Shadowdoom9 (Andi)'s Forum Replies

RIP Trevor Strnad of American melodeath band The Black Dahlia Murder. I still enjoy his wild guest appearance in this song from mathcore group Gaza:

All good. Thanks again, Ben!

Also, with respect to Andi's comments regarding himself and Vinny no longer contributing suggestions to the Guardians, can non-Guardians make a single track suggestion? That's up to The Guardians members to decide. I personally don't see that it adds any additional engagement for the clan playlists in question but if Xephyr, Saxy & Andi want to do it then that's their call.

Yep, I'm up for that. Anyone who isn't in The Guardians or participating in The Guardians can submit one track per monthly playlist. Let's see what Xephyr and Saxy think about this first...

High quality New York mathcore/djent. This track was the clear highlight from the album for me Andi.

This one's also good, an unforgiving sonic crusher!

Ben, please add these new albums:

Eighteen Visions - 1996

Upon a Burning Body - Fury

Also there a couple errors involving Upon a Burning Body in the site; Southern Hostility is duplicated in the band's releases page, and all of that band's releases are missing the sub-genres tags in their respective pages. So could you please fix these errors when you can? Thanks!

Also on this day, the 5th anniversary of an amazing mix of alt-metal, metalcore, and industrial metal, the way I like it! Still glad that the 3-clan releases didn't break the Anniversaries page, though they do cover some part of the details:

I won't. See here: https://metal.academy/forum/9/thread/1246?page=1#topic_10512

While there are a couple metal projects with a lot more releases, that's probably the biggest amount of anime cover arts I've ever seen from a metal band.

OK, I’m gonna have to be honest while not sounding too critical on this one, so here it goes…

1. I enjoy listening to them, checking out new bands, and having fun assembling the Revolution playlists.

2. I’m quite used to the 2-hour length in playlists and changing the maximum length would cause me to have to make drastic changes to my technique. Plus these Spotify playlists give us more freedom to add songs that total up to a long suitable limit, rather than the earlier days of CDs that each have an 80-minute limit. However, the 90-minute limit might actually be more suitable since there are some playlists lately that are down to that length and the playlist creators have a lot more to think than just trying to cram in lots of track ideas. I’m gonna let the rest of you decide what the limit should be.

3. Monthly is definitely suitable, but I guess doing it once every two or three months might depend on the clan playlist.

4. It would be quite confusing to eliminate the less popular playlists. Like what if a new member enters the site and is active in The Sphere but finds the Sphere playlists missing? Probably best to keep them going.

5. I think we handle the track submission limits much better based on time instead of the number of tracks. That way, our submissions are more even and have more variety in the subgenres.

6. In response to Vinny’s question, I think the playlists are meant for both site members and listeners outside the site who would like to explore the best of their favourite genres along with new discoveries to expand their taste, maybe even get into the genres if they’re new there. I have one request, but it’s more about a specific clan playlist than playlists in general. Now that I’m currently taking a hiatus from The Guardians and its related activities following the other day’s incident (which might’ve given you the idea to start this thread, Daniel) and Vinny has completely left that clan, there’s literally not a single active member around now to give Xephyr track submissions for his Guardians playlists. I feel bad about it, but I don’t wanna make things go further downhill. It is hard to imagine a once decently popular clan dedicated to the few most historically important genres in metal end up getting deserted just like that. So could you please allow members who aren’t in The Guardians or not participating in the clan to each submit one track for the monthly Guardians playlist, similar to the Gateway/Revolution/Sphere playlists? Thanks! And I appreciate everyone’s efforts in making these playlists happen. Good work all!

I find that, as The Contortionist move away from progressive deathcore on the later portions of this album, and their next album Language, song structure continued to improve.

Interestingly, I find the structure in a few songs in the otherwise superb Language to be the weakest by the band, especially that album's final track "The Parable". We all have different opinions on a certain aspect of an album's songs, but nothing wrong with that, right?

Language would've been as awesome as Exoplanet, or at least Intrinsic, if not for 3 songs that made the album come a star short from a perfect 5 stars, include this poor waste of 7 minutes:

Some of the best and most thriving from this band, but keep that in mind before the quality drops a bit later in that album:

Orlando, Florida? Say hi to Matt Heafy (Trivium) for me if you ever meet him, Vinny!

Here's my Sphere suggestion for June:

Code Orange - "Out for Blood" (from Out for Blood, 2021)

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

All That Remains - "Madness" (3:24) from Madness (2017)

Born of Osiris - "Throw Me in the Jungle" (3:36) from Soul Sphere (2015)

Chelsea Grin - "Hostage" (3:15) from Eternal Nightmare (2018)

Demon Hunter - The Negative" (4:10) from War (2019)

Enter Shikari - "Adieu" (5:40) from Take to the Skies (2007)

Motionless in White - "Eternally Yours" (5:12) from Graveyard Shift (2017)

We Came as Romans/Brand of Sacrifice - "Darkbloom" (Reimagined) (3:42) from Darkbloom (2022) (I gave this a listen and thought it was a killer deathcore-infused remake of We Came as Romans' new epic metalcore single, so I thought I would add it as a tribute to one of my favorite songs from my first assembled Revolution playlist from November)

Total length: 28:59

I have only one submission in my mind for June's Infinite playlist, and it's a really long and unusual one, but please hear me out, Saxy:

Liquid Tension Experiment - "Three Minute Warning" (from Liquid Tension Experiment, 1998)

I have a few reasons for submitting this: 1. I listened to this entirely a few times before and after severing my ties from listening to that band, and that's because it really sounds so good. It is a complex 5-part epic where compositions are written over Tony Levin's bass jams. You also don't have to worry about adding in different parts because it plays on Spotify as one entire 28 and a half minute track. 2. Look I do not wish to sound critical or unappreciative or anything, but this is a good track to add in the event that you have a short amount of idea that do not reach the usual two-hour length. It would be nice for me to help out alongside your usual focus on 4 to 8 minute tracks and at least one 10+ minute epic. 3. After yesterday morning's incident, I've lost a bit of motivation for coming up with my usual number of track submissions, so I wanted to make just one request for this playlist and really make it count. With all that said, please take your time to consider this, and I appreciate all the effort you, Xephyr, and the rest of the active Metal Academy crew have made with creating these playlists, whether something's a hit or miss. Keep up the good work, man!

