Top Albums to Check out This Week & Some you Shouldnt

Top Albums to Check out this week:

Ringworm “Scars”

 

-Metallic Hardcore Heavyweights, a must check out for any fan of the genre. This album is just what I hoped it would be and its equally as good as “The Promise”.

Marduk “Iron Dawn EP”

-Although after multiple listens I still think this EP is far superior to many Black metal releases this year and its only 13 minutes long, chalk that up to me being into faster black metal I suppose.

(The Entire EP for your Enjoyment)

Harm’s Way “Isolation”

-I have to admit, Harm’s way is a band that although I’ve followed I haven’t kept up with lately (or at least since their previous album, “No gods No masters” but this is definitely a step up from that. Purely outright aggressive stuff but not so generic you should overlook it.  They’re music is similar to Xibalba’s latest album which I reviewed not long ago.

Weekend Nacho’s “Worthless”

-Another great hardcore release this year, although its kind of late in the running to be suggesting this album since it was released in May, but it is completely worth picking up though.

 "Every one of these albums will make you act like this dude"

Stay Away from these:

I Wrestled a Bear Once “Ruining it for Everybody”

-I had high hopes for this record being as I somewhat enjoyed their last album but either this is way to out there for me or it just sucks, possibly the former though more than likely.

Limp Bizkit “Gold Cobra”

-Obviously if you still listen to this, there is a problem with you.

Incubus “If Not Now, When?”

-Once again I find myself scratching my head as to why an artist such as Incubus could release such garbage; it is just got mediocrity written all over it. (Even though I hate to not suggest it, it is their worst release)

Tennessee Murder Club “Carving a Legacy”

-I read recently that this band is “Disgustingly Sick Nasty Brutal” not to mention with such a winner of a name, how could u go wrong? Watch some of their videos, they’re horrid.

And I leave you with my most anticipated upcoming release:

Opeth “Heritage”

The best part about this is that, its impossible to even find an audio sample, but I can’t wait either way.

Pre-Order’s just went up as of the 21^st of July.

Xibalba "Xibalba" 2011

Artist: Xibalba
Album: Xibalba
Genre: Beatdown Hardcore

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/placeoffear

Tracklist:

1. Bright Sun
2. Madre Mia
3. Never Kneel
4. Fallen
5. Time's Up
6. We Deserve To Die
7. Red
8. Obituary
9. Cold
10. Cursed
11. Spanish Harlem
12. Salvation

Last.fm: Xibalba is a Heavy Hardcore/Metal band from Pomona California. They are influenced by Disembodied, Morbid Angel, Martyr A.D., Santa Sangre, Bloodlet, Obituary, Crowbar, Unbroken, Earth Crisis, Downset, Overcast, and Sepultura.

Overall Sound: Heavy Hardcore? I personally haven’t seen that description before but either way, Xibalba’s sound can be summed up with one word….”IMMENSE” because it has been a long time since I have listened to a band in their genre who’s entire cd is just oozing anger this much. Xibalba’s new album is by far a top notch release from the genre of Beatdown this year. Their overall sound is down-tuned guitars mixed with harsh vocals which is nothing new to the genre but yet remains fresh in the same instance.

Guitar:  Down-tuned and pissed off is the best way to describe the guitars. Even though it seems it has been done before (which is has I know) it is still very enjoyable if you like this style of music. The last album like this I listened to if I am not mistaken was “Vow of Hatred’s Vow of Hatred” from last year which in every way is as good.

Bass: The Bass adds another great element for this band but you can feel it more than hear it if that makes any sense at all. It is basically drowned out

Drums:  Extremely too high in the mix unfortunately, but good none-the-less. The cymbals it seems weren’t mixed to be slightly below the guitar or of the same volume. So more often than not you hear the Crash cymbals hit way over the guitar which I find a bit…meh but then again others would agree that might be a central theme they enjoy about it. Donno maybe it is just me.

Vocals/Lyrics:  I love, love, love the vocals which is all harshly shouted in the entire album like many Beatdown bands. Unfortunately the lyrics take a back seat though which sucks because I had higher hopes for them after listening to this album about three times. Central themes discussed are as assumed for Beatdown bands which again…..i had higher hopes for but I guess the vocal delivery for me wins over the lyrics even though I normally spend more time trying to figure out the lyrics, but I’m at least thankful it is not in German or Russian like most Beatdown I listen too.

Overall Impression: I love the cd besides the minor nuisances I find that annoy me. For example, The movie samples between transitions are pretty unnecessary I think because the guitar would have carried the mood just fine and little stuff like the end of obituary where the guitar is all clean, just it’s a dumb idea I thought but again like I said people are probably like wow that’s so innovative or I enjoyed that, I thought it was pointless that’s all. Either way it’s a great Beatdown cd if you want pure, pissed off, American Beatdown!
 

Rating:  8.5/10

Xibalba (Full Set) from hate5six on Vimeo.