Neuraxis - Asylon

NeuraxisAsylon2011~If a band changes all its working components, is it still the same band? Do they necessarily have the same artistic vision as their predecessors? If the band still continues to make great music, honestly I don't care. Such is the case with Canadian tech-death stalwarts Neuraxis. Their music has evolved to sound tighter, more technical and more modernized, redefining the term “

Ultimatium - Hold Your Ground

UltimatiumHold Your Ground2011-As far as I know, Ultimatium has been a well-kept secret in the world of power metal for a good long while. 2008's Hwainoo was a very strong album that unfortunately didn't reach as far as it deserved. I didn't even realize that these fellows were still active until about a month ago, and now I'm holding their brand new demo in my hand. I'd heard that the sound had

Solisia - Ordinary Fate

 SolisiaOrdinary Fate2011-I wonder if the title of this album betrays some kind of open self-awareness by its creators, for, and I'm not trying to be witty here, this is really quite ordinary. The problem is: this type of female fronted band grows on trees by now and unless you're Nightwish and you invented the genre, or you have a more-than-average-looking singer, you have to be innovative or

One Without ~ Sweet Relief

One WithoutSweet Relief2011~One of my favorite things in the whole world is when bands let you into their world, a few minutes at a time, by posting behind-the-scenes video footage. I love this stuff and I gobble it up like an addict. Depending on how they approach their little video tidbits, the band can really make you feel like you're with them, and this provides you with a close connection

Solar Fragment - In Our Hands

Solar FragmentIn Our Hands2011-In this day and age, we put a whole lot of labels on our media. If something is not considered fit for minors to view, we put a big "parental advisory" label on it. Heck, I've even seen some iTunes albums labeled specifically as "clean" (and I think it bit sad that we need to use that). At this point in time, I'm considering employing a "Caution: Mind-Blowing" for

Enbound ~ And She Says Gold

EnboundAnd She Says Gold2011~Isn't it awesome to look under a bottle cap and find that you won another free soda? Isn't it awesome to find a $5 bill wedged into your car seat? When it comes to music, isn't it great to find a band that is more than what they seem to be when you first press play? These are all rhetorical questions, because your answer to all should be yes. Funny though, this last

Illdisposed - There Is Light (But It's Not For Me)

IlldisposedThere Is Light (But It's Not For Me)2011~Oldschool melodic death metal bands incorporating electronic influences into later releases is definitely nothing new. Dark Tranquillity, Amorphis and In Flames all come to mind, and Danish legends Illdisposed are no exception, celebrating There Is Light (But It's Not For Me) as their 11th release in 20 years. It's a step up from two lackluster

Lost In Thought ~ Opus Arise

Lost In ThoughtOpus Arise2011 ~I was lost in thought when I found myself thinking about the region of Wales in the U.K., and it occurred to me that many things that I love come from there. It's where the BBC films Doctor Who and Torchwood, is full of mythology and castles (which are perfect for the metal genre), and if I was to go backpacking there, I wouldn't be attacked and turned into a