Attika 7
Blood Of My Enemies
Rocket Science
http://www.attika7.com/
Kind of a super group of sorts… Evan Seinfeld and Tony Campos teamed up with Rusty Coones (from Sons of Anarchy) for some heavier hard rock stuff. Some melodic parts, a bit stoner metal, and some catchy stuff too. Not too shabby. It’s not Biohazard or the other stuff Tony Campos has done (Ministry/Static X/Prong) but it’s decent. (probably a bit more “solid rock” type stuff though)
Candlelight Red
Demons
Imagine
http://www.myspace.com/candlelightred
Speaking of “solid rock” type stuff… here’s Candlelight Red! Kind of that clean vocals, distorted guitars popular commercial rock type stuff. I’m not sure if Mike will be playing this unless someone calls and asks!
Encrust
Predatory Skin
Density
http://huntersmetal.com/blog/
This band used to be called Hunters (out of Chicago) and changed their name, and got a bit heavier. They are one of the openers on the Obituary/Broken Hope tour. Kind of a stoner death metal thing. Musically it’s more stoner metal, vocally it’s pretty aggressive, not quite cookie monster, but close. A good groove, but a dirty distorted metal sound too.
Gentlemans Pistols
Gentlemans Pistols re-issue
Metal Blade Records /Rise Above Records
http://www.myspace.com/gentlemanspistols
This is a reissue of their debut full-length album. Catchy stoner metal… actually sounds a little bit like the newer Volbeat stuff. (this album came out in 2007). A little bit like the Cult meets Clutch? I’m not a huge fan of putting reissues on a chart, but this is worthy of checking out if you haven’t heard it before (like me)
Firebird
Hot Wings re-issue
Metal Blade Records / Rise Above Records
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Firebird/120422101312732
This is that “other” band that Bill Steer from Carcass is in now. This is just like Gentleman’s Pistols above… a reissue (Bill Steer is actually in Gentleman’s Pistols now, but not in the self titled album above). But this is a reissue from 2006. Kind of a blues/hard rock/classic rock sort of thing. Catchy and infectious sounding… great solos, a nice sound… it’s like, almost right out of the 70’s! hah great stuff. Since they have called it quits earlier this year, all the more reason to revisit the old stuff that you may have missed when it came out.
Nuse
All American Beat Down
Cornhead Records
http://www.nuse.tv/
“Aggressive Music for Aggresive People” Right away it reminds me of Sacred Reich vocally… music is sort of a dirty thrashy sound. I like what their web site says about it: “Sounds Like: Take 1/4 lb of Clutch, 1/4 lb Metallica and combine it with a cup of Slayer. Mix in some Red Hot Chili Peppers and bake on 500 for 60 minutes. Sprinkle on some Biohazard and serve with a side of The Doors.” I can hear that… it’s a bit raw, so it’s not a big crispy Andy Sneap type production, but I think the rawness makes it more “real”
Tankard
The Girl Called Cerveza
Nuclear Blast
http://www.tankard.info/start.html
Thrashy German band that’s been around since 1983 and make songs about drinking. German thrash is always about a gear higher than other thrash, and these guys have a fun take on it… quality thrash with fun subject matter. They’ve been around a long time and know what they are doing.
Testament
Dark Roots Of Earth
Nuclear Blast
http://testamentlegions.com/
Probably my most anticipated album of the year. This band has been kicking ass forever, and a mission to follow up The Formation of Damnation is no easy task… while this album isn’t quite as heavy/brutal as that one was, this one I don’t think needs to prove as much, as it’s only been 4 years since that album and 9 before that. Don’t get me wrong, this album kicks ass and is everything you would expect from Testament (with Gene Hoglan!) I think this one is a bit more melodic and polished than Formation, and actually has a bit more of the classic Testament sound. There is no letting up with these guys either, playing is top notch and Andy Sneap puts his crisp production on things. This is one of those “yeah, I love this ” right away type albums. (helps that I’m a Testament fan too?)
Striker
Armed To The Teeth
Napalm Records
http://www.facebook.com/strikermetal
Classic thrashy Canadian metal with over the type Halford-esque power metal vocals. Fast and catchy riffs… almost sounds a bit 80’s… like a kick ass heavy 80’s band, not a power ballad sappy blech band. Haha. It’s a bit cheesy, but it’s that kind of cheesy that has you smile and start headbanging.