L.A.’s Spineshank has returned with another concrete-solid opus in 2003, titled “Self-Destructive Pattern” [Roadrunner Records]. They continue to sharpen the edges of their aggressive style, while staying true to their core sound. And Spineshank does this skillfully. Industrial and Thrashcore elements permeate their Aggro Metal aesthetic-describing them as a vivid, violent mixture of Fear Factory …
Rising from the ashes of the legendary Metalcore act Earth Crisis, Freya has similar feel with a few added, subtle twists of aggression. Their 2003 debut, “As The Last Light Drains” [Victory Records], is an intensely ferocious journey through stark landscapes of harsh, cataclysmic beauty. Freya burns down the palisades of mediocrity. The guitar work …
Beneath a dark Northern sky, in the dead light of stars grown cold within the fathomless depths, an extreme thought strain was born. This brutal concept of Void was designed with the black perfection. Sublime and extreme, this band creates a unique style of Dark Industrial/Swedish Death Metal with Black Metal elements. Their brilliantly dark …
Once in a very great while, an amazing new band raises its ugly head and makes you take notice. Single Bullet Theory is just such an act. Their unique brand of Swedish Style Death Metal bleeds both enthralling hook and aggression, making them even more exemplary in this style. This Southwest American band has an …
From the darkened depths of an abyss where beauty is forged from the pristine shadows arises the surreal beauty and bombast of Agalloch. Their third opus, “The Mantle” [The End Records], is as eclectic as it is powerful. Combining a diverse spectrum of styles into a unique, intense experience, Agalloch has fashioned an amazing brand …
From the finest darkness that Northern Europe has to offer comes the ferocious Darkane. Their latest barrage of musical warfare, called “Expanding Senses” [Nuclear Blast Records], is their best to date. It is Melodic Swedish Death Metal insanity unleashed. They have taken a more melodic approach here, focusing less on speed but digging the hooks …
Arising from the crumbling wreckage of the legendary British Grindcore act Carcass, a truly great Death Metal band was born. That band is Arch Enemy, and their debut opus “Black Earth” [Century Media/Wrong Again Records] is an essential classic. Thankfully, this once extremely hard to find gem was reissued this year by Century Media Records. …
This is simply stellar—a 2 disc, pristine live opus of Sepultura during the Max Cavalera years. Titled “Under A Pale Grey Sky” [Roadrunner Records], it features most of the Brazilian act’s best cuts. And the sound quality is superb. Sepultura’s style is an exceptional type of Tribal Deathrash Metal. Max’s vocals are a powerful, defining …
It has been ages since any truly great Deathrock has destroyed the status quo. Even the mighty Entombed has dulled a bit. But at last, the glory has returned…. The dynamic, visceral band Transport League has released their 2003 opus, “Grand Amputation” [Crash Inc. Records]. Transport League‘s style fluidly mixes Deathrock with elements of Hardcore, …
In the realm of Melodic Hardcore, there are many great bands. But one of the most outstanding has to be This Day Forward. Their 2003 release, “In Response” [Equal Vision Records], is their finest achievement yet. Flashes of aggression burn adrift waves of melodic heaviness, as pristine beauty fuses with razor-sharp intensity. Soft, clean vocals …