Faceless Hulk-Knowledgeable Ignorance
(Self-Released, 2008)

Being from the same hometown as Faceless Hulk has lead to me seeing the band live on numerous occasions but even that didn't prepare me for the utter viciousness of their debut full length album. The band plays a chaotic style of metal built on a soild foundation of groove that somewhat treads the line in between the various subgenres of metal. One thing is certain this is definitely a band that cannot be pigeonholed.

Elements of everything from jazz to Clutch style grooves to Dillinger Escape Plan freakouts are present and the band makes everything flow extremely well. A few songs throughout the course of the album bring in a stronger death metal feel with Solid Fire being a perfect example. The song takes the groove the band is known for and interjects much much blasting and a more guttural vocal approach. And while on the subject of vocals, the varied approach of the music is matched perfectly with vocalist Ted Lee having little trouble matching whatever the band throws at him.

Knowledgeable Ignorance is a musical slap in the face from an unknown band that is much better than the bigger bands playing a similar style of music. This is a band poised to make a name for themselves and a band that would fit in perfectly on either Relapse or Black Market Activities. If you are a fan of chaotic yet groove based metal, this is a band you definitely don't want to miss out on.

http://www.myspace.com/facelesshulksucks

Sepultura-A-lex
(SPV USA, 2008)

Many people expected the final nail to be in the coffin of Sepultura after founding member Igor Cavalera recently departed from the band. Let's face it, the line-up is very different from the classic line-up that brought us what are considered some of the benchmark albums in the death metal genre. So while people are expected the worst from this album, it is infact that best album the band has released since Chaos AD.

This is the most fierce the band has sounded in a very long time. The first two songs, A-lex 1 and Moloko Mesto, are ridiculously fast thrash songs that will rip your head off with what seems like renewed vigour from the band. The third song, Filthy Rot, brings in the rythmic side the band is known for and throws in some unique clean vocals for the song. This song is a bit more typical of the band but still has the energy that was missing from the previous few albums. What I Do! follows and has feel very similar to the Roots album from the band but without sounding like the band was trying to mimic the album. The rest of the album is similar in nature and the band has really kept the energy levels high by making the songs usually between 2 or 3 minutes.

If you were waiting for Sepultura to release an album on par with their classic albums it has finially arrived. A-lex is a aggressive return to form that shows the band playing with an energy that rivals that of any of the classic albums from this band. You could say that this album finally manages to bridge the gap between the intensity of the early material and the experimental nature of the newer albums. If you are a Sepultura fan, this is a must own album.

Sinner-Crash and Burn
(Candlelight Records, 2008)

Sinner has been a favorite of mine for a long time and with this latest album it is really easy to see why. The bands rock infused take on the power metal genre still sounds as fresh as ever and the band continues to improve their songwriting chops with each album. It's like wine, these guys only get better with age and Crash and Burn is destined to become a much talked about album in power metal circles.

The opening title track really showcases just what makes the band so amazing, The riffing is incredibly memorable yet the band isn't afraid to throw in a bit of flash to spice up any of the riffs. It gives the riffing a classic yet technical feel. Adding even more to the musics memorable nature are the infectious vocals and vocal lines. You'll be singing along from the very first listen and these songs won't leave your head anytime soon. The guitar leads are also integral parts of the song and manage to be flashy yet still fit the song perfectly. The lead guitar tone is also just ridiculously smooth and will make any guitar player jealous. On paper it might seem like Sinner is a typical power metal band, but when your ears meet the band you realize that Sinner sounds like Sinner, and is very far from being a typical power metal band.

Crash and Burn is pretty much mandatory for Sinner fans. If you haven't heard Sinner yet and you are into the likes of Saxon or Primal Fear, you are missing out on one of the best power metal bands around right now.

Phoenix on the Fault Line-Goodbye on Monday
(Shoot the Hostage Records, 2008

This is definitely a case where the band has good ideas, but the ideas never quite come together. The band plays a driving sort of rock that is somewhat hampered by the use of horns. I'm all for experimenting but horns really seem out of place in most music aside from ska and the odd use in other genres. You also have the fact that the horns don't quite seem in tune with the guitars. It's close but just seems off which is distracting at times.

The songwriting itself is quite good when the band hits a stride. The opening song Goodbye on Monday is built on catchy riffs but the aformentioned horns just stop a lot of the momentum. I think a lot of the problem is created because there are a lot of textures in the guitar tone and I like the noisier approach but it just doesn't mesh with the horns which makes the album sound messier than it really needs to. It could just be a matter of having the horns a bit lower in the mix. The horns do work on occasion though. The beginning of Reckoning is quite cool and the horns interplay well with the guitars.

