Sunday, November 2, 2008

Reviews


Wolves in the Throne Room - Two Hunters
This is one of those albums where you just plug in your headphones, turn off the lights, and let the majesty flow through your ears and completely absorb into your body. While only four tracks long, the album is complete and needs no extraneous tracks simply there to fill the numbers. The opener is the intro track, which usually on albums is no more than one minute of completely instrumental music intended to get you ready for the album's second track. In the case of this atmospheric black metal masterpiece, the intro is almost five minutes long and lulls the listener into an air of bliss that is almost the result of a classical music monument. I am still trying to enter the relm of black metal and this is one album that can definitly help push me further and deeper. It helps that this is a band from the Northwest, Washington State specifically, which gives it a local flavor that reminds me of the misty mornings of driving through such areas and Agler, WA when the trees are the only beings that surround you. From the intro, there are three more songs, going over ten minutes in length that immerse your soul into a sense of serenity that should not fit into such a subgenre of bleakness. I, for one, will be picking up every single release from this band to come.






Reviews

Review of the month

Reviews

Review of the month

Monday, September 1, 2008

News

Polish death metal legends Vader has posted the following message online:
"We would like to thank to all the participants of our anniversary gig: bands, fans and staff. Thanx to you all we were able to celebrate the 25 anniversary of Vader in so special way. Big thanx to fans for such a numerous presence, bands for fantastic shows they all played in Warsaw, guests for their appearance on this show and our crew for nearly 24 hours of hard work! It was a very important show for us, the more so because it took place in such a difficult circumstances. We were forced to give up an idea of recording DVD due to some technical issues. For technical reasons we were also unable to build a special stage scenery prepared exclusively for this show. Sorry for very long queues for food and drink and the high price of our energy drink - these things were beyond our control. The show ended up turning out well and despite these shortcomings we believe it was a success. Once again- thank you all! All the blood, sweat and tears poured into Vader have been worth it!
"At this point we would like to refer to the changes that have occurred in Vader. As you all probably already know, Mauser and Daray are no longer in the band and this anniversary gig was their last show with Vader. We would say that mentally, they both were out of the band from a long time. They played with us more like a session guys, without any real commitment and dedication. We were thinking about making some changes since a year or something, now we are glad to have this opportunity to build a new band. At the moment we are looking for some new musicians. Probably next week we are going to present you our new lineup. In October the band will appear on tour in Scandinavia with GRAVE and ZONARIA. In January 2009 Vader will hit the road again, sharing the stage with DEICIDE and SAMAEL. Just before this tour, in December we are going to start a pre-production process of our new full length album Necropolis. The recording session is scheduled for March. The album will be mixed by one of the best producers in a music industry! In May 2009 the band will release a new EP. The new album will be out in September. In meantime we are going to appear on many summer festivals. Don't be affraid, Vader don't lose the power and quality. On the contrary we feel it will be much stronger than ever before. Stay Vader'ized, be prepared for a new line up and the upcoming killing album Necropolis!"
From Metalunderground.com
(Posted 9/08/08)

Nevermore has revealed that their forthcoming live effort, "The Year Of The Voyager" will be released as both a 2CD and 2DVD product. Both of which contain a full concert recorded live in Germany and the DVD version also contains more live footage shot at events such as Wacken Open Air and Gigantour, aswell as an interview with frontman Warren Dane, all the bands music videos and trailers for other Century Media DVDs. The scheduled release date is October 28th.
From Metalunderground.com
(Posted 9/3/08)

As recent rumors have suggested, From A Second Story Window has indeed called it quits. Formed in 2002, the group has put out several releases through Black Market Activies. The following statement has been issued:
"The past several years for us as From A Second Story Window have been quite a roller coaster ride. We have watched trends come and go, looked on as people grew in and out of an ever undulating "scene", and had the chance to watch something we love, our music, grow into an expression we can all truly be proud of. However, the life in a band is much like those very roads we travel down on every tour; hills leading up, followed by valley's dipping downward towards vast, level planes where things begin to feel stagnant and a bit too calm. Then around every corner is a new fad or statement that you can either grow with or simply step aside and let it be what it is, knowing that you are no longer connected at all anymore. For us, with this changing musical market and its inhabitants, it is simply our time to step aside and let the flow continue on without us. It is time for us to venture down new avenues of creativity and to find new things to enrich our lives fully. From A Second Story Window was something that gave us all hope and pride in our small part of the musical world, but with economical woe's pulling us down, and changes in attitude towards the entire movement of "heavy" music, it just seems right to call it quits and move on in our own ways.
"Please accept our deepest thanks to everyone out there who has ever helped us out, made it to our shows, partied with us afterwords (or before, ha ha), and most importantly listened to our music and truly cared about it as much as we did and still do. This is not an end for us as musical people, just an end for us as a group called From A Second Story Window, so be looking for little projects that any of us may do for fun in the future. Again, this entire trip has been a roller coaster ride, and I know that none of us are put out what-so-ever that we bought tickets and got in line! Thanks again to everyone out there, we've had a blast!"
From Metalunderground.com
(Posted 9/01/08)

Tours

Abigail Williams, The Faceless, Decrepit Birth, Veil Of Maya, and Neuraxis
10/17/2008 Chain Reaction - Anaheim, CA
10/18/2008 The Sets - Phoenix, AZ
10/19/2008 Launchpad - Albuquerque, NM
10/20/2008 Marquis Theatre - Denver, CO
10/21/2008 Club Oz - Wichita, KS
10/22/2008 Rockstar - St. Louis, MO
10/23/2008 Mojoes - Chicago, IL
10/24/2008 Elva's - South Bend, IN
10/25/2008 Skateland - Detroit, MI
10/26/2008 Penny Arcade - Rochester, NY
10/27/2008 Gramercy Theatre - New York, NY
10/28/2008 L'Anti, Quebec - City, QC
10/29/2008 Underworld - Montreal, QC
10/30/2008 Reverb - Toronto, ON
10/31/2008 Peabodys - Cleveland, OH
11/01/2008 Broad Street Ministries - Philadelphia, PA
11/02/2008 Jaxx Nite Club - Springfield, VA
11/03/2008 Volume 11 - Raleigh, NC
11/04/2008 Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
11/05/2008 Crowbar - Tampa, FL
11/07/2008 Java Jazz - Houston, TX
11/08/2008 White Rabbit - San Antonio, TX
11/09/2008 Ridglea Theater - Ft. Worth, TX
11/11/2008 The Rock - Tucson, AZ
11/12/2008 Key Club - Los Angeles, CA
11/13/2008 The Exit - Fresno, CA
11/14/2008 Metro - Oakland, CA
11/15/2008 Riverdale Grange - Roseburg, OR
11/16/2008 Studio Seven - Seattle, WA
11/17/2008 Satyricon - Portland, OR
11/20/2008 The Dome - Bakersfield, CA
11/21/2008 Boardwalk - Sacramento, CA
11/22/2008 Soma - San Diego, CA
From Metalunderground.com
(Posted 9/08/08)


