Shadowdoom9 (Andi)'s Forum Replies

Despite the departure of Butcher Babies co-lead vocalist Carla Harvey, Heidi Shepherd and co. can still carry on with perhaps the ultimate modern alt-metal collab:

Dark Tranquillity's tribute to the fallen vocalist of fellow Gothenburg melodeath pioneers At the Gates. And honestly, we need a studio recording of this kick-A cover. RIP Tomas Lindberg

A Skillet song from my pre-metal past that I still love today, perhaps their own Linkin Park "Krwlng":

Epic symphonic/folk metal from Finland, though they can sometimes have fun with cover songs like this one:

Just clean pop-ish filler sh*t that sounds awful in both the music and lyrics:

The absolute pinnacle of this album, and that's my true opinion:

I've heard it! Lots of wild thrash energy in many of the new Coroner album's tracks, plus a few more progressive ones. Back on track indeed...

A perfect mix of atmosphere and heaviness in the best of the track of the album's progressive side:

A modern-ish take on the band's earlier thrash, spiced up with a dash of melodeath:

Besides getting interested in more of the earlier metalcore bands like Poison the Well and Snapcase, I also enjoy a couple later metalcore/deathcore bands that have some symphonic/blackened tendencies similar to the new wave of epic deathcore but not as much:

My return to the heavy/power/symphonic metal part of my taste has also led me to discovering (and rediscovering) melodic progressive metal bands that I somehow missed when I was deep in that zone 10 years ago:

Swedish melodeath/groove metal, sounding like a blend of Metallica, Gojira, and Opeth, minus the progressive side of the latter two bands:

German heavy/power metal with their albums covering a sci-fi space saga similar to Mechina lyrically:

Ben, please add the new Iron Savior album Reforged: Machine World.

Ben, please add Blood of the Martyrs.

Ben, please add these albums that qualify as Alternative Metal within the RYM 2:1 ratio:

Poison the Well - The Tropic Rot (FOR - 9, AGAINST - 4)

Skillet - Collide (FOR - 26, AGAINST - 13)

Sleeping with Sirens - How It Feels to Be Lost (FOR - 12, AGAINST - 4)

Ben, please add Dark Sermon.

RIP Sam Rivers

OK, thanks Daniel.

OK, thanks Daniel.

Even though Psyclon Nine was more of an electronic/aggrotech band in their first two albums, their cover of a Ministry track is perhaps the first hint of their later industrial metal sound that would build up in their next two albums and taking full form from Order of the Shadow Act 1 onwards:

I've decided to list some albums from industrial metal bands I enjoy that are electronic rather than metal. I'm not a big fan of these albums, though I can revisit them sometimes to get my occasional electronic fix. Here they are, in no particular order (only albums I really consider electronic with 0 to 10% metal count in my list):

Psyclon Nine - Divine Infekt (2003)

Psyclon Nine - INRI (2005)

Argyle Park - Misguided (1994)

Celldweller - Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head Vol. 03 (2016)

Celldweller - Offworld (2017) (Ben, please add that album to the site to fill the gap)

Blue Stahli - Antisleep Vol. 01 (2008)

Blue Stahli - Antisleep Vol. 02 (2011)

Blue Stahli - Antisleep Vol. 03 (2012)

Blue Stahli - Antisleep Vol. 04 (2017)

Neurotech - Evasive (2015)

Honorable mentions (electronic releases I've listened to long ago, before I first got into metal):

The Prodigy - Invaders Must Die (2009)

Skrillex - Bangarang (2011)

Yes, Miles. Anyone can.

Still in the Sonic video game metal songs zone, here's another heavy epic alt-/rap metal track featuring Tyler Smyth and his Dangerkids bandmate Andy Bane:

It's usually Saxy who assembles the Gateway playlist, Vinny, and yes, submissions from non-clan members are accepted.

These two metalcore album covers both have the same "bobcut hand-bra girl" image! Coincidence? Rip-off?!? I have no idea, but I should really check out that Ten After Two album sometime.

As I Lay Dying has a brand-new banger of a single! Not sure how long the new lineup will last though, considering the troubling tales of Tim Lambesis.

One of only two tracks I like from this Zaraza album, having great potential for doom metal fans:

One of only two tracks I like from this Zaraza album, having more of the industrial side:

This is the only video I could find that has the highlight with the heaviest this Inner Thought album has to offer. I enjoy "Drowning in Sorrow" too, but it's more like sitting on the line between The Horde and The Sphere.

The title track of this Inner Thought album reigns supreme in the industrial metal side (I could only find the video that includes this haunting church organ intro that may be more suitable for a black metal album):

Ben, please add Mono Inc. I consider the album Together Till the End gothic Neue Deutsche Härte, and their new album Darkness is considered gothic metal.

A noise-filled atmospheric black metal highlight with guitar aggression:

Hardcore death 'n' roll from the depths similar to Entombed's Wolverine Blues:

The Beginning of Times starts with perhaps the best track to introduce to Amorphis newcomers:

But it also has this bonus track which is one of the most memorable songs from their soft side:

The most progressive standout to end another spectacular live show, with the gorgeous singing of ex-The Gathering vocalist Anneke van Giersbergen:

This medley is perhaps the centerpiece of this Amorphis show and DVD, throwing back to an amazing album with all its diversity:

Fates Warning's first ever 10+ minute epic that would hint at the ones they would make in later albums:

My favorite track of this Fates Warning album on the US power metal side, with the best vocals from John Arch:

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

The Spectre Within is a true progressive/US power metal gem! It even has a slight edge over their next album Awaken the Guardian that other fans prefer. Their second album with they really start to add progressiveness to their US power metal sound. My first full experience with this band's material was 5 years ago. I was more focused on heavier modern metal than the more melodic old-school metal of yore. I enjoyed the music a lot but eventually got tired of it, especially the vocals. Some things need some time away from me to restore the glory, and when I came back just a few days before this review, I can hear it again as the masterpiece I first thought it was. And I've realized that I enjoy the earlier heavy/progressive metal era of their first 3 albums more than their subsequent melodic progressive metal era. John Arch is one of the best vocalists of the genre. He may sound annoying at first but then you realize how amazing he is with his unique voice. The classic heavy/US power metal side is mixed together with the progressiveness of the band's subsequent albums, the latter best hinted at in a long 12-minute closing epic. In fact, I may just say that The Spectre Within is the true start to the progressive metal genre. Every metalhead should get that offering and listen to this incredible talent. All praise Fates Warning!

5/5

Recommended tracks: "Traveler in Time", "Without a Trace", "The Apparition", "Epitaph"

For fans of: Crimson Glory, Dream Theater, Queensryche (especially their earlier material at that time)

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

Re-recording albums can cause some mixed reactions from a band/artist's fanbase. Some enjoy the idea of earlier songs getting a more modern production, while others prefer just hearing new songs. Sadly, we live in a world where people can easily judge something before giving it a try. One other suspicious thing was the timing; at the same time as this release was announced, his former band Helloween embarked on the Pumpkins United tour that saw the return of Kai Hansen and Michael Kiske, but not Roland Grapow. Turns out it was a big coincidence, since Roland began working on the project a couple years before that tour. All I'm gonna say is, this album is a great way to revisit some Helloween classics, with Rick Altzi's vocals guiding you through alongside the other members. The songs are mostly from Pink Bubbles Go Ape, Chameleon, and Master of the Rings, plus a few other songs Roland has written in his remaining albums with the band. Those remaining songs from The Time of the Oath and The Dark Ride have the epic heaviness that would shape up some of Masterplan's more well-known material. The more rock-ish songs are given a heavier treatment. The quirky songs aren't the best but still fun. We should also be grateful for Masterplan's existence that would continue the darker heavier sound he wanted to make since The Dark Ride. PumpKings is for fans of Helloween and/or Masterplan, better if it suits what you really like....

4/5

Recommended tracks (one song per original album): "Mankind", "Still We Go", "The Time of the Oath", "Music", "The Dark Ride"

For fans of: Helloween, Gamma Ray, Stratovarius

Helloween's music is given quite an enchantment by Masterplan in their cover album, as proven by this magical highlight:

Oh OK, I thought we had to submit to Ben so he can add them to the "Featured" page. I understand now, Vinny. But we still need to have our feature releases and threads ready on time to prevent any more inconvenience.

The first ever Masterplan stinker, I can't stand the sh*tty keys and one of the worst heavy/power metal choruses ever:

An awesome 10-minute journey that you just gotta hear to believe:

Everything's so beautiful including background strings, while smashing through with guitars, proving that some of the best closing tracks don't have to be a long epic:

Update due to me having to nominate a last-minute Infinite feature release in Saxy's place:

THE FALLEN: SONNY, Vinny

THE GATEWAY: ANDI, Saxy

THE GUARDIANS: SONNY, Karl, Andi

THE HORDE: VINNY, Sonny, Karl

THE INFINITE: SAXY, Andi

THE NORTH: KARL, Vinny, Sonny

THE PIT: VINNY, Sonny

THE REVOLUTION: ANDI

THE SPHERE: ANDI

REMINDER: Please submit your feature releases to Ben before the end of the month and have your feature releases' threads ready to be posted in the first one or two days of next month. I can't always do these last-minute nominations, so if you miss the deadline, you'll lose your slot.

One of the most awesome songs by this band is this heavy highlight that I would consider their own theme song:

Lots of catchy emotion in this radio-potential highlight:

A true anthem of power metal from this band formed by former members of Helloween and other well-known bands: