Allegaeon - Formshifter

Holy crap, these Rocky Mountain boys know how to play some sweet melodeath.The last I spoke of Colorado newcomers Allegaeon, I praised their first full length album, Fragments of Form and Function, as an exhilarating example of American technical melodeath, and a stunning debut for the Fort Collins quartet.  In fact, I hinted at the possibility of a sophomore jinx in light of the impressive tunes I heard back then.  So here we are about a year and a half later for a musical reckoning.  And while I can’t say they’ve topped the first album, I wouldn’t say they’ve failed either.

The new album, Formshifter, comes from a band that has audibly matured while still remaining true to their musical vision. Now, don't go off and interpret that last statement as "this album mostly sounds like the one before, so if you liked that, you'll like this". It kind of means that, but while this new music sounds great, there's a definite difference to it all in that it's less...melodic. Yeah, I know this is melodic death metal, but one of the reasons I loved the first album was because it was even more melodic, which serves as the sweetness that counters the harshness of the rhythyms and gutteral screams; the thing that makes melodeath great. Even so, it's still squarely in the genre, so I hope I'm not throwing you off. I think it's Ezra doing less clean stuff or something, I don't know.

By the way, check out the awesome classical guitar coda on Twelve (4:12). Brilliant.

The Bottom Line: One of the best American bands in the genre, thanks largely to the talents of Greg Burgess and Ryan Glisan on the twin guitar attack. It's like In Flames moved their act to the Rockies (and got back to shredding).

Songs to Ruin Your Voice To: Twelve, Secrets of the Sequence

- Genghis is itchin' to get back to some podcastin' (and dipthongin')...

Vacation Under Way

It's about that time again, kids. Break out the BBQ grill, and crack open a few tall, cold ones.While Ragman boards a plane for his annual European vacation, I'm working on various upgrades for the site, including a minor redesign that's in the works this summer with some new graphics and whatnot, but essentially the same features (more on that in a bit).

Also, we're working on a little something for the fans of our annual Halloween episode thanks to one of iMovie's newer features (think trailers) that we think you'll enjoy...but perhaps I've said too much.

In the mean time, I want to mention how we're ramping up to the relaunching/retooling of some of our old features:

The Metal Minute - Tracy G was cool enough to write me some theme music, and I've finally got the hang of using my equipment to manage a decent short video news show a la The Soup about the wide world of Heavy Metal. I promise it'll be every bit as funny and rewarding as the rest of our show...*crickets*

The Deck - Ragman has long been wanting to revive his mini-podcast about what he's listening to at the time of recording - and he's always listening to interesting stuff.

Beer of the Show - Mr. G was also kind enough to provide us with a new musical intro to the beer of the show segment of the Genghis & Ragman Show so look for that.

The Bottom Line: We're truly grateful for the accolades you've shown us over the years despite our inconsistency and general lack of work ethic (we blame it on the beer), and Ragman and I want to thank you for listening and we hope to soon be giving you more than ever in the way of quality entertainment* about two of life's best offerings: metal and beer!

*NOTE: Quality of entertainment is not guaranteed.

- Genghis gives all o' youse a big fat HORNS UP!

Barn Burner - Bangers II: Scum of the Earth

Don't judge them for being early Metallica clones, these Canadians know how to thrash in the old school way.Wearing your influences on your sleeve as an artist is a double-edged sword: you may be praised for not only your [good] tastes but your ability to convey your inspiration's sound for new listeners, but you could be condemned for recycling the past and having no real sound to call your own.

Such is the case with Barn Burner, who despite claims that they have a totally unique sound, are the closest thing I've ever heard to Metallica, circa 1983's Kill 'Em All.  Which isn't a knock against them, actually. Many bands have tried to capture that ever-so-cool retro kinda sound unsuccessfully, but these guys have captured the essence of that classic proto-thrash sound - and they're from Canada.

