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LATEST CD RATINGS, UPDATED 6-1-12:

A Sound of Thunder - Out of the darkness 4/5 A Sound of Thunder Review - KIT
Accept - Stalingrad 4.5/5 Accept Review - CRAIG
Agresiva - Eternal foe 3.5/5 (Spanish thrash act channel Anthrax, but also give us a hint of Mesmerize and Petty Pew, with this debut) - MICHAEL
Breathless - Thrashumancy 3/5 (Spanish mosh mayhem debut comparable to Game Over, Abuser, Angelus Apatrida, Amethyst, etc.) - MICHAEL
Burning Starr - Land of the dead 4/5 Burning Starr Review - KIT
Charlie Shred - s/t 4/5 (excellent heavy/power metal debut from Reinxeed members, who tear it up like early Steel Attack and Axenstar) - MICHAEL
Circle of Silence - The blackened halo 3.5/5 (good heavy-duty German metal a la Brainstorm with groovy riffs, gritty vocals and ample melody; their 3rd CD) - KIT
Creeper - Welcome to room #9 3/5 (Texas-based Pantera-inspired thrash debut, with a hint of Ritual Misery, Warbeast and Texas Hippie Coalition) - MICHAEL
Crimson Cult - Tales of doom 4/5 Crimson Cult Review - SEAN
Crysalys - The awakening of Gaia 4/5 (strong debut of gothic/symphonic metal with amazing operatic female vocals; has some powerful moments like Iluminato and Epica)
Dimension Act - Manifestation of progress 3.5/5 (competitive melodic/progressive power metal debut with enough speed; perhaps a blend of Borealis and Aspera)
Dragonforce - The power within 4.5/5 (spectacular 5th CD from this popular power metal band; features a terrific new vocalist, is more varied, and might be their best to date)
Dreadnox - Dance of ignorance 3.5/5 (2nd CD of quality power metal from Brazil produced by R. Tribuzy; a mix of double-bass heavy stuff and melodic fare) - KIT
Eternal Dream - The fall of Salanthine 4/5 Eternal Dream Review
Evenoire - Vitriol 3.5/5 Evenoire Review - CHRIS
Faith or Fear - Titanium 3.5/5 Faith or Fear Review - MICHAEL
Hateseed - Hate comes crawling 3/5 Hateseed Review
Hexen - Being and nothingness 3.5/5 (2nd CD from this intense technical thrash act from California who write amazing riffs and provocative lyrics a la Death Angel) - MICHAEL
Huntress - Spell eater 3/5 (overrated aggressive female fronted heavy metal debut like Echoes of Eternity; has some average songs, but isn’t worth all the hype) - MICHAEL
Illuminata - A world so cold 3.5/5 (female fronted symphonic/gothic metal debut that’s fairly standard, but the songs are good and there are even some top-quality highlights)
In Vain - In death we trust 3.5/5 In Vain Review - KIT
Kaktus Project - Superstition 3.5/5 (nicely done melodic/power metal debut with a bit of hard rock at times; has many vocalists and overall is comparable to Avantasia)
Katana - Storms of war 4/5 Katana Review - CREAG
Lanfear - This harmonic consonance 3/5 (German band is back with their 6th CD, but it’s more progressive and less exciting than their more power metal oriented CDs)
Last Kingdom - Chronicles of the north 3.5/5 Last Kingdom Review - SEAN
Lokke, Johnny - Promises and lies 3/5 (3rd CD of meat'n'potatoes midtempo U.S. metal; a bit like Circle II Circle mixed with early Cage or Armored Saint) - KIT
Lumus - Bacchus' curse 3/5 (debut of female vocal lightly progressive symphonic gothic metal with melodic but not very catchy vocal melodies) - CHRIS
Mad Max - Another night of passion 3.5/5 (great CD with kickin' 'n rockin' anthems for fans of Son of a Bitch, Kissin' Dynamite, Vengeance, etc.) - MICHAEL
Mekong Delta - Intersections 3.5/5 (newly recorded versions of all-time classics; sadly lacking any of the original vocalists and any classical orchestrations) - MICHAEL
Messenger - See you in hell 3/5 (no-frills traditional authentic power/true metal from Germany in the vein of Majesty; their 4th CD) - KIT
Neonfly - Outshine the sun 3.5/5 (slick power metal debut similar to Supreme Majesty, Sturm und Drang, Crown of Glory, Moonville, Enbound, Stormcrow, etc.)
