Kid Rock - Rock N Roll Jesus, Atlantic Records
Get a copy of this one folks, and get it fast. Undoubtedly this is Kid Rock’s greatest work to date and, by some standards, perhaps even the best CD release by any artist in the rock genre in the last decade. Yes, it’s that good. After four years since his last studio outing, Rock literally unearthed his soul and managed to unleash a phenomenal and very well–produced album. The instrumentation throughout these 14 tracks - which implement some brilliant string and brass arrangements - is nothing short of exceptional. Nearly every music genre is represented - from classic rock to southern rock, to rap and hip hop, to alternative metal, to thrash, country, blues, Creole and even blue grass. What make this CD so special are the carefully–written lyrics which give insight into Kid Rock’s adolescence, his views on war, religion and his break-up with Pamela.
(Joe Montells)

BadFun - self-titled, First Street Audio
Best new fun anyone could have. You’ll think you’re at a concert with Ian Astbury, (The Cult) when you hear Scott Fisher’s vocals on “She’s The Girl.” Other influences include “The Doors,” “Zeppelin” and “Sound Garden” but, while the influences are noticeable; you’ll truly enjoy the album’s uniqueness and strong, solid individuality.
The current lineup is founder/lead singer Scott Fisher (a phenomenal vocalist delivering sparkling performances with terrific range and versatility). Guitarist Rob Boyle (from Phoenix) has the virtuosity and timing needed to support lead guitarist, Eric Michaelis with some of the best riffs heard lately. On rhythm is Angus Blackhawk (bass) and original band member and sensational drummer Doug Ingram.
One of the best tracks is “What to Do,” which shows a GNR influence. Scott shows a casualness reminiscent of Jim Morrison. This is a mandatory gotta have it, wanna hear again and again, and oh yeah - when’s the concert? I gotta buy a ticket! My kind of fun. BadFun. (Skid Dickson)

Primal Fear Photo: Andy Laudano

Primal Fear - New Religion, Frontiers Records
“The German Metal Commandos,” Primal Fear are back with one of the year’s most eagerly anticipated releases. With their previous album, Seven Seals, Primal Fear tried to shake things up a bit and do something different than the Judas Priest/Painkiller formula they were known for. With New Religion, The band has really found its own sound and can no longer be considered just a Judas Priest clone. Both “Every Time It Rains” (an awesome duet with Epica’s Simone Simmons) and “Fighting the Darkness” (a killer mid-tempo epic broken into three parts), break exciting new ground for the band. Ralf Scheepers vocals have never sounded better. Guitarists Stefan Leibig and the returning Henny Wolter, Mat Sinner (bass) and Randy Black (drums) all turned in fantastic performances. Other highlights include the title track, “Psycho” and “The Curse Of Sharon.” Possible album of the year!
(Andy Laudano)

Slayer - The Unholy Alliance Chapter II: Preaching To The Converted, American Recordings DVD
Not only do you get 10 bone-jarring live songs from Slayer on this DVD, but you also get one from Lamb Of God, three from Mastodon, two from Children Of Bodom and one from Thine Eyes Bleed.
The footage was shot in Vancouver on last summer’s Unholy Alliance tour. All the bands look and sound great, but as with all releases of this ilk, the real gem is in the behind-the-scenes footage. There are candid interviews and general chaos-on-film from each band, as well as the rowdy Vancouver fans. One nugget of note is that when the members of COB get wasted, they also like to run around naked. Sounds like they should tour with Deep Purple…
Anyway, the best segments are cross-interviews between members of Slayer, Mastodon and COB. The fans get a glimpse of what these guys are really like, which is always cool.
(Kevin White)

Blotted Science - The Machinations Of Dementia, Eclectic Electric
Equipped with the technical prowess of Liquid Tension Experiment (without the keyboards) but with a much heavier groove, Blotted Science has unleashed a progressive-metal masterpiece. Their highly anticipated release, The Machinations Of Dementia, is an instrumental explosion of time changes, guitar shredding, stand-out bass lines and sick drumming that come together with a sense of controlled chaos. The offering boasts 16 mesmerizing tracks including: “Synaptic Plasticity,” “Night Terror” and “Bleeding In the Brain.”
San Antonio legend, Ron Jarzombek, showcases his stellar guitar work by pulling off incredible fretboard heroics with ease. He is joined by the equally talented Alex Webster (bass), who has spent much of his time in Cannibal Corpse. Rounding out the trio is in-demand session drummer Charlie Zelaney, who has toured with Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater). Musicians and metal fans will be left speechless.
(Travis Tutwiler)

