Ben's Forum Replies

Not a lot of surprises for me, although I never imagined that you’d like Green Carnation that much, especially as you generally don’t like single track albums.

That Hate album is seriously underrated!

Here's my off the top of my head list. It really made me realise that I haven't listened to enough modern releases. I consider myself very experienced in most forms of metal from the early 80s to the mid-00s. Before and after that is much more patchy, with lots of gaps, so my current choices could easily be replaced in future. This was fun though.

1970. Black Sabbath - Paranoid

1971. Black Sabbath - Master of Reality

1972. Black Sabbath - Vol 4

1973. Black Sabbath - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

1974. Budgie - In for the Kill

1975. Black Sabbath - Sabotage

1976. Judas Priest - Sad Wings of Destiny

1977. Judas Priest - Sin After Sin

1978. Judas Priest - Stained Class

1979. Motörhead - Overkill

1980. Diamond Head - Lightning to the Nations

1981. Black Sabbath - Mob Rules

1982. Iron Maiden - The Number of the Beast

1983. Mercyful Fate - Melissa

1984. Metallica - Ride the Lightning

1985. Slayer - Hell Awaits

1986. Slayer - Reign in Blood

1987. Candlemass - Nightfall

1988. Iron Maiden - Seventh Son of a Seventh Son

1989. Morbid Angel - Altars of Madness

1990. Deicide - Deicide

1991. Death - Human

1992. Ministry - Psalm 69

1993. My Dying Bride - Turn Loose the Swans

1994. Burzum - Hvis lyset tar oss

1995. Ulver - Bergtatt: Et eeventyr i 5 capitler

1996. Burzum - Filosofem

1997. Ocean Machine - Biomech

1998. Theatre of Tragedy - Aégis

1999. Summoning - Stronghold

2000. Shape of Despair - Shades Of…

2001. Opeth - Blackwater Park

2002. Arcturus - The Sham Mirrors

2003. Blut aus Nord - The Work Which Transforms God

2004. Nehëmah - Requiem Tenebrae

2005. Nevermore - This Godless Endeavor

2006. Negură Bunget - OM

2007. Wolves in the Throne Room - Two Hunters

2008. ColdWorld - Melancholie²

2009. Sun of the Blind - Skullreader

2010. Deathspell Omega - Paracletus

2011. Blut aus Nord - 777 - The Desanctification

2012. Blut aus Nord - 777 - Cosmosophy

2013. Summoning - Old Mornings Dawn

2014. Darkspace - Dark Space III I

2015. Shape of Despair - Monotony Fields

2016. Trees of Eternity - Hour of the Nightingale

2017. The Ruins of Beverast - Exuvia

2018. Horrendous - Idol

2019. Esoteric - A Pyrrhic Existence

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 6th of February, 2020:

1. Mad Butcher (GUARDIANS, PIT) - requested by Daniel

2. Novareign (GUARDIANS) - requested by Tymell

3. Ripper (PIT, HORDE)

4. Leeched (REVOLUTION, FALLEN)

5. Lorna Shore (REVOLUTION)

6. Black Capricorn (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92

7. Hands of Orlac (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92

8. Bretus (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92

9. Pathosray (INFINITE) - requested by Tymell

10. Malignant Monster (HORDE) - requested by Daniel

11. Pale King (HORDE) - requested by Tymell

12. Malignancy (HORDE) - requested by Daniel

13. Havukruunu (NORTH)

That's the plan.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 5th of February, 2020:

1. My Diligence (FALLEN) - requested by Tymell

2. Flapjack (GATEWAY, PIT)

3. Lustre (NORTH) - requested by Daniel

4. Nomans Land (NORTH) - requested by Tymell

5. Throwdown (REVOLUTION, PIT)

6. A Life Once Lost (REVOLUTION, PIT)

7. Adrenaline Mob (PIT, GUARDIANS)

8. Pro-Pain (PIT)

9. Mace (PIT) - requested by Daniel

10. Mutant (PIT) - requested by Tymell

Apologies! I got distracted by my ongoing sibling rivalry. They're added to the list.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 4th of February, 2020:

