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Daniel

Let Me Dream - "My Dear Succubus" (1995)

This relatively unknown debut album from obscure Finnish band Let Me Dream is one of the rare releases that I bought completely blind during the mid-90's. My purchase of the CD was based purely on a rapturous review I'd read in Terrorizer magazine which made this record sound like it would be right up my alley. I was sorely disappointed though as "My Dear Succubus" is generally pretty amateurish & lacking in any sort of class, despite possessing a noticeably underground cult vibe that would no doubt have pleased the purists out there. I'd describe Let Me Dream's sound as being blackened gothic doom metal which isn't a description you see too often & they admittedly have a pretty original sound that's highlighted by the regular use of cheap synthesizers playing simply single-note accompaniments. My main issue is with the clean male vocals though as they are completely incompetent & take a great deal away from the blackened snarls that make up more of the run time. The instrumentation is very basic too although the guitar tone will no doubt draw comparisons to Celtic Frost's early works. At the end of the day there are metal releases that simply aren't worth exploring & this is definitely one of them. Where do I claim my hard-earned $30 back?

For fans of Cultus Sanguine, Moonspell & Celtic Frost.

2.5/5

29
Daniel

Ashra - "New Age of Earth" (1977)

I picked up a CD copy of this debut album from Berlin-based progressive electronic act Ashra after discovering Manuel Göttsching's classic 1975 "Ash Ra Tempel VI: Inventions for Electric Guitar" debut album in the early 2000's & have always loved it since. Göttsching is once again the musical mastermind here with Ashra's sound sitting right in the middle between progressive electronic & space ambient. It's the ambient parts that are the most brilliant with the epic 22-minute closer "Nightdust" being one of the most significant space ambient works of all time in my opinion & single-handedly carrying the album to an elite score. "New Age of Earth" should be considered to be essential listening for fans of either subgenre.

For fans of Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze & Steve Roach.

4.5/5

22
Daniel

This attempt at their earlier heaviness becomes an ugly mess, making me feel like regurgitating:


38
Daniel

A 6-minute epic with probably the closest we ever have to hearing Sabbath-esque riffing and a Slipknot-infused groove in the same song:


186
Daniel

Another impressive highlight, sounding fresh out of the Imprint sessions:


261
Daniel

Let the hardcore/metalcore embrace you as your mind embraces this standout:


384
Daniel

Funkadelic - Cosmic Slop (1973)

Genres: Prog Soul, Soul-Funk, Funk Rock, Psych Soul

So if that genre-tagging wasn't boner-inducing enough, we're dealing with Funkadelic in general.  This is during that understated period where the psych aspects of their rock side have transitioned to the soul side, allowing for a much more spiritual side to the band, one that remains as catchy and spirited as ever.  This is obviously the step forward into evolving into a p-funk band, one that bases itself on the raw trippiness of the psychedelic age.  Honestly, the third track, March to the Witch's Castle, relaxed every fiber of my body, putting my subconscious into a total state of euphoria.  It's a real shame that this side of the band wasn't explored very much during the late 70's, focusing mostly on the p-funk side we're familiar with on albums like Mothership Connection.  This is probably their most soulful album.

96

2
Daniel

Dead Can Dance - "Garden of the Arcane Delights" E.P. (1984)

This four-song E.P. was recorded during the same sessions as Dead Can Dance's self-titled debut album from earlier in 1984 &, thankfully, the quality is just as good as the full-length although the E.P. represents somewhat of a transition release between the Melbournites' early gothic rock sound & their later darkwave one with two songs from each category included. "In Power We Entrust the Love Advocated" is an all-time favourite of mine & may be the peak for the entire goth rock genre actually. I used to play & sing it at parties back when I first met my wife. Closer "Flowers of the Sea" is a stunning example of Lisa Gerrard's otherworldly talents too. I can't tell you how much I adore this artist but, if pushed, I slightly favour "Dead Can Dance" over the E.P. which isn't the general consensus these days.

For fans of Lycia, Drab Majesty & Trance to the Sun.

