Kaledon "Chapter IV: Twilight of the Gods"

    For anyone looking to hear Game of Thrones type lyrics and epic power metal music, I found another band besides Rhapsody of Fire that can make your metal dreams come true. Italy’s Kaledon offers listeners intense melodic pieces of power metal music with their album, “Chapter IV: Twilight of the Gods.”
    Originally recorded in 2006 by Giuseppe Orlando, the album has been remastered by Mr. Orlando and features a couple re-recorded tracks by Kaledon’s current line-up. Scarlet Records is releasing the new version and there is even some new album artwork for the updated release.
    Now, just because the album is remastered and there is some new art work doesn’t mean the songs have changed much. This was the first time I have ever heard any music from the band, so for me as a new listener, it was like listening to something brand new. First off, the band definitely goes for that epic speed/power metal vibe that you hear from bands like Rhapsody of Fire or Blind Guardian. The album starts out with a brief dialogue between a knight talking to his lord about going into battle which seems to play into the album’s whole medieval fantasy based theme.
    I found the opening track, “The Holy Water,” to be a creative and very epic sounding song. The melodic lead guitar parts are skillfully pieced out throughout the track and the band’s singer has a fairly strong voice. Compared to some power metal singer’s I felt Kaledon’s vocalist didn’t force the high notes as often. Still, there are those falsetto screams that then make way for some blistering guitar and keyboard leads.
    The album continues the power metal siege with the songs, “Hell on Earth” and “War Plans.” Before each song starts out, you hear the sounds of soldiers moving around and horses making noise. I found the incorporation of those brief sounds to strengthen the albums battle like concept. You feel as if you are listening to a battle being fought with the narration being epic heavy metal music. The keyboard player in the band is very virtuosic and seems to really know how to inject some technical symphonic moments into the songs.
    As much as this band can write intense power metal tracks, they do slow down and create really beautiful sounding recordings. “Goodbye My Friend,” is one track that stood out because of the song’s strong emotional tone. The whole musical landscape flows and serves as a pleasant break from the rapid fire tracks. “Into the Fog,” is another one of my favorite tracks on this album. The recording is quite impressive and has a bombastic cinematic tone.
    Overall, the album remains fairly consistent towards the end. You have plenty more fast galloping power metal riffs and grand melodic choruses. “Out of the Ground,” was a suitable closing song since the music embodied what this band had to offer throughout the album.
    I believe this was a strong sounding album, but I do feel their brand of power metal was nothing different from some of the power metal bands I heard before. To become a highly recognized power metal band there is an important emphasis on captivating listener’s imaginations both musically and lyrically. I think Kaledon is a talented group who can possibly become more noticed in the genre if they keep working hard and continue to create impressive musical tales.

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Rob "the metal guy" Rants About Metal #9

    For those who do not know Kanye West thinks he is a rockstar even though he is an enormous douche star. Corey Taylor from Slipknot already set him straight, so I guess there is not much more for me to say. Actually, I plan to nominate Kanye West for biggest douche in the universe. He will win for sure.
    Okay, okay, let me get onto topics in the hard rock and metal world. Well, I finally got around to watching the entire new music video put out by ex-WASP guitarist Chris Holmes. The song for the video, “Born Work Die,” is from his new solo album called, “Shitting Bricks.” I used to somewhat respect Chris for his work in WASP. Unfortunately, the dude’s music videos are beyond horrendous. I find myself laughing uncontrollably at how bizarre the concepts are at times, along with the fact that he looks like Captain Caveman. This new video shows Chris working in a motorcycle repair shop and looking extremely washed up. Sometimes I wonder if the man’s brain left his body once the eighties finished. In all fairness the guitar playing in the song isn’t dreadful. He still has a solid sounding tone and throws in some cool blues licks. After hearing the song and watching the video I think that Chris is qualified to play in the Mentors if they need another guitar player or singer. The lyrics that Chris comes up with are about as entertaining as the stuff El Duce used to write...
    Technical death metal icons Nile this past week released the track list for their new album that comes out in August. The album, “What Should Not Be Unearthed,” is out the 28th for anyone who wants to mark that date down on their calendars. I have always enjoyed reading Nile’s song titles. I know some fans weren’t pleased with how the last album sounded, but I thought the song titles were exceptional. Songs like “Enduring the Eternal Molestation of Flame,” and “Natural Liberation of Fear Through the Ritual of Deception of Death,” were loads of fun to say on air when I was doing my radio show. I really can’t wait to hear the new music as Nile is definitely one of the most creative and talented death metal bands around.
    Last night I went to a local metal show with four solid bands from the Sonoma County Area. There is not a massive scene up here in Northern California, but the fans are unbelievably passionate about the music. You have people headbanging like crazy the whole night and the mosh pit is one constant toxic waltz. This leads me to advocate for more metal fans supporting their local scenes. With well known hard rock and metal bands becoming more expensive, sometimes the small club shows are a better option. Also, you are supporting up and coming metal acts who have that raw and exciting passion to play music like the bands they idolize. Another point to make is that you never know if one of those bands from a local metal show might go on to become the next Metallica. Before Metallica was playing major arenas across the globe they were playing small shows in people’s backyards and at clubs. So, if you find out there is a local metal show going on the area you live, try to make your way out and support the scene. Heavy metal will never die because of the passion that comes from the fans who are simply fanatical about the music. Keep headbanging people...Keep Headbanging! \m/

Album Recommendation: Morbid Angel "Heretic"

  Morbid Angel’s last album, Illud Divinum Insanus, was not really well received by the fans. There were a few who voiced positive opinions about the album, but for the most part fans just tore that album to shreds.
    I personally was split on how the album sounded with half the album being decent and the other half being not to my liking. The criticism of Illud Divinum Insanus for some reason reminded me of how I have heard some fans talk about the band’s 2003 release, Heretic. For those who do not know, Heretic was the last album to feature Steve Tucker on vocals and bass before David Vincent returned to the band. Well, with David out and Steve replacing him again, I feel like the time is right for me to evaluate Heretic and express my opinions about the album.
    I think Morbid Angel is a consistent band overall. Yes, their earlier years are iconic and old school death metal fans secretly scream inside like teenage girls whenever they hear songs from, “Altars of Madness.” However, the albums that Morbid Angel put out in the later part of the nineties were no throw away albums. When Steve Tucker came in for, Formulas Fatal to the Flesh, I definitely think the band needed a change and the introduction of a new singer/bass player worked.
    Although Heretic maybe be no Altars of Madness, the album is still a slamming death metal release worth listening to. The line-up of Steve Tucker on vocals/bass, Trey Azagthoth on guitar and Pete Sandoval behind the kit, was a creative force that did not waste their talents when recording this album. Also, the production for Heretic was not a complete failure either. I really liked the recording for Trey’s guitar, because the riffs vividly stood out on this album and had a very raw sound at times. Even the drums which sometimes in death metal get recorded way too loud and drown the other instruments out in the process, seemed to work fine for each song.
    Another point to bring up about the album is that most of the songs are down right brutal. The opening riff in, “Cleansed in Pestilence,” is unbelievably extreme and evil sounding. There are a few odd moments on this album such as, “Memories of the Past” and “March of the Rain Conqueror.” I do feel, “Memories of the Past,” is a creative instrumental, though I can see where some fans who just expect Morbid Angel to play loud aggressive death metal might not really dig it. With this album I find at times the band is trying to go for a cinematic theme. “Place of Many Deaths,” sounds as if the band is trying to write a score for the next demonic horror film. Interesting fact to point out is that the song, “Enshrined By Grace,” was featured on the soundtrack for the remake of Texas Chainsaw Massacre. You can consider that last fact a positive or negative dependent on how you viewed the movie. I thought the song was great...movie was entertaining to say the least. 
    Overall I think Heretic is a decent release and by far better than Illud Divinum Insanus. There is even a track on Heretic that features Pete Sandoval performing an insane drum solo. Who would not want to hear one of death metal’s greatest drummers laying down some awesome beats? In the end, Heretic is based on what you prefer musically from Morbid Angel. The album is by no means an exact continuation of their early old school death metal days, but the album is not some out of the box crappy release.
    Are you a Heretic lover, or do dislike the album? Let me know by leaving a comment below!

