January 2008 Best Heavy Metal CDs

Oblivion Beckons is the band's third CD, and what now looks like it will be their last. Byzantine blends modern and technical metal with old school thrash. Complex, precise riffs are punctuated by extended guitar solos. Brutal and aggressive songs evolve into lengthy progressive jams. This is a band that has the discipline and chops to play very technically, and the creativity to explore their more experimental and progressive side.

Vocalist O.J. Ojeda has no problem moving from angry screams to yells to melodic vocals. Oblivion Beckons is an impressive display of musicianship and songwriting, and Byzantine's ability to pull off thrash, technical metal, prog and even an acoustic instrumental makes it a memorable and very well done CD.

Ayreon mastermind Arjen Anthony Lucassen has assembled another remarkable cast for his latest opus. Some of the vocalists that appear on the double disc CD 01011001 include Tom S. Englund (Evergrey), Jorn Lande, Hansi Kursch (Blind Guardian), Steve Lee (Gotthard), Jonas Renske (Katatonia), Anneke van Giersbergen (Ague De Annique), Simone Simons (Epica), Ty Tabor (Kings X) and more.

The songs on the CDs are extraordinarily diverse, and the plethora of guests just adds to that. Some songs are heavy, dark and bombastic, some are progressive and dreamy while others are melodic and memorable. You'll hear nearly every genre under the sun, including power metal, classical, progressive, industrial, folk, electronica and rock.

Former Marduk members Legion (vocals) and Emil (drums) have formed a new band, Devian. The Swedish group combines the extremity of Marduk with more melodic and old school influences. Ninewinged Serpent is at its core a blackened thrash album. It has fast, catchy riffs and shredding solos. Devian also incorporates death metal influences along with traditional metal melody. The songs are thick and aggressive, but also have memorable hooks. It's a great mix of brutality and accessibility.

The music has some black metal influence, but Legion's harsh vocals add even more of that vibe to the mix. Ninewinged Serpent is heavy, it's groovy and has very well-written songs. Those are ingredients for an impressive debut CD.

1995's Land Of The Free launched Gamma Ray to the forefront of the power metal genre. More than a decade later, they have released Land Of The Free II. It remains faithful to the original, with a similar songwriting vibe. It's better than the band's last few albums, with really catchy melodies and memorable hooks.

Gamma Ray keeps the music pretty focused, and even when the songs creep past the six minute mark they manage to keep from sounding overindulgent. Kai Hansen has one of the best voices in metal, and he displays his usual power and range. Land Of The Free II doesn't quite surpass the original, but it is still a very engaging and enjoyable power metal album.

Into Abaddon is the second CD from Saviours. The band combines the downtuned heaviness of doom metal with the twin guitar attack of New Wave Of British Heavy Metal and throws in other influences like classic rock, thrash, stoner metal and even a dash of punk and black metal.

The heart of Saviours songs are the giant guitar riffs. Those thick riffs combined with shredding old school style solos are a lethal combination. Lengthy songs allow for extended instrumental sections and a variety of tempos and styles within each track. Heavy, groovy and catchy as hell, Into Abaddon takes you on a musical ride from the '60s to today, and you'll enjoy it every step of the way.