Well. This is unusual. Underoath released their seventh studio album late last year and this was the band's first work produced without any of the original band members. After consideration of this band's past, it's not all that unbelievable. They have been adding and dropping members quite frequently since their debut in 1999. There is still somehow this essence about the record, fans would still be able to know that this is an Underoath album. "Ø (Disambiguation)" is noteably darker and a little more intense. This is most prevalent on the drums and vocals, well the vocals are always intense, however this work features "clean" lyrics. There also is a different drummer, and needless to say different drums. Replacing the only founding member remaining, Daniel Davison's style is a little more obnoxious, but coupled with the instrumentals, comes off as dramatic, and sort of darkly haunting. Things slow down halfway through with "Driftwood". It's an ambience track, and a nice interlude to the chaotic tone before and after it. They've used this technique on past works as well. This band is like an onion of sorts, and they keep peeling back layers. They're interesting, regardless of whether you like their music or not.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
Act of Depression
Cries of the Past
The Changing of Times
They're Only Chasing Safety
Define The Great Line
Lost in the Sound of Separation

Track:
In Division

After being all but written off by critics and fans alike, Black Label Society had painted themselves into a corner so to speak with their consistent mediocrity. "Order of the Black" is a solid attempt to rock their way out, and quite frankly their best work since the debut, "Sonic Brew"...arguably better even. instrumentally, the album is sharp; much more so than past works. It's heavy obviously, but not oppressive. The piano infused ballad, "Time Waits For No One" is spot on, and bears that sort of epic quality that the band was missing for so long. This certainly is not to say that other tracks are not hard as nails. "Southern Dissolution" and the single "Overlord" are melodic and progressive. The album is written entirely by frontman Zakk Wylde, who has borne most of the critical mudslinging. However, the genuine effort put forth by Wylde on this work really shines through. This is a band poised for redemption, and their latest album is worthy of an objective listen by fans both past and prospective.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
 Sonic Brew
Stronger Than Death
1919 Eternal
The Blessed Hellride
Hangover Music Vol. VI
Mafia
Shot to Hell

Track:
Southern Dissolution

Soufly erupted on the metal scene back in 1998 with their self-titled and certified gold debut album. Fronted by Max Cavalera (ex-frontman of Sepultura), the band was astonishing in the begining but they have slowly declined almost into a "metal" high school band. "Omen" sounds like it was recorded in a cardboard box; you can hardly make out anything on this album between the guitars and the vocals, everything is extremely convoluted. Personally I'm a fan of Soulfly so I had high hopes for their seventh studio album so I may have been expecting alot from Max himself, but being a avid metal listener this album doesn't hold up with any of their past works. Honestly it sounds like a demo album Soulfy might have recorded before their debut back in the day. Critics have given this album minimal praise so if you are a newcomer to Soulfly, hopefully you will enjoy it, but as for those veterans of Soulfly, I'm sorry to break it to you...Soulfly might be done.

LoopedEyeless

Past Works:
Conquer
Dark Ages
Prophecy
3
Primitive
Soulfly

Track:
Off With Their Heads

Gwar is a distasteful band and I can't believe they're still making music...just kidding. Gwar might come across as disgusting, with their simulated decapitations, disembowelments of celebrities on stage, and their occasional big fake penises that ejaculate on the crowd (wait, that is disgusting), but it's all in good fun. Aside from their infamous performances, they're an extremely talented metal band. With their blazing guitar riffs and driven power-metal chords, this would be the ultimate soundtrack to play in Hell. On this album, Gwar played 8-string guitars rather than your traditional 6 or 7-string guitars which resulted in an ultra heavy sound. The arrangement and complexity of the music on this album is not only a substantial reason why they should be nominated for the Grammys (again) but is also why they are noted for being one of the better metal bands.

LoopedEyeless

Past Works:
Lust In Space
Beyond Hell
War Party
Violence Has Arrived
We Kill Everything
Carnival Of Chaos
Ragnarok
This Toilet Earth
America Must Be Destroyed
The Road Behind (EP)
Scumdogs Of The Universe
Hell-O

Track:
Gathering Of Souls*
*Note: The abrupt ending to "Gathering Of Souls" is due because the first four tracks on this album are considered one long track.
                                         

I encountered Sister Sin early this year with their album "Switchblade Serenades" and I was impressed with what I heard. So, needless to say I was stoked to hear that they were coming out with a new album. Their sound is labeled as "old school metal" but I would like to say if Motley Crue and .45 Grave made love they would have given birth to a rock child and that rock child would be Sister Sin. They have the older style metal generic sound but what makes this band so anomalous is their lead singer Liv Jagrell. Liv takes vocals to a new level for female fronted rock/metal bands and I've never heard anything quite like her before. Their isn't much complexity to the band but what they do they do it well...very well. Most of these Swedish bands have similar sounds but Sister Sin does stand out from the majority and if they play their cards right they will be able to make it here in America..

LoopedEyeless

Past Works:
Switchblade Serenades
Dance Of The Wicked

Track:
Sound Of The Underground

Track:
24-7

Medieval symphonic melodic death metal would be the best way to describe this band that has been around since 1993. When I first heard Dimmu Borgir I thought I was in a death metal heaven (or hell...whatever) I couldn't believe what I was hearing. That sound turned out to be something brand new to me...that sound was Symphonic Death Metal. I said "Really?" Like an orchestra behind the band? Playing along with the band? Answer: Yes. I still can't believe what I hear every time they come out with a new album, they still impress me more and more to this day. They have your standard black metal drum beats (double kick bass) and guitar riffs, but they utilize it in a very diverse course than your usual black metal bands. Also they don't use the "growling" vocals like other bands do which turns a lot of people off from this genre in the first place. When you listen to it the first time and you will see what I'm talking about. Usually black metal is frowned upon by the majority of the public because it is to loud and "satanic" but you can't let that get in your way of your "morals", these guys are real musicians and they know what they are doing. For you metal lovers out there this will be a treat if you don't know who these guys are, but for you non-metal lovers I will warn you. It. Gets. Loud.

LoopedEyeless

Past Works:
In Sorte Diaboli
Stormblast MMV
Death Cult Armageddon
Puntanical Euphoric Misanthropia
Spiritual Black Dimensions
Godless Savage Garden
Enthrone Darkness Triumphant
Stormblast
For All Tid

Track:
Chess With The Abyss

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