Shadowdoom9 (Andi)'s Forum Replies

I've done my review, here's its summary:

Sometimes the best albums are the ones that literally almost didn't happen. Peter Tägtgren was at a pub when his heart stopped and he collapsed. Just when it seemed like it was all over for him, two minutes later, his heart continued beating. That's a clear reminder that life is fragile and at any given moment, you would be gone from this world with one last dance. Dancing With the Dead! We're grateful Peter Tägtgren is still around to show his talents displayed in writing, instrumentation, and vocals. Dancing With the Dead is one of the best albums from his Pain project, maybe one of the best in any of his projects. All of the tracks here range from decently to highly enjoyable, with this usual blend of riffs, electronics, and even some background symphonics. However, there are a few songs towards the end that are kind of bothersome, but they don't affect the album's perfect rating. I've never had a 5-star album come so close to 4.5 stars, like a 95.1 percentage rating. Nothing has changed the status of Dancing With the Dead as another stellar part of Pain's discography. Enjoy this dance!

5/5

Recommended tracks: "Same Old Song", "Nothing", "Not Afraid to Die", "Dancing With the Dead", "Bye/Die", "The Third Wave", "Trapped"

For fans of: Lindemann, Samael, Celldweller

Thanks, Vinny. I still accept non-clan member nominations, and I enjoy that Make Them Suffer track, so it shall be added right away.

Fantastic feature release, Sonny, thanks for this! Here's my review summary:

Benedictum is one of several bands reviving the classic 70s/80s heavy metal sound in the 2000s, plus some touches of power metal. What makes them more unique is the angelic AND devilish singing of frontwoman Veronica Freeman. And it sounds about right that she is like a female Dio (RIP). The album even includes two covers of Black Sabbath songs from the Dio era, and they're some of the best Black Sabbath covers I've heard in all my years of metal, especially "Heaven and Hell". As for all the other tracks here, the Sabbath-infused instrumentation really stands out and is balanced out with a slight modern touch, along with Veronica channeling her inner Dio. Uncreation is not an album or band a metalhead should go their whole life without. It's a masterpiece to tear down the conventional walls!

5/5

No problem, Vinny. Thanks for your feedback.

Welcome to Metal Academy, LeGuru! We accept bands that have at least one metal release, and non-metal releases can be added only if they're between a band's metal albums in their discography.

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

Celldweller - "So Long Sentiment" (6:07) from Wish Upon a Blackstar (2012)

Circle of Dust - "Contagion" (5:25) from Machines of Our Disgrace (2016)

Fear Factory - "Self Immolation" (2:46) from Soul of a New Machine (1992)

Gothminister - "Norge" (4:05) from Pandemonium (2022)

Mnemic - "Dreamstate Emergency" (5:18) from The Audio Injected Soul (2004)

Pain - "Dark Fields of Pain" (5:00) from Rebirth (1999)

Total length: 28:41

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

The Breathing Process - "Todeskrone" (5:13) from Todeskrone (2023)

Burnt by the Sun - "Goliath" (3:30) from Heart of Darkness (2009)

Fear of Domination - "Alone" (4:03) from Katharsis (2026)

In This Moment - "Beautiful Tragedy" (4:01) from Beautiful Tragedy (2007)

Living Sacrifice - "Ghost Thief" (4:41) from Ghost Thief (2013)

Phinehas - "White Livered" (3:04) from Till the End (2015)

Trivium - "Struck Dead" (5:17) from Struck Dead (2025)

Total length: 29:49

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

Green Carnation - "Under Eternal Stars" (15:31) from Journey to the End of the Night (2000)

Symphony X - "Rediscovery (Part II) - The New Mythology" (12:01) from V: The New Mythology Suite (2000)

Total length: 27:32

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

Beyond the Black - "Can You Hear Me" (4:05) from Break the Silence (2026)

Leaves' Eyes - "Into Your Light" (5:33) from Lovelorn (2004)

Sinergy - "The Warrior Princess" (4:51) from Beware the Heavens (1999)

Xandria - "Save My Life" (3:56) from Salome - The Seventh Veil (2007)

ZP Theart - "Through the Fire and Flames (20th Anniversary)" (7:52) from Through the Fire and Flames (20th Anniversary) (2026)

Total length: 26:17

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Mnemic - "Liquid" from Mechanical Spin Phenomena (2003)

5/5. The perfect start for this playlist and Mnemic's discography represents their melodic side in the chorus after a verse of guitar aggression.

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

4.5/5. "TELL ME HOW MUCH THEY F***ING SUCK!!! HELL YEAH, THEY F***ING SUCK!!!!" One of the most aggressive and swear-filled songs by the band, and it never sucks!

