Shadowdoom9 (Andi)'s Forum Replies

An outside-world friend of mine has just showed me this song from the Sonic Frontiers soundtrack. It's really cool and heavy, similar to those Japanese alt-metalcore songs from Gundam Extreme. I like the girl-ish yet tough-guy vocals by Kellin Quinn (Sleeping with Sirens).

This is the kind of epic Tesseract has had with "Concealing Fate" from One and the 4 epics that make up Altered State, missing in the two albums that followed. Tesseract is really back!

Two tracks connected together to make an epic with as much grandeur as their previous ones:

An impressive highlight of rock-ish ambience without sacrificing the dynamic aggression:

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

With Daniel Tompkins' temporary departure from Tesseract, the band had to find a couple other vocalists to fill the void; Elliot Coleman in the Perspective EP and Ashe O'Hara in the Altered State album. Whichever vocalist was in Altered State, that's a perfect offering. Now with Tompkins returning to the band, people were curious about where UK's djent leaders would take them next, and if they would continue to impress. It seems like Tompkins has taken some ambience from his other band at the time, Skyharbor, because that's we're getting more of in the greatness of Polaris! I've also noticed a bit of prog-rock elements as well from late Anathema and The Contortionist at that time, considering those bands share the same record labels, Kscope and eOne. Despite this rock-ish ambience, they never sacrifice the dynamic aggression, picking up where One left off. The bass, drums, and vocals drift through space, while the guitars are still djentrified. This 5-member djent quintet stays true to their identity while breaking the mold. That's how unique and talented they are. And if there any flaws at all, they're so trivial and unnoticeable in the flow of things. An excellent album like this deserves at least one full listen, and Polaris has all you can ask for in smoothness and aggression!

4.5/5

They have returned, the Orlando-based heroes of metalcore! Trivium's new single shows that they're back with a vengeance:

Although I highly enjoy Tesseract's sophomore masterpiece through and through, I can get the most out of this epic of dynamic diversity:

I wanted to include the entire 28-minute 6-track epic "Concealing Fate" in a single video here, but all I could find is this live version. Still it is a solid masterpiece epic of extreme melodic progressive djent that is pretty much the centerpiece of this album, maybe even of this band:

However, anyone who has ordered the album in advance would be lucky to get this bonus track with its short yet massive progressive blitz that one can pick up from Northlane, Within the Ruins, Fallujah, and even Cult of Luna:

Of all the songs from the band my brother likes, this isn't one of them. Despite that, it's still one of my favorite Disturbed songs today:

I'm honestly a little surprised by the results of me recently revisiting this Disturbed album, at a time of two problematic things: 1. Some political controversy towards vocalist David Draiman, and 2. My alt-metal interest is fading as proven by my thoughts on the August 2025 Gateway playlist. It's actually good enough to earn an extra half-star in my previously 3-star rating. Here are my thoughts:

The album is where the band has found the sound they were looking for, by combining the guttural Hell of The Sickness with the cleaner Heaven of Believe. Though while Draiman does his part in combining the aspects of the first two albums, his mix of theatrics and metallics cause him to alternate between two different sides. Having that Gollum-like aspect is a little, well, disturbing, but at least we still the best of both sides, his operatic baritone and his metal intensity. Oh, and his trademark "AH-AH-AH-OWW!!!" In many songs, the verses show him singing in a rap-ish pace, balanced out with the rock-out chorus. The tracks that don't seem to catch on for me are the ones that are either too experimental or repetitive, like the band's attempt at making a prog-ish 6-minute epic or adding too much electronic experimentation. With that said, their Genesis cover rules! Ten Thousand Fists is an album of beastly heaviness as expected in modern rock/metal. However, the more mainstream parts of the album again show the perils of The Gateway and my taste in the clan. But if my interest in alt-/nu metal really does fade away, albums like this help make sure that nothing's in vain....

3.5/5

Recommended tracks: "Ten Thousand Fists", "Just Stop", "Stricken", "Sons of Plunder", "Forgiven", "Land of Confusion", "Sacred Lie"

For fans of: Breaking Benjamin, Staind, Device

Here's my submission for the September North playlist, Sonny:

Waidelotte - "Celestial Shrine" (from Celestial Shrine, 2024)

Here's my submission for the September Pit playlist:

The Haunted - "Warhead" (from Songs of Last Resort, 2025)

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

Architects - "Deep Fake" (3:33) from The Classic Symptoms of a Broken Spirit (2022)

Circle of Dust - "Deviate (Blue Stahli Remix)" (2:55) from alt_Machines (2018)

Fear of Domination - "Ruin" (4:11) from Metanoia (2018)

Illidiance - "Mind Hunters" (3:27) from Damage Theory (2010)

Mechina - "Vanquisher" (6:46) from Acheron (2015)

Neurotech - "Memory Eternal" (8:22) from Memory Eternal (2024)

Total length: 29:14

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

August Burns Red - "Composure" (4:13) from Messengers (2007)

The Breathing Process - "Inferno" (3:54) from In Waking: Divinity (2008)

Drown in Sulphur - "The Sleeping Abomination" (3:46) from Sulphur Cvlt (2021)

Mental Cruelty - "Chapter II - The Rise of the Antichrist" (4:06) from Purgatorium (2018)

Neaera - "Desecrators" (4:46) from Let the Tempest Come (2006)

The Red Chord - "Breed the Cancer" (2:33) from Fused Together in Revolving Doors (2002)

Zao - "The Race of Standing Still" (5:07) from (Self-Titled) (2001)

Total length: 28:25

Here are my submissions for the September Infinite playlist:

Anacrusis - "Release" (4:16) from Screams and Whispers (1993)

Between the Buried and Me - "Obfuscation" (9:15) from The Great Misdirect (2009)

Fallujah - "Kaleidoscopic Waves" (4:12) from Xenotaph (2025)

The Third and the Mortal - "Silently I Surrender" (8:02) from Sorrow (1994) (based on EP's and Rarities compilation, 2004)

Voivod - "Meteor" (4:14) from Negatron (1995)

Total length: 29:59

Here are my submissions for the September Gateway playlist, my last multi-submission round for this clan as my alt-metal interest is taking its toll:

Breaking Benjamin - "Had Enough" (3:50) from Phobia (2006)

Calva Louise - "Lo Que Vale" (3:23) from Edge of the Abyss (2025)

Demon Hunter - "Sorrow Light the Way" (4:30) from Sorrow Light the Way (2025)

Fire From the Gods - "Thousand Lifetimes" (3:12) from Soul Revolution (2022)

Gemini Syndrome - "IDK" (3:35) from 3rd Degree - The Raising (2021)

Ice Nine Kills - "The Great Unknown" (3:02) from The Great Unknown (2025)

Linkin Park - "Breaking the Habit" (3:16) from Meteora (2003)

Ravenface - "Colder" (3:36) from Breathe Again (2018)

Total length: 28:24

Oh dear. Hope you and your family will get well soon, Daniel.

