Shadowdoom9 (Andi)'s Forum Replies

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

Celldweller - "My Disintegration (Joe Ford Remix)" (5:26) from Satellites (Remixed) (2023)

Fear Factory - "Scapegoat" (4:33) from Soul of a New Machine (1992)

Neurotech - "The Race to Recovery" (4:02) from The Decipher Volumes (2013)

Pain - "Just Think Again" (6:15) from Psalms of Extinction (2007)

Strapping Young Lad - "Far Beyond Metal" (4:36) from The New Black (2007)

Waltari - "Progression" (4:03) from Space Avenue (1997)

Total length: 28:55

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

The Agonist - "Immaculate Deception" (3:35) from Days Before the World Wept (2021)

The Devil Wears Prada - "Swords, Dragons & Diet Coke" (4:06) from Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord (2006)

Excessive Force - "Misfortune" (4:36) from In Your Blood (1995)

Hope for the Dying - "Iniquitous" (5:20) from Aletheia (2006)

Ithilien - "Blindfolded" (4:39) from Shaping the Soul (2017)

Northlane, In Hearts Wake - "Equinox" (2:07) from Equinox (2016)

Phinehas - "Blood on My Knuckles" (3:32) from The Last Word is Yours to Speak (2013)

Total length: 27:55

Here are my submissions for the May Infinite playlist:

An Abstract Illusion - "Emmett" (11:19) from The Sleeping City (2025)

Black Crown Initiate - "Withering Waves" (6:02) from The Wreckage of Stars (2014)

The Faceless - "The Spiraling Void" (5:27) from In Becoming a Ghost (2017)

Green Carnation - "The Slave That You Are" (6:16) from A Dark Poem, Pt. I: The Shores of Melancholia (2025)

Total length: 29:04

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

Benedictum - "Overture/Temples of Syrinx" (8:21) from Dominion (2011)

Dark Sarah - "Hunting the Dreamer" (5:32) from Behind the Black Veil (2015)

Fairyland - "The Storyteller" (3:47) from Of Wars in Osyrhia (2003)

Seven Spires - "Almosttown" (5:06) from A Fortress Called Home (2024)

Stevie T, ZP Theart - "Isugaku Never Say Goodbye" (3:40) from Isugaku Never Say Goodbye (2026)

Total length: 26:26

Here's my submission for the May Gateway playlist:

Volumes, Black Sheep Wall - "Suffer On" (from Mirror Touch, 2025)

April 2026

1. Tyrant of Death - "Cyanide" from Cyanide (2012)

2. Pain - "Call Me" from Coming Home (2016) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

3. Celldweller - "End of an Empire" from End of an Empire (2015) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

4. Persher - "Sycamore" from Sleep Well (2024)

5. OOMPH! - "Sag Jetzt Einfach Nichts" from Richter Und Henker (2023)

6. Psychopomps - "Wonderful World" from Six Six Six Nights in Hell (1995)

7. Viter - "Viter" from Springtime (2012)

8. Jacob Lizotte - "Afterlife" from Afterlife (2026)

9. Turmion Katilot - "Pyha Maa" from Technodiktator (2013) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

10. Eisbrecher - "Satt" from Kaltfront°! (2025)

11. Rammstein - "Haifisch" from Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da (2009)

12. Dimension F3H - "Paint Me Something Bleach" from Reaping the World Winds (2003)

13. Samael - "Antigod" from Lux Mundi (2011) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

14. Godflesh - "Tyrant" from Hymns (2001) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

15. Static-X - "Goat" from Cannibal (2007)

16. Intensive Care - "Cancer Causes Rats" from Diprivan (2018)

17. Moshpit - "Follow the Loser" from Follow the Loser (2008)

18. Mnemic - "The Naked and the Dead" from Mechanical Spin Phenomena (2003) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

19. Circle of Dust - "Telltale Crime - 1992" from Brainchild (1994)

20. Iperyt - "Totalitarian Love Pulse" from Totalitarian Love Pulse (2006)

21. Crawl - "No Way Out" from No Way Out (2025)

22. Klank - "Something About You (feat. Dug Pinnick)" from Urban Warfare (2012)

23. Division Alpha - "Inside Replika" from Replika (2003)

24. Sovereign - "Disorder" from Harbinger (2017)

25. Godkiller - "Deliverance" from Deliverance (2000)

26. Woods of Belial - "Pervertum" from Deimos XIII (2003)

27. Spineshank - "Dead to Me" from Self-Destructive Pattern (2003)

April 2026

1. Sylosis - "Beneath the Surface" from The New Flesh (2026) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

2. Varials - "Anything to Numb" from Pain Again (2017)

3. Every Time I Die - "Kill the Music" from Gutter Phenomenon (2005) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

4. Vision of Disorder - "Blood Red Sun" from The Cursed Remain Cursed (2012)

5. BOI WHAT - "BUCKET HELMET" from BUCKET HELMET (2026)

6. Fox Lake - "Cold Hard Truth" from Cold Hard Truth (2025)

7. We Came as Romans, Currents, After the Burial - "Bad Luck" from Bad Luck (2025)

8. Bring Me the Horizon - "Sleepwalking" from Sempiternal (2013)

9. Lamb of God - "Redneck" from Sacrament (2006)

10. August Burns Red - "Behemoth" from Behemoth (2026)

11. Shadows Fall - "Inspiration on Demand" from The War Within (2004) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

12. Carnifex - "Bury Me in Blasphemy" from Bury Me in Blasphemy (2018) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

13. Excessive Force - "In Your Blood" from In Your Blood (1995)

14. Born of Osiris - "Open Arms to Damnation" from The New Reign (2007) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

15. The Faceless - "Leica" from Akeldama (2006) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

16. Lorna Shore - "In Darkness" from I Feel the Everblack Festering Within Me (2025)

17. Showing Teeth - "Rip" from Rip (2026)

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

19. Avenged Sevenfold - "I Won't See You Tonight Part 1" from Waking the Fallen (2003)

20. Prayer for Cleansing - "Bael Na Mblath" from The Rain in Endless Fall (1999)

21. Bleeding Through - "War Time" from NINE (2025)

22. Electric Callboy - "Revery" from Revery (2025)

23. Until I Wake - "Sinking Under" from Until I Wake (2021)

24. Not Enough Space, Dark Divine - "Eye 4 an Eye" from Weaponize Your Rage (2025)

25. ERRA - "II. In the Gut of the Wolf" from Silence Outlives the Earth (2026)

26. Versus Me - "Heavy Breathing" from Continuous (2019)

27. We Butter the Bread with Butter - "Meine Brille" from Goldkinder (2013)

28. Volumes - "Pullin' Shades" from Different Animals (2017)

29. Ion Dissonance - "The Girl Nextdoor Is Always Screaming" from Breathing is Irrelevant (2003) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

