An innovative, unique Death Metal band that is masterful as well as catchy is a rare thing. Unearth is just such an act. Their four song, 2002 EP (mini-CD) “Endless” [Eulogy Records] is a jagged little wonder to behold. Unearth has a vibrant, vicious sound–dense Death growls mix fluidly with biting, hook-driven rhythms and highly …

Complex barely scratches the stony surface of describing band Nile. Their 2002 opus, “In Their Darkened Shrines” [Relapse Records], is a devastating, intricate gush of bloody Death Metal genius. This howling, ferocious beast is guaranteed to become a classic of the genre. Apocalyptic Death growls, guttural and utterly fierce in nature, impale the tight, hyper-blasting …

Punk is a wondrous thing…. A prime example of this is the second opus by Fenix TX, titled “Lechuza” [Drive-Thru Records]. It's a pulverizing mix of Pop Punk, Hardcore, Emo, and Metal. And honestly, it's the best Punk that I've heard in ages. Avoiding the whiney Pop Punk singing cliche, Fenix TX fires-up a lot …

One of the most legendary Black Metal bands has to be Bathory. Still as vibrant and epic as ever, their new masterpiece “Nordland” [The End/Black Mark Records] is as eclectic as it is powerful. It's not just Black Metal anymore…. Bathory continues to evolve. The Black Metal influences are more subtle now, as the act …

Sometimes a band is so good that they forcibly take your attention. Such is the case with 12 Stones. Their new self-titled opus, out on Wind-Up Records, is a clever, masterfully done amalgamation of styles. It seems odd in precept, but 12 Stones brilliantly combines Melodic Hard Rock (with acoustic elements), Aggro Metal, and slight …

From the brutal beauty of Metalcore comes a Hardcore miracle weapon–Boy Sets Fire (or boysetsfire). Their latest slab of artistic wreckage, titled “Live For Today” [Wind-Up Records], is a solid, brilliant opus. This is one severe opus. Fierce, shrill vocal growls blast through bludgeoning guitars and psychotic rhythms. This is the most ferocious brand of …

Off-timing, Death, Grindcore, Jazz, Metalcore, and Dark Alternative barely scratches the surface of the Postman Syndrome's diverse sound. Their second opus, “Terraforming” [Now Or Never Records], is quite an amazing work. It's brutal, soft, and intricate-an eclectic horror show of wonders and ferocities. Growls, melancholic howls, and gentle clean vocals are used throughout. Brutal electric …

At last, the masters of true, melancholic Dark Metal have returned. Sentenced has unleashed the BEST release of 2002. This epic opus of sublime sorrow is titled “The Cold White Light” [Century Media Records], and it is simply astounding. These Finnish greats began as a Swedish Style Death Metal band, but then slowly evolved. And …

Australian master of Industrial Death Metal The Berzerker has returned with yet another blazing slab of stark, harshly brilliant aggression. Titled “Dissimulate” [Earache Records], it razes everything in its path. The Berzerker sets the standard for mechanized brutality. Everything else seems tame in comparison. Blasting guitars pound through machine-precision rhythm assaults. Many samples, mostly spoken-word …

Kansas City's DownTheSun has cut a brutal reputation for itself in the Aggro Metal scene. Their self-titled debut [Roadrunner Records] is fiery display of Midwestern aggression. Fusing Sludge and Aggro, the result is total, brilliant mayhem. Somewhere between Mudvayne and Slipknot is where DownTheSun makes their sound. Heavy, sludgy guitar blasts pour like molten iron …