Philly’s A Life Once Lost throw guitar squawks into the dense mix, a few Euro licks, and a few Meshuggah stutters to break up the monotony of the howl.
The veteran thrash band’s brightest moments during its fabled Belladonna era, no doubt to coincide with the reunification and touring cycles of said line-up.
By no means essential with the plethora of available Maiden retrospectives and live albums, but if you’re a diehard, Death on the Road will serve you proudly.
Summon was hot shit in the day, but they’ve been lapped. If heads-down, no-frills, brutal death metal is your thing, Fallen may be right up your alley.
Great for people who don’t know any better, or don’t ask for much from their music. Every lyric, every riff, ever beat here has been done before, and better.
An enjoyable metalcore record from a band that believes the true essence of the genre. Most of their peers are chauvinistic knuckleheads or trend-hopping fakes.
Flashy playing, but not a song worth investing in. Some have a bridge or fade out that glimmers, but they’re surrounded by amazingly-played knock-offs.
Captures the electricity around the “classic Anthrax line-up” reunion shows. Interviews & backstage footage. A souvenir to hang onto: All killer, no filler.
Second full-length by this Brazil band boasting ex-members of Sepultura and Overdose. Various “Walk”-style riffs, vaguely tribal grooves, and dumbass lyrics.
Dutch thinking man’s extremists Gorefest have been coaxed out of retirement, partly by a reissue campaign, partly because the damnable creativity still flows.