Axattack - S/T

From the moment Axattack's self-titled debut starts, you know exactly what you're about to do: thrash! I mean it, break out your white Reebok classics, your bullet belt, and your battle vest because it's time to get toxic wasted! Speedy riffs, "noodly" (yet tasteful; almost "Burton-esque") bass lines, and screeching wails gallop along as the drums pound like jackhammers.

This album doesn't slow down at all until about 2 minutes into the third song, and that's only to create a better dynamic when the solo comes blazing through the mix. This is really legit, it's even got the punk feel creeping in on "Never Again", and "Repent". I would also like to point out that Axattack's full length debut doesn't feel "retro" at all. This doesn't sound like some guys trying to reimagine Slayer. This is a true "power trio" bent on making the world ask "who the fuck is Slayer?"

This is stripped-down, straight-forward thrash metal for people who miss the good ol' days when metal didn't seem like pop music for wannabe tough guys in affliction shirts. Crack open a 40, and crank this album until your square-ass neighbors call the cops; then turn it up louder!

Gravehuffer - Your Fault

Gravehuffer is basically what happens when you take a handful of guys that are into virtually every style of heavy metal, and put them in a band. This album, their second full length, "Your Fault" starts off sounding a bit like 90s hardcore, kinda like Bloodlet or maybe Botch. This is off-putting to some, but I'm totally into odd timings, and crunchy, palm-muted riffs. Kinda death metal, kinda hardcore; nice start.

As the album progresses, you hear plenty of crust punk, d-beat, bottle-smashing skate punk (it's not really a genre) mixed with classic death metal. The comparisons to the heyday of Earache Records are absolutely fitting. In addition, you can catch a few traditional metal passages. For some reason I think of "...And Justice For All" when the dual guitar stuff comes in, and the lone falsetto wail is a nice touch. There's not a whole lot more to say, this is no-frills, punk-influenced death metal.

Take Discharge, Entombed, and a dash of Fates Warning, throw it in a blender with a little beer so it mixes smoothly, and you get something like this album. Technically, I guess you could call it deathcore because of the mash-up of genres, but there aren't any chugga-ch-chug-ch-chug-chug breakdowns. "Your Fault" is a solid sophomore release that shows a band with limitless potential.

Pale Ritual - Carriers of Nothing

For those of us interested in the upstate South Carolina music scene, particularly the heavy metal scene, this is a highly anticipated release. Thankfully it does not disappoint. All the delicious death metal destruction you would expect from the same 2 brothers who brought you Marrow of Earth is right here, but this time with more emotion, and sinister black metal. The vocal trade-off, and closing passage of "Artful Death Display" is as evil-sounding, and heavy as any black metal I've heard of late.

Second is the title track, a dark epic that effortlessly switches between tech death, and atmospheric black metal. These are all well put together compositions, which is to be expected from such technically proficient musicians, but doesn't cease to impress. "Blight Bearer" is equal parts pulverizing, pit-inducing power chords and beautiful, atmospheric passages with a solo that might even make you a little misty-eyed.

And then they close with "Scarlet Fever" bringing the thrash, and what is probably the closest to M.O.E. they get on this album. The overall sound of "Carriers of Nothing", is what they always wanted to do. It's brutal, melodic, raw, and emotional. As a musician, I'm over here geekin' out on these drum fills, and guitar riffs. As a listener, I'm banging my head, and holding so many invisible oranges... so many. Pale Ritual is a deeply personal project for Cameron, and Matthew Morris. I think the passion translates incredibly well, resulting in a stellar heavy metal album that serves as both a goodbye to S.C., and the start of something new. Something truly great.