Metallica - Death Magnetic, Warner Brothers Records
Still unsure after the whole St. Anger release as to where Metallica could possibly go on the new Death Magnetic cd? Coming from someone who was drawn in back in 1984 with Ride The Lightning and had pretty much written them off after the Black album, it’s safe to plop down that hard earned cash because ‘Tallica is back.
“That Was Your End” opens the album as if it were left off the …And Justice For All sessions, minus the vocals of course. “All Nightmare Long” is another rapid-fire track that has hints of Master Of Puppets. The one thing missing from Metallica albums since Justice was the instrumental, and damn it they finally brought it back on the nearly 10 minute “Suicide & Redemption.” Sure you could do without “Unforgiven III,” and drums that still lack the power of earlier albums, or even that James Hetfield is using his voice to sing more. But it actually works this time. The songs are longer, faster and heavier at times. Welcome back guys.
(Travis Tutwiler)

Evergrey - Torn, SPV Records
So what sets Evergrey apart from the rest of the power metal field? Everything. Their music and subject matter deals with the entire emotional spectrum, and they shun all the bullshit trappings normally associated with heavy metal while still being heavy as a hundred-year-old furnace. Singer Tom Englund can’t help but show his emotions when he sings, and his backing band matches his anguished bleat with an amazing display of clarity and sensitivity. They know when not to overplay and when a certain moment in a song requires just the perfect ingredient to make it shine. With Evergrey it’s all about instinct and doing what a particular piece calls for as opposed to trying to stay within the confines of their chosen genre. “These Scars” and “Soaked” are perfect examples of this attitude. This band branches out often, and always with spectacular results. Awesome.
(Dale Lammers)

Poison’s Bret Michaels at Rock the Bayou Photo: Andy Laudano

Poison - Seven Days Live, Armoury Records
Seven Days Live comes from a time most Poison fans would rather forget. Original guitarist, C.C. DeVille’s drug and alcohol problems became so out of control, Bret Michaels (vocals), Bobby Dall (bass) and Rikki Rockett (drums) fired him. Richie Kotzen, a 21-year old guitar prodigy, became DeVille’s replacement. Kotzen’s songwriting skills and guitar style took Poison’s Native Tongue in a more serious, blues-rock direction than their usual glam-metal party-rock anthems. The album scored a hit with “Stand,” but most Poison fans wanted DeVille back. Kotzen’s fans weren’t happy either as they saw his playing in Poison as beneath him. Kotzen’s Poison tenure soon ended when the band discovered he was dating Rockett’s ex-fiancé’. Seven Days Live captures this version of Poison in London, England and features all their biggest hits including “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn,” “Fallen Angel” and “Talk Dirty To Me.”
(Andy Laudano)

Alice Cooper - Along Came A Spider, SPV
The undisputed master of shock-rock, Alice Cooper, is back with an all-new nightmare! Cooper’s 25th studio release is a concept album, told from the perspective of Spider, a cold-blooded serial killer. Spider’s goal is to stalk and kill eight females. Each body is then wrapped in silk, but only after he takes a leg from each victim, to build a spider of his own. Things become complicated when he falls in love with his intended eighth victim.
The album features Cooper’s touring band, -guitarists Keri Kelli and Jason Hook, Chuck Garric (bass) and KISS’ Eric Singer (drums). Highlights include “Vengeance is Mine” (with special guest Slash), “(In Touch With) Your Feminine Side,” “Wrapped In Silk,” “Salvation” and the Beatles-esque ballad “Killed By Love.” Cooper’s writing is so clever and the songs so catchy, you’ll find yourself singing along despite the album’s chilling subject matter.
(Andy Laudano)

Victor Gann - Self-Titled EP, Recorded at Indian Trail
Local guitar whiz Victor Gann’s five-song instrumental EP covers a wide range of emotion and ability in a relatively short time.
The style manages to fit neatly between Satriani and Kenny Wayne Shepherd without actually sounding like either. It is difficult to make a guitar-based instrumental record that doesn’t sound like every other one out there, but Gann accomplishes it well. Whether on rocking tracks like “Four On The Floor” and “Not Now!” or more somber moments like “Shannon With Child,” he keeps things musically interesting without coming off as self-indulgent. (Kevin White)

