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

Patrick O'Hearn - "Transitions" CD

With an impressive resume behind him (he was in Frank Zappa's band, among others), O'Hearn has quietly crafted a gorgeously subtle album of quietly introspective songs that skirt the lines between ambient and new age. "Transitions" consists of 9 mostly electronic instrumentals, based around emotive melodies and simple motifs. Don't expect any sort of bombast or cinematic drama here, as tracks like "Patterns" are brilliantly low-key, playing with sub-melodies and fragile minimalist structures. If you find Brian Eno too cold and detached, O'Hearn's "Transitions" would make an ample replacement, with plenty of mesmerizing, lilting atmospheres. Brilliant! (Patrick O'Hearn Music)

Iggy And The Stooges - "Raw Power Live - In The Hands Of The Fans" DVD

What can I say about James Osterberg (aka Iggy Pop) that hasn't already been said? He could be my father (or your grandfather, possibly), yet he's more fit than me and could likely kick my ass (or yours). The man is a marvel, to put it succinctly.

This DVD sees the remaining members of the "Raw Power" era band reunited on stage for the All Tomorrow's Parties Festival. "In The Hands Of The Fans" refers to the fact that most of this was shot on video by actual Stooges fans. As in non-professionals. That said, the result is decidedly MUCH better than bootleg quality. Indeed, this is an excellent and well-done look at one of rock's greatest bands, on stage and untamed.

The "fans" were chosen via contest, as the hardest-core Stooges fans (not because of any technical prowess), are also given a chance to interview the band after the show, which turns out candid and quite enlightening, too.

As for the content, you get stuff like "Search And Destroy", "Death Trip", "I Wanna Be Your Dog", and plenty more. Iggy and the Stooges are tight, wild, and punker than you, mate. This is a must-see for any self-respecting Iggy/Stooges fan. A keeper, for sure. (MVD VIsual)

Iggy official news site

The Hangmen - "Lost Rocks - The Best Of" CD

Raw and honest garage/roots punk from Los Angeles, these guys (and girl) have all the rock swagger and snarl of the greats. There's some Stooges, some Stones, some punk, Johnny Thunders...you get the picture. "Bent" is a junkies lament, with a good amount of Americana thrown in for good measure. This is top-tier, high-octane rock. Some tracks are produced by Mike Ness (of Social Distortion), so you know the pedigree must be good, and fans of Social D will easily appreciate these gritty and streetwise songs. "Desperation Town" is nothing but a classic rock song you don't yet know. Ditto for "Wild Beast". "Rotten Sunday" carries a massive guitar riff that's as ugly as the Stooges and that's a great thing in itself. If you're looking for balls-out rock without pretension, this is it. All hail the Hangmen! (Acetate Records)

Hangmenspace

Wolves In The Throne Room - "Celestial Lineage" CD

Opening with the ethereal ambiance of the 12-minute "Thuja Magus Imperium", complete with female vocals, it's evident that this isn't your typical black metal album. If anything, "Celestial Lineage" is a post-black metal album, delivering much more than just blasting beats and demonic vocal stylings.

Underneath it all, these eco-warriors eschew the genre's trappings, and create majestic songs that herald a new age of back-to-nature idealism. In fact, both members (and their families) even live (and work) a natural lifestyle and grow their own food. But that's beside the point. The music here blends black metal with ambient, psychedelia, post-rock, and drone in an unusually cohesive fashion.

"Subterranean Initiation" is a bruising and fiery tempest of rolling metal that opens up to a low-and-slow psychedelic/krautrock thud, like a mix between Neurosis and Can, before refueling back to a torrent of cascading black metal stylings. "Woodland Cathedral" is a beautifully evocative stab at medieval Popol Vuh-style ambiance that conjures just what the title implies. "Astral Blood" is another dynamic and masterful 10-minute journey that blasts, lulls, and blasts again. The closing piece, "Prayer Of Transformation", is an epic swell of symphonic post-metal rich with bombast and beauty. A tremendous work, "Celestial Lineage" is Wolves' sonic tour-de-force. (Southern Lord)

Wolves website

Kyng - "Trampled Sun" CD

Here's some well-baked heavy California rock that reminds me of Black Sabbath, Queens Of The Stone Age, and Soundgarden. There are some radio-friendly tracks here, but overall it's a riff-tastic classic rock experience, full of big thump, pummel and wail. I liked this one. (RealiD Records)

Kyng official website

Paul Ellis - "From Out Of The Vast Comes Nearness" CD

Over 70 minutes of shimmering and rhythmic electronic space music from veteran composer Ellis. Tracks like "The Click And Chime Of Passing Time" are far more linear and melodic than ambient, though. Imagine a melding of Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream and you won't be far from this pleasant extended 5-song collection. "Firefly Rising Outshined By The Moon" is sonic wallpaper, I'm sorry to say, not engaging in the least. The title track brings a little more depth (and darkness) to the party, though, with swells of ominous drone and wispy electronic effects. "Watch The Stars Come One By One" is vivacious and lively, with piano-like melodies and angular rhythms creating a music box-like effect. A solid set of meditational tunes, not without fault, but worth a listen for space music heads. (Lotuspike)

Paul Ellispace