Ben's Forum Replies

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 24th of December, 2021 to the 4th of January, 2022. I've also added a whole stack of new releases for pre-existing bands.

1. Dr. Colossus (FALLEN)

2. Sentinels (REVOLUTION)

3. Carcinoma (NORTH, HORDE)

4. Reveal (NORTH, PIT, INFINITE)

5. Gabestok (NORTH)

6. Kommodus / Pan-Amerikan Native Front (NORTH)

7. Proscriptor McGovern's Apsû (NORTH, PIT)

8. Witchseeker (PIT, GUARDIANS)

9. Mvltifission (HORDE)

10. Ola Englund (INFINITE)

Great idea! I'll add it to the list.

January 2022

1. Otargos - Fleshborer Soulflayer (from Fleshborer Soulflayer, 2021) [Submitted by Vinny]

2. Gloosh - Hexenring (from Sylvan Coven, 2021) [Submitted by Sonny]

3. Uada - Djinn (from Djinn, 2020) [Submitted by Vinny]

4. Archgoat - Black Womb Gnosis (from Worship the Eternal Darkness, 2021) [Submitted by Xephyr]

5. Arkona - Shtorm (from Khram, 2018)

6. Sun of the Blind - Fire & Thirst (from Skullreader, 2009) [Submitted by Daniel]

7. Panzerfaust - The Day After 'Trinity (from The Suns of Perdition - Chapter I: War, Horrid War, 2019) [Submitted by Vinny]

8. Stormkeep - The Serpent's Stone (from Tales of Othertime, 2021) [Submitted by Xephyr]

9. Blasphemy - Hoarding Of Evil Vengeance (from Fallen Angel Of Doom..., 1990) [Submitted by Daniel]

10. Cân Bardd - Autumn Shore (from Devoured by the Oak, 2021) [Submitted by Xephyr]

11. Khandra - Irrigating Lethal Acres With Blood (from All Occupied by Sole Death, 2021) [Submitted by Sonny]

12. Wormwitch - Canadian Denim Mountain Attack (from Wolf Hex, 2021) [Submitted by Sonny]

13. Darkthrone - Quintessence (from Panzerfaust, 1995) [Submitted by Daniel]

14. Finsterforst - Zerfall (from Zerfall, 2019)

15. Serpent's Oath - Malediction (from Nihil, 2020) [Submitted by Vinny]

16. Aquilus - Into Wooded Hollows (from Bellum I, 2021)

17. Ethereal Shroud - Discarnate (from Trisagion, 2021)

Great comments guys, and so much of it rings very true for me. Like the rest of you, I couldn't care less what other people think about me and what I enjoy. This sense has become stronger as I get older, and watching the world's inhabitants jump from one trend to another while my interests remain the same can be fairly amusing at times. If I'm honest, I think I enjoy it more when people are disbelieving and shocked at my interests these days than when they try to connect with me because they once heard a Disturbed or Dragonforce album. If COVID has taught me anything, it's that I really don't need very many people in my life to be genuinely happy. If I never had to go into the office another day for the rest of my life, I'd be genuinely happy. As long as I have my direct family, a few mates to share a beer with, and appropriate access to follow my passions (including Metal Academy of course), I'm all set!

To answer the original question though, I know it seems at odds to outsiders, but I often find dark things to hold immense beauty. It can be hard to explain why something that is undeniably violent and at times outright terrifying can provide a sense of euphoria to those of us that have this inclination, but that's my reality. That said, I do think that a lot of my favourite metal music has aspects that even non-metal fans would admit are quite beautiful. It just so happens that I'm also attractive to the dissonant, the technically challenging, the melancholic, the violent, the fucking strange, the outright scary, and all the other aspects that come into play in this incredible genre of music.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 15th to the 23rd of December, 2021.

