Finally, a real metal release in 2010!  With all of the commercialized and watered down bullshit of today, Buffalo, NY's SONS OF AZRAEL stands for the complete opposite.  I've been following the band for quite sometime now, ever since they toured with Infernaeon 3 some years ago.  I've been blasting songs like “Sweet Blasphemy” at full volume ever since.  Then, SONS OF AZRAEL fell off the radar for quite some time, and I was starting to wonder what happened to them…    Then out of the blue, SONS OF AZRAEL are back with a new album called Scouting The Boneyard via Ironclad Recordings / Metal Blade.  SONS OF... (read more)

New Jersey progressive metallers MUTINY WITHIN are way ahead of their time.  I mean, for how young they are (some under 21!), these guys are technically advanced, equipped with one of the most powerful vocal ranges as of late in metal, and can shred like the already established metal giants.  Their Roadrunner Records self-titled debut is a brilliant album, and catchy without a doubt.   The release opens up with “Awake”, starting off with heartfelt piano transitioning into some fast and progressively proficient metal assaults.  The verses stomp through like no one's business as vocalist Chris Clancy introduces his sing / scream ... (read more)

THE SUBTLE WAY has got something going on.  These California kids have that stylish emo/autotune sound that the scene has been eating up these days, as well as some punishing brutality that I must say they do pretty well.  Their latest release, Thus Far The Channels Speak shows promise in these youngsters.  You can definitely tell they've taken more of an I See Stars kind of path on this record.  Opening up Thus Far The Channels Speak, “Hardwired And Inspired” gets their stylistic approach started.  Mixing screamo with some mean distortion and dissonance, the song is about not giving up, and being able to count on one anot... (read more)

  I've been anxiously awaiting the release of Skepsis and it didn't fail to deliver. It has been three years since the release of Malice along with two national tours in between. Through The Eyes Of The Dead comes out with their newest mind blowing album Skepsis. This is hands down one of the greatest albums that I've EVER heard; it's pure musical genius. Through The Eyes Of The Dead have been dominating the metal scene and keeping us in anticipation with this new arrival of brutality and power. Touching every spectrum of metal, from speedy tremolo picking, amazingly smooth guitar solos, to the most unique breakdowns to hit the ears of metal listeners. Here it ... (read more)

KITTIE. Yup, that girl metal band that many of you learned about when the nu metal bug bit you.  Thinking musically, whenever KITTIE is brought up in conversation, everyone is quick to mention their breakthrough album, Spit, and that's it.  If you did happen to follow the band after Spit, you'd be quick to learn that they've continued to grow more extreme on the riff side.  Their latest release, The New Black, shows KITTIE at arguably their most metal.    Careful, don't call it cute, because they've got a ton of ferocious tracks.  “Cut Throat” for example shows KITTIE mastermind Morgan Lander at her best in both... (read more)

I SEE STARS have hands down created the best emo record of the year.  Though I wouldn't call it just emo, because there is a ton of great electronica and post hardcore involved, too.  Seriously, kind of like when Panic At The Disco brought something new and exciting into the scene with their broadway/theatric type of approach, I SEE STARS is the next rock icon to redefine the genre.  I SEE STARS give this futuristic sound with the aforementioned electronica and post hardcore, but it's how they stylistically combine it all into one that makes them the breakthrough that they are.  And seeing how the “scene” these days bites on a “lifestyle&r... (read more)

HATEBREED is back at full force with their latest self-titled release, which sees the band doing what they do best: making an album full of fist pumping anthems from start to finish, while giving the honest and sincere message to keep your head up.  HATEBREED is still one of the most brutal, honest, and authentic bands out there and they've got plenty to say on their latest self titled release.    The fast fist pumper of “Between Hell And A Heartbeat” perfectly showcases the band's East Coast tuned down hardcore, while also letting their metal influences shine.  The verses gallop furiously, letting out a ton of shred.  New (an... (read more)

