Daniel's Forum Threads

A special playlist I've made to celebrate the one-year anniversary of when I started making the monthly Guardians Spotify playlists (not counting the ones I made in 2023): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6PYFGDOgJ3pRxSJrUy2aFD

Another shitful effort by the Aussie T20 team overnight, this time being completely thrashed by Pakistan's spinners. I don't think the pitch was any sort of minefield because the Pakistani batsmen looked completely at home against our trio of spinners while our batsmen were totally at sea & made it look much more difficult than it was. It's time to get Steve Smith into the team in my opinion.

February 2026

1. Mnemic - "Liquid" from Mechanical Spin Phenomena (2003) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

2. Strapping Young Lad - "You Suck" from The New Black (2006)

3. Vortech - "Alien DNA" from Void Emergent (2025)

4. Jacob Lizotte - "Already Over" from Already Over / Too Far Gone (2025)

5. Rammstein - "Weisses Fleisch" from Herzeleid (1995)

6. D'espairsRay - "Grudge" from Coll:Set (2005) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

7. Fear of Domination - "All as One" from Katharsis (2026)

8. Lord of the Lost - "What Have We Become" from Opvs Noir Vol. 2 (2025)

9. Waltari - "Main Stream" from Space Avenue (1997) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

10. Cubanate - "Oxyacetylene" from Brutalism (2017)

11. Whalesong - "Rat King" from Roi Des Rats (2015)

12. En Esch - "A Bullet Fires in One Direction" from Trash Chic (2016)

13. Flesh Field - "The Collapse" from Strain (2004)

14. Choronzon - "Egregore Manifest Destiny" from Egregore Manifest Destiny (2019)

15. Ministry - "World" from Houses of the Mole (2004)

16. Rob Zombie - "Wurdulak" from The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser (2016)

17. Seecrees - "Neuron" from Genesis (2012)

18. Dave Navarro - "Slow Motion Sickness" from Trust No One (2001)

19. The Interbeing - "Swallowing White Light" from Edge of the Obscure (2011)

20. Breach the Void - "EC-10" from The Monochromatic Era (2010)

21. Daedalean Complex - "Sea of Lust" from Daedalean Complex (2008)

22. Static-X - "Fix" from Wisconsin Death Trip (1999)

23. Blue Stahli - "Command Line Kill" from Quartz (2020) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

24. Circle of Dust - "Bed of Nails" from Circle of Dust (1995) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

25. Unheilig - "Lebe Wohl" from Astronaut (2006)

26. Eisbrecher - "Einzelganger" from Kaltfront! (2025)

27. Sybreed - "Ethernity" from Antares (2007) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

February 2026

1. After the Burial - "Pi (The Mercury God of Infinity)" from Forging a Future Self (2006)

2. Architects - "Gravedigger" from Lost Forever // Lost Together (2014) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

3. As I Lay Dying - "Echoes" from Echoes (2025)

4. Shai Hulud - "Misanthropy Pure" from Misanthropy Pure (2008)

5. Lost in Hollywood - "I Should Have Known Better" from I Should Have Known Better (2026)

6. Crystal Lake - "Neversleep" from The Weight of Sound (2026)

7. Fit for a King - "Extinction" from Lonely God (2025) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

8. Shadow of Intent - "The Catacombs" from Reclaimer (2017) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

9. Ice Nine Kills - "The Laugh Track" from The Laugh Track (2025) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

10. Downswing - "Carbon Copy" from Good Intentions (2020)

11. Norma Jean - "The Longest Lasting Statement" from Redeemer (2006)

12. Unprocessed, Paleface Swiss - "Solara" from Angel (2025)

13. Paleface Swiss, Stick to Your Guns - "Instrument of War" from The Wilted EP (2026)

14. Spiritbox - "Angel Eyes" from The Fear of Fear (2023)

15. Volumes - "Limitless" from Via (2011)

16. AVOID - "Midnight Six" from Cult Mentality (2022)

17. Converge - "Under Duress" from The Dusk in Us (2017)

18. Sinai Beach - "To the Church" from Immersed (2005)

19. Dead by April - "Infinity x Infinity" from Let the World Know (2014) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

20. Lionheart, Kublai Khan - "Chewing Through the Leash" from Valley of Death II (2026)

21. Jacob Lizotte - "Too Far Gone" from Already Over / Too Far Gone (2025)

22. Stain My Canvas - "Ameoba" from God Made Hell (2020)

23. The Number Twelve Looks Like You - "The Proud Parent's Convention Held in the ER" from Nuclear. Sad. Nuclear (2005)

24. Burnt by the Sun - "Battleship" from The Perfect is the Enemy of the Good (2003)

25. The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza - "Carroll 14 Wiseman 7" from Danza II the Electric Boogaloo (2007)

