“Repentless”
Slayer
Nuclear Blast
Producer: Terry Date
Tracks: 12

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

“Repentless” is the latest offering from thrash legends Slayer. The album which is being released via Nuclear Blast and features 12 take no prisoner tracks produced by Terry Date (Slipknot, Pantera). “Repentless” is the bands twelfth studio album and the first to feature Exodus guitarist Gary Holt who has been performing with the group since 2011 and Paul Bostaph who rejoined the group in 2013.

After an 8 year wait Slayer are back with their latest offering titled “Repentless”. Though the band looks a little different these days the groups sound is still just as brutal as ever. Tracks like “Repentless” and “Vices” blast through your senses like a hot knife through butter while songs like “When the Stillness Comes” and “Implode” will have your head banging and fist pumping whether it wants to or not. Though nothing can compete with the bands classic “Reign In Blood” era line up and sound the band which since 2011 has featured Exodus guitarist Gary Holt and more recently drummer Paul Bostaph the current lineup comes as close as possible.

Clocking in at just over 40 minutes what “Repentless” lacks in run time it makes up for in guitar riffage, machine gun like drumming and of course plenty of vocal wailing provided by vocalist/bassist Tom Araya. Long time Slayer fans may find some points of the album lacking intensity, however I found the slower paced moments quite fitting and enjoyable as they not only showed diversity in the groups sound. They also gave me a second or two to catch my breath in between the albums more speedy moments. The album is available in multiple formats including a Limited Edition version which includes special packaging and a bonus DVD with a making of the album documentary and a complete live performance from the bands 2014 Wacken Festival appearance.

Track Listing:
1.) Delusions of Saviour
2.) Repentless
3.) Take Control
4.) Vices
5.) Cast the First Stone
6.) When the Stillness Comes
7.) Chasing Death
8.) Implode
9.) Piano Wire
10.) Atrocity Vendor
11.) You Against You
12.) Pride in Prejudice

“Kill the Flaw”
Sevendust
Asylum/7Bros. Records
Produced by: Sevendust
Tracks: 11

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Southern hard rockers Sevendust are back with a brand new album titled “Kill the Flaw”. This will be the bands 11th studio album which coincidentally features 11 new tracks which were not only performed by the band but also produced by the group as well.

Sevendust continue in the tradition of their previous releases with “Kill the Flaw”. The album which will be the group’s third release in the corresponding number of years is spattered with the band signature sound which has been pounding eardrums since the late 90’s. While the album features familiar tones and textures it embellishes on those taking the listener and the band to new levels. Tracks like the albums opener/lead single “Thank You” which perfectly sets the stage for the subsequent track’s it blends the bands melodic yet raw style they are known for while songs like “Letters” with its catchy rhythmic choruses and the acoustic guitar tinged “Chop” both seem destine to be staples in the bands always impressive live show.

“Kill the Flaw” doesn’t reinvent the wheel but instead it capitalizes on the strengths Sevendust are known for. Lead vocalist Lajon Witherspoon sounds stronger than ever as does the rest of the band consisting of Clint Lowery, Morgan Rose, Vince Hornsby and John Connolly. Together on “Kill the Flaw” the band proves that even after 20+ years in the music business you can still remain fresh and consistently put out solid records year after year. The album will be available Oct. 2nd via Asylum/7Bros. Records and is currently available for pre-order through the bands website www.Sevendust.com

Track Listing:
1.) Thank You
2.) Death Dance
3.) Forget
4.) Letters
5.) Cease and Desist
6.) Not Today
7.) Chop
8.) Kill the Flaw
9.) Silly Beast
10.) Peace and Destruction
11.) Torched

“Black Magic”
Motorhead
UDR
Producer: Cameron Webb
Tracks: 13

Our Score: 2 out of 5 stars

Motorhead the band that goes one louder brings you their latest studio offering “Bad Magic”. The album which was produced by Cameron Webb and released via UDR is the bands 22nd studio album and features 12 brand new tracks from the Lemmy Kilmister fronted group along with a unique cover of the Rolling Stones classic “Sympathy for the Devil”.

