Ben's Forum Replies
That's both hilarious and horrifying Sonny! Perhaps it would have been more fitting for Patch to choose Autopsy's Shitfun record.
The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 29th of June to the 4th of July, 2023.
1. Hail the Void (FALLEN)
2. Spectral Voice / Undergang (FALLEN, HORDE)
3. Besvärjelsen (FALLEN)
4. Orkrist (FALLEN, GUARDIANS, INFINITE)
5. Without Face (FALLEN)
6. Stepa (GATEWAY)
7. Carajo (GATEWAY)
8. The Blank Theory (GATEWAY)
9. Archetype (GUARDIANS)
10. Rondinelli (GUARDIANS)
11. Wizards (GUARDIANS)
12. Oratory (GUARDIANS)
13. Vhäldemar (GUARDIANS)
14. Naegleria Fowleri (HORDE)
15. Byatis (HORDE)
16. Catheter (HORDE)
17. Brute Chant (HORDE, INFINITE)
18. Corporation 187 (HORDE, PIT)
19. Kalibas (HORDE)
20. Corn on Macabre (HORDE)
21. Picha (HORDE)
22. Anal Bleeding (HORDE)
23. Deiquisitor / Phrenelith / Taphos / Undergang (HORDE)
24. Greylotus (HORDE, REVOLUTION)
25. Found Hanging (HORDE)
26. Debodified (HORDE)
27. The Dying Light (HORDE, PIT)
28. Eternal Lies (HORDE)
29. Bound and Gagged (HORDE)
30. Nithing (HORDE)
31. Sankaku / Trhä (NORTH)
32. Chernoplod' (NORTH)
33. Sentiero dei Principi (NORTH)
34. Through the Pain (NORTH)
35. Genocide Kommando (NORTH)
36. Oferwintran (NORTH)
37. Order of Orias (NORTH)
38. Frost (NORTH)
39. Warhammer (NORTH, PIT)
40. The Handshake Murders (REVOLUTION)
41. Sentence (REVOLUTION)
42. A Long Winter (REVOLUTION)
43. The Heartland (REVOLUTION)
44. Endthisday (REVOLUTION)
You’re not soft Ben. It’s just your musical taste, personality & physicality really.
I'm telling mum! You're going to get the wooden spoon for being so mean!
Haha, I know you weren't actually implying that I'm soft. I'm just messing around. 
I did take it as an opportunity to produce a more consistently dark playlist though, after trying to cover all the subgenre bases in previous months. Some of the attendee chosen tracks are less intense, but all the tracks I chose are pretty dark.
Sonny indirectly called me soft after last month's playlist (I totally deserved it), so I was determined to include more evil and darkness for this one. I also made a big attempt to include mostly modern releases (it would have been easy to go with the obvious Darkthrone, Mayhem etc.), from bands I don't hear people talking about very much. I hope someone finds something new and exciting.
July 2023
1. Anaal Nathrakh - The Supreme Necrotic Audnance (from The Codex Necro, 2001)
2. Thy Darkened Shade - Revival Through Arcane Skins (from Liber Lvcifer I:Khem Sedjet, 2014) [Submitted by Vinny]
3. Inquisition - Desolate Funeral Chant (from Ominous Doctrines of the Perpetual Mystical Macrocosm, 2010)
4. Aosoth - Her Feet upon the Earth, Blooming the Fruits of Blood (from V: The Inside Scriptures, 2017) [Submitted by Vinny]
5. Sargeist - The Bosom of Wisdom and Madness (from Unbound, 2018)
6. Zhrine - The Earth Inhaled (from Unortheta, 2016)
7. Nightbringer - Et nox illuminatio mea in deliciis meis (from Ego Dominus Tuus, 2014)
8. The Great Old Ones - Visions of R'lyeh (from Al Azif, 2012) [Submitted by Sonny]
9. Deafheaven - Baby Blue (from 10 Years Gone, 2020) [Submitted by Daniel]
10. Plebeian Grandstand - Rien n'y fait (from Rien ne suffit, 2021)
11. Dauþuz - Schwarzes Wasser (from MONVMENTVM, 2019) [Submitted by Sonny]
12. Teitanblood - The Baneful Choir (from The Baneful Choir, 2019) [Submitted by Daniel]
13. Odz Manouk - The Indisciplinarian (from Odz Manouk, 2010)
14. Watain - Devil's Blood (from Casus Luciferi, 2003)
15. Ovnev - Oxygenation (from Transpiration, 2020) [Submitted by Sonny]
16. Black Mass Pervertor - Pollute the Minds of the Youth (from Lux Sodomiticum, 2020) [Submitted by Vinny]
17. Sinmara - Shattered Pillars (from Aphotic Womb, 2014)
18. Liturgy - Sun of Light (from Aesthethica, 2011) [Submitted by Daniel]
Both Sonny and I have found it difficult to find the time to listen to and review our draft picks in the last couple of months. We've both decided to take a bit of a break from it, so there doesn't seem to be a lot of point to making one. If anyone else wants to kick one off, go for it.
