| BLACK LABEL SOCIETY - THE BLESSED HELLRIDE (Spitfire) |
| Zakk Wylde returns with "The Blessed Hellride", the follow to the 1919 Eternal CD. Not much has changed so you know that it's gonna be a total non stop Heavy Metal record from the guitar god himself. And when I say guitar god I do mean every letter of that label. Pure smokin' guitar riffs with hooks and groove in absolute Zakk Wylde B.L.S. fashion. To me Zakk's guitar riffing whoever it's with, Pride and Glory, Ozzy or Black Label Society, It's never dull and boring and to this point in his career some reviews have said he's just the same old boring thing. Can't say I agree. "Stoned and Drunk" kick starts the album the way Zakk has throughout his career, riff mad angry chords with a great chorus anyone who enjoy's Heavy Metal will love. Ozzy finally joins Zakk on his solo act to sing on "Stillborn" a really catchy song which is completely different from the rest of this CD. The title track is nothing new to Zakk as he played ballad's like "Sweet Jesus" with Pride and Glory and "Spoke in the Wheel" on B.L.S.' 1999 Sonic Brew. All fans of Black Label Society must have the Blessed Hellride. It's in Zakk's blood already and it's time to Inject this dose of American boozed brutality into yours. Metal Mike...................................................................9/10 |
| REDLIGHT RIPPERS - DEMOLITION (Indie) |
| Just when you though it was safe to walk the streets, the Ripper is back! No not jack, Redlight Rippers. Staci T. Rat (Ex Dead by dawn, CJ Sleez, and Jack Damage) puts together this 3 piece street wise punk/glam outfit born right here in Toronto. Influenced by bands like Toilet Boys, Ramones, Love/Hate, New York Dolls etc.. Punk and Glam Rock N rolled into one. Staci T. Rat on Guitar and Vocals, War - Bass and background vocals, Ter - Drums. The Redlight Rippers take all their energy and put it on this 3 song CD which is very well mixed for a Demo. Furious Punk riffs on lead off track "I get the Feelin" as Staci screams and Rips away without missing a note. The second track titled "Trailor trash Trixie" offers a little more licks n chicks then the straight up speed demon "I get the feelin". A more Blues pounding song with some harmonica thrown in. Third and final track takes you to visit the famous Bovine Sex Club which is located in the city's downtown area. Every word Staci yells on "Last call" is all true since I've been there before and hell yeah! the show does start at midnight! Staci T. Rat has finally found something that he can call his own. With many tries in the past with bands that just weren't good enough or didn't surpass people's expectation's, the Redlight Rippers may just turn that page to fame he's been looking for all his life as he has kept it real for over 15 years in the industry without falling prey to local trend's. It's music that Redlight Rippers puts forth that could very well change the music scene forever. Some kind of Sleazy Rock and Roll thing, you just gotta love it. Metal Mike..............................................................8.5/10 |
| MYSTERY BLUE - METAL SLAVES (Road Show) |
| You may or may not have heard of Mystery Blue before, but this 4 peice band from France has been around since 1982 touring France, Belgium, and Germany opening for bands like Saxon, Motorhead and Def Leppard then calling it quits not long after that. By 1996 the band Mystery Blue is born again. They add Nathalie Geyer as lead vocalist to give the band a change in direction in the vocal department. Probably the best choice they made next to reforming the group was adding Nathalie to the band's already powerfull Heavy Metal sound. Nathalie Geyer's voice is fantastic. At first it may take time to grow on you depending on your style of metal but you notice her right away as she has one of the best Power metal voices I've heard by a female since Doro Pesch. The rest of the band ( 3 males) obvious veteran's of the Metal world, easily Influenced by Iron Maiden, Saxon, Judas Priest etc.. backup Nathalie's almost jaw dropping vocals in true musique du Hard Rock et du Heavy Metal fashion. Favourites include "Slave to blood" "Stage" "Dark Visions" and "Roller Coaster Ride". Mystery Blue have it all together on Metal Slaves. Welcome back the band after the 80's, pick this CD up and enjoy! Nathalie and Mystery Blue have something rich, fresh and badly needed in the mainstream today... it's called serious talent that starts in the Underground and grows from there. Metal Mike.......................................................8.5/10 |
| IRON MAIDEN - DANCE OF DEATH ( EMI) |
| Up the Irons!! Another Iron Maiden record with the same lineup we all remember from the early 80's. Ok so Janick Gers has not been in the band that long but does it really matter how many guitar players join Bruce and company? As long as Bruce Dickinson is at the helm this band will always sound like The Iron Maiden we have always loved. Often Imitaded but never duplicated! Dance of Death is as expected another excellent release by these British lads. It may not be as fierce as The Number of the Beast or Piece of mind. Some may think it's better than album's like Fear of the dark or Somewhere in Time, but not enough to stand beside The Number of the Beast or Powerslave. Dance of Death sounds like Brave New World in it's own way. Lead off single "Wildest Dreams" reminds me a lot of "The Wicker Man" so you know where I'm coming from with that example. "Rainmaker" is one of the best tracks Dance of Death has to offer as Bruce sounds as good as he always has. He is truly the best vocalist/ performer in Heavy Metal... bar none. Anyone who has been to an Iron Maiden show knows exactly what I'm talking about. There will never be another band like Iron Maiden. This Line up of Dickinson, Smith, Harris, Murray, Gers, Mcbrain will always be the best of all time with or without Janick Gers and no offence to Blaze Bayley or Paul D'ianno as their place is set and Maiden history. They will never be forgetten but this current line-up which has been by far the most succesful is irreplaceable. One of the world's most famous word of mouth and Influencial heavy metal bands of all time has kept it going from 1980 to 2003 and beyond! Dance of Death is 101% proof. Eddie will live forever! Metal Mike...............................................................8/10 |
