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
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
Age of Evil
Get Dead
Self Release
Age of Evil is this young group of brothers who bring a fresh look into classic Heavy Metal. This is a band that has the potential to be a driving force in the future of Metal. It makes me proud to hear a younger band playing this style of Metal. The music is superb and rivals many of the greats in Metal. If I have any advice I can give them though, is when doing an Ep they need to have more originals. Their songs Cruel Intentions and Get Dead are incredible representations of how great this band can be and they due really cool versions of Skid Row’s Slave to the Grind and Judas Priest’s The Hellion/Electric Eye and they add some cool live tunes. I’d just like and can’t wait to hear some more originals from these young guns.
8/10
KeeperKev
CHAINED EXISTENCE Weapons Of Mass Deception ..
Hidden Agenda
Chained Existence is a newer band that comes from the far northern coastline of Fort Bragg, Ca. This is their first full length recording and it has come as a brutal one indeed. The cd kicks off with a traditionally styled Flamenco guitar piece.... i knew right away that it had to be good. After the intro piece the music bursts into a heavy thrash like feel. It sounds young and fresh yet derives its attack from bands like Megadeth, Slayer, and early Cannibal corpse. The drums have a very Meshuggah like essence that keeps your head smashing up and down at a pretty quick rate. Just barely legal these guys are already perfecting the art of bands like Municipal Waste and Anthrax while adding a brutal guttural growl into the mix. Every so often returning to the latinesque flamenco stylings of Alex Yanez; the band has carved a niche into the ever expanding wall of thrash by adding this unique element. The lyrical topics seem to be conspiracy theory based and allows you to really absorb into the overall message that our world is headed for darker times.
Aaron S.
Charred Walls of the Damned
Metal Blade
Metal master Drummer Richard Christy brings you one of the coolest discs you will hear. With a Metal Superstar cast like Tim “Ripper” Owens on vocals, Steve “the coolest Bassist on the planet” Digiorgio and Jason Suecof playing guitar and producer roles, this disc has to kick some ass. And from start to finish it does just that. It reminds you of what great Metal should sound like. I first got a taste of this a few month back when Metal Blade sent out a few songs around to some industry people and I remember thinking, they need to hurry up and get the rest of the album out, ‘cause like a drug a taste just won’t due. Once you listen to Charred Walls of the Damned you can’t get enough.
10/10
KeeperKev
Ereb Altor
The End
Napalm
This disc has a very dark feel to it. Ereb Altor’s The End grabs you and sucks you into the part of your mind where few dare to tread. The brains behind this twisted journey is Swedish duo Ragnar and Mats of ISOLE’s fame. Each song tells you a story that leaves you thinking and seems to leave this lasting effect that you just can’t let go of. Fans of dark, Doom, Black and Epic Metal will love this.
8.5/10
KeeperKev
Heathen
The Evolution of Chaos
Mascot
It’s been a long time since we’ve heard from Heathen and I’ve got to say I wasn’t sure what to expect. Heathen delivers one of the strongest albums of the year, maybe their best ever. The Evolution of Chaos makes you proud to be a Metalhead. This disc drives home the fact that Heathen are one of those bands that just know how to bring it and bring it hard. My only real question Why did it take them so long. Anyway Heathen are back in a big way. This is a must have.
10/10
KeeperKev
Imperium Dekadenz
Season of Mist
Imperium Dekadenz have produced a solid kick ass album. Where it is definitely is a Black Metal disc, it has aspects that fans of most Metal will enjoy. It’s not the most original thing I’ve heard, but it has serious depth and passion. This is the type of disc that you can play for hours without hesitation. I particularly dig track three “A Million Moons”. This is totally worth the listen and you will not be disappointed with this album.
8/10
KeeperKev
KAREN PAGE
-Self Titled
Rotten Recs.
