Shadowdoom9 (Andi)'s Forum Replies

Here's my suggestion for the June Gateway playlist:

Disturbed - "Stricken" (from Ten Thousand Fists, 2005)

Chunky Swedish heavy metal for fans of Judas Priest, Manowar & Atlantean Kodex.

I love that one! Though its slowness doesn't stand out as well as the fast-paced songs in the album...

Intense metalcore from Liverpool-based alternative metalcore outfit Loathe. For fans of 36 Crazyfists, early Issues & the last couple of Northlane albums.

I checked out this track, and let me tell you, IT'S F***ING KILLER!! They have their own unique alt-metalcore style going on throughout the song, but the intro is a blast of Enslaved-like black metal, and the song ends with Deftones-ish soft ambience. I still look forward to giving the rest of this album a listen!

I plan on doing a review for this EP soon, and it would be the only Horde album review I would ever keep, you might understand why. RIP Alexi Laiho...

Instrumental progressive metal (that I feel like writing good lyrics for) for fans of Dream Theater, Dream Theater, and MORE Dream Theater!!

I was unsure about sharing the metalcore bands I've found last week because of one of the bands being a subject in our Nintendocore metal/non-metal experiment, but now it's in the site. Thanks Ben! So here they are, a few metalcore bands with electronic elements:

Here are my suggestions for June's Revolution playlist:

Amaranthe - "Amaranthine" (3:30) from Amaranthe (2011)

Born of Osiris - "Now Arise" (3:52) from A Higher Place (2009)

Bullet for My Valentine - "The End" (6:48) from The Poison (2005)

Converge - "Shingles" (4:13) from Petitioning the Empty Sky (1996)

Crossfaith - "Catastrophe" (3:32) from Ex Machina (2018)

The Dillinger Escape Plan - "Fix Your Face" (2:41) from Ire Works (2007)

Loathe - "Heavy Is the Head That Falls with the Weight of a Thousand Thoughts" (4:18) from I Let It In and It Took Everything (2020)

Total length: 28:54

Here are my suggestions for June's Infinite playlist:

Enslaved - "Clouds" (6:09) from Vertebrae (2008)

Haken - "The Mind's Eye" (4:04) from Visions (2011)

Mastodon - "Once More 'Round the Sun" (2:58) from Once More 'Round the Sun (2014)

Ne Obliviscaris - "Pyrrhic" (9:50) from Citadel (2014)

Neurosis - "Crawl Back In" (6:52) from A Sun That Never Sets (2001)

Total length: 29:53

Here are my suggestions for June's Guardians playlist:

Angra - "Nothing to Say" (6:22) from Holy Land (1996)

Edenbridge - "Evermore" (3:48) from The Grand Design (2006)

Epica - "Storm the Sorrow" (5:12) from Requiem for the Indifferent (2012)

MaYaN - "Bite the Bullet" (5:19) from Quarterpast (2011)

Nevermore - "What Tomorrow Knows" (5:11) from Nevermore (1995)

Riot - "Thundersteel" (3:49) from Thundersteel (1988)

Total length: 29:41

Here are my suggestions for June's Fallen playlist:

Cult of Luna - "Leave Me Here" (7:15) from Salvation (2004)

KYPCK - "2017" (5:14) from Зеро (2016)

My Dying Bride - "It Will Come" (4:27) from Like Gods of the Sun (1996)

Officium Triste - "Roses on My Grave" (6:35) from The Pathway (2001)

Total length: 23:31

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

The Fallen: Dolorian - Dolorian (2001) - 5/5

The Gateway: Loathe - I Let It In and It Took Everything (2020) - 5/5

The Guardians: Grand Magus - Hammer of the North (2010) - 4/5

The Infinite: Dream Theater - Train of Thought (2003) - 4.5/5

The Revolution: Born of Osiris - The Discovery (2011) - 5/5

Another great month for feature releases, again probably because of the releases submitted by us Metal Academy members (including myself). The one for The Guardians is great but could've been slightly better. My feature release submission for The Infinite was one of my first ever times listening to an album from that clan and are responsible for how my metal interest is today, and I would recommend it to any heavier progressive metal fan. The other feature releases I've reviewed deserve a perfect 5 stars! Thanks for these amazing feature releases, everyone! Looking forward to more of this activity, though it appears I'm currently on break during the June feature release submission period...

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

1. Fallen playlist - 4.5/5 (number of songs commented: 6)

2. Gateway playlist - 4/5 (number of songs commended: 4)

3. Guardians playlist - 4.5/5 (number of songs commented: 13)

4. Infinite playlist - 4.5/5 (number of songs commented: 9)

5. Revolution playlist - 4.5/5 (number of songs commented: 10)

Another rewarding playlist month for me, this time my playlist ratings for all my 4 clans are each an average total of 4.5 stars. The amount of tracks in the Gateway playlist (by average) aren't as excellent as the rest, but still a great month! My submissions for next month's playlists coming soon...

It's true that the gothic sound is strong for the most part, but this is different from the gothic metal heard from bands like Theatre of Tragedy, Type O Negative, and Paradise Lost who have songs that are either doom metal with ethereal light added to the dark atmosphere or just metalized gothic rock. Dolorian has added a gothic sound that overwhelms their earlier doom, removing their blackened beginnings and making the overall sound more ambient with small bits of industrial, thereby creating a darker (pleasantly) depressing experience that most of the gothic/doom bands I've listened too. I think running one Hall entry before another is a smart move, because if any other member has the same opinion as mine, an entry with both changes would be voted nothing but NO, which is kinda why we agreed on the recent one-change policy for Hall submissions. So let's see how the Gothic Metal entry goes when it's in the Hall...

Some outstanding Finnish gothic metal for fans of MonumentuM, Katatonia & "Wildhoney"-era Tiamat.

An essential part of probably the pleasantly darkest doomy gothic metal journey I've ever encountered so far...

I did my review, here's its summary:

Wow... I didn't expect this to be so amazing! This album was quite a leap for doom metal 20 years before this review. Originally known as an ambient blackened death-doom kind of band, Dolorian kept up their unique doom inventory by reducing the blackness they apparently once had and adding a more gothic sound with ambient and industrial elements. Those new elements are more prominent in the shorter interludes with the lonely atmosphere of an empty wasteland. Their earlier material had screaming vocals for lyrics, but their self-titled album has almost none of those. They sound much closer to haunting whispers in this perfect blend. The keyboards have more background presence to fill the empty room of this music. There are both quiet and heavy guitars, the former to draw out your courage and the latter to drag you into a helpless Hell. Those bright tones and dark tones in the guitars really unite for sorrow to embrace the depression. I guess not everything is new for longtime fans hearing the band's usual somber emotion. However, the frustration is out and the depression is in to dig down to the deepest gray. Or you can think of it in a scenario where you're lost in a desolate world of colorless darkness and the only way back to the real world is through a dark forceful journey that could eventually get you to either the afterlife or back home. I'm not gonna spoil a long dreadfully grand experience in a short summary, my full review that can be found in the album's release page shall explain everything....

5/5

I did my review, here's its summary:

