Shadowdoom9 (Andi)'s Forum Replies

Here are my thoughts on some tracks:

Anciients – In The Absence of Wisdom (2024) 

4/5. Another Infinite playlist ride begins, and this is when you're starting up the engine. It has some Opeth-like ambience that then climbs up into a banger. Actually it's more Opeth in Chains, considering the more grunge-infused direction.

Angra – Gods of the World (2023)

4.5/5. Angra have made a wonderful throwback to their more classic roots in the music and lyrics while keeping up their later progressiveness. So cool! The amazing vocals of Fabio Lione take on the highs of Dio. The soloing definitely has Rebirth all over it.

Gojira – Esoteric Surgery (2008) 

4/5. The drumming by Mario Duplantier is so fast and diverse, he's practically superhuman! This song certainly needs more attention.

Haken – Cockroach King (2013)

4.5/5. The Muppet-themed music video for this Haken song is good way to introduce your children to a more modern/metalized Gentle Giant/Pink Floyd. You can hear some dirty metal soloing and silly fun jazz in the bridge. And this is before the band's more pop-ish side took over in later albums...

In Mourning – Hierophant (2019)

4/5. It's astonishing how much this band can sound like Threshold while maintaining their deathly sound.

The Ocean – Hadopelagic II: Let Them Believe (2013) 

4.5/5. The Ocean have made beautiful epics like the 3 multi-track suites covering most of this album. At the 4-minute mark, there's a TOOL-like bass riff in a more mystical soundscape. And 3 minutes later, the soundscape turns destructive, leaving behind an underwater wreckage. This is practically Cult of Luna and Katatonia mixed together, and I mean that as a compliment.

OK Goodnight – The Falcon (2023) 

4/5. This one's more chill while having fresh creativity. Nice lyrics too, "Today we own the sky". The instrumentation, especially the guitars, can remind some of Shadow Gallery. This beautiful song can be the soundtrack to a Hearthstone forest adventure. The progressiveness reaches his high power close to 4 minutes in.

Opeth – Ghost of Perdition (2005)

4.5/5. We have experienced Gojira and The Ocean in this playlist, but not yet Opeth?! Well, thank greatness for my submission! This deathly prog-metal epic with acoustic guitars is still a complete one for me.

PainKiller – Morning of Baladchaturdasi (1994)

5/5. My favorite track of the final PainKiller album, and the only track from the band I would consider perfect, for when you wanna chill out in a world of noise (not something I thought anyone would say in a way that makes sense). It's a shame that track didn't get the same ambient treatment as the other two.

Here are my thoughts on some tracks:

D’espairsRay – “Forbidden” (2006)

4.5/5. This isn't the D'espairsRay song I requested, but it's still quite amazing. I can't believe I haven't discovered anything from this band until last year, though I knew I was destined to find their material at some point in my life. This shall fit well for exploring the lava-covered monster-ridden Nether in Minecraft. Prepare for some J-metal action!

Dog Fashion Disco – Pale Horse (2014)

4/5. Another great song to love, going back to forth from brutal to pop-ish at any time.

Evanescence – Whisper (2003)

3.5/5. This one adds creepy symphonics to the nu metal/post-grunge sound that made my brother like that song. The lyrics have some religious vibes warning you to resist evil and save yourself from danger.

Katatonia – The Parting (2012)

4/5. It's been far too long since I've parted ways from the music of this band, but I'm grateful songs like this can be dark while having melody instead of death.

MAZIAC – Splendour (2024)

4.5/5. More progressive splendor. Enough said!

Mushroomhead – Fall In Line (2024)

5/5. Mushroomhead is back with a brand new album Call the Devil, coming out next week as of this comment. The album and this kick-A single marks the debut of Scott "xtriker" Beck, replacing longtime vocalist Jason "J Mann" Popson. Lots of fresh yet usual music and lyrics here, "You’re killing me with all your sorrow". This is true heavy sh*t while often melodic! Sadly, all we have left from the original lineup is percussionist Steve "Skinny" Felton. Nonetheless, the band are staying true to their original name.

Sleep Token – Take Me Back To Eden (2023)

5/5. This 8-minute epic really nails the structure. In a garden of birds, Vessel sings in tranquility before lyrics of mental state are semi-rapped. The ending climax has Vessel screaming in pretty much the heaviest breakdown of its original album.