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Album Recommendation: Jar’d Loose "Goes to Purgatory"

    I am sent a decent amount of bands to review from different rock and metal labels, so I cannot check out every band on the planet. Sometimes it takes me a year or two to find out about an awesome band that put out an album four years ago! Well, about two months back I found out about Chicago's Jar’d Loose and can’t stop listening to their debut album, “Goes to Purgatory.”
    Surprisingly enough I found out about this band through reading their singer’s wrestling opinion column on Metalsucks. Out of the other articles on Metalsucks it was the one most worth reading. After agreeing with how he analyzed the current state of wrestling entertainment, I decided to check out his band. So, off I went to youtube and typed in the band’s name, Jar’d Loose. First song to show up was the video for, “Coming Like a Nightmare.” Once the main riff exploded through my speakers I was instantly drawn to the song. The band’s raw delivery was simple yet extremely powerful and gravitating. All I could think was...I need their album.
    Now, I did what any supportive hard rock and metal fan who hears a band on youtube that they enjoy should do... I bought a copy of their album. The purpose of this article is for me to persuade you to check out Jar’d Loose and the album, “Goes to Purgatory.” If I succeed there will be more people driving around rocking out to Jar’d Loose while people in the next lane give looks of confusion.
    The band’s unique crushing mix of hard rock and metal is established right away with the opening track, “Last Living Roach.” Singer Eddie Gobbo delivers the lyrics with this harsh and no-nonsense vocal style that is very old school hardcore punk sounding at times. As the band hammers out a distorted demon of a jam, you find yourself getting lost in the furious tsunami of noise. Song number two, “Rotten Tooth,” is a vicious piece of music with some really potent lyrics. Eva Bialecki’s bass plucks out a thunderous flurry of notes while drummer Phil Hardman utterly smashes his kit following along to the song’s main riff.
    Tracks three and four, “Appendage” and “Busted,” continue the brutal assault that the band established with the opening songs. Jar’d Loose does not need flashy solos or technical riffs to make their sound extremely heavy. Just listen to the riff guitarist Pete Adam Bialecki throws down on song number five, “Hell’s Mothers.” The riff has that powerful sonic chord destroying vibe you hear from bands like the Melvins or Saint Vitus.
    Another area where Jar’d Loose excels in and comes across as a creative force, is through their lyrics. The words are cleverly constructed to fit each songs composition. For example on the song, “Right Eye,” the lyrical phrasing is so vivid and sticks in your head. Before the chorus Eddie repeats this unapologetic sounding verse, “...No Shame, Needs No Forgiveness.”  Each word and each instrument offer such raw passion that I am hooked to every sound coming from the song.
    “Go Down With You” and the last song on the album, “Coming Like a Nightmare,” are packed with a variety of different sounding arrangements and rebellious musical ideas. “Coming Like a Nightmare,” tears through the speakers with no holds barred and simply demolishes.
    From top to bottom you will not find a dual moment on this album. Jar’d Loose is the type of hard rock and metal the world needs right now. The raw sounding expression is an honest reflection of what these musicians have to offer. Alright, I think I have said enough. Please, just go out and buy the album or I will be coming to your house like a nightmare and won’t leave until you purchase, “Goes to Purgatory.”

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Trials "This Ruined World"

    With a balance of aggressive metal compositions and well incorporated progressive hard rock elements, Trials looks to offer listeners with an a-typical release. “This Ruined World,” is the Chicago based band’s third full-length album to date...where the hell was I for the last two albums?!
    I think what listeners will notice right away is that this band is not held to one style of rock/metal. There is definitely exploration into different instrumental arrangements and the songs seem take on their own special identities. The same goes for the vocals on this album, which Trials’ singer does a brilliant job presenting the lyrical themes in both a clean style and a harsh growl style. Compared to most bands who use the contrasting vocal style, I thought Trials used it more effectively because the emotion put into the lyrics vividly stood out.
    As I said early, this band has a very progressive approach and the type of metal that they play does not fall into one sub-genre. At times on this album you will find yourself getting lost in this massive sounding instrumental atmosphere with hints of unforgiving rage offered up by the vocals. Each musician is extremely talented and plays their own important role in making the songs bleed with artistic expression.
    Tracks that will catch listeners right away are “Truth Defiled” and “Don’t Believe the Word.” The opening song, “Truth Defiled,” is a fierce musical statement with some hard hitting lyrics. The words have substance and are voiced with a purpose. To accompany the lyrics are some cleverly written riffs and compositions that do not follow a boring or repetitious pattern.
    Other songs on this album like “Digging My Own Grave” and “Disgraced and Erased,” do not hesitate to express feelings of anger and despair. The way that this band goes about writing their music is unbelievable at times. There is an honest tone and presentation to this album. You simply do not get that from those corporate watered down metal bands who all seem to sound the same. The song, “Beat the System to Death,” is a perfect reflect of not only this band’s mentality, but also there inability to succumb to musical simplicity. 
    The final three songs on this album I have decided to call the one two three knock out punch. First of the three is, “They Hide Behind the Law.” A brutal sounding guitar riff kicks the song off and the band never slows down the intensity. Second is “Inheritance,” which begins with a fluid string picking acoustic intro that explodes into a heavy grooving technical track. The final piece to the knock out is, “This Ruined World.” The song serves as a grave warning and continues to maintain a challenging musical presence. I thought the track was a great way to close the curtain on such a strong sounding release.
    Before being sent this album, I had not heard of Trials before. Now after listening to the full album, I will following them from here on out. “This Ruined World,” is an album that I strongly believe shall grab the attentions of those in the world of hard rock and heavy metal. There is so much hard work and creatively that I can honestly say people will find something to be impressed with on this album. After hearing Trials I do not think the world is completely going down the toilet...musically.

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Rob "the metal guy" Rants About Metal #8

    Right away I am just going to throw out that Sonoma State University is not on my good list right now. Thanks to the school’s ridiculous possibly for obtaining keys, I have had to cancel my radio show two weeks in a row. Also, they treat the radio station I work for like a diseased leper. After almost four years of hosting a hard rock and heavy metal radio show I feel like I get no respect. Rodney Dangerfield...I now know what you truly meant when you would say you get no respect...
    Okay, moving away from my radio show problems and onto topics in the world of rock and heavy metal. First off, Journey needs to get a new drummer. Actually, who cares about Journey! There are only a few original members in the band and their songs are overplayed on mainstream rock radio. However, their current drummer, Deen Castronovo is making them at least interesting to read about now. The guy is charged with assaulting some woman and then breaking a court order by excessively calling her and texting her. Now, there are reports surfacing that Deen was under the influence of meth during this time of horrible behavior. I am not surprised some rocker went crazy and is in the press for criminal behavior. These dudes tend to act up every three to four months. Their careers are based around nostalgia and some of them need to hang it up.  Just wait, next month it will be the drummer for an eighties hair metal band who got drunk and stole a golf cart...oh wait, that already happened.
    In positive metal news the band Malevolent Creation is putting out a new album. The album is expected to be out September 18 and is titled, “Dead Man’s Path.” I saw the album cover and was impressed. Of course, I have not heard the music so I can’t really make an opinion on how it will sound. Though if it is anything close to the stuff on second their album, “Retribution,” I will definitely be interested.
    I guess the last part of this rant is where I am going to express my opinions on how metal people are perceived by non-metal people. Recently, I was walking across my campus wearing a King Diamond t-shirt and happened to walk through a Christian Club seminar that was being hosted outside. As one girl was talking to her small group of professionally dressed teens, I noticed she gave me a displeasing look as if she thought that maybe I was a spy working for Satan. This is not the first time a person has given me a mean look while wearing a metal shirt. Is our society, which is supposed to be more understanding and tolerant towards different groups, still discriminating against the heavy metal culture? Just because someone wears a Morbid Angel or Exodus t-shirt does not mean they are a bad person, or someone you should be afraid of. They just happen to enjoy a certain style of music and wish to not hide their enjoyment. I find the whole situation unfortunate that people should judge another based on the music they listen to and by the shirt they wear.
    To wrap this rant up, we should all be proud to be a metal fans no matter where you come from or how you dress. Also, the few people in the rock and metal people who do partake in some outrageous behavior should not define the community. Overall, I believe metal fans are some of the most tolerant and respectful people on this planet.  Never be ashamed to be a metal fan and never let people who are against heavy metal bring you down!

Vorzug "Call of the Vultures"

    Death, black, thrash or call it down right brutal music. Arizona based extreme metal band Vorzug attempts to persuade the crazy headbangers and frighten away the wholesome church going folks.
    Their debut full-length album, “Call of the Vultures,” is dripping with gory blackened death riffs, intense head crushing drum rhythms and the death growls of utter brutality. I reviewed a single they released a little while back and remember the track instantly catching my attention. Unlike some bands who try to become the next Morbid Angel or Suffocation and flat out fail, I can tell when listening to Vorzug that these dudes just want to play some vicious sounding music.
    The opening track, “At Winters End,” started out with this cool triumphant sounding guitar lead. Overall, the song was very diverse and featured a variety of compositions that varied in tempo and aggression. There were some mellow sounding doom like parts and then you had those face smashing death metal cuts.
    Now, track number two, “Duct Tape Rapist,” was an interesting track because I thought I was listening to Macabre or some other death grind band that creates shocking song titles. In true death grind fashion the song was only 27 seconds long. The music exploded with a furious onslaught of noise and soon faded for the next track, “Her Screams.” I thought that maybe the two songs were connected based on the titles of the songs. However, I could still not get over the title for track number two. These guys are more shocking and controversial than most of your stand up comics these days!
    “I Am in Hell,” is the track I already reviewed for this blog, so you people can read my thoughts on that track by searching the old archives (I’m too lazy to describe it again, so yeah...). Song number five, “Silent Emotions,” is in my opinion where the album gets really interesting and seems to develop a solid sound. Also, the recording for this track was spot on. I liked how the band incorporated the guitar solo into the song which added a dash of excitement.
    For songs six and seven, “Making You Bleed” and “The Howling,” I felt the band threw in more thrash riffs. To be honest I like the death thrash sound over the blackened thrash, but in the end I think Vorzug is smart for keeping their sound diverse. Song seven, “Slumber Party Massacre,” is by far my favorite song. Vorzug sounded down right brutal and will probably scare any teenage girls who happen to hear the song.
    To wrap the album up Vorzug offered the song, “Broken Dreams.” Their songwriting skills were probably the most creative on this song and I liked the arrangements. However, it still could not beat out, “Slumber Party Massacre.”
    Is this style of music new? No! Did I enjoy the album? Yeah, I think this band has some solid songs and the recording on each song sounded pretty good. I especially found the song titles interesting and would pay to see the faces on my uptight professors if they read certain song titles from this album. For those who like extreme blackened death with a bloody splash of thrash, check this album out! If you are not already sold on the song, “Slumber Party Massacre,” I don’t know what else to say...

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