1. Semantik Punk (REVOLUTION)

2. Semargl (REVOLUTION, NORTH, SPHERE)

3. Glass Cloud (REVOLUTION, INFINITE)

4. AxeWound (REVOLUTION)

5. Eskimo Callboy (REVOLUTION)

6. Kill Devil Hill (GATEWAY, GUARDIANS, FALLEN)

7. Tantara (PIT)

8. Municipal Waste / Toxic Holocaust (PIT)

9. Cssaba (SPHERE, NORTH)

10. JK Flesh / Prurient (SPHERE)

11. Dawn of Ashes (SPHERE, HORDE, NORTH)

12. Vampillia + Nadja (FALLEN)

13. Vampillia (FALLEN, INFINITE)

14. Hua†a (FALLEN)

15. Rectal Hygienics (FALLEN)

16. Planks (FALLEN, INFINITE)

17. Rattenfänger (FALLEN, HORDE)

18. Nachtvorst (FALLEN, NORTH)

19. We Lost the Sea (FALLEN, INIFNITE)

20. Sunpocrisy (FALLEN, INFINITE, HORDE)

21. Serpentine Path (FALLEN)

22. Tragedy (FALLEN)

23. Year of No Light / Altar of Plagues (FALLEN, INFINITE)

24. Hellvetron (FALLEN)

25. Viaje a 800 (FALLEN)

26. Venomous Maximus (FALLEN, GUARDIANS)

27. Derkéta (FALLEN, HORDE)

28. Blóð (FALLEN, INFINITE) - requested by Sonny

29. Bloody Hammers (FALLEN, GUARDIANS)

30. Hellwell (GUARDIANS)

31. Huntress (GUARDIANS)

32. Oceans of Time (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)

33. Fogalord (GUARDIANS)

34. Pythia (GUARDIANS)

35. Morgul Blade (GUARDIANS) - requested by Sonny

36. Alchemyst (NORTH, HORDE)

37. Trist / Lonesummer (NORTH)

38. Rahu (NORTH)

39. Затухание (NORTH)

40. Vaura (NORTH)

41. Deafheaven / Bosse-de-Nage (NORTH, INFINITE)

42. Nightbringer / Acherontas (NORTH)

43. God Seed (NORTH)

44. Ancestors (NORTH)

45. Cornigr (NORTH)

46. Wrathprayer (NORTH, HORDE)

47. Melankoli (NORTH)

48. Ulvegr (NORTH)

49. Totale Vernichtung (NORTH)

50. Vemod (NORTH)

51. Saturnian (NORTH)

52. Taranis (NORTH, INFINITE)

53. Agruss (NORTH, HORDE)

54. Angrrsth (NORTH)

55. Ancient Mast ery (NORTH)

56. Underdark (NORTH)

57. Liberteer (HORDE)

58. Murder Construct (HORDE)

59. Go-Zen (HORDE)

60. GOREZUNYAN (HORDE)

61. Maveth (HORDE)

62. Grand Supreme Blood Court (HORDE)

63. Blunt Force Trauma (HORDE)

64. Words of Farewell (HORDE)

65. Sophicide (HORDE)

66. The Kill (HORDE)

67. Malignant Altar (HORDE)

68. Intonate (HORDE, INFINITE)

69. Art by Numbers (INFINITE)

70. Glassing (INFINITE)

71. The Safety Fire (INFINITE)

72. Distorted Harmony (INFINITE)

73. Oddland (INFINITE)

74. In the Silence (INFINITE)

Unsurprisingly, given the last couple of years that we've had, there appears to be some turmoil in most people's lives at the moment. Very sorry to hear about your dad Sonny.

I think this thread is a great idea Daniel. It gives us some insight into the experiences people have when they're not listening to and discussing the metal music we love.

As for me, I've had a fairly massive project dumped on me out of nowhere, so I've had to cancel the majority of my planned Xmas leave. I'm pretty annoyed about it, but at least the project is a great opportunity for both the business and my own career. If I can nail this one, surely good things will come (at least that's what I keep telling myself while I wallow in self-pity).

Welcome to Metal Academy Scarecrow! You seem to have a fairly wide ranging interest in metal, so I imagine choosing your three clans might have been a bit challenging. Speaking of challenges, if you want to add a fourth clan, you can do so by working your way through some of our clan challenges (you can find them in the Lists section).

Anyway, we hope you find the site valuable and enjoy our unique features and very friendly community. Plus it's great to have another Summoning fan here. We need as many as we can get to counter Daniel's vitriol towards what is one of my favourite bands. 

Just listened to the Shape of Despair single and it's sounding good for the new album!

To say I'm excited would be an understatement. Trying to keep my expectations in check.

Shape of Despair's new single! - Reflection in Slow Time (2021)

Swallow the Sun - This House Has No Home off Moonflower (2021)

Novembers Doom - The Pale Haunt Departure (2005)

Triptykon - Aurorae off Melana Chasmata (2014)

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 4th to the 14th of December, 2021.

1. Dominus (PIT, HORDE)

2. Sijjin (PIT, HORDE)

3. Beowülf (PIT, GATEWAY)

4. Mysto Dysto (PIT)

5. Antidote (PIT, GUARDIANS)

6. Iceburn (GATEWAY, FALLEN)

7. Tetrarch (GATEWAY, REVOLUTION)

8. One Second Thought (REVOLUTION)

9. Loathe / Holding Absence (REVOLUTION)

10. Strongarm (REVOLUTION)

11. Suicide Nation (REVOLUTION, NORTH)

12. Crown Magnetar (REVOLUTION)

13. Unorthodox (FALLEN, GUARDIANS)

14. Spina Bifida (FALLEN)

15. Smar SW (FALLEN, INFINITE)

16. Cemetery of Scream (FALLEN)

17. Rothadás (FALLEN)

18. Cool Feet (GUARDIANS)

19. Persian Risk (GUARDIANS)

20. Timo Tolkki (GUARDIANS)

21. Burning Starr (GUARDIANS)

22. Embrace of Souls (GUARDIANS) - requested by Xephyr

23. Hunted (GUARDIANS, INFINITE) - requested by Xephyr

24. Mentalist (GUARDIANS) - requested by Xephyr

25. Númenor (GUARDIANS, NORTH) - requested by Xephyr

26. Ravenous (GUARDIANS) - requested by Xephyr

27. Silent Winter (GUARDIANS) - requested by Xephyr

28. Sonic Haven (GUARDIANS) - requested by Xephyr

29. Sunrise (GUARDIANS) - requested by Xephyr

30. Thormenthor (INFINITE, HORDE)

31. N.EX.T (INFINITE)

32. Power of Omens (INFINITE)

33. ВТТА® (INFINITE, NORTH)

34. Syncatto (INFINITE) - requested by Xephyr

35. Turbulence (INFINITE) - requested by Xephyr

36. Wreche (INFINITE, NORTH) - requested by Xephyr

37. Sunless Dawn (INFINITE, HORDE)

38. Beastlor (NORTH) - requested by Xephyr

39. Fester (NORTH, HORDE)

40. Algaion (NORTH, HORDE)

41. Kyprian's Circle (NORTH)

42. Obscurity (NORTH, HORDE) - requested by Xephyr

43. Frummyrkrið (NORTH) - requested by Xephyr

44. Intig (NORTH) - requested by Xephyr

45. Sanctuaire (NORTH) - requested by Xephyr

46. Sphere (NORTH) - requested by Xephyr

47. Los Males del Mundo (NORTH)

48. Paralysis (HORDE)

49. Lubricant (HORDE)

50. Coffin Nail (HORDE)

51. Sintury (HORDE)

52. Defaced Creation (HORDE)

53. Meshum (HORDE)

54. NecroticGoreBeast (HORDE) - requested by Xephyr

Gorement - My Ending Quest off The Ending Quest (1994)

Discordance Axis - Castration Rite off The Inalienable Dreamless (2000)

Bloodbath - Eaten off Nightmares Made Flesh (2004)

Quo Vadis - Silence Calls the Storm off Defiant Imagination (2004)

Sunless - Solaris off Ylem (2021)

Fallensun - The Wake of the Fall off The Wake of the Fall (2021)

Cenotaph - Pathogenic Morbid Incubation off Precognition to Eradicate (2021)

Total Running Time: 29:15

I'm committing to checking out more modern releases than I have been in recent years. I've been stuck in the 80s / 90s for quite some time, and while I still love that era of metal, there's so much great stuff still coming out that I rarely give more than a passing listen. Running the North playlist has already forced me to check out recent music, and I've discovered some cool stuff in just two months.

Let's see if I can follow through on this commitment. 

I'm pleased that you did get at least some enjoyment from the album Sonny. I must admit that I selected it as my feature with some trepidation, knowing that it certainly wasn't going to have the same appeal to everyone as it does to me. I've always loved Futile, and listen to it quite regularly, along with Slumber's Fallout, which has a very similar sound. It's an album based on wonderful melodies as opposed to crushing riffs, and I often wonder whether it's really a Death Doom Metal album at all.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 1st to the 3rd of November, 2021, along with a load of new releases from existing bands.

1. Yakui the Maid (GATEWAY, INFINITE)

2. Eternal Evil (PIT, NORTH) - requested by Sonny

3. Zulu (REVOLUTION)

4. Hammer King (GUARDIANS)

5. Coexistence (HORDE, INFINITE)

6. Vertebra Atlantis (HORDE, NORTH)

7. Sulphurous (HORDE)

8. Converge & Chelsea Wolfe (FALLEN, INFINITE)

9. Dream Unending (FALLEN)

10. Tar Hag (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny

11. Olde (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny

12. Gautam Buddha (NORTH)

13. Mortem (NORTH)

14. Escumergamënt (NORTH)

15. Hænesy (NORTH)

16. Gorrch (NORTH, INFINITE)

17. Totenwache (NORTH)

18. Illyria (NORTH, INFINITE)

19. The Silver (INFINITE)

December 2021

1. Marduk - Beast of Prey (from Panzer Division Marduk, 1999) [Submitted by Sonny]

2. Thyrfing - Döp dem i eld (from Vanagandr, 2021)

3. Mare Cognitum - Occultated Temporal Dimensions (from Luminiferous Aether, 2016) [Submitted by Sonny]

4. Antichrist Siege Machine - Carried Into Darkness (from Purifying Blade, 2021) [Submitted by Vinny]

5. møl - Serf (from Diorama, 2021)

6. Havukruunu - Rautalintu (from Havulinnaan, 2015) [Submitted by Xephyr]

7. Serpent Column - Disobedience (from Katartisis, 2021)

8. Empyrium - Über den Sternen (from Über den Sternen, 2021)

9. Inferno - The Wailing Horizon (from Paradeigma (Phosphenes of Aphotic Eternity), 2021) [Submitted by Vinny]

10. Blasphemy - Demoniac (from Blood Upon the Altar, 1989) [Submitted by Daniel]

11. Code - The Rattle of Black Teeth (from Resplendent Grotesque, 2009)

12. Drudkh - Sunwheel (from Autumn Aurora, 2004) [Submitted by Xephyr]

13. Antaeus - Inner War (from Cut Your Flesh and Worship Satan, 2000) [Submitted by Sonny]

14. Cradle of Filth - Crawling King Chaos (from Existence Is Futile, 2021)

15. Astrophobos - Liktal (from Corpus, 2021) [Submitted by Vinny]

16. Untamed Land - A Nameless Shape (from Like Creatures Seeking Their Own Forms, 2021) [Submitted by Xephyr]

17. Burzum - Spell of Destruction (from Burzum, 1992) [Submitted by Daniel]

18. Cantique Lepreux - Lune défroquée (from Sectes, 2021) [Submitted by Vinny]

19. Panopticon - Black Soot and Red Blood (from Kentucky, 2012) [Submitted by Daniel]

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 9th to the 30th of November, 2021.