| CATCH 22 - AWAKEN (Molten Metal) |
| Totally awesome stuff! Here's a band from Ohio called Catch 22 with their latest release titled Awaken. If you love Overkill Iced Earth and Vintage Metallica, then this is a CD you must hear! This should be one of the best album's of 2003. Catch 22 gets my vote already. Massive Power Metal riffs all over this very well produced CD which will Awaken you from the start with veteran like Overkill riffs. I can't get enough of this CD as I have listened to it almost a dozen times since I've had it nearly a week now. These guys aren't new to Metal either as the bands average age is around 36 years old. Three of the four guys have played in a band called Steel Reign and many other bands throughout their careers so far. They take this experience and create an album that would make bands like Annihilator, Testament and Iced Earth extremely jealous. I can't pick just one favourite track as many come to mind such as "Damaged" "Into the black" "Betrayal of the Masses" and the title track. With four albums released Catch 22 has made an album worth being noticed by major labels worldwide. Give Catch 22 all the credit in the world since perfect albums are hard to find. This is as close as you can get. If this is that good then what does the future hold? Time Reveals All...Awaken, Catch 22 is here!! Metal Mike...............................................................9/10 |
| JACKHAMMER - THE ULTIMATE MARTYR (Indie) Promo 2003 |
| Jackhammer comes from Italy the home of bands like Rhapsody and Meredine Atomiche. Jackhammer takes it's Power Metal roots and delivers a more thrash sound on The Ultimate Martyr. This four track Promo CD displays some heavy riffs to go along with even better written songs. Lead vocalist Marco Sandron sounds a lot like ex-Iced Earth vocalist Matt Barlow at times adding a little hint of Power Metal here and there. Check out the title track which leads things off as the band grooves away in serious style. Marco proves he belongs in this band. Lets not forget great work by the rest of the guys. Especially Guitarists Alberto Toniolo and Tony mad Fonto who both thrash us all around on The Ultimate Martyr and play some maiden like solo's and hooks as heard on "Green Fingers Grey". Will a full length album be out soon? Hopefully. Jackhammer hit the nail right on the head. Metal Thrashing mad just the way I like it. You will too. Metal Mike.............................................................8/10 |
| MURDERCYCLE - 3 SONG PROMO |
| Here's a band I don't know too much about. They come from Wichita, Kansas and play an extreme blend of Death/Grind/ Hardcore really mixing it up on each track. I really like when they get aggressive, fast and Heavy but when they do slow things down now and then it doesn't do much to impress me. The second track "Chosen" starts off very slow and picks up with some serious riffs and growling vocals which do standout to give the listener an intense ride on the Heavy side of things. Third track "Quick Fix" wakes you the heck up as it bursts through your speakers. Sounds real good when the lead vocalist growls away. Some interesting solo's too but nothing else jumps out at me. Others may think otherwise but for now Murdercycle will probably stick to the same things they like, soundwise that is. Looking to be the hardcore pioneers from the midwest, maybe someday. Just not now. Metal Mike............................................................5/10 |
| From the outer limits of Toronto, based in Brampton, Ontario comes Catharsis a four piece thrash band which can easily be mistaken at times for the canadian metal gods known as Annihilator. Catharsis is: Shane "mustaine" Drake - Guitar/Vocals, Greg "Grog" Wright - Lead Guitar, Jeremy Baxter - Drums, and Chris "Bassman" Zeeman - Bass Guitar. Confide in Madness is a well thought out pure Thrashing Riff frenzy you'll listen to over and over (and over) again. Catharsis who started out in 2001 will take the Toronto Metal Scene by storm and you can take that promise to the bank my friend. Nothing I've seen or heard from the Toronto area can compete with these guys. Greg Wright is an incredibly talented guitarist with Jeff Waters of Annihilator being a major influence in his playing. Check out tracks like "Crashing Down" and the title track for an example what I mean. When Shane Drake screams out on the track Consequences "I've been down too long, now I'm losing control" that is a perfect slogan for these guys as they wont be held down for too long anyway. There is far too much talent to be ignored as someday Catharsis will reach their goal and be well recognized not just in Canada but around the world. Major labels and Metalfest's worldwide will notice and scoop up Catharsis. They will one day play along side, be mentioned in the same breath as bands like Anvil, Annihilator, Saxon, Testament and others in the future. Speed and Thrash Metal was not reborn in Brampton, Ontario it just took some time off to regroup! With a lot of help from Catharsis. Metal Mike...................................................................9/10 |
| CATHARSIS - CONFIDE IN MADNESS (Indie) |