Shadowdoom9 (Andi)'s Forum Replies

I've done my review, here's its summary:

1997 was a life-changing year for metal, and one significant part of that year was the debut albums of 3 bands that would popularize symphonic metal; Nightwish, Within Temptation, and of course, Rhapsody of Fire. The lattermost band would combine the genre with power metal and take listeners through different fantasy saga, making a great start to their journey with their debut Legendary Tales. This album and Symphony of Enchanted Lands were my two favorite albums by the band long ago when my earlier taste in symphonic/power metal was at a all-time high. With my cheese enjoyment decreasing a bit nowadays, I give a little more love to the 3 albums after those two, especially Power of the Dragonflame. Still, Legendary Tales displays the incredible talents of guitarist Luca Turilli, keyboardist Alex Starpolli, and the gifted vocalist Fabio Lione. 3 of the tracks are epic anthems that I still enjoy to this day. The other 3 metal tracks I also like for their heaviness and neoclassical melodies. There are also two ballads that OK but a bit cheesy. And the two interludes, well, they're pointless on their own but help get you geared up for two of the aforementioned highlights. Altogether, these 10 tracks make a solid offering that is recognized as a memorable gamechanger in 90s metal....

4/5

Daniel can make two Hall entries, one for each clan change, but submitting them through one post is discouraged because he just wants to cut and paste the commentary without having to dissect it.

Here are my sneak peek submissions for the October Sphere playlist:

Celldweller - "The Champion of Sanghelios" (5:43) from Killer Instinct Season 3 (Original Soundtrack) (2016)

Fear Factory - "H-K (Hunter-Killer)" (5:17) from Demanufacture (1995)

Godflesh - "Weak Flesh" (4:23) from Godflesh (1988)

Mechina - "The Overwhelming Harmony of Collective Suffering" (5:09) from Bellum Interruptum (2025)

Strapping Young Lad - "Happy Camper (Carpe B.U.M.)" (3:00) from Heavy as a Really Heavy Thing (1995)

Synthetic Breed - "Resilience" (4:22) from Zero Degrees Freedom (2012)

Total length: 27:54

Here are my sneak peek submissions for the October Revolution playlist:

Amaranthe - "Fireball" (3:14) from Maximalism (2016)

Atreyu - "Becoming the Bull" (3:44) from Lead Sails Paper Anchor (2007)

Knocked Loose - "Billy No Mates" (2:14) from Laugh Tracks (2016)

Memphis May Fire - "Beneath the Skin" (4:12) from Unconditional (2014)

Rings of Saturn - "Senseless Massacre" (3:34) from Lugal Ki En (2014)

Trenches - "Reckoner" (4:18) from Reckoner (2022)

Zao - "Nothing's Form" (7:03) from The Crimson Corridor (2021)

Total length: 28:19

Here are my submissions for the October Infinite playlist, celebrating the 25th anniversary of a few Infinite albums released in the first week of August 2001, plus one new track:

Cult of Luna - "To Be Remembered" (5:56) from Cult of Luna (2001)

Maudlin of the Well - "Gleam in Ranks" (4:16) from Leaving Your Body Map (2001)

Neurosis - "Falling Unknown" (13:12) from A Sun That Never Sets (2001)

Periphery - "Subhuman" (2:52) from A Pale White Dot (2026)

Total length: 26:16

Here are my sneak peek submissions for the October Guardians playlist:

Haggard - "Chapter III: In a Pale Moon's Shadow" (9:38) from And Thou Shalt Trust... the Seer (1997)

Iron Savior - "Thunderbird" (7:23) from Condition Red (2002)

Labyrinth - "Children" (4:07) from Architecture of a God (2017)

Moonlight Haze - "Animus" (3:41) from Animus (2022)

Vision Divine - "Chapter VII: Versions of the Same" (4:38) from Stream of Consciousness (2004)

Total length: 29:27

No worries, Vinny.

Here are my thoughts on all selected tracks:

Fear Factory - "Autonomous Combat System" from Genexus (2015)

5/5. Spiraling in is this opening highlight, showing how muscular Dino Cazares throughout all those years as a professional metal guitarist. Supporting his guitar and bass is the pummeling percussion performed by drummer Mike Heller who joined the band for The Industrialist tour. Joining the band for the Genexus tour is bassist Tony Campos who's more of a live member than a studio member, probably because of his commitment with Static-X.

Celldweller - "Respawn" from GOD MODE level 02: Respawn (2026)

4.5/5. "I WILL RESPAWN!!!" Celldweller is still cooking up some strong electro-industrial metal anthems, the quality still in the high level of the 2003 debut.

Circle of Dust - "Invisible World" from Invisible World (2025)

5/5. And here's an awesome powerful track from Klayton's other project Circle of Dust.

Rammstein - "Mein Herz Brennt" from Mutter (2001)

4.5/5. This one opens this Rammstein album beautifully with quiet singing by Lindemann. Then the solid verses kick off with guitar riffing side by side with string melody. The themes of angst and heartache are just beginning...

Jacob Lizotte - "IN MY HEAD" from BLACKOUT (2026)

4/5. Man I just wanna sing along to that chorus, which is basically like early Linkin Park/Breaking Benjamin given a modern industrial enchantment. Solid kick-A work from this master of royalty-free modern metal, Jacob Lizotte.

Gravity Kills - "Inside" from Gravity Kills (1996)

3.5/5. Gravity Kills has more in common stylistically with Massive Attack than most other industrial rock/metal bands. Still they're quite underrated. I just wish the quality could be more improved. But at least some of their music would end up in movies.

Spineshank - "Synthetic" from The Height of Callousness (2000)

4/5. 2000 was the year when nu metal bands like Disturbed, Linkin Park, and Mudvayne entered the scene and made it big. Spineshank have mixed that with industrial/proto-cyber metal, with some hints of metalcore and alt-metal.

Northlane - "CUT_It" from CUT_It (2026)

4.5/5. Northlane has taken their cyber alt-metalcore to more modern heights since Alien, after being hinted in Node. Their upcoming album Anemoia will come out on Halloween week, and I look forward to hearing more of this top-notch band then.

Psyclon Nine - "Off With Their Heads" from Less Than Heaven (2022)

5/5. Kick-A song with aggressive lyrics against political corruption.

Dagoba - "It's All About Time" from What Hell is About (2006)

4.5/5. Most people know this song as the one that caused one of the most epic walls of death in moshing history. I enjoy this because of the powerful music and lyrics, including ICS Vortex (Borknagar, ex-Arcturus, ex-Dimmu Borgir) guest appearing with his impressive vocals in the chorus.

Synthetic Breed - "Mirrored Reflections" from Perpetual Motion Machine (2010)

5/5. Synthetic Breed have their djenty industrial death metal best displayed in another nearly 7-minute epic.

Hanzel und Gretyl - "Number 1 in Deutschland" from 2012: Zwanzig Zwolf (2008)

4.5/5. Another f***ing excellent track! This band is actually from the US but they can make some solid industrial metal similar to Neue Deutsche Harte movement.

Kidneythieves - "Crazy" from Zerospace (2002)

4/5. Anyone listening to industrial rock/metal 25 years ago would experience nostalgia from hearing this Patsy Cline/Willie Nelson cover in the movie Bride of Chucky.

OOMPH! - "Wenn Du Weinst" from Wahrheit Oder Pflicht (2004)

3.5/5. Apparently this wasn't on Spotify until just recently. Good but a little too much on the NDH.

No Oath - "Sentient" from Liminal (2021)

3/5. Pretty decent and heavy but more suitable for a video game than a metal playlist.

16volt - "Wisdom" from Wisdom (1993)

2.5/5. The industrial apocalypse rolls further in this track that's unfortunately a bit weak, looking back at it.

Crossbreed - "Superstition" from Ke 101 (2009)

2.5/5. Same with this track which is actually a Stevie Wonder cover. I mean it's catchy, but trying to blend the original song's funkiness with their industrial metal sound comes out as a h*ll of a mess. Close to the "metalizing" cover category, yet not close enough.

Combichrist - "Venom" from The Venom in the Mouth of God (2026)

3/5. We get some better fire in this track from the new Combichrist album. That being said, it's still a little too industrial, closer to Ministry than anything else.

Deadheaven - "Шторм" from Новый Мир (2015)

3.5/5. Good quality cyber metalcore from the Russian band Deafheaven! It's almost like a mix of Amaranthe and Fear Factory, maybe even some Omega Lithium. That growled bridge to start the last minute hits hard, though there's also some fire within the cleans. As talented as they are though, I wish this could've been more interesting.

Subliminal Fear - "Dark Star Renaissance" from Escape from Leviathan (2016)

4/5. For anyone hungry for some Sybreed during their split-up, Subliminal Fear makes up for that greatly, even having some Fear Factory and Mechina vibes.

Viral Millennium - "The Promised Land" from Vomitosis (2014)

4.5/5. Cyber metal doesn't always have to be upbeat. This track has some excellent melancholic sorrow.

Logical Terror, Threat Signal - "Ashes of Fate" from Ashes of Fate (2016)

4/5. Right from the beginning, this song has gotten my attention. I love the clean singing by Jon Howard of Threat Signal.

