Ben's Forum Replies

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 20th to the 22nd of May, 2020:

1. Fleshpress (FALLEN)

2. Demonic Death Judge (FALLEN)

3. Grey Daturas (FALLEN)

4. Tusk (FALLEN, HORDE)

5. My Shameful (FALLEN)

6. Magica (GUARDIANS)

7. Gigantic Brain (SPHERE)

8. ACxDC (HORDE)

9. Auroch (HORDE)

10. Fluids (HORDE)

11. Le Scrawl (HORDE)

12. Devangelic (HORDE)

13. Infant Island (INFINITE)

14. Nuit noire (NORTH)

15. Mystic Forest (NORTH)

16. Blodsrit (NORTH)

17. Bilskirnir (NORTH)

18. The Hirsch Effekt (REVOLUTION)

19. Me and Him Call It Us (REVOLUTION)

20. Cataract (REVOLUTION)

The new E.P. from Maryland's finest frog-themed gorenoise exponent Phyllomedusa was released last week. It's entitled "0% Survival Rate".

You want me to hate you don't you.

Personally, I'm very proud of what we already have here. I kind of gave up on having an enormous community a long time ago, and have instead focused on making the site as good and as complete as it can be. I really enjoy adding bands, releases and lists, and I figure if I still find value in the site (which I do), then there are bound to be others that also do.

There are still a few things that I'd like to do to make Metal Academy even better, but they are incredibly time consuming tasks, so I'd need help. These include adding tracklists, subgenres and perhaps even lyrics. I'm sure there are more unique things we could do with the clans, so I'm thinking that might be the place to focus to further differentiate the site.

I've considered encouraging a points system for activity, but haven't really seen that lead to anything interesting on other sites. If anything, members that have grand titles tend to treat newcomers like peasants, and I always want to encourage respect and equality. I agree that the community here is very friendly and accepting so far, and that's something I will always want to have. If it has to remain relatively small for that to be the case, then that's fine.

I'm considering working with my developer in the next few months, so if anyone has anything they think could improve Metal Academy, please speak up. I'm not sure that there has been anything that anyone has requested so far that I haven't implemented or at least considered very carefully.

Oh, one other thing...while it's not visible yet, I've been adding release dates to every release on the site for the past year or so, and have slowly been going back to all the early releases and adding them. As with album covers, I've been scouring many sources to find the most accurate dates, and will bring them into play in some fashion at some point. To give you some insight into the backend of the site, the following releases have an anniversary today...

I'll add them soon. As for the Sludge challenge, stay tuned. I'm going to star working on it this week.

I may not consider Metal Church's debut to be a classic, but I do think it's a really enjoyable and often exciting album. There are a number of great tracks like Beyond the Black, Gods of Wrath and the awesome title track. If it wasn't for a lacklustre B side (including the cover, which like just about every cover ever recorded, doesn't fit with the rest of the album), I'd give this album 4.5 stars. As it is, is a solid 4 stars for me.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 17th to the 19th May, 2020:

1. Anodyne (REVOLUTION)

2. Killwhitneydead (REVOLUTION)

3. Suffokate (REVOLUTION)

4. Azusa (INFINITE)

5. Mindflow (INFINITE)

6. Barishi (INFINITE)

7. Deinonychus (FALLEN, NORTH)

8. Head of the Demon (FALLEN)

9. Doomshine (FALLEN)

10. Autumn (FALLEN, GATEWAY)

11. Dungeon (GUARDIANS)

12. Solicitor (GUARDIANS, PIT)

13. Olympos Mons (GUARDIANS)

14. Wargasm (PIT)

15. Mandator (PIT)

16. Hydra Vein (PIT)

17. Light Dweller (HORDE, NORTH)

18. Dark Age (HORDE, GATEWAY)

19. Decaying Purity (HORDE)

20. Emeth (HORDE)

21. Endless Dismal Moan (NORTH)

22. Ajattara (NORTH)

23. Angantyr (NORTH)

24. Baptism (NORTH)

It has been a while! I actually attempted to make a Viking Metal one a while back, but was shocked to find that there really aren't enough quality albums to do it. There are very few Viking Metal releases than don't have a more dominant primary such as Black Metal or Folk Metal. I'm pretty sure that will be the case for Neoclassical Metal and Trance Metal too, but I can definitely make one for Sludge and Post.

The question is...what do I do with Atmospheric Sludge?! I'm thinking that it will lock in The Infinite rather than The Fallen as both Daniel and I agree that Atmospheric Sludge is more Post-Metal than it is Sludge Metal. Anyone have an opinion on that?

And since I just mentioned them in the last post, this is the debut album from Seattle based Izthmi. Much more traditional black metal tones, while still digging into that epic atmospheric songwriting and timbre. Ben, I think you'll really enjoy this.

8/10

https://izthmiseattle.bandcamp.com/album/the-arrows-of-our-ways

Just checked out the first couple of tracks. There are a lot of influences here, including Agalloch, the progressive stylings of Opeth / In Mourning, and I can definitely hear a bit of the Scandinavian doom sound that I love so much in bands like Rapture and Slumber. I think it's going to take a bit of time for this one to sink in.

Thanks for the recommendation!

Welcome to Metal Academy Chris! I was particularly stoked to see that you chose The Sphere when registering, as it's definitely an under-represented clan.

You've definitely come to the right place if you enjoy splitting metal hairs. You won't find two more pedantic metal fans than Daniel and I, but then you'd know that if you've listened to the podcast.

I hope you continue to find value in the site and keep adding reviews. I'm really enjoying them.

Cheers,

Ben.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 14th to the 16th May, 2020:

1. Сергей Маврин [Sergey Mavrin] (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)

2. Forgotten Tales (GUARDIANS)

3. Evil Masquerade (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)

4. Guardians of Time (GUARDIANS)

5. Biesy (NORTH)

6. Kły (NORTH)

7. Omega Infinity (NORTH)

8. Couch Slut (FALLEN)

9. Elephant Tree (FALLEN)

10. The Wizar'd (FALLEN)

11. Hades (PIT) - requested by Daniel

12. Holycide (PIT)

13. Asking Alexandria (REVOLUTION) - requested by shadowdoom9

14. Attila (REVOLUTION, GATEWAY) - requested by shadowdoom9

15. Crimson Armada, The (REVOLUTION, HORDE) - requested by shadowdoom9

16. XXX Maniak (HORDE)

17. Cemetery Filth (HORDE)

Turn Loose the Swans is an all time top 10 album for me, so yeah, My Dying Bride by a long, long way.

Turn Loose the Swans - 3

Dance of December Souls - 0

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 11th to the 13th May, 2020:

1. Overlorde (GUARDIANS)

2. Doro (GUARDIANS)

3. Symphorce (GUARDIANS)

4. Illogicist (INFINITE, HORDE)

5. Empty Tremor (INFINITE)

6. Transmission0 (INFINITE, FALLEN)

7. Smoke Mountain (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92

8. Sleeping Village (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92

9. Trebuchet (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92

10. BlackLab (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92

11. Strawberry Hospital (REVOLUTION, NORTH)

12. From a Second Story Window (REVOLUTION)

13. Arkangel (REVOLUTION)

14. Striborg (NORTH)

15. Ifernach (NORTH)

16. Crimson Moonlight (NORTH, HORDE)

17. Psychic Possessor (HORDE, PIT)

18. Infected (HORDE, PIT)

19. DVC (HORDE)

20. Wretched (HORDE) - requested by shadowdoom9

21. Sinners Bleed (HORDE)

22. Alien Weaponry (PIT, GATEWAY) - requested by shadowdoom9

23. Grinder (PIT)

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 8th to the 10th May, 2020:

1. Sibyl (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92

2. Phantom Druid (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92

3. King Witch (FALLEN)

4. Dark Forest (GUARDIANS)

5. Feinstein (GUARDIANS)

6. Silent Force (GUARDIANS)

7. Organ: (INFINITE)

8. Etoile Filante (NORTH) - requested by Sonny92

9. Elysian Blaze (NORTH)

10. Havok (PIT)

11. Cryptic Shift (PIT, HORDE)

12. Graf Spee (HORDE)

13. Umbra Vitae (HORDE)

14. Insision (HORDE)

15. Cloudscape (INFINITE)

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 2nd to the 7th May, 2020:

1. Психея [Psiheya] (GATEWAY)

2. Senser (GATEWAY)

3. Manigance (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)

4. Dol Ammad (GUARDIANS)

5. Saratoga (GUARDIANS)

6. Эпидемия [Epidemia] (GUARDIANS)

7. Phyllomedusa (HORDE, FALLEN, NORTH) - requested by Daniel

8. Vehemence (HORDE)

9. Anal Vomit (HORDE, PIT, NORTH)

10. Velnias (NORTH, FALLEN)

11. Lugubrum (NORTH, INFINITE)

12. Countess (NORTH)

13. Seed of the Sorcerer, Womb of the Witch (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92

14. Satyrus (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92

15. Vinnum Sabbathi (FALLEN)

16. A Perfect Murder (PIT, REVOLUTION)

17. M.O.D. (PIT) - requested by Daniel

18. Intruder (PIT) - requested by Daniel

19. Cea Serin (INFINITE)

20. Takaru (REVOLUTION)

21. Martyr AD (REVOLUTION)

22. Diecast (REVOLUTION)

I'm not the best person to judge an album like this one, as I struggle with crossover thrash in general. I also struggle with humour in my metal, although for some reason Mr Bungle is an exclusion to that statement. I find all the silliness in SOD to be immature and a distraction from the admittedly good riffs that pop up throughout. I rated it 2.5 stars on RYM when I last paid it any attention, but I see that was 12 years ago!

I may have to check this one out, especially as even Daniel likes it! 

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 29th of April to the 1st of May, 2020:

1. Amatory (GATEWAY, REVOLUTION, PIT)

2. Black Bomb A (GATEWAY)

3. Exilia (GATEWAY)

4. Genius (INFINITE)

5. Wastefall (INFINITE)

6. Eldritch (INFINITE, GUARDIANS)

7. Dö (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92

8. Goblinsmoker (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92

9. Funeral Leech (FALLEN)

10. The Great Redneck Hope (REVOLUTION)

11. The Showdown (REVOLUTION)

12. Remembering Never (REVOLUTION, GUARDIANS, PIT)

13. Abigail (PIT, NORTH)

14. Witchmaster (PIT, NORTH, DEATH)

15. Clandestine Blaze (NORTH)

16. Veil (NORTH)

17. Darkestrah (NORTH)

18. Timo Rautiainen & Trio Niskalaukaus (GUARDIANS)

19. Celesty (GUARDIANS)

20. Brodequin (HORDE)

21. Yyrkoon (HORDE)

22. Symbolik (HORDE)

There's an obvious flaw in your system shadowdoom9, and that's your Katatonia score. You've included all of their Alternative Metal albums in that score, none of which you seemed to enjoy. If you only included the gothic / doom metal albums, your average score would have been 4.25.

I don't suppose you included ratings for all the Anathema and The Gathering albums that don't meet the criteria to be included on the site, so it's only fair that you compare apples with apples.

Ben, please add Phyllomedusa (USA).

You're a bastard! You know that, right!?

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 26th/27th/28th of April, 2020:

1. Thurisaz (NORTH, HORDE, INFINITE)

2. Lunar Aurora / Paysage d'Hiver (NORTH)

3. Nargaroth (NORTH)

4. Eighteen Visions (REVOLUTION, GATEWAY)

5. Full Blown Chaos (REVOLUTION, PIT)

6. Premonitions of War (REVOLUTION)

7. Frontside (REVOLUTION)

8. Dead to Fall (REVOLUTION)

9. Tub Ring (GATEWAY)

10. Rootwater (GATEWAY, PIT)

11. Breed 77 (GATEWAY)

12. Imperanon (HORDE)

13. Caninus (HORDE)

14. Visceral Bleeding (HORDE)

15. Apocalypse (PIT) - requested by Daniel

16. Meliah Rage (PIT, GUARDIANS)

17. Chris Caffery (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)

18. Moi dix Mois (GUARDIANS, FALLEN)

19. Twilightning (GUARDIANS)

20. Time Requiem (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)

21. Altaria (GUARDIANS)

22. Eldritch Rites (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92

23. Beggar (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92

24. Planet of the Dead (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny92

25. Dreamscape (INFINITE)

You play My Dying Bride at 1.5 speed? Please reconsider joining The Fallen! 

