Enemy (2013)

The soundtrack for the Gavin Hood-directed, decades-in-the-making big-screen adaptation of author Orson Scott Card's science fiction epic Ender's Game, features an original score by composer Steve Jablonsky (Battleship, Gangster Squad, The Transformers trilogy). Issued by Varese Sarabande, the soundtrack includes 21 tracks, all of which skillfully blend familiar space opera motifs with the orchestral- and percussion-laden bombast of 21st century action film scores, resulting in a thrilling mix of old-school and new that complements the film's eye-popping special effects and traditional narrative structure.

Though Dream Theater recruited drummer Mike Mangini to replace Mike Portnoy on 2011's A Dramatic Turn of Events, his drum parts had all been scripted before the change, leading to the rather stilted feeling of the album. This self-titled offering, the band's 12th album overall, marks the first time Mangini was involved in the writing and creative decision making from the jump and it shows. Produced by guitarist John Petrucci and recorded and mixed by Richard Chycki, this is one of the more dynamic, far-reaching albums in DT's catalog. Opener "False Awakening Suite" is a brief but cinematic near-instrumental with twinned guitars and keyboards riffs from Petrucci and keyboardist Jordan Rudess, all underscored by a string section and layered choral vocals by James LaBrie…

UK five CD set from the Liverpudlian trio led by brilliant singer/songwriter Ian McNabb. Scoring a UK chart hit with Love Is A Wonderful Colour from their debut album, The Icicle Works developed a loyal following with their anthemic Rock that set them apart from their Liverpudlian contemporaries Echo And The Bunneymen, The Teardrop Explodes and Wah!. Never confined to one style, main-man McNabb s impassioned guitar Rock, alongside the propulsive drumming of Chris Sharrock, was under-appreciated at the time but influenced many UK bands from the '90s.

Truth be told, Target Earth was a make or break studio album for prog metal veterans Voivod. The band's last studio offering, 2009's INFINI, was assembled from the hard drive guitar parts of deceased guitarist (and chief songwriter) Denis "Piggy" D'Amour's. The live Warriors of Ice was the first to showcase new guitarist Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain; he did a fantastic job learning and playing Piggy's very difficult, angular parts. Writing and recording a new album that would live up to Voivod's reputation for innovation would seem to be a daunting task; but if it was, you'd never know it from hearing Target Earth. This is extreme, gnarly, experimental Voivod at their level best; the music is difficult, dramatic, and intense. The "blower bass" of Jean-Yves "Blacky" Theriault introduces the title track that opens the set…

Two-time Academy Award winner Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind, Frost/Nixon), produced the epic action drama Rush (2013), a spectacular big-screen re-creation of the merciless 1970s rivalry between Formula 1 racers James Hunt and Niki Lauda. The Rush soundtrack features a musical score composed by Hans Zimmer, plus five classic Rock songs by Dave Edmunds, Steve Winwood, Mud, Thin Lizzy, and David Bowie.