| VANTAGE POINT - THE LIST (2 SONG PROMO) |
| These guys come from the U.K. and start off with a good quality self produced pair of songs with "The List" and "24 hour breakdown" but thats really it. Its not as Heavy as most of the stuff I do play or Review which suprised me since its not the typical Heavy Metal that I recieve, then again I dont know if this is really considered Metal, even though the track "24 Hour Breakdown" has a Deep Purple-ish sound to it. Overall It just isn't what I'm into, sure the first track "The List" grooves pretty good and the second track sounds Deep Purple-ish at times but the lead Vocals need some work too. Not my thing, but you may think different. Metal Mike......................................................3.5/10 |
| OVERKILL - KILLBOX 13 ( SPITFIRE) |
| This album is Vintage Overkill. Easily one of my favourite bands of all time, and soon to be one of my favourite album's of all time. Killbox 13 tears yout flesh apart with each riff. The best bands are the ones who release so many good albums that you cant pick just one as your favourite. Just like Metallica's first 4 CD's, Overkill's Discography is choked full of hard to pick just one fave. From Horrorscope through the Underground and below, up to Bloodletting, Overkill has yet to disappoint and all diehard fans must have this release. Lead off track "Devil by the tail" Thrashes with fire breathing intensity, Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth (vocalist) sounds better with each release. Its amazing how "Blitz" does not seem like he's lost a step so to speak or scream in his case. Lead guitarist Dave Linsk and newest addition Rhythm guitarist Derek Tailer make up for every guitar player that has come and gone with Overkill. No offence to past members Joe Comeau or Rob Cannavino who helped keep the Overkill legacy alive, but the Dynamic duo of Tailer and Linsk Riff and Shred together like a well oiled machine. Tracks "Damned" and "the Sound of dying" are perfect examples. almost 20 years and 15 albums later Overkill should have had the Thrash Metal throne passed on to them after Metallica's 1991 self titled release. And you thought Thrash was dead. Metal Mike.......................................................9.5/10 |
| ANTHRAX - WE'VE COME FOR YOU ALL (NUCLEAR BLAST) |
| After the release of the not so bad "Volume 8: The Threat is real" 80's Metal veterans Anthrax have finally found a new Record deal with Nuclear Blast and put out a very respectable CD here. The band claims its a return to the 80's (Among the living) with heavier songs than the last couple CD's, Even though I really loved "Stomp 442". We've come for you all is just what the band said they were gonna do, smart fat riffs (ok maybe not as heavy as S.O.D.) "What doesn't die" "Superhero" and "Nobody knows anything" are some true highlights worth an extra listen as well. The track "Strap it on" has a tribute to Judas Priest added on to the end of it as the band quickly jams "Love Bites". The Who's Roger Daltrey adds background vocals to "Taking the music back" and just like on Stomp 442 Pantera's Dimebag Darrell plays lead on a few tracks. Anthrax is here to take the music back in a big way. The songs may be a little shorter but its the quality which makes up for that. Anthrax, an American Metal band that refuses to go away quietly. Metal Mike.........................................................9/10 |
| DISCIPLES OF POWER - IN DUST WE TRUST (INDIE) |
| Metal veteran's from Western Canada Disciples Of Power release their 5th CD titled "In dust we trust" a tight powerfull disc that displays a dark yet heavy style the band has always been known for. The first track "Cursing Of Winter" blasts its way through your speakers as Guitar/vocalist Hart Bachmier growls to perfection on this track as well as the rest of the CD. This is an excellent CD for any fans of Heavy Thrash/Speed Metal in the vien of Kreator or Metallica (Master of Puppets era) D.O.P. die hard fans will eat this up. Dean Relf's Jackhammer kick drums explode all over "In dust we trust" the title track and beyond. Eight tracks from D.O.P is not enough. Great album artwork on all D.O.P's releases as well. But its the music itself that stands out the most. After consistent touring and moving around Canada since the late 80's, Disciples Of Power are still doing things by their rules. Midwest Canadian Metal as it's finest. An underrated band that should get noticed more often. Metal Mike............................................................8/10 |
| ENDORPHINS - VOLUME ONE (INDIE) |
| Here's Four young guys from the Toronto Area known as Endorphins. Volume One, obviously the bands first release is a true six track Metal gem. "Pussy Killer" leads off the disc with a bluesy groove you'd find on the last three Corrosion of Conformity albums (Wiseblood being my fave) but then blasts your ears off the rest of the way. Slayer influences can be heard all over this CD as the tandem of Mike (Guitar) and Michael (Vocals/Guitar) slam and thrash their way through volume one. "Buried in Blood" is a furious tune that Kerry King and Tom Araya would be damn proud of. The Track "Purple" has the coolest thrash/groove of them all. Too bad it only clocks at 2:28. Endorphins dont lack creativity musically what so ever. Doing a little work on the lyrics on the next album would help them out more, but other than that this CD is worth the money. These guys have a good future ahead of them. Watch for Endorphins to dominate the Canadian Metal Underground scene sooner rather than later. Metal Mike..........................................................8/10 |
