November 2011 Best Heavy Metal CDs

1. Krisiun - 'The Great Execution' (Century Media)

2. Leviathan - 'True Traitor, True Whore' (Profound Lore) 

3. Megadeth - 'Th1rt3en' (Roadrunner)

4. Blut Aus Nord - '777: The Desanctification' (Debemur Morti)

5. Riot - 'Immortal Soul' (SPV)

Rammstein Single, "Mein Land," Available Nov. 11

Oct. 26 -- Rammstein release "Mein Land," the first single from the Rammstein retrospective Made In Germany 1995-2011, on Nov. 11 through Universal Germany's marketing and distribution deal in the US with Vagrant Records.

 

The "Mein Land" single will be available as a four-track release via iTunes with an unreleased song, "Vergiss Uns Nicht," as well as remixes from BossHoss and Mogwai accompanied by the Jonas Akerlund directed video for "Mein Land" and a digital booklet.  The Amazon version will be "Mein Land" and the two remixes.  

 

The video for "Mein Land" will premiere on Rammstein.com on Nov. 11.

 

A release date for Made in Germany 1995-2011 will be announced shortly.

 

Rammstein's most recent release, Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da, debuted at #13 on the Billboard Top 200 in October 2009.

 

www.rammstein.com

Queensryche – 10 Great Songs (2011)

Part of Capitol's 10 Great Songs series, the Queensrÿche installment serves as an introduction to the iconic prog band. Featuring songs like ”Empire" and ”Silent Lucidity," 10 Great Songs touches on some of their hits while only barely scratching the surface of their 30-year career. While this makes for a less intimidating first look at Queensrÿche, a better place to start would be the band's Greatest Hits collection.

New Heavy Metal CD Releases: September 13, 2011

September 13, 2011
Alice Cooper - Welcome 2 My Nightmare (Universal)
Anterior - Echoes Of The Fallen (Metal Blade)
Anthrax - Worship Music> (Megaforce)
Anubis Gate - Anubis Gate (Nightmare)
Arabrot - Solar Anus (Fysisk Format)
Arch/Matheos - Sympathetic Resonance (Metal Blade)
The Devil Wears Prada - Dead Throne (Ferret)
Doro - 25 Years In Rock DVD/CD (Nuclear Blast)
Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn Of Events (Roadrunner)
Edguy - Age Of The Joker (Nuclear Blast)
Einjerher - Norron (Indie)
Elks - Destined For The Sun (TeePee)
Evil United - Evil United (MVD)
Only Flesh - From The Gutter To The Grave (Rotten)
Pathology - Awaken To The Suffering (Victory)
Sabaton - World War Live: Battle Of The Baltic Sea (Nuclear Blast)
Untimely Demise - City Of Steel (Sonic Unyon)
Vader - Welcome To The Morbid Reich (Nuclear Blast)
Wolves In The Throne Room - Celestial Lineage (Southern Lord)
Wolves Like Us - Late Love (Prosthetic)

August 2011 Best Heavy Metal CDs

1. Revocation - 'Chaos Of Forms' (Relapse)
Revocation could have crumbled from the pressure of trying to outperform the stellar Existence Is Futile, but they pull through with an album on par with their sophomore release. The album has insane technical guitars and a large amount of infectiousness, all glued together by well-rounded instrumental work. The band has brought a second guitarist into the group for the first time. A brilliant move on their part, it allows for more solo trade-offs and tighter rhythms. Each song is like a splash of aftershave on Kevin McCallister’s face. The solos on “No Funeral” may leave a listener with that permanent expression. Another member also helps with the backing vocals, which are given leeway to battle with David Davidson’s tormented screams.

2. Today Is The Day - 'Pain Is A Warning' (Black Market Activities)
While Today is the Day always retain their signature sound, a core identity that is immediately recognizable, the band incorporate the greatest strengths of the current line-up. And, on Pain Is A Warning, the album benefits from a thick, luxurious sound and a strong rock engine. The record kicks off with a siege of boiling pitch aggression in the first two tracks, ‘”Expectations Exceed Reality” and Death Curse.” After doing its best to physically assault the listener, Pain Is A Warning trades in the blasting rage for a different type of fury. “Remember to Forget” is a much more subdued effort that has a circular construction and repetitive, gently delivered lyrics combining for a supremely disturbing track. This is a slow burn, quieter anger that twists, writhes and plots.

3. YOB - 'Atma' (Profound Lore)
Doom metal is effective at pummeling listeners, repeating riffs and lulling devotees into a state that borders on narcolepsy. The best doom couples hypnotic phrasing with music that doesn’t offer complacency, but demands that listeners think and feel. YOB again achieves it with Atma, an album named after a term that means “higher self” in numerous Eastern religions. Atma is a tricky album, one that steers you into a false sense of complacency. Like a Zen Buddhist teacher it misdirects, plays the trickster, demands focus. This is YOB’s sixth album and it’s evident that they still have much to offer. Each song features a riff that functions like a Russian nesting doll. On a first listen it sounds like there’s nothing else when there’s a multitude of riches.

4. Leprous - 'Bilateral' (Inside Out)
There are influences on Bilateral ranging from The Mars Volta to Porcupine Tree on songs like “Acquired Taste.” The band does make sure to leave enough room for an out-of-control track featuring a guest spot by a black metal legend. Former Emperor vocalist Ihsahn gives a rousing performance on “Thorn,” which is supported by screeching trumpets. The song would have fitted in with Ihsahn’s latest solo album After.

5. Flourishing - 'The Sum Of All Fossils' (The Path Less Traveled)
It’s difficult to place Flourishing’s first full-length in terms of genre; it fits no category neatly. There are definitely significant death metal and grind influences, but to leave it at that would be reductive and inaccurate. The sound is metallic and mechanical, but without the cold echoes of industrial; instead, the sound clatters and pings like metal heated red-hot. There’s also a strong avant-garde hardcore sensibility and breathless blasts of noise. The result is something that Skynet might have composed to inspire its mechanical troops during the eradication of the human race. However, that’s not accurate either, as this isn’t robotically produced and lifeless like so much industrial, but rather a product of instruments being pushing to their limits. There are human minds behind this madness.

New Heavy Metal CD Releases: August 30, 2011

August 30, 2011
Bobaflex - Hell In My Heart (Megaforce)
Century - Red Giant (Prosthetic)
Eat The Gun - Runner (Metalville)
Entrenched - Preemptive Strike (Horror Pain Gore)
Hackneyed - Carnival Cadavre (Lifeforce)
Kittie - I've Failed You (eOne)
Nocturnal Fear - Excessive Cruelty (Moribund)
Pentagram - When The Screams Come DVD (Metal Blade)
Pro-Pain - 20 Years Of Hardcore CD/DVD (AFM)
Shadowside - Inner Monster Out (SHP)
Stray From The Path - Rising Sun (Sumerian)

New Heavy Metal CD Releases: August 23, 2011

August 23, 2011
All Else Fails - The Oracle, What Was Is and Could Have Been (Suicidal Brides)
Atriarch - Forever The End (Seventh Rule)
Black Tide - Post Mortem (DGC)
Discharge - Desensitise/War Is Hell Re-Release (Candlelight)
Ghost Brigade - Until Fear No Longer Defines Us (Season Of Mist)
ICS Vortex - Storm Seeker (Century Media)
Jorn - Live In Black (Frontiers)
Leprous - Bilateral (InsideOut)
Minushuman - Bloodthrone (Season Of Mist)

Ghost Brigade – Until Fear No Longer Defines Us (2011)

Tracklist:
01 – In The Woods
02 – Clawmaster
03 – Chamber
04 – Traces Of Liberty
05 – Divine Act Of Lunacy
06 – Grain
07 – Breakwater
08 – Cult Of Decay
09 – Torn
10 – Soulcarvers

Queensryche – 10 Great Songs (2011)

Part of Capitol's 10 Great Songs series, the Queensrÿche installment serves as an introduction to the iconic prog band. Featuring songs like ”Empire" and ”Silent Lucidity," 10 Great Songs touches on some of their hits while only barely scratching the surface of their 30-year career. While this makes for a less intimidating first look at Queensrÿche, a better place to start would be the band's Greatest Hits collection.

Dead and Divine – Antimacy (2011)

Dead and Divine is a five-piece Metalcore band out of Burlington, Ontario, Canada. Their initial success spawned from their 2005 EP What Really Happened At Lover's Lane on Verona Records (a label created by the band themselves, and Silverstein's Shane Told).

The band had officially released the name for their next upcoming album titled Antimacy on January 25 on their Myspace. The album is released on August 2.

'Slumlord' Stream

Putridity – Degenerating Anthropophagical Euphoria

Draining Necro Anal Disgorgement 

Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1988

1. Queensryche - Operation Mindcrime

2. Metallica - And Justice For All

3. Iron Maiden - Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son

4. Slayer - South Of Heaven

5. Megadeth - So Far, So Good, So What

6. Voivod - Dimension Hatross

7. Bathory - Blood Fire Death

8. Helloween - Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part II

9. King Diamond - Them

10. Danzig - Danzig

July 2011 Best Heavy Metal CDs

The number of CD releases slows down a little bit in the summer, but not as much as it used to.  There were still plenty of quality releases in July, and the two artists that top the list might be unfamiliar to most metal fans.  The debut from 40 Watt Sun burns with a much higher wattage, topping the July list.  Black metalers Avichi also make a strong case for the top spot.  Here are July's top 5 metal CDs.
1. 40 Watt Sun - The Inside Room (Metal Blade)

2. Avichi - The Devil's Fractal (Profound Lore)

3. Jasta - Jasta (eOne)

4. Sepultura - Kairos (Nuclear Blast)

5. Disma - Towards The Megalith (Profound Lore)

list by Chad Bowar.

Greeley Estates – The Death of Greeley Estates (2011)

The Death of Greeley Estates is the fifth full-length album by Greeley Estates. It was expected to be released on August 2, but was pushed forward due to obligations to August 9, 2011 through Tragic Hero Records and is produced by Cory Spotts. The first single for the album was released on June 1, 2011, titled "The Last Dance". On June 2nd, 2011 Greeley Estates announced on their Twitter that they will be opening with a new song entitled "Straitjacket" on their next show. Which is going to be released July 7 on the band's Facebook page, and it's also the 1st track on the record. On June 4th Greeley announced via their Facebook page that they would be releasing the song "Friendly Neighborhood Visit" through Altpress on June 7th. A new song called "Bodies" was mentioned when Greeley Estates talked about going over new songs for their next show. A tracklist for the album has been released online however it is slightly incorrect. The listing below is official and correct. The previews for all the songs have been released online.

Saxon – Call to Arms (2011)

Call To Arms is the 19th studio album by British heavy metal band Saxon. Call to Arms was released the 3rd of June in Europe; 6th of June in UK, Finland, and Denmark; 8th of June in Greece, Poland; 10th of June in France. Previously, it was due to be released on 23 May 2011 (but was later delayed.) The album is scheduled for release on 27 September in North America on EMI. Current Deep Purple keyboardist Don Airey made a guest appearance on the album.