Rarog - Sons of the falcon 3/5 (3rd CD that’s a return to the epic, enthusiastic, symphonic pagan metal of their debut; has death, clean and female vocals) - CHRIS
Sabaton - Carolus rex 3.5/5 (conceptual CD which is uneven and only in English for U.S. region, but it’s their last effort with the classic line-up; their 6th CD) - MICHAEL
Skylark - Twilights of sand 3/5 (9th CD with great songwriting, but the new female vocalist isn’t as wonderful as the previous and the remakes aren’t at the level of the originals)
Sofisticator - Camping the vein 3.5/5 Sofisticator Review - CREAG
Trivium - In waves 3.5/5 (everyone's favorite whipping boy delivers another crushing, melodic slab of modern metal that open-minded folks may dig) - KIT
Vengeance - Crystal eye 3/5 (Leon Goewie returns with ex-Alice Cooper guitarist and ex-AC/DC drummer to deliver another bona fide solid ball of rock/metal) - MICHAEL
Wicked Machine - s/t 2/5 (toothless Italian melodic metal/hard rock debut with juvenile lyrics, unconvincing songs, and a too-wimpy approach) - KIT


PREVIOUS CD RATINGS, UPDATED 5-1-12:

Age of Artemis - Overcoming limits 4/5 Age of Artemis Review
Alltheniko - Millennium re-burn 3.5/5 (solid 3rd CD from consistent Italian heavy power metallers; for fans of early Rage, Sencirow and Thunderblast) - KIT
Amberian Dawn - Circus black 4.5/5 (power metal band’s 4th CD, with wonderful female vocals and symphonic/neo-classical highlights; I love this band)
Angelus Apatrida - The call 3.5/5 (just like clockwork, they deliver another crushing and punishing release, so heed the call; their 4th CD) - MICHAEL
Another Destiny Project - Tell me what you see 3/5 (debut that’s not bad for a bunch of youthful Italians imitating Labyrinth, Vision Divine and their ilk) - MICHAEL
Bayley, Blaze - The king of metal 3/5 Bayley, Blaze Review - CREAG
Christian Mistress - Possession 3.5/5 (cool, rough-hewn proto metal from Washington with gritty female vocals and a fiercely old-school approach; their 2nd CD) - KIT
Crom - Of love and death 4.5/5 Crom Review - KIT
Diabulus in Musica - The wanderer 3.5/5 (2nd CD of bombastic “beauty and beast” symphonic gothic power metal, like Epica; stronger songwriting than the debut) - CHRIS
Drakkar - When lightning strikes 3.5/5 (long-overdue but great 4th CD from this Italian epic/power metal band; similar to their other CDs for the most part)
El Cuervo de Poe - Ex libris 3.5/5 El Cuervo de Poe Review - CHRIS
Epica - Requiem for the indifferent 3.5/5 (strong CD of "beauty and beast" power/symphonic gothic metal, but it’s not at the level of their previous 2 CDs)
Exumer - Fire & damnation 4/5 Exumer Review - MICHAEL
Freedom Call - Land of the crimson dawn 3.5/5 (popular power metal band gives us another fun CD, and while there are a few songs I don’t like, it’s still enjoyable)
Hammer Horde - Vinlander 4/5 Hammer Horde Review - CREAG
Hour of 13 - The ritualist 3.5/5 (powerful Iommi-style guitars and plaintive vocals are the name of the game on this worthy traditional doom CD, which is their 2nd) - KIT
Hypersonic - Fallen melodies 3.5/5 (very good melodic/power metal debut with female and clean male vocals; reminds me of Felony, but with hints of Skylark)
