| PENETRATOR - UNLEASH THE FURY (MQM) |
| Toronto and the rest of Canada better be ready for this heavy and powerfull debut from Penetrator. The phrase "action speaks louder than words" works so well in this case as Penetrator backs up everything they preached about what they would sound like before "Unleash the Fury" was released. If your into some intense Power Metal then read on. Power Metal which seems almost non exsistent in Toronto with the only band that comes to mind being Eidolon, gets an amazing wake up call from Penetrator as Bess Ross (Guitars) and Maxel Black (Vocals) put together one of the best Canadian metal duo's not yet heard of in this country's history. These two guys, along with David T Green (Bass) and Simon Vanderzand (Drums) tear through nine tracks of heavy metal passion and fury. The title track which leads off the CD has this superb power metal riff that will no doubt have you screaming for more. "Spread the mind" and "Guns and Whiskey" explode with Bess Ross' Incredible riff mastery. Maxel Black's vocals on "Unleash the Fury" take you to another world of the power metal genre. With so many bands out there following the same path one after another, Penetrator takes matters into their own hands creating a sound they can call their own. Penetrator will make a lot of noise in the future. Some may try and follow suit, but only one shall remain on top. Penetrator has all the tools to remain number one for many years to come. The only question now is when? Metal Mike..............................................................9/10 |
| METAL QUEEN MANAGEMENT COMPILATION - VOLUME 1 |
| There have never really been too many Compilation CD's over the years to really look forward to other than those pair of "Into the Blizzard...Canadian Assault" releases. Now imagine something totally different, very diverse and on it some of the best Canadian talent this country's ever seen. Betty Dworatschek A.K.A "The Metal Queen", releases this compilation CD with 14 tracks in total, 13 of them Canadian and only one artist from the U.S.A (Twilight Odyssey). MQM Compilation Volume One has something for everyone from heavy, fast, powerfull or just straight up true rockers we can all enjoy or relate to. Bands worth noting for those who wish to knock heads together with include, Shatterpoint, Bloodshoteye, and Endorphins. These three are very important and worth noting in today's Heavy Metal scene. Then there is Betrayer, Warmachine and Goathorn who each have more of a classic metal yet modern sound that fits well in today's era. Other bands which can be classified as powerfull or just balls to the wall rockers include, Black Hour, Twilight Odyssey, and Surface Underground. Each band on this disc introduce to us that as each decade passes Heavy Metal and Hard Rock is still a true force which has evolved through time and stayed strong through thick and thin. Betty, the Metal Queen has shown us what Canada has to offer with this Superb Compilation you must have in your collection. I look forward to Volume 2 in the future. Your ears will tell you the same thing after you pick this up. Metal Mike...........................................................9.5/10 |
| TINNITUS - BETTER THAN SEX (Indie) |
| Tinnitus is a punk rock/metal outfit who come from the state of Missouri offering an interesting punch and style. This isn't speed metal or even black metal. Tinnitus is a 3 peice blast of punk music. This CD titled "Better than sex" in my mind isn't even close. From what I hear, the overall product is not much to scream about. Tinnitus uses it's punk like style in their songs to come up with a slow tempo kinda garage sound as well. Lyrically, this is unmatched punk street talk. Exactly the kind of thing hardcore/punk fans can get used to and enjoy more than I do. I thought the drums and Bass were very weak and lacked kick. The vocals are also something that to some folks could have used improvement. With this kind of album title and Dominatrix type concept on the cover, Tinnitus may sell a few more CD's just from the cover alone. But the 12 tracks on here didn't do a whole lot for me but you may think otherwise if punk rock is right down your alley. Something to consider..maybe, maybe not. Metal Mike............................................................4/10 |
| BLACK LABEL SOCIETY - HANGOVER MUSIC VOL. VI (Spitfire Records) |
| Zakk Wylde never fails to impress. He's probably the most consistent musician in Heavy Metal today. He's done it all and with quite a metal track record to boot. Coming on the scene playing for Ozzy on "No rest for the wicked", putting together his southern hard rock act he called "Pride and Glory" and then turning things into what we have today, Black Label Society. Zakk Wylde and BLS proved without a shadow of a doubt that he can do it on his own no matter what people said, good or bad BLS was his band as he would display a guitar style that you know was his. Kind of like when you hear "Eruption", you knew right away who made that famous. Zakk Wylde and BLS release this 15 track CD which is a return to Zakk's "Book Of Shadows" album. The album title tells the whole story as Zakk Wylde's BLS is able to prove to the world he can turn things into another genre of rock guitar/blues which fans of BLS might take a few spins to get used to, but those of us who are into acoustic rock and roll with a hearty edge will adore this disc. This album will put Zakk Wylde over the top in more than just the underground area's of Metal music but also give it some true condsideration in Commercial Radio for sure. Hangover Music Vol. VI should become a classic years from now with Zakk already a legend in his own time. Black Label Society adds more hits than misses, which explains why this CD, american made is from a god like guitarist who keeps it real in his own way. Metal Mike..............................................................8/10 |
