Shadowdoom9 (Andi)'s Forum Replies

This progressive multi-part track I once enjoyed when I was younger, I now find annoying and pompous. Probably the weakest Wintersun track for me, and this drop C-tuned live rendition doesn't quite help despite closing the show suitably:

The concluding epic for Time I has more stable structure complete with soloing and epic melodies more tolerable for the present-day me:

My favorite track from Time I with melodic beauty in the riffing and orchestration that can please metalheads with its swaying melancholy:

The perfect climax of Wintersun's debut with epic majesty in the music and lyrics:

A short yet heavily diverse power metal/melodeath track with so much going on in just two and a half minutes:

The perfect progressive closing epic to this fascinating heavy experience:

Progressive death metal with lyrics following the simple yet intriguing Christian theme of faith vs. fire:

The most melodic song of Children of Bodom's second album and a memorable highlight that I still remember for so long:

The perfect conclusion to Avatar's earlier melodeath era:

You can already hear Avatar starting to explore their alt-metal side in tracks like this one:

To be honest, when I hear the vocals and breakdowns in this album, I find them more moshing than slamming and think more of Deformity and Despised Icon (Consumed by Your Poison era) rather than Suffocation, maybe even the stylistic missing link between Living Sacrifice albums Inhabit and Reborn. Plus I don't have the heart to dethrone the honor of its status as the earliest notable deathcore album. For these reasons, I'm voting NO for this entry, Daniel.

Nice one, Daniel! Earth Crisis still have the hardcore/metalcore energy of their over 30-year tenure, and it doesn't seem like they'll lose too much steam anytime soon. There should definitely be a live album (EP?) of this, or maybe even a re-recording album that includes those tracks. The best part for me is their backwards run of the Firestorm EP throughout the second half, though the C-tuned guitarwork makes it sound like if Hatebreed made a full cover of that EP.

OK, thanks Daniel.

Sorry Daniel, I meant have sludge metal added. It's OK though, we can start with The Pit entry first.

OK, thanks Daniel.

1. Gateway playlist - 4.5/5 (number of songs commented: 15)

2. Infinite playlist - 4.5/5 (number of songs commented: 8)

3. Revolution playlist - 4/5 (number of songs commented: ALL 26)

4. Sphere playlist - 4/5 (number of songs commented: ALL 26)

For the clans I've made the monthly playlists for, I've listened to the entire playlists! I'm grateful to Saxy and Daniel for their playlist works. I really dig the tracks I've reviewed in the Gateway and Infinite playlists made by Saxy, and I'm glad the playlists I've made have paid off. I recommend them to any fan of the clans' respective genres and anyone who isn't into those genres but wants to get into a great start in enjoying them. Thanks, Daniel, for accepting these playlists, and good work all!

THE GATEWAY: Mushroomhead - The Righteous & the Butterfly (2014) 5/5

THE NORTH: Samael - Blood Ritual (1992) 4.5/5

THE REVOLUTION: Embodyment - Embrace the Eternal (1998) 5/5

THE SPHERE: Killing Joke - Pandemonium (1994) 3.5/5

My Gateway and Revolution nominations are glorious gems that I would recommend to fans of their respective genres. I also enjoy the North feature release more than I thought I would. The one for the Sphere, not so much, but still good. Keep up the good work on the feature releases, all! I look forward to more...

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

It's strange how Mushroomhead is part of the nu/alt-metal pack but has never gained the huge success many of their other peers have gained. Nonetheless, this band has a large fanbase that barely of those other bands have. The dedication fans have for Mushroomhead is a good reason for their 3-decade existence at this point, and why open-minded metalheads, such as myself, have no trouble at all with albums like this one, The Righteous and the Butterfly! Following up from the heavy Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children, the industrial-ish nu/alt-metal blend of brutality and beauty still stands in this album. The Righteous and the Butterfly introduces two new members, guitarist Tommy Church and bassist Ryan "Dr. F" Farrell. Jason "J Mann" Popson returns on vocal duties to make a 3-vocalist lineup (or 4 if including their later vocalist Jackie Laponza who guest appears in one song here). The title pays tribute to two longtime contributors who passed away in the years leading up to this album, former guitarist JJ Righteous and band photographer Vanessa Solowiow (drummer Skinny's wife). RIP... Some tracks look back at the different past eras of Mushroomhead and summarize all that they're known for, while other songs add in different stylistic elements for something new, either way spawning some of my favorite songs from the band such as "Qwerty" (which my brother likes as well) and their cover of Adele's "Rumor Has It". It's no rumor that awesome cover is what got me into this band. Incredible! All in all, Mushroomhead have their strongest album since XIII in The Righteous and the Butterfly, nicely improved from the albums in between. Both longtime fans and newcomers will love this righteous album, essential for any nu/alt-metal fans' collection!