After the fallen Falling Into Infinity, Dream Theater shocked the progressive metal world with two different concept albums (minus the first half of the latter). This next album doesn't reach the "absolute best" status of those previous two, but it's the heaviest by the band and a return to non-conceptual writing with the best options. With clear heavy talent for a killer experience, it's time to board the Train of Thought! There's generally a good balance where you can feel the heaviness that isn't as common as most other DT albums along with the beauty of the progressive songs that are mostly over 10 minutes long (along with the 7-minute opener and a 3-minute interlude). Everything is well-crafted in the melody and technique for an album of long dark heavy progressiveness with nicely changing keyboard/guitar soloing, an intricate rhythm section, and vocals working surprisingly well for that heavy environment. One of those songs, "Endless Sacrifice" happened to be the song that introduced me to Dream Theater and progressive metal! When someone first told me about this band, I think that person said that one of their songs has the same riffing melody as one of Michael Jackson's songs. That song is, you guessed it, "Endless Sacrifice" and the Michael Jackson song that riffing melody sounds similar to is "Give in to Me". I enjoy that DT song, but it wasn't until I got interested in Ayreon that I started fully listening to Dream Theater, along with the many progressive metal bands that followed, though mostly extreme now compared to my more melodic past. Train of Thought is probably Dream Theater's best work to not be part of the more superior 5-star DT album gang. Any metalhead who is a DT fan or not would appreciate its heavy powerful brilliance. You might just enjoy this album that shows progressive metal at its heavy prime!

4.5/5

Recommended songs: "As I Am", "Endless Sacrifice", "Stream of Consciousness", "In the Name of God"

P.S. You really nailed the bands in the "For fans of" thing, Daniel! I probably would add the more progressive material of Nevermore, but your selection is excellent either way. Nicely done!

High quality progressive deathcore from Chicago. For fans of After The Burial, Veil Of Maya & Within The Ruins.

When it comes to guitar work (especially around the 30-second mark), Lee McKinney knows what to do!

I did my review, here's its summary:

Grand Magus are really great and had a consistent winning streak going on with most of their albums. It feels a little strange how amazing these Swedes can be at getting their material right for our excitement with barely any plaguing problems. They really nail their songs! I think it's their unique mix of classic heavy metal and doom metal. Many of their songs are either one of those genres, and while this might cause confusion to some listeners, it establishes the overall stylistic path they're going for; mostly slow heavy metal with powerful vocals, a nice break from the driving extreme aggression that can get the heavier metalheads beyond excited. The slow songs are counterbalanced with faster ones that can plunge the listener headfirst into a moshpit where you have to raise your fist while running with the current if you don't wanna get stampeded, and I actually think the fast heavy metal songs are better than the slow doom songs which, in this album, don't have as much impact as in their previous material. Either way, Hammer of the North is really enjoyable. Sure this band doesn't plan on reinventing their metal wheel, but it's often what people (including myself) like about this album, though there are a few of those doom clichés. Nothing too serious to expect, but I'm positive that this oldie-sounding metal sound is worth it....

4/5

My thought on one more track:

Steel Prophet – “Lucifer / The Devil Inside” (from “The God Machine”, 2019)

3.5/5. A nice powerful ending to this playlist, but doesn't reach my level of interest...

This epic closer was the clear highlight from Boston progressive metal legends Dream Theater's 2003 "Train Of Thoughts" album in my opinion. For fans of Fates Warning, Haken & Pain Of Salvation.

That's the second track in a row shared in this thread with the word "God" in its title, first being the Warrel Dane track above, and they're both incredible closing epics!

My thought on one more track:

Týr – “Empire of The North” (from “Hel”, 2019)

5/5. Now here's another masterpiece! Maybe this could get me interested in Tyr after a few failed attempts in the past few years...

OK, Daniel. It looks like the amount of votes for Nintendocore to be deemed "non-metal" is ahead (two to one), but we'll look out for any more votes coming in...

My thoughts on some tracks (including my suggested ones):

Paradise Lost – “Mouth” (from “Believe In Nothing”, 2001)

3/5. A rock song from a usually gothic/doom band that might have inspired the post-grunge movement with bands like Seether. My brother who's into Seether and other post-grunge bands would like that song.

Bring Me The Horizon – “Ludens” (from “Post Human: Survival Horror” E.P., 2020)

4/5. This EP marks the return of the metal side of Bring Me the Horizon that was absent after the grand Sempiternal. This amazing song is also in the Death Stranding soundtrack. Ludens is the name of the mascot for Kojima Productions, the company that made Death Stranding, proving once again that this song is a contribution to the game soundtrack. The return to their heavier form can be prominently found near the 3-minute mark. This band has far more potential than Falling in Reverse. BMTH has been given a break from metal, and now the break is over. Welcome back!

