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Featured, Reviews - Audio June 24, 2009

Madder Mortem: Eight Ways

Eight Ways returns to the captivating style explored on Deadlands. Eight Ways departs from that 2002 release in two important ways. First, while Deadlands tapered off around the middle of the album and never recovered, Eight Ways manages to sustain the interest level for its duration. Second, and certainly a key factor in explaining the first point, is the fearless-yet-tasteful exploration. Eight Ways is the sound of a band not only playing to its strengths but successfully extending that core sound.

Featured, Reviews - Audio June 24, 2009

Jungle Rot: What Horrors Await

Back with their sixth full length CD is this old school death metal band which emerged in the mid ’90’s. There is an undeniable influence of Slayer, Sodom and Obituary on this band from Kenosha, Wisconsin; this album is by far is a lot tighter than other albums I’ve purchased by them in the past. From

Featured, Reviews - Audio June 23, 2009

Kylesa: Static Tensions

Kylesa could otherwise be known as “that sludgy-sounding band from Savannah with two drummers.” While technically accurate, this would be a great underestimation of what the band can do. Static Tensions, the latest album from the group, is made up of short but to-the-point songs and, while not a long album, packs quite a punch.

Featured, Reviews - Audio June 23, 2009

Blackguard: Profugus Mortis

There is no denying the sheer amount of energy that Blackguard bring to the album, as there is hardly a slow moment. The sounds heard here are not new, as almost all the tricks have been heard before with regard to other folk and pagan metal acts. However, judging from both their sound and their image, this doesn’t seem something that the band would deny.

Featured, Reviews - Audio June 23, 2009

Delain: April Rain

This is huge sounding, well done goth metal in the vein of Within Temptation – which is no wonder as so may ex members occupy the band. I believe this dutch outfit has reached the top tier of this style with this release.

Featured, Reviews - Audio June 22, 2009

Voivod: Infini

What a gift Denis D’Amour has left us. When the guitarist affectionately known as “Piggy” was diagnosed with cancer, he could have easily rested on his laurels, with every reason to be immensely proud of the 20-odd years of music he created as a member of Voivod. Instead, he dove straight into his art during his final months, writing songs, arranging music with his bandmates, and recording guitar tracks in a burst of creativity that we could only wish to experience when we’re healthy.

Featured, Reviews - Audio June 22, 2009

Tim “Ripper” Owens: Play My Game

Play My Game comes across as a series of tracks inspired by Judas Priest’s Demolition and Beyond Fear’s eponymous debut, with the occasional nod to Dio. This should come as no surprise, given that two of the songs were Ripper-penned tunes which were originally rejected by Priest.

Featured, Reviews - Vinyl June 22, 2009

Graf Orlock: Destination Time Today LP

There are three indisputable facts of life: death, taxes and that Graf Orlock is the greatest cinema-grind band of all. Granted, they may be the only cinema-grind band, but if there is such a micro-genre, they top it based on merit, not by default.

Featured, Reviews - Live June 19, 2009

Remember… HEAVY MTL 2008

Our fearless editor reminisces on last summer’s fantastic inaugural HEAVY MTL festival, which happened exactly one year ago from this weekend at Parc Jean Drapeau. Sean wrote reviews for two different publications, which have been collected here for your viewing pleasure.