New stuff this week (4/3/06)

Another installment of what’s new in the mail with my crappy commentary… enjoy! heheh

Southern Gentlemen
Third Time Is The Charm
Leviathan
52:26 – 12 Tracks
Another project from David T. Chastain… Kind of a bluesy hard rock sound. Kind of a good time drinkin’ sound. Not much more I can say… good sounding production, some good ol songs… not really metal, the singer sounds like David Coverdale a bit…. you may hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Mower
Not For You
Suburban Noize
38:45 – 15 Tracks
Some decent heavy stuff here, almost a little System of a Down mixed with some Ministry, Rob Zombie and some metalcore band… This was a release that came in late… it was an “add” last week. You’ll hear this on the pit. The CD ends with their version of “California Dreamin'” I’m a sucker for heavy covers of oldies!

Terror 2000
Terror For Sale
Nuclear Blast
39:47 – 12 Tracks
Take Speed from Soilwork and throw him with Klas from Darkane, and you got yourself an awesome scandanavian metal band! This is some serious metal music with some fun lyrics. Heavy thrash and just all around good stuff. You’ll definately hear this on the Mosh Pit!

One Man Army and the Undead Quartet
21st Century Killing Machine
Nuclear Blast
59:46 – 12 Tracks
Another Swedish band… they sound a bit like The Crown, but not as fast and frantic. Pretty decent thrash with some scream-growl vocals. Nothing really groundbreaking, but still decent thrash metal. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit.

Dio
An Evening With Dio
Eagle Records
2 CDs
Disc 1 60:44 – 9 Tracks
Disc 2 53:06 – 8 Tracks
This is a show from 1995 when they performed Holy Diver in its entirety. Not the greatest sound, but it’s pretty good for a live album. Great solid live performance though! A must for DIO fans of course. There’s also a DVD of this show available. You’ll probably hear this on the Mosh Pit. You can’t go wrong with Dio!

The Gathering
Home
The End
I popped this in, and I guess these guys just aren’t for me. I like something with at least a little bit of an edge. Granted they have their roots in heavy music, they just aren’t heavy! Sorry… but you probably won’t hear this on the Pit, unless of course it’s requested.

Various Artists
Headbanger’s Ball: The Revenge
Roadrunner
2 CDs.
A compilation with all sorts of stuff from all sorts of bands. Pretty much a slice across all of metal, basically a soundtrack to the show on MTV2. Some previously unreleased stuff on here, most talked about is a new Hatebreed track.

Venom
Metal Black
Sanctuary
57:21 – 14 Tracks
Yet another crappy review from me that doesn’t say much. It’s a new album from Venom. A new collection of songs, same sound. If you like Venom… you’ll probably like this. (duh) It’s not too shabby, again, nothing groundbreaking. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit… c’mon, it’s new Venom!

New stuff this week (3/27/06)

Well, I think in the next couple weeks, Mike and I will have to devise some sort of rating system to get a guage of its “Moshpitworthiness” and/or whether we just like it or not.

Dead To Fall
The Phoenix Throne
Victory
42:27 – 10 Tracks
Their first album was a bit of a turn for the folks at Victory Records… from a punk/whatever label to have a band that was actually more “metal.” Well this band has only gotten better over the years. This new (and 3rd) album from these guys stays heavy and even has some black metal sounding guitars here and there. It’s got great guitar work and stays pretty brutal throughout. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Dog Fashion Disco
Adultery
Rotten
46:49 – 12 Tracks
The Latest from Dog Fashion Disco… their semi-unique sound continues in this new album. I say “semi unique” because they share some similarities with some of that Mr. Bungle band. They start off pretty heavy, then get into some more complex, melodic tracks all with that eerie keyboardey sound. They’ve always been pretty cool, stayed true to their sound for pretty much all of their albums and again, they stay true here too. You’ll probably hear this on the Mosh Pit.

Hurt
Vol. 1
Capitol
This isn’t metal… yet another hard rock CD being marketed to metal radio. I think I’ll pass… sorry!

