Shadowdoom9 (Andi)'s Forum Replies
What happens when the symphonic blackened deathcore of Lorna Shore and early Make Them Suffer gets kicked up a notch, cranking up the Cradle of Filth/Dimmu Borgir-like symphonic black metal part of the sound for a late-2000s Abigail Williams-style blend? You get this album, including this epic progressive closing track:
Although "Firestorm" is forever hailed as Earth Crisis' true classic anthem, this standout from the less impactful prior EP comes close to surpassing it:
An anthemic standout from another alternative rock band starting off as nu metal:
Whether or not you wanna avoid this band like a plague because of the vocalist's horrid actions, it's songs like this that should remain immortal in the nu metal community:
With a lot of deathcore I've been discovering lately, I think it's time for me to update my top 10:
1. Lorna Shore - Pain Remains (2022)
2. Make Them Suffer - Neverbloom (2012)
3. Embodyment - Embrace the Eternal (1998)
4. Whitechapel - A New Era of Corruption (2010)
5. Born Of Osiris - The Discovery (2011)
6. Iwrestledabearonce - Hail Mary (2015)
7. Attila - Outlawed (2011)
8. The Acacia Strain - ...And Life Is Very Long (2002)
9. Upon a Burning Body - Red. White. Green. (2012)
10. Within the Ruins - Elite (2013)
THE GATEWAY: Sleep Token - "Take Me Back to Eden" (2023) 5/5
THE INFINITE: Tómarúm - "Ash in Realms of Stone Icons" (2022) 4.5/5
THE REVOLUTION: Whitechapel - "A New Era of Corruption" (2010) 5/5
THE SPHERE: Scorn - "Vae Solis" (1992) 3/5
Despite my busy schedule, I still managed to listen to and review this month's feature releases for all my clans, and most of them turned out fantastic. My Revolution nomination is a perfect deathcore album I would recommend to fans of the genre. The Sleep Token and Tómarúm albums are amazing discoveries (thanks Saxy!). I like a good amount of that Scorn album, though some issues could've been sorted out for more than the 3-star rating I've given it. Keep up the good work on the feature releases, all! I look forward to more...
Impressive technicality, ominous melody, and vicious vocals shine in this progressive highlight:
I've done my review, here's its summary:
This young duo from Atlanta, Georgia first started off with a one-track demo and a two-track EP. Soon after the latter, Prosthetic Records came in to add this band to their expanding lineup of bands. Tómarúm made their debut full-length album Ash In Realms Of Stone Icons that is filled with hot talented extreme progressive metal that can be found in 5 epics each with an average length of 11 minutes, alongside two soft interludes. Many of those songs have a savage assault of pulverizing drums and evil riffing bursts through, along with the vicious vocals. The immense emotion will make sure nothing is ever draggy. Ash in Realms of Stone Icons can expand beyond their limits and keep listeners on their seats for some extensive progressive epics, as metal instrumentation is blended with background orchestration. The creativity is really what set this band apart from others of this style, and is greatly worth giving this release a spin!
4.5/5
Ben, please add Alase.
The first single and track of the new Sleep Token album is an incredible ethereal atmospheric highlight:
I've done my review, here's its summary:
Having just come back from headlining a tour in Australia, Sleep Token started getting ready for an immense comeback that is Take Me Back to Eden! Pretty much half of their album was released as 6 singles one by one in the 5 months leading up to its release. Apparently, this album concludes a trilogy that began with their first two albums. Mixing heartful melodies and reflective lyrics with metal guitars, Take Me Back to Eden breaks the boundaries of heavy music and pays off with graceful strides. Throughout the album, you can hear the heaviness of djenty alternative metal often switching to pop/R&B, and it works better than other bands who have attempted that mix. This is best displayed in the singles and longer epics, complete with vocals and instrumentation all ranging from soulful to brutal. With all that beautiful greatness, we have a lot of emotional complexity to explore that will have you wanting more once you try it. I was given a chance to check out the hype, and it was well worth the ride!
5/5
A brutal piece of aggressive djenty industrial metal from the DOOM soundtrack:
One of the most hypocritical songs I've heard in deathcore and metal in general. Listen to both the music and lyrics and find out if they make sense with each other. Spoiler: They don't.
Our Endless War is pretty good which some killer fast songs, but the slower songs is where the quality drops, including this one, in which the slow djentcore riff is just some mediocre annoying sh*t:
As much as I love A New Era of Corruption, I also enjoy Whitechapel's 2012 self-titled album, with mature highlights like its opening track:
A more diverse deathcore standout, featuring Deftones frontman Chino Moreno:
I've done my review, here's its summary:
Since their formation, Whitechapel has made some kick-A albums. Their debut The Somatic Defilement kicks off their journey with brutal heaviness. Their sophomore album This is Exile is more diverse and unique than some of the bands they influenced like Impending Doom and Oceano. Further cementing the band's position in the modern metal scene is their perfect 3rd-time charm A New Era of Corruption! The more serious metalheads might hate it, but it's something for me, a Revolution guy, to love. The music in this album and the previous two help make the band stand out. Why? GUITAR SOLOS, Y'ALL!!! People should stop judging a band by their genre. Deathcore isn't always just replacing solos with breakdowns. Just because not every song in the album has solos, doesn't mean there's none. Half the amount of songs have solos to please the heavier listeners. The riffs, rhythms, and occasional groove also stand out in killer chaos. Still there's no escape from the more strict metalheads who hate deathcore, but just ignore them and don't expect anything happy and sunny here. A New Era of Corruption is an epic winner in deathcore. Satisfaction guaranteed for fans of the genre!
