I'll just call it intoxicating.

Arise The Titan-Our Collective Destroyer

2011-12-19T07:24:00.000-08:00

Self-Release
2012

Hockey mask killers won't be the only thing to fear in January of 2012. It seems as if Ohio's Arise The Titan have opted to unleash this 8-track EP on Friday the 13th as well. Twice the bloodshed and mayhem then from the sounds of it. As debut albums go this one is a brute. Extreme metal is the name of the game and I can't quite decide if what we have here is a hardcore band influenced by thrash metal and death metal or a thrash/death hybrid band gone hardcore. Either way the end result is the same and that is crushing heavy metal that is both technical and terrorizing. Arise The Titan front man Michael Leone often pushes his vocals into death metal territory while the rest of this 5-piece outfit tries to keep him in check. This is hand- crafted Ohio metal made by people who have no doubt had to endure one too many bleak Ohio winters. It seems to be that our area is producing more of these extreme metal bands everyday and sooner or later the mainstream press is going to have to wake up to the fact that Ohio's heavy metal scene is more crushing than ever. Maybe this isn't groundbreaking metal here but it is certainly neckbreaking metal.

What's coming up?

2011-12-17T15:47:00.000-08:00

This week we hope to have reviews out this week of albums by Black Skies, Orange Goblin, Arise The Titan, King Giant, Blood Mortilized, Patrick Hemer, Dies Irae, Pact,Majestic Downfall and Iron Savior. Plus Forgotten Gems and more.

***Have a great week!

Almah-Motion

2011-12-16T04:21:00.000-08:00

AFM Records
2012

Almah originally started out as a solo project of Angra vocalist Edu Falaschi. For those of you not familiar with Angra they are a long-standing progressive power metal outfit from Brazil. In fact next to Sepultra they are arguably the most well-known heavy metal band to originate from Brazil. While Edu Falaschi might have intended for Almah to be a solo project when he put everything together back in 2006 by the time 2008's "Fragile Equality" was released it had morphed into an actual band. Also, unlike the progressive power metal that Angra does so well this band has more of a modern metal feel. The sound is flat out heavy and seeing as the album was recorded with 7-string guitars, tuned a half-step down (B flat) along with layered rhythm guitars things are technically savvy in addition to slaying. Falaschi's Angra band mate Felipe Andreoli handles bass duties offering plenty of crisp and crunchy riffs. Joining the pair is Berkley-graduated guitar wizard Marcelo Barbosa (Khallice, Dark Avenger), drummer Marcelo Moreira (Burning In Hell) and technical guitarist Paulo Schroeber (Fear Ritual, Dies Irae, Astafix). Falaschi has yet again chosen to surround himself with top-notch musicians and the result speaks for itself. "Motion" is simply a stellar heavy metal album in every sense of the word. Musically you hear tiny bits of Falaschi's other band Angra as well as some of the group's earlier influences like Helloween, Kamelot, Dream Theatre and Masterplan. But those previous albums have nowhere near the serious heavy appeal of "Motion". Here we are talking about Pantera like gargantuan riffs. Fast and furious solos compete with modern metal in a battle to the death. The band worked hard to reach a balance of "heavy, modern metal and beautiful, catchy melodies". Edu Falaschi has certainly achieved that goal and then some. Here you have a group that pulls in the sounds of Pantera and even Alice In Chains while still sounding every bit as good as power metal acts like Blind Guardian. Yes, Almah sounds good at both ends of the spectrum and even if my description sounds odd the impact this album has should bring some attention to Falaschi and his band mates.

Rising-To solemn ash

2011-12-16T03:12:00.000-08:00

Exile on Mainstream
2011

Kind of an odd siging for Exile on Mainstream who normally have experimental/avant gard/ stoner rock bands. Rising are more of a modrn sludge act with elements of classic metal tossed in. Their sound is fairly basic without a whole lot of depth or all that many pace changes. Yet the excel in just attacking with pure brute force.They propel themselves forward with short blasts and ride those throughout. A few songs could have really used some development and perhaps a few more tempo changes would have helped. However I cannot deny that Rising manage to frequently hit like a bad of bricks being swung by a gorilla. Both the music and vocals are frequently guided by enough heaviness to maintain my interest. However a decent outing overall.

((Thorlock))-s/t

2011-12-15T11:35:00.000-08:00

Handshake Inc./Grindcore Karaoke
2011

((Thorlock)) play a brand stoner rock with plenty of twang wound into the fuzzed out riffs. There's definitely some 1970's influences at the heart of their sound with perhaps some Allman Brothers, Hawkwind and others mixed in here. However they apply plenty of reverb and thick twists to their formula. Most of their tracks like "Deuce" and "Assneck" are short, straight-up stompers. Just when I thought I had this band completely pegged they haul out to tracks that are 18 minutes plus a piece in "Mississippi Wheelwash" and "Beyond cosmic dimensions". Both have a similar groove to the shorter tracks, but the structures are different. It's on the two long tracks where they demonstrate not just their musical chops, but there skills as songwriters as well. They show their patience and their control and building the song up and keeping it going for the duration. If there is a shortcoming for this band is that several songs have a very similar sounds to the music and the vocals which causes some of the songs to bleed together. Overall a fun album that keeps bouncing along enough to keep your interest.

http://www.myspace.com/thorlocktheband

Andy's Top 30 Heavy Metal Album Reviews of 2011

2011-12-15T00:00:00.000-08:00

This year I have decided to do things a little different for my 2011 best-of. Instead of risking a list that would just be a mirror image of Metal Mark's I have decided to post a best-of based solely on my own album reviews. In other words these are the best albums I reviewed personally over the past year with some notes here and there just to keep things interesting. Obviously it is no particular order. Enjoy.

