Cryptopsy-The Unspoken King
(Century Media Records, 2008)

When it comes to Cryptopsy I'll be the first to admit that I am a fan of the early material more so than the newer albums. I can enjoy the albums but for me None So Vile was the pinnacle of the bands career. Even before its release this latest album from the band has been the cause of a lot of discussion. The word sellout is being thrown around and to my ears it just doesnt fit. The first three songs are violent and in line with newer albums from the band. It is a bit more rhythmic but for the most part this album still sounds like a Cryptopsy album.

What is throwing people for a loop is the use of clean vocals and also the inclusion of a keyboard player. The clean vocals are definitely a surprise but they actually work for the album. Its easy to hear that the Deftones were an influence on the clean vocal style. What makes the new aspect work is the fact that the new steps in the sound are still combined with more typical Cryptopsy elements. There is no denying that the band has added a few aspects of what I guess you could call metalcore into the music. Rhythmic riffs are quite common adding a surprising amount of groove to the album. So basically there is a pretty big change in the bands sound yet it still sounds like Cryptopsy. In all honesty the band has kept their manic and technical edge but these are probably the most memorable songs the band has ever written. I think they may have gone a bit overboard with the rhythmic side of the album but to my ears this is a much stronger effort than the last album from the band.

I guess the amount you will be able to enjoy this album depends on how much you can open your ears and embrace a new evolution in the sound of Cryptopsy. The performance is flawless and the production is punishing and heavy combining for one of the most powerful albums the band has released in years. The clean vocals do stand out but the vocal performance is solid and even if it may not be your thing the vocals are handled well. Im definitely a fan of this record and after the somewhat lackluster previous album this progression is just what the band needed to get their fires burning again.

http://www.myspace.com/cryptopsy

Terror-The Damned, The Shamed
(Century Media Records, 2008)

Even with a new label to call home, Terror continues their streak of hard hitting albums that don't really deviate much from what you could consider the trademark Terror sound. Overall this is a bit more mid-tempo and isnt quite as vicious as say One With the Underdogs. It shows a slightly more pronounced NYHC hardcore sound yet it still sounds like Terror albeit a bit more metallic and complete with some very cool and memorable guitar leads that took me by surprise. Succinct and face peeling would be two ideal ways to describe this album.

I would definitely consider Terror to be a vocal driven band. I enjoy the energy of the band and the riffing is indeed effective but Scott Vogel just has a way of really putting a ridiculous amount of energy across with his vocals. There is a reason why he will be considered one of the classic vocalists of hardcore if Terror ever decides to call it a day and this album is only further proof of that. That said, this album is possibly not quite the knock out punch that the last two records were. It is definitely a solid combination but at the same time it just isnt hitting with as much oomph. It is still energetic and hard hitting but the songs themselves arent quite as fast. Like I mentioned earlier it is a bit slower and while it isnt what you would consider a slow record by any stretch of the imagination it doesnt show the band at their most violent.

It goes without saying that Ill take a new Terror record over nearly 99% of what is being passed off as hardcore right now. This is a band that understands the history of the genre and has been a part of it for a number of years. I think all of the new bands should take a listen to this album and realize that you can have a breakdown riff that actually has more than one note as the rhythmic riffs on display here are some of the best yet from the band. If you happen to have been living under a rock and haven't heard Terror yet, if you are a fan of fast and metallic hardcore with more than a little NYHC influence showing this is definitely a band to check out. The Damned, The Shamed may not be the best album yet from the band but it is a solid album of hard hitting music and in my eyes it doesnt get much better than Terror when it comes to metallic hardcore.

http://www.myspace.com/terror

Prostitute Disfigurement-Descendants of Depravity
(Willowtip Records, 2008)

Dont let the name fool you into thinking that this band is a one man grindcore band with a drum machine because that really couldnt be any further from the truth. This Netherlands based band plays a blistering yet technical style of death metal that rarely lets up but is still built upon memorable riffing. The style of the band could somewhat be summed up as a cross between early Deicide and newer Cannibal Corpse but with a stronger grindcore feel and also a surprising amount of melody at times. This is well written and interesting death metal that certainly shows a band that is far from being slouches on their instruments.

