Amon Amarth

Surtur Rising

Metal Blade records

Starting off  with the track “War of The Gods” Amon Amarth kick's off their 10th album with  unforgiving strength, and then continues this powerful stride for the 10 songs that make up this epic album.

This could be their best album to date featuring all the trademarks of  classic Amon Amarth songwriting and execution. A top notch production graces this master piece to be.

If  you are along time fan, or a newcomer pickup this album you will not be disappointed.

Stand out tracks: Destroyer of the Universe, War of The Gods.

 10/10

Caezar Lazo

Death Wolf

 Album title - DeathWolf

Regain Records

2011

Rating:8.5/10

 

This 12 track assault of punk/black  features Morgan of the legendary Marduk .

The overall sound is one of dirty punk mixed with the darkness and evil of black metal.

The vocals are more in the punk vein then black metal and add to the overall malice in the lyrics and music.

Overall this is a well executed and enjoyable album that will have you banging your head

And raising the horns .

VREID

      V

Indie Recordings 2011

Rating:8.5/10

 

Simply entitled V, Vreid began their 5^th album with a tremendous assault  with their first track  titled “Arche”, blending the elements of their native Norwegian black metal with 70’s style rock ,pushing it all forward with skillful performances from each musician thatshow what this band is all about.

For 9 tracks Vreid punish and enthrall the listener with  powerful guitars ,driving drums and demonic vocals. Also a bit of synth on a few tracks that only add to the overall atmosphere and power of this release.

This is a great album that has a professional production that allows every instrument to be heard

Yet still has that old school feel  of darkness and evil.

Some standout tracks are: Wolverine Bastards, Fire on the mountain, Arche

 

King of Asgard
Fi’mbulvintr
Metal Blade

Anytime I hear that a band is based around Norse/Viking lore I have to check it out, and I was not disappointed. King of Asgard is so cool. Maybe it’s the Viking heritage in my blood. The biggest problem I have with this album is picking a favorite track. This album is perfect Viking Metal, with the aggression of Thrash and Death, but with a style all their own. King of Asgard hit hard with Fi’mbulvintr and with someone like Andy La Rocque attached to it. This is Metal gold straight out of Valhalla.

9/10
KeeprKev



Avantasia
The Wicked Symphony/ Angel of Babylon
Nuclear Blast

Tobias Sammet returns with two albums from his Avantasia world. With guest appearances by Eric Singer, Bruce Kulick, Tim “Ripper” Owens and legendary Scorpions front-man Klaus Meine. Any time I get a chance to hear anything that Tobias is involved with, I jump at it. I’ve been a fan of Edguy since the first time I heard years ago. Since he began Avantasia in 1999 it has grown from a side project into it’s own entity and continues to impress. With the release of both The Wicked Symphony and Angel of Babylon the immense coolness that is Tobias and Avantasia has reached the level of not just Metal/Rock brilliance, but a must have.

KeeperKev
10/10 & 10/10

King Giant
Southern Darkness


Christmas must’ve come early this year for me, ‘cause this King Giant album kicks some serious ass. When I was told King Giant had this Outlaw Country attitude with a wicked Metal groove I had to hear it and King Giant does not let you down. If David Allan Coe or Willie Nelson had a Metal band, this is what it would sound like. The second tune “Burning Regrets” has this killer guitar intro that I can’t get out of my head. King Giant has cool Southern style with Heavy Metal charm.

8.75/10
KeeperKev



Howl
Full of Hell
Relapse


I think I just found one of my new favorite bands. The best way to describe Howl is imagine Black Sabbath and C.O.C, but with a darker, more aggressive sound. The vocals are way heavier than either Sabbath and C.O.C and the music is low slung with a heavy rumble. I hate to label great bands, but if I had to, Howl is kind of a Doom, Sludge Metal band with aspects of Black Metal. They have such a wicked sound. Full of Hell is the perfect album to fill that deep, dark pit in the soul that everyone has.

9.5/10
KeeperKev


Heathen Foray
The Passage
Black Bards


As soon as Heathen Foray’s “The Passage” starts playing you are quickly taken on a journey through wicked stories put into songs that blow your mind. Imagine if Children of Bodom and Amon Amarth decided to make an album together. That’s kind of where Heathen Foray takes you with “the Passage”. The guitar work by itself is amazing, but add onto that some of the most amazing musicianship and vocals that are brutal and heartfelt. With this release Heathen Foray step to the front of the class of Folk, Black and Death Metal.

9.5/10
KeeperKev



Enemy of the Sun
Caedium
The End

When you review so many Cds, it’s really easy to get jaded and everything just starts sounding the same and nothing really grabs your attention. But when I listened to the latest from Enemy of the Sun’s “Caedium” I was floored. This is the most complete album I’ve ever heard. It has something for every Metal fan ever! I mean it has everything from Jazz infused Metal to Death, Thrash, Power and everything in between. If I was to base every other Metal album after listening to EOTS’s Caedium, there would be a ton of substandard album’s. The vocals, supplied by Jules Näveri are some of the most diverse and incredible I’ve ever heard. I swear there were at least three different singers. And the music would make any “guitar hero”, “bass master” and “drum god” envious and every fan of incredible musicianship and kick ass Metal stoked to be a fan. Easily top three if not the best album of the year. My only fear for them is how to top it.

11/10

KeeperKev



Dark Illusion
Where the Eagles Fly
Battlefield Rec

I first heard Dark Illusion back in 2005 and I remember thinking this is a band that Metalheads should keep an eye on. Then they kind of disappeared, which I thought was a huge loss for the Metal community. Now in 2010 Dark Illusion return with “Where the Eagles Fly” which to me sounds like the next level in the Dark Illusion world, where I could say they improved on what was an already kick-ass sound, but they were already kick-ass. “Where the Eagles Fly” is simply the next incredible chapter in the saga that is Dark Illusion.

9/10
KeeperKev



Place of Skulls
As a Dog Returns



Place of Skulls has one of the coolest grooves and sounds. Reminiscent of  any kick ass 70’s Metal group, think Dio era Sabbath, but with their own style of soul. The bottom end is so fucking deep it shakes the ground, the guitar work is so wicked it gives you chills and the vocals of Victor Griffin are perfect for the Place of Skulls sound. Place of Skulls have gone through a lot of line up changes, but the current set, with Victor Griffin, Tim Tomaselli and Lee Abney have got that cool feel that most bands strive for their whole career, but never find. I’d love to see Place of Skulls stick around for a long time. This is the type of band that Metal/Rock need.

9/10
KeeperKev


Sorgeldom
Inner Receivings


Cold and dark are the first things that come to mind when I started listening to this incredible gem. Imagine sitting in a corner with some of the most fucked up thoughts running through what’s left of your mind. As you drift slowly deeper into that place that most of us fear to go. Boredom’s “Inner Receivings”, is that path into that spot. This is one of those perfect albums that mixes the best aspects of Doom, Black and Epic Metal. The third track “Vintern Var Hard” is dark musical genius.

8.5/10
KeeperKev

Statius
Arcane Fables
Myspace.com/statius

So I’m at this killer Metal show a little while back and in the midst of all this madness I thought I’d fallen into a time warp ‘cause I look up on stage and I swear I see a young Dave Mustaine on stage leading this incredible band, but it’s not Megadeth it’s this young powerhouse of a band Statius. And like Megadeth, Statius defies genres of Metal. This is a band that fans of any style of Metal will dig. They have the technical ability of some of the best Speed/Power Metal bands. The power and rage of some of the best Death/Thrash Metal bands and the heart and darkness of some of the greatest Black/Epic Metal bands. If this band has the will and is smart enough and make the right decisions they could very well be the future of Metal.

9.5/10
KeeperKev

Edguy
Tinnitus Sanctus
Nuclear Blast

In a world full of angry Death and Black Metal bands Edguy reminds us of the fun that Metal can be. Since the world first started hearing the name Edguy with their Evil Minded and Children of Steel demos in 1994 and their 1997 Savage Poetry album on AFM records their popularity has steadily increased. As the name became more well known, their incredible approach to Metal has remained fun loving and “let’s not take ourselves to serious” while still getting their message across. With Tinnitus Sanctus, Edguy continues their climb into Metal dominance. With soon to be classic songs Sex Fire Religion, Ministry of Saints, Dragonfly and the song I thought they wrote about me Aren’t You A Little Pervert Too?, Edguy’s Tinnitus Sanctus is definitely up for album of the year.

10/10
KeeperKev

Faust
From Glory to Infinity
Paragon

These days the term super group gets tossed around like ass salad in prison and few actually put out music that is worthy the title. Faust just happens to be one of those bands that actually lives up to the name. The music is as brutal, dark and amazing as the people playing it. Faust is this amazing band with a history as dark as the music. Originally the brainchild of Aleister, who has been carrying the flag since 1992 having gone through line changes after line changes. With the release of From Glory to Infinity, Faust truly delivers with Aleister leading the carnage on Vocal and Guitar, Steve DiGiorgio on Bass (if you have to ask who he is then you need to put your head back up your ass), Daray (Dimmu Borgir, Vader) on Drums, Ghiulz on Guitar, with some rhythm Guitar help from Luca Princiotta (Clairvoyants, Doro) Faust’s From Glory to Infinity is a throat slashing Death Metal work of art from start to finish. Of course I can’t pass up the opportunity to give praise to the amazing cover artwork by Marco Hasmann. It’s every sick and twisted boys (and maybe some girls) wet dream.

8/10
KeeperKev

Green Jelly
Musick to Insult Your Intelligence By
Rotten

Run for your lives Green Jelly is back. Musick to Insult Your Intelligence By shows a return of these twisted bastards who mix catchy music with funny themes. After the legal issues with their name and a certain company with a similar name the music world wasn’t sure if we’d see and hear from Green Jelly again and after a few years off they return with another installment of sick and twisted gems that are sure to keep their fans happy and will definitely bring more fans into the cult and ever growing house of Green Jelly.

8/10
KeeperKev

Xeroderma
2 Song Demo
Self Release 



Hailing from Canton Georgia Xeroderma skillfully lay down some euro tinged black thrash with technical overtones that brings to mind moments from dissection to the darkest sections of dark funeral.
with a listenable porduction and good tunes xeroderma have a promising offer in their two song demo
check them out and bang your head in the name of evil.

10/10
Caezar Lazo

Charred Walls of the Damned
Charred walls of the Damned
Metal Blade 2009

 

Being my first encounter with this band I must say Charred Walls of The Damned is a very progressive and talented band taking elements from Power metal, death metal and prog metal crafting good songs
that hold your attention and do not put you to sleep,

This ep threw me off with its first opening riffs sounding a lot like morbid angel then morphing into iron maiden with a heavier guitar sound and double bass a good album to put on if your looking for something different yet a bit of the same with a new twist.
fans of iron maiden and power metal/prog will eat this up.

