Vinny's Forum Replies

Welcome Keleros, hope you enjoy your time here.

Vinny, I think this one might appeal to you. It was their best work to the time in my opinion.

Yep, ageeed it’s a good un.  I was drawn to it back in the day because of that artwork but luckily the music behind it lives up to expectations.

I tried, I really tried.  My ongoing battle with melodeath still leaves me cold and empty after most listens.  It’s not that the album is terrible by any means.  It is consistent and obviously delivered by a band accomplished in their field, but this is also the problem for me because largely the album sounds the same throughout and as a result I get bored really quickly.  I have heard these riff structures on virtually every Amon Amarth record and if they were going to grow on me they would have done so by now.

2/5

Ghoul - Word Is Law from Dungeon Bastards (2016)

Municipal Waste - Headbanger Face Rip from The Art of Partying (2007)

Power Trip - Executioner's Tax (Swing of the Axe) from Nightmare Logic (2017)

Selbst - Relatos De Angustia (2020)

Powerful and melodic black metal from Chile (although originally from Venezuela), in the vein of Mgla only nowhere near as polished.  Well paced and thoughtful stuff that can shift mood effortlessly.  Thinking this (or the latest Gaerea) will be my next review.

Von - Satanic Blood Angel

Primitive and raw perhaps don't cover this accurately enough.  There's more than just bm on this with doom riffs also being present but overall it is a nefarious beast with the drums unfortunately being far too forwards in the mix making it a bit "tippy-tappy" in places.  Vocally it is more death metal in focus but that frantic tremolo pace in the guitar keeps things routed in the bm realm sufficiently.

Mystik - Ancient Majesty from Mystik (2019)

Cirith Ungol - Edge of a Knife from Frost & Fire (1981)

Savatage - Hall of the Mountain King from Hall of the Mountain King (1987)

Akhkys - Melinoë (2020)

Pre-order done for this and I can't wait for 14th Dec for the vinyl to arrive.  The Dreaming I was excellent stuff and this follow up is a whole five years in the making.  Listening to the track available for stream Pnigalion this album seems to pick up where the other left off.  Swarming and chaotic black metal with a death metal attitude with a melodic mining tone also that is truly the stuff of nightmares.  All hail Naas Alcameth!

Worked my way through this earlier, some interesting stuff in terms of new bands like Mystras, Manegarm and in particular I Shalt Become whose whole album I listened through this morning and subsequently have found my way to Krohm as a result.  I found White Ward to be a bit odd, a bit forced if perfectly honest.  They don't need that jazz edge (not sure if that's a whole trait of theirs or just limited to that song) as it brings nothing to the track. When the track did get going it was decent enogh BM to my ears so why f**k about is my initial ask.

Had forgotten how abrasive and harsh Jute Gyte was as it had been a while since I heard much of his stuff; hasn't helped my tinnitus anyway.  Another enjoyable list thanks Daniel. 

So, I went and got me a proper turntable and speakers set up and also a new PC to boot which means that as well as having a soundcard again that works I also have a vinyl player to play all the wonderful records I hear on Bandcamp again.  I opted for Bluetooth on my speakers though so I can stream from my PC on one side of my lair and still connect up to the turntable easily and save space on my desk.

It's an expensive hobby vinyl collecting though and takes a lot of patience to balance the turntable perfectly as well as level the cartridge.  So far though blasting my vinyl collection has made me smile muchly.

In no order, I'd bash out the following list of 25:

Mizmor - Cairn 2019

Immortal - Northern Chaos Gods 2018

Deathspell Omega - Drought 2012

Behemoth - The Satanist 2014

Portal - Vexovoid 2013

Hooded Menace - Never Cross the Dead 2010

Dying Fetus - Reign Supreme 2012

Autopsy - Macabre Eternal 2011

Disma - Towards the Megalith 2011

Alice in Chains - Rainier Fog 2018

Black Breath - Sentenced to Life 2012

Gorguts - Colored Sands 2013

Gorguts - Pleiade's Dust 2016

Ulcerate - Shrines of Paralysis 2016

Deftones - Koi no Yokan 2012

Condor - Unstoppable Power 2017

Akhlys - The Dreaming I 2015

Inquisition - Bloodsher Across The Empyrean Altar Beyond the Celestial Zenith 2016

Bell Witch - Mirror Reaper 2017

Author & Punisher - Ursus Americanus 2012

Grand Magus - Hammer of the North 2010

Electric Wizard - Black Masses 2010

Bolzer - Aura 2013

Aosoth - The Inside Scriptures 2017

Cultes Des Ghoules - Henbane 2013

Manilla Road - Open The Gates (1984)

On a Manilla Road kick following my review earlier so took a couple of steps back in their discography to revisit their fourth offering.  The guitars feel a little too far back in the mix here but this allows for them to feel matched with the percussion and rhythm and gives things a more doomy vibe on tracks like the title track.  Lets Shelton's vocals really shine also.

