Reed Rothchild | 9,963 Editorials Team · Posted April 3, 2023 Author Share Posted April 3, 2023 #53: Equilibrium: Blut Im Auge (2008) This is such a strange band, and strange album. I don't know how in the world to describe it, other than maybe "tropical black folk metal", whatever that may mean. And I don't mean to conjure the image of something like Alestorm, because these aren't sea shanties. Whatever it is, I love it. I've listened to Sagas roughly fourteen million times. I even made my wife listen to Mana on every road trip. It was a tradition. This album is one of my top 25 in the history of metal. Unfortunately it was also the only album of theirs that I love. The debut is merely okay, and the subsequent LPs got less and less interesting. I haven't bothered with the newest ones, which feature an entire new lineup and (supposedly) an entirely new sound. Honorable mentions: Mana, Prolog Auf Erden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reed Rothchild | 9,963 Editorials Team · Posted April 3, 2023 Author Share Posted April 3, 2023 10 hours ago, MrWunderful said: defalcate masonry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reed Rothchild | 9,963 Editorials Team · Posted April 4, 2023 Author Share Posted April 4, 2023 #52: Nightwish - The Poet and the Pendulum (2007) I know most hardcore fans swear by the early Tarja stuff, and I agree that Once had some real bangers on. But I prefer the really over-the-top symphonic stuff that we started seeing after their first few albums. Is that sacrilege? Well, I don't care, because I owned Wishmaster, Century Child and Oceanborn, and I could barely be bothered to listen to them. Dark Passion Play is fun enough that I even gave my non-metal sister a copy of it, to good results. And a big part of that is the truly massive opener. Seriously, this thing is so ridiculous, it might be the single most pompous thing on the entire list. Even Epica doesn't get this crazy. Honorable mentions: Ghost Love Score, Nemo, Storytime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reed Rothchild | 9,963 Editorials Team · Posted April 5, 2023 Author Share Posted April 5, 2023 #51: Mr. Bungle - My Ass Is On Fire (1991) Arguably the most "metal" of the full Bungle albums, I think Ass is On Fire perfectly encapsulates their chaotic sound. Mike does his usual crazy things, there's saxophones, sound bites from Blue Velvet... it's basically the whole package. You can tell bands like SOAD and Korn listened to this album a billion times. Part of wishes they'd stayed the course with this sound. But failing that, bands like Dog Fashion Disco did an admirable job carrying that torch. Honorable mentions: Quote Unquote, Retrovertigo, Carry Stress in the Jaw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammerfestus | 4,107 Posted April 5, 2023 Share Posted April 5, 2023 On 4/4/2023 at 12:20 PM, Reed Rothchild said: #52: Nightwish - The Poet and the Pendulum (2007) I know most hardcore fans swear by the early Tarja stuff, and I agree that Once had some real bangers on. But I prefer the really over-the-top symphonic stuff that we started seeing after their first few albums. Is that sacrilege? Well, I don't care, because I owned Wishmaster, Century Child and Ocean or, and I could barely be bothered to listen to them. Dark Passion Play is fun enough that I even gave my non-metal sister a copy of it, to good results. And a big part of that is the truly massive opener. Seriously, this thing is so ridiculous, it might be the single most pompous thing on the entire list. Even Epica doesn't get this crazy. Honorable mentions: Ghost Love Score, Nemo, Storytime I liked this album. She has a good voice. Wishmaster is the album though. I’m sorry I’m a Tarja guy. Love those old albums with Tuomas‘ shitty singing and everything. I thought it was hilarious when her giant ego demanded she strike out on a solo career but no one let her know that she was actually just a mediocre opera singer in a good situation. Don’t they have some Dutch chick or something now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammerfestus | 4,107 Posted April 5, 2023 Share Posted April 5, 2023 5 hours ago, Reed Rothchild said: #51: Mr. Bungle - My Ass Is On Fire (1991) Arguably the most "metal" of the full Bungle albums, I think Ass is On Fire perfectly encapsulates their chaotic sound. Mike does his usual crazy things, there's saxophones, sound bites from Blue Velvet... it's basically the whole package. You can tell bands like SOAD and Korn listened to this album a billion times. Part