Tenet – Sovereign (Century Media Records)
Every time Steve “Zetro” Souza opens his mouth, all this scribe can hear is, “Used to do the monkey, but now it’s not cool. The twist and mash potato, are no exception to the rule.” Unless...
A Storm of Light – Forgive Us Our Trespasses (Neurot Recordings)
A tell-tale sign of just how widespread Neurosis’ influence and reach has become, A Storm of Light emerges as more restrained Neurosis, on Neurosis’ label, with Neurosis’ visual dude (Josh Graham) fronting the band....
3 Inches of Blood – Here Waits Thy Doom (Century Media Records)
Being a product of the 1980’s underground movement in my teen developing years, Canada’s 3 Inches of Blood speak to core concepts of battles, witches, hammers and other destructive lyrical themes on Here Waits Thy...
Megadeth – Endgame (Roadrunner Records)
Megadeth Mach 28…and counting. Dave’s revolving door will never end and apparently, neither will his jabs at Metallica that just so happen to coincide with the release of one of his albums. The thing...
The Gates of Slumber – Hymns of Blood and Thunder (Rise Above/Metal Blade Records)
Throughout metal’s long-standing history, two aspects that remain exhilarating are the power of creativity and the chemical component of how musicians interact and engage in their craft. Indianapolis, Indiana’s The Gates of Slumber concoct as a...
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...