Freya

After a few line-up changes, two albums and a split with Hoods, Syracuse, NY-based Freya are back with their newest release, All Hail The End. Led by Earth Crisis vocalist Karl Buechner, the disc is a concept album focusing on humanity's greed and struggle throughout history ― appropriate themes considering last year's economic recession. Hard-hitting from opener "The Light That Rivaled The Sun," the album's 13 tracks seamlessly flow into each other with shredding guitars, brutal drums and scorching screams. 2009 was a busy year for Buechner. Besides recording All Hail The End, EC released their latest album, To The Death, this past May, and even after fronting bands for the past 19 years, Buechner's vocals are flawless. Freya guitarists John Sullivan and Brendon Flynn look to the Middle East for musical inspiration on "Human Demons," and "Deities of Wrath" is the album's most mosh-worthy song, with an elongated, sluggish breakdown-bridge.