| ION VEIN - REIGNING MEMORIES (Majesphere Records) |
| After releasing their debut CD "Beyond Tomorrow" in 1999, fans of Ion Vein eagerly awaited the band's sophomore release in 2003 titled "Reigning Memories". This CD was truly worth the wait, as Ion Vein is quietly becoming one of the most promising progressive acts to come out of the United States. Reigning Memories steps up to the plate and shows any one who had any doubts what so ever about their first release just what these four guys are about and how serious they can be with their craft. Russ Klimczak the bands vocalist is easily compared to Geoff Tate of Queensryche with Russ' style so similar it's almost jaw dropping at times. Musically Ion Vein is a well thought out progressive metal plan with it's blue prints hidden for safe keeping and future reference. The Prog Metal guitar playing of Chris Lotesto and John Malufka is exceptional yet breathtaking work at times adding Jazz influences to Prog Metal riffs. The final track called "The Future is now" pays tribute to Canadian rocker's Rush with a little blurb of YYZ added into this 9:13 finale. With a little help from veteran producer Neil Kernon (Queensryche, Nevermore) and his amazing work on Reigning Memories, this disc could finally bring Ion Vein to the promised land where they belong. Is this just a timeless Trilogy? Time seems to be on their side. Metal Mike................................................................9.5/10 |
| TRIPCHORD - 3 SONG PROMO (Indie) |
| Tripchord come to us from Toronto, Canada and throw down some interesting sounds on this 3 song promo released back in 2002. They sound like a mix of a few Toronto bands upon first listen, mixing things up with a more Hardcore type sound than just straight up metal riffs. Tripchord has been playing the Toronto club scene for quite some time sharing the stage with bands such as Kataklysm, Rotting and Bloodshoteye. That alone has helped make a name for themselves at least within The Greater Toronto Area as I'm sure that any hardcore/metal fan who lives in Toronto has heard of Tripchord. Fans of bands such as Twinfold, Candiria and 25 Ta life will enjoy this for sure. Not entirely as heavy as I thought they'd be but still worth checking them out live. Go to the bands website for more info and when they'll be coming to a city or town near you. Metal Mike...................................................................5.5/10 |
| CRYPTIC WARNING - INTERNALLY REVILED (Indie) |
| Technically sound Thrash Metal is the best way to describe Boston, Massachusetts Cryptic Warning. Technically heavy is more like it, but in this case both make sense. This three man band has mighty riffs that many fans will love, along with it's diverse Thrash/Technical Death/Speed metal depth, it's nice to hear a band who takes pride in playing some good old fashion Heavy Metal like when Metallica and Exodus started out in the early 80's. One thing that stands out on Internally Reviled is the guitar solo's which show that Cryptic Warning isn't just a riff driven band without any creative solo's to offer. This is quite the album full of fun Boston Thrash metal which we all wish there was more of today. Working on some better production on the next disc I'm sure the guys will do. This band will get better in the long run and when that happens, look out. I think this could be something interesting in the making. Metal Mike.......................................................................8/10 |
| SURFACE UNDERGROUND - SURFACE UNDERGROUND (Indie) |
| Surface Underground who hail from Toronto deliver quite a fresh underground type of music. This self titled release from the band leans more towards the Rock music catagory with a hint of Hard Rock now and then. With five members in the band and one that stands out the most being lead vocalist Sylvia Niewinski the only female in the group, who does make this band very much worth listening to. She's not just there to attract a male audience either. Sylvia can sing with some heart and soul when called upon. Good supporting cast for Sylvia in the other four members and best of all is this CD is well produced and written. Favourite tracks include "Do it again" and final track called "High" which talks about the effects drugs can have. These are the two heaviest tracks on the album which officially makes this the most laid back type of music review I've ever had to do. Surface Underground does have something to look forward to, and as long as they keep the same line-up things will happen and may just move them to the Surface and out of the Underground below. Not a bad place to start judging from it's fanbase which is present on the bands website. another good talent Canadians should watch for. Metal Mike......................................................................7/10 |