Here are my submissions for the June Gateway playlist:

Breaking Benjamin - "Breakdown" (3:36) from We Are Not Alone (2004)

Coldrain - "Runaway" (3:46) from Vena (2015)

Dir En Grey - "Agitated Screams of Maggots" (2:57) from The Marrow of a Bone (2007)

Five Finger Death Punch - "Under and Over It" (3:38) from American Capitalist (2011)

In Flames - "Where the Dead Ships Dwell" (4:27) from Sounds of a Playground Fading (2011)

Lacuna Coil - "Within Me" (3:39) from Karmacode (2006)

Linkin Park - "Somewhere I Belong" (3:33) from Meteora (2003)

Machinae Supremacy - "Anthem Apocalyptica" (3:25) from Origin (2002)

Total length: 29:01

Complex experimentation for beauty and brutality to unite:

I did my review, here's its summary:

Nearly 5 years before this review, I was getting tired of the more melodic bands and the gates were finally opened for me to discover heavier genres such as djent, deathcore, and post-metal. The Contortionist certainly makes a structural mix of those former two genres and a dash of the latter together, proven with their interstellar debut Exoplanet. After a couple years of anticipation since that debut's release, their second album Intrinsic is where they keep up that game but with a more expansive and refined sound. The experiment might not be as successful as their debut, but it's still quite some excellent ambition. Making sure that the band is standing out as usual, Intrinsic definitely gives them an unmistakable identity. While there is some change, you can still hear elements of their earlier brutal deathcore groove, alongside technical riffing, soothing ambience, and intense crescendos, for slightly less emphasis on extreme and more towards dynamics. It's also a continuation of the band's evolution to sound more progressive, with the structures being far more frantic than cohesive. Different sections switch unexpectedly with an occasional return which, even then, can come out as unorthodox. Indeed the loud-soft contrast is so real yet unreal. They can perform rare beautiful ambience with keyboards and clean singing one moment and make brutal twist into the insane fury of searing riffing assault and beastly growls the next. That contrast has massive potential, mostly occurring in the first half, whereas the second half is more eerie and doomy, with the exception of a one more short heavy encore with a devastating breakdown, probably one of the most brutal to be heard in djenty deathcore! Intrinsic is for sure something to check out if you're up for a progressive adventure. This full-on experiment would pay off too well, and they would end up taking a less heavy and more overly progressive direction in subsequent albums. Enjoy the heaviness while this experiment is placed in your hands!

4.5/5

Recommended tracks: "Holomovement", "Feedback Loop", "Causality", "Geocentric Confusion", "Solipsis"

For fans of: Meshuggah, Cynic, the more progressive The Ocean

Djenty progressive metal and deathcore fit well like a glove, and this 13-minute 3-part epic proves it. Still gearing up for Intrinsic though...

The most mathcore tribute to Metallica?! You decide!

I did my review, here's its summary:

Mathcore and many other "core" genres you just can't take with a grain of salt. You have to let your ears embrace the assault that would leave you hungry for more of its golden violence. If you thought these mathcore Long Islanders have reached their pinnacle on Meta, Mordial successfully adds more of the crushing power and maintains their perfect streak. There's also a bit of Deftones-like alt-metal influences with clean vocals, soft guitar, and cinematic synth, within the chaos of guitar meltdowns, hardcore breakdowns, and tons of time signature changes, more powerful than planet-destroying laser beams! The tempo can slow down without ever going out of sync. Mordial is a 5-star head-twisting mathcore tornado, that's what it is!

5/5

Recommended tracks: "Fade Out", "Scattered Sprites", "Dissect Yourself", "Blackened Battery", "Mordial", "Antipatterns"

For fans of: The Dillinger Escape Plan, Gaza, Gojira

As I make my reviewing journey through Car Bomb's discography to gear up for when I review their recent album Mordial that is this month's Revolution feature release, their previous album Meta is another perfect mathcore album with experimental highlights like this one featuring clean vocals by Joe Duplantier of Gojira:

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Memphis May Fire - "The Sinner" from The Hollow (2011)

5/5. Let's start with this mighty metalcore opener that would make you want more, especially the first chorus at the one-minute mark!

The Ghost Inside - "Between the Lines" from Returners (2010)

4.5/5. I'm glad this band is still here after that near-fatal tour bus crash in 2015. You get to witness the band create more tunes that follow the ones before the crash. I love the brilliant lyrics here. "Where have the words gone?!"

ERRA - "Gungrave" from ERRA (2021)

5/5. I love this one! The artwork for that album is quite cyberpunk-ish. The sound here is awesome too!

Of Mice & Men - "Echo" from Echo (2021)

5/5. I've heard of this band a few years ago and never gotten the chance to actually listen to much of them... But now I might feel up for that again with this amazing track! Aaron Pauley's vocals sound awesome despite having to go solo.

Any Given Day - "Loveless" from Overpower (2019)

4.5/5. Any Given Day sounds like they continue the groove anthems Five Finger Death Punch had in their earlier albums, while sticking to their own metalcore recipe. There are great lyrics in this one!

Crystal Lake - "Aeon" from Helix (2018)

5/5. Another band that has now become one of my favorites, because of this wild rollercoaster ride through progressive metalcore, deathcore, djent-core, and tech-black-death. That's how diverse this can be!

If I Were You - "Broken" from Inner Signals (2018)

4.5/5. Another great song really worth listening to. Enough said!

Architects - "Death Is Not Defeat" from Holy Hell (2018)

5/5. Some of the most intense lyrics and music I've heard in this amazing masterpiece of a song! It fits well for the band after their earlier guitarist Tom Searle passed away. RIP... If death catches up to me on an untimely moment, I'd like this as my funeral song. Absolutely underrated! The rhythm in the final minute, towards the end, shows the Tom era coming full circle.

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

4.5/5. Quite some fire here. Feel it burn!

Trivium - "Watch the World Burn" from In Waves (2011)

5/5. And then watch it burn as this track branches out beyond the band's usual sound of thrash metalcore. It still keeps that style but it's a more progressive track. The song has pretty much everything from heavy riffs and a progressive bridge with epic singing and screaming vocals to a melodic thrash chorus.

Demon Hunter - "This is the Line" from The World is a Thorn (2010)

5/5. Another awesome heavy song. That song's chorus is a little cheesy with more clean singing and not as much shouting as the rest of the song that the shouting plagues. Outstanding song choice there, Daniel!

Ice Nine Kills - "Rainy Day" from The Silver Scream 2: Welcome to Horrorwood (2021)

4.5/5. This is based on the Resident Evil movie, which itself is based on the video game series and that makes me wonder if they should've saved it for a horror video game tribute album. The highly different gamer-industrial tones produce a vibe of video games and early 2000s action film soundtracks.

Attila - "Proving Grounds" from Guilty Pleasure (2014)

4.5/5. One of the best Attila songs for me! I love how this song is based on Fronz's real-life stories in a way that almost stretches the truth of his struggles in the music industry with his "b****rds be damned" like attitude. Not the super-best, and not the most appreciated but still so good. Makes you want to "Hit the back button, repeat this song." Except if you're like my mother who can't stand the heavier metal/core or if you're sensitive to a bit of homophobia in the middle ("WHO'S THE F****T NOW?!"), in which case you might wanna go somewhere else. Can Of Mice & Men reach that level? Most likely not.

Make Them Suffer - "Fake" from Old Souls (2015)

5/5. For a song titled "Fake", it's never fake. It's a real punishing song with sharp riffs and menacing views towards hypocrisy and indoctrination that basically say "To h*ll with religion!" A great standout!

War From a Harlots Mouth - "Spineless" from MMX (2010)

4.5/5. Without a doubt, this has some of the best instrumentation here. Catchy breakdowns, a well-placed clean section, and crushing riffs keep leveling up.

The Dillinger Escape Plan - "Mouth of Ghosts" from Ire Works (2007)

5/5. Probably the longest TDEP song at almost 7 minutes. After 4 minutes of mellow jazz piano, things start building up before the guitars enter one last time in an almost theatrical conclusion.

ExitWounds - "Sickened" from Heaven is Empty (Hell is in My Mind) (2021)

4.5/5. This is quite a sick banger, with nearly the right metalcore vibe!

Convictions - "The War That Followed Me Home" from I Won't Survive (2021)

4/5. If the band Reflections married Norma Jean and then cheated on that band for Veil of Maya, this song is what would be spawned. You can definitely hear the influences from those bands within the guitars.

Lost in Separation - "The Secrets We Keep" from The Secrets We Keep (2022)

4/5. It's no secret what there is for the heavier metalcore fans to love. Some cool metalcore hype here! The vocals are quite a chiller, especially in the chorus. Quite some beautiful killer jamming there. Sworn In has really influenced this band to make such a banger.

The Parallel - "Monochrome" from Weaver (2018)

4.5/5. D*mn, that chorus has powerful meaning! Other than that, I don't have a lot to say.

Void of Vision - "GOTHIKA" from CHRONICLES I: LUST (2021)

5/5. Filthy synths and breakdowns are gonna make Ocean Grove regret not having them longer. The playlist gets better again with this d*mn underrated band. So ravaging this sound! And I thought their song "VAMPYR" from the March playlist was the heaviest those guys can do. The mixing is f***ing brilliant, a fantastic distorted beast of a song! I don't know any other filthy banger that could top this. The unclean vocals really transcend through realms, maybe one of them being Emmure. Your bones would be crushed in a moshpit activated when this song is blasted live. Heavy in a decent level for me, kinda like Northlane at their heaviest.

The Afterimage - "Cerulean" from Eve (2020)

4.5/5. Apparently the vocalist of this band is also in deathcore band Brand of Sacrifice. Quite fascinating! The riffing/rhythm in the intro and bridge reminds me a bit of Meshuggah, specifically the Nothing era.

Dead by April - "As a Butterfly" from Let the World Know (2014)

5/5. High-quality beautiful lyrics in this excellent song! If the tempo was two times faster, this would've made the song more metalcore. But there's already enough strength to brush aside that weakness like it's nothing.

Asking Alexandria - "Moving On" from From Death to Destiny (2013)

4.5/5. A great song from Asking Alexandria, and one of my favorite metal ballads, to break things up a bit.

Chelsea Grin - "Blind Kings" from Blind Kings (2020)

4/5. Chelsea Grin is back at it again with some searing deathcore only suitable for those who can go underground.

Underoath - "Act of Depression" from Act of Depression (1999)

3.5/5. Some of Dallas' best screaming comes from the 10-minute title epic of this band's deathly metalcore debut. The lyrics deal with suicide, but the way he screams those lyrics with pain and depression in his voice is the best aspect of the track. Christians normally condemn suicide, but the lyrics tell the story of someone who was bullied (as you can hear from the sound samples at the 7-minute mark). The lyrics are meant to discourage such a tragic action, instead of encourage, and that's what Christians prefer. However, it can't beat the rest of this playlist.

Betraying the Martyrs - "When You're Alone" from Breathe in Life (2011)

4/5. A killer song to roll with the f***ing punches. You can hear the deathcore elements of Whitechapel combined with the symphonic black metal of Dimmu Borgir, mixed into this band's own unique sound.

Slice the Cake - "The Holy Mountain" from Odyssey to the West (2016)

4.5/5. This fits well as the closing single track epic to both this playlist and its original album, mixing all and additional elements to end this theatrical journey. Nothing is simple! The melody and rhythm fades, and you might just feel up to repeating this journey again.

Holy wars, this is probably the best Revolution playlist I've assembled, particularly the first half with all songs from that half reaching 4.5 and 5 stars! To make my opinion not sound selfish or bad form, I 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!

Guys, I just thought it would be helpful to Xephyr and Saxy for me to create their respective playlist threads. They wouldn't have to spend any extra time making those threads, while I can do the commenting as soon as possible. I have a life outside the internet as well. But if there's a rule that only the creator of a playlist can create a thread for that playlist, and I know about it earlier, then I would've let go of the matter. Now I understand that not everyone needs to be helped.

Another issue, regarding this specific clan playlist, is my evidential dwindling passion for The Guardians. I was kind of over-rushing on creating this thread and commenting on half the songs in this playlist, and wanted to get them all done because, like I said, I have a life outside the internet and might be away for some events this week. So some of those comments I've made may not be accurate to how I truly feel, especially since I've announced moving away from half of those bands within the past couple months or so, and the power metal bands I liked more at least 5 years ago than now. So with that, I think, as of now, I'm gonna take a hiatus from The Guardians and any Guardians-related activities, then later see if I'm up to continuing my time in the clan or switching to a different clan I'm more comfortable in. Sorry for any trouble I've caused, all....

Here are my thoughts on some tracks:

Primus - "Conspiranoia" (from Conspiranoid)

4/5. Starting the playlist with 11 and a half minutes of prog-ish funk metal, you can already hear the signature vocals and bass of Les Claypool to please Primus fans. This isn't usually my style, but I would definitely recommend this to Emitter!

36 Crazyfists - "Wars to Walk Away From" (from Lanterns)

4.5/5. I love this killer track! Though they wouldn't reach the same heights as their 2000s metalcore material.

System of a Down - "Mr. Jack" (from Steal This Album!)

4/5. Apparently, this "Mr. Jack" dude was a man disguised as a cop who kidnapped people and was eventually beaten by real police, a story bassist Shavo Odadjian wrote in the lyrics inspired from witnessing bank robberies. Guitarist/co-lead vocalist Daron Malakian can do some voice-threatening screams then continue singing well. I listen to a lot of alt-metal bands now, but nowhere close to the mainstream of System of a Down and Alice in Chains. That said though, this is a nice song to love with some good lyrics ("F*** you man!). The tempo changes and different chords Serj Tankian follows really well with his vocals.

Karnivool - "Roquefort" (from Themata)

4.5/5. This one shows how confident the band is to try a funky approach and expand boundaries without going beyond anyone's comfort zone.

Atreyu - "Warrior" (from Baptize)

5/5. One of the top best songs from Atreyu, despite ditching much of their metalcore roots! Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker contributes with some marching-like percussion in the bridge. Sounds awesome, right?!

Avenged Sevenfold - "Almost Easy" (from Avenged Sevenfold)

4.5/5. One thing about Avenged Sevenfold's sound at that time is, it sound so clean yet dirty, bright yet dark. There's also a "CLA mix" that's rawer than the original. Still the original is impressive! What's not to love? Amazing vocals that sometimes border on aggressive, especially in the chorus. The guitars are heavy while adding melody. Absorb the speed! Their late drummer The Rev also added some of his own vocals mixed with M. Shadows, and the drums really pummel through as well. RIP Rev...

Evanescence - "Going Under" (from Fallen)

4/5. Another track I love, though it lacks a bit of potential, yet made up for by the strong heavy instrumentation and Amy Lee's massive singing.

Otep - "Battle Ready" (from Sevas Tra)

3.5/5. Add rapping as the main vocal style for Evanescence, and you get Otep! Sounds kick-A, but I still struggle with the rapping.

Bad Wolves - "Remember When" (from Disobey)

4/5. Here's a good song about lead vocalist Tommy Vext having fun with his twin brother when they were young, kind of like me and my older brother. However, a dark twist came when Tommy's brother descending into drug addiction and was so high that at one point, he attacked Tommy and nearly murdered him. Fortunately, Tommy survived. His brother ended up in jail for that incident. Great song based on an intense true story...

Wage War - "Me Against Myself" (from Pressure)

4.5/5. Also a h*lla amazing track with great lyrics! That's the kind of song that needs more attention. If anyone out there is shy about rock or metal being their favorite genre, you don't have to hide it anymore with this one.

Bad Omens - "What Do You Want From Me?" (from THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND)

4/5. This one has a bit of heavier potential, but the synthwave-like beats don't really light up my heart. Next!

Dead by April - "Anything at All" (from Anything at All)

4.5/5. Another song I love! I appreciate the work this band puts in perfecting their poppy metal sound.

Katatonia - "Inside the City of Glass" (from Viva Emptiness (10th Anniversary Edition))

4/5. Though this is the "10th Anniversary Edition" with vocals, as opposed to the instrumental version I requested, this is still a good doomy alt-metal track, and the vocals add more emotion. The lyrics are a great description of life. For anyone who has only listened to the instrumental version, the one with vocals would blow their minds. This could be easy for me to sing along to this haunting tune. Besides Jonas' wonderous vocals, the drumming has improved as well. All good despite me preferring the version without vocals by a slight edge. The beautiful vocals shine without ever being overshadowed by the powerful guitars. A decent track fixed with something to make it slightly more complete. Katatonia was a good band for me...

Black Map - "Run Rabbit Run" (from In Droves)

3.5/5. The sound in this song is basically U2 gone as heavy as Chevelle. I'm not sure if this is even metal to be honest, closer to alt-rock. Still this isn't too bad for this band that was formed by Mark Engles during his break from Dredg.

Linkin Park - "Rebellion" (from The Hunting Party)

4/5. This one stomps in with a gnarly guitar intro, which along with the background synths, once again give the song a European power metal vibe for a medieval sword war. Assisting the band in the quest is a guest, System of a Down's Daron Malikian performing part of the aforesaid guitar riffing. The song's lyrics speak of anger and urgency, with nothing specific to fight against and just rebelling for the h*ll of it.

Spiritbox - "Yellowjacket" (from Eternal Blue)

4.5/5. This song can also get you hooked with lines such as "Where was the grace when I was asking for it?!" Architects’ Sam Carter delivers one of the most memorable choruses of the year. This should really be performed live, with or without Sam, for beautiful chaos in motion.

Bloodsimple - "Dead Man Walking" (from Red Harvest)

5/5. Now this amazing song I absolutely love! I find Bloodsimple a kick-A band now. The song is notable as part of the sound track for WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009. I gotta put this f***ing banger into my iTunes playlist. The bass here sounds deadly as f***. There also seems to be a Clutch-like pace. Sick metal right here! I shall add this killer tune as one of my most awesome favorites. This playlist really ended in a bang for me!

May 2022

01. Nevermore - "Sentient 6" (from This Godless Endeavour)

02. Between the Buried and Me - "Informal Gluttony" (from Colors)

03. Meshuggah - "Broken Cog" (from Immutable)

04. Ayreon - "Everybody Dies" (from The Source)

05. Fallujah - "The Void Alone" (from Dreamless)

06. Cynic - "6th Dimensional Archetype" (from Ascension Codes)

07. White Ward - "Leviathan" (from Leviathan)

08. Evergrey - "Barricades" (from Hymns for the Broken)

09. Kardashev - "Compost Grave-Song" (from Compost Grave-Song)

10. Lucid Planet - "Entrancement" (from II)

11. Isis - "Wills Dissolve" (from Panopticon)

12. Skyharbor - "Evolution" (from Guiding Lights)

13. Solstafir - "Her Fall From Grace" (from Endless Twilight of Codependent Love)

14. Edge of Haze - "Remains" (from Remains)

15. Haken - "Nightingale" (from Nightingale)

May 2022

01. Primus - "Conspiranoia" (from Conspiranoid)

02. 36 Crazyfists - "Wars to Walk Away From" (from Lanterns)

03. System of a Down - "Mr. Jack" (from Steal This Album!)

04. Karnivool - "Roquefort" (from Themata)

05. Atreyu - "Warrior" (from Baptize)

06. Fair to Midland - "Musical Chairs" (from Arrows & Anchors)

07. Manes - "Diving With Your Hands Bound" (from Vilosophe)

08. Sevendust - "Dying to Live" (from Blood & Stone)

09. Living Colour - "Glamour Boys" (from Vivid)

10. Avenged Sevenfold - "Almost Easy" (from Avenged Sevenfold)

11. Evanescence - "Going Under" (from Fallen)

12. Otep - "Battle Ready" (from Sevas Tra)

13. Bad Wolves - "Remember When" (from Disobey)

14. Wage War - "Me Against Myself" (from Pressure)

15. Bad Omens - "What Do You Want From Me?" (from THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND)

16. Dead by April - "Anything at All" (from Anything at All)

17. Toothgrinder - "The Shadow" (from Phantom Amour)

18. Fightstar - "Animal" (from Behind the Devil's Back)

19. Katatonia - "Inside the City of Glass" (from Viva Emptiness (10th Anniversary Edition))

20. Black Map - "Run Rabbit Run" (from In Droves)

21. Linkin Park - "Rebellion" (from The Hunting Party)

22. Helmet - "In the Meantime" (from Meantime)

23. Yakui the Maid - "Daisy Killer" (from Polyneuroparty, Pt. 2)

24. Spiritbox - "Yellowjacket" (from Eternal Blue)

25. Bloodsimple - "Dead Man Walking" (from Red Harvest)

May 2022

1. Memphis May Fire - "The Sinner" from The Hollow (2011) [Submitted by shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

2. The Ghost Inside - "Between the Lines" from Returners (2010)

3. ERRA - "Gungrave" from ERRA (2021)

4. Of Mice & Men - "Echo" from Echo (2021)

5. Any Given Day - "Loveless" from Overpower (2019)

6. Crystal Lake - "Aeon" from Helix (2018)

7. If I Were You - "Broken" from Inner Signals (2018)

8. Architects - "Death Is Not Defeat" from Holy Hell (2018)

9. Currents - "Origin" from The Way It Ends (2020)

10. Trivium - "Watch the World Burn" from In Waves (2011) [Submitted by shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

11. Demon Hunter - "This is the Line" from The World is a Thorn (2010) [Submitted by Daniel]

12. Ice Nine Kills - "Rainy Day" from The Silver Scream 2: Welcome to Horrorwood (2021) [Submitted by shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

13. Attila - "Proving Grounds" from Guilty Pleasure (2014) [Submitted by shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

14. Make Them Suffer - "Fake" from Old Souls (2015) [Submitted by shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

15. War From a Harlots Mouth - "Spineless" from MMX (2010)

16. The Dillinger Escape Plan - "Mouth of Ghosts" from Ire Works (2007)

17. ExitWounds - "Sickened" from Heaven is Empty (Hell is in My Mind) (2021)

18. Convictions - "The War That Followed Me Home" from I Won't Survive (2021)

19. Lost in Separation - "The Secrets We Keep" from The Secrets We Keep (2022)

20. Void of Vision - "GOTHIKA" from CHRONICLES I: LUST (2021)

21. The Parallel - "Monochrome" from Weaver (2018)

22. The Afterimage - "Cerulean" from Eve (2020)

23. Dead by April - "As a Butterfly" from Let the World Know (2014)

24. Asking Alexandria - "Moving On" from From Death to Destiny (2013)

25. Chelsea Grin - "Blind Kings" from Blind Kings (2020) [Submitted by shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

26. Underoath - "Act of Depression" from Act of Depression (1999)

27. Betraying the Martyrs - "When You're Alone" from Breathe in Life (2011) [Submitted by shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

28. Slice the Cake - "The Holy Mountain" from Odyssey to the West (2016)

Looks great, Ben! I plan to listen to and review the featured releases I've submitted for May once they're out a few days from now, so I'll definitely test out that new feature.

