Shadowdoom9 (Andi)'s Forum Replies

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Total length: 29:30

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

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

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

Total length: 28:35

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

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

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

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

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

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

Total length: 26:14

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Fear Factory - "Recode" from Aggression Continuum (2021)

5/5. This maniacal opener begins with a cinematic intro consisting of a Terminator-like speech over dreamy keyboards. Then the massive rapid-fire thrash commences with heavy djenty assault from the guitars and bass, as the keyboards go on in symphonic grandeur to add hope to the desolation. The otherwise mundane verse-chorus structure shows how well-composed the song is when the verses go aggressive and the chorus goes anthemic. A simple structure for this widely-ranged opener of this album!

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

4.5/5. Dome Runner has just came back with their new second album World Panopticon. This track is one of a few 7-minute epics that have there, and it rules!

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

4.5/5. Many people know this song from the soundtrack of Queen of the Damned, a film starring the late Aaliyah (RIP). I like the instrumentation along with the lyrics ("To see you..."). Nice melodic color to go with the industrial heaviness.

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

5/5. Incredible cover of that hit song by The Prodigy, with added lyrics. 1914 seems like the kind of band I should listen to more of despite their blackened death metal sound.

The Amenta - "Flesh is Heir" from Flesh is Heir (2013)

4.5/5. Bleak doom-ish tremolo melody opens this album's title track that then blasts off into deathly chaos.

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

5/5. "Why do I stay in the middle? Why do I say just a little?" I'm glad Bad Omens hasn't left for good, having more of their alt-metal sound in a more industrial direction.

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

4.5/5. So the masters of parody power metal have collaborated with Amaranthe harsh vocalist Mikael Sehlin to make Electric Callboy-infused foot fetish-core. This is both interesting and disturbing at the same time. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised, considering they have a song with the laughable title of "Armpits of Immortals".

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

5/5. Fear of Domination have their brand-new album Katharsis coming out soon! This epic single from the album seems to emphasize their earlier industrial/trance metal roots more with some slight glimpses of their melodeath side. A hard-hitting masterpiece of a song!

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

4.5/5. Die Krupps has been active since the early 1980s and are staying strong and heavy. They just fire away with their riffing and keys here. If I was living in Germany, I would've gotten more interested in German industrial rock/metal and Neue Deutsche Harte, maybe also learn the language. We'll look out for when a new album arrives.

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

4/5. Oh yeah, let's get a little a bit of Static-X in here. RIP Wayne Static...

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

4.5/5. I've heard the original Warlock song before when assembling an earlier Guardians playlist. Eisbrecher's cover has great and doesn't spoil anything despite being in a different style. Someone should make a mashup/duet using both versions!

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

5/5. Apparently, Hanzel und Gretyl is an American band starting off as NDH before getting more extreme. The samples help make this a rad standout, particularly the Arabic chanting at the start of the last minute.

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

4.5/5. A dark melancholic song that would fit well in the similarly titled indie video game.

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

5/5. Bad Omens isn't the only metalcore band going the alt-/industrial metal route. Silent Planet has also jumped in! What's next? Currents? Invent Animate? They still have their metalcore roots while delivering lyrics dedicated to fallen loved ones, "Hallucinations of every friend you couldn’t save, every breath they couldn’t take".

Vibrion - "Aguanta" from Instinct (2002)

4.5/5. Now we're heading to the earlier sludgy industrial metal...

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

4.5/5. ...While making room for some fast industrial black metal.

Godflesh - "Streetcleaner" from Streetcleaner (1989)

5/5. The torturously tremendous title track of Godflesh's breakthrough debut begins with a disturbing sound sample of suffering, then starts the industrial sludge/doom march as aliens clean the streets free from the corpses of those killed in the invasion, announcing the death of humanity.

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

4.5/5. I love this Lady Gaga cover more that the one they made for "Judas".

Circle of Dust - "Deviate (1992)" from Brainchild (1994)

5/5. I actually love this demo version more than in the main Brainchild album, sounding strong, even without the midsection commentary.

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

4.5/5. Excellent eerie way to calm down before we get to the cyber metal part of this playlist.

Vortech - "Posthumanism" from Posthumanism (2009)

4/5. Deathly cyber metal greatness that can fire through walls.

Malmonde - "Machine" from Malmonde (2003)

3.5/5. Another good cyber metal track, but I feel like actual drumming would've made it better.

