published August 2010

Amorphis - Magic & Mayhem: Tales From The Early Years (Nuclear Blast/Riot)

If you're only familiar with the Amorphis of recent years then you are in for quite a surprise with this release, less of the melodic and melancholic. More of the pure old school metal that had metal fans quaking in their boots when the band burst onto the scene in 1991. Less of the progressive more of the metal!
Release Date: 
17 Sep 2010 - 8:30am

This is how a greatest hits album should be done.

Stryper @ the HiFi (Brisbane, Australia), 27th August 2010

Stryper is recognized as the first openly Christian heavy metal band to gain recognition in the mainstream music world. Their message of salvation has also made them popular with some elements of the media during the 1980s. Reformed, and touring on the strength of their recent relase "Murder by Pride", Stryper performed to a packed house at Brisbane's HiFi Bar, supported by Sydney band Devine Electric.

Bloodstock Open Air - Day 1: Bloodstock II: Electric Boogaloo

Yeah, Gorlock went back to Bloodstock again. Fuck knows why.

I was all set to give Bloodstock a wide berth this year, because for the last year or so, I've realised that I can't really be scuttered with the vast majority of metal.

Take 4 of 4: Iron Maiden - The Final Frontier (EMI)

Overall this is a disappointing album. It's definitely intricate and mature in its execution, and kudos to Maiden for making the album they wanted to make with no concession to what the fans may want or expect. But it also leaves you sometimes wondering exactly who Iron Maiden are these days.

 

Take 3 of 4: Iron Maiden - The Final Frontier (EMI)

Crushtor's take on the newest Iron Maiden record - it's inimitably Maiden and it has its moments, but there's much to be desired.

Eddie’s had his turn as a huge monster terrorizing commoners, he’s been back through time, forward through time and “somewhere” in time, he’s been lob

Take 2 of 4: Iron Maiden - The Final Frontier (EMI)

Since their dawn in the early of 1980s Iron Maiden have been detached from their countrymen of NWOBHM by doing an epic, complex metal music. Their new album is a proof of this victorious legacy for the history of Heavy Metal.

Finally, the long awaited The Final Frontier is out.

Take 1 of 4: Iron Maiden - The Final Frontier (EMI)

Given that this is has been such a highly anticipated release, we decided to run multiple reviews, to give you multiple perspectives. And they don't all agree. In this first one, Scott asks: Do Bruce and co. boldly go where no man has gone before? Do they even boldly go where no Iron Maiden album has gone before? Of course not. But this ain't half bad, much to your reviewer's surprise...

 

Brain Drill - Quantum Catastrophe (Metal Blade/Riot)

Opening with a tortured scream and a moment of insanely intricate bass work, Quantum Catastrophe is one of the most complicated and uncomfortable albums of the year.

Brain Drill is all about speed.

Bonded By Blood – Exiled To Earth (Earache/Riot)

Naming themselves after one of the best thrash albums ever, by one of the acknowledged muthafucking best of the genre’s bands, these young fuckers have either got balls the size of grapefruits - or a death wish.

Bonded By Blood's second album is by no means a classic thrash album but let me tell you, it ain’t half fucking bad either.  With a theme revolving around the earth bein