MINDSNARE „The Death”
As a straight up Metal head who was raised on classic the Metal of the eighties I shouldnt like Hardcore. However, past involvement in the music industry through radio and writing has given me exposure to the whole genre of heavy music Hardcore included.
DEMONOTHER „s/t”
With its iridescent green logo jumping out at you in contrast to its black background, new Aussie grindcore act Demonother make a particularly stark initial impression. For me, the album cover emanates some sort of otherworldly vibe and fortunately the bands music, whilst not quite of another planet, is suitably deranged.
AXIS OF ADVANCE „Obey”
There comes a time in my metal listening week where I crave something a little more filthy in sound. A lot of modern metal acts are incredibly spot-on with their musicianship and production values check out the tightness of the latest Lamb of God and Caliban all props to them.
JEFF SCOTT SOTO „Lost in the Translation”
Jeff Scott Soto, so so, so to, he he, I am just kidding As I found that in my mailbox, I thought to myself: Wow a new Jeff Scott Soto is what I have got here! I am very curious about that! and threw it in my CD player… Well, he just sings for every band who wants him.
ARKHON INFAUSTUS „Perdition Insanabilis”
Having released one of the better extreme black/death albums of 2003 (Filth Catalyst) the French quartet known as Arkhon Infaustus return with their next installment of psychotic malevolence. Always the provocateurs, particularly with their previous album covers, AI have surprisingly gone with something a tad more ambiguous this time around, almost to the point of let down.
VARIOUS ARTISTS „FENRIZ Presents The Best of Old School Black Metal”
Everyone one of us has put together his or her own best-of compilation, whatever the genre. Based purely on individual taste, and put together to please no one but you, the D.I.Y Best-of compilation will never die.
FEINSTEIN „Third Wish”
With its rather dodgy name and an album cover that sets metal art work back about 20 years, the prospect of reviewing this disc didnt have me overly enthused. Most metal folk are rather adept at judging a book (or in this case, a CD) by its cover it is an extremely important selling point for any metal act.
DEAD TO FALL „Villany & Virtue”
Chicagos Dead to Fall pretty much floored me with their 2002 debut Everything I Touch Falls to Pieces. Certainly it was one of the finest melodic death/metalcore albums of that year.
ZILLION „s/t”
Again a project, I thought. But actually I don´t care about that, if something great is the output.
CIPHER SYSTEM / BY NIGHT „Split Ep”
This release is somewhat of a departure for Germanys Lifeforce label. Predominately a Metalcore label (and one of the better ones), most of their roster is made up of local German, American or UK acts.
LAKE OF TEARS „Black Brick Road”
I must admit Ive never been a huge fan of Swedens Lake of Tears. Not that I dont think theyre any good, its just that Ive never gone out of my way to purchase any of their material.
PSYCHOTIC WALTZ „Box Set Remasters”
There have been a handful of metal acts that never received the recognition they were due. I still shake my head in disgust at the lack of exposure US Thrash act Holy Terror received in the late 80s Anacrusis, Solitude Aeturnus, Only Living Witness and even Armored Saint are members of the same club.
NECROPHAGIST „Epitaph”
Some five years ago, a guy by the name of Muhammad Suicmez released Onset of Putrefaction (Velvet records) working under the band name Necrophagist, the album was hailed as an underground classic, although it basically went unheard by 90% of the genres fan base. Now signed to the mighty Relapse roster, Necrophagist have returned with a full line up and with what is possibly the progressive death metal album of the year in album No.2, Epitaph.
TERROR „One with the Underdogs”
There are those in the Hardcore scene that truly rate Terrors debut album Lowest of the Low as one of the most aggressive records ever. A big call that.
CROWN, THE „Crowned Unholy”
It seems that The Crown were not all that impressed with their initial recording of 2002s Crowned in Terror. Quite strange really, considering that most metal folk held it in rather high regard.
DEADSOIL „The Vemon Divine”
Hot on the heels of the recent head-caving affair from the UKs Burning Skies comes the debut full length from Germanys Deadsoil. I know Ive mentioned it before, but Deadsoil are another high quality example of the current roster of the Lifeforce Records label.
From DEMOLITION newsletter
After a successful european tour with TESTAMENT the guys in DEMOLITION have more of good news coming up this month. Some more live gigs have been confirmed as well as…
BURNING SKIES „Murder by Means of Existence”
With the defection of Cataract and Heaven Shall Burn to Metal Blade and Century Media respectively, Germanys Lifeforce label has been quick to shore up some decent replacements. Lifeforce are one of Europes leading Metal-core labels and have been the frontrunners in finding and signing new acts to their roster.
DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, THE „Miss Machine”
Whats that I hear? Sold Out you say? Man, has this disc caused some major hype over the past month. Yet, its really not all that surprising – in light of the bands fearsome reputation and their almost genre defining debut of five years ago (Calculating Infinity), such a response from fans and the critics alike was always to be expected.
SEAR BLISS „Glory & Perdition”
It hasnt been a big year for Black Metal. Thats what I think anyway.
GOTHIC KNIGHTS „Up From The Ashes – Digipack limited edition”
Here it is: The latest Gothic Knights CD is rotating in my player. Immediately in the beginning a Bon Jovi riff, hm…, waiting for the rest.
CHILDREN OF BODOM „Follow The Reaper”
Stand Out Songs: Every time I die, Northern comfort, Taste of my scythe….it is all a matter of personal opinion
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HOPE, JENNIFER „Reflections of an Enchanted Soul”
Alluring such captivating imagery into a musical prowess of spiritual heights awakening new levels of emotional discovery can be heard through Jennifer Hopes Reflections of an Enchanted Soul. Upon observation I had a chance to glimpse into this realm of reflection as lyrics shed light into feelings of dreamy soundscapes with vocals revealing hidden emotions that are heard.
MEMORIZED DREAMS „Theater of Life”
Memorized Dreams are some new kids on the block from Norway that should be watched. This being there first full length CD is a breath of fresh air for me as a reviewer.
BLIND GUARDIAN „Imaginations Through the Looking Glass – DVD”
This DVD was given to me by a very special friend that is responsible for turning me onto this band and I am grateful that he did. This set was filmed at the first ever BLIND GUARDIAN open air festival held in COBURG GERMANY on June 14th 2003.
SLAYER „Still Reigning – DVD”
What can be said about SLAYER that has not already been said? I reviewed the last DVD release for this band and gave it high marks as I am going to do with this one. This performance here was the firs time that the band had ever performed the REIGN IN BLOOD disc track for track as they appear on the CD as well as six bonus tracks from the same show.
EUPHORIUM, ASERAPHYMN
September 24, 2004, Ireson's Pub, Bristol, TN, USA
KREATOR „Enemy Of God”
Kreator continues its tradition of setting new thrash metal standards with the release of 2005s Enemy Of God. This is an absolute masterpiece of metal that will surely go down in history as one of the best albums of 2005.
SERPENTIA „Dark Fields of Pain”
The long anticipated follow-up to their 2000 debut MCD …and the Angels descended to Earth from this renowned Polish extreme metal act who derive their moniker the ancient symbol of a serpent, eating its own tail. Serpentia are one of the few bands I have heard successfully combine the ferocity of black and deathmetal with the ambience of European Goth and even a twist of folk without losing the raw intensity along the way .
UNSOLVED MYSTERIES „Ghosts Vol 2 Screener”
Among broadcasts longest-running reality programs , Unsolved Mysteries has gain notoriety by taking on the burden of proof for paranormal and extra terrestrial events. This segment is a compilation of 8 Stories of haunting, spiritual intervention and exorcism based on legend and/or actual events presented by host Robert Stack.
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