Haha, I loved the little lines. We have quite a few bands/albums in common.

"Esoteric - The Maniacal Vale
You should have seen the look on your face."

Nice way to mess with people there

Damn, that Esoteric one scared me.

After long time two lists(JOOE's 2015 jammin' and this) came across which is damn interesting.

Both get my thumbs up.

Thanks guys, I'm glad you got a kick out of it =)
Yeah I was hoping that Esoteric one would get the jump on a few people, haha.
Joe's 2015 list is one I'm going to be checking up on throughout the year, it's great.

Nathan will hate this list. Would say MVIII is way more fitting than MVII since it's way more generic and boring.

And Arcane Rain Fell? Seriously? Say what you will about Draconian (loads of people hate them, I know), but that album, along with the debut, is without a doubt their best work. As for Epica, Design Your Universe is good, in contrary to their latest two bad albums. Totally generic.

And as for Moonspell, the only correct answer to what their best album is, is of course Wolfheart.

Just giving my opinion; I know this list is totally subjective. I do agree with most (being generic) though.

Written by Erik M. on 14.01.2015 at 22:48

the only correct answer to what their best album is...

That's not what this list is about though.

Written by deadone on 15.01.2015 at 01:21
My entire collection?

This made me laugh way too much.
I love the description for Deafheaven's feature on this list lol

This is my favorite list on the site now. As for generic stuff I enjoy, I'd include about every OSDM album ever, and something like The Priest Of Satan by The Black

Erik: I haven't listened to MVIII, and I am in no rush to do so, despite my rather newfound love for BaN, so I'm going to have to take your word for it. I'll throw it up there if you'd prefer.

I agree that Draconian's first two are their best, and I enjoy them. Doesn't stop them from sounding like the plethora of other mushy Don't Cry for Me Argentina watered down generic toothless (fuck commas) melodic McDoom band available for consumption.

Epica was always generic in the wake of progenitor bands such as Theatre of Tragedy and Tristania.

Like Joe said, the list isn't about the best releases in the band's discography.

Deadone: Pray tell =)

Alex Fenger: Thanks man! Throw some OSDM my way and I'll throw it up there =)

OSDM you say? Listened to these three fucking great records tonight:
https://darkdescentrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-heart-of-the-netherworld
http://profoundlorerecords.bandcamp.com/album/odori-sepulcrorum-2
http://pulverised.bandcamp.com/album/relics-of-sulphur-salvation

All of them are very recent

Written by V01d on 15.01.2015 at 03:29

Epica was always generic in the wake of progenitor bands such as Theatre of Tragedy and Tristania.

Epica's debut is far from being generic, it's excellent. Its sound, themes and lyrics are nothing like anything ToT and Tristania ever did. Epica in general isn't similar to those bands, as they're not really gothic, but rather symphonic metal. And they've only become more symphonic (bombastic) with each release (which I dislike).

Written by Erik M. on 16.01.2015 at 22:32

Written by V01d on 15.01.2015 at 03:29

Epica was always generic in the wake of progenitor bands such as Theatre of Tragedy and Tristania.

Epica's debut is far from being generic, it's excellent. Its sound, themes and lyrics are nothing like anything ToT and Tristania ever did. Epica in general isn't similar to those bands, as they're not really gothic, but rather symphonic metal. And they've only become more symphonic (bombastic) with each release (which I dislike).

So let me get this straight...you dislike (to some extent) Epica's newer releases for becoming more of what they already are?

I'm just bustin' ya.

In all seriousness, Epica's debut is cool, but it doesn't do anything to distinguish itself from similar bands like After Forever, Edenbridge, Sirenia, and all other manner of generic symphonic female fronted metal lite deluxe. I guess it's lost on me.

Written by V01d on 16.01.2015 at 22:40

So let me get this straight...you dislike (to some extent) Epica's newer releases for becoming more of what they already are?

Actually, you're totally correct. They've become too over-the-top for me. The Phantom Agony at least has great themes, a rather distinct sound (to me at least) and is by no means over-the-top. Especially compared to their later albums. The balance is perfect on that album.