What really stands out about the technical edge of this band is the fact that it is very natural. The band has a very organic style of death metal and it is a style that encompasses quite a few different ideas. The riffs range from technical note heavy riffs to more simplistic melodic ideas. I think that is what helps the band to stand out as being at least somewhat unique. They arent concerned with being the most technical band, yet arent afraid to show that they know how to play their instruments. The result is a band that is just as comfortable playing a straight forward tremolo picked riffs as they are something a bit more chaotic. Its also not just the fact that some of the riffs are just downright cool sounding, but also the fact that this is a very memorable album. The riffs have a lot of staying power and the band clearly wants to have a lot of impact with each individual riff with are highlighted by an incredibly clear production. Simply put, this is modern death metal done to perfection.

There are numerous reasons to pick up this latest album, but the main reason is the fact that it is simply a kick ass metal record. From start to finish the riffs are bulldozing, the vocals are clear and powerful and the performance of the band never falters. Throw in some amazing guitar solos and a ridiculously solid production and you have a definite contender for a spot in the top 5 death metal albums released this year. Its a shame that people might overlook the band due to the name, but this is a serious and musical as death metal gets and if you let the band name persuade you into not checking out this band you certainly will be missing out on one hell of an album.

http://www.myspace.com/prostitutedisfigurement

Coffins-Buried Death
(20 Buck Spin, 2008)

This is a dirty and disgusting metal album, and I fucking love it! Taking their cues from Celtic Frost, Autopsy and Winter, Coffins play a brooding and doom based style of death metal that reeks of rotting flesh and coffin dust. Few bands manage to capture the magic of early Celtic Frost and an era when death metal was bringing in doom metal influences with horrific results. This is one of the few and hands down the best doom influence death metal band around right now. If you like your riffs slimy and coated in crust this is definitely your kind of album.

Im not sure if some people would have a problem calling this death metal as it definitely doesnt sound much like what most people consider death metal these days. Personally I say that is a good thing. While there are numerous death metal bands I do enjoy these days, I still find myself going back to the classics of the genre. This is an album that visits those days and gives fans of early death metal some new music to add to our collection of classics. Play this back to back with Acts of the Unspeakable and you will see just how well this fits into the classic death metal sound. Another point I should bring up after calling this death metal is that this definitely isnt a fast album. This is doom inspired through and through, but the grimy feel, gruff vocals and apocalyptic dreariness firmly plant this band in the death metal genre. If you are a fan of Celtic Frost and Autopsy this is an album that you will feel was written specifically for you.

There was a time when death metal was more about having an eerie vibe then it was about the number of notes played or playing at the fastest speed possible. The vast majority of newer bands fail to convey any sense of darkness or the horrific vibe that helped distance early death metal from thrash metal, but Coffins could be considered masters of their craft and match the dark vibe of early death metal perfectly. If you are a fan of dirty and dark music I cant recommend this album highly enough. It is well written, armed with a suitably grimy production and easily one of the best metal albums you will hear this year.

http://www.myspace.com/intothecoffin

Arghoslent-Hornets of the Pogrom
(Drakkar Productions, 2008)

Argholsent is a band that certainly is surrounded by controversy. The subject matter touched upon in considered taboo, but this is extreme metal and while I may not identify with the lyrics, it would be ignorant of me to not see that this band definitely has a place in the metal scene.

Without the lyrics, the music itself is a violent and surprisingly catchy combination of death metal, thrash and black metal. The riffs are simple in nature and have a somewhat similar feel to Nifelheim at times but a bit more melodic and more death metal oriented as well. The melody used in the riffing lends an almost folk feel to some of the riffs, but this is much more intense than most or if not all folk metal out there. If you pass on this just because of the lyrical content you are missing some out on some damn killer riffs and creative songwriting.

Argholsent are a band that will bend to no one. They have been at this for 17 years and have never let the negative criticism make them stop. The fact that the album is lyrically based around historical facts and is written intelligently makes the racist tag not quite fit to me. Why are lyrics about anally raping Jesus embraced by metal heads but fact based lyrics are shunned and called racist? The fact remains that these events, while taboo, did happen. It seems ridiculous to pass up on a blistering metal album due to the lyrics being based around historical events. When did extreme metal become so politically correct?

http://arghoslent.cjb.net

Burzum-Lord of Darkness (Anthology)
(Candlelight Records, 2008)

While I am a black metal fan Ive never really taken the time to check out Burzum to any great lengths. So to someone like me this anthology serves as a nice introduction. Its clear to hear that the lo-fi style of the band has been quite influential over the years. There are countless bands that do indeed sound similar.

The basic idea behind the Burzum sound is cold melodic riffs, sparse vocal shrieks, and rather simplistic drumming. Throughout the years the bands style did change drastically but the early albums seem to be preferred by most black metal fans. Like I mentioned before I've never really heard much from Burzum aside from compilation appearances, but its clear to see why they are held in such high regard. The fast songs are incredibly cold and harsh yet still succinct and memorable. The atmospheric side of the band is unique creating soundscapes that are eerily beautiful.

Although the history of Burzum is steeped in controversy and say what you want about the man behind the band but the music certainly speaks for itself. A song like Feeble Screams from Forests Unknown could be considered a classic of the genre along with numerous other songs found on here. If you are like me and passed on the band in the past, now might be a good time to catch up.

http://www.myspace.com/burzum1987

Black Comedy-Instigator
(Season of Mist, 2008)

Black Comedy plays a futuristic form of extreme metal that manages to rise above similar artists and find their own niche in between Meshuggah and Strapping Young Lad. The rhythmic attack of the band relents to a number of extremely powerful choruses that boast impressive clean vocals. The ingredients that make up Black Comedy aren't really new, but they definitely add their own twist.

One aspect that helps the band stand out is the quirky synth lines throughout the album. The rhythmic riffs and shouted vocals certainly remind one of Meshuggah but the synths help to at least add some unique flavor. The clean vocals also make this much harder to peg as a Meshuggah clone. I would also say that the grooves used by Black Comedy are also a bit more straight ahead than Meshuggah. It almost has a slight nu-metal style during a few riffs as well.

If you mixed Meshuggah with newer Soilwork it would probably sound similar to Black Comedy. Despite the fact that the influences are easy to hear this is a highly enjoyable album. Favorite Hateobject and Sum of All Shit really show what the band has to offer while the remainder of the album slightly shows the band exploring different sides of their sound. Prime Specimen is much more melodic but no less powerful. There are songs on the album that I enjoy more than others, but this is solid from beginning to end. For a debut album Black Comedy never falter and manage to impress with their futuristic metal sound.

http://www.myspace.com/blackcomedymetal

Leatherwolf-New World Asylum
(N.I.L.8 Records, 2007)

While I know absolutely nothing about the history of the band, I do know that New World Asylum is a solid hard rock album that shows a band with years of experience under their belts. The songs flow quite well and are boosted by memorable vocal patterns and passionate yet ballsy vocals. It's nothing you haven't heard before but it is solid none the less.

I am the Law kicks off the disc on a high note. The pace is quick and the vocal patterns hit hard. King of the Ward brings in wah wah drenched riffs and a more rock based feel. Behind the Gun has a more classic metal feel and is filled with air guitar inducing leads. To me this is definitely the stand out track of the album. The rest of the album is quite solid although I did find the song Dr, Wicked to be a bit cheesy and far too similar to an Ozzy song.

Despite the lack of originality there are at least a handful of songs on here that border on brilliance. The remainder is solid by the books hard rock and quite enjoyable at that. The speedy lead guitar work and gruff yet melodic vocals make this a hard album to pass up on. You may be asking why the hell is Leatherworlf but once you hear the album youll wonder where theyve been all your life.

http://www.myspace.com/leatherwolfmusic

1997-On the Run
(Victory Records, 2008)

Listening to this album from 1997 is a lot like eating a cheeseburger from McDonalds. It fills you up, tastes familiar and doesnt offer any surprises. That basically sums up this album. Its enjoyable yet doesnt really do anything overly unique. The easiest comparison would be a more somber version of Straylight Run. It's a beautiful sound with an interesting use of both male and female vocalists.

