Helix

 Today in 2009 Helix released the album Vagabond Bones

Kitchener, Ontario, Canada Hard rock, heavy metal

Status:Active

Years active 1974–present

The Canadian heavy metal band Helix formed in 1974 in Kitchener, Ontario; comprising singer Brian Vollmer, guitarists Brent Doerner and Paul Hackman, bassist Keith Zurbrigg, and drummer Brian Doerner, the group debuted in 1979 with Breaking Loose. White Lace & Black Leather followed two years later, and was the first Helix release to feature new bassist Mike Uzilac and drummer Leo Nebudeck; with 1983's No Rest for the Wicked, the group signed to Capitol, substituting Nebudeck for another new drummer, Greg "Fritz" Hinz. Bassist Daryl Gray replaced Uzilac in time for the follow-up, Walkin' the Razor's Edge, which spawned the hit "Rock You"; 1985's Long Way to Heaven, meanwhile, topped the charts in Sweden. After touring in support of 1987's Wild in the Streets, Brent Doerner quit Helix, and the remaining quartet resurfaced with Back for Another Taste. In 1992, Hackman was killed when the group's van rolled down a 40-foot embankment after a concert in Vancouver; Helix forged on, however, with Brent Doerner returning to the lineup long enough to record 1993's It's a Business Doing Pleasure, which also featured guitarist Greg Frazer. In 1998, Helix -- now comprising Vollmer, Gray, Hinz, and guitarists Mark Chichkan and Gary Borden -- issued Half Alive. A collection of B Sides arrived in 2002, followed by the full-length Rockin' in My Outer Space in 2004. Power of Rock N Roll arrived in 2007.

Univerasal

Brian Vollmer - vocals

Sean Kelly - guitar, bass, background vocals

Brent "The Doctor" Doerner - guitar, background vocals

Steve Georgakopoulos - guitar

Brent "Ned" Niemi - drums

Rob MacEachern - drums

Greg "Fritz" Hinz - drums

Daryl Gray - bass, background vocals

Cheryl Lescom - vocals

All songs written by Brian Vollmer, Sean Kelly and Moe Berg except where noted.

The Animal Inside (Won’t Be Denied)

Go Hard or Go Home (Vollmer, Kelly)

Vagabond Bones

Monday Morning Meltdown

When the Bitter's Got the Better of You (Vollmer, Kelly)

Hung Over But Still Hanging In (duet with Russ Graham of Killer Dwarfs)

Best Mistake I Never Made (Vollmer, Kelly)

Make 'Em Dance (Vollmer, Gord Prior, Steve Georgakopoulos, Kelly)

Jack It Up (Vollmer, Kelly, McConnell)[7]

Unreleased tracks

It's a Long Way to the Top (AC/DC cover featuring Brent Doerner, Greg Hinz and Mike Uzelac)

Vagabond Bones is a studio album by heavy metal band Helix, released on November 17, 2009. It is Helix' 12th full-length studio album and 21st album released overall. It contains performances from members of the 1980s Helix lineup: Brian Vollmer, Brent Doerner, Daryl Gray and Greg Hinz, as well as former member and co-producer Sean Kelly. Kelly departed Helix during the production of Vagabond Bones, prompting the reunion of the 1980s band. Kelly remained on hand to finish the record before leaving to tour with Nelly Furtado.

During the early stages of recording, frontman Brian Vollmer reunited the surviving members of the No Rest for the Wicked lineup (Brent Doerner, Mike Uzelac, and Greg Hinz) to record a new version of the AC/DC classic "It's a Long Way to the Top", to be included as a bonus track. The track was dropped, and it appears unlikely that it will ever be released due to legal reasons. The CD was originally to be titled It’s Rock Science, NOT Rocket Science!, before being changed to Vagabond Bones after one of the songs on the album

Mechanical Poet

 Today in 2007 Mechanical Poet released the album Creepy Tales for Freaky Children

Moscow,Russia Orchestral Progressive Metal (early), Alternative Rock (later)

Status:On hold

Years active: 2002-2009

Mechanical Poet is an ambitious Russian band, formed around 2002. After the well-received Woodland Prattlers was released in 2004, the band broke up, citing artistic differences. Guitarist Lex Plotnikoff put together a new version of the band, with the first output being the interestingly-titled Creepy Tales For Freaky Children in early 2007. Creepy Tales mix hard rock, melodic progressive metal, and even a bit of goth rock, resulting in an accessible but not overtly poppy sound (save for "Once Upon A Day", where a lighter, poppier side of the band comes out). This seems to be a concept album of sorts, given the Tim Burton-esque artwork and the general soundtrack feel of the album as a whole. Apparently part of the story is continued in the band's next work, the even more adventurous Who Did It To Michelle Waters?. This is a pretty original band, and recommended to melodic prog metal fans in particular.

