tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18591909974879098362011-09-10T08:58:26.228-04:00Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.comBlogger1771100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-71780293801814595682010-12-13T13:58:00.005-05:002011-04-27T11:25:41.595-04:00

Lexia - Underground SoundsBreaksilence Recordings (10/12/10)Electronic/rock/popPerhaps hodgepodge is the easiest way to describe Underground Sounds, the latest solo effort from Eyes Set to Kill front woman Alexia Rodriguez (dubbed here as Lexia). Fans of the band might find it a little hard to digest some of the album’s offerings (I’m looking at you, album opener “Basements”), but overall

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-35839725865375227242009-12-31T10:06:00.000-05:002010-01-18T10:12:36.764-05:00

It was a hectic year, and trying to come up with a top 10 list to close things out seemed like an almost overwhelming task. Where there really 10 albums that stood out to me? Well, when I finally sat down to build and rank a list, I realized there was, and then some. There were obvious picks, and happy surprises, and a couple that came out of left field and completely blew me away. At the end of

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-85857665732816815962009-12-23T14:57:00.003-05:002010-12-13T14:06:31.918-05:00

Mudvayne - Self-titledEpic Records (12/21/09)MetalWith Mudvayne’s latest opus, the self-titled fifth studio excursion for the band, people seem a little too wrapped up in the presentation (the packaging was printed in black light-reactant and the band is not doing promotion behind the effort) and are overlooking the most important part: the music.Mudvayne is a return to form (of sorts) for the

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-35979401786320679912009-11-14T00:28:00.001-05:002009-11-14T00:31:05.675-05:00

Slayer – World Painted BloodAmerican / Sony Music (11/3/09)MetalTen studio albums and counting into its catalogue, and it’s clear that Slayer, a living legend in the metal scene, will have few curveballs to throw at listeners. That’s not to say World Painted Blood is a boring album by any stretch—just that Slayer is one of those bands where what you get is what you get.What World Painted Blood

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-13792686761612601112009-07-11T01:10:00.000-04:002009-07-11T01:11:24.575-04:00

Hull - Sole LordThe End Records (5/26/09)MetalFollowing in the footsteps of Crowbar, Mastodon and Down, with Sole Lord, Hull has crafted a heavy, foreboding slab of down-tuned metallic bliss. The entire album is sludgy, crushing and punishing. From end to end, the band just grinds along at such a deliberate pace, drifting from the heavy-as-hell grind of metal to an almost ethereal nonchalance in

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-42985535296707319892009-07-11T00:13:00.001-04:002010-01-18T10:05:02.577-05:00

Candlebox - Alive in SeattleImage Entertainment (9/2/08)Hard rockRecorded in 2006, Alive in Seattle captures a band with something to prove. After more than a few years under the radar, Candlebox regrouped for this tour, and the ensuing energy is through the roof (no doubt aided by the hometown crowd). The set opens with raucous versions of “Arrow” and “Simple Lessons”, and the electric

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-256201865839913812009-07-09T14:57:00.001-04:002010-01-18T10:05:23.485-05:00

PlayRadioPlay! - TexasIsland Records (03/18/08)Pop / Rock / Alternative / ElectronicPlayRadioPlay! falls into that genre of music that merges hook-filled, pop-ish, alternative music (say, mellower Saves the Day or maybe Straylight Run) with a decidedly electronic background of beats and melody, to create this mish-mash of music that is as much about atmosphere and experience as it is about

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-34519077844482922792009-05-28T01:08:00.000-04:002009-07-11T01:10:13.281-04:00

Eyes Set to Kill - The World OutsideBreak Silence Records (6/2/09)Metalcore / Post-hardcoreMusic reviewers have taken the idea of the sophomore album and turned it into a tired cliché over the past decade or so, as if a band’s follow-up album could make or break a promising career. How many acts have you read about, “avoiding the sophomore slump,” only to burn out and fade away? The reality is

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-6788441229108453712009-04-23T01:06:00.000-04:002009-07-11T01:08:35.643-04:00

Odium - At the BottomYear of the Sun Records (3/17/09)MetalOdium has taken the blueprint of melodic metal from Sweden’s In Flames and tempered the attack with a hint of Killswitch Engage to create a sort of Canadian leviathan. The result is At the Bottom, an album chock-full of ambition even if the band ultimately chooses emulation over innovation. That’s not to say there isn’t a hell of a lot on

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-43529432825199652792009-04-21T01:04:00.000-04:002009-07-11T01:06:05.523-04:00

Black Label Society - SkullageEagle Records (4/21/09)MetalSkullage is the much-warranted career retrospective for one of metal’s living guitar gods, Zakk Wylde. The set offers up a glimpse of 12 years of recording; from the once-obscure Pride and Glory days (Wylde’s first band which recorded its only album in 1994) all the way through to BLS’s 2006 release Shot to Hell, there’s a little bit of

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-47936141788193075962009-04-14T01:02:00.000-04:002009-07-11T01:04:03.359-04:00

Misguided Aggression - HatchalaYear of the Sun Records (3/17/09)MetalMisguided Aggression may just be the Great White North’s answer to Lamb of God. On Hatchala, the Ontario quintet serves up a slab of brutal, in-your-face, fist-pumping metal. Eight tracks clocking in at just over 26 minutes might lead one to think that te band took a single-minded approach to the recording, offering up quick

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-11956339264440386762009-04-10T01:00:00.000-04:002009-07-11T01:02:15.386-04:00

Silverstein - A Shipwreck in the SandVictory Records (3/31/09)Alternative rock / MetalBehold Silverstein’s finest hour. On their fourth full-length studio album, the band goes the concept route, turning in A Shipwreck in the Sand, 14 tracks split into four chapters (playing out like a double-LP for those old enough to remember actual records). The concept, as it were, is the destruction of a

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-19202658574398338412009-04-09T00:58:00.000-04:002009-07-11T01:00:38.476-04:00

