Children Of Bodom - Halo Of Blood

Children of Bodom are one of the few metal bands who actually sound like they’re having fun being a metal band. Not that other bands aren’t having fun, but how many other bands use keyboards as giddily, or scream lyrics as hilariously straight forward as Bodom?(A real lyric: “Would you ever really think that I dug you, hit me with a shovel if I do,” from the just as humorously/awesomely named “Shovel Knockout.”) They never reach Iced Earth or Blind Guardian levels of cheese (of which I’m grateful), but there is a lightness to Bodom that’s refreshing. Because any humor and lack of pretense is a rarity in the metal scene, their latest album, Halo Of Blood, is a bit of a letdown. It’s not a terrible record, but here they play a little “heavier” and more seriously than in the past and in the meantime lose what makes them unique.

Dark Tranquility - Construct

Dark Tranquillity’s first LP was released in 1993. That makes it a 20 years difference between then and the release of their newest album, Construct. This is a notable not just because that’s a long ass time to be in a band (especially a death metal band), but also because in that time not one of their albums has been a huge disappointment. They have been a remarkably consistent band, in more ways than one. Not only has the quality of their output been solid, but their sound has almost remained unchanged since their inception. I say “almost” because lately they have been a bit less aggressive than past endeavors, and are playing with a roomier, slower sound. That trend continues on Construct.  

The Ocean - Pelagial

The Ocean have been around for a while now (their first EP Fogdiver was released in 2003), and with that time has come slow but steady musical growth.  They’ve improved over the course of each album, and their latest release Pelagial is certainly their most accomplished record.  Those who have followed them through the career up to now are sure to enjoy what they have to offer here.  That being said, this wasn’t the easiest album for me to enjoy, and I tried REAL hard to like this one.  I swayed between hating it and loving it for a while, and I eventually ended up feeling something in between.

The Dillinger Escape Plan - One Of Us Is The Killer

The Dillinger Escape Plan’s fifth album “One Of Us Is The Killer” is a frustrating one. On the one hand, there are a number of the spastic, intense jams that listeners of the band have known to come and love, but on the other the band makes some very questionable moves that scar their otherwise strong track record.