I could not agree more with you on this. Having said that though, the entire album is well worth checking out.

A quick thought; for those reviewing the next track, could you please put up the band and song for those of us who want to read the short review first? Just a suggestion is all...

I'm with legend maker on this as well, I find this to be a great thread idea. I would like to see it rival the Now Playing thread!

The Gloominus Doom - Portal Potty

Gods I hated this. There is nothing wrong with the musicianship of this track though at all - they clearly know their way around their respective instruments, I can find no fault with that. My problem lies with the unsettling mixture of Ska (shudder) and metal...of sorts. The whole shebang is one big joke, which is fine, if you're into that sort of thing...but for me, I find it laughably terrible.

Which leads me to this...

I really like the experimentation of the band and the mix of ska and metal but, there's other bands out there doing it better. Average at best
5/10
Now for me... Arkhon Infaustus- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-skHTjG-zlQ

Master-Cut Through The Filth

Was that a flute in that song? Anyways, somewhat above average old school thrashy death metal. Nothing spectacular, but enjoyable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tV-sZaXBAE

Indeed it was squire

It's a very good song with solid riffs and great leads with good vocals. Of course, this is heathen so I wouldn't expect anything less from them anyway. Very enjoyable indeed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh7pKvpU3Q4

Gonin-ish Kyoumon Kukoin Shintoi:

A flare for the dramatic, maybe? What on earth just happend to me? I don't even know if I enjoyed this song. At first i thought the music was confused and didn't know what genre to put itself in, but then came a girl singer and some really nice instrumentation. Overall, the main vocals (not the girl singer or the chants) annoyed me. But there was something cool here. It was very VIDEO GAME. So Three out of five stars or

70%

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfxrlXdYe9s

Misfits - Dig Up Her Bones

Hey look, a bit of punk to spice up the afternoon. Catchy stuff - very melodic. I enjoy listening to sing-along stuff like this, and punk rock generally has a good energy. This song certainly did. However, with the lyrical themes that Misfits songs have, you'd expect music that is a little less happy. Not a bad thing necessarily, but it is very incongruous.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8ywTPvgilE

Leprous - Waste of Air

Considering some of the members of this band, I've tried to get into them before but just haven't been able to. This new album, I heard a few tracks but couldn't help shake the thought of what I heard someone else refer to them as, which was a "Progressive Korn." Surprisingly though I enjoyed this song, and wouldn't have even recognized it as Leprous until the clean vocals. Avant garde elements were used to great effect, and the beginning and ending of the song is particularly headbanging heavy. That might have been enough for me to try them out again.

Here's a classic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGefg8F9 ... ideo_title

That actually sounds like complete crap and the safe electro beats and random samples, but everything Ulver did after Nattens is complete dogshit so its to be expected.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOmj18lF1pM

Love the production by my countrymen. Very energetic war metal, great riffs and semi-"sloppy" attitude music wise which is par for this kind of music, love it

Falls Of Rauros - To Witness Existence As A Subseviant Entity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FV8wDeKv80

I really tried, but the song felt waaaay to stretched out. It felt like Daylight Dies used black metallish vocals, doubled the songlength. The production is sub-par and it sounds as if it doesn't know whether it wants to be black metal or MDM. The song is quite varied, though, and at the 4:00 and 7:30 marks it was quite good.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZWVv-RD ... re=related

This is a very good idea for a thread and I hope it sticks around with minimal trolling.


I like The Berzerker, but I can't particularly listen to them all the time. "Cancer" is one of the better songs on Animosity, with the catchy opening riff. Reminds me that I haven't heard this band in a while, so I should bring them out again.

Red Harvest - "Mutant"

Yes, I think it'd be ideal. If the person posting the link for review includes the name, it spoils the surprise for the reviewer (I try to apply a strict wheel-click rule, so that the YT link opens in a separate tab and stays in the background). Once reviewed, it's good to have the band and song name for those who read the review; it also minimize the risk of confusion and of skipping one's submitted track.

Which leads me to this track no one reviewed:

I generally dislike sections with speech atop the music, especially with echo or other stylish effects; this intro is no exception (thankfully it's short). This song is a pretty decent, albeit very standard, tremolo-picked black metal riff; it conveys a sense of grandeur, dreaminess and danger effectively, but it's not worth repeating for 3:40 with only minimal vocal, drums and effects variations. Said other elements are fine, and individually well-produced, but the mix is a massive failure in my book: feels like the sound engineer pushed all the tracks through a funnel and voilà! here's your sonic mashed potatoes. Not good.

I'll review Mikey's track as well to avoid disrupting the thread's momentum:

I'm decidedly not a fan of the flushing toilet vocals effect, and I must say it sucks even more on this mindbogglingly basic pop-rock-disguised-as-metal/punk number as it did on the pornogrind I recently discovered it from. The one siren-like note nagging in the background throughout the song doesn't help; neither does the whole minute of gratuitous feedback at the end. The 2'30'' of actual song consists of an offensively boring, palm-muted basic rock 'n' roll riff with a stock vocal line for a verse, and an unnecessarily loud, sugar-coated chorus that would do Bullet For My Valentine proud. What subgenre of metal is this supposed to represent, exactly? Horrible.

My turn again:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q30fARgHPUI

Theriomorphic -Theriomorphic

There is something I greatly enjoy about this, and something that strikes me as quite average. I really like the melodic lead guitars - they are fun, but there is something slightly off about them. It's like there are a few notes I really want them to hit that would make the song great that they don't hit - particularly in the main riff. The vocals are decent enough. I love the clean sections. It's a very catchy song with a lot of energy and conviction, I just wish there were a few extra notes in there. Hard to explain.

Next:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf7lBnSh ... re=related

Coldworld - Tortured By Solitude

I was slightly disappointed with "Melancholie²", because the previous EP seemed more varied to me, but Coldworld's debut album is of course still good. "Tortured By Solitude" comes up with some nice suicidal violin tune, that drives the song forward and is only interrupted for some hymn-like keyboard sequence. The vocals come from beneath the thick guitar tone and sound a bit otherworldly, yet not with level of insanity encountered in Xasthur songs. Like all other songs, this one sets you in the right depressive mood, but the violin theme is dragged on a bit too long for my taste.

Next one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_hjAySWToY

Cloak of Altering - I Diabolus, Fallen and Vengeful

Gosh, I hate to say this, but...I really struggled to get any sort of enjoyment out of this at all. Some cool booming and crashing noises happening around the halfway mark. Is this supposed to be metal? I can't even tell. Practically all I can make out is loud synth string patches and vocals. I think there are some drum sounds pattering away somewhere but they could almost just as well be more samples. There might be some guitar, but it's not playing anything noteworthy. I'm not anti-synth in the slightest but that was overkill bombast of the sort that would make latter-day Emperor raise eyebrows.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8m4bmJkckY

Let's see...

Cloak of Altering - I Diabolus, Fallen and Vengeful

Strange filtered vocals, mostly blasting drums which were really out of place whenever they appeared, interesting riffs and creative basswork. I'm a big fan of avant-garde stuff but this just couldn't click with me.

EDIT: Seems like my review was a bit too late. Well here's what I think of the Joyless song: The really tinny production makes it hard to hear the guitar, but from what I can hear (when the drums slow down), they have some good riffs. The music seems to be more bass-driven anyways. Sounds like a more upbeat VBE, if you will. Vocals, clean and harsh, are alright but not really outstanding.

Here's some Zigoku Quartet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9i3zzxYai0
(Why have I been posting Japanese bands so many times...?)

Yeah, you need to be able to crank the bass so you can hear the magnificent driving melodies/rhythm created by said instrument in this song. It's true that the drums drown out the guitars a bit in the blasting parts. One of my favourite "outsider" BM songs from Norway. I wouldn't have thought of the VBE comparison but it's not far off.

Zigoku Quartet - Tsumi To Batsu No

Cool! Reminds me of the Gargoyle I have heard, both having similar vocals and a kind of schizophrenic prog/pop/thrash feel. Love the little "let's go!!" type noise the vocalist makes after the intro riff. Nice bass solo. Production is a little raw on the drums, which I like. Not necessarily big on the vocals generally but they don't put me off. Leads all over the place, some melody..probably a good live band. Have to say I like this best when it's full-on speedy.

Let's stick with Japan then, shall we?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00ld6oUyxYc

Fatima Hill - Very cool melodic stuff. Almost sounding like Coheed in some parts, but the beginning reminds me of mid-era Rotting Christ with Candlemass-esque power metal vocals. Not really my thing in terms of what I listen to often, but the riffs were pretty neat and the chorus was very catchy. Turned up the bass a bit though 7/10

We'll stay in the east!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuRd_Q43 ... re=related

Yeah, good idea, the basslines are actually pretty nice and even a bit funky! INteresting comparisons; they make me think of Rainbow for the 1990s really. Shame they don't seem to have recorded much. BTW the singer is female...normally wouldn't even bother pointing this out but I would never have guessed it from listening to most of their music. She does sing softly on occasion but she has a very big voice when she delivers with all her lung power.


Coffins-mortuary in darkness

I really wasn't in the mood for them at MDF 2010 I guess, because their set nearly put me to sleep, but I seem to be right now, because I enjoyed that. Hypnotising, dark, slowww...loved the Celtic Frost-ish chugging mid-section. Not sure if it's just youtube quality but the drums have a weak slappy sound to them. THe song doesn't overstay its welcome and when they return to the slow crawl it sounds very evil.

