Shadowdoom9 (Andi)'s Forum Replies

A couple bands I enjoy now are the progressive/power metal of Almah, side-project of ex-Angra vocalist Edu Falaschi:

And the modern ambient progressive rock/metal of VOLA:

My renewed interest in melodic/symphonic death metal really shows as I discover more bands of that sound such as the ones in these videos below, a couple of which I've heard of long ago but hadn't reached that spark until recently:

Ben, please add these new albums:

As I Lay Dying - Through Storms Ahead

The Browning - OMNI

Thanks Daniel.

F***ing brutal groove/metalcore in this new single by this South Yorkshire-based metalcore band:

A wonderful German remix of the debut's "Teurastaja", featuring Chris Harms of Lord of the Lost, that I might just love more than the original:

A few motivational epic electronic alt-rock ballads that I like from another one of my brother's favorite bands:

Here are a couple more bands after I've reviewed at least 5 of each band's albums:

Black Veil Brides - half the amount of songs from Set the World on Fire, "Abeyance", "Done for You", "Stolen Omen", "Drag Me to the Grave", "Our Destiny"

Mechina - "[Error 36:48.58/Connection Lost]", "Internecion", "Catechism", "[Cryostasis_simulation__2632_01]", "Terrea", "Lethean Waves", "Adrasteia"

A true masterpiece highlight that greatly foreshadows what's to come later for Mechina:

A rather terrible sh*tter going back to the messy side of the previous two albums:

A truly dark ethereal collision of symphonic/cyber metal:

The Compendium edition of Xenon begins with this pummeling 10-minute epic that is my favorite track of the entire album and makes up for whatever mess the main album would have later, just like Empyrean's Compendium bonus track "Andromeda":

It would be better if "Cepheus" was Xenon's ending or near-ending epic though, because then it can let the opening title track of the main album shine with underrated epic cinematic cyber metal to love:

A beautiful alt-rock/metal 6-minute closing epic to touch the hearts of all music listeners:

The messy writing in some parts of Empyrean makes another flat sh*tter, basically this album's "Internecion":

The most well-executed highlight here, never as poorly aging as the other tracks:

Though it can't beat this truly epic space journey that appears in the Compendium edition of Empyrean but would fit better in the Conqueror album as its near-end epic:

The first full song of Empyrean has some of the best riffing and symphonics you can find here. Keep that in mind before the atmosphere takes the focus elsewhere.

Ben, please add these albums:

Ankor - Shoganai

Gemini Syndrome - 3rd Degree - The Raising

Extreme's "He-Man Woman Hater" is a pretty decent song that no doubt highlights the incredible talents of guitarist Nuno Bettencourt but I do think it sounds out of place on a playlist for The Gateway as it's essentially a glam metal song.

I consider it one of the funkiest tracks in that Extreme album, close enough to funk metal (which only covers one or two other tracks in the album), hence one of my submissions here.

Ben, please add the Tyrant of Death album Superior Firepower.

I can't believe no one, and I mean NO ONE on the internet as far as I know, has pointed out the similarities between the verse melody of Beast in Black's "theme song"...

...And the main melody of the most popular track by epic music production company Two Steps From Hell:

Here's my review summary:

Nightwish is one of the most popular symphonic/power metal bands today, and was an essential band for me long ago. Now it's hard to accurately categorize their evolving style when they add elements of gothic, progressive, thrash, doom, etc. The operatic singing of then-vocalist Tarja Turunen was a true standout in the band's first era. Once I had a dream of what metal would sound like with lots of TSFH-like orchestration, and this was it when I discovered this a decade ago. Today I feel like I had been too optimistic. As varied as this album is, I'm starting to think the orchestra overpowers the metal. But what else is there from a full orchestra? Despite the orchestral overdose, many songs stay heavy, and founding keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen is able to display his own synth work. But let's get over the whole "selling out" nonsense... There are heavy anthems and symphonic ballads, both suitable for anyone, plus a massive 10-minute epic. They make a wonderous journey, though a few tracks miss the mark for me. The production and style is a bit over-the-top, but still enjoyable. I would recommend this album for any fan of gothic-infused symphonic power metal. It is different from their earlier material, yet worth trying this bombastic rollercoaster. Though this is Tarja's last ride....