4.5/5

3
Daniel

In Flames - "Colony" (1999)

Another classic Swedish melodeath record & another release that I can't connect with. I wasn't a fan of widely praised albums like "Jester Race", "Whoracle" or "Clayman" so it's no real surprise that I've struggled with this revisit of In Flames' 1999 fourth full-length "Colony" either because it's pretty much on the same level as those three. If pushed I'd probably put "Whoracle" at the top of that list with "Jester Race" & "Colony" rounding out the top three. I have to admit that Anders Fridén's vocals are really good & so are the production & performances, particularly the guitar work of Björn Gelotte & Jesper Strömblad. The song-writing is just too accessible for me with those folky melodies not offering me much of substance though.

For fans of Dark Tranquillity, At The Gates & Soilwork.

3/5

29
Daniel

A fantastic 8-minute closing epic of emotional power:


325
Daniel

The perfect song for anyone up for a lot of aggression with some melody here and there:


277
Daniel

I'm having another bad little period for sport after my Sydney Kings lost to the Adelaide 36ers last night. It was a brilliant match though & showed that these two teams are likely to meet at the conclusion of the season to decide the ultimate champion.

27
Daniel

Dream Theater - "Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence" (2002)

It's kinda strange that I hadn't given Dream Theater's sixth full-length studio album (a double album in fact) a run before now when you consider how highly I regarded Boston's progressive metal masters during the late 1990's but that's the way that things have fallen so I decided to fill that gap over the last few days. "Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence" is generally considered to be a solid release that fails to reach the lofty heights that Dream Theater had previously scaled yet does nothing to take anything away from their legacy either & I've found myself agreeing with that sentiment this week. These two records rarely see the quality dipping below an acceptable level with only the cheesy symphonic piece "i. Overture" failing to offer me any enjoyment. I will suggest that the tracklisting is fairly top heavy though as most of the gold can be found on the first disk with the lengthy title track being more mildly enjoyable than it is essential. "The Great Debate" is an absolute masterclass in progressive metal while the more stripped back balladry that takes place early on is also very impressive. Guitarist John Petrucci (my favourite guitarist ever) is once again the standout performer with his solos invariably seeing me picking my jaw up off the floor. In terms of the overall package, I think 2003's "Train of Thought" is of a similar standard to this release but neither come close to matching earlier classics like "When Dream and Day Unite", "Images & Words" or "Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From a Memory". They do compare well with 1994's "Awake" though & I'd take any of those three over 2005's "Octavarium" which saw the band taking a further step down in my opinion.

For fans of Symphony X, Rush & Liquid Tension Experiment.

4/5

75
Daniel

My only remaining question is - is Vecna Groot's evil twin and if so could he be regrown from a sapling?

23
Daniel

Andy Marshall of Saor fame has released the third album under his Fuath alter-ego today. Just ordered a vinyl copy from Bandcamp and am checking it out as I type. Fuath are less focussed on the epic paeons to Andy's homeland Scotland than Saor and play in a more Pagan / Melodic black metal style than Saor's atmospheric black metal, whilst still retaining some of the latter's grandeur. It's all good so far anyway.

Edit: Just as a point of interest, I have listened to it back-to-back on Spotify and Bandcamp and the BC version sounds much better.

146
Daniel

Here are my sneak peek submissions for the February Sphere playlist:

Blue Stahli - "Command Line Kill" (2:26) from Quartz (2020)

Circle of Dust - "Bed of Nails" (3:34) from Circle of Dust (1995)

D'espairsRay - "Grudge" (3:54) from Coll:Set (2005)

Mnemic - "Liquid" (4:41) from Mechanical Spin Phenomena (2003)

Sybreed - "Ethernity" (9:20) from Antares (2007)

Waltari - "Main Stream" (4:01) from Space Avenue (1997)

Total length: 27:56

118
Daniel

Here are my sneak peek submissions for the February Revolution playlist:

Architects - "Gravedigger" (4:05) from Lost Forever // Lost Together (2014)

The Breathing Process - "We, the Drowned" (6:54) from Labyrinthian (2021)

Dead by April - "Infinity x Infinity" (3:10) from Let the World Know (2014)

Fit for a King - "Extinction" (2:12) from Lonely God (2025)

Ice Nine Kills - "The Laugh Track" (3:15) from The Laugh Track (2025)

Protest the Hero - "The Divine Suicide of K." (5:10) from Kezia (2005)

Shadow of Intent - "The Catacombs" (4:44) from Reclaimer (2017)

