Average Rating: 3.67 Rating Variance: 1.05 Objectivity Score: 76% (Well Balanced)
Sort by: Rating | Release Date | Rating Date | Name5.0 classicHeavenly (FRA) VirusMy favorite CD, ever. This is unquestionably, the most awesome thing that could be created musically. Are there awkward moments at some points, making me think some songs might drop in quality? Sure, but those thoughts are quickly negated as things kick in to high gear, and blow my mind. Best clean vocals in metal. Best riffs in metal. Most catchy metal this side of the moon.4.5 superbAll Shall Perish Awaken the DreamersI agree that Deathcore is a genre overloaded with sub-par bands, but the reason those bands suck, is because they either just ride the bland-wagon, or they try too hard to stand out and create a clusterfuck of tracks lacking melody and cohesion. A lot of bands get shit-canned for putting out a sophomore or junior effort that doesn't see the band progressing any, only to get the same response when they try to do something new and innovative. I enjoy both Price of Existence and Awaken the Dreamers, and think All Shall Perish managed to do something many bands fail at; keep it fresh without alienating previous listeners. Awaken the Dreamers may not stand out 20 years down the road, but as far as my opinion is concerned, this is one of the best heavy albums released this decade. I would just hate for this to be a group of critique favoring guys that try to release an album to please everyone, only to have it end in disaster.Attack Attack! Attack Attack!This is my most listened to album so far this year. Even my co-workers, who for the most part detest when I listen to metal, get a kick out of some of these songs. A strange, but perfectly fitting, blend of metalcore, electro, alternative vocals, and a great sense of humor make for something I can draw no single comparison to. Need a sample listen? The track, Fumbles O'Brian, truly covers all bases, and the chorus will be an earworm for a long while.Knights Of The Abyss JuggernautAlong with All Shall Perish, I think this band dominates the deathcore scene, and they do it with a fucking iron fist to the groin of a baby; and then they rape it in the butt because that's what good people do. This is my prime time Physical Training shit right here. The only problem is how aggressive it makes me.Thrice The Artist in the AmbulanceI have this album to thank for a lot of the diversity in my musical tastes to date. Had I not heard this in a tattoo parlor, I may have continued listening to cruddy radio metal and rap. I initially only liked a few songs and shelved it, but upon extensive plays, The Artist in the Ambulance began to reveal an entire CD of high grade tracks. I haven't listened to Beggars or Illusion of Safety yet, but I commend Thrice for being able to remain critically stellar despite a constant change of sound. The Artist in the Ambulance needs a direct sequel however, because there is nothing out there like it.Trivium AscendancyTrivium is a strange band for me, because I saw them live when they were on the fringe of stardom. No one present knew who this Asian looking dude was, but it was obvious he was determined to get a bunch of wandering onlookers to chant "HEY!" along with his fist-pump action. A few people did, but most people just continued wondering who these acne-kids were. Trivium finished off with a plug to their new album, the track called Like Light to the Flies, and everyone was suddenly in to this show. A nobody band moved everyone in the crowd, and I mean, you moved whether you wanted to move or not. Ember to Inferno sucked, but it was all I could get my hands on. When Ascendancy was released, I was blown away. Every single song was epic. The guitar riffs were ridiculous. The clean vocals didn't suck ass, and were quite good actually. Earworm central. And my god, how hard this album was. And just like that, Trivium had blown their load. Every release from their on sucked, sounding like generic wannabe crap. It's a shame.4.0 excellentAs I Lay Dying The Powerless RiseI have a friend who loves these guys. I've been listening to them for seven years, I've seen them live, and I know they're super talented. I've enjoyed every release, but Powerless Rise really seems to dig down deep and find those riffs that hit home, and hit hard. The vocals are supreme, and what more would you expect from a guy who loses his mic and continues to scream, no one in the front four rows noticing the technical error. The bar keeps rising for As I Lay Dying. Now, if only I could understand why my friend thinks this CD is just, "straight."Fear My Thoughts VulcanusMiss May I Apologies Are for the WeakOne of my favorite albums from last year. Nothing but pure, maniacal, shredding energy. Great screaming, great pacing, great consistency and all from a youthful act on their pioneering voyage. Monument will either be epic or an epic fail.Paramore Brand New EyesThere are a few songs on Riot! that click with me, but this CD is 90% comprised of great tracks. Hayley's vocals really stepped it up a notch, and all you need to do is you're a non-believer is listen to, "All I Wanted."xDEATHSTARx We Are The ThreatHeavy, but appealing in that hardcore, chant-along way where everyone is pumping their fist like it's a techno rave party. Catchy hooks and choruses, solid layered clean vocals that don't distract from the fact that this is a hardcore outfit, and pounding guitars and drums. I love this CD.3.5 greatA Day To Remember HomesickI'm not entirely sure how A Day to Remember and New Found Glory have, even remotely, anything in common. Regardless, this is a great CD with a lot of melody, catchy choruses, and heavy breaks. Easy to listen to all the way through, and tough to find any glitches in.Eminem RecoveryI hear a lot of shit talking about the previous two efforts, which collectively make up a third of Marshall Mather's career. This brings me to wondering when exactly critics find that Eminem WAS relevant. After 14 years, he's still got it. Strangely enough, after all of the hooplah about Dre not producing, one of the weakest tracks on Recovery is Dre produced. The Khalil tracks really do it for me, despite the hooks involving an interesting cast of characters, to say the least. Other tracks often follow suit, but I think that as a whole, Recovery is the best CD Eminem has put out. After a few listens, and the a retrospective listen to past releases by Em, he's way more impressive now than he ever was.2.5 averageBring Me the Horizon Suicide SeasonCount Your Blessings is rock solid, heavy-hitting, and insanely harsh. Suicide Season has a few good tracks, a few shining moments, but as a whole it's totally unnoticeable. It lacks the personality and collective brutality of the first release, and the singing straight blows on all cylinders. The only saving graces are the bits and pieces of the first couple tracks, along with the ridiculously blood pumping, Death Breath and Diamonds Aren't Forever.Scar Symmetry Dark Matter DimensionsScar Symmetry is still a good BAND, but if they are going to use a pair of vocalists to "replicate" Alvestam's vocals, they should probably quit now. The clean vocals lost a lot of punch, and the melody just isn't there for me. These two new guys need to quit concerning themselves with recreating the old Scar Symmetry, and just do what they can do well. This CD just blends in.1.5 very poorFear My Thoughts IsolationThis follow up to one of my favorite heavy releases in recent memory, Vulcanus, was pure disappointment. That this is even the same band blows my mind. I honestly couldn't find one thing I liked, and even with a shifting, broadening musical taste, still can't.Knights Of The Abyss ShadesNot even quite average, even though average is my idea of the worst. After the beating to my brain that was Juggernaut, I was stoked to hear that there was a Knights of the Abyss album I missed. Maybe it was a mistake to anticipate, or maybe I should have kept tabs on them so a let-down wasn't possible. The vocals on Juggernaut were performed by Dustin Hadlock, whereas Shades is fronted by Dustin Curtis. The two are not interchangeable. I hate Shades. I hate it a lot. It bores me to tears, and that makes me angry. I look forward to the 2010 release, and the return of the other Dustin.
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