My review is up and it is safe to say that I recognise all the brilliance on this record.  It is such an industrious and tenacious release that marries a charging energy with atmosphere and horrific menace that I can't help but be transfixed by it.  It still has virtually no polish applied to it (what bit there is, is simply the excellence of the musicians at work) and feels so tight throughout it almost feels inhuman.  Top pick for this month!

5/5

Could you please add blackened death metallers Proscription and their recent release Conduit?

My review is up and largely reflects the opinion of the majority.  Clumsy drumming, hindered guitar sound and a poor production and mix job.  Ellesworth carries the record (and actually reminds me off Biff Byford at one point) with Verni being the other consistent performer.

3/5

Darkthrone - Panzerfaust  (1995)

Despite the strong Celtic Frost vibe to this I still find it a howling piece of BM that never ceases to entertain.  At least they were honest about wanting to focus on CF on this and the job they do is respectful and not just a gratuitous regurgitation of that band.  One of my favoured Darkthrone releases.

5/5

Got through this list as well today (productive day at work).  Looking forwards to getting stuck into that Manilla Road album for the feature release after listening to that track on here.  Great call on the ...Slough Feg track from a great record overall.

Cool playlist, Daniel, but in the future can you please not include Linkin Park singles like "In the End"? Don't get me wrong, that was a good song from when I used to Linkin Park 8 years ago, sometime before becoming fully interested in "real" metal, but it's one of the most popular songs from one of the most popular rock/metal bands of modern times and pretty much everybody knows it. I personally think the whole point of these playlists is to help us metalheads find songs from bands ranging from inaccessible underground to mildly popular enough for many metalheads to know but not to the point where it hits mainstream radio or "MTV Hits" or any place shared with the popular music some of us are tired of. If you wanna include songs from Linkin Park's nu metal era in future playlists, of course you can, but it would be better if they're non-single tracks like "Points of Authority", "Runaway", "Lying From You", "Easier to Run", etc. Anyway, The Gateway members might definitely enjoy the rest of this playlist. Good work, Daniel!

Disagree with this Andi, the playlists should incorporate both underground and mainstream/well-known tracks also.  Not everyone coming to the playlist wants the discovery aspect as much as others (and there's nothing wrong with either stance).  So I hadn't listened to that Linkin Park track for years and it was a great reminder of some good times with good friends.  I would like to see this cross-section approach to the lists stay as is therefore.  I also think that Daniel pays careful attention to the flow of the playlists and so I think the mix of exposure to known/new tracks compliments this flow well.

Listening through this morning it occurs to me that alternative metal appeals to me increasingly as I have enjoyed most of this.  Won't pretend to love all of it but a lot of stuff I am familiar with (FNM, Soundgarden, Korn etc) gets nowhere near enough attention in terms of plays from the library.  Rosemary is probably my favourite track off Koi No Yokan.  Seriously hooked on that Helmet track now, it's on loop.

Morbid Angel - Altars of Madness (2017 full dynamic range limited edition)

Have a new turntable and speaker set up in my lair now and so I am finally able to play this gem in all its glory.  Satan bless Earache Records!

Artillery - "Terror Squad" (1987)

Most people rate 1990's "By Inheritance" album as the finest work from Danish thrash metallers Artillery however I have to disagree with that sentiment. I've always preferred their sophomore record "Terror Squad" which may not be as polished or melodic but more than compensates for it in raw aggression & urgency. There's a bit of a technical edge to some of the rhythms here however the band never fall into the trap of becoming overly clinical. I know Ben isn't a huge fan of the vocals but I actually think they're one of the best things about this release along with the incisive thrash riffage & high-energy double-time drumming. I highly recommend this album to fans of Exodus, Overkill & early Testament.

4/5

Yep, I am with Ben about the vocals but also agree with you about the rawness aspect.  Thanks for the rec.

Revocation - The Outer Ones (2018)

A less vivid and technical version of Vektor that really relies on some top-notch lead work to carry it along with some memorable progressive sturctures also. First listen only rating 3/5 but definitely going to spend more time with it.

Paysage D'Hiver - Steineiche (1998)

The debut release from Winteherr's solo project that preceded anything he did in Darkspace by some four years, is full of abrasive and harsh black metal blended (often in quite a caustic manner) with more ambient passages with an ever-present and bone-chilling coldness to it.

4.5/5

Ambush - Firestorm (2014)

Another superb MA discovery.  Anthemic heavy/speed metal full of energy and driving rhythms.

4/5

Yep, enjoying this, thanks for sharing.

The Thelonious Monk Quartet - Monk's Dream (1963)

I don't listen to a lot of jazz, it is one of the much neglected genres of music that I only seem to get as far as flirting with.  This is and Kind of Blue by Miles Davis are my two most played records though and are both by far the most memorable as a result.  Took delivery of a new desktop PC yesterday and after a couple of years without one, I now have a soundcard and can play music through my PC again.  Monk is the first music I chose to play through it before I start my working day.

P.s. no rating as I don't consider myself knowledgable enough about jazz to be able to rate what is good and what is bad. 

"Lovedrive" is also not on Spotify.

Hmmm

Graveshadow - The Gates from Ambition’s Price (2018)

The Devil’s Trade - The Call Of The Iron Peak

Arguably acoustic doom I suppose but I posted it here anyway as feels a little too folkly for the The Fallen.  Definitely not an everyday play for me, need to be in that darker headspace to truly appreciate it.  Having a restless head for a few weeks now I found this album a great relaxation piece and managed to use it as a gentle way to achieve a decent sleep the other afternoon (not that it bores me - the exact opposite).

A solid 3/5

That Scorpions track isn't on Spotify Vinny. Feel free to throw another track at me.

Let’s go with Lovedrive from the album of the same name then please. (1979)

That Scorpions track isn't on Spotify Vinny. Feel free to throw another track at me.

Let’s go with Lovedrive from the album of the same name then please. (1979)

Probably my favourite playlist so far right here.  Never heard anything off Technical Ecstasy before but adding the whole record to my library later based on that track alone.  I was predictably unimpressed with Vinnie Moore (guitar only albums aren’t my thing) and won’t be going back to More, Arion, Dragonland or Tytan anytime soon but loved more or less everything else.  That Twilight Force track just happens to be my favourite and I have a lot of time for that Dragonforce track also.  New bands added to my radar are Unleash The Archers and Atlantean Kodex.  Thanks for sharing Daniel.

Nocturnal - Merciless Murder from Arrival of the Carnivore (2005)

Rigor Mortis - Re-animator from Rigor Mortis (1988)

Devastation - Deliver the Suffering from Idolatry (1991)

Scorpions - Dynamite from Blackout (1982)

Warlock - All We Are from Triumph & Agony (1987)

W.A.S.P. - Jack Action from The Last Command (1985)

I agree with Tymell. I initially thought that a minimum ratings option would make sense the way it does for releases, but I've actually really enjoyed going into the Gallery every few days and voting on any covers that appear (that I haven't yet voted for). There's some really great stuff that people find that we simply wouldn't see if there was a minimum ratings filter.

Since you don't have to have heard a release to vote on its cover, I now don't think we'll ever have a minimum rating for The Gallery. It seems shadowdoom9 might disagree with this, so does anyone else have any feedback? As always, I like to make decisions as a community wherever possible.

I am with you and Tymell.  I have spent a good few hours since the inception of the Gallery rating artwork and have made some cool discoveries.  Let’s keep it open for us to see as much as possible.

Have to say I loved this playlist.  I even didn’t skip Lamb of God such was my positive mood during listening.  Pleased to see a couple of my suggestions in there but if honest was far more impressed with Anacrusis, The Crown and Acid Drinkers who are all familiar to me but I clearly need to spend more time with their output.  Also Imperium is perhaps my favourite Machine Head track (from an otherwise poor album) so had a right blast listening to that.  Think I also need to spend more time with Exumer and Exciter as well as Agent Steel, all bands who for some reason or other I had heard and dismissed but this playlist switched me on to all 3.

October suggestions whilst I have time:

Jute Gyte - Discontinuities (from album of same title) 2013

Wiegedood - Prowl (from De doden hebben het goed III) 2018

Furia - Krew w kolorze burstynu (from Marta polska jesien) 2007

In early with my three for October:

Disaffected - No Feelings Left (from the album Vast)

Portal - The Back Wards (from Vexvoid)

Wormed - Agliptian Codex Cyborgization (from Krigshu)

Hi Ben, could you please add Portugese progressive death metallers Disaffected?

I found this a tad dull on the vocal front (although I accept they compliment the music and overall style well).  I can't fault the music much though and there's clever use of drama in the intros and outros to some tracks to keep my head in the storytelling space most definitely.

