Kreator

 Today in 2010 Kreator released the Live album Terror Prevails: Live At Rock Hard Festival

Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany Thrash Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1982 (as Tyrant), 1982-1984 (as Tormentor), 1984-present

Once known as Tormentor, and before that as Tyrant, Kreator rose to prominence in the mid-eighties, joining Sodom and Destruction as the top-ranked German thrash bands of the decade. While albums such as Pleasure To Kill ruled the scene, the nineties found their popularity waning a bit, as albums such as the industrial-tinged Renewal* in 1992 and *Endorama in 1998, met with some critical acclaim but not commercial success, hardened fans seeming to have become disillusioned with straying from the raw, frenetic thrash of their earlier days. But founder Mille Petrozza forged on, and in the new millennium things turned around, with a new lineup in place and renewed vigor and aggression on display on 2001's Violent Revolution, the first of several albums in the 2000's that have found Kreator regaining its place among thrash's elite.

Rock Hard

- Mille Petrozza / vocals and guitars

- Sami Yli-Sirnio / guitars

- Christian Giesler / bass

- Jurgen Reil / drums

1. Choir Of The Damned (Intro) (1:30)

2. The Pestilence (7:35)

3. Hordes Of Chaos (5:07)

4. Phobia (3:22)

5. Enemy Of God (5:51)

6. Impossible Brutality (4:37)

7. Endless Pain (2:34)

8. Pleasure To Kill (3:28)

9. Terrible Certainty (5:15)

First part of the band's appearance at the Rock Hard festival, Gelsenkirchen in 2010.

Given for free as a digipack with the german magazine RockHard (December 2010 - number 283).

Recorded by Rockpalast Mobile.

Mixed at The Barracks (Düsseldorf, Germany).

Mastered at Skyline Tonfabrik (Düsseldorf, Germany).

The second part was released with the June 2012 magazine

HB

 Today in 2010 HB released the album The Jesus Metal Explosion

Forssa, Finland Symphonic Metal/Rock

Status:Split-up

Years active:2002-2016

HB is a Christian band from Forssa, Finland. Formed in 2002, they started playing rock but have since developed a more massive, heavy metal sound, with orchestral/symphonic backgrounds, and have always had a female lead vocalist. HB has grown to be one of the most popular Christian groups in Finland, and with their first English album Frozen Inside released in 2008, they've also had some attention from abroad.

Data Universum Oy

Tuomas Kannisto Bass

Antti Niskala Keyboards, Vocals, Lyrics, Strings arrangements (tracks 2, 5, 6)

Johanna Vocals

Samuel Drums

Bob Kanervo Guitars

Sofia Guitars

Guest/Session

Markus Malin Drums

Janne Karhunen Guitars

Minna Hyvärinen Piano (tracks 4, 7)

Mikko Sorri Piano (track 10)

Lasse Heikkilä String arrangements (tracks 3, 4, 8, 10)

Timo Oikkonen String arrangmenets (track 1)

Juhana Ritakorpi Strings, String arrangements (track 7)

Selina Mattila Unknown (track 4)

Ari Paloheimo Unknown (track 6)

Kaarle Mannila Choirs arrangements, Vocals (backing)

Sami Asp Vocals (backing) (tracks 1, 2, 5, 9)

Johanna Almark-Mannila Vocals (backing)

Matti Puttonen Vocals (backing)

Antti Pitkäjärvi Vocals (backing)

Johanna Boedecker Vocals (backing)

Tuomas Höglund Vocals (backing)

Maria Höglund Vocals (backing)

Kuhankeittäjät Vocals (choirs) (track 4)

Teemu Hämäläinen Strings

Ulla Eirola Strings

Mauri Kuokkanen Strings

John Emanuelsson Strings

Pekka Häkkinen Strings

Ulpu Rusi Strings

Outi Mäkinen Strings

Liisa Vollbehr Strings

Katrin Nachtigall Strings

Luis Perelló Strings

Anna Husgafvel Strings

1. The Jesus Metal Explosion 03:25   

2. Loaded 03:22  

3. It Is Time II 03:28    

4. Hands of Grace 04:22    

5. Nightmare 04:00  

6. Holy Bible 05:09   

7. Abandoned 04:24   

8. King's Design 04:35    

9. Joy upon the Lord 04:35   

10. The Lord of Lords 04:46  

  42:06  

English version of the album Piikki Lihassa.

Recording information:

Drums recorded at Petrax

Guitars recorded at Villvox

Strings recorded at Headline, Soundtrack, Volume

Vocals recorded at HooBee Oy, Fantom Studio, and Takajärvi-Soundworks

Vektor

 Today in 2009 Vektor released the album Black Future

Tempe, Arizona (early); Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (later)

Progressive Thrash Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 2002-2004 (as Locrian), 2004-present

Thrash metal continues to thrive well into the new millennium, though thankfully Arizona's Vektor isn't going the stale retro route. The band self-released Demolition in 2006 and have since released a followup, Black Future, on the up-and-coming thrash label Heavy Artillery. Though the band now dismisses Demolition as little more than a demo and not a true representation of their sound, it does show quite a bit of promise and is not bad at all in its own right. Sure, it's a bit rough around the edges, and the production isn't what it should be, but their brand of progressive-laced Germanic thrash has something going for it. No doubt Black Future is the place to start when trying these guys out.

Heavy Artillery Records

David DiSanto Guitars, Vocals

Erik Nelson Guitars

Blake Anderson Drums

Frank Chin Bass

1. Black Future 05:03   

2. Oblivion 04:54   

3. Destroying the Cosmos 06:47   

4. Forests of Legend 10:16  

5. Hunger for Violence 05:30   

6. Deoxyribonucleic Acid 04:45   

7. Asteroid 06:49    

8. Dark Nebula 10:28   

9. Accelerating Universe 13:31   

  01:08:03

Edition with coloured Heavy Artilley, redcontacts on back cover, and "Builtbyicon" Matrix on disc.

Recording information:

Recorded at Villain Recordings in Phoenix, AZ. 

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