Black Dahlia Murder – Deflorate (Metal Blade Records)
As is the case with most North American death metal bands, album #4 is where stagnation sets in…kinda like making that big indentation on the couch with the means of never moving (ref: Cannibal Corpse,...
Shrinebuilder – Shrinebuilder (Neurot Recordings)
A combination that just makes sense: Wino + Neurosis + Om + Melvins. All serve their own purpose/function in their own right, but fall from the same wall ‘o sound tree. And what could...
Shadows Fall – Retribution (Everblack Industries/Ferret)
Back to ripping it out…a wise move for Shadows Fall, who floundered in major label land with Threads of Life. For a band that in just about every aspect is better than Lamb of God and Killswitch...
Therion – The Miskolc Experience (Nuclear Blast Records)
Only fitting that Christofer Johnsson and co. team up with a full-sized orchestra. Take that, S&M-era Metallica! But seriously, as the last proper release with the now-departed Niemann brothers (Kristian and Johan; guitars and bass...
Caliban – Say Hello To Tragedy (Century Media Records)
Gotta hand to these Germans – they’re awfully stubborn. Unlike fellow countrymen Heaven Shall Burn or Neaera, Caliban refuse to budge from the melodic metalcore sound they ushered in at the dawn of the...
Theatre of Tragedy – Forever Is the World (AFM Records)
Norway’s Theatre of Tragedy plug along through their 16th year of existence and their seventh studio album Forever is the World. My interest in this sextet starts with 1998’s Aegis, and the subsequent stylistic shift...
Vader – Necropolis (Nuclear Blast Records)
Doubt creeps in when a huge lineup shift threatens the dynamics and chemistry of any band. The doubt can turn into panic though when it’s a long-running veteran death act such as Poland’s Vader. Necropolis features...
Echoes of Eternity – As Shadows Burn (Nuclear Blast Records)
California’s Echoes of Eternity play a ferocious brand of progressive power metal, separating themselves from the pack with the expansive vocal range from Francine Boucher and the twisted time changes that will go from...
Skyifre – Esoteric (Pivotal Recordings)
One of the more undervalued melodic death metal bands, Skyfire have emerged from five-year break with the quite excellent and sturdy Esoteric. Blurring the lines between Bodom melodic death metal and classic melo-death, Skyfire has continued...
Threat Signal – Vigilance (Nuclear Blast Records)
Threat Signal vocalist Jon Howard really does sound like Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington, which depending on who you ask, is a really awesome thing or total detriment. Sorry, but we’re guessing the mall music...