Shadowdoom9 (Andi)'s Forum Replies

Here's my submission for the November Gateway playlist:

Cave In - "Paranormal" (from Perfect Pitch Black, 2005)

The year of Bellum Interruptum is not even over, and we're already getting two new singles from Mechina's upcoming album that will be out next year! I somehow think these two singles fit well as a two-part epic, with "Theoxenia" being the epic part and "The Orbital Blood Famine" being the heavy part. Both parts include the clean singing of Mel Rose and the harsh growls of Ricky Lewis who guest appeared in the closing track of Bellum Interruptum, "The Overwhelming Harmony of Collective Suffering". But wait, where's Dave Lowmiller?! Will he still be in the upcoming album, or are they switching harsh vocalists again? Guess we'll find out when the upcoming album arrives, whether on New Year's Day or any other date.

And now for one of the more popular bands in the Christian alt-metal/metalcore scene:

Demon Hunter - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2mlaMr1Nf1YzQpIind6IZi

Disc 1

1. Infected

2. The Gauntlet

3. Not Ready to Die

4. Beauty Through the Eyes of a Predator

5. Not I

6. One Thousand Apologies

7. Sixteen

8. Follow the Wolves

9. Collapsing

10. The World is a Thorn

11. Feel as Though You Could

12. Tomorrow Never Comes

13. Dead Flowers

Disc 2

1. Death

2. Beyond Me

3. Jesus Wept

4. The End

5. Cut to Fit

6. The Negative

7. Peace

8. Fear is Not My Guide

9. Loneliness (Resurrected)

10. Silence the World

11. Godless

12. Sorrow Light the Way

13. There Was a Light Here

And now for one of the more popular bands in the Christian alt-metal/metalcore scene:

Demon Hunter

1. The World is a Thorn

2. The Triptych

3. Storm the Gates of Hell

4. True Defiance

5. Summer of Darkness

6. Extremist

7. Demon Hunter

8. War

9. Outlive

10. There Was a Light Here

11. Peace

12. Exile

13. Songs of Death and Resurrection

An absolutely epic and emotional highlight with no breakdowns, basically extreme power-ish symphonic metal, enough to qualify in this thread:

The band tries so hard to sound like fellow Christian alt-rock band Skillet here, but there isn't enough ambition and it comes out as one of the worst tracks they've ever done:

Probably the best Demon Hunter track since the highlights from their 3rd, 4th, and 5th albums (the grand album triptych):

One of the only tracks in Demon Hunter's new album to qualify for The Revolution, this opening highlight may be the closest to the band's earlier melodic metalcore roots:

Plankton AI metal is back again, here's another solid banger:

An epic of triumph and emotion, perhaps Lorna Shore's greatest achievement! More info in my review once their new album gets added to the site:

I couldn't find any of the Cream Abdul Babar tracks from that split EP on YouTube, but I was able to find the sh*tter of Teen Cthulhu's side:

The more black metal-ish track of Teen Cthulhu's side of the EP:

A well-done combination of metalcore and symphonic black metal before early Abigail Williams made it cool:

Ben, please add Ära Krâ.

Indeed. The vocalist of one of Gothenburg melodeath's pioneering bands is sadly gone. RIP Tomas Lindberg 

Despite heading back to the melodic progressive/power metal zone, I enjoy a few of the more modern metalcore bands, like this formerly Christian metalcore band from Phoenix, Arizona:

And this Finnish band that started off as modernized old-school thrash metal but ending up going the alt-metal/metalcore route starting with their 2020 album:

Early Norwegian progressive/power metal with wonderful singing by Roy Khan who would later join Kamelot:

Once again, my return to The Guardians has caused my heavy/power/symphonic metal interest to be reborn and rapidly expand. Here are 6 bands of those genres that I've heard of when I was still completely in that zone 10 years ago (except The Dark Element), but didn't start listening to them full-time until I rediscovered them in the playlists that I've assembled in the last few months:

Ben, please add the 2003 Cream Abdul Babar / Teen Cthulhu split album.

