Daniel's Forum Replies
Gary Moore - "Still Got the Blues" (1990)
The ninth full-length from this legendary Irish guitarist saw him veering away from his hard rock roots towards an electric blues rock sound for the first time (at least across an entire album) & making huge headway on the global charts in the process. There can be no denying Gary's skills behind his axe as his tone & chops are simply to die for but I have to admit that (despite having to hear this record over & over again as a teenager due to my father's obsession with it) I do tend to find a lot of this material to be pretty flat. Moore's voice isn't exactly the most compelling while the song-writing has a tendency to sound pretty generic for the blues genre. The best parts are when he goes for a deeper & more stripped back sound like he does on album highlight "As the Years Go Passing By" but there is more to interest me on 1995's "Blues For Greeny" record that I mentioned just above this review.
For fans of Eric Clapton, Joe Bonamassa & Derek Trucks.
3/5
Leviathan - "The Tenth Sub Level of Suicide" (2003)
I've always really enjoyed the debut album from this Californian one-man black metal act. "The Tenth Sub Level of Suicide" is often championed as one of the premium releases for the DSBM movement but that's not really an accurate description of what you can expect because there is far more conventional black metal on offer than there is the depressive/suicidal variety, despite what the unintelligible lyrics & occasionally desperate vocals might have you believe. The slower & more depressing sections of the record (see wonderful album highlight "The Idiot Sun" for example) may well be the strongest though which is perhaps where the confusion stems from. I don't think Leviathan's subsequent full-lengths have topped this one since so it's easy to see why it's been embraced so tightly by the American black metal scene.
For fans of Lurker of Chalice, Xasthur & Twilight.
4/5
Bro, treading some reviews in an effort to grasp an inkling of why this album gets any kind of slack, I found that Sodom fans consider this a disjointed work in comparison to the classics. And to that, I say, "Check out Thembi and call me in the morning." If you ask me, this whole albums feels the way I've been asking it to feel, a largely consistent vibe that shows the band trying to expand. I came into this expecting anything from 60-80 / 100, but I'm not gonna lie, I'm in the rare came again, the Prometheus / Tauhid / Fulfillingness' First Finale / no better EDM than FSoL camp: this is better than Agent Orange. They're doing what they can to put out another real Sodom album while trying to expand their horizons, and they largely succeed. This album has tricks up its sleeve that I wished Agent Orange would even simply try to attempt.
At the time of writing this, I've given this album its highest rating on Metal Academy: 92/100 = 4.5 stars.
You're the first person I've ever seen agreeing with my position that "Better Off Dead" was the best Sodom release to the time.
I don't often read biographies, but I bet this is an interesting read. Does he speak about the case that Priest faced in the US when they were accused of their music causing the two kids to commit suicide? That must have been a trying time for the band as they faced potentially very serious consequences for what was a tragedy not of their doing.
Yes, he goes into some depth about that case which is really interesting. He is also completely open about his sexuality & the challenges he faced during a time when celebrities couldn’t be as open about such things & also his substance abuse/addiction. Did you know that he never actually intended on quitting Priest after “Painkiller”? It was just a miscommunication that resulted in him being replaced.
I'd place the rawer "Persecution Mania" slightly ahead of "Agent Orange" personally but they're both very solid releases. The six-year period from 1987-1992 was Sodom's peak in my opinion but I do have to admit that I've never thought of them as a tier one thrash metal act. I don't think they're in the same class as Kreator & have never awarded them one of my more elite scores.
Here's my updated Top Ten Ambient Releases of All Time list after revisiting Delerium's 1988 debut album "Faces, Forms & Illusions" this week:
01. Biosphere – “Substrata” (1997)
02. Robert Rich – “Somnium” (2001)
03. Steve Roach – “Mystic Chords & Sacred Spaces” (2003)
04. Brian Eno – “Ambient 1: Music for Airports” (1978)
05. Stars of the Lid – “The Tired Sounds of” (2001)
06. Stars of the Lid – “And Their Refinement of the Decline” (2007)
07. Steve Roach – “Structures from Silence” (1984)
08. Klaus Schulze - "Timewind" (1975)
09. A Winged Victory For The Sullen – “A Winged Victory for the Sullen” (2011)
10. Delerium - "Faces, Forms & Illusions" (1988)
Delerium - "Faces, Forms and Illusions" (1988)
Most people would probably only know Vancouver producers Delerium through their huge 1999 dance club hit "Silence" which features the wonderful vocals of Sarah McLachlan. The majority of punters wouldn't be aware of the fact that some of the duos earlier material was pretty spectacular though with records like 1991's "Stone Tower" & 1994's "Spheres" having become firm favourites of mine over the last fifteen years or so. Formed as the side project of Bill Leeb & Rhys Fulber (both of influential industrial act Front Line Assembly), the earlier Delerium efforts championed a more ambient & ethereal sound than what you might expect based purely on their later material with the debut spending as much time in IDM as it does experimenting with a number of ambient subgenres. The military style tempos of Front Line Assembly are still noticeable at times but the album features a strongly majestic & timeless feel as well as giving early glimpses of the Arabian & Eastern influences that would become stronger on later releases. It's difficult to pick out highlights as all tracks are very strong with the exception of the electro-industrial number "Mecca" which I feel lets the album down a bit & would've been better suited to Leeb's Front Line Assembly project. I really enjoy the more foreboding & ambient moments like the tribal rhythms of "Monument Of Deceit", the sinister darkness of "Inside The Chamber" or the building intensity of "Strangeways". The B side is particularly brilliant actually & has played a strong role in me bumping my score up from my traditional four stars on this occasion. I'm baffled as why this record doesn't receive more attention, especially when you consider the time it arrived on the scene which predated a lot of their competition in this field.
