Freebase "My Life , My Rules" Hardboiled/Diehard 2002 by: Skullcrusher Freebase was formed in '95, this quartet hailz from England, & recently gig five dates with Skinlab. Freebase is a hard-core band with more guitar riffing, than most hard-core bands, nice powerful rhythms, some of the songs that stick out are: "Force Fed Life", "Nothing to Regret", "Blood For Blood (Revenge is Sweet)", "Respect 2002", & "Cunt Hunter". Music is very aggressive & vox are perfect match.

Bane of Existence Independent 2001 Skullcrusher Bane of Existence has been on the scene since '99 (formerly named Dismalbio). This self-titled mcd-is filled with excellent drumming, good death metal vox, & nice riffing. Good selection for an intro & outro on "Iconoclast" taken from the Exorcist III, the song is sheer havoc! Elements of Dying Fetus & Immolation, show through. Boston-based Bane of Existence is ass-ripping, with their death/grind tunez! Soon to be released "Humanity's Splintered Salvation"

BOTTOMFEEDER "Self ttiled four track EP" Self tiled four track EP By Jonathan Mariante This group is interesting. There are only four songs on this disc (one of which is included twice, so that really just makes three) but they are all quite different from each other. The first track, "The Explanation", is very Black Sabbath influenced, with guitar riffs lifted right out of "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath", Geezer Butler style bass playing, and a touch of "Planet Caravan" in part of the song. The Feeders' singer sounds like a cross between Layne Stayley and Billie Joe Armstrong. The following song, "Evilution", is a bouncy ska tune with a sprinkling of metal. After this one comes "Drunken Butterfly" (cool title!), which sounds influenced by Helmet, and contains some fast, rumbling guitar riffs. The disc is concluded with a shorter version of "The Explanation". These guys are a fairly decent band. They can play, and are also different and exploratory in style, and they deserve credit for that. I just don't understand why they included the same song twice, when they could have put a different one altogether on here, and shown us more of what they have to offer.

Bound & Gagged "Fornicate the Gutted" United Guttural 2002 By Skullcrusher Illinois based Bound & Gagged have released one brutal death/grind release, "Fornicate the Gutted" is sick & twisted! Vocals by Mike Crothers take a little while to grow on one. Drumming is terrific, Shawn Connors. I especially like trax; "Intentional Internal Indigestion", "Revel in Ejaculate", & "Choking & Gargling"-great rhythms. If you like Fleshgrind, Reprobation, and the like you should like, Bound & Gagged. http://www.unitedguttural.com http://www.boundgagged.net

Dominion III "Life Has Ended Here" Napalm Records 2002 By Skullcrusher Slow-mid paced industrial/techno metal. Very boring. Vocals are horrible.

Enthroned "Carnage in the Worlds Beyond" Napalm Recs. 2002 By Skullcrusher "Carnage in the Worlds Beyond" is Enthroned's fifth full-length release, & follow up to "Armoured Bestial Hell"-in comparsion-"Carnage in the Worlds Beyond" shreds "Armoured Bestial Hell" to fuckin' pieces. "Infernal Flesh Massacre", "Bloodline", & "Spawn from the Abyss" are impressive trax. A new line-up for this lp, Namroth Blackthron, has been replaced by Alsvid from Seth (FR). Great art work too-it will make an awesome shirt.

Eternal Silence "The Dawning of Chaos" Independent 2002 By Skullcrusher This is the second release from these Wisconsin boyz, since their formation in '96. Delivering four trax of death-defying excellence. Mid-paced, good rhythms, guitars solos are smooth. "The Dawning of Chaos" is sure to become a collector's item. Eternal Silence is a death metalers wet dream.

7th Nemesis "Promotional CD" By Paul Autry Three tracks, an eleven minute running time. First full length album, "Violentia Imperatrix Mundi" is in the works. For this style of music, this release has a good sound. As is usually the case, the musicianship is pretty damn good. But, the black/death vocal style quickly turns me off. I know there's a large group of people who could listen to something like this and appreciate it. But, my point of view is this...it's like listening to a good band while someone is in the background working on a table saw or something. That's what the vocals do for me. But, that's to be expected when you get into this style of music. Now, putting my personal opinion to the side for a moment, I'm pretty sure that this band will make a name for themselves in the underground scene. They've got the sound and the musical talent and, in case some of you are wondering, they're from France, which might explain some of the musicial quality. I've heard a lot of American bands doing this style of music and the bulk of what I heard wasn't done well. A poor quality demo recorded on a cheap cassette. At least 7th Nemesis is trying to rise above all that. They went the whole nine yards in an effort to give the people the most for their money and for that, they deserve some praise. I might not like this style of music. But, I can see when a band cares enough about what they're doing to get out there and do it right and that's what 7th Nemesis is doing. http://www.7thnemesis.fr.st

