Lacrimosa “Fassade” (Nuclear Blast) Lacrimosa is a morose sampling of gothic orchestration from the dark land of Sweden. Many orchestral arrangements keep the otherwise uninspired and sluggish songs interesting with an added layer of complexity and daring that would be…
Mi6 “Lunchbox” (Kung Fu Records) Pop punk that fails to innovate and will only appeal to those who are really okay with another round of the same. Regardless, Mi6 does it better than maybe 80% of the 5000 others, but…
Glenn Hughes “Building the Machine” (SPV) This white boy is blacker than most black music of today. Soul is clearly at the center of Glenn’s musical influences. It operates as an anchored and gravitational center for everything else to adhere…
Hades “DamNation” (Metal Blade) Hades, like early David Bowie, is probably best played at maximum volume, but because I live in a ghetto lord’s tracing paper-walled apartment complex, I’ll have to review Hades’ new album DamNation at something less than…
Hoods “Time… The Destroyer” (Victory) The press sheet advised me to “get on the their good side before they smash down your door.” I sat and looked at my door for a long while and thought about how strong it…
Jag Panzer “Mechanized Warfare” (Century Media) This is metal in the traditional vein. Jag Panzer’s songs drive along like a rickety dilapidated horse-drawn carriage over long abandoned mountain roads. The double bass clicker clacks along, guitar solos soar out of…
James LaBrie “MullMuzzler 2” (Magna Carta) Yes, the title of this album does come damn close to spelling “mullet.” Canadian prog rocker extraordinaire and Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie’s second solo effort is still stuck in the 70s and that’s…
Jay-Z “The Blueprint” (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam) Hmm, the package is blue, there’s a sticker on it that says its all smash hits, and its got Jay-Z’s name on it—I think it’ll sell. Jay-Z’s newest album The Blueprint is granted to be…
Kicked in the Head “Thick as Thieves” (Resurrection A.D.) Picture the Mighty Mighty Bosstones without as many horns and the intermittent funkyness. Kicked in the Head offer happy little hardcore anthems, sharp guitar production and lots of catchy hooks. Also…
Kittie “Oracle” (Artemis Records) Kittie went for “more brutal” on this release, and that’s an understatement! Kittie went damn near death metal–as close as Morgan Landers’ pissed off, throaty bark could take them. Often, this is done by doubling by…