Glad you loved it! And yeah, it has been a while since I listened to it. I think I meant Covenant, not Domination. Either way, Morbid Angel all over this album!
Daniel can undoubtedly express what makes the Swedish death metal sound what it is, but the main feature of it is the guitar sound. You rightfully described it as down and dirty, but it's commonly described as the Swedish buzzsaw guitar sound. It's pretty well known that this sound originated with the band Nihilist, and in particular guitarist Leffe Cuzner. Leffe wouldn't go onto big things himself, but Nihilist eventually became Entombed when bass player Johnny Hedlund left to form Unleashed. It's for this reason that Entombed are often cited as being the originators of the sound, despite Carnage's debut being released prior to Left Hand Path.
The other major factor when it comes to the Swedish death metal sound is producer Tomas Skogsberg from Sunlight Studios. He became synonymous with the sound after producing classic albums such as Carnage's Dark Recollections, Entombed's Left Hand Path and Dismember's Like an Everflowing Stream, all of which share the sound. Notably, he also produced Darkthrone's Soulside Journey, which is why the Norwegian's debut sounds a lot like Entombed.
You have every right to respond to music however you naturally respond to it Martin. If I were to try listening to the most esteemed Power Metal releases, I'd probably react in a similar way. You gave it a shot, and it's seems pretty unlikely that death metal is going to become your thing (after all, the genre gets a lot faster and more intense than Human).
If anything, this shows why Metal Academy has value. You can give Death's Human one star without having any impact on the album's clan rating. You would expect the average rating of Horde members to be higher than the average site rating for a death metal album, and that's exactly how it plays out (in this case, it's 4.3 for Horde members, 3.9 overall).
I'm afraid I struggle to understand your rating system SilentScream. Your review makes it sound like you really enjoy this release, with phrases like "interesting and awesome", "all done very well" and "performed with strong execution", and yet you gave it 1.5 stars. This seems to be a common thread with your reviews, so I'd love to understand your method. Care to share?
I've been listening to Red Harvest all week, and suggested the track in this month's Sphere playlist. I'm a big fan, so it's great to see that you're also into it.
I haven't checked this album out, but as a massive fan of funeral doom metal, I feel compelled to state that there are a lot of great bands that consistently utilise melody. I admit that it's often through the use of accompanying instruments such as keyboards, string instruments and female vocals, but I've always loved how these aspects combine with the slow, crushing riffs and sparse drumming. If you haven't checked out Shape of Despair, I highly recommend you do. If you've got Spotify, their latest album is on that platform. The opening track, Reaching the Innermost is a perfect example of everything I love about funeral doom, and even has some guitar based melodies that kick in during the second half.
I'm sure that Daniel meant to say a huge thanks to his brother for adding 267 FUCKING RELEASES ABOUT FROGS to Metal Academy, just so he could add this review.
Nice review. Daniel and I covered this on the podcast and I have to admit I was a bit lukewarm on it. There are definitely some great tracks (such as the title track and closer The Arena), but there's also some silliness (yes, I'm looking at you Be My Wench) that brings it down a bit for me. Solid album though!
Hi Sonny92...it appears you managed to save this review without giving the album a rating. Not sure how you did it, but you might want to go add one. Cheers, Ben.
A really interesting approach to take for this review saxystephens. Very enjoyable!
I'd not listened to this album until a couple of weeks ago. I was intrigued after including it in one of the doom metal challenges, so checked it out. A day hasn't gone by since then that I haven't listened to this album. It's utterly, stupendously beautiful, and I literally had tears in my eyes when I went to check out what the band were doing next, only to find that Aleah had died. Totally devastated, but it only acts to make this album even more special than it otherwise would be.
Good review! Its been a while since I listened to early Arckanum, but I think I feel quite similar. I know I enjoyed the follow-up album quite a bit though.
Pleased to see that you're working your way through a challenge. Could you be the first one to complete one? Time will tell.
I'm intrigued by your rating system. If this is near the top of classic heavy metal for you, and your review is extremely positive, why only three stars? I'm guessing you're just not that big a fan of heavy metal, so even a great album in that style is still middle of the road?
