Shadowdoom9 (Andi)'s Forum Replies

Even the switch to groove metal for Demolition Hammer can be very solid, especially in this long sludge-ish highlight:

Absolutely vicious thrash filled with hatred and rage, just the way I like it. If you thought bands like Megadeth or Exodus made the most aggressive thrash songs you've heard, this will change your mind:

There's no stenchcore or crossover thrash either just quietly.

At least one release from those two genres I can add to the list, Daniel. Let's see how I roll with the rest first...

So, I gave the first two Annihilator albums each a listening/reviewing session, and Alice in Hell is a standout gem in their discography and thrash metal in general. Even though it has many classic songs (especially "Alison Hell"), the last track "Human Insecticide" is its best example of full-on raging thrash. The band continued their earlier classic thrash era with one more album, Never Neverland. Same greatness, though with a different vocalist Coburn Pharr, instead of the debut's incredible Randy Rampage (RIP), and a couple tracks don't work as much as they should and bring the score down slightly. Still, those two albums are a solid-as-rune start to their big 17-album (so far) discography, and they brought my ultimate Pit test to an amazing beginning. Next up tomorrow: Demolition Hammer

Just like the previous album's closing track, this one closes the journey through Never, Neverland in a thrashy bang:

You're right, Sonny! Thanks for the heads-up. I'll add those bands to the list.

Annihilator's Alice in Hell is a standout gem in their discography and thrash metal in general. Even though it has many classic songs (especially "Alison Hell"), the last track of this offering is its best example of full-on raging thrash:

The only song I really like from Stigmata's mostly poor debut, a solid blend of early hardcore/metalcore and the speed/thrash metal of early Metallica, while reminding me of Paradise Lost's Shades of God in the earlier verses:

Mid-paced stoner-ish alt-metal riffing from one of the earlier bands of the grunge/alternative rock/metal scene:

I gave this album some listening and a review to see if I have what it takes to explore one of the earlier, classic grunge/alternative rock/metal bands. Now many of these songs I think of highly differently from what you think, Daniel. Let me count the ways... "Ugly Truth" has that groovy doomy riffing going on, but to my ears, it sounds a bit like Godflesh's hymns without any of the industrial part of the sound. "Gun" is probably the most accurate track in the stoner doom category. "Power Trip" was meant to parody glam metal, and despite the doomy riffing, it's closer to one of those moody glam metal ballads. "Get on the Snake" has the usual rock-on early alt-metal that has shaped this band's early sound. "Full on Kevin’s Mom" is as fast as earlier hardcore, while lighter and closer to hard rock. "Loud Love" has some stoner-like riffing while being more mid-paced. "I Awake" has that somber sludgy instrumentation for sure. And finally "Big Dumb Sex"... Are you sure you wanna compare that one to Kyuss and Queens of the Stone Age? That's a full-on parody of the more mid-tempo glam metal songs that's hard to take seriously! So I would consider Louder Than Love an early grunge-ish alternative metal album with many of the songs experimenting with different styles, including 4 stoner/doom-sounding songs, two glam metal parodies, and two fast hard rock tracks. The amount of stoner metal in the album, from what I hear, is about 35%, a little under your 40% minimum. And the album was released a couple years before Kyuss and Motorpsycho released their own albums that would establish stoner metal as a genre. With that, I find stoner metal to be just a secondary genre for this Soundgarden album and will have to vote NO in your hall entry.

A 7-minute epic that shows Angra transcending the progressive boundaries farther than before:

My progressive power metal memories still shine with this highlight:

1. Gateway playlist - 4/5 (number of songs commented: ALL 21)

2. Infinite playlist - 4.5/5 (number of songs commented: 11, formerly ALL 19)

3. Revolution playlist - 4.5/5 (number of songs commented: ALL 29)

4. Sphere playlist - 4/5 (number of songs commented: ALL 27)

For all my own clans, I've listened to the entire playlists! I'm grateful to Saxy and Daniel for their playlist works. I really dig many of the tracks in the Gateway and Infinite playlists made by Saxy, and I'm glad the Revolution and Sphere playlists made by me paid off. I recommend them to any fan of those 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: Motionless in White - "Scoring the End of the World" (2022) 4.5/5

THE GUARDIANS: Angra - "Temple of Shadows" (2004) 4.5/5

THE INFINITE: Sikth - How May I Help You? (2002) 5/5

THE PIT: Anacrusis - "Screams and Whispers" (1993) 5/5

THE REVOLUTION: The Chariot - "Long Live" (2010) 5/5

THE SPHERE: Gothminister - "Pandemonium" (2022) 5/5

This is probably the most epic month of featured releases for me! Motionless in White's Scoring the End of the World and Angra's Temple of Shadows each receive a great 4.5 stars. They're near-perfect offerings that I would recommend them to fans of their respective genres. The other 4 featured releases I reviewed are perfect 5-star masterpieces, both two of the feature releases I've submitted (Sikth's How May I Help You? and Gothminister's Pandemonium) and two awesome discoveries (Anacrusis' Screams and Whispers and The Chariot's Long Live). Even though the Anacrusis album is way more suitable for The Infinite than The Pit, it has encouraged me to someday get ready to test out my strength in The Pit with more releases from that clan. I don't intend to make any changes to my clan lineup as of now though. If I do, The Gateway would be the one out, but I'm still sitting comfortable in that clan, so again, no changes yet. Keep up the good work on the feature releases, all! I look forward to more...

I think another reason why some people (including myself) associate this album with power metal is because of the guest appearances from vocalists of Guardians bands Edenbridge, Helloween, Gamma Ray, and Blind Guardian. Of course, guest vocalists from bands of other genres do not make an album those genres (a clear example being Ayreon's The Theory of Everything that is more of a progressive rock opera album despite most of the vocalists coming from metal bands). Looking back now, Temple of Shadows seems to be 80/20 of prog/power metal, but the amount of the power metal I have left in my heart wasn't going to give it up too easily. I actually plan to review another Angra album to rediscover a little more of their progressive direction, so stay tuned for that...

To my ears, I find this album to have more of a progressive power metal sound. The orchestration gives me a lot of Rhapsody (of Fire) vibes though not too highly used in the foreground that would've covered symphonic metal otherwise. The soloing is quite progressive, but in some songs (not just in those power metal highlights) it often reminds me of some of DragonForce's solos. You consider one of my earlier favorite power metal albums NOT power metal, Daniel? Ouch! (though I did say this is better than Petrucci and Dream Theater, so we're kinda even, but still, sorry about that) So I'll vote YES for The Infinite addition entry. Can't say the same about the later Guardians removal entry though.

A tremendous highlight of heavy keyboard-fueled progressive metal to be grateful for:

I agree here, Daniel. Although a few tracks are thrashy with fast speed, the majority of this album is quite progressive with ambitious ideas and keyboard orchestration. I'm definitely voting YES in that Hall entry.

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

Time for me to again give you a brief summary of what the deal was with classic metal genres transitioning in the early 90s. Most thrash metal bands at that time either left in a hurry or switched to a different style, most notably alternative or groove metal. But those bands started in the early to mid-80s, and the ones late in the game that started in the late 80s wanted to have the last bit of what was popular when the story was already moving on. Anacrusis is one of those latecomers, and they still had their great sense of technicality and unique atmosphere, unlike other late-80s-starting bands like Annihilator that fell victim to mainstream pressure too soon at that time. Screams and Whispers is a masterpiece! They really ended their initial run smoothly. It was quite an incredible surprise to me after just finding this band this week. It's a dark atmospheric swansong offering. Kenn Nardi has an impressive vocal range, ranging from aggressive shouting, almost deathly, to clean operatic singing that you can find from other thrashy progressive metal bands like Nevermore. In the pessimistic darkness of some songs, the riffing stays sharp and keeps the bleakness interesting. There's also fast pounding bass and drums that often lowers down to a slower pace. And some songs have atmospheric orchestration. The orchestration comes from the keyboards instead of an actual orchestra, so I can't really put the "early symphonic metal" stamp on it. Still it adds a whole new dimension to the sound in grace. Unlike what other bands had done that year, Anacrusis stayed firmly in thrashy progressive metal with the right amount of balance. Sadly, they disbanded right after that album, a self-sacrifice to not fall into the modern trap. However, in the early 2010s, they were back on the touring road for some time, and they even re-recorded their first two albums, then after that, other than a 2019 reunion show, they again said "That's all, folks!" But if they ever come back in the future with a new original album, sound the alarm!

5/5

A diverse experimental highlight from this Georgia-based metalcore band:

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

The Chariot had already made 3 albums before this, each more popular than the last, and their 4th album Long Live is filled with relentless energy. Unlike a band like Motionless in White that often balances aggressive verses with sweet choruses, The Chariot is firmly set in pure metalcore throughout each song, making the genre more exciting for the heavier fans. Long Live proves that the band is standing high in the metalcore game. The songs have a lot of the aggressive emotion and brutal energy of metalcore, though there are some experimental surprises. And one thing I forgot to mention in the actual review is, the odd-numbered tracks are named after winners of a contest involving the band's previous album Wars and Rumors of Wars. Long Live has clear production as much it has raw energy in this fresh masterpiece. If you need a lot of metalcore adrenaline, one of Georgia's finest bands of the genre can give it to you. Long live their music!

5/5

The glorious title closer of the new Motionless in White album, featuring the legendary Mick Gordon:

A phenomenal highlight of epic electro-industrial metal, with guest narration from Lindsay Schoolcraft, former vocalist of Cradle of Filth:

I did my review, here's its summary:

Motionless in White has been in the modern metal zone since the 2010s. They're one of my favorite bands to cover 3 of my current clans, though they probably would've been too dark for me 6 years before this review, when I wasn't fully into the genres they cover. They've made a really solid and relevant run from Creatures to Graveyard Shift, though Disguise was slightly more alt-metal focused. They started their current path through industrial metalcore around Infamous and Reincarnate, and what could top the former album being my favorite alongside Creatures? And will they continue the throwback while unleashing the emotions they've had in the period after Disguise? With the early 2020s insanity of the virus going, the band have more courage to unleash their emotions to the world. Once again securing the multi-track triptych, you can find many different styles in the songs, including cinematic metalcore, epic electro-industrial metal, glorious heavy alt-metal, and a couple powerful power ballads. You can also find a few guest vocalists including Bryan Garris of Knocked Loose, Lindsay Schoolcraft former vocalist of Cradle of Filth, Caleb Shomo of Beartooth and formerly Attack Attack!, and the legendary Mick Gordon. All in all, Scoring the End of the World has proven to be amazing comeback for the band after a slight decrease in quality in Disguise. Many of the tracks will satisfy open-minded listeners, though not every track is highly likeable. Scoring the End of the World has the band's dynamic strength in fresh quality!

4.5/5

Recommended tracks: "Meltdown", "Werewolf", "Slaughterhouse", "Masterpiece", "Burned at Both Ends II", "Cyberhex", "Scoring the End of the World"

For fans of: Beartooth, Code Orange, Marilyn Manson

A semi-radio-friendly yet well-written alternative/industrial metal highlight:

A heavy metalcore sequel to one of the songs from the Creatures "Snow" trilogy. Maybe in a future album, they should make a sequel to the 3rd part "Scissorhands".

A 7-minute highlight of industrial rock/metal, taking a break from the band's earlier metalcore fury:

The dark haunting finale of the killer "Puppets" trilogy:

Industrial metalcore, foreshadowing Motionless in White's later direction:

Brutal horror-themed metalcore, continuing the "Puppets" story from the band's debut:

For the best of Motionless in White's earlier horror-themed metalcore, check out the dark vicious "Snow" trilogy:

Glad to see the Northlane, Parkway Drive, and Cult of Luna releases taking home the Gateway and Infinite awards! Here are my top 10 releases of 2022:

1. Lorna Shore - Pain Remains

2. Northlane - Obsidian

3. Cult of Luna - The Long Road North

4. Gothminister - Pandemonium

5. Dir En Grey - Phalaris

6. Upon a Burning Body - Fury

7. Seventh Wonder - The Testament

8. In the Woods... - Diversum

9. Psyclon Nine - Less to Heaven

10. Annihilator - Metal II

A true pandemonium of epic industrial metal greatness:

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

From the capital city of Norway, Oslo, here's gothic industrial metal masters Gothminister! This project founded by Bjørn Alexander Brem became a full band when a fanbase started growing, a fanbase strengthened by their live shows and music. The band made a steady career with 6 albums spanning from 2003 to 2017. Then all was silent for 5 years, with no material released during then. It was a long wait...until last year, on October 21, the new album Pandemonium arrived, and the anticipation was totally worth it! With an intro and 10 songs at a span of 40 minutes, their lyrics of darkness and death can make your ears bleed in a pleasant and painless way. There's epic industrial metal greatness in pretty much all the songs, with occasional emphasis on poppy synths, electronic melodies, and metal heaviness. Pandemonium can surely unite the gothic-ish industrial metal fanbase with their catchy sound. Music listeners outside of metal may point out the band's aesthetic of evil darkness, but what they don't find when they don't try is the hopeful light in their compositions. It's so incredible this compelling music they make. Worth the 5-year wait, the Norwegian dark industrial metal masters strike again!

5/5

Recommended tracks: "Pandemonium", "Star", "Bloodride", "Norge", "This is Your Darkness", "Mastodon"

For fans of: Deathstars, Rammstein, Samael

Here's my list (mostly stinker albums I found in my metalcore rediscovery journey, each 2 stars or less):

1. Fuck the Facts - Mullet Fever (2001)

2. Premonitions of War - Premonitions of War (2000)

3. State Craft - Until the Darkness Is Gone (1998)

4. Nineironspitfire - Seventh Soul Sacrificed (1996)

5. Downcast - Downcast (1991)

6. State Craft - Never Forget... (1996)

7. Reprisal - Boundless Human Stupidity (2000)

8. State Craft - To Celebrate the Forlorn Seasons (2000)

9. Clear - Deeper Than Blood (1999)

10. One King Down - Absolve (1995)

Add some gothic-ish industrial metal to a dance club with this superb highlight:

A couple tracks that are exactly what the album title suggests, gothic electronic anthems:

It's been a long while, like under 5 months, since I've last updated my "favorite metal albums by years" list. I will certainly still update this, while putting my "favorite metal albums" thread list to rest because of the Top 20 releases feature. 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: Atheist - Unquestionable Presence

1992: Sadus - A Vision of Misery

1993: Old - The Musical Dimensions of Sleastak

1994: Circle of Dust - Brainchild

1995: Fear Factory - Demanufacture

1996: Morning Again - Hand of Hope

1997: Will Haven - El Diablo

1998: Embodyment - Embrace the Eternal

1999: The Kovenant - Animatronik

2000: Living Sacrifice - The Hammering Process

2001: Candiria - 300 Percent Density

Modern favorites (2002-2013)/Rise of the full Revolution:

2002: Despised Icon - Consumed by Your Poison

2003: Hatebreed - The Rise of Brutality

2004: Mnemic - The Audio Injected Soul

2005: Trivium - Ascendancy

2006: Sikth - Death of a Dead Day

2007: A Day to Remember - For Those Who Have Heart

2008: Dead to Fall - Are You Serious?

