ALBUM REVIEWS

Avenged Sevenfold - Avenged Sevenfold

Whatever the concept of this album was originally, it was lost in the meanderings of a band lacking a clear direction. Their videos and single releases give the impression of a very focused band. This album shatters that illusion. With the release of 'Almost Easy' expectations were high - ten tracks of similar rocking, edgy, drum and guitar laden songs. Not so.

For whatever reason, 'Lost' is an apt description and should've been the album title. Shadows sounds like a kid using a transformer-voice changer. That is, when he (rarely) stops whinging in that supremely nasal voice of his. Then there's the string section in 'afterlife' which makes you want to hurry them on their way to it by garotting the entire band with strings from their own instruments.

A7X are not a terrible band. Far from it. Tracks like 'Gunslinger' and 'Dear God' show that they're capable of some OK tracks. But then they blow it all with the likes of 'A Little Piece Of Heaven'. It sounds like Tim Burton/Danny Elfman writing the soundtrack to Roger Rabbit whilst holidaying in the Czech Republic. Unlike Marilyn Manson who CAN pull off the surreal, and slightly scary, Willy Wonka songs, A7X are far too 'normal' and their attempts at cartoony weirdness just don't work. 'A Little Piece Of Heaven' just sounds somewhat silly - especially with the use of a very MM sounding voice towards the end of the track.

It's almost too easy (Geddit??!) to deride this album. City of Evil was much stronger overall. As the band were also the producers on this, the blame lies most definitely with them. A very poor body of work compared to their other works. Hopefully next time they'll hire a decent producer!  5/10

[Sable]

Paramore - Riot!

Fantastic! This is what Avril Lavigne should have been. Ok, so Hayley Williams (and bandmate Josh Farro) may not be writing this style of music if not for Avril. This isn't Inspired. It's not original. But it's good nonetheless.

Although Paramore are another Christian Rock Group, it doesn't take over the music, which is chirpy, catchy, easy to sing along to. Tracks like 'Hallelujah', 'CrushCrushCrush' and 'Misery Business' give the band credibility. The band are obviously talented, and unlike Avril, Hayley has a rich texture to her voice, especially when singing in the sexier lower registers.

With Hayley being this years girly 'Style Icon' and Paramore putting out a second good album, they look set to stick around for a while.   6/10

[Sable]

Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace

Rock at it's finest. This band don't seem capable of putting a foot wrong. The reason this band is one of the greatest is possibly due to their ability to incorporate such diversity in their albums, whilst still managing to keep a very distinctive sound. Most well known for their rock anthems this album includes 'The Pretender' and 'Long Road To Ruin'. But the Foos are much more than just rock: the ballads 'Let It Die' and 'Home' are exquisite. The acoustic track 'Ballad of Beaconsfield' is truly beautiful and 'But Honestly' is possibly the most dynamic song on the album - 2 minutes of acoustic performance that builds into a further 2 minutes of the best Rock session on the entire album.  

These guys are consistently intricate, thought-provoking, energetic, calming, and strangely god-like; every album has a track that touches us in different ways. Intuitively, they have evolved with the changing face of music, and this is the band that sets the bar for everyone else. This may be their finest album - hard to say with such an amazing range of albums to date. Let's just pray they never stop making music! 10/10

[Sable]

Down - Over The Under

Heavy, bluesy, sexy, chilled out. Down continue to produce albums that are for men! Whisky and pole dancers automatically spring to mind.  Any fans of Alice in Chains/Jerry Cantrell, Tool, or even Pantera's 'Planet Caravan' will appreciate this offering. The heavy, pronounced drumming and grinding guitar lines in 'Mourn' are balanced by the gentle sway of 'His Majesty the Desert' whilst B.B.King would be at home playing on 'Never Try'.

To be properly appreciated it should come with a health warning - No kids/Dogs/Girlfriends or other annoying pests to be around at time of playing! The perfect alone-time album! 6.5/10

[Sable]

Marilyn Manson - Eat Me, Drink Me

Mr Manson was truly depressed when he wrote this Alice in Wonderland inspired album. Having split with Dita von Teese, it's easy to understand his mental state. The songs are, for the most part, bleak. A couple of tracks would've been more at home on the Queen of the Damned soundtrack. The remainder of the album is still typical Manson rock - but not at it's best. It's the type of rock that you want to slit your wrists to, not jump around to.

Overall, the album isn't too bad. It's got the distinctive MM sound - clean and well produced with the OCD attitude MM has for all his work. Just don't expect the upbeat tempo of Antichrist, GAOTG, or even Mechanical Animals. This is one you listen to on a dark rainy night whilst driving home alone!.  6/10

[Sable]

Roadrunner United - The Allstar Sessions

This album was truly inspired.  A collaboration of Roadrunner artists of the last 25 years, from the first note you can tell the album is going to be legendary.  Produced to the usual high standard seen in RR albums, this is full of edgy, gripping sounds; a combination of the heavy, the dark, the serenely beautiful, the melancholy, and the downright comical!  All areas of metal have been cleverly combined to complete a walk through history of 'metal through the ages', presented with an entirely fresh approach. 

The masterpiece of the album is also the first single release.  'The End' was written by Dino Cazares of Fear Factory but features Matt Heafy (Trivium), Nadja Peulen (Coal Chamber), Roy Mayorga (Soulfly), Logan Mader (Machinehead) and producer extraordinaire, Rhys Fulber.  All 18 tracks show the same diversity in artists and is an album that any band would be proud to put  out.

There is absolutely nothing critical to be said of this album.  No collection is complete without the likes of The Black Album, Iowa, Nevermind, and Use Your Illusion.  No collection is complete without The Allstar Sessions!  10/10

[Sable]

Fear My Thoughts - Hell Sweet Hell

Fear My Thoughts are a Metalcore band with a hint of Black Metal; this despite the rather Emo sounding name!  'Hell Sweet Hell' is packed chock with huge riffs, evil bass lines, demonic vocals, and some brilliant guitar solos you can't ignore.  The music is perfectly accompanied by the unintelligible lyrics.  The lyrics you do manage to decipher will knock you out!

