God.Fear.None-Envy
(Sonic Age Records, 2005)

Coming across somewhat like a cross between a cross between metalcore, nu-metal and international music, this Greek band really manages to bring a sense of originality to this album. The style might not be incredibly original, but the song writing, rhythms and vocals are all very original. It’s almost like a more progressive style of metalcore not based around breakdowns, heartache, and Swedish melody.

Comparisons are somewhat easy to hear at times. They almost sound like a cross between Nevermore, Soilwork and Killswitch Engage, but with a bit of an Arabic influence at times. The melodies definitely aren’t typical of the style. This is one of the first bands that has taken this style and done anything new with it in quite sometime.

The production is surprisingly powerful. I’ve heard a few albums from Greek bands and the productions were definitely lacking. These guys manage to have a robust guitar tone, a tight rhythm section and perfectly mixed vocals.

I’m not going to lie to you, this is an awesome band. This album is full of surprises around each turn. This band definitely has a future in heavy music.

Hammerfall-Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken
(Nuclear Blast, 2005)

Hammerfall are a band that really hasn’t changed a lot over the course of their career. They started out as fast, melodic power metal and while the song writing has improved greatly, the style still remains the same to this day. This new album shows the band in fine form whipping through 12 tracks of metallic thunder.

One thing that Hammerfall is well known for are the choruses. The band has written some of the most memorable the genre has ever seen, and they are definitely here in spades with this album. Some of the lyrics might seem a bit silly, but that won’t stop you from singing along. It’s almost involuntary. It just happens. That is how catchy this band is. Even if you don’t care for power metal, it’ll grow on you.

This is actually a little bit slower then most of what the band has written in the past. It treads more of a mid-tempo bringing to mind classic Accept and Judas Priest at times, while of course still retaining that unmistakable Hammerfall sound.

It’s safe to say that if you liked them in the past, you’ll definitely want to pick up this album. They haven’t changed much, but this album is well written, extremely tight, and some of the best material yet from the band.

Grave Digger-The Last Supper
(Nuclear Blast Records, 2005)

I’m open to different ideas for metal albums, but a concept album that follows the last days of Jesus Christ honestly doesn’t appeal much to me. It essentially follows a story similar to that of The Passion of The Christ, but possibly it might be the fact that I’m not a huge Grave Digger fan that is making this hard to digest. The band plays fairly bland heavy metal, with hints of modern power metal coming through. The vocals are mainly what rub me the wrong way. He has a gruff ring to his voice that just sounds comical at times. There are just too many better power metal albums out there right now to totally recommend this one.

Despistado-The People Of and Their Verses
(Jade Tree Records, 2005)

It’s just my luck that my first introduction to this band comes after they have already disbanded. Why is it that bands always write the album of their careers and they call it a day?

To say that this Canadian band was unique would be a vast understatement. Part jangly rock, part post-hardcore, the band has a style that is easy to get into yet isn’t extremely simple. They use simple vocal patterns and unique rhythms, combining into a style that makes you want to get up and dance. Well? You don’t dance, neither do I. Just nod your head and cross your arms in a tough manner. Isn’t that what people do at shows anyway?

The production is extremely stripped down, and could possibly be even called a bit thin. It fits the band’s sound perfectly though. The guitars are jangly and only mildly distorted at times, so they don’t need an incredibly dense mix filling guitar sound. The mix leaves a lot of room to breathe, and has the perfect atmosphere for the album.

I’m not sure exactly who this would appeal to. Fans of rock music I suppose, or maybe fans of Hot Hot Heat would have another band to shake their ass to. Regardless of your genre of choice, this is passionate music that is original, energetic and a swansong for a band that seemed to be on the verge of hitting their stride.

Entombed-Unreal Estate
(Candlelight USA, 2005)

This is essentially a live album, a live album that captures the collaboration between Entombed and the Swedish Royal Ballet Ensemble. Now exactly how the ballet comes into play I have no idea, but the album shows Entombed in fine form, putting in a performance that for all intents and purposes sounds better then most of their studio albums.

The album is mainly newer material aside from the surprising inclusion of Night of the Vampires. A few of the tracks are more ambient sounding and definitely seem to be the tracks that would be used for the ballet purposes. But for the most part this is Entombed doing what they do best, playing dirty rock influenced metal.

I think that possibly a DVD release would have made a bit more sense because having the visual aspect would show how the collaboration truly comes together. As it stands this is just Entombed playing live. It sounds amazing though and definitely will please all Entombed fans out there.

Kryoburn-Enigmatic Existence
(Candlelight USA, 2005)

I’m not sure what Candlelight was thinking picking up this band. They are tight, and the album sounds amazing, but this is fairly bland and comes across like a cross between Pantera, and Slipknot, with some fairly forced sounding clean choruses added to the mix. A few riffs bring in a bit of a Strapping Young Lad, or Fear Factory vibe with a much more rhythmic approach, but it doesn’t do much to help this from falling through the cracks. The band is definitely talented, but the influences are just far too easy to pick up on. Fans of the more popular side of metal, like Slipknot may want to give this a chance, but it’s just a bit too typical for my tastes.

Debris Inc.-s/t
(Candelight USA, 2005)

Somewhere in between vintage doom and old school punk, Debris Inc. has a sound that almost changes with each track. Featuring members of Trouble and St. Vitus, you know that they have a firm grasp on the Sabbath groove doom, but you’ll be surprised by the punky nature of some of these songs. They kick up the tempo, and almost come across like a more punk oriented Venom.

I think they maybe could have shortened up the length of the album a bit though. A few tracks are basically just a minute of feedback, while a few others are just droning guitars with vocals. These tracks don’t really fit the overall vibe of the album. I would have rather had a few more short punk cuts added in their place.

This will appeal as much to doom fans and is will to punk fans. By punk fans I mean fans of old punk, not newer punk. Fans of everything from Sabbath to Black Flag will be able to get into what Debris Inc. is doing.