Double-bass thunder, flutter-picking mixed with arctic thrash, with anthemic Nordic roar, snakespit, and blackened yowl slathered generously atop this cake.
I haven’t liked a new hardcore band in years, but I like this one. They’re from Maine. Singer (and label owner) Ryan O’Connor has a great, distinctive voice.
Modena is a new, young band from Raleigh, NC, not a genius, tragically-addicted band from Seattle in 1990 that created the style, like Alice in Chains.
Some hardcore doesn’t age well, this did. From Cleveland, pre-metal inbreeding, guitar played hard and fast, and a singer offering lots of “aaaaaahhhhhhhs!”
An amazing and diverse band, so textured and well-versed, metal fans would be missing out on a real gem if they didn’t snag this one and absorb it thoroughly.
Edguy is known for having a sense of humor. That makes them easy to like, but these Germans are otherwise content to tread familiar ground in their sound.
Edlund’s voice has gotten deeper, as well as more snarling. Three years in Greece has done him well. Many good songs on many good albums, the bar is set high.