1. Psycroptic – The Isle Of Disenchantment (2001)

This is how you debut. The Isle Of Disenchantment is a truly awesome death metal album. The production isn’t so hot and the drums at times are sloppy but its gritty, fast and as catchy as ever. Every single song has a riff that you forces you to move your head. The variation in the vocals is great; growls, grunts, squeals, screeches, and barks can all be heard from former frontman, Matthew Chalk. Find this album and listen to it, its a keeper. (Similar Bands: Spawn Of Possession, Cannibal Corpse, Necrophagist) AMAZING

2. Animosity – Empires (2005)

Absolutely brutal. With their most recent release, Animal, Animosity took a more technical, well produced path to success but with their previous release, Empire, they rely on sheer brutality to attract the masses. This album is a kick in the face. Start to finish, this album is ridiculously hard. Its what deathcore SHOULD be. For anyone who likes brutal, raw death metal this album is an absolute MUST. (Similar Bands: The Faceless, All Shall Perish) AMAZING

3. Demolition Hammer - Time Bomb (1994)

The last album by Brooklyn thrash legends, Demolition Hammer. While some say that its their weakest, I believe its a strong album but in a different style. While older Demolition Hammer was thrash/crossover, this album is more along the lines of a Biohazard album like State Of The World Address. If I can borrow my friend John’s term, its “Tough Guy Metal.” Its heavy and in your face. (Similar Bands: Biohazard) VERY GOOD

4. Anata – The Conductor’s Departure (2006)

Wow. Insane technical death metal with some haunting melodies. I cannot say enough good about this album and band. Don’t expect the crazy technical style of Necrophagist, its slightly more complicated than that. The songs are a bit more “grandios” than that. Anata has a somewhat epic sound which is rare for their genre. Either way this album is a gem. (Similar Bands: Psycroptic, Spawn Of Possession, Necrophagist) MANDATORY OWNAGE

5. Kataklysm – Serenity In Fire (2004)

In preparation for my review of their new album, Prevail, I’m throwing in one of my favorite Kataklysm albums to wrap up this article. Simply put, this album rocks. This band rocks. Without a doubt, Kataklysm is the catchiest, bad ass death metal band around and Serenity In Fire is a perfect example of it. Every single song is really heavy, fast and makes you want to jump in a mosh pit. The writing is impeccable. JF Dagenais may not be the most talented guitarist in the death metal world but the man writes riffs that are not to be fucked with. (Similar Bands: NONE) MANDATORY OWNAGE

Reviews by COLE