Weekly Round-Up (Jan 11th 2014) Part 1.

This week still finds me attempting to get through my backlog of 2013, so I've done this week's round-up in two parts - 1 with the remainder of 2013's music and one with new stuff from 2014.

I still have far too many bands from 2013 that I'd like to share with you all, but I think rather than keep posting them 5 at a time, it would be better for me to create a nice double CD (if anyone remembers those) sized compilation of the very best of 2013 and put up a Dropbox link here.

So, here's the last part of the 2013 round-ups...To infinity and beyond (2014).

Datura Curse

Up first this week we have a pretty decent Melodic Death Metal act. On the first, cursory listen, you might think you've heard it all before, but there are some interesting vocal harmonies going on here. What it lacks in originality, it makes up for in the songs. Reminiscent of the excellent, but sadly defunct The Duskfall and fellow Aussies, Be'Lakor, there is much on offer here for those willing to give it a fair chance.

Dead End Finland

Another Melodic Death band and again they deliver a stylish if mostly unoriginal take on the genre. Similar to...well. just about any band from this genre to come out of Scandinavia in the last 10 years (Deals Death, etc), but with the occasional nod to the heavier end of Nu-Metal (Slipknot and the likes). If Melodic Death is your thing, then click on the link below and judge for yourself.

Benedictum

I first heard this band 5 or 6 years ago and thought they had their moments, but other than the "novelty" of having a female lead vocal to match the most powerful male Metal vocalist, they were really nothing special. Fast forward to 2013 and things are very different. The vocals are still as impressive as ever, but this time the music actually does them justice. Think Testament meets Queensryche and you won't be far off. Yes, this sounds very much like it could have been released in the mid-late 90's, but with songs this good, who cares?!

Chimaira

Most of you will remember when Chimaira had their moment in the sun back in the early-late 00's, but I'm sure that you will be much less familiar with the band's later offerings (unless you are American). That would probably be due to the fact that they were not well promoted and were, for the most part, pretty much forgettable. The new album finds the band back on the same dynamic form as the earlier releases, but as far more proficient musicians. Only remaining origínal member, Mark Hunter is on fine form, vocally...ranging from the more familiar roaring and growling through to hints of the Grunge-esque vocals from "The Impossibility..." era. This is easily the best collection of songs Chimaira has put together in a decade.

Death Ape Disco

Last up for 2013 is a band I championed on Facebook early last year, Death Ape Disco. Strange, but brilliant name aside, this was an unexpected Stoner / Grunge / Hard Rock gem. The band couldn't sound more 90's if they tried, coming across as a mix of AIC / COC / Down / Kyuss and Monster Magnet. If it's modern, cutting edge music you're after, move along...there is nothing for you here.