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November/December 2004Lake of Tears | Survivor | Ragnarok | Sonic Youth | Ankhreg | Atropos | Nargathrond | Der Gerwelt | Desire | Greenhaven | Doom Capital | The Randy Cliffs | Zero Down | Sirenia | Beseech | Moonlyglit | Ministry | Faith Marsden | Metallica | Dokken | Y.O.C. | Spinal Cord | Ninnuam | Voices from the Artic Circle | Misery | Toxic Narcotic | Numen | Code-Black | Burning Skies | Beaten Back to Pure | Hypnosis | Korpiklaanl | Recourse | The Mandrake | Sinn | Breaking Benjamin | Hard Echo | Meliah Rage | Gwar | 38 Special | Scorpions | Lockestar | Carbon 9 | Scott Mosher | A Murder of Crows | Shatterpoint | Gluecifer | Mind Grinder | GRZ | Gods of Fire | Atrocity | Gary Moore | Blitzkrieg | Starwood | Tygers of Pan Tang | Anvil | Darksun | Mountain | Ascension Theory | KISS | Misdemeanor | Abydos | Firebird | Scavenger | Six | Pyramaze | Megadeth | Gutteral Secrete | Cea Serin | Uli Jon Roth | Dry Kill Logic | Iommi & Hughes | A-18 | Sunrise | Fission | Division | Drawn and Quartered | Draugar | Lifend Nightmare | Lacrimas Profunder | Damnation | Red Harvest | Papa Roach | Attitude Force | Nonpoint | New York Dolls | Single Bullet Theory | Instruction | Domeshots | Best of Seven | Threshold | Rock Scar | Heaven & Earth Lake Of Tears Here's a band with a little history behind them. I'm not familiar with it, so, I can't comment on it. My only knowledge of this band is the release I have right here in front of me, "BlackBrickRoad," which is what I'm listening to right now. So, as I go through each track, this review will slowly come together. The first two tracks on the album, "The Greymen" and "Making Evenings," caught my attention. I'm not sure how you would describe their musical style. I'd probably say something like heavy, modern rock. The title track is kind of laid back, reminds me a bit of that band Miss World. "Dystopia" kicks it up a notch...a lot of keyboards. So far, the most different track on the album. "The Organ" kind of brings Pink Floyd to mind. "Sister Sinister" is probably the best track on the album. This is one of those tunes that sticks with you from the moment you hear it. I think every band should have a tune that does this to people. "Rainy Day Away" is heavy and "Crazyman" is just brutal, the perfect way to end this release. It's like the band is saying, "Wait, before you go, let us give you a swift kick in the head so you'll remember who we are!" This is my second favorite track on this release. I saw a review that called Lake Of Tears a gothic band and, to be honest, I don't really hear that in their music. If I did, I probably wouldn't be into it because I'm not too fond of that style of music. They might have elements of goth in there music. But, I would stick to my original description...modern heavy rock. It's not like they're doing anything new here, so to speak. But, they're different enough to make them stand out from everyone else out there. So, yeah, I'd say they're worth a listen. http://www.lakeoftears.net Survivor Anyone who was around in the 80s has undoubtably heard Survivor's music, especially the song "Eye Of The Tiger", the theme song for the Stallone boxing flick, "Rocky 2", which really needs no introduction. This song was unescapable in '82. It went straight to Number One and was played every five minutes! It really become the band's defining moment, and Survivor are often known as the band who did "Eye Of The Tiger". It's their most famous song and is the first song on this eighteen song collection. Survivor did have many other hit songs, including a song from another "Rocky" flick, "Burning Heart". Both aforementioned songs are melodic rock tunes that pack a punch (no pun intended). As for Survivor's other music, they have always been an FM-friendly AOR band who have made very poppy rock songs, althought their earlier material did have a bit of an edge to it, with songs like "...Tiger", "Caught In The Game", "Poor Man's Son", "Rebel Girl" (this is the first time this song has ever been released on CD, as it was only released as a 45 when it first came out and was never featured on an album), and "Somewhere In America". Later in their career, around the time original vocalist Dave Bickler left the band and was replaced by Jimi Jamison, Survivor shifted gears a bit, going in an even softer direction, writing light, fluffy, cotton candy pop rock songs with saccharine sweet melodies and sappy, romantic lyrics. Like it or not, this approach did earn them a few hits, such as "High On You", "I Can't Hold Back", "Is This Love", "American Heartbeat", and "First Night". They also did several ballads, including "The Search Is Over", "Desperate Dreams", "Across The Miles", "Man Against The World", and "Summer Nights", all very Air Supply! The CD concludes with a previously-unreleased song, the original version of "Rockin' Into The Night". That's right, the very same one made famous by Southern rockers 38 Special! Betcha didn't know it was originally done by Survivor! I didn't either! Life's full of surprises, isn't it? Well...Survivor may not have been the world's heaviest band, far from it, but they were talented. Both Jimi Jamison and Dave Bickler have strong voices and sing with passion, and Frankie Sullivan is a good guitar player (check out his solo on "Caught In The Game"!), and the songs are catchy and quite well written. Some are on the sappy side but they do make good make out songs. Want to get a chick in a romantic mood? Put on a Survivor tune! Works for me! This is an enjoyable collection but I have one gripe about it. They left of one song that I like, that being "The One That Really Matters". Anyone remember that one? It was from the "Eye Of The Tiger" album and was one of Survivor's heavier tunes. Really kicked ass, that one did! Too bad it wasn't included, hopefully on their next comp. RAGNAROK Ragnarok seems to be celebrating their 10th anniversary with what is most likely going to be the number one black metal release of 2004. "Blackdoor Miracle" is sporting a new singer-Hoest, replacing Lord Arcamous ("In Nomine Satanas" '02). The True staples of Ragnarok always being: Jontho P. - Drums, Rym - Guitar/backing vocals, Jerv Torfinnson - Bass. The Lyrical content conjures up the darkest black metal with the grimmest of overtones & with extreme rhythms, with sweet ghoulish melodies, no need for the most EVIL--RAGNAROK to hide behind the keyboards & synths of today's popularity (of Dimmu & Cradle fame). Worship thyself, fear nothing, & religion is the down fall of man, ring throughout the lyrics-like true Norwegian black metal lyrics should read!!! Nine trax in total, recorded at the Abyss studios in Sweden with producer Tommy Tagtgren: 'Heir of Darkness', 'Blackdoor Miracle', 'Murder', 'Kneel', & 'Bless thee for Granting Me Pain'-the first track is an intro, and these trax mentioned here are-completely grisly to me. I can't seem to listen to the entire 43 minute long release enough. 'Blackdoor Miracle' is a merciless title track! A must for your black metal collection. SkullCrusher Sonic Youth Sonic Youth's long illustrious career as New York art rockers continues to shine. On their 19th LP, "Sonic Nurse," the group takes their patients on an unexpected visit to the hospital that plays like a sweaty dream from a 70s B horror film. It's accented by screeches, mumbles and nearly cracking voices, leaving listeners anesthetized at times and wide-eyed with fright at others. The group continues its perfected jamming, weaving in and out of determined strumming, cleanly picked notes that hang for but a count, and disheveled, unpredictable vocals perfectly driven by unadorned drum parts. On "Dripping Dream," Thurston Moore sings a breezy melody then orates flatly, barely wanting to convince us of some impending doom. In the strangely titled "Kim Gordon and the Arthur Doyle Hand Cream," bassist and vocalist Gordon desperately insists, "It's time to take a bubble bath." But we're reluctant to bathe for fear someone might throw a plugged hair dryer into the water along with the bubbles. This underwater theme is continued on "Stones," which features a moody, dank rhythm gurgling with eddies of muted guitar riffs. Sonic Youth's Sonic Nurse enters the hospital room to drug us with morphine and administer her painful remedy. As her patients, we are most comfortable when she is absent. But we also feel confident we will fully recover by the end of this aural convalescence. ANKHREG A fast ripping guitar with a load of bass heavy end and an extensive solid drumming is what makes Ankhreg a complete band base upon their own genre. Now, first thing that I could sight was the noticeable opposition of the band's "image" with the album cover - I bet that this is already not an issue here. Also, the bass player wears a Bermuda army jacket. While looking at the CD cover, a painting of medieval warrior men, etc almost similar to "Blood, Fire, Death" appears… any connection between these things?! I know that some people really don't mind album covers, but I as well know that a majority will always link the image and the packaging along with the band's music. Now, Ankhreg's musical style was not even similar to that painting. I suggest that they should change the artwork into something like a 'mushroom cloud', or anything that falls into an industrialized/engineering concept (which is by far very common nowadays). Ankhreg IS war, I agree. Their songs are massive injections of pure lethal dosed Death Metal and Grindcore. The Black Metal influence was rather too slim to hear, if you ask me. Drummer Infuria seems to be working well here than all his useless work (those 'pounding drums', how can I forget?!) on such a band like Malvery. And well… I can smell that drums over there in Malvery were intentionally done for the sake of 'art'. Project or main band like Ankhreg, changed my opinion toward this person, but similarly… the line of their music was more comparable to Grindcore band or to the arrays of Slovakian Gore Metal. Check some tracks that may even sound like a chunk of heavy wall-bashing guitars that literally reminds me of Cerebral Turbulency(!) and any other 'gore' sickos from Czech Republic. I can be wrong and I wouldn't be surprised if someone will reject my comparison. But basing upon the tin can sounding drum blasts and the tight bass drum (of course, all these c ame out with down tuned guitars) that I've heard in here - I think I can managed to defend the case, eh! Not to mention that the intro on this CD was that the same intro that I've heard on an incredible French Death Metal band that I've reviewed last #7, Hypokras! Something strange… but the sound production of both bands seems to be similar. Let's face it, Ankhreg was an ok band if you want something like an approval for extreme and 'brutal' music. Their songs weren't that sloppy, cleaner in fact. But if you are already used listening to this kind of style, all of their songs are not too shocking. A word like 'brutal' is not a question, but to say that Ankhreg wrote high-ranking songs, then… I guess, no. Anyway, this wouldn't be bad to anyone who might have it. ATROPOS A French Metal band that came up with so many complex influences from Death, Dark, and even Black Metal styles. Nowadays, too many bands from the west use this kind of "diversity" in order to break the monotony once started a long way back - but seems to never end. Atropos, seems to be worth a check. Even if it may come so adventurous to everyone doing it. Otherwise, this is a good MCD musically speaking, but it doesn't make me move to give my thumb facing up. As said earlier, style is a big combination but only resulted to a simple form of traditional riffs/melodies that can only be entertaining occasionally - not thoroughly. Although song structures were mostly dismantled for a shocking cause, it may be leaving favorable or unfavorable among different kind of listeners. The obvious Chuck Schuldiner lead guitar licks appears on the 2nd track that somehow gathers my attention to lend an ear on the next 3 songs - my expectations were failed. Even, my expectations on the rest of the lines of this song (L'y Reconduirait Encore) were all failed as well. Atropos were, indeed, serious and decent musicians among the rest of their contemporaries. But that is among their world only and by closing your mind towards the style of other bands. Considerably, 3 full songs only embodied this 5 tracker. I mean, the other 2 were too different than what I hear on the first 3. Trk #4 is even too ridiculous - ambient crap with a running time of 5:25! Very boring, no matter how genius that pianist/effect geek is! The last track is 'live' - I'm sure somewhere in France, but to my honest words that I am not fond of listening to 'live' audios when there is melodies and all that. Complex and technical playing, that is Atropos… and if you're a fan of the same cloth with the band, this will really get your interest. Obviously, not mine in the first place. CASUS BELLI Surprisingly, this 12 tracker from Polish Casus Belli catches my entire interest to play this silver platter over and over again. Here and there I found a burden of fast but very heavy music! Melodious and conquering anthems of absolute Heathenism is sure to enter anyone's sub-conscious upon first hearing. First song, One Idea at the Break of New Dawn, makes a very intense start on this album. Pounding fast blasts accompanied with a clean and technical riffing that was layered by keyboard harmonies on the background. Not new, but they did it very interesting. Most of the songs were played fast and having big catchy interludes so melodic that will stick inside your head. All songs, but preferably, I like Universe is a Unity - very memorable. Amazing! Casus Belli never cares to play all these harmonies and be called commercial, as they are surely NOT. The band is bringing us visions of Paganism, and i t goes along without saying that Igor's screaming vocals are so expressive with an extreme emotion. Nevertheless, one can consider this as another symphonic band with crappy Casio. But the most to claim on that kind of reaction were the main crap themselves. Those who forced themselves to be 'melodic and brutal', ha! Casus Belli uses all the 'possible' musical aesthetics to combine it with raging speed and heaviness. That is already a valid reason to say that the band writes reasonable composition. But to say all good things for any band here in wasn't valid already! And so, my only complain was the lyrics on the song