The band manages to overshadow the lack of originality with downright infectious songwriting. The first two songs start the album off strong and pique your interest to keep listening. Certain songs bring in slightly different moods and even harmonica is used at times. One definite stand out track is the song I Will Always Find You, which really sets the female vocalist shine. Its definitely a ballad type song but it is based around beautiful lyrics and an intense vocal performance. It's sometimes hard to shake the heard it before feeling, but the songs are solid none the less.

One small problem I do have with the album is a somewhat lacking production. It could have benefited from a bit more sheen I think. A bit more oomph would have helped as well I think. That said, this is an enjoyable albeit slightly by the numbers album from 1997. The songwriting itself is rock solid but a few cliches still remain intact. With the next album hopefully the band will evolve into a slightly more original sound.

http://www.myspace.com/ninteenninteyseven

Four Letter Lie-What a Terrible Thing to Say
(Victory Records, 2008)

I have a small problem with this latest album from Four Letter Lie. That problem is the fact that the album is lacking in original ideas say by about 100% or so. I can enjoy what the band plays as it is infectious and the production is incredible, but it is hard to look past the lack of originality at times. If you aren't burnt out on the style this album should be enjoyable but if youve heard one too many bands playing this style it may just leave you groaning.

Musically the band draws on Hawthorne Heights and All American Rejects influences quite regularly. The use of clean vocals and screams is nothing new and really nothing exciting here. The clean vocals are definitely stronger than your average band in this genre and the screamer in the band must twiddle his thumbs a lot on stage because the clean vocals are used a lot more in most cases. The one exception is Its Coming This Way which is the heaviest song on the album and also probably my favorite track as well.

This is a fairly average album through and through. It manages to be memorable but wont leave you blown away. I think what stops the album from being harder hitting are the somewhat lacking lyrics. The clean vocal patterns are excellent but the lyrical content almost seems like throw away material. It you enjoyed the last album you'll enjoy this but to me this is just another screamo album with a few shining moments throughout the album.

http://www.myspace.com/fourletterlie

Karelia-Restless
(Season of Mist, 2008)

While I was in the dark as to how Karelia actually sounded, when I listened to the album I was left fairly dumbfounded. Season of Mist has many extreme metal bands and some oddities, but Karelia is far from being extreme metal, very far. The band is certainly metal in nature but much more electronic based. Techno styled drum beats and synth noodling clash with heavy guitars and clean vocals. Its a style I can appreciate but probably wouldnt revisit all that regularly.

The interesting thing is that it is hard to come up with any sort of comparisons. Rammstein definitely seems like an influence but this is nowhere near as industrial sounding. This is definitely a hook based album. Each song has unique riff ideas and the vocal patterns are almost remedial yet incredibly infectious. The style of the band is unique and far more accessible that most electronic infused metal. That said, I would say that a few choruses fall a bit flat. The songs have excellent build up and in a few cases the choruses fail to take the song up another notch.

The only way I could really describe this would be HIM meets Rammstein. It's an odd but satisfying listen that offers a nice change from blast beats and growling. Like I said this isnt an album I would put on numerous times in a row but it is enjoyable. If you enjoy metal with an electronic edge, you should eat this up.

http://www.myspace.com/kareliaband

Wrath Attack-Bringing Out the Thrash
(Self-Released, 2008)

I am a big thrash fan but the recent explosion of thrash bands has left me somewhat burnt out. Wrath Attack is definitely a thrash band yet play a rawer version of the genre than most bands around right now. It seems like most new bands draw influence from Municipal Waste, but this is much more stripped down and without the tongue in cheek attitude that goes with most new bands in the genre right now.

Unfortunately there are only two songs on this demo. The two songs are definitely solid, but I want to hear more! The band has an old school style that is somewhere in between Celtic Frost and vintage German thrash. There is a slight black metal feel to the vocals as well which matches the sinister feel of certain riffs perfectly. Performance wise the band is right on the money with only a few minor hiccups throughout. This reminds of the type of bands Necropolis would release during the first wave of retro-thrash being that it is much heavier and truer to the origins of the genre.