The album is let down by the length of some of the instrumental sections which drag on and the final track will leave you bored enough you'd rather listen to 'S Club 7'!!!  I love a good guitar solo, but some solos contravene human rights!!!

The album is one to take notice of, and a band that I look forward to seeing live.  8/10

[Richard Gibbs]

Deadlock - Earth. Revolt

If you like Dimmu Borgir or Cradle of Filth, add this album to your shopping list!  Earth.Revolt promises to be one of the biggest melodic death metal albums of the year.  It winds it's way through the 10 tracks without ever becoming repetitive.  Johannes Prem's raw vocals  would benefit from being more pronounced, hiding too much in the background.  This is only a minor distraction as they are enhanced by keyboards producing highly charged atmospheric melodies and complemented both by the swirling acoustic and piano pieces, and Sabine Wenigers lush vocals.  In fact, Sabine adds some gorgeous overtones to an already rich album, sounding something like a young girl with a voice ideally suited to the rock power-ballads of the 80's.

This is a fantastically emotive album and deserves high praise.  I for one, can't wait for their next offering!     8/10

To listen to the album preview or chat to the band click here: -Deadlock on Myspace 

[Sable]

Hell Within - Asylum of the Human Predator

A mosh-monsters orgy.  The whole album is fast-paced and angry from beginning to end.  If you're feeling pissed-off at life and just wanna shout till your tonsils burst, this is the album to put on.   Fast, heavy, brutal, catastrophic. The main emphasis is on the crushing double-bass drumming by Bubba, and the throat-ripping vocals, which is where this band differ from their contemporaries; - the 'singing' is secondary to the growling of Matt McChesney - an exceptionally angry man.  Unfortunately the songs are littered with guitar solos, which detract from the F-5 power of this album.

7.5/10  To listen to the album preview or chat to the band click here: - Hell Within on Myspace

[Sable]

System of A Down- Mesmerize 

In a genre that is constantly expanding, growing and shape shifting, System of a Down have created a niche all of their own. Three years ago, I had no idea who they were. Since then they’ve come on leaps and bounds, practically starting a whole new genre by themselves, mixing Armenian Folk Music with Metal.

Systems previous albums have been astoundingly good. I was a bit thrown when I played the latest offering, Mesmerize, and found it to be so polished and on the verge of mainstream, almost pop metal! However, after the initial shock of how cheesy the sound is, the album takes on a life of its own. It’s very musical with subtly intricate percussion; the guitars are doing a lot more than you can hear on a first listening. Relief in the form of musical talent!

Soldier Side is a sombre introduction to the album, short lived with the onset of BYOB, an onslaught of pretty awesome riffage.

The rest of the album from ‘Revenga’ all the way through to ‘Lost in Hollywood’ is a non-stop ride of insane music and vocals, with lots of laughs and screams thrown in for good measure! There are so many different musical ideas from a bit of reggae to blatant metal to the classical Eastern sound, all of which System have managed to make work so well.

The whole album is an insane collection of stunning soundscapes, and despite the cheesiness, System have maintained a semblance of their hallmark sound. Be prepared for lots of schizoid vocals, weirdness, cheesy, poppy, gutsy and damn anthemic monster tunes. 7/10

[Pasha Shah]

God Forbid - Gone Forever

"Force Fed" is the opening track but rest assured this isn't something that needs to be shoved through your earholes! Mosh monsters beware - this album will leave you with neck-ache!!  With a fantastic drumbeat that carries you all the way through the album without becoming stodgy, and a driving guitar section, the music moves you from beginning to end with barely a ripple.  The twinned guitars from the Coyle brothers produce a completely solid wall of sound with the occasional superb solo - fortunately not something they do to the death (unlike their label mates Shadows Fall!).  The vocals are just plain vicious and would intimidate a hard-arsed marine into getting naked and bending over - not something you'd wanna mess with!  Strangely enough, the title track - "Gone Forever" - is nowhere near as catchy as the second track, "Antihero", at times sounding as if they're trying too hard to be a 'musicians' band.  The solo work sometimes sounds as if it was written for a different track entirely.  However, this is followed up by the final track - "Judge The Blood" - which has the most serenely exquisite piano opening and a head-nodding rhythm which ties up the album beautifully.  All-in-all a fantastic return from these Metal Titans. 6/10

[Sable]

Soil - Re.De.Fine

This album is easily as good as Scars - just as heavy, just as pissed-off, with some middle-eastern spice thrown in just to heat things up.  The general feel of the album is much darker than previous offerings, and far more aggressive, with the tortured soul exposed by Ryan's lyrics taking the listener on a journey of exquisite pain and suffering. There are the usual radio-friendly tracks in Pride, Re.De.Fine and Deny Me, with Remember and Can You Heal Me exploring the thoughts of the dying and suicidal, whilst Obsession takes a look at the weird and wonderful world of the lunatic fanatic.  Not exactly an up-beat album, but it's far too angry to be melancholy and it's this middle-finger-to-the-world attitude that saves it from becoming a poor-me dirge.  An excellent follow-up album - 8/10

[Sable]

Wednesday 13 and the Frankenstein Drag Queens - 6 Years 6 Feet Under The Influence

Another comical masterpiece from the Queen of Horror, Wednesday 13.  6 Years, 6 Feet Under...contains both new material, and revamped FDQ songs.  With titles like 'Evil is Good, We Have To Kill You Now, and Transmission D.E.A.D.' you'd get the impression that the whole album is about maiming and killing.  And you'd be right.  But it's all very tongue in cheek and is simply a musical form of the old B-movie horror classics. 'Kung Fu You' and 'R.A.M.B.O.'  take a comical look at childhood heroes as Wednesday reminisces on blowing things up like his TV idol, whilst 'The Wolfman Stole My Baby' and 'Rocketship Oddity 13' have a real slinky and sexy feel to them.  Wednesdays other (more famous) band, the Murderdolls, were the commercial version of FDQ, but this album produced without any of the Murderdolls members, is a far grungier, dirtier and ultimately sexier return to that which Wednesday does so well - bring those B-movie horrors to life! 7/10

[Sable]

Soil - Pride EP

Two of the tracks on this EP - Pride and Cross My Heart feature on the new Re.def.ine album and are merely a taster of what's to come on the full-length album. Pride opens with a kick-ass drum beat and is a full-on headbangers delight. Cross My Heart is a blend heavy-laden guitar riffs, smackdown drums and spit-in-your-face lyrics that makes it a perfect track to put on when you want to scream at the world. The third track is a remix of Halo and, well, should've probably been left alone as the remix does nothing to enhance the already fantastic rock-anthem from the Scars album.  If the EP is anything to go by, the new album should be at least as good, if not better than Scars. 

