In Flames - Sense of Purpose (2008)

Frantic metal band In Flames can deliver a good melody around the militaristic, precision drumming of Daniel Svensson and the occasionally guttural yelps of frontman Anders Fridén. Whether it's a tight, polished effort like "The Mirror's Truth" with traces of classic metal like Iron Maiden or especially Judas Priest, In Flames definitely bring a sense of purpose to this record. From there, the group increase the Metallica ish franticness with "Disconnected" that relies on heavy guitar riffs but a far lighter, almost airy chorus and bridge. This is improved upon later on the album as "I'm the Highway" takes the record to another level. Probably the heaviest track is "Condemned," that again is driven by Svensson and the guitar tandem of Jesper Strömblad and Björn Gelotte. These less intense moments are rarities, though, as "Sleepless Again" almost contains slight "emo" characteristics throughout. The group truly strike gold with the deliberate but delectable "Alias" that brings to mind classic Led Zeppelin in the various twists and turns it takes. Following a beefy, brawn saturated "Move Through Me," In Flames save the crowning achievement for the lengthy, winding "The Chosen Pessimist," which opens like a reflective, introspective piece of music by Sigur Rós before finding its way effortlessly. In Flames continue to make their mark by being rooted in a strong metal or hard rock foundation but being musically and creatively inquisitive enough to seek out something more.

Band: In Flames
Album: Sense of Purpose
Genre: Death Metal/Progressive/Melodic
Country: Gothenburg, Sweden
Release Date: Apr 1, 2008
Label: Nuclear Blast Records

"Tracklist"

01. "The Mirror's Truth"
02. "Disconnected"
03. "Sleepless Again"
04. "Alias"
05. "I'm the Highway"
06. "Delight and Angers"
07. "Move Through Me"
08. "The Chosen Pessimist"
09. "Sober and Irrelevant"
10. "Condemned"
11. "Drenched in Fear"
12. "March to the Shore"

Sense of Purpose ♪♫

In Flames - Come Clarity (2006)

Band: In Flames
Album: Come Clarity
Genre: Death Metal/Progressive/Melodic
Country: Gothenburg, Sweden
Release Date: Feb 3, 2006
Label: Nuclear Blast Records

"Tracklist"

01. "Take This Life"
02. "Leeches"
03. "Reflect the Storm"
04. "Dead End"
05. "Scream"
06. "Come Clarity"
07. "Vacuum"
08. "Pacing Death's Trail"
09. "Crawl Through Knives"
10. "Versus Terminus"
11. "Our Infinite Struggle"
12. "Vanishing Light"
13. "Your Bedtime Story Is Scaring Everyone"

Come Clarity ♪♫

In Flames - Soundtrack to Your Escape (2004)

In Flames was certainly under the extreme metal microscope upon the release of Soundtrack to Your Escape and its predecessor, Reroute to Remain. The band had the potential to crack the metal underground wide to the mainstream, existing on the cusp of international stardom with its progressive extrapolations upon the Swedish metal genre they helped create. Fact is, Soundtrack to Your Escape exists to further polarize In Flames fan base "Touch of Red" and opening cut "Fiend [R]" are their heaviest riff monsters since Colony, which blatantly contrast "The Quiet Place," which is jammed with cascading guitar melodies and a thick, sticky chorus which, in a just world, would make for a rock radio smash. Anders Fridén is again using a myriad of vocal styles, including his mid-range death rasp (see "Dead Alone," with its old school Swedish riffs seamlessly morphing into melodic passages), an awkward clean croon ("Like You Better Dead," "My Sweet Shadow"), and an electronically enhanced warble, all of which are multi-tracked for many choruses proving that Fridén may be In Flames most powerful weapon now that the band trademark ornate guitar flights are used somewhat sparingly. Some may cry foul when confronted by a lush ballad like "Evil in a Closet" or the relatively straightforward riffing of "Dial 595-Escape," but old school whiners will be equally appeased with a barnburner like "In Search for I." Bottom line, In Flames are growing as songwriters with every passing release, and the debate over the style in which the tunes are conveyed really seems secondary when confronted with such a strong and cohesive album. Soundtrack to Your Escape will disappoint those looking to find fault with the leaders of the Swedish pack, while open minded purveyors of metal will revel in the album careful balance of credibility and accessibility.