Both Sonny and I have found it difficult to find the time to listen to and review our draft picks in the last couple of months. We've both decided to take a bit of a break from it. If others still want to participate, feel free to kick one off.
Sorry Vinny, but I'm struggling for time at the moment, so won't be making or taking part in review drafts for a while. If anyone else wants to participate, feel free to create one without me.
Both Sonny and I have found it difficult to find the time to listen to and review our draft picks in the last couple of months. We've both decided to take a bit of a break from it, so there doesn't seem to be a lot of point to making one. If anyone else wants to kick one off, go for it.
The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 23rd to the 28th of June, 2023.
1. Madmans Esprit (FALLEN, GATEWAY, NORTH)
2. Cult of Occult (FALLEN)
3. Tantrum (FALLEN)
4. Ningizzia (FALLEN)
5. Cream Abdul Babar / Kylesa (FALLEN)
6. Autumn Rain Melancholy (FALLEN, GUARDIANS)
7. Beyond Black Void (FALLEN)
8. Twisted Method (GATEWAY)
9. Memorrhage (GATEWAY, REVOLUTION)
10. Godhead (GATEWAY, SPHERE)
11. Disciple (GATEWAY)
12. Kokumaromilk (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)
13. Corsair (GUARDIANS)
14. Section A (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)
15. Bob Katsionis (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)
16. Omnerod (HORDE, INFINITE)
17. Ivebeenshot (HORDE, REVOLUTION)
18. Found Dead Hanging (HORDE, REVOLUTION)
19. Hewhocorrupts (HORDE)
20. Holymarsh (HORDE)
21. Foetopsy (HORDE)
22. Nine (HORDE, REVOLUTION)
23. Doldrey (HORDE)
24. Alchemy of Flesh (HORDE)
25. Haemorrhage / Impaled (HORDE)
26. Dungortheb (HORDE)
27. Bodies Lay Broken (HORDE)
28. Dyscrasia (HORDE)
29. 8 Foot Sativa (HORDE, PIT)
30. Sarmat (HORDE, INFINITE)
31. Ominous Scriptures (HORDE)
32. Radiation 4 (INFINITE, REVOLUTION)
33. Rusty Cooley (INFINITE)
34. Ok Goodnight (INFINITE)
35. Wistful (INFINITE, NORTH)
36. Wiedersehen - unsere Hoffnung (NORTH)
37. Ødelegger (NORTH)
38. Bael (NORTH)
39. Cursebinder (NORTH)
40. Fanisk (NORTH)
41. Malfeitor (NORTH)
42. Tidfall (NORTH, SPHERE)
43. Gnaw Their Tongues & Déhà (NORTH)
44. Heavensgate (REVOLUTION)
45. Myotonia (REVOLUTION)
46. Naiad (REVOLUTION)
47. This Runs Through (REVOLUTION)
48. Rifles at Recess (REVOLUTION)
49. Skynd (SPHERE) - requested by Andi
I have to admit that I don't really know what Shoegaze is, which makes it difficult for me to understand why an album is or isn't considered to be Blackgaze.
Is anyone here experienced enough with Shoegaze to provide a few examples of tracks that have a sound that's recognisable when listening to Blackgaze? To be clear, I could easily go to RYM and look up Shoegaze albums, but I'm hoping to hear something representative of what resulted in Blackgaze, if that makes sense.
Not enough evil in my North playlist?! That's something I'll have to remedy next month.
As for Sadness, I agree that blackgaze doesn't sit well next to more traditional black metal. I've discovered some blackgaze that I enjoy, but Sadness has been a real challenge for me too.
The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 20th to the 22nd of June, 2023.