This is definitely a band to look out for and hopefully for their next release Wrath Attack will give us a few more songs. Forget about the tongue in cheek attitude and lyrics about beer and mutants, this is what thrash should be, fast and pissed off but with just the right amount of melody.

http://www.myspace.com/wrathattack

Synastry-Blind Eyes Bleed
(Year of the Sun Records, 2008)

While I would consider Synastry to be a death metal band they certainly aren't a typical one. In the sense that death metal tends to be speed driven, Synastry definitely doesnt fit the mould. The band has a futuristic style of death metal that seems to revolve more around rhythmic ideas and melodic sections that in does blasting or brutality. The core of the sound seems like Meshuggah mixed with Slipknot but with harsher vocals than both and of course a much stronger death metal feel.

The rhythmic nature of the band is well done but I think a bit of speed could have gone a long way. The middle of the road tempo makes some of the songs sound fairly similar. There are flashes of more involved riffs but for the most part this is fairly simplistic. The band really shines when they flash their chops and it is a shame that they don't explore that side of the band a bit more. Betrayed By My Flesh is a bit faster than the rest of the album and really picks up the energy. Psycho Social Contrast also features dashes of sped and is pretty close to being the best song on here.

Synastry is definitely a unique band but I think the rhythmic nature of the album makes it lose a bit of steam. The songs with faster moments seem to stand out a bit more and have much more energy. If the idea of rhythmic and futuristic death metal interests you, Synastry will not disappoint. Just don't go into this one expecting blazing speed and you wont be disappointed.

http://www.myspace.com/synastry

Axxis-Doom of Destiny
(AFM Records, 2008)

Despite the fact that Axxis is a slightly generic power metal band this is an album I can get into with little trouble. If youve heard Gamma Ray and Helloween you basically know what to expect although I would say Axxis is a bit more epic in scope. This is an energetic album with huge riffs, double bass filled drumming and an interesting combination of male and female vocals. Basically everything you would expect from a power metal record.

I think in metal it is a bit easier to get away with having a fairly by the books sound. Fans know what they like and rarely deviate from that. In that sense this album should be whole heartedly embraced by German power metal fans. Thats not to say that the band doesnt have unique elements. The operatic backing vocals and atmospheric sections are slightly unique for the genre and the lyrics also seem a bit less cheesy that what you might expect. The band also uses some very exotic note choices in a few parts and seems to utilize more layers than your average power metal band.

With an amazing cover and production the band definitely has a complete package with this album. Like I mentioned earlier this is a bit typical of the genre. For instance the chorus of Bloodangel just reeks of Helloween. But the band is incredibly good at what they do and the lead guitar work will leave your jaw on the floor. If you are a power metal fan you will enjoy this album, end of story.

http://www.myspace.com/axxisworld

Across Five Aprils-Life Underwater
(Victory Records, 2008)

Previous to this album all I've heard from Across Five Aprils was an EP and I honestly remember them being much more melodic than this latest album. Dont take that the wrong way though; this is an explosive hardcore album with interesting songwriting ideas and thought provoking lyrics. Somewhat like a slower Comeback Kid mixed with spare elements of metalcore, the band has a layered and unpredictable style.

With the glut of generic albums being released right now, Life Underwater really stands out. A song like Naivety Scene brings in a tremendous amount of ideas. Burly breakdowns, unique clean vocals, rapid fire riffs and unique melodies combine to make a very hard hitting song. I like that the clean vocals sound organic and have a unique vibe. The choruses arent only added to make the songs more accessible. They also arent the focal point of the songs. Far too many bands only worry about the chorus and wrap the rest of the song in generic filler. That is definitely not the case with this album.

While this may not sound like your typical hardcore album, that certainly isn't a bad thing. I like the bands that stick to the more typical sound as well but it is exciting to hear a band trying some new things. It worked wonders for Boysetsfire and Im sure Life Underwater will do big things from Across Five Aprils.

http://www.myspace.com/acrossfiveaprils

Nuestros Derechos-Struggling With the Dark
(Self-Released, 2008)

What we have here is 7 tracks of blistering and unique thrash metal from this Netherlands based band. I have absolutely no idea what the band name means but I do know that the band kicks ass. Rhythmic riffs and melodic riffs are both a big part of the bands sound. There is definitely a thrash base to the music but this is not exactly what you would consider typical thrash by any stretch of the imagination. Elements of death metal and even crossover come out from time to time and the overall approach of the band is wrapped in an infectious layer of melody.

