I am fairly sure that the world in 1970, precisely 50 years ago, wasn't ready for Ian Gillan's screams in "Child In Time". Or for most things else in "Child In Time" for that matter. Or for Ritchie Blackmore's galloping guitars in "Hard Lovin' Man". Or Jon Lord setting a new standard for using organ in heavy music. It wasn't the first Deep Purple album, but it was the first in this lineup, the one which is the reason why we even talk about Deep Purple on a metal site. There were hard rock bands before, but none of them, sans the one that literally birthed heavy metal, was as heavy as Deep Purple was on In Rock.

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Endorsed by: nikarg, ScreamingSteelUS, Auntie Sahar, Dream Taster, Milena, Daniell, Darkside Momo, Ivor, Redel

30 years ago today, Entombed taught the world what Boss HM-2 and DS-1 pedals could do to a cheap rig and, by extension, what Sweden could do for death metal. Left Hand Path was not the first death metal album recorded by a Swedish band, nor was it the first recorded by Tomas Skogsberg at the legendary Sunlight Studio, but it was arguably the first Swedish death metal album: with evil-infused hardcore punk riffs, D-beat drums, mid-range harsh vocals, and guitars so distorted they sound like two slabs of concrete being scraped together, Entombed set a trend and heralded the irruption of one of heavy metal's most iconic and influential scenes. Even though they themselves would not stay on the left-hand path for much longer, crossing over into death'n'roll, between this album and Clandestine Entombed are rightfully remembered as death metal legends. Here's to three head-kicking decades of buzzsaw guitars, strangled growls, and dark, crushing Swedeath.

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Endorsed by: Troy Killjoy, RaduP, Daniell, nikarg, BitterCOld, Abattoir, X-Ray Rod, Darkside Momo, Starvynth, Redel

Imagine a band forming in 1984 only to release their debut album in 2020. Witches Hammer throw early Slayer, Possessed and '80s Canadian hardcore punk attitude in the grinder and what comes out is spat on the face of the clean-cut, sweet-smelling, contemporary thrash.

Teenage riot music played by dudes who are well past their teenage years.

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Endorsed by: Troy Killjoy

The self-titled debut album of Dola is a fine combination of black metal, doom, drone and even some post-rock. At first sight, nothing new but everything sounds fresh and fun. Definitely an album that will make your quarantine period more pleasant... Poland did it again!

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Endorsed by: Auntie Sahar, RaduP, X-Ray Rod

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 10.07.2014 at 02:52

Still their best by miles

Marcel was right once again.
Remission is heavier than tennessine and more infectious than the coronavirus.

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Endorsed by: BitterCOld, Auntie Sahar, Troy Killjoy, ScreamingSteelUS, Ag Fox, X-Ray Rod

In memory of Sean Reinert and Marcel Hubregtse

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 19.01.2018 at 01:43

So superior to anything they did afterwards it isn't even funny anymore.

You're so right, Marcel. Happy to have enjoyed that Hellfest'07 with you!

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: nikarg, Daniell, ScreamingSteelUS, X-Ray Rod, Milena, Ag Fox, Redel, Starvynth

We all knew Marcel as a doom guy, and that's certainly the first association I have with him, but on this very site you will find a 10.0 review of this here classic thrash album (or at least the 20th anniversary reissue) from none other than Marcel himself. Personally, I've never been the biggest fan of Flotz, but Doomsday For The Deceiver is without a doubt one of the best thrash albums to come out of the 1980s, thanks to its sky-piercing vocals and riffs as monstrous as the cover art. We know which band Jason Newsted really belonged in... but that's another discussion.

The point here is that Flotsam And Jetsam were no hangers-on, but were paving the way for future thrash (and other styles) in ways the Big Four couldn't have imagined, and I paid much closer attention to this album thanks to the affection shown it by Marcel.

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Endorsed by: Daniell, nikarg, Darkside Momo, Ag Fox, X-Ray Rod, Redel

Marcel did not get to post his "Best Of 2019" list but The Eternal Dance was one of his favourites and Façade is fronted by his friend (and Phlebotomized's vocalist) Ben de Graaff.

It is a concept album about cycles, inspired by the idea that our lives and everything that surrounds us are just small motions in a larger movement; a never-ending dance that forms the Universe. One motion ends, but a new one follows up to continue the dance. One life ends, but a new life is born.

Bandcamp

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Endorsed by: BitterCOld, Troy Killjoy, Nefarious

The First "From Dutchland with Doom" package Marcel sent me a dozen years ago contained several tasty treats - Officium Triste, Ortega - and this spicy Blackened-Doom. Immediately caught my ear and along with fellow 2008 release, Esoteric's The Maniacal Vale really opened me up and piqued my interest in the harsher styles of Doom. Basically, half of what I listen to now. A bit raw, as initially a demo, is defo worth a listen.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Troy Killjoy, nikarg, Daniell, Nefarious, X-Ray Rod

The third full-length album by these Italians blends melodic death/doom metal with aerial post-rock and a touch of psychedelia. Combining deep growls with plaintive clean vocals and heavy riffs with atmospheric intersections, it showcases rawness and vulnerability in perfect balance. Mixed and mastered by Esoteric's Greg Chandler, with guest performances by members of Plateau Sigma and cover art done by none other than Costin Chioreanu, Below The Cover Of Clouds ticks all the boxes a doom metal album needs.

Let the clouds cover your dark fantasies at Bandcamp.

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Endorsed by: Abattoir

I reviewed Secrets Of The Magick Grimoire in 2017 and, though I spoke very highly of it at the time, it has since grown even greater in my esteem, not only yielding many staples of my mental power/folk metal canon but also climbing the ranks to become one of my favorite albums of all time. Reader Of The Runes - Divination is already beginning the same ascent, thanks to its unmistakable aura of high fantasy and woodland elven magic. The many, many layers of metal and traditional instrumentation and sweet-sounding vocals build a beautiful atmosphere, and the songs themselves are enchanting. Elvenking is our champion of dense, folk-heavy power metal.

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Don't listen to metal. Listen to music. You'll love this album if you do.

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Endorsed by: Ivor

It has been over a year since my last staff pick, so I decided to throw out a real corker to get my momentum going again. Li Nan is a maniac whose voice will leave you scarred for days after listening to this album. He's backed by a mash-up of nu/alt metal and Chinese elements that swings from brutal breakdowns to meditative atmosphere. VooDoo KungFu is a bizarre project - it's groovy, scary, freakish, and extreme, and all the while it's sui generis.

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These Canadians mix upbeat Hard Rock with some Doom and StonerSludge riffs and vocals very reminiscent of Alice In Chains to smash out a seven track, sub 30 minute party for your earhole. Hunt the Spacequeen on BandCamp.

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Endorsed by: ScreamingSteelUS

III is one of those albums that takes you back. Back to school? Back to the future? No, rather back to that golden era of 70s psych music where people were popping tabs in the hot Western sun and widdly diddlying on their instruments for the next 72 hours. Retro jamz done right: riff heavy, groovy, and faaaaar ouuuuut maaaan.

If you've been enjoying what bands like Weedpecker, The Re Stoned, and Samsara Blues Experiment have been up to lately, this one's for you.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Abattoir, ScreamingSteelUS, nikarg