30. The Chariot - "Mrs. Montgomery Alabama III." from Wars and Rumors of Wars (2009)

April 2026

1. Iron Fire - "The Final Crusade" from Thunderstorm (2000) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

2. Therion - "To Mega Therion" from Theli (1996) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

3. Epica - "Facade of Reality (The Embrace That Smothers, Part 5)" from The Phantom Agony (2003)

4. Plasmatics - "Doom Song" from New Hope for the Wretched/Metal Priestess (1981) [Suggested by Sonny]

5. Black Sabbath - "Symptom of the Universe" from Sabotage (1975)

6. Ozzy Osbourne - "Crazy Train" from Blizzard of Ozz (1980)

7. Judas Priest - "Panic Attack" from Invincible Shield (2024)

8. Hollow Ground - "Warlord" from Warlord (1980)

9. Accept - "Straight Up Jack" from Humanoid (2024)

10. Holocaust - "Death or Glory" from The Nightcomers (1981)

11. Erik Gronwall - "Bad Bones" from Bad Bones (2025)

12. Angel Witch - "Angel of Death" from Angel Witch (1980)

13. Killer - "Ready for Hell" from Ready for Hell (1980)

14. Iron Maiden - "Killers" from Killers (1981)

15. Metal Church - "Brainwash Game" from Brainwash Game (2026)

16. Altaria - "Crucifix" from The Fallen Empire (2006)

17. Fairyland - "Doryan the Enlighted" from Of Wars in Osyhria (2003)

18. Dragonfly - "Solo Depende de Ti" from Domine (2006)

19. Xandria - "Kill the Sun" from Kill the Sun (2003) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

20. Dreamstate - "Evolution" from Evolution (2012)

21. Fabienne Erni - "Ritual (feat. Lena Scissorhands)" from Ritual (2026)

22. Hizaki - "Desert Apple" from Rosario (2016)

23. Versailles - "Catharsis" from Jubilee (2010) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

24. Iron Savior - "Machine World" from Battering Ram (2004) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

25. Queensryche - "Eyes of a Stranger" from Operation: Mindcrime (1988)

Here's my review summary:

Sybreed was formed in 2003 in Switzerland, a country in Europe surrounded by other countries like Germany, France, and Italy, and sharing the same languages as those countries. This band blends industrial metal with elements of other styles including the groove metal of Devildriver, the djent of Meshuggah, and even a dash of black metal. Their 4th album God is an Automaton was one last trip through this experimental cyber dimension. Most of the songs are solid anthems of groove-ish industrial metal. Any open-minded listener can appreciate this bridge between industrial and groove. There's really only one weak track. One other minor issue to note for this album is the lack of audible bass. Brushing that aside, this revolutionary band made their last attack. They've recently returned with a Slave Design remaster and a new track, and they will make more music, so this album won't be the last we've heard from this band....

4/5

Recommended tracks: "The Line of Least Resistance", "Red Nova Ignition", "Hightech Versus Lowlife", "Challenger", "Into the Blackest Light", "Destruction and Bliss"

For fans of: Fear Factory, Mnemic, Samael

Here's my review summary:

Excessive Force made one of the heaviest albums of the scene at that time. It's all within the vocal fury, riffing punches, and drumming assault. And that drumming style would plant the seed for later bands of that genre and maybe even, dare I say it, nu metal. Many of the songs are anthemic mosher that show the groove and the guitar riffing going well together. The instrumentation is definitely worth moshing to, including the audible yet dirty bass and abrasive vocals. The music and lyrics are absolutely earth-shattering and make brutal highlights. It's sad that both this band and the similarily titlted German industrial band Excessive Force are no longer active beyond a couple releases, but let's enjoy them while we can!

4.5/5

Recommended tracks: "Those Who Were", "Distress", "Vengeance", "Misfortune", "In Your Blood"

For fans of: 7 Angels 7 Plagues, Morning Again, Underoath's Act of Depression

Here's my review summary:

Operation Mindcrime is a one-hour journey not to be missed out on! It tells a story (that I won't spoil in this review summary) of a drug addict who has spiralled down into disillusion, caused by the corruption of society, and joined a revolutionary assassination group. The songs themselves are quite progressive but at the same time make catchy 80s metal hits. And in the middle is a 10 and a half minute epic to really show their progressive side. It's hard to imagine that one of the greatest stories ever told is written by a metal band vocalist, but it's great that happened. This is Geoff Tate at his best in both writing and singing. You sometimes wonder whether you're listening to an album or a soundtrack-backed audiobook. And almost everything is connected together like a full-on suite! The story would continue 18 years later in Operation: Mindcrime II, which is underwhelming compared to the first album, but I'm satisfied with the story having a sequel. Operation: Mindcrime shall be heard by any music listener. A real gamechanger in both metal and music in general!

5/5

Recommended tracks: "Revolution Calling", "Speak", "The Mission", "Suite Sister Mary", "Breaking the Silence", "I Don't Believe in Love", "Eyes of a Stranger"

For fans of: Dream Theater, Crimson Glory, Fates Warning

Here's my review summary:

Avenged Sevenfold began as a metalcore band in their first two albums. Their debut Sounding the Seventh Trumpet had more of a raw hardcore-leaning sound compared to any of their subsequent works. Vocalist M. Shadows was practically screaming his head off in almost every song. Then came a different direction in their second album Waking the Fallen. They cranked up the metal in their metalcore in the riffing, melodies, and atmosphere. Shadows' cleans became more prominent while mixed with his screaming. Some claim that the reason for the absence of screaming in this album City of Evil is because he blew his voice while performing in Warped Tour 2003 and had to go for surgery. Well that myth has been busted, as he had actually planned to abandon screaming altogether since between those first two albums. City of Evil has basically the classic heavy metal of Iron Maiden and 90s Metallica given a better modern twist. Shadows sounds the best when he's channeling his inner Bruce Dickinson and James Hetfield. Lead guitarist Synester Gates performs some of the greatest soloing and riffing I've heard that can almost rival DragonForce. And there are many melodic moments to adore, including orchestra in some tracks without heading too deep into symphonic metal territory. Many of the tracks are classic anthems that pretty much every metalhead would know and love. Plus an epic trilogy of long songs that make my top 3 favorites of this album. Avenged Sevenfold has proven themselves to be a gamechanger in the 2000s American metal scene. I can really recognize the originality this band has!

4.5/5

Recommended tracks: "Beast and the Harlot", "Bat Country", "Trashed and Scattered", "Sidewinder", "The Wicked End", "Strength of the World"

For fans of: Iron Maiden, 90s Metallica, Trivium's Silence in the Snow

Hey all, so I have a special all-day 4-day event going on from April 2 to 5. Because of this, I'll have to change my monthly schedule for posting my feature release/playlist threads. With that, here's the feature release roster for May:

THE FALLEN: Sonny, Vinny

THE GATEWAY: Andi, Saxy

THE GUARDIANS: Sonny, Karl, Andi

THE HORDE: Vinny, Sonny, Karl

THE INFINITE: Saxy, Andi

THE NORTH: Karl, Vinny, Sonny

THE PIT: Vinny, Sonny

THE REVOLUTION: Andi

THE SPHERE: Andi

And here's the schedule for what I'll do with my feature releases, playlists, and their respective threads, to accommodate my 4-day weekend event:

March 31 - Posting my April feature releases and playlists, and track submissions for the May playlists

April 1 - Assembling the May playlists

April 2 (morning only) - Commenting on the April Guardians playlist

April 3 (morning only) - Commenting on the April Infinite playlist

April 4 (morning only) - Commenting on the April Revolution playlist

April 5 (morning only) - Commenting on the April Sphere playlist

The feature releases I'm posting for April I've reviewed before, but I recommend them to fans of the releases' respective genres. And I might also do the posting on the last day of the month and playlist-assembling on the first day of the next month for May as well.

