Shadowdoom9 (Andi)'s Forum Replies

A special playlist I've made to celebrate the one-year anniversary of when I started making the monthly Revolution Spotify playlists: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2SMtGO7FN4ZMUGsmeeKVkZ

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

Deathstars - "Explode" (4:53) from The Perfect Cult (2014)

Godflesh - "Head Dirt" (6:09) from Streetcleaner (1989)

Ministry - "Golden Dawn" (5:42) from The Land of Rape and Honey (1988)

Nine Inch Nails - "Reptile" (6:52) from The Downward Spiral (1994) (Yes I know this album isn't metal, but someone on Discord recommended me a few songs (including this one) because of how metal they are, and this one really does sound metal enough for inclusion)

Northlane - "Clarity" (5:53) from Obsidian (2022)

Total length: 29:29

And since Daniel skipped out on his monthly Sphere playlist submission for November, I decided to add an optional bonus sneak peek submission. If anyone else is up to submitting their own track suggestion, I can remove my bonus and either put it in the November playlist anyway or a different month. So here's my bonus submission:

Celldweller - "Into the Void" (5:16) from Into the Void (2019)

Another song that my brother likes, and one that I submitted for one of last year's Sphere playlist (before joining that clan), but somehow it didn't make it in.

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

Clear - "Falling Into Ashes" (5:28) from Deeper Than Blood (1999)

Code Orange - "Forever" (3:07) from Forever (2017)

From Autumn to Ashes - "Short for Show" (4:01) from Abandon Your Friends (2005)

The Human Abstract - "Crossing the Rubicon" (5:06) from Nocturne (2006)

Silent Planet - "The New Eternity" (3:25) from When the End Began (2018)

The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza - "The Electric Boogaloo" (3:04) from Danza II: Electric Boogaloo (2007)

Trivium - "The Defiant" (4:29) from What the Dead Men Say (2020)

Total length: 28:40

And since Daniel skipped out on his monthly Revolution playlist submission for November, I decided to add an optional bonus sneak peek submission. If anyone else is up to submitting their own track suggestion, I can remove my bonus and either put it in the November playlist anyway or a different month. So here's my bonus submission:

Uni/Vs - "Ghost of Me" (3:30) from Ghost of Me (2022)

Found this one via a YouTube ad. The band is in RYM, but not this single, though there's enough Architects-like metalcore to qualify.

I have only one submission in my mind for November's Infinite playlist, and it's a really long one:

Devin Townsend - "Singularity" (from Empath, 2019)

I have a few reasons for submitting this: 1. I listened to this entirely a few times before, and I plan to listen to this one more time after my plan severing my ties from listening to this musician I'm kinda getting tired of, and the reason for that listen is because it really sounds so good. This has been one of my favorite progressive metal epics. It is a complex 6-part epic and the longest track Devin Townsend has ever made (30 seconds longer than "Arc" from The Hummer), with some of his best work yet. You also don't have to worry about adding in different parts because it plays on Spotify as one entire 23 and a half minute track. 2. Look I do not wish to sound critical or unappreciative or anything, but this is a good track to add in the event that you have a short amount of idea that do not reach the usual two-hour length. It would be nice for me to help out alongside your usual focus on 3 to 9 minute tracks and at least one 10+ minute epic. 3. I'm actually a little less focused on The Infinite, because I want to focus on my other clans, along with one different genre that I want to break free from all these years. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy progressive metal, and I have zero intention of leaving The Infinite. This is just a one-off one-track submission for that playlist. I appreciate all the effort you and the rest of the active Metal Academy crew have made with creating these playlists, whether something's a hit or miss. Keep up the good work, man!

Here's my submission for the November Guardians playlist, last one from me:

Savatage - "Back to a Reason" (from "Poets and Madmen", 2001)

For the November Gateway playlist, I decided that I would go for songs from this year including two singles and two epics. So here are my suggestions:

Carpenter Brut - "Imaginary Fire" (4:21) from Imaginary Fire (2022)

Cave In - "Wavering Angel" (12:08) from Heavy Pendulum (2022)

Disturbed - "Hey You" (4:28) from Hey You (2022)

Parkway Drive - "Darker Still" (6:50) from Darker Still (2022)

Total length: 27:47

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Lard - "The Power of Lard" (from Power of Lard, 1989)

3.5/5. And so we begin by practically picking up where Jourgensen left off in his Pailhead, including the pattern; opening slow before building up frantic fast energy. Once the drums roll in, Biafra leads a group in shouting the band's name, "Lard!" Biafra adds his recognizable vocals to socially political lyrics in the verses. It's the kind of commentary to sonically assault the listener!

Prime Sinister - "So Close" (from United in Violence, 2008)

4/5. So close to being a great hit, but still seems slightly far off...

Lord of the Lost - "Priest" (from Judas, 2021)

4.5/5. I love this song, though it's close to the Neue Deutsche Härte sound (though with English lyrics) that I usually save for next-to-last.

Killus - "Ultrazombies" (from Ultrazombies, 2016)

4/5. A good song to pass the spooky industrial metal test. It would've been perfect if I could find the lyrics, but I can hum them, I guess...

Sore Throat - "Phase V" (from Inde$troy, 1989)

3.5/5. "If on Earth is a heavenly place, it is this, it is this, it is this..." If you're looking for part of an earlier, more ambient/industrial attempt at a grindcore band's sludge epic than Pig Destroyer's Natasha, here you go...

Ministry - "So What" (from The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste, 1989)

4/5. This is more than a 8-minute song, it's an anthem with harmonic guitars and catchy bass as Jourgensen declares, "So what!? it's your own problem to learn to live with. Destroy us! Or make us saints!! WE DON'T CARE!!! IT'S NOT OUR FAULT THAT WE WERE BORN TOO LATE!!!!" This song of the generation's apathy will get you singing along to an anthem that's unlike any other.

Fashion Bomb - "SS" (from Devils to Some Angels to Others, 2006)

4.5/5. This one's quite amazing, though I believe to have gone far past their active era. This is for metalheads who prefer more of Marilyn Manson or Korn than Metallica or Iron Maiden. In fact, this band has pulled off f***ing sicker stuff than Marilyn Manson, especially in the drums and vocals. They would probably get paid for playing in bars!

Ap2 - "Resurrection of the Ravens" (from Suspension of Disbelief, 2000)

5/5. A totally underrated work of art! This is pretty much what Klayton's other projects Circle of Dust and Celldweller, and might just go down as a long-lasting favorite. The techno-dance-rave-like industrial rock/metal sound is killer! Klayton is the writer and singer of this beautiful piece. I'm bummed out that Argyle Park split up after their second album's release in 2000, but there's always those other projects. I actually have an idea for a Celldweller song suggestion. Stay tuned for that next month...

Limbogott - "Stash" (from One Minute Violence, 2005)

4.5/5. Another underrated track in need of more attention!

Underlined - "Altruism" (from Altruism, Vol. 1, 2015)

4/5. When I first saw this song title, I thought it was "Autism", which is what I have. Quite a killer song, though not super interested.

Spf 1000 - "Haunted House" (from Witch Hunt, 2003)

3.5/5. Welcome back to the Horror Show! This time we're heading into the Haunted House... This deserves a music video, probably one inspired by that Cartoon Network series The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy.

N17 - "Version 1.2" (from Trust No One, 1997)

4/5. Now this song can really turn a strip club into a f***ing mosh pit while jack-jumping off chairs. Crazy sick and almost hardcore-sounding!

Northlane - "Eclipse" (from Alien, 2019)

4.5/5. This is one of the most upbeat and heaviest songs by Northlane. You can definitely scream along to the lyrics in live shows!

Strapping Young Lad - "Home Nucleonics" (from City, 1997)

5/5. "The beat starts here" WITH A F***ING SCREAM!!! This one makes that Northlane track sound like smooth jazz in comparison! Probably the heaviest, most chaotic storm from Strapping Young Lad besides "Sh*t Storm" and having the most amazing screams from Devin Townsend. "I! WARNED!! YOOOOOOOOOOOOOU!!!"

Chaotica - "Prison of Decay" (from Prison of Decay, 2006)

4.5/5. Why the actual f*** is this practically unknown!?! It's freaking underrated and as good what people think of the more mainstream bands! This makes me smile and almost laugh maniacally. It's practically relatable for anyone who has their own metaphorical mental prison, such as an office job. This one's basically a techno-industrial rock/metal tune. The fast-rapping-ish bridge at over the two-and-a-half-minute mark is slightly off-putting, but far more genius! If there's a rave party using this, sign me up!

Circle of Dust - "Deviate" (from Brainchild, 1994)

5/5. Now this I dig much more, and this is the only second song I've heard from Circle of Dust, the other one from the June Sphere playlist. Klayton has done an amazing job combining the industrial metal and samples of Ministry with Slayer-like thrash. The remastered version gives the song fresher dynamic. You can headbang while playing the air-guitar and starting a mosh pit! Apparently, the "DON'T MAKE ME USE THIS!!" part is from Ren and Stimpy. It's a little shocking that this band is of Christian background, though I'm speaking as someone who is not Christian. This is more for those who want to destroy everything in sight, in video games, of course. "Who's got the shotgun!?"

Skrew - "Picasso Trigger" (from Dusted, 1994)

4.5/5. Skrew is one of the earliest mainstream-ish industrial metal bands besides Ministry, probably slightly more underrated than Ministry. The intro f***ing kicks a**! I'm sure Beavis and Butthead fans would recognize this song.

Deathstars - "Synthetic Generation" (from Synthetic Generation, 2002)

4.5/5. Deathstars is the kind of band that would play Marilyn Manson-like industrial metal with Murderdolls-like aesthetics. Hail this synthetic generation!

Code Orange - "Sulfur Surrounding" (from Underneath, 2020)

5/5. This one would have your heart breaking out of your ribcage in emotional balladry.

Nine Inch Nails - Physical (You're So)" (from Broken, 1992)

4.5/5. Originally by Adam and the Ants, this cover track is an awesome catchy tune with a sexual-sounding chorus that you desperately try to resist singing out loud, "You're too physical to me".

The Kovenant - "Mirror's Paradise" (from Animatronik, 1999)

5/5. "Like a river flowing around me... Mirror's paradise! Pulling me in it's wake... Mirror's paradise!" Man, that chorus is serene! I think I found another perfect band via a perfect song for stuff like jogging. I probably would've liked this band more if I discovered them during my epic metal teens, but then again, their black metal background would've been too much. Epic-sounding techno-symphonic synths here! The shrieks sound a bit like Dani Filth. Lyrics sound close to Christian territory, but I don't know...

