Five Finger Death Punch - American Capitalist

The movie Kill Bill presents a killer self-defense move named Five Finger Death Punch. But I'm not going to tell you the secrets of that move but write about a Los Angeles based band named Five Finger Death Punch that released their third studio album on October 11th 2011. Their album though, American Capitalist, have similar killer attitude the movie has. But you wouldn't expect anything else from a band named like that, would you..

Five Finger Death Punch or more commmonly FFDP was formed in 2005 and they've gained quite a lot experience since those days. They've been on tours with Korn, Disturbed and Godsmack and headlining their own tours to top that.They're debut album was released two years after the band was formed and according their website, they've already starting to work with fourth album, doing it while on tour.

This third album is a strong one. It starts with the name track which punches the air out from your lungs, it is that good. But then again, there isn't really any bad tracks on this album. Personal favorites: Coming Down, Remember Everything and Wicked Ways.

http://www.fivefingerdeathpunch.com/
http://www.myspace.com/ffdp

Poisonblack - Drive

I believe Ville Laihiala made the right decision when he started his side project named Poisonblack so he could focus on playing guitar. The fifth album, Drive proves my point pretty loud and clear. The guitar is the carrying force throughout the whole album, it is the glue that keeps this album together. So, not a bad album at all. Great tracks that work well live as well. I think the focus is a bit more on music than it was on A Dead Heavy Day which hit straight to my heart with its lyrics.

First time listening to the album might not leave any remarkable memories but the even quality following Laihiala all the way from the days when being lead vocalist in Sentenced makes it sure that the more you listen to this album (or any other album with Laihiala on it) the more you like it. You'll find hidden gems and find yourself nodding your head and repeating the lyrics. Album starts strong with Piston Head and continues with Mercury Falling, track that was chosen to be their first single from this album. The album was released already in April but just recently the band released a music video for the (obvious?) favorite track of mine: Scars. But as said the album has more to it than the obvious, I had several favorites after listening the album a couple of times. A Good Day For The Crows, Sycophant and The Dead-End Stream work for me as well. Sycophant is most definitely one that will work perfectly live on stage as well. This one gets my vote!

http://www.poisonblack.com/

Rise To Remain - City Of Vultures

Someone claimed in Youtube that all the good bands are British and this certainly is true when it comes to Rise To Remain. City Of Vultures is their debut album and it shows why this band has already performed with successful metal bands like Bullet For My Valentine, Bring Me The Horizon and even the legendary Iron Maiden. No wonder the band has their calendar filled with tour dates 'til the end of 2011, touring UK, Germany, France, Sweden, Finland etc. And I'm not surprised this 5-piece, London based band got a deal with EMI in March this year.

12 tracks on the album including Intro, there's no empty spaces on this album. It's all hit material, making your head bang along the the beat. It's not all hard and heavy, the album has it's slower, softer moments but the weight is after all on metal. And yet they're not losing any credibility. Sharp guitar and talented drumming will make sure this band will find it's spot in fame, and they have a guaranteed spot in metal eternity as future legends. With this promising forecast, Music Maddict ends for today and continue listening my personal favorites from the album, Talking In Whispers, God Can Bleed and Nothing Left. And I bet this band has plenty left up their sleeve when it comes to music. ;)

http://www.risetoremain.com/
http://www.myspace.com/risetoremain

Oh Sleeper - Children Of Fire

So, summer is over and Music MAddict is back. Was supposed to write flashback last Friday but unfortunately (or luckily) I got invited to a certain radio station's birthday party. So my schedules went up in the air. But now I'm back and giving you this week's new album. I was surfing through new albums in Spotify and got lucky: found a band named Oh Sleeper. I've never heard of them before but the album cover lured me to listen and I was blown away! Children Of Fire is a great album with pretty much perfectly proportioned screaming parts and serene moments. The opening track Endseekers really puts on the gear and makes the body move. Head starts nodding with the beat and slowly the movement spreads to your entire body. At least that's what happened to me. Second track though didn't impress me that much but after that the album is as close to perfection as possible in this genre.