Mechina - "Non Serviam" from Conqueror (2011)

4.5/5. This is still an amazing song by Mechina. The intro starts off with sounds like Arabic speech before some kick-A djenty riffing. Mechina really needs to reach the popularity of Fear Factory, maybe even Rammstein. Their earlier tracks are heavier than their epic cinematic later material, even in songs like this one that don't have the usual growling/screaming. David Holch can really channel his inner Burton C. Bell in both of his vocal styles.

Turmion Katilot - "Raivotarjonta" from Raivotarjonta (2026)

5/5. Sounds like the band is continuing the sound they've had since Omen X while bringing back some vibes from their earlier albums. Whether or not I can understand the lyrics, one thing I'll say is, bring on their new album Resodance!

In This Moment - "DAMAGED (feat. Spencer Charnas)" from GODMODE (2023)

4.5/5. I can probably sing/scream along to Ice Nine Kills' Spencer Charnas' vocals here if I were to cover it in a duet.

Mnemic - "Fate" from Sons of the System (2010)

5/5. Another highlight that helps the band achieve what they need here.

Burst Synapse - "A Fair Market Price" from Moloch (2021)

4.5/5. After all that cyber melody, I don't mind ending the playlist with a couple tracks of experimental chaos, this one being a short blast of industrial cybergrind.

Aabode - "Uncanny View / Valle Verde" from Hyper-Death (2026)

4/5. And this one being a 7-minute epic of extreme industrial metal. Not the best way out, but still a great one.

Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? I recommend this to any industrial metal fan and anyone who isn't into industrial metal but is up to getting into a great start for the genre. Thanks to anyone who have contributed with their own submissions, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

Here are my thoughts on all selected tracks:

Underoath - "In Regards to Myself" from Define the Great Line (2006)

4.5/5. "WAKE UP! WAKE UP! MY GOD! THIS IS NOT A TEST!!!" The powerful lyrics are screamed in this strong piece of Christian metalcore to start this playlist. Although I distanced myself from this band a bit, I actually like this song more than I had previously.

Greeley Estates - "The Last Dance" from The Death of Greeley Estates (2011)

5/5. This highlight delights me even more. The chorus is so beautiful, especially when the clean singing leads you in. Of course, the track strikes hard with the furious verses and gives you an emotional breakdown. Absolutely precious!

Cave In - "Terminal Deity" from Until Your Heart Stops (1998)

4.5/5. Back when Cave In still had their metalcore. Rock on!

LEVELS - "OPIUM OF MAN" from PULSE (2024)

4/5. So many grooves all over the place. Great vocals too! Throughout the last minute is where things are at the most brutal. The lyrics could've been better though.

Dal Av, Jackson Rose, Darknet - "GHOST_TOWN" from GHOST_TOWN (2024)

3.5/5. Another f***ing heavy banger, especially when it gets more brutal in the second half. Again, the lyrics bring it down a bit.

GRAYSTONE - "Musician Mansion" from Musician Mansion (2023)

4/5. "WE ARE GRAYSTONE, WHAT THE F*** IS UP, MUSICIAN MANSION?!?" Musician Mansion is an MTV-style competition on YouTube hosted by Jared Dines where 3 groups of YouTube metal musicians each form their own band and write their own song. Graystone blew the roof off and won the contest with their deathcore song. Who knew a brutal breakdown like the one at the one-minute mark would help them win?! Not to mention the epic soloing by Paula Carregosa‬! All in all, a solid crushing banger.

Unearth - "Black Hearts Now Reign" from The Oncoming Storm (2004)

4.5/5. This one also has great melodies, plus riffs and breakdowns all over!

Hope for the Dying - "Nemesis" from Legacy (2016)

5/5. Seguing out of the previous track's acoustic interlude, making a less jarring transition than in Legacy, this standout is filled with heavy dissonance. Lyrics like "I was a slave to my own demons" and deathly growls by Becoming the Archetype frontman Jason Wisdom makes that track another standout. I also love the guest gutarwork by Elisha Mullins (The Burial, Miss May I, War of Ages) including the Van Halen-esque divebomb at the end.

Shadows Fall - "The Art of Balance" from The Art of Balance (2002)

4.5/5. A ballad-like but still thrashy song. The song gets soft at first with emotional clean vocals, then the heavier riffs come out with Fair's brutal vocals. Then a clean part comes in along with a great solo.

Sonic Syndicate - "Crowned in Despair" from Eden Fire (2005)

5/5. F***ing epic keys and guitarwork! Sonic Syndicate needs to return.

The Amity Affliction - "Pittsburgh - Redux" from Let the Ocean Take Me (Redux) (2024)

4.5/5. I still don't know why the intro to this track has been excluded in both versions on Spotify, it fits like a glove! This song is still kick-A, whether or not it's downtuned.

Ice Nine Kills - "Meat & Greet" from Meat & Greet (2023)

4/5. "Hello Clarice..." The lyrics for this song are based on The Silence of the Lambs. Although they have their usual horror-themed metalcore, the cleaner parts like the chorus have more in common with bands like Coldrain. Still it's quite kick-A, especially in the vocal alternation at the two-minute mark, leading to a ravaging breakdown.

36 Crazyfists - "Elysium" from Rest Inside the Flames (2006)

4.5/5. Howard Jones from Killswitch Engage guest appears in the most aggressive song of this 36 Crazyfists album. It has some of the more familiar elements of the band, but with heavier guitar riffs.

God Forbid - "Into the Wasteland" from IV: Constitution of Treason (2005)

5/5. A crushing heavy highlight with a ripping solo by Jason Suecof, producer of this God Forbid album and some Trivium albums.

The Acacia Strain - "Sin" from It Comes in Waves (2019)

4.5/5. The Acacia Strain seem to have taken a more blackened direction in this album that's also one of their more doomy ones, to remind some of Black Tongue. Different influences give it a different yet familiar sound. The band has really made darkness darker since their "Observer" epic. That outro sample is apparently from Star Trek.

Rings of Saturn - "Objective to Harvest" from Dingir (2013)

5/5. The wild talents of Rings of Saturn needs to be recognized more. The vocals are so brutal, especially throughout the last minute.

Bring Me the Horizon - "Dehumanized" from Count Your Blessings Repented (2026)

4.5/5. Those who think BMTH would never return to their deathcore roots have been proven wrong. They've re-recorded their debut Count Your Blessings and included an all-new f***ing brutal track. They've even add more breakdowns in this song alone than almost every other deathcore band! You can practically headbang to this until your neck is deattached. Fans of the band's softer material would not take this heat. One of the breakdowns, appearing midway through, is pure fire and fury.

Lorna Shore - "War Machine" from I Feel the Everblack Festering Within Me (2025)

5/5. Another standout and a different one at that. The tempo is slowed slightly for just full-on deathly groove-thrash that can fit well in a video game like DOOM Eternal and Metal Hellsinger, especially with its "f*** enemies up" attitude. So different yet so wild!

Mental Cruelty - "Mundus Vult Decipi" from Inferis (2019)

4.5/5. This one has Jack Simmons' guest guitarwork. The riffing and overall instrumentation are absolutely insane. The sludgy breakdown and the long audio sample that comes before it practically brings the track up to highlight status.

Deadguy - "Riot Stairs" from Fixation on a Co-Worker (1995)

4.5/5. This one starts clean and gloomy. Then the drums speed up to fast hardcore with thundering growls ("therapy and love").

HANABIE. - "O・TA・KUラブリー伝説" from ぶっちぎり東京 (2024)

5/5. Big thanks to my metalhead friend for recommending this track to me. This band is like a metalcore Babymetal, and I love it!

Hatebreed - "Destroy Everything" from Supremacy (2006)

4.5/5. A last-minute addition to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this Hatebreed album. Somehow this song fits well for Thanos, destroying everything for a new life to begin.

Left to Suffer - "Gun in the Duffle Bag" from Gun in the Duffle Bag (2026)

5/5. Left to Suffer made an official AMV using this song and scenes from Neon Genesis Evangelion. The breakdown midway through is filled with violent rage. That and everything else gives it similar vibes to early Emmure. Absolute kick-A heaviness!

Brand of Sacrifice - "Seeing Red" from This Place Wasn't Meant for Us (2026)

4.5/5. Brand of Sacrifice are back and continue unleashing insanity from the depths. They still have their Berserk-inspired lyrics.

War of Ages - "Stone by Stone" from Pride of the Wicked (2006)

5/5. War of Ages have made battle-ready Christian metalcore relatable to anyone regardless of religion. I love the small background soloing at around the one-minute mark. More metalcore bands need to do that! The melody makes another glorious composition. The lyrics sound so spiritual. War of Ages and August Burns Red are definitely my go-to bands for this kind of style. They can be enjoyed without listeners having to battle for religious superiority, which sadly was common in the past.

Concealer. - "...And the Sunlight Spoke" from This Room Could Be Heaven (2026)

4.5/5. One of the best tracks of this emo/metalcore revival. I can listen to that highlight as many times as I want and not get bored.

Chimaira - "Without Moral Restraint" from Pass Out of Existence (2001)

4.5/5. Chimaira started off as a blend of metalcore and the nu metal of Sepultura at that time. Cool track with amazing lyrics!

Knut - "March" from Challenger (2002)

5/5. I'm glad the majority of Knut's material is finally available on Spotify. That has given me the opportunity to close this playlist with a nearly 20-minute math-metalcore epic (almost as long as the entire Coalesce's Functioning on Impatience), filled with tempo changes, complex drums, and elevating intensity. Incredible!

Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? I recommend this to any metalcore fan and anyone who isn't into metalcore but is up to getting into a great start for the genre. Thanks to anyone who have contributed with their own submissions, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

Also already used, last April as well.

That Varials track was already used in last April's Revolution playlist, Vinny. Would you like me to discard it or replace it with a different one?

Here are my thoughts on some tracks:

Arcturus – For to End yet Again (2002)

4/5. "OH BLACK SUN!!!!" Everything begins and ends as it should, and the second half is more interesting. Right in the middle in a string part that sounds almost straight out of Twin Peaks. Then a minute later is a minute of pure brilliance. Right after this another cool vocal section, especially during the "POLICE, POLICE, POLICE" part. That goes for another minute then some more mystical synths. And one more minute later, everything reaches its epic climax. Lovely second half, though the first half is a bit disjointed.

Between the Buried and Me – The Future Is Behind Us (2021)

4.5/5. I somehow lost interest in BTBAM around the time Colors II. I need to stop that break and get back on that train again, with this song motivating me.

Burst – Where the Wave Broke (2005)

5/5. D*mn, I want more Burst. Origo is where the band adds more post-sludge elements from the like of Isis, Neurosis, and Cult of Luna to their sound. Apparently this was written in memory of bassist Jesper Liverod's Nasum bandmate vocalist Mieszko Talarczyk who was one of the victims of the 2004 Southeast Asia tsunami. RIP... Lazarus Bird still reigns as my favorite Burst album though. I can definitely hear a bit of Mastodon and Opeth in this track as well, maybe even planting the seeds for Leprous and Baroness a few years later. Plus a bit of screaming energy similar to Jens Kidman of Meshuggah. The post-progressive metalcore force is strong there.

Enslaved – Solar Will (2026)

4.5/5. Enslaved are still staying fresh and heavy for the past over 3 decades. The chorus sounds so poetic, reaching its climatic height in the last minute. The song has the crushing sound from In Times albeit in a much shorter track length.

In Mourning – Amnesia (2008)

4/5. So f***ing underrated and depressive. Did I get amnesia and forget all about that band? I need to get back in touch with their music.

Kayo Dot – Mirror Water, Lighting Night (2012)

4.5/5. One of the best tracks by Kayo Dot, with insane sax and drumming. I wish I could say how jazzy it is, but Kayo Dot has stated that they don't do jazz.

Last Chance to Reason – The Escapist (2013)

5/5. HOLY INCREDIBLENESS!!! I never wanna forget about this band! The last minute of this track is filled with Floydian ambience.

Myrath – Madness (2010)

5/5. Next up is the beyond wild madness of this track. The guitarwork in the opening is so crushing and frantic before leading into more of the vocals and strings. The dark insanity makes this one of the best tracks of its original album.

Nuclear Power Trio – Nyetflix and Chill (2023)

4.5/5. Now let's chill with some Nyetflix and Chill! I can bang my head to the amount of guitar and bass here.

Protest the Hero – The Mariner (2026)

5/5. The ambitious 7 and a half minute finale of the new Protest the Hero album. Rody Walker has clearly improved since his vocal issues that occured right before recording Palimpsest, and the lyrics and musical grandeur throw back to that album's highlights. Another album ends on an inspiring note!

Redemption – Let It Rain (2011)

4.5/5. A truly emotional song with the vocals of Ray Alder (also from Fates Warning). Redemption is one of my newfound favorite bands of melodic progressive metal. Ray Alder has been widely praised in the metal community throughout his nearly 4-decade career. Prog rock/metal doesn't get its needed attention as much now as, say, glam metal in the 80s. This band will never surrender to the plague inside!

Vildhjarta - + röda läppar, söta äpplen + (2025)

4.5/5. This one barely has any sweetness, preferring to go all-out brutal similar to the more sludgy tracks by Every Time I Die and The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza.

Zeal & Ardor – We Can’t Be Found (2018)

5/5. Sure you can, I just found you, and now I want more! This is experimental black metal with soul tendencies, suitable for any metalhead and open-minded listener.

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Eden's Curse - "Symphony of Sin" from Symphony of Sin (2013)

4.5/5. The opening track for this playlist is the one track in this Eden's Curse album to actually have symphonics, mostly in the intro. Other than that, it's a long 7 and a half minute epic that perfectly represents the band's sound. I'm already hearing Steve Williams' keys have that blended vibe of AOR and power metal. Nikola Mijic has a similar tone to Tobias Sammet (Avantasia, Edguy) which definitely sets the band away from those hard rock comparisons. I mean, his vocals don't have too much strength, though it can surpass how other classic hard rock/metal bands' vocalists do in their songs. A fantastic start!

Falconer - "Black Moon Rising" from Black Moon Rising (2014)

5/5. Falconer has just become one of my favorite power metal bands after somehow brushing them aside for over a decade, even when my interest in power metal was its height. Great music, great lyrics... The riffing is like Running Wild but more modernly produced. And besides power metal, they've added some folk/prog elements. Some may even be reminded of the band guitarist Stefan Weinerhall was originally in, Mithotyn. I'm just glad to listen to this album and their other ones.

Accept - "Fast as a Shark (feat. Phil Anselmo, Kirk Hammett, Billy Sheehan, Mikkey Dee, Harmoniemusik Hindelang)" from Fast as a Shark (2026)

4.5/5. Accept is celebrating their 50th anniversary with a re-recording album with contributions from well-known rock/metal musicians. The guests are already mentioned in the subtitle, but I have to give a shoutout to Mikkey Dee (Scorpions, ex-Motorhead, ex-King Diamond). He's given this speedy heavy metal classic a thrashier pace.

Cirith Ungol - "A Little Fire" from Frost and Fire (1981)

4/5. Need a little 80s heavy metal fire? You're gonna get some in this playlist, starting with this great song with fantastic soloing. Some might pick up some Rush-isms here.

Pentagram - "Relentless" from Relentless (1985)

3.5/5. Pentagram formed in the early 1970s but didn't release their debut until over a decade later. Vocalist Bobby Liebling is the only member to stay in the band since the very beginning and is still keeping them active. Their sound here is kind of a bridge between the doom-gloom of Black Sabbath and the more upbeat vibes of other bands like Omen and Cloven Hoof. And the riffing can almost be considered very early proto-groove metal.

Running Wild - "Branded and Exiled" from Branded and Exiled (1985)

4/5. This is one of my favorite songs from Running Wild's initial Satanic speedy heavy metal era before becoming the pioneers of pirate metal. Still it doesn't beat their more popular albums like Death or Glory.

Black Sabbath - "TV Crimes" from Dehumanizer (1992)

3.5/5. Good attack on televangelists, though looking back at this, it's not really one of Dio's best vocal performances. Still I respect him as a metal god. RIP

Manowar - "Blood of My Enemies" from Hail to England (1984)

4/5. Manowar and Iron Maiden enhanced classic heavy metal in the 80s with their anthems like this one. Anyone can listen to this while slaying enemies at war. I've first heard of this track via Edge of Sanity's cover.

Samson - "Inside Out" from Survivors (1979)

3.5/5. Before joining Iron Maiden, Bruce Dickinson was originally in this band Samson. Not in this album's original edition, but shortly after. A little more hard rock-ish though.

Judas Priest - "Hard as Iron" from Ram It Down (1988)

4/5. Judas Priest's later speed is hinted here, particularly in the bass and drums. What a shame this wasn't a live staple because it's perhaps the best track of its original album. An absolutely underrated kick-A speedy tune that is an early sign of Painkiller!

Megadeth - "Countdown to Extinction" from Countdown to Extinction (1992)

3.5/5. RIP Nick Menza. His drumming has helped stabilize songs in his era of Megadeth, alongside of course the guitar talent and vocal attitude of Dave Mustaine.

Ozzy Osbourne - "Bark at the Moon" from Bark at the Moon (1983)

4/5. RIP Ozzy Osbourne, prince of darkness, king of metal. We also have to praise the drumwork by Tommy Aldridge and the guitars by Jake E. Lee, whom the latter's melody and heaviness in the soloing and riffing would make the tragically-gone-so-young previous guitarist Randy Rhoads proud (RIP him as well). Around that time, Ozzy Osbourne and his band were taking on a cleaner more mainstream direction. Still the talent and strength of their members are clear and present.

Iron Maiden - "Powerslave" from Powerslave (1984)

4.5/5. 1983 and 1984 were the years when Iron Maiden and Dio each released a couple albums that would cement them as two of the OG 80s heavy metal bands. George Marino, who helped with this album, was a true master of mastering. RIP... I think I might like this song more than the band's other ones!

Tyr - "The Lay of Our Love" from Valkyrja (2013)

5/5. Leaves' Eyes ex-vocalist Liv Kristine guest appears in this highlight. Taking some traditional native motives, it's one of the most beautiful ballads I've heard, even for a heavier metalhead like myself. The vocal alternation works like a dream.

Stevie T - "Shredding National Anthems" from Shredding National Anthems (2017)

4.5/5. Stevie T has made this shredtastic guitar medley covering national anthems from different countries all over the world. If only he had included my country Malaysia...