[Sable]

Arnocorps - The Greatest Band of All Time

It would appear that Hollywood Icon/Actor/Politician Arnold Schwarzenegger has had a profound impact on 6 Austrian rogues… Arnocorps. A Germanic sextet that argue that the Hollywood legend stole and defiled Austrian folklore by turning it into films!  

The album consists of 15 tracks of non stop regurgitation of Arnie quotes from films like Predator, Terminator, Total Recall, Commando, the list goes on! Hell Holzfeuer, the vocalist, has even managed to pull off a very good impersonation of the Hollywood star.  

It's interesting that there are two bass players in the band. However it doesn't make that much difference to the final production as it is difficult to make out what each bassist is doing, and the music is rather lacking; in fact it is quite boring in places, using punk progressions that I thought had died out in the early nineties. [Obviously, only a bad thing if you happen to dislike punk! - Ed]

For sheer comedy value, this album can’t be faulted. It is rather tongue and cheek as is the whole Arnocorps marketing campaign! It is well worth a listen for anyone into reminiscing about muscle-bound Austrians butchering all the bad guys to historically bad movie puns!  5/10

[Pasha]

Disturbed - Ten Thousand Fists

Ten Thousand Fists is a disappointing album - considering all the hype.  Had it been released by any other band it would be considered a great album.  Unfortunately Disturbed raised their game with Believe and have failed to attain the same exalted heights with this.  It's not a bad album - far from it!  Every track is instantly recognisable as Disturbed, but the fire which produced such monster anthems as Down with the Sickness has been damped down to a smouldering glow.  There are no anthems on this album.  Just a series of really good songs.

What really unravels the album is Land of Confusion (which is how it leaves you feeling).  A fantastic cover of the Phil Collins 80's release, though badly advised! It would've worked well as a 'B' side track on a single, or even as an individual single release, but it really doesn't fit the remainder of the album and subsequently stands out from it like Ayres Rock!!!

With the 'sameness' of every track suffusing the album and a complete lack of testosterone, Ten Thousand Fists should be renamed Ten Thousand Handbags!!  7.5/10

[Sable]

Alice Cooper - Dirty Diamonds

The usual comedy pervades the majority of Dirty Diamonds, from stealing cars, to being a transvestite bride locked in a 'wild west' cell. 

The album isn't as highly produced as most of the music we hear nowadays - it has an 'unfinished', raw feel to it which makes the whole album far more enjoyable.  Almost a vinyl quality. 

The Title track, sounds like Batman (the TV show) is fighting off gangsters from 1940's Hollywood, with Iron Maiden playing in the background!  Pretty Ballerina is more of a 60's stylee that Pams People could easily dance to.  There's Rock'n'Roll, Blues, Country, Stripper, and 70's rock.  There's even (and here's a real surprise)  a collaboration with Xzibit!  The fusion is remarkable - old school Alice meets Xzibits Hiphop.  And it dominates the album.  This really is an album with something for everyone.  Alice does it again!!!    8/10

[Sable]

Jon Petrucci - Suspended Animation

Ok, I like to drive when reviewing albums; it gives me a sense of freedom and space to absorb the artistry as I fly down the A3, taking in the Surrey countryside. However, sticking this CD into the player sent me into an altered state of driving! My Jaw nearly hit the clutch!

The album is a dream for guitarists who are looking for the slightly more challenging intricacies with quality arpeggios, shredding, chops, licks and harmonics that work in a really catchy and musical way. You are introduced to it with ball busting riffage that had me up at about 100mph (I so hope that speed camera was not working!)!! Jaws of Life is a musical explosion of fierce and intense guitars coupled with some beautiful melodies and licks.

The second track, Glasgow Kiss, threw me off balance slightly as I was thrown into the world of Michael Flatley and Riverdance! I thought that kind of playing belonged on violins! It is a fantastic example of how to use hammer-on’s and pull-off’s, and some tapping with amazing control of speed when scaling the fret board. I was down at 80mph for this one, but all the same it was a completely fantastic piece of work!

An interesting dance intro followed on the next track. Tunnel Vision  is another example of Mr Petrucci using tapping and hammer-on controls with extraordinary use of octaves and intricate soloing techniques, so back on the inside lane, doing 100mph again!  

The entire album is full of interesting ideas and has a lot of emotion thrown into the mix. A lot of guitarists will be spending plenty of time churning this one over; definitely a masterpiece to look up to! As for me, driving will not be the same without this album in my CD player!  8/10

[Pasha]

Thunder- The Magnificent Seventh

The ULTIMATE ENGLISH ROCK BAND...Who gives a sod about Bon Jovi??  Thunder have been more consistent and have produced a huge catalogue of songs that don't age.  The second album release in two years, The Magnificent Seventh really is that, a magnificent seventh album.  Monkey See, Monkey Do is reminiscent of some of the more 'ethnic' tracks on Aerosmiths Nine Lives album, whilst You Can't Keep A Good Man Down is something you just can't sit still to.  I Love You More Than Rock 'n' Roll is another Thunder classic that'll compete with Backstreet Symphony and Love Walked In and is the best track on the album.  One of my all time favourite bands do it again.  Get Down and Dirty, and Rock your socks off!!   8/10                www.thunderonline.com       

[Sable]

Machine Head- Through the Ashes of Empires

The Monsters of Metal, MachineHead, are back.  They've taken a different approach to their music on this album, like many bands before, but Machine Head are one of the few that have truly succeeded. 

