Signings
Desecration has signed a three-album deal with Metal Age Productions for the band’s sixth studio release due later this year… Ibex Moon Records has signed Berenice Bleeding and death metal legends Goreaphobia…
Releases
Judas Priest’s new double-disc concept album, Nostradamus, sold 42,000 copies in the United States its first week, debuting at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 chart… Opeth’s Watershed moved an impressive 19,000 copies in its first week of sales, hitting No. 23 on Billboard … Motorhead’s new album, Motorizer, is due by the end of the year through SPV Records… Bay Area thrash pioneers Laaz Rockit will be releasing Left For Dead through Massacre Records… Sweden’s Grand Magus’s fourth full-length album Iron Will is out in Europe June 9 through Rise Above Records and July 8 through Candlelight Records…
Female-fronted extreme metal band Why She Kills’ Daydreams of Obliteration, will debut vocalists Anita Borst and Daan Logenberg… Finland’s Murdershock has signed with Full Metal Records. The band’s full-length debut is due in early 2009… Extreme doomsters Moss have completed work on Sub Templum with a North American release date set for July 8... Germany’s Holy Moses has set Agony of Death as the title of their new album, due around September 19 through Wacken /SPV Records… Sweden’s Guillotine has finished mixing its second and yet untitled album due in late 2008 through Pulverised Records…
Personnel
Tom Gabriel Fischer (ex-Celtic Frost) recently announced the formation of his new band Triptykon, with Reed St. Mark (ex-Celtic Frost), V. Santura (Dark Fortress) and Vanja Slay…
Arsis has parted ways with drummer Darren Cesca. Longtime friend Alex Tomlin is set as a replacement… Mercyful Fate guitarist Hank Shermann will be recording a guest solo on the upcoming Stygia album… Bassist Eerik Purdon (Crystal Blaze, Amoral) has left Finnish metal band Omnium Gatherum…
Former Speed\Kill/ Hate vocalist Mario Frasca has pieced together a new outfit to be called Evince… Long-running extreme metal band Angel Corpse has added Kelly McLauchlin as a second guitarist…New outfit LOWA, consisting of members from Grip, Heathen, Forbidden and Man Made God, has parted ways with bassist/vocalist Steve Tucker of Morbid Angel fame…
Guitar wizard James Murphy (Testament, Death, Obituary) has completed a guest guitar solo on “Dawn Of Extermination,” which will open the forthcoming debut album from Obliterhate… Vocalist Kam Lee (Denial Fiend, Massacre, Death, Mantas) has joined Skincrawler, a project conceived by Grossera of Razorback Records as a way to pay tribute to the origins of extreme music…
Vocalist Rob Thompson and Pegazus have parted ways… Vocalist Jonas Iscariot has left Agathodaimon… Utah-based progressive/power metal band Katagory V has announced the addition of guitarist Mike Theriot and vocalist Al Rybka to the group’s ranks… Germany’s Axxis have amicably parted ways with drummer André Hilgers…
Tours
Origin, Misery Index and Abysmal Dawn will unite for the 2008 installment of the Relapse Records’ Contamination Tour. There’s a July 24 date set for Dallas, but no venue has been announced…
Devostruction
German legends Destruction’s new release, D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N., is slated for August 22 through AFM Records. Free yellow jump suit and red flowerpot hat not included…. Now the only thing missing is a full-blown tour assault with Devo…
Headbangers in Music / Electronics
According to the Wall Street Journal, AC/DC will sell their new album only through Wal-Mart stores… The “Highway to Hell” rockers join Garth Brooks, The Eagles and Journey to release material exclusively through Wal-Mart…
Metal in the Middle… East that is
Iranian power/progressive metal band Angband has inked a deal with Germany’s Pure Steel Records for the release of debut album Rising from Apadana. According to a press release, Angband is “the first metal band from Iran” to sign a deal with a European record company. “As you may know metal is illegal in Iran right now especially [with Iranian President Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad [in power]. There were some concerts, books and articles in the newspaper about metal when [moderate President] Khatami was the president, but now metal is illegal in Iran.” [Let’s hope the guys are now living elsewhere.]
The Repo Man
Jeff Becerra (of reactivated California death metal pioneers Possessed) has teamed up with filmmakers Shane and Amy Bugbee (Club Satan) to launch a brand new “acoustic country / folkish” project called Repossessed…
Only Lemmy
Motorhead front man Lemmy comments on his new action figure.
“I had to stand on this platform while the camera went around and did the hologram thing, and then they made the model, only smaller,” Lemmy said. “They said it’s an action figure,” and I said, “So, you’re gonna put a dick on it?” They said, ‘No.’
I said, “Well, then it’s not going to get much action then, is it?”
A bad name for it, right?