1)Ichabod Crane-Brimstone (Local hardcore, metal, thrash mash up band does good)

2)Bloodbound-Unholy Cross

3)Conflicted-Never Be Tamed

4)Totimoshi-Avenger (Weird and yet so powerful)

5)Ear Danger-Full Blast At Last (Just one of many older bands to grace my list)

6)Hell-Human Remains (What a great year it was for older heavy metal bands!)

7)Exxplorer-Vengeance Rides An Angry Horse (Power metal from the masters!)

8)Death Mask-Sitting In The Dark

9)Satan's Host-Celebration: For the Love of Satan (Re-recorded and re-worked classics!)

10)The Approach and The Execution-The Blood March (Protest The Hero meets Iron Maiden?)

11)Ana Kefr-The Burial Tree (II) (The new face of black metal!)

12)Junius-Reports from the Threshold of Death (Majestic and stunning!)

13)Mockingbird-Mockingbird

14)Bitches Sin-The Rapture (NWOBHM greats return!)

15)Thurkills Vision-For The Sleeping (Modern metal done right!)

16)Priscilla-Eight Lives Gone (Sleazy industrial trash metal?)

17)Times Of Grace-The Hymn Of A Broken Man

18)Praying Mantis-Metalmorphosis 30th Anniversary Special Edition EP (More great NWOBHM!)

19)Sign Of The Jackal-The Beyond (Limited Edition EP) (Horror movies, heavy metal and a female vocalist? Oh yeah!)

20)Voivod-Warriors Of Ice (A live album that showcases just how good these guys are)

21)Deadiron-Deadiron (More local metal like Iron Maiden meets Bay Area Thrash with an Ohio touch!)

22)R.U.S.T.-Forged in the Fire of Metal (Classic heavy metal from a new band. What is not to love?)

23)Benedictum-Dominion (The best in female fronted heavy metal)

24)Saxon-Call To Arms (Welcome back mates!)

25)Megadeth-Thirteen (Maybe Bay Area Thrash isn't dead?)

26)Dexter Ward-Neon Lights (Some of the best heavy metal out there!)

27)Skull Fist-Head öf the Pack

28)Killing Joke-Live at Hammersmith Apollo (Another excellent live album from a classic band!)

29)Slander- Careless Talk Costs Lives (Seriously good metal from a newer NWOBHM act)

30)Riot-Immortal Soul (American heavy metal at it's finest!)

All in all a pretty good year for heavy metal. Lots of local acts proved worthy of praise while plenty of older bands put out new albums that were just killer. There was great releases in straight up heavy metal, thrash, modern metal and black metal. Hopefully 2012 will prove to be as good!

Metal Mark's top 35 albums of 2011

2011-12-14T16:43:00.000-08:00

What a year 2011 has been for music. It's been such a spectacular year that instead of doing my usual top 25 albums of the year I had to expand it to 35 and it was still hard to narrow it down.
It was definitely the year for stoner rock, doom and experimental metal. However there were also good classic style metal albums, hard rock, thrash, prog-metal, death metal, power metal and I even considered two AOR albums for this although they didn't quite make it. It was a just a fantastic year for music and weak albums were few and far between. So like them or not here are my top 35 albums of 2011.

1-Black Cobra-Invernal
A slightly different approach for them, but still amazing.
2-Admiral Browning-Battle Stations
More great instrumental stoner, prog-rock from this trio.
3-In Solitude-The world the flesh, the devil
Total Mercyful Fate worship but so well done.
4-Beehoover-Concrete catalyst
Beehoover have gotten better with each album.
5-Grand Astoria-Omnipresence
Powerful rawk and roll madness.
6-Lo Pan-Salvador
Fuzzed out goodness.
7-Alice Cooper-Welcome 2 my nightmare
A big surprise and a great effort from Alice.
8-Ethereal Riffian-Shamans visions
Slow and thick layers of stoner rock and doom.
9-Roadsaw-s/t
Six years since their last album and they come back better than ever.
10-Across Tundras-Sage
A mass of surging tones.
11- Saxon-Call to arms
Metal veterans still have plenty left in the tank.
12-Pentagram-Last Rites
Welcome back to the fold, Victor Griffin.
13- Argus-Boldy stride the doomed
Even better than their previous album.
14-Megadeth-TH1RT3EN
Their best album in some time.
15- Brotherhood of sleep-Dark as light
Hypnotizing doom.
16-Earth-Angels of darkness, demons of light 1
Spectacular tones throughout.
17-Gypsy Pistoleros - Duende :Last of the Pistoleros
Lee Pistolero and his backing band still pull this one off.
18-Scale the summit-The collective
Not always a prog-rock fan, but these guys are easy to get into.
19-Enablers-Blown realms and stalled explosions
A wild mix of off the wall sounds, scattered music , spoken word and more.
20-Blaspherian-Infernal Warriors of death
Pure raging death metal.
21-The Rotted-Ad Nauseum
One of the best at mixing death metal and old style hardcore.
22-Mastodon –The Hunter
A disappointment for them, but still solid enough.
23-Jag Panzer-The scourge of the light
Impressive outing.
24-Brainstorm-On the spur of the moment
Still one of the best power metal bands around.
25-Amon Amarth-Surtur Rising
Predictable, but heavy.
26-Wino-Adrift
Different from his usual work, but still engaging.
27-Vektor-Outer Isolation
Great blend of technical talent combined with old style thrash.
28-TYR-The lay of Thrym
Viking themed power metal with incredible melodies.
29- Between the buried and me- The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues
Only EP, but these guys are still brilliant.
30-Wolves in the throne room-Celestial Lineage
Drone done right.
31-Twisted Tower Dire-Make it dark
Another solid outing from this classic style metal act.
32-Dixie Witch-Let it roll
Southern fried, groove driven rock.
33-Portrait-Crimen Laesae Majestatis Divinae'
The second best Mercyful Fate inspired album of the year.
33-Iron Claw-A different game
Their first album since the 1970’s and what a great comeback.
34-Einvera-In your image
Constantly changing chaos.
35-Witch Mountain-South of Salem
Slow and noisy works for this band.

Slander-Careless Talk Costs Lives

2011-12-14T16:24:00.000-08:00

Stormspell Records
2011

Wait just a second here. Didn't Metal Mark just cover this one at the beginning of the month in our Forgotten Gems section? Why yes he did. And it was his excellent review that made me hit Amazon looking to snag a copy of "Careless Talk Costs Lives". And you know what? A funny thing happened when this arrived in the mail later on. In addition to Slander's old demo recordings was a second disc of 2010 material! So, cheating a little here since it was released at the start of 2011 and all (at least officially) I thought I'd do a quick write-up so I could get it included in my year end best-of. Why? Well, for one thing this re-recorded material is some of the best heavy metal to come out this year that's why! For the record the track listing is different for the second disc as Slander choose to add in so cuts that didn't get released the first time around. Actually about half the tracks are different here. You have newer numbers like "Shadows","Land of Darkness", "Midnight Train", "This Time You Lose" and "Ends of the Circle". Tracks like "Hangman" offer up more of Slander's NWOBHM worship only with a modern slant. Metal Mark was right on with his list of influences (I'll tack on his original review at the end of this one) although from the sound of this second disc I'd say there was some Diamondhead, Satan and even Witchfinder General running through Slander's veins. Seems a crying shame these guys didn't get their proper due the first go round as this second disc kicks serious heavy metal ass. This 2-disc set includes the original demo material, the 2011 re-recorded material and a nice booklet with the band's history. Stormspell Records has done a nice job with this one. Man I hope Slander keeps at it this time as music like this never grows old.

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=slander

The Devil's Blood-The Thousandfold Epicentre

2011-12-14T04:36:00.000-08:00

Metal Blade Records

2012

I can't be the only one who thinks this is an odd signing for Metal Blade Records. Or am I alone in that thought? Here we have a band obviously influenced by the likes of Heart (musically) and Coven (musically as well as lyrically). Seems a tad odd for a label like Metal Blade Records. Even so these Dutch occult rockers make for an interesting listen. Light the candles if you must and sit back and soak in the sounds of sixties and seventies rock. This is a long lost underground psychedelic infused rock LP right? Sure sounds like it. The Heart and Coven sounds are pretty up front although buried in there is some Jefferson Airplane, Black Widow and the like. It all sounds equally spooky and charming even if they are pledging some oath to death or what not. All in all a pleasant journey even if I half expected to hear Ann and Nancy Wilson turn up at some point.

Top 5 best album covers of 2011

2011-12-13T15:46:00.000-08:00

1
Roadsaw-s/t

A great use of a simple image and basic colors, but the results are impressive.

2
Weedeater-Jason the dragon

Metal covers with dragons are commonplace, but many are pure cheese because they show a close-up of a snarling beast that looks poor if it's not drawn well. However here we see the dragon from a distance and can take in all the detail.

3
Saxon-Call to arms

Simple yet classic.

4
Enablers-Blown realms and stalled explosions

Album covers with skulls are commonplace. I found this one to be basic yet intriguing.

5
Graviton-Massless

A fine combination of colors and depth.

Five worst album covers of 2011

2011-12-13T15:05:00.000-08:00

1-
Midnight Chaser-Rough and tough
Don't judge an album by it's cover because the music here is pretty good.However the album cover is an eyesore. A brightly colored, silly eyesore that looks like it was drawn by a high schooler and colored by someone wearing a blindfold.

2-
Sebastian Bach-Kicking and screaming.
This is an odd and very messy cover. I am not sure what they were aiming for, but the end result is sloppy.

3-
Holy Grail-Seasons Bleedings
Messing with Santa is never cool.

4-
Chickenfoot-3
Sometimes a band can just put a logo on a cover and it works. Van Halen II and Twisted Sister's You can't stop rock and roll are examples of good covers with just a logo. However in order for that to work you first have to have a good logo. That's the main reason why this cover fails. Dull logo=dull cover.