There is definitely potential here and the problems with the horns very well could just be production related. There are a few bland moments songwriting wise but when the band is effective they manage to be quite catchy and original. I'm not entirly sure what audience the band would appeal to. They have a somewhat radio rock feel at times, but are much more experimental in nature. If you are a fan of rock that throws in unique ideas you might want to give this band a shot.

Crowpath-One With Filth
(Willowtip Records, 2008)

I don't know what the fuck just hit me but what a ride it was! The latest album from Crowpath, One With Filth, is a blistering exercise in flying fingers, flailing limbs and barked vocals. With ridiculous amounts of energy and a very original riffing style, the band manages to draw you in with their unique take on the death/grind genre. It gets said a lot, but you really haven't heard anything like Crowpath before.

To my ears this is what Deadguy would have sounded like if they were a death metal band. It has that same inventiness and creative spark that made Deadguy so amazing. Granted this is much heavier and much more insane but parallels can definitely be drawn. What really stands out about this album is the fact that the band throws technicality at you but the intensity is never lost. The band plays with maniacal fervor and never misses a beat. The band also manages to make even the most head spinning moments memorable. I'm not even sure how they manage to do it, but for as crazy as the band is the music is always memorable.

If you are a fan of extreme metal that doesn't play it safe, I couldn't recommend this album enough. Crowpath is the future of extreme metal and manages to technical, vicous and memorable all at the same time. This my friends may just be the best extreme metal album released in 2008.

Lecherous Nocturne-The Age of Miracles Has Passed
(Unique Leader Records, 2008)

This not being my first exposure to the band I knew I was in store for blast driven death metal, but even knowing what to expect I am still completely floored by the mastery on display with this album. Sounding like a classic Morbid Angel record being played on the wrong speed mixed with elements of Nile, the band has an agressive style of death metal that is as energetic as the genre comes.

What really stands out about the band is the fact the riffs really stand out. A lot of bands in this style seem to hide the mediocre riffs behind a wall of drumming and vocals. But with this band the riffs cut through the mix and stand out as being extremely well written and surprisingly catchy as well. The riffing style is also quite varied as well. The melodic riffs is definitely where I hear the Nile influence creeping into the music. These melodic sections also have a slight black metal feel from time to time as well. Just listen to the riff that opens When Single Shines the Triple Sun. It's ridiclously catchy yet still very much a death metal riff through and through.

This is an album that definitely wastes little time. At only 27 minutes long, the 8 songs that make up the album hit with very little concern for what is levelled in the process. If you are a fan of Nile but aren't into the Egyptian elements or are just a fan of blistering death metal, this is an album that you need to hear.

Malecoda-The Hordes of Annihilation
(Self-Released, 2008)

Malecoda takes influence from one of my favorite bands so it's not all that surprising that I enjoy what the band is doing musically. Basically the band sounds a lot like Vader. The riffing and vocals in particular brings to mind the Poland based death metal band and this is an influence I have absolutely no trouble accepting. Throw in elements of NIle and Morbid Angel and you basically have Malecoda.

One small thing that does hold the band back slightly is the use of a drum machine. It definitely sounds much better than the average drum machine you hear but it is slightly distracting at times. That said, this is an incredibly solid demo from a songwriting perspective. The riffing is powerful and memorable with guitar solos being quite common in each of the songs. I like the fact that the songs explore some middle of the road tempos. This isn't just endless blasting and the slower sections allow the band to bring in a creepy atmosphere and much more epic riffing.

There is really no getting around the fact that the band does sound a hell of a lot like Vader minus the thrashier elements of their sound. For me personally I don't think Vader gets the recognition that they deserve so the influence is quite welcome to my ears. If you are a fan of Vader you should very little trouble getting into Malecoda.

Severed Savior-Servile Insurrection
(Willowtip Records, 2008)

There was a time when I would have said that American death metal had stagnated. 2008 has definitely been a year that has proven otherwise. Adding to a long list of amazing death metal albums this year we have the latest album from Severed Savior. An album that shows the band reaching damn near perfection with their pounding approach to the death metal genre. It's been five years since the last album from this band and they certainly haven't been resting.

