Ben's Forum Replies

Necrodeath - Ton(e)s of Hate (2003)

It's my understanding that Necrodeath released a couple of decent thrash metal albums in the late 80s, but the awful ratings that are generally attributed to Ton(e)s of Hate made me feel pretty uncomfortable about having to pick it for the latest Horde Review Draft. It didn't take long for me to understand why its been so consistently criticised over the years. While the death and thrash genre tags are accurate, it's fairly clear that the band were attempting to make an accessible and occasionally pop-inspired release. What they completely forgot to do in the process was include great riffs, or any riffs really. While it's not unusual for bass players to simply accompany the guitar riffs in this style of music, I think it's pretty rare that the base completely overpowers the guitars in the mix. I find myself knowing what the riffs probably are at any given moment, but all I can really hear is the bass. It causes the whole experience to lack power and impact, particularly during the thrashier sections where the riffs should be front and centre. Even ignoring any production issues, the songwriting just isn't that great, with some of the more memorable sections only being so because they're repetitive and annoying. Queen of Desire is probably the only track that I really enjoy the whole way through, with no silly repetitious vocal line or grating cymbal / cowbell combo. These Italians have 13 full length releases, but I can't say that Ton(e) of Hate has made me want to go and check any of the others out.

2.5 stars

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 5th to the 11th of November, 2022.

1. Todd (FALLEN)

2. Examination of the... (FALLEN, INFINITE)

3. ASG (FALLEN, GATEWAY, GUARDIANS)

4. Worship / Stabat Mater (FALLEN)

5. Abuse (FALLEN, HORDE)

6. Angel Rot (FALLEN)

7. Ancient Ceremony (FALLEN, HORDE, NORTH)

8. Kal-El (FALLEN)

9. Radigost (FALLEN, GUARDIANS, NORTH)

10. Level (GATEWAY)

11. Pressure 4-5 (GATEWAY)

12. Professional Murder Music (GATEWAY)

13. Relative Ash (GATEWAY)

14. Trapt (GATEWAY)

15. Decyfer Down (GATEWAY)

16. Insolence (GATEWAY)

16. Darwin's Waiting Room (GATEWAY)

17. The Deadlights (GATEWAY)

18. Fleshwater (GATEWAY)

19. Alkemyst (GUARDIANS)

20. Butcher ABC (HORDE)

21. Corpse Molestation (HORDE)

22. Human Mastication (HORDE)

23. Necrotic Disgorgement (HORDE)

24. Sympathy (HORDE)

25. Japanische Kampfhörspiele (HORDE)

26. Mutilated (HORDE)

27. Sanatorium (HORDE)

28. Dawn of Orion (REVOLUTION)

29. Hypnos (HORDE)

30. Eskhaton (HORDE, NORTH)

31. Scholomance (INFINITE)

32. Tarantula Hawk (INFINITE)

33. Braindance (INFINITE)

34. Night of the Vampire (NORTH)

35. Ātesh (NORTH)

36. Wormsblood (NORTH)

37. Sun of the Sleepless / Nachtmahr (NORTH)

38. Imperial Crystalline Entombment (NORTH)

39. Iuvenes / Leviathan (NORTH)

40. Nazgul (NORTH)

41. Titan Mountain (NORTH)

42. Daeva (NORTH, PIT)

43. Glittertind (NORTH)

44. Nydvind (NORTH)

45. XIV Dark Centuries (NORTH)

46. Crucial Unit / Municipal Waste (PIT)

47. Fordirelifesake (REVOLUTION)

48. All Else Failed (REVOLUTION)

49. Speed (REVOLUTION)

50. Annisokay (REVOLUTION)

51. Death Threat (SPHERE)

Negative - 03  (2018)

I very much enjoyed Spanish band Negativa's unimaginatively titled 2022 album 04, so was excited to be able to first pick it's predecessor (yep, you guessed it...03) in the November Review Draft for The North. My excitement appeared to be well founded after the first couple of tracks, with both XVII and XVIII having the same hypnotic Shining-meets-modern-Leviathan quality that made 04 so effective. The band really understand how to get the most out of their riffs, with the other instruments staying relatively clear of the spotlight while they work their magic. This restraint makes the uptempo sections all that more effective, and allow tracks that might otherwise have blended together to become more memorable. Sadly, after this great start, 03 gradually falls away throughout the remaining four tracks, becoming less and less gripping, right up to the noisy and fairly pointless final track, XXII. There's enough good stuff here to hang on for a 3.5 star rating, but I'm fairly certain 03 will always sit behind 04 (see what I did there?) to the point I'm not sure I'll revisit this with any regularity.

3.5 stars

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 28th of October to the 4th of November, 2022.

