Vinny's Forum Replies
Worked my way through this earlier, some interesting stuff in terms of new bands like Mystras, Manegarm and in particular I Shalt Become whose whole album I listened through this morning and subsequently have found my way to Krohm as a result. I found White Ward to be a bit odd, a bit forced if perfectly honest. They don't need that jazz edge (not sure if that's a whole trait of theirs or just limited to that song) as it brings nothing to the track. When the track did get going it was decent enogh BM to my ears so why f**k about is my initial ask.
Had forgotten how abrasive and harsh Jute Gyte was as it had been a while since I heard much of his stuff; hasn't helped my tinnitus anyway. Another enjoyable list thanks Daniel.
So, I went and got me a proper turntable and speakers set up and also a new PC to boot which means that as well as having a soundcard again that works I also have a vinyl player to play all the wonderful records I hear on Bandcamp again. I opted for Bluetooth on my speakers though so I can stream from my PC on one side of my lair and still connect up to the turntable easily and save space on my desk.
It's an expensive hobby vinyl collecting though and takes a lot of patience to balance the turntable perfectly as well as level the cartridge. So far though blasting my vinyl collection has made me smile muchly.
In no order, I'd bash out the following list of 25:
Mizmor - Cairn 2019
Immortal - Northern Chaos Gods 2018
Deathspell Omega - Drought 2012
Behemoth - The Satanist 2014
Portal - Vexovoid 2013
Hooded Menace - Never Cross the Dead 2010
Dying Fetus - Reign Supreme 2012
Autopsy - Macabre Eternal 2011
Disma - Towards the Megalith 2011
Alice in Chains - Rainier Fog 2018
Black Breath - Sentenced to Life 2012
Gorguts - Colored Sands 2013
Gorguts - Pleiade's Dust 2016
Ulcerate - Shrines of Paralysis 2016
Deftones - Koi no Yokan 2012
Condor - Unstoppable Power 2017
Akhlys - The Dreaming I 2015
Inquisition - Bloodsher Across The Empyrean Altar Beyond the Celestial Zenith 2016
Bell Witch - Mirror Reaper 2017
Author & Punisher - Ursus Americanus 2012
Grand Magus - Hammer of the North 2010
Electric Wizard - Black Masses 2010
Bolzer - Aura 2013
Aosoth - The Inside Scriptures 2017
Cultes Des Ghoules - Henbane 2013
Manilla Road - Open The Gates (1984)
On a Manilla Road kick following my review earlier so took a couple of steps back in their discography to revisit their fourth offering. The guitars feel a little too far back in the mix here but this allows for them to feel matched with the percussion and rhythm and gives things a more doomy vibe on tracks like the title track. Lets Shelton's vocals really shine also.
My review is up and it is safe to say that I recognise all the brilliance on this record. It is such an industrious and tenacious release that marries a charging energy with atmosphere and horrific menace that I can't help but be transfixed by it. It still has virtually no polish applied to it (what bit there is, is simply the excellence of the musicians at work) and feels so tight throughout it almost feels inhuman. Top pick for this month!
5/5
Could you please add blackened death metallers Proscription and their recent release Conduit?
My review is up and largely reflects the opinion of the majority. Clumsy drumming, hindered guitar sound and a poor production and mix job. Ellesworth carries the record (and actually reminds me off Biff Byford at one point) with Verni being the other consistent performer.
3/5
Darkthrone - Panzerfaust (1995)
Despite the strong Celtic Frost vibe to this I still find it a howling piece of BM that never ceases to entertain. At least they were honest about wanting to focus on CF on this and the job they do is respectful and not just a gratuitous regurgitation of that band. One of my favoured Darkthrone releases.
5/5
Got through this list as well today (productive day at work). Looking forwards to getting stuck into that Manilla Road album for the feature release after listening to that track on here. Great call on the ...Slough Feg track from a great record overall.
Cool playlist, Daniel, but in the future can you please not include Linkin Park singles like "In the End"? Don't get me wrong, that was a good song from when I used to Linkin Park 8 years ago, sometime before becoming fully interested in "real" metal, but it's one of the most popular songs from one of the most popular rock/metal bands of modern times and pretty much everybody knows it. I personally think the whole point of these playlists is to help us metalheads find songs from bands ranging from inaccessible underground to mildly popular enough for many metalheads to know but not to the point where it hits mainstream radio or "MTV Hits" or any place shared with the popular music some of us are tired of. If you wanna include songs from Linkin Park's nu metal era in future playlists, of course you can, but it would be better if they're non-single tracks like "Points of Authority", "Runaway", "Lying From You", "Easier to Run", etc. Anyway, The Gateway members might definitely enjoy the rest of this playlist. Good work, Daniel!
Disagree with this Andi, the playlists should incorporate both underground and mainstream/well-known tracks also. Not everyone coming to the playlist wants the discovery aspect as much as others (and there's nothing wrong with either stance). So I hadn't listened to that Linkin Park track for years and it was a great reminder of some good times with good friends. I would like to see this cross-section approach to the lists stay as is therefore. I also think that Daniel pays careful attention to the flow of the playlists and so I think the mix of exposure to known/new tracks compliments this flow well.
Listening through this morning it occurs to me that alternative metal appeals to me increasingly as I have enjoyed most of this. Won't pretend to love all of it but a lot of stuff I am familiar with (FNM, Soundgarden, Korn etc) gets nowhere near enough attention in terms of plays from the library. Rosemary is probably my favourite track off Koi No Yokan. Seriously hooked on that Helmet track now, it's on loop.
Morbid Angel - Altars of Madness (2017 full dynamic range limited edition)
Have a new turntable and speaker set up in my lair now and so I am finally able to play this gem in all its glory. Satan bless Earache Records!
Artillery - "Terror Squad" (1987)
Most people rate 1990's "By Inheritance" album as the finest work from Danish thrash metallers Artillery however I have to disagree with that sentiment. I've always preferred their sophomore record "Terror Squad" which may not be as polished or melodic but more than compensates for it in raw aggression & urgency. There's a bit of a technical edge to some of the rhythms here however the band never fall into the trap of becoming overly clinical. I know Ben isn't a huge fan of the vocals but I actually think they're one of the best things about this release along with the incisive thrash riffage & high-energy double-time drumming. I highly recommend this album to fans of Exodus, Overkill & early Testament.
4/5
Yep, I am with Ben about the vocals but also agree with you about the rawness aspect. Thanks for the rec.
Revocation - The Outer Ones (2018)
A less vivid and technical version of Vektor that really relies on some top-notch lead work to carry it along with some memorable progressive sturctures also. First listen only rating 3/5 but definitely going to spend more time with it.
Paysage D'Hiver - Steineiche (1998)
The debut release from Winteherr's solo project that preceded anything he did in Darkspace by some four years, is full of abrasive and harsh black metal blended (often in quite a caustic manner) with more ambient passages with an ever-present and bone-chilling coldness to it.
4.5/5
Ambush - Firestorm (2014)
Another superb MA discovery. Anthemic heavy/speed metal full of energy and driving rhythms.
4/5
Yep, enjoying this, thanks for sharing.
The Thelonious Monk Quartet - Monk's Dream (1963)
I don't listen to a lot of jazz, it is one of the much neglected genres of music that I only seem to get as far as flirting with. This is and Kind of Blue by Miles Davis are my two most played records though and are both by far the most memorable as a result. Took delivery of a new desktop PC yesterday and after a couple of years without one, I now have a soundcard and can play music through my PC again. Monk is the first music I chose to play through it before I start my working day.
P.s. no rating as I don't consider myself knowledgable enough about jazz to be able to rate what is good and what is bad.
"Lovedrive" is also not on Spotify.
Hmmm
Graveshadow - The Gates from Ambition’s Price (2018)
The Devil’s Trade - The Call Of The Iron Peak
Arguably acoustic doom I suppose but I posted it here anyway as feels a little too folkly for the The Fallen. Definitely not an everyday play for me, need to be in that darker headspace to truly appreciate it. Having a restless head for a few weeks now I found this album a great relaxation piece and managed to use it as a gentle way to achieve a decent sleep the other afternoon (not that it bores me - the exact opposite).
A solid 3/5
That Scorpions track isn't on Spotify Vinny. Feel free to throw another track at me.
Let’s go with Lovedrive from the album of the same name then please. (1979)
That Scorpions track isn't on Spotify Vinny. Feel free to throw another track at me.
