Angry Metal Guy

Fullforce // One
Rating: 2.5/5.0 — One half of a damn good album
Label: SPV Records
Websites: fullforce.se | myspace.com/fullforcesweden
Release Dates: EU: Out Now!  US: 07.26.2011

Well, here’s a release I can easily see falling through the Angry Metal Cracks. One is the first (and maybe last) release by a supergroup of sorts led by Michael Andersson, vocalist for Swedish melodic metallers Cloudscape and featuring members of such renowned acts as Dream Evil, Hammerfall and Yngwie Malmsteen. Now, we all know supergroups can be very iffy propositions and Fullforce is no different. It seems whenever a group of talented musicians get jammed into a room to write and record, disaster is as likely to result as triumph. So where does this one fall? Pretty much exactly in the middle of the two extremes. There’s some top notch, super melodic metal here and some rather generic, boring duds. What makes this album of particular annoyance to Steel Druhm is how good the good stuff is. With some real winners on display, its a total buzz kill to have roughly half the album fizzle out and fail to keep the momentum going Fullforce (yeah, you knew it was gonna happen at some point). OK, it’s time for your slightly bitter host to examine One in a non-bitter fashion. Continue reading

HammerFall // Infected
Rating: 2.0/5.0 — Uh, dudes?
Label: Nuclear Blast [EU | US]
Websites: hammerfall.net | myspace.com/hammerfall
Release Dates: EU: 2011.05.20 | US: 06.07.2011

“Contamination breach in sector 7-G. Beginning emergency shutdown in 15 seconds. Contamination breach in sector 7-G. Evacuation protocols for project “Legion” in effect. Beginning emergency shutdown in 5 seconds… 4…3…2…1…0”

Radiation clouds, torn limbs, zombies on the loose, Armageddon closing in… Aaah! In other words, heaven on Earth for horror maniacs such as myself. Just the perfect cliché plot to fit your favorite movie in the genre or some random Left4Dead-ish first-person zombie shooter which despite all plot holes always provides a lot of fun and action. And I really wish I was reviewing something of this sort, but well, life’s a bitch. What I’m actually whining about is the mere fact that we’re talking about HammerFall’s newly born record, Infected, which will not entertain you even nearly as much. Continue reading

Ross the Boss // Hailstorm
Rating: 3.0/5.0 — Manonuff to do his own thing
Label: AFM Records
Websites: ross-the-boss.com | myspace.com/newmetalleader
Release Dates: EU: 29.10.2010 | US: 11.09.2010

Is this new Manowar? No, that it ain’t.  So it’s Rossowar?  Closer, but still no.  What we actually have before us is Hailstorm, the second album by Ross the Boss.  Mr. The Boss was of course the original fret master for the legendary Manowar and he played on all their classic, seminal albums before riding off to seek glory on his own (yes AMG, there really are classic Manowar albums [I resent that statement. - AMG]).  So what type of music would one of the founding fathers of sword and furry loincloth metal create in this day and age?  Well, those hoping Ross assembled a merry band of Manowar imitators will be disappointed.  While there are several unsubtle stylistic nods to his original band (the most unsubtle band of all time), this is way less Mano-thematic than 2008′s New Metal Leader and focuses more on early 80′s style metal and straight ahead power metal.  In some ways this departure from his musical comfort zone works, in others it falls just a bit short. Continue reading

Disdain // Leave This World
Rating: 3.5/5.0 – Support quality power metal!
Label: Scarlet Records
Website: myspace.com/disdainsweden
Release Date: JP: 25.03.2010 | EU: 15.03.2010 | US: ?

Those well-versed in the metal arts may see a band named Disdain and expect a dose of brutal death metal or possibly some frostbitten and bitter black metal. In this case however, the name is quite misleading. Disdain’s debut album Leave This World reveals a Swedish troupe bringing a somewhat unique spin to the traditional power metal sound and sounding far more experienced and professional than you might expect. This may owe to the fact that these guys have been in existence since the late 90’s and at one time even included Nightwish’s Anette Olzon on vocals. I can already hear the chorus of power metal bashers out there (you know who you are) screaming about how much crappy power metal is already on the shelves these days and how there isn’t room for any more whether it’s good, bad or ugly. Well, doubters be damned! Disdain has managed a rare feat and rise above most of their peers with this release while managing to avoid the many pitfalls that doom lesser power metal bands.

One of the first things that jumps out at the listener as Leave This World takes off, is the unusually heavy guitar tone (for power metal) that Disdain have armed themselves with. What will also become readily apparent is how much singer Christian Borjesson is a dead ringer for Hammerfall’s Joacim Cans. So much so, that at times I was wondering if Mr. Cans was singing on this album under a pseudonym.

Where Disdain distances themselves from the pack is the way they brings an extra heavy edge and lay it over the traditional power metal template. At some points they remind you of mid-period Nocturnal Rites, then at others times the sound is more reminiscent of Kalmah or vintage Dark Tranquility. They even toss in some quality death metal croaks on several tracks to very good effect (“Narrow Minded,” “Nine Lives Spent”).

Besides upping the heavy factor considerably, Disdain succeed in the actual art of songwriting. They manage to write punchy, tight and memorable songs with big choruses that remain in your head after one or two listens. The title track is a great example. It has a great combination of heavy guitar and spacey keyboards that really commands attention. Likewise, “Scarred” roars along like a tank with heavy guitar work and Christian’s excellent vocals over the top, creating a power metal song you can actually head bang to (shocking concept eh?). Across the ten songs on Leave This World, you get a variety of musical heaviness but no real drop in song quality.  Another big point in their favor is the complete absence of typical Dungeons & Dragons™ power metal lyrical clichés. I love elves, dragons, horses and all that stuff as much as the next guy but it can get silly pretty quick.

Ultimately, I think Disdain may have stumbled onto something here. Even a power metal dork like me will concede the existence of far too many sappy, happy and crappy power metal bands gumming up the works these days. Taking a darker, heavier approach like this may be exactly what the genre needs to remain viable and fresh. The lyrics to one track on Leaving This World include the classic observation, “though fashion changes, you know style remains.” Well, Disdain has style to spare and this is a refreshing debut by a band I think you will be hearing bigger things from in the near future.