Invocation of Nehek-s/t
(Prosthetic Records, 2004)

The metalcore genre is almost becoming the next nu-metal. The scene is cluttered with far too many bands that sound way too similar, and the lack of innovation is making my head spin with too many CD’s every week that sound identical. Prosthetic seem to be able to pick out the diamonds in the rough though. Invocation of Nehek have a few common elements, but for the most part really bring a unique slant to metal influenced hardcore and have a slightly dirtier sound then most of the bands playing the style.

A heavier, less Swedish death metal inspired version of Unearth might be a good starting point here. Add in absolutely sick breakdowns, black metal style blasting, an incredibly sick vocal approach, and you’ll start to understand what this band is all about. Some of the more melodic riffs are a bit typical, but the overall vibe is unique and the band keeps things technical without going overboard, which helps you to see that they know how to play their instruments.

The production is a lot rawer then what you’d expect from metalcore. The guitar sound, while heavy, isn’t the typical sound of right now. It has much more grit which makes the breakdown riffs extremely heavy. The band has a more death metal influence approach so the production does show that off. It never gets bogged down with triggers or vocal layering though. It’s a concise production that keeps things heavy, but also keeps everything together as well.

Even the most diehard metalcore fan can see that the genre is becoming flooded right now. Thankfully bands like Invocation of Nehek come along and remind us that there are still fresh ideas to be squeezed out of the genre.

Bury Your Dead-Cover Your Tracks
(Victory Records, 2004)

Bury Your Dead may be a heavy band, and even with the double bass and chugging riffs don’t be quick to lump this album into the metalcore genre. This is a hardcore album through and through. It may not sound like your average power chord hardcore song writing style, but the passion and dedication ring through loud and clear. This is the style of music that people had come to expect from Victory Records and seeing the Bulldog on the back of the record just feels right.

Bury Your Dead keep the songs, short and to the point, but this really isn’t a fast record. It’s more of a mid-paced record with sick vocal roars, and of course the requisite breakdowns that make the kids swing their arms and kick like they are possessed. There definitely are a few fast parts, which definitely are a welcome change of pace with the record. They really manage to keep things interesting from track to track though. Certain elements are unique for some of the songs. Magnolia for instance is a bit more melodic without sounding typical.

The production is extremely heavy and powerful, but also features one of the clearest guitar sounds possibly ever heard on a heavy hardcore record. It’s extremely heavy and down tuned, but unlike a lot of bands playing this style it doesn’t turn to mush. Every little nuance of the guitar riffs ring through clear, you won’t be struggling to hear anything. A bit more bass guitar presence would have filled things out just a bit more, but that is a small nitpick as this record sounds amazing none the less.

Hatebreed and Throwdown might be considered the top bands playing this style, but with an album like Cover Your Tracks Bury Your Dead are poised to become one of the best the genre has to offer. Cover Your Tracks is 12 songs of pissed off hardcore that is heavy on the metal, but don’t pass up on this one thinking it’s a metalcore record.

Imperial-This Grave is My Poem
(Pluto Records, 2005)

Pluto Records have always impressed me by having bands just a little bit left of center. Even the heavier bands offered an approach that was just a little bit different, and bands like Horse the Band are just downright strange. Imperial however is a bit more typical sounding for the label. This is basically standard metalcore with breaks of clean singing and everything that is common place. Breakdowns? Yep. Dissonance? Yep. Odd spoken word bits? Yep. It’s all here. That’s not to say that the band can’t write a song. This is just a bit too typical. It is the bands debut release and it does show promise, but for the overwhelming amount of bands playing this style right now, this just doesn’t really stand out at all.

Despised Icon-The Healing Process
(Century Media, 2005)

This is hands down the best death/grind record that the scene has had unleashed on it in a very long time. Actually the last album that has been this good was probably Dying Fetus’ Killing on Adrenaline. Despised Icon have some similarities to Dying Fetus with their pummelling low end, but for the most part this is one of the most original, and downright crushing albums to ever come from a Canadian band.

When you hear the word grind you almost automatically assume that this is going to be insanely fast. At times it is, but there is a lot of variety in tempos with this album. Elements of hardcore, death metal, and grindcore all come together to form a style that is high in energy and incredibly pummelling. From blasting to rhythmic brutality, the band covers a lot of ground and never stumbles.

