Mayhem
Ordo Ad Chao
Season of Mist (2007)
Black Metal: (n) a subgenre of heavy metal music that uses screamed Satanic lyrics, fast guitar playing and drumming, and heavily distorted music with a focus on satanic imagery and occult themes. For some, the above definition is redundant. Some of you reading this review are already familiar with Mayhem and their, shall we say, tumultuous history. For the rest, … Read more
Mehkago N.T.
Mehkago N.T.
S.O.Y./Abort the World/To Live A Lie (2007)
Heavy music is back on the upswing in South Florida. Torche, forging on where Floor left off, has been making noise on both a national and European stage with their bomb-string-fueled stoner pop. Shitstorm has been wreaking havoc playing blastbeat-laden grindcore in the style of gems from the glory days of Slap-A-Ham and 625 Records. And Consular has been delivering … Read more
Mekons
Natural
Touch & Go (2007)
Some critics may think that their age gives them more credit and validates every opinion they have. I am on the lower end of the age spectrum when it comes to critics, but that doesn't mean I have no clue what I'm talking about when it comes to music. Hey, I'm not a worldly expert but I think I can … Read more
Melon
Mirage
Milltown (2007)
I really love this kind of music but it has to be the most difficult thing for the musicians themselves to pull of or to be lauded for. There has to be more bands playing psychedelic heavy, Black Sabbath/Blue Cheer rock than any other type of music and every single reviewer writes the same thing every single time; "It's good … Read more
Melt Banana
Bambi's Dilemma
A-Zap (2007)
Listening to Melt Banana carries a list of requirements: Deal with the vocals. Deal with annoying noises. If you can't handle the speed and the fury, don't even bother. If you can embrace these qualities fully, you can totally understand why Melt Banana is such an important figure in noise rock. They slush together punk and noise rock elements and … Read more
Meltdown
Demolition
Closed Casket Activities (2007)
Maybe the kids are just too young to remember, but back when hardcore bands were crossing over to metal and vice versa the hardcore kids hated it, really hated it. It was all poseur shit, bunch of fucking longhairs ruining the scene and what not. The worst thing a band could do was sign to Metal Blade or Megaforce. Having … Read more
Meneguar
Strangers in Our House
Troubleman Unlimited (2007)
Let's be completely honest, Meneguar is an overrated band. But what's wrong with being overrated? Refused, Converge, Nirvana, even The Beatles are overrated, and I don't think anyone would argue the impact and talent each band had or continue to have on their respective genres of music. I'm in no way trying to compare Meneguar to any of the bands … Read more
Menomena
Friend and Foe
Barsuk (2007)
Wow, this is really rare. Admittedly, this is my first exposure to Menomena - in a nostalgic sort of way; I love their band name. I was drawn to Friend and Foe, the second full-length from the band, because of the superior artwork that they employ for the packaging of the record. What is inside that packaging was a total … Read more
MGR
Wavering on the Cresting Heft
Conspiracy (2007)
Wavering on the Cresting Heft is the second solo recording from Isis guitarist Michael Gallagher under the moniker MGR. MGR is an acronym for Mustard Gas and Roses, which is taken from Vonnegut's classic novel Slaughterhouse-Five. This new full-length follows Gallagher's debut MGR offering, 2006's Nova Lux. If one were to loosely describe the music of MGR, an appropriate description … Read more
Middian
Age Eternal
Metal Blade (2007)
I can think of very few albums I have ever purchased, listened to once, and sold back to the store. Generally, I am a pretty forgiving guy and I can find something worth listening to on a disc. However, YOB just was not my cup of tea. I don't know what it was, but after I listened to the latest … Read more
Middle Distance Runner
Middle Distance Runner
Independent (2007)
Dabbling coolly with grit of the 'the' band sound while borrowing ruminants of Brit rock's pop sensibility, Middle Distance Runner offer up something with the potential for a real fan based success. Hinting at better things throughout the six-track effort, the five-piece uses the formulaic idea of songwriting based around guitar/synth hooks layered with a full and strong rhythm section. … Read more
Miles Away
Rewind, Repeat...
6131 (2007)
If you were to listen to the latest offering from Miles Away, Rewind, Repeat , and yet knew nothing of the band, the last place that you would guess they were from would be Australia. If anything, you would have come up with either the Pacific Northwest or Boston. And while both are logical guesses based on the style of … Read more
Minus the Bear
Planet of Ice
Suicide Squeeze (2007)
Despite much argument, Planet of Ice is a good album. It's debated flaw however, is that it doesn't sound like any of the other Minus the Bear releases. As a music lover and reviewer, however, it's something I can respect. Unlike most of the previous albums, the band has spent a lot of time on the vocal sessions, blending them … Read more
Minus the Bear
Planet of Ice
Suicide Squeeze (2007)
Continuing on from 2005's Menos El Oso, Minus the Bear's Planet of Ice breaks away from the band's previous shtick of long song names and extended album titles. As the record name may suggest, this album is slightly colder and less forgiving than previous releases. To drag that analogy just one metaphor further, we can also hear a slightly more … Read more
Minus the Bear
Planet of Ice
Suicide Squeeze (2007)
Here's where I am: I'm standing on a beach, four time zones away from "home." It's March, but here it feels like July. The Pacific Ocean is blue and ethereally tinged equal parts grey and white. It's mid to late afternoon and the sun burns low in the sky, doggedly sinking towards the horizon. The air tastes salty and good. … Read more
Misericordiam
Unanimity and the Cessation of Hostility
Twelve Gauge (2007)
Unanimity and the Cessation of Hostility is six tracks of blistering death metal that lasts a mere fourteen minutes. And while this EP is extremely short, any longer and the band would have be charged for assault and battery. Las Vegas quintet Misericordiam unleashes a full-on attack of technically amazing riffs and drumming teamed with some of the deepest growls … Read more
Modern Life Is War
Midnight in America
Equal Vision (2007)
Modern Life is War are flirting with a backlash. Plenty of people hated Witness despite the fact that it upped the ante on My Love. My Way. like a gambler splashing the pot, with songs that stood taller, lingered in your head longer, and cut like a Bowie knife (i.e. through human flesh). But still we hear the same old … Read more
Modest Mouse
We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
Epic (2007)
Modest Mouse's We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank have proven to be a difficult album for the staff of Scene Point Blank. Since it's release we have had a number of staff writer's attempt to put into words what makes this album so good. And yet, in all of their attempts, not one has been able to come … Read more
