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1.
|
Sybreed - God Is An Automaton
[9-] Electro/Industrial/Djent // Numero uno, baby! These swiss cyborgs have assembled together yet another masterpiece that's sure to turn your world upside down. Ultraviolence incarnate. |
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2.
|
Gorod - A Perfect Absolution
[9-] Technical Death // Catchy, technical and, above all, consistent. Topping it off is a very high replay value that's sure to put it in contention amongst the very best of this year. |
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3.
|
The Faceless - Autotheism
[9-] Technical/Progressive Death // When Hawking says it's good, it's bound to be good. Autotheism surpasses it's predecessors by light years, showcasing the stellar evolution in their sound. "Hail science", indeed. |
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4.
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Ihsahn - Eremita
[9-] Progressive // Mezmerizing, and a step up from the already entertaining After. Overall better songwriting grabs the listener right from the get-go. |
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5.
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Saturnus - Saturn In Ascension
[9-] Death/Doom // Resuscitating a deadbeat, static list is reason enough alone for the lot of you to give this one a whirl. If you are a fan of top notch doom, be in any shapes or forms, all the more better. Just a class of its own, this one. |
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6.
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Igorrr - Hallelujah
[9-] Experimental/Breakcore // While not entirely inclining towards metal, the uniquely edgy, bunny-out-of-the boombox, random madness is what makes this album a spectacular listen. All carefully premeditated, of course. |
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7.
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Frequency Drift - ... Laid To Rest
[9-] Progressive Rock // Soulful, heartwarming prog rock, delivered without any unnecessary complications and with great mood and ambiance. Delightful. |
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8.
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Ne Obliviscaris - Portal Of I
[9-] Progressive // Tedious length aside, one of this year's finest. Creative and beautifully-crafted album. The violins are just... *love* |
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9.
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Be'lakor - Of Breath And Bone
[9-] Progressive/Melodeath // Focused, and displays incredible maturity that's all the more impressive considering how good Stone's Reach was. This album is a testament to their meteoric rise as one of the forerunners of the current melodic death metal scene. |
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10.
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Napalm Death - Utilitarian
[9-] Death/Grindcore // The pioneers of the very genre are angrier, more vehement than ever, turning back the years and grindin' it on the way it should be done, the hard way. Established 1981. |
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11.
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A Million Dead Birds Laughing - Xen
[9-] Experimental Grindcore/Technical Death // Bizarre, and uniquely twisted, yet still retaining cohesiveness that actually means something, would you believe. A million dead birds to laugh and scorn at your suffering, weakling. |
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12.
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Minority Sound - The Explorer
[9-] Electro/Industrial // Well damn, finally! Just the kind of trippy, pyjama-flapping cyber metal the doc ordered. No complications, no nonsense; a solid effort by yet another emerging band sure to make a name for themselves in the future. |
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13.
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The Foreshadowing - Second World
[8+] Gothic/Doom // Bleak and oppressive. Sure to drown you in your throes of melancholy, or whatever you call it. Or not. Either way, highly recommended. |
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14.
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Bloodshot Dawn - Bloodshot Dawn
[8+] Melodeath // Scintillating, fiery melodic death from the UK, reminiscent of At The Gates at their finest. Chock load of tasty leads and memorable songwriting propel it very high in this year's albums-to-hear list. |
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15.
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Dying Fetus - Reign Supreme
[8+] Brutal Death // Another bitchslapping slab of well-executed, no nonsense brutal death metal from one of the genre's most consistent bands around. Highly addictive. |
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16.
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Abnormality - Contaminating The Hive Mind
[8+] Technical/Brutal Death/Grindcore // Just got my teeth knocked the fuck inside of my skull, son. Shit's intense. OH, almost forgot; female vocals. INORITE? |
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17.
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Job For A Cowboy - Demonocracy
[8+] Technical Death // Props, man, props. From a mediocre deathcore outfit to dishing out a highly respectable techdeath album, I see nothing but positives for this band with their unexpected change in direction. |
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18.
