Illuminati - The Core

These guys really had me fooled.  I was absolutely convinced that this was an Atheist side project, and to those of us that have been waiting persistently for the follow-up to Jupiter, The Core is the next best thing.  Of course, the Atheist comparisons make more sense when you read that Kelly Shaefer and Tony Choy guest on the album.  In fact, the guest spots on here are a literal "who's who?" of Prog Death with: Patrick Mameli (Pestilence), Luc Lemay (Gorguts), and Tymon Kruidenier (Cynic) all making noticeable appearances.  What prevents me from totally soiling myself with excitement are the "conceptual" spoken word tracks between each song (which leave only 22 mins of actual musical material).  Even if I understood Romanian I would still think they were just worthless fillers.  Even so The Core is still a tremendously promising effort.  Next time though, can you give us a full album please?

the choy of shredding

Boss Keloid - The Calming Influence of Teeth

This band has probably the worst name I've come across all year.  Suprisingly, though, they produce some of the best "Beard Metal" I've heard in some time as well.  Imagine a hybrid of Crowbar and Kylesa, only mathier.  The production is decent, but I wish it had the seismic low-end of those old Crowbar jams.  Pretty sweet overall.  Definitely recommended!

teeth, it's what's for dinner

Svart Crown - Profane

It's been over two years since I last posted something from Svart Crown so it's high time for a new release from this French cult.  There's been some moderate changes since their impressive "Witnessing the Fall".  They've increased their Death Metal tendencies and are showcasing a stronger Immolation influence.  There also seems to be a modern Hardcore influence creeping in, especially with the vocals.  What you end up with is a diverse, well-played album of Blackened Death Metal dotted with pleasant suprises.

belly hair   

Holy Moses - Terminal Terror

Holy Moses may be known as a Progressive Thrash band, but in their early days I would say they were more akin early Death Metal.  Some of that is from the lyrical subject matter, but most is from the sloppy, growly vocals that remind me much of Obituary.  Had this album come out two years earlier in '89, I think it definitely would be compared to revered releases of the early American school like Leprosy and Slowly We Rot.  Terminal Terror is simple, primal, and effective.

let my people go

Dormant Ordeal - It Rains, It Pours

This is the new Death Metal band that you need to be paying attention to.  Stylistically, Dormant Ordeal are about half way between the mechanical precision of Decapitated and the experimental dissonance of Diskord.  For years Decapitated have been softening up and sounding more and more like Fear Factory, so It Rains, It Pours harkens back to Decap's younger years (except better).  You get all the jagged complexity and baffling timing but with warmth and tone that hasn't been present in Death Metal production for over ten years.

have your wake and eat it too

Twisted into Form - Then Comes Affliction To Awaken The Dreamer

Like the name would imply this is basically a tech-head's wet dream.  Twisted into Form is not a Forbidden cover band but an Ultra-Prog, Post-Thrash project put together by David Husvik (ex-Extol).  The Extol influence is obviously very strong with some Believer and late-era Death in there as well.  I wish there would be some blazing fast parts instead of just being mid-paced all the time, but it still gives me that bi-weekly brain workout that I require.

flex jorg head

Aeternus - ...And The Seventh His Soul Detesteth

It's always interesting to hear what old bands come up with these days.  Often they just release the same album over and over (Asphyx, Incantation), or they actually stretch their creative muscle and come up with something really worth listening to.  Aeternus have never been strangers to virtuosity, but they've never displayed it so well before now (and without being overbearing).  And The Seventh His Soul Detesteth reminds me of a rawer, darker version of Unleashed's Odalheim or a more accessible version Diskord's Dystopics.  Aeternus have always seemed unsure of their direction, but I do hope that they settle on the path that they've taken here.

cold dead hand

Rotting Christ - Sanctus Diavolos

For years I never gave a shit about this band thinking that they were like the Greek Dimmu Borgir.  Turns out, that's not true at all.  Sanctus Diavolos, like their other works of the past 10 years, is a very ambitious and unique effort.  The clean production, vocal chants, and understated technicality combined create a very fresh alternative to "old fashioned" Black Metal orthodoxy.

serve goat meat in heaven

Lahar - Umění Strachu

Remember when Municipal Waste were a good band and not poster-boys for trendy suckitude?  Lahar take me back to those humbler times.  Umění Strachu is an excellent (though, expectedly short) album of "Post-Grindcore" Crossover.  You'll hear a lot of influence of 80's Proto-Grind Thrash like Cryptic Slaughter and SOD, yet it still sounds honestly modern.  There's a generous helping of blast beats and borderline Death Metal riffs which help this album keep pace in this era of outlandish tempos.

choose one making you better feeling

Archetype - Dawning

Over the past two months I've been listening to Angra more than any other band, but they're just too damn popular for this place.  Archetype are the next best thing and they've created a motherfucker of a Prog Metal album with Dawning.  Especially for a debut, the songwriting and musicianship are stellar.  The guitars and drums are particularly amazing.  Even with the hefty 70 min. length, they manage to still be interesting throughout.  If you're a Prog or Power fan at any level you need to hear this.

shark sandwich