Dark Tranquillity
Fiction
Century Media
45:49 – 10 Tracks
Take some of the best melodic Scandinavian metal, and just leave it the way it is… This new CD from the “other” DT (Dream Theater being the “main” DT), is awesome. It’s heavy, it’s melodic, it’s catchy it’s just put together so well. The songs flow, get a bit atmospheric in a part or two, but somehow they keep it heavy and just plain cool. This will definitely get some airtime on the Mosh Pit!

From Autumn To Ashes
Holding A Wolf By The Ears
Vagrant
39:56 – 12 Tracks
One of the more or less pioneers of the metalcore movement are back with their 4th album. It’s pretty heavy, a bit raw, and still metalcore. The heavier stuff is more hardcore than it is metal, but it still has those good ol emo singy parts as any tr00 metalcore will have! It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s still a good release and you may hear it on the Mosh Pit.

Arch Enemy
Black Earth
Regain
42:13 – 12 Tracks
It’s a remaster or re-release or something. Either way, I think this CD has been hard to find for a few years and now it’s back in all it’s groundbreaking glory. Along with Carcass and At The Gates, In Flames, Soilwork, Arch Enemy helped pave the way for the ever popular Scandinavian Melodic Death metal genre. This album has it all, and pre-Angela Gossow vocals (Johan Lilva) are a bit more deathy and guttaral. The guitar solos and music are all as great as Arch Enemy has ever been. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Saxon
The Inner Sanctum
SPV
44:37 – 10 Tracks
They’re Saxon! They have a classic sound, yet it’s still modern and relevant! What can you say about a band that is still around after all these years. It’s not like they are trying to reinvent themselves here, but it is a good solid release. It’s not all speedy and thrashy or anything, although the 2nd and 3rd tracks rip pretty good. You’ll probably hear this on the Mosh Pit!

The Chariot
The Fiancee
SolidState
29:39 – 10 Tracks
You take stoner metal, mix it with some hardcore and you have The Chariot. The singer from Norma Jean left that band to form this one. I haven’t heard much in the way of emo-metalcore vocals here. They seem to stay true to the grungy stoner guitar stuff along with raw abrasive vocals. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Six Feet Under
Commandment
Metal Blade
34:30 – 10 Tracks
It’s classic Six Feet Under.  They have a formula, they don’t mess with it.  This album does hearken back to the early days of SFU and that’s about all you can say.  It’s nice to have some fresh, new material, after all of the box sets, cover albums, etc.  You’ll definitely hear this on the Mosh Pit!!