Lamb of God: Ashes of the Wake

This is undoubtedly the best metal album released in 2004.
Unlike their previous 2003 release, “As the Palaces Burn”, this one actually sounds like there was some forethought given to production. Yet, like Palaces, “Ashes of the Wake” simply crushes; it just sounds better during the crushing.
Don’t look for a lot of melodic singing or vocal [...]

Unearth: The Oncoming Storm

These guys remind me a lot of Killswitch Engage—as well as Hatebreed in some places on the release—which makes it one hell of a metal album.
Very thick low end, with tons of double-kickdrums driving the pace of every song. Chugging guitars with various tempo changes and moshpit-targetted breakdowns with catchy hooks and some pretty good [...]