For me personally Motorhead ranks right up there as one of the most killer hard rock/heavy metal bands. Not only has the band been rattling speakers since the mid 70’s but they are one of the few solid acts from that era still putting out new music on a regular basis that still holds true to the bands original sound and style. “Bad Magic” is the latest offering from the band and sadly I just couldn’t get into the album. From a production standpoint the album is very tinny with little to no low end. At first I had thought something was wrong with my speakers but after about the 5th track I realized it was what it was. Though there were some notable performances such as the aggressive “Evil Eye” which features some great drumming by Mikkey Dee and the ballad like “Till the End” which contains an impressive solo from Mr. Phil Campbell other mentionable high points were few and far between.

Ultimate Motorhead fans will certainly want this for their collections because where else are you going to find Lemmy performing a Rolling Stones track? However if you’re a more casual listener or looking for a starting point in Motorhead’s impressive recording career I highly suggest starting at the beginning and working your way forward.

Track Listing:
1.) Victory or Die
2.) Thunder & Lightning
3.) Fire Storm Hotel
4.) Shoot Out All of Your Lights
5.) The Devil
6.) Electricity
7.) Evil Eye
8.) Teach Them How to Bleed
9.) Till the End
10.) Tell Me Who to Kill
11.) Choking on Your Screams
12.) When the Sky Comes Looking for You
13.) Sympathy for the Devil (Rolling Stones Cover)

“23 Live Sex Acts”
Against Me!
Total Treble Music
Tracks: 23

Our Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars

“23 Live Sex Acts” is the latest offering from the band Against Me! As the title suggests the album features 23 live tracks which were recorded during various shows from the bands tour last year. The album is being released via Total Treble Music in both digital download and CD formats as well as on special edition colored triple vinyl.

If you have never experienced an Against Me! live show the band’s latest live album will get you as close as possible without actually being there. “23 Live Sex Acts” is easily one of if not the best live album I heard in a very long time. With a set list spanning the groups 13+ year career and capped off by near stellar sound production (I felt the bass could have been more present) I couldn’t have really asked for much more as the tracks blasted through my speakers. Older tracks like “Cliché Guevara” and “Pretty Girls (The Mover) sit perfectly with new tracks like “FUCKMYLIFE666”, “I Was a Teenage Anarchist” and the in your face “Osama Bin Laden and the Crucified Christ”. The album isn’t just a bunch of piped in crowd noise as at one point during the track “New Wave” front woman Laura Jane Grace stops the song to scold security for attempting to throw out a fan. Its brief moments like this that truly put you in the moment making the listening experience very real.

Whether you are a seasoned Against Me! fan who has seen the band countless times or you’re new to the group this album is for you. Over the course of 23 tracks you get an intense live feeling while being presented with a solid representation of the group’s diverse catalog. If you are any type of music fan at all then you would be doing yourself a tremendous disservice not picking up a copy of this album.

Track Listing:
1.) FUCKMYLIFE666
2.) Pints of Guinness Make You Strong
3.) Cliché Guevara
4.) True Trans Soul Rebel
5.) I Was a Teenage Anarchist
6.) New Wave
7.) Walking Is Still Honest
8.) Turn Those Clapping Hands Into Angry Balled Fists
9.) Transgender Dysphoria Blues
10.) Pretty Girls (The Mover)
11.) I Still Love You Julie
12.) High Pressure Low
13.) Don’t Lose Touch
14.) Miami
15.) White Crosses
16.) Osama Bin Laden and the Crucified Christ
17.) How Low
18.) Black Me Out
19.) Thrash Unreal
20.) Unconditional Love
21.) The Ocean
22.) Sink, Florida, Sink
23.) We Laugh at Danger and Break All the Rules

“Metal Allegiance”
Metal Allegiance (Philip H. Anselmo, Charlie Benant, Chuck Billy, D. Randall Blythe, Rex Brown, Ron Tahl, Phil Demmel, David Ellefson, Alissa White-Gluz, Mathew K. Heafy, Gary Holt, Jamey Jasta, Chris Jericho, Andreas Kisser, Misha Mansoor, Mark Osegueda, Tim Owens, dUg Pinnick, Mike Portnoy, Troy Sander, Cristina Scabbia, Alex Skolnick, Steve Souza, Ben Weinman, Mark Menghi)
Nuclear Blast Entertainment
Tracks: 10