1. Mob Rules (GUARDIANS) - requested by Tymell

2. Ironsword (GUARDIANS)

3. ShadowQuest (GUARDIANS)

4. Lumpur (HORDE) - requested by Daniel

5. Mors Subita (HORDE) - requested by Tymell

6. Mother of Millions (INFINITE) - requested by Tymell

7. Ludicra (NORTH) - requested by Daniel

8. Aethyrick (NORTH)

9. Ludichrist (PIT) - requested by Daniel

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 2nd/3rd of February, 2020:

1. Minushuman (HORDE, PIT) - requested by Tymell

2. Grey Skies Fallen (HORDE, FALLEN)

3. Kraanium (HORDE) - requested by Daniel

4. Lock Up (HORDE) - requested by Daniel

5. Memory Garden (FALLEN, GUARDIANS) - requested by Tymell

6. Lair of the Minotaur (FALLEN, PIT) - requested by Daniel

7. Lordi (GUARDIANS) - requested by Shezma

8. Revenant Marquis (NORTH)

9. Metsatöll (NORTH) - requested by Tymell

10. Horned Almighty (NORTH, PIT)

11. Deathhammer (PIT)

Love me some Crystal Mountain!

That literally sounds awful to me.

Congratulations mate! That's a big effort.

I'm stoked that a bunch of you are picking up these challenges and running with them.

Wow! You've really gone for some big hitters this month Daniel!

One of the greatest albums in metal. My review should make it clear just how much a love it!

I must admit that I've never heard Boris. I'm not big on drone and their discography seems so eclectic and strange that I've been scared off. I really should give them a go at some point.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 31st of January, 2020:

1. Kollwitz (FALLEN) - requested by Daniel

2. Kingdom of Sorrow (FALLEN) - requested by Daniel

3. Acid Mammoth (FALLEN)

4. Wagakki Band (NORTH)

5. Tengger Cavalry (NORTH)

6. Runic (NORTH, HORDE)

7. Sig:Ar:Tyr (NORTH)

8. Juggernaut (PIT, INFINITE) - requested by Daniel

9. Malkavian (PIT) - requested by Tymell

10. Mantic Ritual (PIT) - requested by Tymell

11. Metal Allegiance (PIT, GUARDIANS) - requested by Tymell

12. Temperance (GATEWAY, GUARDIANS)

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 30th of January, 2020:

1. Mael Mordha (FALLEN, NORTH) - requested by Tymell

2. Higher Power (GATEWAY)

3. Dalriada (NORTH, GUARDIANS)

4. Heidevolk (NORTH, GUARDIANS)

5. Myrkgrav (NORTH)

6. Dark Forest (NORTH)

7. Bonded (PIT)

8. Machine Men (GUARDIANS) - requested by Tymell

9. Liv Sin (GUARDIANS) - requested by Tymell

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 29th of January, 2020:

1. Inverloch (FALLEN, HORDE) - requested by Daniel

2. Lamassu (FALLEN) - requested by Tymell

3. Jesus Cröst (HORDE) - requested by Daniel

4. Nero di Marte (INFINITE)

5. Le Grand Guignol (INFINITE, GUARDIANS) - requested by Tymell

6. Jordablod (NORTH)

7. Tuatha de Danann (NORTH

8. Mägo de Oz (NORTH, GUARDIANS)

9. Ásmegin (NORTH)

10. Lumsk (NORTH)

11. Iskald (NORTH)

12. Lazarus A.D. (PIT) - requested by Tymell

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 27th/28th of January, 2020:

1. To/Die/For (FALLEN) - requested by shadowdoom9

2. Garganjua (FALLEN, INFINITE)

3. King Goat (FALLEN, INFINITE) - requested by Tymell

4. Kiuas (GUARDIANS) - requested by Tymell

5. Holter (GUARDIANS)

6. Jorn Lande & Trond Holter (GUARDIANS) - requested by Tymell

7. Darktribe (GUARDIANS)

8. Infernal War/K riegsmaschine (NORTH) - requested by Daniel

9. Porta Nigra (NORTH, INFINITE)

10. Impending Doom (NORTH, HORDE) - requested by Daniel

11. Forlorn Citadel (NORTH)

12. Interment (HORDE) - requested by Daniel

13. Attomica (PIT) - requested by Daniel

14. Hazzerd (PIT) - requested by Sonny92

15. Marko Hietala (GUARDIANS) - requested by Xephyr

Could you please add Marko Hietala? (Nightwish frontman's solo project)

I'm a bit confused by the two releases listed on every site. Are they the exact same album, just released with titles in different languages, or is Pyre of the Black Heart a re-recorded version of Mustan sydämen rovio? Maybe it's the same album with lyrics in English?

