Guillotine-Blood Money
(Pulverised Records, 2008)

Necropolis Records definitely released a large number of retro thrash bands a number of years ago and one of the best of the bunch is back of a new label and with a crushing new album. Combining ridiculously fast German thrash with hints of early Megadeth, the band has a sound that is intimate and steamrolling. From the Ed Repka painted cover art, to the bare bones production, this is an album that just reeks of classic thrash.

What stands out though is the fact that the band definitely isn't trying to relive the glory days of the genre. The album still sounds modern like an updated version of classic thrash. If you aren't familiar with Guillotine and you think that you don't need another album from a retro thrash band, take a listen to the song Rebellion and see if you are singing the same tune. This is hands down one of the best thrash songs I have heard in years. The rest of the songs are quite strong as well and an enjoyable kick in the teeth through and through.

Thrash will undoubtedly always been one of my favorite subgenres of metal and this album reminds me why. This is a high octane and memorable slab of thrash that should please long time fans of the genre and fans of the newer bands in the genre as well.

All That Remains-Overcome
(Prosthetic Records, 2008)

The latest album from All That Remains doesn't come equipped with much in the way of surprises, but the 10 new song to digest and the cover of Nevermore's Believe in Nothing all manage to hit with tremendous force. There are songs here that are song of the catchiest the band has ever written and while the album feels a bit safe it is sure to have fans of the band windmilling and doing whatever the crazy kids these days do in no time.

I mentioned earlier that this features some of the catchiest songs yet from the band and the perfect example of this is Two Weeks, a song that is criminally catchy. It might leave out some of the more technical moments of the bands past, but the sheer confidence in the songwriting mixed with ridiculously catchy vocal patterns makes the song a real winner in my books. The riffing is familiar in many of the songs and in a lot of ways what really makes this album are the lyrics and the vocal patterns. Phil has really stepped it up with this album and the clean singing is much stronger and much more common with this album.

One thing that needs to be said about the record is that is takes a few listens to really sink in. The first listen for me was actually somewhat luke warm but the more I listened to the album the more it began to really paint a clearer picture. Once the album finally clicks each subsequent listen just gets better. If you are a fan of the band give the album a bit of time to sink in and you'll be rewarded in the end.

Cynic-Traced in Air
(Season of Mist, 2008)

A new album from Cynic is something that people have been waiting a long time for. Focus was a landmark album in progressive metal history and until this latest album nothing has really even come close to the plateau set by that album. Traced in Air not only shows that the band is still vital today but also shows the band writing an album that is actually stronger than Focus in many ways.

First things first. This is Cynic through and through. The opening song is a bit more ambient but there is no mistaking just who you are listening to with this album. The bands spacey yet technical approach is as mind boggling as ever and because of this Cynic has always been a band that is an acquired taste. That may change with this album though as some of the melodic sections and vocal patterns are lush and extremely memorable. When the distortion kicks on you are treated to complex riffs that feature an alarming amount of nuance and pauses. Evolutionary Sleeper is a fine example of Cynic in 2008 and one of the strongest songs the band has ever written.

It's been 15 years since Focus was released and while that is quite a long time it was definitely worth the wait and fans that have been salivating for a new album from Cynic certainly will not be disappointed. If you have never been introduced to this band before pick this up and do yourself a favor and find a copy of Focus as well. You'll thank me later.

Unsun-The End of Life
(Century Media, 2008)

There is that old saying if you got it flaunt it, and to a degree the cover art of this album follows this a bit too closely. I know the album cover really shouldn't affect an opinion on an album but putting the singer of the band on the cover in a tight dress with the rest of the band members nowhere to be found somewhat cheapens the album in ways. Now if only the music itself was strong enough to make me look past that, but unfortunately it is not.

This is a very cut and dry version of a female fronted metal band offering nothing that Lacuna Coil hasn't already done and done better. The melodic riffs and strong rock leanings should be catchy but the album fails to really engage the listener. It's one of those albums that isn't extremely bad but you find yourself losing interest in it after a few songs. A few songs manage to be a bit more memorable with Blinded by Hatred managing to have a few hooks that manage to sink in. The majority of the album however just goes by without much notice.

I'd be an idiot if I didn't see the potential the band does have but as it stands this is just another female fronted metal band swimming in a sea of much better bands. The band needs to put away their HIM and Lacuna Coil albums and try to come up with a few unique ideas in the future. I'll give the next album a chance but this outing misses the mark.

Sonic Syndicate-Love and Other Disasters
(Nuclear Blast, 2008)

When I heard the debut album from this band I was extremely impressed but when the band signed to Nuclear Blast something strange happened. The sound of the band changed considerably and now they sound like a more metallic version of Atreyu. It's actually quite uncanny how much this sounds like Atreyu. It doesn't make this a bad album, just an album lacking originality.

The songs are catchy, well written and completely devoid of originality. It's the type of music you can enjoy but can never shake the feeling that you've heard it before. You sometimes question why you are listening to this when you could just listen to Atreyu. Speed is something this band has that Atreyu really doesn't yet even during these moments the band switches to mimicking Soilwork and low and behold back comes Atreyu during the choruses.

This one is just leaving me scratching my head. Does the band get enjoyment out of playing music devoid of an original voice or are they just in it to try and make a living? Either way the album really isn't an album worth investing your time in. Listen to a Soilwork and Atreyu album back to back, you'll get the same result.

Stock Feeder-Demo
(Self-Released, 2008)

This one definitely took me by surprise. The prospect of sitting through another terrible drum machine grindcore demo wasn't very appealing to me and thankfully this actually kicks a lot of ass. The songs are short and succinct but unlike many bands in this genre there are actually riffs to be found here and catchy ones at that.

Littered throughout the album are short bursts of noise intermingled with samples giving the album a power electronics feel at times. I'm not a huge fan of noise but these songs are put together well and kept short so they don't interrupt the flow of ass kickery too much. The production is of course harsh and very lo-fi making some of the faster moments become a bit of a blur. This certainly isn't the worst sounding demo I've ever heard and for the most part the guitars are audible over the onslaught of drums and vocals.

Stock Feeder somewhat reminds me of a noisier version of Last Days of Humanity with the power electronics elements added and without much of the punk influence. There is definitely a lot of potential here and with a clearer production Stock Feeder could really do some ear damage.

Energy-Invasions of the Mind
(Bride Nine, 2008)

With a sound that is somewhere in between Ignite, AFI and Comeback Kid, Energy is a band that manages to hit the mark with an energetic and polished style of melodic hardcore. The songs crackle with inspiration showing that hardcore is not just a genre for breakdowns and burly riffs.

The hooks of Hunter Red will suck you in and the band throws a number of surprises at you along the way. The band manages to strike a perfect balance between hooks and speed. The fact that they can go from high speed hardcore to a melodic and somber chorus is quite commendable even more so given that the sound of the band is quite unique. The production is actually a bit flat but the band still manages to keep the energy level high and make it work despite the tones being a bit dull at times.

If you remember the AFI days before they were signed to a major label, this is an album that will manage to strike a chord with you. Energy is far from an AFI clone but they manage to continue what AFI started when they combined their hardcore roots with a more somber and melodic underlining. Any way you look at it, this is an album all fans of melodic hardcore need to hear.

Phobia-22 Random Acts of Violence
(Willowtip Records, 2008)

I've been a fan of Phobia for a long time and it amazes me how true the band manages to stay to their roots. The band has certainly become more precise over time but the sound of the band really hasn't changed much. This latest album is classic Phobia through and through and a damn fine grindcore album at that.

This isn't just an album that is listened to, it is an album that is unleashed. Once you hit the play button the album attacks with rabid fervor, never letting up for the entire album. The songs are short attacks that hit you with rapid fire drumming, barked vocals and a riffing style that is purely Phobia. The dual vocals the band is known for are used to great lengths on the album and you wouldn't think the music could get any more energetic, but this adds even another layer of insanity to the mix.

Phobia is a band that proudly recognizes that grindcore is a genre that rose from the punk genre and because of this, this album is an album that would easily appeal to crust fans as well as grindcore fans. If you are a Phobia fan, here are 22 more songs for you to digest and enjoy.