RANDY ELLEFSON - THE FIREBARD (Indie)
Solo guitarist these days are hard to find. The only one's that do come to mind are from the past such as Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Yngwie Malmsteen and Vinnie Moore. Each do have unique style which over time has grown to be a major influence on guitarists today.
George Lynch and Eddie Van Halen can also be added to that group yet they started playing in bands not solo acts at the beginning of their careers to present.
Randy Ellefson who comes from Gaithersburg, Maryland, does what not many people today can relate to. He releases his debut Solo CD titled "The Firebard" which, just like the guitarists mentioned above, is a very classical driven almost Neo-fusion Hard Rock album full of interesting tracks with layers of Guitar solo's everywhere. Randy's sound reminds me more of Joe Satriani than anyone else. Light texture, with pure rock solo's. Randy Ellefson who years ago suffered from tendonitis in both arms, left him unable to play guitar yet he still was able to record this impressive peice of work known as the firebard.
Years of hard work paid off for Randy and it showed on this album. This CD from time to time, has it's high's and only very few lows. Some moments of the disc let up a little, which I'm not a big fan of, yet all together this is a true record full of passion worth noting and years of hard work cannot go unnoticed.
Randy really brings the guitar to life as his focus on shreds and riffs is the standout among all else.
A compact disc to take in one track at a time. And a story of heart and determination which created The Firebard.

Metal Mike............................................................7/10
WWW.RANDYELLEFSON.COM
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HORDE OF WORMS - THE UNCREATION (BLOODBUCKET)
From Hell's Underground or maybe even another not yet discovered realm of the earth comes this pretty well known Ontario band called Horde of Worms who call the style they play "Canadian Blast Metal".
Born in 1996 as a two piece, members Alexander Erhardt and Brent Assoun created this brutal extreme grindcore metal act which can be easily compared to Mortician another extreme metal act from the U.S.A.
With the help of a lot of effects and a drum machine Horde Of Worms is able to put it all together to become one of Canada's most dangerous and extreme metal bands ever. Tracks that will put you in a coma include "Rides the Conqueror" "Suffering and Agony" and "Galactic Hammer". The grind and tear riff wise is what makes this album such an interesting listen. Pure bedlam done by a couple of Canadian extreme metaheads who had something quite sick in mind and decided to make it into music for our entertainment.
This gets two severed thumbs up even though I thought the production wasn't as good, but when you're dealing with true blast metal extremists these kind of things are expected due to it's furious delivery.
Ontario metal fans as well as fans around the globe can enjoy Horde of Worms and the brutal horror metal that lies within the Uncreation.

Metal Mike...........................................................7.5/10
WWW.HORDEOFWORMS.COM
IN FLAMES - SOUNDTRACK TO YOUR ESCAPE (Nuclear Blast)
I'm sure that a lot of people didn't know what to expect from In Flames when this CD was released. The past two releases have seen the band take things in sort of a different direction since anything before "Clayman".
But the band defends themselves that they have not done much to change the In Flames Heavy Metal sound.
Some thought "Reroute to Remain" was closer to Nu Metal than anything the band did before while others were split on the "Trigger" EP.
In Flames now comes out with in my mind their best release since "Clayman". "Soundtrack to your escape" has all the creativity that "Clayman" did yet not entirely escaping the"Reroute to Remain" idea.
Soundtrack has all kinds of vintage swedish riff's this band helped mold within an already flourishing swedish  scene. Tracks to impress include "Like you better dead" "In search for 1" and "Borders and shading". Just like I have, you too will love listening to this CD from begining to end.
Some people have called In Flames sellouts even after the release of "Clayman" hoping to hear more stuff like previous CD's such as "Whoracle" and "Colony". 
This In Flames release gets better with every spin. It's one that will grow on you and stick like glue. Impressive to say the least as the guys continue to do what they do best no matter what the critics may say.

Metal Mike.............................................................8.5/10
WWW.INFLAMES.COM
SOULREAPER - LIFERAZER (Karmageddon Media)
Here is some Death Metal from a band called Soulreaper who unleash this Heavy Metal onslaught of mosh driven tunes death metal fans will no doubt enjoy.
Soulreaper which features ex Dissection members Johan Norman (Guitars) and Tobias R. Kellgren (Drums) will take you to another level of Metal.
Just like bands such as Kataklysm and Dying Fetus Soulreaper attack your very soul yet beating those two bands at their own game. I feel the production here beats Kataklysm's latest CD "Serenity in fire" hands down. Highlights to look forward to are "Static Darkness" and "Blood Chapter. Both tracks stick a fork in you till your done. Liferazer is packed with mega death/grind metal riffs and deep brutal vocals from this band of five members putting all they've got into their latest CD.
At times solo's play along like listening to an older CD by the late Chuck Schuldiner's Death/Control Denied.
This is some vintage Death/Grindcore to the extreme.
So if your looking for something like that to make the most out of your day then pick this one up and enjoy the ride.