1. KAT & Roman Kostrzewski (PIT, GUARDIANS)

2. Morbid (PIT, NORTH, HORDE)

3. Battlecross (PIT, HORDE)

4. Dead Heat (PIT) - requested by Vinny

5. Methedras (PIT, HORDE) - requested by Vinny

6. Mortal Vision (PIT) - requested by Vinny

7. Scarecrow (PIT) - requested by Vinny

8. Deathraiser (PIT)

9. Dungeon Crawl (PIT) - requested by Vinny

10. Knife (PIT) - requested by Vinny

11. Hundredth (REVOLUTION)

12. The Air I Breathe (REVOLUTION)

13. Mastiff (REVOLUTION, FALLEN) - requested by Vinny

14. The Unguided (REVOLUTION, HORDE)

15. Ever Forthright (INFINITE)

16. Last Chance to Reason (REVOLUTION, INFINITE)

17. Aegaeon (REVOLUTION)

18. Design the Skyline (REVOLUTION)

19. Heart in Hand (REVOLUTION)

20. Like Moths to Flames (REVOLUTION)

21. The Color Morale (REVOLUTION)

22. Yuyoyuppe (REVOLUTION, GATEWAY)

23. Don Broco (GATEWAY)

24. Luxtorpeda (GATEWAY)

25. Hank Williams, III (GATEWAY)

26. Video Nasty (PIT) - requested by Tymell

27. Chalice (GUARDIANS) - requested by Tymell

28. Theragon (GUARDIANS) - requested by Tymell

29. Burning Point (GUARDIANS) - requested by Tymell

30. Age of Artemis (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)

31. Devil (GUARDIANS, FALLEN)

32. ReinXeed (GUARDIANS)

33. Symfonia (GUARDIANS)

34. Darkest Era (GUARDIANS, NORTH)

35. Despise You / Agoraphobic Nosebleed (HORDE)

36. Flourishing (HORDE)

37. Gutalax (HORDE)

38. Nader Sadek (HORDE)

39. Total Fucking Destruction (HORDE)

40. Dephosphorus (HORDE, NORTH, FALLEN)

41. Anomalous (HORDE)

42. Arafel (HORDE, NORTH)

43. Archagathus (HORDE)

44. Apocalyptic Fear (HORDE) - requested by Tymell

45. Baring Teeth (HORDE)

46. Blaspherian (HORDE)

47. Book of Black Earth (HORDE, NORTH)

48. Euphoreon (HORDE)

49. Inhuman Condition (HORDE)

50. Lvcifyre (HORDE)

51. Monumental Torment (HORDE)

52. Noisear (HORDE)

53. Sonne Adam (HORDE, FALLEN)

54. War Master (HORDE)

55. Ashen (HORDE) - requested by Tymell

56. Abnormity (HORDE)

57. Condemned (HORDE)

58. Visceral Disgorge (HORDE)

59. Locrian (FALLEN, NORTH)

60. Portrayal of Guilt (FALLEN)

61. Wreck and Reference (FALLEN, INFINITE)

62. Falloch (FALLEN, NORTH, INFINITE)

63. Cavern Deep (FALLEN) - requested by Tymell

64. Grief Collector (FALLEN) - requested by Tymell

65. Switchblade Jesus (FALLEN) - requested by Tymell

66. Miasma Theory (FALLEN) - requested by Tymell

67. Ember Sun (FALLEN) - requested by Tymell

68. Light Bearer (FALLEN, INFINITE)

69. Fimir (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny

70. Beastwars (FALLEN)

71. Black Oath (FALLEN)

72. Conan / Slomatics (FALLEN)

73. Planet of Zeus (FALLEN)

74. Premonition 13 (FALLEN)

75. Steak Number Eight (FALLEN, INFINITE)

76. Turbowolf (FALLEN)

77. Hex A.D. (FALLEN, INFINITE) - requested by Tymell

78. Circle of Sighs (FALLEN, INFINITE) - requested by Tymell

79. Arenna (FALLEN)

80. Mourners (FALLEN) - requested by Tymell

81. Lucifer's Children (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny

82. Cognos (INFINITE) - requested by Tymell

83. Cloak of Altering (INFINITE)

84. GGUW (INFINITE, NORTH)

85. Oval / Liturgy (INFINITE, NORTH)

86. ICS Vortex (INFINITE)

87. Iroha (INFINITE)

88. Appearance of Nothing (INFINITE)

89. Circles (INFINITE)

90. Corelia (INFINITE)

91. For All We Know (INFINITE)

92. Paul Wardingham (INFINITE)

93. Smohalla (INFINITE, NORTH)

94. Dolorvotre (NORTH)

95. Goatmoon (NORTH)

96. Raspberry Bulbs (NORTH)

97. Seagulls Insane and Swans Deceased Mining Out the Void (NORTH)

98. Sun Devoured Earth (NORTH)

99. Sutekh Hexen (NORTH)

100. Tukaaria (NORTH)

101. Tukaaria / Odz Manouk (NORTH)

102. Xothist (NORTH)

103. Avichi (NORTH)

104. Dämmerfarben (NORTH)

105. Grai (NORTH)

106. Infestus (NORTH)

107. Thy Light (NORTH)

108. Nordicwinter (NORTH) - requested by Vinny

109. Wayne Static (SPHERE)

I was obviously taking the piss.  That said, you're correct to assume that I wouldn't enjoy that track. It's pretty horrible. But then, like you, I don't like this sort of Folk Metal at all. I hated it when Isengard did it and I hated it when Windir and Enslaved did it. Others seem to enjoy it. I guess I personally don't see the point of adding tracks to the Stinkers thread when you despise the style of music in general. It's probably interesting and useful for people if you call a Thrash Metal or Brutal Death Metal track a stinker, or if I state that a Funeral Doom track is a stinker, because we normally love those genres, and are therefore suitable people to judge them. To be honest, I could add half the Power Metal tracks I've ever heard to the stinkers thread, but would that really be a fair assessment? I think I'd just offend people who shouldn't listen to my judgement of Power Metal anyway.

To be clear, I'm not telling you (or anyone) what they should or shouldn't call a stinker. You do you! There's just an obvious pattern to the last 6 entries here that I couldn't help but comment on.

As an aside, there's much to like on Arntor for me, and I totally get why so many see it as a classic. Tracks like The Blacksmith and the Troll of Lundamyri and The Longing are very enjoyable for me.

A Sonny built Fallen playlist was an exciting proposition, and this first one didn't disappoint.

I really need to give Reverend Bizarre more of a chance. My previous attempts haven't grabbed me like I expected them to, but all the praise can't be ignored.

I think you've turned all of us into Warning fans over the past couple of years. 

Glad you enjoyed it Sonny. Schammasch was a great find for me too! The three disc album (Triangle) isn't easily consumed, but this band has clearly got the goods. I enjoy including tracks that break out of the norms and challenge people a bit (Veilburner for example). Gotta keep you all on your toes. 

This thread might as well be called Daniel's consistent attempts to listen to Folk Metal and Melodic Black Metal bands that he already knows he's going to hate, then shares his vitriol with the world. If anything, it's probably a good place for Folk Metal fans to find good music.

I'm not surprised that the feedback for this release has been a bit mixed. I know that it has some production issues, and I can't deny that the tracks begin to bleed into each other.

But this is an album I find myself going back to again and again. There's a majestic, vortex swirling beauty to it that really got its claws into me and its refused to let go. Each time I listen to it I find my enjoyment increasing, so I totally agree with Vinny that Skullreader is a grower.

Anyway, it's an album I don't hear mentioned very often (if at all!), so figured making it a feature release would at least give a few passionate metal fans the chance to experience it. 

Void of Silence - Farthest Shores off The Sky Over (2018) - not the best album from this highly underrated band, but still a good one

Light Field Reverie - Dreamwalker off Another World (2020) - I'm sure you'll hate this one Sonny, but someone has to choose some gothic metal - plus I really enjoy it!

