Dream Theater
Score
Rhino
3-CDs – Lots of tracks
If you know me even a little, you’ll know that DT is my favorite band, so of course this writeup will be a little bit biased… This CD release co-incides with the same show on DVD. It represents the culmination of 20 years of DT at a show at Radio City Music Hall in NYC. It’s a big long setlist, representing each album of their career with their big epic song “Octavarium” and “Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence” (and others) performed with a full orchestra. Yes, other bands have done it, but these two more recent albums from DT really benefit from this extra added goodness. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit… but as usual, I won’t try and shove DT down everyone’s throats, as I know they aren’t for everyone.

Dead Rabbits
Sin Eater
215 / Overit
69:15 – 17 Tracks
I’m not sure how to describe these guys, maybe stoner metal on steroids? They’ve got a bit of COC sound, some of that southern metal rock sound, and a lil bit of thrash too. It gets a little long in parts, but overall, it’s pretty cool. You’ll probably hear this on the Mosh Pit!

A Love Ends Suicide
In The Disaster
High Impact/Metal Blade
39:09 – 11 Tracks
Yet another melodic death metalcore band… If there weren’t so many of these bands out there, this would stand out a bit more. I really can’t say there is anything new and refreshing here. It’s got great production, it’s heavy, melodic, great playing… So yeah, nothing groundbreaking, but it’s still pretty solid, so you’ll probably hear this on the Mosh Pit

Black Label Society
Shot To Hell
Roadrunner
44:11 – 13 Tracks
Zakk is bakk with a new BLS album! New label, same sound. This has a pretty “thick” sound, but it’s got the same guitar sound, Zakk’s trademark “ozzy-like” vocals. Some songs are heavy, but most of them take the light road…. oh well… Some tracks are cool, so you’ll hear that stuff on the Mosh Pit.

Motorhead
Kiss of Death
Sanctuary
A new Motorhead album! The good thing about Motorhead is that they are consistent. You know what you’ll get with Motorhead. A good heavy, loud album. There is some good catchy stuff on this too. Straight and to the point, it’s Motorhead and you’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit.

Jucifer
If Thine Enemy Hunger
Relapse
The bio sheet with this CD says it’s for fans of “PJ Harvey, White Stripes and Sleater Kinney” If that’s the case, then they didn’t make a good case for metal radio airplay. So, while we give everything here a fair shake, it’s a bit more rockin’ than those bands, it’s still a tough sell to get it on the Mosh Pit. You may hear a track, since a couple do get sorta hard rock-like, but probably not.

Here are the goofy reviews of the new stuff this week….

Wednesday 13
Fang Bang
Rykodisc
45:48 – 13 Tracks
Well, they seem to have the modern day Alice Cooper thing goin’ on. The glam, halloween type metal. It’s not really mosh pit material, but if you are into this sort of thing, you may want to check it out!

Gojira
From Mars To Sirius
Prosthetic Records
66:58 – 12 Tracks
A bit spacey, maybe a bit like Neurosis, grungy, proggy, almost a bit stoner. There isn’t really an easy way to put a finger on these guys. They aren’t the normal New Wave of American Metal that Prosthetic seems to put out these days…. for one, they are French, two, they are just all over the place. Some songs are pretty straight ahead metal. Overall it’s pretty good, and you’ll probably hear it on the Mosh Pit.

Mercenary
The Hours That Remain
Century Media
62:17 – 10 Tracks
A new release from the progressive power thrash band… They sound like Evergrey with a bit more eurothrash melodic death mixed in. We like this sort of stuff on the Mosh Pit, so you’ll probably hear it!

Agalloch
Ashes Against the Grain
The End
59:51 – 8 Tracks
A bit doom metal, a bit black metal, I’d have to say they might fit in the same vein as Opeth or November’s Doom. A bit dark and gloomy, but definate metal elements at work. There isn’t as much catchy heavy stuff as Opeth, but some songs do get going. This is more of a listen all the way through type of album. You may hear this on the Mosh Pit.

Merendine Atomiche
Raw
Mausoleum Records
Yet another band that I can’t really describe. I can say it’s not death, black, or any of that extreme stuff. It’s more of a hard rock meets just plain ol metal. It almost has that glam sound with some of the vocals, but the music is much more chugga chugga metal. It’s pretty catchy and heavy in spots which really keeps a person interested in hearing more. You may hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Deicide
The Stench Of Redemption
Earache
41:22 – 10 Tracks
They’re back! The Hoffman Brothers are out and Deicide is no different! Getting Jack Owen formerly of Cannibal Corpse and Ralph Santolla (Iced Earth and others) really seemed to keep Deicide on track. Glen Benton’s vocals are up there with any other album he’s done, and it’s just flat out classic death metal. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Poisonblack
Lust Stained Despair
Century Media
48:17 – 11 Tracks
Doomy poppy euro-metal! But wait… the former lead vocalist from Sentenced is now in Poisonblack, so they got that going for them. I’d have to say this album is a mix of Lacuna Coil and Amorphis. They’ve got big basslines with keyboards, and don’t ever seem to get super heavy. It’s still good and you’ll probably hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Legion Of The Damned
Malevolent Rapture
Locomotive Music
39:12 – 10 Tracks
This is pretty decent black/thrash metal. It’s too bad the production is a bit mushy. It’s not bad by any means, I think I just get spoiled by a lot of this stuff out there lately and when you get a little boomy bass drum, it stands out more. It’s good and heavy, it has that chugga chugga marchy sound going on on a few tracks. Overall it’s solid, they are a tight band, and you’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Mastodon
Blood Mountain Sampler
Reprise Records
11:23 – 3 Tracks
Well folks, it’s new Mastodon! They keep doin’ what they’re doing. Solid stuff. It’s heavy, loud, fast, tight… all the stuff you expect. They are not breaking new ground, but the ground is good to hang out on with these guys. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Lamb Of God
Sacrament
Epic Records
46:12 – 11 Tracks
With this release and the tours these guys are on this summer (Unholy Alliance and Gigantour), they are going to quickly fill the american metal void left by Pantera. While NO ONE can fill Pantera’s shoes, everyone (including myself) seem to try and compare bands and try to place them in the big picture. I have to say, with “Sacrament,” Lamb of God is getting right up there. Their live shows are crazy and this new album is 11 tracks of metal goodness. Playing this on the Mosh Pit is a no brainer.

Unearth
III: In The Eyes Of Fire
Metal Blade
43:59 – 11 Tracks
All that new wave of american metal stuff above? Well, it almost holds true about Unearth too. These guys have whipped up crowds at every show I’ve seen them play. They come from the metalcore end of the spectrum. They keep it heavy and fun at their shows. This new album shows a good progression from their last. Just balls out metal-hardcore-melodic-thrash. It’s got solid production by none other than Terry Date. You will hear this on the Mosh Pit.

On The Last Day
Meaning In The Static
Victory
43:27 – 11 Tracks
This is kind of an emo-metalcore thinger. A lot of singy vocals mixed in with good ol fashioned metal scream-growls. Some repetetive guitar work, layers of vocals, etc etc. It’s okay, but it’s not super big Mosh Pit material. You may hear this on the Pit… you may not.

Gwar
Beyond Hell
DRT
46:51 – 12 Tracks
Gwar are continuing their trend of the last couple albums… putting out some kick ass metal cds, instead of just relying on their image and stuff. They have catchy heavy tunes, yes, they still have their “image,” but it’s good ol thrashy metal backing it up. It’s produced by Devin Townsend, so you know it’s sound is crisp and a bit processed, but nice and clean. You will hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Behold The Arctopus
Nan-Nucleonic Cyborg Summoning
Metal Blade
53:05 – 9 Tracks
I saw these guys open for Yakuza and Dysrythmia not to long ago. To be honest, I had never heard of them and wasn’t going to be too broken up if I got there late and missed them. Well, I have to eat crow and say, I’m glad I got there early enough to see them. They have a crazy all over the place sound which is a bit hard to explain. The bio sheet compares them to Psyopus or the Red Chord (instrumental of course) . Crazy fast chaotic playing, very technical, thrashy, deathy, even jazzy in some parts? It’s crazy cool and you’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Hatesphere
The Sickness Within
SPV
44:39 – 11 Tracks
This has that death/thrash metal sound. Kind of like Hypocrisy I guess. They have some quick thrashy moments, then take it back for some cool slower almost like those, you know, slower parts in black metal songs… It’s got some good production and is a welcome addition to the Mosh Pit!