From happy emo hardcore breakdowns and rap beats to blues and death metal grinds Karen Page exhibits some interesting attributes
as a band. I cant tell if the band is truly serious or not but either way the musicianship shines through. In an almost comical
way these guys go through literally every labeled genre of metal and make the songs really tough to pinpoint. I like to be thrown
twists every now and then so i can really identify with this release. Its like having musical attention deficit syndrome and you
constantly having to change the radio station every 2 minutes. I hear residues from MTV metal bands like The Deftones, Faith No More,
Incubus, and Nine Inch Nails combined with fragments of Slipknot and Cannibal Corpse. This is a very odd band that sounds
like they cant decide which genre they want to play. I have to touch again though on the fact that it is all done with great musicianship
and raw power. The pure genius of its effect will surely be copied for years to come. A great experiment of ear torture at its finest.
If you feel like you want to branch out into the depths of insanity get your hands on KAREN PAGE.
Aaron S.
Sons of the System
Nuclear Blast
Mnemic returns with a dominating disc that attacks the senses. I was so happy to hear their dominating music. Most bands by the time they get a couple albums in they tend to let their guard down, but Mnemic just hits it big with their latest “Sons of the System”. It’s monstrous from the get go with the title track to the final track “Orbiting” Mnemic does not disappoint.
10/10
KeeperKev
NYSEIUS
Militiae
ATMF Recs.
Mirroring a frenzied blast of bumblebees arrives NYSEIUS. Evil and dark in its nature the band gets straight to the point with an intense delivery of high speed black metal. The first song "Ibi Deficit Orbis" transports me to an icy world filled with smoke and the never ending clank of steel and iron. There are no surprises or sympathies with this release, rather pure hatred that never stops. The evil is embodied perfectly into the sound and gives it an almost voodoo sort of effect. I can see myself lighting candles in the form of a pentagram and summoning the ancient beasts
to the soundtrack of NYSEIUS. The overall clarity is pretty decent for such a cult sounding effort and definitely makes you realize the members of this band put some hard work into making it. As the cd plays through the musical tone never changes or lets you down but instead stomps you relentlessly. My only complaint is that the cd is too short. With only
six tracks it leaves me wanting more and curious to know if the band will continue its existence, At any rate this is an awesome band with a bright future. The road ahead will be grim and bleak but NYSEIUS may have what it takes to seize the throne of the Icelord. Prepare for dark enchantment beyond your wildest vampiric hallucinations.
Aaron S.
OverMaster
Madness of War
Cruz Del Sur
Imagine if you will Megadeth, Savatage, Children of Bodom, Dragonforce, and Iron Maiden thrown into this whirlwind melting pot to create Metal that is pure genius. This is a band that Metal needs. That Metal has to have. OverMaster delivers this incredible music that has power, drive, passion, and brilliance that some bands fail to grasp. And it is fitting that their album is released on Cruz Del Sur. A label that has brought us some of the greatest Metal bands in our world. Bands like Hatesphere and Fool’s Game. If this is just OverMaster’s first album and it kicks this much ass, I can’t wait to hear what they do next. This is a band to keep an eye on.
10/10
KeeperKev
ROTTING CHRIST
AEALO
Seasons Of Mist
Hailing from the land of Greece ROTTING CHRIST have been slaying out their own brand of
blackened metal for over 20 years now. With each release they've incorporated more and more of
their native heritage and shaped themselves into what sounds like an advanced
Greek war machine stuck in primitive times. Their is a spirit to this release that just makes
you want to get up on your trusty steed and gallop to the gates of Galathor. The epic sound
reminds me of old school Iron Maiden but with a harsh death like voice. Some of the lyrics are
in English while others are in Greek. Their are also hints of angelic female voices that seem
to caress the landscape of the music adding a rich melody to the heavy guitar riffing. Although
Rotting christ have hit home with the production and force on this cd there is still
a very predictable nature to it. The music seems to be about mid pace to slow throughout but
none the less gets the job done with conviction. Its a great album but i feel like Rotting Christ
are going in a more commercial direction musically while still maintaining the raw greek element
that they are known for. All in all its an excellent release that should be a hit in the black
metal communities. From ancient reed pipes to shredding guitar solos its definitely an interesting
listen worth purchasing.
Aaron S.
UMBAH
If Mr. Bungle and the band Prodigy got together to make a death metal soundtrack for the movie Tron you might have something similar to UMBAH. Distorted Keyboards and down tuned guitars mixed with a very industrial vibe layer the release and give it a very odd sounding effect. The music itself seems like it could have been programmed by a robot bent on destroying the human race. Somehow UMBAH have taken the raw essence of technical death metal and gave it an industrial avante garde like package. Some of the songs sound like they could be out of tune but I think it is all done on purpose in order to add to the dissonant feeling felt throughout. In a weird way I think they could be a band that Emperor would hail and give credit to for continuing the tradition of dark machine like black metal. Parts of the release sound very hallucinogenic and colorful but the main focus of the band is obviously pure and disorienting. Some of the lyrics are made up words that bear no meaning at all , or maybe the band has formed its own language all together, 1 listen to UMBAH and you might find yourself high on acid in the twilight zone.
Aaron S
ULCERATE
Everything Is Fire
Candlelight Records
From the tiny island of New Zealand comes a band so sick in its assault that you'd wonder if such a small land mass could even contain such a destructive force. "Everything is Fire" starts
out slow with an almost barbaric churn of drums and quickly explodes into complete technical unpredictability. The guitar riffage is very dissonant sounding in its approach but it
adds for a uniquely crafted Death Metal release which i think would also fit nicely into an Avant Garde community of listeners. After a few songs i notice that these guys don't
like to repeat themselves very often which makes the material very hard to understand rhythmically. This is a good thing for me since i like to hear music that takes a month or
more to memorize. I'm the kind of guy that enjoys a good puzzle of music and Ulcerate does just that. The drums are played in a very jazzy way, almost in complete
likeness to the non repetitive dissonant guitar style; all the while keeping it brutal, fast, and grinding. If i had to site a reference i would say they have the likeness of
GORGUTS (obscura era) and CRYPTOPSY (Whisper Supremacy era) but add their own unique blend of New Zealand Brutality. To be quite honest i've never heard a band sound quite like
Ulcerate. The vocalist belts out some of the burliest high pitch screams in the genre and sounds like a Pig getting raped by a cat. It just doesn't seem possible right? But then again
there is nothing average or normal about this release. I give this a full 10 zombie girls
Ryan S
Heidevolk
Uit Oude Grond
Napalm
The problem when you get music from outside the U.S. is you don’t always know what the title means. But great music needs no translation. Heidevolk”s Uit Oude Groud is one of the coolest discs I’ve heard that I didn’t know what the title meant. Heidevolk mix a killer heavy sound with vocals that seem to float on top of the music and yet demands your attention. The songs tell stories of their homeland Gelderland. They mix a folk style with a monstrous sound that makes you want to slam some mead and conquer every thing in site. Even if I don’t what they are saying.
9.5
KeeperKev
DECEMBER
Black Anvil
Time Insults The Mind
Relapse
This is one of the darkest and most complete albums I’ve heard in a long time. Black Anvil hits it’s mark with elements of Dio era Sabbath and a heavy, angry and strong sound that few bands have these days. Black Anvil’s music is brutal enough for the most critical Death Metal fans as well dramatic enough for the emotional Black Metal fans and still leaves plenty of room for fans of all styles of Metal. Along with powerful originals Black anvil pulls out an impressive cover of the Celtic Frost classic Dethroned Emperor. Any true fan of Metal would be doing themselves a favor in picking up a copy of Black Anvil’s Time Insults The Mind.
9.5/10
KeeperKev
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Overkill
Ironbound
E1
Seemingly back from the dead, Overkill returns with a soon to be another Thrash Metal masterpiece. This is a band that has had it’s share of ups and downs and yet can still throw down some of the coolest Metal you will ever hear. Ironbound is a collaboration of their “Hello From the Gutter” heyday with modern approach. They’ve always had this attack like a saw blade ripping through your flesh that few bands have and it’s great to hear them hitting back with such a powerful new album. Overkill’s Ironbound is a true must have for ever Metalhead
10/10
KeeperKev
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
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
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
Funereus
Bestial Invocation ep
Self Released
This EP contains 4 tracks of raw old school black metal
in the vein of early Gorgoroth and Darkthrone.
Definitely for all you who crave the sound of early 90's
Scandinavian black metal, a good release of true evil and darkness.
8/10
Caezar Lazo
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
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
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
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