For fans of Front Line Assembly, Noise Unit & Synaesthesia.
4.5/5
Deftones - "private music" (2025)
I ALWAYS enjoy a Deftones album as they're quite simply the most consistent alternative metal act to ever have hit the global scene & they never disappoint. They are kinda AC/DC-ish in that you'll never be surprised by what you receive though. For all the hype around the scope of their influences, every Deftones record sounds pretty much the same as there's never a drastic departure from their past glories. They just tend to experiment a little with what they put in the gaps between the heavy stuff that makes up most of each record. In saying that though, boy do they know how to write a chunky alternative metal song & that's still very evident on what is now their tenth full-length album.
Unlike many people, I'm not gonna claim that "private music" is some kind of return to form because the truth is that these guys have never dropped their game. 2016's "Gore" record has been unfairly treated while their last one "Ohms" is nothing short of an unheralded classic as far as I'm concerned so I have no problem admitting that I always expect gold from this group. And "private music" does offer more gold, perhaps not the shiniest gold they've produced, but gold nonetheless. And that's enough for me, ya know? Sure, I will say that I think "private music" is probably the least impressive Deftones record since their debut "Adrenaline" but it's still a beautifully produced effort that further highlights how important these Sacramento dudes have become over the years.
Opener "My Mind is a Mountain" is one their finest works & hit me like a tonne of bricks while "Cut Hands" sits in a similar class to someone like Tool. There are three or four numbers that see the quality levels dropping a touch (generally when they make an attempt at more melody as I greatly prefer a screaming Chino over a thick wall of chunky alt-metal riffage) but there's nothing like a dud to be found here. I just could have done with a couple more classics to justify the enormous praise this release seems to be receiving from fans at the moment. I love Deftones & I love this record. It's not any stronger & doesn't really differentiate itself all that much from anything else they've done since their very early days though so it's certainly not gonna convert any naysayers.
For fans of Fleshwater, Thornhill & Bleed.
4/5
Ooooo.... I haven't heard of these guys but are liking the description so I'll add them to my to-do list for the future.
Night Sun - "Mournin'" (1972)
This one-off album from a relatively unknown German band is actually really solid. I first checked it out while exploring all of the underground proto-metal of the 1970's last year & really enjoyed it with this return visit only strengthening my feeling that these guys deserved more attention than they've received over the years. Night Sun's sound blends hard rock, progressive rock & heavy psych beautifully with a higher register vocalist who sounds very similar to what you'd get if you crossed Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant with Deep Purple's Ian Gillan which can't be a bad thing. The musicianship is excellent & I particularly enjoy the heavier & more psychedelic moments with album highlight "Living With the Dying: being a genuine early heavy metal classic. Despite the tracklisting tailing off a bit over the last few tracks, "Mournin'" comes highly recommended from this old metalhead.
For fans of Lucifer's Friend, Flower Travellin' Band & Sir Lord Baltimore.
4/5
Eno - "Another Green World" (1975)
I've never quite understood the appeal in the highly praised fourth full-length from English ambient wizard Brian Eno if I'm being honest so I've found myself returning to it more often than I probably should have over the years in the quest for the elusive appeal that everyone seems to inevitably find in it. I've found myself getting a little closer to unlocking its secrets on this occasion too, although I still find it to be no more than a mildly enjoyable listen. I'd describe the sound of "Another Green World" as being a combination of art rock & electronic music with the fourteen-song tracklisting jerkily offering material from both sides of that equation. The more ambient/electronic stuff interests me the most which isn't really a big surprise with some of the rock & pop tracks coming across as being more quirky than anything else which has never been my preference in music. Still... you can't deny the dude's ambition as there are very few records that sound like this one & there's certainly enough to keep me interested here, even if I do think that this might be the end of the road for me & "Another Green World".
