Streaming HERE. I dig it. A slightly more produced version of early Darkthrone and Mayhem with more speed and fury. Full review HERE.

This is so cliche and lacking anything fresh yet I can't help but enjoy it to at least some degree. The opening track has some pretty nifty riffing, I just wish this band would try to use their obvious song-writing skill to actually create something different and give themselves an identity beyond "oh yeah this sounds like late 90's black metal with modern production".

Written by flightoficarus on 30.03.2015 at 16:45

Full review HERE.

"Innovation: 8"

Lol. Have you ever given anything below that?

I agree with Alex, bar perhaps the bit about enjoying it. I can't see the point of the existence of this. I suppose it reminds me that I quite like Funeral Winds, but that's about it. I could just listen to 'Koude haat' instead.

Written by [user id=4365] on 29.09.2015 at 22:58

Written by flightoficarus on 30.03.2015 at 16:45

Full review HERE.

"Innovation: 8"

Lol. Have you ever given anything below that?

I agree with Alex, bar perhaps the bit about enjoying it. I can't see the point of the existence of this. I suppose it reminds me that I quite like Funeral Winds, but that's about it. I could just listen to 'Koude haat' instead.

Given that my scores are an "add together, divide by 3" situation, I don't usually rate innovation below a 7. 7 on that scale means it's average, more of what we have heard, like a C in school. Sometimes I will give an extra point if I feel this is a step forward for the band. In this case, I think this album is a big improvement in Corpus Christii's sound. Is it the next big thing in BM? Absolutely not. Everything on this album has been done before. That being said, I still enjoyed it imensely in its energy. Again, just my opinion. I can see why a lot of other people could care less about this particular record. I was very excited about it at the time and still enjoy it, but it's not in my top 25 of the year.

Written by flightoficarus on 29.09.2015 at 23:33


Given that my scores are an "add together, divide by 3" situation, I don't usually rate innovation below a 7. 7 on that scale means it's average, more of what we have heard, like a C in school. Sometimes I will give an extra point if I feel this is a step forward for the band. In this case, I think this album is a big improvement in Corpus Christii's sound. Is it the next big thing in BM? Absolutely not. Everything on this album has been done before. That being said, I still enjoyed it imensely in its energy. Again, just my opinion. I can see why a lot of other people could care less about this particular record.

Then why have a scale that includes ratings from 1 - 6? Seems a bit pointless to me

And that's "couldn't care less" not "could care less." The latter makes no sense, innit.

Written by [user id=4365] on 29.09.2015 at 23:36

Then why have a scale that includes ratings from 1 - 6? Seems a bit pointless to me

And that's "couldn't care less" not "could care less." The latter makes no sense, innit.

Grammar nazi . As for the scores, it makes sense in a convoluted sort of way. This is turning into more of a PM, but in short, I WOULD rate albums on that 1-6 range on the other 2 scales. But in order to properly weight the OVERALL score so that it doesn't get pulled down, that scale has to also be 1-10. I might score a 6 or lower if the album sounds exactly like another band but is still quite enjoyable (I can't remember the name, but there was a Norma Jean clone like that earlier this year).

In addition, I have made a point to make Metal Trenches different in that I do not do negative reviews there. The sole purpose is to give a positive platform to promote lesser-known acts and a few that are known but I just am passionate about. So there are albums I would rate in the 1-6 range on all 3 scales this year, you just won't find reviews because they don't fit the mission statement and I just don't have time with all of the awesome promos I've been sifting through to waste time on a 5/6. Make at least some sense?

Then what's the point of including a rating system on your website if all the scores are positives?

Written by flightoficarus on 29.09.2015 at 23:49


Grammar nazi . As for the scores, it makes sense in a convoluted sort of way. This is turning into more of a PM, but in short, I WOULD rate albums on that 1-6 range on the other 2 scales. But in order to properly weight the OVERALL score so that it doesn't get pulled down, that scale has to also be 1-10. I might score a 6 or lower if the album sounds exactly like another band but is still quite enjoyable (I can't remember the name, but there was a Norma Jean clone like that earlier this year).

In addition, I have made a point to make Metal Trenches different in that I do not do negative reviews there. The sole purpose is to give a positive platform to promote lesser-known acts and a few that are known but I just am passionate about. So there are albums I would rate in the 1-6 range on all 3 scales this year, you just won't find reviews because they don't fit the mission statement and I just don't have time with all of the awesome promos I've been sifting through to waste time on a 5/6. Make at least some sense?