Digimortal - "Добро пожаловать на бой" (from Дети галактики, 2015)

4.5/5. Another Russian cyber metal song (after the one from the previous month's playlist)! What are the odds?! This one's pretty cool. During the chorus, the vocalist sounds almost like an old drunk man, and I don't mean that in a mean way.

Eisenherz - "Die Seele Brennt" (from Eisenherz, 2006)

4/5. Also pretty cool for an NDH song. Enough said!

[die!] - "Mein Letzter Wille" (from Still, 2009)

3.5/5. Not the best, but definitely needs more attention.

Godflesh - "Streetcleaner 2" (from Godflesh, 1988 (1990 reissue))

4/5. Ending this playlist with an ambient remix of the title track of the band's debut Streetcleaner, you can also hear a bit of the solid vocal aggression to be delivered in the Streetcleaner album, more aggressive than the EP where the music has spoken.

Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? Despite a few slight bumps throughout... Anyway, I sure would recommend this to any industrial metal fan and anyone who isn't into industrial metal but is up to getting into a great start in enjoying the genre. Thanks Daniel for accepting this and your help with your submission, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Atka - "1xs{aix:ccc}3xs{/a1:cc}4xs{Ij8}4xs{:::comtlkcc}" (from Untitled Album 1, 2018)

2.5/5. WARNING: This intro track suggested by Daniel (thanks for that, by the way) may be too intense for most music listeners, so if you can't handle the extra-spicy grind-mathcore, you might wanna skip it. Or if you want a more melodic start, go to track #4 and start there, then save these first 3 tracks for last.

Between the Buried and Me - "More of Myself to Kill" (from Between the Buried and Me, 2002)

4/5. Of course, this isn't as intense as that Atka track, but it's Between the Buried and Me at their most bonkers, when their original sound was basically deathly progressive metalcore. Still the "Memories keeping all these tears inside" section would have you raising your fist to this beauty. The cleans are really great, and I remember when I was listening to this band in my late teens. This pandemic sh*t really decimated the band's live plans, for they had the chance to remaster their first 4 albums and work on their recent album Colors II. The pace makes sure those 7 minutes don't last forever. Paul Waggoner has done excellent guitar tabs, not just in that aforementioned clean section, but during the first minute and half as well. This album and The Silent Circus show the band's heaviest material. The remastering has really paid off, and g****mn, the return to heaviness midway through gets my attention all the time.

Botch - "Hutton's Great Heat Engine" (from American Nervoso, 1998)

4.5/5. This fantastic highlight, "Hutton’s Great Heat Engine" has great chaotic moves including the guitar dive-bombing into a sludgy riff breakdown. Guitarist Dave Knudson has such extraordinary talent. He performs so naturally and helps the band gain its sense of individuality.

The Ghost Inside - "Avalanche" (from Dear Youth, 2014)

5/5. The Ghost Inside has some of the most blazing fire in metalcore and have managed to stay in their road through success. This album was released a year before the band's terrible accident. It's great that they've recovered after those subsequent years and continue to make f***ing awesome music like this. Dear Youth is a solid step up from Get What You Give, and would stay in that path for their self-titled comeback album.

Beartooth - "In Between" (from Disgusting, 2014)

5/5. The catchy chorus is so great within the melody and lyrics, in perfect balance with the raging verses. Gotta get more of this band!

Silent Planet - "Native Blood" (from The Night God Slept, 2014)

4.5/5. Another heart-toucher! The timeless music and powerful lyrics are amazing ("We were dressed in potential, now we're draped in sorrow").

Oh, Sleeper - "Hush Yael" (from Children of Fire, 2011)

5/5. I discovered this awesome band when my brother shared this song to me and made his own 8-bit version of it. For those who don't know what the story is about, Samir Kuntar was a terrorist who killed half a family when he was 16 in the 1979 Nahariya attack. He shot and drowned the father, then crushed the daughter's head. Yael is the other daughter whom her mother (the only survivor of the family) accidentally choked while trying to silence her cries. Kuntar was sent to prison for life, but was freed after nearly 3 decades. I didn't wanna have to spoil this much, but I guess it's good to know before you get to the song.

Caliban - "Assassin to Love" (from The Split Program, 2000)

4.5/5. A good thrash/groove riff rises after a great scream beginning this song. There are two f***ing brilliant breakdowns, but afterwards, the song sounds a bit draggy.

Deadguy - "Human Pig" (from Screamin' with the Deadguy Quintet, 1996)

5/5. This one gets you started in the same way as their debut, to level up your energy. After siren-like wailing of the guitar, the drumming gets all crazy, and vocalist Tim "Pops" Naumann (replacing Tim Singer) screams all over the place up to the end.

Unbroken - "End of a Life Time" (from Life. Love. Regret, 1994)

4.5/5. This one is also so good, and the more hardcore fans might keep coming back more.

Miss May I - "Relentless Chaos" (from Monument, 2010)

5/5. Another newfound favorite that would make me up for more of this band!

Betraying the Martyrs - "Embers" (from Silver Lining, 2022)

4.5/5. Nice melodic drama, though I miss when their earlier material had more prominent symphonics mixed with death/metalcore. The addictive cleans and killer screams make an amazing mix, especially in the huge chorus. Despite the ambience, the excellent metalcore heaviness is still around, and I love the exciting breakdown over the two-minute mark, energizing me more than coffee! This shows that, while the earlier epic vibe is lost, their new direction can be quite promising.

Underoath - "Writing on the Walls" (from Define the Great Line, 2006)

5/5. One of the best songs of this album and by the band! That's the music video I found on TV a few years before getting interested in this band, and it still rules! The vocals are really delivered well.

Fire From the Gods - "Excuse Me" (from Narrative, 2016)

4.5/5. If you wish to start with the more commercial metal sounds without going into older territory, this is a great place to start with multiple vocal styles, mixing rap with metal and hardcore. I'm not usually into a lot of this style besides Attila, how the f*** is this so good?! So radical!

Coalesce - "Every Reason to" (from Give Them Rope, 1997)

5/5. This band can pummel with every instrumentation aspect, including the heavy groove bass of Stacey Hilt, the smashing drums of James Dewees and the technical destruction in the guitar riffs by Jes Steineger. Altogether with Sean Ingram's mighty roars.

Psyopus - "Insects" (from Our Puzzling Encounters Considered, 2007)

4.5/5. It's too bad this band didn't get a lot of attention and ended up splitting up after only 3 albums. This is crushing technical mathcore, probably more technical than even tech-death bands like Cattle Decapitation and Job for a Cowboy. I'm enjoying this despite being half a world apart from this band. This is basically jazzy grind/mathcore more well-played and tolerable than Atka, with lots of notes. This really should've grabbed the world's attention than Kanye West, though it might cause a major p*ss. Those video-game-sounding guitars and vocal shrieks are not to be missed!

Electric Callboy - "Hypa Hypa" (from MMXX, 2020)

4/5. Once again my brother is really in the zone listening to this band, and while it's not exactly what I'm up for, this song would've definitely dominated Eurovision.

Motionless in White - "B.F.B.T.G.: Corpse Nation" (from Scoring the End of the World, 2021)

4/5. I'm glad to find this band last year. Their new album has a lot to touch my industrial alt-metalcore soul.

Scarlet - "Don't Hold Your Breath" (from Breaking the Dead Stare, 2000)

4.5/5. This is the best song in this EP, filled with top-notch raw math/metalcore brutality! Honestly, this is the kind of metalcore sound bands like Underoath, All That Remains, and Lamb of God were starting out at that time. Yep, that's brilliant mathcore right there!

Volumes - "Happier?" (from Happier?, 2021)

5/5. 100% loving this song, probably one of the best of last year! An incredible song to jam along to in a happy Summer after a depressing time. This emotional groove can pretty much make me shed tears of joy. I really love the lyrics, including that magical chorus. Volumes will never disappoint, instead making me happier!

Haste the Day - "Stitches" (from Pressure the Hinges, 2007)

5/5. Another beautiful song from another underrated band, worth listening to during an early morning motorbike ride.

State Craft - "Season's End" (from To Celebrate the Forlorn Seasons, 2000)

4.5/5. The ending epic to this album is the only one there that stands out well. The outro reminds of that of Trivium's Ember to Inferno. And speaking of Trivium...

Trivium - "The Shadow of the Abattoir" (from In the Court of the Dragon, 2021)

5/5. This brooding masterpiece of a song is the first of not one, not two, but THREE 7+ minute epics in the new Trivium album! This one might just have Heafy's best vocals EVER!! The verses go slow like a power ballad from Blind Guardian or Slough Feg with deep baritone vocals before rising to higher power in the chorus in a depressive journey ("Don't go searching for the battle, you won't find any beasts to slay, you'll rip yourself to pieces, you'll drive yourself insane, in the shadow of the abattoir...") The heavier bridge is more complex with key-switching breakdowns and extensive soloing that ends by perfectly replicating the chorus vocal harmony, before the final chorus itself where the background vocal harmony of bassist Paolo Gregoletto puts more emphasis in the harmony than before. EPIC!!

Crown the Empire - "Lucky Us" (from Retrograde, 2016)

5/5. Another song I just found that I now love. Lots of emotional passion that can make an instant favorite!

Bury Tomorrow - "Lionheart" (from The Union of Crowns, 2012)

5/5. Yet another instant #1! I want more of this band really bad.

Wage War - "Manic" (from Manic, 2021)

4.5/5. This song would have you repeating it over and over. F***ing great sh*t to headbang to! This is like a movie soundtrack to getting ready for fight and, during the heavy choruses and breakdown, fighting the enemies brutally. The Ghostemane vibes are quite accurate. I have a feeling there will be mosh-pits larger than any of the World Wars...

Make Them Suffer - "Bones" (from How to Survive a Funeral, 2020)

4.5/5. This one starts with Sean shouting "I CAN'T BREATHE!!", which in the wake of certain protests, might make you think that's what the song is about, but most likely not. Anyway, that song is one of the grooviest tunes by the band and my personal favorite of this album. The punchy guitar tones and jumpy drums sounds like the song might've been inspired by Issues. It is greatly memorable for its catchy chorus, where the instrumentation gets brighter and Sean sings cleanly for the first time, sounding like August Burns Red's Jake Luhrs' attempts in clean singing, in contrast to the darker djent-core passages. The final chorus especially would be worth singing along to once the band can go on gigs again. Speaking of August Burns Red, I love both MTS' "Bones" and ABR's "Bones", they're both great!