Sticking a bit with the mood, then:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kah6jiXmkTA

Sorrow-Unjustified Reluctance

The intro started the song off on an interesting note but tedium soon set in as I feel that there wasn't enough going on for the ten minute duration of the song. There are a few moments at odd intervals when the guitarist has a good and heavier chugging riff, but these aren't too often and it goes back to that boring main riff. The vocals are strong though he sounds like a mixture of John Tardy's lower harsher vocals and a more intense Chuck Shuldiner, but other than that I don't imagine I'd spin that album very often, even though I love the coverart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sRsNkHmIYg

Wait, what? Haha, had no idea. Dang, you nailed it about how she just explodes. Thought it was definitely a dude, but not in any bad sense.

Sorrow - Unjustified Reluctance

Superb cover art. I enjoyed the tone and production, right down my alley, though a shade less crushing than I would have liked. I have to agree with the poster above me. Good riffs, decent lyrics, good ideas throughout, but it's a track that should've been half the length it is. I know very few songs that clock in at over 8 minutes and actually make their stay 100% worthwhile. Nonetheless, for what it is, it's certainly not horrible by any stretch, but it is tedious.

Been stuck in my head for days now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLxNEoshOVg

[quote="jocksandjazz"]Sorrow - Unjustified Reluctance

Superb cover art. I enjoyed the tone and production, right down my alley, though a shade less crushing than I would have liked. I have to agree with the poster above me. Good riffs, decent lyrics, good ideas throughout, but it's a track that should've been half the length it is. I know very few songs that clock in at over 8 minutes and actually make their stay 100% worthwhile. Nonetheless, for what it is, it's certainly not horrible by any stretch, but it is tedious.

Strange...never really thought that track was ten minutes long! Suppose I could have picked one of the shorter ones. I really love that record..riffs and production are just ace and I love the jumps into sudden quick Slayer-like bursts. It is the last on the album, hence the synth outro. Probably works better in the context of the record.

Hey Abom, is Aion your preferred Fatima Hill album? Is the debut worthwhile? Neither one look particularly difficult to get ahold of and I like the idea of a Japanese prog/power band with strong Rainbow influence.

It's the only one I've got. Would love to grab their first someday. Yeah, it's quite good man...just beware, it can get a bit poppy...but it's pretty unique and there are a few bad-ass songs like the one I posted. And holy hell, that singer....it's cool that there are women with such brassy, powerful voices in metal that nobody talks about or goes ga-ga over all the time just because they're ladies. Though perhaps I'm doing that right now...hmm...

Just found this band and i thought i'd share in there amazingness(is that a word?) Tell me what you think
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnpxRKzF ... re=related

There are as yet two un-addressed songs above you; you should at least review one before posting this song.

Generic, weedly, clicky modern tech death garbage. Not worth anything more than the studio production job where it was mass produced, stamped, packaged, and will be left to rot on some tech death kids shelf (if they even buy cds anymore). Its complete crap like all of the other newer tech death bands polluting the scene.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X501e_wz ... re=related

Not bad, I love the Septic Flesh that I have heard and this makes me want to check out their earlier albums. The guitars were good, and the vocals were pretty good as well. The ending of the song was pretty good, but it sounded like it may have cut out a second or two early, but I don't know if that's because of the youtube video or if the song transitions into the next song on the album. The keyboards were also a fantastic addition to the song, they gave it an eerie feeling towards the end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7jVVBn9s6w

Argus - Durrendal

I liked the guitar tone; it sounded really present and powerful, though drum sound could have been deeper. The instruments and vocals all seemed to work together well. I was a bit worried about the length, but the song never became boring. I think I'll check out some more of this band.

Next song (though there are two more others posted that haven't been reviewed):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay9Hw8GOPiY

Yo guys, if you want this to work; if you're not the one to review a song above you, don't post a new one. Quote the songs that still need to be reviewed instead of just piling them up.

Indeed. Well, with this kind of thread we're bound to have a few posters reviewing the same song at once now and then, but for it to work in the long run, it's important not to overlook any post durably. Wouldn't hurt to practice what you preach, though.

EDIT: Wait a minute, now I'm even more confused... The "two not-yet-reviewed songs" were actually reviewed already? Hmm, yeah we really need to be careful to note what's being reviewed in each post.

Anyhow, here goes:


The 14'52'' clock scared me at first, as even a genuine epic can often hurt its own cause with such an abusive length, and this is by no means an epic. But no, it clocks in at an already overlong 7'22'', the rest is silence. Anyhow, ridiculous name for a band (or is it just in France that "the Argus" is the official second-hand cars' price guide?). Okay, excellent and authentic singer (who's that guy, and why isn't he fronting a major PM band right now?) and not an nth fucking falsetto to boot. Energetic 80's-spirited power/heavy metal with strong and clear Maiden, Omen, Manowar etc. influences; good if not stellar musicianship; okay production. This song is a bit too happy-happy-wanna-groove-and-party-coz-we-got-the-metals-you-know to my taste, and the songwriting isn't too personal either, but it's enjoyable enough that I might suspect a proper gem or two from that band. Awesome singer. Potentially good band. Okay song.