Terrorizer
Darker Days Ahead
Century Media
39:25 – 12 Tracks
The re-formed Terrorizer has a new album… Two of the current members of Morbid Angel make up the new Terrorizer. Pete is from the original Terrorizer and also of Morbid angel… This is good brutal grindcore-death metal type stuff. It’s a mix of say, six feet under and Morbid Angel. Some great death metal with a bit of groove in there as well. I’m not familiar with their other album from 1989, but I might have to dig it up! You’l hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Motorhead
2 Song Sampler
Sanctuary Records
I only heard one song from this, courtesy of a promotions company, but what can you say, it’s Motorhead. Nothing groundbreaking from Lemmy and the boys, and that’s a good thing, why change now, right? You’ll hear it on the Mosh Pit!

Death Before Disco
Barricades
Lifeforce
46:59 – 10 Tracks
This is a bit of a loud rock/stoner metal /heavy type release. It’s hard to pigeon-hole. It’s got some harmonious/sing-along choruses, then has some screamy metal-core moments. It’s more like stoner-core, as it has the loud distorted simple guitar that stoner metal has, but a lot of metal-emo-core moments. You might hear this on the Mosh Pit.

Fuck The Facts
Stigmata High-Five
Relapse
33:56 – 7 Tracks
Good ol Canadian grindcore! Just heavy, in your face death metal-ish grindcore. It’s in your face, technical in a lot of parts, and it just does not let up. You will hear this on the Mosh Pit (even if we can’t say the name of the band on the air!).

Priestess
Hello Master
RCA
40:19 – 12 Tracks
Stoner metal! Good meaty production, heavy riffage, and a great loud sound. They have clean “highish” vocals (as opposed to Neil from Clutch). This is pretty decent, there’s a lot of competition from other new releases this week, so if there’s time, or someone calls, I’ll play this on the Mosh Pit! It’s always nice to have some new “stoner” type hard rock/metal stuff around.

Threat Signal
Under Reprisal
Nuclear Blast
47:08 – 11 Tracks
This is produced by Christian from Fear Factory. It is quite similar to FF as well. It might come across as a bit more “metal” to most folks, including me! The “screamy” vocals seem a bit more angry than Burton from FF. There are clean vox as well, those are just about a clone of FF. But, don’t get me wrong, this album isn’t a Fear Factory clone. There are some shreddy guitar solos, great thrash moments, breakdowns, some hints of scandanavian melodic death metal, and more! There’s not much out there right now like this, so this release is something nice to have. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit.

Hatebreed
Supremacy
Roadrunner
36:38 – 13 Tracks
The good thing about Hatebreed, is when they come out with something new, you pretty much know what to expect. This time around on their Roadrunner debut, they don’t disappoint. This even might be their best, most well put-together album yet. It’s got all that makes Hatebreed, Hatebreed, but with, I dunno, more metal, more angst, just more Hatebreed! Hatebreed has always been popular on the Mosh Pit, and this album won’t change that, you’ll hear this on the ‘Pit!

Parkway Drive
Killing With A Smile
Epitaph
39:42 – 11 Tracks
A metalcore album, something a bit different than most, there is some great melodic guitar riffage on here. It’s pretty simliar to Unearth. This is just about all brutal too! I’m not sure if this matters, but they are from Austrailia, and that’s pretty cool. Like I said earlier, this is a tough week with a lot of new releases and competition, but this will definately make it on the Mosh Pit.

Tystnaden
Sham of Perfection
Limb
46:08 – 10 Tracks
This falls into the female fronted proggy power melodic black hard rock metal category. You know, the Nightwish, Leaves Eyes, Lacuna Coil type of stuff. This has a bit more electronic stuff in it than the others, but has a good edgy guitar edge to it. The male death vox really make this pretty cool. The production is solid and if you are a fan of the primarily female vox euro-metal, you’ll like this. We’ll try to get this on the air, as there’s a LOT of great new stuff this week.

Autumn Black
Beneath The Shadows
Throwdown
38:25 – 12 Tracks
This kind of sounds like a metalcore band trying to be black metal. The production is a bit lax, and that’s a shame, there sounds like some promise here. But there’s not much of a better way to describe it, but metalcore/black metal. You may hear this on the Mosh Pit.

