Singing one note repeatedly while the guitars play the same progression every song is just not “emotional.” It’s the downfall of many crappy emo bands.
Tight fucking playing, thick’n’fuzzy guitars, and, of course, the catchy melodies that only Japanese bands can create (listen to anime soundtracks for proof).
Seeing as these Germans were pioneers in the melodic speed metal scene of the mid-’80s, it’s kinda cool to see them dig back even deeper to their roots.
There’s so much hard-rockin’ anthem/balladry going on behind the punkpop paces, it almost sounds like Dokken, though Stryper’s probably more accurate, huh?
Rollin’ biker brew from Lee Dorrian’s Rise Above, known more for swingin’ a huge leaden dick labeled “doom” rather than this goodly chunk of rock qua rock.
With two bonus tracks, the running total is now four songs, 50 minutes. If ever there was a band that deserved the title “doom rock,” Electric Wizard is it.
Another slab of hatred and agony with which these Swedish forefathers can prove their worth, and all you kiddies out there should definitely pick it up.
Part peppy punkpop with cool start/stop breakdowns, part, ya know, lo-fi indie noodling (useless musician show-off shit if you ask me, but you didn’t).
Not the usual head-cuttin’ stompin’ blues curiosity the label specializes in. James “Super Chikan” Johnson’s soulful elaborations on old themes will win fans.
The collaboration between Iced Earth’s Jon Schaffer and Blind Guardian’s Hansi Kursch. Quality, serious-minded power metal riffs and creatively fresh harmonies.
A mix of Seal, Peter Gabriel, and NIN (the slow stuff). Of course, anyone who wants to copy NIN sounds like Gravity Kills, Stabbing Westward, or Prick.
A nice variation of styles, but most of the album’s moments still don’t rise above your standard “technical pop punk with Dokken-sounding guitars” bunch.