Sorry for the borderline length; song called for it (and yet I held back riff details and such).


Stupid movie/speech/other BS cuts for intros ought to be forbidden by now; when Carcass did it 20 years ago it was already mildly annoying. Oh, you're going to be a fucking awesome song and grab me by the balls immediately thereafter, then? That'll teach me, I guess. Damn, where to begin? This sounds like the illegitimate child of classic Bolt Thrower and classic Entombed, in the best possible way, and oh shit... it's alive! Derivative as fuck but kick-ass and authentic as hell. Delicious old school death metal! Thank you, Sir.

My turn (let's take a portal to another musical realm altogether):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYPOCKJR1UE

I believe to make these threads work continuity needs to be strictly enforced. I edited a post because someone beat me to the song above (and then there was a third person reviewing the same song ). If your post breaks continuity, it's invalid and should play no part in the continuation of the game.

I agree with you, but someone needs to be keeping track. I've just read the whole page again, and despite Sorrow - "Unjustified Reluctance" being reviewed like 4-5 times, I'm still unclear on where we're at.

Anything prior to page 3 notwithstanding, and only counting links submitted by folks who did review something in the process, and sadly renouncing the "don't spoil the surprise" principle at least for now, I can see that:

arp12 posted Cholera - Road Into the Fire no one reviewed yet;

jackwestjr posted Repugnant - Premature Burial no one reviewed yet;

I posted Wuthering Heights - Hunter In The Dark no one reviewed yet either.

Are there more skipped posts within continuity?

Let's do a catch-up

Cholera - Road Into the Fire (arp12)

Awesome opening and the guitar work throughout the song is fantastic. However, the vocal melodies were just shite. Luckily, clean vocals are generally avoided. Hell, the entire song is very light on vocals overall, which is great, considering how great the riffs and leads are. Overall, I need to look into this band.

Repugnant - Premature Burial (jackwestjr)

Thrashy death metal song here. Can't say I'm a fan of heavy without much melody, so the first main riff in this song wasn't very enjoyable for me, but the song quickly improved. More melody, but still very intense. Vocals are alright, but nothing special. Apparently it's the guy from Ghost. But unfortunately, the song doesn't really bring anything new to the table. Nothing particularly unique to it that would bring me back.

Joyless - Blå Melankoli (Abominatrix)

Ahh, black metal, the bane of my existence. So you know my stance on black metal, I have only heard a few bands in the genre that I like, and they generally avoid the lo-fi production. Anyway, on to this song. While the volume on everything is way down on the ground, and the sound is tinny, remarkably, guitar tone isn't like buzzsaw, and bass is audible. There were some interesting bass lines going on in this song. It's a very melodic song and seems to be more rock than metal at times, especially with the drumming. Vocals needed to be brought up in the mix some more. Overall, while I really didn't like how the song started, it grew on me over the course of the song.

Wuthering Heights - Hunter In the Dark

Straight from the first riff, we can see where this is going - to the land of fantasy that is power metal! Essential to the genre is a catchy chorus that you can sing along to. However, the chorus for this song underwhelmed me. After such triumphant riffing and singing in the verses, for the singer to not unleash the power in the chorus is just disappointing. Didn't find the song particularly interesting.

Not going to review the song that came without a review.
We should be all caught up now, unless I missed a song, but here's the next one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31bSS2iU4zk

Guess I'll review this one.

What we have here is a pretty solid song, the clean vocals are pretty epic in a harrowing-chant kind of way, and the harsh ones remind me a lot of Eternal Oath, but they don't really work because they are buried under the guitar in the mix. The guitar player is pretty good, everything he does in the song is pretty djent-y, but his work, all 9 minutes and 25 seconds of it, is pretty repetitive and it starts to get old about 5 minutes into the song. Overall, this isn't so bad, if I'm in the mood for something a little different, I'll be sure to come back to this.

I was going to post a new song, but the guy above me beat me to it

Liked quite a bit, it flowed wonderfully, definitely something I could get into. Especially if the album stuck to having tight compositions with little filler. Hopefully with some songs based more around the instruments then vocals as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyAYnfWcolY

Trom - Dead Prophets

Funny, I was just having a conversation the other day about chorus pedals. I sort of liked the vibe going on in this one until the vocals kicked in. The low-pitched ones had a cool ambiance but never really sounded like what the band was going for, if that makes any sense. This track sort of sounds like Crash Test Dummies covering Nirvana by way of Killing Joke, a little bit. I guess I'd be interested in hearing more by the band, but this one didn't really do it for me.

Here's mine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G5IRaRcU8o