Disturbed – “Asylum” (from “Asylum”, 2010)

4.5/5. This track has the alt-metal instrumentation to expect from the band! David Draiman's first words here are a passionate shout of "Release me!" I actually like this song much more now than when I listening to the band 9 years ago, probably because the heaviness I can definitely tolerate much more. The hook is worth repeated listens; "And the loneliness is killing me!" A hard-hitting radio single!

Devin Townsend Project – “Awake!!” (from “Addicted”, 2009)

3.5/5. A great song to end its album and this playlist, despite not having ex-The Gathering singer Anneke van Giersbergen.

Ben, please add Sky Eats Airplane. But on one condition! We are currently settling a experiment on whether or not Nintendocore is a metal subgenre (https://metal.academy/forum/14/thread/749?page=1#topic_6548) and Sky Eats Airplane is one of those bands. So could you please listen to the 3 Nintendocore songs in that thread including the Sky Eats Airplane track and decide whether or not they're metal enough for Nintendocore to stay in the site? If you consider them metal, then Sky Eats Airplane can be added to the site. If you consider them non-metal, then that subgenre is out of here. There's also a trancecore/trance-metal experiment to see if you agree that Trancecore and Trance Metal have good connection and Trancecore should be a Trance Metal subgenre instead of Melodic Metalcore, so please participate in that one too. And please add in the Bodom After Midnight EP that I requested in the Horde thread soon, so I can give that one a review. OK thanks!

Update due to Sonny's vote:

Metalcore - 1

Non-metal - 2

Thank you Daniel for accepting my Revolution feature release submission, here's my summary:

Throughout their previous two releases, Born of Osiris really made a quick evolution through their sound. The New Reign is an over 20 minute EP with 8 short songs filled with fast technical breakdowns and drum beats, and short synth melodies. A Higher Place had a different sound compared to that EP, with atmospheric melodies, crushing vocals, driving drums, and not as many groovy breakdowns. Their true sound would be discovered with The Discovery, where everything comes full circle! The 15 songs here all have the best aspects that Born Of Osiris had in both their previous albums, plus improved structure. The album's lead guitarist Jason Richardson (Chelsea Grin, recently All That Remains) has awesome talent not to be ignored. Killer breakdowns and soaring melodies are swarmed by the screams of Ronnie Canizaro throughout most of these 15 tracks. Plus, one of the songs has clean vocals for the first time for the band, sung by keyboardist Joe Buras. The Discovery is definitely one of the best djenty deathcore releases I've ever heard, a little better than Veil of Maya's ID, and on the same level as the first Periphery album and other Sumerian Records albums. There are many hardcore breakdowns, fast sweeping, and typical deathcore vocals. So if you can't handle that heat, stay out of the djent kitchen. But listen first, judge later. You might just find a true discovery in your music taste!

5/5

Recommend songs: "Follow The Signs", "Singularity", "Shaping the Masterpiece", "Recreate", "Behold"

For fans of: Any of the bands whose album covers are featured in this video below...

My thoughts on some tracks (including my suggested ones):

Within Temptation – “Jillian (I’d Give My Heart)” (from “The Silent Force”, 2004)

5/5. An interesting song based on the Deverry Cycle fantasy novel series by Katharine Kerr, twisted into astounding divinity. An awesome song to seek the amazing truth! Not as slow as their debut Enter, but not as fast as DragonForce, a good balance that I found for the first time via this album, The Silent Force!

Iron Maiden – “Phantom Of The Opera” (from “Iron Maiden”, 1980)

4.5/5. Lol... Right after listening to that Within Temptation song, I saw the song title and thought it was Nightwish's cover of the song from that musical, but nope!! It's the unrelated Iron Maiden song. I still don't feel up to the more mainstream bands like Iron Maiden, Motorhead, or System of a Down, but it's still a cool top notch old classic.

