411 Music March Mayhem Tournament: Round 1 - Metal

Posted by Mitch Michaels on 03.06.2009

Your favorite rock and metal bands. Your favorite rock and metal albums. You vote. You decide who wins.



We're back with the inaugural 411 Music March Mayhem Tournament, destined to become the biggest annual competition in all of the recording world.

Today marks the conclusion of the opening round, where metal bands square off in duels to the death. If you missed the opening round for rock yesterday (or just haven't voted yet), just click here.

Once again, the concept is quite simple: 64 bands and singers from the realms of rock and metal. Each week, they'll put some of their best albums up against another band's best. And, each week, you will decide who does it just that much better. Winners will advance. Losers will take their respective walks into shame and obscurity.

And in the end, there can be only one. One band who you, the 411 readers, will decide is the ultimate in the world of rock. That band will be the 411 Music March Mayhem Champion for 2009. Kings of rock. Gods of guitar. Most favored in the halls of 411.

The bracket is above. As you can see, we like to do things big. And this tourney bracket is too big to even fit in the confines of a normal 411 column. Just click on it to make it readable.

The rules are basic: each week, two bands place two albums against each other. Fans vote which album is better. The loser walks. The winning band advances and places a different album into competition in the next round. Bands must use a different studio album in each round until they have exhausted their catalog.

And today, we take a look at the Metal half of the opening round. There are 16 match-ups. Read the stats and vote which album is better in each one. You can use the comments section below or, if you'd like to exercise your right to a secret ballot, send your votes to [e-mail] with the subject of "Round 1 Vote".

Next week, winners will be announced for both Rock and Metal and the second round commences.

So let your voice be heard! Who brings the thunder? Who makes you cum on and feel the noise? Who is the greatest? Who brings the MAYHEM?

OPENING ROUND: METAL

Metallica - …And Justice For All Dan Marsicano: Metallica's fourth album saw the thrash metal band experimenting with progressive songwriting, with longer songs and plenty of time changes. The dry production drowned out new bassist Jason Newsted, and that irked some fans, but the nine songs on …And Justice For All are fantastic, regardless of the poor production. Opener "Blackened," the title track, "One," "Dyers' Eve"…the list goes on. This was arguably the last great Metallica album, and with good reason.

VS.

Edguy - Rocket Ride Dan Haggerty: What more could you want in a metal album? It's got the stainless steel sheen of modern power metal, but taken to interesting lengths on prog inspired pieces like "Sacrifice" and "The Asylum", Or do you want speedy smokers? Check out "Return of the Tribe" for a classic feel of Motley Crue's first album come solo (it's there, take a listen) and great leads. In fact, this album is like old Helloween stumbling through a hair band concert, and that makes for an entertaining ride to say the least.

Lamb Of God - Sacrament Dan Haggerty: Lamb of God hit pay dirt with this one. With one foot in the camp of the scene that made them, and the other in more tradition metal lands. With the addition of some solid riff work, solos(!), and a heavy tone that shakes the plaster in your neighbors house, the band exploded with this award winning album. Sometimes music is about art, some times its spewing anger at your enemies. For Lamb of God it was both and that was the sacrament with their fans.

VS.

Sepultura - Roots Dan Marsicano: People may know me around 411 as the "metal guy who hates Roots" and you would be correct. Don't let my dislike of this album stop you from voting for it though. No matter how I may feel about it, there is no doubting the huge impact 1996's Roots had on the music world, both positive and negative. Nu-metal would become huge after this album came out, and let's not forget that this was Max Cavalera's last album with Sepultura. That automatically makes it an important piece in metal history.

Iron Maiden - Somewhere In Time Dan Haggerty: Right in the sweet zone between Powerslave and Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son is Iron Maiden, at the top of their game. It has the axes of the former and the synth of the later, all with a little more crunch. Add in a drum sound that is larger than life and Somewhere In Time is arguably the greatest Maiden album to slide under the radar. It's a transition album that equals the bookends it joins. From axe snapping leads (Adrian Smith is all over this) to a long epic that rivals the bands greatest prog stories (Harris still spins a great yarn!), this album packs it all.

VS.

Cannibal Corpse - Evisceration Plague Dan Marsicano: Cannibal Corpse's latest album is a fantastic death metal album, one that stands toe-to-toe with the other gems in Corpse's catalog. Now, some of you may look at the other album this is going against, and wonder why these two are competing with each other. If it was any other Iron Maiden album, I would throw in the white flag, but I think Evisceration Plague can easily triumph over Somewhere In Time…and this is coming from the guy that featured that album in his column as one of the most underrated Iron Maiden albums ever.