Female Flesh, Take a look at this: "Female Flesh, colossal breast, drooping buttocks, bulging bellies"… and that is not actually the real story of this song. It discusses (I think) both sides of adoration on female's physical body and/or relating it to an experience of necrophilia. I know that white females are adorable in their big white tits and shapely ass, but conceptually, the lyrics of this song doesn't relate with the Heathenish theme of Casus Belli. Not unless if you're an illiterate American "Death Metal" band (these homosexuals even claim to be in Death Metal category - what then?!) that always likes to waste time writing songs about penis entering a blood clotted vagina then I can understand. Symbolism is the band's main priority here (no link to Nazism, I suppose) and the idea, together with the Slavonic music, goes smoothly with each track (except on the one being mentioned). This minor critic is tolerable, and I would recommend this material to anyone that supports the same philosophy as the band. To say the least, all of the acoustics being use here were far excellent in their simplistic nature. NARGATHROND/DER GERWELT The winds from the Baltic Lands brought this two ice-white Russian bands which plays, of course, the Baltic style which is overflowing on what these bands are doing. The debatable side on which Ambient performance is good can be negative. Both band delivers the melodic side of Metal. Although, the heavier use of synthesizer and a few resemblance of Techno-Drums can be found on the NARGATHROND side. There's is really no fresh meal to offer for the mighty Dark Lord because Europe is now drowning on such a band like this. Nargathrond excels in doing most on the electro-Ambient-goth-doom tinged hypnosis, but even get boring because of the cold mid-paced drum programming that is being used on the entire side. The snare sound is even too plastic! I think it just sounds so thin and ridiculous! That track #6 sounds like a faster BLOODCULT (greece) and can even be better than the latter. While most of the songs on the Nargathrond side are really (if not all) boring electronic garbage. However, the first band on the split can be incredible - that's the remedy of buying a split, anyway. DER GERWELT doesn't play their Casio too far from that of the collaborated band. It's still boring and cliché. Also, Der Gerwelt plays Black Metal out on the most known style: Melodic Black Metal with Baltic riffings and some excellent acoustic interludes (and I'm not speaking about Dissection!). Literally, that's everyday! Nevertheless, Track #1 (Sons of the Moon and Fire ) excells above all. Not as killer. Not as intense, but just catchy at some point. Der Gerwelt at least, is possessing some good moments; well played Metal riffs so varied and entertaining! Vocals were like a crude version DARK FUNERAL, hah! The guitars are at times heavy and are suiting very well to the cold and blasting drum computer. I think that the versatility of this material can either be loved or ignored (not hated!) at your own local shop. Because the overdrowning of such bands like these two is extensive, but if you like riding the paddle boat of Melodic Black Metal/Ambient, then a material like this can be worth a check for recognition. DESIRE I've already read a lot about Desire for so many months (even years) before the band send me this CD that absolutely, I'm sure, I wouldn't be a fan of. Taking it into a big consideration that Desire is still a Metal band with lethal ideas on the lyrics that they are writing - sure. But it is this long time debate inside me if I have to like Doom Metal submissions prior to any old Thrash or even Heavy Metal submissions. In which I am so sure that I can find a big difference on their music (of course, by the way) if we just want to deal about 'music' in this kind of altercation we now have. Desire was just too good to be criticized when they are there seriously threading on their chosen field of endeavor. Rather, I still impart my side that myself never liked Doom Metal and consider this CD to be a dose of boredom. As if it was, on me, interpreted like a melodramatic story that goes with the band's music. Tragedy comes to mind, while music heavily reminds me of the North American Avernus "Sadness" demo tape released last '94(?) - not a good example if you ask me. Although, I can say that the theme of the band was so profound that anyone should make focus on. Many textures of their songs were too visionary and harmonizing that will be leaving us an impression of "haunting" and empty emotions. For sure, anyone can notice that Desire was a decent Metal band - and this CD was amazing. True. What I am trying to imply was that, if you're not an avid fan of this sort - then the chance for you to like this material was even too infinitesimal than I do. On the other hand, there are fast parts, but at most, it is still Doom Metal that once played at a funeral would gather many tears that would drown someone empty of emotions below. As a bottom line, this is a one masterpiece that will literally define the meaning of "Doom". I highly respect and suggest this material to all fans of the said genre. Greenhaven Okay, let me see if I got this straight. Although I have this release on CD, I believe it's actually being released as a seven inch. That's a record and/or vinyl for those of you who might need a clue. Anyway, there's only two tracks on this release. There's a video on here as well. But, I didn't check it out because I hardly ever use my CD-Rom drive. So, I can't comment on that. I will, however, roll through the rest of the tracks. What the hell...there's only two of 'em. Track one, "Southbound," is an instant classic. It's one of those heavy rockin' tunes that, even if you've never heard it before, you can start jammin' to it within the first few seconds and when it's all said and done, you wanna hear it again. It's an awesome song that should get this band some pretty decent reviews. Anyone who doesn't like this song should be shot. Track two, "Supernature," powers forward kind of like a Black Sabbath tune. It's a good song. But, it's not the best of the two, that's for sure. I like the first one a lot better. So, what do I think of the band after this ten minute listening experience? Not bad. They have my attention. I'd be interested to see what they could come up with on a full length release. Hopefully, they'd do their thing more in the direction of "Southbound." That would be great. I have no idea what the asking price for this release is, but, I would suggest checking it out. I'm sure it'll float your boat. Doom Capital Another compilation CD? Seems like everyone and their mother has a compilation CD these days. All the press material that came with this one mentions stoner rock, doom metal and heavy rock. So, it doesn't take a lot of brain cells to figure out what this one's all about. I usually like to take an album such as this and go through it track for track. However, I'm not really into a lot of this music. So, how about we take this one in a different direction, shall we? Okay, well, first of all, here's what this one has to offer...fourteen tracks by the following artists...Clutch, Earthride, The Hidden Hand, Internal Void, Life Beyond, Nitroseed, Unorthodox, Countershaft, War