5/5

Recommended tracks: "Our Apologies", "Qwerty", "Portraits of the Poor", "This Cold Reign", "For Your Pleasure", "Out of My Mind", "Rumor Has It"

For fans of: Linkin Park's nu metal albums, Rob Zombie, Slipknot

One of my favorite Mushroomhead songs from the breakthrough era. The quality could've been slightly better but it's still a killer highlight in their finest hour:

One of the most popular songs from the band's 90s era, and I can totally understand from the vocal duo fitting well with the dramatic instrumentation:

Some of the greatest, most amusing lyrics from the band appear in this fantastic highlight:

There are a few pointless instrumentals in Mushroomhead's debut, but this is the worst offender there:

An industrial-infused alt metal assault:

Part of Front Line Assembly's one-time shot at adding a lot of metal to their electro-industrial:

With evil slow riffing and vicious vocals by Vorph, this is a destructive highlight and perhaps the best song of Samael's black metal era:

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

Although I've just recently sworn off black metal (again), I don't mind revisiting an album by a band that started off as black metal but then became the Swiss leaders of industrial/symphonic metal. I actually like Blood Ritual slightly more than a couple of Samael's industrial metal albums that I reviewed. There's simpler yet more effective production than their debut Worship Him. While their debut has constantly switched back and forth from fast to slow, Blood Ritual focuses on the slower pace more. The sound is actually pretty clean! Their savage filth from the debut has mostly been cleared out. The music isn't played for shock value, instead opting for simple catchiness in the riffing. They still have their dark side though, appropriately timed in places. The clean production brings more life to the vocals and allows the guitars and keyboards to flow easily in the atmosphere. Soft ambient keyboards and heavy fist-pumping riffs can make an excellent match. This is for black metal fans who can listen to albums like this in its entirety!

4.5/5

Update to my list:

1. Ryujin - Ryujin [melodic death/power metal]

2. Madder Mortem - Old Eyes, New Heart [progressive metal]

3. DragonForce - Warp Speed Warriors [power metal]

4. While She Sleeps - Self Hell [alternative metal]

5. Amaranthe - The Catalyst [trance/symphonic/melodic metalcore]

And my wishlist:

Erra - Cure

Imminence - The Black (I enjoy the pre-release singles from this band so much and I want more of them)

Linkin Park - Papercuts (compilation of their greatest hits plus a couple demo tracks)

Northlane - Mirror's Edge

The Ghost Inside - Searching for Solace

High on Fire - Cometh the Storm (their Bat Salad EP is so fantastic for me that I want more of this band)

Pestilence - Levels of Perception

Gothminister - Pandemonium II: The Battle of the Underworlds

Knocked Loose - You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To

Like Moths to Flames - The Cycles of Trying to Cope

Pain - I Am

Trail of Tears - Winds of Disdain

Wintersun - Time II (how can I not look forward to one of the most anticipated albums in all of metal?)

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

Celldweller - "I Can't Wait" (5:24) from Wish Upon a Blackstar (2012)

Circle of Dust - "Regressor" (Aggressive Mix) (6:11) from Brainchild (1994)

Fear Factory - "Demanufacture" (4:12) from Demanufacture (1995)

Red Harvest - "Move or Be Moved" (4:33) from Cold Dark Matter (2000)

Samael - "Rain" (4:01) from Passage (1996)

Turmion Kätilöt - "Teurastaja" (3:04) from Hoitovirhe (2004)

Total length: 27:25

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

Bullet for My Valentine - "Your Betrayal" (4:51) from Fever (2010)

Fit for a King - "Backbreaker" (2:50) from Dark Skies (2018)

In Hearts Wake - "Frequency" (3:59) from Ark (2017)

Like Moths to Flames - "All That You Lost" (3:35) from Where the Light Refuses to Go (2019)

Protest the Hero - "Limb from Limb" (4:22) from Fortress (2008)

Threat Signal - "Trust in None" (6:14) from Threat Signal (2011)

Whitechapel - "This Is Exile" (3:40) from This Is Exile (2008)

Total length: 29:31

Here are my submissions for the May Infinite playlist:

Devin Townsend - "Deadhead" (8:05) from Accelerated Evolution (2003)

Into Eternity - "Into Eternity" (4:07) from Into Eternity (1999)

Mutoid Man - "Beast" (1:58) from Bleeder (2015)

Persefone - "Lingua Ignota" (7:34) from Lingua Ignota: Part I (2024)

Voivod - "Technocratic Manipulators" (4:35) from Dimension Hatross (1988)

Total length: 26:19

Here are my submissions for the May Gateway playlist:

Bad Omens - "Just Pretend" (3:24) from The Death of Peace of Mind (2022)

BOI WHAT - "Funeral of an Antihero" (3:20) from Funeral of an Antihero (2024)

Breaking Benjamin - "Break My Fall" (3:25) from We Are Not Alone (2004)

Bring Me the Horizon - "Teardrops" (3:35) from Post Human: Survival Horror (2020)

In This Moment - "I Would Die for You" (4:36) from Godmode (2023)

Issues - "Since I Lost You" (4:09) from Since I Lost You (2024)

Linkin Park - "War" (2:11) from The Hunting Party (2014)

Sleep Token - "Blood Sport" (4:07) from Sundowning (2019)

Total length: 28:47

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Bad Omens, Poppy - "V.A.N." from V.A.N. (2024)

5/5. The playlist begins with a kick-A collab between Bad Omens and Poppy. To paraphrase part of the first verse, it gets more powerful every minute. Although Poppy's vocals are both beautiful and wicked, it would've been nice to hear from Bad Omens vocalist Noah Sebastian as well, but the song is still perfect. The lyrics are so disturbing yet intriguing ("Isn't it strange to create something that hates you?" "I AM DEATH AND I AM NOT ALONE!!!!").

Gothminister - "Dark Salvation" from Empire of Dark Salvation (2005)

5/5. This one opens the playlist big, really big, after that Bad Omens/Poppy prologue.

Deathstars - "All the Devil's Toys" from The Perfect Cult (2014)

4.5/5. Another cool cyber/industrial metal song. What else to say?

Nailbomb - "Vai toma no cu" from Point Blank (1994)

4/5. This one's also great in the instrumentation.

Lord of the Lost - "Blood & Glitter" from Blood & Glitter (2022)

3.5/5. I applaud this song representing Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, though it could've been done better.

Marilyn Manson - "Tourniquet" from Antichrist Superstar (1996)

3/5. This one is OK, but let's hope for some more madness in this playlist...

Rammstein - "Morgenstern" from Reise, Reise (2004)

3/5. This seems wonderful, but it's not really the best I've heard from Rammstein.

Genitorturers - "Devil in a Bottle" from Blackheart Revolution (2009)

3.5/5. This one totally rocks out with its Rob Zombie vibe and makes up a lot for the previous songs' fails.

Rob Zombie - "The Satanic Rites of Blacula" from The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy (2021)

4/5. Speaking of Rob Zombie... Da da da-da-da, da da da-da-da! H*ll, this sounds good and catchy, though a bit Satanic.

Godflesh - "Shut Me Down" from A World Lit Only by Fire (2014)

4.5/5. I like the shuffled rhythm in this one. Light it up, Godflesh!

AP2 - "The Pact" from Suspension of Disbelief (2000)

5/5. My favorite song in this AP2 album is a softer industrial rock/metal track with no lyrics, only Indian-style chanting by vocalist Sage. That and the catchy pop-ish tone might remind some of The Prayer Chain, and the song shows actions can sing louder than words.

Pain - "Go With the Flow" from Go With the Flow (2024)

5/5. Incredible track from Pain's upcoming album I Am! This could get a lengthy extension and I would still enjoy it.

Peace, Love & Pitbulls - "Kemikal" from 3 (1997)

4.5/5. An amazing NIN-like song with good vocals, that should've ended up in a Resident Evil soundtrack.

Fear Factory - "Hatred Will Prevail (Monolith Remix)" from Recoded (2022)

4/5. A killer remix of "Monolith", done by session member Rhys Fulber who's best known as a member of Front Line Assembly. I enjoy the vocals at the end.

Mushroomhead - "Just Pretending" from Savior Sorrow (2006)

4.5/5. Horns up to this wicked track that makes me up to reviewing Mushroomhead's discography leading up to this month's feature release.

In This Moment - "Sanctify Me" from Godmode (2023)

5/5. Maria Brink can really scream in the verses of this powerful highlight.

Author & Punisher - "Misery" from Krüller (2022)

4.5/5. Drone-ish industrial metal misery. Next!

Scum of the Earth - "Born Again Masochist" from The Devil Made Me Do It (2012)

4/5. F***ing h*ll, this band can blend metal and dubstep seamlessly after Korn's attempt to do that in The Path of Totality. Mike Riggs' creativity shines like a motherf***er.

ASP - "The Shadows Beneath the Roots" from Horrors - A Collection Of Gothic Novellas (2023)

3.5/5. Here's some dark Neue Deutsche Härte like a more gothic Rammstein. I still can't get the appeal of that subgenre though.

Treponem Pal - "Crazy Woman" from Screamers (2023)

4/5. Another song I like. I like this "Crazy, Crazy Woman".

Emigrate - "In My Tears" from Emigrate (2007)

4.5/5. Another cool song from this Rammstein side-project.

D'espairsRay - "Marry of the Blood -Bloody Minded Mix-" from Coll:Set (2006)

5/5. After a year of adding a few D'espairsRay songs into The Sphere playlists, I'm finally enjoying this band's material, including this lovely remix.

Mechina - "Reclamation of Mortal Nature" from Tyrannical Resurrection (2007)

4.5/5. Some songs from Mechina's debut The Assembly of Tyrants were re-recorded for this EP Tyrannical Resurrection. This band can sound killer even at a time before adding a bombastic truckload of symphonics and female vocals to their subsequent releases.

Sybreed - "Hightech Versus Lowlife" from God is an Automaton (2012)

4/5. The intro and the midsection sound so brutal as part of the cyber/industrial metal greatness.

Neurotech - "Blue Screen Planet (Part II Revelation)" from Blue Screen Planet (2011)

4.5/5. Most metalheads and more upbeat music listeners can't go past the first half of this serene Hans Zimmer-like composition, but I can! It's amazing how magical this piece sounds as it transports you out of the harsh reality of Earth into the astral plane. It works well with the video game No Man's Sky. So instead of unleashing metal in maximum power, let the cool ambience move you into this different dimension. By the 5th minute, you'll already be one with the multiverse.

Turmion Kätilöt - "To Be Contiuned, Kohtaus 3" from Dance Panique (2017)

5/5. Then after waking up from that universal dream, it's time to party with this incredible finale that's much better than the first two "To Be Continued" acts, sounding more like a real song or epic. Nothing bad about that one at all!

Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? Despite some bumpiness throughout, especially in the first half. Anyway, 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 I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Malevolence - "Malicious Intent" from Malicious Intent (2022)

3.5/5. Let's start with good beatdown fire, filled with MALICIOUS INTENT.

Hatebreed - "Instinctive (Slaughterlust)" from Weight of the False Self (2020)

4/5. If Trivium could rip the heart from your hate, Hatebreed does just that then keeps stomping the heart hard while your hate bleeds to death. This is f***ing brutal old-school-inspired metalcore that would keep your wild bullhorns up.

Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas - "The Stronger, the Further You'll Be" from Hypertoughness (2019)

4.5/5. I totally agree with that song title, since I've been gaining a lot of strength in my metal journey. Sometimes metal isn't always about soloing but rather about Solo Leveling. Get it? The lyrics are quite amazing and perfect for gaming. Level up!

As I Lay Dying - "An Ocean Between Us" from An Ocean Between Us (2007)

5/5. Horns up to the massive melodic metalcore fire from this killer highlight!

Thrown - "New Low" from EXTENDED PAIN (2022)

4.5/5. I haven't heard of this band until just recently. That outro riff is heavy gold!

Half Me - "Ex Negativo" from Soma (2023)

4.5/5. That's a lot of Thrown for me to consume, with this song featuring Thrown vocalist Marcus Lundqvist. An absolutely heavy banger! This is basically Alpha Wolf gone Periphery, especially in the breakdown halfway through filled with raw anger. Not much has changed in between singles, and that's a good thing.

Imminence - "Continuum" from Continuum (2024)

5/5. The perfection of Imminence's new singles continues, this one sounding both brutal and beautiful. Like f***ing beyond beautiful!

Alleviate - "Within Worlds" from Within Worlds (2024)

4.5/5. Perhaps the heaviest song in the playlist so far! And I'm talking about raging metalcore violence.

HEAVENSGATE - "SHE MOVES LIKE THUNDER" from AND ALL I LOVED, I LOVED ALONE (2023)

4/5. If you take Loathe's sound and replace the shoegaze elements with the brutality of Sworn In, you have a f***ing heavy banger in this song. Impressive hellfire in the instrumentation that never disappoints! You can hear the sick p*ssed-off attitude. Though it should be noted that there's already a heavy metal band called Heaven's Gate.

VENUES - "Godspeed, Goodbye" from Godspeed, Goodbye (2024)

3.5/5. Escape the depression and experience the upbeat melody. I enjoy the chorus and how it gets a heavy twist in the end of the final one.

xNOMADx - "On Skylines of Embers" from On Skylines of Embers E.P. (2023)

3/5. A decent track with melodic heavy riffing and vicious vocal fury, but not enough to make highlight territory.

Nik Nocturnal, Victor Borba - "Soul Eternal" from How to Metal, Vol. 1 (2023)

3.5/5. A pretty cool take on Bring Me the Horizon and all of their different eras, though the structural skeleton seems to come from "Shadow Moses". Victor Borba (who also sings that Devil May Cry "Bury the Light" song) does an impressive job vocally impersonating Oliver Sykes. TAKE MY SOUL ETERNAL!!!

