Stone’s Top Ten Albums of 2017!

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These are the best ten records I heard in 2017, and I think they prove unequivocally that despite what you may have heard, nearly seventy years on rock and roll is alive and well. You may have to do a little more legwork than you’re used to to find it, but trust me, it’s there. Bands all around the world carrying on the traditions of those who came before, while also constantly rebuilding the whole thing in their own image. Hearing the evolution is exhilarating enough to make wading through all the crap worthwhile. This list was in a constant state of flux. There were another four or five records that could’ve just as easily made the cut, and half the albums here were in the top two at one time or another. Continue reading →

ORNIMENTAL Release Lyric Video for “Love Thy Enemy”

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Ornimental is a band with a mission, a mission to put the groove punch, originality, and excitement back into metal, where it belongs. The band was founded by lead guitarist Danny Perry and drummer Julio. The name itself, Ornimental, comes from the Latin prefix Orni (to celebrate or decorate) and the root word mental (of intelligence or insanity), and true to form, Ornimental delivers an intelligent, possessed sound that celebrates the origins and foundations of hard rock and metal alike. More than anything what Ornimental has come to mean with regards to the bands sound is unique. With influences ranging from metal legends like Megadeth, Van Halen, Metallica, Arch Enemy, and Pantera. The band doesn’t of course stop with influences from the metal world, within their musical you can also hear classical music influences from composers like Beethoven or Mozart.  Continue reading →

Count Doom’s Top 10 Albums Of 2017!

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2017 is wrapping up, and once again it’s been an incredible year for all genres of METAL! If you are still one of those people who thinks modern Metal has nothing to offer, I have a news flash for you: YOU’RE DEAD WRONG! We are at a point now where you can literally find hundreds of bands to satisfy whatever genre you may be into, all it takes is just the smallest amount of research on your end via YouTube, metal sites and various other sources! While compiling this list I originally had thirty five albums I considered worthy of being “TOP TEN” material. So while it pained me to have to narrow things down, I eventually decided to go with the releases that had the strongest impact on me. As far as honorable mentions go, I’d like to recommend that folks check out ‘Mareridt’ by Myrkur, ‘Planetary Space Child’ by Ruby The Hatchet and ‘8’ by Ufomammut all of which would have made my list if I had more time to give them repeated listens. Also, I may get crucified for this, but I really enjoyed ‘Road Rage’ by Quiet Riot! It’s not top ten material, but it’s a quick listen that keeps you entertained throughout! Anyway, without any more delay, here’s my top ten releases of 2017!

 

 

 

 

10. Below – Upon a Pale Horse

Founded in 2012 Below is an Epic Doom Metal band from Sweden. With ‘Upon a Pale Horse’ you will get epic riffage in the style of early Candlemass mixed with beautiful Iron Maiden-esque melodies and truly sorrowful vocals. Highly recommended if you’re a fan of traditional Doom Metal.

 

9. PowerFlo -Self Titled

Featuring members of Biohazard, Cypress Hill, and Fear Factory: Powerflo is a band for those who enjoy the sounds of funk, Hip-Hop, and Metal all merged into one. While this release doesn’t bring anything new to the table in terms of sound or lyrical content, it makes up for that by having killer musicianship that is an even more intensified version of Cypress Hill’s rap/metal album ‘Skulls And Bones’. Also, I’d like to point out that I am a HUGE fan of having Sen Dog rap over metallic riffs (Check out his other band SX-10) and on this release he unleashes an anger that we haven’t heard from him in quite some time!

 

8. Lares – Mask of Discomfort

Mixing elements of Doom, Black, and Death Metal with a Psychedelic twist Lares are a band sure to assault your ears with their MASSIVE wall of sound! At nearly 40 Minutes ‘Mask of Discomfort’ is a release that warrants multiple listens truly to absorb all that is taking place in the music. Stand out tracks would be “Conjuring”, “Fog Of Terror”, and “Witness Of Lares”.

 

7. Kreator- Gods of Violence

What needs to be said about Kreator that hasn’t already been stated? They are legends in thrash metal and ‘Gods of Violence’ perfectly exemplifies why. This album is fast, violent, melodic and just down right catchy! At less than an hour long ‘Gods of Violence’ is a one two punch that will leave you begging for more!

 

6. Memoriam- For the Fallen

‘For the Fallen’ by Memoriam is an album that lives up to the hype. It’s chock full of old school death metal riffage and features the return of legendary Bolt Thrower vocalist Karl Willets! If that isn’t enough to draw you in, I’ll also point out that every song on ‘For the Fallen’ is written to near perfection! Seriously, I truly believe that the riff in “Reduced To Zero” is one of the best riffs of the year! Memoriam embraces the roots of Death Metal with this release and all who listen will be in for a treat!


5. Novembers Doom – Hamartia

Now right off the bat I’ll admit that I had a bit of an unhealthy obsession with ‘Hamartia’ upon it’s release; everyday I would listen to it in its entirety multiple times throughout the day. I did this for nearly three weeks! Eventually I found other albums that I enjoyed slightly more throughout the year.With that being said, I would still HIGHLY recommend this album to just about anyone who likes doom / death metal with slight gothic influences! Stand out tracks include “Devil’s Light”, “Ghost”, and “Apostasy”.

 

 

4. Blackfinger – When Colors Fade Away

Led by the voice of doom himself Eric Wagner has blessed us once again with a soon to be classic album full of sorrow, despair, and a bit of sarcasm. The title track as well as “Waiting For The Sun”, and “Beside Still Water”, take us into more ballad like territory but of course with a psychedelic and doom-y twist to them, while “All My Sorrow” and “Can I Get A Witness”, are heavier and will be pleasing to fans of classic Trouble. All in all, if you are a fan of anything Eric Wagner has done, their really is no reason for you not to give ‘When Colors Fade Away’.

 


3. Kadavar – Rough Times

With ‘Rough Times’, the Berlin trio known as Kadavar decided it was time to release their heaviest album to date, and honestly the result is everything I could have hoped for! Songs like INTO THE WORMHOLE and the title track are bludgeoning slabs of doom while “Vampires” and “Words Of Evil” are more likely to satisfy fans of the bands older works. All in all, ‘Rough Times’ is a fuzzed out masterpiece worthy of your time!

4. Void Cruiser – Wayfarer

Currently located in The Andromeda Galaxy but originally from Helsinki, Void Cruiser are the very definition of a hidden gem. I was introduced to ‘Wayfarer’ by my friends at Bionic Records earlier this year and even then I knew that what I was hearing would be something special! I was listening to an album with a thick wall of fuzz and psychedelic, however that is not all it had going for it. This is a band of highly competent musicians and very capable songwriters! A shining example of this would be “I Didn’t Lie But I Know That I Should Have” which features some of the most soulful guitar playing I’ve heard this year! Please, do yourself a favor and listen to ‘Wayfarer’ in its entirety I promise that your experience will be a pleasant one!

1. The Obsessed – Sacred

Led by the mighty Wino, The Obsessed have once again returned with not only my favorite release of the year, but quite possibly one of the best doom Metal/ stoner rock releases in recent years! Starting with the re- recorded version of the classic Obsessed song “Sodden Jackal”, you know right away that you are in for a great listen! The production is top notch, Wino’s vocals and guitar playing are as menacing as ever as exemplified on songs like “Perseverance Of Futility” and “Stranger Things”; while songs like “Punk Crusher” and “Be The Night” showcase the impressive skills of Dave Sherman (Earthride) and Brian Constantino! Considering that Wino has been in music since the 70’s and is still releasing quality material is nothing short of a miracle, but I have faith that this is not the end. I have a strange feeling that in the upcoming years Wino will continue to deliver and carry on the torch that was past to him many years ago from the temple of Sabbath and Hendrix!