Blood Storm "Ancient Wrath of KU" Metal War Productions 2001 By Skullcrusher Old style black/death from the depths of Philadelphia. Evil mid-paced black death metal, vocals by Mezzadurus are vile. I think "V.V.V.V.V" rulez the album though, killer riffing, the rhythm picks up on this song immensely. Cult overtones throughout the lyrics-who would have it any other way? The art work is a masterpiece by Sahsahsalim, reminiscent of Celtic Frost, Bathory, & Venom. www.metalprod.com www.bloodstromonline.com

Profanation "Profanation" Independent 2002 By Skullcrusher Yielding the blood sword of might & blasphemy comes forth Profanation with their first demo unleashed unto the masses. Four tales appear on this Cincinnati based trio's descent into the scene; "Fall of Mysticism", "Captive Soul", "Reuniting Valor", & "Condemned to Burn". Fusing black & death metal vox, to extremely powerful death metal. Bloodsword (vox/drums), does an impressive job on handling such speedy-rhythms on the drums, while spewing forth their venomous lyrics. They'll be playing live near you soon, so go see 'um.

Myrkskog "Superior Massacre" Candlelight Records 2002 By Skullcrushrr Myrkskog's follow-up to "Death Machine" is worthy of awards. mastering their sound of technical death metal with lite touches of industrial. I really like this new blend in metal, with bands like, Cadaver Inc., Zyklon, & Myrkskog leading the way of this revolutionary sound in death metal. "Indispensable Deaths", "Over the Gore", "Blood Ejaculation", & "Utter Human Murder" are pyschotic.--SkullCrusher

Hate Eternal "King of All Kings" Earache Rec. 2002 By Skullcrucher Eric Rutan's Hate Eternal has scored another masterpiece, this is their sophomore effort on Earache Records. Eric Rody's speed drumming is most impressive, great technique. "Beyond Redemption", "The Obscure Terror", "Rising Legions of Black", & "In Spirit" are abusive trax. If you haven't seen Hate Eternal live yet-then what the fuck are you waiting for?-go see Hate Eternal live on tour with the one and only Cannibal Corpse now.

Beseech "Souls Highway" Napalm Records 2002 By Skullcrusher Beseech is an seven member band, from Sweden. Goth metal with touches of electronics. Male dual vocals are type-o-negative-ish (Erik Molarin), facing off against low vocals is female vocalist, Lotta Höglin. "Blinded", "Illusionate", Lovers of Tiamat, Type-O-Negative, Lacuna Coil, should enjoy this release. The texture of the release is boundless, with the keyboards mixed with the touches of electronics, and the layered vocals, Beseech are very good musicians. Most hilarious is the fact that they have done an ABBA cover, "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme". If your open minded check out Beseech's debut on Naplam Recs.

Restraint "A New Kind Of Sickness" Independent 2002 By Skullcrusher My first exposure of Restraint came this year ('02) when they opened for D.R.I., they were great live, so I got their cd. Nice packaging, good mastering, & all around terrific punk band. Infectious rhythms, fun riffs, expressive lyrics. "A New Kind of Sickness", has fourteen trax and is an exceptional release from this Cincinnati band.--SkullCrusher

Gaebalein "Dismember Your Beliefs" Cruor-Records 2001 By Skullcrusher Gaebalein was orginally formed as Necrosion in 2000. Six trax in all, the intro is "Horrendus Sonitus"-nice riffing, by Jesse Gregory, actually all the riffing is very well done, nice tempo changes, great black metal vox. This four man band from Louisville, tearing it up with their death/black blend on: "Birth Unholy Darkness", "Deadly Visions", & "Storms of the Abyss"...eerie overtones layered throughout the tunez. ealing to these ears than other bands of this ilk. www.pulseultra.com.

Def Leppard "X" Island Records By Vinnie Apicella Their "tenth" record finds them returning slightly back to "Slang" mode only to a lesser degree this time. Opening with, gasp(!!) one of the more "rockin" tracks on the disc, "Now," is. well it's a bit destitute overall with an upswept chorus-something the boys have gotten quite good at since their "Sugar-sweetened" days, wouldn't you say. The guitar work, never much to boast of since Pete Willis went the way of the bottle, features some interesting hooks and an electric/acoustic trade off for this catchy opener; "Unbelievable" is another of those "I'll be two steps behind" types. next; "You're So Beautiful" is a return to "Hysteria" with intuitive instrumental work over a predictable beat. the guys just can't find another inch or two of free space on the right side of the dial for those guitars can they? Are we worried the vox will be drowned out? It's been brewing, but now my heretofore "slight" rant needs to let loose if only for a momentary lapse in objectivity. Elliott's voice is still caught somewhere between "Hysteria" and "Adrenalize," two albums that for all their credibility-killing Pop excess, still rocked better than anything they've done in. does anyone remember what they did in the nineties anyway? Sorry guys, but even Mellencamp's got more brass than you've displayed in the last decade-where did it all go? Mellowing in step with the music, I'm enmeshed in another arena-sized acoustical anthem and shortcut solo bowed by gratuitous harmonizing."Long Way To Go" is another mature outing geared for AOR and since we've been stuck in first gear since song two, it's amongst the better of their red wine and roses moments; "Four Letter Word" sounds ultra heavy considering the bingo night company kept, invigorating the "Armageddon It" groove that worked so well before and welcome as it is, what's going with the production? Someone leave pillows over the speakers? Allen's drums are drowned out from the first, and Campbell's maybe one and only time to shine comes and goes. ah yes, but the backing vocals are there, not to be outdone. never to be outdone. You flip through the pages of the lyric-less cover booklet and images of a revitalized band abound; the guys, looking in peak form, freshly coiffed and flying, signaling excitement lies ahead. not quite. Aside from a few fatigued samples and loops, the record's weak and weary and very much indicative of an overdrawn boy band who's best days are decades removed. "Gravity" and "Cry" in particular offer glimmers of early hope before falling prey to simply awful choruses. And still I ask myself, two guitarists? Guitar Rock or glee club? You decide. And by the time "Scar" appears to breathe some degree of life into the proceedings it's too late! "Now," "Four Letter Word," and maybe "Cry" are the best of the rest and on repeated play, they'll get old very quickly. What else is salvageable? How bout "Day After Day" and "Paper Sun" from the last album? Oops. Hey, it's been done to death and by better and younger bands that aren't hampered by their own instruments. maybe food for thought guys? I'll take the last Perry-less Journey record over this one anyday cause even at their weakest extreme their still stronger than this. Sorry guys, I stopped believing a long time ago!

The KOVENANT "In Times Before The Light" Hammerheart Records By Alex S. Johnson Unearthed, remastered, and delivered to grateful fans of this excellent Norwegian black metal outfit, In Times Before The Light appeared in 1997 on a small underground label to sink below the surface; its resurrection will doubtless meet with a warm reception among acolytes of Nordic fire and ice. Reminiscent of Covenant and Borknagar, The Kovenant mingle symphonic fanfare, colossal percussion, bombastic choruses and shredding guitar work along with howling, shrieking vocals from Lex Icon. 'Dragonstorm' and 'In Times Before The Light' particularly elicit shadows of middle-era Dimmu -- epic tracks rippling with keyboard surge and shot through with blast beat-fed riff wreckage -- while songs like 'The Dark Conquest' and 'The Chasm' benefit from Psy Coma's electronic wizardry. Not your grandmother's poisoned chalice of blood, In Times Before The Light adds another jagged puzzle piece to the emerging picture of black metal, the evil baroque of our postmodern era. First-rate.

THE BERSERKER "Dissimulate" Earache By Alex S. Johnson Masked mutants The Berserker emerge from whatever lair they inhabit to wreak further vengeance on the world. Dissimulate marks the second full-length effort from the nameless grotesques, an album that belies the notion that The Berserker represent some kind of art prank cooked up by the marketing crew at Earache. Not only does this platter wallow in industrial grindcore carnage like some bastard stepchild of Ministry, Carcass and Godflesh, with hyper-speedcore percussion worthy of Mortician in a manic state, sub-guttural vocals and molten axe work, it's supplied with a Dawn Of The Dead-style storyline played out in narrative intros. Rounding out the ecstatic excess, Dissimulate closes on a well-chosen Carcass cover, 'Corporal Jigsore Quandary'. Though some monotony creeps into the disc at times -- it's tough to sustain The Berserker's intensity ad nauseum -- there's also a lot to like. Entertaining horror metal for your post-apocalyptic listening pleasure.

