For me, heavy metal both peaked and ended with Anthrax's Persistence of Time and Slayer's Seasons in the Abyss. Grindcore was ascendant, death metal was freely propagating and Queensryche had just cheesed out into a morass of prog excess. Metallica had yet to reject the minimalist sound of . . .And Justice for All, Faith No More (not a heavy metal band by any means, but still) was headed in one direction, and Fear Factory was about to unleash its own revolutionary approach in another. Iron Maiden had accepted its dinosaur status, and Ozzy hadn't yet discovered the virtues of reality TV.

Chine Like Vultures EP (self-released)

The difference between the two isn't particularly pronounced, but God, what a time for loud music. The scene hasn't had that sort of ferment since, largely because it's not a single scene any more. Black metal (but a side note at the time) has roared, and those who prefer a bit of melody have been consigned to the "rock" category. I think some folks still call this stuff "extreme". Whatever. Chine has gathered up all the strings and balled them into four songs of mesmerizing metal.

Yes, metal. I hear a lot of Anthrax (both Time and White Noise). Oh, and Cradle of Filth, a band that sounds even more ahead of its time today. Everything from the occasional black metal wash to heart-churning riffage (oh, those power chords!) and at least three different singing styles. And it all blends together perfectly.

This isn't a throwback. It's a leap forward. Heavy metal died a glorious death. Long live metal! As long as bands like Chine are around, that will be a certainty. If it weren't for my knees, this album makes me feel like I'm still 20 years old. Awesome, and then some.

Jon Worley