Wednesday, March 25, 2009

VOIVOD - (1989) Nothing Face @256kbps

Arguably the best of the Denis Belanger-era Voivod albums, Nothingface is highly recommended to just about any aficionado of twisted, original heavy metal or prog rock. Although the album's roots are in progressive rock, the group knows when to lay off the virtuosic overkill and play it straight. A superb, tripped-out cover of Pink Floyd's early psychedelic masterpiece "Astronomy Domine" is the album's highlight, and its video aired numerous times on the early-'90s MTV show Headbanger's Ball, introducing many to the band for the first time. Vocal melodicism is stressed heavily on Nothingface, with Belanger's vocals pushing such tracks as "Missing Sequences" and the title track, as do guitarist Denis d'Amour's jazzoid-metal guitar riffs. The group's lyrics may be hard to decipher for some (relying heavily on themes of science fiction that often paint unsettling pictures), but ultimately help complement what the group is doing musically. Nothingface also turned out to be their most commercially successful album, making an appearance on the Billboard charts. Jason Newsted has praised Voivod as one of his favorite metal bands on numerous occasions, and after hearing Nothingface, it's easy to understand why.
-- by Greg Prato, Allmusic Guide

Tracks
1.the unknown knows
2.nothingface
3.astronomy domine
4.missing sequences
5.x-ray mirror
6.inner combustion
7.pre-ignition
8.into my hypercube
9.sub-effect

..label - MCA Records
..buy - Amazon
..home page - MySpace

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KATATONIA - (1999) Tonight's Decision @256kbps

Tonight's Decision continues in the song-oriented direction of 1998's Discouraged Ones, but with an even greater emphasis on verse-chorus-verse songwriting. The guitars churn more heavily than on that album and the drums are a little more aggressive; however, the production is slicker on the whole, almost to the point of sounding ready for mainstream rock radio. Jonas Renske's vocals are again cleanly sung (as opposed to growled), and he has even added a falsetto to his arsenal. In other words, this album is a pretty far cry from the black metal-leaning style of their earlier records. On the other hand, the depressive melodies and lyrics are pure Katatonia, and the songwriting is solid throughout: "Black Session," "For My Demons," and "Right Into the Bliss" hold their own next to the cover of Jeff Buckley's "Nightmares by the Sea." It won't please fans hoping for the band to return to their earlier style, but taken on its own terms, Tonight's Decision is still a strong record, and one which suggests that greater commercial success isn't out of the question for these melancholy Swedes.
-- by William York, Allmusic Guide

Tracks
1.for my demons
2.i am nothing
3.in death a song
4.had to (leave)
5.this punishment
6.right into the bliss
7.no good can come of this
8.strained
9.a darkness coming
10.nightmares by the sea
11.black session

..label - Peaceville Recs.
..buy - Amazon
..home page - www.katatonia.com/

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Tuesday, March 24, 2009

KATATONIA - (1998) Discouraged Ones @256kbps

On Discouraged Ones, Katatonia remains as depressive as ever, while at the time moving even further away from its earlier sound than it did on the previous release, Brave Murder Day. Cleanly sung vocals (at times reminiscent of the Cure's Robert Smith) have replaced the agonizing growls of Dance of December Souls, while the songs themselves -- averaging about four minutes apiece -- are much more compact than their previous extended epics. The key aspects of the sound here are the thickly layered guitars, which are distorted but somewhat pushed back in the mix, and the huge, reverberating drumbeats, which are almost uniformly played in a slow-to-medium tempo and seem purposely simplistic. These elements cause the songs to sound overly similar on the first few spins; however, with subsequent listens, the melodies begin to peek through the fog, and the album as a whole takes on an almost hypnotic, dreamlike feel, something reinforced by the ever-steady beats. The imagery-laden lyrics (best exemplified by "Saw You Drown") also accentuate this dreamlike quality. Other noteworthy tracks include "Deadhouse," "Cold Ways," and the slowed-down closer, "Distrust," although the whole of this album really exceeds the sum of its parts. Through its subtle melodies, minimal rhythms, and strongly melancholy moods, Discouraged Ones emerges as either a masterpiece, or else something very close.
-- by William York, Allmusic Guide

Tracks
1.i break
2.stalemate
3.deadhouse
4.relention
5.cold ways
6.gone
7.last resort
8.nerve
9.saw you drown
10.instrumental
11.distrust

..label - Century Media
..buy - Amazon
..home page - www.katatonia.com/

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DEATH ANGEL - (2004) The Art Of Dying @256kbps

Leave it to Bay Area thrash metal pioneers Death Angel to name their recording rebirth, 14 years in the making, The Art of Dying. Oh, the irony! Never ones to play it straight, Death Angel, like their first wave of thrash inspiration, Exodus, shocked their aging fans when they courageously shrugged off the years of rust and returned to active metal duty in 2004. And because they were merely teenagers during their first run, most of the band are amazingly still in their early 30s! More importantly, they've done so in style. The Art of Dying, even while bypassing the often Byzantine arrangements heard on the group's first two albums, manages to maintain the songwriting focus of their third (and heretofore last) effort, Act III, while arguably providing a better all-around thrash experience than the latter. The race is a close one, but there's no denying that everything about The Art of Dying's frenetic, scratchy-riffed first track (requisite acoustic guitar intro notwithstanding) "Thrown to the Wolves," as well as the brilliantly concussive highlight "Thicker Than Blood," positively screams "old-school" thrash. In fact, except for a few very discreet trad-metal tricks, and the odd hardcore vocal or two snuck into "Five Steps to Freedom," "The Devil Incarnate," and "Prophecy," so does everything else on display here. The reasons are clear for all to see: as in their previous life, Death Angel's sound continues to be anchored by the intense drumming of Andy Galeon, and the absolutely sterling lead guitar work of Rob Cavestany, who's so damn good throughout, it's almost easy to overlook his always eye-popping contributions. Curiously, Galeon tackles lead vocals (with moderate success) on the sprawling "Spirit" (featuring an uncommonly bluesy bridge section), while Cavestany takes over -- and we mean takes over -- on spectacular closer "Word to the Wise." Not about to be left out, bass player Gus Pepa jumps in with his own lead vocal for the hit-and-miss "Land of Blood," but it's unquestionably lead vocalist Mark Osegueda (often singled out as the band's weak link the first time around) who's benefited the most from the onset of age. Except for sporadic relapses to his irritating past ways during "Never Me" and the wobbly-paced "Famine," where both he and the band get a little lost in the slower momentum, Osegueda's performance on The Art of Dying is stronger, more confident, and more versatile than ever. And while we're taking a roll call here, let it be known that new guitarist Ted Aguilar acquits himself perfectly well in his first outing with the group. In summary, for a band whose potential had seemed disappointingly unfulfilled at the time of their original breakup, Death Angel have ensured that The Art of Dying serves as an act of speed metal closure.
-- by Ed Rivadavia, Allmusic Guide

Tracks
1.intro
2.thrown to the wolves
3.5 steps of freedom
4.thicker than blood
5.the evil incarnate
6.famine
7.prophecy
8.no
9.spirit
10.land of blood
11.never me
12.word to the wise

..label - Nuclear Blast Records
..buy - Amazon
..home page - www.deathangel.com/

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KATATONIA - (1995) For Funerals To Come @256kbps

Katatonia's first recording for new label AvantGarde was 1995's For Funerals to Come.... EP, which found the ever more confident Swedes now capable of knocking out desolate doom/death anthems quite effortlessly. To wit, the opening colossus that is "Funeral Wedding" doesn't even feel like it lasts all of eight minutes, and the comparatively brief "Shades of Emerald Lies" is perhaps even more complex in terms of shifting tempos and riffs -- all of them invariably embellished by gloriously bleak and morose lyrics. In turn, the two-minute title track is achingly gorgeous in its simplicity, its whispered words of unfathomable grief making way to the basic instrumental "Epistle," to bring yet another fine Katatonia EP to a close. [For Funerals to Come... was later included in 2004's Brave Yester Days collection.]
--by Ed Rivadavia, Allmusic Guide

Tracks
1.funeral wedding
2.shades of emerald fields
3.for funerals to come
4.epistel

..label - AvantGarde
..buy - Amazon
..home page - www.katatonia.com/

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ARMORED SAINT - (1991) Symbol Of Salvation @224kbps

Recorded soon after the tragic and untimely death of guitarist Dave Prichard from leukemia, Symbol of Salvation is arguably Armored Saint's finest hour. In what is certainly their best-produced and most diverse album, the band pays tribute to their fallen friend with every performance. And since many of these tracks were co-written by Prichard in his last months on earth, the results are often extremely personal and dramatic — never more so than on the hard-driving "Burning Question," the beautiful "Another Day," and the epic "Tainted Past," which actually features a solo from Prichard. Other highlights, such as "Reign of Fire" and "Dropping Like Flies," find the band thrashing harder than ever, while "Last Train Home" and "Truth Always Hurts" (written by new guitarist Jeff Duncan and returning founding member Phil Sandoval) see them at their most commercial. The chaotic drumming of "Tribal Dance" is another wonderful surprise, and the venemous "Hanging Judge" is simply an awesome all-around metal song. While all Armored Saint albums (save for the very average Raising Fear) have their particular strengths, Symbol of Salvation is probably the best place to start discovering the band.
-- by Ed Rivadavia, Allmusic Guide

Tracks
1.reign of fire
2.dropping like flies
3.last train home
4.tribal dance
5.the truth always hurts
6.halt drawn bridge
7.another day
8.symbol of salvation
9.hanging judge
10.warzone
11.burning question
12.tainted past
13.spineless

..label - Metal Blade Records
..buy - Amazon
..home page - www.armoredsaint.com/

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ARMORED SAINT - (2000) Revelation @224kbps

With some downtime from Anthrax on his hands, vocalist John Bush got together with ex-Armored Saint bassist Joey Vera and decided to reconvene the Saint's Symbol of Salvation-era lineup. The resulting album, Revelation, picks up where Symbol of Salvation left off; it's a solid, tightly performed, traditional heavy metal record that draws on the spirit, if not the speed or sound, of '80s thrash and, to a degree, British metal. It's very recognizably Armored Saint, and most of their fans will be happy enough to have them back that they probably won't be disappointed with it; that said, there's evidence that the band had some difficulty in coming up with enough grade-A material, as some of the songs fail to make much of an impression even in spite of the committed performances. Still, there's an aura of solid professionalism about the record that renders it at least listenable throughout, and sometimes that's enough.
-- by Steve Huey, Allmusic Guide

Tracks
1.pay dirt
2.the pillar
3.after me, the flood
4.tension
5.creepy feelings
6.damaged
7.den of thieves
8.control issues
9.deep rooted anger
10.what's your pleasure
11.upon my departure


..label - Metal Blade Records
..buy - Amazon
..home page - www.armoredsaint.com/

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DEATH ANGEL - (1990) Fall From Grace @224kbps

To be perfectly honest, this horribly recorded Death Angel live album should have never seen the light of day, especially coming off the heels of the band's best album and major-label debut, Act III. But, because they had flown the coop of Enigma Records a bit early in order to sign with Geffen, the once promising Bay Area thrashers still owed their original label one more album, hence this ill-advised release. Featuring the highlights from their first two releases, the record may have still possessed some merit had not the performance chosen by the label (perhaps on purpose) been so sloppy and uninspired. While it collects such early favorites as "Bored," "Kill As One," and "Guilty of Innocence," not even diehard fans will want to sift through the sonic murk in search of something to enjoy here.
-- by Ed Rivadavia, Allmusic Guide

Tracks
1.evil priest
2.why you do this
3.mistress of pain
4.road mutants
5.voracious souls
6.confused
7.bored
8.kill as one
9.guilty of innocence
10.shores of sin
11.final death


..label - Restless Records
..buy - Amazon
..home page - www.deathangel.com/

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ALIEN ANT FARM - (2003) truANT @224kbps

After Alien Ant Farm's deadly bus crash in 2001 in Europe, it was difficult to tell if the band would record again. Lead singer Dryden Mitchell broke his neck, a notoriously difficult injury from which to recover. But the California-based Alien Ant Farm teamed up with producers Robert and Dean DeLeo of the Stone Temple Pilots for truANT, an album that grabs listeners by the collar with "1,000 Days" and doesn't let go until the closing track, "Hope." The first single, "These Days," is so relentlessly addictive and hopelessly upbeat ("These days are great/There's work to do/Would you like to work with me?/I'd love to work you") that anyone who hears it will give in to its soaring vocals and staccato guitars. "Sarah Wynn" is an incredibly honest, touching plea for a girl to stop using drugs ("What the hell were you thinking of?/I can't help you now, Sarah/Why the hell were you shooting up?/Now you're coming down, Sarah"). The song is almost painful to listen to. "Tia Lupe" doesn't fit in with the anthemic rock that fills truANT, but it is nonetheless a snappy, Latin-inspired love song. These days music fans will be hard-pressed to find an album so satisfying-

Tracks
1.a 1000 days
2.drifting apart
3.quite
4.glow
5.these days
6.sarah wynn
7.never meant
8.goodbye
9.tia lupe
10.rubber mallet
11.s.s. recognize
12.hope