Ben, please add the new Iron Savior cover album Awesome Anthems of the Galaxy.

Welcome to Metal Academy, Gannister!

"Space opera" makes me think of some of Ayreon's albums.

Ben, please add these releases:

Altaria - Unholy (not metal, but please add it to bridge the gap before their next album that is metal)

Altaria - Wisdom

Leaves' Eyes - Song of Darkness

Powerwolf - Wildlive (Live at Olympiahalle)

Ben, please add Torn Apart (early metalcore/mathcore band from Baltimore).

Once a fun little AI experiment, then an unexpected viral success, and now a full human-made epic piece of heavy/power metal, featuring the vocalist who sang the very first song to get me into all of metal:

An excellent but familiar comeback for these progressive trailblazers! Here's my review summary:

If you thought Colors II was the most anticipated BTBAM album, that would then be surpassed by this one, The Blue Nowhere! The album came out last September after a long 4-year interval. It is partly due to their separation from longtime rhythm guitarist Dustie Waring. For this album, The Blue Nowhere, founding lead guitarist Paul Waggoner performed all the guitarwork by himself. It takes a real music examiner to tell the difference between Waggoner's rhythm guitar playing and that of Waring. Either way, although there can be some slight predictability that made me burned out of BTBAM in the first place a few years ago, we have another terrific display of the band's deathly progressive metal/rock and conceptual tendencies that they had since Colors. The album is set in the eponymously titled hotel The Blue Nowhere. It dives into existential quandaries in a more abstract form of storytelling, sung and growled by vocalist/keyboardist Tommy Rogers, and taking on thoughts that range from fleeting to chaotic. They're not about the story, but rather about the feeling. As you listen, you can imagine yourself in your own world away from reality, one that only you and no one else would know. The tracks here are some of their most enjoyable in years. Sometimes they follow the heaviness of the two Colors albums, and other times the wackiness of the albums in between. All of this is best displayed in the three 11-minute epics, plus a two-track closing suite. However, a little more originality would've been ideal to make this album 100% percent and get me back onboard the BTBAM train. Nonetheless, they still have their triumph. I don't know what will come next for them, but I can't wait!

4.5/5

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

Since releasing their debut Via 15 years ago, Volumes have been a well-praised band in the djenty metalcore scene. Mirror Touch shows the band transition to mainstream alt-metal practically complete, though this melodic direction is not without some throwbacks to their heavy groove-laden roots. They know how to please both new and longtime fans. Some tracks throw heavy punches while others flow through a pop-ish sound. In fact, this album may have both the softest and heaviest songs in their catalog. It's nice and consistent, and a great way to end the previous year. They still have their magic touch....

4/5

For fans of: Beartooth, Myke Terry-era Bury Your Dead, Northlane

Submission accepted! Thanks, Sonny.

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

Celldweller - "End of an Empire" (7:33) from End of an Empire (2015)

Godflesh - "Tyrant" (4:07) from Hymns (2001)

Mnemic - "The Naked and the Dead" (5:34) from Mechanical Spin Phenomena (2003)

Pain - "Call Me" (4:12) from Coming Home (2016)

Samael - "Antigod" (4:04) from Lux Mundi (2011)

Turmion Katilot - "Pyha Maa" (3:22) from Technodiktator (2013)

Total length: 28:52

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

Born of Osiris - "Open Arms to Damnation" (2:48) from The New Reign (2007)

Carnifex - "Bury Me in Blasphemy" (4:03) from Bury Me in Blasphemy (2018)

Every Time I Die - "Kill the Music" (3:14) from Gutter Phenomenon (2005)

The Faceless - "Leica" (5:12) from Akeldama (2006)

Ion Dissonance - "The Girl Nextdoor Is Always Screaming" (3:30) from Breathing is Irrelevant (2003)

Shadows Fall - "Inspiration on Demand" (3:52) from The War Within (2004)

Sylosis - "Beneath the Surface" (4:12) from The New Flesh (2026)

Total length: 26:51

Here are my submissions for the April Infinite playlist:

An Abstract Illusion - "Vakuum" (11:13) from Illuminate the Path (2016)

Green Carnation - "Sanguis (Blood Ties)" (6:23) from Sanguis (Blood Ties) (2026)

Stream of Passion - "Passion" (5:19) from Embrace the Storm (2005)

Textures - "At the Edge of Winter" (6:42) from Genotype (2026)

Total length: 29:37

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

Iron Fire - "The Final Crusade" (4:37) from Thunderstorm (2000)

Iron Savior - "Machine World" (6:31) from Battering Ram (2004)

Therion - "To Mega Therion" (6:34) from Theli (1996)

Versailles - "Catharsis" (6:05) from Jubilee (2010)

Xandria - "Kill the Sun" (3:23) from Kill the Sun (2003)

Total length: 27:10

I don't know if I might do something like this someday, but if I do, I'll make sure to include every metal genre in the book, including the ones that are absent in that list (alternative metal, symphonic metal, industrial metal, etc.).

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Tyrant of Death - "Processed Evolution" from Singles and Extras (2018)

4.5/5. Let me start by saying that there are many underrated geniuses out there. One of them is Alex Rise. He has made music that should really catch on even without a record label. The melancholic soft bridge midway through really touches my heart. You can practically consider this cyberpunk metal that practically injects the riffwork of Star One into Fear Factory. It's quite a standout, and I also enjoy the vocals by the late Malcolm Burgess. RIP

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

5/5. This highlight follows as a straight-up banger. Heaviness is totally on their agenda here, though there's a soothing chorus before more of the riff attack. The ultimate anthem for the band in a nutshell!

Pitchshifter - "Civilised" from www.pitchshifter.com (1998)

4.5/5. Another underrated track, and I especially like the verses.

Emigrate, Marilyn Manson - "Hypothetical" from Silent So Long (2014)

4.5/5. And another one to love. Hypothetically, would you share it with your outside friends? I probably won't.

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

5/5. This standout can fit well in this playlist and its original album as much as any of the earlier material. Some of the best lyrics, riffs, keys, and samples can be found here, almost like it's a Brainchild B-side.

Gothminister - "Norge" from Pandemonium (2022)

5/5. A doomy march of gloom thathas possible potential to be the Norwegian anthem. Note that the title is Norwegian for their homeland of Norway, hence the potential.

Waltari - "Radium Round" from Radium Round (1999)

4.5/5. I still recognize some Waltari songs as potential classics.  Kärtsy Hatakka's falsetto singing in the verses is quite impressive.