| SLAVEDRUM - 3 SONG DEMO (Indie) |
| Here is a band known as Slavedrum who come from the State of Illinois to give us just a taste of what they can do musically. Slavedrum have a very Hardcore/Metal sound in it's delivery. Comparing it to bands like Candiria and Lamb Of God would be easy, but Slavedrum, with each track offer a different sounding element on this 3 song Demo. Lead off track "Plastic" moshes along with growling vocals and punishing riffs. "Hiding behind faces" is the most Hardcore sounding of the 3 tracks adding a creepy intro as well. The third track "High Cube" is my favourite as brutal faster riffs bring this track to life with a more vintage Heavy Metal package than the first two. Slavedrum is very much worth listening to over and over again. Though it may take you a couple spins to see what I'm talking about, this is another great example of Hardcore/Metal born in the Underground yet should do very well after it reaches the Metal public sooner than later. Metal Mike..............................................................8/10 |
| TERMINAL CONFUSION - ACTS OF VIOLENCE (Indie) |
| Terminal Confusion began it's history back in 1985 when current band members were involved in bands such as Brain Dead and Despikables as part of the Hardcore/Punk scene coming out of the State of New York. That's quite a long time to be in an Underground band these days. But one thing about the Hardcore/Punk scene is that bands are extremely dedicated to the scene as such the case it seems with Terminal Confusion. Even with a breakup in 1996 and most recently, the reformation, the guys have released this very good quality 4 song EP "Acts of Violence" which I believe will be followed by a full length CD. Fans who enjoy slamdancing Punk style will enjoy something new from Terminal Confusion. It may not be Heavy Metal, but it's good enough and you will take notice. Tracks like "The Other Side" and "Backstab" will please the avid Hardcore fan. Very good drumming on the recording of this CD which I felt stood out as well, without being drowned out by the rest of the band. It's good to see the band is keeping the torch lit after calling it quits in 1996. This will probably be a flame that will be hard to extinguish now and in the future. Metal Mike..............................................................7/10 |
| WHORRID - BITCH BUTCHERS (Indie) |
| If you like bands that stand up for what they believe in, then Chicago's Whorrid may interest you. Whorrid put together their second 3 song Demo CD titled "Bitch Butchers" which they like to say was made with nothing but pure raw true metal. That sounds great but would it be like what they claim? Lead off track "Life or Death" is a powerfull opener which reminds me of Slayer/Sepultura combined into one. Furious guitar riffs explode on Bitch Butchers which give this CD that Raw metal sound offered by the band. The second track "Whore Hostage" is more of the same yet I didn't like this tracks sound as it stood out from the other two with it's strange fuzzy riffs. Some nice thrash moments on it but not enough to keep me going. "Time To Bleed" with it's impressive metal drumming on the chorus has a good tempo change and nice riffage. It's interesting to know that Ed Baugh is not only the drummer but aslo lead vocalist. That makes this CD worth tuning into as he does quite the job overall for this 3 piece Metal band. Prodution was not the best thing to come from "Bitch Butchers" but hey 2 out of 3 ain't bad? Raw metal with no bull is exactly what they brought forth yet is it above par? May not be what you'd expect. either way, solid but needs work. Note: At the time this review was written, Drummer/ Lead Vocalist - Ed Baugh has since left the band but Whorrid moves forward with a new lineup. Check out Whorrid's website for more info on the new lineup. Metal Mike............................................................6.5/10 |
| TORMENTED - COMBUSTIBLE (Indie) |
| I haven't received a lot of Heavy Metal from the Northeastern part of Canada known as the Maritime's. But this band Intrigued me with the name and what they offer sound wise. The band is called Tormented, who at the present time have been broken up since 1996, decided to do one more reunion show in July 2003 in their home town of Moncton, New Brunswick which became the most successful local metal show in the city's history. Months after the show, the band decided to mix and re-record eight Tormented songs with five more tracks added on by Larry Leblanc one of the bands founding members back in 1989 from his new act "Dead Reach". Tormented play pure Thrash Metal. Influences that come to mind include Metallica, Slayer, and even Iron Maiden at times. This is a very well thought out and planned re-recording. Tormented musically give us a lesson in Thrash Metal we hoped for. But what about the vocals? Well, I expected it to be more evil and extreme like other Thrash acts such as Kreator, Exodus, or Testament. Maybe this would have changed my mind overall with Tormented but at least they have some great riffs us Canadian's can admire and be proud of. Tormented still gets two thumbs up from me. It may take a couple spins to kind of get a better feel for the band as a whole, but you won't be thrown a curve in anyway as Tormented have done a fantastic job on the production of Combustible. Let's hope good review's like this one, will one day bring the band out of retirement one more time, but not just for a short stint. How about permanently. Metal Mike..................................................................8/10 |