First of all, thank you for the indirect recommendation of Desolate Shrine, they play, indeed, rather well-done death metal. I quite enjoy it!

Apparently, you're requesting death metal of the so-called atmospheric variant: dark, heavy, varied, and (but not overtly) melodic. While I haven't heard Sonne Adam, after a few samples of Desolate Shrine's music, I can see why you're not too fond of Necros Christos as a allegedly similar act. I'll give it a try!

First of all (again), I recommend to you three other acts from Finnland, namely Demigod, Purtenance and Sentenced, of which especially the former is one of the most lasting influences on death metal's takes on the creation of a foreboding, somber atmosphere (I am referring to their 1992 debut album, "Slumber of Sullen Eyes"; they've since reformed in the early 2000's and have released two further albums, but I haven't listened to either of them). Purtenance and Sentenced (again, I am referring only to both bands' debut albums, "Member of Immortal Damnation" resp. "Shadows of Past", especially Sentenced have changed style drastically over the years) are similar to Demigod in their emphasis on melody and mood, although both lean far more towards typical Scandinavian death metal stylistically; but they retain the less aggressive, more atmospheric feel and varied song-structure.

Demigod - "Slumber of Sullen Eyes": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BefcpGAJsHQ

Purtenance - "Black Vision": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-oHAeLGR4w

Sentenced - "When the Moment of Death Arrives": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL4Xs34R3mk

Then there's Impetuous Ritual from Australia, who do quite remind me of Desolate Shrine, although they have none of the yearning atmosphere of Desolate Shrine's music, instead opting for a darker, more "occult" and "ritualistic" approach to their death metal (this probably puts them closer to Sonne Adam and Necros Christos, but do give them a try).

Impetuous Ritual - "Ritual of the Crypt": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3o0kPvFFlI

Mythic from the US are more of a traditional death metal outfit, less musically refined and complex, more primitive and bludgeoning, but they definitely create an eerie, dark atmosphere totally unique to their sound.

Mythic - "Winter Solstice": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF9M0vetBB0

Excoriate from Germany have a strong, but balanced (traditional) black metal influence to their style which shows most prominently in their sense of melody.

Excoriate - "Voice of Damnation / On Pestilent Winds ...": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXLK1QneyJ8

Also, again in reference to the Sonne Adam and Necros Christos recommendations you've mentioned, give Mefitic from Italy a try, you might enjoy them more than the aforementioned bands: http://mefitic.bandcamp.com/

Does anyone know of good (european style) American death or progressive/melodic death? from what i've heard, american bands tend to favor rhythm and heaviness while melody takes a back seat. European bands like Dark Tranquility, Opeth, Empereror (Black but still good), early in flames, etc. are the kinds of bands i'm looking for. i also prefer higher pitch vocals over the loxer gutteral style. Death is pretty much the only american death metal band i've heard and enjoyed. i know this is kinda vague but any help is appreciated.

Hi, I'm looking for some technical death metal with some experimental or progressive qualities.
I know a lot of tech death is full of "soulless wankery" which I enjoy, but I'm looking for something that adds to that with some real song structure...or even lack of structure like something highly experimental. hope this isn't too vague.

Hi, I'm looking for some technical death metal with some experimental or progressive qualities.
I know a lot of tech death is full of "soulless wankery" which I enjoy, but I'm looking for something that adds to that with some real song structure...or even lack of structure like something highly experimental. hope this isn't too vague.

Anyone have any recommendations for, what is apparently best labeled as, "brutal technical death metal". Stuff like Fleshgod Apocalypse, Aeon, and Bloodbath(The Peter Tagtgren one only, can't really get into the other albums). I really like the productions on these things and the drums always sound really nice, and the vocals should hopefully be as clear as possible while still being a good growl, I don't stuff like Septic Flesh for comparison, the vocals sound to nasally. Also somewhat related but has anyone heard the new Aeon album, listening to it right now and it kicks major ass.

Bloodbath isn't even remotely technical brutal dm. You're looking for stuff like Nile, Aborted, Demilich, Dying Fetus, and to some extent Origin, Gorguts, Vile and Decrepit Birth.

Bloodbath isn't even remotely technical brutal dm. You're looking for stuff like Nile, Aborted, Demilich, Dying Fetus, and to some extent Origin, Gorguts, Vile and Decrepit Birth.

The easy recommendation would be Hour Of Penance. The hard one would be Scrambled Defuncts.

