Can a Mod pin this thread. I would like to review some albums and would like to keep them in one place instead of starting a new thread each time. Much thanks appreciated.

Just testing the waters here- would sub-sections in Reviews & Rants dedicated to music / non-games reviews be something people would be willing to contribute to?

I think a thread on each album reviewed would be alot better and benificial.

This is my first album review of Metal and Rock albums. There will be many to follow and if you want another genre of album reviewed just pm that album and I will try to review it.

Avantasia - Scarecrow
Release Date January 25th 2008



Here is a wikipedia page of Avantasia if you are not familiar with them. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avantasia

1 Twisted Mind (6:14) - Tobias Sammet, Roy Khan (vocals), Sascha Paeth (lead guitar)
2 The Scarecrow (11:12) - Tobias Sammet, Jorn Lande (vocals), Sascha Paeth (lead guitars)
3 Shelter From The Rain (6:09) - Michael Kiske, Bob Catley, Tobias Sammet (vocals), Henjo Richter, Kai Hansen (lead guitars)
4 Carry Me Over (3:52) - Tobias Sammet (vocals), Sascha Paeth (lead guitar)
5 What Kind Of Love (4:56) - Amanda Somerville, Michael Kiske, Tobias Sammet (vocals)
6 Another Angel Down (5:41) - Jorn Lande, Tobias Sammet (vocals), Sascha Paeth, Henjo Richter (lead guitars)
7 The Toy Master (6:21) - Alice Cooper, Tobias Sammet (vocals), Sascha Paeth, Henjo Richter (lead guitars)
8 Devil In The Belfry (4:42) - Jorn Lande, Tobias Sammet (vocals), Henjo Richter (lead guitars)
9 Cry Just A Little (5:15) - Tobias Sammet, Bob Catley (vocals), Sascha Paeth (lead guitars)
10 I Don’t Believe In Your Love (5:34) - Oliver Hartmann, Tobias Sammet (vocals), Rudolph Schenker (lead guitar)
11 Lost In Space (3:53) - Tobias Sammet, Amanda Somerville(vocals)

When Tobias Sammeth announced that he had been working on a new Avantasia album again after five years, he shook the metal world awake and immediately drew everyone's attention to himself. With 'The Metal Opera' he released two fantastic power metal albums with vocal contribution of giants like Kai Hanse, David DeFeis and Rob Rock and the press and the fans all over the world received this project with open arms. So the first question regarding the new Avantasia was if Tobi would succeed in making an album of the same level, let alone make a better one.

Well what do you know? The new Avantasia album is a fact and goddamn, WHAT AN ALBUM IT HAS BECOME!!! From the very first tunes of the opening track 'Twisted Mind' you find yourself on the edge of your chair and stay there for the coming 64 minutes. The song starts rocking almost immediately and has everything that makes Avantasia so special: powerful riffing, beautiful melodies, beautiful singing, excellent arrangements, catchy choruses, clear and powerful production and especially the genius combination of it all. The following title track is an absolute breath taker. The song starts with a magnificent Celtic intro and grows into a diverse and expansive masterpiece and grabs you by the throat from the beginning to the end. I can easily name any other song on the album, because the eleven compositions are all of the same high quality and are piece for piece musical treasures.

This album is almost totally different than 'The Metal Opera' and is fortunately not a typical power metal album; something that 'The Metal Opera' was a bit. This time Tobi has chose for a more traditional rock approach. Of course the power metal influences are still present, but in general the music has become more progressive and to the point at the same time with a Celtic and even a bit oriental touch from time to time. The vocal contributions of Jorn Lande, Kain Hanse, Michael Kiske and Bob Catly among others should not stay unmentioned and see to a high dosage of goose bumps regularly. But one of the most remarkable singers on this album has to be Alice Cooper, who put his stamp on 'The Toy Master', a role that no other could have done. Musically Tobi had help from Sascha Paeth (a.o. known from Luca Turilli and Aina), who has taken the guitars for his part and none less than Eric Singer (Alice Cooper, Kiss) on the drums. Besides that, Rudolf Schenker (Scorpions) has also played a couple of solos.

With 'The Scarecrow' Tobi has made a musical treasure and masterpiece, which will blow away all the doubts with a single shot. The album has become quite different than what we are used fro this musical genius, but is from the same high quality and in my opinion from an even higher quality. The new year has just begun and I already have a candidate for my top five, because I can't honestly believe that were will be many releases this year that will top this!

This is a much have to listen to album to appreciate it fully and has many talented musicans on it.