Currents - "Monsters" from The Way It Ends (2020)

4/5. I like this one, but something's a little off that seems to ruin it slightly.

Fit for a King - "Pissed Off" from Deathgrip (2016)

4.5/5. "Guns firing into masses... Building burning, SOCIETY COLLAPSES!" Is that a parody of a lyric from Black Sabbath's "War Pigs"? Either way, it can't beat the final f***ing brutal growl at the end.

Underoath - "Paper Lung" from Ø (Disambiguation) (2010)

5/5. This one sounds a little more alternative than the rest, but like those other two Underoath music videos ("Writing on the Walls", "In Division"), this one is also what ignited a slight spark of interest in Underoath that didn't fully began until when a different song from the band was used in a TheOdd1sOut video. This is closer to a sludgy metalcore mix a bit like early He is Legend, especially in the intense last minute. I ain't sorry when I say this is much better than their recent pop rock sh*t.

Amaranthe - "Digital World" from Massive Addictive (2014)

4.5/5. This more intellectual track deals with society living more via digital devices instead of physically socializing people. This is yet another song fitting well with both the music and the current ongoing pandemic. You can party to that song alone at home!

Bullet for My Valentine - "Alone" from Fever (2010)

5/5. This one starts with massive guitar tapping over orchestral synths and chord sequence, a nearly similar starting structure to "Your Betrayal", but sounds neo-classical. The synth-strings continue through the verse and chorus in catchy occasion. The guitar solos start with simple melodies transposed to E minor (key changes are rare for BFMV) before modulating back to D minor in time for the final chorus and a crashing finale like no other. The intro plays again in the outro slowing down to crawling before an epic collapse similar to a film or album ending. Yeah, that song would fit better as the closing track, but at least it brings us to the second half of the playlist, length-wise.

Convictions - "Stigmata" from Stigmata (2021)

4.5/5. "I won't deny my father's crown! SO YOU CAN CRUCIFY ME UPSIDE DOWN!!!!" One of the most aggressively pleasant lyrics I've heard in a Christian metal song.

Converge - "Heartless" from You Fail Me (2004)

4/5. Definitely an adjective that I would describe song #6. It's as great as many the other songs here. The song has some of the melody from the previous few tracks here while still containing heavy amounts of heaviness. The ability to combine melody and brutality is what makes Converge so great.

Iwrestledabearonce - "Still Jolly After All These Years" from Iwrestledabearonce (2007)

4.5/5. The first 15 seconds sound like a strange alien drug trip before that intro gets f***ed apart by the mathcore chaos. I love the melodic bridge that starts near the one-minute mark. Then after the last bit of chaos, the intro is repeated again as the outro.

Botch - "Spitting Black" from American Nervoso (1998)

4/5. That first line "It won't happen again, not for the hundredth time" seems fitting because this song's uniqueness makes sure nothing gets repeated for the hundredth time. The uniqueness is helped out by Knudson's guitar versatility going all over the place and constantly changing like when you're repeatedly switching weapons in your arsenal in one of those shooting video games like DOOM.

The Dillinger Escape Plan - "Gold Teeth on a Bum" from Option Paralysis (2010)

4.5/5. This one has some moments that can make a nice action-heist movie soundtrack, while bringing together a once-hated mix of metal and pop.

Invent Animate - "Elysium" from Heavener (2023)

5/5. Such godly vocals to go with the glorious instrumentation!

Ice Nine Kills - "Someone Like You" from The Predator (2013)

4.5/5. When I first came across this Adele cover, I thought it would be laughable, but it's highly enjoyable.

Trivium - "The Ones We Leave Behind" from What the Dead Men Say (2020)

5/5. An epic closer that keeps the intensity while having incredible melody. Apparently, this song gives a powerful message that takes on a whole meaning of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, thereby giving us a great song to fit in as we're restricted by this global maelstrom of sickness. Everything the band did in this album is nicely compiled into this furious blend of heavy and melodic, along with some of the hardest riffing in their career. Absolute metal glory!! Though the playlist isn't over yet...

The Acacia Strain - "Observer" from Coma Witch (2014)

5/5. You may have been wondering where the h*ll the deathcore section of this playlist has been all this time. Well this 27-minute epic perfectly covers both deathcore and downtempo deathcore, with over a quarter of its length containing some of the slowest, most doomy deathcore I've heard, perfect for its downtempo counterpart. Yeah, I actually think downtempo deathcore has potential in these playlists despite being just one of RYM's ridiculous desperate attempts in creating a subgenre and not having enough releases to qualify in Metal Academy anyway. Apparently, the epic is about a man suffering night terrors about killing his wife, but when he actually does that, he tries to flee by driving his vehicle away but crashes and ends up hospitalized in a coma. If there was a film based on this, that would be worth watching. A heavy doomy monolith!

Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? Despite some bumpiness in the first half. Anyway, 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!

I'm not really up to a lot of progressive metal at the moment (other than discovering Into Eternity and Volumes the other day), so I'll just review submissions from me and Xephyr for this playlist. Sorry Saxy, maybe next time. So here are my thoughts on those tracks:

Wandering Oak – To Lir Thy Fell (2024)

4.5/5. A killer blackened progressive metal epic to start this playlist, though I have not much to say there.

Anacrusis – Still Black (1991)

5/5. The best and most ominous riffing comes in this track which is my personal favorite here.

Mechina – Earth-Born Axiom (2015)

4.5/5. The engines ignite and the spaceship blasts off in an extensive epic in which electronic synths and cinematic orchestra prevails over the heavy djent instrumentation. Tiberi knows how to combine all that with a landscape of sci-fi dystopia that Neurotech can also achieve.

DGM – The Secret Pt. 2 (2016)

4/5. Pretty great hooks to grab your attention, especially when reaching its last third.

Mr. Bungle – Squeeze Me Macaroni (1991)

4.5/5. This amazing bass-fueled track is where its original album sounds best when blending lightness with spookiness.

Mutoid Man – Siphon (2023)

5/5. This highlight kicks off having some of the math-ish metalcore instrumentation of Converge and The Dillinger Escape Plan then continues on in progressive/sludge metal again as the vocal harmonies and growls blend together.

Protest the Hero – Gardenias (2020)

4.5/5. The instant impact here is so good you can even listen to it on its own! The drum kicks and instrumental punches unleash thunderbolts while electrifying lightning strikes from Rody Walker unleashing his screams and growls.

Rolo Tomassi – Closer (2022)

5/5. Not every track that I absolutely love has to be heavy. This ballad is so beautiful, including the harmonic voice of Eva Korman. Such a lovely song!

Here are my thoughts on some tracks:

Crossfaith – Zero (2024)

5/5. Crossfaith lives again! The strength of their new single is insane.

Dark new Day – Evergreen (2005)

4.5/5. Over a decade ago, my brother was just starting to listen to the hard rock/alt-metal he still likes today. He probably would love this bada** beast of a song that sounds close to Breaking Benjamin. It relates well to the troubles of relationship neglect. Honestly, it would work as a wrestler's entrance theme.

Dead by April – Break My Fall (2024)

5/5. Now this is some hard fire creeping in! It's not related to that Breaking Benjamin song, but it has a similar vibe to that band but heavier.

Demon Hunter – Time Only Takes (2019)

4.5/5. Personally a timeless melodic Demon Hunter classic!

From Ashes to New – Shadows (2016)

4/5. Another beast of a song that I'm sure my brother would enjoy, since there's one From Ashes to New song he likes, which I've submitted to a Gateway playlist a few months back. And there are other songs to like from this playlist too...

In Flames – Clayman (2020 Version)

4.5/5. As if the new In Flames album Foregone isn't already a throwback to the band's melodeath roots, a few years prior, they re-recorded some songs from their 2000 album Clayman as part of a reissue, and that makes me up to one day revisiting the original version.

In This Moment – Standing Alone (2010)

5/5. Another grand banger, as the bass groove and drum fury speed on. It really stands out with the howling and singing contrasting with each other.

Jeris Johnson, BOI WHAT – Battling My Demons (2024)

4.5/5. Jeris Johnson has collaborated with Boi What (known for his AI Plankton voice) for an anthem to battle your inner struggles. Nicely f***ing done!

Karnivool – The Caudal Lure (2010)

4/5. Sounds Awake is more of an alt-prog rock album than metal, but I appreciate this song have some of their earlier TOOL-like sound, just the way I like it.

Nik Nocturnal, Fronzilla – In Da Club (2023)

4.5/5. The result of modern metal YouTuber Nik Nocturnal and Attila vocalist Fronz making their own version of a 50 Cent hit with the violent rage of metal.

Rollins Band – Tearing (1992)

4/5. Another excellent single. It has caused Rollins' work to spread to MTV and metalheads.

Sleep Token – Gods (2019)

4.5/5. "MY F***ING FORM IS BUT A WRECK BENEATH THEM!" The guitar and overall heaviness might remind some of Deftones and Loathe, in contrast with the soft piano and ambience for a diverse mix.

