Editor’s note: Howdy folks… as you can tell, we’ve been busy lately, so here’s a small sampling of some things we didn’t quite get to over the past few months.  Hopefully you enjoy our brevity and are able to catch up on what’s new and what sucks.

Megadeth – Rust in Peace Live (CD and DVD)

Mark’s Review:

My favorite album of all time given the live treatment?  I can’t lose, right?  Well, as far as production and performance, the band delivers on all counts.  Take No Prisoners is incredibly tight and it was great to hear Poison Was the Cure and Five Magics in a live setting.  Unfortunately, Mustaine’s already polarizing voice is failing, and he struggles through many of the songs.  It doesn’t ruin them, but it does make you think twice about putting on the actual album tracks instead.  Also, the songs they chose to round out the set are a huge letdown.  No one wants to hear Trust and In My Darkest Hour was played-out a decade ago.

Mark’s Rating:

King says: “It’s good to hear Dave singing about serious topics again… you know, old ladies living in attics and such.”

Justin’s Review:

I’ve never been a “live album” kind of guy, but seeing and hearing Dave & Dave and the other dudes rip through this classic (and one of my favorite metal albums) wasn’t a bad way to kill an hour. It’s just a shame that they didn’t offer up an “instrumental-only” feature on the DVD… God… Mustaine’s vocals suck.

Justin’s Rating:

King says: “Dave may have mastered Five Magics, but clearly needs to work on his Pitch-Correction Spells.”

Dragonforce – Twilight Dementia

Mark’s Review:

This live album is quite bad.  Say what you want about Dragonforce, but Inhuman Rampage was a great power-metal album, unfortunately, all momentum built by Guitar Hero cannot excuse this sloppy, weak-sounding live set highlighted by the most unnecessary, curse-filled crowd banter by now-ex singer ZB Theart (stage name?).  I’ve heard these guys really suck live, and now, the world can hear it too.

Mark’s Rating:

King says: “Dammit!  I finally got past “Through the Fire and Flames” on “Expert”, and then I realized no one gives a shit about Dragonforce or Guitar Hero anymore.”

Justin’s Review:

I’d rather sit through an afternoon demonstration of proper sword sheathing etiquette at the Renaissance Faire than listen to 5 minutes of Dragonforce live.

Justin’s Rating:

King says: “I know pinball machines that write better songs than Dragonforce.”

Enslaved – Axioma Ethica Odini

Mark’s Review:

Justin sent me this album and I have to admit, while it’s musically very good, I just cant get into it.  You’d think that my love for Opeth would translate into Enslaved’s similar style, but I think they just lack some of the sophistication of Akerfeldt and crew.  Dynamically, I think it’s kind of stale, and the songs all sort of drone on.  I had the same problem with their previous release, Vertebrae, an album everyone loved but me.  Maybe this one is for you, but I grew weary of it.

Mark’s Rating:

King says: “One would say this album was “not Mark’s cup of TEA”… eh, EH?… cause of Grandma and the tea?… anyone?… anyone own “Them” out there?… C’mon people, I’m King Fucking Diamond!”

Justin’s Review:

Yeah Mark… this one IS for me. Fantastic songwriting, stellar vocals, and catchy as hell, Axioma Ethica Odini is another dynamic prog/black metal classic by the Norwegian legends, and the perfect followup to the almost perfect Vertebrae. As far as their last three releases are concerned, Enslaved have surpassed Opeth in my book. There… I said it.

Justin’s Rating:

King says: “Enslaved were the guests of honor at Amon’s annual end of summer BBQ Bash.”

Soundgarden – Black Rain

Mark’s Review:

An unreleased track recorded during the Badmotorfinger sessions, this song is what every old-school Soundgarden fan wants: Chris Cornell murdering it with that falsetto.  A very solid track that is hopefully a sign of things to come from the re-formed outfit.

Mark’s Rating:

King says: “See Chris?, I told you, the ladies LOVE the falsetto!”

Justin’s Review:

Proof in the pudding that Cornell and Co. have simply wasted 3/4 of their careers.

Justin’s Rating:

King says: “Hell yeah… I just added “Singles” to the top of my Netflix queue.”

Halford – Made of Metal

Mark’s Review:

Wow, this song really sucks.  I thought Halford had reached his nadir with Nostradamus, quite possibly one of the worst albums ever pressed, but this song is not only dated, but it’s cheesy and painful to listen to.  I think it’s time for the “Metal God” to hang em up, just live off the Priest legacy please, this is dreadful.

Mark’s Rating:

King says: “Ugh, Rob you played this song over the phone for me and I told you NOT to release it!! I guess you didn’t hear me?”

Justin’s Review:

Jesus Rob… could you possibly be any more cliché? You’re a bald, gay, middle-aged, metalhead, wearing a spiked, leather trench coat… singing about a super-sonic, metal NASCAR, that’s driven by aliens while riding laser beams. What the hell man?!?

Justin’s Rating:

King says: “Did Mustaine ghost-write these lyrics?”