Staff picks
Christian Progressive Death Metal
Brilliant through and through, Dichotomy is the third (and in my opinion, best) release from this Atlanta based band. Completely shattering the image that Christian Metal bands have to sound (or even look) like Stryper, BTA churns out a release that is both beautiful and brutal.
With a unique style and sound (somewhat similar to Between The Buried And Me) this album was produced by the genius Devin Townsend and also features his guest vocals as well as those of Demon Hunter's front man, Ryan Clark. The songs are a solid and intense ride through melodic and extreme elements of music. Lyrically it is based upon C.S. Lewis' That Hideous Strength and focuses on the biology vs technology, man vs machine concept.
This album is one great song after another but highlights would include "Mountain of Souls", "Dichotomy", "Artificial Immortality", and their take on the traditional hymn "How Great Thou Art".
With a unique style and sound (somewhat similar to Between The Buried And Me) this album was produced by the genius Devin Townsend and also features his guest vocals as well as those of Demon Hunter's front man, Ryan Clark. The songs are a solid and intense ride through melodic and extreme elements of music. Lyrically it is based upon C.S. Lewis' That Hideous Strength and focuses on the biology vs technology, man vs machine concept.
This album is one great song after another but highlights would include "Mountain of Souls", "Dichotomy", "Artificial Immortality", and their take on the traditional hymn "How Great Thou Art".
Death Metal
Sometimes all you need is some solid, no-bullshit death metal. This album provides exactly this with no pretension whatsoever. It's just a whole lot of fun. No need to overdo stuff or indulge in all kinds of silly evil shtick. Great songwriting, brutality and groove - this is all that really matters.
Spaced-out Death metal
Codex Incubo is fantastic riff-fest with spaced-out solos and a kickass atmosphere. So what the hell are you waiting for? Get to it! Death metal is not dead!
Crust / Grind
Excellent piece of filthy, primal and pure crust from this completely unknown band. This album is truly ferocious in every sense of the word - crude, corrosive, cathartic and downright frightening. Nevertheless, beneath this apocalyptic rumble lies a layer of surprisingly deep intricacy, melody and emotion, spawned by some of the most abrasive vocals ever recorded.
Hardcore
Listening to more Sick Of It All is a common treatment prescribed by most doctors. There's nothing unhealthy about top-notch old school New York Hard Core that will smash you against the walls. Plus it's good for your skin and neck-muscles.
Atmospheric-Black-Folk masterpiece
What? This guy is just listening to this marvel for the first time? Four years after the actual release? WTF?
Well, better late than never I guess.
Now come and experience a truly unique album. Black, folk, atmospheric, progressive, it's all that and much more. It's an emotional and spiritual journey. If I ever had a shamanic trance that's probably the music I would use to describe it.
Enough with the talking, go and check this out.
Well, better late than never I guess.
Now come and experience a truly unique album. Black, folk, atmospheric, progressive, it's all that and much more. It's an emotional and spiritual journey. If I ever had a shamanic trance that's probably the music I would use to describe it.
Enough with the talking, go and check this out.
Staff pick by:
Darkside Momo
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), BitterCOld, Deadsoulman, Promonex, Marcel Hubregtse, Daniell
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), BitterCOld, Deadsoulman, Promonex, Marcel Hubregtse, Daniell
Fresh Black Metal
A Forest Of Stars returns with another fascinating release! Opportunistic Thieves Of Spring is darker, doomier and blacker than the debut album and will appeal to pretty much any Black metal fan craving for a bit of freshness in the scene. Great!
Staff pick by:
Lucas
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Troy Killjoy, Deadsoulman, White Winter Sun, X-Ray Rod, wormdrink414, Darkside Momo
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Troy Killjoy, Deadsoulman, White Winter Sun, X-Ray Rod, wormdrink414, Darkside Momo
Doom
Ok, so this Staff Pick is a bit unfair. It's more a "head's up!" than a "buy this now" recommendation. Why? The band is unsigned (some exec get on this!), but sent out 250 promo copies of their first full-length. Being one of the chosen few, I've had the chance to listen to a it a few times through and am delighted at their progress. A full, proper review shall be forthcoming.
In the mean time, if you like your doom with death-stylee vocals, lots of slow trudging with the occasional almost quiet atmospheric interlude or quickening of the pulse go ahead and visit the album page and add this to your wishlist ... and wait for some label to snap these guys up and start circulating this woeful yet wonderful release properly.
In the mean time, if you like your doom with death-stylee vocals, lots of slow trudging with the occasional almost quiet atmospheric interlude or quickening of the pulse go ahead and visit the album page and add this to your wishlist ... and wait for some label to snap these guys up and start circulating this woeful yet wonderful release properly.
Staff pick by:
BitterCOld
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Marcel Hubregtse, Lucas, Dane Train, ylside, Troy Killjoy, White Winter Sun, KwonVerge, Nefarious
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Marcel Hubregtse, Lucas, Dane Train, ylside, Troy Killjoy, White Winter Sun, KwonVerge, Nefarious
Insane Black Metal
Reverorum Ib Malacht's "What Do You Think Of The Old God, We Call Him Judas?" is a gem. A gem, I tell ya.
It's only a demo, it's only released on cassette, it has a muddy production, it is everything 'cult' Black metal is. But it is more. It is genuinely blasphemous, it's fantastically insane and intensily terrifying. On "What Do You Think", all cliches of mad monks roaming through ancient dungeons and performing other obscure activites become frighteningly real. A must-check.
It's only a demo, it's only released on cassette, it has a muddy production, it is everything 'cult' Black metal is. But it is more. It is genuinely blasphemous, it's fantastically insane and intensily terrifying. On "What Do You Think", all cliches of mad monks roaming through ancient dungeons and performing other obscure activites become frighteningly real. A must-check.
Folk Doom / Stoner
"Incredibly captivating" - The New York Times
"An intriguing expose on the rampant use of folk-ish doom metal goods in the stoner industry" - Wall Street Journal
"Leaves the listener breathless and keen for more" - Daily News
"An intriguing expose on the rampant use of folk-ish doom metal goods in the stoner industry" - Wall Street Journal
"Leaves the listener breathless and keen for more" - Daily News
??????
Trippy, punky, thrashy, proggy, psychedelic and whatever the fuck else you want to call it. This is bordering experimental without being pretentious. Just a fun album all around. A definite recommendation for anyone interested in thrash, punk, or any form of hard music that challenges the norm.
Extreme Doom
The Nihilistic Front mix everything putrid and vile into one thirty-eight minute lasting cocktail of filth. The Four Seasons In Misery is nastier than a Tequila Sunrise, for fucks sake! And what's probably their biggest selling-point: they manage to resemble the elusive and mystical disEMBOWELMENT without being pure copycats.
Cheers!
Cheers!
For Ronnie James Dio...
so RJD had already cemented his place as an iconic front man by the early 80's for his work in Rainbow and Black Sabbath. Holy Diver showed how successful he could be on his own. and by his own, i mean as "first among equals." i'm sure RJD would be the first to agree and give 75% credit to the rest of the band.
The Last In Line is a worthy successor to his landmark initial offering, with blistering tracks like "We Rock" and "I Speed At Night", epic tunes such as "The Last In Line" and "Egypt", his sophomore effort was proof positive that Holy Diver was not just a one-hit wonder.
Considering you can find this cd new in the States for under $10, if you live in an industrialized nation you should stop reading right here, run to the local record store and buy this. pronto.
And if my word ain't enough, no less a metal aficionado than Fenriz listed this (and Sabbath's Mob Rules, which also features Dio on vocals) in the liner notes of Circle The Wagons in (another) installment of his "must have" metal albums.
\m/
The Last In Line is a worthy successor to his landmark initial offering, with blistering tracks like "We Rock" and "I Speed At Night", epic tunes such as "The Last In Line" and "Egypt", his sophomore effort was proof positive that Holy Diver was not just a one-hit wonder.
Considering you can find this cd new in the States for under $10, if you live in an industrialized nation you should stop reading right here, run to the local record store and buy this. pronto.
And if my word ain't enough, no less a metal aficionado than Fenriz listed this (and Sabbath's Mob Rules, which also features Dio on vocals) in the liner notes of Circle The Wagons in (another) installment of his "must have" metal albums.
\m/
Staff pick by:
BitterCOld
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Jeff, Doc G., Deadsoulman, Dane Train, Daniell, fade, Milena, wormdrink414
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Jeff, Doc G., Deadsoulman, Dane Train, Daniell, fade, Milena, wormdrink414
For Ronnie James Dio...
At the height of Rainbow's powers this album shows Dio's versatile vocals to its fullest effects and in full flight. The pure power and passion delivered here has yet to be equalled.
Staff pick by:
Marcel Hubregtse
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Doc G., Deadsoulman, Jeff, Dane Train, Milena
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Doc G., Deadsoulman, Jeff, Dane Train, Milena
For Ronnie James Dio...
Released almost exactly a year before his passing, The Devil You Know is a great way to end the legacy of a great man. One of Dio's most haunting and powerful performances of his life combined with that of fellow metal legends Iommi & Butler.
Deceased or not, one hell of a metal classic.
Deceased or not, one hell of a metal classic.
Staff pick by:
Doc G.
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Darkside Momo, Jeff, BitterCOld, Milena, X-Ray Rod, ScreamingSteelUS, nikarg
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Darkside Momo, Jeff, BitterCOld, Milena, X-Ray Rod, ScreamingSteelUS, nikarg