Vinny's Forum Replies
Steel Bearing Hand - Slay In Hell
Paging Daniel and Vinny.
Thanks, will check out.
After sitting down with the list this morning I have finally got round to parking that latest Killer Be Killed album in my queue as it is shaping up to be interesting based on the exposure it has had in recent months on the MA lists in The Pit. I have found Max's output to be hit and miss since his days in Sepultura but I did enjoy the last Soulfly album and Reluctant Hero appears to have the same ethos at it's core although also feels much more expansive also. Biggest surprise was that Mr Bungle track which has got me switched onto them now after years of thinking them just some spoof act/project. Really powerful stuff.
That Cryptosis track builds into a real epic tune, reminds me of if Vektor and Revocation slept together and had a baby. I need more Wraith in my life definitely - very Toxic Holocaust/Midnight at the same time. Neat find.
Firm nods to classics this month with Celtic Frost, Destruction, Onslaught and Metallica tracks taking me back nicely. That Anthrax track too gave me a 90's blast back and it was good to see Sacred Reich in there also. I chose that Dark Angel track with some trepidation as I don't really get on with that record at all but I find that track stands out from the rest of the output on the record.
I had stumbled across Dr. Living Dead during my research for suggestions for May's list and had already skipped them due to the vocals just not fitting my template at all well. I just can't get on with new Sodom still and I can't specifically put my finger on why at this stage but I just am not feeling it. I am however warming to Hexecutor although I find their instrumental passages still too lengthy for my rabid appetite when it comes to thrash. Didn't get along with the vocals on Crucified Mortals and the popularity of Nervosa continues to evade me.
A good month overall and enjoying the opportunity to take some downtime over the long weekend to listen through a couple of playlists in one or two sittings.
I've just posted a review, but to summarise: this is an absolutely original and demented black metal release that genuinely feels like the band have poured something of their own souls into it. With a guitar tone borrowed from early 90's death metal and one of the most insane-sounding vocalists out there, this is a real diamond standout and a dagger to the heart of cut-and-paste black metal acts. The sheer variation of pacing and atmosphere on each of the five tracks is impressive and the ritualistic drum rhythms add another layer of unease to the whole occult-ridden shebang.
With this from Vinny and Ben's cracker from last month I'm now getting worried about letting the side down with my pick when it comes up for June - the pressure's building!
Yes, was waiting to read your thoughts on this as thought it would be right up your street. I am going to get some words together this coming week on this release as I haven't played it for a while and it used to be a staple spinner in the mid-noughties for me.
I don’t pm that much in all honesty but agree that the updated threads need to be more visible. My biggest bug bear still is having to scroll all the way back to the top to navigate to another page or section when I am at the bottom of a page, a navigation bar at the bottom of the page would be great if that could be done.
Hey Vinny, Spectral Lore has actually done a couple of collab / splits with Mare Cognitum - 2013's Sol and last year's Wanderers: Astrology of the Nine, both of which are really great, especially Wanderers. Both bands are extremely accomplished at the whole cosmic black metal thing, don't you think?
Yeah both are superb and both discographies need some Vinnytime spent with them.
Spectral Lore - III (2014)
Damn Mare Cognitum get me all like atmospheric and shit this week so pulled out this beauty of a record from 7 years ago. Need to be spinning this more to get back in my head. This guy knows how to write and of course did a split/collab with Mare Cognitum that I need to check out also.
I am not saying any methodology is wrong for listening to and rating the playlists (and as someone who often puts in 12 hour days at work I get the time limitations challenge) but for me personally I have to sit down and listen end to end to the clan playlists. For this reason I never catch all of them each month. In fact, being off work this week gave me a great chance to sit down with the Horde playlist and listen to it in two halves. For me the playlists are opportunities. Whether it is the opportunity to learn new bands/sub-genres or simply appreciate some established tracks that I know well, there’s always something I take away to check out or revisit.
Given that Daniel takes the time to put together such a varied and expansive snapshot of music (and I am not ass-kissing here) I feel it’s only fair I take the time to give the whole of the lists - for my clans usually - a full listen before rating/commenting. This may take me weeks in some instances and I won’t pretend I comment every month but I see the lists as a whole entity, not something I can break down into individual parts. That’s just how I work.
I think the flow of the lists is fine to my ear and when I am putting my own lists together in my streaming services I use a variety of methods such as eras of the genre, tours of continents as well as simply shifting pace and tempo to hold my interest.
I think you have the option to still access MA with cat photos moving forwards, as a toggle thing.
That new full-length from Cryptosis is on my "to do" pile and the first spin of it peaked interest enough for a second visit soon so I will be interested to hear the Vektor split on this list over the weekend. I can't get into the latest Sodom which is a shame because I have loved most of the recent output but this one feels underwhelming in comparison. I have been on a thrash kick this past few weeks so looking forward to getting some time with this list soon.
For May -
Ram - The Usurper from Svbversvm 2015 - 05:14
Striker - Head First from Play to Win 2019 - 04:02
Cauldron - Nitebreaker from Tomorrow's Lost 2012 - 03:57
Axxion - Back in Time from Back in Time 2016 - 04:35
Loanshark - Fast, Heavy, Loud N Proud from Fast, Heavy, Loud N Proud 2020 - 04:31
Hitten - Take It All from Twist of Fate 2018 - 04:27
For May -
Reactory - Enemy from Collapse to Come (2020) - 04:16
Black Fast - The Keep from Terms of Surrender (2015) - 05:50
Warpath - W.M.D. from Damnation (2008) - 03:56
Warbeast - It from War of the Gargantuas (split with Phil Anselmo & The Illegals) (2013) - 04:29
Hypnosia - Extreme Hatred from Extreme Hatred (2000) - 04:06
For May -
Earth Crisis - Control Through Fear from To the Death (2009)
For May -
Author & Punisher - Pressure Lover from Pressure Mine EP (2017)
For May-
Adema - The Way You Like It from Adema (2001)
For May -
Defeated Sanity - Propelled Into Sacrilege from The Sanguinary Impetus (2020)
Cannibal Corpse - Inhumane Harvest from Violence Unimagined (2021)
Celestial Sanctuary - Rid the Gormless from Soul Diminished (2021)
Werewolves - Antisocial from What A Time To Be Alive (2021)
Autopsy - Corpses at War from Puncturing the Grotesque (2017)
EDIT - just seen the new arrangements so adding my other 11 mins on with:
Suffocation - Synthetically Revived from Human Waste EP (1991)
Mortiferum - Inhuman Effigy from Disgorged From Psychotic Depths (2019)
A sterling exploration of The Horde and all the horrors that lie within. I enjoyed most tracks and have very little that didn't quite gel with me. Pan.Thy.Monium are a toughie for me to get my head around as when they are not being all avant-garde I actually like that track of theirs but it jumps around far too much in the end I still can't adapt to the constant fluctuations in pace and tempo.
Standout moments include the 51 character Belarusian band and that excellent track on here that has got me interested in hearing more, as well as that banger from Malevolent Creation from Ben. I even managed to get on with the melodic death metal stuff (yes, even Dark Tranquillity) so all round a solid playlist.
