V/A-Thrashing Like a Maniac
(Earache Records, 2008)

While the number of metal compilations available has always been a bit ridiculous, there were always compilations that stood out. Thrashing Like a Maniac compiles 16 tracks of modern thrash metal that will have you digging out your white hi-tops and denim vest in no time. Thrash is indeed making a comeback and this is easily one of the few modern compilations that I would consider an essential purchase.

Drawing from their own roster which has signed quite a few thrash bands recently, Earache has included tracks from Bonded by Blood, Evile, Municipal Waste, SSS and Gama Bomb. Also included are tracks from Dekapitator, Fueled by Fire, Decadence, Warbringer, Merciless Death, Deadfall, Lazarus, Toxic Holocaust, Mutant, Violator, and Send More Paramedics. I'm sure some of the bands you have probably heard of before, but chances are there are a number of bands on here you haven't. I won't bother going through each band and telling you what they sound like because well, they all sound like thrash. Sure some are heavier and others have a more harsh vocal approach but this is a pure thrash compilation through and through.

If you like thrash metal this one is a no brainer. This is a violent introduction to some of the best bands the current thrash metal scene has to offer. If you thought thrash was a dead genre, these 16 bands definitely prove you wrong. If you like your music fast and fun this one is definitely for you.

http://www.myspace.com/thrashinglikeamaniac

Farewell to Freeway-Definitions
(Victory Records, 2008)

Farewell to Freeway is a Canadian band that has made a name for themselves through endless touring and as a result the band now finds themselves on the Victory Records roster. Definitions is an album of career making quality. Serene melodies and burly vocals collide in a sound that could almost be summed up as rock with chugging metal riffs added. It could be associated with the post-hardcore genre and while the band does have a sound that has similarities to certain bands, the overall approach of the album is quite unique.

What really sets the band apart from similar bands in the use of dynamics and the fact that each song manages to have unique ideas and really keep your attention throughout the entire album. There are definitely common elements that run throughout each song such as the melodic choruses and the downright vicious heavy vocals, but certain songs are a bit more atmospheric while others leave out a bit of the melody and up the intensity considerably with heavier riffs. I think the melodic aspects of the band are a bit more original than the heavy moments. There's no denying that the heavy aspects are powerful but some of the breakdown riffs are a bit clichE.

The sound of the album is fantastic. The guitar tone is rich and textured and works perfectly for the heavy moments and the melodic moments as well. I think if the band had opted for an extremely heavy guitar tone it might not have worked with the melodic aspects of the sound. This has oomph but the tone is actually quite clean and the distortion level is not as high as you might expect. Add in a clear drum sound and perfectly mixed vocals and you have one hell of an album production wise.

Farewell to Freeway might call a fairly cluttered genre home, but they manage to stand out through the sheer quality of the songwriting and a brave sense of dynamics. You may have heard bands similar to this one but chances are they weren't anywhere near as good as this album is.

http://www.myspace.com/farewelltofreeway

Secret Lives of the Freemasons-Weekend Warriors
(Victory Records, 2008)

On the sheer power of the opening song Chug and Leave alone this album sucked me in and had my attention for the entire duration of the album. The band has a melodic and extremely catchy rock sound not without a bit of bite and a definite sense of fun. This is one of those bands that is just fun to listen to and that is something sorely missing from many bands these days. Whatever your body wants to do when it enjoys music, whether you like to sing along, air drum or air guitar, this album will have your body moving in one way or another. The catchiness is almost intoxicating and that is a very good thing.

It's an odd thing when music manages to be melodic but not memorable and it happens quite often. This album however is not one of those times. This is ridiculously memorable and the songs just flow so well it's like the band was touched by the hand of god during the writing of the album. Ok well that was overly cheesy but simply put; these are well written songs and put an emphasis on hooks and creative guitar lines. This isn't just three chord rock songs and simple melodies. The guitars are layered and you'll even be treated to a few harmonized guitar leads along the way. This is upbeat music that is sure to inspire fits of silly dancing, but feel free to dance away we'll be laughing with you not at you, I swear.

