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Kvlt, Meet Riff: Blackened Doom And Sludge
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Thumbs up: +34
Had been wanting to do this for a while, title's pretty self explanatory. Black and doom are my two favorite metal subgenres, and when the two are combined into pure melancholic chaos, I scream like a little girl. I decided to take a broad approach with this one and include blackened sludge bands as well, as I think doom and sludge have similar origins and can fall under the same general banner. *Translation: I don't care if you think they can't. As usual, suggestions are both warmly welcomed and appreciated. Limit one album per band.

Created by: Auntie Sahar | 05.11.2014


1. BLACKENED DOOM & DRONE
2. Arcana Coelestia - Le Mirage De L'Idéal
Blackened funeral doom, hazy and smothering, but also with a surprisingly beautiful edge with its use of keyboards and other effects. http://tinyurl.com/nl642mc
3. Atriarch - Ritual Of Passing
Pretty unique in the style, Atriarch are essentially occult doom with some BM sprinkles here and there to enhance the mood. This album is hypnotizing and ensnaring, with great production, and the vocals of Lenny Smith, spanning shrieks, charismatic cleans, and haunting, operatic drones, are truly the icing on the cake. http://tinyurl.com/mmx6mb7
4. Autumnblaze - DämmerElbenTragödie
At the same time that Dolorian were putting out their debut, these Germans were as well. However, Autumnblaze sit at the opposite end of the spectrum, and this album isn't so much haunting and melancholic as it is actually warm and uplifting at points, with very beautiful, almost Gothic-esque clean vocals. Call it "pretty" blackened doom if you want. http://tinyurl.com/ofdx36t
5. Bast - Spectres
Groovy and thundering, but also surprisingly melodic and atmospheric at points as well. Powerful debut from this UK trio. http://tinyurl.com/l698bdm
6. Beatrik - Journey Through The End Of Life
Very commendable black/doom fusion, at times gritty and lo fi with its frostbitten edge, at other times crunchy, thick and heavy. Bleak album.
7. Black Crow King - To Pay The Debt Of Nature
Droney blackened doom with a murky, gritty production. Makes great use of organ, for a haunting, almost medieval mood. http://tinyurl.com/osgr7kw
8. Blood Of The Black Owl - A Feral Spirit
The one man project of Chet W. Scott, Blood Of The Black Owl is a highly original blend of black metal, doom, drone, and folk. Intense Native American theme, wind flute ist krieg. http://tinyurl.com/pu3zvey
9. Culted - Below The Thunders Of The Upper Deep
Melancholic, harrowing, and merciless, this one drags you into the watery depths of Sheol and there's no turning back from there. Sort of feels like a blackened funeral doom at points, and is suitably crushing with the signature dark ambient cloak of the style. http://tinyurl.com/kn42tvd
10. Dolorian - When All The Laughter Has Gone
Along with the Katatonia debut, probably the album that started it all. Smothering the listener in a bleak, shadowy cloak, with a spine-tingling ambient edge, with this album Dolorian established many of the trademarks of this style: the heavy, crushing nature of doom infused with BM's icy air and grim aesthetic. "There's no need for you, children of Jesus."
11. Drowner - Moth Temple
This is one for those who enjoy only the most uncompromising end of the doom spectrum. Blackened drone, with traumatic vocals and a grim aesthetic enhanced through a disturbing ambiance that ultimately leaves you feeling spiritually drained. http://tinyurl.com/qbs94by
12. Elysian Blaze - Levitating The Carnal
Blackened funeral doom from Australian mastermind Mutatiis. Icy, ensnaring, and with a delicious neoclassical influence in the piano usage, a mood only further enhanced on the monumental follow up, Blood Geometry.
13. Faal - The Clouds Are Burning
More black/funeral doom, delicate in its tempo and with beautifully melodic undertones. At times feels like little more than slow black metal, but still excellent in its pacing and has a great sense of atmosphere.
14. Gnaw Their Tongues - An Epiphanic Vomiting Of Blood
There's a lot of variety among Mories's GTT albums, from outright aggressive black metal to more dissonant, slow moving chaos. This one sits in latter territory, and is a curios and terrifying fusion of noise, drone doom, and black metal. The soundtrack to your nightmares.
15. Katatonia - Dance Of December Souls
Back in the glory days, Katatonia were something of pioneers of blackened doom, if only really for this one release. Nonetheless: the crunchy, catchiness of doom meets black metal's sense of melody and neoclassical atmosphere, with spectacular results.
16. Menace Ruine - Cult Of Ruins
Weird, weird album. At times menacing (see what I did there?) with its black metal personality, but also cloaked in a heavy veil of drone, noise, and psychedelia. A very special release, one that can't entirely be summed up in words, but is nonetheless very rewarding if you give it a try.
17. Mörkö - Itsensänimeävä
Good Finnish blackened doom, lo fi and murky, but with a really dreamlike, almost psychedelic edge at some points as well. Great bass tone too, rumbles along audibly throughout.
18. Nightly Gale - ...And Jesus Wept
Also following along the more "beautiful" lines of Autumnblaze, with excellent manipulation of guitar and keyboard effects to create an epic, almost transcendental mood.
19. Nortt - Gudsforladt
This one is the definition of bleak, smothering you in a haze of lo fi black metal guitar tone and a funereal pace with the doom side of the equation. The piano usage makes things especially sorrowful, if you're looking for blackened doom that sits far at the "sad" end of the style's spectrum, this is the album for you.
20. P.H.O.B.O.S. - Atonal Hypermnesia
Industrial black/doom. The black metal element is honestly limited, so including it here is a bit of stretch, but it is nonetheless felt in the overall grim and bleak aesthetic of the music. Ominous, oppressive, and all around HUGE release, the pounding, mechanical drums perhaps being the key aspect of this band's sound.
