Ray Adler, Infected Rain, Refused, Rob Halford

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

Ray Alder – What The Water Wants

This is the Fates Warning lead singer’s first solo album. Sure his voice is immediately recognizable, and although some would say this still fits within the realm of prog metal, it also arguably veers off course quite a bit from what most associate with Adler’s body of work. The album did take some time to put together and was produced by Adler himself.

It contains tracks that feature Fates Warning touring guitarist Mike Abdow, and Spanish guitarist Tony Hernando (best known for Lords Of Black outside of Spain), both also play bass on the album. Craig Anderson of the band Ignite plays drums throughout the album. Ray is such a huge figure in prog metal that a lot of his fans or fans of the genre will no doubt check this album out.

Infected Rain – Endorphin

I’ve posted about this album several times in the past few weeks. I initially posted about the video for the track “Storm”, and then hyped up the album’s release with a few videos.

A lot of focus has been put on the Ukrainian band Jinjer, but Moldavia’s Infected Rain is poised to be a big player as well. The album is solid top to bottom, and although people may want to pigeonhole it as one thing or another, it’s a lot of different things rolled into one. If you’re looking for something new to check out, I highly recommend this release.

Refused – War Music

The Swedish band has never disappointed, at least they haven’t disappointed me. Their album 1998 album The Shape Of Punk To Come reshaped rock-based music.

You had all kinds of artists like Scott Ian of Anthrax (who would later go on to cover the band’s song “New Noise”), and Guns N Roses’ Duff McKagan praise the band. Although members have changed over the years, the poignant lyrics, and angst have never faltered. Each one of their albums always seems to be full of tracks that garner my attention. If you’re a fan of the band, this is a must-have.

Rob Halford – Celestial

This is the Judas Priest lead singer’s second foray into Christmas music. The first had its ups and downs for me, some songs were cool, while others were kind of just there. Metal bands have tackled holiday albums, bands like TSO have had massive success, and then you have Twisted Sister.

They released an album that featured mutated versions of their songs with Christmas overtones. If you listen to the track “Donner And Blitzen”, it does seem like Halford may have done the same.

As the track sounds an awful lot like “Judas Rising” off of Angel Of Retribution, and “Lightning Strike” from the band’s latest album Firepower. This may be a way to slip a little metal into your family’s Christmas playlist.

Aerodyne – Damnation

The band hails from Gothenburg, Sweden, a city best known for bands like In Flames, At The Gates, and The Haunted among others. Aerodyne is a total throwback to early 80s heavy metal, where a band like Hammerfall (also from Gothenburg) focuses more on serving up power metal ala Helloween, Aerodyne is more of a mix of Accept, Motorhead, and Saxon.

Damnation sounds like it could have come out around 83 when the NWOBHM’s influence was being felt by all types of hard rock and metal bands. If you’re into throwback bands like Night Demon, and Enforcer, this may be another band worth checking out.

Here are some other releases that may interest you.

Alter Bridge – Walk The Sky

1349 – The Infernal Pathway

Jimmy Eat World – Surviving

Santa Cruz – Katharsis

Michael Monroe – One Man Gang

Deez Nuts – You Got Me Fucked Up

Dan McCafferty – Last Testament

David J – Missive To An Angel From The Halls Of Infamy And Allure

HR – Give Thanks

Mark Lanegan Band – Somebody’s Knocking

Third Eye Blind – Screamer

Agent Steel – No Other Godz Before Me

Black Stone Cherry – Black To Blues Volume 2 EP

Stone Temple Pilots – Purple 25th Anniversary Edition

The Cure – 40 Live Curaetion 25 + Anniversary

The Doors – The Soft Parade: 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

Jethro Tull – Stormwatch 40th Anniversary

Deep Purple – Come Taste the Band Vinyl Reissue

Deep Purple – Made in Japan Vinyl Reissue

AFI – All Hallow’s E.P. Vinyl Reissue

Andrew W.K. – I Get Wet Vinyl Reissue

Combichrist – Everybody Hates You Vinyl Reissue

Combichrist – The Joy Of Gunz Vinyl Reissue

Ministry – The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste Vinyl Reissue

Desmond Child – Desmond Child Live

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