Shadowdoom9 (Andi)'s Forum Replies

"Evolution" and "Set the World on Fire" are both wonderful highlights. "Egypt" and "Paradise Lost" (the title track) are also great but could've been improved more in my opinion.

One of the greatest epics in the metal part of my existence that I'm grateful to revisit after so many years away from what I once knew:

Another awesome epic of unbreakable glory:

This short highlight shows that the band can kick a** with their progressive neoclassical metal sound:

Some of the best melodic progressive metal occurs in one of my favorite tracks by this band, filled with neoclassical madness:

The greatest conclusion to Rhapsody (of Fire)'s first 5-album saga:

A 5-part 13-minute progressive epic that serves as the literal centerpiece of the "A New Age Dawns" saga and would itself spawn a couple sequels in subsequent albums:

Dark Moor's most fascinating epic, paying tribute to Mozart's works:

Just a few months after he left the band. Another metal legend gone. RIP Brent Hinds 

This opening track is a favorite of mine and my brother's, proving that Elvis metal works like a dream:

One of the most climatic album-closing tracks in standard heavy metal, despite being from a 2000s album that blends the genre with rockabilly:

If you can get hooked by the neoclassical leads and melodic chorus in this memorable 9-minute epic, you'll definitely wanna stick around for the rest:

Glad you're doing well, Zach. Hope you continue living the good Florida life!

Pretty much the DragonForce "Ring of Fire" cover of this Nightwish album, I used to love it, but now, f*** this sh*t:

A fantastic epic paying tribute to the animated works of Disney:

But this 2007 reissue bonus track is also worth going an extra mile:

A live rendition of what still reigns as one of my favorite Nightwish songs today:

Still one of the best album openers and power metal songs I've heard to this very day:

Ben, please add the Snapcase album Designs for Automotion. It qualifies as Alternative Metal within the RYM 2:1 ratio: FOR - 6, AGAINST - 2.

The perfect anthem to start this early metalcore/hardcore gem:

Another one's coming as well! Dark Angel's looooooong-awaited new album will come out next month.

From djenty deathcore breakdowns and monstrous vocals to guitar tremolos blast beats, the violent quest for heaviness rolls on:

Sparse Gojira-esque melody is balanced out with the rest of the song's intensity:

This expansive standout displays more of the band's ongoing quest for the ultimate heaviness:

With the opening highlight of Humanity's Last Breath's sophomore album, the brutality hasn't withered away since their 2013 debut:

You can't go wrong with brutality in deathcore and djent, they know how to bust sh*t hard:

Both parts of the brutal "Bellua" suite are better suited as a full 8-minute epic. You can enjoy both parts here, but I'm telling you, it's one of those "better together" situations:

One of the most epic and innovative metal tracks I've heard in my life, in The Revolution or any other clan:

Seriously, listeners should check this song out for all its symphonic grandeur:

A fantastic progressive start to another one of Hope for the Dying's epic journeys:

Good feedback, Sonny! And sorry about those first two tracks affecting your plan to switch clans.

No worries, Sonny. Better slightly late than too close to when the playlists are due. This was also one of my favorite Accept songs when I was listening to that band. Submission accepted with thanks!

This glorious 15-minute 3-track suite works better with every part stitched together as a whole, and I've literally just done that as my own video:

Part of the revival of my Guardians interest comes from some bands of other genres that I like. Mechina is an obvious example by how much i enjoy them, but Hope for the Dying would also have a say in this with their symphonic metalcore sound that includes more progressive structures and Two Steps From Hell-esque orchestra:

A killer neoclassical metalcore standout to start Hope for the Dying's first offering:

THEY'RE FUCKING BACK!

F*** YEAH, THEY'RE BACK!!!! And they're back HARD!!! Honestly the heaviest I've heard from these Swiss tech-thrash masters!

Good photo, Sonny! That can also double as a potential Spotify blackgaze playlist image.

That is kind of a strange trend going on in some metal genres. It's like, take a photo of countryside with power lines and at least at one lamp post, add fluro color effects, and BOOM, you have an album cover. One less common theory might be that the band members don't have enough money in their budget to hire a professional photographer or artist to make artwork and, in the current decade, don't wanna have to resort to AI. This trend also seems to spread beyond blackgaze/post-metal, before Deafheaven caused blackgaze to erupt in popularity. One example being Katatonia's Dead End Kings, which I wouldn't consider too strange because it's an artwork made by the talented graphic artist Travis Smith, and his works often have diversity and experimentation:

A strange closing stinker, even for me:

One of the most quintessential songs in early sludgy math/metalcore:

One of the many highlights of this quintessential metalcore masterpiece, with lots of fury from the guitar and vocals:

A heavy anthem indeed for the metalcore travelers:

Epic extreme start to Lorna Shore's upcoming album! Maybe the 4th and final single before its release can be "In Darkness", which I'm the most curious about. In the meantime, enjoy this one:

The song that was meant to be for Overcast's then-shelved 3rd album and ended up in Shadows Fall's album Of One Blood is still one of my favorite early-ish metalcore songs with a fast searing Metallica-like solo, alongside the thrashy riffing and vocals:

A 7 and a half minute opening epic with all you can ask for in early metalcore:

This f***ed up attempt at rapping really ruins the song for me. Rapping doesn't belong in these extreme albums! Perspectives would've been perfect without it.

Fast thrashy riffing comes on before some more samples and fun keys, showing you all what early extreme industrial metal should be:

The most melodeath-ish highlight of this Inner Thought album, filled with unpredictability in the riffing and the vocals:

Humanity's Last Breath isn't the only leader of the brutal djent subgenre Thall. These two bands are also important in the subgenre's development:

All of Before the Dawn founder Tuomas Saukkonen's earlier projects ended or were put on hold for something fresh and epic, Wolfheart:

FINALLY, IT COMES! The time for power metal to ENLIGHTEN ME once again after drifting in and out of the genre, with two bands that I've heard of when I was still completely in that zone 10 years ago, but didn't start listening to them full-time until now: