KAMELOT: SILVERTHORN REVIEW

  "Silverthorn" is the tenth album and first to feature (Seventh Wonder frontman) Tommy Karevik. 

   The album opens with "Sacrimony" which features (Arch Enemy vocalist) Alyssa White-Gluz playing one of the lead roles. Following that is "Ashes To Ashes" and " Torn" which continue the high paced feel of it. The record slows down with "Song For Jolee" which showcases the emotional qualities of Karevik's voice. Only to pick back up for the rest of the album. The last half is along the same lines with each track having memorable choruses and verses alike. The only track that is forgettable is the epic close "Prodigal Son". 

  Musically, the record follows the same lines as the past three with its keyboard driven riffs. The major change here is the guitars are both more prominent and heavier than there past recordings. 

  Vocally is where this record really shines. Tommy Karevik (once again, fangirl moment) has his own distinctive qualities while maintaining the style by previous singer Roy Khan. Truth be told, one who doesn't know the band's history would assume that Roy is still with the band. Tommy's voice is very polished and really holds the gothic feel akin to "The Black Halo". The melodies he creates remain in your head for days keeping each song unique and memorable. 

  The lyrics here are well written and very poetic. To me lyrics are a huge factor of making a band go from good to great and in this aspect, they are great. The story is about a rich family who loses their only daughter In an accident. It portrays the bereavement, guilt, and the lies told by Jolee's family. The problem is the story feels anti climatic especially for a band of this caliber. The saving grace is each song stands on it's own rather than needing to be listened to at one listen unlike most other concept albums. 

  My personal opinion is this is Kamelot's best record and certainly their first great record since the aforementioned "The Black Halo". Anyone who has enjoyed their previous records must listen to this one. It is also a great starting point for a new fan. After buying both the (deluxe edition of the) CD and the (double disc, blue) vinyl, I'd highly recommend the latter. 

  Rating: 9 out of 10

  Notable Tracks:

    "Ashes To Ashes"

    "Song For Jolee"

    "Falling Like The Fahrenheit"

ANTI-MORTEM: NEW SOUTHERN REVIEW

  The south will rise again! The debut record by Oklahoma metallers Anti-Mortem comes In fairly strong. 

  The opening track "Words Of Wisdom" pretty much sets the mood of pissed the fuck off that continues through much of the record. The groove laden tracks that follow have a mix of metal and southern rock obviously influenced by Pantera and Texas Hippie Coalition with Lynyrd Skynyrd thrown into the mix. The best way i can describe it is a heavier version of Blackberry Smoke. One of the best tracks of the album is "Black Heartbeat" which is definitely the most melodic of the album. It feels like a Saving Abel song but enjoyable. The following ("I Get Along With The Devil") sounds almost identical to a Mudvayne, or more accurately a Hellyeah song. 

  The latter half of the album is fun but pretty run of the mill until it gets to "Stagnant Water" where it picks back up.  "Truck Stop Special" has a more country feel to it, definitely bringing the southern vibe to the forefront. Closing it out is a cover of Mr. Big's "A Little Too Loose" most likely based due to it's setting I'm Oklahoma City, which is a good rendition but definitely a filler track. 

  What stands out here are the vocals. When,frontman Larado Romo, doesn't feel the need to be purely aggressive without any trace of melody it is incredibly effective. 

  While this may not be a record of the year, it is a hell of a debut. It does show promise and I'm excited for album two.  However, it is more for fans of southern rock more so than metal. Yee Haw!

  On a side note, look at that cover. It's the Grim Reaper riding through the civil war. That's fucking metal. 

  Rating: 7 out of 10

  Notable Tracks:

    "Black Heartbeat"

    "Stagnant Water"

    "Truck Stop Special"

GHOST: IF YOU HAVE GHOSTS EP REVIEW

  The first EP by Swedish ghouls "Ghost" is primarily a cover album. Definitely tying in with their "Infestissumam" album. Even with two of the tracks being bonus tracks from the aforementioned album. 

  It opens up with the Roky Erickson cover (title track) which delivers a haunting feel similar to their first album while creating a sense of chaos and danger. Following that is a cover of Abba's "I'm A Marrionette" which has a good melody but can't maintain interest enough due to it's repetitiveness and seeming to drag on. 

  The third track "Crucified" (originally by Army Of Lovers) is the standout moment here. This song fits right into the Ghost sound and vibe. Also adding a bit of heaviness to the current sound. Closing off the covers is a version of Depeche Mode's "Waiting For The Night." Ending the album is a live version of their previous single "Secular Haze". 

  The song choice here blend well with the band's style of darker lyrics. However these songs feel like bonus tracks. While entertaining for its quick time length of just under 25 minutes. It's definitely needed for people who love the band but easily skipped by casual listeners. 

  Rating: 3 out of 5

  Notable Track:

    "Crucified"

ACCEPT: BLIND RAGE REVIEW

  I may be the first to say this but, I think Mark Tornillo is a better frontman than Udo. ( nothing against him of course). This album solidifies that for me. 

  It's good to see that even on the fourteenth album, Accept can still put out quality records. It opens with the balls out  single  "Stampede". Track two however ("Dying Breed") is one of those praise metal, let's name drop every classic band/song we know. It has a good sound but gets annoying real quick. It picks back up with "Dark Side Of My Heart". Track six "Wanna Be Free" is the lowest point on the album. There's a good message of let's achieve peace to it but the lyrics get cheesy to a point of making it unbearable. Given, it's a traditional metal album so the lyrics aren't expected to stand out and unfortunately they don't. 

