GROSS MISCONDUCT - THE PROCESS OF INDOCTRINATION (Indie)
With the Canadian heavy metal scene and it's always growing hardcore/diehard fanbase it's not hard to see that a band such as Vancouver, B.C.'s Gross Misconduct would be such a great fit within the music itself and it's culture.
Gross Misconduct tear into your flesh right from the opening track "The War Breeds on" with it's break neck speed and killer solo's. This is not just a typical Speed metal band looking to write songs just for their love of Heavy Metal, they are a band who is many years ahead of their game and it shows as they blend a unique arsenal of technical death/Thrash metal with an open melodic style to boot.
Some may agree that they also seem to feed off of the montreal metal scene or just the swedish heavy metal scene over seas but they definitely stay true to their roots as early Metallica, Megadeth, Testament and Slayer were heavy on the bands mind when they decided to put together this soon to be next 'big thing' in Canadian Death/Thrash metal.Gross Misconduct will be seen and heard around the globe someday soon on that metal mountain top shared by bands such as Napalm Death, Carcass, Obituary & Death and when they finally reach their potential lookout for headlining world tours at a sold out arena near you.
Metal Mike..........................................................9/10
Gross Misconduct
ARMORY - THE DAWN OF ENLIGHTENMENT (Indie)
Due to the lack of intelligent and diverse Power metal bands in North America today, one would think that the scene seems non existent since not many american bands of this genre have been able to break free and have the success of say Iced Earth or Jag Panzer. Trends like this never stay the same and some band will one day reach that powerful status. Amory is a band who come from Townsend, Massachusetts who decided to release their debut album, a true blend of power metal full of speed, blistering solo's, melodies and hooks to go along with a good range of vocal styles. Armory reminds you a little of everything European/American power metal has to offer from Edguy to Blind Guardian to Steel Prophet and more as they focus on creating their own sound.
Guitarists Joe Kurland and Chad Fisher along with Peter Rutcho on keyboards take the bands sound to another level unlike what you tend to hear from a band like dragonforce who really rely heavily on guitar solo's that go over as predictable in it's overall music. Armory tends to get a little repetitive at times early on but as you go further into The Dawn Of Enlightenment songs like "Warrior Forlorn" "Forged In Dragon Flames" and the title track all show what Armory has to offer along with Adam Kurland on vocals they could just have a shot at doing what some of the other bands mentioned above have already done in their careers as Armory gains a little experience in the years to come with more releases on the horizon. You never know who will be next. Armory has the talent to put it all together.
Metal Mike...............................................................8.5/10
Armory
CONFLICTED - JULY 25TH 2009 ROCK AND ROLL HEAVEN, TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA (Live Review)
Conflicted is a local Toronto Hard Rock/Metal band whose members are made up of mostly veterans from the metal scene since the early 90’s who recently formed this band and are not afraid to play music which they enjoy. Groove oriented, classic metal vocals/ guitar solo’s that shred yet with a modern hard rock/ metal sound and rhythm section.
When they are not imitating Judas Priest, as they did later on this evening (A tribute known as The Ripper) they first hit the stage with some of us wondering what could we expect? Yet when I first heard what Conflicted sounded like one thing is certain, they are one of the few true original local acts around these days that seem to love what they do as they try to get the attention of fans whom unfortunately these days feel that a jukebox playing classics is the only way to enjoy your weekends. That is definitely not the case with Conflicted and that’s something all fans who came out on this night should appreciate. Guitarist Mark Owen’s influence leans heavily on fret burner Yngwie Malmsteen and seems to add a little groove on the side of former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Jake E. Lee as mark delivers a style you don’t see in hard rock/ metal especially anyplace in southern Ontario today.
Conflicted blends elements from such bands as Savatage, Judas Priest, Rainbow, Ronnie James Dio and Rob Halford which vocalist Jason Orton does very well and with ease as they are still able to maintain their own sound from the rhythm section which separates them from everyone else.
During Conflicted’s half hour set, some of the tracks that stood out most were “Sick”, “The Hand Of God” and final song of the night “Victor Victoria” which I felt they saved the best for last.
Overall this turned out to be a good night for all involved and for those in attendance who got to see an impressive original act who should get more attention in the future. If you have the chance to see this band, make sure you do since its bands like Conflicted who are the future of this business pounding out original music because one day something has to give, and things will change for the better.
Metal Mike...............................................................8/10
Conflicted
DESTROYER 666 - DEFIANCE (Season Of Mist)
Since forming in 1994 Australia’s Destroyer 666 has gone through some lineup changes that may not have affected the band musically but instead has helped them carry on through the worst of times.
That could have been just what they needed as most of their long time die hard fans would either agree or disagree with previous releases. Yet this one called Defiance is decked out with some serious blackened Thrash and ferocious riffs all put together through great production values as each track complements the other well displaying its own diversity and technique.
Some songs grasp onto a technical death feel but still able to blow you away as they deliver the goods. Brutal riff after brutal riff puts Destroyer 666 Defiance up there for album of the year. Defiance is recommended for those who are fans of Destruction, Dismember and Dying Fetus, the triple D of annihilation for your listening pleasure.Sometimes it’s not hard to spot a talented band who deserves to be on the main stage for the rest of its career as Destroyer 666 deserves that as much as anyone, especially those who go through so many changes over the years yet are still able to create great songs even with so many changes within that for most bands would ruin things forever. Thankfully, Destroyer 666 Defiance outplays and outlasts in everyway you could ever think of. Worth your time and much more.
Metal Mike...............................................................8.5/10
Destroyer 666
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