Sylosis – Conclusion Of An Age (Nuclear Blast Records)
nitially, Conclusion of An Age rubbed this scribe the wrong way. You know, kinda how deathcore or cop-out thrash does to just about anyone, but repeated inspections reveal a band teetering on thrash respectability. Sylosis (who...
Saxon – Into the Labyrinth (SPV Records)
Not even two years removed from the excellent Inner Sanctum, long-running NWOBHM act Saxon return with Into the Labyrinth and it’s business as usual for Biff and the gang. More arena-ready than ever, Saxon’s mid-tempo anthems are...
Sepultura – A-Lex (SPV Records)
With little or no staying power to the Derrick Green era, Sepultura finds itself with a perpetual uphill battle, made all the more daunting now the band is totally Cavalera-less. Sure, new drummer Jean...
Satyricon – The Age of Nero (Koch Records)
Never one to stand still, Satryicon mainman Satyr (aka Sigurd Wongraven) has made another personal affront to moving his dastardly duo forward with The Age of Nero. Sure, a rehash of 2006’s gleaming Now, Diabolical would have...
Christ Inversion – Christ Inversion (Housecore Records)
Phil Anselmo post-Pantera has been a mess. Outside of Down’s capable, but hardly world-beating III from 2007, the man’s work in the awful Superjoint Ritual and Arson Anthem has been pretty below average and we’re talking...
Deadlock – Manifesto (Lifeforce Records)
In theory, an album like Manifesto belongs in the garbage can. It’s over-polished, uniformly produced, and blatantly formulaic. Purveying the brand of modern melodic death metal that Scar Symmetry and Sonic Syndicate have now popularized, Deadlock...
Kivimetsan Druidi – Shadowheart (Century Media Records)
Pagan metal bands…they don’t die, they multiply. The year has seen a rash of bands emerge in this realm that gives weigh to the notion that this trend is sure to die out in no...
Dodsferd – Death Set the Beginning Of My Journey (Moribund Records)
That horseshit saying that black metal is supposed to have no rules is rarely applied when discussing the bulk of current BM bands. The scene is so fragmented and divided, it doesn’t really matter...
Opeth – The Roundhouse Tapes DVD (Peaceville)
In the live setting, Opeth are pretty stationary, but man, that Mikael Akerfeldt sure is a hoot on the mic! But no, seriously, the band can faithfully recreate their deep and often challenging brand...
Behemoth – Ezkaton EP (Metal Blade Records)
Odd sight seeing the Poles on Metal Blade, this, after an immensely successful run on Century Media where the band for all intents and purposes, was shot into the extreme metal stratosphere. Now on...