Breaking boundaries further is this standout featuring the Stimmgewalt choir, sounding similar to Moonspell's more symphonic works:

Another well-done piece of gothic/industrial metal:

Starting off hard is this majestic opener of aggression and beauty:

An epic rendition of a Pet Shop Boys classic, even more than Gamma Ray's cover:

The melancholy sounds absolutely right in this gothic cover of a Bronski Beat hit:

A highlight by these masters of war-themed power metal, sounding both catchy and epic:

A grand majestic 10-minute epic summarizing all this album has:

The Chronicles of Eden is one of the most essential compilation albums for a band, with the first disc consisting of bonus tracks for their first 5 albums, including this awesome cover of a James Bond movie theme:

And the second disc having two full songs per album; one greatest hit and one 8+ minute epic, the latter including one of the most melodic epics I've heard in my over a decade of listening to metal:

A massive 12-minute epic with killer riffing, synths, and vocals by a few of the guest vocalists:

And there are some more of those splendid vocals from those vocalists and a couple more in the bonus track:

Here's my one submission for the October Horde playlist, Sonny:

Warmen - "Untouched" (from Band of Brothers, 2025)

Here's my one submission for the October Fallen playlist, Sonny:

Within Temptation - "Enter" (from Enter, 1997)

Children of Bodom-esque melodeath from a band once known for its neoclassical power metal sound:

Perhaps the most Christmas-like melodic metal song since some songs by Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Majestica's Christmas Carol, worth listening in the holiday season:

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

With my recent return to The Guardians, I've become more determined to discover more heavy/power metal that's either brand-new or I haven't heard before but wish I had 10 years ago when those two genres were my main focus. This month's Guardians feature release is worth continuing my journey. It's time to check out this band Blazon Rite and listen to them sing their Wild Rites and Ancient Songs! It's quite a promising album with tough instrumentation and melodic writing. I also love the song titles, even though they all look like those AI-generated song titles with at least 5 words each. Considering the amount of bands who get put down for any alleged usage of AI, I just hope this band doesn't get wrongfully accused. The songs are often midpaced or fast, though they can slow down for the occasional bard-sung waltz. In the modern age of metal, not many people expect epic melodies within the way of classic heavy/power metal, but bands like Blazon Rite still have their exciting glory. It's great hearing this band bring more life to a style of metal that has withered decades after its highest peak. This offering shall appeal to listeners wanting more epicness and melody in metal without any cheese or orchestra. It's a Blazon Rite of passage!

4.5/5

A fantastic highlight resurrecting the earlier thrashy aggression:

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

Creativity and technology were really advancing in the 90s. ONE MAN, Klayton decided to put his music skills to the test as a once-unknown man determined to fulfill his vision. His project Circle of Dust takes on industrial metal fury that has given him a reasonable fanbase. Turmoils over record labels and the target audience caused the end of the project. He would start his next project Celldweller and formed his own label FiXT, having more electronic rock/industrial metal freedom. Early hints of Circle of Dust returning came in 2015 with a couple remixes of Celldweller and Scandroid (his electronic side-project) tracks. Later that year, it was announced that he finally regained to the albums he made as Circle of Dust, as well as Argyle Park, re-releasing them in remastered forms with a huge array of bonus material. While he has completely brought all of his 90s work back to light, there was one thing left to prove that Circle of Dust isn't dead... A new album! Machines of Our Disgrace, released in late 2016, has the blazing aggression of industrial metal you've known from Circle of Dust, probably the best album since Brainchild. Some of the best lyrics, riffs, keys, and samples can be found in this album. There's more of the cyber complexity from the first two albums as well as the synths and beats of Disengage. Well-produced compositions push through the limits of industrial metal, coming out as another perfect achievement. The music and lyrics are both heavy and compelling, with the concept of striking back against the mechanical atrocities of the world. Klayton has proven himself to be a master of industrial rock/metal, and longtime fans can enjoy this music that's so complex and intense. Circle of Dust has returned, and the vision has come full circle!

5/5

Recommended tracks: "Machines of Our Disgrace", "Contagion", "Humanarchy", "Hive Mind", "Outside In", "Neurachem", "Neophyte"

For fans of: Argyle Park, Blue Stahli, Celldweller

Yet another highlight worth giving lots of praise to, for some of its different versions:

I also enjoy this Blue Stahli remix of a different track from the album:

These tracks were in the original 1992 edition of Circle of Dust's self-titled debut and were never re-recorded because of how much Klayton hated them. And I have to agree, these two sh*tty tracks should never have existed:

I really dig this Circle of Dust highlight, so much so that I love a few different versions of it:

An awesome piece of industrial rock/metal greatness:

But this Blue Stahli remix from the deluxe remastering gives another already great song more life:

Another true anthem of melodic deathcore:

An absolutely phenomenal melodic deathcore highlight! WILL YOU PURSUE?!

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

There has been some talk about As Blood Runs Black's debut Allegiance being similar to The Black Dahlia Murder. I haven't listened to a lot of that band, but based on the few songs I've heard from TBDM, I can totally understand. Allegiance I would consider more of a blend of deathcore and melodeath. And everything is in perfect place, including the breakdowns! This is also back when melodic deathcore was more deathly and less blackened/symphonic than their younger peers. Allegiance has the fast guitarwork, melodic soloing, and brutal breakdowns to expect in any metalcore/deathcore album. Vocals range from blackened to deathly. Lots of blast beats are used in the drumming. And the songs are all under 5 minutes in length, so don't expect any progressive epics. The breakdowns actually have audible bass which isn't quite common in other parts of the album. This album would've been 100% perfect but ends up getting a couple percentage points knocked off for a beautiful yet unfitting acoustic interlude in the middle. Still, Allegiance is the best place for anyone wanting to test out deathcore for the first time without going into the popular new wave of symphonic blackened deathcore. I just hope As Blood Runs Black would return with another masterpiece like this without any acoustic interludes. We need more straight-up melodic deathcore, seriously!

5/5

Recommended tracks: "In Dying Days", "My Fears Have Become Phobias", "The Brighter Side of Suffering", "Strife (Chug Chug)", "Legends Never Die"

For fans of: All Shall Perish, The Black Dahlia Murder, The Crimson Armada

Another glorious 7-minute epic of unforgiving riffing:

This massive 80-minute journey is all worth it once you reach this 10-minute sonic behemoth of a closing epic:

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

A decade had passed since the djenty debut album by Vildhjarta, Masstaden, the album that pushed the boundaries of djent just like when Meshuggah invented it in the mid-90s. The long wait for their second album is partially because of Calle Thomer (guitar) and Buster Odeholm (drums) being focused on fellow thall developer Humanity's Last Breath. They still have their perfect groove-ish progressive djent in this next album, the massive 80-minute Masstaden Under Vatten (Seagull Town Underwater)! While thall can mean anything, I would say it's as evil and strong as Thrall, the World of Warcraft character that inspired the genre's name. This is exemplified by the complexity, atmosphere, and downtuned heaviness that make the subgenre, following the band's unconventional ways including no set structure, destructive riffing, and clean melody only used for haunting atmosphere, thereby maintaining the band's aggressive evolution. The talent of each member shines from the vocals of Vilhelm Bladin, the drums of Odeholm, the guitars of Thomer and Daniel Bergstrom, and the bass of Johan Nyberg, all drifting through dark djenty waters. The thall sound has opened up dimensions of darkness and brutality that barely any other band could. This is true kaos!

5/5

Recommended tracks: "Nar De Du Alskar Kommer Tillbaka Fran De Doda", "Toxin", "Den Helige Anden", "Passage Noir", "Vagabond", "Detta Drommars Skote en Sloja Till Ormars Naste", "Sunset Sunrise", "Sunset Sunrise Sunset Sunrise", "Paaradiso"

For fans of: Humanity's Last Breath, Meshuggah, Reflections

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

Blue Stahli - "Not Over Til We Say So" (3:41) from The Devil (2015)

A Dark Halo - "Unbreakable" (4:27) from Catalyst (2006)

The Interbeing - "In the Transcendence" (3:08) from Edge of the Obscure (2011)

Mechina - "Praise Hydrus" (8:15) from Venator (2022)

Neurotech - "Escapism" (6:22) from Exo Escapism (2025)

Omega Lithium - "Point Blank" (3:57) from Dreams in Formaline (2009)

Total length: 29:50

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

The Breathing Process - "Metamorphosis" (4:21) from Odyssey (Un)Dead (2010)

Cave In - "N.I.B." (4:17) from Anomalies, Vol. 1 (2010) (RIP Ozzy Osbourne)

Fear of Domination - "Inner Lies" (4:03) from VI: Revelation (2021)

It Dies Today - "Marigold" (3:06) from The Caitiff Choir (2004)

We Came as Romans - "Dreams" (4:15) from To Plant a Seed (2009)

While She Sleeps - "Gates of Paradise" (5:20) from So What? (2019)

Winds of Plague - "The Impaler" (3:01) from Decimate the Weak (2008)

Total length: 28:23

For the October Infinite playlist, I'd like to nominate this long epic that's one of the best of melodic progressive metal:

Symphony X - "The Odyssey" (24:09) from The Odyssey (2002)

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

Galneryus - "My Hope is Gone" (7:00) from Into the Purgatory (2019)

Masterplan - "Music" (7:27) from PumpKings (2017)

Powerwolf - "Fire & Forgive" (4:30) from The Sacrament of Sin (2018)

Visions of Atlantis - "Lemuria" (3:41) from Cast Away (2004)

Warkings - "Armata Strigoi" (4:14) from Morgana (2022)

Total length: 26:52

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Architects - "Deep Fake" from The Classic Symptoms of a Broken Spirit (2022)

4/5. The opening track of its original album and this playlist has the band's typical riff-wrath in a slower industrial march. The lyrics pay tribute to their previous album, "But the rest of us wish to exist". We have a killer blend of riffs and synths here. It's clear that they're following Bring Me the Horizon's footsteps during their Post Human era. Sam Carter even channels his own Oli Sykes in the heavy chorus. Carter might be able to sing that one song featuring Sykes by himself. Anyway, great track!

Lord of the Lost, Within Temptation - "Light Can Only Shine in the Darkness" from Light Can Only Shine in the Darkness (2025)

4.5/5. Lord of the Lost and Sharon den Adel are practically a match made in Heaven! Her vocals shining in the band's symphonic/industrial metal sound adds a new dimension of dark yet bright serenity.

Mechina - "Vanquisher" from Acheron (2015)

5/5. Another powerful highlight, this one working well separately from the concept as a pre-release single.

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

5/5. This highlight already shows the band's audacity of beginning with a verse of brutal guitar and growls and then switching to a clean bridge midway through. Well played!

Misery Loves Co. - "Sonic Attack" from Misery Loves Co. (1995)

3.5/5. This one starts off in a ballad-like pace, then the sharp riffing aggression continues.

Acumen Nation - "Queener" from Territory=Universe (1996)

4/5. A great track of electro-industrial metal. RIP James Duffy

Tyrant of Death - "Because Death is Not Ready Yet" from Re Connect (2012)

4.5/5. It's sad that some talented people have to go, but death is not ready yet for this underrated shining star of djenty industrial metal, Alex Rise.

Mass Hysteria - "Matiere Noire" from Matiere Noire (2015)

4/5. The beginning samples here sound like a NASA rocket launch, great metaphor for this song blasting off into French industrial metal.

Sonic Violence - "Ritual" from Jagd (1990)

4.5/5. This one is a loud puncher with simple yet intriguing lyrics, "For devotion, read mental abuse, to bind together, the love prostitutes".

Killing Joke - "Mathematics of Chaos" from Pandemonium (1994)

4/5. This one takes you into a metallic trance, as the wizardry of the instrumentation is in clear production, thanks to Youth.

Zynthetic - "Bled Dry" from Soundtrack for the Apocalypse (2010)

4.5/5. My brother enjoys playing "shoot 'em up" video games like Killing Floor and Left 4 Dead. He also likes the soundtrack, whether it's the OST or rock/metal bands contributing with their own songs. From the 20-second intro, you're already in for some eerie electro-industrial metal with background growls/screams. You can have fun slaying your enemies in the game while listening to this track. Quite inspiring despite having absolute zero lyrics. This also might remind some of Nine Inch Nails' more experimental noise material. In these kinds of games, it's all about skill and survival.

Rammstein - "Ich Will" from Mutter (2001)

4/5. The keyboard/guitar rhythm is so catchy though can get tiring after many listens. This song of desire for fame has made a fantastic live staple.

OOMPH! - "Breathtaker" from Sperm (1994)

3.5/5. Indeed what the title suggests, unlike most of that album.

Circle of Dust - "Deviate (Blue Stahli Remix)" from alt_Machines (2018)

5/5. Klayton and Blue Stahli have remixed so many of each other's tracks. They should really make a collaboration album sometime! One of the best remixes by Blue Stahli!

Illidiance - "Mind Hunters" from Damage Theory (2010)

4.5/5. Fear Factory has planted the seed for the cyber metal subgenre, with one of those bands including Illidiance. Sybreed and Breach the Void are definitely part of that wave too. And don't forget the more epic bands like Mechina and Neurotech. Anyway, I enjoy the clean/harsh vocal harmonies, definitely like a more futuristic Disarmonia Mundi and The Human Abstract.

Realize - "In Silence" from Two Human Minutes (2023)

4/5. Now we're getting into a more experimental lineup of tracks, starting with this one.

Raubtier - "Varldsherravalde" from Skriet Fran Vildmarken (2010)

3.5/5. Not as highly experimental as the next few tracks, but there are interesting parts to like such as the second verse one and a half minutes in.

Skymning - "Trolltekk / Aggrotekk" from Machina Genova (2004)

3/5. This one's more aggrotech-ish than I accounted for while still metal.

Bong-Ra - "Bloodclot" from Black Noise (2025)

3.5/5. Now we have a straight-on interlude, but it's better than the previous track.

NOWHERE2RUN, Loathe - "Ant in the Afterbirth" from Ant in the Afterbith (2024)

4/5. Members of Code Orange and Loathe have collaborated with each other for a cyber industrial track. It has a similar vibe to late-80s Ministry and Marilyn Manson, the latter whom Reba Meyers has been performing with lately.

Turmion Katilot - "Helvetin Torvet" from Universal Satan (2018)

4.5/5. In this excellent gem, you can hear some of the most diverse lyrics from the band, all fitting well with the music they're known for.

Atrocious Filth - "Moans" (5:21) from Moans (2016)

4/5. Lots of atmospheric power similar to the late 80s industrial metal developing classics by Godflesh and Ministry.

Eisbrecher - "Atem" from Die Holle Muss Warten (2012)

4.5/5. One more hauntingly beautiful Neue Deutsche Harte track.

Neurotech - "Memory Eternal" from Memory Eternal (2024)

5/5. This one is a progressive cyber metal monument. Pretty much everything Neurotech fans love is in in this 8-minute epic. A much better one than the title track of Solace!

Fear of Domination - "Ruin" from Metanoia (2018)

5/5. The absolute best highlight of its original album and this playlist! It's one of the most experimental tracks by the band, starting off doomy before exploding into a ballad when some Apocalyptica-like cellos and jazzy magic. So different yet a perfect way out!

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!