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Anaal Nathrakh - Vanitas
[8+] Grindcore/Black // Even more sinister and evil-sounding than Passion. The industrial leanings give it a more compact, decadent feel. Just remember, when desperation and sheer hopelessness engulfs your very being, you know who to blame. |
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19.
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Trepalium - H.N.P.
[8+] Groove Death // A really refreshing, unique brand of groovy death metal, without a shred of compromise concerning complex songwriting. France is churning out some damn interesting bands, lately... |
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20.
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Gaza - No Absolutes In Human Suffering
[8+] Grindcore/Post-metal // Fell in love with their unique sound right away. Much heavier-sounding with a distinct post-metal influence, my thirst for out-of-the-box grind had been most effectively quelled. |
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21.
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Mencea - Pyrophoric
[8+] Progressive Death // Sharp-sounding prog death, just the way I like it. Boasts intelligent, well-structrured songwriting that's actually memorable, helped by a thoroughly pristine production. Me gusta mucho. |
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22.
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Katatonia - Dead End Kings
[8+] Alternative/Gothic // Continues the trend found in their last few offerings, yet mellower, moodier, and more atmospheric at the same time. If it ain't broken, don't fix it, as they say. |
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23.
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Paradise Lost - Tragic Idol
[8+] Gothic // No nasty surprises. Just good ol' "tried and tested" Paradise Lost here, and that's not necessarily a bad thing, if you ask me. |
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24.
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Meshuggah - Koloss
[8+] Technical/Djent // C'mon dawgs, it's the 'shuggah. What more do you want me to say? |
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25.
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Psycroptic - The Inherited Repression
[8+] Technical Death // Much more melodic and straightforward than its predecessor, but still a fun album to listen to. |
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26.
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WHOURKR - 4247 Snare Drums
[8+] Experimental Death/Grindcore // Just wack. Extra points for the occasional, Oddball breakcores and the overall Contrastic-esque weirdassery. |
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27.
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Spawn Of Possession - Incurso
[8+] Technical Death // Sometimes a bit over-indulgent, but the overall product is more than enough to please those who crave for premeditated madness. |
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28.
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Hour Of Penance - Sedition
[8+] Brutal/Technical Death // Even with melody quietly seeping into the mixture, Sedition still packs quite a punch, with fervent blastbeats satisfying all but the most ardent of critics. |
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29.
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Allegaeon - Formshifter
[8+] Technical Melodeath // As expected, a mighty fine return with lots of flair and precision. The lead guitarworks, in particular, are truly phenomenal. |
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30.
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Jesus Ain't In Poland - Freiheit Macht Frei
[8+] Brutal Death/Grindcore // Musical equivalent to bashing your head against the friggin' wall. Even by grind standards. So that's saying a lot. |
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31.
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Angelus Apatrida - The Call
[8+] Thrash // Pretty kickass. These guys show a penchant for good songwriting, and know how to step up a gear or two when needed. Pretty nifty solos, too. |
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32.
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Desecravity - Implicit Obedience
[8+] Brutal/Technical Death // Massive, balls-crushing brutality delivered right at your doorstep, from the land of the rising sun. With LOVE. |
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33.
|
Aborted - Global Flatline
[8-] Brutal Death/Grindcore // Overwhelming, raw, and energetic; succumb to your inner depravities and let the chainsaws ROAR. |
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34.
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Gory Blister - Earth-Sick
[8-] Technical Death // Another fine techdeath album, and this year seems to be full of them. Exhibits a fine balance between melody and aggression, which is much appreciable. |
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35.
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Phobia - Remnants Of Filth
[8-] Grindcore // A balls-to-the-wall, no holds barred approach to grind that leaves you in tatters? YES PLEASE. |
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36.
