Download the FREE 2011 Labor Day Sampler

DOWNLOAD NOW (FREE) - http://www.facebook.com/VictoryRecords?sk=app_155525704530904

In honor of Labor Day weekend, Victory Records and VictoryMetal.com have unleashed a FREE sampler packed with songs from their reigning bands of heavy music. The sampler is now available for download on www.facebook.com/victoryrecords

Take 15% off of your next order at the Victory Records Webstore with a special discount code revealed once the download is complete. Go all out this weekend by head-banging and air guitaring to the heaviest metal around -- all for FREE!


Track listing
1. God Forbid- Where We Come From (DEMO TRACK)
2. Pathology- Media Consumption (In stores Sept. 13)
3. Jungle Rot- Rise Up and Revolt
4. Ringworm- Used Up, Spit Out
5. Within the Ruins- Invade
6. Carnifex- Scope of Obsession (from "Hell Chose Me," "Until I Feel Nothing" in stores Oct. 25)
7. Blackguard- Farewell (as seen on EA Sports NHL 2012)
8. OTEP- Atom to Adam
9. Design the Skyline- Crystal Swords Kill the Hordes
10. Emmure- Children of Cybertron
11. Dr. Acula- Party 2.0
12. Sister Sin- Outrage
13. Destrophy- Cry Havoc
14. ll Nino- Against the Wall
15. Counterparts- (You Think You're) John Fucking Locke (non-album track, The Current to Will Carry Us, in stores October 25)
16. Throwback MOSH- Snapcase- Typecast Modulator

WOLFPAKK - Wolfpakk

This is the first release of the collaboration of Mark Sweeney and Michael Voss. But this is more like a gathering of famous musicians since along with Voss/Sweeney in the vocals, there are numerous guest appearances by well respected artists. The result is an album full of Melodic Power Metal, fast and groovy the way Germans know how to create. But, there's also variety here, something that makes the album even more interesting. There are moments when things are more complex, with female vocals, and stronger keyboard melodies, there are the classic bombastic fast tempo songs, and there are songs with a more Epic feeling, ideal for performing live. The production is very good, as Heavy and as powerful as it should be, and helps the result very much. The album is maybe has a few cliche here and there, but it's so well performed, that the listener won't mind. There is also a 10 minute opus, Symphonic and catchy enough, that closes the album in the best possible way. An album full of great musicianship, with a lot of guest appearances, enough variety, catchy, groovy and with some nice ideas. If you like Power Metal in all it's varieties, then there's a lot of things to like here as well. It gave us some nice head banging moments on the road to work each morning. Check them out.

9/10  

CONSORTIUM PROJECT V - Species

This band is the brainchild of Ian Parry, also famous for his work with Elegy, Ayreon and Vengeance amongst others, and celebrates over 25 years of career and 21 albums released so far. This is the last of the Consortium Project series, and is a release that won't disappoint any of the fans. The music here has a lot of different elements blended all together into a powerful and intriguing mixture. There's variety here, something that works for the album, and makes it even more enjoyable to the listeners. Some songs are closer to Power Metal, others have a more Progressive form, but all have mighty melodies, and excellent musicianship. If you followed the previous four releases, you will find that this time things are notably Heavier, something that Parry wanted to do on purpose, and so are the female vocals, which used to emphasize the result of the pentalogy. As with their previous releases, the guest musicians are top class, and couldn't be done otherwise, consisting the demanding style of music. The production is perfect, heavy and clear enough, and brings all the details of the album to the surface. Despite the fact that there are songs straightforward enough, the whole album needs cautious listening to explore all it's details. And with each listening, you will find even more things to like.

10/10 

ELIAS VILJANEN - Taking The Lead

Shredding is a style of music that most people might find repetitive or boring, and can easily be so. Unless you are a guitar player, or a guitar wannabe player of course. Thankfully this is not the case here. This is not a new release, but a re-issue of Sonata Arctica's guitarist debut solo album which was released back in 2002. What makes this album interesting is that the listener will hear actual songs, and not just a constant solo of a talented guitarist. The songs are dominated by the excellent work of Elias Viljanen or course, but there's also room for the other instruments to evolve, and the result in working on both ways. The guitarist can express himself, but also the rest of the band is a vital part of the album. There are slow and faster parts, and there are enough things to like on this one. Melodies, either guitar driver, or from keyboards, are plenty and perfectly worked with absolute no indifferent moments. You don't have to be a guitar player, or a student to appreciate the music here, and this is the beauty of this album. If you haven't heard it all those years, then it's your chance to get it again enriched with a DVD as well.

9/10

SENCELLED - Senselled

I've always a good opinion for music that has a positive vibe, and this Swedish band is a perfect example of such a melody driven band. Their music gives you a happy feeling, that works very well, from the first to the last minute of the album. The band is playing a very radio friendly kind of Rock, melodic and catchy, with the elements of 90's rock and AOR, being the most obvious ones. The music is well written, with enough interesting parts, and what's the most important is that it's catchy and has a way to sneak into your mind. So, there's no surprise that after a few moments, you will find yourself singing along, and moving your head along with the groove. But don't get fooled, cause these guys not only know how to play, and also know how to compose. There are moments like the ballad "Oh Sarah" where the melodies strongly remind the kind of ballads Hard Rock bands used to create back in the late 80's, but given in a more modern perspective. The album has no weak points, and if you are a fan of Melodic music, this one will please you enough. If you like to sing along, tap you steering wheel while driving, and seeking for a band to give you a good mood while going to work, seek no more. Senselled are great for the job, and tested for a while from our crew.

9/10

Voodoo Highway - Running Around

The Italian hard rock band "Voodoo Highway" is glad to announce their new videoclip for the song "Running Around", from the debut album "Broken Uncle's Inn".