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Monday, December 31, 2012

Gandalf - Gandalf (1969)
Here's an obscure psychedelic release that gives you that classic, nostalgic sound that's so highly prize amongst modern bands. It's a really beautiful, almost folkish album that's quite a relief once you've filled up on all the black metal and dark ambient I've been recommending!
9/10
 

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Bolt Thrower - For Victory (1994)
And let's not forget traditional death metal. This is a very solid cut by one of the most respected and consistent DM bands in the world. The riffs are all great and it's very stripped-down and brutal. I definitely recommend this album to those who are looking for a taste of the old school.
9/10
 
Disarmonia Mundi - Fragments of D-Generation (2004)
Well, I am quite blown away by this awesome melodeath album. It takes the best elements of In Flames and Soilwork, and mashes them together into a catchy and incredibly punch blend. I really can't remember one weak riff on this album; it's that strong. I haven't listened to their later albums (though I've heard they suck comparatively), but it's painfully obvious that this is a band that knows how to write melodeath like few others.
9.5/10

Lustmord - Zoetrope (2002)
This is arguably Lustmord's darkest album to date, and inarguably one of the darkest albums in the ambient genre. The almost subsonic drones pulsate with pure evil, and the random creepy samples only heighten the senses of dread and intimidation. Though it was created as the soundtrack for a specific film, I consider it much more broadly as the ultimate horror film soundtrack. It's a terrifying journey into a demonic world, and is one of the finest and purest examples of dark ambient to date.
9.5/10
 

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Appalachian Winter - Ghosts of the Mountains (2013)
Heavily inspired by the epic black metal band Summoning, Appalachian Winter is a truly awesome one-man band. The man's atmosphere is just incredible, and dare I say, even better than that of Summoning. It's snowy music, but not the depressive kind offered by Agalloch or Paysages d'Hiver. It's uplifting, majestic, and composed like a film score. There are so many great atmospheric BM releases from this year, but this has to be one of my favorites.
9.5/10

Downfall of Gaia - Suffocating in the Swarm of Cranes (2012)
This album is extremely intense, dark and cathartic. It's probably the first one I've heard to mix black metal with post-metal; quite an interesting and amazing mix actually. With all the Neurosis/Isis soundalikes out there, this band actually has something really unique and powerful to offer the post-metal genre. On my first listen, I'd say this is one of the best metal releases of the year.
9.5/10

Algol - Follow the Cepheid Light (2008)
As far as ambient, dark or otherwise, this is pretty much as good as it gets (at least for me). It's an absolutely stunning example of space ambient on par with the work of such luminaries as Steve Roach and Robert Rich. The textures take you on a fascinating and beautiful trip through the imagination and metaphorically into the farthest reaches of the universe. It's certainly the best underground ambient album I've found yet, and one of my all-time favorite albums in the genre.
10/10
 
Hoedh - Hymnus (1993)
Often considered a classic in the dark ambient genre, this is a deeply immersive and drone-filled album much akin to Stars of the Lid. There's beautiful classical elements, and an incredible amount of depth and subtlety. It's not quite my favorite style within the ambient genre, but it's a really gorgeous and layered album nonetheless.
9/10

Friday, December 28, 2012

Quo Vadis - Defiant Imagination (2004)
This is quite simply one of the best tech-death albums I've ever listened to. There's a perfect balance between technicality and melody which makes it very accessible for those who are turned off by the insanely technical bands that characterize much of the modern death metal scene. It's not as good as Death of course, but it's definitely up there with Obscura and others.
9.5/10
 
Blackfilm - Blackfilm (2008)
This dude's pretty awesome to have thought of mixing trip-hop with dark ambient. It comes off really well and makes you think of a secret rave party late at night in a shady part of town. Some commentators also compared it to the Silent Hill soundtrack which is pretty accurate too. Really good stuff for those dark, lonely nights.
9/10
 

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Esoteric - The Manical Vale (2008)
This album is a long, strange trip into a dark abyss of negative emotions, and in that way it's very cathartic. It's admittedly a difficult album to listen to, but it's well worth it. It's an extremely valuable contribution to the funeral doom genre, and has been hailed by many as one of the genre's very best. I wouldn't go quite that far, but it is an incredible achievement for the band and a good album to introduce to those who are new to the genre.
8.5/10
 
Raison d'Etre - The Empty Hollow Unfolds (2000)
Here's a pretty good dark ambient record. You have cold, industrial field recordings as well as synthesized angelic choirs and drones. It seems like a more diverse approach than Lustmord takes, but I could be wrong about that. Overall, it's pretty satisfying and definitely worth a listen.
8.5/10
 
Nothgard - Warhorns of Midgard (2011)
This is certainly one of the most unique and melodic blackened folk albums I've come across recently. It's incredibly epic and in your face with death metal and neoclassical stylings. I highly recommend this one.
9/10

