IT DIES TODAY „The Caitiff Choir”
Cool songs: The Radiance, Severed Ties, Defeatism, A Threnody for Modern Romance
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STEEL PROPHET „Beware”
The title of this album says it all really. As much as my curiosity was piqued at the prospect of hearing this new effort from Steel Prophet, particularly with the addition of former London vocalist Nadir DPreist assuming duties from Rick Mythiasin, the whole thing has come off as a massive disappointment.
CATARACT „With Triumph Comes Loss”
If you think Germany was the European hot bed for high quality Metalcore, youd probably be right. However just over the border in the landlocked country of Switzerland, there are some serious contenders.
AMON AMARTH „Fate of Norns”
Cool songs: Arson, Where Death Seems to Dwell, The Fate of Norns, Valkyries Ride
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BETHLEHEM „Mein Weg”
Germanys Bethlehem has always been one of the most enigmatic extreme metal bands around. Not content with repeating themselves, their music has never followed a particular pattern.
JEFF SCOTT SOTO „Lost in the Translation”
Its no secret that Im a major supporter of anything that has the Jeff Scott Soto name on it. When it comes to classy, melodic hard rock, Soto is up there with the best of them.
VADER „The Beast”
Cool songs: Out of the Deep, Dark Transmission, The Sea Came in at last, Choices
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CIPHER SYSTEM „Central Tunnel Eight”
Who would have guessed hey? The Swedish melodic death metal sound, now seemingly a shadow of its former self in terms of ideas, isnt quite done with just yet. Certainly, any new Swedish band looking to forge a career in this style needs to be on its game or accept a quick ride into obscurity.