http://www.roughedge.com Rough Edge reviews three new CDs each day in the hard rock, heavy metal and punk rock genres. en-us http://roughedge.com/images/remainlogohhp.gif http://www.roughedge.com For more CD Reviews, visit roughedge.com. http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/m/myheroisme.htm North Carolina's My Hero is Me mesh rock, metal, and hardcore for that all too familiar sound countless bands employ. Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:03:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/m/myheroisme.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/k/kingsofleon.htm I tried to get into their music but it's so different I just couldn't find anything that appealed to my taste. Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:02:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/k/kingsofleon.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/m/metalchurch.htm "This Present Wasteland," the band's newest CD, shows no sign of them slowing down. Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:01:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/m/metalchurch.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/r/raunchy.htm The music is dark, loud and full of the attitude that should be on the radar of every person dedicated to heavy music. Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:09:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/r/raunchy.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/v/vader.htm The re-recordings of such death metal staples as "Sothis," "Blood of Kings," and "Dark Age" showcase a sharpened brutal edge. Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:08:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/v/vader.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/t/thosewhobringtorture.htm As good as "Tank Gasmask Ammo" is, I think it could have even been a little more aggressive and that the band could have taken even more chances. Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:07:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/t/thosewhobringtorture.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/z/zztop.htm There's not much more I can say about this CD than I said about the DVD but, having listened to this CD several times now, I can reiterate how much I enjoy the band's performance here Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:06:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/z/zztop.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/m/mushroomhead.htm Mushroomhead fans will enjoy "Volume 2" as much as they did "Volume 1." I know this because "Volume 2" is basically more of the same from the band, and that's not a bad thing. Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:05:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/m/mushroomhead.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/m/mychemicalromance.htm Some of the songs are hard rockers and a few are just noise to me. Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:04:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/m/mychemicalromance.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/c/closer.htm This CD is a decent outing, but it lacks in the areas that would cause me to want to listen to it repeatedly. Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:03:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/c/closer.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/c/cradletograve.htm This disc balances out the mix with shards of punk metal grit and thrash metal tempo blasts. Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:02:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/c/cradletograve.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/c/chevelle.htm The CD seems to get better toward the end. Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:01:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/c/chevelle.htm http://www.roughedge.com/cdreviews/w/withered.htm#folie Withered's well-balanced diet of ground-and-pound grit and sweeping grandiosity yield monstrous metal anthems Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:03:00 EDT http://www.roughedge.com/cdreviews/w/withered.htm#folie http://www.roughedge.com/cdreviews/a/alghazanth.htm Symphonic black metal merchants Alghazanth come blasting out of the gate with regal synth work and blistering guitar and drum interlockings. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:02:00 EDT http://www.roughedge.com/cdreviews/a/alghazanth.htm http://www.roughedge.com/cdreviews/a/anewrevolution.htm This experienced clan firmly exhibit a convincing wallop that's ripe for a wrestling pay-per-view endorsement. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:01:00 EDT http://www.roughedge.com/cdreviews/a/anewrevolution.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/f/f5.htm "The Reckoning" is good, but not what I hoped for and I certainly believe that this band is capable of doing something far better. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:09:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/f/f5.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/t/triumph.htm#allied I've heard Triumph called by some as "the poor man's Rush" but I give credit to both bands equally. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:08:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/t/triumph.htm#allied http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/t/triumph.htm#classics All in all, it's a musical treat from start to finish. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:07:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/t/triumph.htm#classics http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/u/uglystick.htm Blending country twang with punk rock rawness and well-placed distortion, Ugly Stick are closer in their sound to Uncle Tupelo than The Ramones. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:06:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/u/uglystick.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/b/briggs.htm The Briggs bring enough firepower for everyone at the party to get their groove on the right way. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:05:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/b/briggs.