Burnt By The Sun – “Heart Of Darkness” released August 18, 2009 on Relapse This is certainly the year for classic “metalcore” bands to resurface with new material. Coalesce and Brutal Truth both released excellent new material this year (and also on Relapse, no less), and the much-anticipated third album from this NJ quartet is no exception. You’ll not find any of the faux brutality that plagues our metallic world here, nor will you hear the kinda goofy lyrics (clever though they were) that BBTS would occasionally employ in the past. No, this is a band that has sounded [...read more]

Anaal Nathrakh – “In The Constellation of The Black Widow” released July 14, 2009 on Candlelight Dredging grim melodies from a cold, dense din is a charge for the brave. The British duo is more than up to the task on their fifth album, their first for Candlelight Records. In certain respects, they remind me of fellow countrymen Mithras, with their use of several vocal styles, harmonized brutality, celestial themes, and two group members. However these guys are much more abrasive, but with just as much attention to detail. All instrument work is infectiously crafted by Mick Kenney, and [...read more]

Beatallica – “Masterful Mystery Tour” released August 4, 2009 on Oglio Entertainment At last the world gets what it’s wanted for years, but has always been afraid to ask: a mashup band that blends the worlds of Metallica and The Beatles (actually, they formed eight years ago and this is their second LP, but that’s beside the point). The band is amazingly adept at innovating with the established material, especially considering the potential for utter lameness. Rather than simply ape these bands, or sing the lyrics of one over the music of the other, they amalgamate songs from both [...read more]

DevilDriver – “Pray For Villains” released July 14, 2009 on Roadrunner If there’s one thing this band has going for them, it’s ramping up the heaviness with each album, playing faster and tighter without sacrificing the hooks that still make them accessible. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Logan Mader (ex-Machine Head, ex-Soulfly)–who also worked on the recent Gojira and Cavalera Conspiracy albums–it thrashes as hard as it grooves with a full, clear production. Dez’s voice is maturing well, his rich growl enunciating better than ever (and spouting lyrics with 50% less swearing). Though it may be their strongest album [...read more]

sunn O))) – “Monoliths & Dimensions” released July 7, 2009 on Southern Lord Everything the Anderson-O’Malley duo has created leads to this point in their evolution, the seventh studio effort in a decade-long career. In addition to frequent collaborators Oren Ambarchi and vocalist Attila Csihar (Mayhem), there is a breadth of guest musicians throughout the album. A short list includes composer Eyvind Kang, Julian Priester (Sun Ra, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock), and Dylan Carlson (Earth), but there are around thirty in all. On the surface, one may think this daunting enterprise too unwieldy for mere mortals to control. I [...read more]

Jungle Rot – “What Horrors Await” released May 19, 2009 on Napalm Metal, like all music, evolves over time, but there are always stalwarts who adhere to the past. Jungle Rot is a good example of no-frills, old-school American death metal in the vein of Obituary, Deicide, and Six Feet Under. However, this band has built their career almost exclusively on the atrocities of war. This is the brutal music of front-line grunts–mouths full of grit, spit, and blood–unapologetically marching ever forward. There vocals are well enunciated, so the full effect of their music is driven that much deeper, [...read more]

Halford – “Resurrection Remastered” released May 3, 2009 on Metal God Entertainment Rob Halford endured some highs and lows in his years apart from Judas Priest. The 2wo experiment was pretty uneven and although Fight was more of a return to form, it was not until he assembled his eponymous band that the Metal God again aspired to full potential. This is the re-release of their debut album, featuring the tracklisting that had been previously available exclusively through iTunes. The first half is unchanged from the original track listing, but the second half includes the two Japanese bonus tracks [...read more]

Ensiferum is on the tips of all folk metal fans’ tongues these days. Quite possibly the most well-balanced of the genre, owing as much to light as they do to the darkness, the Finns have forged a niche in a runestone that’s readable by all. What are you into? NWOBHM, black metal, Viking metal battle metal, epic metal, whatever the hell you wanna call this…it’s so hard not to enjoy! Sami has been with the band for about five years, and has become the band’s principal lyricist since joining. Check out this interview for more on that, plus info on his musical background, the upcoming tour, and all kinds of new stuff on the horizon!

Cannibal Corpse – “Evisceration Plague” Released February 3, 2009 on Metal Blade Cannibal Corpse is arguably the most controversial American metal band. It appears as though this is diminishing, though. You won’t find “Fucked With a Knife” (although track 8 references crotch-stabbing) or “I Cum Blood” on this album. Just standard gore lyrics which contrast with their earlier material. Musically, however, it’s still basically the same band. It’s fun, simple, straightforward death metal. Depending on your taste, this could be good or bad. I’m not a huge fan of it, though I don’t want to see them mimicking modern [...read more]

Razor of Occam – “Homage to Martyrs” Released March 17, 2009 on Metal Blade With a lineup sporting two members of Deströyer 666 and the original drummer of DragonHeart (now DragonForce), Razor of Occam already has some pretty damn good credentials. After a long wait (6 years) since their last release (an EP titled “Pillars of Creation”), we finally have a debut album from these blackened thrashers. They very effectively combine thrashened black metal in the vein of Absu with classic straight up thrash like Slayer. In fact, lead guitarist Ian Gray has a style that sounds nearly identical to [...read more]