Surgical Meth Machine - "Spudnik" from Surgical Meth Machine (2016)

4/5. Then we check on Al Jourgensen's projects, starting with Surgical Meth Machine.

Ministry - "The Missing" from The Land of Rape and Honey (1988)

3.5/5. And of course, his main band Ministry. This one has some of the earliest industrial metal energy without ever slowing their a**es down. They've already left behind the new wave/synthpop of With Sympathy.

Eisbrecher - "Zeitgeist" from Kaltfront°! (2025)

3/5. Seems like Eisbrecher is taking more of an Electric Callboy-esque direction in the instrumentation. Cool riffing, and cool guest vocals by Joachim Witt. However, it sounds a bit silly, not to mention this is still Neue Deutsche Harte. I think I'd rather get my German industrial metal from Lord of the Lost, thank you very much.

Rammstein - "Zwitter" from Mutter (2001)

3.5/5. This one is a heavier song to like. It has more furious riffing and some of the best and most bizarre lyrics of androgynous self-pleasure, "I'm not discouraged, when someone says 'f*** you' to me."

Genitorturers - "River's Edge-Strip the Flesh" from 120 Days of Genitorture (1993)

3/5. As I become a more serious listener than I was earlier on, it has stripped away a lot of my enjoyment for the more provocative songs from bands like Genitorturers.

Course of Empire - "Captain Control" from Telepathic Last Words (1998)

3.5/5. Same thing with this one, though it sounds slightly more controlled.

Sybreed - "Challenger" from God is an Automaton (2012)

4/5. Disposing of some of that weakness is this catchy mainstream-ish track, which is heavier while throwing in some keyboards, a balance mastered in Antares. Benjamin Nominet's vocals sound the best here, with somber cleans going well with his raging growls. So unique!

Subliminal Fear - "Escape From Leviathan" from Escape From Leviathan (2016)

4.5/5. So unique that this track ended sounding like that previous one. F***ing impressive drumming there!

Division Alpha - "Insipid Mattr of Fact" from The Dekta Release (2002)

4/5. Great, but I feel a little something's missing, kind of like the E in "Matter".

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

4.5/5. This one emphasizes on industrial metal's signature aspects of mechanical rhythm and audio samples, showing the genre's effective development progress.

Mushroomhead - "Burn" from Savior Sorrow (2006)

4/5. Very nice, but now I realize it's slightly generic.

Turmion Katilot - "Kay Tanssiin" from Omen X (2023)

4.5/5. This one has massive darkness as the keyboard melodies get their kicks.

Cypecore - "Patient Zero" from Make Me Real (2024)

4/5. The closest throwback to their earlier melodeath sound while adding in a nice amount of electronics for good measure.

Seth Ect - "Heart Beat" from Godspeak (2011)

4.5/5. One of the best songs by Seth Ect, having some cool Samael vibes.

Crawl - "Emotional Cage" from Earth (1995)

4/5. This one has the more emotional rage of industrial death metal.

Pain - "Dark Fields of Pain" from Rebirth (1999)

4.5/5. We then get to this mid-paced track that's one of the most captivating songs here, acting as a bridge between Pain's debut and their later albums.

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

4/5. Still having its sentimental power having nearly 15 years. Thank you, Klayton.

Zaraza - "Necessary" from Slavic Blasphemy (1997)

3.5/5. Good potential for doom fans, and one of only two tracks I find necessary in that album.

Jacob Lizotte - "Dark Matter" from DARK MATTER (2026)

4/5. And finally, a synthwave-infused industrial/alt-metal finale by one of today's masters of modern metal, Jacob Lizotte.

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!

Good stuff, Storm_Lord!

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Nails - "Imposing Will" from Every Bridge Burning (2024)

5/5. Starting this playlist is my first time hearing Nails. I was a little nervous since they started off as a grindcore band, but now I can recognize the PURE F***ING VIOLENCE. And I'm saying that in a good way because it has absolutely floored me with brutal metalcore satisfaction. They nailed it!

Fear of Domination - "Alone" from Katharsis (2026)

4.5/5. Another h*ll of a strong energetic start. The verses screamed by both vocalists are in a great contrast with the catchy sung choruses for a well-balanced composition.

In This Moment - "Beautiful Tragedy" from Beautiful Tragedy (2007) 

4/5. Maria Brink can singing beautifully while also unleashing sharp screaming intensity. She both looks and sounds gorgeous! With all that said, I'm getting a little burned out from the alt-metal hinted at in this song and spreading into subsequent albums.

Lamb of God - "The Faded Line" from Ashes of the Wake (2004)

4.5/5. Some of Lamb of God's earlier songs actually sound closer to metalcore while maintaining their usual groove metal. "Silence, the only promise ever kept!"

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

5/5. Totally phenomenal and kick-A, from the intro to the ending breakdown, reminding some of My Heart to Fear.

Threat Signal - "Non-Essential" from Non-Essential (2026)

4.5/5. F*** yeah, they're back! This one throws back to their earlier days of Under Reprisal and might remind some of Silent Civilian.

Left to Suffer - "Artificial Anatomy" from Feral (2023)

5/5. If you're waiting for something brutal, you'll get it in this highlight. Soon the heaviness speeds up and then you hear the fast growling rage of guest vocalist Kim Dracula. Taylor Barber ends the track with a shrieking breakdown that practically makes that song their own "To the Hellfire"!

Blind Witness - "Since the Beginning" from Nightmare on Providence St. (2010)

5/5. I can still enjoy the sh*t out of this despite being over 15 years late. It's a f***ing beast! I can definitely hear some Neaera vibes here. It just sounds so cool. It would be great to hear more of this band, and I wish they didn't split up. The breakdown that appears twice in the song before replaying the main riff is crushing as f***.

BOI WHAT - "Carry Me Away" from Carry Me Away (2026)

4.5/5. The AI Plankton Metal reign is still standing in this beautiful song that includes female singing. Is that a guest vocalist or another AI voice filter? Hmm...

Annisokay - "Get Your Shit Together" from Abyss - The Final Chapter (2025)

4/5. Great song, but I think a collab between this band, Imminence, and Rammstein is in order.

What Lies Below - "Void Alone" from Void Alone (2025)

4.5/5. Sounds quite unique with only a slight touch of Architects.

Living Sacrifice - "Ghost Thief" from Ghost Thief (2013)

5/5. Living Sacrifice can very well be the kings of Christian metalcore, opening the gates for other bands of the scene like Demon Hunter and (formerly) As I Lay Dying. They're one of the most brutal Christian metal bands out there, using a stylistic format once thought impossible in Christian music. Demon Hunter is a more melodic band though they have their moments like featuring Living Sacrifice vocalist Bruce Fitzhugh. There should really be more soloing in some of Living Sacrifice's songs though.

Trivium - "Struck Dead" from Struck Dead (2025)

4.5/5. The title track of Trivium's new EP has mid-paced groove with Heafy bellowing the track's title, "STRUCK. F***ING. DEAD!!!". And when it switches to the big melodic chorus, it already seems like a remake of their ultimate best track that is the In Waves title track. That is, until it speeds up for a long brutal thrash/groove bridge. It's just pure rage throughout, with the most of that in the breakdown. Enjoyable, but can't beat the other two tracks in the EP and especially not "In Waves".

Sylosis - "Erased" from Erased (2026)

5/5. Sylosis is mostly known for their thrashy melodeath sound, but their new album The New Flesh adds greater amounts of groove metal and their earlier sound of melodic metalcore in songs like this. D*mn, those guys hit hard with all their strong talent.

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

4.5/5. It's sad that Burnt by the Sun are no longer active. Their songs are underrated heavy gems of metal/mathcore, hinting at both hardcore and deathgrind. That long growl by vocalist Mike Olender at the end is just EPIC.

Jacob Lizotte - "Leech" from Leech (2025)

4/5. Jacob Lizotte can master any modern metal genre in his songs, this one being heavy all-out nu metalcore. It's just so brutal, especially Jacob's vocals. Those screams RULE. It's almost like one of Motionless in White's heavier tracks.

Black My Heart - "Thick as Blood" from Before the Devil (2005)

4.5/5. If you think some of those other bands have the most pummeling breakdowns, Black My Heart be like "Hold our beers." This can practically be good for metalcore partying! I also love the different buildups to the faster sections.

Shadow of Intent - "Where Millions Have Come to Die" from Elegy (2022)

5/5. This standout has more dynamic brutality. The variation makes sure there isn't any unneeded repetition, along with vocals by Phil Bozeman of Whitechapel.

A Wake in Providence - "Oblivion (feat. Mark Poida)" from The Blvck Sun || The Blood Moon (2019)

4.5/5. This one is a sludgy anthem that includes blazing drumming. What makes it more of a highlight is the occasional clean singing by guitarist D'Andre Tyre as well as guest vocals by Mark Poida (ex-Aversions Crown).

Make Them Suffer - "Maelstrom" from Neverbloom (2012)

5/5. This is an absolute f***ing storm of epic and extreme, and I'm not saying it like a brown-nosing fanboy. This is more true epic deathcore power! A breakdown here might seem simple but it's another one of the most powerful in the album. It is the second of the three 6 and a half minute epics. Once again, the lyrics are so poetic that they can be published as poetry without the music. Those beautiful poetic lyrics are brutalized by the powerful screams of lead vocalist Sean Harmanis with a mighty voice ranging from black metal shrieks to death metal growls. The guitar work here is incredible too. The drumming is great, but it drowns out the bass.

Vision of Disorder - "Beneath the Green" from For the Bleeders (1999)

4.5/5. The best song of this Vision of Disorder album. My mind can embrace it as much as it embraces me.

Vana - "Pray" from Pray (2025)

4/5. Quite a f***ing hard-hitter, despite falling into the more Poppy-core side of things.

Converge - "We Were Never the Same" from Love is Not Enough (2026)

4.5/5. The closing track of the new Converge album maintains the band's metalcore roots while restoring some of the post-sludge from Bloodmoon. The best way to end this half-hour journey that is the original album!

Avenged Sevenfold - "I Won't See You Tonight Part 2" from Waking the Fallen (2003)

4/5. The second part of a two-part suite, the f***ing kick-A rage practically decimates the despair of the first part. Even the guitar from the first part is sped up! The lyrics have more suicidal tendencies (and I don't mean the band). Vocalist M. Shadows wouldn't be doing anymore of his brutal screaming after this, and it's not because of throat damage contrary to popular belief.

Imminence - "Come What May (feat. Tim Charles)" from The Return of the Black (2025)

4.5/5. The verses here are filled with heavy aggression, which is great for the band's longest song to date. I enjoy this guest vocalist edition more, in which Tim Charles of Ne Obliviscaris contributes his own singing and violin alongside Eddie Berg in both positions.

Ion Dissonance - "A Prelude of Things Worse to Come" from Solace (2005)

5/5. One of the darkest, heaviest, most brutal epics I've heard in the Revolution clan, long before The Acacia Strain started making those kinds of epics. I'm talking absolutely heavy sludginess that is THE SH*T. Quite a fitting swansong for their original vocalist Gabriel McCaughry. Indeed a prelude of heavier things to come in the next playlist...

The Breathing Process - "Todeskrone" from Todeskrone (2023)

5/5. But not before an epic throwback to the blackened side of this band's past, packed with sounds of deathly destruction.

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!

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

Datura – Obsidian (2024)

4/5. Solid start, but I feel like it could've been less draggy.

Erra – i. The Many Names of God (2026)

4.5/5. ERRA is getting more djenty with every release they make. Now they're at Meshuggah levels of djent! They first started hinting at that direction as early their 2021 self-titled album. Plus a bit of Volumes vibes here too! And apparently this is part 1 of a 3-part suite. Can't wait for the rest of that and this album!

Genghis Tron – Dream Weapon (2021)

5/5. The last time I've experienced Genghis Tron, it was one of their earlier cybergrind releases. Now they're cloudy progressive metal. And I enjoy it! No Napalm Death grind, no Dillinger mathcore, just pure progressive bliss. I think they've gone the Contortionist route of eliminating all heaviness and screaming, which I still like but in other genres. The album was produced by Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou. I hear some Voivod and BTBAM here. Well done!

Green Carnation – Under Eternal Stars (2000)

4.5/5. There's more of that female singing and clean guitarwork, the latter quickly becoming distorted again for slow riffing. Once again, all this might remind you of a less symphonic Therion. Oh I almost forgot, that female vocalist is Vibeke Stene (ex-Tristania), and her high soprano singing makes me up for more of her former main band. The song is so dark and gothic, yet it becomes more melodic and progressive. Oh, and there's more of the male singing too. All in all, a fun highlight!

Hath – All That Was Promised (2022)

4/5. For those wanting some progressive death metal, this track has all that's promised, though I feel like there could've been a little more.

The Hirsch Effekt – Der Faden (2026)

4.5/5. Excellent song sounding almost as sludgy as Mastodon and Baroness.

Isis – So Did We (Remaster) (2004)

5/5. I was one to two decades later for progressive/post-metal's mid-2000s heyday. I think I discovered this band 16 years after this album Panopticon first came out. The best part for me is the atmospheric bridge that starts the second half.

Jinjer – As I Boil Ice (2021)

4.5/5. Tatiana Shmayluk can unleash some kick-A roars while singing inspiring lyrics. This could be something my brother would listen to besides Breaking Benjamin and formerly Disturbed. My favorite is the ending throughout the final minute. Truly one of my favorite songs in that album!

Moon Tooth – Love at All Angels (2019)

4.5/5. The title is actually "Awe at All Angles", though "Love" would've also been interesting there. I wonder if this band is related to Beartooth. Not really... Again, right at the middle is the most joy-inducing part for me, with those sick guitar harmonies. Nicely done!

Ne Obliviscaris – Xenoflux (2012)

5/5. This one has a perfect blend of loud and emotional, especially in its climax that comes to a sudden stop.