Metal Mike...............................................................8/10
WWW.PHDCANADA.COM
SCENT OF FLESH - VALOR IN HATRED (Firebox Records)
Finland, which is known more for it's melodic/black metal scene, opens our eyes with this five piece Death Metal band who shows us what being original in it's approach is all about. Valor in hatred being the band's sophomore release starts off in typical death metal fashion but as you keep listening, it really starts to grow on you with it's technical riffs and hooks.
Comparing Scent of flesh to bands such as Deicide and Dying Fetus would be a little to obvious, yet this finnish band has produced a very in your face technical brutal death metal CD that will have you interested if not from the beginning then certainly the rest of the way as Scent of Flesh will cause bodily harm to those who enter the mosh pits worldwide. Not bad at all. This could be the future for death metal bands as adding some more creativity to the overall sound may just bring in a few more fans along the way. But I don't think Scent Of Flesh has anything to worry about since this CD holds itself together very well indeed.
This is one that will take hold of you after a couple spins. And a couple spins is all you'll need to enjoy this finnish product.

Metal Mike................................................................8/10
WWW.SCENTOFFLESH.NET
SCAVENGER - MADNESS TO OUR METHOD (Sentinel Records)
Here is a band known as Scavenger who come from Ireland and offer their brand of Irish Power metal with quite a unique touch. Scavenger, who came together in 2001 release this crushing CD titled Madness to our method with great melody and guitar riffs. The vocals have attitude and a growl that reminds you of the early Metallica days with James Hetfield.
If you have lowered expectations before listen to this CD that will help a lot for what's to come, as Scavenger's Power Metal style with it's prog metal hints blend well together and make this band absolutely worth listening to. I dont think I've heard of any other Heavy Metal band who come from Ireland, but I can tell you that from what I hear you know that Irish Eyes were smiling down on these four guys. The first two tracks "On the Outside" and "Storm Warning" help lead you into their way of life known as Heavy Melodic/ Power Metal. Great riff attack on "Storm Warning" which is bound to be a favourite of anyone. This is something I truly recomend for any fans of Flotsam and Jetsam, Iron Maiden, early Metallica and Iced Earth. Money well spent in Ireland's Scavenger.

Metal Mike.............................................................8.5/10
WWW.SCAVENGER.IE
VAGH - INTO THE FUTURE ZONE (Risestar Promotions)
Hard Rock/Metal did a lot back in the 80's for the heavy metal genre overall as hundred's of bands worldwide classified as 80's hair bands made it big and enjoyed every minute of the success. Today bands of this genre may not have the exposure like they had over 15 years ago, but at least the spirit lives on. Vagh is one of those bands who play a rock style which sounds like Bon Jovi meets Danger Danger. This CD has some nice 80's solo's but far too much keyboard and flat drumming for my taste.
This is more along the lines of chick poprock with it's dreary concept and idea's.
This kind of 80's rock never made it anywhere back in the day, so why try now? And it really did nothing for me at all as well.
Not worth my time. Can't say anything else except that 12 tracks was too much to handle.

Metal Mike.................................................................2/10
WWW.RISESTAR.CL
AESTHESIA - DRAWN TO THE FLAME (Risestar Promotions)
When I think of Blue's Rock/Metal some bands that come to mind are the awesome Badlands, Lynch Mob, War Babies and maybe Dangerous Toys. Well along comes this band who go by the name Aesthesia who play with a lot of heart and soul which is seriously needed badly in music today. These guys, just like the title of one of their songs were born to rock. Very much like Great White's style yet a little harder than those southern California rockers.
Some very good highlights on this CD which include tracks such as "Devil's Dance" "Crazy World" and the breathtaking title track which I can't stop listening to due to it's addictive blues licks and cool drumming.
"Devil's Dance" and "Evil within" rock with great pride and heart. Pure Hard rock just what I was looking for with a good solid 80's voice to match.
Not every track will suit you fine but then again who knows, at least the guitarist plays really well because that along with a heck of a vocalist is what keeps this bands 80's flame burning into the year 2004 and beyond.
It's always good to see bands like this who keep the tradition going.

Metal Mike...............................................................7.5/10
WWW.RISESTAR.CL