Reality In Focus
InsideOut/Century Media
Magnitude 9 is yet another prog-metal band on the InsideOut label. Not quite as heavy or near as exciting as Threshold, but this band does hold their own. The brainchild of Ohio based guitarist Rob Johnson (who has released three solo albums), Magnitude 9 perform strong melodic metal with solid musicianship and great vocals highlighted by Johnson's masterful guitar work and the precise drumming of John Homan. Reality In Focus features a couple standout tracks including the speedy "Temples Of Gold" and a great rendition of Maiden's "Flight Of Icarus."
DESTINY'S END
Transition
Metal Blade
Destiny's End's latest release, Transition, continues in their trademark American power/prog-metal fashion. Although not quite the caliber of the majority of new-breed of European power-metal bands, this band have toured worldwide and are amongst US's power-metal elite, alongside Iced Earth, Nevermore, Steel Prophet, and Jag Panzer. Highlighted by former Helstar vocalist James Rivera, who comes across sounding much like Halford at times, this band display solid musicianship with great dueling axework from Eric Halpern and Dan DeLucie. The production is also first-rate, thanks to Warrior guitarist/producer (and Silver Cloud studio owner) Joe Floyd.
ISABELLE'S GIFT
Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms
23 Studios
This is a damn cool CD. Kind of a punk-metal hybrid reminiscent of early '80s LA punk. I especially like the opening track (the promo CD didn't come with a track listing) which has a really cool power-punk riff and killer vocals from Chris, who comes across sounding like an aggro Ian Asbury. The songs are played with a lot of energy with a really raw production , which compliments the band's aggro-punk-metal style quite well. This band can certainly compete with any band currently on the Warped Tour, and with a little polishing, this band can follow the footsteps of Stone Temple Pilots and the like. The songwriting is also surprisingly strong, and better than most the shit that is played on modern rock radio stations today. Keep an eye out for this band.
Shockwaves CD Reviews Issue 5 Page 12