5/5
Recommended tracks: "Devolver", "Breeding Violence", "Reprogrammed to Hate", "Unnerving", "Murder Sermon", "Single File to Dehumanization"
For fans of: Impending Doom, Suicide Silence, Chelsea Grin
A 7-minute deathcore epic to make up for small mistakes and remind you why this album is amazing:
Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:
Motionless in White - "Disguise" from Disguise (2019)
4.5/5. The opener for this playlist and the song's original album begins with a jack-in-the-box melody, then pop goes Chris Motionless yelling "GET UP! GET UP!" The guitar and drums kick in with the band's signature sound. The catchy chorus with Chris' cleans is easy to listen to. The harder breakdowns builds up with an excellent breakdown. Chris has a lot of vocal emotion.
Omega Lithium - "Infest" from Dreams in Formaline (2009)
5/5. Just how could this awesome band be short-lived?!? This band can add electronics into metal without ever going into hip-hop territory! The sexy vocals sounds far better than Lady Gaga. Absolutely precious!
Gothminister - "Liar" from Anima Inferna (2011)
4.5/5. This album's single has an electro-synth intro that expands through the guitars and vocals. Brem has excellent vocal range and harmonic effect. The track drives through in the beat and melody.
Deathstars - "Everything Destroys You" from Everything Destroys You (2023)
5/5. Magic fills the air from this band that I still can't believe I didn't discover until last year when I'm already a young adult. They can continue their sound without caring about any harsh opinions. Welcome back, Deathstars!
Pain - "Party in My Head" from Party in My Head (2021)
5/5. Who knew industrial metal can sound so h*lla beautiful?! The lyrics are quite fun to sing! "There's a party in my head! You're all invited, you're all my friends."
Ministry - "Search and Destroy" from Moral Hygiene (2021)
4.5/5. This one's quite excellent. Industrial metal genius Al Jourgensen thought it would be a good idea to turn an Iggy Pop song into a cover by Ministry, and it seems like he has quite f***ing nailed it!
Megaherz - "Komet" from Komet (2018)
4/5. It's interesting how despite having decided that Neue Deutsche Härte is part of conventional industrial metal rather than a separate subgenre, I still found enough NDH tracks to make up most of the second quarter of this playlist. This track has some good wonders of the subgenre.
Oomph! - "Come and Kick Me" from Defekt (1995)
4.5/5. Perhaps the best of this NDH second quarter! I don't have much words to describe its beauty.
Misery Loves Co. - "Private Hell" from Misery Loves Co. (1995)
4/5. Next up is a winning standout with sharp riffing especially in the chorus.
Schwarzer Engel - "Endzeit" from Sieben (2022)
3.5/5. This is another partying industrial metal song to like. I still can't get the full appeal of bands like Schwarzer Engel and Rammstein though. Nonetheless, the music is pretty good whether or not you can understand the lyrics.
SKYND - "Jim Jones" from Chapter II (2019)
4/5. As part of the disturbing haunting darkness of this band's lyrics of true crime, this is based on the Jonestown Massacre, a mass murder-suicide in which approximately 909 people died, a 3rd of that amount being children, and most of them drank Flavor Aid cyanide. Jim Jones was the cult leader, and he shot himself in the head. The song is darker than even the more extreme metal genres, and yet I'm intrigued. Just remember, life is too precious to be laid down.
Erdling - "Rabenherz" from Helheim (2021)
3.5/5. Now this one's a destructive pounder! I like "Absolutus Rex" (from the May playlist) slightly better, but this one's quite catchy. What's great is when there's around 30 seconds left, the band picks up some killer speed!!! There's even a nice bit of the sound of Schwarzer Engel, which is pretty cool. Once again NDH has never been my favorite, but songs like this are fun to listen.
Ost+Front - "Ikarus" from Dein Helfer in der Not (2020)
3/5. OK, this one's quite decent, having the gothic sound of ASP which sound cool, I guess. However, this really could have a little more heat for strength. But at least they're nowhere near as medieval-sounding as Saltatio Mortis.
Rammstein - "OK" from Zeit (2022)
3.5/5. This one full-on rages in the vein of their early 2000s work. The soaring choir and Pantera-like groove is what levels up my enjoyment.
Static-X - "Sweat of the Bud" from Wisconsin Death Trip (1999)
4/5. Stepping in again the metal aspect for this song while having more of the programmed drums and vocals from earlier.
Fear Factory - "Suffer Age" from Soul of a New Machine (1992)
4.5/5. This one starts with tight guitar before the bass and drums join along with background cleans. The riffing continues to expand alongside the drums. Then finally, EXPLOSIVE DEATH METAL CHAOS!!!! The dominant drums and vocals work with the guitars to tear this f***ing place apart! They stay steady despite the samples and tempo changes. Then there's a clean bridge before more of the deathliness. It ends a bit abruptly, but still worth some fun in a mosh pit.
Strapping Young Lad - "Aftermath" from Strapping Young Lad (2003)
5/5. Now this is a real gem in this playlist and it's original album. It's like a massive war anthem! Near the end is some amazing riffing energy that any metalhead should love.
Danzig - "Cult Without a Name" from 6:66: Satan's Child (1999)
4.5/5. This one shows how well Glenn Danzig can blow listeners' minds away with his voice. He can sing clean whispers and then roar like a bull in smashing intent. An excellent way to lead the drums, guitars, and bass!
Red Harvest - "Sick Transit Gloria Mundi" from Sick Transit Gloria Mundi (2002)
5/5. One of the best songs I've heard from this band that I need listen to more of! I should continue my journey through this band with this album and Cold Dark Matter.
Viral Millennium - "Destroy" from Vomitosis (2014)
4.5/5. This one is also quite underrated, a track of both beauty and brutality! It's basically a killer mix of symphonic industrial/cyber metal. I hope to find more music like in this song, maybe in other bands?
Avulsed - "Pastvoracity - Frozen Speed" from Cybergore (1998)
4/5. Brutal death metal gone industrial/proto cyber metal, eh? Not an ideal mix, but has great potential.
Assimilate - "Apparatus" from EP (2014)
3.5/5. A nice song to like. What else can I say?
Herrschaft - "Rat in Cage" from Les 12 Vertiges (2010)
3/5. I also like some parts of this song, but it could've been way better.
Neurotech - "Brighten" from Stigma (2015)
3.5/5. More and more I keep discovering some good songs from bands and projects like Neurotech that brighten my mood a bit. Industrial/cyber metal is never highly boring, and you can have fun with tracks like this. If they ever make a film based on Cyberpunk 2077, or the next John Wick or Matrix film, you bet this song would be part of the soundtrack! It's quite well done! What's keeping the score down is, it sounds like a little too much like Depeche Mode.
S.U.P - "In Those Times - Demo" from Transfer (remix) (1996)
4/5. This is a more of a throwaway track before the final 3 songs of this playlist. Again, not ideal, but having great potential.
Yutaka Minobe - "The Last Way" from SHADOW THE HEDGEHOG OFFICIAL SOUNDTRACK (2006)
4.5/5. Now here's a shocker, a video game OST track that isn't Doom, sounding close to industrial metal! Well, in this case, it's industrial metal mixed with 16-beat cinematic ambience. But hey, if this song can appear towards the end of the Shadow the Hedgehog game, it can surely fit well towards the end of this playlist.
Dodheimsgard - "Completion" from 666 International (1999)
5/5. And that track that can completes the full game here has a blend of black metal and industrial experimentation. My only complaint that doesn't detract the perfect score is when a Machine Head-ish riff appears that sounds out of place. Despite that, this can be a brilliant closing track for that amazing journey!
Godflesh - "Forgive Our Fathers" from A World Lit Only by Fire (2014)
4.5/5. ...Except we have one more track to finish things off, having dreamy atmosphere that's never out of place. Justin Broadrick continues his vocal variation once more, from his usual low growls to the occasional usage of clean singing.
Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? Despite some bumpiness in some places. 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 your help with your submission, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!
A special playlist I've made to celebrate the second year of my monthly Revolution Spotify playlists (3 months early due to my hiatus from working on the playlists for that clan): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4JAUQiiHCc5p5JkiOOZ3Da
Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:
Asking Alexandria - "Dark Void" from Dark Void (2023)
5/5. These metalcore-turned-hard-rock Brits are back with their return to the heaviness of 10 years prior, though in a more alt-metal light. With emotional lyrics, the playlist is off to a perfect start, and I can gladly welcome back this amazing band!
Dark Divine - "Dancing Dead" from Dancing Dead (2023)
4.5/5. This band's first recording was an EP titled Halloweentown (reminds me of that Disney Channel film series). Then came this killer single from their upcoming album! Ice Nine Kills, Motionless in White, and Black Veil Brides would be proud, wouldn't they?! These new guys on the modern horror metal block deserve more attention. The breakdown is especially a f***ing blessing that I adore. Definitely worth spicing up a Halloween party!
In Flames - "State of Slow Decay" from Foregone (2023)
4/5. The alt-metal/melodeath action is kicked up a notch with the lead single of the new In Flames albums, which pleasantly surprised fans with heavy riffing, drumming energy, and metal soloing, bringing back the glory of the band's earlier era and At the Gates. This is straight on metal heaviness that's entirely different from their previous album I the Mask. And that's the single my brother likes from this album. Quite strong and promising!
Breaking Benjamin - "Polyamorous" from Saturate (2002)
4.5/5. Another lead single for an album! It shows vocalist Benjamin Burnley having his ability to sing and perform background screams. A catchy tune that I still remember throughout all these years, thanks again to my brother.
POYNTE - "Hold On" from Discreet Enemy (2015)
4/5. Yet another one of my brother's favorite songs, and I can definitely hear why. It's a heavy rock anthem of dreams that you just gotta hold on. Any rock fan shouldn't miss out on such a song!
Five Finger Death Punch - "Jekyll and Hyde" from Got Your Six (2015)
3.5/5. This band my brother and I think are pretty cool, despite other people thinking otherwise. It's as if what would could be considered by those people a mess-up ends up sounding solid to us. Rock on!
Saliva - "How Could You?" from Cinco Diablo (2008)
4/5. This one's pretty great, and I'm stunned that I didn't discover this band until after their remaining founding member guitarist Wayne Swinny passed away. RIP... I feel sorry for those who have been cheated on by their partners. Longtime Saliva fans can find a good throwback to the band's earlier material. I wouldn't say it's the best song I heard, but it still works well. These lyrics of heartbreak and cheating are something that shouldn't be put down. The chorus definitely reminds me of Breaking Benjamin, and I can recommend it to someone experienced with the band's music. Maybe my brother? Getting cheating on is painful, especially when you really like that person. It's good to look back at the wrongdoings of someone you once knew once in a while and learn from them. It's more suitable to listen to on a rainy day than a sunny one. There's nothing annoying about this sound, and those who think it is annoying are as thoughtless as those cheating a****les. It's a sad shame that the world can be so unfaithful...
Soil - "Black Betty" from Play It Forward (2022)
3.5/5. Not the best cover I've heard, but it's pretty good. The vocals might have a bit of a Monster Magnet kick. The song was first written by Lead Belly in the late 1930s, and then popularized by Ram Jam in the 70s, and again by Spiderbait in the 2000s. Soil's cover is a bit too Rob Zombie-sounding for me, and speaking of the devil...
Rob Zombie - "What?" from Hellbilly Deluxe II (2010)
3/5. A decent recommendation from another friend of mine, but some parts of the song make me think... "WHAT?!"
Avatar - "The King Wants You" from Avatar Country (2018)
3.5/5. "THE BEST OF THE GREATEST! THE GREATEST BUT FEW!! THE SOON TO BE HEROES... THE KING WANTS YOU!!!" Avatar Country was the first new album I discovered since my first move out of the earlier epic/melodic metal into the heavier more modern side. Nonetheless, this song sounds as Queen-inspired as those more melodic bands.