1. Boris & Uniform (FALLEN)
2. N & Ehnahre (FALLEN, INFINITE)
3. Witch Ripper (FALLEN, INFINITE)
4. Not Another Prayer (GATEWAY)
5. OBKATIEKAT (HORDE)
6. Dawn of Ouroboros (HORDE, INFINITE, NORTH)
7. Castrator (HORDE)
8. Hasard (INFINITE, NORTH)
9. Zorn (NORTH)
10. Kaatayra / Pessimista (NORTH)
11. Funeral Candies (NORTH)
12. RUÏM (NORTH)
13. Prognan (NORTH)
14. Terrestrial Hospice (NORTH)
15. Wolfnacht / Goatmoon / Thy Serpent (NORTH)
16. Urdôl Ur (NORTH)
17. Ildaruni (NORTH)
18. Noctambulist (NED) (NORTH)
19. TEETH (REVOLUTION)
20. OLTH (REVOLUTION)
21. Soulkeeper (REVOLUTION)
22. Underneath (REVOLUTION)
23. Backslider (REVOLUTION)
The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 6th to the 19th of June, 2023.
1. Femur (FALLEN, REVOLUTION)
2. Demon Head (FALLEN)
3. Gameness / Amenra / Gantz / Vuur (FALLEN)
4. Opium Doom Cult (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny
5. Your End (FALLEN, HORDE, NORTH)
6. Fall of the Idols (FALLEN)
7. dot (.) (FALLEN)
8. Asrai (FALLEN)
9. Poynte (GATEWAY) - requested by Andi
10. Edgewater (GATEWAY)
11. No Warning (GATEWAY, PIT)
12. PeelingFlesh (HORDE)
13. Ritual Death (HORDE, NORTH)
14. Funeral Chant (HORDE, NORTH)
15. Laura Palmer (HORDE)
16. Gutrot / Dysentery (HORDE)
17. Chuck Schuldiner (HORDE, INFINITE)
18. In-Quest (HORDE, INFINITE)
19. God Among Insects (HORDE)
20. Grindpad (HORDE, PIT) - requested by Vinny
21. Bastard Grave (HORDE)
22. Gutrectomy (HORDE, REVOLUTION)
23. Ravager (MEX) (HORDE)
24. Stabwound (HORDE)
25. Withering (HORDE)
26. Artery Eruption / Mangled Atrocity (HORDE)
27. Jigsore Terror (HORDE)
28. Zombie Ritual (HORDE, PIT)
29. Illudium (INFINITE)
30. Stoort Neer (INFINITE)
31. Piołun (NORTH)
32. Sonic Death (NORTH)
33. Church Whip (NORTH)
34. Planning for Burial / Lonesummer (NORTH)
35. Cultes des Ghoules / Goat Tyrant (NORTH)
36. Swine (NORTH)
37. Sargeist / Horned Almighty (NORTH)
38. Tangorodrim (NORTH)
39. Nav' (NORTH)
40. Ewig Frost (NORTH, PIT) - requested by Sonny
41. Unfelled (NORTH)
42. Medieval Demon (NORTH)
43. Sad (NORTH)
44. Absurd² (PIT)
45. Live Without (REVOLUTION)
46. Folly (REVOLUTION)
47. Watts (SPHERE)
Hey, it really does look like Ozzy Osbourne! I think that says as much about Ozzy's style choices as it does this witch's appearance.
Hi Sonny. I'll decline this month if that's ok. I'm travelling for work and don't have time to scratch myself.
I don't think that front cover is all that bad Daniel. I've certainly seen a LOT worse.
Hey there, welcome to our corner of the internet. We share a couple of clans I see, looking forward to reading some of your reviews and ratings on the site. Good to get some new blood.
Thank you! :)
Added a bunch of ratings already, will now take a look at the clan challenges. A bit sad that the Forum is really small, but at least that means my ratings have immediate impact on the charts I guess. :D
Yeah, in some ways we do hope that we can build a bigger membership here at Metal Academy, but in other ways it's actually nice to have a small passionate membership who all know each other's tastes and personalities really well.
Welcome to Metal Academy Gulasch666! If you have any questions around any of the site functionality, please reach out. I also look forward to hearing your thoughts on all things metal.
The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 25th of May to the 5th of June, 2023.
