Today in 2009 Pain Of Salvation released the EP Linoleum
Eskilstuna,Sweden Progressive Rock/Metal
Status:Active
Years active: 1984-present
Pain Of Salvation is making serious inroads towards becoming a premier progressive metal band. At first glance the familiar influences are found (early Queensryche, Dream Theater), but it doesn't take long before one realizes that this band is taking this style to another plane. The production is flawless, the musicianship top-notch, and the songs -- rich and majestic, thoughtful and complex. Pain Of Salvation exudes class and quality without being pretentious or self-indulgent. Clearly a top-level band.
Today in 2009 Miseration released the album The Mirroring Shadow
Sweden Melodic Death Metal (early), Death Metal (later)
Status:Active
Years active: 2006-present
Miseration is a melodic death metal collaboration between Jani Stefanovich (DivineFire, Essence of Sorrow, ex-Crimson Moonlight, ex-Renascent, ex-Am I Blood, ex-Sins of Omission, ex-Hilastherion) and vocalist Christian Älvestam (Incapacity, Solar Dawn, Torchbearer, Quest of Aidance, guest for Zonaria,ex-Scar Symmetry, ex-Syconaut, ex-Angel Blake, ex-Carnalized, Unmoored, Solution .45) Others involved in the sessions included guitarist Patrik Gardberg of Ammotrack and Divinefire plus former Renascent vocalist Barry Haldan.
The project released its debut album, 'Your Demons - Their Angels', on December 21st 2006 in Japan through King Records. A European release came in early 2007 through Rivel Records.
A long-lost (until recently) cult LA band, Hirax was one of the earlier Metal Blade signings in the mid-eighties. They specialized in frenzied speed/thrash metal, almost hardcore in style with the notable exception of Katon DePena's vocals, who steered well clear of the usual gruff thrash or barked hardcore styles, instead employing a mid-range clean, yet almost atonal sound, which was enough to give the band just a bit of originality. Two albums were released, along with assorted singles and live tracks, before disbanding in the late 80's. DePena later was in a band called Phantasm, featuring no less than original Metallica bassist Ron McGovney, though only a rough demo came of this. Sensing that the band's popularity has not waned over the years, DePena reformed the band in 200, at one point possibly featuring the other original members but later with an all-new lineup, and have recorded quite steadily ever since.
Black Devil Records
Katon W. De Pena - Vocals
Glenn Rogers - Guitar
Lance Harrison - Guitar
Steve Harrison - Bass
Jorge Iacobellis - Drums
1. Baptized by Fire (4:19)
2. Flesh and Blood (5:45)
3. Eradicate Mankind (3:39)
4. Chaos and Brutality (3:38)
5. El rostro de la muerte (The Face of Death) (6:24)
6. Blind Faith (2:51)
7. Horrified (2:52)
8. Battle of the North (1:34)
9. The Laws of Temptation (4:40)
10. Death Militia (1:52)
11. Broken Neck (2:01)
12. Violent Assault (3:31)
13. Cuando cae la oscuridad (When Darkness Falls) (1:54)
14. Satan's Fall (6:25)
Recorded by John Haddad at Trench Studio in Corona, CA
Mixed by Andy Haller at Android Audio
Mastered by Maor Appelbaum
"Chaos and Brutality" is a bonus track, originally released in Europe (Selfmadegod Records).
Released in Argentina by Hurling Metal Records with two bonus tracks. They are mistakenly listed, the order of the songs should be listed this way:
15. El Diablo Negro (04:13)
16. Bombs Of Death (01:49)
El Rostro de la Muerte is the fourth album by thrash metal band Hirax and the second after the reunion
Today in 2009 Devin Townsend Project released the album Addicted
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Progressive Metal/Rock, Ambient
Status: Active
Years active :2008-present
Sixteen years into a recording career that began with an appearance on Steve Vai’s 1993 album Sex and Religion, the Vancouver-born, eccentric, prolific metal performer and producer Devin Townsend revealed details of the Devin Townsend Project. Following the brief hiatus that came after his 2007 rock opera Ziltoid the Omniscient, a newly shaven-headed and teetotaling Townsend announced an intended four-album sequence under this moniker, with the primary goal being that he wanted to make music without the assistance of drugs. Townsend’s vision also revealed an ambition to record with different musicians on each album, in order to keep things fresh. May 2009’s Ki was one of the more restrained releases in his canon, particularly in comparison to his strident Strapping Young Lad material. It touched on laid-back funk and ambient rock -- as displayed on the tranquil “Ain’t Never Gonna Win” -- and featured Duris Maxwell, who had previously drummed with Motown act Bobby Taylor & Vancouvers in the ‘60s and Jefferson Airplane in the ‘70s.
Today in 2009 Anger As Art released the album Disfigure
Pasadena, California Thrash Metal
Status:Active
Years active: 2004 (as Steve Gaines), 2004-present
Formed in 2004, Anger As Art features four established LA-area thrash veterans with some fine pedigree. They've rather quietly released four albums thus far, and as heard on 2009's Disfigure, the style is not suprisingly thrash, frenzied and aggressive and a bit more in-your-face compared to the 80's/90's style from these guys' former outfits.
Today in 2007 Primordial released the album To the Nameless Dead
Dublin,Ireland Celtic/Folk/Black Metal
Status:Active
Years active: 1987 (as Forsaken), 1987-present
One of a handful of Irish black metal bands making some noise in recent years, Primordial has developed a rather intriguing sound on their later works. While black metal guitars are the dominant feature, the overall style is more laidback and epic, with sprawling, slower riffs and inventive pounding drumming and vocals that rarely are of the typical black metal variety, but are more often a clean, midrange croon (predominantly on Spirit The Earth Aflame) or a slightly huskier growl (on Storm Before Calm). The melodies, at times slightly Celtic-laced, are spirited, sweeping and majestic -- excellent and fairly unique. Having just signed to Metal Blade, the best may be yet in store.
Metal Blade Records
A.A. Nemtheanga Vocals
Ciáran MacUiliam Guitars
Simon O'Laoghaire Drums
Pól MacAmlaigh Bass
Micheál O'Floinn Guitars
1. Empire Falls 08:02
2. Gallows Hymn 05:55
3. As Rome Burns 09:15
4. Failures Burden 06:37
5. Heathen Tribes 08:18
6. The Rising Tide 01:33 instrumental
7. Traitors Gate 06:49
8. No Nation on This Earth 08:13
54:42
Recorded during the summer of 2007 at Foel Studios, Wales.
Today in 2007 Crystal Ball released the album Secrets
Horw, Lucerne, Switzerland Heavy Metal/Hard Rock
Status:Active
Years active:1995-1998 (as Cherry Pie), 1998-present
Each country is well known for a certain style and taste. This is true also for Switzerland. In fact one thing is sure: Swiss like to rock! With acts like GOTTHARD, KROKUS and CRYSTAL BALL the Swiss scene is among the finest and healthier around. CRYSTAL BALL have been rising to fame amongst the fans of hard and melodic sounds with their trademark mixture of melodic Hard Rock and Power Metal. "TimeWalker" is their new release, the fifth full length in the band's still brief yet intense history, and it includes many surprises. "TimeWalker" is a concept album with a journey through different historical events. Just listen to the opening track "Digital World", possibly the heaviest track ever recorded by Crystal Ball, which starts the journey in our time. Musically there is a big variety of styles ranging from the mid-tempo hymns of "He Came To Change The World", the majestic "Mozart Symphony" and the cheerful "Celebration". As on their previous release "Hellvetia", Crystal Ball worked again with producer Stefan Kaufmann (ex-Accept, U.D.O.), who helped creating a dynamic and powerful sound.
AFM Records
Hans "Hungi" Berglas Guitars
Marcel Sardella Drums
Scott Leach Guitars
Mark Sweeney Vocals
Guest/Session
Michael Bormann Bass, Vocals (backing)
1. Moondance 05:15
2. I Will Drag You Down 04:41
3. Minor Key 04:23
4. It's Not Love 03:26
5. Time Has Come 04:27
6. Secrets 03:18
7. Wings of Fire 03:18
8. Dreaming of You 03:59
9. Destiny 04:49
10. I'll Be Waiting 04:21
11. Face the Truth 04:40
12. Pretend You're Laughing 04:43
51:20
"Pretend You're Laughing" is a bonus track on the first edition.
