STRATOVARIUS „Elysium”
A quick listen of this “Elysium” dish reveals Stratovarius are aging with grace. Not that the music has lost its emotional heft, because all the songs here are quintessential Stratovarius, but it's great to hear the band in such lean shape considering this is the Finns' 13th studio opus.
WITCHERY „Witchkrieg”
Melody and the brutal burgers are two ingredients that are hard to balance within a particular aural dish. Thanks to a little supergroup magic however, the two coexist most harmonious and explode in hellish fireworks across the 40 odd minutes of Witchkrieg, the uncompromising new album from Swedens preeminent extreme heavy metal, uh, supergroup.
MASTERPLAN „Time To Be King”
Cool Songs: “Far From the End of the World,” “Time To Be King,” “The Sun Is In Your Hands”
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COG „Culling”
Cog have been around for the better part of this decade and to their credit, the sextet easily rank among South East Asias most promising bands. Their sound the sum total of influences whose breadth spans several familiar genres, for this sophomore album titled Culling the band remain ever unpredictable and begin matters on an interesting note with the riveting opener Dissolve. Comparing Cog to any modern band would be difficult, so lets just forget the references and dissect the songs here.
EXODUS „Exhibit B: The Human Condition”
Exodus have developed a taste for subtle intros as of late, thus explaining the soothing start to The Ballad Of Leonard And Charles that fires our anticipation before the brutal stuff commences. As the dueling guitar leads pave the way for the machinegun percussion, Exodus careen headlong into epic territory as Rob Dukes, Gary Holt, and the rest of the gang deliver ultraviolent thrash with all guns blazing.
TESTAMENT, LAMB OF GOD
April 17, 2010, Quezon City, Philippines
AS I LAY DYING „The Powerless Rise”
It doesnt matter if you hate them, because As I Lay Dying will never change. Always metalcore.
DARK FUNERAL „Angelus Exuro Pro Eternus”
Dark Funeral spare no filler when it comes to getting the party started. At the crack of the drums The End Of The Human Race gets underway and gosh, its pretty pestilential.
TESTAMENT „The Formation Of Damnation”
Two years since they rejoined the scene, Testament hardly need an introduction anymore. What else can be said of the Bay Area fivesome? They belong to a hallowed pantheon whose current work has eclipsed even their past classics. Such is the case with The Formation Of Damnation, a mammoth comeback where most of the original lineup have buried their past grievances to reinvigorate the bands interrupted legacy.
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NEVERMORE „The Obsidian Conspiracy”
After five years that saw an extended hiatus, solo albums galore, and a DVD release, Nevermore finally make good on their promise of new material. Since these ears are privileged to experience what the Seattle foursome have created a month prior its European release, let the ears proclaim: Weve got a fucking winner!
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SOCIETYS PLAGUE join Stand And Deliver Records
Stand and Deliver Records is pleased to announce it has inked a deal with the Lexington, KY metal band Societys Plague.
Societys Plague is a band whose passion for intense metal,…
THE GENERALS „Stand Up Straight”
Ever the fount of metallic goodness, this year Sweden gives us The Generals: four musical tough guys (one of thems named a very Viking Hednar) whose sound straddles thrash metals intensity and the peculiar death n roll subgenre. Kicking the door down on this oddly named Stand Up Straight debut is the no-bullshit opener Blessing In Disguise that introduces the listener to the bands penchant for solid riffs and battering percussion corsetted in melody.
THE GENERALS „Stand Up Straight”
Ever the fount of metallic goodness, this year Sweden gives us The Generals: four musical tough guys (one of thems named a very Viking Hednar) whose sound straddles thrash metals intensity and the peculiar death n roll subgenre. Kicking the door down on this oddly named Stand Up Straight debut is the no-bullshit opener Blessing In Disguise that introduces the listener to the bands penchant for solid riffs and battering percussion corsetted in melody.
BRAINSTORM „Memorial Roots”
Cool Songs: Would You, The Final Stages of Decay, The Conjunction of Seven Planets
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BRAINSTORM „Memorial Roots”
Cool Songs: Would You, The Final Stages of Decay, The Conjunction of Seven Planets
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OVERKILL „Ironbound”
To our collective delight, these geezers realize theres no point lying low in a thrash scene thats still enjoying a resurgence so new Overkill is a must. Unlike their previous effort Immortalis, matters start subtly for Overkills zillionth album called Ironbound. At first theres a lengthy bass noodle from longtime member D.D.