1. Act of Impalement (FALLEN, HORDE, NORTH)
2. Hyponic (FALLEN)
3. The Other Side of the Sky (FALLEN, INFINITE)
4. Lo! (FALLEN)
5. Skrying Mirror (FALLEN, HORDE, NORTH)
6. Moon Curse (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny
7. Prisma (GATEWAY, INFINITE)
8. ten56. (GATEWAY, REVOLUTION)
9. ##### (GATEWAY, REVOLUTION, SPHERE)
10. Scars of Life (GATEWAY)
11. The Iron Maidens (GUARDIANS)
12. Starless (GUARDIANS) - requested by Morpheus
13. Darkmoon Blade (GUARDIANS) - requested by Morpheus
14. Black Soul Horde (GUARDIANS)
15. Flight (GUARDIANS)
16. Profane Omen (HORDE, PIT)
17. Balmora (HORDE, REVOLUTION)
18. Human Corpse Abuse (HORDE)
19. Fatal (HORDE, PIT)
20. Exhausted Prayer (HORDE, INFINITE, NORTH)
21. Wormeaten (HORDE)
22. The Shattering (HORDE)
23. Necropanther (HORDE, PIT)
24. Usipian (HORDE)
25. Falchion (HORDE)
26. Domination Through Impurity (HORDE)
27. Holy Blood (HORDE, NORTH)
28. Oathean (HORDE, NORTH)
29. Abjeto (INFINITE, NORTH)
30. Serious Beak (INFINITE)
31. Hidden in the Fog (INFINITE, NORTH)
32. Orgia Pravednikov (INFINITE)
33. Cyborg Octopus (INFINITE, REVOLUTION)
34. Altari (NORTH)
35. Ostots (NORTH)
36. Soyuz (NORTH)
37. La rumeur des chaînes (NORTH)
38. Musta Surma / Horna (NORTH)
39. Gauhaert (NORTH)
40. Ssorc (NORTH)
41. Puritas Virginum (NORTH)
42. Misantropical Painforest (NORTH)
43. Brume d'automne (NORTH)
44. Dead Reptile Shrine (NORTH)
45. Kult ov Azazel (NORTH)
46. Slave Whipping Blasphemy (NORTH)
47. Hinsidig (NORTH)
48. Kältetod (NORTH)
49. Odroerir (NORTH)
50. Apostasy (SWE) (NORTH)
51. Squid Pisser (REVOLUTION)
I was eyeing off that Seprevation album. I guess I'll have to listen to an Overkill album. I don't have high hopes.
I've never properly listend to Mgla. Now's my chance!
Vile Creature for me. Hopefully I don't have a similar reaction to it as represented on the cover.
Time for another Review Draft for The Pit. This month's pick order will be as follows...
1. Sonny
2. Vinny
3. Ben
The six releases to select from are... (drumroll)...
Sonny gets first pick this month...
Time for another Review Draft for The North. This month's pick order will be as follows...
1. Sonny
2. Vinny
3. Ben
4. Xephyr
The six releases to select from are... (drumroll)...
There are some good options in this draft. Sonny's the lucky first pick...
Time for another Review Draft for The Horde. This month's pick order will be as follows...
1. Ben
2. Vinny
The four albums to select from are... (drumroll)...
I get first pick this month, so I'll take the Zealotry album.
Over to you Vinny...
Time for another Review Draft for The Fallen. This month's pick order will be as follows...
1. Sonny
2. Vinny
3. Ben
The six releases to select from are... (drumroll)...
Heavy on Sludge this month. Sonny gets first pick...
June 2023
1. Akhlys - Somniloquy (from Melinoë, 2020)
2. Esoctrilihum - Saturnian Bloodstorm (from Astraal Constellations of the Majickal Zodiac, 2023)
3. Lamp of Murmuur - Hymns of Death, Rays of Might (from Saturnian Bloodstorm, 2023)
4. Austere - Sullen (from Corrosion of Hearts, 2023)
5. Sól án varma - Afbrigði VII (from Sól án varma, 2023)
6. Ifernach - La dernière peresgrination d'Étienne Bois Brûlé (from Waqan, 2020)
7. Djevel - I daudens dimme natt (from Naa skrider natten sort, 2022) [Submitted by Vinny]
8. Mico - Zigurat (from Zigurat, 2022)
9. Sadness - I Want To Be There (from I Want To Be There, 2019) [Submitted by Daniel]
10. Tilintetgjort - Vinter og høst (from In Death I Shall Arise, 2023) [Submitted by Vinny]
11. Árstíðir Lifsins - Gamalt ríki faðmar þá grænu ok svǫrtu hringi lífs ok aldrslita (from Saga á tveim tungum II: Eigi fjǫll né firðir, 2020) [Submitted by Sonny]
12. Ymir - Pagan Mysticism (from Ymir, 2020)
13. Hyrgal - Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk (from Session funéraire anno MMXXIII, 2023) [Submitted by Vinny]
14. Emperor - Thus Spake the Nightspirit (from Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, 1997) [Submitted by Sonny]
15. Trhä - Alandlhan ëlh Nítak (from Nvenlanëg, 2020)
Hi Ben, my suggestions for June:
Árstíðir Lifsins - "Ek sá halr at Hóars veðri hǫsvan serk Hrísgrísnis bar" from "Saga á tveim tungum II: Eigi fjǫll né firðir" (2020)
Emperor - "Thus Spake the Nightspirit" from "Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk" (1997)
Hi Sonny... you've selected the Árstíðir Lifsins track previously. I'd include it again, but it is a near 18 minute epic, so I've selected another popular track off the album. If you'd prefer to replace with something else, let me know. Cheers.
Acid Drinkers - Verses of Steel (2008)
With 17 full length albums, Polish band Acid Drinkers are an outfit I've considered checking out many times. The main thing that's turned me off over the years is the way their album covers suggest the band are just having a laugh. I had noticed that their 2008 album Verses of Steel is relatively well received though, so when it appeared as an option in this month's Review Draft for The Pit, I figured it was time to take the plunge? Do I regret that decision? Well, at least now I know that my natural aversion was correct all along. Before I go any further, I'm surprised this only has a thrash metal primary on RYM (and therefore here). There's a fair bit of groove metal on this album, as well as a hint of crossover thrash from time to time. Regardless of where it fits on the metal tree, Verses of Steel has a surprising lack of emphasis on riffs. There are plenty to experience if you choose to focus on them, but they're rarely powerful or effective, and I find the vocals draw my attention away from them more often than not. That could have something to do with the vocalist's spasmodic approach, and I have to say that I don't enjoy them for the most part. Like the band's artwork so often does, the band seems to be going for an entertaining and somewhat comedic approach, which just rubs me up the wrong way. I'll take vicious and brutal over humurous and playful anyday (unless it's Mike Patton).
In the end I've given Verses of Steel plenty of time to connect with me. It's not terrible, and I found myself enjoying parts of it quite a bit when I wasn't being so critical. I'm not surprised that they have a reasonable sized fanbase, but this isn't what I want from my thrash metal. If you want to check it out, second track In a Black Sail Wrapped is easily the highlight. Don't expect the rest of the album to be at that standard though.
3 stars
Lunar Aurora - Andacht (2007)
This is a wonderful album that more black metal fans should experience. I first heard back when it was released and it's one of those albums that I find myself going back to over and over for another fix. I know it seems redundant to use the word atmospheric when describing a release in a subgenre that contains the word itself, but these Germans completely filled all 54 minutes of Andacht with it. The black metal itself has a heap of emotion enducing riffs and (surprisingly audible) basslines, but the addition of moving synths, gregorian chants and snippets from various sources (I recognise Bram Stoker's Dracula for one) take it to a whole other level. These aspects also help to give each of the six tracks their own identity and, unlike many atmospheric black metal albums, I'm never in doubt as to which track I'm listening to. I've always assumed that this is an album deserving of five stars, but now that I've given it a few concentrated listens in the past week, I've come to realise that it does lose steam towards the end. The final two tracks are not quite as great as the first four, and it's this drop that has resulted in me settling on a high 4.5. Andacht is still an album I highly recommend to anyone that enjoys black metal.
As a final note, I discovered today that the band utilised a drum machine for this recording. I'm sure Daniel will tell me it's obvious, but I must admit it's never even crossed my mind throughout all the listens over the years. I'm not one of those elitists that think drums have to be real for the music to be authentic, so it makes no difference to me. Either way, they're clearly done extremely well here.
4.5 stars
The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 18th to the 24th of May, 2023.
