Mike Delano – Page 84 – Lollipop Magazine

Clash of the Titans – Review

October 7, 2010

Content to present a string of clear-the-room quests, a bizarrely complicated weapon-leveling system, and slavish adherence to the worst aspects of the genre.

Pain – Cynic Paradise – Review

October 6, 2010

Far from the extreme sounds of Hypocrisy’s Peter Tägtgren’s day-to-day, Pain is a toweringly poppy and melody-filled slice of polished industrial rock.

Gunblade NY – L.A. Machineguns – Review

October 5, 2010

Also-rans from the light gun’s mid-’90’s heyday. They’re faithful recreations of arcade games known more for unwieldy plastic cannons than for their gameplay.

Arc Rise Fantasia – Review

October 5, 2010

Not a bucket list RPG like a Final Fantasy or Zelda, but it doesn’t carry the rigid expectations or sequel fatigue, so it’s free to carve its own unique path.

Return to Earth – Automata – Review

October 1, 2010

Wildly varying styles (black metal, Faith No More, and Ministry in the first track), overreaching thematic concept, and artsy instrumental interludes.

Kataklysm – Heaven’s Venom – Review

August 25, 2010

A record that smashes conventions and just rocks out. Not Sunset Strip “rocking out,” but more groove-based than one would realistically expect from the genre.

Mafia – II – Review

August 25, 2010

As you guide Vito Scaletta from small-time thief through the mob underworld, the seasons, color palette, and even the weather change to shape the mood.

Hero Destroyed – Throes – Review

August 23, 2010

Nothing sounds labored or painstakingly tweaked, just lively and aggressive. It’s an enviable trait, to sound like you just plugged in and went with it.

Early Graves – Goner – Review

August 13, 2010

I thought the new Exodus record would be unmatched in 2010 for pure, condensed hatred, but Goner has it beat by a mile. It’s gnarly, ugly, and ferocious.

Dragon Ball – Origins 2 – Review

August 12, 2010

There are children with monkey tails flying around on clouds who get shot down by rocket launchers. One must find the time to jump into this bizarre world.