Vocally the band is pretty all over the place as well. The main two vocal styles are a guttural roar, and a caustic scream, but there are some more hardcore styled vocals as well. The vocals add even more energy to a band that already plays with an incredible amount of energy.

Despised Icon are still a fairly unknown band, but the bands brand of brutality is in fine form on The Healing Process and with a giant like Century Media behind them it’s only a matter of time before they become a household name within the death metal scene.

In Battle-Welcome to the Battlefield
(Metal Blade Records, 2004)

In Battle have created a monster of a death metal album with Welcome to the Battlefield. Exploring different subgenres of metal, the band plays high energy death metal that never becomes stale and always brings in new ideas. Whether its high speed blasting, slower more thrash influenced riffs, or rhythmic double bass based sections, the band always keeps things interesting and never fall victim to any of the shortcomings of modern death metal.

One of the aspects that really help this band stand out is the fact that the song writing manages to be technical, but the riffs themselves are very memorable. There is always something to latch onto, and even the most extreme moments on here are still very memorable. I think the fact that the guitar tone is very clear helps all of the nuances of the song writing shine through and really helps the band stay memorable. Essentially what the band is doing isn’t anything new, but the way the individual influences come together and the song writing itself, are very original. You know that it is death metal, but it really doesn’t sound like anyone in particular.

I think the production definitely helps this album out tremendously. If the production was muddy a lot would go unheard, and the album would lose a lot of impact. There is a lot going on within the riffs and the production allows everything to ring through crystal clear. The guitar sound could have possibly been a little bit thicker, but that might have made the band lose a bit of definition.

In Battle has written a winner with Welcome to the Battlefield. It’s heavy, memorable and stands out like a sore thumb amongst the death metal albums being released right now.

Usurper-Cryptobeast
(Earache Records, 2005)

With a rejuvenated line-up Usurper has unleashed their best album to date, Cryptobeast. For those who have followed the band from their Celtic Frost plagiarizing early days, you know that the band has progressed in leaps and bounds with their past three albums. The Celtic Frost influence is still present, but the band has evolved into an original and energetic combination of black metal, death metal, thrash and classic heavy metal. Anyway you look at it Usurper is 100% metal and are ready to make heads bang worldwide.

The band’s new vocalist Dan Lawson brings a slightly different vocal approach to the table. It’s a bit more extreme, and while it doesn’t leave the vocal style of the past completely in the past, it definitely moves away from a Celtic Frost style of vocals. The vocal style is still very clear, and powerful though, which has always been a trademark of this band.

There is definitely an anthem like quality to the songs on this album. Bones of My Enemies, and Kill For Metal are destined to become fan favourites, the latter of which having a chorus that just needs to be screamed. Fist pumping and head banging is definitely what the band hopes to inspire with their music and this album definitely has moments that will make crowds do just that feverishly.

Usurper isn’t a band for everyone. This is 100% metal and totally devoid of trends. If you expect blast beats and guttural roars, you’ll be disappointed. But if you go into this expecting fist pumping anthems, you’ll be greeted with exactly what you are looking for.

The Acacia Strain-3750
(Prosthetic Records, 2004)

Armed with a three guitar attack The Acacia Strain is one of the heaviest bands to come along in quite sometime. This band might get lumped into the metalcore genre, but aside from a noticeable Coalesce influence I’d say that this would be more a straight ahead metal record.

The band plays heavy rhythmic riffs with an absolutely devastatingly thick guitar sound. There are hints of melody and also some incredibly vicious breakdowns. But through and through there is hardly anything typical about this band. From the song writing itself to the structures of the songs, the band is really bringing a creative spark back to the genre.

While comparisons might not really do the band justice, thinking of a cross between Coalesce, and Lamb of God with hints of metalcore might give you a rough idea of what to expect. Vocally is where the band reminds me the most of Coalesce. The bands vocalist uses a roar that is tremendously heavy and really stands out from the shrieking style that a lot of people are using these days.

They aren’t completely reinventing heavy music, but The Acacia Strain is definitely bringing much more originality into the mix then most bands these days. Considering that this is still early in the band’s career I definitely expect big things from these guys in the future.