For fans of Robert Fripp, Cluster & David Bowie's "Low" album.
3.5/5
Cocteau Twins - "The Spangle Maker" E.P. (1984)
While I thoroughly enjoyed 1983's excellent duo of releases in third full-length "Head Over Heels" & the equally high-quality "Sunburst & Snowblind" E.P., "The Spangle Maker" E.P. saw Scotland's Cocteau Twins taking a clear step up into the more elite echelons of popular music with three stunning tracks that never fail to leave me feeling exhilarated through their glistening beauty & emotive elegance. The vocals of Elizabeth Fraser are as spectacular as you'll find & cement her as one of my favourite front women of all time. The first two tracks in particular have simply ruled my playlist so far this week so this should be compulsory listening for dream pop & ethereal wave lovers.
For fans of Tamaryn, White Flowers & Cranes.
4.5/5
Antichrist Siege Machine - "Vengeance of Eternal Fire" (2024)
The third full-length from this Virginia-based duo sees them producing another relentless barrage of blasting evil, just the way I like it too. It's high on grindcore influence & low on fucks given. The whole thing is over in just 25 minutes but that's well & truly enough to give me my fill of extreme barbarity & leaves "Vengeance of Eternal Fire" as one of the better examples of the war metal genre you'll find.
For fans of Caveman Cult, Primitive Warfare & Gravesend.
4/5
Here's my updated Top Ten War Metal Releases of All Time list:
01. Infernal Coil - "Within a World Forgotten" (2018)
02. Bestial Warlust - "Vengeance War 'Till Death" (1994)
03. Teitanblood - "The Baneful Choir" (2019)
04. Teitanblood - "Death" (2014)
05. Antichrist Siege Machine - "Vengeance of Eternal Fire" (2024)
06. Impaled Nazarene - "Tol Cormpt Norz Norz Norz..." (1993)
07. Damaar - "Triumph Through Spears of Sacrilege" (2007)
08. Archgoat - "Whore of Bethlehem" (2006)
09. Bestial Warlust - "Blood & Valour" (1995)
10. Conqueror - "War Cult Supremacy" (1999)
https://metal.academy/lists/single/216
Lewis - "L'Amour" (1983)
The debut album from this Canadian Singer/songwriter is a deep, minimal, introspective & synth-laden ambient pop record that's perfect for relaxing by yourself with a book & a glass of wine. I've quite enjoyed it, even though there are some parts that sound a little dated due to the synthesizer sounds employed.
For fans of Nick Drake, Arthur Russell & "Nebraska"-period Bruce Springsteen.
3.5/5
Ghost - "Opus Eponymous" (2010)
I know I'm wwaayyy late in the game here but this was my first time visiting the debut album from these mysterious Swedes. I quite enjoyed Ghost's 2015 third album "Meliora" some time ago & always intended on checking out their debut at some point. "Opus Eponymous" is a less progressive & more consistently metallic effort than the highly regarded "Meloria" was & has once again left me wondering why so many people seem to question Ghost's metal credentials because this is very much a reenactment of the classic 1970's heavy metal sound with progressive rock & occult rock influences being used to create additional interest more than maintaining a consistent focus. This is admittedly not the heaviest of metal records though, largely due to the less distorted guitar tone that reminds me of records like Judas Priest's "Sad Wings of Destiny" or Mercyful Fate's "Melissa" while the melodic vocals are quite poppy & progressive at the same time, steering well clear of anything too imposing despite the Satanic themes. The hooks are certainly here though & I can see why Ghost are so popular because they are so darn accessible yet always maintain their hold on their underground credibility due to the retro vibe. "Opus Eponymous" definitely has its moments & has kept me engaged throughout, without being any sort of classic for me personally.
For fans of In Solitude, Mercyful Fate & King Diamond.
3.5/5
Scott Kelly - "The Wake" (2008)
After thoroughly enjoying my revisit to Kelly's 2001 debut solo album "Spirit Bound Flesh" recently, I decided to give his sophomore effort (generally regarded as my favourite of Kelly's three solo works) the same treatment. It's a slightly more consistent record than "Spirit Bound Flesh" with the highlight tracks (i.e. "Figures" & "Catholic Blood") both being utterly devastating. You can expect a ridiculously deep, dark & depressing while decidedly stripped back singer/songwriter style folk sound that won't appeal to everyone but will connect with its target audience on a visceral level. The album does tend to fade a little towards the end but there's enough quality in the opening five tracks to make this a rewarding & deeply introspective listen.
For fans of Steve Von Till, Johnny Cash & Red House Painters.