Review: MIST OF MISERY – ‘Fields of Isolation’ [Album Stream]

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Swedish symphonic black metal band, Mist of Misery release their latest EP, ‘Fields of Isolation’ on Black Lion Records as the second chapter of a two-part series to accompany ‘Shackled of Life,’ the first EP or “mini album” in the series, released earlier 2017. Originally formed in 2010, the quartet currently consists of Mortuz-Denatus on lead vocals and keyboards, Phlegathon on guitar, Livsnekraen on drums, and Damian on bass. On ‘Fields of Isolation,’ they attempt to answer the question, “What would happen if a Scandinavian black metal band in corpse paint partied with Beethoven and Bach?” Continue reading →

SOULFLY/CAVALERA CONSPIRACY Guitarist Marc Rizzo To Release Solo Album ‘Rotation’

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SOULFLY/CAVALERA CONSPIRACY guitarist Marc Rizzo has set the release date for his new LP ‘Rotation‘, in stores March 30th via Combat Records/EMP LABEL GROUP/AMPED in North America, and COMBAT/SPV in Europe. ‘Rotation‘ is the 4th solo release for Rizzo, following 2004’s ‘Colossal Myopia‘, 2006’s ‘The Ultimate Devotion‘ (both released by legendary shred label Shrapnel), and the independently released 2010 LP LEGIONNAIRE.

Produced by Chris “Zeuss” Harris (HATEBREED, SOULFLY, ROB ZOMBIE, CHIMAIRA), and featuring cover art by Melody Myers (ESCAPE THE FATE), ‘Rotation‘ is a blistering showcase of Rizzo’s pummeling eclectic diversity, showcased on album tracks including “Spectral Intensities”, “Thrash Boogie”, and title track “Rotation”, combining Rizzo’s penchant for pummeling, low-end riffs, with thrash-intensive leads and heavy latin flavor.

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Editor’s Top 10 Albums Of 2017!

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2017 saw the rise of some amazing new bands, the comeback or reunion for others and also genre staples that consistently put out amazing records. Choosing a top 10 albums was incredibly hard this year and some albums I really enjoyed were so close to making the list. Veteran bands return with amazing follow up albums that stay true to their sound and other bands have evolved and changed their sound for the better. Only picking 10 albums meant I had to leave out some albums I truly loved this year, some of those honorable mentions are: Owl Company ‘Horizon’, Shit The Cow ‘Cavelord’, Prophets Of Rage ‘Self Titled’, Body Count ‘Bloodlust’, Hogan’s Goat – ‘Self Titled’, and Mutoid Man ‘War Moans’. In years past without as much competition these albums would have certainly made the cut, but they are each amazing albums that deserve attention.  Continue reading →

SABATON & KREATOR Announce North American Co-Headliner Tour!

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Swedish power metal champions, Sabaton and German thrash metal titans, Kreator team up for an epic North American co-headlining tour for early 2018. The Nuclear Blast label mates will be kicking off the outing on Thursday, February 8, 2018 at The Van Buren in Phoenix, Arizona and finally wrapping up at the Buckhead Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. Along the way, the two metal juggernauts will hit several other US and Canadian cities during the 24-date schedule. Continue reading →

The Bucketlist with TEN TWO

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*In this series we pose the age-old question to a wide array of music lovers. As fans of music, most of us keep a mental list of active bands we want to see live that we haven’t yet seen. The Bucketlist brings to you those lists of your favorite artists and why those bands mean so much to them*

Former Still The Sky’s Limit frontman John Barthelmass, better known as ‘JB’ or Johnny B, has been quickly making waves in the music community with his solo career under the name Ten Two.  The singer/songwriter uprooted himself from his home in Orange County, California and relocated 3,000 miles away to Orlando, FL to further pursue his music career and his upcoming solo debut release ‘Forth’ is slated for release January 5, 2018.  According to the Ten Two Facebook page, “JB focuses not on what could have been but instead choosing to focus on the future—all that is and can be. It’s this mantra that he channels into his upcoming solo debut release Forth. Encompassing the loud, the calm, and everything in between, it is a two-sided album through which he explores a unique musical and emotional duality by juxtaposing his alt-rock past with his present as a budding acoustic singer/songwriter.”   Sounds to me like the makings of some good quality songs, as I’m not too keen on focusing on the past myself – look to the future and make your own reality. Continue reading →

OVERKILL Bassist DD Verni Release Teaser Lyric Video From Debut Solo Record

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OVERKILL songwriter and bassist DD Verni has plans to release his first solo CD in 2018. Currently, the group is looking for a label to call home. The record is a mix of all of Verni’s influences. Check out the lyric video for “Fire Up” below.

“There’s some metal, punk, and classic rock…..its all in there, from QUEEN to GREEN DAY to METALLICA, I think we covered all the basses!” declares DD.

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