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Metal Allegiance the brain child of Mark Menghi is a who’s who of some of today’s top heavy metal performers playing collectively together as one group. What started off as a performance here and there has now morphed into a full album of original material. The album which is being released via Nuclear Blast Entertainment features 10 original tracks with performances from D. Randall Blythe, Alex Skolnick, Dave Ellefson and Mike Portnoy to name just a few.

Just when you thought you have heard it all the group known simply as Metal Allegiance goes and releases an album of completely original material. If just the thought of performers like Tim “Ripper” Owens, Philip H. Anselmo, Andreas Kisser and Ben Weinman all being together on one album doesn’t grab your attention then you better check your pulse. I can’t recall a compilation effort of this magnitude ever occurring let alone coming together to create one cohesive album. Tracks like the albums opener “Gift of Pain” which features a note worthy vocal performance by one D. Randall Blythe that instantly shreds your sense to the expansive, twisting and turning “Dying Song” you would be hard pressed to find something on this album that doesn’t appeal to you. A few other tracks I found worth mentioning are that of the over the top “Pledge of Allegiance” which has a classic thrash metal feel complete with dizzying guitar riffs, thunderous double bass and razor like vocal passages provide by Mark Osegueda of Death Angel, and the instrumentally driven “Triangulum (I. Creation II. Evolution III. Destruction)” which features some impressive lead guitar work by a laundry list of great players.

With a project as big as Metal Allegiance that certainly was a little bit of skepticism on my part as to how this album was going to work and sound. With so many working parts it was head spinning just reading the track roster in early press releases however immediately after listening to just a couple tracks it all made sense as the playing contained on each of the 9 (10 for the deluxe edition) was at the highest level it could possibly be at. You can almost hear each performance egging on the next to “top that” which made for an awesome listening experience. I really have to tip my hat to Mark Menghi for pulling this off and I hope that more of these albums will follow.

Track Listing:
1.) Gift of Pain (Blythe, Skolnick, Ellefson, Portnoy, Holt)
2.) Let Darkness Fall (Sanders, Skolnick, Ellefson, Portnoy, Brown, Menghi)
3.) Dying Song (Anselmo, Skolnick, Menghi, Portnoy)
4.) Can’t Kill the Devil (Billy, Skolnick, Ellefson, Portnoy, Demmel, Kisser)
5.) Scars (Scabbia, Osegeuda, Skolnick, Ellefson, Portnoy)
6.) Destination Nowhere (Heafy, Skolnick, Ellefson, Portnoy,)
7.) Wait Until Tomorrow (Pinnick, Jasta, Skolnick, Ellefson, Portnoy)
8.) Triangulum (I. Creation II. Evolution III. Destruction) (Skolnick, Ellefson, Portnoy, Mansoor, Weinman, Benante, Demmel, Thal)
9.) Pledge of Allegiance (Osegueda, Skolnick, Ellefson, Portnoy, Benante, Holt, Kisser)
10.) We Rock (Deluxe Edition Only) (Oseugueda, Jericho, Owens, White-Gluz, Billy, Souza, Skolnick, Ellefson, Portnoy, Kisser, Demmel, Holt)

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“The Twenty Fifth Hour”
Terror
Victory Records
Tracks: 14

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Los Angeles hardcore band Terror is back with a brand new full length album titled “The Twenty Fifth Hour”. This is the bands 6^th studio album and the follow up to the groups 2013 release “Live by the Code” which was also released via Victory Records.

“The Twenty Fifth Hour” immediately picks up where the bands previous release left off. Vocalist Scott Vogel hits the ground running with lyrics that speak true to the daily struggles that even someone completely removed from the hardcore scene can relate to. Tracks like “No Time For Fools” with its classic hardcore mid section break down to “Blinded By the Lights” which features a crescendoed ending adds to the proverbial icing on the cake to an already excitable track. “Trust No Face” which features an intense guest performance by No Warning vocalist Ben Cook is definitely worth a listen as is the albums closing track “Deep Rooted”.

Terror once again proves why they are easily one of my favorite hardcore bands out there. The band pulls no punches in its approach both lyrically and instrumentally as “The Twenty Fifth Hour” gives you something to think about while also providing you with some killer opportunities to bob your head to the beat. Though the album only clocks in at just over 22 minutes that brief period of time is utilized to its maximum potential.

Track Listing:
The 25th Hour
No Time For Fools
Bad Signs
Feed the Rats
The Solution
Blinded By the Lights
Trust No Face (Feat. Ben Cook)
Why?
Mind At War
Snap
Sick and Tired
Life Goes On
Both of You
Deep Rooted

Lamb of God
“VII: Sturm Und Drang”
Epic Records
Producer: Josh Wilbur
Tracks: 10

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

“VII: Sturm Und Drang” is the latest release from Richmond, Virginia natives Lamb of God. The album which was produced by Josh Wilber features 10 brand new tracks from the metal band and is the follow up to the groups 2012 release “Resolution”

Right off the bat “VII: Sturm Und Drang” seems to have a different feel than previous Lamb of God releases. The album as a whole seems to be more melodic and cohesive. Each song appears to be meticulously crafted and showcases each of the members set discipline. “Still Echoes” kicks the album off like an atomic explosion as the blast beating provided by drummer Chris Adler sets the ground work for the guitar tandem of Mark Morton and Will Adler who play off one another beautifully.

“512”, the first single off the album was easily my favorite as its catchy sing along chorus and trudging rhythms make it worthy of blasting in the car with the windows down. “Overlord” gives us a taste of vocalist Randy Blythe’s melodic side. The track is a blues infused rocker that gets stuck in your head almost instantly. The introduction of more melodic pieces into the Lamb of God sound certainly doesn’t mean they have gone soft as tracks like “Anthropoid” and “Delusion Pandemic” are signature in your face LOG making “VII: Sturm Und Drang” the bands most well rounded release to date.

Track Listing:
1.) Still Echoes
2.) Erase This
3.) 512
4.) Embers
5.) Footprints
6.) Overlord
7.) Anthropoid
8.) Engage the Fear Machine
9.) Delusion Pandemic
10.) Torches

Royal Blood
“Royal Blood”
Warner Bros.
Produced by: Tom Dalgety, Mike Kerr, Ben Thatcher
Tracks: 10

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

The self titled debut release by the UK based duo Royal Blood is an album you have to check out. When a traditional 4/5 piece band can make sounds as unique as those heard on “Royal Blood” that’s fairly impressive however knowing that Royal Blood consists of just two members  vocalist/bassist Mike Kerr and drummer Ben Thatcher that changes things dramatically.

The debut album is a carefully constructed wall of sonic noise that keeps the listeners attention throughout each of its 10 tracks. Songs like the albums opener “Out of the Black” and the raunchy “Figure It Out” tear through your speakers will ease as Kerr’s gritty bass sounds cover the ground quickly making you second guess the need for guitars at all. Combined with Thatcher’s spot on timing and ability to play in the pocket each performance comes off polished and professional. The duo only further confirm this with such tracks as the robotic like “Ten Tonne Skeleton” and the in your face “Come On Over

Though I found the album didn’t quite capture all the power of the groups live element it certainly comes pretty close. With each track on “Royal Blood” having a little something for everyone it makes this a great addition to any music lover’s playlist

Track Listing:
Out of the Black
Come On Over
Figure It Out
You Can Be So Cruel
Blood Hands
Little Monster
Loose Change
Careless
Ten Tonne Skeleton
Better Strangers

Ghost
“Meliora”
Loma Vista Recordings
Produced by: Klas Ahlund
Tracks: 10

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

“Meliora” is the latest release from the Swedish heavy metal band Ghost. The album is being released via Loma Vista Recordings and features 10 brand new tracks produced by Klas Ahlund. “Meliora” is the third release from the costume clad group and is the follow up to the bands 2013 release titled “Infestissumam”.

