Heavy Metal-Rush Style
584219
I've been a good fan of Rush since the early 90's and I love their 80's material and, especially, their 90's material. My favorite all-around album from them is 'Test For Echo' but this album has got to be their HEAVIEST album made to date. This album is worth buying for ANY price! But, you've got to be in a really Heavy-Metal mood when you want to listen to this album. I found that out the hard way. I listened to this album like 3 times and had to turn it off during the first or second tracks because I wasn't in the Heavy-Metal mood. But, when I AM in the Heavy mood, this is an awesome listening experience! The third track, "Ghost Rider", is worth buying the whole album for. This is one of the best songs they have ever made! One reviewer said there is no keyboarding in this album. This album DOESN'T NEED keyboarding! It can stand on its own WITHOUT synthesizers! The guitars in this album more than make up for it! Besides, keyboards were predominantly an 80's thing for Rush. They have moved on and evolved as a band since then. Keep up the great work, Rush! I hope to see, and hear, many more albums from you in the future!
4371175
Following their thematic masterpiece, LEVIATHAN, the mighty Mastodon brings us their most ambitious and complex music to date on BLOOD MOUNTAIN.  Mastodon have been called the next big thing in the metal genre, and with this album, it is hard to deny that they are the most exciting band in this music.

To use a jazz phrase, this band really swings.  Mastodon is building a Rush-like reputation as the most technically proficient band in their genre.  They can bludgeon, and they can simply rawk.  They constantly play with timings, playing (almost) stoner-slow or blast-beat fast.  Vocals sway from screaming intensity to bar-soaked looseness, and they can just as easily get weird and mess with your head.

BLOOD MOUNTAIN brings a complete scene change from LEVIATHAN.  Whereas LEVIATHAN made you feel like you were riding the sea, hunting an elusive foe, BLOOD MOUNTAIN sends you into the deep wilderness, where you are the hunted.  Themes range from the searching ("Crystal Skull," "Sleeping Giant"), the vertigo-inducing ("Capillarian Crest") to the fantastic ("Colony of Birchmen") and the frantic ("The Wolf is Loose," "Circle of Cysquatch").

My favorites so far include the (aforementioned) full-force of "The Wolf is Loose," the intricately prog-like "Capillarian Crest," and the extremity of "Circle of Cysquatch."  Probably the sharpest left turn on the album comes on "Sleeping Giant," another sign that Mastodon isn't afraid to stay at a groovy mid-tempo for a while.  And I just wish the graceful album closer, "Pendulous Skin," could only have continued that cool vibe for about ten more minutes.

It's hard to top such an epic like LEVIATHAN, and it's too early for me to decide where this album will fit in their history.  The band suggests that BLOOD MOUNTAIN is a metaphor for where Mastodon stands in their musical "quest."  Appropriately, they have reached a peak with this album, although it's a different peak from LEVIATHAN and REMISSION.  And it's exciting to know that Mastodon should continue to reach higher with their future releases.

****1/2
4475499
Hard Hammond organ-driven heavy rock thats rings in sounding sorta like heavier-than-their-usual DEEP PURPLE or perhaps ATOMIC ROOSTER on too much caffiene. Dark, riffy, and big sounding.
4621767
A friend of mine brought this CD back from Europe and showed it to me. I was damn impressed with the power these guys had together, and I like the fact that they blend really simple, heavy riffs with some very technical stuff. Maybe part of the reason I liked them so much was because the first time I heard them, metal was just getting poular again in the form of no-talent rap-metal that I just frankly can't stand. Hearing a new band (new to me) that had talent and actually had a feeling of melody was a godsend. It's too bad these guys split up only one album later. This band could have been really popular if they could have toured in the States for any long period of time. Check out the power of tracks like Lonely, As a Boy(a anthem for anyone who's ever been pissed off), and Sucking my Energy. Also, watch for the track at the end of the last song. Fast forward through the last song, and after about two minutes of silence, There's a really cool song called Eye for Eye. If you are into metal, especially bands like Metallica or Iced Earth, you're gonna love this.
2707161
Angel Dust gives the listener something fairly unique to progressive/power/epic metal music in that you rarely hear guitars THIS heavy coupled with a piano as is the case on the opening track "Bleed" (keyboards and synth maybe but not a piano, though it may be the keyboards that are mimicking a piano sound)).  I mean, this is some heavy stuff--Iced Earth heavy--but the intertwining piano melody really throws you off.  And that is good!  As the album moves on, the keys take on a more traditional prog metal sound (think Awake-era Dream Theater) but it is still good.  The songwriting is very strong on Bleed and the keys never overshadow the rest of the band as happens all too often in progressive metal (no, I'm not saying Angel Dust is prog but they do have similarities to many prog bands).  Angel Dust's singer is good, though he is a bit rough.  Don't let this scare you off but he (AD's lead singer) kinda reminds me of Offspring's lead vocalist only not nearly as annoying.
Angel Dust, from what I understand, used to be a thrash metal band and sometimes you can still hear that side of them.  This is a good thing for it makes Bleed (and Angel Dust) all the more interesting and unique.
This album is for fans of Iced Earth, Savatage, Dream Theater & Superior.  I'm not saying that's what Angel Dust sounds like (though there are some similarities to all four aforementioned bands), I'm just saying that if you like those four bands, you'll probably like Angel Dust's Bleed.
Angel Dust walks in the gray area that seperates power metal from progressive metal and epic metal from thrash metal.  I don't know what to call 'em, but they're good.
1407670
Normally, I like my metal on the heavier side of things, but this had just enough heaviness, crunch and energy to get my attention...once I gave it a shot, the songs just stuck in my head and I couldn't get them out. I would call their sound a cross between 80's glam metal and Judas Priest. They are really young, but play like veterans of the trade. The singer has an outstanding metal voice and the riffs support him nicely.

While I like some 80's metal, it is generally the more popular songs by the bigger bands of the day. I can't think of any of those bands (Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Cinderella, etc.) where I actually like their whole cd. That is not the case with this cd. Every song is a winner. If you are open to this flavor of metal, DEFINITELY give this band a shot.
2424429
This is a must-own for any heavy music fan.
Elements of maiden, kyuss, sabbath, botch, even a couple straight-up blues licks hiding in the mix.
The drummer is a monster, but clearly a little too impressed with his own abilities.  Use a little restraint, dude (but only a little!).
4804162
"Crucible" - what can I say? When Halford released "Resurrection" I was thrilled; he was delivering the goods just the way I had wanted him to ever since he left Judas Priest. I bought "Crucible" rather unheard but with the suspicion that it would be more metallic... which was very true. At first I was a bit disappointed, and maybe still am, because you'll have to be in mood for really heavy metal when you put on this album, otherwise you'll only find it too hard, too frantic, too heavy, simply - too much!
Some songs are in fact very good: "One will" which reminds of the Priest days; "Betrayal", a fast track with the familiar 'Halford-high-tone-screaming-voice' and very good guitar solo's simular to the playing of Tipton/Dawning; "Golgotha" that is a slower song which is both heavy and kind of melodic; "Heretic" which is a mid-tempo heavy song with everything you'd expect from Halford.
Then the are songs that are neither good or bad, like "Weaving sorrow" - a rather good tune up to the so called chorus which is in my opinion horrible. Halford has an overall problem with the chorus of several songs and the problem is the lack of a 'catchy' chorus. The title track would also fit in this category together with "Crystal", "Sun" and "She" (bonus track).
Sorry to say, but there are songs I'd prefer never had made it to the final album, like "Wrath of God" which is the album's fastest song with simularities to speed or trash metal or whatever it's called.
Most people seem to think this album rocks and maybe it does, but I prefer "Resurrection". "Crucible" may be a step forward but after some listening your ears will feel kind of numb, at least if you're used to traditional heavy metal in vein of Judas Priest's "British steel" and "Screaming for vengeance".
3453140
I have been a fan of Trivium ever since they released Ember to Inferno. I automatically fell in love with the brutality of their music and how intelligent and well written it was for kids who were 3 years younger than me. Ascendancy was decent as well but, The Crusade blows Ascendancy out of the water by far. The songs on this album are smashingly, old -school, heavy metal riffing, layered with fat bass lines and sprinkled with blistering solos that haven't been heard since the 80's. Trivium distance themselves from "metalcore" and return to their roots. "Entrance of the Conflagration" is a great thrashy, angry song about this woman who drowns her kids in a tub. The drum part is amazing and the chanting is catchy yet eiree.  "Anthem" is also a good song that brings the fun back into metal. Who the hell said we have to be depressed and dark to play or enjoy metal anyway?Matt and Corey really shine on this track as it is smothered in sweep appreggios and two-hand tapping, trade-off solos. one thing I particularly enjoyed about this record was "Becoming the Dragon". That song made me want to start an old-school pit in my room and punch holes in the wall. And guess what else? A blistering bass solo by Paulo Greggeletto himself done in the fashion of Cliff Burton circa 1983. My only criticism really lies in "The World Can't tear us Apart" ,it isn't a bad song or anything but, it doesnt really sound like Trivium at all. I guess it just goes to show you that they can actually write a slow song without screaming and whining. Does it sound like Metallica? Not really. Maybe Testament or old Anthrax or Iron Maiden but, not Metallica. If you are a true fan of metal and not so much core than you will enjoy this cd. If not then just go buy the next Blood has Been Shed, or Hatebreed album and leave the real metal to the metalheads. Four stars
2664341
This is without a shadow of doubt Nile's heaviest, fastest, and most technical album to date! I believe Greg's review summarizes what I'm trying to communicate to you, so here's what he said:

"As time goes on, heavy metal continues to get more and more extreme. No, not the "stuff" you hear on the radio or see on MTV that tries to pass itself as metal, but the music that is bubbling under in the metal underground. Nile is one such band that continues to push metal's boundaries to the limits, as it does on its 2005 release Annihilation of the Wicked (produced by Neil Kernon of Queensrche fame). Obviously judging from its name and song titles, the group has a thing for Middle Eastern imagery, and the album starts off with sounds straight out of the desert, "Dusk Falls Upon the Temple of the Serpent on the Mount of Sunrise." But there is nothing that could possibly prepare you for what is lurking around the corner, as perhaps "a metallic head-on collision" is a fitting description for the machine gun-like "Cast Down the Heretic." Guitarist Karl Sanders continues to make a valid argument that he is one of the top guitarists of the extreme metal genre throughout the album, as he has no problem keeping pace with the rapid-fire drums. If you're not well versed with this style of metal, the songs on Annihilation of the Wicked may start to blend into one another after a while, but extreme metal fans will be writhing in ecstasy." ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide

I agree with what he said fully and it gives a very accurate discription of this album. Best of 2005? YES! Get out there and buy it!
3147446
Are you kiddin me..this band is greaaat.  Fast, thrash, powerdeath metal.  A wonderful mix of genres that only the true metalhead can listen to on their own with a hooka and a beer.
2742068
I'm not a big fan of change.  I don't exactly embrace newness and run aroud buying up all the new bands' albums for the sheer thrill of it.  I like my metal in the Old Skool sense.  Ozzy.  Megadeth.  Sabbath.  Dio.  Metallica.  Etc...  Once in a great while my best friend will nudge me toward something new.  Ahhhh!  But Disturbed I actually discovered on my own.  Cruising around iTunes, I remembered seeing the video for Land Of Confusion (Genesis cover) at the ComiCon with art by Todd McFarlane. I downloaded the song and the video and for the hell of it added a few more songs. Down With The Sickness was one, Ten Thousand Fists was another.  After listening to them, I was hooked. Disturbed is new metal without the obnoxious after-effects of a singer who can only scream garbled bulls*it.  I can't stand that.  If I wanna listen to old Slayer tunes or Megadeths KIMB, I can get that there, but nothing impresses me about singers that can't sing.  Nada.  Disturbed does not have that problem.  They are heavy.  They have hooks in their sogs.  They are just melodic enough.  The dude can sing.  This is what newer metal should sound like.  They sound like Godsmack when Godsmack still had an edge (oops!)on their debut and maybe Awake.  This is tight, head-pounding metal.  Catchy! I went ahead and bought Ten Thousands Fists & Believe and I was notdisappointed.  Great stuff!

Dig It!
2942155
In the wave of hair metal that was coming out, one of the harder ones was Winger, which strongly benefited from guitarist Reb Beach's crunching guitar and with all band members accompanying bassist Kip Winger in the chorus and pre-chorus segments.  His vocal register is high like David Coverdale, and there are times when he emulates Robert Plant's banshee-like yelps.  Other times, imagine if Jon Bon Jovi had the bestial intensity of Gene Simmons.  He sounds like that when he's belting'em out.
"Madalaine" was their first single and is just the latest in a long line of women over whom a warning sign should be placed:  "Beware the girl/beware the pain."  Pretty intense guitars and power vocals here, as there are in many of the other songs.
Their use of actual strings on the melodic soft portions of "Hungry" must count for something where others were using synths.  The rest of the song is straight up slow metal.
The hard-rocking and hook-catchy "Seventeen" was the second single I heard from them.  I will have to say KISS had that beat with "Christine Sixteen" via the age of the girl, but the forbidden love aspect is hinted with "Daddy says she's too young/but she's old enough for me."  Love that fiery guitar solo towards the end.
With its keyboards and lighter electric guitar, "Without The Night" could've been a good power ballad single, just as good as "Headed For A Heartbreak."
Their take on "Purple Haze" is definitely heavier than the original, and while there is some aping of Hendrix's guitar, probably Dweezil Zappa's left-side solo, it's still an exercise in bombastic hard metal.
"Time To Surrender" with a chugging guitar riff, is an all-out "no mas" against a woman he's had enough of.  I wonder about the poker analogies that always come out in these situations:  "I won't play your game and I won't play your fool" and "Best be makin' your move/play your last hand"
"Poison Angel" is very high energy metal and guitar theatrics.  That is followed by "Hangin On", with some Eddie Van Halen-style guitar.  Come to think of it, David Lee Roth could've made something of this, 1984-era.
Power keyboards are prominent in the light rocker "Headed For A Heartbreak", and which probably helped it hit the Top 40.
"Higher And Higher" is another power rocker and is about one of those kind of women.  What kind?  "Primal scream, she's got the body of sin/should be a law against such an invention", which usually means she's bad news, and she is.
Harder than Poison or Whitesnake, more on the Def Leppard end of the spectrum, but nothing surpassing early Ozzy or KISS's Animalize.  Their heavy sound is what carries this sound, thanks to Reb Beach's guitar and Kip Winger's vocals.
521727
Slightly psychedelic 70's prog influenced Trad Heavy Metal. The Velvet Inquisition is hauntingly chilling that has plenty of 70s electric organ sounds but amazing 80s drum and riffs. For the New Gaurdmen of heavy metal, if you enjoy the spooky clarity of Ghost's synth and rock sound, you'll find home in this tune. The Precipice is a delightful gleaming Prog bit. Full of galloping drums and classic Heavy Metal guitar riffage but still shows a slight haunting sound. The vocals on this album, particularly on this song are ghastly clean and hypnotic for sure. The one that cranks out like a sweet bitch is Flying Alone. Deep Purple is written all over this little rallier. It's the fastest song, exhibiting early Speed Metal notes such as Highway Star (Blackmore and Lord could be seen playing their heart out to this) and Queen's Stone Cold Crazy. If you listen this driving, keep your foot in check; more than once I'm surprised I didn't get pulled over.
4450371
My introduction to Firewind arrived and it is a pretty solid hard rock/power metal album.  Not nearly as good as Gamma Ray, Helloween, nor Elegy, but in the same arena.  A little bit closer to Symphorce but with slightly more emphasis on keyboards and with a better vocalist.  With hard rock/metal being my favorite genre, I broke this in at the gym and it was a solid, if unoriginal, session. Most of the songs sound the same -- not a bad thing but not a lot of variety (just like the aforementioned band). Musicianship is tight and there's a lot of double-bass drum happening. Need a self-esteem boost? Then hold your "Head Up High."  Want to feel like B.A. Barracus? Then check out "Mercenary Man." Get the idea?

Because the song is tolerable, I can forgive the title of "Circle of Life." No authentic metal band should be allowed to title their original songs a la Disney. What's next? "A Whole New World...of pain and misery?"

However, the weak link is the penultimate "special bonus track," "Maniac." Yes, that "maniac," -- you know, the one who's dancing like she's never danced before. I heard it and loudly asked "Seriously?" I'm all for the occasional cover and if you want to poke fun at the 80s, go for it, but pick something a little tougher and more obscure. Doesn't have to originally be a metal song but at least show some creativity (don't just amp it up). It's hard to imagine a bunch of Greek tough guy metalheads deliberating on whether to include this on the album. You know there were holdouts but apparently Gus G. is the creative core and producer so even though he was likely outvoted, he probably was pointing to the "producer" nametag on his Sabbath shirt that day (see the liner notes if you don't follow).  Edguy covered "Rock Me, Amadeus" recently and as tongue-in-cheek as that is, it "rocks" compared to this.  Any track on Disc 1 is not a bonus -- especially not this one.

While my power metal standards are high, I merely like this album.  It will stay on rotation for a while, though, and maybe it will grow on me as other reviews have suggested. There are better power metal bands and albums out there, so do not start here but if you can get it cheap, it's worth a few bucks and listens.
2424333
After their first two albums, demon hunter changed up their style a little. It's still heavy pressed metal with growing vocals, but they make it more of a throwback to the roots of metal, and his growing is more compressed and localized on pronunciation. This foray is a nice evolution of styles while maintaining core principles. Still listen to this today!
2772986
All that needs to be said about this band is they do everything the old way and for some reason that makes their music original in the sea of today's metal.  It's a power trio, lead by the 9 stringer guitar of Matt Pike and they're based on doing everything the old way.  That means they're all in the same room in the studio, jamming, writing songs and all finished in a couple of weeks, maybe a couple of months.  They're not going to sit there and go over and over and over the music, adding touches here or refining here, which appears to be what is killing the life of the music today.  Instead, you can feel that they created something good.  This is riffing at its best, there's equal parts anger and moody parts, with some instrumentals thrown in.  Its heavy but somehow that never overshadows what the bottom line is and that is good music.