Black Fast continues the sonic onslaught with their blend of thrash/progressive/black metal on Spectre Of Ruin. Produced and mixed by Hate Eternal frontman Erik Rutan (Cannibal Corpse, Belphegor,Goatwhore), Black Fast don't change too much of their formula on this album, but show that they can write strong songs that are at darker, faster, and heavier than heard before on previous albums.
Black Fast is a pretty young band, only going on for 8 years, but their sound is very old school. A mixture of thrash, progressive, death, and blackened thrash metal comprises their sound. They're anything but a throwback just so you know. Terms Of Surrender is an impressive example of their music. It was produced by Erik Rutan (Hate Eternal, Cannibal Corpse, Goatwhore) and mixed/mastered by Alan Douches (Cannibal Corpse, Suffocation, Death), and has a very organic-sounding quality to it. Recommended if you like Slayer, Exodus, Arsis, or any of the other bands mentioned in this review.
Madball has always put out some of the best hardcore, they've never disappointed. New lineup, new American label, new music. Agnostic Front is next for a new album since they usually follow.
This is an awesome special edition of Armored Saint's Symbol Of Salvation, released in time to commemorate their european tour. Compared to the 2003 reissue, this is in digipak format and includes 4 bonus tracks. It is the same remaster as before, but still worth a purchase if you're a fan.
Anaal Nathrakh's a British metal band whose sound covers a wide spectrum including black metal, death metal, industrial metal, and grindcore, and this album is a perfect one to begin with if you're getting into them.
DevilDriver's lineup has changed, but the sound remains consistent coming after Winter Kills. Jeff Kendrick's guitar playing is missed, but the overall sound on Trust No One makes up for the loss.
Technical death metal has it's perks, you're always guaranteed a certain level of technicality and musicianship. With bands like Rivers Of Nihil, they'll always try to differentiate themselves from the rest. Even from their first album The Conscious Seed Of Light, that was apparent, and I love that they're always pushing themselves.
With old-school death metal, you can never go wrong. Morbid Angel's Heretic album is almost godlike. David Vincent was awesome, but I think I actually prefer Steve Tucker's style.