The Word Alive - "Made This Way" from Dark Matter (2016)
4/5. Telle's vocals are what make this song and other songs by the band so good. The music and lyrics fit well for these dark times. It's for that reason that Dark Matter is an album I can easily resonate with.
Mudvayne - "Happy?" from Lost and Found (2005)
4.5/5. Chad Gray is known for his screamed vocals, but it's songs like this in which his singing shines.
Celldweller - "The Last Firstborn - Klayton Remix" from Celldweller (2003)
5/5. This awesome remix makes me wanna listen to the original. H*ll, it makes we want more of Celldweller! Looking back at this though, this mix of metal with dubstep/house sounds a little more appropriate for a Sphere playlist.
Whitechapel - "Anticure" from Kin (2021)
5/5. I've just started a Whitechapel reviewing marathon (while making my busy schedule stays intact), and this album Kin is gonna be an interesting one to review with this perfect emotional lament. Reminds me of some of the slower ballad-like Trivium songs!
Lacuna Coil - "Spellbound" from Shallow Life (2009)
4.5/5. Perhaps one of the best songs from this band! Cristina Scabbia sounds beautiful as always. My brother and I have only discovered this band during the Delirium era, but better later than never. I might listen to this while writing my next book. And d*mn, this is the same band that made that dark gothic metal album In a Reverie. Of course, this track is not to be confused with a more well-known hit with the same title by Siouxsie and the Banshees. Male vocalist Andrea Ferro shines in the verses. Anyone who doesn't like this music should chill, keep what they say to themselves, and move on. Probably the best song by this band in the late 2000s era besides "Our Truth"! I need to get into listening to this band again.
Korn - "Forgotten" from Requiem (2022)
4/5. The lyrics of darkness and despair might seem unusual in nu metal, but they click well in this song. You can truly feel the grief! It actually sounds more natural than forced, with smoothness in the f***ing anger. The guitar creeps in the chorus for an eerie yet pleasant vibe. There's some enjoyable goodness in Korn! Probably due to the earlier Linkin Park-like sound this song has.
Nothingface - "Ether" from Skeletons (2003)
4.5/5. This is actually quite underrated. Apparently the lyrics are about George W. Bush and sound wicked when put into a similar sound to Korn and Slipknot. You might also know this from the Freddy vs. Jason soundtrack. RIP Matt Holt...
Papa Roach - "Last Resort" from Infect (2000)
4/5. One of the earliest rock/metal songs my brother knows besides the bands he listens to. It's never really my favorite song, but I like it better than most other people do who just downright hate it.
Limp Bizkit - "Hot Dog" from Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water (2000)
3.5/5. I accidentally selected the clean version of this song for the playlist, which is a bit unfitting considering the uncensored Papa Roach song in the same playlist. Despite that, it's quite good yet odd in the rapping. I love the dirty intro riff!
Linkin Park - "One Step Closer" from Hybrid Theory (2000)
4/5. This is their breakthrough single worth checking out for both metalheads and radio listeners. The riffing is both heavy and kid-friendly, the latter adjective maybe not the killer screaming bridge ("SHUT UP WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU! SHUT UP!!"). This is metal for Sesame Street-level beginners and probably the heaviest song to be allowed in karaoke (I know because I've been there).
Slipknot - "The Dying Song (Time to Sing)" from The End, So Far (2022)
3.5/5. The nu metal revival at its more maniacal. Enough said!
Mushroomhead - "Kill Tomorrow" from XIII (2003)
4/5. One of my favorite Mushroomhead songs from the nu metal era, though the quality could've been slightly higher.
Nonpoint - "Bullet With a Name" from To the Pain (2005)
4.5/5. Some might know this song that's practically an anthem, from WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007. You can rock out to this song while watching wrestlers go nuts on each other. There is kind of a Disturbed vibe here.
Machine Head - "From This Day" from The Burning Red (1999)
4/5. While I still can't get the hang of this band, this is a nice crazy song, though a bit surreal. Some might be reminded of the band RED in the music. Bring the pain!
Infectious Grooves - "Violent & Funky" from Groove Family Cyco (1994)
3.5/5. The f***ing funky bass is performed by Robert Trujillo, known as the current bassist of Metallica. The lyrics fit with the song title ("Sticks and stones may break some bones, but a 357 gonna blow your d*mn head off"). And don't forget drummer Brooks Wackerman, who would later join Bad Religion, and then Avenged Sevenfold.
Faith No More - "Epic" from The Real Thing (1989)
4/5. I wouldn't say this song is epic, but it can certainly be an anthem of sudden love within the lyrics. This would fit well for the ending of a video game to celebrate the main character's victory before the piano ending hints at a possible sequel. Apparently, this song is a big inspiration for Slipknot/Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor. You can let your personal imagination run wild through the lyrics, even during the simpler parts ("It's it! What is it!?"). See? Funk rock/metal isn't just Red Hot Chili Peppers, and there certainly isn't any naked staging. The vocals and piano really take the show.
Living Colour - "Cult of Personality" from Vivid (1988)
3.5/5. The lyrics of leadership make more sense once you give the song further listening. It's the kind of message to express for your land. Everyone has their own personality, and that's something relevant and should never be forgotten. You can find this song in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, and it is also used by WWE professional wrestler CM Punk. The quality could've been better though.
Primus - "Jerry Was a Race Car Driver" from Sailing the Seas of Cheese (1991)
3/5. For a heavily funk-infused song, it tells the sad tale of a young lad who lost his life in a drunk driving accident. "Fire it up, man!" RIP Jerry
Nuclear Rabbit - "Secretly Meaty" from Vicuna (1997)
3.5/5. Anyone longtime funk metal fans would definitely have a taste of nostalgia when they listen to this band and Mr. Bungle. It's not too much of a time-waster, but once again, there's a little too much funk.
Anthrax - "I'm the Man" from I'm the Man (1987)
4/5. The song that has kickstarted rap metal is a fun hilarious metal rap performed by the band members, not just in the instruments. The rappers keep messing up their verses in a funny way "I'll steal your pop tarts like I stole your...socks!" And the chorus paraphrases a line spoken by Taylor Negron in the movie Easy Money, "I'm so bad I should be in detention, I'm the man!", while sampling "Hava Nagila" in Dan Spitz's riffing.
Rage Against the Machine - "Wake Up" from Rage Against the Machine (1992)
3.5/5. While the song's original album is known for a certain different single, and a certain cover art of self-immolation, this song is best known as one of the end credits songs for The Matrix. "WAKE UP!!!"
Godsmack - "Lighting Up the Sky" from Lighting Up the Sky (2023)
4/5. One last song to dig in this playlist. One that can hits you with heaviness while staying calm. If this album really is the last one by this band, this song is a great way to end their recording career, along with this playlist.
Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? Despite some bumpiness in the funk metal section. Anyway, I recommend this to any alternative metal fan and anyone who isn't into alternative metal but is up to getting into a great start for the genre. Thanks Saxy for granting me the privilege to make this playlist during your break, and Daniel for accepting it. I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had! (Coming next month: my thoughts on the July Infinite playlist)
Whitechapel's 3-guitar motive works well a breakdown and soloing harmonies form a unique combo:
Here are my sneak peek submissions for the August Sphere playlist:
DAGames - "Born Champion (Overwatch Song)" (5:06) from Born Champion (Overwatch Song) (2016)
Deathstars - "Motherzone" (4:06) from Termination Bliss (2006)
Fear Factory - "Genexus" (4:48) from Genexus (2015)
Gothminister - "Monsters" (3:12) from Empire of Dark Salvation (2005)
Mick Gordon - "BFG Division" (8:26) from DOOM (2016)
Samael - "Ailleurs" (3:55) from Eternal (1999)
Total length: 29:33
Here are my submissions for the August Revolution playlist:
All That Remains - "Not Alone" (3:30) from The Fall of Ideals (2006)
Amaranthe - "Countdown" (3:01) from Helix (2018)
Electric Callboy - "Everytime We Touch - Tekkno Version" (3:17) from Everytime We Touch - Tekkno Version (2023)
Emmure - "Looking a Gift Horse in the Mouth" (3:50) from The Complete Guide to Needlework (2006)
Iris - "I'm the Animal" (4:36) from Goliath's Throne (2019)
Killswitch Engage - "The Signal Fire" (3:05) from Atonement (2019)
Trivium - "Brave the Storm" (4:29) from Vengeance Falls (2013)
Total length: 25:48
Here are my submissions for the August Infinite playlist:
Arcturus - "La Masquerade Infernale" (2:00) from La Masquerade Infernale (1997)
Dødheimsgard - "It Does Not Follow" (8:24) from Black Medium Current (2023)
Evergrey - "Recreation Day" (5:21) from Recreation Day (2003)
Sólstafir - "Svartir Sandar" (8:22) from Svartir Sandar (2011)
The Ocean - "Subboreal" (4:46) from Holocene (2023)
Total length: 28:53
Here are my submissions for the August Gateway playlist:
Asking Alexandria - "Psycho" (4:00) from Bad Blood / Psycho (2023)
Breaking Benjamin - "Never Again" (3:43) from Dark Before Dawn (2015)
Five Finger Death Punch - "Mama Said Knock You Out" (2:47) from The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 1 (2013)
I Prevail - "Paranoid" (2:24) from Trauma (2019)
In This Moment - "Rise With Me" (2:07) from Blood (2012)
Lacuna Coil - "Never Dawn" (4:49) from Never Dawn (2023)
Parkway Drive - "Wishing Wells" (5:04) from Reverence (2018)
Poynte - "In My Head" (4:32) from Discreet Enemy (2015)
Total length: 29:26
Here's my submission for the July Guardians playlist:
Avenged Sevenfold - "Heretic" (from Hail to the King, 2013)
As part of my semi-hiatus, like I said, I asked someone else to work on The Revolution playlists. You'll find out who it is when he posts the thread for his first Revolution playlist in the beginning of August (unless he would like me to reveal who it is early, to which I'll just edit this comment). Don't worry, I'll still be submitting some tracks in the playlist suggestion threads so he won't have to do it all on his own when doing The Revolution playlists. However, I think I have time to squeeze in working on The Sphere playlists during those 3 months. They're easier for me to do than the playlists for other clans because there are only two subgenres in the clan (industrial metal and cyber metal, now I consider Neue Deutsche Härte as part of conventional industrial metal instead of its own subgenre), and since I seem to be the only active Metal Academy member familiar with The Sphere, I don't wanna have to put the Sphere playlists to a halt. Anyway, I'll still comment on my Sphere playlists, but for each of the playlists for my other clans that I worked on for July, I'll spread out the commenting throughout these next couple months. I'll comment on my Gateway playlist on Monday (slight delay as I need some rest due to a saw throat- Sorry, sore throat and cough), my Infinite playlist in the beginning of August, and my Revolution playlist in the beginning of September. Stay tuned...
July 2023
1. Motionless in White - "Disguise" from Disguise (2019) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
2. Omega Lithium - "Infest" from Dreams in Formaline (2009)
3. Gothminister - "Liar" from Anima Inferna (2011) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
4. Deathstars - "Everything Destroys You" from Everything Destroys You (2023) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
5. Pain - "Party in My Head" from Party in My Head (2021) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
6. Ministry - "Search and Destroy" from Moral Hygiene (2021)
7. Megaherz - "Komet" from Komet (2018)
8. Oomph! - "Come and Kick Me" from Defekt (1995) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
9. Misery Loves Co. - "Private Hell" from Misery Loves Co. (1995)
10. Schwarzer Engel - "Endzeit" from Sieben (2022)
11. SKYND - "Jim Jones" from Chapter II (2019)
12. Erdling - "Rabenherz" from Helheim (2021)
13. Ost+Front - "Ikarus" from Dein Helfer in der Not (2020)
14. Rammstein - "OK" from Zeit (2022)
15. Static-X - "Sweat of the Bud" from Wisconsin Death Trip (1999)
16. Fear Factory - "Suffer Age" from Soul of a New Machine (1992) [submitted by Daniel]
17. Strapping Young Lad - "Aftermath" from Strapping Young Lad (2003)
18. Danzig - "Cult Without a Name" from 6:66: Satan's Child (1999)
19. Red Harvest - "Sick Transit Gloria Mundi" from Sick Transit Gloria Mundi (2002)
20. Viral Millennium - "Destroy" from Vomitosis (2014)
21. Avulsed - "Pastvoracity - Frozen Speed" from Cybergore (1998)
22. Assimilate - "Apparatus" from EP (2014)
23. Herrschaft - "Rat in Cage" from Les 12 Vertiges (2010)
24. Neurotech - "Brighten" from Stigma (2015)
25. S.U.P - "In Those Times - Demo" from Transfer (remix) (1996)
26. Yutaka Minobe - "The Last Way" from SHADOW THE HEDGEHOG OFFICIAL SOUNDTRACK (2006)
27. Dodheimsgard - "Completion" from 666 International (1999)
28. Godflesh - "Forgive Our Fathers" from A World Lit Only by Fire (2014) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
July 2023
1. Rorschach - "Mandible" from Protestant (1993)
2. Trivium - "The Sin and the Sentence" from The Sin and the Sentence (2017) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
3. Converge - "The Broken Vow" from Jane Doe (2001)
4. Botch - "Mondrian was a Liar" from We are the Romans (1999)
5. Burst - "Two-Faced" from Two-Faced (1997)
6. Earth Crisis - "Unseen Holocaust" from Firestorm (1993)
7. Unbroken - "The Setup" from Life. Love. Regret (1994)
8. Vision of Disorder - "D.T.O." from Vision of Disorder (1996)
9. Living Sacrifice - "180" from Reborn (1997)
10. The Number Twelve Looks Like You - "Texas Dolly" from Nuclear. Sad. Nuclear. (2005)
11. Demon Hunter - "Storm the Gates of Hell" from Storm the Gates of Hell (2007) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
12. 36 Crazyfists - "Kenai" from A Snow Capped Romance (2004) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
13. Strife - "Will to Die" from In This Defiance (1997)
14. Morning Again - "Minus One" from The Cleanest War (1996) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
15. Ice Nine Kills - "The Nature of the Beast" from Every Trick in the Book (2015)
16. Bullet for My Valentine - "Eye of the Storm" from Scream Aim Fire (2008)
17. Amaranthe - "Dynamite" from Massive Addictive (2014) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
18. The Browning - "Cryosleep" from Isolation (2016) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
19. Parkway Drive - "The River" from Atlas (2012)
20. Polaris - "No Rest" from The Guilt and The Grief (2016) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
21. As I Lay Dying - "Shaped by Fire" from Shaped by Fire (2019)
22. Make Them Suffer - "Ghost of Me" from Ghost of Me (2023)
23. Any Given Day - "Diamonds" from Diamonds (2022)
24. Brojob, Enda Vinera - "BARBIE GIRL" from BARBIE GIRL (2023)
25. Shadow of Intent - "The Coming Fire" from Elegy (2022)
26. Whitechapel - "Breeding Violence" from A New Era of Corruption (2010)
27. The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza - "Vicki Mayhem" from Danza 3: The Series of Unfortunate Events (2010)
28. Iwrestledabearonce - "Button It Up" from Ruining It for Everybody (2011)
29. Invent Animate - "Immolation of Night" from Heavener (2023)
30. Lorna Shore - "Pain Remains III: In a Sea of Fire" from Pain Remains (2022)
July 2023
1. Dream Theater - "The Alien" from A View From the Top of the World (2021)
2. Sons of Apollo - "Goodbye Divinity" from MMXX (2020)
3. Amorphis - "Bad Blood" from Under the Red Cloud (2015)
4. Between the Buried and Me - "Bicycle Race" from The Anatomy of (2006)
5. Opeth - "Burden" from Watershed (2008)
6. Evergrey - "For Every Tear That Falls" from The Dark Discovery (1998)
7. Watchtower - "Technology Inaction" from Concepts of Math: Book One (2006) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
8. Devin Townsend - "Why?" from Empath (2019) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
9. The Ocean - "Firmament" from Heliocentric (2010)
10. Cult of Luna - "The Revelation Embodied" from Cult of Luna (2001) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
11. Rosetta - "Release" from A Determinism of Morality (2010) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
12. Obscure Sphinx - "Nastiez" from Anaesthetic Inhalation Ritual (2011)
13. Maudlin of the Well - "The Ferryman" from Bath (2001)
14. Sigh - "Mayonaka No Kaii" from Shiki (2022)
15. Dog Fashion Disco - "Private Eye" from Adultery (2006) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
16. Polkadot Cadaver - "Get Possessed" from Get Possessed (2016)
17. Cardona - "Insight" from Seasons (2012)
18. Reflections - "Lost - Redux" from The Fantasy Effect Redux (2022)
19. Entities - "Atlas" from Rebirth (2020)
20. Veil of Maya - "Disco Kill Party" from [M]other (2023)
21. Boyinaband - "Djentstep - Dubstep + Metal Genres Mash" from Djentstep - Dubstep + Metal Genres Mash (2012)
22. Fates Warning - "The Last Song" from Long Day Good Night (2020)
July 2023
1. Asking Alexandria - "Dark Void" from Dark Void (2023)
2. Dark Divine - "Dancing Dead" from Dancing Dead (2023)
3. In Flames - "State of Slow Decay" from Foregone (2023)
4. Breaking Benjamin - "Polyamorous" from Saturate (2002) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
5. POYNTE - "Hold On" from Discreet Enemy (2015) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
6. Five Finger Death Punch - "Jekyll and Hyde" from Got Your Six (2015) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
7. Saliva - "How Could You?" from Cinco Diablo (2008)
8. Soil - "Black Betty" from Play It Forward (2022)
9. Rob Zombie - "What?" from Hellbilly Deluxe II (2010)
10. Avatar - "The King Wants You" from Avatar Country (2018) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
11. The Word Alive - "Made This Way" from Dark Matter (2016) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
12. Mudvayne - "Happy?" from Lost and Found (2005)
13. Celldweller - "The Last Firstborn - Klayton Remix" from Celldweller (2003)
14. Whitechapel - "Anticure" from Kin (2021)
15. Lacuna Coil - "Spellbound" from Shallow Life (2009) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
16. Korn - "Forgotten" from Requiem (2022)
17. Nothingface - "Ether" from Skeletons (2003)
18. Papa Roach - "Last Resort" from Infect (2000)
19. Limp Bizkit - "Hot Dog" from Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water (2000)
20. Linkin Park - "One Step Closer" from Hybrid Theory (2000) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
21. Slipknot - "The Dying Song (Time to Sing)" from The End, So Far (2022)
22. Mushroomhead - "Kill Tomorrow" from XIII (2003) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]
23. Nonpoint - "Bullet With a Name" from To the Pain (2005)
24. Machine Head - "From This Day" from The Burning Red (1999)
25. Infectious Grooves - "Violent & Funky" from Groove Family Cyco (1994)
26. Faith No More - "Epic" from The Real Thing (1989)
27. Living Colour - "Cult of Personality" from Vivid (1988)
28. Primus - "Jerry Was a Race Car Driver" from Sailing the Seas of Cheese (1991)
29. Nuclear Rabbit - "Secretly Meaty" from Vicuna (1997)
30. Anthrax - "I'm the Man" from I'm the Man (1987)
31. Rage Against the Machine - "Wake Up" from Rage Against the Machine (1992)
32. Godsmack - "Lighting Up the Sky" from Lighting Up the Sky (2023)
June 2023
1. VOLA – Alien Shivers (2018) (49)
2. Scar Symmetry – Chrononautilus (2023) (6)
3. Azusa – Iniquitous Spiritual Praxis (2018)
4. Queensryche – The Mission (1988) (20)
5. Oceill – Course Bottom (2023) (7)
6. Burst – I Hold Vertigo (2008)
7. DVNE – Court of the Matriarch (2021) (19)
8. Evergrey – I’m Sorry (2003)
9. Slugdge – Crop Killer (2018) (36)
10. The Ocean – Unconformities (2023) (22)
11. An Abstract Illusion – In The Heavens Above, You Will Become a Monster (2022) (12)
12. In The Woods… - The Cave of Dreams (2016)
13. öOoOoOoOoOo – No Guts = No Masters (2016) (18)
14. Arjen Lucassen’s Supersonic Revolution – Odyssey (2023) (5)
15. Ne Obliviscaris – Misericorde II – Anatomy of Quiescence (2023)
16. Animals As Leaders – Arithmophobia (2016) (10)
17. Kardashev – Snow-Sleep (2020) (18)
18. Avenged Sevenfold – We Love You (2023) (37)
June 2023
1. Wheel – Tyrant (2019)
2. Breaking Benjamin – Red Cold River (2018)
3. Sleep Token – Euclid (2023)
4. Slipknot – Disasterpiece (2001)
5. Coldrain – Bloody Power Fame (2022)
6. Nonpoint – Divided… Conquer Them (2016)
7. Device – Vilify (2013)
8. Evanescence – Haunted (2003)
9. Puya – Ride (2001)
10. System of a Down – Streamline (2002)
11. Five Finger Death Punch – If I Fall (2011)
12. Of Mice & Men – Unbreakable (2018)
13. Yakui The Maid – Amyloidosis#2 (2016)
14. I Prevail – Bow Down (2019)
15. My Ruin – Silverlake (2008)
16. Lacuna Coil – Sword of Anger (2019)
17. Escape the Fate – Gorgeous Nightmare (2010)
18. New Years Day – Relentless (2015)
19. Parkway Drive – Shadow Boxing (2018)
20. Ektomorf – Ten Plagues (2014)
Here's my review summary:
It's interesting how the creators of the first side of Napalm Death's Scum, known as the founding album of grindcore, would go on to make their own industrial metal acts. Justin Broadrick would focus on Godflesh, and Mick Harris and Nick Bullen would create... SCORN. The debut album from this project fits well at home in the Earache label. Although Vae Solis mostly shows its industrial direction, there are slight traces of thrashy death metal that Harris was moving away from for the project. This is heard vocally from Bullen's growls though they're not too far from Broadrick's vocals. Also giving the album a Godflesh vibe is the guitar contributions from Broadrick. However, most of what happens in the album is strong spacey ambience with occasional reverb within the metal. The tracks can range from fast and thrashy to slow and doomy. While the guitars and percussion are worth hearing, Bullen's vocals are what stand out in the original tracks, ranging from direct singing to deathly snarls. I would've given the album a higher rating if I was only rating the LP edition, which is filled with decently solid industrial metal that can sometimes be brutal or ambient....
3/5
I haven't updated my top metal releases by year list in a few months, and I think this thread is a good one to continue updating, so here's my updated list:
Beginning oldies (1984-1989)/B.M. (Before Metalcore):
1984: Voivod - War and Pain
1985: Watchtower - Energetic Disassembly
1986: Dark Angel - Darkness Descends
1987: Voivod - Killing Technology
1988: Sadus - Illusions
1989: Godflesh - Streetcleaner
Old golden classics and millennium transition highlights (1990-2001)/Metalcore's humble beginnings and light of day-seeing classics:
1990: Rorschach - Remain Sedate
1991: Old - Lo Flux Tube
1992: Sadus - A Vision of Misery
1993: Old - The Musical Dimensions of Sleastak
1994: Amorphis - Tales from the Thousand Lakes
1995: Fear Factory - Demanufacture
1996: Red Harvest - HyBreed
1997: Waltari - Space Avenue
1998: Embodyment - Embrace the Eternal
1999: Botch - We Are The Romans
2000: Extol - Undeceived
2001: Candiria - 300 Percent Density
Modern favorites (2002-2013)/Rise of the full Revolution:
2002: Killswitch Engage - Alive or Just Breathing
2003: Animosity - Shut It Down
2004: ISIS – Panopticon
2005: Trivium - Ascendancy
2006: Dog Fashion Disco - Adultery
2007: Dethklok - The Dethalbum
2008: In This Moment - The Dream
2009: Vektor - Black Future
2010: Whitechapel - A New Era of Corruption
2011: Trivium - In Waves
2012: Bury Tomorrow - The Union of Crowns
2013: Dethklok - The Doomstar Requiem: A Klok Opera
The best of the most recent (2014-present)/A greater new uprising:
2014: The Acacia Strain - Coma Witch
2015: Amorphis - Under the Red Cloud
2016: Insomnium - Winter's Gate
2017: Brendon Small - II: Become the Storm
2018: Amorphis - Queen of Time
2019: Northlane - Alien
2020: Code Orange - Underneath
2021: Trivium - In the Court of the Dragon
2022: Lorna Shore - Pain Remains
2023 so far: Dødheimsgard - Black Medium Current
2023 albums I'm looking forward to getting:
Will Haven - VII
Freedom Call - The M.E.T.A.L. Fest (live album) (self-recommendation to get back in touch with this power metal band I used to like)
Voivod - Morgöth Tales
Dethklok - Dethalbum IV/Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar
The Word Alive - Hard Rest
Polaris - Fatalism
Sylosis - A Sign of Things to Come (self-recommendation)
Bring Me the Horizon - Post Human: Nex Gen
RIP Polaris guitarist Ryan Siew. A young fellow responsible for the band's melodic hooks in his guitar leads, gone too soon. And just over two months away from the release of their next album Fatalism...
Although I enjoy this comeback for both this band and my motivation to dive into doom metal/death-doom, it's this standout that as upbeat as the mid-90s albums of Katatonia and Amorphis that really hits the spot. I know, it's just my speed-enjoying self talking.
An abrasive standout from Godflesh's comeback of industrial metal purity:
RIP Dark Angel guitarist Jim Durkin. Though he's gone from this world now, the wicked thrash material he's made with Dark Angel shall rise in our hearts.
Just over 3 months later, another Dark Angel member has left this world. Lee Rauch, one of a few drummers the band had before the legendary Gene Hoglan. Rauch was also known for contributing to Megadeth's Last Rites demo. RIP
While we're on this topic, I found this Metal Trenches video. Have you guys heard of any of the albums mentioned in this video, and do you think some of them have a metal-like vibe? Personally the only one of these releases I'm familiar with is The Prodigy's The Fat of the Land, via the single "Firestarter" which, despite being a rave track, also has that upbeat energy and dark atmosphere similar to the metal that I like.
I used to listen to epic trailer music company Two Steps From Hell. Most of their tracks aren't metal, but they often have that upbeat energy and occasional dark atmosphere similar to the metal that I like.
Ben, please add the new Mental Cruelty album Zwielicht.
A modern revival of crossover thrash, the way it should really sound:
The band from the Metalocalypse realm has returned with their first single in over a decade! Dethklok fans, look out for the next Dethalbum and their upcoming Metalocalypse special Army of the Doomstar.
Thanks, Morpheus! The robotics class is just a separate thing, and it's only just basic robot building and programming, rather than complex engineering.
It's been 3 months since one of us shared what's been going on in our lives, and what better way to turn this thread back on than with a special announcement involving some big stuff happening in my life? Starting from June 26, I'll be having a lot of work going on every day for 3 months:
Monday and Tuesday: college course
Wednesday and Thursday: work internship
Friday: robotics class
Saturday and Sunday: writing and drawing my next book
Because of how super busy I'm gonna be during that 3-month period, I won't be able to contribute to a lot of the major activities in Metal Academy and will have to take a hiatus from them. So I asked Daniel to cross me out of the feature releases poster, and asked someone else to work on The Revolution playlists. You'll find out who it is when he posts the thread for his first Revolution playlist in the beginning of August (unless he would like me to reveal who it is early, to which I'll just edit this comment). Don't worry, I'll still submit some tracks in the playlist suggestion threads so he won't have to do it all on his own when doing The Revolution playlists. However, I think I have time to squeeze in working on The Sphere playlists during those 3 months. They're easier for me to do than the playlists for other clans because there are only two subgenres in the clan (industrial metal and cyber metal, now I consider Neue Deutsche Härte as part of conventional industrial metal instead of its own subgenre), and since I seem to be the only active Metal Academy member familiar with The Sphere, I don't wanna have to put the Sphere playlists to a halt. Anyway, while I'll be less active in the forums and ratings, I might still do the occasional forum post, rating, and review. So it's basically gonna be a semi-hiatus for me. It's only the feature release submissions and Revolution playlists I can't do during then. So once again, during those 3 months, I'll be less active in the forums and ratings and won't be able to do feature release submissions and Revolution playlists, but I can still do track submissions in the playlist suggestion threads and full Sphere playlists. Wish me luck as I approach these super busy times!
Ben, please add the new Saturnus album The Storm Within.
Ben, please add the New Godflesh album Purge.
OK, thanks Daniel.