Metallica - Hardwired…To Self-Destruct (Deluxe Edition) (2016)

Genre - Thrash Metal / Heavy Metal / Hard Rock

Label - Virgin EMI

Track listing:

CD 1:
01. Hardwired
02. Atlas, Rise!
03. Now That We're Dead
04. Moth Into Flame
05. Am I Savage?
06. Halo On Fire

CD 2:
01. Confusion
02. Dream No More
03. ManUnkind
04. Here Comes Revenge
05. Murder One
06. Spit Out The Bone

Deluxe Edition CD 3: 01 - Lords Of Summer (2016 version)
02 - Ronnie Rising Medley
03 - When a Blind Man Cries
04 - Remember tomorrow
Live at Rasputin Music;
05 - Helpless
06 - Hit the Lights
07 - The Four Horsemen
08 - Ride the Lightning
09 - Fade to Black
10 - Jump in the Fire
11 - For Whom the Bell Tolls
12 - Creeping Death
13 - Metal Militia
14 - Hardwired (Live in Minneapolis)

Eight years have passed since Metallica's last album 2008’s well received Death Magnetic which repaired damage the band did to its reputation in the early ’00s — first with the horrible 'St. Anger' an album that offended long time fans with its lack of guitar solos, then with 'Some Kind of Monster' a documentary that captured the group’s childish infighting.
Truly, the road to what would become "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct" has been a long and patience-wearing one for all involved. With ventures like the bizarre Through the Never (2013) film and the band starting (and stopping) their own festival called “Orion Music + More”, it seems that the Californian quartet has been doing everything bar making a record for the best part of the last decade.
Opening with the thrashing title track ‘Hardwired’, the record truly picks up steam early. At roughly three minutes, ‘Hardwired’ is all-killer-no-filler, refusing to relent in its speed and aggression for even a second.
Follow-up ‘Atlas, Rise!’ maintains a small portion of its predecessor’s speed but, for the most part, is closer to mid-paced, setting the precedent for the rest of the record to follow.
That’s right: "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct" is NOT a thrash metal album.
Rather, it is a release that utilises the conventions of a number of heavy styles, from NWOBHM and modern melodic metal, to classic metal, of course with a pinch of thrash which is the band's trademark - they created the genre - but only in a minor degree. Hardwired… To Self-Destruct" sound encompasses the entire range of Metallica's mighty back catalogue.
Metallica 2016 sounds strong. Hetfield’s vocals are doubtlessly at a peak right now. The front-man lays out a near-flawless performance on Hardwired…, creating some truly empowering melodies over the course of the record’s two discs. From power shouts to soaring clean notes to even some pulse-pounding growls, Hetfield can do no wrong here.
There's a lot to digest in "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct", but the album flows easily. All tracks are pretty solid and even there's a loving tribute to fallen rock god Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead in ‘Murder One’, and that fact comes across unabashedly as Hetfield bellows 'Aces high!' in a distinct and unbridled unleashing of harmonic emotion during the chorus. In fact, vocally, this is Hetfield’s best track, mixing powerful highs with dark lows.
"Hardwired… To Self-Destruct" is one of Metallica’s most versatile works, predominantly mixing classic metal styles to make an enigmatic concoction that is guaranteed to draw fans back again and again.
It's an album that I am sure with each listen, it will only get better.
But there will be as well a Deluxe Edition with different artwork including a bonus disc featuring 4 new studio tracks plus a killer concert at Rasputin Music with the band playing all their classic songs.
The four bonus studio tracks include, Lords of Summer, the single released earlier this year, the awesome Ronnie Rising Medley, taken from the Ronnie James Dio Tribute album This Is Your Life, When a Blind Man Cries from the White Snake / David Coverdale tribute album and Iron Maiden Remember Tomorrow, taken from an Iron Maiden tribute album, all of which sound amazing.
A very solid album and quite possibly the best Metallica release in years!

Rating: 9/10

Metallica - Hardwired (Single) (2016)

Genre - Hard Rock / Heavy Metal / Thrash

Label - Blackened Recordings

Track listing:

01- Hardwired

So the mighty Metallica return with 'Hardwired',  the lead single off of their forthcoming new album, 'Hardwired...To Self-Destruct', and the follow up to 2008's 'Death Magnetic'.
Hardwired sees the band continuing their journey that they began with their previous album, 'Death Magnetic', in that they are trying to return to the classic Metallica sound and vibe, but unlike that aforementioned album, whose songs often felt bloated and over long, 'Hardwired' pulls it off brilliantly. Clocking in at just overt three minutes long, its succinct and to the point. The band blister through the track just like they did in the good old days, you know we are talking pre black album here!
After hearing 'Hardwired' I am left rather looking forward to the forthcoming album, to be released in November, as opposed to just feeling a little curious about it

Welcome back guys!


Rating: 9/10

Slayer - Repentless (2015)

Genre -  Heavy Metal / Thrash Metal

Label - Nuclear Blast

Track listing:

 

01. Delusions Of Saviour
02. Repentless
03. Take Control

04. Vices
05. Cast The First Stone
06. When The Stillness Comes
07. Chasing Death
08. Implode
09. Piano Wire
10. Atrocity Vendor
11. You Against You
12. Pride In Prejudice

This month saw the return of one of the titans of the heavy metal and thrash genre's, namely that of Slayer, who released their first new studio album since the tragic death of guitarist Jeff Hanneman, who sadly passed away prematurely two years ago. Are or can Slayer still be Slayer without one of their integral components and songwriters?  Well to be totally honest, yes!
First let me just say, that this the new album, Repentless, has the best production that I can recall any Slayer album having, the songs are crisp and clear, and packed full with power courtesy of one Mr. Terry Date. (the Wildhearts / Pantera etc.).
Now as for the songs themselves?
Repentless opens with a the instrumental, 'Delusions of Saviour', which is just so unmistakably Slayer that any doubts that the listener may have dissolve away quickly. Kerry King and Tom Araya are in fine form here, providing blistering riffs and brutal lyrics. Just check out the refrain from 'Pride In Prejudice', "Don't give me your power bullshit" or 'Vices', "A little violence is the ultimate drug....lets get high!"
Repentless sees Slayer pulling no punches at all. The title track is a fast as anything that they have ever recorded. New guitarist Gary Holt (Exodus) does a great job. The album features a touching tribute to late guitarist Jeff Hanneman in the form of Jeff penned 'Piano Wire' which was apparently one of the first songs written for the World Painted Blood album.
Repentless is a great album packed full of great Slayer songs, that also sees Slayer in fine form. Is it as good as South Of Heaven, Hell Awaits or even Seasons In The Abyss? Only time will tell, but I honestly believe that this is the best possible album  that Slayer could have put out.
Welcome back guys!


Well Worth Checking Out!

Rating - 9/10

Act Of Defiance - Birth and the Burial (2015)

Genre - Heavy Metal / Thrash / Extreme Metal / Metalcore

Label - Metal Blade Records

 

Track listing:

01 - Throwback

02 - Legion Of Lies

03 - Thy Lord Belial

04 - Refrain and Re-fracture

05 - Dead Stare

06 - Disastrophe (A New Reality)

07 - Poison Dream

08 - Obey The Fallen

09 - Crimson Psalm

10 - Birth and the Burial

Birth and the Burial is the debut studio album by American heavy metal super group Act of Defiance. It was released on August 21, 2015 through Metal Blade Records.
Act of Defiance is an American extreme metal super group from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2014 by former Megadeth members Chris Broderick and Shawn Drover, former Scar the Martyr front man Henry Derek and Shadows Fall guitarist Matt Bachand.
With such  pedigree within its ranks you would expect the debut album from Act of Defiance to be something a little special, and that it is!
Opener 'Throwback' really sets the scene, pounding riffs and Derek's vocals set to tear your face off, a great start. 'Legion of Lies' follows, and is more of the same, although I have to be honest I could really see the legendary King Diamond providing a great vocal line for this song, but to be fair Derek does and bloody magnificent job himself!
'Refrain and Re-fracture' provides a little contrast to the proceedings with its acoustic intro before launching into a great Megadeth type of riff. Mustaine will  be jealous of this one, I'm certain.
'Dead Stare' is out and out thrash at its finest!
'Disastrophe' continues in the same vein as its predecessors whilst 'Poison Dream' opens up with a piano and Cello intro adding more texture to the song and album. 'Obey The Fallen' is probably the most commercially accessible track on offer here and is till a bloody fine piece of metal! 'Crimson Psalm' is another fine piece of metal that grinds along its groove whilst the albums closer, and title track, 'Birth and the Burial' is just brilliant.