Amberian Dawn - "Crimson Flower" from Circus Black (2012)

5/5. Anyway, let's go to Finland where we have a few symphonic/power metal anthems like this one that's one of my favorite Amberian Dawn songs. Gorgeous vocals by Heidi Parviainen, awesome soloing, all in here!

Kiuas - "Aftermath" from Lustdriven (2010)

4.5/5. Similarly to Falconer, Kiuas have their own style of folk-ish power metal. Here they crank up the speed as well as the rough edge in the vocals by Ilja Jalkanen.

Celesty - "Arrival" from Mortal Mind Creation (2006)

5/5. Another epic power metal song that I wish was in my mind long ago when I was still deep in the power metal zone.

Kamelot - "Liar Liar (Wasteland Monarchy)" from Haven (2015)

4.5/5. A majestic standout featuring Alissa White-Gluz (DragonForce, ex-Arch Enemy, ex-The Agonist) that I still love to this day. Well, not the radio edit, f*** that.

Fairyland - "The Story Remains" from The Fall of an Empire (2006)

5/5. Fairyland is one of the most underrated bands of power metal. How I overlooked them until this year, I don't know. Awesome epic! RIP Philippe Giordana

Epica - "Kingdom of Heaven - A New Age Dawns, Pt. 5" from Design Your Universe (2009)

5/5. But then we have one more epic to surpass the previous one, a 5-part 13-minute epic that serves as the literal centerpiece of the "A New Age Dawns" saga and would itself spawn a couple sequels in subsequent Epica albums. It has practically everything, all extreme, symphonic, and even some acoustic. It's their own attempt at an Opeth-like progressive epic that ends up paying off well!

Nightwish - "Imaginaerum" from Imaginaerum (2011)

4.5/5. Now how about an orchestral medley to really end this playlist! The album Imaginaerum was made along with a film based on that, and this medley was envisioned as the outro for the album and the end credits track for the movie. This gives it all a theatrical sense of closure.

Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? I recommend this to any heavy/power/symphonic/neoclassical metal fan and anyone who isn't into those genres but is up to getting into a great start for the genre. Thanks to anyone who have contributed with their own submissions, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

September 2026

1. Fear Factory - "Autonomous Combat System" from Genexus (2015) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

2. Celldweller - "Respawn" from GOD MODE level 02: Respawn (2026) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

3. Circle of Dust - "Invisible World" from Invisible World (2025)

4. Rammstein - "Mein Herz Brennt" from Mutter (2001)

5. Jacob Lizotte - "IN MY HEAD" from BLACKOUT (2026)

6. Gravity Kills - "Inside" from Gravity Kills (1996)

7. Spineshank - "Synthetic" from The Height of Callousness (2000)

8. Northlane - "CUT_It" from CUT_It (2026)

9. Psyclon Nine - "Off With Their Heads" from Less Than Heaven (2022) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

10. Dagoba - "It's All About Time" from What Hell is About (2006)

11. Synthetic Breed - "Mirrored Reflections" from Perpetual Motion Machine (2010) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

12. Hanzel und Gretyl - "Number 1 in Deutschland" from 2012: Zwanzig Zwolf (2008)

13. Kidneythieves - "Crazy" from Zerospace (2002)

14. OOMPH! - "Wenn Du Weinst" from Wahrheit Oder Pflicht (2004)

15. No Oath - "Sentient" from Liminal (2021)

16. 16volt - "Wisdom" from Wisdom (1993)

17. Crossbreed - "Superstition" from Ke 101 (2009)

18. Combichrist - "Venom" from The Venom in the Mouth of God (2026)

19. Deadheaven - "Шторм" from Новый Мир (2015)

20. Subliminal Fear - "Dark Star Renaissance" from Escape from Leviathan (2016)

21. Viral Millennium - "The Promised Land" from Vomitosis (2014)

22. Logical Terror, Threat Signal - "Ashes of Fate" from Ashes of Fate (2016)

23. Mechina - "Non Serviam" from Conqueror (2011) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

24. Turmion Katilot - "Raivotarjonta" from Raivotarjonta (2026) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

25. In This Moment - "DAMAGED (feat. Spencer Charnas)" from GODMODE (2023)

26. Mnemic - "Fate" from Sons of the System (2010)

27. Burst Synapse - "A Fair Market Price" from Moloch (2021)

28. Aabode - "Uncanny View / Valle Verde" from Hyper-Death (2026)

September 2026

1. Underoath - "In Regards to Myself" from Define the Great Line (2006)

2. Greeley Estates - "The Last Dance" from The Death of Greeley Estates (2011)

3. Cave In - "Terminal Deity" from Until Your Heart Stops (1998) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

4. LEVELS - "OPIUM OF MAN" from PULSE (2024)

5. Dal Av, Jackson Rose, Darknet - "GHOST_TOWN" from GHOST_TOWN (2024)

6. GRAYSTONE - "Musician Mansion" from Musician Mansion (2023)

7. Unearth - "Black Hearts Now Reign" from The Oncoming Storm (2004)

8. Hope for the Dying - "Nemesis" from Legacy (2016)

9. Shadows Fall - "The Art of Balance" from The Art of Balance (2002) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

10. Sonic Syndicate - "Crowned in Despair" from Eden Fire (2005)

11. The Amity Affliction - "Pittsburgh - Redux" from Let the Ocean Take Me (Redux) (2024)

12. Ice Nine Kills - "Meat & Greet" from Meat & Greet (2023)

13. 36 Crazyfists - "Elysium" from Rest Inside the Flames (2006) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

14. God Forbid - "Into the Wasteland" from IV: Constitution of Treason (2005) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

15. The Acacia Strain - "Sin" from It Comes in Waves (2019) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

16. Rings of Saturn - "Objective to Harvest" from Dingir (2013)

17. Bring Me the Horizon - "Dehumanized" from Count Your Blessings Repented (2026)

18. Lorna Shore - "War Machine" from I Feel the Everblack Festering Within Me (2025)

19. Mental Cruelty - "Mundus Vult Decipi" from Inferis (2019) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

20. Deadguy - "Riot Stairs" from Fixation on a Co-Worker (1995)

21. HANABIE. - "O・TA・KUラブリー伝説" from ぶっちぎり東京 (2024)

22. Hatebreed - "Destroy Everything" from Supremacy (2006)

23. Left to Suffer - "Gun in the Duffle Bag" from Gun in the Duffle Bag (2026)

24. Brand of Sacrifice - "Seeing Red" from This Place Wasn't Meant for Us (2026)

25. War of Ages - "Stone by Stone" from Pride of the Wicked (2006) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

26. Concealer. - "...And the Sunlight Spoke" from This Room Could Be Heaven (2026)

27. Chimaira - "Without Moral Restraint" from Pass Out of Existence (2001)

28. Knut - "March" from Challenger (2002)

September 2026

1. Eden's Curse - "Symphony of Sin" from Symphony of Sin (2013)

2. Falconer - "Black Moon Rising" from Black Moon Rising (2014) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

3. Accept - "Fast as a Shark (feat. Phil Anselmo, Kirk Hammett, Billy Sheehan, Mikkey Dee, Harmoniemusik Hindelang)" from Fast as a Shark (2026)

4. Cirith Ungol - "A Little Fire" from Frost and Fire (1981)

5. Pentagram - "Relentless" from Relentless (1985)

6. Running Wild - "Branded and Exiled" from Branded and Exiled (1985)

7. Black Sabbath - "TV Crimes" from Dehumanizer (1992)

8. Manowar - "Blood of My Enemies" from Hail to England (1984)

9. Samson - "Inside Out" from Survivors (1979)

10. Judas Priest - "Hard as Iron" from Ram It Down (1988)

11. Megadeth - "Countdown to Extinction" from Countdown to Extinction (1992) [Suggested by Sonny]

12. Ozzy Osbourne - "Bark at the Moon" from Bark at the Moon (1983)

13. Iron Maiden - "Powerslave" from Powerslave (1984)

14. Tyr - "The Lay of Our Love" from Valkyrja (2013) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

15. Stevie T - "Shredding National Anthems" from Shredding National Anthems (2017)

16. Amberian Dawn - "Crimson Flower" from Circus Black (2012) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

17. Kiuas - "Aftermath" from Lustdriven (2010)

18. Celesty - "Arrival" from Mortal Mind Creation (2006) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

19. Kamelot - "Liar Liar (Wasteland Monarchy)" from Haven (2015)

20. Fairyland - "The Story Remains" from The Fall of an Empire (2006) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

21. Epica - "Kingdom of Heaven - A New Age Dawns, Pt. 5" from Design Your Universe (2009)

22. Nightwish - "Imaginaerum" from Imaginaerum (2011)

Here's my review summary:

This Room Could Be Heaven is concealer.'s debut after a couple EPs. All of the melody and emotion that has made metalcore and emo 20 to 25 years ago is in here, while making room for some modern heaviness in the riffing. We already get some vicious intensity blended with ethereal melody. At times it sounds almost like if Skycamefalling didn't split up and instead make a second album. And by the end, listeners would want more of this promising contribution to the revival. If they can make it big with this one and future albums, this could be the scene's new era!

4.5/5

Recommended tracks: "Vanity, a Fractured Promise", "Color Slowly Fading", "A Quiet Ending", "And the Sunlight Spoke", "This Room Could Be Heaven"

For fans of: Skycamefalling, Static Dress, Evergreen Terrace

Rhapsody (of Fire) is one of the bands that shaped up my earlier taste in symphonic/power metal over a decade ago. Their debut Legendary Tales I once thought was a legendary start to their career. But the question is, can I still handle the cheese when I revisit this offering all these years later? Review from me coming soon...

Update for October:

THE FALLEN: Vinny, Sonny

THE GATEWAY: Saxy

THE GUARDIANS: Andi, Sonny, Xephyr

THE HORDE: Sonny, Vinny

THE INFINITE: Xephyr, Saxy, Andi

THE NORTH: Sonny, Xephyr, Vinny

THE PIT: Sonny, Vinny

THE REVOLUTION: Andi

THE SPHERE: Andi

While we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the album that boosted Slipknot's popularity, it's also the 20th anniversary of metalcore/hardcore masters Hatebreed's 4th album that would level up their own popularity in their one-time deal with Roadrunner Records:

Symphony X with cyber metal influence? Not what I would predict, but a good possibility. It would be interesting hearing notable Guardians/Infinite bands like Symphony X take on a Mechina-esque direction.

August 26, 2016 has got to be one of the most special days of 2010s metal, with even more releases from that day than from that other special day (August 7, 2001), including some of the more melodic albums from that year that I like, mostly from The Guardians (well I haven't checked out that Helstar album yet, but maybe someday):

Coming hopefully next year: Symphony X album X!

Meanwhile, celebrating its 20th anniversary is this gothic metal album from the more melodic and upbeat end of the Fallen spectrum:

Along with one of the more underrated symphonic metal albums out there:

I know how much praise Altars of Madness has gotten all over the metal realms, but I'd pick Consuming Impulse any day. Not only is it one of the few standard death metal albums that I absolutely love, but it would also lead to Pestilence's more technical/progressive material from their next album Testimony of the Ancients onwards.

Altars Of Madness 4 - Consuming Impulse 1

Two modern Pit classics celebrating their 15th anniversary. I should revisit that Revocation album sometime.

Ben, please add You Will Die.

That certain release being this Lorna Shore EP that helped me get into epic deathcore even more. Glad I remembered!

Here's the actual SLAB! album on YouTube, Xephyr. If it wasn't for this upload, I wouldn't have found this release nor featured it:

So today we celebrate the 5x anniversary of two releases that are total gamechangers when it comes to symphonics in metal. The first release is the one that sealed Therion as pioneers of symphonic metal:

And one of the most brutal metal albums to include symphonics that would put Fleshgod Apocalypse on the symphonic death metal throne shared with Septicflesh:

As much as I love those two albums though, I was already into those band's respective genres and they didn't make as huge of an impact to my metal path as the main reason for this post...

Happy 15th anniversary to the Trivium album that first got me into metalcore and other modern heavier metal genres! Glad I remembered it this time and didn't have to wait 5 more years. And I might check out that Greeley Estates album as well. Stay tuned later this week or so for the 5th anniversary of a certain symphonic deathcore release that probably wouldn't have existed or been the same without those Therion and Fleshgod Apocalypse albums...

Ben, please add the new Xandria album Eclipse.

With those masterpieces made by Maudlin of the Well and Neurosis, along with Cult of Luna's debut mentioned the other day, the first week of August 2001 was a fantastic one for Infinite releases (among albums from other clans). And just before the second week of August that will mark the 5x-year anniversary of my personal milestone releases (Trivium and Lorna Shore). Soooo close!

Submission accepted! Thanks, Sonny.

Ben, please add the new Eleine EP We Stand United.

Here's my submission for the September Pit playlist, Vinny:

DevilDriver - "Devil's Son" (from DevilDriver, 2003)

I've done my review, here's its summary:

Like other famous metal bands that have existed for around half a century, the 80s was known as the band's pinnacle of fame and glory, then the 90s was when the quality dropped and gradually withered into forgettable oblivion. And the second half of the decade didn't even involve the widely-revered vocalist Bruce Dickinson whose temporary replacement was Blaze Bayley. Then when Mr. Dickinson came back to the band along with guitarist Adrian Smith, the result for this album is what's been hailed by many as a return to their earlier form of melodic anthems. And they're certainly right about that! The guitar melody and Dickinson's vocal power help perfectly exemplify their sound, and so do the drums and bass. The tracks that range from short bangers to long epics can certainly make a metalhead's day, though a couple off-putting tracks towards the end could've been trimmed or taken out to make a perfect experience. Nonetheless, the album is full of high-energy anthems that have made me understand how essential the band is. For many longtime fans, it is a comeback, but for the newer listeners such as myself, it's indeed a brave new world to explore....

4/5

August 4 is a different story though, with a couple releases that helped me get into their respective genres (post-sludge, deathcore):

Though they're not the huge personal milestones that those Trivium and Lorna Shore releases are for me, we're so close to their anniversary dates!

Ben, please add these bands:

Deadheaven (Russian cyber metal/melodic metalcore band)

Sphere (Norwegian melodeath/cyber/progressive metal band)

Here are my sneak peek submissions for the September Sphere playlist:

Celldweller - "Respawn" (4:01) from GOD MODE level 02: Respawn (2026)

Fear Factory - "Autonomous Combat System" (5:28) from Genexus (2015)

Mechina - "Non Serviam" (3:44) from Conqueror (2011)

Psyclon Nine - "Off With Their Heads" (4:23) from Less Than Heaven (2022)

Synthetic Breed - "Mirrored Reflections" (6:43) from Perpetual Motion Machine (2010)

Turmion Katilot - "Raivotarjonta" (3:17) from Raivotarjonta (2026)

Total length: 27:36

Here are my sneak peek submissions for the September Revolution playlist:

36 Crazyfists - "Elysium" (3:03) from Rest Inside the Flames (2006)

The Acacia Strain - "Sin" (3:59) from It Comes in Waves (2019)

Cave In - "Terminal Deity" (3:13) from Until Your Heart Stops (1998)

God Forbid - "Into the Wasteland" (3:59) from IV: Constitution of Treason (2005)

Mental Cruelty - "Mundus Vult Decipi" (5:16) from Inferis (2019)

Shadows Fall - "The Art of Balance" (4:46) from The Art of Balance (2002)

War of Ages - "Stone by Stone" (4:56) from Pride of the Wicked (2006)

Total length: 29:12

Here are my submissions for the September Infinite playlist:

Kayo Dot - "Mirror Water, Lightning Night" (5:33) from Gamma Knife (2012)

Myrath - "Madness" (6:18) from Desert Call (2010)

Protest the Hero - "The Mariner" (7:29) from Within (2026)

Redemption - "Let It Rain" (7:22) from This Mortal Coil (2011)

Total length: 26:42

Here are my sneak peek submissions for the September Guardians playlist:

Amberian Dawn - "Crimson Flower" (4:23) from Circus Black (2012)

Celesty - "Arrival" (4:43) from Mortal Mind Creation (2006)

Falconer - "Black Moon Rising" (5:10) from Black Moon Rising (2014)

Fairyland - "The Story Remains" (10:38) from The Fall of an Empire (2006)

Tyr - "The Lay of Our Love" (3:47) from Valkyrja (2013)

Total length: 28:41

Here are my thoughts on all selected tracks:

ALTUS Sound Team, ATLUS GAME MUSIC - "Ephemeral" from Shin Megami Tensei V Original Soundtrack (2021)

2.5/5. It is sometimes hard for me to be able to find enough industrial metal tracks to fit into a two-hour playlist, so I'd just pick anything from a random release in the Sphere clan page. I guess this works as an ambient intro for this playlist, but quite a rough start. And I can imagine some listeners having the same thought. Don't worry though, there are better tracks to come...

Dawn of Ashes - "The Serpent of Eden" from The Crypt Injection II (Non Serviam) (2019)

3/5. Here we start with some blackened electro-industrial metal. Try playing this during a Christian family outing. Let me know how it goes. ...Yeah, maybe don't. Anyway, this kind of electronic darkness I actually prefer to hear from Psyclon Nine. That being said, there's great intensity during the bridge that covers the last one or two minutes.

Rammstein - "Links 2 3 4" from Mutter (2001)

3.5/5. A more well-known single with political lyrics by the band to brush aside the earlier Nazi allegations, "They want my heart in the right place, but then I look below, it beats to the left." The music marches through, especially in the chorus with a more choral vibe. Not really enough to be a standout despite its goodness.

Rob Zombie - "F.T.W. 84" from The Great Satan (2026)

4/5. A f***ing killer anthem from the Great Satan, the Great Mr. Zombie!

Julien-K - "Waking Up" from SHADOW THE HEDGEHOG OFFICIAL SOUNDTRACK (2006)

4.5/5. Another song from a game soundtrack, and this time an actual industrial rock/metal song! You may know this band not just because it's an Orgy spin-off project but also from their association with the late Chester Bennington of Linkin Park. So while Crush 40 has made theme songs for Sonic, Julien-K has made one for Shadow. This may also fit well in The Matrix or a Marvel movie or... Sonic the Hedgehog 3! How could they not add that song in that movie's soundtrack?! I think when Chester helped produce the band's 2009 debut is what gave him the idea for the more electronic direction in A Thousand Suns. That and both groups' collab in the side-project Dead by Sunrise.

Turmion Katilot - "Sikiö" from Universal Satan (2018)

5/5. One of the best songs I've heard from this album and the band's discography. Holy h*ll, what a total gem, and a genuine reason for the album's full 5-star rating!

Fear Factory - "Christploitation" from Mechanize (2010)

4.5/5. Hitting things harder is this song that's furious enough to obliterate some of the earlier ones in this playlist. That's quite a lot of heaviness so far, and it's amazing!

Synthetic Breed - "Neuro Connectivity" from Catatonic (2008)

5/5. I'm glad to finally get into listening to this djenty industrial metal band with some hints at death/groove metal. Just don't get it confused with Sybreed from Switzerland.

The Clay People - "Plug" from The Clay People (1998)

4.5/5. Another underrated piece of industrial rock/metal. The Clay People were mixing that genre with alt-metal shortly before Static-X and, to a lesser extent, Disturbed.

Halo - "Filling the Empty Spaces With Cash" from Body of Light (2003)

4/5. I'm not totally into the more drone-ish industrial metal, but this one has great potential.

1000 Homo DJs - "Supernaut (Trent Vocals)" from Trax Box (1990/2015)

3.5/5. I've added this track to a Sphere playlist before, though that one was the official version with Ministry's Al Jourgensen on vocals. This original version is sung by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, replaced in the original EP due to record label issues.

Combichrist - "Broken United" from One Fire (2019)

3/5. The blend of electronics and guitars may be reminiscent of a heavier Icon of Coil. A bit boring, reminding me how glad I am that my teenage years were filled with melodic upbeat power metal instead of overly electronic sh*t.

Motionless in White - "Voices" from Graveyard Shift (2017)

3.5/5. There are still some good tracks made by this band, this one well-executed in the lyrics, especially in the verses. It's so kick-A, it can be a UFC fighter's victory song.

Youth Code, King Yosef, Matt Pike - "Head Underwater" from A Skeleton Key in the Doors of Depression (2021)

4/5. Wow, they were really high on fire in this track! And that pun was intended because it features that band's frontman Matt Pike.

Lord of the Lost - "La Vie Est Hell" from OPVS NOIR Vol. 3 (2026)

4.5/5. This one is based on Les Fleurs du Mal, complete with some French singing by Kissin' Dynamite vocalist Hannes Braun. It's filled with beautiful melancholy, which is kinda what I'm looking for in a ballad.

In This Moment - "Crawl" from Crawl (2026)

4.5/5. In This Moment's new album Witch will come out later this month, and it sounds like they're going more industrial than ever before.

KMFDM - "Flesh" from Nihil (1995)

4/5. This one is slower in the verses, but speeds up in the chorus and definitely towards the end.

Strapping Young Lad - "Dirt Pride" from Strapping Young Lad (2003)

4.5/5. "DIRT PRIDE!!! MY PRIDE!!!" A wild song from the Hevy Devy archives.

Psyclon Nine - "And With Fire" from Icon of the Adversary (2018)

5/5. With metal fire there's electronic air, formed together in sinister darkness.

Toxic Grind Machine - "Hymnlock" from Embryonic Emission (2012)

4.5/5. Then the darkness has some cyber light to make a futuristic hymn.

Vortech - "The Dark City" from The Shadow Presence (2022)

4/5. But it's still a dark city, you'll have to embrace the present shadow.

Mechina - "Planetfall" from Progenitor (2016)

4.5/5. Anyone who thinks mixing metal genres together doesn't work is wrong. Mechina have made their own cauldron of epic destruction and brought in Dean Arnold (Primal Frost/Vital Remains) for a guitar solo at the end. Absolute intense and can fit well for a space war. Even Fear Factory hasn't been this crushing! And that blend of speed and orchestration has got to be what planted the seed for symphonic blackened deathcore bands like Lorna Shore.

Daedalean Complex - "A Garden of Lies" from After the Fall (2017)

4/5. After the planet's fall lies a garden of lies. Nice sorrowful gothic-infused blackened industrial metal there.

Jacob Lizotte - "THE GREY" from THE GREY (2026)

4.5/5. From the killer intro to the pleasant outro, Jacob Lizotte still has his talent in the music after his Dark Matter album. As amazing and diverse this track is, the vocals could've had a small boost in volume to make this 100% perfect.

Celldweller, SWARM, REEBZ - "Fakebreaker" from Fakebreaker (2025)

5/5. Celldweller made a crushing collab with SWARM and REEBZ that really shows Klayton's talent and ability that he's had throughout the project's 25-year tenure.

Sielwolf - "Antimon #3" from Metastasen (1994)

4.5/5. Now how about an experimental epic before the final track?

Neurotech - "No Matter the Rain" from In Delta Negative (2026)

4/5. It sometimes pains me that my love for some bands and projects don't last long. But no matter the pain or rain, Neurotech deserves to be recognized and remembered.

Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? I recommend this to any industrial metal fan and anyone who isn't into industrial metal but is up to getting into a great start for the genre. Thanks to anyone who have contributed with their own submissions, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

Here are my thoughts on all selected tracks:

Born of Osiris - "Machine" from Tomorrow We Die Alive (2013)

4/5. Although I haven't listened to much Born of Osiris lately, this is still a solid track from the band. A true example of technical metal/deathcore with shredtastic soloing!

Hope for the Dying - "Vacillation" from Dissimulation (2011)

4.5/5. It makes the perfect transition to this track with all its extreme technical speed. The screams and cleans are all in brilliant balance, already giving you all of this album's greatness to come. Then it all fades to orchestra and piano to get you ready for a heavy transition into the next track.

Silent Civilian - "The Song Remains Un-Named" from Rebirth of the Temple (2006)

5/5. The song remains one of the best of 2000s melodic metalcore, showing the genre in its true form.

Adept - "Heaven" from Blood Covenant (2025)

4.5/5. Melodic metalcore can never be the same as it was in the 2000s, yet it can spawn some heavenly tracks like this one.

ten56. - "Pig" from Pig (2025)

4/5. Some of the darkest lyrics and most aggressive I've heard in modern metalcore, targeted towards abusive b****rds that deserve to be hated.

Unearth - "My Will Be Done" from The March (2008)

4.5/5. This one really shows the melody right way. The whammy bar used in the solo must be inspired by Dimebag Darrell, and I think the band toured with Damageplan when that band was still active and Dimebag was still alive. Great tribute! RIP Dimebag.

7 Angels 7 Plagues - "A Farewell to a Perfect Score" from Jhazmyne's Lullaby (2001)

5/5. The drums and riffing start off simple before going reckless. The melodies really bring together beauty and brutality. The heaviness doesn't stop until at the end with a soft clean break from the intensity.

Shadows Fall - "To Ashes" from Somber Eyes to the Sky (1997)

4.5/5. Then there's probably the best song of this Shadows Fall album. The guitars and vocals both alternate between clean and distorted. For any All That Remains fans wondering, that's rhythm guitarist Matt Bachand doing the clean vocals, not Labonte who doesn't start doing clean vocals until the switch to metalcore for All That Remains. The guitar work on this song is great too.

Fear of Domination - "Last Words" from Katharsis (2026)

4/5. This groovy track is heavy in both the metal and the electronics. I can predict that song being a live staple!

Bleed from Within - "Flesh and Stone" from Shrine (2022)

4.5/5. "Why mourn the past when it’s the future that’s dead?" This is one of the best singles from the album Shrine, and I enjoy the death/black metal-ish experimentation.

Motionless in White - "To Keep From Getting Burned" from When Love Met Destruction (2009)

4/5. Motionless in White started off with some emo vibes in the clean singing alongside some colorful electronic keys, close to electronicore.

Impending Doom - "Towards the Light" from Towards the Light (2025)

4.5/5. Impending Doom has made some of the most brutal bangers in Christian deathcore, and there may be more of them in their upcoming album. The lyrics are quite heavy too, unleashing a(n un)holy battle cry.

Humanity's Last Breath - "Earthless" from Valde (2021)

5/5. This highlight shall make the most emotionless listener become emotional from this brutality.

Mental Cruelty - "Eternal Eclipse" from A Hill to Die Upon (2021)

4.5/5. Same thing with this one, going savage with their symphonic deathcore.

Worm Shepherd - "The Dying Heavens" from The Sleeping Sun (2023)

5/5. The best place for atmosphere and melody is this epic standout, all the while having blackened brutality. Purdue's guitar talents reach high levels of strength there.

Hollow Front - "LOST BOY" from Homewrecker (2017)

4.5/5. Modern metalcore insanity, the way it's meant to be done. I feel the urge to scream along to those vocals, and "I'VE LOST MY MIND!!!" almost made me lose my sh*t. Lots of talent here to blow me away, especially in the breakdown at over the one-minute mark. Some f***ing killer stuff, man. Thumbs up!

Bad Omens - "The Worst in Me" from Bad Omens (2016)

4/5. Even when I'm far off from listening to this band anymore, this song can still be a blessing.

ERRA - "Prometheus" from Augment (2013)

4.5/5. One of ERRA's best songs, an amazing track!

Northlane - "Dispossession" from Discoveries (2011)

5/5. The brief technical bass intro might catch some people off-guard, but the drums, guitars, and vocals make a perfect entrance! They kick things up to high gear without slowing down much. The band can really balance riff melody and killer breakdowns without ever wimping out.

Dark Divine - "Permanent" from Permanent (2026)

4.5/5. Seems like the "horror metalcore" scene is in full motion with the 3 leading bands of the pack; Dark Divine, Motionless in White, and Ice Nine Kills. The screams are so chilling, while the cleans are so calming, with the latter having wider range. A relationship may not be permanent, but the scars from it might be. I can hear some vibes from Dead by April and Beartooth. My only complaint is here is about the slight repetition.

Imminence - "False Light" from False Light (2026)

5/5. Total heavy darkness! This new Imminence album is gonna be a riot.

Resistor - "DEAD SOUL" from DEAD SOUL (2026)

4.5/5. The powerful weight of this aggressive track is so crushing.

Thrown - "Split" from Split (2026)

4/5. Thrown can also unleash ravaging aggression in just a brief length of two minutes.

Ion Dissonance - "Failure in the Process of Identifying a Dream" from Breathing is Irrelevant (2003)

4.5/5. It's never too late for mathcore chaos! Amazing lyrics and riffing, the latter especially at the f***ing killer ending.

Knut - "Torvalds" from Terraformer (2005)

5/5. And more of that mathcore chaos in this band. RIP Didier Séverin...

August Burns Red - "Sonic Salvation" from Season of Surrender (2026)

5/5. This shredtastic highlight has some oriental vibes. Polaris vocalist Jamie Hails unleashes his screams, even duetting with Jake Luhrs. The lyric "I NEED AN OUTLET FOR MY ANGER!!!" couldn't have been any more fitting for both vocalists' raging output. When Hails does his cleans, they're some of the only parts of the new ABR album having clean singing. Despite ending so quickly after all that blasting, it's perhaps one of the best metalcore tracks of the year!

The Plot in You - "Carved" from The Plot in You (2026)

4.5/5. What's one more beautiful banger before the brutal last leg of this playlist? There are some similar vibes to Volumes' more alt-ish tracks.

Emmure - "Drug Dealer Friend" from Speaker of the Dead (2011)

4/5. This is around the time when Emmure was still just sitting on the heavy side of the metalcore/deathcore fence, kinda like August Burns Red and Parkway Drive but with much less melody. Controversial lyrics aside, this one slays.

The Acacia Strain - "Cthulhu" from Continent (2008)

4.5/5. Another f***ing beast of a song, though we still have one more track to top off to brutality...

Whitechapel - "Articulo Mortis" from The Somatic Defilement (2007)

5/5. The vocal layers work the best here, especially at the end when vocalist Phil Bozeman says "And then you rot" in both his high screams and low growls before fading into feedback. Ain't that a spine-chilling way to end!

Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? I recommend this to any metalcore fan and anyone who isn't into metalcore but is up to getting into a great start for the genre. Thanks to anyone who have contributed with their own submissions, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

Ben, have you experienced these errors when developing the upcoming new site? If you haven't, then let's hope for not just the new site to be completed and available for us to migrate, but also for a smooth error-free experience there.

Here are my thoughts on some tracks:

The Contortionist – Clairvoyant (2017)

4.5/5. The Contortionist has taken on a much more ethereal and lighter sound in this album, almost like Mastodon at that time. I like the melodic bridge at over the 4-minute mark that leads to mystical keys over a minute later. That's the kind of sound they first hinted in their previous album Language.

Coroner – Trinity (2025)

5/5. The best progressiveness comes in this highlight with its perfect mix of atmosphere and heaviness.

Fallujah – Hollow (2019)

4.5/5. Undying Light has been sh*t on by fans due to the different vocalist and the simpler less technical sound. To be honest though, I like the vocals. And sure the guitars don't have that heavy technicality, but at least they have more clarity.

Gorod – Remains (2026)

5/5. Progressive tech-death fans are happy to get new material from this band and Psycroptic. And I'm certainly happy to discover this gem from Gorod that has made up for more of this band. Apparently this has sampled one of the tracks from the Jean-Michel Jarre album Oxygene. F***ing awesome standout, man! The melody and technicality are both in great balance. The ending is especially spectacular. Thumbs up for that one!

Ihlo – Parhelion (2019)

4.5/5. This already appeared in last November's Infinite playlist, but I don't mind giving it another spin. Lots of insane synthy prog-metal talent! A nice stylistic homage to Periphery from start to finish.

In Vain – En forgangen tid (2018)

5/5. Not many people know this underrated band, but those who do may also know this d*mn beautiful highlight as the sequel to the previous album's "Times of Yore". Although I don't mind the Norwegian lyrics, I would love to hear some English lyrics. Still I won't ask for any changes in this song. RIP Sindre Nedland...

Ne Obliviscaris – Suspyre (2023)

4.5/5. This one doesn't have the diverse surprises I was expecting in a 10-minute track, or in a Ne Obliviscaris song, but it still rules.

The Ocean – Belligerence Pt. 1 & 2 (2026)

4/5. The Ocean will soon release their 10th album in over 25-year career, and the first with their new lineup, Solaris. Even when they're past their gelogical time period phase, they can still make a banger about a different topic.

Protest the Hero – Grandfather’s Axe (2026)

4.5/5. Another kick-A track, adding in some thrash/speed aspects. The vocals by Rody Walker still impress me.

Threshold – Narcissus (2001)

5/5. I'm glad to finally get the appeal of melodic progressive metal bands like Threshold. This one's an absolutely superb epic! I'm honestly surprised Threshold hasn't gotten the amount of fame Dream Theater has. Midway through is a two-minute melancholic piano bridge that leads into astonishing instrumentation and soloing. And before you know it, we get one more verse and one more of that legendary chorus before ending with the final bit of soloing, tuned half-step down. Although there are two more tracks after this in the playlist, I'll end my commenting here, to go off on a high note. RIP Andrew "Mac" McDermott....

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Tyr - "Gates of Hel" from Hel (2019)

5/5. The 7-minute opener of this Tyr album would be quite a surprise for any longtime fan of the band, particularly in the first one or two minutes. The riffing sounds so crushing and deathly, complete with harsh vocals performed by Heri Joensen himself! Some might think, "What is this, Amon Amarth?!?" Anyway, that part is as fantastic as the rest of this song. I would love to hear more heavy growl-infused tracks like that from the band.

Versailles - "Shadows Fang" from Lineage ～薔薇の末裔～(2017)

4.5/5. And now for this amazing track that is practically "Catharsis" 2.0! It sounds so beautiful and I like the lyrics alternating between Japanese and a bit of English. Although I don't understand a lot of Japanese, the occasional dip into English has helped guide me through those lyrics.

Judas Priest - "Freewheel Burning" from Defenders of the Faith (1984)

4/5. When it comes to 80s classic heavy metal, Judas Priest hit hard and fast. And some of that speed is in the bridge sung by Rob Halford, practically rivalling today's rappers. Absolutely wild, in both the music and lyrics!

Omen - "Death Rider" from Battle Cry (1984)

4.5/5. In the 1980s, metal wasn't just about the music but also the aesthetic. An eye-catching album cover would lure metalhead teenagers in and discover this excellent music. Omen's late vocalist J.D. Kimball was apparently one of many metal vocalists taught by vocal coach Elizabeth Sabine, alongside the more famous (or infamous) Axl Rose and Dave Mustaine. This track may remind some of old-school Iron Maiden. Omen may not be as popular as those other mid-80s metal bands, but they sure helped shape the scene. I wasn't born yet in that generation, yet I can still dream and fantasize about it. J.D. Kimball's voice has that lower rasp that's underrated in this style of metal that typically has bands with high falsetto vocalists. Even though he's gone now, his work shall live on and stay immortal. Oh, and this not to be confused with Anthrax's song "Deathrider" from their debut the same year. RIP JD Kimball...

Grave Digger - "Bone Collector" from Bone Collector (2025)

5/5. I discovered this band a year before this comment but quickly brushed them off because I still wasn't ready to make my move to The Guardians. And now I'm like, "Why the f*** did I do that?!" Brush them off, I mean. The riffing and lyrics are so fantastic! I need to listen to more of this band for real, because that riffing I'll never get tired of. Like pure kick-A heavy metal, none of the overly extreme deathgrind from other bands. And really I don't care that the new album has AI cover artwork (though I understand those who care), just as long as the music is as real and authentic as it has been for all those decades. Vocalist Chris Boltendahl is still doing quite well too.

LOUDNESS - "THE LAW OF DEVIL'S LAND" from THE LAW OF DEVIL'S LAND (1983)

4.5/5. It's a shame that my vocal range isn't that great, nor can I understand Japanese. I would've sung along to those vocals that flow amongst the riffing melodies.

Pagan Altar - "Pagan Altar" from Judgement of the Dead (1982/2005)

4/5. The fact that doom metal is considered the first ever extreme metal genre, before thrash metal, death metal, and black metal may baffle some minds, but yeah, doom is one of the earliest metal genres besides classic heavy metal. Some of the earlier Black Sabbath material has planted the seed for bands to play a slower kind of heavy metal that would basically be a prototype to early melodic doom metal, one of those bands being Pagan Altar. You can headbang to even the slower doomy sections. I can grasp how inspiring this band has been. I mean, even bands that aren't doom metal but sometimes touch upon doomy territory like Samael may have some things borrowed from this band. So, for those who enjoy classic heavy metal and/or doom metal, worship the Pagan Altar!

Saxon - "Judgement Day" from Saxon (1979)

3.5/5. Some bands starting out in the 70s like Saxon had more hard rock-ish roots. I like it, though it can't beat the heavier stuff that I love.

Cirith Ungol - "Distant Shadows" from Dark Parade (2023)

3/5. There are some times though when the appeal is a little too distant for me when it comes to this heavy/doom metal blend.

Tank - "Filth Hounds of Hades" from Filth Hounds of Hades (1982)

2.5/5. I think some people from the younger generations would get into this band from seeing a poster for this album appear in Stranger Things. I can hear a bit of what Voivod would have later that decade, but other than that, the more hard rock-infused sound is too much. Still, RIP Algy Ward...

Witchfynde - "Give 'Em Hell" from Give 'Em Hell (1980)

3/5. Slightly better, though a little goofy in this track and its album's cover art. It would've been better if the vocals could've had more control in the rising shrieks.

Mercyful Fate - "Gypsy" from Don't Break the Oath (1984)

3.5/5. King Diamond has better control in his falsettos for sure, and the instrumentation can remind some of Raven.

Running Wild - "Diabolic Force" from Gates of Purgatory (1984)

4/5. Ah yeah, Running Wild's satanic heavy/speed metal era before becoming the leaders of pirate power metal.

Virgin Steele - "VIRGIN STEELE - Anniversary Remix" from Virgin Steele I (The Anniversary Remix) (1982/2024)

4.5/5. Virgin Steele has had a similar stylistic path to Running Wild, starting off as classic heavy metal and then rising into fame by exploring power metal. The band's own theme song is pretty much the anthem of their earlier sound.

Anvil - "Winged Assassins" from Forged in Fire (1983)

4/5. I have no idea why Anvil hasn't made as huge of a breakthrough as their more popular classic heavy metal peers. Like that midsection soloing is d*mn mind-blowing! Meanwhile, Iron Maiden, Metallica, and Metal Church get all the credit. Anvil has given the genre more life the way those other bands have done it. But of course, I won't argue. It's all a matter of fate. I just wish they weren't too big on the Judas Priest-isms though.

Kiuas - "Black Rose Withered" from The New Dark Age (2008)

4.5/5. Kiuas has made some of the best heavy/power metal from Finland, with underrated hits like this one.

Leaves' Eyes - "Hammer of the Gods" from Myths of Fate (2024)

5/5. Awesome Viking-infused symphonic metal! This shows how well Leaves Eyes is doing with Elina Siirala instead of Liv Kristine.

Dragonfly - "Entre El Odio Y La Pasión" from Domine (2006)

4.5/5. Wonderful vocals by Pablo Solano, really enhancing the Spanish lyrics.

Avantasia - "Kill the Pain Away" from A Paranormal Evening With the Moonflower Society (2022)

4/5. Who wouldn't enjoy the impressive vocal melodies of Floor Jansen (Nightwish)? Great collab, great song!

Lord of the Lost - "My Funeral" from OPVS NOIR VOL. 3 (2026)

4.5/5. Symphonic majesty is blended with heavy dissonance. I love it!

Nightwish - "Nemo" from Once (2004)

4/5. When I was really in the symphonic/power metal zone over a decade ago, this was one of my favorite Nightwish songs. While I don't enjoy it as greatly as I did back then, it's still a suitable soundtrack for wandering the snowy mountains of winter.

Within Temptation - "Memories" from The Silent Force (2004)

4.5/5. Another symphonic metal classic, this one suitable for wandering the autumn forests of past memories.

Iron Fire - "Ironhead" from Revenge (2006)

5/5. One of my favorite Iron Fire songs. I don't know how I didn't stumble upon this majestic band when I was around 15 or 17 and highly focused on power metal, but hey, better late than never! I especially love the vocals by Martin Steene. The song is both heavy and melodic, just how I f***ing like it.

Xandria - "Northstar" from Northstar (2026)

4.5/5. The brand-new Xandria album Eclipse will come out next week as of this comment. This pre-release single has probably gotten me the most pumped for the new album. And a solid track to lead you to the epic finale of this playlist...

Edenbridge - "Arcana" from Arcana (2001)

5/5. As awesome as all the previous highlights are, they're nothing compared to the title track of this Edenbridge album. And I sh*t you not, it's one of the most melodic epics I've heard in my over a decade of listening to metal. Wonderful guitar flow and more of the vocal power of Sabine Edelsbacher. Her singing can range from operatic to full-on siren. And we can't forget the guitarwork by Lanvall and Andreas Eibler often going from melodic to complex. Nothing else I can say about that glorious epic can do it justice.

Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? I recommend this to any heavy/power/symphonic/neoclassical metal fan and anyone who isn't into those genres but is up to getting into a great start for the genre. Thanks to anyone who have contributed with their own submissions, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

August 2026

1. ALTUS Sound Team, ATLUS GAME MUSIC - "Ephemeral" from Shin Megami Tensei V Original Soundtrack (2021)

2. Dawn of Ashes - "The Serpent of Eden" from The Crypt Injection II (Non Serviam) (2019)

3. Rammstein - "Links 2 3 4" from Mutter (2001)

4. Rob Zombie - "F.T.W. 84" from The Great Satan (2026)

5. Julien-K - "Waking Up" from SHADOW THE HEDGEHOG OFFICIAL SOUNDTRACK (2006)

6. Turmion Katilot - "Sikiö" from Universal Satan (2018) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

7. Fear Factory - "Christploitation" from Mechanize (2010) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

8. Synthetic Breed - "Neuro Connectivity" from Catatonic (2008)

9. The Clay People - "Plug" from The Clay People (1998)

10. Halo - "Filling the Empty Spaces With Cash" from Body of Light (2003)

11. 1000 Homo DJs - "Supernaut (Trent Vocals)" from Trax Box (1990/2015)

12. Combichrist - "Broken United" from One Fire (2019)

13. Motionless in White - "Voices" from Graveyard Shift (2017)

14. Youth Code, King Yosef, Matt Pike - "Head Underwater" from A Skeleton Key in the Doors of Depression (2021)

15. Lord of the Lost - "La Vie Est Hell" from OPVS NOIR Vol. 3 (2026)

16. In This Moment - "Crawl" from Crawl (2026)

17. KMFDM - "Flesh" from Nihil (1995)

18. Strapping Young Lad - "Dirt Pride" from Strapping Young Lad (2003) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

19. Psyclon Nine - "And With Fire" from Icon of the Adversary (2018) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

20. Toxic Grind Machine - "Hymnlock" from Embryonic Emission (2012)

21. Vortech - "The Dark City" from The Shadow Presence (2022)

22. Mechina - "Planetfall" from Progenitor (2016) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

23. Daedalean Complex - "A Garden of Lies" from After the Fall (2017)

24. Jacob Lizotte - "THE GREY" from THE GREY (2026)

25. Celldweller, SWARM, REEBZ - "Fakebreaker" from Fakebreaker (2025)

26. Sielwolf - "Antimon #3" from Metastasen (1994)

27. Neurotech - "No Matter the Rain" from In Delta Negative (2026) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

August 2026

1. Born of Osiris - "Machine" from Tomorrow We Die Alive (2013)

2. Hope for the Dying - "Vacillation" from Dissimulation (2011)

3. Silent Civilian - "The Song Remains Un-Named" from Rebirth of the Temple (2006) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

4. Adept - "Heaven" from Blood Covenant (2025)

5. ten56. - "Pig" from Pig (2025)

6. Unearth - "My Will Be Done" from The March (2008) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

7. 7 Angels 7 Plagues - "A Farewell to a Perfect Score" from Jhazmyne's Lullaby (2001)

8. Shadows Fall - "To Ashes" from Somber Eyes to the Sky (1997)

9. Fear of Domination - "Last Words" from Katharsis (2026) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

10. Bleed from Within - "Flesh and Stone" from Shrine (2022) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

11. Motionless in White - "To Keep From Getting Burned" from When Love Met Destruction (2009)

12. Impending Doom - "Towards the Light" from Towards the Light (2025) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

13. Humanity's Last Breath - "Earthless" from Valde (2021)

14. Mental Cruelty - "Eternal Eclipse" from A Hill to Die Upon (2021)

15. Worm Shepherd - "The Dying Heavens" from The Sleeping Sun (2023)

16. Hollow Front - "LOST BOY" from Homewrecker (2017)

17. Bad Omens - "The Worst in Me" from Bad Omens (2016)

18. ERRA - "Prometheus" from Augment (2013) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

19. Northlane - "Dispossession" from Discoveries (2011)

20. Dark Divine - "Permanent" from Permanent (2026)

21. Imminence - "False Light" from False Light (2026)

22. Resistor - "DEAD SOUL" from DEAD SOUL (2026)

23. Thrown - "Split" from Split (2026)

24. Ion Dissonance - "Failure in the Process of Identifying a Dream" from Breathing is Irrelevant (2003)

25. Knut - "Torvalds" from Terraformer (2005) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

26. August Burns Red - "Sonic Salvation" from Season of Surrender (2026)

27. The Plot in You - "Carved" from The Plot in You (2026)

28. Emmure - "Drug Dealer Friend" from Speaker of the Dead (2011)

29. The Acacia Strain - "Cthulhu" from Continent (2008)

30. Whitechapel - "Articulo Mortis" from The Somatic Defilement (2007)