1. SpiRitual (FALLEN)

2. Wreck of the Hesperus (FALLEN)

3. Shores of Null (FALLEN, INFINITE)

4. Imindain (FALLEN)

5. Mandragora Scream (FALLEN)

6. Slimelord (FALLEN, HORDE) - requested by Vinny

7. Bokor (GATEWAY, INFINITE)

8. Sleeping With Sirens (GATEWAY)

9. KXM (GATEWAY)

10. Digital Summer (GATEWAY)

11. Inactive Messiah (GATEWAY, HORDE)

12. Stonegard (GUARDIANS, PIT)

13. Steel Assassin (GUARDIANS)

14. Knorkator (GUARDIANS, SPHERE)

15. The Codex (GUARDIANS)

16. Metal Inquisitor (GUARDIANS)

17. Sockweb (HORDE)

18. Sulaco (HORDE, REVOLUTION)

19. Stoma (HORDE)

20. Vacuous (HORDE) - requested by Vinny

21. Gutvoid (HORDE)

22. Coscradh (HORDE, NORTH)

23. Horrified (GBR) (HORDE, INFINITE, NORTH)

24. Nami (HORDE, INFINITE)

25. Stillborn (POL) (HORDE, NORTH)

26. Divinity (HORDE)

27. Embalmer (HORDE)

28. Serpent (HORDE)

29. Renascent (HORDE, NORTH)

30. Non-Human Level (HORDE)

31. Mortuary Spawn (HORDE) - requested by Vinny

32. Counter-World Experience (INFINITE)

33. Age of Nemesis (INFINITE)

34. Arkheth (INFINITE, NORTH)

35. Blood Tyrant

36. Circle of Ouroborus / Crooked Necks

37. The Skaden (NORTH)

38. Slavia (NORTH)

39. Control Human Delete (NORTH, SPHERE)

40. Altorių Šešėliai (NORTH)

41. Skogyr (NORTH)

42. Deadlife (NORTH)

43. Angantyr / Nasheim (NORTH)

44. Oakhelm (NORTH)

45. Abusiveness (NORTH)

46. Kroda / Oprich (NORTH)

47. Slechtvalk (NORTH)

48. Gjallarhorn (NORTH)

49. Harlots (REVOLUTION)

50. Dance Club Massacre (REVOLUTION)

51. A Wake in Providence (REVOLUTION)

I'll take Assassin's Combat Cathedral. I think I've heard their debut at some point, but that's about it.

Both of us have already rated Schizophrenia's album, which didn't leave a huge amount of choice this month. I haven't spent much time with Necrodeath, so I'll take their Ton(e) of Hate album. It's ratings suggest I might be in for a rough time.

Hmmm...that was going to be my choice. I look forward to hearing what you think of it.

I'll try out the Memory Garden release. It has very high ratings, so perhaps it's a hidden gem?

Sorry, I cut off the band names and titles. I obviously can't get the randomised page back, so they're...

• Amon Amarth - Once Sent from the Golden Hall
• Machetazo - Necrocovered
• Schizophrenia - Recollections of the Insane
• Necrodeath - Ton(e)s of Hate

Time for another Review Draft for The Pit. This month's pick order will be as follows...

1. Vinny

2. Ben

3. Sonny

I've removed Rexorcist, as he failed to check in last month. If you're still interested Rexorcist, let me know. The six releases to select from are... (drumroll)...

Vinny has first pick this month...

As it's my first pick this month, I'm going with Negativa's 03. I very much enjoyed 04, so I'm pretty happy to have an excuse to check out its predecessor.

Over to you Xephyr...

Time for another Review Draft for The North. This month's pick order will be as follows...

1. Ben

2. Xephyr

3. Sonny

4. Vinny

The six releases to select from are... (drumroll)...

Time for another Review Draft for The Horde. This month's pick order will be as follows...

1. Vinny

2. Ben

The four albums to select from are... (drumroll)...

Vinny gets first pick this month...

Time for another Review Draft for The Fallen. This month's pick order will be as follows...

1. Sonny

2. Ben

The four albums to select from are... (drumroll)...

Sonny gets first pick this month...

November 2022

1. Batushka - Ектения • VIII • Спасение (from Litourgiya, 2015) [Submitted by Daniel]

2. Keep of Kalessin - Crown of the Kings (from Armada, 2006)

3. Gnaw Their Tongues - Lick The Poison From The Cave Walls (from Abyss of Longing Throats, 2015) [Submitted by Daniel]

4. Raventale - Author of Incest (from Transcendence, 2012) [Submitted by Sonny]

5. Adorior - Birth of Disease (from Author of Incest, 2005) [Submitted by Xephyr]

6. Nazxul - Vow Of Vengeance (from Black Seed, 1998)

7. Immortal - Penance (from Northern Chaos Gods, 2018) [Submitted by Primordial_Demiurge13]

8. Mo'ynoq - Penance (from Penance, 2022) [Submitted by Vinny]

9. Urfaust - Der halbtoten Dichters Schein-Existenz (from Ritual Music for the True Clochard, 2012) [Submitted by Vinny]

10. Khors - Throne of Antiquity (from The Flame of Eternity's Decline, 2005) [Submitted by Sonny]

11. Gaerea - Mirage (from Mirage, 2022) [Submitted by Vinny]

12. Nahvalr - Swallower of Bile (from Nahvalr, 2008) [Submitted by Daniel]

13. Windfaerer - Depletion (from Breaths of Elder Dawns, 2021)

14. Behexen - Night of the Blasphemy (from Rituale Satanum, 2000) [Submitted by Sonny]

15. Thy Light - The Crossing of the Great White Bear (from Thy Light, 2021)

Congratulations Vinny! Have an awesome time in Wales!

Rejoice! The Light Has Come - Rejoice! The Light Has Come (2020)

I took a bit of a stab in the dark when picking this EP by oddly named U.S. band Rejoice! The Light Has Come in the October North Review Draft. The only review on RYM namedropped Deathspell Omega and, given my adoration for that band, I figured I'd have to find something to enjoy here. Well I'll start by saying that the aforementioned review certainly wasn't wrong. There's a LOT of Deathspell Omega influence on display here, with the same style of dissonant riffing and drumming we've come to expect from those French legends. The vocalist even sounds like Mikko Aspa, making the connection pretty blatantly obvious. I have to say that the band have done a pretty decent job in replicating what makes Deathspell Omega so interesting, particularly on the lengthier third track (Vultures Swirling Overhead, an Obsidian Wreath Cast Above a Sleeping Mind), but there are sadly a few aspects holding their first release back. Firstly, while the production is strong overall, the drums are a bit too clicky for my liking, drawing a little too much attention. Secondly, the band stop and start more than is necessary, building and releasing momentum too regularly in my opinion. Thirdly, and probably most importantly, there just isn't enough of substance on this 14 minute EP to really get your teeth into. There's definitely potential here though, and given the right production and a full length running time, Rejoice! The Light Has Come could produce something special. I guess time will tell.

3.5 stars

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 20th to the 27th of October, 2022.

1. Herder (FALLEN)

2. Echtra (FALLEN, NORTH)

3. AUN (FALLEN)

4. Livsnekad (FALLEN, NORTH)

5. Pussygutt (FALLEN)

6. Pig Heart Transplant (FALLEN)

7. Nadja / Aidan Baker / Leah Buckareff (FALLEN)

8. Nadja / Atavist / Satori (FALLEN)

9. Black Death Cult (FALLEN, NORTH)

10. Rituals of the Oak (FALLEN)

11. Woburn House (FALLEN, INFINITE)

12. Lipali (GATEWAY)

13. Straight Line Stitch (GATEWAY, REVOLUTION)

14. Scheepers (GUARDIANS)

15. Pharaoh Overlord (GUARDIANS)

16. Futures End (GUARDIANS, INFINITE)

17. Tantric Bile (HORDE)

18. Imaginary Flying Machines (HORDE, REVOLUTION)

19. Bamseom Pirates (HORDE)

20. Infested (HORDE)

21. Pseudogod / Blaze of Perdition (HORDE, NORTH)

22. Mulk (HORDE)

23. Weeping Birth (HORDE, NORTH)

24. Embodied Torment (HORDE)

25. Barghest (HORDE, NORTH)

26. Darkness Ablaze (HORDE, INFINITE, NORTH)

27. Dagon (HORDE)

28. Bone Gnawer (HORDE)

29. Embryonic Devourment (HORDE)

30. Carnophage (HORDE)

31. Spasm (HORDE)

32. Insidious Disease (HORDE)

33. Incinerate (HORDE)

34. A.A. Williams (INFINITE)

35. Al-Kamar (INFINITE, NORTH)

36. Jumalhämärä (INFINITE, NORTH)

37. Thence (INFINITE)

38. Tomorrow's Eve (INFINITE)

39. Ashdautas / Bone Awl (NORTH)

40. Haud Mundus / Wormlust (NORTH)

41. Infernal Stronghold (NORTH)

42. Panopticon / Wheels Within Wheels (NORTH)

43. Velho (NORTH)

44. Hanging Garden (USA) (NORTH)

45. ... (NORTH)

46. Skullflower (NORTH)

47. Ars Diavoli (NORTH)

48. Lake of Blood (NORTH)

49. Folkstone (NORTH)

50. Draugadróttinn (NORTH)

51. Orcivus (NORTH)

52. Wastelander (PIT)

53. House vs. Hurricane (REVOLUTION)

54. Reign Supreme (REVOLUTION)

55. Nasty (REVOLUTION)

56. Gwen Stacy (REVOLUTION)

57. Herrschaft (SPHERE)

The Gathering - Nighttime Birds (1997)

It took me a while to find my way to the gothic metal genre, having first formed an obsession with death doom in the early nineties. If you ignore the gothic aspect of My Dying Bride, it was probably Moonspell and Tiamat that gave me my first real taste, along with Type O Negative's October Rust. It wasn't until late in 1998, when I returned home from a trip to Utopia Records in Sydney with The Gathering's How to Measure a Planet and Theatre of Tragedy's Aegis, that the ingredient that really draws me to the genre was revealed to me... female vocals. Musicianship is rarely the main focus in gothic metal, with atmosphere and song-writing being brought right to the fore. The angelic beauty of Anneke van Giersbergen and Liv Kristine's performances on these two albums completely destroyed me, and formed an infatuation that has continued up to the present, when Heike Langhans (Draconian) and Aleah (Trees of Eternity) blissfully torture my soul. That first The Gathering experience led me to the band's most prized releases, and while many fans appear to prefer 1995's Mandylion, it's Nighttime Birds that became (and remains) my personal favourite.

It often feels like this album was designed to showcase just how talented Anneke is. The softer moments allow her emotion and tenderness to shine, while the heavier sections are really just vehicles for her to soar to places most vocalists could only ever dream of. The lyrics are simplistic and at times almost child-like, but they're given huge gravitas and power through her delivery. The music does everything it needs to do, while occasionally introducing creative techniques and instrumentation that aren't often heard in metal. A few of these more experimental moments aren't all the successful for me, particularly the toe-tapping chorus section of Third Chance, which ruins any chance that Nighttime Birds had of receiving 5 stars from me. In the end though, I'm really glad that the October Review Draft allowed me to use my first pick and finally give this a review and rating.

4.5 stars

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 13th to the 19th of October, 2022.