Current line-up:

Tobias Sammet - Vocals, Keys, Orchestration, Bass (Edguy, Nuclear Blast Allstars)
Sascha Paeth - Rhythm Guitar (Heavens Gate, Luca Turilli, Virgo (Matos/Paeth), Redkey, Luca Turilli's Dreamquest, Rhapsody (Session), Aina)
Eric Singer - Drums (Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath, Stream (US), KISS)

Guest musicians:

Vocals:
Michael Kiske (The Metal Opera I & II, The Scarecrow) (Helloween, ex-Ill Prophecy)
David DeFeis (The Metal Opera I & II) (Burning Starr, Exorcist (US), Virgin Steele)
Ralf Zdiarstek (The Metal Opera I & II) (Amitav)
Sharon den Adel (The Metal Opera I & II) (Within Temptation, Voyage (Guest), Orphanage (Guest), Delain (Guest))
Rob Rock (The Metal Opera I & II) (ex-Angelica, Axel Rudi Pell, Driver, Impellitteri, Joshua, M.A.R.S., Warrior (US))
Oliver Hartmann (The Metal Opera I & II, The Scarecrow) (At Vance, Empty Tremor)
Andrй Matos (The Metal Opera I & II) (Angra, Looking-Glass-Self, Shaman (Bra), Viper (Bra), Virgo (Matos/Paeth))
Kai Hansen (The Metal Opera I & II) (Gamma Ray, Helloween, Iron Fist (Ger), Iron Savior)
Timo Tolkki (The Metal Opera I & II) (Stratovarius)
Bob Catley (The Metal Opera II & The Scarecrow) (Magnum)
Alice Cooper (The Toy Master)
Amanda Somerville (The Scarecrow) (Aina)
Jшrn Lande (The Scarecrow) (Allen / Lande, Ark, Beyond Twilight, Masterplan, Mundanus Imperium, Vagabond (Nor), Wild Willy's Gang, Yngwie J. Malmsteen)
Roy Khan (The Scarecrow) (Conception, Kamelot)

Guitars:
Norman Meiritz (The Metal Opera I & II)
Timo Tolkki (The Metal Opera II) (Stratovarius)
Kai Hansen (The Scarecrow) (Gamma Ray, Helloween, Iron Fist (Ger), Iron Savior)
Rudolph Schenker (The Scarecrow) (Scorpions)

Give it a listen too you will not be sorry you did.

And thanks GC for finally pinning this thread.

Im going to Review Lupe Fiasco's "The Cool" Soon.

Looking forward to it, better be good..

You better not kill it or I will kill you.

Should of just put up a different thread for your review jit.

Speaking of which, The Good, The Bad and The Queen's selftitled shall be reviewed in a few days time.

Sebastian Bach's Angel Down



The Former Frontman of Skid Row releases a new solo album.
Release date 11/20/2007

For those who do not know who Sebastian Bach is here is a link to wikipedia page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebastian_Bach

1. Angel Down
2. You Don't Understand
3. Back In the Saddle
4. (Love Is) A Bitchslap
5. Stuck Inside
6. American Metalhead
7. Negative Light
8. Live & Die
9. By Your Side
10.Our Love Is A Lie
11.Take You Down With Me
12.Stabbin' Daggers
13.You Bring Me Down
14.Falling Into You

Coming into this, I was very skeptical. Sebastian Bach has done a lot lately that has made me question my love for him.

The anticipation for VH1's Super Group was almost too much for me to take when it first aired. I had heard countless rumors about Sebastian being a jerk, a diva, and a douchebag, so I was depending on this show to prove all the nay sayers wrong. No one could possibly be a bigger jerk than Ted Nugent...could they? Unfortunately, Sebastian fulfilled every word of those rumors. I hope and pray that it was bad editing on VH1's part that made him look so ridiculous, but it was one of the most heartbreaking moments in my life. Sounds silly, I know, but Skid Row and Sebastian Bach are my idols and one of my all-time favorite bands. It sucks to find out that your idols aren't as cool as you thought they would be.

Then Sebastian went on to do MTV's Celebrity Rap Superstar. Why don't you just put another knife in my heart and twist it around? I couldn't even bring myself to watch that show, not one single episode. Although I did hear that Sebastian actually did pretty well, for some reason, that was no consolation to me. I understand that he probably did all this for money and to promote his new album (and I'm sure it worked), but it still sucks.

All of this was foreshadowed by his first solo album, Bring'em Bach Alive. I stole a copy of it from a local college radio station a few years ago. As much as I hate to say it, I'm glad I didn't waste any money on it. It was terrible. Not only were his new songs bad, but he shoved quite a few Skid Row songs on the album. If I wanted to hear Skid Row, I'd throw one of their CD's in, but I wanted to hear new, solo Sebastian Bach. That's not what I got at all. The quality of the photos on the CD were terrible as well; it looked like the band put on costumes, ran outside in Sebastian's back yard, and had someone snap a picture of them with a disposable camera.


So needless to say, I wasn't expecting much from Angel Down.


Luckily, I happened to catch Sebastian on my local radio station last week. I think he was doing a radio tour to help promote the album. Thankfully, he came off sounding like the old Sebastian that I had enshrined in my head: funny, thoughtful, and charismatic. I was relieved. Maybe his new album wouldn't be so bad? They played "Love Is A biatch Slap" and...it was actually really flocking good. Whew!

Then I was able to listen to Angel Down in its entirety. Wow...Sebastian redeemed himself for all his wrong doing with this album; he blew me away.