Slipknot - Iowa Dan Haggerty: It was going to happen eventually. Someone had to take the ultimate brand of extreme and make the formula that the establishment continued to ignore – Violence = Art. Nine dudes from Iowa climb to the top of the nu-metal scrap heap and drop enough venom for one brilliant moment take over the whole damn metal scene. A little old, a little new, a little urban, along with farmstead honesty delivers everything you wanted to say and wish someone did, only they did go there and raped a public staring in blank comprehension.

VS.

All That Remains - Overcome Dan Marsicano: Boston metalcore band All That Remains recently released their fourth studio album, Overcome, to great fanfare. It's a strong album, one that hits the right notes and perfectly balances aggression and melody. That's all that is really needs to be said; do you really want Slipknot to advance?

Disturbed - Ten Thousand Fists Dan Haggerty: What do you do when the metal scene you helped pioneer starts to collapse within itself? Why, pull back with some alternative soundscapes to prove your chops and still stay relevant. Another album that is as much metal statement as it is a rock statement, and proves that music is all linked under the same banner; the musician with the right vision can break new interesting ground. Plus the Genesis cover kicks ass!

VS.

Apocalyptica - Worlds Collide Dan Marsicano: Disturbed's the competition? No problem here; you could vote for the mainstream metal album from everybody's favorite band or Worlds Collide, which features a cellist trio tearing shit up, Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo on one track, and a David Bowie cover.

Avenged Sevenfold - City Of Evil Dan Haggerty: Avenge Sevenfold hit their stride here, combining the twin turbine screams of the debut with a more traditional metal vibe that doesn't drop the sonic attack so much as shine through the vocals of Shadows. It's a modern massacre that doesn't lose site of the classics that brought them to the dance. Not that you can tell on first pass, the band drilling high octane 100% proof duel lead binge and purge. It's like Chris Cornell in a controlled car crash, in a good way!

VS.

Bullet For My Valentine - The Poison Dan Marsicano: A lot of you don't like Bullet For My Valentine, but The Poison is a good metal album if you look past the metalcore label, with the young band having a knack for catchy riffs and solid solos. It will be interesting to which band people side with, since there seems to an equal hatred for both Avenged Sevenfold and Bullet For My Valentine.

Ozzy Osbourne - No More Tears Dan Haggerty: And here we have it, the Oz-Man stepping into the public spotlight with the massive No More Tears. You want barnstormers, you got it: "Mr. Tinkertrain" and "Hellraiser". You want ballads; you get "Momma, I'm Coming Home" and "Time After Time". You want the epic rocker? Check out the smash title track. Hell, even Lemmy from Motorhead helped write a few of these songs! This thing packs in everything awesome about Zakk Wylde era Ozzy and rolls it into one truck load of win.

VS.

Hatebreed - Supremacy Dan Marsicano: Hatebreed has a tough task on their hands, facing off against the legendary Ozzy Osbourne. I can see where most of you will lean your vote towards, but why not do something different? Hatebreed has always been a consistent hardcore band and Supremacy is their strongest album to date. The riffs are fast, the breakdowns actually kick ass, and I've always been fond of Jamey Jasta's vocals.

Static-X - Machine Dan Haggerty: Pure industrial metal, but the concept turned on its ear thanks to the machines killing passengers due to the clutch locking up and all the parts grinding. The right parts are missing and the wrong parts are fused together, and out come an unholy ruckus heard in the next county. I'm not sure if that is a groove feel, or outright funk, but there is collapsing buoyancy to the whole train wreck that makes the guitars claustrophobic but scream. Think South Park's Chief reprogramming Mr. Roboto into "Human Elimination Mode".

VS.

Dream Theater - Images & Words Dan Marsicano: I'm a huge Dream Theater fan, and I'm glad they are getting represented in this tournament. 1992's Images and Words is arguably the progressive metal band's best album, one with top-notch songwriting and memorable tracks, including single "Pull Me Under," and the two epics, "Metropolis Pt. 1" and "Learning To Live."

