Most Gripping Atmospheres

Most Gripping Atmospheres

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A list by
R'Vannith
Created
August 13, 2011
Entries
117
Endorsements
27
Here are the most captivating atmospheres I've ever heard. Including metal and non-metal albums. Grouped according to genre and one album per band.
117.
1.
117.
2.
117.
3.
Riverside - Out Of Myself
Progressive Metal
117.
4.
Suspyre - When Time Fades...
Progressive Metal
117.
5.
Redemption - The Fullness Of Time
Progressive Metal
117.
6.
Andromeda - Chimera
Progressive Metal
117.
7.
117.
8.
Communic - Waves Of Visual Decay
Progressive Metal
117.
9.
117.
10.
Shadow Gallery - Room V
Progressive Metal
117.
11.
Devin Townsend - Terria
Progressive Metal
117.
12.
117.
13.
Kingcrow - Phlegethon
Progressive Metal
117.
14.
Ayreon - Into The Electric Castle
Progressive Metal
117.
15.
Nevermore - This Godless Endeavor
Progressive Metal
117.
16.
Dan Swanö - Moontower
Extreme Progressive Metal
117.
17.
Opeth - Still Life
Extreme Progressive Metal
117.
18.
Porcupine Tree - Fear Of A Blank Planet
Progressive Rock/Metal
117.
19.
Rishloo - Feathergun
Progressive Rock/Metal
117.
20.
The Mars Volta - Frances The Mute
Progressive Rock/Metal
117.
21.
Anekdoten - Nucleus
Progressive Rock/Metal
117.
22.
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Progressive Rock
117.
23.
Arena - The Visitor
Progressive Rock
117.
24.
Beardfish - Destined Solitaire
Progressive Rock
117.
25.
Pallas - The Dreams Of Men
Progressive Rock
117.
26.
Solaris - Nostradamus Book Of Prophecies
Progressive Rock
117.
27.
Genesis - Selling England By The Pound
Progressive Rock
117.
28.
King Crimson - Lizard
Progressive Rock
117.
29.
Renaissance - Scheherazade And Other Stories
Progressive Rock
117.
30.
The Enid - In The Region Of The Summer Stars
Progressive Rock
117.
31.
Yes - Relayer
Progressive Rock
117.
32.
Anglagard - Hybris
Progressive Rock
117.
33.
Wishbone Ash - Argus
Progressive Rock
117.
34.
Supertramp - Crime Of The Century
Progressive Rock/Pop
117.
35.
Van De Graaf Generator - Still Life
Progressive Rock
117.
36.
Eloy - Ocean
Progressive Rock
117.
37.
Camel - Moonmadness
Progressive Rock
117.
38.
Hawkwind - Warrior On The Edge Of Time
Psychedelic/Progressive Rock
117.
39.
Ozric Tentacles - Jurassic Shift
Psychedelic/Space Rock
117.
40.
Alan Parsons Band - A Valid Path
Progressive Rock
117.
41.
Alan Parsons Project - Tales of Mystery and Imagination - Edgar Allan Poe
Progressive Rock
117.
42.
The Pineapple Thief - Someone Here Is Missing
Progressive Rock
117.
43.
Tangerine Dream - Phaedra
Electronic/Ambient
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44.
Depeche Mode - Violator
Electronic
117.
45.
Ulver - Shadows Of The Sun
Electronic/Ambient/Avantgarde Metal
117.
46.
Dol Ammad - Ocean Dynamics
Electronic Symphonic Metal
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47.
117.
48.
Elend - Weeping Nights
Ambient/Neoclassical
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49.
117.
50.
Dead Can Dance - The Serpents Egg
Ambient/Neoclassical/World/Folk
117.
51.
Dargaard - The Dissolution Of Eternity
Neoclassical/Ambient/Folk
117.
52.
Tenhi - Maaäet
Ambient/Neofolk
117.
53.
Winds - The Imaginary Direction Of Time
Neoclassical/Avantgarde Metal
117.
54.
Apocalyptica - Cult
Neoclassical/Instrumental Metal
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55.
Agalloch - The Mantle
Neofolk/Black/Gothic Metal
117.
56.
Moonsorrow - Kivenkantaja
Viking Folk Metal
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57.
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58.
Primordial - To The Nameless Dead
Black/Folk Metal
117.
59.
Subway To Sally - Herzblut
Folk/Industrial Metal
117.
60.
117.
61.
Angst Skvadron - Flukt
Post-Black/Avantgarde Metal
117.
62.
Blut Aus Nord - The Work Which Transforms God
Industrial Black Metal
117.
63.
Bal-Sagoth - The Power Cosmic
Symphonic Black Power Metal
117.
64.
Old Man's Child - Vermin
Symphonic Black Metal
117.
65.
Therion - Sirius B
Symphonic Metal
117.
66.
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67.
Epica - Consign To Oblivion
Symphonic Metal
117.
68.
Kamelot - The Black Halo
Symphonic Power Metal
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69.
Septicflesh - Communion
Symphonic Death Metal
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70.
Nocturnus - The Key
Atmospheric Death Metal
117.
71.
Amorphis - Tales From The Thousand Lakes
Melodic Death Metal
117.
72.
Edge Of Sanity - Crimson
Progressive Melodic Death Metal
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73.
In Mourning - Monolith
Progressive Melodic Death Metal
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74.
Dark Tranquillity - Damage Done
Melodic Death Metal
117.
75.
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76.
Estradasphere - Buck Fever
Avantgarde Metal/Fusion
117.
77.
117.
78.
In The Woods... - Omnio
Avantgarde Metal
117.
79.
Arcturus - The Sham Mirrors
Avantgarde Black Metal
117.
80.
Isis - Oceanic
Avantgarde Metal
117.
81.
Alchemist - Austral Alien
Avantgarde Metal
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82.
Pelican - The Fire In Our Throats Will Beckon The Thaw
Avantgarde Instrumental Metal
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83.
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84.
Tides From Nebula - Aura
Ambient/Instrumental Post-metal
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85.
Bloodiest - Descent
Post-Metal/Sludge
117.
86.
Anathema - Judgement
Atmospheric Rock
117.
87.
Ahab - The Call Of The Wretched Sea
Funeral Doom Metal
117.
88.
Candlemass - Nightfall
Doom Metal
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89.
Solstice - New Dark Age
Epic Doom Metal
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90.
DoomSword - Let Battle Commence
Epic Doom Metal
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91.
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93.
Avrigus - The Secret Kingdom
Atmospheric Doom Metal
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94.
The 3rd And The Mortal - Tears Laid In Earth
Atmospheric Doom Metal
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95.
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96.
Saturnus - Martyre
Doom/Gothic Metal
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97.
Heavenwood - Abyss Masterpiece
Gothic Metal
117.
98.
Throes Of Dawn - Quicksilver Clouds
Gothic/Symphonic Metal
117.
99.
Madder Mortem - All Flesh Is Grass
Atmospheric Gothic Metal
117.
100.
Paradise Lost - Icon
Gothic Metal
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101.
Tiamat - Wildhoney
Atmospheric Gothic Metal
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102.
Katatonia - Viva Emptiness
Alternative/Gothic Metal
117.
103.
Todesbonden - Sleep Now, Quiet Forest
Atmospheric Gothic/Doom Metal
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104.
Cormorant - Metazoa
Progressive Folk/Black/Melodic Death
117.
105.
Equilibrium - Sagas
Viking Folk Metal
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106.
Kiuas - The Spirit Of Ukko
Power Metal
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107.
Iced Earth - Burnt Offerings
Power Metal
117.
108.
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109.
Angra - Temple Of Shadows
Progressive Power Metal
117.
110.
Symphony X - The Divine Wings Of Tragedy
Neoclassical/Progressive Power Metal
117.
111.
Evergrey - Solitude, Dominance, Tragedy
Dark Progressive Power Metal
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112.
Angel Dust - Bleed
Heavy/Thrashy Power Metal
117.
113.
Morgana Lefay - Grand Materia
Heavy/Thrashy Power Metal
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114.
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Virgin Steele - The House Of Atreus Act I
Symphonic Heavy Metal
117.
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Turisas - The Varangian Way
Battle Folk Metal
Disclaimer: All top lists are unofficial and do not represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
[ More lists by R'Vannith ]