The latest offering from Ghost is certainly their most edgy release yet however the music still does little to live up to the bands dark imagery. With this being the first album to feature the newly anointed Papa Emeritus III signaling a new chapter for the band I had extremely high hopes. After hearing the album’s first single “Cirice” which features thunderous drums and a cool repeating guitar riff ala “Black Album” era Metallica I thought the band was off to a great start. Sadly much like the bands previous efforts there is a lot to sift through before getting to the albums more promising moments. That’s not to say the other tracks are bad musically as they all feature impressive arrangements however, those wanting a more straight forward metal sound might want to skip this. Along with “Cirice” I found the tracks “From the Pinnacle to the Pit”, “Mummy Dust” and  “Majesty” to be more to my liking as they featured simpler arrangements that were easier to digest while tracks like “He Is” and “Dues in Absenthia” feature church like orchestral sounds that left me reaching for the skip button.

Yes Ghost and their latest album “Meliora” is a decent album. Will it appeal to everyone? Probably not. There just seems to be a lot of droning and weighty productions elements which make the listening experience a bit annoying. Fans of the band unique sound will certainly enjoy the album as it is quite a bit beefier however I don’t see the album being strong enough to elevate the band to the next level and pull in an entirely new group of listeners.

Track Listing:
Spirit
From the Pinnacle to the Pit
Cirice
Spoksonat
He Is
Mummy Dust
Majesty
Devil Church
Absolution
Dues in Absentia

Phinehas
“Till The End”
Artery Recordings
Tracks: 13

Our Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars

La Mirada, California’s Phinehas is back with a brand new full length record titled “Till The End”. The album features 13 tracks of searing metal-core goodness and serves as the follow up to the bands 2013 release “The Last Word Is Yours to Speak”. This is the bands first release since signing to Artery Recordings and also the first to feature Daniel Gailey on guitar.

From the second the albums opening track “Dead Choir” opens till the closing notes of “Till The End” ring out Phinehas deliver. Vocalist Sean McCulloch provides the perfect blend of guttural screamed verses and melodic infused chorus giving each of the 13 tracks that make up the album multiple levels of appeal. Guitarist Daniel Gailey fits right in with the band and showcases his talents on all the tracks but for me really stood on tracks such as “White Livered” and “Forever West”.

The rhythm section of the band consisting of Bryce Kelly on bass and Lee Humarian on drums provide and extremely well executed level of tightness that elevates the album to the next level. A perfect example of this is the track “Illiaster (More Than Skin)” which features an intricate arrangement with multiple time signatures. The band shows a different side of themselves on the track “Seven” which features a rolling acoustic riff and subtle verses which gives way haunting choruses before ending in the bands thunderous signature roar.

The latest offering from Phinehas is an album you can throw on and listen to over and over again without it becoming stale or repetitive. The band used its time wisely between releases and the work certainly shows on “Till The End” fans of the band and the metal-core genre will certainly want to grab a copy of this album.

Track Listing:
1.) Dead Choir
2.) White Livered
3.) Truth Be Told
4.) Non
5.) Forever West
6.) Tetelestai
7.) Coup de Grace
8.) Omnis
9.) Seven
10.) Iliaster (More Than Skin)
11.) Evening Grey and Morning Red
12.) Moriar
13.) Till The End

Starset
“Transmissions”
Razor & Tie
Producer: Rob Graves
Tracks: 14

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

“Transmissions” is the debut release from the Columbus, Ohio based rock band Starset. The album features 14 immense tracks which fill the listener’s ears time and time again with something new. Produce by Rob Graves (Red, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster) and released via Razor & Tie “Transmissions” is a unique experience the runs the gambit of musical styles.

The album starts off with a somewhat cryptic and distorted message which instantly sets the stage for what’s in store with the preceding tracks. From there the track “Down With The Fallen” kicks off and shows it’s self as one of the albums stronger tracks. Former Downplay vocalist Dustin Bates does a nice job blending the transitions between the melodic and overdriven vocals which define the groups sound. As the album progresses listeners are bombarded with distorted guitars and catchy choruses that with ease get stuck in your head.