CD-Maximum

Vladimir Ermakoff Drums

Lex Plotnikoff Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Samples, Songwriting, Lyrics

Vladimir Nasonoff Vocals

1. Virus 04:01   

2. Fantasies 04:27   

3. Crawlers 04:47   

4. Rain 04:33  

5. Fremen 02:54   

6. Frontline 04:23   

7. Answers 04:14   

8. Ghouls 02:48   

9. God 04:19    

10. Cathedral 04:09    

11. Machines 04:06   

12. Witches 04:21  

13. Sands 04:14   

14. Stars 03:26   

  56:42

Deadlock

 Today in 2008 Deadlock released the album Manifesto

Schwarzenfeld, Bavaria,Germany Melodic Death Metal/Alternative/Groove Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1997-present

German straight-edge metallers Deadlock have gone for broke with Earth.Revolt, an ambitious concept album that brings together elements from several extreme metal genres. At their core they are a melodic death metal band, with one-dimensional metalcore-styled vocals (though a guest female vocalist breaks up the monotony in a few places), though at times they slide into black metal territory and also some gothic moments via some atmospheric keyboards. The result is less a blending of several styles and more a case of the band playing different styles as they see fit. The production and musicianship values are top-notch, and there's clearly an audience for this, but the overall package is lacking a bit in the originality department, particularly with the glut of metalcore/melodeath bands currently on the scene.

Lifeforce Records

Tobias "Tobi" Graf (R.I.P. 2014) Drums

Sebastian Reichl Guitars, Keyboards

Johannes Prem Vocals

Gert Rymen Guitars

Sabine Scherer Vocals (female), Keyboards

Thomas Huschka Bass

Guest/Session

Michael Popp Programming (Additional)

The Hitfarmers Mixing, Scratching

Warpath Vocals (track 5)

Sick Since Vocals (track 5)

Morten Løwe Sørensen Drums (10)

Michael Bernhard Gerber Saxophone (track 6)

Christian Älvestam Vocals (track 9)

1. The Moribund Choir vs. The Trumpets of Armageddon 01:10 instrumental

2. Martyr to Science 05:13

3. Slaughter's Palace 04:22

4. The Brave / Agony Applause 04:03

5. Deathrace 06:46

6. Fire at Will 04:53

7. Seal Slayer 05:39

8. Manifesto 02:24 instrumental

9. Dying Breed 05:38

10. Altruism 03:24

11. Temple of Love (The Sisters of Mercy cover) 03:07

46:39

Recorded at Slaughterhouse Studios by Sebastian Reichi.

Mixed and Mastered at Hansen Studios by Jacob Hansen.

Across Tundras

 Today in 2007 Across Tundras released the EP Full Moon Blizzard

Denver, Colorado (early) / Nashville, Tennessee (later) Progressive Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal/Rock

Status:Active

Years active: 2003-present

Inspired by progressive metal behemoths like Neurosis and Isis, Across Tundras formed in Denver, CO when vocalist/guitarist Tanner G. Olson (a former member of Sioux Falls, SD post-hardcore outfits Spirit of Versailles and Examination) joined forces with bassist Kyler Sturtz and drummer Heath Rave. Their first official release was 2005's Divides EP, which was shortly followed by 2006's Dark Songs of the Prairie album, released through Crucial Blast Records, and featuring epic semi-ambient compositions in the mold established by the band's heroes, only spiced with discreet traces of country music.

Crucial Blast

Tanner Olson Guitars, Vocals, Effects

Joshua Kauffman Drums

Adam Wheeler Bass

1. Razorewire Blues 04:16

2. Thunderclap Stomp 08:21

3. Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie 04:15

4. The Gallow's Pole 08:33

5. Phantom Ride 03:32

28:57

Sworn Enemy

 Today in 2007 Sworn Enemy released the album Maniacal

New York City, New York Hardcore (early), Crossover/Metalcore (later)

Status:Active

Years active:1997-1999 (as Mindset), 1999-present

Queens, NY, metal-hardcore hybrid group Sworn Enemy have been playing together since 1997. Vocalist Sal "Enemy" LoCoco, drummer Paulie Antignani, and guitarists Lorenzo Antonucci and Mike Raffello gigged often in the New York area, eventually attracting the attention of Hatebreed vocalist Jamie Jasta, who released the group's debut EP, Negative Outlook, on his Stillborn Records label in 2001. After adding bassist Mike Couls (formerly of Detroit's Cold as Life) the group continued its hard work ethic, clocking in over 100 shows in the second half of 2001. The popularity of their EP led to a major-label deal with Elektra and in 2003 their first full-length, As Real as It Gets, was released. Sworn Enemy then jumped back to the indies (Abacus to be exact) for the October 2005 release of The Beginning of the End. Soon after, the band underwent a drastic makeover, replacing their bassist, drummer, and guitarist Mike Rafello. The new lineup made for a more metal edged sound, akin to speed metal icons Exodus and Testament, and with a new blueprint set in place, the band made plans to record their sophomore album with I Lay Dying drummer Jordan Mancino filling in on the skins. Maniacal was released on February 12, 2008.

Century Media Records

Sal LoCoco Vocals

Jamin Hunt Guitars, Vocals (backing)

Lorenzo Antonucci Guitars, Bass

Guest/Session

Jordan Mancino Drums

Jason Suecof Guitars

Mike Raff Sr. Guitars

Jasun Krebs Guitars

1. Ignorance 02:43

2. Time to Rage 02:21

3. A Place of Solace 04:14

4. Weather the Storm 03:41

5. Destroyer 02:58

6. The American Way 03:17

7. Fear of Failure 03:19

8. No End to This Nightmare 03:18

9. Talk Is Cheap 02:59

10. Said and Done 05:24

34:14

One Man Army and the Undead Quartet

 Today in 2006 One Man Army and the Undead Quartet released the single Christmas for the Lobotomizer

Trollhättan,Sweden Death/Thrash Metal

Status:Split-up

Years active:2004-2012

This lengthy-titled band was one of several offshoots of The Crown, here featuring vocalist Johan Lindstrand. As heard on their debut album, 21st Century Killing Machine, their style wasn't a million miles away from The Crown, but nor was it a continuation of that band either. Rather, they played crunchy, modern thrash (inevitably bands in this style are compared to The Haunted, and One Man Army are in the same league), relentless and intense, with a spot-on production and venomous, convincing vocals from Lindstrand. After four albums, the band called it quits in late 2012, with Lindstrand back in his old, reformed band.

Nuclear Blast

Robert Axelsson Bass

Marek Dobrowolski Drums

Johan Lindstrand Vocals

Pekka Kiviaho Guitars (rhythm)

Mikael Lagerblad Guitars (lead)

1. Christmas for the Lobotomizer 04:08

2. Devil on the Red Carpet (live at Summer Breeze 2006) 05:48

3. Hell Is for Heroes (live at Summer Breeze 2006) 04:41

4. Bulldozer Frenzy (live at Summer Breeze 2006) 03:47

18:24

Limited to 500 copies, only available directly from Nuclear Blast.

Cruachan

 Today in 2006 Cruachan released the album The Morrigan's Call

Dublin,Ireland Celtic/Folk/Black Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1992-1997, 1999-present

Of the few bands that profess to be folk metal, Cruachan is arguably the folkiest -- many bands in this field are first and foremost metal bands with varying folk influences, but Cruachan almost does it the other way around, as their heavily Celtic folk aspect is as predominant as the metal aspect in their sound. The band has been active since 1992, when they formed as a result of the disbandment of another band (Minas Tirith), with many having come and gone over the early years. The folk sound can be startling upon first listen, especially if one is expecting a harder metal style, but Cruachan capture the Celtic ethos perfectly, and their blend of traditional melodies with metal is impressive and quite interesting.

AFM Records

Karen Gilligan Vocals

Keith Fay Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Banjo, Bodhrán, Percussion

John Clohessy Bass, Aldotrube

John Ryan Fiddle, Violin, Mandocello, Bowed bass, Banjo, Vocals (grunts, track 1)

Joe Farrell Drums, Percussion

Guest/Session

John O'Fathaigh Irish flute, Tin whistle, Low whistle, Recorder

Aine O'Dwyer Irish harp

1. Shelob 03:05

2. The Brown Bull of Cooley 05:26

3. Coffin Ships 01:50 instrumental

4. The Great Hunger 06:10

5. The Old Woman in the Woods 01:52

6. Ungoliant 03:56

7. The Morrigan's Call 01:52

8. Téir Abhaile Riú 04:16

9. Wolfe Tone 02:58

10. The Very Wild Rover 04:04

11. Cuchulainn 06:24

12. Diarmuid and Grainne 05:15

47:08

"The Very Wild Rover" is an adaptation of the well-known folk song "The Wild Rover".

"The Old Woman in the Woods" is an adaptation of the nursery rhyme "The River Saile".

Recording information:

Recorded and produced at Sun Studios in Dublin, during January and February 2006.

Mixed by Gail Liebling and Cruachan.