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1.
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Septicflesh - The Great Mass
I'd say that its just Suprematic Orchestral Death, Highlights: "The Vampire From Nazareth", "A Great Mass Of Death" and "Pyramid God". |
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2.
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Within Temptation - The Unforgiving
'Cause who said that mixing Symphonic Metal with 80's rock wouldn't be fun?? Hell yeah, WT always surprise me!!! and Sharon sounds magical and awesome as always, Highlights: "Sinéad", "Iron", "Murder", "Fire & Ice" and "Shot In The Dark". |
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3.
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Moonsorrow - Varjoina Kuljemme Kuolleiden Maassa
The Ultimate Journey is in progress..., Highlights: "Huuto". |
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4.
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Anathema - Falling Deeper
Not always re-recording stuff would have to suck, especially if its with Symphonic arrangements!, Highlights: "Everwake" and "Sunset Of Age". |
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5.
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Insomnium - One For Sorrow
Maybe one of the most awesome melodic death albums I've ever listened to!, Highlight: "Only One Who Waits" , "Inertia" and "One For Sorrow". |
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6.
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Omnium Gatherum - New World Shadows
well, Electronic (or Industrial) melodic Death is also Fun as hell, Highlights: "Ego" and "The Distance" among others I don't recall their names... |
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7.
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Myrath - Tales Of The Sands
perhaps one of the most awesome oriental-themed albums I heard in a while and plus they are from the fellow country Tunis!, Highlights: "Under Siege" and "Merciless Times". |
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8.
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Dragonland - Under The Grey Banner
And not always Symphonic Power has to be Cheesy, this epic masterpiece blows the mind hole, and maybe their best by a long shot!, Highlights: "Shadow Of The Mithril Mountains", "Lady Of Goldenwood" and "The Black Mare" among others... |
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9.
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Wolves In The Throne Room - Celestial Lineage
mmm, not-a-typical beautiful Enchanting Atmosphere, and perhaps their best too, Highlights: "Woodland Cathedral" and "Astral Blood". |
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10.
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Symphony X - Iconoclast
They are always, let me say, on the right path! Symphony X released one of the most awesome power-mixed-prog albums this year! Highlights: "Iconoclast", "Heretic", "When All Is Lost" and "Reign In Madness". |
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11.
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Draconian - A Rose For The Apocalypse
well, they did it again! perhaps going more into the gothic direction is good!, Highlights: "The Last Hour of Ancient Sunlight" and "Elysian Night". |
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12.
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Amorphis - The Beginning Of Times
Looks like moving towards the melodic prog area is shaping to be very good for the old Amorphis!!, Highlights: "You I Need", "Beginning Of Times" and "Battle For Light". |
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13.
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Amaranthe - Amaranthe
The Debut of this Danish/Swedish band, and its surprisingly good, probably one of the best debuts this year!, Highlights: "Call Out My Name", "Leave Everything Behind" and the ballad "Amaranthine". |
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14.
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Falloch - Where Distant Spirits Remain
I picked this one by coincidence, awesome album with a very distinctive style, Atmospheric folk influenced Post-rock I'd say, Highlights: "Horizons" and "To Walk Amongst The Dead". |
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15.
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Thy Catafalque - Rengeteg
Probably this is the first Avantgarde influenced Black Metal record I'm really Impressed by, and Its the first one I hear by this Hungarian band, I can only say what a beautiful atmosphere this album bears!, Highlights: "Fekete mezők", "Vashegyek" and "Kő koppan". |
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16.
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Sabaton - World War Live: Battle Of The Baltic Sea
Yeah, its a live album, but its The Awesomest Live Album I heard this Year and one of the catchiest ever! so it deserves attention, Highlights: "Ghost Division", "Cliffs Of Gallipoli", "Uprising" and "40:1" among others... |
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17.
