Ben's Forum Replies

has Gontyna Kry been added? 

They haven't, but I'll add them to the list to be added this week.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 18th to the 25th of August, 2023.

1. Cantata Sangui (FALLEN, INFINITE)

2. Cryptic Tales (FALLEN, HORDE, NORTH)

3. Nuctemeron (FALLEN, HORDE)

4. Stressball (FALLEN, PIT)

5. Absurd Existence (FALLEN)

6. Expulsion (FALLEN)

7. Misery (FALLEN)

8. Oromet (FALLEN)

9. Kinniku Shoujo Tai (GATEWAY, GUARDIANS)

10. Disciplinatha (GATEWAY)

11. Laundry (GATEWAY, INFINITE)

12. exist†trace (GATEWAY)

13. Super Junky Monkey (GATEWAY)

14. Mental Hippie Blood (GATEWAY)

15. Mayfair (GATEWAY, INFINITE)

16. Mind Bomb (GATEWAY)

17. Twilight (DNK) (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)

18. Adolf Castle (GUARDIANS)

19. House of Spirits (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)

20. Joe Stump (GUARDIANS, INFINITE, PIT)

21. Logos (GUARDIANS, PIT)

22. Putrid Stu / Fluids (HORDE)

23. Ascendency (HORDE, NORTH)

24. Total Rusak (HORDE)

25. Coercion (HORDE)

26. Psychic Pawn (HORDE)

27. Agretator (HORDE)

28. Dai (HORDE, NORTH)

29. Chirurgia (HORDE, PIT)

30. G-Anx (HORDE)

31. Bleed (HORDE)

32. Death Vomit (HORDE)

33. Resuscitator (HORDE, HORDE)

34. Undersave (HORDE, INFINITE)

35. Gangrena (HORDE)

36. Suffocation / Malevolent Creation / Exhorder / Cancer (HORDE, PIT)

37. Vermin (HORDE)

38. Vicious Circle (HORDE, PIT)

39. Sacred Sin (HORDE, PIT)

40. Headhunter D.C. (HORDE)

41. Victims of Internal Decay (HORDE)

42. Lost Harvest (HORDE)

43. Renaissance (INFINITE)

44. Albino Slug (INFINITE)

45. Dorso (INFINITE, PIT)

46. Svartsyn (NOR) (NORTH)

47. Suffering (NORTH)

48. Willoos (NORTH)

49. Wyrgher (NORTH)

50. Taranis (POL) (NORTH)

51. The Lousy (PIT)

52. X-Cops (PIT)

53. Monster Voodoo Machine (PIT, SPHERE)

54. Alligator (PIT)

55. The Spudmonsters (PIT)

56. Crionic (PIT)

57. Blue Skies Burning (REVOLUTION)

58. Abhinanda (REVOLUTION)

59. Memento (USA) (REVOLUTION)

60. Aftershock (REVOLUTION)

61. Candiru (SPHERE)

Thanks for all the responses. I think I'm going to have to face the fact that there's really no right or wrong way to assess these things. I'm one of those people that likes to apply a consistent criteria when rating. That's become particularly important while I'm attempting to rank all my favourite releases to finally be able to come up with a Top 50 or Top 100 style list.

I actually feel quite strongly that traditional EPs should be "taxed" for containing so much less content than regular full lengths. It simply doesn't feel right to me that an EP containing two or three tracks and a total run time of under 15 minutes could ever appear in my top 10 or 20 releases, just because all of the tracks contained are outstanding. Obviously not everyone feels that way, and that's just fine. What I am having to accept is that I can't treat all EPs or all albums in the same way. While Haunting the Chapel shouldn't be given the same weight as Hell Awaits, I have to admit that Deathspell Omega's Kenose probably should be given the same weight as any other Deathspell Omega album. I'm going to have to break out of my need for a consistent methodology and treat each release independently. It will hurt, but I reckon I can do it.

So it's Japanese? Um... Intestine Baalism - An Anatomy of the Beast?

I see that SilentScream213 reviewed it this week.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 10th to the 17th of August, 2023.

1. Etherial Winds (FALLEN)

2. Dark Mirror ov Tragedy (FALLEN, NORTH) - requested by Morpheus

3. Divercia (FALLEN, HORDE)

4. Dissolving of Prodigy (FALLEN)

5. Candle Serenade (FALLEN, NORTH)

6. Houk (GATEWAY)

7. Foreign Objects (GATEWAY, HORDE, PIT)

8. Regurgitator (GATEWAY)

9. Syris (GUARDIANS)

10. Fatal Opera (GUARDIANS, INFINITE, PIT)

11. Dr. Sin (GUARDIANS)

12. Capricorn (GUARDIANS)

13. Triumpher (GUARDIANS)

14. Elegant Weapons (GUARDIANS)

15. Dragoncorpse (GUARDIANS, REVOLUTION)

16. SikFuk (HORDE)

17. R.U. Dead? (HORDE)

18. Vomiting Corpses (HORDE)

19. Possession (HORDE, PIT))

20. Face Down (HORDE, PIT)

21. FaithXtractor (HORDE)

22. Suotana (HORDE)

23. Algol (HORDE)

24. Undercroft (HORDE)

25. Detestation (HORDE)

26. Vibrion (HORDE)

27. Rhadamantys (HORDE)

28. Gaffed (HORDE)

29. Claustrum (HORDE)

30. Parasitario (HORDE)

31. Ignominy (HORDE)

32. Sepulcrum (HORDE)

33. Grotesqueries (HORDE)

34. Burial Hordes (HORDE, NORTH)

35. Pyramid Mass (HORDE, NORTH)

36. Haxprocess (HORDE, INFINITE)

37. Negative Vortex (HORDE, NORTH)

38. Sarcoughagus (HORDE)

39. Trifixion (INFINITE)

40. Macrocosmic Emotions (INFINITE, PIT)

41. Ashen Horde (INFINITE, NORTH)

42. Kohort (NORTH)

43. My Infinite Kingdom (NORTH)

44. To Be Gentle (NORTH)

45. Mrakobes (NORTH)

46. Devouring Famine (NORTH)

47. Limbes (NORTH)

48. Abyssum (NORTH)

49. Demonic (NORTH)

50. Nergal (NORTH)

51. Blazemth (NORTH)

52. Sarcoptes (NORTH, PIT)

53. Verminous Serpent (NORTH)

54. Olde Throne (NORTH)

55. Schavot (NORTH)

56. Trhä / Μνήμα (NORTH)

57. Ciemra (NORTH)

58. Necrofier (NORTH)

59. Fathomage (NORTH)

60. Autrest (NORTH)

61. Vegan Reich (PIT)

62. Jesus Piece / Malice at the Palace (REVOLUTION)

63. Parkway Drive / Think Straight / Shoot to Kill (REVOLUTION) - requested by Andi

64. Mortality Rate / Judiciary (REVOLUTION)

65. Since My Beloved (REVOLUTION)

66. Burner (REVOLUTION)

67. Envision (REVOLUTION)

68. The Wise Man's Fear (REVOLUTION)

69. Malformed Earthborn (SPHERE)

70. JAAW (SPHERE)

Yep, let's go with...

Type O Negative - White Slavery off World Coming Down (1999)

Shape of Despair - Curse Life off Illusion's Play (2004) - I know, it's another Shape of Despair track, but I never hear anyone talking about this track or album. Perhaps someone hasn't heard this amazing track!?

Decomposed - Inscriptions off Hope Finally Died... (1993)

Thanks Sonny!

That's the only one I can find too. I can use it (since you requested it), but it's going to be very blurry at the site standard 1000 x 1000.

I'll have another look this week and see if I can uncover a better one in the depths of the internet.

Ben, please add the Parkway Drive / Think Straight / Shoot to Kill split album What We've Built.

I can, but I'm struggling to find a cover that isn't just a blur. Maybe you can hunt down a decent quality image for it?

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 3rd to the 9th of August, 2023.

1. Johnny the Boy (FALLEN, NORTH)

2. Owl (FALLEN, HORDE, INFINITE)

3. Gigandhi (FALLEN, INFINITE, NORTH)

4. Hefeystos (FALLEN, INFINITE)

5. Wallowing (FALLEN)

6. Çilekeş (GATEWAY

7. Far (GATEWAY)

8. Skyscraper (GATEWAY)

9. Avoid (GATEWAY, REVOLUTION)

10. Anareta (GUARDIANS, INFINITE, NORTH)

11. Ron Wasserman (GUARDIANS) - requested by Rexorcist

12. Steelfaith (GUARDIANS) - requested by Rexorcist

13. Marchen Station (GUARDIANS) - requested by Rexorcist

14. Third Dimension (GUARDIANS) - requested by Rexorcist

15. Abyssal / Ellorsith (HORDE)

16. Moribund (HORDE)

17. Paraxism (HORDE)

18. Gore (BRA) (HORDE)

19. Scheitan (HORDE, NORTH)

20. Chalera (HORDE)

21. Erytrosy (HORDE)

22. Lustration (HORDE)

23. Embracing (HORDE)

24. Malicious Hate (HORDE)

25. Annon Vin (INFINITE)

26. Unreqvited / Asunojokei (INFINITE, NORTH)

27. Samurai (GBR) (NORTH)

28. Holy Death (NORTH)

29. Inquisition / Profane Creation (NORTH)

30. Vintersemestre (NORTH)

31. Winter Lantern (NORTH) - requested by Vinny

32. Tryglav (NORTH)

33. Veles (NORTH)

34. Griffar (NORTH) - requested by Sonny

35. Yellow Machinegun (PIT)

36. D.F.C. (PIT)

37. Lickgoldensky (REVOLUTION)

38. Strain (REVOLUTION)

39. Facedown (REVOLUTION)

40. Regression (REVOLUTION)

41. Acumen Nation (SPHERE)

Given I haven't heard a single release on the list, I'm not sure I'm qualified to judge whether or not it would make a good clan challenge.

Paul Jones sure ruined Enchantment’s otherwise decent Dance the Marble Naked album.

I agree. I've never gotten on with "Crystal Logic" & his tone is a contributing factor.

Be careful what you say about Skeletor. He’s know to hold grudges.

No, it is not intended that anyone can rate releases 0 stars. I don't think it was always possible, so something must have changed at some point to allow it. I will ask my developer to fix.

In the meantime, I will delete any 0 star ratings that I see.

I've done it a few times over the years and seems to work for me. So to be clear, you've tried highlighting all text in the review, clicking Remove Font Style, and then pressing Save?

If that doesn't work, can you try cutting the text and pasting it into Notepad and then copying and pasting it back into the review, then pressing Save? I know that's an unwieldy solution, but it will just help me understand what's happening.

From what I can tell, this problem occurs sometimes when people copy and paste reviews from somewhere else (such as from RYM), not when the review is written directly into the review box. Whenever I paste anything into Metal Academy, I make sure to use Paste as plain text.

Yeah, it happens sometimes. Normally when pasting text onto the site. You can easily fix it by editing your review, highlighting all the text and clicking the Remove Font Style button.

Really interesting list. My top 100 would be way less diverse than this one, that's for sure! I can see a number that would likely make mine though, including Metallica, Arcturus, Suffocation, Opeth, Death, Blut Aus Nord, Emperor, Iron Maiden and My Dying Bride.

You know, now that you mention it, I really do want to see what your top 100's look like.  A top 100 says a lot about a person, and they're a lot of fun to look through.  Now you've got that 80's death metal list and that early black metal list.

I'm in the process of trying to figure this out. I've listened to around 80 of the biggest death, thrash, black and doom releases in recent months, and have them all rated and ranked. I'll continue with those genres for a while before adding others that I enjoy, such as progressive, industrial, gothic and heavy. I'm afraid it's going to be a while before I have something to show for it, but I'm enjoying the process.

Really interesting list. My top 100 would be way less diverse than this one, that's for sure! I can see a number that would likely make mine though, including Metallica, Arcturus, Suffocation, Opeth, Death, Blut Aus Nord, Emperor, Iron Maiden and My Dying Bride.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 27th of July to the 2nd of August, 2023.

1. Potop (FALLEN)

2. B-thong (FALLEN, PIT)

3. Antichrisis (FALLEN)

4. Dark (FALLEN, HORDE, PIT)

5. Eyes of Fire (FALLEN)

6. The Equinox ov the Gods (FALLEN, GUARDIANS, INFINITE)

7. Jim Martin (GATEWAY, GUARDIANS)

8. Thumb (GATEWAY)

9. 616 Undone (GATEWAY)

20. Mercury Rising (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)

21. Hanker (GUARDIANS)

22. Animetal (GUARDIANS, PIT)

23. Garbage Disposal (HORDE)

24. Infernal Gates (HORDE)

25. Mephistopheles (HORDE, NORTH)

26. Serpent of Old (HORDE, NORTH)

27. Aphotic (HORDE)

28. Tyrannus (HORDE, NORTH, PIT)

29. Being Killed (HORDE)

30. Disinterment (HORDE)

31. Karnak (HORDE, INFINITE)

32. Equinox (USA) (HORDE, NORTH)

33. Maze of Torment (HORDE, PIT)

34. Scenery (HORDE, INFINITE, PIT)

35. Blood Ritual (HORDE)

36. AVKRVST (INFINITE)

37. Teitan (INFINITE, NORTH)

38. Auras (INFINITE, REVOLUTION)

39. 7 Days (INFINITE)

40. Ivanhoe (INFINITE)

41. Corubo (NORTH)

42. Hekseblad (NORTH)

43. Łza Zeschniętej Róży (NORTH)

44. 666 (NORTH) - requested by Sonny

45. Enthral (NORTH)

46. Ouija (NORTH)

47. Thy Grief (NORTH)

48. Overcast (PIT, REVOLUTION)

49. Paranoid (PIT)

50. Neverending... (REVOLUTION)

51. Sons of Abraham (REVOLUTION)

52. Thoughts of Ionesco (REVOLUTION)

53. Peace, Love and Pitbulls (SPHERE)

54. De Infernali (SPHERE)

Daniel's are more of a big deal than mine. At least, that's what he's been telling me since I was 12 years old.

To be fair, I'd listen to his death metal opinions above mine. We often disagree, but then I find myself coming around to his way of thinking more often than I'd like to admit (ssshhhh... don't tell him I said that).

Let's not continue any further down this path.

Rexorcist, it's obviously great that you want to help the site. The idea you raised here is genuinely a good one, but unfortunately many of the site regulars appear to be too occupied to take part at this time. There's no reason you can't just start doing it and other members can jump in and out whenever they feel they have the time or see an album that tickles their fancy.

The main way everyone can help the site is to keep things respectful and not be combative with other site members, which is something we've for the most part managed to achieve for years now. I won't deny that I'd like for the site to grow, but I'd rather have only a handful of friendly site members than hundreds of regular members that are intentionally combative and making people feel belittled or angry. Speaking for myself, I love the site, and get enough out of its current functionality, and the admittedly small community that we have, that I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

I'm sure no-one needs to hear another voice on this matter, but I guess I have a slightly different take. I've come to realise that I need a different amount of listens depending on the style of music I'm listening to. When it comes to (as an example) thrash metal, I feel like I have a pretty good sense of it after a single listen. I'll always give it more opportunities to move up or down (usually up if anything), but I often find that my original opinion doesn't change much. When it comes death metal though, for some reason it takes me literally 4 or 5 listens before I feel confident in my opinion. I've heard a lot of new death metal albums lately for which I initially wondered what all the fuss was about, and then suddenly it clicked around that 4th of 5th listen. What was perhaps a 3.5 to 4 is suddenly a 4.5. Having gone through this experience enough times, I just don't feel like I'm doing an album or artist justice by rating it before I hit that confidence mark, no matter how long that takes. I think I gave Gorguts' Obscura album about 8 listens in the last two weeks, as that's an example of an experience that likely can't be fathomed on first listen.

All this said, you be you Rexorcist. Consume metal the way that works for you. I honestly wish that I didn't need to dedicate so much time to every release. I could experience so many more albums if that were the case. I do like to be thorough though, and when I do finally add a score for a release to Metal Academy, I want people to know that I gave it my all before settling on it.

With some non-metal releases added to the site to be sent to the Hall of Judgement lately, I think it's a good time for me to suggest a couple more. Ben, please add the Psyclon Nine albums Crwn Thy Frnicatr and We the Fallen. I strongly believe there's a lot of industrial metal in the majority of those albums' tracks mixed with the band's earlier aggrotech.

Done.

August 2023

1. Thantifaxath - Surgical Utopian Love (from Hive Mind Narcosis, 2023)

2. Nocturnal Graves - An Outlaw's Stand (from An Outlaw's Stand, 2022) [Submitted by Daniel]

3. None - Rest (from Inevitable, 2023)

4. Armagedda - Deathminded (from The Final War Approaching, 2001) [Submitted by Sonny]

5. Blackbraid - The Spirit Returns (from Blackbraid II, 2023)

6. Raventale - Sunset of the Age (from Long Passed Days, 2008) [Submitted by Vinny]

7. Throne of Ahaz - Fenris (from On Twilight Enthroned, 1996) [Submitted by Sonny]

8. Lunar Aurora - Der Pakt (from Andacht, 2007) [Submitted by Daniel]

9. Kostnatění - Hořím navždy (I Burn Forever) (from Úpal, 2023)

10. Deathspell Omega - First Prayer (from Si monvmentvm reqvires, circvmspice, 2004) [Submitted by Daniel]

11. Black Witchery - Antichrist Order of Holy Death (from Inferno of Sacred Destruction, 2010) [Submitted by Sonny]

12. RUÏM - The Triumph (of Night & Fire) (from Black Royal Spiritism - I.O sino da igreja, 2023)

13. Revenge - Wolf Slave Protocol (Choose Your Side) (from Behold.Total.Rejection, 2015) [Submitted by Daniel]

14. Fen - Scouring Ignorance (from Monuments to Absence, 2023)

15. Burzum - Stemmen fra tårnet (from Aske, 1993) [Submitted by Sonny]

16. Miserere Luminis - Le sang des rêves (from Ordalie, 2023)

17. Carpathian Forest - The Swordsmen (from Black Shining Leather, 1998) [Submitted by Sonny]

18. Panzerfaust - Promethean Fire (from The Suns of Perdition - Chapter II: Render Unto Eden, 2020) [Submitted by Vinny]

The first album that comes to mind is Bethlehem's Mein Weg. Currently 2.91 on RYM, but I really dig it. Sure, it's strange, and the gothic metal tag really doesn't fit, but I find it to be endlessly compelling and thoroughly entertaining.

I've considered picking it as a Fallen feature, but it just feels so wrong in that clan.

I don't get all the slack for Grand Declaration of War by Mayhem.  That album shows a creative peak for them, and even proved that they can function as a band even without Euronymous.

Totally agree!

The rest of the Killing Joke catalogue please?  Or do you want that I just ask to add the one album I need for my top 100?

And thanks for adding Deep Purple and GNR.  Having said that, there's only a couple out of them that I'd like to suggest for metal tags.

It would be great if you could tell me the album(s) you feel should have metal tags. Thanks!

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 20th to the 26th of July, 2023.