I've only listened to it once when I first did this review but have since come to love it and listen to it once a week now. The music is heavy and dirty. Slave To The Grind resonates throughout the album, but Sebastian does a great job of making it his own. After hearing him sing on Super Group, I was a little worried about how his voice would sound on this album. Not to worry. His voice sounds just as youthful and strong on Angel Down as it did on Skid Row's debut album. There is also a guest appearance by none other than Axl Rose who lends his voice to a couple of the songs on the album, which is a nice added touch.


Sebastian has shown a lot of growth and maturity with Angel Down. It just goes to prove that the less he focuses on Skid Row, the better he sounds. I'm thankful he took his time and worked hard to put out a quality album.

Moral of the story: Never doubt your idols.

Brainstorm Downburst
Release Date 01/25/2008



Here is their hompage or those who have never heard of Brainstorm http://www.truemetal.org/brainstorm

Andy B. Franck - vocals
Torsten "Todde" Ihlenfeld - guitars
Milan "Mille" Loncaric - guitars
Toni Ieva - bass
Dieter Bernert - drums


01. Falling Spiral Down
02. Fire Walk With Me
03. Stained With Sin
04. Redemption In Your Eyes
05. End In Sorrow
06. How Do You Feel
07. Protect Me From Myself
08. Surrounding Walls
09. Frozen
10. All Alone

After the celebrations of the 10 years of the band with the re-release of the first two albums and the release of their first DVD titled "Honey From The B’s", the new album of the German band Brainstorm is now a fact and it is titled "Downburst" by Metal Blade Records. Their previous album "Liquid Monster" had left me with mixed feelings since there were tracks which I liked a lot but there were also tracks that I found a little bit disappointing. In "Downburst" things are obviously better since Brainstorm offer us an excellent album of pure Heavy / Power Metal that every fan of the genre should have. Before the release came the single "Fire Walk With Me" which was certainly a good start and a good first idea for what would follow, but personally I’ve imagined things differently.

Firstly we should mention that responsible for the production of the album is Sascha Paeth (Angra, Rhapsody (Of Fire), Kamelot) fact that gives a more positive side in this work. In "Downburst" there aren’t any new elements concerning the music of Brainstorm. The only difference is that everything about this album is done with more loyalty and attention than any other time and the result shows a maturity that didn’t exist at the desirable level till now. It looks like Brainstorm within their 10 years of existence managed to have their own unique identity since when we hear a Brainstorm song we cannot think of another band. Their music, for those who may not know, is based upon Heavy parts which consist of many rhythmical riffs and mid tempo tunes. The times that the speed rises are not few, thing that adds an attitude more influenced by the European Power Metal scene. Melodies have the main role and at some points the result is more epic, something that I personally liked a lot. For one more time there are some parts consisted by electro-acoustic guitars which remind Iron Maiden but yet they have completely blended and they’re not boring or tiring. Keyboards in this album don’t play much of a role, yet they exist, giving their own tone and making the tracks sound even more atmospheric and melancholic (like in End of Sorrow). Within all this, the beautiful vocals of Andy Frank come to be added, vocals which are a must for every Heavy / Power Metal album.

"Downburst" is the best album of Brainstorm till today, album that hides a maturity when at the same time uses in a unique way all the elements that every album of this genre should have. I guess that it is time for all those who haven’t heard Brainstorm to do so.

Kingdom Of Sorrow Debut Album
Release Date 02/19/2008



Here is more info on the band
Jasta (HATEBREED, ICEPICK) and Windstein (DOWN, CROWBAR) came together some three years ago to create KINGDOM OF SORROW, and in that time put together an album's worth of crushing American metal.

Here is their MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/kingdomofsorrow

01. Hear This Prayer
02. Grieve
03. Piece It All Back
04. Led Into Demise
05. Demon Eyes
06. With Unspoken Words
07. Free The Fall
08. World
09. Ghosts
10. Begging
11. Buried In Black

Kirk Windstein (DOWN, CROWBAR) – Vocals, Guitars
Jamey Jasta (HATEBREED, ICEPICK) - Vocals
Steve Gibb (CROWBAR, ex-BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) - Guitar
Derek Kerswill (SEEMLESS, UNEARTH) - Drums
Matthew Brunson - Bass

I can't even begin to explain how excited I am about KINGDOM OF SORROW! There's been two and a half years of questions, rumors and speculation surrounding this and finally it is here!

I can't wait for the world to hear this record. It crushes!! The vocals and wrote and lyrics are totally different in the Down style that Kirk is from. Kirk has never sounded better! His tone is like a 747 filled with tar crashing into a lead mountain. I think everyone is going to be really surprised!

It seems they had a great time putting it together and you can tell just by listening to it from start to finish it is a masterpiece. Its super heavy, man, it just crushes! Everyone I play it for, their jaws drop. And after three years in the making, it feels good to know now everyone can hear it.

There is not a track on this ablum that I do not like. Most supergroups you like some songs but not all. This is an exception to the rule.