..label - El Tonal
..buy - Amazon
..home page - www.alienantfarm.com/

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Saturday, March 14, 2009

VINTERSORG - Visions From The Spiral Generator

Vintersorg is a Swedish folk black metal band from Skellefteå, Sweden, formed in 1994 under the name Vargatron. Lyrically, the band deals with topics on fantasy, mythology, nature, the cosmos, and metaphysics. Vintersorg means "Winter Sorrow," but the name was taken from the Isfolket series by Margit Sandemo, where the character Vintersorg is the son of a great pagan leader.
The project was originally formed in 1994 to "push the limits" of black metal music, where the vocals are mostly clean sung, and only a few parts per song that had the traditional screaming vocals. The sound of Vintersorg has vastly changed over the years, as their earlier sound had more of a folk influence, and later on, more of an experimental sound. This transformation was most notably marked with the release of the Cosmic Genesis album, and the change in sound progressed from album to album, with the 2004 album The Focusing Blur being an extremely avant-garde album. Notably, the vocal styles have shifted quite noticeably throughout Vintersorg's existence, with "Cosmic Genesis" featuring low-pitched clean vocals with the occasional growled vocal, and "Solens rötter" featuring more high-pitched and melodic vocals.
Along with this change in musical style, the lyrical topics began to shift as well. In the past, the lyrics were all sung and written in Swedish, and dealt with topics of nature and paganism. With the advent of Cosmic Genesis, the lyrics were now written and sung mostly in English, and now dealt with scientific ideas and philosophies such as metaphysics, astronomy, and astrology. In the Cosmic Genesis booklet, Vintersorg extends thanks to Dr. Carl Sagan, author of the book Cosmos.
Vintersorg (aka Andreas Hedlund) is constantly creating music. He is the front-man of several bands including Vintersorg, Otyg, Borknagar, Havayoth, Fission, Cronian and Waterclime.

Tracks
quotation - vem styr symmetrin - a metaphysical drama - universums dunkla alfabet - e.s.p. mirage - spegelspaeren - the explorer - a star quarded coronation - trance locator.

..year - 2002
..label - Napalm
..buy - Amazon
..home page - www.myspace.com/vintersorganic

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Wednesday, March 11, 2009

VICIOUS RUMORS - Digital Dictator

During a layoff due to a injury to Thorpe, the group was released from their contract with Atlantic, perhaps due not only to the band's relative inactivity, but also the declining stateside popularity of the melodic power metal genre. Many European and Japanese record deals followed as well as a few member changes while the band trudged on through the '90s. Word of Mouth was released in 1994 and the group remained very busy touring the U.S. and Europe. As the group was preparing their next release, Something Burning, Carl Albert died on April 22, 1995. The band decided to continue on, releasing an Albert tribute EP and live full-length recording of the singer's final performance. Something Burning was finally released in 1996, and the disc featured Thorpe pulling double duty by filling in on lead vocals. This record solidified Vicious Rumors' European base as many positive reviews and another successful tour followed.
While Thorpe's vocal work was more than competent, the guitarist couldn't approach the dexterity of Albert and a new vocalist was needed in order for the band to incorporate older songs into their live set. Singer Brian O'Connor joined the group for 1998's CyberChrist recording and tour. O'Connor was replaced in 2000 by Morgan Thorn, who appears on the 2001 release Sadistic Symphony. After 20 years, Vicious Rumors may not be superstars or even financially independent, but Thorpe and his group deserve credit for being true to their musical identity and consistently delivering heartfelt, fashion-resistant music that their fans clearly appreciate.
-- by Vincent Jeffries, Allmusic Guide

Tracks
replicant - digital dictator - minute to kill - towns on fire - lady took a chance - worlds and machines - the crest - r.l.h. - condemned - out of the shadows.

..year - 1987
..label - Shrapnel/RoadRunner Records
..buy - Amazon
..home page - http://www.viciousrumors.com/

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VICIOUS RUMORS - Soldiers of the Night

Vicious Rumors were formed in 1980 in Santa Rosa, CA, by guitarist Geoff Thorpe. Filling out the original lineup were vocalist Mark Tate, guitarist Jim Cassero, bassist Jeff Barnacle, and drummer Walt Perkins. The band first received recognition that same year when they began performing at Metal Mondays in Bill Graham's Old Waldorf night club. These shows represented the birth of what would become known as the Bay Area metal scene: the biggest, longest-lasting, most important metal community in the United States. After self-releasing a few singles and being included on several important metal compilations, Vicious Rumors signed their first record contract in 1984 with the surging Shrapnel Records, operated by fellow northern Californian and metal entertainer Mike Varney. By this time, several drummers had been enlisted to fill a spot vacated by Perkins, and Larry Howe finally got the job full-time and would hold if for ten years. Tate was also replaced with vocalist Gary St. Pierre from Hawaii, Chuck Moomy had replaced Cassero on guitar, and bassist Dave Starr replaced Barnacle.
The group's full-length debut, Soldiers of the Night, was released in 1986 to an especially warm European response. East Coast shred guitar hero Vinnie Moore was brought in briefly after the departure of Moomy, but the virtuoso didn't stay long, as he was anxious to begin his solo instrumentalist career. Before the door closed behind Moore, St. Pierre was also sent packing and the classic Digital Dictator Vicious Rumors lineup was formed: vocalist Carl Albert, guitarists Thorpe and Mark McGee, bassist Starr, and drummer Howe. This group would stay together for nine years. The Shrapnel follow-up, Digital Dictator, was released in 1988, and as the band's popularity began to grow domestically, they were signed to Atlantic Records. The group's self-titled Atlantic debut in 1990 followed, and Vicious Rumors supported it with the most extensive touring of their career. While never close to a top-level U.S. metal act, it appeared at the dawn of the '90s that the band had a real shot at breaking into the spotlight with bands like Mötley Crüe and Queensrÿche. That upward trend continued with 1991's Welcome to the Ball and 1992's Plug in and Hang on: Live in Tokyo, which commemorated an extremely successful Japanese tour.
-- by Vincent Jeffries, Allmusic Guide

