Band: Wolves In The Throne Room
Album: Celestial Lineage
Label: Southern Lord
Genre: Black Death Doomy Metal

Line Up On This Release:
Aaron Weaver - Drums, Synth
Nathan Weaver - Guitars, Vocals

Review By: Slaytanic Sal

If I could ever get my hands on a UFO and some killer acid, I would cruise the cosmo's jam'n to Wolves In The Throne Room. This is by far some of the most interesting Blackened Death Doom Metal I've heard in a while. Celestial Lineage is the final opus of a concept project that spans 3 albums. The Weaver brothers have put forth some excellent mind altering music.

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ 

Favorite Track: Astral Blood

Band: Nemesis Irae
Album: Blasphemy Desecration Satanic Supremacy Misanthrophy
Label: Infernal Komando
Genre: Black Death Metal

Line Up On This Release:
Kriss - Drums
Lord Ulfsark - Rhythm Guitar
Irae Infoustus - Lead Guitar and Keyboards
Krabak - Bass

Review By: Slaytanic Sal

Oh what fun it is listening to Nemesis Irae. Reminiscent of early Desaster (Germany), Coroner (Switzerland) and just a hint of Venom (UK), Nemesis Irae has put forth a very unique and interesting album. Without sounding like a cut'n paste clone band that seems to be the trend these day's, Nemesis Irae blend'n apply there own interpretation and originality into their Metal, resulting in Blasphemy Desecration Satanic Supremacy Misanthrophy.

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ 

Favorite Track: Black Death

Band: Marduk
Album: Iron Dawn
Label: Regain Records
Genre: Black Death Metal

Line Up On This Release:
Evil - Guitars
Devo - Bass
Mortuus - Vocals
Lars Broddesson - Drums

Review By: Slaytanic Sal

At last, some new battle hymns from the mighty Marduk. Although just an EP, something is better than nothing. But this EP was well worth the wait. Two fast songs and one mid paced doomy song, done in classic Marduk style. If this is a sample of what's to come, then the next album will surely shred as much as Iron Dawn does.

Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 

Favorite Track: Prochorovka: Blood and Sunflowers

Band: U.D.O.
Album: Rev-Raptor
Label: AFM Records
Style: Hard Rock/Heavy Metal

Line Up On This Release:
Udo Dirkschneider - Vocals
Fitty Wienhold - Bass
Francesco Jovino - Drums
Igor Gianola - Guitars
Stefan Kaufmann - Guitars

Review by: Slaytanic Sal

I always enjoyed UDO's true grit vocal style, you know it when you hear it. Rev-Raptor is a Hard Rock'n release, done in the true spirit of the 80's. It even has a ballad which is not bad. All the songs have a unique quality to them, so far one of UDO's most solid efforts. So if you ever in the mood for some hard hitting ball's to the wall Heavy Metal, UDO's Rev Raptor will remind you what Hard and Heavy Metal was like...and should be.

Rating: ★★★★★★★½☆☆ 

Favorite Track: Pain Man

Band: Voivod
Album: Warriors of Ice (Live)
Label: Indica Records

Line Up On This Release:
Denis "Snake" Belanger - Vocals
Jean-Yves "Blacky" Theriault - Bass
Dan "Chewy" Mongrain - Guitar
Michel "Away" Langevin - Drums

Review By: Slaytanic Sal

Well, this was very interesting, because I am not a fan of "live" albums. But listening to Voivod's Warriors of Ice was a total pleasure. Not to much chatter, or crowd participation. Nor was the crowd level higher than Voivod's instruments. These are just a few of my pet peeves when it comes to live albums. Warrior's of Ice is the best live recording I've heard in a long time. Voivod's performance at this show must have been Godly. Master's of Technical Thrash Metal? Hell yeah they are.

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ 

Favorite Track: Ripping Headaches