Zebulon Pike, Morkobot, Animals as Leaders, and Abnormal Thought Patterns!

Rating: 4.5/5
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Mind over Metal Limerick 33

Rating: 4.5/5
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A Dragged into Sunlight listening experience is akin to watching a Coen Brothers film: you can never tell where they’ll take you next, and will surprise you every time.

The best band to come out of New Hampshire in a LONG time releases their Prosthetic Records debut “Darker Handcraft” today on several vinyl formats, and in a couple weeks on CD & digital.

Rating: 4/5
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This is one hell of an effort from Withered. I loved the element of surprise on “Residue in the Void” and I was blown away by the skill and dedication present on “Aethereal Breath”. There’s nothing better than waking up in the morning with a cup of black coffee and some blackened doom.

Prosthetic Records first UK signing, DRAGGED INTO SUNLIGHT, have announced a European tour with Rwake. The trip runs April 17th through the 25th and includes dates with Weedeater, Today is the Day and Soilent Green. The track, “Boiled Angel,” from their debut, “Hatred For Mankind,” which will see its North American debut via Prosthetic on January 18th, is now streaming at Brooklyn Vegan.

The album that helped me rediscover this classic band is set for an early 2011 reissue via Prosthetic Records, whose love for 90s TestAmenT is clear. “Live at The Fillmore” is their best live release, in terms of sound quality, setlist, and crowd response.

Rating: 5/5
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White Wizzard’s loss is Holy Grail’s gain and I honestly prefer the latter over the former when it comes to NWOBHM worship. This is the heaviest album I’ve heard all year long. It’s just that fucking good!

Rating: 3/5
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Commercial success on Razor & Tie has been a double-edged sword (razor?) for All That Remains, who have seen increasing sales over the last three albums, but with the price of a restrained attack. Fellow Massachusetts metalcore magnate Adam Dutkiewicz prodeuces albums like this in his sleep, and those familiar with the back catalogue of ATR, Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, etc. will find little new on For We Are Many.

Rating: 3/5
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Infernaeon is still promising, but have faltered. The band has, literally, gone from genesis to nemesis—and I think that nemesis is themselves. Whether internal strife or thematic content, confrontation is at their heart, and it hinders more than helps. Time will tell if Brian Werner hires another stable of musicians for the third album, but the guy needs some co-writers to help elevate above novelty.