Deja Vu Decibel Disease
Release Date 01/18/2008





Here is their hompage http://www.dejavu-metal.de/

1. Under Fire 4:58
2. You Will Know My Name 3:38
3. Children Of The Eighties 4:36
4. Metalhead 4:20
5. Die For The Tyrant 4:06
6. Face Down In The Dirt 4:52
7. Decibel Disease 4:03
8. Here I Stand 4:50
9. Slave To The Gods 5:17
10. Never Get Away 4:38
11. On My Own 4:31
12. Walls Of Sleep 4:37

Werner Kerscher - vocals / guitars
Timo - guitars
Wolpo - bass
Stephan Morro - drums

This their second album. The first being Bullets to Spare released in 2006. Unlike that one this is a much harder and more speed in the riffs style of metal.

Little is know about this German Metal band. Their musical style is like Judas Priest and vocals that of the Bruce Dickerson style. I found this ablum very enjoyable to listen too. My favorite track on this album is Metalhead not only is the musical part very good but the lyrics as well speak to all metalheads out their. The next great listen is Slave To The Gods which is very heavy in the riffs. Also Decibel Disease the title track is a good listen as well. Give this album a turn on your playlist you will not be sorry.

Sixx A.M.
The Heroin Diares



Release Date
08/21/2007

1.X-Mas
2. Van Nuys
3. Life Is Beautiful
4. Pray For Me
5. Tomorrow
6. Accidents Can Happen
7. Intermission
8. Dead Man's Ballet
9. Heart Failure
10. Girl With Golden Eyes
11. Courtesy Call
12. Permission
13. Life After Death

Here is a first single release on YouTube


Sixx:A.M. is a new band built around former Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx. Sixx wrote a book titled “The Heroin Diaries” (Amazon Link), and the album is actually a soundtrack which tightly follows the memoirs, with each track coinciding with a chapter from the book. Aside from Nikki, the lead singing and rhythm guitarist duties are handled by multi-platinum producer James Michael. Working with such artists as Motley Crue, Saliva, The Exies and the Scorpions, it is no surprise that the album is produced and mixed very well. The band also has a great musician in DJ Ashba. I personally had never heard of this guy before, but his first solo album, an instrumental ASHBA: Addiction to Friction earned 6 Best Guitar Player awards.

After listening to this, the first thing I did was go online and find out where I can see these guys play. Here was a response I found from Nikki himself:

We just formed the band. We didn’t plan on that. We didn’t plan on being on the radio, and at this point we’re really not planning on touring. I know we are planning on playing some television shows and maybe doing some intimate small stuff. There seems to be a lot of desire. It would have to be something quite spectacular. The idea of going out and playing clubs isn’t that exciting. It has to be more than that. There is more out there. With all these multi-media platforms and portals to creative stuff, it is very exciting. Opportunity, I’m sure will arise, and we’ll make a decision then.

So, apparently the band has no plans of touring at this point, which is a real shame. Check out the first single, Life is Beautiful:

Overall, as an album its very average, average not good. As a soundtrack, the lyrics become so much more powerful, pushing this album into the “good” level. The songs become moving and more meaningful. James Michael’s voice might not have the vocal range of some, but not to overuse the word, but it’s powerful. “Life is Beautiful” is clearly the best track, with all the essentials of a great song. I haven’t heard much radio play of this song which is a real shame.

The rest of the album really bounces all over the place, fitting many different sounds to the many different chapters of the book. On one hand, this is a good thing, it keeps the listener off-balance, not knowing what to expect. On the other hand, some of these different sounds come off cheesy or done. “Pray For Me” sounds like it comes off the latest Killers release, with your typical staccato chords over super-monotone vocals. The ballads on the album are many, and similar.

You must realize that this is not an album which tries to please the many. This is a brutally honest, exposing self-portrait painted by a man who almost died. Because of this, the songs may be bland in some sense, but retain their ability to move, as in “Tomorrow.” This, while not the best song, still moves the listener as Sixx describes how his past is catching up to him, how his bridges have been burned.

“Dead Man’s Ballet” got bad reviews as a song, some comparing it to Meatloaf (who I think James produced). However, I really dig this song. This is one of the few songs on the album that ebbs and flows. It builds nicely into the chorus, then transitions well out of it. Oh well, say what you will, I liked the song.

So, overall, this is definitely not the best song of the last year, but it’s worth a listen. I have read the book and it is outstanding, and together I bet they complement each other very nicely.

Released: 22/01/2007

The Good, The Bad and The Queen
by The Good, The Bad and The Queen:
Damon Albarn - Lead Vocals & Keyboards
Paul Simonon - Bass and Backing Vocals
Simon Tong - Guitar
Tony Allen - Drums

1. "History Song" - 3:05
2. "'80s Life" - 3:28
3. "Northern Whale" - 3:54
4. "Kingdom of Doom" - 2:42
5. "Herculean" - 3:59
6. "Behind the Sun" - 2:38
7. "The Bunting Song" - 3:47
8. "Nature Springs" - 3:10
9. "A Soldier's Tale" - 2:30
10. "Three Changes" - 4:15
11. "Green Fields" - 2:26
12. "The Good, The Bad & The Queen" - 7:00

All songs written by Damon Albarn.

Singles Released:

"Herculean" "Kingdom of Doom" "Green Fields"

Lead by Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz) with Paul Simonon (The Clash), Simon Tong (Verve) and Tony Allen (Fela Kuti). The Good, The Bad and The Queen is certainly a super group for the modern listener. The album itself is a concept album of living in London. With it's light riffs played by the crew together with Albarn's song writing, shows how well several generations of artists can be put into a room and make wonderful, beautiful music.

I put an emphesis on Albarn's writing as it's certain matured greatly since his days with Blur and expanded upon with his time fronting the Gorillaz. While it seems easy listening at first, it becomes completely something by introducing a more funk~reggea tone and at times going completely acoustic. The soft bass lines by Simonon and the excellent guitar work by Tong are also a highlight. While not something out of left field with madening solos, it harmonizes perfectly with Albarn's ghost-like featherish vocals. Finally, to top it off, with everyone's background, there is at least one defining track. That track is The Good, The Band & The Queen. In a punkish manner, it puts everything into prespective from what the listener just went through.

After listen through and decoding what Albarn is saying. Living in London doesn't seem that great anymore.

Zimmers Hole - When You Were Shouting at the Devil



Release Date March 11 2008

01 When You Were Shouting at the Devil.. 05:15
02 We Rule the flocking Land 03:51
03 Flight of the Knight Bat 02:41
04 1312 02:53
05 Devil's Mouth 03:19
06 The Vowel Song 02:00
07 Fista Corpse 03:15
08 Anonymous Escophagus 03:00
09 Alright 03:11
10 Hair Doesn't Grow on Steel 03:52
11 What's My Name... Evil! 06:33

Genre: Speed | Thrash | Death Parody Metal
Label: Century Media

Chris Valagao - Vocals (session for The Berzerker)
Jed Simon - Guitar (Zimmer's Hole,Strapping Young Lad, Tenet, Armoros, ex-Devin Townsend, ex-Front Line Assembly)
Chris Stanley - Guitar
Byron Stroud - Bass (Strapping Young Lad, Fear Factory, ex-Devin Townsend, ex-Caustic Thought, ex-Unit: 187)
Gene Hoglan - Drums (Zimmer's Hole,Dark Angel (US), Tenet, The Almighty Punchdrunk, Death, Testament, Devin Townsend, Old Man's Child, Phantasm, Wargod, Daemon (Dnk), Just Cause, Naphobia, Meldrum, ex-Unearth, Dethklok)

For those who have never heard of Zimmers Hole here is their myspace page
http://www.myspace.com/zimmershole

I was never a big fan of Stapping Young Lad but this Band here is nothing like them although it has many of the members of same said band.

Started as a side project of Strapping Young Lad members Jed Simon and Byron Stroud. When SYL was put on ice in 2007 they decided to make Zimmer's Hole their main band and signed with Century Media

Although THE HOLE was dug before the formation of Strapping Young Lad, this is the first time Simon and Stroud have had the time to devote all their attention to the band, resulting in a more focused, streamlined effort. The inherent insanity in a project like THE HOLE is still there, but traditional metal influences abound in the epic, fist-pumping feel of songs like “We Rule the flocking Land” and “Flight of the Knight Bat.”
The track the vowel song is very extra ordinary as they use the voice of Nathan Explosion of Dethklok reading a message about illiteracy if a very illiterate way, very funny and good.

I was well pleased with the album as a whole all tracks are great in their own. Give it a try all you metalheads out there this is their best album yet.

Artist: Spleen Vs Ideal
Album: Souvenirs
Record Label: Throne Records
Debut: May 2007



Myspace

Members: LEPPARD! & GLENorGLENDA?



A French Rock'n'RollMegaGroovyDuo band that creates the greatest orgasm on Earth. FACT! A bass/voice + drums two-piece playing fresh, cool, original music, with so much feeling. Just imagine an impossible mixture of Queens Of The Stone Age, Man Is The Bastard, Fantomas and Melvins!!! Why haven't you bought their awesome sex noise album yet?



I Ninja Approve!!!

Children of Bodom - Blooddrunk



Release Date April 9th in the UK
April 15th in the USA

+ These tracks are on the UK release only

Genre: Speed | Thrash | Melodic Death Metal | Speed Metal
Label: Spinefarm

Alexi Laiho Vocals,- Guitar
Roope Latvala - Guitar
Henkka T. "Blacksmith" - Bass
Janne Wirman - Keyboard
Jaska Raatikainen - Drums


01. Hellhounds On My Trail
02. Blooddrunk
03. LoBodomy
04. One Day You Will Cry
05. Smile Pretty For The Devil
06. Tie My Rope
07. Done With Everything, Die For Nothing
08. Banned From Heaven
09. Roadkill Morning
10. Ghost Riders In The Sky +
11. Lookin Out My Backdoor +

Spinefarm Records will also release a digipack version of CHILDREN OF BODOM's new album, "Blooddrunk", on April 9. The set will include a bonus DVD featuring the songs mixed in 5.1 Surround Sound, the "Blooddrunk" video, a "making-of-the-video" segment, and a photo gallery. In addition, the CD will feature CHILDREN OF BODOM's cover of STAN JONES' "Ghost Riders In The Sky" as a bonus track.