8/10
Caezar Lazo

Austrian Death Machine
Double brutal
MetalBlade 2009

 

Time to put on your favorite Arnold flick and turn this bad boy up! Austrian Death Machine is here to make you bang your head and laugh your ass off!
Musicaly this band brings flavors of metal from across the board
and run it through their own twisted vision, along with snipets of arnold and tim chatting about the music this album is worth your time.
With quality musicianship and a sense of humor this thrashing death attack will leave you wanting more.

Now get to the chhoppa girly man!!

10/10
Caezar Lazo

Halford
Winter Songs
Metal God Records

Today my friends in the Metal world, I am sad. Why? Because, I received a CD from one of the greatest voices in the history of Metal, but it wasn’t a disc of great Metal tunes. It was a disc of Christmas songs and Christmas type songs. Now, I personally don’t like Christmas songs, but I really wanted to like this because it was Halford, but I’m sorry “God of Metal”, not even the incredible voice of the master himself Rob Halford can’t make Christmas songs cool.

5/10
KeeperKev

Man Must Die
No Tolerance For Imperfection
Relapse

Man Must Die is an angry monster that only goes in one speed, WARP! This is the type of band that gives old ladies heart attacks and young people energy enough to run through a brick wall head on. The music is like a machine gun blasting you right in the chest and beats you down and never lets up. This is for fans of Six Feet Under, Suffocation, fast guitar, growling vocals, blast beats and serious Death Metal.

6.5/10
KeeperKev

Mictlantecuhtli
Warriors of the Black Sun
Darkest Empire Productions

If blast beats, ear shredding guitars and angry vocals are what you are looking for then Mictlantecuhtli have what you need. Deep within the belly of the beast that is Los Angeles lives the monster that is Mictlantecuhtli. Their music is dark, aggressive and unrelenting. They do their Black and Death Metal forefathers proud on their album Warriors of the Black Sun. There is a lot of strength and power in this band and I wouldn’t be surprised to hear them creeping into the ears and lives of Metal community and everywhere else they can conquer.

8.5/10
KeeperKev

Swedish Death Metal (various artists)
Volume 1, 2 & 3
Prophecy

Sweden has done to Death Metal what the Bay area did for Thrash Metal and England did for Traditional and Power Metal. Some of the best, talented, and most dominating bands have come from Sweden and the surrounding countries. Prophecy Records has graciously released this incredible three volume set with over fifty tracks of mind destroying Metal that every Metal fan should own and if you haven’t already picked this up then you need to get up off your lazy ass and get these discs. There are tracks from classic Death Metal masters like Entombed, Dismember, Grotesque, Grave, At The Gates, Crematory, Tiamat, Therion, Unleashed, Marduk, Nirvana 2002 and so many more that makes this not just a must have, but if you don’t have it something must be wrong with you
10, 10, 10/ 10
KeeperKev

Ghost Brigade
Isolation Songs
Season of Mist

Ghost Brigade deliver this music that is haunting, powerful and epic with their latest Season of Mist release Isolation Songs. They’ve stepped up their game and raised their level with this album. They grab you at the beginning of the disc with Suffocated, then run you through a maze of madness with My Heart is a Tomb and Into the Black Light. Isolation Songs is one continuous story telling album that keeps you attached from start to finishing. And even though each song has it’s own strong identity, Ghost Brigade’s Isolation Songs is an album that should be listened to all the through.

9/10
KeeperKev

The Red Chord
Fed Through The Teeth Machine
Metal Blade Records 2009

Coming from Massachusetts The Red Chord skillfully  mix the best elements of death/grindcore and some hardcore to create a sound that defys genre labels.
The intensity gets ratched up more and more with each track on this 11 track album until the final song which will tear your head off and leave you for dead.
A strong album from a diverse band who have alot going for them in all departments including technicality. Do yourself a favor and experince the Red Chord live and in your own
home with this album "Fed Through The Teeth Machine" and get torn apart.

9/10
Caezar Lazo

The Destro
Harmony of Discord
Metal Blade Records
2009

A band who definlty has a good grip on the term brutal metal taking ques from many modern heavy weights
and wrapping it up in there own twisted visions.
 The Destro have it all heavy skull crushing guitars a throbbing bass and jackhammering drums that one minute lay down a neck destorying groove and the next carry a hardcore influnced breakdown into your ears and a vocalist that growl's and scream's like a demon coming to devour your weak soul.A treat for all who are fans of modern metal or metalcore

7/10
Caezar Lazo

ManeGarm
Nattvasen
Regain Records

Exisiting since 1995 this swedish band starts things off  with a clean chours of voices
Manegarm begins there album Nattvasen by catching you off guard.
what a wonderful change from the usual intros used by most albums by
viking/folk/black metal bands.

Taking elements of black metal,death metal and classic heavy metal mixing them up in their
own ceative ways the end result becoming a creation of superior viking/folk/black metal.

Using clean and harsh vocals to great effect creating a special  atmosphere all there own.
incorperating  traditional instruments like the violin Manegarm
plow through tracks with an overall feelings of triumph and archaic power,even throwing in an acoustic intro that brings to mind midevil times.
Using the alternation of light and dark and even shadows in there song writting
and execution of songs to there advantage Manegarm keep the metal flowing.

A good album of anthemic and memorable songs that keep the listener enganged through out
you will be pumping your fist in the air and headbanging all night
to the power of Manegarm.
 