26. Vision of Disorder - "Colorblind" from Imprint (1998)

27. Protest the Hero - "The Divine Suicide of K." from Kezia (2005) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

28. Assemble the Chariots - "Equinox" from Unyielding Night (2024)

29. The Breathing Process - "We, the Drowned" from Labyrinthian (2021) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

30. Darkest Hour - "Veritas, Aequitas" from Hidden Hands of a Sadist Nation (2003)

February 2026

1. Burzum - "Feeble Screams from Forests Unknown" (from "Burzum", 1992) [submitted by Karl]

2. Immortal - "The Call of the Wintermoon" (from "Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism", 1992) [submitted by Sonny]

3. Aara - "Zurück zur roten Fluh" (from "Eiger", 2024) [submitted by Vinny]

4. 1349 - "Sculptor of Flesh" (from "Hellfire", 2005) [submitted by Sonny]

5. Thornium - "Emperor of the Carpathians" (from "Dominions of the Eclipse", 1995) [submitted by Karl]

6. No Hand Path - "Βάπτισμα (Baptism)" (from "Μυστικισμός Της Ενηλικίωσης", 2025) [submitted by Vinny]

7. No Point in Living - "Impatience" (from "The Cold Night", 2017}

8. Les Chants de Nihil - "Danse des mort-nés" (from "Le tyran et l'esthète", 2021)

9. Gehenna - "Angelwings and Ravenclaws" (from "First Spell EP", 1994) [submitted by Sonny]

10. Blut Aus Nord - "The Fall Opens the Sky" (from "Ethereal Horizons", 2025) [submitted by Vinny]

11. Malacath - "Eternal Roar of the Thunder and Rain" (from "Eternal Roar of the Thunder and Rain", 2025) [submitted by Karl]

12. Endalok - "Holdgerving andskotans" (from "Úr draumheimi viðurstyggðar", 2017) [submitted by Sonny]

13. Craven Idol - "Iron Age Devastation" (from "Forked Tongues", 2021)

14. Al- Namrood - "Xenophobia" (from "Enkar", 2017}

15. Volahn - "Reencarnación triunfante" (from "Popol Vuh", 2025) [submitted by Vinny]

16. Ildjarn-Nidhogg - "I anmarsj gjennom grangrunn" (from "Svartfråd", 1996) [submitted by Karl]

17. Fuath - "Possessed by Starlight" (from "III", 2026) [submitted by Sonny]

18. Alcest- "Percées de lumière" (from "Écailles de lune", 2020)

Update for March:

THE FALLEN: Sonny, Vinny

THE GATEWAY: Andi, Saxy

THE GUARDIANS: Karl, Andi, Sonny

THE HORDE: Sonny, Karl, Vinny

THE INFINITE: Saxy, Andi

THE NORTH: Vinny, Sonny, Karl

THE PIT: Vinny, Sonny

THE REVOLUTION: Andi

THE SPHERE: Andi

February 2026

1. Bolt Thrower - "Intro...Unleashed upon Mankind" (from "War Master", 1991) [submitted by Karl]I

2. Vastum - “Amniosis” (from “Hole Below”, 2015) [submitted by Vinny]

3. Morbid Angel - "Inquisition/Burn with Me" (from "Domination", 1995) [submitted by Karl]

4. Altars - "Opening the Passage" (from "Ascetic Reflection", 2022) [submitted by Sonny]

5. Wombbath - “Underneath the Rotten Soil” (from “Downfall Rising”, 2015) [submitted by Vinny]

6. Nefas - "Immolation for the Abyss" (from "Transfiguration to the Ancient's Form", 2000) [submitted by Karl]

7. Immortal Bird - “Neoplastic” (from “Empress/Abscess”, 2015) [submitted by Vinny]

8. Severe Torture - "Blood" (from "Feasting on Blood", 2000) [submitted by Karl]

9. Knoll - "Gild of Blotted Lucre" (from "Metempiric", 2022)

10. Putridity - "Adipocere Retribution" (from "Morbid Ataraxia", 2025) [submitted by Karl]

11. Sulphur Aeon - “Devotion to the Cosmic Chaos” (from “Gateway to the Antisphere”, 2015) [submitted by Vinny]

12. Incantation - "United in Repungence" (from "Diabolical Conquest", 1998) [submitted by Sonny]

13. Inverted - "Journey into Shadowland" (from "The Shadowland", 1996) [submitted by Karl]

14. Blasphemic Cruelty - “Imperium of the Lawless One” (from “Crucible of the Infernum”, 2015) [submitted by Vinny]

15. Broken Torso - "The Ultimate Abhorrence" (from "The Ultimate Abhorrence", 2000) [submitted by Karl]

16. Macabre - "Hitchhiker" (from "Dahmer", 2000)

17. 7 H.Target - "The World Is Mine" (from "Fast-Slow Demolition", 2012)