  What does stand out is the sound itself. Tornillo crafts some incredible melodies that fit along with the instruments. The guitar work here is will either make you bang your head to it or get a speeding ticket to it. And that's exactly what we want with an album like this

  However, there's not much originality here and some songs do start to blend together. At just over an hour long, it would've greatly benefited to shave off a couple of tracks because it does feel like it drags on a little too long. Despite the bad things here, it's still a fun, exciting album.  

  Rating: 6 out of 10

  Notable Tracks:

    "Stampede"

    "Dark Side Of My Heart"

    "200 Years"

VADER: TIBI ET IGNI REVIEW

  Hail Satan! Vader's tenth album is pretty much full with that message. 

  The album opens with a pseudo-symphonic part then blasts the gates open with "Go To Hell". Continuing on for nine more tracks of expected polish dm. There is definitely a thrash element here especially on the fist-in-the-air "Triumph Of Death. Closing out the record is (the aptly titled) "The End", which between the spoken word aspects and the bass line that carries the tune is highly reminiscent of Megadeth's "Dawn Patrol". 

 (Frontman) Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek hasn't sounded as good as he does here in a long time. Definitely bringing this album up with his rough yet intelligible vocals. 

  Lyrically it's the same open the gates of hell, praise the devil, etc as always but does anyone listen to Vader for their lyrics anyways?  

 At just under forty five minutes long, it's short but it needs to be otherwise it would've felt drawn out. 

  This album is along the lines of the rest of their catalogue. It doesn't break the formula but it didn't really need to. I'm sorry there's not much I can say that hasn't been said about the last twenty years of their work. However if you want some good satanic death metal that's better than Deicide, then look no further. It ain't anything new but it sure is good. 

  Rating: 8 out of 10

  Notable Tracks:

    "Triumph Of Death"

    "Abandon All Hope"

    "Light Reaper"

AVANTASIA: THE SCARECROW REVIEW

  The Scarecrow is the third album and first of the wicked trilogy by Tobias Sammet's Avantasia project. 

  As with the previous and current records, this album has a bunch of guest musicians playing different parts in typical metal opera styling. The story is about a man who feels alone and different from the world. While trying to find happiness he experiences heartbreak and turns to the devilish side of life. While these songs tell a whole story, they are relatable on a track by track basis which is part of what makes this album so great. 

  The album opens up with "Twisted Mind" with Roy Khan (Kamelot) playing a therapist talking to the scarecrow. Considering Kamelot is my favorite band it's safe to say I fangirled a little bit here. It's too bad that Roy was only used on the one track. Following that is the epic title track. Other great moments are the ballad "What Kind Of Love" featuring the incredibly talented Amanda Sommerville, the poppier "Carry Me Over" and "Shelter From The Rain" to the hard rocking numbers "Another Angel Down" and "I Don't Believe In Your Love" (which sounds closer to a Whitesnake song than power metal.)  Closing the album is the single "Lost In Space". The instruments here add to the atmosphere and winds the album down finish on a high note

  The stand out moments here are the guest vocalists. That includes people like Jørn Lande and Michael Kiske. Alice Cooper guests on "The Toy Master" which is great with Alice doing a top notch performance, but seems to throw the story off a bit. It's too bad both he and Roy weren't used more than one track each on this entire trilogy. While no song here is bad, the only track that is forgettable is "Cry A Little" but with only one "ok" song, that's still a pretty good album. 

  The lyrics here convey the emotion perfectly aiding to Tobias Sammet's desire to feel the story rather than understand it. Sadly, this is the best Edguy album without being Edguy in recent years. 

  Fans of any of the singers or power metal in general must hear this record if you haven't already. The guests here all sound at their peak with incredible vocal delivery and the songs are catchy and memorable. 

  Rating: 9 out of 10

  Notable Tracks: 

    "Carry Me Over"

    "What Kind Of Love"

    "I Don't Believe In Your Love"

SUICIDE SILENCE: YOU CAN'T STOP ME REVIEW

  The fourth album by Suicide Silence and the first to feature Eddie Hermida (Ex All Shall Perish) after the tragic passing of Mitch Lucker in 2012. 

  The thing I liked most about these guys is Mitches' voice so i was skeptical about the change. While Eddie does both make it his own and continue in the style of SS, there's something missing. The musical aspect is still very them and up to par with the previous records. The thing that made the last album as great as it was, was the groove. Which is unfortunately taken out for a more straight up deathcore approach here. 

  This whole album is pretty much a tribute to Mitch. With the intro "M.A.L." (Mitchell Adam Lucker) leading into "Inherit The Crown" which is about Eddie taking over the position. The Title comes from the last song Mitch wrote which is recorded with Eddie Here. 

  Lyrically it's the same as on the last three records which has always been the weak point for the band. The guest vocals of Corpsegrinder ("Control") and Greg Puciato ("Monster Within") both stand out here and are very welcome. They rerecorded "Ending Is The Beginninng" from their debut EP which is good but doesn't beat the original  

 The bonus tracks "Blue Haze" would've fit right along with the rest of the record and the Hatebreed cover "Last Breathe" actually does a pretty good rendition. In a scheme of Marketing Genius, the other song "Dogma:I Am God" is available on random copies of the record ( which I got on the first try) causing fans to buy more copies to get it. 

 While this record doesn't hold up to the previous three, it is still better than a good majority of the deathcore bands out there at the moment. Fans of both SS and All Shall Perish will probably enjoy this album. 

  Rating: 6 out of 10

  Notable Tracks:

    "Cease To Exist"

    "Control"

    "Monster Within"