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Kreator - Phantom Antichrist
[8-] Teutonic Thrash // Expecting the unexpected? You're barking up the wrong tree then. Just Kreator doing their thing, in the vein of their more recent offerings. Pretty satisfactory. |
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37.
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Neosis - Neosis
[8-] Electro/Djent // Leaning heavily towards djent-laden cyber metal with a Sybreed-ish personality. Great new band and a really groovy debut. |
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38.
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Afgrund - The Age Of Dumb
[8-] Death/Grindcore // Dirty-sounding, decrepit little number that just oozes filth and unsophistication. In an oddly awesome way, of course. |
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39.
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Murder Construct - Results
[8-] Death/Grindcore // "With Murder Construct, it's putting a death metal engine in a grind body with a black metal air-freshener hanging from the rearview; giving it a vague fragrance, but not a consistently tangible scent." Perfect description. |
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40.
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Liberteer - Better To Die On Your Feet Than Live On Your Knees
[8-] Grindcore // "Raise a toast to thy fallen comrades, make merry, and let freedom ring with a gunshot blast! Or a motherfucking trumpet." - Lincoln, A. |
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41.
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Nile - At The Gate Of Sethu
[8-] Technical/Brutal Death // Horrible production and vocals notwithstanding, a pretty decent album which displays Nile's trademark breakneck speed and ridiculous technicality. |
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42.
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Ævangelist - De Masticatione Mortuorum In Tumulis
2012 |
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43.
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A Forest Of Stars - A Shadowplay For Yesterdays
2012 |
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44.
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An Autumn For Crippled Children - Only The Ocean Knows
2012 |
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45.
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Abiotic - Symbiosis
2012 |
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46.
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Abominable Putridity - The Anomalies Of Artificial Origin
2011 |
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47.
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Absvrdist - Illusory
2012 |
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48.
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Acheode - Anxiety
2012 |
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49.
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Adramelch - Lights From Oblivion
2012 |
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50.
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After Oblivion - Stamina
2012 |
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51.
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Agathocles - Kanpai!!
2012 |
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52.
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Agruss - Morok
2012 |
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53.
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Ahab - The Giant
2012 |
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54.
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Akphaezya - Anthology IV: The Tragedy Of Nerak
2012 |
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55.
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Alcest - Les voyages de l'âme
2012 |
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56.
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Algol - Complex Shapes
2012 |
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57.
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Amenra - Mass V
2012 |
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58.
|
Amiensus - Restoration
2012 |
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59.
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Anathema - Weather Systems
2012 |
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60.
|
Antropomorphia - Evangelivm Nekromantia
2012 |
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61.
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Antimatter - Fear Of A Unique Identity
2012 |
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62.
|
Ancestors - In Dreams And Time
2012 |
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63.
|
Anhedonist - Netherwards
2012 |
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64.
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Anthropofagus - Architecture Of Lust
2012 |
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65.
|
Arcana - As Bright As A Thousand Suns
2012 |
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66.
|
Arkaik - Metamorphignition
2012 |
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67.
|
Asphyx - Deathhammer
2012 |
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68.
|
Atoma - Skylight
2012 |
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69.
|
Atriarch - Ritual Of Passing
2012 |
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70.
|
Barren Earth - The Devil's Resolve
2012 |
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71.
|
Beardfish - The Void
2012 |
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72.
|
Before The Dawn - Rise Of The Phoenix
2012 |
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73.
|
Bend The Sky - Origins
2012 |
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74.
|
Beneath The Massacre - Incongruous
2012 |
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75.
|
Beyond The Bridge - The Old Man And The Spirit
2012 |
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76.
|
Bilocate - Summoning The Bygones
2012 |
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77.
|
Black Breath - Sentenced To Life
2012 |
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78.
|
Black Light Discipline - Against Each Other
2012 |
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79.
|
Bound By Entrails - The Stars Bode You Farewell
2012 |
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80.
|
Butterfly Temple - Дыхание
2012 |
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81.
|
Candlemass - Psalms For The Dead
2012 |
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82.
|
Cattle Decapitation - Monolith Of Inhumanity
2012 |
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83.
|
Centurion - Serve No One
2012 |
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84.
|
Chaos Inception - The Abrogation
2012 |
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85.
|
Circus Maximus - Nine
2012 |
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86.
|
Cloudkicker - Fade
2012 |
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87.
|
Coffin Texts - The Tomb Of Infinite Ritual
2012 |
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88.