Total length: 29:30

157
Daniel

Here are my submissions for the February Infinite playlist, having just two long epics in mind:

An Abstract Illusion - "The Sun Will Bleach All Bones" (16:38) from Atonement is Nigh (2014)

Fates Warning - "Epitaph" (11:57) from The Spectre Within (1985)

Total length: 28:35

101
Daniel

Here are my sneak peek submissions for the February Guardians playlist:

Galneryus - "Hunting for Your Dream" (5:24) from Angel of Salvation (2012)

Helloween - "Future World" (4:02) from Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I (1987)

Iron Savior - "Until We Meet Again" (7:52) from Kill or Get Killed (2019)

Masterplan - "Masterplan" (5:03) from MK II (2007)

Turisas - "Rasputin" (3:53) from Rasputin (2007)

Total length: 26:14

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Daniel

Update for February:

THE FALLEN: VINNY, Sonny

THE GATEWAY: SAXY, Andi

THE GUARDIANS: SONNY, Karl, Andi

THE HORDE: VINNY, Sonny, Karl

THE INFINITE: ANDI, Saxy

THE NORTH: KARL, Vinny, Sonny

THE PIT: SONNY, Vinny

THE REVOLUTION: ANDI

THE SPHERE: ANDI

220
Daniel


As I alluded to in the January playlist thread, I am going to start issuing the North playlist on a monthly basis once more. Unless you tell me otherwise, Vinny, I will use your additionals from last month for the February playlist. Karl, if you wish to nominate anything please post it by the 15th of January.

Quoted Sonny

That's fine Sonny.

246
Daniel

January 2026

1. Archgoat - "Rats Pray God" (from "Worship the Eternal Darkness", 2021) [submitted by Sonny]

2. Watain - "Ecstasies in Night Infinite" (from "The Agony & Ecstasy of Watain", 2022) [submitted by Vinny]

3. Thou Art Lord - "The Era of Satan Rising" (from "Eosforos", 1994) [submitted by Karl]

4. Stworz - "U Śmierci na komornem" (from "U Śmierci na komornem", 2025) [submitted by Vinny]

5. Mayhem - "Despair" (from "Liturgy of Death", 2026) [submitted by Sonny]

6. Lord Belial - "Ipse Venit" (from "Unholy Trinity", 2025) [submitted by Karl]

7. Odium - "The Brightness of the Weeping Kingdom" (from "The Sad Realm of the Stars", 1998)

8. Martwa Aura - "Lament Drugi" (from "Lament", 2025) [submitted by Vinny]

9. Atomic Goatcrime - "Cycle of Wrath" (from "Thermonuclear Humanicide", 2025) [submitted by Karl]

10. Blasphamagoatachrist - "Cyanide Sacrament" (from "Bestial Abominator", 2025) [submitted by Karl]

11. Nexion - "Gandra" (from "Sundrung", 2025) [submitted by Vinny]

12. Enslaved - "Lightening" (from "Axioma Ethica Odini", 2010) [submitted by Sonny]

13. Apati - "Sömnlösa nätter" (from "Eufori", 2009)

14. Menhir - "Die Kelten" (from "Thuringia", 1999) [submitted by Karl]

15. Malakhim - "Solar Crucifixion" (from "And in Our Hearts the Devil Sings", 2025) [submitted by Vinny]

16. Vreid - "Fangegard" (from "I krig", 2007)

17. Naked Whipper - "Bloodstained White Icon" (from "Chapel Defilement", 2025) [submitted by Karl]

18. Imperial Crystalline Entombment - "White Behemoths of Woe" (from "Abominable Astral Summoning", 2025) [submitted by Karl]

19. Finsterforst - "Urquell" (from "...zum Tode hin", 2009)

20. Blut aus Nord - "Seclusion" (from "Ethereal Horizons", 2025) [submitted by Sonny]

21. Soulless - "As If Our Time Runs No Longer" (from "The Supreme Resurgence", 2023)

47
Daniel

January 2026

1. Fear Factory - "Recode" from Aggression Continuum (2021) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

2. Dome Runner - "Biased Heart Replica" from World Panopticon (2025)

3. Kidneythieves - "Before I'm Dead" from Zerospace (2002)

4. 1914, Ship Her Son, Barney Hines Band - "Invaders Must Die" from Invaders Must Die (2025)