Oh Sleeper comes from Fort Worth, Texas and is signed to Solid State Records. Children Of Fire , released on 6th September 2011, is their third album. The band was put together in 2006 and was signed a year later. First album was published in 2007 and the second one came out in 2009. Children Of Fire is a curious album since it was released first digitally, the album will be available physically in stores on September 27th. Opening track Endseekers served also as first single. Second release, Hush Yael, came through their facebook page. It also happends to be the longest track on the album with a total of 4 minutes 29 seconds. What makes this band exceptional is the fact that their previous album debuted on The Billboard 200, the Rock Albums chart, Hard Rock Albums chart but as well on the Christian Albums chart. Notice as well the broken pentagram on the album cover and the name of the band taken from the Epistle to the Ephesians.. Christian metal.. hmm, who would've believed. Thumbs are up for this album from Music MAddict. Back to listening the favorite track of mine: Means To Believe.

http://www.myspace.com/ohsleeper

Blake - Shelter

Blake's new album Shelter is definitely worth listening for even though it's filled with only cover songs. Strong start with Black Sabbath cover Wizard opens the album. You can't really go wrong with that. And these guys really honor the originals on the album. Gotta love their singing. Janis Joplin cover Move Over gets a new life from this group, I guess Janis never rocked like this. Although Finland is known the promised land of metal, I was surprised to find out this band is Finnish and just had its 10th anniversary. How on earth could I have missed this one?!

And Blake seems to be more than just these cover songs on their latest album. They've shared stage with such big names as Black Label Society, Therapy?, Mustasch and Iggy Pop. But with singing like their's it really shouldn't be such a big surprise. What's good about this album is not only the chosen songs but also that the band haven't taken the easiest route with the songs: the album sounds like Blake instead of sounding Black Sabbath or any other of the original performers. I certainly enjoyed these songs, especially the Joplin cover as well as Demon's Eye (Deep Purple) and Let There Be Rock (AC/DC). Moody Blues cover Melancholy Man is probably the only one I would've left out of the album if given the chance but over all this album is worth listening to. Bonustrack Bloodtrails ends this album as it started: strong, rocking and filled with manly attitude.

http://www.blake.fi/

http://www.myspace.com/blakeband

Trivium - In Waves

Trivium, from Florida, released their new album In Waves in the beginning of August. 18 tracks on one album. There's a lot to listen. Maybe a bit too much even. This band was formed in 2000 and signed to Roadrunner Records after their first album. In Waves is already their fifth album. So there should be experience and some understanding to what is good, what works and what is their own style. Unfortunately this album doesn't really fulfill all the expectations for this band. I got to say it directly, I like their previous albums better. There is just too much going on in this album and it is too "clean". Luckily the band has a strong fan-base, this album will probably sell quite well, even though it's not their best one.

The album is a bit over-produced and basically there's just too much of everything. Maybe cutting the tracks to ten or so would have helped. And leaving some more edge to the vocals which have been one of the Trivium trademarks in the earlier albums. The tracks themselves aren't really that bad, though it is obvious that the band is trying to please a bigger audience with more radio-friendly songs. There's just so many tracks that it takes time to get into them. The first one that got any reaction out of me is the track named Watch The World Burn and again I have to say, it needs more edge to vocals. Guitar works alright, lyrics are ok and the chorus works quite well but it lacks of something. I guess that I have to listen this album a couple more times before deciding whether it's trash or treasure..

http://www.trivium.org/

http://www.myspace.com/trivium

Flashback Friday

Sixth studio album from Suburban Tribe is my choice for this weeks flashback. Second Suburban Tribe album for lead singer Ville Tuomi is Manimal, and as the name suggests it is full of raw power coming from the instincts of a hunting beast known as mankind. But just like carnivore in nature have their rest and peaceful moments also this album has it's havens. The album starts strong with You Can't Stop Us Now and Untameable wich was released also as a single. Weight calms the beat a bit and brings in a little feeling of blue with it's chorus just so that Torn Apart and Firedance can bring the speed up again. My personal favorites are songs like Cancer, Swallow, Silent Rain and Drowning. Especially Cancer is one of those that makes me want to sing along, scream those highs with everything I have in me.. I think though that my neighbours wouldn't appreciate it very much..

This album has gotten both good and bad reviews. Most of them compare this album with Korn and Faith No More and lead vocals to Mike Patton. I don't see that kind of comparison being a bad thing since I happen to like them all. I can hear the resemblance with Korn, but with Faith No More or Mike Patton, not so much. Anyhow, I'm loving this band and their music and it's sort of a sad thig they are doing their farewell gigs this weekend. Suburban Tribe has been doing music 20 years and they thought it's a good time to stop in a point where they still are doing good music and being successful.

http://www.suburbantribe.com/
http://www.myspace.com/suburbantribemusic

Axegressor - Next

Whether you are into thrash or not, Finnish Axegressor is the band you should remember. And especially their new release named Next. The band was formed in 2006 and a year later they released Axecution, which immediately raised the band into the spotlight in thrash circles. Their album is released by Dethrone Music as was their previous album. With this new album Axegressor has become better than before and faster than any other band in the land of thousand lakes. Riffs and lyrics sound more angry than before. And if the cover art for this album resembles a time after nuclear explosion, time after war, then I would say that seeing this band perform live is like being in the middle of it, that's how much there's energy on the stage. It is no wonder that this band gets invited to big festivals and to perform with famous bands.