"Blooddrunk" digipack details:

CD:

01. Hellhounds On My Trail
02. Blooddrunk
03. LoBodomy
04. One Day You Will Cry
05. Smile Pretty For The Devil
06. Tie My Rope
07. Done With Everything, Die For Nothing
08. Banned From Heaven
09. Roadkill Morning
10. Ghost Riders In The Sky

DVD:

01. Blooddrunk (video)
02. Making of the Video
03. Hellhounds On My Trail (Surround Sound)
04. Blooddrunk (Surround Sound)
05. LoBodomy (Surround Sound)
06. One Day You Will Cry (Surround Sound)
07. Smile Pretty For The Devil (Surround Sound)
08. Tie My Rope (Surround Sound)
09. Done With Everything, Die For Nothing (Surround Sound)
10. Banned From Heaven (Surround Sound)
11. Roadkill Morning (Surround Sound)
12. Photo Gallery

Well I got my hands on a promo release of this and got to say this is the best yet. Blooddrunk was recorded and produced by Mikko Karmila at Petrax and Finnvox studios in Finland during October, November and December 2007, except vocals, which were recorded by Peter Tägtren, and keyboards, which were recorded by Janne Wirman at Petrax studios, Finland, during October, November and December 2007. The CD was mixed at Finnvox by Mikko Karmila in November 2007 and it was mastered at Finnvox by Mika Jussila in December 2007. A lot of fans were disappointed with their 2004 release, Are You Dead Yet?. The album was less thrashy and more modern sounding than their previous albums, you will be pleased to hear that the band found the edge and heaviness in Blooddrunk.

In August 2007 the band entered the Petrax-studios in the middle of the woods of Hollola, Finland. Stranded in the middle of nowhere, the band and their producer Mikko Karmila recordeding material for the album which was later dubbed “Blooddrunk”, a nine track killer of an album which shows Bodom at their heaviest and hardest yet. Even more technical and more unforgiving than any of Children of Bodom’s earlier albums, Blooddrunk shows the raw side of Alexi Laiho. No mercy given, no easy routes chosen, the whole album is pure death, terror and murder from the beginning until its end. The title track of the album was shot into a video by German director Sandra Marschner, and the video displays the terrifying themes perfectly with a shot into the life of a dead, cold ghost town and its inhabitants.

One of the highlights on the album comes from track 5, Smile Pretty for the Devil. The last minute or so of the song features an excellent guitar and keyboard solo that makes you remember why you fell in love with the band in the first place. The albums token ballad is Banned From Heaven, a nice and heavy melodic number and is my favorite on the album. Other good tracks are Hellbounds On My Trail, which is reminiscent to past Bodom classics like Needled 24/7 and a good opening song to the album. There is also the title track Blooddrunk which is very melodic and heavy as well. There is also a HD video floating around of Blooddrunks title track and well worth a watch.

Here is the one on youtube but the HD is much clearer and full screen.


Children of Bodom will head for tours next, starting their world domination from the States with theGigantour, and continuing towield their deadly scythe all over Europe, Japan. You can find out about it here GIGANTOUR 2008

I am going to the April 19th date in Kentucky. I will be taking with me a copy of this album with me to get Children of Bodom to sign.

So all you out there go and buy this CD I am telling you there is not really a bad track on this alblum. I give it a 9.5/10 stars.

Because theres better bands, such as Death From Above 1979. Who in fact, toured and opened for Queens of the Stone Age as well.

Should this thread maybe be a sticky in the reviews section?

I approve your fail.

And I approve of you being a gay ninja. What's your point fag?

You can't approve and suck at life at the same time. It's inuniversally impossible.

Artist: Faith No More
Album: King for a Day, Fool for a Lifetime
Label: London Records



Members:
Vocals = Mike Patton
Guitar = Trey Spruance/Dean Menta
Bass = Billy Gould
Keyboards = Roddy Bottum
Drums = Mike Bordin

Tracks:
1. Get Out
2. Ricochet
3. Evidence
4. The Gentle Art of Making Enemies
5. Star A.D.
6. Cuckoo for Caca
7. Caralho Voador
8. Ugly in the Morning
9. Digging the Grave
10. Take This Bottle
11. King for a Day
12. What a Day
13. The Last to Know
14. Just a Man

Videos:

Evidence

Digging the Grave


Quite possibly Faith No More's greatest album of them all (Critically acclaimed too. Not just my words alone.). The entire album's songs are quite versatile. Songs ranging from pure roCk to melodic ballads even to experimental awesomeness.

Quick note to make, Faith No More has always had one guitarist. The reason why two are listed is cuz Trey Spruance was part of the recording of the album but when it came time to tour he split and was replaced by their keyboard roadie Dean Menta.

This album was FNM's 5th album but the 3rd with singer Mike Patton. It did great over seas in UK, Germany and Austrailia but in the US it didn't do so well thanks to the over shadowing of MTV's dictatorship in "music".

You may be asking, "Faith No More? Where have I heard of them?" They did the hit single "Epic" from thier 1st/3rd album The Real Thing back in 1989.

You may also recognize the drummer Mike Bordin from somewhere. When Faith No More splitted in '98 he went to regularly perform for Ozzy Osbourne as well as Black Sabbath. He's also been seen drumming for Korn for a tour cuz their drummer Dave Silvera had a wrist situation.

Thank me later for introducing the awesomeness that I just supplied.

BAAAAAAAAAW come back when you actually have balls other then "gay ninja." Gay? I'm more manly then you and your so called "moon ninjas"

Good job quoting yourself cock fvcker.

You two are done. Don't press the issue.

Loudness
Metal Mad



Release Date Febuary 20 2008

This is a Import and is quite expensive about $40 US Dollars.

01. Fire Of Spirit
02. Metal Mad
03. High Flyer
04. Spellbound #9
05. Crimson Paradox
06. Black And White
07. Whatsoever
08. Call Of The Reaper
09. Can't Find My Way
10. Gravity
11. Transformation

Genre: Metal | Speed Metal
Label: Tokuma Communications

Minoru Niihara (vocals)
Akira Takasaki (guitar)
Masayoshi Yamashita (bass)
Munetaka Higuchi (drums)

For those who have never heard of Loudness here is their myspace page
http://www.myspace.com/loudnessisback

Minoru Niihara is back for the vocals of this album after releasing a solo album as well as a album for XYZ-A. He has got a lot better in his english and his japan accent is hardly noticeable anymore. His vocals on this new album are awesome and well worth a listen to for any Loudness fan out there, as well as those who have never heard the band before. He has the metal sound down to include the highs and screams.

Akira Takasaki on guitar what needs to be said. He is considered as the Japanese Eddie Van Halen and well deserved of this title. Just listening to his riffs will bring a chill down your spine.

This album is by far one of the best by Loudness since Biosphere. It has all a metal fan could want from the loud crunching vocals and screams to the spine chilling riffs as well as the bass lines for a God. Drum play is also good as well. There is a lot of double bass playing in there.

The title track Metal Mad is one of the best tracks on there. Will be a metal classic one day. Spellbound#9 is my fav off this album it is kinda a hardcore genre with hardcore vocals, guitar riffs galore and drums out the ass. Black and White is a great as well. Whatsover is a great ballad with a sort of funk groove line in it. Can't Find My Love starts off slow but gets heavy in the end. Gravity has it all the great riffs as well as vocals. The last track Transformation is good as well with great riffs in it. Actually there is not a song on here that I don't like. Get a hold of this one and give it a listen you will be pleased.

Here is their lastest hit Metal Mad

Serpent - xGODx



Release Date March 23 2008 (Japan)

1. xGODx (1:25)
2. Cannibalistic Dream (4:34)
3. Devil In A Dream (5:46)
4. Plastic Arts (4:23)
5. Severance (5:28)
6. Baptism (4:19)
7. Slave (4:40)
8. Suicide Diary (6:15)
9. Clot (6:44)
10. Funeral Of Light (6:10)

Genre | Melodic Death Metal
Label : Soundholic

Ken (vocals)
Hiroki (guitar)
Hiro (bass)
Keija (drums, keyboards)

For those who have never heard of Serpent here is their website Serpent

This is their 5th studio release and very good I might add. Kens vocals have very much improved over his first ablum and Hiroki guitar play is almost God Like.
Cannaibalistic Dream title track is one of my favs off the album. Great double bass drum and riffs to die for.
Devil In A Dream is another good one off this album it has great riffs as well as vocals. The ending is to die for.
Severance is another fantastic tune of the album with great smooth riff changes throughout.
Baptism is by far my fav off the album. It has it all great bassline, drum tracks, riffs and vocals. Listen to this tune if you don't listen to anything else off this album. You will be pleased.
Slave is another great tune with a fantastic beat line.
Finally Clot has one of the best guitar solos in it I have heard from Serpent in awhile. Hiroki does it like a God.

Here is their video single of
Cannibalistic Dream

Future Addict - Marty Friedman



Release Date April 2008 in the USA
Release Date March 12 2008 Japan

1. Barbie
2. Simple Mystery
3. Tornado of Souls
4. Burn the Ground
5. Where my fortune Lies
6. Breadline
7. The pit and the Pendulum
8. The killing Road
9. Static Rain
10. Secret of the Stars
11. Massive
12. Tears of an Angel

Genre l Progressive Rock | Metal | Virtuoso Guitar

For those who don't know Marty Friedman and if you don't what rock have you been under...lol.

Here is his Wikipedia page Marty


Ex-MEGADETH guitarist MARTY FRIEDMAN's new album "features reworked, reconstructed, completely remade versions of some of the coolest songs from entire career"

This is his 7th solo album and I think one of his best. With the new singer on vocals this album rocks. Marty moved to Japan and a lot of his influence comes from that country.

Ex-MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman's forthcoming album Future Addict, is due to be released in Japan on March 12th via Avex. This album features reworked, reconstructed, completely remade versions of some of the coolest songs from Marty's entire career. According to his website, "everything from his first band, DEUCE, to his current Japanese stuff, it is all in there and all of it is on steroids. There are also three new songs including the first single. Vocals on the entire album are handled by none other than Marty's longtime drummer, Jeremy Colson, making his worldwide vocal debut! This album is an amazing introduction to Marty`s illustrious career, as well as the beginning of an exciting new era of his music. US and Euro releases to follow, more info on that to come."


More news from Friedman's website reads as follows:


"Japan's top entertainment magazine, Nikkei Entertainment, is releasing a book in mid-April titled, Ii-Jyan J-Pop! (Awesome J-Pop!). This book offers An in-depth and very unique insider`s view of the Japanese music scene as only Marty can see it. The book is culled from over a year of interviews with Marty and plenty of out-takes from his outspoken and often controversial popular monthly column in Nikkei Entertainment.


Marty produced, arranged and laid down all guitar and bass on the upcoming Sony single from Ruby Gloom, 'Siren' c/w 'My Treasure'. Ruby is a animation character broadcast in several countries around the world. Nana Kitade plays the part of Ruby on this brilliant high energy single. Release date is March 25.


On the completely opposite side of the musical spectrum, down-tempo electronica pioneers THE SUPREME BEINGS OF LEISURE have a new album 11i on which Marty makes a guest appearance on the song 'Oneness'. Marty is a huge fan of SBL and was honoured to play the track for them.


February 18 marks the industry premiere of the movie Gugudatte Neko Dearu in which Marty made his Japanese major motion picture debut. The movie is set for a fall release.

Simple mystery is a great tune with great riff changes and the sounds of old school Marty. Tornado Of Souls has great solos only like Marty could do as well as killer lyrics. Where My Fortune Lies is a bit different but has a catch bass line as well as lyrics. Breadline is by far my favorite of them all. It has the crunchy riffs and drum lines to die for. The Pit and the Pendulum has it all. Crunchy riffs, bass lines and drums galore. Killing Road is a very catchy tune with a great melody and lyrics that stick in your head. Secret of the Stone has a little rap like lyrics in it and not half bad.

Here is a video of Simple Mystery of said album


So go and get a copy of this and give it a listen you will not be sorry.

Formation Of Damnation
Testament



Release Date April 29 2008

1. For The Glory Of
2. More Than Meets The Eye
3. Evil Has Landed, The
4. Formation Of Damnation
5. Dangers Of The Faithless
6. Persecuted Won't Forget, The
7. Henchman
8. Killing Season
9. Afterlife
10. F.E.A.R.
11. Leave Me Forever

Chuck Billy: Vocals
Alex Skolnick: Lead guitar
Eric Peterson: Rhythm, lead guitar
Greg Christian: Bass
Paul Bostaph: Drums

Genre: l Thrash Metal l Speed Metal
Label : Nuclear Blast


For those who are not familar with Testament here is their Wikipedia Page Testament

Thrash legends Testament have announced upcoming tour dates for 2008. The band will be touring to support their April 29 release of “The Formation of Damnation.” The album marks Testament’s Nuclear Blast debut, and it is the first new studio album from the band since 1999’s landmark “The Gathering.”

The Formation of Damnation features the classic lineup of Chuck Billy on vocals, Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick on guitar, and Greg Christian on bass…PLUS the venerable Paul Bostaph (Slayer, Testament, Forbidden) on drums. The band called on Andy Sneap (Megadeth, Trivium, Chimaira) who has been waiting nine years to engineer and mix the forthcoming album.

Testament is one of the most underrated classic bands out there. They should be looked at as one of the pioneers of the metal scene, right up there with Metallica and Slayer.

Far and away one of the most influential bands in all of modern metal. While other veteran acts soak up much of the spotlight with sing a-longs, Testament maintains the unsurpassed musicianship, integrity and brutality that continue to create an untouchable legacy.

The album is very traditional-sounding," guitarist Eric Peterson recently told Decibel magazine. "The ideology of what we're doing is like 'The Legacy' [1987]. But the musicianship's a lot better, so it's like 'The Gathering' [1999]. As most bands record their first, second and third albums, they're developing, developing, developing… until they've got their sound. Then they get worse. As a rule, you get good when you're starving and start slipping as soon as you're eating well. We never really made it to the big time. But, then again, we didn't fail. Because we've always been on that borderline, we've never had to make the kinds of compromises that end up killing so many bands. As we see it, we're better off doing what we do best, especially since things seem to have turned full circle. Kids even have long hair again.

The 2nd track More Then Meets The Eye is explosive out of the gate. The drumline is awesome as hell.
The 3rd track The Evil Has Landed is another great tune with killer lyrics.
The 4th track The Formation Of Damnation said title track has more of a death metal style vocals but done in a Testament way will the said speed only they could do.
The 6th track Persecuted is super fast with great riffs and tempo changes like in the old Testament days.
The 7th track Killing Season has a great tempo and rhythm changes as well as fantastic lyrics.
The 9th track Afterlife is another great tune with great vocals and some really great solo riffs on guitar.
The 10th track F.E.A.R. is another great tune and one of my favorites with speed metal solos out the ass.


Here is a vid of The Evil Had Landed