4/5
There are undoubtedly a lot of bands / albums that I've introduced you to over the years (and vice versa), but Children of Bodom are not one of them. I don't think I've ever got through a full track, let alone an album.
Are you sure? I can distinctly remember you rocking over to my place in a brand-new Agalloch "Pale Folklore" t-shirt, raving about Paul Baloff-era Exodus & playing me three of your favourite new metal records from Children of Bodom, Dragonforce & BABYMETAL.
Pentagram - "Be Forewarned" (1994)
The 1994 comeback album from these Virginia-based doom metal legends is generally regarded as somewhat of a triumph in doom circles. And look... I won't deny that I've quite enjoyed the ride this week but I can't say that I prescribe to those lofty statements personally. "Be Forewarned" is certainly a step down from Pentagram's excellent self-titled debut album in my opinion but I do think it's slightly more appealing than their 1987 sophomore effort "Day of Reckoning" without reaching a level that would see me returning to it in the future. The Black Sabbath worship is incredibly extreme here with front man Bobby Liebling doing everything in his power to sound exactly like the Ozz man. There are some crushingly heavy riffs on offer with the production job being tailored to best showcase that element of Pentagram's sound but I don't take much away from the groovier stoner-ish material to be honest. It's also pretty hard to understand why they'd end the record with the three best tracks with the rest of the tracklisting being fairly hit & miss. Anyway... this isn't a bad listen for the more dedicated doom aficionado. Just don't expect fireworks.
For fans of Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus & Witchfinder General.
3.5/5
Children of Bodom - "Follow the Reaper" (2000)
I think it might have been Ben who first introduced me to this Finnish act upon my return to metal in 2009 & it may have been through this very album too if memory serves me correctly. I can't say that "Follow the Reaper" does very much for me these days though with its power metal-infused melodeath sound largely flying straight over my head. This shit really lacks consistent aggression with the vocals of Alexi Laiho being fairly stereotypical for the melodic death metal scene & the neoclassical guitar solos removing whatever edge may have been achieved by some of the more heavyweight riffs. There can be no denying Laiho's talent as a shredder but I need more than that these days. European power metal has never been my thing either so this record was always gonna be a challenge for me. It's certainly not a complete disaster but "Follow the Reaper" offers very little that fits into my wheelhouse in 2025.
For fans of Kalmah, Norther & Wintersun.
2.5/5
Nirvana - "Bleach" (1989)
Aaahhhh.... this one brings back fond memories of high school. As with most people, I discovered Nirvana via their undisputed classic of a sophomore album "Nevermind" in 1991. My introduction came through my best mate at the time who very much had his finger on the pulse when it came to the best new hard rock & commercial metal acts. He would very quickly look a bit deeper & pick up the grunge legends debut album too & I have to admit that I've always really enjoyed it, despite it being a bit of a different beast to later Nirvana records. You see, "Bleach" showcases a much dirtier, punkier sound than the major label produced "Nevermind" or "In Utero" & I find that DIY element to be really attractive, even if I can't deny that the album is a step down from the other two full-lengths in terms of song-writing. The tracklisting isn't perfect as I've always found "Floyd the Barber" to be a bit flat but songs like "School" & "Sifting" are genuine grunge classics & deserve much more attention than they've received over the years. You simply aren't a grunge fan if you don't own a copy of "Bleach".
For fans of Soundgarden, Melvins & Mudhoney.
4/5
Marilyn Manson - "Antichrist Superstar" (1996)
Surprisingly, this has been my very first attempt at a full Marilyn Manson record but I've quite enjoyed the ride, even if I do have to question how this album is strong enough to justify the global attention that Marilyn built off the back of it. It's a lengthy effort at 77 minutes & seventeen tracks but there's not a huge amount of filler to be found with only three songs failing to connect with me. His sound sits somewhere between industrial rock & industrial metal but there's enough metal here to justify the record's inclusion at the Academy in my opinion. Hit single "The Beautiful People" is certainly one of the best pieces along with "Dried Up, Tied & Dead to the World", "Little Horn" & "Deformography", all of which reside in the first half of the tracklisting so things do fade a touch over the B side. There can be no denying Manson's charisma as a front man though, even if you put aside his horrific image & stage presence. I'm happy to say that "Antichrist Superstar" is definitely worth a listen or two although I can't see myself returning to it any time soon.
For fans of Nine Inch Nails, Rob Zombie & Ministry.
3.5/5
Siouxsie & the Banshees - "Kaleidoscope" (1980)
The third album from this London-based gothic post-punk outfit is pretty decent although I do have to suggest that it's not quite as essential as many fans would have you believe it is. I enjoy the vibe & atmosphere more than I do the actual song-writing a lot of the time & find the biggest track (opener "Happy House") to be fairly lacklustre, instead preferring the darker material like "Tenant", "Desert Kisses" & closer "Skin". Front woman Siouxsie is quite unique though & is the clear focal point.
For fans of The Cure, Bauhaus & Echo & the Bunnymen.
3.5/5
Tomas Lindberg (Grotesque/At the Gates/Lock Up/The Crown/Liers in Wait) has finally succumbed to mouth cancer.
Grief - "Come to Grief" (1994)
The debut full-length from this Boston-based sludge metal outfit sees Grief taking a step up from 1993's excellent "Dismal" E.P. & has subsequently gone on to become one of my favourite sludge releases of all time. "Come to Grief" is made up of eight oppressive tracks of ultra-doomy, abrasive & aggressive pieces of rat-infested glory, highlighted by the incisive vocals of front man Jeff Hayward who is thoroughly believable throughout. This is a wonderful example of what the genre is trying to achieve & one that highlights the ease with which some of the premier American bands seem to be able to tap into a downtrodden crack den for inspiration. I'm not sure what that says about the country as a whole though.
For fans of Noothgrush, Dystopia & Eyehategod.
4.5/5
Glenn Branca - "Lesson No. 1" E.P. (1980)
The debut solo release from this Pennsylvania guitarist sees him coming up with a completely new musical concept that's based predominantly on theoretical concepts. Totalism sees an artist adding additional energy & rhythmic complexity to the ideas presented in the classical genre of minimalism & Branca pulls it off with utmost ease here, although it has to be said that this doesn't always amount to an enjoyable listen. The first of the two lengthy tracks ("Lesson No. 1 for Electric Guitar") is a beauty & sees the concept presented in an easily palatable & highly professional format that's built around repeated, rhythmically-phasing melodic phrases. The noisy & musically awkward twelve-minute B side ("Dissonance") doesn't fair nearly as well though & ruins the release's chances of making a marked impression on me. Still... I'm interested to hear what Branca would become in the future so I can see myself checking out some more of his work in the future.
For fans of Manuel Göttsching, This Heat & Steve Reich.
3/5
I've always had time for Sinmara & generally get enjoyment from all of their releases with this one being perhaps their strongest work.
I'm well across this release & have been meaning to give it a revisit & rating at some point.
I'm surprised to find that I'm still yet to submit a rating for this release which has received a fair amount of play time from me over the years. I've subsequently added it to my playlist for the coming month or so.
This old Razor hoodie packed it in last month.
I found my initial listens to be a bit flat when I checked "The Arsonist" out a few months ago so I haven't spent all that much time with it since.
Gun - "Gun" (1969)
It's my first time checking out the debut album from this London psychedelic rock outfit but it seems to be quite highly regarded these days. I've quite enjoyed it but can't see it as being any sort of underground classic. There are a couple of flatter tracks positioned early in the tracklisting (see "The Sad Saga of the Boy & the Bee" & "Rupert's Travels") which don't set a great platform but things pick up after that with the epic eleven-minute psych closer being a great way to finish & the highlight of the album. The catchy "Yellow Cab Man" is also excellent. This is worth a listen if you're into the early psych sound.
For fans of Blue Cheer, The Litter & Ultimate Spinach.
3.5/5
Nile - "Amongst the Catacombs of Nephren-Ka" (1998)
A very solid debut album from this South Carolina trio & one that shows a strong understanding of the death metal genre & what makes it so great. I really love the dark production job which further enhances the high-quality performances to make this a bit of a beast of a record. The middle eastern themes are perhaps not as prevalent as they would become in the future but that's never been the attraction to Nile for me personally. I just love the sheer relentlessness of this band & that's showcased beautifully here. Nile certainly have better records (see the classic "Annihilation of the Wicked", the excellent "Those Whom the Gods Detest" or the rock-solid "In Their Darkened Shrines" for example) but that shouldn't detract from death metal fans enjoying Nile's first-up effort as it still contains everything that makes these Americans a household name in extreme metal circles. In fact, I reckon I might even take this one over its 2000 follow-up "Black Seeds of Vengeance" these days, if by a fairly miniscule margin. Just listen to those over-the-top guitar solos which hark back to early Deicide. That's what death metal is all about guys.
For fans of Hate Eternal, Suffocation & Dying Fetus.
4/5
The Mothers of Invention - "Uncle Meat" (1969)
This is the third supposedly classic Mothers record I've challenged myself with over the last few months & I've yet again failed to connect with on any level. In fact, I'd suggest that "Uncle Meat" is possibly the one that offered me the least appeal of the three as, despite the incredible compositional & timbral complexity, there's really nothing much of any musical value here. It's just a bunch of silliness put down on tape across an overly ambitious double album format. I'm very surprised that people seem to find more than that in this music but they apparently do so what would I know.
For fans of Henry Cow, Gentle Giant & The Residents.
2.5/5
Limp Bizkit - "Significant Other" (1999)
Another pretty decent Limp Bizkit album that tends to be overly maligned due to people's hatred for Fred Durst's hobbo-isms. The band are really very capable & have a great understanding of dynamics & how to get a crowd jumping with the hip hop component being particularly strong throughout. This is a slightly stronger & more consistent record than the more popular 2000 follow-up album "Chocolate Starfish & the Hot Dog Flavored Water" in my opinion & I've actually quite enjoyed it if I'm being completely honest.
For fans of Papa Roach, Korn & P.O.D.
3.5/5
Here's my updated Top Ten Nu Metal Releases of All Time list:
01. Linkin Park - "Meteora" (2003)
02. Korn - "Korn" (1994)
03. Slipknot - "Iowa" (2001)
04. Linkin Park - "Hybrid Theory" (2000)
05. Deftones - "Adrenaline" (1995)
06. Korn - "Life is Peachy" (1996)
07. Korn - "Follow the Leader" (1998)
08. Limp Bizkit - "Significant Other" (1999)
09. Sevendust - "Animosity" (2001)
10. Korn - "Issues" (1999)
https://metal.academy/lists/single/313
Massive Attack v Mad Professor - "No Protection" (1995)
Stoners should look no further than this wonderful remix album that contains eight stripped-back takes on tracks taken from Bristol trip hop kings Massive Attack's brilliant 1994 sophomore album "Protection". Guyana dub legend Mad Professor does a wonderful job at keeping the original depth of the pieces & taking them into even more cerebral directions. I can't tell you how many times my best mate & I numbed ourselves to this record during my 2000's club days. Massive Attack are one of my absolute favourite artists & this is one of the truest examples of an underrated gem you'll find.
For fans of Thievery Corporation, Hooverphonic & DJ Shadow.
4.5/5
Armoured Angel - "Mysterium" E.P. (1994)
I was well into this Canberra trio as a young chap & they would play a serious role in inspiring me to become a musician myself. Although they may not be all that well known outside of Australia, Armoured Angel are probably the most widely respected death metal act ever to come from these shores & this release comes from their peak period, a time when I would experience them in a live environment on numerous occasions. Armoured Angel's 1985 demo tape "Banished in Blood" was a pretty lacklustre affair but it was their two late 80's thrash metal demos "Wings of Death" & "Communion" that initially gained my attention, if not leaving me totally convinced. Once they sold their souls to the burgeoning death metal sound with 1992's "Stigmartyr" E.P. then there was no going back though & "Mysterium" sees the band continuing down that route, be it with their usual thrashy edge. Listening back now, I have to say that "Mysterium" doesn't hit as hard as the career-defining "Stigmartyr" did. The two highlight tracks ("Myth of Creation" & "Enigmatize") are both excellent but the other material doesn't live up to that promise, particularly the two combined pieces that close the release in "Pray for Me/Elegy" which don't do much for me. Still... there's enough quality to keep me interested & see me donning my old "Mysterium" t-shirt with pride although I do think I'd probably take the "Communion" demo over this CD these days if I'm being honest which isn't how I felt back in the day. The "Stigmartyr" E.P. is where you should direct your attention if you're looking to experience some premium Aussie death metal though.
For fans of Ares Kingdom, House of Atreus & Mi'gauss.
3.5/5
Discharge - "Fight Back" E.P. (1980)
A short six & a half minute shot of adrenaline containing five high-octane tracks that whip past you in no time at all. The Motorhead influence is obvious throughout & this is all enjoyable stuff, even for someone like myself who doesn't class themselves as a big punk fan. It's interesting that the two songs on the B side are comfortably the best material so I feel that Discharge would have been better served with an alternate arrangement of the tracklisting. Still... this is a decent way to fill a very small gap in your day. I just can't see myself thinking to return to it any time soon.
For fans of Poison Idea, Negative Approach & Anti-Cimex.
3.5/5
Alcest - "Les chants de l'aurore" (2024)
So, I've spent a bit of time with the French post-blackgaze stalwarts' seventh full-length now & have developed the feeling that it's not a bad record, if not one that I'm likely to reach for when I feel the urge for some Alcest. The tracklisting is without blemish but the overall atmosphere is extremely whispy & melodic (even for them) with the shoegaze influence being far more prevalent than the post-rock on this occasion. The black metal shrieks aren't used as regularly as they have been in the past either but the instrumentation has plenty of black metal about it. Overall, I'm gonna suggest that "Les chants de l'aurore" is probably Alcest's least impressive album since 2014's "Shelter" but it's still worth a few listens, even if (much like the Frenchmen's previous record "Spiritual Instinct") I can't say that this is an essential release for those looking for the elite-level blackgaze.