2009: Vektor - Black Future

2010: Crystal Lake - Into the Great Beyond

2011: Trivium - In Waves

2012: Twelve Foot Ninja - Silent Machine

2013: Living Sacrifice - Ghost Thief

The best of the most recent (2014-present)/A greater new uprising:

2014: Beartooth - Disgusting

2015: Caligula's Horse - Bloom

2016: Issues - Headspace

2017: Gothminister - The Other Side

2018: The Browning - Geist

2019: Northlane - Alien

2020: Code Orange - Underneath

2021: Trivium - In the Court of the Dragon

2022: Lorna Shore - Pain Remains

2023 albums I'm looking forward to getting:

In Flames - Foregone (revisiting one of the melodeath bands I used to enjoy)

Avatar - Dance Devil Dance (revisiting one of the melodeath bands I used to enjoy)

Code Orange - What is Really Underneath?

Insomnium - Anno 1696 (self-recommendation in an attempt to finally get into listening to a band I've heard of since first listening to that genre)

For the Fallen Dreams - For the Fallen Dreams (self-recommendation)

Chelsea Grin - Suffer in Heaven

Kamelot - The Awakening (revisiting one of the only power metal bands I still want to keep)

August Burns Red - Death Below

Ne Obliviscaris - Exul

Bury Tomorrow - The Seventh Sun (self-recommendation)

Enter Shikari - A Kiss for the Whole World

Deathstars - Everything Destroys You

The epic climax of an amazing journey of my power metal nostalgia:

I did my review, here's its summary:

Any open-minded music fan should try at least one mature concept album to explore the story that you might find in a book or a movie. All the band members have worked together to build the soundtrack to a story written by guitarist Rafael Bittencourt, proving that their teamwork really made the dream work! There's a lot of headbanging power metal action, complete with professional guitar solo dueling between Bittencourt and Kiko Loureiro, and the unique vocal power of Edu Falaschi. However, the speed is often balanced out with some softer ballads or mid-tempo tunes. What can also add to this grand sound includes many orchestral/progressive/Latin influences, along with guest appearances from vocalists of bands Edenbridge, Helloween, Gamma Ray, and Blind Guardian. It's quite a journey for even the heavier metalheads to take, and its "classic" status isn't going away anywhere!

4.5/5

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

Architects - "When We Were Young" (3:13) from The Classic Symptoms of a Broken Spirit (2022)

Deathstars - "This Is" (3:42) from This Is (2023)

Fear Factory - "A Therapy for Pain" (9:43) from Demanufacture (1995)

Gothminister - "Angel" (3:31) from Gothic Electronic Anthems (2003)

Omega Lithium - "Colossus" (4:57) from Kinetik (2011)

Strapping Young Lad - "Love?" (4:53) from Alien (2005)

Total length: 29:59

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

The Browning - "Carnage" (3:04) from Geist (2018)

Chelsea Grin - "All Hail the Fallen King" (2:52) from My Damnation (2011)

Dead to Fall - "Stupid?" (2:22) from Are You Serious? (2008)

From Autumn to Ashes - "Short Stories with Tragic Endings" (9:24) from Too Bad You're Beautiful (2001)

Memphis May Fire - "This Light I Hold" (4:08) from This Light I Hold (2016)

Shai Hulud - "The Consummate Dragon" (2:59) from That Within Blood Ill-Tempered (2003)

Trivium - "Insurrection" (4:57) from Shogun (2008)

Total length: 29:46

Here are my submissions for the March Infinite playlist:

Burst - "Cripple God" (6:42) from Lazarus Bird (2008)

Ne Obliviscaris - "Devour Me, Colossus (Part I): Blackholes" (12:37) from Citadel (2014)

Queensrÿche - "Bridge" (3:29) from Promised Land (1994)

Today Is the Day - "Going to Hell" (7:09) from In the Eyes of God (1999)

Total length: 29:57

Here are my submissions for the March Gateway playlist:

Celldweller - "Frozen" (7:00) from Celldweller (2003)

Demon Hunter - "Silence the World" (7:13) from Exile (2022)

Gone Is Gone - "Violescent" (4:17) from Gone Is Gone (2016)

Lacuna Coil - "My Spirit" (5:50) from Dark Adrenaline (2012)

Through Fire - "Stronger - Extended Version" (4:05) from Breathe (2016)

Total length: 28:25

An alternative/progressive metal/rock highlight of fuzzy guitar magic, from the members of Mastodon, Queens of the Stone Age, and At the Drive-In:

I've done my review for that Gone is Gone release. Here's the link to my review: https://metal.academy/reviews/28681/26014

And here's its summary:

Gone is Gone offer really high-quality music in their plate. Mastodon bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders shows his more melodic heartful side, together with Queens of the Stone Age guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen, and At the Drive-In drummer Tony Hajjar, and keyboardist/guitarist Mike Zarin. The members' tight unity of music makes a spectacular 8-track EP of alternative/progressive metal/rock. A great thing about supergroups (though they prefer to be considered just a band) is, when each member is from a popular band, chances are you can get spectacular results, and Gone is Gone is a grand example!

