AMON AMARTH - "The Avenger" (Bonus Edition)

The Viking Warlords, Amon Amarth, have done it again! They’ve just re-issued their sophomore album, “The Avenger” in a two disc digipak featuring new liner notes from the band and tons of photos. Disc 1 is the entire “The Avenger” album re-mastered, and includes a kick-ass bonus track entitled “Thor Arise”. These classic tunes still hold up 10 years later, and they’re cleaner mix adds to the album’s adrenaline-filled feel. Disc 2 is Amon Amarth playing the entire “The Avenger” album, live! The concert is recorded exceptionally well, which really captures the band’s intensity, and their connection with their legions of fans. Amon Amarth will be re-issuing their first four albums throughout 2009, so pick this one up now before it’s gone, and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for future re-mastered versions of Amon Amarth’s music.

Rating: 3 skulls

TRACK LISTING:

DISC 01 (Remastered)

01. Bleed For Ancient Gods

02. The Last With Pagan Blood

03. North Sea Storm

04. Avenger

05. God, His Son And Holy Whore

06. Metalwrath

07. Legend Of A Banished Man

08. Thor Arise (Bonus Track)

DISC 02 (Live)

01. Bleed For Ancient Gods (Live)

02. The Last With Pagan Blood (Live)

03. North Sea Storm (Live)

04. Avenger (Live)

05. God, His Son And Holy Whore (Live)

06. Metalwrath (Live)

07. Legend Of A Banished Man (Live)

Sources:

http://www.myspace.com/amonamarth

http://www.amonamarth.com

MARILYN MANSON – The High End Of Low

Everyone’s favorite Antichrist, Marilyn Manson, has returned to the media spotlight with his latest release “The High End Of Low”. This new CD is a collection of misanthropic mayhem that covers a slew of emotions as we journey through an hour’s worth of new music. Songs like “Pretty As A Swastika”, “Arma-goddamn-motherfuckin-geddon” and “We’re From America” kick you right in the face with their punk-like feel (no doubt due to the return of Twiggy Ramirez), while tracks like “Four Rusted Horses”, “Running to the Edge of the World”, and “Into the Fire” really showcase Marilyn Manson’s ability to achieve that melancholic mood and really sing his heart out over mostly acoustic instruments.  There’s something here for everyone, whether aggressiveness is your attention-getter, or dark and gloomy is your poison of preference. Marilyn Manson has covered all his bases with “The High End Of Low”, a perfect follow up to “Eat Me, Drink Me”.

Controversial content is to be expected from the man who’s infamous for pushing people’s buttons, and it seems that Manson has even pushed his label, Interscope Records, to bleep out a line on the track “Blank and White”, where he sings "Let's shoot up the mall/The school/or the President of whatever/or whoever wants to fight". The censorship even appears on uncensored versions of the album, so expect to see a filthier version of this track in the near future from Mr. Manson.

Rating: 3 Skulls

TRACK LISTING:

1. Devour
2. Pretty as a Swastika
3. Leave a Scar
4. Four Rusted Horses
5. Arma-goddamn-motherfuckin-geddon
6. Blank and White
7. Running to the Edge of the World

8. I Want To Kill You Like They Do In The Movies

9. WOW
10. Wight Spider
11. Unkillable Monster
12. We're From America
13. I Have to Look Up Just to See Hell
14. Into the Fire
15. 15

Sources:
www.myspace.com/marilynmanson

http://marilynmanson.com/

Unholy- NEW LIFE BEHIND CLOSED EYES

New York’s misanthropic maniacs known as Unholy have recently dropped an new CD entitled NEW LIFE BEHIND CLOSED EYES that’s their most aggressive and unapologetic release to date. Combining hardcore with thrash and death metal, Unholy is hell bent on using their music to destroy the Earth, one town at a time.

This is the heaviest Unholy has ever sounded, unleashing 10 tracks of hard hitting hardcore that delivers the wicked lyrics, shredding guitar riffs, and those crushing cut-times that we’ve all been craving from this fierce five-piece. Inspired by the writings and art of Thomas Ligotti, H.P. Lovecraft, Joe Coleman, and Anton LaVey, Unholy let’s the chips fall where they may with songs like “The Blinding Light”, “No Faith” and “New Life Behind Closed Eyes”. Combining Jonathan Dennison’s unique songwriting style with Steve Caiello’s awesome leads, and Billy Price’s cavernous growl, Unholy has created their ultimate body of work that will surely be consider their pinnacle creation in years to come.

Rating: 3 skulls

Track Listing:

1- Seeker Immortal

2- Children of Eternal Sleep

3- These Wounds Never Heal

4- Into The Flesh of Another

5- The Blinding Light

6- Look To The Blood

7- No Faith

8- The Followers

9- Behind The Veil of Darkness

10- New Life Behind Closed Eyes

Sources:

http://www.myspace.com/unholy

http://www.prostheticrecords.com/