Mahavatar
From The Sun, The Rain, The Wind, The Soil
Escapi
44:12 – 10 Tracks
This is a tough album to put a label on, they have a nu-metal sound, female “shouty” vocals, not screamy, there are some clean singy, more mellow parts. It’ll then get into some hard rockin’ catchy riffs also. It’s alright, you might hear this on the mosh pit… it’s just not heavy like we like things!

Deicide
2 Song Sampler (from The Stench of Redemption)
Earache
8:13 – 2 Tracks
Glen Benton and his “new band” (Jack Owen and Ralph Santolla) have their now first release. It starts off fairly plain and repetetive. You can’t understand a word he’s saying, but does it matter? Out of the first two tracks, the 2nd one (title track) has a bit less repetition and fits the old Deicide a lil bit better. There is some good guitar work. What can you say, it’s new Deicide and you’ll hear it on the Mosh Pit.

All Shall Perish
The Price of Existence
Nuclear Blast
43:05 – 11 Tracks
Technical Grind and Death Metal mixed up, is what the promo sheet starts off with. It’s right on the money too. Some great technical chops, with some good ol cookie monster growls and high screachy brutal screams. Solid production, a lil bit of hardcore with some “breakdowns” But then going right in to some blast beat death metal. It’s for fans who can handle a little bit of everything brutal! You’ll hear this on the mosh pit!

The Human Abstract
Nocturne
Hopeless
46:44 – 12 tracks
Another one of those metalcore bands? No, not really! It’s just got something that’s different. Yes, it does have some metalcore stuff in it, but the guitar work reminds me more of Iron Maiden. The first track goes in and out of melodic slow spots. While I’m personally not a big fan of that, I could just imagine the kids in the pit taking a break to save up for the crazy fast heavy part that it was leading up to. There are clean singy vocals, but also brutal growl screams. The more I listen to it, the more I like it, there are just so many facets to grab a hold of. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Unearth
3 Song Sampler (from III: In the Eyes Of Fire)
Metal Blade
11:52 – 3 Tracks
Produced by the legendary Terry Date, you can actually tell too! The drums just have that punch that he manages to get on everything he does. Everything is so crisp, heavy, just what you would expect. The songs are rip roarin’ heavy and crazy with great melodic instrumental breaks. Everything you’ve known to love about Unearth is here. I can’t wait to hear the full album. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Indorphine
Glowsticks For Clubbing Baby Seals
Rock Ridge
78:59 – 15 Tracks
This is a bit “experimental,” as it’s all over the place a la Mr. Bungle, but then total brutality. It’s interesting. You’ll probably hear this on the mosh pit!

Here are some mini reviews of stuff that is new this week…

Body Count
Murder 4 Hire
Escapi
44:52 – 12 Tracks
Good ol Body Count is Back! Pretty raw production, angry lyrics. I’m sure everyone knows Body Count. It’s decent, and it’s nice to have these guys back. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit

Voivod
Katorz
The End
45:09 – 10 Tracks
The long awaited last CD from Piggy. Voivod finished the songs that Piggy laid down the guitar tracks down for. It’s a good solid effort too! I think it’s great that they went on and finished out the album. I’m sure Denis (Piggy) would have wanted it that way. It’s got some great catchy riffs, the production is a bit raw, which is also kind of cool too. This is a no brainer, you’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Stone Sour
Come What(ever) May
Roadrunner Records
49:00 – 12 Tracks
While we’ve stayed away from this band in the past, as well, all the songs were very “rock”, and not too metal. While on vacation, I got a chance to check out this CD in the car for a couple spins and it grew on me. Yes, there are “rock” moments on it, but they also have a few tracks which are just plain heavy. Of course these will be Mosh Pit material. So, yeah, some great catchy metal songs, with some not so heavy stuff for the other stations in town too. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit.

Gorgoroth
Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam
Candlelight
31:39 – 8 Tracks
It’s nice to have a new release from these guys. They are the good ol classic satanic black metal band. Not to mention, their frontman, Gaahl is a caricature of himself and all that is black metal. The playing, vocals, well, everything on this release is pretty good. So yeah, tune into the Mosh Pit to hear it!

Sahg
Sahg I
Candlelight
48:26 – 10 Tracks
A bit of a hard rock release. It’s kind of a clean vocal, hard rock, almost “helmetey” in spots, but if I had to compare them to anyone, it’d be Trouble. It’s heavy and has some great meaty riffs, good production too. So, you might hear this on the Mosh Pit. If you don’t and you want to, just email or call in!

Chrome Division
Doomsday Rock n Roll
Nuclear Blast
46:03 – 12 Tracks
Imagine if Shagrath from Dimmu Borgir had a day job… yeah, it’d be as a guitar player in a southern hard rock / motorhead sounding band called Chrome Division. Oh, wait, it’s not an imagination… it’s true! It’s been a project that was on the back burner for many years, and now there’s an album!

I’ll be on vacation and Mike will be taking over the show this week. But here are some blurbs about the new stuff in the mail this week.

Lacrimas Profundere
Again It’s Over
Napalm
20:17 – 6 Tracks
Besides having a weird name, they are kind of like that doomy Paradise Lost or Moonspell in their “lame” phase. Not to take away from these guys, just a way to describe them! They are okay, just not really heavy, as I like, but it’s good stuff. You may hear this on the Mosh Pit.

Adiago
Dominate
Locomotove
42:43 – 8 Tracks
Heavy progressive black metal, along the lines of Cradle of Filth, at least musically. Vocals are a bit similar to King Diamond in parts, but other parts, just classic power metal. It’s sometimes over the top, like Dragonforce, other parts like some good ol Dream Theater. It’s good, and you’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Grave
As Rapture Comes
Century Media
41:13 – 10 Tracks
Classic brutal swedish death metal! No, not the melodic In Flames/Soilwork stuff, good ol brutal stuff. No frills, just fast, growly and brutal with plenty of blast beats. Would you expect any more or less from Grave? You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Burn In Silence
Angel Maker
Prosthetic
38:09 – 10 Tracks
A new release from Prosthetic records. It fits the bill of other bands on the label. Brutal, heavy, angry and clean sounding. Some hardcore elements, but with some power metally keyboards, some clean chorus vocals. They’ve got a nice full sound with the keyboards, then break into some crazy blast beat-double kick stuff. It’s pretty cool, you’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Oh The Horror
Hands Pressed Against The Glass
Play The Assassin
41:05 – 10 Tracks
At first sound, it’s yet another emo-metal-core type band. It sounds cool and brutal one minute, then some whiney clean vocal chorus. They have some whiney guitary stuff, not real great production. The kids will like that, but no so much for the Mosh Pit.

Wolverine
Still
Candlelight
52:11 – 9 Tracks
A bit like tool, but not as cool or experimental, maybe just “trippy?” … Just more or less a plain ol rock cd here. It’s more along the lines of Opeth’s “Damnation” album. Good, but not metal! You may hear this on the Mosh Pit.

Birds of Prey
Weight Of The Wound
Relapse
35:39 – 10 Tracks
A bit hardcore, a bit just metal. Hard to describe I guess. It’s kind of classic metal, but with the metalcore/hardcore edge to it. You can definately hear some Biohazard influence! You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit!

There’s a lot of new stuff this week… making up for last week’s vacation!

Strapping Young Lad
The New Black
Century Media
42:43 – 11 Tracks
“Alien” just came out last year, and was a stellar release, now we are spoiled by a new spankin’ release from SYL! There isn’t as much shreikey screams on it, which has become synonymous with angry, pissed off Devin Townsend. This release is a bit more melodic, but it still keeps its edge. From what I’ve read, this album was made in a bit of a hurry, due to wanting the release to coincide with their Ozzfest trek this summer. It’s in your face, catchy and speeeedy fast. Gene Hoglan lays down some sick drumming and Oderus from Gwar guests on “Far Beyond Metal.” You will hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Bleeding Through
Ozzfest Sampler
Trustkill
13:58 – 3 Tracks
It has total brutal moments, almost death metal, and then it can get to the whiney emo chorus. This is a solid band though, these are tracks from “The Truth” with a cover of “Stars” from Hum. Can’t say that I know that one, I listened to it and didn’t remember it. It wasn’t too heavy though, kind of “emo!!” You may hear this on the Mosh Pit. I’m not a huge fan of “adding” a release of something that was new a few months ago and already through its “adds”.