Band: In Flames
Album: Soundtrack to Your Escape [Bonus Tracks]
Genre: Alternative Metal/Melodic
Country: Gothenburg, Sweden
Release Date: Apr 6, 2004
Label: Nuclear Blast Records

"Tracklist"

01. "Fiend [R]"
02. "The Quiet Place"
03. "Dead Alone"
04. "Touch of Red"
05. "Like You Better Dead"
06. "My Sweet Shadow"
07. "Evil in a Closet"
08. "In Search for I"
09. "Borders and Shading"
10. "Superhero of the Computer Rage"
11. "Dial 595-Escape"
12. "Bottled"
13. "Discover Me Like Emptiness"

Soundtrack to Your Escape ♪♫

Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of the Ramones (2007)

Punk rock parents with a hankering for offbeat nursery music might find what they're looking for in Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of the Ramones. An ethereal chorus of glockenspiels, toy pianos, sleigh bells, and synthesizers interpret songs like "I Wanna Be Sedated," "Pinhead," and "Teenage Lobotomy" to good (and at times hilarious) effect. There's nothing revelatory or particularly interesting about these renditions, but they do manage to unearth some surprisingly melodic elements of the Ramones' otherwise brash and stompy music. Other songs on this collection include "We're a Happy Family" and, yes, "Beat on the Brat."

Band: Various Artists
Album: Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of the Ramones
Genre: Child/Lullabie
Country: United States
Release Date: Jan 30, 2007
Label: Baby Rock Records

"Tracklist"

01. "Rock 'N' Roll High School"
02. "I Wanna Be Sedated"
03. "Blitzkrieg Bop"
04. "I Just Wanna Have Something to Do"
05. "I Wanna Live"
06. "Pinhead"
07. "Teenage Lobotomy"
08. "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker"
09. "Beat on the Brat"
10. "Judy Is a Punk"
11. "Do You Remember Rock 'N' Roll Radio?"
12. "We're a Happy Family"

Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of the Ramones ♪♫

Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Tool (2006)

Band: Various Artists
Album: Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Tool
Genre: Child/Lullabie
Country: United States
Release Date: Sep 19, 2006
Label: Baby Rock Records

"Tracklist"

01. "The Grudge"
02. "Sober"
03. "Opiate"
04. "Disposition"
05. "Schism"
06. "Parabol"
07. "Parabola"
08. "Sweat"
09. "Reflection"
10. "Lateralus"
11. "The Patient"

Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Tool ♪♫

Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Radiohead (2006)

Band: Various Artists
Album: Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Radiohead
Genre: Child/Lullabie
Country: United States
Release Date: Aug 29, 2006
Label: Baby Rock Records

"Tracklist"

01. "No Surprises"
02. "Let Down"
03. "Subterranean Homesick Alien"
04. "Airbag"
05. "Paranoid Android"
06. "Knives Out"
07. "Karma Police"
08. "There There"
09. "Everything in Its Right Place"
10. "2+2=5"
11. "Sail to the Moon"

Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Radiohead ♪♫

Fear Factory - Mechanize (2010)

Band: Fear Factory
Album: Mechanize
Genre: Industrial Metal/Progressive Metal
Country: Los Angeles, California, United States
Year: 2010
Label: Candlelight Records

"Tracklist"

01. "Mechanize"
02. "Industrial Discipline"
03. "Fear Campaign"
04. "Powershifter"
05. "Christploitation"
06. "Oxidizer"
07. "Controlled Demolition"
08. "Designing the Enemy"
09. "Metallic Division"
10. "Final Exit"

MECHANIZE ♪♫

Soundtrack - Mischief Invasion (2004)

