METAL
“Mezmerize”
System of a Down
Columbia
System’s melodic, sometimes-operatic metal is awe-inspiring, and it sets the L.A. quartet far apart from the superficially like-minded bands littering the dirty heavyscape.
Never question System’s hardness. These guys know metal. But with this record and its upcoming part-two companion piece “Hypnotize,” both of which were recorded with Rick Rubin, the band takes its signatures down another heavy metal highway.
The near-acoustic “Soldier Side – Intro” reminds you of the boys’ prowess behind the mic, but then comes “B.Y.O.B.” and “Ravenga,” two of the most vocally blistering tracks in System’s catalog. The perfect marriage between Queen and Slayer, the music rages via intense structural shifts, basic but effective harmonies and paint-peeling guitars.
And that’s just the first three tracks.
– Ricardo Baca
EMO-METAL
“Below Sunset”
Hypnogaja
Union State Records
This visceral Hollywood band is largely marketed around singer Jason “ShyBoy” Arnold’s in-your-face vocals. Arnold is effective, but the real strength here is the chemistry Hypnogaja evokes while addressing hot-button topics like breakups and music-business deceitfulness. During songs such as “They Don’t Care” and “Misery,” hard-driving hooks paired with unexpected symphonic samples result in a Linkin Park-meets-Massive Attack edge. The album is not for Top 40 devotees. But anyone interested in metal that pushes boundaries should give it a chance.
Hypnogaja appears at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Independent Records, 937 E. Colfax Ave. The band plays Wednesday night at the Iliff Park Saloon, 2300 E. Chambers Road, Aurora.
– Elana Ashanti Jefferson
ALT-COUNTRY
“Cold Roses”
Ryan Adams
Lost Highway
“When Will You Come Back Home” is one of the best songs on Ryan Adams’ just-released double-disc “Cold Roses.” It’s also the question his fans have been asking of Adams, who first came to notice as a member of the pioneering alt-county band Whiskeytown. When he set off on his own, Adams released both pop and rock CDs. Each was fine in its own way. Many hard-core Adams fans, however, longed for his earlier sound. Well, they get it on “Cold Roses,” which features his fine new band, The Cardinals.
Fans of his rock and pop music also will find plenty to like on this 18-track album. Save for 2000’s “Heartbreaker,” this is Adams’ best since Whiskeytown went dry about six years ago. There is more good news: Adams plans to release two more albums this year.
– Ed Will