Gwar - Lust in Space (Metal Blade Records, 2009)

Genre:  Punk/Thrash Metal
Year: 2009
Country: USA

Tracklist:

1.	Lust in Space	06:12
2.	Let Us Slay	03:25
3.	Damnation Under God	03:27
4.	The UberKlaw	03:39
5.	Lords and Masters	04:52
6.	Metal Metal Land	03:05
7.	The Price of Peace	03:37
8.	Where is Zog?	04:53
9.	Make a Child Cry	02:59
10.	Release the Flies	04:10
11.	Parting Shot	04:16
12.	GWARnography *	06:04
		50:39

Review:

Legend speaks of an elite group of warriors who centuries ago roamed the universe with their unlimited hatred for all living things. They called themselves Scumdogs Of The Universe and after many massacres they were banished to the most useless planet in the galaxy, Earth.

If the above story sounds familiar, you probably have an album of these gentlemen in your collection, as usual on the new one we get a concept album that writes a new chapter to the epic book that is the story of Gwar. Hence expect only a standard story embellished with typical Gwar humor. Musically, they started as a punk / thrash group where the music was considered inferior to the humor and bloody spectacle. The band’s live show has always been better than their albums, thats just a fact that all their fans agree on.

But what about this latest new cd?

Well, there are again enough jokes and winks to satisfy the faithful Gwar fans. Twenty-five years playing experience has apparently paid off because just like their previous album this surpasses the older work musically. Unfortunately, there is also a more negative trend to be found here, more and more 'mallcore' elements crept into the music. No idea who was waiting for changes like that in a Gwar album. Thankfully, "Lust In Space" compensates with groovy thrash riffs that makes us forget those useless breakdowns immediately. The album cover is a nod to "Love Gun" by Kiss, a reference to the group that invented the whole shockrock genre.

Gwar was always the laughing stock of more serious metalheads but with this album it has been made clear that on a technical level they do know how to handle their instruments well.

If compared to Beyond Hell, the production is equally good, while comparing this with their older work would be like comparing you Bluray disc of 'Friday the 13th' to my VHS copy of that movie. Both are good and a fun to watch but you will get the most detail and nuances with the later one.

After 25 years, the cow should have been milked dry, but Gwar is live as funny and original as ever. The music has always been subordinate but this time it's again a fun little record to have.
Rating:


Where to buy?:
http://www.indiemerch.com/metalbladerecords/item/11473

Atheist - Unquestionable Presence: Live At Wacken (Relapse Records, 2009)

Genre: Death/Thrash Metal with Jazz and Progressive Influences
Year: 2009
Country: USA
Tracklist:

Disc 1
1.	Unquestionable Presence	04:53
2.	On They Slay	04:01
3.	Unholy War	02:28
4.	Your Life's Retribution	03:17
5.	An Incarnation's Dream	03:54
6.	Mother Man	05:59
7.	And the Psychic Saw	05:29
8.	Piece of Time	05:58
		35:59
Disc 2
1.	Piece of Time	04:33
2.	I Deny	04:00
3.	Unholy War	02:18
4.	Room With a View	04:05
5.	Mother Man	04:33
6.	Unquestionable Presence	04:07
7.	And the Psychic Saw	04:49
8.	An Incarnation's Dream	04:52
9.	Mineral	04:33
10.	Water	04:28
11.	Air	05:34
		47:52

 Review:

In 2006 the legendary thrash / death group Atheist gave some exclusive reunion concerts. For those who could not attend those shows there is now a double CD with the recording of their passage in Wacken. To introduce the band here would be superfluous because their jazz metal paved the way for other well-known groups such as Cynic and Watchtower.  On The first disc you get the first time chance to hear Atheist live on record.

On the second disc you get a compilation of their best songs to date. The sound quality of the live recording plays rather rough and raw but you are therefore assured of a realistic sound that is exactly how it was played three years ago. One downside is that songs from the first two records are played and that "Elements" was completely ignored, although the latter album also has its fans. The only live album of this classic group is a must for old fans while the compilation part is a great introduction to a newer audience.

