C Reviews

CLUTCH - PURE ROCK FURY

Clutch has long been a 'jam' sort of band. The self titled album from a couple years ago was the album which was most able to capture this feel. Live, Clutch can run each song into the next, keeping them interesting by elongating and changing solos and song structures as they play. Pure Rock Fury goes a long way towards capturing Clutch's heavy jam sound. Neil Fallon's gravel pit vocals are a perfect match for the driving heaviness. This album shows why they are the premier southern hard rock band. Even if they are from Baltimore. (ATLANTIC RECORDS) -MB

CRADLE OF FILTH - MIDIAN

To try and top the last album, Cruelty and the Beast, Cradle was going to have their work cut out for them. Midian doesn't make it. To be honest I didn't like it at all when I first listened. The first 3 tracks do not provide much of a segueway into the stronger songs which follow. The more I listen to it, the more I like it, but I still question the ordering of the tracks. If I wasn't already a Cradle fan, I would not have listened to Midian past the first two songs. It has some killer tracks, if you are a black metal fan its definitely worth buying. If you want a more consistent sound, though, their last effort is the best choice. (MUSIC FOR NATIONS)  -MB