Kreator - Hordes Of Chaos, SPV Records
Still insanely fast and angry, Kreator has managed to branch out within the strict confines of thrash. For the first time in recent memory, they’ve added background vocals, which add a nice, pissed off touch to the proceedings. “Destroy What Destroys You” has some nice rhythmic breakdowns punctuated by that patented, nervous Kreator speed, while “Radical Resistance” and “Demon Prince” are quintessential Kreator circa Coma Of Souls or Terrible Certainty. These are songs that will drive moshpits all over the world into frenzied chaos. With the exception of Exodus, nobody does thrash this well. Hordes Of Chaos is as fast, focused, wise and pissed as it gets, and Mille Petrozza’s vocals are as slashing as ever. Watch for their US tour this summer with Exodus. Let’s hope they keep experimenting and bringing fresh elements to the genre. Just killer.
(Dale Lammers)

BlackList - Live at The Curtain Club, Self-Released
BlackList, who has persevered through the years, mixes two parts Down with one part Badmotorfinger-era Soundgarden to create a meat-and-potatoes sound that dares you not to bob your head. Dave Little’s guitar is thick as molasses and played with precision, while he slathers on howling vocals. Tony Smith (bass) and Christopher Bowling (drums) bring more than enough rumble to the sludgy grooves. The whammy pedal-driven guitar solo of “Splinters” gives way to Corrosion of Conformity stylings, while the breakneck outro of “Right Wing” is circle-pit inducing. BlackList is a power trio in the truest sense. (D.J. Ivie)

Saxon - Into The Labyrinth, SPV Records
Bold statement time: We may be witnessing one of the best, if not THE very best Saxon album of the band’s entire career. In Paul Quinn and Doug Scarratt, the band boasts a pair of guitarists that have grown into possibly the best tandem in the industry. The riffs propelling “Battalions Of Steel,” “Demon Sweeney Todd” and the vicious twin body-slam of “Crime Of Passion” and “Protect Yourselves” are just brilliant. For this writer, however, it’s “Slow Lane Blues” that wins the day. It’s a much-traveled Saxon path about getting pulled over for speeding and given photo evidence of the offense, complete with great background vocals and police sirens. Plus there’s a bluesy, bottleneck guitar cover of Killing Ground staple “Coming Home.” So why does this album stand so tall? In addition to the amazing riffs they’ve conjured, they’ve also lightened up a bit and are having some fun with it.
(Dale Lammers)

Between the Buried and Me - Colors Live, Victory Records
If you know anything about Between the Buried and Me, you know they can be intricately brutal with calculus equations for riffs one second and, in the next, send chills up your spine with soaring melodies. While a live recording of a previous album can come off as a cash grab, the DVD portion of Colors Live makes your cash well spent. It contains two live sets - one of Colors in its entirety and the other with older favorites such as “Mordecai.” The bonus features boast a hilarious documentary of the concert, studio footage and very 420-friendly video interpretations of the studio album. This is a perfect package whether or not you own Colors. It has all the bells and whistles to keep completists happy and provide new fans with a glimpse into the band’s pure genius.
(D.J. Ivie)

Starbreaker - Love’s Dying Wish, Blistering Records
I’m a huge Tony Harnell fan. Some of the work he did with TNT stands as some of the best melodic rock ever released. His voice is unmistakable, and the guy has range for miles. His Starbreaker material is totally up to TNT’s standards, so fans can rest assured the quality is still there. Considerably heavier than TNT in many places, the melodies and choruses in tracks like “Unknown Superstar” and “This Close” are among the best Harnell has ever written. It truly is a pity that he left TNT, as that band’s output has suffered since he left. Thankfully though, Love’s Dying Wish is hard to fault in any way, except there may be a touch too many ballad-ish moments which, when they do happen, are always top-notch.
(Dale Lammers)