1. W.A.I.L. (FALLEN, NORTH)

2. Fear Falls Burning & Nadja (FALLEN)

3. Black Debbath (FALLEN)

4. Spaceboy (FALLEN, INFINITE, PIT)

5. Last Chapter (FALLEN)

6. Church of Misery / sHEAVY (FALLEN)

7. Tower (FALLEN)

8. Babylon Whores (FALLEN, GUARDIANS)

9. In Ruins (FALLEN, HORDE)

10. Altamont (FALLEN)

11. Peyote Asesino (GATEWAY)

12. Riot Stares (GATEWAY, REVOLUTION)

13. I.F.K. (GATEWAY)

14. The Clay People (GATEWAY, SPHERE)

15. Julie Laughs Nomore (GUARDIANS, HORDE)

16. Stigmata IV (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)

17. Black Symphony (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)

18. Rawhead Rexx (GUARDIANS) - requested by Morpheus

19. Shadows (GUARDIANS)

20. Acerus (GUARDIANS)

21. Legendry (GUARDIANS)

22. Inquisicion (GUARDIANS)

23. Excelsis (GUARDIANS, NORTH)

24. Enid (GUARDIANS, NORTH)

25. Am I Blood (GUARDIANS, PIT)

26. Vile Ritual (HORDE)

27. Sequestrum (HORDE)

28. Nocturnal Winds (HORDE, NORTH)

29. The Ancients Rebirth (HORDE, NORTH)

30. Eternal Autumn (HORDE)

31. Amnesia (HORDE, INFINITE, NORTH)

32. Kadath (HORDE)

33. Totenmond (HORDE, PIT, REVOLUTION)

34. Deathwitch (HORDE, NORTH, PIT)

35. Gandalf (HORDE)

36. Moss Upon the Skull (HORDE, INFINITE)

37. Infamy (HORDE)

38. Devilyn (HORDE)

39. Olkoth (HORDE)

40. Maldoror (INFINITE, NORTH)

41. Brånd (NORTH)

42. Hyrgal (NORTH)

43. Black Swan (NORTH)

44. Absurd (NORTH)

45. Crépuscule d'Hiver (NORTH)

46. Aldaaron (NORTH)

47. Ninnghizhidda (NORTH)

48. Azerlath (NORTH)

49. Kill ll This (PIT)

50. Fury of Five (PIT, REVOLUTION)

51. Die My Will (REVOLUTION)

52. Darkside NYC (REVOLUTION)

53. Jane (REVOLUTION)

54. Tactosa (REVOLUTION)

55. Length of Time (REVOLUTION)

56. .NEMA (REVOLUTION)

57. Course of Empire (SPHERE)

I don't think it's so much "warping" as it is metal fanboy pretentiousness, you know overstrictness to what real metal is, and then (potentially hypocritically) adding Deep Purple while the "poser" band Avenged Sevenfold is left out to rot in the hot sun.  The website seems to have it out for a lot of metalcore, but from what I've noticed it seems to be towards some more popular bands.

And yes, some hair metal albums are indeed true metal, notably Motley Crue and Dokken, but let's be honest: there are quite a few people who still confuse it with real metal.  Apparently, Poison is metal... Apparently...

I can't blame anyone for thinking hair metal or glam metal is metal. Why else would it contain the word metal in it!? Stupid, dumb genre names... (grumble, grumble)... don't get me started on U.S. Power Metal which apparently isn't Power Metal. It would be surprising if people weren't confused!

DUUUUDE!  When did Deep Purple get added!?  However it got added, thank you SO MANY BUNCHES.  Now let's see if I can accurately make my top 100 metal albums list!

Your wish was my command. As is my method, I added all releases between the two albums you requested, so there are 22 releases on the site.

This reminds me that I need to check out that Gorement album. I don't think I've ever heard it.

I did the best I could with this at the time, but I agree it's not ideal (particularly with long lists). I'll revisit with my developer at some point and see if there's a better way of doing it.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 12th to the 19th of July, 2023.

1. The Black League (FALLEN, GUARDIANS)

2. Intercourse (FALLEN, REVOLUTION)

3. Cattle Press (FALLEN)

4. Solarized (FALLEN)

5. Cryptal Darkness (FALLEN, HORDE)

6. Iron Monkey / Church of Misery (FALLEN)

7. Acacia (FALLEN, NORTH)

8. Supernaut (FALLEN, GUARDIANS)

9. Evenfall (FALLEN, NORTH)

10. Rockbitch (GATEWAY)

11. Codeseven (GATEWAY, REVOLUTION)

12. The Johansson Brothers (GUARDIANS)

13. Skymning (GUARDIANS, HORDE, SPHERE)

14. Squealer (GUARDIANS, PIT)

15. Holy Mother (GUARDIANS)

16. New Eden (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)

17. Excrescence (HORDE)

18. Purulent (HORDE)

19. Sevenday Curse (HORDE, REVOLUTION)

20. Flesh Grinder (HORDE)

21. Mē◦āt◦َus (HORDE, INFINITE, PIT)

22. Forest of Impaled (HORDE, NORTH)

23. Paroxysm Unit (HORDE)

24. Summoning the Lich (HORDE, REVOLUTION)

25. Esophagus (HORDE)

26. The Anchoret (INFINITE)

27. Ostraca (INFINITE)

28. Mind Odyssey (INFINITE)

29. Alase (INFINITE) - requested by Andi

30. Arjen Lucassen's Supersonic Revolution (INFINITE)

31. Trhä / Careus (NORTH)

32. Melissa (NORTH)

33. Vultyrium (NORTH)

34. Sexmag (NORTH, PIT)

35. Acwelan (NORTH)

36. Frostmoon (NORTH)

37. Ashen Light (NORTH)

38. Vitriolic Sage (NORTH)

39. Venusberg Cardinal (NORTH)

40. Antrisch (NORTH)

41. Human Agony (NORTH)

42. Malenuit (NORTH)

43. Burshtyn (NORTH)

44. Svarga (NORTH)

45. Vindsval (NORTH)

46. Xasthur / Orosius (NORTH)

47. Nuke (PIT)

48. Effigy (PIT)

49. Better Lovers (REVOLUTION)

50. Adrienne (REVOLUTION)

51. Pale Creation (REVOLUTION)

52. No Innocent Victim (REVOLUTION)

53. Traumaside (REVOLUTION)

54. December Aeternalis (REVOLUTION)

55. Gob (REVOLUTION)

56. Day of Mourning (REVOLUTION)

Sorry Sonny. If I'm not too late, I'll go for...