Anyone have any recommendations for, what is apparently best labeled as, "brutal technical death metal". Stuff like Fleshgod Apocalypse, Aeon, and Bloodbath(The Peter Tagtgren one only, can't really get into the other albums). I really like the productions on these things and the drums always sound really nice, and the vocals should hopefully be as clear as possible while still being a good growl, I don't stuff like Septic Flesh for comparison, the vocals sound to nasally. Also somewhat related but has anyone heard the new Aeon album, listening to it right now and it kicks major ass.

Might as well also add, I kind of also want some good melo-death as well. I don't know much about the genre but I do enjoy things like Dethklok(come on, the new album is pretty damn good) and This Ending. I know the genres aren't really the same but I like it. Give me some good melo-death please?

Might as well also add, I kind of also want some good melo-death as well. I don't know much about the genre but I do enjoy things like Dethklok(come on, the new album is pretty damn good) and This Ending. I know the genres aren't really the same but I like it. Give me some good melo-death please?

and well, I get more excited about finding oldschool releases and am skeptical about anything that is new

I feel we live in the era of "have your cake and eat it too" metal, you want Exodus riffs with Carcass vocals? 5 bands got you covered. You Autopsy with more extended Incantation like passages, there's 15 of them getting signed right now. There doesn't seem to be much that sticks out, there's bands that copy other bands so good it's like they're trying to devalue the originals. There's fucking good albums coming out every week but I want something great and unique.

What is a new death metal album that has blown your mind?

I feel we live in the era of "have your cake and eat it too" metal, you want Exodus riffs with Carcass vocals? 5 bands got you covered. You Autopsy with more extended Incantation like passages, there's 15 of them getting signed right now. There doesn't seem to be much that sticks out, there's bands that copy other bands so good it's like they're trying to devalue the originals. There's fucking good albums coming out every week but I want something great and unique.

What is a new death metal album that has blown your mind?

you want Exodus riffs with Carcass vocals? 5 bands got you covered.

Might as well also add, I kind of also want some good melo-death as well. I don't know much about the genre but I do enjoy things like Dethklok(come on, the new album is pretty damn good) and This Ending. I know the genres aren't really the same but I like it. Give me some good melo-death please?

Mors Principium Est is some really fast melo-death with electronics. Dethklok has some nice leads and This Ending has some nice electronics, so this has both, but it doesn't really sound like either.
Blood Stain Child has lots of electronic and Japanese influence.
Echidna falls into the incredible leads directory, and has a thrash influence. Please note the song I linked is only four and a half minutes long.
I second Disarmonia Mundi. Gatherum started an awesome thread for this very thing, and many of the bands I mentioned are likely on that thread as well as a bunch of others.

Might as well also add, I kind of also want some good melo-death as well. I don't know much about the genre but I do enjoy things like Dethklok(come on, the new album is pretty damn good)

Heh, this is pretty fun. Pity the show is so boring.

im looking for stuff similar to later Origin. You know the hyper technical , hyper fast, percussive dark atmopsheric DM with the sweeps etc and the varied vocals.

while many bands fit the description on paper, what sets Origin apart for me is :
- crystaline productions where you can hear every syllable, note and drum hit
- catchy songs that harken back to a more classic DM songwriting era, yet enframed within the ultra modern structure

and no, Unmerciful aint it

I love Deadly Remains' newest album, "Severing Humanity" but I cannot stand the vocals.

Can someone rec me some brutal death just like Deadly Remains but with less guttural vocals?

Thanks in advance.

Omnihility - Biogenesis (2012). <---------if you like Origin but want something different this is the ultimate ticket.

This wasn't for me but god damn this sounds awesome. Thanks for the name drop.

Hey guys... can you please recommend me of a progressive death metal bands, which their music is similar to Dream Theater's?
I don't want really similar to DT, but, im looking for prog death metal with long solos and instrumental parts.
Thanks!

Omnihility - Biogenesis (2012). <---------if you like Origin but want something different this is the ultimate ticket.

What is a new death metal album that has blown your mind?

Have you ever heard those bands from Slovakia I like so much? Early Depresy and Amorbital would fit the bill. Also you might want to check out Apophis' Heliopolis.

Don't suppose anybody could link me to some melodeth bands that have unconventional song structures/ frequently add in elements of other genres (not necessarily just other breeds of metal or symphonic parts), ye olde iPod is starting to get stale. Multi-layering keyboard players and varying vocal styles would be a bonus.