It’s been a while since I’ve posted music reviews. Here’s the CDs I’ve been listening to in my car for the last two months.

Megadeth – The System Has Failed
Wow! Dave Mustaine is more than twenty years into has music making career and he turns out the absolute best work of his life with his album. It’s really a Dave Mustaine solo album but the record label made him release it as a Megadeth album in order to fulfill contractual obligation. It doesn’t matter to me whose name is on it. This album rocks and has guitar solos on almost every song! Good solos. The kind that hard rock music should have. This is clearly some of the best heavy metal I’ve heard in a long long time. Just check out the fretwork on Kick the Chair. Wow!

Children of Bodom – Hate Crew Deathroll
Okay, so there’s this new breed of heavy metal and COB is supposed to be a pretty popular band in that scene. At least that’s what I’ve been reading in Guitar World. Alexi Laiho is a pretty fast guitar player but I just don’t hear anything all that interesting here. And the keyboard seems kind of out of place for this style of heavy metal.

Papa Roach – Getting Away With Murder
Papa Roach is trying to shed the Nu Metal label but… uh… that’s what they were good at. Trying to be a straight ahead rock band just isn’t working for them.

Lamb of God – As The Palaces Burn
This is one of New Breed of Heavy Metal bands that’s been getting a ton of press in the guitar magazines. While I do like the guitar playing the vocals take some getting used to. It’s not so much singing as it is screaming from your gut in such a way that it sounds like you’re tearing your throat. Not that that’s always a bad thing. There are times when that works for the music but it is an acquired taste and can take a while to get used to. Of the new heavy metal bands in this collection of review I felt Lamb of God was the weakest one. Also, I have no idea if they are a Christian band or not. I really couldn’t understand any of the lyrics!

The Killers – Hot Fuss
You’ve all heard the song. “Somebody told me you had a boyfriend that looked like a girlfriend that I had in February of last year.” Yep, it rocks in that 80’s kind of way. The rest of the album really grew on me for the last couple of months. I’m putting this on my “To Buy” list.

Killswitch Engage – End of Heartache
Another of the New Breed of Heavy Metal band. They’re pretty good. Unlike Lamb of God, most of the guitar riffs are pretty interesting to listen to. For me anyway. The vocalist is a little easier on the ears too. I actually could understand most of the lyrics. I wouldn’t recommend buying the entire album but some outstanding tracks are “Rose of Sharyn” and “Breathe Life”.

Saliva – Survival of the Sickest
If you listen to the hype these guy are single-handedly saving rock-n-roll from itself. Well, I wouldn’t go quite that far. It’s definitely good and the title track is easily one of the rockinest songs I’ve heard in a long time. A breath of fresh air. Unfortunately, the other songs, while certainly good, don’t quite live up to the same standards.

Shadows Fall – The War Within
These guys are the biggest of the New Heavy Metal groups and for a good reason. They know how to play. Musically, they are the most interesting of the new heavy metal groups. They actually play solos and… get this… harmony leads like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. I do recommend getting this whole album but… and this is a big but… if you’re not used to listening to this new style of heavy metal “singing” you’re going to need a lot of time to get used to it.

Jimmy Eat World – Futures
Considering how good their last album was I had high expectations for Futures. Alas, I was let down. It just doesn’t have that fun vibe that Bleed American did.