JUSTIN’S METAL REVIEWS W/C 22/9/08

 

 

AMON AMARTH / TWILIGHT OF THE THUNDER GOD

 

If you’re looking for an unbiased review of this CD you will have to stop reading now! as I am such a big fan of these guys its impossible to remain objective or critical.

 

Amon Amarth are as obsessed with Norse mythology as Nile are with Egyptology and being so focused on one subject you cant help but be passionate and totally convincing because the passion and inspiration comes through the music and the lyrics.  This is Viking Death Metal at its peak, it doesn’t get better than this ten tales of heroic bravery, courage and valour, just look at the titles; “Twilight OF The Thunder God”, “No Fear For The Setting Sun”, “Tattered Banners & Bloody Flags” and “Live For The Kill”, to name but a few.

 

If you haven’t heard much from this band you should check this out immediately if not sooner and as an added bonus there is a limited edition with and extra live CD and DVD that has to worth getting.

 

WEBSITE      http://www.amonamarth.com/ & http://www.metalblade.co.uk/

 

DOWNLOAD            “Twilight Of The Thunder God” & “Guardian Of Asgard”

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 43 mins + 10 EPIC TRACKS

 

 

TOXIC HOLOCAUST / AN OVERDOSE OF DEATH

 

This is a new band to me but they have been around for nearly 10 years, waiting for trends to catch them up, their brand of Speed Thrash Metal mixed with an unhealthy dose of Black / Death Metal makes for very good listening.

 

The sound they make is like a Thrash version of say Cannibal Corpse or Six Feet Under and as I love both of these bands Toxic Holocaust make for very good listening, right from the first track “Wild Dogs” they nail their flag to the mast and its speedily followed by the stunning Metal anthem “Endless Armageddon”.  As you can imagine the riffs come thick and fast, literally but you cant fail to be impressed by the quality of material on offer here, “Death From Above”, “City Of A Million Corpses”, “Lord Of The Wasteland” and “War Is Hell” are played with such passion and commitment its impossible not to get “caught in a mosh” as Anthrax once said.

 

This is the guys first album for Relapse and it is one of the best New Thrash albums of this year easily and that’s why its my album of the week and an essential buy if you love Metal and Thrash in general.

 

WEBSITE      http://www.toxicholocaust.com/ & http://www.relapse.com/

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 36 mins + 13 MOSHING TRACKS

 

 

SINNER / CRASH & BURN

 

Not content with being the main force behind the successful German Metal band Primal Fear, Mat Sinner continues with his own band Sinner and if you think that all the good riffs are saved for his main band, then think again because this is packed full of terrific guitar riffs.

 

Sinner have been cranking out the Metal since 1982 and if your looking for Traditional Heavy Metal, then Sinner is the band for you as all the songs are no nonsense, head banging, twin, riff filled guitar laden Metal, that takes no prisoners.  Musically they sound similar to classic Thin Lizzy and the Scorpions at times but that’s no bad thing, choc full of melody and superb hooks, just listen to “Connection”, “Heart Of Darkness” or “The Dog” to hear what I mean.  Also listen out for: “Like A Rock”, the explosive “Crash & Burn” “Revolution”, “Little Head and the superb power ballad “Until It Hurts”

 

Sinner have had about 15 albums out and all are as good as this, no problem and its this consistency that has stood the band in good stead, if your one of those people who say “they don’t make them like that anymore” this will prove you wrong, a well deserved album of the week.

 

WEBSITE      http://www.matsinner.com/

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 41 mins + 11 ROCKIN’ TRACKS