Heavy, from the heart, and aggressive, Trapped Under Ice is one of hardcore's finest and most noticeable bands to spawn out of the scene. Trapped Under Ice brings the fury and destruction to each show and every album that comes out, and Secrets of the World is no exception. With newly added riffs that help set the album apart from other hardcore bands, Secrets of the World is a must have for all hardcore enthusiasts. After one demo, one split, and coming out with their sophomore release CD, Trapped Under Ice has expanded their musical horizons well beyond hardcore by pushing it as far to the limits as they can. This is how hardcore needs to sound. What really comes out in Secrets of t... (read more)

ASKING ALEXANDRIA and their latest Sumerian Records release, Stand Up And Scream, is full of swag, and has such a killer and stylistic musical direction.  It's such a fun release that's meant to pump you up.  There's a ton of great hooks, can be epic at times, and their musical direction fuses post hardcore, metalcore, and very techno like synth arrangements together.  Yes, it's been done before in various forms, but these young brits are really onto something.  Just picture Bring Me The Horizon, Alesana, and techno all in one, and ASKING ALEXANDRIA pulls it off pretty damn well. “A Candlelit Dinner With Inamorta” is a beast!  From ... (read more)

This is exactly how I want my hardcore to be! Hard, aggressive, furious OUTBREAK! Is here again with the new self-titled release and a release on the new Saw VI soundtrack, OUTBREAK! Is really on an outbreak. Keeping oldschool punk-hardcore alive for all the young guns, OUTBREAK! Is going to show them what music is really like. Now for those people who don't know who OUTBREAK! Is, if you're fans of Trash Talk, Bracewar, or Shipwreck A.D. then OUTBREAK! Is the band you need to have in your music library. In their career they have already mastered five out of the seven continents, most notorious, legendary bands today can't even say that. This shows true dedication form OUTBREAK! A... (read more)

Just when you thought industrial metal had died, VENTANA arrives and proves to keep the times going. Featuring St1tch and Danny Bones of Mushroomhead, their part in the band is evident, and does help evolve this new breed that is VENTANA. Remember back in the day when Mushroomhead was good (XX era)? That was 7th grade for me, and the band was untouchable back then in many aspects. Those who have continued to follow Mushroomhead may have learned that they've never surpassed their past work (when they had J Mann). And those who remember the better Mushroomhead days should be able to find a place for VENTANA, and their Trustkill/Filthy Hands release, American Survival Guide Vol. 1. I look ... (read more)

DYING FETUS and their latest Relapse Records release Descend Into Depravity is pure technical death metal genius!  The band has truly evolved this time around by improving their technicality, song writing, and execution.  Descend Into Depravity is filled with pummeling arrangements, monstrous riffs, and proves itself to be an all out death metal machine! Opening up with “Your Treachery Will Die With You”, DYING FETUS's signature brutality begins its attack.  With such a complex yet straight to your face approach, DYING FETUS unleashes all hell with hyperactive guitar trills, stunning sweeps, insane drum blasts, and some straight up brutal de... (read more)

MEMPHIS MAY FIRE sure knows how to rock and roll, and their latest Trustkill release, Sleepwalking, brings in a much needed spark into the scene. Sleepwalking is such an exciting rocker from start to finish. It's more than stylistic; it's a new fashion! Opening with “North Atlantic vs. North Carolina“, MEMPHIS MAY FIRE starts out with a big burst of energy, bringing the action from all angles. The song is packed with a ton of mean distortion, bluesy rhythms, and incredible vocal harmonies from Matt Mullin. MEMPHIS MAY FIRE walks through like it's nobody's business, and the loud and upbeat riffs are huge. “A Giant In A Giant's World” follows the opener, and ... (read more)

When you get thrown a band with a name like Strike Anywhere what should you expect to come pouring out of their musical fingertips? Well, something sounding exactly like Rise Against, Strung Out, No Trigger, and Smoke or Fire that's what. It's been 3 years since "Dead FM," and now it's time for a recap on what we've been missing. First off you get thrown with 13-tracks each of which flash right on through from start to finish. "Iron Front," comes out shrieking with unashamed styles just like all the other Strike Anywhere albums. The band themselves aren't shy in letting their listeners know that there's still something wrong in their eyes, whether it be the govern... (read more)

