Robb Flynn is back. Although “The Blackening”, their previous album, was released in 2007, it seems it was a lifetime ago. Acclaimed by fans and critics, “The Blackening” definitively raise high expectations. But the million points question is: the media can make a new metal god out of Machine Head? Generally speaking, probably yes, not only of Flynn’s band, but out of any band they picking it up. Particularly, Machine Head are a goddamn hell of a band, I still believe, their debut album, “Burn My Eyes”, back in 1994 was one of the strongest and most expressive metal album ever delivered. Meantime Machine Head aimed too much to be popular, to be on the right trend, eventually become “the next Metallica”. Shifting from one subgenre to another, Machine Head miss the essence: they always remains one step behind the trends instead to settle one. And metal is not a popularity contest. Don’t miss understand me, they are a killer band, but eventually too… audience-friendly. And lately media-friendly. Because yes, without media don’t matter who you are, you are nothing. Read more Machine Head – Unto The Locust (2011)
groove metal
Sepultura – Chaos A.D. (1993)
I admit it: I wasn’t a Sepultura fan, but things have changed 18 years ago with their fifth studio album, “Chaos A.D.”. Released on 2nd September 1993, with this album Sepultura transcend from their previous death/thrash metal style into raw hardcore punk, a mixture of metal with industrial music and spiced with traditional Brazilian-styled percussion which eventually become one of the founding pillars of the groove metal subgenre along Pantera’s “Vulgar Display of Power”. “Chaos A.D.” established new direction, a new approach, a new standard for brutality, and not at least a new subgenre of metal. It seems in 1993 everything came together for Sepultura. Read more Sepultura – Chaos A.D. (1993)
Kittie – I’ve Failed You (2011)
Scheduled to be officially released on August 30th 2011, the sixth studio album by the Canadian quartet of women Kittie will blow right in your face. As always.
This line-up – Morgan Lander – lead vocals, Rhythm guitar, Mercedes Lander – drums, backing vocals, Ivy Vujic – bass and Tara McLeod – lead guitar – stand since 2008 and this is their second album and the girls delivered another set of 11 noisy, powerful and biting Metal tracks. These girls rocks hard as any boys and “I’ve Failed You” comes like whispering: kittie, kittie, kittie…. and bang!! – you don’t know what actually hits you. Read more Kittie – I’ve Failed You (2011)
Chimaira – The Age Of Hell (2011)
The sixth installment from Chimaria will be released on August 16th, 2011 and the 12 new songs delivered by Mark Hunter and his band mates are the same dark, contorted and quality (modern) Metal as always. Melting into one Nu and Groove Metal elements and dark, contorted textures, Chimaira remains one of the leading acts of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal scene.
It’s been three years since “The Infection”, the band signed to eOne Music in January 2011 and finished recording their 6th album in March 2011. Long time keyboard player, Chris Spicuzza announced he would be leaving the band, he did not contribute to the new album and his replacement is Sean Zatorsky from metal band Dååth. Also drummer Andols Herrick and bass player Jim Lamarca announced that they leave the band due to differences, Andols Herrick was replaced by Austin D’Amond and Emil Werstler switch back from rhythm guitar to bass.
On track “Born in Blood” featuring Phil Bozeman of Whitechapel and on “Samsara” featuring Emil Werstler of Dååth. Read more Chimaira – The Age Of Hell (2011)
Attila – Outlawed (2011)
The self-proclaimed “party death metal”band, ATTILA is back after the outstanding previous effort, “Rage” released on Artery Recordings one year ago. Available as pre order, leaked out, “Outlawed” will be released on 16th August and these five kids from Atlanta delivered another set of 10 striking and merciless tracks.
Party Metal? I don’t know, but listening to the killer songs from “Outlawed” it’s impossible not to feel the explosive vibe, can’t stay away, must jump up and scream, bang your head till wreck your neck and it’s mandatory to wave your air guitar instantly.
I loved “Rage”, but “Outlawed” is one thousand times louder and stronger. This isn’t music, this is murder. Read more Attila – Outlawed (2011)
Trivium – In Waves (2011)
Fans of In Flames can give a try on this fifth studio album by Orlando, Florida’s Trivium. Formed in 1999, the band came out under the influence of Metallica to make it to the nowadays so-called metalcore which incorporated clean and screamo vocals, progressive and melodious heavy themes and death-like grindings. Boil in the proper proportion Metallica, In Flames, Machine Head and Iron Maiden in a music blender and the result should come pretty close to what’s on “In Waves”.
This merging of classic heavy constructions, thrash rawness, few death brutalities and powerful, clean vocals against screams and howls is still quite dynamic and Trivium managed to deliver a few extremely good themes and moments, still, this patters and schemes becomes so predictable that nothing can save it from itself. Read more Trivium – In Waves (2011)
Arhythmia – Awake (2011)
An arrhythmia is a disturbance of the normal electrical rhythm of the heart.
Second installment from this twisted groove/nu metal band from Alghero, Sardinia (Italy), “Awake” consist of ten, strong, breathing, modern metal songs with roots back both to classic and groove/nu metal.
Michele Canu – voice, Matteo Lombardo – guitar voice, Riccardo Bevitori – guitar, Luca Moro – bass and Gabriele Angius – drums formed the band in 2004. Focusing on intense live performances, the band gained a devoted fan-base. In 2006 they won the “Sardinia Rock Contest”, a battle involved more than 50 bands from throughout the region. They release their self produced debut effort entitled “Noize Room” in 2008 and continue the intense live activity, opening concerts for various big groups of the Italian scene and not only.
Read more Arhythmia – Awake (2011)
Ringworm – Scars (2011)
Formed in Cleveland, Ohio, back in 1991, Ringworm delivering powerful, straight, good-old-fashioned Hardcore with scratching (Thrash) Metal inputs, reminding me the classy sound of Biohazard up-lifted with some tasty Pantera strength, being classy and modern, cutting simultaneously. “Scars” is filled up with powerful riffs, pounding drums, anger and murderous grooves. The current line up consist of Human Furnace – vocals, Matt Sorg and John Comprix – guitars, Danny Zink – drums and Mike Lare – bass/vocals while vocalist Human Furnace also plays in Gluttons, and his solo project Holyghost.
Released on July 19, 2011 “Scars” is their third product for Victory Records and already seems to be a classic, all those straight and strong, groovy and cutting riffs and pumping basses, crushing drums have both in their vein that retro taste, but still sounds fresh, electrifying. Read more Ringworm – Scars (2011)
Icon in Me – Head Break Solution (2011)
In the purest vein of Machine Head, merging thrash, groove metal and hardcore, this over-borders collaborative project involving musicians from Russia, Sweden and Denmark, will release on July 12 via the Chicago, Illinois-based label Goomba Music their second full-length album following their 2009 debut “Human Museum”. ex-Hostile Breed guitarist Dmitry Frans and bass player Konstantin, guitarist Artyom (ex- Reign The Absolute, БeZumnye Usilya) – from Moscow, Russia, Danish drummer Morten Løwe Sørensen (Amaranthe, Mercenary, The Arcane Order, Submission, Soilwork, Hatesphere, Scarve, Instant Carnage) and Swedish vocalist Tony Jelencovich (M.A.N, С-187, ex-Mnemic, Transport League) delivering 12 new, original, strong, killer tracks, already absolute classics of metal themes with cutting riffs, merciless vocals and pumping drums, with roots back to both Testament and Pantera, putting together all the good stuffs and elements which made the metal of the 90s so heavy and powerful. Read more Icon in Me – Head Break Solution (2011)
Harm’s Way – Isolation (2011)
I don’t have a clue if the novel by James Bassett written in ’62 inspired this guys from Chicago or not, but “Isolation” is definitively heavy as a cruiser on a seek-out-and-destroy mission. They delivering kind of old-school but excellent hardcore merged with some sludge and doom after-taste moments and sounds, filled with cutting and crushing groove metal riffs, pumping drums and howling basses that will tread you to the ground. Not to compare it with, but it reminds me of Biohazard’s “Urban Discipline” (1992), it has the same groove, strength and unpolished freshness and raw, but also incorporated the power of Pantera and their best riffing without actually copying anything. Usually I don’t get too easily excited, but Harm’s Way quite made me bang my head. Read more Harm’s Way – Isolation (2011)