21. The Ruins Of Beverast - Foulest Semen Of A Sheltered Elite
Quite possibly my favorite black/doom release, for the simple fact that here both sides of the equation feel better balanced than with any other album. Monotonous at some points, with rich, operatic vocals, and raw and hard hitting at others, not forgetting the BM roots of the project. Truly Alex Von Meilenwald's masterpiece.
22. Sunn O))) - Black One
This may seem like a stretch, but it's really not too far fetched to be included here. While not REALLY blackened doom, this is nonetheless probably Sunn O)))'s most BM-influenced album in their discography, with a nightmarish mood unmatched anywhere else among their material. Wrest and Malefic guest as vocalists, helping to build upon the kvlt vibe.
23. Usnea - Usnea
Another one drenched in occult influences, this band's debut is an epic journey through gloomy doom and black metal influences to enhance the overall dark aesthetic. Like Atriarch, makes use of deep, clean vocals here and there that help greatly towards building upon the mesmerizing vibe.
24. Vattnet Viskar - Sky Swallower
Essentially a blend between doom and atmospheric BM, the debut of this band balances the two out very well, at times heavy and pummeling on the doom side of things, and at others relaxed and melodic from the black metal perspective.
25. Woods Of Belial - Baxabaxaxaxaxabaxaxaxaxa! 666 Yndstr Draconis
These Finns have always had a tendency for the strange and the spine tingling, and this release is no exception. A bizarre amalgamation of black, doom, and industrial metal, with a sense of dark ambiance very particular to the band. Creepy and soul crushing, with some of the most absolutely sinister and painful BM vocals you'll ever hear.
26. Wormphlegm - Tomb Of The Ancient King
A huge concrete slab of Finnish funeral doom, less pretty than Faal and not as classically influenced as Elysian Blaze, this band dives into the darkest chasms of the style and doesn't look back from there. Imposing, monolithic doom, augmented by sprinkles of tremolo picking and ear splitting shrieks from its BM counterpart. Recommended for Tyranny fans (with whom they shared a member).
27. Ill Omen - Æ.Thy.Rift
28. BLACKENED SLUDGE
29. Alkerdeel - Morinde
The cover art of a wolf beating a goose with a stick is appropriate, because the music here is absolutely bludgeoning. Slow moving, with guitars like buzz saws during the sludgey moments, but pleasantly pulsating and upbeat when the black metal kicks in. A real beast of an album, and these Belgians take no prisoners. http://tinyurl.com/nb7hamw
30. The Body - All The Waters Of The Earth Turn To Blood
Quite possibly the strangest of blackened sludge bands these days. Hard hitting riffs meet black metal dissonance topped off with depraved, Xasthur-esque shrieks. Also employs choir-like clean vocals and a bizarre use of audio samples to enhance the mood. Truly eerie shit, and perhaps one of the most unique releases from this style.
31. Coffinworm - IV.I.VIII
A crown jewel of blackened sludge. The debut is held in a bit higher regard, but I personally prefer this follow up because here the sludge and the BM seem to have a much more complementary relationship. Nasty, vicious, and with a surprisingly catchy edge. http://tinyurl.com/l99vjdm
32. Dragged Into Sunlight - Hatred For Mankind
As the title suggests, this album hates just about everything in its path. Quite possibly the most fiendish and unrelenting blackened sludge album to date, with a ton of misanthropic audio samples, this release is held in such high regard with good reason. Proceed with caution.
33. Fórn - The Departure Of Consciousness
These guys are new on the blackened sludge block, but are already separating themselves from the rest of the pack. Riff heavy and hard hitting, but also borrowing heavily from black metal's more melodic and atmospheric tendencies, such moments on this album are highly enjoyable. Relaxing may not be a word we may typically associate with this style, but here it works splendidly
34. Glorior Belli - Gators Rumble, Chaos Unfurls
There's a bit of a debate as to whether or not Glorior Belli in their present form are sludge, BM, or both. I'll go with that third option and say that these Frenchies are today a curious blend of black metal and bluesy, Southern rock-tinged sludge. Fun shit.
35. Grey Widow - I
This one is pretty stylistically ambiguous. The heavy, groovy aesthetic of sludge, but combined with drone doom's guitar tone and monotony. The BM vocals are very buried in the mix and rival Indian in terms of their sheer intensity
36. Indian - Guiltless
A pretty damn crushing album. Within the growing style of blackened sludge, Dylan O'Toole stands as perhaps the most aurally intense vocalist, and his razing shrieks are ear rape in its purest form.
37. Inter Arma - Sky Burial
Relentless, in your face BM riffs combined with a funeral doom sort of pace and a sludgey guitar tone. Has a great sense of melody to it, and the acoustic tracks are straight up beautiful.
38. Lord Mantis - Pervertor
Filthy bulldozing riffs interspersed with tremolo picking and an overall gritty, mechanical aesthetic. A definite gem of the style from which it comes. TRAPPED INSIDE THE NEED.
39. Primitive Man - Scorn
Another powerful blackened sludge debut, with some really excellent, grimy production to boot. Mostly pummels you with doomy riffs, but when the intensity really gets going, you're in for some hell breaking loose.
40. Regarde Les Hommes Tomber - Regarde Les Hommes Tomber
41. Sedna - Sedna
The debut of this Italian trio is particularly interesting because it's more so black metal enhanced by sludge than vice versa, as we've typically become used to. Slow and massive black metal accentuated by some pulsing sludge riffs that at times give way to a highly relaxing, melodic, post metal sort of aesthetic. Powerful shit.
42. Slugdge - Gastronomicon


Disclaimer: All top lists are unofficial and do not represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
[ More lists by Auntie Sahar ]



Comments

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Comments: 122   Visited by: 203 users
05.11.2014 - 22:32
Erik M.
No Brown Jenkins - Death Obsession?

And the inclusion of stoner and sludge bands/albums makes me like the list a lot less, sorry. Would've been better if you actually only had blackened doom, seeing as it's a blackened doom list. Dragged Into Sunlight for example doesn't belong at all on a list like this if you ask me. Nothing "blackened doom" about it...
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05.11.2014 - 22:37
Erik M.
Also, no Nortt? Seems like an essential band for this list. I recommend the debut. It's the only album I checked out and it's sick as fuck. Might be the most bleak and depressing (sounding) album I have ever heard, now that I think about it.
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06.11.2014 - 00:08
Auntie Sahar
Drone Empress
Elite
Written by Erik M. on 05.11.2014 at 22:32

The inclusion of stoner and sludge bands/albums makes me like the list a lot less, sorry. Would've been better if you actually only had blackened doom, seeing as it's a blackened doom list. Dragged Into Sunlight for example doesn't belong at all on a list like this if you ask me. Nothing "blackened doom" about it...

Hmm. Well I did want to go at more of a broad perspective with this list with the inclusion of stoner/sludge... it could bring in a bunch of the usual whiny bullshit of genre debating, but I think I'm armed and ready for it
----
I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go.

~ II. VII
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06.11.2014 - 00:12
Auntie Sahar
Drone Empress
Elite
Written by Erik M. on 05.11.2014 at 22:32

No Brown Jenkins - Death Obsession?

Yep, this is apparently an album that I seem to be sleeping on pretty hard. Maybe I should give it (and perhaps the Nortt you mention as well) a listen after work tonight
----
I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go.

~ II. VII
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06.11.2014 - 00:13
Lit.
Account deleted
Erik doesn't like lists that don't cater to his whim. Don't worry about it; nothing wrong with variety. Keeps a list interesting, provided it doesn't completely branch out the scope (which bands like Dragged Into Sunlight and Coffinworm don't, as they do have elements of blackened-ness in them). If it bugs you, monkey around with the title or description. List is fine the way it is.