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Cryptopsy - Cryptopsy
2012 |
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89.
|
Dalriada - Napisten Hava
2012 |
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90.
|
Daylight Dies - A Frail Becoming
2012 |
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91.
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De Magia Veterum - The Deification
2012 |
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92.
|
De Profundis - The Emptiness Within
2012 |
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93.
|
Deadborn - Mayhem Maniac Machine
2012 |
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94.
|
Dead Instrument - Violent Death
2012 |
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95.
|
Decades Of Despair - Alive
2012 |
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96.
|
Deserted Fear - My Empire
2012 |
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97.
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Destinity - Resolve In Crimson
2012 |
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98.
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Desultor - Masters Of Hate
2012 |
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99.
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Dethroner - Blind Souls
2012 |
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100.
|
Detrimentum - Inhuman DisgRACE
2012 |
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101.
|
Devin Townsend - Epicloud
2012 |
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102.
|
Dew-Scented - Icarus
2012 |
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103.
|
Diablo Swing Orchestra - Pandora's Piñata
2012 |
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104.
|
Dimension Act - Manifestation Of Progress
2012 |
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105.
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Dissona - Dissona
2012 |
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106.
|
Dodecahedron - Dodecahedron
2012 |
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107.
|
Dol Ammad - Cosmic Gods: Episode I - Hyperspeed
2012 |
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108.
|
Dordeduh - Dar De Duh
2012 |
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109.
|
Dublin Death Patrol - Death Sentence
2012 |
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110.
|
Dyscarnate - And So It Came To Pass
2012 |
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111.
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Ea - Ea
2012 |
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112.
|
Eluveitie - Helvetios
2012 |
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113.
|
Embrional - Absolutly Anti-Human Behaviors
2012 |
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114.
|
Empyrean Sky - Extending The Tangent
2012 |
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115.
|
Empyrion - Mindshifter
2012 |
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116.
|
Endezzma - Erotik Nekrosis
2012 |
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117.
|
Enochian Theory - Life... And All It Entails
2012 |
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118.
|
Enslaved - RIITIIR
2012 |
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119.
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Essenz - Mundus Numen
2012 |
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120.
|
Eternal Deformity - The Beauty Of Chaos
2012 |
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121.
|
Exhumed Day - The Beauty Of Putrefaction
2012 |
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122.
|
Exterminas - Seventh Demoniacal Hiearchy
2012 |
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123.
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Faal - The Clouds Are Burning
2012 |
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124.
|
Favna Abisal - Rerum Imaginaria
2012 |
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125.
|
Fisthammer - Devour All You See
2012 |
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126.
|
Fleshmould - Interitum
2012 |
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127.
|
Forgotten Tomb - ...And Don't Deliver Us From Evil
2012 |
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128.
|
Gojira - L'Enfant Sauvage
2012 |
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129.
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Grave - Endless Procession Of Souls
2012 |
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130.
|
Hail Spirit Noir - Pneuma
2012 |
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131.
|
Headspace - I Am Anonymous
2012 |
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132.
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Hideous Divinity - Obeisance Rising
2012 |
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133.
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Horn Of The Rhino - Grengus
2012 |
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134.
