I'm a HUGE fan of The Misfits, Samhain, and Danzig, I'm a huge fan of just Glenn Danzig himself. So when I heard Danzig was releasing a new album I was super stoked. Even when Danzig's record sales were very low he still put out albums, and did so  for many years, and I've loved each and every one of them. However, when Deth Red Sabaoth was released it made the Billboard 200 at #35, which I was very excited to see. However, This album is my least favorite thing Danzig has ever composed, it lacks so much enthusiasm and content. His voice sounds weak and the guitar riffs and licks are very repetitive. Danzig in my opinion has always been a very energetic and powerful singer and on this album it sounds like he is holding back. Danzig's music has always been dark and erotic and this album lacks a lot of that. There is one track that is actually good and stands out from all the rest of the tracks and that is "On A Wicked Night". (also released as the single...big surprise.) But hear it for yourself and hopefully you will see the "good" in it.

LoopedEyeless

Past Works:
Circle Of Snakes
I Luciferi
Satan's Child
Blackacidevil
4p
How The Gods Kill
Lucifuge
Danzig

Track:
On A Wicked Night

From the opening track "Snakes For The Divine" to "Holy Flames Of The Fire Spitter" the last track on the album, High On Fire takes you on a doom metal journey into a metal apocalypse. High On Fire has never lacked a single shred of content on any of their albums and this one is no different from the rest. Mike Pike sucks you in with his phenomenal vocals and blazing guitar riffs in every track and only lets up when you have that couple of seconds when the track goes to the next one. High On Fire is just not your usual metal band, they use very intricate ryhthms and chord progressions, they are very talented and skilled musicians. This marks the fifth release for High On Fire and we can only hope for more relentlessness coming from this trio in the near future. For the metal fans out there, this in one of the bands that Dethklok and Mastodon hand picked to open their tour last year, so you know that you have to rock hard if you were going to be on the road with them.

LoopedEyeless

Past Works:
Death Is This Communion
Blessed Black Wings
Surrounded By Thieves
The Art Of Self Defense

Track:
Snakes Of The Divine

 11 Years since Varg Vikernes' last album comes a desolate and dark treat for all black metal fans. Burzum has conjured up his demons and locked them in  50 minutes of  black metal bedlam. The vocals have evolved during the past decade, but the music is still there. A lot of heart and soul went into this new album and if you know of his past, you can feel it threaded though every chord, beat, and lyric.


LoopedEyeless





Past Works:
Hiloskjalf
Dauoi Baldrs
Filosofem
Hvis lyset tar oss
Aske
Det som engang var
Burzum

Track:
Belus' Doed

From the Australian hard rock band, Airbourne, comes their sophomore release: "No Guts. No Glory." With the support of many old hair metal bands and a decent following from the metal community, Airbourne delivers a mediocre album that is fast but has no dice. This  follow up from their glorious 2007 debut album  "Running Wild" (also the title for the best song on that album) does little to conjure up the popularity of it's predecessor. They still retain their flavorful guitar riffs and  melodic beats, but it just isn't quite as much fun as the first album. Pop Quiz. How many songs can you write about girls, booze, and rockin out? Answer: 18. That is precisely the number of tracks on this hour long special edition album. The first three tracks are the "best" but I just can't get into it. Sorry Airbourne. They have a five record deal with Capitol so we can all expect more (more meaning better) from this Darkness-esque band.

LoopedEyeless

Past Works:
Running Wild
Ready To Rock (EP)

Track:
Blonde, Bad, and Beautiful

  Wow. I would never have imagined The Sword getting better, but they surpassed my expectations...hardcore. If you are a fan of them then you already know that this cd is downright incredible. From the opening/warming up track "Acheron/Unleashing The Orb" to  "Night City" you know you stepped into a fucking awesome Heavy Metal wonderland. This is the third album by this amazing quartet of  rock gods and this one will gangbust the shit out of you. I would give this (and the past two albums) a listen. You might remember the song "Freya" from the first album in Guitar Hero II, some of their other works have been used in the Guitar Hero series as well. I would check out "Arrows In The Dark" and "Night City" and you'll be hooked for sure.

LoopedEyeless


Past Works:
Gods Of The Earth
Age Of Winters

Track:
Arrows In The Dark

Track:
Night City

 I remember when Firewind first caught my ear with their cover of "Maniac" (originally Michael Sembello) on their album The Preminition. I became an instant fan. This Greek power metal band has released a stellar follow up  to their past albums. So far... my favorite in their discography. Their sound is potent and their style... criminal. The opening track "The Ark Of Lies" hooked me immediately. Their tracks "World In Fire" and "Embrace The Sun" are beautifully crafted into a perfect metal abyss. I suggest you at least listen to these tracks and mark this band as one to watch for future releases,

LoopedEyeless



Past Works:
The Premonition
Allegiance
Forged By Fire
Burning Earth
Between Heaven And Hell

Track:
The Ark Of Lies

Track:
World In Fire