For over a decade, Illinois' LOW TWELVE have been hiding in the underground, emerging on occasion to share the stage with the likes of GWAR and PRO-PAIN. On their latest release, SPLATTER PATTERN (their first on their own DBC records), the band takes a thematic approach to their diabolic and drudging sound. Opening with "Stain," the concept of the Splatter Pattern is explained through spoken word as a virtual map of devastation, death, and chaos left behind through the actions of man. BLASPHEMOUS - BEARER OF THE DARKEST PLAGUES (Review)
Written by James Zahn
If your darkened heart burns with the feverish desire for some new death metal that recalls the early 90's Florida scene, then BLASPHEMOUS has something for you. With BEARER OF THE DARKEST PLAGUES (out now via BAAR/FORCES OF SATAN), the band has crafted a 10-track, 55-minute set of straight-up old school death metal. 
ANEW REVOLUTION released their latest album iMERICA last week via E1 Music, and after sitting on it for a week I'm still not sure who the audience for this is.
The album opens with the rather bland "Broken Bones," which sounds exactly like the same generic "hard rock" you can hear in bars across the country on any given weekend. For the next 42 minutes, things don't get much better.
The thing about a DANZIG record that happens to be both beautiful, and problematic, is that every Danzig record sounds like a Danzig record. Regardless of which players happen to be in the studio or on the stage with Danzig at any given time, they always seem to have little-to-no influence in the overall sound of the band. On their latest effort, DETH RED SABAOTH (due out June 22 on The End Records), the band - singer/songwriter Glenn Danzig, along with PRONG mainman Tommy Victor once again on guitar, and TYPE O NEGATIVE drummer Johnny Kelly (Glenn played bass on the album) find themselves in traditional territory that's bound to please longtime fans. 
Although the album has been out for a couple of weeks now, a copy of FEVER just arrived on my desk this past week. I have to be honest and admit that I'd not been very familiar with BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE in the past. Aside from hearing a few tracks here and there, I'd never picked up a BFMV album. In fact, the thing I remember most about the band is their "war of words" with ROB ZOMBIE back in 2006. Ultimately, there was no real reason why I'd not delved into their back catalog, but based on what I've been spinning in constant rotation the past few days, that will change.
There's a good chance you've never heard of NITROMINDS. The Brazilian trio has been cranking out music with an old-school punk vibe since the mid-90's, and while known in their homeland and having toured Europe extensively, they've never really made a huge splash here in the 'States. Earlier this spring, the band released KILL EMO ALL - a full album of cover tunes that despite bearing a METALLICA-inspired title and artwork, contains no Metallica cover. What you will find, however is a stellar set that manages to pay tribute to SACRED REICH, DOWN BY LAW, PENNYWISE, and more. Intrigued yet?