Wow, first review. Yea, this band isn't as heard of, because of their obscenities, mainly that they dress up like insects.

I love this band, mainly on their appearance yes, but also of their musical abiliity.

Taking a mathcore, math metal direction and mixing it with a more technical texture (not just random screams and dischords) and a more hardcore definition of the genre. Their music is incredibly virtuostic and very fiere.

This album is only 20 minutes long, but it is to the point and doesn't really need to be longer. They came saw and concured within less than a half an hour.

1. Aotkpta - The intro is just mezmerising. The time changes are incredibly frantic and fast. Their is also a quite doomy quallity to this song. 10/10

2. We Have Reached An Official Verdict: Nobody Gives A Shit - Love the title. Quite cathcy in a mental way. 10/10

3. The Unwilling...Led By The Unqualified...Doing The Unnecessary...For The Ungrateful - Has alot of multimodal textures and shows alot of ability. 10/10

4. One Manometer Away From Mutually Assured Relocation - Koo Koo crazy with some amazing instrumental work. 9/10

5. Full Frontal Obscurity - Pretty amazing vocal performance. 8/10

6. Scavenger, Invader - The very noisy keyboards are cool. The vocals are pretty impressive. 10/10

7. Hot Tubs Of Brand New Fuel - The lyrics are pretty cool. Again, incredibly frantic. 9/10

8. God Wants Us All To Work In Factories - Again, some amazing lyrics. Love the title. 9/10

9. Book Of Bot - The longest song, being just 4 minutes. Has a very experimental side. The noisy parts are very cool. 9/10

10. Slum Service (Served On The Sky) - Short and sweet. 9/10

11. Tower Of Mammal - Good ending to a crazy album. 8/10

CONCLUISION: A whole bag of crazy. I love this album.

(This album is a lot like the new Cannibal Corpse album…not in style, just in the way I feel about it)

Why I haven't gotten round to reviewing one of these guys albums yet is a mystery to me...cause I really do love this band. But sure, I'm reviewing all the new stuff now, so I might as well give my opinion about this knew one.

Now Epica have been a band I have really loved for quite a long time now. Ever since The Divine Conspiracy (which is definitely one of the best symphonic metal albums ever made) I have been a fan. Now their last album Design Your Universe I haven’t really gotten around to listening too, and I don’t physically own a copy of their first 2 albums (although I do know they are 2 amazing albums). So I was excited to actually sit down and listen to this one.

Now, I was slightly disappointed with this one…but it’s still not a bad album.

There is a definite slight change in direction with this album, but with good intentions. Usually the choirs and orchestration are really over the top in Epica albums, but with this one, they’ve taken a slight backseat. They are still there, don’t get me wrong…just not as in the limelight as they where. The guitar sound has improved as well, and the guitar playing (I think someone has been listening to Dream Theater in my opinion).

The vocals as usual from Simone are amazing as always (she really is one of the best female metal vocalists, and she is always underlooked). But the biggest surprise from me is that Marks vocals really are improving, and in my opinon are becoming a real highlight of the band. Also the drummer is doing some grunts now as well, which is pretty cool.

As usual, Epica’s lyrics are always a little bit better than most metal bands, whether they’re singing about mental health, politics, philosophy or just life in general. Both Simone and Mark are great lyric writers.

The only problem I can see with the album is that there are only moments that really grab my attention. Usually with an Epica album, every song is stuck in my head after listening to it, but with this one, at the most 2 have really became Epica classics.

But…that’s my opinion really.

1. Karma – A nice little intro. 6/10

2. Monopoly Of Truth – Ok, now this is the way you start an album. Such a kick ass song. This song seems to show Epica’s more proggier approach, which I have to admit, sounds amazing. There is also a riff in this song which Epica stole from me…now I have proof I wrote it 4 years ago…but I’ll let them have it this time. 10/10

3. Storm The Sorrow – Ok, this is the single from the album, and I can see why. I really didn’t expect this song to be that good. Love the choir arrangements. Such an epic ending. 10/10

4. Delirium – Beautiful vocal intro. I love the choir arrangements in the song. There is some really beautiful moments in this song. 8/10

5. Internal Warfare – The verse melody reminds me of Alladin, for some odd reason. There is some really dark moments in this song. Great lyrics. 7/10

6. Requiem For The Indifferent – Nice middle eastern sounding intro to the song. Mark’s vocals are pretty killer in this song. Nice chorus. The lyrics are the best part of the song in my opinion, and really bring up some pretty cool topics like recession and the current economic climate. 9/10

7. Anima – A nice piano interlude. 5/10

8. Guilty Demeanor – Pretty kick ass song, and it’s pretty quick too. Some nice lyrics too. 8/10

9. Deep Water Horizon – The changes throughout this song are pretty odd, but interesting nonetheless. The instrumental section in this song is epic as hell. 8/10

10. Stay The Course – Killer vocals from Mark. Pretty epic at times. 8/10

11. Deter The Tyrant – The use of the choir is pretty epic. Kick ass song with a pretty cool chorus. 8/10

12. Avalanche – Great use of vocals in this song, especially from Simone. Cool chorus too. 8/10

13. Serenade Of Self-Destruction – Ok, for those that don't know, there was a total cock up in the mixing and distribution of this album. For some odd unfathomable reason, the vocal tracks for this song where taken out...which really is like taking the cake out of a birthday cake. So no mark for this one. I blame Nuclear Blast. The only time they've done me wrong.

14. Nostalgia – I can see why this wasn’t on the album. It’s alright I guess. The vocals are the highlight really. 6/10

CONCLUSION: This is their weakest album in my opinion. It’s still pretty great, but comparing it to there others, it’s their weakest. I would recommend this album to a metal fan, but if someone really wants to get into Epica, I would suggest something else.

7.2/10

Since Evisceration Plague, I've been waiting for a new Cannibal Corpse album for a whilst now. These guys havent disapointed me in the past 10 years, and I wasn't really expecting them to.

Now to try and say that these guys do the same thing over and over again is a bit of an overstatement. These guys are the biggest death metal band in the world, and if they didn't deliver there standard sound, then people would be upset. But these guys are sneakily able to add a little something else to the music now and then.

Musically, the album is a little different than their last 3 albums. It's a lot heavier in my opinion and a lot of modern influences and experimentation is heard in this album, with flirts of groove metal, tech death and if you open your ears, tiny seeds of djent can be heard throughout. Corpsegrinder's vocals are also better than I've ever heard them. And the guitar sound is one of the most bone crunching guitar sounds I've heard in ages (I'm guessing that's thanks to Eric Rutans producing).

I think the material at times is their best I've heard in years. I mean it, there are some real anthems on this album that I will be hearing in my head for a whilst. My brother told me before listening to it that he thought this was their catchiest album to date, and in a way I kind of agree with him. But If I'm honest...this is their weakiest album in a long string of albums.

Now I'm not saying it's a bad album, in fact it's a pretty great album, but comparing this album to Kill, Evisceration Plague, or even The Wretched Spawn, which I think is one of the best death metal albums ever made...is a bit of a challenge. The album is great, but there are a lot of weaker moments on the album, which drag it down a little.

But hey...it's death metal...you get what you expect...which is some of the heaviest stuff you will ever hear in your life

1. Demented Aggression – These guys are always able to get your attention by starting off the album with an incredibly kick as song. Some earth shattering riffs. 10/10

2. Sarcophagic Frenzy – One of the most kick ass songs on the album. Some really killer riffs on this song. Amazing chorus in the song too. 10/10

3. Scourge Of Iron - A slower song, but mammothly heavy. I love the changes in tempo throughout. One of the most interesting and best songs on the album. 10/10

4. Encased In Concrete – Fast and brutal. I really love the lyrics on this song, especially cause the thought of being buried alive in concrete...is a bit of a fear of mine. The music video for this song is pretty killer too, and I advise people to check it out.8/10

5. As Deep As The Knife Will Go – One of the best chorus' on the album. I literally thought this was a melodic death metal song for these guys, but it's heavy and brutal enough to confuse you. This is the band's new anthem for this decade. 10/10

6. Intestinal Crank – Great lyrics. Love how the song changes in the middle and becomes something completely different. 9/10

7. Followed Home Then Killed – Great tempo changes throughout. Pretty heavy moments and a killer chorus. 8/10

8. The Strangulation Chair – These guys most technical song in my opinion. If it weren't for the technical musicianship, this song would be pretty standard. There's also a killer bass solo on this song. 8/10

9. Caged...Contorted – One of the most grooviest songs on the album, so the riffs are the main focus. Rather than that, it's pretty standard. 7/10

10. Crucifier Aveneged – I love the storytelling element of this song. Other than that, it's pretty standard. 7/10

11. Rabid – This song would be better if it was quicker and shorter. It's a bit drawn out to be honest. 6/10

12. Torn Through – Love the lyrics in this song. The discordant riffs and the fast paced narrative really helps the evilness of the song. 8/10

CONCLUSION: By far there best, but still...these guys do death metal better than most bands, especially in today's metal society. LONG LIVE DEATH METAL!!!

