The Contortionist – Exoplanet

If you remember a little while ago one of the first reviews I ever did for Metal Pulse was The Contortionist’s “Apparition” and I spoke highly of it, so I had high expectations for this full length. I was definitely not let down at all.

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Pestifer – Age of Disgrace

So today I checked out Age of Disgrace, the debut full-length album of Belgian death-metallers Pestifer, a release influenced quite a bit by old-school Death and Atheist and destined to please fans of all things tech-death and progressive. It may not be what you expect, but still worth it.

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Allegaeon – Fragments of Form and Function

Metal Blade’s newest release comes to us in the form of Allegaeon’s (pronounced uh-lee-juhn) debut album Fragments of From and Function. This is a band that is destined to push the melo-death genre to new heights, releasing a debut that delivers everything metal fans love.

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Nevermore-The Obsidian Conspiracy

In the years following the towering success of “This Godless Endeavour,” the Nevermore legend has grown to titannic proportions. Despite the absolute certainty of its greatness, “The Obsidian Conspiracy” still needs a quick perusal.

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The 25th Hour – Monsters

The 25th Hour are an instrumental prog metal trio from San Diego, California. Their newest album titled “Monsters” can be described as if The Fall Of Troy had a love child with After The Burial. Maybe a splash of Behold… The Arctopus in there too. Heavy, intense, groovy, and ambient.

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Haunted Shores/Cyclamen Split EP

I find it amazing that two bands from two ends of the earth can create similar music with distinct differences and manage to find each other and do a split and to top it off, have the perfect visual aid for the audio. Both bands are tapping the same infinite stream of creative energy. Their music compliments one another perfectly.

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Six-Point Lead – General Anaesthesia EP

Six Point Lead is a collective project by members of Disarmonia Mundi, Dying Awkward Angel, and T3chn0ph0b1a to create music of a more melodic nature in the style of modern American metal which was released as an EP in late 2009.

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Haunted Shores Interview

Earlier this week I was lucky enough to have done an interview with Mark Holcomb and Chris Barretto of Haunted Shores. We touch on everything from music to giant chicken-beasts! Enjoy!

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Finnish Metal Tour f/ Finntroll, Moonsorrow, Swallow the Sun

Finntroll returns to North America with fellow countrymen Moonsorrow and Swallow The Sun in one of the most impressive tours in a long while.

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Periphery – Self Titled

Album cover This album is everything I’d expect and more. The solid trio of guitarists, Misha Mansoor, Alex Bois and Jake Bowen, make shredding solos and amazing harmonies and rhythms that puts the Djenty trio in the record books. The solid vocal range of newest member Spencer Sotelo is perfect for Periphery’s fresh new sound as is the sporadic thudding of drummer Matt Helpern. All members bring something different to the metal scene and I couldn’t be happier than to watch this band skyrocket.

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