EDIT: ...And you changed it already. Damn you all to hell.
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06.11.2014 - 00:40
Auntie Sahar
Drone Empress
Elite
Written by Guest on 06.11.2014 at 00:13

Erik doesn't like lists that don't cater to his whim. Don't worry about it; nothing wrong with variety. Keeps a list interesting, provided it doesn't completely branch out the scope (which bands like Dragged Into Sunlight and Coffinworm don't, as they do have elements of blackened-ness in them). If it bugs you, monkey around with the title or description. List is fine the way it is.

EDIT: ...And you changed it already. Damn you all to hell.

Nope, just changed it back. You're right man, simple issue of changing the title and description to prevent all that "your title is misleading" butthurt
----
I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go.

~ II. VII
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06.11.2014 - 01:35
mz
I think PHOBOS would also be an appropriate addition.
----
Giving my ears a rest from music.
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06.11.2014 - 01:39
Auntie Sahar
Drone Empress
Elite
Written by mz on 06.11.2014 at 01:35

I think PHOBOS would also be an appropriate addition.

Heard that name many times, never actually checked them out though. Album?

EDIT: Oh yeah, they just did that split with Blut Aus Nord (although to be honest, I didn't listen to their side of it )
----
I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go.

~ II. VII
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06.11.2014 - 01:45
mz
Written by Auntie Sahar on 06.11.2014 at 01:39

Heard that name many times, never actually checked them out though. Album?

EDIT: Oh yeah, they just did that split with Blut Aus Nord (although to be honest, I didn't listen to their side of it )

Shit. Shame on you =p
I personally like their 2nd album more and it's one of my all time favorites. Many people prefer their 3rd one, though. If you love Blut aus Nord on more industrial moments, like Dead Clowns, give at least their 3rd album a try.
----
Giving my ears a rest from music.
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06.11.2014 - 01:47
mz
For more industrial/black/doom, I suggest woods of belial:
----
Giving my ears a rest from music.
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06.11.2014 - 01:58
Auntie Sahar
Drone Empress
Elite
Written by mz on 06.11.2014 at 01:47

For more industrial/black/doom, I suggest woods of belial

Someone rec'd them to me back when I was doing my (now dead) Weird Finnish Metal list. Another one I've heard a ton about, but haven't yet gotten around to
----
I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go.

~ II. VII
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06.11.2014 - 04:52
Fearmeister
Account deleted
I like this. You should (that's an order, not an assumption) like this too. Technically its Black/Death/Doom metal but it might count for this list

Ysengrin
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06.11.2014 - 05:16
Auntie Sahar
Drone Empress
Elite
Written by Guest on 06.11.2014 at 04:52

Ysengrin

Heh, you and your Voidhanger bands
Honestly though, the fact that it's just one giant track makes me very interested, I love albums like that because I almost always end up just listening to the music while zoned out on my bed, it's like one massive head trip.
----
I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go.

~ II. VII
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06.11.2014 - 05:26
Diverge
That title....

But seriously, this is a sweet list. I imagine it will come in handy for n00bs like me.
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06.11.2014 - 13:20
Urs Blank
I've only listened to half of the albums from your list but it definitely deserves my thumb up

Faal's The Clouds Are Burning could fit here in my humble opinion. I also second Eriks' recommandations concerning Nortt and Brown Jenkins
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06.11.2014 - 13:34
Auntie Sahar
Drone Empress
Elite
Written by Urs Blank on 06.11.2014 at 13:20

Faal's The Clouds Are Burning

Another one I've yet to check up but have heard good things about. Tomorrow's my day off, seems I have some listening to do
----
I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go.

~ II. VII
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06.11.2014 - 13:53
mz
Why not also having Wormphlegm?
----
Giving my ears a rest from music.
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06.11.2014 - 14:34
!J.O.O.E.!
Account deleted
Noûs <3
Alkerdeel <3
Arcana Coelestia
The Austrasian Goat
Hivelords <3
Abyssmal Sorrow
Grey Widow <3
Blood of the Black Owl
Eibon <3
Churchburn
Wolvhammer
Hellige <3
Forgotten Tomb <3
Beatrik
Urna
Batillus <3
Whitehorse <3
Ghast (UK) <3
SINK <3

Khlyst, for a wild card.

Didn't bother linking Blood of the Black Owl as I know you know them already.
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06.11.2014 - 15:35
Alex F
Slick Dick Rick
Written by mz on 06.11.2014 at 13:53

Why not also having Wormphlegm?