1. Ethereal Riffian (FALLEN)

2. Psyke Project, The (FALLEN, INFINITE, REVOLUTION)

3. Take Over and Destroy (FALLEN, HORDE, NORTH)

4. The Order of Israfel (FALLEN)

5. Moanaa (FALLEN, INFINITE)

6. Mothership (FALLEN)

7. Dvvell (FALLEN) - requested by Sonny

8. Primal Rock Rebellion (GATEWAY, GUARDIANS)

9. Fight the Fury (GATEWAY) - requested by Andi

10. Sonja (GUARDIANS)

11. Triddana (GUARDIANS, NORTH)

12. Kaledon (GUARDIANS)

13. No/Más (HORDE)

14. Dire Omen (HORDE, NORTH)

15. The Haunting Presence (HORDE, NORTH)

16. 13th Moon (HORDE, NORTH)

17. Serpent of Gnosis (HORDE)

18. A Million Dead Birds Laughing (HORDE)

19. Revel in Flesh (HORDE)

20. Traumatomy (HORDE)

21. Yossi Sassi (INFINITE)

22. Profusion (INFINITE)

23. Besna (INFINITE, NORTH)

24. Four Stroke Baron (INFINITE)

25. Lazer/Wulf (INFINITE)

26. Akeldama (INFINITE)

27. District 97 (INFINITE)

28. Lost in Kiev (INFINITE)

29. Bad Salad (INFINITE)

30. Anup Sastry (INFINITE)

31. Lubbert Das (NORTH)

32. Intolitarian (NORTH)

33. Aurvandil (NORTH)

34. Loss of Self (NORTH)

35. Liminal Shroud (NORTH)

36. Alraune (NORTH)

37. Adorn (NORTH)

38. Midnight Odyssey / Aeon Winds (NORTH)

39. White Medal (NORTH)

40. Windbruch (NORTH)

41. The Ongoing Concept (REVOLUTION)

42. Simulakra (REVOLUTION)

43. Babymetal x Kiba of Akiba (REVOLUTION)

A big welcome from me too! Given your clan selections, I think we're going to get on just fine. I'd be keen to know some bands that you consider to be your favourites. Not just a nice ice-breaker, but also creates the opportunity for recommendations.

Speaking of recommendations, we're always looking for ways to make the site better, so any feedback you have around your experience would be most welcome.

Here are my November selections...

• Trouble - Psalm 9 off Psalm 9 (1984)
• The Gathering - Strange Machines off Mandylion (1995)
• Isole - Shadowstone off Bliss of Solitude (2008)

And know that I have been listening to and enjoying The Fallen playlists each month. Sorry for not commenting much. I generally listen while doing other things and note the tracks that are grabbing my interest.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 6th to the 12th of October, 2022.

1. Hegemone (FALLEN, INFINITE, NORTH)

2. Flooded Church of Asmodeus (FALLEN, NORTH)

3. Black Table (FALLEN, INFINITE, NORTH)

4. Alucarda (FALLEN)

5. Dautha (FALLEN)

6. Sundrifter (FALLEN)

7. Book of Wyrms (FALLEN)

8. DVSR (GATEWAY, INFINITE)

9. Refuge (GUARDIANS)

10. Trick or Treat (GUARDIANS)

11. Wings of Destiny (GUARDIANS)

12. Monument (GUARDIANS, PIT)

13. Ravensire (GUARDIANS)

14. Terminus (GUARDIANS)

15. Jupiter (GUARDIANS)

16. Electric Citizen (GUARDIANS)

17. Stabbed (HORDE)

18. Transient & Bastard Noise (HORDE)

19. Kosmokrator (HORDE, NORTH)

20. Bhavachakra (HORDE, INFINITE, NORTH)

21. Miscreance (HORDE, PIT)

22. Coffin Mulch (HORDE)

23. Facelift Deformation (HORDE)

24. Virulent Depravity (HORDE)

25. Far Beyond (HORDE, NORTH)

26. Dark Oath (HORDE)

27. Catacomb (HORDE)

28. The Antichrist Imperium (HORDE, INFINITE)

29. Gravitational Distortion (HORDE)

30. Urobilinemia (HORDE)

31. Kucoshka (INFINITE, REVOLUTION)

32. Galactic Empire (INFINITE)

33. Wolf Hoffmann (INFINITE)

34. Absconditus (INFINITE, NORTH)

35. Ottone Pesante (INFINITE)

36. Toska (INFINITE)

37. Dagorath (NORTH)

38. Prosternatur (NORTH)

39. Abyssion (NORTH)

40. Nordvrede (NORTH)

41. Utarm (NORTH)

42. Nahvalr (NORTH)

43. Emit (NORTH)

44. Morgal (NORTH)

45. Vonlaus (NORTH)

46. Avslut (NORTH)

47. Kafirun (NORTH)

48. Sol Sistere (NORTH)

49. Kres (NORTH)

50. Aderlating (NORTH)

51. Origami Angel (REVOLUTION)

52. Worn (REVOLUTION)

53. Hands of God (REVOLUTION)

54. Boris the Blade (REVOLUTION)

55. The Crinn (REVOLUTION)

56. CrazyEightyEight (REVOLUTION)

57. Get the Shot (REVOLUTION)

I just realised I never picked my release for The North. I'll go with the oddly named Rejoice! The Light Has Come, if only because the only review on RYM namedrops Deathspell Omega.

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 17th of September to the 5th of October, 2022.