Within the Ruins - CreatureVictory Records (2/17/09)Metal / HardcoreTreading a razor-wire between metal, hardcore and death metal, Within the Ruins melds together a schizophrenic offering of tech-infused metal that relies on some elements from any genre within its reach. The result, while nothing terribly imaginative, manages to capture your attention. The band has these moments, like on the

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-40417839861080649062009-04-07T00:56:00.000-04:002009-07-11T00:58:46.101-04:00

The Sleeping - What It TakesVictory Records (2/17/09)Alternative rock / Post-HardcoreOn their third album, The Sleeping continues on a well-worn path of post-hardcore, alternative rock that exploded a million bands toward the end of the first half of this decade. While most might roll their eyes at this endeavor because, well, let’s face it, most of the scene’s audience has moved on, and only the

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-25652830764062881852009-02-25T00:55:00.000-05:002009-07-11T00:56:56.136-04:00

(hed)P.E. - New World OrphansSuburban Noize (1/13/09)Rap-rock / Metal(hed)P.E. is an interesting case of contradictions. On the one hand, it's good to see that the years the band spent on a major label—where it was very clear that their sound was being distorted and manipulated to appeal to a wider audience—didn’t seem to crush their spirit. On the other, perhaps some of those constraints did

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-29323318328078515422009-02-24T00:53:00.000-05:002009-07-11T00:55:14.073-04:00

Dirty Little Rabbits - Simon [EP]The End Records (1/20/09)Alternative rockThis album is a real trip... On first spin, Simon has this almost psychedelic, classic-rock air about it. But with each new listen—and let’s face it, at six tracks clocking in at just over 20 minutes, you’re sure to listen to this one a lot—the listener is, pardon the pun, pulled further and further down the rabbit hole. It

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-69462848653321444922009-02-21T00:51:00.000-05:002009-07-11T00:53:04.277-04:00

Sigh - Imaginary Sonicscape [Reissue]The End Records (1/20/09)Heavily orchestrated metal / Hard rock / Classic rock / Jazz, etc.Japanese metal outfit Sigh is most often billed as a black-metal band. Sure, 2007’s fantastic Hangman’s Hymn could easily be compared to, say, Dimmu Borgir, but the band is far from a one-trick pony. In 2001, they released a sonic stew of various metal elements, heavily

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-9779688395856473762009-02-19T00:49:00.000-05:002009-07-11T00:51:08.071-04:00

Glasgow Grin - Saints of the Greatest SinYear of the Sun Records (11/18/08)MetalWho doesn’t love an engrossing story? With its debut album, Canada’s Glasgow Grin serves up a bludgeoning slab of extreme metal, but in doing so also offers an intriguing story of a serial killer out to do the Lord’s work. Saints of the Greatest Sin is a concept album detailing the final mission of a hunter of

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-89435895764932301102009-01-31T00:47:00.000-05:002009-07-11T00:49:20.638-04:00

Nickelback - Live at Sturgis [DVD]Roadrunner Records (11/28/08)Unrated90 minutesLove the band or hate it, Nickelback has become one of the biggest rock acts of the new millennium, and the group’s new DVD effort, Live at Sturgis, aims to show audiences, fans and non-fans alike, exactly why that is. Recorded live at the Sturgis bike rally in 2006, Nickelback’s performance is part of the Rockin’ the

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-23798751413099417102008-12-31T00:40:00.000-05:002009-07-11T00:47:33.963-04:00

It’s hard to complain when, this year, there were pretty good releases almost every month. And as the year came to a close, I was actually surprised to find that as I tried to cull a best-of list down to ten, I was left with about 20 fantastic albums from which to chose. I did manage to come up with what I saw as the best of the best, but before we get to the main attraction, let's take a look at

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-90010929804818314362008-12-11T00:38:00.000-05:002009-07-11T00:40:19.926-04:00

Twisted Sister - Live at the Astoria [CD/DVD]Demolition Records (11/18/08)Hard rock / Metal (Glam)While never the most prolific metal band out there, Twisted Sister has somehow become one of those bands from the '80s that is regarded as somewhat legendary on the strength of a handful of popular tracks. Live at the Astoria plays out as a greatest-hits collection, with a solid sampling from the

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-58820391289853692592008-12-09T00:36:00.000-05:002009-07-11T00:37:53.068-04:00

Dir en grey - UroborosThe End Records (11/11/08)Metal (Melodic) / RockWhile perhaps not quite at the level of Opeth or Dream Theater, Dir en grey is Japan's answer to the aforementioned bands, proving it with a solid decade-long career and this, the band's seventh studio album. Uroboros is a mixture of metal and progressive rock—a combination of beauty, bliss, horror and destruction. Dir en grey

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-39147460290710862462008-12-06T00:33:00.000-05:002009-07-11T00:36:08.363-04:00

Vans Warped Tour 2007 [DVD]Image Entertainment (12/2/08)Unrated60 minutesA year too late, this video compilation of live performances and artist interviews from the 2007 Warped Tour has finally hit shelves, and unfortunately does its best to underwhelm fans. Sure, there's some good stuff on here, most notably killer performances from punk legends Bad Religion and Pennywise, as well as solid

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-61655537720570327102008-12-05T00:31:00.000-05:002009-07-11T00:33:21.475-04:00

Filter - Remixes for the DamnedPulse Records (11/4/08)Hard rock (Industrial rock) / ElectronicHot on the heels of Anthems for the Damned, Richard Patrick has put together a Web-exclusive album of remixes offering what he calls a more industrial take on Filter’s first new album in five years. Rather than sounding more industrial, however, most of the tracks have a "dance party remix" feel to them,

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-90310556848358805782008-12-04T00:29:00.000-05:002009-07-11T00:30:54.423-04:00

Early Man - Beware the Circling Fin [EP]The End Records (10/14/08)Metal (Thrash)Throwing Early Man's latest EP onto the stereo is like activating a time machine. The band somehow manages to perfectly encapsulate the raw energy of Metallica's Kill 'Em All and other early thrash pioneers and, in doing so, they accomplish two things. First, Early Man refuse to fall into the trap of attempting to

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-31597836387480530912008-11-28T00:27:00.000-05:002009-07-11T00:29:20.913-04:00

[Note to readers: Given the history of this album, combined with my own feelings on Guns N' Roses, Axl and this album, there was no way I could tackle Chinese Democracy as a straight-forward review, hence the column format. Enjoy...]Guns N' Roses - Chinese DemocracyGeffen (11/23/08)RockClose to a decade-and-a-half in the making, Guns N' Roses' latest effort, Chinese Democracy, finally hit shelves

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-85621904455678181932008-11-18T00:25:00.000-05:002009-07-11T00:26:20.004-04:00

Six Feet Under - Death RitualsMetal Blade Records (11/11/08)Death metalFronted by the most prolific vocalist in death metal, Six Feet Under has crafted another killer album, chock-full of groove, and driven by Chris Barnes’ inhuman, guttural wails.The band keeps its trademark, foreboding groove-riffs in full effect on songs like “Eulogy for the Undead” (which features some great, technical guitar

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-2610194213854442812008-11-12T00:23:00.000-05:002009-07-11T00:25:03.870-04:00

The Answer - Never Too Late EPThe End Records (11/11/08)Hard rockThe Answer might not have the best name in rock, and this latest EP might not have quite enough material on it to form a full-fledged opinion. But there must be a reason the band is being touted as the next big thing coming out of the UK. Mixing a blend of classic rock, blues and solid musical hooks, the group offers up a nice

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-88204344252334800752008-10-29T00:20:00.000-04:002009-07-11T00:23:04.850-04:00

Dog Fashion Disco - Beating a Dead Horse to Death... AgainRotten Records (10/28/08)MetalDog Fashion Disco was a band a little too eclectic for its own good. The group managed to form quite the devoted fanbase over its eight-year existence, but there was always the feeling that, given the right direction, they could have easily hit the big time. Never is that point more apparent than on their new,

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-13848689405041965352008-10-24T00:19:00.000-04:002009-07-11T00:20:41.122-04:00

Slipknot - All Hope Is GoneRoadrunner Records (8/26/08)MetalWith each release, Slipknot seems content to push the limits of its cacophonous, metallic assault with moments of blistering rage juxtaposed against haunting melody. The band (vocalist Corey Taylor, guitarists Mick Thompson and James Root, drummer Joey Jordison, bassist Paul Gray, percussionists Shawn Crahan and Chris Fehn along with Sid

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-35375103976316475452008-10-23T00:17:00.000-04:002009-07-11T00:19:04.470-04:00

Alice Cooper - Along Came a SpiderSPV Records (7/29/08)RockThirty years into a career and Alice Cooper is still managing to crank out solid material. And much like his more metallic doppelganger, Ozzy Osbourne (if Ozzy’s the godfather of metal, there’s no reason Alice can’t hold the same title for rock), it’s as much about the talent you surround yourself with as it is about your own. On Along

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-80664786596483192932008-09-23T00:15:00.000-04:002009-07-11T00:17:09.621-04:00

DragonForce - Ultra BeatdownRoadrunner Records (8/26/08)MetalIf melodic, melodramatic power metal is what you crave, these days it seems no band is quite as over-the-top as DragonForce. Ultra Beatdown is a worthy follow-up to the goliath that was Inhuman Rampage, but while the band continues to put its technical prowess on full display, the songwriting this time around is a little too pedestrian.

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-83407995266529239462008-09-20T00:13:00.000-04:002009-07-11T00:15:11.322-04:00

Candlebox - Alive in SeattleImage Entertainment (9/2/08)Hard rockRecorded in 2006, Alive in Seattle captures a band with something to prove. After more than a few years under the radar, Candlebox regrouped for this tour, and the ensuing energy is through the roof (no doubt aided by the hometown crowd). The set opens with raucous versions of “Arrow” and “Simple Lessons”, and the electric

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-67173732607153937602008-09-19T00:09:00.000-04:002009-07-11T00:13:24.048-04:00

Metallica - Death MagneticWarner Brothers (9/12/08)Rock / MetalLoved and despised. Overrated and underrated. Over a storied career Metallica has managed to both draw in and alienate fans. Once hailed as the masters of metal and one of the innovators of thrash, over the years the band has changed its sound and experimented with a variety of styles, and yet stills manages to be revered as a legend

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-32273278203469506932008-09-18T16:51:00.000-04:002009-07-09T16:53:41.717-04:00

Sound and Fury - Sound and FuryMegaforce / Rebel Youth Records (6/24/08)Hard rock / PunkIf you’re patient and willing to give the latest Sound and Fury album a couple of listens, the set might just grow on you, as the band melds straight-forward hard rock (think AC/DC) with an old-school punk approach (though I hate to say it, think the Misfits circa-1985), creating a bluesy party-rocker with a

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-11780831790471347922008-09-17T16:47:00.000-04:002009-07-09T16:51:30.871-04:00

In Flames - A Sense of PurposeKoch Records (4/1/08)MetalSure, the die-hard In Flames fans and metal elite will continue to bitch and moan that the band is creating the same album time and again (at least since the release of Reroute to Remain). The fact of the matter is that no band even comes close to In Flames when it comes to powerful, melodic death metal. On A Sense of Purpose In Flames

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-50291159132207487532008-08-15T16:42:00.000-04:002009-07-09T16:47:29.485-04:00

Mötley Crüe - Saints of Los AngelesEleven Seven Music (6/24/08)Hard rockIt might have taken upwards of 19 years to do, but the original members of Mötley Crüe finally got together and crafted the album no one thought they had left in them—a proper follow-up to Dr. Feelgood. Some are talking about the autobiographical nature of the album; the "concept" nature of proceedings. But truthfully, this

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-78593946311775640442008-08-11T16:40:00.000-04:002009-07-09T16:42:29.355-04:00

One Way Mirror - One Way MirrorMetal Blade Records (7/22/08)Hard rock / Metal / Industrial rockSide projects and super-groups are nothing new. It's usually just a bunch of friends drawn together by the desire to create a certain type of music that might not necessarily fit into what the individual members do in their respective bands. In this case, One Way Mirror looks to combine metal and rock

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-57666219690968818002008-07-30T16:37:00.000-04:002009-07-09T16:39:56.224-04:00

Candlebox - Into the SunSilent Majority (7/22/08)RockAlmost a decade to the day since its last release (Happy Pills, 7/21/98), Candlebox has risen again and produced an album to equal its self-titled debut album. Bursting onto the scene in 1993, the band may have found itself in the middle of a win-lose situation; the right-place, right-time story was both a blessing and a curse. Hailing from

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-79049653535375729712008-07-28T16:26:00.000-04:002009-07-09T16:29:22.297-04:00

Austrian Death Machine - Total BrutalMetal Blade Records (7/22/08)Metal / Hardcore"Joke" bands are a tough sell. They're usually a side project, a creative outlet for accomplished musicians. And they're nearly impossible to review. There's no way to be overly critical because, after all, it's just a joke (Don't you get the joke?). But in the same vein, you can't completely embrace the band and

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-26320119378871159862008-07-16T16:23:00.000-04:002009-07-09T16:26:19.490-04:00

(hed)p.e. - The DIY Guys [CD/DVD]Suburban Noize Records (7/8/08)Punk / Metal / Hip-hopIt's nice to know the constraints that sometimes come with being signed to a major label never seemed to destroy the spirit that (hed)p.e. brought to its music. On The DIY Guys, the group offers up a smattering of hits, new songs (in a live settling) and unreleased material, tearing through every song with

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-34860350883801351552008-07-14T16:21:00.000-04:002009-07-09T16:23:04.039-04:00

The Rotted - Get Dead or Die TryingMetal Blade Records (7/8/08)Death metalWitness the evolution of a band. When Gorerotted charged onto the metal scene in 2002, the band was your typical death metal outfit (à la Cannibal Corpse), with its over-the-top imagery and offensive lyrics. But rather than languish in the underground, the band grew and changed with each effort. The punk aesthetic so

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-52794367519923139122008-07-10T16:15:00.000-04:002009-07-09T16:20:25.170-04:00

Kessler - I Know Your VoiceAdrenaline Records (7/8/08)RockOn first listen, Kessler basically comes across as Fall Out Boy Version 2.0. And if you were to base your opinion on the first handful of tracks off I Know Your Voice, you'd probably be right. But the band manages to have this slight edge on the melodic rock offerings that hark back to older Spitalfield material, or maybe a little bit of

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-20818541122461117492008-07-09T16:14:00.000-04:002009-07-09T16:15:55.332-04:00

Whitechapel - This Is ExileMetal Blade Records (7/8/08)Extreme metal"Never underestimate immortality." —"Eternal Refuge"As much as you may want to shoehorn Whitechapel into the death metal genre, there's just too much going on with the band's sound to do so without regret. On the surface, the band just tears through the 11 tracks on This Is Exile with abandon, and shoves in enough plodding riffs

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-76253068821282169932008-07-09T15:47:00.000-04:002009-07-09T16:27:12.399-04:00

Man Raze - SurrealVH1 Classic Records (06/03/08)RockWhile you wouldn’t necessarily call Surreal a vanity project, you might wonder if Man Raze would really be releasing albums if not for guitarist Phil Collen (Def Leppard) being the driving force behind the band. (It may also be a telling sign that the album is released on VH1 Classic label.) The purpose for Man Raze, according to the band’s

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-69581392666722277922008-07-08T16:10:00.000-04:002009-07-09T16:14:04.073-04:00

Marié Digby - UnfoldHollywood Records (4/08/08)Pop / Singer-songwriterWhile the rumor mills may have turned Marié Digby from Internet sensation to manufactured pop queen of the moment, there's little to fault her on with this debut full-length. What came first, the record deal or the do-it-yourself YouTube videos? At this point, what does it matter?Unlike the glut of other teen/early-20-

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-13809427002119079342008-07-03T16:07:00.000-04:002009-07-09T16:10:33.302-04:00

Cryptopsy - The Unspoken KingCentury Media Records (6/24/08)Technical death metalWhile not completely rare, it's not every day you see the type of blowback like that which is plaguing Cryptopsy for its latest release. The band is getting negative reviews across the boards from longtime fans, who are accusing them of selling out to the metalcore scene to make money. Hell, the last time a furor

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-36863463833704083542008-06-19T16:04:00.000-04:002009-07-09T16:07:36.589-04:00

Terror - The Damned, The ShamedCentury Media (6/10/08)Hardcore / MetalcoreThere's nothing new or particularly inventive about Terror's latest skull-crushing offering, The Damned, The Shamed, and really, you wouldn't want it any other way. The band offers up a thunderous dose of straight-ahead hardcore mayhem, with thirteen tracks clocking in at just over a half-hour of old-school, anger-fueled

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-92118772859161688722008-06-17T16:02:00.000-04:002009-07-09T16:04:48.766-04:00

Children of Bodom - BlooddrunkFontana Universal Records (4/15/08)MetalIt would appear as if Children of Bodom likes taking a different approach with each new album, as seen with the evolution from 2003's Hate Crew Deathroll (an explosive assault) to 2005's Are You Dead Yet?, which was a little more raw and less expansive. And now, with Blooddrunk, the band have taken the aggressive approach one

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-30299554204483123752008-06-16T15:59:00.000-04:002009-07-09T16:02:27.012-04:00

Bret Michaels - Rock My WorldVH1 Classic Records (6/03/08)RockLet's just get this over right up front: I've always had a soft spot for Poison. Those first four studio albums, right up to Native Tongue... there's some good stuff on those albums. So of all people, I'd be a good choice as someone interested in a Bret Michaels solo album. So lo and behold, in 2008 Michaels releases Rock My World, and