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Satyricon - The Shadowthrone (1994)
Probably one of the most respected names in black metal, Satyricon created a pretty great sophomore album with a lot of cold imagery, fearsome riffs, and epic atmosphere. I wouldn't say Satyricon is one of my favorite BM bands or that The Shadowthrone is my favorite album of theirs, but it's certainly a very good classic album that will probably get better upon more listening.
8.5/10
 
Tool - Lateralus (2001)
As my 200th post, I decided to review one of my all-time favorite albums. Of course, any prog metal fan worth his/her salt at least knows of, if not adores this album as a classic. I would fall comfortably into the latter category as Lateralus was one of the albums that got me firmly into metal along with Metallica's Black Album. The riffs, vocals, drumming and bass playing are all incredible, and the songs flow very organically. It's such a captivating and mysterious album that you will keep coming back again and again. It's an artistic metal masterpiece, and one of the best metal albums of all time. It also has one of the best album covers of all time.
Thanks to whoever's taking the time to view my blog. Hope to get some comments and/or followers soon. Stay tuned for more reviews!
10/10
 
Manegarm - Vredens Tid (2005)
Here's another pretty good blackened folk metal release. Very good riffs and folk passages as well as an awesome album cover. 
8.5/10 
Atrium Carceri - Phrenitis (2009)
Here's a very good dark ambient album. It may not leave you shivering in terror like Lustmord, but it's definitely good for a rainy day. It's kind of a mix between pure ambient and neoclassical which adds a lot of depth and beauty to it.
9/10
 

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Rxyzyxr - LMNTS (2012)
Here's another upstart djent band out of Sweden, and they do a fairly good job at putting out some cool grooves and Meshuggah-esque heaviness. Although this album is far from my favorite djent release of the year, it's pretty solid and it's obvious that the band has a lot of potential to make an even better second album. Also, props to them for coming up with an almost unpronounceable band name.
8/10
Garden of Shadows - Oracle Moon (2000)
Here's some more great death metal that is similar to Insomnium (although the fomer predates the latter). Sorry to keep repeating myself in these reviews, but this album too has a lot of intricate melodies and very good vocals. I may not like it as much as some other reviewers did, but hopefully you'll like it more than I did.
8.5/10
 
Heol Telwen - An Deiz Ruz (2005)
Out of curiosity, I googled "Breton metal" and here's what came up. In case you didn't know, Breton refers to the westernmost province of France and is translated as Brittany in English or Breizh in the native Celtic language. This band uses the language extensively in their songs, and give you a good taste of Breton music with bagpipes and flutes. While this is not a really unique blackened folk metal release, apart from the use of Breizh, it is pretty enjoyable and something I'd recommend for those who are interested in ethnic metal.
8.5/10
 
Sacramentum - Far Away From the Sun (1996)
Another very solid black metal release, this one sounds like the Swedish version of Emperor except less symphonic. Like Emperor, it's very intricate and brutal with a good amount of melody. If you liked Emperor or Dark Fortress you'll probably like this one.
9/10
 
Dark Fortress - Tales from Eternal Dusk (2001)
If you want melodic black metal then one of the best bands/albums you could listen to is this one. It almost sounds like early Opeth at times. There are very strong melodies and songwriting so if Opeth is your thing then it shouldn't be too hard to like this.
9/10
 
1349 - Demonoir (2010)
If you want brutal, uncompromising black metal then 1349 is your band. The lyrics and riffs are very grim, but the highlight of the album is undoubtedly Frost's magnificent drumming. The man is a blast beat machine almost unparalleled in the genre. 1349 may be a latecomer to the Norwegian black metal scene, but with this release they prove that they can indeed measure up to the greats.
8.5/10 
Serj Tankian - Harakiri (2012)
After ignoring his other two albums, I finally checked out his latest one and I think it's pretty decent. The songs are pretty catchy and quite political. It doesn't measure up to anything by SOAD, but it's a fun listen.
8/10
 
The Aristocrats - The Aristocrats (2011)
The amount of musical talent on this album is insane. Guthrie Govan and Marco Minnemann (soon to be featured on Steven Wilson's third solo album) are exceptionally good and make some of the most interesting, dynamic instrumental music I've heard. It's a shame I only just discovered this or else I would have put it near the top of my "Best of 2011" list.
9.5/10
 
Bitter:Sweet - The Mating Game (2006)
Here's a pretty great trip-hop album I came across. It mixes jazz, bossa nova, soul and music to make for a very sexy James Bond feel. It may not be on the level of Portishead or Massive Attack, but it's still a great addition to the genre.
9/10
 