Not really a grammar issue, more of a plain, old getting idioms wrong situation

Well I've always maintained that reviews should stay as far away from arbitrary numbers (i.e. all numbers outside of quantitative ones) as humanly possible, and your explanation seems like another nail in the coffin for that, especially so If you're doing a blog that only does positive stuff. While on the topic I don't get the point of having a rating for musicianship either. Firstly because that suggests that more technical music is inherently better than lesser so stuff, which isn't true, and secondly because everything put on an album is probably done so piecemeal through multiple recording sessions. Do away with it I say. It doesn't add a thing to the review.

Written by Zap on 29.09.2015 at 23:54

Then what's the point of including a rating system on your website if all the scores are positives?

The average person only has so much time and money. The scores allow people to prioritize, assuming they agree with the score. Personally, if I am on a site that has a scale, I am much more likely to read a review for a 9-10 than something I am not familiar with that is a 7-8. Realistically, people are not going to read every single review. Though there are a few people who seem to. My focus is mostly getting the stream out there. Bands ask for a write-up and people have asked for more, so I keep doing them.

Written by flightoficarus on 29.09.2015 at 23:59

The average person only has so much time and money. The scores allow people to prioritize, assuming they agree with the score. Personally, if I am on a site that has a scale, I am much more likely to read a review for a 9-10 than something I am not familiar with that is a 7-8. Realistically, people are not going to read every single review. Though there are a few people who seem to. My focus is mostly getting the stream out there. Bands ask for a write-up and people have asked for more, so I keep doing them.

Then you're much better off doing a tl;dr paragraph at the end of the review, mentioning the genre and a rough idea of what it's like / how good it is. If I was ever to take up reviewing again it's something I would have implemented.

Written by [user id=4365] on 29.09.2015 at 23:57

Do away with it I say. It doesn't add a thing to the review.

I appreciate the feedback, and I have actually considered it. Personally, I care less about the number than how I present my overall impression and just getting people to listen for themselves. However, as much as we can agree that numbers can be quite arbitrary when applied to creative realms, they provide a sense of comfort, familiarity, and personality that people are drawn to. I can admit guilt to being actually physically turned off by the reviews here that do not have a rating attached to them, even though when it is there I am not that focused on it. So really, the scales fit my own personality in how I rate the music and most of the reviewers seem to appreciate that. I am still open to getting rid of them, but we have some more important additions we are working on right now.

Written by flightoficarus on 30.09.2015 at 00:04

I appreciate the feedback, and I have actually considered it. Personally, I care less about the number than how I present my overall impression and just getting people to listen for themselves. However, as much as we can agree that numbers can be quite arbitrary when applied to creative realms, they provide a sense of comfort, familiarity, and personality that people are drawn to. I can admit guilt to being actually physically turned off by the reviews here that do not have a rating attached to them, even though when it is there I am not that focused on it. So really, the scales fit my own personality in how I rate the music and most of the reviewers seem to appreciate that. I am still open to getting rid of them, but we have some more important additions we are working on right now.

I'd say keep it simple then. I can see the usefulness in numbers for cataloguing purposes, but do a simple, overall, out of 5, or out of 10 system. I don't think complicating it with categories and .5s is necessary when you have a decent amount of text next to it.

Written by [user id=4365] on 30.09.2015 at 00:09

I'd say keep it simple then. I can see the usefulness in numbers for cataloguing purposes, but do a simple, overall, out of 5, or out of 10 system. I don't think complicating it with categories and .5s is necessary when you have a decent amount of text next to it.

New plan. All albums rated from "Killer" to "Righteous" :-P "3 out of 3 Spicoli's"

Written by flightoficarus on 30.09.2015 at 00:12

New plan. All albums rated from "Killer" to "Righteous" :-P "3 out of 3 Spicoli's"

I would dig a scale like that. Something that doesn't take itself too seriously. Even make a unique scale for each album.

I would give this album here 2 and a half dead corpse-painted black metallers out of 5.

...or you could write something funny and witty like I just didn't.

Written by [user id=4365] on 30.09.2015 at 00:17

I would dig a scale like that. Something that doesn't take itself too seriously. Even make a unique scale for each album.

I would give this album here 2 and a half dead corpse-painted black metallers out of 5.

...or you could write something funny and witty like I just didn't.

lol nice. Part of it is going to depend on what my web-developer buddy is willing to do. Neither of us are paid, and his job is harder than mine. Coding is definitely not in my skill set. But it IS a good idea. I'll keep it in my back pocket for safe keeping.