Oceans Ate Alaska - "Dead Behind the Eyes" (from Disparity, 2022)

5/5. Another song of kick-A greatness from Oceans Ate Alaska! It features I Prevail unclean vocalist Eric Vanlerberghe. I can repeat this part of the playlist any time! The clean vocals only appear during the last 20 seconds of the song and make a big impact.

Lorna Shore - "...And I Return to Nothingness" (from ...And I Return to Nothingness, 2021)

5/5. And finally, we have the title track to behold in all its epic glory. This is pure massive destruction that the band had in earlier material, perhaps much more than that. The death metal elements carry on in a steady rhythm, as the vocals are unleashed with berserk might, and the guitars shine even more. The riffs have incredible technical speed. Ramos doesn't have any mistakes in his vocals and the dark lyrics he reads. It's all in intentional thought and focus. His lines are made high while breaking through the lows. While the breakdown fury is an important aspect to the other two songs, and pretty much many other deathcore bands, for this track, fast blasting technicality is the key. Speaking of technicality and keys, the final climatic minute marks a couple raises in the key signature, blows you away with the last of the technical speed, and ends it all with an operatic outro. That final epic is probably the best of the 3 and one of the most glorious extreme metal songs in my entire lifetime!

Ice Nine Kills - "IT is the End" (from The Silver Scream, 2018)

5/5. OK, THIS is the final song of the playlist, a chaotic crown of disturbing glory, "IT is the End", and I think you already know what it's based on. It has many elements but they're used much better and features a few final guest vocalists, Peter "JR" Wasilewski and Buddy Schaub of Less Than Jake and Will Salazar of Fenix TX. It is indeed the craziest and most horrific of the album, and I love it! I made an entire scenario for this album, but I've spoiled enough, so check out my review. Happy Halloween!

HOLY SH*T, this is probably one of the best metalcore playlists I've ever done, with most of the tracks reaching 4.5 or 5 stars, and only a few tough speed bumps including a rough start (sorry, Daniel). Anyway, I sure would recommend this to any metalcore fan and anyone who isn't into metalcore but wants to get into a great start in enjoying the genre. Thanks Daniel for accepting this and your help with your submission, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

Here are my thoughts on most of the tracks:

An Abstract Illusion - "Tear Down This Holy Mountain" (from Woe)

4.5/5. Greater start than that of the Gateway playlist, but again the experimentation can be SO MUCH in this over 11-minute epic.

Conquering Dystopia - "Lachrymose" (from Conquering Dystopia)

5/5. A beautifully haunting acoustic/electric descent from that torn down holy mountain, with Jeff Loomis (also from Nevermore) playing Jason Becker-like guitar melodies. This could almost work well with lyrics that can turn it into a Nevermore ballad sung by Warrel Dane (RIP). D*mn, there should be an orchestral version of this soul-melting tune! It makes me glad against the sadness, sounding intense while staying beautiful and melodic. There is even a bit of a Last of Us vibe here.

Ihlo - "Haar" (from Haar - Live Sessions From Pirate Studios)

4.5/5. Another nice progressive metal blessing! This amazing song can almost be a total winner. It's bands like Ihlo and VOLA that can guide you through the astral plane then take you on a wild ride through the crescendo. Of course, the intro can also blow your mind. This can nearly reach the f***ing height of g****mn progressive luxury! I wonder how if the name of the song is pronounced like how Germans or sassy pre-teen girls say "hair"...

ERRA - "Pull From the Ghost" (from Pull From the Ghost)

5/5. You can assume that my ongoing progressive metalcore search is an addiction, but the truth is, many of those bands rule! For this one, the guitar riffs sound so godly, and the angelic cleans battle against the demonic growls. Hardcore progressive metal has never sounded so ethereal.

Neurosis - "Water is Not Enough" (from Given to the Rising)

4.5/5. Great band, super-cool song, sick intro, karaoke-worthy vocals. The singing is by Scott Kelly, who has recently confirmed his departure from the band after a shocking revelation of his family abuse. It's not easy to make amends for serious wrongdoings that make you look like a total a**, but the music is still good, despite the outer drama.

Haken - "Nobody" (from The Mountain)

4/5. This can be considered a softer radio version of the song "Somebody", considering the shortened length and the acoustic instrumentation. This sounds so much like Anathema at that time, and I've already moved out of that kind of softness.

Psychonaut - "Violate Consensus Reality" (from Violate Consensus Reality)

4.5/5. You can never be highly disappointed by such a composition! The vocals by Colin H. van Eeckhout from Amenra really add that nice touch. Just how the f*** can this heartfelt emotion get so intense?! This is an immense post-progressive metal composition with awesome vocal power! Colin adds weight to the beautiful groove you cannot miss. It's like a great emotional timebomb! And I thought The Ocean was THE European progressive post-sludge metal collective... I can see and hear lots of magic fire here. Top-notch straight from the first minute!

Parius - "Contact!" (from Contact!)

4.5/5. A short, sweet, sick rocker! Throughout the first half, I wasn't sure about the OK riff. Then the bass and drums in the second half balance things out in greatness and leveled up my rating score a bit. I guess you can think of this like mid-90s Entombed gone Primus.

Liquid Tension Experiment - "Liquid Evolution" (from LTE3)

4/5. A beautiful short jazzy progressive interlude from this instrumental Dream Theater spinoff-band.

The Ocean - "Silurian: Age of Sea Scorpions" (from Phanerozoic I: Palaeozoic)

4.5/5. Then finally, we end the playlist with a bit of the energy from the Precambrian era (of The Ocean).

Saxy, let me just say, you have done such as incredible job assembling this month's Gateway and Infinite playlists! This tracklisting has encouraged me to go through the entire playlist and find excellent tracks from bands I already listen to along with different bands in which some of them I feel up to trying some more songs from them. Well done, please keep it up! So let's get my track thought journey started:

Destrage - "Venice Has Sunk" (from SO MUCH. too much.)

4/5. Good start, though the experimentation can be SO MUCH.

Attila - "Shots for the Boys" (from About That Life)

4.5/5. This is one of the best songs of this album where Attila took a turn for their metalcore/deathcore sound to add in some rap/nu metal. This direction has worked much better than most other rap metal bands out there. That Gateway side of them aside, Attila is one of the best Revolution bands alongside Oh Sleeper. That's proven by the breakdown almost a minute in, sounding closer to their earlier material, that alcoholics can headbang to while splashing beer in a bar, and they only drink straight shots ("If you don't like to take straight shots, well shut the f*** up, we only take straight shots"). I would never drink, but bottoms up for those who do!

Karnivool - "Fear of the Sky" (from Themata)

5/5. This one adds odd time signatures for the heavy guitar in the same vein as late 90s Incubus and A Perfect Circle at that time. These guys never f*** up this sound, unlike other such albums that end up being a blur. Karnivool have their multi-flavor identity to keep your attention span high.

Devin Townsend Project - "Bastard" (from Ocean Machine - Live at the Ancient Roman Theatre Plovdiv)

5/5. Interesting choice here. I've never really expected a Devin Townsend song in the Gateway playlist (unless it's a song from the Project album Addicted which has recently been removed from Spotify) nor a live track here. But that's OK because it's one of my favorite songs originally from one of the best Devin Townsend albums, visualizing a deadly night voyage through a stormy ocean. More about that scenario in my review for the original Ocean Machine album.

Bad Wolves - "Run for Your Life" (from Disobey)

4.5/5. This songs shows an example of humanity working and giving until the end of their lives without a break, and the slaves trying to run from that vicious cycle so they can live a free life. The music adds color to the story!

Killer Be Killed - "Dream Gone Bad" (from Reluctant Hero)

5/5. More like a "Dream Gone Good", if you ask me! This killer song is made by a great team of members from bands Soulfly, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Mastodon, and Converge. F***ing mind-blowing!!!

Mushroomhead - "Carry On" (from A Wonderful Life)

4.5/5. Have I mentioned how much I like Mushroomhead more than Slipknot, both musically and aesthetically? Lots of great tracks in their new album, especially this one that's beautiful and addictive. It's almost entirely clean vocals here, and I like it as much as other tracks. Great music! The band sure know how to build back up after their split from founding members keyboardist Tom Schmitz and vocalist Jeffery Hatrix. It's so riveting! I feel like this is a continuation of the dedication to the loved ones they lost that started with their previous album The Righteous and the Butterfly. Keep calm and do what the song says!

Chevelle - "Point #1" (from Point #1)

4/5. You know what's interesting? I submitted just the "Open" intro because I felt like including a song from this album, but I was running out of space for my suggestions. Then the song that leads to has appeared here instead, and it works out quite well. A solid song in the beginning of Chevelle's tenure!

Dope - "1999" (from Blood Money)

3.5/5. My first year of being alive! I like this one, though it sounds a little too angry, especially the "F*** IT" parts.

Northlane - "Carbonized" (from Obsidian)

4/5. This one is another single, this one starting with grungy experimentation in the intro. The screams giving you a moshing urge. The moods often change. Then the chorus adds more life with Marcus Bridge's d*mn beautiful singing.

Static-X - "Cold" (from Machine)

4.5/5. This one is kick-A for those who wanna take a f***ing trip through a lifestyle of strip-club viewing and fast-racing. RIP Wayne Static

Coldrain - "GONE" (from VENA)

4/5. Staying innovative as ever, the groove and clapping unexpectedly add rock anthem traditions to the lament of a walkaway love.

Abrahma - "Neptune of Sorrow" (from Through the Dusty Paths of Our Lives)

4.5/5. Another great catchy tune, though slightly away from being a total groundbreaker. The mid-tempo pace shows that you don't need a fast thrasher for full-gear headbanging. The slight weakness is in the muddy mastering that needs to be tightened.

Dead by April - "Freeze Frame" (from Let the World Know)

5/5. "Everything is gonna be just fine." Well it's way more than fine! It's songs like this that made me love this band.

Kittie - "Paperdoll" (from Spit)

4.5/5. I love the cool beautiful voice of Tanya Candler. I also like the amazing bass she performs. Is it wrong for me, a grown man, to keep praising a 16-year-old girl (that she was back in 1999) like that? But since she's older now, does that even matter? Quite a confusing paradox... Apparently, Tanya left the band after this album's recording and was replaced by Talena Atfield, with whom the band re-recorded the track. There's also a sinister laugh in the last 20 seconds of the song.

Saliva - "Unshatter Me" (from Love, Lies & Therapy)

4/5. I like how beautifully haunting this song sounds. It's also a good metaphor for undying love mending back together a shattered heart, including loved ones who have passed. That's how good the lyrics are.

DIR EN GREY - "THE DEEPER VILENESS" (from THE MARROW OF A BONE)

4.5/5. This song is from the earlier part of their ongoing metal era, and it has a lot of raw passion especially in the screaming. Listen before you judge.

FEVER 333 - "Walking in My Shoes" (from Made an America)

4/5. I'm glad to hear some killer greatness in this song, despite this trap-metal sound combo.

Machinae Supremacy - "The Greatest Show on Earth" (from A View From the End of the World)

4.5/5. One of the most awesome songs, and possibly my favorite, from this album. F***ing heroic! This band has gotten more popular throughout the years thanks to online sharing and other means of support. This song would encourage you to head out and enjoy life. Don't confuse it with Nightwish's 24-minute epic!

Parkway Drive - "The Greatest Fear" (from Darker Still)

5/5. This shows a different, more epic direction for the band, beginning with a church organ and an angelic choir. Then melodic riffing marches in to make you think of Iron Maiden then it's twisted into the groove of Rob Zombie in the verses. In the bridge, we hear a Gregorian-like choir singing the "hymns of nevermore" and then they're replaced with a moshing breakdown. Probably one of the best of the album for me and my brother whose listening to the song reminded me that I needed to get into the action.

End of Green - "Like a Stranger" (from Void Estate)

4.5/5. We've reached the end of the journey with some of the best lyrics in this playlist. They really nailed the message of an ex-relationship. A sad yet powerful finale....

October 2022

01. An Abstract Illusion - "Tear Down This Holy Mountain" (from Woe)

02. Conquering Dystopia - "Lachrymose" (from Conquering Dystopia)

03. Disillusion - "Fall" (from Back to Times of Splendor)

04. Fallujah - "Mindless Omnipotent Master" (from Empyrean)

05. Devin Townsend Project - "Silent Militia" (from Z²)

06. Mastodon - "Stargasm" (from The Hunter)

07. Ihlo - "Haar" (from Haar - Live Sessions From Pirate Studios)

08. ERRA - "Pull From the Ghost" (from Pull From the Ghost)

09. Neurosis - "Water is Not Enough" (from Given to the Rising)

10. Haken - "Nobody" (from The Mountain)

11. Psychonaut - "Violate Consensus Reality" (from Violate Consensus Reality)

12. Leprous - "Nighttime Disguise" (from Aphelion)

13. Soen - "Lotus" (from Lotus)

14. Parius - "Contact!" (from Contact!)

15. Liquid Tension Experiment - "Liquid Evolution" (from LTE3)

16. The Ocean - "Silurian: Age of Sea Scorpions" (from Phanerozoic I: Palaeozoic)

October 2022

01. Destrage - "Venice Has Sunk" (from SO MUCH. too much.)

02. Attila - "Shots for the Boys" (from About That Life)

03. Karnivool - "Fear of the Sky" (from Themata)

04. Devin Townsend Project - "Bastard" (from Ocean Machine - Live at the Ancient Roman Theatre Plovdiv)

05. Bad Wolves - "Run for Your Life" (from Disobey)

06. Killer Be Killed - "Dream Gone Bad" (from Reluctant Hero)

07. Mushroomhead - "Carry On" (from A Wonderful Life)

08. Chevelle - "Point #1" (from Point #1)

09. Dope - "1999" (from Blood Money)

10. Northlane - "Carbonized" (from Obsidian)

11. Static-X - "Cold" (from Machine)

12. Coldrain - "GONE" (from VENA)

13. Abrahma - "Neptune of Sorrow" (from Through the Dusty Paths of Our Lives)

14. Dead by April - "Freeze Frame" (from Let the World Know)

15. Kittie - "Paperdoll" (from Spit)

16. Saliva - "Unshatter Me" (from Love, Lies & Therapy)

17. DIR EN GREY - "THE DEEPER VILENESS" (from THE MARROW OF A BONE)

18. FEVER 333 - "Walking in My Shoes" (from Made an America)

19. Machinae Supremacy - "The Greatest Show on Earth" (from A View From the End of the World)

20. Parkway Drive - "The Greatest Fear" (from Darker Still)

21. End of Green - "Like a Stranger" (from Void Estate)

October 2022

1. Lard - "The Power of Lard" (from Power of Lard, 1989)

2. Prime Sinister - "So Close" (from United in Violence, 2008)

3. Lord of the Lost - "Priest" (from Judas, 2021) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

4. Killus - "Ultrazombies" (from Ultrazombies, 2016)

5. Sore Throat - "Phase V" (from Inde$troy, 1989) [submitted by Daniel]

6. Ministry - "So What" (from The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste, 1989) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

7. Fashion Bomb - "SS" (from Devils to Some Angels to Others, 2006)

8. Ap2 - "Resurrection of the Ravens" (from Suspension of Disbelief, 2000)

9. Limbogott - "Stash" (from One Minute Violence, 2005)

10. Underlined - "Altruism" (from Altruism, Vol. 1, 2015)

11. Spf 1000 - "Haunted House" (from Witch Hunt, 2003)

12. N17 - "Version 1.2" (from Trust No One, 1997)

13. Northlane - "Eclipse" (from Alien, 2019) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

14. Strapping Young Lad - "Home Nucleonics" (from City, 1997) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

15. Chaotica - "Prison of Decay" (from Prison of Decay, 2006)

16. Circle of Dust - "Deviate" (from Brainchild, 1994)

17. Skrew - "Picasso Trigger" (from Dusted, 1994)

18. Deathstars - "Synthetic Generation" (from Synthetic Generation, 2002)

19. Code Orange - "Sulfur Surrounding" (from Underneath, 2020)

20. Nine Inch Nails - Physical (You're So)" (from Broken, 1992)

21. The Kovenant - "Mirror's Paradise" (from Animatronik, 1999)

22. Digimortal - "Добро пожаловать на бой" (from Дети галактики, 2015)

23. Eisenherz - "Die Seele Brennt" (from Eisenherz, 2006)

24. [die!] - "Mein Letzter Wille" (from Still, 2009)

25. Godflesh - "Streetcleaner 2" (from Godflesh, 1988 (1990 reissue)) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

October 2022

1. Atka - "1xs{aix:ccc}3xs{/a1:cc}4xs{Ij8}4xs{:::comtlkcc}" (from Untitled Album 1, 2018) [submitted by Daniel]

2. Between the Buried and Me - "More of Myself to Kill" (from Between the Buried and Me, 2002)

3. Botch - "Hutton's Great Heat Engine" (from American Nervoso, 1998)

4. The Ghost Inside - "Avalanche" (from Dear Youth, 2014) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

5. Beartooth - "In Between" (from Disgusting, 2014)

6. Silent Planet - "Native Blood" (from The Night God Slept, 2014)

7. Oh, Sleeper - "Hush Yael" (from Children of Fire, 2011) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

8. Caliban - "Assassin to Love" (from The Split Program, 2000)

9. Deadguy - "Human Pig" (from Screamin' with the Deadguy Quintet, 1996)

10. Unbroken - "End of a Life Time" (from Life. Love. Regret, 1994)

11. Miss May I - "Relentless Chaos" (from Monument, 2010)

12. Betraying the Martyrs - "Embers" (from Silver Lining, 2022)

13. Underoath - "Writing on the Walls" (from Define the Great Line, 2006) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

14. Fire From the Gods - "Excuse Me" (from Narrative, 2016)

15. Coalesce - "Every Reason to" (from Give Them Rope, 1997)

16. Psyopus - "Insects" (from Our Puzzling Encounters Considered, 2007) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

17. Electric Callboy - "Hypa Hypa" (from MMXX, 2020) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

18. Motionless in White - "B.F.B.T.G.: Corpse Nation" (from Scoring the End of the World, 2021) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

19. Scarlet - "Don't Hold Your Breath" (from Breaking the Dead Stare, 2000)

20. Volumes - "Happier?" (from Happier?, 2021)

21. Haste the Day - "Stitches" (from Pressure the Hinges, 2007)

22. State Craft - "Season's End" (from To Celebrate the Forlorn Seasons, 2000)

23. Trivium - "The Shadow of the Abattoir" (from In the Court of the Dragon, 2021) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

24. Crown the Empire - "Lucky Us" (from Retrograde, 2016)

25. Bury Tomorrow - "Lionheart" (from The Union of Crowns, 2012)

26. Wage War - "Manic" (from Manic, 2021)

27. Make Them Suffer - "Bones" (from How to Survive a Funeral, 2020)

28. Oceans Ate Alaska - "Dead Behind the Eyes" (from Disparity, 2022)

29. Lorna Shore - "...And I Return to Nothingness" (from ...And I Return to Nothingness, 2021)

30. Ice Nine Kills - "IT is the End" (from The Silver Scream, 2018)

Daniel, do you have a good Sphere track you wanna submit? I plan to start working on the November playlist later this week.

Daniel, do you have a good Revolution track you wanna submit? I plan to start working on the November playlist later this week.

Here's my review summary:

Hymns would mark the last Godflesh album before their decade-long split-up. They've definitely had more industrial metal in their earlier works. While this one does not have as much industrial, there's barely any weakness. Most of the keyboards are dropped with more emphasis on guitar, bass, and real drums, and it actually sounds strong. This trio actually worked pretty well, unlike other trios that end up sounding boring as a tea party (both the band and literally). Why did they have to break up with a steady lineup?! For this album, the industrial beat is more of a background aspect. This group of amazing geniuses know how to add small amounts of drum loops and keyboard into the songs and somehow make them sound so big. It's great for the music's diversity! The heavy riffs and beats often range from hip-hop to a metal groove, and the vocals have a solid alternation between shouts and cleans. However, the clean vocals and repetition in a couple songs are kind of this album's "Achilles Heel". Still, the songs all have a unique identity despite lack of the elements that made their signature sound. Still, Hymns is pretty solid, though not as great as their classic releases. I understand how far this duo (for the most part) of technical industrial metal had come to that point, to fill your ears and drums with heavy hymns....

