Anti Tank Nun - "Fire Follow Me" CD

Regressive butt-rock from Poland

This Polish band with an absolutely embarrassingly bad name features frontman Tomek "Titus" Pukacki (also of Acid Drinkers) and 15-year old guitarist Igor "Iggy" Gwadera. "Fire Follow Me" is their second album of classic-style hard rock/metal, but the overall effect here is a wanky, generic take on 70s stadium rock. 

Titus' vocals are as hammy as Gene Simmons, and his lyrics, like the ridiculously sophomoric "Sake Crazy", play into the whole party rock mindset. Ugh. "Hurricane Kazz" has elements of Iron Maiden, but it lacks that band's unique sound and strong vocal presence. To his credit, guitarist Iggy is more than capable with his strong metal leads, but it isn't enough to salvage this album of regressive rock. Perhaps they'd be much more effective and convincing on stage, but this is pretty unbearable.

Metal Mind

Anti Tank Nun site

Michael Schenker - "Temple Of Rock - Live In Europe" DVD + CD

German metal guitarist Schenker is a true rock legend. This live DVD and CD (packaged and sold separately) are the same recordings from 2012, and together, they showcase the virtuosity and power that Schenker has been known for over the course of his 40-year career with UFO, the Scorpions, and his own MSG (Michael Schenker Group).

There are 24 tracks here (on both the CD and DVD), recorded live in Tilburg and London. Schenker and his band (including some guests like his brother Rudolf) storm through plenty of classic stadium-style rockers. We even get two versions of the Scorpions' classic "Rock You Like A Hurricane". And although his band is pretty well spot-on, the real star here is Schenker, who is a guitar monster, rolling off licks like it's his second nature (and I'm sure it is). It all sounds superb, and the video footage is multi-camera, multi-angle, and quite professional. Solid work, and a must-have for serious Schenker fans. 

(Inakustik)

Schenker himself website

Black Sabbath - "The Lowdown" 2xCD

Joining a couple of older Sabbath-related interview CDs in one box, this unauthorized set is one for die-hards only. One disc, "Maximum Sabbath", is a 60-minute audio biography with only occasional interview sound-bites. This is a dry and droll narration by Louise Weekley, and one you will listen to only once, if you can make it all the way through! My advice is to read the band's allmusic.com bio, and you'll be happier to learn the band's history.

The second disc, I was sad to discover, is "Ozzy - X-Posed: The Interview". This disc fails to live up to the already-low expectations, as well. The Ozzy interview recording is muffled (recorded from a telephone interview) and virtually unlistenable. It's a single-indexed track and 45 minutes of an already-fuzzy Ozzy rattling on about his history. This, I'm afraid, is only for serious, hardcore fans. Not me.

(Chrome Dreams)

Desultor - "Masters Of Hate" CD

The debut album from Swedish duo Desultor is what the band themselves call "Murder Metal". I dunno about that description, but "Masters Of Hate" opens well with the big thrashy "Black Monday", which is like classic British metal, albeit with blastbeats! Production is clear and crunchy, so this smokes, right out of the gate.

From there, this 11-song, 33-minute album combines the melodic and cacophonous. "Another World" combines slower, melodic, classic falsetto vocal stylings with fearsome blast-thrash riffs and rhythms. There are guitar solos here, too, so Desultor aren't afraid to go "old school". Solid, solid stuff for fans of metal as it once was.

(Abyss Records)

Desultorbook

Fastway - "Eat Dog Eat" CD

Fastway is the band of Fast Eddie Clarke (best known as the early guitarist for metal/punk legends Motorhead), and this ever-revolving project is a much more mainstream metal showcase for Clarke's fierce guitarwork. Vocalist Toby Jepson (formerly with Little Angels) has the classic "Hollywood Strip" vibe, and this album doesn't stray from that classic rock template. But, fortunately, the star of the show is easily Clarke, whose smoking riffs give some necessary bluesy swagger to the set. "Eat Dog Eat" doesn't bring anything new to the table, but fans of classic bar rock & roll/metal will certainly appreciate the band's tried-and-proven sound. (MVD Audio)

Fastway site

Ignitor - "Year Of The Metal Tiger" CD

From Texas comes this classic metal band with their 4th studio album, and it's a throwback to the days of greats like Judas Priest or Iron Maiden. Sure, tracks like "Heavy Metal Holocaust" are silly and juvenile (especially lyrically), but they are also well-played and tight musically, with screaming leads and good production. Fans of classic heavy metal as it used to be will be delighted with this band's multi-pronged attack. (MVD Audio)

Ignitorspace

Crucifuge - "Vestri Animus est Mei" CD

This debut from Evansville, Indiana metal act Crucifuge opens with the propulsive "Souls Of Darkness" and continues with the raging thrash/death metal of "The Noose" (which is only sullied by a dry production). Musically, the band brings (chiefly) classic thrash elements to the table, with a dual assault of gurgling death vocals and shrill screams. "Insanity Overdose" shows off Jesse Izsak's more melodic vocal style (reminding me a bit of Burton Bell of Fear Factory). Other tracks showcase elements of power metal, gothic metal, and even grindcore. In fact, these guys change it up so much that I'm left a bit confused as to their true identity. It's a strong first showing, but Crucifuge aren't fully there yet. (self-released)

Crucifuge site

Voyager - "The Meaning Of I" CD

From the unlikely climes of Perth, Australia comes this accomplished melodic/symphonic prog-metal act, and "The Meaning Of I" is their 4th album in 8 years.

