One of The Big (insert low number here) of the second wave of nĆ¼ metal, Disturbed return after two years of gigging with another record of punchy chop metal.
There’s an undergrowth of Gothic co-ed bands from countries off the beaten path. Hungary’s Without Face are one of the most resplendent and progressive rock.
A distinct and impassioned vocal now known as much for his work with Borknagar as his band, Vintersorg, our man turns in his cleanest, most precise record yet.
A celebrated ’85 presentation, but you gotta laugh at Lizzy’s get-ups. Getting past that, the band is spot-on, much more progressive than their reputation.
The sound is perfect, the guitars afire, Ripper executing his cool, ever-so-slightly rock-ironic stage moves, his effortless highs, his comfortable growls.
Expanding Senses censors much of the progressive Swedish death complication of Insanity for a blazing, super-high-fidelity attack of post-Bay Area thrash.