4/5

Recommended tracks: "Defeated", "Anthem", "Tyrant", "For Life", "Regal", "Jesu" and the hidden track

For fans of: Jesu, Kill the Thrill, Red Harvest

Here's my review summary:

2020 was the year when everything in the world slowed down due to a certain virus, and many bands were in a storm of plan changes, one of those bands being Japanese alt-metalcore rockers Coldrain. However, despite delaying album production by a year, they're still strong in creating their latest offering... Coldrain is the kind of band that prefer to rise up and not stand down. Nonnegative marks the 7th full-length part of their discography filled with ups and downs. The album is filled with heavy powerful anthems, plus a few poppy-ish ballads. Relentless guitars and great vocal variety can make real crystal gems. Nonnegative is very solid for an alt-metalcore album with barely anything worth harsh criticism. Calm sections with clean singing are mixed with heavy sections with harsh growls. The successful formula they've had in The Side Effects is still strong in this album. They're back on their path, and might be off to a golden future in J-rock/metal!

4.5/5

Recommended tracks: "Help Me Help You", "Cut Me", "Bloody Power Fame", "Paradise (Kill the Silence)", "2020", "From Today"

For fans of: A Day to Remember, Linkin Park, One Ok Rock

It's been a long while, like 5 months, since I've last updated my "favorite metal albums by years" list. I will certainly still update this, while putting my "favorite metal albums" thread list to rest because of the Top 20 releases feature. I decided to scratch off the albums before 1984 because I've never really been listening to any of the late 70s/early 80s classic heavy metal bands lately (such as Accept and Savatage) and I'm thinking of moving away from that era altogether (more about that later). Also I changed the years in each era to coincide with the developing stage of metalcore, according to what's included in my monthly Revolution playlists. So...here's my updated list:

Beginning oldies (1984-1989)/B.M. (Before Metalcore):

1984: Voivod - War and Pain

1985: Dark Angel - We Have Arrived

1986: Dark Angel - Darkness Descends

1987: Voivod - Killing Technology

1988: Sadus - Illusions

1989: Godflesh - Streetcleaner

Old golden classics and millennium transition highlights (1990-2001)/Metalcore's humble beginnings and light of day-seeing classics:

1990: Rorschach - Remain Sedate

1991: Atheist - Unquestionable Presence

1992: Sadus - A Vision of Misery

1993: Pestilence - Spheres

1994: Godflesh - Selfless

1995: Earth Crisis - Destroy the Machines

1996: Vision of Disorder - Vision of Disorder

1997: Coalesce - Give Them Rope

1998: Embodyment - Embrace the Eternal

1999: Cave In - Until Your Heart Stops

2000: Eighteen Visions - Until the Ink Runs Out

2001: Candiria - 300 Percent Density

Modern favorites (2002-2013)/Rise of the full Revolution:

2002: Knut - Challenger

2003: Hatebreed - The Rise of Brutality

2004: Candiria - What Doesn't Kill You...

2005: Trivium - Ascendancy

2006: Deathstars - Termination Bliss

2007: The Number Twelve Looks Like You - Mongrel

2008: Shai Hulud - Misanthropy Pure

2009: Vektor - Black Future

2010: Crystal Lake - Into the Great Beyond

2011: Trivium - In Waves

2012: The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza - Danza IIII: The Alpha – The Omega

2013: Northlane - Singularity

The best of the most recent (2014-present)/A greater new uprising:

2014: Conquering Dystopia - Conquering Dystopia

2015: Vision of Disorder - Razed to the Ground

2016: Car Bomb - Meta

2017: Trivium - The Sin and the Sentence

2018: Crystal Lake - Helix

2019: Northlane - Alien

2020: Code Orange - Underneath

2021: Trivium - In the Court of the Dragon

2022 (so far): Northlane - Obsidian

2022 albums I'm looking forward to getting:

Lorna Shore - Pain Remains (my brother likes a couple of the pre-release singles, and considering how much I enjoy the band's 2021 EP, this album is a must)

We Came as Romans - Darkbloom (their first album without the late Kyle Pavone, RIP)

Architects - The Classic Symptoms of a Broken Spirit (self-recommendation)

Gothminister - Pandemonium (self-recommendation)

Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas - Cocoon for the Golden Future

Demon Hunter - Exile

Voivod - Ultraman EP

Chelsea Grin - Suffer in Hell/Suffer in Heaven (two new albums from this band, with the second one to be released in March 2023)

Disturbed - Divisive (revisiting a band from my alt-rock/metal past from 10 years ago)

Nickelback - Get Rollin' (revisiting a band from my alt-rock/metal past from 10 years ago)

Saint Asonia - Extrovert EP (revisiting a new project from the former lead vocalist of a band from my alt-rock/metal past from 10 years ago)

In the Woods - Diversum (self-recommendation in an attempt to restore my interest in black metal and avant-garde metal, with this band having been formed by former members of Green Carnation)

Also on this day:

One of my former favorites from Nightwish when I was still listening to this band, and one of only two albums with lead singer Anette Olzon, the other being Imaginaerum.

I have an outside-world friend (NOT the Audiomachine-loving one) who's into metal-ish darksynth projects like Carpenter Brut, Scandroid, and Dance With the Dead. The new Carpenter Brut album Leather Terror has a few guest appearances, including The Dillinger Escape Plan vocalist Greg Puciato in this killer tune (actually this song's single was given the Alternative Metal tag in RYM, and that seems slightly accurate, but this is from a mostly darksynth artist, so here):

Vote re-submitted. Thanks Daniel!

I haven't given the EP a review because it's practically the same as 5 of the songs from their self-titled debut, other than the songs from the EP being demo versions. I consider many of those songs (both in the EP and re-recorded in the album) a mix of melodic metalcore, pieces of alt-metal and power metal, and a bit of trance, all in a great balance, so I agree with your thoughts, Daniel. However, the debut album would foreshadow a bit of their less metalcore, more trance-y sound in some of the new songs, including the song "Amaranthine" that is more of a symphonic power metal ballad. Judgement submission coming up for their debut!

Also what the sh*t is this?! I checked on the release page for the Leave Everything Behind EP, and The Sphere clan appeared as part of the release's clan lineup! I enjoy The Sphere, but there's no way Amaranthe can be part of that clan...unless they can be considered cyber metal, but even that's way too far-fetched.

We've gotten through the harmony test & the twelve week scan unscathed sao it seems that it's gonna happen. We're having a third daughter in March!

Congrats, Daniel!

Here's another song from The Downward Spiral that I think sounds metal, this one from the deluxe edition:

In a Discord server that I'm in, someone recommended a few songs from Nine Inch Nails from the album The Downward Spiral, and even though that album is basically atmospheric industrial rock, those few songs are metal bangers that I believe have potential in The Sphere:

If any of you are up to explore a bit of industrial rock/metal and/or the heavier side of Nine Inch Nails, please give those songs a listen and see if you agree with me about whether or not they can be considered Sphere tracks. I might even add one of them to one of my monthly Sphere playlists...

Ben, please add Downcast (one of the earliest metalcore bands, with only one album and can also be found on Spotify).

Neo-classical-influenced progressive metalcore, kinda like a mix of Avenged Sevenfold, Protest the Hero, and Symphony X:

An epic heavy/alt-metal tune by this ex-metalcore band from Byron Bay, NSW:

Ben, please add the new Parkway Drive album Darker Still.

A couple highlights from the pinnacle of KMFDM's career:

The former of which can be heard in the Martin Lawrence/Will Smith film Bad Boys (throughout the first minute of this video):

Just how diverse can they guys get!? A wild blend of mathcore, groove, and jazz:

So my deep dive into the Stenchcore genre begun yesterday. Here's some thoughts on the first record I investigated:

Amebix - "Arise!" (1985)

This debut album is currently tagged as both Crust Punk & Stenchcore at RYM & I think I can differentiate which tracks fall into each category pretty comfortably. What we have here is a filthy combination of hardcore, metal & post-punk with, from what I can gather, tracks like "Largactyl" & "Slave" falling into the Crust Punk category in that they're influenced by metal & show a few common traits without really ever feeling like metal & the thrashier tracks like "Axeman", "Fear Of God", "Spoils Of Victory" & the title track falling into the Stenchcore category in that they cross the line into genuine metal territory while still maintaining the hardcore aesthetic. Based on this experience alone Stenchcore seems to be intense hardcore music that borrows the riffs & vocals from the dirtier & more extreme early 80's metal bands (Venom, Motorhead, Hellhammer, Bathory, etc.) & presents them with an obviously hardcore-driven production & tone. In this case the Venom influence is the most prominent, especially in the vocals which are the spitting image of Cronos. Is there enough metal here to warrant inclusion at Metal Academy? Well I'd suggest that four of the nine tracks fall into the Stenchcore category & that's just enough to have me reaching for my metal pass. What clan would it belong to? Well despite the Venom & Motorhead links, I'd suggest that members of The Pit would be the most likely to enjoy a record like this one as it simply feels too dirty & punky for The Guardians with absolutely zero in the way of polish or precision & a healthy dose of Discharge which never goes astray in the thrash community. Perhaps that's why I've found myself enjoying it given that I'm a loyal member of The Pit. There are a couple of duds on the A side but there's enough quality to keep me interested with the more ambitious tracks being particularly enjoyable. 

For fans of Axegrinder, Sacrilege & Hellbastard.

3.5/5

I'd suggest that this is probably the best example of the Stenchcore sound on the album for those that are interested:

Many subgenres are created out of different experimentation, and crust punk/stenchcore is no exception, thanks to a band wanting to take a more unorthodox path. Amebix was the kind of band who wanted to craft music without any limitations. This band moved fresh out of the 70s punk scene and took their roots to the metal scene rising in the UK in the 80s, taking on a new sound of eclectic consistence. After a few demos and EPs, the band become more than just "experimental". They were a band that made some of the heaviest, most aggressive fusions of punk and thrash, a style known as stenchcore! As much as they've made a great impact to the punk and metal scenes at that time, the actual material of debut album Arise! is worth looking out for. These guys can actually play their instruments, unlike some punk bands. They perform simple riffs then mix them up with atmospheric keyboards. I've never really heard much of stenchcore before finding this album and requesting its addition to the site as part of helping the genre expand in the site, but I already have a great feeling about it... Here there are thrashy/punky anthems along with a couple longer prog-ish tracks, and you're right about "Spoils of Victory", Daniel, that track is the best example of stenchcore! All in all, Amebix's debut is perhaps the first release to seal the stenchcore deal and probably the best this genre had to offer, adding relevance to the lyrics and intricate music to touch your punky soul. It's mostly a well-defined part of the style that quickly started a kick-A evolution. Amebix is a pioneering force of a genre they were piecing together in their earlier EPs. I don't really intend to continue on with their next album, Monolith, but for those who wanna hear thrash crossing over into crust punk.... Arise!

4.5/5

1. Gateway playlist - 5/5 (number of songs commented: 12)

2. Guardians playlist - 4.5/5 (number of songs commented: 7)

3. Infinite playlist - 4.5/5 (number of songs commented: 9)

4. Revolution playlist - 4.5/5 (number of songs commented: ALL 30)

5. Sphere playlist - 4/5 (number of songs commented: ALL 24)

So far, I've only commented on 12 tracks in the Gateway playlist, 7 tracks in the Guardians playlist, and 9 tracks in the Infinite playlist, but for the other 2 of my own clans I've listened to the entire playlists! I'm grateful to Saxy, Xephyr, and Daniel for their playlist works. I really dig what I've listened in the Gateway playlist made by Saxy, and I'm glad the Revolution and Sphere playlists made by me paid off. I recommend them to any fan of those respective genres and anyone who isn't into those genres but wants to get into a great start in enjoying them. Thanks, Daniel, for accepting these playlists, and good work all!

I guess it comes down to what you understand rock & metal music to be, doesn't it? I was taught the different techniques for playing the two genres when I was in my early teenage years & those theoretical rules have stuck with me ever since so I see a well defined line between the two. As I've already explained in another recent thread, the point of contention shouldn't really be about how heavy or light-weight a release feels. You either have metal guitar & drum techniques being used or you don't as far as I'm concerned. Now, if we're going to be throwing the likes of Guns 'n' Roses, Def Leppard, Scorpions, AC/DC, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, etc. under the metal banner then I have to ask a pretty obvious question i.e. just what is hard rock music then because those are some clear examples of it as far as I'm concerned. To be open & transparent, my personal cut-off ratio for a release to qualify as metal is 40% i.e. if 40% or more of it's run time is legitimate metal then I'm happy enough to include it. Here's ten examples of some very big "metal" releases that I don't think should qualify as metal if we use that philosophy:

Kyuss - "Welcome To Sky Valley"

Boris - "Pink"

Rainbow - "Rising"

Black Flag - "My War"

Motorhead - "Overkill"

Primus - "Frizzle Fry"

Black Sabbath - "Technical Ecstasy"

Alcest - "Kodama"

Voivod - "Nothingface"

Elder - "Reflections of a Floating World"

Good list, Daniel. Although I have to say, to my ears, Voivod's Nothingface is like 45% metal, and a slight notch heavier than their mainstream-sounding follow-up Angel Rat.

An outside-world friend of mine showed me this song. It's not metal but it's really kick-A:

Thanks, Daniel.

Ben, please add Clear (very early deathcore band with only one album, can also be found on Spotify).

Here are my sneak peek submissions for the October Sphere playlist (finally reached a set maximum of 5, though it might increase depending on the distance from the 30-minute limit):

Godflesh - "Streetcleaner 2" (8:41) from Godflesh (1988 (1990 reissue))

Lord of the Lost - "Priest" (5:20) from Judas (2021)

Ministry - "So What" (8:14) from The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste (1989)

Northlane - "Eclipse" (4:02) from Alien (2019)

Strapping Young Lad - "Home Nucleonics" (2:31) from City (1997)

Total length: 28:48

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

Electric Callboy - "Hypa Hypa" (3:33) from MMXX (2020)

The Ghost Inside - "Avalanche" (3:32) from Dear Youth (2014)

Motionless in White - "B.F.B.T.G.: Corpse Nation" (3:34) from Scoring the End of the World (2021)

Oh, Sleeper - "Hush Yael" (4:29) from Children of Fire (2011)

Psyopus - "Insects" (3:16) from Our Puzzling Encounters Considered (2007)

Trivium - "The Shadow of the Abattoir" (7:11) from In the Court of the Dragon (2021)

Underoath - "Writing on the Walls" (4:02) from Define the Great Line (2006) (my attempt to submit a metal-sounding song from an album that's (in my opinion) misplaced as non-metal)

Total length: 29:37

Here are my submissions for the October Infinite playlist:

Conquering Dystopia - "Lachrymose" (3:02) from Conquering Dystopia (2014)

Devin Townsend - "Silent Militia" (4:28) from Z² (2014)

Erra - "Pull From the Ghost" (4:10) from Pull From the Ghost (2022)

Leprous - "Nighttime Disguise" (7:04) from Aphelion (2021) (my attempt to submit a metal-sounding song from a non-metal album by a usually progressive metal band after a song from Cynic's non-metal album Kindly Bent to Free Us appeared in the August playlist)

Liquid Tension Experiment - "Liquid Evolution" (3:23) from Liquid Tension Experiment 3 (2021)

Neurosis - "Water Is Not Enough" (7:03) from Given to the Rising (2007)

Total length: 29:10

Here are my submissions for the October Gateway playlist:

Attila - "Shots for the Boys" (2:41) from About That Life (2013)

Bad Wolves - "Run for Your Life" (3:32) from Disobey (2018)

Chevelle - "Open" (2:01) from Point No. 1 (1999)

Coldrain - "Gone" (4:12) from Vena (2015)

Dead by April - "Freeze Frame" (3:58) from Let the World Know (2014)

Dir En Grey - "The Deeper Vileness" (3:46) from The Marrow of a Bone (2007)

Machinae Supremacy - "The Greatest Show on Earth" (3:31) from A View from the End of the World (2010)

Parkway Drive - "The Greatest Fear" (5:28) from Darker Still (2022)

Total length: 29:09

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Mushroomhead - "Simple Survival" from Savior Sorrow (2006)

5/5. Let's start with one of my favorite and more industrial-sounding Mushroomhead songs, beginning with the sinister yet melodic opening line, "The shadow within me, the sorrow at my feet". This will make you wanna pay more to get more of Mushroomhead's releases. So cool! I can hear a bit of a Linkin Park influence in the music and a Slipknot influence in the aesthetics, though it's no reason to start a feud between these bands. Still an awesome song! "THE END IN ME!!!"

Samael - "Samael" from Hegemony (2017)

4.5/5. This is one of the best songs from the masters of symphonic black-ish industrial metal, and can be considered their own theme song!

Fear Factory - "Cars" from Obsolete (1998)

5/5. This cover/remix of a Gary Numan hit is the perfect song to blast out on a cross-country drive, whether in real life or in GTA. Fear Factory are cool genius who can remix what is considered a pop classic. Numan himself has even sung along in Fear Factory's first remix.

Spineshank - "Stillborn" from Self-Destructive Pattern (2003)

4.5/5. Spineshank is a band known for a punk-ish electro-industrial nu metal blend. A sweet killer song that would make you wish they would make more new music. Alt-metal fans can forget about that TOOL sh*t and enjoy this kick-A track.

Emigrate - "1234" from A Million Degrees (2018)

4/5. This is a cool catchy song. What can else I say?

Deflore - "Egodrive" from Egodrive (2008)

3.5/5. Interesting instrumental, but feels hollow when there's barely any lyrics.

Underlined - "The Suffering" from Deadtime Stories (2012)

4/5. Apparently this is a remix of a song that was originally recorded a few years prior. Nonetheless, this is good horror-themed electro-industrial nu metal, similar to that Spineshank song a few tracks ago.

Nerve Factor - "Last Call" from Criminal Within (2000)

3.5/5. Nice background symphonics, but a little too pompous. Let's move on...

Trust Obey - "Hands of Fire" from Hands of Ash (1996)

4/5. One of a only few highlights in its original album, this is quite a killer tune.

Godflesh - "Unworthy" from Merciless EP (1994)

4/5. This one has more sounds and more speed. Not really the greatest of its original EP, but worth listening to. The vocals sounding clean in the beginning seem out of place. Other than that, it's still pretty good.

meganeko - "The Cyber Grind" from The Cyber Grind single (2020)

3.5/5. I did not realize this was part of the Ultrakill soundtrack that I chose not to review when it was July's Sphere feature release. Interesting choice, Daniel! You can play this on full blast while playing the game when the world is asleep, though you might end up p*ssing off your neighbors in the process. Get ready to fight in a speaker-blowing stadium-like experience that is... THE CYBER GRIND!! (not to be confused with the subgenre)

Sybreed - "Love Like Blood" from The Pulse of Awakening (2009)

4/5. I like this nice metallic cover of a song by Killing Joke from their earlier new-wave era, with its cold feeling. The emotion can be expressed through the instrumentation more than the original vocals. Sybreed did not live as long as fans hoped they would, only for 10 years. I like Dead by April's cover slightly more. The synth sounds mixed with booming guitars can blow you away more than Nine Inch Nails would ever. I like when covers stick to their band's usual style instead of just blindly following the original artist's footsteps, that's kind of the whole point of covers, I think... Props to this band for greatly standing by that rule!

Luminous Vault - "Ancient North" from Animate the Emptiness (2021)

4.5/5. This one is almost like an atmospheric mutation combo of Killing Joke's 80s pop, Godflesh's signature industrial metal, and Septicflesh's epic blackened death metal. A great interesting spacey vibe with cool ethereal beauty! It's almost different from the rest of this playlist. They might surpass Genghis Tron as the band with the most prominent mix of electronics and extreme metal.

Gothminister - "Pandemonium" from Pandemonium (2022)

5/5. I've only heard of this band after a song from their previous album The Other Side in a playlist a few months ago, and both that song and this one are filled with epic industrial metal greatness! Can't for more of this band, along with this album to come out!

Rammstein - "Du Hast" from Sehnsucht (1997)

4.5/5. This song I'm sure many people in the world or maybe the universe have heard whether or not they're into metal. It's a really great song to listen to, and would probably keep the band's legacy lasting as long as they can last. Though I'm not into the Neue Deutsche Härte style, this is quite addictive. Du... Du Hast!

Tyrant of Death - "Detonate" from Superior Firepower (2019)

4/5. Another mostly instrumental track, though I like that this heavy-sounding band is just MAKING SOMETHING NEW.

Eisheilig - "Elysium" from Elysium (2006)

3.5/5. Good industrial metal song, but close to the NDH sound with its German lyrics.

Klank - "Numb" from Numb (2000)

4/5. This one's quite cool. Industrial nu metal is really playing its part in this playlist.

Deadheaven - "Тени" from Антиреальность (2014)

4.5/5. Raise your hand if you misread the band's name as blackgaze band Deafheaven. It has great smooth vocals, despite the lyrics all being in Russian. Super cool! There is quite a bit of vibe from Sybreed along with Soilwork. This is the second metal band I've heard with Russian lyrics, the other being KYPCK. Many cyber metal and NDH songs come out as mediocre sh*t for me, but this one has great amounts of cyber hellfire! I just wish they would have more ideas such as mixing the Russian lyrics with English. Still interesting and excellent all the same!

The Interbeing - "Pinnacle of the Strain" from Among the Amorphous (2017)

4/5. This one's quite impressive, though not as much as the better progressive metal bands out there. The great screaming vocals fit the song well in amazing goodness. Truly this is Meshuggah-inspired cyber metal!

Unzucht - "Ein Wort fliegt wie ein Stein" from Neuntöter (2016)

3.5/5. And we're back in the Neue Deutsche Härte zone. Though this is quite good...

Weissglut - "Tanz der sinne" from Zeichen (2000)

3/5. I like this slightly, but it's probably the weakest point of the playlist, right before the finale...

Strapping Young Lad - "Info Dump" from Alien (2005)

3.5/5. This one is a controversial track worth liking or hating. It's a 12-minute ambient track, but it doesn't affect the perfection at all. If you're patient enough to stick around, you would find that there's more than just feedback, instead being a feedback experiment. It's so cool yet scary! It sounds like the feedback has its own beat. Then the feedback stops then comes back differently, getting louder and more distorted. This is SYL's "Elastic"!

Deathstars - "Termination Bliss" from Termination Bliss (2006)

4/5. The final track of its original album and this playlist has slower melancholy with sad emotion. You don't need to know the lyrics to get the feeling, an achievement first made by Queen in "Bohemian Rhapsody".

Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? Despite a few slight bumps throughout... Anyway, I sure would recommend this to any industrial metal fan and anyone who isn't into industrial metal but is up to getting into a great start in enjoying the genre. Thanks Daniel for accepting this and your help with your submission, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Asking Alexandria - "Don't Pray for Me" from From Death to Destiny (2013)

5/5. Now this is an awesome way to start an album and playlist! The one-and-a-half minute intro is basically like a main menu theme for one of the HALO games, then FFDP-ish alt-metalcore is unleashed. Asking Alexandria is one of my recent favorite bands, and this song helps seal the deal!

Phinehas - "I am the Lion" from Thegodmachine (2011)

4.5/5. Another fantastic melodic metalcore song to love! The guitar leads two minutes on are hard to replicate, that's what unique this band is.

Coalesce - "Simulcast" from Coalesce (1995)

4/5. This track is in its original demo form, but still the only incredible song here, with some changes into an occasional sludgy sound that would hint at the band's incoming technical experimentation and emotion.

Parkway Drive - "Wild Eyes" from Atlas (2012)

4.5/5. This one has epic background chants and a cool bridge. The lyrics continue the theme of was from the past causing atrocities in the world today, this time in an anthem that you can sing and shout along to. VIVA THE UNDERDOGS!!

Silent Planet - "Afterdusk" from When the End Began (2018)

5/5. Imagine taking the metal/hardcore sound and lyrics of Underminded and The Warriors into Christian ambient progressive territory. This is the kind of greatness you're bound to love if you're up for that style.

Upon a Burning Body - "Fake Plastic Smile" from Straight from the Barrio (2016)

4.5/5. Danny Leal is a kick-A vocalist in sick songs like this one, though some lyrics are questionable. Both his unclean and clean vocals are f***ing kick-A, especially the Breaking Benjamin influence in the latter.

From Autumn to Ashes - "Milligram Smile" from The Fiction We Live (2003)

4.5/5. From Autumn to Ashes is another band that deserves more fame and f***ing respect. This heavily flawless song would fit well for that xXx snowboarding scene as much as the Hatebreed song that was chosen for that scene. The band has already reformed after a hiatus and intends to make more music. I can't believe I'm 23 and didn't discover this band until earlier this year. The indifferent listeners don't know what they miss. I kinda wish for more of that singing girl who appeared in a couple other songs.

Deadguy - "Turk 182" from Screamin' with the Deadguy Quintet (1996)

5/5. This one makes the band sounds more unique than most other hardcore/metalcore bands, but not the most unique themselves. That's good because everything gets balanced well for perfect enjoyment.

CMD81 - "Subsequent" from VOL_1 (2021)

4.5/5. This is one of those songs I've discovered from a YouTube ad that I can't skip unlike many of those sh*tty ads YouTube has nowadays. This is f***ing sick heaviness! Put this one on your workout playlist.

Earth Crisis - "The Wrath of Sanity" from Destroy the Machines (1995)

5/5. This song touches my metal heart the most of all hardcore-oriented tracks with probably the best breakdown of that genre.

Bury Tomorrow - "Man on Fire" from Runes (2014)

5/5. Another underrated unique metalcore band with perfect vocals, both clean and unclean. The lyrics, riffs, and beats also kick a**! I f***ing love this can't wait to find more from this band. It's almost worth a peaceful walk by yourself alone. Why the f*** can't this song get more popular?! Definitely some Parkway Drive/Silent Planet vibes here!

The Number Twelve Looks Like You - "Raised and Erased" from Wild Gods (2019)

4.5/5. With Wild Gods, #12 made their comeback for the more of the fantastic material mathcore fans have been craving for, including a bit of the emotional chaos of Put on Your Rosy Red Glasses. I'm digging this amazing sh*t, including the bridge that starts near the 3-minute mark.

Car Bomb - "Solid Grey" from Centralia (2007)

4/5. The mathcore madness is demonstrated yet again in this solid track.

Nineironspitfire - "Charcoal Drawings / Weapon of Choice" from Seventh Soul Sacrificed (1996)

3/5. The least agonizing song in this EP is their best attempt at the mathcore Deadguy developed more properly, in a two-part epic.

Veil of Maya - "It's Not Safe to Swim Today" from The Common Man's Collapse (2008)

4.5/5. This one has more melodic guitar skills along with unique drumming including the usual blast beats and...A WOOD BLOCK!!

Bring Me the Horizon - "Liquor & Love Lost" from Count Your Blessings (2006)

4/5. A strong sensational deathcore track. It kind of makes me think of a more death-ified take on Avenged Sevenfold's heavier metalcore material. The ending breakdown is so cool and brutal as f***.

Day of Suffering - "Shades of Red" from The Eternal Jihad (1997)

4.5/5. This one is a better highlight, with as much blasting intensity as Deicide before settling into hardcore groove. There's a chanting chorus important for live shows.

Demon Hunter - "We Don't Care" from True Defiance (2012)

5/5. Here's an awesome anthem that sounds like a Christian battle song of apathy, where Christians don't care if the world around them is condemned by sin. A heavy song with a heavy theme!

I, the Breather - "The Beginning" from Truth and Purpose (2012)

5/5. I love this kick-A song. Another instant favorite for me! The chorus has quite a message, "Fight for what you're longing for, hold tight, life has its funny ways, follow your heart when you can't think straight, life has its funny ways". This band has awesome metalcore roars. If I still had that electronic drum kit we ended up giving away and got better at drums, I would've performed a drum cover for this song. The pinch-harmonic breakdown reminds me of Born of Osiris.

The Devil Wears Prada - "Watchtower" from Watchtower (2022)

5/5. After a few false attempts to get into listening to this band, this is where I got my jump-start! Nothing disappointing even after 17 long years for the band!

Glass Houses - "Wellspring" from Wellspring (2016)

4.5/5. Holy f***, this is an excellent Skillet-ish anthem with unique lyrics! Quite heavenly...

Bad Omens - "The Fountain" from Bad Omens (2016)

4/5. Another good anthemic hit to live on forevermore...

The Artificials - "Tunnel Vision" from Heart (2017)

4.5/5. I can listen to this track a few times in a row, mixing blissful melody with angry rhythm. Close to a beautiful winner!

Elitist - "Equinox" from Reshape Reason (2012)

5/5. Ah yeah, let's hear it for an amazing round of melodic/technical metalcore! Obviously not all the vocals are clean, but I'm obsessed with the clean chorus, "The secrets of time are dying for more, than the weakness of our existence holds", in awesome contrast with the riffs and breakdowns. I would love more of this album and band! Standard 7-string B tuning is absolutely worth jamming out to, though I don't have a guitar, and the one my brother has is only 6-string. What makes this great song impressive is the ability to not overdo the clean vocals in metalcore, and that's why they rule here. So don't go telling a band to "drop their vocalist" just because of the cleans. There are some similarities to the djenty technicality of Born of Osiris and Volumes, and the melodic power of As I Lay Dying and All That Remains, but at least these guys are pros who don't rip off. Their riffs have gone through different unique ways...

Damaged - "Swine Eyed Sheep" from Token Remedies Research (1997)

3.5/5. The extreme-infused deathgrind/deathcore sound Damaged had in their career is proven in this good killer track.

Within the Ruins - "Roads" from Invade (2010)

4/5. A 6-minute two-part instrumental epic from this Massachusetts-based djenty metal/deathcore band, though it would've been better with some vocals...

Miss May I - "Masses of a Dying Breed" from Monument (2010)

5/5. This one's another nice highlight to get me into this band I've only recently discovered. Some editions say this features Caleb Shomo (ex-Attack Attack! and Beartooth), but I don't hear him, so that's probably just a mistake to overlook.

Everyone Dies in Utah - "Regenerate" from Infra (2021)

4.5/5. Another beautiful song worth headbanging to! I'm nearly a year late for this, but no prob. This is quite an amazing that I'm glad it's available on Spotify. Interesting that this band isn't highly well-known despite being active since the late 2000s.

Convictions - "Last Cell" from I Won't Survive (2021)

4/5. Slightly less quality while a great rocker. Enough said!

Architects - "Memento Mori" from All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us (2016)

5/5. This astonishing epic, along with the rest of this album, was written, recorded, and released in the last months of the life of guitarist Tom Searle, and the lyrics include a couple recorded quotes from Alan Watts that perfectly do justice to the inevitable transcendence into infinite darkness that awaited him. Absolutely amazing, emotional, and deserving to be heard beyond the universe. RIP this amazing legend... My mind is blown by such great remembrance for the memory of a talent young man gone too soon. And if one day, I end up passing too, this would be my funeral song. The power of the music and lyrics can be absolutely gripping. In fact, the lyrics and melody (specifically at the 4-minute mark) is revisited in "Death is Not Defeat", the opener of their next album and first without Tom. If you end up on the brink of death with no way out, just let it be. It is your fate. An inspirational message from this glorious epic to end this album and playlist. RIP Tom Searle. Memento Mori, be mindful of death....

HOLY SH*T, this is probably one of the best metalcore playlists I've ever done, with most of the tracks reaching 4.5 or 5 stars, and only a few tough speed bumps. I sure would recommend this to any metalcore fan and anyone who isn't into metalcore but wants to get into a great start in enjoying the genre. Thanks Daniel for accepting this 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:

Between the Buried and Me - "(B) The Decade of Statues" (from Colors)

4.5/5. Between the Buried and Me was one of those must-have bands for me in the progressive metal realm. Sadly when I moved away from this band, it was too late to bring it all back. This album and Alaska, among a couple of their other albums, had g****mn great moments. One of the most beautiful moments is the 30-second ending that almost marks this song a brilliant highlight.

Cynic - "Elements and Their Inhabitants" (from Ascension Codes)

4/5. You further travel through the cosmos with this sweet tune.

Cyborg Octopus - "The Projector" (from Between the Light and Air)

3.5/5. This one's pretty good, but a little weird for me. Moving on...

Maudlin of the Well - "Heaven and Weak" (from Bath)

4/5. This one starts with a slightly weak slow intro, but gets more progressive and heavier before twisting into stronger aggression to f*** off that weak heaven.

Gojira - "L'enfant Sauvage" (from L'enfant Sauvage)

4.5/5. When I was still listening to deathly progressive metal bands like Gojira, I've recognized how well-done their songs have been, including this killer single, especially in the loose angry bridge. The title is French for "The Wild Child", fitting for something wild throughout this track.

Devin Townsend - "Moonpeople" (from Moonpeople)

5/5. Devin Townsend has brought back his heavy talent after his ambient album pair from last year. I'm glad we finally have a song from his upcoming album Lightwork. I have a feeling this album would be a heavier yet light end of the dark tunnel that is the pandemic...

Meshuggah - "Born in Dissonance" (from The Violent Sleep of Reason)

4.5/5. This is more dissonant yet simple, working well enough to get caught up in the game.

Enslaved - "Kingdom" (from Kingdom)

4/5. I admire the riffing work that sounds weird at first being arranged into amazing coherence. I've lost my fan status for this band since moving away from black metal at the start of this year, but there's majestic creativity that makes me acknowledge their Infinite position, especially the cleans. Though an instrumental version would work too.

Opeth - "To Bid You Farewell" (from Morningrise)

4.5/5. This track is an ending highlight to both its original album and its playlist, a mostly acoustic ballad except for 3 minutes of heaviness toward the end. Mikael Åkerfeldt uses his clean singing as his sole vocal style for the first time, delivering such an emotional performance, a nice break from his furious aggressive growls from other songs. It's not easy to absorb the complex structure, but it's an underrated song that deserves attention. The next few albums would continue the motive of including at least one prog-rock ballad, but shorter.

Here are my thoughts on some tracks:

Time, the Valuator - "Ivy" (from Ivy)

4.5/5. Let's start with some new heavy power that barely disappoints at all! I love the instrumentation and vocals lighting up like fire with killer tone and lyrics. The music is so d*mn phenomenal that you would almost wanna f***ing cry. This single would inspire you to believe in breaking the limits of your dreams. This amazing sh*t is a slight step up from "Black Water" from a couple playlists back. These guys bring you good value in time...

A Day to Remember - "Miracle" (from Miracle)

5/5. This song is what really caused me to love this band and look forward to finding more from this band when my brother was listening to this song. I'm glad he's still around to guide me through my Gateway journey. This is a must-have for alt-metalcore fans! I'm glad that my brother drives our family car legally while listening to this song instead of revving it up to a dangerous speed of over 200mph. This song is almost indeed a f***ing miracle! I'm up to checking out this band's earlier material whenever I can. "You might think it’s somethin’ spiritual..."

Katatonia - "Buildings" (from Dead End Kings) (song already in last month's playlist, but I'll let it slide this time)

4/5. I used to really love Katatonia and the vocals of Jonas Renkse before moving away from the more depressive metal styles. The brutal riff-drumming combo at around the one-minute mark is so f***ing good. I still love a few songs like this one from Katatonia and In Flames, kind of like when you break up from a girlfriend but remain friends. I just wish the song didn't have a bit of inconsistent cr*p.

Beartooth - "Riptide" (from Riptide)

5/5. I think I found a new favorite band in Beartooth! Hearing more of Caleb Shomo after leaving Attack Attack! brings joy and excitement into my heart and grows it powerfully similar to near the end of The Grinch. There is hope for me to finally become a Beartooth fan, along with winning a battle against my demons. I just love this f***ing hard-hitter that shows that metal music addiction isn't so bad at all. Though my childhood was pretty good, I had a few traumatic experiences back then, but this helps me overcome them better. This would be a great follow-up to the aforementioned A Day to Remember song if not for the repeated Katatonia track. Some non-metal listeners call metal sick and disgusting, but Beartooth's new track would prove them wrong! I got a lot more to look out for from this band...

Coldrain - "Help Me Help You" (from Nonnegative)

5/5. This anthem will make you rise up and clap along with the intro beat that's like Vena's "Gone" on steroids. The song kick-starts the top-notch power of vocalist Masato, and the rest is worth giving this song a perfect 5 stars.

Twelve Foot Ninja - "Vanguard" (from Silent Machine)

5/5. Same with this song, which comes across reggae rock/metal, but in a way that's f***ing perfect! This would also fit well in The Infinite with its progressive/experimental poetry within the music and lyrics.

Thornhill - "The Hellfire Club" (from Heroine)

4.5/5. This song has a title that could remind some of either Stranger Things or that Edguy album. Yet the music in this track is cinematic alt-metal that can easily fit in a Hollywood film soundtrack.

DIR EN GREY - "Ningen Wo Kaburu" (from The Insulated World)

5/5. It's been over a year since I started listening to this band from Japan. They have great stylistic experimentation, and while you may lose count at the different aspects they have, they're all worth make the journey absolutely worthwhile. They keep their lyrics grounded while in the mix of English and Japanese. This song has the alt-styled heaviness of the mid-2000s material. The lyrics kinda work as a metaphor for someone manipulating hate from the masses with a reflective feeling under the skin.

Disturbed - "This Moment" (from The Lost Children)

4.5/5. This is a killer song from the Transformers movie soundtrack and end credits, possibly inspiring the heaviness of In This Moment.

The GazettE - "BLINDING HOPE" (from MASS)

5/5. Another killer alt-metal band from Japan, with this song being one I love so much that I want more of this band. Sit back, and relax, and enjoy this ride!

Escape the Fate - "The Aftermath (G3)" (from Escape the Fate)

4.5/5. This is a very well-done ending track for its original album. It is the 3rd and the last part of the band's "Guillotine" trilogy of songs and is a lot better than any of the other songs in the album. The starting solo and subsequent scream-vocals sounds so good. The chorus and its vocals sound so nice for once. Kicking off the song's second half is an epic guitar solo. This song should get the band recognized more.

Mushroomhead - "Rumor Has It" (from The Righteous & the Butterfly)

5/5. It's no rumor that this awesome cover is what got me into this band. Incredible!

September 2022

01. OSI - "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" (from Office of Strategic Influence)

02. Parius - "The Signal" (from The Signal)

03. Between the Buried and Me - "(B) The Decade of Statues" (from Colors)

04. Tomarum - "Condemned to a Life of Grief" (from Ash in Realms of Stone Icons)

05. Threshold - "King of Nothing" (from King of Nothing)

06. Agalloch - "In the Shadow of Our Pale Companion" (from The Mantle)

07. Cynic - "Elements and Their Inhabitants" (from Ascension Codes)

08. Cyborg Octopus - "The Projector" (from Between the Light and Air)

09. Maudlin of the Well - "Heaven and Weak" (from Bath)

10. Gojira - "L'enfant Sauvage" (from L'enfant Sauvage)

11. Imperial Triumphant - "Merkurius Gilded" (from Spirit of Ecstasy)

12. Mandroid Echostar - "Ancient Arrows" (from Citadels)

13. Devin Townsend - "Moonpeople" (from Moonpeople)

14. Meshuggah - "Born in Dissonance" (from The Violent Sleep of Reason)

15. Enslaved - "Kingdom" (from Kingdom)

16. Ihlo - "Hollow" (from Union)

17. Ashenspire - "The Law of Asbestos" (from Hostile Architecture)

18. Opeth - "To Bid You Farewell" (from Morningrise)

September 2022

01. Time, the Valuator - "Ivy" (from Ivy)

02. A Day to Remember - "Miracle" (from Miracle)

03. Katatonia - "Buildings" (from Dead End Kings) (song already in last month's playlist, but I'll let it slide this time)

04. Beartooth - "Riptide" (from Riptide)

05. Hacktivist - "Elevate" (from Hacktivist)

06. CKY - "Sink Into the Underground" (from Infiltrate-Destroy-Rebuild)

07. Coldrain - "Help Me Help You" (from Nonnegative)

08. Twelve Foot Ninja - "Vanguard" (from Silent Machine)

09. Thornhill - "The Hellfire Club" (from Heroine)

10. DIR EN GREY - "Ningen Wo Kaburu" (from The Insulated World)

11. Saliva - "Turn the Lights On" (from Under Your Skin)

12. Nonpoint - "Frontlines" (from Miracle)

13. Disturbed - "This Moment" (from The Lost Children)

14. The GazettE - "BLINDING HOPE" (from MASS)

15. Escape the Fate - "The Aftermath (G3)" (from Escape the Fate)

16. Ektomorf - "I Know Them" (from Destroy)

17. Ill Nino - "Forgive Me Father..." (from Epidemia)

18. Mushroomhead - "Rumor Has It" (from The Righteous & the Butterfly)

19. Infected Rain - "Longing" (from Ecdysis)

20. Primus - "Follow the Fool" (from Follow the Fool)

21. System of a Down - "Bounce" (from Toxicity)

22. Otep - "Rise, Rebel, Resist" (from Smash the Control Machine)