1. Heaume Mortal (FALLEN, INFINITE, NORTH)

2. Sankara (FALLEN, NORTH)

3. The Nest (FALLEN, NORTH)

4. Sakis Tolis (FALLEN)

5. Bokassa (FALLEN)

6. Sempiternal Dusk (FALLEN, HORDE)

7. Silvertomb (FALLEN, GUARDIANS)

8. Smallman (GATEWAY, INFINITE)

9. No One (GATEWAY)

10. Lennon (GATEWAY)

11. Money (GUARDIANS)

12. Pulver (GUARDIANS)

13. Azul Limão (GUARDIANS)

14. Deathsiege (HORDE, NORTH) - requested by Vinny

15. Abhorrency (HORDE, NORTH) - requested by Vinny

16. Miscreant (HORDE)

17. Hadit (HORDE)

18. Bodybox (HORDE)

19. Colostomy Spacebag (HORDE)

20. Sartegos (HORDE, NORTH)

21. Cryptic Hatred (HORDE)

22. Necrophagous (HORDE)

23. Cadavoracity (HORDE)

24. Cadaveric Incubator (HORDE)

25. Revulsion (HORDE)

26. Omnivortex (HORDE, INFINITE)

27. Bloodred Hourglass (HORDE, REVOLUTION)

28. Cognizance (HORDE)

29. Decline of the I (INFINITE, NORTH)

30. Sadness / Soulless / In Autumnus / Grief & Bliss (INFINITE, NORTH)

31. Kmac2021 (INFINITE, REVOLUTION)

32. High Castle Teleorkestra (INFINITE)

33. Fer de Lance (FALLEN, GUARDIANS)

34. Money (USA) (GATEWAY)

35. Without Waves (GATEWAY, INFINITE, REVOLUTION)

36. Age of Apocalypse (GATEWAY, REVOLUTION)

37. New Horizon (GUARDIANS)

38. Cabinet (HORDE, NORTH)

39. Fleshrot (USA) (HORDE)

40. Shrouded Infinity (HORDE)

41. Crestfallen Dusk (INFINITE, NORTH)

42. Cailleach Calling (NORTH)

43. Spiter (NORTH)

44. Gudsforladt (NORTH)

45. Ixachitlan (NORTH)

46. Autonoesis (NORTH, PIT)

47. Witch Trail (NORTH)

48. Morild (NORTH)

49. Worsen (NORTH)

50. Astrophobos (NORTH)

51. Vampirska (NORTH)

52. Non Est Deus (NORTH)

53. Labored Breath (NORTH)

54. Kull (NORTH)

55. Fugitive (PIT)

56. Downcast (REVOLUTION) - requested by Andi

57. Bone Cutter (REVOLUTION)

58. Thoughtcrimes (REVOLUTION)

59. As Everything Unfolds (REVOLUTION)

60. Kingdom of Giants (REVOLUTION)

61. Sleepsculptor (REVOLUTION)

62. Lotus Eater (REVOLUTION)

63. Abnegation / Chapter (REVOLUTION) - requested by Andi

64. From Here On (REVOLUTION) - requested by Andi

We've not been able to get hold of Rexorcist and since it's already the 5th day of the month (he didn't submit features either), I think we need to push ahead with our picks.

I'm going for Cranium's Speed Metal Satan. I know nothing about the band, but a sub-20 minute thrash / speed EP could be just what I need this month.

Over to you Sonny...

Negură Bunget - "'n crugu bradului" (2002)

It's 20 years since the highly regarded sophomore album from Romanian atmospheric black metallers Negură Bunget first hit the shelves today. I've gotta say that I've never understood the attraction to this band (in fact I rated this album 2/5 on my last revisit) but they seem to have developed an almost cult-like following over the years. 

This is the low point in their discography to date for me.  Not that I have heard all of their stuff but Om stands head and shoulders above this and is their magnum opus in my mind.

I love this album. Not as much as OM, but it's still excellent.

I will take the Floor album Ben as they are the only one of the four bands I have never heard before.

I might have left the sludge / stoner release for you Sonny, given there were two gothic metal releases to choose from. 

October 2022

1. Gaerea - Deluge (from Mirage, 2022)

2. Satanic Warmaster - Winter's Hunger (from Fimbulwinter, 2014) [Submitted by Vinny]

3. Devil Master - Shrines in Cinder (from Ecstasies of Never Ending Night, 2022)

4. Krohm - I Suffer the Astral Woe (from A World Through Dead Eyes, 2004)

5. Horna - Haudanusva (from Perimä vihassa ja verikostossa, 1999) [Submitted by Sonny]

6. Sear Bliss - Blood on the Milky Way (from The Arcane Odyssey, 2007)

7. Thy Darkened Shade - Elixir of Azazel (from Liber Lvcifer I: Khem Sedjet, 2014) [Submitted by Daniel]

8. Cradle of Filth - Dawn of the Serpent (from Cruelty and the Beast, 1998) [Submitted by Sonny]

9. Beastcraft - Satanist (from Dawn of the Serpent, 2005) [Submitted by Sonny]

10. Deafheaven - Luna (from New Bermuda, 2015) [Submitted by Daniel]

11. Hulder - Sylvan Awakening (from The Eternal Fanfare, 2022) [Submitted by Vinny]

12. Lunar Aurora - Vat gëlénva!!! (from Ars Moriendi, 2001)

13. Trhä - Jadështahhdlha nudahhhana dëvét (from Vat gëlénva!!!, 2022)

14. Ash of Ashes - Under the Midnight Sun (from Traces, 2022)

15. Cult of Fire - Samhara Raktha Kali (from Ascetic Meditation of Death, 2013) [Submitted by Vinny]

16. Sainte Marie des Loups - Meurtrières (from Funérailles de feu, 2020) [Submitted by Sonny]

17. Mörk Gryning - Journey (from Tusen år har gått..., 1995)

18. Akhlys - Breath and Levitation (from The Dreaming I, 2015)

Rexorcist gets first pick this month...

