TERROR „One with the Underdogs”
There are those in the Hardcore scene that truly rate Terrors debut album Lowest of the Low as one of the most aggressive records ever. A big call that.
CROWN, THE „Crowned Unholy”
It seems that The Crown were not all that impressed with their initial recording of 2002s Crowned in Terror. Quite strange really, considering that most metal folk held it in rather high regard.
DEADSOIL „The Vemon Divine”
Hot on the heels of the recent head-caving affair from the UKs Burning Skies comes the debut full length from Germanys Deadsoil. I know Ive mentioned it before, but Deadsoil are another high quality example of the current roster of the Lifeforce Records label.
BURNING SKIES „Murder by Means of Existence”
With the defection of Cataract and Heaven Shall Burn to Metal Blade and Century Media respectively, Germanys Lifeforce label has been quick to shore up some decent replacements. Lifeforce are one of Europes leading Metal-core labels and have been the frontrunners in finding and signing new acts to their roster.
DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, THE „Miss Machine”
Whats that I hear? Sold Out you say? Man, has this disc caused some major hype over the past month. Yet, its really not all that surprising – in light of the bands fearsome reputation and their almost genre defining debut of five years ago (Calculating Infinity), such a response from fans and the critics alike was always to be expected.
SEAR BLISS „Glory & Perdition”
It hasnt been a big year for Black Metal. Thats what I think anyway.
NEUROSIS „The Eye of Every Storm”
Ive actually been waiting for Neurosis to slip up. Surely after seventeen years of releasing high quality material, the creative juices just have to dry up sometime.
TWLIGHTNING „Plague House Puppet Show”
Initially things don’t start out too well for this band. First impressions for me went something like this: Terrible name, terrible cover art, terrible album title, and terrible band? The first three descriptions I quite comfortable with – their name is truly awful, their cover choice is abysmal and the album title is almost as convoluted as their name.
OMNIUM GATHERUM „Years in Waste”
Cool songs: The Fall Went right through here, Waste of Bereavement, Black Seas Cry, Gravesilence.
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FROM THE RUINS „Lights Out”
The Aussie Hardcore scene has always been thereabouts. I remember Adelaide (South Australian capital for you foreign readers) acts such as Day of Contempt and Shotpointblank making waves, but I must admit to be rather ignorant to its plight over the last few years.
GENIUS „A Rock Opera: Episode 2: In Search Of The Little Prince”
In the wake of the recent Ayreon release, it is a rather difficult task to approach any other 'rock opera' of 2004 in a solely subjective light. As far as conceptual progressive metal albums go, for me AAL's 'Human Equation' remains the untouchable benchmark.
EYES OF FIRE „Ashes to Embers”
I must admit my initial ignorance towards 'Eyes of Fire' upon the release of this full length. I was aware of it's potential and the 90% rave reviews it was receiving, but for some reason I forgot about it.
DOOMSHINE „Thy Kingdom Come”
My reviews of Doom metal albums are few and far between. It's a genre that I love listening to when the mood strikes.