I apologise for my absence in the last few weeks. I have to admit that I was bereft of CDs/DVDs to review as well as being rather distracted getting ready for my own band's debut. A few discs have been trickling into the MMM front door and I have received others at events I have attended as of late.

The first of these was the the CD launch of the new 100 Reasons CD Kill Your Own at the rather nice HQ of V2 Records in Holland Park. The record company is housed in a lovely large house with its own bar in the basement. The new CD was produced by the guitarist and is an interesting mixture of modern heavy rock and old school metal. It's not released until March; but I was generally rather impressed. It was nice to hear that some of the fellow rock journos recognised my band name when I mentioned it. An early evening well spent.

CD reviews:

When Gravity Fails s/t

This lot have produced a tight 7 song set as a debut. The only trouble with the music here is that it is so incredibly derivative of Alice in Chains. The band are seemingly obsessed with the band; although it has to be said lead singer has a better voice that the A.i.C. singer. This is a mini-album and it shows a great deal of promise. This band is founded by the former co-songwriter and bassist for the critically rated band Cortizone. The album has gotten kudos from such luminaries as Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden) who has played them on his radio show. I just wish I could hear more originality on this very professional release. The band really missed that special unquantifiable something that will push them into the higher leagues. When Gravity Fails is certainly a band to watch.

Mendeed — This War Will last Forever

Mendeed has been getting much deserved praise from all quarters for their high quality death-like metal; both live and on CD. Blast beat drumming, screaming vocals and power rifting is all over this stuff. There is no subtlety in this lot, not one bit. What is most impressive is their ability to combine modern metal and old school thrash; while making it their own and not sounding too derivative. If you like brutal driving death metal then this lot are for you. Which each release the band get better and better. There is a serious Slayer feel to this album; and other more extreme bay area thrashers. Like Dragonforce, with whom they toured, they are introducing old school metal to a whole new generation while at the same time making it their own. This is quality stuff for the metal-heads of the world.