Injun, Black Manta, Leviathan A.D., King Valley, Carrion and Los Tres Pesados, which features former members of Clutch, Earthride and Unorthodox. The album cover is a bit plain. The inside is better because you get a little bit of information on each band as well as a small history lesson on the scene. Always a plus to give people something like that. Going through each track...I did find some stuff that was worthy of some head banging. The opening track from Clutch, "Sea Of Destruction," being the best in my opinion. Nitroseed was cool and they're clearly knee deep in Black Sabbath influence. War Injun provided a crushing track that was worth a listen. That was the stuff that really stood out for me. Even though I'm not into this style of music, the one thing that really caught my attention was the fact that it was a solid release. I did a review or two on some really horrible compilation CD's where they just threw a bunch of different shit on the disc, kind of like someone was simply trying to fill up the empty space and it didn't matter if this song worked well with that song and blah, blah, blah. That's not the case here. Clearly, when this album was being put together, someone put a lot of thought into it...and, for that, I salute you. You've done well and the people who actually do like this music, well, at least when they purchase this album they'll be getting a top quality product. That's the way it should be. The Randy Cliffs I guess I could categorize these guys as 'Southern Hard Rock'. At times, the Randy Cliffs remind me of a great Arizona band called the Refreshments, and other times they sound a little like a trucker punk band called the Crosstops. The first half of this CD feels a bit 'engineered' whereas the last half has more of a live feel to it (especially the drums). Not exactly what I'm into, but definitely done well. For more info contact the Randy Cliffs at www.therandycliffs.com. ZERO DOWN This was a cool kind of band. They play hardcore with a different kind of edge. They play a mix of old school hardcore with the passion of modern music. No nu metal crap though. The band add some melody and the singer sings with a lot of passion too. The band play with some melody, but are still heavy enough for me to like them. A band worth checking out. Info: www.zerodownrocks.com SIRENIA This sort of reminded me Paradise Lost at times. The band mix in goth metal with a bif of black metal and death metal times. The band can play, but I'm just not into this style of music at all. Info: www.napalmrecords.com BESEECH This is goth rock which I am totally not into. If you into girl singing and the goth style you might like this. Not for me. Info: www.naplamrecords.com MOONLYGLIT This band shove a bunch of different styles like goth, death metal etc. To me this just doesn't wotrk and I am not into this at all. The songs aren't catchy and no bounce to them and didn't leave me at all wanting more. Info: 1-800-728-4000 MINISTRY I loved this band a few years back and even saw them in NY with Helmet years ago. The band returns with a crushing release of thrash/industrial as only this band can do. The vocals, the pouding riffs and machine like drums just hammer and pound you into submission. If you liked the earlier Ministry material then you will love this new release and it will leave you breathless. Faith Marsden Who says you have to hear to be a rocker? Hailing from Sheffield, England, Faith Marsden is setting out to prove that the hearing impaired can rock, too! She's just released her first CD which contains three rockin' tunes, all in the classic hard rock vein. Faith says she wants to be the next Suzi Quatro, and there definitely seems to be a lot of Suzi in her! Faith can kick some serious boo-tay, and her voice is a force to be reckoned with, possessing a Quatro/Joplin quality, with a touch of Steven Tyler. As for the three songs on her disc, "Rebel Man" and "Take Everything But Rock" are Aerosmith/Zeppelin style hard rockers, while "Soul Man" (not to be confused with the classic soul tune of the same name) is a ballad in the style of "Freebird". Faith's style of music is certainly coined from the 70's book of classic rock, especially with the use of a tambourine and organ in the music. Faith (along with her band) is certainly a talented individual (as well as a very sweet woman-she's a personal friend of mine), and to take a shot at rock and roll as a hearing impaired woman certainly takes a big pair of coconuts! I take my hat off to her for that, and wish her the very best! Keep rockin' Faith! You go, girl! Metallica My thoughts on Metallica these days? Well, as Charlie Brown would probably say, "AURRGGGH!" I'm just SICK, SICK, SICK of hearing about them! They've been overhyped, overexposed, overplayed, overeveything for over a decade now! And we all know that their last few albums have not been up to snuff! Now they have this docmentary flick out, "Some Kind Of Monster" (named after one of their songs) which is supposed to be a "day in the life of Metallica" kind of thing. I haven't seen it yet, but from what I've heard, and the snippets I've seen, it seems as if some "reality" TV influence may have rubbed off on it, if you know what I mean. This EP has been released to accompany the movie (actually, although this is labeled as an EP, it h bad thing by any means. At least they give you some bang for your buck). It contains two versions of the song " Some Kind Of Monster", from the "St. Anger" album. The first version, which kicks things off, is a longer version (8:30 minutes) and sounds more raw and stripped down than the second version, which is shorter and has more polished production, courtesy of Bob Rock. The song itself is a mix of classic Metallica/thrash metal, Alice In Chains, and nu-metal. Hetfields singing borders on rapping! It's an interesting song but it doesn't make me want to run out and buy "St. Anger"! Also included are six Metalli-classics, recorded recorded live in Paris, France, in the summer of 2003: "Four Horsemen", "Damage, Inc.", "Leper Messiah", "Motorbreath", "Ride The Lightning", and "Hit The Lights". Now there's certainly no faulting these songs, and Metallica KICKS ASS on all of them! It goes to show that the guys have still got it in them, and still know how to crank it out! If only they still sounded like this on their studio albums! Hearing this almost made me want to go see Metallica in concert! One must give credit where credit's due and it sounds like Metallica still give their fans their money's worth when it comes to playing live. "SKOM" is also an enhanced CD that contains trailers for the movie. Order this CD from their website and you'll get a T shirt to go with it, with the movie's poster artwork printed on it. Fans should love this! I enjoyed the live classics (especially the part where James forgets the words to "Ride The Lightening"! How do you forget the words to a song you've been playing for twenty years? Too much Alcoholica?) and it's good to hear that Metallica still sound good live and can still play, even if their albums may suggest otherwise. I'm also glad they picked all classic tunes and not any latter day Metalli-crap! But I'm STILL sick to death with Metallica and you won't catch me buying St. Anger! If you're a fan who's been disappointed in Metallica's last few albums, this will be a breathe of fresh air for you! http://www.metallica.com Dokken Truly to be hailed as one of the greatest of their genre in the '80's, Dokken are back to let you know there's hell to pay. For what I'm not sure. Personally, I don't find much time in my listening diet for Dokken. I will not lie. I do have quite a few of the older, 80's releases. I mean lets admit it, Dokken rocked. I actually went and saw them last year and they put on a really good show. But the last couple disks in my mind were not of the flave for my taste buds. The same holds true with their latest disk 'Hell To Pay'. I don't want to down talk Dokken or anything, but the few times I've listened to it in the past couple weeks just couldn't do it. You have on the disk all the usual, hopeless romantic type love songs that Dokken is well known for. All very descent, but none all that catchy. I believe the best track on the disk is way down at number eleven, titled "Can You See". Some others on the disk are, "The Last Goodbye, Haunted,Still I'm Sad, I Surrender". Musically the disk is very sound. Sorry I'm just an old school Dokken fan deep down. Although it will please the diehard Dokken fans, I'm not sure it has the gusto for the partial fan of today. Dokken is great and I'm sure they'll give us more chances down the road to hear that. www.dokken.net Y.O.C. Not quite sure what to make of this release. First of all, I assume that this is two different EP's on one CD, which is being used for promotional purposes. The album starts off with a 38 second tune called "Lone In Darkness," which features like one verse and some guitar work before it cuts off and track two kicks in. The music is good, seems like they're going for a power metal vibe. The vocals are kind of crappy. Track three, "Sanity," is a big improvement. The music is heavy, the vocals are better. The song is pretty wicked for the most part. Gotta love it. The next track, "No Tomorrow," seems to be a cross between power and speed metal. Vocals don't seem to match the music here. But, the song is pretty good up until the end. The song goes acoustic with whispering vocals. Kind of sounds like something King Diamond has done on some of his albums...only this doesn't live up to anything the kind has done. Last track under the "Sanity Within" title, ""K.T.T.M.T.," is just a 40 second metal thrashing with vocals that you can't understand. Makes no sense to me. Under the title "The Pit," there's only two songs and the first is...big suprise...a cover of Testament's "Into The Pit," which wasn't too bad. Although the original version would probably blow this one out of the water and back to Turkey, which is where Y.O.C. comes from. The final track is called "Why" and that's just what I've been asking myself...why??? I don't think this is a band that really knows what they want to do. It seems as if they just threw all this stuff together without any sense of direction. Now, there is potential here. The musicianship is pretty good, it's solid. I would suggest sticking to stuff like "Sanity," which is the strongest tune on here. Go in that direction and you'll be able to make your mark on the world. Spinal Cord 'Remedy' is a pretty cool blend of the death meets thrash syndrome. Very heavy stuff. With guitar solos as well. Spinal Cord hail from the town of Busko Zdroj, which I believe is in Poland. Fast and devastating guitar licks throughout. Their sound on this disk touches the likes of the many influences of Testament, Soilwork, Meshuggah and Cynic. While not copy the sounds of these bands, they do well to give it their own touch. Some tracks are "Remedy, Fake, Blind Ignorant". I can't say to you how amazing this release is because it does not reach that level. I will say it is a kick ass disk and a great listen over and again. The lyrics are of the more real life, anger and hatred type. They remind me a lot of Cannibal Corpse or Vader. Spinal Cord is well worth looking out for. Recommended to all trash/death metal heads of the world. spinalcord@poczta.onet.pl Ninnuam Well this is not your run of the mill death metal band. Nor black metal. The Finnish outfit, Ninnuam's sound is a brutal mixture of dark, death and black metal. Not just from song to song, but within each track. Superbly done I might add. Precise drum work and guitar riffs that give you the shivers. Great growling and intense shrieking vocals. Haunting keyboards accompany each song. This is done very well here as they are not over bearing to the overall sound. Other bands of close distinction would have to be Dimmu Borgir, Twilight Ophera, Royal Anguish. A very heavy release. This is all over the place great. Cool inlet booklet as well. Ninnuam are a band that should not have to wait too long for the success that awaits them. Highly recommended. www.ninnuam.com Voices From The Arctic Circle Well first I want to applaud the Florida based Arctic Music Group here in the U.S. for taking notice of so many great underground European metal bands. Makes for acquiring music here a little easier than the norm. This is a compilation of sixteen bands. The recordings are from various albums of the bands. Thus you can here the difference in production from one band to the next. All are done well. Just very noticeable. The groups on this disk are all of death, grind, black, gore metal. I always enjoy these types of releases , as you can listen to them all and then decide for yourself what you want to pick up down the road. Always a great way to discover new and the more of underground bands. Bands featured on this disk are: Shadow Builder, Exmortem, Throneaeon, Denata, Latex, Despise, Soil Of The Undead, Lord Belial, Nominon, Visceral Bleeding, Imperial Foeticide, Mortuary Iod, In Battle, Repudiate, Portal, Diabolical. This is a very brutal v/a disk. Misery / Toxic Narcotic This disk starts out with four songs by Misery. The have an infectiously catchy sound. They're called one of the godfathers of crust. They sound like a garage version of Motorhead. Also very close to Superchrist. An edgy hard-rocking-core feel to it. Thrashy and heavy in every sense. Toxic Narcotic on the other hand are geared more towards the old school puck sound. Fast, hard and brutal. Very fast vocals chanted throughout. They remind me of raw, edgier Sick Of It All or M.D.C. Angry as hell could describe the sound. Very well done. Numen Black metal from the Basque Country. And of course Spain. The lyrics are sung in the oldest known language of Europe, Basque. This is totally cool if you speak the language. And if you don't, it still is. This is pure blackened death. When can you totally understand the lyrics anyhow. They put a blend of some melodic moments with folk elements. Very intense throughout. A must for every black metal collection. Good sounding recording. Check it out. www.numen.info Code-Black New England metal core. From the disk opener, "Sound Is All That Remains", to the disk closer, "Black Mirror", Code-Black never let up the intensity of there trash meets hardcore sound. Some groove laden elements. Hard crunchy guitars, intricate leads and blistering drums. Clear, understandable lyrics on every song. Nothing really out of the ordinary for this genre of music, as with each track. One track as equal as the next A very good album. Fans of Havoc, Exodus, Gothic Slam will surely enjoy. As well as all thrashers abound. A slamming debut effort by Code-Black. www.terminalmusic.net Burning Skies Burning Skies are known as being one of the best and heaviest death-core bands in the UK. Sure as shit they are heavy. A deep heavy, hardcore stomping sound. 