Yep, probably one of the best melodeath album of all times

Is it bad that I didn't enjoy this album as much as the 2 after it? It just sounds a bit bland compared with the likes of Vessels or Of Breath and Bone (my favourite of theirs).

Still a great album, but not worthy of a 9 or 10 IMO.

The album that got me into the band. Nothing but quality prog-death.

I started listening to it due to the high ratings. Can't say that this is my fav Melodeath record, it's quality music with your typical vocals for that genre.

There are good riffs here that get me going, problem is that melodeath often get too repetitve for my taste and i dont enjoy the vocals very much, i find them kinda monotonous, if this is peak melodeath i dont think this subgenre is for me lol, with exception of bands with albuns that have crazy good riffage like Heartwork by Carcass

Their entire discog is terrific.

Still one of the greatest of all time for the genre

I thought that this album was nothing really special and a bit overrated, although I liked the closer track very much.

A masterpice..

Absolutely unbelievably magical melodic death metal!

The guitar melodies are beautiful, captivating, intense, and simply awe-inspiring! The growling vocals are mesmerizing; the lyrics are mysterious - everything is fantastic! This might be the epitome of melodic death metal, (in my opinion) surpassing The Jester Race and The Gallery!

My favorite songs are "From the Scythe to Sceptre", "Countless Skies", "Held in Hollows", "Outlive the Hand", and "The Venator" (the melodies, riffs, and solos are divine in these songs!)

Written by F3ynman on 17.12.2021 at 22:16

This might be the epitome of melodic death metal, (in my opinion) surpassing Blackwater Park, The Jester Race, and The Gallery!

Cancel out BWP (which is not MDM) and add Damage Done to this list and you indeed have the epidome of MDM by taking all these albums together (if you ask me).

"From Scythe to Sceptre" is one of the most incredible songs of all time
Sooo many different badass riffs, solos, and great lyrics as the cherry on top... I was just listening to it again and it shot straight up to my top 30 in my favorite songs list!

Repetetive and far too long. I got bored halfway through. I really don't see what's so great about this album

It's very nicely crafted together, it's clear that alot of depth has gone into this, and it certainly has quality musicianship. I really like the bass work, and some of the melodies are ok, some of it sounds a wee bit bland though at times, "Countless Skies" is probably overall my favourite song on the album, unfortunately there's nothing else I find that memorable tbh.

Some melodies remind me alot of Insomnium, but I also get alot of Opeth vibes too, from the progressive side of it, Omnium Gatherum is another band with similar qualities, all of which are bands I've never really been fully into.
After the first few listens it left me feeling unimpressed, but since revisiting I find it has grown on me slightly, but not enough to really win me over.

Pretty unbelievable that an album this recent has such a high rating. Not sure if I've ever listened to this in full.

Well crafted indeed but for somehow I don't like the vocals so much as I like in similar bands like Dark Tranquility or Insomnium. It has lot of good riffs but in today's standards I needed even more