Woot! Back from my spring leave of absence and ready to assault the web with more writing! For my past few Metalhead Minutes, I’ve been delving into some band’s from the obscure underbelly of some of metal’s rising artists (in my eyes). This week I’ll bring things back a bit closer to the surface; some of the commoners might actually be listening to the choices I’ve selected for this post. These songs come from two albums that will be unavoidable for anyone who even passively associates themselves with metal in the spring of 2009!
First, take a listen to the lead single from Mastodon‘s newest album, Crack the Skye. As a reminder, this album will be in stores everywhere on Tuesday, and “Divinations” is an epic, psych’n’roll metal masterwork that is only an indicator of the direction these Georgian metalheads have decided to take. I’ll have my review of the album posted on Monday, so I won’t get into the specifics now, but just enjoy the preview video for now to tide you over!
Video: Mastodon, “Divinations” (from Crack the Skye, available 03/24)
Maybe this is an unsuspecting choice for anyone who’s followed my tastes on the site, but honestly, Chimaira is a band that has never let me down. Despite the harsh treatment the band has endured from the community in general over the past few years, I’ve always seen them as a band that is thinking outside the box and pushing boundaries rather than being confined by them. Over the years, their attack has continued to be refined and “Secrets of the Dead” indicates another progression. The track comes from their forthcoming album The Infection, an album that will be sure to cement the band a permanent place in the metal history books. Though it still clings tight to the trash and groove metal centerpiece that Chimaira fans will know and love, death metal, epic doom metal, and black metal are all nuanced, as well. Simply put, “Secrets of the Dead” seems to meld my favorite aspects of all things brutal, and I hope the rest of the album is of the same caliber. In theory, a song like this could’ve been a mess, but Chimaira seems to have hit created a legendary sound for their newest evolution. Listen to “Secrets of the Dead” now and see what you’ve been missing!
MP3: Chimaira, “Secrets of the Dead” (from The Infection, available 04/21)
Nearly half a decade has passed since Doves had released Some Cities, and now the English indie rock trio has been the studio getting ready to release Kingdom of Rust. I, for one, will be scrounging up the pounds and pence to purchase the album on April 6th. Who is with me?!?
It seems as though Blackout 2 will find itself on the shelves next month. Talk about another amazing release to look forward to. Blackout 2 will come 10 years after the original Method Man & Redman album was released. This album promises to be a great one with production from Pete Rock, 
It looks as though your favorite emcee who never fails to give you the punchlines you always crave is back in action this year. In an article I read on 
Two long years have passed since the Furries released Hey Venus in 2007. The Welsh band kicked off their release of Dark Days/Light Years with a full-length web-cast performance on 
Grooving to a beat unmistakably of their own, Junior Boys kick off their North American tour on March 28th in Ontario, Canada. No need to worry though, they will be slowly steppin’ into First Ave on the 3rd of April. These slippery melodies are easy-on-the-ear, while allowing space to wander back to days of innocent youth. The track “Like a Child” is simple and fun, just like being a child. Soft vocals and subtle synths are enough to make any inner-child feel warm and cozy.
The Who – Live At Leeds (Deluxe Edition): Honestly I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to this album. I remember buying it in the store years ago, and it cost me just about thirty-five dollars. It may be the best money I’ve ever spent on an album. This album truly shows the pure rock fury of The Who. If you have ever had a doubt in your life as to the legitimacy of The Who, please listen to this album. The original album was released with just 35 minutes of the 120, and this album has all of it. This is one of the greatest live albums of all time, no doubt in my mind. Every single member of The Who sounds precise and musically sound. This also might be the heaviest material you will ever here from The Who. From the rapid fire boulder crashing drums of Keith Moon to the lion roaring vocals of Roger Daltrey this album is everything a live album should be and more… 
MIND INVERSION 