5. The Amenta - "Flesh is Heir" from Flesh is Heir (2013) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

6. Bad Omens - "Left for Good" from Left for Good (2025)

7. Nanowar of Steel, Mikael Sehlin - "Feet & Greet" from Feet & Greet (2025)

8. Fear of Domination - "Endgame" from Endgame (2025)

9. Die Krupps - "On Collision Course" from On Collision Course (2025)

10. Static-X - "Down" from Beneath... Between... Beyond... (2004)

11. Eisbrecher - "All We Are" from Schicksalsmelodien (2020)

12. Hanzel und Gretyl - "Fukken Uber Death Party" from 2012: Zwanzig Zwolf (2008)

13. 3TEETH - "The Fall" from Metawar (2019)

14. Silent Planet - "Under Your Skin" from Under Your Skin (2025)

15. Vibrion - "Aguanta" from Instinct (2002)

16. Neo Inferno 262 - "Sexes" from Pleonectic (2023)

17. Godflesh - "Streetcleaner" from Streetcleaner (1989) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

18. Lord of the Lost - "Bad Romance" from Weapons of Mass Seduction (2023)

19. Circle of Dust - "Deviate (1992)" from Brainchild (1994) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

20. Cyanotic - "Altered States of Consciousness" from Transhuman 2.0 (2007)

21. Vortech - "Posthumanism" from Posthumanism (2009)

22. Malmonde - "Machine" from Malmonde (2003)

23. Mechina - "The Collapse Promised to All" from Bellum Interruptum (2025) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

24. Illidiance, Jot Maxi - "Hack the Hoax" from Hack the Hoax (2022)

25. Turmion Katilot - "Reset 7 (Not to Be Continued)" from Reset (2024)

26. Pain - "The Last Drops of My Life" from Pain (1997) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

55
Daniel

January 2026

1. Demon Hunter - "My Place in the Dirt" from There Was a Light Here (2025)

2. Lamb of God - "Parasocial Christ" from Parasocial Christ (2025)

3. Dreamwake - "Daydream" from The Lost Years (2025)

4. Deadtide - "The Battle for New Earth" from The Battle for New Earth (2025)

5. Volumes - "Man on Fire" from Happier? (2021)

6. Zao - "Conflict" from Preface: Early Recordings 1995-1996 (2020) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

7. Varials - "Day 3: Revenge" from Scars for You to Remember (2022)

8. Enter Shikari - "Enter Shikari (demo)" from The Zone (2007) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

9. Ice Nine Kills - "Bloodbath & Beyond" from Every Trick in the Book (2015)

10. Skycamefalling - "Porcelain Heart Promises" from 10.21 (2000) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

11. Shadow of Intent - "The Cosmic Inquisitor" from Primordial (2016) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

12. Mental Cruelty, Signs of the Swarm - "Helheim" from Helheim (2025)

13. Lorna Shore - "Soulless Existence" from Pain Remains (2022) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

14. Asking Alexandria - "To the Stage" from Reckless & Relentless (2011) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

15. Equilibrium - "Nexus" from Equinox (2025)

16. As Blood Runs Black - "Ground Zero" from Ground Zero (2014) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

17. Blessthefall - "Standing on the Ashes" from Hollow Bodies (2013)

18. As I Lay Dying - "If I Fall" from If I Fall (2025)

19. Elwood Stray, Our Mirage - "Error" from Error (2025)

20. Landmvrks, Novelists - "Heretic" from Deja Vu (2022)

21. Stray From the Path - "Fuck Them All to Hell" from Clockworked (2025)

22. Lionheart - "Salt the Earth" from Valley of Death II (2025)

23. Me and Him Call It Us - "A Rotten Set of Bagpipes Can Make a Fantastic Miniskirt If Sewn Properly" from The (C:) Drive of Love Stories (2004)

