|
 THE HAUNTED – Versus
(Century Media/Stomp)
The Skinny: as for every Haunted release, it’s The Haunted versus At The Gates.
For their sixth album, The Haunted have gone old school and made an album with “No click tracks, no triggers, no faking it”. Does this have a substantial impact on the record? Not really. Versus sees The Haunted being The Haunted, which is kind of like At The Gates-light. Groovy riffs, excellent pissed off screams and breakdowns bigger than the hype surrounding ATG’s reformation earlier this year. Versus is the kind of album that you’ve heard a million times before, but still gets you pumped up when you put it on. Is it original? Not really. Will the songs go off live when The Haunted tour next month? Probably.
It’s Worth Checking Out For: opener Moronic Colossus and the adrenaline rush you get from slam dancing to it.
***
 METAL CHURCH – This Present Wasteland
(SPV/Riot)
The Skinny: “classic” metal: made by geriatrics for geriatrics
In the early ‘80s, Kurt Cobain was still growing into his ripped jeans and flannos while in the same town, Aberdeen Washington’s Metal Church were busting out their own hybrid of power and thrash metal. Ten albums and multiple line-up changes later, Metal Church are still doing their thing on This Present Wasteland. With the band’s thrash edge dulling with age, the album explores a more classic metal sound which, when combined with Ronny Munroe’s power metal wails, adds up to something very similar to Heaven & Hell. Standout cuts like Monster highlight how the band shies away from extremities to create a totally enjoyable record; the vocals are high, but not operatic, the riffs are quick, but not speed metal quick and the guitar tone is crunchy, but not fuzzed out. Genial as cute puppy, This Present Wasteland is the kind of record that no one can really hate.
It’s Worth Checking Out For: the second groove-laden half of the album
***½
 ZEBRAHEAD – Phoenix
(SPV/Riot)
The Skinny: Sum 41, but like, y’know, totally br00tal
Before putting this hulking piece of human excreta into my CD player, I had never heard of Zebrahead. Ignorance is bliss in this case. Combining all the cringe-worthy aspects of every band that stopped being popular seven years ago, it’s amazing a label like SPV would even bother putting this out. If you’re easily offended, this shit is likely to make your ears bleed. All the big, melodic choruses, rapped verses, terrible guitar riffs and uninspired drumming are almost too much to bear. At 16 tracks, the album is way too long. Also most of the tracks have stupid titles like Sorry, But Your Friends Are Hot.
It’s Worth Checking Out For: by no stretch of the imagination could any metalhead want to check this album out.
(no stars)
 SAKKUTH – From Wretched Blood
(Independent)
The Skinny: locals nail the Scandinavian sound
Is it just me or is the term “melodic death metal” WAY overused? It’s as though any hack metalcore band can use those three magic words and their painfully formulaic trendcore tunes are given instant credibility. While the latest offering from Sakkuth draws influence from the over-referenced Gothenburg sound, it doesn’t stop there. From Wretched Blood sees Sakkuth combining the melodic riffs with fierce, almost black metal vocals and finish off the mix with a lot of quick solos. Produced by the band, the album’s professional sound and tight musicianship shows a local band poised to make things happen for themselves. So maybe describing Sakkuth as melodic death metal is a bit misleading. Leaders of the Brisenburg scene? Maybe. A terrible term to describe an excellent band.
It’s Worth Checking Out For: awesome tracks like Devour Me and Tomorrow We Die.
***½
TOM HERSEY
|
| Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Poster's IP addresses are logged. |
|
Be first to comment on this article
