JUSTIN’S METAL REVIEWS 6/9/10

 

 

SAHG / III

 

Lets face it, the band didn’t spend much time on the album title then when everything else about the CD is so good, there was no need, the picture of the monster on the front cover says so much, that there is no need for any words.

 

If you like Classic inspired Doom Metal in the vein of early Canldemass, Black Sabbath etc then you will simply love this album, everything about its says quality, there is no groundbreaking stuff on here and nothing out of the ordinary except, top quality Metal, just check out the first proper track “Baptism Of Fire” and you will see exactly what I mean, if other bands spent as much time on quality song writing as SAHG do, the world of Metal would be a better place.  The Doom laden grooves just keep on coming as “Hollow Mountain” and the excellent “Downward Spiral” proves, Doom Metal doesn’t have to be dreary and lack lustre as “Shadow Monument” and “Mortify” prove.

 

This is yet another fine release from this superb Norwegian band and I strongly recommend that you get hold of a copy soon, here’s looking forward to SAHG IV in 2012.

 

WEBSITE      http://www.sahg.no

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 42 mins + 10 TRACKS

 

 

DEATH ANGEL / RELENTLESS RETRIBUTION

 

When it comes to Thrash Metal, the riff is the king, the harder edged it is the better and anything else is a bonus and Death Angel have two, their excellent use of Melody and intelligent , socially aware lyrics and that’s why they rool.

 

There have been some good Thrash albums this year, notably from Overkill, Exodus and Annihilator and all are very fine albums and this new one from Death Angel stands up to the competition well, in fact for my money in some respects they’re better, they have everything the other bands have with that little bit extra, you only have to listen to the acoustic driven ballad, yes I said ballad “Volcanic” for a perfect example, this is so radio friendly its unbelievable.  The crushing Metal riffs are prevalent and leave your head spinning like that girl in the Exorcist, just check out “Truce”, “I Chose The Sky”, “River Of Rapture” or the brilliant “Opponents At Side”, all of which will have you moshing in no time flat.

 

This is another very fine album, in fact these guys haven’t put a foot wrong since they got back together in 2003 and this is yet another CD that just has to be in your collection and I predict this will make my top 20 of 2010 with ease, essential and album of the week, listen out for track on my shows, Thrash Or be Thrashed!

 

WEBSITE      http://www.deathangel.com

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 57 mins + 12 BLISTERING TRACKS

 

 

STONE SOUR / AUDIO SECRECY

 

This is the 3rd album from Stone Sour and the band just keep getting better and better proves two things, 1. Corey Taylor is a damned fine versatile vocalist and 2. The band really works well as a unit and are no slouches when it comes to writing some very good tunes.

 

There are some very fine Melodic Metal tracks on here that are not just good to listen to, they are well written, crafted, catchy and commercial as hell and stand along side bands like Sevendust, Staind and Creed to name a few.   How can anyone hear “Hesitate” and not say its one of the best songs they’ve heard in a long time, the same goes for “Imperfect” and “Miracles” and if you want the harder edged, full on songs then “Say You’ll Haunt Me”, “Mission Statement” and “The Bitter End” are well up to the job but still have that catchy, commercial trait that is prevalent throughout this album.

 

This CD is proof that Stone Sour are much, much more than a mere side project and I for one hope that they come back again in another 3 years, buying the digipak is totally essential and not just an option, it comes with, “you guessed it” the DVD but more importantly 3 extra tracks that are totally essential an not just after thoughts, easily album of the week, GO BUY THIS NOW!

 

WEBSITE      http://www.stonesour.com

 

TOTL PLAYING TIME = 65 mins 17 TRACKS (DIGIPACK)