of wishes they'd stayed the course with this sound. But failing that, bands like Dog Fashion Disco did an admirable job carrying that torch. Honorable mentions: Quote Unquote, Retrovertigo, Carry Stress in the Jaw I never really actively listened to Mr Bungle‘s catalog but I did listen to an album once on Halloween on LSD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DefaultGen | 5,725 Posted April 5, 2023 Share Posted April 5, 2023 On 4/4/2023 at 12:20 PM, Reed Rothchild said: #52: Nightwish - The Poet and the Pendulum (2007) I know most hardcore fans swear by the early Tarja stuff, and I agree that Once had some real bangers on. But I prefer the really over-the-top symphonic stuff that we started seeing after their first few albums. Is that sacrilege? Well, I don't care, because I owned Wishmaster, Century Child and Ocean or, and I could barely be bothered to listen to them. Dark Passion Play is fun enough that I even gave my non-metal sister a copy of it, to good results. And a big part of that is the truly massive opener. Seriously, this thing is so ridiculous, it might be the single most pompous thing on the entire list. Even Epica doesn't get this crazy. Honorable mentions: Ghost Love Score, Nemo, Storytime ya this song rules. I’m fine with some Dutch chick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DefaultGen | 5,725 Posted April 5, 2023 Share Posted April 5, 2023 Oh I guess that song was with some Swede chick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammerfestus | 4,107 Posted April 5, 2023 Share Posted April 5, 2023 39 minutes ago, DefaultGen said: Oh I guess that song was with some Swede chick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reed Rothchild | 9,963 Editorials Team · Posted April 6, 2023 Author Share Posted April 6, 2023 #50: Immortal - Withstand The Fall of Time (1999) The last traditional(ish) black metal song on this list. The contributions from bands like Emperor and Agalloch don't really fit that bill in my opinion. I've owned every album Immortal has ever done up through All Shall Fall. I have an Immortal t-shirt. I even owned that "I" album. I'm comfortable calling myself a fan. But there's no question ATHoE is their best album, with the opener being the standout. Honorable mentions: Sons of Northern Darkness, All Shall Fall, Solarfall 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reed Rothchild | 9,963 Editorials Team · Posted April 7, 2023 Author Share Posted April 7, 2023 #49: Architects - Hereafter (2018) So, here's one that hits me directly in the feels. One of a pair of songs written in the aftermath of guitarist Tom Searle's death, with his twin brother Dan on the drums. As a father of identical twins myself, the grief of losing a brother with that sort of shared bond is so overwhelmingly sad to me that I get choked up just thinking about. And that translates to a powerful, moving song, with a fitting crushing heaviness to it. I don't own this album, but I've listened to this single probably 200 times in the last five years. Honorable mentions: Doomsday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reed Rothchild | 9,963 Editorials Team · Posted April 7, 2023 Author Share Posted April 7, 2023 On 4/5/2023 at 4:18 PM, Hammerfestus said: I never really actively listened to Mr Bungle‘s catalog but I did listen to an album once on Halloween on LSD. Debut = demented clown metal Disco Volante = ????????????? California = apocalyptic lounge music Easter Bunny = thrash You know, the typical progression of sound 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammerfestus | 4,107 Posted April 7, 2023 Share Posted April 7, 2023 On 4/6/2023 at 1:28 PM, Reed Rothchild said: #50: Immortal - Withstand The Fall of Time (1999) The last traditional(ish) black metal song on this list. The contributions from bands like Emperor and Agalloch don't really fit that bill in my opinion. I've owned every album Immortal has ever done up through All Shall Fall. I have an Immortal t-shirt. I even owned that "I" album. I'm comfortable calling myself a fan. But there's no question ATHoE is their best album, with the opener being the standout. Honorable mentions: Sons of Northern Darkness, All Shall Fall, Solarfall Nice choice. My go to album is Sons of Northern Darkness. In my opinion they are light years ahead of their peers. I was pleasantly surprised by Northern Chaos Gods. Obviously Abbath leaving was cause for concern but man were there some bangers on there. I also thought that “I” was good, it just kind of sounded like Abbath started a Motörhead tribute band. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammerfestus | 4,107 Posted April 7, 2023 Share Posted April 7, 2023 56 minutes ago, Reed Rothchild said: Debut = demented clown metal Disco Volante = ????????????? California = apocalyptic lounge music Easter Bunny = thrash You know, the typical progression of sound Oh Yeah it was definitely the debut. Room full of tripping 20 something dudes giggling like little girls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reed Rothchild | 9,963 Editorials Team · Posted April 8, 2023 Author Share Posted April 8, 2023 #48: Meshuggah - Future Breed Machine (1995) One of the most influential groups of the 1990s-today, how many bands of the 2010s and 2020s have a sound that can be traced back to this album in particular? It's a shit ton. Hell, they had to invent an entire genre to describe that sound. And it didn't take long to discover that sound. Because they're all in right from the opener on their second album. It's amazing to think that this thing came out in 1995, well ahead of it's time, and it perfectly stands the test of time. There's a reason they frequently use Future Breed Machine to close their sets. Honorable mentions: Bleed, Clockworks, Catch-thirtythree (pretend it's one really long track) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reed Rothchild | 9,963 Editorials Team · Posted April 9, 2023 Author Share Posted April 9, 2023 #47: Ensiferum - Token of Time (2000) Remember when Ensiferum was like the coolest f'ing thing in the world of metal? Even after Jari left and they took a slight step down with Victory Songs, these dudes were untouchable for awhile there. That mystique kinda wore off album by album, but the first LPs will always hold a special place in my heart. Honorable mentions: Hero in a Dream, Iron, One More Magic Potion 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarzombie | 936 Posted April 9, 2023 Share Posted April 9, 2023 On 4/8/2023 at 10:56 AM, Reed Rothchild said: #48: Meshuggah - Future Breed Machine (1995) One of the most influential groups of the 1990s-today, how many bands of the 2010s and 2020s have a sound that can be traced back to this album in particular? It's a shit ton. Hell, they had to invent an entire genre to describe that sound. And it didn't take long to discover that sound. Because they're all in right from the opener on their second album. It's amazing to think that this thing came out in 1995, well ahead of it's time, and it perfectly stands the test of time. There's a reason they frequently use Future Breed Machine to close their sets. Honorable mentions: Bleed, Clockworks, Catch-thirtythree (pretend it's one really long track) There we go! My favorite band. Actually did a lesson video on this and Fredrik helped me tweak a few riffs as well as others on this record. Super nice guy. They ALL are. What other band can say they created a new genre of music?!?! (Although personally, I really can't stand any band that sounds like them). Kudos to being innovators. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reed Rothchild | 9,963 Editorials Team · Posted April 10, 2023 Author Share Posted April 10, 2023 #46: Kvelertak - Offernatt (2011) When this album dropped and created huge waves in the metal scene, I remember thinking "Punk black 'n' roll? This is gonna be the worst." Nonetheless, I blind bought it. Hell, I probably had to import it (note to self: check CD tonight). And I was blown away. I'm not a punk guy, but this album is so fun I fell in love. The tunes are too catchy, too full of fun things, and the sound is too unique and original. I dare everyone not to enjoy this track. Honorable mentions: Blodtorst, Mjod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reed Rothchild | 9,963 Editorials Team · Posted April 10, 2023 Author Share Posted April 10, 2023 The list so far Sleep Token - The Summoning Mercenary - The Hours that Remain Shining - Lat Oss Ta Allt Fran Varandra Sepultura - Roots Bloody Roots Ayreon - Day 8: School Spiritbox - Circle With Me Skeletonwitch - Soul Thrashing Black Sorcery Arch Enemy - Silverwing The Devil Wears Prada - Constance Baroness - Shock Me Dimmu Borgir - Kings of the Carnival Creation Disarmonia Mundi - Kneeling on Broken Glass System of a Down - Aerials Epica - Kingdom of Heaven Testament - The Ritual Parkway Drive - Vice Grip Symphony X - Sea of Lies Cattle Decapitation - Forced Gender Reassignment Sleep - Dragonaut Dissection - Night's Blood Scar Symmetry - Holographic Universe After the Burial - Berzerker Nevermore - Born Amorphis - Silver Bride Crystal Lake - Apollo Zeal & Ardor - Built on Ashes Avenged Sevenfold - Afterlife Dream Theater - Pull Me Under Evergrey - A Touch of Blessing As I Lay Dying - Shaped By Fire Deftones - Diamond Eyes Polyphia - Ego Death Katatonia - Brave Fleshgod Apocalypse - Monnalisa Obscura - Septuagint At the Gates - Blinded by Fear August Burns Red - Meddler Machine Head - Locust Septicflesh - A Great Mass of Death Necrophagist - Fermented Offal Discharge Lorna Shore - Pain Remains Kamelot - When the Lights Are Down Acid Bath - Tranquilized Sikth - Bland Street Bloom Omnium Gatherum - New World Shadows Killswitch Engage - My Last Serenade Ice Nine Kills - Funeral Derangements Equilibrium - Blut Im Auge Nightwish - The Poet and the Pendulum Mr. Bungle - My Ass Is On Fire Immortal - Withstand the Fall of Time Architects - Hereafter Meshuggah - Future Breed Machine Ensiferum - Token of Time Kvelertak - Offernatt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammerfestus | 4,107 Posted April 10, 2023 Share Posted April 10, 2023 On 4/9/2023 at 11:31 AM, Reed Rothchild said: #47: Ensiferum - Token of Time (2000) Remember when Ensiferum was like the coolest f'ing thing in the world of metal? Even after Jari left and they took a slight step down with Victory Songs, these dudes were untouchable for awhile there. That mystique kinda wore off album by album, but the first LPs will always hold a special place in my heart. Honorable mentions: Hero in a Dream, Iron, One More Magic Potion Love these guys. Stopped paying attention for like a decade after Jari left and Victory Songs was weak but Thalassic was awesome. Love that new clean vocalist. One of my favorite albums of 2020. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reed Rothchild | 9,963 Editorials Team · Posted April 11, 2023 Author Share Posted April 11, 2023 #45: Anthrax - A.I.R. (1985) I do not like Anthrax as much as Metallica and Megadeth. Full stop, it's not even close. I think they're a top heavy band, with a lot of songs that don't do it for me. I say that as someone who's owned a number of the albums. But those top songs are great. A.I.R., off their thrashier 1985 album has some great riffage, nice heaviness, and that fantastic breakdown at the end. This is the song to rock in your car while driving. Honorable mentions: Madhouse, Bring the Noise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reed Rothchild | 9,963 Editorials Team · Posted April 12, 2023 Author Share Posted April 12, 2023 #44: Insomnium - Down With the Sun (2009) Another group of 'nium' Finns. They rose to prominence with their fantastic 2006 album, but Down With the Sun is the song I find myself returning to more than any others. Their patented melodic death doom sorta thing is perfected here, and it's exactly the sort of thing I adore. There are a few more similar groups that will be coming up shortly. Honorable mentions: Mortal Share, Drawn to Black Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reed Rothchild | 9,963 Editorials Team · Posted April 13, 2023 Author Share Posted April 13, 2023 #43: Protest the Hero - Spoils (2008) From @Gloves neck of the woods, these weirdos were absolutely on fire in the 2000s, producing two of my absolute favorite metal albums of all time. Kezia brings the heavy and the metalcore-inspired ferocity, while Fortress took things in a decidedly avant-garde direction. While I don't know if I can pick a favorite between the two albums, for my favorite song I usually land back on Spoils. It's just such a fun number, overflowing with ideas. I could have gone with a dozen different selections here, but that one always seems to return to the top. Honorable mentions: No Stars over Bethlehem, Bloodmeat, Blindfolds Aside 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reed Rothchild | 9,963 Editorials Team · Posted April 13, 2023 Author Share Posted April 13, 2023 On 3/20/2023 at 10:05 AM, Reed Rothchild said: Now, as I previously stated, I love Katatonia. I once drove six hours to see them with Opeth (who was supporting Sorcerer, which I'm not super high on) Correction: Opeth was touring for Heritage. Clearly my brain is working good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWunderful | 2,932 Posted April 14, 2023 Share Posted April 14, 2023 Damn I havent thought of Kezia in 15 years. Always thought Nautical could be a soundtrack in a Castlevania game. Still rips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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