Split Review: Hitter/Midnight Dice- Midnight Hits

Splits and eps are always exciting and this year we are getting slew of them! We've seen Road Rash release theirs and Night Demon have their new single "Empire's Fall" being released (I'll get to that one). However, today we have yet another coming from Chicago groups Hitter and Midnight Dice entitled "Midnight Hits". If you aren't familiar with these two bands I highly suggest you check out each bands demo as both are very confident. Each band here puts one song out on each side and they are bangers.

Midnight Dice's track "Precious Metal" goes straight for what their demo showed us with some epic galloping street level heavy metal. The soaring vocals on the chorus definitely are a major highlight. Up next is Hitters "29 Levi Slim" which is a complete different beast as it holds onto a heavier punk vibe these guys are known for. The vocals are jagged as hell and the riffs are simple yet cut through your speakers. 

Overall, this is a fun split that is quick and to the point. It features two awesome up and comers in my city doing what they do best. Also it is nice that both bands play complete different styles which makes for interesting listens for those unfamiliar with both bands. I definitely will pick this one up as you should too if you want a nice slice of Chicago metal in your collection.

4/5

Album Review- Iron Maiden: SomeWhere In Time

Somewhere In Time is the 6th studio album by Iron Maiden and was released in 1986. Now I, like so many metalheads, worship Iron Maiden they are undeniably one of the greatest live metal acts to see and their discography especially their 80s albums are all just one home run after another. However, the album that stands out as the black sheep would be Somewhere in Time. This album, likes Judas Priests Turbo released the same year, marks the bands first use of guitar synthesizers giving it more of a mainstream feel. But the question is whether or not the album is underrated or is it just a weak album full of forgettable songs.

Track Rundown

1.Caught Somewhere in Time- Right off the bat you are hit with a super spacey feel with the heavy synths and epic twin guitars and then the drums and bass kick in it really gets you going and then BOOM everything just blows up and the band sounds as fast as ever here. Bruce Dickinsons soaring vocals during the chorus just makes you go crazy they really need to play this song live again it would get such a good reaction.One of the best Maiden solos i have heard as well.

2.Wasted Years- Still a classic to hear live today it has a very strong chorus Just Bruces vocals sound their most powerful here to me than any album before. the whole song makes for a good live track i really like the bass especially here and how it is sang another amazing song.

3.Sea Of Sadness- I love Mcbrains drumming here how he manages to play a single bass pedal like its a double bass pedal it amazes me all the time. This track isn't totally up to par with the past two but it is amazing nonetheless it all blends together very well.

4.Heaven Can Wait- I love the quiet opener on this track another bigger song for the band which was on their setlist a few years ago and should be again and Bruce singing with the fast guitar riffing makes it even more catchy. There is a very power metal feeling here as well and the chorus sounds like it could be in any Sonic The Hedgehog game it just has that charm to it. Another standout track to me with powerful instrumentals and catchy vocals.

5.The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner- This track starts with some very cool picking in the beginning. Adrian Smith and Dave Murrays playing on the whole album is just flawless The chorus is just i cant even find words to describe it. Dickinson really is giving everything hes got to get out those lines and makes this track 10x more epic than it already is which is why he is one of the greatest metal vocalists alive. The guitar harmonies are amazing as well. Another faster track and another i wish they would play live.

6.Stranger In A Strange Land- I love the space guitar feel here i don't know how they get it but it just captures everything about Maiden in the 80s. the vocals are awesome and just so out in space and futuristic which the whole album gives off. another cool chorus. Harris's bass sounds really tight on this track as well and seems a bit more audible. The solo is freakin epic as hell on this one too. Another song THEY NEED TO PLAY LIVE AGAIN!!!!

7.Deja Vu- This track i honestly never heard much it starts very majestically and shoots into a very melodic power metal part the guitar riffs are really catchy Bruces double track vocals sound awesome here too. This track is seriously underrated it is certainly not  a throw away track.

8.Alexander The Great- The closer of the album and it starts pretty cool with the wind and the instruments in the backround setting a nice tone. The song is very melodic but not fast and to me is probably the most forgettable one on this album. It would work well with Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son which is my all time favorite Iron Maiden album i would think if it were like a bonus track. Still a solid track just not an amazing closer it really does show the progressive side of Iron Maiden though.

Overall, this album gets 9.5 out of 10. I really enjoy this album it is just an awesome record from the 80s and to me just sounds like that decade as well. i love the sound they got as well it is such a strong piece of music i just wish they would play more songs off of it live.

Album Review- Judas Priest: Sin After Sin

Sin After Sin is the third album by Heavy Metal band Judas Priest ans was released in 1977. What really intrigued me most about this album was how heavy it was for its time and is quite underrated as well. I lately have been on a Priest splurge and after a horrifying day i thought it would be an album i would be interested in reviewing so lets start.

Track Rundown

1.Sinner: This song is very reminiscent with Victim Of Changes with its composure with the slow part in the middle but i really like the guitar sound here too and the solos are pretty memorable and Halfords vocals are as strong as ever and make the chorus really shine here. a great opener and an immediate classic.

2.Diamonds and Rust- This is a pretty good cover of the Joan Baez song but the album version doesn't beat the power of the live version off of Unleashed In the East this one is a bit tamer but still very good.

3.Starbreaker- My all time favorite Priest song just the riffs and vocals on this song are so heavy and the solo tradeoffs are just gold and the harmonizing solo is just enough to make your eardrums explode even Arch Enemy covered it!!!! just perfection right here.

4.The Last Rose of Summer- a much more tame and ballad worthy track Robs vocals are very nice to hear its a nice change of pace but not very memorable.

5.Let Us Prey/Call For the Priest- the song sounds like something off UFOs Obsession but actually sounds heavier after the intro it could be a song on Stained Glass or Hell Bent For Leather it is that heavy very reminiscent of Exciter but has a softer middle spot with some thundering drum beats which is interesting to me i like it alot.

6.Raw Deal- This tracks riff is pretty bluesy sounding and has a good rhythm to it and Rob Halfords vocals get pretty high during the chorus which has an interesting sound with this kind of song an ok track but nothing amazing.

7.Here Comes The Tears- This song sounds like it would be on Rocka Rolla it is very ballady sounding with some piano even thrown in its alot better than the previous one with more composure to it the chorus is pretty heavy it reminds me of Deep Purples Child In Time its pretty good.

8.Dissident Aggressor- arguably one of the heaviest Judas Priest songs ever recorded the riff from KK Downing and Glenn Tipton with the double bass drums is so awesome this song is one to really bang your head to and the fact that Slayer covered it on South Of Heaven is even cooler. A real highlight on this album and a perfect closer to the original album.

9(Bonus Track)Race With the Devil- This song should have been on the original pressing its really infectious its like Priests own Doctor Doctor really solid bonus track.

Overall i give the album a 8.5 out of 10. Its definitely a great album but after the next few albums you could see Priest were still maturing at this point with power escalating to each album but this is still an underrated classic.

EP Review- Skull Fist: Heavier Than Metal

This is the first official recording from Canadian Power Metal band Skull Fist released in 2010. I am doing this review at the request of one of my fellow tumblr bloggers and i really like this style of metal so i was pleased that they asked me to. I heard a few songs off of their full length Head Of The Pack and thought they were pretty good. But lets look before that with this EP.

Track Rundown

1.Sign of the Warrior- i really like the fast double bass drums at the beginning and the voice of Jackie Slaughter is very very strong and strangely reminds me of James Hetfield during the Kill Em All days but with an even higher voice. this is a very cool song.

2.Heavier Than Metal- I really like the riff for this song and the shout at the beginning is really cool. It really reminds me of JawBreaker from Judas Priests Defenders Of The Faith. the solo is pretty awesome as well. This is my favorite song off the EP

3.Blackout- The acoustic intro is really cool and power metal worthy and the main full structure of the song has a thrashy kind of undertone with the chugging riffs but is pretty well done.

4.Ride The Beast- this reminds me alot of Anthraxs Metal Thrashing Mad off of Fistful Of Metal not amazing but still pretty fun.

5.No False Metal- i really like the name of this song it sounds a bit different than all the other tracks in ways of guitar playing with a more frantic strumming. Not a bad closer.

Overall i would give this EP 7.5 out of 10. The band take it is what it is and that is kick ass Power Metal and while this record is nothing new it is pretty nostalgic to all the 80s metal bands and i like that its not as over the top as dragon force. I do think this is a neat band and i wouldnt mind seeing them live one day.