Staff picks
a nice raging slab, Static Tensions retains a more raw sludge approach when compared to their fellow Georgians Baroness' and Mastodon's 2009 releases. Some great riffs, two drummers drumming, and harsh shouted male throat work balanced with some pleasant female vocals make for a compelling and enjoyable listen.
| Picked by: Thumbs up: |
BitterCOld Promonex, Marcel Hubregtse, Jeff, Deadsoulman, Ag Fox, X-Ray Rod |
Released at the end of last year, what better way is there to worship Satan than while listening to this chaotic and hellish black metal? Haha, ok. Seriously though, this is some good quality black metal when recently, others in the genre haven't seemed to have been pulling their weight. It's fast, it's black metal, what more could you want?
Read review ››
| Picked by: |
Baz Anderson |
You like interesting death metal? How about getting your mind started on this one?
The musicianship is modern and complex, yet precise and well structured. The band uses a keyboard on a lot of the songs and regularly employs clean singing. Make no mistake though, this is extreme metal. The drums are pounding full-speed ahead for most of the album and the main vocals consist of good and heavy growling. Speed, aggression and melody; that's what this band's all about.
Laments Of Silence play death metal for those who want/need something fresh and exciting. They take straightforward heaviness to a more complex and varied level - without going over the top - and add a layer of melodic beauty on the way.
Read review ››
| Picked by: Thumbs up: |
Bas Ag Fox |
At the time, World War I was the war to end all wars, but instead it became the gateway into modern warfare. Passiondale gives us a heavy dose of aggression, emotional depth, and authoritative visions of the suffering that reflects the stalemate that took nearly 1 million lives during that war. After repeated listens, you'll find yourself one step closer to drowning in mud, and with a lungful of mustard gas as your last breath. And for all you North Americans - just in time to check them out live in April.
Read review ››
| Picked by: Thumbs up: |
Jason W. White Winter Sun, Ag Fox |
Heavy metal Armored Saint-style is still a very rare commodity and La Raza reminds us why: these veteran metallers are still capable of crafting music with a unique, powerful and vital sense of energy and soul. The songwriting might no be as stellar as on, say, Symbol Of Salvation; however, La Raza still offers more than enough gimmick-free heavy metal to satisfy any fan.
| Picked by: Thumbs up: |
jupitreas Marcel Hubregtse, Thryce, Jeff |
Balls-to-the-wall, no bullshit heavy metal, straight to the point with no gimmicks. Powerful riffs, cheesy lyrics, and great chorus'. A healthy dose of everything that makes heavy metal so freakin' great, with all the fat cut away. The beauty is the fact this is only a debut! Oh what glorious heavy metal works of art will this band put forth in the future? This is far too promising.
Read review ››
| Picked by: Thumbs up: |
Doc G. Lucas |
Machetazo are highly-praised and much-reverend among the people that know them, which unfortunately isn't a big group. Not that Machetazo cares though, they've been going since '94 and they'll keep going for a long time to come (hopefully!). Mundo Cripta is a catchy zombie-holocauster-death-grind-ride. Infectiously groovy riffs, insanely fast grind passages and a completely rotten and sick vibe, what more can you ask for?
Read review ››
| Picked by: Thumbs up: |
Lucas Zombie, M.D. |
A project featuring Justin Broadrick (Jesu, Godflesh) and Aaron Turner (Isis), "Disconnected" is 9 tracks of horribly oppressive, bleak industrial music designed to punish the listener. Good times.
| Picked by: Thumbs up: |
BitterCOld Zombie, M.D., X-Ray Rod |
It would be a surprise if this album wasn't weird. The Japanese band are back with yet another album of extremely strange, extreme metal. Quite avant-garde and in a few places slightly psychedelic, Sigh remain a band that are completely unique to metal. A fine addition to the band's repertoire.
Read review ››
| Picked by: |
Baz Anderson |
A controversial but, nevertheless, fine album by an Italian Gothic ensemble who have this time used their old style together with new tones resulting in a haunting album with more aggression and subtle electronic traces. Good to see this band are still around.
Read review ››
| Picked by: |
Ernis |
Bloody Panda's Summon, the successor of Pheromone and a step-up in every imaginable way, seems to have been largely overlooked by the Metal community. It may have to do with the fact that this album is unlike everything you've heard before. Slow drones, disturbed dynamics and drug-crazed shrieks are just some of the elements present. Ethereal and cold howls, organ sweeps and frantic drumming are a few others. Welcome to the mansion of madness...
Read review ››
| Picked by: Thumbs up: |
Lucas Thryce, Troy Killjoy, X-Ray Rod |
One of the three originators of the Gothenburg metal scene, Dark Tranquillity are still pretty much alive and kicking.
While they somehow stay true to the same formula since Damage Done (2002), We Are The Void is a bit more original than Fiction (2007). Darker, somehow more "black metal", with a different approach on the keys, it's no doubt DT... with a twist.
Read review ››
| Picked by: Thumbs up: |
Darkside Momo Ivan, fade, BloodTears, Milena |
fantastic follow-up to their self-titled release. seemed to fly a bit under the radar last year, and, honestly, it took me a while to appreciate it. you can find a full review of the album here.
Read review ››
| Picked by: Thumbs up: |
BitterCOld Marcel Hubregtse, Troy Killjoy, X-Ray Rod |
Fifth album from these French power metallers. Not only is this album cheesy as hell, it has a ton of Queen influence on it. This is basically a power metal version of Queen. You'll need your cheese shields for this one, if not for the music then the cover!
| Picked by: Thumbs up: |
Baz Anderson GT, ScreamingSteelUS |