Adakain - Tears Of Dysphoria, Self-Recorded
Though the name may be new, the members of Adakain are clearly musicians who have been around. This is a local band that knows how to play, knows how to sing and knows how to write a damn good song.
With the heaviness of Stone Sour and the catchiness of Nickelback or Staind, Adakain comes across as a veteran band ready to show what they’re really capable of. Songs like “Shades Of Me,” “Nine,” “Don’t Belong” and the highlight, “Drugs,” are unlike any other you’ll hear on the local scene. All band mates Derrick Carter (guitar), Jason Schauer (bass), Ryan Carroll (drums), Kenny Poovey (vocals) and Matt Woods (guitar) have done is make the best local release of the year. Can’t wait to see them live. (Kevin White)

Raintime - Flies & Lies, Bieler Bros Records
Influenced by Dream Theater, In Flames and Children Of Bodom, this Italian melodic death metal outfit has blended those ingredients to deliver the crushing Flies & Lies. Claudio Coassin (vocals) shows an incredible range on “Apeiron” that encompasses the death growl, as well as soaring to the heights of James LaBrie (Dream Theater). Lead guitarist, Luca Michael Martin, is stunning with both speed and emotion on “Rolling Changes.” There are plenty of driving rhythms, twin guitar riffs and solid drumming. The keyboards compliment the sound and drive on tracks like “Another Transition” and “The Black Well.” The metalized cover of Michael Jackson hit, “Beat It,” was a pleasant surprise. Even with an occasional prog-power ballad like “Finally Me,” Flies & Lies comes out blazing and is a must for fans of Swedish and Finnish metal.
(Travis Tutwiler)

Max Cady - Gun Crime, Sidearm Entertainment
Bands such as Max Cady demonstrate the Dallas music scene is far from dead. The band has beats that drop with a force that can only be compared to gravity. A few songs such as “Five Weeks” and “Fresh, Hot and Delicious” rock a notch above the rest -but all of ‘em rock nonetheless.
This band has come a long way since their early days of playing for coked-out crowds of convicted outlaw bikers in bars that shall remain nameless. Max Cady is Justin Moore (vocals/guitar), Pablo Xiques (bass), Drew Henry (drums) and Jeff Biehler (guitar). If you get the chance to see ‘em live, do so. (Shane Epting)

After Forever - After Forever, Nuclear Blast
Do not dismiss The Netherlands’ After Forever as another gothic/symphonic “Beauty and the Beast” (operatic female vocals counterbalanced by male death metal grunts and growls) style band. After Forever is SO much more. Following founding member/guitarist, Mark Jansen’s (Epica) departure, After Forever’s sound evolved to include power metal and even pop elements. This diversity gives them a sound unlike any other band.
Floor Jansen may be the world’s best female metal vocalist, equally adept at belting out operatic, metal and pop style vocals. Her powerful voice is backed up by the stellar musicianship of Bas Maas (guitar), Sander Gommans (guitar/grunts), Luuk Van Gerven (bass), Joost Van Den Broek (keyboards) and Andre Borgman (drums). The band’s latest album is self-titled to symbolize a new beginning with new label, Nuclear Blast. Highlights include “Energize Me,” “Equally Destructive,” “Cry With A Smile” and Floor’s duet with Doro Pesch, “Who I Am.”
(Andy Laudano)

Every Time I Die - The Big Dirty, Ferret Music
The Buffalo, New York, quartet continues to keep the party rolling on their fourth, full–length release, The Big Dirty. Frontman Keith Buckley delivers schizophrenic vocals that work perfectly with the manic guitar onslaught delivered by Andrew Williams and Jordan Buckley. Drummer Michael Novak keeps the rhythm in check on this wild hardcore roller coaster. ETID comes out smoking on opening track “No Son Of Mine,” while delivering a hyped-up seventies boogie on “INRIhab.” The party animal favorite, “We’rewolf,” is a groove-heavy jam delivering the classic line: “It’s a full moon, denim’s tight and my flannel shirt is freaking out.” The guys serve up a ferocious mix of in-your-face metalcore and sleaze rock anthems sure to keep the beer flowing and party going until the sun comes up.
(Travis Tutwiler)