5/5

I'll take Borealis please, Prog/Power Metal always intrigues me because there's normally very little Progressive Metal to be found on them, so I'll be interested to see if this one actually holds up. 

I was thinking of choosing that band because they're the most notable band I can think of in that list that I haven't checked out yet, but that's OK. You got them first, so it's yours, Xephyr.

I'm gonna go with the Gone is Gone release. Upon research, I noticed that band has Mastodon bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders, so I look forward to hearing what he can do there.

Your turn, Saxy!

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Godflesh - "Spite" (from Pure, 1992)

4.5/5. The opening track of this playlist can be the sign of a shining gift.

Celldweller - "Into the Void - HARD BOX Remix" (from Into the Void (Remix Contest Compilation), 2022)

5/5. But not as much as this remix! Klayton continues his over 3-decade career of industrial metal entertainment that I can't believe I didn't get into until just recently. Such a killer remix, and while the electronics are obviously there, it's in a great amount, not too much or too little. I believe this remixer can really REGENERATE.

3TEETH - "President X" (from Metawar, 2019)

4.5/5. "I'm your same old hex, I'm President X, replace me, I'll be next!"

Mnemic - "Tattoos" (from Mechanical Spin Phenomena, 2003)

4/5. This one has a bit of a Mushroomhead vibe while staying industrial.

Excessive Force - "Divebomb" (from Gentle Death, 1993)

4.5/5. You'll especially find greatness in this track that at one point makes a subtle brief turn into the "Hall of the Mountain King", almost like what Savatage did in their 1987 album. I love it!

Ghostemane - "Hydrochloride" (from ANTI-ICON, 2020)

4/5. This one is an edgy hard-hitter of noise. "I DON'T LOVE YOU ANYMORE!!!"

Static-X - "Hollow (Project Regeneration) (from Project: Regeneration Vol. 1, 2020)

4.5/5. Static-X knows how to maintain the sound they've had since their earlier albums even after the untimely passing of Wayne Static, thereby doing him great justice. RIP Wayne and Tera... This really does sound close to what the band had in the early 2000s. That's quite a bad-a** tribute to their lost leader.

Ministry - "Disinformation" (from Moral Hygiene, 2021)

4/5. "Fake news. SAD!" A nice song to remind us of the plague of false information.

Northlane - "Talking Heads" (from Alien, 2019)

4.5/5. One vocalist ruling with 10 techniques! The sludgy nu metal part of their cyber metalcore sound has really expanded in their recent albums.

Motionless in White - "Not My Type: Dead as Fuck 2" (from Graveyard Shift, 2017)

4/5. This is my type of alternative/industrial/metalcore from the masters of that blend, Motionless in White!

1000 Homo DJs - "Apathy" (from Supernaut, 1990)

3.5/5. Fun early industrial rock/metal, though a bit repetitive.

Pitchshifter - "New Flesh P.S.I." (from Submit, 1992)

3/5. This next track is an early-Godflesh-infused remix of a song from their debut Industrial. Not the best, but it works well for most other industrial metal fans.

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

3.5/5. A weird yet satisfying gothic-infused industrial metal treat.

Crossbreed - "Stem" (from Synthetic Division, 2001)

4/5. I can give a thumbs-up to what is considered an industrial/nu metal classic. The verses are far more tolerable than the verses of songs by, say, Lady Gaga. A bad-a** twist in the sound of the aforesaid Static-X.

Strapping Young Lad - "Almost Again" (from The New Black, 2006)

4.5/5. Drummer Gene Hoglan deserves some praise for his mighty drumming blasts, but you know who else? Devin Townsend for his fine lyrics and raw vocals, not to mention founding this band! Is it just me or does the guy in the last 10 seconds of the song screaming and collapsing sound like Hoglan after all this impressive work? Hmm... At least he will be well-suited for a drum soloing battle with Meshuggah's Tomas Haake.

Combichrist - "Hate Like Me" (from One Fire, 2019)

4.5/5. This is worth listening to for some f***ing amazing energy. Those vocals are h*lla powerful.

Omega Lithium - "Stigmata" (from Dreams in Formaline, 2009)

5/5. I love this awesome song, and it makes me wish Omega Lithium would one day reform. Mya Mortensen is really pretty, and pretty talented in the industrial/gothic metal scene. You can almost consider her the Lady Gaga of metal! I can thank my brother for showing me this song.

Nine Inch Nails - "March of the Pigs" (from The Downward Spiral, 1994)

4.5/5. Besides this song being one of the heavier tracks of its album, metal enough for inclusion in this playlist, HORSE the Band's cover of the song intrigues me. It works as a soundtrack to a panic attack. And halfway through, just when you think it's over early, it starts up again!

Fear Factory - "Disobey - Disruptor Remix" (from Recoded, 2022)

5/5. HOLY SH*T, another cyber-techno remix of a fantastic song, that still rules?!? We need more of this!

Lindemann - "Skills in Pills" (from Skills in Pills, 2015)

4.5/5. Interesting song about pills, drugs, and booze. All part of Rammstein vocalist Till Lindemann's solo project of Peter Tägtgren from Hypocrisy and Pain.

Ludovico - "Burn Everything" (from Haunted People, 2022)

4/5. Emotions of frustration and loneliness can be let out via dark music. Even when the screams sound closer to whispering, they still have quite the power. The feeling is relevant for the earlier time of the virus.

Deathstars - "Death Dies Hard" (from Night Electric Night, 2009)

3.5/5. This one hits hard, sounding good like a descendent of Marilyn Manson, Rammstein, and Nine Inch Nails, in a way that I actually like. Hate what you want, but cheers to this band for carrying on!

ASP - "Krabat" (from Zaubererbruder: der Krabat-Liederzyklus, 2008)

3/5. The violin is beautiful, adding some pleasant folk vibes to an otherwise mediocre Neue Deutsche Härte track.

The Mad Capsule Markets - "Island" (from OSC-DIS, 2001)

3.5/5. A quite funny song. While staying in industrial metal territory, the verses frolic happily before a raging hardcore chorus.

Author & Punisher - "Glorybox" (from Kruller, 2022)

4/5. The shoegaze-ish direction for this band is especially true in this convincing Portishead cover. Sounds weird but I love it!

Neurotech - "Through Hardships" (from Stigma, 2015)

4.5/5. This is quite an epic standout to this last leg of this playlist. You can marvel through all the hardships you wanna overcome! Amazing, huh?! Quite an astonishing motivational message. "You're not alone." "Things will get better."

Rammstein - "Adieu" (from Zeit, 2022)

4/5. This marching finale has reflective piano and a sign-off message, "You have to go the final way alone", rather ironic compared to the previous song's message.

Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? Despite a few slight bumps throughout... Anyway, I sure would recommend this to any industrial metal fan and anyone who isn't into industrial metal but is up to getting into a great start in enjoying the genre. Thanks Daniel for accepting this and your help with your submission, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Lorna Shore - "Immortal" (from Immortal, 2020)

5/5. Right off the bat, the epic powerful title opener of its original album and this playlist is a surefire deathcore highlight! CJ McCreery lets out every vocal style he could possibly do throughout a thick sea of brutal glory.

Cave In - "Until Your Heart Stops (Segue 2)" (from Until Your Heart Stops, 1998)

4.5/5. Then there's a sudden jump into the title track of Cave In's debut album, with the most Slayer-ish riff-fight you'll ever witness, before some last melodic twists and concluding with the noise-ridden interlude "Segue 2".

This Day Forward - "Sunfalls and Watershine" (from Kairos, 2002)

5/5. I can't believe how old this song is, over 20 years old! It makes you think of "constant dreamscapes" and distant memories. Too bad they switched into the post-hardcore of Alexisonfire after this EP, then split up later. It might be easy for me to sing and scream along to this song. It features Thursday vocalist Geoff Rickly, further solidifying the hardcore scene's knowledge of This Day Forward. Anyone who thinks these bands are bad and ruin scenes should listen and let the nostalgia change their minds.

Drowningman - "Code Breaking Hearts" (from Rock and Roll Killing Machine, 2001)

4.5/5. This is a classic highlight, starting with speedy aggression before some more melodic sections, all great when you're along for the ride.

All Shall Perish - "Never Ending War" (from Hate.Malice.Revenge, 2003)

5/5. This is also a thunderous highlight, a 6 and a half minute epic of powerful chords and leads, not to mention the earthquake-including breakdowns.

Earth Crisis - "Broken Foundation" (from Gomorrah's Season Ends, 1996)

4.5/5. This amazing early metalcore track got my attention rolling from the beginning "PAIN!!!!" scream.

Botch - "Transitions from Persona to Object" (from We Are the Romans, 1999)

5/5. This song greatly represents the organic nature of the album We are the Romans. Every riff is played naturally, never forced, as if the riffs are inventing themselves. After an eerie intro melody, the song continues into its awesomeness, riff after riff, all in a perfect groove mood. The heavy riffs lead to high dissonance in a passage that brings back the lower riffs and vocals. The song ends with frantic discord fading out to a drumbeat.

August Burns Red - "Bones" (from Guardians, 2020)

4.5/5. A soaring anthem with a memorable chorus in great pace.