9/10
Caezar Lazo

God Dethroned
Passiondale
Metal Blade
 
Hailing from the Netherlands God Dethroned are back with their 10th album.
After abrief intro the mayhem begins and God Dethroned have returned in force!
10 tracks of meldoic death metal are on display here with a superior production and great catchy songwritting.
showing that melody and brutality can coexist and be belted out with venom and hatred
this album will destory you and your weak neck.
Henri and his bandmates show that indeed evil has no bounds as this album takes a few twist and turns
throughout its duration each strengthing the legacy of  God Dethroned.
If you enjoy brutal melodic death metal with a touch of thrash go pick this up at your local
record shop.

8/10
Caezar lazo

The Gates of Slumber
Hymns of Blood and Thunder
Rise Above Records

 A doom metal band that is better known in europe then there native usa hailing from Indianapolis, Indiana. The Gates of Slumber have existited since 1998 and have a long discography that demands further inspection from anyone who is into doom.
with this album they carry on there heavy darkened sound with a vocalist who can carry the load
upon him from high to low vocals in a clean tone and aband who can rock out with the best and drag eveyerone to hell the next minute and make you hate your existance., great stuff.

I recommend this to those who have heard the call of saint vitus, candless mass, manilla road
enjoy.

8/10
Caezar lazo

Undying Darkness
5 song up Bring The Evil
self release

If you like Devourment, Disgorge(usa),Suicide Silence this is the
band for you: Undying Darkness.

On this EP they display 5 tracks of brutal death metal with spine
snapping break downs and lethal blast sections courtesy of Jared, this will destroy
your neck, vocalist Anthony is the beast from hell as he growls
and screams his way through all the tracks and guitarist KC and
Zakk shred and crush the life out of everything as bassist richy
pulverizes your skull with his low end assault.
my personal favorite track on here is "Vat Of Acid".
Go out and get this EP as soon as possible and prepare for
annihilation.
 9/10
Caezar Lazo

Dark Funeral
Angelus Exuro Pro Eternus
Regain Records

 The Gods of swedish black metal have returned with there 8th full lenght album
a swarming mass of darkness and evil that will devour the souls of the weak and
strengthen the horde of fans worldwide.

From the first chords of The End of The Human Race to the final moments of My Latex Queen
this is classic Dark Funeral. Containing a variety of songs  showing the more techincal
side of the band yet still remaining true to there roots they have scupluted a true master piece
of misanthropic satanic black metal.
This album will find Dark Funeral new fans and keep their core audience enthralled through out its
45 minute duration.

9/10

Caezar Lazo

Behemoth
Evangelion
MetalBlade

Behemoth Blast out of the gate with a fist into the face of god in the form of the song Daimonos
a brutal compostion that holds all the trademarks of behemoth and few suprises.

Taking it all one step further Behemoth unleash 9 tracks of brutal blackened death metal
this massive undertaking of 39:99 minutes must be experinced first hand as this album holds a few surprises along the way as you ride into hell and beyond.
Each track being short and to the point bringing to mind another groundbreaking album
"Reign in Blood" which this is the excellent modern companion piece yet at the same time
a new horizion of unrelenting metal.

Bang your head and raise your horns to this opus.
All hail Behemoth and their forward thinking ways.

10/10
Caezar lazo

Creature With The Atom Brain
Transylvania
The End

When I first saw the name of this band, I wasn’t really sure what to think. You can usually tell get an idea what to expect when you read the name. So when I started listening I was stoked to hear some of the coolest tunes. CWTAB have this sound that kind of sounds like a mix of like Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd with like a straight raw Punk sound. I know what you’re thinking. “What the fuck is this guy talking about?” The point is Creature With the Atom Brain has this crazy sound that defies category. They have one of the most original sounds you will hear. Transylvania is this cool sound from the get go and it doesn’t stop. It’s Doom, depressing, rockin’, happy, sad, twisted and everything in between.

10/10
KeeperKev




Shining
Blackjazz
The End

Norwegian mad house Shining release their fifth album. This is such an amazing disc. It’s twisted, out of control and crosses boundries like nothing I’ve heard in a while. They do an amazing cover of 21st Century Schizoid Man. Along with some amazing tunes that hits you with so many different sounds that it leaves your head spinning. Shining’s Blackjazz kicks your ass. The song Helter Skelter literally gave me chills. This is an album that can stand the test of time.

10/10
KeeperKev


Bison b.c.
Dark Ages
Metal Blade

2010 brings the latest incredible piece of art. Bison b.c.‘s Dark Ages blends sounds from Metal’s rich past with modern intensity. This may be the most complete album I’ve heard this year. In the second song “Fear Cave” Bison b.c. goes into this slow dragging groove that nearly scares the hell out of you and then slam into a Death Metal style sound. If you were to take Black Sabbath, Testament, Vader, and slammed them into a blender and fed it to Amon Amarth you would have an idea an the hairy beast that is Bison b.c.!

10/10

KeeperKev

Bullet For My Valentine
Fever
Jive

Bullet For My Valentine have hit with a vengeance with their latest “Fever“. This is one of the most dynamic albums I’ve heard in a long time. BFMV cross so many boundaries within the Metal world. There’s elements of Thrash, Speed, Power and with a modern Metal style. With being on a major label you can sometimes lose your aggression and identity into commercialism, but Bullet For My Valentine seam to have found that perfect spot where they can appeal to the diehard Metal fan and still have commercial success.  The vocals of Matt Tuck are incredible. He goes from a smooth, clean style to a nasty rasp that is just really impressive. And the guitar work is first rate, with the drums and bass making BFMV’s Fever a complete album. The founding father’s of Metal proud.