Thrash circles probably get all warmed up with songs like SS-18 "Satan" and Justified Distrust. My personal top 2 is Star Inverted and Black & White Death Race. I've bought this album to my collection already and haven't had any regrets. Just wishing somebody would buy their lead singer, Johnny Nuclear Winter, some new, proper pants to wear on stage as well. ;D

http://www.myspace.com/axegressorthrashmetal

In Flames - Sounds Of A Playground Fading

Sweden seems to be the cradle of good music these days. Today the album to prove my point is Sounds Of A Playground Fading from In Flames. Influences from Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath can be heard from the very first track, the guitar in the beginning of the song makes one almost certain that Bruce Dickinson starts singing soon enough. But even though the influences from those bands are strong, In Flames has a distinguish sound of its own. And this Swedish band has grown famous throughout the world as well. Making sure the success continues the band has gotten a song on the Guitar Hero III game, a song on the Canadian billboard top 200 as high position as number 7, a great amount of different awards and lately their song Deliver Us from their latest album has been playing constantly on radios.

The band was formed in 1990 and it has been evolving both member wise and musically. Members have been coming and going (Niclas Engeling, nowadays a full-time member) and they've switched from one instrument to another (Björn Gelotte, from drums to guitar) but at least for now it seems the band has found its line-up for good. Hopefully so, because it seems the band has been more than lucky not to break up during all the changes and yet somehow managed to gain success.

I haven't been a huge fan of In Flames before but I'm getting to that direction slowly. This album will probably end to my collection at some point and not least because I like the choises for their cover art (Dave Correia/Sounds Of A Playground Fading and Derek Hess/Come Clarity).

http://www.inflames.com/

http://www.myspace.com/inflames

Pain - You Only Live Twice

You Only Live Twice is seventh album from the Swedish band Pain. And as the lyrics say in the opening track Let It Out, this album is like a broken record repeating itself. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a bad album, it's ok. Just a bit boring perhaps. The one song that differs the most is track number 5, Dirty Woman which made also to their music video. If you haven't seen that video yet, I recommend that you watch as soon as possible. It's actually quite fun video, just keep your eyes on the drummer. ;)

Other than that this album doesn't really impress me much. The art on the album cover is neat though, reminding me of Tim Burton. Too band that the band haven't been able to put that same kind of magic to these songs. Monster ain't montrous at all and We Want More didn't really leave me longing for more. But as written above, this is not a bad album. But I wouldn't play this in a tattoo studio where you want your music to distract peoples' attention away from the needle and pain.. (Word game un-intentional.) This has nothing to distract with but will do perfectly as a back-ground music in some goth/metal/rock styled cafe or something similar...

http://www.painworldwide.com/
http://www.myspace.com/pain

Black Stone Cherry - Between The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea

Lovelovelove!! That word sums up what I think about the new Black Stone Cherry album Between The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea. I found this band about a month ago and been waiting their latest album ever since I heard their opening track White Trash Millionaire. And this album surely was worth waiting for.

First I got to start by saying that this album made me smile. It made me laugh like a little child in the treasure hunt. Every song on this album reveals something new, something better than the previous track. There is some heavy parts on the album and there is some soft tunes. Killing Floor is definitely one of the heavier ones as well as Such A Shame. I can't really put my finger to it but there is something familiar with Such A Shame, it reminds me of another song. I just can't figure out which song is that.

From heavier tunes to positive energy with songs Blame It On The Boom Boom, Like I Roll, Can't You See (Absolutely love that guitar on this one!!!) and Let Me See You Shake. These four guys do know how to make you move. The band is often associated to Lynyrd Skynyrd and this album didn't make a difference to that aspect. Just listen to their song Fade Away if you don't want to take my word on it. Fifteen songs on this album and all of them good if not great. What more can you ask for?!? I'll be happy to spend my last bucks on this album. Like they sing it in White Trash Millionaire: "..ain't got much and I don't care.." At least I don't care as long as I'll get this album to my collection. :D