Bury Your Dead
Beauty And The Breakdown
Victory Records
34:04 – 11 Tracks
These guys have a bit of that classic Hardcore sound, but with a bit more of a low chunky bottom end. I hear keyboards in the background, that does not take anything away from the brutality that these guys emit. I feel like doing a march through the old mosh pit hearing some tracks on here. Just good ol chunky heavy riffs. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Powerman 5000
Destroy What You Enjoy Sampler
DRT Entertainment
14:51 – 4 Tracks
Back when these guys first came out, the metal world was a bit different. Nowadays, these guys have seen the metal/heavy music world pass them by. Just plain ol hard rock here, but not really Mosh Pit material.

From A Second Story Window
Delenda
Blackmarket / Metal Blade
42:23 – 10 Tracks
Brutal, extreme, technical, death metal? Heavy crazy music, with some cookie monster vocals, mixing with those angry growls of metal core… I like this, it’s all over the place, yet right there for you to just smile and nod your head along to. They are a bit of Black Dahlia Murder mixed with some Red Chord, but of course have their own sound too. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Loch Vostok
Destruction Time Again
Escapi Music
52:42 – 11 Tracks
I’m not sure how to classify this… They have a bit of a black metal sound, but some power metal, then you go to another track and you hear some classic rock vocals. The production sounds like it ran through a cassette deck without Dolby NR… or something, it sounds tinny. Some of the tracks have some really cool instrumental bridges, then they come back with some icky vocals. It might be worthy of giving the listeners a chance to check this out, but I don’t think it’s something you’ll hear a lot of on the Mosh Pit.

Lamb of God
Redneck Single
Epic
17:12 – 4 Tracks
New single from Lamb of God, with a clean version and some live tracks… (Killadelphia outtakes?). Upon first and subsequent listens, this tracks OOOOZES Pantera! Very “Dimebagesque” guitar sound, Randy has his trademark growls, but his screams sound quite a bit like Phil. They still retain their catchy cool instrumental breaks and heavy brutal sound. It’s not a clone of the Cowboys from Hell, but it sure reminds you of them, and also, that Lamb of God is about to claim the thrown of kings of new american thrash left vacant from Pantera.

Leaves Eyes
Legend Land
Napalm
21:08 – 6 Tracks
New stuff from Leaves Eyes. Melodic progressive black(ish) metal with female vocals and male growls. It’s pretty good, has me reminded of pre-megapopular Lacuna Coil. It’s pretty good, production is crystal clear and it’s something different. The Mosh Pit audience has typically liked some female vocal stuff along with the rest of the thrash! You’ll probably hear this on the Mosh Pit.

Bob Catley
Spirit Of Man
Locomotive Music
62:34 – Tracks
Upon first listen of this, it reminds me of WASP. The music is just about as heavy, probably a bit lighter, the vocals are just plain ol hard rock, almost like that early 90’s power ballad hard rock stuff. Whitesnake? It’s got that 80’s 90’s hard rock sound. Yup. Bob used to sing in the band Magnum and Hard Rain. So, if you like that sort of music, this is for you. You probably won’t hear this on the Mosh Pit unless you want, then call and request it!

Walls of Jericho
From Hell Sampler
Trustkill
I got a jewel case with no CD in it, but they have a track on their myspace and a record promotions company has a track available for download. It’s heavy and brutal stuff. Worthy of play on the Mosh Pit, even without a CD! hah

Deadstar Assembly
Unsaved
Pure
51:50 – 15 Tracks
These guys have a bit of the metallic-eletronica thing going on. A little of the Marilyn Manson look with a similar feel in the music. There is no new ground breaking here. It’s alright, and you might hear this on the Mosh Pit.

Communic
Waves Of Visual Decay
Nuclear Blast
57:56 – 99 Tracks (7 Songs… stupid promos!)
If you haven’t heard of these guys… you might think you just popped in some new Nevermore record. The similarities are eerie in musical and vocal style. So, needless to say, if you like Nevermore and can not be one of those people that say they are “Nevermore ripoffs”… you will love these guys. However, there is enough different to not just be a Nevermore clone.

All That Remains
The Fall of Ideals
Prosthetic
39:04 – 11 Tracks
A new album from these guys… it’s pretty brutal! But, yet it still has everything that makes it metal-core, heavy riffs, some singy choruses, brutal death vox, insane brutal drumming and some meedley guitar soloing. These guys have always stood out in the metal-core vein and this album just goes along with the “keep doin’ what you’re doin'” philosophy, the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”… well you get the idea. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit.