Cretin
Freakery
Relapse
30:01 – 16 Tracks
I’m not quite sure how to describe this. Very raw! Not so great production, but it seems as though it’s like that on purpose. I’d have to say it fits in grindcore category. Just in your face without let-up. Short songs, again… all up in your face! Good stuff.. you’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit.

Sudden Death
Unpure Burial
Locomotive
42:45 – 10 Tracks
A nice brutal release from a more indie label! A little bit of Pantera sounding guitars mixed with some death metal make this a decent release. The production seems a bit low budget with the low end sounding a bit “thumpy.” Vocals go from some metal scream/growls to cookie monster. It’s a good mix of death and thrash metal all in one package! You’ll hear this on the Pit!

New stuff this week (3/20/06)

Here’s the new stuff in the mail this week along with my “review” or take or whatever…. the best way to know, is to listen to the show!

Yakuza
Samsara
Prosthetic
50:14 – 10 Tracks
This has kind of a sludgey doom feel too it. Probably more or less for fans of Neurosis… but decent. (I don’t care for Neurosis!) It gets mellow and trippy at some points, but then all out metal in others. Definately something that’s not like everything else! You’ll hear this on the Pit!

Scissorfight
Jaggernaut
Hydra Head
40:25 – 12 Tracks
Time for some old school stoner metalish music! Great low end chugga chugga sound. Cool riffs, catchy songs. Good production This is their 9th album, so they’ve got it together by now! haha. Pretty good stuff. It’s a fun album and you’ll probably hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Machinemade God
The Infinity Complex
Metal Blade
42:56 – 13 Tracks
This has the new-metalcore sound… but how about with more metal and less “core”? The album starts out with a great metal freight train assault. These guys are from Germany and have that “New Wave of American Heavy Metal” sound. I think the fact that these guys aren’t just another one of those American metalcore bands is something they have going for them. They don’t let up at all, pretty brutal in parts, no whiney choruses. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Edguy
Rocket Ride
Nuclaer Blast
60:10 – 12 Tracks
The German powermetallers are back with thier latest effort. They’ve always put out solid hard rock/power metal albums. This is no exception. No frills clean singy vocals with great playing and riffage behind the vox. We’ve been a little bit of a drought of decent power metal, so this is a welcome release! You’ll hear this on the Pit!!

And the best for last…

Witchery
Don’t Fear The Reaper
Century Media
47:21 – 14 Tracks
What more can I say about this CD besides the fact that it rules. Starts off with an almost 3 minute Slayer-like intro, into just pure metal. This is the swedish sound the way it’s supposed to be. Black metal elements mixed with some thrash and sick riffing. It’s all here folks. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit for sure!! This is one of the better albums of this genre since At The Gates’ “Slaughter of the Soul”

Rammstein, Vore, Anaka and The Sweet are releases that have not arrived yet, maybe I’ll get a review up here, maybe not.

New stuff this week (3/13/06)

Here’s the weekly new stuff mini-review crap…

First off, a note….
On one of the “new stuff this week” posts a couple weeks ago, someone left a comment that I was an idiot for a review I had… I never claimed these mini-reviews to be the be-all end all review of reviews. Honestly, sometimes I don’t even listen to the whole CD before writing stuff, mostly it’s just first impressions and what it might sound like right away to me. I have always said I suck at writing and well, I suck at reviewing too. Basically this is an outline to go along with what you hear NEW on the radio show this week… or maybe not.

Megaherz
5
Eclipse
55:08 – 13 Tracks
Well, due to the German language, there will be obvious comparisons to Rammstein. And it’s true. They do sound a bit like them. In my opinion, not as aggressive… but still pretty cool. It’s a “Rammstein” that plays it save.

Crowpath
Son Of Sulphur
Willowtip
33:55 – 12 Tracks
Just all out in your face beginning. An eclectic mix of brutal metal sounds. Typical release from Willowtip though.. great production, good sounding band, yet still underground. The bio sheet says it’s recommended if you like Converge, Mastodon or Botch. It sounds decent and you’ll probably hear this on the pit.

Kill the Client
Escalation of Hostility
Willowtip
29:03 – 15 Tracks
This is a classic sounding grindcore album. A bit muddy, sludgy, fast, brutal and “barney-esque” vocals. If you like the old Napalm Death, you’ll like this!

Atreyu
A Death-Grip On Yesterday
Victory
They still have a great sound. Catchy yet brutal in parts. Again, not much groundbreaking material here. Just another solid release. They were announced as one of the 2nd stage headliners on Ozzfest this summer, so they seem to be going places. I do feel the urge to go to hot topic during these whiney chorus parts!

Cannibal Corpse
“Kill” 3 Song Sampler
Metal Blade
8:31 – 3 Tracks
How can you not like Cannibal Corpse? haha. Just plain heavy brutal death metal like it should be. Corpsegrinder really seems to shine on this. It sounds good and brutal. All three tracks are great. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Ligiea
Your Ghost Is A Gift
Ferret Music
43:04 – 11 Tracks
Produced by Ken from Unearth. (the eat a dick guitar guy) you can tell. It has a similar sound and while it has great crisp sounding production. Nothing new or groundbreaking here and again, clean vocals mixed with growls with slow and brutal parts back and forth.

Queensryche
“I’m American” single
Rhino

The first single from Operation:Mindcrime 2 smokes! They really don’t let up in this track and from hearing some of the rest of the album, Queensryche comes out saying “we’re back!” It seems like everyone is saying this is their best album since Promised Land and they’re right. This single is probably the heaviest on the album and has enough themes to remind you it’s a sequel to “O:M”

Lacuna Coil
“Our Truth” single
Century Media
6:57 – 2 Tracks (one “hot version” one “cool version”)
From their forthcoming album Karmakode, a good solid track, puts everything that makes Lacuna Coil Lacuna Coil in this track. Good solid music, seems like there’s a lot more female vox than previous efforts, although you know they will market Christina as the main person in this band… understandible! Decent track, we’ll probably play this, but other stations have jumped on it, so probably not for very long.

New stuff this week (2/27/06)

Here’s what’s on the table for this week…

Amorphis
Eclipse
Nuclear Blast
44:14 – 10 Tracks

The long awaited new album from Amorphis with their new singer! It sounds pretty good. They still have their trademark sound. It’s well put together, catchy, definately good, and of course, not a clone to Elegy or 1000 Lakes, but there’s still strong hints of that great era. It’s new Amorphis… it’s good, what more can you say? You’ll Hear this on the Mosh Pit!

If Hope Dies
Life In Ruin
Metal Blade
36:41 – 11 Tracks
Well, I don’t know what to call this… It seems like there’s a new wave of metal-core. Not the typical metal core, but the in your face, heavy, relentless pounding of all that is metal. They say it’s recommended if you like Still Remains, Unearth or All That Remains. It’s good stuff, great production, catchy yet meaty speedy riffs and brutal vocals round it all out. They are on Trevor from Unearth’s label imprint (Ironclad), and this genre seems to be the new metal trend…

Soil
True Self
DRT
43:29 – 12 Tracks
New singer, New label, heavier sound! Its good… this is what Soil needed, a lil kick into the metal realm. Granted it will probably end up being more mainstream, it definately has its roots more in metal than “nu metal.” You’ll probably hear this on the Mosh Pit… that is until other stations play the hell out of it!

Daylight Dies
Dismantling Devotion
Candlelight
This was a CD that was late… It sounds pretty decent, a bit like Moonspell, but mix in some Katatonia, but more of a doomy sound. You’ll probably hear this on the pit.

Enforsaken and Loudness have new albums out that should be in the mail at the station tonight when I get down there.

New stuff this week (2/20/06)

Not a lot of new stuff this week, and due to the Presidents Day Holiday, some mail delivery is delayed. Also, with the Throwdown / Still Remains / Dozen Furies / Red Chord show at the Loft on Monday, along with a couple of those bands coming into the studio and Pledge Drive…. there won’t be long reviews!

Dryline
Reach For The Surface
Zero Sum
This is pretty much a heavy metalcore release… good production, more on the metal side than metalcore.