DVD
Lamb Of God - Walk With Me In Hell, Epic DVD
This two-disc, five hour offering takes you on the road with the Virginia metal juggernauts as they tour in support of Sacrament. This documentary follows Lamb Of God as they start out opening for Slayer on the Unholy Alliance Tour, as they headline overseas, and wind up the touring cycle with a headlining U.S. arena tour. Be there as they make their first ever trips to Japan, Australia, Sweden and New Zealand. See their appearance on Conan O’Brien and accompany them at the Grammy’s. You get the full Download Festival performance, as the band plays to 72,000 fans. Not only do you get some great live stuff, you get to laugh as Randy teaches Willie how to use a bullwhip, or Randy and John go shooting in the desert. It’s a great glimpse into the not-so-glamorous rock star life of down time, missing flights and cursed buses and how the guys keep things together. You gotta pick this up!
(Travis Tutwiler)
Tiamat - Amanethes, Nuclear Blast
Tiamat’s new album Amanethes starts with a bang - which unfortunately dies to a dull fizzle. Second track “Equinox of the Gods,” is what’s expected. It’s like a thrash version of a Sisters of Mercy song, while “Until the Hellhounds Sleep Again” is a slow doom creeper that keeps you interested and is repetitive without becoming boring. The gem of the album is the Bathory-like “Raining Dead Angels.” However, the rest of the album is boring and predictable. Keyboard melodies sound the same on every song and reek of poor production as they overpower and ruin the songs. The worst track is the bizarre “Amanitis,” which starts with a bad southern rock guitar lead and fades into a direct Pink Floyd rip-off. It sounds like Type O Negative doing “Wish You Were Here,” but less entertaining. Avoid this album.
(Jesse Wilson)
Aborted - Strychnine.213, Century Media
Aborted go straight for the jugular on their latest release, Strychnine.213. Sven De Caluwe (vocals) delivers unholy growls while Daniel Wilding unbelievably abuses his drum kit. Sebastien Tuvi and Peter Goemaere (guitars) trade off between spitfire riffs, chugging rhythms and amazing soloing, while Sven Janssens (bass) supplies the low-end assault. Tracks like “I35,” “Hereditary Bane” and “The Chyme Congeries” plow through your cranium, while the mix of brutality and blastbeats of “Avarice Of Vilification” will make your ears wonder what the hell they did to deserve this beat down. A nice gem on the digipack and iTunes version is a cover of Pantera’s “Slaughtered.” Get your neck ready because it’s gonna get a severe work out with Strychnine.213.
(Travis Tutwiler)
Carnifex - The Diseased and the Poisoned, Victory Records
Some label Carnifex as death metal or death core, but that doesn’t erase the fact that this sophomore album is a wickedly vehement roller coaster that has derailed to the fire pits of hell. This is a typically painted picture for death metal, and Carnifex is just that… typical. Nothing separates them from other bands in this category, especially when every song has fast, then faster, and back to fast tempos. This doesn’t mean they are bad musicians. Shawn (drums) conjures up blast beats comparable to a Tommy gun, and Scott’s (vocals) nefarious werewolf-like growls and desperate high-pitched yells of a dying demon would be hard to replicate. Carnifex’s mojo is still, just simply, hiding in the land of OZ. KKK (Misty Johnson)
Scar Symmetry - Holographic Universe, Nuclear Blast
Combine some progressive sounds, death metal growl mixed with some soaring vocal lines, and you come up with Holographic Universe. Scar Symmetry combines these elements to offer a diverse sound that never gets old. Jonas Kjellgren and Per Nilsson have the chops to make any guitar fan happy and show off their skills on the intro of “The Missing Coordinates.” Henrik Ohlsson (drums) and Kenneth Seil (bass) are a thunderous rhythm section whether doing it subtly on “Timewave Zero” or turning it up a notch on “Fear Catalyst.” Christian Alvestam breathes life into the songs with a low growl or when he shows off his pipes on “Quantumleaper” and “Prism And Gate.” Holographic Universe has a lot to offer by keeping the songs fresh and full of energy. KKKKK (Travis Tutwiler)
Canvas Solaris - The Atomized Dream, Sensory Records
If you are a fan of technical progressive jazz metal in the vain of Behold... the Arctopus or Scale the Summit, this album holds a treasure trove of mind-bending wonders for you. Each song is a sonic journey celebrating the musicianship of guitarists Nathan Sapp and Chris Rushing, bassist Gael Pirlot, drummer Hunter Ginn and keyboardist Donnie Smith.
Canvas Solaris began their career in 1999 as a death metal trio but soon found their eclectic tastes forced them beyond those boundaries and into the introspective world of instrumental metal. The avenues explored on this album are intriguing yet, occasionally, not all that original. The drums seem a bit stale at times, however, the melodic web woven by the guitars will keep you interested. Best jams are “Reflections Carried to Mirror,” “Chromatic Dusk” and “Heat Distortion Manifest.”
