ILL NINO „One Nation Underground”
For some strange reason, I was completely in another portal of the universe when Latino-Metallers Ill Nino hit with Confessions and their debut Revolution, Revolucion. Was that a good thing? Well, perhaps on the strength of their nu-flavoured third effort One Nation Underground, it may have been.
CURL UP AND DIE „The One Above All, The End of All That Is”
Cool Songs: Uncomfortable Routine, Antidepressants Are Depressing, There Is Never Enough Time to Do Nothing, Instrumental, There Ain't No Can't in American
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FALL OF TROY, THE „Doppelganger”
Cool Songs: F.C.P.R.E.M.I.X, I Just Got This Symphony Goin, You Got A Death Wish, Johnny Truant?, The Hol[ ]y Tape, Tom Waits
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BANNER, THE „Each Breath Haunted”
Cool Songs: Devil Hawks, Mudweller, I am Legend, Ill be Happy when youre Fucking Dead
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MADBALL „Legacy”
Cool Songs: Adapt and Overcome, Heavenhell, The Crown, Behind These Walls, Darkest Days, Damned, For My Enemies
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CHIMAIRA „s/t”
When Cleavlands Ky-Meara (thats how you pronounce Chimaira folks) released 2003s Impossibility of Reason, its musical content was pretty much a reaction to the nu-metal tag that that was incessantly hung like an albatross around their necks at every turn. Reason.. was a middle finger to those who would believe that commercial stardom was their only agenda.
ALLEGIANCE „Overlooked”
Having just recovered from the most impressive debut album from Canadas Go It Alone, up and coming hardcore label Rivalry Records follow it up with an even more confronting slice of metallic bludgeoning in the form of San Franciscos Allegiance. Overlooked is the name of this new 12 track affair and it fairly well blazes a trail right through your skull in very quick time.
GEMINI:FIVE „Black:Anthem”
How much space to waste on this one? Ok, thats probably a little unfair, but considering my lack of positivism regarding their debut, I wasnt terribly enthused about hearing Gemini Fives sophomore effort. The most striking aspect about 2003s Babylon Rockets for me at least was the audacious marketing of the band as the new Motley Crue! At the time, Nikki and Co hadnt even contemplated a reunion and as such Gemini Five were seemingly on their way to plugging a hole in the market.