With an opening track like the megalith that is 'Imperium', it was always going to be difficult to live up to throughout the rest of the album, yet somehow they managed it. Lyrically, the album could have been stronger and it lacked any half-decent guitar solos, yet the music is still phenomenal.  With tracks like 'Elegy' feeling like a desert thunderstorm,  the latest single release from the album - 'Days turn Blue to Gray', being a real moody work-of-art, and 'Descend the Shades of Night' the most serene mexican-scented eulogy to finish with, from beginning to end the album is dark and emotive, as if witnessing Rob Flynns personal torments and anguish.

This album is outstanding, and may well be Machine Heads greatest achievement to date.  The only album to come close is 'Burn My Eyes'.  They may have shot themselves in the foot with this one, as both the critics and publics expectations for their future material may be too high, after work of such a calibre.  9/10

[Richard Gibbs]

Slipknot - Vol. 3 (The Subliminal Verses)

This album a complete departure from anything they've released before.  At times just as angry and belligerent, but generally more mellow, deep, and more emotive.  The first release from the album - 'Duality' - is not what you'd expect from the masters of mayhem.  Melodic.  An unusual word to associate with the Knot.  And yet it works, as this track, and the many others on the album prove.  'Circle', 'Vermilion Pt. 2' and 'Danger - Keep Away', are acoustic masterpieces, that show the Knot are beginning to mature.  There are those critics that would say they've lost their edge and are becoming too old and mellow.  They are wrong.  The Knot have become something more dynamic than previous, with the songs being more personal to the individuals that make up the band.  But fear not.  The heavies are still there with 'Pulse of The Maggots', 'Three Nil' and 'Opium of The People' driving the album along.  'The Blister Exists' has some fantastic drumming in it - from Joey, Shawn and Chris - not with the soaring complications that normally characterise Joeys style, but with a far simpler militaristic feel that has you tapping along to it as if hypnotised, and 'Welcome' has the most intricate drum opening that has been heard in many-a-year, with Joey losing none of his skill.

With this album firmly placing Slipknot in the realms of musical gods, it is to be hoped that they can maintain such a vaulted position.  After all, it's a long way down!   10/10

[Sable]

Shadows Fall - The Art of Balance.

This album is unlike anything you're ever likely to have heard before.  It effectively combines Death metal with Classical; 80's Hair Metal with the Prog Rock sounds of the 70's.  And there's no apology for the noise they make.  Alright, there are a few too many Led Zep style guitar solo's that could've been cut back a little.  Yet the fusion of old skool and new wave still manages to sound surprisingly contemporary and fresh.

Destroyer of Senses could well have been written for Killswitch Engage, which contrasts really well with the next track on the album - Casting Shade -which is a soulful instrumental acoustic.  But the title track - The Art Of Balance - is in a league of it's own, showcasing the technical talents of all the members of the band and yet still managing to be a fantastic piece of melodic metal.  With something for everyone, this is a totally unique band making music that may well end up being hailed as some of the most original to have come out of America in the last twelve months.   7/10

[Sable]

Bowes and Morley

Forget any preconceptions you may have about this album.  Yes it is written, performed and produced by two fifths of Thunder.  No it isn't Thunder!  It still has a generous helping of their trademark Rock, but it's an album that has wandered off to North America and picked up an eclectic mix of sounds, from Blues and Jazz, to Motown.  It's inspired by B&M's early musical influences and is more laid-back than their usual offerings.

Why Did You Do It and Waiting For The Sky To Fall are pure funky Motown. Living for the city is a song you can imagine Stevie Wonder recording (coincidentally one of Danny's favourite artists).  [It reminds me of a track - 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered' (Don't recall who it's by - Luther Vandross maybe?? If anyone knows, please tell me!!)].  Yet the best track on the album is Desire simply because you can't hear it without getting down.  An album to enjoy with friends, sunshine and beer!    6/10     http://www.thunderonline.com/thunder/bm

[Sable]

Thunder - Shooting At The Sun.

What do you mean - NEVER HEARD OF THEM??  Alright, I know you know about Def Leppard. But they aren't Britains only decent Rock export you know.  Thunder are probably Britains best kept secret. They've been making music for a long time and they're a dab hand at it.  I confess, I was expecting this album to be a bit of a Bon Jovi - you know, cool when they were younger and full of testosterone; crap now they're old and mellow! So I was surprised to find that, not only did I make it through the album without finding an excuse to leave the room, but I actually wanted to play it again. And again. This band have never enjoyed the commercial success and fame of certain other bands, although they definitely deserve it - as this album testifies.  Their sound is totally unique, from the way they play their music, and the things they write about, to the smokily, shaggably sexy voice of Danny Bowes. You HAVE to hear these guys. The BEST of Rock. If there's one must have album this summer, it's Shooting At The Sun.     7/10                                             
 http://www.thunderonline.com/

[Sable]

Cradle Of Filth-Damnation and a Day

This is their finest album yet.  Ferocious at times, Exquisite at others, the band have come together to produce something that is both melodically and lyrically superb. The lyrics deserve an award for sheer beauty. At 77 minutes long, and with a sometimes brutal, sometimes mellow pace, the album is a killer.  All of the tracks are equally worth listening to, whether it be the album in its entirety, or track by track, the fusion of the classically inspired with the heaviest of metal produces an harmonic balance that is unexpected.

