Spitalfield-Better Than Knowing Where You Are
(Victory Records, 2007)

Album number three is here from Spitalfield and it is another solid release from a band that I would consider one of the best that Victory has to offer.

Through and through this sounds like a Spitalfield album. Some of the songs might be a bit noisier then usual and the band is definitely branching out and trying new things, but at the end of the day this sounds like Spitalfield. You can expect the same big choruses and well written vocal lines that the band is known for.

The band is definitely moving away from the Jimmy Eat World influence that was fairly easy to pick out on the first two albums. There are hints of it from time to time, but after three albums the band has forged a sound that they can call their own. Vocally the band has expanded quite a bit on this album. The vocals cover a wide range and the singer really flexes his wings on this album and tries new styles and pitches in each song. The trademark vocal style is still here of course and is still the main style, but I would say this is the most varied the vocals have ever been yet on a Spitalfield album.

It probably would have been easier for the band to release the same album each time they release a new album, but thankfully they take the time to add new elements with each album. This album doesnt have the same immediate impact as the debut, but it certainly is an album that rewards you with each new listen. Time will tell if this replaces the debut as my favorite album from this band, but it definitely has the potential to do just that. All fans of Spitalfield need to hear this album.

Immolation-Shadows in the Light
(Century Media, 2007)

Ive always been a bit on the fence when it comes to Immolation. There is definitely power behind their sound and the band has a unique and original style that they have been perfecting for years. The problem Ive always had with the band is the production values are always muddy and lacking. Even with big labels behind the band the productions have been disappointing. Does that change with this latest album? To a certain degree yes. The production is still a bit muddy but there is a lot more clarity here then usual.

All production issues aside, this is a well written slab of death metal filled to the brim with memorable riffs, powerful vocals, and amazing lead guitar work. The style is still pretty much what you would expect from Immolation. Rhythmic guitar work is quite common as are evil sounding melody lines. I would say that the band has streamlined their sound just a bit with this album. It seems more to the point and much more pissed off then the band usual is. It makes a world of difference to as this is probably the most I have ever enjoyed an album from Immolation.

One aspect of the album that Im not sure is a negative or a positive is the drum performance. The performance seems a bit lacking at times, but Im not sure if I should consider it a negative. I find that it gives the performance character and it sounds much more human then most death metal albums these days. You can tell that there is a person behind the drum kit, and it doesnt sound like a machine. The drum performance also gives the album a bit of an old school feel as the drumming style seems a bit more focused on energy then technicality.

Im not familiar enough with the Immolation back catalog to really say how this album stacks up when compared to previous albums. On its own merits it is a solid death metal album with catchy songwriting and a somewhat improved production for the band. This is an album that all fans of Immolation will want to check out.

Vital Remains-Icons of Evil
(Century Media, 2007)

Ive been a big fan of Vital Remains for quite sometime now, but there is no denying the fact that the band took their sound to the next level with Dechristianize. Icons of Evil shows the band continuing down a similar path and releasing one hell of a death metal album in the process.

The band is still very much rooted in old school death metal with lethal blast beats and roaring guttural vocals. Add a layer to melody to that and you have a really interesting approach to death metal. The songs are epic and full of contrasts. The band will be blasting with reckless abandon one moment before exploding into some of the best melodic guitar solos the death metal genre has ever seen. There are melodic overtones to some of the riffs as well which adds a nice contrast to the blitzkrieg nature of the faster moments.

Like I mentioned earlier the guitar solos are amazing and of a quality rarely seen in death metal. They give the album a classic metal feel or almost a power metal feel at times. If you are a fan of sweep picking and flashy guitar solos this is definitely an aspect of the album you will enjoy. There is not shortage of barbaric riffs and harsh vocals though. Make no mistake about it this is a fast and heavy album; it just happens to have a melodic side to it as well.

There is no doubt in my mind that if you enjoyed the previous album you will enjoy this album. It continues in a similar style and really should help the band take the band to a level they have never been before. This is an absolutely vicious slab of death metal sure to please all fans of the fast and barbaric.

Carnal Forge-Testify For My Victims
(Candlelight Records, 2007)

Carnal Forge is a band that has really fine-tuned their sound over the years and to this day is still playing blistering thrash. With the last few albums the band have streamlined their sound just a bit and are playing some of the most hard hitting music of their career.

While this album is indeed fast it isnt as fast at the first two albums which had to be some of the fastest thrash I have ever heard in my life. There is no really way to avoid comparing Carnal Forge to The Haunted. It really is a tough call though as the bands did come out around the same time. So lets just say that the bands sound similar, we wont debate who sounds like whom.

Ive always liked the fact that the band are quite skilled at their instruments and arent afraid to show it. The guitar lines are filled with little embellishments and licks, while the guitar solos themselves are quite amazing. The solos always have feel and rarely come across as being self-indulgent. They definitely seem like integral parts of the songs and never seem added just for the sake of having a guitar solo.

I must say that I did enjoy the breakneck speed of the earlier albums, but there is no denying that these songs are well written, memorable and only somewhat lacking in terms of speed. The speed is still here, it just isnt as common. The band is exploring different tempos and it definitely makes the album have a well rounded feel.

This is a heavy and interesting album that is pretty much all over the board. This is a band that knows how to play fast, but also knows how to write a chorus that will stick in your head for days. This album proves that you can still be fast and have memorable choruses without losing any power.

Pro-Pain-Age of Tyranny
(Candlelight Records, 2007)

I wasnt expecting to like this album but low and behold this one really surprised me. I have never been a huge fan of Pro-Pain but I could see why people enjoyed their energetic combination on hardcore and metal. I have to say that this is a well written and energetic album that pulls no punches but also has a surprisingly diverse take on this genre.

After a nice start with a fast and energetic hardcore song, the band slows down to their usual mid tempo stomp that they are known for. The more rhythmic and groove oriented songs are definitely not lacking in the energy department either though. Guitar solos are also a big part of this album and I was actually very surprised by how clean and well played the solos are. They have just the right amount of flash and the perfect amount of grit.

I cant help but shake the feeling that the band sounds similar to Biohazard but actually much better. Biohazard had their moments but I always found their albums a bit hit or miss and this album is solid from start to finish. Each song is hard hitting and there are actually quite a few surprises on the album. The band even dabbles with some clean singing on a few songs and it fits quite well.

This one hit me like a ton of bricks. If you like pissed off and energetic music Pro-Pain is definitely a band that fits that description. Its quite remarkable that after 15 years the band is still writing and recording music of this caliber.