Hermh – “Cold Blood Messiah” released May 19, 2009 on Regain Records The Polish symphonic black metal troupe’s fourth album (their second since reforming in 2003) may be their best yet. Similar to their countrymen, Vesania, they succeed at balancing the darkness with strongly infused harmonies. Hardly a one-trick pony, they invoke folk rhythms (5 and 9), Egyptian history (8), Latin refrains (1, 2), an acoustic instrumental (7), and choir arrangements (3, 8). The sole surviving original member is lead vocalist Bart, who also co-produced and wrote the lyrics. Recurring themes of vampirism run throughout, but are neither sappy [...read more]

1349 – “Revelations of The Black Flame” released June 2, 2009 on Candlelight Records I’ll be the first to admit that 2005’s Hellfire put me off with it’s relentless drive and unwavering lack of variation, but no one was expecting this. They hook up with Tom Warrior of Celtic Frost, and deliver a decidedly different incarnation of the blistering black metal we’ve come to know for the past three albums. Seeking to create more atmosFear, they actually avoid jackhammering into your earholes for most of the album. It’s better produced than the last Darkthrone, but not nearly as polished [...read more]

Pelican – “Ephemeral” released June 2, 2009 on Southern Lord The Chicago instru-metal quartet debuts on Southern Lord with a three-track EP of new material. It’s been two years since 2007’s divisive full length, City Of Echoes, but this is their fourth offering since then, and it’s a solid twenty minute journey. The 5-7 min track length seems to work for them, as their longer songs can drag and their shorter compositions need to build more steam. The tone and delivery are instantly recognizable as Pelican’s–stylistically similar to bands like Isis or Mouth of The Architect, only much more [...read more]

Nadja – “When I See The Sun Always Shines On TV” released April 28, 2009 on The End Records The brainchild of Aiden Baker (guitar, drum, vocals) and his cohort, Leah Buckareff (bass, vocals) acknowledge their breadth of influences on the Canadian duo’s latest album, consisting entirely of covers. Apart from obvious choices like My Bloody Valentine and the Swans, they also take on a-ha (who inspired the album title) and “Long Dark Twenties” from the Kids In The Hall: Brain Candy soundtrack. They metamorphose each track into enveloping layers of drone, extending some songs in the process (Slayer’s [...read more]

Chimaira – “The Infection” released April 21, 2009 on Ferret Music Wanna know why it’s so difficult for me to write a Chimaira review? They were one of the first bands I reviewed, interviewed, and genuinely liked when I first became a DJ/Metal Director at WRUV FM Burlington, so I know part of me tries harder to enjoy them. They’re important amongst the NWOAHM movement; a leaner, more experimental, unmasked version of Slipknot, that is likewise blessed and cursed by their vocalist (whose lyrics are take-it-or-leave-it, but delivered distinctly and memorably). The music is what’s most interesting, as they [...read more]

Black Math Horseman – “Wyltt” released June 2, 2009 on Tee Pee Talk about a dark horse…this album completely blindsided me! L.A.-based, female-fronted, and produced by Scott Reeder (Kyuss), the quartet’s debut album is a grand exercise in dense beauty. From the alluring opening to the fierce finish, they always achieve balance in their compositions. Sera Timms’ ethereal vocals are rarely abandoned, though she receives backup help in “Origin of Savagery” and gets her scream on à la Laura Pleasants (Kylesa) in “Bird of All Faiths and None”. Intriguing, tale-telling lyrics fit the overall contemplative mood very well. Although [...read more]

My Dying Bride – “For Lies I Sire” released April 14, 2009 on Peaceville If you like your metal dark, dreary and despondent, you will not be disappointed with the doom legend’s tenth effort. For those MDB fans that have missed the violin, it returns here for the first time since 1996’s Like Gods of the Sun. Newcomer Katie Stone complements the overall melody in places such as “Fall With Me” & “Bring Me Victory”, but you’ll also find her merely accenting, like on “The Lies I Sire”. It’s all about serving the songs, though, and no one does [...read more]

Isis – “Wavering Radiant” released May 05, 2009 on Ipecac A riff remarkably similar to “Celestial (The Tower)” opens Isis’ fifth album, and this is only where the surprises begin. Fully aware of the archetypal role they have played in the heavy music world over the last decade, they embrace the past and still find room to branch out. The group is as fertile as their namesake, now producing potent parallels to Pink Floyd with stronger keyboard presence courtesy of Clifford Meyer (especially 1, 5, & 7). The only exception is on the title track, which features Adam Jones [...read more]