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03.07.10

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About Dangerdog Music Reviews

Dangerdog Reviews offers reviews of melodic heavy metal, hard rock, melodic hard rock, progressive metal, progressive rock, AOL and their various sub-genres. The heavy metal and melodic hard rock genre can be difficult to define with no one artist wishing to be pigeon-holed or misrepresented. With that caveat, DMR will review albums from the following categories:

Traditional/Classic Heavy Metal
Progressive Metal
Power Metal
Symphonic/Gothic Metal
Thrash/Speed Metal
Hard Rock
Progressive Rock
Melodic Hard Rock
Album Oriented Rock (AOR)
Sleaze/Glam Metal/Rock

And some modern Metal including but not limited to: melodic metalcore, groove metal, melodic death metal, and extreme progressive metal.

Generally, DMR will NOT review nu/rap metal, grindcore, deathcore, hardcore, industrial rock or metal (or most anything which depends upon artificial and repetitive electronic sampling) or anything that promotes or glorifies hatred or violence of any kind against any race, creed, or religion, excepting Islam, a religion that desires to kill all but their own radical assholes. Fuck Islam, the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and all other evil and violent assholes of this perverse religion.

Submit your album for review.

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Dangerdog Music Review Rating System

It's back! The verbose explanation of the Dangerdog Music Reviews 5 point rating system.

5.0 Excellent

A most worthy addition to its genre and the band's catalogue. For established or new bands, this means that they have done at least two things: 1) maintained or exceeded the consistency and professionalism of their previous work in terms of musicianship and craftsmanship and/or 2) have also brought something new and original to the table. It is a dynamic and thrilling album that you would 1) play over and over and, 2) recommend to your friends without hesitation.

4.5 Great

All the elements you would expect in the music genre are found on the album. In addition, there are also strong clues of originality or ground-breaking creativity beyond their previous efforts. This is the most common rating for established bands that have shown consistency and perseverance over the course of their careers.

4.0 Very Good

All the things you would expect of the band in its genre; there is little or no ground-breaking advances, yet they prove once again their proficiency. For new acts: they get it; they understand what they want to do, how to do it, and do it well.

3.5 Above Average

Good effort in its genre; strong hints of creativity and originality; musicianship and craftsmanship shows great promise; worth keeping your eye on and even possibly adding to your album collection, especially if you are a fan of the band or genre.

3.0 Average

Good but seldom breaks new ground in its genre; musicianship and/or song craftsmanship hindered in some significant way; yet with time and effort could advance advance in the genre. But ultimately, after one listen your response would be: 'there is nothing new under the sun.'

2.0 Below Average

Extremely derivative, lacks originality and is probably being done better by another band or artist. Don't waste your money unless you are a diehard fan of the artist or band.

1.0 Verifiable Shit (aka The Chad Frey Award)

Don't know who Chad Frey is? Read my review here.

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Dangerdog Music Reviews crew

Craig Hartranft

Founder, Managing Editor, Webmaster, Lead Reviewer, and whatever else needs to be done; Husband of Debi and Father of the next great bass player, Ethan Hartranft. Craig loves melodic heavy metal, melodic hard rock, progressive rock and metal and much more.

Ethan Hartranft

Reviewer. Sophomore at Ephrata High School: enjoys music, video games, reading, playing electric bass and guitar and busting his Dad's chops about modern rock and metal. Bass player in a band with guitarist Noah Hippensteel.

Miguel Blardony

Reviewer. Miguel hails from the Philippines, and has written for (the now defunct) Levitan Magazine, a metal ezine based in Costa Rica. (Metal truly is global!) He digs thrash metal first and foremost, and thinks Metellica is the most influential band for his musical tastes.

Reviewers Wanted

Like melodic rock and heavy metal? Do have you have a strong knowledge of genres, bands and history? Do like to write? Do you understand the English language and basic grammar? Do you believe non-fiction writing can and should be creative and engaging? If so, then Dangerdog Music Review is looking for you. If you'd like to write for DMR, then send an inquiry with a brief 'curriculum vitae' of your skills and experience to Craig here.

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Page Links
Album of the Month
Concentric Immeasurable rock heavy metal new music reviews

It's rare for me to discover a new band and their first album that completely astounds me, leaving me at a loss for words. However, Milwaukee-based progressive rock trio Concentric ... [ Read more ]

It's Only Rock n Roll

Back in the Eighties, record-industry producers tried to impress us by showing us their collection of gold and platinum records. We were like, "Do you have anymore Jack Daniels?
Slash

The hippies wanted peace and love. We wanted Ferraris, blondes and switchblades.
Alice Cooper

Reviewers Wanted

Like melodic rock and heavy metal? Do have you have a strong knowledge of genres, bands and history? Do like to write? Do you understand the English language and basic grammar? Do you believe non-fiction writing can and should be creative and engaging? If so, then Dangerdog Music Review is looking for you.

Dangerdog Music Reviews is currently accepting serious inquiries for new review staff. If you'd like to write for DMR, then send an inquiry with a brief 'curriculum vitae' of your skills and experience.

Read Writer's Guidelines here (MS Word document).