18. Embalmer - "Morbid Confessions" (from "Rotting Remains EP", 1993)

19. Angelcorpse - "Wartorn" (from "Exterminate", 1998)

20. Ceremony of Silence - "Serpent Slayer" (from "Hálios", 2024) [submitted by Sonny]

21. Ancient Necropsy - “Forces of Evil” (from “Sepulchral Profanation”, 2015) [submitted by Vinny]

22. Tenebro - "L'angelo caduto tra le luci del teatro" (from "Una lama d'argento", 2025) [submitted by Karl]

23. Acid Death - “Mental Slime” (from “Hall of Mirrors”, 2015) [submitted by Vinny]

24. Karmacipher - "None" (from "Introspectrum", 2020)

25. Moonloop - "A Life Divided" (from "Deeply From the Earth", 2012) [submitted by Sonny]

26. Be'lakor - "Valence" (from "Coherence", 2021)

27. Appalling Spawn - "Manthra of Hope" (from "Freedom, Hope & Fury", 1998) [submitted by Karl]

Here's my submission for the March Gateway playlist:

Vision of Disorder - "From Bliss to Devastation" (from From Bliss to Devastation, 2001)

February 2026

1. Cult of Luna – “Blood Upon Stone”, (from “The Long Road North”, 2022) [submitted by dk]

2. Celtic Frost - "Ground" (from "Monotheist", 2006)

3. Phobocosm - "Beyond the Threshold of Flesh" (from "Gateway", 2025) [submitted by Vinny]

4. Fall of the Idols - "At the Birth of the Human Shadow" (from "The Séance", 2008) [submitted by Sonny]

5. Evangelist - "Deadspeak" (from "Doominicanes", 2013)

6. Ruins of Beverast – “Cathedral of Bleeding Statues”, (from “Tempelschlaf, 2026) [submitted by dk]

7. Amenra - "Nowena | 9.10" (from "Mass V", 2012) [submitted by Vinny]

8. Doomster Reich - "Gimme Skelter" (from "Drug Magick", 2017) [submitted by Sonny]

9. Flesh of the Stars - "Welcome the Night" (from "Hosanna", 2016) [submitted by Sonny]

10. Ramesses – “Iron Crow”, (from “Take the Curse”, 2010) [submitted by dk]

11. Bell Witch - "I Wait" (from "Longing", 2012) [submitted by Vinny]

12. The Atlas Moth - "Horse Thieves" (from "An Ache for the Distance", 2011) [submitted by Vinny]

13. Earthbound Machine - "Rallies in Rage" (from "Destined for the Grave", 2019) [submitted by Sonny]

14. Church of Lies - "Hiding from Devils" (from "No Gods... No Manners", 2015)

15. Batillus – “…And the World is As Night to Them”, (from “Furnace”, 2011) [submitted by dk]

Oh it's a rabbit hole for sure there's an entire gigantic iceberg chart dedicated to it:
https://www.reddit.com/r/IcebergCharts/comments/1466qe1/experimentalavantgarde_metal_iceberg_500_entries/#lightbox

I just finished season 9 of "The Walking Dead" & I think I speak for everyone who has seen it when I say that there is one scene in the second or third last episode that will haunt me till the day I die. Spectacularly chilling stuff. I really enjoyed the season as a whole too.

Scorn - "White Irises Blind" E.P. (1994)

Yet another enjoyable early Scorn record that I return to every so often. There's very little sign of the Birmingham illbient duos early industrial metal sound with only the very solid "Drained" treading that sort of space. There's an impressive consistency to the five songs on offer & it's interesting that the opening title track is clearly the least impressive of them. These days I rank "White Irises Blind" pretty similarly to 1992's "Lick Forever Dog" E.P. & their debut full-length "Vae Solis" while I'd suggest that it's a clear step up from the "Deliverance" E.P. & Scorn's 1993 sophomore album "Colossus".

For fans of Techno Animal, mid-90's Meat Beat Manifesto & "Pure"-era Godflesh.

4/5

Wolves in the Throne Room - "Diadem of 12 Stars" (2006)

It's easy to overlook the debut full-length from these highly regarded Cascadian black metallers from Washington in the wake of their much more classic sophomore record "Two Hunters" but "Diadem of 12 Stars" is still a very solid effort with a lot of high-quality ideas. I particularly enjoy the vocals & the more brutal blast beat sections. Unfortunately, the clean female vocals that appear sporadically across the album are pretty ordinary & the tracklisting starts off a little slowly, not really hitting its stride until the back third of the second of the four lengthy tracks. The B side is where all of the action is though &, even though each song contains its weaker sections, there's just enough premium black metal on offer to make "Diadem of 12 Stars" a minor treat for our The North members.  While the rumours of "Diadem of 12 Stars" being a genuine classic may be misguided, I wouldn't suggest that it's overrated either.