B-sides a serviceable remix of Archetype from Fear Factory 2004 album of the same name Mischief Invasion is largely instrumental populated by content that sounds cribbed from a stock music agency. Focusing on a vaguely aggressive electronic sound it's the sort of fourth tier big beat that a Spike TV producer would license for the backgrounds of a lowest common denominator reality show. Which is appropriate as this is the soundtrack to an DVD also called Mischief Invasion. It follows a gang of miscreant auto enthusiasts as they crash Europe annual Cannonball Run car rally. This isn't important science or even very entertaining for non gearheads. The rub: Jaguars are destroyed and farts are lit and crappy electronica is along for every ride

Band: Various Artists
Album: Mischief Invasion
Genre: Soundtrack/Nu Metal/Electronic/Heavy Metal
Country: United States
Year: 2004
Label: Liquid 8 Records

"Tracklist"

01. "Archetype"
02. "Snitches Are a Dying Breed"
03. "2 Hip"
04. "Put Out"
05. "Into the Light"
06. "Fly Away"
07. "Tech Gauge"
08. "Cruise"
09. "Flight"
10. "Heavy Loop"
11. "2 Late"
12. "My Rage"
13. "Wanna Relate"
14. "Mind Travel"
15. "Prey"
16. "Tweeker"

MISCHIEF INVASION ♪♫

Fear Factory - Archetype (2004)

Band: Fear Factory
Album: Archetype
Genre: Nu Metal/Progressive Metal
Country: Los Angeles, California, United States
Year: 2004
Label: Roadrunner Records

"Tracklist"

01. "Slave Labor"
02. "Cyberwaste"
03. "Act of God"
04. "Drones"
05. "Archetype"
06. "Corporate Cloning"
07. "Bite the Hand That Bleeds"
08. "Undercurrent"
09. "Default Judgement"
10. "Bonescraper"
11. "Human Shields"
12. "Ascension"
13. "School"

ARCHETYPE ♪♫

Fear Factory - Concrete (2002)

Band: Fear Factory
Album: Concrete
Genre: Death Metal/Indutrial Metal/Nu Metal/Progressive
Country: Los Angeles, California, United States
Year: 2002
Label: Roadrunner Records

"Tracklist"

01. "Big God/Raped Souls"
02. "Arise Above Oppression"
03. "Concrete"
04. "Crisis"
05. "Escape Confusion"
06. "Sangre de Niños"
07. "Soulwomb"
08. "Echoes of Innocence"
09. "Dragged Down by the Weight of Existence"
10. "Deception"
11. "Desecrate"
12. "Suffer Age"
13. "Anxiety"
14. "Self Immolation"
15. "Piss Christ"
16. "Ulceration"

CONCRETE ♪♫

Fear Factory - Digimortal (2001)

Band: Fear Factory
Album: Digimortal
Genre: Nu Metal/Industrial Metal
Country: Los Angeles, California, United States
Year: 2001
Label: Roadrunner Records

"Tracklist"

01. "What Will Become?"
02. "Damaged"
03. "Digimortal"
04. "No One"
05. "Linchpin"
06. "Invisible Wounds (Dark Bodies)"
07. "Acres of Skin"
08. "Back the Fuck Up"
09. "Byte Block"
10. "Hurt Conveyor"
11. "(Memory Imprints) Never End"
12. "Dead Man Walking"
13. "Strain vs. Resistance"
14. "Repentance"
15. "Full Metal Contact"

DIGIMORTAL ♪♫

Fear Factory - Obsolete (1998)

Band: Fear Factory
Album: Obsolete
Genre: Nu Metal/Industrial Metal/Progressive Metal
Country: Los Angeles, California, United States
Year: 1998
Label: Roadrunner Records

"Tracklist"

01. "Shock"
02. "Edgecrusher"
03. "Smasher/Devourer"
04. "Securitron" (Police State 2000)
05. "Descent"
06. "Hi-Tech Hate"
07. "Freedom or fire"
08. "Obsolete"
09. "Resurrection"
10. "Timelessness"
11. "Cars"

OBSOLETE ♪♫

Fear Factory - Remanufacture (1997)

Band: Fear Factory
Album: Remanufacture
Genre: Nu Metal/Death Metal/Industrial Metal
Country: Los Angeles, California, United States
Year: 1997
Label: Roadrunner Records

"Tracklist"

01. "Remanufacture"
02. "National Panel Beating"
03. "Genetic Blueprint"
04. "Faithless"
05. "Bionic Chronic"
06. "Cloning Technology"
07. "Burn"
08. "T-1000"
09. "Machines of Hate"
10. "21st Century Jesus"
11. "Bound for Forgiveness"
12. "Refinery"
13. "Remanufacture" (Edited Version)

REMANUFACTURE ♪♫

Fear Factory - Soul of a New Machine (1992)

Band: Fear Factory
Album: Soul of a New Machine
Genre: Nu Metal/Death Metal/Industrial Metal
Country: Los Angeles, California, United States
Year: 1992
Label: Roadrunner Records

"Tracklist"

01. "Martyr"
02. "Leechmaster"
03. "Scapegoat"
04. "Crisis"
05. "Crash Test"
06. "Flesh Hold"
07. "Lifeblind"
08. "Scumgrief"
09. "Natividad"
10. "Big God/Raped Souls"
11. "Arise Above Oppression"
12. "Self Immolation"
13. "Suffer Age"
14. "Woe"
15. "Desecrate"
16. "Escape Confusion"
17. "Manipulation"

SOUL OF A NEW MACHINE ♪♫

In Means of Life - Creation EP (2010)

Hailing from Long Island, New York, In Means Of Life is a 5 piece band growing rapidly throughout the hardcore and metal scene. Formally known as “Tomorrow Never Came”, the band is making a fresh start with a new name, and a solidified line up with loyal, hardworking guys. While being unable to tour full time due to highschool, the band is making the effort to play as many out of state shows as possible. With a solid fan base on Long Island, there is no doubt that In Means Of Life will soon become the next big thing.

Band: In Means of Life
Album: Creations
Genre: Hardcore/Metalcore
Country: Long Island, New York, United States
Year: 2010
Label: Last Resort Records

"Tracklist"

01. "Shapeless Sea"
02. "Visions"
03. "I, the Redeemer"
04. "Follow Your Kings"

CREATION ♪♫

Dark Tranquillity - We Are the Void (2010)

Band: Dark Tranquillity
Album: We Are the Void
Genre: Death Metal/Heavy Metal
Country: Gothenburg, Sweden
Year: 2010
Label; Century Media Records

"Tracklist"

01. "Shadow In Our Blood"
02. "Dream Oblivion"
03. "The Fatalist"
04. "In My Absence"
05. "The Grandest Accusation"
06. "At the Point of Ignition"
07. "Her Silent Language"
08. "Arkhangelsk"
09. "I Am the Void"
10. "Surface the Infinite"
11. "Iridium"

WE ARE THE VOID ♪♫

The Beatles - Rubber Soul (2009)

While the Beatles still largely stuck to love songs on Rubber Soul, the lyrics represented a quantum leap in terms of thoughtfulness, maturity, and complex ambiguities. Musically, too, it was a substantial leap forward, with intricate folk-rock arrangements that reflected the increasing influence of Dylan and the Byrds. The group and George Martin were also beginning to expand the conventional instrumental parameters of the rock group, using a sitar on "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)," Greek like guitar lines on "Michelle" and "Girl," fuzz bass on "Think for Yourself," and a piano made to sound like a harpsichord on the instrumental break of "In My Life." While John and Paul were beginning to carve separate songwriting identities at this point, the album is full of great tunes, from "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" and "Michelle" to "Girl," "I'm Looking Through You," "You Won't See Me," "Drive My Car," and "Nowhere Man" (the last of which was the first Beatle song to move beyond romantic themes entirely). George Harrison was also developing into a fine songwriter with his two contributions, "Think for Yourself" and the Byrds-ish "If I Needed Someone."