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Sybreed - "Emma-0" from Antares (2007)

5/5. The starting track of this album and playlist has beats and synths rising from the distorted background before unleashing sinister guitar riffing. Vocalist Benjamin Nominét screams his heart out against life struggles mutilating and hurting him.

KONG - "Hok" from Mute Poet Vocalizer (1990)

4.5/5. Another great start, with everything set up by the groovy audible bass by Mark Drillich.

Godflesh - "Slavestate" from Slavestate (1991)

5/5. One of the best songs by these British pioneers of industrial metal, with some of the best bass. Industrial metal is best suited underground and not as highly electronic-focused as bands like Skinny Puppy.

Pitchshifter - "Catharsis" from Industrial (1991)

4.5/5. Another standout, in which black metal-ish guitar tremolos plays over doomy sludge, maintaining the industrial mix.

KMFDM - "Inane" from Xtort (1996)

4/5. This one is INSANE!!! Sascha Konietzko performs his usual vocal distortion alongside rising chords, singing about the band themselves and their greatness. The country-ish guitars are also quite fun.

Genitorturers - "Lessor Gods" from 120 Days of Genitorture (1993)

4.5/5. Another heavy track filled with heavy desire to please the album's listeners, especially from the 30-second opening intro that sounds like Slayer.

Lard - "Bozo Skeleton" from The Last Temptation of Reid (1990)

4/5. Smooth bass once again starts up this mid-paced track with catchy vocals flowing together with heavy instrumentation. This legendary hardcore/industrial combo continues to impress me!

Mechina - "Machine God" from Tyrannical Resurrection (2007)

3.5/5. Attacking in different tempos is this long track, though this version is missing the piano outro.

Skrew - "Jesus Skrew Superstar" from Dusted (1994)

4/5. This one cranks up the thrash, the way Fear Factory and Strapping Young lad would a year after this album's release.

Lord of the Lost, Tina Guo - "Ghosts" from Ghosts (2025)

4.5/5. Amazing piece of beauty and intensity! I love the cello by Tina Guo here.

The Interbeing - "Ruin" from Icon of the Hopeless (2022)

4/5. This one crashes through with more of the pulverizing verses and emotional choruses.

Oddko - "Kitty Girl" from Kitty Girl (2022)

4.5/5. Amazing cyber metal track with touches of Rammstein. But now I can't stop hearing those d*mn meows.

A Dark Halo - "It Never Sleeps" from Omnibus One (2023)

4/5. Another one of my favorites from that A Dark Halo album, sounding haunting while having the lovely clean singing of Mel Rose.

Fear of Domination - "Legion" from Distorted Delusions (2014)

4.5/5. And another favorite track here! Guitar/keyboard melodies reach an intense height, and the ending climax is EPIC.

Cypecore - "Chosen Chaos" from Version 4.5: The Dark Chapter (2024)

4/5. Blasting off is this song with one of the coolest titles ever chosen. It has only a short amount of time for you to actually prepare for the chaos. The blasts and guitarwork strike through with their might. The vocals help make the song sound like industrial melodeath-ish metalcore gone Disturbed.

Fange - "Mortes Promesses" from Purulences (2025)

3.5/5. A good hard-hitter despite some flaws. Enough said!

Rammstein - "Zeig Dich" from Rammstein (2019)

3/5. I prefer Neue Deutsche Härte as a side-dish rather than a main course. Still that second chorus might have potential for a space battle in a German sci-fi film.

Megaherz - "Abendstern" from Götterdämmerung (2012)

2.5/5. Too much of a German romantic love ballad. Moving on...

Source of Tide - "Serenade of Silence" from Blueprints (2002)

3/5. Not a whole lot better, but at least we're back in the English zone.

Ktulu - "In a Gada Da Vida - Iron Butterfly" from 2078" (2000)

3.5/5. A few bonus points for making this Iron Butterfly cover more kick-A.

Dagoba - "The Fall of Men" from What Hell is About (2006)

4/5. Much heavier than the last 5 tracks, so thumbs up for that!

Eisbrecher - "Segne Deinen Schmerz" from Eiszeit (2010)

3.5/5. And we're back into a little more of the NDH. This one's almost like a blend of Rammstein's "Du Hast" and Finger Eleven's "Living in a Dream".

Killing Joke - "Blood on Your Hands" from Killing Joke (2003)

4/5. A groovy highlight from Killing Joke's 2003 self-titled album.

Static-X - "The Trance is the Motion" from Wisconsin Death Trip (1999)

4.5/5. This monolithic standout has better vocals, including those growls by Wayne Static. RIP

Neurotech - "To Theta State" from Stigma (2015)

5/5. And now for this 11-minute epic, an ambient electronic instrumental that marks a perfect mini-journey of darkness and hope. I can't believe how perfect a non-metal track like that can be, and how well it fits in The Sphere!

Omega Lithium - "Pjesma" from Kinetik (2011)

5/5. The final track of this album and playlist marks the band's swan song. It's a shining straight anthem, partly sung in the band's native language. I almost feel like crying in both sadness and joy.

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:

Eighteen Visions - "Vanity" from Vanity (2002)

4.5/5. The great title opener of this Eighteen Visionsalbum pretty much lets you know all that's going on in the playlist and its original album. The metallic riffing drives through as James Hart performs not just screaming but also singing. Despite opening a new dimension in the band's sound, the latter vocal style is not as strong as the former. Neither are the lyrics. That's OK because the heavier sections like the great breakdown makes that track the powerful standout it is.

Blessthefall - "Mallxcore" from Mallxcore (2025)

5/5. Blessthefall will be coming back with their first album in 7 years. I can hear the core in this song, but it's not really mall-worthy, and that's what I love.

Trivium - "Dusk Dismantled" from In Waves (2011)

5/5. This highlight continues the heavy path, this time even more furious, darker, and containing only screaming.

Lorna Shore - "Unbreakable" from Unbreakable (2025)

5/5. I think I just found my new ultimate favorite Lorna Shore track, surpassing the likes of "Cursed to Die" and "And I Return to Nothingness". Lots of Parkway Drive-like melody, and the lyrics are so motivational, "And after it all, our hearts are invincible, like diamonds we glow, WE ARE UNBREAKABLE!!!!"

Wolves at the Gate - "Lights & Fire" from Eulogies (2022)

4.5/5. And the motivation continues! That's something to expect from Christian bands, isn't it?

All That Remains - "Six" from The Fall of Ideals (2006)

5/5. Another death metal-influenced song starting off with lightning fast melodeath riffs and blast beats. Then we have more of the breakdowns and clean/shouting vocals. Then in the middle, the song slows down with melodic riffs, a simple drum beat, and a short solo, before the song repeats the intro one more time.

Cave In - "Crossbearer" from Beyond Hypothermia (1998)

4.5/5. My favorite song of this Cave In demo compilation album, already giving you what to expect from this band. There's the usual metalcore structure within the riffing, screams, and occasional cleans. If there's anything to plant the seed for metal/mathcore bands like The Dillinger Escape Plan, 2000s Converge, Botch, and Skycamefalling, this is that. Everything about this song is memorable, from the intro to the clean bridge and the rifftastic chaos in between, with those vocals hooks embedded in your head. Truly an epitome of classic metalcore!

Calva Louise - "Tunnel Vision" from Edge of the Abyss (2025)

4/5. This one starts with a sweet pop intro, then the rest is an alt-metalcore blast often turning into pop and dubstep. Awesome start for that album!

Dal Av, Jackson Rose - "Colors Collapsed" from Petrichor (2025)

4.5/5. A potential insta-classic banger. What else can I say?

A Day to Remember - "Bullfight" from Bad Vibrations (2016)

5/5. Another f***ing standout of a song! The breakdown shall never be ignored.

As I Lay Dying - "Confined" from Shadows are Security (2005)

4.5/5. If we don't think too much about the sh*t Tim Lambesis has gone through, classics like this can still be enjoyed. There are some things to enjoy, like the clean chorus.

Neaera - "...To Oblivion" from The Rising Tide of Oblivion (2005)

5/5. Although this track works better with the "From Grief" intro, the song itself is an awesome melodeath/metalcore monster. And let me tell you, midway through is one of my favorite riffs of the genre.

Born of Osiris - "Activated" from Through Shadows (2025)

4.5/5. Everything experienced so far is put together in a trancey metalcore fiesta. I love the guest vocals by Underoath's Spencer Chamberlain and the saxophone solo that can surpass "Careless Whisper".

Underoath - "Thorn" from Voyeurist (2022)

4/5. This one is a melodic return to the post-hardcore basics of bands like Circa Survive and I See Stars in flowing emotion. It's a special delicate song to make a nice break from the heavier metalcore anthems.

Parkway Drive - "Karma" from Deep Blue (2010)

4.5/5. Another highlight with excellent riffing and a superb solo that would suffocate you with its technical aura before a monumentally memorable moshing breakdown.

Architects - "Blackhole" from The Sky, the Earth & All Between (2025)

4/5. Another f***ing h*ll of a headbanging single with some of the greatest vocal intensity from Sam Carter. Adding to the perfection is the drumming by Dan Searle. That shall get the live crowd going!

Deadguy - "The Long Search for Perfect Timing" from Near-Death Travel Services (2025)

4.5/5. An aptly titled track ending the earlier fans' 30-year search for a song to surpass the debut. I'm also guessing the band was listening to 7 Angels 7 Plagues in the first few years of inactivity.

Coalesce - "A Disgust for Details" from Functioning on Impatience (1998)

5/5. The most furious way to finish its original album. To be honest, I don't think there's a lot fiercer than that track from much of this band's material or mathcore. That's the heaviness to remind me of us where they started in their debut!

Stevie T - "Metalcore Song" from Metalcore Song (2013)

4.5/5. Lately I've been watching some videos by Steve Terreberry, both his music and his more comedic videos. His "Metalcore Song" is more of a joke track, but it's quite a banger that exemplifies metalcore music and lyrics in a nutshell. I enjoy his growls and singing. And he's right, every song needs a techno breakdown and a solo.

Demon Hunter - "Ribcage" from The Triptych (2005)

4/5. This is the last track in its original album to have any heaviness. It starts with a loud rising blast of guitar riffs. The clean chorus is really impressive, but the growls sound a little off.

August Burns Red - "Bloodletter" from Guardians (2020)

4.5/5. This massive track is filled with aggression and over the top breakdowns. It follows the lyrical theme of greedy needs taking over society. The measures are a bit repetitive, but that's just a small flesh-wound of a flaw.

Motionless in White - "Undead Ahead 2: The Tale of the Midnight Ride" from Disguise (2019)

4/5. My favorite song in this MIW album. As if this song being a sequel to an earlier one wasn't the tip-off, it stands out with a lot of the band's earlier metalcore heaviness and a catchy chorus. The instrumentation is so strong, as is Chris' screaming. Just be careful when driving while listening to this song, especially in the heavy breakdown.

Currents - "It Only Gets Darker" from It Only Gets Darker (2025)

4.5/5. If you think the music in this playlist so far is fun and upbeat, well... IT ONLY GETS DARKER. And the screams get better.

Frontierer - "Corrosive Wash" from Oxidized (2021)

4/5. It also gets more f***ing chaotic, and it's quite addictive.

Converge - "Vengeance" from No Heroes (2006)

3.5/5. And how about a couple really short tracks to throw into the mix! The familiarity is too much to hide here.

Car Bomb - "Rid" from Centralia (2007)

4/5. A brief blast through extreme math-grind.

The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravanganza - "Passenger 57" from Danza 3: The Series of Unfortunate Events (2010)

4.5/5. The members all have kick-A talent, especially proven midway through. Seriously, they should really come back.

Psyopus - "Scissor Fuck Paper Doll" from Our Puzzling Encounters Considered (2007)

4/5. F***ing decimating mathcore that is not for the faint-hearted or the inexperienced.

The Chariot - "Back to Back" from The Fiancee (2007)

4.5/5. Quite some heavy energy for a Christian band, the same kind of energy from Blood of the Martyrs. Whatever beliefs you have, you're here to have fun with some music from this band by former Norma Jean vocalist Josh Scogin.

Cult Leader - "Gutter Gods" from Lightless Walk (2015)

4/5. A kick-A track from an 11-track album of chaos and darkness.

The Red Chord - "Face Area Solution" from Fed Through the Teeth Machine (2009)

4.5/5. One last short deathly blast before the grand finale, with some guest growls by The Acacia Strain's Vincent Bennett.

Mental Cruelty - "A Tale of Salt and Light" from Zwielicht (2023)

5/5. This epic finale has the symphonic death metal/core of Ex Deo and early Betraying the Martyrs to make one of the most glorious deathcore tracks ever! However, there's still one track left that would make a grand continuation and conclusion...

Worm Shepherd - "And at the End of Fear, Silentium" from Hunger (2024)

5/5. One of the best track titles I've seen in all of metal. The track itself is another one of the most glorious tracks I've heard in symphonic blackened deathcore. Chaos and triumph reign all over. The soloing is some of the best I've heard from last year, probably greater than even DragonForce's solos! Evilness and grief continues to last until the end, with a final epic orchestral melodeath march rising into some blackened blasts and screams once more, and finally resting in mournful piano. Man, what an ending!

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!

Ben, please add Eighteen Visions' new 2025 re-recording of Until the Ink Runs Out.

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Sabaton - "The Future of Warfare" from The Great War (2019)

4.5/5. Unleash the power of 32 tanks, the future of warfare in metal is here!

Battle Beast - "Steelbound" from Steelbound (2025)

4/5. A loud mythical anthem. Battle Beast is back!

Lamb of God - "Children of the Grave" from Children of the Grave (2025)

4.5/5. I also had the Guardians playlist all set when the tragic passing of Ozzy Osbourne was announced, and I was thinking about making this playlist more Ozzy/Sabbath-oriented to pay homage to this fallen legend. Ultimately, I decided it would be better to keep the playlist as it is because I wasn't up to compromising all the hard work I've made here. I'm sorry, I really am. But think about it this way; practically none of the bands in this playlist would've existed without the Prince of Darkness and his band. And we have a nicely done tribute in Sonny's Fallen playlist this month. RIP Ozzy... This Lamb of God cover of a Black Sabbath classic is a total banger, and I love the bassline and Randy's well-done attempt at channeling his inner Ozzy Osbourne within his cleans.

Rainbow - "Man on the Silver Mountain" from Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (1975)

4/5. This one is an early hard rock/metal classic, right from that memorable riff. It's the most metallic song in the original Rainbow album while combining their heavy metal side with hard rock. And that's just the start of the variation that would occur in the rest of the album. What makes that track the fresh classic highlight is how guitar-driven it is, as Ritchie Blackmore slides through his riffing and soloing. Dio's vocals help give that guitarwork more atmosphere. RIP Dio, another fallen legend...

Angel Witch - "Angel Witch" from Angel Witch (1980)

4.5/5. Wicked guitar in this heavy/proto-speed metal song to love!

Motorhead - "Motorhead" from The Manticore Tapes (1976/2025)

4/5. RIP yet another legend, Lemmy. The lyrics are pretty great to listen to ("Sunrise, wrong side of another day! Sky high and 6000 miles away!", "Fourth day, five day marathon! We’re moving like a parallelogram!"). Also RIP Fast Eddie and Animal Taylor. While the lives of these heroes are lost, we shall never lose the music.

Gus G., Ronnie Romero - "My Premonition" from My Premonition (2025)

3.5/5. Cool collaboration between Firewind guitarist Gus G. and Ronnie Romero, best known as the vocalist of Rainbow in their recent reunion touring.

Iced Earth - "Depths of Hell" from The Dark Saga (1996)

4/5. Iced Earth have made some kick-A songs over the years, and despite the whole Capitol Riot ordeal, there no way you can go your whole metal life without appreciating some killer bangers like this.

Accept - "Man Up" from Humanoid (2024)

4.5/5. Accept has been making beautiful catchy songs like this since the late 70s/80s. Keep calm and MAN UP.

Ozzy Osbourne - "I Don't Know" from Blizzard of Ozz (1980)

4/5. Once again, RIP Ozzy. Let's face it, if you're listening to popular metal bands like Metallica, Slayer, Celtic Frost, and Overkill, you gotta thank the Prince of Darkness for planting the seed of those band's existence simply by doing his part in creating the entire heavy metal realm. And you have to thank guitarist Randy Rhoads and drummer Lee Kerslake for their inspiring influential work too. RIP... One of my favorite parts is the slow ethereal riffing midway through. However, my only problem is the bass sounding a bit off. Only God knows what metal's future will be like with Ozzy. Don't ask me, I DON'T KNOW!!!

Metal Church - "Beyond the Black" from Metal Church (1984)

4.5/5. Another metal blast from the past! The drumming here is filled with savage passion. I probably would've loved this a lot more when I was power metal-loving teenager though. The structure is quite well-constructed, right from the ominous intro, and I can hear the impact the band would have towards Sanctuary and 90s Metallica. Do you think the name of this song also inspired the name of German symphonic metal band Beyond the Black? Probably.

Metallica - "Sad But True" from Metallica (1991)

4/5. After all this talk about Metallica, here's a hit from that band to make any metalhead's day.

Mercyful Fate - "Come to the Sabbath" from Don't Break the Oath (1984)

4.5/5. All over the world, from east to west, Mercyful Fate and King Diamond would send the idea of satanic themes in metal to help develop the more extreme black metal.

Masterplan - "Enlighten Me" from Masterplan (2003)

5/5. Wow, this band is already enlightening me. More please!

Mechina - "Gene Heresy" from Telesterion (2019)

5/5. A grand over 10-minute epic that should touch the hearts of earlier fans and anyone who loves long tracks. It might just surpass "Anagenesis" as one of the greatest epics Mechina has ever done!

Visions of Atlantis - "Cast Away" from Cast Away (2004)

5/5. RIP Nicole Bogner. What a beautiful operatic siren-like voice she had. I also like the male singing by their other former vocalist Mario Plank. Sounds close to my vocal range so it should be easy for me to sing his part.

Rhapsody of Fire - "A Brave New Hope" from Challenge the Wind (2024)

4.5/5. With Rhapsody of Fire still having their magic for around 3 decades, symphonic power metal may just have a brave new hope.

Heavenly - "Evil" from Dust to Dust (2004)

5/5. We shall fight to carry on the other side of the life!

Sonata Arctica - "Shah Mat" from Clear Cold Beyond (2024)

4.5/5. The name of this song is Romanian for "Checkmate". The choir in the intro almost makes it sound like the intro of Lorna Shore's "Sun Eater".

Alestorm - "No Quarter" from Black Sails at Midnight (2009)

4/5. This was one of my favorite Alestorm songs, and I still think it's a sick banger. Now listen to the last minute of this track and see if you hear something familiar...

Gloryhammer - "On a Quest for Aberdeen" from On a Quest for Aberdeen (2025)

4.5/5. It's insane how much I'm regrowing my interest in fantasy and power metal after my near-8-year hiatus from the majority of the genre. For Aberdeen!

Apocalyptica - "Helden" from Worlds Collide (2007)

5/5. I think this is one of the only songs with a 5-star rating from me to be sung by Rammstein's Till Lindemann and/or entirely in German. It would be interesting to sing this cover in the original David Bowie song's English language. It shall be praised forever and ever!

Joe Stump - "Viking Pillage" from Diabolical Ferocity (2021)

4.5/5. Don't expect any viking metal here, this is Joe Stump's usual shredtastic neoclassical metal!

Galneryus - "Chain of Distress" from Under the Force of Courage (2015)

5/5. A fantastic beautiful song for anyone at a time of grief and distress. It's hard to believe that I would be interested in a band via a ballad, but here I am.

Enforcer - "Mask of Red Death" from From Beyond (2015)

5/5. The Crimson Glory and Iron Maiden-like aspects really shine in this one. Awesome riff-filled track to end this playlist! Thanks for this, Sonny. I'm up for more of this band.

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 are my thoughts on some tracks (still going strong in this clan):

Calva Louise – W.T.F. (2025)

4/5. A great track to start my commenting run, frantic progressiveness with a punky pace.

Cynic – Sentiment (1993)

4.5/5. This might just be the best track of this Cynic album, maybe one of the best of prog-metal! The best part of it all is the ethereal midsection bridge.

Scale the Summit – Mass (2017)

5/5. A killer masterpiece of beauty, with lovely acoustic guitarwork by Yvette Young.

Sea in the Sky – Dingus (2014)

4.5/5. An amazing unique song for one with an amusing insult as its title.

Seventh Wonder – Tiara’s Song (Farewell Pt. 1) (2018)

5/5. Now we head back to the non-instrumental songs. As always, the vocal power by Tommy Karevik and the basswork by Andreas Blomqvist shine the most. The lyrics rule as well, "With you, Tiara, we crown the skies, unlike Aniara you won't fly to your demise." Even though Tommy is out of Seventh Wonder now, he's still with Kamelot.

Shylmagoghmar – I Am the Abyss (2014)

4.5/5. In this 9-minute instrumental, everything shines in beautiful melancholy! And while the rest of that Shylmagoghmar album isn't progressive enough for The Infinite, that highlight alone certainly is.

Waidelotte – Opulent Mirage (2024)

4/5. This one is another progressive highlight, mixing the mid-2000s eras of Enslaved, Leprous, and Opeth.

Watchtower – M-Theory Overture (2016)

4.5/5. Concluding with Watchtower's prog-thrash sound still stable is this EP's under 4-minute overture.. It goes beyond overture levels by getting listeners geared up for the thrashy riffing and time changes coming up in the EP's pther 4 tracks. They continue to give their longtime fans delight!

Well, Saxy, as much as I appreciate all your work on the Gateway playlists, this one kind of threw me off. I mean, it starts off great and strong in like the first quarter of the playlist, but then it falls into... I really hate to say this, "mid" territory. Don't worry, it's not the fault of the songs nor your song choices (apart from not including my Linkin Park submission). It's just the matter of my mood, and with the majority of my track ratings being 3 stars or under, including my own submissions, it means I'm not as excited about The Gateway as I was earlier, and it doesn't give me enough motivation to continue listening to the playlists from this clan. Sorry about this. Again it's not your fault, just my mood. I still have one more round of track submissions planned for your September Gateway playlist though. In the meantime, here are my thoughts on some tracks from this month's playlist, including that strong first quarter:

Alligatoah/Fred Durst – So Raus (2024)

3.5/5. OK, this one's not too bad for me for a rap metal duet. Better lyrics than other tracks of the genre out there.

Breaking Benjamin – Crawl (2009)

4/5. For nearly half my life, this is one of my brother's favorite Breaking Benjamin track. I enjoy this one too, having some of the best lyrics in alt-rock/metal.

Burn Season – Any Harder (2011)

4.5/5. Oh wow, these vocals are so otherworldly! I really should recommend this to my bro for him to listen. Sadly, they split up after this album.

Code Orange – Grooming my Replacement (2023)

5/5. The only track in this playlist to receive a perfect 5-star rating from me. This is the closest the band has been to their savage past roots in a more industrial level. The distortion is Morgan's vocals makes him sound possessed, in this unique heavy production. I was wondering about whether or not I should include it in a Sphere playlist, but f*** it, it sounds brilliant here.

Dir En Grey – Ranunculus (2018)

4.5/5. I love this beautiful composition, continuing the melodic experimental alt-metal sound Dir En Grey has had since Vulgar. One of my favorites from this band! While I was a late bloomer when discovering this band in my early 20s in the early 2020s, better late than never. And it's so haunting without ever going deathly.

Disturbed – The Vengeful One (2015)

4/5. Another one of my brother's favorite tracks that I also enjoy. I can't really play guitar, but if I could, I would perform a cover of this song for his birthday or something.

Earthtone9 – Grind and Click (1999)

3.5/5. Pretty good, but a bit stretchy for a shorter song. Will the tone of the playlist be better?...

Falling in Reverse/Marilyn Manson – God is a Weapon (2025)

3/5. Unfortunately, no. As much as I'm one of the very few people to love Popular Monster, the more I listen to Falling in Reverse's collaboration with Marilyn Manson, the less it agrees with me. The chorus sounds epic, especially the final one, but everything else is a bit bland. Now I'm starting to feel the hate people have towards those two artists.

Fever 333 – Made An America (2018)

2.5/5. F***ing d*mn it, those lyrics are too immature for my standards, "They call it cleaning up the streets, We call HOMICIDE!" The chorus has some good points, but that's about it really.

Gemini Syndrome – Stardust (2013)

3/5. A decent song with just a couple things I like such as the guitarwork by Mike Salerno (RIP) and the bridge at over the two-minute mark.

Limp Bizkit – My Generation (2000)

2.5/5. If my brother can raise his horns to songs by this band, good for him. All I know is, the rap metal generation doesn't really fly for me.

Metallica – Frantic (2003)

2/5. Perhaps the lowest point of this playlist for me, or at least in the parts I'm commenting on. I'm not going to continue describing how bad this song and most of the other ones in St. Anger are. My thoughts are all in my review if you'd like to check it out.

Nonpoint – Chaos and Earthquakes (2018)

2.5/5. Good lyrics, but the music sounds too Rage Against the Machine-ish and comes out poorly.

Sleep Token – Emergence (2025)

3/5. My thoughts on the last two songs I've chosen to review are actually kind of a surprise, considering how much I've enjoyed these bands. For Sleep Token, the electropop side is a little too top-heavy, and not even Take Me Back to Eden had that kind of lack of balance in its songs. The heaviness is still there to some degree, but not enough. All in all, seems a little too tame and lame for me, a serious metalhead who is age 26, turning 27 in less than half a year.

Waltari – Kill for Sport (2025)

2.5/5. For Waltari, the heaviness starts off killer, but the vocals by Kärtsy Hatakka end up ruining everything. And I'm only just realizing this as I was giving this playlist a listen, making me wish I didn't submit this sh*t to the playlist. The alt-metal dream for me is dead... Unless my final round of track submissions for the next playlist says otherwise.

Excellent choice, Saxy! I look forward to reviewing this album by these British progressive djent masters and the rest of their discography.

August 2025

1. Sybreed - "Emma-0" from Antares (2007) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

2. KONG - "Hok" from Mute Poet Vocalizer (1990)

3. Godflesh - "Slavestate" from Slavestate (1991)

4. Pitchshifter - "Catharsis" from Industrial (1991)

5. KMFDM - "Inane" from Xtort (1996)

6. Genitorturers - "Lessor Gods" from 120 Days of Genitorture (1993)

7. Lard - "Bozo Skeleton" from The Last Temptation of Reid (1990)

8. Mechina - "Machine God" from Tyrannical Resurrection (2007) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

9. Skrew - "Jesus Skrew Superstar" from Dusted (1994)

10. Lord of the Lost, Tina Guo - "Ghosts" from Ghosts (2025)

11. The Interbeing - "Ruin" from Icon of the Hopeless (2022) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

12. Oddko - "Kitty Girl" from Kitty Girl (2022)

13. A Dark Halo - "It Never Sleeps" from Omnibus One (2023) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

14. Fear of Domination - "Legion" from Distorted Delusions (2014) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

15. Cypecore - "Chosen Chaos" from Version 4.5: The Dark Chapter (2024)

16. Fange - "Mortes Promesses" from Purulences (2025)

17. Rammstein - "Zeig Dich" from Rammstein (2019)

18. Megaherz - "Abendstern" from Götterdämmerung (2012)

19. Source of Tide - "Serenade of Silence" from Blueprints (2002)

20. Ktulu - "In a Gada Da Vida - Iron Butterfly" from 2078" (2000)

21. Dagoba - "The Fall of Men" from What Hell is About (2006)

22. Eisbrecher - "Segne Deinen Schmerz" from Eiszeit (2010)

23. Killing Joke - "Blood on Your Hands" from Killing Joke (2003)

24. Static-X - "The Trance is the Motion" from Wisconsin Death Trip (1999)

25. Neurotech - "To Theta State" from Stigma (2015)

26. Omega Lithium - "Pjesma" from Kinetik (2011) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

August 2025

1. Eighteen Visions - "Vanity" from Vanity (2002) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

2. Blessthefall - "Mallxcore" from Mallxcore (2025)

3. Trivium - "Dusk Dismantled" from In Waves (2011)

4. Lorna Shore - "Unbreakable" from Unbreakable (2025) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

5. Wolves at the Gate - "Lights & Fire" from Eulogies (2022) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

6. All That Remains - "Six" from The Fall of Ideals (2006) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

7. Cave In - "Crossbearer" from Beyond Hypothermia (1998)

8. Calva Louise - "Tunnel Vision" from Edge of the Abyss (2025)

9. Dal Av, Jackson Rose - "Colors Collapsed" from Petrichor (2025)

10. A Day to Remember - "Bullfight" from Bad Vibrations (2016)

11. As I Lay Dying - "Confined" from Shadows are Security (2005)

12. Neaera - "...To Oblivion" from The Rising Tide of Oblivion (2005)

13. Born of Osiris - "Activated" from Through Shadows (2025)

14. Underoath - "Thorn" from Voyeurist (2022) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

15. Parkway Drive - "Karma" from Deep Blue (2010) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

16. Architects - "Blackhole" from The Sky, the Earth & All Between (2025)

17. Deadguy - "The Long Search for Perfect Timing" from Near-Death Travel Services (2025)

18. Coalesce - "A Disgust for Details" from Functioning on Impatience (1998)

19. Stevie T - "Metalcore Song" from Metalcore Song (2013)

20. Demon Hunter - "Ribcage" from The Triptych (2005)

21. August Burns Red - "Bloodletter" from Guardians (2020)

22. Motionless in White - "Undead Ahead 2: The Tale of the Midnight Ride" from Disguise (2019)

23. Currents - "It Only Gets Darker" from It Only Gets Darker (2025)

24. Frontierer - "Corrosive Wash" from Oxidized (2021)

25. Converge - "Vengeance" from No Heroes (2006)

26. Car Bomb - "Rid" from Centralia (2007)

27. The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravanganza - "Passenger 57" from Danza 3: The Series of Unfortunate Events (2010)

28. Psyopus - "Scissor Fuck Paper Doll" from Our Puzzling Encounters Considered (2007)

29. The Chariot - "Back to Back" from The Fiancee (2007)

30. Cult Leader - "Gutter Gods" from Lightless Walk (2015)

31. The Red Chord - "Face Area Solution" from Fed Through the Teeth Machine (2009) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

32. Mental Cruelty - "A Tale of Salt and Light" from Zwielicht (2023)

33. Worm Shepherd - "And at the End of Fear, Silentium" from Hunger (2024)

August 2025

1. Sabaton - "The Future of Warfare" from The Great War (2019)

2. Battle Beast - "Steelbound" from Steelbound (2025)

3. Lamb of God - "Children of the Grave" from Children of the Grave (2025)

4. Rainbow - "Man on the Silver Mountain" from Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (1975)

5. Angel Witch - "Angel Witch" from Angel Witch (1980)

6. Motorhead - "Motorhead" from The Manticore Tapes (1976/2025)

7. Gus G., Ronnie Romero - "My Premonition" from My Premonition (2025)

8. Iced Earth - "Depths of Hell" from The Dark Saga (1996)

9. Accept - "Man Up" from Humanoid (2024)

10. Ozzy Osbourne - "I Don't Know" from Blizzard of Ozz (1980)

11. Metal Church - "Beyond the Black" from Metal Church (1984)

12. Metallica - "Sad But True" from Metallica (1991)

13. Mercyful Fate - "Come to the Sabbath" from Don't Break the Oath (1984)

14. Masterplan - "Enlighten Me" from Masterplan (2003)

15. Mechina - "Gene Heresy" from Telesterion (2019) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

16. Visions of Atlantis - "Cast Away" from Cast Away (2004)

17. Rhapsody of Fire - "A Brave New Hope" from Challenge the Wind (2024)

18. Heavenly - "Evil" from Dust to Dust (2004)

19. Sonata Arctica - "Shah Mat" from Clear Cold Beyond (2024)

20. Alestorm - "No Quarter" from Black Sails at Midnight (2009)

21. Gloryhammer - "On a Quest for Aberdeen" from On a Quest for Aberdeen (2025)

22. Apocalyptica - "Helden" from Worlds Collide (2007)

23. Joe Stump - "Viking Pillage" from Diabolical Ferocity (2021)

24. Galneryus - "Chain of Distress" from Under the Force of Courage (2015)

25. Enforcer - "Mask of Red Death" from From Beyond (2015) [Suggested by Sonny]

Here's my review summary:

As we all know, Northern Europe has pretty much the biggest amount of metal bands in any subregion. Denmark doesn't have as many popular metal bands as in Norway, Sweden, and Finland, but I enjoy some notable bands from the country including Mercenary and Mnemic. What if you can combine the sounds of those two bands to make tech-ish melodeath/cyber metal? Enter the Interbeing, whose killer talent is highly displayed in their perfect debut Edge of the Obscure! The cyber melody and heavy rhythms show a lot of the band's Mnemic/Fear Factory influences. There's also djenty groove worth headbanging to if you're a fan of Periphery and Meshuggah. With that, Edge of the Obscure shows that the band can wear their influences like a battle jacket. Something that sounds amongst the best really should've made it big!

5/5

Recommended tracks: "Pulse Within the Paradox", "Face Deletion", "Fields of Grey", "Swallowing White Light", "Celestial Flames", "Rhesus Artificial"

For fans of: Fear Factory, Mnemic, Soilwork

Here's my review summary:

August Burns Red has one of the most solid discographies to come from a metalcore band. They've made great albums in their career, including the perfect Constellations. I've always wondered if there would ever be another August Burns Red that as much of a masterpiece as Constellations. Well I shall wonder no more with their new offering Death Below! The album is a much further throwback with their fast pacing in songs that I can consider total bangers. Plus a few songs each have a guest appearance from a vocalist or guitarist of another well-known metalcore band, and that's often a grand treat. Those guests includes Killswitch Engage vocalist Jesse Leach, guitarist Jason Richardson (known for his work with All That Remains, All Shall Perish, Born of Osiris, and Chelsea Grin), Erra's JT Cavey, and Underoath vocalist Spencer Chamberlain. An alternate version of "The Cleansing" also includes the one and only Will Ramos of Lorna Shore. Oh yeah, "The Cleansing" and "Reckoning" are two of the greatest highlights here, two nearly 8-minute epics that are the band's longest, not including the closing epic of their 2005 debut, all full of stylistic transcendence. All in all, Death Below can show you how to overcome the dark struggles of this decade and look into the light, through heaviness and despair. August Burns Red's 10th album can very well be their greatest, most ambitious work yet!

5/5

Recommended tracks: "The Cleansing", "Ancestry", "Backfire", "Revival", "Dark Divide", "Reckoning"

For fans of: All That Remains, Erra, Killswitch Engage

Here's my sneak peek submission for the September Guardians playlist:

Kiuas - "Warrior Soul" (from The Spirit of Ukko, 2005)

Update for September:

THE FALLEN: SONNY, Vinny

THE GATEWAY: SAXY, Andi

THE GUARDIANS: KARL, Andi, Sonny

THE HORDE: SONNY, Karl, Vinny

THE INFINITE: ANDI, Saxy

THE NORTH: VINNY, Sonny, Karl

THE PIT: VINNY, Sonny

THE REVOLUTION: ANDI

THE SPHERE: ANDI

Annihilator is one of the most prolific bands around, as well as one of the chameleon-esque bands when it comes to its lineup, having dozens of lineup changes throughout these past 4 decades. This includes having several different vocalists throughout their tenure, one of them being remaining founding member Jeff Waters. I enjoy all of those vocalists, but if I were to do a ranking of all the ones that appear in different albums, here's what it would be, from worst to best:

7. Joe Comeau - Carnival Diablos, Waking the Fury

These early 2000s albums are a couple of the most furious releases by the band. However, Joe Comeau's vocals are OK but not so great. If the band could've re-recorded those two albums with Dave Padden while he was still in the band, I would've enjoyed them more.

6. Jeff Waters - King of the Kill, Refresh the Demon, Remains, Suicide Society, For the Demented, Ballistic Sadistic

As much as I enjoy the guitarwork of Jeff Waters, his singing, not a huge lot. It's the same problem with Scorpions' Uli Jon Roth; better at guitar than vocals.

5. Aaron Randall - Set the World on Fire

I don't have to explain much when the one album Aaron Randall was in is one of the lowest but still enjoyable parts of the discography.

4. Dave Padden - All for You, Schizo Deluxe, Metal, Annihilator, Feast

Dave Padden is the vocalist who was able to stay with the band the longest without leaving or passing vocal duties to someone else, with a decade-long run of 5 consecutive albums. Metal is one of my all-time favorite Annihilator albums besides the first two. Though he still can't beat some one of the one-off vocalists in my opinion.

3. Stu Block - Metal II

I'm familiar with the vocals of Stu Block from Into Eternity and Iced Earth, so hearing him in the Metal re-recording was like a cherry on top an already perfect metal sundae.

2. Randy Rampage - Alice in Hell, Criteria for a Black Widow

The albums with Randy Rampage are two of the most awesome albums by the band, and rightfully so. Rampage's vocals rule! RIP... However, there's one other vocalist that I think should've had more time in the spotlight...

1. Coburn Pharr - Never Neverland

Since Coburn Pharr's passing last February, I've given the one album he appeared in, Never Neverland, some more listening, and believe it or not, I just realized how glorious he sounded! No disrespect to Randy Rampage and other vocalists, but Pharr really should've stayed with the band, as I think his vocals would've made them more popular and less everchanging in the lineup, at least in the vocal department. Sadly he's gone now. RIP

Anyway, all of these vocalists are quite good, and not super terrible in any way. I just prefer some over others, and that's my true opinion. Any vocalists you think shine more in Annihilator's discography? Discuss!

My favorite track in the more alternative side, shining with Jess Allanic's vocals:

Although this Calva Louise album isn't progressive enough for The Infinite, there are a few tracks that stand out in the clan on their own, like this unpredictable highlight:

An awesome alt-metalcore blast often turning into pop and dubstep:

Ben, please add Dead Silence Hides My Cries (also qualifies in The Revolution as deathcore).

Ben, please add these bands:

Decode the Design

Subliminal Fear

Just weeks after his final concert with Black Sabbath, it became time for his true farewell. Ozzy Osbourne, Prince of Darkness, metal's forefather.... May he rest in peace.

A couple more of my favorite metal YouTubers I've been watching lately include Steve Terreberry (definitely in the "funny" category) and Jared Dines. For the latter, Jared hosted a contest for vocalists to write their own chorus to perform for a song he wrote for his project with Howard Jones (ex-Killswitch Engage, Light the Torch), Sion. The winner would have their chorus added to the final product. NO, I didn't participate. I may be good at clean/harsh vocals, but I'm so not ready for the spotlight. Still I had a blast listening to around 150 vocalists sing and scream their hearts out. However, that's not all of them. It's only around 5% of the total, because Jared had actually received 3000 ENTRIES!!! Wow! This proves that there are still so many vocalists with confident passion this year besides the professionals out there. And it might just be the biggest metal vocalist contest in YouTube history! Anyway, the contest is over, and while the winner has gotten what he earned, we can still appreciate what other people have submitted, 100 of whom can be found in this video (quite a long one, so you don't have to watch it all if it's too much):

Here's a list of all the singers I enjoy from that video (consider this a list of who I would recommend listening to if you can't sit through the whole thing):

1:23 JOHHNY CIARDULLO (known for his Lorna Shore clean-sung covers, I enjoy his melody towards the end)

3:18 SPENCER (DAMAGEJOY) (quite some killer vocals here)

5:07 SAM POWER

6:22 ZSANI

7:36 MARIJE

8:51 HEAVY HOLDEN

9:31 YULIYA

11:32 DRYSTAN BARNETT (some of the most natural vocals here)

12:45 LAUREN

15:20 BENNY MARSON KHONGWIR (from delicate air to deathly fire)

17:32 SPRING HOLLOW

18:10 KURT WONDRELY

18:47 KOTTI (despite not winning, he had some potential)

19:23 LINUS

23:50 DANNY CHAVIS

27:03 NICOLAS GONZALEZ

30:05 JEREMY GRAHAM (such an impressive vocal range)

33:43 DAN ROHDE (Bring Your Pet Dog to a Vocal Contest Day)

39:27 MATTEO MAGAZZINI

42:26 PATRICK RUSSEL (that metal synthwave guy)

43:03 CHRIS HUFF

50:03 ASTRID CAROLINA (beautiful voice and beautiful hair, my personal favorite in the female category)

50:46 BOGDAN HASAS

51:24 BRANDON RENEGADE (probably the closest sounding to Howard Jones here)

52:00 BRYCE GARLAND

52:37 CAM HESSELBROCK

53:16 CAM WALCH

54:37 BEING HUMAN

56:41 CURTIS BLAND

57:28 DOOMICK THE PANCAKE

58:03 THE STEPMOMS (interesting band name)

58:40 EMIL SKOLD

59:20 EMIR BEKBOLOTOV (my personal favorite in the heavy category)

59:59 FELIPE QUEIROZ

1:04:50 JORDAN HOUGHTON (the most pop-ish one here)

1:06:40 KASEY KARLSEN

1:08:04 LINUS (SAWCON) (the German lyrics really pack a punch)

1:08:41 LOGAN GAMESON

1:16:31 NIGHTFARER (reminds me a bit of Issues)

1:17:49 PETER MITCHELL

1:22:45 LEO KRACK (amazing blackened-ish screaming, but hard to hear the song)

1:26:55 YELLOWSTAR

1:28:58 ZOKZO (my personal favorite in the melodic category)

1:29:39 DARIO SAVINO

1:30:55 SOHEIL AVAKH (my personal favorite in the category that blends heavy and melodic)

1:31:30 ADAM R

1:40:42 JOEL DICKSON (excellent, but why did he only do the first half?)

1:43:48 CHRISTIAN O'NEAL (impressive highs, close to post-hardcore category)

As much as all those vocalists deserve their time to shine, of course, there could only be one winner. I won't spoil who won, but I'll say he's easily one of my top 10 in the list. If you'd like to know the winner, see this video at 15:40, 21:20, and 23:40:

All the best, Daniel and Sonny.

Take good care of yourself, Sonny, and hope everything will still be OK for you.

Today I decided to check out those two bonus cover songs from the Warkings album Morgana. As much as they really nailed their Powerwolf cover... they really butchered one of DragonForce's greatest hits. First of all, why did they add a low G-tuned 7th string to the guitar?! Everyone knows a DragonForce song shouldn't sound djent-ish! And now it sounds more like that sh*tty Sabaton song "Union" that I said was like a f***ed-up version of "Cry Thunder". Just stick with the 6-string guitar and play the song in C-minor! Or was the Tribune (Georg Neuhauser) not able to reach the highs of Marc Hudson? Second, Morgana's growls just don't sit well in the verses, making it sound like Arch Enemy covered the song with Marc Hudson's vocals as a not-so-generous way of paying back for having Alissa White-Gluz appear in the guest vocalist edition of "Burning Heart". Third, THE SOLO AND FINAL CHORUS ARE SHORTENED!!! It's like a radio edit or something, and not even DragonForce did that with the original! All in all, a recipe for failure:

Today I decided to check out those two bonus cover songs from the Warkings album Morgana. Their cover of this Powerwolf hit is just SPOT-ON, really doing the original justice. Thumbs-up for this one! Unlike the other cover song that I'll mention soon...

Epic crushing sorrow to end the new Born of Osiris album:

Everything experienced so far in the new Born of Osiris album is put together in a trancey metalcore fiesta:

An epic throwback to the band's blackened side of their past, packed with sounds of deathly destruction:

This melancholic finale marks yet another epic deathcore album ending with the best climax:

A grand blend of the symphonic melodeath of Skyfire and early Starkill with the deathly metalcore of Bleeding Through:

The new Shadow of Intent masterpiece album closes with another one of the darkest epics in deathcore:

The earlier Deadguy fans' 30-year search for the perfect song to surpass the debut is over. What they've been looking for is right here: