Shadowdoom9 (Andi)'s Forum Replies
Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks in this playlist I've made in Xephyr's absence:
DragonForce - "Doomsday Party" from Doomsday Party (2023)
5/5. LET'S F***ING GO!!! The UK speedy power metal heroes are back with a brand-new catchy singalong single! With the one-two-punch of Reaching Into Infinity and Extreme Power Metal, could they continue that streak with their next album?!? I certainly hope so...
Volbeat - "Lola Montez" from Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies (2013)
4.5/5. My brother likes a couple songs from this band, this song being one of them. When he plays this song during one of our car rides, it's like a sunny day has become much brighter and happier! Even in rush-hour traffic, I'm in a superb mood.
Ozzy Osbourne - "Dead and Gone" from Patient Number 9 (2022)
4/5. Depression is a battle some people out there are facing. I'm not one of those people, but I'm someone who can help. Ozzy's lyric-writing has really paid off. I can imagine this song being great for a funeral.
Iron Maiden - "Days of Future Past" from Senjutsu (2021)
4.5/5. Wow, this song can give listeners more pure energy than Red Bull! It's short but it full displays the vocal strength of Bruce Dickinson, the guitar wizardry of Adrian Smith, and the songwriting abilities of both. Bruce is still so Bruce since starting his second era with the band in Brave New World. They might just rock this song out live! Some might be reminded of Cain and Stephen King's The Dark Tower in the lyrics. The band is still as hard-working as ever throughout nearly half a century.
Queensryche - "Realms" from Digital Noise Alliance (2022)
4/5. Another heavy metal track with lots of energy! Queensryche is still pretty strong with a different lead vocalist.
Judas Priest - "Turbo Love" from Turbo (1986)
3.5/5. Now let's head back to the 80s when songs like this can easily end up in action movies or shows. I can hear how lively this song is, but it's from their most glam album Turbo and sounds a bit cheesy.
Scorpions - "The Zoo" from Animal Magnetism (1980)
4/5. Same thing with this song. However, the "Roots of Metal" project has made me realize its appeal. The chorus is melodic while having aggressive metal fury in the leads, hard to match in most of the band's other tracks with its bouncy groove.
W.A.S.P. - "Wild Child" from The Last Command (1985)
3.5/5. More glam, but better lyrics. This song sounds quite cool despite coming out 14 years before I was born. Some oldies don't have a lot of perfect glory but can still be good. And sh*t, this is so mesmerizing! Children of Bodom frontman Alexi Laiho adopted his nickname "Wild Child" from this song. RIP... Also, the part at the 3 and a half minute mark with what sounds like cat meowing kind of threw me off.
Warrior - "Fighting for the Earth" from Fighting for the Earth (1985)
4/5. Great mastering on this track for an 80s song. Warrior have done their motivational fantasy lyrics that are popularized by Manowar. Somehow this reminds me of the first two Stratovarius albums, specifically the mid-paced tracks like "Break the Ice". 80s greatness is hard to find nowadays...
Motley Crue - "Too Young to Fall in Love" from Shout at the Devil (1983)
3.5/5. Although I'm still not getting the glam appeal, I have to admit, Mick Mars is an underrated guitarist.
Vicious Rumors - "Digital Dictator" from Digital Dictator (1988)
4/5. RIP Carl Albert. His golden voice is what made tunes like this quite killer. And that guitar solo is the most brilliant part of the song here. Believe in the Digital Dictator!
Dio - "Wild One" from Lock Up the Wolves (1990)
4.5/5. Another great song for the classic heavy metal crowd. RIP Dio
Trivium - "Blind Leading the Blind" from Silence in the Snow (2015)
5/5. One of many favorite Trivium songs of mine, casting a great surge of immediacy and riffing.
Rhapsody - "Land of Immortals" from Legendary Tales (1997)
4.5/5. This was one of my favorite Rhapsody (of Fire) songs when I was still listening to that band. I thought it was an epic classic. Even though the tremendous Fabio Lione is out of the band (one reason for my initial move out of power metal), the sound of his albums with Rhapsody will live on.
Elvenking - "Your Heroes Are Dead" from Red Silent Tides (2010)
4/5. This Elvenking song is still like because rather than having the heavy emphasis on folk from as early as Heathenreel, the strength lies in the metal instrumentation. A bad-a** evolution! Well this isn't the heaviest the band has gone, there's also the dark melodeath elements blended with their usual power/folk metal in The Scythe. This folky power metal sound might work well while playing World of Warcraft and RuneScape. Of course, if a band decides to go a different path, it's their decision, not the audience's. The track has some beautiful moments, like the violin solo at the one and a half minute mark that shows creativity and variety in just a small serene melody, probably more so than Nightwish. If anyone prefers the band's earlier material over this killer song, that's all right. Also I heard that the name of this band comes from Schubert's "Der Erlkönig". The music video for this Elvenking song is pretty cool too, having some Metalocalypse-esque animation. And don't forget those interesting poetic lyrics. It's power metal bands like Elvenking that really made my teen days. But this song kind of foreshadows my metalcore era that I would subsequently dump my folk/power metal taste for. H*ll, this actually reminds me of Bullet for My Valentine's Scream Aim Fire album. And even though I'm tired of folk/power metal, that song still works pretty well for me.
Lost Horizon - "World Through My Fateless Eyes" from Awakening the World (2001)
4.5/5. F***ing mighty vocals by Daniel Heiman, singing lyrics written by guitarist Wojtek Lisicki. So I'm not too tired of power metal in some cases.
Blind Guardian - "Violent Shadows" from The God Machine (2022)
4/5. The God Machine has been hailed as a prime example of the power metal sound the band is known for. However, this song is filled with the violent thrashy speed metal sound from their late-80s era. "I will not surrender, let it be"
Epica - "Code of Life" from Omega (2021)
4.5/5. This song shows that Epica still have what it takes with enjoyable vocal technique, both the operatic singing and demonic growling, the former shining the most in the sublime final chorus close to the last minute. The f***ing kick-A riffing helps balance things out. I say this should end up in a soundtrack for a Prince of Persia/The Mummy movie. Of course, this album also has some ballads to make sure things don't have too much heavy power. The Arabic lyrics are a godly touch, sung by Zaher Zorgati of Myrath. So everyone keep calm and listen to Epica!
Xandria - "The Wonders Still Awaiting" from The Wonders Still Awaiting (2023)
4/5. Beautiful choirs and unpredictable melodies give the track cinematic freshness. During the bridge that starts the last third of the track, Ambre Vourvahis' vocals rise into sounding as operatic as Simone Simons of Epica. Gorgeous!
Within Temptation - "Forsaken - The Aftermath" from Forsaken (The Aftermath) (2022)
4.5/5. Excellent re-recording with great lyrics. Enough said!
Amberian Dawn - "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)" from Take a Chance - a Metal Tribute to ABBA (2022)
4/5. Amberian Dawn have recently released an entire tribute cover album to ABBA. Capri Virkkunen can perform such phenomenal vocals. I guess you can call this band "ABBArian Dawn", am I right?
Helloween - "Halloween" from Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 1 (1987)
3.5/5. It's October, so you know there's gotta be a Halloween song in this playlist. Somehow I was never really interested in Helloween, not even my European power metal-loving teen years, despite this band having pioneered that genre. This 13-minute epic has some good potential. IT'S HALLOWEEN!!!
Cacophony - "Speed Metal Symphony" from Speed Metal Symphony (1987)
4/5. Now here's one more epic to end this playlist, and it's a neoclassical metal instrumental. This dense energy would've also been better for me in my teenage years, but it's out of this universe! Those notes are meant to be nicely absorbed into your mind. Jason Becker was 17 at that time, and he's still a musical genius, even with his crippling ALS. This heavily guitar-focused composition can be considered quite an achievement for Jason and Marty Friedman. Geniuses like those two guys can be a sheer rarity.
Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? Despite a bit of bumpiness... Anyway, I would recommend this to heavy/power/symphonic/neoclassical metal fans and anyone who isn't into those genres but is up to getting into a great start in enjoying them. Thanks Daniel for letting me take over on the Guardians playlist for this month, and your help with your submission, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!
Here are my thoughts on some tracks:
Fiends – Rented Mental (2023)
4/5. Can you feel how hard this hits?! This playlist kicks off with a d*mn heavy banger! Like holy sh*t, the riffing starts off a bit like Taproot on steroids. Feel that fire!
Annisokay – Calamity (2023)
4.5/5. New singles just keep appearing out of nowhere from Annisokay and Electric Callboy, and they never cease to amaze me and my brother.
Beartooth – Doubt Me (2023)
5/5. I just love what I'm getting so far from Beartooth's upcoming album The Surface. This is probably my second-favorite single from that album, behind "Riptide". Great lyrics with a p*ssed-off attitude!
Breaking Benjamin – Hollow (2015)
4.5/5. Another amazing song from one of my brother's longtime favorite bands.
Five Finger Death Punch – The Agony of Regret (2013)
4/5. More of a short interlude but a great one for a quick breather.
In This Moment – Black Wedding (2017)
4.5/5. A f***ing great song that you can use for a metal wedding! And of course, you can recognize a metal legend in Judas Priest's Rob Halford in this song.
Mushroomhead – Qwerty (2014)
5/5. This song is one that sounds weird at first, but eventually I end up loving it to bits. This might've also happened to my brother because he loves it as well. I guess you can consider this Slipknot performing at a haunted carnival. This band should've had greater fame than Slipknot.
Soilwork – Övergivenheten (2022)
5/5. From a melodeath band to a band that makes epic songs like this. Absolutely wonderful! Björn "Speed" Strid is one of my all-time favorite vocalists, and if my brother likes Speed's vocals from Demon Hunter's "Collapsing", surely he would like at least something from this band.
Spiritbox – Circle With Me (2021)
4.5/5. "CUT DOWN THE ALTAR!!" Although Spiritbox hasn't struck my metal heart as much as it should have, I still enjoy this song, and so does my brother. Some kick-A fire here, especially in the chorus.
Static-X – New Pain (2003)
4/5. Another interesting song to like. RIP Wayne Static
New Years Day – Epidemic (2015)
4.5/5. Holy sh*t, I wanted to submit this song as a playlist suggestion for a few months, but you added in at the perfect time, thanks Saxy! "We're so contagious!"
Black Veil Brides – Devil’s Choir (2013)
5/5. Another super-cool song to love! Sure this band can be associated with Panic! at the Disco, Fall Out Boy, and My Chemical Romance, but this is also for modern non-purist metalheads who are up for this kind of sound. Still not everyone is ready for this much awesome. I'm proud of this band for standing strong despite the criticism. We will carry you away from the fires of hate!
Therapy ? – Trigger Inside (1994)
4.5/5. Great anthem! ...For psychopaths, though I'm not one.
Twelve Foot Ninja – Endless (2008)
4/5. Getting things kicking is the experimental alt-metal band from Australia!
Sôber – Superbia (2011)
4.5/5. Great vocals singing Spanish lyrics! There also seems to be that dark psychedelic complexity of TOOL. Seems like they know how to surpass their influences with pleasant surprises. There's some progressive essence along with a bit of Latin to add to the equation. D*mn, these lyrics are great despite being in Spanish. Not only is the alt-metal of TOOL around, but also the hard rock of A Perfect Circle and to a lesser extent, the nu metal of early Disturbed. The progressiveness is amazing! The song allows you to see the future and witness the destiny of the world. Someone save this f***ing planet! If I knew any Spanish, I would be singing along. There's also some unique dark ambience. The beginning of the human race had already been witnessed, but pride and greed may lead to humanity's loss and destruction. The beginning of the end, as they say. Our offspring shall progress and keep mankind alive, and with this song, the consequences of our poor choices have warned us well.
The World Alive – Trapped (2016)
5/5. Another f***ing sick and phenomenal song! And one to make a stopping point on this playlist. I'm still grateful for this playlist though, thanks Saxy!
Aggressive stylistic industrial rock/metal of darkness and sexuality:
A prog-ish alt-rock/metal epic of experimental glory:
I've done my review, here's its summary:
Alter Bridge is known very well as a side-project-turned-full-time-band by guitarist Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall, and drummer Scott Philips, all coming from the more famous Scott Stapp-led band Creed. Together with frontman Myles Kennedy, Alter Bridge had proved themselves to be the creative songwriting force alt-metal needs! After 3 albums of hard rock/post-grunge in a similar vein to a few of my brother's favorite bands like Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, and Skillet, Alter Bridge decided to boost up their creativity intensely with their 4th album Fortress. It's a test of magic as they added more diverse arrangements and time signature variations for a more progressive style, though closer in sound to Karnivool rather than TOOL. And who's manning the production? Michael "Elvis" Baskette has entered that building. Throughout this adventure, there are shorter melodic songs suited for radios, and a few longer epics that showcase their progressive side. One moment you hear blazing riffing and melodic choruses, and the next you hear different varying textures and time changes. And that's what makes Alter Bridge's so unique. The melodic rock elements the band has taken from more popular bands has been merged with superb technicality for their own style of prog-ish alt-rock/metal. Fortress is an epic journey for the genre, and it seems like my interest in this band is at a rapid beginning!
5/5 (Thanks, Saxy!)
Pulverizing industrial metal grace and destruction well-executed in a live recording:
Thanks so much for this, Daniel! Here's my review summary:
Looking for the best of Godflesh's breakthrough debut in a live recording originally part of a broadcast in which the audio version wasn't released until 25 years later? Look no further to the Earache Peel Sessions! This EP was part of a split album with Carcass whose side consisted of songs from their goregrind era. In Godflesh's side, 4 of my favorite tracks from their debut Streetcleaner (including the Tiny Tears EP) are performed greatly in industrial metal grace. Not to mention, destruction that can pulverize you into a pulp with the bass and drum machine rolling under the burning guitar slashing through vocals of hopeless fury. This is very well a true display of their earlier material, and it can certainly please Godflesh fans in the present as it did back in 1989. 17 minutes of perfect industrial metal bliss!
5/5
The ultimate Polaris anthem, with full-on rage you just gotta experience. RIP Ryan Siew
I've done my review, here's its summary:
After the perfect one-two punch of The Mortal Coil and The Death of Me, the band continue progressing through their exciting creativity in Fatalism. Hearing the news about this album got my hopes up high. But then the news about guitarist Ryan Siew's passing was heartbreaking. He was one of the most talented modern metal guitarists I had heard, and he was only 26. He had already complete his work before his death, so this album lets you hear his guitar wizardry one last time... His searing leads have made a solid connection with the ravaging rhythms of Rick Schneider, the drumming action of Daniel Furnari, the booming bass and sweet cleans of Jake Steinhauser, and the raging screams of Jamie Hails. Yes, many songs have the usual screamed verses, melodic choruses, heavy riffs, and powerful vocals, along with devastating breakdowns and colorful solos. Fatalism is a different album from their earlier ones, yet there's a lot of the greatness to expect. Polaris continue to shine with their songwriting creativity that has made this album stay true to their discography. With lots of well-balanced highlights and professional teamwork, this blend of melody and brutality levels up the stories told within the lyrics shall keep listeners alert and wanting more. There's no doubt that Fatalism will please Polaris with this exciting heartful work. RIP Ryan Siew
4.5/5
Recommended tracks: "Harbinger", "Nightmare", "With Regards", "Inhumane", "Dissipate", "Fault Line"
For fans of: Northlane, Silent Planet, While She Sleeps
Talented teamwork in the instrumentation, all kinds of vocals these two vocalists can do... How ultimate can these guys get?!
An incredible technical metalcore highlight with the best of the late Ryan Siew's amazing sharp guitar leads:
October 2023
1. Crossfaith – "Xeno" (from XENO)
2. Earth Crisis – "All Out War" (from All Out War)
3. Electric Callboy – "Parasite" (from TEKKNO)
4. Enda Vinera – "Unholy Incarnate" (from Unholy Incarnate)
5. Miss May I – "Under Fire" (from Shadows Inside)
6. Parkway Drive – "Atlas" (from Atlas)
7. Trivium – "Beauty in the Sorrow" (from The Sin and the Sentence)
8. As They Burn – "City Ov Pyramids" (from Aeon's War)
9. Strawberry Hospital – "Tacit" (from Phantasmaphilia)
10. Counterparts – "Only Anchors" (from Prophets)
11. Volumes – "Limitless" (from Via)
12. Vulvodynia – "Lord of Plagues" (from Lord of Plagues)
13. Blood Youth – "Something to Numb the Pain" (from Visions of Another Hell)
14. Premonitions of War – "Black Den" (from Left in Kowloon)
15. Full Blown Chaos – "Heavy Lies the Crown" (from Heavy Lies the Crown)
16. Unearth – "This Glorious Nightmare" (from III: In the Eyes of Fire)
17. Darknet – "-(Matter)" (from Self-Titled)
18. Crawlspace – "Haunted" (from Enter the Realm of Chaos)
19. Lamb of God – "Black Label" (from New American Gospel)
20. Bad Omens – "F E R A L" (from Bad Omens)
Here's my review summary:
Mikael Åkerfeldt is known as a true hero in progressive rock/metal. He and his band Opeth have stunned the world with their sound at least 25 years after Tony Iommi and Black Sabbath had done the same with their pioneered heavy metal sound. He has lead the band through a journey made by his creations of haunting riffs and melodies through great largely arranged compositions. Like many progressive bands, Opeth never hesitates to push themselves beyond their boundaries. If people think of Tony Iommi as an Iron Man, Mike is a kick-A Man of Steel! Opeth's 20th anniversary tour shows the band performing 5 special concerts, this one in the Royal Albert Hall, London, being documented in this mighty live release. They play their entire "Blackwater Park" to celebrate that breakthrough album from 2001, then after an intermission, their second set consists of 8 more songs, one from each Opeth album at that time. Many of these songs still touch my Infinite heart as amazing highlights in top-notch quality, with superb long epics that touch different emotions in different sections, all ranging from aggressive brutality to acoustic melancholy. Only a couple track don't appeal to me as much as they used to, but despite that, this live album is an essential taste of Opeth!
4.5/5
Recommended tracks: "Bleak", "The Drapery Falls", "The Funeral Portrait", "Blackwater Park", "Forest of October", "Advent", "The Moor", "Wreath"
For fans of: Opeth, Opeth, and more Opeth! Not many other bands can do their sound justice.
October 2023
1. Napalm Death - "Evolved as One" from From Enslavement to Obliteration (1988) [submitted by Daniel]
2. The Kovenant - "New World Order" from Animatronic (1999) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
3. Strapping Young Lad - "In the Rainy Season" from Heavy as a Really Heavy Thing (1995) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
4. Fear Factory - "Powershifter" from Mechanize (2010) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
5. Static X - "Terrible Lie" from Terrible Lie (2023)
6. Lock the Basement - "Come Back to Life" from Come Back to Life (2020)
7. Pitchshifter - "Genius" from www.pitchshifter.com (1998)
8. Red Harvest - "Symbol of Decay" from Internal Punishment Programs (2004) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
9. Nine Inch Nails - "Mr. Self Destruct" from The Downward Spiral (1994)
10. Gothminister - "Demons" from Demons (2022)
11. Lord of the Lost - "Loreley" from Thornstar (2018)
12. Omega Lithium - "Breaking" from Kinetik (2011)
13. Code Orange - "Autumn and Carbine" from Underneath (2020) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
14. Scum of the Earth - "Give Up Your Ghost" from Blah...Blah...Blah...Love Songs for the New Millennium (2004)
15. Ministry - "Broken System" from Moral Hygiene (2011)
16. Circle of Dust - "Aggressor - Regressive Mix" from Brainchild (1994)
17. Killing Joke - "Communion" from Pandemonium (1994)
18. Deathstars - "An Atomic Prayer" from Everything Destroys You (2023)
19. Deafkids, Petbrick - "O Antropoceno" from Deafbrick (2020)
20. Raubtier - "A. I" from Överlevare (2019)
21. Zaraza - "Inti Raymi" from Spasms of Rebirth (2017)
22. Samsas Traum - "Tineoidea" from Tineoidea oder: Die Folgen einer Nacht - Eine Gothic-Oper in Blut-Moll (2003)
23. Godflesh - "Locust Furnace" from Streetcleaner (1989) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
24. Celldweller - "Aurora Borealis" from Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head Vol. 01 (2008)
25. Casey Edwards, Victor Borba - "Bury the Light" from Bury the Light (2020)
The Oomph! compilation 1991-1996 The Early Works has some great highlights from the earlier part of their career like this one from their electro-techno debut that's actually metal enough to be in this thread...
...And remixes like this one that actually enhances another Oomph! favorite of mine:
Thumbs down for this synth-driven sh*t:
The climatic closer of an album that is the one-time experiment in industrial metal for Judas Priest's Rob Halford:
Another nice standout of industrial rock/metal:
Only one of a few good metal-sounding tracks in this mediocre industrial/alt-rock offering:
I'll give my vote to Black Sabbath's debut as ground zero for metal. Half of the tracklisting wasn't metal but all of the most important tracks were clearly metal as fuck so it certainly qualifies in my opinion.
Deep Purple had a few albums before "In Rock" Rex. Is "In Rock" the only one of their first four that you consider to be metal or would you like us to consider any of those earlier releases? I completely agree with you on Led Zeppelin. The greatest hard rock band that's ever lived but certainly not a metal band.
Andi, Morpheus, Ben, Vinny, Saxy, Xephyr, SilentScream, etc? Would any of you like to be involved in this exercise?
I'm busy with a couple reviewing projects that I have planned, but this looks like an interesting exercise I might consider doing.
Another sh*tty trainwreck that shouldn't have f***ing existed:
The perfect key to Danzig's industrial metal era:
A sh*tty slow trainwreck (no pun intended, maybe):
An awesome inspiring mix of guitars and electronics definitely worth your downtime:
Cold industrial rock/metal riffing and beats done the right way:
If you thought In This Moment could add R-rated sexiness to industrial metal, the dark sinister power of Genitorturers had already preceded them by about 20 years and put them to shame:
Dominating US power metal madness:
A shred-tastic instrumental of neo-classical-infused progressive US power metal:
I've given this Helstar album some listening and a review to test out my strength in the progressive power metal I once loved, and indeed this is a progressive US power metal offering with some technical scales of neoclassical metal incorporated into the mix. There's a lot of speed and complexity spawning from this sound. So yeah, the Infinite Hall entry is getting a YES vote from me.
Cool lists, Sonny! Do you have any favorite cover arts by the talented Travis Smith? Check out a lot of his work in his official website: https://www.seempieces.com/
Amazing guitar work, Daniel! The death metal community will certainly be headbanging to this blazing brutality.
Yes, it is sufficient, Daniel. I'm not suggesting creating a cross-clan subgenre, I just like the tag and this is more of just a discussion thread. There are key bands of this hybrid such as all that's been mentioned so far here, but not enough beyond those bands to constitute a new subgenre, and probably just as well.
In This Moment is never afraid to add a dark alt-/industrial metal twist to a classic pop hit, such as in their brand-new ominous take on this Bjork single:
That vote is from me. Here's my review summary:
The perfection of Zao's second and last album with the original lineup carries on to a new one. 1998 marked a new era for the band who have been grateful to God for where their ongoing lives took them. The remaining founding member Jesse Smith continued with new members Daniel Weyandt, Russ Cogdell, and Brett Detar, the latter from rock band The Juliana Theory for a dark turning point in hardcore/metal. Where would bands like Underoath and Haste the Day be without this offering? Dan Weyandt's screaming is perfect! Besides that, the two guitarists have heavy guitar riffs that would surely blow your minds. While they maintain the Christian lyrical themes, they have less focus on the spiritual side and the topics are more about Weyandt's fallen loved ones, with one track written in memory of a friend of the band who committed suicide, and another for Weyandt's late relative. The message in those songs is basically his faith shining to keep him alive after all the losses he and the band suffered. Its heavy impact has caused many Christians and non-Christians to relate. Musically, the songs show how well they've planted the seed for the modern metallic side of metalcore that can be heard in bands like Trivium, Eighteen Visions, Bleeding Through, and Bring Me the Horizon. All in all, Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest marks a different transition from The Splinter Shards The Birth Of Separation, including shorter songs, though both albums are the best. You like As I Lay Dying and all those bands I've mentioned earlier? Pick this up! Whether you're Christian or not, this is for the heavier metalcore fans. Zao is still alive!
5/5 (potential future Revolution feature release!)
The first non-split EP by Parkway Drive has some killer metalcore highlights like this one:
And the bonus section with tracks from their earlier split EPs has some awesome standouts like this too:
I think I know what that band is, but I'll let you do the big reveal tomorrow, Rex.
An epic underrated journey that can be experienced in just 4 minutes:
I don't know if you're also talking about atmospheric sludge, Rex, but I'll just start with several standard sludge metal recommendations for you (a couple of them aren't super sludgy, but they're key to the diverse variation):
Cult of Luna - Cult of Luna (2001)
Gaza - He Is Never Coming Back (2009)
Godflesh - Hymns (2001)
Isis - The Mosquito Control EP (1998) (this month's Fallen feature release!)
Knut - Challenger (2002)
Today is the Day - Today is the Day (1996)
Will Haven - WHVN (1999)
An atmospheric progressive metal epic with emotional structure:
Holy f***ing wars... The British speedy power metal heroes are back! Their new single is a catchy fun song to party to. And we'll have to wait to find out two things: 1. Will this appear in the band's next album? 2. Who's the new keyboardist/pianist?
While She Sleeps seems to have taken the alt-metal direction further than before, but this is still a killer banger that makes me up for their upcoming album Self Hell to be released 6 months from now:
Here's my top 10 of 1988:
1. Voivod - Dimension Hatröss
2. Godflesh - Godflesh
3. Sadus - Illusions
4. Coroner - Punishment for Decadence
5. Pestilence - Malleus Maleficarum
6. Anthrax - State of Euphoria
7. Ministry - The Land of Rape and Honey
8. Blind Guardian - Battalions of Fear
9. Old - Old Lady Drivers
10. Adramelch - Irae Melanox
I can't vote in this judgement submission, but I agree, Daniel. Even in the album with the most thrash, Pestilence has always had their death metal sound (or in some albums, technical/progressive death metal).
I remember giving this album some listening and a review last year, but I think of it as more of a sludgy death-doom album. Sure they have the Celtic Frost-inspired sound in "Servant of the Warsmen", but they remind of that Delirium album from the same year that I also reviewed in my death-doom rediscovery trip, much more than Amebix and Crowbar. Personally, the closest to sludge I can find in the album is the groove-like speed of "Destiny". However, every other song has mostly the slow tempo, death growls, and abrasive riffing that are all more deathly and doomy than sludgy to my ears. I can't vote in this nomination because I'm not in The Fallen, but if I was, I would've voted NO there. And I would've definitely also voted against the doom metal tag removal.
I'm glad to revisit the earlier metal material of Swedish progressive titans Opeth, as my Infinite heart is strong in most of the songs from this live offering, including this classic from their 2001 breakthrough Blackwater Park...
...And heavy progressive compositions from their other albums as early as Orchid:
A dull sh*tter that doesn't please me at all:
An epic highlight of Egypt-inspired industrial rock/metal from a band once known as a post-punk developing group in the 80s:
Here's a great modern death metal/melodeath album released this year, for you to start with, Sonny: https://metal.academy/releases/46915
We can definitely do regular articles, Daniel. Interviews, I don’t know. We’ve rarely been in contact with any notable metal band members nowadays.