All posts by Last Rites

GENERALLY IMPRESSED WITH RIFFS

Megadeth – United Abominations Review

Jim Brandon’s take: By now, it’s pretty clear that most people know what they want and don’t want when it comes to Megadeth. Through vodka and heroin-enhanced brilliance, to groundbreaking technical wizardry, to introspective exercising

Minsk – The Ritual Fires Of Abandonment Review

Jim Brandon’s take: Change is essential for progression, even if the foundation remains the same. For instance, the lead-off track to The Ritual Fires Of Abandonment by my Chicago neighbors Minsk, instantly separates itself from

Jesu – Conqueror Review

Ian Chainey’s take: Metalgaze? So, that’s what we’re calling this now? Okay, sure, Justin Broadrick’s recent riffs are comparable to a slowed down “Only Shallow” being played through Type O Negative‘s amps. I get that.

Arsis – United In Regret Review

Ramar Pittance’s take: When Arsis released A Celebration of Guilt in 2004, I bit so hard I nearly shattered every tooth in my mouth and liquefied my gums. With melodeath a long dead horse still

Trivium – The Crusade Review

Chris Sessions’ take: Trivium, then? OK, so what are my impressions? Not my cup o Joe, sailor. This is just more of the same shit I have been hoping to avoid reviewing for about a

Suffocation – Suffocation Review

Doug Moore’s take: As I see it, there are two ways of looking at 2006 for death metal as a genre. On one hand, you could decry the lack of significant stylistic innovation from younger

Iron Maiden – A Matter Of Life And Death Review

Chris Chellis’ take: History unfolds before us and the two-ton text that is Maiden slaps us across the face yet again to demand another thorough read with A Matter of Life and Death.  Like any aging author whose

Lamb Of God – Sacrament Review

Doug Moore’s take: Dismember. Nile. Arch Enemy. Bolt Thrower (lord, do they ever). Dying Fetus. Fear Factory. Exodus. Hatebreed. Phobia. Deicide. Vader. And hell, even Slayer. What do all of these bands have in common?