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1.
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Árstíðir Lífsins - Aldrlok
so far this is my favorite album of 2024. old norse chants, folk instrumentation and crystal clear black metal really make this album the epitome of quality in modern metal. it is very long, it is basically a double album, but since it is made to be experienced as a journey, i really can't take that as a negative. |
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2.
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Hail Spirit Noir - Fossil Gardens
really unique sound, i love how synths and ambiences were incorporated into tracks, perfect balance of aggressive and tame parts, growls and cleans, amazing production. it doesnt get repetitive, whoever was doing arrangements for this album really understands music. |
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3.
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Hauntologist - Hollow
i was always disappointed in way that metal bands use ambient sounds and interludes, usually its either very confusing drones or kinda cheesy synths, but this band here uses ambience perfectly, very harmonious with riffs and vocals, it is just a great album with a great replay value |
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4.
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Slimelord - Chytridiomycosis Relinquished
i am not a huge fan of long meandering tracks but these songs go to some really fun places, it all feels very bold and deliberate, it sounds like they know exactly where they want to take the listener without being afraid to experiment. it is also a hybrid of different sub-genres which makes it very interesting. happy i found this one |
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5.
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Crypt Sermon - The Stygian Rose |
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6.
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Ulcerate - Cutting The Throat Of God
in my head this is how a band with unique non-mainstream sound can make music which appeal to wider masses. from what i could find out, they are somewhat of a live sensation, so i will be on a lookout for their concert. when it comes to album itself, it is very good, i probably need to hear it couple more times, but so far i see it sitting comfortably in my top 10 albums. |
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7.
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Vale Of Pnath - Between The Worlds Of Life And Death |
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8.
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Huntsmen - The Dry Land |
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9.
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Verberis - The Apophatic Wilderness |
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10.
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Hamferð - Men Guðs Hond Er Sterk |
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11.
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Wormwood - The Star |
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12.
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Ulvik - Last Rites / Dire Omens |
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13.
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House By The Cemetary - The Mortuary Hauntings |
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14.
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Apes - Penitence |
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15.
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Oubliette - Eternity Whispers |
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16.
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Kvaen - The Formless Fires |
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17.
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Torturers' Lobby - Deadened Nerves |
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18.
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Ὁπλίτης - Παραμαινομένη
i was sure this band was greek, but no, it is one man band from china making really violent form of avant-garde metal with saxophone. it is too experimental to listen to it regularly, but for sure it deserves a space on my list, i simply never heard anything like this. band is also known as hoplites in english |
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19.
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Adversarial - Solitude With The Eternal... |
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20.
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Brodequin - Harbinger Of Woe
its good that the tracks dont overstay their welcome and overall runtime is appropriate for this style. squealing pig vocals, intense drumming, brutal tag really fits here and i must say i really enjoyed the energy of this band. but when i want something wild i will just check out a new band, so i dont think i will return to this a lot, if all. |
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21.
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Sons Of Arrakis - Volume II |
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22.
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Khirki - Κυκεώνας
maybe this style is not my favorite in metal, hence a low position, but i really appreciated tracks in greek, i love their language and culture, and i wish this band would ditch english completely and make an amazing album in greek using more traditional instruments and themes... khirki is on my radar now, so we'll see |
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23.
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Thanatotherion - Alienation Manifesto
it has some catchy moments, i was overall confused with this concoction. i do not listen to music through genre tages, but i was really confused by this one because it reminded me of many things at once. weird. not bad though |
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24.
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Madder Mortem - Old Eyes, New Heart
this didn't quite catch me although i saw it recommended in multiple places. i guess its just not my cup of tea |
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25.
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Inquisition - Veneration Of Medieval Mysticism And Cosmological Violence
this band has some tracks i really like and listened on repeat, but unfortunately this album is so badly produced that it is borderline unlistenable for me. such a shame, i hope they improve their sound |
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26.
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Aseitas - Eden Trough
overproduced and boring, honestly. |
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27.
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DinUmbră - Finality
bad vocals with bad accent. did not like it |
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28.
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Swelling Repulsion - Fatally Misguided
bad production. did not like it |
