SHADOWS FALL-Of One Blood-Century Media Records-2000

I was first introduced to this band when I saw them open for King Diamond at Jannus Landing.What I saw and heard was one of the most intense live acts i had seen in quite a long time. Needless to say, they impressed the hell out of me, and I bought the album the following week.

I cant pick a certain song in particular as my favorite, because each track is a standout( "Pain Glass Vision" is more of an intro than a song), and this is what makes this, im my opinion, one of the best albums, if not the best album of 2000.

Brian Fair has a few more voices than most singers, he can be vicious and downright pissed at one moment, and mellow and somber the next moment.

Paul Romanko(bass) and David Germain keep things interesting, especially on " To Ashes", but what really stands out on this album is the guitar work of Matthew Bachand and Jonathan Donais.At first listen ,one might assume that Shadows Fall is from Gothenburg,Sweden, but these guys are from Boston,Ma,( the Boston accent prevails on parts of " The First Noble Truth"), and are easily distinguishable from the Gothenburg bands.

Super complex riffs, Donais' intricate solos(one might detect a touch of Kirk Hammet in one or two solos), and the occaisional,sometimes classical tinged acoustic interlude are what brings me back for repeated listenings of this album, not to mention the lyrics, which I find quite interesting. Also must mention the vocal contributions of the two guitarists, with Matthew Bachand throwing in the occaisional death metal growl and sometimes showcasing a voice more akin to Brian Fair in his more mellow moments, while Jonathan Donais( sounding somewhat similar to Ihsahn of Emperor,or to the lead singer of Zao who's name i dont know) contributes every now and then, making this album all the better.

I really think this band could help metal a lot in the upcomming years, and I think we should support bands like Shadows Fall and Nevermore in any way possible, because I'm sick of seeing great bands like these playing in tiny ass bars with low ceilings.

In short, I cant find a flaw on this album, and niether should you!

DEATH ANGEL-The UltraViolence-Restless Records-1987

There isnt much I can say about this album that hasnt been said before.Simply put, this is a great debut album from these four Bay Area thrashers.

The lyrics arent outstanding,but who cares, you don't listen to Death Angel for their thoughtful and almost poetic lyrics(hint of sarcasm),you listen because you want to hear fast,agressive thrash metal, and thats what you'll get with this album.

Rob Cavestany and Gus Pepa's riffs and solos are without a doubt, the highlights of this album, and on the instrumental/title track, which runs an excess of ten minutes, they are at their best.

Dennis Pepa(bass) and Andy Galeon(drums) get to showcase their talents here and there as well.And Mark Osegueda(vox), what can I say, the man can scream bloody gore.

Agressive playing,good musicianship, and great songs make this an album worthy of any metalhead's collection.

MEGADETH-So Far.....So Good......So What!- Capitol/Combat Records-1988

This album was the first and last album to feature guitarist Jeff Young(who was overlooked in my opinion) and drummer Chuck Behler.While not the band's best album, it is still a thrash classic none the less.

As with most metal recordings of this era, this album doesnt exactly feature a crystalline production,but what others would call "sub-par" production, we'd call "raw",hehe.

Dave Mustaine and Jeff Young are in excellent form on this album,bashing out vicious,complex riffs and furious licks while still retaining all the nuances you'd come to expect from Megadeth.

David Ellefson and Chuck Behler are also in fine form,they dont try to show off, but they still manage to make their presence heard. Topped off with Dave Mustaine's always inventive lyrics( try not to think of "Crush'em " from Risk) and signature catchy hooks and choruses,and you have a thrash classic. Can't forget about the Sex Pistols cover either.

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM-Doomsday For the Deceiver-Metal Blade Records 1986

Well, I"ll start off by saying that my love of Metallica is what sparked an interest in this album in the first place. I looked long and hard for this album, and because of this, I would have been pretty pissed if this album wasn't one of the best thrash records I had ever heard......I definetly was NOT pissed.

Jason Newsted ( I assume you know of him),who wrote all the lyrics for this album, showed us he does, at times, have a propensity for comming up with creative lyrics and themes, ranging from a typical night on the town in search of pussy, i.e "Hammerhead", to the Jewish Holocaust, i.e, " Der Fuhrer", and what 80's thrash record would be complete without a fist-pumping,head banging heavy metal anthem like "Metalshock"? A few of these song's themes center around escapism,fear,murder, and relationships gone bad, but all in all, Jason wrote great lyrics, especially on the album's title track, and on "Desecrator","Der Fuhrer", and"Metalshock". Now, to the musicianship.

Everyone is in fine form on this record, from the thunderous rythm section of Jason Newsted and Kelly David- Smith(drums), to the twin guitar apocalypse of Michael Gilbert and Edward Carlson, and vocalist Eric A.K. can go from Sean Harris to Rob Halford quicker than you can say "Angel of Death!" In short, every band member is a formidable talent, and they each get to show us why, so "hold tight and take your last breath the missiles are on their way.....DOOMSDAY!!!!!!!!!!"

Rating: ..... just buy the damn thing!

Will's Play List

• TESTAMENT-The Legacy
• MEGADETH-Killing is my Business...and Business is Good
• ANNIHILATOR-Alice In Hell
• IRON MAIDEN-Killers
• SHADOWS FALL-Of One Blood