Porcupine Tree
Fear Of A Blank Planet
Atlantic
50:53 - 6 Tracks
Well, I’m not sure who decided these guys were metal, but I’m sure with the collaborations with frontman Steven Wilson with Opeth, they crossed that line. Parts of this CD rock out and are metal, but they are pretty few and far between. This is pretty good prog-rock though. It’s not a departure from their last couple albums… If like Opeth’s “Damnation” CD, this is for you. You’ll probably hear a track or two on the Mosh Pit though.
The Destro
As The Coil Unwinds
Metal Blade
46:15 - 11 Tracks
They say on the sheet that came with it that they “plow through stereotypes” Well, to me they sound like Pantera in their heaviest of times. Some good solid metal with a touch of hardcore. It’s not metalcore! There aren’t many other words to describe it as just good ol plain meat and potatoes metal. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit!
Invitro
3 Song EP
Gridiron
9:07 - 3 Tracks
This is the new project from Mikey Doling, who was a founding member of Snot as well as a hired guitar gun in Soulfly. The music comes out and stays aggressive and heavy. The vocals are clean and have no growl or abrasive nature to them. The songs are catchy and fun to listen to. I want to say they have a bit of an edge similar to System of a Down, but with a weird Mr. Bungle tinge. It’s not too shabby and better than I was expecting. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit!
Serenity
Words Untold & Dreams Unlived
Napalm
47:30 -10 Tracks
This is more or less Progressive Melodic Metal. It’s just the run of the mill prog-metal wank fest. Clean vocals, some keyboards holding up the background, some good solid guitar work, etc. etc. Nothing new, but it’s not bad, no gimmicks, and as I said above for The Destro, meat and potatoes prog-melodic metal. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit.
A Band Called Pain
Broken Dreams
Hiero Imperium
74:44 - 17 Tracks
A hard rockin’ band musically reminds me of Alice In Chains meets a little pantera with some Chris Cornell-esque vocals. Actually, I hear a lot of King’s X sound in here as well. It’s not really heavy or brutal for that matter, but as you’ve heard me say before, songs are catchy, and it’ll grow on you. The production quality is not so great, and it’s just not all that heavy. Due to this being a slow week, you’ll probably hear this on the Mosh Pit.
Man Must Die
The Human Condition
Relapse
I actually didn’t get this CD, but you know, one can hear things on the interweb. It’s fast, heavy, brutal, some sick guitar solos. It’s just good ol fashioned death metal. If I get a CD or something I can play on the air, you’ll hear it.