5-
Arch/Matheos-Sypathetic Resonance

It's hard to have something on fire on a cover and still be boring yet this one manages to do just that. Maybe it's the generic logo or the plain blackground or the fact the flames look subdued, but this whole cover is very unspectacular.

Metallica-Beyond Magnetic Digital EP

2011-12-13T13:21:00.000-08:00

Universal Music
2011

One has to wonder about the timing of this 4-track digital EP. After the train wreck that was "Lulu" was this released as a last ditch effort on Metallica's part to salvage any cred they might have left? Obviously Metallica have bought into their own hype and are beyond caring what the average listener thinks. The saving grace for them is the blind fans who will lap up anything with the name stamped on no matter what it looks, smells, tastes or sounds like. Fanboys are like that. Heck I remember buying into that "well it is still Metallica so it must be good" argument when the "Black" album came out. Even though I knew inside that it was the sound of Metallica going corporate rock I chewed it up like a good metalhead. With "Load" and "Reload" I knew they had taken the "metal" part of their name and washed it over. By the time "St. Anger" came I was done. Even seeing the band live couldn't erase the knowledge that these Bay Are thrashers had gone nu-metal. "Death Magnetic" was supposed to be Metallica returning to those long forgotten roots. Reading an interview with them in which they still believed they were the best thrash metal band out there made me chuckle. For all it's hype "Death Magnetic" was a decent enough thrash metal album. Nothing more and nothing less. It was almost paint-by-numbers thrash. As if Metallica was saying "who says we can't put out a thrash album anymore?". These four left-over tracks seem to be Metallica making the claim that "Lulu" wasn't really them. And sure enough the faithful are eating these songs up. I'll be honest and say these four tracks are not the worst thing I've ever heard. No, "Lulu" takes that prize. These tracks sound like "Death Magnetic" material alright. Again, more paint-by-numbers thrash metal so who wouldn't like that right? Except it is the same sort of Metallica trying to be modern thrash material while acting like Bono metal. I'll pass. Let the fanboys attack me for daring to question the greatness of their hero's music. It won't bother me. It doesn't bother Metallica to put out crap with their name on it and call it music so why should getting called a few names bother me?

Dexter Ward-Neon Lights

2011-12-13T05:27:00.001-08:00

Iron On Iron
2011

Where have these guys been all my life? If there is such a thing as pure heavy metal then "Neon Lights" fits that bill. This Greek heavy metal band were formed in 2009 and took their name from a character in a novel written by HP Lovecraft in 1927. Dexter Ward features members who spent time in Battleroar where they obviously honed their skills. When I first stumbled across this album (on a blog I frequent quite often-Stay Heavy) I did a quick search on the band to see what I could dig up. I was quite surprised that no one seems to have reviewed the album even though it seems to have made the rounds on various free-share sites. Needless to say this is rather weird considering how straight up this album is in regards to classic heavy metal. Sure there are bits and pieces of speed metal and power metal typical of new retro worship bands. Not that I would place Dexter Ward into a retro-loving category though. No, their sound is modern and doesn't just come across as a new version of an old classic. Instead "Neon Lights" is classic heavy metal for 2011. The production is spot on and the playing is professional without morphing into neo-classical worship. I've tried thinking up bands to compare Dexter Ward to. The best examples would be bands like Culprit or Cites although there is more of a almost European flavor to the act. Maybe take Culprit, Cites and similar traditional metal bands like Metal Church and add some Iron Maiden and Judas Priest? Even then Dexter Ward don't work quite like that. Maybe some references to cult eighties bands like Phantom and Ray Gunn are in order? Either way "Neon Lights" is refreshing heavy metal and an album I'm so glad to have found. I've already listened to it several times over and thank the heavens that modern metal hasn't killed these sort of bands off.

Vise Massacre-Expendable Humans

2011-12-13T04:13:00.000-08:00

Gorilla The Horse Records / Earsplit PR
2012

"Expendable Humans" is a self-recorded release from Brooklyn-based Vise Massacre. At only 31 minutes or so in length this 14 track album comes into the room, smashes the joint up and the leaves. Good hardcore should leave you with one of those "what just happened" moments and "Expendable Humans" does that. There are no fancy words needed to describe this album or the band for that matter. Vise Massacre merge some speedcore and noise with basic hardcore for a style that is all but gone from the scene. This trio rip through these tracks creating aggressive music for aggressive people and in the process leave no doubt that true hardcore hasn't been killed off by mallcore. I'd wager Vise Massacre were influenced by the likes of Black Flag, Cro-Mags, Circle Jerks and even Cryptic Slaughter as "Expendable Humans" is old school infused hardcore. That said Vise Massacre give us their own rough take on the genre and have forged their own style. Good, heavy and ready for the rumble this is gritty and real music. If only more bands carried this much integrity.

