CDs (Heavy Metal)

Strange, but what isn't in the world of indie metal? As I Lay Dying releases, A Long March: The First Recordings via Metal Blade, which includes their debut album, Beneath the Encasing of Ashes, and their follow-up EP As I Lay Dying (recorded as a split with American Tragedy), only to precede that material with re-recorded versions of the EP … (More)

As I Lay Dying offer album number four with new bassist Josh Gilbert, who replaces Clint Norris (who left to get married and settle down). An Ocean Between Us offers several new aspects in the band's sound: the churning hardcore is still very much at the center of the band's sound, as are the twin lead guitars of Nick Hipa and Phil Sgrosso. Tim … (More)

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The third full-length from this California band finds vocalist Tim Lambesis and drummer Jordan Mancino the only remaining ties to the band that made 2003's Frail Words Collapse. Fans need not worry, though. The new recruits -- guitarists Phil Sgrosso and Nick Hipa and bass player Clint Norris -- have more than meshed with Lambesis and Mancino; … (More)

The art direction of August Burns Red's third album strongly suggests a vintage early-'70s metal album by some little-remembered band -- probably British -- working in the Black Sabbath tradition. First track "The Truth of a Liar" opens with a vintage-metal scream and Tony Iommi-style riff, maintaining the connection to the past, but … (More)

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When lead singer Adam Harrell switches from screaming to singing on "King of the Carp," this album's opening track, his voice evokes no one so much as John Lydon, and it's a curious moment: screamo bands are usually more about conspicuous anguish than sharp, nasal vituperation. But if one thing is clear on Fiends, it's the fact that … (More)

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Solid State proudly presents the debut full length "Burning Bridges" from Haste the Day. These guys have been touring like seasoned veterans, gaining fans and friends along the way, and putting Indiana on the map. Fans of Zao and The Agony Scene will be won over by this 12 song release. Produced, engineered, and mixed by Barry Poynter

Haste the Day's first album with new singer Stephen Keech, 2007's PRESSURE THE HINGES finds the Indianapolis-based Christian metalcore ensemble sounding better for the change. Although there are still plenty of throat-scraping moments on the ...    Full Descriptionalbum, the band opts for more melody in both its vocals and … (More)

Though each member of Haste The Day thanks Jesus Christ in WHEN EVERYTHING FALLS's accompanying liner notes, one would be hard pressed to discern a Christian message when listening to this disc, especially since many of the vocals here are closer ...    Full Descriptionto tortured, demonic screams. Musically, Haste The Day … (More)

Of all the metalcore bands that have come and gone over the span of the genre's history, Living Sacrifice has remained a band who never showed a sign of weakness. This is a band who, time and time again, release superior metal albums, always providing above-average albums over their decade as a band. Many proclaimed 2000's The Hammering Process as … (More)

The dissonant, trebly guitar noodling combined with detuned sub-riffing known as nu-metal sneaks into the always-evolving aggro of Living Sacrifice on the group's sixth release, The Hammering Process. Though perhaps considered a suspicious shift by their underground metal fans, this subtle transformation works for a unit used to combining the best … (More)

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On their self-titled debut album (originally recorded in the early '90s and reissued in 1999), Living Sacrifice are still honing their style, but the record has a raw bite that will please most death metal fans, even if the subject matter isn't the traditional fare

This sophomore release from Arkansas' Living Sacrifice was originally released in 1992 on the CCM R.E.X. label. After R.E.X. went out of business, Nonexistent was reissued by Tooth & Nail in 1999. Featuring the same lineup that recorded the Living Sacrifice eponymous debut (Bruce Fitzhugh and Jason Truby on guitars, Lance Garvin on drums, and … (More)

Reborn is an oddity -- a Christian metal album that burns with the intensity of a thrash record. Sonically, Living Sacrifice has more in common with the legions of dark metal than the heaven's metal troupe, but lyrically they're devoted to good, not evil. Still, the average metal fan will find much here of interest, particularly the pummeling … (More)

Deriving from a variety of influences such as Muse, Chevelle, Blindside and Linkin Park, Red brings a unique blend of heavy guitars, intense string arrangements and dynamic vocals.They are quickly gaining fans with an exceedingly intense live show every bit as compelling as their debut cd. Already touring heavily in the mid-west and west coast, … (More)

On 2008's BACK BREAKER, its first outing for Solid State Records, the Christian metal ensemble the Showdown offers up a fierce set of songs built, oddly enough, around Greek mythology. Working in the vein of Disturbed and Shadows Fall, the Tennessee-based act is in fine fighting form on such hard-hitting tunes as the title track and "I Am … (More)