9/10

KeeperKev

 Exodus
Exhibit B The Human Condition
Nuclear Blast

When you think of Thrash Metal a few bands always come to mind, Testament, Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer and of course the bastard sons of the Thrash Metal world Exodus. This is a band that has seen it fair share of ups and downs from cover art issues from the “Pleasures” album to member changes and deaths. Where most bands would have faltered and disappeared Exodus returns with what I believe is their strongest albums in years. Exhibit B The Human Condition shows why Exodus will go down in history as one of the greatest Metal bands of all times. Rob Dukes vocals are perfect. His voice is aggressive and demanding and the music is pure Exodus perfection. 

10/10
KeeperKev



Jon Oliva’s Pain
Festival
AFM

One of Metal’s greatest voices returns with another masterpiece. Festival is an appropriate name, because this album takes you on a ride from the start. There are only a few voices in Metal that are distinct Chuck Billy, Ozzy, Dio, and Jon Oliva. When you hear Jon’s voice, I don’t care what he’s singing, you know it’s him and the musicianship is incredible. Worthy of Savatage glory. Especially in the title track. If you don’t have Jon Oliva’s Pain’s Festival, what the fuck are you waiting for. If you call yourself a Metalhead then Festival will be in your library.

10/10
KeeperKev



 
Judas Priest
30th Anniversary British Steel
Legacy/Sony


Metalheads rejoice! It’s amazing that it’s been 30 years since this album touched our ears and souls. This is easily in the top ten greatest and most influential albums in the history of Metal. If you are truly a Metalhead then songs like “Breaking the Law” and “Living After Midnight” has graced your stereo and you know you sang them with your horns held high. And if you haven’t then what the fucks wrong with you! The brilliance of this reissue isn’t that they just re-released this incredible album, but that they added a DVD with it and if you hit up their website you can also get a kick ass live disc as well. Remember, you don’t have to old to be wise. If you don’t get it, that’s your problem.

10/10

KeeperKev




Ratt
Infestation


One of my favorite bands of all time have returned with Infestation. With the loss Robin Crosby it is hard to imagine Ratt producing an album that was worthy of the Out of the Cellar, Invasion, and Dance albums. With adding one of the greatest and most unsung heroes of the Hard Rock/ Metal worlds Carlos Cavazo to the team with the already beyond cool and impressive Warren DiMartini, Ratt reinvades with a duel guitar attack that could make the most schooled and glorified guitarists envious. When some bands that were from the “glory days” return they either try to come back with either an album that sounds dated or they try to sound like whatever the trend is, but Ratt’s new album Infestation kicks serious ass. Awesome vocals, solid and powerful backbone (that’s Bass and Vocals for you who don’t know) and as I said earlier guitar work that just blows your mind. Welcome back boys!

9.5/10
KeeperKev

 
Rob Zombie
Hellbilly Deluxe 2
Roadrunner

The man who many believe to be this generations Ozzy Rob Zombie returns with another installment of madness with Hellbilly Deluxe 2. Hellbilly Deluxe 2 is a journey, which is not for the faint at heart, that only the Zombie man can tell. He’s always had a way of telling a story and creating music that only he can. Hellbilly Deluxe 2 travels through the world of industrial throughout the world of Metal telling stories of horrific deeds adding his usual storied movie style sound effects. And in so creating yet another Zombie gem that is Hellbilly Deluxe 2.

9/10
KeeperKev


  Skyforger
Kurbads
Metal Blade

I fucking love this album! It has aspects of Amon Amarth, Eluveitie, but with their own cool attitude. It’s brutal, yet melodic with various instruments assaulting your thoughts beyond just the traditional guitar, drum and bass sound. Which they deliver beautifully. The musicianship is first rate, especially the guitar work. The songs tell stories of the Latvian fairytale hero Kurbads. It has depth, character, twists, power, aggression, and it’s honestly an album that you have to hear. I can sit here and tell you all day how cool this album is, but all you need to know is this is in the top ten albums of the year.

10/10
KeeperKev


Soilwork
The Panic Broadcast
Nuclear Blast

I didn’t even have to hear the disc to know that it would kick ass. I’ve been waiting to listen to this since I first heard Soilwork was working on it. Every Metal generation has their elite bands, from Sabbath, Priest and Maiden, to Megadeth, Slayer, and Testament and of course the modern versions In Flames, Children of Bodom and Soilwork. So when these bands release something you just know it’s going to be great. All that being said, after listening to Soilwork’s The Panic Broadcast history has proven me right. It blows your mind how cool this album is. When the first track “Late for the Kill, Early for the Slaughter” starts up with a killer guitar riff and then Vocalist Bjorn rips into his charge you just know you’re in for one hell of a thrill ride.

10/10
KeeperKev



Solution 45
For Aeons Past
AFM

Where the hell did these guys come from? Solution 45 is fucking Awesome! This truly Metal for the masses. Whether you are into Power, Thrash, Death, Speed, Black, or whatever makes your head spin, Solution 45 will satisfy your lust. The vocals so dynamic it blows your mind. They go from this clean melodic to death style, very cool. The guitar work on “Through Night-Kingdomed Gates” will give any guitar fan their Christmas wish. For Aeons Past is a Metalhead’s wet dream.

