May was another lackluster month for metal, with a few good releases and a lot of average and marginal ones. It was also a very tragic month, with the deaths of Ronnie James Dio and Paul Gray (Slipknot). June should be much better, and may have a contender or two for the best CD of the year. Thrash legends Exodus topped May's list, with newcomers Castevet a strong second. Here are the best metal CDs released in May, 2010.
1. Exodus - 'Exhibit B: The Human Condition' (Nuclear Blast)
Nuclear Blast Records
Things get off to a strong start with “The Ballad Of Leonard And Charles,” a 7 minute track that showcases a wide arsenal of galloping riffs and shredding guitar solos from Gary Holt and Lee Altus. “Beyond The Pale” does the same, but with more of a groove. The songs on Exhibit B: The Human Condition are long, but for the most part you don't even notice because the songwriting is strong enough to maintain interest throughout.
Along with the epic songs, there are a couple of shorter tracks such as “Hammer And Life,” which when you account for the intro and lengthy solos, doesn't have a huge amount of vocals, but packs in the catchiest choruses. Songs like “Nanking” offer a change of pace tempowise, without sacrificing any passion or intensity.
2. Castevet - 'Mounds Of Ash' (Profound Lore)
Profound Lore Records
Produced by Krallice's Colin Marston, Mounds Of Ash both steamrolls and floats. Harsh, dissonant guitars and lightning-fast drumming along with an ominous atmosphere create an oppressive environment. On tracks like “Red Star Sans Chastity,” that oppression gives way to progressive instrumental sections that are much lighter, but still have bite.
“Grey Matter” has a more regal bearing, although the ragged harsh vocals strip away some of that dignified vibe. “Red Aura” even has a hook or two amongst the extremity. “Wreathed In Smoke” is a dramatic instrumental, and a good change of pace. However, it might have been even more effective toward the middle of the album instead of the second to last track.
3. Soulfly - 'Omen' (Roadrunner)
Roadrunner Records
In spite of Soulfly's strong start early on, their follow-up releases have only been sparsely checkered with quality songs; yet with Omen, it's almost as though a younger, more crazed Max Cavalera slept like Rip Van Winkle and woke from his slumber to find himself playing with the modern/tribal influenced metal entity that is Soulfly. Indeed, it's surprising as hell, but he has finally returned to his roots (bloody roots) and released an ass-kicking, raging, thrashing album.
Even the much-talked-about Cavalera Conspiracy, the project with which he performed with his former Sepultura bandmate and brother Igor, was largely a letdown. But with Omen, he has returned with his guttural, passionate screams and uncanny ability to create some of the most vitriolic riffs in metal.
4. Howl - 'Full Of Hell' (Relapse)
Relapse Records
Full Of Hell is written with such poise and confidence that listeners might mistakenly think they’ve stumbled on the best work of a veteran band. Although they’ve been tagged as doom I think it’s better to call Howl required listening and let the internet chat rooms argue about micro-genres.
Howl is one of those rare bands that don’t sound anything like what’s being played by their peers. True, they boast some of the energy of Relapse labelmates Unearthly Trance and a bit of the primal doom of Japanese band Coffins. But when you get to the actual songs, Howl sounds completely original. There is a strong emphasis on rhythm (check Timmy St. Amour’s drum opening on “Heavenless” and the sparse but powerful riff that follows) and beefy passages are repeated until they haunt your brain like a Brian Wilson passage.
5. Avantasia - 'The Wicked Symphony' (Nuclear Blast)
Nuclear Blast Records
The Wicked Symphony follows a similar path to its predecessors. It's epic symphonic power metal that's very melodic and features all kinds of guest musicians. The title track kicks things off, a 9 minute saga featuring Sammet on vocals along with Jorn Lande (Masterplan) and Russell Allen (Symphony X). Michael Kiske (ex-Halloween) joins the party for the accessible “Wastelands.” Things intensify with “Scales Of Justice,” a song that's heavy, but still has plenty of hooks and the powerful vocals of Tim “Ripper” Owens.
Kiske, Bob Catley (Magnum) and Lande have appeared on many previous Avantasia albums, but The Wicked Symphony marks the first appearance by Allen and Owens. Klaus Meine of the Scorpions also makes his Avantasia debut on “Dying For An Angel,” a mid-tempo song with more of a rock vibe.