In short, with Birth and the Burial, Act Of Defiance have produced the album that the four heavy weights of the thrash genre, Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax wish they were (and hope they are) still capable of!

Very Highly recommended

Rating - 10/10

 

Internal Conflict – The Rising Tide (2015)

Genre - Metal/Thrash/Hardcore/Metalcore

Label – Self Released

Track listing:

01 – Darkest Before The Dawn

02 – Self Made Asylum

03 – Baying For Blood

04 – A Thousand Times

05 – Another Day

06 – Undertow

07 – Lessons

08 – The Rising Tide

09 – Deprivation

Internal Conflict are a five piece Hardcore/Metalcore/Metal band hailing from Leicester (UK)with an ever growing fan base, and now having just completed a very successful co-headlining tour of the UK with Ballsdeep, Internal Conflict are now preparing for the release of their new album 'TheRising Tide'. The band are made up of: Adam Kyle (Vocals) Sean Rice (Guitars), Matt Hall (Guitars), Dan Laffar (Bass) and Dan Robbins (Drums).

With influences ranging from: The Haunted, Machine Head, Lamb of God, Parkway Drive, As I Lay Dying, Gojira, Darkane, Chimaira, Death, Pantera, Slayer, Sepultura, In Flames, Soilwork, Testament, Devildriver, Sylosis, Malefice, Mastodon, Pink Floyd, Dream Theatre, While She Sleeps, Bleed From Within, you kind of have an idea of what to expect from these guys, it’s going to be hard, fast, aggressive and heavy!

Now I have to be brutally honest here and admit that I am not the greatest fan of the hardcore/meal genre’s, hell to be honest Gallows are the only real hardcore band that I can say that I am a fan of, but I am approaching this album, and review with a totally open mind.

Internal Conflict seem to have been impressing all the right people, gaining comments such as, "the passion was certainly visible". (Getyourrockout.co.uk), and Internal Conflict "clearly mean business" (midlandsmetalheads.com) and their music has even been described as "a riot transcribed into musical form", which is a pretty apt description to be fair.

The first thing that I notice just how mature and accomplished the musicianship is on every song, no hints anywhere that this is the band’s debut album. The guitar work of Sean Rice and Matt Hall stands up there alongside that of any of the bi9g bands, and the rhythm section are as solid as anything, not only providing a solid base for most of the songs, but in many cases driving them along! Vocalist Adam Kyle sure has a set of longs on him too!

Every song upon ‘The Rising Tide’ is well written and well performed, with the band managing to capture all the intended anger and rage to perfection, and trust me there is plenty to be found upon ‘The Rising Tide’. Your ears take a pummelling with every track, fast aggressive pounding riffs, coupled with Adams vocals from Satan’s very own gut, and there is not a bad track to be found anywhere. My only gripe with the album is that it could do with a little more variation, after all, I could do with the odd slower kore atmospheric track thrown into the mix so that I can catch my breath so to speak.

Stand out tracks for me include, title track, ‘The Rising Tide’ and the albums closer ‘Deprivation’ which see’s the band at their most versatile.

A good solid debut album that is sure to please pre-existing fans of the band, and garner a fair amount of interest from fans of the genre too. 

Well worth checking out.

Rating 8/10

 

Watch the ‘Another Day ‘ Lyric video here:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_zigv8G5oA&feature=youtu.be 

Download the ‘Another Day’ MP3 here:

www.soundcloud.com/internal-conflict/another-day

internal-conflict.bandcamp.com

www.reverbnation.com/internalconflict

 

Metallica - Beyond Magnetic Ep (2011)

Genre - Heavy Metal / Hard Rock / Thrash

Track listing:

01 - Hate Train
02 - Just A Bullet Away
03 - Hell And Back
04 - Rebel Of Babylon

Ok time to 'fess up I guess, first of all I'm really not sure as to whether this EP is actually an official release or just a leaked bootleg. It claims to be four left over, or out take tracks from the nbands last full length studio album, Death Magnetic. Now I have to be honest, I truely beleive that the last great album that Metallica released was the 'Black Album', although their best work in m,y opinion is to be found on the 'Master Of Puppets' and 'And Justice For All' albums. Death Magnetic saw the band heading in the right direction, with the songs being closer to the classic Metallica style than the last few releases, but I felt that the songs were too long, bloated by their excessive riffs, great as they were they were just too long for me.
Now here is something that I am finding it hard to get my head around, all four songs here are stunning, so why were they left off of the last album?
Hate Train opens things up with a spirited and energestic workout, seven minutes shoot by before you know it, a great song. Next up is Just A Bullet Away, which I guess has a more moderate tempo, yet is a truely great song, tempo changes, attitude, the lot, and I love the mellow break down around the four minute mark!This is probably one of the best songs Metallica have put out since 'And Justice For All'!
 Hell and Back is probably the most commercial of the bunch here, and in my opinion could have fitted nicely onto any album, especially the Black Album. Once again a great song.
Closing the album out is the real gem, Rebel in Babylon, which see's the guys remembering their thrash roots with the riffs hurtling past at a million miles an hour, classic Metallica!

I am so blown away with the four songs on offer here i just really wished that they had appeared on the last album!
proof that the guys can still cut it, now can someone please explain what the hell happened with Lulu?


Rating - 10/10

Megadeth – Th1rt3en

Genre - Thrash / Metal / Hard Rock
Label - Roadrunner

Track listing -

01 – Sudden Death
02 – Public Enemy No. 1
03 – Whose Life (Is It Anyways)
04 – We The People
05 – Guns, Drugs, & Money
06 – Never Dead
07 – New World Order
08 – Fast Lane
09 – Black Swan
10 – Wrecker
11 – Millennium Of The Blind
12 – Deadly Nightshade
13 – 13

Dave Mustaine returns with his latest incarnation of the mighty Megadeth, a lineup that includes, 
Dave Mustaine (Guitars, Vocals), the returning David Ellefson (Bass), Shawn Drover (Drums) and Chris Broderick (Guitars), and by God these guys have rediscovered their form. Thirteen is the Megadeths thirteenth album and quite honestly probably their strongest since Youthanasia! Yes you read that right, dave and the crew have managed to tap into that rich vein that they plundered so well with the Countdown To Extinction and Youthanasia.

""TH1RT3EN" has several levels of meaning, which Dave Mustaine, who first picked up an axe at the age of 13, reveals, saying, "I was born on September 13th; this is my thirteenth record. It just seemed like it was the right thing to do to call it "TH1RT3EN". Mustaine is incredibly proud of the music put forth on the new recording, "This record is the culmination of my work over the 13 records I recorded. There are moments on "TH1RT3EN" that capture my every emotion, and other moments where I am releasing feelings I never knew existed! My proudest moments of my musical career are captured on "TH1RT3EN"."

In TH1RT3EN Megadeth have produced the strongest album to come from any member of the "Big Four" in years, and yes that included Anthrax's stunning comeback album Worship music!

Stand out tracks for have to include, Sudden Death, We The People, Guns Drugs & Money and the title track 13.

A stunning return to form from one of the best metal bands out there!

Rating - 10/10

Anthrax - Worship Music

Genre - Metal / Thrash


Track listing -

01. Worship
02. Earth On Hell
03. The Devil You Know
04. Fight 'Em Til You Can't
05. I'm Alive
06. Hymn 1
07. In The End
08. The Giant
09. Hymn 2
10. Judas Priest
11. Crawl
12. The Constant
13. Revolution Screams

Who would have thought that in 2011, Anthrax would release what could possibly be the best album of their 30-year career? That's exactly what happened with their latest, highly anticipated slab of metal, Worship Music. This is classic Anthrax at its best - fast, heavy and melodic!
With a lineup that includes, Joey Belladonna ( returning to lead vocals after a 20 year absence from an Anthrax album!), main stay and heart of the band, Scott Ian (rhythm guitar), Rob Caggiano (guitars), the mighty Charlie Benante (drums) and Frank Bello (bass), Anthrax fans were hoping for something special and boy have the band delivered!
Earth On Hell in vintage Anthrax, fast and furious, The Devil You know is Anthrax with an ACDC groove, Fight 'Em Til You Cant is another classic Anthrax track in the making!
In The End is a near seven-minute epic that pays tribute to the bands fallen friends, Dimebag Darrell Abbott and Ronnie James Dio. This is easily the most emotional and passionate song Anthrax has ever done, whilst Judas Priest has a nice NWOBHM feel to it
I'm Alive, The Giant, The Constant and Revolution Screams are just as solid as the other tracks, all four being straight ahead, in your face rockers with big melodic hooks.
As I said earlier, this is possibly the best album Anthrax has released in their 30 year career.
Highly Recommended!

website - Anthrax
Rating - 10/10