Separating their obvious influence from the work at hand, Bangers II: Scum of the Earth makes for a great second album full of high energy tunes that rock from start to finish. Seriously, these dudes don't let up from the first note to the last, and it's the total old school thrill ride that makes you want to dig out your old skateboard and put on your Chuck Taylors.  You won't find Kirk Hammett-style licks here in the solos - in fact, some of the playing actually sounds a little sloppy in the best way - and the totally raw recording style makes the whole thing feel like you're in some small, beer-stained club thrashing with your best friends from high school. Admittedly, there are a couple of zigs and zags in the mix, like the 70s keyboard bit near the end of Gate Creeper, but overall, if you're a fan of the early 80s American metal sound, you must check these guys out.

The Bottom Line: Metalheads of a Certain Age will surely want to dust off their sleeveless denim jackets and mosh with abandon to the likes of Barn Burner. This is some great old school West Coast metal. Into the pit!

- Genghis would love to see an old school show again...

Mörglbl - Brutal Romance

Holy crap, Christophe can play. And it's the best kind, where it's heavy, melodic and appropriately self-aware.Man, I love me some crazy instrumental guitar. And damn if Christophe Godin isn't a bona fide phenomenon much in the vein of Matthias Eklundh or Steve Vai. Not to take away from his unique style, but like the aforementioned six (or seven, in some cases) string wizards, all of the ingredients you'd expect in an amazing instrumental guitar album are here with a [seemingly obligatory] Zappa-esque sense of humor and rule-bending in the service of musical virtuosity. You could call it jazz metal if you like, but to be fair, there's lots of things you could call this music and still not encompass all that's on display here.

Amidst all of the insane fretboard gymnastics, the rock solid rhythym section of Ivan Rougny (bass) and Aurelian Ouzoulias (drums) hold everything together (kind of like a cargo net trap dropped over a raging lion) making it work much to the thrill of shred-loving listeners. If you're still wondering what to make of it, uhhh, think along the lines of Primus meets...Bill Frisell?

The Bottom Line: Godin and company have made a fine guitar instrumental album that rightly takes its place amongst other such instrumental luminaries' works, such as [Steve Vai's] Passion and Warfare, while still managing to blow me away with incredible technique.

Tracks That Make You Say "Damn!" on Several Ocassions: Gnochhis on the Block, Le Surfer D'Argentine, Fidel Gastro

- Genghis nearly had finger cramps trying to air guitar to this one...

True Witness - The Human Condition

True Witness is new quartet from the Chicago area.  The band boasts that they are a pure metal band and a force to be reckoned with.  To be honest, I thought these were pretty bold statements from a new comer, and wondered if they could back it up.  If you look at the packaging of their debut CD The Human Condition, as well as the photo in the back booklet, you start to get a little concerned, because it wasn't much to shake a stick at.  I mean, I know most newer bands are on a budget, so rather than spending tons on the packaging, all they can do is just let the music do the talking, and talking it does.  I have to say I was very surprised by this one.  The band sounds good mixing the heavy with some intoxicating melodies.

The Human Condition is a 10 tracker, of the best that the band can offer.  The songs are catchy and stick with you.  The first track to grab me was the Disturbed-esque The Face of Evil.  It starts with a classic metal type riff ala Overkill, courtesy of guitarist Randy Gonnet.  After that, they kind of go into a Disturbed vibe with vocalist Allen James, evoking his best David Draiman.   The cool thing about this band, is that they have the ability to mold classic metal with the modern era.  Another standout track is the dark ballad Walking the Dead, which has a cool Nevermore feel to it.  Killer track.  All in all a solid release.  If I had one critique it would be that the production could be a little stronger, but that is about it.

Bottom Line: New Comers show that they can live up to their press release.  Solid metal release with a nice variety of tunes that will stick with you.

Standout Tracks: The Face of Evil, High Time, Walking With the Dead,Tell Me.

-Ragman was surprised by this one, in a good way.