24. Paria - "Misanthropos" from Misanthropos (2004)

25. Coalesce - "My Love for Extremes" from Functioning on Impatience (1998)

26. Ion Dissonance - "She's Strychnine" from Solace (2005)

27. Emmure - "When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong" from Goodbye to the Gallows (2007)

28. The Acacia Strain - "Eucharist II: BLOOD LOSS" from You Are Safe From God Here (2025)

29. Of Mice & Men - "Infinite" from Another Miracle (2025)

57
Daniel

January 2026

1. Avantasia - "The Seven Angels" from The Metal Opera, Pt. 2 (2002)

2. Visions of Atlantis - "Pirates Will Return" from Pirates (2022) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

3. Galneryus - "There's No Escape" from Vetelgyus (2014) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

4. Judas Priest - "Winter" from Rocka Rolla (1974)

5. Motorhead - "Iron Horse / Born to Lose" from Motorhead (1977)

6. King Diamond - "Welcome Home" from Them (1988)

7. Y&T - "Mean Streak" from Mean Streak (1983)

8. Riot - "Warrior" from Rock City (1977)

9. Al Atkins - "Victim of Changes" from Reloaded (2017)

10. Saxon - "Madame Guillotine" from Hell, Fire and Damnation (2024)

11. Avenged Sevenfold - "Bat Country" from City of Evil (2005)

12. Metallica - "If Darkness Had a Son" from 72 Seasons (2023)

13. Black Sabbath - "Spiral Architect" from Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973)

14. Almah - "Living and Drifting" from Motion (2011) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

15. Warmen - "Into the Oblivion" from Unknown Soldier (2000)

16. Idol Throne - "Harbinger of Light" from Harbinger of Light (2025)

17. Powerwolf - "Out in the Fields" from Metallum Nostrum (2019) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

18. Iron Savior - "After the War" from Dark Assault (2001) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

19. Rhapsody - "Gargoyles, Angels of Darkness" from Power of the Dragonflame (2002)

40
Daniel

Here's my submission for the February Gateway playlist:

Slipknot - "Unsainted" (from We Are Not Your Kind, 2019)

135
Daniel

January 2026

1. My Dying Bride – “Your River” (from “Turn Loose the Swans”, 1993) [submitted by dk]

2. Khemmis - "Bloodletting" (from "Desolation", 2018)

3. Sleep - "Marijuanaut's" (from "The Sciences", 2018) [submitted by Vinny]

4. Wren - "Scorched Hinds" (from "Black Rain Falls", 2025) [submitted by Vinny]

5. Chrch - "Portals" (from "Light Will Consume Us All", 2018) [submitted by Sonny]

6. Primitve Man - "Devotion" (from "Observance", 2025) [submitted by Vinny]

7. Paul Chain Violet Theatre - "17 Day" (from "Detaching From Satan", 1984) [submitted by Sonny]

8. Black Sheep Wall – “Ren” (from “Songs for the Enamel Queen”, 2021) [submitted by dk]

9. Heteropsy - "Memento Mori" (from "Embalming", 2025) [submitted by Vinny]

10. Age of Taurus – “Sinking City” (from “Desperate Souls of Tortured Times”, 2013) [submitted by dk]

11. The Answer Lies in the Black Void - "Sine Morbo" (from "Transcendental", 2025) [submitted by Vinny]

12. Salome - "White Tides" (from "Salome", 2008) [submitted by dk]

13. BlackLab - "Monochrome Rainbow" (from "In a Bizarre Dream", 2022)

14. Atavist - "Loss" (from "III: Absolution", 2020) [submitted by Sonny]

50
Daniel

An experimental progressive black metal beast lurking in the shadows:


119
Daniel

Ditto with this one, though is the only filler track you'll find in this album that's better than their debut:


17
Daniel

Steeleye Span - Parcel of Rogues (1973)

Genres: British Folk... Rrrroooock-k-k?

I spent a good portion of the album waiting for it to actually be a rock album as RYM said, as I was in the mood for the British Folk Rock genre.  There's barely on it, so I'll judge it as a folk album.  Now you can tell pretty easily that the group was trying to expand and experiment, trying out a bunch of tricks and sounds.  And mostly, they work beautifully.  This is an exceptionally eclectic and unpredictable folk album that maintains its old-timey folk spirit with very few wavers.  As expected from a Steeleye Span album, it feels like they've summoned the spirits of ancient minstrels to perform, and some of these compositions are gorgeous while others are simply fun.  One issue with the experimentation is that the melodies in the early songs are a bit quirky, and the quirkiness gets in the way of the catchiness the band is attempting, as if they were struggling to rewrite folk so as to ensure they don't recycle melodies from previous albums.  Nevertheless, its ability to shift from sparsechantings to violin-central pseudo-hymns to near-psychedelic electric guitar is wonderful.  It's a journey right through the medieval ages.  But I'm calling this prog folk, not folk rock.

