Staff picks
Post-Metal
Exactly one year ago, post-metal "super-group" Battle Of Mice broke up. Not enough Kleenex boxes can describe the tragedy of this event, as they really could have accomplished so much more together...
To commemorate this sad anniversary, I want you to play the band's only full-length album over and over and over again, and be stunned by its many layers of sheer brilliance. Sleep and dream...
To commemorate this sad anniversary, I want you to play the band's only full-length album over and over and over again, and be stunned by its many layers of sheer brilliance. Sleep and dream...
Instrumental Post-Rock
This is an album that is as awesomely relaxing as it is uplifting. Perfectly suited for a non-metal coffee break!
Thrash! Thrash! Thrash!
Why re-invent the wheel, when you can keep it classy and old school? This is solid and entertaining thrash, with a certain old-and-thus-good Megadeth caliber. You should really give these guys a shot if you're remotely into thrash.
Black metal + hardcore punk + rock'n'roll = blackcore. Or black'n'punk'n'roll. Or something like that.
A fucking explosive beast of an album! It doesn't get more badass than this! If you can listen to "Ulvetid" (featuring Hoest of Taake) without totally flipping out, you must be quite dead already. See that green play button below? Click it NAO!
And their live shows are supposed to be even more insane! Catch 'em on their European tour with Converge and Kylesa or the other one with Coliseum and Bison B.C. if you know what's good for ya! I know I will.
And their live shows are supposed to be even more insane! Catch 'em on their European tour with Converge and Kylesa or the other one with Coliseum and Bison B.C. if you know what's good for ya! I know I will.
Staff pick by:
Promonex
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Marcel Hubregtse, Daniell, Jeff, Deadsoulman, BitterCOld, Nefarious, X-Ray Rod, wormdrink414, Milena, Ag Fox, Introspekrieg, GT, Troy Killjoy
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Marcel Hubregtse, Daniell, Jeff, Deadsoulman, BitterCOld, Nefarious, X-Ray Rod, wormdrink414, Milena, Ag Fox, Introspekrieg, GT, Troy Killjoy
Gothic metal
"This is so unexpected. We got ALL the votes? Wow.
Thanks goes out to the bitch that inspired this heartfelt and sorrowful album. Your fine sense for melodrama will for always reflect in the somber and emotive atmosphere of this majestic album. Also thanks to our singer Vitacca who really carries this album with his distressing vocals.
Peace."
-- Lacrimas Profundere's acceptance speech during the Metal Storm Awards 2010 Gala, March 2011.
Thanks goes out to the bitch that inspired this heartfelt and sorrowful album. Your fine sense for melodrama will for always reflect in the somber and emotive atmosphere of this majestic album. Also thanks to our singer Vitacca who really carries this album with his distressing vocals.
Peace."
-- Lacrimas Profundere's acceptance speech during the Metal Storm Awards 2010 Gala, March 2011.
Atmospheric / symphonic black metal
If you like violins and distorted guitars, blastbeats and screams...
If you like grim poetic mysticism and emotionally charged art...
I Shalt Become is the band for you.
And if you've waited for what seems like a lifetime for S. Holliman to achieve his potential with I Shalt Become, while you grew sick of release after release of "depressive masterpieces" from bandwagon black metal musicians...
Poison is your antidote.
If you like grim poetic mysticism and emotionally charged art...
I Shalt Become is the band for you.
And if you've waited for what seems like a lifetime for S. Holliman to achieve his potential with I Shalt Become, while you grew sick of release after release of "depressive masterpieces" from bandwagon black metal musicians...
Poison is your antidote.
screaming post black(?!)
A Rage Of Rapture Against The Dying Of The Light is a cacophony of screeches, nauseatingly fast wrong chords, roving bass and more horrifying screeches, the perfect soundtrack to a nice summer's eve picnic getaway with your special someone.
There is a nice review of this up, but since so few visited it i'm going to randomly beat you over the head with this release on the front page until some other artist releases a hidden gem that another staff member doesn't pick up on first.
There is a nice review of this up, but since so few visited it i'm going to randomly beat you over the head with this release on the front page until some other artist releases a hidden gem that another staff member doesn't pick up on first.
Bolivian panpipe music
Tired of all that heavy shit I've been recommending lately? Yeah, me too. Here's something to relax.
Landmine Marathon's soothing lullabies will put you into a peaceful slumber in no time. Get comfortable on these meditative tunes that are everything but face-ripping. Lay back and concentrate on that calm voice, which sounds nowhere near ferocious female grunts and screams. And enjoy those beautiful dreams of not being a giant pussy.
Landmine Marathon's soothing lullabies will put you into a peaceful slumber in no time. Get comfortable on these meditative tunes that are everything but face-ripping. Lay back and concentrate on that calm voice, which sounds nowhere near ferocious female grunts and screams. And enjoy those beautiful dreams of not being a giant pussy.
jazzy tech-death metal
An unknown band from Moldavia that kicks major ass, Neuromist is sure to blow your mind!
Newcomers in the field of technical, jazzy death metal are few and far between, so it would be a shame to let such a talented band rot in obscurity.
Think Meshuggah, Atheist, and the Quebec scene (Gorguts, Neuraxis, Martyr...). Add to this a real songwriting skill...
Now you just have to download it for free here, and listen to this little gem.
Newcomers in the field of technical, jazzy death metal are few and far between, so it would be a shame to let such a talented band rot in obscurity.
Think Meshuggah, Atheist, and the Quebec scene (Gorguts, Neuraxis, Martyr...). Add to this a real songwriting skill...
Now you just have to download it for free here, and listen to this little gem.
Grindcore / Sludge / more Grindcore
Easily the discovery of the year; this band just slays babies.
Obliterating everything within sight, this album is a crushing and punishing assault of pure metal mayhem with a twist. Wish I had lost my virginity to this harsh and merciless album...
Highly recommended!
Obliterating everything within sight, this album is a crushing and punishing assault of pure metal mayhem with a twist. Wish I had lost my virginity to this harsh and merciless album...
Highly recommended!
Psychedelic Black metal
Back in 2008, Assassins created quite some buzz around the board, and Nachtmystium were, once again, highly praised for their abilities to color outside the lines.
Apparently it is up to me to generate the buzz around its successor Addicts; an intense album that likes walking the thin line between sheer brilliance and mental madness. The music is still out of this world, though in a different way than Part 1.
There's also a song that Stereogum describes as "Burzum On The Dance Floor"... You wouldn't want to miss THAT, would you?
Apparently it is up to me to generate the buzz around its successor Addicts; an intense album that likes walking the thin line between sheer brilliance and mental madness. The music is still out of this world, though in a different way than Part 1.
There's also a song that Stereogum describes as "Burzum On The Dance Floor"... You wouldn't want to miss THAT, would you?
Staff pick by:
Thryce
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Troy Killjoy, BitterCOld, Marcel Hubregtse, Daniell, White Winter Sun, Doc G., X-Ray Rod, Darkside Momo, Ag Fox
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Troy Killjoy, BitterCOld, Marcel Hubregtse, Daniell, White Winter Sun, Doc G., X-Ray Rod, Darkside Momo, Ag Fox
Metalcore
Now here's a top-notch metalcore onslaught for you. Blazing metalcore rudeness with verve and panache, how it should be done... everyone else take note. Dig in to the feast of carnage.
Staff pick by:
Thryce
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Deadsoulman, White Winter Sun, Promonex, X-Ray Rod, Darkside Momo, Ag Fox
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Deadsoulman, White Winter Sun, Promonex, X-Ray Rod, Darkside Momo, Ag Fox
Grunge / Heavy
Unexpectedly heard Alice In Chains perform last weekend when I dropped by the Werchter Festival for a few beers outside the festival grounds... Which reminded me they have a "new" album out. Had almost forgotten how rock-solid it is... Which reminded me to remind you they have a "new" album out.
The ideal soundtrack for a summer barbecue. You bring the beer, AIC'll bring the blues.
The ideal soundtrack for a summer barbecue. You bring the beer, AIC'll bring the blues.
Industrial Metal
2010 saw the Godflesh reunite for a (marred) performance at Hellfest, and saw Earache re-release a special 2cd anniversary version of this classic with remastered versions of the original tracks on one disk, and unreleased mixes and live versions of the same track order on the second disk.
Whether the original Streetcleaner or the MMX reissue, it's a slow, crushing, claustrophobic, bleak, and asphyxiating album that will leave you roadkill.
Whether the original Streetcleaner or the MMX reissue, it's a slow, crushing, claustrophobic, bleak, and asphyxiating album that will leave you roadkill.
Staff pick by:
BitterCOld
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Promonex, jupitreas, X-Ray Rod, Darkside Momo
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Promonex, jupitreas, X-Ray Rod, Darkside Momo
Thrash Metal
Musica Diablo is thrash metal with the right philosophy: keep it speedy and simple. No bull-shit, no world-music influences - let's just play like Slayer, Exodus, Anthrax or Nuclear Assault but FASTER. Mission accomplished - this is a supremely fun assault of thrash goodness.