Heavycore

Do you have the nut sack to send in your CD for review? We tell it like it is here, so don't whine if we give you some shit. We use different reviewers, so you'll see some from Wes Pollock, Pete Altieri, Luke Offield, Mike Stoltz, Bonesaw, Kris Ferguson, and Josh Thorne too.

1. We only review Heavycore bands. If you are not a member, but wish to submit a CD to see if you're Heavycore material, you should still fill out the online application. If we dig your band and allow you in the Core, then we can review the same CD you submitted. Cool?

2. Send one copy of your CD along with a short bio on the band, a photo if you have one, and your contact information. Please give us a good email address to send you the review when it's done. If you want to toss in extras like stickers . . . that's cool. If you really want to suck up and send a t-shirt, Pete wears a 2x. Ha.

3. We're going to be honest. If we don't like it and give you a bad review - we'll email you the review and if you want it added to the site, we'll give you that option. We don't want to slam on our brothers - but we also don't want to lie and say we liked something we didn't. Cool?

5. Make sure you include contact info, a bio and photo so we've got all the stuff we need to check you out. Most reviews are posted in two weeks, so we don't fuck around like most zines.

Expect your review in 2-3 weeks . . . depending on our workload. Sometimes things get backed up, but we will respond to you within one month and that's a lot better than most any magazine we know of.

These guys passed me a cd at a show I attended recently in Cincy and I must say they really threw the fuck down live. I really liked their energy on stage and the crowd seemed to really dig the shit out of them. You could tell the experience of this band shines through, as they really know how to feed of the crowd and let it fuel the performance.

The 5-song cd they submitted is well produced and showcases the talent of these ripping metal freaks. The drumming was really exceptional, and live I was completely blown away to find out their drummer is blind. Talk about hardcore - this guy flat out throws the fuck down and I was impressed to no end. The bass playing is also wicked and his sound on the cd is killer. The guitar playing is also ripping and live he had one of the most brutal tones I've heard in a long time. The vocals are clean most of the time, but don't let that scare you off. At times he reminded me of Ray Alder from Fates Warning, but then he would tear into a Phil-inspired rage that really kept things interesting.

Dark and haunting . . . those words best describe the band 13 Winters - hailing from the state of Maine. This live bootleg CD, "Down Below Zero" was recorded in July 2005 and features simple home-done artwork. The production of the CD isn't bad, considering it's a live bootleg, and it was produced by the band's keyboard player Roy Addams. All the photos that are on the CD booklet were taken by their fans - which is cool as hell.

This 8-song live CD has a good punch to it, with the ever-bestial vocals of frontwoman Diana Winters. She can belt it out like anyone can, and live she still has the same shrieking quality that their studio CD has. The guitar work from Matthue Schildroth is good, as is the bass playing from Casey Chick. The drummer, Mike Web, loses it a few times, which could be due to bad monitors, as he shreds it up on their studio CD "Where the Souls Wander". Overall, the band sounds good and continues on with their long-standing black metal traditions with gothic hints throughout.

They also included a kick ass DVD entitled "A Shadows Chance in Hell" that was a very creatively produced piece of work! It traces the history of 13 Winters with cool live clips from basement practices to big outdoor fests. The DVD takes you on the road with the band, as they drive a van with no brakes, and all the stupid shit that comes with hanging out with a metal band. It's very cool and includes over an hour of great footage. Fans of the band will eat this up and if you're not a fan . . . you just might become one after checking out these dark and twisted fuckers.

Don't listen to this CD if you're scared of the dark . . . . 13 Winters has released a full length slab of Hell-inspired heaviness entitled "Where the Souls Wander". Not all black metal bands are from Europe, as these evil wielding maniacs hail from Maine.

The production on this CD is good and is filled with plenty of creepy background noises and rituals to scare your grandma senseless. The cover art and liner notes are very professional and complete with lyrics and photos of the band members. From the looks of 13 Winters, you just might see one of them hanging out in a cemetery in a town near you. Musically the band is very good - bass player Roy Addams also plays some well placed keyboards and even violin. I was very impressed with his performance, as I was with drummer Mike Web and guitarist Matthue Schildroth. The vocalist is Die Winters and she kicks some good metal ass. She growls with the best of them and breaks into some actual singing too, proving her versatility. They also have some bonus features on this CD to include a video for the song "The Dead". It's very well done and captures the darkness of this band big time.

I hear lots of dark influences when I listen to this 13-song (how appropriate!) CD - ranging from Type O Negative, to Cradle of Filth and even some vintage Bathory for good measure. Horns up all the way - I'm sure Quorthon himself would approve 666 times over. They've got the black leather and pale faces to look like dead metal freaks for sure.

As the icing on their blood-red cake . . . . 13 Winters has a naked chick lying down on the back of the CD. I'm not 100% sure if it's Die Winters herself, but it's still a winner to have some flesh on the CD cover for this old metal pervert! Hell yeah.

So grab some candles, a copy of the Necronomicon and make sure you've got the "Where the Souls Wander" CD from 13 Winters - and check them out online at www.dark-valley-records.com

I was speechless putting this CD while driving my car the other day! If there was an award for Most Improved Metal Band it would have to be 3 Headed Moses because the new CD, "You Taste Like 80's" is really nothing short of an incredible effort. These guys took it up 666 notches with their latest 9-song bludgeoning. Even the unmastered tracks they sent me as a pre-release copy featured outstanding production and will only sound better with volumes pushed up to the max. They included a sample of the artwork that will be on the cover, and it features a hot slut on the hood of a car in a warped "salute" to the 80's. It's great stuff from a band that seems to be able to interchange humor with their attention-demanding style of play.

Musically this band continues to evolve and the talent they possess an ever-increasing war chest of brutality. The guitar duo that is Luke Offield and Ethan Folger are metal all the way this time around with nice crunching riffs coupled with very intricate harmonies and scorching leads. They really show off their talents with this effort. I especially liked "Hanging Upon an Upside-Down Cross" for the guitar work in the beginning and the guitar leads in pretty much every song. The bass playing of Nick Fizer has really improved and his tone is nice and meaty . . . which seemed to lack some on their last CD. Nick proves a bass player can venture away from the guitar players and still keep the foundation rock solid. Jeramy McCallister has a great drum sound on this CD and really puts the icing on the cake with his exceptional playing skills. I was very impressed with some of the cool beats he came up with as a perfect compliment to one of the most original bands I've ever heard before. In the "most improved" department - the drums really drive it home. Also heads and shoulders above their last effort, the vocals are outstanding. Luke does most of the singing, but Ethan and Nick also deliver the goods - which is one of the more interesting nuances of this band. Luke's clean vocals are much stronger than before and he really adds texture to the songs, while keeping his more evil roots with some nice growling added just at the right time. Every so often, he'll toss in a blistering high scream that feels like an ice pick in your eardrum . . . twisting and turning.

Another cool thing with this CD is that it features a very interesting 3-song story to end your listening adventure that explains what the 3 Headed Moses is. It's very well done and deserves to be heard. I've seen them perform it live and it was very wicked.

I was so blown away by this CD that I, for the first time, called the band to tell them how much I liked it. It was that good. I also threw in a proposal to them to master the CD for them, and I don't stick my name on just anything. These guys continue to make strides and really deserve the chance to take things to the next level.

So drag your ass to the Ozarks of Missouri and get into some 3 Headed Moses at www.3headedmoses.com or I'll come over to kick your ass and fuck your Mom.

Here's a Heavycore band with more heart than 1,000 poser bands put together. I've never met a band with a better attitude, drive, and pure love of the metal they play than 3 Headed Moses. They sent in their new full length cd, "10 Unholy Tracks From 1412 Rebel Drive", along with a bio and photos of the band for review. I was pumped to check it out.

These guys are from a hotbed of hard ass metal - Columbia Missouri. I dug the shit out of the cd, as it captures that 3HM sound that I've grown to love. I've seen them play live many times. The guitar sound is raw and nasty - just like it should be. Both Luke Offield and Ethan Folger do one hell of a job . . . filling in on axe duties in brutal fashion. Nick Fizer does a great job holding down the bottom end on the bass and does some nice fretwork to fill in the blanks. New drummer Jeramy McCalister really tightens up the ship and throws down like a madman with some kick ass double bass work and overall solid drumming. What makes this band unique is that they have three singers, with Luke, Nick, and Ethan all sharing the duties in a very interesting way. They mix up the deep growls with some actual singing in a way that you've never heard before. It makes them stand out in a pile of cds that is nearly falling off my very messy desk!

The production on the cd is very good and the packaging that they put together is professional. The bio they sent along shows how much they support Heavycore . . . as each member is sporting Heavycore shirts in the live shots.

A video for one of the songs, "Wacky Monkey Test" was featured on the Heavycore DVD "Roasting Posers Volume I" and the song "666 Pack & A Baseball Bat" is on the latest Heavycore compilation CD "Core Til Death III". I must say that my favorite track on this cd is "666 Pack & A Baseball Bat" - but I loved the whole thing. Opening it up with "Back to the Ozarks" was a savage kick to the wrinkly sack for sure. 666 kicks to be exact.

If you like your metal based in old school but with an edge that will surely slit your throat if you get too close - then 3 Headed Moses is your band. You have to check these guys out live if you want to really mosh it up right. Learn more about them at www.3headedmoses.com and become a metal-crazed hillbilly from the Ozarks along with them.

If ever a band deserved recognition for having a great attitude and pure love for the nastiest metal, 3-Headed Moses would get a parade from Heavycore. This band is brutal and old school all the way, hailing from the town of Columbia Missouri. I've also had the chance to check them out live, and they show improvement every time I've seen them. They're a young band who knows what sticking to your roots is all about.

Their 5-song demo has decent production for a demo and gives the listener a glimpse into their sound. I'd compare them to much of the good old school metal from the 80's like Overkill, Exodus, and old Megadeth with relentless riffing. One area of improvement would be to change up the drum beats, which tended to get repetitious at times. The vocals were a bit rough, but with an emerging metal band, these are things that certainly come with time.

Check out 3-Headed Moses if you can drag your ass to a show and you can visit them online at www.comobands.com/3HM

Strap on your mosh pit face for this one - because A Day to Fall brings it to the table in a huge way with this self-titled 6-song cd. The production kicks ass and the packaging was simple that they sent along with the cd - but the harsh metal that resides on the cd is more than worth checking out. This band hails from Clovis New Mexico and with some of the brutal acts coming from the Southwest, it's no wonder that A Day to Fall continues the fine tradition.

I'm hearing lots of influences when I check this cd out, and they range from Hatebreed riffing to even Strapping Young Lad speed at times. These guys mix it up nice and are extremely tight every step of the way. The song writing is strong and the tracks flow very well together. Musically the band members hold their own but the drummer is really intense and lays down some savage double bass stuff. The guitar players do some nice and tasty harmony parts that almost go back in time to Killers-era Iron Maiden. It's a wide variety of good metal rolled up into one potent brick of dynamite.

Definitely check out A Day to Fall if you like it hard, wicked, and real hard across the chin.

What can you say about a band that defines crossover hardcore metal and is still going strong since their first release in 1983! I got a copy of Agnostic Front's latest offering called "Warriors" and I must say I'm impressed with it. These guys still have it all these years later, and make no bones about the fact that they're coming to tear you to shreds from the word go. Agnostic Front are titans in the world of NYC metal mixed with one nasty hardcore edge!

The production on this CD rips as Roger Merit's (vocals) little brother Freddy Cricien takes controls of the knobs and makes this thing really hum along! Some of you may know of Freddy for his work with Madball, but he does an exceptional job on this CD. I also liked the street artwork on the cover, showing off some fine tattoo artwork.

Joseph James and Vinnie Stigma have one hell of a one-two punch on guitar duties. They don't do many guitar leads, but they rip out some brutal riffs that knock the listener on their ass. Mike Gallo has a sweet bass tone on this CD and with a good stereo, you can really feel it from across the room as he keeps the bottom strong and thick around every turn. I also dug the drumming from Steve Gallo who shows that playing good hardcore means the drummer has to beat that kit into submission. Beating the kit down seems to be something Steve Gallo enjoys doing as he thunders along with a very strong performance - keeping Agnostic Front chugging along. Roger Merit is legend on vocals, and he's got the power still in his leather lungs - with plenty of strong backing vocals that make their sound hardcore all the way!

This CD has 14 songs on it and every one of them ripped the skin from my face when I cranked it up. I must say from a first listen, the title track "Warriors" was one that really caught my ear. But if you dig Agnostic Front, I think you'll love this new one. So pick it up November 9, 2007 on Nuclear Blast because if you don't Roger and the boys may just pay your worthless ass a visit and beat you down NYC style!

I was very impressed with the package I got from Alchymist - they included two live videos, an animated video, pics, and a biography on one cdr. It's great to see a band that's all about self-promotion, which in this business is as vital as learning how to play your instruments. The production on the three song demo is very good, and is a compliment to their sound. I've seen them live a few times here in Illinois, and they can all play like real metal musicians should.

The vocal style of singer Judy (yes, it's a guy) is very unique, as he blends some deep gutteral growls with melodic mid-range vocals . . . . not at all like the whining nu-metal rage. He even throws in some high-pitched harmonies, along the lines of classic old Mercyful Fate. It's one of those, love it or hate it styles that makes the band stand out. Dennis provides some nice guitar work, while Darren and Robert lay down the rhythm section in true old school fashion.

Some good grooves and precise changes, make this one hell of a demo. Check these guys from Champaign Illinois out and take a trip back to some good old school metal.

This is one ass kicking demo if I've ever heard one! All Will Fall from Troy Illinois really bring it to the table in a wicked in-your-face demo that blew me away from the beginning of the first track "Onslaught". The packaging is simple but very cool with lyrics and photos of the band. Listening to the demo, I heard a variety of influences ranging from Pantera, to Slayer, and even glimpses of Pissing Razors.

Very cool backing vocals with some deep ass growls, heavy riffing at all times from the guitars, and slamming bottom end insanity from the bass player and drummer. I dug the vocals, and at times wish they were a little up in the mix - but nonetheless it was a mosh pit inducing ride from the first to last track.

I dig these guys and can imagine they thrown down live. Check them out if you get a chance, or visit them online at www.allwillfall.tk

I must admit that I had never listened to Amon Amarth before getting their latest CD, "With Oden On Our Side". A good friend of mine told me about it, and I trusted his metal judgment. I was completely blown away with this bludgeoning release from Metal Blade Records. The production is incredible and brings out every essence that is Amon Amarth. I also loved the cool packaging, artwork, photos, and liner notes that came along with the release, as well as a bonus CD with some kick ass live stuff and demos of a few of the new songs. These Scandinavian Viking metal maniacs deserve a serious listen!

The guitarists Johan Soderberg and Olli Miikonen fit each other perfectly while they lay down some of the nastiest riffs, mixed with great mood altering harmonies that really put me on one of the Viking ships riding into battle. They've got great tones that compliment each other well, and carefully place great melodies and harmonies to add to the texture of the music. Bass player Ted Lundstrum keeps the bottom end roaring along and provides a great foundation for a forceful metal band, while drummer Fredrik Andersson blew me away with some kick ass double bass action. His drum sound really punches you in the chest and solidifies the sound of Amon Amarth.

I really liked the vocal performance by Johan Hegg, because he takes the death metal style and molds it to his own. He can get nasty with some of the most unholy guttural screams known to man. But at the same time, he can keep his words audible without having to read the lyric sheet. The lyrics he writes deserve to be understood, as he pens some great words that made me want to grab a sword and just start kicking some poser ass! He also puts some cool melody to gruff vocals, which can be difficult to do. Compared to his vocals on "Fate of Norns" or "Versus the World" - he's made the biggest improvement in the band. Throw in the fact that Johan is a burly bastard that sports a brutal Viking beard, and you've got one hell of a wicked front man for this band.

I really liked every song on this CD, but if I were to pick some stand out tracks, I would have to say "Asator" which bludgeons with some killer riffing breakdowns with Johan Hegg busting out the leather lungs - pushing them to the extreme. Also "Gods of War Arise" with a great chorus that makes you want to strap on the chainmail, and "Valhal Awaits" is one killer way to start the CD off. The entire offering is great and it left me wore out and ready to listen again . . . again and again!

After listening to this CD a few times, I got four of their other releases (all on Metal Blade) within a two-week period. I even got their "Wrath of the Norsemen" DVD. These guys kick my ass and play some of the most intense metal out there today. I assumed they were black metal (which isn't my thing) by the name, and was pleasantly surprised that they were a death metal band with a twist . . . busting out some thrash metal influences out of their bag of tricks.

We often give metal bands respect based simply upon age or how long they have been around “paying their dues.” Not that this is a misconception but it may cause us to look over many bands that also deserve praise for their hard work; although, we have been shown many times that one of the enduring aspects of metal is: the rules do not always apply. When you look at the capacity for playing great metal as the more important aspect and keep properties like age to the side, we are freer to hear and understand these newer bands that display such capability and knowledge. Case in point: Angelfire from Elmhurst , IL . Angelfire’s style of thrash flows nearly effortlessly from a steady, confident, and grippingly melodic rhythm to a panic stricken and speedy dash through the gates of hell. They make use of quick tempo changes that keep you glued in eagerness for what might come next. Angelfire’s music seems to draw from so many great styles that to list them would be in vain and would detour me away from just enjoying the music. The best that can be said about this is that their roots are solid. There is a great use of “old school” melodious styles in portions small enough to be noticed but not so over laden with them that Angelfire’s sound becomes consumed by it, maintaining their inventiveness with guitar riffs that are fast enough to out-run a blender set to “puree.” All of this achieved with the band member’s current age being around 15 years old.

Overall the recording quality is very clear but with a tad too much focus on the bass drum. Also, on occasion, the instruments get slightly out of time, but I think this might be a possible diminutive flaw in the recording process and not the fault of the musicians themselves. Although the vocal method lights up your nerves like being rolled around in broken glass, maybe a little more time could be devoted to developing a more distinctive sound. My personal favorite on this demo is track #5 entitled “Die by my Hand.” It is a true example of how strong newer thrash metal forms can be when its foundations are strong in older harmonious sensibilities. We need to pay firm attention to newer, younger bands like Angelfire for soon THEY will be carrying the torch, and real metal will always be at an advantage because of it.

Angelfire, from Elmhurst , Illinois , Is back with their latest contribution to the metal world with the melody-laden Altered Perception. Let me just start by saying that this album is on fire! All the new tracks are recorded quite well with outstanding clarity between the ideally timed instruments. This most recent thrash/death collection is heaving with riffs and melodies that are truly interesting; even more so than the last album. This time around there is a more frequent use of the clean-toned and flowing tunes which add even more contrast and distinction to Angelfire’s strong-suit of the fast, flesh-tearing thrash riffs that are insistent, hostile and ever-changing. The vocals come through with far more lucidity than the last album and seem to get more vicious with each song, even mixing in the “double-death” vocals by having the demon screams twined by the low guttural roars. There’s even a special treat for any long-time Angelfire fans on this new album. They have re-recorded “To the Flames,” which is surely one of the strongest songs from the last album. This song could incite a riot on the cellular level. Although, throughout all of this progress from the last album to now, a bit more focus could be used on the solos. They tend to come across sounding forced and somewhat emotionless. By and large this album is a big step forward for Angelfire musically and chronologically as the last recording was released just last year. Their hard work and loyalty to metal music is paying off in a big way. Head to www.angelfirerocks.tk and get a hold of Altered Perception.

I have to say that if I could name my favorite Heavycore band, Antipathy would be at the top of my list. These guys fucking shred old school style and deliver like a sledgehammer to the nut sack with Imminent Peril. The cd has five tracks and each one is nastier than the next. The production is incredible and above most big label metal releases! I must say my favorite is No Escape, which the band also put on Heavycore's "Core Til Death" compilation. The intro with the dude getting his eyes gouged out gets a huge fuck yeah from the Core!

Antipathy mixes thrash, death, and even hints of black metal as they roar from track to track. Bass player and lead vocalist Samgar is fucking Satan on Earth. He's got a screeching voice along with deathly growls, and is able to perform some great bass acrobatics while doing it. I've seen these guys live and they all tear shit up. Luke Celente and Danny Wahlberg sling the axes and do one hell of a job - both combining to form one hellish tone. Alex Ghersini does a great job on drums, mixing sick blast beats with some serious old school Lombardo double kick stuff. These guys are the real deal and when it comes to metal, you just can't get any more metal than Antipathy.

I got my hands on the newest release from these New York City metal freaks at a show recently and I must say, it slays. This 4-song EP is brutal from the first note to the last and every one in between bashed my head in with the force of twenty freight trains. This 2003 release offers a new lineup with the departure of Samgar on bass/vocals and the addition of Max Kouzentsov on vocals and John Zenecky on bass. The new lineup proves to be very different than the last, but very wicked just the same. Max mixes things up from deep gutteral growls to nasty mid range screaming that makes me wonder what his throat looks like at the end of a set. The new bass player keeps things bottom heavy and pounding, and after meeting him at the show - he's metal through and through.

I really liked every track on here and the production was top notch. The guitar duo of Luke Celente and Danny Wahlberg is unreal as they scorch the frets like true metal warriors while drummer Alex Ghersini defies the laws of physics with his bashing. Seeing this band live, the listener can't help but marvel at how fast Alex moves behind the kit with ease.

Antipathy has a great attitude and are cool as fuck. I really hope this band gets a well deserved break and can provide the sickness to metal heads all over the globe.

Here's a 7-song cd from Missouri's Apnea for the fan of heavy ass metal played by musicians that throw down. These guys shred and leave no posers left standing when the amps are turned off. The production on the cd is strong and the packaging is simple but professional looking all the way. The songwriting is strong with well chosen harmonies tossed in at the right time, while keeping it heavier than hell itself with some brutal riffing.

The musicianship on the cd is kick ass and the vocals performance stood out as something more than the cookie monster vocals that seems to permeate heavier stuff. Blast beats galore, double bass poundings, and screaming guitar work coupled with bottom rattling grooves from the bass player round out Apnea's sound nicely. These guys bring it to the table in a huge way. It's killer to hear metal bands who can still do guitar solos the right way. I really liked the third track "Sinkhole" the best, as it seemed to really showcase the talent of the band. Each one of the tracks is strong and the cd is well worth the investment. As for influences I noticed - it's tough to say because they are very original in my opinion. I can't even name one band that this reminds me of and that's a good thing.

If Apnea’s latest release of Tainted Purity should be your first foray into their utterly unforgiving world, you are in for a real treat. This album is a prime example of just how much they are capable of and it shows why they are one of Missouri ’s top metal bands. With this album Apnea’s sound has never been more solidified. Tainted Purity shows much more thought in the songwriting and is heavier and harder with life-draining riffs of an unimaginable depth. The real signature within their style lies just beneath all of the heaviness. There is an underlying melody that is ever-present and watching. It steps forward from time to time to assert its control and once its aims are met, it returns to the background to lie in wait. The recording as a whole is more “in your face” than Apnea’s last albums which were given more of that “spooky cavern” feel, but this change of delivery is aggressive and works very well. The vocals, which have always been a strong side to Apnea’s music, have a bit more variation and experimentation in sounds, voices, and effects. For all of you pre-existing Apnea fans, there is even a remake of the song “God Complex” that was last seen on their Infinite Decay album. So whether you’ve enjoyed Apnea’s music for some time now, or you have yet to experience this new level of heavy and onerous metal, you should do all you can to obtain this new album and catch these guys at a show. Check them out at www.geocities.com/thebandapnea right away.

These guys turned up the "heavy" button this latest release, Tainted Purity, and are kicking poser ass big time. I was very impressed with the production on this CD, as Missouri's Apnea shows off their metal prowess with a killer 8-song offering. It features some simple, but cool artwork and homemade insert. This doesn't take away from another killer recording coming from Greg Ponder and his now infamous Funeral Home Recording Studio in Missouri.

Steve Allington is assigned to guitar and vocal duties and he does a great job at both. The guitar tone on this CD is nice and meaty, while his leads can tear the paint from your walls with ease. Steve also has a kick ass mid-range vocal style, with enough rasp to keep it metal all the way. When he wants to, he can put some cool melody into his vocals, without compromising the band's overall heaviness. I also dug the bass lines from Robbie Valentine, as he keeps roaming the bottom side of things with an unholy bass tone. The drumming from Jake Norman is thundering and ever-present. He's got a great drum sound and it pulls the band together nicely, while showing off his skills behind the kit.

I liked the whole CD, but I would say Smoldering was my favorite track for it's versatile changes and hard pounding grooves. This band deserves a serious listen. Check them out online at www.geocities.com/thebandapnea if you want to hear some of the most blistering metal in the underground.

This is one band that I had heard about . . . but never actually listened to until I got this promo kit from Nuclear Blast Records. I must say that I was totally floored when I put it into my CD player - because it knocked me on my ass from the opening title track "We Are the Nightmare". One word that came to mind right away, was WOW. The production of this CD is incredible, produced by Zeuss who's credits include Agnostic Front, Hatebreed, and Municipal Waste. It was done at Planet Z Studios in Massachusetts and mastered by Alan Douches who has done killer work with Kataklysm, Shadows Fall and more. The artwork is really sick - nice and evil looking . . . done by Mark Riddick. Apparently Riddick has done all their CD covers and from the looks of this one - I can see why. He's got an interesting flair for the sick and twisted. Overall - the packaging and polish is all there with Arsis' new release "We Are the Nightmare".

I don't even know where to start with the stunning musicianship here. The founder member, James Malone plays guitar and handles lead vocal duties with ease. His guitar playing is simply incredible and it twists and turns the listener around until they're wound up in a web of the most blistering, yet technical metal I've heard in a very long time. James teams up with Ryan Knight on guitars and the two of them put on a guitar clinic with some of the tastiest solos, sick ass harmonies, and some intense riffage. I'm completely blown away at the guitar playing on every track. The guitar leads are awesome in every song, but I think "Servants of the Night" offers some of their best work. There are no weak tracks on this 9-song offering. The bass playing by Noah Martin is just as incredible, as he throws down and holds his own playing alongside such a cacophony of brutality. The drumming by Darren Cesca is a mind-blower if you try and imagine that only one person is playing that drum kit. He does some of the most wicked rolls that go on for days, while laying down blast beats that would knock your Mom and Grandma into the dirt. Everything he does behind that drum set is just awesome. The vocals by James Malone are great too, I like his style of keeping it more of a mid range rasp most of the time, and then when you least expect it - a deep death metal growl. He mixes things up just right in my opinion and I think it's a perfect compliment to the intricate music going on.

Calling this band death metal is really selling them short. I think Arsis is in a class all by themselves with this release. It's a stunning piece of musicianship and song writing, while still keeping things oh-so-brutal with bludgeoning riffs around every corner. I don't think I could name a favorite track here, but if I had to I would say "We Are the Nightmare" or "Servants of the Night". But I think the whole thing slays and is more than worth the price of admission. This CD comes out April 15, 2008 and you need it . . . you must have it.

Catch this band on tour with Shadows Fall in April 2008 also . . . I'm sure they're incredible to watch. I like this band so much, I went on ebay and bought a copy of their last release on another label. I can't wait to check it out.

I'm sold - Arisis fucking rules and all false metal bands should die a slow, painful death!

These guys have been Heavycore members for a long time and have always tore it up in the most wicked of ways! They sent me their latest creation "Mailbox Full of Mousetraps" and I was intrigued by the title for a band that bludgeons the way Backhoe Butchery does. When I first put it in and heard them throwing down, it reminded me of some old school hardcore like Black Flag mixed with the NYC hardcore metal bands like SOD or early Anthrax. At times I even hear glimpses of old Venom intertwined. They've got an interesting mix going on, because as the CD moves through the tracks, you begin to hear even more influences like Sepultura, Pantera, and more riff-intensive styles. The production is strong and done by Greg Ponder and the renown Midwest studio The Funeral Home.

Backhoe Butchery are a 3-piece that sounds like an army of the undead. Willie is on guitar and vocal duties and does a good job leading the charge. He's got a real hardcore edge to his voice, which explains why I'm hearing old NYC hardcore stuff here. The bass player is a chick - Ann, and she throws down with the rest of them and proves she's more than capable of holding the bottom end in check. She also does some wild screaming in the song "Paranoid . . . No Really Paranoid" and does backups in some of the others as well. New addition to the band, Eric, is the new drummer and he chugs along with a hard-hitting hardcore style of playing. The whole band kicks ass and makes it sound like they recorded it back in the day with a lot of energy and rage.

I liked the whole CD but I would say "Tear Your Head Off" and "I Saw Your Cross" were my personal favorites. Definitely check out "Mailbox Full Of Mousetraps" - find out how to get your own copy at www.myspace.com/backhoebutchery

I may not totally get some of the European black metal stuff, but what I do know is that Austria's Belphegor is truly an evil entity that is bent on taking over the planet. These guys have been hammering out the music of Satan since 1995 with their debut "The Last Supper" . . . and now they continue their blackened trend with "Pestapokalpse VI". The production is really strong and the cover art is vivid and disturbing at the same time. It compliments their sound perfectly - complete with plenty of flames to burn your poser soul. Nuclear Blast sent along a sheet of paper with the CD that really sums this band up well - "Leather, bullet belts, blood, skulls, spikes, daggers, inverted crosses, goat heads, pentagrams, hyperblasts, death, black, metal, art. You in?"

Helmuth provides the lead vocals that are possessed by Lucifer himself. He is also credited with guitars as well as chainsaws. Sigurd is the second half of this demonic duo and providing some brutal guitar work that nearly melted my speakers. They employ session bass player Robin Eaglestone and drummer Nefastus who throw down along with them to create some really dark and evil music. These songs must be what a person hears on their descent into HELL . . . complete with flames crackling in the background on the song "Angel of Retribution". This is NOT to be confused with the Judas Priest song of the same name.

Definitely check out this black metal madness if that's your thing. Make sure you also bring some animal blood, black candles, and some wiling chick who doesn't mind being sacrificed before the night is over. This CD drops 10-31-06 here in the US - so take this one to the kid's Halloween party at school.

Here's a Heavycore band from Chicago that knows what heavy is all about. Bite the Hand put out this 3-song live recording. The production is very good and while the packaging is very simple - it showcases the talent of this band.

These guys mix it up well musically - showing off the talent that they possess. I first got a taste of Bite the Hand from the "Roasting Posers Volume I" DVD and I can hear improvements all the way around with this new demo. The guitar player has a nice tone and does some very cool things, while the bass playing and drumming thunder 24/7 with a very bottom heavy groove. Vocally, these guys are strong, as the singer shows his various styles from screaming all out to a cool mid-range growl.

Check these guys out online at www.BiteTheHand.com for more information and how to get slapped around like a bitch.

This band really stands out as one of the premiere bands playing old school metal like it was done back in the 1980's. Germany's Blind Guardian has a new 11-song metal feast for the masses on Nuclear Blast that was released in September 2006. The production is among the best of today with incredible clarity that you don't hear every day. I could hear each and every instrument with bludgeoning precision! The CD artwork is also impressive with a fire breathing dragon letting loose his fury. I was completely blown away by this entire package. Nuclear Blast continues to set themselves apart with the most professional releases around.

Even though this was a promotional CD that a voice chime in once or twice each song saying "you are listening to Blind Guardian - A Twist in the Myth" . . . it didn't take away from the experience. The lead vocal performance from Hansi Kursch was really over the top with some of the best vocal harmonies I've had the privilege to hear. When it comes to originality - Hansi is head and shoulders above most. The guitar combination of Andre Olbrich and Marcus Siepen is just as incredible as I've heard them. Andre lays down some mind-blowing guitar solos to make all those nu-metal pukes want to go pawn their shit right away. He really knows how to put the tastiest melodies amongst the chaos. Oliver Harzworth somehow keeps up with these two axemasters and keeps the bottom end nice and thick, while drummer Frederick Ehmke shows he can command a drum set to do some amazing things. His drum sound was the standout for me on this CD - it really thunders nicely.

This is epic metal in the finest order. This is music that warriors in Medieval times would have been listening to while wielding swords and spilling the blood of their enemy on the battlefield. This music is majestic for lack of another word. One comment made by another reviewer is appropriate - "you'll believe a band can fly".

I do like my music a little heavier than these guys, but I cannot help but be amazed at how they expertly write music and have some of the best talent around. This new "A Twist in the Myth" is a definite must for any fans of classic old school metal with the most incredible modern recording techniques. Check them out for sure at www.Blind-Guardian.com

Here's a legendary old school metal band from Germany who refuses to listen to what anyone today says about metal and does things their own way. Blind Guardian really puts out some classic metal with the "Fly" single, complete with two bonus tracks that will not appear on their upcoming full length. Their cover of "In a Gadda Da Vida" to close out the CD is really cool. This Nuclear Blast band are true to the cause once again with some of the most impressive production I've heard in a while. The artwork that came with it is also incredible and metal all the way!

The guitar duo of rhythm guitarist Marcus Siepen and lead scorcher Andre Olbrich is simply jaw-dropping. They do it all from nice chunky riffs, to fret-smoking leads, and even some killer acoustic stuff in "Skalds and Shadows". They use their guitars like weapons and know exactly how to work it to maximize the listening experience. The bass player is a guest musician, Oliver Halzworth, and he also shows his wares with the rest of the band. I would have liked to hear him a little more, but there's so much going on that it's not hard to get lost. Drummer Fredrick Ehmke also plays a flute among other percussion and it's intense to just listen to him. The vocals of Hansi Kursch are all over the place and very impressive. He's got a little bit of a Jethro Tull sound to him at times, but then he darts to somewhere else and leaves the listener wondering what will smack them next.

Their next full length, coming on Nuclear Blast, will be "A Twist to the Myth" and it's slated to see the light of day Fall 2006. So brace yourselves for one hell of a listening experience. If you like your metal old school with great modern production - with plenty of twists and turns so that you'll need to bring popcorn to drop behind you so you can find your way back.

"In a world full of compromise - some don't" phrase found in their liner notes really sums up the creed of this metal band. Bolt Thrower from England has been playing some of the most killer metal since the mid 1980's and has overcome lots of adversity along the way. This time they find vocalist Karl Willetts into the fray with one of the most bludgeoning performances I've heard on a CD in a long time.

The production of "Those Once Loyal" is incredible and the artwork is great - and very different than anything they've ever done before. I really liked the inside booklet with all the lyrics and liner notes "chiseled" out of stone which really fits nicely to the hard and brutal sound of Bolt Thrower. The musicianship is great as always, with the guitar duo of Barry Thompson and Ward Gavin. These guys create one hell of a mood with some of the tastiest harmonies I've heard and a guitar tone that sent shivers up my spine. Bass player Jo Bench has an incredible tone on this CD with plenty of bottom end with an evil distorted signal that brings up the rear in fine form. Martin Kearns throws down on drums like always, with an onslaught of double bass fury and thunder on command.

I love this entire CD - but my favorite tracks were "Kill Chain" and "Granite Wall". Every one of the songs deserves a serious listen. It's classic Bolt Thrower, as this band continues to improve what's made them great all these years. It's a must for any fan, and if you're not a fan, strap on a weapon and report for duty right now!

This Metal Blade band continues to forge on . . . despite adversity. Go check them out online at www.boltthrower.com

Here are some foul-mouthed Australian metal freaks that spew forth their brand of porn metal for the masses with their full length "Burger Grill". The production on the cd is excellent, and the packaging is outstanding with some really kick ass perverted artwork. They also included a promotional cdr with a biography, photos, and more. Bowel Mouth has their shit together and knows how to present the entire package in all it's disturbing glory.

The first track, "Fuck Truck", starts out like a sledgehammer to the sack with some bludgeoning rhythms and aggressive vocals. Some of the song titles are fucking hilarious, such as "Turkey Slappin'", "Mexican Facewash", and "Dutch Oven". I hear many influences when I scanned the cd listening to various tracks, but the one that really stood out was Blooduster. They mix it up nicely like Blooduster does, and toss in the funny audio between songs that is the Blooduster trademark. Ironically, both are from Australia. I also hear some US hardcore sounds as well as even glimpses of grindcore at times. To make it even better, they've got a female bass player that totally throws down and is also hot as hell. How much cooler can you get? This 3-piece band definitely brings it to the table and then some.

With 17 songs to satisfy your metal palette, and plenty of porn to make even the seasoned sick fuck blush for a moment, Bowel Mouth tears it up. Definitely worth checking out - go visit them online at www.bowelmouth.com and find out how to get your filthy dick beaters on this killer cd.

There's no doubt about it. The Revolution is well underway, the "Red Hair Revolution." Though this revolution may not be televised, you should not hesitate to grab the sounds that accompany it and get a copy of Bowlscraper's 2004 release. Right from the start, there's a fresh intensity to this album that grabs you tightly around the neck. Bowlscraper's sound has all the might of metal but there's another outstanding quality to it, this cd has all the great assets of really kick ass, low-down and dirty rock and roll.

The up-beat guitar solos and the unique style of the vocalist bring much of this in. But when the time to rock has passed and the time to get heavy arrives, he follows step for step with the other musicians and goes into a white knuckle, roaring frenzy. Their hardcore methods will have all your muscles flexing as the concentration of the album increases. And the strength definitely does increase as the album progresses. There's no slowing down here. Their rhythms flip back and forth from a meticulous and steady pounding to a rapid bashing as the guitars, bass and drums kick into high gear and hit you from all sides. The double bass blazes away and the guitars strike with mechanical precision. This is a proper example of a head-banging, fist swinging album and with lyrics like, "The things in life I most enjoy are WOMEN, WEED, and BOOZE!!!" You can't go wrong with that! Every instrument comes through with it's own voice and implausible clarity.

I also implore you to listen to this album the way that I'm sure Bowlscraper themselves would encourage you to listen to it, HIGH AS HELL. Light one up and check Bolwscraper out at www.bowlscraper.net.

Someone forgot to tell the guys in Cavalar that the 70's were over and metal had gone into many new places since then! Here's a band from London England who sounds like they've been locked in a dingy practice room since the 1970's and have recently come up for air. The production on their new CD "As A Metal of Fact" is very good with simple, but professional artwork . . . complete with lyrics and a pic of the band. Don't get me wrong - this band has a modern edge to their sound, but you can tell that their roots are deep and strong in the earliest forms of metal like Black Sabbath, Uriah Heep, Deep Purple, and so on.

This 13-song offering features some nice guitar work from Tadeu Dias who has a nice tone and throws in some wicked solos on command. The rhythm section of bass player Marcus Ardanuy and drummer Amaldo Rogano are solid as the wood background on their CD cover and keep Cavalar thundering along. I dug the bass sound, but would have liked to hear him a little more in the mix. The vocals from Twitch are at times, spot on Ozzy from back in the day with Black Sabbath, but then he ventures off into other styles and keeps the listener wondering what's next. He's got great control over the microphone and is a throwback frontman for sure.

As mentioned, these guys have a definite Black Sabbath groove going on at times, but they do change things up and I thought the CD kicked ass. Of course they do a version of Sabbath's "Hole in the Sky" to close out the CD and as predicted - Twitch nails the Ozzy vocal lines with ease. Musically they mix it up nice and add their own flare to the song. I thought it was well-done and I'm a big Sabbath freak. I liked the whole CD, but I would say "Rush" or "God Damned Rebel" were the stand out tracks. The band even sent in a video for the first track on the CD "Rush" and it was very well done! It features the band playing live as well as on the streets of London - showing the dark side of human addiction. It appears the bass player is different on the video as compared to the pic on the CD - but he might have cut his hair. I can't tell. The video does a great job to show you the band seems fun live and has insight into the current state of humanity.

So if you dig your metal old school all the way and in a room filled with some dank 1970's pot smoke . . . . check them out online at www.cavalarrock.com

Cavitation is slamming it from the blue collar grittiness that is Burlington Iowa and proving that they've been doing their metal homework. The bio they sent in with the cd sites influences like Testament, Slayer, and Pantera and I must say I'm impressed. Their 6-song demo release "Laughing at the Ruin" has very good production and homemade packaging - which shows these guys have the resolve to promote themselves in the most professional way they can.

I really dug the tunes - nice and heavy at all times and showcasing the talent of the individual musicians. Frank Perez and John Hager share guitar duties and really add some tasty licks and harmonies into the heavy mix of riffing, grooves, and mind-punishing mosh pit rants. I really dug the vocals of Chaz Hinds who provides a good mid range gutteral throat attack while keeping things interesting with the occasional death metal growl done at the right times. Drummer Tim Wardlow and bass player Chad Robbins keep the low end thick like it should be and really tear it the fuck up.

The song writing is strong and I like the way they toss in a few samples between the tracks. Their sound is original, but shows glimpses of Pantera, Sepultura, and a variety of old school metal influences.

Canada spews forth yet another band that brings some serious blast beat pain with Cessate and their latest CD "Shattered Hopes". The production is good and gives the band a nice hard punch to the gut and follows up with a steel-toed boot to the chin. The cover art for the CD is cool and features some futuristic monster tearing shit up, which is exactly what this band does with amazing precision. Inside the booklet they've got the usual stuff like lyrics, liner notes, and band pics. It's very professionally done and is a good way to present the band to the metal masses.

I hear a variety of influences when I had this CD cranked up on my home stereo. I hear hints of Kataklysm - another killer Canadian band, but they've got plenty of heavy riffing to remind me of old Kreator or even some Testament. At times they dug down deep and brought the fires of HELL along for the ride with some Bathory-esque parts. Drummer Cheech really shines on this CD with blast beats of fury mixed in with some brutal grinding and lots of nice cymbal work. The bass player is named Pete - so they get extra points for that, and he handles the bass with a command of the frets and that meaty bottom end that is staple on any real metal CD. Justin shreds it up on the guitars and has a great crunching rhythm tone and his guitar solos jump out of the speakers and demand attention. I really liked some of the cool harmony stuff he did in "Belial Adytum" - but he tears it up on each track. Lead vocals from Harley are heavier than hell and bring plenty of nastiness to the table. He's got a cool style that doesn't fit neatly into a box and definitely varies it up from the usual death metal growling style.

This 10-song offering is well worth picking up for your death/thrash/black metal collection. These guys have one hell of a blend going on that kept me guessing what the hell they were going to do next. Just when I thought it was "safe" - they beat my ass with a rusty pipe into submission.

This cd came in through the mail from a new Heavycore band from Pennsylvania called Circle of Fear. Their Pain Scars Healing cd was simply packaged but the production was fucking slamming. I really dug it - right out of the box with a cool intro that busted out into an old school mosh pit influenced song.

These guys share a variety of influences, some of which I can pick out pretty easily - like Death, Cannibal Corpse, Sepultura, and possibly even a little old Pantera tossed in for good measure. The guitar sound is nice and heavy at all times - and there were a few tasty solos mixed in well. The bass playing and drumming were solid and provided the necessary foundation for this metal band that didn't forget its roots. The vocals were strong and complimented the band well.

From the bio they sent in, they've shared the stage with the likes of Cannibal Corpse, Pissing Razors, Dying Fetus and more. I'm sure they slam it live and if you can stick it out in the pit, I'd say go check out a Circle of Fear show.

Listening to this 2-song demo, I had to check my calendar to see if it was really 2005, as well as bust out the hookah for a round in tribute to these crazed fuckers from way down south. Hailing from Mississippi, Colossus has put together a doom fest for the mellower metal fan of metal days gone by. These guys bring it to life on this kick ass demo CD.

The production is decent and the "Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas" sound bites really add to the laid back feel of their music. I can hear some real old school, THC-induced influences like Black Sabbath (a la Master of Reality or Sabotage era) with hints of Motorhead and even some Corrosion of Conformity. Both tracks are very heavy and grind to a full bag of slow riffs and monstrous screams.

Here's a band that goes for the throat from the word go, and doesn't let go while they twist and turn that knife in your gut! A big fuck yeah to the NYC band Combat for their latest CD release "Ruination". The production kicks ass all over the place and nearly knocked me off my chair while doing this review. I also dug the artwork and entire packaging on their That's Heavy Records release.

This CD is jam packed with nine songs that have a serious hardcore edge to them. I hear a variety of influences when I listen to this 3-piece with a serious attitude problem. I'm hearing lots of NYC influences like Agnostic Front, SOD/MOD, and Pro-Pain. But then I hear glimpses of old Slayer from the Show No Mercy days of yore with even a dash or two of the Bay Area thrash movement pioneers Exodus. Jeff Rossbach lays down some nice chucky guitar work and screaming leads that sets him apart from most hardcore bands. Bob Eubank handles bass duties and lead vocals - and he does it with some serious fucking authority. I liked his bottom pounding tone on bass and his vocals are rough and gritty, but very audible and make the listener want to raise their glass and scream along with him. Rex "Deadfoot" Rossbach blasts away behind his kit, delivering the metal goods with plenty of kicks and ear-piercing snare blasts. He's got a good drum sound and I liked his style . . . he mixed things up when they needed it.

I really thought the whole CD kicked total ass but "Destructure" was probably my favorite. The title track "Ruination" was also very killer and opens up with some wicked double kicks and searing guitar action - so it's sure to start a mosh pit on cue. Pick up this CD if you dig your metal hardcore with serious metal attitude. Check out their website at www.deadfoot.com

Here's another European band that can flat out play their metal with class and know what their metal roots are all about. Communic are from Finland and they have a new CD called "Waves of Visual Decay" that features some really incredible production. Originally CommunicHate, they shortened the name up and have produced one hell of a CD for the ages. It seems all the Nuclear Blast bands have been putting out some of the best quality releases of the labels I've heard. The CD also features some really wicked artwork from Anthony Clarkson that I cannot do any justice trying to explain it. It fits the listening experience with stunning visual presentation. He's done artwork for Hypocrisy and Exodus among others.

All of the musicians are devastatingly good on this CD. Lead vocals and guitar duty are covered by Oddleif Stensland with a command that forces you to listen to him. He's got an incredible voice that goes from Geoff Tate to Ray Alder and Rob Halford at times. He's awesome and has a range like few others. His guitar playing is also fantastic, the entire time adding texture to each song. Erik Mortensen is also more than capable on bass and keeps the thunder rolling along with drummer Tor Atle Andersen. These two are locked in like few other rhythm sections and keep Communic rumbling along with no breath in between. Their song writing is exceptional and it reminds me in a way to Fates Warning, but much heavier with some mosh pit inducing riffs mixed in at the right time.

This 7-song CD is one of the most adventurous offerings I've heard in a long time. These guys can do it all. With lots of emotion and drama in "Frozen Asleep in the Park" and into a thick riffing bonanza with "My Bleeding Victim" . . . keeping lots of melody and harmony the whole way. They've got a great knack for writing hooks in the music without sacrificing their heaviness. The last song "At Dewy Pride" was simply an amazing way to close this CD out. I was spent by the time it was all over!

Definitely check out this new CD coming May 19, 2006 to a store near you. It's a feast for the true metal fan who loves melody mixed in with savage heaviness and skill. Check them out online for more information at www.communic.org

When Conquest sent in their $10 for Heavycore membership, they included a promotional DVD for promotional purposes only. The packaging was simple and obviously done at home, but the content was excellent. It was done in a casual interview format with their singer/guitarist and showed various clips of them playing live over this past summer. From what I heard of their music, Conquest is true metal all the way. Their music is based in old school, but offers much of the exciting double kick drums and brutal riffing that any metal head would dig.

I thought the DVD was well done and offers an insight into what makes Conquest what they are. This is a balls-out metal band from the word go and if you dig it heavy, thrashy, in your face, and wicked - then you need to check them out.

The guys in Crowning Apathy gave me their 12-song cd, Shades of Gray, at a show in Cincinnati recently. I really dug their live performance, which was full of energy and great crowd reactions. The cd does a good job at capturing the fury that is Crowning Apathy. The production is good and the packaging simple in true old school fashion.

The sound of this band is tough for me to categorize, which is a good thing. Driving guitars, tuned down and brutal at all times - combined with excellent bass playing and drumming comprise the music of this hard hitting Cincy area band. The vocals are very good, and I liked the way they mix it up. The growling vocals/clean vocals has been done a bit too much in lots of other bands - but these fuckers do it right and it adds a killer dimension to the sound.

If you dig your metal nice and heavy with some sick grooves tossed in for good measure, then check out Crowning Apathy for one hell of an ass kicking Heavycore style.

This Canadian band proves that you can not fit neatly into a box and still create one hell of a growing fan base. Cryptopsy's latest CD on Century Media is "Once Was Not" and it's a non-stop trip to metal mayhem with one of the most diverse metal CD's I've ever heard before. The production is killer and it was recorded at Studio Vortex in Canada. Much to the adoration of their rabid fans, "Once Was Not" brings with it the much anticipated return of vocalist Lord Worm to the fray.

Cryptopsy continues to baffle listeners with some incredible musicianship with wicked guitar chops from Alex Ashburn - who goes into some acoustic stuff and jazz influenced rhythms at times. Bass player Eric Langlois somehow keeps up with the guitar player but ventures off the path with all kinds of cool bass grooves to coincide with the incredible talents of drummer Flo Mounier. Flo can blast beat with the best of them but keeps things moving and interesting with lots of cool cymbal work and interesting beats. Of course Lord Worm is nothing short of over the top with plenty of throat-shredding screams to last me a lifetime!

This 7th CD from Cryptopsy shows that they stick to their roots and don't give in to what anyone else is doing. I liked the whole CD, but would have to say that I dug "The Frantic Pace of the Dying" and "Carrionsine" the best. Don't forget about some cool cover art too, which features an interesting futuristic burning city with a flag being stuck into the ground. It's very fitting - as I can imagine Cryptopsy as being the soundtrack to Armageddon.

Check these maniacs out online at www.cryptopsy.net and pick up the new "Once Was Not" CD if you want something daring to be different and worthy enough for any real metal freak's collection.

It's not often that I get a chance to review a band that was so influential on the metal scene as Death Angel. Back in the day, they had the one and only Cliff Burton cheering them on at bar shows! These Bay Area thrash gods are at it again, but this time utilizing the skills of producer Nick Raskulinecz of Rush, Velvet Revolver, and Shadows Fall fame. Their latest CD is on Nuclear Blast - Killing Season. It sounds amazing to say the least, with some killer production, coupled with some wicked cover art. Their new 11-song CD shows that Death Angel has not lost their knack for great song writing filled with plenty of hooks . . . delivering the metal goods in a big way!

The guitar duo of Ted Aguilar and Rob Cavestany is nothing short of epic on this CD. They show off their wares with a "very metal" acoustic intro with the first track "Lord of Hate" and "Dethroned", but know when to bust it out and blister into a 80's era riff attack with songs like "Sonic Beatdown", "Buried Alive", "When Worlds Collide" and more. I love their guitar tone - mixed together is sounds like a true wall of metal as they slice, dice, and rip anyone preaching false metal to shreds. Of course when it comes to true metal guitar soloing, these guys know how to do it right and scorch frets with the best of them. I really liked the solos in all songs, but "Soulless" was probably my favorite. Bass player Dennis Pepa has a nice bottom grinding tone, and keeps the foundation strong and true to accompany two shredding guitarists. Drummer Andy Galeon, who was in a bad bus accident in 1990, causing the band to be sidetracked for a number of years . . . shows he's back with a vengeance. He has a great drum sound on this CD and I dig the way he uses his kit to keep the songs moving and twisting into true Death Angel form. In my opinion, the focal point of Death Angel has always been vocalist Mark Osegueda. He's got a tremendous voice that has only aged like fine wine over these 20 plus years! I loved his vocals on the recent Nuclear Blast All Star CD that came out in 2007, and on this new Death Angel CD he shines in a big way. Mark uses melody in a way that keeps the listener pounding his fist in the air, while not compromising the heaviness that metal freaks love.

I think every one of these 11 tracks kicks total ass. As for picking a couple of stand out tracks, I would have to say "Soulless", "When Worlds Collide", and the title track "Killing Season". This CD is a must for anyone who's into guitar dominating metal with great mid range vocals with grit . . . you won't be let down. Pick up a copy of this great Nuclear Blast release!

I got knocked down to the floor with the Deflagration cd "The Pain You Can't Forget". What a brutal mix of old school metal, and hardcore nasty enough to abort a fetus before the first track gets done. These guys come at you with both barrels white hot with a blend of styles and great production to make this 10-track cd a must have.

I hear lots of influences when I listen to Deflagration, but Pro-Pain and Hatebreed come to mind first. They strike hard and fast with a blistering guitar crunch, nice drum sounds, and relentless bottom pounding bass. The vocals have a heavy hardcore influence, and keep it gritty and mid range where you can still understand the lyrics. The guitar players toss in some well-placed solos to give it the old school feel. Horns up all the way!

This four piece hails from Ohio, but you would swear they were hanging out in the NYC clubs with their obvious east coast influences raging loud and clear! The liner notes of the cd come with lyrics and pics of the band and look very professional. Their tour manager included a very slick packet complete with bio, photo, and stickers. I dug the whole thing while I listened to the cd.

Without a doubt you'll want to check this out if you dig it heavy as fuck and brutal 24-7. You can visit them online at www.deflagration.net or email them at kevinz@turbosurf.net

Now, THIS is metal! Detriment’s 2003 release of “Surreal” has it all. Metal with all the right influences. Heavy as hell with crushing guitars, bashing bass and drums, and all out vocal authority. Not to use these as comparisons to the band itself but you can hear tints of other great bands such as Megadeath, Anthrax, Iced Earth, Brainstorm, and even King Diamond. Even though some of these similar styles are used, Detriment is a force all it’s own. Real thought and originality have gone into these songs, and the ability displayed by every member of the band really brings these thoughts across.

Rob Malvagno’s vocals have a quick delivery with plenty of range and wrought with emotion. A dominating mid-range is his forte, but he also has the capability to belt out highs, hold them out and hold them in tune. Brett Stephani and Dennis Guadio have a guitar style that is tremendous and overwhelming. They have massive amounts of that thick, crunchy tone but still maintaining lots of bite for accents in the right places. The riffs are driving and vary from a fast-paced pummeling to a slow methodic bruising. Their solos really tell just as much of each song’s story as the vocals with each note describing and each bend unfolding more of the tale. The masterful bass playing by Kevin Cassidy rumbles right along with the guitars or at times carries a melody all his own. Great velocity and precision is his to command. The drum style of John Deposito is exactly what is needed to push Detriment’s sound through the wall and right at you. He knows when to get flashy and more importantly, he knows when to keep it straight and simple for the good of the song. This is refreshing in a metal world that is often moving to the blast beat. John does more than just “keep the beat.” He has the capacity to shape his drum parts into “riffs” the same as any guitarist to truly make the songs whole.

Dew-Scented from Germany turn loose their 7th CD upon the metal masses with "Incinerate" on Nuclear Blast Records. With a release date of March 30, 2007, Dew-Scented wants the world to know they've got some new shit to sink your teeth into. The production is wicked to say the least - they recorded it in Germany with Jorg Uken, and then later had Andy Sneap mix it. Andy's credits include Exodus, Kreator, and Arch Enemy. The artwork is also great and I'm sure the final packaging from Nuclear Blast will be professional looking.

I thought the guitar playing was wicked and heavy at all times. Hendrick Bache and Flo Mueller handle the axes and really keep the listener on the edge of their seat wondering what brutal riff they'll toss their way. They throw road blocks in the way by tossing in a fret-singing solo when they need to like on "That's Why I Despise You". Alexander Pahl does a great job holding down the fort on bass with some quick picking along the way. I was very impressed with the drum sound and playing from Uwe Werning who flat out tears up those drums to shreds. His fast feet and double bass work is really what shines here in my opinion. Leif Jensen fronts the band on lead vocals and has a good mid range sound with plenty of gravel to satisfy the metal freaks, but a good sense of melody to keep the ship straight on course. These guys really bring the whole package to the table and this CD is a great example of how tight a metal band can be - while severing your head off with the precision of a team of brain surgeons!

I liked the tracks "Vanish Away" and "That's Why I Despise You" the best, but I think the whole CD kicks total metal ass. I would strongly suggest picking up this new CD from Dew-Scented. If you don't, they just might show up at your house and kick your old man's ass! Check 'em out online at www.dew-scented.de

Can someone pass me a fuckin' neckbrace? I just got done listening to the brutal free EP from Diabolic Intent entitled "Forcing Censored Content". The production quality of the songs were excellent and the artwork that was available was also cool as hell with lyrics and a picture of the band. While the EP only had three songs on it, I can tell that this band would be beyond intense to see live.

Their music features lots of interesting changes, keeping the listener guessing what was going to jump out at them at the next turn. At times they throw down in a blast beat fury that sounds like unholy gunfire, but around the next turn comes a slowed down mosh-inducing riff. While I listened to this volley of death metal madness, it forced me up out of my chair and careening off the walls screaming "666 motherfucker". The musicianship is outstanding all the way around and it's obvious this band has done it's metal homework with a variety of influences that are nearly too many to mention. I hear glimpses of good old school death metal like Obituary and Cannibal Corpse, while at other times they rip into some insanely progressive madness ala Strapping Young Lad or even Watchtower.

Hailing from sunny Florida, these guys have paid their dues and have shared the stage with some legends like Cannibal Corpse, Cryptopsy, Immolation, and tons more. If you want to listen to this FREE EP yourself, then get your ass to their website at www.diabolicintent.com and see if you can be spared an untimely death!

Slamming it with bone crunching fury out of Hollywood California, Dia De Los Muertos deserve your attention right now! They're latest CD "Day of the Dead" features only five songs, but they pack one hell of a death metal punch with kick ass production and some killer artwork throughout. They've also got the lyrics, pics, and liner notes to satisfy your metal palette. Most of the lyrics are in Spanish, but they speak the common language of metal that all of us can understand.

These guys are death metal to the bone with lots of old school influences like Obituary, Cannibal Corpse, and Suffocation. What is interesting about this CD, is that each song features a different vocalist. I'm not sure if they ever found one singer or not, but don't let that change your mind on this band. The singers they feature are fucking incredible, especially Loana dP Valencia who throws down on the opening track "We Rise/We Kill". She's unbelievable! Some of you may know Loana from her vocal prowess with LA's Dreams of Damnation. Drummer Alfonso Pinzon and bass player Vincent Price team up on vocals for the title song "Day of the Dead", and the others are performed by Maldito X, Andres Giminez, and Alex Okendo. Each on of them adds their own flare to the songs - but keep a common thread of death throughout. Andres Jaramillo kills with his guitar on these five songs - with a savage meaty tone and screaming leads . . . he's old school all the way.

Check them out online at www.cinismorecords.com and prepare to have flesh ripped from your bones as soon as the music begins! These guys fucking rule. I can't wait to hear more from them in the future.

Tearing it up from Canada, Divinity proves they can throw down with the best of them with their first full length CD "Allegory" on Nuclear Blast Records. I was really impressed with the sweet production on this CD, but then when I saw that Tue Madsen (The Haunted, Aborted, Dark Tranquility) did the mixing and mastering, I was not surprised. He's got one hell of an evil touch on metal production! I also liked the strange cover art by Mattias Norten, and it's sure to turn some heads in the music stores. Like with all Nuclear Blast releases, this one really shows why they are first rate when it comes to how to put out a metal release.

The guitar work from James Duncan and Sacha Laskow is really insane. These guys throw it down and tear those frets to shreds with some of the most intense riffs and into incredible solos. These guys show their roots are strong in the metal that has come before, but are taking it to a new level. I really dug their guitar tones as well - it gave the CD the balls it needed. I liked their work in the track "Power Control" probably the best, but they all rip. Nick Foster assumes bass playing duties, and does a great job keeping up with that wicked guitar duo. I would have liked to hear him a bit more in the mix, but with all that's going on - it's tough to sometimes bring the bass up without making things a bit muddy. Brett Duncan does a great job on drums - throwing in a variety of beats to keep me wondering what he was going to do next. I did like that he didn't blast beat the CD to death - which it seems is the trend these days with heavy music.

The vocals of Sean Jenkins are versatile as he mixes in deathly growls, with mid range rasp as well as a bit of the melodic stuff. I must admit, I'm not a fan of that melodic vocal because so many bands are doing it now. I think it shows off his vocal skill, but it seems a bit predictable when he uses it. I would rather hear him not do that, or at least not as much. I will say the guy has lungs of leather with serious power behind it. He has a couple other singers come in and do guest spots.

I think this 10-song offering from Divinity is bad ass to say the least. Fans of Soilwork and Strapping Young Lad will dig it big time. There were some glimpses of later Death in a couple of the songs, which I really liked. The CD came out in March 2008, so pick it up. Check them out online at www.divinity.ca

Lock up all the posers and burn those fuckers to the ground - that's what you'll want to do when you listen to the new Doom Syndicate cd, "Bringing Salvation". Holy shit - my ass got blown back a few feet when I heard the opening track "Black Sleep of Cabbie". This 9-song cd features some incredible production quality with an intense piece of art on the cover as well as a slick inside booklet featuring lyrics, pics, and more. Huge fuck yeahs for these guys mentioning Heavycore in their thanks and even slapping our logo on the inside booklet. They've got 666 thumbs up from us here at the CORE. This is some intense death metal with hints of black metal at times.

The musical talent in this band is unreal. Scott Doom on lead guitar is a monster on the frets and stomps ass at all times. He lays down some of the best solos I've heard in a very long time, and together with rhythm/lead guitar player Rob Milani - they bring the pain all day long with a sick ass crunch. Bass player Chip, also shows off his talents with some intense work and also provides some growling back up on vocals. There were a few times I thought he could have come up in the mix - but I'm a bass player (ha). The drummer, Dan Brooks, is fucking unbelievable. We recently saw them at a Heavycore show and he was absolutely insane behind the kit - some serious double bass action. I also love the vocal style of Jr. Martin as he belts out some of the sickest growls, mixed in with some insane higher stuff that really blew my ass away watching him live. These guys are the real deal - each one of them flat out shreds. My favorite track on the cd is "Fearless in the Face of Death" - but each one of them kicked my ass bloody.

Not only is Doom Syndicate an incredible band, but they are cool mother fuckers and are all about supporting Heavycore. We're proud of them here, as they embark on a tour with Macabre and Cataclysm. I'm sure they'll do us proud and represent the Core, as well as their label - Rotting Corpse Records.

Check out Rotting Corpse Records online for more information about these guys and their other metal acts at www.rottingcorpserecords.com

Can I get a fuck yeah with this thrash metal attack from the urban decay of Los Angeles California? Dreams of Damnation comes out swinging with their first full length CD "Epic Tales of Vengeance". I heard them on myspace recently, but I wasn't prepared for the extreme beating I was about to get when I tossed this into my truck's CD player. Those infinity speakers were begging for mercy, but I cranked it up higher and made my neighbors lock the doors tight while I head banged in the driveway. These guys kicked my ass!

The production is outstanding - with plenty of meat for fans of the heavier side of things. It sounds like they took a time capsule back to the late 1980's when thrash metal reigned supreme. They've got none other than Dark Angel axemaster, Jim Durkin, playing with them and laying down some insane riffing with enough triplets to make a poser soil themselves. Jim's sound is wicked as hell and he's got plenty of solos to throw out and show that he's old school all the way. But the band goes much deeper and doesn't hang it's collective hats on Jim alone, because they have a second guitar player who holds his own on rhythms - Rick Alsup. Bass player Matt Arner does a great job, and his tone is good. I would have liked to hear him just a shade more in the mix, but then maybe that's the bass player in me. Miguel A. Moran throws the fuck down on the drums and his double bass fury kept me banging the night away. He does some killer cymbal work in various places - which I really enjoy to hear from a drummer. The vocals by Loana dP Valencia are simply nasty as hell. She's got one of the most evil voices I've ever heard on a female in my life. Most metal heads have warmed up with females singing metal on the heels of Holy Moses and Arch Enemy - to name a couple. But Loana shows she's got her own style that is going to demand some attention. I dig it big time and I'm not a huge fan of females singing metal. She's killer and shows she's got what it takes to hold her ground. If you weren't told there was a female singing - you may not have even realized. She's THAT brutal.

This 7-song CD is well worth checking out if you dig your metal heavy as hell with plenty of skills to go around the dinner table a few times. I liked "The Bloodletting" the best, but the entire thing is worthy in your CD player. I would love to see them live, as they've shared the stage with some huge acts like Exodus, Destruction, Kreator, Strapping Young Lad, and more. I'm sure they start one hell of a pit and if you even think about fucking with Loana, she'll likely skin you alive, light your twisting corpse on fire, and throw your ass back in the crowd!

Check them out on Say It In Blood Records with a kick ass site www.dreamsofdamnation.com where you can score your own copy of Epic Tales of Vengeance.

Here's a band with some very heavy riffs that know how to grind it out in a slow and morbid fashion. At times they are very thrashy, and at other times they're melodic. Drive Theory is definitely a great representation for the Core!

The whole cd is great and kicked my ass all over the place while I listened. Killer chunk with solid drum beats and nice bass lines that kept the bottom end heavy to the core. These guys kick total ass. Keep up the good work!

Ok Pantera has broken up and the members all started several lack luster side projects that has left the fans with a void for that bluesy hard driven metal style, in steps Drive Theory to continue carrying the torch were Pantera has dropped it.

Drive Theory is f*cking amazing, with an all around musicianship that has easily made them one of the heaviest bands in the Midwest! Hailing from here in Mid-Missouri this band is tight, the singer goes from deep growls to sweet melodies and whispers, with lyrics that will blow your mind like from the song “Metamorphasis” and I quote “let emotions flow, take you to my home were I can get you in position to do what I want”. He just has a knack for putting together lyrics that flow with the band and still reflect the anger and emotion that he’s trying to get across.

Their guitarist is a god in my book showing amazing riffing, bends and fretwork far beyond that found in most area bands. Their bassist lays down solid rhythms and shows of his talent with great melodies to really stand out. Then there’s the drummer backing it up with machinegun double bass work and spectrum spanning tom fills and cymbal accents.

This Demo/Promo CD has four listed tracks that are rerecorded versions of their 12 song CD they released last year, but the surprise is an amazing 5^th hidden track titled “Human Waste Plow” which shows Drive Theory is only getting heavier and heavier.

In my opinion if this band keeps heading in the direction they are with in the next year or less they will start to have labels like MetalBlade and Road Runner knocking their door down to offer them a deal.

Ektomorf - Outcast (review by Pete)

This CD starts out with both barrels opened up and firing fast. When I heard the vocals, it reminded me of the incredibly thick accent of Sodom's Angelripper! Ektomorf are from Hungary, not Germany, but the accent is unmistakable and gives the band a flavor all their own. As with all the Nuclear Blast stuff in recent years, the production of this Ektomorf CD is slamming. This CD was produced by Tue Madsen who has also worked with Mnemic, The Haunted, and others. I also really dug the cover artwork and packaging - also very professional and something to set this release apart from their record store counterparts.

Apparently in ancient Greek civilization, the Ektomorf referred to a tall, slender but edgy and aggressive body type. This really sums up this band, because they've got plenty of aggressive energy with an edge that would cut through concrete block. Lead singer Zoltan Farkas also plays guitar and together with Tomas Schrottner, they bring the pain in the most heavy of ways. I liked some of the harmonic work in the song "I'm Against" that was reminiscent of the "Burn My Eyes" era Machine Head. Bass player Csaba Farkas has one killer tone and keeps it pounding along with drummer Jozef Szakacs. Zoltan has a very cool vocal style mixing it up nicely, but keeping much of it audible despite his strong Hungarian accent. He puts plenty of ear-catching vocal patterns together to make the songs more memorable, a trait that I think has been forgotten by most heavier bands these days.

I really liked the song Ambush In the Night, with it's eerie Middle East sounding melodies, mixed in with the harsh heaviness around it. I also thought We Rise stood out as a kick ass song that likely would go great at a live performance. I thought the whole CD was strong and well worth the price of admission.

The "Outcast" CD comes out on January 23, 2007 here in the US - and I would strongly suggest you picking up a copy if you like heavy music with catchy vocals at times, but not compromising in the slightest. At times I hear glimpses of Bolt Thrower when I listen, but then after a while I'm hearing those killer harmonics from old Machine Head, and then they forge into more thrashy stuff that reminded me of Kreator, Destruction, and of course the mighty Sodom. How can you go wrong with that mix of metal?

Here's a cd for lovers of some serious intricate stuff that is meaty enough for the most hardened metal head to love. The production of "The Snow White Rose of Paradise" is outstanding to say the least, and the packaging is excellent with some killer artwork, photos of the band, and lyrics. They also included a bio and photo with the cd to help describe their unique approach to heavy music.

Musically, Empyrean Sky is exceptional - proving that even a 3-piece can sound like 300 if you give them enough room to work. Being a bass player, I was pretty shocked to hear a band sound so full without a bass player or drummer - but they do have quite a bit of programming on the cd which fills things out. Each one of the members plays a 7-string guitar, while John Welborn also carries the vocal duties. Their sound reminds me of Cradle of Filth at times, but it's extremely unique in how they pull it off. The guitar playing is just killer and worth checking out for that alone.

This 6-song cd is definitely worth checking out if you dig your metal with lots of complexity and enough ball sack to crush any posers hanging around in your neighborhood.

Check out these crazy fuckers from Chicago at www.empyreansky.com and pick up the new cd now.

As compilations go, this latest offering from Eternal Frost Records is unlike most you’ve heard. There is a common practice with most compilation CD releases to be as diverse as possible to reach as many people as possible. However, with E.F.’s Vol.II compilation CD, diversity is not so much the goal as is a focus on many bands performing a similar style. For the most part, but with a few exceptions, the central application leans more to the melodic ends of death metal such as Arch Enemy, In Flames, etc. If you are into the newer faces and sounds of death metal, you need to get your hands on this comp. Almost all of the bands are quite adept at portraying their styles and ideas and are more than capable of using their instruments. Songs by Luminary, Fallen Empire, Angelfire, and others all shine with the fire of the knowledge of good music and the facilities to create and craft it. As was mentioned before, not ALL of the bands share in this style; Death by Hate takes us back to some older Ancient or God Dethroned, Lost In Blue reminds of just how kick ass that Iron Maiden method can be, and then there’s Low Twelve. And well, Low Twelve is Low-f’n-Twelve and I needn’t say anything more about that. Though, for the most part this comp. is top notch, there are a few challenges to overcome for the next project: For starters a simple computer program to automatically level volumes from song to song would be a good idea. There are also a couple of bands that stand out as “black spots” on the CD such as Upon Darkness whose music is no more creative than the name, and Asrynth which sounds to be no more than a single guitarist and an ill-timed drum machine. For that I’d also like to add: Unless you have the resources and talent that Dan Swano (Edge of Sanity) has, leave the “solo-project” on the 4-track in the basement. To wrap up the review I have to mention the song that I consider to be the diamond of this metal compilation. This song is Vesicant’s “Shadows of Addiction.” This song slowly fades from a clean and bell-ringing toned waterfall intro and fades into a simple but massively effective portrayal of real heaviness; the kind of heavy that we could use more of. Get a hold of this compilation by any means available, you and your bleeding ears will be glad you did. Head to www.eternalfrostrecords.cjb.net right now.

Do you feel the trembling in the ground beneath your feet? This earth-shaking force is Exalta and the epicenter is located Oklahoma City , OK . This derailing upsurge of music is rendered by 5 men who are obviously well educated in the ways of thrash and melodic death metal. The CD starts out its first track with speed picking and machine gun riffs in a probable manner but shows more extent and melodic gravity as the CD continues and each progressive song seems to derive from different facets of the style. Just when you think you get comfortable in their high-energy style they switch to a slower, stoner-metal groove, and I mean GROOVE. It conjures a pulse where head-banging is unavoidable. Like a swaying ocean of mercury; its tides moving everything under the poisoning influence of its waves. While making use of melody and multiple tempos, Exalta continues to return with combating thrash riffs as evil as the likes of Venom or Kreator. The forward-most focal point of the recording is the incontestable guitar tone that is crunchy and ruthlessly abusive. The real ability however, is not truly heard until the solos fly in at mind altering speeds and show just how proficient they are at their instruments. The vocals are undoubtedly tough but can be a little tiring or narrow, especially when co-existing with such active guitar work. The drum work is pretty much textbook for this form of metal with the timing being impeccably accurate. The bass drum and guitar pick are mechanically in time with one another. The recording quality of the album is fairly good but the bass guitar is rather hidden in the mix. If your listening tastes can take you from Black Sabbath to Dark Tranquility and then to Slayer, then let your ears be guided to Exalta. Contact them at exalta5@yahoo.com.

I guess when I sat down to check out the new Exodus CD "The Atrocity Exhibition, Exhibit A" on their myspace page, I was expecting something very different than what I heard. I was expecting to hear 10 songs that were all about 3-4 minutes long, thrash anthems to scream along to, with the patented Exodus riffs pounding my head into submission. Well - I didn't get that. I got a lot more, and I must say, I'm totally blown away at what a different direction Exodus took with this latest release on Nuclear Blast Records.

I've been a fan since "Bonded By Blood" came out and I have seen all the comings and goings of various members of the band - but of course the fearless leader and head shred master on guitar, Gary Holt, has persevered. He's compiled the most intense lineup that Exodus has ever seen, in my opinion, and made the "The Atrocity Exhibition, Exhibit A" a thashterpiece of the ages! Exodus gives you what you are expecting with the cool intro "A Call to Arms" and then busting into the opening track "Riot Act". That's about as close as you'll get to a traditional "single" on this CD, because the rest of the songs are much more progressive than anything I've heard these Bay Area bashers ever come up with. Don't get me wrong, they do not tone down the heaviness in the least, and if even possible - have refined it to the highest degree with a different writing approach. I read an interview with Gary Holt where he recently said that the band was much more involved in writing this CD and it shows. I loved the old stuff, but this new material really takes the Exodus express right over the edge and into a swirling pit heading straight to hell.

Gary Holt and Lee Altus have the most bludgeoning guitar tone I've ever heard. They do more solos and harmonies on this CD that made my head spin. They really ramped things up ten notches on this and provide an orchestra of guitar sounds that few could ever match. I also loved the fact I could hear Jack Gibson and his absolutely killer bass tone come through in the mix. I always thought Exodus had the bass a bit too low in the mix, and this time they didn't let me down. Jack provides a kick ass performance too with a great sound and some nice licks amongst the chaos that is Exodus. The return of Tom Hunting to the drum stool had me a bit skeptical, because following up the great Paul Bostaph wouldn't be easy. But Tom Hunting proved me he was more than capable within the first 30 seconds of "Riot Act". He's got a sweet drum sound on this CD and also provides one hell of a stellar drum performance from beginning to end. He just tears that kit to shreds - old school style. According to Gary Holt, they didn't use any triggers on the drums this time around and it sounds like thunder rumbling the whole time! In addition to all the other improvements, the vocals of Rob Dukes are simply awesome. He's got a real command of the microphone on every track here, and if I had only one small complaint, it would be I'd like to hear him more. But this CD is different and the band busts out some incredible instrumental stuff to make most tracks longer than 6-7 minutes if you can believe that! It's insane!

I loved every damn song on this CD, but if I'd have to choose my favorites, it would have to be "Funeral Hymn" and "Children of a Worthless God" at the moment. I can't stop listening to this one - I've been jamming it every day, multiple times a day and I don't get sick of it. It's incredible and it's got to be my choice for the best CD of 2007 hands down!

So go pick up the new Exodus "The Atrocity Exhibition, Exhibit A" if you love your metal loud, nasty, and brutally heavy! This CD stands out amongst the pile of them that's sitting on my desk and makes the others appear almost flaccid . . . like they need a little Cialis or something. The Exodus CD is fucking INCREDIBLE.

Fallen Empire, hailing from Illinois, is a dominant display of melodic death metal with a full-bodied and balanced sound. What adds to the melodic and flowing end of their style is that some of the riffs seem to be similar or rooted in some of the more harder-edged power metal forms. All together, the sound and style is comparable to the likes of Arch Enemy, Diabolical, Vehemence, Carcass, and maybe even some black metal thrown in there too. All of the metal necessities are present: both guitars perform high-speed single string licks, mixing of chords, and soloing skills that are quite strong. Triumphant and encouraging melodies are also plentiful in their music. Another noticeable dimension is added by the bass sound, which is run through a muddy distortion and adds flavor and completeness to the sound. The drums really “clean house” with just the right allocation of double bass. The rhythms change regularly and help to keep the songs electrifying. What is probably the most curious aspect to Fallen Empire’s sound are the vocals. (I might be mistaken but), they seem to be run through some sort of FX processor. This presents a dissimilar creation than the common death metal scream. The recording itself is exceedingly produced. Each member comes out of the speakers with depth and transparency, though there are some slight noises on occasion that could’ve been eliminated (i.e. guitar picks on the winds of a string), but nothing very detrimental to the experience. On the whole, Fallen Empire’s “Skepticism” is melodic death metal in every facet. Check them out right away at www.fallenempire.tk

The melodic death genre has seen a lot of bands come and go. It has also seen some of its biggest acts drag the name though the mud. Now the ball is in Fall of Eden’s court. Their self titled release undoubtedly picks up the melodic end but keeps it light on the death side. They do pull some methods and feel from bands like Dark Tranquility and In Flames but they give it a more classic feel with rousing, upbeat single-string lines. The 6 track CD if surfeit with steadily trampling rhythms and more than skilled soloing capacities. The vocals are dispensed in an uncommon flip-flop of singing and growling with 2 of the musicians taking up the duties employing themes of independence and non-conformity. The coarse voice is able and is countered nicely by the comforting middle ground clear singing. These voices carry a sound that is sure to only strengthen with time. The guitars and vocals are backed by a raw and grinding bass sound along with drumming that is steadfast and attention-grabbing. There is an unexpected change as “Die for Me” takes on a vastly different shape than the previous 4 songs. Fall of Eden makes use of a bouncy pulse that gives an odd-time feel completed with a nice collaboration between the two vocalists. Unfortunately, the recording and mix are on the sour side. This renders the guitar tone all but undefined and swallowed by the rest of the instrumentation. The resulting sound is a fuzzy mix that only AM radio would covet. Additionally, with a total playing time of about 23 minutes, a white noise intro that lasts over one minute only functions adversely to the rest of the album. Beyond these negative aspects, Fall of Eden ’s music carries in it the probability of a strong musical future. If their efforts continue, the next offering should prove to be something outstanding indeed.

Fates Warning - No Exit - 25th Anniversary Edition with DVD (review by Pete)

When I first heard about this classic CD being done in an anniversary edition, I was wondering what extra stuff Metal Blade would dig out of their prolific metal vault to add to it, like they did with the "Awaken the Guardian" re-issue. Well, this time around they tweaked the simple but cool "No Exit" cover art and added a bonus DVD with some great stuff on it that any true Fates fan would love! In addition, the "No Exit" CD comes with some very cool bonus tracks of a demo version of "Quietus" that they actually used to "try out" vocalist Ray Alder back in 1987. It's really cool to hear it when you think that it was the first glimpse into what would change Fates Warning forever as John Arch was replaced by Ray Alder. There are also out takes from the epic song "Ivory Gate of Dreams" when they were recording the CD. Both of the parts were later edited out of the song, but the listener can hear some other material that was written at the same time.

The DVD is cool as hell and one of the best bonus DVD's I've ever seen with a re-release. The live stuff was recorded from the "No Exit" tour and while the audio isn't the best, the priceless stupid stuff that they go through with their crappy tour bus breaking down, and all kinds of behind-the-scenes stuff of the band partying and doing typical metal band stuff. There are also videos for "Silent Cries" and "Anarchy Divine". They even added some "making the video" stuff, which I enjoyed because I was actually in the video myself! It brought back some cool memories. If you freeze frame it at the right time, you can see me head banging in the front row next to bass player Joe DiBiase's girlfriend!

I cant say enough how kick ass this 25th Anniversary edition is. If you dig Fates Warning then you'll love this one. If you're not a fan, then pick up a copy of what became the defining moment for most of the progressive metal bands to follow.

Fates Warning - Awaken The Guardian - re-release with DVD and Live CD (review by Pete)

Now I've been a Fates fan since their original release "Night on Brocken", so I may be slightly biased . . . but the re-release of "Awaken the Guardian" with bonus live CD and DVD, was just what the metal gods ordered! It was a great trip "back to the day" when metal was huge in the US and no one even heard of nu-metal.

I actually played bass in Sacred Oath, back in the 80's and we proudly appear with other bands thanked in the liner notes. My band was on the bill with Fates for John Arch's final performance in Hartford CT at the Agora Ballroom. So I speak from experience of being a huge fan, friend, and fellow metal band member, at this magical time for metal in the mid to late 1980's.

The "Awaken the Guardian" CD still has its original 1986 appeal as Fates takes the listener down a twisted path with seemingly endless surprises. The song writing by Jim Matheos and company is incredible and mixed with the vocal prowess of John Arch, it makes for one of the greatest metal albums of its time. Songs like "Fata Morgana" and "Valley of the Dolls" are among my favorites along with the amazing epic "Exodus". In addition, Metal Blade Records added some really cool pictures in the booklet, as well as a very interesting piece of writing by Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater fame, as he discusses how he became a Fates fan.

The production of the live CD and DVD is not the best, filmed/recorded at the 1986 Sundance show in New York. But for the true Fates fan, they'll more than appreciate the underground feel and find themselves desperately trying to sing along with the great John Arch. Seeing Jim Matheos sling both the electric and acoustic guitar at the same time during "Guardian" was more than worth watching the DVD. Their energy on stage is great and the fans dig the performance big time.

This is a must-have for any real pirate of the underground - so get your ass to your local record store and get it. Or go to Metal Blade's site at www.metalblade.com

I'm writing this review as a Fates Warning fan from way back. Growing up in Connecticut, a Fates Warning stronghold for a long time, I even shared the stage with them in the early days in a previous band. This new cd, "FWX" is awesome for any true fan of the progressive genre. The production on the cd is excellent, as they recorded the drums at a "real studio" in Connecticut and laid down the rest at Jim Matheos' home studio. The artwork and photography on the packaging is cool and intriguing at the same time - it certainly made me want to open it up and read the words.

The musicianship on "FWX" is incredible as guitar player Jim Matheos takes youngsters to school on what tasty solos are all about in metal. He also showcases his incredible acoustic guitar playing talent, and of course when it comes to songwriting - Jim Matheos is without peer. While I like the heavier side of Fates Warning like their "Spectre Within" or "No Exit" cds - I can appreciate the newer sound they deliver. Ray Alder is an incredible singer and he definitely has fine tuned his chops with phenomenal performances on this new cd. I dig the shit out of the playing of Joey Vera, as I've been a fan of his since the inception of Armored Saint. He does some killer things on this new cd, and drummer Mark Zonder is as intense as always. I was saddened to read somewhere that this would be his last cd with Fates.

I really liked the tracks "Simple Human" and "Wish" the best, but the whole thing is great. If you like your music complex and very skillful, then pick up this cd for sure. It's their tenth effort and no end in sight for the amazing Fates Warning. Check them out online at www.fateswarning.com or at their label's site www.metalblade.com

I'm looking around my bedroom for something to break in half while listening to Futha Mucka's new CD entitled "Survive Adapt Overcome". What a steel boot to the jawline! This is very well produced CD with a nice slick booklet with lyrics, pics, and a kick ass cover with their FM logo. These crazy fuckers hail from Maryland and have enough energy to fuel a small third world country.

If you dig hardcore - up in your face and brutal, then you definitely will dig this band. Nasty does one hell of a job on the vocal duties, as his throat sounds like it's being massaged with shards of glass! The guitars are cranked the fuck up and dirty as hardcore is supposed to be. The bass playing and drumming bring up the rear with pride and throw down on a constant basis. I also dug the backing vocals by bass player Meiklejohn. I'm hearing lots of good old school hardcore like Pro-Pain, Agnostic Front, and hints of SOD for good measure.

Here at Heavycore, we also want to say thanks for listing us in your "helpers" section on the liner notes. We appreciate that. Now go and check out their kick ass website to find out how to pick up a copy of "Survive Adapt Overcome" before Nasty comes to your house and rapes your woman!

Gideons Pawn - The Full Twelve Inches (review by Pete)

At first glance at Gideons Pawn’s new CD The Full Twelve Inches I cracked a smile and knew I would enjoy their music. I had already heard a sample of what this Chicago area band is capable of by way of the new Core Til Death 4 compilation. What struck me about the title is that, whether its chosen name is a depraved joke or not, I could tell that Gideons Pawn is one of those bands lucky enough to be able to make that separation between taking the music seriously while managing to not take themselves too serious. This band is authentic thrash metal; following in the charred paths as such greats as Anthrax and Megadeth with some nods to old school punk. There’s even some ballsy, 90’s style rock and roll thrown in akin to Alice in Chains. The CD itself starts off with an energizing drum opening and rolls right into a whirlwind of bladed guitar sounds. The guitars, whose wielders are clearly well versed in the deeper roots of metal, are gain-loaded, pithy, and punchy. Amid the twin guitar attacking is the bass which has an appealing and almost watery tone; adding a nice contrast between the strings. The drumming, which for me turned out to be one of the most satisfying elements of Gideons Pawn, is constant with precise, eye-opening fills and perfectly portioned kick drum. Without a doubt, the vocalist makes use of every single millimeter of his vocal chords with an organically abrasive but tune controlled singing style (imagine a throatier Dave Mustane). Stemmed from phallic wit or not, The Full Twelve Inches assuredly delivers the goods with well structured songs full of hooks and grabbing lyrics. Get online and get to know the metal of Gideons Pawn at www.gideonspawn.com.

Graveworm - Collateral Defect (review by Pete)

I dig Graveworm big time, especially after seeing them live with Destruction and Kataklysm last year in Chicago. I also got to do an interview with vocalist Stefan Fiori and he was one of the coolest mother fuckers! We talked for a long time about metal and he told me his roots were deep in the 1980's with bands like Iron Maiden who turned him on to metal back in the day. The latest CD from this Italian band is "Collateral Defect" on Nuclear Blast and it's slamming! The production is incredible, like all the Nuclear Blast releases and the cover art is really cool too. "Collateral Defect" marks the sixth CD in this melodic death metal band's career.

The CD begins with a dark and atmospheric piece and then pounds into "Bloodwork" with a fury! Stefan's voice is stronger even though I thought he was killer on their last release "N Utopia". He has some unearthly growls that rattled through my chest when I cranked it up, and then he can put together a more mid-range scream that made my blood curdle. He mixes it up nicely. Sabine Mair provides the atmosphere with keyboards and while I'm not a big fan of keys - she really does a good job adding a mystique to their sound but not over-bearing like in some other bands I'd rather not mention. Eric Righi and Stirz have a good guitar sound and blast away with the rest of them with strong riffing and plenty of intricate harmonies with the keys. They do some of their best work I think in the song "Suicide Code" with tasty guitar solos and harmony work. The drummer is Martin Innerbichler and he's putting on a drum clinic on this CD. He throws down with plenty of double kicks to knock you on your ass and very sweet cymbal work at just the right time. The bass playing is also strong, Klenk puts down some nice grooves while forming that necessary foundation for heavy music. These guys show they can play as one unit and create some very interesting sounds that you sometimes don't get with death metal today.

I listened to this CD a few times in the last week and I think the standout tracks are "Bloodwork" and "Suicide Code". I also really liked "The Day I Die" for one to raise the beer stein and scream along to. One of the surprises I got on this CD was their cover of Bonnie Tyler's "I Need A Hero". This would not be the song that most metal bands would have chosen - so kudos to them for giving it a shot! I wasn't really into that song a whole lot, but it sounds kinda funny hearing Stefan growl along with this 1980's pop anthem.

"Collateral Defect" is out NOW on Nuclear Blast, so pick it up and find out why so many of us are Graveworm freaks. Check 'em out online too at www.graveworm.de

Graveworm - (N)Utopia (review by Pete)

Hailing from South Tylol, somewhere between the Italian and Austian border, Graveworm unleashes their 5th release with (N)Utopia. This Nuclear Blast release is very well produced with a nice punch . . . especially with those kick drums that beat me about the head like a ball peen hammer gone out of control. The cover art is also excellent and sets the eerie tone of the CD and once it's in the CD player, you need to bust out the black candles and enjoy.

This is a very classical influenced dark band with many gothic and black metal overtones throughout. At times, it was like Satan himself was orchestrating some of the music - with evil and moody textures throughout. Musically this band is very well-schooled and knows how to showcase that talent. Guitar duties are provided by Lukas Flarer and Eric Righi and really do keep the listener guessing with some well placed solos and unique harmonies that add lots of depth to the sound of Graveworm. Bass player Harry Klenk keeps that bottom end raging and drummer Moritgz Neuner is very talented with a great drum sound on this CD. Sabine Mair is on the keyboards, and while I'm not a huge fan of keys, she does a nice job adding texture to the band and creating such an airy background. The vocals by Stefano Fiori are really excellent as he lays down a vast array of styles from nasty gutteral screaming in the vein of the immortal Quorthon, and then busts into a wicked mid-range thrash influenced style that is reminiscent of Mille Petrozza of Kreator fame.

I liked the title track "(N)Utopia" and "Hateful Design" the best, but the whole CD is more than worth a listen. It's a 9-track journey into the dark and atmospheric, and will give you enough heaviness to keep the horns up. Check them out online and pick up a copy for yourself.

www.graveworm.de

Godking - Bloodrite (review by Pete)

Here's one hell of a smack to the face . . . check these crazed fuckers out from New York. Haborym put out a 4-song demo with one hell of a punch called Desecration of God. The production is good, especially for a demo. I really dig their sound, combining lots of old school death metal influences to create a sound uniquely their own. The artwork is simple and homemade, but it fits the underground unholy rage that is Haborym.

This 2005 demo features four killer songs, but I dug the second track "Reverend of Mutilation" the best. These guys sound like a hybrid of early Cannibal Corpse, Obituary, and maybe a little Suffocation thrown in for good measure. They are extremely talented and can play - doing it as a 3-piece. They even end the demo with a live track, "Crown of Thorns" which isn't a very good recording at all . . . but the first three tracks were more than worth checking this CD out.

I feel a little stupid listening to this CD because I must admit, I hadn't even heard Hammerfall before. I knew of the band of course, but I had never actually heard them. Being on an old school metal kick, Nuclear Blast timed this submission perfectly, because I tossed this CD into my car stereo the other day and was blown the fuck away! This metal band from Sweden has a storied discography dating back to their first 1997 release "Glory to the Brave" and continuing on with their latest "Threshold" that is to come out on Halloween 2006. The production on this CD is jaw-dropping as it is with most of the Nuclear Blast stuff I've been hearing for the past several years. The CD artwork is kick ass too and metal all the way. This is one amazing piece of work that deserves a serious look and listen.

The vocal performance from Joacim Cans is impressive. His vocal range on this CD is great and he has a keen sense of melody with some of the tastiest vocal lines I've heard in a long time. The guitar duo of Oscar Dronjak and Stefan Elmgren offer up some additional vocals to combine with Joacim, but slam down a wall of guitar madness. These guys have some of the coolest dive bombs, squeals, and flat out ripping tones. I really liked the way they worked together on this CD and you can tell they've been doing this for a while. Magnus Rosen holds the bottom end down on bass and does a good job holding the fort while drummer Anders Johansson puts on a percussion clinic behind is drum kit. Wow is all I can say there. The entire band is incredibly talented and have achieved their band name in true form, as this CD felt like someone smacked me with a hammer for not ever hearing them before.

This 11-song CD is due out in a few weeks here in the US and I would say you really need to pick this one up if you dig old school metal with incredible production, and enough skills to teach legions of metal freaks how to play. I really can't say one track stands out on this CD, because they all do. But the song "Dark Wings, Dark Words" was probably the most impressive to me. So raise those fists metal faithful, not all of our brethren have forgotten what metal really is. Grab your shield and bloodied sword and join Hammerfall in the war against posers.

‘hav-oc\ n 1: wide and general destruction: devastation 2. great confusion and disorder. After listening to this demo, you’ll find that the definition of the word “havoc” itself just isn’t descriptive enough. This album draws up an irrefutable energy and is thoroughly strong in one of the most important facets of American metal: it brings pleasure from anger. These songs have all the supremacy of a flaming 18 wheeler barreling full bore down the highway. Havoc’s 2004 demo is 7 tracks of constant cruelty recorded with great quality. Great points of this album include the heavy-ass, riff-driven song structure, remarkable drum fills and vocals with a near unmatched fury like that of Obituary. The album definitely starts out with its best foot forward with a classic drum intro leading into a battery of flesh ripping guitars and bass. And if you think you’re ready for the next song, you’re sorely mistaken, for with each advancing track comes a near complete change in style. This keeps the album fresh and more importantly, keeps your attention. But through all of the uninhibited and frantic feelings of bedlam is an unwavering intelligence and crystal clear focus. Another significant part to this album is that not only does it have 4 studio tracks, but it also contains 3 live recordings that take you into the raw and fanatical world of being front and center at a Havoc performance. All in all, this is a perfect example of genuine metal played by skilled and knowledgeable musicians, do not hesitate to check out Havoc.

This CD came in for review from Luke Offield - a Heavycore commander from the Columbia Missouri area who is dedicated to further the cause by putting this compilation together with fellow Missouri metal maniacs. It's jam packed full of kick ass Heavycore bands, all crammed into one hell of a 13-track brutal comp disc for any real metal freak. You've got a range of metal from old school, to hardcore, thrash, death metal, and everything in between.

I dug the first track from Havoc, a good track to get any fucker up off the couch and start a mosh pit in their own living room. I especially dug the new tracks from Slugtrail, Drive Theory, 3 Headed Moses, and Divulsion. Of course all the bands kicked total ass, but those were the stand-outs in my opinion. The production is good, and with a compilation CD that's a tough thing, since the individual production of each track is going to vary from band to band. The volumes for each track were close and that's a job in itself when it comes to putting compilations together.

I think what I dug the most out of the compilation was how the 13 Missouri bands who teamed up to do this - joined forces and worked together to make it happen. Of course Luke Offield deserves the big credit there!

Go pick up this CD if you get a chance and prepare to have your living room become one hell of a pit.

Collision is eminent. Brace for the impact of a genuine thrash metal force of pure aggravated energy. Head On Collision’s latest EP release of Arise From the Wreckage is a warehouse of thrash metal in its sheerest and most principal form. At first look this EP seems to be short with a mere 5 songs in length. Head On Collision manages to summon and pack in all the power of Overkill, Testament, Exodus, and even some classic Coroner sounds; giving this disc the feel of a full-length. Certainly, when it did end, I found myself hastily searching for the “play” button once more for further exposure to this insistent injuring of my hearing ability. The guitarists, Pat McCauley and John Hancock, brandish that old school sound perfectly. Their sound is comprised of tons of punch, textbook low end, jackhammer picking, crushing palm-muted chords, and swift licks that tie them all together. The solos are a bit sparse but it makes their appearance more valuable and points more attention to the riff driven song structure. Sean Younger does such a great job on the drum kit that you almost hardly notice his presence until one of his perfectly timed and executed fills or rolls comes flying out and reminds you not only of his existence but also of his impeccable ability. One of his outstanding qualities is the ideal use of his kick drum; never laying on so much that it becomes overbearing, Todd Robbins vocals are as desiccate and scorching as the Sahara and have a desired quality when so many vocalists endeavor to roar low or scream high; he chooses to use his voice just as it is. Unfortunately the bass tone of Chris Walker is not as identifiable as the rest of the band. He’s there, if your ears search him out, but for the most part he lost in the mix. Favorably, this is the only shortcoming to Arise From the Wreckage. The rest of the mix emerges nearly with out fault song after song. Head On Collision’s Arise From the Wreckage is a must have for any thrash/speed fan. Go check them out right away at www.myspace.com/headoncollisionmetal.

I think someone stole the calendars out of Heavy-Handed's practice room . . . because they don't realize the 1980's are over. Here's a throwback band with a refreshing sound that you don't hear too much anymore. These guys hail from Savoy Illinois and have put out their own full length CD "Feel the Hand" on the metal masses.

The production of this 9-song CD is really good and was produced by guitarist Jason Anglin. The musicianship is really strong in this band, with a nice crunch to the guitars with plenty of fret-scorching leads to go around for the whole family! The guitar solo in "Burn" was really sweet with some well-placed harmonies. Brian Dalbey does a nice job holding down the fort on his bass with a good tone that rattled the windows in my office when I cranked this CD up. Drummer Bobby Whiles does a kick ass job behind the kit and keeps the foundation rock solid and thundering. The vocals by Joe Sims are really over the top on this CD with some very good hooks and a true grittiness to them. I really dig his vocal style and it brings me back to the days when I was discovering metal for the first time.

I hear lots of influences in this band when I listen to their music . . . too many to mention here. The stand-out tracks for me where Somewhere South of Down, which was on the Heavycore compilation CD "Core til Death IV". I also liked Knee Deep and Sinking and Burn, but the whole CD is worthy.

Check these guys out at www.heavy-handed.com if you don't want to feel their hands across your face.

The guys in Hurtlocker knocked me on my big ass with the release of their latest slab of thrashness, "Embrace the Fall" on Napalm Records. The production is very strong and even a notch up from their last effort "Fear In a Handful of Dust" (which I thought was great too). They retreated to Studio One in Racine Wisconsin to write and record this one, and these Chicago-based thrash maniacs returned from the journey with one hell of a new CD that I like more and more each time I hear it. Just like their first CD, the cover art and packaging is very professional and looks absolutely killer. There you can get all the lyrics, pics of the band, and the usual liner notes.

I noticed this time around, Hurtlocker ventured out of that box with some of the songs like Outside Are the Dogs - where they push the envelope on what fans might expect from their straight ahead approach. Don't get me wrong, this CD is the perfect sophomore effort for Hurtlocker, but they evolve more as a band while they refine their sound. I love the guitar sound from Tim Moe and Justin Jurgevich as they erect a metal wall that you can't penetrate. These guys lay down some of the most blistering riffs I've ever heard on one CD. Then they smack you in the face with kick ass fret-scorching leads at the right time. The bass playing from Sean Fagin is strong and he keeps up with the breakneck pace of Hurtlocker, and keeps the thunder rolling. After the untimely passing of their last drummer, Dan Ditella, they added Tony Bettenhausen to the drum throne and he delivers the goods big time! I liked his drum sound, and I also thought his style brought a new perspective to the Hurtlocker writing and overall sound. On throat duties once again is Grant Belcher, who I think is a very under-rated vocalist in metal today. His brash, in-your-fucking-face style is a great side dish to the Hurtlocker machine! His rasp is wicked as hell this time around, but he knows how to keep a vocal melody and adds some catchy stuff while keeping the heaviness factor at an all-time high.

I hear a lot influences here - everything from Exodus, to Testament, to Cannibal Corpse, to everything in between. Hell, one of them is sporting a Sodom "Persecution Mania" shirt in the band pic - and you gotta love that shit! I thought the entire CD was great, and each time I hear it I hear another song I like more than I did the last listen. I think the standout tracks are "They", "I Am Napalm", "Outside Are the Dogs", and the title track "Embrace the Fall". So if you love your metal hard, heavy and beating your fucking head in with a cinderblock- then you'll love this new Hurtlocker CD.

Check out their new and updated website too - it's fucking awesome . . . and while you're there visit their online store and pick up a copy of "Embrace the Fall". Your metal ears won't be sorry you did!

The brainchild of European metal pioneer, Peter Tagtgren, Hypocrisy delivers the goods with their latest full length CD "Virus" which is really nothing short of stunning. Peter's studio has produced some impressive releases from bands like Dimmu Borgir, Immortal, and Marduk, and he's been coined the "Rick Rubin of Scandinavian metal". I couldn't agree more!

The production is really incredible and so intensely clear and precise that I can't believe it. The cover art is also great and a nice compliment to the music of Hypocrisy. Musically, the band is without peer with frontman Peter Tagtgren providing the vocals, guitars, and even keyboards. Michael Hedlund on bass and Horgh on the drums are right in the groove along with Peter and put on a clinic to any musician who dares to listen to this project. WOW.

Hypocrisy keeps things nice and heavy and with an incredible texture to their sound with so many different things going on at the same time, that you have to listen to the same song a few times just to even try and soak it all in. There is a cool melodicness to the CD without compromising their metal roots. The song writing on this CD is really outstanding and well done, to bring in the average listener and then drag him/her under with a fury that is unmatched. I liked the song "Craving For Another Killing" the most - but really the whole CD is well worth a listen.

This Nuclear Blast band is very European with a sound that really sets them apart. Go out and get the "Virus" CD before those posers infect your worthless soul.

Sometimes when a band breaks up, better things come from the aftermath. Some might agree that is the case with Norway's metal band - "I". This band is like a metal all star bands with former members of Immortal, Gorgoroth, and Enslaved to make one wicked slab of sickness. Their first CD is on Nuclear Blast and it's called "Between Two Worlds". Showing off some great production, combined with very simple artwork and packaging, I shows that they can let their music do the talking without any gimmick. These guys come to play and show that their metal journey's have led them to a new and exciting place.

The band is fronted by Abbath who sings and plays guitar. From the vocal patterns he lays down, you can really hear some serious Motorhead influences, along with some old school Sodom as his accent sounded somewhat like that of Angelripper. That's a good thing! He's joined by Ice Dale on guitar and together they provide a thick metal wall of sound that cannot be penetrated. I was really impressed with some of the guitar leads they scorched out . . . sending those nu metal pukes packing in disgrace. T.C. King keeps things basic on the bass guitar, but it fits the music and really kept the bottom side of things pounding along. Armagedda keeps the foundation strong with a good drum sound and like the bass player, holds down the fort in a simple yet punishing sort of way. They also list a lyricist (Demonaz) in their bio.

I heard some Bathory influences in their music, and was validated while reading their bio - as Abbath is quoted as being influenced a great deal by the late (and great) Bathory mastermind Quorthon. At times the music is hard and driving, while other times - they keep you guessing what's coming next. I thought the whole CD was killer, but the song "Battalion" was probably my favorite track.

If you dig your metal heavy as hell with a mix of old Motorhead, Sodom, with hints of black metal tossed in - then you'll love this band. It's worth a listen. The CD comes out on November 14th - so get a copy or let these Norwegians kick your sorry ass.

A lot can be said for solo musical projects. Not only does the solo artist need to able to use each instrument fluently, but the musician must also have strong songwriting ability. What’s the use of knowing how to play all the instruments if you cannot properly convey your ideas through them? Well, Indigent’s 2004 demo shows strength in both sides. One listen through this demo will be proof enough of the songwriting power contained here. As for the musical capability and technicality, all you need is to listen to the first minute of “Disgust” to be convinced that he has more than enough to handle a project of this extent. With his Indigent endeavor, Richard has developed a style of melodic death metal that gives the inherent feelings of fear and apprehension but still has an underlying comfort or welcoming to the sound. Put simply, this music is ever evolving and never stops moving, causing you to change and move with it. The guitar work is immensely vast and addicting, demanding your attention. With no boundaries set, it keeps you in curiosity as to where it’ll take you next. It easily and swiftly flows from harmonious ringing to a wicked bashing. Richard’s bass style contains its own rhythm which may almost seem confusing at first listen. But instead of being distracting it emphasizes focus on the main melody. The drumming is nothing short of original. While it may still contain hints of percussive parts used often in metal, the way it’s used as a whole is what makes it unique. These strange, interconnecting drum lines seem to pull the song along and hurtle it into the unknown. The vocals are pitiless and harsh but are maybe a little low in the mix, that’s the only low point as to the quality of the recording itself. The rest of the sound comes through with great transparency. I am earnestly awaiting further works from Indigent. To find out more, head to www.indigent.co.uk

When I first received Kaos’ promo pack in the mail, what initially grabbed my attention was how professional it was. I mean PROFESSIONAL. This is the kind of package you see from a national act, with national respect and recognition. I’m sure if they keep up with what they’ve done on this album, they will be very soon.

As the opening track “Mass of Fury,” starts, it gives you that “live” feeling. As if you’re not alone. You’re surrounded by numerous other metalheads. You’re ready to KICK ASS. And as “The Rage of War” begins, you’re delivered a style of metal rarely achieved and even more rarely heard. Now the feelings of “Rage” culminate. And the attack begins. The attack comes swiftly, but is short by no means. 12 detrimental songs is how long this battle will last. Destructive until the very end. Some songs like the title track “Kaos Among Us” are delivered with instant ferocity and some songs like “God As My Witness” are presented with a bit of stealth. As if maybe to throw you off track from the continued assault your ears are receiving. Whatever it is, one thing is for sure. These guys are definatly doing it something different. And doing it THEIR way. The “live” feeling of which I spoke about earlier continues as some of the songs have everyone in the band yelling out the words as a sort of metal choir. “Live” however does not describe the quality of the album. It’s damn near perfect. Here comes that word again: professional.

WOW - what a brutal ass whipping in the finest order! The new Kataklysm is fucking wicked beyond belief . . . opening up with the title track "Prevail" that drives hard and fast. The production on this CD is fantastic, and probably a notch above "In the Arms of Devastation", which I always thought was one of the best-sounding CD's I had ever heard. The production and engineering comes from their guitarist JF Dagenais, who also produced their last. He does an incredible job pulling out that unearthly evil that is Kataklysm on disc. The cover art totally slays . . . as they bust out their now trademark Super Beast. Amazingly on their last effort, they ran a contest for the chance to do the cover art, and the Super Beast is now part of the Kataklysm presentation.

I'm impressed once again by their stunning musicianship. Guitarist JF Dagenais is simply amazing by mixing up some of the most wicked riffs (a la "As Death Lingers"), with a melodic quality to his sound, and some stunning solos. I love the harmony stuff he does to add nice texture to the guitar sound. His tone just rips and he has a very tasty style to his playing. I noticed this time JF busts out some nice triplets, like in the song "The Chains of Power". I dig the fact that I can hear bass player Stephane Barbe much better. As a fellow bass player, I like to hear that bottom and Stephane does one hell of a job holding down the fort with a nice bass tone, and at times adds tension to the melodic parts by harmonizing with JF. The drummer, Max Duhamel, keeps this Canandian quartet on the straight and narrow with a great display of drumming and just when you thought it was safe, he throws in some vicious double bass fury and even a few blast beats to knock your ass down. I like when when he pulverizes with a straight forward beat, and then when I've caught my breath - Max Duhamel buries me where I stand!

The vocals from the Chicago leather-lunged madman, Maurizio Iacona, are just brutal as all hell. I've had the privilege to meet him a couple years ago at a show in Chicago, and not only is he incredible live, but he's a very down-to-earth cool mother fucker. I really like the sound of his vocals this time around, and he belts out the demonic growling with much more power than before! He's really honing his style down. But to keep things interesting, Maurizio throws in some mid-range rasp and I am impressed with his annunciation, something that is usually not present in death metal vocalists. He pushes the envelope, and then when you open it up - it's filled with the blood of the posers he's mowed down!

To add to the metal mayhem, Cannibal Corpse axemaster Pat O'Brien makes a cameo on one track, as does Overkill guitarist Dave Linsk. This CD has it all and there isn't one weak track on it. I really loved "As Death Lingers", "To the Throne of Sorrow" and "Blood in Heaven" as stand out tracks, but the whole thing is intense as hell. Everytime I listen to it, I find another favorite song. If you dig death metal with some inventive melody mixed in - this is for you. If you're a fan of technical metal, then you'll love this too - because amidst the melody and brutalness, the underlying theme is incredible musicianship. They really showcase their talents with the final cut - an instrumental called "The Last Effort".

Make sure you check them out on the upcoming Summer Slaughter tour. The CD is out now on Nuclear Blast - so get one before the Super Beast shows up at your door with your Mom's head in his hands, and your Grandma's in one of his mouth's!

When I first threw this new Kataklysm CD in my car stereo - I couldn't believe how killer the production was! "In the Arms of Devastation" is by far the most technically advanced CD in the Kataklysm arsenal with 9 songs that will knock even the most seasoned metal freak on their ass. Produced by guitarist JF Dagenais, this CD is a must for anyone who loves their metal played with precision, while smacking them upside the head with heaviness the entire trip. The cover art is incredible as well - featuring a two faced beast with ass kicking on his mind! This Nuclear Blast band has matured into a four piece killing machine.

These Canadian death metallers are fronted by vocalist Maurizio Iacono - who happens to hail from the concrete jungles of Chicago. He's got his voice in rare form on this new CD with plenty of unholy growls to send the priests packing, but keeping things interesting with lots of wicked mid range raspiness. He also shows that he's not too centered on himself to bring in a few guest singers - like Kittie's Morgan Lander for the song "Turns to Rust". She's brutal as hell and gives Maurizio a run for his money with her staggering vocal performance. I usually don't like female metal singers - but this chick can throw down with the rest of her testosterone-toting peers! The two of them just shred on this song and it shows that Kataklysm isn't afraid to go against the grain time after time.

The guitar work from JF Dagenais is incredible to say the least, with some of the most bludgeoning riffs mixed in with intricate leads, harmonies, and squeals to singe your sack hair. He holds his own in this one guitar band with one hell of a nasty tone. Bass player Stephane Barbe also brings a killer tone to the table and keeps that bottom end pounding from start to finish. This CD brings drummer Max Duhamel back into the Kataklysm fold and with it, comes a fantastic drumming performance that fits the songs perfectly. He showcases the talents he's got on this CD big time!

This is one of those CD's that seems to get better with each song . . . ending in an incredible finale with the last track "The Road to Devastation". I really loved this entire CD but would have to say my standout songs would be "Temptation's Nest" and "The Road to Devastation".

Pick up a copy of this CD if you like your metal heavy as hell, but with lots of skill and awesome production. Visit them online at www.kataklysm.net and catch them on tour with Vader and Destruction this summer in a US city near you!

The guys in Kill the Messenger gave me this cd at a recent Poser Roast in Cincinnati and I have to say their live show really knocked me on my ass. These guys have some serious energy and the crowd ate it up by the bucketfull.

The production on the cd was excellent and showcases the talent that is Kill the Messenger. Their bass player slings a 7-string and destroys the fucker. To make things more interesting in the bass department, their singer busts out a 5-string to switch duties for a while. I was impressed as hell. The guitar playing is also strong, and the show I saw - it was the final performance of the current axe slinger. I'm sure the new guy will add another dimension to the band.

Definitely check this band out if you like good heavy stuff. The vocals are wicked at all times, and they do a nice job of mixing in some different sounds, especially when they start passing instruments around and switching roles. Very kick ass!

Thanks to the publicity staff at Metal Blade Records, I had the honor of taking pictures and doing a review of the King Diamond show at the Metro in Chicago Illinois the night before Halloween. It was a packed house at well over 1,000 metal freaks who were out in mass to check out King. It was awesome to see the old school metal heads in full regalia - sporting some killer concert shirts. To me, this is a good way to judge the metal knowledge of the crowd - and thankfully there wasn't a Linkin Park or Limp Biskit shirt to be found. It was old school all the way.

The stage set was evil as it could be complete with cemetery gates, bones, skulls, and of course a coffin that said "Abigail" on the side. To the delight of the old school fans, King Diamond busted into a few songs from the all-time classic "Abigail" album, then into several from the "Abigail II" cd that was killer to finally hear live. The sound was excellent and their energy was through the roof as the fans screamed out every word right along with King, and screamed with delight as he plunged the silver spikes in the baby Abigail. I thought it was a kick ass tribute to the Abigail story.

The incredible guitar playing of Andy LaRocque and Mike Wead was probably the highlight for me as I found myself amazed at their fret board frenzy. Bass player Hal Patino and drummer Matt Thompson were tight and gave the sound one hell of a boom all night long. King was in rare form, belting out his patented high screams with the precision of a surgeon. It was also incredible that female vocalist Livia Zira from "The Puppet Master" cd was there singing her parts and adding some of the harmonies right along with King. It really rounded out the vocals and made the new material sound incredibly like the recording. They also had an actress on stage playing the various parts as the songs kept on going. She went from playing Miriam to Abigail and even grandma in the wheelchair! It really added another dimension to the incredible visual aspect of King Diamond.

From the new "Puppet Master" release, they ripped through the title track, "Blood to Walk", "So Sad" and more. Then they proceeded to tear into classic after classic, like one of my favorites "Welcome Home" from the sinister "Them" album, and even dipping way back to songs like "Halloween" from "Fatal Portrait" as they welcomed the ghoulish holiday just right. Seeing King come back for a third encore, sporting a Santa coat and screaming out their anti-holiday classic "No Presents for Christmas" was more than I would have ever hoped for. The crowd just ate it up and the reactions from them was huge. My ears were ringing and I had a smile on my face from ear to ear as I left the club.

This was one of the best King Diamond shows I've ever seen, and I was at the first US show on the "Fatal Portrait" tour and about a dozen in between. Horns up all the fuckin' way!

Korpiklaani - Korven Kuningas (review by Pete Altieri)

I wasn't sure what to think when I saw this packet arrive from Nuclear Blast Records. Inside, the bio for the band Korpiklaani said they were Finnish folk metal and I thought "oh man, I'm gonna hate this." But, I always check out what's sent to me, and this time I was really glad I did. I'm an old schooler - into heavy stuff like thrash, death and some hardcore metal. But this stuff was so different from ANYTHING I've ever heard before, that I was compelled to listen to the entire "Korven Kuningas" CD from beginning to end. I was blown away at how infectious this band is! I found myself raising a glass high and wanting to sing along with music I had never heard before, but something inside felt I had heard these melodies.

The musicianship is great, and while I am not familiar at all with this folk metal genre, it seems like the band can really play and are very tight. The singer, Jonne Javela is very good, and with his thick accent I can still make out a lot of the words. Previously when they were called Shaman, they said in a different language, but decided to make their music go global by singing in English too. Many of the song titles I cannot even pronounce, and even their name is tough to say. But the bio said that the band name translates to Forest Clan and "Korven Kuningas" is "The King of the Woods" in English. So call them whatever you want, but if you give these guys a chance, you just might find yourself wondering if this is something you might just find in your CD player a lot. It's kick ass driving music!

They also have a violin player, in addition to flute, accordion, bass, guitar, drums, and jouhikko - whatever that is! I'm telling you these guys are very original. I liked the song "Keep on Galloping" the best, but the opening track "Tapporauta" was very strong too. The whole CD rocks out to this eerie Finnish folk sound - mixed in with heavy metal riffing. It's bizarre to say the least. There is nothing I have ever heard that could explain what this sounds like and in today's world where everything seems to sound like something else - this defies the trend and smacks it on the head with a large beer stein filled with something that would put hair on your Mom's chest.

The packaging is totally professional, as with any Nuclear Blast release. I also thought the production was outstanding. So check this CD out - it came out in late March 2008 on Nuclear Blast . . . so go check it out. For more on them go to www.nuclearblastusa.com

Kreator/Napalm Death Live Show Review - 2006 (review by Pete/Nasty Nate Clark)

Click here for all the pics and the review of the Mokena Illinois show by Pete Altieri. Click here for the pics and review of the San Fransisco show by Nasty Nate Clark.

Krisiun - Assassination (review by Pete)

This is the second CD from Krisiun that I've had the privilege to review. This most brutal 3-piece band from Brazil have been known as "the living definition of death metal" by reviewers the world over. This release from Century Media is nothing short of bludgeoning as my computer speakers are still trying to recover from the couple of listens I put them though. The production is killer and captures their pure rage, hatred, and undisputed dedication to the most unholy alliance of death metal.

This new release features 10 new songs, a cover of Motorhead's "Sweet Revenge", and two live video clips from their wicked "Live Armageddon" DVD that Century Media released on the same day as "Assassination". It's well worth the price of admission with a jam-packed CD that is slab of sickness that most metal freaks will love. The art work and booklet are also extremely professional - packed with lyrics and the usual liner notes banter. There was even a small poster advertisement for the band with past releases . . . so you really get your Krisiun fix with this.

The guitar tones from Moyses Kolsene are wicked as hell and sound like a wall of molten metal, and he spews out plenty of guitar solos that will destroy posers where they stand. His kin, drummer Max Kolsene delivers the goods in a big way with plenty of hammering blast beats and double bass fury. Of course Alex Camargo is brutal as hell on bass with a nice thick tone that keeps the foundation of Krisiun stronger than an army, and his vocals are gutteral and nasty from start to finish. I really liked the whole CD, but my standout tracks would have to be "Refusal" and "Bloodcraft".

Definitely pick up a copy of this new Krisiun CD if you like your death metal heavier than HELL itself and fast enough to cut you off at the knees and leaving you twitching on the ground - begging for mercy.

Check them out online at www.centurymedia.com

Krisiun - Bloodshed (review by Pete)

From the back hills of West Virginia is one hell of a brutal band called Limb From Limb. They sent in their demo for review, and I was very impressed with the production quality. I've heard way too many shitty demos, but this one was very good and I can only imagine how intense these crazy fuckers would be live.

The guitars have a good crunch to them for sure, and keep it chugging like a locomotive intent on running some posers down in the process. The bass playing and drumming is strong too and hold the bottom end down like any metal band should. The vocals are rough and blood curdling, and show lots of black metal influences. At times I wonder if this guy took vocal lessons from the most evil Quorthon himself. At times I thought I was hearing shit, but it was some warped and sadistic noises that panned back and forth. Definitely good stuff for head phones after smoking some bud.

Definitely check this demo out if you can get your hands on it. They're working on a website right now, but check the Heavycore site out for a link once it's up and running.

Blasting metal fury from Huntsville Alabama is a band named Lisiya Gori. I'm not sure what a "lisiya gori" is, but whatever it is - this band is sick as hell and brings some serious blast beats to the table with this demo. The production is very good, and the packaging is professional looking with a color cover and insert. This 3-song demo is heads and shoulder above what I normally see come across my desk.

If you dig death metal with lots of bludgeoning double kicks and blast beat fury - then you'll love these sick fuckers. Drummer Lance Wright really throws down on this demo. Guitarist Matt Barnes does some nice scorching solos - ala Kerry King with the melody of Andy LaRoque with plenty of squeals to knock those poser fags to their knees. He's got a nice crunch for his rhythm tracks too and does some killer harmony parts to keep the music interesting. Garth Lovvorn holds the fort down on bass and has some sweet fretwork but I would have liked to hear him a bit more in the mix. The vocals from Eric Baumann are nice and growling, but he ventures into a little melody in the first track, "Cleanse Through Purgatory" right at the end and it kicks ass. It's amazing to hear a deep growling vocalist try something different, but keeping with his evil sound. I dug "Demonolith Down" the best - but the whole thing was an ass kicker from start to finish!

Definitely give these guys a listen if you dig it heavy, fast, and very skilled . . . with plenty of demonic growling to burn priests within a 666 mile radius. Horns way the fuck up with Lisiya Gori and this demo. Now what the fuck is a "lisiya gori"? They've got me curious!

I really wish I would have had some of my in-laws over to enjoy this journey into the perverse and sick that is Lividity. These fuckers know all about old school death metal and take it to extremes that few dare to indulge. The Age of Clitoral Decay is just what the death metal doctor ordered if you like your porn hard, nasty, and up your ass with the force of a Louisville Slugger.

The guitar and bass work was good and brought back memories of early Death, Obituary and a touch of Slayer tossed in for good measure. The drumming on this cd is done by the late Nick Null and provides enough merciless double bass drumming and blast beats to slay even the most hardened metal freak. The vocals were low and gutteral most of the time, but at times tossing in a sick mid range growl that sounded like a mental patient who didn't take his medication that day.

This stuff is sickness at it's finest. You'll enjoy the hilarious samples they toss in between the tracks that range from hot chicks talking about sex to some guy rambling about fucking over 100 women in 75 different ways. Call the family over for this one and make sure grandma has a front row seat.

Lock up your loved ones, make sure their earplugs are in, put some porn on the TV, and bust out the new Lividity CD "Used, Abused, and Left For Dead". Holy shit - this is one super charged poser shredding machine from start to brutal finish. WOW. I threw this CD in and it knocked me flat on my ass. The production is really strong and those kick drums have left a permanent imprint on my chest with a vengeance. The promotional CD I got from guitarist Dave Kibler is not the full package, but he showed me an advance copy of the art and it's beyond sick. It's just what you would expect from Lividity with some chick all hacked up and dead on the cover, and the rest of it was fucking awesome with photos, lyrics, and more wicked art.

This 13-song grind metal monster is really strong with some incredible drumming from Jordan Varela that would make most drummers hang up their sticks and go sell car insurance. Dave Kibler has one hell of a brutal guitar tone on this CD and throws down with some of the most vicious riffs I've heard in a while. New member to the band, Von Young, also plays guitar and handles the vocal duties. He's got some lungs from HELL with a great vocal performance with plenty of gut-wrenching lows and some blistering mid-range shrieks. There were a few demonic growls that went on for several seconds and I wondered if my stereo was possessed. Chris Campbell does a great job on bass and holds down the low end with a true love for the craft.

I dug the whole CD, but I would say my favorite tracks were "Deviant Pleasures", "Seven 19", and of course the classic Lividity track "Pussy Lover" - with part III of the disturbing series. Hell yeah.

When I met Dave to get this advanced copy, they were selling Lividity shirts that read IT'S NOT ABOUT SATAN, IT'S ABOUT PUSSY. That really sums it all up for me. Listen to this new Lividity CD when you're fucking someone in a nasty kind of way - maybe in the ass, or some sort of grudge fuck that hurts. Or all of the above.

Check these sick fucks out at www.lividity.info and pick up a copy of "Used, Abused, and Left for Dead" or they just might come to your house and gang rape your grandma.

Yet another dose of some of the most disgusting death metal porn from Illinois own Lividity. This release is from Morbid Records (Germany) and it's a fine piece of work for anyone who digs their metal in the most vile of ways. I thought the production on this cd was good and since it was a burned copy provided by the band, I can't tell what the packaging is like. I can only assume it features pierced vaginas and the other sick shit that they posted all over their last release liner notes.

With songs like Fetal Scabs, Anal Autopsy, and Coated with My Semen it's obvious what you're getting here. This band doesn't try to act like anything they're not - they give it to you in your face and dirty. I would definitely like to check them out live to see it unfold on stage.

Til Only the Sick Remain is a 9-song offering from Lividity and proves once again that in the sick world of death metal, Lividity continues to remain amongst the most brutal on the planet.

It's always great to see people actually doing something for the underground metal scene, instead of the crap that seems to pollute our world and rip bands off when they can. The guys at Loco Diablo have come up with their heaviest compilation yet with Volume 9. Since the release sports many Heavycore bands, I told them I'd be proud to review the cd and give it a listen.

The production of the songs is good, especially for a compilation. The artwork is strong and the liner notes are full of good contact information so you can get in touch with the bands. The Heavycore bands that make up this cd are: All Will Fall, Wisdom of the Leech, Alchymist, Hate Choir, Self Inflicted, Skullpl8 and Drive Theory.

Overall the cd was very ass kicking and I enjoyed checking out the bands. Of course I'm partial to my Heavycore brothers and they're spread around the cd in proper doses for lovers of heaviness.

Support the underground and check out www.locodiablorecords.com to see how to get on the next compilation.

This is a band from Chicago that really knows how to play their instruments! I must say that this demo surprised me, because I had no idea what the band sounded like when I put it in. These guys are a very unique 3-piece metal band that combines lots of influences in one solid punch to the sack. In the first couple of minutes into the demo I heard hints of old Black Sabbath, some Motorhead, a little Fates Warning and even some Pantera. Sounds like an odd mixture of metal? Well, let me introduce you to Lost in Blue!

The production on this demo is very good and really brings out the escence of the band in a neat and polished way. The artwork is simple but it works. They are an instrumental band that finds a way to entertain without vocals by intertwining melody and complex music and making you forget there aren't any vocals. The first song Kali Mis is really a musicians buffet with lots of wicked guitar soloing as well as nice bass and drum grooves to keep the metal fires burning bright. The second song Illusions Be Shattered is more of a heavy riffing tune, with some tasty double kicks to keep the metal freaks thrashing. The song has a little more of an early Iron Maiden feel, with some cool Judas Priest double guitar stuff. The last song A Day to Remember is a little more mellow, but a good showcase of what the band can do musically. Keith really shines on this one playing some incredible guitar stuff. But bassist Ryan and drummer Zach are keeping the foundation strong and rock solid . . . while venturing off into paths unknown and keeping the listener wondering what they'll do next.

I do like my metal heavier than this, but I can totally appreciate the skill and excellent song writing that makes up Lost in Blue. They really get an A plus from me on the originality front and musicianship for sure. These guys are very incredible.

From the northern Chicago area, Lost in Blue’s music comes soaring in on the wings of both the graceful birds and the mighty combat machines of the sky. Their CD entitled Remain in this Dream contains all of the European melodic principles of 20 years ago with a barb-edged loss of reason and rhythm shifting that is prominent in a lot of American metal today. It starts off with their dark, flowing, yet tuneful strong suit then incurs multiple time, tempo, and style changes throughout the course of just one song. Lost in Blue is definitely NOT your usual “verse-chorus-verse” style of band. These guys can play! Lost in Blue’s musical methodology has close ties to the comforting and elevating doubled lines of Iron Maiden. The riffs seem to be born of true purpose and are able to compel you emotionally but they also brandish the authority to abruptly throw you into the gunfire of war with an American thrash-molded melee. The recording quality is terrific with all instruments leveled faultlessly. The only down side to the album is that it is short (4 songs long) and leaves you desiring more. At the current time, Lost in Blue is without a vocalist so this CD is completely instrumental. Honestly, I didn’t even notice due to being so enveloped by the music. One thing is certain: when they find the singer that is right for them, look the hell out! If you like metal, or if you like music at all for that matter, you’ll like what Lost in Blue has to offer; there’s something in here for everyone. Head to www.lostinblue.com and check them out right away.

Do you feel the blade against your neck; the cold steel bringing the red warmth to the light? It can mean only one thing. Those who are most brutal, those sickest, sadistic storytellers of Low Twelve are back again. And they’ve brought a little company with them; twelve others to be exact. Twelve of the most vile, demonic, and wicked killers are living inside the mind of Nolan Weeks, who is the focus of their new album. Since their arrival they’ve dwelled in his mind, impelling and pushing him to “Kill Everything.” Now, Nolan’s death toll has reached an incomprehensible number and as he sits so willingly on death row we get to hear his story from his point of view. This is the world of Low Twelve’s latest metal conquest; their concept album entitled This Side Toward Enemy. Of all of Low Twelve’s recordings, this latest is the most devastating to the poser world. It is thoroughly bursting with original and intense riffing. Low Twelve’s signature of severely unrelenting thrash wakens ultimate evil on this album. The storyline, if even taken by itself, is one of the darkest tales I have ever come across, but musically, it’s another story altogether. Set your fears to music and you might come close to what is contained in this conception. Low Twelve has always had the great ability to completely draw the listener into the story behind the song but never before has this skill been as strong as it is on This Side Toward Enemy. The mix is near faultlessness and envelopes you entirely in this maddening account psychotic serial killer Nolan Weeks. The album evokes feelings of nervousness; from the first track I felt hurried as if on the run from whatever might lie in wait inside my own head. Pete Altieri speaks for insanity itself and his razored vocals fly out at you at an inimitable speed and provides the expression of true wickedness. His voice is perfect for Low Twelve’s distinct and meticulously crafted music. It’s all in his delivery; Pete’s annunciations, though coarse and raspy, are always clearly understood. This quality is vital when telling a story of such bloody detail. There is also an ample use of guest vocals on the album including Gary Meskil of Pro-Pain. These added voices help to broaden the perspective of multiple personalities and are extensive enough to keep things varied but do not run the risk of overdoing it. Pete is most certainly still in charge here and his bass tone, which is just as commanding, rumbles and grinds your bones to powder and reverberates like a sledgehammer pounding a steel drum. Riff master Les Aldridge shows that he’s unquestionably on top of his game with guitar parts that interrupt the very synapses in your brain, replacing them with 12,000 volts of metal madness to fry every nerve in your body. In this endless thrash metal onslaught of stabbing riffs Les conjures up true iniquity and flesh pealing crunch from his guitar. His style, though well founded in the roots of real thrash, is unique and his prowess overwhelms. Les’ foreground demanding solos are plentiful and effectively haunting with eerie guitar effects. The drum work of Wes Pollock is ever-precise, lightning fast, and concise. His capable ability undeniably drives this blood-filled story home. The firmest of foundations are laid down by his pummeling skill. These beats are every bit as malicious as the guitar work and make him stand out as having a drum style all his own. The level of mental instability is only taken further as each song progresses with continually mounting heaviness and startling time changes. It would be hard to find song structure any better than this.

Now that I’ve covered what’s on the disc I’ll move to the packaging that surrounds this torturing tour de force. The cover, composed of artwork from the warped mind of Jeff Gaither, acts exactly as a cover should. It, in itself, tells much of the story and with a bloodied hand guides you in for a lethally closer look. Adorning this cover is the tormented figure of Nolan Weeks surrounded by twisted manipulations that are the faces of the twelve killers that haunt the story’s central character. Gaither’s art is ripe with sickening detail and is always Low Twelve’s first choice, and rightfully so. Just inside you will find, bordered by blood, a group photo of the band with seemingly stoic yet apparently wise expressions on their faces. Thrown into the mix on the two adjoining inside pages are photos of murder, murderers, bloody handprints and the illegible and incoherent scribbling of a mind pushed too far. This combined makes up the background on which you’ll find the musical, artistic and recording credit info. These pages unfold yet again to display a poster, decorated with weapons and yet more blood, containing the lyrics to these neurotic songs. On the very back page, a quick but sufficiently described synopsis of This Side Toward Enemy.

Low Twelve’s This Side Toward Enemy demands to be seen, heard, and felt. This album is the perfect combination of thrash metal and mental illness. It’s more than just a good album because it entertains in so many aspects. There is no other band like Low Twelve; that is a certainty. Let us pray that there are no other Nolan Weeks roaming free in the world. Get the whole story at www.thissidetowardenemy.com or www.lowtwelve.com.

Representing the hot-bed of good metal, the Midwest, Lupara from Chicago slams it with one hell of a kick to the jaw. These hardcore maniacs draw blood right out of the box. The production of this 6-song self titled EP is outstanding and it had my poor computer speakers whining like bitches. In addition, they've got some awesome cover art that really makes for a professional package!

Their guitars have a nice meaty crunch, the drums sound great with just enough click to the kick drums, and the vocals are mean with a good growling mid range style that gives the EP its hardcore edge. The bass playing was good and solid - I would have liked to see it up a bit in the mix (but what do I know . . . I'm a fuckin' bass player).

Lupara seems to draw from a variety of influences of which I hear Pantera, Machine Head, and a blend of a variety of east coast style hardcore bands like SOD, Pro-Pain, and even Agnostic Front. These guys kick some major ass . . . old school all the way!

I dug the track "They Call Me Disease" the most, but all of them tore shit up. Check them out online for more information at www.lupara1.com

These guys are simply legends in the death metal world - so I was honored to be asked to a review of their latest on Nuclear Blast - "Doomsday X". Malevolent Creation has made a tough and blood-soaked journey in the metal world since their 1987 inception in Buffalo New York. This release marks their 10th release and it's enough to scorch your eardrums at high volumes. The production is good, done by Gus Rios and mastered by the metal master himself Alan Douches. They also get some guests to appear like guitarist Mick Thompson of Slipknot fame to do a solo in the single from the CD "Deliver My Enemy".

"Doomsday X" sees the great Brett Hoffman in the fray as he lays down some of the most brutal growls I've heard in a while. He's so old school that I know this shit is real spewing from his mouth and it makes it that much more legit. The guitar work is awesome from Jon Rubin and Phil Fasciana who lay down some face-ripping riffs but at the same time bust into cool harmonies like in "Culture of Doubt". They trade solos back and forth and show the nu metal pukes what real metal is all about. Jason Blachowicz has a bottom pounding bass tone and is in total synch with drummer Dave Culross. Dave's drum work is wicked as hell with a double bass drum rain that pelts the skin of anyone who shouldn't be listening to Malevolent Creation. The band shows their experience playing together and sound like one poser-shredding machine of death.

I had this CD in my car for a couple of weeks and listened to it a lot as well as spun it on my radio show. I like the whole thing but the standout tracks I think are the ear catching "Deliver My Enemy" and I also dug "Buried in a Nameless Grave" and "Upon Their Cross". But if you dig death metal - you can't not like this wicked display of sheer brutality.

Pick up "Doomsday X" - it's out now on Nuclear Blast. It's a milestone in the great career of this band, so don't be a pussy and not pick one up. Check them out online if you like at www.malevolent-creation.com

Malicious Damage does it again, but this time comes at you with both barrels blazing with the release of "Sickness Amongst the Pure". I put this CD in my computer and sat back in amazement of how the band improved in song writing, production, and just over all tightness. I was thrashing it out to the opening track, "Bear This Cross", when they tossed in an unexpected acoustic guitar piece with some cool dreamlike vocals, and then busted back into a rage-filled thrash attack!

The production is really strong on this CD and the artwork they did for the cover is really wicked. The inside offers up lyrics to the songs, and they even mention us at Heavycore in the thanks. They get a couple extra "points" for that one - ha.

The musicianship is strong once again with these guys - I wish they would have included an updated bio with the CD because I'm not sure if they've had any lineup changes since the last CD I heard. The guitar work is really killer, with nice heavy tones for the rhythms, and when they bust into solos - it's nice and screaming like metal leads should be. They put in leads just at the right times, with some fine fretwork. The bass player is thundering along for sure, and keeps the band fixed firmly on the metal path, while the drummer really tears it up behind the kit. I dig his double bass work and the obvious fury he plays with to keep the band moving in the right direction. The vocals are much better than the last CD I heard, because he mixes things up nicely between the mid range rasp and some melodic singing. It's done well, and not the lame predictable stuff you hear a lot in the nu metal stuff. These guys are a thrash metal band with a touch of a hardcore edge to them. There's no nu metal bullshit here!

I liked the entire 11 songs on this CD, but I would have to say my standout tracks were "An Easy Poison" and the opener "Bear This Cross" because it really took me by surprise with the sweet acoustic part tossed into the mayhem that is Malicious Damage. If you dig your metal hard and fast, with plenty of twists and turns to keep your interest, then you'll love "Sickness Amongst the Pure" - it fucking slays.

This is the second CD I've heard from Malicious Damage, the old school death metallers from Florida. This is a full length CD that has better production than what I've heard before. It's a very powerful 10-song CD with something to say. I got a pre-release copy with no artwork, but this music is kick ass and it stands firmly on its own. The only thing I didn't care for on the production was an overall processed sound to the toms, that took away slightly from the power of the music.

These guys seem to have taken things to the next level with their song writing, because the first track "World of Lies" really knocked me on my ass with a good chugging groove that made me want to hear more. The guitar playing is outstanding with some wicked rhythms and sizzling solos that are rare in lots of the new metal that comes out. The bass player is also strong and mixes in nicely with the guitar tones. I liked the punch of his sound in the track "Discipline" and he shows off his chops in the beginning of "Revelation Six". The drummer is really versatile and does some cool shit behind the kit. He's definitely been working on his chops, because it shows on this full length. I liked the vocals too, as they dwell somewhere between death metal, thrash metal, with a hint of a hardcore edge.

They add some cool samples at the beginning of most tracks, and some of them were pretty freaky like at the beginning of "Reborn Shaman". But maybe I just smoke too much bud! They really throw the listener a curve with a track like "Crystal Clear" that showcases their talents in a way that the other songs don't. They've got a super clean sound going on in that track and it's very odd - but cool.

Email them to find out more about this killer metal band . . . Malicious Damage is going somewhere. You better hang on tight or move the fuck out of their way! actomaselli@msn.com

Wielding a weapon most lethal, Winnipeg, Canada’s Mandatory Death deliver a death blow with Clashing of the Swords; vicious thrash metal that keeps with traditional styles but still maintains a certain degree of originality. Immediate relationships can be drawn from sounds inspired by Testament or the glory days of Metallica. However, there are more elements present here that makes Clashing of the Swords more than just another run-of-the-mill thrash album. Delicately composed acoustic rhythms and choral keyboard arrangements also fill in the blanks and fit right into place among the melodic doubled guitar melodies. But don’t be fooled by their presence, this is fast tempo thrash with interjecting slow, mashing riffs created by slamming bass lines and textbook mid-scooped guitars. The album only gets more interesting and gains momentum as it progresses; supercharged by superior soloing. The vocals, while somewhat unrefined for now, act as a call to war; a true commander of metal armies. The lyrics are straight forward in essence and have a white knuckle delivery. The mix is quite excellent, with only a couple of barely noticeable rough spots, and it is very apparent that these guys worked their asses off on it. Head to www.madatorydeath.com right away to find out more about these truly skilled thrashers.

Slamming it with a metal vengeance from South Carolina is Meat Curtain with one hell of a brutal cd entitled "The Unrelenting EP". The production is very good, while the cover art and packaging is very simple but evil and wicked nonetheless. The musicianship on this 4-song EP is strong and blends together to form a brick wall for any unsuspecting poser to run themselves into.

Meat Curtain shows off their metal knowledge by drawing upon a multitude of influences, ranging from old Obituary, to Cannibal Corpse, to even a little Slayer tossed in for good measure. They definitely have a unique sound that encompasses a variety of metal styles. The drummer was exceptional with one of the best drum sounds I've heard in a while, and the guitar player just shreds the frets with precision for the entire cd. The bass playing was bottom pounding all the way and the vocals were very wicked - with a deep growl that expanded into some wicked mid range power. Very good shit. I liked the "War Machine" track the best - some serious mosh pit music.

Definitely check out Meat Curtain if you've got a craving for some good metal with a death/grind edge at www.meatcurtain.net

Taking the metal world by storm is Scotland's Mendeed with their latest CD due out March 6, 2007 on Nuclear Blast - "The Dead Live By Love". The production on this CD is simply incredible! As with all Nuclear Blast releases, the artwork and packaging is fantastic and they even tossed in a sticker for me to add to the collection.

The musicianship of this band is really jaw-dropping to say the least. I haven't heard a tighter band in a while. The guitar duo of Steven Nixon and Steph Gildea is kick ass from start to finish. The guitar work from Steven Nixon is incredible in the song "Blood Brothers" as he tears into leads like pitbull on a poser. He's got a great tone and plays some of the tastiest solos and harmonies I've heard in a while. Chris Lavery holds his own on bass and provides some backing vocals as well. He plays some killer stuff in "Blood Brothers" as well to accompany the guitar prowess of Steven Nixon. I was very impressed with the drumming from Kevin Matthews who blasts into some wicked double bass fury on command and owns that drum kit with nice sweeping rolls and nice cymbal work to accent the right parts. Dave Proctor really has a great vocal range and rounds out this band well. He does have a good sense of melody, without sounding commercial like Bullet for My Valentine, Trivium, or the like. These guys shred any of those "Hot Topic Bands" where they stand.

When they want to, Mendeed can get as brutal as just about anyone out there, but they have the unique ability to keep it melodic enough for the palette of the standard metal fan. I really dug this band and would love to hear more from them - or maybe catch them live sometime.

Check them out online at www.mendeed.co.uk and definitely pick up a copy of "The Dead Live By Love" when it comes out in March!

Here's another great Scandanavian band that not only throws down in a monstrous metal way, but proves they can really play their instruments along with the best of them. Mercenary is a Danish band that is about one of the most diverse I've heard in a very long time. Their cd "11 Dreams" is incredibly produced with some nice artwork that will be released February 2005 on Century Media Records.

The musicianship on "11 Dreams" is incredible as Jakob Molbjerg and Martin Buus share the guitar duties with very wicked heavy tones. Martin does all the solos and listening to his great fretwork is reminiscent of late 80's thrash metal that gave us so many incredible guitar players. At times I was just dumbfounded at the tasty licks he spits out all over this cd. Bass player Kral has a great sound and even shares some of the impressive vocal duties along with singer Mikkel Sandager. The vocals vary quite a bit, but their trademark shows off some nice harmonies. I could have done without so much keyboard in a few of the songs, but I must say that Morten Sandager (brother of Mikkel) does a nice job playing them as well as providing additional vocal support. With all three singers, Mercenary really textures the songs nicely with multiple harmonies in the right places. At times Mikkel shrieks in a way that reminded me of some kick ass Udo stuff - which left me looking for my spiked arm band and raising a metal fist in support. Drummer Mike Park has a great sound and does an awesome job throwing down behind the kit with some sweet double bass work to keep the metal heads banging well into the night. He keeps the foundation nice and tight - metal all the fuckin' way!

I hear lots of influences when I listen to this cd, including some Nevermore, King Diamond, Dream Theater (the good stuff), Messhugah, at times a bit of old Accept, and just about any great guitar dominant band you can name from the late 80's. If you dig your metal heavy, but laden with great melody - then you must check out Mercenary. These guys really are a musician's band if I've ever heard one.

Slamming it from rock n' roll central, Cleveland Ohio, Mindscape puts forth one hell of a release with "Dismantling Evolution". These guys are all about promoting themselves, and really get the word out to their ever-growing masses of fans. So many of the packets I get are not put together well, but this band rises above most with a very professional delivery.

"Dismantling Evolution" is produced very well, with very killer artwork on the cover and liner notes. The guitar crunch really stands out and gives the band some real nut sack. The drumming and bass playing lay down one hell of a sick groove and is bottom shattering to say the least. What makes the band stand out is the vocals, because they're not the typical clean/scream/clean bullshit, or the cookie monster death vocals. Singer Steve Bull has a gritty mid-range quality to his voice which makes the lyrics audible and is unique in today's trend of metal vocals. I give credit to them for not fitting neatly into a box, but challenging the stereotypes with screaming guitar leads, pounding riffs, and excellent musicianship.

I hear a blend of many styles of metal when I listen these guys. I hear some old school Iron Maiden, from the Killers era! Also a bit of Danzig, and the good thrash of old Metallica/Megadeth. Mindscape strives for originality in a sea of lame band wagon jumpers. They tow the metal line for sure - fuck yeah.

Coming from the blue collar streets of St. Louis is Misanthropic, a harsh death metal band that loves to sicken their listener with wicked lyrics and offensive content. Of course in the world of extreme metal . . . that's a good thing!

The production quality on their "The Human Disgrace" CD is not that good, but it's got a very gritty underground feel that most fans of the death metal genre like. There are plenty of disturbing sound samples at the beginning of the songs to add to the insanity. The cover art and CD booklet are all home-made, which adds it seems to the underground flavor of the whole thing. Musically the band is good and sound with gutteral vocals that go along with the music very well.

I hear lots of death metal influences when I listen to their 12-song CD like Cannibal Corpse, Suffocation, and even some Obituary thrown in for good measure. It would have been nice to hear these guys with some better production, but they're young and ready to burn the house down.

Check them out online at www.misanthropicstl.com to play hopscotch on a landmine along with these crazy fuckers!

Just like Freddy Krueger was born from the semen of a bunch of mental patients, Mnemic was seemingly spawned from a horde of incredibly skilled musicians and a few insane ones tossed in to garnish this unholy beast! WOW - listening to the new "Passenger" CD on Nuclear Blast took me from one extreme to the other. The production is what you would expect from any Nuclear Blast release and just as kick ass as the rest, complete with professional art and packaging.

Surprisingly, this is only their 3rd CD release, as the band sounds like seasoned vets who have been playing together for a decade or more. This Danish band is incredibly tight and it's no wonder that they were asked to played for over 60,000 fans at the Danish Music Awards. To me, they remind me of Strapping Young Lad with their scatterbrained style of metal that goes from bludgeoning riffs, to brief melodic passages, into a mind-blowing instrumental barrage, and then somewhere else - all in the span of one minute. The two guitarists, Mircea and Rune, are very strong and they let loose some wicked guitar solos when the time is right. The rhythm section of bass player Obeast and Brylle on drums keep the foundation strong like it should, while at the same time, keeping that tightness factor to the utmost degree! I also liked vocalist Guillaume for his versatility and range, he's really all over the place conducting the insanity of Mnemic.

So pick up this wicked 11-song CD that is due out in the US on February 6, 2007. If you like your metal heavy as hell, with plenty of twists and turns to satisfy Alfred Hitchcock himself, then you'll really dig Mnemic. Check out their site at www.mnemic.com

If you're a self-respecting death metaller, you HAVE to know who Morbid Angel is. I don't care how long you've been into the genre or what you like about it and don't like about it, if you don't know Morbid Angel, there's something wrong with you. For over a decade, these Floridians have been putting out some of the greatest recordings in death metal history and with each recording, becoming even better than before. Such is the case with the band's latest offering, Heretic. With this new opus, it seems as though Morbid Angel has finally perfected the art of complex and flat-out brutal death metal.

The first thing to mention is the return of Steve Tucker, who left the band in 2000. Tucker has returned and on Heretic, truly proves himself as one of the finer death metal vocalists of this day and age, alternating between a finely tuned growl to demonic mid-range screams. At times, it's almost as if Satan himself is singing these songs! Trey Azagthoth's guitar skills continue to amaze me. This man is truly a metal visionary and complexity to most, is in all likelihood, simplicity to him.

The songs are very well rounded, some being blasting and violent, while others are a little slower and more introspective. Pete Sandoval's drum skills could not possibly be any better. On Heretic, he delivers a performance that will have jaws dropping and heads exploding...or so I hope. If you are a metaller from way back, get this and enjoy it. If you're just getting into it, get this and know what metal is really all about. Long live the kings, Morbid Angel!

This one comes in all the way from the UK - as our warped brothers in Morgueazm have created a monster with their full length "Multiple Morgueazms" CD. The production kicks total ass and the cover art/photos are nice and sick - the way we love it here at Heavycore. You'll be treated to see the naked body of their own "Chainswhore" model, as she's doused in blood and getting a little personal with a human skull. She's hot and nice to look at - over and over throughout the booklet.

I dug the way they started the CD, appropriately with some real creepy sounds and some chick getting on off on something - we could only assume it was the Chainswhore and the skull she is kissing on the cover. Hell yeah! We appreciate the masturbation soundtrack for sure. Drummer Brett Avok puts on one hell of a performance with a double bass attack that will shred any poser within listening distance. He even did the recording engineering himself! Dark Mark does a great job slinging the bass and doing some keys at the right time. The well-known metal madman, Gramie Dee throws down on guitar and vocal duties . . . laughing like a madman while chainsaws roar in the distance! He lays down some killer metal solos, that brought me back to the late 1980's fretburners.

They even tossed in some bonus tracks, to include their rendition of the Heavycore union anthem "Heavycore". We appreciate their support of the cause, mentions of the CORE in their liner notes and paying homage with their version of the song.

This one of the most original bands I've heard in a long time . . . definitely check them out if you dig it heavy, sick and twisted! Buy their new CD or face the wrath of the Chainswhore!

The 5-song sampler from Morgueazm is a tease for their upcoming full length "Multiple Morgueazms". The first thing that totally blew me away was the double kick drums in the first track - a song with lyrics in German called "Ich Komm In Deinem Blut". The production of the drums is absolutely incredible on this track and every one after. One hell of a job!

Morgueazm is old school metal all the way - hailing from the UK and showing the young bands how it's supposed to be done. Tracks like "I Lick Your Meat" show that Morgueazm can mix it up and put a little melody into their heavy and disturbing arrangements. They even toss in some porn moaning at the right times to add to the effect.

One thing that really blew my ass away was their cover of "Heavycore" - which ironically is a song that I wrote for the Heavycore organization to use as an anthem of sorts. I told all the Heavycore bands to put their own slant to it - and that's just what Morgueazm did. It's downright heavy as hell and bludgeoning with screaming guitars and rattling bass so strong that I knocked a few things off my desk when I turned it up.

The last track on the sampler is a cover of "Aqualung" from Jethro Tull and they do one hell of a job with it. At times the vocals were a dead ringer for Ian Anderson . . . and then at times it was much more sick and twisted. If this sampler is any indication, the full length cd should really kick some serious ass.

Mortality is a brutal ass death metal band from San Antonio Texas. This three-song demo has excellent production and with it came a short and sweet bio on the band that said they've opened up for Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel and Deicide as well good press in Metal Maniacs, Pit and various other zines. These guys are wicked and Decay Demo deals out some old school death metal.

Dennis Sanders is incredible on drums, laying down some kick ass double bass stuff and blast beats while the guitar/bass crunch is solid and the vocals offer a deep gutteral growl that keeps it sick 24-7. The guitar solos by Pete Hernandez and David Gonzales are tasty and well written, putting the icing on this most evil death metal cake. When they're not doing scorching leads, they serve up some viscous riffing that bring me back to some good old school death metal like Obituary or early Death.

Apparently all that Texas heat has been penned up and released in a sick and twisted form that is Mortality. Huge thumbs up here as these guys throw down in a huge way - check this demo out for sure!

Motorhead - Stage Fright DVD (review by Luke)

Motorhead never cease to amaze. Rightfully, they are gods in the world of rock and metal. So very rarely are there bands as consistently good and consistently pump out great albums like these guys. With their latest DVD release of Stage Fright Motorhead continue in this tradition. In all truth, this DVD is anything but traditional. Sure it has a great concert; what would a DVD be without it? Sure it’s loaded with all the favorite Motorhead songs, new and old. But there is so much more to these DVD’s than what is usually offered. Whereas most DVD’s contain a concert with minimally creative camerawork, minimal packaging, and minimal extras, this set contains massive amounts of everything aforementioned. Even the case containing it all, a totally clear and elaborate DVD sized jewel case, is above and beyond. A perfect set up for massive show inside. It literally took me two days to get through everything contained on the two discs.

First off, the concert: Disc one is a live show taped in Düsseldorf , Germany , on December 7^th of 2004. The guys stroll out one by one, as usual, onto the stage. This proves to be, as anyone who has seen them can testify, the only common and definitely the only tame part of the show. From then on, it’s a blaze of strings, screams, heavily distorted Marshall stacks, cigs, beer, a seizure educing light show, and of course… LEMMY!!! For twenty songs they run through all of the classics. I shouldn’t say “run.” It just doesn’t seem to be a word fitting of the speed they use live. They don’t just stick to the same old songs though. The main focus of this show is the newer material pulled from the album Inferno, which is as any Motorhead album is, perfect. It is easy to tell by watching the intensity rise that their hearts are really into these new tracks like “In The Name Of Tragedy.” The camera work is something out of an action film, literally. The “bullet time” method is used in key points in the show and really sets this DVD apart from others. Other great aspects of the first disc are audio commentaries, and multi-angle features, and we’re nowhere near the end of it all…

Disc 2 has more extras than a Pixar DVD. There’s the “L.A. Special,” which is video at a party for the boys’ 30^th anniversary, a segment called “fans” which, as you can expect, all about the band’s colorful fans, a “Testimonials” section where the band and crew trade horror stories from the road, and a “making of” chapter that takes you deep behind the scenes as they set up to throw down. Then there is the best feature of the 2^nd disc, “We Are
The Road Crew.” This documentary that borders on a feature length film is all about the men and women who work behind Motorhead to help make it all possible. Motorhead have a notoriously strong, family-like relationship with their road crew and have had the same members for years. These chapters are all dedicated to them. “We Are The Road Crew” is hilarious, every bit as entertaining as the live show, and worth the cost of the DVD alone. Disc two also has plenty of DVD-ROM features you can access on your computer. All of this makes Stage Fright not only one of the best music DVD’s available, it is also one of the best DVD’s created, period. It is released through SPV and available at any self respecting music dealer. Find out more about it at www.spv.de or www.imotorhead.com

Napalm Death - The Code is Red . . . Long Live the Code (review by Pete)

Napalm Death unleashes yet another brutal barrage of new songs with "The Code is Red . . . Long Live the Code" on Century Media Records. I got a pre-release copy of the CD and I must say it's fucking brutal 24/7. With 15 songs and a video for the song "Morale" - Napalm Death proves to the planet how influential they have been on extreme music that takes elements of hardcore, grindcore, thrash, and even hints of death metal to make one hell of a wicked sound that is uniquely their own.

Drummer Danny Herrera throws down big time on this CD with a double fisted fury, Mitch Harris keeps the guitar tone crunching and intense, new bass player Shane Embury keeps that bottom end rattling your rib cage, and the vocal Armageddon that is Barney Greenway gives the patented Napalm Death sound that little extra "umph" to put them over the top. Listening to the chaos on my PC with headphone, I was about ready to start a pit in my bedroom. I liked the whole thing, but my favorite tracks were "Climate Controllers" and "Instruments of Persuasion". Both songs went from warp speed into some of the best mosh parts I've heard in a long time . . . chugging riffs, drum sticks shattering, and plenty of grooves to go around.

Adding to the great collection of new songs are appearances by vocal legends like Jello Biafra (ex-Dead Kennedy's), Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed), and Jeff Walker (ex-Carcass). What a great combination of talent from various ends of the spectrum! Is there any other reason that you need to pick up this new CD from Napalm Death? They've got the guests mixed in nicely . . . a surprise around every twist and turn.

So sell some plasma and drag your sorry ass to the nearest record store . . . new Napalm Death will be here on April 19, 2005 on Century Media. If you dig your metal up in your face, dripping with aggression, and full of enough energy to fuel a small country, then you have to check out "The Code is Red . . . Long Live the Code".

Visit them online for more information and tour schedules at www.enemyofthemusicbusiness.com

Napalm Death/Kreator Live Show Review - 2006 (review by Pete/Nasty Nate Clark)

Click here for all the pics and the review of the Mokena Illinois show by Pete Altieri. Click here for the pics and review of the San Fransisco show by Nasty Nate Clark.

Napalm Death - Leaders Not Followers: Part 2 (review by Pete)

The heat down in Vernon Texas must have roasted these guys to a crisp to put out one hell of a sick ass 9-song cd. Nothing Remains throws down with some serious old school death metal with some insane grinding that would send any poser home crying like a bitch. The cd packaging is simple but the production of the cd is very good.

These guys hammer out some of the most wicked blast beats I've ever heard and it's a wonder that drummer Brandon Arnold doesn't need CPR when he's done with a set. I hear lots of influences when I kick back and hear Nothing Remains . . . ranging from Obituary, to Death, Carcass, and old Cannibal Corpse. At times they really stray from the path and go into an incredibly musical part which at times reminded me of Cradle of Filth. The song writing is strong and keeps things interesting.

Definitely check these guys out online at www.nothingremains.com if you dig some seriously harsh death grind madness.

This one of the coolest projects I've ever heard of a label doing. This CD was produced, composed, and played by Peter Wichers - the founding member of the band Soilwork. He uses the vastness of the talent of Nuclear Blast bands to help him put it all together and creates a very wicked ambiance of heavy music. The drums are played by Dirk Verbeuren (Soilwork, Scarve) and Henry Ranta (ex-Soilwork). The vocals are all done by different singers from various Nuclear Blast bands like Anders Friden from In Flames, Peter Tagtgren from Hypocrisy, Maurizio Iacono of Kataklysm, John Bush of Anthrax, and more! It's fucking cool as hell to hear that kind of variety on one CD, while the music is all created by the same person!

This CD is apparently part two of a compilation series that began with "Into the Light" . . . so "Into the Dark" is the heavier side of things. I thought the first song "Dysfunctional Hours" was strong, and I absolutely loved "Paper Trail" with the vocals of John Bush. He's got one of those voices that you can't mistake, and I've been a fan of him since Armored Saint's debut "March of the Saint". I also dug the shit out of "Cold is My Vengeance" with Kataklysm's Maurizio Iacono pulling vocal duties. He's one of the strongest metal singers in my opinion and this tune slams! There's a wicked mosh pit part in the middle that I'm sure would send a crowd into a feeding frenzy. I also dug the song "My Name is Fate" with Death Angel's Mark Osegueda screaming along. The whole CD rips to be honest . . . every time I've listened to it I like a different song more than another!

This one his well worth picking up if you dig your metal very heavy, with plenty of twists and turns, and an unholy alliance of all stars to make it a unique find! I'm simply amazed at the creative genius that is Peter Wichers. Maybe there's something to that name? Ha.

"Out of the Dark" from the Nuclear Blast All Stars comes out September 25, 2007. For more information check out www.nuclearblastusa.com

These guys hail from Phoenix Arizona, but from their in-your-face hardcore style, you'd swear they were slugging it out in the hard concrete jungle of New York City. The production on this CD isn't too bad at all, and has a throwback style to it also and I believe it gives Obscene Gesture a more underground feel to them. The cover art and packaging are very professional looking.

I'm not a hardcore enthusiast much - but I can appreciate when bands do it right. These guys remind me of old Suicidal Tendencies big time with a little bit of Agnostic Front tossed in. The vocals by Guy Green are hardcore to the bone and they've got a powerful backing vocal attack to go along with him into the street fight. Juan Garcia and Vince Dennis provide the dual guitar attack and they rip up some killer riffs at breakneck speeds . . . and keeping it metal by doing some nice fret-scorching solos along the way. The drummer, Chuck Profus, lays down the sonic beats that keep Obscene Gesture slamming along the whole time and bass player George Robb keeps the foundation with his bass playing. I would have liked to hear a little more bass, but I guess most hardcore doesn't feature bass-heavy stuff.

The "Living In Profanity" CD weighs in with a whopping 21 songs, so as you can imagine, in keeping with hardcore tradition . . . most of the songs are less than 2 minutes. They keep the listener entertained though, as they slam from one into the other like I'm sure they do at a live show. Speaking of live - I bet these guys tear it the fuck up on stage, since their music lends itself to the exciting live environment with plenty of leather, spikes, and mohawks stage diving into a swirling mosh pit.

I liked the songs "Bring the Blood" and "Crumbs" the best, but I think the whole CD is slamming for anyone who digs hardcore music with a metal edge. These guys seemed to have kept a 1985 calendar on their wall and said fuck it when the new ones came out each year after that. It's great to see bands sticking to their roots like this - so support the real underground and buy this fucking CD. I know you don't want big Guy Green coming to your house, raping your woman, and burning the house down to the fucking ground!

As the acoustic intro begins, you get an uneasy feeling. Those unsettling ideas only grow as the heavy crunching guitars break in and shatter the calm. Now you’re sure this is no ordinary story, and as the inside cover tells, it isn’t. When there is so many bands telling tales of fair maidens, dragons, or the future to come, Occams Razor takes a different approach to the concept album. According to the band, this album is the “story of our lives to this point.” Which brings the question, with day to day life being so crazy and at times, unbelievable, why would this NOT be the perfect idea for a concept album?

As this three part album advances, you’re shown a swaying, threatening and at times bizarre guitar style. Not too full of flash, just delivered slowly, heavy and to the point. Even though, this album may not contain squealing, 10 minute guitar solos, it’s still quite evident that these guys know their instruments. Though the sound is tight and the overall production of the album itself is great, it seems to have a lot of similarities to the newer “metal” bands on the radio, somewhat in the song structure but mostly in the vocal department. Not that this is Nu Metal by any means, but it would be advantageous to take special care to where your style is heading. With these resemblances aside, it’s easy to see and hear that a lot of thought and work went into this album, and that the band themselves show a lot of potential.

Here's a CD from a band that I know personally, that comes from the Heavycore birthplace of Bloomington Illinois. Ocularis is a kick ass band that really proves that determination and hard work do pay off in the end. This new 2007 recording they sent in for review, is not mastered and no artwork is complete, but the music stands on it's own. I thought the production was good, and nice to be able to hear these metal maniacs with better production than in the past.

This 7-song CD features a cool hidden track with burnouts talking and stuff . . . and they've got a sick intro to get your ass in the mood for the beating that is quickly to begin. The song "In A Puddle of Puke and Piss" is a killer tune and features one hell of a funny name. I liked the song and played it on my monthly radio show the Heavycore Chopping Block. The rest of the CD is killer too, with songs like "The Varicose Existence" and "Red-Headed Slut" tearing it up from beginning to end. It's tough to categorize this band, but I would say they're a mix of thrash metal, old school stuff, with some hardcore tossed in when you least expect it.

Guitarist Doug Bowling has a nice crunch to his sound and blasts off some sweet leads like metal days of yore. There were a few times that the guitars reminded me of some "Melissa-Era" Mercyful Fate - so I was giving him horns up the whole time! I really liked the bass tone and playing from Gamaliel Colon who throws down like a bass player should and shows off his fret prowess with some cool lines that reminded me of "Killers-Era" Iron Maiden. Drummer Big Mike Colier is a monster behind the kit and he pulverizes that snare drum and the rest into submission. His drum sound is very cool and showcases his talents nicely. Vocalist Bob Skellington puts a good performance into each track and shows his versatile style. He's got a distinctive voice that gives Ocularis a unique sound. Plus he's a great front man if you get a chance to check these bastards out live.

A great effort from a bunch of cool mother fuckers - how can you go wrong? Check them out online and see about getting your dick beaters on one of these CD's at www.the-eye-of-hell.com

I’m am about to use a word. This word has been over-used and improperly used for a long time, almost to the point that its original meaning has been lost. The word I am referring to is extreme. This is truly the only word that is fitting enough to describe what Omichron has accomplished with Opus of the Wretched. Their music has been pushed to points of extremity. A certain level that, when achieved, you can never return from. Very much akin to the same musical path that bands such as Cryptopsy or Anata have taken. This CD is loaded with guitar and bass riffs of a confusing nature and psychosis inducing speed, dispensed in copious and disorienting amounts. The drums are laid out in such a way so as to continue the focused obsession of royally fucking the boundaries of musicality in the ass while completely standing alone as its own entity to which you can pay sole attention to and never be deficient in gratification. Not that you need to be a mathematician to understand or enjoy this. The real benefit of this CD is that it’s encumbered with multitudes of bashing, muscle tissue-tearing, head banging passages. The vocals are quite possibly some of the most ravenous and life consuming as you are likely to hear anywhere in the metal world. These voicings dive low and continue low. Picture the worst automobile accident you’ve ever witnessed: it’s vocal vehicular manslaughter. This is the outlook for death metal. Omichron has seen the path of the future and has raced down it in a way that will cause you to gnash your teeth to powder. If your fear has not petrified your bones, head to www.omichron.net and learn more.

Here's a release to listen to while you're hacking up neighbor, or beating the neighborhood poser to death with a claw hammer! Ominous delivers the goods in a HUGE way with the release of the horrific "Intercorpse" on Chicago's Rotting Corpse Records. The most stunning thing to anyone who picks this CD up is the cover art by Craig Simpson, which is incredibly detailed and sickness at its finest. It features a hot metal chick, with her tits out, riding the penis of a dead body she's got dug up. These sick bastards actually show penetration if you can believe it! It's brutal as hell, just like you death metal maniacs love! The art piece is called "Necrolust" by the artist. The rest of the artwork is great and the booklet is filled with pictures, lyrics, and much more. Huge kudos to drummer Jay Meerholz for sporting a Heavycore shirt in his photo and for the band mentioning the Core in their thanks section.

This 14-song epic is brutal from beginning to end, with some wicked crunching guitar madness and vocals from front man Victor Gonzalez, intense drumming from Jay Meerholz, and killer bottom end punishment from bass player Drew Kerwin. These guys draw from a variety of influences that range from Cannibal Corpse, to Obituary and beyond. They've got everything from the most intense blast beats, to some killer mosh pit madness - so the listener will get a taste of it all. This CD doesn't let up for a minute . . . maybe long enough for you to listen to your victim scream for a minute between beatings. They'll be putting "Battered" on the upcoming Heavycore compilation CD "Core Til Death IV". My favorite tracks were "13 Years of Pain" and the title track "Intercorpse" but the whole thing slays.

If you dig your metal heavy, fast, chunky, and demonic - then you'll just love Ominous. If you have any pussies on the block, you might want to tie them up and scare them senseless with this slab of never-ending sickness!

I tossed this demo into my cd player and didn't really know what to expect and Ominous delivered the goods in a big way. The quality of the recording is decent for a demo and you can tell these guys did their metal homework with some sweet heavy riffs that brought me back to the late 80's. This three-piece from New Jersey show their metal roots loud and clear as they play a cool mix of death and black metal with some of the most wicked blast beats I've heard in a while.

Some of the heaviest riffs reminded me of some of Obituary at times but the vocals from guitar player/singer Victor were beyond brutal. This guy can really belt it out - sometimes down in the depths with some insane death metal growling and then busting out a shrill scream like he's getting knifed in the back. Or maybe it's some poser scum he's running down in the process? His guitar work was good, with some cool mood music to intro a couple of the tracks that reminded me of old Testament at times. The bass player Eric, and drummer Jayson also did a good job of holding the bottom end down, as all metal bands must do.

The song "13 Years of Pain" is going to be featured on the Heavycore DVD "Roasting Posers Volume I" and it was probably my favorite track on the demo. Very kick ass band with some good old school roots. Check them out for sure at http://ominousnj.tripod.com

One Man Army and the Undead Quartet - 21st Century Killing Machine (review by Pete)

Spawned from the demise of the Crown in 2004, vocalist Johan Lindstrand comes out swinging with his new project - One Man Army and the Undead Quartet. This Swedish band of thrashers is releasing their debut full length CD "21st Century Killing Machine" on Nuclear Blast. What a killer it is! The intro of the CD had me fiddling with my stereo EQ before it erupted into the bludgeoning first track Killing Machine. The production of the CD is fantastic and the artwork slick and eye catching. One more thing that really threw me - the track listing is 11, 21, 31, and so on until 91. As each song plays, the tracks move along and so on random play this CD would sound like a maniacal schizophrenic masterpiece!

This band is extremely talented, but keeps things simple enough for the average metal fan. This is great to see in an era where bands are trying to be so technical that it takes away from the feel of the music. This 9-song offering is as heavy as it gets with a kick ass blend of thrash metal with old school styles. Johan's vocals are up close and personal with a wicked mid range rasp, full of raw power and emotion. The guitar duo of Mikael Lagerblad and Pekka Kiviaho is tight and is like a brick wall smashing you in the face. In addition, they toss in well-placed harmonies and solos to make any nu-metal puke go pawn their gear! I really liked the bass tone of Robert Axelsson and the natural drum sounds from Marek Dobrowolski are a pleasant break from today's over processed recordings. The song writing is strong with good memorable parts to lure in the listener prior to dealing the final blow.

This CD comes out April 4, 2006 in the US - so step up and accept your beating now. Check them out online at www.onemanarmy.tv or let the undead take your worthless soul!

Bitch-slapping the false metal world, One Man Army and the Undead Quartet do it all over again with their latest Nuclear Blast release "Error in Evolution". I really loved their last release "21st Killing Machine" and this CD didn't let me down at all. It's just as powerful and has plenty of memorable parts to keep me raising my fist in the air and screaming along with frontman Johan Lindstrand. The production rips - it really sounds like the band is in my bedroom as I type this review . . . tearing it to fucking shreds! They recorded this CD in late 2006 at Deadline Studios with engineer Valle Adzic and if you can believe it - they mixed the whole thing down in 24 hours at Bohus! As a guy with an audio mixing background - I find that a stunning feat with the quality that's pouring like molten metal from my speakers!

I really dig the vocal work from Johan. He does such an incredible job keeping it brutal and harsh while at the same time being very intelligible with enough of a melody to keep it stuck in my head for days. He's extremely versatile and a metal genius, forming One Man Army shortly after the demise of the Crown. They've got an EP and two full lengths under their belt and have been touring like crazy with Children of Bodom and fellow Nuclear Blasters Ektomorf. They also have made many appearances at the killer European Metal Fests like Fuck Easter, Rock Hard, Metal Camp, Summer Breeze, Up From the Ground, and more.

In addition to the ever-wicked Johan, the rest of the band also earns their keep with one of the most bludgeoning guitar duos with Mikael Lagerbald and Pekka Kiviaho. They've got one hell of a savage metal tone to their rhythms and the leads that spew from Mikael's guitar are scorching to say the least. I really liked all his guitar leads, but the one in The Supreme Butcher really did it - a killer blend of melody and old school fret ripping! Robert Axcelsoon holds down the fort on bass, but also has a great tone to his licks and I dug the things he did to mix it up. The bass intro to the Sun Never Shines is simple, yet is so metal. Finally the drumming insanity from Marek Dobrowlski was kick ass to sum it up simply! He tears up the double kicks and pulverizes that drum kit with lots of emotion. I can only imagine how killer these guys would be live with lots of energy and hatred to go around.

I really dug the whole CD but the standout tracks after listening to it for a week or so straight are Such a Sick Boy, The Sun Never Shines, and See Them Burn. This is a must if you dig your metal very heavy with lots of groove, plenty of speed, and some of the most unholy vocals that are insanely intelligible. If you really listen to what he's saying, you just might start pissing the bed all over again!

This CD is out now on Nuclear Blast. I would strongly suggest you check it out - or Johan may come to your house and rape your grandma with an inverted cross. Check them out online at www.onemanarmy.tv

They say what happens in Vegas is supposed to stay in Vegas, but the thrash metal band Parannoyd is making a lot of noise and demands some attention with their latest CD "Kill Yourself or Die Tryin'. This CD has some very strong production and features some very slick artwork throughout, with lyrics and a pic of this three-piece. I was impressed checking it all out and with the CD cranked up - I got the full Parannoyd experience.

When I hear this band, I do hear a variety of influences that I typically don't hear all in the same band. I hear glimpses of Pantera with them, as well as Alice in Chains, Dead Kennedy's, and many more. These guys mix it up nicely and provide their own sound, which I would describe as a thrash metal band, with heavy punk and hardcore influences too. After checking out their myspace page, they sum it up pretty much the same way. So I don't think I'm off the mark with this one.

Musically the band is also strong with Lamar Little on drums who brings the thunder all the way with a very strong drumming style. He uses an old school double kick Pearl drum set, and in my book - it's metal all the way. The guitarist/vocalist Brendan McAllister is very versatile. He scorches the frets big time when he's doing guitar solos, and his riffing is very thrash-influenced. In the vocal department, he goes from Alice In Chains style harmonies, into a mid range scream that shows off the contents of his scrotum. There are a couple of times that I wasn't crazy about his vocals, but I think he's good at what he does for this band. The song "Anal Bleach" is an example of this, where he's a bit too mainstream sounding for me. The bass player is a female and she tears it up the right way. Big fuck yeahs to Nichole Shanefelter for playing bass like that on this CD. I would have liked to hear her a bit more in the mix, but then - I'm a bass player with a likely bias opinion. I liked her tone in the song "Nap" especially, I just wish I could have it heard it a bit more.

Definitely check these guys out if you dig your metal with lots of variety. These guys are a kick ass band for sure, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the listener wondering what is coming next. Check them out online at www.myspace.com/parannoyd and pick up "Kill Yourself or Die Tryin'".

Spokane Washington has got a metal band called Pathos that apparently never heard of nu metal before. If they did, they would probably arm themselves with sharp knives and seek out to rip the hearts out of those who played it! These guys tear it the fuck up with their new release "Perdition Splits the Skies". The production on the cd is really outstanding, the artwork very disturbing, and the entire packaging top notch with lyrics, photos, and tons of liner notes.

Pathos brings an interesting sound to the table, with hints of black metal, death metal, and even some grind for good measure. The musicianship on this cd is absolutely incredible and I must say these guys put on a clinic to any musician who dares give it a listen. The guitar playing is great, with some very cool classical type intros while bludgeoning into riffs and screaming harmony parts at will. The bass playing is phenomenal and the drumming is very intricate with tons of killer blast beats, double bass, and cymbal work. In total - the music is outstanding. The vocals are unique, reminding me at times of the Quorthon of old in the early Bathory stuff, and then at other times reminding me of Cradle of Filth. It's original though, and a good compliment to the dark and twisted sound that is Pathos.

So grab a couple of altar boys from the nearest church and turn them on to some Pathos. You just might see them incinerate before your very eyes! Check them out on the web at www.pathoskills.com

Slamming it across the globe from Norway, Pica Fierce has released "Reptile" with the fury of a metal band with a purpose. The production is outstanding as this band proves they can not only play their instruments with serious conviction - but the music they write is poser-shredding at least. At best, it nearly blew my ass down when I threw it in the cd player.

Oystein Haltbakk covers both guitar and vocal duties and I must say I am impressed! This cd features some of the most intense guitar work I've ever heard . . . taking me back to the late 80's when guitar players ruled supreme in the metal world. Both he and Kjeril Dyrnes play dual guitars like I've not heard in a long time. The vocals are strong and an excellent piece of the Pica Fierce package. In addition, the bass playing from Hallgeir Kjono is incredible as he scorches the frets with some serious bass action and the drummer, Eirik Roksvag, punishes his drum kit with a brutal display of non-stop havoc.

This band has lots of influences in its arsenal - like Death, Carcass, Cradle of Filth, and even glimpses of old Metallica at times. This band is incredible and I'd just love to hear a full length cd from them. This "Reptile" cd only has three songs on it - but it still kicked my ass in true Heavycore style. Excellent song writing with cool guitar harmonies and intricate compositions make this a must for any real metal freak that loves their metal with monster guitars, thundering bass and drums, and vocals that will surely tear the skin from your bones!

Spawning from the Chicagoland area, Pist blasts out with a solid 3-song self-titled demo. The production is very good, with simple promotional-use-only packaging. Metal bands are always resourceful when it comes to spreading the word and Pist does a good job at letting their listeners know where they're coming from. They also added a bio and cover letter to their packet - always a good sign the band knows what the reviewers want to see.

The musicianship on the demo is good, and they play tight together while delivering the goods. I hear plenty of influences when I listen to these guys - from old Pantera, to even old school hardcore ala MOD/SOD. They mix up the mosh parts with an occasional blast beat thrown in for good measure.

If you dig your metal full of driving guitars and plenty of mosh pit inducing stuff - then check out Pist. Their site is www.pistmusic.com

These guys tear it up the right way from Viriginia . . . Property has a new CD called "Redemption" and it's kick ass. I really was impressed with the production for an unsigned band. I also was totally into the artwork and complete packaging with a slick insert - complete with lyrics and the usual thanks and such. It looks very professional and compliments them nicely.

The guitar crunch was there and I liked the solos as well. Mike Demeron and Justin Earven share guitar duties and really shred it up in true metal style. The song "Judgment Day" features some sweet dual guitar attack stuff. Eddie Holmes does a killer job on the bass, laying down some sweet lines and keeping the rumbling at a fever pitch. He starts off the track "Bend My Cage" with a tasty lick that stood out to me. Drummer Keith Head puts his drum kit through a metal workout with some nice double bass and cymbal work. I guess my only complaint about the sound of the CD would be to get a little more meat on Keith's snare sound, but that's just the producer in me talking! Ha. The vocals from Justin Earven are a solid mid-range performance with some good melodies when needed. He's got a hardcore style to his vocals, but he ventures off the path to make it his own. I thought there were a few times where Justin was hitting difficult areas vocally and might need a little work to hit those notes with strength. But his effort is commended and I think he'll only improve with time. A couple of the band members do backing vocals, and those also seem to need a little "tightening up". Overall - their song writing was sound and shows that they've got some years in the trenches under their collective bullet belts. I thought the song "Curse of Life" was a good example of their writing style.

I hear a variety of influences when I hear this band. I hear some old Megadeth/Metallica - back when both of these bands had balls. I also hear glimpses of Metal Church, Overkill, Anthrax, Accept, and many more from the great era of metal - the 1980's. If you dig it old school with a modern edge to it - then you will like Property and their latest offering "Redemption". It's more than worth the price of admission.

Hold on tight for a ride into some of the most blistering metal I've heard in a long fucking time. Bringing the pain all the way from Hunt Valley Maryland, Psychotogen really impressed the shit out of me with their "The Calculus of Evil" cd. The cover art is wicked as hell and the production on the cd is outstanding.

Musically this band is incredible and deserves some major props for really showcasing that in the arrangement of their songs. WOW! The incredible guitar skills of fretmaster Jeremy Grande are at the forefront of the frenzy, but the bass playing of Tony Pernia was equally as brutal. This guy is all over the fretboard but doesn't forget about keeping the bottom end thick and wicked at all times. Drummer Chris Pernia put on a clinic during the recording of this cd with some of the most incredible double bass frenzies I've ever heard. I also loved the vocals from Mike Harrison, who kept things interesting and heavy all the way.

The variety of influences on this cd is beyond approach. I can hear everything from Cradle of Filth, to Fates Warning, to Carcass, Testament, Cannibal Corpse, Death, and more. These guys pack it all into one hell of a metal punch. The third track, "Poison Sleep" is an all acoustic instrumental that completely floored me - reminiscent of some old school Testament ala Alex Scholnick. The rest of the 8-song cd is fast at times and grinding the next - this band really keeps you on the edge of your seat, anxiously awaiting the next jack boot to the chin.

If you like extremely original death metal with some of the most incredible musicians performing it to an art form, then Psychotogen is for you. Definitely give these guys a look and make sure to check them out live. I'm sure they slay - Heavycore all the fuckin' way!

The demo “Darkness to Blind the Truth” is a weighty serving from the 4-piece death metal act Qusayu; Missourians with plenty of ability to spare. Each song is quick and to the point, but Qusayu makes use of every second to display their metal knowledge. Their music is ripe with mammoth, pounding rhythm a la Grave, Incantation, or Morbid Angel. There are hints of more recent extreme styling but for the most part Qusayu keeps it more conventional with their death metal with a bounty of pinch harmonics and evil black metal tailored breaks to enjoy. The Gatling gun bass lines give a juggernaut’s momentum to the music. The vocals are low and grinding for the most part with banshee screams tossed in at predictable but effective times. The drums are most effective when the beat is straight-forward; he seems to fit the style better at times when things aren’t too complex. Though, slightly noticeable, the drums do incur a few out-of-time moments when the beats change to something of a significantly intricate nature. The mix is not bad for a demo, though the sound is often too burdened by the low-end; solos get lost in the ocean of bass. This also has and effect on the rest of the guitar sounds and restricts them from having much definition. Things do clear up in the mix on occasion but tend to stay waist-deep in mud limiting how much you can take in from the music. Overall, this CD is great way to get to a glimpse at Qusayu’s callous and capable metal design.

Head to www.qusayu.tk to find out more and definitely check them out live if you’re in the area for a show of energy rarely-achieved.

Here's a band who's been waving the flag of metal for over 20 years and doing it better than ever with their latest CD "Speak of the Dead" on Nuclear Blast. This German trio know how to do it very well with some killer production on this new release, done by producer Charlie Bauerfield of Helloween and Blind Guardian fame. The artwork is done by Anthony Clarkson, who did the most recent Exodus CD, and it kicks complete ass.

Many of the songs on this new CD are instrumentals, but to any musician, it's a treat to hear guys that can play this well. Fronted by Peter Wagner on bass and vocals, he shows off his talents with some great clean vocals that go into a mid range rasp at times. He's got a great way of keeping the melody while not sacrificing his metal roots. The guitar playing is stellar from Victor Smolski who goes from some of the most intense riffs into a hail of notes with many wicked guitar solos. Mike Terrana does a hell of a job behind the drums with a masterful way of mixing things up to keep this CD very interesting. I'm not a big fan of keyboards, but these guys do it well and not too much. It doesn't credit anyone on keyboards in the promo I got, but whoever it is - they slayed me where I stand with some fine work!

I liked the way they kept me wondering what was coming next, as I listened to this CD with headphones. Since 1985 these guys have been putting out some great music and Speak of the Dead will not let down their real metal fans. Check them out online at www.rage-on.de and prepare to have your eardrums pounded into dust!

This CD starts off with some doom-influenced metal with lead singer Brutal Berry screaming out his brutality among the din. The production isn't bad on this 12-song self released CD. The artwork is very basic and homemade, which seems to be the way Requiem likes to do things.

Requiem shows off their hardcore wares with this CD as they blast from track to track without mercy. Drummer Shane Riley really tears it up on the double bass stuff, while bass player Tim Askins keeps it going on bass. Brutal Berry bludgeons with some fast riffing in tracks like "Dead Zone" and "Icepick". His vocals are very distinct, and I hear several influences like old school hardcore, to early Venom and even shades of Morbid Angel.

Here's a band with a never-say-die attitude if I've ever heard one before. Requiem is a Las Vegas-based metal band and they're bringing it with their latest CD release "Retrowar". The production is good and the homemade artwork is keeping with their style over the years.

Guitar and vocal duties are handled by Brutal Berry, who is a true Heavycore trooper until the end. He's done so much to promote the cause, and he leads his band into the gates of Hell with this performance. His guitar tone is chunky and fitting to the band, and his vocal style is reminiscent of the old Venom stuff like Black Metal and Welcome to Hell. Tim Askins provides the foundation with some good bass work here, and drummer Shane Riley has a solid drum sound with some good double kick work throughout the CD.

If you dig your metal hard as hell with a hardcore edge - then you'll dig Requiem. I thought the whole CD kept on chugging, but Muslim Song was probably the one I dug the most. Check them out online at www.Requiem.RatherBad.com

Sonically futuristic in nature yet thematically grounded by emotion, Requiem Mass combs through the circuits of the human mind. On Redefine Requiem Mass use jackhammer thrash with relations to Entombed and a unique blending of effects resulting in an album that, while thoroughly occupying, is one meticulous attack after another. At times, rogue synapses from the progressive world make their way into the sound as Requiem Mass tears across a vision colored by solid and limitless musical composition based on the broken mechanics of man. Some songs even have a psychedelic approach; as if somehow a Doors and Kreator albums are playing at the same time. The tracks light up with superb solos individually tailored to match the feel set by each song. Groove inducing slap bass and temperate drum work with creative cymbal arrangements set and maintain the rhythm. Mintle’s vocals manage an in-key scream that perfectly display aggression but preserve melody. “Never Could” is a song that especially stands out; the sounds and highlights of the previous tracks amalgamated in metal might with steady verse riffing, a ringing and engaging chorus, and a soulful solo give new momentum to the second half of the album. Redefine is well thought out thrash with some new twists. This album will surely be residing in my stereo for some time.

When I put this CD into my PC I thought that someone had dug up a grave nearby . . . as an unholy roar was emitted from my speakers with this Cincinnati 3-piece death metal band. Their self titled CD is definitely not for the pussy-at-heart metal fan with some serious tuned down mayhem with a bass heavy mix that was enough to shake me off my office chair when I cranked it up! I also dug the cover - a photograph of a guy tied up and a chick's stiletto heel digging into his chest. It definitely was fitting for a band named Retribution.

The burly and ever-brutal front man to this band is Ryan Hammann . . . who also covers bass duties. His vocals are straight up old school death metal - ala old Cannibal Corpse or Jungle Rot with vocal patterns reminiscent of Obituary of yore. There were even a couple of riffs that brought me back to the Black Sabbath days - so these guys have definitely done their metal homework. The guitar work is thick with brutality and very chunky from Sean Emhoolah and the drummer Brian Wright delivers the goods with a thundering performance. This 3-piece is very bottom heavy and if I had one complaint about their sound - it would be that it's almost too bass heavy at times. Possibly with slight better production on their next CD can fix this . . . but in the meantime you can enjoy shaking the plates from your cabinets with this insanity!

I thought the whole CD was strong, but my standout tracks were Defective Minds and Evil Will Rise. Ryan's vocals on the latter really mix things up with a Phil Anselmo mid range rasp along with his gutteral madness. It was a cool change of pace on this CD.

If you dig your metal hard as fuck with plenty of growling vocals to scare every preacher within a 666-mile radius - then Retribution is your band. Check out their 10-song self titled CD and go online to find out more about them at www.retributionmetal.net

Rictus Grin slams it from Milwaukee Wisconsin and they've got plenty of years in metal service to know what real metal is all about. This band defines what hard work is about and how it pays off in the end. Their latest, Living the Dream, is a great example of that hard work. It's got great production, a kick ass CD cover, and plenty of liner notes to keep the metal enthusiast in you reading along.

Larry bludgeons with a great guitar tone while also managing to fill the vocal duties. He does both well as his fret work is killer, and his vocals have a unique sound that is definitely his own. They've got some pretty fucked up lyrics, which for a heavy metal band is a good thing. With songs like Lifeless, as they discuss digging up some chick and having their way with her - calling her their "undead champion" brought back memories of some of the great old school death metal bands of the 80's. Dave does a great job on bass, with a punishing tone of his own, keeping that foundation ripping along. He does some cool solo work at the conclusion of the song Death Dance. The drumming was also impressive from Jeff, as he lays down plenty of double bass assaults upon the ears. These guys are definitely one powerful 3-piece.

I thought the whole CD was killer, but probably The Dark Hereafter was the one that stood out to me the most. It featured all that I like about Rictus Grin - serious talent when it comes to playing their instruments, with plenty of gut wrenching riffs to keep that metal freak satisfied in me.

Rictus Grin knows their metal and they know it well. This band is so good it’s hard to know where to begin. They have an unbelievable songwriting ability. Just one listen and their knowledge and faculty will become utterly apparent. These guys are not fucking around! Taste the Steel is everything you could crave from true heavy metal. But it doesn’t stop there. It has surprisingly high intensity, impassioned, and thoroughly melodious thrash; absolutely awesome thrash with just the right amounts of uplifting power yet still holding dominion over the malice of death metal. But it doesn’t stop there. Besides the thrilled riffing, Rictus Grin also manipulates slower, avalanche-inducing, rhythmic punches. Each song is a cavalry of energized musicianship; each melody washing over you and after it passes it drags you along behind it. This all equates to devastating riff after devastating riff. But it doesn’t stop there. The vocals are a real gem in this music. The clean vocals are gripping and prevailing, but he also has a certain ravenous might; similar to the way Tom Araya sounds live. The drumming is perfect for their style of metal. It is blunt and undeviating and he doesn’t get too flashy. The quality of this album is fantastic with each instrument having its own voice and each voice is heeded and understood. But it doesn’t stop there…

Rictus Grin has released a demo for Living the Dream that showcases the material for their new album. This music will beat you through the earth and thrust you into the deepest, most agonizing pits of hell. The new songs are heavier than ever and are supported by lyrics and storylines that draw you in and never release you. The guitars and bass are faster, more aggressive and unconditionally unrelenting. The vocals have some new talents to show too. He gets lower with his roars and better matches the themes and somewhat twisted musicality. These new rhythms will cause your muscles to seize, spasm, and tear. This time around the evil that was hinted at in the last album has nearly taken control. Living the Dream definitely has the Rictus Grin signature on it and I wait in great anticipation for the final version of the CD. Waste no more time and head to www.geocities.com/rictusgrinforever to check out this massively heavy and capable band.

Florida ’s RMISERY is coming with a brand new submission of slamming, unadorned, hardcore metal. As “Our Misery Prevails” opens with a highly melodic and persistently paced instrumental it is easy to hear the assuring and solid roots. One of the grandest things about this style of metal is there is no guess work when it comes to the song subject; the lyrics are very blunt and get the point straight across. Another highlight is the clanging bass tone. It sounds similar to an earthquake ravaging an ironworks. Unfortunately the guitar tone is not as full and at times is hardly noticeable. Most of the songs follow the same format, are pretty much written around one riff, and have a few too many breaks to maintain the drive they begin with. Also, the enunciating of the words along with the guitars picking rhythm on most every song gets a little repetitive and further hinders the songs from having individuality. The guitarists solos, which are active and show his wealth of knowledge, provide a much needed wake up but come too few and far between. Fortunately, by the 6^th track, some new ideas begin to surface in the form of things like arpeggiated guitar parts mixed in with the common palm-muted pounding. The last few tracks are where the real meat to this album lies with styles akin to older Venom and Celtic Frost. Everything picks up speed and aggression teamed with more experimentation on the vocals endows a new originality among each song. This welcome and refreshing change makes these songs just plain ROCK like C.O.C. or Cathedral. On the whole, the recording value is very good but a little shy on the low end; lacking the “thump” we’ve come to expect from metal albums. “Our Misery Prevails” is a very satisfying album and is perfect for those times when complicated metal songs only complicate things and the straightforward answer is usually the best one.

The kick ass death metal duo of Ron and Lori Dake at Chicago-based Rotting Corpse Records have done it again with a wicked new compilation CD entitled "Raw Aggression II". I really dug the cover artwork with a big 666 in the middle to let any posers within seeing distance to stay the fuck away! It was also nice to see them plug the Heavycore logo inside the CD booklet, along with other supporters of the label.

Just about everyone of the bands on the CD are members of Heavycore, to include Doom Syndicate, Chainsnap, Ominous, Fallen Empire, Vesicant, 3 Headed Moses, Kill The Messenger, Angelfire, Lost in Blue, Desolate Sky, Sewn Shut, and Loknut. The production is good, but as with all compilation CDs, the individual production of each song does differ from track to track. But the heaviness and originality of the bands more than makes up for that side of it . . . especially coming out of the box with the opening track by Doom Syndicate "Sever the Leech". From that point on the CD takes many twists and turns with a mix of death, black, old school, thrash, and even a hardcore edge at times.

Definitely pick up a copy of this compilation if you dig your metal brutal as fuck at all times. If you're a poser - well then you just might burn your skin on this slab of sickness from the people at Rotting Corpse Records. I'm sure they would enjoy knowing that your poser skin burns!

Rotting Corpse Records - Raw Aggression III 2006 Compilation (review by Pete)

Each time these guys put out a compilation CD they improve and this installment of the Raw Aggression series is really killer for fans of extreme metal that is heavy enough to abort a fetus within a 666-mile radius. This 17-band slap to the sack has very good production for a compilation, and all of the bands really stand out with some brutal sounds. The cover art is really wicked with an extra evil skull and crossbones, and inside the booklet features all the contact information that you'll need to reach any of the bands you dig.

As with their other compilations, Rotting Corpse Records, features many Heavycore bands . . . and this time around it's nearly completely Heavycore. Heavycore bands featured on this CD include Ominous, Doom Syndicate, Low Twelve, Fallen Empire, Chaos Order, URN, Rictus Grin, 3 Headed Moses, In Pain Die, and Stinkditch.

The tracks that really jumped out at me was Ominous, who starts the CD off with "Lifeless", as well as "Corundum" from Chaos Order that took me back to the old Pantera sound with very strong production. One of the non-Heavycore bands, Malicious Damage from Florida, bring some old school death metal to the table with "Unrighteous Path". Of course there are many tracks that keep you guessing like "Your King is Dead" from Missouri's 3 Headed Moses, and "Your Pain Will Never End" from Lord of the Southern Priest.

This compilation is well worth picking up if you dig death, thrash, black, hardcore and even a touch of old school. There's plenty of raw metal to go around and big fuck yeahs to Ron Dake at Rotting Corpse for yet another killer compilation.

I usually don't care for compilation cds much, because quite honestly they usually suck ass. But when one comes along that straight up kicks me in the throat, I have to give it all the kudos it deserves. Nice first effort from the kick ass metal freaks at Rotting Corpse Records, as they release this compilation cd to the masses.

The packaging of the cd is good with some cool skull/pentagram art on the front, a listing of all the bands with contact information, and they even tossed a Heavycore banner on the back panel. We appreciate that support. The production of the music is good, I loved the first track they chose from Daath - a kick ass way to open things up. They also did a good job mixing the songs together - and when dealing with lots of bands that can be a challenge.

I of course dug the shit out of the Heavycore bands that make up this compilation like Doom Syndicate, In Pain Die, Tinnitus, and Chaos Order. But their are many bands on this cd that deserve a good listen. So go pick up a twelve pack, invite a couple buddies over, and crank this shit up to terrorize your neighbors in true metal fashion!

In an effort of full disclosure, I was the original bass player and co-founder of Sacred Oath back in 1984. I was the guy who actually came up with the name! But, this is the first Sacred Oath CD that I have made no contribution to. While I haven't been a full fledged member of the band since 1989, I did re-record with them in 1998 and again a few years ago when I played a few of the bass tracks and did some backing vocals on the "Darkness Visible" CD. That aside . . . I was really wondering what this new CD would sound like - now that I could be much more objective without having any part of it. I must say - it kicks total ass! I've listened to it several times already, and my 17-year-old son Joe hasn't taken it out of his XBox 360 since we got the advance copy a couple weeks ago!

First of all, the packaging of this 14-song offering is first rate. The artwork was done by Ioannis, of early Fates Warning album covers and it's really cool. It's like a futuristic "Never Say Die" inspired cover with lots of stuff inside to include pictures of the band, all the lyrics, and other credits/thanks. The production on the CD is excellent and mixed like metal was back in the 1980's, which at this time is making a comeback it seems. Legions on new metal heads are jamming to Guitar Hero and learning what some good old school metal is all about. They recorded this CD at singer/guitarist Rob Thorne's own Angelthorne Studios in Danbury Connecticut and like all the stuff Rob's been putting out, it really cries out to fans of metal days gone by . . . but who enjoy hearing music with the polished digital clarity of today.

The performances of the musicians is in true Sacred Oath tradition and fans of progressive metal will appreciate the stunning chops of the guitar duo that is Rob Thorne and Bill Smith. Ironically, Bill was a guitar student of Rob's and now he's going toe-to-toe with his instructor and schooling some metal heads on what real guitar playing is all about. Rob still writes most of the music, but I can hear different influences with these new songs that I don't recall from my days in the band 20 years ago. Rob and Bill really pull off some tasty harmonies as well as fret-scorching solos when the time is right, but keeping that old school melody going on throughout. The bass playing of Scott Waite is really fantastic, and I like the way he holds that bottom down while keeping it interesting at the same time. I must say he really adds a different element to Sacred Oath that I think modernizes their sound. He also did some songwriting on this CD! Drummer Kenny Evans lays down one hell of a performance with not only a kick ass drum sound, but his usual explosive style of smashing, crashing, and chucks o' sticks flying that I always admired about his playing even back in the 80's. Kenny also helped write a couple of the songs to include the "single" that they have pre-released on their web site called "Blood Storm". It's great to see him still behind the kit . . . keeping it as old school as old school can possibly be. Of course one of the ingredients that has always made Sacred Oath what it was is the original vocal style of Rob Thorne. Rob keeps it true here with much of what any real fan would expect. I also like some of the more mid-range stuff he does like on the song "Caught in the Arc". Rob is one of the most versatile singers I've ever heard and his patented high falsetto screams rival just about anything that leather-lunged legend Rob Halford could pull off.

This CD has it all - they start it out with a good fast song called "Paradise Lost" that gave me sort of a Motorhead feel to it with the tempo. I would not have expected that from Sacred Oath, so it was a refreshing surprise. They did a video for the song "Counting Zeros", which premiered on the Headbanger's Ball blog, and that song starts out with a guitar riff that sounds like something off Black Sabbath's "Mob Rules". Rob told me during an interview we recently did for my radio show "no one has the guts to do anything like that today". I would have to agree with him there! I also dug one of the songs Scott Waite wrote, "Order of the System Lord", which was a bit on the heavier side, and the aforementioned "Caught in the Arc" also cranks up the heaviness factor a bit with a chorus that is reminiscent of some good old Anthrax stuff. Songs like "Buried Alive" and "Voodoo Dolls" were a bit more along the lines of what I would expect from a Sacred Oath CD, so fans of the old stuff will get plenty for their price of admission with this CD. I still hear haunting references to the stuff that influenced us back when the band started like Mercyful Fate/King Diamond, Metallica, Megadeth, and Rob forgive me for this one . . . yes even a tinge of Venom. Well - they did call one of the songs "Buried Alive" didn't they?

Here's to a band that I was a part of back in a time long gone by, but has managed to keep with the times while not even thinking about turning their backs to their metal roots. With two guys still in the band who have been a part of the Oath since inception, and two newer band members . . . I think they've got a lot of metal still left in them. Keep your eyes open for them on tour in 2009 and make sure you pick up this CD in May 2009 when it comes out on Angel Thorne Music.

Sound the alarms . . . Sacred Oath is marching and legions of old school metal heads are ready to bust the gates down for good!

This Northern Illinois band, just on the outskirts of Chicago suburbia, Sad Eyed Angel comes out swinging with their latest "Buried Face Down" CD. I thought the production was good for an unsigned band. What really impresses me about this band, is that they have a real do it yourself attitude and have produced this release on their own, recorded it by themselves with a little help, and even designed the artwork. This is not something you see every day, and so it really make this CD rise to the top of my stack of unopened press kits. Here's a band that's not afraid to bust ass for what they believe in.

Nate Kinney and Ryan Albin pair up to bring the heaviness on guitar. They do a good job and keep the band crunching along. Bass player Rob Maree and Dan Paolello on drums keeps the foundation of the band strong and ready to beat back those posers. Ryan Albin also has lead vocal duties, and I thought he did a good job here too. I liked some of the vocal patterns he was laying down. I thought some of the vocals sounded over-driven, while at times it sounded like an effect he was going for, at times it just sounded like he needed a bit more compression on his voice to cut back on that some. Being a screaming vocalist myself, I've been there, and so it's my unique observation here. From a songwriting standpoint, I thought the band was strong and can only get better, since they're all pretty young dudes.

Check out this 12-song CD if you like your metal along the lines of Pantera, with hints of Slayer, and even some Sepultura tossed in for good measure. Check them out online at www.geocities.com/sadeyedangelmusic

This is the second CD from Scar Symmetry I've reviewed and this band just continues to push the envelope with incredible musicianship that left me speechless at times. Sweden delivers yet another amazingly talented band and it makes me wonder what the hell do they feed these kids up north that causes them to play like that? Whatever it is - give me a double!

With their sophomore release, Pitch Black Progress picks up where Symmetric in Design left off, while keeping their style very much the same. The production is very strong and the cover art is wicked as hell. The whole package is outstanding! Once again, I'm impressed with the vocals of Christian Alvestam who can go from zero to 666 with ease! He makes it look easy to sing with clean melody and then delve into the most evil sounding growls you've ever heard before. The guitar duo of Jonas Kjellgren and Per Nilsson are once again over the fucking top with some tasty guitar solos to make the real metal freak be forced to raise up a devil horn salute over and over. I can't say enough how great these two are, as they dazzle the listener with great harmonies, crunching riffs, and fret-scorching leads that will make most nu metal pukes go pawn their shit in disgrace. Kenneth Seil somehow keeps up with those two guitar players while holding the bottom strong and solid with a nice thick bass tone. Henrick Ohlsson keeps things interesting with incredible talents as he blasts away behind the drum kit.

I usually go for heavier music with not so much ethereal keyboard stuff, but I can't help but marvel at how well these guys do it. Even if you like heavier stuff, this band is something to listen to in awe. Definitely check this one out from Nuclear Blast if you dig your metal very progressive with lots of twists and turns . . . with plenty of melody and evilness to satisfy most freaks of black/death metal. Check them out online at www.scarsymmetry.com

If you like well-played metal with enough twists and turns to make you take some Dramamine . . . then you'll just love Scar Symmetry. Self proclaiming "melodic death metal with no boundaries", Scar Symmetry doesn't disappoint. The production of this CD is incredible and the cover art and accompanying promotional materials were excellent and a nice compliment to this interesting metal band.

This Swedish act is comprised of Jonas Kjellgren and Per Nilsson on guitars and they really bring some serious chops to the table. Their tone is wicked and the solos they blast out really knocked me on my ass. The leads in 2012 - The Demise of the 5th Sun were unreal to say the least! Bass player Kenneth Seil has a great bottom pounding tone and holds his own next to these two guitar wizards. Henrick Ohlsson is also great behind the drums and mixes it up nicely to keep each song unique and nothing sounding monotonous. The most interesting thing of this band are the vocals by Christian Alvestam - who goes from some of the most brutal gutteral vocals I've heard, to some of the most incredible clean vocals a la Ray Alder of Fates Warning in a seamless presentation that is very impressive. The only thing I could have done without was the keyboard stuff, but I'm sure fans of this melodic death genre will like it.

This Nuclear Blast band kicks some serious butt . . . so go check 'em out and pick up this new CD.

Now here's an 11-song cd we could send to a third world country to feast upon with as much meat is on this fucker. Nice job from Self Inflicted of Enid Oklahoma with their full length bashing to the sack - Beyond the Agony of Never. The production is very good and is a nice compliment to their sound. The packaging of the cd is simple - but was for promotional use only.

They have grown since the last release I reviewed, but still hold true to some of the most gut wrenching tuned down guitars I've heard in a long time. They have some nice guitar harmony work going on to contrast the sick heavy crunch that lies within each track. The bass playing and drumming are also good and I really like the vocals the most. Vocally this band goes in and out of several metal genres - which I dig. At times they've got the old school Obituary style sound, and then bust out into a Pantera-esque mosh part that made me want to jump and start tearing shit up in my own house. My favorite track was "Pain Calls" - I felt it really showcased the band strengths the best.

From the bio they sent in, it seems that this band does anything but sit on their ass. They've shared the stage with bands from Strapping Young Lad, to Malevolent Creation, Meshuggah, Anal Blast and Exhumed. They've obviously done their metal homework with this release, not letting their hardcore fans down in the least.

Tuned down heaviness hailing from Enid Oklahoma, Self Inflicted brings the pain in a big way with their "Punishment of Tomorrow" cd. It's packed full with 11 songs, each one is a brutal riff fest for any seasoned metal fan to sink their teeth into. The production is good, and the packaging simple, but it kicks total ass from beginning to end.

I can hear lots of influences when I listen to these guys, ranging from Obituary, to Pantera, to even some of the newer Superjoint Ritual stuff. These guys have done their metal homework and crafted a sound to call their own. The musicianship on the cd is strong and I like the vocals, as they rip into a mid range grittiness with audible lyrics.

I liked the title track the most, but all 11 songs were strong. These guys probably tear it the fuck up live. Check out their website if you dig it heavy as hell and true to the cause.

I had no idea what a band named Sheep Grinder would sound like, so I was totally open-minded when I tossed this in my cd player to review it. I must say I was blown away at the killer musicianship and unique sound of these metal freaks from Louisiana. There must be something in the jambalaya to make these guys play some of the sickest metal I've heard in a while. The cover art for the cd was cool - some chicks wrapping their naked bodies around some demonic fuckers. You gotta love that shit - metal all the way.

This 7-song cd, As the Darkness Unfolds, is saturated by a multitude of influences. I hear a wide variety of bands when I listen to this cd, such as old Bathory, the death grind of Obituary, and the intricacy of Carcass ala Heartwork era stuff. They're definitely into the old school black metal sound with a modern songwriting edge. All the musicians on this cd bring it to the table in a big way and really put some killer eerie melodies in the tunes that added to the strangely unique sound that is Sheep Grinder. The production on the cd is good too and had my house throbbing without mercy when I cranked it up for the tune I liked the most - the title track "As the Darkness Unfolds". I also loved the shit out of the killer classical guitar instrumental "Prelude" and the wicked guitar solos in "Reclaiming the Throne". The whole fucking cd kicked my ass!

If you like your music sick, twisted, and blacker than hell itself, then check out Sheep Grinder. You just better have a priest on standby to exercise your stereo whenever you decide to take it out.

When I put this CD into my computer I could actually hear the flames of HELL raging in the distance as Slave Driver busted out with the first track of this 4-song sampler called "Resurrection in Black". The production is outstanding and deserves a good listen as these demon-inspired musicians really know how to play their instruments . . . and it shows on this latest offering. The cover art was cool as hell and I'm anxious to see what it will all look like when the CD is actually released. I'm sure it will scorch the hand of of your local preacher - and that's a good thing!

The guitar and lead vocal duties from Jeff Swan are brutal as hell from beginning to end. He has a nice meaty guitar tone and plays tasty riffs throughout while his vocals are gritty, evil, and wicked. He really adds a nice texture to the music by mixing it up from a deep guttural growling to a mid-range rasp that sent chills up my spine. Bill Gingrich is an outstanding bass player and has a bottom pounding tone on this sampler that kept the windows in my bedroom shaking until the CD was over. The drumming from Blair Lehman is strong and pounding like good metal needs to be, and his double bass work was nice in "God Save Us All". I'm not usually a big fan of keyboards, but Phil DiMaso really puts on a keyboarding clinic when he plays! I've seen these guys live, and Phil is really incredible and does just enough to keep the evil feeling going without compromising the brutal heaviness of it all. All of these musicians blend together to form a rich, yet evil sounding gothic-inspired metal band that deserves some attention.

I would have to say I dig "I Am the One" the best out of the four songs, and remember it from seeing them play live. They are very energetic and front man Jeff Swan looks like he just crawled out of a grave complete with devil horns, pale skin, and a very sinister snarl. Definitely check these guys out at the Dark Star Records website at www.darkstarrecords.com/slavedriver.html and prepare to get some black candles lit and scrawling 666 on the wall with your neighbor's blood!

In the metal world, if there’s a time when you believe you’ve heard it all, that’s when a band like Sinning Is Our Savior comes up and bloodies your face with a 2x4. This is one of the best mixes of thrash, death and pure melody I have yet to come across. As a matter of fact, you never get a real chance to even catch your breath once you hit “play.” And given the fact that the majority of these guys were born in ’83 surprised me even more. The ability, technicality, and sheer songwriting strength that S.I.O.S. shows on this album sound like musicians who are well into their metal years. There are riffs that are monstrous with style and sound, and runs that shred your spine with absolute alacrity. All the while, never loosing the meticulousness that is necessary for a sound this fast. Joe Bonaddio and David Gehlke’s mechanically accurate and fiery tempoed guitar work will show you uses you’d probably never thought of for the instrument. They show a commanding knowledge and facility and are unrelenting from the beginning of a song to its’ end. And yet through all the attack they still find just the right opportunities to throw in harmonious pieces, showing that under all the speed, melody is the real name of the game. Ryan Eicheldinger’s vocal battering is the perfect balance to the mix, the beast to the beauty. His coarse and forceful voice is only over scored by the intensity of the lyrics contained in each song. Not to mention that all the while he’s bashing right along with the guitars on his bass. The drum work is a story all its’ own. Don’t believe for a second that Jon Rice is just providing the underlying beat to this masterful musicianship. His drum parts have a voice all their own, lifting the other musicians even higher with color and sensation that can only come from a drummer who understands that music comes from the band working as a whole, not everyone following one guitar riff.

If you’re into metal that requires ability, and a strong working knowledge of the instruments being played, then you NEED Painted With Utter Desolation. I for one am glad to welcome S.I.O.S. into Heavycore and I’m proud to stand with them in our ranks.

Bringing it from the blue collar brutality of Chicago, Skank puts out a 3-song EP with outstanding production called "White Collar Crime". I got this cd passed to me by their singer, Skunk, at a recent Heavycore show and after seeing them live, I remembered them doing the first song, "Maggots" live and it was very kick ass. These guys have a nice hook to their sound, while keeping it bludgeoning heavy.

Skank has a down and dirty sound that is thick and heavy at all times, with a very rhythmic groove happening. The guitar player has a nice meaty tone, slamming down a nice solo in "Spidermouth". I wish he would show that side of his style a bit more often. The drums and bass bring up the rear with a nice bottom that keeps things driving. The singer is good - mixing things up nicely and proving that he's got an ear for melody with the arrangements. The fact that I remembered them playing "Maggots" and "Circle Of Pain" is saying something - as most metal bands lack much sense of song arranging and melody.

The artwork/photography on the cd is excellent - some nice digs on the Catholic church for their recent sodomy addiction uncovered. What better band to bring this to light but a band named Skank? The lyrics are also included in the slick packaging of "White Collar Crime". Check these guys out online for all the details about what they've got going on at www.skankmusic.com

Skeptik handed me a cd sampler at a recent Heavycore show and I didn't have any idea what to expect from these original musicians from Champaign Illinois. First off the production on this cd is outstanding, even better than their last release. They threw 3 songs on it to give a little taste of the beatings that are to ensue once the "Reborn" cd is done and out on the shelves. They deliver the goods in a huge way with a 2 x 4 (with rusty nails sticking out) to the sack with "Circle of Fear", "To See You Die", and "The Last Laugh".

This time around the guitar crunches a bit harder, the bass playing shook my windows a little more, the vocals got more brutal, and the addition of new drummer, Cactus Sack, is a big improvement. These guys really throw down in a big way with the new material, and I can't even wait to hear the rest of it. I hear so many influences when I listen to Skeptik that I can't even put them in words . . . from the most bludgeoning Slayer, Pantera, and Sepultura style stuff to even psychedelic madness from the Sabatoge-era Black Sabbath. I guess the ditch weed in Champaign must be good because these fuckers mix it up better than most and kept me wondering what was going to happen next.

If you dig it hard, heavy, and Heavycore all the way then Skeptik is one band you should check out and give a serious listen to. Check them out online to find out more about this ever-intriguing band from Illinois.

Skeptik hails from Pesotum Illinois and sent in a full length cd called Victim of Circumstance. I was extremely impressed with the packaging of the disc, with a cool photo on the cover of some dude wielding and axe and looking like he's going to slay some poser at any moment. The booklet inside is also killer as it pulls out into a poster with lyrics, pics and more. Very nice job on professionally duplicating their product!

The music is produced well - opening up with a track called Mexican 13. These guys are old school all the way and have a definite hardcore sound to them. I thought the guitar work was good, but could have come up a little in the mix. I couldn't make out every squeal they were trying to pull off. The bass player, Jon Sansare, also plays in Blessed with Pain, and his handiwork around the frets is evident in every track. The drum sound was decent, I wish the snare was a little more powering - but for their first effort, the cd rips. I liked the vocals, at times it was deep and gutteral and at other times mid range and gritty.

Email these guys and pick up a copy of the cd. I'm sure there will be more good things coming out of the Skeptik camp very soon!

The Bay Area scene went to hell after Machine Head's "Burning Red". Sorry to all you die-hards but it's the truth. Because of this, so many bands were looked upon in a negative light but Skinlab is the sole survivor among them. Since their debut "Bound, Gagged, And Blindfolded" scarred the poser world back in the day, they have been tearing it up with a unique brand of groove metal that few can duplicate!

"Come Get It" is a bruising track to start the insanity and from the first note, vocalist Steev Esquevil is nastier than ever! Spewing out venom on the little helpless posers, he shreds through every track like a King Cobra on the rampage. The guitars on "Revoltingroom" are also a major plus in Skinlab's favor. One minute, it's a somber reflective moment and then BOOM! Dead again.

If you are looking to remember the days of old, don't bother with this. But, if you're looking to discover what the new breed of hardcore metal should sound like, pick this up. You won't regret it!

This Bay Area band defines "never say die" more than any other . . . . Skitzo puts out their 15th release with the new CD "Heavy Shit". The sick bastards in Skitzo are shopping around for a new record deal and when I threw the new CD into my stereo - I was very impressed with the production quality and the steel boot to the chin that they dished out. The artwork is sicker than sick itself with some nasty shit eating to make even someone on Fear Factor want to puke up their pig uterus. This new 12-song CD just flat out kicks ass!

Skitzo guitar player and vocalist Lance Ozanix is at it again with a nice balls-out guitar tone and ripping solos throughout the CD. On bass, Nasty Nate Clark delivers the goods with some nice bottom-pounding grooves and even some vocals himself . . . proving that Skitzo is like no other metal band on the planet. Drummer Noah Smith really lays down some nice tracks and provides plenty of double bass to satisfy the most hardened metal fanatic. They also dress up the tracks with some killer guests this time around, such as Possessed's Jeff Bacerra, Metal Church's John Marshall, Vio-lence/Machine Head's Phil Demmel, and even Sickie Wifebeater of the infamous Mentors strut their sickness along with the boys in Skitzo.

There were so many tracks that I dug when I listened . . . but "Gag Like a Maggot", "Metallic Tyrants", and the Blind Illusion cover of "Vengeance is Mine" were the ones who had me wanting to mosh the most. Every track on this CD stomps posers down with no mercy - serving up some great old school-influenced with a lots of speed metal at its finest.

Any record label that's interested can contact Lance at skitzo@sonic.net and if you're a metal freak that wants to pick up a copy of this brutal ass CD, then get to their website and open wide!

I met these guys at a recent Poser Roast in Cincinnati and they gave me a copy of their 2-song demo "Piece of Shit". First off - the cover art is fucking cool as hell. Some dude with blood-soaked fingers . . . it's awesome! The cd art sports a cool graphic from "Taxi Driver". These guys show true Heavycore spirit by coming out to a show they weren't playing and it was killer to meet them.

The first tune, "Cocksuckers & Retards" was killer - with some funny audio from the movie "Slingblade". It was wicked as hell. The guitar playing was over the top with some serious fret-burning going down, as well as some brutal bass grooves and a nice drum sound to round it out. The vocals were seething with energy and it was obvious these guys practice their asses off and mean what they say.

As Skullkin’s 2004 release of Horror Stories sets out we are quickly taken to a land of fear and disturbing imagery, not to mention, riffs that’ll give Tony Iommi nightmares. Yes, this stuff that heavy. The bashing guitars blast out of the speakers in a slow and intimidating manner for a time then shift instantly to speedy real American thrash metal. The tone is crunchy, thick, and consuming. Though, the solo work is not flashy by any means, that doesn’t keep them from being effective in continuing that initial feeling of disorientation and the genuine madness that waits for you just around the corner. The guitar mix is almost just right with the bellowing bass sounds erupting just underneath it all. The drum work is out on the rampage in much the same manner that the guitars work in. When the song is slow he provides the basis for this dense pool of gruesome death; when the song kicks it up the double bass is exact and barraging. Some of the songs start off seemingly running the risk of being too similar to many other things out right now but that all recedes when the unhinged messages of the vocals come ransacking in with roars, high screams (al la 80’s Tom Araya), and vacillating wails. The vocals further solidify the unbalanced posture that is carried throughout the album. The recording quality, as I hinted at earlier, is near impeccable considering it is an unsigned release although, it could use a little more volume in the final mastering. In situations like this all you really need do is simply turn it up!

These guys kick ass! Brutal as fuck! I totally dig the fuck out of this cd. The guitars are very heavy and crunch like a mother fucker. The vocals are deep growls like death metal should be. There are bad ass vocals all over this cd and they totally rule. Wicked, wicked drummer Rodney Cochran destroys the drum kit on here with some blistering double bass work.

If you like death metal I suggest you find your way over to www.skullpl8.com and get this cd. You will not be disappointed - trust me.

From the instant this cd ripped into my stereo, the same thought crossed my mind as did the first time I witnessed the madness that is Slugtrail live on stage. "Their fucking energy is unreal." Brian, Wesley, and Brian come together on this 6-song demo to show the true meaning of originality. One minute they are slamming away with intense speed and hardcore rhythms, and the next thing you know they come out with a killer blues style riff, while still punishing the speakers with their low end crunch. It is not often that you will see a band with such a wide array of styles. And these guys pull it off.

Slugtrail is fronted by Brian (BC) who not only has a vocal range that is almost inhuman, but also shows he can tear it up on bass. His intense left-handed bass playing shows that he can throw down with the best. On guitar, Brian #2 shows his wide arsenal of styles as he provides Slugtrail with a ripping low-end crunch and very tasty solos. Drummer Wesley adds a very wicked part to this group of madmen with driving drum beats, intense speed and accuracy and very tasty cymbal work. I recommend that you go buy this cd, but only if you have some time on your hands, because once you get it, you will have to see it live.

Findland's own Sonata Arctica really puts together one hell of a CD/DVD with "For the Sake of Revenge" on Nuclear Blast Records. This live CD/DVD is just incredible when it comes to production. A few times, I found myself having to remind myself it wasn't a studio recording. The quality is just unreal. The energy that this band possesses is really inspiring to any musician! The cover art is a cool picture of a wolf and they've got some funny pics in a collage in the booklet that shows the bands more humorous side.

While their music isn't my choice when it comes to heavy stuff . . . I couldn't help but marvel at the talent they show on this CD/DVD. The guitar player, Jani Lumatainen, is really strong in all departments and places some of the tastiest solos at just the right time. The bass playing and drumming is fantastic and keeps the foundation solid all the way through. I am not a huge fan of keyboards, and this band really uses them as a prominent part of their sound with solos and all - but Henrik Klingenberg is really a virtuoso on those things. Singer Tony Kakko is a true metal singer in the vein of the great era of 1980's metal. He's got a great range and is incredibly strong. He's also an awesome front man who really gets the crowd into it. They reminded me of old Helloween at times, but they certainly have a unique brand of metal.

The DVD is very cool and incredibly professional. I was really amazed at how well it was put together and it gives the fan a chance to see the band play in Japan - where they have been so well received in the past. When you watch the DVD, the band is really entertaining to see as they run around and play without missing a note. I was impressed with their talent as each one of the band is strong. The crowd reaction is really wild with horns up all the way and fists of fury from start to finish.

Check them out online at www.sonataarctica.info if you like metal with outstanding talent that sticks to its roots in an awe-inspiring way. These guys are the real deal from Finland and would be a great band to see live I'm sure.

Welcome to the deep and twisted world of Soulmine. Of all the bands that I have reviewed or played live shows with, I would have to say that these metal freaks are one of the most ORIGINAL bands I have ever heard. It is not often that you can listen to a band and not think " wow they sound like so and so" I will tell you flat out. Soulmine sounds like SOULMINE. As you toss "Salvation Through Adrenaline" in your stereo, prepare to be thrown around the room with guitar tones to slap you silly, powerful vocals and lyrics, flat out sick bass lines (even an electric upright in songs), and very tasty and intricate drums beats throughout. After a few listens, track 1 "Illusions of Freedom" and track 6 "Spinedeep" are among my favorites.

Soulmine's music takes you on a trip through many different styles of music while still keeping a really heavy ballzy sound. The production is really great and the layout of the CD is very professional and looks killer. The cover shows and X-ray of somebody’s arm with 8 screws driven through the bone. Gotta love that. Unfortunately bassist Jason could not remain with the band but James, Scott and Tristen keep tearing shit up in brutal fashion. Make sure you pick up "Salvation Through Adrenaline" You won’t be sorry.

In the world of metal, fresh ideas don’t always just “spring up from the ground.” Some styles get overused, some don’t get the focus they deserve and things that are popular get taken too far. That’s why, in this metal world in which we thrive, it is a great thing when something unique and inimitable is achieved. Enter Southview’s “The Chaos of Ecstasy.” This EP is ridden with a guitar sound that rocks hard but still retains a high level of melodic malice. Both, guitars and bass deliver a heavy beating of power chords thrown in with fast paced single-string runs that carve you like flying saw blades in a premium mix of European riffing and American ass-kicking thrash. Though the instruments are down-tuned, as many are these days, the notes are not so low that they become inaudible. I very much appreciate the drummer’s methodology in supplying the beat to Southview’s music. He obviously understands that metal doesn’t always mean having a constant double bass present. Sometimes the most simple and direct tactic is the most effective as it definitely is in this case. The original approach of the vocals is another high point of this recording. The singing technique used is gruff and throaty but still shaped with the emotion of an apparent and unwavering belief in the music. The overall high recording quality is made clear with the jaw-dropping tightness of the sound and the undeniable, mountain moving tone that is maintained throughout. I highly anticipate Southview’s next release and welcome it with open ears. To find out more, head to www.southviewmetal.com.

Here's another great Chicago metal band that deserves to be heard by a much wider audience! Southview's latest CD "Drink To the Poor Damned Souls" on ROT Records is really what the old school metal freak has been craving since the late 1980's when many metal bands sank to the underground, never to be heard again. The production is very strong on this CD, the artwork professional and slick, complete with a nice insert featuring photos and lyrics. They definitely bring the pain with this 11-song offering as it opens up with the strong track "Stab the King".

Matt Zilm and Rob Willis combine for a tasty guitar duo that show they aren't afraid to do harmonies together and keep thing heavy and crunching at the same time. I was very impressed with their guitar tones, complimenting each other and keeping the sound of the band nice and thick. Speaking of nice and thick - Hash provides the bass tones and he does one hell of a job. I really dug his crisp but bassy tone, and his playing was also impressive. The drumming from Mike Jerding is also strong, I really dug his style. At times I thought his cymbals were a bit loud, but that's just my opinion. Matt Zilm also handles vocal duties and has a very impressive range as he actually sings, unlike most of his metal peers these days. I thought his style was unique, I can't really compare him to anyone I can think of. I liked it and thought it was a refreshing change from most of the metal of today.

I really dug this whole CD, but I think "Hog Train" was my favorite. The guitar solos that Matt and Rob blast out are kick ass and remind me of the killer dueling solos of old Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. But they keep their sound fresh and not dated in the least . . . but it's good to see a metal band today boasting their metal roots like Southview does.

Go check out their website and find out how to score this CD or check them out live at www.southviewmetal.com

This is a straight up metal band! When I get a cd of such good quality like this one from Stentoria - it always makes reviewing it so much easier. I think this shit jams big time in true metal fashion. I usually like heavier growling vocals, but the vocal style on this cd fits the music perfectly. There's lots of good songwriting on this cd and you can tell the band spent lots of time arranging the songs.

The guitar work is sold and has a good crunch, and of course the drums and bass kick total ass too. All in all, the band did an excellent job writing and playing the songs. If you dig your metal straight up and heavier than hell - then check out Stentoria.