Riot – “Out In The Fields” (from “The Brethren Of The Long House”, 1996)

5/5. I also know that Nightwish covered a Gary Moore song, but I only brought that up because we've come to Riot's cover of a different Gary Moore song, "Out in the Fields"! Gary Moore and Riot guitarist Mark Reale are two brilliant legends who sadly passed away within a year from each other, both in their late 50s. They covered it perfectly!! I respect this band as one of my current favorites. They're always f***ing great, and they make some of the best covers! Riot really keeps their legacy going. The song is also covered by Sonata Arctica, which I haven't heard yet but I probably should. Maybe it might have the brilliant majesty that Riot's cover has. There probably could've been some more energetic flare, but it still rules!

Nightwish – “Endless Forms Most Beautiful” (from “Endless Forms Most Beautiful”, 2015)

5/5. I've talked so much about Nightwish in my comments so far, but now here we are! It's like a theme to a boss fight during world evolution, and remains one of my favorite Nightwish songs, probably more than the Tarja and Anette eras. Floor Jansen is a sensational angel of symphonic power metal!

Running Wild – “Bad To The Bone” (from “Death Or Glory”, 1989)

5.5/5 (not exaggerating). I can't think of what to say about one of my absolute current favorite heavy/power metal songs. You're gonna f***ing love this song whether or not you're a metalhead! SO AWESOME!!!

Epica – “Abyss Of Time – Countdown To Singularity” (from “Omega”, 2021)

5/5. Once again, Epica are back in full force with their new offering Omega! The music is perfect enough to last a thousand years, a possible reference to the Book of Revelation. Epica are still epic and will continue to be!

Löanshark – “Fast, Heavy, Loud 'N Proud” (from “Fast, Heavy, Loud 'N Proud” single, 2020)

4/5. Yes, it's fast. Yes, it's heavy. And yes, it's loud! But am I proud of this band? No, but it's still cool...

Hammerfall – “The Dragon Lies Bleeding” (from “Glory To The Brave”, 1997)

4.5/5. Another speeder which might have inspired DragonForce with this speedier sound and fantasy lyrics about dragons. But I don't quite a lot more of the fantasy themes in the other songs so far, but probably in the next few...

Sonata Arctica – “Don’t Say A Word” (from “Reckoning Night”, 2004)

5/5. One of Sonata Arctica's more epic regular-length songs! I definitely love the solos here, which happen during the beautiful bridge. The emotional love is so familiar in a good way. It's so perfectly amazing! The chorus is so immense. I loved this band so much, especially Henrik Klingenberg's keys and Tony Kakko's voice. It's so epically good, and I definitely prefer the longer version over the radio edit.

DragonForce – “Seasons” (from “The Power Within”, 2012)

4.5/5. This is a more mid-tempo song compared to DragonForce's usual faster works that sounds inspired by the radio singles of Gamma Ray and Stratovarius, and also borrows some of that slow tempo from Ultra Beatdown.

Kamelot – “The Black Halo” (from “The Black Halo”, 2005)

5/5. This driving track is one of the best ever Kamelot songs! I have nothing else to say about this brilliant piece...

My thoughts on some tracks (including my suggested ones):

Amaranthe – “Helix” (from “Helix”, 2018)

4/5. Interesting how I started with a song that reminds of a band that is now gone from my metal interest along with the rest of the you-know-what genre from my playlist. This track sounds more related to mid-2000s In Flames. I like that a bit!

Converge – “Hell To Pay” (from “Jane Doe”, 2001)

4.5/5. What's also interesting is how I spiced up the Revolution playlist with something really slow, with the thick bass to help give it a sludgy vibe and a great suiting tone. One of the best songs in the album to not be part of the greater highlights! (see review)

Unearth – “The Chosen” (from “The March”, 2008)

4.5/5. This one shows some tasty leads, and was chosen as part of the Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters soundtrack, recorded a year before the rest of the album this song was in, The March.

