The best thing about writing reviews for new music is the feeling I get when I can share a great album with a lot of people. There are a few times a year when I get more excited than normal for an album release, and "Defcon Zero" (via Despotz Records) by CORRODED, is one of them. CORRODED is a band that I have always thought should be a major player in the Hard Rock/Heavy Metal genre, especially in the USA, possessing a Heavy dose of elite songwriting, extreme talent, and finely tuned power that is utilized to perfection

Hailing from Sweden and consisting of Jens Westin (Vocals, Guitar), Tomas Andersson (Guitar, Backing Vocals), Bjarne Elvsgård (Bass), and Per Soläng (Drums), CORRODED have established themselves as one of the biggest bands in the region and have, no doubt, attained great success in their home country. They immediately garnered global recognition, as well, when their hit, "Age of Rage", was included in the EA Games video game Battlefield, with the single attaining Gold status, generating several millions streams. After all the successes of their previous albums, "Eleven Shades of Black" (2009), "Exit to Transfer" (2010), and "State of Disgrace" (2012), five years have passed since their last release and this longer than normal break has created a strong buzz for the highly anticipated follow-up, "Defcon Zero". Along with this great demand for more music, comes the pressure to deliver a release worthy of the legacy that they have established along the way. Without question, "Defcon Zero" delivers, what I consider to be, one of the best releases I've heard to date in 2017.

"Defcon Zero", definitely more on the heavier side this go around, is a slab of lead that is the perfect "shot in the arm" the Hard Rock/Heavy Metal genre has needed more of in recent years. Chock full of powerful riffs, infectious hooks, beautiful melodies, and the presence of a big stage vocalist, this album has every ingredient needed to appeal to the Heavy Metal masses and is the leader for my "album of the year", so far. There is not a weak track on this record but some of the standout tracks that have become stuck in my head are "Carry Me My Bones", a classic CORRODED sounding track, "Gun and a Bullet", a machinegun style earworm and easily one of my favorites, "Fall Of A Nation", "Vessel Of Hate", and "Burn It To The Ground", the heaviest tracks on the record. But for me, the crowned jewel of this Masterpiece is the ballad, "A Note To Me"; a haunting, soul bearing track that many of the, so-called, headliners in this industry would pay big money to have in their catalog. Believe me when I say, this band of extremely talented musicians brought to the table a collection of music worthy of platinum status.

Because of their songwriting prowess and unrivaled talent, I honestly believe that, with the right promotion and management behind them, CORRODED could easily become one of the biggest Hard Rock/Heavy Metal bands in recent years. Only time will tell... If want to take a chance on a band that you may not have heard of yet, CORRODED's "Defcon Zero" is a "can't miss". Do your part; SUPPORT, SUPPORT, SUPPORT!!<