Blog Archives
What’s Cookin’ In The Inbox: 17 May 2013
We normally try to space these out, but our inbox is bursting at the seams with new stuff recently released or about to be released. Here is a chance to catch a glimpse of what’s out there. Again, I hope to bring you an eclectic mix of various styles of anything related to metal. As always, it’s up to you to decide whether you like it or not, instead of me throwing my two cents at you. The object here is to spread the gospel of metal. There is some interesting stuff brewing out there and I hope it finds you well. Without further delay, here are several bands cooking up our inbox. As always, enjoy!
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What’s Cookin’ In The Inbox: 14 May 2013
It’s time for another issue of What’s Cookin’ in the Inbox. This time, I will be bringing you more bands; probably two separate posts this week that boast eclectic mixes of anything related to metal. The object here is to spread the gospel of metal and let you decide what you are going to do with this information. There is some interesting stuff brewing out there and I hope it finds you well. Without further delay, here are several bands cooking up our inbox. As always, enjoy!
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Mini Review: Mortal Form; Grimmortal; Dark Moor; Bakken; Circle of Unexisted
The Reckoning is the forthcoming album from Dutch quintet Mortal Form. The thrash/death inspired band brewed a concoction of brutal riffs, killer double-bass, and vicious vocals. Reminiscent of Death, Kreator, and In Flames; Mortal Form can carry a headbanging harmony, incorporate melodic solos, and also be completely and utterly evil. The Reckoning is about 40 minutes of ferocity with a great deal of appeal to fans of Thrash and Death metal. The entire album is an uncompromising blitz of 10 songs surely to encourage sore necks and broken furniture. It’s nice to see something come out of The Netherlands that isn’t coated with symphonic keyboards and female vocals…not that those bands are a bad thing at all.
Mini Reviews: Sinocence; Code of Silence; Godyva; Forlorn Path
Since I started doing reviews, I have come to know Northern Ireland as a nation that spawns quality hardcore acts. Sinocence, however, is more your straightforward Thrash metal band. Their five track album, No Gods, No Masters Vol 1, is a refreshing set of Metallica and Machine Head influenced melodies. On their softer side, throw in a bit of Disturbed and Staind influences and you have a well-balanced album of both hard-hitting and harmonious tempos. Even for just five songs, the album is just under 35 minutes and its strength relies on heavy riffing, artistic guitar solos, and inspired song composition. Overall, No Gods, No Masters Vol 1 kept my attention from beginning to end with Occams Razors being my favorite; also the longest song at over 8 minutes. It’s a strong sophomore album for the Belfast band surely to garner attention on other islands and continents.
Album Review: Pasadena Napalm Division – Pasadena Napalm Division
If I asked you to listen to a song called 100 Beers with A Zombie from a band called Pasadena Napalm Division what would you think? You would probably think it’s silly and take it with a grain of salt, but listen anyway. Would it change things a bit if I told you former DRI vocalist Kurt Brecht was fronting the band? I bet it would. Now take them seriously! Out of Texas, comes Pasadena Napalm Division with their Hardcore Punk, and primarily Thrash concoction very much worth taking note, especially for fans of DRI during their Thrash Zone and 4 of a Kind days.
Album Review: Flotsam and Jetsam – Ugly Noise
In case you have been living under a rock, Flotsam and Jetsam have been in the metal business for over 30 years (since formation under the name Paradox); slightly less if you start counting at their first release in the mid 80s. They have perfected (mostly) a concoction of quality metal focused on stringing together catchy riffs and headbanging cadences. Though they haven’t garnered the sweet royalties of today’s Big Four-type bands, Flotsam and Jetsam have created a niche of fans for all intents and purposes is quite fine with the band. Ugly Noise is their 11th studio album and out of all the Flotsam and Jetsam albums I have heard over the years…even the stuff I missed and had to catch up on, Ugly Noise is a focused well-produced/fan-sponsored album. But, does that make it good?
EP Review: Mortar – Ground Zero
Have you ever seen a movie where bad guys are torturing someone in a house or garage while loud music is playing in the background? I couldn’t tell you the name of one, but I have seen it in several movies. Well, if that were me doing the dirty work, Mortar is the band I think I would choose to drown out the deathly screams of the unfortunate torture candidate. Their EP is called Ground Zero and is 18 minutes of punishing, raw, uncompromising, and unadulterated brutality. Even their cover of Hell Bent for Leather is no less harsh.
The EP is a quick listen and the lacking production value gives the overall feel of that analog early 80s recording practice. It kind of reminds me of very early Slayer. Ground Zero is so raw it almost seems over-the-top intentional, but the very nature of the album and its unrefined quality imply that with the right equipment and funds to record a proper album, Mortar could be a contender.
What’s Cookin’ In The Inbox (10 Apr 13)
It’s about that time again to write-up a post and introduce you to some stuff that you may not have heard of. At least that’s the goal anyway. As you know we at A Metal State of Mind love to spread the gospel of metal, so here are some eclectic tidbits we received in our inbox that we think you may like. Enjoy!
First up is a French band called Hardbanger. I noticed they are pretty heavy music once I got past the boobs and chicks kissing. Their four-track EPK was released 1 April, 2013. Below (next page) is the clip for the track She Says.
Concert Review: Anthrax/Exodus & more…
Fans were out in full-force Tuesday night (Apr 2) in Denver, CO for the sold-out Metal Alliance Tour featuring Anthrax with special guests Exodus, High on Fire, Municipal Waste, and Holy Grail. If my memory serves me, this was my ninth appearance in the crowd at an Anthrax set. Under normal circumstances, I would have thought a bit more about traveling 102 miles on a weekday to see a band I have seen so many times, but once I learned Anthrax’s Among The Living would be played in its entirety, I just had to be there. Also, I never saw any other of the other bands live before, so there was also that. One other reason fueling my interest with this show was…of all the times I saw Anthrax this was only the third as a headliner. I longed for the full-set experience and I got it!
Album Review: Anthrax – Anthems EP
I can always appreciate an album of cover songs from my long-time favorite bands. Anthrax, though not necessarily known for recording that many covers, does do them well when they get around to it. You may remember a few cover songs off that eclectic album Attack of the Killer B’s released in 1991. It has the popular Metal/Rap collaboration Bring the Noise and a newer version of I’m The Man. Contained therein is also a Kiss cover (Parasite) and even a couple S.O.D. covers (Ode to Billy and Chromatic Death) which, ironically, members of Anthrax are part of. Other than Antisocial, Anthrax has kept their recording of covers to a minimum compared to some other Metallica bands. Now, we have the EP Anthems to satisfy our craving for metal cover songs. Here is the breakdown.