3.5/5

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

Blue Stahli - "Obsidian" (3:24) from Obsidian (2021)

Celldweller - "The Last Firstborn" (7:41) from Celldweller (2003)

In This Moment - "Mother" (4:09) from Mother (2020)

PAIN - "On and On" (3:55) from Rebirth (1999)

Red Harvest - "Beyond the End" (6:15) from Sick Transit Gloria Mundi (2002)

Turmion Katilot - "Verta Sataa" (3:39) from Perstechnique (2011)

Total length: 29:03

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

Dead by April - "Lost" (3:34) from Incomparable (2011)

Eighteen Visions - "Dead Rose" (5:23) from The Best of (2001)

Haste the Day - "One Life to Live" (2:23) from Burning Bridges (2004)

Jinjer - "Kafka" (4:09) from Kafka (2024)

Oh, Sleeper - "The Siren's Song" (5:04) from When I Am God (2007)

Structures - "The Worst of Both Worlds" (3:20) from Life Through a Window (2014)

Wage War - "Stitch" (3:25) from Deadweight (2017)

Total length: 27:18

Here are my submissions for the December Infinite playlist:

Extol - "Reflections of a Broken Soul" (7:28) from Burial (1998)

Hemotoxin - "Reborn in Tragedy" (5:17) from When Time Becomes Loss (2024)

Tesseract - "Luminary" (3:12) from Sonder (2018)

Textures - "To Erase a Lifetime" (6:53) from Silhouettes (2008)

Trenches - "Pathways" (4:52) from The Tide Will Swallow Us Whole (2008)

Total length: 27:42

Here are my submissions for the December Gateway playlist:

Alesti, Anxxiety - "Dissipate" (3:29) from Dissipate (2021)

Bad Omens - "Dethrone" (3:29) from Finding God Before God Finds Me (2019)

Breaking Benjamin - "Awaken" (3:38) from Awaken (2024)

Godsmack - "1000hp" (3:46) from 1000hp (2014)

Lansdowne - "Conquer Them All" (3:24) from Medicine (2023)

Linkin Park - "Heavy is the Crown" (2:47) from Heavy is the Crown (2024)

Nothing More - "Angel Song" (3:06) from Carnal (2024)

Starset - "Brave New World" (4:23) from Brave New World (2024)

Total length: 28:02

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Neurotech - "Blue Screen Planet (Part I Axiom)" from Blue Screen Planet (2011)

3.5/5. Let's start this playlist with a bombastic journey of symphonic cyber metal... Well, too bombastic. Some parts are overdone, which very much exemplifies the paraphrased adage, "Too many ingredients spoil the broth." While this epic is still solid, Neurotech's 10-minute explorations are better explored in the later symphonies.

Mechina - "The Grand Hunt" from Cenotaph (2023)

4/5. Now this is a slightly better piece of epic cyber metal, this one by Mechina. If this banger was ever performed live, expect a slamming battle in the crowd. The glorious vocals and kick-A rhythms hit the spot, despite those bombastic symphonics again.

Lord of the Lost - "Leave Your Hate in the Comments" from Blood & Glitter (2022)

4.5/5. This one is a big "f*** you" to those who can plague the internet with negativity from the privacy of their home. I'm amazed by how brilliant this is, having the "take no sh*t" attitude the rest of the album would have.

Psyclon Nine - "We the Fallen" from We the Fallen (2009)

5/5. One of the best songs by Psyclon Nine, in both the music and vocals! And this was when they were really transitioning out of their aggrotech roots into industrial metal.

Eisbrecher - "Zwischen Uns" from Schock (2015)

4.5/5. The lyrics are quite well-done despite being in German. It's sad that I'm not from Germany, otherwise I would understand these songs a lot more.

Device - "Vilify" from Device (2013)

4/5. Following this is the best choice for the Device's first single. It's a great highlight of Draiman's strong vocals.

Red Queen - "Asyphyx" from Star Blood (2016)

4/5. In This Moment goes Psyclon Nine... Interesting mix!