Mechina - "The Collapse Promised to All" from Bellum Interruptum (2025)

4/5. Although the cheesy 80s synths in songs like this one are part of what made me lose interest in Mechina, they're still underrated and need to be further recognized globally, maybe even listened to while playing games like Starcraft.

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

4.5/5. Same with this band, with a new different direction for their cyber metal sound, including a guest appearance by Jot Maxi of Hacktivist.

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

4/5. Then we have the 8-minute finale of the new Turmion Katilot album, which has nice dance-y industrial metal, but the Babymetal-like J-pop moments are a bit too much.

Pain - "The Last Drops of My Life" from Pain (1997)

4.5/5. An interesting slow finale. After all that experimentation, we can just calm down with a mostly soft ambient ending.

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:

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

5/5. The opening march gets you ready for the action, blasting off into what may be the closest to the band's melodic metalcore roots (one of the only tracks in the new Demon Hunter album to qualify for The Revolution) complete with rapid blasts and vocalist Ryan Clark's growls of yester-decade.

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

4.5/5. Lamb of God still have their identity while taking on more of the beatdown metalcore of Kublai Khan, along with Randy Blythe's vocals getting deeper and meaner. The bridge and guitar soloing throughout the 3rd quarter is a killer throwback to their 2000s era. Soloing is uncommon for this band, but Mark Morton never misses his mark.

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

4/5. Dreamwake has a recognizably unique sound in the guitars, bass, and drums, along with the synths and saxophone to make what's basically synthwave metal.

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

4.5/5. I'd like to thank Mike Metal for sharing his band Deadtide here in this site. This track is such a powerful banger! Everything sounds both real and unreal.

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

5/5. After that Spiritbox-esque intro, we have some brutal verses with vocals by Michael Barr and Myke Terry, with the latter hitting some searing highs. This album Happier would also have some, well, happier moments in other songs. Still this is probably the best of this album! I love the f***ing killer riffing at over the one-minute mark, and the mind-f***ing breakdown over another minute later. The lyrics seem to protest against racism and violence. Another wicked banger of a song!

Zao - "Conflict" from Preface: Early Recordings 1995-1996 (2020)

4.5/5. Ah, some old-school Zao. This is from when Eric Reeder was still with the band.

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

5/5. Another hard-hitting headbanger, featuring different vocalists including Matt Honeycutt of Kublai Khan. HOLY SH*T, it's an unexpected collab that pays off! What makes this a killer standout is the chorus, as well as the final breakdown throughout the last 30 seconds. The most serious metalcore listener would have a Joker-like smile.

Enter Shikari - "Enter Shikari (demo)" from The Zone (2007)

4.5/5. SH*T!!!! The demo version of the band's theme song has knocked me off my feet! Rou Reynolds' vocals sound rawer in this one.

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

5/5. The band puts a unique twist into the story that this song is based on; Dracula is a young brooding vampire similar to Edward from Twilight though slightly younger and the girl's "boyfriend". The superb drumming travels through the great choruses and ravaging near-end breakdown.

Skycamefalling - "Porcelain Heart Promises" from 10.21 (2000)

5/5. This highlight covers pretty much everything you need to hear from this band. Another recommendation!

Shadow of Intent - "The Cosmic Inquisitor" from Primordial (2016)

4.5/5. This one has some pieces of the tech-death/thrash of Revocation, from the heavy intro riffing to the sweeping guitar soloing. Brutal guest vocals are done by Dan Watson, former vocalist of Infant Annihilator and Enterprise Earth.

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

5/5. Epic blackened viking deathcore?!?!? F*** YEAH!!!! And I would love to hear more of that other band Signs of the Swarm!

Lorna Shore - "Soulless Existence" from Pain Remains (2022)

5/5. The breakdowns in this massive standout have the same greatness as the previous track, invited in by the Lord of the Rings-like epicness and emotion.

Asking Alexandria - "To the Stage" from Reckless & Relentless (2011)

4.5/5. Another sweet gem, and I miss this kind of sound from the band. No wonder I didn't last long listening to this band after their move away from their earlier metalcore.

Equilibrium - "Nexus" from Equinox (2025)

5/5. The pure blackened viking metal of their earlier material is gone. Say hello to their exciting new modern folk-core, similar to Ithilien!

As Blood Runs Black - "Ground Zero" from Ground Zero (2014)

5/5. A true melodic deathcore anthem, complete with chanting from members of bands Volumes and Thy Art is Murder.

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

4.5/5. One of the most underrated songs by this band. The catchy clean chorus is in great contrast with the brutal screamed verses.

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

5/5. I wasn't sure if I could see this as a perfect song because how rock-bottom Tim Lambesis has gone. But f*** it, this is the best embodiment of the band's sound with the new lineup that hopefully won't implode so soon.

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

4.5/5. Some f***ing powerful Linkin Park energy at around the one-minute mark to end the first verse. Probably some Architects vibes too with that BLEGH another minute later. And the catchy final chorus brings more balance to this banger. This might also remind some of Stick to Your Guns and Our Promise. Bands like Elwood Stray and Our Mirage can do amazing work to please the metalcore masses, including collabs like this. The vocals also remind me of Tyler Smith. Maybe a collab with Resolve would also be good. Oh, and if you're wondering when Our Mirage vocalist Timo Bonner shows up, it's during said final chorus. Quite late, but better late than never!

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

4/5. Another underrated collab! If they brought in Resolve as well, that would be the French modern metalcore trio right there.

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

4.5/5. For the band's final album, they're really going out in a f***ing bang, with some of the heavy chaos of Car Bomb and Suicide Silence. That brutal final breakdown throughout the final 30 seconds really pleases my ears. F*** THEM ALL TO HELL!!!

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

4/5. Nice, heavy, and f***ing sick. Look out for more, metalcore fans!

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

4.5/5. Chaotic ambient mathcore, and there's more of that in the next track...

Paria - "Misanthropos" from Misanthropos (2004)

5/5. Experimental grind-mathcore can make a fantastic highlight is performed properly, and indeed it does!

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

4.5/5. Heavily suitable for my love for extreme mathcore. Will they continue the extremeness that I love if they ever make a new album?

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

5/5. You want an absolutely crushing mathcore breakdown? Go to the one that starts the second third of the song. Everything's f***ing wrecked apart and rebuilt!

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

4.5/5. However, the breakdown in this song is even more brutal. In the last minute, after some distorted chaos similar to Ion Dissonance, then comes the funny yet heavy ending, "Won't you be my bride? (ANOTHER DAY ANOTHER DAY ANOTHER DAY ANOTHER DAY)".

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

5/5. All right, fun's over. Now we're getting into one of the most f***ing darkest 14-minute epics you'll ever hear. This is more than just downtempo deathcore/metalcore, it's apocalyptic ambient funeral doomcore! So unlike their earlier faster material from 20 years ago. You can mosh out to this for one moment, then mourn a fallen loved one the next. Vincent Bennett's vocals are some of the most wide-ranged ever here! And this is after 11 tracks that are each under 3 minutes long. We have a beautiful soft bridge at the 6-minute mark, and even softer a couple minutes later, with clean singing by Blackwater Holylight vocalist Sunny Faris (not as sunny as she sounds), before the brutality rises back up. A couple minutes later, a sad yet heavy riff keeps repeating itself, getting more melancholic after a couple minutes before eventually fading out.

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

5/5. Then we have this short yet epic finale that has Of Mice & Men's usual modern sound leading up to the final chorus' grand climax.

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!

Update for February:

THE FALLEN: VINNY, Sonny

THE GATEWAY: SAXY, Andi

THE GUARDIANS: SONNY, Karl, Andi

THE HORDE: VINNY, Sonny, Karl

THE INFINITE: ANDI, Saxy

THE NORTH: KARL, Vinny, Sonny

THE PIT: SONNY, Vinny

THE REVOLUTION: ANDI

THE SPHERE: ANDI

Once again, another Infinite playlist I felt up to breezing through entirely. Great work, Saxy! Here are all my track thoughts:

The Anchoret – Someone Listening? (2023)

4.5/5. Someone listening? Yes, that would be me. I'm listening. Excellent start!

Black Crown Initiate – Holy Silence (2020)

5/5. Holy sh- I mean, holy silence, this has everything I love about progressive metal, in the different sections, guitars, and vocals. I'm getting lots of vibes Opeth and River of Nihil, the latter band especially when guitarist/clean vocalist Andy Thomas would join that band a few years later.

Dark Horse White Horse – Judgement Day (2021)

4.5/5. Anyone listening to this after finding out that Stream of Passion vocalist Marcela Bovio is in this band. I literally didn't know until just now. This is brilliant!