Strange, the Immolation track is there for me. I thought it might be because I am not a paid subscriber to Spotify but seems not to be the issue.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1qfZsURBI7IfACttcr8EDd?si=nG2ngXF7RvaVHp4HpUtF7w
Tracklisting:
01. Bolt Thrower – “What Dwells Within” (from “War Master”, 1991) [Submitted by MacabreEternal]
02. Scar Symmetry – “Slaves To The Subliminal” (from “Pitch Black Progress”, 2006) [Submitted by Ben]
03. Cryptic Shift – “(Petrified in The) Hypogean Gaol” (from “Visitations From Enceladus”, 2020)
04. Dark Tranquillity – “Standstill” (from “Moment”, 2020)
05. Pan.Thy.Monium – “The Battle Of Geeheeb” (from “Khaooohs & Kon-Fus-Ion”, 1996) [Submitted by Ben]
06. Holocausto – “Regimento de Morte” (from “Campo de exterminio”, 1987) [Submitted by Daniel]
07. Septic Flesh – “Mystic Places Of Dawn” (from “Mystic Places Of Dawn”, 1994) [Submitted by Ben]
08. The Chasm – “Architects Of Melancholic Apocalypse” (from “Procession To The Infraworld”, 2000) [Submitted by MacabreEternal]
09. Pyrrhon – “Another Day In Paradise” (from “Abscess Time”, 2020)
10. Morbid Angel – “Rebel Lands” (from “Blessed Are The Sick”, 1991) [Submitted by MacabreEternal]
11. Gravesend – “Needle Park” (from “Methods Of Human Disposal”, 2021)
12. Deathgoat – “Rotten Salvation” (from “Regurgitated Into Existence”, 2021)
13. Altered Dead – “Return To Life” (from “Returned To Life”, 2021)
14. Immolation – “Rival The Eminent” (from “Unholy Cult”, 2002) [Submitted by Daniel]
15. Hemdale – “Demented Surgical Incest” (from “In The Name Of Gore” split album with Exhumed, 1996)
16. Malevolent Creation – “Slaughter Of Innocence” (from “Retribution”, 1992) [Submitted by Ben]
17. Heaven Shall Burn – “Counterweight” (from “Deaf To Our Prayers”, 2006) [Submitted by Daniel]
18. Eximperituserqethhzebibšiptugakkathšulweliarzaxułum – “Utpāda” (from “Šahrartu”, 2021)
19. Fractal Generator – “Macrocosmos” (from “Macrocosmos”, 2021)
20. Misery Index – “The Carrion Call” (from “Heirs To Thievery”, 2010) [Submitted by Daniel]
21. Agoraphobic Nosebleed – “Vexed” (from “Honky Reduction”, 1998)
22. Krisiun – “A Thousand Graves” (from “Scourge Of The Enthroned”, 2018) [Submitted by MacabreEternal]
23. Dead Congregation – “Teeth Into Red” (from “Graves Of The Archangels”, 2008) [Submitted by MacabreEternal]
24. Unseen Terror – “Burned Beyond Recognition” (from “The Peel Sessions” E.P., 1989) [Submitted by Daniel]
25. Knoll – “Earth’s Iron Lung” (from “Interstice”, 2021)
26. Aborted – “Meticulous Invagination” (from “Goremageddon: The Saw and the Carnage Done”, 2003) [Submitted by Ben]
27. Abominable Putridity – “Non Infinite Sequence” (from “Parasitic Metamorphosis Manifestation”, 2021)
Looks like that Holocausto track is no longer available
For May -
Wolves in the Throne Room - The Old Ones Are With Us from Thrice Woven (2017) (08:36)
Craft - Assassin 333 from Fuck The Universe (2005) (04:31)
Könnigreichssaal - Force Majeure from Witnessing the Dearth (2020) (04:41)
Les Chants De Nihil - Ma Doctrine, Ta Vanité from Le Tyran Et L'esthète (2021) (05:18)
Mare Cognitum - Solar Paroxysm (2021)
First time listening to this band and have to say I am already massively impressed by just the power of the opening track on here.
My new favourite album of 2021 from french black metallers Les chants de nihil.
Another example of french BM acts trying to push the genre forward:
Daniel, Ben and Vinny you should all probably give this a listen.
Liking this, thanks Sonny.
Suffocation - "Human Waste" E.P. (1991)
Vinny, I notice you haven't rated this one. I regard it as absolutely essential for all death metal fans.
It's known to me, but for some reason I have never gotten round to sitting down with it and doing a review anywhere (thought I had on my old forum but can't see it). Got a week of leave this week so will spend some time with it.
Hi Ben, could you please add Berlin thrashers Reactory?
Wardruna - Kvitravn (2021)
Playing copious amounts of Assassin's Creed : Valhalla has put me right in the mood for some of Einar Selvik's output from his day job with Lindy-Fay Hella. I am fucking obsessed with Wardruna. They are one of the few bands outside of the metal genre than can generate that same menace and emotion despite using very little of the metal methodology in the process. I could listen to the title track off here all day and not get bored. My favourite artist right now by some stretch.
