The Haunted- Revolver
The Haunted's latest effort is a fantastic blend of Slayer influenced thrash crossbred with todays New wave of american heavy Metal a powerful combination indeed. This however does not mean that it is entirely generic as songs like abysmal and my shadow prove with their slow burning menacing vocals and dark riffage. The guitar work is proficient but not astounding like some other bands but what they lack in solos and technicality they make up for in riffs!!! just check out fire alive not since slayer has a more brilliant piece of riffage been put together.
Anyone looking for a new album that will keep them moshing for months should definitely own this one. Oh and did i mention they are fantastic live too!!! ALL HAIL THE HAUNTED
Shadows Fall- The war within
I had been looking forward to this ever since i first heard the art of balance (their previous album) and to some extent i think i was disappointed not that its bad but it doesnt have the x-factor of that record. The Shads have left their middle heavy guitar sound somewhere along the line and have started to sound alot more like every other new wave band by at the mo but at least they do it well. The intro to the first song the light that blinds is sublime the descending/ascending guitar work here is phenominal and the sheer power of the drumming is amazing but the rest of the song doesnt deliver the greatness that should follow. There are some crackers on here though enlightened by the cold is excellent and the title track is the best song on the record. For me this record is still good but not the best work they are capable of check out the art of balance first.
Killswitch Engage- The end of heartache
New singer, new record, new wave of american heavy metal, lots of "new" shit goin on here but this record aint exactly anything new? lots of chugging thrarh esque riffs shouted verses followed by beautifully sung chorus's.Thats not a bad thing though cos this thing rocks like a bastard it picks up where alive or just breathing finished off but with a new vocalist. I must say howard jones is a great singer but his range just isnt quite as good and his tone is not quite as touching as Jesse's but that aside the tunes on offer here don't dissapoint. Take this oath is phenominal and there are some great riffs in there such as breathe life's intro. My favourite song is world ablaze but i could have picked any song on the record as they are all to a high standard.Dunno if i'm being picky but even though this is undeniably great there is a lack of variety in the songs and a distinct lack of solo's so it gets an 8 outta ten for me.
Mastodon- Leviathon
Meet the craziest sounding band in town this record encompasses alot of things for me as it sounds like metallica, rush and at the drive in being put through a blender with a dsash of death metal too. I know it sounds weird at first and the first listen is kinda strange because of the off kilter rhythms but once your into it your hooked.Oh and by the way the albums theme is moby dick a bloody whale for christsakes? i don't know how or why but it works.Check out Iron tusk, blood and thunder and aqua dementia to see what i mean WHALECORE HAS BEEN BORN!!
Velvet Revolver- Contraband
If you dont know who these guys are you have no business calling yourself a rock fan. This group of junkies just happen to be the remnants of G 'n' R and the stone temple pilots combining to create what can only be called good old fashioned rock n roll. Big Machine and set me free stand out for me as the big tunes on the album but thewre are also some great power ballady type numbers on here . All together a well put together album from a group of excellent musicians. Only one complaint get slash to play more solos!!!!!!!!!
36 Crazyfists- A snowcapped romance
This alaskan crew are a great bunch of guys creating some kind of emo tinged riffing metalwhich works with style bloodwork ooozes style and the whole atmosphere of the album is perfect the distinctive vocals are the kind you can either love or hate and personally i love em and the songwriting seems pretty flawless. Best songs are the end of august and installing the catheter. Theres only one song to avoid on the whole album (yuo'll know which one i mean)