Ratt - Detonator Dan Haggerty: Nothing but another classic collection of Ratt and Roll from the band who walked the biker bar side of the Sunset Strip. No frills or party extras though from these tunes, just straight up honest to goodness hooks and leads, the axes telling the tales because this band never liked making nice with the camera. Riff after riff, catchy tunes galore, the band still standing tall in a scene they politely tolerated and now a surviving road warrior, showing that class acts can win when they stick to their guns. If glam had followed their lead, they might have made a good run of it even after Seattle came calling.

VS.

Dethklok - The Dethalbum Dan Marsicano: An awesome death metal album based from a cartoon show, The Dethalbum takes a humorous look at some of the more extreme sides of death metal. Having drumming extraordinaire Gene Hoglan involved definitely adds some credibility to the proceedings.

Psyopus - Odd Senses Dan Haggerty: Have you ever wondered what Nile might sound like on acid? Or how about DragonForce on a cocaine binge? Yes, this album is THAT ridiculously fast. So fast that the technical death bleeds into grind, and the progressive inclinations get stuffed with liquid nitrogen and lit. This is indeed a feast of musicianship, but honestly, you pick this album because of the spectacle. Someone had to be so fast it became an end into itself, and Psyopus was more than happy to help you get that fix.

VS.

Kreator - Hordes Of Chaos Dan Marsicano: Kreator are thrash metal legends, and Hordes Of Chaos only reinforces that viewpoint. From top to bottom, the band's 12th studio album is one awesome track after the next, with a slight pinch of melody to show Kreator is still growing as musicians after two decades.

Saliva - Survival Of The Sickest Dan Haggerty: Somewhere between grunge throwing off its mainstream nihilism and southern rocks thump, Saliva turned their sound a bit around and hit home with an album that stripped the labels off their back (mostly) for a more rock and roll rumble. Less scene, more angry with rhythms big enough to hide a concert behind. This is Saliva burning on the edge, stripped back a bit but still bombastic enough to deliver the drama with an eye on the after party. You're just going to have to wade through some sledgehammers set to kill to get there.

VS.

Soilwork - Stabbing The Drama Dan Marsicano: Melodic death metal has been done to death, but Soilwork still keeps it interesting with their sixth studio album. Sure, the band does strip their sound down a bit, with less of the double guitar leads and riffing that made Soilwork popular in the late 90's, but the intensity and passion of vocalist Björn Strid is still evident. The production is also stripped down, lending a harsher quality to the music, and showing that Soilwork still had some fire left in them.

Faith No More - Angel Dust Dan Haggerty: How do you even explain this album. It's the ultimate mad scientist creation, where the band took everything that came before, added some things yet to come (and seemingly predicted by the guys), put it through the sausage grinder that is the creative think tank called Faith No More, and out pops Angel Dust. It's metal, it's alternative, it's hardcore, it's urban, it's… this album. I'm still trying to figure out if rock and roll was leading up to this album, or if everything that came afterwards was waiting for this album. One thing is for certain; your music rack is waiting for this CD.

VS.

In This Moment - The Dream Dan Marsicano: Alternative metal band In This Moment recently released their sophomore album, a stronger and more consistent effort that showcased the immense talent and range of female vocalist Maria Brink. Sure, it's a little softer than what some may want in their metal, but In This Moment has catchiness and melody on their side, and used both to great effect.

Tesla - Mechanical Resonance Dan Haggerty: One of the great underdogs of the hard rock cannon. Not because the band was second rate, but only because they stayed true to a spirit of rock during a time when it was not always in fashion. Side one was radio friendly rock hits, an obvious product of the mid 80's but surprises all around the music puts LA on notice. BUT, its side two that things go from good to awesome as Frank Hannon takes over and the band delivers up gorgeous displays of axe prowess that channels more Zeppelin than anything, let alone the L.A. club scene. It's almost prog in its dynamic and technical muse. This is easily one of the 80's most unheralded hard rock albums to hit the streets.

VS.

Haste The Day - Pressure The Hinges Dan Marsicano: Christian metalcore is a phrase that would scare away most metal fans, but Haste The Day does a good job of representing the genre with their third album. Pressure The Hinges would be the first step towards major recognition for the band, as the album debuted at #89 on the Billboard, their highest level at the time of the release. The epic "Chorus Of Angels" is the highlight of Pressure The Hinges, a six-minute roller-coaster ride that leaves the listener breathless by its conclusion.