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-26648967976072127422008-06-10T15:55:00.000-04:002009-07-09T15:57:06.301-04:00

Synastry - Blind Eyes BleedYear of the Sun Records (05/13/08)Death MetalUrgency is the key word to describe Synastry’s latest offering. The band definitely has a firm foot in the death metal genre (most notably with the vocals and certain musical elements), but merges that core feel with a more ethereal overall sound. It sort of sounds like a blending of earlier Slipknot and Fear Factory material

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-20312572770895969452008-06-06T15:45:00.000-04:002009-07-09T15:50:24.069-04:00

With Dead Hands Rising - Expect HellMediaskare Records (04/29/08)MetalWhen a band chooses to call its album Expect Hell, what would you expect? How about the firm slap in the face that is “The Possession.” Indeed, the intense brutality of With Dead Hands Rising’s music married with absolutely horrifying vocals plays out exactly how you’d expect the soundtrack on your journey to hell would sound.

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-19350866322383692382008-06-05T15:44:00.000-04:002009-07-09T15:45:56.507-04:00

Story of the Year - Our Time is NowImage Entertainment (05/13/08)Unrated100 minutesThere’s really only one group of people who would be interested in the new Story of the Year DVD, Our Time is Now: fans of the band. The disc, subtitled Two years in the life of …, is basically a collection of home video shot by the band over a two-year span of touring. It’s the usual montage of backstage antics

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-4379538260738999372008-06-04T15:42:00.000-04:002009-07-09T15:44:07.927-04:00

Warbringer - War Without EndCentury Media Records (02/05/08)MetalIt’s 1985, and you, being the metal head that you are, pull out your box of tapes from the back of the closet, album after album of speed and thrash strewn before you . Look, it’s Slayer’s Hell Awaits. Hey, Megadeth’s Killing is My Business … and Exodus’ Bonded by Blood. There’s probably a copy of Anthrax’s Spreading the Disease and

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-91745442498901308452008-06-04T15:39:00.000-04:002009-07-09T15:42:22.808-04:00

The Ghost Inside - Fury and the Fallen OnesMediaskare Records (4/15/08)Metal / HardcoreThe Ghost Inside is another one of those bands not necessarily doing anything new or inventive. On Fury and the Fallen Ones, its debut album, the band offers up this juggernaut of metal with a hardcore soul. There are the breakdowns and growled vocals, but everything else is expansive enough (more rhythm guitar

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-62511458785063134962008-06-02T15:37:00.000-04:002009-07-09T15:39:34.171-04:00

Stick to Your Guns - Comes From the HeartCentury Media (5/13/08)Hardcore / MetalThere's a time and place for everything. But sometimes, at some point, the "get in, kick ass, get out" approach becomes a cliché. And that was the obvious aim Stick to Your Guns was taking with Comes From the Heart (the album's ten tracks clock in at under a half-hour). So, let's consider that strike one. Then there's

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-46652998098681540582008-05-30T15:36:00.001-04:002009-07-09T15:37:50.468-04:00

Firewind - The PremonitionCentury Media (4/8/08)MetalJust when you thought power metal was dead and gone...Led by guitarist Gus G. (Nightrage, Arch Enemy, Dream Evil)—who is slowly proving himself a worthy addition to the shortlist of guitar gods—Firewind offers up a heaping helping of power metal in all its epic glory. Hailing from Greece, the band's method of attack focuses around the driving

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-28607417707748460102008-05-29T15:34:00.000-04:002009-07-09T15:36:05.626-04:00

Embrace the End - Ley LinesCentury Media (4/15/08)Metalcore / DeathcoreThe press material for Embrace the End's latest offering compares the band to a cinderblock tornado, that really is the perfect way to describe this band, which incorporates elements from a variety of sub-genres of metal and hints of hardcore into one messy, extreme, metallic concoction. The vocals shift from strained

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-11845923733903735742008-05-28T15:33:00.000-04:002009-07-09T15:34:15.872-04:00

Cradle to Grave - Texas MedicineEye of the Sun Records (4/15/08)MetalCradle to Grave may hail from the dark corners of British Columbia, but the band emulates the groove-based metal of legends Pantera to a T. So, it's little wonder the band has called its latest effort Texas Medicine. Chock full of thick, meaty riffs, explosive drumming and antagonistic bass licks—not to mention that absolutely

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-21605366841045384362008-05-26T15:29:00.000-04:002009-07-09T15:32:16.805-04:00

Zimmers Hole - When You Were Shouting at the Devil... We Were in League With SatanCentury Media (3/11/08)MetalAs the initial blasts of the title-track and album opener pour forth from the speakers, it's clear that Zimmers Hole isn't screwing around. Sure, most of the lyrics are delivered with tongue firmly planted in-check, but the music itself is so raw, intense and destructive, that the

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-6393741283595017122008-05-16T15:26:00.000-04:002009-07-09T15:29:38.604-04:00

Filter - Anthems for the DamnedPulse Recording (5/13/08)Rock / Alternative / MetalIt's been five years since The Amalgamut, and Richard Patrick, the force behind Filter, returns with Anthems for the Damned, where he showcases the two faces of the band—the abrasive, industrial-tinged goliath alongside the pop-minded, melodic juggernaut—in unison for an overall well-balanced sound. Five years is a

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-8029276722997599082008-05-15T15:25:00.000-04:002009-07-09T15:26:57.204-04:00

Gigantour 2 [DVD]Image Entertainment (4/22/08)Unrated66 minutes"Gigantour is the spirit of heavy metal captured in a festival. It was about people going there, and the musicians being treated with respect, and an audience feeling like they’ve been treated with respect. And everybody walking away—the entertainers and the entertained all in agreement that it was a great environment.”—Dave

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-29375353574469934972008-05-12T15:23:00.000-04:002009-07-09T15:25:09.413-04:00

Local H - Twelve Angry MonthsShout Factory (5/13/08)Rock / AlternativeLocal H may not be the same band that crafted one of the best, and possibly most underrated albums of the mid-'90s in As Good As Dead, but with Twelve Angry Months, Scott Lucas, the mastermind behind the band, shows he still has what it takes to create twisted-yet-subtle alternative rock music that can be thought-provoking and

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-24552408463770836572008-05-08T15:21:00.000-04:002009-07-09T15:27:37.167-04:00

Blind Melon - For My FriendsAdrenaline Records (4/22/08)RockI'm pretty sure that when Blind Melon frontman Shannon Hoon died in 1995, most everyone wrote the band off; even the release of Nico in 1996 seemed more of a final nod to the Hoon family and a gift to longtime fans. And sure enough, the band members shortly thereafter went on to other things and Blind Melon sort of faded away. But

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-20164369853466811282008-05-07T15:13:00.000-04:002009-07-09T15:15:14.618-04:00

Saving Abel - Saving AbelVirgin Records (3/11/08)Hard rock / Alternative / Post-grungeIt's pretty easy to sum up Saving Abel's new album: plain and simple, straight-ahead rock. The band could draw comparisons to everyone from Mötley Crüe to Buckcherry to Nickelback to 3 Doors Down—the riffs are lush, the song structure simple, and the mood fun and, well, rocking. The self-titled debut shoots out

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-72710028597117401042008-05-06T15:11:00.000-04:002009-07-09T15:13:47.002-04:00

a'tris - LensingMark Records / Tunecore (2/19/08)Rock / Alternativea'tris is one of those bands that seem hard to pigeon-hole into a set genre; hints of Radiohead (without being overly pretentious), 30 Seconds to Mars (without the pop hook), Open Hand (without the crunch) and Deftones (without the metal edge) merge into a music experience. There are flourishes, there's rock and pop bending

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-42931317258818490992008-05-05T15:09:00.001-04:002009-07-09T15:11:34.184-04:00

Ashes Divide - Keep Telling Myself It's AlrightIsland Records (4/8/08)Rock / AlternativeBilly Howerdel is probably best known for his collaborative work with Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan in A Perfect Circle, though he does have a fairly lengthy résumé to his name. And with A Perfect Circle now being on hiatus, Howerdel is trying his hand at fronting his own band. The result is a mixed bag

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-84300625938814120162008-04-18T15:08:00.000-04:002009-07-09T15:09:49.732-04:00

Six - Between the Warning and the War1605 Records (10/23/07)Rock / MetalHow best to describe Six's latest offering, Between the Warning and the War? Basically it's a metal band taking all the elements of the hardcore genre and spewing it forth without falling into the worst subtlety of the genre—the simple nature of the song structure. Pulling a heavy amount of inspiration from the legendary

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-40062793765294313542008-04-17T15:06:00.000-04:002009-07-09T15:08:20.688-04:00

Byzantine - Oblivion BeckonsProsthetic Records (01/22/08)MetalIn a bittersweet turn of events, up-and-coming potential metal legends Byzantine greeted 2008 with probably the best album of their short career, and then abruptly broke up before the thing even hit the shelves. North America's response to European prog-metal masters Opeth, the band just seemed to be gaining momentum. With Oblivion

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-17816077307012547212008-04-16T15:04:00.000-04:002009-07-09T15:06:12.370-04:00

Cavalera Conspiracy - InfliktedRoadrunner Records (03/24/08)MetalWhile it may have seemed inevitable, no one was quite sure how long the world would have to wait before Max and Iggor Cavalera, the brothers behind the founding of Sepultura, would reunite. Max had left the band to form Soulfly in 1996, while Iggor left the group more recently, in 2006. A blistering combination of Arise-era

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-29278247884936333602008-04-15T15:00:00.000-04:002009-07-09T15:01:48.105-04:00

Kingdom of Sorrow - Kingdom of SorrowRelapse Records (02/19/08)MetalAfter a far-too-lengthy delay, Kingdom of Sorrow has finally been unleashed upon the world. And man, was it worth the wait. The brainchild of Jamie Jasta (Hatebreed) and Kirk Windstein (Crowbar, Down), the project languished for years as the duo sorted out a variety of record label issues. But the little that did find its way to

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-10237962527750295772008-04-14T15:01:00.000-04:002009-07-09T15:03:29.928-04:00

Kate Voegele - Don't Look AwayMySpace Records (01/22/08)Pop / Rock / FolkOne online reviewer called Kate Voegele’s release a little Sheryl Crow but a lot more Michele Branch. It's a perfect way to sum up Don't Look Away. There seems to be a cycle to the singer/songwriter genre—it comes in waves. There's nothing for a few years, then a bunch all at once, then another lull. And like with all things

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-70644672543192555752008-03-18T14:57:00.000-04:002009-07-09T15:00:10.462-04:00

PlayRadioPlay! - TexasIsland Records (03/18/08)Pop / Rock / Alternative / ElectronicPlayRadioPlay! falls into that genre of music that merges hook-filled, pop-ish, alternative music (say, mellower Saves the Day or maybe Straylight Run) with a decidedly electronic background of beats and melody, to create this mish-mash of music that is as much about atmosphere and experience as it is about

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-40378850918717151202008-03-11T14:55:00.000-04:002009-07-09T14:57:38.633-04:00

Idiot Pilot - WolvesReprise Records (02/12/08)Rock / Alternative / ExperimentalIdiot Pilot follows in the steps of bands willing to put together musical landscapes and experiences instead of just making songs (think mid-career Radiohead, Postal Service or certain elements of Sparta). It’s great for fans who love albums instead of singles. But Idiot Pilot seems to be able to take the foundation of

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-84909192949921992562008-03-10T14:51:00.000-04:002009-07-09T14:55:41.375-04:00

Seven Mary Three - Day&NightdrivingBellum Records (02/19/08)Rock / Alternative"Remember you said you'd rather be scared then bored to death with one another / You’d rather be broke and trying than sit still dying" —From "Break the Spell"It's never easy to feel like you are constantly being measured against your first big hit. Such may have been the case for Seven Mary Three. The band's first hit,

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-42932892430069410392008-02-13T14:32:00.000-05:002009-07-09T14:51:52.577-04:00

Eyes Set to Kill - Reach Break Silence Records (02/19/08) Post-Hardcore / Alternative / Metal "Don't mind me, I'm only dying." —from "Darling"Once a certain genre of music catches on, one of two things happens. Either a plethora of other acts jump on the bandwagon, creating a turgid monster that slowly consumes itself, or, whenever a new act comes out which could draw comparisons to said genre,

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-44908499473130101092008-02-12T14:18:00.000-05:002009-07-09T14:31:57.576-04:00

Kurt Cobain: About a Son Shout! Factory/Sidetrack Films (2/19/08) Unrated 135 minutes"There's this very hushed, late night, intimate feeling to those conversations that I didn't even really realize was there because it was just me talking to Kurt. But, looking back on it, there's this, you know... it's not like a regular interview situation. It's just two people talking."—Michael AzerradThe

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-54868560881902479852008-02-06T13:04:00.000-05:002009-05-21T13:06:16.341-04:00

Air Traffic - Fractured LifeEMI Records (02/05/08)RockFrom the opening chords of Fractured Life, you'll find yourself trying to put a finger on where you've heard this before. What is it? Is it The Bends-era Radiohead? No, that’s not it (but how cool would that be?). You cycle through a couple more bands from the UK, trying to place the voice... Nothing. Then you focus more on the overall "sound"

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-4480462664118225922007-12-31T13:07:00.000-05:002009-05-21T13:13:02.859-04:00

Intro... The year started off slowly but really picked up steam in the last few months. Usually it's pretty easy for me to pick out 10 obvious standouts, but this year it just wasn't as easy. I went back and forth with the top two over the past few weeks, and actually spent most of December listening only to my top picks while driving to and from work (when I do most of my listening). In the end

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-73570744753828651592007-12-27T12:01:00.000-05:002009-05-21T13:03:53.222-04:00

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Pride and Joy [DVD]Epic Records (11/06/07)Unrated70 minutesOriginally released just after his untimely passing, Pride and Joy acted as the definite Stevie Ray Vaughan video collection. Now, recently re-released in an expanded DVD set, the collection is still a fantastic look back at one of the guitar greats from the 20th century. Vaughan was a master when

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-4331449775230993362007-12-04T11:59:00.000-05:002009-05-21T12:01:55.236-04:00

Queensryche - Take CoverRhino Records (11/13/07)Metal / RockIn what has become the "trendy" thing to do with established rock acts, Queensrÿche has put together an album of cover songs—presumably songs from bands that have influenced or otherwise had some sort of effect on the group. Make no mistake, Take Cover is one of the stronger cover albums to come out over the past decade or so. And given

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-24690330579807856622007-11-16T11:56:00.000-05:002009-05-21T11:58:47.083-04:00

The Autumn Offering - Fear Will Cast No ShadowVictory Records (10/30/07)MetalThere's this new "sound" prevalent on the metal scene these days: the music with an old-school metal feel, that incorporates a newer hard-rock sound, with vocals more akin to Axl Rose or James Hetfield, than the usual death/hardcore stuff on which the heavier bands are relying. And don't forget plenty of guitar solos.

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-77651659349805362352007-11-15T11:54:00.000-05:002009-05-21T11:56:22.743-04:00

Arise and Ruin - The Final DawnVictory Records (10/30/07)MetalArise and Ruin likes its metal heavy, in the vein of classic Sepultura or Slayer -- only replace the thrash undertones with a more intrinsically hardcore approach, and you basically have The Final Dawn. This is the band's debut album, but it's surprisingly tight. That may be due to the fact that they had recorded most of the album

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-5423168129840334762007-11-09T11:51:00.000-05:002009-05-21T11:54:00.261-04:00

AC/DC - Plug Me In [2-DVD set; also available in 3-disc special ed.]Columbia Records (10/16/07)Unrated300 minutesPlug Me In isn't a documentary or biography, but it does offer a glimpse into the history of one of the world's most notorious heavy metal bands. The DVD set is an anthology of live performances, organized chronologically and separated by AC/DC's two most notable eras: the Bon Scott

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-35737700282515115262007-11-01T11:49:00.000-04:002009-05-21T11:51:14.417-04:00

Nights Like These - Sunlight at SecondhandVictory Records (10/16/07)MetalVictory Records would have you believe Nights Like These is a genre-bending metal outfit, but the truth is band has a perfect, raw, atypical underground metal band feel to its music. And that's nothing of which to be ashamed. The band comes across as an obscure, everyman aggressive outfit. The metal is thick, heavy and

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-19839843924101516982007-10-29T11:46:00.000-04:002009-05-21T11:48:47.890-04:00

Music from and Inspired by Saw IVArtists' Addiction Records (10/23/07)Hard rock / Metal/ IndustrialRather than a true soundtrack, Saw IV seems more like a collection of songs. Sure, some of them will appear in the movie, most probably during the closing credits, but this is more of a mix with a theme. In this case, the theme is aggression. Fans of metal, industrial music and hard rock will find

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-40153296405989758292007-10-26T11:43:00.000-04:002009-05-21T11:46:03.802-04:00

Down - Over the UnderDown Records (9/25/07)MetalThere's something to be said for a sober and focused Phil Anselmo. While Down is clearly a different animal from Pantera, Over the Under, the band's strongest showing to date, is clearly on par with anything Anselmo created as part of one of metal's greatest bands. The most notable change on the new album is the clear intent in each track, and

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-40891149112139882007-10-24T11:39:00.000-04:002009-05-21T11:42:58.012-04:00

