Mastodon - Once More 'Round the Sun 2014

A recent New Mexico's Mastodon fossils discovery this week is surely not a media prank for the real Mastodon's album, Once More 'Round the Sun. The Atlanta sludge metal crossover band released their fifth album in precise timing. This is three years after their previous The Hunter. What we got here is even sludgier concept, which the band decided to focus all songs in clean yet darker voices.

On the starter set, enjoy the big grooves found "The Motherload", which only one side of the album's dimension. Their most enjoyable strength is their successful approach in bending sludge metal with progressive as platform for songs "Tread Lightly"and "High Road" , both also having a great guitar riffs intro that easily familiar. On the rather psychedelic antique points, we still got "Feast Your Eyes"  which is heavy in dissonances. In "Aunt Lisa", a song featuring ladies punk band The Coathangers, the band played experiment which resulting in much more un-orthodox crossover of sludge, punk and cheer-leading yel-yel. "Asleep in the Deep" is a flat singing and staccato beat track, another Mastodon escapade need to bring affront.

Once More 'Round the Sun will accepted by die hard fans for its continuity of sturdy sludge metal feel, yet attractive for their outer rings listener for its crossover fanciness. Overally enjoyable album with lots of details and uniqueness to be found by repeated spinning. Favorite songs are: "Asleep in the Deep", "The Motherload" and "Ember City".

Metal Harem class: ********* eight stars out of ten

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Mastodon - Once More 'Round the Sun 2014

1. "Tread Lightly"   5:14
2. "The Motherload"   4:59
3. "High Road"   4:15
4. "Once More 'Round the Sun"   2:58
5. "Chimes at Midnight"   5:32
6. "Asleep in the Deep"   6:12
7. "Feast Your Eyes"   3:23
8. "Aunt Lisa" (feat. The Coathangers) 4:08
9. "Ember City"   4:59
10. "Halloween"   4:39
11. "Diamond in the Witch House" (feat. Scott Kelly) 7:49

 Troy Sanders – bass guitar, vocals
 Brent Hinds – guitars, vocals
 Brann Dailor – drums, vocals
 Bill Kelliher – guitars, vocals

DevilDriver - Winter Kills (2013)

DevilDriver is California metal band that comes with strong grooving thus providing their base to be called groove metal. The leader is Dez Fafara of Coal Chamber band. In DevilDriver the music seems to be pushed far to the most aggresive zone, a mix of death-thrash-groove is patent deadly. As they are very close to the nu-metal scene, the nu-metal play is throw in to added more punch on several occasion. Winter Kills is their sixth studio album, the band still with most of member since 2003 except for bassist Chris Towning.

The opening title Oath of the Abyss is kind of a blast. Promising the next hour to be extreme hard for your neck. It's tight with riffs, lot of drum syncopation all to provided highway for that flat-growling vocals. All the same thing can be said again to the next coming track, Ruthless, although this time the band take a good time to developed the intro and then convert it into 'standard' death groove metal song. In Desperate Times, elements of nu-metal is borrowed, the rap-style growl singing in that song is vicious. Winter Kills comes next, the title album song itself didn't differed much from the three songs we just listen. Next, The Appetite is offering more energy and creativity with very groovy vocal line. It's a jungle of solid riffs around in the middle of the album, the band plays more attention to give variation on each intro, something like a calm before storm pattern on Curses And Epitataphs and Haunting Refrain.

In overall this is a hard stuff of groove metal all blanketed with combative riffs from each guitarist. The vocal itself sounds flat through out the album, but the complexity of each song neutralize this weakness. If you looking for a solid time of headbanging thrash-death-nu-groove combination, a Pantera vs Slayer things, grab this now.

Metal Harem class: ******** eight stars out of ten

DevilDriver - Winter Kills (2013)
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01. Oath of the Abyss (5:37)
02. Ruthless (4:10)
03. Desperate Times (4:10)
04. Winter Kills (4:55)
05. The Appetite (4:46)
06. Gutted (3:30)
07. Curses And Epitaphs (5:07)
08. Carings Overkill (4:34)
09. Haunting Refrain (5:01)
10. Tripping Over Tombstones (3:38)
11. Sail (4:07)
12. Shudder (Bonustracks) (4:06)
13. Back Down To The Grave (Bonustracks) (4:46)

Dez Fafara – lead vocals
Jeff Kendrick – guitar
John Boecklin – drums
Mike Spreitzer – guitar
Chris Towning – bass

Technical personnel
Mark Lewis – production
Dean Karr – cover art photography
Ryan Clark – cover art layout

DevilDriver Winter Kills album review

Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals - Walk Through Exits Only (2013)

The 'H' is for Hansen, if you wonder. Ah yes, finally a true solo from Pantera frontman, Phil Anselmo. Walk Through Exits Only come to public in July 2013 and it is a container to eight tracks of heavy metal, which we can say closest to Pantera among Phil's many projects. He is joined by guitarist Marzi Montazeri whom also historically close friend to Dimebag.

After a rather industrial-core opening Music Media Is My Whore, we got to introduced to many Pantera-like elements on the rest of album. Phil stated the album will be sounds as angriest as possible, Battalion Of Zero make sure we got that picture clear. Guitar riffs is aggressive as in Vulgar Display of Power era and the solos are brutal. Most close resembling of that perhaps found in Usurper Bastard's Rant, with that staccato pattern beat and octave shift guitar licks. Still we got Walk Through Exits Only comes as most aggressive in tempo, vocals and showering the guitar with shred notes. There is no resting point here, Bedroom Destroyer continue the fury with its awesome drum groove, then fast word screaming choruses. Then Phil make it simple by putting in all in one lengthy final tracks called Irrelevant Walls And Computer Screens.

Play attention to Marzi for all his hard works on this album. Persian by blood, he confessed for being friend to Dimebag a long time ago and shared memories such as jamming with Dimebag. His riffs surely got some influence on his late friends. As for the vocal works no doubt on Phil's signature growling. As stated in the beginning, Pantera fans will found this a nice incarnation of the band, although this is much metalcore, much industrial than Pantera. Still if you got nerve to hold 40 minutes of blasting guitars, Walk Through Exits Only will up your challenge.

Metal Harem class: ******** eight stars out of ten

Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals - Walk Through Exits Only (2013)
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01. Music Media Is My Whore (1:55)
02. Battalion Of Zero (4:20)
03. Betrayed (5:28)
04. Usurper Bastard's Rant (3:57)
05. Walk Through Exits Only (5:34)
06. Bedroom Destroyer (5:03)
07. Bedridden (2:25)
08. Irrelevant Walls And Computer Screens (12:01)

Philip H. Anselmo - Vocals
Marzi Montazeri - Guitars
Joey Gonzalez - Drums
Stephen Taylor - Bass

Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals Walk Through Exits Only album review

Suicidal Tendencies - 13 (2013)

Remember Suicidal Tendencies? They are one of most energetic metal band that doing cross over genre, between thrash metal and other groove-based genres. They implemented element of punk, funky bass line, rap singing gone far with ska brass and whatever. This cross over thing gone quite mainstream in the middle of '90 and Suicidal Tendencies remains pioneer in this sense. With diverse style found on their music, the band actually pretty flexible in changing and improving their sound to met listener on that genre. With this, Suicidal Tendencies unafraid to give on more new album to carry on their fate. Titled as '13', this is their first output since 13 years ago, their 13th studio album and they won one more element than Megadeth's Th1rt3en for they released this album in year 2013. Founding member and singer Mike Muir is the only member from their earliest 1981.

The album has 13 tracks as well. It started with Shake It Out, as the titled suggested, the everybody-shake-groove metal tunes, full of energetic skate board time feel. With this we were giving a promising start that lead to optimistic continuation. Smash It! is heavier with that intro riff, then the groove come in and Mike Muir continue to impressed us that his energetic singing approach is not yet dim by the time. This Ain't A Celebration captured the bit of Offspring rap singing crossover metal in very fast and nice way. Of course we will need killer bass groove, and new bassist Steve Brunner successful building a background fill for God Only Knows Who I Am. Several good tunes in between, then Show Some Love... Tear It Down is another moshpit shout out in straightforward riffs and song structure. Cyco Style and Slam City are two songs that easily memorize for being a simple catch phrase for the song. And interesting is Till My Last Breath with twisted funky slab bass that really bring the emotion out.

I finished the album with good enjoying time. Song composition integrated nicely between music and the vocalist's singing style.  If you like technical funk bass and some great groove drumming, 13 is rich in this area. Both guitarist build up the melody needed for each songs. They are not over repetitive riff that usually annoy me in this genre, but the band composed good amount of licks and phrases to make the song rich. This is Red Hot Chilli Pappers, Offspring, Biohazard, feels that all come in as one package album to be enjoy. Not a bad comeback for the veteran Suicidal Tendencies run from twenty years ago. They come with excellent cover album artwork that really reflected the music inside.

Metal Harem class: ******** eight stars out of ten

Suicidal Tendencies - 13 (2013)
buy it HERE

01. Shake It Out (3:51)
02. Smash It! (3:46)
03. This Ain't A Celebration (3:32)
04. God Only Knows Who I Am (5:29)
05. Make Your Stand (5:54)
06. Who's Afraid? (4:08)
07. Show Some Love...Tear It Down (3:31)
08. Cyco Style (4:41)
09. Slam City (5:36)
10. Till My Last Breath (4:40)
11. Living The Fight (4:22)
12. Life...(Can't Live With It, Can't Live Without It) (4:36)
13. This World (5:07)

Mike Muir - vocals
Mike Clark - rhythm guitar
Dean Pleasants - lead guitar
Steve Brunner - bass
Eric Moore - drums

Suicidal Tendecies 13 Album Review

Kill Devil Hill - Kill Devil Hill 2012

Vinnie Appice, drummer of Black Sabbath fame come out again with a new project. Team up with Pantera bassist Rex Brown, Mark Zavon previously in W.A.S.P. and singer Dewey Bragg. This semi supergroup status put out quite excellent self title debut album, Kill Devil Hill.