The most surprsing aspect of the album is that the band is incredibly heavy yet the album is very musical. It has a Suffocation feel at times, but it takes the sound even further and throws in a number of curveballs along the way. What sort of curveballs you ask? Well the jazz section at the end of Question for one and the acoustic interlude definitely came as a surprise as well. The overall musicality of the album is what ultimatly surprises you. Death metal has always required a lot of skill to play but the bridging the gap between technicality and brute force is sometimes hard to do. Severed Savior does it remarkably well making for a listen that would satisfy as many death metal fans as it would progressive metal fans.

This has been a year that has reinvigorated my interest in death metal. I'm not sure what is pushing bands to reach new peaks in terms of extremity and songwriting ability but it has certainly made for an exciting year. If you have followed Severed Savior thus far in their career, be prepared to be blown away. This is a mandatory album for all death metal fans.

Beehoover-Heavy Zoo
(Exile on Mainstream Records, 2008)

If Clutch and Frank Zappa were ever to collaborate it would probably sound like Beehoover. Of course that will never happen so thank god we have this band to show us what the colloboration might have ultimatly sounded like. Throw in a slight System of a Down influence and you have a listen that is remarkably powerful, odd and very rhythmic in nature. These boys certainly know how to groove.

It definitely made my jaw drop when I read that this band was only comprised of two members and all of this racket was only created with a bass guitar. Armed with a tone that would make Lemmy proud you hardly even notice that there isn't a guitar player with the distorted bass more than filling the sound out. If you are looking for something straight forward this definitely is not is. The band does throw some more typical doom riffs at you from time to time, but the majority of the album is downright weird and if you are into experimental music you'll love it. Everything from Black Sabbath to the Melvins is channelled through the music of this band.

I've always enjoyed bands that are just comprised of drummers and bass players. And as far as that goes, this band is definitely one of the best and manages to create a layered sound with only two instuments. This is a heavy and odd album that shows that the unconventional is definitely welcome in the metal genre from time to time.

Kivimetsan Druidi-Shadowheart
(Century Media Records, 2008)

Just like Sweden somewhat has a signature sound the same could be said about Finland based bands. Of course there are exceptions to that rule, unfortunately this band falls into the category of typical Finnish metal band. Melodic guitar work, harsh vocals, and Celtic influences all come together to form a sound that ultimately sounds like a slightly more epic sounding version of early Children of Bodom. It's good, but it really fails to excite.

There is a definite folk metal feel at work here and the female vocals are indeed enchanting. The songwriting is also quite excellent adding a layered approach to the bands melodic approach to metal. The riffing is succinct and has a very heavy metal feel to it. Like I mentioned earlier the band does have a lot in common with Children of Bodom, but with how lackluster the last few albums from the band has been maybe this band taking over where they left off isn't actually a bad thing. I'd say the overall approach could somewhat be compared to a cross between Children of Bodom and Nightwish. Which is definitely an interesting albeit slightly cliche sound.

This is indeed a good album but the band still seems to be stuck in playing a typically Finnish type of metal. The black metal style of Raven's Song mixed with the female vocals is a side of the band that I'd definitely like to see explored more in the future. If you are a fan of Finnish metal there is a lot to enjoy here, but the band could definitely benefit from distancing themselves slightly from the sound typical of the country.

Omnium Gatherum-The Red Shift
(Candlelight Records, 2008)

I can honestly say that this is the best melodic death metal album I have heard in years. The opening song, Nail, will give you goosebumps with its combination of death metal intensity and ridiculously catchy melodies. This is a band that takes what Edge of Sanity started and has perfected it. If you are in a band that plays melodic death metal, prepare to either be really jealous or hang it up altogether.

There are a lot of bands playing this style of music that try to mimic the past but this band is definitely forward thinking. Sure the album will appeal to fans of older Swedish death metal, but the unique nature of the riffing and the overall freedom on display shows a band that isn't looking to relive the past. The contrasts on display on the album are quite remarkable. For instance the rapid fire beginning of Chameleon Skin that morphs into an almost prog like passage before picking up speed again. If you are sick of tired of bands plagiarizing Slaughter of the Soul, I guarantee you this album will treat your ears to the next step in melodic death metal.

This would be the ideal album to play for people who think that all death metal is one dimensional. This album is many things, but shortsighted it definitely isn't. Everything from blistering death metal, to progressive styled keyboards, to rock riffs is on display here. I don't care what subgenre of metal you normally stick with. This is an album that all fans of metal need to hear.