August 2024

1. Sybreed - "Bioactive" from Slave Design (2004)

2. Pain - "Shut Your Mouth" from Nothing Remains the Same (2002) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

3. Rammstein - "Sonne" from Mutter (2001)

4. Lindemann - "Golden Shower" from Skills in Pills (2015)

5. Wolok - "Blotches" from The Bilious Hues of Gloom (2022)

6. Uniform, The Body - "Come And See" from Mental Wounds Not Healing (2018)

7. KMFDM - "Terror" from Nihil (1995)

8. Static-X - "Take Control" from Project Regeneration, Vol. 2 (2024)

9. Deathstars - "Syndrome" from Synthetic Generation (2002) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

10. Celldweller - "Senorita Bonita" from Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head: Volume 02 (2012) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

11. Red Harvest - "Icons of Fear... The Curse of the Universe" from A Greater Darkness (2007) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

12. Killing Joke – "Millenium" from Pandemonium (1994) [submitted by Daniel]

13. Diabolicum - "The Wind Shall Slay" from The Grandeur of Hell (1999) [submitted by Karl]

14. Health, Lamb of God - "Cold Blood" from DISCO4::PARTII (2022) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

15. Blue Stahli - "Catastrophe" from Obsidian (2021)

16. Lord of the Lost - "The Look (feat. Blümchen)" from Blood & Glitter (2023)

17. Godflesh - "YOUR NATURE YOUR NURTURE" from NEW FLESH IN DUB VOL. 1 (2021)

18. Corrections House - "White Man's Gonna Lose" from Know How to Carry a Whip (2015)

19. Greymachine - "Sweatshop" from Disconnected (2009)

20. Author & Punisher - "Beastland" from Beastland (2018)

21. The Amenta - "Rape" from n0n (2008)

22. Fear Factory - "Expiration Date" from Genexus (2015) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

23. Neurotech - "The Messianic Symphony" from Symphonies II (2022)

August 2024

1. Memphis May Fire - "Without Walls" from Challenger (2012)

2. Trivium - "In Waves" from In Waves (2011)

3. Of Mice & Men - "Second & Sebring" from Of Mice & Men (2010)

4. The Ghost Inside - "Faith of Forgiveness" from Fury and the Fallen Ones (2008)

5. Unearth - "Invictus" from The Wretched; the Ruinous (2023) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

6. Betraying the Martyrs - "The Covenant" from The Hurt the Divine the Light (2009) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

7. Shadow of Intent - "The Migrant" from The Migrant (2023)

8. Shai Hulud - "Two and Twenty Misfortunes" from That Within Blood Ill-Tempered (2003) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

9. Veil of Maya - "Punisher" from Eclipse (2012)

10. Varials - "The Cycle of Violence: Chapter 1" from Scars for You to Remember (2022)

11. Earth Crisis – "Stand By" (title swapped with "Ecocide" on Spotify) from All Out War E.P. (1992) [submitted by Daniel]

12. From Autumn to Ashes - "Every Reason To" from The Fiction We Live (2003) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

13. Counterparts - "Compass" from The Difference Between Hell And Home (2013)

14. God Forbid - "The Lonely Dead" from IV: Constitution of Treason (2005) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

15. Killswitch Engage - "My Last Serenade" from Alive or Just Breathing (2002)

16. All That Remains - "Let You Go" from Let You Go (2024)

17. Frontierer - "Gower St." from Unloved (2018)

18. The Number Twelve Looks Like You - "If They Holler, Don't Let Go" from Worse Than Alone (2009)

19. Iwrestledabearonce - "Eli Cash vs. the Godless Savages" from It's All Happening (2009)

20. Osiah - "Seeds of Despair" from Chronos (2023)

21. Signs of the Swarm - "Tower of Torsos" from Amongst the Low & Empty (2023)

22. Phinehas - "Communion for Ravens" from Dark Flag (2017) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

23. Ankor - "Oblivion" from Oblivion (2023)

24. Novelists - "Souvenirs" from Souvenirs (2015)

25. Zao - "The Latter Rain" from Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest (1998)

26. The Devil Wears Prada - "Lord Xenu" from With Roots Above and Branches Below (2009) [submitted by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

27. Norma Jean - "Sun Dies, Blood Moon" from Wrongdoers (2013)

Here's my review summary:

Limp Bizkit is a band that has gained quite some hate over the years. From their name, to their nu/rap metal/rock sound, to the scathing vocal anger of vocalist Fred Durst, to their live performances causing violence in crowds (one show causing the death of a teenage girl)... The band even covered a George Michael single as their entry into fame. Basically they're like an extra-cheese-coated biscuit, and I can bite down on that biscuit more than those who give up after a nibble. Some of the rap metal tracks in this album, Significant Other, are quite pleasant, with anthems done better than most other rap metal bands in my opinion. They are leveled up by the guitar attack of Wes Borland and the rapping of Fred Durst, alongside melodic groove and harmonic singing, along with a few guest vocalists from the rap, rock, and metal scenes. Even I hesitated to call this album good, but I have to tell my true opinion. And what can I say? I'm an open-minded person....