94

13
Daniel




Welcome to The North Rexorcist! I believe the transition has been successful (I can see that your ratings are now counting as Clan Ratings for The North), but let me know if anything looks weird.

Quoted Ben

Thanks a bunch!

Weird like what?

Quoted Rexorcist

Like a North album or cover you've rated that isn't being included in the Clan Rating section. It should be all good, but I have had to run a recalculation a couple of times in the past when site users change or add a new clan.

Quoted Ben

Well I still haven't noticed anything weird like that.  But maybe I'm just not paying enough attention.

My books sold five copies today.  I find it hard to believe that actually happened.

279
Daniel

Scott Kelly & The Road Home - "The Forgiven Ghost in Me" (2012)

The third solo album from Neurosis front man Kelly sees him collaborating with band mates Noah Landis, Jason Roeder & Josh Graham as well as guitarist Greg Dale which gives his very sparce & stripped-back music a little more weight. I really dig all three of Scott's records but I think this one is the best of them. Kelly's music can be a little monotonous at times but the added textures & colours contributed by The Road Home help to accentuate the song-writing a little here so I've really enjoyed this week's trip through Kelly's vulnerable storylines.

For fans of Steve Von Till, Wino & Townes Van Zandt.

4/5

3
Daniel

Like you, I think that "Requiem" and "Octagon" are overly hated by fans who obviously preferred the more epic viking metal of the preceding few albums, but I actually prefer "Requiem" of the two. The antipathy for these two albums is obviously based on expectations versus reality..

170
Daniel

I've just noticed that the Hall of Judgement entry for Black Sabbath's "Master of Reality" to be removed from The Guardians & remain solely in The Fallen is sitting at TEN votes with no clear outcome as yet too.

https://metal.academy/hall/515

9
Daniel

An absolutely devastating sludgy start to this post-sludge adventure:


188
Daniel

Temple of the Dog - "Temple of the Dog" (1991)

I still give his old grunge record a spin every now & then & it's held up really well. I first discovered Temple of the Dog through album highlight "Hunger Strike" shortly after release but my interest in the group was expanded upon significantly during my first real relationship in 1993/94 as my ex-girlfriend was a grunge fanatic. Temple of the Dog was somewhat of a super-group comprised of members of Soundgarden, Audioslave, Green River, Mad Season, Pearl Jam, Skin Yard, Queens of the Stone Age, etc. so it was always going to amount to something high-quality, particularly given it was fronted by Chris Cornell i.e. my all-time favourite make vocalist. Other than the incredible "Hunger Strike" (which features a stunning collaboration between Cornell & Pearl Jam front man Eddie Vedder), I don't think that there are any other genuine classics here though & the quality level does dip a touch through tracks 7-9. Still... I really enjoy "Temple of the Dog" & think it makes for a worthy tribute to the late Andrew Wood (the former Mother Love Bone front man who died of a heroin overdose the previous year). If you ever wondered what it would have sounded like if Chris Cornell sung for Pearl Jam then here's your chance to find out because it sounds very much like that.

In terms of the early grunge movement, I'd place "Temple of the Dog" touch behind Soundgarden's "Louder Than Love" & Nirvana's "Bleach" but comfortably ahead of Mudhoney's "Superfuzz Bigmuff". 

For fans of Pearl Jam, Soundgarden & Mother Love Bone.

4/5

63
Daniel

Cryptopsy - "An Insatiable Violence" (2025)

If I put some thought into it, I'd suggest that I might find that the ninth full-length from this Canadian extreme metal establishment has been my most listened to release of 2025. I was really looking forward to it after unexpectedly finding Cryptopsy's last album "As Gomorrah Burns" to be Cryptopsy's finest work to date & I've been very pleased to discover that "An Insatiable Violence" delivers more of the same i.e. a slickly produced modern brutal death metal sound that may not offer anything terribly new but definitely ticks all of the required boxes. Despite what most people seem to think, this isn't a tech death outing but that doesn't stop the instrumentalists from pushing themselves as far as humanly possible. Flo Mounier's drumming is, of course, the focal point & my feelings on him remain unchanged i.e. he's a classy & creative drummer who has a slightly annoying problem with keeping his kick drums in time with his gravity blasts which has remained a thorn in his side since the earliest Cryptopsy recordings from the early 1990's. Most fans seem to be completely oblivious to this flaw & claim Flo as one of extreme metal's best skinsmen but good luck to them. I dunno where people are picking up a deathcore component in this material either because it's simply not there. There aren't any genuine classics here but the general quality of the song-writing & performances is high enough for "An Insatiable Violence" to receive an easy four-star rating. I don't think it quite manages to topple its predecessor as my favourite Cryptopsy record though.