(Jesse Wilson)
Bleed The Sky - Murder The Dance, Nuclear Blast
Oklahoma City’s Bleed The Sky has created a brutal and punishing slab of metal with Murder The Dance. “Knife Fight In A Phone Booth” gets things started with that classic BTS sound, combining deep, moving guitar rhythms - provided by Rob Thornton and Justin Warrick, while Ryan Clark (bass) and Austin D’Amond (drums) furiously keep the tempo in overdrive. Noah Robinson (vocals) delivers a scathing, in-yer-face scowl while mixing in some superb clean vocals. Pulverizing tracks like “Murder The Dance,” “Kettle Black,” and “Morose” are just down right crushing and sure to provide fuel for mosh pits everywhere. BTS even change gears on the trippy “Ocean’s Razor,” which provides some light percussion, clean guitar and flanged vocals. Don’t worry, because following track “Bastion” will make sure you don’t forget how much this disc was kicking your ass before the nice breather.
(Travis Tutwiler)
Immortal Dominion - Awakening, Fist Music
Boring. It is almost more trouble than it’s worth to discuss this album. Imagine every clichéd piece of every bad metalcore song you’ve ever heard sewn together into a giant quilt of mediocrity and wrapped warmly around you, never having to think about the music you listen to again. Then we approach the blandness of this band. The lyrics are vague and repetitive. The guitar riffs are boring, and the drumming is on par with the rest of the music. Band members’ names have been withheld to protect the innocent.
(Jesse Wilson)
Keep Of Kalessin - Kolossus, Nuclear Blast
Kolossus is brewing with plenty of thrash, black metal and other metal elements to create a wide array of sound. From Obsidian (guitar/keys) incorporates styles reminiscent of vintage Ozzy rhythms and chord structures on “The Mark Of Power” or the shredding solo on “Escape The Union.” Vyl’s manic double-bass drums are matched by bassist Wizziac as they provide a frantic pace - then slow it down when needed. Thedon’s vocals resemble those of Joe (Gojira) and Alexi (Children Of Bodom), as opposed to the typical black metal growl. Other standout tracks are “A New Empire’s Birth” and “Against The Gods.” KOK do a great job of providing a balance of different styles to keep the songs fresh and worth listening to over and over again.
(Travis Tutwiler)
TYR - Land, Napalm Records
Masters of Viking folk metal, TYR returns with their third studio album. It has great production, the songs are infectious and you can almost smell your enemies’ cities burning as you listen. The folk guitars and raucous gang vocals on every song transport you to the snowy shores of ancient Norway as you feast and drink the night before a great battle.
That being said, we must now focus on the main problem with this disc: language. Not “bad” language but the Faeroese language. Yes, they are from the Faeroes (islands off the coast of Norway). But, damn it, the songs are so catchy and inspiring that not singing along would be impossible - if I spoke Faeroese. It’s like being at a pub while everyone but you is singing the school fight song, and you feel left out because you don’t know the words. (Jesse Wilson)
Hydrogyn - Deadly Passions, Demolition Records
Deadly Passions is a straight-ahead, no frills disc provided by this five-piece band out of Kentucky. Julie (vocals) has attitude but without all the screaming, like a modern, harder rocking Pat Benatar. “Rejection” kicks off this offering and is full of heavy guitars provided by Jeff Westlake, who throws in a nice throwback solo. Chris Sammons (bass) and Josh Kitchen (drums) provide the foundation whether it’s hard driving on “Silent Imagination” or more laid back on “Shadow,” which really shows off Julie’s voice. Hydrogyn know how to combine killer riffs with incredible vocals to keep this disc on repeat in your cd player. As hard as it is to believe they even make a cover of Alanis Morrisette’s “You Oughta Know” almost tolerable. I said ALMOST!
(Travis Tutwiler)
Hollenthon - Opus Magnum, Napalm Records
Martin Schirenc (guitar), Mike Gröger (drums), Gregor Marboe (bass) and Martin Arzberger (guitar) lay down eight jaw-dropping tracks of intense epic dark metal. Bombast and pomp and fanfare bleed from the speakers, while this album cranks out inspired songs in the vein of Kovenant mixed with every James Bond title theme. The drums are tight and relentless with a near-martial quality. The thrashing guitars and guttural vocals cut a dark relief in the stygian wall of choral backing vocals and symphonic melodies. “On the Wings of a Dove” and “Ars Moriendi” pop out as the two best, but there is not a bad track to be heard. The most surprising element to the album is the occasional use of horns. It sounds weird, especially with this band’s black metal roots, but it works. Crank this disc up and ride into eternity.
(Jesse Wilson)
Cryptopsy - The Unspoken King, Century Media
Montreal-based Cryptopsy blasts back onto the technical death metal scene with another offering of blast beat filled, arpeggio laden, growl infested madness. No stranger to lineup changes, the new roster includes Matt McGachy (vocals), Alex Auburn (guitar), Christian Donaldson (guitar), Eric Langlois (bass), Flo Mounier (only original member, drums) and Maggy Durand (keyboards). Brutality at its finest is served up relentlessly in every pounding track. This album is not for the timid. Walking the tightrope between grind and death, these mad Canadians smash riff after riff in your face on tracks like “Worship Your Demons” and “The Plagued.” Precise timing and expert musicianship keep you wondering what’s coming next during every song. If you like your music violent, this album is your Mona Lisa. Turn it up to eleven and bang your head until you snap your neck.
(Jesse Wilson)