Since their birth in 2004, the band known as Gwen Stacy has formatted themselves to being a hardcore Christian punk band with solid grounds to creating their music masterpieces. Spreading everything out year after year, for instance "....I Believe in Humility," (2005) one year later a collection of Demos was unleashed in 06 and then they received a break-through, with "The Life I Know," (2008) and "A Dialogue" which is their newest release. Since the beginning though the band has indeed made their name known and has made their mark going out on numerous tours branching out as far out as possible until now. Where it comes down to just 11-tracks to call their fate and this my friends ... (read more)

Ahoy mateys! Actually....nevermind, I am not going to be yet another reviewer to use the pirate schtick in my review. Anything pirate related requests should be redirected to Swashbuckle, because after listening to their latest release, Back to the Noose, there is no doubt that they are the current kings of "pirate metal." Combining the humor stylings of GWAR, with the punk filled riff fest of 80's era crossover, Swachbuckle are the reigning 2009 kings of crossover as far as I'm concerned. Yes, that even includes upstaging current kings in Municipal Waste whose album Massive Aggressive was quite the disappointed with a severe lack of humor that was a hallmark of their t... (read more)

“GET TO THE CHOPPA!!!!” We kept singing to ourselves when Total Brutal came out. Now we have a new brutality that came and hit us in the face like a motorcycle from Hell, Double Brutal. Now when a new album comes out, it needs to have new blood in it to keep things fresh. With this comes the change in the Arnold voice, instead of Chad Ackerman on Total Brutal, Josh Thompson has had the privilege to be the new Arnold voice on Double Brutal. Then to top it off with an all new Arnold, the second part of the album is almost entirely covers, good covers too which you don't see too much of lately. Ranging from Metallica, Misfits, even Agnostic Front. With plenty of amazing son... (read more)

Architects began like most bands would consider themselves as one type of genre and then be thrown from the front of the line to the center to the very back but where exactly does this leave the Architects? Standing precisely in the center of course, since the formation in late 2004, the band has won some great recognition from various press publications throughout the world - have given the chance many times to share the stage with bands ranging from Bring Me the Horizon, to Emmure down to Parkway Drive plus many more. This time around the Architects's third album titled "Hollow Crown," is on the horizon of our enjoyment with its compelling riffs and desperate scr... (read more)

From crushing guitars, the fastest drummer alive, a lyrical genius, and a bassist that cut off his own cast just to play again, comes Black Dahlia Murder and their new album Deflorate. This album mixes all of their past releases into one epic, monumental album that is without a doubt, the best metal band I've EVER heard.  Black Dahlia Murder is in their prime and show no signs of slowing down at all. The beautiful dynamic of Deflorate is that it is relentless and doesn't stop at all. It's straight metal every song. As each song progresses, so does the technicality of each song. The solos are bone crushing, the drums are mach 5 speed, and the lyrics are top notc... (read more)

            Throughout their career, Evergreen Terrace has been one of the only metalcore bands that truly incorporates punk and hardcore elements into their music, not just breakdowns. They carry the speed, and the attitude of any good punk band, and it would separates them from the pack, if only the stayed true to their roots. Like many other metalcore bands, Evergreen Terrace suffers because of their lackluster melodic singing. At times, the clean vocals seem out of place, and the band is at their best when Andrew Carey's throaty roar is the only voice heard. On the other hand, there are cases where the melodic singin... (read more)

If you got comfortable with Every Time I Die's departure to a more southern party sound on The Big Dirty, the prepare to be uncomfortable with this one.  ETID has shed off their party clothes, and they have gone back to work.  The boys seemed to have missed the sounds of Gutter Phenomenon and Hot Damn!, because on this release, they're living in the past. Where The Big Dirty gave you some room to breath in between the more aggressive songs, The New Junk Aesthetic is relentless, starting with the opening track “Roman Holiday”, which is just one long breakdown.  From this point, the album plays quite similarly to Gutter Phenomenon, where it's j... (read more)