Two of the tracks on the album were written by the band for the movie Hybrid Theory.

The album artwork is derived from Lord Kitchener Wants You, a World War I-era British Army recruitment poster.

SAXON - Afterburner (NEW from CALL TO ARMS 2011)

Essential Death Metal Albums

Death metal as a distinct genre dates back to about 1985 or so, and the sheer number of albums that have been released since is staggering. Aficionados of the genre will argue endlessly about which albums deserve to be placed on a list of the absolute best of the best that the genre has to offer. In an effort to avoid such arguments, the purpose of this list is to inform listeners new to the genre; that is, given the enormous number of albums released in the name of death metal, how does a fan new to the genre find where to begin?

Possessed - Seven Churches (1985)

Morbid Angel - Altars Of Madness (1989)

Deicide - Deicide (1990)

Entombed - Left Hand Path (1990)

Cannibal Corpse - Tomb Of The Mutilated (1992)

Suffocation - Effigy Of The Forgotten (1991)

Death - Human (1991)

Immolation - Close To A World Below (2000)

Incantation - Onward To Golgotha (1992)

Nile - Annihilation Of The Wicked (2005)

Abandon All Hope – Prowler (2011)

After keeping fans waiting for a few years since their last album, Abandon All Hope have today released their new record titled Prowler.

Heads, You Win

‘Prowler’ is the long awaited debut album from Adelaide metal core juggernauts ABANDON ALL HOPE. Follow up to 2007's ‘Where Life And Death Meet’, ‘Prowler’ boasts heavier and more melodic tendencies while showcasing all the elements that cemented Abandon All Hope as one of the leaders of heavy music in Australia

 Check the band interview at lunamagazine.

Fans Page : http://www.myspace.com/abandonallhope
Similar Artist : Hand Of Mercy, Picture The End, Anime Fire

Tracklist:
01 – Prowler
02 – Heads, You Win
03 – Self Pity City
04 – Mind Surrender
05 – Sleep at the Mercy of Nightmares
06 – What I’ve Lost
07 – The Book of Crossroads
08 – Floods
09 – Bury Yourself Upside Down
10 – The Urgency of Time

Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1985

1985 is probably the year where I should start calling it the best CDs instead of best albums as the compact disc exploded in popularity in 1985. It saw the first appearances Anthrax and Megadeth in the year end list, bands that would become mainstays. Celtic Frost also made the list for the second year in a row. Iron Maiden's Live After Death is an outstanding album, but only studio releases were considered for this list. Here are one writer's subjective opinion of the best metal albums of 1985.

1. Exodus - Bonded By Blood

2. Slayer - Hell Awaits

3. Celtic Frost - To Mega Therion

4. Megadeth - Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good

5. Anthrax - Spreading The Disease

6. Helloween - Walls Of Jericho

7. Possessed - Seven Churches

8. Fates Warning - The Spectre Within

9. S.O.D. - Speak English Or Die

10. Dokken - Under Lock and Key

Suicide Silence – The Black Crown (2011)

SUICIDE SILENCE - You Only Live Once (New Track!)

 

Here comes the new Suicide Silence song to rock you! I personally love it because it is quite good for the first release from their album.

The Black Crown is the third full-length album by metal band Suicide Silence, which was released July 12, 2011 through Century Media Records. With anticipation for their third full-length after the release of No Time to Bleed, Suicide Silence prepared recording for The Black Crown on a course of several months starting from the beginning of 2010 with writing ideas and plans before their arrival to the studio for recording in 2011.

Tracklist:
01 – Slaves To Substance
02 – O.C.D
03 – Human Violence
04 – You Only Live Once
05 – Fuck Everything
06 – March To The Black Crown
07 – Witness The Addiction
08 – Cross-Eyed Catastrophe
09 – Smashed
10 – The Only Thing That Sets Us Apart
11 – Cancerous Skies

Bonus Tracks:
12 – SuperBeast (Rob Zombie Cover)
13 – Revival of Life

Vicious Rumors – Razorback Killers (2011)

Vicious Rumors - Murderball

Hands – Give Me Rest (2011)

Hands - Give Me Rest (Album Preview) 2011

New Heavy Metal CD Releases: June 7, 2011

Here are the new heavy metal CD releases for this week.

June 7, 2011
AC/DC - Let There Be Rock DVD (Warner)
Amorphis - The Beginning Of Times (Nuclear Blast)
Anathema - We're Here Because We're Here (The End)
Ancient VVisdom - A Godlike Inferno (Shinebox)
Arch Enemy - Khaos Legions (Century Media)
Avantasia - The Flying Opera Live DVD/CD (Nuclear Blast)
Barn Burners - Bangers II: Scum Of The Earth (Metal Blade)
Behemoth - Abyssus Abyssum Invocat (Metal Blade)
Black September - The Forbidden Gates Beyond Re-Release (Prosthetic)
Brent Hinds Presents - Fiends Without A Face and West End Motel (Rocket Science)
Cerebral Bore - Maniacal Miscreation (Earache)
Chrome Division - 3rd Round Knockout (Nuclear Blast)
Crashdiet - Generation Wild (Frontiers)
Dr. Midnight and The Mercy Cult - I Declare Treason (Season Of Mist)
Elevate: I Am - The Ghost Eclipse Sessions (ALF)
Engineer - Crooked Voices (Black Market Activities)
Falconer - Armod (Metal Blade)
Gigan - Quasi-Hallucinogenic Sonic Landscapes (Willowtip)
Hammerfall - Infected (Nuclear Blast)
Iron Maiden - From Fear To Eternity: The Best Of 1990-2010 (Universal)
Job For A Cowboy - Gloom EP (Metal Blade)
Karma To Burn - V (Napalm)
Khann - Erode (Black Market Activities)
Looking For An Answer - Eterno Treblinka (Relapse)
Morbid Angel - Illud Divinum Insanus (Season Of Mist)
Origin - Entity (Nuclear Blast)
Pharoah - Ten Years EP (Cruz del Sur)
Sister - Hated (Metal Blade)
The Soulless - Isolated (Earache)
Tombs - Path Of Totality (Relapse)
Tyr - The Law Of Thyrm (Napalm)
Various Artists - Afterparty Massacre Soundtrack (Ibex Moon)
Whitesnake - Live At Donington 1990 (Frontiers)

Behemoth – Abyssus Abyssum Invocat (2011)

Polish death metal act Behemoth has revealed the details for its forthcoming 2-CD set, titled "Abyssus Abyssum Invocat." The new release features two previous Behemoth EPs, which both are currently out-of-print, and includes all new expanded artwork as well as bonus tracks on each disc. The two EPs featured are "Conjuration" and "Slaves Shall Serve." "Abyssus Abyssum Invocat" is set for release on May 17, 2011 in North America through Metal Blade Records. A European release will arrive in stores on April 18, 2011 through Peaceville Records.

Behemoth "Slaves Shall Serve" by Metal Blade Records

Heavy Metal Week In Review: May 15, 2011

New CD Releases This Week:

1. Anvil - Juggernaut Of Justice (The End)

2. The Gates Of Slumber - Wretch (Rise Above)
3. Hate Eternal - Phoenix Amongst the Ashes (Metal Blade)
4. New Keepers Of The Water Towers - The Calydonian Hunt (Meteor City)
5. Novembers Doom - Aphotic (The End)
6. Portrait - Crimen Laesae Majestatis Divinae (Metal Blade)

Skindred – Union Black (2011)

Union Black is the fourth album from Welsh ragga metal band Skindred. It was released on April 25, 2011 in the United Kingdom & May 3, 2011 in the United States. The album is notable for featuring more usage of dubstep, hip hop and drum and bass elements than previous works.


Skindred - Game Over
A wonderful song from the new album 'Union Black'.

April 2011 Best Heavy Metal Albums

April was a very consistent, but not great month.  No new releases garnered 4.5 stars or higher, but a bunch received 4 stars, making it a difficult task to determine this month's top 5.  I have a feeling some of these will age pretty well, and by the end of the year may even grow on us enough to crack the best of 2011 list.  After a lot of debate, arm-wrestling and coin-flipping, Primordial gets the top spot for April, barely edging out the return of Pentagram. Here are April's top 5 metal releases.

1. Primordial - 'Redemption At The Puritan's Hand' (Metal Blade)

2. Pentagram - 'Last Rites' (Metal Blade)

3. Blut Aus Nord - '777: Sect(s)' (Code 666)

4. Cruachan - 'Blood On The Black Robe' (Candlelight)

5. Vintersorg - 'Jordpuls' (Napalm)

list by heavymetal.about.com

Caliban – Coverfield EP (2011)

Artist: Caliban

Album: Coverfield EP

Released: 2011

Style: Metalcore


Tracklist:
01 – My Girlfriend’s Girlfriend (Type O Negative Cover)
02 – Sonne (Rammstein Cover)
03 – Blinded by Fear (At the Gates Cover)
04 – Helter Skelter (The Beatles Cover)

New Heavy Metal CD Releases: April 26, 2011

Here are the new heavy metal CD releases for this week.

Above Symmetry - Ripples (Inside Out)
Aerial Ruin - Valleys Of The Earth (Vendlus)
Agorophobic Nosebleed/Despise You - And On And On Split (Relapse)
Betrayal - Abandonment (Mediaskare)
Bermuda - Isolationist(s) (Mediaskare)
Bloodbath - Bloodbath Over Bloodstock DVD (Peaceville)
Bodyfarm - Bodyfarm (Abyss)
Destrophy - Cry Havoc (Victory)

Diabolical - Ars Vitae (Abyss)
Endwell - Punishment (Mediaskare)
Feral - Dragged Through The Altar (Ibex Moon)
Graviton - Massless (Translation Loss)
Hero In Error - The Highs Of New Lows (Mediaskare)
Hyperborean - The Spirit Of Warfare (Abyss)
Negura Bunget - Poarta de Dincolo EP (Code 666)

NightShade - Lost In Motion (Bullet Tooth)
Otep - Atavist (Victory)
Primordial - 'Redemption At The Puritan's Hand (Metal Blade)
Turbocharged - AntiXtian (Chaos)
Vomitory - Opus Mortis VIII (Metal Blade)
Winterus - In Carbon Mysticism (Lifeforce)
Wolf - Legions Of Bastards (Century Media)

Essential Thrash Metal Albums

1. Metallica - Master Of Puppets
"Metallica - Master Of Puppets"Pricegrabber
Metallica's third album is their best. It doesn't have the radio singles and MTV videos as some of their later releases, but is a musical tour de force. From the trademark thrash of "Battery" to the instrumental stylings of "Orion," it's a sound of a band on top of their game. The songs are diverse and the musicianship is simply incredible.