For fans of Suffocation, Gorguts & Lykathea Aflame.

4/5

59
Daniel

Burzum - Hvis lyset tar oss (1994)

Genres: Atmo-Black Metal

Looking at old reviews for albums is a good way to see just how much you've changed. In this instance, it's one of Burzum's crowning gems, the one he wrote right before his legendary (tho overrated IMO) Filosofem. The name is Hvis lyset tar oss, which is Norwegian for "If the Light Takes Us." At this point in time, much like Filosofem, I can't say I like this one as much as I used to. I even knocked off a whole star from my Filosofem rating when I heard it. But I don't think I'll go quite that far. Back then, I liked Filosofem more, by a 2/100 edge (92 vs. 90). This time, I'd say I like this much more than Filosofem, which only had a 93.

In my old review, I mentioned that Burzum expressed his anger perfectly. I really don't think so anymore. Hearing so many professional and even frightening shrikes and growls in my time as a metal fan, now Burzum's voice sounds unpolished and even a little dorky, like he's trying either too hard or not hard enough. Otherwise, the music itself is pretty good. I got it right in my older review when I said that Burzum delivers on the basics of atmo-black well enough. This album is cold and treacherous, much like an actual blizzard. There are synths in the back but they're typically faint and not forced, working just well enough to add a little spice to these four epics. But the thing about these epics is that they largely have a one-track mind, so once again, it's more about the atmosphere than the music. Still, it's a careful, though not too experimental, blend of atmo, depressive and traditional black metal with a little dungeon synth on the side.

So I would say in my current state as a music buff that Burzum's album right before Filosofem has the edge. I didn't really expect to like it more than Filosofem at first, but I'd say that this one feels more like an actual music album, and it doesn't have an overdone 25-minute ambient track at the end, but rather a synth track which feels like something out of a Tangerine Dream album (it has a 14-minute one, which is still overdone but easier on more melodic ears and actually showing clever shifts in gear).

76

50
Daniel

Colin Newman - "A-Z" (1980)

The debut solo album from Wire/Githead frontman Newman which offers a diverse array of dark & creative post-punk. While there is some high-quality material to be found here though, the tracklisting is noticeably jerky & inconsistent & doesn't include anything that I'd suggest reaches classic status so I've struggled a little bit with this one.

For fans of Wire, Cocteau Twins & Siouxsie & the Banshees.

3/5

8
Daniel

Slipknot - "We Are Not Your Kind" (2019)

Yet again I find myself enjoying a Slipknot record without ever feeling like it'll be something that I'll return to in the future. In fact, I've scored all five of the Slipknot albums I've rated a respectable 3.5 stars but I can never seem to quite make the leap over to my more desirable scores. I will suggest that "We Are Not Your Kind" is one of the more underrated of the Iowa alternative metal legends' back catalogue though as I place it behind only 2001's "Iowa" in my Slipknot pecking order. It's a much more diverse record that sees the band flexing their creative muscles more than I can remember them doing in the past. There are a few dud tracks amongst the fourteen on offer but the majority of this release is really pretty decent.

For fans of Mushroomhead, Code Orange & Korn.

3.5/5

25
Daniel



God, Ben is really on point.  The next Sear Bliss album I'm checking out, Heavenly Down, I've NEVER heard this kind of music.  It's... aquatic black metal, right out of Avalon and composed by the Lady of the Lake.  Enya black metal, and that is NOT an insult. Halfway through The Winding Path right now.  Perty freaking brilliant.  The blackest song so far, The Upper World, was a bit of a typical song, but the rest is quite inventive.

Quoted Rexorcist

Yeah, they definitely have their own sound, and it's one that I return to over and over again. I'm thrilled that I've assisted another metal fan in discovering them.