Ahhh, the sweet sound of metalcore.  An overpopulated genre indeed, but those who play metalcore right tend to stick above and beyond the many followers in their pack.  Metalcore vets IT DIES TODAY know how to play the game right, and are making an explosive entrance back into the scene with Lividity.  These guys have already made their mark as one of the strong in metalcore, and it's great to see/hear them back at full force.  Even with new vocalist Jason Wood, their hooks and choruses are still catchy as ever, and the band still knows how to throw it down hard.  IT DIES TODAY has taken their stylistic and well rounded sound, and continues to get stro... (read more)

In the summer of 2006, a good friend of mine told me about a new band called Oh, Sleeper that Shane Blay, an ex-guitarist for the band Between the Buried and Me started up.  Being a big fan of BTBAM, I was curious to see what their old guitarist was up to.  I went on their Myspace and I was very excited about what I heard, and I immediately ordered their EP, The Armored March.  All of the band members played with ferociousness, technicality, and passion, and they all showed a huge amount of potential. In 2007, When I Am God, the band's debut full length came out, and something seemed a little off.  Out of the eleven total tracks, four of them were rerecorded ... (read more)

American metalcore has been tossed around for a while now since its formation. So out of the wide range of bands that fall into this genre, what band has proven themselves worthy enough of being known as this genre? One band that pops into my head is a small town act straight out of Orange County, California, known simply as Atreyu. Having been around for 11 years and counting - vocalist/lyricist Alex Varkatzas along with guitarists Dan Jacobs and Travis Miguel, bassist Marc McKnight and drummer/vocalist Brandon Saller, the band went from being originally called "Retribution" to Atreyu being named after the character from the fantasy book/movie The Neverending Story. They ... (read more)

A Fire Inside or AFI for short, have been around for the past 18 years unleashing upon the music scene seven LPs to date with their eighth "Crash Love," on the way. But the deal with AFI is a simple known fact, they've never seem to stick out with the same sound for more than a couple of albums. Their first being “Answer That and Stay Fashionable,” in 1995. Then the band went on to release “Very Proud of Ya,” the following year, followed up by a third three years later, “Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes.” Since the earlier creations, AFI has indeed like most bands changed their style to blend in along with the rest of the crowd, j... (read more)

The newest offering from the Winds Of Plague entitled "The Great Stone War," up brings an arrangement of surprises one being a well-balanced blend of previous works with novel noted details that make this album take a giant leap right into the guide lines of the follow-up later on down the line. "The Great Stone War," is your average concept based album telling a narrative storyline of various characters going through their situations leading up to apocalyptic battles when the Earth is in danger. But with keeping to the concept matter here, this album sticks to the traditional formula having a spoken intro and outro that brings the album that much closer or shorter. No dou... (read more)

It's been three years since Three Days Grace' "One X," and the band have finally made their triumph return with their third studio album, "Life Starts Now," but has it? Yes it has - previous installments that the band has attempted at creating stuck to the mainstream rock albums that all "other" bands tend to create. But when it comes to Three Days Grace's unique style and rhythm they tend to always add their own flare to each album they dish out. The band's first self-title album in 2004 had the more edger tone to it pushing out that aggressive tone of rhythm that the band was focusing on at the time when the sophomore had shot through “One X” (2006... (read more)

When it comes to the guys in The Used they've managed to accomplish quite a bit of achievements since they formation in 2001 and are clearly proud of themselves. Leading up to their fourth LP to date entitled “Artwork” consisting of mere 11-tracks that are suitable for any listener to get sucked into. For example for the classic fans of The Used a wide range of musical aspects are showcased upon this release, like “Blood On My Hands,” and “The Best Of Me,” promise the more aggressive side effects having its screaming tactics displays with out-breaking guitar solos thrown in between while the more lighter effects of "In Love and Death... (read more)