Let’s go with Lovedrive from the album of the same name then please. (1979)
Probably my favourite playlist so far right here. Never heard anything off Technical Ecstasy before but adding the whole record to my library later based on that track alone. I was predictably unimpressed with Vinnie Moore (guitar only albums aren’t my thing) and won’t be going back to More, Arion, Dragonland or Tytan anytime soon but loved more or less everything else. That Twilight Force track just happens to be my favourite and I have a lot of time for that Dragonforce track also. New bands added to my radar are Unleash The Archers and Atlantean Kodex. Thanks for sharing Daniel.
Nocturnal - Merciless Murder from Arrival of the Carnivore (2005)
Rigor Mortis - Re-animator from Rigor Mortis (1988)
Devastation - Deliver the Suffering from Idolatry (1991)
Scorpions - Dynamite from Blackout (1982)
Warlock - All We Are from Triumph & Agony (1987)
W.A.S.P. - Jack Action from The Last Command (1985)
I agree with Tymell. I initially thought that a minimum ratings option would make sense the way it does for releases, but I've actually really enjoyed going into the Gallery every few days and voting on any covers that appear (that I haven't yet voted for). There's some really great stuff that people find that we simply wouldn't see if there was a minimum ratings filter.
Since you don't have to have heard a release to vote on its cover, I now don't think we'll ever have a minimum rating for The Gallery. It seems shadowdoom9 might disagree with this, so does anyone else have any feedback? As always, I like to make decisions as a community wherever possible.
I am with you and Tymell. I have spent a good few hours since the inception of the Gallery rating artwork and have made some cool discoveries. Let’s keep it open for us to see as much as possible.
Have to say I loved this playlist. I even didn’t skip Lamb of God such was my positive mood during listening. Pleased to see a couple of my suggestions in there but if honest was far more impressed with Anacrusis, The Crown and Acid Drinkers who are all familiar to me but I clearly need to spend more time with their output. Also Imperium is perhaps my favourite Machine Head track (from an otherwise poor album) so had a right blast listening to that. Think I also need to spend more time with Exumer and Exciter as well as Agent Steel, all bands who for some reason or other I had heard and dismissed but this playlist switched me on to all 3.
October suggestions whilst I have time:
Jute Gyte - Discontinuities (from album of same title) 2013
Wiegedood - Prowl (from De doden hebben het goed III) 2018
Furia - Krew w kolorze burstynu (from Marta polska jesien) 2007
In early with my three for October:
Disaffected - No Feelings Left (from the album Vast)
Portal - The Back Wards (from Vexvoid)
Wormed - Agliptian Codex Cyborgization (from Krigshu)
Hi Ben, could you please add Portugese progressive death metallers Disaffected?
I found this a tad dull on the vocal front (although I accept they compliment the music and overall style well). I can't fault the music much though and there's clever use of drama in the intros and outros to some tracks to keep my head in the storytelling space most definitely.
3/5
Great list Daniel. New bands I picked up on were Nails, Defeated Sanity and Illdisposed. Planning to revisit Pyrexia who I think were a Bandcamp fave of mine a few years back who I have drifted away from. Did not get on with that frog stuff at all. Confirmed my dislike for Soilwork and my under-appreciation of Necrophagist. Certainly a list that captures the spectrum of the Horde as a whole. Looking forwards to October’s list.
Turbo - "Ostatni wojownik" (1987)
Sonny & Vinny, I think you might enjoy this raw & sophisticated early Polish thrash record. I'm really digging it at the moment. It's classy & consistent with excellent musicianship & a raspy European vocal delivery. The band always sounds in control whilst always maintaining that dirty Teutonic edge.
I am terrible for missing things on these threads and so only just seen this. Glad I did because this is good stuff, particularly like those vocals that you mention Daniel. Neat find and a hell of a way to kick off a Sunday morning. Cheers.
I am with Saxy here. An album that gets too little attention nowadays but listening back was still as big a pleasure as it was the first time I span it.
4.5/5
Vektor Forests of Legend
Sepultura Dead Embryonic Cells
Metallica Whiskey in the Jar
One of Sabbath's flawless releases for me, full of the well-known "hits" like War Pigs and Iron Man as well other less obvious gems such as Hand of Doom. Never anything less than 5 stars for me.
I recently revisited this album and this time around it stayed in my stream although just how many visits it will get is an uknown if honest. It is certainly full of hooks that probably helped it retain a fingerhold in my library but it is big step away from the Left Hand Paths of this world that it is unlikely to leave me with any overarching desire to reach for it with any regularity.
Perhaps predictably for me the only enjoyable aspects to this were Nocturnal Depression. Deathspell Omega and Mutiilation. None of he experimental, gothic or folk influenced stuff did anything for me. Incidentally, I was surprised to see Myrath on his list as they only really have "international" infuences as ooposed to any direct folk elements over their more progressive sound. Also confirmed my fast growing distatse for Bathory as i get older. To my ears he just sounded increasingly more amatuerish with each release, like the songwriter out ranked the artistic capability in so many regards.
Ash Borer show the most promise as a band I need to revisit from this playlist. Thanks for sharing.
P.s. whatever the hell is going on with Mago de Oz, I want no part of it.
This list confirmed my dislike for the guitar wankery of Malmsteen, Becker and Friedman as well as Michael Angelo. Some interesting stuff but a lot of it was already very familiar to me. Will probably explore Jaguar more and the list underlined my need to pick up more Tygers of Pan Tang stuff. Thanks for sharing.
Windir “Black New Age” from 1184
Korda “Native Land”from Cry To Me River
Blut Aus Nord “Chapter IV” from MoRT
Immortal “Withstand the Fall of Time” from At the Heart of Winter
Wolves In The Throne Room “Woodland Cathedral” from Celestial Lineage
Crom Dubh “Sedition” from Heimweh
Judas Iscariot “Gaze Upon Heaven In Flames” from Heaven in Flames
Xasthur “Kingdom of Burning Crucifixion” from A Gate Through Blood Stained Mirrors
Abazagorath “Lapse” from Abazagorath
Jute Gyte “Teeth” from The Old Ways
Keys of Orthanc “Witchking” from Dush Agh Golnauk
Cultes Des Ghoules “The Devil Intimate” from Henbane
L’ Acephale “Sovereignty (Dieu-Die Sonne Stirbt Sovereignty)” from L’ Acephale
Acherontas “Tablets of Mercury” from Amarta (Formulas of Reptilian Unification Pt II)
Cirith Gorgor “Ephel Duath” from Onwards to the Spectral Defile
That’s all I can think of so early in the morning but hopefully got something you could put into a playlist?
So, I went through this yesterday whilst working and did find I enjoyed more than expected. Some bands I will be exploring more and others will have rekindled interest such as Raunchy. Was big on that Korn track back in the early noughties and have flirted with Rob Zombie’s stuff before. Has to be said that my more extreme ears also found a fair portion of the list underwhelming (Corey Feldman, Clawfinger, Infectious Grooves to mention a couple), but was a good discovery session overall. Thanks for sharing.
Bolt Thrower “The Killchain”
Asphyx “The Krusher”
Deicide “Dead By Dawn”
Gorguts “Orphan of Sickness”
Carcass “Heartwork”
Morbid Angel “Maze of Torment”
Altarage “Altars”
Massacre “Dawn of Eternity”
Master “Funeral Bitch”
Obituary “Chopped in Half”
Hi Ben,
Can the new Incantation album be added please?
This is the one new feature I would have least interest in. I don’t care much for sub-genres if I am honest. What’s that you’ve included some depressive elements to your black metal? Great. It’s still just black metal as a title as far as I am concerned.
I am not knocking anyone here, there’s a lot of very passionate metal heads on here and if this floats your boat then sail on you classification crazy cats. As long as I can still search on Death, Black, etc I am fine.
I still can't quote so going to try and clear some cookies etc this side but I agree with all your points Ben.
Painted Doll - s/t (2018)
Chris Reifert and Dave Hill make lots of cool rock music when they get chance to. Had this in my library for a while but it is criminally underplayed. Makes me wanna sit in my lair and listen to B.O.C all afternoon.
4.5/5
I wouldn't be a fan of album cover reviews if honest, it seems a bit much and would risk further confusion or risk making a release page look cluttered.
Also, I don't think there's enough active members to warrant the 5 ratings rule you describe either.
**Ben - I tried to quote Andi for this post but each time I clicked "quote" it took me to the top of the screen?**
Number of times already that I have mistakenly rated a release I have never heard whilst trying to rate just the artwork? 8.
Was pleasantly surprised by this. A lot more riffy than I was expecting yet also quite emotive and atmospheric also. A neglected band in my music library which I will set about rectifying off the back of this. Review up (on my iPad and too lazy to link).
4/5
Sonny & Vinny, I'll be surprised if you don't dig this very solid meat-&-potatoes US thrash metal record.
Yep, probably their best.