Pads & Panels

Best of 2011 – Archie’s Music Picks

 

The Best

Evanescence – Evanescence (Wind-up)

Evanescence’s newest self titled album is more of a return to form rather than a reimagining of their sound. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as their more subdued last album, The Open Door, was a bit of a departure from what fans of the band’s breakout hit “Fallen” had come to expect. Songs like “The Change” are laced with the Amy Lee’s signature melodic vocals, heavy drum beats and rich guitar-laden tracks, all while maintaining a generally uptempo sound. While it’s great that the band has returned to their trademark sound, there are a few of songs that sound similar to each other. That being said, this is still a great album and a must-have for fans. (more…)

Best of 2011 – Eric’s Music Picks

 

The Best

Devin Townsend Project – Deconstruction (HevyDevy/InsideOut Music)

To describe Deconstruction in a nutshell is an impossible thing to do, as it is one of the most bizarre metal albums of the year, and likely the most avant-garde piece of music that Devin Townsend has released yet. Throwing together everything plus the kitchen sink, all forms of metal show their faces in this showing, from progressive to black to death and everything in between, not to mention the backing of the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as guest vocals by some of the greatest vocalists in extreme metal. It’s not for everyone, but it more than proves that Townsend’s creative wellspring is far from run dry. (more…)

Artist: Bury Your Dead

Album Title: Mosh ‘n’ Roll

Record Label: Mediaskare Records

Rating:

Review by: Eric Stuckart

I’m not gonna lie, I enjoy the simple thrills that a good metalcore or hardcore band can bring to the stage, even if the songwriting is a little on the simple side. Sometimes, really stripped down, no-frills hardcore can be good for the soul. It is for me, at least. You can just sit there, turn off your brain and just roll with it.

For a while when I was younger, Bury Your Dead was that band for me. Not as thoroughly pissed and serious as Hatebreed or Madball, and definitely not as militantly straightedge as many of these types of bands tend to be; they just hit the spot. Their mosh-centric approach was littered with breakdowns, making it great for letting off steam, whether it was in the pit, driving in bad traffic or at the gym. (more…)

Artist: Protest the Hero

Album Title: Scurrilous

Label: Vagrant Records

Rating:

Review by: Eric Stuckart

Very much like chugging an energy drink after fiending for a few hours, Scurrilous jumps out of the gate and down the listener’s throat, galloping at a million miles a second and racing through his veins like he’s never really experienced. Alright, perhaps I’m exaggerating just a tiny bit, but this album pretty much kicked my ass all over the place in a way I never really expected. (more…)