Construcdead-Endless Echo
(Black Lodge Records, 2009)

I know that I have reviewed a previous album from this band but when sitting down for this review I really couldn't remember a damn thing about the band aside from enjoying them. Hopefully I was right on the money with that review because the band has definitely impressed me once again with their high octane combination of thrash, death metal and groove that doesn't break much new ground but is still refreshing none the less.

The songwriting on display here is very good and quite memorable. The band really handles creating different souning riffs quite well. The easiest way to describe the band would probably be a cross between The Haunted, Strapping Young Lad and Machine Head with shards of death metal thrown in for good measure. It is a lethal style that manages to show a lot of restraint at times. There are definitely countless go for the throat moments throughout the album but the band slows down quite often and the inclusion of very memorable choruses keeps things even catchier. The overall style of the band isn't overly original but the band definitely doesn't mimic any of their influences too closely either.

Fans of the more mordern style of thrash as well more mechanized sounding metal will definitely enjoy this one. Fans of The Haunted and Strapping Young Lad in particular should find lots to enjoy on Endless Echo.

Mean Streak-Metal Slave
(Black Lodge Records, 2009)

From the band name I was defnitely expecting old school metal and the band definitely provides the goods. I'm not blown away but at the same time it's hard to not think that this would be an excellent album to throw on when having bears with a bunch of metal loving friends. It's well written, has fist pumping riffs, and catchy choruses. Sure it's been done a million times before but it is still fun none the less.

Comparison wise I definitely hear bits and pieces of Iron Maiden, Accept, and Gamma Ray. It definitely is from the English and European style of heavy metal but thankfully leaves out a lot of the pompous elements of power metal. That said the lyrics are a bit on the cheesy side but I suppose that is a bit to be expected from a style like this. One definite standout element are the guitar leads. They are blazing and similar to Iron Maiden leads although a bit flashier at times. The band also manages to play with a lot of energy which makes some of the more typical elements a bit more forgiving. Plain and simple this is heavy metal, take it or leave it.

Put on your leather jacket that used to fit you much better when you were younger, crack open a beer and enjoy this album for what it is, an unapoligetacally old fashioned heavy metal album that really doesn't care what is trendy and hip right now. Turn up the volume, crank up the stereo and enjoy. Reebok pumps are optional of course.

Cut the Reins-Man Made Dust
(Self-Released, 2009)

Before getting into the musical side of Cut the Reins I just have to say that I can't believe how much effort the band put into making this self-released album look as professional as possible. The artwork is amazing and the packing is a digipac complete with a fold out poster. Musically the band is a bit rougher than the packaging but still pretty damned good. The band plays a style that is somewhere in between crust, hardcore and metal. It is almost similar to a band like Comeback Kid but much dirtier and much more political driven lyrically.

One aspect about the band that I'm not sure if done on purpose is a sense of loseness that permeates the album. Hardcore of this variety has never been ridiculously tight and the slight hints of discordance in the songwriting hits home a bit harder because of the delivery. That said the band definitely can play and the songwriting is spot on throughout. It can be fairly simplistic but the lyrics seem to be the focal point here. The vocals are spat with a lot of venom but with a lot of clarity making the points ring clear with even more power.

This is definitely a band with a promosing future. I'm very curious to see where the band goes with their sound in the future. The combination of crust and melodic hardcore is very cool and definitely unique as well. Fans of everything from Comeback Kid to From Ashes Rise should be able to get into the music of Cut the Reins.