Rating:

/

Where to buy?:

http://www.relapse.com/unquestionable-presence-live-at-wacken-2cd.html

Exivious - Exivious (self released, 2009)

 Genre: Progressive Jazz (Metal)
Year: 2009
Country: The Netherlands
Tracklist: 

1.	Ripple of a Tear	07:30
2.	Time and Its Changes	04:39
3.	Asurim	05:31
4.	All That Surrounds pt 1	03:38
5.	Waves of Thought	06:24
6.	The Path	05:45
7.	All That Surrounds pt 2	03:39
8.	Embrace the Unknown	04:44
9.	An Elusive Need	04:39
		46:29

Review:
Exivious has members from Cynic (yes the same) and has drummer Stef Broks from Textures, in order to not be limited in their creative expressions they decided to release the album through their own website and only print about 1000 copies for sale. First and foremost I need to mention that the music is not the sum of the previous groups mentioned, rather they take the progressive and technical elements of their previous musical expressions one step further. They music is best described as some sort of jazz-fusion but with the vast majority jazz and little room for the harder metal work. The songs are all built with a spontaneous progression like most jazz songs and not with normal choruses and recurring elements. This makes Exivious not so easy to digest , its gets even harder on the stomach because it’s a pure instrumental album. Without even hearing a single note of music you can decide if this record is going to be suited for your tastes. Do you love far-reaching progressive music and technical instrumental miracles, did you always have a passion for jazz or are you just one of the biggest Cynic fans on earth? Then you can probably do no wrong with purchasing this very album. For those of you who prefer a more common chunk of music it would be best to listen before you buy. To conclude I like to mention that this record is made rather for artists then for the average metalhead. That’s why I cannot wholeheartedly recommended it, but you are free to try it.

Rating:


Where to buy?:
http://www.exivious.net/index.php?sub=store

Crescent Shield - The Stars of Never Seen (Cruz Del Sur Music, 2009)

Genre: Heavy/Power Metal
Year: 2009
Country: USA
Tracklist:

1.	Under Cover of Shadows	06:54
2.	The Grand Horizon	04:33
3.	Tides of Fire	04:19
4.	10,000 Midnights Ago	04:22
5.	Temple of the Empty	06:09
6.	My Anger	03:24
7.	The Bellman	03:23
8.	The Endurance	09:16
9.	Lifespan	06:34
		48:54

Review:
After the release of The Last of My Kind in 2006 Crescent Shield brings out a second album two years later entitled The Stars of never seen, today it’s that second album that I will be reviewing. The band has been founded by members of Onward and Destiny’s End, in short artists who have already made their marks elsewhere. If you know anything about the previous groups it should come as no surprise that we are essentially getting a serving of U.S. Power Metal. The singer is Michael Grant who, while opinions about his qualities are divided, is in my eyes one of the most underrated singers in today’s metal scene. For many his unique vocal timbre will be a difficult adjustment, but whether it’s a fast song or a melodic sounding one Grant will provide everything with beautiful vocals, even the high notes he reaches with ease. Of course comparisons can be made with the greats in the genre like Omen, Jag Panzer and the longer, more progressive sounding songs also with the old Fates Warning. The song “The Endurance is worth a special mention, although this is the longest song that Crescend Shield has written so far, it never threatens to get boring, more so this epic song is slowly building up to a crescendo in about the middle of the song after witch it remains compelling to the last note. For people less into the progressive genre it also contains more straightforward upbeat tempo songs such as “My Anger”. There has clearly been though about the structure of the songs on this record, the production has had an audible improvement over the debut and the artist show that they know how to handle their instruments. In short, U.S. Power metal at its best, why haven’t you bought this yet?

Rating:

Where to buy?:
http://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=35&product_id=60

Note: Michael Grant passed away not long ago this year, I would like to take this moment to offer my sincere condolences to everyone who knew Michael Grant, truly a singer who had so much more to offer was taken from us.

ROXXCALIBUR - NWOBHM for Muthas (Limb Music, 2009)

Genre: Other
Year: 2004
Country: Germany
Tracklist:
 1. Big Ben (Intro)
2. Running for the Line
3. The Gates of Gehenna
4. Seven Days of Splendour
5. Rainbow Warrior
6. Axe Crazy
7. Lady of Mars
8. Destiny
9. War of the Ring
10. Witchfinder General
11. Let it Loose
12. Angel of Fear
13. Spirit of Chateaux
14. See You in Hell

