VOODOO TEMPLE - VESSEL OF WRATH (Indie)
Voodoo Temple who hail from the State of California bring forth a Vessel of Wrath which right away explains everything.
Four guys who are heavily infuenced by bands like Metallica, Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden blast away on this Disc full of positive real Powerfull Heavy Metal riffs.
One major influence not to be forgotten which can be heard from the first track "Closure" is Slayer, as lead vocalist Mike Mariotti howls as good as Tom Araya can.
Voodoo Temple's fierce rhythm section blast through ten tracks with no let down what so ever.
These four are here to impress and that they do with metallic riffs that open the gates to another world pounding along to get your Metal hungry attention.
Check out the track "Apostasy" for it's sludge like Sabbath riffs with groove that even Monster Magnet would envy. Nothing left behind as Voodoo Temple will have you headbanging in no time. Catch them in a city near you and pick up this album at the same time. Pounding Metal Fury that wont go away anytime soon.

Metal Mike.................................................................8.5/10
WWW.VOODOOTEMPLE.COM
HOME
DETRIMENT - SURREAL (Indie)
Here comes a band from the Long Island, New York area which brings experience on and off the stage.
Detriment consisting of five members who are, Rob Malvagno - Lead vocalist, Kevin Cassidy - Bass guitar, Dennis Guadio - Guitarist, John D'esposito - Drums, and Brett Stephani - Guitarist.
Detriment who have a vintage metal sound that takes you back to when Metallica knew what they were doing.
A very thrash underground type of sound with a serious crunch to it. Lead off track titled "Black" gives notice right away who Detriment's hero's were growing up.
I like that the band can play at a decent pace now and then through out the album and still know how to keep it heavy.
Their style is an eye opener for me as many other bands try to copy each other and play today's style instead of reaching down deep and let others know with your music who is and always has been your influence. Having only been together since 2001, Detriment stay true to form and their roots with some impressive Guitar solo's and a very talented rhythm section diplayed best on Surreal.
Not a lot of bands out there follow the true path of what real Heavy Metal is or was about but Detriment will raise some eyebrows that you can be sure of.

Metal Mike......................................................................8/10
WWW.FREEWEBS.COM/DETRIMENT
OMEGALORD - 4 SONG PROMO (Indie)
Omegalord will kick you right in the head knowing you'll come back for more. It's as simple as that. Fans of Nashville Pussy and Motorhead can relate to that phrase as Omegalord have the same sound as those two already popular icons of the Metal world.
Hailing from Philadelphia, PA Omegalord throw massive chords in your face as The Reverend belts out his soul on the last two tracks "Already Dead" and "Breathin' Fire".
With total riff mania presented on "Breathin' Fire" which also does just that as Omegalord takes out aggression on not just their instruments but everyone on earth.
Kick ass Rock/Metal that no one can deny. Will Omegalord do what their Influences have done for the Metal world?
They'll get back to you soon with an answer to that question.
But for now, let's just enjoy the ride.

Metal Mike.....................................................................8/10
WWW.OMEGALORD.COM
SECRET HEROES - LOOSE, HIGH & FREE (Rockparade Records)
Are you looking for Hard Rock/Metal when 80's bands like  Guns N Roses, Van Halen and the Scorpions dominated the scene? Here come the Secret Heroes as they ride their horse into town looking for a Rock and Roll showdown.
Quite a unique band that I will say.
The Secret Heroes do one thing that makes me proud and that is playing their instruments, something that a lot of bands we see in today's pop/ rock world don't do at all.
This really is a flat out guitar driven album at times with lead singer Fred Carson delivering his best in true 80's fashion.
Guitarist Ryan Heart actually plays his guitar and doesn't just wear it. That makes a big difference. Too bad some of today's media types (MTV, Muchmusic) dont know the meaning of that. Ryan slowly reminds us of what it was like when Eddie Van Halen, Slash and others from that era played with heart and soul. Favourite tracks include "Eternal nights" "Highway Runner" and "Get Laid (If you're feelin' like it)". You gotta hand it to The Secret Heroes, not many people think or know this kind of Rock/Metal still exsists but the guys I'm sure wanted to do this without any hesitation for their love for music as well as Heavy Metal.
Loose, High & Free is dedicated to the bands drummer Volker Meyer who passed away in June 2002 **RIP**


