The Zimmermann Note-New Deception
(Inner Strength Records, 2005)

I was expecting pummelling death/grind, but in reality The Zimmermann Note has a delivery that is quite multifaceted. Taking influence from hardcore, Swedish death metal, black metal, and straight ahead death metal, you have a sound that is vicious without being fast and catchy without being simplistic. Harsh vocals counterpoint extremely melodic guitar lines, complete with twin guitar harmonies and guitar solos. The odd breakdown part comes into play, but the overall feel of the breakdowns is unique as this is anything but a typical metalcore album.

The production is extremely clear and that really helps everything stay concise and tight. The guitar sound could be just a touch thicker, but overall this is one hell of an album from a production point of view.

Despite a few sections that are a bit typical sounding, The Zimmermann Note has an energetic interesting approach to metal influenced hardcore and are sure to cause quite a stir in the scene.

I Hate Sally-The Plague
(Independent, 2005)

With only the production holding them back, these Canadian metallers bring a sound that is predominantly played in the US to Canuckland. Essentially the band is a metal band, but there is an underlying sense of urgency usually only found in hardcore. Think of a less technical Arch Enemy with slower tempos and no guitar solos and you’ll be on the right track. They fit in with the US style of metalcore but don’t expect any clean puffy melodies or emo whining. This is full throttle go for the throat metal. Like I mentioned earlier the only thing really holding this back is a somewhat rough production. It definitely isn’t the worse sounding production you’ll ever hear, but it is definitely demo quality. Hopefully a label will see the potential this band has, and takes a chance on them.

Severe Torture-Bloodletting
(Candlelight USA, 2005)

It might seem like an odd choice for a fairly unknown death metal band to release a live album, yet it’s hard to not be impressed by just how damn good these guys sound live. Most death metal bands sound like mush in a live setting. Whether it’s due to a muddy guitar tone, or bad acoustics death metal doesn’t always come across extremely well live. Severe Torture obviously know what works on stage though as the band is not only incredibly tight, also the guitar tone is amazing. There might be the odd time the drumming fluctuates in tempo, but regardless this is an incredibly tight album that honestly sounds better then most death metal bands do in the studio.

Ghost Orgy-Lullabies for Lunatics
(Independent, 2005)

I’ll be honest with you. Female fronted metal bands bore me to tears. That said Ghost Orgy really manages to bring some creative ideas to metal and aren’t content with just trying to sell records with a female singer and a push up bra.

Depressive, melancholy, weird, and heavy would all be ideal adjectives to begin with when describing Ghost Orgy. The tempos are slow giving things a bit of a doom atmosphere, but the use of ringing power chords, and a violin really make this much more busy then most doom. The odd technical excursion helps keep the songs interesting, without getting overbearing.

Nortt/Xasthur-Split CD
(Southern Lord, 2005)

Despite mainly being known for doom metal, Southern Lord churns out quite a few vile and underground black metal albums. One of the latest is a split featuring two of the most interesting band’s the underground black metal scene has to offer.

Nortt’s take of black metal is quite depressing and desolate. Slow, plodding drums are coated with overly distorted guitars, and simple keyboard lines. If suicide ever had an ideal soundtrack it would be this. Harsh vocals break the through the depressive atmosphere like a call for help. It may not be the most complicated style ever, but it certainly creates a certain mood, the soundtrack to the end.

If you are at all familiar with Xasthur this release is actually quite different. While a lot of material released has been speed oriented this is actually quite slower, more ambient and full of atmosphere. It somewhat matches Nortt, but is a bit less stripped down and a bit more full sounding. It’s not my favourite tracks yet from Xasthru, but a nice departure none the less.

Billy Idol-Devil’s Playground
(Sanctuary Records, 2005)

I think the last thing I would ever expect to show up in my mailbox would be a Billy Idol CD, but low and behold here it is. Everyone has heard of Billy Idol, and I’m sure you’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t like at least a few of his hits. This new album definitely will add a few new songs to that list of classics. Playing with more energy then he has in years, this new album is full of rock songs bursting with punk energy and memorable choruses galore. It’s the type of music that instantly sticks with you. When you consider the usual content of my site, I’m sure that most of the people reading this aren’t fans of Billy Idol. Well, when you get right down to it, it’s all about the music. Forget about scenes, and hip music. It’s all about a powerful riff and a catchy vocal pattern regardless of genre. Any way you look at it this is good music, plain and simple.