Take for instance a song like Nosferatu. It starts with a melodic riff that is fairly slow and builds into some of the fastest riffs found on the album. It offers a really unique cross of melodic metal riffing and crossover intensity. That would actually serve as a pretty good description of the band, crossover mixed with melodic metal riffs. A few riffs have a slight Swedish feel to them, but the melodies used in the riffs never sound forced and this is far less clich sounding than most bands that use Swedish styled guitar riffs these days. The remarkable thing about this band is that they manage to build on a fairly old school base and truly make an original sound out of it. This is far more interesting to my ears than any of the bands that are trying their hardest to recreate thrash but ultimately miss the mark.

This is one of those bands that you have more than likely never even heard of but will blow you away. The catchy yet layered style of the band manages to be both fast paced and interesting dynamics wise. Forget about all of these retro-thrash bands that labels are signing left right and center; it is a band like this that deserves the chance to be heard by more metal fans out there, not the trend following bands out there.

http://www.myspace.com/nuestrosderechos

Ancestral Legacy-Trapped Within the Words
(Self-Released, 2008)

While some days I'll admit that I would rather have my teeth pulled than listen to another unsigned bands release that shows up in my mailbox, its when an EP like this shows up that I remember why I love doing this webzine. Ancestral Legacy play a simply stunning form of melodic metal that is somewhere in between doom metal and goth metal. Think Amorphis meets Opeth but with more than enough unique ideas to make this worthwhile. Its a haunting yet metallic style that manages to add even some black metal leanings that make the overall style even darker.

The songs while having doom metal elements are certainly not what you would consider plodding. The tempo is fairly brisk but you wont be hearing any blast beats. The harsh vocals are adrenaline forming and very powerful. The guttural roars instantly remind one of early Amorphis but the harsh black metal styled screams add a nice contrast to the growling. Adding even more contrast to the extreme vocals is the use of somewhat operatic female vocals. Some people tend to shrug off female vocals, but in this case they are handled impeccably and these vocals are some of the strongest I have heard in some time. The clashing of the beautiful vocals and heavy riffing is nothing short of breathtaking and it is something the band does exceptionally well.

Some may argue that the band really isnt breaking any new ground and to a point I would agree with them. This is ultimately very similar to Opeth and Amorphis but the band certainly has songwriting chops and the female vocals definitely help to separate the band from what seems like their two biggest influences. When you get right down to it anyway this is far from being a clone of either bands, sure you can hear the influences but they dont overshadow what the band has to offer. If you enjoy melodic and textured metal with harsh vocals as well as female vocals, Ancestral Legacy is a band that plays just what you are looking for.

http://www.myspace.com/ancestrallegacy

Tiamat-Amanethes
(Nuclear Blast Records, 2008)

While I would hardly call myself an expert on Tiamat, I have enjoyed the albums from the band that I have had the pleasure of listening to. The long running Swedish band has been at this for 19 years and it clearly shows in the unique yet memorable nature of this latest album. It's odd to say but the best way to describe the current direction of the band would be Leonard Cohen mixed with Type O Negative. Its melodic, darkly gothic in nature and very introspective. The first three songs alone make this worth while, with Equinox of the Gods in particular being one of the catchiest songs the band has ever released.

As much as I hate the term goth metal, it definitely fits with this album. The dark guitar riffs, haunting vocals and bleak atmosphere all combine to make an album that is as interesting and it is bleak. Ill be one of the first people to admit that I hardly even bother reading lyrics these days yet with this album I was really sucked in by the unique lyrics. There is definitely some fairly typical metal imagery used in certain songs but the lyrics are typically much stronger and more interesting than usual for metal of this variety. Music wise this is an album that is just filled to the brim with surprises. Any album that can go from blasting black metal riffs to the bluesy and Beatles-esque Meliae is sure to blow you away. The fact that this band can tackle such diverse styles and make it work boggles my mind but I love every second of it.

