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| HOME ALL REVIEWS BLOG TICKET ARCHIVE SUBMIT MATERIAL CONTACT |
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| Welcome to Rock Music Critic! Check out reviews in the Flash menu above or the static links below. This latest version of the site now includes reviews with an embedded music player so you can listen to whole albums once for free courtesy of Lala.com. Lala doesn't doesn't carry all albums I review, but when they do I will include the player. What's easier than listening to an album to decide whether you like it? Feel free to ignore my petty ramblings and just listen to the tunes. That's really the whole point anyway. Up the Irons!! ~ George |
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 | | | "The Black Parade" is in strong contention to be my personal album of the year. This album came from out of nowhere to surprise and amaze me as few albums ever do anymore |
|
 | | | Gods help me, but I love these guys. Yeah, they are part of the current breed of annoying punk-pop wanna-be's, but I just can't help loving anything BFS does. |
|
 | | | I've long been a fan of Emperor, and since Zyklon consists of Samoth and Trym from Emperor, I immediately pounced on "World ov Worms" when it was first released. |
|
 | | | Or as I like to call it, The Illusion of Not Sucking. YOB, creative doom genius or formless, directionless mass of nothing. You decide (though I am thinking the latter.) The good news is there are only four songs |
|
 | | | Nice name. Makes me hungry. Ok, so, the upside to this disc is that it is a merciful 34 minutes long. This is not my cup of death metal tea. This is stereotypical half-assed death metal |
|
 | | | When I heard that Jason Newsted formerly of Metallica formerly of Flotsam & Jetsam had joined Voivod I had two initial reactions. One was "weird, what an odd thing to do." But then the second reaction was "Cool! |
|
 | | | This is some pretty standard death metal. The vocals lie somewhere between Cannibal Corpse and Deicide. Not as clear as Cannibal Corpse, and not as deep as Deicide.The music isn't just all blast beat madness however, it is actually pretty cool |
|
 | | | I was about to give this band bonus points for covering Manowar, but it turned out that this is a different "Sign of the Hammer" and not the one penned by the metal kings. No bonus for you. But then I might have cried hearing this |
|
 | | | So far this is a rather strange disc. It somewhat reminds me of Neurosis, but it's hard for me to say because I don't like Neurosis and so I avoid listening to them. But this sort of sounds like what I remember them sounding like |
|
 | | | Please tell me the vocals aren't going to be like this all the way through the whole album. The music is actually pretty cool. But not only are the vocals a poor Cookie Monster imitation, but they are totally buried in the mix so |
|
 | | | I have gone through many metal phases in my years. 80's glam (shamefully), on to speed metal, and thrash. Then came the doom phase and the hardcore crossover phase. Followed by power metal and eventually the murkier waters |
|
 | | | Oh man. Damn. They just had to go and make me cry. I just found out that this was the last recorded work of the late metal god Quorthon. I don't know who Jennie Tebler is (other than working with Lake of Tears) but I get |
|
 | | | It is an affront to my metal pride to find that Tarot have been floating around since the 80's and I have not heard of them prior to this release. I felt the same way when I discovered Blind Guardian in the late to mid 90's |
|
 | | | More power metal! There is something about this guys voice that reminds me of the 80's, he must sound like someone I used to listen to, but I cannot place it. I guess power metal is the best tag for this, not sure what else |
|
 | | | Holy hell! I've heard a few songs by Susperia before and thought they were pretty much just an average new style black metal band, a Dimmu wannabe (drummer Tjodalv is formerly of Dimmu.) Well let me tell you, this CD |
|
 | | | I have some earlier Summoning floating around somewhere that I got from my sister, but I haven't listened to it in awhile, so this will almost be like hearing a new band. This is my impression as of the second track |
|
 | | | In the middle of a pile of death and black metal promos, I find Stereochrist. One of these things is not like the others. I rather like when I have trouble classifying a band. But if I had to make a stab I would say these guys |
|
 | | | Now this is the kind of metal I grew up on. Yet, it is brand new. Interesting. I have to say that though I've never heard this band until recently, I'm impressed so far. I did see something somewhere that labeled them |
|
 | | | I've never been much of a fan of Six Feet Under. I didn't really care for Cannibal Corpse until after Corpsegrinder took over vocals. To be fair I did pick up Six Feet Under's "Warpath" when it came out, but I really |
|
 | | | Most of what I receive in the mail is death metal and black metal, but once in awhile I get some power metal for a change. I can't say I think much of the name Shining Fury, sounds kind of, well, dumb. But whatever |
|
 | | | I used to think that Shadows Fall was just another terrible nu-metal American crap metal band. I don't know what gave me that impression, but I probably heard a too-short clip and wrote them off before giving them a fair shake. |
|
 | | | I received a whole slew of new music from Candlelight the other day, many of the bands I had never listened to before, or even heard of. Initially the name Sceptic itself put me off. I mean, what do you think when you hear that word? |
|
 | | | Holy hell! What a surprise this disc turned out to be! First off let me say that this disc is straight-up awesome. If you read no further you must at least know that. Based on what I gather from their bio, this band is from Sweden |
|
 | | | "Ira Tenax". This is an intro. Pretty good as far as these kinds of intros go. At least it has the operatic vocal thing going on to separate it from the millions of other instrumental synth intros out there. |
|
 | | | This is a hard CD to review. It isn't bad, so I can't really give it a bad review. But it doesn't really do anything FOR me either, so I don't want to tell you to run out and get it. I'm pretty much undecided. |
|
 | | | While reading up on Pyramaze a little, I just found out that their singer is none other than Lance King, the dude who runs Nightmare Records. How cool is that? I had no idea Lance was a singer as well. That makes me even |
|
 | | | Has it really been that long? It has been nearly ten years since I last listened to Pro-pain. I bought "The Truth Hurts" when it came out back in 1994, and I can't say I've listened to it much since. It was ok, a metal/hardcore mix |
|
 | | | New and improved Bathory Light! Just kidding folks, Bathory is obviously no more (R.I.P, Quarthon) but the spirit still lives on. Primordial carry on in a similar vein: the songs are long and epic, and have a historical |
|
 | | | This disc has the distinction of being the first instrumental album to be reviewed on this site. I'd never heard of Milan Polak prior to receiving this promo, so until the second song on the disc ended, I wasn't aware it was |
|
 | | | The name alone caught my interest. Then when I found out that Ville Laihiala, singer for Sentenced, was in the band I knew I would have to have the CD. Ville isn't singing on this album though, he plays guitar. At first I was |
|
 | | | I've only ever heard bits and pieces of Pissing Razors recorded catalog, this will be my first listen to an entire album. I saw them live at some point, I think it might have been the Cannibal Corpse tour, and while the music was ok |
|
 | | | Welcome back to the 80's. How have you been? We are glad you could join us on this trip down memory lane. Ok, but seriously, this is so 80's it's scary. Apparently the band started out in the 80's and have been disbanded for much |
|
 | | | I think Lance King and I must have very similar tastes in music, because he is 3-for-3 in sending me music that is totally my style. I like what he is doing over there at Nightmare Records, because I just don't hear this kind of metal |
|
 | | | I've been a fan of Old Man's Child for some years now, ever since "Born of the Flickering" first came out. Over the years the band has progressed nicely, and consistently put out what I consider to be kick ass albums. |
|
 | | | This appears to be some sort of blastcore monstrosity. Let me tell you right now before you waste any further moments of your life reading this, I think this is plain awful. This CD sounds awful (clunk clunk clunk goes the snare |
|
 | | | Nuclear Assault and I go way back together. I purchased their "Game Over" album on LP (you know, the big black CDs.) I have "Survive" on cassette somewhere, but can't seem to find it. Out of respect for their earlier work |
|
 | | | Right away I like this. Music is strong and tight. And this guys voice, I love it. He makes me feel nostalgic for something 80's. I wish I could think of who he is reminding me of, but whatever it is, I know it was something I liked. |
|
 | | | Necrophagia's claim to fame was the fact that for a time it boasted having Phil Anselmo, the prolific singer of Pantera, as a member. Phil is no longer in the band, and they will have to stand on their own based on the merits of |
|
 | | | When I received the promo for this new My Dying Bride album in the mail I was quite excited. I've been a fan of "The Angel and the Dark River" and "Like Gods of the Sun" for years and always become excited by the prospect |
|
 | | | Before I get into reviewing "Hammered", I just want to say a few things about Motorhead. A lot of people just don't "get" Motorhead. Well, all I can say is, their loss. Motorhead is one of the few bands who have been consistent |
|
 | | | The triumphant return of Morgana Lefay!! For several albums they went by the moniker Lefay, but now they are back to using their full name once again. I was a big fan of these guys back in the early and mid 90's. |
|
 | | | Ministry is not exactly metal I suppose, more like industrial I guess, but I felt that the release of this historic CD deserved some attention. Ministry's last studio album, "The Dark Side of the Spoon" pretty much sucked |
|
 | | | Remember that little boo-boo-beep sound that used to play at the beginning of cassette tapes? What are cassette tapes? Never-mind, it was before your time. Anyway, the CD starts off with that noise and I thought |
|
 | | | According to their bio sheet Mercury Rain are unsigned, and this release is self-financed. I have to give them kudos for putting together a very professional package. The promotional materials included were top notch |
|
 | | | I've seen Maze of Torment in the music store before, but this is the first time I've had the opportunity to hear them. I must admit it is much better than I expected. Their logo reminds me of hordes of other suck-ass death metal |
|
 | | | If you have read anything else on this site, you have probably noticed me mention Manowar at least once. Manowar is my all time favorite heavy metal band. They are the epitome of heavy metal as far as I am concerned. |
|
 | | | These two discs are being re-issued by Cult Metal Classics 24 and 22 years after their original release. Apparently they are heralded as the original fantasy metal from the pre-Manowar era. I have heard the name before, but |
|
 | | | Made of Iron is a German and Greek true metal band. I like their sound; however I have to wonder about their intent. Their lyrics take a very Christian stance that I don't particularly care for. Though, this could merely be some |
|
 | | | This album seems to have two speeds: (1) heroin nod and (2) ouch my nuts got caught in the blender. This album lands in the more listenable end of a genre that I really don't care for. It's a kind of hardcore screamy/screechy |
|
 | | | I've stated before that I'm not a real big fan of progressive metal. This is because it is often rather boring or a bit too full of itself. But this is more of a guideline than a rule. If I hear something progressive that |
|
 | | | I've never heard of this England-based band before, but this showed up in the mail the other day so I'll give it a spin and see what it's like. Apparently they have several albums released already and are fairly well received |
|
 | | | Well, as you can see none of this album is in English, so it sort of reads like an IKEA catalog. In other words I have no idea what they are saying. But that isn't overly important if the music is cool. My first listen |
|
 | | | I've seen this band in the J section at the music store, but never heard anything by them. I expected them to be death metal, but as it turns out they are more like a Firewind-ish power metal type. Wow, these guys are from Ohio?? |
|
 | | | Iron Maiden: arguably the greatest heavy metal band of all time. When I popped this CD in my PC, and the unfailingly annoying Real Player popped up uninvited, I noticed something that was rather amusing. The top of the |
|
 | | | I was very excited to receive this copy of the new Insomnium CD. I came into possession of their last album "In the Halls of Awaiting" through my sister and thought it was a great disc. I am definitely looking forward to hearing |
|
 | | | Swedish death thrashers Impious don't cover any new ground here on this their latest album, but what they do they have down to an art. If you are looking for kick ass brutal Swedish death metal in the traditional At The Gates style |
|
 | | | Well, well, well, what do we have here? Yet ANOTHER Finnish band that sound suspiciously like the mega-popular Children of Bodom? Indeed, that is exactly what we have here. Only I'm not complaining. This album is really |
|
 | | | The Heavils sort of remind me of Clutch on speed, or perhaps Pro-Pain if Pro-Pain were a little more metal. There is a definite hardcore influence happening here. The first two tracks were straight forward fast and heavy. |
|
 | | | Right off the bat the intro to this disc sounds very much like At The Gates' "Slaughter of the Soul," that is until the music starts. This disc starts off rather laid back trying to lure you in before bashing your skull in |
|
 | | | There's no beating around the bush here, Grimfist's debut "Ghouls of Grandeur" (featuring members of Immortal and Deride) wastes no time in tearing your head off. I barely got the CD in the player before "Primal Aggression" roared |
|
 | | | Green Carnation features Tchort, formerly of Emperor. This CD isn't nearly as brutal as an Emperor album though. And it's really easy for me to pick out my favorite song: the first one. Well, the last one actually. |
|
 | | | This sounds like At The Gates style Swedish death metal. Are they from Sweden? I don't know. I can't find their bio right now. The vocals are really kind of typical so far, I don't think they will be a selling point. |
|
 | | | It amazes me how some bands can have such wonderful production, and how some bands have only mediocre or worse production, and they can both be on the same record label. Isn't there some sort of standard at the label? |
|
 | | | The Firstborn hail from Portugal, home to another great metal band: Moonspell. Like Moonspell, The Firstborn seem to have a distinctive style all their own. I can honestly say that while this album has its roots in death metal |
|
 | | | Firewind is a true/power metal band featuring Greek guitar virtuoso Gus G (also of Dream Evil.) Much like Dream Evil, this band has a very 80's metal style. By this I don't mean Motley Crue or Bon Jovi, think "Trilogy" era Yngwie. |
|
 | | | I am a very big fan of the first two Falconer albums. They are not your typical power metal band at all. I think their roots lie in the death metal community, so perhaps that gives them their unique sound. Anyway, I loved the first two |
|
 | | | Well, if you read my review for the last Falconer album, you probably got the impression that I was less than ecstatic about it. I still don't really listen to it unless it comes up on random. I was pleasantly surprised, however |
|
 | | | This CD showed up in my mail today. I haven't really heard Evergrey's music before, so this will be a new experience for me. Let's give it a spin and see what happens. Listening to the first track, "The Masterplan", I get the |
|
 | | | I wasn't sure if I should review this CD or not. When I first heard this CD, I was completely blown away until I reached track 10. Then I stopped dead in my tracks in absolute horror. Track 10 is "H.M.J." What does that stand |
|
 | | | Disillusion has totally taken me by surprise. I've never heard of this band, but man, I expect to be hearing more about them in the future. So far as I can tell this is their first full length release, if that is the case, man what a |
|
 | | | It's been awhile, but finally we have a new Demons & Wizards album. Even before I heard this disc I knew I would like it. What's not to like? Jon Schaffer of Iced Earth taking care of the music, and Hansi Kursch of Blind Guardian |
|
 | | | Some time last year while perusing the heavy metal section at my local Record and Tape Trader, I noticed an unusual looking CD by the band Dave Brockie Experience. I'd never heard of this band before and my curiosity wetted |
|
 | | | Ok, first of all, these guys need new names. I mean come on. Churchburner and Insulter of Jesus Christ. Sounds more like slacker occupations than names to me. It's just silly and ridiculous in a way only black metal bands can be. |
|
 | | | I remember the first time I heard about Cradle of Filth. I was in this music store called Rock of Ages in Garden City, Michigan. Rock of Ages was the only cool store around that carried a nice selection of the hard to find |
|
 | | | What kind of band names themselves Chinchilla? Particularly a heavy metal band. Metallica, that's certainly a heavy metal name. Slayer, yeah, that's a heavy metal name. But Chinchilla, it's a small furry rodent. |
|
 | | | Charon is a great band from Finland along the lines of Sentenced. In fact Charon's singer is also in the band Poisonblack with Ville from Sentenced. So I guess it's not surprising that the music is a similar style. |
|
 | | | I've been listening to heavy metal for somewhere around twenty years now, and in my time I have heard A LOT of metal music. Since starting this site I hear even more music than I normally would hear in the course of my day to day life. |
|
 | | | One of life's great consistencies is Cannibal Corpse. They are one of the death metal pioneers and no matter the era or style popular at the moment they always sound like Cannibal Corpse. It is a constant source of |
|
 | | | I've heard of this band before, seen their last CD in the store, but I can't say as I've heard them before. I like their name though, that's pretty cool, so hopefully I will like the disc too. This is one of the first |
|
 | | | I have to admit that when I first laid eyes on the new Cadaver CD "Necrosis" I was feeling a little skeptical about the possibility of it being any good. First of all the name Cadaver brings to mind extreme gore metal |
|
 | | | I recently picked up a copy of Brainstorm's "Ambiguity" CD, and thought it was pretty good. I did not hear the CD that came between "Ambiguity" and "Soul Temptation", so I'm interested to give this a spin and see how they have |
|
 | | | "Ressurrection Through Carnage" is the second release and first full release from this spectacular all-star death metal band. Their debut EP "Breeding Death" was a brutal dose of old school death metal. |
|
 | | | The Black Dahlia Murder takes their name from a grisly 1947 murder case that was never solved. The Black Dahlia Murder hail from my home state of Michigan, from the stinking cesspool that is Detroit. The CD was recorded |
|
 | | | Let me see, air raid sirens, this must be the new Biohazard disc. I was pleasantly surprised to find this promo in my mailbox the other day. I hadn't even known there was a new Biohazard disc in the works. |
|
 | | | "Section X" appears to be a concept album revolving around a sci-fi styled storyline. It seems that some scientist comes up with a way to harness the full potential of the human brain. He creates a clone of himself |
|
 | | | "Frail Words Collapse" is the second release by As I Lay Dying, and their first for Metal Blade. I haven't heard this band before, but I like their name, and the CD's artwork is such that it compels me to try this band. |
|
 | | | For those of you unaware of who John Arch is, I will endeavor to explain. John Arch was the original singer for Fates Warning. Fates Warning was one of the great metal bands of the early to mid 80's. After Arch left the band |
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 | | | Before I say anything else run out and buy a copy of this CD so you too can bask in the magnificence of this superb album. Back yet? Ok. Rip the wrapper off, peel off the annoying sticker, pop it in your player of choice |
|
 | | | When I reviewed their last album I said I was looking forward to hearing more from As I Lay Dying in the future. Well, the wait has been worth it |
|
 | | | It seems to me that 1349 are trying to bring back the old school black metal. This sounds somewhere between "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas" by Mayhem and "Dark Medieval Times" by Satyricon |
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