Tribe after Tribe - M.O.A.B., Rodeostar
The latest album from South Africa’s Tribe after Tribe is a very heady affair with each track rolling into the next with fluidity. As you have probably guessed, there are abundant tribal drums and cerebral segues. Of sixteen tracks, there are about ten proper songs that fall somewhere between Jane’s Addiction and the lighter moments of Soulfly. Trance-inducing “Burning Bush” is a one-chord opus that sounds like Trent Reznor on mescaline but never gets boring with psychedelic guitar work; “Holy City Warrior” offers up classic rock riffage with an earthy backbeat. Excerpts from Deuteronomy are interspersed throughout the album and help to solidify its cohesive appeal. Tribe leader Robbi Robb has concocted a near perfect album that is not for just passive listening.
(D.J. Ivie)

Kardinal Offishall - Not 4 Sale, Interscope
Not 4 Sale marks Kardinal Offishall’s fourth record, and it’s likely to be the next big thing heard in clubs and played on hip-hop radio stations. Various heavy-hitting artists such as Akon, The Clipse and Rhianna collaborated with Kardinal and are featured throughout the record. Aside from club-going. booty-shaking tunes like “Set It Off“ and “Number 1.“ Offishall incorporates reggae-style hits like “Burnt“ and “Digital Motown“ for highlights. Unlike most rappers today, he does bring up socially-conscious issues such as immigration and materialism that plague Americans. However, the old “bitches and ho’s” theme, that’s so prevalent in most rap today, is mentioned briefly. All together Not 4 Sale is as crunk as they come.
(Misty Johnson)

From The Inside - Visions, Blistering Records
If great music with great choruses be your thing, look no further. This is gorgeous stuff. The choruses here are optimistic and inspirational like from all those 70’s AOR bands (Think Firefall crossed with “Jane”-era Jefferson Starship.) Vocalist Danny Vaughn has a Steve Perry feel to his voice, which fits the music perfectly. No anger, no attitude - just music made out of sheer pleasure and for the love of good music. This could very easily be the soundtrack to your next laid-back cookout with friends. Although “Telemetry” “Days Of Hunger” and “Making Waves” are brand-new songs, they hearken back to a time when music was not written for mass-consumption, but rather written because it was something the artist would listen to on his own time – something they’d want to hear from their favorite artist.
(Dale Lammers)

Scott Weiland - Happy in Galoshes, SoftDrive Records
Right now you’re probably groaning or smiling with the thought of a second Scott Weiland solo album. His first, 12 Bar Blues, was a criminally underrated masterpiece that was recorded immediately after one of many infamous stints of rehab. Happy in Galoshes, on the other hand, comes from a very different place and sounds, well…. happy. It is not as experimental, although electronic textures and nontraditional instruments (i.e. horns) still remain. Gone are the ramblings of a heroin addict, replaced with reflections of his tumultuous relationship with his estranged wife and the death of his brother. This creates more focused results but is not quite as engaging. With that said, the expected catchy choruses are still there as lead single “Paralysis” suggests. There’s also a collaboration with Paul Oakenfold on David Bowie’s “Fame.” Other standout, “She Sold Her System,” flirts with OneRepublic territory, while “Beautiful Day” is pure Beatles worship. There is also a deluxe edition with another full-length disc.
(D.J. Ivie)

Joe Lynn Turner Photo: Andy Laudano

Joe Lynn Turner - Live In Germany, Blistering Records
The master of melodic hard rock, Joe Lynn Turner is back. Although JLT has ten solo records to his credit, he’s never put out a live album until now. Live In Germany was recorded on October 1, 2007 as JLT headlined the United Forces of Rock festival in Ludwigsberg, Germany. Although the set is heavy on Rainbow favorites, JLT includes two songs from his last album, Second Hand Life, “Power of Love” from The Usual Suspects and a cover of Deep Purple’s “Burn.” JLT still possesses one of the greatest voices in rock and his band, Karl Cochran (guitar), Greg Smith (bass), Michael Sorrentino (drums) and former Trans-Siberian Orchestra keyboardist Carmine Giglio do an awesome job recreating the Rainbow sound. Highlights include “Stone Cold,” “Street of Dreams,” “I Surrender” and “Can’t Let You Go.” A must have for all JLT/Rainbow fans.
(Andy Laudano)