For fans of Altar of Plagues, Panopticon & Weakling.

4/5

Thanks Vinny. A couple of names there that are new to me that I am looking forward to checking out.

I have actually fallen behind a bit with the chilean thrash scene over the last twelve months as I have moved focus away from new releases, so this is a new one on me. I will definitely have to check it out soon though.

Here are my picks for March, Vinny:

Testament - "Infanticide A.I." (from "Para Bellum", 2025)

Violator - "Cult of Death" (from "Unholy Retribution", 2025)

Enforced - "Avarice" (from "War Remains", 2023)

Morbid Saint - "Assassin" (from "Spectrum of Death", 1990)

Celtic Frost - "Suicidal Winds" (from "Emperor's Return EP", 1985)

Kreator - "Psychotic Imperator" (from "Krushers of the World", 2026)

Dark Angel - "Merciless Death" (from "Darkness Descends", 1986)

Metallica - "For Whom the Bell Tolls" (from "Ride the Lightning", 1984)

Trastorned - "Reborn Through Hate" (from "Into the Void", 2023) 

Just a touch over 40 minutes I think.

A good mix of classic and modern here Sonny, thanks.

Damaged - "Passive Backseat Demon Engines" E.P. (1995)

While I quite liked 1993's "Do Not Spit" debut album from Ballarat extremists Damaged, I'd suggest that it offered more potential than it did class. It would be their second noteworthy release "Passive Backseat Demon Engines" from two years later that would see that potential finally coming to fruition as it's a better-produced & generally more exciting effort. The E.P. is simply better able to harness unadulterated violence of a Damaged live show in my opinion with Matt 'Skitz' Sanders' insane drumming & Jamie Ludbrooke's ultra-abrasive vocals being the main focal points. The signature Damaged sound from that period is a unique blend of death metal & grindcore with a noticeable groove metal component (that's obviously been borrowed from "Far Beyond Driven"-era Pantera) & an industrial edge to the guitar work. Forget about the links with metalcore/deathcore because they're totally misguided. This is the sound of a psychotic, out-of-their-mind, mullet-wearing ice-addict ripping through a porn shop in search of their next fix.

For fans of Blood Duster, King Parrot & Fuck...I'm Dead.

4/5

I like to think so... or alternatively, we could both be decidedly uncool? Perhaps it's a bit of both. :)

My stepdad says I'm no longer a metalhead if I like Paul Simon.  I say, "screw all that."  A real metalhead isn't afraid of what he likes.  And I'll be honest, if we've got opera-style vocals like Tarja Turenen being so popular in the metal community, I don't think any real metalhead should complain about another metalhead liking Sade.  Hell, I've been playing Sade to help set up moods for a new novel of mine.  I've even got Lovers Live in my top 100 just like you've got Love Deluxe.

Bro, my stepdad doesn't even know Candlemass or Morbid Angel.  He's a thrash and hair guy.

Dying Fetus - "Purification Through Violence" (1996)

I picked up the debut album from this legendary Maryland-based brutal death metal act through the tape trading scene at the time of release after quite enjoying (not to mention being influenced by) Dying Fetus' two early 90's demo tapes "Bathe in Entrails" & "Infatuation with Malevolence". "Purification Through Violence" offers more of the same (as does pretty much the entirety of Dying Fetus' recording career to tell you the truth) & suffers from the same limitations & failings which contribute to me awarding every one of their successive releases the same middling rating. Yes, the silly sweep-picking flourishes are here... so are the excellent hardcore-inspired slams... & don't forget those over-the-top dual vocals. Still... I'll always have time for this band, even in this more primitive form where their technical prowess is still clearly a work in progress. These boys played a big part in developing the brutal death metal sound that I was doing my best to replicate at the time, although I'd argue that I may have been doing it a little better than they were at this point if I'm being completely honest. Regardless, "Purification Through Violence" isn't Dying Fetus' worst record. It's not close to their best either but there's so little between their best & worst that it doesn't really matter too much. If pushed, I'd probably take "Purification Through Violence" over records like 2007's "War of Attrition", 2003's "Stop at Nothing" & even 1998's highly regarded "Killing on Adrenaline" sophomore record, not to mention the "Bathe in Entrails" demo tape.

For fans of Suffocation, Misery Index & Skinless.

3.5/5

Rammstein - "Herzeleid" (1995)

I've quite enjoyed the three Rammstein albums I've explored up until this point but I can't say that any of them are likely to receive a return visit. I simply don't think I can connect with the band on a stylistic level enough for that but it's enough of a connection to see me venturing back to their well-respected debut album for the first time this week & the results have been very similar. There's perhaps a stronger dance music influence on this material than on Rammstein's later releases which really cements their Neue Deutsche Härte crown while some of their thrashiest riffage adorns the stronger material on the tracklisting, even if it's still astoundingly basic in its construction. There are a couple of flat moments included here (see "Du riechst so gut" & "Laichzeit") but these are offset by two clear highlights in "Weisses Fleisch" & "Rammstein" which gives "Herzeleid" the same middling feel that I've found with records like 1997's "Sehnsucht", 2001's "Mutter" & 2004's "Reise, Reise". "Mutter" is still my pick of the first four Rammstein records but I've been pleasantly surprised to find that "Herzeleid" has now positioned itself into second position, mainly off the back of slightly greater consistency. Can I see myself venturing further into the Rammstein back catalogue? Yeah, probably.... but I'm also well aware that it's more of a box-ticking exercise than one that leaves me with genuine hope of finding anything that offers me anything longer-term.

For fans of OOMPH!, Megaherz & Eisbrecher.

3.5/5

OK, I’ll bite. Is the other one Warning’s “Watching From A Distance”?

👍

Kreator - Krushers of the World (Released 13/01/26)

Since the turn of the century Kreator have taken to releasing a new album every four or five years and here we are at the beginning of 2026, with the world turning to shit, and the Teutonic Titans delivering full-length number 16. With Mille and Ventor both turning 60 this year, it would be overly optimistic to expect that they will ever reproduce the bile and venom that they unleashed with their classic period which spanned from "Pleasure to Kill" to "Coma of Souls". Indeed, they haven't really issued anything essential since 2005's "Enemy of God". This does not, however, mean that a new Kreator album deserves to be ignored. No, far from it because, although "Krushers of the World" is inconsistent and patchy, occasionally a brief glimpse of former brilliance does shine through.

There are riffs a-plenty and there is a decent energy to the album, but on the whole this latest is a little too groove-laden for my particular taste with choruses that often seem to have been written with optimum catchiness in mind and, as such, it lacks the biting venom of the band's best work. Some of the best moments come from the guitar solos which are deployed more sparingly than I would like, but when they are used, such as during "Barbarian and "Combatants"," they elevate the tracks with a level of intensity that the riffs and vocals don't quite encapsulate. For my money, the clear highlight of the album is "Psychotic Imperator". It sounds the closest to classic-era Kreator with an added choral section and a searing guitar solo that elevate it to head and shoulders above the rest of the album.

I guess that "Krushers of the World" delivers pretty much what you would expect from a Kreator album at this stage of their career, being cast into shadow by the monumental magnificence of their best and trying a little too hard to capture listeners with sometimes overtly catchy choruses. I am sure there are many who couldn't wait to tear this apart and I have no wish to join them as nothing here is actually poor but, apart from the aforementioned "Psychotic Imperator" I can't hear too much that will keep me returning to this either.

3.5/5

I am pleasantly surprised by this album if I am honest.  I was so pissed off by their last studio album that I gave it a 2.5 rating, and it fucking deserved it.  This one is a different beast to my ears, the melodeath elements combine with the thrashing intensity we have come to expect of Teutonic thrash almost perfectly.  I cannot say the record is absent of filler and I am not a fan of the track with the singer from Hiraes on it either, but album number sixteen is a solid affair, well played, memorable and carrying some thankfully familiar levels of intensity.

Depeche Mode - "Some Great Reward" (1984)

While I'm a big fan of later releases from these English synthpop legends (see "Ultra", "Violator", etc.), I have to admit that their first alleged classic has never really done a lot for me. I was exposed to it quite a lot at the after parties I used to attend at the completion of druggy nights out in clubs when I was DJing, particularly given that one of my closest mates is a big Depeche Mode fan, but I can't say that I've ever really understood the appeal in "Some Great Reward". The synths just sound so dated here which leaves the song-writing erring on the cheesy side at times. I certainly enjoy the couple of big hits from the album in "People Are People" & album highlight "Blasphemous Rumours" while "It Doesn't Matter" is pretty catchy as well but the remainder simply leaves me feeling a bit flat to be honest.

For fans of Gary Numan, Pet Shop Boys & Tears For Fears.

3/5

Vinny, Karl - I am upping the time allocation for Horde suggestions to 40 minutes each from the next playlist.

Various Artists - "Slatanic Slaughter: A Tribute to Slayer" compilation (1995)

I really enjoyed this Scandinavian Slayer tribute album as well as it's sequel back in the mid-1990's. Volume 1 features a stellar line-up with all eleven cover versions being worth listening to. The quality ranges from decent to very solid to mind-blowing with the highlights surprisingly coming from some of the lesser-known bands. My personal favourite is Invocator's brilliantly brutal version of "Altar of Sacrifice" but Seance's take on "Post Mortem" & Grope's sludge metal version of "Spill the Blood" aren't far behind. I'd probably suggest that Dissection, At the Gates & Enslaved's efforts are perhaps a little underwhelming given their status in the scene but it's hard to be critical because it's pretty damn hard to compete with the best metal band of all time in 1980's Slayer.

For fans of Slayer, Merciless & The Crown.

4/5

Basic Channel - "Q 1.1" E.P. (1993)

The second E.P. from this legendary German techno duo is almost as impressive as their first but is perhaps a touch less consistent. It sees the dub techno godfathers veering away from their dubbier sound towards more of a traditional techno one that offered me just as much appeal. I can vividly remember playing A1 & B1 (my personal favourite) in my club DJ sets & receiving very strong responses while I also took A2 along with me on occasion but are not sure I ever got around to dropping it. I love the organic drum machine sounds of old & they're masterfully layered over smooth synth stabs here which ensures that "Q 1.1" E.P. should be essential listening for any aspiring techno nuts out there.

For fans of Maurizio, Cyrus & Porter Ricks.

4/5

That's my favourite Wovenhand album. I don't mind the drone piece. In fact I like the way it leads into My Russia probably my favourite on the album. I know quite a few of these songs were on the debut, but I prefer the versions here 

Ben bought me a copy of this book for my 50th birthday last month & I finished it this morning. Its structure is really unusual as it's written in a chronological bullet-point format but it works for its intention which is to highlight every significant event in the building of what we know as heavy metal, starting at the earliest hints of darkness in music & ending with 1971 when Popoff claims the answer to his question had finally been undeniably confirmed. I'd suggest that Popoff's definition of what constitutes "metal music" is different to my own & I think that's driven by his age as he was involved with heavy music that was referred to as metal throughout the 1970's whereas I came to this music when there was more definition between rock & metal in the mid-to-late 1980's (although still not nearly as much definition as we understand today). For example, he talks about late 60's records by The Stooges, Blue Cheer & MC5 as being basically metal when I feel that is stretching the friendship by a considerable margin. At the end of the day though, he ends up coming to the same outcome as my own & it was interesting journey to get there. This book is worth a read for those of you who are interested in how this music came about.

So Petra's got a new one out this year.  First in almost 2 decades.  It's a pretty good one, nice and catchy, simple but diversified, doesn't seem like they lost their luster, even though they were largely a decent band with a couple key releases.

Hi Ben, can you please add the new Kreator  album ‘Krushers of the World’.

Converge - "The Dusk in Us" (2017)

It's taken me far too long to get around to exploring the latest full-length from my favourite metalcore act but better late than never as Converge simply continue to deliver & have not by rested on their laurels either because "The Dusk in Us" sees them continuing to be highly creative, even though they were a full 27 years into their existence by this point. It's rare that one of our older legacy bands can summon this much punk rock fury when they want to too. I just don't think that Converge could release anything subpar if they tried given how skilled all of the individual band members are. Perhaps this isn't gonna challenge their elite releases at the very top of my pile (see "Bloodmoon: I" & "All We Love We Leave Behind") but it compares very favourably with the solid also-rans like "Axe to Fall", "You Fail Me", "When Forever Comes Crashing" & "Jane Doe" in my opinion, if perhaps sitting just a touch behind all of them.

For fans of The Dillinger Escape Plan, Botch & Every Time I Die.

4/5

It looks like Parannoul, under the name Mydreamfever, has graced us early this year with a new album: 4. Mountain Still Breathing.  But I have to say, while I always LIKED Parannoul and have given them a couple 9/10's, I feel they're a bit overhyped.  As well, I'm NOT getting into this one.  It's way too repetitve and relies too heavily on lo-fi aesthetics rather than the music itself, which is no different to me than oversaturating a pop album with production so polished it might as well be lemon-scented.