Spineshank – New Disease (2000)

4/5. I remember adding this song to my first ever Sphere playlist two years ago, and I don't mind commenting on it again. The early 2000s was when alternative/industrial metal was on the rise, and when songs like this one were sports video games. I did not like metal during my kiddy years of the 2000s. It wasn't until the 2010s when my metal interest took off. Still this can give fans of this style of metal quite a bit of nostalgia.

Twelve Foot Ninja – Manufacture of Consent (2010)

4.5/5. F***ing great experimental greatness. Enough said!

Yousei Teikoku – Missing (2013)

4/5. An interesting song to end this playlist, with a dark metal equivalent to anime theme music. Great way to head out!

April 2024

1. Bad Omens, Poppy - "V.A.N." from V.A.N. (2024) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

2. Gothminister - "Dark Salvation" from Empire of Dark Salvation (2005) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

3. Deathstars - "All the Devil's Toys" from The Perfect Cult (2014) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

4. Nailbomb - "Vai toma no cu" from Point Blank (1994) [submitted by Daniel]

5. Lord of the Lost - "Blood & Glitter" from Blood & Glitter (2022)

6. Marilyn Manson - "Tourniquet" from Antichrist Superstar (1996)

7. Rammstein - "Morgenstern" from Reise, Reise (2004)

8. Genitorturers - "Devil in a Bottle" from Blackheart Revolution (2009)

9. Rob Zombie - "The Satanic Rites of Blacula" from The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy (2021)

10. Godflesh - "Shut Me Down" from A World Lit Only by Fire (2014)

11. AP2 - "The Pact" from Suspension of Disbelief (2000)

12. Pain - "Go With the Flow" from Go With the Flow (2024)

13. Peace, Love & Pitbulls - "Kemikal" from 3 (1997)

14. Fear Factory - "Hatred Will Prevail (Monolith Remix)" from Recoded (2022)

15. Mushroomhead - "Just Pretending" from Savior Sorrow (2006) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

16. In This Moment - "Sanctify Me" from Godmode (2023) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

17. Author & Punisher - "Misery" from Krüller (2022)

18. Scum of the Earth - "Born Again Masochist" from The Devil Made Me Do It (2012)

19. ASP - "The Shadows Beneath the Roots" from Horrors - A Collection Of Gothic Novellas (2023)

20. Treponem Pal - "Crazy Woman" from Screamers (2023)

21. Emigrate - "In My Tears" from Emigrate (2007)

22. D'espairsRay - "Marry of the Blood -Bloody Minded Mix-" from Coll:Set (2006)

23. Mechina - "Reclamation of Mortal Nature" from Tyrannical Resurrection (2007)

24. Sybreed - "Hightech Versus Lowlife" from God is an Automaton (2012)

25. Neurotech - "Blue Screen Planet (Part II Revelation)" from Blue Screen Planet (2011)

26. Turmion Kätilöt - "To Be Contiuned, Kohtaus 3" from Dance Panique (2017) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

April 2024

1. Malevolence - "Malicious Intent" from Malicious Intent (2022)

2. Hatebreed - "Instinctive (Slaughterlust)" from Weight of the False Self (2020) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

3. Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas - "The Stronger, the Further You'll Be" from Hypertoughness (2019) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

4. As I Lay Dying - "An Ocean Between Us" from An Ocean Between Us (2007) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

5. Thrown - "New Low" from EXTENDED PAIN (2022)

6. Half Me - "Ex Negativo" from Soma (2023)

7. Imminence - "Continuum" from Continuum (2024)

8. Alleviate - "Within Worlds" from Within Worlds (2024)

9. HEAVENSGATE - "SHE MOVES LIKE THUNDER" from AND ALL I LOVED, I LOVED ALONE (2023)

10. VENUES - "Godspeed, Goodbye" from Godspeed, Goodbye (2024)

11. xNOMADx - "On Skylines of Embers" from On Skylines of Embers E.P. (2023) [submitted by Daniel]

12. Nik Nocturnal, Victor Borba - "Soul Eternal" from How to Metal, Vol. 1 (2023)

13. Currents - "Monsters" from The Way It Ends (2020)

14. Fit for a King - "Pissed Off" from Deathgrip (2016) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

15. Underoath - "Paper Lung" from Ø (Disambiguation) (2010)

16. Amaranthe - "Digital World" from Massive Addictive (2014) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

17. Bullet for My Valentine - "Alone" from Fever (2010) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

18. Convictions - "Stigmata" from Stigmata (2021)

19. Converge - "Heartless" from You Fail Me (2004)

20. Iwrestledabearonce - "Still Jolly After All These Years" from Iwrestledabearonce (2007)

21. Botch - "Spitting Black" from American Nervoso (1998)

22. The Dillinger Escape Plan - "Gold Teeth on a Bum" from Option Paralysis (2010)

23. Invent Animate - "Elysium" from Heavener (2023)

24. Ice Nine Kills - "Someone Like You" from The Predator (2013) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

25. Trivium - "The Ones We Leave Behind" from What the Dead Men Say (2020)

26. The Acacia Strain - "Observer" from Coma Witch (2014)

Here's my review summary:

Before this band's switch into industrial rock/metal, Killing Joke started their 45-year tenure as an intense addition to the post-punk scene in the 80s. The band has pleased numerous fans of the scene with their earlier releases, despite a downward turn with the trance-pop Outside the Gate. But that's just part of their broad appeal, right from the start with their first single "Wardance". As much as their 80s era gained lots attention, so did their 2003 album which brought the band back from the shadows. Of course, we can't forget about the two albums in between, Pandemonium and Democracy, and the former album ended a 4-year gap since the previous album Extremities, Dirt and Various Repressed Emotions, and it has a heavier mood. The members seem to add in elements of their side-projects, with the electronics that bassist Youth explored, and vocalist Jaz Coleman's trip to the Middle East (music, not the region, although he recorded his vocals in Egypt). So there's a more ambient/world tone added alongside their new industrial rock/metal direction. The percussion and violin are in perfect blend with the guitar chords played by Geordie Walker (RIP). Coleman's vocals encourage listeners to "Let it out, let it rise, let it-" (literally coughs and wheezes, f***ing amusing). Some of the earlier momentum is lost in the brooding second half, but the band manage to get back up in a couple songs there. After Pandemonium, the band made their next album Democracy and then go on a 7-year hiatus before their 2003 album that features the legendary Dave Grohl on drums. I wouldn't say Pandemonium is highly essential, nor is it a waste of time, but it's another chapter in the band's evolution, and their post-punk days are long gone....

3.5/5

Here's my review summary:

Welcome to the proper start of deathcore! While this is the one genre many people, especially extreme metalheads, hated the most, you don't wanna miss out on the real gems. Some of the best are the ones who pioneered the genre, and bands like Eighteen Visions and Prayer for Cleansing helped out in the genre's development. Before this album, deathcore barely existed. Some death metal bands like Suffocation and Obituary would remain key influences to that destructive future, and Damaged and Deformity tested out hardcore elements in their own attempt at creating the genre. However, one band that really kickstarted deathcore is Embodyment! Something interesting is the band's Christian background that was highly unusual in death metal at that time. Whether you're fan of Christian metal or death metal/core, Embrace The Eternal is a must-listen, containing influences from Suffocation, Morbid Angel, and for the idea of Christian death metal, Mortification. In fact, if you combine the metalcore of Converge at that time with the Christian death metal of Mortification, that would be an accurate to describe some songs. Kris McCaddon has done great primal vocal work, and would've made the band more popular and staying in their deathcore sound if he didn't leave the band or if guest vocalist Bruce Fitzhugh of Living Sacrifice could help them out for a while. The melodic yet dissonant riffing alone would be the big bang for bands like Suicide Silence, Whitechapel, and maybe even Knocked Loose. An underrated gem for a new deathly beginning!

5/5

Recommended tracks: "20 Tongues", "Blinded", "Strength", "Golgotha", "Embrace"

For fans of: Deformity, Mortification, Suicide Silence

Here's my submission for the May Guardians playlist:

Ryujin - "Saigo No Hoshi (feat. Matthew K. Heafy) (Single Edit)" (from Ryujin, 2024)

Djenty progressive metalcore from LA, California:

A few awesome melodic death metal bands whose music I've encountered in the past, but was never fully interested in them until recently. The idea of blending melodeath with more epic genres like symphonic, gothic, progressive, or power metal makes bands like these two stand out from the melodeath pack and practically constitute their own genre (not saying that we should invent any redundant subgenres), "eternal melodeath", if you will.

As I'm slowly rebuilding my power metal interest again thanks to one of my outside-world friends, going an entire life without listening to this band would be a sin for any fan of dark power metal:

Getting back into more of the alt-metal zone, here are a couple highlights from bands I've discovered, including the industrialized sound of these two bands:

And the thrashy alt-metal of Creed/Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti's solo project:

Ben, please add these Celldweller albums:

Offworld (non-metal album to bridge the gap)

My Disintegration (Remix Contest Compilation)

Satellites (Remixed)

Ben, please add the new While She Sleeps album Self Hell.

An Alestorm-esque heavy/power metal anthem worth singing along to:

Sorry to hear, Vinny. Condolences

Yeah, I guess you're right, Daniel. But it was worth a good experiment. I don't think my packed schedule both here and in the outside world would let me do just one album/clan per week anyway.

Sorry to hear about your grandmother, Rex. RIP