Ophis - Default Empty off Spew Forth Odium (2021) - I expect this track will make it up to you 

Total Running Time: 29:58

Morbid Angel - Brainstorm off Blessed are the Sick (1991)

Cryptopsy - Cold Hate Warm Blood off Whisper Supremacy (1998)

Illdisposed - Now We're History off 1-800 Vindication (2004)

Spawn of Possession - Scorched off Noctambulant (2006)

No One Knows What the Dead Think - Autumn Flower off No One Knows What the Dead Think (2019)

Be'lakor - Hidden Window off Coherence (2021)

Archspire - Drone Corpse Aviator off Bleed the Future (2021)

Total Running Time: 29:41

I'm sure it's possible. I'll ask my developer when I next get his attention (that is proving difficult at the moment).

I'll look into what can be done with the Hall voting. Perhaps we can make it so people can change their votes? I don't really see why we shouldn't allow that. Thoughts?

I don't think there's any way to control browser behaviour though. If you click back in the browser or close a window, I don't think the site can do anything to save you. Maybe I'm wrong? Have any of you seen that elsewhere?

This release has been added to the Hall of Judgement.

This release has been added to the Hall of Judgement, with the request being to add it to The Sphere.

This release has been added to the Hall of Judgement.

This release has been added to the Hall of Judgement.

This release has been added to the Hall of Judgement.

This release has been added to the Hall of Judgement.

This release has been added to the Hall of Judgement, with the request being to remove it from The North.

This release has been added to the Hall of Judgement.

This release has been added to the Hall of Judgement.

This release has been added to the Hall of Judgement.

This release has been added to the Hall of Judgement.

This release has been added to the Hall of Judgement.

This release has been added to the Hall of Judgement.

I'd have to listen to quite a bit of it to form an opinion, and based on this track, that won't be happening anytime soon.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 29th of October to the 8th of November, 2021.

1. Demians (GATEWAY)

2. The Murder of My Sweet (GUARDIANS)

3. Ryan Adams (GUARDIANS)

4. Heljareyga (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)

5. Dawnbringer (GUARDIANS, NORTH, PIT)

6. Sister Sin (GUARDIANS)

7. Holy Grail (GUARDIANS, PIT)

8. Charred Walls of the Damned (GUARDIANS)

9. Steelwing (GUARDIANS)

10. Züül (GUARDIANS)

11. Acrassicauda (PIT)

12. Besieged (PIT)

13. Cruel Force (PIT, NORTH)

14. Children of Technology (PIT)

15. Dishammer (PIT)

16. Young and in the Way (REVOLUTION, NORTH, HORDE)

17. Short Bus Pile Up (REVOLUTION, HORDE)

18. Early Graves (REVOLUTION)

19. This or the Apocalypse (REVOLUTION)

20. All Pigs Must Die (REVOLUTION)

21. Structures (REVOLUTION, INFINITE)

22. Shadow of the Colossus (REVOLUTION, INFINITE)

23. Woe, Is Me (REVOLUTION)

24. Our Last Night (REVOLUTION)

25. I Am Abomination (REVOLUTION, INFINITE)

26. Mutiny Within (REVOLUTION, INFINITE, HORDE)

27. And Hell Followed With (REVOLUTION)

28. Brobdingnagian (INFINITE, NORTH)

29. Son of Aurelius (INFINITE, HORDE)

30. Vestiges (INFINITE, FALLEN)

31. Les Discrets (INFINITE)

32. Kälter (INFINITE, HORDE)

33. Echoes (INFINITE)

34. gru (INFINITE)

35. The Shadow Theory (INFINITE)

36. Aspera (INFINITE)

37. Candy Cane (INFINITE, NORTH)

38. Candy Cane / Oranssi Pazuzu (INFINITE, NORTH)

39. Division by Zero (INFINITE)

40. Wharflurch (HORDE)

41. Sete Star Sept (HORDE)

42. Nocturnal Blood (HORDE, NORTH)

43. Clinging to the Trees of a Forest Fire (HORDE, FALLEN)

44. Bologna Violenta (HORDE)

45. Enthrope (HORDE)

46. Witchrist (HORDE, FALLEN, NORTH)

47. Calm Hatchery (HORDE)

48. Prosanctus Inferi (HORDE, NORTH)

49. Blood Revolt (HORDE, NORTH)

50. Arkaik (HORDE)

51. Cerebral Effusion (HORDE)

52. Odz Manouk (NORTH)

53. Mortualia (NORTH)

54. Bagatur (NORTH)

55. Manierisme (NORTH)

56. Clair Cassis (NORTH)

57. Sexdrome (NORTH)

58. Dopamine (NORTH)

59. Duszę wypuścił (NORTH)

60. Sleeping Peonies (NORTH)

61. Anguished (NORTH)

62. The Austrasian Goat (NORTH, FALLEN)

63. Aiumeen Basoa (NORTH)

64. Morowe (NORTH)

65. Marțolea (NORTH)

66. Odem Arcarum (NORTH)

67. Skagos / Panopticon (NORTH)

68. Темнозорь (NORTH)

69. Nàttsòl (NORTH)

70. Ov Hell (NORTH)

71. Exiled From Light (NORTH)

72. Black Space Riders (FALLEN)

73. Ophis (FALLEN)

74. Noctum (FALLEN)

75. Stonehelm (FALLEN)

76. Eibon (FALLEN)

77. Oryx (FALLEN)

78. Djinn and Miskatonic (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny

I thought I'd forgotten to post my suggestions, but I've just noticed they are there.

Never fear Sonny. Your entries meant there was no need for me to hunt down War Metal tracks for inclusion. You covered that for me perfectly! I'll add your name now.

There was really contrasting material to include in this playlist, so I decided to spread it all out rather than bunch similar track styles together. I personally enjoy regular shifts in style throughout playlists to add that attention grabbing surprise factor. I still tried to make the tracks flow as much as I could, but I like the feeling of never knowing quite what you're going to get next.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed putting it together. I discovered a few interesting new bands in the process. 

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 28th of October, 2021.

1. Swashbuckle (PIT, HORDE)

2. Veilburner (INFINITE, NORTH, HORDE)

3. Apparition (HORDE, FALLEN) - requested by Vinny

4. LANDMVRKS (REVOLUTION)

5. Altar of Oblivion (FALLEN, GUARDIANS)

6. Lament Christ (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny

7. Astralium (GUARDIANS)

Plus a bunch of new releases from existing bands.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 14th to the 27th of October, 2021.

1. In Fear and Faith (GATEWAY, REVOLUTION)

2. Dead by April (GATEWAY, REVOLUTION)

3. Elysion (GATEWAY, FALLEN)

4. Slagmaur (SPHERE, NORTH)

5. Black Light Discipline (SPHERE)

6. Nachtreich (GUARDIANS, NORTH)

7. Ketzer (GUARDIANS, PIT, NORTH)

8. Sarke (GUARDIANS, PIT, NORTH)

9. Demetori (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)

10. Illusion Suite (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)

11. Iron Claw (GUARDIANS)

12. Horrific (GUARDIANS, HORDE)

13. Tim "Ripper" Owens (GUARDIANS)

14. Sinister Realm (GUARDIANS, FALLEN)

15. Gwyllion (GUARDIANS)

16. Armour (GUARDIANS, PIT)

17. Excoriate (HORDE)

18. Soulfallen (HORDE, NORTH)

19. Ignivomous (HORDE)

20. Goreaphobia (HORDE)

21. Gwynbleidd (HORDE, INFINITE)

22. Luna Mortis (HORDE)

23. Amputated (HORDE)

24. The Slamburglars (HORDE, INFINITE)

25. Oblomov (HORDE, NORTH)

26. Kalisia (INFINITE)

27. Nesseria (FALLEN, REVOLUTION)

28. Centaurus-A (HORDE)

29. The Few Against Many (HORDE)

30. Denial (HORDE)

31. Squash Bowels (HORDE)

32. Ascended (HORDE, FALLEN)

33. General Surgery (HORDE)

34. Maim (HORDE)

35. Heathen Foray (HORDE, NORTH)

36. Claws (HORDE)

37. Cerebral Incubation (HORDE)

38. Gnostic (HORDE, PIT)

39. Conducting From the Grave (HORDE, REVOLUTION)

40. The Boy Will Drown (HORDE, REVOLUTION)

41. Vomit the Soul (HORDE)

42. Iron Age (PIT)

43. Children (PIT, INFINITE)

44. AssJack (PIT)

45. Alkoholizer (PIT)

46. Razor of Occam (PIT, NORTH)

47. Tenet (PIT)

48. Bywar (PIT)

49. Process of Guilt (INFINITE, FALLEN)

50. Les Discrets / Alcest (INFINITE)

51. Exivious (INFINITE)

52. Proghma-C (INFINITE)

53. Echoes of Yul (INFINITE, FALLEN)

54. Circle of Contempt (INFINITE, REVOLUTION)

55. Eryn Non Dae. (INFINITE, FALLEN)

56. Roswell Six (INFINITE)

57. CiLiCe (INFINITE)

58. Fu Xi (NORTH, FALLEN)

59. Plaga (NORTH)

60. Sui Caedere (NORTH)

61. Miserere Luminis (NORTH)

62. Apati (NORTH)

63. Black Vomit (NORTH)

64. Skitliv (NORTH, FALLEN)

65. Fenriz' Red Planet / Nattefrost (NORTH, FALLEN)

66. Orcustus (NORTH)

67. Serpent of the Abyss (NORTH)

68. Helleruin (NORTH)

69. Irminsul (NORTH)

70. Skagos (NORTH)

71. When Mine Eyes Blacken (NORTH)

72. Askival (NORTH)

73. Anal Blasphemy (NORTH)

74. Happy Days (NORTH)

75. Рожь [Rozh] (NORTH, FALLEN)

76. Geïst (NORTH)

77. Here Comes the Kraken (REVOLUTION)

78. ABACABB (REVOLUTION)

79. The Arusha Accord (REVOLUTION)

80. Narrows (REVOLUTION, FALLEN)

81. Adept (REVOLUTION)

82. Texas in July (REVOLUTION)

83. Dying Wish (REVOLUTION)

84. Molotov Solution (REVOLUTION)

85. A Skylit Drive (REVOLUTION)

86. Arkaea (REVOLUTION)

87. Griftegård (FALLEN)

88. Wine From Tears (FALLEN)

89. Scott Weinrich (FALLEN)

90. Dark Castle (FALLEN)

91. Ablaze in Hatred (FALLEN)

92. Celan (FALLEN)

93. Megasus (FALLEN)

Huge anniversary for me today... Death's Human turns 30!

1991 was such an exciting year in my life. I was 14, with all the freedoms and experiences that come with that age. I think it was the year that I really started moving beyond my Metallica / Slayer / Iron Maiden roots, and into the formerly scary world of extreme metal. This album, along with Morbid Angel's Blessed Are the Sick, Sepultura's Arise, Carcass' Necroticism, Entombed's Clandestine, Pestilence's Testimony of the Ancients and Bolt Thrower's War Master set me on an extraordinary journey of extremity, darkness, and dare I say beauty. It's a journey I'm still on today, and there have been very few destinations on the way that are as perfect as Death's Human.

I want to take this moment to thank my big brother Daniel for guiding me down this path. I'm fairly certain I would never have found it without him.

R.I.P. Chuck! I still genuinely feel like crying when I think about the loss. I'm not ashamed to say that I did cry on the day I found out that he'd passed away. I'd be shocked if Daniel didn't shed a tear too.

I have this conversation with people all the time. I don't hide the fact that metal music (not to mention horror movies) is one of the most important things to me in my life. This shocks people no end, particularly in my workplace where I'm in a senior role, and normally results in immediate comments like "But you seem like such a nice person" and "You mean that shouting, angry stuff? I can't understand how anyone can actually like that. It all sounds the same doesn't it?"

I generally respond by saying "I genuinely love the shouting, angry stuff if it's performed really well, but that's only part of metal. Metal is a hugely varied, internationally huge genre, with so many different styles that really don't sound anything alike." This is normally met with disbelief and another negative comment like "You can't even understand what they're saying! Why do they have to be so angry all the time!", to which I inform them that I'm 100% certain that they've never heard a single second of any of my favourite bands, so perhaps their judgement is premature. How would they feel if I told them all their favourite artists and TV shows are rubbish when I've never experienced any of them? There's a lot of beauty and differing emotions to be found in metal music, and I'd be more than happy to showcase some of it for them if they'd be willing.

I've never had anyone (ever) choose to actually listen to what I enjoy after having that conversation. It always goes the same, with them shaking their heads and seeing me in a very different light after the discovery that I clearly worship Satan and have very, very bad taste.

Now this is all face to face, "real world" stuff. I don't think it's any surprise that the anonymity of the internet and the general trolly nature of its inhabitants results in this negative response being exacerbated to an aggressive degree (which is rather ironic). I can't see it ever changing, so choose to ignore it.

I'm all for people making lists like "10 albums that other metal fans love that I just don't connect with" or "my top 10 most disappointing albums". I have no time for videos like this one, that exist only to shit on someone else's birthday cake for the controversy (apparently the only way to get attention these days).

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 10th to the 13th of October, 2021.

1. Tel (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny

2. Age of the Wolf / Tel (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny

3. Age of the Wolf (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny

4. KK's Priest (GUARDIANS)

5. Heavy Sentence (GUARDIANS)

6. Immortal Guardian (GUARDIANS, INFINITE) - requested by illusionist

7. Ekulu (PIT)

8. Zombie Shark (REVOLUTION, HORDE)

9. This Day Forward (REVOLUTION) - requested by shadowdoom9

10. Crypts of Despair (HORDE)

11. Groza (PIT)

Also added a heap of new releases from bands already on the site.

October Tide - Grey Dawn off Grey Dawn (1999)

Forest of Shadows - Eternal Autumn off Where Dreams Turn to Dust (2001)

Un - Sentiment off Sentiment (2018)

Total Running TIme: 25 minutes and 57 seconds

Pestilence - Presence of the Dead off Testimony of the Ancients (1991)

Gorefest - The Glorious Dead off False (1992)

Cephalic Carnage - Wraith off Anomalies (2005)

In Mourning - The Shrouded Divine off Shrouded Divine (2008)

Septicflesh - The Vampire from Nazareth off The Great Mass (2011)

Artificial Brain - Absorbing Black Ignition off Labyrinth Constellation (2014)

Total Running Time: 29 minutes and 58 seconds