Cattle Decapitation
Karma Bloody Karma
Metal Blade
40:44 – 12 Tracks
Crazy brutal sick Death Metal. Yes!! Gore-grind metal like it should be. There isn’t a lot of this stuff around anymore, and when a band like Cattle Decapitation sticks it out, you gotta love ’em! Well structured (old) Carcass-esque songs make these guys fun to listen to. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit!

9mm Solution
One Shot… One Kill
Mortal Music
28:42 – 8 Tracks
Milwaukee’s own 9mm Solution! While I’ve never seen these guys, I’ve always heard good things about them. They kind of have the Static-X with more metal thing going on… While it’s a bit more in the hard-rock vein, they have enough brutal stuff in here to keep it heavy. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit.

Underoath
Define The Great Line
Tooth & Nail
45:58 – 11 Tracks
Just another typical emo-metal-core album. More whiney vocals than screams. Troubled emo teens will just gobble this album up! haha. But, due to their popularity, they may get a spin or two on the Mosh Pit.

Illuminati
On Borrowed Time
Liquor and Poker
36:54 – 14 Tracks
A good ol hard rockin’ album. But rather than just plain old rock, it has some jazzy music stuff, a bit like some of those cool old obsure Led Zep tracks. It’s a bit different than the norm, and because of that, you may just hear it on the Mosh Pit!

Various Artists
Sounds of the Underground Tour CD/DVD
Ferret
2 CDs, 1 DVD
This compilation of all that is SOTU this year showcases the bands that are on the tour this summer. The second CD contains music from bands that are on labels of other bands that are on the SOTU tour. Lastly, the DVD. Videos from all of the bands on CD 1, and of course that means they are on the SOTU this summer. We’re psyched about this tour, so we’ll be playing this on the ‘Pit!

Review stuff….

Shadows Fall
Fallout From The War
Century Media
41:55 – 11 Tracks
The last effort from S.F. on Century Media before their big jump to Atlantic Records. Six brand new tracks, two new re-recorded versions of songs previously on a Japanese EP and a few fun covers. They are more metal now than ever. Seeing as they kind of pioneered the metal-core movement, they might as well lead the masses back to more metal. Classic Shadows Fall though, awesome riffing, the drumming is stupendous, and Brian Fair’s barking vocals are right up there with it all. Every track on here thrashes! You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Anterrabae
And Our Heart Beat In Our Fingertips, Without Reason
Triple Crown
51:19 – 12 Tracks
It’s yet another metal-core type release, but the bio sheet says they are “brutal metal-core” I’d have to agree! It’s got the best of metalcore and mix that up with metal, and here ya go. Just as I was typing, “I don’t hear any whiney emo chorus stuff” I hear it! It’s not solo though, it’s kind of a call-response with the growly vox. It has a good raw sound, not polished up, that seems to give it a bit of an edge. This isn’t too shabby, just not really original. You’ll hear this on the pit though.

Metal Church
A Light In The Dark
SPV
60:31 – 11 Tracks
Classic thrashers Metal Church are back! It starts off in classic old school thrash fashion. Same lineup as their 2004 album. Not much more you can say, but it’s classic Metal Church with some 21st century sound mixed in. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit!

Helmet
Monochrome
Warcon
42:05 – 12 Tracks
Helmet is Helmet. They’re out on Warped tour now. I can’t say I’ve ever really been a Helmet fan. Of course I respect what they do and what they’ve done, but I’ve never found anything special about them. This new album is more of the same from Helmet. Pretty simple riffing, plodding songs that just keep on goin’. But what can you say… I started off with it. “Helmet is Helmet” It’s decent, you’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit. (for the Helmet fans!)

Between The Buried And Me
The Anatomy Of
Victory
70:00 – 14 Tracks
How do you follow up your defining album of your career? Well, if you are BTBAM, you make a cover album with songs from Metallica, Sepultura, Pink Floyd, Pantera and more! Why? I don’t know. I have always been a sucker for metal covers though. While most of the originals on here are heavier tracks to start with, some are not, and hearing BTBAM putting their mark on these tracks is fun. They actually try and stay true to the originals, and wow, they would be a pretty fun cover band to see! haha I guess I could guess why they did a covers album. Here goes… They needed a new release for their big Ozzfest trek this summer…. how about, they wanted to show their fans their versions of songs from bands they are influenced by…is their contract with Victory Records up and they needed one more album…. any reason, it’s cool, and you’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit!