DYSBY enjoy what they do and enjoy the music they create. We have a 12 track CD only lasting 37 minutes, which I feel is a damn shame,DYSBY come across as being, Nirvana, Feeder, Seether, Quicksand and Drowning Pool all thrown into one.

DYSBY open themselves into a world of hard rock and metal that express theirintension as a band and as talented musicians, with the energy that should be in a good metal band. These guys give it all they have got in the 37minutes they released showing that being a serious player in the scene meansthey enjoy the fun they have while they do it.

'Fog' opens up the CD with 1 minute instrumental of weird noise but this isthen released into ''Alert' that rips your head from your neck, this thenpasses through 'Travelling in Travel', 'Sleep and learn', 'Iced bed' to restyou laying flat on the floor with exhaustion as 'Pimple' rots your gutsleaving you with no care in the world as you see the white light as the CDends with 'Gotham' and 'Underworld'.

A very enjoyable collection for rock and metal.

Well we have 5 lads who want to play good rock and metal, with the attitude of we will be rock stars one day.

Heartless is the second release from this enthusiastic bunch of lads. The sound is on the verge of Hanoi Rocks, Motley Crue mixed with Bullet for my Valentine and Lost Prophets.

The 10 tracks only last a measly 37 minutes, which in today’s standard is a very short CD to make. As the CD develops through ‘Brink of Destruction’ to ‘Live.Love.Live (feat Bullet for my valentine)’ through ‘Rock Bottom’ to ‘Can’t write a love song’ the guys in the short time do demonstrate what they are about by the guitar solos and cheesy choruses.

This is one for the new wave of metal that has developed over the last 5 years or so with bands such as Bullet for my Valentine and Lost Prophets. So I wish the guys all the luck in their career and hopefully with the intensive touring they are doing they will get the credit they deserve.

If thrash metal is on top of your Christmas list, this 5-piece band from Belgium will definitely fill your stocking.

I would say these aggressive guitar shredding, aggressive vocals and raging drums are on the verge of Kreator, Slayer, Testament to name but a few of the early day thrash bands. These guys definitely have that eighties thrash about them.

An 11 track 43 minute of pure adulterated thrash metal, which would bring any old death banger out of the wood work to start a slam pit and to maim so poor defenceless kid who should happen to get in your way.

‘The beginning of the end’ enters the soul with such force the rest of your life will be lived in total darkness, this then progresses through ‘Serpent’, ‘Killing the Drama’, ‘Jesus the Judas’ to finish with ‘Slaves of tomorrow’. This raging storm lifts the gloom and doom to produce a human being with the will to live.

Excellent.

The least likely sort of band to enjoy such a myriad of mega-activity since their comeback, German thrash legends Destruction are having quite something of a celebration for their 25th anniversary - well Mr Exley’s intent on seeing they put one on anyway and we the listeners are clearly the ever-invited guests.

Guaranteeing fun at the Destruction house tonight, the ten tracks on the programme entertain more or less solidly throughout . Those intent on bringing down their Bay Area CD's are duly saved the trouble as the lads have always prided themselves on a sound rhythmically closer to Testament, Forbidden et al than their fellow continental also rans and you know there’s serious headbang-instigating mayhem to go in synchrony with ’Devolution’, ’Elevator To Hell’, ’Offenders Of the Throne’, ’’Urge’, ’Violation Of Morality’ and ‘Odyssey Of Fustration’ amongst others.

Their sole six-stringer Mike Siffringer as ever grinds with the hands of two, plastering classy lead and rhythm lines alike all over the walls here but it’s a welcome mess that I’d rather leave all over than clean off at the end off the night. Not the most inventive of records but no less an important one that contributes strong to the at-present quite healthy state of the scene.

Destruct-ive as ever, keep it that way, boys.

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE
Testament, Agent Steel, Judas Priest, Annihilator, Vio-lence

Ol’ Blighty’s flag certainly took its time to appear on the melodic metal map but it’s thanks to incredible outfits such as Power Quest and these lads here, them being the equally indomitable Dragonforce, that our tiny island has a dangerously fast-swelling scene for the genre.

With ’Operation Ground And Pound’ a metal night club dance floor fave today, one wonders if us loving fans have time to put our dusted-up copies of……………….. down for a few minutes and allow an hour for their next platter.

Not a fan of short songs, the first four up today include three between 7-8 minutes in spinning time but ‘Heroes in Time’ and ‘The Fire Still Burns’ (not a mis-titled cover of the Still Crazy fave by the way) fly past in what feels like four as you take to those solos and Mr Theart’s mesmerising vocal melodies.

‘Reasons To Live’ and ‘heartbreak Armageddon’ uphold the power though both seem even more ear-catching than the previous two, thanks to hooks generating from the guitars as well as the gob, and I am sorely tempted to hit the ‘repeat skip‘. By this time in though, I am beginning to notice how much like fellow Brit faves Ten they are becoming and on some of the resident vocal harmonies herein, you get at least two of the classic albums by Gary Hughes and the lads spring to mind The diversity element becomes its strongest with ‘Last Journey Home’ which while still typical good ol’ D.F. themselves has a very Dokken-like rhythm feel at moments.

‘A Flame For Freedom’ pushes things as far across the board for the Force as they can safely move with its strongly AOR flavoured feel but ballads in Power metal always work and this one tells us why… ZP does at least. ‘Inside The Winter Storm’ slams all of the last six together hard and creates a pure Dragonforce mass of class with trademark soloing built to savour and the belting chorus acts as the cake’s white stuff on the top.

Ending on Edguy mode, ‘Warrior Inside’ showcases Vladimir Pruzhanov’s entitlement as part of the Dragonforce family - his ivory-meistering puts him up against many of his rivals in the favour stakes. Something similar could be said about the band I have just spent the last 59 minutes listening to- these guys have been at it for a good decade now but their rising reputation has put a not long ago universally ridiculed rock scene up on popularity’s ladder once again, and we are talking more than the middle rung. Yes another essential addition to any true metal lover’s library. If any of you out there are still yet to feel the Force, this one will help you along most of the distance.

Astounding!

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE
Power Quest, Edguy, Rhapsody, Gamma Ray, Helloween, Last Tribe, Royal Hunt, Magnum

Rob rock’s latest hard rock machine starts up and hopefully runs for longer than his other ventures as this underated vocaist deserves better fortunes on the scene than he is used to getting.

Peddling another slice of good ol’ fashioned aard rawk, he teams cup with another man of sizeable reputation on the scene, Roy Z and they just simply stick to their shooters and have fun with this fella. A hybrid of Helloween and Gotthard plus top American hair metal names from the great 80s, there’s plenty to please fans of all genres associated with denim and spandex and the classy guitar elements will keep you hooked as much as the chorus lines normally set out to achieve themselves.

’I’m a Warrior’, ’Heart’s on Fire’, ’Sons Of Thunder’, ’Never Give Up’, ’Dark World’ and ’Tears That I Cry’ are only half a dozen ….of a dozen of twelve mostly flawless cuts of purely unadjusted consumer-hugging melodic hard rock that is built for those who yearn for the music and want to just sing and strum along to a cD playing at unsociable volume.

With little riding shotgun here, musically, Driver have their accelerator down hard here, and its worth hitchin’ a ride once more with Mr Rock at the wheel.

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE
Warrant, Gotthard, Whitesnake, Tyketto, Magnum.

Well would you believe it, a local band from Mexborough Rotherham explode the airwaves with youthful furious, ferocious kick-ass punk metal in the name of “By any means necessary”.

Disarm are a band that is made up of all types of musical influences classic rock, Metal, anything fast as well as bands like Slayer, T-Rex, Slade, Hanoi Rocks. All these influences mix well, mingle in and slams into each other with wailing guitars, pounding drums, sing along choruses and a fist full of obscene attitude. I would say they are a mixture of Amen, LA Guns, Discharge, late Motley Crew and Love/Hate

From the first track ‘The river city ransom death pact’ to track twelve ‘Too much is never enough’ Disarm rip into your ears is if it’s their last day alive and hell is a place for parties. By the full sound that is released, this is a band that would entertain you to the full at a live gig and still have enough energy to shag your mum at the end before going for a kebab.

A must for anyone who enjoys fast non stop speed punk metal and a will to live.

Not unlike a lot of other groups I’ve had to write my comments about recently, Doctor Hell - whoever they may be - have also landed themselves with the shaky task of appeasing those held back by doubt courtesy of the rather cack name these guys have chosen to go by.

Not really in need of a doctor, musically, D.H. can’t really go wrong in any other department with their vaguely industrial -topped garage rock offerings. Brimming with originality, they may very well not be but level up the other way with attitude by the train load and give you the sort of middle finger up approach that rock n’ roll needs to keep pride of place.

Pressed down against solid driving grooves and classy alternative fretwork, the hooks are a little absent on a couple of tracks but there is massive live requirement for this material as a whole.

A fire worth keeping stirred, me thinks, lads.

Not New York then? Always nice to hear a good ol’ burst vof British hardcore as our side of he pond certainly know a thing or two a well, Dragnerve being no exception.

Listening to a to-and-fro hybrid that takes on Strife and Only Living Witness (remember them?) in the similarities department, these five tracks might not be the most diverse piece of musical artistry you’ll hear all your life time but is still a truly enjoyable mixture and also doubles as a good Killswirtch Engage for beginners.

Attitude coupled with fine old HC grit.

Excellent.

The dreaded syndrome of originality at the expense of substance is suffered to further extremes by this young Brit foursome whose sleeve pic of them playing a gig clad in Michael Myers masks is about the only interesting thing I found in this whole package of what otherwise sounds something like a drunken Strapping Young Lad impersonation gone very wrong.

Daring to be different keeps them the surviving mark but accounting for their ideas with four practically unlistenable slabs of ineptly contrived industrial racket devoid of anything merely resembling a tune loses them a whole nine.

Oops!

(Robbie Dupree/Zinc Music - 2008)

There are always those musicians who will tend to take liberties in how far they can deviate their sound from what would normally be recognisable as rock without being de-categorised from the genre.

Step forward one young man called Robbie Dupree who will demonstrate how he got away with it. Fusing funk, soul, blues, alt rock and various other pop sounds into nine well engineered and rather catchy tunes and you, to some extent, receive the hint.

An act that sounds like Seal and UB40 may be hindered in its appeal to headbangers reading here but with a bit of open minded-ness you might finally take to tunes like ’Wrapped Around Your Finger’, ’Lucky’, ’Sugar Tree’, ’Blue Monday’, ’Secret Love’ and ’Satisfied’ as there is a bit of Extreme-meets-Chili Peppers edged funkiness likely to please.

Unusual but good.

(Mercury Records - 2008)

The Steel City boys have had a few gaps between albums in their past, but the latest, six if you don’t count their pretty decent covers disc ‘Yeah’, is the longest so far. So, over half a decade since the criminally slammed ‘X’ album saw daylight, what does life hold for one of Blighty’s musical institutions in 2008. A.D, may I ask.

They surely enough fire off the line well enough with ‘Go’, a gritty modern pop-rock cut with a metal edge that may or may not set the tone for the rest to come but a strong start in its own right. ‘Nine Lives’ Begins blue-like but takes a drastic swerve to the silky eighties sound that immortalised their mainstream status once Mr Elliot’s immortal chorus vocals kick in back by his four band-mates in their undyingly typical sweet synchrony. Classic Leps stuff again, with a brief lead ripple that sounds borrowed from ‘Promises’ making it one of the album’s strongest entries.

It’s time for a bit of ‘C’mon C’mon’ next as the lads do the Britpop thing with panache but a strong inspiration from ‘Yeah’ still lingers all over. ‘Love’ is song I can rightly do that to, and anyone who has an ear for the early stuff from hair rock legends House Of Lords will rejoice in my views right away on hearing it. Another of the disc’s best by far is ‘Tomorrow’, a vaguely seventies-toned power-pop groover that will please any Alter Bridge or Mars Volta fans who feel like a listen. Everything good so far but then the momentum had to drop didn’t it. The two offending tunes are coincidentally the back-to-back pairing of ‘Cruise Control’ and ‘Hallucinate’ which while acceptable in their own right struggle to keep off the so-so’s-ville boundary, though that said, the latter has a fantastic bridge, only an anticlimax for a chorus.

Swiftly rejoining maximum standards of Lepp-age, ‘Only The Good Die Young’ is a superb retro-oriented pop rock ballad that has a hefty reminiscence to something off the ‘Still Crazy’ film. The title meanwhile may also land them a hefty figure in damages from Steve Harris. Another riskily familiar title, once also attached to a hit by another great British outfit, ‘Bad Actress’ is an upbeat, punky number in the vein of ‘Demolition Man’ plus elements of that aforementioned Bradford foursome themselves. ‘Come Undone’ treats us more of that modern Leps sound the open minded of us like me have come to appreciate but still that unmistakable 70’s vibe cannot be shaken off, matter not how we try.

‘Gotta Let It Go’ they sort of do in one meaning of the term at least as we get one of the old favourites of a hard rock act - the quiet verse before the twin-barrelled Collen and Campbell attack crashes in and the stuttery alt.rock rhythm that spans the larger parts of the track ceases to deter the listener. A pleasant but less than necessary bonus piano-rerun version of ‘Love’ closes off and an unusually brief but nonetheless brilliant Def Leppard album comes to an end only 43 minutes in but I’m pressing the play button again soon enough and at the same time saying this ‘Welcome Back Boys!’.

A fantastic return to profile, and perhaps to form in some people’s opinions for British hard rock’s most indestructible fivesome. Just not another six year delay please, you know we love you too much.

9/10

Current release from those cult sleaze squawkers and gutsy high end krangers, Dirty Looks who throw a dozen new songs at us and see what sticks – quite a bit actually boys.

Highlights include ‘Second Chance (Didn’t Take It)’; ‘If The World Stopped Spinning’ with its AC/DC’ness; the funky-f*ck*d drum-slappin’ Wake The Sky’; the almost good-grunginess of ‘I am that I am’ and ther bonus number ‘New White Naked’.

An album that grows on you.

A band that come across like a mixture of Edwin Dare, Queensryche & Dream Theater but are actually from Germany. This features songs re-recorded from their ‘Trances Like State’ & ‘Very’ albums due to various personnel changes.

It’s technically proficient but they are more of a musician’s musicians kind of band as opposed to being one that will appeal to the majority of the general public. Don’t get me wrong, there’s some excellent goods for listening pleasure – but some of it is a lot to take in for example ‘Changes’; ‘Thorn In My Mind’; the epic instrumental ‘Unvoiced (Lost Parts)’; ‘Face Your Fears’ – crackin’ short guitar solo to be found here! And also the closer ‘Breathing Spaces’ that will appearing on their up and coming album.

One for the deeper lovers of progressive metal.

DC4 have been at it for quite a time – many of you may remember them in a different guise as ‘ODIN’ from the epical film ‘The Decline Of Western Civilisation Part II – The Metal Years’ – with the classic chant led by some blonde chick and the late great Bill Gazzari of the club of the same name.

3 brothers and one mate make up the band that is comprised of the Duncan spouse - Jeff (Lead Vocals/Guitars); Shawn (Drums) and Matt (Backing Vocals/Bass) plus their buddy Rowan Robertson on guitar. They come across like up-date Slash’s Snakepit (almost the 3rd lost album that never got made but with the 2nd album “Ain’t Life Grand” line-up) with elements of Black Sabbath and Black Label Society – but I will leave it to you the listener to work out where.

Powerful, screamin’ at you with heartfelt honest and partiful aggression if there is such a thing as that it is a real joy of an album to engross yourself with. Rocketing real sound like you would expect at a concert – nothing is held back on here by the hearies of it.

You won’t find one filler on here at all with standouts being ‘Rock And Roll Disease’; ‘God Complex’ ‘Candy Caine’; the title track ‘Explode’ and ‘Hate Parade’ – well to be honest it’s a crime not to actually include each cut as a highlight.

Wish all albums were as good as this – bring yourselves over to the UK with one of those big drawing LA old-school Sleaze bands soon as this country will love ya.

Paul Weller may very well let young Brit newcomers Dartz off the hook if this mixture of his legendary eighties outfit coupled with latterday indie-rock sounds of the lion’s share of the outfits pillaging the charts at the moment, as well as Midas - another freshly plucked UK act who I gave a good review to recently- comes to his liking.

This lively Geordie trio deliver hooks and noticeable guitar work of the type seemingly an incoming trend at the moment and while there are one or two moments that are a little less than instantly striking, rest assured that ‘Simple Hypothetical’, ‘Once, Twice, Again’, ‘Cold Holidays’, ‘St Petersburg’ and ‘Documents’ are at least five such songs not amongst them.

Dartz might not have quite scored 180 here but left one bleeder of a hole where the bullseye was.

These German metallers came to my attention before, about a year or two ago, and unfortunately, I can’t remember what I wrote about them last time round. All seemingly by the by, this, their seventh full lengther sets records a little straighter again, adding further gel to the fact that a European thrash scene now bigger than the BayArea one is a reality.

Alongside the contemporary vibes, a la Killswitch Engage, In Flames, there are the old school guitar gymnastics we associate with the scene’s great godfathers and guest stints by Annihilator legend Jeff Waters plus people from Kreator and Firewind seem to be almost rendered coincidental (and you should just look at how many guest on the new Annihilator disc).

Seemingly another predictable slab of extreme metal racket to oneself when I first pressed the play button, you ‘d actually be right in predicting a bruiser of a thrash album to come your way this time.

Another foreign group arrive to impress us, and no, they’re not from France or Italy this time but from Japan of all places.

Their most recent export to make any impact over here having been Electric Eel Shock, the country that graced us with Loudness, Vow Wow and relatively recently, Concerto Moon now throw another our way in the shape of three pretty young ladies with an evident penchant for catchy, old school punk metal with the hooklines dominating in lieu of leather-fisted aggression. One must say their English ain’t bad either as they clearly know what they’re writing about in instant hum-alongs like ‘Rocker’, ‘Ordinary Bad Girl’, ‘Spoonful Of Golden Love’ and ‘Your Dead Soul (On my Back) so they’ve done their homework in more ways than one and I think they’ve earned their grade for it too.

The three covers, including Lizzy’s ‘Cowboys Song’ and a slightly sped up take on Leppard’s ‘Rock, Rock’ are entertaining too but their self-penned anthems dominate attention here and will hopefully boot tons of units on their home turf if not elsewhere too, just yet.

Let’s pray that the odd live slot or two over here as well on the continent will make it happen.

There is a line to how far bands can travel while keeping their sound describable as MUSIC, and D.O.D. sadly.... well, crossed it. While very useful if wanting to provide a few decent sound effects on some futurist sci-fi flick, what sounds like several rehashes of that end(less) bit of Fear Factory’s ‘Therapy For Pain’ contributes to one disc definitely left at the wrong door.

Although there’s one track that actually just managed some instrumental values, (have half a point back for that, lads), I can’t see anyone wanting to hear music taking more than a smidgen of interest in this ‘record’.

Bad reviews are something I find no pleasure with having to pen but sometimes they happen to be justified. No life here indeed.

If you are a fan of Melodic Death Metal or "Gothenburg Metal" this release is captivating. Focusing only on this release DT adds extra emotion to pretty much each track with some harsh vocals by Mikael Stanne but a lot of clean also. There are clean vocals done by Johanna Andersson as well on the track "Undo Control". From all of the DT releases that I've heard (Skydancer, The Mind's I, The Gallery, and Character) this by far is MY PERSONAL FAVORITE.

The reason I esteem this release so highly is being a fan of Melodic Death Metal myself every track on here is filled with amazing clean and distorted guitar. It isn't that the tracks with clean vocals only but they have formulated this album so that there's a good mixture of each on almost every song. Tempo ranges for each track are moderate, no blast beating (sorry Extreme DM fans!!!), or anything that is SUPER HEAVY.

"Projector" received a Swedish Grammy Award!!! Getting back to the music, there are some "ballads" such as "Auctioned", "Undo Control", "To A Bitter Halt", etc. but they are mixed with electric distorted melodic riffs as well not only just clean but on these a lot of clean vocals pretty much dominating so that every song will attract anyone who really likes "Gothenburg Metal" that is set in a pretty moderate super emotional tracks.

Track listing:

1. FreeCard
2. ThereIn
3. UnDo Control
4. Auctioned
5. To a bitter halt
6. The sun fired blanks
7. Nether novas
8. Day to end
9. Dobermann
10. On your time

Crashy, thrashy sleazy band that sound like a cross between something that crawled out of LA who heard bands like Green Day & The Offspring or The Plastix from Nottingham, UK. This is solid tight stuff from the streets of Chicago and oozes a lot of lively fresh zest.

What they lack in musical originality (many of the songs sound very similar in tempo & key) they make up for in punch you in the face lyrical content with good contenders being ‘Time’; ‘Hail to the Chief’; ‘Rain’; ‘Hell Bent’& ‘Silence’ that come across too close for comfort at times – but that’s life ain’t it.

A band that I can see the young punky kids loving.

Another great release from the now defunct Death (RIP Chuck Schuldiner). This release is filled with melodic pieces to it but it does not lose the heaviness because it's pretty much a mix of melodic and death metal parts. 8 tracks of mind blowing riffs and uniqueness of Chuck's writings. If you are looking for melodic pieces along with death metal mixed in with it then this release is for you.

Chuck's vocals don't really change much throughout the release they are pretty much just low-bellowing vox over the awesome music of the record. Paul Masvidal contributes nothing but amazingly clean lead guitar. Such talent on this release it's simply awesome. Plus another awesome production/mixing by the now retired Scott Burns. Everything on this recording seems to flow there's also variety to it as well.

Not just distorted guitar but there's also clean guitar (check out the intro to "Lack Of Comprehension"). Lyrically I'm still in favor of "Individual Thought Patterns" but "Human" makes up for that with just awesome talent in the songwriting and entire execution.

If you have never heard "Human" check out these tracks to begin with: "Vacant Planets", "Lack Of Comprehension" and "Suicide Machine". If these aren't enough to please you then you sure as hell are missing out of one damn awesome release of an album.

I'd have to conclude that "Spiritual Healing", "Human", "Individual Thought Patterns" and "Symbolic" are my personally favorite Death releases. It seemed as though Chuck kept getting better after each succeeding recording. Also, on pretty much all Death albums have a different lineup (with some exceptions).

Track listing:

1. Flattening Of Emotions
2. Suicide Machine
3. Together As One
4. Secret Face
5. Lack Of Comprehension
6. See Through Dreams
7. Cosmic Sea
8. Vacant Planets

Lineup:

Chuck Schuldiner - Guitar, Producer, Vocals
Steve DiGiorgio - Bass
Paul Masvidal - Guitar
Sean Reinert - Drums
Skott Carino - Additional Bass On "Cosmic Sea"

I remember getting this album on tape and I played it so much that the tape could no longer be played. Production-wise (Scott Burns) was decent though I think that the music should've had a thicker sound to it like on Death's "Symbolic" release. In any case, this album musically I think is in my opinion their best ever. I've heard every single Death release "Spiritual Healing" was a favorite of mine until this was released. Even "Human" I esteem to be a great release as well.

It seems there was a lineup change with each release though Gene Hoglan stuck with them completing this release as well as "Symbolic". I've read some reviews of ITP and many said it had a Jazz feel to it. Maybe so I it IS melodic which is why it makes it a favorite of mine. I think that this release has the best lineup ever: Andy Laroche (Guitars), Chuck Schuldiner (Guitars & Vocals), Gene Hoglan (Drums) and Steve Digiorgio (Bass Guitar).

The solos by Laroche (every single one of them) has a great melodic feel to it and let me tell you that this guy simply shreds! You can really tell the difference between Chuck's solos and Andy's. Chuck (I think) is self-taught which is evident on the solo department. But his songwriting capabilities are phenomenal. Also, the lyrics on this release are also in my opinion the best ever that Chuck has written.

If you are eager to hear some tracks check out "Trapped In A Corner" and "In
Human Form" for starters. These are great tracks hands down! So if you can overlook the overall production sound of the album you will find I think this to be your favorite Death release as well!

Tracklisting:

1. Overactive Imagination
2. In Human Form
3. Jealousy
4. Trapped In A Corner
5. Nothing Is Everything
6. Mentally Blind
7. Individual Thought Patterns
8. Destiny
9. Out Of Touch
10. The Philosopher

This is a follow-up from their reigning debut Deicide - Self Titled release. Personally, I think it IS the best Deicide still within their entire discography. "Legion" is quite technical in the songwriting structure (guitars) probably their most technical to date. I would say this release deserves an honorary mention not for just it's complexity but because it is to me original, aggressive as all hell, demonic and I consider it to be one of the top Death Metal albums to date.