For fans of Amesoeurs, Lantlôs & Deafheaven.
3.5/5
Monster Magnet - "Dopes to Infinity" (1995)
Not quite as strong as this New Jersey stoner rock outfit's 1991 debut album "Spine of God" but still a very solid outing nonetheless. My affection for Monster Magnet's third full-length has grown since my last visit with the incredible "Third Alternative" & excellent cerebral closer "Vertigo" being my clear highlights. This should be essential listening for any stoner worth their double-chamber bong.
For fans of Fu Manchu, Clutch & Kyuss.
4/5
The Mothers of Invention - "Absolutely Free" (1967)
The Mothers' 1966 debut album "Freak Out!" did very little for me & the same can be said for their follow-up from the next year "Absolutely Free". I simply need much more from my music than artsy humour & there really aren't any examples of classic, timeless song-writing here. Admittedly, some of the lyrics are quite witty (perhaps more so than on "Freak Out!" which I had a touch less time for than this sophomore effort) but that's unfortunately not all that I require to make for engaging music. There are a few decent numbers included (see my personal favourite "The Duke of Prunes", the jazzy "Invocation & Ritual Dance of the Young Pumpkin" & closer "America Drinks & Goes Home") but the majority of this material just washes straight over my head without much sticking from a musical perspective, even after several listens.
For fans of Captain Beefheart, Soft Machine & Gong.
2.5/5
Rotting Christ - "Non serviam" (1994)
The highly regarded sophomore album from these Hellenic black metal kings also happens to be my favourite Rotting Christ release. I picked it up on CD at the time of release & have always seen it as a step up from their debut full-length "Thy Mighty Contract". It's a measured, consistent & highly focused release that sees the band keeping well within their limited technical abilities while championing a unique atmosphere built on repetitive mid-range tempos & palm-muted death metal riffs that are given a black metal feel by shrieking vocals & subtle synthesizer use, ending up somewhere between the melodic & conventional black metal subgenres. The use of melodic lead guitar themes definitely borrows from the early doom/death movement too & sees "Non serviam" sitting in the top couple of releases from the whole Hellenic black metal movement in my opinion. Highly recommended.
For fans of Varathron, Samael & Thou Art Lord.
4/5
Here's my updated Top Ten Melodic Black Metal Releases of All Time list:
01. Dissection – “Storm Of The Light’s Bane” (1995)
02. Mare Cognitum – “Solar Paroxysm” (2021)
03. Les Chat de Nihil – “Le tyran et l’esthete” (2021)
04. Rotting Christ – “Non Seriam” (1994)
05. Dawn - "Nær sólen gar niþer for evogher" (1994)
06. Dawn – “Slaughtersun (Crown Of The Triarchy)” (1998)
07. Iskald – “The Sun I Carried Alone” (2011)
08. Naglfar – “Teras” (2012)
09. Abigail Williams - "In The Absence Of Light" (2010)
10. Dissection - "The Somberlain" (1993)
https://metal.academy/lists/single/164
Yellow Magic Orchestra - "Yellow Magic Orchestra" (1979)
The 1979 sophomore release from Tokyo synthpop act Yellow Magic Orchestra is a complete remake of their self-titled debut from the previous year, this time being achieved with a greater level of clarity & crispness in the production. I hated the original if I'm being honest &, interestingly, I've found myself going a little against the grain by hating the remake even more. This shit is as cheesy as absolute fuck & I really struggle with the vast majority of the material with only the annoyingly catchy "La femme chinoise" managing to break through my defenses. I'm quite simply not the intended audience for these early YMO records & will be giving them a wide birth in future.
For fans of Kraftwerk, Isao Tomita & Yukihiro Takahashi.
1.5/5
Cryptopsy - "As Gomorrah Burns" (2023)
The 2023 comeback record from Canadian death metallers Cryptopsy (their eighth full-length) was generally received in a pretty luke-warm fashion but is actually a really solid example of the brutal death metal subgenre as far as I can see. As with some of Cryptopsy's other releases, it's not as technical as people like to make out & shouldn't really qualify for tech death status. Instead, we find these guys playing in the space between brutal death metal & the conventional death metal of a band like Cannibal Corpse with the regular use of high-speed blast-beats being the element that sees them staying tied to BDM. The vocals of Matt McGachy are more than serviceable & benefit from a level of intelligibility that wasn't always valued by this band but the extra attention in this area has been well received by this particular listener. I also enjoy the flourishes of bass prowess from bassist Olivier Pinard (Neuraxis/Vengeful/Cattle Decapitation). My long-time bugbear with legendary extreme metal drummer Flo Mounier (Nader Sadek/Vltimas) is still evident at times as he has always had issues with the consistency of those ultra-fast blasts, this time with keeping his kick drums in time towards the end of each passage. It's not a big deal on this occasion though as the clean production job & the proficiency of the instrumentation around him is strong enough to ensure that "As Gomorrah Burns" ends up being one of Cryptopsy's best releases. You won't find anything particularly fresh or original here but I'm not sure that high-quality death metal always needs to be to tell you the truth. At least, it doesn't in my world & I've probably heard as much of the genre as anyone over the years.
