Warpath-Gorefare
(Underground Movement, 2008)

Hailing from Dublin, Ireland Warpath play a straight ahead bulldozing style of death metal that straddles the line between heaviness and catchiness. While there are modern influences, saying the band was old school in nature wouldnt be far off. At the end of the day what matters is the music and this kicks a whole lot of ass.

If you combined Dying Fetus with Tomb of the Mutilated era Cannibal Corpse and threw in some Sinister youd have Warpath. There are even a few surprising riffs that bring to mind Swedish death metal. The overall style of the band is easily associated with the death metal genre, but the band definitely has an original take on the genre. If you are a death metal fan, youll enjoy this plain and simple.

The production is surprisingly good, with a powerful guitar sound and an excellent drum sound. The sound allows a lot of energy to come across and has a nice natural ring to it. The vocals are mixed loud enough for the vocals to be hard hitting but not overpowering. Its odd to think that death metal albums are becoming overproduced but it is happening. This album proves that a powerful and clean sound is what makes a death metal album effective, not studio polish.

If you enjoy chunky death metal with a melodic flair you'll definitely want to check out Warpath. Fans of thrash would also find many aspects of the Warpath sound appealing. Chances are you have never heard Warpath before, but this is a band sure to make a name for themselves. This is a band I could see fitting on the Metal Blade roster perfectly.

http://www.myspace.com/warpathire

Stigma-When Midnight Strikes!
( Pivotal Rockordings, 2008)

While Stimga might share similarities with The Black Dahlia Murder the amount of energy on display and the horror themed lyrics make this a unique take on blackened death thrash. It's a frantic clashing of melodic and visceral energy that leaps from the speakers with a bite that would make Dracula himself nod in approval.

The foundation of the bands sound is catchy melodic riffs that run the gamut from slow to downright train wreck speed. The overall approach of the band is haphazard and the chaotic nature of the band gives it a fresh edge when compared to the endless number of melodic death metal bands around right now. The vocals snarl while the drummers arms flail recklessly. This is a violent and melodic slab of metal that manages to distance itself from its influences enough to have a slightly original sound.

The production doesn't really sit well with me. It has a digital sheen to it and the drums seem a bit low in the mix at times. That said this is far from being a bad sounding album honestly. I think in the future the band might benefit from a slightly warmer production. For a debut album this sounds quite good, but it might not be the ideal sound for the band.

With energy to spare, killer riffs and a unique lyrical approach, Stigma manages to stand out in a sea of clones. Fans of The Black Dahlia Murder, Himsa, and As I Lay Dying should have little trouble getting into this Italian bands debut album. If you enjoy fast ass kicking metal this one is for you.

http://www.myspace.com/stigmahc

Struggle Within-Angels Face
(Arctic Music Group, 2007)

I have to admit that I wasn't really excited by the bio describing Struggle Within as a cross between Rage Against the Machine and Godsmack that accompanied the CD. Honestly though, I don't hear it. A cross between Pantera and Godsmack would probably be a better description. Sure it isn't original, but it is enjoyable.

The band has a style that revolves around rhythmic crunch and more rock inspired riffs. It rides the line between heaviness and melody quite well, but this certainly isn't an overly heavy band. The vocals are typically clean although screaming is used occasionally throughout. The clean vocals are pretty good although there are a few moments that don't seem to work all that well. The chorus to Heart of Stone is a good example of the vocal melody sounding a bit sour. There is no denying that this good is a solid vocalist but the performance is not without its blemishes. The guitar solos are well played and nice surprise with a Jerry Cantrell meets Zakk Wylde feel.

Fans of nu-metal or hard rock should have little trouble enjoying Struggle Within. This is an enjoyable albeit slightly typical album filled with catchy riffs and killer guitar solos. My advice for the band? More songs like Tread Upon which shows a more technical almost progressive feel.

http://www.myspace.com/strugglewithinofficial

Hellixxir-War Within
(Breenus Music, 2007)

After an instrumental piece that combines somber melodies and sweep picking flash, Hellixxir kicks in with their energetic power metal meets thrash style of metal. It's a bit rough around the edges but the band certainly has a lot of potential.