Forgotten Gems-EXE-Stricken by might

2011-12-13T01:48:00.000-08:00

Shrapnel
1987

In 1987 the thrash scene was on fire and there were tons of bands wearing white high top Nikes, black thrash band shirt and ripped jeans popping up everywhere playing thrash. Since there were a lot of bands playing this style that unfortunately meant that not every band was going to make or get a ton of notice. So plenty of bands slipped through the cracks. Now that doesn't mean every thrash act was good because there were plenty of stinkers. Back around 1985-1990 I was listening to every thrash album I could get my greedy hands on. One day after school and before work I went into my local record store and looked over the cassettes and saw one called "Stricken by might" by an act called EXE. I had never heard of them but one look at the in your face logo and the snarling monster had me knowing that this had to be a thrash album. When I got it home and in my player I realized that indeed it was thrash. It has some definite earlier influences like say speed metal that would have played more around say 1985 and there is even some more mid-tempo classic style metal as well. The influences were all over the place, but include Exciter, Agent Steel and maybe even Jag Panzer for starters. This album is very raw both in playing and in production, but that doesn't hinder it but rather it adds to the charm. I remember the group of metal fans I hung with remembered this album most for a track called "Crib Death". That song was remembered for the cheesy lyrics and title, but also for being a powerful song. I just heard this album again for the first time in over twenty years and was enjoyed it plus Crib Death is still as corny and powerful as I remember it being. "Martial Law" and "Fatally wounded" are two other favorites of mine on this album. These guys went on to do one more album with "Sicker than I thought" in 1990 which is good, but not quite as forceful as "Stricken by might". I had actually forgotten about this one for years but when I remembered it I searched and found a free download and gave it a shot again. Glad that I did.

Top 10 best re-issues/re-releases of 2011

2011-12-12T02:08:00.000-08:00

Our top album lists we be out later this week. In addition to a list of new releases I started doing a list of the top re-issues and re-leases two or three years ago. This year was had so many good entries that I decided to expand the list from 5 to 10. So here they are in order from 1-10.

1-Twisted Sister-Under the blade CD/DVD set
It's one of the best Twister Sister albums with bonus tracks and the DVD is a live show from when they were still raw and angry.

2-Orange Goblin-5 disc box set
Five great helpings of pure thick stoner rock and bonus tracks on each one. WOW!

3-Jethro Tull-Aqualung 40th anniversary special edition 2 disc set
A great sounding remix on Aqualung and a whole disc of bonus tracks.

4-Mos Generator-s/t
Their debut debut re-issued with bonus tracks.

5-Sigh-Scorn Defeat
They had a rougher sound nearly twenty years ago, but just as impressive.

6-Stone Axe-S/T CD/DVD set
The original just came out a couple of years ago, but this version has bonus live tracks and a whole DVD full of live songs.

7-Uncannny-MCMXCI -collected works
Their one album plus demos equals a massive attack of classic early death metal.

8-Thin Lizzy-The boys are back in town, Live in Sydney, Australia 1978
Not their greatest live album, but it's a prime Thin Lizzy show with the band sounding very relaxed.

9-Warlock-Hellbound
My favorite Warlock albums got the re-issue treatment this year.

10-Atomic Rooster-s/t
A very underrated album.

Metalian-Rock Solid

2011-12-11T09:38:00.001-08:00

Heavy Artillery
2011

Since forming in 2004 the trio known as Metalian has been waving the flag of traditional heavy metal proudly. These guys hail from Montreal and so far have released two demos, a split venture and one full-length album. While a underground favorite, Metalian are not well known this side of the border which is truly a shame. That is where New York’s Heavy Artillery Records comes in. As part of the label’s “Wax Maniax” demo series Metalian will be issuing "Rock Solid" in limited vinyl and CD pressings. Available exclusively from the Heavy Artillery web store this six track affair is aptly titled. This is indeed rock solid traditional heavy metal with a nice raw edge and a no trick plays kind of attitude. This is the sort of sound that is making a comeback and I for one couldn't be happier as true heavy metal never gets old. As the fourth installment in the label’s “Wax Maniax” demo series "Rock Solid" is a pretty good pick-up for those of you out there that still believe regular hard and heavy metal can be dangerous. Good stuff.

Jethro Tull-Aqualung 40th anniversary special edition giveaway

2011-12-09T23:59:00.000-08:00

I have a copy of the 2 disc 40th anniversary special edition of Jethro Tull's Aqualung to give away courtesy of Capitol/EMI . All you have to do is to the contact link over to the right that says "contact me HERE" and send me e-mail telling that you want to be entered in the Jethro Tull giveaway. Make sure to include an e-mail address that I reach you at. Contest will run until December 9th and at that time I'll draw a winner and contact you for an address that I can send your prize. Good luck!

What's coming up?

2011-12-09T15:40:00.000-08:00

This coming week we hope to have out reviews of albums by Metalian, King Giant, Vise Massacre, ((Thorlock)), Patrick Hemer,The Devil's Blood and Rising. Plus Forgotten Gems and our top albums of 2011 and some other 2011 awards.