| DIVINITY DESTROYED - EDEN IN ASHES (Indie) |
| You might like Divinity Destroyed or you might hate them but one things for sure, you wont forget them. From the State of New Jersey comes a band that has the most eclectic sound I've heard in a while. By combining Goth/Death/Black and Power Metal they will truly open your eyes to a different Heavy Metal element from track to track. Lead off track "Sweet Heresy" will give you just a taste of what I mean. This is a great lead off track with an acoustic intro and diverse sound all the way through. Divinity Destroyed is not short on idea's and will leave you satisfied in the end. Trying to pick a specific type of Heavy Metal genre that the band falls under would be asking too much. I think that's just what Divinity Destroyed wanted from the beginning. Make it all mysterious for the fans and give them more reason to come and investigate what all this mystery is about live on stage. Eden In Ashes will probably suit more the Goth/Black Metal fans than anyone else. Overall It will leave you with a creative outlook on life, something you'll thank the band for later just in case it didn't start that way. Metal Mike..................................................................7.5/10 |
| TEOS - THE EVIL OPERATING SYSTEM (Indie) |
| Here is a band from New Jersey called TEOS who bring a very heavy power riff style of their own on this five track EP titled "The Evil Operating System". Not sure where the band name comes from but it seems to suit them very well. An original way to start things off before anyone even listen's to the CD. TEOS with it's five members includes two guitarists who work perfect together. Lead vocalist Eric Rossi puts forth a good scream session track by track being most obvious on the scorching lead off track "Immolation". It's too bad this CD is only five tracks because it's very addictive and causes one to continue listening from the beginning over and over again. Just makes you crave more each time you load the disc in the player. Only track four "Bring me to life" was the one that really didn't raise my eyebrows too much. Not sure why even though it is the longest track on the EP. Be sure to check out the band's website for more in the future. Metal Mike..................................................................7.5/10 |
| TURRIGENOUS - TURRIGENOUS (Indie) |
| If American Prog-Metal is something you've been searching for high and low then please do read on. Turrigenous is a one man prog-metal band created by Gregory Giordano. Everything on this self produced CD comes from Greg as he plays guitar, bass and even drums with the help of his friend the ever popular drum machine. Greg mixes in all kinds of Progressive hooks and styles including some thrash on the early part of this disc. I liked this much better as it went along. "There is something scratching" "Losing faith" and the almost ten minute title track became favourites of mine. Of course this being a one man band means it's gonna be kind of boring listening to the same snare and tom tom beat at times. Something about that early on in the disc I didn't like at all. But as you get even deeper into the record it starts to grow on you. The vocals could be better at times as I found it a little odd and not what one might expect. But let's give credit where credit is due, Greg knew he'd get a different response each time from many other mags and zine's who review this disc. He does some great work on the Progressive style of things but others may disagree. Something that really leaves you scratching your head. Metal Mike..............................................................6.5/10 |
| CRYSTAL TEARS - EMBRACE THE HORROR (Indie) |
| You know right away that if it comes from Greece it's gonna be either Black Metal or Power Metal. Being that both styles of Heavy Metal are sweeping the land as well as most of Europe, Crystal Tears releases Embrace the Horror which is the best Power Metal artist I've heard from Greece since Power Crue. These five guys form an amazing unit with some great tight power riffs and pure classic metal vocals by lead singer George Klokelis. On track six "Among the Blade" George nearly shatters panes of glass as he shreiks near the end of it, just one of the many songs he shows his vocal talent on. Crystal Tears really know their craft. I'm sure many other Power Metal bands can learn some good things from an Indie artist like this who obviously take great pride in what they do on and off the stage. The guitar solo displayed early on final track "Thunderstorm" shows me that other than the obvious being Blind Guardian, Iron Maiden must be a serious influence from the bands past. This is a great CD that Power Metal fans must get and listen for themselves. Crystal Tears aims to please. Metal Mike.................................................................8.5/10 |