March has been the strongest month so far for heavy metal CD releases. There were 3 CDs I rated 4.5 out of 5 stars, and a bunch more that got four stars. It was a tough call narrowing it down to the five best this month. Here are my choices for the best heavy metal CDs released in March, 2007.
1. Chimaira - Resurrection (Ferret)
On their fourth album the Cleveland, Ohio band have concocted a lethal mix of old school thrash and modern metalcore. They even show a little of their progressive side with the nearly ten minute long song "Six." The songs have great riffs and solos along with monstrous breakdowns and brutal drumming. The keyboards add a lot of atmosphere and give the band a unique sound.Read the complete Chimaira review.
2. Infernaeon - A Symphony Of Suffering (Prosthetic)
A Symphony Of Suffering combines the old school death metal vibe of their home state with symphonic black metal usually performed by European bands. The foundation of the album are the guitar riffs that are aggressive, yet very catchy. You'll also hear some really cool solos. Infaernaeon can assault you with blast beats, but also pull back the tempo into more of a traditional metal style. More than mere window dressing, the keyboards are an integral part of the music, adding diversity and atmosphere to the mix.Read the complete Infernaeon review.
3. Machine Head - The Blackening (Roadrunner)
The Blackening has all the ingredients: really good thrash riffs, excellent solos, catchy melodies, memorable choruses, a lot of diversity, compelling lyrics and well-written songs. Machine Head is as angry as ever, with cutting riffs and angst filled vocals. But that anger is perfectly balanced by hooks and melody. Many songs are epic, with several clocking in near the ten minute mark. Even though they are long, there is little if any filler, no noodling and no pretentiousness at all.Read the complete Machine Head review.
4. Swallow The Sun - Hope (Candlelight)
Hope takes the listener on a nearly hour long journey through many styles, tempos and emotions. Sometimes dark, heavy and plodding, sometimes introspective and delicate, it's an epic that's melancholy and somber. The heavier parts of the songs have a death metal influence, and the melodic parts are almost progressive. You'll be reminded of everyone from Katatonia to Opeth to Novembers Doom.Read the complete Swallow The Sun review.
5. Naglfar - Harvest (Century Media)
Harvest is black metal with a lot of death metal influences. The music is extreme, but also very focused with a lot of melody. It has that dark and unsettling black metal vibe, but the songs are very well orchestrated with many memorable riffs.Read the complete Naglfar review.
