Metal Assault: Album Reviews

By Ryan Falla

Crystal Fairy is a much anticipated project featuring the Melvins lead men King Buzzo and Dale Crover working with vocalist Teri Gender Bender (Le Butcherettes) and Omar Rodriguez Lopez (The Mars Volta). The formation of the band Crystal Fairy began with a national tour featuring Le Butcherettes alongside the Melvins that saw Teri joining the Melvins on stage to perform Bikini Kill classic ‘Rebel Girl’. The chemistry felt between the musicians lead to the inevitable collaboration on the project Crystal Fairy, which saw Omar Rodriguez Lopez join the collaborative talks during the tour featuring the Melvins and Le Butcherettes. Continue reading “Album Review: Crystal Fairy – Self-Titled”

By Francisco Zamudio

First things first, let’s get it out of the way and say that it’s been over 20 years since Cannibal Corpse’s fourth album ‘The Bleeding’ came out (Metal Blade, 1994) and Chris Barnes detached his name from his prior endeavor. While you have the right to reminisce, like an old girlfriend, it’s well past time you got over it. Now, remember the nostalgia when you first heard ‘Haunted’ (1995) and the combination inclusive of Allen West and Terry Butler. Years later, and while Chris Barnes’ Six Feet Under has not been a continuous revolving door of members, he has worked with a slew of talented musicians. Guitarists such as Ola Englund, Matt DeVries, and most of all with Steve Swanson who was a staple ‘Maximum Violence’ (1999) right up till the 2015 album ‘Crypt of the Devil’. Not to mention, after the long standing of Greg Gall on drums, even Kevin Talley came on for a stint as well as Josh Hall on most recent albums. Now along with the skills of former BrainDrill(ers) Jeff Hughell and “Lord” Marco Pitruzzella, new guitarist Ray Suhy, and through the continuous support of Metal Blade Records, Chris Barnes brings a new collaboration of Six Feet Under and its 12th album, ‘Torment’. Continue reading “Album Review: Six Feet Under – Torment”

By Rosie Walker

In 2008, Kataklysm frontman Maurizio Iacono broadened his artistic horizons by starting the project Ex Deo. He had a vision to create the first ever Roman themed metal band and tell the epic stories about the ancient nation through his music. In Latin, Ex Deo, means ‘from God’, which is a fitting name, given the inspired work heard on their third album, ‘The Immortal Wars’. Continue reading “Album Review: Ex Deo – The Immortal Wars”

By Ryan Falla

The debut record by Zeal & Ardor, ‘Devil is Fine’, is a piece of artistic work that stretches the listener’s imagination by melding two seemingly incompatible genres into one fluid work. ‘Devil is Fine’ was created by lone musician Manuel Gagneux after being inspired by visiting internet music forums and imploring its posters to suggest musical genres with great disparity he could mould together in 30 minutes or less. ‘Devil is Fine’ was born out of these experimentations, with one poster telling him to mix black metal with “African-American” music. Continue reading “Album Review: Zeal & Ardor – Devil is Fine”

By Ryan Falla

Active since 2003 and based out of Cleveland, Ohio, Midnight has blazed through the punk scene with multitudes of EPs following the release of their debut album ‘Satanic Royalty’. Midnight puts together a compilation of said EPs and debut record with the package ‘Shox of Violence’, collecting 25 tracks worth of material. Midnight makes no attempt to be anything other than a hardcore punk band, every song amounting to 3 minute tracks comprised of fast three-chord riffage and a really pissed off vocalist. Raw, unfiltered quality punk isn’t something that is as easy to come across nowadays as it was in years past. Continue reading “Album Review: Midnight – Shox Of Violence”

By Rosie Walker

If you listen to Battle Beast and expect a super heavy, dark metal band, you will be disappointed. If you listen to them and expect some good musicians doing what they love, you will be pleasantly surprised. Battle Beast breaks barriers where their beacon of talent and heart shines. This beaming band won the international Waken Metal Battle in 2010, gaining a lot of attention just two years after they started out. They turn a lot of heads with their clever, theatrical image that perfectly fits their fun, powerful sound. Battle Beast revives the ’80s with their over-the-top energy, big hair and honest happy vibe. So pass the hair spray and put your jean jacket on, because Battle Beast’s fourth album ‘Bringer of Pain’ will make ya wanna party! Continue reading “Album Review: Battle Beast – Bringer Of Pain”