Katra - Beast Within, Napalm Records
Beast Within offers 12 tracks from Finnish vocalist Katra Solopuro as she delivers her unique brand of music to the world. “Gail Of Sahara” starts the disc off with a Middle Eastern flair along with Katra’s dynamic vocals. “Forgotten Bride” is a heavier track that features a more upbeat guitar rhythm while “Mist Of Dawn” is a soulful ballad that shows Katra’s true range. Jani Wilund (keyboards) does a great job throughout the cd providing great piano and keyboard arrangements. If you’re a fan of Tristania, Sirenia or Theatre Of Tragedy then you’ll want to check out Beast Within as it offers a wide spectrum of Goth Metal, rock and ballads that you’ll be sure find intriguing.
(Travis Tutwiler)

Uriah Heep - Wake The Sleeper, Hip-O / Universal Records
Talk about a blast from the past. This is the first Uriah Heep album in ten years. As long as this band’s been kicking around, some people might think they’d sound old. No sir, this is a band that sounds as current, buoyant and playful as Deep Purple or maybe even Aerosmith. Wake The Sleeper isn’t a good record – it’s a friggin’ great record. There’s absolutely no rust on these geezers. In fact, the choruses of “Light Of A Thousand Stars” and “Book Of Lies” are so inspiring, it’s just ridiculous. Most bands don’t know how to let their art mature as they get older, but in Uriah Heep’s case, their music has always been mature. They’re a grand, regal institution worthy of eternal respect and admiration. More bands should look at this band and album and hope they’ll last this long and still be this goddamn good.
(Dale Lammers)

Iced Earth - The Crucible Of Man (Something Wicked, Part 2), SPV
From the opening vocals on “Behold The Wicked Child” you hear a familiar voice. Yes, that of vocalist Matt Barlow who performed vocal duties for Iced Earth from 1994-2203. Joining guitarist and founding member Jon Schaffer they have created another solid effort with The Crucible Of Man (Something Wicked, Part 2). The album flows from song to song and brings a strong end to the Something Wicked trilogy. “Minions Of The Wrath” really show off Barlow’s vocal range while Schaffer’s trudging rhythm provides a great background. The galloping rhythms on “Sacrificial Kingdoms” are a highlight and “The Dimension Gauntlet” and “Divide and Devour” are both great driving tracks. The reunion of Schaffer and Barlow has definitely struck gold and will give listeners some wicked music to absorb.
(Travis Tutwiler)

Deep South Union - Deep South Union, Self-Released
A lot of local bands try a melodic approach to their metal, usually with mixed results, and, quite frankly, can be boring. Deep South Union, on the other hand, writes instantly-memorable tunes with little nooks and crannies that will keep them in front of the pack. Vocalist, Reverend J.D.’s soulful melodies have enough passion and projection to keep up with - but never overshadow - Mahlon Mattal’s crunchy guitar riffs. No question about it, this is a heavy band at heart as evidenced by the balls-out main riff of “Drowning” and the bowel-shaking breakdowns of “Think of Me.” It’s a breath of fresh air to hear a band that has the southern metal roots but not be so…. cookie monster southern metal. Think Hinder being bitch-slapped by Pantera. Check them out live in October at The Bone in Deep Ellum. (D.J. Ivie)

Act One - Suicide Opera, Self-Released
This album challenges the soul of heavy metal. They incorporate a vision a bit different than most metal acts today, using keyboards for their off-kilter sound. Josh (guitar) and Jason (guitar) produce a myriad of fatal guitar riffs that can only be described as riff-tastic. As if Buffalo Bill had sewed them, David (vocals), Mikey (drums), Bobby (bass), Trent (keys), Jason and Josh are pieces that fit together perfectly. With an outfit made of armor, Suicide Opera could run a gauntlet unscathed and leave destruction in their wake, especially with songs like opening track “One Nation Under Fraud” and their self-titled “Suicide Opera.” (Misty Johnson)

Hollow Corp. - Cloister Of Radiance, Prosthetic Records
Hollow Corp. is out to prove that France has more to offer than overrated food and bad attitudes. Apparently, it is also a breeding ground for dark, sometimes sludgy, always slamming post-hardcore metal.
Take one part Meshuggah, one part Crowbar, a pinch of Type O Negative and top it off with a splash of pure evil. Yes, it is a bizarre blend, but it’s also intoxicatingly effective. Some bands of this ilk like to build up an aura of darkness, but there is little substance behind it. With Hollow Corp., however, nothing feels disingenuous - they are truly demonic. Songs like “Inferno,” “Sabbat” and the single, “Thujon” make that patently obvious.
(Kevin White)

Cross Examination - Menace II Sobriety, Organized Crime Records
At first glance, one might think this is a hip-hop record. But after the intro, it takes about two seconds to realize this is straight up old school thrash.
Think SOD meets early Anthrax with a little Rigor Mortis setting in. Yep, this is a throwback to painter’s hats, Vans shoes and Jams shorts. Like their predecessors, Cross Examination relies heavily on a good sense of humor - part of their promo pack is their own comic book! The look, feel and tongue-in-cheek attitude are vintage skater thrash.
The music? Well, it almost makes the grade as well. Songs are great, with shredding guitars and driving beats. It’s the vocals that just don’t quite cut the mustard. It’s all one long, shrill monotone scream that, while not dissimilar to the late Paul Baloff (Exodus), is more grating. If your ears can filter that out, though, there’s some solid thrashing going on here.
(Kevin White)

Cockpit - Mission To Rock
Remember the days when female rockers Pat Benetar, Joan Jett and Lita Ford got just as much attention and airtime as their male counterparts? California’s Cockpit, an all-girl band in the tradition of The Runaways, Girlschool and Vixen, are on a mission to bring those glory days back. Linda Lou (vocals/guitar), Alicia Blu (guitar), Terrii Kiing (bass) and Rachael Rine (drums) are all talented musicians with a ton of energy onstage. Cockpit was a major side stage highlight at both the recent Rocklahoma and Rock the Bayou festivals. Their EP, Mission To Rock, features five killer tunes including the title track, “At A Loose End,” “White Flag,” “Shot In Hell” and “Gun For Hire” and is available at their live shows. See them at the Rockstar, Saturday 10/4/08 ‘cuz these girls are on a mission to rock!
(Andy Laudano)

Avenged Sevenfold – Live In The LBC & Diamonds In The Rough CD/DVD, Warner Brothers Records
A7X recorded the DVD in there hometown of Long Beach, California nine days after playing the Nokia in Grand Prairie. If you caught the show, the DVD follows the same set and visuals including all the fire, explosions, video screens and confetti. They even bring fans onstage to sing Pantera’s “Walk” stating that they did it in Texas and Arizona, but they weren’t very good. Don’t remember that at the Nokia. DVD is great and captures the band delivering “Critical Acclaim,” “Bat Country,” “Afterlife” and “A Little Piece Of Heaven.”
The CD includes b-sides and unreleased tracks such as killer covers of Pantera’s “Walk” and Iron Maiden’s “Flash Of The Blade” as well as track “Girl I Know” and different versions of “Almost Easy” and “Afterlife.” Another track featured is the iTunes only released “Crossroads” from the Avenged Sevenfold sessions. This package offers a great DVD and good songs all on one CD.
(Travis Tutwiler)

Do For It Records — 2008 Sampler, Do For It Records
Do For It Records is a coalition of bands, mostly from Denton, that started a non-profit record company that gives power back to the artists. Their roster reads like a who’s who of area bands that push the creative envelope. Shaolin Death Squad kick off the sampler with “Scorpion,” a track so rich with imagery it would give Sleepytime Gorilla Museum a stomachache. The House Harkonnen represent with dual-harmonizing lead guitars in “Sleep By Your Grave,” and The Timeline Post bring depth with equal parts Hum and Radiohead. Mescalero (rip) kicks up the stoner quotient, Historic Stork bring the electro, and The Invincible Czars get all weird-core as does Jungle Gym. Other notable tracks are from the likes of Bat Castle, The Spectacle, The Lights of Dragna and Titanium Rib Cage. With tracks ranging from black metal to textural soundscapes to electronic giddy-up, this is a CD for any truly diverse local music enthusiast. (D.J. Ivie)