7.2/10

TIM RIPPER OWENS!

Yes this name does make me excited like a little boy at times…cause in my opinion Tim Ripper Owens is one of the best metal vocalists we may ever have (I think his curse is over, now that he found a band he can front that just isn’t trying to replace their lead singer…unless Chuck Schulinder comes back from the dead).

Now their last album kind of flew over my head. It didn’t leave much an impact because it wasn’t as interesting as I though it was…and I’m glad they made a second one…in fact, it seems that this album seems to be the album I wanted them to make…well kind of.

The album does have some really belters on it, especially the first few songs and some of the others. But some aren’t as strong, but to be honest, you expect some slight filler on albums. It isn’t that the songs are bad, they’re just not the best. The album is pretty strong, and does maintain a similar sound throughout, but at times the sound can be a bit too similar.

As usual, the vocals are amazing. Instrumentally the band really blend and play in a way that metal bands should really admire and be jealous of. And especially because they have Richard Christy on drums, one of the best metal drummers…ever! The blend of styles throughout is really cool as well, especially when more extreme genres like black and death metal are heard. And Blastbeats with clean vocals I think has always been a rare and cool thing to hear.

And hey…there is passion behind all of this.

1. Timeless Days – This is what I’ve been looking for in this band. A really amazing epic start to an album. This song has one killer chorus. Tim really sings his heart on this song (as usual) and musically it’s just as good. To be honest, it even has a Dream Theater vibe to it at times. The twists and turns are really killer as well. One of the best songs from last year in my opinion. 10/10

2. Ashes Falling Upon Us – Ok…this song is kick ass. But you have to admit…it is hilarious when he says ashes…cause it sounds like he’s saying asses. Brilliant chorus (despite the funny side to it). Just a decent killer metal song really. Lyrics are pretty cool too. 9/10

3. Zerospan – Blastbeats in a power metal song? Yes this is what I’m hearing. I was really surprised at what this song had in store of me. At times, it’s a quite dark song, with melodic black metal tinges to it, and then all of a sudden it turns into a really catchy power metal song. The chorus is actually quite uplifting, and the lyrics are cool too. 9/10

4. Cold Winds – It’s a short little song, but it does pack quite a punch. Tim really wails on this one. 8/10

5. Lead The Way – When I heard the intro, I thought it was Arch Enemy haha. Pretty killer riffs in this song. I love how the song builds up so epicly to a pretty killer chorus (this album does this a lot actually). 9/10

6. Forever Marching On – The groove influenced song haha. Despite the killer riffs. It does seem to be a bit filler. 7/10

7. Guiding Me – This intro sounds like an intro to a Death song (I wonder why…). Pretty epic chorus, and Tim really does wail like a beast on this song. Pretty cool chorus in the song. And some interesting lyrics. Although I hate the way this song ends…because it does sound like it could have had a pretty cool ending, instead of a very awkward fade out. 8/10

8. The Beast Outside My Window – A ballad? What is this? The 80’s. And yes…the acoustic intro does end and turn into a pretty epic power metal intro…WITH BLASTBEATS! This is a pretty interesting song, and I love the Avenged Sevenfold backing vocals in the chorus. The lead up and the chorus itself is pretty cool. 8/10

9. On Unclean Ground – Pretty killer bass work on this song. Would be a weaker song if the instrumental bits weren’t as interesting. 7/10

10. Bloodworm – Such a killer name for a song. This song has a doomy almost Candlemass vibe to it. Love the melodic death metal riffs that decorate the song. Has a great melodic feel to it, and the slower tempo does add to the atmosphere. 8/10

11. Admire The Heroes – To be honest, when you hear a song title like this you already thing “oh, I bet its one of those stupid ass licking then American troops song”. But it wasn’t…thank God. In fact, a lot of sense was put into this song, as an attack on war itself. I’m really glad these guys were able to craft a song like this. Pretty killer song too by the way. 9/10

12. Avoid The Light – Love the dark twists and turns in this song, and the black metal influence is pretty cool too. The lyrics are really cool too. Pretty cool chorus as well. 8/10

CONCLUSION: Overall it’s a pretty decent killer metal album. There is some real anthems on this album, but some of the songs can sound too similar at times sadly. But, the sound these guys make is amazing. I think these guys are slowly getting better, and I think that they still have their best album to make. But this will do for now.