Issues - "COMA" (from Headspace, 2016)

5/5. I just love this one, including all that lyrical meaning. The bridge near the two-minute mark halts the melody with brief heaviness and growls before continuing that in the final chorus. You can consider Tyler Carter a vocal descendant of the Jonas Brothers and Michael Jackson despite his recent...well, issues.

Northlane - "Singularity" (from Singularity, 2013)

4.5/5. Actually why am I mentioning Michael Jackson? If I worry too much about him, I would become disempowered by media icons. Terrence McKenna gave those who have listened to this album up to this track this advice, and it's amazing advice to follow. The instrumental itself gives me warm chills ("warm chills", sounds oxymoronic), it's so beautiful! The message is now more unbelievably relevant than ever.

Rorschach - "Traditional" (from Protestant, 1993)

5/5. This highlight takes on the hardcore thrash that sounds like Voivod's first two albums in interesting dissonance, often twisting into violent bashing.

Crystal Lake - "Fabricated Refuge" (from The Voyages, 2020)

4.5/5. I hear a bit of a Slaughter to Prevail vibe in this song despite it being mostly amazing metalcore.

The Red Chord - "Dreaming in Dog Years" (from Fused Together in Revolving Doors, 2002)

5/5. This is perhaps the best song of its original album. After an odd 5-second intro, it explodes into absolute mayhem, great for a live setting. And coincidentally, that song is also in this month's Horde playlist.

Downcast - "System" (from Downcast, 1991)

3/5. While this song has helped in the band's attempt to create metalcore that is better off made by those bands, you might wanna check out my review for its album to find out what I really think there.

The Browning - "Standing on the Edge" (from Burn This World, 2011)

3.5/5. Not bad, but not as fantastic as the songs from the album that got me into The Browning, Geist.

Candye♡Syrup - "Idol of Death (Burst Ver.)" (from iDOL Can Dye Sick Rock!!, 2018)

4/5. This is an interesting mind-blower, screaming crust-ish deathcore verses mixed with cute Babymetal-like choruses. Good one, Daniel!

Annisokay - "Coma Blue" (from Arms, 2018)

4.5/5. Christoph Wieczorek is one of the most amazing clean vocalists in metalcore, though this band is not super popular. The bass especially rules in the instrumentation. My metalcore obsession has bled a bit into my brother's music interest that is enough to turn him into a headbanger like I am. The background orchestration is unique!

Impending Doom - "Ravenous Disease" (from Death Will Reign, 2013)

5/5. A brutal part of the Killing Floor 2 soundtrack, which I really enjoy. I need more of this kind of deathcore in my life after gaining more leeway all these years, but don't expect to descend into the depths of Infant Annihilator. The soloing near the 3-minute mark makes me let out a small sinister smile.

Trenches - "Horizons" (from Reckoner, 2022)

5/5. This one continues the intense heaviness while planning out its transition in softer melody, hinting at how melodic its original album would become as you get further.

Vatican - "Reverence" (from Ultra, 2022)

4.5/5. This has more of the heavy rage expected by fans of metalcore. It's also the first song of its original album to be a single and include clean vocals. Yeah, the singing appears sporadically throughout the album, hinting at Deftones-esque ether among the rage.

The Dillinger Escape Plan - "We Are the Storm" (from Miss Machine, 2004)

4/5. This track returns to the band's signature sonic storm attack of atoned chaos. This may be annoying for some of the lighter listeners, but being a heavy metalhead myself, I don't mind at all. There's a nice mellow guitar passage subdued into the next section, but it's a little draggy. Then the chaos returns in the last minute.

Dead to Fall - "Villainy and Virtue" (from Villainy and Virtue, 2004)

4.5/5. I love this band, and how can I not? I'm quite the metalcore addict! I wish they would make more bad-a** material like this. F***ing killer lyrics here, "THE DEPTH OF YOUR COMPASSION IS AS SHALLOW AS YOUR THOUGHTS!"

All That Remains - "The Air That I Breathe" (from The Fall of Ideals, 2006)

5/5. This is a very recognizable track that breaks the formula of its original album with a lot of different things, including the key signature being B minor instead of D and/or G, and a swift solo in the intro. Other than that, the riffs are still slightly the same but the lead melodies are more harmonic.

Trivium - "Shattering the Skies Above" (from In Waves, 2011)

5/5. Absolutely kick-A song from the God of War video game series soundtrack. Enough said!

Hatebreed - "Refuse/Resist" (from For the Lions, 2009)

4.5/5. I like this killer cover of a Sepultura classic, sounding similar while never really a clone "SILENCE BECOMES DEATH!!!"

Phinehas - "Dream Thief" (from The Fire Itself, 2021)

4.5/5. Phinehas (and Ferb. lol) are the masters of reviving the melodeath-ish metalcore scene from the second half of the 2000s. Riffing, soloing, breakdowns... This band has it all here. And great lyrics too!