SOILWORK, DARKANE, WARBRINGER and SWALLOW THE SUN
Jan 30 - Rochester, NY - Penny Arcade
Jan. 31 - Detroit, MI – Harpo's
Feb. 02 - Nashville, TN - The Muse
Feb. 03 - Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits
Feb.04 - St Petersburg, FL - The Garage
Feb. 05 - Ft Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room
Feb. 06 - Orlando, FL - The Backbooth
Feb. 07 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
Feb. 08 - Charleston, SC - Music Farm
Feb. 09 - Charlotte, NC - Amos Southend
Feb. 10 - Springfield, VA - Jaxx
Feb. 11 - Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero
Feb. 12 - Worcester, MASS - Palladium
Feb. 13 - Poughkeepsie, NY - Chance Theater
Feb. 14 - Allentown, PA - Crocodile Rock
Feb. 15 – New York, NY - Highline Ballroom
Feb. 16 - Montreal, QC - FouFounes
Feb. 17 - Toronto, ON - Opera House
Feb. 18 - Pittsburgh, PA - Rex Theater
Feb. 19 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's
Feb. 20 - Sauget, IL – Pop's
Feb. 21 - Mokena, IL - Pearl Room
Feb. 22 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave
Feb. 23 - St Paul, MN - Station 4
Feb. 24 - Winnipeg, MB - Royal Albert Arms
Feb. 25 - Regina, SK - The Riddell at University of Regina
Feb. 26 - Calgary, AB - Warehouse
Feb. 27 - Edmonton, AB - Starlite Room
Feb. 28 - Prince George, BC - Sound Entertainment Center
Mar. 01 - Vancouver, BC - Plaza Club
Mar. 02 - Victoria, BC - Sugar
Mar. 03 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon
Mar. 04 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theater
Mar. 05 – San Francisco, Ca - Slim's
Mar. 06 - Bakersfield, CA - The Dome
Mar. 07 - San Marcos, CA - Jumping Turtle
Mar. 08 - Los Angeles, CA - Key Club
Mar. 10 - Farmington, NM - Gator’s
Mar. 11 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater
Mar. 12 - Kansas City, MO - Beaumont Club
Mar. 13 - Ok City, OK - Diamond Ballroom
Mar. 14 - San Antonio, TX - Scout Bar
Mar. 15 – Ft. Worth, TX - Lola’s
Mar. 16 - Houston, TX - Scout Bar
Mar. 18 - Louisville, KY - Uncle Peasants
Mar. 19 - Raiegh, NC - Volume 11
Mar. 20 - Jacksonsvile, NC - Hooligans Music Hall
Mar. 21 - Asheville, NC - Orange Peel
Mar. 22 - Baltimore, MD - Sonar
From Blabbermouth.net
(Posted 9/4/08)


FINNTROLLw/Warbringer
09/02 The Exchange – Regina, SK
09/03 The Warehouse – Calgary, AB
09/04 Starlite Ballroom – Edmonton, AB
09/06 Sugar – Victoria, BC
09/07 Plaza Club – Vancouver, BC
09/08 El Corazon – Seattle, WA
09/09 Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR
09/10 Slim’s – San Francisco, CA
09/11 House of Blues – W. Hollywood, CA
09/12 The Jumping Turtle – San Marcos, CA
From Century Media mailing list
(Posted 9/03/08)


Nachtmystium and Wolves In The Throne Room
10/10 Portland, OR @ Berbati's Pan
10/11 Ashland, CA @ Stillwater
10/12 Oakland, CA @ Metro
10/14 Phoenix AZ @ The Phix
10/17 Austin, TX @ Red 7
10/18 Denton, TX @ Rubbergloves Rehearsal
10/19 Tulsa, OK @ The Marquee
10/20 Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room
10/21 Iowa City, IA @ The Picador
10/23 Louisville, KY @ Uncle Pleasant's
10/24 Lansing, MI @ Mac's Bar
10/25 Chicago, IL @ Reggie's
From Metalunderground.com
(Posted 9/01/08)

Reviews

Carnifex is part of the deathcore scene that is inundating heavy metal these days. There are several bands that do it really well including Despised Icon and Through the Eyes of the Dead, but Carnifex are another story. "The Diseased and the Poisoned" is just another typical deathcore album. Typical vocals, several breakdowns in every song, and they all follow the same formula. I bought this album while I bought Aborted (see below) just because it was on sale at the checkout and I wanted to see what the hype was about. Even though it is not my favorite album I own, it is one that is fun to listen to when I'm driving around town with the windows down and the stereo blasting. However, unless you are a diehard deathcore fan, this is not one I would reccommend.
(Posted 9/3/08)







"Strichnine.213" is the latest from Belguim death metallers Aborted. This is the one and only album I have listened to by them because I only discovered them recently. I saw them on the Summer Slaughter Tour this summer and was blown away by their live performance. It was based on their live show that I bought this album. I must say, that it is not as amazing as I thought it would be. The album starts off with a pretty interesting intro that slowly rises in tempo with a disturbing low talking voice in the midst of the distorted guitars. From then on, the album doesn't go much further. It is an entertaining listen but it is nothing that I haven't heard before. If you already like this band, go pick it up. But if you haven't listened to them before, I reccommend picking up one of their first couple album first.