What really hurts the album is the fact that the album doesnt sound as tight as it could. I'm not sure if the band didn't play to a click track but the tempo seems to waver at times and the vocal rhythms sound a bit off at times. Like I said the band does have potential, but the recording certainly isn't doing the band any favors, which is a shame as the songwriting is actually quite interested at times. The vocals are a bit lacking as well and honestly this guy just isn't that great of a vocalist. He has since left the band with the bass player taking over the vocal duties. Musically it is a bit rough but the riffing is unique and has a slightly more progressive Metallica feel to it.

This is an album damn near killed by the vocals. I've tried numerous times to enjoy the vocals but it just isn't happening. The music however is quite good and whit a solid production and vocals this would have been one hell of an album. I'm looking forward to seeing where the band goes with the next album with the new vocalist as there is a lot of potential here.

http://www.myspace.com/hellixxir

Too Pure to Die-Confidence and Consequences
(Trustkill Records, 2007)

With a sound similar to label mates Throwdown, Too Pure to Die have a crunchy metallic take on the hardcore genre. Burly rhythmic riffs are the norm here and this album is armed with enough breakdowns to shake the plaster free from your ceiling. Its a slightly by the books approach but the energy and songwriting makes the album more than worth your time.

When I say this sounds like Throwdown, I'm not kidding as the album has a similar feel to the Vendetta album in particular. I'd say this has a bit more melody than Throwdown though and overall this isnt quite as fast. If you enjoy your metallic hardcore crunchy this is an album youll want to check out. I could also see fans of Bury Your Dead being able to enjoy this as well.

What helps this band stand out from similar bands is the quality of the full blown metal riffs. There are some excellent melodic riffs and a few riffs add a technical edge with hammer on and pull off use. The breakdowns are slightly common sounding yet the rhythmic riffs are incredibly solid hitting with a ton of power. Sure its not as overly original sound, but it is a damn powerful one.

If you are a fan of the metallic side of hardcore, Too Pure to Die have crafted an album sure to inspire living room moshing. The rhythmic assault hardly lets up and is reinforced by a powerful yet clear vocal roar. If you like your hardcore intense and with crunch, this one is for you.

http://www.myspace.com/toopuretodie

Memphis May Fire-S/T
(Trustkill Records, 2007)

Memphis May Fire manages to draw a perfect line between accessibility and viciousness. On one hand the band is extremely melodic yet things can turn downright savage in seconds. Rock n roll riffs, dissonance and melody collide is a sound that is filled with hooks yet is quite unique and interesting.

Chiodos meets Taking Back Sunday but filtered though rock n roll would somewhat sum up Memphis May Fire. Comparisons aside, this is a unique band that plays with a lot of steam. Even when the songs have very different parts, the writing flows incredibly well and the band makes it work perfectly. Harsh moments precede melodic moments and it just works. Each element, no matter how diverse, is an integral part of the bands sound.

The vocals are strong regardless of the feel. The clean vocals have swagger and a lot of feel while the screaming is downright vicious. The vocal performance manages to match the diverse approach of the music which is no small feat. With some similar bands the vocals can be hit or miss, but this is one of the most solid vocal performances I have heard in this genre in a very long time.

Memphis May Fire is definitely a band with a bright future. These 5 songs have me chomping at the bit to see what the band is capable of with a full length release. Fans of everything from Chiodos to Finch to Every Time I Die should enjoy Memphis May Fire.

http://www.myspace.com/memphismayfire

StoneRider-Three Legs of Trouble
(Trustkill Records, 2007)

While rock elements are nothing new for a band on Trustkill, StoneRider is a full fledged rock n roll band. With swagger to spare, bluesy guitar runs and a solid vocal performance the band rolls through 10 songs of rock goodness. This isnt what you would expect from Trustkill but they certainly made the right choice to release this album.

The riffing has a very 70's feel to it. They take a little bit from Page a little bit from Hendrix and even a bit from vintage Aerosmith. Basically learning from the masters and bringing it to a modern context. There are numerous bands trying to bring in a vintage vibe and few are this successful. This isn't what you would consider original yet the band certainly has a lot to offer. The riffs are infectious as are the vocal lines. While it isn't hard to trace the influences this comes across more like an homage than plagiarism.

Although you might not even notice from the sound of the band, but StoneRider is made up of four members of the now defunct Fight Paris. Fight Paris certainly had a rock streak but had a much more modern feel while StoneRider is much more vintage sounding. If you liked Fight Paris you may indeed enjoy this, just dont expect this to sound like Fight Paris the sequel.