7.2/10

Now I’ve been a fan of Cave In for a whilst, but when they disappeared…and then came back, I wasn’t even aware of their reunion. So in their return, I decided to give this album a go, due to the fact it’s a bit of a return to form and…it’s a new Cave In album basically…and I’m a little debated…

The sound these guys make on this album is a bit different to their previous efforts, and is a very dramatic step away from my favourite album of theirs, “Antenna.” There is a very noisy atmosphere to this album, which hasn’t really been heard on their previous albums in this amount of detail. Yes, they are known for using their instruments at times in very interesting ways, but there is a very noisy texture behind all these songs.

I did enjoy this album a good bit, but to be honest, it’s not Cave In’s strongest in my opinion, and I know Cave In fans will slit my throat for this, but I do prefer these guys as a very interesting melodic rock band rather than just a common post hardcore noisy metalcore band. Antenna really had to be one of the most interesting rock albums of the last decade, because the songs where really well put together…but there was something else behind it. This album, has been done before, and it’s been done better.

This album to me is very similar to The Flaming Lips most recent album Embryonic. A big step in the next direction, incorporating a massive experimental side to the band, and bringing noise rock and other influences into the mould, and really experimenting with sound. Now I didn’t get the album when I first album when I first heard it, but now it’s grown on me (maybe this is what this album will do to me).

This album has the exact same formula. There is seeds of their own sound, but now there is a very noisy wall around it. The production is done in a very odd way, where sometimes the noise element can overshadow the songs themselves. Now in The Flaming Lips Embryonic it was interesting to hear this because the noise was rather beautiful at times. But in this album, the noise can at times can be almost overpowering (not too Merzbow, but enough to take away from the actual songs). I also feel that the album seems to get weaker as you listen to it.

Now I’m not going to lampoon this album completely. I did really like it, and would say it’s a great release from the band, and there are some real amazing moments on this album. But I’m afraid that this band that I once loved might end up becoming some obscure hipster feeding machine, where all songwriting ability has been lost in order to entertain the hipsters with beeps and noises rather than actual songs. At times I did feel like I was listening to some pish Pitchfork recommended generic indie band. I do respect this album a lot, because it does have a real album feel to it. The songs run into each other very well and do have grea atmospheres at times. The fact that it’s just over half an hour is a bonus as well.

1. White Silence – I love how this song is almost anthemic in its’ approach. A very odd way to start an album, but great nonetheless. 9/10

2. Serpents – Great riff in this song. Love the hardcore punk feel to it. Great vocals in the song. Best song on the album in my opinion 9/10

3. Sing My Loves – Pretty cool noisy intro. I love the Mastodon feel of the song, reminds me of the song Seabeast. I love the build ups throughout. The only problem I have with this song is that I can barely make out the clean vocals. It’s not that the vocals aren’t there; it’s just that I can’t really make out what Stephen is saying. The song also is a bit too long I feel. I love Calebs vocals in the song though. The noise rock elements are really interesting too. 8/10

4. Vicious Circles – This song does have a pretty killer chorus. The crazy guitar noises in this song are the real marvel to behold in this song. 7/10

5. Centered – The instrumentation and timing of this song is pretty killer. Great vocals and a killer chorus. I also love how the song ends and fades into the next track. 7/10

6. Summit Fever – There is a pretty killer groove in this song. Nice use of vocals. The production really does add to the gigantic sound of the song. 7/10

7. Heartbreaks, Earthquakes – Sounds a bit like a Beatles song on acid and ketamine. The song is pretty trippy, but it does sound like a nightmare of a trip. The only flaw I have with this song is that it does at time sound a bit like a “hipster” indie band trying to be all arty and noisy…but if you consider that it sounds like Panic At The Disco played by Lightning Bolt is a positive thing, then you may enjoy this song just a little more. 7/10

8. Iron Decibels – I do like how minimalistic this song is. Some of the instrumental sections are pretty interesting in the song, but the vocals let it down a bet to be honest. 6/10

9. Reanimation – One of the best songs on the album. I love the nice acoustic sound throughout. I hate how the song (and the album itself) ends with no real warning or care. 8/10

CONCLUSION: All in all, this is a great album. I’m really torn with it at times, and giving the score I’m giving is a bit of a push forward, but to be honest, I do fear these guys might end up embracing a style which really doesn’t belong to them. I love experimentation in music, but that doesn’t mean that your songwriting ability has to suffer due to it. These guys can still write songs, but there are moments on this album which do sound lie

6.9/10