Listening to the above, loving the above, obsessed with the above, driving to the above, air-drumming to the above, sleeping with...uh, wait. From the top down:

I definitely like the new Vinnie Paul (drummer for Pantera and Damageplan) creation, "HellYeah." This is the first release from Vinnie since his brother "Dimebag Darrell" was shot in the head a few years ago by some crazed fan just as their band at the time, Damageplan was beginning a show. Good to see that Vinnie is once again playing the drums, and honoring his brother's memory by putting together this brutal band and making some new music. This one will rattle your teeth out of your mouth. Might be painful, but what the hell. This supergroup has members from the "new-metal" bands Nothingface and Mudvayne, and of course one of the best groups to ever create music, Pantera. HellYeah is hard hitting, vulgar, ballsy hard rock that I find absolutely soothing to drive to in the open country of Wisconsin! Hey, I am all about scaring the cows as they hear me driving past 'em!
www.hellyeahrocks.com

The latest offering from Europe is interesting. Definitely not your throwback to the good ole "Final Countdown" days. "Secret Society" is harder, darker, and punchier than I have ever heard from these guys. Joey Tempest's vocals are mature, a little on the lower side, but he can still belt out some extreme highs. And the incomparable John Norum slashes his way through this release with huge guitar chops, punchy riffs, and soaring solos. I really like how these guys have stretched to sound heavier. And ultimately, it works! Also, the cover art is great. Not sure what it all means, but then again when you get the guy who designed ALL the Pink Floyd covers, uh, what you see is anyone's guess. Great work!
www.europetheband.com

Marillion's latest called "Somewhere Else" is really good! It's hard to describe what this band sounds like. They are a bit moody, maybe melancholy. But, I find their music to be incredibly beautiful. Steve Hogarth who writes most of the music also plays keys and sings these amazing vocal lines that are layered with thoughtful lyrics and spacey melody lines. I really appreciate the virtuosity of these guys...no cookie cutter musicians at all. Somewhere Else's edge is its mood! It leaves me feeling relaxed, reflective, and good. I also appreciate the fact that Somewhere Else does not sound like their previous release "Marbles" at all. For example, Ian Mosley is doing more drumming on this one; powerfully, gracefully, and yet, he backs off when the music needs some room to breathe! I like that. I would definitely check these guys out if you are looking for something different to listen to.
www.myspace.com/marillion
www.marillion.com

Of course, what can I say about Threshold's new offering "Dead Reckoning" that I have not already tried to say? Uh, maybe I haven't had time to write anything about it, because it's been in my trusty steed's CD player for the last week playing constantly! Go out and buy it when it's released in the U.S., April 24th!
www.thresh.net