DISTURBED TO RECORD NEW ALBUM

Hell I thought these guys had vanished of the face of the earth, but I'm glad their coming back with a new album. They're working with the producer of the first few albums, but who was absent on the frankly forgettable "Indestructible", so hopefully this new album should be on par with the better output.

Guitarist, Dan Donegan on Pulse of Radio: "We're ready to hit the studio next month," he said. "I think at this point we're probably somewhere between 15 to 18 songs, with the exception of David (Draiman, singer) having to finalize, you know, a few more lyrics to some of the songs. But, you know, we're ready to go. You know, we're excited about new songs, and to get in there and kind of lay down these ideas."

With this an the release of the 10th Anniversary edition of "The Sickness" it looks like it's gonna be a busy year for the Chicago quartet. The new album is expected in the Summer.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN MAY REFORM?

It may seem too good to be true (and it still may be) but SOAD bassist Shavo Odadjia posted on his Twitter account a tweet that has fans guessing as to the future of the band;

"Are u guys ready for System???" he wrote.

I know I sure am, now if you excuse me I'm going to go listen to Toxicity.

GAMA BOMB RELEASE FREE ALBUM

The Irish thrashers Gama Bomb have released their third studio album 'Tales From The Grave in Space' completely free, available from Earache.com (See the link at the bottem of the post)

With a free album release, comes a question; "Why is it free?" which is normally answered with "It's probably crap, why else would it be free". But those who take the risk and download 'Tales...' discover that it is a good, if not brilliant New School Thrash album.

Just like the original thrash bands of the 80's Gama Bomb play music for a laugh, which is a great change to all the super serious metal bands that are around. With tracks named 'Mussolini Mosh' and 'Last Ninjas Unite' you can tell what you're in for, a healthy dose of fast thrashing licks and plenty of speed played with tongue firmly planted in cheek. Something which Gama Bomb deliver in barrel loads, from the amp hum at the start of 'Slam Anthem' to the final crash chord of 'Mummy Invasion' the speed doesn't let up, making Gama Bomb a very moshable and face melting album.

I suppose I should talk about the technicality and general production of the album. It is a nice surprise when a free album can sound so good (assuming the 320kbs mp3's are as good as the CD version which I am reviewing from). The guitar tone has improved since the last time I paid any attention to Gama Bomb; the guitars crunch along in perfect synchronisation with never ending onslaught of high speed drum beats and bass attack. Philly Byrne's vocals range from Mustaine-esque snarls to Bruce Dickinson style falsetto and overall put a final shine on what is a solid album, something I never thought I'd see from the New School of Thrash.

To conclude Gama Bomb's 'Tales...' is an awesome deal at absolutely no money what so ever, even if you have hated all New School Thrash you've heard up until now like I have, I urge you to check out 'Tales From The Grave in Space', what have you got to lose?

8/10

GAMA BOMB - TALES FROM THE GRAVE IN SPACE
Genre: New School Trash Metal
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Download: Earache 320kbs

CRY FOR SILENCE - MELODIC YET BRUTAL BRITISH METALCORE

Next band up is Cry For Silence, a band from Watford, England who, sadly, called it quits after their first full album release 'The Glorious Dead'. The band, during their active days, played with such bands as Caliban (German Metalcore Pioneers), Sikth (British Progressive Metal), Funeral for a Friend, The Black Dahlia Murder, Shadows Fall and many other bands that you probably have heard of. Why, then have you not heard of Cry for Silence? That is a good question, as they are one of the better bands to have come out of the UK hardcore scene.

The sound is not something I hear very often and is a refreshing change from the hundreds of generic metalcore bands that have sprung up during the last decade or so. While all the classic elements are present, harsh, distorted vocals, chugging breakdowns and emotional lyrics, they are used in ways which are far from common within the genre.

The vocals are not screamed in the normal fashion; the singer Adam Pettit has been described to sound as if he is pissing cactus needles. This unique sound may take quite a lot of time to get used to but the style fully fits with the chunky down tuned sound of the band, when listening to Adam's vocals it becomes obvious that a more generic approach just wouldn't work in Cry For Silence.

Another unusual aspect of the band is that of bass player Andy Saxton, a skilled player that remains audible through out the entire album, providing complex tapped lines and classical guitar style melodies to the mix, as well as simple driving lines and counter melodies. This mix of the bass fills out the sound scape with the guitars of Alex Venturella and Steve Sears, creating a much darker and foreboding sound that (as far as I am aware) no other band has replicated.

Overall Cry for Silence's 'The Glorius Dead' is an epic of an album, mixing brutal pedal riffs with melodic and rather beautiful passages, bundled in a unique casing that not many bands seem to have latched on to. If you are a metalcore or hardcore fan this is one to check out.

9 / 10

CRY FOR SILENCE - THE GLORIOUS DEAD
Genre: Hardcore / Metalcore
Buy The Album
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PAINTED IN EXILE - HAVE YOUR PiE AND EAT IT

First post of what I hope to be a regular thing and I bring you one of my new favourite bands; Painted in Exile. The New York Deathcore quintent combine brutal breakdowns and face melting riffage with smooth jazz. Sounds insane right? And it is, but in a good way.

The aptly named EP 'Revitalized' is their first material since they brought in a new Guitarist Marc Lambert, and Bassist Vincent Romanelli; an addition which has completely transformed the sound of the band (to something that's actually good.) I have no words with which I can describe this band, so I'm not going to give it a full review but if the idea of Protest the Hero meets Deathcore and Miles Davis appeals to you, then you have found the perfect band.


PAINTED IN EXILE - REVITALIZED
Genre: Progressive Deathcore / Jazz
Buy the EP
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Download: Megaupload 320kbs