This is so much more than just another album; this is what you could call a musical journey. Tiamat is a band that is pretty much fearless making an album that pretty much smashes all preconceived notions of what is possible with a metal album. The cool thing about the album is the fact that is can almost be separated into two albums. You have the heavier first half and the much more melodic and mellow second half. Anyway you look at it this is 67 minutes of music you wont soon forget and if you are a fan of Tiamat prepare to pick your jaw up off the floor.

http://www.myspace.com/profoundhatred

Belphegor-Bondage Goat Zombie
(Nuclear Blast Records, 2008)

With each new album Belphegor has been streamlining their sound and writing music that is undeniably extreme but also with much more staying power. The album is indeed ferocious but these are some of the most memorable songs the band has ever written. The opening title track is filled with fast paced black metal riffing and some of the catchiest vocal patterns yet from the band. Fans of the previous album will definitely hear a progression and unless you are a close minded fan who thinks black metal should be harsh and near unlistenable, this is clearly the best album the band has ever written, hands down.

With this album in particular I am noticing a slight Behemoth influence creeping into the music. There is a few more melodic and dark death metal styled riffs used which is where I hear the influence coming out. The band is still bulldozing energy wise and still very black metal influenced. The band manages to twist dark black metal riffs into some of the most memorable riffs the genre has ever seen. Lets face it, blackened death metal isnt exactly the genre you think of when it comes to catchy riffs. But the band does an amazing job keeping the album both extreme and accessible at the same time. The title track is a perfect example of this. The song is utterly annihilating but the riffs and vocal patterns stick with you. Its like the band learned how to keep the songs as powerful as ever but have much more staying power this time around.

This is an energetic and expertly crafted and played metal album that shows Belphegor really taking their sound to the next level. This is a band that I have liked for a long time, but there is no denying that this is just better than everything the band has released in the past. It has a slightly more streamlined sound and the results really speak for themselves. If the 1-2 combination of the first two songs doesnt have you hooked, what the hell is wrong with you?

http://www.myspace.com/belphegor

Aguynguerran-Perverting the Nazarene Cult
(Shiver Records, 2008)

This oddly named Belgian black metal band really took me by surprise. Not only is the album a whirlwind of intensity, the riffs are masterfully written and diabolically memorable. The band also isnt afraid to try a few different feels throughout the album and blast beats aren't the only type of beat used throughout. There is no shortage of fast moments, but the band uses a surprising amount of rhythmic sections and slower tremolo picked riffs are quite common as well. As a whole the band reminds me of Nifelheim but a bit more typically black metal and with slightly less thrash influence on display. There is even a Nifelheim cover on the album which somewhat solidifies the comparison.

The songs are built around fairly simple riffs that have a dark and melodic feel. I wouldn't say that it is anything out of the ordinary for black metal, though I would say that the band does throw in a few more pauses in the riffs and there is definitely a prevalent old school Brazilian influence to the album bringing to mind Morbid Vision era Sepultura and Sarcofago from time to time albeit mixed with a more modern style of black metal. I like the fact that the band isnt afraid to try different ideas in the riffing. It isn't always constant tremolo picking or minor chords. The rhythmic side of the band is intriguing and very different from what you might expect from a black metal band.

This is a band that I had never even heard of prior to receiving this CD and that is truly a shame. This Belgian band plays a violent yet interesting style of black metal that draws from some unique influences and really manages to have a different take on the genre while staying true to what makes the genre what it is. If you are a black metal fan this is one you will definitely want to check out.

http://users.pandora.be/nguaroth/

Bleed the Sky-Murder the Dance
(Nuclear Blast Records, 2008)

With a debut album that had more than a passing resemblance to Chimaira I was curious to see where Bleed the Sky would go with their follow up album. It might not surprise you to hear that the band still sounds a lot like Chimaira, although it isnt quite as obvious with this album. That said the band really still isn't doing anything new and their rhythmic style of metal is unfortunately a bit typical. That doesnt exactly translate into this being a bad album; it just doesn't offer many surprises at the end of the day.