These guys hail from none other than Cornjerker Country - aka Hoopeston Illinois where there's not much to do but drink, fight, fuck and write crazy metal songs. Stinkdtich is a 3-piece that does things differently than most and have scorched their own brand of metal upon the masses with their first CD "Chapter One: Stinkditch is Cummin". The production on this 10-song offering is good and compliments the band well. I've seen them many times live and it captures the raw intensity that drives their local Hoopeston metal freaks into a drunken madness. The artwork is simple and the liner notes contain lyrics and more.

Guitarist Dusty has a nice crunch to his guitar that kept the CD nice and heavy, but he mixes things up nicely with some cool melodic stuff when the time is right. Dusty, who is also known as Kruztea - has his own organization called Kruztea Ass Music that sets up many shows in Hoopeston. So they're all about supporting the local metal. Bass player and singer Josh really impressed me on this CD with his vocal performance. He has a very unique style that set Stinkditch apart. His bass playing is solid and keeps the thunder where it needs to be. The drumming from Barry is also solid on this one and he keeps the foundation strong with a nice drum sound.

I liked the song "Private First Class Hero" the best, which I believe is in tribute to a close friend or relative that was killed in Iraq. These guys are all about supporting the troops and have organized many benefit shows to help send supplies to them. Their adoration of those who are standing up for freedom is evident in this track especially. I liked some of the samples they throw in at the beginning of the songs . . . especially before "I God?".

Definitely pick up a copy of this CD if you dig your music heavy and unique . . . because there's much more going on in those cornfields of Hoopeston than what you might think. Check them out online at www.stinkditch.com

Rising up from New Mexico, this is one band that I just can't seem to get enough of. Systemic's "Biologic" cd is a great collection of songs that make you want to get up and slam into the person next to you, break something within reach, punch someone in the face, or all of the above. The production on this 9-song cd is outstanding and really puts the band in your front lap while cranking up the cd. I like "Surgical Solution" the best, which is the track they put on Heavycore's "Core Til Death II".

Comparing these guys to anyone is tough, which is a good thing. I hear so many influences when I listen to Systemic, some of which would be Pantera, old Machine Head, early Alice in Chains, and even a hint of Hatebreed. They combine well constructed melodic parts without sacrificing on the heaviness. The guitar sound provides the brutal crunch and proves that solos can be present in metal songs still! I really liked some of the tasty guitar work here, reminded me of Marty Friedman or Alex Scholnick at times! The bass and drums are both rock solid and keep the bottom end driving and grooving at the same time. I think the vocals are the band's strongest element, because they vary from raspy mid range tones to deep gutteral nastiness. They seem to fall into a niche uniquely Systemic and define the band's originality.

This is one band I would definitely love to check out live. Their "Biologic" cd is more than worth picking up and you can check them out on Heavycore's "Core Til Death II" if you can't get enough!

Therion - Gothic Kabbalah (review by Pete)

In a sea of bands trying to sound like one another, hearing Therion with their latest CD "Gothic Kabbalah" made me shake my head a few times to see if what I was hearing was real. Even though my tastes are for heavier death and thrash metal, I can't help but be impressed with the unique sound of Therion who is a self proclaimed "supreme operatic metal" band. The production is outstanding, and the artwork/packaging is very impressive . . . giving Therion a look that fits their intricate style of playing metal.

Founded in 1987, Therion has put out some epic releases, and their latest "Gothic Kabbalah" is no different. They employ a cadre of session opera singers to color the music that is a story-telling journey for their true fans. Founding member Christopher Johnsson plays guitar, keys, and an organ while he creates this impressive music. His band is comprised of Kristian Niemann on lead guitar and keyboards, Johan Niemann plays bass, guitar and acoustic guitar, while drummer Petter Karlsson really shows off his musical prowess by also playing keyboards, and even some choral vocals. Ex-King Diamond drummer Snowy Shaw also does some session vocals on this CD. Needless to say, the entire sound of this band is huge and encompassing, and would lend itself to be played through a big coliseum sound system!

I thought the song "The Wisdom and the Cage" was very cool with some eerie harmonies, and some really tasty bass lines, surrounded of course with some very intricate and ethereal vocals.

This 2-disc mega epic is more than most will be able to handle, but I'm sure their legions of fans will be loyal followers. Look for this one on February 6, 2007 here in the US. This is music for those with more lofty goals in their listening experience, so prepare for a true buffet of metal madness.

Visit them online at www.megatherion.com

Therion - Celebrators of Becoming - Teaser Promotion DVD (review by Pete)

Among a sea of lots of European metal, Therion really stands out as one of the best when it comes to combining every instrument at their disposal to create interesting musical pieces. This teaser DVD from Nuclear Blast is really impressive and is only part of a 4-DVD and 2-CD box set! So fans of Therion will have their fill of tons of killer video footage of the band in Mexico City, a tour expose across Europe, North America, South America, and Asia, a live 2001 Wacken performance, a collection of seven videos from the band, a historical journey of the bands evolvement, and two CD's from the Mexico City show. Wow - that's one hell of a deal.

The production on this promo DVD is really awesome! They do lots of great crowd shots too, and from the looks of it, they played to monster audiences of Therion fans the world over! The sound and video quality is outstanding too, and is more then worthy of picking up if you like their music.

Here's one band from Sweden that a musician can sink their teeth into as Therion plays some incredible metal complete with choir singers and thousands of metal maniacs cheering them on in multiple languages! It's out now so go pick up the box set from Nuclear Blast.

Or you can order it online at www.nuclearblastusa.com

Thinline - Keep it Fed (review by Pete)

Thinline is a force to be reckoned with after spewing forth their latest offering, Keep It Fed. This Missouri quartet mean business with some great production and slick artwork this time around. The insert was professionally printed up and features lyrics for the 8 songs. The back tray card of the CD has a really kick ass graphic of the band playing live from the drummer's perspective. It's very cool and well-done.

I was really impressed with the drumming from Cully, who punishes his kit with tremendous production and quality to the sound. He keeps the band driving and mixes it up just at the right time. Bass player Wesley pounds away and keeps Thinline's heaviness in check. Oddly enough, Wesley is actually a drummer by trade, and has made incredible advances on the bass. I recently had the chance to check these guys out live in their hometown of Columbia Missouri, and the entire band has really solidified into a metal machine. Guitarist Phil keeps the crunch going strong and intertwines some cool melody amongst the chaos. The vocals from Lane make this band really shine as something other than a cookie cutter metal band. He brings the pain with a nice mid range growl, but knows how to mix melody in just right. This whole band plays together as a unit and really deserves a serious listen.

I enjoyed the whole CD, but probably Until When was my standout track. The title track, Keep it Fed, was also a good one with lots of cool melody and some Alice In Chains like harmonies at times. At the end of the last track, Wing Said, they toss in an acoustic song in as a hidden track. It's definitely very different than the rest of the CD, but it shows off the vocal prowess of Lane. He's got a great range. These guys know how to write songs, so you'll dig the whole thing if you're a fan of heavy music with some cool melody - without compromising when it comes to keeping it heavy.

Go to www.thinline.org if you want to hear something fresh and different - these Missouri metal heads might just knock you on your ass!

Thinline (review by Luke)

Thinline’s latest endeavor is certainly enough to satisfy most any metal-head’s need to feed. This album is a perfect example of a sound solidified. Phil succeeds by shoveling in chunky riffs incessantly throughout the record; riffs that are just as elevating as they are devastating. He also makes use of sonically interesting chord structures, choosing to strum hard and let them ring as opposed to the usual constant and, in this case, unnecessary palm muting. Alone on guitar, he lays the perfect pavement for Lane’s vocals to drive the songs forward on. Lane’s sandpapered voice leads the songs effortlessly from harmony to a much more abrasive world and back again as the album progresses. The bass tone that Wes generates on “Keep it Fed” has a bell quality that rings true and clear in even the most frantic moments. Cully’s faultless drumming acts as both reigns and spurs; maintaining a stern control and adding a masters touch to this album. His pitiless pounding of the skins is shadowed only by his abilities in a live setting. “Keep it Fed” is not only unyielding heaviness. For the utmost in contrast, there’s even a secret acoustic track at the end that further showcases Lane’s pleasing yet forceful and staccato vocal style. The recording and production quality are absolutely eye-opening; far better than I’ve heard of most unsigned bands. The only adverse side I can find is that the album contains an (albeit re-recorded) older song from their last CD. It’s not a bad song, however, just personal preference against reusing previous material. Overall, Thinline remain firm in their utilitarian style of metal while still moving forward by administering interesting sounds and rhythms.

Three Headed Moses - Blood and Guts (review by Tim)

I first met this band a little over a year ago, after hearing great things about them in the local scene our paths never really crossed until my band joined Heavycore then shortly after my phone rings and its Luke from 3HM asking if we wanted to do a show with them. Of course we were more than eager to. I expected the band to be ruff and burly stereotypical metal heads, but upon meeting the band I found four of the funniest, nicest and most likeable guys I’ve ever met in my life.

Anyway onto the review of “Blood and Guts”. 3HM is by no means a conventional metal band, they blend the finer points of thrash and death metal with a bizarre and sick sense of humor that works damn well, with songs like “Smokin’ the Crack” and “666 pack and a baseball bat”. These guys know what the f*ck the frets on a guitar are there for with amazing riffs and 2 part guitar melodies like the ones found on “Swiftly the Blade will Fall”. Strong double bass drum rhythms and rock hard steady bass lines support every song. The vocals are amazing with the bassist and guitarists all sing and each one carries a range from deep demon growls to high-pitched metal screams.

The CD is packaged in a professional cardboard slipcase with the cover art containing the image of a decapitated deer lawn ornament splattered with blood. The back artwork contains demonic pentagram guitar that words really can’t explain and the back cover also proudly sports the Heavycore logo. The cd also contains a bonus live radio interview/performance track, but I wont tell you what it is you just have to check out their website or live shows a buy a copy for yourself to hear it. In closing id have to say 3HM’s new CD is perfect for radio play on most rock /metal stations and for chanting the courses along with your drinking buddies, with unforgettable choruses like “Kick me in the head, cause I like it”.

Time to Kill - Insanity (review by Pete)

Doing it old school all the way is Wisconsin's Time to Kill with their debut release "Insanity", on Turkey Vulture Records. The production is not bad on the recording, and they really went all out with slick packaging. The cover artwork is wicked as hell - featuring an intricate collage of some really interesting pieces. The inside booklet contains a band picture as well as lyrics and the usual liner notes and it's all done professionally.

I thought the guitar tone from Keith Monville was very live sounding, and gave me the feel as if I were watching the band in a small club, with a pitcher of beer and a shot of something strong at hand! Bass player Chad Nordman has a good tone for the recording, but I could have used a little more of him in the mix. Drummer Paul Huser keeps things nice and simple, and for an old school band playing the style that these guys do - it's a good fit. There were a few times I thought he lost it in the recording, but I think with some time he'll pull things together. I'm not a huge fan of female metal singers, but Nicole Williams makes the songs her own and has an original style to her voice. She bucks the trend to do the "female growling thing" . . . but instead chooses to keep it mid range with a rasp. There were a few vocal lines I wasn't that crazy with, but like with the drummer - I think she'll find that sweet spot and the band will gel even more.

I thought the title track "Insanity" was one of the best on the 11-song offering. Closing the CD out with the track "Face of a Demon" was cool - it had a kick ass riffing intro that made me think back to the mid 1980's when shit was simpler.

Check them out online at www.timetokill.us

Tinnitus - Better Than Sex (review by Luke)

I met Tinnitus at a show at Jokers Wild in Jefferson City, Mo. At first introduction, they all seemed pretty calm, and easygoing guys. That impression wouldn’t last long though. They are anything but calm when it comes to the metal they play. And this cd is a perfect example. The cover is a dead give away that you’re in for something different, a nice bondage photo to get you in the mood. They keep the songs moving and the heads banging with constant riff elaboration. Tim Schneider’s has a thick, dump truck load of guitar tone as well as a voice full of emotion and out-right aggression. Angie’s bass tone pummels you and is easy to be heard throughout this great recording. Crumpy’s drums really bring in the attack and show a lot of talent, ability and variation in style. One of the aspects of Tinnitus’ music that really grabs me is the basis or focused idea for each song’s storyline. Their songs are about real, everyday problems and obstacles but they are also not afraid to lighten the mood with songs like “Headlock” which is about the Champion of the Universe, none other than Harley Race! (At least that’s what I was told by Tim). Their style is full of what feels like a contained rage that is released upon you at unsuspecting times and in varying amounts. It’s this style that keeps you listening and keeps you on your toes all the way through the entire album.

additional review by Pete:

Opening up the packet sent in my Tinnitus, I was greeted with the cd cover art for "Better Than Sex" - some dude with WHORE scrawled on his chest in red lipstick and a hot chick choking him with a whip. Now I'm not into being whipped or humiliated by anyone . . . but that chick was hot nonetheless and it made me want to open it up and check Tinnitus out. Plus they hail from Columbia Missouri - which as been a hotbed for good metal for the past few years.

Production on the cd is pretty good and the packaging is cool with the band members on the back cover with duct tape on their mouths with the same dominatrix keeping them captive. It's a 12-song cd for the sick, twisted, and sex-crazed fuckers that are Tinnitus fans. Musically the band is sound as a 3-piece with Tim on guitars/vocals, Angie on bass, and Crumpy on drums. Yes, they've got a female bass player and she throws down big time - which is always hotter than hell.

I hear many influences with this band - dipping back to some old hardcore style bands. These guys are old school all the way and seem proud of that fact. Definitely check this band out if you dig old school hardcore mixed with metal for a good cd to drink to . . . and who knows - you might find yourself bound with duct tape and some hot chick standing over you with a whip?

Torture Killer - Swarm! (review by Pete)

"I'm not a man I'm a fucking beast" sums up the attitude of this Finnish death metal band pretty well! Fronted by death metal growling demonic legend Chris Barnes, Torture Killer comes out with one hell of a monster with their latest CD "Swarm!" on Metal Blade Records. The production is outstanding for this CD and the artwork is really incredible . . . featuring a corpse tied to a post with barbed wire and flies swarming around the body. Hell yeah! There's also all the usual stuff like lyrics, pics of the band, and more sick ass art.

Interestingly, this band started out as a fun project in the Spring of 2002 in Finland. The band began doing their favorite Obituary and 6 Feet Under songs. They adopted the name Torture Killer from one of the songs on their set list in the first show and after a great reception, they decided to write their own material. They did some touring with Vader and their debut CD "For Maggots to Devour" did well, and they released a split 7 inch with fellow Finnish death metal brothers Sotajumala. In this Ripper Owens story in reverse, Chris Barnes found out about the band and contacted them about how much he liked their music. Ironically - Chris officially joined the band in November 2005 and the band was signed to Metal Blade Records soon after.

The more I hear this CD, the more I like it. It begins with a short instrumental called Swarm, and then breaks relentlessly into Forever Dead. They mix the tempo of the tracks very well, and have a couple well placed crunchier songs at a slower pace tossed into the barrage of speed, hate, death, and lots and lots of blood! There isn't a bad song on this CD and if you dig Chris Barnes - then you can't lose. But even if you don't like Chris' vocal style - you'll be knocked on your ass by the rest of the band because these guys prove they know how to play! The guitar duo of Thomas Karppinen and Yari Laine is simply brutal. They've got a great guitar tone that cuts like a chainsaw through a maggot-infested corpse, and they throw in some of the most scorching leads I've heard in a while. Bass player Kim Torniainen really brings the bottom end with a killer bass sound and the chops to back it up. The drumming is fantastic, and fresh off an endorsement deal with Pearl, Tuomo Latvala is going to be a name you'll be forced to learn how to pronounce in the future. He's got two fast feet and some incredible cymbal work that keeps the listener guessing what he'll do next. The vocals of Chris Barnes on this CD are really intense and full of raw energy that only a true beast can possess. Chris does some cool stuff here and actually puts a little melodic rhythm to his growls in the song "Multiple Counts of Murder" coupled with ominous guitar harmonies to make for an eerie listening experience. His lyrics are beyond sick in just about every song, and so fans of the sadistic will have plenty to satisfy their gore-filled cravings.

I don't think I can name a favorite track - because every one of them is fucking killer. But I would have to say "Sadistic" and "Cannibal Gluttony" are at the top of the maggot pile for me right now. I haven't taken this one out of my CD player for a solid week and am going to order the first CD off ebay after I get done with this review.

Definitely check these guys out if you dig death metal . . . and even if you don't - you might find yourself drawn in to their amazing song writing and metal skills among the finest out there today. This band is for real and has come to kill your family and then fuck the remains.

Go check them out online if you think you can hang with Torture Killer www.torturekiller.com

Tremulus - What I've Become (review by Luke)

One of the first things that comes to my mind when I listen to Tremulus’ 2003 release “What I’ve Become” is, I’m damn glad they’re on our side. This Chicago based heavy metal band is just that, HEAVY and METAL. Real, American heavy metal presented in a slower, more moderate tempo. Though the speed is temperate, don’t get confused. There’s plenty of shredding going on here, but not so many frills that you loose sight of the true focus of their music: to pound you into oblivion. Guitars that come from way down and beat your kidneys into raisins with quick triplet and machine gun picking attacks, riding hard on those low end notes. There’s also some well placed melodic parts to keep their music from being anything but one sided. Not to mention the vigorous drumming with a lot of adaptation of technique is also present here. They defiantly have their style solidified. Tremulus knows what they want their metal to sound like and a lot of this is apparent in the unwavering, aggressive vocals. With true to life lyrics that most any metal head can relate to. Tremulus is defiantly from the darker side and listening to this cd will make you consider confronting the sources of YOUR anger head-on, like a real Heavycore member should. I highly anticipate future releases from these guys, as I’m sure they’re only going to get stronger. You can find Tremulus at www.tremulus.com.

Unburied - Pure Fucking Brutality (review by Luke)

Unburied; St. Louis, MO Heavycore brothers with a serious bone to pick deliver a strong showing on Pure Fucking Brutality with a variance of black and death styles packed into short but potent songs. Guttural, aggressive vocals along with viciously attacking crunchy guitars, squealing solos, rumbling bass, and motivating drums power this CD. By the 3^rd song there is a welcomed change to a Sabbath enriched groove. For a self produced release it’s not bad but a few things do slow the experience down. Multiple movie sound byte intro’s, a couple of sloppy blast beat attempts, the lack of a rhythm guitar (for backing purposes), and a mix that can come across as one-sided detract from the listening experience. My biggest complaint is that they used the same H.R. Giger artwork that is on the cover of Celtic Frost’s To Megatherion. Not sure if it was intentional, but it’s wrong just the same. Fear not, by holding strong until the latter half of the album, Unburied delivers a view into their world with 6 killer live tracks. The feel suddenly changes to that of a live Monstrosity show. The ability of all the members suddenly becomes clear as everyone comes alive and works in unity on stage; right down to the shredding solos (which are much more engrossing than those on the studio tracks). These live songs are the real meat to the album and are worth waiting for. With the feel these live performances portray, you’d better not be in their way when they’re on stage. I anticipate further releases from Unburied, but not quite as much as I look forward to seeing them live. Hopefully their next foray into the studio will be a little more fruitful.

www.unburied.r8.org

Unburied - Demo (review by Pete)

Here's a band who sent in their 9-song demo for review and not only does it kick ass - but the production is very good for a demo. Unburied hails from Edwardsville Illinois and has a bludgeoning hardcore edge to the metal they play with conviction.

The musicianship is very good - with a great drum sound that is tighter than a frog's ass with the bass player. I dug the crunch of the guitars, and they added some nicely placed harmonies too. Vocally the demo is strong - reminding me of Jamie of Hatebreed, mixed with a variety of other hardcore influenced singers. Overall, Unburied has a great aggressive sound that solidifies their hardcore roots.

There are many influences I hear from Pro-Pain, Crowbar, and Hatebreed - to even a hint of DRI thrown in for good measure. I think these guys would be a good band to check out live. Get on their website at www.unburied.i8.com to get more information on this brutal ass band.

Under Eden - Songs from the Savage Circle (review by Pete)

Here's a black metal band with a more melodic sound than most. Urn, hailing from the concrete jungle of Chicago, proves they know how to play their instruments and write good music with this six song offering. While it's not quite heavy enough for my personal tastes, I can still appreciate the excellent production as well as the killer artwork and liner notes that accompany the CD.

The band is comprised of Dominic St. Charles on vocals and guitars and he really knows his chops. He also produced the CD and as stated earlier, did an excellent job. Mistress Sophia is on keyboards, vocals, and even a flute! I'm not a keyboard kind of guy, but she really plays them well and adds an eerie feel to each song. The bass player is Rhiobhan, and she plays well on the CD while offering some background vocals. Drummer Rich Circo thumps it up behind the kit and has a decent drum sound on each song. I would like to hear him mix it up a bit on the drum beats, as the CD became a bit mundane after a while. According to their current record label, Rotting Corpse Records, they've got a new lineup with even better musicians with a brand new CD on the way.

If you dig your music moody and dark . . . then URN is for you. These guys are outstanding musicians and deserve a listen. Check them out online at www.urncentral.com

These guys hail from Jacksonville Illinois and they know what they dig about metal - keeping it heavy as hell 24/7. This hardcore metal act has put out a self titled demo that has decent production quality with a homemade promo kit that they put some effort into. With a little polishing on the promo kit, and a little better recording, Utter Chaos could be a force in the underground metal movement. They're definitely on the right track!

The guitar tone is nice and chunky like it should be, while dishing out some tasty leads along the way. The bass player keeps things bottom heavy and thumping along. The drumming is sound and with better production, would probably really drive this band home in a big way. I liked the vocal performance and after seeing these guys live, I know they know how to motivate a crowd into a frenzy. These guys also have a great easy-going attitude about the band, and are extremely personable.

This 11-song demo is kick ass if you dig your metal heavy with a hardcore edge. I hear a variety of influences with these guys, like Pantera, Pro-Pain, Corrosion of Conformity, and maybe a hint of Hatebreed tossed in for brutal measure. This band has a lot of potential and just needs a few breaks to get their music recorded with better production quality, and some assistance on the promo department. At the time of this review, the vocalist emailed me about them signing an indie deal. So hopefully that will be what Utter Chaos needs to take this ass kicking machine to a new level!

Here's yet another kick ass metal band that hails from the state of Missouri - Verbal Narcotic proves you can't keep a brutal mother fucker down with their latest CD "Dead Heaven". This 11-song CD has decent production and a homemade presentation - but old school wickedness in it's finest underground form! It's always good to see a band stick to its roots with every fiber of their being.

Instrumentally the band has really stepped it up a notch since their last CD as they drive it in like a nail through your forehead with Tatt on bass and backing vocals, Nathan Pickering on lead vocals and guitar, and drums by Matt Chodes. The only weakness I really hear is the production quality of the drums on this CD - but it's not enough to stop me wanting to mosh it up in my bedroom while cranking this up. These guys are hard and heavy, and all about the metal scene in general by hooking up tons of shows in Missouri and also for starting Rock M. Hard Records along with their ultra band supporter Bri. Also big fuck yeahs for the kick ass Heavycore mentions on their CD packaging.

I hear a lot of influences when I listen to these guys - ranging from Obituary to Slayer to even some Sepultura tossed in for good measure. I liked all the songs on this CD, but seem to dig "Catacombs of Christ" and "I Fell in Love with a Kitchen Knife" (love that title) the most.

Check them out online at www.rockmhardrecords.com and find out what it feels like to have a heavy metal enema!

Change is in the air; nowhere is this more apparent than in the first 50 seconds of Verbal Narcotic’s new album. An ever growing feeling of peril sets in as the song continues and is followed by the realization that this is no longer the Verbal Narcotic you may have known. In its place is something darker; something more eager to inflict harm. After some extensive lineup changes Verbal Narcotic are ready to release unto the world one of the darkest ideas imaginable: a heaven that has faltered and failed. A heaven that is DEAD. Present, as always, is “Tatt” Dean; a beacon of rumbling bass, riding the rhythm to its bloody end. Rejoining the fold is drummer Matt Chodes and rounded out by the addition of the guitar and vocals of Nathan Pickering. There are a multitude of guitar passages that change direction on the slightest of whims; close akin to the musical ideas that drive Morbid Angel and Atheist. Also at hand is a growing momentum to their sound like the works of Prong. “Love in the Hall” truly illustrates with sound the broad variation between heaven and a heaven that is dead. Inspiration from the calm interludes of Opeth is apparent though, the clean singing could use a little more work before that association goes much further. Nathan’s snarling vocals guide you through, or better yet, INTO this dark world with a style that is similar to John Redfern of Evoke. The title track shows that, regardless of great change, they have not abandoned the jackhammer metal of Verbal Narcotic’s earlier work. “Trials of the Damned” lets the listener know that this band’s roots are solid with a throat grabbing intro leading into a real Sabbath feel in the rhythm that follows. The overall recording production is done well; with every instrument distinct and cover artwork that really sums up what the focus of the album is. The timing between the instruments does get out of sync occasionally but it is nothing that detours from the experience that greatly. Whether you’ve been a fan of this band for years of even if you are new to their sound, Verbal Narcotic is an addiction now as much as it ever was. So get your fix with Dead Heaven (www.verbalnarcotic.com).

Bringing the pain in true Heavycore form - Verbal Narcotic tear shit up with their new release "Blind Aggression". The production is strong and the packaging is excellent, featuring artwork by bass player and friendly Poser Disposal agent, Eric "Tatt" Dean. They even show homage to Heavycore by putting the Proud Heavycore Member logo on the back artwork.

I liked the chugging guitar crunch with some nasty fast picking that brought me back to the mid 1980's when thrash metal was in it's prime. The bass playing is brutal as hell at all times and has a nice bottom end groove going on and is a great compliment to the solid drumming. The vocals were mid range most of the time, but occasionally got deeper - mixing it up nicely. These guys are a sound hardcore metal band with old school roots all the way. I hear many influences, ranging from Pantera to even old Exodus, and beyond.

They even do a cover of the Heavycore anthem, but change the music around and use the lyrics. It's a killer version and good to see that Heavycore bands are supporting the cause in such big ways. Verbal Narcotic is all about the cause and often does shows with other member bands throughout their home state of Missouri.

Check these maniacs out online and order the 11-song cd if you have a sack as big as the Show Me State.

As Tatt, of Verbal Narcotic, told me this cd is a collection of new and older recordings. So I’m not sure of how many copies are out there. One thing is for sure, if you have one, you’re damn glad you do. Right from the get-go, you feel the Narcotic enter your veins. The beginning of Hypocrite is slower, dark, and gives you the feeling that some unstoppable evil is surrounding you. Then, as the song kicks in, you realize there’s no escaping. Soon, Verbal Narcotic’s very unique style of metal shakes and shatters the very foundation upon which you sit. And the attack doesn’t end there. Steady, pounding drumbeats drive these songs with riffs that demand to be heard, and bass lines that keep up the momentum and really bring the thunder. Solos that truly express the urgency and danger of the songs really color the Verbal Narcotic canvas. Shaun’s vocal styles ranges go from a quiet warning to an all out call to war. Each song is full of fist raising riffing and tons of harmonic bends that squeal out of the sea of lows. These guys rock it like Motorhead and also bring you to the dark side like Grave. Not enough can be said of how cool these guys are too. They’re truly metal brothers and they’ll meet their end fighting for the metal they believe in. If a steady, head banging metal is what you crave, it looks like you’ve found your addiction, and it’s name is Verbal Narcotic.

Verbal Narcotic in my opinion is probly one of the best bands in the Midwest when it comes to promoting and working their asses of to book gigs, Their bassist Tatt will break his back to help out any band and I think this band fully embodies what Heavycore is all about. Hailing from the Lebanon /Springfield area of Missouri , Verbal Narcotic has made waves all across Missouri .

On this new CD you can really see the growth in this band, the vocalist has came out of his shell compared to their first Cd and shows off his pipes well with a full dynamic range rarely found in gothic metal bands today. The songwriting is superb with songs like “Yesterday” and “Downfall” I can’t see why this band hasn’t dominated commercial radio yet. Dual guitarists that work damn well together with amazing mosh pit driving riffs and beautiful fretwork on the more melodic mood setting songs. The bassist lays down a thick low-end rumble to every track and grooves very well with their talented drummer who lays down a brick wall of beats and fills to make each song unique. On this CD Verbal Narcotic pull no punches by remaking their own song “Gladiator” for their first CD, and throwing in a gothic version of the Heavycore anthem for the 11th track as well as sticking the Proud Heavycore member logo on the back of the CD packaging so you know this band is doing their part to spread the word.

From Oklahoma comes the latest crushing blow for the side of Heavycore. Welcome Violent Pride into the fold. Their clobbering brand of metal is packed full southern swing with down-and-dirty aggression. From the get go on this cd, there’s an inescapable momentum, and you either go with it or become trampled under its mighty metal boots. “Slash ‘em & Stash ‘em” and “Moonshine Deliverance” (which has some of the greatest lyrics ever) burn right through you with unimaginably thick and muddy guitars and bass supplied by Rob Cravey, Brett Kozick and Steve Brewer. The solos are maddening and carry a different style than the rest of the music, which creates the ideal union. Just as torrential and driving as the guitar rhythms, are the vocals of Cravey. His sandblasting voice is a sweeping attack on its own, picking up and adding to the pulse laid down by the guitars. The drums of Kenny McMaster kick it off with them as would a locomotive gaining speed the farther it travels. As the songs progress, you get tossed around from a heavy Clutch feel to the slower psychosis of Black Sabbath. One thing you’re certain to feel from this album IS the Pride. These guys are proud of what they do and proud of whom they are. What better foundation for metal is there?

Strap on the leather and the spikes . . . and while you're at it make sure some poser blood is dripping from your clenched fists because Whorrid kicks some serious METAL ass with their new full length CD "Infecting the Soul". This 3-piece band from Chicago is a great band that mixes up death, grind, and even some thrash metal in for a sound that is uniquely their own. I hear a variety of influences here - such as Obituary, Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, Bolt Thrower, and even hints of old Kreator and Destruction.

The production of "Infecting the Soul" is outstanding and the cover art is also killer . . . the entire package is very professional-looking. The musicianship on this 10-song offering is really top shelf if you dig your metal complete with fret burning guitars, brutal in-your-face vocals, and a double bass fury of a drummer. I don't see a bass player listed in any of the credits (as a bass player myself - this hurts - ha) but these guys hold the bottom down fine it seems without it. The guitar duo of Andrew Rafacz and Ivan Galdamez is metal all the way with great riffing and well-place solos, and Ivan's vocals are a good fit and not the typical "cookie monster" vocals that usually go with death metal today. Narcyz Fortuna is incredible behind the drums and provides a wide arsenal of beats to bludgeon the listener.

The CD also features a video for their song "No Turning Back" and it's also very well done and features some cool footage of the band jamming in a vacant building, and the usual metal madness of bands fucking around behind the scenes. The video is a great centerpiece to this buffet of old school metal that left me raising up a fist in support.

Definitely check these guys out and pick up a copy of this CD if you like your metal intricate but heavier than HELL itself.

I grabbed a copy of this 4-song demo by Wretched Guild at a show in Cincy recently. These guys were cool as hell to hang out with and all about the Heavycore concept of brothers helping brothers. The production of this demo is pretty decent and the packaging very simple - in typical metal head fashion.

The guitar sound was good, not quite as thick as the live performance was. The drumming and bass playing was solid and kept the bottom end slamming. I thought the vocals were also good, and mixed it up enough to keep me guessing at what would come next. Every now and then they bust into a mellow, THC-induced part that made the heavy riffs even more wicked.

I think these guys can do better with stronger production, but then - what band wouldn't? For a demo this slams and is worth checking out if you like your metal heavy as hell and old school all the way.