Top Of The Heap: AC/DC

2011-12-09T13:50:00.000-08:00

Andy says-

I know that I have mentioned this numerous times in the past but the first album I ever bought was AC/DC's "Who Made Who". Prior to that though I was aware of the band and their stardom. My older brother had "Highway To Hell" on tape and I can remember more than a few times when he played this as loud as possible to get under my parents skin. Back in the day many parents placed AC/DC high at the top of their list of satanic rock and roll acts so it is funny these days to see AC/DC's logo on toddler clothing. How far we have come! While "Who Made Who" would be the first tape I ever bought by AC/DC it wouldn't be the last as my obsession with the group only grew with time. The more parents and authority lashed out against these Aussie rockers the more I was drawn in. Soon enough I had most of their music on tape and eventually LPs. For many people it is a toss up between "Highway To Hell" and "Back In Black" for AC/DC's top album. I don't plan to dive too deeply into said argument as honestly they are my two favorite albums. That said "Highway To Hell" has always been an album I turn back to time and time. Maybe it has something to do with how overplayed "Back In Black" is but this, their sixth studio album and last with Bon Scott is just perfect hard rock for me. Sadly Bon Scott would pass away after this album only for Brian Johnson to join the band right as they exploded. As the band was always blues-based there is a raw energy to be found here. In a way too I have always seen this album as Bon's way of showing the punks that he was still the top dog despite the change brought on by groups like the Sex Pistols. Bon's swagger and strut on "Highway To Hell" put Mick Jagger to shame. From the album opener which chronicles life in a rock and roll band and all of it's vices (a popular subject for AC/DC) Bon Scott and the Young brothers grab you by the balls and squeeze as hard as they can. This was the sound of bar room rock and roll. It was sweaty and filled with enough sexual tension to knock down the building! Sure the album's title number might not have spelled out what was on AC/DC's mind but the rest of side A left no doubt! . "Girls Got Rhythm", "Walk All Over You", "Touch Too Much" and "Beating Around the Bush" all find Bon Scott on the prowl with Angus right there by his side ready to pick up the scraps! The flip side of the record opens with the classic "Shot Down in Flames". Bon and company lay it out there and let us know that they have been given the old brush off as well. I've always liked the little rocker "Get It Hot" while "If You Want Blood (You've Got It)" might just be my favorite AC/DC number of all time! That drum opening from Phil Rudd is classic and when the rest of the track comes rolling in it hits you hard and fast. The band keeps ladies on their mind with "Love Hungry Man" a track that has grown on me over time. Now as far as "Night Prowler" goes and the controversy surrounding it thanks to Richard Ramírez too much ink has been spilled on that one already. No song alone is going to turn a person into a serial killer. If someone is going to kill people I firmly believe that is already in their DNA and that they were born with some screws missing. Show me someone who was a serial killer and listened to heavy metal and I'll show you someone who went to church and was supposed to be normal and killed people tons of people (I'm looking at you Mr. BTK!). Music, video games, movies, books, etc. do not drive otherwise normal people to kill. The fact that we live in a fallen world leads people to kill. But, that is another article for another time. I love how the band choose to wrap up the album. With the final words spoken by Scott, "Shazbot, na-nu na-nu", I always get a little smile thinking about watching "Mork And Mindy" as a kid. To me it just shows how much of a goof Scott was and that he left this world way too young. "Highway To Hell" is a genre classic. It is hard rocking, catchy and full of raw energy just like Bon Scott was. He left us at the top of his game.

Metal Mark says-

I love Bon Scott-era AC/DC and consider most of the Brian Johnson-era material to be forgettable. Glad I got that out of the way. To me all of the early albums are either very good or great and it is tough to choose a best album. I think it boils down to Let there be rock and Powerage and I'll go with Powerage by a hair. One of the first albums I heard by AC/DC and certainly one where I like every song. Still to this day it's an album I could listen at any time from start to finish. To me it represents the raw power of the early days of the band, but it's right before they began to polish off their rough edges. It's not their most known album due to the lack of songs that get played on the radio a lot, but it's certainly their most consistant album and to me the one that defines all that was great about this band in their early days. "Down payment blues" and "Up to my neck in you" are prime examples of the kind of odd yet humorous lyrics that this band could easily pull off. "Gimme a bullet", "Gone shootin" and "What's next to moon" demonstrated the band's ability to control the pace and get as much as they could out out of every beat and note. "Kicked in the teeth" and "Riff raff" are both tracks that get the blood pumpin' with their heavy, churning grooves. "Rock 'n' Roll Damnation" and
"Sin City" are probably the two best songs out of this great batch with just great attention to details and every band member pulling his weight. To me this is this the most solid album from this band. It's a shame that Scott died because thet were very tight. However after Scott was gone Johnson just didn't have the voice or the presence to ever replace Scott and really no one could replace him. The downfall of AC/DC wasn't all on Johnson's shoulders either. The Young brothers writing became more predictable in the 1980's and formula became the name of the game for AC/DC even through today. They would never be the same without Bon Scott, not even close. The have have been a mere shell of what they once were. However at least Scott left some great records to remember him by.

***What's your favorite AC/DC album?

Abigail Williams-Becoming

2011-12-09T04:47:00.000-08:00

Candlelight Records
2012

Becoming what? That is the question I pose to Abigail Williams. What started out as a somewhat melodic black metal/deathcore project morphed into a symphonic black metal affair. And now we have what? A lo-fi and raw form of black metal? At close to sixty minutes in length "Becoming" is a challenge even for the most hardcore black metal fan. This mental exercise is not just depressing mood wise. No, that would be justified given the very nature of black metal. It is depressing how truly tiring the whole affair is to sit through. With vocalist/guitarist Sorceron (Reign of Vengeance, Aborted), guitarist Ian Jekelis (God Dethroned, Abysmal Dawn, Artisan) and studio drummer Zach Gibson (The Black Dahlia Murder) it isn't like you don't have the talent. That much is obvious. Instead that talent seems wasted as it is stuck behind a wall of tiresome black metal sludge. Wait, is it sludge or slime? Either word is fitting as this six-song album leaves a lot to be desired.