Laaz Rockit - Left For Dead, Blistering Records
Left For Dead? Maybe they should have stayed dead. Truly dated ‘80’s thrash is the order of the day with the return of Laaz Rockit. Back in the ‘80’s they were mediocre, and nothing has changed in that department. With today’s much younger bands like Evile, Fueled By Fire, Hatchet and Merciless Death playing exactly this kind of metal with much more passion than Laaz Rockit ever did, this band needs to look around and realize that if they truly want to hold their own, a rethink is in order. That’s always been the case with this band – they’re content to churn out average thrash metal with no real desire to grow musically. Make no mistake, the term “old school” does apply here, but unfortunately more so in the one-room-asbestos-filled-leave-the-schoolhouse-with-a-numbing-headache sense. Not a bad album, but definitely not great. The kind of album that makes you wonder aloud… “Why bother?”
(Dale Lammers)

Almah - Fragile Equality, Blistering Records
Within the first few seconds of “Birds Of Prey” you notice two things – powerful vocals and smoldering guitar. Singer Edu Falaschi spent the last six years in Brazilian band Angra while releasing his first Almah release as a side project in 2007. Having left Angra, he can now concentrate on Almah, and what a difference that’s made on Fragile Equality. His majestic vocals bring so much to songs like “Beyond Tomorrow” and “All I Am.” Guitarists Marcelo Barbosa and Paulo Schroeber are unbelievable and supply licks reminiscent of Yngwie Malmsteen and Paul Gilbert/Bruce Bullet (Racer X). Check out “Magic Flame,” “Torn” and the title track. Fragile Equality is stunning both vocally and musically.
(Travis Tutwiler)

Eclipse - Are You Ready To Rock? Blistering Records
OK, now we’re talking. Eclipse is a Swedish melodic rock band that can tackle metal and straight up, punk-ish dirty rock and roll equally with astonishing heat and conviction. No kidding, this is a great band. The album starts off with the magnificent “Breaking My Heart Again” and just gets stronger with cuts like “Hometown Calling” “Unbreakable” and “Under The Gun.” The fact that there are newer bands making music like this is refreshing and damn inspiring. This is a genre that is difficult to do correctly. But man, when it’s done with an awesome sense of urgency, it’s a trip. Contrary to popular belief, this is not a lost art form. Bands actually still care about melody and harmony vocals. Who knew? There’s a splash of Europe, a dollop of heavy Journey and a heaping helping of originality. Absolutely splendid.
(Dale Lammers)

Cruel Hand - Prying Eyes, Bridge Nine Records
Prying Eyes is this Maine hardcore outfit’s sophomore album. Unfortunately, within a few songs, the sound becomes very monotonous. They’re full of energy, which you can hear on “Begin Descension” and “Motions That Lie,” and there are plenty of mosh-inducing tracks. If you’re a fan of Madball, you’ll find plenty to like, but there just isn’t enough variation to keep this disc spinning.
(Travis Tutwiler)

The Lizards - Archeology, Hyperspace Records
Former Riot / current Masterplan singer Mike Dimeo has teamed up with former Riot / Rainbow / Black Sabbath drummer Bobby Rondinelli and guitarist Patrick Klein and bassist Randy Pratt to cover some classic blues rock chestnuts. Starting with Free’s “Fire And Water,” they proceed to do “Head First” by The Babys and personal fave, the absolutely mind-blowing cover of John Lee Hooker’s “I’m Mad.” Oh, and their version of Humble Pie’s “Thunderbox” might be better than the original. No, I’m not kidding. For the classic metalheads out there, they even cover Uriah Heep’s “The Wizard” and do a hell of job of it in the process. For a band featuring two very “metal” guys in Dimeo and Rondinelli, it’s awesome to hear them stretching out and having some fun. You might think such a concept would be boring, but it’s just so damn authentic.
(Dale Lammers)

Brother Von Doom - Relentless, Deathcote Records
Like professionals, Brother Von Doom flexes their death metal muscles and sweats hardcore with their most recent album, Relentless. Brian Baxter and Tate Matthew (guitars) exchange a collage of Euro-thrash licks that quickly paints Brother Von Doom’s portrait. Backing the duo is the only original member left, Matt Thomas (drums), who delivers a deluge of insanely tight beats with every note heard and are felt with clarity. After a few line-up changes, Justin Wilson (vocals) was declared the band’s new unforgiving front man. Thunderous breakdowns are often the expectation of a metal band, but these guys lack anything remotely of that nature. “A Beautiful Masquerade” and “Echoes of The Undead” are straight shooters that aim to stop your pulse in mid beat. Then, Brother Von Doom gains momentum while swinging their fists until the end of the record.
(Misty Johnson

We Wish You A Metal Xmas and A Headbanging New Year - Various Artists, Armoury Records
Every year, it’s the same old question. What do you get your favorite Metalhead for Christmas? This year there’s an easy answer - We Wish You A Metal Xmas and A Headbanging New Year! Some of the biggest names in hard rock/heavy metal have gathered to to perform amped up versions of your favorite holiday songs and Christmas carols. You can’t help but smile when you hear Motorhead’s Lemmy Kilmister sing “Run Rudolph Run,” Alice Cooper’s “Santa Claws is Coming to Town” or Testament’s Chuck Billy do “Silent Night” in full death metal growl. There’s also some killer guitar work from Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath), John 5 (Rob Zombie), Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), George Lynch and more. Other highlights include Joe Lynn Turner’s “Rockin’ Around the X mas Tree,” STYX’s Tommy Shaw’s “Happy Xmas (War is Over), Ronnie James Dio’s “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and Queensryche’s Geoff Tate’s “Silver Bells.”
(Andy Laudano)

Ayreon – Timeline, InsideOut Music
This is the first retrospective from Arjen Anthony Lucassen’s prog metal Ayreon project. Kinda goes against the logic of prog metal, doesn’t it? I mean, isn’t prog metal supposed to be all about continuity? Isn’t each album a concept album where each piece of music tells a different part of a particular story? So it doesn’t seem logical to put together a career retrospective. Don’t get me wrong: Lucassen is a genius and there’s plenty to bite into here, and the DVD has some interesting tidbits, but I don’t see this gaining the man many new fans. The music is of course, without peer and his fans will buy it in droves while waiting for the next Ayreon opus, which I guess is the whole point. However, it’s probably going to sit on their shelves, only to make an appearance in their players about as often as Haley’s comet.
(Dale Lammers)

Dark Funeral - Attera Orbis Terrarum Part II DVD, Regain Records
Attera Orbis Terrarum Part II is the second set covering the band’s Attera Totus Sanctus Tour but, whereas Part I covered their European tour, Part II covers the band’s trip to South America. The first disc shows an entire concert in Buenos Aires in October 2006. Shot professionally with five cameras, it’s a great look of the show, which clocks in at just over an hour. Also included is amateur footage from various North American tours from 1997 – 2007.
The second disc is a complete show filmed professionally in Sao Paulo in September 2006. It also includes amateur footage filmed in South America from 2003 – 2006 as well as a trailer for Part I. It’s a great addition if you already have the first set and want some more great live footage.
(Travis Tutwiler)