I do enjoy Type O Negative, but My Dying Bride are one of my favourite bands. The Light at the End of the World was their return to death doom after some years of experimentation, and while it wasn't the five star classic I was hoping for, it's still a great album with some truly monstrous tracks. It's My Dying Bride for me!

The Light at the End of the World - 2

World Coming Down - 1

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 24th/25th of April, 2020:

1. Burmese (FALLEN)

2. Entwine (FALLEN, GATEWAY)

3. Forsaken (FALLEN)

4. Chylińska (GATEWAY)

5. John 5 (GATEWAY, GUARDIANS)

6. Axxis (GUARDIANS)

7. Spell (GUARDIANS)

8. Magic Kingdom (GUARDIANS)

9. Occult (PIT, HORDE, NORTH)

10. Altered Aeon (PIT, INFINITE, HORDE)

11. Witchburner (PIT)

12. Ripped to Shreds (HORDE)

13. Krohm (NORTH)

14. Horna / Behexen (NORTH)

15. Atooishinjuu (INFINITE)

16. Ainsoph (INFINITE)

17. Magnitude 9 (INFINITE)

18. I Killed the Prom Queen (REVOLUTION)

19. Reflux (REVOLUTION)

20. 100 Demons (REVOLUTION)

Certainly! Nice to have some more requests. 

Note that The Mourning Beloveth / Ruins of Beverast split has already been added.

https://metal.academy/releases/18827

If any of you are thinking of bands that started as gothic death-doom but slowly (d)evolved into alt-prog rock, here are a couple of them; Anathema and The Gathering. While both of these bands disappoint heavier fans by not having their darker metal sound anymore, you know who might like their lighter rock sound? MY MOM!! Seriously, my mom's never really a fan of metal, but she's OK with softer rock sounds.

Unlike Daniel, I stopped really enjoying Anathema's work quite some time ago. I've always had time for The Gathering though, at least I did while Anneke was still part of the band. I think I listen to their non-metal albums more than the metal ones, simply because they can be played while the family is around.

Ulver are another one that springs to mind. They've made a reasonably good fist of all of their undertakings although I have to admit that I don't truly love anything I've heard from them since their metal days.

I can't say I like everything they've done, but occasionally they still create releases that really work for me. I've a huge fan of Perdition City and A Quick Fix of Melancholy in particular.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 22nd/23rd of April, 2020:

1. Tetsuo (FALLEN)

2. Sasquatch (FALLEN)

3. Loss (FALLEN, HORDE, NORTH)

4. Thunderstone (GUARDIANS)

5. Nemesea (GUARDIANS)

6. Kotipelto (GUARDIANS)

7. 7 for 4 (INFINITE)

8. Derek Sherinian (INFINITE)

9. Canvas Solaris (INFINITE)

10. Hatesphere (PIT, HORDE)

11. Ektomorf (PIT, GATEWAY)

12. Sauron (PIT, NORTH)

13. Deathwish (PIT, GUARDIANS) - requested by Daniel

14. Cans (GUARDIANS)

15. Earshot (GATEWAY)

16. Rishloo (GATEWAY)

17. Eths (GATEWAY, REVOLUTION)

18. Moja Adr enalina (REVOLUTION)

19. Breather Resist (REVOLUTION)

20. The Secret (REVOLUTION, NORTH)

21. Krieg (NORTH)

22. Axis of Advance (NORTH, HORDE)

23. Iskra (NORTH)

24. Mistigo Varggoth Darkestra (NORTH) - requested by illusionist

25. Vreid (NORTH)

26. Capharnaum (HORDE)

27. Internal Suffering (HORDE)

Good topic! I'll have a think about this one, but my immediate reaction is to talk about Burzum. Sure, Varg's initial transition from black metal to dungeon synth was forced, due to his incarceration, but he's ended up moving on from metal anyway. I find all of his non-metal releases to be fairly unlistenable. They swing between utterly boring and grating on the senses, with only the occasional hint of the genius that produced such incredible albums in the mid-nineties.

On a side note, isn't the new Oranssi Pazuzu still metal though? I see that most people would select Psychedelic Metal if it were indeed a thing. Who knows, it may become a thing after the band's success.

I love that this discussion is being had by members of The Guardians. I can't comment in any way as I haven't heard a power metal album released in the last few years, but then a quick look at the clan icons above this post confirm that any comment I make shouldn't be given all that much credence.

Carry on! 

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 20th/21st of April, 2020:

1. Lunatica (GUARDIANS)

2. 200 Stab Wounds (HORDE)

3. Caustic Wound (HORDE)

4. Live Burial (HORDE)

5. Alarum (INFINITE)

6. Mechanical Poet (INFINITE, GATEWAY)

7. Saliva (GATEWAY)

8. (həd) p.e. (GATEWAY)

9. Nortt / Xasthur (NORTH, FALLEN)

10. Consummation (NORTH) - requested by illusionist

11. Lutomysl (NORTH) - requested by illusionist

12. VHOL (NORTH, GUARDIANS) - requested by illusionist

13. Amaran (GUARDIANS)

14. Svartgren (NORTH) - requested by illusionist

15. Aara (NORTH)

16. Flowing Tears (FALLEN)

17. DRAIN (PIT)

18. Kayser (PIT)

19. Bury Your Dead (REVOLUTION, GATEWAY)

20. The End (REVOLUTION, GATEWAY)

I totally get what you're trying to say there, and it's something I myself might have said once upon a time. But one of the reasons Daniel and I created Metal Academy was to create a site that's inclusive for everyone, no matter what they're into. Sure, we kind of expect that attendees will be mostly into varying sub-genres of metal (there's no clan for pop after all), but we feel like the message of inclusiveness doesn't really hold up if we're condescending to other people's tastes.

Personally, I really don't like country music, hip-hop or R&B, but if I don't want fans of those musical styles to talk shit about my passion for metal music (which they generally know next to nothing about), I really shouldn't talk shit about whatever music they're passionate about (which I very likely know next to nothing about too).

I didn't mean to get all preachy here, but I guess if there was going to be a slogan for Metal Academy, I'd want it to emphasise this inclusive aspect of what we're trying to achieve. Whether your favourite band is Incantation or Boris or Slipknot or Exodus or Blind Guardian, it doesn't matter. All metal fans are welcome here. Maybe an attendee can come up with a good slogan that represents that message.

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.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 18th/19th of April, 2020:

1. Aarni (FALLEN, INFINITE) - requested by illusionist

2. Alabama Thunderpussy (FALLEN, GUARDIANS)

3. Asunder (FALLEN)

4. Tony Iommi (GUARDIANS)

5. Armory (GUARDIANS) - requested by illusionist

6. Jon Oliva's Pain (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)

7. Diablo (HORDE, PIT)

8. Torsofuck (HORDE)

9. Norther (HORDE)

10. Demonoid (HORDE, PIT)

11. Farmer Boys (PIT, GATEWAY, SPHERE)

12. Nocturnal (PIT, NORTH)

13. Glass Casket (REVOLUTION)

14. It Dies Today (REVOLUTION)

15. Atreyu (REVOLUTION, GATEWAY)

16. TMK (SPHERE, INFINITE)

17. Drowning Pool (GATEWAY)

18. Orgy (GATEWAY)

19. Abydos (INFINITE)

20. The Black Mages (INFINITE)

21. Mortifera (NORTH)

22. AEBA (NORTH) - requested by illusionist

23. Velvet Cacoon (NORTH)

24. Armagedda (NORTH)

25. Carpe Noctem (NORTH) - requested by illusionist

Welcome back illusionist! I'll add these in the next few days.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 16th of April, 2020:

1. Dead Kosmonaut (GUARDIANS, FALLEN)

2. Throne of Iron (GUARDIANS)

3. Ross the Boss (GUARDIANS)

4. Guilt Dispenser (HORDE)

5. Slave One (HORDE)

6. Hyperdontia (HORDE)

7. Sofiya (INFINITE)

8. Their Dogs Were Astronauts (INFINITE)

9. Morto (INFINITE)

10. Moloken (FALLEN)

11. Erythrite Throne (NORTH)

12. Vaeok (NORTH)

13. DBC (PIT) - requested by Daniel

14. Quasarborn (PIT)

15. Omerta (REVOLUTION, GATEWAY)

16. Typecaste (REVOLUTION)

17. Great American Ghost (REVOLUTION)

18. Cauldron (REVOLUTION)

19. Projected (GATEWAY)

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 14th/15th of April, 2020:

1. Enchantment (FALLEN)

2. Mourning Beloveth / The Ruins of Beverast (FALLEN)

3. Sea (FALLEN, INFINITE)

4. War Dogs (GUARDIANS)

5. Serious Black (GUARDIANS)

6. Stream of Passion (GUARDIANS, INFINITE) - requested by Xephyr

7. Phalanx (HORDE)

8. Invocation (HORDE, NORTH)

9. Oceans (HORDE, INFINITE, GATEWAY)

10. Wake (HORDE, NORTH)

11. Nekrovault (HORDE)

12. Five Finger Death Punch (PIT, GATEWAY)

13. Lost Society (PIT, REVOLUTION)

14. Surgical Strike (PIT)

15. Hollywood Undead (GATEWAY)

16. In This Moment (GATEWAY, REVOLUTION, SPHERE)

17. Reflections (REVOLUTION, INFINITE)

18. Orthodox (REVOLUTION)

19. Bodysnatcher (REVOLUTION)

20. Lychgate (NORTH, INFINITE)

21. Whoredom Rife (NORTH)

22. Taake / Whoredom Rife (NORTH)

Both sound intriguing to me, although I must admit that Olhava sound more up my alley. You've reminded me that I really need to devote some time to Panopticon. I think I'll need to give it a few distraction free listens to give it every opportunity to click.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 12th/13th of April, 2020:

1. Graveyard Rodeo (FALLEN, PIT)

2. Orphanage (FALLEN, HORDE)

3. Darzamat (FALLEN, GUARDIANS, NORTH)

4. Radakka (GUARDIANS)

5. Thy Primordial (NORTH)

6. Menhir (NORTH)

7. Abyssos (NORTH)

8. Wode (NORTH)

9. Puncture (SPHERE)

10. Atrophia Red Sun (SPHERE, HORDE)

11. Iniquity (HORDE)

12. Krabathor (HORDE)

13. Mercyless (HORDE, PIT)

14. Power of Expression (PIT, REVOLUTION)

15. Verbal Abuse (PIT)

16. Release (PIT)

17. Insult II Injury (PIT)

18. Hostility (PIT)

19. Assorted Heap (PIT)

20. 454 Big Block (GATEWAY)

21. Chum (GATEWAY)

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 10th/11th of April, 2020:

1. Crows (GUARDIANS)

2. God Is LSD (SPHERE)

3. The Interbeing (SPHERE, HORDE, INFINITE)

4. David Maxim Micic (INFINITE)

5. Comecon (HORDE)

6. Lemming Project (HORDE)

7. First Fragment (HORDE)

8. Mucky Pup (GATEWAY, PIT)

9. God in the Schizoid Mind (PIT, GUARDIANS)

10. Speedwolf (PIT)

11. Liar (PIT, GUARDIANS)

12. Rumble Militia (PIT)

13. Despair (PIT)

14. Poltergeist (PIT, GUARDIANS)

15. Hexx (PIT, GUARDIANS)

16. Messiah Force (PIT, GUARDIANS)

17. Stormwarrior (PIT, GUARDIANS)

18. Black Viper (PIT)

19. Chapel (PIT, GUARDIANS, NORTH)

20. Csejthe (NORTH)

21. Eye of Solitude (FALLEN)

22. Cauldron Born (GUARDIANS)

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 8th/9th of April, 2020:

1. Red (GATEWAY)

2. Dynazty (GUARDIANS, REVOLUTION)

3. Ruin Lust (HORDE, NORTH)

4. Escuela Grind (HORDE)

5. WVRM (HORDE, FALLEN, REVOLUTION)

6. Lifetaker (HORDE, REVOLUTION)

7. Aronious (HORDE)

8. Molested Divinity (HORDE)

9. Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs (FALLEN)

10. Angellore (FALLEN)

11. Sons of a Wanted Man (FALLEN, INFINITE, NORTH)

12. Jason Kui (INFINITE)

13. Ovid's Withering (INFINITE, REVOLUTION)

14. Kassad (NORTH)

15. Olhava (NORTH)

Just saw that the new Vader album will be called Solitude in Madness. Has there ever been a more fitting album title for the times? Was it an intentional last minute decision?

It drops on the 1st of May on Nuclear Blast.

Well now you're talking album titles, not band names. That opens up a whole other world of silliness. It's a hip hop album in case you're wondering.

Yeah, kinda like Eagles of Death Metal.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 6th/7th of April, 2020:

1. Nonoyesno (FALLEN)

2. The Skull (FALLEN)

3. Deathcore (HORDE, PIT)

4. Speckmann Project (HORDE)

5. Mortification (HORDE, PIT, GUARDIANS)

6. Revenant (HORDE)

7. Afflicted (HORDE, GUARDIANS)

8. Resurrection (HORDE)

9. Divine Eve (HORDE)

10. Detest (HORDE)

11. Konkhra (HORDE, PIT)

12. Warlord U.K. (HORDE)

13. Fetish 69 (SPHERE, PIT)

14. Dead World (SPHERE)

15. Decree (SPHERE)

16.Pure Wrath (NORTH)

17. Amnesia (PIT)

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 4th/5th of April, 2020:

1. Beast of Revelation (FALLEN, HORDE)

2. Soliloquium (FALLEN)

3. Dexter Ward (GUARDIANS)

4. Macbeth (GUARDIANS, PIT) - requested by Tymell

5. Disharmonic Orchestra / Pungent Stench (HORDE)

6. Defecation (HORDE)

7. Righteous Pigs (HORDE, PIT)

8. Sutrah (HORDE)

9. Hræ (NORTH)

10. Asarhaddon (NORTH)

11. Sacred Denial (PIT)

12. Impulse Manslaughter (PIT)

13. Inhuman Conditions (PIT)

14. Rostok Vampires (PIT)

15. Abomination (PIT)

16. Chronical Diarrhoea (PIT)

17. Toxic Shock (PIT)

18. Bog Wraith (REVOLUTION)

If you’d asked me back in the 90s, I might have said Dark Tranquillity, but there’s something about The Gallery that hasn’t aged as well as At the Gates’ classic. I might even prefer other Dark Tranquillity albums these days, like Character. The power of Slaughter of the Soul still hits hard though, so that’s my choice.

Slaughter of the Soul - 3

The Gallery - 0

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 3rd of April, 2020:

1. Sinamore (FALLEN)

2. Syrach (FALLEN)

3. Midnattsol (FALLEN, NORTH, GUARDIANS)

4. Rotting Kingdom (FALLEN)

5. Naio Ssaion (GATEWAY)

6. Fightstar (GATEWAY)

7. Intense (GUARDIANS)

8. Fairyland (GUARDIANS)

9. Fission (INFINITE, HORDE, PIT)

10. Mehida (INFINITE)

11. Christian Muenzner (INFINITE)

12. Vesania (NORTH)

13. Black Curse (NORTH, HORDE)

14. Svartsot (NORTH)

15. Necrobode (NORTH)

16. Wolfpack Unleashed (PIT)

17. Hurtlocker (REVOLUTION)

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy on the 1st of April, 2020:

1. Stallion (PIT, GUARDIANS)

2. Fusion Bomb (PIT)

3. Shadowkiller (GUARDIANS)

4. Mamaleek (NORTH, INFINITE)

5. Saltatio Mortis (NORTH)

6. Grift (NORTH)

7. Golden Dawn (NORTH, FALLEN)

8. Devlin (FALLEN)

9. Erben Der Schöpfung (FALLEN)

10. Stephen O'Malley (FALLEN)

11. Elis (FALLEN, GUARDIANS)

12. Dwaal (FALLEN)

13. Solothus (FALLEN)

14. Temple of Void (FALLEN, HORDE)

15. Collapse 7 (HORDE)

16. Warp Chamber (HORDE)

17. Perdition Temple (HORDE)