Airbourne - Runnin’ Wild, Roadrunner Records
Eleven songs, 37+ minutes of unadulterated Aussie blue collar, drinkin’ man’s rock n’ roll glory. Airbourne is the best Australian band since AC/DC. That’s a huge statement, but god-friggin’-dammit, these guys are so authentic you can’t help but let go of your inhibitions when the title track’s chorus hits you on the head like a broken beer bottle. “Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast” and “Diamond In The Rough” work such insidious magic on the drunkard inside all of us, it’s just preposterous.
No shit folks, we now have a worthy successor to the groove that AC/DC has owned for over 30 years. Many have tried, some have succeeded, but Airbourne comes by the groove naturally, which leads the listener to believe that, had AC/DC not existed, Airbourne would still sound exactly like this. Oh, and the lyrics to “What’s Eatin’ You” are sheer poetry, too. Now, has anybody seen my beer goggles?
(Dale Lammers)
Airbourne appears at Lola’s (formerly 6th Street Live) in Ft. Worth on March 11.

Hellyeah - Below The Belt, Sony/BMG DVD
This cool collection of back stage antics, live performances and candid interviews is a celebration of the first year in the life of metal’s newest super group. The disc spans the band’s brief career from the very first night of recording at Vinnie Paul’s Chasin’ Jason Studios to their latest tour. In the spirit of Pantera’s infamous home videos, the film offers up close and personal time with each of the band members as well as the whole road crew. There are several minutes from the CD release party at the Clubhouse (if you were there, you’re in this video!), the band’s first performance in Baltimore and plenty of off-stage hijinx.
For fans that have yet to embrace the band, this is one helluva introduction. But the Pantera/Damageplan/Mudvayne faithful will love it even more. One of the best things about it is seeing Vinnie Paul back in his element, having fun and being who he was born to be. It looks like Hellyeah plans on being around for a good, long while.
(Kevin White)

Circus Maximus - Isolate, Sensory
Of the dozens of up-and-coming, would-be contenders for the prog-rock/metal throne (occupied by Dream Theater and Symphony X), Norwegian band Circus Maximus may have proven their mettle (pun intended) as heir apparent with sophomore release Isolate. Mats Gaugen (guitar) has obviously watched his John Petrucci DVD religiously, but it’s Michael Ericksen’s distinctive caterwaul and infectious lyrical hooks (recalling in equal measure 80’s metal singers Mark Slaughter and Geoff Tate), that gives the band its unique sound. Lasse Finbroten (keys), Glen Mollen (bass), and Truls Haugen (drums) round out the quintet nicely, organically pulling off some very sophisticated song orchestrations and intricate instrumentation. Great songwriting makes this a worthy addition to your prog collection.
(Jason Robert)

SiK - Eliminate The Weak, Self-Recorded
With Mike Sickels’ vocals and Dano Hibbs’ punishing guitar work bringing an early Metallica/COC crunch to mix with bassist Nick Vargo and drummer Keith Wishon’s modern, Godsmack-esque grooves; SiK produce a sound as heavy as a brick shit house and twice as thick.
This five-song effort provides just a taste of what SiK has to offer, with hard-hitters like “Blood On Your Hands,” “Run Like Hell” and the highlight, “Time To Pay” leading the charge. It’s easy to picture throwing your horns in the air and thrashing along to a SiK live show while listening to this disc. If you’ve seen ‘em live, go see ‘em again. If you haven’t, what the hell are you waiting for? (Kevin White)

Bullet for my Valentine - Scream Aim Fire, Jive Records
BFMV’s sophomore album Scream Aim Fire conveys more maturity than their debut, The Poison. Most of the music is in your face and up tempo (minus the whiny vocals.) Singer Matt Tuck samples James Hatfield’s (Metallica) raw rough vocal appeal - which better fits their vigorous music style. If this band keeps with the driving drums and heavier arrangements, they just might have the potential of playing to sold-out stadiums.
Tracks including “Waking the Demon” and “Eye of the Storm” display the heaviness of their crisp, fast-paced, old school sound. Title track, “Scream Aim Fire” carries a notable hook that will keep you saying “why can I not get that song out of my head?” However, there are three borderline power ballads produced this time around, like “Say Goodnight,” which depicts a distinct early Guns and Roses’ sound.
BFMV has had a predictable nature, but Scream Aim Fire seems to be leading them away from that stigma.
(Misty Johnson)