Puddle of Mudd - FamousFlawless/Geffen Records (10/09/07)Hard rockInconsistent. That pretty much sums up Puddle of Mudd's latest release, Famous. Actually, it sums up the band's entire career. On its third album, the band shows little signs of growth, development, or any signs of moving forward. Famous is just another version of the group's last two efforts, which is even more of a surprise when

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-42415267928943596052007-10-11T11:31:00.000-04:002009-05-21T11:38:59.780-04:00

Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience & GraceRCA Records (9/25/07)Hard rock / AlternativeLong gone are the days when Dave Grohl crafted quirky, catchy anthems like the ones on the Foo Fighters' 1995 self-titled debut. Over the next 12 years, through sheer force of will and talent, Grohl turned from Nirvana drummer to frontman of one of the best hard rock bands on the scene today. From its

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-40614083593555977342007-10-09T09:18:00.000-04:002009-05-20T09:32:00.130-04:00

Ministry - The Last Sucker13th Planet/Megaforce Records (9/18/07)Industrial metalIf The Last Sucker truly is the final gasp for Ministry, then Al Jourgensen should surely be content to have his brainchild go out at the top of its game. This is exactly what you'd expect from one of industrial metal's most destructive acts. The album, the culmination of a trilogy which was brimming with anger

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-50540539831172923462007-10-08T09:14:00.000-04:002009-05-20T09:18:05.475-04:00

Eddie Vedder - Music for the Motion Picture: Into the WildJ Records (9/18/07)RockInto the Wild is, in many ways, probably the last album you'd expect from a man who has fronted one of the biggest rock outfits of the past 20 years. Still, Eddie Vedder crafts a nifty little rocking and (for the most part) mellow album that, for some reason, just seems to fall completely short of its goal. First the

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-18601656687860616782007-10-04T09:10:00.000-04:002009-05-20T09:13:44.499-04:00

Between the Buried and Me - ColorsVictory Records (9/18/07)Progressive metal / Metalcore / ????Many albums are released and declared as great; few are released and considered an event. Such is the case with Between the Buried and Me's latest album, Colors. There isn't another genre-bending band this extreme in the music scene today. The band incorporates so many elements to its sound, with a

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-79583456002598354492007-10-02T09:06:00.000-04:002009-05-20T09:10:08.387-04:00

Megadeth - That One Night: Live in Buenos AiresImagine Entertainment (9/4/07)MetalFor many years, Dave Mustaine had wanted to record a live album in one of his favorite cities, Buenos Aires. Megadeth finally decided to go for it in 2001, but before the trigger could be pulled, terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and the world changed. It would take another four years for the band to

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-65529635037226658212007-09-21T09:03:00.000-04:002009-05-20T09:06:27.791-04:00

Obituary - Xecutioner's ReturnCandlelight Records (8/28/07)Death metalObituary has once again proved its place among the metal and death metal elite. Let's be honest, 2005's Frozen in Time was a stellar comeback album, but its sole purpose was to show that the band still had what it took to make killer metal. With that established, Obituary set out to craft what will ultimately rank up amongst

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-83325328624106536242007-09-17T09:00:00.000-04:002009-05-20T09:03:35.309-04:00

Atreyu - Lead Sails Paper AnchorHollywood Records (8/28/07)Rock / Metalcore / Post-HardcoreThis is the album that Atreyu needed as a follow-up to The Curse. While 2006's A Death-Grip on Yesterday wasn't a terrible release, the band seemed like it was still searching for an identity. On Lead Sails, it sounds quite comfortable and very explosive. Atreyu do a great job of updating an '80s hard-rock

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-54751841905462623592007-09-14T08:57:00.000-04:002009-05-20T09:00:12.583-04:00

Within Temptation - The Heart of EverythingRoadrunner Records (7/24/07)Metal/gothWithin Temptation's fourth full-length album, The Heart of Everything, is supposed to be the band's big North American coming-out party. At least, I'm sure that's what Roadrunner Records would have liked. The truth is, there's not a big North American market for this specific brand of metal.For many years, European

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-89586841023756567572007-09-13T08:52:00.000-04:002009-05-20T08:56:59.692-04:00

Kiss - Kissology: The Ultimate Kiss Collection Vol. 2 - 1978-1991 [4-DVD set]VH1 Classic Records (7/14/07)Unrated407 minutesKiss's second Kissology DVD collection takes a look at what most people consider to be the band's most turbulent years. It acts as an almost-documentary of the band, but instead of interviews (though there are a couple on here), it tells a story though clips of TV

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-58637644054800337692007-09-12T08:48:00.000-04:002009-05-20T08:52:27.393-04:00

Resident Evil: Extinction Original Motion Picture SoundtrackLakeshore Records (9/18/07)Metal/ElectronicAfter two soundtracks under the Roadrunner umbrella, the Resident Evil franchise releases its third offering on Lakeshore Records. Lakeshore handled the two Underworld soundtracks, and anyone familiar with those releases has a pretty good idea of what to expect here. Gone are the big-name

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-12800705011323804612007-08-16T08:41:00.000-04:002009-05-20T08:48:28.963-04:00

Drowning Pool - Full CircleEleven Seven Music (8/7/07)Hard rock / MetalThree albums with three front men—it would seem like an uphill battle for any band to gain a foothold and start to grow into a more cohesive unit. That certainly was the problem with Drowning Pool's last effort, Desensitized. Former lead singer Jason Jones had a great stage presence and a nice mixture of original lead

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859190997487909836.post-88414290570182528602007-08-14T08:38:00.000-04:002009-05-20T08:47:45.860-04:00

Nodes of Ranvier - Defined by StruggleVictory Records (7/24/07)Hardcore/MetalNodes of Ranvier's latest effort, Defined by Struggle, the band's first with Victory Records, offers a glimpse of a band with a split personality.On the one side, you have a no-holds-barred battering ram of hardcore, exemplified on songs like "Valjean", the title-track, the album closer "Infidelity" and "Confront". On

Tom D'Erricohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709741177757706496noreply@blogger.com0