Symphony X-Iconoclast
Definite top ten year end material.
Reviews
Crisis – Armed To The Teeth/Kick It Out
Crisis do have some early metal influences happening though the majority of what you’ll hear is hard rock driven material. The guitar owes as much to the 60’s British Invasion sound as it does NWOBHM, which is to say that it’s catchy but not exactly metal and not overly memorable either.
Novembers Doom – Aphotic
The word “aphotic” means lacking light, specifically outside of the range of sunlight, like the abyssal depths of the ocean floor. But there is light here, a strange, phosphorescent light — this album shines.
Amorphis – The Beginning Of Times
Ever since vocalist Tomi Joutsen joined the band four albums ago Amorphis has been on a consistent roll for the most part firing on all cylinders. Last album Skyforger was a huge hit on many of year end lists and is probably their best work yet. Now A Beginning of Times is good but maybe not up to the quality of there last three outings.
Devin Townsend ft Anneke Van Giersbergen @ Vera, Groningen, NL, June 15 2011
“There’s numerous ways that metal shows are often described: epic; intense; but the best word to describe this show? Fun. Devin is refreshingly positive and enthusiastic as he jokes, pokes fun and chats with the crowd throughout the night, all the while performing with a combination of smiles and silly faces. And when you add Anneke’s glowing charm to the mix, you can’t help but have a great time.”
Adam Wills recaps a performance abroad, seeing Devin Townsend in the Netherlands with Anneke van Giersbergen.
Descendents/ OFF! @ Yonge Dundas Square, Toronto ON, June 16 2011
“While this bout of First Gen punk rockers strutting their new stuff (OFF!) or taking a skank down memory lane (Descendents) was clearly not about to grab Southern Ontario by the short and curlies, with enough bodies filling the concrete lawn to instigate agoraphobia, it was clear that Southern Californian punk rock has clearly grown in appreciated stature over its three decades.”
Keith Carman reviews the June 16th outdoor performance by Descendents and OFF! at NXNE in Toronto. Live photos by Heather Carman Ostrander.
Suidakra – Book Of Dowth
Book of Dowth is a solid uniform testament of folk influenced melodic death metal for fans to feast upon.
Seven Sisters of Sleep – s/t
As a whole, this self-titled offering is short and sweet, eight tracks weighing in at 20 and a half minutes. Nothing special, but if you like slowcore, it’s worth a shot.
A Storm of Light / Tombs / Vilipend / Purity Control @ Sneaky Dee’s, Toronto ON, June 11th, 2011
“A Storm of Light provided a performance that felt more like a denouement than a revelation. Their set featured a heavy visual component, in the form of projected videos that drenched the stage in light. It was quite lovely, which is unsurprising considering that vocalist/guitarist Josh Graham is the visual artist for Neurosis.”
Natalie Zed reviews the June 11th Toronto performance by A STORM OF LIGHT and TOMBS at Toronto’s Sneaky Dee’s. Live photos by Laina Dawes
Ozzy Osbourne – Blizzard Of Ozz (Legacy edition)
Listeners and long-time fans will be absolutely thrilled by this updated presentation of Blizzard Of Ozz because it does do a service to the songs – but the catch is that they have to make it by the re-treatment of “Crazy Train” to do it, and that may be a greater accomplishment than many might suspect.