NIGEL PEPPER COCK "The New Way" Life Is Abuse By Alex S. Johnson With a firm grasp on their respective instruments, art pranksters Nigel Pepper Cock make a joyous noise unto the bored. Apparently Stanford dropouts whose dark street wisdom now erupts in ferocious punk-metal anthems, these hooligans (former members of Dystopia, Fuckface, Destroy and Medication Time) take the stage dressed as members of the Village People or NAMBLA Boy Scouts to perpetrate various forms of sonic outrage. The packaging -- and we use the term advisedly -- containing this album features X-rated images and thus buyers must be 18 and Over (some sick stuff, folks, unless you like protuberant dripping, um, members only). If icky porno were the only selling point, I'd say run, not walk, from these tools of Satan; however, the evidence at hand supports an argument for Nigel Pepper Cock's superlative musicianship, much as it masquerades as bad taste. Check out 'Stoned', perhaps the best doom metal spoof since the Dayglo Abortions classic 'Acting Like Black Sabbath'. Much fun.

MYKORRHIZA "Eponymous" Konqueror Records By Alex S. Johnson Clever lads, these Swedes, naming their band after heavy metal toxicity in plants. Nothing particularly recommends this basic five-song EP, with sub-grunge vocals, shimmering swarms of high-hat, sturdy but unimaginative guitar work, and about the lowest fi ever heard since Quorthon recorded all those nifty albums in his garage. But wait -- you haven't heard 'No Resurrection'. I'm not kidding. The fifth song on this otherwise forgettable release has to be a new death metal classic. Dismissing in a severe deadpan the metaphysical struggles spawning today's megaviolence ("Muslims, Christians, Hindus, whatever/give me a break, don't bring me your war"), 'No Resurrection' argues the currently unpopular view that death brings, well, only death in its wake. Anchored in a brutally efficient, killer riff that brings to mind Alice in Chains' classic 'Them Bones', the song makes daily repeat spins on my Discman. Other than that, Mykorrhiza might consider more practice before releasing anything of greater scale.

LUDICRA "Hollow Psalms" Life Is Abuse By Alex S. Johnson A project of Hammers of Misfortune mastermind, guitarist John Cobbett, Ludicra.features not one but two female vocalists (Christy and Laurie Sue, respectively; Christy also carries an axe) dueling for dominance like Karyn of Crisis and the late Dawn Crosby in a catfight. Ludicra's ferocious and captivating black metal -- illuminated, on this album, by bassist Ross Sewage (Impaled) who provides Edward Gorey-like pictures -- genre-breeds the raw poignancy and transcendental yearnings of early, Rozz Williams-era Christian Death with the ferocious complexity of Ancient. Detuned acoustic work, like Elizabeth lutists high on ergot, bleeds into massive riffs and subtle, sparkling passages into a pristine darkness. Doomy detailing in the Thor's Hammer/Crippled Lucifer mode slams straight up against thunderous blasts of lethal, carnivorous black/death guitars and gut-thumping percussion courtesy of Aesop ('Tomorrow Held In Scorn', 'Hollow Promise', 'The Final Lamentation'). Seeping joy.

ALEX MASSI "Vertical Invader" Lion Music By Alex S. Johnson Sounds like this: Cheap alcohol that gets you drunk fast and sorry you were born within about five hours. Guy walks into a bar wearing a sharkskin suit, fingers studded with diamonds, gold crucifix on a hairy chest. He orders drinks for the house and begins to regale the crowd with tales of bungee jumping in New Zealand, heli-skiing in Colorado, and oh, by the way, he plays a little guitar on this side. Sounds like (fill in this space with overbearing egotism lightly disguised as music.) So Mr. Subtlety he's not; but what about the guy's chops? Let's put it this way: Remember the character essayed by Steve Vai in that godawful movie Crossroads? In the climactic axe duel with the Karate Kid, who plucks graceful notes from his trusty Telecaster, Vai goes for broke, wringing double-time harmonic relays and lightning streams of 16th and 32nd notes from his BC Rich Warlock (!); in short, masturbation. For shred junkies only.

KINGS EVIL "Deletion of Humanoise" Crash Music By Alex S. Johnson Respecting and fine-tuning evidence influence from American and German thrash and early NWOSBM (At The Gates, we think), Japanese deathers Kings Evil promote the post-nihilistic sovereignty of chaos in eight ripping tunes. Thanked and cited bands on this album remain Nipponese, although cover artwork by the renowned Wes Benscoter -- is that a penis masquerading as the heart of crucified Satan? -- ties the album to worldwide death. Featuring convincingly wicked vocals courtesy of guitarist Wataru Yamada, the songs herein treat usual subjects ('Victim And Hate', 'Web Of Lies', 'Core Dead') with love and reverence. 'Fanatical Devotion', with its mechanistic, headlong key riff, out-Slayers Slayer; 'False Pride' similarly cranks along in a fine, mid-tempo 'Captor Of Sin'-like fashion. Paring down the music to genre essentials and focused hatred, Kings Evil gets the job done. Will put worms on your skull.

MICHAEL KNIGHT "Mechanica Diablo" KM Records By Jonathan Mariante Well, well, how about this? Michael Knight has actually made an album! I knew his real life alter ego David Hasselhoff was a big singing sensation in Europe, but now it looks like a character he once played is having a shot at rock stardom, too. I wonder if KITT will make an appearance on the album?...Oh, wait a second...Oops, sorry, I had the wrong Michael Knight in mind there! My bad! I was having a flashback to my pre-adolescent days as a "Knight Rider" fan! But now that I'm back to reality (I think!) I can do this review the right way. This Michael Knight here doesn't drive a talking Trans Am. Instead, he lets his guitar do the talking! And boy, does he make it talk! He uses his six string skills to take us on a dark musical voyage into a grim futuristic world. This is an all instrumental album on which Michael's guitar is the storyteller. The press release call this album "the ultimate excursion into darkness". Most of the songs on this album are dark, spooky, sinister numbers, such as "Netherworld", "Neo Demonica", "Dark Victory", the title track, "Necropolis", and "Halls Of Terror", very influenced by Black Sabbath and Tony Iommi's playing style, but not in a "grunge" type way, if you know what I mean. Michael, who played everything on this album, also gives the music a pounding beat (with programmed drums) and some industrial flavorings, which add to the dark feel of the music. On a couple of songs, he really lets loose and flies across the fret board like greased lightning, Joe Satriani style, those songs being "Regenerator", "Birth Of A God", and "Pandemonium In The Mausoleum" (very cool title here!). In fact, on "Pandemonium...", several renowned rock/metal guitarists make guest appearances, throwing in some solo work of their own, including one of my favorites, Jack Starr, former Virgin Steele/Burning Starr guitarist, as well as keyboardist named Don Lowerre. They all do a good job on this track; in fact, if I were to pick a favorite song off this album, this would be it. This disc concludes with a track called "At The Mouth Of Hell", which is basically a concoction of creepy sound effects. Michael Knight can certainly play guitar (and some other things as well), and while he is influenced by many guitar masters, like Satriani, Iommi, and Steve Vai, he is certainly no copycat, and possesses his own unique style. He uses his guitar to tell a tale, and he doesn't overplay, like some other guitarists do. No musical masturbation here, just good, straightforward guitar playing, music with a dark aura, and a creepy little bedtime story as a bonus (just in time for Halloween, too!). An enjoyable album all around! By the way, I was wondering, maybe David Hasselhoff and Michael Knight should do an album together? They'd make quite a team, wouldn't they? They always did on TV. Nah, on second thoughts, forget it. Wouldn't work. For more info check out http://www.kmrecords.com.

John "Dr. Dirty" Valby "Jingle Balls" By Paul Autry This album's been out for quite some time now. But, since I did a review or two on Christmas albums, I thought I should say a few words about this one because, to be quite honest, it's my personal favorite holiday album and for two months out of every year, this tape is all you hear at my house. A friend of mine sent me a copy of this tape through the mail shortly after she introduced me to some of the non-holiday music of John Valdy. This is probably the most offensive Christmas album that was ever recorded. If Weird Al traded in his acordian for a piano and got Andrew Dice Clay to write music for him, well, it still wouldn't be as offensive as this release. But, that's the beauty of it. How can you not like a song like "Santa's Whore Is Coming To Town" or "I'm Dreaming Of A White Pussy." It's all good, filthy fun, as you'll hear on "The 12 Days Of Christmas." You'll even hear a pixie fart...what more could you possibly ask for? The only thing better than this release would be Santa's list of girls who have been naughty this year...which is something I've been after for years. If you buy one Christmas album this year, make sure it's this one. There isn't an album out there that even comes close. It's rude, it's offensive and it's well worth checking out. Bad taste never tasted so good. It's an album that Ozzy Osbourne would love. So, don't be a Scrooge, grab yourself a copy of "Jingle Balls" and raise your middle finger high this holiday season! http://www.johnvalby.com

Breaking Benjamin "Saturate" Hollywood Records By Vinnie Apicella Whatever happened to Three Doors Down? Did they lose their key or something? Or maybe it's Breaking Benjamin who intercepted them somewhere around the Mason/Dixon line, bound and gagged 'em at gunpoint and took their identity, not to mention their slant for choosing names that mean absolutely nothing to an assumedly well read general public, and the "Saturation" begins. Okay, easy way out. "Saturate's" their debut breakthrough and it's your slightly better than average, clean cut, mainstream Rock with some edgy guitars, plenty of hooks, and more than enough Rob Thomas like singing once Gavin R. steps away for his frequent flier forays between Bush sessions which seem hardly more the rule than exception. But to that end, who cares? Breaking Benjamin's a feel good success story overall, and of course, the final tallies are yet to be decided as they're new record is still forthcoming later this summer. They're making an impact at Modern Rock radio with their pretty "Polyamorous" single and expect to hear another two or three before they're ready to climb back on Ulrich's shoulders for another studio jaunt. "Saturate's" a down to earth example of real Rock music without the excessive bantering of lifeless pity; where contractually bound band members flee the sanctity of home to start anew, and where shared views and simple harmonies are rewarded by record deals and where immortalized legends like Nirvana and Tool still live on in the ambitions of others. The best tunes are the ones, of course, that aren't predictably drawn for hit radio or that sound exactly like the one that just finished playing -so plug in, "Wish I May," "Medicate," (I'll add in the aforementioned single simply because I haven't had time to get sick of it yet), "Next To Nothing," "Water," and the particularly soulful "No Games." though it's draining all my strength to keep from getting Creed in their somewhere. oops, just did. Don't miss the doubling over effect of the riff-shifting, "Shallow Bay," the most intense yet complete song on the record. before they go and cover some old America tune or something for the blank add-on that does little else than tarnish the luster of the appropriate ending.

Westworld "Skin" Dreamscape Records By Vinnie Apicella Still alive in the days when rock and roll talent seems to have gone the way of the barber's chair, there remain a handful left with fortitude enough to forward their own interests, play skillfully, loud, and without pretense. Supergroup as a term, in this day and age, means little to anyone outside of hungry instrumentalists. And while the blending of names like Harnell, Reale, Ravel, and O' Reilly might mean little more than sudden doom for those whose original bands failed to light any consumer fires, rest assured to fans in the know, there's reason to revise. Westworld's first record was good. In order to like Westworld, it's not a prerequisite to be a fan of Riot, Rainbow, or TNT. but it helps, as much of the prior is amalgamated. Such bands bore of a Classic Rock/Metal era, possessed the staying power, and a fair degree of commercial prowess to outlast the competition, if not outsell them. "Skin," some three years after their well regarded, lightly spoken of self-titled debut, brings together that primitively potent, heavy, gritty, bluesy quality of a Zep-inspired, G n' R soluble, Soundgarden roots-rock flavor that's structurally well spent, stand out, and dynamic. With few exceptions, the differences are clear in songs-"Skin," and "Black Shadow Symphony," this one unquestionably the strongest in a very "Levee-breaking" sort of character, run rampant during the first seven or eight minutes, signaling the clear intent to maintain the core qualities while amping up the atmosphere. So flying in the face of say, an Engine, another known "super" grouping of industry veterans leaving home, they've embraced technology over tradition, while WW's stuck to the strengths of their amalgamated talents-and it works well for both sides. Best moments on "Skin" include the open chorded and catchy "Uneasy," "Elastic," a "Tell No Tales" era TNT to a. "T"; and then there's the exotically epic "Ice Queen," all furthering a multi-directional venture that's deeper, darker, and less penetrable than before. Harnell's voice is expectedly versatile, still soaring, subdued, and forever underrated; Reale's playing is superbly reflective in the overall song, weighted heavily toward rhythmic aspects and plodding riffs, each of which make the darting solo scales more effective. "Get A Life" picks up steam following one of the weaker, "Tomorrow's Yesterday" tracks, and highlights some of Reale's best playing at fast pace, and amidst a clustered structure that's been prevailed upon more than one occasion. A surprising closing cover of Alanis Morissette's "Uninvited" turns up, and while I'll withhold comment on the song itself, it somehow fits in the scheme of things, offering a haunting fade away to a looser record with room to breathe.