Sikth - "Philistine Philosophies" (from Opacities, 2015)

5/5. Sikth will never disappoint. They still have the power from their initial run. The vocals are a perfect match to the music that sounds close to Animals as Leaders. F***ing mind-blowing guitar here! Over the two-minute mark, after an awesome verse of "falling like dominoes", the chorus is what I really love is pretty much any of rock/metal. I definitely wish for more of that!

Kingdom of Giants - "The Ride" (from Passenger, 2020)

4.5/5. The huge breakdown rules in this song, alongside the screams and cleans by Courtney LaPlante of Spiritbox in a stunning guest appearance. So beautiful in this awesome song without a doubt! The band is really on fire with the clean/growl vocal variety and lyrical strength. The synths are quite pleasing. If the world ends up f***ing you up, you can't let yourself be lost, you gotta stay in the ride. Interesting Wu-Tang reference there, "CASH RULES EVERYTHING AROUND ME!" The ending breakdown multiples the power twice, sounding close to Void of Vision.

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

5/5. Let's end this playlist with one more fantastic song, featuring the great Dave Peters of Throwdown. It's so brutal while maintaining this band's religious reputation. Now that's metal art! The opening solo sounds close to Slayer, and makes the rest remind me of another swan song for a band's career, the title track of the last Nevermore album The Obsidian Conspiracy. And this song's another one from the Killing Floor 2 soundtrack. "I HAVE TAKEN YOUR DESPAIR!!"

HOLY SH*T, this is probably one of the best metalcore playlists I've ever done, with almost every track ranging from 4.5 to 5 stars. I sure would recommend this to any metalcore fan and anyone who isn't into metalcore but wants to get into a great start in enjoying the genre. Thanks Daniel for accepting this and your help with your submission, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

Here are some of my track thoughts:

Caligula’s Horse – Into the White (2013)

4.5/5. Yo. Check this song out, Infinite members. Period.

Sikth – Tupelo (2002)

4.5/5. This is a cover of a song by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, doing the original justice while keeping Sikth's identity.

Symphony X – The Accolade (1997)

4.5/5. A story is told through the vocals, a bit like the scenario of a medieval knight. It's quite excellent, and back when I was still listening to this band, I agreed that this is their best album. I love the Pantera-like riffing, balanced out with the mystical keyboards that especially appear near the 8-minute mark. F***ing powerful vocals from this man, Russell Allen ("A LEGEND FOREVER!!"). However, as I go into my own heavier direction, I've had enough of the Dream Theater-like melodic sound.

The World Is Quiet Here – Writhing Gate (2023)

4.5/5. Well it ain't gonna be quiet in this song! Holy f***, that breakdown midway through is a hard-hitter with psychotic vocals. This is something I would recommend to fans of Sikth, Dir En Grey, BTBAM, and pretty much any progressive deathcore band.

Converge & Chelsea Wolfe – Lord of Liars (2021)

4.5/5. This anguish-filled song has a bit of strain, but Kurt Ballou takes the strain out on his guitar with cool results.

Haken – Taurus (2023)

4/5. Based on the singles from Fauna that have come out so far, you can hear the best this band has to offer, staying melodic with occasional electronics and nice rhythm, while having the slightly more extreme djenty riffs they've been using since Virus. The chorus can be a throwback to Affinity. The ending is quite beautiful, complete with a change of chord. No chance that I'll completely return to that band anytime soon though...

Ihsahn – Unhealer (ft. Mikael Åkerfeldt) (2008)

4.5/5. Ihsahn is known as the frontman of black metal band Emperor, and Mikael Akerfeldt is known as the founder of deathly progressive metal/rock masters Opeth. It's great hearing both of those men's work here, alongside the bass of Lars Norberg. You might just wake up with great inspiration for progressive metal creativity. Holy sh*t, both of their growls are fantastic! The year of this album's release is 2008, and that was one of the last years Mikael could channel his f***ing incredible growls from as early as Still Life. Absolute genius!

Enslaved – Havenless (2003)

4.5/5. I'm sure every fan of progressive black metal would like this song, but I feel slightly more comfortable focusing on the former than the latter. You can also consider this epic viking metal that's worth giving respect. This really works well for a march into battle, and if anyone's up for that kind of scenario, you can find it in that song. There's still some old-school Norwegian in the chanting vocals, while the band was already moving into writing lyrics in English. A little weird, but works greatly.

The Ocean Collective – Preboreal (2023)

4.5/5. The Ocean continues to rise, still shining as one of the great progressive/post-sludge metal bands. And f*** yeah, I think we found the missing link between the Phanerozoic and Heliocentric/Anthropocentric concept eras! I love this atmospheric tune despite sounding a bit different.

In Mourning – Isle of Solace (2012)

4.5/5. This song is amazing, especially the intro. I really need to get progressive melodeath back into my life.

Ne Obliviscaris – Graal (2023)

5/5. The soloing by Benjamin Baret will really blow your mind. What's more impressive is, violinist/clean vocalist Tim Charles let his daughter guess appear on violin during the last few minutes. There's not a single bad song from this band, and I'm glad this amazing playlist ended in a bang. I look forward to that album Exul!