The same care that went into producing the album has gone into the design of the packaging to accompany it. All of the 'scriptures' are contained in the booklet which, as ever, is decorated with the most phenomenal artwork (Check the 'Babalon A.D.' DVD single for more images). This album is most assuredly worth spending your money on!  10/10
on the web www.cradleoffilth.com
To see the longer review : CoF long

[Sable]

Sol Asunder

This group describe themselves as Melodic Death Metal; disagreement would be futile.   The drums are pounded mercilessly and the guitar work is fast and intense (I was going to say menacing, but when in any horror film has the bad guy menaced the good guy in a hurry?).  The vocalist reminds me very much of Dani Filth (Cradle of Filth) though without the range. In 'Hate-Fuelled Anger' there's a neat little moshin' drum roll, and a neck-ache just waiting to happen.  'Beneath the Surface' again has some pretty amazing drumming.  The guitar work isn't as impressive because, although it's fast, it's pretty basic and the solos seem out of place - almost as if they were added to give the drummer a chance to show off how long he could keep up his double bass for.  Putting the minor irritants aside, this band could go far - I definitely feel some Kerrang/Scuzz airplay is on the way. Have a mooch on over to their download page, but make sure you've got some JD and/or painkillers nearby (whatever you prefer) for the neck-ache you're gonna get!  www.SolAsunder.com

[Sable]

Sonic Syndicate - Extinction EP

There's only an EP available from these guys at the moment, but we figured a heads-up was called for before the release of their 'coming-out party' album - Eden Fire.  The four songs on the EP are crafted around the stories of Hell on Earth, as depicted by the Book of Revelations, which tied in nicely with the original name of the band - Fallen Angels.  With the youngest member of the band being only 16, the newly re-named Sonic Syndicate show a lot of promise. 

Swedish Hardcore Death Metal with some Electronica thrown in for good measure.  These guys are what Nightwish would sound like on anabolic steroids!  From the little to be heard, things sound good - especially Richard Sjunnessons vocals - who must've been in training for the 'Best Tazmanian Devil Impersonator' awards.  However, the ZX Spectrum sounding opening to Misanthropic Coil is more than a little disturbing, and Lament of Innocence seems especially inspired by Rammstein.

As angry as a cat with a wasp up it's arse!    5/10  

To listen to the album preview or chat to the band click here: -Sonic Syndicate on Myspace 

[Sable]

Withered - Memento Mori

With type on the cover that's harder to understand than the lyrics, the album makes a confusing but good first impression.  The album has a strange background of Punk roots, overlaid with Trash metal and Metalcore.  It has a measly seven tracks, but this is made up for by the length of them, one track being close to 9 minutes.  The album is full of life; or rather, the feelings of the lack of it, with heavy bass and drums on every single track - the album is beautifully pounding.  There is little on this album to complain about.

'Memento Mori' is a true must have album - worthy of all the praise heaped upon it.  A modern-day masterpiece!  10/10

[Richard Gibbs] 

Magica - The Scroll of Stone

Magica originate from Romania and subsequently have a decidedly 'Eastern Block' quality, particularly in the deep and throaty voice of Ana yet another female vocalist.  Recently formed, the band have already released two albums.  'The Scroll of Stone' contains the Dimmu Borgir flavoured 'Mountains of Ice' - a marvelously heavy track.  The band are mainly inspired by the Fantasy bands of Europe, including the likes of 80's band 'Dreamtheatre', as can be heard in 'Redemption' and 'Bind You Forever' - from the new album 'Lightseeker'.

If this band were to lose much of the 80's guitar solos and get a good producer they could go far.  5/10

[Sable]

Blackbird 'The Last of the Rockstars'.

The opening track on this five track EP is Unstoppable. Let's hope they will be. With catchy little riffs, simple lyrics, and melodies that you find humming while in the lav, this three piece American band have a lot to offer.  Especially if you were into the British 'student' scene of the early nineties. 
A couple of the tracks have a kind of 'Irish folk' feel to them, the style being very reminiscent of some of the livelier tracks by The Levellers, whilst The One shows the bands musical diversity, as they have a bit of a dark storm cloud moment.  However, lightness comes once again as they finish with something a little heavier in the rock department that, with a little spit and polish in post-production, could even end up as the Radio track they need.  It's got the guitar solo and catchy chorus bit, and a singer with a pretty good voice. So they're at least in with a million-to-one chance. (And as everyone knows, million-to-one chances occur nine times out of ten - so the odds are pretty good ~ for all you TP fans out there!)
So, if you're in a bit of a Happy Larry mood then check them out at: www.blackbirdsnest.com

[Sable]

Freewheeler-Whisky and the Pills

Whiskey and the Pills is an EP from British rock band Freewheeler.  They have a definite bubble-gum rock flavour; the driving along crooning with the top down type of feel. Reminiscent of 80’s bands like Motley Cruë and the Black Crowes, they sing about the standards that keep any rocker going ­ Sex, Drugs, and good ole Rock ‘n’ Roll.  Influenced by bands such as AC/DC and the Rolling Stones, British pop-rock has never been so good. The tunes are full of energy and sleaze ala Sex and Drugs, with Seb’s vocals make him sound very much like Mr. Jagger, giving the impression that he’s a very Naughty(!) man.   The guitar riffs throughout the EP are strong, and the lead guitar work on ‘This is Rock ‘n’ Roll’ is the epitome of biker leathers and girls in short skirts.  Retro is back in, and this stuff is retro/traditional Rock ‘n’ Roll in the best possible sense.  It’s full of the energy of long summer days, boys chasing girls, and sitting in a bar with your mates, sinking just one too many drinks.

Hard times, cheap thrills ­ just give it up for ‘The Whisky and The Pills’. www.dreamwater.org/music/freewheeler

[Sable]

Draconian Order - In Absence of Light

Italy’s Draconian Orders new alum release, 'In Absence of Light', is a good example of how a band can utilise an exhausted sound and make it their own. The music, beautiful and haunting, meanders through each story like a giant serpent. The sound is very old fashioned black metal, with the guitars blazing out high pitched distortion, the drums a very subtle undertone, often woefully transparent, topped by sepulchral vocals that echo from the pits of Hades. The dark whispers of Krimloth are unsubtle in the message of atheistic Anti-Christ, God-Slander and works well with the music, setting a tone of forsakenness.

The album kicks off with 'Requiem for the Funeral of God', a dark musical masterpiece worthy of all those who love vampire-esque symphonie. It's solemn and dark with a haunting quality that leaves a feeling of emptiness in your soul only to be filled by a blast beaten cacophony with the second track; 'I am Vengeance', a blitz of guitar riffage covered in pure hatred toward the Cross. ‘At the Gates Inferno’ opens with savage guitar shredding, moving into stirring melodies, the lyrics imply beautiful and gothic imagery with satanic overtones.