Wuthering Heights "To Travel Forevermore" Sensory Records by: Vinnie Apicella Ah, a nice look back through the land of enchantment when modern day folklore was still in its infancy; when emerald forests and misty skies colored the canvas of a child's imagination; where heroes and villains and kings and knights and dragons littered the landscape of a countryside still at one with natural beauty. Wuthering Heights is a creative Danish band that one up's the many skillful five member wunderkinds in the realms of the Prog/Metal ring. "To Travel Forevermore" is an intuitive adventure through the inquisitive mind, without adhering to any one particular theme as one might expect another Tolkien-like crusade through fantasyland and troll-dom. It doesn't happen here, but there are other scenes set though scattered across both land and sea. While I'm not one for eight minute instrumental jaunts, "Battle Of The Seasons" steps quickly into the mid album spotlight where there's little time to lose before you're ducking for cover amidst a hail of arpeggios and electric FX and nearly crashes your fairy tale nightmare before its half over! Their instrumentation is above the norm inasmuch as cloning guitar scales with key runs and lower the drawbridge, sound the trumpets type fanfare. Naturally tight rhythms and multi-directional song patterns that defy the usual, slow, intermediate, fast, fade, variety breed with the occasional Celtic quest, wayward warrior ballad. Often, the songs pick right up with all guns blazing-"The Nevershining Stones," "Battle Of The Seasons" and "A Sinner's Confession," where this one, is like an unsuspected cross between classic Kansas and "Masquerade" era Running Wild, particularly in the picking. Such accentuated fretwork comes courtesy of Henrik Flyman who teams well with Erik Ravn's solidity in rhythmic rhyming for a dominant guitar heavy impact that's more in step with a, Threshold, Evergrey, or early Stratovarius type style. Expect, then, the many similar attributes we associate with vaunted Prog/Power imports-the classically trained intermissions, virtuosic leanings and skyward vocals; But also be prepared for several welcome intrusions by way of clean acoustic breaks, piano, percussive advances, the oddly timed fill and unexpected flights of fancy and character moves, all greatly prevailed upon particularly in the bombastic four part "A Sinner's Confession" and "See Tomorrow Shine." This could well be a sleeper hit for many listeners who'll linger a second longer to separate the soundtrack-like scenescape and discover a rare dawn in Denmark.

MY DYING BRIDE "FOR Darkest Eyes" Peaceville By Chris Forbes A 10 song live cd of this cult band. I'm not a big fan, but the band rip's through their set quite well. The sound is tight and the live sound is quite good. Obviously if your a fan of the band you need this or the dvd version. Info: www.peaceville.com

SHATTERED REALMS "Broken Ties Spoken Lies" (Eulogy) By Chris Forbes This is total metalcore. I have to admit for a band playing this style the band can crush. Metal riffing like Slayer and aggressive hardcore parts like Hatebreed. The gruff vocals are ok. The production is right on. If you like some of the moshy side of metal I urge you to pick this up. Info: www.eulogyrecordings.com

IMPEDIGON "As Desires Fade" Indie release By Chris Forbes Cool death metal band with a bit of the Swedish sound to them. They are somewhat original and the music sounds good and fresh to these ears. The band can play with speed and also throw in some melodic parts as well. Think Kreator meets swedish death metal. Info: http://listen.to/impedigon

Awkward Thought "Ruin A Good Time" I Scream By Chris Forbes 14 tracks of old school 80's type hardcore. Kinda reminds me of the classic1st release from Agnostic Front at times. Great shouted type punk vocals. The songs are all solid aggressive numbers that don't have any of that nu metal shit at all. Thank god for that. This is raw, real hardcore. Info: www.iscreamrecords.com

CHRISTIAN DEATH "Exuses For A Suicide" (Candlelight) By Chris Forbes I have read a lot about this band, but never heard their music. This is my 1st time hearing them. I had no idea what to expect and it was a weird feeling listening to this. The music is highly original and the band do not sound like anybody else. The vocals are a hot and miss type of affair. I don't like them as they are annoying high pitched wails like Confessor. Info: www.candlelightrecords.co.uk

BOTCH "An Athology Of Dead Ends" Hydra Head By Chris Forbes Hard to describe this. Sort of like Helmet meets Ministry. Some weird riffs I can tell you that. The guitar player hurts his guitar. Powerful vocals. A solid production too. A release that surprised me. Info: www.hydrahead.com

Aenima "Never Fragile" 2002 Equilibrium Music By Wayne Klinger I'm still clueless on this band despite all the good press I read about them since their debut release, "Revolutions" in 1999. They are mentioned as "harnessing technology and using it in a manner consistent with their creative impulses yet not be limited by it." I have to fully agree on that since this EP shows alot of Ambient, Darkwave, futuristic samplings of Techno with Industrial and Gothic as well with just a bit of room left to throw in some Metal elements. The vocals are female and she has quite some range and despite this band plays a small part in the familiarity of The Gathering to Lacuna Coil or Sixpence None The Richer, they still have an identity to their own with some clever songwriting and all the genres they "harness" within each track. Another band to be on the lookout for in 2003. www.equilibriummusic.com www.aetherial.org aenima@aetherial.org

Echoes "3-song demo 2002" 2002 Equilibrium Music By Wayne Klinger Echoes is Al Silveira, a singer/songwriter from Aptos, Ca. brought up on Hard Rock, 50's and 60's rock, big bands, and Metal, he started playing guitar at age 8, singing as soon as he could make sound. In 1998, Al recorded what would become his first album, "Echoes". Al has written a new set of songs, with no real set direction in mind, just to write great songs without genre, without a certain "influence" in mind. The influences have changed too; before it was Black Sabbath and Alice In Chains, now it's everything from Jeff Buckley, Beck, to King's X and Slayer. Now backed by Tim Davis on drums and Backing Vocals, and former Refuse bandmate Leon Marcelis on bass, this 3-track taster is like they say with the assertiveness and concentration on the harmony of the vocals and a bit of a slight "Nu-Metal" flavor that some fans will take to. I hope to hear more from these guys as I think you'll be hearing more about them in the press definately. www.echoes.ws echoes@netdojo.com

Absence Of Faith "Digital Revolution" 2001 self By Wayne Klinger Well, this isn't your everyday bag of chips review or band for that matter. A Dance/Trance with Techno, Trip-Hop, Industrial, Darkwave with some Pop, Alternative and believe it or not, Metal inflences thrown in for good measure of diversifying the result of this release. Maybe a Utah Saints meets Crystal Method in a hay wagon with KMFDM and Dead Can Dance with Frontline Assembly towing. The band has been mentioned as energetic and controversial live with lights, effects and their bass player suspending from flesh hooks as the other tattooed and modified members and fans watch on. AOF does everything on this CD as far as writing, recording, mixing, mastering and production chores and dabbling into the fine arts of graphic design. On an ending note is the band's interesting cover of Billy Idol's "White Wedding". Free mp3's are also available on their website, worth checking them out before taking the risk of not knowing what you're getting into. www.absenceoffaith.net Email: eroxthis@aol.com

RuneMagick "Requiem of the Apocalypse" Aftermath Music 2002 By Skullcrusher Formed in Sweden in 1990 by Nicklas "Terror" Rudolfsson, & releasing four demo's, then lying dormant a couple years ('94-96), reestablishing a line-up, signing to Century Media Records in '98 & releasing what would be the first of three lp's for Century Media-("The Supreme Force Of Eternity", "Enter The Realm Of Death", & "Resurrection in Blood"). "Requiem of the Apocalypse" is their debut release on Aftermath Music-Germany. The musick is doomy death metal, slow paced, very dark & looming feel. Elements of Black Sabbath & Bathory throughout the lp. The album is slightly over an hour long. I find the release to be good musically, however redundant at times, tends to bore me because of the slow pace. Recently released on Aftermath Music, RuneMagick's-"Moon Of The Chaos Eclipse" 10" pic disc. http://welcome.to/aftermath http://welcome.to/runemagick

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