Typically I find vintage styled rock to be cheesy and unnecessary, but I definitely dig what the band is doing on this album. If you are a fan of 70s styled rock youll definitely want to this one a listen.

http://www.myspace.com/stoneriderband

Every Avenue-Shh, Just Go With It
(Fearless Records, 2008)

Its not hard to hear that Every Avenue has a lot in common with Fall Out Boy, yet the power of the songwriting and flawless performance makes this an album that is hard to ignore. It does sound a hell of a lot like Fall Out Boy at times, but I like Fall Out Boy so that really isn't a problem with me.

The opening three songs are more upbeat while Think of Your Later (Empty Room) is a bit slower and shows the band dropping the Fall Out Boy influence and having a more unique approach. The album really succeeds when the vocals lay back a little and leave out the Fall Out Boy like vocal inflections. In fact as the album progresses the band moves further away from sounding like Fall Out Boy almost like the band was saying yea we can play like you, no look at what else we can do.

The production is typically solid for a release of this nature. The tones are punchy and warm with enough bite when needed. The album has a lot of polish and has a sound that makes the album quite accessible. If you are looking for something to fault the album on, the production certainly is not it.

Every Avenue is certainly accessible but original, not so much. Fall Out Boy is an obvious influence and the overall sound of the band is fairly common of the genre. That said the songs are very catchy and well worth your time. This has flashes of originality and being that is it a debut album the potential here is almost limitless.

http://www.myspace.com/everyavenue

Death Angel-Killing Season
(Nuclear Blast, 2008)

Truth by told I am slightly new to Death Angel. In fact their comeback record, The Art of Dying, was my first time hearing a full album from the band. I did enjoy that album and the previous songs that I have heard but with little trouble I can say that I fucking love Killing Season. This is one of the most diverse and interesting metal albums I have heard, well, ever. With elements of metal, punk and rock joining together, the band manages to have a sound that is old school yet still modern.

The opening song Lord of Hate realty sets the tone for the album. Fast yet melodic guitars firmly plant the song in between thrash and punk with catchy vocal lines and charging drums. The vocal lines are stripped down and insanely catchy. The lyrics have a simplicity that is somewhat missing these days. You'll hear these songs once and remember them for a very long time. Acoustic passages are used to great effect and further remind you that this was a band that had a lot to do with creating the thrash metal sound. A song like Sonic Beatdown could have easily been written in the 80s and yet sounds potent and modern at the same time.

The production is very natural sounding and gives the album a timeless feel. It is actually far from polished yet still a very powerful sounding album. The guitar sound has a live feel and while it is thick I suspect this is fairly close to what the band sounds like live. The drum sound is very natural and has a lot of oomph. Each snare hit cracks through the mix like a punctuation mark. I have to commend the band for going for a slightly raw sound over the glossy sheen that metal productions are slowly becoming.

While it may only be February, Killing Season will be a contender for the top album of 2008. That old saying they don't make 'em like this anymore certainly fits this album. This is a bombastic and refreshingly diverse thrash album from one of the titans of the genre. Death Angel are the kings of modern thrash, end of story.

http://www.myspace.com/deathangel

Biomechanical-Cannibalised
(Earache Records, 2008)

If you thought the last album from Biomechanical was all over the place, Cannibalised will have you staring slack jawed at your stereo. The album is metallic, symphonic and downright chaotic. Charging and tight one minute, a wall of sound the next. This album throws a lot at you but it is worth the effort. If you dont end up in the asylum, there is one hell of an album buried in the madness.

Let's get a warning out of the way early, if you like straight forward structures and easy to classify music this is not for you. This has moments that are memorable but the chaotic feel of the album definitely takes center stage. Cross Voivod, Pantera, and Judas Priest with Naked City and you still wouldn't know what to expect from this album. If you were a fan of the last album from the band you will definitely like this, but this is a much bigger mindfuck all around. You'd have to be a musical genius to fully digest this album in one sitting.

The album has a sound that is a bit overly harsh I would say. The production allows a lot of the more straight forward moments to ring through but some of the parts are so dense it's like trying to see through mud so to speak. A bit more definition might have helped but the slightly noisy production does indeed add to the chaotic feel of the album.

With little doubt I can say you haven't heard anything quite like this before. This is a harsh yet symphonic album that follows no rules and puts an entirely new spin on progressive metal. If you enjoy challenging music, it doesnt get much more challenging than this.

http://www.myspace.com/biomechanical