AMON AMARTH - Twilight of the Thunder God (Metal Blade)

8.1/10

1. "Twilight of the Thunder God" (feat. Roope Latvala) - 4:09

2. "Free Will Sacrifice" - 4:09

3. "Guardians of Asgaard" (feat. Lars Göran Petrov) - 4:23

4. "Where Is Your God?" - 3:11

5. "Varyags of Miklagaard" - 4:18

6. "Tattered Banners and Bloody Flags" - 4:30

7. "No Fear for the Setting Sun" - 3:54

8. "The Hero" - 4:04

9. "Live for the Kill" (feat. Apocalyptica) - 4:12

10. "Embrace the Endless Ocean" - 6:44

I am still fairly new to these guys. They really sold me on there 2006 album With Oden On My Side. I consider it one of the best metal albums of '06. With this album they keep to there roots and do what they do best and that is Hardcore Viking Metal. To me personally I don't think it is as good as there last one but it is still definitely a very good and very solid album. With them touring with slayer and Mastadon things are looking very good for them.

Slipknot – All Hope is Gone

6.5/10


1. .execute. – 1:49
2. Gematria (The Killing Name) – 6:01
3. Sulfur – 4:37
4. Psychosocial – 4:43
5. Dead Memories – 4:28
6. Vendetta – 5:15
7. Butcher's Hook – 4:14
8. Gehenna – 6:53
9.This Cold Black – 4:40
10.Wherein Lies Continue – 5:36
11.Snuff – 4:36
12. All Hope Is Gone – 4:44

Special edition bonus tracks

1. Child of Burning Time – 5:10
2. Vermilion, Pt. 2 (Bloodstone mix) – 3:39
3. 'Til We Die – 5:46

First off I am going to say that I have not been a huge fan of these guys since there first self titled album. I was 14 and didn't have much of a broad reach of music back in '99. That being said if your a fan of these guys you probably will like this then. It has there signature sound but not with the anger that the first album had. I can't blame them. Slayer has been doing for years and they are one of the most successful metal band of all time. This isn't as light as “Vol.3” but it does have its slow songs. The song “psychosocial.” I think is in the wrong place. After 3 good songs it completely slows down the pace. It never really recovers until “Vendetta,”but then “Butcher's Hook” really lost me. It feels misplaced and probably should not have been on here. “Snuff” is one of there softest songs they have ever done to date, yet its probably musically and lyrically one of there best songs. Its a pretty solid album. The bonus tracks seem like they did not belong at all, like the record company felt like they needed to add something more but it add nothing to it at all. If anything the 3 bonus tracks lower the quality of the album. If your a huge fan you will probably pick up the special edition just to hear the new songs but I would recommend staying away from it.

All That Remains – Overcome

5.3/10

1. Before the Damned - 2:53

2. Two Weeks - 4:17

3. Undone - 3:12

4. Forever in Your Hands - 3:36

5. Chiron - 4:25

6. Days Without - 3:11

7. A Song for the Hopeless - 4:15

8. Do Not Obey - 3:12

9. Relinquish - 2:51

10. Overcome - 2:38

11. Believe in Nothing (Nevermore cover) - 4:23

There isn't a whole lot to this album. Its simple and its short ending at only 38min. This is your typical new type metal album. Its the same sound we have been hearing for years now and it sells well but this album does nothing new. Its not awful but its not all that great. Most of the tracks are average at best and that's just about what it is. It's an average album. I was really looking forward the nevermore cover of “Believe in Nothing.” This is probably the worst song on the whole album. These guys just don't have the talent near what Nevermore has vocally or musically. This was a bit of a disapointment since there last album was so much better.