It was an odd week to be sure. I was at a football stadium, not my normal stomping ground, actually watching a footie match.

I got to witness Roger Daltrey make a prat of himself at Arsenal's final match/celebration at Highbury (they have been there for 93 years). The song he wrote for the occasion was pretty lame and his attempt at "My Generation" was pathetic. In fact Daltery was blown off the stage by a man at 20 years his senior early in the 90 minute celebration.

Now on to the CDs.

Bludgeon: World Controlled

A nice calm acoustic folk record. The band actually does what it says on the tin. It's heavy as hell and never quite lets up. This is death metal in all its glory. I have to say I rather enjoyed this collection of heaviness that manages never to get samey or dull. This CD was produced by Manowar main man Joey DeMaio; but don't let that put you off. Not only do you get eleven tracks of uber-heaviness you get a video section cheerily entitled "You don't pay my bills, Motherfucker." What more could you possibly want for your heaviness needs?

Eidolon: The Parallel Otherworld

This is Megadeth done right, without Mustaine but with all the angst and class of classic Megadeth albums. It's clear that the guitarist & drummer Drover brothers were heavily influenced by their time in Mustaine's employ. The band was put on hold when they were hired by Megadeth and you should be very glad they are back. This is an excellent slab of riff heavy power metal. It is patently obvious why Escapi has grabbed this lot. Former Pagan Mind vocalist Nils K Rue lends his skilled voice to this excellent collection. I found myself really enjoying all the tracks on this CD; it reminded me of the best of power metal with lashings of thrash.

(hed)p.e.: Back 2 Base

Five guys trying to out rap-metal Ice-T is what you have on this atrocious release. Okay, that is unfair. When (hed)pe is doing rap metal it's ludicrous rubbish but when they do ska like "Before Do We Go" or a bit of reggae as in 'The Chosen One" it actually isn't that bad. But then again there isn't anything here you haven't heard done better somewhere else. Lyrically the band rants against the New World Order, Freemasonry, and other paranoid conspiracy subjects. In general this is just pretty lame stuff that you just wish would go away. Stick to Body Count.