UserReviews 44Approval 96%Site Rank 111Soundoffs 310Album Ratings 311Objectivity 73%Last Active 09-10-11 3:19 pmJoined 07-06-09Forum Posts 2Review Comments 303
Musical Neighbors | krazytom |  | Aether |  | mifzal |  | Volatile |  | MunsuLight |
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Judas Priest, Eternal Tears of Sorrow, Symphony X, Nightwish, Testament, Emperor, Iron Maiden, Billy Joel, Dream Theater, Dimmu Borgir, Opeth, Amorphis, Children of Bodom, Thomas Newman, James Newton Howard, James Horner, John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, Nevermore,
 | Arch Enemy Wages of Sin
Wages of Sin might be more rooted in Arch Enemy's melodic death metal roots than its successors, helping it serve up a few solid and darker slices of tracks, but what most of the album lacks is a way to distinguish itself from a crowded field. Too many points tackle lower, highly distorted moments (and even slow down as if to break the monotony). However, this only builds dullness for the listener and, before long, they'll realize just how limited the album's staying power is. | 2.5
01.23.12 |  | Arch Enemy Rise of the Tyrant
Gossow-era Arch Enemy isn't something that listeners picky about their vocalists are bound to cling to. Though she's far from the worst voice in music, there's little (if anything) compelling about it. Tragically, this compromises the solid musicianship otherwise, particularly with the guitar riffs, melodies and solos. In a number of instances, one could argue there's a borderline-excellent album here. The best moments tend to be saved for the second half of songs, whether in the solos or breaks from the usual riff-filled rhythm. These never account for entire tracks, but most of the songs have an at least decent stretch of solid music t | 3
12.28.11 |  | Alestorm Captain Morgan's Revenge
Alestorm's debut gets off to a fair enough start, but not even 15 minutes in things become so contrived and obvious that it's tough to go back and look at even the better moments with a fond light. Little more than a one-trick pony that can't carry itself out for an EP's worth, let alone a full-length album, Captain Morgan's Revenge only leaves us asking "why couldn't this actually be enthralling or (repeatedly) enjoyable?" | 2
12.26.11 |  | The Absence Riders of the Plague
It's not that the album necessarily lacks a sense of effort, but more that the music just isn't interesting most of the time. Thrash-inspired metalcore doesn't prove to be that interesting of a combination here, which, combined with the prolonged song runtimes, lends us a drab and stale release overall. | 2.5
12.22.11 |  | Kamelot The Black Halo
Kamelot follow up Epica with an album that finds a great balance of overall enjoyability and solid music to boot. Most of the album is incredibly catchy and addicting, but it's not done in a way that makes the music feel like a gimmick. Even the weaker songs tend to have a moment or two that helps them stand up and avoid detracting too much from the overall quality. Other than these points and the still less-than satisfactory interludes, The Black Halo proves itself an excellent power metal album that can even appeal to those who find the genre too over-the-top. | 4
12.11.11 |  | Nightwish Imaginaerum
Occasionally ludicrous, sparingly brilliant and generally unimposing, Imaginaerum sees Nightwish continue to lose steam with an ambitious concept. It isn't without points to enjoy and savor, but these are so brief, few and far between that it's tough to feel like the entire package holds itself together. Too many stretches senselessly drag out, with the entire second half of "Song of Myself" being the ultimate exercise in contrived narrative. As a result, the entire album is merely bogged down by its own failure to take initiative with the potential at-hand. | 2.5
12.04.11 |  | After The Burial In Dreams
Almost completely lifeless and holding next to nothing which compels it forth, In Dreams serves little to contribute towards a genre which, with works such as this, seems rightly criticized. There might be room and potential in many genres and styles, but that doesn't make the album any more enjoyable (if at all). | 2
11.26.11 |
 | Sonicspeed500 you have inspired me to (impossibly) add soundoffs to all of my reviews. Okay not really, but I will write many more now because of your endeavor.
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 | WeepingBanana mad respect for soundoffing every single album rating you have lol
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 | Xenophanes There's only room for one "Xeno" on this site. Sorry bro, but you're gonna have to leave, even though I like your reviews....
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