In Virtue - Embrace the Horror 4/5 In Virtue Review - JOHN
Iron Fire - Voyage of the damned 3.5/5 (solid but completely expected 7th CD of power metal with Martin Steene's unique vocals from these Danish warriors) - CRAIG
Killem - Muted 3/5 (Spanish Megadeth-influenced thrash debut with some snappy old-school riffing, but the vocals get a bit monotonous) - KIT
Kissin’ Dynamite - Money, sex & power 4/5 Kissin’ Dynamite Review - SEAN
Lyriel - Leverage 4/5 (surprising change of style to heavy straightforward catchy melodic metal with folk touches and pleasant female vocals; their 4th CD) - CHRIS
Mares of Thrace - The pilgrimage 2/5 (2 hot chicks attempt doom, but the result is a deathlike drone and not the promised Budgie homage; their 2nd CD) - MICHAEL
Midnight Priest - s/t 4/5 (Portugal's answer to the Portrait/In Solitude/Ram/Wolf family of bands, with a pinch of Ironsword; good stuff) - KIT
Nightqueen - For queen and metal 3/5 Nightqueen Review - SEAN
Opus Doria - Infraworld 3.5/5 Opus Doria Review
Overkill - The electric age 4/5 (popular thrash band is back with an awesome CD, and those who love their previous ‘Ironbound’ will find this to be a worthy follow-up)
Perpetual Dreamer - s/t 3/5 (Japanese-language neo-classical power metal debut like Concerto Moon, but with high-pitched female vocals a la Dragon Guardian)
Piel de Serpiente - Inevitable 3.5/5 (3rd CD of happy-go-lucky Spanish-language melodic metal; like Mago de Oz, minus the folky bits and the weirdness) - KIT
Portrait - Crimen laesae majestatis divinae 4/5 (2nd CD by Mercyful Fate-inspired Swedes; they've upped their game from the debut in all respects) - KIT
Pythia - The serpent’s curse 4.5/5 (exciting and extra-catchy 2nd CD of female fronted power/symphonic/gothic metal; continues where the powerful debut left off)
Ritual (NJ, U.S.) - The ancient tome 3/5 (classic metal debut with some speed; comparable to early Riot, The Rods and Tension) - MICHAEL
Rizon - Masquerade 3/5 (3rd CD from this power metal band with female and clear male vocals; contains a mix of both great and average songs, so it’s solid overall)
Southern Cross - From tragedy 4/5 (3rd CD that’s more diverse/progressive and lighter than their previous ‘Down below’; prog fans will especially dig this)
Speedwolf - Ride with death 3/5 (thrash debut for fans of Mpire of Evil, Crumbsuckers and Chrome Divison; much better than Nitrogods!) - MICHAEL
Spellcaster - Under the spell 4/5 (ripping, fun debut on Heavy Artillery that fits in the Striker/Holy Grail mold, with a dash of thrash goodness) - KIT
Steelwing - Zone of alienation 3.5/5 (Swedes attempt to re-interpret Overdrive while adulating Tokyo Blade and Tygers of Pan Tang; their 2nd CD) - MICHAEL
Symbolizer - Thanatos unleashed 3/5 (musically killer mid-paced melodic European thrash debut, but the subpar half-spoken clean vocals hurt) - KIT
Tomorrow's Outlook - 34613 4/5 Tomorrow’s Outlook Review - KIT
Trust X - At the edge of eternity 4/5 (terrific Russian-language power metal debut that’s a blind purchase for fans of Epidemia, Terran, Arktida, Retriem, Kolizey, etc.)
Unisonic - s/t 4/5 Unisonic Review - MICHAEL
Zero Down - Looking to start a riot 3.5/5 (impressive old-school offering for fans of Accept, TT Quick, Znowhite, Riot and The Godz; their 3rd CD) - MICHAEL


PREVIOUS CD RATINGS, UPDATED 4-1-12:

Amalthea - Book of dead names 2.5/5 (Russian-language power metal debut with nothing really wrong and it’s decent, but there are better CDs in the style/language)
Angel Witch - As above, so below 3/5 (not a spectacular return, but this influential NWOBHM act set a precedent evidenced by Christian Mistress’s ‘Possession’) - MICHAEL
Angelus Apatrida - Clockwork 3.5/5 (great Brazilian thrash that channels Testament, Megadeth, Sepultura and Overdose with such aplomb; their 3rd CD) - MICHAEL
Atlas & Axis - March of the night 3.5/5 Atlas & Axis Review
Avariel - The dawn 3.5/5 Avariel Review - CHRIS
Black Breath - Sentenced to life 3/5 (melodic U.S. deathrashers celebrate early Sentenced, Merciless and even The Hellacopters; their 2nd CD) - MICHAEL
Bywar - Abduction 3.5/5 (Brazilian Destruction clones return with another rager similar to Necronomicon, Eradicator and Coroner; their 4th CD) - MICHAEL
Crown the Lost - Cold pestilent hope 3.5/5 (now defunct, once promising progressive/power act’s 3rd CD a la Jag Panzer, Steel Assassin and Savatage) - MICHAEL
Crylord - Blood of the prophets 3/5 (neo-classical power metal debut with popular vocalists Mark Boals, Goran Edman and Carsten Schulz; predictable, but solid)
Desert Sin - Destination paradise 3/5 (2nd CD from this heavy/power metal band in the style of Crawler, Dream Master, Clairvoyants, etc.; their debut is a bit better)
Dragonsclaw - Prophecy 4/5 Dragonsclaw Review - SEAN
Eden's Curse - Trinity 3.5/5 (first-rate classic melodic metal for the Dokken, Pink Cream 69, Axel Rudi Pell and old Queensryche crowd; their 3rd CD) - KIT
Eradicator - The atomic blast 3/5 (debut from German thrashers showing appreciation for Evil Dead, Necronomicon, Death in Action and Destruction) - MICHAEL
Eyes of Soul - Cyberian tales 4/5 (memorable Italian progressive power metal debut; think of Concept, Silver Lake, Helreid, Wonderland, Ananke and Night Cloud)
Fueled by Fire - Plunging into darkness 3/5 (2nd CD that’s less fun /melodic than the debut, and I miss the old singer, but this is ripping, hammer-down thrash) - KIT
Game Over - For humanity 3.5/5 Game Over Review - MICHAEL
Ivory Tower - IV 1.5/5 (progressive power metal band is back in a shockingly bad way, with modern elements and some horrid vocals; massive disappointment!)
Krusader - Angus 3.5/5 Krusader Review - CREAG
Mortifier - Anatomies undone 3.5/5 (quality Ohio retro-thrash for fans of Crucified Mortals, Untimely Demise, Vindicator, Revocation, etc.; their 2nd CD) - MICHAEL
Mr. Scarecrow - 30 silver pieces 3/5 (low-budget European power metal debut comparable to early Silverlane; nothing original here, but enjoyable all the same) - CREAG
Municipal Waste - The fatal feast 3.5/5 (now signed to Nuclear Blast Records, still kickin' ass and stealing from Tankard, Nuclear Assault and Acid Reign) - MICHAEL
Night Mistress - The back of beyond 3.5/5 (sturdy melancholic power metal debut from Poland that is similar to Urban Breed-era Tad Morose) - KIT
Nota Profana - Violent whispers 3/5 (fast epic bombastic symphonic/choral metal debut with pleasant soprano lead vocals and occasional black vocals; like Haggard) - CHRIS
Orphan Gypsy - Aftermath 4.5/5 (spectacular power metal debut from Sweden, but I’m reminded of Italian bands like Windrow, Shadows of Steel, Projecto and Soulblaze)
Pandaemonium - The last prayer 3.5/5 (Italian power metal band, known for their extra-high-pitched vocals, returns after 7 years with a great 3rd CD like their others)
Porridgeface (The) - Canon of ugliness 4.5/5 (like early Gallows End, this one-man project debut honors 80s-era Noise acts like Vendetta, Deathrow and Tankard) - MICHAEL
Primal Rock Rebellion - Awoken broken 3/5 (Adrian Smith again surprises fans with non-Iron Maiden material; more modern with some groove) - MICHAEL
Screaming Shadows - Night keeper 3/5 (I was disappointed with this power metal band’s previous CD, but this 4th CD is better and I love the closer “Wild horses”)
Secret Illusion - Illusion 3.5/5 (melodic/power metal debut that could surely be compared to many bands, but I mostly hear Excalion with a Stratovarius influence)
Shadowicon - Empire in ruins 4/5 Shadowicon Review
Silent Opera - Immortal beauty 3/5 Silent Opera Review - SEAN
Skalmold - Baldur 3.5/5 (Icelandic viking metal debut with extremely harsh vocals juxtaposed against killer metal riffage and rollicking folky melodies) - KIT
Sleepy Hollow - Skull 13 3/5 (after 20 years, Attacker's Bob Mitchell invites a retro rock vibe similar to Presto Ballet; on Pure Steel Records) - MICHAEL
Stonedirt - Inherited fever 2.5/5 (2nd CD of thrash with a modern/aggressive sound; for fans of Headhaunter, Hate Squad, Hatesphere, The Haunted, etc.) - MICHAEL
Strikelight - Taste my attack 4/5 Strikelight Review - KIT
Tears of Tragedy - Elusive moment 3/5 (female fronted Japanese power metal debut a la Dragon Guardian, Light Bringer, Eyes of Fenrir, Area51, Vrain, Inspire, etc.)
Total Eclipse - Spellcaster 3.5/5 Total Eclipse Review - KIT
Tyr - The lay of Thrym 4.5/5 Tyr Review - KIT
Van Canto - Break the silence 4/5 (German a capella power metallers' 4th CD shows a subdued side with a few experiments, but the great songs win me over in the end) - KIT
Wolfsbane - Wolfsbane save the world 4/5 Wolfsbane Review - MICHAEL
Xandria - Neverworld’s end 5/5 Xandria Review


PREVIOUS CD RATINGS, UPDATED 3-1-12:

Aldious - Determination 3.5/5 (great all-female Japanese bevy of beauties for fans of Galneryus, Animetal and Elvenstorm; their 2nd CD) - MICHAEL
Anthem - Heraldic device 3/5 (like Loudness and their countrymen, this longstanding Japanese act continue to deliver quality CDs) - MICHAEL
Arida Vortex - Invisible tension 3/5 (3rd CD from this Russian power metal band; unlike previous CDs, there are some light progressive/rock songs that hurt the flow)
At the Lake - Maya 4/5 At the Lake Review - CHRIS
Awake - Forever more 3/5 (2nd CD from this progressive power metal band that has a big Evergrey influence; nothing amazing, but it’s certainly solid)
Barbarians - Destino al Walhalla 2.5/5 (average deathrash debut for fans of Scar Symmetry, Soilwork, and perhaps Children of Bodom) - MICHAEL
Bitter End - Have a nice death! 4/5 (awesome compilation from this highly underrated Seattle technical thrash outfit) - MICHAEL
Blaze (Jap) - s/t 3/5 (another quality Japanese heavy metal debut in the style of Sly, but also Obsession and Hittman) - MICHAEL
Bloodshed Walhalla - The legends of a viking 3.5/5 (beautifully crafted Bathory worship circa ‘Twilight of the gods’/’Hammerheart’, but it drags at times) - KIT
Chainfist - Black out Sunday 3/5 (heavy metal debut for fans of Brainstorm, Symphorce, Battlezone, and perhaps even Soundgarden) - MICHAEL
Cryonic - Kings of Avalon 2.5/5 Cryonic Review - CREAG
Crystal Tears - Generation X 4/5 (pounding Greek heavy metal produced by Liapakis, with sublime vocals from Ian Parry; their 3rd CD) - KIT
Desaster - The arts of destruction 3/5 (intense retro thrash comparable to Aura Noir, Nekromantheon, Nocturnal Breed, Inferno, but also Goatwhore) - MICHAEL
Earendil - At the gates of solstice 3/5 Earendil Review
Elliott's Keep - In medias res 2.5/5 (doom/death metal debut from Texas with lengthy, plodding songs, cool riffs, and a clean/harsh vocal split) - KIT
Free Spirit - Pale sister of light 3.5/5 Free Spirit Review - MICHAEL
Goatwhore - Blood for the master 3.5/5 (their best yet, for fans of Celtic Frost, Venom, Sepultura and Bulldozer; old-skull thrashing rage!) - MICHAEL
Halloween - Terrortory 3/5 (Detroit rock city horrorhounds return with an incredible conceptual terror story; their 5th CD) - MICHAEL
Kattah - Eyes of sand 3/5 Kattah Review - CREAG
Lacuna Coil - Dark adrenaline 3.5/5 (surprisingly great CD from this well-known gothic metal band; has a smooth flow that really makes for a pleasing listen)
Lorenguard - Eve of corruption 4.5/5 Lorenguard Review - KIT
Lust (The) - Decomposition deluxe 3.5/5 (nicely done and consistent 4th CD from this Russian gothic metal band with “beauty and the beast” vocals)
Lyzanxia - Locust 3/5 (the band’s 5th CD, which sounds like Mendeed meets Killswitch Engage, but adds little to the mix to peek my interest) - MICHAEL
Mercenary - Architect of lies 2.5/5 (fans of Evergrey, Kamelot and maybe Soilwork may like this band’s 5th CD, but I’m not really into it) - MICHAEL
Metal Inquisitor - Unconditional absolution 4/5 (3rd and best CD of true German metal crossing NWOBHM with the likes of Sacred Steel) - KIT
Midnight - Satanic royalty 3/5 (a key member of Destructor honors the black arts a la Venom, Sarcofago, and both Sabbat and Sacrifice from Japan) - MICHAEL
Midnight Chaser - Rough and tough 3/5 (a good rockin' debut for fans of Skull Fist, White Wizzard and Holy Grail; has a killer Scorpions cover) - MICHAEL
Minotaur - God may show you mercy… we will not 3/5 (decent 2nd CD, but cannot compare to the awesome debut; similar to Mandator, Blizzard and Regicide) - MICHAEL
Mpire of Evil - Hell to the holy 3.5/5 (fans of Chrome Division will verify that Venom's 'Prime Evil' line-up annihilates the latest bleak metal offering by Cronos and co.) - MICHAEL
Only Fate Remains - Breathe 3.5/5 (debut of very heavy/crunchy melodic metal with excellent female vocals; like a catchier Lacuna Coil) - CHRIS
Opening Scenery - Mystic alchemy 3/5 (Italian progressive power metal debut with excellent musical segments, but it’s mostly just okay and the vocals aren’t too good)
Sabbat (Jap) - Sabbatrinity 3/5 (cult Japanese thrash act continue to spread their curse, in the style of Bathory, Venom, Celtic Frost and Sacrifice) - MICHAEL
Saracen - Marilyn 3/5 (5th CD from this U.K. act honors Marilyn Monroe with some female vocals; for fans of More, Tygers of Pan Tang, Tokyo Blade and Jaguar) - MICHAEL
Scandelion - The garden of lies 3.5/5 Scandelion Review
Scar Symmetry - The unseen empire 3/5 (with new line-up/vocalist, I’ve lost interest in this act who once impressed me with their clean/harsh melodic death sound) - MICHAEL
Scarleth - Break the silence 3.5/5 Scarleth Review
Seven Witches - Call upon the wicked 3/5 (James Rivera's short-lived return to the Witches produced some good moments, but a mixed bag overall) - KIT
Shadow Host - Bringer of death 4.5/5 Shadow Host Review
Sonic Prophecy - A divine act of war 3.5/5 (fairly generic but very enjoyable power metal debut from my home state of Utah; this was a pleasant surprise, for sure)
Suicidal Angels - Bloodbath 3/5 (5th CD from these Greek thrashers, and along with Nekromantheon, more than sate my desire) - MICHAEL
Sword (The) - Warp riders 3/5 (3rd CD of commercial doom which thankfully isn’t sludge or droll, and it’s better than their first 2 CDs) - MICHAEL
Taberah - The light of which I dream 4/5 Taberah Review - KIT
Terran - On the edge 4/5 (fantastic Russian-language power metal debut highly recommended to fans of Arktida, Retriem, Arda, Troy, Kolizey, Epidemia, etc.)
Tersivel - For one pagan brotherhood 4/5 Tersivel Review - CREAG
Voices of Destiny - Power dive 3.5/5 Voices of Destiny Review - SEAN



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