http://www.blackstonecherry.com/
http://www.myspace.com/blackstonecherry

Scar Symmetry - The Unseen Empire

The Unseen Empire is the fifth album from the Swedish death metal band Scar Symmetry. Although the band is quite young, formed in 2004, its members have lots of experience within the music industry. Members of the band have influenced in such bands as Unmoored, Altered Aeon and Theory In Practice, and those experiences have certainly helped them when making music with their latest band. It took only two years making this album. After listening the songs throught a couple of times I got to say, even though I'm not a huge death metal fan, the nine songs on the album doesn't include any bad ones. All of the songs in the album are equally interesting and made my head nod along the beat. The clear vocals and the deep roars are in perfect balance. Reading the lyrics made an interesting side-effect though. The song titles could basically be used as titles for fantasy books and the lyrics take that image even further, with all the ivory towers and shrines. But if thinking and reading those lyrics more carefully, one can find hints here and there that the songs might even tell about the world situation, politics etc. But even without those aspects the songs really work. This one is also a must-buy.

http://www.myspace.com/scarsymmetry

Dynazty - Knock You Down

This rock and roll junkie was last night desperately thinking of which new album should I write this week. And this music junkie surely was knocked down when finding Dynazty's album Knock You Down. This album has all the great elements to it, sounding a bit like Mötley Crüe, Guns'n'Roses and Whitesnake in the good old days. And still this Swedish band haven't gone on copying their material from those bands, sharply added metal features makes Dynazty sound modern and up-to-date. The band changed record label between the albums and published Knock You Down with their second record company Storm Vox Records. And this rock'n'roll junkie ain't complaining of the out-come, songs like Get It On, Devil's Playground and Sleeping With The Enemy makes one move without even notising it: head start nodding, feet start tapping. Even more slow songs like This Is My Life and the Edwyn Collins cover A Girl Like You are working well (a lot said from a person who couldn't stand the latter song before at all). This album definitely ends in to my collection. I might even have to buy their previous album. ;)

http://www.dynazty.com/
http://www.myspace.com/dynaztyband

Battle Beast - Steel

It was about a time to start a new blog that is all about my life-long addiction, music. I've been writing for ages and even at this moment I have several blogs which I update, some more regularly than others. I've always been mad for music and if it could be done, I'd listen music 24/7. I absolutely love live performances. Big or small, troubadour or stadium size concert, it makes no difference. I can't make it out from a record store without buying something to my music collection. Many of my friends are musicians. Some of my other hobbies are tightly connected to music even though I don't play any instrument myself. I believe that my opinion is valued quite high among my friends when it comes to music. And even if my music taste isn't always what they see as good music they seem to appreciate my honesty. I'm not a professional critic and these blog entries are just my opinions, no intensions to hurt any feelings out there. My only, humble wish is that I can bring something new to the scene. I am pretty much open to any music style or subject connected with music, it may as well be books of musicians or photographs, album covers etc. Feel free to comment or send me e-mail (You can find it in my profile.), suggest me books or albums and artists and I'll do what I can. And I promise to give you an honest opinion. With this first review, my prologue as a music "critic", I'd like to welcome you to my blog.
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Lately I've been testing the boundaries of my music taste with heavier music. I've found myself from trash metal gigs as well as death metal gigs. As a rock'n'roll junkie I've been positively surprised that I've grown to like heavier music as well. Battle Beast may not be the heaviest bands I've listened lately but I find their new album Steel good enough for me to consider buying it. Influences from bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Manowar can be heard in songs Iron Hand, Justice and Metal and Armageddon Clan. Winning W:O:A Metal Battle is definitely one of the highlights for this band as well as appering in the Finnish Metal Expo. Up-coming shows in several Finnish summer festivals and one in Wacken, Germany this year will certainly bring this band to the knowledge of many metal fans.

I am difficult to please when it comes to women singing lead vocals so I was surprised to find out the fact that Battle Beast has woman lead vocalist. I'm not easily impressed but this one certainly earns her place amongst the many magnificent heavy metal male vocalists and even beats some of them. The music of this Finninsh band isn't that unique, guitar riffs on this album remind the ones we've heard time after time and the lyrics tell the same old heavy metal stories about doom, metal warriors and attitude with power. But this album does have some special positive vibe to it. Starting your week at work by listening to this album might not be a bad idea at all. I have listened to this album a couple of times already and I haven't got tired to it yet. Only the future will tell how long this one remains in my playlist.

To find more about Battle Beast visit their official website and myspace:
http://www.hypeproductions.fi/battlebeast/index.php?id=1
http://www.myspace.com/battlebeastband