Tracks
1.premonition
2.ride into the sun
3.medusa
4.soldiers of the night
5.murder
6.march or die
7.blitz the world
8.invader
9.in fire
10.domestic bliss
11.blistering winds

..year - 1985
..label - Shrapnel
..buy - Amazon
..home page - http://www.viciousrumors.com/

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BIOHAZARD - Kill Or Be Killed

Kill Or Be Killed was originally going to come out in late fall 2002 under the title Never Forgive Never Forget, and cover art that featured a cemetery surrounded by city buildings appeared on websites. This was an obvious allusion to the 9/11 attacks that struck Biohazard's members particularly hard given their status as proud New Yorkers, however the heavy-handedness of it all made the band rethink and scrap those plans, though the eventual release under the new name would feature most of the same songs.That Biohazard was still standing at this point was a minor miracle; despite personnel moves and the thinly veiled bitterness at being on the foreground of the rap-metal movement, but emerging without the payoff that so many who touted the Brooklyn bashers as an influence and toured with the band subsequently garnered, they refused to go away. While their tenacity should be commended, Kill Or Be Killed continued the steady decline in innovation and intensity that has been ongoing since the early Urban Discipline release. Whether it's just because their urban Metalcore narratives have gotten redundant over a decade on or the spark of creativity that made such material captivating at one point is gone can be debated. The rap element of the group is downplayed somewhat, but Biohazard sounds tired; the riffs don't bite as much as sit there, the bravado sounds forced, and even the addition of guitarist Carmine Vincent, who was original member the band in the mid '80s before they started recording, doesn't spark the generic material within.
-- by Brian O'Neill, Allmusic Guide

Tracks
1.world on fire (intro) - 2.world on fire - 3.never forgive never forget - 4.kill or be killed - 5.heads kicked in - 6.beaten senseless - 7.make my stand - 8.open your eyes - 9.penalty - 10.dead to me - 11.hallowed ground

..year - 2003
..label - Sanctuary
..buy - Amazon
..home page - http://www.myspace.com/biohazard

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ANVIL - Back to Basics @256k

This cd Back to Basics is the best cd I've heard in years!! It is totally retro 80's almost hard rock as oppossed to Heavy Metal, and that is precissly what makes this cd so amazing. With all the other garbage out there with it's non melodic fast noize this is like a breath of fresh air or a ray of sunshine on a grey day. The openning song Fuel for the Fire is a great kick in the face pounder, very straight forward powerful arrangement. The second song Keep it Up is a light hearted song about the wonders of Viagra, jokingly with a tongue and cheek sort of vibe with lots of riffing guitars. The third song is quite interesting in it's arrangement of parts and haunting melody and justly called Song of Pain. The forth song is all about watching how and where you spend your money, very rock and roll and titled You get what you Pay For. The fifth song The Chainsaw quite ressembles Rapid Fire by Judas Priest although only in certain ways but it comes accross even heavier than Priest and the subject matter is really in line with enviromental concerns and I find it a great message. The sixth song is rock and roll in the Ted Nugent vein, called Can't Catch Me, a truely cool feel and texture to this cd. The seventh song Go Away is one of my favourites, the sound of the bass guitar puts holes in my chest! and best of all shakes the heck out of the house. The eighth song Bottom Feeder is a fantastic groove, it reminds me of Fire by Hendrix but once again way heavier, double bass drum attack and ripping lead guitar. Cruel World the nineth song is the closest to a ballad but still has an incredable guitar solo and very powerful under rythem. The tenth song Fast Driver is a great song for driving your car, but watch out don't get lead foot this song moves fast and furious and ends a truely monumental cd. I urge the middle age metal heads to part with a few bucks and check this cd out it rages!!!!!!!!!!-- By Kid Madness "KM"

Tracks
1.Fuel for Life
2.Keep It Up
3.Song of Pain
4.You Get What You Pay For
5.The Chainsaw
6.Can't Catch Me
7.Go Away
8.Bottom Feeder
9.Cruel World
10.Fast Driver

..year - 2004
..label - Massacre Records
..buy - Amazon
..home page - http://my.tbaytel.net/~tgallo@tbaytel.net/anvil/

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ANVIL - Speed of Sound @256k

Anvil are a Canadian heavy metal band.
The roots of Anvil began in April 1973 in Toronto, when high school friends Steve "Lips" Kudlow and Robb Reiner began playing music together. It was not until 1978 that the first lineup that was to become Anvil was formed: Kudlow (lead vocals, lead guitar), Reiner (drums), Dave Allison (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Ian Dickson (bass). Together they were known as LIPS.
In 1981, the band released an independent album called Hard 'N Heavy. Shortly after they were signed by Attic Records they changed their name to Anvil and the independent album was released by Attic as their debut album. Between 1983 and 1986 there was no activity until 1987 when approached by American label Metal Blade Records. They put out their US debut: Strength Of Steel after a handful of releases there in 1991, Anvil were then picked up by Maximum Records, an independent Canadian label that was formed by Helix's manager-at-the-time William Seip. From 1996 and on they were signed by Hypnotic Records in Canada and Massacre Records in Germany.
The band's history has been documented in the film Anvil! The Story of Anvil. The film has helped Anvil back into the public consciousness and has propelled them to playing several festivals including Glastonbury Festival and Download Festival in 2009.

Tracks
1.Speed of Sound
2.Blood in the Playground
3.Deadbeat Dad
4.Man Over Board
5.No Evil
6.Bullshit
7.Mattress Mambo
8.Secret Agent
9.Life to Lead
10.Park That Truck

..year - 1998
..label - Massacre Records
..buy - Amazon
..home page - http://my.tbaytel.net/~tgallo@tbaytel.net/anvil/

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HEAVENS GATE - Boxed

You must buy it now! This Double CD album contains the first LP Heaven's Gate made (In Control). Maybe one of the best albums they made. Then you can find in this album two EP (Open The Gate And Watch, More Histeria) and the rare track Rising Sun (live in Japan). 20 songs of pure heavy metal.

Tracks
1.the gate
2.in control
3.turn it down
4.surrender
5.hot fever
6.tyrants
7.path of glory
8.shadows
9.this flight tonight
10.open the gate & watch
11.touch the light
12.dancin' on a rope
13.rock on
14.pictures in the mirror
15.cry it out
16.thin, fake & bold
17.metal hymn
18.sidewalk sinner
19.best days of my life
20.rising sun (live in tokyo)

..year - 2000
..label - Steamhammer Europe
..buy - Amazon
..home page - n/a

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CORROSION OF CONFORMITY - In The Arms of God

After a lengthy break from recording, Corrosion of Conformity have come back strong on this 2005 release. As direct and tight as Wiseblood, this new outing displays the grooves and heaviness apparent with other NOLA bands, exemplified by heavyweights Down and Crowbar. It’s hard and heavy yet melodic throughout. C.O.C. remain one of the more overtly political bands on the hard rock scene. Tracks "Dirty Hands, Empty Pockets," and "Never Turns To More" are direct odes to the tarnished American dream and the struggle to remain individual as a human. The album also has a sublime and spiritual feel to it. The combination of these factors, along with the sludgy metal, makes this album feel like the direct descendent of such Black Sabbath classics as Masters of Reality and Sabotage, which is pretty amazing lineage. --Robert Arambel

Tracks
1.stonebreaker
2.paranoid opioid
3.it's that way
4.dirty hands empty pockets, already gone
5.rise river rise
6.never turns to more
7.infinite war
8.so much left behind
9.backslider
10.world on fire
11.crown of thorns
12.in the arms of god

..year - 2005
..label - Mayan Records/Sanctuary Recs.
..buy - Amazon
..home page - http://www.coc.com/

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APOPTYGMA BERZERK - Soli Deo Gloria

Wow, it shocks me that no one has reviewed this. Perhaps like me everyone just forgot about this album for a while and never went back. Well it actually was a staple of early 90's electro and filled dancefloors worldwide... only in Goth-Industrial clubs of course but I think you knew that if you're ready this. "Early 90's? But Amazon says 2001." Ah yes... well they are wrong. I'm too lazy to go dig through my 1,000+ CDs to look this up but it couldn't have been any later than 1993. It was a fairly big album within the scene featuring no less than 4 singles: "Bitch", "Spiritual Reality", "Backdraft" and "Burnin' Heretic". These were more in the dark & hard-beat EBM vein prior to the FuturePop movement. However this is when Stephan Groth was developing his uncanny knack for insanely catchy vocal hooks... everyone of the singles has a chorus that bores its way into your mind.
The non-singles are decent but lack the depth of later releases. "Like Blood From the Beloved (Parts 1 & 2)" are simple instrumentals that sound like electronic chamber music serving as the intro and outtro to the album. "ARP" is a very minimalistic, bouncy analog-sounding track with charmingly infectious vocals. "All Tomorrow's Parties" is a Beatles cover. Let me go off on a tangent here if you will. This song has been covered frequently over the decades by many bands. I've never understood why. It wasn't one of The Beatles' better songs (and I don't like them much anyway); It's not a good song. It's never been covered very well either. So it's a weak track and the covers haven't ever really improved upon it. The only version worth a salt is Bryan Ferry's... but I digress. Moving on, "Ashes To Ashes" is not a cover of the David Bowie song of the same name... then again it's not very good.
I think this album had gone out of print for some time and then got reprinted... maybe Amazon lists 2001 as the re-release date but who knows. If you like Apop and want to go back then I'd say that this is well worth having. If you're an EBM historian I'd say the same thing. If you can't find this album then 'The Apopcalyptic Manifesto' is a solid substitute since it has every one of the singles and then
some.
Early through mid-90's dark electro... good times... good times.
-- By SandmanVI

Tracks
1.like blood from the beloved (part. 1)
2.bitch
3.burnin heretic (album version)
4.stich
5.walk with me
6.backdraft
7.arp (808 edit)
8.spiritual reality
9.skyscraping (schizophrenic)
10.all tomorrows parties
11.the sentinel
12.ashes to ashes '93
13.like blood from the beloved (part. 2)

..year - 1993
..label - Tatra
..buy - Amazon
..home page - www.apoptygma.eu.org

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PARADISE LOST - Ghotic

Even as the band was helping to define the basic tenets of the newly born doom/death metal movement, Halifax, England's Paradise Lost was already evolving at a fast clip. The group's second, aptly titled album, Gothic, though a perfectly logical step in retrospect, seemed at the time of its release like something of a departure for the band's earliest fans. This perception was largely enforced by the less deliberate, more energetic arrangements given songs like "Dead Emotion" and "Shattered," not to mention Paradise Lost's slightly cleaner approach to guitar crunch. Further standouts such as the title track, "Eternal," and "The Painless" also made cautious use of keyboards and even female vocals, which together added atmospheric nuances to the group's ultra-depressive power chords. Gaining in confidence, young vocalist Nick Holmes' growling style was still utterly unmusical here, but at least he was making himself heard over the band's monolithic din. His lyrics were also becoming increasingly more mature, and this maturity would help push Paradise Lost ahead of its demon-obsessed competitors with each subsequent album.
-- by Ed Rivadavia, Allmusic Guide

Tracks
1.gothic
2.dead emotion
3.shattered
4.rapture
5.falling forever
6.angel tears
7.silent
8.painless,the
9.desolate
10.rotting misery (bonus track)

..year - 1991
..label - Peaceville Records
..buy - Amazon
..home page - http://www.paradiselost.co.uk/

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PARADISE LOST - Shades of God

1992's Shades of God is a transition album for British doom metal legends Paradise Lost. Though the band continues to rely on ominous post-Sabbath guitar riffing for most of the album, lead guitarist Gregor Mackintosh begins to integrate clean melodies and quieter passages into the songs, while vocalist Nick Holmes takes his first cautious stabs at actual singing instead of grunting. "Mortals Watch the Day" and "Your Hand in Mine" are the most effective examples of this and serve as a blueprint for the songs on their following album and commercial breakthrough, Icon. "As I Die" provides the proper send-off for the band's death/doom past, and is undoubtedly the album's strongest cut.
-- By Ed Rivadavia, Allmusic Guide

Tracks
1.mortals watch the day
2.crying for eternity
3.embraced
4.daylight torn
5.pity the sadness
6.no forgiveness
7.you hand in mine
8.the word made flesh
9.as i die

..year - 1992
..label - Metal Blade Records
..buy - Amazon
..home page - http://www.paradiselost.co.uk/

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ROTTING CHRIST - Triarchy Of the Lost Lover

