Lollipop Magazine

Symphorce – Godspeed – Review

January 13, 2006

Along the lines of rock-sculptured records by Evergrey, Morgana Lefay, and Nevermore, Godspeed finds this band stonewalled with heaviness, but progressive in all the creases.

Subterranean Masquerade – Suspended Animation Dreams – Review

January 13, 2006

Smart metal. For fans of Opeth and Anathema, or Pink Floyd fans who like some doom growl with their heavy guitar and meandering guitarwork.

Mercury Switch – Time to Shine – Review

January 13, 2006

A perfect example of a hardcore band who almost instantly grew tired of ONLY howling and thundering and doing breakdowns so the kids could jump around.

Manda and the Marbles – Angels with Dirty Faces – Review

January 13, 2006

Should just be called Manda, since it’s got no marbles. The album is perfect: Flawless, over-produced, cream-filled sweetness, like eating both Twinkies. Twice.

Lamb of God – Killadelphia – Review

January 1, 2006

LoG live CD. Thick-vocals, tightly-compressed guitarwork – often doubled – crammed into every nook and cranny, and precise drumming holds the chaos together.

Joachim Witt – Bayreuth 3 – Review

January 1, 2006

In his 30-year career, Joachim Witt has sold over two million records, and is a direct inspiration for Rammstein, not the other way around, kids.

Herod – Rich Man’s War Poor Man’s Fight – Review

January 1, 2006

Buffalo’s Herod second full-length for Lifeforce. Tight musicianship, layering of guitar ass-shake, and a vocalist who’s not barking or Cookie Monstering.

Head Control System – Murder Nature – Review

January 1, 2006

Daniel Cardoso (ex-Sirus, Re:aktor) and Kristoffer Garm Rygg (Ulver/ex-Arcturus/Borknagar). Conceptual metal with space and electronic trinkets.

Gary Reynolds – Instant Happiness – Review

January 1, 2006

He has the chops, voice, and songwriting talent to get and keep your interest, but the “let’s do a country song next” ideas need to be nipped in the bud.

Full Minute of Mercury – Alive Again – Review

January 1, 2006

Part Missing Persons part Iron Maiden, what’s not to love? Often doubled, deliciously sweet female vocals, over wildly cheesy keyboards and glam guitarwork.