The album’s first single “My Demons” is a perfect example of this and also another personal highlight. Though I felt some of the album was a bit overdone it wasn’t enough to completely lose my attention or make me skip ahead to the track. If you’re a fan of rock music with orchestral arrangements and a variety of spacey samples then you will certainly want to check out “Transmissions

Track Listing:
1.) First Light
2.) Down With The Fallen
3.) Halo
4.) Carnivore
5.) Telescope
6.) It Has Begun
7.) My Demons
8.) Antigravity
9.) Dark On Me
10.) Let It Die
11.) The Future Is Now
12.) Point of No Return
13.) Rise and Fall
14.) Let It Die (Maniac Agenda Remix)

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Lynch Mob
“Rebel”
Frontiers Music Srl.
Producers: George Lynch, Chris Collier
Tracks: 11

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Lynch Mob are back with a brand new album titled “Rebel” which features 11 tracks from the former Dokken guitarist George Lynch and his band which features vocalist Oni Logan, bassist Jeff Pilson and drummer Brian Tichy. This will be the bands 8th studio album and the follow up to the groups 2014 release “Sun Red Sun”.

Ever since the group’s reunion in 2008 Lynch Mob has continued to once again grow with each album they release and “Rebel” is no exception. The albums opening track “Automatic Fix” is a perfect example of that as its pure rock and roll with elements of vintage heavy metal ala Iron Maiden and Judas Priest.

Other notable tracks from the album are the trudging d-tuned “Sanctuary”; the effects fueled “Dirty Money” and the ballad like “The Ledge”. While the album certainly is a rock album at times I found it to be a little softer than I was expecting. Though that’s certainly not a bad thing as I think the different styles will appeal to a wider range of listeners it’s just not what I envisioned at first listen.

Track Listing:
1. Automatic Fix
2. Between the Truth and a Lie
3. Testify
4. Sanctuary
5. Pine Tree Avenue
6. Jelly Roll
7. Dirty Money
8. The Hollow Queen
9. The Ledge
10. Kingdom of Slaves
11. War

Tremonti
“Cauterize”
FRET12
Produced by: Michael “Elvis” Baskette
Tracks: 10

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Creed/Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti is back with his second solo offering titled “Cauterize”. Being released via FRET12 the sophomore solo release is the follow up to Tremonti’s successful 2012 debut album “All I Was”. Michael “Elvis” Baskette is once again behind the control desk lending his hand production hand to the 10 blistering tracks which make up “Cauterize”

Fan’s looking for the next chapter of Tremonti look no further as “Cauterize” picks up where “All I Was” left off. Though I found a few of the songs to be a bit repetitive one thing the album clearly isn’t lacking in is attack as each of the albums 10 tracks certain go for the throat. The albums opener “Radical Change” is a perfect example of that as are “Cauterize” and “Arm Yourself” to name just a few. Probably my favorite track off the album was “Flying Monkeys” which features a really cool trudging guitar and bass line mixed with just the right amount of drums and Tremonti’s haunting vocals that get stuck in your head almost instantly. The addition of Wolfgang Van Halen on bass seems to have strengthened the bands bottom end considerably while rhythm guitarist/backup vocalist Eric Friedman and drummer Garrett Whitlock put in another round of solid performances which continue to compliment Tremonti’s lead work.

Even though I found the first half of the album to be a bit redundant as a whole “Cauterize” is a rawkus 10 track release that fans of Tremonti’s previous works will certainly enjoy. If you haven’t already check out Mark’s first solo offering I recommend starting their and then moving on to this release as both are a touch heavier. To get around the albums early repetitiveness just throw it on shuffle and be prepared to rock.

Track Listing:
1.) Radical Change
2.) Flying Monkeys
3.) Cauterize
4.) Arm Yourself
5.) Dark Trip
6.) Another Heart
7.) Fall Again
8.) Tie The Noose
9.) Sympathy
10.) Providence

Rated: Unrated
Studio: Shout! Factory
Run Time: 60 min
Format: CD/DVD/Blu-Ray

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

“A Little Bit of Me: Live In L.A.” is the latest live release from singer/songwriter Melissa Etheridge. The performance was recorded on December 12th 2014 at the historic Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles during the last show of Etheridge’s “This is Me” Tour. The package is being released via Shout! Factory and is available on both DVD/CD and Blu-Ray/CD combo’s and Deluxe Digital Edition formats.
2 time Grammy Award winning singer/song writer Melissa Etheridge is back with a brand new concert performance release, Her first new live release since 2001’s “Live and Alone”.

Though “A Little Bit of Me: Live In L.A.” clocks in at just 60 minutes the 13 tracks that make up the set list are pure magic. All the hits are here including “I Want To Come Over”, “Come To My Window” and “I’m The Only One” along with several new tracks from Etheridge’s most recent studio album “This Is M.E.” including “Take My Number” and “A Little Bit of Me”. Though I found the sound and picture to be really great on the Blu-Ray edition I was a little underwhelmed that the entire concert only ran 60 minutes. With Etheridge’s last live release clocking in at over 2 hrs. and packed with bonus footage there was certainly something’s left to be desired. Don’t get me wrong the behind the scenes footage and interviews with the band are ok but nothing that hasn’t already been done.

If you are a long time Melissa fan and have to have everything she release to fulfill your collection then this release is certainly for you. I think this also would make a great piece to have if you saw one of the shows from this tours run. However if you are really looking for a more complete M.E. package then dig into her expansive back catalogue as there are several options that will probably be able to fit what you are looking for.

Track Listing:
1.) I Won’t Be Alone Tonight
2.) I Want To Come Over
3.) Chrome Plated Heart
4.) Take My Number
5.) Come To My Window
6.) Ruins
7.) A Little Bit of Me
8.) If I Wanted To
9.) Meet Me In The Back
10.) Bring Me Some Water
11.) I’m The Only One
12.) Like The Way I Do (Bonus track on Blu-Ray, DVD and Deluxe Digital Edition)
13.) Monster (Bonus track on Blu-Ray, DVD and Deluxe Digital Edition)

Nekrogoblikon
“Heavy Meta”
Music Box
Tracks: 10

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Who is Nekrogoblikon? Where did they come from? What is goblin metal? Why write songs about goblins? Those questions and more will be answered with the release of “Heavy Meta” the 3rd full length release from Santa Barbara, CA very own Nekrogoblikon. The album is being released via Music Box and is the follow release to the bands 2013 EP titled “Power”

If you haven’t heard of Nekrogoblikon or the groups spoke person John Goblikon…Yes he is in fact a goblin then now is your time to wake up and experience the next big genre of metal music, Goblin Metal! Though not the bands first release “Heavy Meta” is the perfect blend of quirky lyrics, shredding guitars and drums fused extreme vocals and enough synth/piano textures to resurrect the late great Ray Manzarek. Tracks like the humorous “Snax & Violence” and “We Need a Gimmick” feature in your face spastic arrangements which shred through your speakers and ear drums with reckless abandonment. Tracks like “Full Body Xplosion” and “Let’s Get Fucked” featuring Andrew W.K. are more structured and intricate in their approach yet still retain the fun factor the members include in all their music.

Even if you are not a fan of the whole goblin perspective “Heavy Meta” is strong enough to stand on its own as a solid extreme metal album. Each of the members in the band excels at their perspective positions and the performances on the albums 10 tracks confirm that. Though some of the arrangements are a bit confusing it’s not enough to completely take your attention away from the fact that Nekrogoblikon and their latest release “Heavy Meta” is something you should be listening to.

Track Listing:
1.) The End of Infinity
2.) We’ve Had Enough
3.) Bring Us More
4.) Snax & Violence
5.) Atlantis
6.) We Need a Gimmick
7.) Full Body Xplosion
8.) Let’s Get Fucked (w/ Andrew W.K.)
9.) Mood Swing
10.) Nekrogoblikon