4.5/5
Welcome Theo, dive in mate and give us some reviews.
OK so I've officially had my mind blown. I'm sure everyone knows that the more extreme end of death metal is where my absolute musical sweet spot is by now &, that being the case, "Promulgation Of The Fall" spends its entire duration incessantly pressing its finger right on top of my audio g-spot. It's cripplingly dark, relentlessly brutal & stunningly produced & executed. Sure there are some obvious influences here that Vinny has already gone into in his review however I'd suggest that Dead Congregation match them with ease here. In fact, the sheer precision gives Dead Congregation an edge over most of their peers. The drumming is outstanding, the deep death growls are suffocating & the atmosphere is situated right in the middle of a fog-filled, zombie-ridden graveyard at midnight. This record is the absolute epitome of what death metal aspires to be & I can't fault it. Unbelievable stuff!
For fans of Incantation, Immolation & Morbid Angel.
5/5
I don't give this record enough attention and every time I play it I tell myself it should be played more regularly. A definite underrated record in death metal for sure and a band that just get overlooked all too easily.
Bury Your Dead - House of Straw from Beauty and the Breakdown (2006)
Ozzy Osbourne - Fool Like You from The Ultimate Sin (1986)
Judas Priest - Love You To Death from Ram It Down (1988)
Crimson Glory - Lady of Winter from Transendence (1988)
Persuader - Judas Immortal from When Eden Burns (2006)
Midnight - You Can't Stop Steel from Satanic Royalty (2011)
Dark Angel - Pain's Intervention, Madness from Time Does Not Heal (1991)
Megadeth - Poisonous Shadows from Dystopia (2016)
Slayer - Mr. Freeze from Undisputed Attitude (1996)
Sacred Reich - Death Squad from Ignorance (1987)
Gama Bomb - Ninja Untouchables/Untouchable Glory from Untouchable Glory (2015)
We still have a three track limit for The North playlist Vinny. That's mainly because of the longer track durations that people have been selecting which tend to fill up the run time without the need for anything additional but also because most of those selections tend to be in the same couple of subgenres so I leave a little room to add some material from the large number of other subgenres.
Cool, knock the last two off my list WITTR and Craft can wait for another month.
Drastus - Cygnus XI from Serpent's Chalice-Materia Prima (2009)
Enslaved - Kvasirs Blod from Eld (1997)
Malokarpaten - Ked' svetionosi započnú v močariskách nazeleno svícit from Nordkarpatenland (2017)
Wolves in the Throne Room - The Old Ones Are With Us from Thrice Woven (2017)
Craft - Assassin 333 from Fuck The Universe (2005)
Yes, well I was wrong. I listened to a few Amaranthe tracks on YouTube and found them to be jaw-droppingly awful. But, that's fine - I somehow don't think a grizzled old cynic like me is their target demographic. As for picking a track from In Waves for next month's playlist, I didn't really think anyone would be interested in listening to a track from the previous month's featured release again so soon. But I pledge that I WILL find a track to suggest sometime during the next week or so.
Ha ha, I stumbled across Amaranthe yesterday also when exploring the genres of The Revolution clan and have to say I was of the same opinion.
Bolt Thrower - What Dwells Within from War Master (1991)
Morbid Angel - Rebel Lands from Blessed Are The Sick (1991)
The Chasm - Architects of Melancholic Apocalypse from Procession to the Infraworld (2000)
Dead Congregation - Teeth Into Red from Graves of the Archangels (2008)
Krisiun - A Thousand Graves from Scourge of the Enthroned (2018)
Great idea and will help me broaden my horizons. I have always held a soft spot for The Gateway as it predominantly caters for a very niche time in my life where I was yet to bury myself in the more extreme genres of metal. I listen through the playlist for that clan most months already so grateful of the opportunity to contribute as well as continue to explore new bands. The Sphere and Revolution clans will be on catch up inevitably but planning to take up the option to add my two penneth.
Managed to get through this over yesterday evening and this morning before work and have picked up a couple of albums to explore more from the list (Death Angel & Overkill). Killer Be Killed are unknown to me until this list so will check out more of their stuff definitely. Still not getting the new Sodom album at all and even in piecemeal I find it lacking. First ever taste of Mr Bungle and it was as bat shit as I thought it would be but enjoyable all the same.