2. Slayer - Reign In Blood
"Slayer - Reign In Blood"Pricegrabber
This is one of the top 3 thrash metal albums and one of the top 10 metal albums ever. Many publications have named it the best metal album ever. This is speed metal at its finest, with compact songs jam packed with riffs and head banging intensity. The lyrics are also filled with dark and disturbing images. Slayer released several fantastic albums, and this is their masterpiece.

3. Megadeth - Peace Sells...But Who's Buying
"Megadeth - Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?"Pricegrabber
Megadeth really hit their stride on this, their second album. It's a speed metal classic with great songs like "Wake Up Dead," "Devil's Island" and "Peace Sells." The band's songwriting improved quite a bit from their debut album and 20 years later it still holds up extremely well.

4. Anthrax - Among The Living
"Anthrax - Among The Living"Pricegrabber
Anthrax is a group I've come to appreciate more and more as the years go by, and Among The Living was their best album. The songs had a message and were catchy yet still very intense and aggressive. "Caught In A Mosh" is the highlight of this album, along with other great songs such as "Indians," "I Am The Law" and the title track. Anthrax have always been a band with a sense of humor that is also willing to address serious subjects, which is a great combination.

5. Exodus - Bonded By Blood
"Exodus - Bonded By Blood"Pricegrabber
Exodus' debut album was their commercial and critical pinnacle. Even though they've had a long and successful career, they never matched the success of thrash counterparts like Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax. This album, though, is spectacular. It's a thrash classic with music played at breakneck speed with a barrage of killer riffs and solos. And even though it's a whirlwind of intensity, the songs are still very catchy and memorable.

6. Kreator - Pleasure To Kill
"Kreator - Pleasure To Kill"Pricegrabber
The German thrash band's second album is one of their best. Everything about it was a huge improvement over their debut. It was more brutal and aggressive and had some unbelievable riffs. 1986 was the year of thrash, and this is an album that sometimes gets overlooked because of everything else that was released that year. But this album showed Kreator was a thrash and speed metal force to be reckoned with.

7. Testament - The Legacy
"Testament - The Legacy"Pricegrabber
Testament is a Bay Area thrash band whose debut album came a few years after groups like Metallica and Megadeth were already dominating the scene. They were well known to thrash fans, but never made that leap to popular success like some of their contemporaries. The Legacy followed the thrash metal blueprint, but Testament infused it with their own style and personality that made it unique.

8. Sepultura - Beneath The Remains
"Sepultura - Beneath The Remains"Pricegrabber
With their third album, the Brazilian band Sepultura made a quantum leap into the forefront of extreme metal. Beneath The Remains is when the band's songwriting really blossomed and their blistering thrash metal was both extremely intense and also really catchy. The album had brutal riffs, creative solos, skull pounding drums and paint peeling vocals from Max Cavalera. What's even more amazing is that most of the band members were only in their teens when this album was released.

9. S.O.D. - Speak English Or Die
"S.O.D. - Speak English Or Die"Pricegrabber
S.O.D., otherwise known as Stormtroopers Of Death, was a crossover thrash side project of Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian and drummer Charlie Benante along with former bassist Dan Lilker (then in Nuclear Assault) and vocalist Billy Milano. The album was recorded in just three days and caused controversy because their tongue in cheek lyrics were considered by some to be racist and sexist. Their music was a powerful mix of thrash and hardcore punk that was intense and raw.


10. Annihilator - Alice In Hell
"Annihilator - Alice In Hell"Pricegrabber
The Canadian thrash band Annihilator blasted upon the scene with a monstrous debut album. Jeff Waters and company tore through the album with raw power and energy along with excellent technical skill. Waters and Anthony Greenham really shined with their outstanding guitar work. Randy Rampage's raw and emotional vocals were a good fit as well. Annihilator has had dozens of lineup changes over the years, and their debut remains one of their best efforts.

New Metal Music Releases 2011

Band Name: In Flames
Album Name: Sounds of a Playground Fading
Release Date: 2011-06-21

Band Name: GWAR
Album Name: Bloody Pit of Horror
Release Date: 2011-11-09

Band Name: In Flames
Album Name: Sounds of a Playground Fading
Release Date: 2011-06-21

Band Name: Autopsy
Album Name: Macabre Eternal
Release Date: 2011-05-31

Band Name: Infestus
Album Name: Ex|Ist
Release Date: 2011-05-16

Band Name: Deadlock
Album Name: Bizarro World
Release Date: 2011-03-16

Band Name: Children Of Bodom
Album Name: Relentless Reckless Forever
Release Date: 2011-03-08

Band Name: Burzum
Album Name: The Fallen
Release Date: 2011-03-07

Band Name: Deicide
Album Name: To Hell With God
Release Date: 2011-02-15

Band Name: Immortal
Album Name: The Seventh Date Of Blashyrkh (live)
Release Date: 2010-09-14

Setherial – Treason (2011)

 Tracklist:
01 – Treason [A Death That Breeds Through Aeons]
02 – Warfare [God Is Dead]

Disfiguring The Goddess – Disfiguring The Goddess (2011)

disfiguring the goddess - uprising

Find more songs at Disfiguring The Goddess myspace

There's something about deathcore that has always rubbed me the wrong way. I LOVE brutal death metal/slam death metal and I LOVE hardcore/metalcore (mainly 90s and earlier). There's just something about when these two get mixed together that it makes me want to kill puppies. Typically the genre mixes modern metalcore and focuses too much on the bad aspects of both death and core. It almost always french fries when it should pizza leaving you having a bad time.


Why am I enjoying the new Disfiguring the Goddess album so much? It's made by internet deathcore sensation Big Chocolate (also the ex vocalist for Abominable Putridity, Burn the Masses, Misericordiam, and countless others). The guy definitely has his root in the deathcore genre, but he also seems to now know very well how to write good slamming brutal death metal.

Admittedly, I didn't care too much for their prior records. This album just seems so much more focused and certainly more powerful. Sure, Circle of Nine still has plenty of breakdowns, but the album is rather enjoyable. It's ridiculously heavy and the guy seriously has some of the best death metal vocals I've ever heard. From start to finish the album pummels you over the head and doesn't letup. The production is very clean and very heavy. The band definitely focused more on the brutal death metal sound this time around instead of just deathcore. If all deathcore were to sound like this the genre might not have such a bad reputation. As a skeptic myself, I say give it at least one listen. It's up for free streaming listening on their Facebook page (linked). review found on stereokiller.

March 2011 Best Heavy Metal Albums CDs

1. Kvelertak - 'Kvelertak' (The End)

The End Records

Kvelertak is groovy black n' roll. Lean guitar riffs, catchy melodies and ample aggression make for an appealing combination. The songs are fun, but with a punk vibe that adds a swagger and attitude. The vocals are harsh, providing a sharper edge to the music. Tracks like “Blodtørst” even have brief acoustic moments.

In addition to Erlend Hjelvik's throat searing vocals, there are guest appearances from Ryan McKenney (Trap Them), Ivar Nikolaisen (Silver) and Hoest (Taake). “Sultans Of Satan” includes some melodic vocals in addition to the harsh yells. It also incorporates some bluesy Sabbath style riffs. There's no shortage of riffs on Kvelertak, as the band utilizes a three guitar attack.


2. Omnium Gatherum - 'New World Shadows' (Lifeforce)

Lifeforce Records

The album begins with the majestic and epic “Everfields,” a nine minute opus. It moves along at a moderate pace, then both the speed and aggression increase before a mid-song acoustic interlude. Jukka Pelkonen's death metal vocals are edgy and a little lower pitched than the usual, making them sound more distinctive. It's a diverse and progressive song with a lot of tempo and texture changes and a strong opener.

Omnium Gatherum have really hit their stride on New World Shadows. They've stepped up their songwriting and musicianship, and have delivered their best album to date. Melodic death metal fans will definitely want to check this one out.

3. Within Temptation - 'The Unforgiving' (Roadrunner)

"Within Temptation - The Unforgiving"Roadrunner Records

The Unforgiving is a concept album, based on a comic book created in collaboration with the band by Steven O'Connell. Musically, Within Temptation still plays bombastic and melodic symphonic metal, but add in some retro '80s vibes and other genres on some of the songs. The opener “Shot In The Dark” has a lot of atmosphere along with big hooks and powerful vocals from Sharon den Adel.

“In The Middle Of The Night” is a standout, an arena-ready anthem that's more intense than the usual WT song, but has great riffs and a memorable chorus. One of the strengths of The Unforgiving is the balance between orchestration and riffs. The symphonic elements don't bury the guitars, they both comfortably co-exist.

4. Amon Amarth - 'Surtur Rising' (Metal Blade)
Metal Blade Records

Their brand of melodic Viking metal won't ever cross over to the mainstream, but their appeal in the metal world has continued to grow, and their latest CD Surtur Rising will only continue their momentum. Surtur Rising gets off to an aggressive start with “War Of The Gods.” Catchy riffs, a searing solo and Johan Hegg's trademark low-pitched but understandable rasp make it a strong and memorable opener. “Tock's Taunt” runs the gamut from a brief mellow section to very melodic to double bass intensity.

There's no title track per se, but the band considers “Destroyer Of The Universe” to be that track. It's one of the more intense songs on the album. It's companion piece, at least lyrically, is “The Last Stand Of Frej,” which tells the same story from a different perspective.

5. Mercenary - 'Metamorphosis' (Prosthetic)
Prosthetic Records

Many doubted that Denmark’s Mercenary would be able to overcome the loss of leather-lunged screamer/singer Mikkel Sandager after the man’s departure following 2008’s album cycle for Architect of Lies. In light of all this, it’s impressive that Metamorphosis was created at all, never mind the fact that it also happens to be completely killer.

Taking the proverbial bull by the horns, bassist Rene Pederson has stepped up to the plate as the band’s new singer, handling both clean and harsh vocals with stunning confidence. Pederson leads the charge here, side by side with guitarist Jakob Molberg, whose significantly impressive chops are once again dropping jaws and raising fists with their near-flawless mastery of melody and technical prowess.

Artillery – My Blood (2011)

My Blood is the sixth studio album by the Danish technical thrash metal band Artillery. It was released in 2011 on Metal Mind Productions.

Track listing

1. "Mi Sangre (The Blood Song)"
2. "Monster"
3. "Dark Days"
4. "Death Is An Illusion"
5. "Aint Giving In"
6. "Prelude to Madness"
7. "Thrasher"
8. "Warrior Blood"
9. "Concealed In The Dark"
10. "End Of Eternity"
11. "The Great"

Video "Warrior Blood"

Artillery’s brand new album My Blood has just been released in Europe and Japan.

New Heavy Metal CD Releases: March 22, 2011

• Agnostic Front - My Life, My Way (Nuclear Blast)
• Assassin - Breaking The Silence (SPV)
• Bloodshot - Murder The World (Scarlet)
• Born Of Osiris - The Discovery (Sumerian)
• Dodsferd - Spitting With Hatred The Insignificance of Life (Moribund)
• Dotma - Sleep Paralyses (Scarlet)
• Engrained - Deep Rooted (SPV)
• Evil Survives - Metal Vengeance Re-Release (Heavy Artillery)
• The Haunted - Unseen (Century Media)
• Immortal Dominion - Primortal (427)
• My Inner Burning - Eleven Scars (SPV)
• Odd Dimension - Symmetrical (Scarlet)
• Protest The Hero - Scurrilous (Vagrant)
• Straight Line Stitch - The Fight Of Our Lives (E1)
• Tesseract - One (Century Media)
• Woods of Ypres - Against The Seasons: Cold Winter Songs from the Dead Summer Heat Re-Release (Earache)
• Woods of Ypres - Pursuit of the Sun & Allure of the Earth Re-Release (Earache)
• Woods of Ypres - Woods III: Deepest Roots and Darkest Blues Re-Release (Earache)
• Woods Of Ypres - Woods IV: The Green Album Re-Release (Earache)

Straight Line Stitch – The Fight of Our Lives

Reviews:
Straight Line Stitch exhibits the heaviness of a full fledged metal band with tracks like “No Tomorrow”, whilst simultaneously showcasing the sensibilities of modern rock. Lead singer Alexis Brown has proven she’s much more than a pretty face – her screams demand attention and her singing is awe-inspiring. Not to mention she’s backed by a band that have exhibited serious growth since their debut album a mere three years ago. The Fight Of Our Lives is an album that is an improvement in almost every aspect, including an improvement to your playlist. 8.9/10 -thenewreview.net

You can catch Straight Line Stitch out on the road pretty much everywhere, I am not joking these guys tour relentlessly, but most definitely check them out on the Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock ~ Hell Hath No Fury Tour with In This Moment, System Divide and Sister Sin.4/5 -metalholic.co

I’ve yet to see Straight Line Stitch live, and I’ve read good and bad things about them. That’s the danger of reviews though, and I’ll end up seeing them for myself to draw my own conclusions but I have a feeling I won’t be disappointed. This album is one that begs to be heard live. 4/5 -theywillrockyou.com

Straight Line Stitch - "Conversion" OFFICIAL VIDEO

Tracklist:
01 – Tear Down The Sky
02 – Conversion
03 – Laughing In The Rearview
04 – Cold Front
05 – No Tomorrow
06 – Bar Room Brawl
07 – One Reason
08 – Never Surrender
09 – Living Dead
10 – Sould Of Silence
11 – Ashes In The Wind

Straight Line Stitch Myspace page

Graveyard – Hisingen Blues (2011)

“Hisingen Blues” was produced, recorded and mixed in a raw, authentic yet strong and clear way by Don Alsterberg in Don Pierre Studios / Gothenburg, where the band together with Don has managed to create a totally analogue recorded and mixed production that skillfully combines a 70’s vibe with a more powerful modern sound..

Hisingen Blues, out on March 25 (Europe) and April 19, 2011 (North America)

Hisingen Blues

Fore more songs Graveyard Myspace

Born Of Osiris – The Discovery (2011)

Born of osiris isn't trying to be heavy there going progressive ambient. Definitely sounds like there most technical shit tho and most experimental. I'm all for that. There going in the right direction too much metal nowadays is the same. Just listen to this shit when ur high.

Born Of Osiris - The Discovery FULL Album Preview 2011

February 2011 Best Heavy Metal CDs

 Useful list for you to buy the best Heavy Metal music out there!

1. Evergrey - 'Glorious Collision' (SPV)

SPV Records

Evergrey's sound is intact, but Glorious Collision finds the Swedes with a newfound spark and some of the best songwriting they've done in years. The songs are relatively straightforward, but hold up extremely well. I've had the album for a couple of months, and after multiple listens can attest to the catchiness of many of the tracks. The keyboards are also more prominent than on the past few albums, not surprising since Zander had a much bigger part of the songwriting than usual.
While much of Glorious Collision is compact and focused, “You” shows the band's more expansive side. It's the longest song, at over 6 minues, and allows time for instrumental breaks and solos in addition to plenty of melody and bombast. The 13 tracks are very consistent in terms of quality, but a few stand out even more. “Frozen” is intense and powerful, but also dynamic with a sing-along chorus.


2. Crowbar - 'Sever The Wicked Hand' (eOne)

eOne Music

It's been a while since we've heard new music from Crowbar. Frontman Kirk Windstein is a pretty busy guy, who is also a member of Down and Kingdom Of Sorrow. The rest of Crowbar's 2011 lineup includes bassist Patrick Bruders (ex-Goatwhore), drummer Tommy Buckley (Soilent Green) and the newest addition, guitarist Matt Brunson (Shedding Old Skin). Crowbar's new CD Sever The Wicked Hand comes six years (to the day) after the sludge-meisters' last full-length.
“Isolation (Desperation)” is a really strong opener, a groovy and melodic track. The title track is more intense and heavier with riffs that are fast and thrashy at the beginning, then get thicker and more oppressive as the tempo slows. “Liquid Sky And Cold Black Earth” thunders along at a glacial tempo, an edgy ballad that has Windstein almost crooning.


3. DevilDriver - 'Beast' (Roadrunner)

Roadrunner Records
DevilDriver's last album, while nowhere near mainstream, was more accessible than the one before. They've reversed that trend on their latest effort Beast. It lives up to the title, a relentessly aggressive and angry CD that still manages to churn out plenty of the band's trademark groove.
Beast erupts out of the gates with “Dead To Rights,” which alternates between galloping thrash riffs and slower grooves along with an extended guitar solo. It's intense and punishing, but also infused with melody. And while nothing on this album can be considered mellow, the listener gets a 20 second reprieve at the beginning of “Hardened” before the rapid-fire drums kick the song into gear.




4. Abysmal Dawn - 'Leveling The Plane Of Existence' (Relapse)

Relapse Records

Abysmal Dawn plays with a lot of technical skill and they certainly bring the brutality, but so does nearly every other death metal outfit. What sets a band like AD apart is their songwriting. Inserting moments of melody, changing up speeds and intensities and writing clever riffs and hooks makes their music much more memorable and holds up better under multiple listens.
“My Own Savior” is a highlight of Leveling The Plane Of Existence, with a meaty groove and more excellent solo work. It's one of Charles Elliott's best vocal performances as well. On the entire album he has stepped up his game, utilizing a wider palette of styles, from guttural growls to frenzied screams. Another excellent track is “Pixilated Ignorance,” a rapid-fire blast of extremiity featuring a solo from Krisiun's Moyses Kolesne.


5. Allen/Lande - 'The Showdown' (Frontiers)

Frontiers Records
The Showdown is in the vein of previous Allen/Lande albums. The songs straddle the line between hard rock, power metal and melodic metal. There are hooks galore, even on the more aggressive tracks. One of the best songs on the CD is “Turn All Into Gold.” It has a memorable chorus, but also crunchy guitars and excellent solos.
It doesn't matter what the tempo of the songs are, Allen and Lande always deliver top-notch vocal performances. They can turn up the power on intense songs, and use more texture and emotion on the ballads like “Copernicus.”

source: Heavymetal about

Children Of Bodom – Relentless Reckless Forever (2011)

Relentless, Reckless Forever is the seventh album by Finnish melodic death metal band Children of Bodom, released on March 8, 2011 through Spinefarm Records / Universal Music.

Children Of Bodom's new, highly acclaimed Relentless Reckless Forever album has sold 100,000+ copies worldwide right upon its release, and the band's seventh studio outing has also already been certified gold (10,000+ copies) in the band's home country Finland.

To watch Was it Worth It? and many Children Of Bodom songs go to their official Youtube page.

Tracklist:
01 – Not My Funeral
02 – Shovel Knockout
03 – Roundtrip to Hell and Back
04 – Pussyfoot Miss Suicide
05 – Relentless Reckless Forever
06 – Ugly
07 – Cry of the Nihilist
08 – Was It Worth It
09 – Northpole Throwdown
10 – Party All The Time (Japanese Bonus Track)

Koma – La Maldicion Divina

Koma - La Almohada Cervical Music Video

Tracklist:
01 – Intro (La Maldicion Divina)
02 – Sin Oxigeno
03 – La Almohada Cervical

Mastodon – Live At The Aragon (2011)

You can watch more live performances ("Ghost Of Karelia", "Divinations") from the album Mastodon band website.

Tracklist:

TWINSPIRITS - Slave To This World (Official video clip)

"Slave To This World", the new video from Twinspirits — the Italian progressive metal band featuring Daniele Liverani (Khymera, Empty Tremor, Genius) can be viewed below. The song comes off the group's third album, "Legacy", which will be released in on February 18 via Lion Music.

"Slave To This World" is taken from the album "Legacy" released by Lion Music.

New Metal Music Releases - : February 22, 2011

 I like to keep up to date this blog as much as possible providing the best metal music around. This is your must-have list to buy some new heavy metal albums.
 The list is very reliable from here.

February 22, 2011

• Astrosoniq - Quadrant (Exile On Mainstream)
• Ava Inferi - Onyx (Season Of Mist)
• Betzefer - Freedom To The Slave Makers (AFM)
• The Browning - Time Will Tell (Earache)
• Cauldron - Burning Fortune (Earache)
• Crystal Viper - Legends (AFM)
• Darkest Hour - The Human Romance (E1)
• The Defaced - Anomaly (Scarlet)
• DevilDriver - Beast (Roadrunner)
• Drugs Of Faith - Corroded (Selfmadegod)
• Earth - Angels Of Darkness, Demons Of Light (Southern Lord)
• Ektomorf - Redemption (AFM)
• Elvenking - Red Silent Tides (AFM)
• Evergrey - The Glorious Collision (SPV)
• Folge Dem Wind - Inhale The Sacred Poison (Code666)
• I See Stars - The End Of The World Party (Sumerian)
• Necronoclast - Ashes (Moribund)
• The Project Hate MCMXCIX - "Bleeding The New Apocalypse (Cum Victriciis In Manibus Armis (Season Of Mist)
• The Swan King - Eyes Like Knives (Seventh Rule)
• Tankard - Vol(l)ume 14 (AFM)
• Timo Tolkki - Saana Warrior of Light Pt. 1 (Scarlet)
• Twisted Sister - Come Out And Play Re-Release (Eagle Rock)
• Twisted Sister - Love Is For Suckers Re-Release (Eagle Rock)

My favorite albums from the list:
Evergrey - The Glorious Collision (SPV)
Based in Sweden, Evergrey are specialists in dark progressive metal.

I See Stars - The End Of The World Party (Sumerian)
I See Stars are a hardcore band from Michigan who made their album debut in 2009 with a hybrid style drawing from both screamo and electronica.