3.5/5

Recommended tracks: "Just Like This", "Break Stuff", "Rearranged", "Nobody Like You", "9 Teen 90 Nine", "N2gether Now", "A Lesson Learned"

For fans of: Korn, Linkin Park, Eminem (not that a lot of us here have listened to Eminem, but the album definitely has some Slim Shady vibes)

Here's my submission for the September Guardians playlist:

Trail of Tears - "No Colors Left" (from Winds of Disdain, 2024)

Seems like we will have to wait two days for that Metallica album to appear in the anniversaries page.

And in other thrash-related news, Coroner has 8 songs ready for their upcoming album! If they're going the No More Color/Mental Vortex route, then we might have a strong complete comeback release from the band. Tune in this Wednesday for the full interview with Agoraphobic News:

I just found this kick-A cyber metal take on a Linkin Park hit by Illidiance. RIP Chester Bennington

An instrumental standout featuring some soloing by Jeff Loomis (ex-Nevermore), reminding me of his later supergroup Conquering Dystopia:

A majestic opening standout of progressive tech-/melodeath fury:

Correct indeed! Throes of Absolution is progressive tech-/melodeath fury as it should be and a must-hear for all metalheads out there. The Infinite clan still hasn't been added to its release page though. Could you please fix that, Daniel? Thanks.

An epic diverse start to this offering from this well-known Armenian-American experimental nu/alt-metal band:

This sh*tty downer doesn't really add anything, and it's best to just ignore it:

One of Killing Joke's earliest true displays of their metal direction, an ominous mid-tempo march with strong metallic riffing:

I just listened to it, and I agree and will vote YES for this entry. This short review of mine explains my thoughts, and if bands with only non-metal albums end up getting removed from the site, I'm sure Gloios will get the axe here once the entry succeeds. https://metal.academy/reviews/35730/33939

Ben, please add these new releases:

Wolves at the Gate - Lost in Translation

In Hearts Wake - Incarnation

Unearth - Bask in the Blood of Our Demons

Ben, please add the new Neaera album All Is Dust.

Ben, please add the new Sumac EP The Keeper's Tongue.

Ben, please add Ankor and the new Black Veil Brides EP Bleeders.

My metalcore band discovery journey continues with these two bands:

Greymachine isn't the only band to feature Isis frontman Aaron Turner. After both bands dissolved, he formed a new one of experimental post-sludge, Sumac:

I also enjoy this band that is another prime example of modern djent/metalcore:

A couple awesome melodic death metal bands whose music I've encountered in the past, but was never fully interested in them until recently:

Thanks, Daniel.

Thanks, Daniel. Could you please fix the issue for Neurotech's Symphonies II release page as well? https://metal.academy/forum/15/thread/419#topic_18197

I just think it's a little confusing to look like someone's currently listening to an album when really they disappeared months ago and never removed the album from the "currently listening to" setting, Vinny.

A Spotify playlist I've made based on my The Amenta favorite tracks list: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Ydu3jZFF1WMYduvlywQmR

A Spotify playlist I've made based on my Trail of Tears favorite tracks list, though Disclosure in Red is not on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5PumWxcuPRl0sgAGqglkTt

I've noticed a lot of the more recent Metal Academy members abandoning the site and leaving on the albums that they've set to "currently listening to". I personally find that confusing because no one would ever just keep listening to a single album for a longer time than a week, like a month or even a year. I think there should be a hidden timer for the "currently listening to" feature, so after one week (7 days) for each album set to "currently listening to", it is automatically removed from that setting. Can we have that implemented please?

After my The Amenta album reviewing marathon, I thought I would share my top 20 favorite tracks from that band:

1. Rape - n0n (2008)

2. Teeth - Flesh is Heir (2013)

3. Parse Over - Revelator (2021)

4. Slave - n0n (2008)

5. Psoriastasis - Revelator (2021)

6. Nihil - Occasus (2004)

7. Sangre - Occasus (2004)

8. Parasight Lost - Revelator (2021)

9. Ennea - Occasus (2004)

10. Tabula Rasa - Flesh is Heir (2013)

11. Junky - n0n (2008)

12. Black God - Plague of Locus (2023)

13. Plague of Locus - Plague of Locus (2023)

14. Obliterate’s Prayer - Flesh is Heir (2013)

15. Vermin - n0n (2008)

16. Erebus - Occasus (2004)

17. Asteroid - Plague of Locus (2023)

18. Rise - Plague of Locus (2023)

19. Disintegrate - Flesh is Heir (2013)

20. An Epoch Ellipsis - Revelator (2021)

After my Trail of Tears album reviewing marathon, I thought I would share my top 20 favorite tracks from that band:

1. Bloodstained Endurance - Bloodstained Endurance (2009)

2. Waves of Existence - Oscillation (2013)

3. A Storm at Will - Bloodstained Endurance (2009)

4. Path of Destruction - Oscillation (2013)

5. Winds of Disdain - Winds of Disdain (2024)

6. Joyless Trance of Winter - Free Fall Into Fear (2004)

7. Deceptive Mirrors - Existentia (2007)

8. No Colours Left - Winds of Disdain (2024)

9. Disappointment's True Face - Profoundemonium (2000)

10. Ecstatic - A New Dimension of Might (2002)

11. In Frustration's Web - Profoundemonium (2000)

12. Illusion? - Disclosure in Red (1998)

13. Driven Through the Ruins - Profoundemonium (2000)

14. A Fate Sealed in Red - A New Dimension of Might (2002)

15. Dry Well of Life - Free Fall Into Fear (2004)

16. Shades of Yesterday - Existentia (2007)

17. When Silence Cries - Disclosure in Red (1998)

18. The Architect of My Downfall - Free Fall Into Fear (2004)

19. She Weaves Shadows - Existentia (2007)

20. Farewell to Sanity - Bloodstained Endurance (2009)

Another powerful highlight from Trail of Tears' comeback EP:

With this high amount of heaviness and epicness, Trail of Tears are back with a vengeance:

My genre tagging for Riot's Narita is similar to yours, Daniel, except the riffing in "Waiting for the Taking" sounds metal enough for me to boost the album's metal ratio up to the minimum 40%.

A pounding start to Trail of Tears' epic then-swansong album:

The last bit of the epic gothic melodeath for this Trail of Tears album, and the last bit of Kjetil Nordhus' vocals for his time in the band:

A dark highlight continuing what the band has in Free Fall Into Fear, before switching into their earlier gothic roots:

Cool music, Storm_Lord!

Did Jari Mäenpää take some inspiration from Trail of Tears when making his Wintersun Time albums? Listen to the background keyboard melody in the intro of this Trail of Tears track:

Made more epic in this post-chorus orchestral melody lasting the same amount of time in this Wintersun epic (first time at 3:35):

A highlight of melodeath rage from Trail of Tears' most aggressive album:

A fantastic prime example of symphonic gothic melodeath with groove-ish riffing and a beautiful clean chorus:

An epic banger of blackened symphonic gothic metal to begin the haunting adventure that is Trail of Tears' 3rd album:

The ultimate highlight of Trail of Tears' second album has riffing and vocals sounding industrial without altering much of the usual sound:

A gothic melodeath march with riffing taken nicely from Sabbath and, more directly, Amorphis:

And here's another coincidence. Listen to the intro riff melody that kicks off this Amorphis classic:

And then the piano melody in this Trail of Tears interlude at 0:40:

Although it can be considered a coincidence, I can totally understand if Amorphis left a profound influential mark in Trail of Tears' sound.

The melody is reprised at 3:37 of the song that Trail of Tears interlude segues to:

Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful tracks I've heard in gothic metal, a dark serenade of lost love and depression:

Gothic melodeath with touches of the Norwegian black metal scene and Dark Tranquillity's The Gallery:

1. Gateway playlist - 4.5/5 (number of songs commented: 14)

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

3. Revolution playlist - 4/5 (number of songs commented: ALL 33)

4. Sphere playlist - 4.5/5 (number of songs commented: ALL 22)

For the clans I've made the monthly playlists for, I've listened to the entire playlists! I'm grateful to Saxy and Daniel for their playlist works. I really dig the tracks I've reviewed in the Gateway and Infinite playlists made by Saxy, and I'm glad the playlists I've made have paid off. I recommend them to any fan of the clans' 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!

Pure drone-ish industrial metal darkness from this Uniformed Body:

Ben, please add the Lord of the Lost album Weapons of Mass Seduction.

Yesterday and today has been a breeze through a few different solid industrial metal albums for me. Here they are, along with a short description for each:

Two years after the release of Corrections House's debut Last City Zero, the group consisting of Scott Kelly (ex-Neurosis), Bruce Lamont (Yakuza), Sanford Parker (ex-Minsk) and Mike IX Williams (Eyehategod) continue pushing their dystopian industrial noise-metal to different levels in Know How to Carry a Whip.

A dark mature release in which industrial and sludge collide alongside pieces of other genres to make something so diverse throughout two 15-minute tracks.

Although Hosannas hasn't reached as much success as the 2003 self-titled album, it shows Killing Joke having more creative freedom recorded in the darkest depth of Hell (the studio).

Gothic industrial metal has never sounded as pleasantly poppy as these tunes from these German representatives of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.

Also, Blood & Glitter has the industrial metal genre, but it's missing The Sphere clan on the release page. Could you please correct that in the database, Daniel? Thanks.