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/r/riseagainst.htm I liked this recording so much, it may not only be the best punk release of the year, it could be the simply the best recording of the year, period. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:04:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/r/riseagainst.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/r/rosetattoo.htm In a scene where so many bands try to sound and look like the real deal, it's readily apparent that Rose Tattoo are the real thing and it seems to come rather easy for them as well. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:03:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/r/rosetattoo.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/switchfoot.htm This disc has them rocking much harder. They've stripped down their sound and aimed for the post-punk crowd. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:02:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/switchfoot.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/sexdepartment.htm "S.E.X. Department" is pure rock'n'roll candy; it goes down easy but it doesn't stick to your ribs. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:01:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/sexdepartment.htm http://www.roughedge.com/cdreviews/t/transistortransistor.htm New Hampshire quartet Transistor Transistor return with a stirring one-two punch of angular hardcore and menacing punk rock with "Ruined Lives." Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:03:00 EDT http://www.roughedge.com/cdreviews/t/transistortransistor.htm http://www.roughedge.com/cdreviews/e/endofthecentury.htm Tinny guitars, stock arrangements, and overwrought devices are milked to excess here, making this disc a frustrating listen from start to finish. Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:02:00 EDT http://www.roughedge.com/cdreviews/e/endofthecentury.htm http://www.roughedge.com/cdreviews/i/ironmaiden.htm If you're an Iron Maiden fan, you already have all of the music included on this CD so it's an unnecessary addition to your collection. Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:01:00 EDT http://www.roughedge.com/cdreviews/i/ironmaiden.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/w/edgarwinter.htm Buoyed by guest appearances (Slash, Clint Black, Johnny Winter), "Rebel Road" is a terrific album from beginning to end. Sat, 25 Oct 2008 12:03:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/w/edgarwinter.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/c/clash.htm Joe Strummer reportedly discovered these tapes during a house move so now we get an official release which allows us enjoy to enjoy the ferocity, diversity and instantly catchy approach of the Clash. Sat, 25 Oct 2008 12:02:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/c/clash.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/j/journey.htm#arrival Short of the familiar guitar and strong rhythm section, the songs (except for a few) are really watered down. Sat, 25 Oct 2008 12:01:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/j/journey.htm#arrival http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/a/acdc.htm#blacksm "Black Ice" is very much the work of AC/DC: hard-driving and it truly sounds better when the volume is set to loud! Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:09:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/a/acdc.htm#blacksm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/a/acdc.htm#blackrsb Packed to the gills with killer riffs, driving rhythms, raunchy solos and Brian Johnson's trademarked crunchy gravel vocals, "Black Ice" delivers exactly what AC/DC fans have been waiting almost a decade for. Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:08:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/a/acdc.htm#blackrsb http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/n/nosound.htm This effort from Nosound, titled "Lightdark," is something that I was completely unaware of. As a joint effort by K-Scope and Burning Shed I figured it was of high quality - and it is. Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:07:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/n/nosound.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/jeffscheetz.htm Jeff plays with tons of emotion and fire. He can shred like Jason Becker and pick acoustics as well. Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:06:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/jeffscheetz.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/h/houseoflords.htm Fat with melody and still chunky enough to count as a "hard rock" record, "Come to My Kingdom" delivers thirteen irresistible tracks perfectly suited to fans of the classic rock sound of Whitesnake, Deep Purple and, yes, House of Lords. Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:05:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/h/houseoflords.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/g/gojira.htm Much like the giant monster they are named after, Gojira triumphantly stomp their way forward, only they do it with an arsenal of death, thrash and hardcore here on their fourth album. Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:04:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/g/gojira.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/b/richardbarbieri.htm The best aspect of the disc is that it displays Barbieri's songwriting skills. "Stranger Inside" also shows the depth of sonic resources Barbieri has at his disposal. Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:03:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/b/richardbarbieri.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/staind.htm Fans who want to spend a night in misery should look no further that Staind for their pity party music. Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:02:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/staind.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/a/acdc.htm#no Although AC/DC give us a lot of their classics here and the fans are really into it, I still got the impression that the band was running a little sluggish throughout the show. Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:01:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/a/acdc.htm#no http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/scaredstiffs.htm Loaded with titles like "Dirt Nappin'" "Dead Girls are Easy," and "Let's Put the F-U-N in Funeral," "The Last Horror Movie" is tongue-in-cheek lyrically and also somewhat musically as well. The songs are often built around faux pop sensibilities and then given a shot of macabre horror rock atmosphere that makes the gruesome lyrics even more amusing. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:18:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/scaredstiffs.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/d/dropalive.htm The Italian band Drop Alive and their self-titled debut are a fresh breath of rock'n'roll air. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:17:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/d/dropalive.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/v/vanightmare.htm "Nightmare Revisited" is twenty tracks of modern artists trying their hand at performing Elfman's songs from the film. Sadly, only about half of them are successful. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:16:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/v/vanightmare.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/r/roller.htm Slip Roller's "Candy It Up" into your CD player and let the pure 80s rock'n'roll flow over you like a sticky musical syrup. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:15:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/r/roller.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/f/faithfull.htm Music that sounds great with foot-stomping hooks, plenty of chord action and power ballads combined with high energy vocals make Faithfull a force and sound to be enjoyed over and over again. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:14:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/f/faithfull.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/k/knightsoftheabyss.htm "Shades" continues along the same path with similarly sweeping Swedish metal guitar runs and venomous vocal vitriol buzzing through tracks like "Don't Feed the Heathens," "The Penalty of the Tyrant," and the Black Dahlia Murder-influenced "Dis Unveiled." Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:13:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/k/knightsoftheabyss.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/m/tommorello.htm "The Fabled City" is heartfelt, powerful and full of life. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:12:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/m/tommorello.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/h/hellyeah.htm While researching these guys I found that they don't really like to call themselves a "supergroup," they just happen to be a bunch of guys who came together to create some brutal music. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:11:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/h/hellyeah.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/sleepytimegorillamuseum.htm Diversity, pageantry, drama, and parody are all here for (not so easy) digesting. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:10:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/sleepytimegorillamuseum.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/t/tuner.htm The songs on "Totem" are expansive and exploratory whereas on "Pole" the songs were for the most part shorter and more focused. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:09:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/t/tuner.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/m/modestmouse.htm "Good News for People Who Love Bad News" has an odd style that could be found on a Talking Heads album. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:08:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/m/modestmouse.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/w/wallsofjericho.htm Walls of Jericho rip into this one like they have something to prove and maybe they felt that way after some of the responses to "Redemption." Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:07:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/w/wallsofjericho.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/k/kamelot.htm For those that didn't get enough the first time around, prog metal masters Kamelot have repackaged their disc "Ghost Opera" with some bonus material, including videos, four new studio cuts, and ten live tracks recorded from a very loud crowd in Serbia. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:06:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/k/kamelot.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/m/moonspell.htm Thanks in part to exceptional production by metal guru Tue Madsen, Portuguese metal giants Moonspell have struck the perfect balance of clarity and brutality on their latest endeavor, "Night Eternal." Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:05:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/m/moonspell.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/g/grave.htm Twenty years in and still as extreme as their early days, this truculent crew returns in fine fighting form, ready to go into metal combat with the vitriolic virtue and fortified firepower that has rendered them one of Swedish elite death metal's forces. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:04:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/g/grave.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/r/red.htm The music is heavy and the guitar smashes through the ghostly sounding orchestra that fills in each interlude. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:03:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/r/red.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/r/toddrundgren.htm I had just about written this off as a mediocre album at best, but then the final three tracks "Mountaintop," "Panic" and "Manup" all show a sense of purpose and control that was lacking on the previous ten tracks. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:02:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/r/toddrundgren.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/p/poison.htm This live album doesn't have the fire of the band's double CD, "Swallow This Live." Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:01:00 EDT http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/p/poison.htm