Rob Zombie is among the elite to have transcended his previous band––in terms of popularity and eponymous-ness––sharing that spotlight with both Marilyn Manson and Alice Cooper. They also have one thing in common with their mid-career output: it’s spotty at best.

Megadeth – Endgame released September 15, 2009 on Roadrunner The band that’s #2 in ‘The Big Four’ is back to kick your ass with their twelfth studio album, which starts off reminiscent of their days of yore. Mustaine and new guitarist Chris Broderick (Jag Panzer, Nevermore) trade dueling leads with a passion not seen since Marty Friedman. The instrumental intro gives way to the defiant and confrontational 2, which continues into 3 (only here with Countdown To Extinction-like accessibility). Then it’s just thrashin’ fun on 4, all about funny car racing, and listen to that outro! 5, 6, 10, [...read more]

Porcupine Tree – The Incident released September 15, 2009 on Roadrunner With Porcupine Tree, Dream Theater and Opeth now all under the Roadrunner banner (not to mention PT and DT releasing albums within months of each other that both contain a car crash motif), we may have even loftier hopes from these progressive powerhouses. This daunting enterprise from the British quartet succeeds in generating atmospheres, delicately balancing the heaviness, and never losing sight of the grander album picture. Still largely constructed by Steven Wilson, the whole band is credited with some of the music on the main disc (xi, xiii) [...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]

Killswitch Engage – “Killswitch Engage” released July 6, 2009 on Roadrunner It takes some balls to release a second self-titled album (the first being their debut with former vocalist Jesse Leach). Is this truly a defining moment in their career? Absolutely. It reinforces that KsE is too safe, too middle-of-the road, and should not strike even a novice listener as anything new. They regurgitate the formula they helped create, with big ol’ choruses and song titles repeated ad nauseum (which is what typically halts any forward momentum they generate). Most of the lyrics are way egocentric, focusing on personal issues [...read more]

The tenth studio album from the first word in prog metal is drenched in death; an exhausting and challenging endeavor that is ultimately satisfying once it processes. Their darkest album to date is also their most unified body of work since Awake, and a return to form following the more accessible execution of their last effort, Systematic Chaos.

  Nightwish – “Made In Hong Kong (And Various Other Places)” released March 24, 2009 on Roadrunner On their first live album with vocalist Annette Olzon, the band wisely decide to trim the fat off Dark Passion Play for the included setlist (though the heaviest track, “Master Passion Greed,” is missed). It starts with three of their sharpest hooks (arranged by strength, in descending order), followed by a brilliant execution of their epic 14 min album opener, and in case that doesn’t grab ya, the sweeping “Sahara” soon will. Then their more daring aspects take shape with the acoustic [...read more]