Metal Blade Records – Page 36

As I Lay Dying – Frail Words Collapse – Review

November 5, 2003

No offense to As I Lay Dying, but bands like the incredible Darkest Hour and labelmates The Black Dahlia Murder do it much better.

John Arch – A Twist of Fate – Review

October 29, 2003

A rousing out of retirement for fabled Fates Warning vocalist John Arch, who is in amazing form, even if his mature voice has taken on an almost affected twang.

Armored Saint – Symbol of Salvation – Review

October 29, 2003

A three-CD reissue, no doubt due to Metal Blade’s Brian Slagel’s deep appreciation for this record, and his experience of the tragedy of Dave Prichard’s death.

Cannibal Corpse – Worm Infested – Review

September 3, 2003

Worm Infested reminds us that – although the band’s best work is behind them – there’re still plenty of reasons to love Cannibal Corpse.

Cannibal Corpse – Tomb of the Mutilated – Review

September 3, 2003

The album that birthed the Cannibal Corpse sound and image: Sexually-based gore lyrics, intense technical sparring, and “how much can you take?” artwork.

Cannibal Corpse – Eaten Back to Life – Review

September 3, 2003

Perhaps the group at its purest, just five, gore movie-loving guys, pounding away at their instruments, trying to write Kreator songs backwards.

Cannibal Corpse – Butchered at Birth – Review

September 3, 2003

Butchered at Birth is probably the band’s weakest release, mainly due to the group’s obsession with being “heavier” instead of “better.”

40 Grit – Nothing To Remember – Review

August 27, 2003

Imagine the bump’n’grind of nü metal groove with the rich, powerful, manly belt-it-out of ROCK. Yeah, thundering music, but with melodies you can sing along to.

God Dethroned – Into The Lungs of Hell – Review

August 27, 2003

Death metal with only scant leanings toward thrash and death-with-melody, Into the Lungs of Hell won’t change the mid-tier status of this long-suffering band.

Dies Irae – The Sin War – Review

July 2, 2003

This is Vader members Mauser and Doc’s side band. Ironic, then, that this sophomore release is actually better than the last Vader full-length, Revelations.