Mushroomhead - Volume 2 DVD, Megaforce Records
The Cleveland, Ohio seven-piece has released Volume 2 to coincide with their last release, Savior Sorrow. It follows them on tour as they count down each day, literally. There’s plenty of great footage of band on stage, backstage, on the bus and other things to keep them somewhat sane on the road. See the Jagermeister Shark go on the attack or the band in homemade knight outfits, as they have sword fights on the side of the highway. See bus damage, as the fire department has to use the jaws-of-life to get the door open - or go to an open field while they take aim with various semi-automatic rifles. There are also six videos from Savior Sorrow as well as live versions of “1200,” “Burn” and “Simple Survival” as well as behind-the-scenes footing of the “Save Us” video. Mushroomhead will be at the Ridglea on December 7.
(Travis Tutwiler)

No Scope - Hindsight 2012, Self Released
Fort Worth’s No Scope has delivered a great mix of metal, rock and alternative that brings a fresh sound on Hindsight 2012. Ryan Glassburn (vocals) uses his range much the way Corey Taylor does in Stone Sour. Check out “Burn” and “Complicate” to hear his many styles. Chance Cook and Bobby Ensminger provide some great guitar work, whether it’s the clean tones of “Glass Eye” or the hard driving riffs on “Empty Threats.” Buddy Blair (bass) and Brandon Charley (drums) provide a nice groove throughout the disc without overpowering the sound. You’ve probably heard the band’s catchy new single “Pale And Blue” on 102.1 The Edge. You can catch No Scopes’ at the Ridglea on December 27.
(Travis Tutwiler)

Devastation - Idolatry, Forged In Fire Records
When this album first came out in 1991, it was lumped in with the early Sepultura and Death albums as just an extremely violent expression of death, swinging bloody limbs and nothing more. It just didn’t seem to have much of a point except to say “We’re angry.” Now, almost two decades later and after the mountain of death metal that has transpired since then, Idolatry stands as a pretty damn strong representative of the early 90’s death metal movement. Not sure calling it death metal would be appropriate though, because the lyrics don’t deal with death and dismemberment, which may be the reason it didn’t really take off. Still, so long after its original release, this sounds more inviting than it did originally. Kinda brings back memories of those amazing Possessed albums.
(Dale Lammers)

Dee Snider Photo: Andy Laudano

Twisted Sister - Live at the Astoria CD/DVD, Demolition Records
Although they like to refer to themselves as “The World’s Biggest Bar Band,” Twisted Sister is one of the greatest live acts in the history of hard rock/heavy metal. The band plays with unmatched raw power and energy, and Dee Snider is one of the best frontmen ever. In 2004 when Twisted Sister returned to London, England for the first time in 18 years, the show was broadcast live on pay per view. Live at the Astoria captures Dee Snider (vocals), Jay Jay French (guitar), Eddie Ojeda (guitar) Mark “The Animal” Mendoza (bass) and A.J. Pero (drums) at the top of their game. Highlights include “The Kids Are Back,” “Under the Blade,” “You Can’t Stop Rock N’ Roll,” “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” “The Price,” “I Am, I’m Me” and “I Wanna Rock.” The DVD contains the full concert from the PPV broadcast without any extras or bonus material. It does however, come with a bonus audio CD of the entire concert.
(Andy Laudano)

Sister Sin - Switchblade Serenades, Victory Records
Do you remember the glory days of 80’s metal? Gothenburg, Sweden’s sensational Sister Sin sure does. The band was formed in 2002 and released their first album, Dance With the Wicked in 2003 on a small indy label. Their latest CD, Switchblade Serenades is filled with catchy, fist-pumping anthems, that will remind you of the first two Motley Crue albums, but with a female singer. Unlike many current female fronted metal acts, Sister Sin vocalist Liv doesn’t growl or sing opera. She belts out a song the old fashioned way, with an aggressive, ballsy voice. Guitarist Jimmy, bassist Chris and drummer Dave play fast and hard. Highlights include “Beat the Street,” “Death Will Greet Us,” “One Out of Ten,” “Breaking New Ground,” “On Parole” and a killer cover of Motorhead’s “Make My Day.” There isn’t a bad song on this album. Sister Sin is a band to watch out for.
(Andy Laudano)