Black Sabbath - Dehumanizer Dan Haggerty: Black Sabbath pounds back in the 90's with the Dio reunion, and this is not the typical Dio/Sabbath album. It sounds like a more traditional Sabbath style with a fine coat of Dio power (and hints of the Martin era). A decade after their initial run and the guys are hungry to do it right while seasoned enough to bring the chops. This stands out because it really has no counterpart in the bands catalog, as if multiple eras collided into one album, everyone doing more with tradition and the winner easily being the listener.

VS.

August Burns Red - Messengers Dan Marsicano: August Burns Red is your standard metalcore band, with a bit of a twist; an apparent love of 70's music, as evident on the band's sophomore album Messengers. While most of the album is geared towards the usual aggressive riffing and brutal breakdowns, there are moments where the ghost of metal past comes to life and shines a bright light on Messengers, a welcome reprise from the stale songwriting metalcore has fallen under.

Queensryche - Promised Land Dan Haggerty: This is the darkest album Queensryche ever made. It is also the beginning of their slide into rock by way of art-rock, the band offering up a loose collection of songs that are like heavy Pink Floyd with an axe to grind at life. This is the last of the metal albums from the Ryche and the band is at the peak of progressive vitas. Songs like "I Am I" and "Damage" plunder the bottom end, while "Out of Mind" see the band tapping into their inner Gilmore. Toss in a few hit ballads, the funky schizophrenia of "Disconnected", or the massive apocalypse of someone's life collapsing in the title track and you have the dark horse of the catalog.

VS.

Demon Hunter - Storm The Gates Of Hell Dan Marsicano: Demon Hunter's fourth album is a whirlwind of sound that takes the best from metalcore and works their own magic into it. Hooks are everywhere, leading the listener through a memorable journey that is more enjoyable than it has a right to be. The album won't convert metalcore-haters, but those that like a mix of harsh vocals and melodic singing should be wise to vote this monster forward in the tournament.

Mastodon - Leviathan Dan Haggerty: How many of you remember the old car stereos with the dial? You know, where you had to hit the channel correctly or you would get static mixed in with the song, or worse two channels bleeding together and playing at the same time. THAT image is what makes Leviathan such the groundbreaking album, as it sounds like two different albums superimposed. But funny thing is it works; the musical concepts of progressive metal taken to the next step of music evolution by seamlessly working multiple visions together to form a unique and unified whole. This album will be inspiring future bands.

VS.

God Forbid - IV: Constitution Of Treason Dan Marsicano: God Forbid had spent years trying to get noticed as more than a cookie-cutter metalcore band, and while 2004's Gone Forever was a small taste of the band's new direction, 2005's concept album IV: Constitution Of Treason was a major step forward for the quintet. The guitar playing is strong, the songwriting is phenomenal, and the concept is more expansive than what it initially appears to be.

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There you have it. The Metal match-ups for Round One. Now it's time for your voice to be heard. Use the comments below (or send an email to [e-mail] with the subject "Round 1 Vote") and pick your winner for each of the sixteen matchups.

Just to refresh, here they are again:

1. Metallica, …And Justice For All or Edguy, Rocket Ride
2. Lamb Of God, Sacrament or Sepultura, Roots
3. Iron Maiden, Somewhere In Time or Cannibal Corpse, Evisceration Plague
4. Slipknot, Iowa or All That Remains, Overcome
5. Disturbed, Ten Thousand Fists or Apocalyptica, Worlds Collide
6. Avenged Sevenfold, City Of Evil or Bullet For My Valentine, The Poison
7. Ozzy Osbourne, No More Tears or Hatebreed, Supremacy
8. Static-X, Machine or Dream Theater, Images & Words
9. Ratt, Detonator or Dethklok, The Dethalbum
10. Psyopus, Odd Senses or Kreator, Hordes Of Chaos
11. Saliva, Survival Of The Sickest or Soilwork, Stabbing The Drama
12. Faith No More, Angel Dust or In This Moment, The Dream
13. Tesla, Mechanical Resonance or Haste The Day, Pressure The Hinges
14. Black Sabbath (Heaven & Hell), Dehumanizer or August Burns Red, Messengers
15. Queensryche, Promised Land or Demon Hunter, Storm The Gates Of Hell
16. Mastodon, Leviathan or God Forbid, IV: Constitution Of Treason

Who rocks? Who rocks more? Who shreds? And who just plain sucks? Tell us now. The results and Round 2 for both Rock and Metal will be up next week. This war is just beginning.