One of the heaviest and most consistent extreme metal bands, Cephalic Carnage delivers album number five with zero concessions to anything popular or trendy. Xenosapian (Relapse) is a brutal manifesto of nonconformity and rage delivered through the artistic lens of skilled musicians who know as much about jazz and prog-rock as grindcore and death metal. Yet somehow, even with all the impossible time signatures and unearthly rhythm shifts, the music isn't the least bit alienating, as witnessed by insanely enjoyable and crushing trakcs like "Endless Cycle of Violence" "Divination and Volition" and "Touched by an Angel."

Autumn - - My New Time (Metal Blade) Another chick-fronted European gothic metal band, Autumn write catchy pop songs glazed with buzzing, downtuned guitars and sturdy rock beats. Comparisons to Evanescence and Lacuna Coil are, perhaps, inevitable, but these Dutch musicians are unabashed about their commercial influences and don't feel the need to embellish their songs with harrowing howls. Energy, not anger fuels the tracks, which should appeal to fans of upfront melodies well-crafted harmonies, and swirling keyboards. Autumn should be bigger than Linkin Park.

Circa Survive -- On Letting Go (Equal Vision) Featuring ex-Saosin singer Anthony Green and emo guitarist Colin Frangicetto (ex-This Day Forward), Circa Survive play elliptical, progressive rock/metal in the vein of Coheed and Cambria. The band's second album, On Letting Go, is more developed and free-spirited than their 2005 debut Juturna, combining high, melodramatic vocals, guitars that chime as often as they rip and syncopated drumming into a multifaceted, enthralling journey. Dream Theater who?

The envelope please...

The readers of Modern Drummer magazine have elected Chris Adler from Lamb of God as the #1 drummer of the year in the "Metal" category in the magazine's 2007 Readers' Poll, which is in the July issue.

Adler edged out Shadows Fall drummer Jason Bittner, who came in at #2. Meshuggah's Tomas Haake took the #3 slot, Slayer's Dave Lombardo placed #4 and Trivium's Travis Smith placed at #5.

Lamb of God were nominated in the "Best Metal Performance" category at the 49th annual Grammy Awards, but lost out to Slayer. The band's latest record, Sacrament, has sold over 200,000 copies in the U.S. Look for Lamb of God before Ozzy Osbourne at this year's Ozzfest.

Check out Adler's bad-ass drumming in the video for "Now You've Got Something to Die For":

The rigid jackhammer drumming by Paul Bostaph was one of the highlights of Exodus' 2005 album Shovel Headed Kill Machine. But now Bostaph -- who has played with Slayer, Testament and Systematic since 2001 -- will have to pack up his gear and look for another gig. On March 13, Exodus issued a statement that original drummer Tom Hunting was rejoining the band.

"It was always understood that when and if Tom was ever ready to resume his drumming duties for the band, his seat would be waiting," guitarist Gary Holt says. "Paul always knew this, and was the first to say it upon joining the band. We cannot thank Paul enough for his services on Shovel Headed Kill Machine and all the subsequent tours he did to support that album. We had a great time and kicked many asses along the way."

Hunting was hospitalized twice in 2003 for an undisclosed health ailment that forced Exodus to delay their plans to enter the studio before the making of Shovel Headed Kill Machine. When it was clear that he was in no shape to continue with the band, Exodus hired Bostaph.

"We are so excited to have Tom back in the band he co-founded," Holt continues. "He, other than the time spent out of the band, is the only drummer I've ever played with, and he and I have an unspoken language of metal that I am stoked to continue."

Holt added that Exodus are currently working with Hunting on new material and plan to enter the studio with producer Andy Sneap in mid-May.

"We are hard at work on the new songs, and this shit is the best and heaviest music we've ever written," boasts Holt. "This album will redefine thrash metal as we know it."

And now, here's Paul Bostaph drumming with Exodus on "Now Thy Death Day Come"

Photo: Rudy DeDoncker