Rating: 4/5
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Despite some choppy moments, “Escape Velocity” is a solid album with great production, and a loving homage to classic sci-fi/horror greatness. Metalheads, cyberpunks, and krautrockers alike can all find something to enjoy in Zombi.

Rating: 4.5/5
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This is no party album, people—these are mediations in the key of despair, and I would not have it any other way. While this record feels like a vast improvement for Tombs, it’s not the sound of a band that has run out of ideas; in fact, it’s the sound of a band developing into its own entity.

Rating: 4.5/5
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In most cases, Red Fang actually nails the sound of the band they’re impersonating better than the bands themselves. This is what made their self-titled debut so great and what makes “Murder the Mountains” even better.

Rating: 5/5
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With this release, Obscura distinguishes by their innate sense of immersion. “Omnivium” maintains the outer space sound from “Cosmogenesis” but has a far more intimate atmosphere.

Rating: 4/5
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Abysmal Dawn have produced a very good album that satisfies today’s need for straightforward death metal. If you are looking for something you can throw in a playlist with bands like Decapitated, Miseration and Decrepit Birth, “Leveling The Plane Of Existence” would be a perfect addition.

Rating: 4/5
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Royal Thunder is tough yet tender, like a good jerky, and every bit as savory (perhaps venison, judging by the antlers on the cover). The Peach State again proves a solid source for 21st-century heaviness. This should keep your tongues wagging until their LP drops later in 2011.

Ewww, not THAT kind of grind! Nah, but we talk about Murder Construct—his near-decade-long project that has just seen the light of day via Relapse—as well as his involvement with bands like Intronaut, Impaled, and the newly reformed Exhumed. Also hear about how he first met Danny Walker, and how they perfectly click (despite a different dynamic with each band). And just why in the hell was there only a 7-track EP after 10 years? Find out!

Rating: 2/5
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As much as I hate to say this, I see few redeeming qualities about “Set for Extinction”. The songs are certainly as fast as they should be, but there is not much variation between them. Bleh. Color me bored.

Rating: 3.5/5
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If Murder Construct intends to record more material, expanding their boundaries past traditional grind distinguishes them better. Travis Ryan is a monster behind the mic, and his latest explorations have been beneficial to his progression as a vocalist.

Rating: 4/5
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Ever wonder what it would be like if you were to combine the DNA of Black Sabbath, Electric WIzard and Harvey Milk?