Suicide City's "Frenzy," takes on a whole new identity when it comes to the term LP, taking Biohazard vocalist/guitarist Billy Graziadei who had met Karl Bernhotlz, who had been the vocalist of The Groovenics, the pair was then thrown together with drummer Danny Lamagna soon after the trio Groovenics guitarist AJ Marchetta was added and the lineup was rounded off by former Kittie bassist Jennifer Arroyo throwing together a rousing set list of 13-tracks to get you mind in over your head. What makes Suicide City stand out above all the other musical acts within the music pool is simple, their opener "Cutter," is a great way to showcase the band's musical abilities, going ... (read more)

Anthens, Ohio has delivered something extreme to the table this year not anything, that they haven't done before though, this is just a continuation to a past creation, that being "Beyond the Permafrost," (2007) by metal thrashers Skeletonwitch. The Witch's almighty return has been a "making in the process" aside from all the numerous touring and believe it or not side spot on the Blackest of the Black Tour alongside classic rocker Danzig, which took place late last year, The Witch has gained the momentum required to create an ever-lasting exposure that is "Breathing The Fire," (2009) the third achievement to call their own and one they are most proud of. Skeletonwitc... (read more)

Saosin is a intended to be one of those post-hardcore bands but easily falls into the alternative rock n' roll category a lot easier. That being said, the band formed in 2003 and is from Newpor Beach, California, the band itself consists of vocalist Cove Reber, guitarists Beau Burchell and Justin Shekoski, bassist Chris Sorenson, and drummer Alex Rodriguez. Their self-titled efforts exploded when it was unleashed in 2006 but three years later what has become of the almighty Saosin? Were they able to bring up their music ability up a notch to satsify their every need? The band thinks so at least that's what can be heard and said when it comes to their second attempt at music... (read more)

Time to take out the trash! Is all you need to do when listening to Municipal Waste's fourth LP entitled ‘Massive Aggressive' showcasing what this band is capable of from beginning to end? ‘Massive Aggressive' has taken them to a whole another level. Capturing all the right moves and sounds hitting their proper places makes this album that much energetic. Municipal Waste's style remains the same but brings out a more mature attitude adjustment having the vocals sounding a lot clearer and has that live vibe echoing throughout the entire album. While the instrumental sides takes matters into their own hands and breaks the entire sound barrier altogether, the out-... (read more)

‘Lust in Space' - doesn't this title remind you of ‘Lost in Space'? Same format used except the "L" words are of course changed. Any who, heavy metallers Gwar plan on releasing their eleventh LP ‘Lust in Space' consisting of 12-tracks of comedic proportions. It opens up with the title track which instantly draws you into Gwar's atmosphere taking you through the amazing galaxies, astounding planets, and then some, as the lyrics slither their way in and out of the music; the lyrics are funny at certain aspects and then of course get down to the serious matters rotating themselves in a more heavier manner. After a handful of the beginning media, you get tos... (read more)

Being a Grammy-nominated act is one thing but being from Los Angeles, California the capitol of the whole music franchise known to man-kind is a whole another story completely. That's when local hard rockers Buckcherry come into view - forming in 1995 being around for 14 years now, the band has released numerous albums to date, Buckcherry (1999) and Time Bomb (2001), before dissolving in the summer of 2002. When 2005 had arisen, lead vocalist Josh Todd and guitarist Keith Nelson had formed a brand spanking new band, using the Buckcherry moniker releasing new material entitled "15" (2006). Since that album debut, Buckcherry has never looked back on their musical career in a... (read more)

Three years have come and gone and what was done between the time span well writing and creating brand new music of course from a wide range of various artists and bands alike. One act being a pop rock sensation that grasped the world within the palm of their hands soon after the release of their self-titled debut back in 2006. But now that – that time has come and gone, the next round of creation is upon is in an entitled effort known as “Love Drunk”. This follow-up takes the rock set that was presented and does a 180 degree turn into the pop direction? These modern pop rockers were indeed considered a pop rock sensation from all of their musical spectrums fo... (read more)