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

4/5. This one doesn't suck either. Pretty great but not the best.

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

4.5/5. It's never over for this master of royalty-free modern metal! Jacob Lizotte's vocals and lyrics are so emotional, reminding me a bit of Linkin Park and Red. If this was made 25 years ago, it would've been an instant radio hit. Of course, there's enough industrial instrumentation for this beautiful song to end up in a Sphere playlist.

Rammstein - "Weisses Fleisch" from Herzeleid (1995)

4/5. Rammstein may not be the first Neue Deutsche Harte band (that would be OOMPH!), but they're responsible for popularizing the sound for the masses. As great as this is, well, as of commenting, I accidentally stumbled upon a cover of that song by death metal band Debauchery, and that cover is brutal as f***.

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

4.5/5. Similarly with Dead by April, my track submission with this song was made before I ended up distancing from a couple alt-metal bands including D'espairsRay. Still this song's quite excellent, especially the spooky bridge that starts the last minute.

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

5/5. In this perfect catchy track, the band can do the whole "disco-metal" thing as well as Battle Beast, probably better! The final chorus has the most of their energy.

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

4.5/5. More of the dark fury is covered in this track which includes more experimentation including vocals by IAMX founder Chris Corner. The baritone/growls of Harms and the falsetto of Corner make another perfect duet in the sea of industrial darkness.

Waltari - "Main Stream" from Space Avenue (1997)

4/5. Another excellent track, this one from the band's alt-industrial metal era covering this album and Radium Round.

Cubanate - "Oxyacetylene" from Brutalism (2017)

3.5/5. Brutalism contains remastered versions of Cubanate's earlier songs like this one which was featured in the first Gran Turismo game.

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

3/5. Not really the best song, but I would recommend it to the more sludgy industrial listeners.

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

2.5/5. En Esch was a member of KMFDM in the 80s and 90s before moving on to solo material. I thought this sounded metal enough for this playlist, but listening to it more clearly now, I think my ears deceived me. Thumbs down.

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

3/5. This one gets better, but not too much.

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

2.5/5. Definitely more blackened, yet comes out as a sh*tty mess. Moving on...

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

3/5. I like this one more, though it's not really wonderful.

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

3.5/5. I enjoy the heavy groove here, but the intro and long-a** outro are a little too much. Still it works well for a vampire's long-lost love. One moment things can go heavy, and the next things can go sorrowful. Pretty beautiful, I would say.

Seecrees - "Neuron" from Genesis (2012)

4/5. Let's cut the bullsh*t, cyber metal is underrated and should be heard and appreciate more globally.

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

4.5/5. Jane's Addiction member Dave Navarro made a solo album in the dreaded year 2001, balancing the band's alt-rock with some industrial metal. The album title is Trust No One, and that ended up being more foreshadowing than we thought, ever since his onstage fight with Perry Farrell that led to Jane's Addiction's disbandment.

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

5/5. This mind-blowing standout peaks high with more of those Fear Factory vocals.

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

4.5/5. D*mn, that intro adds to the futuristic atmosphere for this Sybreed side-project. While Breach the Void is no longer around, Sybreed still is, as of their recent return.

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

4/5. Gothic synths and acoustics give this track a dark industrial metal vibe.

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

3.5/5. A repetitive yet fun song, considering how much the lyrics in the refrain can be misinterpreted like "Tuna and jello, drug test, banana fish".

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

4/5. If this doesn't end up in the next Cyberpunk game soundtrack, I don't know what would. And this is is one of Blue Stahli's more metal albums Quartz. Nothing like some electronic cybergoth, eh? Probably would've been in one of the Antisleep albums though. Something this dark and beautiful needs an extended version 3 times as long.

Circle of Dust - "Bed of Nails" from Circle of Dust (1995)

3.5/5. Originally a hidden track in their re-recorded debut, this one has some of that earlier vibe from Nine Inch Nails along with experimentation similar to Grin-era Coroner.

Unheilig - "Lebe Wohl" from Astronaut (2006)

4/5. Great song for one from a Neue Deutsche Harte band.

Eisbrecher - "Einzelganger" from Kaltfront! (2025)

4.5/5. Stylistically, this one throws back to NDH's very beginnings in the earlier albums by OOMPH! and Rammstein. I might just be appreciating this subgenre more now! The lyrics have horrible thoughts that are presented greatly, bring them to a more relatable light. Also, I think a collab between Eisbrecher and Annisokay would rule, though I'm not sure you would all agree with me there. So let's sing along to this tragically relatable anthem!

Sybreed - "Ethernity" from Antares (2007)

5/5. An ethereal tranquil 9-minute epic. Nothing else to say, just enjoy this journey's end.

Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? I recommend this to any industrial metal fan and anyone who isn't into industrial metal but is up to getting into a great start for the genre. Thanks to anyone who have contributed with their own submissions, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

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

4.5/5. I thought this would be a nice start to this playlist, a beautiful neoclassical acoustic sonata decimated by DOOM-esque djent. The band has also made re-recorded versions of a few songs from this debut, and sadly this isn't one of them. Really would've been great to have the entire album re-recorded.

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

5/5. This highlight opens the original album with every great thing the band can encapsulate; impassioned vocal energy, energetic breakdowns, tight rhythms, and an army-calling chorus. An excellently wild representation of any of the band's achievements!

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

4.5/5. As I Lay Dying has made a heavy comeback in the first single with the new lineup. It's quite amazing, though I just hope nothing gets f***ed up again.

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

5/5. Shai Hulud and Hatebreed are the two bands that have expanded on the metalcore/hardcore scene led by Integrity and Earth Crisis. Apparently, this song was featured in Saints Row: The Third, along with a Skyrim mod. It's so heavy and beautiful! The lyrics are quite kick-A, and I wonder if I could perform the vocals for this song without causing throat damage. Maybe I'll start with some Motionless in White and BMFW beforehand.

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

4.5/5. Modern metalcore can sound massive as well. It hits the hardest emotionally in the refrain and brutally in the breakdown that starts the last minute. This was also co-written with members of Annisokay and Our Mirage. An upcoming melodic heavy album awaits!

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

5/5. What is it with metalcore bands and their sleeping issues? All they're screaming about is the possible fact that they can NEVERSLEEP!!!!! But if this band is spending their sleepless days and nights writing and performing music, at least they're bringing their new sound forward. Another f***ing rifftastic banger! And I'm glad we have some more modern metalcore around rather than just the deathcore brutality of Ov Sulfur and Paleface Swiss. I was hoping for some clean singing from guest vocalist Myke Terry (Volumes), but it's still strong without it.

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

4.5/5. Holy f***, this is one of the heaviest bangers Fit for a King has ever done, right from the intro onwards. Just pure chaos and brutality, reminds some of Currents' heavier songs. I just wish this was longer though, like twice as long.

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

5/5. Another highlight with guest vocalists; Jason Evans (Ingested) and Dickie Allen (Infant Annihilator, Nekrogoblikon). Evan's vocals make things as brutal as Pathology in the heavy guitar grooves, while the symphonics still drift by.

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

4.5/5. Another song for me to love. This has got to appear in an upcoming Joker movie!

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

4/5. You wanna hear post-hardcore gone deathly? Here you go! It's like Wage War on Steroids, and that breakdown with Vincent Bennett from The Acacia Strain is crushing.

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

4/5. The lyrics are a bit off, but the music here is filled with solid chaos.

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

4.5/5. Metalcore listeners looking for a song to share with each other, look no further than this track! I enjoy the first half, but the second half kinda dips a little when Zelli from Paleface Swiss performs some rap-ish screaming. Still this is quite underrated, and this next track would make me up for Paleface Swiss even more...

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

5/5. Well, not just Paleface Swiss, but also Stick to Your Guns. I love this! Go, Zelli!

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

4.5/5. This one brings in more of the monstrous destruction. The textured bass by Josh Gilbert (ex-As I Lay Dying) are adjacent to djenty guitar intensity along with the harsh vocal fury of vocalist Courtney LaPlante.

Volumes - "Limitless" from Via (2011)

5/5. The talent this band has is limitless. More people need to hear this!

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

4.5/5. D*mn, these modern metalcore vibes! They make another kick-A banger. The chorus is quite catchy too.

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

5/5. The distorted guitar riffing fits well with Bannon's furious screams, encouraging you to raise your fist against the venomous world.

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

4.5/5. The majority of the fanbase for this band and many others in the Christian metalcore scene is millennials who have listened to them in high school, middle school, or even elementary school. It's hard to believe that a Garageband sample originated from this song's synth intro, but here we are!

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

4/5. This song affected me greatly the first time I heard it. However, between the time I submitted this as one of my sneak peek track submissions and the time I released this playlist, I lost interest in this band and a couple dozen other Gateway bands. I guess my time with this band's music isn't infinity after all.

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

4.5/5. AW F***ING YEAH, let's get some dogs barking like Knocked Loose! ARF ARF

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

4/5. Jacob Lizotte has made his first vocal album in a long time, and it certainly got the heavier modern metalheads hyped up. The breakdown through the last 30 seconds is f***ing brutal to go with the dark atmosphere. Nice one, Jacob!

