And that is no bad thing. PoM might have started out as alternative, but this is mainstream done very well. No navel-gazing on here. I can only see this album taking the band even higher "We Don't Need to Look Back Now" has got power ballad hit written all over it, an ever-so-slight hint of GooGooDolls will make sure this does well. Think "Iris" for the 00s. Great album from an impressive band.

Amen: s/t

Remastered and including the Coma America single tracks, this is an impressive package from Metal Mind. A band that plays angst punk with metal tinges. Frankly, this album leaves me bored shitless. This type of crap might work live but just comes across as lame on record. If you have the album and want to hear it cleaned up nicely in a good package then this might be for you. As for me; I am relieved I never have to listen to it again.

Defiance: Insomnia

This is an impressive three disc set comprised of Defiance's first three album with oodles of bonus tracks in the form of live tracks and demos. There are extensive liner notes with the chaotic and sometimes daft history of the band. (They sent their demo off to Europe  and didn't include any contact details on it). The band suffered from a terminal case of line-up changes and a bit of confusion of what to do with them. Their later singer Steev found his way into Skinlab.

For those that are not yet fans of the band, the last CD on this set is the most polished. Aptly called Beyond Recognition this is the band at the peak of their creative powers, sounding like Megadeth in their prime. It's Bay area thrash done with passion and talent. The other two albums are quite a good history of the band.  In the end, this is an impressive tribute to the memory of their sadly dead lead guitarist Doug Harrington. If you like yer thrash done well, then have a listen to this lot. You won't be disappointed.

Quick Change: Circus of Death

Edgy cover and edgy music; this lot of 80s metallers play an odd blend of sludge power metal that got them lots of fans, but not much else. This CD has been remastered with a couple of bonus tracks. This is essential for those who loved the band but only have it on vinyl or tape, but not really interesting for the rest of us. Of its time, it was something interesting but now its nothing special.

Znowhite: Znowhite

This is the first three Znowhite in a box set of sort. It's Metal Mind so you know it's remastered with extensive liner notes. Znowhite were rather unusual in that the band was originally made up of four black guys, three of whom were related, fronted by a blond woman. This in addition the fact they were playing thrashy metal that got them signed to Metal Blade, the home at the time of all things metal. Oh yes and not tokens, they were actually bloody good.