New heavy metal album reviews for the week of June 10, 2014.

HeadCrusher - 'Let The Blood Run/Black Burning Skies' (Sporarecordz)

Genre: Thrash Metal/Metalcore
The Colombian band HeadCrusher are releasing their 2012 full-length Let The Blood Run and their 2013 EP Black Burning Skies together on vinyl, the first physical release for either album.

The music combines classic thrash and death metal with modern metalcore elements. The result is sometimes fast, sometimes groovy and always heavy. They insert plenty of melody as well, with twin guitars providing much of it, along with heavy riffs. The production is excellent, with both releases mixed and mastered by Tue Madson (Dark Tranquillity, The Haunted.) It's a well-played combination of old and new school that has influences from South America, Scandinavia and many other locales.

Rating: 3.5
(Chad Bowar)

Incarnated - 'Try Before Die' (Selfmadegod)

Genre: Death Metal
Eight years after their last album, the Polish death metal band Incarnated return with Try Before Die. They describe their music as "Gorephobic Slaughtering Metal."

One look at the cover art and song titles like "Zombieland" and "Bloody Hands" make that an apt description, and once the bludgeoning old-school death metal erupts, it's clear that it really fits. There's nothing complex here, just blastbeat driven extremity. It's raw and sometimes repetitive, but it gets the job done.

Rating: 3
(Chad Bowar)

Loudblast – ‘Burial Ground’ (Listenable)

Genre: Death Metal
Loudblast’s blend of thrash and death metal started as far back as 1985. Their work with legendary producer Scott Burns early in their career created two remarkable releases. France’s death metal kings are ready to unleash their seventh full-length with Burial Ground. Their classic trademark sound is present throughout the release as the band does an admirable job combining their old sound while still progressing.

The band strives for a more mid tempo vibe and unlike a lot of their peers don’t push the tempo. The doom elements of “Soothing Torments” and “The Void” are crushingly heavy. Opener “A Bloody Oath” captures the best elements of Loudblast as the song features killer tremolo picked riffs and an excellent guttural growl by Stéphane Buriez.

Rating: 3.5
(Dan Drago)

Mars Red Sky – ‘Stranded in Arcadia’ (Listenable)

Genre: Psychedelic/Stoner Metal
France’s Mars Red Sky have created a beauty with their second full length, Stranded in Arcadia. Substantial, melodic grooves intertwined with noisy, psychedelic fuzz catapult the listener on a fantastic voyage that seems never ending. Jimmy Kinast and Matgaz are the rhythm section responsible for this.

One of the first things you’ll notice, besides Julien Pras’ big fuzzy guitar riffs, are his infectious vocals. Subtle and unique, they are an absolute refreshing take on the routine barks and growls that saturate today’s heavy music scene. Listen to “Hovering Satellites,” “Seen A Ghost” and “The Light Beyond” for the best proof of this.

Rating: 4
(Ken Kopija)

Nightmare – ‘The Aftermath’ (AFM)

Genre: Heavy Metal
After releasing two albums in the mid ‘80s, France’s Nightmare called it a day until their reformation in 1999. Since then, the band has put out new releases at a consistent pace. Their latest The Aftermath is their ninth release. Since getting back together, Nightmare have relied on a formula of heavy classic driving riffs and operatic vocals by singer Jo Amore.

Amore is similar in style to legendary vocalist Ronnie Dio and ex-Nevermore singer Warrel Dane. He has an excellent range and creates a moody atmosphere with his melodies. The riffs at times are more aggressive as the band balances a fine line between classic heavy and power metal.

Rating: 3.5
(Dan Drago)

Night Ranger – ‘High Road’ (Frontiers)

Genre: Hard Rock
When I saw the words Night Ranger on the list of releases for June, I enthusiastically paused. Memories came flooding back. The last time I heard a new Night Ranger song was in 1983, so I was eager to give their new album a listen.

On their 11th studio album, High Road, Night Ranger prove that you can still rock in America. From the ballad like ditties “Only For You Only” and “Brothers,” to the pure rocking anthems “Knock Knock Never Stop” and “X Generation,” all 11 songs are radio friendly. Original guitarist Brad Gillis is still a relevant axeman, and along with other original members Jack Blades and Kelly Keagy, Night Ranger are definitely still motoring after all these years.

Rating: 3.5
(Ken Kopija)

Orange Goblin – ‘Healing Through Fire’ (Candlelight)

Genre: Stoner Metal
Originally released in 2007, Orange Goblin’s sixth release Healing Through Fire never received a proper US release, so it is being reissued with two unreleased live bonus tracks. Featuring their trademark sludge induced Black Sabbath inspired riffs and Ben Ward’s hypnotic vocals makes for one of their strongest releases. The songs are so strong many are still featured in their live set today.

Orange Goblin do an excellent job of pushing their tempos and that is prevalent throughout the record. “The Ale House Braves” is a perfect example of the energy they create. The punishing opener “The Ballad of Solomon Eagle” and the eight-minute plus blues inspired “Beginners Guide to Suicide” are two of the best songs in their extensive catalog. It’s an excellent way to whet our appetites until Orange Goblin’s latest record is released in October.

Rating: 4
(Dan Drago)

Question – ‘Doomed Passages’ (Chaos)

Genre: Death Metal
Something very wicked is happening down in Mexico. No, not drug wars. We’re talking death metal. Bands are popping up all over the country, the latest being Question, a Querétaro quartet who are releasing their debut album Doomed Passages, an occult-driven tour-de-force of sinister riffs and subterranean influence.

Doomed Passages is wracked with old school charm, taking liberal cues from Incantation and fellow countrymen Zombiefication and The Chasm. The production is thick, the songwriting is exciting and multi-faceted, and the record’s mixture of dread and doom bolsters this appreciably creative outing. It’s dank in the best way possible.

Rating: 4
(Evan Mugford)

Saor - 'Aura' (Northern Silence)

Genre: Black/Folk Metal
Less than a year after their debut album, the Scottish one-man project Saor return with Aura.

Mastermind Andy Marshall combines atmospherics with Celtic instruments such as the tin whistle, bagpipes and bodhran and blends in black metal. The five songs clock in at nearly an hour. They are epic in composition and ambition, alternating harsh black metal with sweeping atmospheric soundscapes that are often mellow and even relaxing. The arrangements are interesting with a lot of variety.

Rating: 3.5
(Chad Bowar)

Torrential Downpour - 'Truth Knowledge Vision' (Self)

Genre: Progressive Metal
There's a lot happening on Torrential Downpour's latest album Truth Knowledge Vision. The New Jersey band throws a lot of different styles into the mix.

The songs are progressive and complex. Sometimes they are technical, dense and fast, careering nearly out of control before melody sweeps in and keeps the proceedings on track. They inject spacey ambient elements and some industrial touches to give it atmosphere. Harsh and melodic vocals add to the diversity, and the only constant on this album is change. Keeping up can be a challenge, but it pays off.

Rating: 3.5
(Chad Bowar)