This is The Agonist. They are from Canada and signed to Century Media Records. Let’s just acknowledge that, yes, singer Vicky Psarakis is hot. And sings metal. Extremely well. I am sure any female who fronts a band gets sick of…
French Death Metal. Believe it. Necrowretch was formed in 2008 by guitarist Vlad with “the impure intention to play sadistic-gravecracking-possessed death metal” It surely is blackened and speeds along like Satan with the runs. The new album “With Serpents Scourge”…
Diecast “Tearing Down Your Blue Skies” (Century Media) One of the more anticipated metal releases of 2004, Diecast has returned with an adjusted band line-up and a new and better sound to show for it. Building on the thrash/metalcore of…
Shadows Fall “The War Within” (Century Media) Shadows Fall. Flag bearers of the contemporary American metal scene. Their last album “The Art of Balance” set sales records for their label Century Media. So, it’s an understatement to say this album…
Skinlab “”Nerve Damage”” (Century Media) Skinlab was always an underrated band that nobody seemed to give enough props to. When other bands exploded during the late 90’s through 2000 these guys consistently released good records but failed to achieve the…
Nocturnal Rites ““New World Messiah”” (Century Media) Nocturnal Rites do what they know how to do on the fast-paced, double bass driven New World Messiah. Hailing from the same hometown in Sweden as Refused (some trivia ammunition for you), and…
Iced Earth “The Blessed And The Damned” (Century Media) A greatest hits package from Iced Earth. The band has a 15+ year history, much of which is documented in the linear notes by the main visionary behind the band, rhythm…
The Forsaken “Arts of Desolation” (Century Media) This is an excellent technically efficient death metal album with high marks for production values and cover art. The guitars perform a dual blistering “stereo-phonic” attack, which is greatly appreciated in this age…
Nocturnal Rites “Shadowland” (Century Media) I imagine the streets of Sweden must be filled with nothing but metal musicians wandering in roving packs, seeking out practice halls and recording studios. Cafes and diners overflow with tattooed long-haired men guzzling black…
Skinlab “reVolting Room” (Century Media) Moody and dark, with a cyber-twist of mechanical guitars and vocals. Somewhere around the same spectrum as a stripped down Powerman5000, without the sci-fi and samples (and PM5K wish they could sound this good). It’s…