Stratovarius – “Polaris” released May 20, 2009 on Armoury Records The Finnish power metal quintet undergoes another lineup change for their 12th studio album, replacing longtime guitarist Timo Tolkki and bassist Jari Kainulainen. This inner turmoil renders the result no less effective, perhaps even amplifying their might. Promising indeed, with so much to love: the vibrancy of the lead track; the unabashed hookiness of 2; the majesty of 3; the thrashing charge of 4; the dirge vs. delicacy of 5; the guitars interwoven with keyboards through 6. We start to lose traction with 8, but manages to regain ground [...read more]

Callisto – “Providence” released May 26, 2009 on Fullsteam Records Often referred to as the Finns’ answer to Cult of Luna, the sextet reaches further on their third release, grasping lofty branches and exploring new territories. Once primarily instrumental, the addition of varied vocalist Jani Ala-Hukkala introduces a world of possibility. He sounds like a smoothed-out and better-ranged Layne Stayley (Alice In Chains), while the vocals of guitarist Markus Myllykangas punctuate with the intensity and tone of Isis’ Aaron Turner (they’re about an 85/15 mix, respectively). Seven guest musicians are featured, playing everything from brass and woodwinds to slide [...read more]

Hull – “Sole Lord” released May 26, 2009 on The End It’s good to hear another band besides Nile crafting music steeped in Egyptian mythology. However, rather than death metal, the Brooklyn quintet transports the sounds of southwest American sludge to the deserts of the Middle East. One doesn’t listen to Hull so much as journey with them, as one section burns into the next. The album is divided into song suites, movements, and chapters––which can get a tad confusing if you’re trying to follow along––but the story is worth your attention, beckoning with divine hypnotic fervor. The Sun’s fire [...read more]

Knot Feeder – “Light Flares” co-released March 10, 2009 on Strings & Hammers / File Thirteen The Pittsburgh quartet boasts some impressive personnel: guitarist Andrew Grossman and drummer/vocalist Rob Spagiare were formerly in Tabula Rasa, and Mike Banfield was the original guitarist for Don Caballero. After three years together with bassist Andy Curl (Southpaw), they have recorded this debut album with J. Robbins, full of daring mathematical journeys, angular melodies, and vibrant energy. Most songs are driving tracks, but the album also works with quieter moments (5), percussion experiments (8), forays into pedals/loops (11), and guest cellist Gordon Withers [...read more]

Rating: 4.5/5

Thirty-six minutes rarely goes by so fast, with this level of both complexity and replay value. Tighter and more daring than a nun impersonating Evel Knievel, Coalesce triumphantly return as strong contenders in avant-hardcore.

Mena Brinno – “Wicked Polly” released February 2, 2009 on Dark Balance Their name may mean “moon fever”, but you’ll find no lunacy on the Floridians’ sophomore release. Rather, this is a concerted effort to connect the worlds of folk metal and operatic vocals. Katy Decker is a classically trained soprano, thankfully eschewing the symphonic/gothic territory where most of her sistren tread. She sings of tragedy and loss from a female perspective in the narratives arranged by the band’s chief songwriter, Marius Kozlowski. His main weapons are guitar-driven folk rhythms, with a more traditional sound achieved by way of [...read more]

Susperia – “Attitude” released May 18, 2009 on Candlelight There’s plenty of things that the Norwegian quintet does to frustrate the listener on their fifth full-length. First and foremost, the embarrassingly cliché lyrics drag down the strongest of songs (witness 3 & 6), which cuts deep when one wants to hear some of the best melodic thrash music being created today. The vocals sound alternatingly like David Draiman, Burton C. Bell, and Chuck Billy (who actually guests on 2, as does Shagrath of Dimmu Borgir on 5). Sonically, they pack a punch, but their content leaves much to be [...read more]

Goes Cube – “Another Day Has Passed” released May 12, 2009 on The End Notable as a three-piece, the Brooklyn natives almost match the intensity of Kylesa and the stripped-down songwriting sensibilities of Helmet, but rarely reach either’s level of dynamics. Their choice of riffs is their strongest suit, as nearly every song has something interesting within. The pop varnish on tracks like 2 & 6 makes for a rough listen, to say nothing of the songs blending together indistinguishably at times. There are some truly shining moments, like the two-minute battle cry that starts the album, the Deftones [...read more]

Blood Tsunami – “Grand Feast for Vultures” released May 18, 2009 on Candlelight Records One may be tempted to label the Norwegian thrash revivalists as ‘blackened thrash,’ but whoever says that hasn’t listened past the first track. Their most distinguishing feature is the lacerated rasp of Pete Evil in front, backed with deep growls from his two fellow axemen, “Bosse” on bass and “Dor” on lead guitar. Oh, and you may have heard of the man behind the drums: “Faust” (Emperor), who is as inventive as ever. Their spectrum of influence encompasses German pioneers Kreator, the Bay Area thrash [...read more]

Children – “Hard Times Hangin At The End Of The World” released May 12, 2009 on Kemado Records Like their labelmates The Sword, the guys in Children favor retro stoner thrash riffs with NWOBHM noodling reminiscent of Priest and Maiden. However all in all, I’d say their closest parallel is Bison b.c., when you couple all that with their skater punk aesthetic. They play their guts out, but have some goofy fun too (witness song names like “Nuclear Bummer” or their made-up words like ‘unstoked’ (5) and ‘shredtopia’ (6)). They start off with a sweet narrative track (both lyrically [...read more]