Prog Rock/Prog Metal/Prog Something

15.04.2011

I first saw this little NY band years ago, opening up for Porcupine Tree, and they blew me away. Ever since, this album has made an almost weekly spin in my life's soundtrack. The End Is Begun is a fun, upbeat, strange record that keeps me coming back for more. Surly not everyone's cup of tea but if you're in search of something different and just plain fun check it out.

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Alternative Metal/Metalcore

23.01.2011

Seattle's Demon Hunter exploded onto the scene a decade ago and helped to breathe new life into the Christian Metal realm. The combination of breakdowns and ballads creates a astonishing fifth record for these guys. Their signature sound is aided by some great guest vocalists like Christian Älvestam of Miseration (ex-Scar Symmetry), Dave Peters of Throwdown and Björn "Speed" Strid of Soilwork.

Even after the band has seen some drastic line up changes there is no sign of them slowing down with this record. Demon Hunter has found their sound and continue to kick the devil's ass.

Progressive Metal

30.10.2010

James LaBrie is hands down one of Metal's greatest voices and after five years returns with his newest solo album. When most people think of LaBrie doing a solo album the first thought is a bunch of ballads. But not on this record. A brilliant blend of Gothenburg and Prog, Static Impulse is a hard hitting, kick-ass record that is sure to turn heads and shows Dream Theater's vocalist in a whole new light!

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Stoner Metal

25.09.2010

No album has had a bigger musical influence of my own band than this one. A perfect introduction to North Carolina's "dirty" Metal Scene, COC is pure badass. There is nothing slick and shiny about this album just balls to the walls Metal.

Being the first album with rhythm guitarist Pepper Keenan on lead vocal the band left behind the punk element and added a darker Doom factor to the music. This is what Metallica wished they could have made when they recorded Load.

Christian Progressive Death Metal

20.06.2010

Brilliant through and through, Dichotomy is the third (and in my opinion, best) release from this Atlanta based band. Completely shattering the image that Christian Metal bands have to sound (or even look) like Stryper, BTA churns out a release that is both beautiful and brutal.

With a unique style and sound (somewhat similar to Between The Buried And Me) this album was produced by the genius Devin Townsend and also features his guest vocals as well as those of Demon Hunter's front man, Ryan Clark. The songs are a solid and intense ride through melodic and extreme elements of music. Lyrically it is based upon C.S. Lewis' That Hideous Strength and focuses on the biology vs technology, man vs machine concept.

This album is one great song after another but highlights would include "Mountain of Souls", "Dichotomy", "Artificial Immortality", and their take on the traditional hymn "How Great Thou Art".

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