So it looks as if there is going to be quite the amount of hard rock/ heavy metal coming your way this week. I have covered a few of these albums and (personally) listened to a few of them as well. All I got to say is you'll be glad to head down to your local record store or online retailer to grab a few or all of them.
Between the new All That Remains, HIM & Megadeth's anniversary collection(s), newly formed Geoff Tate (and his version of Queensryche), the farewell album of Underoath or the brain frying tech metal of War From A Harlots Mouth, there should be more than enough of a selection for you to get through the rest of your work week, or at least till next Tuesday when the next batch comes out.
Anyways, check out the reviews, sample the albums and enjoy!
"It's not that Aerosmith's first studio album of all-new material in 11 years doesn't rock. It's loud, brash and proves that vocalist Steven Tyler can still yelp (and occasionally sing), the dueling guitars of Joe Perry and Brad Whitford can still find big blues-based riffs, and drummer Joey Kramer still hits hard, keeping pace with bassist Tom Hamilton." -LA Times
"This review may have made this record sounds very bland, but it’s definitely not. I will hand it to All That Remains for attempting to play a genre that hasn’t yet been beaten like a dead horse. A War You Cannot Win is considerably one of the top releases in the band’s discography, but it definitely leaves room for more to be desired through more deep and unique tracks that have more substance and texture than what’s shown with this release." -Under The Gun
I’d have to say that the band picked the correct songs to put on this album. I consider a good choice for the band to include a new song in the track list to give their older fan base a taste of their future releases, however I would recommend this album more to people who are first discovering the band. It’s a good album to help decide whether this band is for you or not." -Examiner
"Post-metal pioneers Isis, who broke up in 2010, will be sorely missed, a fact they reinforce with Temporal, a posthumous double-disc (plus DVD) full of pristine demos and other rarities. Aficionados will love picking out the differences between these early takes and the final album mixes: 'Ghost Key' is instrumental here and the chirpy keyboards are missing, while 'Carry' adds high-hat taps and more pronounced swells of guitar. But the album highlight is the completely new 'Grey Divide,' a 16-minute thrill ride of tribal clamor and chiming atmospherics that illustrates what separated Isis from most post-metal bands—the need to push boundaries and the ability to mesmerize while doing so." -Revolver
Megadeth was in top form, with Mustaine, the band’s then 31-year-old singer and guitarist leading the album’s assault with lyrics like "You know your worth when your enemies praise your architecture of aggression," not to mention his venomous rhythm guitar attack. His band mates completed the picture, as lead guitarist Marty Friedman blazed with memorable solos, bassist David Ellefson jammed dizzying arrays of low-end thunder, and drummer Nick Menza attacked his kit. Megadeth sounded hungry, and the band was rewarded when the album earned a GRAMMY Award nomination (Best Metal Performance) and when its title cut garnered a Genesis Award from the Humane Society for raising awareness for animal rights issues." -Ultimate Guitar
"'Sounds Like Armageddon' is a solid live album and they should be proud to have released such a great sounding, nostalgic capturing album. I’ve seen Otep live 3 times and besides the actual show being absurdly loud, this album captures exactly what takes place during their show. If you’ve seen them live this is the perfect way to relive your experience, just press play, turn it up and enjoy." -Headbang Or GTFO
"The wordplay is inspiring, both positive and reflective, and the music is often punchy and energetic in a way that reminds me of mid-period FURTHER SEEMS FOREVER. On the second half of the disc there are some maudlin moments that wouldn’t be out of place on a JIMMY EAT WORLD album, tunes that approach balladry and stand out well against the abundant guitar shredding intensity. Amazingly, these guys are just out of high school. The extremely polished musicianship and top notch songwriting would never give you any indication of that." -Amp Magazine
"Maybe I’m bias, although considering I don’t really care too much for anything QR new or old reincarnation have to offer; I beg to differ. The thing here is that with all the bad pub that Tate has gotten as well as the other QR guys, the fans still live in the past and want music that reflects it, problem is that that ship has long sailed for all band members. The split here I hope is for the better and both parties can move on and try different things. Yes it stinks that as a family being together so many years shit hits the fan and everything burns down in flames, but this can a positive Rome wasn’t build in a day, start from scratch and dedicate yourself to the craft once more.
If you have it then it’s there no matter how uninspired it may seem, if it’s not then maybe it’s time to close the doors and give it a rest. As for Kings & Thieves is a mix bag of some good, but mostly bleak odd and plane. Is not the worst I heard from Tate, but is not something I would recommend to old QR fans. Listen and make up you own mind. I have and only thing I didn’t have to reach for is a 'puke' bag after hearing this one. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or bad that’s for YOU to decide." -My Global Mind
'Anthology 1999-2013' is Underoath s first greatest hits release. The album features familiar favorites such as Writing On The Walls, Too Bright To See, Too Loud To Hear, and A Boy Brushed Red Living In Black And White, but it also features two brand new songs that have not been previously released! Additionally, the album features a song from each of Underoath s two long out of print albums Act of Depression and Cries of the Past." -Amazon
‘Voyeur’ is one of the heaviest albums I’ve heard this year, and I doubt there will be many albums to still be released to top the ‘crushingly heavy’ level of this record. This is one of those albums that are more for all the fans, not for newcomers, although if you love your bands heavy, look no further than here." -Sludge Factory
"Overall WSS have made massive strides since 'The North Stands For Nothing' and it would be interesting to see how far they can progress. The group vocals are used very well throughout the album but can grow tiresome after a few tracks with their repeated presence, and the breakdowns are well executed if a little repetitive at times. Of course, while this is near the top of a dying genre, they'll really have to pull something out of the bag on their next album to maintain their rise." -Sputnik Music
(DVD)
"A Beary Scary Movie may be more amusing to those who are familiar with the music scene, but it’s enjoyable regardless. Even if you’re not a fan of the band's abrasive, off-kilter music, you can merely skip over the opening and closing performance sequences and still have a good time. A Beary Scary Movie's release didn't exactly come at an opportune time; despite being completed for more than a year, it's only seeing the light of day now, the week after Halloween no less. It doesn't help that Cameron left the band earlier this year either. However, it gives me hope for the new line-up to star in a sequel, which I would be (beary) happy to see." -Absolute Punk
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