Time for another Review Draft for The Pit. This month's pick order will be as follows...

1. Rexorcist

2. Ben

3. Sonny

4. Vinny

The six releases to select from are... (drumroll)...

Time for another Review Draft for The North. This month's pick order will be as follows...

1. Xephyr

2. Sonny

3. Vinny

4. Ben

The six releases to select from are... (drumroll)...

First pick goes to Xephyr...

Hmmm... I know nothing about any of these releases! I guess that's what the drafts are all about. Having just done a bit of research, I'm going with Ingurgitating Oblivion. Reviews namedrop Immolation and Gorguts, which can't be a bad thing.

Over to you Vinny...

Time for another Review Draft for The Horde. This month's pick order will be as follows...

1. Ben

2. Vinny

The four albums to select from are... (drumroll)...

Since I get first pick this month, I'm going to snatch up Nighttime Birds. It's an album I've heard many times, but never properly assessed or reviewed.

Over to you Sonny...

Time for another Review Draft for The Fallen. This month's pick order will be as follows...

1. Ben

2. Sonny

The four albums to select from are... (drumroll)...

A 20 year celebration for Void of Silence's Criteria ov 666, a great doom record from a very underrated Italian band.

I'm sorry Sonny. It has been one of those months. I assume you've completed the playlist by now, but if not...

• Solstice - Death's Crown Is Victory off Death's Crown Is Victory (2013)
• Slow - Déluge off V - Oceans (2017)

If you've already completed this months, these can be for next month.

Thanks!

Solstice - Death's Crown Is Victory (2013)

The Review Draft here at Metal Academy has again forced me to really delve into a release from a band I'd previously only dabbled with, only to find that I've been missing out on something great. This EP from English band Solstice is a pretty clear mix of heavy metal and doom metal and while that combination doesn't always bring me joy, the great production and epic atmosphere of these 4 tracks have put this right in my wheelhouse. I may not personally feel that the Epic Doom Metal subgenre is required, but surely the music on display here is exactly what the pushers have in mind. If the excellent riffs, melodies and leads aren't enough to make you think of times long past and glories well earned, then Paul Kearns' soaring vocals surely will. The band that most comes to mind when listening to this EP is Manowar, with slightly less cheese and a fair bit more doom. I'm actually fine with that, and now find myself eager to delve into the rest of Solstice's discography. As far as recommendations go, there's really only two tracks (along with lengthy intro and outro instrumentals), with the near 10 minute monster title track being the easy highlight for me. In fact, I think I'll request this track be included in the October Fallen playlist to share the glory.

4 stars

And so the family grows!

Aspid - Кровоизлияние (1993)

Aspid's one and only release is an album I've had on my radar for many years, but just never got around to checking out until now. Perhaps it's the technical thrash metal tag that caused me to put it off, having a somewhat rocky relationship with the subgenre. Or maybe I'd unfairly written it off, figuring it would likely be an overrated and underproduced record from a part of the world not known for its thrash metal. While I can't be sure why it has taken me this long, I can say that I'm very happy that I've finally made the effort. Not only does the album sound a lot better than I expected to, these guys have serious chops to go with it! Similar to what Sadus were producing back in the 90s, Кровоизлияние (which apparently translates to Extravasation, whatever that means) is filled with great riffs, a heap of time changes, really nice leads, impressive and very audible bass, and enough variety for it remain exciting for it's entire 48 minute runtime. Vitaly Kholopov's vocals are quite aggressive for thrash, particularly in his native Russian, and the music itself occasionally approaches death metal (the awesome blastbeats on track 6 make me wish they'd pushed things a little further).

As good as I've found this album to be, I don't think I can justify anything higher than 4 stars. For starters, I don't consider any of the 8 individual tracks to deserve a full 5 stars. I also can't ignore that fifth track Эй ты fails to make much of an impression, and the lengthy intro is both tacky and unsuited to what follows. Overall though, consider me a fan, and given how dead thrash metal was in 1993 (Anacrusis' Screams and Whispers excluded, but that was really a progressive metal album), this certainly deserves its high standing in the metal community.

4 stars

Here's a review I wrote over 10 years ago. I really should check the album out again to see if I'm still this passionate about it, but I wouldn't be surprised if I was.

I can't say I like grindcore all that much (or deathgrind for that matter), but this is plain awesome! Brutal Truth managed what so many other grindcore bands have failed to achieve, and they did it way back in 1992. They made a consistently interesting album filled with variety in a genre known for being fairly one dimensional. Of course, there are heaps of grindcore clichés all over the place, with combined guttural and screaming vocals, tracks that go for about 5 seconds, lyrics about politics etc. etc. But then there are also stacks of great doomy riffs and tracks like Time, which contains 6 minutes of extremely well-structured song-writing as opposed to endless blasting.

Brutal Truth know exactly how to get you pumped up. They're happy to dwell in the dark and heavy depths before pumping into full on battering chaos. Kevin Sharp's vocals are perfect for this style with his death growls being the epitome of awesomeness. Scott Lewis' drumming is just about inhuman. But it's Brent McCarthy's riffs that really float my boat. Check out Birth of Ignorance, Denial of Existence, Time, Walking Corpse and Wilt for simply cracking deathgrind. If you're even slightly interested in the more extreme side of metal, go get this album. You won't regret it!

4.5 stars

I guess I figured that not everyone would like this release as much as I do, but I didn't see two 1.5 star reviews coming. This is obviously a love it or hate it kind of album, and Daniel and I clearly both fall into the former rather than the latter. Anyway, here's my short review that goes some way to explaining what I dig about it.

I must admit that I generally fear seeing avant-garde metal connected to albums I plan to dive into. Just last week I was struggling to come to grips with Imperial Triumphant's highly praised latest release, recognising its qualities while having to admit that a fair portion of it just isn't enjoyable to me. This week it's Scarcity, who dared to provide me with an avant-garde black metal release just when I was feeling vulnerable. I needn't have worried! Composer Brendan Randall-Myers and vocalist Doug Moore have crafted a genuinely unique and jaw-dropping album, that rarely departs my precious black metal genre while still managing to sound both refreshing and important. This is an album to get lost in! An album filled with hypnotic tremolo riffs and drone-drenched soundscapes, with Moore's fantastic vocals piercing the atmosphere in just the right ways. Aveilut is a technical masterpiece that still manages to be an enthralling metal album, and I wouldn't be surprised if I push this up to 5 stars some time in the future. Everyone in the North should go listen to this. I have it as the best black metal release of the year to date. If you want to dip your toe in before committing, the 13 minute closing track V is a definite highlight.

4.5 stars

Lunar Aurora - Ars Moriendi (2001)

I was stoked when this Lunar Aurora album was still available for me to select in this month's Review Draft for The North. I'm a big fan of the band's later work, particularly 2007's Andacht, but had never managed to check out any of their discography prior to 2004. I'll say straight up that this doesn't sound like the band's later albums, which sit comfortably in the atmospheric black metal subgenre. This release is much more primal and raw, taking influence from numerous classic 90s black metal albums while forging a strong identity of its own. There's also a big symphonic aspect, to the point where I'm shocked no-one appears to consider Ars Moriendi to be a symphonic black metal release. Emperor is an obvious influence, and while the symphonics may not contribute to the whole album, they play a big role for much of it. There are lots of other sound effects that appear throughout too, such as wind, the howling of wolves and chimes, creating a wintry atmosphere that the majestic black metal riffs back up perfectly. I can also hear early Satyricon and particularly Abigor, putting this album into my absolute soft spot.

If you're at all like me, you like your black metal vocals to be really fucking evil sounding, and thankfully bassist Whyrhd really delivers on this front. Along with his fantastic, albeit traditional black metal shrieks, he at times sounds completely possessed, as though the demon from The Evil Dead escaped from the basement and joined a German black metal band. Add this manic performance to the top-notch riffs and intense drumming and you've got all the ingredients of a classic, but sadly it doesn't quite live up to that. There are just a couple of tracks that don't quite match up to the better parts of the album, and third track Kältetod inexplicably contains a pretty dodgy snare sound that I find really distracting. I can't fathom how this happened, but I have noticed that there are at least a couple of different mixes of the album available. Perhaps this track has a different mix, or maybe it was just recorded separately? I don't know, but it sadly stops me from giving Ars Moriendi the 4.5 stars that it otherwise deserves. Seriously, if you enjoy 90s black metal, and can handle some symphonics with your blastbeats, you should check this hidden gem out.

4 stars

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 10th and 16th of September, 2022.

1. Grand Harvest (FALLEN, HORDE)

2. Funereal (FALLEN, HORDE)

3. Paradigma (FALLEN)

4. Bleed (GATEWAY)

5. Lock Up (USA) (GATEWAY)

6. Agony Column (GUARDIANS, PIT)

7. Lust (GUARDIANS)

8. Quick Change (GUARDIANS, PIT)

9. Ion Britton (GUARDIANS)

10. Sinawe (GUARDIANS)

11. Overkill (US-CA) (GUARDIANS)

12. Crystal Knight (GUARDIANS)

13. Breaker (CAN) (GUARDIANS)

14. Voie de fait (GUARDIANS)

15. Ocean (GUARDIANS)

16. Psychosis (GUARDIANS, PIT)

17. Possessed Steel (GUARDIANS)

18. Mass (GUARDIANS)

19. Legion (GUARDIANS, PIT)

20. Matakopas (GUARDIANS)

21. Elektradrive (GUARDIANS)

22. Gastunk (GUARDIANS, PIT)

23. Railway (GUARDIANS)

24. Incubus (GBR) (GUARDIANS)

25. Maltese Falcon (GUARDIANS)

26. 44 Magnum (GUARDIANS)

27. Divlje jagode (GUARDIANS)

28. Mortal Incarnation / Bedsore (HORDE, INFINITE)

29. Metrorrhagia (HORDE)

30. Apoplexy (HORDE)

31. Molder (HORDE)

32. Medeia (HORDE, INFINITE, REVOLUTION)

33. Prophecy (HORDE)

34. MDMA (HORDE) - requested by Rexorcist

35. Ophiocordyceps (HORDE) - requested by Rexorcist

36. Brazen Bull (HORDE, REVOLUTION) - requested by Rexorcist

37. Cuff (HORDE) - requested by Rexorcist

38. Schizoid Lloyd (INFINITE)

39. El Estigio (NORTH)

40. Ifernach / Pan-Amerikan Native Front (NORTH)

41. Katharos (NORTH)

42. Dissection (CAN) (PIT)

43. Sacrifice (JPN) (PIT)

44. X-Creta (PIT)

45. END / Cult Leader (REVOLUTION)

Whoa.  Didn't expect to see ALL the Motley albums up there.  That was pretty generous.  Thanks!

Well it turns out they should have been there anyway. Our general rule is that all releases between the first and last album / EP from a band that are considered to be metal will be added to the site. Since 1981's Too Fast for Love is considered Heavy Metal and 1997's Generation Swine is considered Alternative Metal, I've added all releases that fall between them.

Insomnium - One for Sorrow (2011)

I reckon I've listened to most of Insomnium's discography over the years, but never really dedicated the time to explore it well enough for a review. The Horde Review Draft gave me the opportunity to change that, so I took it with open arms. There is very little new in what this band do (it's easy to hear the influence of numerous other Scandinavian bands), but they work their craft in a very professional and palatable way. It's fairly accessible stuff, even with the brutal path that the vocals take on occasion, and the melodies consistently take priority over the more traditional death metal riffing. I have to admit that this particular album occasionally oversteps with this accessibility, particularly Through the Shadows, which I'm surprised to find is considered a highlight by many fans. Thankfully the teeth-grit-inducing clean vocal chorus, that comfortably make that track the worst on the album for me, isn't a sign of things to come. In fact, it's follow-up, Song of the Blackest Bird, makes up for it in no uncertain terms, containing fantastic death vocals and a heady mix of Dark Tranquillity and Amorphis. The rest of the album contains enough variety to keep things exciting, while rarely overstepping that personal accessibility tipping point.

I'm not at all surprised to find that Daniel gave this album 2.5 stars, as he's never been a big fan of Swedish (or Finnish) melodic death metal, and I can't see this album converting anyone that feels that way. As someone that's more than a little partial for this type of thing, One for Sorrow is a very solid and entertaining example, and one that I'll definitely return to from time to time. If you want a taster, check out the aforementioned Song of the Blackest Bird, Unsung or the epic Septic Flesh reminding closing title track.

4 stars

The following bands have been added to Metal Academy from the 3rd to the 9th of September, 2022.

1. Deviated Instinct (FALLEN, HORDE, PIT)

2. Terzij de Horde (FALLEN, INFINITE, NORTH)

3. Embittered / Dystopia (FALLEN)

4. Willard (FALLEN)

5. Marianas Rest (FALLEN, HORDE)

6. Black Crucifixion (FALLEN, NORTH)

7. God Forsaken (FALLEN)

8. AqME (GATEWAY, FALLEN)

9. Limbomaniacs (GATEWAY)

10. Moron Police (GATEWAY)

11. Kitties of Death (GUARDIANS, INFINITE, SPHERE) - requested by Rexorcist

12. Attentat Rock (GUARDIANS)

13. Banzai (GUARDIANS)

14. Blackthorne (GUARDIANS)

15. Medina Azahara (GUARDIANS)

16. Slander (GUARDIANS)

17. Ruffians (GUARDIANS)

18. Lynx (GUARDIANS)

19. Chaos Control (GUARDIANS, PIT) - requested by Morpheus

20. Armagedon (HORDE)

21. Threnody (HORDE)

22. Bloodsoaked (HORDE)

23. Goddefied (HORDE)

24. Creation of Death (HORDE)

25. Verberis (HORDE, NORTH)

26. Depths Above (HORDE, NORTH)

27. Lust of Decay (HORDE)

28. Dellamorte (HORDE)

29. Purulence / Amaymon (HORDE)

30. Impurity (HORDE, NORTH)

31. Blackthorn (HORDE)

32. Dead Swords (INFINITE)

33. Jupiter Society (INFINITE)

34. Last Things, The (INFINITE)

35. Transilience (INFINITE, PIT)

36. An Open Letter / Sadness (NORTH)

37. Crux (NORTH, PIT)

38. Morok (NORTH)

39. Antagonist (PIT)

40. Crash (PIT, SPHERE)

41. Jesuit (REVOLUTION)

42. Clear (REVOLUTION) - requested by Andi

43. Excessive Force (SPHERE)

Another notable anniversary for me today, being the 30th for Fear Factory's debut album Soul of a New Machine. It was clearly outdone by the follow-up a few years later, but I listened to this album (which was initially in Daniel's CD collection but I think ended up in mine) a heap of times. I loved the industrial element along with the overall aggression. It's a still a nostalgic listen.

Both Messiah and Rob Lowe are exceptional vocalists with little to choose between them, but I think it is actually Messiah who defined the Candlemass sound vocally, with the help of their best material admittedly, so would place him above Rob within the context of this thread.

Incidentally, have you heard any of Messiah's albums outside of Candlemass? Both Mercy and Memento Mori have some great albums that should appeal to any Candlemass fan.

I haven't. Sadly, the list of things I really should check out has grown to preposterous levels lately. I think I need to retire and take up listening to metal full time.

Three Guardians 35th anniversaries on the same day!