I second this. Wormphlegm's full length would fit nicely here
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06.11.2014 - 16:02
mz
Written by Guest on 06.11.2014 at 14:34

Churchburn



I wanted to listen to them againa few days ago and couldn't remember their name.Thanks.
Also,wolvhammer sucks.
----
Giving my ears a rest from music.
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06.11.2014 - 16:07
!J.O.O.E.!
Account deleted
Written by mz on 06.11.2014 at 16:02

I wanted to listen to them againa few days ago and couldn't remember their name.Thanks.
Also,wolvhammer sucks.

The new Wolvhammer is very average, but The Obsidian Plains is pretty not bad I would say. I wouldn't judge them on the new one if that's the only one you've heard.

[EDIT]

You even said it was a good album on the MS album page of it
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06.11.2014 - 17:22
Fearmeister
Account deleted
Written by Guest on 06.11.2014 at 14:34


Blood Of The Black Owl



He knows about this one. I keep trying to shove it down his throat every few weeks
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06.11.2014 - 17:23
!J.O.O.E.!
Account deleted
Written by Guest on 06.11.2014 at 17:22

He knows about this one. I keep trying to shove it down his throat every few weeks

Yeah I spotted his staff pick of it. That's why I didn't bother linking the name to some music should be on this list at any rate though I reckon.
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06.11.2014 - 17:34
Fearmeister
Account deleted
Written by Guest on 06.11.2014 at 17:23

Yeah I spotted his staff pick of it. That's why I didn't bother linking the name to some music should be on this list at any rate though I reckon.


He's only listened to the ambient drone album that he staff picked as far as I know. I keep trying to get him to listen to A Feral Spirit to no avail.
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06.11.2014 - 18:33
!J.O.O.E.!
Account deleted
I somehow forgot to mention Bethlehem's 'Dark Metal'. As good as it is noteworthy in blackened doom's history.

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06.11.2014 - 22:04
Erik M.
Written by Auntie Sahar on 06.11.2014 at 00:08

Hmm. Well I did want to go at more of a broad perspective with this list with the inclusion of stoner/sludge... it could bring in a bunch of the usual whiny bullshit of genre debating, but I think I'm armed and ready for it


Hehe, fair enough then. I was only criticising the fact that you included those bands while the list title said it was about blackened doom. Now that you changed the title, my complaint isn't justified anymore.

Written by Auntie Sahar on 06.11.2014 at 00:12

Yep, this is apparently an album that I seem to be sleeping on pretty hard. Maybe I should give it (and perhaps the Nortt you mention as well) a listen after work tonight


Definitely check out both. Brown Jenkins - Death Obsession because it's awesome and Nortt because that debut is bleak and depressing as fuck, sound-wise. Anyway, I hope you add them.

For the record, the Brown Jenkins suggestion was actually not entirely serious seeing as I seem to be one of the few people who actually thinks Brown Jenkins contains doom elements. I remember I asked you to give your opinion on that months ago. You said you were going to check it out, but it seems you never got to it.
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06.11.2014 - 22:04
Erik M.
Written by Guest on 06.11.2014 at 00:13

Erik doesn't like lists that don't cater to his whim. Don't worry about it; nothing wrong with variety. Keeps a list interesting, provided it doesn't completely branch out the scope (which bands like Dragged Into Sunlight and Coffinworm don't, as they do have elements of blackened-ness in them). If it bugs you, monkey around with the title or description. List is fine the way it is.

EDIT: ...And you changed it already. Damn you all to hell.


My complaint was justified seeing as the title implied it was a blackened doom albums list while Che also featured stoner/sludge stuff.

And what's wrong with stating your opinion on a list? That's what lists are all about.
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06.11.2014 - 22:12
!J.O.O.E.!
Account deleted
Written by Erik M. on 06.11.2014 at 22:04

My complaint was justified seeing as the title implied it was a blackened doom albums list while Che also featured stoner/sludge stuff.

And what's wrong with stating your opinion on a list? That's what lists are all about.

Except stoner and sludge do fall under the doom cat. Pretty sure Che's description would have cleared up any confusion so not that legitimate of a complaint really as you could have just read the description.
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06.11.2014 - 22:39
Fearmeister
Account deleted
Sometimes I regret showing Erik Brown Jenkins...
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06.11.2014 - 22:42
Erik M.
Written by Guest on 06.11.2014 at 22:12

Except stoner and sludge do fall under the doom cat.


They do?

Quote:
Pretty sure Che's description would have cleared up any confusion so not that legitimate of a complaint really as you could have just read the description.


It still was a legitimate complaint because obviously the list title and its description must be consistent with each other, which wasn't the case.
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