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

3.5/5. A pretty good track with the energetic power of Fit for a King. Not as great as that band though.

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

4/5. #12 are still going strong even after their temporary breakup. The guitar that starts the last third practically stirs up some black/death metal vibes, then after a bit of punkiness, we hit the final mathcore jackpot!

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

4.5/5. Burnt by the Sun is one of the most rifftastic bands in mathcore/metalcore, as proven by this track.

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

4/5. Seriously, it's songs like this that need more attention. That g****mn riff at the 40-second mark hits harder than a moving truck.

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

4.5/5. This 6-minute epic has their standard sound filled with different colors.

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

5/5. The absolute best track of Protest the Hero's debut! This song is at the brink of making me cry and wet my pants. It continues the whole "best for last" technique for each act, and this is no exception! The song is so emotional and mind-blowing. Many different parts and placed around in amazing order. The male vocals are teary and the female singing is at its strongest. In the middle of the song, the guitars really float in clouds of emotion. The climatic perfection returns! The overlapping singing/screaming combo is more glorious than you can ever believe. And the female vocals really end the song slow and steady.

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

5/5. The original album's grand ending epic where the ultimate climax occurs. The final bit of energy is used wisely, all the way up to the glorious end. That's the kind of closing epic that I enjoy!

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

5/5. Yet another epic deathcore album ending with the best climax. The melancholic finale where all the symphonics and heavy chords and melodies rise up once more before collapsing into just sorrowful piano is just beautiful.

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

4.5/5. OK, I've teased ending this playlist with those previous two symphonic deathcore tracks, and now we're going to end it for real with a 13-minute melodeath/metalcore instrumental. When I was first listening to metalcore in my late teens, Darkest Hour was one of the bands. Although I haven't listened to this band much in a few years, this is still one of their best tracks. I especially enjoy the acoustic break over the 4-minute mark before leading to more of the electric guitar melody. The piano is so beautiful too.

Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? I recommend this to any metalcore fan and anyone who isn't into metalcore but is up to getting into a great start for the genre. Thanks to anyone who have contributed with their own submissions, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

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

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Visions of Atlantis, Warkings - "Pirates & Kings" from Pirates & Kings (2025)

5/5. Visions of Atlantis and Warkings will embark on the Pirates & Kings tour, and to celebrate the occasion, they've made their own song together! The best part of this one for me is from the two-minute mark onwards, with the harsh vocal bridge by Morgana le Fay, the guitar soloing, and the final chorus reaches its climax. And this might also make the most powerful opening for one of my Guardians playlists since the Aquaria song from a couple months back. Not as long as that one though. Perhaps the greatest metal band crossover of this decade since Amon Amarth's "Saxons and Vikings"!

Trann - "Isugaku Never Say Goodbye" from Isugaku Never Say Goodbye (2025)

4.5/5. Stevie T's power metal AI experiment has become an accidental hit sensation. So much so that many people have tried to make their own full cover of that track. Really getting some X Japan/Galneryus/Stratovarius vibes from this one. Also, literally right before I started writing my track thoughts, I watched a video Stevie T has just uploaded in which he talks about the unexpected viral success of his AI song and then makes his own cover of it. In the end, he mentions a vocalist who wants to collaborate with him on the cover. Obviously I won't spoil who it is, but I'll give you a little hint; without the band this vocalist was in at the time, my interest in power metal and metal in general would have been impossible or entirely different. So grab your swords, popcorn, and headphones, this is gonna be truly EPIC!

Nanowar of Steel, Ross the Boss - "Armpits of Immortals" from Armpits of Immortals (2023)

4/5. As silly as this band can get with songs like this one, it's actually quite intriguing. But don't click off yet, there are more serious songs to come...

Quartz - "Mainline Riders" from Quartz (1977)

4.5/5. The 70s was filled with classic hard rock/metal from bands like Quartz, Scorpions, and Judas Priest, though the latter two are far more popular than this band. I think this might've been the spark for Black Sabbath in their song "Heaven and Hell", in both the bassline and overall structure, from mid-tempo to fast. Plus a little touch of their Seventh Star album. RIP Geoff Nicholls and Mike Taylor...

Scorpions - "Virgin Killer" from Virgin Killer (1976)

4/5. The title track of this controversial yet solid Scorpions album kicks up the metallic speed greatly. I can consider this song part of the proto-thrash trio, together with Queen's "Stone Cold Crazy" and Black Sabbath's "Symptoms of the Universe". If you don't believe Scorpions has ever gone full-on metal, at least give that song a go.