(Posted 9/1/08)

Comments

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Thursday, August 14, 2008

Feedback

Please comment on this part to leave me a message about what you enjoy and what else you would like to see

News

Here is the latest news on the scene

From Nuclear Blast Mail
On September 20th, DARKANE checked in with the following update regarding the new album, Demonic Art:
Finally the mixing of Demonic Art is completed and the album is being mastered right now. 12 songs ended up on the final version with about 48 minutes of pure agressive, brutal, melodic, modern, technical, furious, fast, heavy and insane thrash metal! We are very proud of this album and we know for sure that if you liked what we've done before you won't be disappointed in any way this time either. Darkane has developed in a way that hopefully will give us new fans as well, not meaning that we've turned softer or more mainstream... just better! ...and more humble.
(Posted 8/20/08)

From Metalunderground.com
Abysmal Dawn have issued the following post tour update:
"We're back from an extremely successful Relapse Contamination tour with MISERY INDEX and ORIGIN! After two blown tires, a new alternator, a major tune up, some trailer light rewiring and massive amounts of liquor consumed, we've made it back alive! We'd like to thank all the fans that came out to support us and all the cool people we met along the way. It was great touring with MISERY INDEX, ORIGIN and their crews and we hope our paths cross again in the near future!"
"In other news, after almost five years together ABYSMAL DAWN have parted ways with guitarist Jamie Boulanger. Currently Jamie has other priorities that he needs to take care of in his life, including his new baby girl. We wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors."
"We are proud to announce Ian Jekelis of ARTISAN as our new second guitarist. Ian filled in for our past two tours and we're proud to have him as a permanent member. Check out Ian playing 'Servants to Their Knees' with us on the Contamination tour here."
"Also, be sure to support us at the Bakersfield (CA) Outdoor Metalfest on 8/23 with EMBRACE THE END and AGENT STEEL among others. Hopefully we'll have a tour that hits the east coast before the end of the year. Until then keep supporting underground metal!"
(Posted 8/19/08)

From Blabbermouth.net
"The DARK TRANQUILLITY compilation album 'A Closer End' that recently started appearing on the P2P networks as well as on eBay and in certain record stores, is NOT an official DARK TRANQUILLITY album but a bootleg. It's very convincingly made, with a Century Media logo, fake barcode and extensive booklet, but it's nevertheless a bootleg. It's usually a better strategy to be silent about these things, but as a lot of people keep mailing us asking whether 'A Closer End' is a genuine album or not, and since the CD has started to appear on online discographies, presented as a legitimate release, we feel the need to set the record straight."
(Posted 8/17/08)

From Blabbermouth.net
UK black metal veterans HECATE ENTHRONED will release a box set featuring their entire back catalogue in October through Blackend/Candlelight Records. Entitlted "History in Chaos", the box set will be a very special insight into the band's 14-year history, featuring all five studio albums and a DVD. The package will contain an exclusive new booklet and the first 100 copies will be signed by the band. There will also be secret online content which will be made available on release day (handled by Ultima Media Group).
(Posted 8/15/08)

From Metalunderground.com
Triptykon/ex-Celtic Frost mainman Tom Fischer has posted the following message online:
"The intense rain outside continues unabated, and, far in the distance, the torn, grey clouds merge with the earth, obscuring any hint of a horizon. A fitting scenery to a final act of ignominy. I attended seven and a half funereal hours of meetings yesterday, initially with Celtic Frost/Triptykon manager Antje Lange, then including Martin Eric Ain and Celtic Frost's accountant, to discuss in detail the dissolution of most of Celtic Frost's business arrangements and the distribution of the group's remaining assets. What an infinitely doleful and emotionally draining undertaking, and one I did not ever wish to witness. And yet one that was probably unavoidable."
Fischer initially left the group in April of this year citing internal conflict as the reason and taking all music he had been writing for Celtic Frost with him to use in his new band, Triptykon which also features original Celtic Frost drummer Reed St. Mark and Dark Fortress/ex-Celtic Frost touring guitarist V Santura.
(Posted 8/15/08)

From Centurymedia.us
Sweden's The Haunted have posted a new track on their Myspace page from their forthcoming album Versus. The song is titled "Moronic Colossus" and is a good example of how they are returning to their thrashier roots. Versus is set to be released on October 14.