Dvne – Descent of the Asheran (2017)

4/5. Progressive sludge metal similar to early Mastodon and Baroness. We need more of that honestly!

Edge of Reality – Wasteland (2016)

4.5/5. I'm glad to get more into the avant-garde side of things, unlike in the earlier Infinite playlists.

Ibaraki – Ronin (2022)

5/5. The climatic 9-minute epic of this Ibaraki album to hook you up high. There's a long folk bridge, and in the heavier sections, Matt Heafy has given unclean vocal duties to Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance. And HOLY F***!!! Gerard can perform memorable shrieking vocals more vicious than other black metal vocalists out there!

IONS – Faith (2023)

4.5/5. It's songs like this that help keep my prog-metal faith alive.

Jinjer – Fast Draw (2025)

5/5. One of my favorite tracks from the new Jinjer album, apparently a fast extreme counterpart of "Green Serpent" lyrically. It really packs some powerful punches, with potential to open up a moshpit, or a mosh-vortex.

Luna’s Call – Signs (2020)

4.5/5. Deathly progressive metal with the melody of Haken and the heaviness of Opeth, even having a touch of Yes. Lots of f***ing beauty and brutality at the same time! If death metal was brought into 70s prog-rock, that would be this amazing track right here.

Mandroid Echostar – Matoax (2016)

5/5. The addition of 70s prog-rock into modern metal doesn't end there, with this song having Pink Floyd-ish soloing. The music can sound happy or sad in some places. I also love the transition from heavy to soft midway through. It's quite awesome without ever having to go deathly or djenty.

Meshuggah – Bleed (2008)

5/5. Probably the best song by Meshuggah since Chaosphere. Thrashy and memorable! At 1:24 is a total headbanging passage.

Myrath – The Funeral (2025)

5/5. I honestly wasn't expecting Oriental progressive power metal to hit me so hard. Thanks for this!

Pain of Salvation – Undertow (2002)

4.5/5. I'm still quite moved to this song despite not having listened to much of this band for nearly a decade. The final minute definitely has emotional drama.

Sons of Apollo – Goodbye Divinity (2020)

5/5. This is my second time encountering this song, after that playlist I helped assemble two and a half years ago. And how is it? Well, F*** YEAH, I want more of that band!

TesseracT – Of Matter – Retrospect (2013)

4.5/5. When you listen to this as part of the "Of Matter" epic, it really does sound like it's meant to be a full suite, just like "Concealing Fate".

Vildhjarta – paaradiso (2021)

5/5. The closing epic of this Vildhjarta album is the band's longest single track at 10 minutes, and there's nothing exhausting about it at all. Dexterous harmonies with hints of post-jazz make another sonic behemoth. And after a brief fade into the background, it all ends with a final atmospheric brutal touchdown, like a world-ending apocalypse.

VOLA – These Black Claws (2021)

4.5/5. Amazing song from another progressive/djent band! Even the rapping bridge by Shahmen fits well here.

Wrythe – On Silent Wings (2008)

4/5. Anyone who has played Postal 2 may be familiar with this song in its soundtrack. When the vocals enter after the 20-second intro, they hit HARD. And that ends another wonderful Infinite playlist, courtesy of Saxy.

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

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

4.5/5. To start off this year, we have this amazing 14-minute composition by power metal genius Tobias Sammet's side-project and later main band Avantasia. He and 7 other vocalists sing with all their might. I think one of them sounds like Jorn Lande (ex-Masterplan), particularly in the chorus, but he doesn't actually appear until The Wicked Trilogy. After the second chorus and some guitar melody, it all fades into epic orchestration starting at around the 5 and a half minute mark. 4 minutes later, after the heaviness returns along with a bit of drama, things actually get fun, with some moments reminding some of Bon Jovi's more upbeat songs, particularly in Tobias' vocals. Two minutes later, we finally reach the uplifting ending with vocals by Kai Hansen of Gamma Ray and ex-Angra vocalist Andre Matos (RIP), soon fading out with the melody similar to the end of DragonForce's title track. Well done, Avantasia!

Visions of Atlantis - "Pirates Will Return" from Pirates (2022)

5/5. Pirate metal has made its return after Alestorm's brand of that subgenre has gotten stale, when Visions of Atlantis decided to go that route. With that, the band has gotten much better known than they were previously. This should really end up in a Pirates of the Caribbean movie soundtrack. Love it!

Galneryus - "There's No Escape" from Vetelgyus (2014)

5/5. The neoclassical intro for this song is just insane as h*ll. And so is the buildup to the final chorus. Incredible!

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

2.5/5. Revisiting this track as I was making this playlist, I've realized it does sound similar to early Black Sabbath. Still too bluesy for its own good, I don't know why I chose it.

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

3/5. Another blues-ish early metal track, though I would give it some points for the fierce soloing. On iron horse Lemmy flies and gladly dies. RIP this legend...

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

3.5/5. Slightly better than the previous two tracks in the playlist, coming from a decade later when classic heavy metal became more b*llsy. The production is pretty solid here. I'm not sure what my neighbors would think if I play this song out loud, particularly the lyrics directed to the main character's grandma.

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

4/5. It is interesting digging into a time when the heavy/glam metal of this band and Twisted Sister was still at its peak.

Riot - "Warrior" from Rock City (1977)

4.5/5. This one has glowing energy in the chorus, and the guitar solo stands out yet again.

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

4/5. Another Judas Priest classic, this time covered by Al Atkins who was the original lead vocalist for Judas Priest before Rob Halford, having written some songs included this one and the aforementioned "Winter". As legendary as Rob Halford, you sometimes gotta imagine what the band would sound like if they still had Al Atkins.

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

4.5/5. More classic heavy metal greatness, now in the modern present era. Long live the classic revolution, and please don't lose your head! Classic heavy metal can still shine in the modern decade without ever having to go as progressive as Evergrey. The production and lyrics are quite excellent. I especially like the rhythm here. Saxon is one of only a few bands around practically as early as Judas Priest and still not losing stream.

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

5/5. A fun standout that many fans know. Awesome Maiden-style verses and singalong chorus there!

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

4.5/5. Once you get used to the beat throughout the intro, you can be able to enjoy the kick-A verses. Some might say the soloing in this song is the worst by Metallica, but I say it's the best. This alternation between heavy metal and thrash songs the band in this album they also have in Hardwired. I might like it more than Pantera!

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

4/5. A magical song that might just be the earliest one from a metal band to use symphonic orchestra. It's pretty much the big bang of the symphonic metal genre that wouldn't come to fruition until two decades later. And this is the kind of experimentation that they never really dived into in their previous album Vol. 4. Great composition from the true inventors of heavy metal. RIP Ozzy Osbourne...

Almah - "Living and Drifting" from Motion (2011)

4.5/5. One of my favorite tracks by Almah! Edu Falaschi can really channel his inner Bruce Dickinson.

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

5/5. Perhaps Warmen's best song! It's crazy how this is from over 25 years ago. The music sounds so epic, even having a nice progressive touch. So basically it's kinda like Rhapsody of Fire, a band with one of their epics reaching the end of this playlist. In the meantime, here are a few more songs coming up...

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

4.5/5. US power metal cranked up to the max! This should pick up some vibes from 3 Inches of Blood and Kiuas.

Powerwolf - "Out in the Fields" from Metallum Nostrum (2019)

4/5. A great track for crusaders to battle against werewolves! A few other bands have also covered this Gary Moore track including Primal Fear, Riot, and Sonata Arctica.

Iron Savior - "After the War" from Dark Assault (2001)

4.5/5. I would recommend this extraordinary track to my fellow Guardians members. That and Masterplan's remake.

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

5/5. The greatest conclusion to Rhapsody (of Fire)'s first 5-album saga is this 19-minute epic. It's one of the best songs ever by the band and the epic to end all epics! The complex variation is perfect all the way. It starts with an acoustic intro that's almost like Opeth's softer moments then blasts off into some of the most emotional vocals, most cinematic keys and choir, and the most searing soloing. Then it all ends with a reprise of the album's intro that then literally explodes and collapses into windy ambience. The perfect ending for the saga and this playlist!

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!

January 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

January 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

January 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here's my review summary:

The Arbitrary Method was only active for short EP in 2015, and that EP, Augmentation showcases a diverse mix of industrial/cyber metal and metalcore, and a small bit of nu metal. It's almost the same kind of blend heard in Northlane's Alien! Plus some touches of Cypecore and 2000s Mechina. To be more specific, there are the samples and synths expected in a Sphere release. And there are the simple yet heavy riffing and drums of metalcore, with some lyrics and vocals lean into nu metal territory. The end result is a great small offering that isn't perfect but still enjoyable. More about that in my review itself...

4/5

Recommended tracks: "Divide the Devil", "Defy", "Into Insanity"

For fans of: Cypecore, Mechina's The Assembly of Tyrants, Northlane

Here's my review summary:

As the band continues to evolve throughout their over 25 years of existence, these heroes of Florida's modern metal scene aren't putting out the fire anytime soon. What you can expect from this EP is similar to the rest of their catalog, bloodthirsty riffing and epic melodies. The 3 songs in this EP has their thrashy melodic metalcore reminiscent of Ascendancy, with the last of the 3 having a more cinematic progressive structure. They all have crushing riffing, Matt Heafy's vocals ranging from raw screams to emotional cleans, and energetic drumming by Alex Bent, the latter having just left weeks before the EP's release. His replacement, the previous unavailable Alex Rudinger (Revocation, Monuments, Whitechapel, Light the Torch, Threat Signal, Intronaut, etc.) will make the band destined for a brand-new more technical era. In the meantime, this 18-minute EP has brought their heavy memorable sound back on top. Their talents are unforgettable!

4.5/5

Recommended tracks: All of them, but especially "Bury Me With My Screams" and "Six Walls Surround Me"

For fans of: All That Remains, Bullet for My Valentine, Light the Torch

Here's my submission for the February Gateway playlist:

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

I also haven't listened to this album yet and will at some point, to get back in touch with their material after some time away.

A spooky progressive 10-minute epic continuing this cavernous quest:

An experimental progressive black metal beast lurking in the shadows:

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

Slow folky melancholy is the main purpose of this 8-minute epic:

Epic folk/metalcore that can work as the soundtrack enemy-slashing battles, hammering parties, and simply headbanging to the loud heaviness:

A repetitive hollow waste of 5 minutes:

The most blackened gem in this offering, sounding closer to the earlier eras of Ensiferum and Equilibrium:

A grand example of folk-fueled melodeath alternating between fast and slow, with similar vibes to bands like Kalmah, Swallow the Sun, Mercenary, and Hope for the Dying:

Welcome to Metal Academy, Mike! I love many of those bands so I'll definitely check out your band Deadtide.

Agreed. It may not be as djenty as their earlier material, but their metalcore side was still around then.

A dark satisfying example of the post-sludge sound we know, proving that it's far from dead:

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

I've just given this EP some listening and a review, and honestly, it's an amazing return of the post-sludge sound we know. And there's definitely enough sludgy riffing for The Fallen. YES vote from me coming up!

Mirror Touch indeed shows the band taking a turn into just alt-metal, distancing themselves from the djenty roots of their first two albums. In fact, I would say their previous album Happier? continues the direction they've had since Different Animals. So I'll vote YES for this entry. Stay tuned for my Happier? judgement submission...

Cult of Luna is another contender for the greatest Swedish metal band, taking the post-sludge sound developed by Neurosis and Isis, and expanding it further, opening the gates for later bands like The Ocean and Rosetta.

Ben, please add Ithilien.

A fantastic start to the action that's epic, heavy, melodic, and accessible, all at once:

Yeah, that's what I mean, wait for his approval.

Well done, Rex! The gates to The North shall open for you when you earn that clan.

No worries, Daniel.

Glad to hear your wife's feeling better, Daniel. And happy birthday last week!

Thanks Daniel.

Thanks Daniel.

I'm referring to their album Fury, which is exclusively under metalcore. https://metal.academy/releases/36784

Anybody know some real genre-benders in melo-black? 

I have a few I would recommend to you, Rex, though a couple of them are mixed with other genres:

Underoath - Cries of the Past (2000)

Stormlord - At the Gates of Utopia (2001)

Shade Empire - Omega Arcane (2013)

Shylmagoghnar - Emergence (2014)

Waidelotte - Celestial Shrine (2024)

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

1. Brainstorm - Plague of Rats

2. Sabaton - Legends

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

4. Blessthefall - Gallows

5. Tremonti - The End Will Show Us How

My own Spotify playlist based on my list, from 10 to 1: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4uZGrg1oM7C6xf3Zkhis40

An early melodic progressive metal epic that I wish could describe more, but I have....

Excellent decision, Rex! Now which North clan challenge would you like to do to earn that clan?