That Pantera track took me back to my youth as did Holy Wars.... Another great list this month.
Good month on the playlists so far with me finding more new bands to pick up on this Guardians list than any of the others I have gone through. That Blind Guardian track is my favourite one of theirs so glad to see it up there. My first time ever listening to Therion and I am suitably intrigued to discover more as I get chance. Nice to see the Maidens and Priests of this world get on the list also.
Strong list this month. Pleasing to see the Yoth Iria track as well as some Revenge.
Found myself tolerating the Primordial track (usually skip these guys) and have picked up a couple of new acts to explore more. Didn't hate Deafheaven as much as I predicted I would but was still relatively underwhelmed by it.
P.S. really want to play Winter by Fen all day now.
All done, I will update moving forwards.
Lists updated to include the featured releases for The Infinite, The Guardians, The Gateway and The Fallen from Jan 20 to present as a guide of what has gone before.
I notice you haven't rated this one Vinny. Can I assume you're acquainted with it?
I am mate. Not one of my preferred releases of theirs from memory but would need to revisit to fully recall why. It was following a great record of course in Close to a World Below so it may be that it is not a bad album per se, just not on the same par.
Didn't enjoy this at all really. Felt very much like it was made on the fly with long instrumental passages just switching me off all too easily. I got no sense of what the band were driving at achieving as it all just felt excessive but never bloating even as the content wasn't ever really mind-boggling or all that delicious to warrant much in the way of conscious consumption.
2/5
Great idea, a bit of responsibility for me will help make me a little more sticky with the place again.
Don't think the collaborative approach would work in all honesty so happy with this approach outlined of the rotation.
What's the process then? Do we just start the thread ourselves for the featured release or do you still hold posting responsibility Daniel? Happy either way.
I have also puled together a list below for The Horde, The Pit and The North "Featured" releases from Jan 20 to present so folks picking don't replicate old picks.
Ulcerate - Shrines of Paralysis (2016) - Relapse Records
The pinnacle of their output (at the time). An improvement on Vermis which in its own right was a superb record. Probably the first time it all really came together with the mix allowing the component parts to breath independent of each other yet appear cohesive in their own dissonant and chaotic manner. Listening to Ulcerate gives me a massive sense of connection with disorder and the conflict of emotions which just connects with my own often complex mindset and thought process.
5/5
Decidedly entertaining album if not at risk of death by repetition in the main. Sterling lead work and a solid, driving percussion section. Tony's vocals I find a bit hit and miss overall but decent enough.
3/5
https://metal.academy/reviews/16837/2188
Pantera - By Demons Be Driven from Vulgar Display of Power (1992)
Evile - Thrasher from Enter The Grave (2007)
Nuclear Assault - Critical Mass from Handle With Care (1989)
Morta Skuld - Devoured Fears from Dying Remains (1993)
Baphomet- Streaks of Blood from The Dead Shall Inherit (1993)
Hate Eternal - Lake Ablaze from Phoenix Amongst the Ashes (2011)
Accept - Stampede from Blind Rage (2014)
Visigoth - Blades in the Night from Conqueror’s Oath (2018)
Metal Church - The Dark from The Dark (1986)
Tsjuder - Ancient Hate from Demonic Possession (2016)
Forgjord - Surman Sakeet from Ajasta Ikuisuuteen (2009)
Devouring Star - Sin Assimilation from The Aeteries of Heresy (2018)
Pleasing to see the high praise for Ulcerate and Oranssi Pazuzu in the album section. I do need to pick up on that Cirith Ungol album actually as never got around to it. Like Ben, I have very little time for online presence currently (although some of this is a conscious effort to be spending less time in front of a screen outside of work hours) so my contribution levels are dropping here sadly.
Reviewed this without knowledge it was featured (not been about much admittedly) so was a timely review. The issue I have in the main is Leverman's mix and the large amount of filler on display. Not a terrible record by any means but heavily front-loaded and I expected better.