'Murder By Means Of Existence' is simply brutal. From start to finish. Brutal. The promo release says, "think of Stomping Ground or Hatebreed teaming up with At The Gates, Dissection and Dismember". Well I can't think of any other way to describe it myself. Heavy as hell. www.burningskies.co.uk BEATEN BACK TO PURE Sludege metal in the vein of Eye Hate God, Exorder, etc is your meal ticket here. Lots of slow crushing riffs, that yeah are doom ladden, but the band also up the tempo at times. The vocals are gruff, and are perfect for this style of music. If you like doom metal with a bit of melody and some power to it, you'll want this. Info: www.devildollrecords.com HYPNOSIS This was a major letdown. I liked the bands first release, but this is just so generic. Typical staright forward Decide like death metal with some clean female vocals. Oh guys, the female vocals, they suck and take away from the band. They are stupid, add nothing new and are just plain awful. This is fast Decide like death metal that is not original and not good at all. Info: www.crashmusicinc.com KORPIKLAANL This was some weird music to my ears. They are a mix of goth music, with some folk music and death metal to it. I did not think I would like this, but the band is quite catchy and the melody of the band won me over. If your into some metal with goth and folk mixed in you'll like this. Info: www.naplamrecords.com RECOURSE This I liked for its intensity and just delivery. The band mix in the sounds of older thrash, with the sounds and agression of some of the newer style hardcore and also the riffing of older Slayer and the combo packs quite a punch. This isn't some nu-metal jump band. No way. This is a combo of thrash, hardocre and total aggression. The vocals are hardcore like, but mix in some of the older thrash style vocals. A wicked release. Info: www.skinlifterrecords.com THE MANDRAKE Some average fast style death metal with those throat burning vocals and ultra fast pick riffing. The band play a mix of death and black metal and while it was ok. they just don't do anything out of the oridinary to make them stand out from the pack. The band can write some good riffs and the blazing speed is good, but they need to try to work on making the songs more memorable. Info: www.crashmusicinc.com SINN The band SINN is a difficult one to label and pin down. Vocalist, guitarist, and keyboardist Vido Sinn is the main creative influence and vision of this project. The look and feel of this release is dark and creepy like Marilyn Manson times a thousand. The sound is industrial, goth, speed metal, black metal, and everything else in between. The song "Crooked Christ," has a beginning with an organ that sounds like it's from church. Then the guitars come crashing in with their industrial attitude with vocals that have a low groan that is straight from the voice of Satan himself. You start to get the idea that this band is dark, very dark. "Sanctified in Flame," the guitar takes the spot light with it's speed picking and shredding, which I haven't heard in a while, that gives the song a dark scary edgy sound that compliments vocalist Vido Sinn's lyrics. Speaking of lyrics, all of the lyrical content is about being against organized religion. Something that Sinn is strongly against. In the song "Protocol," with lyrics like "Thy Lord is the Sheppard I do not want / He Maketh me lie in pastures of filth," you get the picture. The album is an interesting depiction of someone's beliefs. The music and lyrics are somewhat redundant and dry, because it is not for just anyone, but people who are deeply into goth or other types of dark music. If you are interested in listening to lyrics that are of the same subject matter of religion or lack thereof then you'll enjoy yourself. If not, then you will be bored half way through the CD. Breaking Benjamin Breaking Benjamin is a modern rock band. You could compare them to artists such as 6gig or Eight Days Gone in that respect. They're radio friendly without losing their edge and almost every song is strong enough to be released as a single and, what's really cool is the fact that there's something in each song that you can remember, be it the chorus, a groove, a hook, whatever. That's the kind of material I look for, something that I can listen to one time and remember it, something that sticks with me. Right off the bat, track one, "So Cold," does that. If you hear the song once, you won't forget it. There's a good, heavy groove in "Simple Design," which gives you a good punch during the first 30 seconds of the tune as well as during the chorus. "Follow" is another good song that has a nice, energetic pace to it. In fact, the band really doesn't take it easy until you get to track six, "Forget It," which is one of the more laid back tunes. They give you a really good kick when you get to track eight, "Breakdown" and track ten, "Believe," and to balance out the album, they end the disc with a nice little acoustic number, "Rain," which would probably do rather well as a single. All in all, "We Are Not Alone" is a strong, well written album that's sure to please anyone who decides to give it a listen. You really can't go wrong with this release. So, check it out, it's as simple as that. http://www.breakingbenjamin.com HARD ECHO Hard Echo is totally retro. In these times of nu-metal bands sounding alike it's refreshing to have a group completely going against the musical grain. If you look at the band's photo with their long wavy hair you know these guys want the '80's to come back with a vengeance. As soon as you play the first song you know this group means business. Ï Am Forever," gives you a clear sound to the bands ability. Vocalist Mark Arrington has a progressive singing style with his huge range and high notes that can pierce your ears and shatter a few windows. It reminds me of Judas Priest meets Twisted Sister. Lead guitarist Tony Jenkins writes some pretty amazing guitar solos with intensity. During the breakdown of the song drummer Tom Wallace does more than your typical drum fill, but has his own solo that takes the song to the next level. On this album the band knows they can play rock to the highest skill and they flaunt it. There are other songs that are ballads, instrumentals, and bluesy. "The Torch," with its bluesy guitar riffs and bassist Norm Campbell's in the pocket bass playing is incredible. The chorus brings the song together with its laid back resonance that any die hard bluesman can appreciated. The album is an exceptional piece of work. I'm not a fan of the '80's hair metal scene mainly because I was so young. However, this band made me see the good side of the style. Each of these songs has their unique characteristic that makes them stand out from one another. This CD is for anyone who loves the back-in-the-days hair metal, progressive music, or just straight up rock 'n'roll. Meliah Rage Damn...here's a release worth talkin' about. Seems as though this is Meliah Rage's first studio album in over ten years and they're coming back hard. "Barely Human" is a nine track, ragin' slab 'o' thrash metal that's sure to get your head bangin' and your fist pumpin' high in the air. Only thing I really didn't like is when they cruise into a Metallica mode, which they do on track four, "Ungodly." It might have been cool back in the day when Metallica still had some balls. But, not now, there's no reason for it. Please don't try to sound like James Hetfield because you're much, much better on your own. Don't get me wrong, it's a cool song, hell, the entire disc is some killer shit. But, I don't wanna hear Hetfield, I wanna hear Meliah Rage. I wanna hear stuff like the opening track, "Hate Machine." There's some serious thrashing going on there. Or how about "Motor Psycho?" Now, there's a tune that's got a lot of energy and aggression. It'll put a few cracks in the foundat ion of your house if you play it loud enough. No kidding, man. This release has an excellent production. So, the more you crank it up, the better it sounds. Bottom line...this is a disc worth checking out if you're in the mood for some serious metal rage...Meliah Rage that is. GWAR I was looking forward to writing a totally creative review on this release because, after all, this is GWAR we're talking about here. However, I had to flush my creative thoughts down the toilet like a fresh turd because this is, with all due respect, a very simple album to write about. Does that mean it's bad? Does that mean GWAR has lost their edge? No, no, no...not at all. GWAR simply put on their heavy boots and cranked out a seriously excellent metal album. Didn't think they had in 'em, did you? Well, it's true. From start to finish, "War Party" is a celebration of everything metal. They're kickin' ass and countin' the corpses of those they roll over. This is the most focused album they've ever done. Hell, I've gotta admit...I'm rather fond of releases such as "Scumdogs Of The Universe" and Ragnarok." There's some crazy shit on those albums. But, to be honest, "War Party" just blows that stuff away. There's a lot of good material on here to sink your teeth into. The best tracks, in my opinion, are "Bring Back The Bomb," "Lost God," "You Can't Kill Terror" and the title track. Don't take my word for it though. Check it out for yourself and bear witness to GWAR'S finest hour. 38 Special Them wild eyed Southern boys is back, still going after all there years, with a brand new album. 38 Special are best known for the hits they had in the 80s, like "Hold On Loosely", "Caught Up In You", "Fantasy Girl", etc. While those songs were commercial, polished, and radio friendly, this new album is quite different. The boys really rock out on this one, playing rough, raunchy, badass, bawdy, bluesy, booty kickin' Southern rock, which is more like their earlier music. It's good to see them going back to their roots. The album is aptly titled, as it drives along like a train going at full steam. It kicks off with "Something I Need", a ballsy, barroom boogie tune with some honky tonk piano and horns. There are plenty of hard rocking songs on here, like "Hurts Like Love", "Haley's Got A Harley", "Quick Fix", "Bad Looks Good On You", and "Trooper With An Attitude". A couple of songs on here even have a bit of social commentary in them, those being "Jam On" and "The Squeeze". Social commentary or not, however, these songs rock, "Jam On" in particular. There are even three ballads, "The Play", "Hiding From Yourself", and "Sheriff's County Line". The latter is a ballad in the true sense of the word, as it tells a tragic tale of a sheriff, his daughter, and her affair with his deputy. This song also has a couple of breaks in it where it starts rocking, then becomes a ballad again. One word to describe this album-Fun! It's just a great, hard partying, Southern rock album. 38 Special seem to have shed their commercial style of years past and have gone back to playing real Southern rock. So dust off your biker boots, break out the beer, call your friends around, and put on "Drivetrain"! 38 Special will have you rocking into the night! The Scorpions There's no exterminating these Scorpions! Like the Energizer Bunny, they just keep on going and going and going, just like they have for the past three decades, and show no sign of stopping any time soon! Although often thought of as an 80s band, the Scorpions actually began their career in the 70s, have released many classic albums, and have featured the talents of guitar greats Michael Schenker and Uli Jon Roth. They are also one of the bands that helped define the sound of hard rock and heavy metal in the 70s and 80s, playing rock and roll that is melodic, polished, and upbeat, but also packs a punch and has a hard edge. They are also one of the bands that popularized the "power ballad", with classics like "Still Loving You". The Scorpions' sound is unmistakable, with Klaus Meine's unique, heavily accented, high pitched voice, and the punchy power chords of guitarists Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs. Recently the Scorps have been experimenting with different styles of music and venturing into other musical territories outside of their signature sound, something many fans weren't keen on. "Unbreakable", however, is a return to form for the Scorpions. This album is definitely the classic Scorpions sound all the way! Nothing modern, nothing "Nu", just the Scorpions doing what they do best-rocking out! The album does get off to a somewhat slow start with "New Generation", which has the classic Scorps style but is a little slower than usual. The pace picks up as the album goes on, though, with hard rocking tunes like "Love 'Em Or Leave 'Em", "Deep And Dark", "Borderline", "Blood Too Hot", "Someday Is Now" (which has a melody similar to their classic "Arizona"), "Through My Eyes", "Can You Feel It", "This Time", and "Remember The Good Times". We also have a couple of ballads on here (a Scorpions album just wouldn't be complete without them, would it?), those being "Maybe I, Maybe You" (which is played on a piano for the first half, then the power chords kick in), and "She Said", which is played on acoustic guitar. There is also a lighter rock tune in "My City My Town". If it seemed like the Scorpions were losing their sting for a while there, they've got it back with "Unbreakable". The Scorpions are in classic form here, pure and uncorrupted. Playing this album will make you do the air guitar thing for sure! Rockin'! Lockestar This release ain't too shabby. I like it, I like what it's about and what it has to offer. However, the production could use some touching up. It kind of comes off like a demo, which wouldn't be a bad thing if that's in fact what this is. Their musical style is pop rock with a shot of punk and, in some cases, hard rock...and every now and then, there's even a glimmer of a metal sound. There's a lot of potential here and I'm sure this band could become huge if they get a better production and put a little meat on their tunes. Oh, don't get me wrong, they're good as they are. But, they could be better if they would tighten 'em up a bit, make 'em stronger. The band is creating quite a buzz with their live show. From what I heard so far, it doesn't suprise me that the stage is where they're really making a name for themselves. I'm sure they're quite a different animal live. Now if they can put that same energy on disc, with a better sound, yeah, they could become a house hold name. Lockestar's a band to keep your eye on. They're off to a good start and they can only get better. So, be sure to check 'em out. Carbon 9 It's good to get a heavy/hard rock album that's actually worth listening to on a regular basis...and that's just what we have here. Only nine songs are featured on this release and the running time is a little over half an hour. But, it's more than enough to wet your whistle and keep this disc in regular rotation in your CD player. Memorable tunes, good production, high quality musicianship. I guess the lazy, non-professional way to say it is, well, Carbon 9 has their shit together. Let me tell you something...I threw this disc on just to have something to listen to while I was doing some stuff around the house. I figured I would give it a casual listen and I could focus on it later, when I felt like getting around to it. About two minutes into the second song on the disc, my attention switched from what I was doing to the music that was coming out of my CD player. I got my coffee, lit up a cigarette, sat down in front of the computer and just listened. I didn't go through the whole disc right then and there. But, it did catch my attention and I was like, "Damn, this is pretty good." I think I went through the first six tunes, I figured, okay, there's probably at least one song on here that I won't be impressed with, you know? It never happened. The only reason I didn't go through the entire disc is because I did have other stuff to do that I couldn't neglect. I went through the rest of the tunes later and I was like, "Wow, not bad!" Ever since, I've been listening to this album on a fairly regular basis. I threw it on last night when I went to bed, which is something I don't usually do. I figured I would breathe these tunes in and let 'em sink into my soul. Does that paint a good enough picture for you? I hope so because I wouldn't want you to pass this band up. You'd be missing out on an excellent listening experience and we wouldn't want that to happen now, would we? Don't listen to these tunes unless you plan on buying the disc because that's exactly what will happen. I would guess, three songs into it, you'll be online checking out their website and looking to see how much money you have in your wallet...guaranteed! "COTM" is a listening experience that you can't live without. You can quote me on that. Scott Mosher This is a dark and ultimate progressive rock project. This band is comprised of two people: Scott Mosher (keyboards and sampling) and Todd Corso (vocals and guitar). The keyboard is the focal point with other trance and exotic textures in the background that accompany it. This album is definitely futuristic. Generations from now this is the music people will listen to. The song Ëxile," is a perfect example with chill out trance elements and unorthodox sounds that you are not sure what instrument it's coming from. However, "Mindfield," has a harder sound with double bass and distorted guitar. Todd Corso's voice and lyrics enhance the significance with the chorus "When do we cross the line / Or lose the power to decide / Why don't we see the signs / Or do we hide them deep inside / When apathy divides." Then the guitar comes crashing in with a spectacular solo that any guitar wizard would be envious of. This is a theme oriented album. If you leave this CD running the songs will blend into one another. This music is not my cup of tea and at first I was not impressed, however, I can appreciate their musicianship and the songs began to grow on me. People who love progressive rock, trance, or any other type of futuristic music will eat this album up. A Murder of Crows One word to describe this band: mediocre. Before you put in the CD and look at their photo it looks like a couple of regular guys that just got out of bed and started a band. Their music is nothing special either with it having no soft or hard parts that are neither calming nor explosive but just one wall of sound. The only song that stuck out in my head was "Without a Voice." It had an out of the ordinary piano melody line during the chorus that was catchy and eerie at the same time. The rest of the album seemed to be redundant. The vocals and music have the same feeling and energy throughout the whole CD. By the second song I was bored to tears. The album has no outstanding tracks. This is not a radio rock band or a group that has any memorable songs. This record may be for someone who enjoys artsy music with no commercial appeal; however, anyone who listens to rock or mainstream music will throw this record out or keep it on their shelf to collect dust. SHATTERPOINT 6 tracks of godly thrash metal This is a mix of older Exodus, Anthrax and Sacred Reigh. Vocals are strong sort of in the realm of Sacred Reigh. The riffs are classic thrash riffing bay area style that wll have the ole neck snapping. Aweome job by these guys and they deserve a record deal by far. info: www.shatterpoint.net GLUECIFER This at first I ddn't like, but as it played on I began to like it more and more. Ths is simple well played staright up rock n roll with lots of killer rffs and melodies. Sort of lke Buckcherry at times. The riffs just sucked me n and the vocals fit the band really good. The band also remnd me of Crcus Of Power and Nashvlle Pussy at times. A hard rock classic. Info: www.spvusa.com MIND GRNDER Typical dearth metal that sounds lke many of these European bands. A cross between Morbid Angel and Decide. don't lke the mechanic like drums and the blast beats just sound so fake. The vocals are typical growl death metal vocals. None of the songs really stood out & for the most part this was just an ok release. Info: www.candlelightrecords.co.k GRZ This is one of the worst cds I have ever heard. Total absolute garbage. A mx of rap and hardcore. Complete and utter trash. Big tough guy vocals along with jump metal riffs make for a total generic release. I have read the guy's bio and he had a heard life, etc, but this is total generic nu-metal music fueld with some "tough guy" vocals and this release is 100% what is wrong with the modern metal scene. Awful. Info: www.ragngrace.com GODS OF FIRE by Chris Forbes This was some pretty cool metal that reminded me of King Diamond at times. The vocals aren't lke King, but the music is to a point. The vocals are sung in a straight ahead style and does sound good for the style of music. The band adds a bit of goth sort of sound to the music, which was ok with me. This was a cool release and the band sound fresh to these ears. ATROCITY I remember this band back in the 80's and I remember the band changng and trying different styles back then and here they are back. I don't like the style they are playing now. It's black metal sort of like Cradle Of Filth in spots with keyboards and female vocals. To me this band just changes and goes with what's "in" style at the moment. Sorry this just doesn't seem to be "real" to me. Info: www.napalmrecords.com |