Playgrounded – Our Fire (2022)

4.5/5. Top-notch quality for this progressive sound! Now, does being "Playgrounded" sound like fun or a punishment? Or maybe a "Funishment"? lol

Peximents – Hidden Instigator (2024)

4.5/5. Progressive metal hadn't sounded this wacky in the experimentation since Unexpect. It's pretty amazing, man!

Slice the Cake – The Holy Mountain (2023 Remaster)

5/5. You know what, after listening to this track for the first time in a few years, I really need to check out more of this band. I didn't really take it seriously the first time I listened to this album. And whether or not Jack Richardson wanted it released, I feel the appreciation towards it could've been what he really needed in his memory, after passing away from lung cancer recently. RIP... Anyway, this fits well as the closing single track epic to its original album, mixing all and additional elements to end this theatrical journey. Nothing is simple! The melody and rhythm fades, and you might just feel up to repeating this journey again.

Star One – Lost Children of the Universe (2022)

4.5/5. Long live two vocalists; Roy Khan, known for being the vocalist of progressive power metal bands Conception and Kamelot, and Tony Martin (in the alternate version), one of Black Sabbath's former vocalists. They have both kept their talents up for several decades. Bravo!

Symphony X – Rediscovery (Part II) (2000)

5/5. An awesome 12-minute grand finale that puts them in the progressive metal club of Opeth and Dream Theater, and it reminds me that the glory is left unbroken.

Urne – Be Not Dismayed (2026)

4.5/5. If you're put off by the addition of one more track after that epic, be not dismayed! The riffing sounds both heavy and emotional. This banger sounds like Mastodon gone Dark Tranquillity, a bit like early Chaos Divine. It just sounds so raw yet clean, especially in the guitars. Such a monstrous way out!

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

ZP Theart, Syndrone, Sophie Burrell, Bradley Hall - "Through the Fire and Flames (20th Anniversary)" from Through the Fire and Flames (20th Anniversary) (2026)

5/5. The one song that has gotten me into metal has been given a 20th anniversary revamp by ZP Theart together with Syndrone, Sophie Burrell, and Bradley Hall. It is quite epic, but I still prefer the original by a slight notch. I can't believe it has been 20 years since the original came out, and two-thirds of that amount of time since it got me into the world of metal. ZP's vocals are still majestic, as is his long hair. I also enjoy the guest soloing by Bradley Hall and Sophie Burrell. Good times relived!

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

4.5/5. This song is relatable for anyone feeling lonely and in emotional pain, even as young as in their 20s. The band's vocalist at the time, Lisa Middelhauve both looks and sounds so beautiful, enchanting this amazing song.

Ludmilla - "Forgotten Heroes Another Side" from Forgotten Heroes (2025)

4/5. I felt like helping a fellow Metal Academy member get one of their songs out there. I say this one's the correct side compared to that other "Forgotten Heroes" song.

Accept - "Sounds of War" from Accept (1979)

4.5/5. Accept's earlier lineup covering most of their first 7 albums is the probably their most well-known one. I like the drumming during the solo midway through.

Benedictum - "Benedictum" from Uncreation (2006)

5/5. This highlight can be considered the band's theme song. Here it starts with sinister Latin chanting before the band brings forward their blend of Sabbath and modern heavy metal in different sections.

Black Sabbath - "Children of the Sea" from Heaven & Hell (1980)

4.5/5. RIP Dio. His lyrics can work for any situation in any year. He wrote that song together with guitarist Tony Iommi who can perform sweet guitar melody. Practically everything here can be timeless! Of course, we can't forget about the vocalist before Dio, Ozzy Osbourne. RIP him too...

Scorpions - "The Sails of Charon" from Taken by Force (1978)

4/5. One of Uli Jon Roth's written songs, this one stands out with his good dark lyrical matter.

Metal Church - "Watch the Children Pray" from The Dark (1986)

4.5/5. Metal Church is standing 40 years after their second and last album with original vocalist David Wayne. RIP... His vocals sound so wonderful, and his high screams are spine-chilling. The chorus, guitar, and lyrics are quite kick-A. Watch us pray to the metal gods!

Bleak House - "Rainbow Warrior" from Rainbow Warrior (1980)

4/5. "Welcome to where time stands still..." Oops, wrong song! This one is part of an intro riff similarity food chain and is only the second one after The Straubs' "Down by the Sea", both followed by Metallica's "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)", "Michael Jackson's "Give in to Me", Weezer's "Undone", and Dream Theater's "Endless Sacrifice". The drums here actually sound a bit jazzy.

Judas Priest - "Diamonds and Rust" from Sin After Sin (1977)

3.5/5. Not many people know this, but this is a cover of a song by Joan Baez who wrote it about her affair with Rob Dylan. It's good that the band covered it in their own style instead of making it the folky ballad the original was.

Motorhead - "Motorhead" from Motorhead (1977)

3/5. Several tracks after that Benedictum one, I've added in a couple more "band theme songs", starting with this one by Motorhead. Lemmy wrote it when he was with Hawkwind before he was fired from that band and started his own. I say it's decent but a little more hard rock than metal. RIP Lemmy

Iron Maiden - "Iron Maiden" from Iron Maiden (1980)

3.5/5. And this is the third "band theme song", and second one in a row, by Iron Maiden, when Paul Di'Anno was the vocalist. RIP... The albums with Paul Di'Anno were noted to be more punky than their subsequent releases, all while maintaining the verse-chorus structure. Some may even consider this a faster Black Sabbath. And of course, without any of those bands, we wouldn't have Def Leppard or Metallica, or even Slipknot or Linkin Park, or any other metal band we know and love.

Riot - "Narita" from Narita (1979)

4/5. The rapid title instrumental of this Riot album has upbeat riffing and drumming. An explosive piece of protospeed metal! It would've been better with the late Guy Speranza's vocal power, but the track can still do fine without it. And there's more of his expressive singing to come in other catchy tunes in this album. RIP

Legend - "The Destroyer" from From the Fjords (1979)

4.5/5. Legend is another early band whose music is still known nearly 5 decades later, especially with Eternal Champion covering this song. Legend didn't last beyond this album though. After their split, some of the members went on to perform with Mercenary (different band rather than the Danish melodeath one). RIP vocalist Kevin Nugent...

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

5/5. My dad is a big fan of some of the older TV shows like Xena: Warrior Princess. It's quite cool that we have this epic metal anthem based on this show. RIP Alexi Laiho...

Blind Guardian - "Life Beyond the Spheres" from The God Machine (2022)

4.5/5. This next track is the previous speedy one's polar opposite, more bombastic and mid-paced.

Altaria - "Unchain the Rain" from Divinity (2004)

5/5. A magnificent power metal anthem that I wish I could've discovered 10 years before this comment! Altaria's first two albums were recorded with guitarists Jani Liimatainen (formerly of Sonata Arctica, The Dark Element, and Insomnium) and Emppu Vuorinen (Nightwish, ex-Almah). Clearly, Jani had some Sonata Arctica elements with him when making songs like this. Absolutely divine!

After Forever - "Monolith of Doubt" from Decipher (2001)

4.5/5. I've finally returned to listening to one of After Forever's songs, well, after forever! It's one of their catchiest songs, and Floor Jansen has quite an amazing vocal range, and this was before she joined Nightwish over a decade later, as well as shortly before guitarist/harsh vocalist Mark Jansen (not related) formed Epica. This song is quite short, compared to songs by similarly-styled bands like the progressive Theocracy.

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

4.5/5. At the time when Leaves' Eyes' debut was released, vocalist Liv Kristine was better known for her time with her previous band Theatre of Tragedy and guest appearing in the two title tracks of Cradle of Filth's Nymphetamine. This song is so mesmerzing, and this was before the band took a less gothic and more modern-ish direction.

Beyond the Black, LOVEBITES - "Can You Hear Me" from Break the Silence (2026)

5/5. I love it when collaboration songs bring fans of one band to another. This has caused Beyond the Black fans to know Lovebites and vice versa. I'm in the former camp, definitely up for some Lovebites and their lead vocalist Asami. The anime-style music video is quite epic too, AI-assisted or not.

Dark Moor - "Vivaldi's Winter" from Beyond the Sea (2005)

4.5/5. An excellent rendition of a Vivaldi classic by these Spanish masters of symphonic power metal.

Bogusław Balcerak's Crylord - "Lost Bloody Heroes" from Lost Bloody Heroes (2025)

4.5/5. More of that neoclassical madness continues in this shredtastic track to give neoclassical metal more life.

Celesty - "Fading Away" from Vendetta (2009)

5/5. Vocalist Antti Railio would later be known as a contestant in The Voice of Finland. After he left Celesty, he was replaced by Nightwish vocalist Tarja's brother Toni Turunen, but Celesty split up before they could record anything with him. Anyway, all hail Celesty!

Avenged Sevenfold - "Strength of the World" from City of Evil (2005)

4.5/5. The 9-minute epic of its original album and this playlist. The spaghetti western-sounding intro sounds like the start of a Wild West cowboy's journey. Then the rest has the power metal-ish sound similar to other bands from my early days of metal, especially in the chanting chorus. Magnificent! However, there's still one last track...

Edenbridge - "Spark of the Everflame - Where It Ends, Is Where It Starts" from Set the Dark on Fire (2026)

4/5. Where this playlist ends is where another one will start. So beautiful! See you all in the next one....

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!

March 2026

1. Tyrant of Death - "Processed Evolution" from Singles and Extras (2018)

2. Mnemic - "Dreamstate Emergency" from The Audio Injected Soul (2004) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

3. Pitchshifter - "Civilised" from www.pitchshifter.com (1998)

4. Emigrate, Marilyn Manson - "Hypothetical" from Silent So Long (2014)

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

6. Gothminister - "Norge" from Pandemonium (2022) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

7. Waltari - "Radium Round" from Radium Round (1999)

8. Surgical Meth Machine - "Spudnik" from Surgical Meth Machine (2016)

9. Ministry - "The Missing" from The Land of Rape and Honey (1988)

10. Eisbrecher - "Zeitgeist" from Kaltfront°! (2025)

11. Rammstein - "Zwitter" from Mutter (2001)

12. Genitorturers - "River's Edge-Strip the Flesh" from 120 Days of Genitorture (1993)

13. Course of Empire - "Captain Control" from Telepathic Last Words (1998)

14. Sybreed - "Challenger" from God is an Automaton (2012)

15. Subliminal Fear - "Escape From Leviathan" from Escape From Leviathan (2016)

16. Division Alpha - "Insipid Mattr of Fact" from The Dekta Release (2002)

17. Fear Factory - "Self Immolation" from Soul of a New Machine (1992) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

18. Mushroomhead - "Burn" from Savior Sorrow (2006)

19. Turmion Katilot - "Kay Tanssiin" from Omen X (2023)

20. Cypecore - "Patient Zero" from Make Me Real (2024)

21. Seth Ect - "Heart Beat" from Godspeak (2011)

22. Crawl - "Emotional Cage" from Earth (1995)

23. Pain - "Dark Fields of Pain" from Rebirth (1999) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

24. Celldweller - "So Long Sentiment" from Wish Upon a Blackstar (2012) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

25. Zaraza - "Necessary" from Slavic Blasphemy (1997)

26. Jacob Lizotte - "Dark Matter" from DARK MATTER (2026)

March 2026

1. Nails - "Imposing Will" from Every Bridge Burning (2024)

2. Fear of Domination - "Alone" from Katharsis (2026) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

3. In This Moment - "Beautiful Tragedy" from Beautiful Tragedy (2007) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

4. Lamb of God - "The Faded Line" from Ashes of the Wake (2004)

5. Phinehas - "White Livered" from Till the End (2015) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

6. Threat Signal - "Non-Essential" from Non-Essential (2026)

7. Left to Suffer - "Artificial Anatomy" from Feral (2023)

8. Blind Witness - "Since the Beginning" from Nightmare on Providence St. (2010)

9. BOI WHAT - "Carry Me Away" from Carry Me Away (2026)

10. Annisokay - "Get Your Shit Together" from Abyss - The Final Chapter (2025)

11. What Lies Below - "Void Alone" from Void Alone (2025)

12. Living Sacrifice - "Ghost Thief" from Ghost Thief (2013) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

13. Trivium - "Struck Dead" from Struck Dead (2025) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

14. Sylosis - "Erased" from Erased (2026)

15. Burnt by the Sun - "Goliath" from Heart of Darkness (2009) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

16. Jacob Lizotte - "Leech" from Leech (2025)

17. Black My Heart - "Thick as Blood" from Before the Devil (2005)

18. Shadow of Intent - "Where Millions Have Come to Die" from Elegy (2022)

19. A Wake in Providence - "Oblivion (feat. Mark Poida)" from The Blvck Sun || The Blood Moon (2019)

20. Make Them Suffer - "Maelstrom" from Neverbloom (2012) [submitted by Vinny]

21. Vision of Disorder - "Beneath the Green" from For the Bleeders (1999)

22. Vana - "Pray" from Pray (2025)

23. Converge - "We Were Never the Same" from Love is Not Enough (2026)

24. Avenged Sevenfold - "I Won't See You Tonight Part 2" from Waking the Fallen (2003)

25. Imminence - "Come What May (feat. Tim Charles)" from The Return of the Black (2025)

26. Ion Dissonance - "A Prelude of Things Worse to Come" from Solace (2005)

27. The Breathing Process - "Todeskrone" from Todeskrone (2023) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

March 2026

1. ZP Theart, Syndrone, Sophie Burrell, Bradley Hall - "Through the Fire and Flames (20th Anniversary)" from Through the Fire and Flames (20th Anniversary) (2026) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

2. Xandria - "Save My Life" from Salome - The Seventh Veil (2007) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

3. Ludmilla - "Forgotten Heroes Another Side" from Forgotten Heroes (2025)

4. Accept - "Sounds of War" from Accept (1979)

5. Benedictum - "Benedictum" from Uncreation (2006)

6. Black Sabbath - "Children of the Sea" from Heaven & Hell (1980)

7. Scorpions - "The Sails of Charon" from Taken by Force (1978)

8. Metal Church - "Watch the Children Pray" from The Dark (1986)

9. Bleak House - "Rainbow Warrior" from Rainbow Warrior (1980)

10. Judas Priest - "Diamonds and Rust" from Sin After Sin (1977)

11. Motorhead - "Motorhead" from Motorhead (1977)

12. Iron Maiden - "Iron Maiden" from Iron Maiden (1980)

13. Riot - "Narita" from Narita (1979)

14. Legend - "The Destroyer" from From the Fjords (1979)

15. Sinergy - "The Warrior Princess" from Beware the Heavens (1999) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

16. Blind Guardian - "Life Beyond the Spheres" from The God Machine (2022)

17. Altaria - "Unchain the Rain" from Divinity (2004)

18. After Forever - "Monolith of Doubt" from Decipher (2001)

19. Leaves' Eyes - "Into Your Light" from Lovelorn (2004) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

20. Beyond the Black, LOVEBITES - "Can You Hear Me" from Break the Silence (2026) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

21. Dark Moor - "Vivaldi's Winter" from Beyond the Sea (2005)

22. Bogusław Balcerak's Crylord - "Lost Bloody Heroes" from Lost Bloody Heroes (2025)

23. Celesty - "Fading Away" from Vendetta (2009)

24. Avenged Sevenfold - "Strength of the World" from City of Evil (2005)

25. Edenbridge - "Spark of the Everflame - Where It Ends, Is Where It Starts" from Set the Dark on Fire (2026)

Here's my review summary:

Weapons of Mass Seduction is a massive two-disc cover album by Lord of the Lost, following the previous year's Blood & Glitter. Similarly to that album, different highlights are scattered throughout this one for a dark yet fun experience. There are 22 cover tracks, 11 per disc, with the second one being part of a deluxe edition. Apparently, there's also super-deluxe edition with a 3rd disc with 10 cover songs, but the original artists for those songs in that disc are long before my time, so let's ignore that for now. For the two main discs, they spread through many different eras and genres, centered around the band's favorite tracks. And many of these songs are great choices! They all range from rock/metal classics to pop singles, from old to new. And again, they really metalize the songs, which is a green flag for me when it comes to covers. And even when they bring things closer to the original style, which I usually don't like when the original song isn't metal, the melancholy sounds absolutely right in the music. And a few songs are made even more epic than the original! All in all, Weapons of Mass Seduction is a versatile display of Lord of the Lost's influences, staying true to the sound of both worlds. This should be listened to by anyone who either likes or dislikes the originals. It shall really please any music fan....

4/5

Recommended tracks: "Unstoppable", "Smalltown Boy", "Hymn", "River", "(I Just) Died In Your Arms", "The Look", "Cha Cha Cha", "Children of the Damned", "Bad Romance", "It's a Sin", "Ordinary World"

For fans of: any of the artists covered here but also Deathstars, PAIN, and late 90s/2000s Paradise Lost

Here's my review summary:

Converge have a sealed lineup of Jacob Bannon (vocals), Kurt Ballou (guitars), Nate Newton (bass), and Ben Koller (drums). Aside from their poor debut Halo in a Haystack, the albums that followed are some of the greatest I've heard in non-melodic metalcore, and their new album continues that streak. Right out the gate, they launch you back into the thrashy metalcore/mathcore of their 2000s material, all in pure savagery. This all happens in 2 to 3 minute blitzes of rage plus three over 4-minute epics at the end that some of the post-sludge from Bloodmoon. September will mark the 25th anniversary of Converge's biggest album and America's biggest tragedy. I say Love is Not Enough is, well, not enough to surpass their 2000s material and All We Love We Leave Behind, but it does beat The Dusk in Us. Witness the return of the band's early hardcore as they protest against the darkness of humanity!

4.5/5

Reccomended tracks: "Love is Not Enough", "Distract and Divide", "Amon Amok", "Make Me Forget You", "We Were Never the Same"

For fans of: 90s Cave In, Cult Leader, later Nails

Here's my submission for the April Gateway playlist:

Tyler Smyth, Andy Bane - "Infinite" (from Sonic Forces Original Soundtrack A Hero Will Rise, 2017)

Update for April:

THE FALLEN: Vinny, Sonny

THE GATEWAY: Saxy, Andi

THE GUARDIANS: Andi, Sonny, Karl

THE HORDE: Karl, Vinny, Sonny

THE INFINITE: Andi, Saxy

THE NORTH: Sonny, Karl, Vinny

THE PIT: Sonny, Vinny

THE REVOLUTION: Andi

THE SPHERE: Andi

Awful cover, awesome milestone. Thanks again for all your work, Ben.

Currently watching the premiere of the brand-new song from Worm Shepherd's EP Dawn of the Iconoclast that just came out today, sounds quite killer so far:

Now that I have my ratings in spreadsheet form, I am going back through time and compiling lists for my top dozen albums for each year, starting with 1980.

https://metal.academy/lists/single/295

1. Angel Witch - "Angel Witch"

2. Diamond Head - "Lightning To the Nations"

3. Iron Maiden - "Iron Maiden"

4. Ozzy Osbourne - "Blizzard of Ozz"

5. Black Sabbath - "Heaven and Hell"

6. Motörhead - "Ace of Spades"

7. Witchfynde - "Give 'Em Hell"

8. Saxon - "Strong Arm of the Law"

9. Saxon - "Wheels of Steel"

10. Budgie - "Power Supply"

11. Trust - "Repression"

12. A-II-Z - "The Witch of Berkeley"

If I was including releases not eligible on MA then "Roky Erickson and the Aliens (5 Symbols)" would be at #6, Hawkwind's "Levitation" at #10 and Rush's "Permanent Waves" at #11.

I have been revisiting the Metal Academy podcasts from that Google Drive lately, and I've just listened to the 1980 episodes. The songs I've heard from those top 9 albums are quite good, but will I check out the rest of those albums and review at least one of them? Maybe, but I have a listening/reviewing album marathon for a different metal genre, as you will see from my reviews coming soon...

Glad you're back, Zach, and best of luck for your wife to recover. While you were away, I've been getting back in touch with more melodic genres like power metal, symphonic metal, and gothic metal, even returning to The Guardians and taking over assembling the clan's monthly playlist. Plus a bit of death metal/melodeath. This exploration has brought me to the music of symphonic/gothic metal bands that I've discovered or revisited including Haggard, Therion, Tristania, Sirenia, After Forever, and Battlelore. I would recommend those bands to you to level up your gothic metal or gothic-ish metal, along with the death metal from Therion's early 90s material and Haggard's Progressive demo. Whether or not you would be up to reviewing albums from those bands, there's a good chance some of their songs would be worth adding to your top 100 playlist.

Those two albums are not metal, they're only labelled chamber music. But they can be added only if you have some Hall of Judgement submissions planned for both.

Ben, please add the new Therion live album Con Orquesta.

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

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

5/5

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

For fans of: Lindemann, Samael, Celldweller

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

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

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

5/5

No problem, Vinny. Thanks for your feedback.