Wicked Wisdom
Wicked Wisdom
Suburban Noize
This is Jada Pinkett’s band… finally got the full album, and it’s not too bad. She’s got a great band and it sounds catchy… as many have said before, she is probably the weak spot, as her vocals are just all over the place. But overall, it’s a decent album!

Sinamore
A New Day
Napalm Records
47:47 – 10 Tracks
Clean vocals, melodic guitars, not real heavy, the music is a little like Amophis, but a bit more simple. I guess it has a bit of a Moonspell vibe, but again, not as heavy or aggressive. It’s okay, but nothing we’re jumping over ourselves to play.

One Dead Three Wounded
Paint The Town
1 x 1 Music
36:42 – 12 Tracks
Yet another aggressive, in-your-face metalcore release. I can’t say there’s much in the way of groundbreaking here. It’s heavy, aggressive, some catchy stuff. They don’t seem to get into any of the sing-a-long whiney choruses… so it’s got that going for it. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit… and of course… call or email if you like it!

The new Nebula CD was also a new release slated for this week, but it’s not here yet.

New stuff this week (2/13/06)

There’s a lot of new stuff this week, so each review (or whatever you wanna call it) will be a bit shorter!

Krisiun
AssassiNation
Century Media
Krisiun always puts out great albums, but they seem to get forgotten. This new CD starts off with a machine gun assault of metal. Being from Brazil, they probably live in the shadow of Sepultura… you can hear some influence in the guitars. For a 3 piece, their wall of sound is aggressive, evil and in your face. Another great new death metal release! You’ll hear this on the pit!!

Kataklysm
In The Arms of Devastation
Nuclear Blast
41:07 – 9 Tracks
We’ve become some big fans of Kataklysm over the years. I was suprised to see a new release from them so soon, as we have still been playing their last release fairly often. This new one doesn’t let up much at all. Intense drumming, guitars and vocals make this a par for the course album from these guys. They start off brutal and don’t let up for the 41 minutes of this album. This is what REAL metal should be sounding like! You’ll hear this a lot on the “Pit!”

Devin Townsend Band
Synchestra
Inside Out Music
You all know Devin from Strapping Young Lad… he seems to be one of the most prolific dudes in heavy music these days, cranking out albums from all of his projects while producing other bands along the way. DTB is the more proggy-less intense not as metal project. The CD starts off pretty mellow, and then goes in different places. There will be some synth keyboard/mandolin sounding stuff, then he’ll just tear into something really heavy. Since he used to sing for Steve Vai, you can kind of hear some of that in this release. Any fan of Devin will like this CD. DTB tours with Opeth in the next month or two. This is definately not SYL, but still great and will probably be played more on the “Pit” in the upcoming weeks.

Folly
Resist Convenience
Triple Crown/EastWest
This kind of has that same old angry metalcore sound. There’s a bit more of a punk feel in the music though. The vocals are kind of the high screachy growling, with some chorus of dudes yelling. The sticker on the cd says that “FOLLY returns with their unique mix of metal, hardcore with a touch of ska.” Normally just an indication of the “touch of ska” would turn me away, but I haven’t really found much of it on the CD… there’s a little on the later tracks, which really it doesn’t fit!! It’s not too bad… you’ll probably hear this on the pit here and there.

Remembering Never
God Save Us
Ferret Music
Another metalcore type of release. Sounds decent. I’m not sure how the powers that be expect the public, let alone poor radio people like me to figure out the difference between all of these metalcore bands. It’s okay… I’ll probably play it this week and maybe in the upcoming weeks.

Suicide Silence
Suicide Silence
Third Degree Records
This was the suprise of the week. I had no idea what it was when I put it in, but it was some really good solid death metal. While just a 5 song EP, these guys really crushed. They’re on an up and coming label called Third Degree Records. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit… it’s great stuff and truly “underground”

Torture Killer
Swarm
Metal Blade
Chris Barnes handles vocals in this side project thing. What originally started off as some dudes hanging around playing Six Feet Under songs turned into what it is today. They had a few EPs and releases and eventually lost their singer, when Chris Barnes got wind of their situation and offered to step in as their “singer.” So, you can guess, it sounds a bit like SFU, Obituary and well, what else can you say. It’s good, I like Chris Barnes’ vocals and the music fits with everything he’s done. Good stuff here… you’ll hear this!!

Twilight Odyssey
Twilight Odyssey
TO Records
We haven’t gotten much power metal in lately… So it’s always nice to get something! At first listen, the production is a little mushy in the bass drum end. The vocals are handled by a female, with the rest of the band doing pretty simple prog-power metal Judas Priestey / Iron Maideney stuff. It’s okay… we’ll probably give it a play, but not much after that.

The Sword
Age of Winters
Kemado Records
Just as I said above with the power metal, we haven’t gotten much “stoner metal” lately. This falls in that category, with huge meaty riffs and a powerful low end. This makes me wanna drink some beer and chill and just watch them play. They have a bit of the Black Sabbath thing going on. They’ll be playing on March 3rd at the High Noon Saloon here in Madison!

There are a few things I haven’t gotten in the mail yet, so it’s a bit tough to review/preview…

Wicked Wisdom’s full length, Torture (Escapi Music) and Naio Ssaion.

A lot of stuff out this week… so tune in and call/email if you like or hate any of it!!

New stuff this week (6/6/06)

Here’s what’s new this week. I’m still trying to learn how to put what I hear into words better, so these reviews are going to suck for a while. But on the flipside, it’s a lot better than what I used to write up… which was nothing!!

Clawfinger
Hate Yourself With Style
Nuclear Blast
39:23 – 11 Tracks

It’s been a little while since I’ve heard these guys. Their sound hasn’t changed that much. It’s unique. Some good thrashy/punk songs along with their crowbar-sounding sludge beats. Sounds pretty good, and it’s nice to have something different out there. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit this week and in weeks to come.

Slave To The System
Slave To The System
Spitfire Records
48:04 – 12 Tracks

This is the debut album from Scott Rockenfield (Drummer from Queensryche) and a couple of guys from Brother Cane. It’s a pretty well put together hard rock album. Nothing thrashy or growly in the metal vein about this cd. It actually sounds how you’d think. Mix Brother Cane with Queensryche’s drums. It does rock good! It’s good and you’ll hear it this week on the Mosh Pit.

Down Factor
Kill The World
Scourge Records
43:28 – 10 Tracks

This starts off with a droning intro track, but then as good albums do, they kick your ass all over the place. But in this case, it’s with an awesome thrashy intro to the REAL lead track. Some great drum fills with a dual guitar attack and somewhat brutal growls. They aren’t cookie monster, but more of a thrash scream. It’s got a nice grungy dark feeling with the guitar work and a nice thrashy sound to boot. You’ll hear this on the mosh pit!!

Ensoph
Projekt X-Katon
Cruz Del Sur Music
65:26 – 15 Tracks

This is almost goth sounding, but has some Scandanavian sound as well. Must be the flutes. Has a bit of an Amorphis feel, but yet, they are from Italy. Check out their web site at http://www.ensoph.it/ Strong keyboard elements, solid production, almost a Rammstein sound too. I’ll probably give this a spin early in the Mosh Pit, as it’s a good crossover with Something Wonderful.

New stuff this week (1/30/06)

In Flames
“Come Clarity”
Ferret Records
48:06 – 13 Tracks

Some say In Flames sold out. True, their sound has “evolved” or changed over the years, but since I first heard “Whoracle,” I was hooked, then it only got better with “Colony.” Since “Colony,” they have been put down a lot because each album isn’t as good. Well, every band has their “Reign in Blood” or “Led Zep IV” etc. So here we arrive at the long awaited “Come Clarity” album from In Flames. Still has the fast melodic death metal-esque elements. I think In Flames has maintained their sound and well, they seem to be overshadowed by a lot of bands that took their sound and added on it. This new album is powerful, has some catchy parts and just makes you want to get in the pit and stir things up. Their new label, Ferret Records usually has metal/hardcore bands, but I guess you can’t blame a band like In Flames to want to be the top dog at their label, and they’ve paid their dues and hopefully Ferret can give them what they need to get to the next level. Since we’re fans of In Flames, and well, this is a darn good CD, you’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit. 🙂

Bullet For My Valentine
“The Poison”
Trustkill Records
55:00 – 13 Tracks
This long awaited release from the “metalcorers” has finally come to the inbox. I guess I can’t say this sounds much different than my of the other “metal-core” bands out there. Solid production, the good loud mean growls, heavy guitars, major riffage, good double bass parts… but then the clean vocal choruses. So yeah, good then that singy stuff. It’s good, but more of the same. You’ll probably hear this on the Mosh Pit for a bit, moreso if there are requests.

Devin Townsend Band
“Vampira” Single
SPV Records
3:27 – 1 Track (Single)
Devin never stops. He toured with Strapping Young Lad almost constantly last year, stopped that, worked on the DTB album, that’s out, going on tour with that, then back in for a new SYL album. Anyways, this song is pretty cool. Good solid hardrock/metal track with an almost singalong chorus and eerie keyboard base. Devin’s got talent and it’s great that he shares it with the world. 🙂

There are a few other relases that should be in the mail soon or already at the station:

Drawn And Quartered, Hail Infernal Darkness (Moribund Cult)
Falkenbach, The Fire Blade (Napalm Records)
Seven Witches, Amped (Candlelight Records) Drawn and Quartered

New stuff this week (1/23/06)

Himsa
Hail Horror
Prosthetic Records
46:16 – 10 Tracks

This album is damn near death metal. I thought I remembered Himsa crossing more into metalcore. While it still has a metalcore sound, it seems to be more dark. Nice growling, aggressive in your face sound. Take Lamb of God, throw in some Devildriver and mix it up with some Kataklysm or Krisiun and maybe you have Himsa… I dunno, I like it and you’ll hear it on the “Pit” in the upcoming weeks!

Demiricous
“One”
Metal Blade
We’ve had a 3 song EP for a little while and those three songs are pretty impressive. Very “Slayeresque” there’s a lot of “Reign in Blood” on this cd, mix in some Pantera and melodic scandanavian death metal and you have this band. Good solid production

Cathedral
“The Garden of Uneartly Delights”
Nuclear Blast
Yes! They are back and on a new label. These doom icons do not mess around, some scary intro tracks to some other songs. Great catchy pouding songs. There’s not much more you can say about this album, but it’s a great classic sounding Cathdral CD. You’ll hear this on the Pit in the upcoming weeks!

Chimaira
“Chimaira” Re-Issue
Roadrunner
2 cds
The first disk is just “Chimaira.” The 2nd disk is really what this release is all about. Two unreleased tracks from the “Chimaira” sessions and audio from “The Dehumanizing Process” DVD recorded in Holland in 2003. It comes in a neat all black jewel case. The live tracks really stand out on this one, crystal clear sound and it sounds like they were “on”

Gorefest
“La Muerte”
Nuclear Blast
64:43 – 12 Tracks
If you like Entombed or Napalm Death, you’ll probably enjoy Gorefest. This is their first album in 6 years. They have the classic death grind core sound. Nothing too complicated, just straight forward grind.

Scissorfight
“Victory Over Horseshit” EP
Tortuga / Hydra Head
16:33 – 5 Tracks
Not really metal, more of a hard rock or “outlaw rock” as the Bio says. Seems like a fun lovin’ rock band. If there’s extra time in the show you’ll hear this, but it’s not a high priority. Pretty good stuff, would fit along the lines of Clutch, and they are going on tour with Orange Goblin in May.

Oceansize
“Everyone Into Position”
Beggars Banquet
Another more hard rock album. From the Bio: “Brooding, Dark, spacey, empowering, sprawling and at times angelic” A good rock record, it has all clean vocals, kind of a Porcupine meets Audioslave sound. Another, “unless we have extra time” album on the Pit.

Other releases yet to hear…. Hurtlocker, Dan Lorenzo and a compilation called “Best of Taste of Chaos”