The Dillinger Escape Plan – “Crossburner” (from “One Of Us Is The Killer”, 2013)

4/5. I guess you call this sludgy track "Phone Home" Part 2!! Moody bass and mechanical distortion scatter over guitars while making the song more violent than a deadly earthquake. The madness would have a good grip on you and shake you hard. This is one of the best songs that don't make my top 5 favorites in this album.

Demon Hunter – “My Destiny” (from “True Defiance”, 2012)

4/5. This one has passionate beautiful choruses surrounding chaotic verses. Good song for any Demon Hunter newcomer fans!

Memphis May Fire – “Alive In The Lights” (from “Challenger”, 2012)

4.5/5. Theo Wyoming, I applaud your decision to contribute to the Revolution playlists. This song is brilliant killer face-blasting metalcore. I might not feel too up to listening to more of this band, but thanks for this suggestion, Theo!

Underøath – “In Division” (from “Ø (Disambiguation)”, 2010)

5/5. Now this is superb! Aaron Gillespie was absent for this album in both the drums and clean vocals, but Spencer's cleans that he uses with his usual screams keep the manliness factor going. No lie, I watched the music video for this song on TV at least 5 years ago during my earlier epic metal taste, but it was until in the center between then and now when I became fully interested in this band during my current modern heavier era. While I enjoy this exciting sound, I love the band in the albums where Aaron is around, though their older stuff. This album is, similar to the previous 3 songs in this playlist, brilliant killer face-blasting metalcore, though it hasn't reached the epic height of Lost in the Sound of Separation. They should definitely have more success than Tool. Christian metalcore for the win (though I'm a Muslim)!

Shadows Fall – “The Light That Blinds” (from “The War Within”, 2004)

5/5. This song comes to a perfect start with a short acoustic intro, then the song itself follows with heavy, pounding rhythms, awesome guitar work, and a memorable catchy chorus. One of the best songs by the band!

God Forbid – “Wicked” (from “Determination”, 2001)

4.5/5. The amazing 6-song winning streak in this playlist continues beautifully in this wicked track, which mixes metalcore rhythms with melodeath leads.

Winds Of Plague – “Approach The Podium” (from “The Great Stone War”, 2009)

5/5. After going through all those down-tuned pieces of metalcore art, the last one I'm commenting on is in standard E, and it sounds so brutal (but in a way I like)! The album's concept about an apocalyptic war in a devolving future should be made into a book or a movie. How much I love this album is probably much more than their later albums. The keyboard riff towards the end is f***ing sick (as in awesome) in this immense song! This song clearly establishes Winds of Plague as one of the heaviest metal bands around, especially the verse that surrounds the one-minute mark. This wouldn't probably be a band I would listen when I was around 14, but the leeway had pushed slowly until at least 5 years later when I became interested in them. You can go into a World War battle zone with this song blaring from your stereo. I'm so speechless by the message the song is conveying. Their first two albums, Decimate the Weak and The Great Stone War at the best by the band!

My thoughts on some tracks (including my suggested ones):

Haken – “Invasion” (from “Virus”, 2020)

5/5. Starting this playlist perfectly is a song to end my interest in this band in a djent-ish progressive metal bang! It's quite a shame that I'm not feeling interested in this band, because one of the best songs of Haken's newest album (this one) has earlier Leprous vibes that would make some thing of what Gentle Giant sounds like in modern times. This beautifully wonderful songs has lyrics that very well synchronize with the djenty beat, though it might cause some to think of the verses of Billie Eilish's "Bad Guy", which isn't the kind of relation I wanted to think of. The Virus album is great but I actually like their earlier albums more such as Aquarius. But still, good job, guys!

Meshuggah – “Acrid Placidity” (from “Destroy Erase Improve”, 1995)

4.5/5. Wow, an incredible ambient interlude! You might expect Kidman to sing nicely like Burton C. Bell in some Fear Factory ballads, but nope. I guess Kidman just wanted to stay shouting in most of the band's other tracks.

Dream Theater – “Repentance” (from “Systematic Chaos”, 2007)

5/5. This one is suitable for when I feel some slight regret over my recent change of metal interest, like a part of me wishes I hadn't made that move. The low strumming over the 7-minute mark is pretty d*mn chilling. The magical soloing from John Petrucci is one of my favorites from him! This impressive song has still made me grateful for this band to be around to launch my interest in progressive metal. Some might be reminded of Eloy due to the genre's brilliant genius. The song is from the 5-song "Twelve-Step Suite" which chronicles drummer Mike Portnoy's battle against drug/alcohol issues. The concept is so touching, along with song's beautiful simplicity, from the first verse to Pink Floyd-like great ending, all of which are something to love! This is also perfect for helping depressed/suicidal people get better and enjoy life more. I might definitely go listen to the second part of the suite "This Dying Soul" when reviewing this month's Infinite feature release (Train of Thought). Around the 3-minute mark, the instrumentation reminds me of Opeth, before giving me goosebumps with that solo a minute and a half later. Speaking of Opeth, I almost forgot, that band's lead singer Mikael Åkerfeldt, along with Pain of Salvation's Daniel Gildenlöw, Transatlantic's Neal Morse, and various other fellow musicians all speak their own apologies, regrets, and sorrows.

Liquid Tension Experiment – “Hypersonic” (from “Liquid Tension Experiment 3”, 2021)

5/5. John Petrucci, Mike Portnoy, and Jordan Rudess, I salute your astonishing talents in both Dream Theater and this instrumental band Liquid Tension Experiment! I might listen to more of this band and write my own lyrics to the music, and this band has awakened the instrumental progressive metal scene while Animals as Leaders is asleep.

Seventh Wonder – “By The Light Of The Funeral Pyres” (from “Tiara”, 2018)

4.5/5. A kick-A song from a masterpiece album! Nothing else to say there...

Entropia – “Poison” (from “Vacuum”, 2018)

3.5/5. Good attempt at an extreme progressive metal epic, but slightly poisonous to me. Again moving on...

Kamelot – “The Great Pandemonium” (from “Poetry For The Poisoned”, 2010)

4/5. This song is from Kamelot's last album with Roy Khan before he left the band, and it has guest growls by Björn Strid from Soilwork, along with some of the best guitar soloing from the band. Those make the song one of the greatest of the album, though the album doesn't quite reach the epic heights of the surrounding symphonic power metal albums. Good to know that this progressive experiment is a one-time move for this band.

Voivod – “Technocratic Manipulators” (from “Dimension Hatröss”, 1988)

5/5. This is pretty short for a progressive metal song, just as long as that Kamelot song, both each 4 and a half minutes, but this Voivod song demonstrates highly creative originality, packing powerful metal punches. Why did I mention the lengths? Because it can be progressive without turning into a 15-minute epic! After a calm dark ambient intro with a few bass touches, the crossover-ish dynamics erupt with speedy riff rhythms and signature snarling vocals. Near the two-minute mark, the song makes a weird evolution into old-school Hawkwind-like spacey guitar rhythms. Many styles and influences all in dexterous textures in only under 5 minutes. A truly awesome feat!

Symphony X – “Evolution (The Grand Design)” (from “V: The New Mythology Suite”, 2000)

4.5/5. Speaking of great feats, this song would make you want more of this band. Great job!

My thoughts on some tracks (including my suggested ones):

Tiamat – “Divided” (from “Prey”, 2003)

5/5. So here I am in a new world without any of that music from a brutal murderous Hell (you know which metal genre I'm referring to), which includes bands like the first two albums of Tiamat along with Hypocrisy and Samael (the latter being more of an industrial black metal band). I still remember this song from the band's later gothic metal era, and it has placed a sad yet pleasant touch into my heart whenever one of my relatives passed away or if I hear about a relationship breaking up, the latter being what this song is about, and kind of a fitting metaphor for my breakup from death metal. Those melodies truly feasted on my soul with the impressive deep vocals in this work of art that is one of my favorites from Tiamat. It's so perfectly expressive, yet I'm already turning away! Moments like the keyboard fiddling and climatic final chorus during the last couple minutes made me wanna reconsider my move out of death metal (which the band was for their first two albums) even though it's too late for mind-changing. The divorce theme fits great in this sad yet remarkable song. That's the gothic metal I like that I can find in other bands, though I miss the gothic metal of Tiamat. A super excellent song to play on both piano and guitar. I'll keep you in my memories, gothic Tiamat....

The Gathering – “Nighttime Birds” (from “Nighttime Birds”, 1997)

4.5/5. Now this is an atmospheric way to close off the metal part of The Gathering's discography, featuring Indian flute especially in that sample in the middle, followed by a slow soloing march. That's the last bit of heaviness you would ever hear from The Gathering.

Corrosion Of Conformity – “Psychic Vampire” (from “Corrosion Of Conformity”, 2012)

4/5. Normally, I'm not into stoner Southern sludge metal, but this song has some good points. Mike Dean's vocals are so underrated! Y'know, if we ever do include Southern Metal as one of the main metal genres but The Fallen having 6 genres is too much and we end up moving Southern Metal along with Sludge Metal and Stoner Metal into a new clan titled The South, Corrosion of Conformity would be a prime example of that clan. We'll see when we get to that bridge, but for now that's not really my style to hold...

Theatre Of Tragedy – “Storm” (from “Storm”, 2006)

4.5/5. This is a great gothic metal song to listen to. The male vocals are wonderful and the female singing is pretty, the latter being good inspiration for Delain whose debut came sometime after this Theatre of Tragedy album. I might be able to sing the male parts if I can ask one of my female friends in the outside world to sing the female parts.

My Dying Bride – “A Secret Kiss” (from “Macabre Cabaret” E.P., 2020)

5/5. I'm glad to submit this song as well, the usual death-doom can help you remember the band's great earlier era. I just realized I haven't done a review to the Macabre Cabaret EP, I should do that soon...

Isis – “Constructing Towers” (from “SGNL>05” E.P., 2001)

4/5. Interesting sequel to "Deconstructing Towers" from the Celestial album. Enough said!

Here's a vote tab similar to my DIS vs DAT threads, based on each member's opinion on what Nintendocore sounds closer to from those 3 tracks:

Metalcore - 1

Non-metal - 1

For those other two tracks, the Sky Eats Airplane track has a nice balance of metalcore and video-game synths in the same way as Horse the Band, and that makes me feel up to checking out more material from Sky Eats Airplane. That band still has good metal points! However, that F***ing Werewolf Asso track is f***ing annoying, basically screaming video-game-synthesized experimental noise. If that band was added to Metal Academy, and I listen to the rest of whichever album has that song and it has the same style as that song, that album would be going to the Hall of Judgement for sure. So... that FWA track is not metal!

Nintendocore: metalcore tracks - 2, non-metal tracks - 1

There might still be hope for Nintendocore to stay in this site! Please feel free to try my trancecore/trance metal experiment, Daniel...

I gave the HORSE the Band track a listen (please disregard the 4 minutes of silence at the end), and sure they have a lot of the video game synths that make Nintendocore, but it still sounds to me like the metalcore that I'm used to, so it might still be metal.

Sorry, Daniel, even then it would take many months to get two small votes. I personally don't mind Possessed staying in The Pit, because while indeed only a few songs are full-on speed metal, some of those elements spread on to the other songs and keep Venom's reign of sound that has inspired the development of black metal up to that point.

Thanks Ben! And good timing too, my departure from death metal (https://metal.academy/forum/10/thread/748) is only a couple days away. All that's left is my submission for Persefone's Core to be removed from the Horde (https://metal.academy/forum/28/thread/688), could you please add that to the Hall during your next judgement submission addition round? Thanks again!