Dropclutch
The Reason
Drop Entertainment
34:58 - 10 Tracks
This is kind of nu-nu-metal. Hints of Sevendust and Mudvayne in here. It’s not any sort of “core”, but it is fairly “accessible” There are some catchy parts, in most part, the stuff that sounds like Mudvayne… you know that bassy chugga sound. Otherwise, it’s just a hard/solid rock type of album.
Desaster
666 Satan’s Soldiers Syndicate
Metal Blade
37:26 - 10 Tracks
This is some pretty good aggresive blackened death metal. It’s heavy, in-your-face and catchy. The songs have a good groove to them, and it’s easy to listen to. The production is solid and crisp. This CD’s release here in 2008 marks their 20th anniversary, so they have the experience to pull off a great album. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit!
Struggle Within
Angel’s Face
Arctic Music Group
35:47 - 10 Tracks
Actually, this is a little similar to the first album listed this week… Dropclutch. Clean vocal, hard/solid rock stuff with a little bit of an edge. The vocal layers get a little harsh, with that raspy almost 80’s/90’s metal screams. Sounds weird, but it works. Some good guitar solos, also hearkening back to some 80’s/90’s tones. Most songs are fairly catchy. Wow, not a lot of new stuff this week. You’ll hear this on the Mosh Pit.
Draconian
Turning Season Within
Napalm
52:34 - 9 Tracks
“Gothic Doom Metal” From Napalm records, masters of the genre definition! It’s pretty much what it says. Some female vocals, good driving metal in some parts, otherwise, mostly doomy. Only 2 tracks on this promo don’t have those annoying voiceovers, so I will end this writeup here.
Isole
Bliss of Solitude
Napalm
57:40 - 7 Tracks
“Epic Doom Metal” Also from Napalm records. No voiceovers on this CD. Yay. This is just that slowish moving doom metal that seems like it wants to get somewhere, but just doesn’t. Think Opeth without the cool parts. This doesn’t mean it’s bad, but I am the kind of guy that likes the happy ending of metal… haha.
Gigan
Footsteps of Gigan EP
Index
13:57 - 3 Tracks
Some current and former dudes from Hate Eternal banded together to form Gigan. It’s kind of an experimental, psychedelic, technical death metal. It’s a bit out there, but I think it’s worthy of some airplay.