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Horrendous - The Chills
2012 |
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135.
|
Huntress - Spell Eater
2012 |
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136.
|
Hypno5e - Acid Mist Tomorrow
2012 |
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137.
|
In Mourning - The Weight Of Oceans
2012 |
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138.
|
In The Silence - A Fair Dream Gone Mad
2012 |
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139.
|
Incantation - Vanquish In Vengeance
2012 |
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140.
|
Infant Annihilator - The Palpable Leprosy Of Pollution
2012 |
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141.
|
Inner Fear - First Born Fear
2012 |
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142.
|
Jambinai - Différance
2012 |
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143.
|
Jeff Loomis - Plains Of Oblivion
2012 |
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144.
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Kälter - Ubuntu
2012 |
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145.
|
Kamelot - Silverthorn
2012 |
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146.
|
Kells - Anachromie
2012 |
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147.
|
Ketha - 2nd Sight
2012 |
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148.
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Khonsu - Anomalia
2012 |
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149.
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Lethian Dreams - Season Of Raven Words
2012 |
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150.
|
Lich King - Born Of The Bomb
2012 |
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151.
|
Manticore - Behold The Ascension Of The Execrated
2012 |
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152.
|
Masachist - Scorned
2012 |
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153.
|
Master's Hammer - Vracejte Konve Na Místo
2012 |
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154.
|
Mirrormaze - Walkabout
2012 |
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155.
|
Mnemic - Mnemesis
2012 |
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156.
|
Moonspell - Alpha Noir / Omega White
2012 |
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157.
|
Mors Principium Est - ...And Death Said Live
2012 |
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158.
|
Muerte Por Mil Cortes - Ego
2012 |
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159.
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Murmurs - Fædd Úr Eldi
2012 |
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160.
|
My Dying Bride - A Map Of All Our Failures
2012 |
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161.
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Nachtmystium - Silencing Machine
2012 |
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162.
|
Nekromantheon - Rise, Vulcan Spectre
2012 |
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163.
|
Neurosis - Honor Found In Decay
2012 |
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164.
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Neyra - Madness In Progress
2012 |
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165.
|
Nominon - The Cleansing
2012 |
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166.
|
Oddland - The Treachery Of Senses
2012 |
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167.
|
Omnihility - Biogenesis
2012 |
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168.
|
Opera Diabolicus - 1614
2012 |
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169.
|
Ørkenkjøtt - Ønskediktet
2012 |
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170.
|
Orphalis - Human Individual Metamorphosis
2012 |
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171.
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OSI - Fire Make Thunder
2012 |
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172.
|
Outcast - Awaken The Reason
2012 |
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173.
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Overkill - The Electric Age
2012 |
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174.
|
Pandemonium - Misanthropy
2012 |
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175.
|
Paradigm - Mind Is Key
2012 |
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176.
|
Periphery - Periphery II: This Time It's Personal
2012 |
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177.
|
Pig Destroyer - Book Burner
2012 |
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178.
|
Process Of Guilt - Fæmin
2012 |
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179.
|
Psilocybe Larvae - The Labyrinth Of Penumbra
2012 |
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180.
|
Putrevore - Macabre Kingdom
2012 |
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181.
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Ragnarok - Malediction
2012 |
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182.
|
Raubtier - Från Norrland Till Helvetets Port
2012 |
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183.
|
Royal Thunder - CVI
2012 |
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184.
|
Rush - Clockwork Angels
2012 |
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185.
|
Sanctium - Sanctium
2012 |
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186.
|
Saturnian - Dimensions
2012 |
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187.
|
Savage Messiah - Plague Of Conscience
2012 |
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188.
|
Secrets - The Ascent
2012 |
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189.
|
Shining - Redefining Darkness
2012 |
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190.
|
Sigh - In Somniphobia
2012 |
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191.
|
Sigur Rós - Valtari
2012 |
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192.
|
Skyharbor - Blinding White Noise: Illusion & Chaos
2012 |
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193.
|
Soen - Cognitive
2012 |
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194.
|
Soulfallen - The Promise Of Hell
2012 |
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195.
|
Sphere - Homo Hereticus
2012 |
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196.
|
Spheric Universe Experience - The New Eve
2012 |
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197.