January 2026

1. The Anchoret – Someone Listening? (2023)

2. Black Crown Initiate – Holy Silence (2020)

3. Dark Horse White Horse – Judgement Day (2021)

4. Dvne – Descent of the Asheran (2017)

5. Edge of Reality – Wasteland (2016)

6. Ibaraki – Ronin (2022)

7. IONS – Faith (2023)

8. Jinjer – Fast Draw (2025) Requested by Andi

9. Luna’s Call – Signs (2020)

10. Mandroid Echostar – Matoax (2016)

11. Meshuggah – Bleed (2008) Requested by Andi

12. Myrath – The Funeral (2025)

13. Pain of Salvation – Undertow (2002)

14. Sons of Apollo – Goodbye Divinity (2020)

15. TesseracT – Of Matter – Retrospect (2013)

16. Vildhjarta – paaradiso (2021) Requested by Andi

17. VOLA – These Black Claws (2021) Requested by Andi

18. Wrythe – On Silent Wings (2008)

Carcass - Reek of Putrification (1988)

Genres: Goregrind

In an earlier review for Carcass's second album, Symphony of Sickness, I mentioned that there was less of the melodic strength that made the third and fourth albums so beloved.  In this early goregrind release, as well as their debut, there's even less of that.  This is one of those somewhat common examples of early 80's metal albums compensating for lack of creativity with absolute brutality, the way earlier movies by Wes Craven were.  "Mature" content over substance.  Now the funny thing is, like Wes Craven, the band grew as their career progressed, so by the mid-90's this was basically nothing more than a historical example of how much they grew.  Despite a few cute tricks here and there, I predicted how the whole album would go after listening to Symphony of Sickness.  Now there may be some charm to have in the lo-fi production.  It's certainly a heavy piece.  But the production also muddles things that shouldn't be muddled, which cements yet another weak point in comparison to future works.  Basically, this overly "adult" album amounts to little more than an imitation album made by a bunch of children who think all it takes to be the best is to be different and "true to yourself" by "not giving into radio capitalism" or some shit like that.  Fortunately, this was the last time they ever sounded like this.  With 22 short tracks, they found a way to make a 37-minute album way too damn long.

52

Cancer - "Black Faith" (1995)

I picked up a CD copy of this much-maligned stylistic diversion at the time of release & felt considerable shock to find the English death metallers' signature sound had been completely dropped. "Black Faith" has generally been absolutely slammed ever since but those criticisms are totally unfounded in my opinion. Sure, the third-tier, meat-&-potatoes death metal of the band's early days is nowhere to be found here, having been replaced with a groove metal sound that incorporates thrash metal, alternative metal, industrial metal, progressive metal & even metalcore influences. But if you can separate yourself from your expectations for a few listens, you'll soon find that the quality of the metal on offer here isn't any weaker than records like "Death Shall Rise" or "The Sins of Mankind". In fact, I'd probably take "Black Faith" over the latter if I'm being completely honest. Don't expect anything terribly essential but this is certainly worth a listen, despite the inclusion of a dodgy cover version of Deep Purple's "Space Truckin'".

For fans of Pantera, Prong & post- "Arise" Sepultura.

3.5/5

Here's my updated Top Ten Groove Metal Releases of All Time list:

01. Coroner – “Grin” (1993)

02. Grip Inc. – “Nemesis” (1997)

03. Nevermore - "Dead Heart in a Dead World" (2000)

04. Gojira - "Magma" (2016)

05. Pantera – “Vulgar Display Of Power” (1992)

06. Pantera – “Cowboys From Hell” (1990)

07. Mnemic - "Mechanical Spin Phenomena" (2003)

08. Sepultura – “Chaos A.D.” (1993)

09. Pantera – “The Great Southern Trendkill” (1996)

10. Anthrax - "The Sound of White Noise" (1993)

https://metal.academy/lists/single/175

Zbigniew Preisner - "Trois couleurs: Blanc" soundtrack (1994)

The second film in the "Trois couleurs" series once again offers a beautiful classical score from Polish composer Zbigniew Priesner. It's perhaps even more stripped back & minimal than its more popular predecessor "Trois couleurs: Bleu" although, if pushed, I'd suggest that I slightly prefer this one. Neither are on the same level as Preisner's classic 1991 "La double vie de Véronique" though which remains my favourite of the Preisner work I've heard to date.

For fans of Arvo Pärt, Yann Tiersen & Michael Nyman.

4/5

Burzum - "Feeble Screams from Forests Unknown" (from "Burzum", 1992)

Ildjarn-Nidhogg - "I anmarsj gjennom grangrunn" (from "Svartfråd", 1996)

Thornium - "Emperor of the Carpathians" (from "Dominions of the Eclipse", 1995)

Malacath - "Eternal Roar of the Thunder and Rain" (from "Eternal Roar of the Thunder and Rain", 2025)

Eric Clapton - "Unplugged" (1992)

My father picked this live album up on cassette when I was 16 or 17 years old & played the absolute shit out of it in the car & around the house so it was interesting to discover just how well I know the songs this week. It was also interesting to find that, despite his imposing legacy as a guitarist, Clapton's smooth voice is the main source of appeal with this MTV unplugged session. There aren't all that many genuine highlight tracks but there are only a couple of duds amongst the fourteen tracks included too (see "Alberta" & "San Francisco Bay Blues") so I've come away feeling fairly positive overall. The acoustic rock of "Lonely Stranger" & the stripped back acoustic blues of "Walkin' Blues" are my clear picks of the bunch. It's quite a nice release but isn't something that I connect with enough to see me returning again in the future. I think it's a little too unintimidating & vanilla for that to be honest.

