Music Review – Trivium “In Waves”

In Waves is the fifth album from the Metal band Trivium.

I really loved Ascendency which was the album that really broke them through. The Crusade was decent the title track instrumental was particularly awesome. Shogun however… well yeah it was not a great album when you get right down to it. Following Shogun drummer Travis Smith was dismissed and Trivium went to the drawing board for three years, moving forward with new drummer Nick Agusto.

To be perfectly honest until KSSU’s Metal Director threw the album at me I was really out of the loop on this one and surprises are really nice sometimes.

Music Review – Symphony X “Iconoclast”

By: Brian Bautista (DJ Barge)

 

I have always had a hard and fast rule when discussing the best albums of a given year. I do not discuss it or even bring it up until November. It is simply way to easy to get swept up in all the hype when an album drops. I am breaking that rule.

Iconoclast is a masterpiece. It is not only my favorite album of the year, it is my favorite Symphony X album. (and I Still rock Paradise Lost and Divine Wings weekly if not daily) Michael Romeo is in top form throughout as he works as only he can. No disrespect for the number of real quality guitar players out there in metal, but Michael Romeo is at or near the top of the list.

Music Review – In Flames “Sounds of a Playground Fading”

In Flames – Sounds of a Playground Fading Review

By: Brian Bautista (Dj Barge)

Host of “The Forge” on KSSU.com

                In Flames new album, “Sounds of a Playground Fading (or Sounds),” is the follow up to their incredibly successful 2008 album, “A Sense of Purpose“.  In Flames, being one of the founding bands of Melodic Death Metal, has made a very deliberate attempt to push the boundaries of the genre and this album continues that effort to great effect.