Katatonia - Brave off Brave Murder Day (1996)

Fires in the Distance - Harbingers off Air Not Meant for Us (2023)

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 5th to the 11th of July, 2023.

1. Sloth (FALLEN)

2. Moonlight (FALLEN)

3. The Bronx Casket Co. (FALLEN, GATEWAY, PIT)

4. Ashes You Leave (FALLEN)

5. Albert Bell's Sacro Sanctus (FALLEN, GUARDIANS) - requested by Morpheus

6. Lucifer's Fall (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny

7. Onesidezero (GATEWAY)

8. The Mark of Cain (GATEWAY)

9. Emil Bulls (GATEWAY, REVOLUTION)

10. Simon Says (GATEWAY)

11. Systematic (GATEWAY)

12. Sick Puppies (GATEWAY)

13. O'funk'illo (GATEWAY)

14. Downer (GATEWAY)

15. HB (GUARDIANS)

16. Midnight Sun (GUARDIANS)

17. Tettsui (GUARDIANS) - requested by Morpheus

18. Malediction (GUARDIANS)

19. Mark Boals (GUARDIANS)

20. Elephant (GUARDIANS) - requested by Morpheus

21. Heimdall (GUARDIANS) - requested by Morpheus

22. Grey Wolf (GUARDIANS) - requested by Morpheus

23. Cerebral Hemorrhage (HORDE)

24. Repudilation (HORDE)

25. Nightshade (HORDE)

26. Vortex (JPN) (HORDE)

27. Prosthetic Cunt (HORDE)

28. Abosranie Bogom (HORDE)

29. Groinchurn (HORDE)

30. Foretoken (HORDE)

31. Ernia (HORDE)

32. Reinfection (HORDE)

33. Estuary of Calamity (HORDE, NORTH)

34. Infernal Dominion (HORDE)

35. Evil Incarnate (HORDE)

36. Dominion Caligula (HORDE)

37. Spasme (HORDE)

38. Intestinal Engorgement (HORDE)

39. Sanctifica (INFINITE, NORTH)

40. Avalon (INFINITE)

41. Godless North (NORTH)

42. Vicious Crusade (NORTH)

43. Funeris Nocturnum (NORTH)

44. Yamatu (NORTH)

45. Red Roses for a Blue Lady (NORTH, REVOLUTION)

46. Ossein (NORTH)

47. Fog (NORTH)

48. Horda (NORTH)

49. Crucible of Sorrow (NORTH)

50. Outlaw (NORTH)

51. Malleus (NORTH, PIT)

52. Misery (PIT)

53. Haste (REVOLUTION)

54. Arma Angelus (REVOLUTION)

55. Momentum (REVOLUTION)

56. Heartscarved (REVOLUTION)

57. Catharsis / Newborn (REVOLUTION)

58. From the Dying Sky (REVOLUTION)

That's both hilarious and horrifying Sonny! Perhaps it would have been more fitting for Patch to choose Autopsy's Shitfun record.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 29th of June to the 4th of July, 2023.

1. Hail the Void (FALLEN)

2. Spectral Voice / Undergang (FALLEN, HORDE)

3. Besvärjelsen (FALLEN)

4. Orkrist (FALLEN, GUARDIANS, INFINITE)

5. Without Face (FALLEN)

6. Stepa (GATEWAY)

7. Carajo (GATEWAY)

8. The Blank Theory (GATEWAY)

9. Archetype (GUARDIANS)

10. Rondinelli (GUARDIANS)

11. Wizards (GUARDIANS)

12. Oratory (GUARDIANS)

13. Vhäldemar (GUARDIANS)

14. Naegleria Fowleri (HORDE)

15. Byatis (HORDE)

16. Catheter (HORDE)

17. Brute Chant (HORDE, INFINITE)

18. Corporation 187 (HORDE, PIT)

19. Kalibas (HORDE)

20. Corn on Macabre (HORDE)

21. Picha (HORDE)

22. Anal Bleeding (HORDE)

23. Deiquisitor / Phrenelith / Taphos / Undergang (HORDE)

24. Greylotus (HORDE, REVOLUTION)

25. Found Hanging (HORDE)

26. Debodified (HORDE)

27. The Dying Light (HORDE, PIT)

28. Eternal Lies (HORDE)

29. Bound and Gagged (HORDE)

30. Nithing (HORDE)

31. Sankaku / Trhä (NORTH)

32. Chernoplod' (NORTH)

33. Sentiero dei Principi (NORTH)

34. Through the Pain (NORTH)

35. Genocide Kommando (NORTH)

36. Oferwintran (NORTH)

37. Order of Orias (NORTH)

38. Frost (NORTH)

39. Warhammer (NORTH, PIT)

40. The Handshake Murders (REVOLUTION)

41. Sentence (REVOLUTION)

42. A Long Winter (REVOLUTION)

43. The Heartland (REVOLUTION)

44. Endthisday (REVOLUTION)

You’re not soft Ben. It’s just your musical taste, personality & physicality really.

I'm telling mum! You're going to get the wooden spoon for being so mean!

Haha, I know you weren't actually implying that I'm soft. I'm just messing around. 

I did take it as an opportunity to produce a more consistently dark playlist though, after trying to cover all the subgenre bases in previous months. Some of the attendee chosen tracks are less intense, but all the tracks I chose are pretty dark.

Sonny indirectly called me soft after last month's playlist (I totally deserved it), so I was determined to include more evil and darkness for this one. I also made a big attempt to include mostly modern releases (it would have been easy to go with the obvious Darkthrone, Mayhem etc.), from bands I don't hear people talking about very much. I hope someone finds something new and exciting.

July 2023

1. Anaal Nathrakh - The Supreme Necrotic Audnance (from The Codex Necro, 2001)

2. Thy Darkened Shade - Revival Through Arcane Skins (from Liber Lvcifer I:Khem Sedjet, 2014) [Submitted by Vinny]

3. Inquisition - Desolate Funeral Chant (from Ominous Doctrines of the Perpetual Mystical Macrocosm, 2010)

4. Aosoth - Her Feet upon the Earth, Blooming the Fruits of Blood (from V: The Inside Scriptures, 2017) [Submitted by Vinny]

5. Sargeist - The Bosom of Wisdom and Madness (from Unbound, 2018)

6. Zhrine - The Earth Inhaled (from Unortheta, 2016)

7. Nightbringer - Et nox illuminatio mea in deliciis meis (from Ego Dominus Tuus, 2014)

8. The Great Old Ones - Visions of R'lyeh (from Al Azif, 2012) [Submitted by Sonny]

9. Deafheaven - Baby Blue (from 10 Years Gone, 2020) [Submitted by Daniel]

10. Plebeian Grandstand - Rien n'y fait (from Rien ne suffit, 2021)

11. Dauþuz - Schwarzes Wasser (from MONVMENTVM, 2019) [Submitted by Sonny]

12. Teitanblood - The Baneful Choir (from The Baneful Choir, 2019) [Submitted by Daniel]

13. Odz Manouk - The Indisciplinarian (from Odz Manouk, 2010)

14. Watain - Devil's Blood (from Casus Luciferi, 2003)

15. Ovnev - Oxygenation (from Transpiration, 2020) [Submitted by Sonny]

16. Black Mass Pervertor - Pollute the Minds of the Youth (from Lux Sodomiticum, 2020) [Submitted by Vinny]

17. Sinmara - Shattered Pillars (from Aphotic Womb, 2014)

18. Liturgy - Sun of Light (from Aesthethica, 2011) [Submitted by Daniel]

Both Sonny and I have found it difficult to find the time to listen to and review our draft picks in the last couple of months. We've both decided to take a bit of a break from it, so there doesn't seem to be a lot of point to making one. If anyone else wants to kick one off, go for it.

Both Sonny and I have found it difficult to find the time to listen to and review our draft picks in the last couple of months. We've both decided to take a bit of a break from it. If others still want to participate, feel free to kick one off.

Sorry Vinny, but I'm struggling for time at the moment, so won't be making or taking part in review drafts for a while. If anyone else wants to participate, feel free to create one without me.

Both Sonny and I have found it difficult to find the time to listen to and review our draft picks in the last couple of months. We've both decided to take a bit of a break from it, so there doesn't seem to be a lot of point to making one. If anyone else wants to kick one off, go for it.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 23rd to the 28th of June, 2023.

1. Madmans Esprit (FALLEN, GATEWAY, NORTH)

2. Cult of Occult (FALLEN)

3. Tantrum (FALLEN)

4. Ningizzia (FALLEN)

5. Cream Abdul Babar / Kylesa (FALLEN)

6. Autumn Rain Melancholy (FALLEN, GUARDIANS)

7. Beyond Black Void (FALLEN)

8. Twisted Method (GATEWAY)

9. Memorrhage (GATEWAY, REVOLUTION)

10. Godhead (GATEWAY, SPHERE)

11. Disciple (GATEWAY)

12. Kokumaromilk (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)

13. Corsair (GUARDIANS)

14. Section A (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)

15. Bob Katsionis (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)

16. Omnerod (HORDE, INFINITE)

17. Ivebeenshot (HORDE, REVOLUTION)

18. Found Dead Hanging (HORDE, REVOLUTION)

19. Hewhocorrupts (HORDE)

20. Holymarsh (HORDE)

21. Foetopsy (HORDE)

22. Nine (HORDE, REVOLUTION)

23. Doldrey (HORDE)

24. Alchemy of Flesh (HORDE)

25. Haemorrhage / Impaled (HORDE)

26. Dungortheb (HORDE)

27. Bodies Lay Broken (HORDE)

28. Dyscrasia (HORDE)

29. 8 Foot Sativa (HORDE, PIT)

30. Sarmat (HORDE, INFINITE)

31. Ominous Scriptures (HORDE)

32. Radiation 4 (INFINITE, REVOLUTION)

33. Rusty Cooley (INFINITE)

34. Ok Goodnight (INFINITE)

35. Wistful (INFINITE, NORTH)

36. Wiedersehen - unsere Hoffnung (NORTH)

37. Ødelegger (NORTH)

38. Bael (NORTH)

39. Cursebinder (NORTH)

40. Fanisk (NORTH)

41. Malfeitor (NORTH)

42. Tidfall (NORTH, SPHERE)

43. Gnaw Their Tongues & Déhà (NORTH)

44. Heavensgate (REVOLUTION)

45. Myotonia (REVOLUTION)

46. Naiad (REVOLUTION)

47. This Runs Through (REVOLUTION)

48. Rifles at Recess (REVOLUTION)

49. Skynd (SPHERE) - requested by Andi

I have to admit that I don't really know what Shoegaze is, which makes it difficult for me to understand why an album is or isn't considered to be Blackgaze.

Is anyone here experienced enough with Shoegaze to provide a few examples of tracks that have a sound that's recognisable when listening to Blackgaze? To be clear, I could easily go to RYM and look up Shoegaze albums, but I'm hoping to hear something representative of what resulted in Blackgaze, if that makes sense.

Not enough evil in my North playlist?! That's something I'll have to remedy next month. 

As for Sadness, I agree that blackgaze doesn't sit well next to more traditional black metal. I've discovered some blackgaze that I enjoy, but Sadness has been a real challenge for me too.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 20th to the 22nd of June, 2023.

1. Boris & Uniform (FALLEN)

2. N & Ehnahre (FALLEN, INFINITE)

3. Witch Ripper (FALLEN, INFINITE)

4. Not Another Prayer (GATEWAY)

5. OBKATIEKAT (HORDE)

6. Dawn of Ouroboros (HORDE, INFINITE, NORTH)

7. Castrator (HORDE)

8. Hasard (INFINITE, NORTH)

9. Zorn (NORTH)

10. Kaatayra / Pessimista (NORTH)

11. Funeral Candies (NORTH)

12. RUÏM (NORTH)

13. Prognan (NORTH)

14. Terrestrial Hospice (NORTH)

15. Wolfnacht / Goatmoon / Thy Serpent (NORTH)

16. Urdôl Ur (NORTH)

17. Ildaruni (NORTH)

18. Noctambulist (NED) (NORTH)

19. TEETH (REVOLUTION)

20. OLTH (REVOLUTION)

21. Soulkeeper (REVOLUTION)

22. Underneath (REVOLUTION)

23. Backslider (REVOLUTION)

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 6th to the 19th of June, 2023.

1. Femur (FALLEN, REVOLUTION)

2. Demon Head (FALLEN)

3. Gameness / Amenra / Gantz / Vuur (FALLEN)

4. Opium Doom Cult (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny

5. Your End (FALLEN, HORDE, NORTH)

6. Fall of the Idols (FALLEN)

7. dot (.) (FALLEN)

8. Asrai (FALLEN)

9. Poynte (GATEWAY) - requested by Andi

10. Edgewater (GATEWAY)

11. No Warning (GATEWAY, PIT)

12. PeelingFlesh (HORDE)

13. Ritual Death (HORDE, NORTH)

14. Funeral Chant (HORDE, NORTH)

15. Laura Palmer (HORDE)

16. Gutrot / Dysentery (HORDE)

17. Chuck Schuldiner (HORDE, INFINITE)

18. In-Quest (HORDE, INFINITE)

19. God Among Insects (HORDE)

20. Grindpad (HORDE, PIT) - requested by Vinny

21. Bastard Grave (HORDE)

22. Gutrectomy (HORDE, REVOLUTION)

23. Ravager (MEX) (HORDE)

24. Stabwound (HORDE)

25. Withering (HORDE)

26. Artery Eruption / Mangled Atrocity (HORDE)

27. Jigsore Terror (HORDE)

28. Zombie Ritual (HORDE, PIT)

29. Illudium (INFINITE)

30. Stoort Neer (INFINITE)

31. Piołun (NORTH)

32. Sonic Death (NORTH)

33. Church Whip (NORTH)

34. Planning for Burial / Lonesummer (NORTH)

35. Cultes des Ghoules / Goat Tyrant (NORTH)

36. Swine (NORTH)

37. Sargeist / Horned Almighty (NORTH)

38. Tangorodrim (NORTH)

39. Nav' (NORTH)

40. Ewig Frost (NORTH, PIT) - requested by Sonny

41. Unfelled (NORTH)

42. Medieval Demon (NORTH)

43. Sad (NORTH)

44. Absurd² (PIT)

45. Live Without (REVOLUTION)

46. Folly (REVOLUTION)

47. Watts (SPHERE)

Hey, it really does look like Ozzy Osbourne! I think that says as much about Ozzy's style choices as it does this witch's appearance.