For fans of Joe Bonamassa, John Mayer & JJ Cale.

3.5/5

The one song that has gotten me into metal has been given a 20th anniversary revamp by ZP Theart together with Syndrone, Sophie Burrell, and Bradley Hall. It is quite epic, but I still prefer the original:

January 2026

1. 40 Below Summer – Letter to God (2000)

2. Blanket – Where the Light Takes Us (2021)

3. Deftones – 7 Words (1995)

4. deMOTIONAL – Ashes (2017)

5. Drowning Pool – Bodies (2001)

6. Fox Lake – Born 2 Lose (2021)

7. From Ashes to New – My Fight (2013)

8. G/Z/R – Man in a Suitcase (1997)

9. Gemini Syndrome – Die with Me (2021)

10. In This Moment – Sick Like Me (2014)

11. Katatonia – The Longest Year (2009)

12. Klone – Army of Me (2010)

13. lynch. – Idol (2020)

14. Money – Fuct (2022)

15. Nova Twins – Antagonist (2022)

16. SEGA Sound Team, Tomoya Ohtani, Kellin Quinn, Tyler Smyth – Find Your Flame (2022)

17. Shallow North Dakota – Odd (1995)

18. Siamese – Tomorrow Never Dies (2019)

19. Suicidal Tendencies – Panic (1997)

20. Thornhill – Obsession (2025)

21. Tom Morello – Voodoo Child (2020)

22. Tub Ring – I Could Never Fall in Love with You (2004)

23. Watcha – Sam III (2003)

24. We Came as Romans – The World I Used to Know (2015)

Delerium - "Morpheus" (1989)

The second full-length from these Canadians saw them returning with a slightly different sound to that of their classic 1988 debut album "Faces, Forms & Illusions" which represented my introduction to the duo & saw me falling for their wonderful mix of IDM & ambient music in no uncertain terms. "Morpheus" is more of a blend of electro-industrial, conventional industrial & dark ambient music with the former being the main protagonist. The tracklisting is less consistent than that of "Faces, Forms & Illusions" although there are just as many truly wonderful moments on offer. The deeper inclusions are where you'll find the true gems though with the dark ambient of the title track (my personal favourite) & closer "Fragment of Fear" & the high-quality electro-industrial of "Faith" & "Allurance" all qualifying as genuine classics in my world. Some of the less significant industrial material tends to feel a little more middling with "Coup de tat" failing to capture me at all. When viewed holistically though, "Morpheus" is another horribly overlooked & underrated early Delerium release that has left me walking away feeling both rewarded & satisfied. I've even bumped my score up by a half star from my initial rating from more than fifteen years ago now.

For fans of In Slaughter Natives, Guillaume David & Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross' "Watchmen, Vol. 2" soundtrack.

4/5

The Dillinger Escape Plan - "Miss Machine" (2004)

This was my first time with the New Jersey mathcore legends' sophomore album & I have to admit that I've found "Miss Machine" to be a bit of a step down from the other Dillinger material I'm familiar with. I think it's just lacking those couple of genuine classics to encourage me to reach for my higher ratings & the inclusion of the fairly weak & more accessible "Unretrofied" hasn't helped the situation either. The rest of the tracklisting is invariably engaging but the sound isn't that different to what we'd heard from them on "Calculating Infinity" so the material does tend to feel like a very talented band going through the motions at times. Still... who the fuck can play like this anyway!? It's pretty phenomenal that they can pull it all together amidst while attempting such chaotic song structures.

For fans of Converge, Botch & Car Bomb.

3.5/5

Also, coming tomorrow, January 9th is the brand new album from Ruins of Beverast, the first for 5 years, entitled Tempelschlaf. 

A couple of tracks are up for preview on Bandcamp:

https://theruinsofbeverast.bandcamp.com/album/tempelschlaf

This will be my last time posting in the Track of the Day and Stinkers threads. As much as I enjoyed sharing the highlights of the albums I've reviewed and the bands I've discovered, I was getting burned out due to the lack of response over the years. With that, I'm going to end that habit with a slow bombastic epic that, funnily enough, is about the beginning of the universe, The Big Bang:

A progressive-ish metalcore/hardcore song with enough power and strength to be another one of the best in this album:

A relentless furious opening highlight of alt-metalcore:

The groove/metalcore sound of Sylosis' killer new single is practically like Lamb of God and Trivium combined:

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

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

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