1. The Acacia Strain – Continent (2008)

You know how I spend a lot of time discussing my distaste for many a deathcore band? Well, consider this band one of those outlaws who contend for the title of most distasteful. Continent is full of uninspired, monotone growls on top of a bit more crunchy metalcore riffs that are unfortunately being lazily categorized in with death metal’s elite. Essentially, if you made a Hatebreed record sound that much more heavy you’d suddenly have to re-title it Continent and give it a new band name as to avoid copyright infringement. This album is not good, straight up, and I am not going to sugar coat it for the masses. If you like boring metalcore revisionism, please, go forth and listen. (Similar Artists: Despised Icon, Hatebreed, Through the Eyes of the Dead, Animosity) BLASPHEMY!

2. Gloomy Grim – Under the Spell of the Unlight (2008)

Gloomy Grim is a well established black metal out of Finland with several albums under their belt. This 2008 release has been my first exposure to the band, and to me, they sound like an even cheesier version of Cradle of Filth, which alone represents a scary feat. It sounds like Gloomy Grim is trying too hard to sound exactly like their name inspires, so much so that this record could be used as a Disney soundtrack if Disney ever decided to go into the children’s horror movie racket. I simply can’t take this album seriously, and if there was ever a genre of music that required you to take it’s music seriously, it would have to be black metal. (Similar Artists: Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Bal-Sagoth) EH…

3. Acridity – For Freedom I Cry (1991)

You know those bands that caused thrash to reach the saturation point in the eatly 90’s? Well, Acridity definitely had a band in the downfall of the first wave of American thrash. When this album stands on its own, it’s not a terribly bad album just overtly generic in every way. The vocals are a bit too rough around the edges for it’s timeframe when refined, progressive styles were making their way into the spotlight. In addition the vocals, the writing and musicianship are catchy, but under-produced and not as tight as they should have been for a band vying for a spot amongst the elite. Acridity, for their first and only release, simply didn’t do enough to give the world notice that they were a band to look into as being a true up and comer, in fact, Acridity sound almost identical to Intruder, just not quite as refined. (Similar Artists: Blood Feast, Laaz Rockit, Intruder) EH…

4. Scars on Broadway – Scars on Broadway (2008)

Daron Malakian of System of a Down fame has released a new project this year that can best be described as a variation of his claim to fame, along with the fun loving side inspired by Foo Fighters and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Is this album completely metal? No, but does it have to be to be good? This is well written music that lovers of SOAD will most likely enjoy as they are definitely derived from the same cloth. Honestly, the same features that gained SOAD notoriety and widespread play on mainstream radio are quite apparent on Scars on Broadway, which might turn off exclusive fans of heaviness. Keep an open mind though, and you may find yourself being surprised by the upbeat, emotional songs contained herein. (Similar Artists: System of A Down, Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tenacious D) GOOD

Reviews by CODY