Metal: Cult Classics Pt. XVII
Back with another list of metal records that enjoy a cult-ish reputation yet have fewer than 100 votes here.
A longer list, but that's because I included a few records I already featured on another unrelated list somewhere, but nonetheless I found them to be worthy of being mentioned in this series as well. Of course I also snuck in some new stuff m/ |
| 1 |  | HellHammer
Demon Entrails (Remastered)
The starting point of Tom G. Warrior's and Martin E. Ain's career. Savage, feral, cryptic and macabre. |
| 2 |  | Manilla Road
Metal
A forgotten relic in Manilla Road's discography that sounds almost ancient and arcane. Tons of atmosphere and already reasonable creativity showing through in the songwriting. |
| 3 |  | Burning Witch
Crippled Lucifer
One of O'Malley's pre-Sunn projects, together with Khanate. Like the latter band it also manages to create a vibe of horrifying hysteria. Lumbering doom riffs, at times still retaining its blues base, are coupled with an absolute nuthouse vocal performance. |
| 4 |  | Unholy (FIN)
From the Shadows
Unique doom/death that takes all kinds of unexpected twists and turns while still retaining its uncanny atmosphere. |
| 5 |  | Num Skull
Ritually Abused
Blistering death/thrash with a rabid psychopath on vocals and more riffs than you'll find at the Great Barrier Reef. |
| 6 |  | Cultes Des Ghoules
Henbane
Ritualistic, horrific black metal from one of Poland's finest black metal bands. Crushing riffs and dementedly warped vocal work. |
| 7 |  | Rwake
Rest
The second album by one of sludge metal's more wayward bands is on par with the previous. Like a backwoods horror tale come to life. |
| 8 |  | Sadistic Intent
Ancient Black Earth EP
Another EP by these LA death metallers. Equally warped and nasty. |
| 9 |  | The Axis of Perdition
Deleted Scenes From Transition Hospital
Translating Silent Hill into an industrial metal record that still puts most of the emphasis on metal than on the industrial. Featuring terrifying effect-drenched vocals and atonal riffs. |
| 10 |  | Kataklysm
The Mystical Gate of Reincarnation
This EP, like the Sorcery album, is another testament to the interesting insanity that was Kataklysm before they turned into a typical Nuclear Blast flagship of mediocrity. Creative utter chaos. |
| 11 |  | Paramaecium
Exhumed of the Earth
Christian metal done right. An absolute behemoth of a death/doom record carrying a weighty atmosphere of desolation, lumbering riffs and artistic song progressions. |
| 12 |  | Hades Almighty
...Again Shall Be
Ritualistically pounding black metal-heavy viking metal with only a faint folk-ish undercurrent. Like the second record, not to be slept on. |
| 13 |  | Void Of Silence
Human Antithesis
Apocalyptical doom metal featuring Primordial's A.A. Nemtheanga's superb vocals. A soundtrack to the end of the world. |
| 14 |  | Samael
Blood Ritual
How are the early Samael records rated lower than the leather-and-techno shite of Passage again?
Simple yet forceful and - not quite unimportant - pretty damn evil. Nobody played black metal the way Samael did at the time. |
| 15 |  | The Chasm
The Spell of Retribution
Together with From the Lost Years one of The Chasm's most meandering records taking you on a journey through a ghostly Aztec landscape of death. Viva la Muerte! |
| 16 |  | Grotesque
In the Embrace of Evil
Before there was At The Gates, there was Grotesque. This compilation, which works quite well as a record, is the finest showcase of genuinely demonic death metal with an asphyxiating atmosphere, unusual riffs and blood-curdling vocals. |
| 17 |  | Trouble
Trouble
Less lumbering doom and gloom; more Sabbathy stoner metal. Does that mean the quality's any less? Of course not. Brilliant, riff-heavy, rocking old school metal. |
| 18 |  | Mekong Delta
Lurking Fear
One of the better 'comeback' records of the 2000's. The German tech-thrashers being at their most warped and atonal here - instrumentally as well as vocally. |
| 19 |  | Forgotten Woods
As the Wolves Gather
Absolutely hypnotic stuff by the depressive black metal innovators that still manages to convey a feeling of unease over one of sadness. Eerie stuff by a mysteriously eerie band. |
| 20 |  | Loudness
Thunder In The East
The American "breakthrough" of the Japanese heavy metallers. The vocals take some time getting used to, but the guitar work is brilliant. Catchy, riffy and awesome to rock out with your cock out to. |
| 21 |  | Thorr's Hammer
Dommedagsnatt
Another one of O'Malley's early projects. Crushing doom riffing with one of the most monstrous female growlers of all time. It gets even more spine-chilling when she alternates the inhuman barks with the witch-like hypnotic chanting. |
| 22 |  | Saint Vitus
Die Healing
Arguably Saint Vitus' heaviest record featuring Reagers at his most psychotic. Brilliant insanity by one of old school doom's greats. |
| 23 |  | Aeternus
Beyond the Wandering Moon
The debut full-length by what was at the time one of black metal's more original bands. Combining the hypnotic quality of black metal with the cavernous vastness of death metal all the while bringing a subtle folk influence into the equation. Superb stuff by a superb band. |
| 24 |  | Eucharist
Mirrorworlds
Another prime example of melodic death metal that doesn't forget to DEATH METAL. A more straightforward approach than the debut record this one still has shifting song structures and heavy as balls riffs for days. Vicious stuff. |
| 25 |  | Abigor
Orkblut - The Retaliation
A one-of-a-kind album that hasn't been recreated by Abigor nor anyone else really. A short piece of bountiful black metal creativity. |
| 26 |  | Blood Farmers
Headless Eyes
Another terrific comeback record by the masters of horror doom. Showing that the potent mixture of old school doom metal, psychedelia and 70's creepshow stuff doesn't age. |
| 27 |  | Root
Black Seal
Another uncanny showcase of brilliance by one of dark metal's strangest bands - creating an infernal landscape in a way no other bands are doing it. |
| 28 |  | Paul Chain
In the Darkness
One of old school doom metal's most eccentric artists with what's probably one of his most eccentric statement's. Little music sounds as thoroughly messed up. |
| 29 |  | Order From Chaos
Dawn Bringer
The second record by what was one of the most rabid bands of all time - taking your face off like only the blast of a riot gun will do. |
| 30 |  | The Obsessed
The Obsessed
Rock-heavy old school doom by the always great Wino. More groove and soul than you can handle. |
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