OOMPH! - "Land Ahead (feat. Sharon den Adel)" from Truth or Dare (2010)

4.5/5. Beautiful vocals by Sharon den Adel of Within Temptation! This is an English version of an earlier OOMPH! song "Land in Sicht".

Motionless in White - "Reincarnate: Reincarnated" from Reincarnate: 10 Year Anniversary (2024)

5/5. As with the original version, this highlight has some deep synths and metalcore riffing that begin when Chris shouts "GET UP!" What really makes this song accessible within the extremeness is the melodic Breaking Benjamin-like chorus, all piecing together a simply great structure.

Blue Stahli - "Lakes of Flame" from Lakes of Flame (2018)

4.5/5. This killer single was supposed to be in the Obsidian album but didn't make it in. How much can Blue Stahli and Celldweller surprise their listeners with their respective singles?! A lot, that's what! Though this one sounds more suitable for Celldweller's Satellites. Think about this like a more metallic The Prodigy. WE NEED F***ING MORE!!! It's actually a better change of style than what Within Temptation have done that year. And it definitely has some DOOM vibes in the aggressive instrumentation.

Circle of Dust - "Humanarchy" from Machines of Our Disgrace (2016)

5/5. Though not as aggressive as this chaotic track. It's like Nailbomb 2.0!

Celldweller - "Good L_ck (Yo_'re F_cked)" from End of an Empire (2015)

4.5/5. Imagine an emo-ish boss battle soundtrack, this song could be that!

PAIN - "Dancing With the Dead" from Dancing With the Dead (2005)

5/5. Two of the most melodic bands I enjoy nowadays are PAIN and Powerwolf. For PAIN, some of us can relate to the lyrics of struggling madness in this h*ll of an addictive track, especially if you're on the edge of life.

Ruoska - "Alasin" from Amortem (2006)

4.5/5. This band rules, and I wish they could release their next album to break this 16-year gap. I don't need Rammstein when I have this Finnish band!

Dead World - "The Machine" from The Machine (1993)

4/5. This track has Voivod-like riffing while staying slow and doom-ish as usual.

Killing Joke - "Judas Goat" from Hosannas From the Basements of Hell (2006)

4.5/5. This one leads you to the darkest depth of Hell with more technical drumming, guitar rhythms, and singing almost like a mantra.

Fear Factory - "Pisschrist" from Demanufacture (1995)

5/5. Despite the name, this highlight is a total industrial mind-smasher. It starts dark and heavy before rising into epic drama. Alongside industrial samples and drumming, it then leads to more of the furious growls and apocalyptic cleans by Burton C. Bell, the latter especially the ending of atmospheric majesty. "Where is your savior now?"

Lindemann - "Praise Abort" from Skills in Pills (2015)

4.5/5. Even a song like this can take on a controversial topic without causing a storm of conservative protesters.

Ministry - "Brick Windows" from Filth Pig (1996)

4/5. This one brings back some earlier experimentation. Fantastic lyrics in this one!

Godflesh - "Don't Bring Me Flowers" from Pure (1992)

4.5/5. This one helps the band stand by their principles for this highlight.

Code Orange - "The Above" from The Above (2023)

5/5. The title finale of the new Code Orange album summarizes all that the band has stated. The exciting ominous crescendo of transcending vocals, chords, and leads shows their loud diversity. The changes in the beat and the dynamics are all in decent calculation and mark a climatic conclusion to this powerful journey.

Fange - "Les Vergers De La Désolation" from Pantocrator (2021)

4.5/5. We still have one more track, and it's the second 10+ minute epic of both its original album and this playlist. It sounds more post-rock-ish, while maintaining a lot of the industrial effects. Lots of moods, melody, and textures... They can add in a slight bit of accessibility while staying in the underground.

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 Daniel for accepting this and your help with your submission, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Bury Your Dead - "Minority Report" from We Are Bury Your Dead (2019)

5/5. "It's f***ing time to rock, baby!" Bury Your Dead is still alive and stirring up some dark heavy bangers. This is the kind of raging metallic hardcore you can hear in other bands like Kublai Khan. This is the perfect brutal start for this playlist to immediately get familiar with the hardcore heaviness. They've also returned to naming their songs after Tom Cruise films, this one named after Minority Report, which has been overly repeated on TV in my country.

