As the end of the year approaches, the number of CDs released decreases dramatically. There were probably 1/4 the number of metal CDs released in November compared to the other months of the year. Pickings were slim, but there still were some excellent CDs that came out in November, especially Killswitch Engage. Next month will be my list of the best CDs of 2006, so here's the final monthly list of the year.
With
As Daylight Dies Killswitch Engage is ready to take things to the next level. They continue to bludgeon the listener with monstrous and aggressive riffs, but also incorporate even more melody than they have in the past. They've managed to write songs that are catchy as hell, but still brutal enough that metal fans will be able to mosh to their heart's content.
Read the complete Killswitch Engage review.
I has a lot of black metal elements, but is much more than a straight ahead black metal band.
Between Two Worlds incorporates a lot of very melodic riffs and '80s style thrash solos with darker and more menacing grooves. Blackened traditional metal would be an accurate description of the band's sound.
Read the complete I review.
War is perfectly encapsulated in the leadoff track "Relentless," whose title accurately describes Born From Pain's aggressive riffs and bone crushing breakdowns. The intensity is framed by more melody than they've had on previous releases. That melody doesn't water things down though, just adds more diversity. That diversity is also showcased in the instrumental track "The War Is On," which features a little slower pace and lets the band get their groove on.
Read the complete Born From Pain review.
The genre Kayser delves into the most is thrash. There are some nice riffs and some really smokin' solos. They really shine when they're blasting away at full throttle. But they also have the ability to slow things down with a couple songs that are mellow and progressive with some thrash interludes. You'll also hear a little death, doom and even hard rock.
Frame The World...Hang It On The Wall is put together really well. Song order makes a difference, and they skillfully position the songs so they flow together very smoothly.
Read the complete Kayser review.
Contagion Heuristic does not have typical songs with the verse, chorus, verse structure. Everything about the band and this CD is out of the ordinary. You will hear some doomy metal sounding guitar riffs, but they are accompanied by a cacophany of industrial and electronic beeps, buzzes and drones. You'll hear bits and pieces of metal, punk, math rock, industrial, drone, electronica and noisecore in Microwaves sonic palette.
Read the complete Microwaves review.