Ayreon - 01011001, InsideOut Music
An epic double CD, 01011001, tells the story of Planet Y (the CD’s title in binary code) and the struggle for emotional survival in an era of technology and our dependence on it. Heavy subject matter to be sure, but mastermind Arjen Anthony Lucassen has never been one to shy away from heavy subjects. In fact, the man has managed to carve out a nice living doing just that as the mastermind behind Ayreon.
As has become the custom with Ayreon, a veritable laundry list of the industry’s best singers appears as the voice of characters making up the storyline. Jorn Lande, Gotthard’s Steve Lee, Evergrey’s Tom Englund, Epica’s Simone Simons and King’s X’s Ty Tabor all turn in stellar performances. As expected, there are as many cozy, ethereal acoustic numbers as there are killer riffs. Ayreon fans have already scooped this up like nerds at a Trekkie convention, but for the newbies, this is as good a place as any to start your obsession. It’s addictive.
(Dale Lammers)

Protest The Hero - Kezia, Vagrant
This overdue review of PTH’s 2006 release, Kezia, is in anticipation of the band’s second full-length CD, Fortress, due out this month. The Canadian quintet, whose members were barely out of high school when their debut CD was recorded, is truly an aberration in the fabric of modern hard rock. It completely blurs the lines between thrash metal, prog-metal, emo, boy-band hard rock and even punk. Kezia is a chop-laden prog-metal feast that any Spiral Architect fan would be proud to own, but the alternating screamo and Coheed & Cambria vocal stylings, hooky choruses and melodic song arrangements keep this disc from getting bogged down in sterile tech-metal clichés. Purists of any of the aforementioned genres will probably not embrace this disc, but if you’re an open-minded prog-metal fan looking for something with a fresh sound, I highly recommend tracking this one down.
(Jason Robert)

Mustasch - Latest Version Of The Truth, Regain Records
This Swedish quartet may not know how to spell, but they make up for it with the way they rock. With a style so damn dated it’s almost original again, Mustasch feels like getting behind the wheel of a ‘72 Camaro and running from the cops. The vocals are part Saxon, part Scorpions and part Whitesnake. The string arrangements are vintage ELO. The guitar may as well be taken straight out of a Michael Schenker studio session. The drums ring out with the hollow, arena-filling tones of John Bonham.
You following me? This is a band with an old rock and roll soul. Songs like “I Am Not Aggressive,” “The Heckler” and the highlight, “Falling Down” just sound like you’ve been listening to them all your life. There’s something here for prog fans, power fans and just straight-up metal fans alike. Original? Eh, that’s subjective. Good? There’s no question there. Check out mustasch.net or myspace.com/mustasch and see what I mean.
(Kevin White)

Ancestor - Down To The Waterline, Self-Recorded
Anchored by veteran soundman Louie Shoop’s blistering lead guitar, Dallas’ Ancestor proves that true rock and roll is still alive. It’s an old-school, denim, leather and whiskey vibe wrapped in a modern musical package. This 14-song release features 13 soulful originals with one great take on Led Zeppelin’s “Wanton.”
Standouts include “Shame,” “Chasing My Tail,” “Livin’ A Lie” and the highlight, “My Disease.” The style ranges from fist-in-the-teeth power rock to melodic, borderline progressive passages that keep the listener’s interest piqued. Though the production is polished, it is Ancestor’s raw, rocking edge that cuts through and makes this record. Be sure to check out the band the next time they play and pick up a copy for yourself. (Kevin White)

Hammercocks - Lone Star Evil, Devils Shitburner Records
With band member names such as Jack Sh*t, General Lee Drunk, Otto Partz, Boss Hawg and influences ranging from Motorhead and the Ramones to ZZ Top, one should realize there’s a damn good time waiting.
Add to the mix, beer, whiskey, back-wood babes and Waco, and you have what the Hammercocks bring to the table with their second full-length effort, Lone Star Evil.
The best description of the Cocks is to put a tad of Texas “twang on the thang.” The majority of the disc stays at mid-tempo, but some great tunes require some hootin’ along - such as “Catchin’ a Hawg,” “Bad Association,” “Caught in the Drunk” “Brothers of the Bottle” and “Long Legs and Whiskey.” With the release of Lone Star Evil, the Hammercocks prove good sh*t indeed comes out of Waco. (Brian McLean)

Brainstorm - Downburst, Metal Blade Records
If there’s a power metal band left on Earth that’s truly unique, it’s undoubtedly Brainstorm. Why? It’s because they almost completely avoid every pitfall by nearly every band that’s polluted this genre as recently as five years ago. Brainstorm has an identity all its own. Singer Andy B. Franck is a frontman whose stage presence equals that of, no less than, Bruce Dickinson. Frank’s vocals are uniquely personable and his personality addictive. And the band follows his cue by turning in an emotional performance unmatched by any band of this genre. There are Brainstorm trademarks everywhere. The tandem of guitarists Torsten Ihlenfeld and Milan Loncaric leave their mark all over tracks like “Stained With Sin,” “Protect Me From Myself” and personal favorite “Fire Walk With Me.” They’ve attained a synergy few can reach. I’m down with Downburst. You should be too.
(Dale Lammers)