Rings of Saturn - "Infused" from Lugal Ki En (2014)

4.5/5. Who knew brutal technical deathcore can sound beautiful?! I love the vocals and cosmic guitar fiddling! I just wish they could've added vocals to their new album.

Fit for a King - "TECHNIUM" from TECHNIUM (2024)

4/5. Once the bass drops at the "DROP IT", you're in for another wild ride.

Unbroken - "D4" from Life.Love.Regret. (1994)

3.5/5. Beginning this track is crushing sinister riffing, then it makes a slow transition to really grow on you.

Kingdom of Giants - "Bloodworm" from Bleeding Star (2024)

4/5. This banger would get you hooked from the very beginning. When the heavy riffing comes in between the two parts of the chorus near the one-minute mark, it has the destructive power of Alpha Wolf. Starting the last minute is an ominous 20-second buildup to a pulverizing breakdown. That's one thing to make a f***ing banger!

Loded Diper - "Rodrick Rules" from Loded Diper (2019)

4.5/5. The only one Loded Diper dialogue-sampled instrumental I really enjoy, with its kick-A thrashy metalcore instrumentation.

Trivium - "Pillars of Serpents" from Ember to Inferno (2003)

5/5. Then it transits to this chugging churning example of heavy metalcore, still audible enough for the ears. In fact you can hear a bit of the bass clearly in the mix.

Becoming the Archetype - "Elegy" from Terminate Damnation (2005)

5/5. A true metalcore epic that can fit well in a battle between Heaven and Hell. I would recommend it to any metalhead, whether or not they're Christian.

Aviana - "Obsession" from Corporation (2022)

4.5/5. Get ready for some more of this heavy metalcore fire! It can't surpass Lorna Shore's idea of making heaviness beautiful, but it comes f***ing close.

Thrown - "Fast Forward" from EXTENDED PAIN (2022)

4/5. Thrown can easily fast forward through face-smacking metalcore in just two minutes. The screamed lyrics actually sound so clear.

Chelsea Grin - "Forever Bloom (feat. Trevor Strnad)" from Suffer in Hell (2022)

4.5/5. RIP Trevor Strnad. I felt up to paying tribute to this melodeath vocalist with 3 deathcore songs featuring him. His vocals sound so crazily brutal here, though I also enjoy Tom Barber's vocal contributions.

Shadow of Intent - "Barren and Breathless Macrocosm" from Melancholy (2019)

5/5. Here's the second Trevor Strnad-featured track, this one practically surpassing the previous one. Insane drumming and vocals here! The riffing reminds of early Whitechapel, especially during the cinematic ending.

Traitors - "Burnout" from Night Terrors (2015)

4.5/5. And here's the 3rd Trevor Strnad-featured track, which is f***ing great, though the previous one is still the best of the trio. Once again, RIP...

Lorna Shore - "FVNERAL MOON" from Flesh Coffin (2017)

5/5. Up next is this great highlight. There are two breakdowns that would burst out of nowhere and crush your bones, then you're pulled back into speedy soloing and fantastic riffing. A much better balance than that small fraction of their debut!

Aurorawave - "KINDNESS. (with Attila)" from Aurorawave (2024)

4.5/5. Now how about some reggae-infused metalcore featuring Fronz from Attila?! Every listen is as great as the first!

Memphis May Fire - "The American Dream" from Remade in Misery (2022)

4.5/5. One word: AMERICA!!!!!!!

Ice Nine Kills - "Rocking the Boat" from The Silver Scream (2018)

5/5. This highlight is based on Jaws and features original member Jeremy Schwartz, name-drops all of the band previous albums and The Burning EP, and has a killer metalcore breakdown.

It Dies Today - "Son of Dawn" from Son of Dawn (2024)

4.5/5. This year was really the perfect time for someone who hasn't listened to American metalcore during its peak years of the 2000s to discover this band, right when they're making a comeback. Their new single certainly has the greatness of their debut!

The Devil Wears Prada - "To the Key of Evergreen" from Transit Blues (2016)

5/5. A perfect piece of metalcore with a beautiful soft bridge. Enough said!

Imminence - "The Seventh Seal" from I (2014)

4.5/5. This band is still amazing metalcore fans throughout the 10 years since their debut.

Bury Tomorrow - "Heretic (feat. Loz Taylor)" from The Seventh Sun (2023)

5/5. Bury Tomorrow's 7th album has some of the best tracks to remind me of Invent Animate and While She Sleeps. Speaking of the latter, I love the guest appearance by that band's lead vocalist Loz Taylor, though the intense harsh vocals of Daniel Winter-Bates and gritty clean vocals of Tom Prendergast work as well. A d*mn perfect banger!

Pridelands - "Antipathy" from Light Bends (2022)

4.5/5. Pridelands seems to have adopted the ambient metalcore stylings of Thornhill that was abandoned after that band's debut The Dark Pool, and it shows all the way up to the killer breakdown. It shall fuel your metalcore ears with f***ing fire! Sharptone is a great home for many impressive modern metalcore bands and their releases. The fire cools down slightly at the two and a half minute mark, then lights up f***ing higher with brutal vocals in front of a d*mn bouncy groove. Then the killer breakdown comes on.

We Came as Romans - "Cold Like War" from Cold Like War (2017)

5/5. One of the best songs I've heard from this band and melodic metalcore! Imagine skydiving while listening to this perfect song. Still missing you, Kyle Pavone. RIP

As I Lay Dying - "The Cave We Fear to Enter" from The Cave We Fear to Enter (2024)

4.5/5. As I Lay Dying is not dead yet, but it might as well be, considering all the members except Tim Lambesis have just left the band, mere weeks before the scheduled release of their upcoming album Through Storms Ahead. Nonetheless, the band's signature melodic metalcore sound has been shining since their second album Frail Words Collapse. And songs like this one empower me with strength. I have a great feeling about this album that might possibly be the band's swansong offering. I sometimes wonder what this song would sound like with their classic lineup though.

Varials - ".50" from Scars for You to Remember (2022)

5/5. The music and vocals are so savage here! Mitchell Rogers switching from lead guitar to lead vocals was a clever move because of how hard his vocals can hit.

Hatebreed - "Shut Me Out" from For the Lions (2009)

4.5/5. Jamey Jasta's vocals crash through in a f***ing hardcore blitz in this Sick of It All cover you'll never get sick of.

Make Them Suffer - "27" from 27 (2018)

4/5. D*mn, those lyrics can break you apart then build you back up again!

Car Bomb - "Cellophane Stiletto" from Centralia (2007)

3.5/5. Things go as crazy as Fantomas in this one.

Iwrestledabearonce - "The Cat's Pajamas" from It's All Happening (2009)

4/5. If there are people out there who think I've missed on metalcore/mathcore during its peak era of the late 2000s, let me ask them something. Were they 25-year-old metalcore listeners writing comments about tracks in playlists back then? Probably, but either way, this kind of music is timeless!

The Number Twelve Looks Like You - "Like a Cat" from Nuclear. Sad. Nuclear (2005)

4.5/5. "What is the point of laying in a comfortable position if you can't fall asleep in it?" That sounds like another good question to relate to the past, "What is the point of reliving the past if you can't stay in it?", something I would ask those people I've mentioned in the above comment. Hardcore can have so many changes within a song.

The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza - "Big Pun's Not Dead Because I Just Saw Him at Krispy Kreme" from The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza (2005)

4/5. All right, I admit it... The rapping parts are quite amusing like "I can't breathe! I can't breathe!" (that aged poorly 15 years later) and "Life is so trivial... I'm cryin' in my cereal..." But I, along with the more serious metalheads around here, am here for the main mathcore song. This might remind some of Into the Moat, which I should really check out someday. I guess I could've ended this playlist slightly better....

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 Daniel for accepting this and your help with your submission, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

Here are my thoughts on some tracks:

Arcturus – Crashland (2015)

4.5/5. Arcturus made their comeback 10 years after their 2005 Sideshow Symphonies album. Will there be another one in 2025? Better hope so... At this point, they abandoned pretty much all their Dimmu Borgir-style symphonic black metal roots for a more spacey prog-metal sound similar to Arjen Lucassen's projects Ayreon and Star One, but with no guest vocalists. Sounds nicely done!

Black Crown Initiate – A Great Mistake (2014)

5/5. Discovering this progressive tech-death band is no mistake. It's a grand treat! The brutal screaming/growling hits so hard, along with the amazing drumming, coming in right after one of the best song intros of the genre. Almost like Gojira and early 2000s Opeth but more f***ing crushing. From beginning to end, you won't get tired of this dark heavy stomper. It shall break through the galaxy faster and stronger than a black hole. Music like this should come up more commonly. I always thought Lorna Shore was the most earth-shattering band heard, but these guys shall take the throne. I also loved the soft yet ominous bridge midway through.

Cynic – Integral Birth (2008)

4.5/5. RIP Sean Reinert and Sean Malone, two musical geniuses both gone in the same year 2020. Cynic is still around and can get anyone through dark times. It should be noted how different this band is compared to more deathly bands like Soilwork and the earlier Opeth. Well, Cynic started off as deathly before they started getting softer from Traced in Air onwards. They would even remove the background growls in the remixed version, a change that some might deem ridiculous.

Sumac – Clutch of Oblivion (I) (2016)

4/5. I originally submitted the full "Clutch of Oblivion" track, but I found out that many of the tracks in this Sumac album were split into parts on Spotify. So I replaced my submission with "Will to Reach", but it seems like it was too late for the replacement to make it in. Oh well... This part of "Clutch of Oblivion" is still quite solid.

Thy Catafalque – Piros kocsi, fekete éj (2024)

4.5/5. It's never too late to find strength and magic in metal. Thy Catafalque have their Hungarian folk-fueled avant-prog metal sound going on. Whether or not you can understand the Hungarian lyrics, they certainly have the poetic vibe. Amazing art can come from composition, writing, and/or artwork. And this band already has 12 albums out, which can be considered quite an achievement. The animated music video is about what the title translates into, "Red Carriage, Black Night". I wouldn't be surprised if the main founder Tamás Kátai wrote that song while travelling. There would certainly be a unique atmosphere if that was the case. There also seems to be a dash of gothic in this banger that's once again great for the road.

Textures – Polars (2003)

5/5. The title track of Textures' debut is their longest song, an 18-minute epic with lots of innovative experimentation reaching its height, not to mention Pieter's vocal talent.

Here are my thoughts on some tracks:

All That Remains – No Tomorrow (2024)

4/5. Anyone who is up for All That Remains' less metalcore but still heavy tracks should check out this one. Jason Richardson has done his job well in paying tribute to the late great Oli Herbert. RIP

Anthrax – Only (1993)

3.5/5. Despite sounding closer to the grunge movement, this one is a true keeper. The upsides of Anthrax's different direction make something quite great there.

Daughtry – Separate Ways (World Apart) (2023)

3/5. Daughtry in a Gateway playlist?!? You weren't expecting that, were you?! Although this is quite clean and catchy, this is probably the most metallic Daughtry has gone! I like the lyrics of this Journey cover, and the vocal chemistry of Chris Daughtry and Halestorm's Lzzy Hale. Though it could've been far better executed.

Disturbed – Torn (2008)

2.5/5. This is the most horrible disappointment for me here, with nothing impressive at all. Let's not talk about it, and instead move on.

Extreme – He-Man Woman Hater (1990)

4.5/5. One of the best highlights here, it starts with Nuno Bettencourt's shredding take on "Flight of the Bumblebee", while that's a great head-buzzer, it's not as much as the chorus later on. Absolutely great music and lyrics!

Mushroomhead – Shame In A Basket (2024)

5/5. This one is a monstrous 8-minute epic, complete with dark ambience that leads into the usual guitar heaviness and vocals. So perfect!

Within Temptation – Bleed Out (2023)

4.5/5. I love the tear-jerking vocals by Sharon den Adel in this one, fitting well with the heavy riffing and keyboard-infused chorus. Quite amazing, though I think they've gone past their more well-known symphonic metal phase, heading to a more poppy direction...

Ben, please add the Nothing More album The Few Not Fleeting. It qualifies as Alternative Metal in RYM.

November 2024

1. Neurotech - "Blue Screen Planet (Part I Axiom)" from Blue Screen Planet (2011)

2. Mechina - "The Grand Hunt" from Cenotaph (2023)

3. Lord of the Lost - "Leave Your Hate in the Comments" from Blood & Glitter (2022)

4. Psyclon Nine - "We the Fallen" from We the Fallen (2009) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

5. Eisbrecher - "Zwischen Uns" from Schock (2015)

6. Device - "Vilify" from Device (2013)

7. Red Queen - "Asyphyx" from Star Blood (2016)

8. OOMPH! - "Land Ahead (feat. Sharon den Adel)" from Truth or Dare (2010)

9. Motionless in White - "Reincarnate: Reincarnated" from Reincarnate: 10 Year Anniversary (2024)

10. Blue Stahli - "Lakes of Flame" from Lakes of Flame (2018)

11. Circle of Dust - "Humanarchy" from Machines of Our Disgrace (2016) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

12. Celldweller - "Good L_ck (Yo_'re F_cked)" from End of an Empire (2015)

13. PAIN - "Dancing With the Dead" from Dancing With the Dead (2005) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

14. Ruoska - "Alasin" from Amortem (2006) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

15. Dead World - "The Machine" from The Machine (1993)

16. Killing Joke - "Judas Goat" from Hosannas From the Basements of Hell (2006)

17. Fear Factory - "Pisschrist" from Demanufacture (1995) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

18. Lindemann - "Praise Abort" from Skills in Pills (2015)

19. Ministry - "Brick Windows" from Filth Pig (1996)

20. Godflesh - "Don't Bring Me Flowers" from Pure (1992) [submitted by Daniel]

21. Code Orange - "The Above" from The Above (2023) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

22. Fange - "Les Vergers De La Désolation" from Pantocrator (2021)

November 2024

1. Bury Your Dead - "Minority Report" from We Are Bury Your Dead (2019) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

2. Rings of Saturn - "Infused" from Lugal Ki En (2014) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

3. Fit for a King - "TECHNIUM" from TECHNIUM (2024) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

4. Unbroken - "D4" from Life.Love.Regret. (1994) [submitted by Daniel]

5. Kingdom of Giants - "Bloodworm" from Bleeding Star (2024)

6. Loded Diper - "Rodrick Rules" from Loded Diper (2019)

7. Trivium - "Pillars of Serpents" from Ember to Inferno (2003)

8. Becoming the Archetype - "Elegy" from Terminate Damnation (2005)

9. Aviana - "Obsession" from Corporation (2022)

10. Thrown - "Fast Forward" from EXTENDED PAIN (2022)

11. Chelsea Grin - "Forever Bloom (feat. Trevor Strnad)" from Suffer in Hell (2022)

12. Shadow of Intent - "Barren and Breathless Macrocosm" from Melancholy (2019)

13. Traitors - "Burnout" from Night Terrors (2015)

14. Lorna Shore - "FVNERAL MOON" from Flesh Coffin (2017)

15. Aurorawave - "KINDNESS. (with Attila)" from Aurorawave (2024)

16. Memphis May Fire - "The American Dream" from Remade in Misery (2022)

17. Ice Nine Kills - "Rocking the Boat" from The Silver Scream (2018) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

18. It Dies Today - "Son of Dawn" from Son of Dawn (2024)

19. The Devil Wears Prada - "To the Key of Evergreen" from Transit Blues (2016) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

20. Imminence - "The Seventh Seal" from I (2014)

21. Bury Tomorrow - "Heretic (feat. Loz Taylor)" from The Seventh Sun (2023)

22. Pridelands - "Antipathy" from Light Bends (2022)

23. We Came as Romans - "Cold Like War" from Cold Like War (2017)

24. As I Lay Dying - "The Cave We Fear to Enter" from The Cave We Fear to Enter (2024) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

25. Varials - ".50" from Scars for You to Remember (2022)

26. Hatebreed - "Shut Me Out" from For the Lions (2009)

27. Make Them Suffer - "27" from 27 (2018)

28. Car Bomb - "Cellophane Stiletto" from Centralia (2007)

29. Iwrestledabearonce - "The Cat's Pajamas" from It's All Happening (2009)

30. The Number Twelve Looks Like You - "Like a Cat" from Nuclear. Sad. Nuclear (2005) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

31. The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza - "Big Pun's Not Dead Because I Just Saw Him at Krispy Kreme" from The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza (2005)

Here's my review summary:

The title is already a giveaway about the modern updates provided to the concepts of their 1992 album Pure. Long-time fans and pretty much anyone familiar with the band's earlier material can definitely recognize the Pure sound, almost like these two albums can be connected! I'm sure some listeners can recognize some of the more classic tracks from the Pure album. Broadrick and Green's task at hand since the beginning is to unleash the robotic rhythms that have shaped up industrial metal. Also looking back at the 80s/90s is the occasional hip-hop-ish groove that can ensure the album's variety without sounding too odd. Many of the tracks throw back to the glory days of Streetcleaner with the hammering and screeching guitars alongside the harsh vocals of Broadrick. The diversity in the heaviness adds to their bleak aura. Purge is not an album that I would expect to have that past glory, while it comes close to being the best album of the new era!

4.5/5.

Recommended tracks: "Land Lord", "Army of Non", "The Father", "You are the Judge, the Jury, and the Executioner"

For fans of: GOD, Jesu, Ministry

Here's my submission for the December Guardians playlist:

Wintersun - "One With the Shadows" (from Time II, 2024)

Helloooo, brand new Mechina! Fans of this epic symphonic/cyber metal band, get ready for their upcoming album, with their blend of beauty and brutality shining as always:

Ben, please add the new Turmion Kätilöt album Reset.

The catchy alt-metal of Addicted shines the most in this surprised-filled track:

Motorhead-infused energetic prog-metal from this prolific Canadian mastermind:

Although Godsmack's 2018 album When Legends Rise has more of a hard rock direction, even a couple of the more catchy singles like this one can have the metallic heaviness of Breaking Benjamin:

An aggressive metallic anthem of Godsmack's journey so far:

I would give the album a slightly higher rating if the standard edition included this anthemic bonus track that's one of the best things the band has ever done:

Sneak peek for the November Sphere playlist coming this Friday, another piece of epic cyber metal by Mechina:

Ben, please add the Godsmack album All Wound Up... It qualifies as Alternative Metal within the RYM 2:1 ratio: FOR - 12, AGAINST - 6.

A sinister new single by Ukrainian modern progressive metallers Jinjer from their upcoming album Duel:

A catchy melodic heavy metal highlight to sing along to:

Thanks, Daniel.

I once talked about 1993 being a special year for some expanding metal genres besides the classic ones, but I talked about that a few years ago when I was still interested in some bands from those genres. There are still a lot of fantastic releases from that year from bands I listen to though, so here's my top 10:

1. Earth Crisis - Firestorm

2. Rorschach - Protestant

3. Pestilence - Spheres

4. OLD - The Musical Dimensions of Sleastak

5. Comecon - Converging Conspiracies

6. Believer - Dimensions

7. Anacrusis - Screams and Whispers

8. Alchemist - Jar of Kingdom

9. Sadist - Above the Light

10. Morgoth - Odium

Ben, please add Lansdowne. Their new album Medicine qualifies as Alternative Metal in RYM.

I've just listened to this Powerwolf track while looking at the full moon in the night sky outside my home. With that and the fact that it's Halloween month, it's the ultimate spookiness!

New single, intense folk-infused nu/rap metal from India, Bloodywood still has their power from Rakshak in this wild comeback:

Hi, Ben. Thanks for adding those Blue Stahli albums I've requested. Now for one more thing... It seems you've overlooked my earlier request to add Celldweller's non-metal album Offworld to bridge the gap in their discography. Could you please add that soon? Thanks again!