Review: 
Roxxcalibur is a NWOBHM tribute band who released their first CD release  in April 2009. Normally people associate NWOBH with iron maiden, saxon, Angel Witch and Diamond Head. Many of you will never have heard of the lesser known groups like Chateaux, Grim Reaper, Savage, Arc, Cloven Hoof etc., that these names might not sound familiar is because their lps are almost impossible to find. On NWOBHM for Muthas (a reference to the famous NWOBHM compilation albums released under the title "Metal For Muthas") are fourteen of the best NWOBHM singles who were ever released. For those of you at home in the NWOBHM will spontaneously get a whopper of an erection at the sight of the tracklist on this album. From the epic Arc to the rocking Grim Reaper,  Roxxcalibur presented  a selection of the best NWOBHM songs that many people have never heard before. Of course we all know that cover versions rarely approach the original versions but Roxxcalibur, containing members of Viron and Abandoned, possesses enough talent in their ranks to honor these forgotten gems. A big part of this is due thanks to the good production. Since the original lps almost impossible to find, every 80s metal fan should have to buy this CD! My favorite songs are Lady Of Mars, See You In Hell and War Of The Ring, who all belong to my favorite metal songs. The album cover was designed by Rodney Matthews who was known for his work with Diamond Head, Praying Mantis, Tygers of Pan Tang but also self Scorpions, Magnum and Thin Lizzy.
If you can find the original records then you'd better buy them of course, but failing that Roxxcalibur is a good alternative. Highly recommended and this is definitely one of my all-time favored cover albums.

Rating:

Where to buy?: 
http://forever-rock.de/de/ROXXCALIBUR-NWOBHM-For-Muthas-CD?x52485=e8aqr3ltourm42i58iqco3e444

Crotchduster - Big Fat Box of Shit (Willowtip Records, 2004)

Genre: Other
Year: 2004
Country: Germany
Tracklist: 
1.True Nature of Williams           02:25

2.Big Top Williams                           03:11

3.Cain Sings the Blues                   02:21

4.Let Me Into Starfish Land        03:21

5.Mr. Indigent Erection                                02:58

6.Mammal Sauce                            07:23

7.Jogging In Hell Forever             02:22

8.Stars Ingenious Cooter (Live) 03:22

9.Crotchopus                                    14:31

Review: 
When most people will hear the name Crotchduster they will expect that this is an "everyday" grindcore band. Nothing could be further from the truth however, because from the first song you will be amazed and enchanted. It’s clearly the purpose of the group to ridicule other bands and genres, but Crotchduster does so not only handle metal (Slayer, Korn, Black Metal, Hair Core) but also various pop, electro and god knows what genres. You might not expect this but Crotchduster changes from one genre to another within one song. They wander so many times that you can’t help yourself but to burst out laughing. Where a group as Mr. Bungle at least try’s to mix different genres, Crotchduster just tries to change genres as abrupty as possiblelike a madman. Where the group succeeds is to break the expectations of the listener and leave him waiting at the next piece of metal.

The most amazing thing about this CD Is probable the fact that Fornicus Fuck Mouth "McFlappy (Jason Suceof from Capharnaum) is one of the three members of this hilarious group. The other two members are a dog (the drummer) and Slippery Jim (vocals).

It should be made clear that although the group is not lacking in talent (all genres sound good and as a whole it is miraculously listenable.) This album is not for everyone, there will be some people really offended  by the lyrics and who won’t figure out the brilliant parody that this is, but luckily I'm not one of them.

To get a good idea of ​​the style of this cd you should listen to "Mammal Sauce" on the official site.
SCORE: 9/10

Rating:

Where to buy?:
Big Fat Box of Shit

Waylander - Honour Amongst Chaos (Listenable Records, 2008)

Genre: Celtic/Folk Metal
Year: 2008
Country: United Kingdom
Tracklist: 
1.As The Deities Clash                   07:45

2.Walk With Honour                      05:00

3.Beyond The Ninth Wave          07:56

4.Galloping Gaels                            06:17

5.To Dine In The Otherworld     10:16

6.Usurpers Of Our Legacy           08:24

7.Taker Of Heads                            06:02

8.Elemental Chaos                         08:44

9.Brú Na Bóinne                              05:42

Total playing time                          01:06:06

Review:

Seven years after "The Light, The Dark and the Endless Knot" CD Waylander strikes back with Honour Amongst Chaos. It's quite amazing that their new album has been released on Listenable Records because they are the odd one out. The group plays the Celtic variant of Folk metal just like their countrymen Cruachan. Immediately after the first listen you notice that Waylander is bringing out the heavier guns than on their older records. They have mastered the art of making a very long song attractive throughout thanks to the use of unusual, Celtic instruments ("thin whistle") and a folk metal style that is peppered with black metal riffs and loud roars. Outliers are the furious "Galloping Gaels" what can best be described as a heavier variant of a Korpiklaani song and the epic, more than ten minutes "To Dine in the Other World" that mixes quiet passages a with harder Pagan Folk metal pieces. The cd also has a number of drawbacks, the production could be better (sometimes it sounds messy) and after a few songs, the innovative element there is gone and threatens to make Waylander boring. With this record Waylander can’t transcend this crowded market. A very mild recommendation for fans of the genre.

Rating:

Where to buy?:
http://shop.listenable.net/product.php?id_product=98