Robert Glasper - Black Radio (2012)
Now for something completely different. Robert Glasper is a very talented jazz musician who has constructed a remarkable album fusing jazz, soul and rap. The arrangements are great, and all the guest vocalists do a phenomenal job. I don't usually like rap (ditto for most metalheads out there), but Glasper's jazz piano stylings do wonders to make it sound smooth and sensual. Definitely give this one a try. If you're a fan of jazz and trip-hop like Portishead then you'll most likely enjoy this album.
9/10
 
Haggard - Eppur Si Muove (2004)
WOW. Just WOW. This album is stunningly good. I have never heard death metal like this. The classical elements don't just play backup for the metal parts; they're actually counterparts as it really should be. This is a metal band giving classical music its full due and doing a bang-up job of it. I am blown away and I hope you will be too after you hear this album.
10/10
 
Primordial - To the Nameless Dead (2007)
And here is Primordial's master work; an epic ode to Ireland itself and a reclamation of Irish identity against the destabilizing influence of Western Christianity. There's a whole ton of atmosphere that seems to be influenced by bands such as Neurosis and Bathory as one perceptive interviewer observed. This atmosphere includes hypnotic, driving riffs, pounding drums, and folkish interludes. This is a much hyped album, but the hype is quite right. This is indeed their best album and a black metal masterpiece.
9.5/10
 
Primordial - A Journey's End (1998)
And speaking of Irish metal bands, none is more well-known than this epic black metal band. A Journey's End represents the band moving away from their traditional black metal roots and finding their own sound. The atmosphere is very dark, and the music is almost progressive. Indeed, it feels somewhat similar to Opeth (or perhaps it should be vice versa?). For an early black metal release, this one is pretty polished and enjoyable. It's not quite as solid as their subsequent releases, but don't let that stop you from listening to it.
8.5/10
 
Cruachan - Blood on the Black Robe (2011)
Here's a very epic release from the renowned Irish blackened folk metal group Cruachan. Lots of good folk melodies, epic riffs, and cultural pride on this album. A very solid folk metal release overall.
9/10
 
Words of Farewell - Immersion (2012)
Here's another great melodeath release which mixes the pounding riffage of Dark Tranquillity with the epic melodies of Insomnium. In fact, this release could rival anything by either of those bands. It's very competent and impressive for a debut release in terms of composition and overall quality. This band definitely has nowhere to go but up.
9/10
 
Xanthrochroid - Blessed He with Boils (2012)
If you want epic metal then you've got it with these extremely talented Californian upstarts. There's influences and similarities from many awesome bands including Opeth, Emperor, Moonsorrow, Wintersun, Ne Obliviscaris, and Dimmu Borgir. Hell, they even recorded a cover of Wintersun's "Land of Snow and Sorrow." Plus, the harsh vocals sound just like Ihsahn which is a big plus. This is an extremely dense record to say the least, and it's just amazing. The folk and classical interludes are superb, and the atmosphere is just exquisite. This is yet another sleeper hit. Oh and the band name is really cool too. In short, this band shows an incredible amount of promise and I can't wait for their next release.
9.5/10

Monday, December 24, 2012

Secret Sphere - A Portrait of a Dying Heart (2012)
Now for something a little different. This is a pretty decent Italian power metal release. The vocals are very good, and the choruses are pretty catchy. The songs do drag a fair bit in some parts, but there should be something in this album for pretty much every power metal fan to enjoy.
7.5/10

Unleashed - Odalheim (2012)
I think we might just have one of the best death metal albums of the year here. The riffs are fantastic, the solos are even better, and vocalist Johnny Hedlund delivers his epic Viking lyrics with brutal precision. There's even some black metal elements thrown in for good measure (though not enough to qualify this as blackened death metal). I haven't listened to the band's other albums so I can't really compare it, but this probably ranks as one of their best if not their absolute best.
9.5/10

Theosophy - In the Kingdom of North (2011)
As the album title suggests, this album is very close both musically and thematically to the legendary Norwegian black metal band Immortal. In fact, one would be forgiven for thinking it's Immortal's latest album. The similarities are simply uncanny in terms of sparse, hypnotic riffage and the vocalist's Abbath-like grunting. But that doesn't mean that you cast it aside for "ripping off" another band. In fact, the music is very enjoyable and should tide Immortal fans over until their next release. Until then!
8.5/10
Ihsahn - Eremita (2012)
And here's another one of the best and most atypical black metal albums of the year. Ihsahn, of Emperor fame, almost veers off into avant-garde jazz territory with wild saxophones blaring throughout the album. He also makes some pretty catchy tunes (i.e. The Paranoid). It's an amazingly diverse and brilliantly crafted album that may just be his best solo album to date.
9.5/10
 
