Eclectic Vibes

by Andrew Frey

Reviews From: Metal
Mastodon - Crack The Skye

Mastodon - Crack The Skye

Mastodon
Crack The Skye
Label: Reprise Records

Storming the progressive rock and metal scene with a fervor, diversity and originality heralded by few others. Their groundbreaking musical vision continues here by adapting a slight whirling psychedelic tinge to their entrancing metal megalith.

Mastodon WebsiteMastodon Wiki

Queensryche - American Soldier

Queensryche - American Soldier

Queensryche
American Soldier
Label: Rhino Records

Harsh and haunting perspectives of war are discussed, reviewed and examined in the somber gothic progressive metal style that they are known for. As thoughtful and powerful as this release is, I find the most memorable moments also being the most chilling and depressing.

Queensryche WebsiteQueensryche Wiki

Lacuna Coil - Shallow Life

Lacuna Coil - Shallow Life

Lacuna Coil
Shallow Life
Label: Century Media

I gotta admit, this Italian gothic metal outfit continues to impress. The beautiful and masterfully blended dynamics of male and female vocals and impressive instrumentation with well rounded dynamics make this a worthy addition to their already groundbreaking catalogue.

Lacuna Coil WebsiteLacuna Coil Wiki

Prong - Power of the Damn Mixxxer

Prong - Power of the Damn Mixxxer

Prong
Power of the Damn Mixxxer
Label: 13th Planet Records

Tommy Victor and company present revisioned versions from “Power Of The Damager.” These 13 moshing metal juggernauts from as many different remixing aficionados are refreshed, refueled and ready to pound into your brain with the angst and emotion that breed repeated play.

Prong WebsiteProng Wiki

Amorphis - Skyforger

Amorphis - Skyforger

Amorphis
Skyforger
Label: Nuclear Blast Records

Finding new ways to awaken my inner Viking! Invigorating anthems with their signature Scandinavian folk metal approach reverberate a dark, powerful beauty and majesty unmatched. This third round with singer Tomi Joutsen integrates a broad stroke of vocal styles with increased progressive rock elements to their musical palette.

Amorphis WebsiteAmorphis Wiki

Darkest Hour - Eternal Return

Darkest Hour - Eternal Return

Darkest Hour
Eternal Return
Label: Victory Records

Rolling and thundering melodic metal with a fair amount of technical wizardry ta boot! Born in the mid 90s, the band was among the first to combine their American hardcore/punk fury with the Swedish death metal sound and is the lineage that still propels their music.

Darkest Hour WebsiteDarkest Hour Wiki

Stratovarius - Polaris

Stratovarius - Polaris

Stratovarius
Polaris
Label: Armoury Records

This first outing after the departure of former bandmaster Timo Tolkki finds this Finnish melodic power metal group revisioned and situated to continue their formidable musical legacy for many more years to come.

Stratovarius WebsiteStratovarius Wiki

Arkaea - Years In The Darkness

Arkaea - Years In The Darkness

Arkaea
Years In The Darkness
Label: E1 Entertainment

Terse, intense and vibrant industrialized death metal from Fear Factory alumni Raymond Herrera and Christian Old Wolbers. Although incorporating proven Fear Factory stylings which fans will certainly enjoy overall I find the release safe, repetitive and formulaic.

Arkaea Wiki

Mile Marker Zero - Mile Marker Zero

Mile Marker Zero - Mile Marker Zero

Mile Marker Zero
Mile Marker Zero
Label: Self Released

Spinning impressive progressive rock adventures is undeniably the calling for this Connecticut quintet. An eclectic epic soundstream is forged around the lyrics that enjoy the dichotomy of life’s many lessons while thriving on the energy of the experience.

Mile Marker Zero Website

Shadows Fall - Retribution

Shadows Fall - Retribution

Shadows Fall
Retribution
Label: Ferret Music

Throwing together aggressive vocals and neck wrecking riffs and rhythms while whipping up a wild and entertaining stage show has been a quite effective formula for this twice Grammy nominated outfit. Now to up the ante, they are introducing their own record label!

Shadows Fall WebsiteShadows Fall Wiki

TYR - By The Light Of The Northern Star

TYR - By The Light Of The Northern Star

TYR
By The Light Of The Northern Star
Label: Napalm/SPV

Viking Metal by actual Vikings! Named after the God of War and Justice, this inspiring Faroese quartet brings us pagan metal anthems/hymns galore! Their folk metal attack is awakened and filled with vibrant traditional harmonies while telling tales of the Viking struggle against the horrors of Christianity and it’s bloody Crusades that were forced upon them.


Valina - A tempo! A tempo!

Valina - A tempo! A tempo!

Valina
A tempo! A tempo!
Label: Joyful Noise Recordings

The technical artsty rock that this Austrian trio purveys sways from booming and brain scratching mega riffs to experimental rock plateaus with indeterminate attitudes. Math rock produced by Chicago’s Steve Albini.

Valina WebsiteValina Wiki

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