Led by the clean, clear, and spot-on vocals of Daniel Estrin, the band's technical prowess is evident. "Seize The Day" is classic metal at it's heart, but the dense layering and mixing, as well as the complex structures and symphonic (even electronic) elements add textural depth. Voyager stretches themselves far beyond the usual metal limitations, embracing Tangerine Dream-like electronics and even near-synthpop (witness "The Pensive Disarray").

Heavier-than-thou metalheads may find this stuff a bit too well-studied and mature, but Voyager still sounds heavy, with a concise, riff-heavy attack that's firmly metallic from most every angle. Sure, it's not feral or "brutal", but Voyager's interpretation of metal involves complex arrangements, melodic song structure, and emotion, rather than noise. Solid, solid work here. I can't compare to any other artist in particular, as these guys are working their own path. A great change of pace from sludgy grindcore or black metal, as these guys are serious about their music, and their complexity is their strength. (Sensory/The Laser's Edge)

Voyager website

Evil United - "Evil United" CD

Texan metal maniacs Evil United summon the ghosts of classic thrash with their self-titled debut. "Dawn Of Armageddon" reminds of Iron Maiden or Megadeth, as vocalist Jason McMaster's fearsome falsetto is pure NWOBHM. All the while, the band lay out a rumbling assault that isn't so much innovative or brutal as it is disciplined and unflinchingly adept at classic metal affectations. I get some Slayer in there somewhere, too, which isn't a bad thing, necessarily. "Speak" is another standout, bringing out some more atonal assaults ala Pantera or Treponem Pal. Well-defined and reverent, Evil United have the chops and the sound. (MVD Audio)

Evil United site

Evilspace

Devin Townsend Project - "Deconstruction" album

Metal fans worth their weight already know that Vancouver's Devin Townsend is one of the most talented and versatile players in the genre. "Deconstruction" is his newest project, and it corrals players from bands like Soilwork, Opeth, Emperor, Gojira, Dillinger Escape Plan, Gwar, Meshuggah, and others. It's a huge thrash metal concept album-slash-opera, with huge production, bludgeoning riffs, and plenty of humor. (HevyDevy Records)

Atlantean Kodex - "The Golden Bough" CD

This German band's first studio full-length is a harkening back to the days of denim and leather, with the sound of classic melodic metal, and extravagant fantasy/sword & sorcery imagery. The music is pure, rooted-in-the-80s, and old-school, with superb production and Markus Becker's melodic vocals. Some call this 'epic metal', and I could agree with that description. There's nothing too harsh or ear-damaging on "The Golden Bough", just a series of galloping guitar rockers with complexity and Tolkien-esque imagery. The band is definitely tight and qualified, and fans of big stadium metal "like they used to play" will certainly enjoy Atlantean Kodex. (Cruz Del Sur Records)

Atlantean Kodexspace

Christian Mistress - "Agony + Opium" CD

Hailing from Olympia, Washington, this new band is comfortable skirting the metal trends of the day (or indie/post-punk as Olympia's known best for). Instead, they focus on classic, American-style hard rock -- the tried and true metal of the late 70's before the glam got in the way. They've been endorsed by Fenriz of Darkthrone (which may or may not mean something to you), but with the charismatic and distinctive vocals of Christine Davis, they're destined to make a name for themselves anyway, I'd say.

They throttle their way through the first 5 tracks before slowing it down on the ethereal and earthy "Omega Stone". "Agony + Opium" is only 6 songs and 28 minutes, but the group's dirty, sweaty proto-metal is convincing and harkens back to the days when metal meant leather jackets and cigarettes. Convincing, raw, and untamed music from a time gone by. Or are Christian Mistress paving the way for a new renaissance? (20 Buck Spin)

Christian Mistress site

Overmaster - "Madness Of War" CD

The debut album of Italy's Overmaster examines the absurdity and ramifications of armed conflicts across the world, using a musical template rivaling the classic German metal outfits of the 80's. Most striking are Gus Gabarro's power metal vocals, which remind me slightly of a heavier (but less operatic) Bruce Dickinson (not a bad thing). Precision riffage, a tight rhythm section, and perfect production make the stunning "Marble King" an early highlight. "Spartan Warriors" is even more intense, showing elements of thrash alongside the band's ultimately melodic metal attack. As veterans of power metal bands like White Skull, these guys aren't new to the scene, and that professionalism shows brightly here. With few concessions to modern metal trends, Overmaster's powerful and dramatic sound harkens back to the days of yore, where leather-clad warriors ruled (but forgive the guys' cheesy promo pix). Superb old-school metal to pump fists and nod heads to. (Cruz Del Sur Music)

Cruz Del Sur site

Overmasterspace