Quote:
In all seriousness, Epica's debut is cool, but it doesn't do anything to distinguish itself from similar bands like After Forever, Edenbridge, Sirenia, and all other manner of generic symphonic female fronted metal lite deluxe. I guess it's lost on me.

It's more similar to After Forever indeed. And the first two AF albums are surely excellent as well. Edenbridge I haven't listened to. Sirenia had a great start with the first two albums and quickly became totally generic.

I think it's safe to say we simply disagree on this.

Written by Erik M. on 16.01.2015 at 22:45



It's more similar to After Forever indeed. And the first two AF albums are surely excellent as well.

well, duh!!! Why do you think that is (that Epica is more similar to the first two AF albums)?

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 16.01.2015 at 23:48

well, duh!!! Why do you think that is (that Epica is more similar to the first two AF albums)?

Obviously due to Mark Jansen's influence on the music. Of course I know that. Then again, he has totally lost it now. Last two Epica albums are pretty bad.

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 16.01.2015 at 23:48

Written by Erik M. on 16.01.2015 at 22:45



It's more similar to After Forever indeed. And the first two AF albums are surely excellent as well.

well, duh!!! Why do you think that is (that Epica is more similar to the first two AF albums)?

One can't be too quick to ascertain, but I'm GUESSING.....it may have something to do with Mark Jansen

Though I'm still confused about the not liking symphonic because it's over the top thing.

No one sits down to listen to symphonic metal for an evening in of restrained listening.

The only time I ever listen to symphonic metal is on the occasion that I want something over the top. That's pretty much the bread and butter of the genre.

Written by V01d on 16.01.2015 at 23:59

Though I'm still confused about the not liking symphonic because it's over the top thing.

No one sits down to listen to symphonic metal for an evening in of restrained listening.

The only time I ever listen to symphonic metal is on the occasion that I want something over the top. That's pretty much the bread and butter of the genre.

Compare a song such as Facade of Reality to this song. The former is symphonic yet subtle enough while in the latter they went full retard, as in totally over-the-top. Also it comes off as quite poppy. I would say they're now symphonic power metal, which would immediately explain why I really hate their new sound. The debut is is no possible way power metal. Brilliant debut indeed.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahaha at Erik and his misconceptions

Says the guy who fails to hear a clear difference in sound between two songs. How ironic indeed.

Here's a few for your list and mostly female fronted bands:
Blood Stain Child - Epsilon (Yes I could call this generic and a massive filler release but who cares I still love this addictive album)
Amaranthe - Amaranthe (Same as BSC, extremely catchy, pop music but fun)
Delain - The Human Contradiction (Again quite poppy and same old formula in Symphonic metal, but highly enjoyable)
Visions Of Atlantis - Trinity (This one has to be one of the most generic symphonic bands I've heard, though this release had extreme re-play for me at one time)

Written by Erik M. on 18.01.2015 at 15:05

Says the guy who fails to hear a clear difference in sound between two songs. How ironic indeed.

How do you manage to come to the conclusion I fail to hear the difference in sound between the two songs you posted? They are both horrible to be honest and one is just a bit more horrible than the other.

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 18.01.2015 at 18:23

How do you manage to come to the conclusion I fail to hear the difference in sound between the two songs you posted? They are both horrible to be honest and one is just a bit more horrible than the other.

Well, which apparent misconceptions were you referring to then? I was simply explaining that Epica became much more bombastic (over-the-top) with each album they released and while the debut is bombastic as well, it's on a whole other level than the most recent album, which is the reason I do like the debut and not their later stuff. Maybe I'm wrong about them being symphonic power metal though, but I don't really care either way. To me Epica is the kind of band that started off great and becomes worse and worse with each release.

Surprised Behemoth didn't make the list.

Written by Mad Arab666 on 23.01.2015 at 05:38

Surprised Behemoth didn't make the list.

I hate Behemoth, but they deserve a spot up there. Done.