|
Splattered Entrails - Depths Of Obscurity
2012 |
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198.
|
Spoil Engine - The Art Of Imperfection
2012 |
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199.
|
Stolen Babies - Naught
2012 |
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200.
|
Storm Corrosion - Storm Corrosion
2012 |
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201.
|
Sulphur Aeon - Swallowed By The Ocean's Tide
2012 |
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202.
|
Sunpocrisy - Samaroid Dioramas
2012 |
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203.
|
Sylosis - Monolith
2012 |
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204.
|
Tacoma Narrows Bridge Disaster - Exegesis
2012 |
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205.
|
Taranis - Kingdom
2012 |
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206.
|
Terrorizer - Hordes Of Zombies
2012 |
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207.
|
Terror Eyes - Catoptrics
2012 |
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208.
|
Testament - Dark Roots Of Earth
2012 |
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209.
|
The Conjuration - The Human Condition
2012 |
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210.
|
The Contortionist - Intrinsic
2012 |
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211.
|
The Haarp Machine - Disclosure
2012 |
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212.
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The Machine - Calmer Than You Are
2012 |
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213.
|
The Omega Experiment - The Omega Experiment
2012 |
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214.
|
The Wretched End - Inroads
2012 |
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215.
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Threshold - March Of Progress
2012 |
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216.
|
Tiamat - The Scarred People
2012 |
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217.
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Total Devastation - Satama
2012 |
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218.
|
T.R.A.M. - Lingua Franca
2012 |
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219.
|
Unipolar Manic-Depressive Psychosis - Psychodelicus Decibeli
2012 |
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220.
|
Unwritten Pages - Fringe Kitchen
2012 |
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221.
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Vertigo Steps - Surface/Light
2012 |
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222.
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War From A Harlots Mouth - Voyeur
2012 |
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223.
|
Wildernessking - The Writing Of Gods In The Sand
2012 |
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224.
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Wilds Forlorn - We, The Damned
2012 |
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225.
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Wintersun - Time I
2012 |
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226.
|
Words Of Farewell - Immersion
2012 |
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227.
|
Wretched - Son Of Perdition
2012 |
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228.
|
Xanthochroid - Blessed He With Boils
2012 |
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229.
|
Fear Factory - The Industrialist
[7+] Industrial // Mechanize 2.0 was NOT what I was expecting. Sure, some of the "patches" (more emphasis on industrial sounds) work pleasantly in places, but as an overall product, it leaves something to be desired. |
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230.
|
Swallow The Sun - Emerald Forest And The Blackbird
[7+] Melodic Death-Doom // Their weakest album to date. Overcooked, with no real flavour. Has little/no "retaining power" that'll make you keep coming back to it for seconds and thirds. The textbook definition of underwhelming, this. |
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231.
|
Lamb Of God - Resolution
[7+] Groove Thrash // Bland, uninspired, unmemorable... but hey it's LoG we're talking about. Some mighty riffages and overall tight performance saves it from complete disappointment. |
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232.
|
Obscenity - Atrophied In Anguish
[7+] Death // Pretty standard stuff, this. Just a mass of grey blur compared to many of their peers. Recommended only to those who revel in the stench of death. |
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233.
|
Kraanium - Post Mortal Coital Fixation
[6-] Brutal Death // Looks like my aversion to the gory variant of brutal death is going to stay for some time. And I have albums like this to point my finger at. Thoroughly and utterly... mundane. |
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234.
|
Ensiferum - Unsung Heroes
[5+] Folk // Lethargic as hell, with no real aim, drive or ambition. The once mighty band have suddenly become as toothless as a retarded chocobo. Didn't expect it to suck as much as it did. Damn. |
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235.
|
Vergeltung - Exploration Of Space
[5+] Electro/Industrial // Is THIS what is being passed off as cyber metal these days? I mean seriously... just because there are synths in the background it's automatically supposed to be oh so futuristic? One word: NEIN. |
Will do asap.