I used to listen to this quite a bit and remember enjoying it. I think it was their third album Virus West that really connected with me.
By the way, the drummer Alexander von Meilenwald is the sole member of The Ruins of Beverast. An immensely talented musician and songwriter. Have I mentioned that Exuvia is a top 5 album for the past decade for me? Yes, I'm going to keep bugging you until you go listen to it.
It feels good to have played a role in the ending of shadowdoom9's metal review virginity. It's a fine effort for a first attempt too! You're a natural!
I'm not experienced in the ways of Trivium though, so can't agree or disagree with your assessment.
I wasn't aware of this album until I added it to the site. As a big fan of Blut aus Nord, I'm very intrigued by it, so your review has me a little bit excited.
I find it interesting that you don't like anything that resembles a girl. Each to their own I guess.
I haven't heard this since it came out but I seem to recall enjoying it. That could be the Amorphis connection though which, as you well know, is one of the many points of difference between us.
As Daniel is constantly mocking about on the podcast, Summoning are a big band for me. I just connect with them on some level that is quite personal, but can totally understand why other metal fans wouldn't really get into it. Like most Summoning fans, I've been very disappointed by this album. It's just flat, with little of the majestic beauty that permeates most of their releases.
Glad you loved it! And yeah, it has been a while since I listened to it. I think I meant Covenant, not Domination. Either way, Morbid Angel all over this album!
I love Septic Flesh and have a particular soft spot for this debut. Glad you enjoy it as much (if not more) than I do!
I really need to check this out, already being a big fan of the band.
The band just put a message out on Facebook, tagging this review and thanking the site.
It's actually a pretty good sign. If you Google "Monolithe Kosmodron review", Metal Academy tops the list. We're starting to get some traction.
Good to see we agree on this one.
Daniel can undoubtedly express what makes the Swedish death metal sound what it is, but the main feature of it is the guitar sound. You rightfully described it as down and dirty, but it's commonly described as the Swedish buzzsaw guitar sound. It's pretty well known that this sound originated with the band Nihilist, and in particular guitarist Leffe Cuzner. Leffe wouldn't go onto big things himself, but Nihilist eventually became Entombed when bass player Johnny Hedlund left to form Unleashed. It's for this reason that Entombed are often cited as being the originators of the sound, despite Carnage's debut being released prior to Left Hand Path.
The other major factor when it comes to the Swedish death metal sound is producer Tomas Skogsberg from Sunlight Studios. He became synonymous with the sound after producing classic albums such as Carnage's Dark Recollections, Entombed's Left Hand Path and Dismember's Like an Everflowing Stream, all of which share the sound. Notably, he also produced Darkthrone's Soulside Journey, which is why the Norwegian's debut sounds a lot like Entombed.
Anything else Daniel?
You have every right to respond to music however you naturally respond to it Martin. If I were to try listening to the most esteemed Power Metal releases, I'd probably react in a similar way. You gave it a shot, and it's seems pretty unlikely that death metal is going to become your thing (after all, the genre gets a lot faster and more intense than Human).
If anything, this shows why Metal Academy has value. You can give Death's Human one star without having any impact on the album's clan rating. You would expect the average rating of Horde members to be higher than the average site rating for a death metal album, and that's exactly how it plays out (in this case, it's 4.3 for Horde members, 3.9 overall).
I'm afraid I struggle to understand your rating system SilentScream. Your review makes it sound like you really enjoy this release, with phrases like "interesting and awesome", "all done very well" and "performed with strong execution", and yet you gave it 1.5 stars. This seems to be a common thread with your reviews, so I'd love to understand your method. Care to share?
Agreed! Great review Storrsson. I hope to read more from you.
What? Sorry, I can't hear you.
I've been listening to Red Harvest all week, and suggested the track in this month's Sphere playlist. I'm a big fan, so it's great to see that you're also into it.
