Rating: 2.5/5
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Mind over Metal Limerick 26

Rating: 4/5
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The bottom line is that Helloween focused entirely on their metallic strengths and almost none of their quirky humor to create their most mighty statement since “Walls of Jericho”. Stripped of irony, delivered in earnest, and still damned fun, “7 Sinners” sets a new standard for this classic band.

Rating: 3.5/5
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Unlike Viking Skull, which is analogous to mexican skunk, Zodiac Mindwarp & The Love Reaction is the equivalent of purple haze. It’s always good to see an old favorite crank out some new stuff, especially with the influx of joke/tribute bands from various European countries.

Rating: 3/5
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My main gripe is the way this album is structured. Mixing newer songs with modern live versions of older songs is a great way to confuse the listener and does nothing for the flow.

Read about returning members, track listings, and inspiration behind their forthcoming album. It is an extensive 1000-word update, though, so prepare for that.

ICED EARTH fans rejoice … here is the best collection of the “Something Wicked” saga ever compiled. Complete albums, plus rare tracks, alternate versions, and more!

Suidakra – “Crogacht” released March 9, 2009 by Wacken/SPV Two things about names: the band is mainman Arkadius Antonik’s first name backwards, and “Crógacht” is Irish for bravery: a fitting title for a concept album based on the Celtic myth of Aided Óenfhir Aífe, where the hero Cuchulainn journeys to the Isle Of Skye to learn the arts of war from Scythian warrior woman Scáthach. This is the German band’s ninth album in their near-fifteen year career, though this is only the second to feature traditional folk instruments. Again employing dedicated bagpipe–and also tin whistle–player Axel Rõmer further develops [...read more]

  Sepultura – “A-Lex” released January 20, 2009 by SPV/Steamhammer The first word in Brazilian Metal returns with another opus based on a piece of literature, now focusing on a modern novel (Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange) rather than classic poetry (Dante’s Divine Comedy).  There is palpable energy throughout the album, the band’s eleventh (fifth with Derrick Green, now a distinguished voice in his own right), and the first without Igor Cavalera on drums (newcomer Jean Dolabella is a strong replacement).  They really touch all bases here:  breakneck thrash (2, 3), moody grooves (4, 9), instrumental “chapter starters” (1, 6, [...read more]