Quoted Ben

And the best part about that sound is that it works so well no matter what sound they go with.  I mean, the debut is so serene and heavenly, then the next is rough and doomy, and their recent one, I reiterate, is aquatic, and they even have a sparse, groovy avant-garde one.  This is what I think a band should be.

Now all I have left are Thorns and Satyricon, but the latter will take longer since I need to listen to the previous releases.  I know absolute jack about them.  So if all goes well, I lock in my fourth clan today.  That on top of getting my two books physically published makes for an eventful weekend.

34
Daniel

I just finished 1985's first book in this highly praised sci-fi series & really fucking enjoyed it. In fact, I've actually taken away some learnings that I'll draw upon as a leader at work which was a lovely surprise. Great stuff & I'm really looking forward to tackling the next novel in the series.

23
Daniel

Cruciform - "Paradox" demo (1995)

This relatively unknown two-song demo tape is a real treat for underground doom/death fans & is, in fact, one of my all-time favourite releases from the genre overall. Cruciform were arguably the best extreme metal band in Sydney when I first started playing gigs with Neuropath around 1993 & I very quickly found myself idolizing them while becoming friends with their guitarist Leon Kelly who worked at my local record store. They definitely influenced me in a number of ways over the next four or five years & also played a role in my eventual defection from Neuropath to western Sydney doom/death outfit Elysium in 1997. Their 1993 "Atavism" E.P. was pretty decent but it's this wonderful cassette that best showcases the creative potential that Cruciform offered, eventually resulting in them receiving attention from overseas labels like Earache Records. Unfortunately, they split up just when they were on the cusp of taking the next level though. Although the production & performances on "Paradox" aren't perfect, the song-writing is brilliant with second track "Gutter" sitting amongst my favourite doom/death tracks off all time. See what you think.

For fans of Hearse, Sorrow & Delerium.

4.5/5

64
Daniel

Tonight I am rolling out some vinyl:

Blut Aus Nord - "The Work Which Transforms God" (2003)

Blut Aus Nord - "777 - Cosmosophy" (2012)


136
Daniel

December 2025

1. Avenged Sevenfold – Fermi Paradox (2016)

2. Baroness – Ray on Pinion (2007)

3. Car Bomb – Antipatterns (2019)

4. Conception – Roll the Fire (1993) Added by Andi

5. Cynic – The Space for This (2008)

6. Defecto – Eternal Descent (2025)

7. Fallujah – The Crystalline Veil (2025)

8. Gojira – The Art of Dying (2008)

9. Haken – The Strain (2020) (15)

10. Jinjer – Pausing Death (2019) Added by Andi

11. A Kew’s Tag - …To Reveal a Grieving Goddess (2021)

12. The Ocean – The Quite Observer (2015)

13. Ok Goodnight – The Snake (2023)

14. Samael – Black Matter Manifesto (2025)

15. Soen – Savia (2012)

16. TesseracT – War of Being (2023) Added by Andi

17. Vildhjarta - + Den spanska känslan + (2025) Added by Andi

18. Vulkan – This Visual Hex (2020)

52
Daniel

And how about the worst albums of this year? For my list, I've limited to the releases that I've given 2.5 or 3 stars, and that's given me enough for at least a top 5:

1. Brainstorm - Plague of Rats

2. Sabaton - Legends

3. A Day to Remember - Big Ole Album Vol. 1

4. Blessthefall - Gallows

5. Tremonti - The End Will Show Us How

90
Daniel

I'm pretty happy Filosofem is no longer the top black metal album on RYM.  Dissection, while not my number 1 choice personally, has a better overall sound and isn't tainted by an overlong ambient track that has very little imagination.  Burzum's quite good as a metal artist, but his dungeon synth needs work.

100
Daniel


@David - the Moloch track, which was certainly available last week has now been removed from Spotify in the UK. Do you want to post an alternative?

Quoted Sonny

That happened all of a sudden. Ok keeping with the theme of bands that have done a split with Thou:

Salome - "White Tides" (from "Salome", 2008): 9:04

309
Daniel

I'm glad to finally be fully interested in these bands that I've somehow missed out on when my power/symphonic metal taste was in an all-time high around a decade ago. I can especially say that about these German power metal pioneers:


Along with these two stunning female-led symphonic metal bands:


287