3/5

Great list Daniel.  New bands I picked up on were Nails, Defeated Sanity and Illdisposed.  Planning to revisit Pyrexia who I think were a Bandcamp fave of mine a few years back who I have drifted away from.  Did not get on with that frog stuff at all.  Confirmed my dislike for Soilwork and my under-appreciation of Necrophagist.  Certainly a list that captures the spectrum of the Horde as a whole.  Looking forwards to October’s list.

Turbo - "Ostatni wojownik" (1987)

Sonny & Vinny, I think you might enjoy this raw & sophisticated early Polish thrash record. I'm really digging it at the moment. It's classy & consistent with excellent musicianship & a raspy European vocal delivery. The band always sounds in control whilst always maintaining that dirty Teutonic edge.

I am terrible for missing things on these threads and so only just seen this.  Glad I did because this is good stuff, particularly like those vocals that you mention Daniel.  Neat find and a hell of a way to kick off a Sunday morning. Cheers.

I am with Saxy here.  An album that gets too little attention nowadays but listening back was still as big a pleasure as it was the first time I span it.

4.5/5

Vektor Forests of Legend

Sepultura Dead Embryonic Cells

Metallica Whiskey in the Jar

One of Sabbath's flawless releases for me, full of the well-known "hits" like War Pigs and Iron Man as well other less obvious gems such as Hand of Doom.  Never anything less than 5 stars for me.

I recently revisited this album and this time around it stayed in my stream although just how many visits it will get is an uknown if honest.  It is certainly full of hooks that probably helped it retain a fingerhold in my library but it is big step away from the Left Hand Paths of this world that it is unlikely to leave me with any overarching desire to reach for it with any regularity.

Perhaps predictably for me the only enjoyable aspects to this were Nocturnal Depression. Deathspell Omega and Mutiilation.  None of he experimental, gothic or folk influenced stuff did anything for me.  Incidentally, I was surprised to see Myrath on his list as they only really have "international" infuences as ooposed to any direct folk elements over their more progressive sound.  Also confirmed my fast growing distatse for Bathory as i get older.  To my ears he just sounded increasingly more amatuerish with each release, like the songwriter out ranked the artistic capability in so many regards.

Ash Borer show the most promise as a band I need to revisit from this playlist.  Thanks for sharing.

P.s. whatever the hell is going on with Mago de Oz, I want no part of it.

This list confirmed my dislike for the guitar wankery of Malmsteen, Becker and Friedman as well as Michael Angelo.  Some interesting stuff but a lot of it was already very familiar to me.  Will probably explore Jaguar more and the list underlined my need to pick up more Tygers of Pan Tang stuff.  Thanks for sharing.

Windir “Black New Age” from 1184

Korda “Native Land”from Cry To Me River

Blut Aus Nord “Chapter IV” from MoRT

Immortal “Withstand the Fall of Time” from At the Heart of Winter

Wolves In The Throne Room “Woodland Cathedral” from Celestial Lineage

Crom Dubh “Sedition” from Heimweh 

Judas Iscariot “Gaze Upon Heaven In Flames” from Heaven in Flames

Xasthur “Kingdom of Burning Crucifixion” from A Gate Through Blood Stained Mirrors

Abazagorath “Lapse” from Abazagorath 

Jute Gyte “Teeth” from The Old Ways

Keys of Orthanc “Witchking” from Dush Agh Golnauk

Cultes Des Ghoules “The Devil Intimate” from Henbane

L’ Acephale “Sovereignty (Dieu-Die Sonne Stirbt Sovereignty)” from L’ Acephale

Acherontas “Tablets of Mercury” from Amarta (Formulas of Reptilian Unification Pt II)

Cirith Gorgor “Ephel Duath” from Onwards to the Spectral Defile

That’s all I can think of so early in the morning but hopefully got something you could put into a playlist?

So, I went through this yesterday whilst working and did find I enjoyed more than expected.  Some bands I will be exploring more and others will have rekindled interest such as Raunchy.  Was big on that Korn track back in the early noughties and have flirted with Rob Zombie’s stuff before.  Has to be said that my more extreme ears also found a fair portion of the list underwhelming (Corey Feldman, Clawfinger, Infectious Grooves to mention a couple), but was a good discovery session overall.  Thanks for sharing.

Bolt Thrower “The Killchain”

Asphyx “The Krusher”

Deicide “Dead By Dawn”

Gorguts “Orphan of Sickness”

Carcass “Heartwork”

Morbid Angel “Maze of Torment”

Altarage “Altars”

Massacre “Dawn of Eternity”

Master “Funeral Bitch”

Obituary “Chopped in Half”