Iron Maiden – The Final Frontier (2010: Sony Legacy)

No embarrassment,
but far from the pantheon;

muddled mix no help.

http://www.ironmaiden.com/thefinalfrontier/

Europe – Prisoners in Paradise (1991: Epic)

Clichéd, squeaky clean
radio rock - trite but not to

Countdown nausea.

http://www.europetheband.com/discography.html# (scroll “then” til you hit it)

Earl Slick – In Your Face (1992: Metal Blade)

Late to shredfest surge,
less flash, more blues, grooves throughout -

fine for guitar moods.

http://www.guitar9.com/inyourface.html

Obituary – Dead (1998: Roadrunner)

Zombliciousness
of mid-paced, grisly death knells;
old school never dies.

http://obituary.cc/index.html

Triptykon – Eparistera Daimones (2010: Century Media)

Leaden dirges drone,
bruise as body blows tally;

Giger artwork fits.

http://www.triptykon.net/triptykon/index.html

Madder Mortem – Deadlands (2002: Century Media)

Hypnotic, smooth to
shrill herky-jerks test comfort,

win more each listen.

http://www.maddermortem.com/

Gamma Ray – Power Plant (1999: Noise)

Jer’cho walls recur
but miss Scheeper’s throat dearly;

still rocks regardless.

http://www.gammaray.org/index.php/discography-albums/discography-1999-pp.html