Maax - "Six Pack Witchcraft" CDEP

5 songs and 14 minutes of rolling black thrash metal thunder from an Indiana group. This EP was originally released in 2010, and the band have since realized a full-length LP, which I've not heard. Regardless, this is a solid piece of evil metal madness.

The opening cut, "Die By The Ax" is a beast of unbridled mayhem, with witchy vocals and a tough thrash exterior. Imagine if Motorhead careened headfirst into Darkthrone, and you'd be close to Maax's ferocious sound. The other cuts, including the blurry and subtle "Go Fuck Yourself", echo this sentiment. The title track is a pure drunken punk/black metal crossover that is as dirty and smelly as can be, which is a good thing. The only thing holding up this brief EP is the muddied mix, in which the lower end seems bottomed out. Nonetheless, these guys bring it in an authentic way.

(Abyss Records)

Maaxspace

Sons Of Tonatiuh - "Sons Of Tonatiuh" album

From Atlanta, Georgia comes this as-yet unsigned aggro-doom metal beast, and this is their fearsome full-length debut. It's a solid work, starting with the thick and sludgy "To The Throne", erupting forth with downtuned guitars, scalding vocals, and a pace that crawls in spots, but alternately amps it up with complex changes and breakneck tempos. SOT go even more evil with "Consumed", which hovers menacingly at first, only to spill out its guts punk-style with a speedy thrash assault. Not strictly a metal band, Sons Of Tonatiuh also channel noise/punk more than effectively, and graft it to a doomy, post-Sabbath sludge-riff bludgeon. Witness the sinister "Adam And Evil", or the scalding grooves of "Chain Up The Masses". SOT's forceful and furious attack leaves no survivors, and daringly combines several styles into a unique and vicious identity all their own. Dig it. (Sons Of Tonatiuh self-release)

Corrosion Of Conformity (COC3) - "Your Tomorrow Part 1 & 2" 7"

This is the legendary reformed COC -- the lineup responsible for the "crossover" metal/punk holy grail "Animosity" from 1985. After some years with a major label, and several lineup changes, the trio of Mike Dean, Reed Mullin, and Woody Weatherman re-convene (sans sometime vocalist Pepper Keenan) to bring the heavy punk-meets-metal sound screaming into the 2000s here. Part 1 is a thick and sludgy Black Sabbath meets Black Flag assault -- with elements of doom metal sandwiched between speedy Greg Ginn-styled jazz-noise guitars. Part 2 adds another layer of guitar for an even deeper riff-o-rama. Superb and rocking material, and the best I've heard from COC in years! (Southern Lord)

COC official site

Suicidal Tendencies - "Live At Olympic Auditorium" DVD

I will forever have a soft spot for Suicidal's first couple of LPs, with such teen-nihilist punk/metal anthems as "Institutionalized", "Possessed To Skate", or "I Saw Your Mommy". Suicidal definitely deserve a heap of credit for helping to unify heavy music with their crossover appeal way back in the 80's. And, they've done an impressive job over the past 26 years, emerging through some more mainstream, major label days at least somewhat intact, though their sound has matured into a funk/metal hybrid.
This 2005 homecoming concert shows the band can still shred as well as anyone. Frontman (and only remaining original member) Mike Muir and company faithfully reproduce all their classics for a suitably intense crowd. The production is superb, with camera angles that capture the band having a blast while inciting their fans to dance or mosh it up. It's energetic and high-energy all the way through, with Muir's hopeful and positive message echoing in-between tracks. An added bonus, and perhaps as important, is a good interview with Muir, in which he discusses the band's early trials and tribulations. For "cycos" (or hardcore fans), this DVD is essential. Not a fan? Check out the band's 1983 self-titled album first. Classic hardcore with a unique sound and vision. (Suicidal Records)