CD Review: New Music From Independent Heavy Metal Artists These Streets, Slope & Fxss

Arriving in August is the latest release from California hardcore metal band These Streets titled "Unfinished Business." After their last release, These Streets have a new look on their career as they deliver hard-hitting melodies that they have become known for. Their new 9-song release begins with the pounding rhythm of "Unfinished Business" as These Street pull no punches. They continue with the aggressive attack of "Wasting Away" and the intense, hardcore/trash metal of "Bite The Hand." They continue the onslaught with the growling vocals of "Can't Be Saved" that deliver a truth to the lyrics, before finishing their new release with the quick, punk-like fury of "Life From The Gutter." To find out more about These Streets and their latest release "Unfinished Business," please visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/Thesestreetscv.

Next, from Germany comes the new release titled "Losin' Grip" from hardcore metal/punk band Slope. Their new seven-song album begins with the pace changes of "95," before delivering "Movino Losino," which sounds like the early punk days Red Hot Chili Peppers. They quicken the pace with the funk-like hardcore groove of "Buzz Off!" and "The Void," before finishing their new release with the band's instrumental build-up "Straight To Nowhere." To find out more about about Slope and their latest release "Losin' Grip," please visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/slopehc.

Norwegian heavy metal band Fxss return with their sophomore release titled "Second Coming." It has been 5 years since the band's debut album and they have taken all those experiences and created an outstanding underground metal album. Their new 9-song release begins with the classic metal appeal of "Make A Life" that sounds like a combination of early Iron Maiden and Tesla. They deliver a thrash metal feel to "Peace & Love," before slowing down for the power ballad "Dear Lucy." They close out their new release with the heavy metal guitar riffs of "Heathen" and the outstanding musicianship of the six-minute closer "Fall Away." To find more about Foss and their latest release "Second Coming," please visit fxsstheband.com.