Mors Principium Est - ...and Death Said Live (2012)
More Finnish metal this year? Yup, and it's unsurprisingly quite good. I haven't listened to this band before this album, but I'm a fan now. They mix melodeath with thrash which adds a whole lot of aggression to the catchiness of the songs. Not much else to say other than that it's a very solid release with tight songwriting and that it's definitely one to check out.
9/10
Lustmord - The Place Where the Black Stars Hang (1994)
This album is not just dark; it's suffocatingly, unfathomably dark. It's like drifting aimlessly through the most desolate reaches of space without any hope of rescue. Lustmord is undeniably the king of dark ambient, and I have yet to hear any one else who can make pure electronic darkness like this.
9.5/10

Paysage d'Hiver - Winterkalte (2001)
This one-man band creates some of the bleakest, most desolate music I've ever heard. One truly gets the feeling of standing outside in the wilderness during a blizzard in the night. He manages to capture the primal essence of the winter landscape and reproduce it sonically. There's hardly any melody to speak of and his screams meld right into the wall of guitars and chilling ambience. It's an incredibly ambitious and imaginative feat, and it's one of the most notable black metal albums I've listened to yet.
9.5/10
 
Falkenbach - Heralding (2005)
Here's a pretty good blackened folk metal album that bears a good deal of resemblance to the one-man Viking metal band Bathory. The atmosphere and imagery are great and though some of the songs can be overly repetitive at times, it's very much still worth listening to.
8.5/10

 
Darkspace - Dark Space I (2003)
This has to be one of my favorite ambient atmospheric black metal releases yet. Dark ambient sounds are surrounded by a thick wall of guitars, drums, and shrieks. It's quite easy to imagine oneself falling into a black hole while listening to this. It's ugly, desolate, and violent but it's simply incredible music.
9.5/10
 
Summoning - Stronghold (1999)
Well this is a pretty interesting find. Who thought classical music would go so well with atmospheric black metal? Actually, it sounds really good even on paper, and even better in its execution. This album is epic and has a medieval feel. It's very hypnotic as the band like to take things slow and gradually develop their pieces. One could easily imagine this music in an alternate soundtrack for Lord of the Rings or Skyrim. I'll definitely be coming back to this band for more.
9/10
Elderwind - Волшебство живой природы (2012)
The album title means "The Magic of Nature" in Russian, and it is another fine example of ambient atmospheric black metal. It's a lot closer to regular atmospheric black metal than the last album I reviewed, but it's still gorgeous nonetheless. I really don't keep up at all on the Russian metal scene so it was pretty awesome to find this gem by chance. This might one of the best albums in the genre.
9/10
 

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Basarabian Hills - A Breath of the Wide Valley (2012)
Well it's not everyday that you hear about Moldovan metal, but these Moldovans are here to offer some of the most exotic black metal you'll hear. It's mostly beautiful ambient with very subtle guitar work underneath along with some utterly unearthly vocals. If you ever needed proof that metal can be beautiful then this should be more than enough.
9.5/10

Omnium Gatherum - New World Shadows (2011)
After ignoring this album for quite a while, I finally listened to it and boy is it great. They sound a whole lot like Insomnium (they're Finnish too) except they do that band's sound a little better (at least I think so). There's tons of melodies, heavy riffage, gut-wrenching vocals and moments of sheer beauty. This album pretty much has everything a melodeath fan could want.
9.5/10
 
Quadrivium - Methocha (2012)
If you're a fan of Arcturus (the well-known Norwegian avant-garde black metal band) then you should have no problem liking this. Like Arcturus, it's very epic with ICS Vortex-esque clean vocals, melodic/classical sections, and fast-paced BM aggression. Definitely another one of underground metal's best kept secrets.
9/10
 
Blackguard - Firefight (2011)
If you like Children of Bodom, then this should be right up your alley. Lots of epic melodies/symphonic stuff and great riffs. This is a very enjoyable melodeath album.
9/10
 
Before the Dawn - Rise of the Phoenix (2012)
In case you didn't know, Before the Dawn are a fairly popular melodeath band from Finland and they sound like a mix of Dark Tranquility and Insomnium. This is a pretty good release with some awesome Finnish atmosphere and very solid riffs. It's nothing that reinvents the wheel, but it's a pretty fun listen for sure.
8.5/10
 
Kuolemanlaakso - Uljas Uusi Maailma (2012)
Mikko Kotamaki (of Swallow the Sun and Barren Earth fame) is at it again with a new project that blends black, death and doom all in one package. It is quite remarkable that he can do both death growls and black shrieks so amazingly well. Not many other extreme vocalists possess such a talent. The music is pretty straightforward, especially compared to Barren Earth. There's plenty of headbanging to be had, but there is a bit of subtlety here and there. Overall, it's a pretty interesting release for the end of the year and one that fans of Kotamaki's other projects won't be disappointed in.
8.5/10