I haven't checked this album out, but as a massive fan of funeral doom metal, I feel compelled to state that there are a lot of great bands that consistently utilise melody. I admit that it's often through the use of accompanying instruments such as keyboards, string instruments and female vocals, but I've always loved how these aspects combine with the slow, crushing riffs and sparse drumming. If you haven't checked out Shape of Despair, I highly recommend you do. If you've got Spotify, their latest album is on that platform. The opening track, Reaching the Innermost is a perfect example of everything I love about funeral doom, and even has some guitar based melodies that kick in during the second half.
Interesting! I'm a fan of the band's first few full length albums, but never gave this EP a chance. Sounds like I probably should!
I'm sure that Daniel meant to say a huge thanks to his brother for adding 267 FUCKING RELEASES ABOUT FROGS to Metal Academy, just so he could add this review.
You're welcome Daniel. So very welcome.
Nice review. Daniel and I covered this on the podcast and I have to admit I was a bit lukewarm on it. There are definitely some great tracks (such as the title track and closer The Arena), but there's also some silliness (yes, I'm looking at you Be My Wench) that brings it down a bit for me. Solid album though!
Hi Sonny92...it appears you managed to save this review without giving the album a rating. Not sure how you did it, but you might want to go add one. Cheers, Ben.
I love this album too, for all the reasons you've described. Great review!
A really interesting approach to take for this review saxystephens. Very enjoyable!
I'd not listened to this album until a couple of weeks ago. I was intrigued after including it in one of the doom metal challenges, so checked it out. A day hasn't gone by since then that I haven't listened to this album. It's utterly, stupendously beautiful, and I literally had tears in my eyes when I went to check out what the band were doing next, only to find that Aleah had died. Totally devastated, but it only acts to make this album even more special than it otherwise would be.
One of my absolute favourite albums of the last decade. It's great to see that you enjoyed it too!
I really like it. But then, I believe there should be more Summoning clones.
Good review! Its been a while since I listened to early Arckanum, but I think I feel quite similar. I know I enjoyed the follow-up album quite a bit though.
Pleased to see that you're working your way through a challenge. Could you be the first one to complete one? Time will tell.
I'm intrigued by your rating system. If this is near the top of classic heavy metal for you, and your review is extremely positive, why only three stars? I'm guessing you're just not that big a fan of heavy metal, so even a great album in that style is still middle of the road?
I used to listen to this quite a bit and remember enjoying it. I think it was their third album Virus West that really connected with me.
By the way, the drummer Alexander von Meilenwald is the sole member of The Ruins of Beverast. An immensely talented musician and songwriter. Have I mentioned that Exuvia is a top 5 album for the past decade for me? Yes, I'm going to keep bugging you until you go listen to it.
Your single paragraph review has made me REALLY want to check this out. Cheers!
It is indeed an amazing album. Welcome to Metal Academy! We hope you find some real value in it.
It feels good to have played a role in the ending of shadowdoom9's metal review virginity. It's a fine effort for a first attempt too! You're a natural!
I'm not experienced in the ways of Trivium though, so can't agree or disagree with your assessment.
I wasn't aware of this album until I added it to the site. As a big fan of Blut aus Nord, I'm very intrigued by it, so your review has me a little bit excited.
I find it interesting that you don't like anything that resembles a girl. Each to their own I guess.
I haven't heard this since it came out but I seem to recall enjoying it. That could be the Amorphis connection though which, as you well know, is one of the many points of difference between us.
I love this album too. It has such a distinct sound and atmosphere that I keep going back to above other Evoken releases.
Welcome to Metal Academy by the way! I'm really enjoying your input so far.
Incubus / Opprobrium are one of those bands that I've never managed to get around to listening to. Sounds like I should!
NOTE: We now have notifications on Metal Academy :)
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As Daniel is constantly mocking about on the podcast, Summoning are a big band for me. I just connect with them on some level that is quite personal, but can totally understand why other metal fans wouldn't really get into it. Like most Summoning fans, I've been very disappointed by this album. It's just flat, with little of the majestic beauty that permeates most of their releases.
One of my favourite black metal albums. I'll get around to reviewing it one of these days. So glad you enjoyed it as much as I do.