| MAMA KIN - THREE IS COMPANY (INDIE) |
| Mama kin is a party band with an 80's attitude. Hair metal from Sweden. Three is company is a 5 track CD with late 70's Aerosmith Influenced songs. The band covers two songs "Mamakin" by Aerosmith and "Get the fuck out" from Skid Row's Slave to the grind album. Both the covers and Mama Kin's original songs are great together as they prove that they not only play good songs from other bands but have their own as well. "Champagne chicks & R n' R" is a great tune to party it up with your friends when they come over for pizza and beers. Chicks dig guys who love champagne and a little R n R (hehehe). Mama Kin have a lot to offer. But too bad this side of the world is harder to market this 80's sleezy rock than it probably would be over in Europe. Chris action and the guys prove that 80's hard rock isnt dead yet, instead its very much alive and well. Mama Kin is for fans who believe that 80's rock with an attitude has always been the true source for real rock especially in today's music world. Metal Mike.........................................................7/10 |
| METAL MILITIA - PERPETUAL STATE OF AGGRESSION (INDIE) |
| This is unbelievable... If you love the thrash era of the 80's (Metallica, Megadeth etc..) then you have to hear this band. Perpetual State Of Aggression is one of the best Thrash metal albums I've ever heard after the 80's. And the most amazing thing about Metal Militia is that the band is only between the ages of 17-19 years old! Metal Militia, from the state of Florida has only been around since 1999. Just a couple more reasons why my jaw has not been picked up off the floor yet. This album gives Metallica's "Kill em all" and Megadeth's "Peace sells...But who's buying?" a run for their money. The riffs on this are Razor sharp thrash/speed metal. Something this good is just too hard to explain in detail and yes even though it totally sounds just like Metallica (band is named after a track off Kill em all) who really cares? I dont, I love this! a band so young and play this style of metal? thats rare in itself today. "Darkest day" has a pure headbangin' metal riff so tasty you'll crave more like your favourite meal of the week. "Slave of darkness" kicks some serious ass with its Slayer like speed and Kirk Hammett style Solo. Now that you've heard all this, this leave's me with just one question? Why haven't Metal Militia been scooped up by say Century Media or Metal-is? Even after having played Milwaukee Metal Fest and shared the stage with bands like God Forbid, Nile, Hate Eternal and Arch Enemy you'd think something would have to give sooner or later. All I have to say is Metal Militia will ink a major label deal soon. No band this young and talented can go unnoticed for very long. Metal Mike........................................................10/10 |
| SIGMA - WIN OR LOSE (INDIE) |
| Sigma is a Power Metal band from Milan, Italy. This 5 song Promo by the band reminds you right away of Symphony X or Rhapsody. Just like the scene over in Europe, Sigma is another Power Metal band with a very good rhythm section. Strong bass lines on "Pride and forgiveness". Track #2 "Tears" is very Gamma Ray like with a great guitar solo as well. Sigma is for true fans of Power Metal, a very solid disc that most people in Europe will love more than the North American metal crowds would. With the ever growing more traditional metal sound already heard overseas, Sigma shows that even if some people think this sounds outdated its more fresh sounding Power Metal for the world to hear and look forward too. Traditional mediteranean metal gotta respect it and more. Metal Mike...................................................7.5/10 |
| BLOODSHOT - DEMONS, ADDICTIONS & CONFIDENCE (INDIE) |
| Bloodshot hails from Las Vegas, Nevada and offers a lethal brand of Hardcore/Heavy Metal the gambling capitol of the world has not yet bet on. Bloodshot attacks with full force as the album grooves heavily in a Pantera kinda way. Mike Hussey takes control of the Mic, Rob Hussey handles the production, engineering and mixing on Demons, Addictions & Confidence making this an enjoyable listen even if it was his first time mixing and producing. The track "Extremities" grooves a vicious riff followed by a great chorus. the single "Brothers in blood" spewing like a volcano erupting from the core showing off bloodshot's powerfull guitar work by Greg Elizonda and Tim Dever. "Taken away" is my favourite track which displays the coolest headbanging chorus. Bloodshot from the sounds of things is doing all the right things at the right time on Demons, Addictions & Confidence. And as their popularity grows so will the band as a unit and in the future. Things are looking up as they roll the dice and hit snake eyes. And that my friends is no gamble. Metal Mike..........................................................8/10 |
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