Lollipop Magazine

Passenger – Review

September 24, 2003

In Flames’ Anders Friden just goes about his business, unconcerned with the controversy surrounding directions taken with his main band, as well as Passenger.

Labyrinth – Review

September 24, 2003

Beyond the blabber and conjecture, I first gotta say that this is the only power metal album I’ve played dozens and dozens of times.

HateSphere – Bloodred Hatred – Review

September 24, 2003

Thick and not steely and screechy, a sort of halfway handshake extended to high-fidelity American death metal. That’s one big-ass drum sound…

Lullacry – Crucify My Heart – Review

September 11, 2003

Like ’80s Heart (melodic hard-on rock, dripping with female harmonies and bold, powerful melodies belted-out) with modern production and sizzling guitarwork.

Merauder – Bluetality – Review

September 11, 2003

I’m not sure how many people out there still like Merauder (or care, for that matter), but this NYC hardcore/metalcore act continues to stay in the spotlight.

Poisonblack – Excapexstacy – Review

September 3, 2003

Sentenced’s Ville Laihiala on guitar and NOT vocals, Excapexstacy is closer to the plush, Gothic 4/4 mass of Rapture. Slow, mournful, and perfectly-produced.

Rapture – Songs for the Withering – Review

August 27, 2003

Smooth, driving, immediate, groovy, and clean Finnish churn-metal delivered with the utmost hi-fidelity. Clean and death vocals trade magnificently throughout.

Old Man’s Child – In Defiance of Existence – Review

August 27, 2003

Total top-notch brutality, blastbeats and flutter-picking, punctuated by “scary symphonics” and delicate piano. Always a side project to revolving members.

Carnal Forge – The More You Suffer – Review

July 23, 2003

Often called Sweden’s answer to Slayer, Carnal Forge have more in common with The Haunted. Track after track is a symphony of slam.

Grave – Back from the Grave – Interview

July 2, 2003

An interview with vocalist/guitarist Ola Lindgren