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To/Die/For - Samsara
Awesome Gothic metal/rock album from the reunited Finnish band, and probably among their best!, Highlights: "Kissing The Flames", "Cry For Love", "Death Comes In March" among others... |
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18.
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Ghost Brigade - Until Fear No Longer Defines Us
Ghost Brigade would have to be the only band I listen to in the Sludge sub-genre, and I gotta say this album shows that they know how to do it!, Highlights: "Clawmaster" and "Soulcarvers". |
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19.
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For All We Know - For All We Know
The side project of WT's guitarist, Ruud Jolie, and its debut album, pretty good prog metal fused with some modern rock elements and many guest musicians, and in general, very nice down-to-earth album!, Highlights: "Busy Being Somebody Else", "Keep Breathing" and "Down On My Knees" among others... |
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20.
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Pain Of Salvation - Road Salt Two
Another piece of art by this awesome band, and among their best, loving the new sound, Highlights: "Softly She Cries", "1979" among others... |
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21.
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Iced Earth - Dystopia
well, Jon Schaffer did the right choice when he picked Stu Block to handle the vocal duties after Matt Barlow left, as he did splendidly on this album, plus the music is goooood, Highlight: "Anthem", "Dystopia", "Tragedy and Triumph" and "Equilibrium". |
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22.
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Nightwish - Imaginaerum
The long awaited album by the Finnish combo turned out to be good, yet not fantastic, I would say that the album has its moments and its flaws, but the biggest awesome part on it is its Orchestral arrangements and its Choirs, which are both Majestic and Magical like never before!, Highlights: "Arabesque", "Ghost River", "I Want My Tears Back" and "Scaretale". |
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23.
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Heavenwood - Abyss Masterpiece
Indeed a masterpiece!, Gothic metal at its finest with a hint of Symphony thrown in, The best by this Portuguese band, Highlights: "The Arcadia Order", "Poem For Matilde" and "Morning Glory". |
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24.
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Falconer - Armod
Awesome Folk influenced power, ofc its in Swedish, but who cares if the music is too good?? Stefan Weinerhall does it again with magical vocals from Mathias Blad, Highlights: "Svarta Änkan", "Rosornas Grav", "Griftefrid" and the bonus english songs! |
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25.
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Powerwolf - Blood Of The Saints
One Of the most Epic album of the year, sure its power and sometimes cheesy, but catchy as hell!!, Highlights: "Sanctified with Dynamite" and "We Drink Your Blood", and P.S.: The accompaying symphonic Cd is just awesome! |
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26.
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Pagan's Mind - Heavenly Ecstasy
Another awesome Prog/Power album from the Norwegian band, and I would say among their best, Highlights: "Intermission" and "Revelation to the End". |
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27.
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Ava Inferi - Onyx
The Atmospheric Gothic influenced Doom album of the Year!, Highlights: "Onyx", "Venice In Fog". |
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28.
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Arkan - Salam
Another great Oriental-themed progressive/death album, done by these French/Arab guys, in the vein of their past album "Hilal", Highlights: "Origins", "Deus Vult" and "Jerusalem - Sufferpolis". |
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29.
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Midnattsol - The Metamorphosis Melody
Enchanting melodies from the far north (well and Germany!), with Haunting vocals from the amazing Carmen Elise, Highlights: "The Tide", "A Poet's Prayer" and "A Predator's Prey". |
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30.
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Steven Wilson - Grace For Drowning
A Beautiful Chill-out album from one Of the masters in the progressive scene, The album's Highlight: "Raider II". |
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31.
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Turisas - Stand Up And Fight
Mixing epic symphonic arrangements with folk metal is always fun, and Turisas shows this once again, Highlights: "Stand Up And Fight" and "The March Of The Varangian Guard". |
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32.
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Fleshgod Apocalypse - Agony
This probably would be the first time I subject my ears to Brutal/Technical Death, but if its with Symphonic arrangements, I would have to know what its like, and it sounds good!, Highlights: "The Violation", "The Hypocrisy" and a song contained clean vocals but I forgot its name! |
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33.