1. Intensive Care (FALLEN, SPHERE)
2. American Heritage (FALLEN, REVOLUTION)
3. Misery Inc. (FALLEN, GUARDIANS, HORDE)
4. At the Soundawn (FALLEN, INFINITE)
5. Brand New Sin (FALLEN)
6. Stumm (FALLEN)
7. Worship of Keres (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny
8. Sea Witch (FALLEN)
9. Zatokrev (FALLEN)
10. The Abbey (FALLEN, INFINITE)
11. Cire (GATEWAY)
12. Crowne (GUARDIANS)
13. Battleheart (GUARDIANS)
14. Euclid C Finder (HORDE, REVOLUTION)
15. Katalepsy / Fleshrot / Blunt Force Trauma (HORDE)
16. Burn in Silence (HORDE, REVOLUTION)
17. Satan's Revenge on Mankind (HORDE)
18. The Day Everything Became Nothing (HORDE)
19. The Cumshots (HORDE)
20. Lotus Eater Machine (HORDE, REVOLUTION)
21. Vile Rites (HORDE, INFINITE)
22. Malefic Throne (HORDE)
23. Encystment (HORDE)
24. Mass Infection (HORDE)
25. Eventide (HORDE)
26. Aversion to Life (HORDE)
27. Goretrade (HORDE)
28. Aurora Borealis (HORDE, NORTH)
29. Fleshgore (HORDE, REVOLUTION)
30. Mörglbl (INFINITE)
31 .Strawberry Song Orchestra (INFINITE)
32. Warhammer 48k (INFINITE)
33. The Chemical Mind (INFINITE, NORTH, SPHERE)
34. Essence of Sorrow (INFINITE)
35. Wolok (INFINITE, NORTH, SPHERE)
36. Tristengrav (NORTH)
37. Leichengott (NORTH)
38. Funeral Procession (NORTH)
39. Mord (NORTH)
40. Labyrinthus Stellarum (NORTH)
41. Mystagogue (NORTH)
42. Zavorash (NORTH)
43. Hordak (NORTH)
44. Kob' (NORTH)
45. Abgott (NORTH)
46. Above Aurora (NORTH) - requested by Sonny
47. Aggressa (PIT) - requested by Daniel
48. Fester Fanatics (PIT) - requested by Daniel
49. Horrorscope (PIT)
50. A Mourning Star (REVOLUTION)
51. Lorelei (REVOLUTION)
52. Catherine (REVOLUTION)
53. Ligeia (REVOLUTION)
54. If Hope Dies (REVOLUTION)
55. Underneath the Gun (REVOLUTION)
56. PSYCHO-FRAME (REVOLUTION)
57. Ov Sulfur (REVOLUTION)
I'm going to throw Blut Aus Nord into this conversation. Sure, they have a couple of albums that weren't that well received in the late 2000s, but the vast majority of their 14 full length albums are superb. They're also quite experimental with their sound, making their consistency extra impressive.
The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 10th to the 17th of May, 2023.
1. Anatomia / Grudge / Coffins (FALLEN)
2. Bosque / Senthil (FALLEN)
3. Vir (FALLEN)
4. Predatory Void (FALLEN, INFINITE, NORTH)
5. Wijlen Wij (FALLEN)
6. Evig Natt (FALLEN)
7. Mourning Dawn (FALLEN, NORTH)
8. Engineer (FALLEN, REVOLUTION)
9. Moho (FALLEN)
10. Yantarnie Slezy (FALLEN)
11. Malignant Tumour (GUARDIANS, HORDE)
12. Tales of Medusa (GUARDIANS)
13. Magni Animi Viri (GUARDIANS)
14. Alhambra (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)
15. Hangar (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)
16. Tacere (GUARDIANS)
17. Dark at Dawn (GUARDIANS)
18. Torture Tomb (HORDE)
19. Rorikiller (HORDE)
20. Memfis (HORDE, INFINITE)
21. Mustan Kuun Lapset (HORDE, NORTH)
22. Immortal Souls (HORDE)
23. 7000 Dying Rats (HORDE, INFINITE)
24. Machinemade God (HORDE, REVOLUTION)
25. Denial Fiend (HORDE, PIT)
26. Pandemonium (HORDE)
27. Manticore (HORDE, NORTH)
28. Asystole (HORDE)
29. The Chronicles of Israfel (INFINITE)
30. Freakeys (INFINITE)
31. Playgrounded (INFINITE)
32. SUIZID (NORTH)
33. Ominous Resurrection (NORTH)
34. Gorgonea Prima (NORTH, SPHERE)
35. Masochist (NORTH)
36. Anthelion (NORTH)
37. Todeskult (NORTH)
38. Locus Mortis (NORTH)
39. Cryfemal (NORTH)
40. Helvetespine (NORTH)
41. Hellvetic Frost (NORTH)
42. Anwech (NORTH)
43. Azrael (NORTH)
44. Dead Raven Choir (NORTH)
45. Klage (NORTH)
46. Funerary Bell (NORTH)
47. Black Horizons (NORTH)
48. Sworn (ARM) (NORTH)
49. Gernotshagen (NORTH)
50. Munruthel (NORTH)
51. Wolven Ancestry (NORTH)
