Heavy Metal Resource-Picks

This page was last updated on: March 8, 2010

Pick of the month for 2 - 2010

Overkill-Ironbound

I have revamped the picks section into more of a buyers guide. I figured that I would give a little more exposure to albums that are must haves and are still available as far as I know. If you have questions beyond the descriptions given, email me. Thanks for checking this section out.

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It seems like we are seeing alot of bands returning to their trademark sounds of their earlier days. Not that Overkill ever left the intensity that made them one of metal's most consistent acts. It seems these days that bands are really ramping up the quality of their album offerings and that's exactly what 'Ironbound' is. This album is fast, aggressive, and very much the Overkill that I have followed and enjoyed for a very long time. It was a great way to start 2010 and definitely sets the benchmark for bands to follow through the rest of the year. Great stuff! Check out the other picks below as well. Definitely don't miss these titles!

I guess in some ways I am in the minority. Being more of an 80's Kiss fan, I found quite a bit to like here. This album is really a mix of the 70-90's eras. There is nothing groundbreaking as Kiss isn't a band to rewrite anything in their music. They just deliver up fun hard rock and roll, and this album is definitely fun in my opinion.

Favorite Tunes: Modern Day Delilah, Russian Roulette, Stand, Danger Us, When Lightning Strikes

I never walk away from a new album from Swiss rockers Gotthard with any form of disappointment. This band knows how to get it done and how to do it well. 'Need To Believe' is a very worthy successor to the previous 'Domino Effect' album. Plenty of mid tempo rockers and some very good lighter stuff. Essential!

Favorite Tunes: Shangri La, Unspoken Words, Unconditional Faith, I Don't Mind, Don't Let Me Down

Amazing new release from this great 80's band. Some of the bands best ever material in my opinion. The band have retained their melodic rock sound and Ron Keel sounds better than ever. The album is a great listen from start to end with no real need to skip tracks. One of the best releases of the year so far. Essential!

Favorite Tunes: Streets of Rock & Roll, Come Hell or High Water, Push & Pull, Does Anybody Believe

This album comes very welcome to the fans of earlier Danger Danger as it marks the return of Ted Poley after a very long absence. The album is what you would expect from the band with a more updated sound. Rockers and lighter tunes aplenty. Ted sounds really good on vocals and really helps bring the band full circle.

Favorite Tunes: That's What I'm Talkin' About, Killin' Love, Fugitive, F.U.$, Beautiful Regret, Never Give Up

This one is all about humor. Steel Panther is a band that features musicians such as Russ Parrish and Ralph Saenz among others although they don't go by those names in this band. The music is based in late 80's pop metal and there is plenty of crude content throughout. It's fun, but not something to spin often.

Favorite Tunes: Death To All But Metal, Fat Girl (Thar She Blows), Asian Hooker, Turn Out the Lights

Best Slayer album in a long time. Lets just get that out of the way right up front. This album may not be the fastest Slayer album out there, but after being a fan for a long time. This is more of what I wanted from the band then the last few albums. Pretty solid stuff that is speedy but at times kinda catchy as well. Has the dark feel as usual.

Favorite Tunes: World Painted Blood,Beauty Through Order, Hate Worldwide. Human Strain, Not of this God

Blackie and company are back again with the latest offering 'Babylon'. The album is true to W.A.S.P. form and probably the only downside is that there are 9 total tracks of which two are cover tunes. The bands own penned stuff is decent as usual. Typical of what you expect from this band and Blackie also makes a statement politically.

Favorite Tunes: Crazy, Babylon's Burning, Burn, Into The Fire, Seas of Fire, Promised Land

Missed this one somehow back in 2007. Happened to stumble across the videos for 'Sign of Fear' and 'Fighting the Darkness' and was floored as usual. The album has 'Fighting the Darkness' in three parts. It's typical of Primal Fear, but not necessarily predictable which makes it fun. Very good stuff if you don't have it yet!

Favorite Tunes: Sign of Fear, Face the Emptiness, Everytime It Rains, Fighting the Darkness, Psycho

Side project of Linkin Park's Chester Bennington. What makes this release good is the more straight forward approach to the bands sound. It isn't another Linkin Park. Another interesting tidbit is that Amir Derakh is on this. Old school fans will remember him from his days with one of my old favorites, Rough Cutt. Good stuff!

Favorite Tunes: Fire, Too Late, Inside Of Me, Let Down, End Of The World, Walking in Circles

February 2010 Edition

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