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Comments: 24 Visited by 398 users
Frost Beast
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27.10.2011 - 13:51
Frost Beast
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Great list, but it needs more black metal. Try Drudkh and Wolves In The Throne Room for great atmospheres.
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27.10.2011 - 14:31

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Impressive list with really good and varied stuff! Lots of progressive and even some Estradasphere and Virus! Man I quite agree with your tastes
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fabregassed
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27.10.2011 - 22:22
fabregassed
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Written by [user id=122056] on 27.10.2011 at 13:51

Great list, but it needs more black metal. Try Drudkh and Wolves In The Throne Room for great atmospheres.

Doesn't have to have black metal. I personally don't find BM atmospheric like a lot of people say.
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Frost Beast
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27.10.2011 - 22:26
Frost Beast
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Written by [user id=115335] on 27.10.2011 at 22:22

Written by [user id=122056] on 27.10.2011 at 13:51

Great list, but it needs more black metal. Try Drudkh and Wolves In The Throne Room for great atmospheres.

Doesn't have to have black metal. I personally don't find BM atmospheric like a lot of people say.

That's true, mate. Bands like Darkthrone and Immortal nearly have nothing to do with atmosphere, but you can't deny that Drudkh and Wolves In The Throne Room records drip with atmosphere.
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Troy Killjoy
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27.10.2011 - 22:38
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Written by [user id=122056] on 27.10.2011 at 22:26
Immortal nearly have nothing to do with atmosphere

Whoa whoa whoa wait just a minute. Immortal, nothing to do with atmosphere? Please.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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Troy Killjoy
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27.10.2011 - 22:40
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PS if you've got Alan Parsons up there (AVP is a phenomenal album by the way) you might as well add The Project's Tales.... Atmospheric as fuuuck.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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R'Vannith
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28.10.2011 - 08:20
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Written by [user id=122056] on 27.10.2011 at 13:51

Great list, but it needs more black metal. Try Drudkh and Wolves In The Throne Room for great atmospheres.

Thanks! And yeah it definitely needs a bit more from that department, trouble with me is though I rarely enjoy Black metal as it is, let alone get a sense of atmosphere from it. I'll be sure to check those two out.

Written by Urs Blank on 27.10.2011 at 14:31

Impressive list with really good and varied stuff! Lots of progressive and even some Estradasphere and Virus! Man I quite agree with your tastes

Thanks, glad it was to your liking. That Estradasphere album is honestly one of the best atmospheres I've ever heard, it's just so crazy, funny and awesome all at once!

Written by [user id=115335] on 27.10.2011 at 22:22

I personally don't find BM atmospheric like a lot of people say.

I agree very much, although I'm starting to get a feel for the more ambient black metal, some of that stuff has great atmosphere.

Written by Troy Killjoy on 27.10.2011 at 22:40

PS if you've got Alan Parsons up there (AVP is a phenomenal album by the way) you might as well add The Project's Tales.... Atmospheric as fuuuck.

Never would have put you as an Parsons fan! AVP isn't very highly regarded but I can hardly not enjoy it's electronic/prog randomness (especially with Cleese at the end for some reason). That's my favourite by Alan Parsons but because 'The Project' is a different band I can't see why I shouldn't add that one too ('Tales' is definitely atmospheric in every sense of the word)
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Carl Berg
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07.01.2013 - 06:31
Carl Berg
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Absolutely amazing list. When I saw Andromeda I knew this deserved a thumbs up.
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07.01.2013 - 13:17

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Written by [user id=122056] on 27.10.2011 at 13:51

Great list, but it needs more black metal. Try Drudkh and Wolves In The Throne Room for great atmospheres.

Definitely agree with that. More atmospheric than most of the bands in the list.
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R'Vannith
ghedengi
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07.01.2013 - 15:36
R'Vannith
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Written by Carl Berg on 07.01.2013 at 06:31

Absolutely amazing list. When I saw Andromeda I knew this deserved a thumbs up.

Wow thanks a lot! I think "Chimera" is their most atmospheric album though "Extension of the Wish" is my favourite from them. Really smooth prog sound with excellent vocals, especially on tracks like "The Hidden Riddle."
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R'Vannith
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07.01.2013 - 15:38
R'Vannith
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Written by Aristarchos on 07.01.2013 at 13:17

Written by [user id=122056] on 27.10.2011 at 13:51

Great list, but it needs more black metal. Try Drudkh and Wolves In The Throne Room for great atmospheres.

Definitely agree with that. More atmospheric than most of the bands in the list.

Still need to check out those suggestions, thanks for the reminder.
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MechanisT
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21.02.2014 - 22:52
MechanisT
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Dripping atmosphere by the buckets. Truly great album, and one that fits here methinks.

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R'Vannith
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22.02.2014 - 06:26
R'Vannith
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Written by [user id=109200] on 21.02.2014 at 22:52

Dripping atmosphere by the buckets. Truly great album, and one that fits here methinks.

I'll need to listen this one more fully, from that piece you've shown me it seems to be very atmospheric. It reminds me vaguely of another band, but I can't put my finger on who it is at the moment.
Thanks muchly for the suggestion.
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Lit.
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22.02.2014 - 19:52
Lit.
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As long as we're talking atmospheric black, perhaps Lurker of Chalice?
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R'Vannith
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23.02.2014 - 03:37
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Written by [user id=101272] on 22.02.2014 at 19:52

As long as we're talking atmospheric black, perhaps Lurker of Chalice?

I haven't heard this one either, and it's very favoured on MS. I'll give it a listen when I'm next in the mood for some black metal, thanks.
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01.06.2014 - 18:50

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Perhaps some of Haggard's albums would have room on here?
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R'Vannith
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07.06.2014 - 17:35
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Written by NorthernDickhead on 01.06.2014 at 18:50

Perhaps some of Haggard's albums would have room on here?

Haven't heard their material for years. Needless to say they didn't leave much of a positive impression on me then, as I haven't listened beyond one of their albums. Eppur Si Muove it was. I think I'll have to revisit them at some point though, thanks for the suggestion.
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13.09.2014 - 04:51

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I would suggest this album but I'm sure some would disagree.
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R'Vannith
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13.09.2014 - 07:47
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Written by Doge of Venice on 13.09.2014 at 04:51

I would suggest this album but I'm sure some would disagree.

I've been aware of that one, but I still haven't tried it out, despite how much everyone seems to appreciate it, how nice the cover is, the fact that it's an Australian musician... the hell's wrong with me? I need to check it out, I don't imagine I'll be unimpressed by it going off the amount of folks that are into it. Only one way to find out of course, actually listen to it.
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R'Vannith
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13.09.2014 - 07:53
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Written by [user id=109200] on 21.02.2014 at 22:52

Dripping atmosphere by the buckets. Truly great album, and one that fits here methinks.



I forgot to mention to you, I realised sometime later that this reminded me of Klabautamann, and having checked out who they're signed to, lo and behold they're both on the same label, "Zeitgeister." Pretty coincidental, and it's very nice music too. One of the best that that label have on-board I think.
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13.09.2014 - 16:03

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Written by R'Vannith on 13.09.2014 at 07:47

Written by Doge of Venice on 13.09.2014 at 04:51

I would suggest this album but I'm sure some would disagree.

I've been aware of that one, but I still haven't tried it out, despite how much everyone seems to appreciate it, how nice the cover is, the fact that it's an Australian musician... the hell's wrong with me? I need to check it out, I don't imagine I'll be unimpressed by it going off the amount of folks that are into it. Only one way to find out of course, actually listen to it.

It's worth it. I think even Troy appreciates it (even though it's too symphonic for him )

EDIT: Oh, and while we're at it, here are a couple others I'd suggest:

Gazpacho - Demon
Major Parkinson - Twilight Cinema

If we are talking atmospheres that are hard to let go once they have you, then I would also include this.
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Troy Killjoy
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13.09.2014 - 17:54
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Written by Doge of Venice on 13.09.2014 at 16:03
It's worth it. I think even Troy appreciates it (even though it's too symphonic for him )

I think objectively it's great for what it is, I'm just not a big fan of the style.
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13.09.2014 - 18:37

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Written by Troy Killjoy on 13.09.2014 at 17:54

Written by Doge of Venice on 13.09.2014 at 16:03
It's worth it. I think even Troy appreciates it (even though it's too symphonic for him )

I think objectively it's great for what it is, I'm just not a big fan of the style.

I was just teasing.
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06.04.2020 - 12:54

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Any list that has Camel's Moonmadness gets a thumbs up from me.
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I thought the two primary purposes for the internet were cat memes and overreactions.
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