  9/10
KeeperKev




Woe of Tyrants
Threnody
Metal Blade

After a year of touring Woe of Tyrants hit back with Threnody. A powerhouse of musical aggression. The guitar work of Matt Kincaid and Nick Dozer is nothing short of world class. Recent addition Bassist Shaun Gunter and Drummer Johnny Roberts is fucking heavy and so tight that it feels like a machine gun hitting you in the chest and Vocalist Chris Catanzaro is definitely in the top league as far as Death Metal vocals. I don’t like to pick favorites, but the song “Bloodsmear” is my favorite song and the guitar work on “The Venus Orbit” is worthy of Nile.

9.5/10
KeeperKev

Insomnium
Across The Dark
Candlelight

This is truly one of the best CDs I’ve heard this year. Insomnium’s Across The Dark starts out with this melting music that draws you in like the deep dark eyes of a vampire that seems to hold you and then sinks its teeth into you, drawing every last ounce of innocence and then taking you into places that you might not be ready for, but have no choice. Their music is powerful and dominating. With songs like Where the Last Wave Broke, Against the Stream, and Into the Woods this is an album that every metal fan should have.

10/10
KeeperKev

Year of No Light
AusserWelt
2010 Conspiracy Records

 A deep and rich hypnotic journey of  madness and despair, the music of Year of  no light
drowns the listener in mammoth oceans of sound and atmosphere.
Surprisingly there are no vocals on this release.
This album is an astral trip into hell, it will drag you into the darkest depths of the subconscious
and leaves you cold and sterile at the end of its duration.
A well tuned machine of  doom and gloom from a French band who have their hands around the listeners throat and slowly strangle the life out of them from track to track till the final song where
Your left lifeless. Brings to mind the sounds of My  Dying Bride. Anathema,  Ashes you Leave
And even Neurosis.

8/10
Caezar Lazo

ARSONIST GET ALL THE GIRLS: PORTALS
Century Media
After a brief inhuman intro, the blending of heavy skull crushing brutality and malevolent experimentation begin to alter your brainwaves.

The use of keyboards is greatly inventive in this bands music and adds that special paranoia inducing
element that pushes the intensity level up to untold heights, guitars tear and rip with skill as vocals preach the manifest of Armageddon and the drums carry the message home like a jackhammer to the skull at times and the unending insanity of war drums at others.

A very good release varied and solid in structure.

like classic Dillinger escape plan, Coalesce, Human Remains, Beneath The Buried and Me, and A Black Rose Burial, this band pushes the boundaries of heavy and technical metal into a new territory.
 8/10
AngelGrave
 

BARONESS
BLUE RECORD
RELAPSE
Hmmm where to start? I will admit that at first listen I didn’t really “get” this album.
I listened to it again the next day and it started to grow on me. After another listen it got even better. Baroness is a really good band!
I hadn’t heard of them before this but wish I had. Blue Album is a follow up to their 2007
Release, Red Album. If I had to do a comparison, which isn’t easy, I’d say Mastadon/Kyuss/Husker Du/ and maybe a touch of Dream Theater. These guys don’t fit into any category that I know of. Blue Album is very creative and moody, and I am at a loss for words in describing the music here. This band is very talented, laying down some cool rhythms over some excellent drum work. The cover art is very cool as well. If you’re looking for a refreshing change from the usual pounding metal and straight forward hard rock stuff in you collection you should go buy this album. I can’t wait to check these guys out live.

10/10

Blood Tsunami
Grand Feast for Vultures
Candlelight
Holy Shit! Where the hell did this band come from? I thought I was having a heart attack. Blood Tsunami’s “Grand Feast for Vultures” hits you dead in the chest and gets your heart pounding like a freight train running through solid rock and killing everything in it’s way. This album shows the world that great Metal is still here and bands like Blood Tsunami make me proud to be apart of this incredible institution that is Metal. So don’t be a pussy, go out and pick this disc up, put it on and put your head through a wall!

KeeperKev
9/10


Devil Driver
Pray for Villains
Roadrunner
Most bands have their best work in the first album or two. Very few grow in a positive direction with each album. Devil Driver just happens to be of the latter. Even though every album has been incredible in it’s own way, their latest Pray for Villains stands on it’s own. It’s one of the top ten albums of the year. They have a sound that is their own. When you listen to a Devil Driver disc you know who you are listening to and they never disappoint. With the growth of the band, in every album, in their less than a decade lifetime Devil Driver have proven that they are a band to stand the test of time and Pray for Villains proves that.

KeeperKev
10/10

GOATWHORE
“CARVING OUT THE EYES OF GOD”

This latest piece of musical terrorism from the swamplands of Louisianna sounds as if it were recorded in Hell and mastered by Satan himself. From the get-go you are ripped from whatever comfort zone you thought you were in and plopped into a front row seat for the end of days. If you enjoyed their last one “A HAUNTING CURSE” you will definitely want to grab “CARVING OUT THE EYES OF GOD”. Press play and follow Goatwhore into chaos and oblivion on opening track “Apocalyptic Havoc “. Listen as singer Ben Falgoust tells you ‘Obliterate the screams of the weak/who needs a god when you’ve got Satan/No god to offer this forgiveness/No god to punish for these sins/Tormented for the prize of salvation/Broken loyalty to life after death’. This cat can throw down some frightening verse and when backed by a band that plays some of the tightest, most wicked sounding tunes I’ve ever heard, you might die just trying to listen to this album in its entirety.
Every track on this beast is fucking awesome. The Celtic Frost influence is there, as it is on most Goatwhore material(this is a good thing), especially on ‘Reckoning Of The Soul Made Godless’. I am a huge fan of Acid Bath(one of guitarist Sammy Duet’s earlier projects) and that sound is there as well. In my opinion these guys put out some of the best death/black metal out there. I had the recent opportunity to see them open for Obituary and they tore it up like no other. I cannot wait for the next one.

Richie
10/10

Havok
Burn
Candlelight
Sometimes when I hear people talk about Thrash Metal, they talk about it like it was just some sort of fad that happened a few years ago. And we’ve all out grown it. I think the reason why some people think that is because there have only been a few bands that can live up to the legacy that is Thrash Metal. Havok is one of those bands. Burn is an album that is right up there with some of the greatest Thrash Metal albums ever, like Metallic’s “Master of Puppets” and Testament’s “Practice What you Preach”. Havok really grabs the intensity, power and in your face attitude that only a rare few have. Burn is a true must have for any fan of great Thrash Metal.

Iwrestledabearonce

This is a female fronted Spastic grindcore band taking the art of genre roulette to new heights.
Taking bits from death/black/speed/country/emo/sub genre’s of techno, and rolling it all into one onslaught of brutality and experimentation.
A well executed and enthralling album that will have you laughing, crying and head banging all the way through these 10 tracks of audio annihilation.
Great fun for all..

By Caezar Lazo

My Children My Bride
Unbreakable
Solid State
My Children My Bride have been dominating in the underground for a few years and with the release of Unbreakable they smash head first into the known Metal world. Even though my Children My Bride are a Christian Metal band there music has an appeal that would make any Metalhead, Hardcore fanatic a fan. With their incredible blend of Metal and Hardcore music and great lyrics show us why they were so strong in the underground and will be an even bigger force now that they are out in the open where everyone can be exposed.

KeeperKev
8.5/10


Slagmaur
Svin & Skrekk Lich Kunstler
Osmose
Norway’s Slagmaur are the perfect type of Black Metal. Their music is the type of Black Metal that would give Jesus nightmare’s. it has sadistic, evil power to it that few Black Metal bands have been able to harness. Their music is symphonic, deadly, twisted, and brutally dark. I truly believe that if the devil had a “style” she most revered it would be music from bands like Slagmaur, not bands that are overly aggressive and destructive, who‘s music is thought provoking. The music can be melodic to draw you in and then turn up the edge that can make your head spin. Their music is fresh and innovative without forgetting the ideals of which Black Metal was founded. Slagmaur are not for the faint at heart.

KeeperKev
8/10


Susperia
Attitude
Candlelight
Norway’s Susperia return after two years on their new label Candlelight with one of their strongest albums yet “Attitude”. What an appropriate name ‘cause this album is full of attitude. I expect that Susperia’s fan base to jump with leaps and bounds. It has aspects that will draw in fans of any and every style of Metal there is. The music is dark, emotional and seems to grab you by the throat and never let go. Susperia’s Attitude would make even the most humble and quiet people get up and thrash.

10/10
KeeperKev

Testament
The Formation of Damnation
Nuclear Blast
The first thing I hear from anybody who has heard Testament’s The Formation of Damnation has said that it is a return to greatness. I do agree except, when was Testament not great? Time after time, disc after disc Testament put out the most incredible music and yes The Formation of Damnation is one of the most impressive and amazing discs ever. What I think people mean by a return to greatness is the fact that some of the original and some of the best members have returned to the fold. With the technical wizardry of Alex Skolnick, the underrated greatness that is Eric Peterson, what can only be described as the perfect Bassist of Testament Greg Christian, one of the greatest Drummers in Metal Paul Bostaph, and I can say this being a Vocalist myself, the very best Vocalist in music (not just Metal) the vocal powerhouse Chuck Billy. I don’t think albums get any better than Testament’s The Formation of Damnation.

KeeperKev
12/10

The Casualties
We Are All We Have
Side One Dummy
The Exploited, Sex Pistols, Black Flag, just a few of the greatest Punk bands of all time. One of the things that made them such incredible bands wasn’t just that their music was true or they had they had that “I don’t give a fuck what you think” attitude. It was that their music rises above being just another punk band. The Casualties are in that league. So many bands these days claim to have that “Punk” attitude or sound, but play so commercial (you know who you are, pussies). The Casualties hit you in the face with We Are All We Have. This is true no holding back, tell it like it is and I hope your mama doesn’t like it album. It flips you the finger with songs like “ War is Business”, “Stand against them all” and “Depression-Unemployment lines”. The music is raw, energetic, and aggressive and the vocals are gritty and angry. This is the perfect disc for you new to real Punk or nostalgic fuck like myself who remembers when Punk was real.

10/10
KeeperKev

THE OCEAN
“FLUXION”
Metalblade
This is another one of those “upon first listen” reviews. At first I didn’t want to like this disk due to the sad fact that in my ignorance I lumped them into the dreaded “metalcore” files. Boy was I mistaken! I usually have a very open mind when it comes to music but most of the metalcore stuff is just repetitive, annoying and way overdue for some change.
Back to this review stuff, The Ocean is more than just a band, it is a collective. Operating out of a converted factory in Germany, this group is made up of musicians from all over. Fluxion was originally self released back in 2004 but didn’t make it to the states. When I got this cd, I put on my headphones, sat back and let the music fill my head. Fluxion opens up with “Nazca” a heavy, rhythmic instrumental, followed by “The Human Stain” which is at first a hard driving progressive metal flavored bit with hardcore style vocals but soon transitions to some classical violin and then slowly creeps back into a heavy progressive hardcore style. The album continues on like this, skillfully blending hardcore, progressive, death, grind/crust and classical music complete with violin, cello and keyboards. The music that these guys put together is brutal, grinding, saddening, and beautiful. The vocals are mostly in the metalcore style but it works well with what is going on with the music.(the main vocalist has since moved on and they are looking for someone with more range and variety) I really love the music on this cd and some different vocals would really do it up right.
Fluxion is a powerfull and emotional listening experience similar to Neurosis or Swans and Opeth. From what I can tell, most of the lyrics decry the plight of man dwelling in a life of complacency(9-5 jobs, TV, consumerism and general sterility). They have a really cool website you can check out in addition to their myspace page if you want to find out more. As for me, I will definitely be looking for more stuff(past and present) from The Ocean.

Richie Blackburn
10+/10

The Sign of the Southern Cross

Of Mountains and Moonshine Season of Mist
When I received this CD and saw the name and the fact that they were on the Season of Mist label, my first thought was they must be a Black, Doom or Death Metal band. Then when I saw the rebel flag on the disc I was confused and a little curious. So I put the CD in the player and I first hear this Danny Barnes (Bluegrass, Rockabilly icon) style intro and then bang into this killer Metal. Their style has so many angles. You take a little Sabbath groove (notice the name), Pantera power, a little Death Metal anger and a touch of Black Metal flavor. Mix that with a little Jim Beam and you have The Sign of the Southern Cross. Their sound is just so cool and with names like “Huck Finn“, “Hog Callin’”, and “Stitch in Time” Of Mountains and Moonshine is a kick-ass fun ride. They even hit you with a little BLS/Pride and Glory style slow tune in “Weeping Willow”. This disc does not disappoint.

KeeperKev
9.98/10

Those who lie beneath
A new age deathcore band who serve up a contempary sound with hefty nods to the death metal old school that breed such bands.

A release that will satisfy the needs of all death heads and the new age deathcore audience
brutal music played with skill and finesse that rivals veterans of the scene
If you need a good soundtrack to a beat down, pick up: Those Who Lie Beneath’s new album "An Awakening".

similar to: Early Earth crisis, Whitechapel, A Job for a Cowboy, Dim Mak, Human Remains, Pyscroptic, Uphill Battle, and Carcass.

Three Inches of Blood: Here waits Thy Doom
Thrashing heavy metal in the vein of: Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Running Wild, King Diamond/Mercyful Fate, and (early) Kreator, Assasin.

Vocalist Cam Pipes hits the classic metal highs and the raspy black/thrash metal tones with ease.
Musically the band is on par with there contemporaries in the realms of thrashing heavy metal. Their
lyrics speak of such topics as: the power and brotherhood of metal along with endless battles, Black magic, silent killers, priestly debauchery, sword and magic epics. etc.
A solid ass kicking album of heavy metal!

This album is best enjoyed with a 12 pack of your favorite alcoholic beverage, grab you spikes and leather
and bang your fucking head.

BY Caezar Lazo

Trivium
Shogun
Roadrunner
Trivium have returned with possibly their best disc yet. Shogun is a work of musical brilliance and it may just be the proof that Trivium is the new Metallica. Not the one that so many fans bad mouthed for those few years, but the one that all fans of Metal cheered as masters of their game. With Shogun, Trivium prove yet again that whether you are a fan of Death, Thrash, Speed, Black, Progressive, or any style of Metal you can think you can and should be a fan of. Not only do they impress with their own music they also lay down one incredible performance of the classic Iron Maiden.

KeeperKev
10/10

Thy Will Be Done
In Ancient of Days
Stillborn
When I first spoke with J Costa of Thy Will Be Done, he referred to In Ancient of Days music as “epic”. Which I think most artists would like to believe their music is and after listening to In Ancient of Days I have to say he was slightly off. Thy Will Be Done’s in Ancient of Days is beyond epic. Every song from the beginning of “Unto the Sanctified” to the end of “Until the Ancient of Days” is beyond epic. It takes you on a journey of gripping powerful Metal that never let’s you down. Thy Will Be done are the future of Metal and In Ancient of Days proves that fact.

KeeperKev
10/10

Veil of Maya
The Common Man’s Collapse
Sunerian
Brutal, Heavy, Explosive and Technical Brilliance is what comes to mind when I heard Veil of Maya’s The Common Man’s Collapse. One of the most amazing things about The Common Man’s Collapse is that it is only four musicians in this band. When listening to this disc I swear there must be at least six, seven or even eight players. Veil of Maya are like scientists creating a new form of Metal monster. It’s like madness with a purpose.

KeeperKev
9.5/10

Secrets of The Moon
Privilegium
Lupus Lounge

This CD should come with a warning that says “Contents may scare the Hell into you”. When I first got this disc I was a little unsure, but it grows on you like a virus. It seeps into your ears and under your skin and seems to control your mind. Secrets of the Moon is essentially a Black Metal band that incorporates various others styles of Metal that turns into this dark masterpiece. Pay particular attention to the three part gem “Harvest” right in the middle of this soon to be Metal classic that is Secrets of the Moon’s Privilegium.

9.5/10
KeeperKev