Karl's Forum Replies

Just Before Dawn - "Intro: Paths of Armor / To the Last Tiger" (from "An Army at Dawn", 2020)

Tormentor Tyrant - "Heavy Death Bombardment" (from "Excessive Escalation of Cruelty", 2025)

Desecresy - "Shattered Monuments" (from "Chasmic Transcendence", 2014)

Phrenelith - "Stagnated Blood" (from "Ashen Womb", 2025)

Pyre - "From the Stygian Depths" (from "Where Obscurity Sways", 2025)

Threnody - "The Elder" (from "As the Heavens Fall", 1993)

Infernal Conjuration - "In the Presence of Another World" (from "Infernale metallum mortis", 2019)

Putred - "Inscripții antice" (from "Megalit al putrefac​ț​iei", 2025)

Deteriorot - "Endless Hauntings of Demons and Despair" (from "In Ancient Beliefs", 2001)

In Flames would have to be my canonical example of the latter:

1. Lunar Strain

2. Subterranean E.P.

3. The Jester Race

4. Black-Ash Inheritance E.P.

5. Whoracle

6. Colony

7. Clayman

Hi Ben, could you please add:

Grand Demise of Civilization (US)

Nightside (FIN)

Ossilegium (US)

Förgjord (FIN) - "Perkeleen weri" (2024)

Polemicist (US) - "Polemicist" (2024)

Gorgoroth:

1. Under the Sign of Hell
2. Pentagram
3. Antichrist
4. Destroyer
5. The Last Tormentor / Bergen 1996
6. A Sorcery Written in Blood demo
7. Quantos possunt ad Satanitatem trahunt
8. True Norwegian Black Metal - Live in Grieghallen
9. Incipit Satan
10. Instinctus bestialis
11. Under the Sign of Hell 2011
12. Ad majorem Sathanas gloriam
13. Twilight of the Idols

I honestly think they managed to avoid dipping below a certain level of quality across the whole discography. I'd suggest that even the lowest placed records on the list ain't that bad, although I certainly am biased as far as this band goes - Gorgoroth were my first love when it comes to extreme metal, and I will always place them among the highest deities of my metal pantheon. I hope we're going to hear from them once more - it's been 10 years already since "Instinctus bestialis" and I wouldn't mind at all to witness yet another "Rebirth".

Edit: For every connoisseur of Infernus' unique riff attack, allow me to recommend some 2024 releases to scratch the itch a bit:

1. Förgjord (FIN) - "Perkeleen weri"

2. Sørgelig (GRE) - "Φθορά"

3. Isolert (GRE) - "Wounds of Desolation"

My slightly controversial take:

1. Soulside Journey
2. Transilvanian Hunger
3. Under a Funeral Moon
4. Total Death
5. A Blaze in the Northern Sky
6. Panzerfaust
7. Ravishing Grimness
8. Plaguewielder

Everything after that bored me to death, and as my familiarity with the stuff is patchy at best, I opted not to include. I know it has its fans (apologies, Sonny!), but I just couldn't get into it over several approaches. My opinion of Darkthrone in general is a bit lower than most Northerners, I'm afraid. As you can see, I prefer their death metal debut to the widely regarded black metal era, of which only "Transilvanian Hunger" is a real classic in my book. I sometimes wonder what they could've achieved had they continued on the death metal path. That said, I don't mind Fenris' Isengard side project, not to mention the duo's contributions to other regarded black metal classics - Satyricon's magnum opus, "Nemesis Divina" & Dødheimsgard's wonderful debut. That, plus their status as "father figures" for the scene, make me think that perhaps it was all for the best after all.

We're almost in complete agreement this time:

1. Reign in Blood
2. Hell Awaits
3. Show No Mercy
4. Haunting the Chapel E.P.
5. Live Undead
6. Decade of Aggression: Live
7. South of Heaven
8. Seasons in the Abyss
9. Divine Intervention
10. Undisputed Attitude
11. Christ Illusion
12. Diabolus in musica
13. Repentless
14. God Hates Us All
15. World Painted Blood

Let's go!

1. ...and Justice for All
2. Master of Puppets
3. Ride the Lightning
4. Kill 'em All
5. St. Anger
6. Lulu
7. Metallica
8. Load
9. Reload
10. Death Magnetic
11. Hardwired... to Self-Destruct
12. 72 Seasons

I count myself among the weirdos who didn't mind "St. Anger" & "Lulu" that much. While by no means a genuinely good release, I can appreciate that they went for something fresh on "Anger" after the incredibly boring "Load" duology. In a way, it feels more personal & less commercially focused than the rest of their post-Justice output, largely due to the notoriously wacky production job, which I actually happen to enjoy. That I find James' vocal performance much less annoying than usual is certainly of help as well. When it comes to "Lulu", I think all it needed to become a pretty respectable record was to lose a bit of fat here & there, as well as do away with all the James' vocal parts.

This stuff's fire, fellas, now I'm tempted to revisit "Sackcloth..." as well. I have to admit that for the longest time, I used to harbor a pretty dismissive attitude towards country music, thinking that it's not much more than an endless rehash of the same few boring, poppy tropes (well, in my defense, the stuff you hear on the radio & as movie soundtracks is usually just that). It was encountering this particular record, around a decade back, that made me realize the genre can actually be quite captivating when done well. As for my previous attitude towards it - well, writing metal off after hearing some post-Justice Metallica would be just as clueless. I agree with your assessment of the singer completely - his voice has a wonderful texture, slightly raspy and quite emotional - very well suited for this kind of musical storytelling. Pretty unique for a Christian band to play music so dark, too. Respect!

Siderean - "The Sacred Sea" (from "Spilling the Astral Chalice", 2024)

Antagonyze - "Deadly Sorrow" (from "Interpretations of the Unknown Wilderness", 2024)

Bolt Thrower - "Celestial Sanctuary" (from "The IVth Crusade", 1992)

Eucharist - "Floating" (from "A Velvet Creation", 1993)

At the Gates - "Windows" (from "The Red in the Sky Is Ours", 1992)

Dissection - "Retribution" (from "Storm of the Light's Bane", 1995)*

*not sure whether this one qualifies - it's a quintessential melodeath track for me personally, but "Storm..." is absent from The Horde, so feel free to skip it if you consider its death metal credits not high enough.

Nice pick with the Invocation track, Sonny, it's my favourite from that record!

Kampfar - "Kledd i brynje og smykket blodorm" (from "Mellom skogkleedde aaser", 1997)

Ragnarok - "Minner om svunne tider" (from "Nattferd", 1995)

Смрт - "U raljama košave" (from "Na utrini", 2024)

Angantyr - "De dødes valg" (from "Indsigt", 2024)

Saxon - "Crusader" (from "Crusader", 1984)

Medieval Steel - "Medieval Steel" (from "Medieval Steel", 1984) *

Lethal - "Arrival" (from "Programmed", 1990)

Brocas Helm - "Fly High" (from "Black Death", 1988)

Attacker - "Downfall" (from "Battle at Helm's Deep", 1985)

Destiny's End - "Breathe Deep the Dark" (from "Breathe Deep the Dark", 1998)

*can be found on "The Dungeon Tapes" compilation, 2005

Malignant Eternal - “Tårnet” (from “Tårnet”, 1995)

Kvist - “Min lekam er meg blott en byrde” (from “For kunsten maa vi evig vike”, 1996)

Polemicist - “The Ambition and the Wrath” (from “Polemicist”, 2024)

Capilla Ardiente - “The Hands of Fate Around My Neck” (from “Where Gods Live and Men Die”, 2024)

Manilla Road - “Into the Courts of Chaos” (from “The Courts of Chaos”, 1990)

Accept - “Metal Heart” (from “Metal Heart”, 1985)

Throne of Iron - “Past the Doors of Death” (from “Adventure One”, 2020)

Morbid Angel - “Fall from Grace” (from “Blessed Are the Sick”, 1991)

Nocturnus - “Alter Reality” (from “Thresholds”, 1992)

Malevolent Creation - “Stillborn” (from “Stillborn”, 1993)

Engulfed - “In the Abyss of Death’s Obscurity” (from “Unearthly Litanies of Despair”, 2024)

Carnophage - “Underneath the Horrendous One” (from “Matter of a Darker Nature”, 2024)

Rotten Tomb - “Oblivion” (from “The Relief of Death”, 2024)

Mefitis - “The Untwined One” (from “The Skorian // The Greyleer”, 2024)

Unaussprechlichen Kulten - “Cuatro velas de cebo infantil (Sacrificio infanticida Part 2)” (from “Häxan Sabaoth”, 2024)

Hi Ben, could you please add Avernus (US, gothic death/doom) & Void Moon (Sweden, traditional doom)?

Even though I would very much describe myself as a doom metal newbie (at least when compared to the other extreme subgenres), I have found myself thoroughly immersed in this year's The Fallen releases - no less than a few of which I have truly fallen in love with and expect to revisit regularly in the future. I have to admit that aside from The Horde, the other clans have been giving me a decidedly more difficult time to discover albums of such high quality. Is 2024 a really good year for The Fallen, or is it just my heart increasingly calling me to walk this barren, desolate path?

My favourites so far:

1. Scald - Ancient Doom Metal

2. Dionysiaque - Diogonos

3. Capilla Ardiente - Where Gods Live and Men Die

4. Slimelord - Chytridiomycosis Relinquished

5. Avernus - Grievances

6. Void Witch - Horripilating Presence

7. Sanctuarium - Melted and Decomposed

8. Funeral Leech - The Illusion of Time

9. Altar of Oblivion - In the Cesspit of Divine Decay

10. Void Moon - Dreams Inside the Sun

11. Stygian Crown - Funeral for a King

'Till death, mate, it's great to have you on board. I would highly recommend you have a look at the clan playlists we throw together each month. It's a wonderful way to share and encounter new music & I've been having an absolute blast with them ever since I had joined the site. I look forward to hearing what's on the radar of a fellow Bolt Thrower fan, should you decide to participate. Have fun!

For example, this is the relevant thread for The Horde: https://metal.academy/forum/10/thread/480

Hi Ben, could you please add Chilean death metallers Antagonyze?

Mefitis - "The Skorian // The Greyleer"

American wizards of twisted, melodic black/death return with their third full-length, to be released later this month. I'm a big fan of pretty much everything these fellas have put out so far, so I'm very excited to hear what they have in store for us this time. I'd suggest fans of The Chasm, Inanna, Adramelech & Alf Svensson era At the Gates should prepare their ears for a treat!

Will be out November 29th, on Profound Lore Records

https://profoundlorerecords.com/mefitis-announce-new-album-the-skorian-the-greyleer

Defeated Sanity - "Chronicles of Lunacy"

The brand-new seventh album from these German brutal/technical death metallers hits the streets later on this month & should be regarded as a must-listen for all The Horde members. They're always great & their last record (2020's "The Sanguinary Impetus") was a beauty so I have no doubt that this one will be too.

I have high hopes for this one after checking out the pre-release material. I'm especially impressed with the extremely precise, yet open, production job - perhaps my favorite from them so far. It thoroughly succeeds in presenting a wonderful canvas to Lille Gruber, who continues to lay out his creative & intelligently subversive ideas. I'd say a major hit is coming for all the percussion lovers out there.

Dolmen Gate - "Rest in Flames" (from "Gateways of Eternity", 2024)

Satan - "Sacramental Rites" (from "Songs in Crimson", 2024)

Sacral Night - "L'archange aux yeux de feu" (from "Le diadème d'argent", 2022)

Venom - "Possessed" (from "Possessed", 1985)

Challenger - "Victims of War" (from "Force of Nature", 2024)

Forgotten Tales - "Keepers of the Field" (from "We Shall See the Light", 2010)

Gargul - "Gallows" (from "Gallows", 2024)

Stiriah - "Sterbend im Nebel" (from "Portal", 2024)

Dark Horizon - "Secrets of the Nightmare Prophecies" (from "Darkness Falls upon Mankind", 2024)

Sørgelig - "Those of the Depths" (from "Φθορά", 2024)

Isolert - "The End of Beauty" (from "Wounds of Desolation", 2024)

For December please, Daniel:

Abhorration - "Spawn of an Abhorrent Entity" (from "Demonolatry", 2024)

Adversarial - "Fanes at the Engur" (from "Solitude with the Eternal...", 2024)

Ceremony of Silence - "Perennial Incantation" (from "Hálios", 2024)

Submerged - "Habitual Degeneration of a Contaminated Species" (from "Tortured at the Depths", 2024)

Cephalectomy - "The Deliberate Provenance of Inescapable Cataclysm" (single, 2023)

Thorium - "Eclipsed" (from "The Bastard", 2024)

Obituary - "Set in Stone" (from "World Demise", 1994)

Excruciate - "Confused Mind" (from "Passage of Life", 1993)

Admittedly, I was never the biggest fan of Paul's era (particularly the s/t, which is by far my least favorite 80s Maiden record), but he was an absolute legend nonetheless, and gone too soon. R.I.P., I hope Satan pours him the finest brew at the eternal bar.

My Top 10:

01. Killers    <- just noticed Paul has the writer's credit!

02. Murders in the Rue Morgue

03. Genghis Khan

04. Wrathchild

05. Innocent Exile

06. Transylvania

07. Phantom of the Opera

08. Prodigal Son

09. The Ides of March

10. Purgatory

I consider 1993 to be one of the truly golden years for metal & some of my all-time favorites were released that year. Although, judging by your submissions, I still have a lot of exploring ahead of me!

01. Katatonia - Dance of December Souls

02. Brutality - Screams of Anguish

03. Rotting Christ - Thy Mighty Contract

04. Burzum - Det som engang var

05. Marduk - Those of the Unlight

06. Carcass - Heartwork

07. Death - Individual Thought Patterns

08. Eucharist - A Velvet Creation

09. Dark Tranquillity - Skydancer

10. Malevolent Creation - Stillborn

Most honorable mentions for: Sentenced, Suffocation, Immortal & Emperor

Hi Ben, could you please add:

Distruzione (Italy)
Spinal Cord (Poland)
Ferox (Germany)
Appalling (United States)
Outer Graves (United States)

...and the latest two discs from Thorium (Denmark):
Danmark, 2022
The Bastard, 2024

Cheers!

Happy 30th birthday to this beauty:

Altars - Opening the Passage (from Ascetic Reflection, 2022)

Hate Eternal - All Hope Destroyed (from Upon Desolate Sands, 2018)

Defeated Sanity - Temporal Disintegration (single, 2024)

Immolation - Nailed to Gold (from Here in After, 1996)

Purtenance - Transitory Soul of the Righteous (from The Rot Within Us, 2023)

Kataklysm - The Unholy Signature (from Temple of Knowledge, 1996)

Cephalectomy - Unto the Darkly Shining Abyss (from Sign of Chaos, 2000)

Edit: Just noticed that an Altars track has been nominated already, so let's go with this one instead:

The Chasm - In Superior Torment... (from Deathcult for Eternity: The Triumph, 1998)

I've always loved Maiden's "Public Enema Number One" too. I reckon it's a bit of an underrated gem in their back catalogue.

Absolutely, that's a nice showcase of Dave Murray's songwriting prowess, with the two songs of his being among the finest off that underrated record (along with "Tailgunner" and the title track). I wouldn't mind at all if they brought some of that stuff back for the live sets. A concert setting is bound to suit "Public..." especially well, with its massive chorus and that heart-melting guitar solo!

Hi Ben, for November:

Abigor - Blood and Soil (from Supreme Immortal Art, 1998)

Forlorn - Spiritshade (from Opus III: Ad caelestis res, 2000)

Amestigon - The Gates to a Red Moon (from Höllentanz, 1998)

Theotoxin - World, Burn for Us (from Fragment: Totenruhe, 2022)

Summoning - The Legend of the Master-Ring (from Minas Morgul, 1995)

Hi Xephyr, for November:

Tierra Santa - Drácula (from Legendario, 1999)

Rata Blanca - Los ojos del dragón (from Guerrero del arco iris, 1991)

Riot City - Beyond the Stars (from Electric Elite, 2022)

Blazon Rite - Troubadours of the Final Quarrel (from Wild Rites and Ancient Songs, 2023)

Cirith Ungol - Heaven Help Us (from Paradise Lost, 1991)

Black Sabbath - The Sabbath Stones (from Tyr, 1990)

Agreed, I love Destroyer too and I would suggest that it's the last classic Gorgoroth release. It's just that I love the earlier three even more!

I completely agree on "Living After Midnight" as I've never understood the following that song seems to have amassed. I couldn't disagree more on "Turbo Lover" though as it's one of my all-time favourite heavy metal tracks. Still gives me chills up my spine to this day.

Hahaha I love this comment! I'd say that your review of "Turbo" is long overdue (-:

I used to listen to In Flames a few years ago. The Jester Race was one of my favorite melodeath albums, and not even "Dead God in Me" could bring it down in my opinion. It was when they started going the alt-metal route in the 2000s that all went downhill from there.

Yeah, I still very much do like the album, I mean how could I not when it contains such melo-death staples as "Moonshield" or "December Flower". I was taking the piss for how much they have managed to lobotomize the track that used to be pretty enjoyable in the "Subterranean" era. Not only was the song needlessly elongated, the lyrics have turned up for the worse. Although, the straw that broke the camel's back was of course that stupid cry-baby sample!

A couple of early, cynical attempts on the pop charts from Judas Priest - "Take on the World" and "United" really tested my loyalty to the band back in the day and still piss me off even now. I think I hate those two tracks even more than anything Ripper Owens inflicted upon us.

Man, Priest have amassed quite the assortment of questionable material over the course of their career, haven't they. I saw them earlier this year, and words can't describe how disappointed I was when they decided to close the set out with the steaming pile of shite that is "Living After Midnight". Not to mention that they had the guts to play the goddamn "Turbo Lover". In 2024!

Regarding the original question, I'd definitely second Maiden, but "Powerslave" through "Seventh Son..." is where it's at for me. Similar story goes for Death - "Leprosy" through "Human". I would also strongly consider Gorgoroth's first three.

On a tangentially related topic, which album, in your opinions, towers over a band's discography. Obviously I am referring to bands with a fairly extensive number of studio albums (say six or more). I would suggest Diamond Head's "Lightning to the Nations" stands head and shoulders above the rest of their fairly mediocre discography.

I don't necessarily dislike everything else the band has done, but I find the leap in quality rather significant:

Megadeth - Rust in Peace
Testament - The Legacy
Helloween - Walls of Jericho
Mayhem - De mysteriis dom Sathanas
Dark Funeral - The Secrets of the Black Arts
Setherial - Nord...
Emperor - In the Nightside Eclipse
Cradle of Filth - The Principle of Evil Made Flesh
At the Gates - The Red in the Sky Is Ours
Paradise Lost - Gothic
Katatonia - Dance of December Souls
Theatre of Tragedy - Theatre of Tragedy

Thanks for the reminder, I shall be cranking the volume all the way up tonight! I love each and every minute of this beauty, and personally, I wouldn't hesitate to name it as the greatest achievement in the history of heavy metal (and The Guardians for that matter).

I have to go with the epic title track as my favorite, but it's closely followed by "The Duellists", with its wonderful guitar dialogues, and indeed, the infinitely fun "Flash of the Blade". Although I'd suggest that the tracklist is absolutely stellar all the way through, with every single track a potential favorite of someone's.

Hi Xephyr, for October:

Kat - Czas zemsty, from 666, 1986 (666 is not available on Spotify, but the track can be found on the Ballady compilation, 1993)

Ария - Игра с огнём, from Игра с огнём, 1989

Attick Demons - City of Golden Gates, from Atlantis, 2011

Iron Maiden - Public Enema Number One, from No Prayer for the Dying, 1990

Heir Apparent - Tear Down the Walls, from Graceful Inheritance, 1986

Hi Ben, for October:

Spite Extreme Wing - Acqua di fonte di gloria, from Magnificat, 2003

Satanic Warmaster - Bafomet, from Aamongandr, 2022

Sorhin - Livets löfte, from Apokalypsens ängel, 2000

Marduk - Those of the Unlight, from Those of the Unlight, 1993

Funeral Mist - Funeral Mist, from Devilry, 1998

Hi Daniel, for October:

Witch Vomit - Endless Fall, from Funeral Sanctum, 2024

Gruesome - Frailty, single, 2024

Monstrosity - Shapeless Domination, from In Dark Purity, 1999

Bolt Thrower - Eternal War, from Realm of Chaos, 1989

Necrot - Cut the Cord, from Lifeless Birth, 2024

Suffocation - Depths of Depravity, from Pierced from Within, 1995

Vital Remains - I Am God, from Forever Underground, 1997

Absolutely. Although shouldn't that be "Bring Your Dowter to the Slowter" - a serious accent malfunction from Bruce on  that one I think!

I couldn't have said it better myself :-)

Some examples off the top of my head (constraining myself to picks only from albums I do enjoy in general):

Gehenna - "A Witch Is Born" (from "Seen Through the Veils of Darkness", 1995)
Inquisition - "Force of Death Is the Force of Life" (from "Veneration of Medieval Mysticism and Cosmological Violence", 2024)
In Flames - "Dead God in Me" (from "The Jester Race", 1996)
Iron Maiden - "Die with Your Boots On" (from "Piece of Mind", 1983)
Iron Maiden - "Bring Your Daughter to the Slaughter" (from "No Prayer for the Dying", 1990)
<insert any blatant Celtic Frost worship track (or, hell forbid, a cover) by a second wave black metal band>
<insert any hard rock/glam metal cover track by a melodic death metal band>

Cheers, man, that's very nice to hear. In fact, Obituary is responsible for my induction into conventional death metal as well, with "Cause of Death" being the first-ever OSDM release I truly loved in full. Shortly after, I backtracked to the debut and branched into "Leprosy" and "Consuming Impulse", thus completing my initial stack of death metal goodness I would then proceed to listen to 24/7 for quite a while. As for Ulcerate... Well, I think it might take a miracle to dethrone it as far as album of the year goes :-)

Here's my take:

California's Commander ended up being a relatively brief affair. Gathered in 1985, the US power metallers decided to pull the plug just four years later, leaving behind a single full-length labeled “The High n' Mighty.” Failing to achieve any semblance of commercial success whatsoever in the thrash-dominated landscape of the late 80s, the album spearheaded the band's descent into obscurity and remains the only concrete outcome of its activity, save for a spot on the “Metal Massacre VII” compilation. “The High n' Mighty” happens to be quite a significant record for me personally. I stumbled upon it as a single-digit-year-old whelp after purchasing one of the “mp3 metal collection” discs (anybody remember those?). Since it was one of the earlier “lesser-known” bands I discovered, Commander was partly responsible for introducing me to the idea of looking beyond the big names—a thought that sparked a lifelong passion for the metal underground.

The neuronal machinery of the young, impressionable brain of mine was utterly reorganized upon hearing the guitar solo of the opening number, “Knights of the Round Table”. I would not have discovered the feats of Maestro Malmsteen until years later, and a strong allergic reaction to the more straightforward hard rock style I contracted at birth made it impossible for me to appreciate most of the classic shredders. Thus, the hyper-melodic, classical-hinted style of Commander's axeman Dave Macias was a complete novelty for me back then. Around the same time, I found out about a great guitar hero of mine, Andy LaRocque, and they both ended up playing a big part in my exposure to a whole new array of possibilities when it comes to what can be achieved with the instrument. Obviously, over the years, it turned out that Dave's way of playing wasn't all that uncommon or innovative. Nonetheless, it remains fucking delightful to listen to and stands out as the strongest asset of the record at hand, with moments of lead guitar brilliance aplenty throughout the runtime. The opener's qualities don't end here for me, however. I find the track to possess a rare and highly sought-after trait in the particularly high load of uplifting energy, with the potential to help you power through some really tough chores. For example, I would reach for “Knights” regularly on the long study nights in college, and it proved itself to be both more effective and a healthier stimulant than the trusty Jägermeister mit Red Bull. Admittedly, the track is quite heavy on the cheese department as far as the album goes, and I would even go so far as to suggest that at times it approaches straight-up europower territory. That said, it finds itself sitting reasonably well within the outskirts of my acceptable glucose concentration regions.

“Knights” might be a sweet little darling of mine, but the main course on offering here is, without a doubt, the absolute behemoth of USPM glory in “Die by the Sword”. The song is a masterclass in tension-building, with the cyclic nature of the composition playing very well into the lyrical theme of fighting an inescapable fate. While Dave Macias has been the undeniable star of the show so far, I have a feeling that, recognizing where their most fruitful effort was, the other members decided to really up their game for this one. In effect, we get to experience no less than a few instances of truly cathartic musical beauty throughout the track's runtime, with the culminating point of the story featuring a particularly moving performance by the frontman, Jon Natisch. From that moment on, the gears are set for the last buildup and the gloriously satisfying finale. Introducing some needed variety and enhancing the song's character are the pleasantly clacky bass lines, courtesy of Ron Avila. The drummer Richard Mejia retains the thematically appropriate, steady pulse throughout most of the runtime, reaching out for his more advanced skills in the moments of increased intensity, thus contributing greatly to the emotional contrasts within the piece. My personal highlight, however, has to be the performance of the guest synth player, Mark Benson, with both the intro and the passage starting at around the five and a half minute mark having a very profound impact on me. That is due to the evocation of the retro-futuristic sound of the early digital age—a time when we as mankind were looking bravely forward in anticipation of the bright future to come, and a time I find myself deeply nostalgic for. The hints and motifs of this type are present throughout the album, amplified by the production job that graces Dave's leads with an unmistakable tone evoking the images of molten, industrial steel.

I believe at this point it is quite evident that I find the high points of “The High n' Mighty” to be much more than enjoyable, and on their basis alone, I would be quick to reach out for an award in the highest range of 4 to 5 stars. However, we obviously have to touch on the rest of the material and judge the album as a whole. Of note is the speedy number “Return of the Goths”, featuring a particularly beautiful solo by Dave. We also get a convincing package of tracks spawned by the band's admiration for the great Ronnie James Dio. “Kill the King” is a tightly executed cover that manages to manifest its relevancy by upping the heaviness of the well-regarded original. Furthermore, the inspirations are so evident in “Wizard”, that one could be forgiven for mistaking it for another Rainbow / Dio cover track, with especially Jon Natisch displaying tricks taken straight from his idol's playbook. The closer, “The Blade Shines On” is a good song as well, in a similar vein to “Return of the Goths”, though never quite reaching its heights. Unfortunately, I have to say that the record features a block of pretty unexciting material from the title track through “Terror”, where the songwriting takes a noticeable dip in quality. Furthermore, it is clear that Jon Natisch wasn't an experienced vocalist at the time of the recording. His lines are weirdly laid out at times, and occasionally he struggles to stay on-key. His passion and talent cannot be denied, but the lesser quality of the aforementioned three tracks makes it a bit harder to ignore the odd inadequacy. All in all, they do tempt me to reach for the skip button and represent an obstacle to enjoying the record in its full running time.

I find it regretful, that Commander ended up dissolving so early into their career, never fully realizing their vision of bombastic heavy metal. I believe they had the potential to spawn at least a few more beautiful spells and develop a minor cult following they deserved. Over the years, I would scan the Internet from time to time in anticipation of a proper re-release on CD (that it still hasn't manifested itself is but a travesty) or an unlikely reunion. Thus, I was deeply saddened to hear about Jon Natisch's untimely passing in 2012. “The High n' Mighty” might not be an eternal classic when looked at as the whole package, but nonetheless, its high points remain among my all-time favorites within the subgenre. If you are attracted to USPM style in any capacity whatsoever, and especially if you consider yourself a connoisseur of flashy, melodic guitar leads, I would highly recommend you check out at least the highlight tracks outlined below.

For fans of: Dio, King Diamond & Y.J. Malmsteen's Rising Force

Highlight tracks: Knights of the Round Table, Return of the Goths & Die by the Sword

3.5/5

I'll bite Metallica, and return the favor with King Diamond:

Karl's Top 10 Metallica tracks:

01. ...and Justice for All – ...and Justice for All [1988]
02. Disposable Heroes – Master of Puppets [1986]
03. Blackened – ...and Justice for All [1988]
04. Fight Fire with Fire – Ride the Lightning [1984]
05. One – ...and Justice for All [1988]
06. To Live Is to Die – ...and Justice for All [1988]
07. Damage, Inc. – Master of Puppets [1986]
08. Creeping Death – Ride the Lightning [1984]
09. The Call of Ktulu – Ride the Lightning [1984]
10. Dyers Eve – ...and Justice for All [1988]

Karl's Top 10 King Diamond tracks:

01. Grandmaaaaa! Welcome Home – “Them” [1988]
02. The Portrait – Fatal Portrait [1986]
03. The Invisible Guests – “Them” [1988]
04. Sleepless Nights – Conspiracy [1989]
05. The 7th Day of July 1777 – Abigail [1987]
06. Black Horsemen – Abigail [1987]
07. Abigail – Abigail [1987]
08. Arrival – Abigail [1987]
09. The Candle – Fatal Portrait [1986]
10. The Trial (Chambre ardente) – “The Eye” [1990]

Absolute stormer indeed! Thanks for introducing me to Sorrow and Decrepit Birth, I thoroughly enjoyed their tracks & look forward to exploring their discographies. I always have time for Grave and Nocturnus as well. Cool tracklist overall.

I look forward to seeing how it's stood the test of time & what some of our other members think of it.

Aged like fine wine as far as I'm concerned! Wonderful, filthy sound, fine melodies and enchanting atmosphere that keeps calling you back for more and more revisits. I even like the cheesy intro (what can I say, I have to admit that I am fond of cheap 90s synths way too much :-)) I'll be on the lookout for the 2015 CD re-release, containing Paradox and some live tracks.

Hey, I loved the Megaton Sword track! I think I ought to give their catalogue some attention this month.

01 D'ailleurs - Sortilège - Métamorphose [1984]
02 Frostwyrm Cavalry - Morgul Blade - Heavy Metal Wraiths [2024]
03 Of Sins and Shadows - Symphony X - The Divine Wings of Tragedy [1996]
04 Between the Worlds - The Night Eternal - Fatale [2023]
05 Hailstorm and Tempest - Attic - Return of the Witchfinder [2024]
06 Savage Oath - Savage Oath - Divine Battle [2024]

Thanks Xephyr

01 Abigor - Cryptopsy - Blasphemy Made Flesh [1994]
02 Spectrum of Morbidity - Skelethal - Within Corrosive Continuums [2024]
03 Excruciating Refuge in Reoccurring Torment - Apparition - Disgraced Emanations from a Tranquil State [2024]
04 Subjected to Torture - Brutality - In Mourning [1996]
05 Cannibal Sodom - Intestine Baalism - An Anatomy of the Beast [1997]
06 Tragedy of the Faithful - Dismember - Where Ironcrosses Grow [2004]
07 Die Alone - Unanimated - Ancient God of Evil [1995]

Thanks Daniel