Intended Victim-IneVitable
(Self-released, 2007)

With so many subgenres dividing heavy music these days, it is definitely nice to receive an album that draws from the earlier days of technical death metal sounding akin to Death mixed with some of the more solo intensive bands of that era.

While I would say this is definitely death metal in nature, the band has a melodic side that somewhat brings to mind black metal. Dont expect simple minor chords though as this is much more involved and has a similar feel to some of the Swedish bands that were blending melodic death metal with black metal elements.

Guitar solos are a big part of this album and while a little restraint might have been nice from time to time, there is no denying that these are some furious and finger bleeding solos. There is also a technical side to the band with some unique rhythmic ideas and a few flashier sections that let the band show off their chops.

This is a band that could actually appeal to quite a wide range of metal fans. The fast blasting and guttural vocals will appeal to death metal fans. The soloing and technical aspects will appeal to fans of power metal and progressive music and there are some excellent thrash style riffs throughout the album that will draw fans of thrash to the band. This is an unsigned band to definitely watch out for!

Hell Within-Shadows of Vanity
(Lifeforce Records, 2007)

I was expecting this to be just another metalcore album because I remember the few tracks I heard from the bands last album being a bit typical. This definitely has elements of metalcore, but the overall approach of the band and a strong rock feel definitely helps the band stand out quite a bit.

The fast thrash riffs and harsh vocals are what makes this easily associated with the metalcore genre, but there is no denying that there is a diversity on display here rarely seen in a band of this genre. The rock influence somewhat reminds me of Guns N Roses, but it isnt as obvious as say Avenged Sevenfold. It doesnt sound like an imitation, it sounds like one of the many influences that makes up the bands sound.

The vocals on display here are probably what really help the album make an impact. Harsh vocals have taken a back seat and the main vocal style somewhat reminds me of Avenged Sevenfold but still fairly different. I probably would have liked a bit more screaming at times, but there is very little to complain about this album in the vocal department.

Putting a stamp on this band is definitely a bit hard to do. Maybe a cross between Killswitch Engage, Strung Out, Avenged Sevenfold and Guns N Roses? I could possibly be stretching but I definitely hear hints of all of those bands here. This one definitely surprised me. Give the band a chance and I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Im not sure what to think of the cover though; it looks like a photograph taken of an exploitation movie set from the 70s

Deadlock-Wolves
(Lifeforce Records, 2007)

This album really surprised me. I was a big fan of the last album from Deadlock, but this basically just blows it right out of the water. The songwriting is much more concise and these riffs are razor sharp. The band has also stepped up the technicality of the music with great results.

The biggest change with this album is the addition of Sabine on vocals and keyboards full time with the band and used to great lengths of this album. The female vocals make the album a bit more memorable and definitely might help to make the band a bit more accessible. Im not sure if that was the bands intention but the memorable nature of the album is sure to make the band a lot of new fans.

The album definitely has a great sense of dynamics as well. There are some really heavy parts and there is no shortage of fast moments but the album explores a wide range of tempos and there are definitely a few surprises to be found on the album. There are some symphonic elements and the keys seem to be used much more with this album.

I have to admit that I was expecting to like this album but I really wasnt expecting the band to come out with an album this mature and well written. This is most definitely the best album yet from the band and it also shows the band somewhat reinventing themselves as well. This is a diverse and amazing album that needs to be heard.

A Second from the Surface-The Streets Have Eyes
(This Dark Reign, 2007)

Now this is what I like to hear. A Second from the Surface play blasting and filthy grindcore with just the right amount of crust thrown in for good measure. Its fast, ugly and just how this style should be.

The Minneapolis based band wastes little time with this album. Each song is a blistering lesson is aural violence. The band has the traditional elements of grindcore but they also have some unique elements. Some of the riffs have very distinct note choices and the band isnt scared of dabbling with dissonance. There is no shortage of blast beats, yet at the same time there is so much more then just blasting to digest with this album.

I would say that fans of everything from His Hero is Gone to Nasum to Eyehategod could easily enjoy what this band is doing. The band is extreme but not without a unique edge. Sure this might sound similar to a few bands but there is no way around the fact that these guys definitely have some unique ideas to contribute to the grindcore genre.

Iced Earth-Overture of the Wicked
(SPV, 2007)

I really respect Iced Earth for the amount of effort they put into this MCD. They could have just released the new single and a few throw away tracks, but instead they have re-recorded the Something Wicked trilogy with Tim Owens on vocals.

The new song is a solid albeit fairly uneventful song. It sounds like Iced Earth, but the song would have benefited from a bit more energy I think. There also really isnt much to the song to be quite honest with you. The chorus is memorable but the overall song doesnt seem to have much of an impact.

The re-recorded version of the Something Wicked trilogy does sound quite good with Tim Owens on vocals but I really do not like the production of this MCD. It really lacks impact and there isnt much in the way of energy. The guitars are a lot thinner then they should be and it is a disappointing sounding album. The execution is of course spot on, but the production could have definitely had a bit more heft behind it.

This is essentially for the fans only. The new song is a bit disappointing as is the sound of the album, but fans of the band will no doubt want to hear the Something Wicked trilogy with Tim Owens on vocals.

Despised Icon-The Ills of Modern Man
(Century Media, 2007)

With their latest album Despised Icon have progressed into a much more memorable and controlled beast. The ferocity and heaviness is of course still present but these songs are much more succinct and they stick around a lot longer after they have finished this time around.

The blast beats, harsh vocals and noisy approach has continued with this album, but the overall feel of the album is much cleaner and much easier to grab onto. The riffs are very memorable and even the noisier moments have substance and features hooks, albeit not in the traditional sense of the word. This is still very heavy, dont expect any jangly choruses and clean vocals.

This album also seems a bit slower then I remember the last album being. The band has always been rhythmic, but they seem to have simplified things a bit and the album is filled with breakdowns. Some people may miss the speed being a bit more constant, but even a blind person could see how much work the band put into these songs.

This is a creative album filled with blasting, rhythmic crunch, and some absolutely devastating vocals. If you are expecting The Healing Process part 2 you will be disappointed as this album is a bit more streamlined and shows a bit more metalcore influence coming through. This is a rock solid album from one of the best metal bands Canada has to offer.