Just under 30 minutes in length from the beginning of this album till it's ultimate end seems flawless and balls out intensity. The intro is a backwards voice chanting "Satan Spawn The Caco-Daemon" then enter the band with the opening riff that's remarkably fast but catchy as is this entire album. The riff-structure to all of the songs are noteworthy, technical, and simply reigns over pretty much all of the Death Metal releases I've ever heard.

I think that this is a release that can never be considered "played out" by the listener because each listen to you hear the guitar, vocals and drums that never compromise in songwriting style. Glen Benton (Vocals & Bass) combines hoarse, deep vocals with occasional back-up screams reminiscent of their debut in which this was exclusively done. The leads by both Brian Hoffman and Eric Hoffman are filled with sweeps, arpeggios, and whammy bar chaos.

If you're now eager and never heard "Legion" by Deicide I'd suggest that you check out these tracks: "Trifixion" and "Holy Deception". Of course this album's lyrical content deals with anti-Christian topics which is of no surprise since their front man Glen Benton is a Satanist. This is one release to save in your "best of" archive of one of the greatest Death Metal albums ever.

Track listing:

1. "Satan Spawn, the Caco-Daemon" – 4:26
2. "Dead But Dreaming" – 3:13
3. "Repent to Die" – 3:59
4. "Trifixion" – 2:57
5. "Behead the Prophet (No Lord Shall Live)" – 3:44
6. "Holy Deception" – 3:19
7. "In Hell I Burn" – 4:36
8. "Revocate the Agitator" – 2:47

Credits:

Glen Benton - Bass, Vocals
Brian Hoffman - Guitar
Eric Hoffman - Guitar
Steve Asheim - Drums

By Death8699 (MethylinInfo@aol.com)

The last time I heard the words ‘Barnsley based metal band’ it was in relation to five lads led by a chap called Biff Byford. Del Fuego have quite a bit of expectation to live up to.

Alarmingly they sound like a predictable Death metal act for the first half minute of the opening number but then it’s something in between Orange Goblin and Cathedral for the rest of the way.

With tunes longer than their titles, ‘Needs Must as the Devil Drives’ and ‘Drinking Whiskey With The Man’ accumulating to the thick end of quarter of an hour between them, there is a prog direction sensed to being taken at times but the twin guitar grooves keep things grinding along with almost no faltering elements.

Sign these lads up someone, please - they impress.

A favorer of Thrash Metal I am and let me tell you that "Thrash Anthems" simply dominates. Still kicking ass at their age these German thrashers compiled an awesome "Best Of" CD. With modern recording makes this release that much more dominating. In the past I'd have to conclude that their recordings were production-wise way under par ("Infernal Overkill" and "Eternal Devastation/Mad Butcher") are prime examples of this.

Mike on guitars tunes down I think to D-tuning previously everything was pretty much in standard tuning. This makes the recording sound much heavier. Schmier once again as Frontman/Bassist and Marc on Drums/Backing Vocals. If you liked "Inventor Of Evil" then "Thrash Anthems" is definitely for you!

There are 2 new tracks ("Profanity" & "Depostition") pretty kick ass! If you are a fan of previous Destruction releases don't miss out on some great re-recordings here. Mike on guitars adds a little variety to each re-recorded song they aren't exactly as they were played on previous releases he fine tunes them but still bad ass!

Schmier's vocal onslaught is much more like the older releases. . Very unique and kick ass with Marc also helping but on this department. Over 70 minutes of killer Thrash Metal!!! Don't miss out pick up "Thrash Anthems" ASAP!

There lies a controversy whether this was a studio version live CD or an actual live CD. In either case, this release simply is Thrash Metal domination! All of the classic Destruction songs featured on here!!! Destruction never abandoned their Thrash roots and this release is a good example. Their first few releases ("Sentence Of Death", "Infernal Overkill", & "Mad Butcher/Eternal Devastation") lacked good productions but there was definitely some classic tracks on those albums featured here on this live release which is well produced and executed.

What captivated me was Harry's guitar solo (just him without the rest of the band) showing his amazing talent executing incredible licks. The drums by Olly Kaiser are simply pounding with extreme intensity well composed in synchrony with the rest of the band. He replaced their previous drummer Tommy Sandmann who was featured exclusively on "Sentence Of Death". This 4-some display some real talent here both guitars (Mike Sifringer & Harry Wilkens) in great synchrony with each other though the bass guitar by Marcel Schirmer (Schmier) was not in my opinion loud enough and Olly Kaiser very solid effort on drums.

Destruction in my opinion has always Displayed original types of riffing and unique vocals by Schmier with lyrics touching on various aspects such as religion, depression, and composing awesome "Thrash Anthems" which is evident on this release. The riffs are not extremely technical if you are a guitarist you probably like myself take note of this but still original sounding and excellently executed. On a sour note though this really does sound like a live studio release than an actual live release with a "real" crowd. It is well produced and mixed no doubt but the fact that I think it was recorded in a studio will take some points away from my overall rating of the album.

But still the track "Mad Butcher" is probably the best overall song they've ever released from their point of origin till present day (though "Inventor Of Evil" has some amazing songs on it). Incredible display of both guitarists in synchrony on the lead to this song (about halfway through it) Destruction just plain kicks ass!!!

If you are into Thrash Metal with songwriting originality (at least in terms of the guitar works) this release is worth picking up (despite the live studio release controversy which Schmier denies that it was a live studio recording but that it was actually recorded live).

Track Listing:

1. Curse The Gods
2. Unconscious Ruins
3. Thrash Attack
4. Invincible Force
5. Dissatisfied Existence
6. Reject Emotions
7. Eternal Ban
8. Mad Butcher
9. Pink Panther/Life Without Sense
10. In The Mood/Release From Agony
11. Bestial Invasion

2 awesome releases packed into 1 CD!!! The downside of the albums would have to be the productions but looking past those factors I'd say these are classics to own. If you are into Thrash Metal then you need these!!! Of course there's been a lineup change but for these releases there's Harry on Rhythm/Lead Guitar, Mike also on Rhythm/Lead Guitar, Schmier on Bass/Vocals and Olly on drums.

I think their most famous song ever still till this date is "Mad Butcher". It's played a little differently than on "Sentence Of Death". It's much better on this release hands down. Anyway, Schmier's unique vocals under the rhythm guitar bits simply awesome! They also mix some acoustic/clean electric guitar bits on here. Quite a diverse 2 releases Destruction remains my favorite Thrash Metal act also because they did not abandon their Thrash Metal roots.

Besides the track "Mad Butcher", there are many classics on these including the cover of the Plasmatics "The Damned", "Reject Emotions", "Curse The Gods", "Life Without Sense" and "Eternal Ban". These songs are also on their "Live Without Sense" release. Again, looking beyond the lousy productions and just focusing on the music here lies some of Destruction's greatest songs!!! You should be able to pick this up under 10 dollars at your local record store that is if they have a diverse selection.

1. Mad Butcher
2. The Damned
3. Reject Emotions
4. The Last Judgement
5. Curse The Gods
6. Confused Games
7. Life Without Sense
8. United By Hatred
9. Eternal Ban
10. Upcoming Devastation
11. Confused Minds

I thought to myself that this would be like the Dissection in which I remember either "The Somberlain" or "Storm Of The Light's Bane" though my assumption was off. That doesn't mean there isn't melodic parts to just check out the track "Starless Aeon" and you'll hear what I mean.

The lyrical content was geared more towards Satanism reflecting Jon's spiritual nature. I myself look beyond the lyrics and am into pretty much most of the Rhythms/Leads by Jon. Unfortunately, this will be the last Dissection CD distributed since Jon took his own life.

A lot of great rhythms here pretty heavy and well-produced. Same with the Battery in cue with the guitars. This final release is worth checking out because it is unique, melodic, and pure Metal incorporated!

Track listing;

1. Nexion 218
2. Beyond The Horizon
3. Starless Aeon
4. Black Dragon
5. Dark Mother Divine
6. Xeper-I-Set
7. Chaosophia
8. God Of Forbidden Light
9. Reinkaos
10. Internal Fire
11. Maha Kali

Credits:

Jon Nödtveidt - Guitars/Vocals
Set Teitan - Guitars
Tomas Asklund - Battery

By Death8699 (MethylinInfo@aol.com)

Obviously these lads listened to a lot of AC/DC and Thin Lizzy during their younger years as tunes like ‘Rock Brigade’, ‘Sorrow is A Woman’ and ‘Rocks Off’ prove in particular but the sound is totally fitting in a glove-like way for its time. ‘Satellite’ and ‘Wasted’ have more in common with Van Halen, particularly the latter which is about the nearest they would get, then, to the arena sound that was to shift albums like Pyromania and Hysteria by the shed load, and was still on their live set come their UK tour in 1999.

As a band formed in the seventies, a hint of Bad Company in a hard rock band’s sound was something you could see coming and the pairing of ‘It Don’t Matter’, with quite a Faces-esque rhythm, and ‘Answer to The Master’ in particular pull earth away from their roots. Eight minute closer ‘Overture’ is an epic unusually (for the Leps) moulded in a Black Sabbath shape with messrs Clark and Willis pounding out some unmistakably Iommi-like lines during the mid-section. I don’t know if anyone has cared to notice this but Joe Elliot’s youthful range quite truthfully does bear a notable resemblance to Ozzy itself. Whether this is a major part for the album’s lack of appeal to Leppard purists is a question unanswered but for those who have tried to dissuade me from lending the Leps first full-lengther my ears, smack yourselves firmly on the bottom, and for those who to whom the offending have delivered this diatribe, don’t even attempt to listen to them without listening to the album first.

‘On Through The Night’ is a very good old-fashioned hard rock album that while only linked to their later sound by Elliot’s distinctive throat, possesses a fine collection of cuts and nothing unlistenable, and while they were still discovering themselves, were by no means sitting down on the job. So, as you might have already learned, they very well have sounded different to the Leppard sound most are used to on their biggest sellers but they rocked right from the start and why their home turf took nearly a decade to warm to them beggars serious belief.

They found name from a list from when played the soundtrack for a triple X porno flick – but the company said that the name was too risque and didnt use it - yep that totally true. This band play slick sleaze and hail from California with an eye or two for the sounds of the south. Kinda reminds me of a USA equivalent of Dogs D’Amour or something of that ilk.

Highlights include the bright opener ‘Pay’; the skin and bone and ‘Silicone’ about a girl with false titties; the bluesy wailin’ ‘Hollywood Sleazer’; the hot ‘n’ sweatified ‘Southern Belle’ – she was just 18 and the closer ‘Leg Jam’ about a girl with legs right up to her eyes.

Plenty of sordid sexy stuff.

An interesting blend of nu-metal, gabba-goth and industrial metal from Scotland – think Nine Inch Nails in Ministry territory in a mad System of a Down kinda way and you get a glimpse of what these guys are all about – so plenty to get you excited over.

All three songs have something cool going down so I imagine that a full length album will be outstanding. So on this occasion get into the ‘Rat Race’ that’s ‘Far from you’ and ‘Face the day’.

Like it and no doubt many more will too. For more info go to www.deadpad.com

Second CD from Dirty Rig that heavy, funnily enough Dirty Sleazers that feature ex-Warrior Soul vocalist Kory Clarke on front throat. Pure and straight to the point, no frills rock ‘n’ roll that’s all on a balls out level thoughout.

Tons of hard-hitting stuff with highlights being ‘Suck it’; ‘Drunk Again’; ‘Rock Did It’ and ‘If You See Kay’ who will smoke you like crack – never lets up for a second.

Great set o’ songs and looking forward to hearing the next album.

Guitarist/singer Darren Myers has a ferocious voice that fits the style of his songwriting, mixing old and new together, with contemporary touches of alternative and new metal peppering power metal ferocity with an Anthrax/Metallica and on one tune, distinctly Iron Maiden edge.

One or two tunes have their draggy moments and still are yet to drill in as I write but this is the sound of another great British metal creation, in the creating of (good bit of grammar, that, Dave.).

Not quite available in these shops, pick up a copy for 3 quid when you see them gigging - this lot are worth supporting.

Quality over quantity of course, Uli Kusch’s album still wins but this strictly no stinker. Something that you could say fits in between classy melodic death metal and Paradise Lost’s trademark grinding goth sound of old, true metal aficionados will be queuing at the door - and probably future Wacken Fest ticket booking lines - for a dose of the dynamics these three lads work in accordance with.

