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PAIN The Max Martin of metal, PAIN
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Corroded came from nowere with a debute album as subtle as a nuclear bomb.
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Sparzanza one of the hardest working acts of today.
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Deathstars A pitch black death glam band that always deliver wicked music.

IN FLAMES Sounds of a Playground Fading

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INFLAMES_SoundsOfAPlayground

 01. Sounds of a Playground Fading
02. Deliver Us
03. All for Me
04. The Puzzle
05. Fear Is the Weakness
06. Where the Dead Ships Dwell
07. The Attic
08. Darker Times
09. Ropes
10. Enter Tragedy
11. Jester's Door
12. A New Dawn
13. Liberation

Verdict: 9

IN FLAMES Sounds of a Playground Fading Review

CdReviewWhen it is time for a new In Flames release the hype is hysterical in Sweden the members do numerous interviews that appear in radio, newspapers as well as online media. The fact that the only original member has left the band and that In Flames is having an internal credibility crisis is downplayed. The fact is that In Flames has become somewhat of an institution with their Melo-Death musical style that has been copied by thousands of bands around the globe. They pretty much invented the Gothenburg sound together with a number of less fortunate bands (like Soilwork and Dark Tranquility).

The bands stand incredibly strong on the new album release and they mix influences wildly. The fact that this is the tenth studio album release is absolutely not obvious. They blend everything into the musical stew and the result is more melodic and definitely easier accessible for the random listener. This goes hand in hand with the change in sound over the last few releases.

We don't object to the change in sound since In Flames oversee the change with an iron fist and the keen eye of a hawk. The band still sounds sharp and evil no matter how melodic they turn. Anders Friden has a fantastic desperate nerve to the timbre of his voice that colors the material in the exact right way.

The loss of Jesper has not altered the sound of In flames nor does it seem like the remaining member have problems with their creative vein on Sounds Of A Playground Fading. There are some winks to the former Guitarist on the album where the tune "Jester's Door" is the most obvious one.

So is In Flames 2011 something to count with?

You bet!

Sounds Of A Playground Fading might be considered a transitional album ten years down the line but we just love the ambient parts as well as the harder material. We actually think that this release is the most interesting In Flames release to date.

Newsflash

ACCEPT New album Stalingrad

ACCEPT have set "Stalingrad" as the title of their next album, due in April 2012 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD is once again being helmed by British producer Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, EXODUS, NEVERMORE, ARCH ENEMY), who worked on the band's critically acclaimed comeback effort, "Blood Of The Nations".

Symphorce call it quits

SYMPHORCE, who feature in their ranks guitarist Cédric "Cede" Dupont and singer Andy B. Franck, have officially called it quits.

Commented Franck: "Seven albums, 12 years and thousands of enthusiastic fans don't make that decision easy, but after long thoughts and lots of talks we decided together to call it a day and dissolve SYMPHORCE. The heads are dead, the timetables of our main bands packed with dates, so we feel a lack of inspiration and no possibility to record more albums, play more shows with the passion and commintment needed therefore.

"SYMPHORCE will always stand for an absolute independent type of metal, but with our latest (and last) album, 'Unrestricted', we had to recognize that we have said everything we wanted musically. It was an unbelievable, intense and fantastic time!

Scorpions Comeback

 
SCORPIONS will release "Comeblack", a collection of re-recorded versions of the band's classics songs, on November 4 via Sony. The effort will be made available as a CD and on double vinyl.

KISS zinfandel and beer

KISS and wine distributor Rewine today announced the signing of a European licensing deal to create rare rock and roll vintages of KISS-themed Zin Fire Wine and Destroyer Beer. The private-label liquors, which feature customized KISS packaging, will be available in Europe this fall.

KISS Zin Fire is a bold and fruity 2010 California Zinfandel — the result of a cool, long growing season that promoted fantastic flavor, acidity, and color.

KISS Destroyer Beer is an easy-to-drink beer in the best German tradition. A careful brewing process creates its great head of foam and a balanced flavor, like an original "Pils."

AMARANTINE changes name to CLOCKWORK SPIRIT

AMARANTINE, the Helsinki, Finland-based metal band featuring members of AJATTARA, KIUAS, LIE IN RUINS and HANGING GARDEN, have changed its name to CLOCKWORK SPIRIT to coincide with the release of its self-titled debut album. Due on October 28

Out On Tour

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Judas Priest announce 2012 tour dates

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Guns 'n Roses cancel the Times Union Center, NY gig

Guns 'n Roses cancel the Times Union Center, NY gig

 
 
Guns 'n Roses cancel the Times Union Center, NY gig
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Top Stories

PYRAMAZE have recruit Jacob Hansen as new guitarist.

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PYRAMAZE have recruited "longtime producer and very good friend" Jacob Hansen as the band's new guitarist.

Gwar guitarist Cory Smoot aka Flattus Maximus found dead

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GRAVE DIGGER extend their contract with Napalm Records.

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Word Of Satan

Welcome maggot you are awaited.

Hi there, things are shifting around ever so slowly here at Heavy Hell, we do what we want in the pace we feel is appropriate.

Lately we have migrated the entire site to a brand new code platform, This will allow us to do awesome things that up until now have  been utterly impossible. The bad thing is that the news updates will be random at best for a while.

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