Alice In Chains

Here are some of the new releases that come out today:

Alice In Chains – Rainier Fog

The album is full of threes, it is the third album since reforming, the third album with William DuVall in the band, essentially making it the third time this lineup has appeared on a studio album, and it is the third straight album produced by Nick Raskulinecz.

The album was also recorded in three places Studio X in Seattle, Henson Recording Studios in L.A., and due to the fact that Jerry Cantrell got sick, his vocals and solos were recorded at his house.

Billy Morris And The Sunset Strip – Holdin’ All The Aces

Billy Morris is probably best known for being a member of Warrant, guitarist to be exact. He produced the band’s cover album Under The Influence, played all the lead guitar parts, and sang lead vocals on the band’s cover of AC/DC’s “Down Payment Blues”.

He’s also recorded and played with Quiet Riot, Tuff, and is known for racing dirtbikes. As you might imagine the music is heavily influenced by 80s hard rock, specifically the music that was made famous by L.A.’s Sunset Strip.

Mob Rules – Beast Reborn

The band is a year shy of the quarter-century mark, and unlike most in the power metal sub-genre, are not just doing the same old same old. Beast Reborn marks their 9th release and demonstrates how the band is more than just a Maiden clone and knows how to do more than just focus on some big chorus, and do little else than bring forth paint by numbers power metal.

They always seem to be getting better and improving the formula. This album demonstrates how the band wants to be taken as a serious metal band, that goes beyond the trinity of Maiden, Priest, and Helloween.

Nonpoint – X

I recently watched a Lost In Vegas clip where they explained the term Banger, and how it refers to hip hop and rap.  It reminded me about a review I did for a Rob Zombie album a few years back, and I tried to stress that not every album needed to sound like Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force to be considered good.

Sometimes you just want to listen to something that gets stuck in your head, with little thought on how serious or proficient that music might be.  Nonpoint isn’t reinventing the wheel, but they know how to deliver their brand of hard rock well, as evident by their latest release X.   They aren’t straying that far from their formula, but at the same time are pushing themselves forward with release number ten.

Other albums that come out today that may be of interest to you.

The Amity Affliction – Misery

Daeodon – Media Mask

Mark Lanegan & Duke Garwood – With Animals

Mantar – The Modern Art Of Setting Ablaze

Wilson – Tasty Nasty

Article by Victor M. Ruiz of Mars Attacks Radio & Podcast, and Galaxy Of Geeks Podcast.  Connect with him on Twitter:  @vmr907