52. Permanent Damage (PIT) - requested by Daniel
53. Death Goals (REVOLUTION)
54. MKULTRA (SPHERE)
Impious - Death Domination (2009)
When I saw that Impious are from Sweden and that Death Domination, their sixth and seemingly final album, is listed as melodic death metal, I immediately assumed I was about to experience just another band from the In Flames / Soilwork school. This expectation was very quickly obliterated though, as this album gets off to a much more brutal start than those bands ever attempted, with the first couple of tracks ripping along with more typical death metal ferocity. Vocalist Martin Åkesson barks his vocals out with a heap of aggression, and drummer Mikke Norén puts the pedal to the metal, with regular blast beats and a generally high level of energy. There are definitely moments on the album that sit more comfortably beside the aforementioned bands, and the melodic death metal tag isn't unwarranted, but don't be put off if Swedish melodic death metal isn't normally your thing.
All this said, I have to admit that I enjoy the mid section of the album the most, particularly And the Empire Shall Fall and Hate Killing Project, where the band change things up and slow things down. The majority of the album relies heavily on intense vocal rhythms and intense battery, with the riffs often taking the runners up position in the race. When the band take the time to concentrate on writing more varied song structures, things become much more interesting and memorable for me. As things are, this album just isn't all that compelling, and my feelings for it are generally as lukewarm as the middling reception this band tends to get online.
3 stars
Evoken - The Mournful Refusal off Antithesis of Light (2005)
Dolorian - Raja Naga – Rising off Voidwards (2006)
Thanks Sonny!
Heavenwood - Abyss Masterpiece (2011)
I guess I should start by saying that I'm a fan of gothic metal. Just making that statement can be somewhat daunting amongst many metal fans, as it feels very much like a minority subgenre to enjoy. I've spent a lot of time over the years listening to the likes of Tiamat, The Gathering, Theatre of Tragedy, Katatonia, Moonspell and Paradise Lost, not to mention gothic death doom bands like My Dying Bride and Draconian. As with any style of music though, this doesn't mean that I enjoy ALL gothic metal releases. Case in point - Heavenwood's Abyss Masterpiece album. Here we have a band that seems to be attempting to follow the Paradise Lost recipe, yet inadvertently forgets to include some vital ingredients. Given the relative simplicity of the musicianship found in your typical gothic metal release, it's super important that the outcome manages to connect with the listener on an emotional level. The bands I mentioned above are not attempting to wow you with technicality and often make little attempt to be particularly creative, but what they do well is move the listener with melancholic and despondent atmosphere (occasionally even romantic). Heavenwood seem perfectly capable and have a solid production, but rarely make me feel much at all. It's only really on The Arcadia Order and Leonor that I find myself getting all that involved, and given Abyss Masterpiece has a runtime of over an hour, that's just not enough meat on the bone. As a final note, I'm not sure how this release has been given a death doom metal subgenre at RYM. There's very little that resembles doom here.
2.5 stars
The above description was very useful for me when trying to understand what sludge metal was. I think Daniel actually wrote this in response to my confusion.
The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 29th of April to the 9th of May, 2023.