The opening song Knife Fight in a Phone Booth has all of the ingredients you would expect from the band. Thick grooves with stabs of dissonance, shouting vocals and of course clean vocals for the choruses. Aside from the cool buildup at the end of the song it is a fairly standard song for the band. The next song Sullivan has a bit more going on rhythmically but is still fairly similar to the opening song. And so it continues through the album with few surprises along the way. Also of note is the fact that I really don't like the production. It has a harsh feel and the guitars are far too trebly and lacking in clarity. Although it has been quite sometime since Ive listened to it I remember the debut album having a much more solid production.

This is an album that really has nothing wrong with it yet at the same time it doesn't really get your ears all that excited. The overt Chimaira influence is still here and it definitely takes away from the impact of the album overall. If you were a big fan of the first album you may want to check this album out but it just seems to bit too typical and unoriginal to recommend for most metal fans.

http://www.myspace.com/bleedthesky

Scar Symmetry-Holographic Universe
(Nuclear Blast Records, 2008)

As far as Swedish metal goes right now I don't think there are many bands that can hold a candle to Scar Symmetry, For sheer musicianship, songwriting chops and powerful clean vocals few bands are this good. Hell even the band has outdone themselves with this new album which is no small feat. This is what I would consider the next step in melodic death and what an exciting step it is.

The actual sound of the album is somewhere in between death metal and progressive metal. Imagine In Flames mixed with Dream Theater and then add a bit of Edge of Sanity in for good measure and you have Scar Symmetry, The band really makes the progressive side of the band work well within a death metal context. This is what Into Eternity is trying to do with their music and while they are impressive, Scar Symmetry melds the two styles a bit smoother. The band also isnt afraid to leave out either side if it serves the song. When they do keep the two styles side by side, such as the song Timewave Zero, the band really shines. Unlike a lot of progressive music this remains fairly accessible. If you enjoy guitar solos however this album definitely supplies the goods and with a lot of notes. The solos will leave you breathless and make you wonder if the guitar players have extra fingers. The solos never seem forced though and are also never excessively lengthy.

If you are a fan of melodic death metal and you haven't heard this band yet you are certainly missing out. This Swedish band is hands down one of the best bands in the metal genre right now. Few bands can combine breathtaking instrumentation with memorable songwriting so effortlessly. With little hesitance I can say that Scar Symmetry is the future of metal and it is a future that my ears are looking forward to.

http://www.myspace.com/scarsymmetry

Killing the Dream-Fractures
(Deathwish, 2008)

24 minutes is all Killing the Dream needs to create one of the most vicious yet beautiful hardcore records ever released. Combining the uncontrolled energy of American Nightmare, the chaotic edge of Converge and a great deal of atmospheric melody and the band has created a formula that not only moves hardcore forward but also retains what made the genre so invigorating initially. This is an album that creates a visceral reaction in the listener. Once the play button is pressed you are glued to the speakers with the vocalist of the band seemingly reaching through the speakers and holding your ears in place until the final note has been played.

It's fairly easy to become jaded with music these days and its a rarity that you feel like you are experiencing a record more so than just listening to the record. Fractures is a record that transcends being just another hardcore album and reaches into the artistic side of music. Sure there are fast moments in droves and the band plays with an energy that is almost unparallel but it is the in-between moments and the hints of genius spread throughout the songs. Take for instance the song Thirty Four Seconds. It has everything from feedback drenched manic hardcore to octave chords to atmospheric melodies, and this is all contained in a 2 minutes and 37 seconds long song. Few bands can put this much emotion into what many would consider short songs. They certainly dont feel short and the entire album feels much more complete than the short running time would make you believe.

If someone said that Killing the Dream was the future of hardcore I would say that the genre has a pretty bright future to look forward to. If there is one thing we need it is more forward thinking bands that can take the original sounds of the genre and twist it into something unique. It's time for the death of metalcore and metal bands that call themselves hardcore. Fractures might serve as the final nail in the coffin and I am relieved that hardcore still has a band this dangerous, as Killing the Dream is definitely a wolf amongst a tremendously large flock of sheep.

http://www.myspace.com/killingthedream