NEW MUSIC OUT TODAY: 7/29/2008

Executive Editor Brandon Geist’s quick takes on the new albums hitting record stores on this day of our lord, July 29, 2008:

B’S PICK: Soulfly - Conquer (Roadrunner)
Yeah, yeah, I know I’ve been slacking off on these things for the last few weeks. Sorry. I’ve only been working on a big Metallica cover story for you guys, and dodging terrorist bulldozer drivers in Israel. And listening to this new Soulfly record over and over again. It seriously might be their best album yet—which, I know, isn’t saying that much, but still, this is some seriously thrashy, solo-heavy, badass shit; maybe even more Sepultura-sounding than that Cavalera Conspiracy disc. Fourth track “Warmageddon” is worth the price of admission alone.

Scars on Broadway - Scars on Broadway (Velvet Hammer/Interscope)

I hate to say it, Daron, because I know you feel like the underappreciated true genius behind System of a Down, but in the battle of SOAD members gone their own way, Serj wins. The songs here are just too simple, boring, and, well, missing that schizoid System of a Down-ish madness that we know and love. And dude, while I was totally into your song, “Lonely Day,” off Hypnotize, when it comes down to it, your voice is pretty annoying.

Walls of Jericho - The American Dream (Trustkill)
If that acoustic Redemption EP scared you off a little, don’t worry: Walls of Jericho are back, heavier and moshier than ever. And if you’re checking them out at the Mayhem Fest this summer, make sure and swing by the Revolver tent and get your man-boobs signed by frontwoman Candace Kucsulain.