After just two surprisingly well-crafted albums, Rotting Christ arguably hit their creative bulls-eye with 1996's stylistic landmark, Triarchy of the Lost Lovers, their first release for Century Media Records. Fulfilling all the promises and hints dropped by its predecessors, Triarchy saw the Greek band turning their backs decisively on pedal-to-the-metal thrashing and embracing majestic, slower tempos instead. As a result, their chugging riffs, twin guitar harmonies, and impeccable melodies were intertwined to perfection on outstanding fare like "King of a Stellar War," "A Dynasty from the Ice," and "The First Field of the Battle," which were quite simply as classy as black metal gets. The only exception to this newfound restraint was made for exceptional concert favorite, "Archon" — and with good reason, since its unrestrained savagery was rendered all the more potent in the process. Amongst the album's remaining cuts, other striking moments were also to be had during "The Opposite Bank," which contrasted pummeling double kick-drum breaks with discreet synthesizer backdrops, and "Diastric Alchemy," featuring a melody so huge, it actually served as the song's chorus. And precisely because it represented such a break from black metal clichés, it's no wonder that Triarchy of the Lost Lovers still stands as one of the most unique and consistent extreme metal albums of the 1990s.
-- by Eduardo Rivadavia, Allmusic Guide

Tracks
1.king of a stellar war
2.a dynasty from the ice
3.archon
4.snowing still
5.shadows follow
6.one with the forest
7.diastrict alchemy
8.the opposite bank
9.the first field of the battle

..year - 1996
..label - Century Media Records
..buy - Amazon
..home page - http://www.rotting-christ.com/

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ROTTING CHRIST - Genesis

Rotting Christ has always been a metal band cloaked in the darkest musical elements, ranging from black metal to the morbid, slightly unworldly tones of goth. After experimenting with their signature sound in the late '90s on such intrepid releases as A Dead Poem and Sleep of Angels, the band rightfully returned to the black metal sound that they championed in their earlier days with the impressive blast of Khronos 666. In 2002 the band once again emerged with an album of undeniably sinister proportions, as Genesis encapsulates every facet of this Greek juggernaut's ominous sound. The cascading, symphonic melodies that serve as a backdrop for Genesis are truly intimidating and they wrap each and every song with a haunting aura of darkness. Building on this macabre crescendo of aural atrocity, Rotting Christ does what they do best, which is rifling through ten songs with fierce determination. It seems that with Genesis the band wished to ascend to an unheard level of heaviness, as Themis' brutal drumming throttles the listener with savage blasts while Sakis rises to this challenge with some of his best guitar work of the group's 15-year career. Much of the album is highlighted by the added textures of George's keyboard, strengthening Rotting Christ's sound without weakening the aggressive punch the group is known for. When all is said and done, Rotting Christ has once again delivered with a powerful album of putrid black metal and fans should find Genesis a worthy successor to Khronos 666's diabolical intentions.
-- by Jason D. Taylor, Allmusic Guide

Tracks
1.daemons
2.lex talionis
3.quintessence
4.nightmare
5.in domine sathana
6.release me
7.the call of aethyrs
8.dying
9.ad noctis
10.under the name of legion

..year - 2002
..label - Century Media Records
..buy - Amazon
..home page - http://www.rotting-christ.com/

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BIOHAZARD - Uncivilization

Biohazard's 2001 release, Uncivilization, seemingly picks up where New World Disorder left off, with the guys escalating their style of thuggish hardcore while exploring different musical textures. The album opens with the disc's first single, "Sellout," a rough punk/metal hybrid underlined with rich, meaty grooves. "Uncivilization" brings to mind old-school Biohazard, with singalongs and a scorching guitar solo that should please any die-hard metal extremist. One of the disc's best songs is "Wide Awake," a track laced with that thug rap that Biohazard has embraced in the past but without any smug posturing common to most mainstream rapcore. Unfortunately the disc veers off shortly thereafter, meandering into song after song of special guest appearances. Those guests include the almighty Phil Anselmo from Pantera, Hatebreed's Jamie Jasta, and even a few of the Slipknot crew, yet their appearances tend to draw from the album instead of enhance it. The end result is an album that is less an example of one band's continuous ability to rock while purveying street-smart messages at the same time, and more of a chance for Biohazard to jam with their fellow friends in the music industry. This makes for an enjoyable album, but is a bit disappointing for a fan looking for another solid block in Biohazard's legacy of hardcore. The songs on Uncivilization that are strictly Biohazard may be some of the band's best material, but ultimately the overflow of guests hinder what could otherwise be a cornerstone in Biohazard's lengthy career.
-- by Jason D. Taylor, Allmusic Guide

Tracks
1.sellout - 2.uncivilization - 3.wide awake - 4.get away - 5.unified - 6.gone - 7.letter go - 8.last man standing - 9.HFFK - 10.domination - 11.trap - 12.plastic - 13.cross the line.

..year - 2001
..label - Sanctuary
..buy - Amazon
..home page - http://www.myspace.com/biohazard

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