Blessthefall were nothing but your average high school teenagers with one thing on their mind which was music! After a series of practice sessions that consisted of guitarist Mike Frisby, drummer Matt Traynor, vocalist Craig Mabbitt and bassist Jared Warth. Their founder Miles Bergsma had left to attend college, and the band had gone off to unleashed a three-track EP in mid-2005, adding guitarist Eric Lambert to form an out-standing solid line-up. Once the EP was over with the next accomplishment for these youngsters was on the horizon and led them to release “His Last Walk” (2007) that caused vocalist Craig Mabbit to depart and leave the band to have the remaining m... (read more)

When it comes to the differences between black metal and death metal there aren't really much difference between the two to begin with, the music styling is the same, fast pacing guitar leads with energetic solos keeping the music in place while the vocalist either screeches or growls until blood has sprawled everywhere in sight. So what happens when the two come together fussing together, such force it cannot be contained any further? Well one word comes to mind, Belphegor. Belphegor has emerged as one of the most extreme black/death metal combos to ever set foot upon the metal surface, let alone have the band members themselves describe their "hellride" as an "Supreme Deat... (read more)

The thing with Behemoth is simple - they're not your typical metal band that's into creating an album and throws it out and see how long it'll float above water. No Behemoth pretty much isn't into the whole pleasing factors, in fact they're not into pleasing the metal community at all, even though their lyrics are consistently intriguing, the passion and energy they put into their performance is quite faltered possibly by trying a bit too hard at times. Their contemporaries within the terms of aggressiveness and cohesive songwriting tend to have its toll on the band and can be shown quite well upon "Evangelion". But one thing is that you can never deny their w... (read more)

When one thinks of metalcore, bands like Killswitch Engage, Blood Has Been Shed, Darkest Hour, Bleeding Through and Unearth often come to mind. However, through the years there have been a vanguard of bands that have come and gone that helped progress the genre into one of the most influential forms of metal of the 20th century. One such act that doesn't quite gain the attention these days as the previously mentioned bands is Caliban, who have lived and breathed metalcore since 1997. This year Caliban has been presented the world with their 7th studio release, Say Hello to Tragedy, and arguably their heaviest yet. Combining modern death metal influences much more than before, i... (read more)

WEEKEND NACHOS sounds absolutely amazing!  These WEEKEND NACHOS are fully loaded with some of the rawest hardcore, crunching distortion, and is an underground treat.  Their bruising Relapse Records release, Unforgiveable, straight up rages from start to finish.  It's loud, fast, brutal, and has something to say – reminds me what hardcore is all about.  But WEEKEND NACHOS also has some extra toppings.  The band takes a ton of sludge, grind, and extreme metal fused moments, and puts them all together masterfully, and at full volume (past 11!).    Unforgiveable begins its rampage with the song “2009”, beginning the proof... (read more)

Phoenix death/grind monsters LANDMINE MARATHON are one of those bands that many can draw comparisons to legends like Napalm Death, Carcass, and Terrorizer, and I say that in all honesty.  And on top of that, the band really helps me restore faith into the respective genres – yup, metal is still alive.  LANDMINE MARATHON is a beast unleashing sounds of early grind, punk, and death metal, and they do it so damn well!  Rusted Eyes Awake is filled with beastly guitar tones, riffs from down below, loud drum beats, Grace Perry's soaring and guttural rasps, and an all around respectable attack. Looking into the Prosthetic Records reissue of Rusted Eyes Awake, the... (read more)

Chugga Chugga choo choo, hop on the EMMURE train, bro!  Well, the band's latest Victory Records release, Felony, is out and about, but nothing is special about it.  Felony is filled with generic and overused riffs, way too many chugs, and lyrics any dumb tough guy could write.  But if EMMURE is doing one thing right, they've got one hell of a fan base.  The kids (hipsters) love EMMURE, and with the smart marketing and imagery of Felony, the release has gone onto selling almost 12,000 copies in the first 2 weeks, and still rising rapidly.  Those are great numbers for a metal release, by the way.  See, we all know by now that music doesn't sell an... (read more)