The genre in this album is a combination of groove metal, grunge, and perhaps nil recognized Black Sabbath sounds. First song War Machine is fresh groove metal feel with a sleek and grunge vocal instead of growling. Other song with very original song writing is Voodoo Doll and a heavy groovy Rise from the Shadows. It's good to see bass line get more highlight here as many song are focus in lower frequency pleasure. We're Are Gonna Die is the example here. Strange is however more hard rock and show nice guitar work put in front. Beside Mysterious Ways which is a ballad, all other tracks are showing pleasure hearing groove metal. The singer perform really well I think, give in a grunge feel and handle the low pitch nicely.

If you like fresh grunge mix with groove metal here is the correct album. If you also missed Pantera you might expect some Dimebag tribute in Mark Zavon riff. Not a bad output for this all forty aged guys.

Metal Harem class: ******* 7 stars out of 10

Kill Devil Hill 2012
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01. War Machine
02. Hangman
03. Voodoo Doll
04. Gates Of Hell
05. Rise From The Shadows
06. We're All Gonna Die
07. Strange
08. Time & Time Again
09. Old Man
10. Mysterious Ways
11. Up In Flames
12. Revenge


Dewey Bragg - vocals
Mark Zavon - guitar
Rex Brown - bass
Vinny Appice - drums

Produced by Warren Riker.    


dark theme cover album art for Kill Devil Hill

Medius Burns Going Down 2012

I was researching about Medius, a young metalcore / groove metal band from San Diego. Their social network campaign has reaching me and that’s how I ended up spinning their music. Their build up image are great so far and site is informative.

Having less listen to the genre, my lucky experience was with '90s Pantera, and this album sounding quickly remind me of them. The first song Abscess started with more thrashy riff, but soon the vocal dictate their metal orientation. Fans of Biohazard or Lamb of God will also welcome this menu. Big Stick is the second offering, a heavier and more death metal feel keep coming. Filicide start with rather heavy metal in a second but then switch more Pantera-ish this time. All good menu so far till In Visions ushered in the next track, Neo Surgery, a fast and even brutal piece to take. Spine is also need to mentioned for its interesting slightly complex intro and groove.

Then the whole album is basically a completed metal experience what we needed. The genre’s elements, groove, thrash and metal core, best represented on this debut album with bit of spice here and there. Colourful guitar work and mostly a great vocal introduced here. For fans of Pantera, Biohazard and Lamb of God, this is a great album to be recognize by this great newcomer.

Medius Burns Going Down 2012

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01. Abscess 03:38
02. Big Stick 04:27
03. Filicide 04:54
04. In Visions 00:58
05. Neurosurgery 03:38
06. Outthrust 03:38
07. Spine 04:25
08. War Cry 02:51
09. Wrecking Crew 04:36
10. The Way 02:51

personil

Spencer Blair - vocals

Trevor "Natty" Blair - guitars

Mike Cook - bass

Chris Dunlea - drums

Medius official banner and album cover art design

Lamb Of God Resolution (2012)

Another big dog of Groove Thrash Metal , Lamb Of God just released their latest works, Resolution. This is a quietly released by a Virginia's home band who just promote Groove metal into Grammy territory. The album started with a signature growling in Straight for the Sun, a slow tempi followed by groovy drum intro to Desolution (youtube sample URL link). The vocal is still the biggest weapon on the rest of album, very reminiscent to Pantera. I will also recommend To The End, a rather heavy metal riff opening tracks, or a straight forward Cheated. And man, they're so many of them since this is ... a double album to catch.

Buy Lamb of God, a great groovy released early this year. It set a ball high for the rest of year.

Lamb of God - Resolution

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Disc I
01. Straight For The Sun
02. Desolation
03. Ghost Walking
04. Guilty
05. The Undertow
06. The Number Six
07. Barbarosa
08. Invictus
09. Cheated
10. Insurrection
11. Terminally Unique
12. To The End
13. Visitation
14. King Me

Disc II [Wrath - Tour 2009-2010] [Limited pre-order bonus]
01. The Passing
02. In Your Words
03. Set To Fail
04. Walk With Me In Hell
05. Hourglass
06. Now You've Got Something To Die For
07. Ruin
08. As The Palaces Burn
09. Blacken The Cursed Sun
10. Laid To Rest
11. Redneck
12. Black Label


Line-up
David Randall "Randy" Blythe - vocals
William M. "Willie" Adler - rhythm guitar
Mark "Duane" Morton - lead guitar
Christopher James "Chris" Adler - drums
John Steven Campbell - bass