Sounding unfeasibly similar to the Finnish outfit who won this year’s Eurovision song contest, that fact could further propel them in the direction of some not undeserved mainstream merit but the potential following they earn from their own scene should be enough to satisfy them.

Kerrang and Rock Sound may probably hate it like the clap but us at Metalliville still have taste.

Recommended.

A bunch of classics and newies live (well they were at the time) recorded around the UK in 2003 when Paul Laine was still the lead vocalist, in fact the Sheffield gig on 24th June was even reviewed for this here webzine. Everyone’s faves appears on this album (well all of mine apart from ‘Cherry Cherry’) - I mean you can’t go wrong with Rock Club sounds like ‘Naughty Naughty’; ‘Bang Bang; ‘Beat The Bullet’ and ‘Monkey Business’ can you?

Fantastic mix it is too and the spirit of the shows are captured perfectly – even the crowd are in great form in the larynx dept. Nice to hear ‘Good Time’; the tremendous ballad ‘I still think about you’ ‘Goin’ Goin Gone’ and ‘Dead Drunk & Wasted’ and numerous others– Christ what a voice he’s got – giving the likes of Jon Bon Jovi a run for his money on many an occasion and when the rest of the band are made up of Steve West (Drums); Bruno Ravel (Bass, Vox, Keys) and Rob Marcello (Guitar) you just gotta stand back, crank it up and wish every group were as knockout as this live – I realise I should have gone to that gig myself now after hearing this ‘ere CD.

This is a must for all D2 & rock fans overall worldwide and beyond.

Not heard a Deep Purple album in a long time – let alone the version feat. Don Airey – pretty similar to old band but slightly fresher in places. ‘MTV’ has the humour – they only play the classics on the US Classic Rock stations Gillan informs us on. Other good songs include ‘Junkyard Blues’ with its brilliant guitar Piano solo’; the interesting ‘Clearly Quite Absurd’; the crackin’ ‘Money Talks’ & the Purp-ploddin’ ‘Wrong Man’ – ain’t a bad album.

If you ain’t already bough this album in its original form, then go get it as the bonus cd makes it worth the while especially for the live tracks from The Hard Rock Café in London, October, 2005 such as the new version of ‘Highway Star’ with the extended intro and lets face it ‘Perfect Strangers’ is never not worth hearing again. In fact buy it again anyway for CD 2.

We’ll see the Purps in 2007 with Styx supporting.

Now this is an album that was left in the can by Electra records because they knew precisely f*ck all about Metal and Rock music – they did nothing with it due to the emergence of all the grunge – more fool them.

Easily one of the best albums that got shelved and from a band that is an unsung super-group that featured Vocalist, Dee Snider (Twisted Sister); Drummer, Clive Burr (Iron Maiden); Guitarist, Bernie Torme and Bassist Marc Russell ‘whose Dad was in the original ‘Widowmaker’ in the 70’s.

A perfect way of describing is that it’s an album that’s got the power and glory of prime Twisted Sister with some extra c*ck rock sounds and blues flamboyance at its finest in a true metal light. Every song on here is literally brilliant – no fillers here baby – it’s well thought out material written by Dee & Bernie and given even more fire by Clive and Marc.

Out of the eleven songs here, there’s some real scorches on offer like the opening sliding metaller that is ‘Hang ‘Em High’; the 80’s rockin’ ‘Gone Bad’; the southern like ‘Heart is a lonely hunter’ the ballad ‘Calling For You’, the hit-ya-hard-TS’like anthemic ‘No Angels Here’ and in a similar vein the busting ya balls number that is ‘Emaheevull’.

This is the best.

Funky 4 piece rock band with members from all over – Vocalist, Plamen (Spain), George Bass & Backing Vocalist George George comes from Bulgaria, Adam Peetay (Guitar/BV’s) Phillip G originates from Austria but is now based in London.

They are a bit like the style of Glenn Hughes with standouts being ‘Feel’ & ‘Down Again’.

Real surprised that this band hasn’t become big news yet – they are so eclectic and have elements of Hip Hop and old school funk metal on this album and then some. Imagine Incubus and No Doubt rolled up into one with tons of other elements.

There’s many highlights including the opener ‘Jaded’ that comes across as nu-metal mixed in with scratching; the Mordred and Dub War like ‘3Karmice’ the amazing ‘Whatever’ and ‘Alive’ that have real lovable catchy arrangements.

Hollywood’s got some outstanding bands and this is another prime example.

They’ve taken the some would consider ludicrous move of mixing metal and western together, with some tunes going totally in said direction. Even with a concept based on Wyatt Earp, this is going to peeve off a few purists but this is still one damn fine metal cd when in its main mode and few could believe this band aren’t actually American themselves.

Fronted by reputed German guitarist Alex Kraft and also featuring members of Pink Cream 69 and Angelripper as well as a guest appearance by Sodom’s Tom Angelripper himself, this is quite an undiscovered surprise for most headbangers who are mislead by the sleeve’s appearance as to what this beauty holds inside.

More geetars than yee-hahs, ‘T.L.A.T.T.’ have a way to go to level with Helloween’s genre prominence but this, their second album by the way, deserves a thumbs up in the success department.

Though ever inundated with great power metal talent from the continent as we may, the temptation to hunt out one more is 99.9 percent irresistible. So it’s time for us all head off once more to the world’s capital that is of course Scandinavia.

Danger’s name and sleeve advertise a dodgy glam metal outfit, pointblank, though if you were expecting something along the lines of Motley Crue et al, this would probably disappoint. The studded Swedes play what can’t quite be described as original but still catchy Helloween, TNT, Edguy influenced symphonic metal of the exact kind that goes down a treat in front of mullet-clad thirty-somethings, and is constantly ridiculed in Kerrang but putting the rather stark lyrical content aside along with their ‘mission to preach true metal’, this makes for some pleasant leather fisted fun.

Singer Kristian Wallin shows good range hitting the high pitches like an apprentice Rob Halford and the guitarists work hard to get their part heard behind him. Though not flouting any formulas, Danger carry it off in taste and make this a very welcome forty minutes for any eighties metal fan’s collection.