1. The Grand Astoria (FALLEN, GUARDIANS)
2. Reverend Bizarre / Rättö ja Lehtisalo (FALLEN)
3. Full Blown A.I.D.S. (FALLEN)
4. Hebosagil (FALLEN, GATEWAY, INFINITE)
5. Leif Edling (FALLEN)
6. Monno (FALLEN, INFINITE)
7. Journey to Ixtlan (FALLEN)
8. Clouds (FALLEN)
9. Supercontinent (FALLEN, INFINITE)
10. Dictator (FALLEN, NORTH)
11. Hey Colossus (FALLEN)
12. Dysthymia (FALLEN, NORTH)
13. Trees (FALLEN)
14. Katra (FALLEN, GUARDIANS)
15. Apathy Noir (FALLEN, HORDE)
16. Grim Salvo (GATEWAY)
17. Molten Chains (GUARDIANS)
18. RichaadEB (GUARDIANS)
19. Enchanter (GUARDIANS)
20. Xystus (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)
21. Heathendom (GUARDIANS)
22. Crystallion (GUARDIANS)
23. Karlahan (GUARDIANS, HORDE, INFINITE)
24. Lethal Steel (GUARDIANS)
25. Heavy Metal Perse (GUARDIANS)
26. Dignity (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)
27. Almôra (GUARDIANS, NORTH)
28. Savage Oath (GUARDIANS)
29. Century (GUARDIANS)
30. Angus McSix (GUARDIANS)
31. Blood Star (GUARDIANS)
32. Dead Congregation / Hatespawn (HORDE)
33. Hectic Patterns (HORDE)
34. Hybrid (HORDE, REVOLUTION)
35. The End of Six Thousand Years (HORDE)
36. Animals Killing People (HORDE)
37. Cliteater (HORDE)
38. Cesspool of Vermin (HORDE)
39. Ego Fall (HORDE, NORTH, REVOLUTION)
40. Mechanism (HORDE)
41. FesterDecay (HORDE)
42. Lunar Chamber (HORDE, INFINITE)
43. Hateform (HORDE)
44. In Dread Response (HORDE)
45. Cardiac Arrest (HORDE)
46. Gloria Morti (HORDE, NORTH)
47. Agenda of Swine (HORDE)
48. Dysentery (HORDE)
49. Kataplexia (HORDE)
50. Facebreaker (HORDE)
51. Terminal Function (HORDE, INFINITE)
52. Beyond Mortal Dreams (HORDE)
53. Step in Fluid (INFINITE)
54. Bittencourt Project (INFINITE)
55. Wetnurse (INFINITE)
56. This Is Past (INFINITE, NORTH)
57. Moonlyght (INFINITE)
58. Eyefear (INFINITE)
59. Orakle (INFINITE, NORTH)
60. Katharos XIII (INFINITE, NORTH)
61. Altai-Sayan (NORTH)
62. Wederganger / Urfaust (NORTH)
63. Kalevala (NORTH)
64. Selvhat (NORTH)
65. Lascowiec (NORTH)
66. The One (NORTH)
67. Grimnir / Trist / Regnum / Hypothermia (NORTH)
68. Hypomanie (NORTH)
69. IC Rex (NORTH)
70. Elite (NORTH)
71. Spitfire (REVOLUTION)
72. American Me (REVOLUTION)
73. The Plasmarifle (REVOLUTION)
74. Hollow Prophet / Scumfuck (REVOLUTION)
75. Northlane & In Hearts Wake (REVOLUTION)
I do love that you have an Iron Maiden album in your top 10 worst releases of all time. I don't think I've ever heard that album, so I'm not saying you're wrong.
Oops. Yes, you're correct. This is the May playlist. Glad you enjoyed it!
I guess I'll finally listen to an Acid Drinkers album.
Over to you Sonny...
Definitely Lunar Aurora for me. I know I really like this album, but I've never rated / reviewed it. Now's the time!
You around Xephyr?
I'll go with Impious, but not with any confidence.
I'll go with Heavenwood.
Over to you Sonny...
Time for another Review Draft for The Pit. This month's pick order will be as follows...
1. Vinny
2. Ben
3. Sonny
The six releases to select from are... (drumroll)...
Vinny gets first pick this month (again!)...
Time for another Review Draft for The North. This month's pick order will be as follows...
1. Vinny
2. Ben
3. Xephyr
4. Sonny
The six releases to select from are... (drumroll)...
Vinny gets first pick this month...
Time for another Review Draft for The Horde. This month's pick order will be as follows...
1. Vinny
2. Ben
The four albums to select from are... (drumroll)...
Vinny gets first pick this month...
Time for another Review Draft for The Fallen. This month's pick order will be as follows...
1. Vinny
2. Ben
3. Sonny
The six releases to select from are... (drumroll)...
Vinny gets first pick this month...