Metal Mike....................................................................7/10
WWW.SECRETHEROES.COM
CHAINSNAP - HOLLOW (Indie)
Metalfests and arena's beware! Chainsnap who come from the state of Wisconsin are here and take no prisoners with this brand of Hardcore/Metal that chugs along eight cylinders of power.
On Hollow, Chainsnap give the listener many different sounds/influences on this disc. Dark and melodic at times as well as ultra Heavy when need be.
Fans of Godsmack, Pantera, Slayer and early Metallica will eat this stuff up. Solid riffs with groove and powerfull bass as displayed on tracks such as "Spiral" and "Devil's Land". The title track to Hollow is bound to be a favourite of yours from the first few notes, as it's heavy guitar tones and groove take hold of you and wont let go. True mosh master for future reference.
What I like most about Chainsnap is the overall sound and not afraid to change things up from track to track.
Well written with lyrics full of hate and remorse, just what the Doctor of Metal ordered as your prescription for Chainsnap's non healing method awaits you any day now. Take it with a bottle of Jack Daniels and call me in the morning.

Metal Mike...............................................................8.5/10
WWW.CHAINSNAP.COM
CESSATION OF LIFE - KILL YOU AGAIN (Indie)
Cessation of Life was born in 1996 in Ventura, California. This gave Metal fans who were starving for pure Heavy Metal a band who had no gimmick or image, just some serious Thrash/Speed Metal that's sure to make your ears ring if not bleed. Truly aggressive Thrash/Speed Metal by four guys who play like there's no tomorrow.
Lead off track "Forgotten" with it's fast and furious riffs and rhythm section blast off and take Kill you again to another level of violence. That violence is known as Chris Violence, Cessation Of Life's vocalist. His voice helps breath life into an already extreme and talented group of musicians, one of the best the state of California has produced in years.
This disc moshes through ten tracks of pretty fearsome metal which has a different feel than some bands who come from the west coast. More of a Punk vibe than anything. No nu metal here, no way...you wont find that on this album.
Kill you again takes you to the cliff and pushes you over the edge into Thrash/Speed Metal heaven. A most excellent adventure you must encounter on your own.
Thrash is alive and well. You dont have to tell these four guys that. Kill you again's running time is just over 37 minutes. Buy the CD and go see the band when they come to a town/city near you. You wont be disappointed.

Metal Mike......................................................................9/10
WWW.CESSATIONOFLIFE.COM
LUNICIDE - DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR (Indie)
This is the creativity I like to see, not just Heavy Metal but all bands alike. Lunicide who come from Lindenhurst, New York, blend together all genres of Heavy Metal into one album which turned into Delusions of Grandeur.
Some of the most incredible progressive riffs I've heard since Dream Theater's Images and Words are all over this masterpiece.
Lunicide fuses together Prog Metal crossed with Power Metal riffs, add in some killer shredin' guitar solo's as heard on the track "Disgrace Your Faith" which is very reminiscent of the solo's of guitar god Joe Satriani.
This CD adds together all kinds of emotions such as love and hate. The final track called "Sick" is just that, as it's furiously fast guitar and sick lead and background vocals scream it's way through your head.
You can't choose a specific label for this type of Metal. But it is as close to Progressive Metal as you can get without actually calling it that.  The only thing I wish was that this disc was more than just 27 minutes 32 seconds long.
Six tracks is just not enough Lunicide for me.
The next really big act is here. Now let's hope all this awesome work by the guys gets recognized for it's exceptional style of Heavy Metal they call their own.

Metal Mike..................................................................9.5/10
WWW.LUNICIDEONLINE.COM