New Releases: Vader, Sign of the Southern Cross, Ruiner, Despised Icon, Children of Bodom

Just this past week, metal took the stage with some amazing debuts from some beloved bands of the genre, as well as fresh new faces in the scene. Reported from the good foks at Metal Insider, the acoustic guitar act Rodrigo y Gabriela came in with an amazing start of over 13,000 albums sold in its first week with their newest '11:11'; the Century Media outfit 3 Inches of Blood picked up a #195 debut on the charts with 'Here Waits Thy Doom'; Nuclear Blast's Threat Signal clocked in with 1,100 sold and the European folk metal band Ensiferum also notched 900 albums in first week sales. Will we see a repeat of debuts this coming week? We'd certainly like to hope so.

Vader -- 'Necropolis' -- Nuclear Blast

This week, Poland takes the limelight as veteran death metal act Vader will release their eighth studio release, a follow-up from their 2006 album 'Impresions In Blood.' With a new lineup in place, should fans worry about a completely new sound or change in direction? Rest assured, you needn't fret in the slightest, as the new album keeps to the band's trademarks in tact, in both lyric and song.

Download 'Necropolis'

Ruiner -- 'Hell Is Empty'

Another exciting new release available in stores this week comes from Baltimore's Ruiner. Hardcore fans will not be disappointed by the latest from the band. Melodic and lyrically straight to the point track after track, it's no surprise that their latest release has us smiling. Sharing the road with Ruiner will be Strike Anywhere and Crime in Stereo, which also keeps us grinning! So check it out and get your copy when you see the band on tour or online.

Download 'Hell Is Empty'

Despised Icon -- 'Day of Mourning' -- Century Media

Having announced an upcoming tour bearing the same name of the release that is out in stores today, what can we expect from the latest effort for Montreal, Quebec's Despised Icon? A perfect blend of death metal and hardcore, that's what! The fourth studio release for the band seems much more polished than past releases and it slices with a little more edge. The title track to the album is catchy as hell and gives me something to look forward to for their upcoming tour. Don't wait, though! Pick up your copy in stores this week though!

Download 'Day Of Mourning'

Sign of the Southern Cross -- 'Of Mountains and Moonshine' -- Season of Mist

With a Southern charm that is laced with grit and dirty rock elements, Asheville, N.C.'s Sign of the Southern Cross have directly pulled strong influences from great Southern acts before them, including Pantera, Corrosion of Conformity and Eyehategod, in order to assemble the masterpiece that is their latest on Season of Mist records. The hardest part may have been pulling all these great sounds together into a cohesive unit, but from beginning to end -- and with some amazing tracks, including 'Huck Finn' -- the band delivers effortlessly and with precision. Be sure to check out their new album in stores today.

Children of Bodom -- 'Skeletons in the Closet' -- Spinefarm

Finally in this week's releases is the Finnish metal ensemble Children Of Bodom, who come out with their latest effort -- which contains covers of some of music's finest artists. With their take on such popular artists including Sepultura, Slayer, Iron Maiden and even Britney Spears, this is a fun album that displays their astounding technical musicianship and mastery, all the while bringing it heavy. Don't let that Britney cover sway you from purchasing this! Pick it up and check it out for yourself! Alexi Laho say so.

Download 'Skeletons in the Closet'