The title track merges a deliverance of evil though dark musical shifts with satanic lyrics that would turn any man of cloth ashen in terror!

The album is a good blend of old-fashioned Scandinavian metal with a twist of Cradle of Filth to measure. Draconian are sticking to a musical recipe that has been used by a thousand bands before, and although the album is very good and a thoroughly enjoyable listen with lots of great musical ideas and beautiful melodies, it lacks in originality, and sounds pretty much the same as most of the Scandinavian Black metal that has ridden the tides of the paganisitic and satanic ocean of black roots. 6/10

[Pasha Shah]

Extol- The Blueprint Dives

This album needs a good few listens in order to get any sense or fulfilment from it.  As a musician, I was immediately captured by the guitar work and arrangement of the songs. It’s Björk meets Incubus meets Paradise Lost. The content is depressing and melancholy; it’s dark, and has a damp-alley feel about it from beginning to end, meandering without any real direction, leaving you feeling despondent and pensive!

This album is an eclectic mixture of influences, merging Jazz, Pop, Metal and who knows what else into something that only a select group of listeners would be interested in. I'll be honest and say it took at least six plays for me to get a feel for the album.  I'm not sure what the theme is, or what direction it has, but I like the musical content. It's very arty; the songs are cleverly written, heightened by David Husviks’ intricate drumming, and Ole Halvaard Sveens and Tor Glidjes subtle but persistent use of 7ths, 9ths, diminished, and who knows what kind of chords - enough to keep any guitarist guessing! 'Lost in Dismay' is a great substitute for Prozac! whereas 'The Death Sedative'  (notice the depressing song titles!) is not really trying to say much, but it has a haunting and dark feel which caught me. The movement of the bass guitar against the guitars is interesting and works well. This is a more musical piece with Peter screaming some nonsensical stuff at the top his lungs! A very nice piece of work!

This is truly a musician’s album.  Not the easiest to listen to, if you are looking for balls out metal.      5.5 /10

[Pasha Shah]

GIG REVIEWS

Upon Descent
supporting Ozzmosis
JB's Dudley
08/12/07

A newly formed four-piece outfit that reminds one forcibly of Sepultura in both music and style, not least because the lead singer is a mini Max Cavalera. Not a bad comparison at their third ever gig.

'The Unleashing Of I' was a blistering opening that any band would be proud to have in their arsenal. It thumped, bashed, pounded it's way through the rib-cage and smashed into the brain, leaving a stunning gap whilst the crowd absorbed the enormity of the metal manifestation they had witnessed. 'To End All Wars' was just as devastating, and a potential classic.

The drummer (Stu Selwood - ex-Exico) is experienced, but the others are relative newbies. That said, it was a solid, confident performance. Intricate solo's, challenging tempo changes, face-grinding bass lines, and Dab's emotive poetry, the individual elements are very very good. The tight playing that's needed live was elusive but will develop with experience.

Overall, a damn fine performance from such a new band. We eagerly await the shows of 2008!

Set List: The Unleashing Of I; The Rendering; This Of Suffocation; Under These Fists; To End All Wars; Burning Through.

[Sable]

NAMM
Anaheim Convention Centre, California
18-21/01/06

NAMM - Anaheim Convention Centre, California. 18-21st January 2006

NAMM isn't a Four-day Rock festival, although at first glance you'd be forgiven for thinking so, with its throngs of jean-clad rockers and black-clad metal heads. But then you'd notice the smart-suited businessmen also going in through the same doors, and then you'd REALLY become confused when you noticed the doors being held open for the Grey-haired ladies by these same black-eyed Goths, with pleasantries and laughter being exchanged by both.

You may even explain it away by thinking 'the Rolling Stones must be playing here', but you'd be wrong.

This is the biggest event in music in the U.S. - the Four-day weekend when the Music Industry shows off it's wares.

NAMM (the National Association of Music Merchants) has been going for 105 years, since it's inception in 1901. It's strictly for people who work in the industry, as noted by the huge lettering on the top of the building, 'TRADE ONLY. NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC'.

And this is the one event in the country that attracts Rock Stars IN DROVES. Why? Myriad reasons. The first one is that, if you or your band have attracted enough attention, you could be picked up by a company to promote their product - which, for instance, means you get to meet Jim Marshall, who asks you to promote his amplifiers, which not only means that you get to use his amps for free, but your face is now in every music publication in the world, AND you get paid, AND you got to meet your hero, Jim Marshall. Geddit?

The second reason is that you get to meet all the other Rock Stars that you admire, catch up with old friends, ask Slipknot if you can support them on their next tour, find new band members, ask someone to mix your C.D. 'cause it sounds crap the way you did it, etc. etc. 

But it's not just about Rock 'n' Roll - if you play the harp, direct a symphony orchestra, or just want a decent tuner for your violin, it's all here, too. And because these are all the LATEST Gadgets and Gizmo's, you get to see them before they're even in the stores - but you can't buy anything on the spot at NAMM, just place orders (and millions of dollars worth of business is generated here at NAMM), which is horrible - it's the proverbial Kid-in-the-Candy-Store that wants everything and can't have anything, except a few guitar-pic freebies.

However, there are very relaxed rock stars every three feet signing pictures of themselves, very happy to hang out and chat and have their pictures taken with you.

And after the lights go out at NAMM at 6pm every night, the partying begins, with Rock shows, coffin-case fashion shows, acoustic sets, food, wine, and deafness 'cause you forgot your earplugs.

Click here to see a tiny fragment of the Rock Stars who were there - and visit www.namm.com. 

[Ghouls R Us]

Abgott
with Hypocrisy
The Underworld, Camden, London
10/01/06

With the recording of their latest album almost complete, Abgott are out to impress. Agamoth, dressed like the token Satanic Priest, certainly gives a cheesy presence on stage! The image is old school black metal, long hair, white face paint rendering these guys kind of stagnant in a time when Emperor ruled the Black Metal scene!

There was some excellent guitar work, plenty of shredding, maddeningly fast riffs, insane speed drumming, dark scream vocals, all the ingredients of what makes a great black metal band. Sadly, the end result was not much to sink teeth into. The performance was tired and lacklustre. Nothing really stood out to capture my inner musical nerd! There is potential but a lot of grooming is needed for this band to move into the present!

Hypocrisy

Here’s a great example of why some bands should stay in the studio! It is not often that I get bored at a gig; However, Hypocrisy failed to deliver a performance to captivate. It may have been sheer exhaustion, or the fact the band had been relocated from the Electric Ballroom to the Underworld, but I am not here to make excuses on their behalf! The fact remains, I was bored throughout the set. It is possible my expectations were very high seeing that Hypocrisy’s studio work is next to impeccable! There was little energy on stage, Peter Taetgren’s vocal were weak and lacked substance. The crowd looked bored and despite the occasional eruption in the mosh pit, it seemed most people were falling asleep!

They did redeem themselves slightly with the song Eraser; but in all honesty, the albums are far more entertaining than seeing them live!

[Pasha]

Billy Idol
The Civic, Wolverhampton, UK
15/11/05

'A return to 1981, New York, my finger euphemistically and metaphorically up Madonna's arse!'  And so began my instant love affair for the Rock legend known as Billy Idol.  A man who sweats as much as funny man Lee Evans, whilst wearing a moth-eaten t-shirt and entertaining himself by performing robot moves from the 80's and pretending he's a boxer!  Doesn't sound all that great, right?  WRONG!  This man is performing to sell-out venues 28years after he first played them with Generation X.  No small achievement for a man now 50.

The entire show was peppered with lewd and crude manoeuvres aimed at members of the crowd that left many of the men muttering to their female partners not to watch...only for the females to scream all the louder.  Billy spent a good portion of the show with his upper-body naked, parading it for his own gratification as much as anyone's. 'As you can see I've been working on MY BODY of work - this is for all the ladies'.  More screams. 

During Hot in the City Billy sang 'Don't you know I'm well hung' and grabbed his crotch (there was possibly an undoing of flies, but security were blocking the view), and the lyrics to the revised Mony Mony had the audience singing along to 'Hey Mother F***er, get laid, get laid, get f***ed'!!  Mimed licking of his own jubblies, and oral sex makes this one of the most overtly sexual performances to hit Wolverhampton in a year.  It was brilliant!!

None of this detracts from the amazing performances put in by all members of the band.  Steve Stevens solo guitar work left me breathless and a little teary-eyed during his flamenco-influenced solo.  The favourite songs were the oldies - Mony Mony, White Wedding, Sweet 16 and Rebel Yell which had the entire crowd singing, clapping, chanting and dancing along with the Idol. 

The tour is coming to a close, but that's not the last we'll see of Billy.  A new album is planned for early 2006, and a tour to follow close on its heels.  The promised return will be eagerly anticipated by all who were in attendance tonight.

Set List

Dancing with Myself; Flesh for Fantasy; White Wedding; Scream; Sweet 16; To be a Lover; Cherie; Louisiana (Randy Newman); guitar solo; Rampage; L.A. Woman; Blue Highway; World coming Down;  Ready, Steady, Go (Gen x); Rebel Yell (Gen X); Hot in the City (Wolverhampton nights!); Kiss me (fucking) Deadly (Gen X); drum Solo; Mony, Mony.

[Sable]

Arch Enemy
The Palace, Melbourne, Aus
04/11/05

“One for all, all for one. We are one, WE ARE STRONG” Truer words could not be spoken about Sweden’s Arch Enemy.  With the recent release of their Doomsday Machine album, Arch Enemy hit the Australian Shores for the first time with the intensity of a freight train and the ferocity of a polar bear on amphetamines. 

Enthusiasm from the crowd could have been higher for Melbourne support band Synthetic Breed although Former Frankenbok singer Adam Glynn showed no vast changes with new effort Five Star Prison Cell.

There was a sudden change of environment though, as the Introduction song from Doomsday Machine could be heard. People couldn’t get close enough to the stage and a chant began “Arch Enemy, Arch Enemy” The tension was high within the crowd. A dark blue-green light shone across the smoke filled stage creating an almost surreal mist in front of the giant canvases that stood either side of the drum-kit at the back of the stage displaying artwork from the new album. Without a moments notice the band had busted onto stage and were already well into the first song of the night “Nemesis”.

 The band was superb to say the least. Guitarist Michael Amott, wide eyed and hyper energetic played with immense precision, never missing a note, even through insanely intricate solos that never seem to end.

Angela’s growl rang out over The Palace flowing back as a stream of ecstatic screams from the adrenalin driven crowd. From her deep demonic growls to her head piercing screams, Angela sounded all the more menacing and impressive in person. Taking every possible moment she could to thank and encourage the swelling pit of people, which had waited almost 10 years for this event.

About half way through the show a breath-taking drum solo blasted out from the immense kit that adorned the back of the stage.

An extensive was played over the ninety minutes or so that Arch Enemy exerted their reign of mind-blowing music upon the Melbourne crowd. Performing songs from every stage of their existence even including a few tracks from the albums before Angela was part of the band.

I doubt that anyone could narrow this show down to one thing that stood out. The collaboration of the perfect mix of melody and metal, the tremendous musicianship, the amazing stage presence and the atmosphere in the palace all added up to a remarkable night which will not be forgotten.

[Steev]

Bloody Mary
Mean Fiddler
30/09/05

It would appear that Dave Pybus’ Six Six Six Records have a knack of finding the darker, gothic side of metal; in this instance, a fine concoction of Dark Gothic melodies manifested in the beautiful, sensual and highly talented bunch called Bloody Mary.  

This is the debut tour from the quintet and the Mean Fiddlers Rock evening seems fitting for this gothic metal coterie, promoting their recently released album, Blood and Roll. 

Aldebran, the front man is most certainly a striking presence on stage. I’m going out on a limb and guessing he’s a big Tim Burton fan as his post modern gothic style is reminiscent of Edward Scissorhands! He’s a total beauty queen and flirts outrageously with the crowd! 

The vocal style is suggestive of The Cure’s Robert Smith, deep and seductive.  Aldebrans performance has a truly charismatic air. With a large dose of Sisters of Mercy thrown in for measure, shaken about, et Voila! One Bloody Mary!  

The crowd definitely took to them, especially the girls! This band is full of pretty people and will have to suffer a cult following of young Goth girlies drooling over their posters! They look great on stage and really enjoy the attention the audience throws back at them! An hour of solid entertainment and excellent music, even if it was a little on the camp side! I’ll wager that these guys will be around for quite a while!

[Pasha]

Wednesday 13
The Corner Hotel, Melbourne, Aus
21/09/05

Wednesday 13 blew the lid off more than a few caskets with the first show of the 6 Feet Down-Under tour, at the Corner Hotel, Richmond.

Previously seen at the Big Day Out in 2003 fronting the Murderdolls, Wednesday returned to Australia with his new bunch of ghouls; Kid Kid (bass), Ghastly (drums) and Pig (guitar).

The support band, The Dead Things, didn't impress, and sounded like they should still be in their parent’s garage covering Motley Crue and Poison tracks rather than supporting the superior and far more original headlining act WEDNESDAY 13.

A dark stage stands before the crowd at the Corner, samples from horror movies can be heard, smoke fills the stage and then a small flashlight attached to a microphone switches on to reveal the face of the ghoulish singer...

Blasting into “House by the Cemetery”, from the album “Transylvania 90210; Songs of Death, Dying and the Dead”, the set was an all out assault of demonically catchy rhythms, horror movie references and scream along choruses. The crowd became like a black and red ocean on a stormy night. Devil horns up in praise as the singer informed everyone that “God is a Lie”.

Being a smaller venue the show seemed all the more closer and intimate, Wednesday took every spare moment to talk to crowd thanking them for their support and introducing the members of his new band.

As well as songs from Transylvania 90210, Wednesday 13 performed past hits from former band Frankenstein Dragqueens from Planet 13, and current side-project The Murderdolls.

Pulling off rock moves, spitting in the air and catching it in their make-up smeared mouths, playing with plastic laser guns and handing out 13 dollar bills were all part of what made the show that people have come to expect from their ghoul scout leader and more.

[Steev]

CRÜEFEST - 33 Degree
The Whiskey, Sunset Strip, LA
30/07/05

IN THE DARKNESS, the rain lashed against the red-brick walls of the building, turning them into a dull, black fortress.
Thunder rumbled menacingly overhead, announcing to the mortal world at large that hell had taken over the venue for the evening. As the opening strains of the sweetly melodic Death-By-Audio sounds of 33 Degree began to induce a hallucinogenic haze into the dark recesses of telepathic souls entwined, flashes of lightening tore through quivering bodies like hells own strobe lighting, illuminating the rhythmic beating of hearts, each one pumping blood to the music.

O.K., so I lied. This is L.A., the sun was beaming down, and there wasn't a raindrop in site. But for THIS BAND, 33 Degree, the accompanying sounds of a summer rainstorm would have been perfect.
Never Mind.
The small stature of the lead singer totally dominated the stage. Through the dimness, through the fog, her alabaster skin shone like a Vampire in a graveyard looking for victims.
But this was Cruefest, so we were sucked in unawares as she wore a disguise - no hint of the Gothic finery previously worn. No, this time she looked like a pirate, and the boys in the band were her own Motley Crew.
They were magnificent. The music was tight, executed perfectly, with some wonderful Rock-Star poses from Jesus, and a sharply cool 007 demeanour from Blair. The good looks of Mack (the drummer) were tantalisingly seen far too few times due to the height of the stage and the plethora of cymbals surrounding the drumkit - we need to tilt you forward a few inches, our Demonic blue-eyed Drummerboy!    
Mack was preparing for his own starring role in his upcoming Wedding, and all our best wishes and congratulations go to him and his beautiful new Bride - The next Rockin' wil be the cradle!

[Ghouls R Us]

Orakai
with Diastole
Vendetta at the Purple Turtle
16/07/05

Vendetta, a great name for a Metal event, held at the Purple Turtle in Camden, offers a fantastic opportunity for new bands to strut their stuff. Tonight’s headline act was a band that I had only recently heard of along the grapevine and went along solely on the strength of their demo, available on MySpace.com.

The support act, Diastole were weak and, well, disappointing and even though a lot of the music was intelligent and well constructed, there was nothing gutsy about them and they came across as quite boring.

Enter Orakai. A band whose name is derived from the infamous Uruk-Hai of Middle Earth, although nothing about the bands image is remotely Orc-ish, which was kind of what I was hoping for!

Orakai are a very in-your-face energy troupe and have an impressive presence for a relatively new band. They are very animated and I felt that the stage was a little small for them. Their ebullience, coupled with their unpretentious demeanour, gives these guys a lot of potential.

They kicked off their set with ‘Two Tone’ and also introduced two new songs, ‘Facts That Don’t Rely on Truth’ and ‘Make Amends (Face Up)’.  The songs are strong and although, quite simple, they work well. Recently appointed frontman Ush came across really well on stage and certainly enjoys the attention the crowd dishes out back. He has a very versatile vocal style jumping between singing and roaring. The guitarists, Marv, Steve and Ed really enjoy jumping around and totally get lost in the playing. Orakai are a band that love being on stage and it shows.

Orcs aside, I was a little confused as to what image the band is trying to portray, but this was easily overlooked with the energy these five young lads give off! I thoroughly enjoyed watching these guys. There is a lot of potential here and with some careful nurturing these guys could definitely realise it.

One to watch out for!

[Pasha Shah]

Napalm Death
with Insomnium, 25 Ta Life, Cataract, DieCast, and Cancer
London Koko
03/07/05

The Koko in Camden, formerly known as the Camden Palace was ground zero for Napalm Deaths London gig, promoting their latest release, The Code is Red, Long Live the Code.  I got there just as Insomnium were starting off their set, which I have to say, really impressed me, seeing as I had never listened to their stuff before. These Finnish lads gave a pretty good start to what was going to turn into a Monster Metal Fest of a Sunday!