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Brymir - Breathe Fire To The Sun
Another good Symphonic Folk Metal album by a new band, at least for me!, no specific highlight for now! |
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34.
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Novembers Doom - Aphotic
A good old-fashioned Death/Doom record from this American combo, Highlights: "What Could Have Been". |
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35.
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Amon Amarth - Surtur Rising
well, they are back, but back with a little bit of haste, the album is good, but not like its predecessors, yet there are some awesome riffs going on!, Highlights: "Doom Over Dead Man", "War Of The Gods" and "Destroyer Of The Universe". |
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36.
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Kauan - Kuu..
Stunning chill-out record from the Russian folkish/doom band, no highlights as the 4 songs are in the same vein. |
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37.
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Falkenbach - Tiurida
A good solid effort from this band, and they clearly still got it!, Highlights: "...Where His Ravens Fly" and "Tanfana". |
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38.
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The Project Hate MCMXCIX - Bleeding The New Apocalypse (Cum Victriciis In Manibus Armis)
Suprisingly good Industrial Death album and the first with the new female vocalist, and I gotta say she is good!, Highlights: "Summoning Majestic War". |
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39.
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Before The Dawn - Deathstar Rising
well, a solid effort from this gothic/melodic death Finnish band, yet somehow has its down points, but in general good!, Highlights: "Judgement" and "Deathstar". |
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40.
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Rhapsody Of Fire - From Chaos To Eternity
The are back!, but this time more epic and less cheesy!!!, Highlights: "Ghosts Of Forgotten Worlds", "Aeons Of Raging Darkness" and "Heroes of the Waterfalls' Kingdom". |
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41.
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Leaves' Eyes - Meredead
well, this album has crossed a lot of opinions in my mind, the production seems a bit forced, but the songwriting is really good, The song "To France" really blows, but "Sigrlinn" is pretty awesome!, so in general, yeah, its a beautiful album which has some down sides, but not so much to overpower it, Highlights: "Sigrlinn", "ÉtaíN" and "Nystev". |
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42.
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Ixion - To The Void
A descent melodic doom album, and promising for this fresh band, no particular highlights as the album has the same level from beginning to end. |
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43.
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Woods Of Desolation - Torn Beyond Reason
Another nice Atmospheric Black record with a really beautiful atmosphere that you can't find anywhere!, Highlights: "Torn Beyond Reason" and "The Inevitable End". |
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44.
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Suidakra - Book Of Dowth
A Refreshing Folk influenced Melodic death, Highlights: "Dowth 2059" among others... |
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45.
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Colosseum - Chapter 3: Parasomnia
The Last by this Funeral Doom band from Finland, after the tragic death of their front man, but don't get me wrong, its still Melancholic and Beautiful like always, Highlights: "Questioning Existence". |
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46.
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A Dream Of Poe - The Mirror Of Deliverance
Another good doom/death record from the Portuguese band, but I'd say they can do better than this, Highlight: "Lady Of Shalott". |
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47.
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Xerath - II
A good, yet somehow disappointing effort from this amazing band, after their splendid past record "I", Highlights: "Reform Pt. 3" and "Nuclear Self Eradication". |
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48.
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Unexpect - Fables Of The Sleepless Empire
A weird, yet good and unique extreme avantgarde record, and surely the female vocalist knows her way around her vocals lines!!, Highlights: none for now! |
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49.
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Thurisaz - The Cimmerian Years
Atmospheric Black metal from Belgium, I would say an average album with some few good moments, Highlights: "Unhealed". |
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50.
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Battlelore - Doombound
A Solid effort from The Finnish folkers, and I like the hint of the orchestra they incorporated, no highlights for now! |
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51.
