Metal Assault: Album Reviews

By Andrew Bansal

After last year’s release of the five-song self-titled EP which gave everyone an introduction and a taste of their musical style, Adrenaline Mob, the new band featuring Mike Portnoy, Russell Allen and Mike Orlando in its ranks, is ready with their debut full-length “Omerta”. The album includes all four original tracks from the EP, along with six new songs and a cover of Duran Duran’s “Come Undone”, featuring Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale as guest vocalist. Continue reading “Album Review: Adrenaline Mob – Omerta [8.5 out of 10]”

By Andrew Bansal

Swedish metal titans Meshuggah have laid low for the majority of the past three years, as they were busy working on the follow-up to the 2008 release “obZen”. To say that the band’s seventh studio album “Koloss” is one of the most eagerly awaited albums of the year, is already an understatement. The band has constantly evolved throughout their career, and have always come up with something different on each of their albums. Before “obZen”, they kept moving farther away from the thrash-oriented sound that characterized their first couple of albums, but with “obZen” they achieved the best of both worlds, with a fusion of their thrash sound and the experimental elements they are known for. When I got a chance to listen to “Koloss”, I was most curious to find out what direction they’ve taken this time.  Continue reading “Album Review: Meshuggah – Koloss [9 out of 10]”

By Andrew Bansal

Female-fronted Dutch symphonic metal band Epica have released four studio albums so far, and I have enjoyed the direction they’ve progressed towards in their last two albums. While “The Divine Conspiracy” was heavier and much more balanced than the first two full-length releases, “Design Your Universe” took things to the next level, and I felt the band achieved their most perfect sound on that album. It was heavy and progressive, but had the symphonic element at the same time, and it definitely transcended Epica beyond the realms of being a mere symphonic metal band, although there was still plenty in it for the goth/symphonic fan to enjoy. Now, the band is ready to release the fifth studio album “Requiem For The Indifferent”, and I’m delighted at finally getting a chance to find out whether Epica has successfully carried out the hard task of creating a good follow-up to their previous album. Continue reading “Album Review: Epica – Requiem For The Indifferent [9.5 out of 10]”

By Andrew Bansal

It’s been more than five years since Swedish technical death metal band Spawn Of Possession released their last studio album “Noctambulant”. But the band is finally ready to release their third studio album, and Relapse Records debut “Incurso”. Expectations among fans have naturally risen due to this long gap, and to add further interest and curiosity, the band has undergone as many as four line-up changes since the aforementioned 2nd studio album was released. Continue reading “Album Review: Spawn Of Possession – Incurso [8.5 out of 10]”

By Andrew Bansal

Death metal legends Cannibal Corpse are ready to unleash their twelfth studio album upon us. While I was always aware of and familiar with the band’s music as well as the album cover imagery they’ve depicted in the past, my perception of Cannibal Corpse changed completely after I saw them live for the first time. Continue reading “Album Review: Cannibal Corpse – Torture [9 out of 10]”

By Andrew Bansal

Jeff Loomis’ new album has been one of the most anticipated releases of the year, not only among fans of his previous work, but also among guitar enthusiasts in general. This is his first release since parting ways with Nevermore, and his first solo effort since the 2008 release “Zero Order Phase”. Fans have been looking forward to see what Jeff has come up with as a solo artist this time, and how it would compare to his work in Nevermore. Continue reading “Album Review: Jeff Loomis – Plains Of Oblivion [9.5 out of 10]”