(Posted 8/14/08)




Tours

This is the Spot where I post new tours announced

From Century Media Mail
ABORTED, Carcass, Suffocation, 1349, Rotten Sound
09/05 The Palladium – Worcester, MA (w/Necrophagist & Dying Fetus)09/06 Nokia Theatre – New York, NY (w/Necrophagist)09/07 Medley – Montreal, QC09/08 Opera House – Toronto, ON09/09 Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ (w/Necrophagist & Dying Fetus)09/10 Sonar – Baltimore, MD (w/Pig Destroyer & Misery Signals)09/11 Volume 11 Tavern – Raleigh, NC09/12 The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA09/13 Jannus Landing – Tampa, FL (Florida Deathfest)09/15 Emo’s – Austin, TX09/18 House of Blues – Los Angeles, CA09/19 The Grand Ballroom – San Francisco, CA09/21 El Corazon – Seattle, WA09/22 Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver, BC
(Posted 8/20/08)

From Metalunderground.com
KATAKLYSM, DYING FETUS, ELUVEITIE, KEEP OF KALESSIN
09/26/08 The Pearl Room – Mokena, IL09/27/08 Harpo’s Concert Theatre – Detroit, MI09/28/08 Peabody’s Concert Club – Cleveland, OH09/29/08 Blender Theater at Gramercy – New York, NY09/30/08 Sonar – Baltimore, MD10/01/08 The Palladium – Worcester, MA10/02/08 Jaxx – W. Springfield, VA10/03/08 The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA10/04/08 Ground Zero – Spartanburg, SC10/05/08 Volume 11 – Raleigh, NC10/07/08 Meridian – Houston, TX10/08/08 White Rabbit – San Antonio, TX10/09/08 Ridglea Theater – Dallas, TX10/10/08 Club 101 – El Paso, TX10/11/08 Soma – San Diego, CA10/12/08 The Key Club – Hollywood, CA10/14/08 The Avalon – Santa Clara (San Francisco), CA10/15/08 Hawthorne Theater – Portland, OR10/16/08 Studio Seven – Seattle, WA10/24/08 Le Medley – Montreal, QC – CANADA10/25/08 L’Imperial – Quebec City, QC – CANADA10/26/08 The Opera House – Toronto, ON - CANADA
(Posted 8/19/08)


From Blabermouth.net
JOB FOR A COWBOY, HATE ETERNAL, ALL SHALL PERISH, ANIMOSITY and ANNOTATIONS OF AN AUTOPSY.
Nov. 13 - Pomona, CA @ Glasshouse Music HallNov. 14 - Bakersfield, CA @ The DomeNov. 15 - Sacramento, CA @ The BoardwalkNov. 16 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne TheatreNov. 17 - Seattle, WA @ El CorazonNov. 18 - Boise, ID @ The VenueNov. 20 - Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black SheepNov. 21 - Lawrence, KS @ BottleneckNov. 22 - Iowa City, IA @ The PicadorNov. 23 - St. Paul, MN @ Station 4Nov. 25 - Detroit, MI @ Magic StickNov. 26 - Pittsburgh, PA @ StrummersNov. 27 - London, ON @ The Embassy HotelNov. 28 - Burlington, VT @ Higher GroundNov. 29 - Portland, ME @ The StationNov. 30 - Providence, RI @ The Living RoomDec. 01 - Framingdale, NY @ The Crazy DonkeyDec. 02 - Sayerville, NJ @ Starland BallroomDec. 03 - Baltimore, MD @ Otto BarDec. 04 - Richmond, VA @ Canal Club (Downstairs)Dec. 05 - Wilmington, NC @ Soapbox Laundro-LoungeDec. 06 - Atlanta, GA @ The MasqueradeDec. 07 – [to be announced] NC @ [to be announced]Dec. 09 - Little Rock, AR @ The VillageDec. 10 - Tulsa, OK @ The MarqueeDec. 11 - Dallas, TX @ The DoorDec. 12 - McAllen, TX @ Cine El Rey TheatreDec. 13 - Austin, TX @ Red 7Dec. 14 - Odessa, TX @ Dos AmigosDec. 15 - Farmington, NM @ Big City Night ClubDec. 16 - Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre
(Posted 8/14/08)

From Blabbermouth.net
AMON AMARTH, ENSIFERUM, BELPHEGOR, and THE ABSENCE.
Oct. 01 - Anaheim, CAOct. 02 - Los Angeles, CAOct. 03 - San Francisco, CAOct. 04 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne TheatreOct. 05 - Seattle, WAOct. 06 - Vancouver, BCOct. 08 - Edmonton, ABOct. 09 - Calgary, ABOct. 10 - Regina, SKOct. 11 - Winnipeg, MBOct. 12 - Minneapolis, MNOct. 13 - Chicago, ILOct. 15 - Toronto, ONOct. 16 - Montreal, QCOct. 17 - Quebec City, QCOct. 18 - Worcester, MA @ The PalladiumOct. 19 - Philadelphia, PAOct. 20 - New York, NY @ The Fillmore New York at Irving PlazaOct. 21 - W. Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
(Posted 8/14/08)


From Roadrunnerrecords.com
Opeth, High on Fire,Nachtmystium(First half), Baroness(Second half)
Sept. 16 - Town Ballroom - Buffalo, NYSept. 17 - The Trocadero - Philadelphia, PASept. 18 - Nokia Theatre - New York, NYSept. 19 - The Palladium - Worcester, MASept. 20 - Imperial - Quebec City, QUE CanadaSept. 21 - Centennial Hall - London, ONT CanadaSept. 23 - House of Blues - Cleveland, OHSept. 24 - House of Blues - Chicago, ILSept. 25 - The Orbit Room - Grand Rapids, MISept. 26 - The Rave - Milwaukee, WISept. 27 - Myth - Maplewood, MNSept. 29 - Garrick Center - Winnipeg, MB CanadaSept. 30 - The Odeon - Saskatoon, SAS CanadaOct. 1 - Edmonton Events Centre - Edmonton, ALB CanadaOct. 3 - Commodore Ballroom - Vancouver, BC CanadaOct. 4 - Showbox - Seattle, WAOct. 6 - Regency Center @ The Grand Ballroom - San Francisco, CAOct. 7 - Wiltern Theatre - Los Angeles, CAOct. 8 - House of Blues - Las Vegas, NVOct. 9 - Marquee Theatre - Tempe, AZOct. 10 - Sunshine Theatre - Albuquerque, NMOct. 11 - Odgen Theatre - Denver, COOct. 13 - The Pageant - St. Louis, MOOct. 14 - The Beaumont - Kansas City, MOOct. 15 - House of Blues - Dallas, TXOct. 16 - The Monarch - Austin, TXOct. 17 - Warehouse Live - Houston, TXOct. 18 - House of Blues - New Orleans, LAOct. 20 - Revolution - Ft. Lauderdale, FLOct. 21 - House of Blues - Lake Buena Vista, FLOct. 22 - Center Stage - Atlanta, GAOct. 23 - Bogart's - Cincinnati, OHOct. 24 - Lincoln Theatre - Raleigh, NCOct. 25 - NorVa - Norfolk, VAOct. 26 - Rams Head Live - Baltimore, MD
(Posted 8/14/08)

Metallica
Metallica with Down and The Sword:October 21 - Glendale, AZ Jobing ArenaOctober 23 - Albquerque, NM Tingley ColiseumOctober 25 - Kansas City, MO Sprint CenterOctober 26 - Des Moines, IA Wells Fargo ArenaNovember 1 - Portland, OR Rose QuarterNovember 3 - Salt Lake City, UT Energy Solutions ArenaNovember 4 - Denver, CO Pepsi CenterNovember 6 - Omaha, NE Qwest CenterNovember 8 - Moline, IL iWireless CenterNovember 9 - Columbus, OH Schottenstein CenterNovember 17 - St. Louis, MO Scottrade CenterNovember 18 - Tulsa, OK BOK CenterNovember 20 - Houston, TX Toyota CenterNovember 22 - Little Rock, AR Alltel ArenaNovember 23 - New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena

Metallica with Lamb of God and The Sword:December 1 - Seattle, WA Key ArenaDecember 2 - Vancouver, BC GM PlaceDecember 4 - Calgary, AB Pengrowth SaddledomeDecember 7 - Edmonton, AB Rexall PlaceDecember 12 - Ontario, CA Citizens Bank ArenaDecember 13 - Fresno, CA Save Mart CenterDecember 15 - San Diego, CA Cox ArenaDecember 17 - Los Angeles, CA The ForumDecember 20 - Oakland, CA Oracle Arena

Metallica with Machine Head and The Sword:January 12 - Milwaukee, WI Bradley CenterJanuary 13 - Detroit, MI Joe Louis ArenaJanuary 15 - Washington, DC Verizon CenterJanuary 17 - Philadelphia, PA Wachovia CenterJanuary 18 - Boston, MA TD Banknorth CenterJanuary 26 - Chicago, IL Allstate ArenaJanuary 29 - Uniondale, NY Nassau ColiseumJanuary 31 - Newark, NJ Prudential Center
(Posted 8/15/08)

Monday, August 4, 2008

Reviews

This is my first album from folk metal, the much talked about sun-genre that has invaded the underground as of late. Korpiklaani is a great band and a lot of fun to listen to. People that don't even listen to metal can listen to this album along with metalheads. It still brings the heavy sound along with the fun atmosphere. If there is one song that anyone can drink a beer to and party with, it is Happy Little Boozer. This is the first track of the album and it kicks of the record beautifully. It sets a tone that follows through all of the tracks and gives the first-timer a great example of what they are about to encounter. Every metalhead should own this album!
(Posted 8/20/08)

Rutah is a death metal band from Spokane, Washington that I found completely on accident. I was at Ozzfest and members of the band were walking around the campsite handing out the album. After a few listens, I thought "Welcome to the End of Days" was actually pretty good. It has some instrumental passages that seem to be a little out of place for me but are done well. The band is nothing special but not bad either. They are another death metal band that many people do not know about and I wanted to give them some exposure because they are talented and have amazing potential to write a great album!
(Posted 8/19/08)




Warbringer's "War Without End" is another one of the many many thrash albums surfacing these days. I really enjoyed this album because it wasn't exactly the same as the rest of the field. While it was basically stereotypical thrash, it wasn't boring. Pretty much all of the songs are similar, but still very enjoyable. These musicians are still young and show a great amount of talent. This album makes me very excited about their next album, whenever it comes out. The first track is one of the most explosive songs I have heard in a long time and seems like it would be incredible to see live. Great thrash album and one of the most talented young bands to come out in a very long time.
(Posted 8/17/08)



Goatwhore's "A Haunting Curse" is one of the few forays into black metal that I own. It is a great album that I bought on a whim and was not disappointed. While the lyrics are about as generic as one could get for black metal, the music is very entertaining. Ben Falgoust's vocals are a caustic punch to the throat of mainstream music. His voice seems to be able to stab every emo kid that thinks he is "hardcore." While not the best example of black metal, it is a good introduction to those of us that listen more to thrash and death metal music. I highly reccomend this album as a starter to black metal.
(Posted 8/15/08)




Skeletonwitch "Beyond the Permafrost" is one of the latests releases in the new wave of thrash that has been bombarding the scene lately. It is one of the better releases in that it is different from most of the crossove bands coming out such as Municipal Waste (whom I love by the way.) Skeletonwitch blend melodic black metal with their 80's thrash metal riffs. The vocals scream in a way not heard in most bands with tremendous results. "Permafrost" is one of those albums that I can listen to straight through without being bored, which is rare. This is a must have for any thrash fan or any metal fan in general!
(Posted 8/14/08)












Nodes of Ranvier put out this album, "The Years to Come", in 2005 and it is one of the best metalcore albums ever put to tape. It is heavy without as many of the hardcore breakdowns that come to define metalcore these days and it does not rely heavily on "clean" singing. The harsh vocals are distinctive and do not get tiring. Check this one out soon!