Crossover thrash is the only one of the 3 thrash metal subgenres (the other two, of course, being conventional and technical) that I've never really gotten a grip on. However, the first two Neurosis albums (before they created post-sludge) have some crossover thrash tendencies while primarily regarded as thrashy hardcore.

Update on my list (still alphabetized and still at Bruno Terrosa's 55):

1. 36 Crazyfists - The Tide and Its Takers (2008)

2. All That Remains - Overcome (2008)

3. Asking Alexandria - Stand Up and Scream (2009)

4. Atreyu - Lead Sails Paper Anchor (2007)

5. August Burns Red - Constellations (2009)

6. Bleeding Through - Love Will Kill All (2018)

7. Born of Osiris - The Discovery (2011)

8. Botch - We are the Romans (1999)

9. Bring Me the Horizon - Sempiternal (2013)

10. Bullet for My Valentine - The Poison (2005)

11. Chelsea Grin - Desolation of Eden (2010)

12. Converge & Chelsea Wolfe - Bloodmoon: I (2021)

13. Code Orange - Underneath (2020)

14. Dark Angel - Time Does Not Heal (1991)

15. Daughters - Hell Songs (2006)

16. Devin Townsend - Empath (2019)

17. Dir En Grey - Uroboros (2008)

18. Disillusion - Back to Times of Splendor (2004)

19. From Autumn to Ashes - Holding a Wolf by the Ears (2007)

20. God Forbid - IV: Constitution of Treason (2005)

21. Green Carnation - Light of Day, Day of Darkness (2001)

22. Hopesfall - No Wings to Speak of (2001)

23. Horse the Band - Desperate Living (2009)

24. Iced Earth - Burnt Offerings (1995)

25. Karnivool - Themata (2005)

26. Leprous - Tall Poppy Syndrome (2009)

27. Like Moths to Flames - No Eternity in Gold (2020)

28. Make Them Suffer - Neverbloom (2012)

29. Maudlin of the Well - Bath (2001)

30. Memphis May Fire - The Hollow (2011)

31. Meshuggah - Catch Thirty-Three (2005)

32. Motionless in White - Creatures (2010)

33. Ne Obliviscaris - Portal of I (2012)

34. Neurosis - Through Silver in Blood (1996)

35. Opeth - Blackwater Park (2001)

36. Parkway Drive - Horizons (2007)

37. Plini - Impulse Voices (2020)

38. Prayer for Cleansing - Rain in Endless Fall (1999)

39. Protest the Hero - Kezia (2005)

40. Psyopus - Our Puzzling Encounters Considered (2007)

41. Sadus - A Vision of Misery (1992)

42. Savatage - Dead Winter Dead (1995)

43. Seventh Wonder - Mercy Falls (2008)

44. Silent Planet - Iridescent (2021)

45. Skycamefalling - 10.21 (2000)

46. Structures - Life Through a Window (2014)

47. Textures - Dualism (2011)

48. The Dillinger Escape Plan - Calculating Infinity (1999)

49. The Ghost Inside - Dear Youth (2014)

50. Trivium - In Waves (2011)

51. Upon a Burning Body - Fury (2022)

52. Vektor - Black Future (2009)

53. Voivod - Dimension Hatross (1988)

54. Wage War - Manic (2021)

55. Wuthering Heights - The Shadow Cabinet (2006)

Here's my updated list:

Beginning oldies (1979-1989)/B.M. (Before Metalcore):

1979: Accept - Accept

1980: Accept - I'm a Rebel

1981: Accept - Breaker

1982: Accept - Restless and Wild

1983: Savatage - Sirens

1984: Voivod - War and Pain

1985: Accept - Metal Heart

1986: Dark Angel - Darkness Descends

1987: Savatage - Hall of the Mountain King

1988: Sadus - Illusions

1989: Savatage - Gutter Ballet

Old golden classics (1990-1997)/Humble metalcore beginnings:

1990: Demolition Hammer - Tortured Existence

1991: Dark Angel - Time Does Not Heal

1992: Sadus - A Vision of Misery

1993: Savatage - Edge of Thorns

1994: Savatage - Handful of Rain

1995: Iced Earth - Burnt Offerings

1996: Converge - Petitioning the Empty Sky

1997: Savatage - The Wake of Magellan

Millennium transition highlights (1998-2005)/Light of day-seeing metalcore classics:

1998: Meshuggah - Chaosphere

1999: Opeth - Still Life

2000: Skycamefalling - 10.21

2001: Opeth - Blackwater Park

2002: Hopesfall - The Satellite Years

2003: Strapping Young Lad - Strapping Young Lad

2004: Wuthering Heights - Far From the Madding Crowd

2005: Trivium - Ascendancy

Modern favorites (2006-2013)/Rise of the full Revolution:

2006: Wuthering Heights - The Shadow Cabinet

2007: Atreyu - Lead Sails Paper Anchor

2008: 36 Crazyfists - The Tide and Its Takers

2009: Asking Alexandria - Stand Up and Scream

2010: Chelsea Grin - Desolation of Eden

2011: Trivium - In Waves

2012: The Ghost Inside - Get What You Give

2013: We Came as Romans - Tracing Back Roots

The best of the most recent (2014-2021)/A greater new uprising:

2014: The Ghost Inside - Dear Youth

2015: Wage War - Blueprints

2016: Car Bomb - Meta

2017: Trivium - The Sin and the Sentence

2018: Crystal Lake - Helix

2019: Devin Townsend - Empath

2020: Like Moths to Flames - No Eternity in Gold

2021: Trivium - In the Court of the Dragon

The promising present (2022 onwards)/metalcore revival (thanks to Underoath)?:

2022 (so far): Cult of Luna - The Long Road North

2022 albums I'm looking forward to getting:

Upon a Burning Body - Fury

Memphis May Fire - Remade in Misery

Motionless in White - Scoring the End of the World

Seventh Wonder - The Testament

Dir En Grey - Phalaris

Coldrain - Nonnegative

Like I said in the Conventional Thrash Metal Thread, I enjoy a good amount of conventional and technical thrash metal. Technical thrash is actually the kind of direction I wanted to go for late 80s/early 90s thrash, but there's still a huge load to conventional thrash releases I've rated, about 40% of them coming from all the Annihilator albums (except their temporary switch into classic heavy metal in Set the World on Fire). Anyway, here's my top 5:

5. Mekong Delta - Dances of Death (And Other Walking Shadows) (1990)

4. Sadus - A Vision of Misery (1992)

3. Annihilator - Alice in Hell (1989)

2. Coroner - Mental Vortex (1991)

1. Vektor - Black Future (2009)

A brutal killer remake of We Came as Romans' epic comeback single:

Great album from when I used to listen to that band, along with...

Awesome changes, Ben! The only error still around that I can think of is when a new thread doesn't appear in the "Recent Topics" thing until someone replies in a different post, so could you please keep that in mind for the next round of improvements? Thanks!

Radio station meetings in a nutshell:

Norwegian progressive metal with an alternative metal slant.

I just gave this Extol album a listen and a review to see if I still have the Leprous/Opeth/Voivod appeal, and it's still on! The Blueprint Dives is a perfectly balanced album and makes me up to checking out the rest of their discography, possibly ending my hiatus from death metal. That track is my favorite here. It starts almost dark, but the chorus is so emotional in the lyrics. Awesome!

The Swedish creators of djent are back with some of the most aggressive extreme progressive metal this year, like in this killer track:

Here's the link to a story I've made based on both the Metal Academy clan map and my metal journey so far (along with hinting at the reasons for me to completely leave most of The Fallen genres next month) (press CLICK TO PLAY): https://starwarsintrocreator.kassellabs.io/#!/DMk4q6nTu7rfvl4xOyk-

Now available on YouTube!

I enjoy a good amount of conventional and technical thrash metal, and looking at how many Pit releases I've rated, in the slightly possible event that my Guardians interest flops (as it already seems that way) and I feel up to having that clan replaced in my 4-clan lineup, The Pit might be a potential option for me. Then again, I'm more focused on the lesser-known and underground bands as opposed to the greater thrash giants in your list, Daniel. Anyway, here's my top 5:

5. Dark Angel - Time Does Not Heal (1991)

4. Voivod - Killing Technology (1987)

3. Demolition Hammer - Tortured Existence (1990)

2. Sadus - Illusions (1988)

1. Annihilator - Alice in Hell (1989)

Just from reading that list, it's clear what polar opposites we are when it comes to what we enjoy, but it's all good, I respect that. Anyway, see you later, Sonny, and happy Easter!

So we've finally finished our move to the Gold Coast & are currently setting ourselves up in a very spacious five bedroom house with a big pool. It's a huge change for the family after so many years spent cramped in a two-bedroom apartment in Sydney's Northern Beaches. It's just a shame that I've gotten sick at an inopportune time with the house still relatively full of boxes. By the way, I place removalists on the same level as politicians & parking inspectors after last week's experience. They quite simply have no morals whatsoever.

Get well soon, Daniel!

I have been trying to go the heavier modern route since starting my interest in metalcore and wanting to focus on that and modern progressive metal rather than power metal and melodic progressive metal a few years ago. At that time, I was tired of my taste going full-on melodic and wanted to refresh with heavier and modern sounds. It was great that you all kept recommending these Guardians releases based on my earlier ratings, and those helped me revisit my epic metal past. Those power metal and melodic prog-metal releases have indeed been enjoyable, but enjoyment isn't forever. If I lose some mood for some bands, I can move towards other bands and choose where to stay. And when I make these threads, it's kind of a warning so any changes wouldn't seem too abrupt and end up causing more confusion.

I have thought about your comments about my prog-metal favorites, Daniel, and you're right. A few bands like Leprous, Opeth, and Voivod have been my favorites in progressive metal for a couple years. While some of each band's albums are very melodic with one or a few being non-metal or close to non-metal, their earlier releases have some extreme elements, especially Voivod's 80s speed/thrash era. That's heavier than a lot of power metal or melodic progressive metal, I'm not sure what I was thinking! So I'll keep those bands (Leprous, Opeth, and Voivod) with me and continue listening to them for as long as I can enjoy them. However, those other 4 bands will still be out. I can do without those bands being very melody-focused with half of them being all-instrumental...

Here are my overall ratings for the playlists I've reviewed this month (April):

1. Gateway playlist - 4/5 (number of songs commented: ALL 23)

2. Guardians playlist - 4/5 (number of songs commented: 5)

3. Infinite playlist - 4.5/5 (number of songs commented: 12)

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

4. Sphere playlist - 4/5 (number of songs commented: 17)

So far, I've only commented on 5 tracks in the Guardians playlist, 12 tracks in the Infinite playlist, and 17 tracks in the Sphere playlist, but I still enjoy the tracks that I had time for, and I'm grateful to Saxy, Xephyr, and Daniel for their playlist works all the same. I really dig the Gateway playlist made by Saxy and the Revolution playlist made by me, enough to go through all the tracks! I would recommend them to any alt-metal/metalcore fan and anyone who isn't into those respective genres but wants to get into a great start in enjoying the genre. Thanks, Daniel, for accepting these playlists, and good work all!

Here are my ratings for this month's feature releases for all my clans, and a quick summary:

The Gateway: Evanescence - The Bitter Truth (2021) - 3.5/5

The Guardians: Kamelot - Epica (2003) - 5/5

The Infinite: Slice the Cake - Odyssey to the West (2016) - 4/5

The Revolution: War From a Harlots Mouth - MMX (2010) - 4/5

The Sphere: Godflesh - Merciless (1994) - 4.5/5

Another very solid month for feature releases, again probably because of the releases submitted by us Metal Academy members (including myself). While the Gateway release is never really the best of these releases, I'm glad to share it here to bring Evanescence's music into discussion, to mixed results. The Guardians release is perfect for me and worth recommending to fans of Kamelot and power metal. The Infinite and Revolution releases both have a great abrasive level, but I can't say they would ever be fully perfect for my balance. And The Sphere release is a sweet classic EP from industrial metal innovators Godflesh. Thanks for these amazing feature releases, guys! Looking forward to more to come...

Modern hardcore industrial metal at its best:

I decided to dive into part of the Sphere playlist because of this month's Sphere feature release that I enjoy (Godflesh's Merciless EP) and it felt like a good time to test out my industrial metal interest. So here are my track thoughts:

Code Orange – “(deeperthanbefore)” (from “Underneath”, 2020)

5/5. The perfect way to start the playlist, and a suitable electronic intro for how deep the band is gonna get in diversity.

Samael – “For A Thousand Years” (from “Lux Mundi”, 2011)

4.5/5. Great song from the venomously good song, so heavy and dark! The symphonic-industrial keyboards are what their recent albums apart from the band's earlier black metal era that ended with the Rebellion EP.

Neurotech – “Awaiting Deception” (from “Antagonist”, 2011)

4/5. The ambient guitar adds darkness to this song's chorus. A great song to love for anyone into cyber/industrial metal. It even works well when listening in the rain. However, I might downvote this from perfection.

Unheilig – “Für immer” (from “Grosse Freiheit”, 2010)

3.5/5. For this song, the beat is good along with the vocals, but I can't really understand the German lyrics, that's the problem I have with Neue Deutsche Härte. Actually is it that genre? Sounds closer to the gothic pop rock of HIM that I got bored of.

Kong – “Horse L.” (from “Phlegm”, 1992)

3/5. An early instrumental industrial metal/rock track, but Godflesh this is not. Next!

Eisbrecher – “Die Engel” (from “Eiszeit”, 2010)

3.5/5. More of this Neue Deutsche Härte! Once again I can't understand the German lyrics, but the instrumentation and vocals sound good.

Pitchshifter – “Wafer Thin” (from “Deviant”, 2000)

4/5. An interesting twist in the playlist's sound so far, shifting to a nu/alt-metal approach while staying industrial. Absolute f***ing intense anger in this tune! This could bring back memories for anyone involved in the alt-metal millennium turn, reminding some of Therapy? at that time. After Pitchshifter's first split, two of the members formed a temporary alt-metalcore side-project This is Menace. I thought this nu/alt-ish industrial metal sound was menacing enough.

Killing Joke – “Invocation” (from “Hosannas From The Basements Of Hell”, 2006)

3.5/5. The music and lyrics sound f***ing supernatural here. I definitely like the beat. This was Paul Raven's last album with the band before his passing the next year, RIP. There's some ominous cello to go along with the strings. It would've been cooler if the beat was more synchronized, but it's still OK.

Author & Punisher – “Misery” (from “Krüller”, 2022)

3/5. A little out of my league, especially after having moved out of the droning doom misery. Moving on...

Ministry – “Never Believe” (from “The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste”, 1989)

3.5/5. Here is another industrial machine, this time Chris Connelly on lead vocals for deranged ambient assembly. Not absolutely the best, but this is still worth headbanging until your head falls off!

Lard – “Pineapple Face” (from “The Last Temptation Of Reid”, 1990)

4/5. Jello Biafra is one of strangest vocalists in metal, giving this song some strong potential.

Crisis Sigil – “Shape.” (from “Small Towns.”, 2020)

4.5/5. Much better shape, but I'm a little concerned about if any of their other songs would be like this which would tire me out fast.

In This Moment – “Fly Like An Eagle” (from “Mother”, 2020)

5/5. Now we're talking! This band took a 70s rock song and covered it to make it dark and beautiful. Maria Brink's vocal power is incredible! If I had started on my metalhead journey in my earlier alt-rock/metal days before DragonForce set my direction, I would've certainly listened to In This Moment more. The intro itself is almost a cover of the Terminator theme. I f***ing love it!

Nine Inch Nails – “Gave Up” (from “Broken” E.P., 1992)

4.5/5. Well if I were to level up my industrial metal interest via the alt-metal bands, they would have to actually be a metal band. Broken is the most metal EP for this mainly industrial rock band. This is probably the best song I would enjoy from NIN. The last third of the song would really make you go Hulk-smashing or some sh*t. It is quite a gamble to test out a good amount of industrial metal bands and see which one would be right for me. Some would just be f***ing over-the-top nonsense while others sound decently well. I don't know what other feelings I have here. Play it one of the more action-oriented Star Trek movie scenes and see if it makes things sound better.

Apartment 26 – “Slicedbeats” (from “Hallucinating”, 2000)

4/5. This is not the greatest, but still decently f***ing killer industrial alt-metal sh*t.

Static-X – “This Is Not” (from “Machine”, 2001)

4.5/5. THIS IS NOT my type. I don't hate this, but it's better off as a recommendation for my recent Discord friend. RIP Wayne Static...

Godflesh – “Spinebender” (from “Godflesh” E.P., 1988)

5/5. This one focuses on creative beats and dissonance that might bring discomfort to anyone including classic metalheads. It's a great song to stop my commenting while the quality is still on top in case it goes downhill, so see you later, Sphere controllers!