Jethro Tull-Aqualung-40th anniversary special edition

2011-12-08T02:39:00.000-08:00

Chrysalis/EMI
2011

The first time I heard Jethro Tull was on my local radio station when I was a teenager in the mid-80's. Late one night I was sitting next to my radio and "Cross-eyed Mary" came on. The quirky off the wall approach got me right away. Martin Barre's thick and steady riffs set the tone and Ian Anderson's lingering vocals and flute bursts only added to the texture of the song. Not long after that I heard the haunting title track and the thick monster that is "Locomotive breath". Yet it would be another 6 or 7 years before I heard the whole album. Once I did finally hear it I was overwhelmed by the combination of beauty and raw power. That's an ability that defines this album and it's not easy to pull off, but they make it sound easy. Once I heard this album in it's entirety I played it very often for years and still do. So what could be better than Aqualung? Well, in honor of the album's 40th anniversary is the release of the two disc set. Aqualung is the first disc and the second disc contains some unreleased tracks and some previously tracks, some of which get the re-mix treatment. Now Aqualung has been re-issued several times and their have been some complaints about the sound quality of some of the previous versions. However this time around I think they got it right. The sound is bold and vibrant while retaining all of the flavor the band originally intended. Plus on top of all this is a thick booklet with information about the album with quotes from the band, lots of pictures and even two pages from Steve Wilson who did the re-mix as he tells the process he went through to achieve the final results. All in all one of the best re-issues of 2011.

Holy Grail-Seasons Bleedings

2011-12-07T15:47:00.001-08:00

Prosthetic
2011

LA's Holy Grail have toured for much of the last two years. When they got some down time they decided to record two covers for this 7". This marks the first time that new guitarist Alex Lee (ex-Bonded By Blood), who joined HOLY GRAIL in the spring, has recorded with the group. First up they take on "Kill the king" and I am quickly reminded of why there are not a huge amount of covers of Dio-era Rainbow. It's because they were very, very good and it's hard to pull off a cover because of that. Holy Grail try to add their own sound in, but overall they fall short. It's not bad, but sounds more like a band trying to cover their favorite song live in some little bar. It may have been fine for that, but if you lay it down to vinyl then you need to be on and this version isn't quite there. The second track is King Diamond's "No presents for Christmas". Again Holy Grail make it difficult for themselves with this choice. Musically they hang on at times, but are off on other parts. However as far as the singing goes James Paul Luna just sounds rather average trying to handle King Diamond's soaring vocal lines. It's a better cover than the first one, but still just fair. While I normally like this band I just got the impression that they were in over their heads with these two songs. I admire them for picking something challenging, but the results are just alright at best. This holiday album isn't much of a gift.

Riot-Immortal Soul

2011-12-07T10:10:00.000-08:00

Steamhammer Us
2011

New York heavy metal band Riot was formed in 1975 by guitarist Mark Reale. After a four-track demo the group released their debut album, "Rock City" in 1977. Despite early success and support slots for AC/DC and Molly Hatchet times were tough for the band and by 1979 it looked like the party was over. Thankfully for Riot the NWOBHM movement hit and this traditional heavy metal band was able to reap the rewards. England took notice of Riot and this heavy metal band from America with the weird mascot was saved. Riot was able to keep momentum going long enough to make it through the tough times. Albums like "Narita" and "Fire Down Under" became classics. In fact "Fire Down Under" is still regarded as one of the best heavy metal albums of the eighties. Their initial blue collar heavy metal style though would shift to more of a power metal sound after the 1988 release of "Thundersteel". Speaking of this classic 1988 album "Thundersteel" was the last album of Riot's that I bought although I've heard bits and pieces of later day albums. Why haven't I picked up more newer albums? For me it is hard to beat those early classics when Riot were still straight ahead US metal. With "Immortal Soul" though I took another shot. Quite honestly the early single, "Wings Are For Angels" had peaked my interest. Vocalist Tony Moore hit all the right notes on that one and based on "Immortal Soul"'s rave reviews I was anxious to run out and pick it up. I first listened to it in my car and let me just say the lead off track is unreal. "Riot" is an insane speed metal number. What a way to start an album out with fist pumping speed metal that is all killer and no filler! With that song being so good it would be hard for the rest of the album to live up to it. Honestly they put the best track up front and center. While nothing comes close to touching how cool "Riot" is the album does have it's charm. The one thing I have taken aware from "Immortal Soul" is that it has many different flavors to it. There is speed metal and thrash mixed in with Euro-style power metal and pure bone crushing heavy metal. Little bit of everything. Tracks like "Sins of the Father" and "Whiskey Man" are killer as is "Insanity". It is enough to get me through some of the lulls in the album. I knew going into it that it would never be as good as Riot's classic albums so I wasn't let down. If anything it is a really good power metal affair from a band that still has a few tricks up it's sleeves.

Austrian Death Machine-Jingle All the Way

2011-12-05T06:29:00.001-08:00

Metal Blade Records
2011

For those of you who don't know Austrian Death Machine is a side-project of As I Lay Dying vocalist Tim Lambesis. It is meant to be equal parts parody and tribute to Arnold Schwarzenegger's films. So far the group has released two albums and this 3-track EP. Obviously from the title and album cover art you should be able to figure out that this short EP is based on Arnold's holiday movie, Jingle All the Way. Since I have never really found the band to be all that funny to begin with this was a chore to sit through. At least it was only three songs so that was good. That said I'll be honest and say the actually backing music is nice and heavy so I did enjoy that. For those interested the line-up is pretty solid for a side-project. The lead guitar parts especially are spot on and they did shred. You have excellent lead guitar work on the thrash tune "I'm Not A Pervert" done by Jason Suecof (of technical death band Capharnaum) and the very weird Dååth's Eyal Levi (I find the band kind of weird not Eyal). On "It's Turbo Time" and "Who Told You You Could Eat My Cookies?" Mark MacDonald of Mercury Switch does lead work. For a very unfunny band the musicians really shine through. If it wasn't for the bad Arnold impersonation and inept lyric content this project might actually be interesting. The insane thrash/death riffs are actually pretty cool. I just can't get past how lame the rest of this parody band is. Despite the title and reference work this 3-track EP doesn't come of as being very seasonal which surprised me. I sort of figured it would be another jolly Christmas crunch metal affair. Instead it just seems goofy and generic. I know side-projects are not always supposed to be taken seriously but Austrian Death Machine really push things into absurd territory. It is one thing to be a "joke" band but it is another to actually be a good "joke" band. And in that regard this Arnold-based heavy metal act get a failing grade. Sorry to ruin the holidays Austrian Death Machine but this is one Christmas present I would return. Sure the music might be hard and heavy. I'll give you that one guys. But the way it is all put together leaves a lot to be desired and frankly your about as funny as dead roadkill.

Loincloth-Iron Balls Of Steel

2011-12-04T11:00:00.000-08:00

Southern Lord
2012

What we have here is the remains of Raleigh, North Carolina-based death/doom act Confessor (drummer Steve Shelton and guitarist Cary Rowells) hooking up with Richmond, Virginia-area guitarists Tannon Penland (Kenmores, Koszonom) and Pen Rollings (Breadwinner, Honor Role, Butterglove) to create more mayhem and heavy metal musical chaos. Seeing as this album is on Southern Noise it shouldn't be too much of a stretch to see where this monster is headed. Loincloth is another example of utter madness taking the shape of instrumental/progressive riff-happy dirty metal. "Iron Balls Of Steel" is an apt title as you need a set to take what these four guys are sonically assaulting you with and still remain standing. No messing around here as Loincloth beat the crap out of rock music and leave it for dead in some back alley where rats chow down on it's oozing innards.

Forgotten Gems-Slander-Careless talk costs lives

2011-12-04T04:25:00.000-08:00

Slander were from the UK, they had a definite NWOBHM sound even down to the production and even the cover looked like it was done in the early 1980's. The only thing is the album was done a decade after the prime of NWOBHM. This band formed in 1990 and knocked out several demos in 1990 and 1991. They chose the best ones and released it as a limited edition, self-released album in 1991. The band broke up two years later. I imagine these guys were fans of the early 1980's style and even though that scene had been dead for half a decade before they formed, they still chose that as the focus of their music. They don't sound like a tribute band or like some of the second rate copy bands that are going today, but instead they sound like the genuine article. Influences include Tygers of Pan Tang, Dianno-era Maiden, Demon and others. Still Slander have their own ideas and every song here is worthwhile. The guitars are solid, the vocals are strong and all the playing is very tight. My favorite tracks are "On the run", "Colour of your money", "Lonely nights" and "In your world". Really you can't go wrong with any song here. I don't know what the reaction to this album was twenty years ago, but now this sound is back in vogue and this album received a two disc set release earlier this year. So at least Slander are finely getting some recognition for their fine work.

Thin Lizzy-The boys are back in town, Live in Sydney, Australia 1978

2011-12-03T16:18:00.000-08:00

Laser Media
2011

This album was originally released back in 1999 on Nippon Crown records. It no gets another release with a different cover. The recording is of a Sydney Harbour open-air show from 1978.
It was one of Gary Moore's first shows as a permanent member of the band. Also Gillan drummer Mark Nauseef was touring with Thin Lizzy at this time while regular drummer Brian Downey took a break. This contains eight tracks although technically it's nine since "The boys are back in town" and "Waiting for an alibi" are played with song leading into the other and the two are listed as one track on the case. You can hear some cuts between songs so I am guessing this isn't all of their set that night. However they certainly warm up as the show goes on. "Jailbreak" and "Bad Reputation" are fairly rough, but by the second half of the disc they are firing with all cylinders. Phil is a little bit more chatty than normal and seems in fine spirits. The overall sound quality is pretty good although on a few occasions the volume goes in and out, but still decent enough for a recording that's almost 35 years old. There are a quite a few live Thin Lizzy albums out there and this is probably towards the middle as far as quality and song selection go. However what makes it worth hearing is the energy they have on a number of the songs. It's not always tight, but that's okay because it's one of the best bands of the 70's getting down and dirty and going at it. Glad this one got another release, certainly worth checking out.