Written by JoHn Doe on 04.02.2022 at 11:34
Disappointment category? To be disappointed, first of all you got to have some expectations (or God forbid high expectations, then the bigger the disappointment ), so I don't know what band/album disappointed me. Does it make sense?

Absolutely. It's a highly opinionated category and definitely not respectful of artistic freedom. See it more of a vent than anything else. It solves no other purpose than to exchange opinions and emotions.

Written by corrupt on 03.02.2022 at 16:19

The actual reason is that, as of right now, when a year's awards are archived, they are moved to a different part of the database while we re-use the categories with their IDs for next year to make sure external links keep working.
We could attach a thread to each category but would then need a way to clean those after the awards. Then what happens to the posts, do they get deleted? Are they subtracted from a user's post count?
There would be a few more technical hurdles to overcome, but there is merit to having all discussion in one thread. Yes, it may get confusing at times, but there's also the fact that everyone in here at least theoretically reads what everybody else posts. So if they find a discussion about an album they don't even know, they might get curious and accidentally discover a whole new genre they never listened to. One they'd never look into otherwise because the thread would be hidden behind a genre name they think they're not interested in. Just to give one example.

Appreciate this answer as I asked about this last year - all of what you say here makes total sense.

As a larger point, massive thanks to the staff as ever for investing so much time and effort into this. I listened to a lot more new releases this year than probably ever before, and yet there are a couple of my 'favourite' genres where I've only heard one or two of the nominees!

The Awards, and this thread, are always such a great way to discover hidden gems or other releases you might otherwise miss.

Cheers all.

Written by LordFezzington on 04.02.2022 at 13:02
Appreciate this answer as I asked about this last year - all of what you say here makes total sense.

You're welcome
And please keep making these suggestions. We tend to become blind to functions of the site ourselves at times as we're so used to its quirks.
The idea of individual threads is not off the table, too. We just haven't found a good way to make it a reality yet. And modifying the current way awards are handled didn't seem like a good idea. I would like to maintain the votes after archiving, for example. So parts of the awards are likely going to be re-worked and we can revisit the idea at that point.

Going through Avantgarde right now. I'll likely vote for Thy Catafalque, but this Brii album is really great. I'm working to it right now and it's a beauty piece of music. This is going right into my white/brown noise office work playlist. And it will be joining Fargue (my Noise selection for the year) which I added yesterday. Keep em coming.

I just wanted to point out that on the Dola album, at the 24 second mark on the song Kije, they insert a Whilhelm scream. I laughed when I heard it. If you're unfamiliar with the Whilhelm Scream, Google it just to see how many movies its been used in. George Lucas uses it in Return of the Jedi when Boba Fett falls in the Sarlacc pit. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Written by Rage10000 on 04.02.2022 at 16:32

I just wanted to point out that on the Dola album, at the 24 second mark on the song Kije, they insert a Whilhelm scream. I laughed when I heard it. If you're unfamiliar with the Whilhelm Scream, Google it just to see how many movies its been used in. George Lucas uses it in Return of the Jedi when Boba Fett falls in the Sarlacc pit. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

And that was Rage71's 71st post.

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And that was Rage71's 71st post.

Ha! Who new?

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Written by Rage10000 on 04.02.2022 at 17:01

And that was Rage71's 71st post.

Ha! Who new?

From now on, every time you make a new post you have to delete an old one, to keep the posts at 71.

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From now on, every time you make a new post you have to delete an old one, to keep the posts at 71.

I don't know. I think I'll shoot for 10,000 like Bad English. Could take me a few decades though I suppose.

Written by RaduP on 04.02.2022 at 17:40

From now on, every time you make a new post you have to delete an old one, to keep the posts at 71.

Probably better to just change the username at each post

Written by Karlabos on 04.02.2022 at 17:45

Probably better to just change the username at each post

Written by Rage10000 on 04.02.2022 at 17:45

I don't know. I think I'll shoot for 10,000 like Bad English. Could take me a few decades though I suppose.

Change the username to Rage10000 and shoot for the stars

So, what do you think would be the biggest dramas if the category still stood? Gotta admit I miss that one since I don't really follow the news all too close.
Obviously Schaffer in Capitol. But what else? Gloryhammer's leaked racist/sexist chat? Harakiri for the Sky's apologizing to neonazi vocalist for removing her from their album due to pressure?

Written by NastyHero on 04.02.2022 at 19:52

So, what do you think would be the biggest dramas if the category still stood? Gotta admit I miss that one since I don't really follow the news all too close.
Obviously Schaffer in Capitol. But what else? Gloryhammer's leaked racist/sexist chat? Harakiri for the Sky's apologizing to neonazi vocalist for removing her from their album due to pressure?

The point with removing the category was to reconsider discussions such as these. "Who's the worst rapist of the year in metal?" kinda rubs me the wrong way. This sort of gossip is available elsewhere on the internet, anyway.

To answer your question, I'd go with something that is at least explicitly music-related, like maybe Marko Hietala leaving Nightwish. I really don't care about the personal lives of artists as long as it doesn't directly affect the music, and this was the band that got me into metal, so it would rank pretty high for me.

Written by Netzach on 05.02.2022 at 04:26

Written by NastyHero on 04.02.2022 at 19:52

Harakiri for the Sky's apologizing to neonazi vocalist for removing her from their album due to pressure?

The point with removing the category was to reconsider discussions such as these. "Who's the worst rapist of the year in metal?" kinda rubs me the wrong way. This sort of gossip is available elsewhere on the internet, anyway.

I was completely unaware of this. Absolutely correct to remove her but instead of apologizing maybe they should've done a better background check of her. Neonazis aren't really known for trying to hide their ideology and beliefs.
But I agree with Netzach. Gossip can be found elsewhere on the internet or at least take it to our forums. No need for it to be in the MS Awards.

Written by Nejde on 05.02.2022 at 11:49
I was completely unaware of this.

Well, it is mentioned in the intro text and we pointed it out before
But yeah, what we had collected for the category was almost exclusively extremely depressing and fucked up. We knew that easily 80% of this community would have been equipped to deal with these things respectfully but we also know that of the remaining 20, there are a few who very vocally take pleasure in other people's misery and the last thing we wanted was to encourage that.
We described the direction we want to move this community to when we announced the take-over of the site. It is one of mutual respect that would ideally make the site a safe zone for all kinds of people. It is why we're starting to crack down on sexism and other forms of discrimination and, causally, also why this category had to die in its current form.

The fact that all of this is so well-received and supported by all of you really does warm our hearts. I'm not being ironic, we knew some people would be offended by a perceived authoritarian change like this and it is great for us to see how understanding all of you are
Our plans for this direction are admittedly loose, but we're confident we'll find one that we can shape together with the community. That also means we're absolutely open to feedback and ideas, so if you have thoughts about this, feel free to share them with us.

Written by corrupt on 05.02.2022 at 12:49

Written by Nejde on 05.02.2022 at 11:49
I was completely unaware of this.

Well, it is mentioned in the intro text and we pointed it out before

Now I feel kinda embarassed because I totaly forgot about reading the intro text That is corrected now. Equally amusing every year I was referring to the Harakiri matter btw

Been awhile, so I feel it necessary to remind folks, give Veilburner a listen for the black metal category. Great, underappreciated album

Still got 7 categories to vote in. If I do not succeed, then that's that.

Obviously Vadak is a spectacular album and probably deserves the win for Avant-garde, even though it's not particularly Avant-garde. But Brii, Dola, Five The Hierophant, and Wreche have all given me something to go back to. So much of this music depends on your mood. Terrific stuff. The saxaphone work in Five The Hierophant is really tasty stuff.

Written by Rage10000 on 06.02.2022 at 15:38

Obviously Vadak is a spectacular album and probably deserves the win for Avant-garde, even though it's not particularly Avant-garde. But Brii, Dola, Five The Hierophant, and Wreche have all given me something to go back to. So much of this music depends on your mood. Terrific stuff. The saxaphone work in Five The Hierophant is really tasty stuff.

I think avant-garde shaped out nicely this year - I am inclined to go for Vadak because Thy Catafalque really exceeded itself with it, but the Five The Hierophant album is excellent, and Wreche and Papangu in particular are very interesting amongst the other nominees

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I think avant-garde shaped out nicely this year - I am inclined to go for Vadak because Thy Catafalque really exceeded itself with it, but the Five The Hierophant album is excellent, and Wreche and Papangu in particular are very interesting amongst the other nominees

I agree. I can't remember ever enjoying this category as much as this year.

What's everyone's song of the year? Mine's Negura Bunget - Brad.

Written by M C Vice on 06.02.2022 at 23:04

What's everyone's song of the year? Mine's Negura Bunget - Brad.

Subject to change, but for now I think it's Leprous - On Hold. The Three Flames Sapphire by Empyrium is also beautiful!

Btw small mistake in the award description of Thy Worshipper's album "Straszno tu" would translate to "It's scary here", not "terrible". While sometimes "straszny" can mean "terrible", its general meaning is "scary" and I'm 99% sure, based on the context, that's what TW were going for.

Written by M C Vice on 06.02.2022 at 23:04

What's everyone's song of the year? Mine's Negura Bunget - Brad.

Court of the Matriarch by DVNE
I also really liked See the Sky With Blind Eyes by Clouds.
They were my albums of the year too.

Written by M C Vice on 06.02.2022 at 23:04

What's everyone's song of the year? Mine's Negura Bunget - Brad.

That's a tough question to answer, but put a gun to my face and it seems the first song that comes to mind is Alkuharmonian Kantaja's "Harbinger (Of The Fallen Hearts)". The riff in the final section of that song has been stuck in my head ever since I first heard it.

Written by NastyHero on 07.02.2022 at 11:40

Btw small mistake in the award description of Thy Worshipper's album "Straszno tu" would translate to "It's scary here", not "terrible". While sometimes "straszny" can mean "terrible", its general meaning is "scary" and I'm 99% sure, based on the context, that's what TW were going for.

That one was my bad, I have edited it to your suggestion Thank you for the heads up!

Written by M C Vice on 06.02.2022 at 23:04

What's everyone's song of the year? Mine's Negura Bunget - Brad.

I feel like saying Sorella Minore by Teramaze, but I think that song's helped by being the bulk of and obvious highlight of the record it's from; there's tracks from Dvne (Satuya, Si-XiV) and Between The Buried And Me (Human Is Hell) that might have claimed it, but they have less chance to stand out in the same way as I normally just listen to them during full-album plays

Written by M C Vice on 06.02.2022 at 23:04

What's everyone's song of the year? Mine's Negura Bunget - Brad.

This song has a flow and a rhythm that is almost meditative and highly addictive. Probably my most played song since the release in mid-December. Two months later and it's still on repeat. The album got my Black Metal vote and Debut Album vote. If anyone cares to bother give it a listen and tell me I'm wrong

Just finished up Gothic. Another great category. Hard to make a call though. I've had Moonspell, Swallow the Sun, and Tribulation sprinkled throughout my 2021 playlist all year. I think all three are great with different qualities. Unto Others is a terrific album. Metal meets The Cure. Very cool sound. I didn't much care for the Hanging Garden album and I've liked their previous work. I feel it lacks soul. It may end up my pick for "Biggest Disappointment".
I really liked Evadne, and I had not heard it before the MS Awards started (This is why I love this!). It is quite possibly the best album here so I think that is where my vote will go.

I have not voted, I can not decide, vore for best of listed band to get higher chances to win, or write in for really best in a genre

Since most categories are stacked with great albums I just want to drop some honorable mentions instead. Just some albums that I really enjoyed over the past year.
The Monolith Deathcult - V3 - Vernedering: Connect The Goddamn Dots (The most hilarious album of 2021 by far. The spoken parts cracks me up every time)
Obscura - A Valediction (Biggest snub this year but Radu admitted they forgot about it)
Le Chant Noir - La Société Satanique Des Poètes Morts ('Prière À Satan' is my second favourite song of 2021 and it's even better with the music video which is made of scenes from the 1926 German movie Faust)
Fractal Universe - The Impassable Horizon (Another saxophone in techdeath)
Maha Sohona - Endless Searcher (Psychedelic/desert rock with Thomas Hedlund of Cult Of Luna playing bass instead of drums)
Muse - Origin Of Symmetry (XX Anniversary RemiXX) (Okay, not eligible for the Awards but still one of the greatest albums ever made, remixed to perfection)
Vomitron - RighteousNES (Because we all love metal and video games)

Oh, and the biggest letdown without the slightest competition was Evanescence's The Bitter Truth. What a waste of Amy Lee's fantastic voice and that album cover was horrendous and didn't reflect the music at all.