For fans of Suffocation, Gorguts & Lykathea Aflame.
4/5
https://metalinjection.net/news/zoe-federoff-posts-her-contract-with-cradle-of-filth-details-how-little-she-was-paid
Wow! Not a great look for Dani Filth & management.
Korn - "Life is Peachy" (1996)
The Californian nu metal godfathers' sophomore album isn't too bad actually, even if it was a clear step down from the self-titled which I regard as one of the finest examples of the subgenre. I find it really hard to split this one with Korn's 1998 follow-up "Follow the Leader" but, if pushed, I'd probably choose "Life is Peachy" as my second-favourite Korn record.
For fans of Deftones, Limp Bizkit & Slipknot.
3.5/5
Here's my updated Top Ten Nu Metal Releases of All Time list:
01. Linkin Park - "Meteora" (2003)
02. Korn - "Korn" (1994)
03. Slipknot - "Iowa" (2001)
04. Linkin Park - "Hybrid Theory" (2000)
05. Deftones - "Adrenaline" (1995)
06. Korn - "Life is Peachy" (1996)
07. Korn - "Follow the Leader" (1998)
08. Sevendust - "Animosity" (2001)
09. Korn - "Issues" (1999)
10. Dir en Grey - "Uroboros" (2008)
https://metal.academy/lists/single/313
Angelo Badalamenti - "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me" (1992)
The soundtrack to the prequel film that was released after the TV series isn't quite as good as the soundtrack for the series, although it's still worth a few listens. The dark jazz component is possibly a little stronger here although the tracklisting isn't as consistent.
For fans of Bohren & der Club of Gore, The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble & The Dale Cooper Quartet.
3.5/5
Paradise Lost - "Ascension" [English gothic metal]
Pre-release review from another site: "Paradise Lost require no Introduction. From the UK acts beginnings as part of the pioneering Peaceville three through to their modern-day status as death/doom gothic icons. Each album is a celebration of melancholy and aggressive; Ascension is their seventeenth release after the five years wait that was Obsidian and it continues the band’s excellent return to truly heavy soundscapes.
The riffs are majestic and instantly memorable, whether it be from the almost upbeat ‘’Serpent on the Cross’’ and ‘’Silence like the Grave’’ with its instantly headbanging passages through to the grandiose Tyrants Serenade each track is unique yet an integral part that makes Paradise Lost work, from its gradual build from doom through to gothic like passages, nothing is hurried every note allowed to sear the sense and resonate in your eardrums. ‘’Salvation’’ is anything but, a monolithic riff so huge full of impending misery that its unmatched throughout the album and it proceeds to get heavier! The musicianship is of course nothing short of superb and Nick Holmes Vocals are the perfect conduit for themes of triumph and tragedy. From the inexorable build of ‘’Lay A Wreath Upon the World’’ to the metallic glory of ‘’Sirens’’ and ‘’Deceivers’’ (That solo) this is Paradise Lost at their most complete, at times reminiscent of Icon with its variations and dynamics,
Cathartic, emotive and simply heavy in places, Ascension is a pure Paradise Lost record that will not only heralds their continued fine form but will sure spark furious debate as to where it stands in their catalogue of excellent albums. An irresistible force of nature, Ascension is a great record with moments of excellence, glorious doomy and gothic, a must for all connoisseurs of the genre."
Ad Nauseam - "Live at Roadburn" [Italian avant-garde/dissonant death metal]
I don't think it's necessary to adjust your rating protocol between the two sites Sonny. Your ratings are meant to be an indication of how much you enjoyed a release so if you generally enjoy metal releases more than other genres then your scores should reflect that. You are so well versed in metal by this point in your musical journey that you will always tend to gravitate towards metal records that you're more likely to enjoy too. Should that mean that the weaker end of that should suffer more than with other genres? I don't think so. I understand why you might question yourself on a three-star rating for a metal release that you didn't enjoy much as it doesn't sound terribly harsh but if there's music out there that's several levels worse than that then you need to leave space for it in your rating system in my opinion. In saying that, I don't believe that metal is less conducive to absolute garbage than other genres. In fact, the bottom end of my ratings database if littered with metal filth, most of it being far worse than Justin Bieber.