With Jamie King producing the album, you can rest assured that this is indeed a fantastic sounding album. Granted this band is nowhere near as heavy as most of the bands he works with, but he more than knows how to handle the boards for a melodic band with this album being the proof. The album has a stripped down intimate feel with just the right amount of polish to really allow the melodies to hit home. The album manages to sound fantastic without sounding overproduced. Similar bands might fall upon studio trickery, but this is a very natural sounding album that I would assume sounds fairly similar to the band in a live setting.

This is an album that I honestly couldn't recommend highly enough. If you enjoy catchy upbeat music with clever lyrics and vocal hooks to spare this is definitely an album that will reel you in hook line and sinker.

http://www.myspace.com/secretlivesofthefreemasons

V/A-Pagan Fire
(Nuclear Blast, 2008)

Viking metal is a subgenre of metal that has existed for many years and arguably was created by Bathory so it is only fitting that the opening track is taken from the album Hammerheart which many believe was the birth of Viking metal. What follows are some of the best bands the genre has to offer. Chances are you have heard of most of these bands, but hopefully fans of Viking metal can be exposed to a few bands they are not familiar with yet.

The heavyweights are all here with tracks from Enslaved, Amon Amarth, Unleashed, Finntoll, and Bal-Sagoth. A few lesser known but still excellent bands like Primordial, Korpiklanni, Ensferum, Falkenbach, Wintersun and Thyrfing round out the tracks of bands you have probably heard. Equilibrium, Moonsorrow and Eluveitie are the three bands present that I havent heard before I was impressed by all three. What this compilation really made me realize is that a wide variety of styles can be associated with the Viking metal genre. Enslaved sounds nothing like Finntroll yet both can easily be associated with the genre. I've always found this subgenre to be a bit more diverse and energetic than black metal. There's no denying that the two genres and linked but the bands in this subgenre just seem to be a bit more diverse and the blackened aspects are only a small part of the sound.

If you are new to the Viking metal genre or didn't even know it existed, Pagan Fire is an excellent starter course in the genre. This is one of the most diverse and interesting subgenres of metal filled with unique instrumentation and a typically almost punk like energy. The best of the best are on display with the compilation with these not only being some of the best bands Viking metal has to offer, but the entire metal genre as well.

http://www.myspace.com/nuclearblastusa

Freevil-Freevil Burning
(Nastified Productions, 2008)

Made up of former members of Witchery, Denata and Sance, Freevil has a sound that is slightly similar to their previous bands yet just a bit different. Its melodic high octane metal which is par for the course when members of these bands are involved, but Id say this is a bit more melodic and features a more prominent use of keyboards in a few songs. There is a prominent electronic feel to the music although the album is very much so rooted in the metal genre.

If you familiar with Witchery or Denata there are definitely similarities to be found in the guitar riffing. The riffing is a bit on the simplistic side but that only helps reinforce the memorable nature of the songs. If you are looking for technical guitar riffs and blast beats you will certainly not find them here. This has a very thrash meets rock feel to it that certainly gives the music a very Witchery like feel. The band doesnt seem to put any boundaries on their sound though as each song has unique elements and if Im not mistaken I even heard slide guitar being used during one of the solos. Basically if you took thrash, old school metal and rock and threw it into a blender and than added an incredibly tight drum performance and vicious vocals youd have Freevil. Its a slightly bare bones approach but it works.

I've never been one to hide the fact that my musical tastes tend to enjoy bands from Sweden more so than any other country. This album is proof why. Its an interesting and energetic metal album that doesnt subscribe to any trends and manages to keep things dynamic throughout the entire album. If you were a fan of Witchery, in particular the debut album, this is an album you will want to check out ASAP.

http://www.myspace.com/freevil