Judas Priest - "Tyrant" from Sad Wings of Destiny (1976)

4.5/5. I remember listening to this Judas Priest album over a couple years ago, before all this talk about using this song as the soundtrack for the 2024 US presidential election, and this is my favorite song of the album, an amazing underrated classic track! I love the verses here, especially the last one, "And as you perish each of you shall scream as you are sought". Some of the greatest lyrics to come from the 70s! Every man shall...FAAALLL!!!!!!

Venom - "In League with Satan" from Welcome to Hell (1981)

4/5. Venom already made an album before the one that would plant the seed for an entire metal genre, Black Metal. Welcome to Hell proved that the band was brave enough to prove their Satan-worshipping ways in the midst of the Satanic Panic. That marching drumbeat helps with the vibes this song has that would give it potential for a horror movie soundtrack. Probably not the Marvel Venom soundtrack, lol. There was also a demo recording of this track without the intro. And keep these lyrics in mind before actual black metal became a lot darker and more serious, "When the full moons high and bright, in every way, I’m there, every shadow in the night..."

Witchfinder General - "Witchfinder General" from Death Penalty (1982)

4.5/5. Some more hidden gems can be found from these earlier bands that blend heavy metal with the genres they would help pioneer. While Venom combined heavy metal with speed metal and planted the seed for black metal, Witchfinder General combined heavy metal with doom metal. Too bad they weren't as successful as, say, Nirvana. The name of this band and song came from the film Witchfinder General, which is considered one of the most brutal films from the 60s and came out 5 years before the more brutal The Exorcist that inspired a song by death metal pioneers Possessed. The most killer part here is the fast guitarwork at the two and a half minute mark before slowing down for the bridge. And you may know Witchfinder General actor Vincent Price from other films like The Masque of the Red Death (with dialogue from that movie heard in songs like "And When He Falleth" by Theatre of Tragedy) and his guest appearance in Michael Jackson's "Thriller". Also, C tuning wasn't common back in those days.

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

5/5. I'm glad to finally get the appeal for power metal creators Helloween after somehow blowing them off for over a decade of me listening to metal. This may just be my new favorite power metal band! I even like the 10 seconds of random sound effects before the guitar soloing. So crank up the speed and explore Future World!

Armored Saint - "Can U Deliver" from March of the Saint (1984)

4.5/5. The album cover artwork hits as mighty hard as the riffing. This was around the time when Armored Saint were starting out and opening for bands like Metallica. The composition is so simplistic yet well-made, especially in the rising drums intro.

Avenged Sevenfold - "This Means War" from Hail to the King (2013)

4/5. The song title might've been Metallica's thought when their song "Sad But True" was supposedly copied by this one. Still it was popular to be featured in WWE 2K15.

Riot V - "Higher" from Mean Streets (2024)

4.5/5. Riot's talents are getting higher while not forgetting their late founder Mark Reale. RIP

Black Sabbath - "Dirty Women" from Technical Ecstasy (1976)

4/5. Perhaps one of the more mind-blowing songs by these heavy metal founding fathers! Particularly when they switch gears in the one and a half minute mark and the riffing/shredding greatness goes on for two minutes. Quite a f***ing banger! Ozzy Osbourne would take some of those composition techniques to his solo material. RIP

Iron Maiden - "Fear of the Dark" from Fear of the Dark (1992)

4.5/5. Can we have a song called "Fear of the Thunder"? Y'know, because of my own fear? For real though, I think more people know this song today because of Iron Maiden's collaboration with Dead by Daylight.

Warmen - "Trip to..." from Beyond Abilities (2001)

5/5. Trip to where? Trip to the godly keyboard playing of Janne Wirman, that's where! Especially throughout the second quarter of this track. Lots of magical talent from this man and his side-project-turned-band. Even those who find this kind of style too cheesy would be hunting for more. No matter how digital the production is, you might just be up to some medieval dragon slaying.

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

4.5/5. One of Galneryus' most popular songs, generally because it's one of the ending themes for the anime Hunter × Hunter.

Masterplan - "Masterplan" from MK II (2007)

5/5. This heavy track that I would consider the band's theme song is one of the most awesome songs by the band, pounding through the guitars, bass, drums, and vocals, including everyone chanting the band's name. Epic!

Beat Saber, Nekrogoblikon, DragonForce - "Dragon Smash Goblin" from Beat Saber (Original Game Soundtrack) (2025)

4.5/5. It's dragons vs. goblins in DragonForce's brand-new kick-A collab with Nekrogoblikon and Beat Saber. I just wish Dickie Allen's vocals were a little clearer though, particularly in the second verse.

Turisas - "Rasputin" from Rasputin (2007)

5/5. Turisas are the masters of battle metal, and can turn 70s disco-pop hits into battle hymns.

Metal Church - "Badlands" from Blessing in Disguise (1989)

4.5/5. RIP Mike Howe. Metal Church is another band that once opened for Metallica early on, but that doesn't mean they're as big as Metallica unfortunately. I'm glad we can listen to the full version of this song instead of the MTV video/radio edit that trimmed it down to a 5-minute song. Still we have to be grateful for MTV helping boost their popularity, including underrated songs like this one. Anyone can listen to this while driving through a desolated desert, whether or not you understand the lyrics. The riffing and soloing in the bridge might remind some of Slayer. Mike Howe was truly talented. Again, RIP...

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

5/5. Perhaps the best song of this Iron Savior album! It's like a collision between the classic hard rock/metal of Scorpions and modern power metal.

Edenbridge - "The Grand Design" from The Grand Design (2006)

4.5/5. Then we get to the amazing title epic of this Edenbridge album, soaring through the majestic cosmos for over 10 minutes, and summarizing all that album has. Also, expect some acoustic strumming by Martin Mayr and violin by Astrid Stockhammer, Lanvall's young sister.

Battlelore - "Ride With the Dragons" from Where the Shadows Lie (2002)

4/5. Now this is an interesting way to end this playlist. Here we have the deathly symphonic metal of Battlelore with their male vocalist at the time Patrik Mennander (also known as the vocalist for Ruoska). Then the hidden track, "Feast for the Wanderer", is an uplifting folk song as the warriors celebrate their victory at a tavern.

Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? I recommend this to any heavy/power/symphonic/neoclassical metal fan and anyone who isn't into those genres but is up to getting into a great start for the genre. Thanks to anyone who have contributed with their own submissions, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

Here's my review summary:

With the deathcore scene rising and the metal community protesting over that scene because of lack of variation and talent, it can be hard for a deathcore band to actually get people to enjoy the genre. Australian band Make Them Suffer knows just what to do try to get some metal purists to give deathcore a try. The symphonic deathcore idea has already been created by Winds of Plague, but Make Them Suffer really unleash it to the world with a mind-f***ing gem, their debut Neverbloom! They were ahead of their time with epic deathcore tracks as massive as the ones Lorna Shore would make 10 years later, pretty much reaching the essence of perfection. The beautiful poetic lyrics are brutalized by the powerful screams of lead vocalist Sean Harmanis with a mighty voice ranging from black metal shrieks to death metal growls. The guitar work here is incredible too, as are the bass and drums. Keyboardist/pianist Louisa Burton is really talented, offering great soft piano contrast to the deathcore breakdowns and riffing, playing actual piano melody instead of just a few keys. Not to mention the Audiomachine/TSFH-esque symphonic synths. She also provided background vocals in a couple songs, similar to Skillet drummer/vocalist Jen Ledger in their album Awake. All in all, Neverbloom is a fantastic display of what the band has in store, and they helped deathcore continue going the right direction. The symphonic elements are excellent, never out of place, and they use actual riffing so they don't have to keep monotonously overusing breakdowns. A glorious album worth listening to for some of the most epic deathcore in the world!

5/5

Recommended tracks: "Neverbloom", "Morrow (Weaver of Dreams)", "Maelstrom", "Widower", "Chronicles"

For fans of: Lorna Shore, The Breathing Process, Winds of Plague

Here's my review summary:

Of all the genres I enjoy in my metal journey, there's one I somehow seem to neglect in favor of everything else, post-sludge. I don't think I've discovered much from that genre beyond its Big 4 (Neurosis, Isis, Cult of Luna, The Ocean) and Rosetta. Many of its songs guide you through transcending realms, showing that metal doesn't always have to be about chaos and speed. Dust Eater is the start of a promising career for this UK post-sludge band Dimscua. We haven't heard anything new from Cult of Luna for a while, but this offering feels like a solid continuation to that band's sound. Dimscua has only just formed this year, and they already have a lot of emotion and grief in their music. Pretty much every track sounds huge and emotional. The riff storm strikes down as the screams haunt you like tortured souls. The chords and vocals drift through a dimension of catatonia. By the time it's all over, you become one with the astral plane. The end result for this offering is the amazing return of the post-sludge sound we know. Here's to another entry from the genre's new chosen ones!

4.5/5

Recommended tracks: "Elder Bairn", "On Being and Nothingness"

For fans of: Neurosis, Rosetta, Cult of Luna

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. Visions of Atlantis, Warkings - "Pirates & Kings" from Pirates & Kings (2025)

2. Trann - "Isugaku Never Say Goodbye" from Isugaku Never Say Goodbye (2025)

3. Nanowar of Steel, Ross the Boss - "Armpits of Immortals" from Armpits of Immortals (2023)

4. Quartz - "Mainline Riders" from Quartz (1977)

5. Scorpions - "Virgin Killer" from Virgin Killer (1976)

6. Judas Priest - "Tyrant" from Sad Wings of Destiny (1976)

7. Venom - "In League with Satan" from Welcome to Hell (1981)

8. Witchfinder General - "Witchfinder General" from Death Penalty (1982)

9. Helloween - "Future World" from Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I (1987) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

10. Armored Saint - "Can U Deliver" from March of the Saint (1984)

11. Avenged Sevenfold - "This Means War" from Hail to the King (2013)

12. Riot V - "Higher" from Mean Streets (2024)

13. Black Sabbath - "Dirty Women" from Technical Ecstasy (1976)

14. Iron Maiden - "Fear of the Dark" from Fear of the Dark (1992)

15. Warmen - "Trip to..." from Beyond Abilities (2001)

16. Galneryus - "Hunting for Your Dream" from Angel of Salvation (2012) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

17. Masterplan - "Masterplan" from MK II (2007) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

18. Beat Saber, Nekrogoblikon, DragonForce - "Dragon Smash Goblin" from Beat Saber (Original Game Soundtrack) (2025)

19. Turisas - "Rasputin" from Rasputin (2007) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

20. Metal Church - "Badlands" from Blessing in Disguise (1989)

21. Iron Savior - "Until We Meet Again" from Kill or Get Killed (2019) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

22. Edenbridge - "The Grand Design" from The Grand Design (2006)

23. Battlelore - "Ride With the Dragons" from Where the Shadows Lie (2002)

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

Here's my submission for the March Gateway playlist:

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

Ben, please add Jamie's Elsewhere. Their album Rebel Revive has the Metalcore tag fitting the RYM 2:1 ratio (for: 4 - against: 2).

Here's my submission for the March Pit playlist, Vinny:

Annihilator - "Human Insecticide" (from Alice in Hell, 1989)

Ben, please add Elyose.

Welcome to Metal Academy, delacobradavid! I might be able to do some "death corish black metalish" screams. The problem is, I don't really have any professional recording equipment, but I'll let you know when I do.

I've decided to resurrect this thread, but this time only include albums that were out so far this century, inspired by this video:

So here are my top albums for each year of the new century (including the year 2000):

2000: Eighteen Visions - Until the Ink Runs Out

2001: Converge - Jane Doe

2002: Killswitch Engage - Alive or Just Breathing

2003: Kayo Dot - Choirs of the Eye

2004: Unearth - The Oncoming Storm

2005: Trivium - Ascendancy

2006: Mercenary - The Hours That Remain

2007: Becoming the Archetype - The Physics of Fire

2008: All That Remains - Overcome

2009: Trail of Tears - Bloodstained Endurance

2010: High on Fire - Snakes for the Divine

2011: Trivium - In Waves

2012: Make Them Suffer - Neverbloom

2013: Northlane - Singularity

2014: Beartooth - Disgusting

2015: Intronaut - The Direction of Last Things

2016: Insomnium - Winter's Gate

2017: Unleash the Archers - Apex

2018: Ice Nine Kills - The Silver Scream

2019: Shadow of Intent - Melancholy

2020: Code Orange - Underneath

2021: Trivium - In the Court of the Dragon

2022: Lorna Shore - Pain Remains

2023: Mutoid Man - Mutants

2024: Ryujin - Ryujin

2025: Lorna Shore - I Feel the Everblack Festering Within Me

My New Year's resolutions involve both this site and the outside world. Now that I'm getting back in touch with the heavy/power/symphonic metal that was strong within me 10 years ago, along with other melodic genres, thanks to the Guardians playlists I've assembled, I'm really deep into my exploration journey of those genres and finding different bands, whether I haven't heard of them before or I had but somehow missed out on them 10 years ago. And I'm also focusing less on the genres that really don't appeal to me now as it did a few years ago, like alt-metal. I still enjoy a few of the Gateway releases I found recently, but my interest in that metal genre is fading for me and even my alt-rock-loving brother, whom one of the bands we both distanced from is what got him into rock/metal all those years ago in the first place which would lead to me getting into metal.

As for my outside-world resolution, I'll be focusing on becoming independent. Yeah I still live with my parents and have some steps to fulfill before I can be ready to move out on my own. And with me turning 27 soon and having completely finished the book series that I write, there's no better time than this year. This won't affect my time here in Metal Academy...for now. Chances are I'll be busy with a lot of things sometime in the future like college and work and will have to cut down on some of the site features I'm participating in (like the playlists and feature releases), similarly to 3 years ago when I had that college course and internship, or step down from Metal Academy altogether. But we haven't gotten that far ahead yet. I'm still here, so let's enjoy my time in this site while we still can. If there are any significant changes, I'll let you all know.

Ben, please add the new Fear of Domination album Katharsis.

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:

Happy birthday, David Bowie, and RIP.

Happy 20th anniversary to the DragonForce album that first got me into metal! Glad I remembered it this time and didn't have to wait 5 more years. Now don't mind me, I'm just putting down the release dates of a couple more personal milestone releases so that I can remember to post their 5x-year anniversaries on their respective dates:

Trivium - In Waves - August 9, 2011

Lorna Shore - And I Return to Nothingness - August 13, 2021

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:

Well this is interesting. I gave this Blind Guardian album some listening before selecting it this month's feature release to start off 2026, and I thought it was good but not their best album, giving it a 3.5 rating. Then as I listened to it again for this reviewing section, the power metal spark I had within me ignited brighter, as it already has been in the past few months. I ended up boosting my rating up a whole star! I think my Guardians light is finally shining the brightest in so many years. Here's my review summary:

Their first album in 7 and a half years (not including their 2019 orchestral album Legacy of the Dark Lands), The God Machine is a true comeback for the Bards. 30 years after Somewhere Far Beyond, they've resurrected their heavier roots from that album that would be re-recorded two years later in this one. And I mean adding the speed they had in their first 5 albums to their bombastic era of the new millennium. Some songs still have the slower epicness of the latter era. Either way, you can never ignore Hansi Kursch's vocal grace or the top-notch guitar skills of Andre Olbrich and Markus Siepen. This blend of speed and bombast is quite rewarding and gets better in every listen, whether gradually or suddenly. Not many bands can still have their greatness 3 or 4 decades into their career, but the Bards can. So come enter The God Machine!

4.5/5

Recommended tracks: "Deliver Us From Evil", "Secrets of the American Gods", "Life Beyond the Spheres", "Architects of Doom", "Blood of the Elves"

For fans of: Helloween, Persuader, DragonForce

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:

Vision of Disorder still have uniqueness in their alt-metalcore aggression, unleashing all their furious power from their riffing and some grunge-ish groove:

Everything's filled with rage in the best song of Vision of Disorder's comeback album, especially in the riffing and screams:

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

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

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:

I've just done my review, here's its summary:

So this usually hardcore/metalcore band made it big with their first two albums released via Roadrunner Records. They ended up leaving the label and made a mostly demo-re-recorded album with a different label. And if Vision of Disorder fans were expecting another hardcore/metalcore album after that, that's not what they got. Instead, the band jumped on the alt-/nu metal wagon that was really rollin' at the time. As a young metalhead listening to metal long after all that happened, I enjoy From Bliss to Devastation more than those earlier Vision of Disorder fans ever had, and more than the more elite metalheads ever would. I think I still have some Gateway enjoyment left in me with all this sharp alt-metal pleasing my ears. My favorite songs are not just the title epic but also the ones that throw back to their earlier rage and unleash metal fury. However, a couple tracks towards the end are quite repetitive and messy. Nonetheless, From Bliss to Devastation is for people who can appreciate rock-on alt-metal with none of the hip-hop elements of nu metal in sight. Sadly, the lack of success and support would result in the band disbanding temporarily. Still their greatness has stayed strong even in the roughest of times....

4/5

Recommended tracks: "Living to Die", "Southbound", "From Bliss to Devastation", "Downtime Misery", "Pretty Hate", "Done In"

For fans of: Soundgarden, Bloodsimple, Faith No More

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

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

A 6-minute epic with their standard sound filled with different colors:

Vision of Disorder is more than just your friendly neighborhood hardcore band, they can be Converge gone Sepultura in this opening crusher:

I've just done my review, here's its summary:

My interest in progressive melodeath has boosted up ever since encountering the perfect discography of An Abstract Illusion. It was a sign for me to revisit some earlier progressive melodeath bands that I enjoyed yet abandoned a few years ago. In Mourning might just be the place for me to start in my journey of redemption, since that was probably the band An Abstract Illusion reminded me the most of. The Immortal may just have the best sound from the band in many years, sounding so sonic and organic. I can already tell how well-written the album is, in big levels. Slight touches of black metal are added to enhance the cold darkness. Throughout these 9 tracks, aggressive power is blended with melodic harmonies. Often there's bright light alongside a blackening blizzard in what you can visualize as a somber night trek in the northern lands. With all that, let's hope their music stays immortal!

4.5/5

A fantastic 8-minute closing epic of emotional power:

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

Some of the most brutal metalcore I've heard in a while:

Two cool new industrial metal singles:

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