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An Autumn - Everything
Who said you can't get a good depressive black metal record from the nearest mental hospital??, yeah You can!, Highlights: "Nothing/Everything" and "Her Dress As A Poem, Her Death As The Night". |
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52.
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Angizia - Kokon. Ein Schaurig-schönes Schachtelstück
A weird, nice, yet somehow horrifying Theatrical doom album, brings an unique image to the mind, Highlights: well, The album is like a play, so I would say all of it! |
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53.
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Opeth - Heritage
The long awaited Heritage, when ppl are saying its totally disappointing, I would say its somehow good and fresh, sure it has its down moments, but still got some really good songs, Highlights: "Famine", "Folklore" and "Slither". |
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54.
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Visions Of Atlantis - Delta
A slight disappointment after the amazing "Trinity", and looks like Melissa Ferlaak shoes are a bit big for Maxi Nil to handle, yet somehow the album manages to pickup over in some moments, Highlights: "Memento" and "Elegy Of Existence". |
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55.
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Serenity - Death & Legacy
A bit disappointments of the year, as I had high hopes for it. Yeah it has some good songs, but has fillers and average songs, Highlights: the duet with Charlotte Wessels "Serenade Of Flames", "My Legacy", "New Horizons" and "Beyond Desert Sands". |
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56.
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My Dying Bride - Evinta
I don't normally listen to MDB, but this Orchestral re-arrangements of their songs are somehow beautiful, Highlights: "Vanité Triomphante". |
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57.
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MaYaN - Quarterpast
Another disappointment as it had a lot of fuss around, the album seems a bit over average, as some songs stand and a plenty tank, Highlights: "Drown The Demon", "Celibate Aphrodite". |
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58.
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Sons Of Seasons - Magnisphyricon
Solid, yet not as good as its predecessor "Gods Of Vermin", and most of the songs are average or a bit over-average, Highlights: "Soul Symmetry". |
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59.
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Arch Enemy - Khaos Legions
A slight disappointment, as it has a lot of fillers, and some songs sound the same, Highlights: "Bloodstained Cross" and "Through The Eyes Of A Raven". |
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60.
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Dalriada - Ígéret (Promise)
Another huge disappointment, as I always anticipate the best from this hungarian band, no highlights as the album sounds somehow the same, at least for now! |
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61.
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Ulver - Wars Of The Roses
Chilly album but not for the long term listening..., no highlights yet! |
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62.
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Evergrey - Glorious Collision
Another disappointment, after back-to-track "Torn", this sounds dull and generic again, Highlights: "Wrong" and "The Disease". |
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63.
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Theatres Des Vampires - Moonlight Waltz
A fresh album from Theatres Des Vampirs, and the only song that caught my attention here would be the cover to "Hijo De la Luna" in italian "Figlio Della Luna". |
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64.
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Nemesea - The Quiet Resistance
Somehow a good effort from the Dutch rockers, Highlights: "High Enough" and "It's Over". |
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65.
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Dotma - Sleep Paralyses
Generic Symphonic Power metal with nothing new, yet it gets enjoyable in some moments. |
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66.
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Stream Of Passion - Darker Days
A huge disappointment from SOP, those who delivered the amazing "Embrace The Storm" and the beautiful "The Flame Within", no highlights as the songs pretty much sound the same. |
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67.
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Stratovarius - Elysium
Surprisingly Boring-as-Hell album from Stratovarius, after the awesome "Polaris", this sounds like an after school drama, the only Highlight would be "Elysium". |
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68.
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Sirenia - The Enigma Of Life
One word made up: Doucherina! Morten Veland seriously needs to find a new Muse, as this album sucks from beginning to end! |
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69.
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Echoterra - Land Of The Midnight Sun
Awful, Awful, Awful! I couldn't finish this album at one session, it took multiple sessions to listen to all of it, and I gotta say after Melissa Ferlaak joined this band and released The promising Ep "In Your Eyes", I had really high hopes for this one, but it turned out to be The Worst record of 2011! |
