2006 was a very strong year for heavy metal. How will 2007 fare? Only 1 CD released in January of last year made my year end Top 20 list, so the year did get off to a fairly slow start. I think this January is about the same. There were a few very good releases and a lot of average ones. Here are my top 5 releases for January, 2007.
1. Melechesh - Emissaries (The End)
Melechesh is a band with a unique and instantly recognizable sound, and their fourth CD is their strongest so far. The band has been around for a while, having formed in Jerusalem back in 1993. Their sound combines melodic black metal with middle eastern instruments and has been dubbed "Mesopotamian Metal." Emissaries is highly diverse and highly accessible, probably the most accessible album Melechesh has done. They blend really catchy thrash riffs with black metal.Read the complete Melechesh review
2. Coldworker - The Contaminated Void (Relapse)
The Contaminated Void is mainly melodic death metal with elements of grindcore and thrash mixed in. It's extreme and intense with plenty of crushing blast beats and frenzied tempos, but there are also a lot of really melodic riffs. The vocals are typical death metal cookie monster style. Coldworker rips through 14 tracks in just under 40 minutes. Each song is compact and destructive, and there is a surprising amount of variety. They vary styles and tempos and make this a very listenable CD, even though it is extremely brutal and aggressive.Read the complete Coldworker review
3. Firewind - Allegiance (Century Media)
Firewind's latest effort is the first with new vocalist Apollo Papathanasio. The Greek power metal band has created their most wide ranging and diverse album to date. Allegiance has a lot of up-tempo and polished power metal songs that are really melodic and catchy but still have a bit of an edge. There's also a ballad or two and a few mid-tempo AOR/melodic rock style tracks. The CD has a lot of really memorable choruses and strong hooks.Read the complete Firewind review
4. Trail Of Tears - Existentia (Napalm)
The songs on the album are dense and melodic. Keyboards and synth set a dark atmosphere while thrash infused guitars add a dose of heaviness. While the arrangements do get complex with a lot of layers and different instruments, Trail Of Tears never loses sight of the most important part of the song: the hook. And these songs are packed with catchy hooks and choruses.Read the complete Trail Of Tears review
5. This Ending - Inside The Machine (Metal Blade)
This Ending is actually the reincarnation of A Canorous Quintet, who released a few albums in the '90s before disbanding in 1998. Inside The Machine is first rate melodic death metal. This Ending picked up right where A Canorous Quintet left off, with really melodic and catchy guitar riffs and a healthy dose of aggression. They also incorporate thrash into their sound. There's a strong element of technicality in addition to the bone crushing brutality.Read the complete This Ending review
