The band’s trademark power metal sound is still very much present, but it’s the progressive influences and the heavier direction that play a larger role this time around that reveal the leaps the band have made from as little as two years ago.

Assaulter’s debut effort is a great leap forward from their initial demo recordings. And while the production is a little on the weak side of things (in particular the lack of audible bass throughout the album), it’s a solid foundation for the band to build upon in time to come.

…the group use guitar, bass, drum, electronics and cello to evoke emotion and deliver effortlessly a sound so unique, so memorable.

Behind Crimson Eyes, who are now a four piece act have never been afraid to change their sound from release to release. But quite frankly, the turn towards a more hard rock orientated sound on their latest release doesn’t sound as convincing as the harder edged post-hardcore sound of ‘A Revelation For Despair’.

For those who haven’t heard Bliss they sound like they lay somewhere in between VAST and Enigma with their chilled out world music sound.

‘It’s Nothing Personal’ is good, but I can’t help but feel that this is a transitional album for Bury Your Dead, and that with the release of their next album, they will have finally found a way to master the mix of brutality and melodic sensibility more consistently.

…‘Concordat’ is an all-round solid slab of blackened thrash, and a more than worthy follow up to ‘Reincarnated’, one that should appeal to old-school black/thrash metal fans.

Des Peres has to be one of the most anticipated music groups to come out of Melbourne in quite a long time.

Yet, more people should start to take note, as Doves produce one of their finest efforts on their fourth album Kingdom Of Rust. Many other bands would long to write songs as good as these.

The EP is upbeat, a testament to their devotion to their music. The songs are all catchy and danceable…

Despite having four albums to their name after sixteen years in existence, Reprise Records have decided that now is as good a time as any to put together a best of compilation of Ohio based industrial/alternative rock outfit Filter, entitled ‘The Very Best Things (1995 - 2008)’.

There are some good folk acts in Australia at the moment and Fisher King are at the head of that list.

Veckatimest could be seen as somewhat of an instrumental album; majority of the songs open with instrumental for longer than a usual song, and feature an extended musical interlude.

‘Faith In Chaos’ isn’t a perfect release, but there’s more than enough to show that there’s plenty of promise within the band’s ranks by the time they release their debut full-length effort.

These guys take the old Motown blues sound and mix it with a fair whack of soul and alternative country, and the result is ‘Suburban Dreaming’ an album that sounds so sweet that you will have it one repeat for days.

Leader Cheetah has produced what is a breathtakingly elegant and soulful album. Folksy and rocky, nostalgic and full of heart, it is Australian music at its best.

Her independent debut album “Rising” has come to fruition through working with producer/songwriter Angel Angelov and it's a beautiful set of songs.

We don't want to pay $40 for a CD/DVD of songs that are already on the other Linkin Park CDs and DVDs because yes, in case you were confused, this isn't the band's first concert DVD either. But there is some consolation in the fact that Linkin Park sound a lot better live than most bands.

…Call and Response is a little disappointing. Sure some tracks are better off as remixes but the majority simply reinforce the rule: if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Sometimes you have to wait a while for good things and that is certainly the case for Michael Abboud’s second EP.

Despite a lack of any originality in the musical sense over the eight tracks, and some seriously dreadful lyrics throughout the album, Misguided Aggression have put together a relatively strong and enjoyable debut…

And it’s really paid off, with ‘From Hell To Texas’ showing that beneath the cheesy one-liners and drunken bravado, Nashville Pussy are actually capable of writing songs that actually have some substance.

…Nightwish have seemingly gone from strength to strength with the album selling more than a million copies worldwide, and the band undertaking their most successful tour to date across the globe.

This is a must have for all Paul Kelly fans and if you are yet to discover this great artist, just one listen to this ‘Best Of’ and you’ll be going out and buying his whole back catalogue.

New album ‘Yes’ doesn’t find The Pet Shop Boys do anything different; they know their music is great and they know that their fans love it that way so once again they deliver eleven of the best electro-pop songs that you are ever likely to hear.

Sounditout are in one word brilliant. Their EP is cool and unconventional and their sound is something we've never heard before.

A mix of everything from trip-hop and psychedelia to glitch-beats and just plain crazy sound bites, Spoonbill definitely does not fit any musical genre…

Planetary Duality’ isn’t a huge departure style wise from what The Faceless previously delivered on ‘Akeldama’. But where this album differs from their previous effort is its overall cohesiveness, tighter song writing and its greater influence of progressive elements…

…and the fish named The Graveyard Sons is one of the freshest to show itself in a long, long time.

One listen to their new album ‘Nostalgica’ and you’ll see that there is nothing special about their voices and this time a lot of the music on the album doesn’t even fit the ‘tenor’ vocal range…

The one thing that will hit you about The View is the fact that they are a band who are willing to take chances with their sound

Troy Cassar-Daley never fails to sweep you up in his stories about the old days on the farm, adding his own colour to his songs by drawing from his personal family history.

On the whole, the tone of the CD was pleasant, fun listening and is ideal for those long road trips with your best girl friends…

This collection will bring back a lot of memories, and with tracks by artists like Mylo, Moloko and Underworld included you can’t help but be impressed by what the Ministry Of Sound has managed to put together.

Homegrown heroes, John Course and Ian Carey have produced two fantastic CDs that should please any dance fan, as well as capture some who didn't even know they were into the techno beat.

The Ministry have outdone themselves, bringing listeners a huge 60 songs over three discs, mixed by Goodwill, Tommy Trash and Dirty South.

After all, any soundtrack is really just a glorified i-pod playlist. So if you're into bands like The Ting Tings or Junkie XL go and buy their album and get the whole musical experience rather than this mix bag of melodic mish mash.

More than just dance or rock, It's Blitz is music with soul, with depth and with enough hits to make it a truly spectacular listen.