Band: The Beatles
Album: Rubber Soul
Genre: Rock & Roll/Classic Rock
Country: Liverpool, England
Original Data Release: Dec 3, 1965
Label: Capitol Records

"Tracklist"

01. "Drive My Car"
02. "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)"
03. "You Won't See Me"
04. "Nowhere Man"
05. "Think for Yourself"
06. "The Word"
07. "Michelle"
08. "What Goes On"
09. "Girl"
10. "I'm Looking Through You"
11. "In My Life"
12. "Wait"
13. "If I Needed Someone
14: "Run for Your Life"

Rubberl Soul ♪♫

The Beatles - Help! (2009)

Considering that Help! functions as the Beatles' fifth album and as the soundtrack to their second film, while filming, they continued to release non LP singles on a regular basis, it's not entirely surprising that it still has some of the weariness of Beatles for Sale. Again, they pad the album with covers, but the Bakersfield bounce of "Act Naturally" adds new flavor (along with an ideal showcase for Ringo amiable vocals) and "Dizzy Miss Lizzy" gives John an opportunity to flex his rock & roll muscle. George is writing again and if his two contributions don't touch Lennon and McCartney originals, they hold their own against much of their British pop peers. Since Lennon wrote a third more songs than McCartney, it's easy to forgive a pair of minor numbers ("It's Only Love," "Tell Me What You See"), especially since they're overshadowed by four great songs. His Dylan infatuation holds strong, particularly on the plaintive "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" and the title track, where the brash arrangement disguises Lennon desperation. Driven by an indelible 12 string guitar, "Ticket to Ride" is another masterpiece and "You're Going to Lose That Girl" is the kind of song McCartney effortlessly tosses off, which he does with the jaunty "The Night Before" and "Another Girl," two very fine tunes that simply update his melodic signature. He did much better with "I've Just Seen a Face," an irresistible folk-rock gem, and "Yesterday," a simple, beautiful ballad whose arrangement, an acoustic guitar supported by a string quartet, and composition suggested much more sophisticated and adventurous musical territory, which the group immediately began exploring with Rubber Soul.

Band: The Beatles
Album: Help!
Genre: Rock & Roll/Classic Rock
Country: Liverpool, England
Original Release Date: Aug 6, 1965
Label: Capitol Records

"Tracklist"

01. "Help!"
02. "The Night Before"
03. "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away"
04. "I Need You"
05. "Another Girl"
06. "You're Going to Lose That Girl"
07. "Ticket to Ride"
08. "Act Naturally"
09. "It's Only Love"
10. "You Like Me Too Much"
11. "Tell Me What You See"
12. "I've Just Seen a Face"
13. "Yesterday"
14. "Dizzy Miss Lizzy"

Help! ♪♫

Greeley Estates - No Rain, No Rainbow (2010)

Band: Greeley Estates
Album: No Rain, No Rainbow
Genre: Screamo/Post-Hardcore/Alternative
Country: Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Year: 2010
Label: Tragic Hero Records

"Tracklist"

01. "Seven Hours"
02. "I Shot the Maid"
03. "Loyal.Com"
04. "Frieds Are Friends For Never"
05. "They Won't Stay Dead"
06. "Jealousy Breeds Killing Sprees"
07. "Lying Through Your Teeth Doesn't Count As Flossing"
08. "Swim For Your Lives"
09. "You'll Never Leave Vegas Alive"
10. "Wolves Make Great Actors"
11. "The Offer"

NO RAIN, NO RAINBOW ♪♫

Alesana - The Emptiness (2010)

Band: Alesana
Album: The Emptiness
Genre: Screamo/Post-Hardcore/Alternative
Country: Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Year: 2010
Label: Fearless Records

"Tracklist"

01. "Curse of the Virgin Canvas"
02. "The Artist"
03. "A Lunatic’s Lament"
04. "The Murderer"
05. "Hymn for the Shameless"
06. "The Thespian"
07. "Heavy Hangs the Albatross"
08. "The Lover"
09. "In Her Tomb By the Sounding Sea"
10. "To Be Scared By An Owl"
11. "Annabel"

The Emptiness ♪♫