2005

Despite the relentless crush of technology and the ever-shortening attention spans of music fans, some bands manage to hone their original sound significantly without radical changes or skimping on substance. Over the last several years, San Francisco’s SLOUGH FEG has done just that. 2005’s “Atavism” is a MAIDEN-inspired roller coaster of folkish sword-on-shield mini-epics that eclipses practically every band flying the power metal banner. The aggressive, galloping riffs and overpowering leads that spurt from Mike Scalzi’s weathered axe in tracks like “I Will Kill You / You Will Die” and the stunning closer “Atavism II” are stirring and authentic enough to restore even the toughest critic’s faith in traditional heavy metal.

Attempts to describe the primal pounding and psychotic hodgepodge of Detroit’s HUMAN EYE are almost certainly an exercise in futility (but there’s no harm in trying). Frontman Timmy "Vulgar" Lampinen leads his commune of weirdos through track after track of riffs, howls, and noises that call to mind everything from PERE UBU to HAWKWIND. The whole thing’s held together by spit, rubber bands, and perhaps some discarded dryer exhaust vents. It’s a kitschy, schizophrenic affair that no fan of gut-level music played by humans can live without.

Picks of the litter, 2005: