Astral Projection - Astral Scene - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

With Griselda rhymer Benny The Butcher having what seems like an endless run of Ws, his BSF Records imprint appears to be getting more attention by the day. Rick Hyde is one of the top benefactors. His new project Plates II, a sequel to his independent mixtape Plates, positions Hyde as one to watch in the Griselda-wave 2. 0. Sporting production from the likes of Daringer, Sha Money XL, Harry Fraud and the late DJ Shay (who the album commemorates by it's date falling on the anniversary of his death), as well as verses from Benny, Heem, Skyzoo and Westside Gunn, Hyde flexes his connections and curates a solid body of work. The project's shiniest gems include some of the singles that have already hit the net. InchHustler's PrayerInch features Hyde and Heem interlocked in a battle to see who can drop the most street flexes, complemented by The SoulMonsters' grainy production. Another noteworthy cut is the DJ L-produced InchAloneInch featuring Benny and G Herbo - which, aside from the DJ Shay-produced outro InchBlack Sinatra,Inch is possibly the project's most replayable track. One thing that comes across crystal clear is Hyde's lyricism. He holds his own alongside a formidable tracklist of guests and shows a lot of diversity with his delivery. Look no further than the InchSarah Freestyle,Inch where the subdued DJ Chopz and Skrilla loop provides an atmospheric backdrop to a relentless, two-minute onslaught.

Formed in Borlänge in 2002, Astral Doors accomplished the all but accomplishable delighting Power Metal fans and traditionalists alike. Simultaneously, the sound's unmistakable kinship to Dio-fronted Rainbow and Dio/Martin-fronted Black Sabbath earned Astral Doors momentum with old-school metalheads who frowned at the perceived blandness and lack of substance in the Power Metal genre. The lost debut 'Of the Son and the Father' arrived in 2003 to immense critical fanfare, although the crucified priests on the cover succumbed to censorship in Japan where the album was also rechristened (!) 'Cloudbreaker'. In the following years, Astral Doors shrewdly made it impossible for the audience to forget them by bombarding said audience with new releases, one more breathtaking than the other 'Evil Is Forever' (2005), 'Raiders Of The Ark EP' (2005) and 'Astralism' (2006). The band also performed at the perennial Wacken and Sweden Rock Festivals, and did tours with Grave Digger and Blind Guardian. Here comes the remastered catalog reissue of 'Astralism' !

Now that Gear Fab has finished documenting the great state of Florida, they head north to unearth some great undiscovered talent from the Peach State. This 25 track compilation of songs from 1965-68 features groups from Atlanta to Savannah including the Bandits, Continentals, Dave & the Stalkers, the Echo, Knights of Darkness, Bo Allen, Younger Brothers, Celtics, Unknowns, Rogues, Fugitives, Red Beard & the Pirates, Bitter Creek, Malibus & others.