For now I will just add the 2019 album Mustan sydämen rovio.

I love getting requests, even when they're from you. That being said, you seem to be the only one that desperately wants me to add some never-heard-of underground release with artwork that's impossible to track down, just so you can give it 1.5 stars. Lucky I enjoy a good challenge!

Absolutely no reason to apologise. I encourage the requests!

Spotify lists for these challenges can be found below:

Avant-Garde Metal - The Early Days

Avant-Garde Metal - The Modern Era

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 24th of January, 2020:

1. Humanfly (FALLEN, INFINITE) - requested by Daniel

2. Apostle of Solitude (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92

3. Landskap (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92

4. The Howling Void (FALLEN, NORTH) - requested by Daniel

5. Mouth of Oceans (FALLEN, HORDE) - requested by Sonny92

6. Dopelord (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92

7. In Vain (GUARDIANS) - requested by Tymell

8. Mutyumu (INFINITE)

9. Pin-Up Went Down (INFINITE)

10. Neuma (INFINITE, REVOLUTION)

11. Violent Magic Orchestra (INFINITE)

12. Ex Eye (INFINITE)

13. Jeff Loomis (INFINITE) - requested by Tymell

14. Inquisitor (PIT, HORDE) - requested by Tymell

15. I Shalt Become (NORTH) - requested by Daniel

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 23rd of January, 2020:

Horseback (FALLEN, INFINITE) - requested by Daniel

Howl (FALLEN) - requested by Daniel

Carbonized (HORDE, INFINITE)

Ignominious Incarceration (HORDE) - requested by Tymell

In Extremo (NORTH) - requested by Tymell

Dornenreich (NORTH, INFERNO)

Helrunar (NORTH) - requested by Daniel

Kalmankantaja (NORTH)

Imagika (PIT, GUARDIANS) - requested by Tymell

Crotchduster (INFINITE)

John Zorn (INFINITE)

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 22nd of January, 2020:

1. Ether Coven (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92 

2. Odious Mortem (HORDE)

3. Ichor (HORDE) - requested by Tymell

4. Wormhole (HORDE)

5. Ignea (NORTH, INFINITE, GUARDIANS) - requested by Tymell

6. Svarttjern (NORTH)

7. Hæresiarchs of Dis (NORTH) - requested by Daniel

8. Heaven (GUARDIANS) - requested by Daniel

9. Manticora (GUARDIANS, INFINITE) - requested by Tymell

10. Hellish Crossfire (PIT) - requested by Daniel

11. Hyades (PIT) - requested by Tymell

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 21st of January, 2020:

1. Dyscordia (INFINITE, GUARDIANS)

2. Hades Archer (NORTH, PIT) - requested by Daniel

3. Graveworm (NORTH, FALLEN, HORDE)

4. Lesath (NORTH)

5. Horn of the Rhino (FALLEN) - requested by Tymell

6. Haemorrhage (HORDE) - requested by Daniel

7. Habitual Defilement (HORDE) - requested by Daniel

8. Job For a Cowboy (HORDE, REVOLUTION) - requested by Tymell

9. Hospital of Death (PIT) - requested by Tymell

Ben, please add Ether Coven (aka Ether) (USA) and Konvent (Denmark).

If I'm not mistaken, Konvent are yet to have an official release, only a demo in 2017. I'll add them once the full length comes out later in the month. As much as I'd like to add releases before they actually come out, the need to nail down genres and therefore clans on Metal Academy makes that idea fraught with danger.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 19th / 20th of January, 2020:

1. Haarp (FALLEN) - requested by Daniel

2. Dukatalon (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92 

3. Elder Druid (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92 

4. Grin (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92 

5. Holy Knights (GUARDIANS) - requested by Tymell

6. Herman Frank (GUARDIANS) - requested by Tymell

7. Hexen (PIT) - requested by Tymell

8. HAARP Machine (INFINITE) - requested by Daniel

9. Despondent Moon (NORTH)

10. Rumination (NORTH, HORDE)

11. Vengeful Spectre (NORTH)

12. Zhrine (NORTH, HORDE)

13. Snorlax (NORTH, HORDE)

14. Virvum (HORDE)

15. Archspire (HORDE)

16. Kick Axe (GUARDIANS)

17. Primal Fear (GUARDIANS)

This release has been added to the Hall of Judgement.

This release has been added to the Hall of Judgement.

The release has been added to the Hall of Judgement.

The Spotify list for this challenge can be found below:

Industrial Metal

Spotify Lists for these challenges can be found below.

Grindcore - The Early Days

Grindcore - The Modern Era

Spotify Lists can be found below. The vast majority of releases are available on the service.

Power Metal - The Early Days

Power Metal - The Modern Era

Spotify Lists can be found below. The vast majority of releases are available on the service.

Gothic - The Early Days

Gothic - The Modern Era

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 17th of January, 2020:

1. Lotus Thief (FALLEN, INFINITE)

2. Kurse (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92 

3. Helltrain (HORDE) - requested by Tymell

4. Grave Miasma (HORDE)

5. Scorched (HORDE)

6. Nefandus (NORTH)

7. Unreqvited (NORTH, INFINITE)

8. Evol (NORTH)

9. Empire of the Moon (NORTH)

10. WelicoRuss (NORTH, GUARDIANS) - requested by Xephyr

11. Vvilderness (NORTH)

12. Moongates Guardian (NORTH, GUARDIANS)

13. Black Funeral (NORTH)

14. Elderwind (NORTH)

15. Helion Prime (GUARDIANS) - requested by Tymell

16. Hellcannon (PIT) - requested by Tymell

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 16th of January, 2020:

1. Saigon Kick (GATEWAY)

2. Fight (GUARDIANS, PIT)

3. Gaskin (GUARDIANS) - requested by Daniel

4. Ghast (NORTH, FALLEN) - requested by Daniel

5. Gaoth (NORTH) - requested by Sonny92 

6. 1914 (NORTH, HORDE, FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92 

7. Crom Dubh (NORTH) - requested by Sonny92 

8. Naked Whipper (NORTH, HORDE)

9. Ildjarn (NORTH)

10. Grind Inc. (HORDE) - requested by Daniel

11. Agoraphobic Nosebleed (HORDE, FALLEN)

12. Helevorn (FALLEN) - requested by Tymell

13. Hatriot (PIT) - requested by Tymell

14. Haunted Shores (REVOLUTION, INFINITE) - requested by Tymell

Big congratulations Sonny92! You've locked in The Fallen clan.

I think it's fitting that you're the first one to complete a Doom Metal challenge, as you're clearly the best equipped to do it. Really enjoying all of your reviews. I'm particularly stoked to see that you've rated so many of my favourite albums similar scores to me. A kindred spirit!

Another improvement! If you visit the Releases section, you will now see that you can show "Only releases I've rated". So now you can exclude or include releases that you've rated.

Thanks to Sonny92 for the request.

Will get that fixed.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 15th of January, 2020:

1. Soilent Green (FALLEN, HORDE)

2. Poppy (GATEWAY)

3. Galar (NORTH) - requested by Daniel

4. Kawir (NORTH)

5. Flames (PIT, GUARDIANS) - requested by Daniel

6. Harlott (PIT) - requested by Tymell

7. Hatchet (PIT) - requested by Tymell

8. Guillotine (PIT) - requested by Tymell

9. Mystic Prophecy (GUARDIANS)

10. Yacøpsæ (HORDE)

11. Fleshwrought (HORDE) - requested by Daniel

12. Cripple Bastards (HORDE)

13. Phantomsmasher (HORDE)

Is #1 fully implemented yet Ben, as it doesn't seem to be working for me?

Yes, although it might not be immediately apparent. You can still see your own rating (stars), while the member you've selected's ratings appear in numerical form just below it. So as long as you're picking a member that has actually rated something on a list, you won't notice any difference. Below is what I see when I select you while on the first Doom Metal challenge.

Nice improvements, Ben. The clan links are likely to be particularly useful.

I like that I can see how many releases for a particular clan I've rated too - let's me know how much there's still to do!

Good idea to hide the empty users from the clan list too - will be especially relevant as the number of users increases, I would think. I assume if one of those users starts rating they will then become visible?

Yes, as soon as a member rates a release, they'll appear in the Members section.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 14th of January, 2020:

Giant Squid (FALLEN, INFINITE) - requested by Tymell

Vin de mia Trix (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92 

Evadne (FALLEN) - requested by Daniel 

Whelm (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92 

Wolvserpent (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92 

Catasexual Urge Motivation (HORDE) 

Gravestone (HORDE) - requested by Tymell 

Exulceration / Putrid Offal (HORDE) - requested by Daniel 

Agathocles (HORDE) 

Combatwoundedveteran (HORDE) 

Putrid Offal (HORDE) - requested by Daniel 

Exquisite Pus (HORDE) - requested by Daniel 

Fueled by Fire (PIT) - requested by Tymell

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 12th/13th of January, 2020:

1. Mordenheim (FALLEN)

2. Meth Drinker (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92

3. Grey Gallows (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92

4. Firebreather (FALLEN) - requested by Tymell

5. Obed Marsh (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92

6. Victorius (GUARDIANS)

7. Sluagh (NORTH)

8. Endstille (NORTH) - requested by Daniel

9. Throne of Ahaz (NORTH)

10. Nazxul (NORTH, HORDE)

11. The Abyss (NORTH)

12. Folkearth (NORTH) - requested by Tymell

13. Enthrallment (HORDE) - requested by Daniel

14. Frantic Amber (HORDE) - requested by Tymell

15. Epicardiectomy (HORDE) - requested by Daniel

Welcome Praemorior! We hope you stick around and find value in the site. If there are any releases you'd like me to add, let me know.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 10th of January, 2020:

1. Eciton (HORDE)- requested by Daniel

2. Nightfall (HORDE, NORTH, FALLEN)

3. Blackguard (HORDE, GUARDIANS)

4. Façade (FALLEN) - requested by Tymell

5. Tortuga (FALLEN)

6. Maniac Butcher (NORTH)

7. Eastern Front (NORTH)- requested by Daniel

8. Tod Huetet Uebel (NORTH)

9. Ragnarok (NORTH)

10. Fastkill (PIT) - requested by Tymell

11. Fatal Embrace (PIT) - requested by Tymell

12. Emmure (REVOLUTION)- requested by Daniel

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 9th of January, 2020:

1. Essence (PIT, GATEWAY) - requested by Tymell

2. Dorsal Atlântica (PIT, GUARDIANS, HORDE) - requested by Daniel

3. Sextrash (PIT, HORDE, NORTH)

4. Exeloume (PIT, HORDE) - requested by Tymell

5. Svrm (NORTH)

6. Victory Over the Sun (NORTH, INFINITE)

7. Ungod (NORTH)

8. The Black (NORTH)

9.Dråpsnatt (NORTH) - requested by Daniel

10. Thou Art Lord (NORTH)

11. Sons of Apollo (INFINITE)

12. East of the Wall (INFINITE, FALLEN) - requested by Daniel

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 7th/8th of January, 2020:

1. Tankograd (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92

2. Wolf Blood (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92

3. Wolf Counsel (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92

4. Djerv (GATEWAY) - requested by Daniel

5. Eidolon (GUARDIANS) - requested by Tymell

6. Infernum (NORTH)

7. Grimah (NORTH)

8. Doombringer (NORTH, HORDE) - requested by Daniel

9. Necromantia / Varathron (NORTH)

10. Necromass (NORTH, HORDE)

11. Disfiguring the Goddess (HORDE) - requested by Daniel

12. Unbounded Terror (HORDE)

13. Elimination (PIT) - requested by Tymell

14. Enemynside (PIT) - requested by Tymell