This album starts with the spacey, orchestral opening ‘Sunrise’ before moving through a whole gearbox of musical styles in ‘The Awakening’ providing a showpiece for the band. Defining Deadly Sin’s sound is difficult; I got Anthrax vibes from ‘The Price You Pay’, ‘Sunborn’ and ‘Slave’ with a distinct aroma of Dream Theatre during ‘My Prison in Time’, ‘Into Dementia’ and ‘Starlight’.

The band mixes it up well and despite not being a huge fan of either of the previously mentioned bands there are numerous other recognisable elements that they combine with similar ease. An example of this is in my favourite track on the album, ‘The Raven and the Mirror’. The guitar sound and style at the start instantly reminded me of work by Soilwork but also includes piano and even Petrucci-style guitar during the transformations.

There are strong metal vocals throughout but on the downside I felt there was a general lack of creativity in the choruses to echo the industry within the music. The performance on the instrumental ‘starlight’ highlights the talent of all the musicians and leads well into the final track. ‘To Fall Asleep’ closes the album with a virtual reflection of the first two tracks and trails off with some great work that will make you wish there were some bonus tracks.

Feelgood factor Faces style vibe dudes from Sweden give us a compilation of material from their nationally releases on one cracking cd.

Boogie brilliance ‘n’ Blues with that Ian McLagan Hammond Organ sound throughout from ‘Sad to say I’m sorry’ to ‘Passing through my heart’ with highlights including the slidin’ ‘Bound to Ravage’; the Stonesy ‘Hardhitter’; the sexy saxophone ham it uppery of ‘Crooked Crutch’ and the harmonica hotty that is ‘Goodbye Miss Jill’.

In solo mode outside his day job of Iron … you know who or DJ’ing or flying charter aircraft. This is Bruce at his best with ‘Abduction’ kicking off the proceedings (that was even featured on a classic rock magazine freebie cd – which is where some may have heard it previously).

Pure metal brilliance throughout with travelling alchemic sense with plenty of standout songs such as the heavy prestigious ‘Soul ?’; the folky metal of ‘Kill Devil Kill ?’ and the outstanding acoustic come electric ‘The Seas of the Sun’; the speeded up vocal starting ‘Power of the Sun’ that reminds me of Iced Earth in an Iron Maiden kinda way.

This is an album that all metalheads need to buy – bet many of you have bought it already. The nest Iron Maiden studio album has a lot to live up to.

A mass of southern sounds, stoner, sludge and in your face slamming. A kind of Black Label Society meets Biohazard, Nickelback and 3 Doors Down.

It rocks, it raps and its loud ‘n’ proud and kicks off with ‘Desperately’ which will make you wanna stay around for the rest of the album for sure. There’s the brutal ‘Run Run’; the humourous ‘Water Pipe Bong’; the well constructed ‘But Me’.

The version of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘Simple Man’ is a pure salute to the Floridian boys – it’s actually one of my favourite numbers of all time. You get 2 versions of a number called ‘Stand Alone’ - the rock version and the rap version.

Worth checking out.

German dudes who combine Gothic Industrial Metal with Dance. This is pure hardcore – like to see you keep still to this number.

The four strong backing line-up accompanying the German stunner this time out include one or names I recognise, most of all Johnny Dee, - that being the ex-Britny Fox drummer, not the guy from Honeymoon Suite (sadly). Listening to her comeback offering time has been pretty kind to her, if not stayed off her back altogether, still eighty percent in the eighties but there is enough in the sound to separate her sound one side of this millennium from the other.

Obviously not rushed over a couple of nights, the hooks are included and the solos are noticeably contemporary here and there, but the overall sum will satisfy most old fans. Good to have to you back again Miss. Pesch, hope it’s live as well as CD.

Just a word about that title… you don’t happen to know a chap called Kory Clarke do you?

Well that’s a rather long chant for a panto but for most of these 24 tracks almost accurate in truth. Five or six numbers vary quite a bit in rhythm and pace, and that just about accounts for its sole recommendation, if I must really give one to this sub-Obituary dirge, other than a few tuneful interludes from guitarist/vocalist Danny.

Apparently a collection of material from three of their classic (?) releases, this reads on the back of the case as a ‘masterpiece of death metal history’ but we know the continent to serve up far far better and more innovative extreme metal acts than this lot.

Only people Dead keen on the genre need invest.

This album starts with the spacey, orchestral opening ‘Sunrise’ before moving through a whole gearbox of musical styles in ‘The Awakening’ providing a showpiece for the band.

Defining Deadly Sin’s sound is difficult; I got Anthrax vibes from ‘The Price You Pay’, ‘Sunborn’ and ‘Slave’ with a distinct aroma of Dream Theatre during ‘My Prison In Time’, ‘Into Dementia’ and ‘Starlight’. The band mixes it up well and despite not being a huge fan of either of the previously mentioned bands there are numerous other recognisable elements that they combine with similar ease. An example of this is in my favourite track on the album, ‘The Raven And The Mirror’.

The guitar sound and style at the start instantly reminded me of work by Soilwork but also includes piano and even Petrucci-style guitar during the transformations. There are strong metal vocals throughout but on the downside I felt there was a general lack of creativity in the choruses to echo the industry within the music.

The performance on the instrumental ‘Starlight’ highlights the talent of all the musicians and leads well into the final track. ‘To Fall Asleep’ closes the album with a virtual reflection of the first two tracks and trails off with some great work that will make you wish there were some bonus tracks.

Ok, so you may know ‘The Duke’ better as Rich Ward – the guitarist and founding member of Stuck Mojo as well as a member of Fozzy with Chris Jericho.

This album’s an eye opener that shows he can come up with contemporary rock songs (that at times could be confused with the like of Robbie Williams and other commercial like artists.

Rick can’t go wrong with well-crafted songs like ‘Running’; ‘I give to you’ – he’s just got it. ‘Show you the way’ is an amazing example too – imagine Staind or Cred with a positive outlook and topped off with killer melodics and crackin’ vocals. ‘Breath’ is a nice piano ballad giving Elton John a run for his money and the song ‘This Moment’ is a gospel epic that deserves to win The Duke a grammy.

Believe me, it ain’t just Kung Fu he’s good at.

He's the 'Man on the Silver Mountain' who advises you to 'Stand up and shout' and not to talk to stranger's, not to mention informing us that 'We Rock'.

He needs no introduction but he's getting one anyway - Ronnie James Dio is what rock 'n' r