Album Rating: 4.8

No, there are definitely bad takes and that is one of them lol.

Album Rating: 4.0

I know for a fact there are bad takes because I've had some of them

Album Rating: 4.8

Me too.

Album Rating: 5.0

what are the criteria of a good take

Album Rating: 4.5

Asses against the grill

Album Rating: 4.0

there's usually been a good take if Smok starts foaming at the mouth

My issue with this band is not that the voice is cartoonish really (most metal vocalists are clowning around, it is part of the act after all), just that it sounds one note. It sounds exactly the same on all tracks, no spice whatsoever. No bark is as scary the second time.

Album Rating: 4.8

Jamming so hard.

Album Rating: 4.5

Been listening to this a lot lately. I think I'll always prefer The Mantle but this is getting closer to it with each listen.

Album Rating: 4.8

First four albums are all so close. All classics.

Album Rating: 5.0

Years go by and it's still a 5 and always will be. One of the best albums ever created. Literally no weak parts whatsoever. Ironic, considering Haughm thinks so low of this, disliking the production, Fire Above, Our Fortress Is Burning... I, maybe even Falling Snow? and the general 'polished' direction as well.

Eisenwald 2025 hardcover book re-release is a must buy for everyone.

Album Rating: 5.0

Almost 130 PLN excluding shipping and I've more urgent expenses. I love this release format though.

Haughm may have his own preferences but I think the 'polished' quality really adds to the cold atmosphere of the record. I'm more into the releases with Scars of the Shattered Sky on them, I prefer it to Fortress III as a closer.

Album Rating: 5.0

I think production is flawless, however I prefer the original to the remasteting, it is sharper and more 'cutting'.

Fragments 1-3 on the second CD in this book are unedited Scars of the Shattered Sky.

Album Rating: 5.0

Oh man, that's great. Not sure if I'd invest (that's a whole different issue than just my liking of the record) but it's tempting. Good to finally know the deal with Fragments 1-3, I've been puzzled by this matter for a bit.

Album Rating: 5.0

Here's the description of bonus CD contents in the book:

"Disc II – Bonus Fragments 2004-2006

1. Fragment 1

2. Fragment 2

3. Fragment 3

These 3 tracks combined were later edited and renamed “Scars Of The Shattered Sky” and released as a bonus track on select vinyl editions of Ashes Against The Grain.

4. Fragment 4

This was an interview conducted in 2004 with the caretaker of the old Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children in SE Portland. It was demolished in late 2005. The music was created by Chris Greene and was later released without the interview on The Compendium Archive.

5. Fragment 5

Was later renamed “Summerisle Reprise” and released on The White EP. Listening to this now, it is strange to hear it without the Wicker Man sample at the end.

6. Not Unlike the Waves (2004 demo)

John’s 3rd and final demo of this song before we entered the studio. As you can hear, the arrangment was further refined during the recording process. This demo includes very basic keyboard drums to indicate where the rhythmic changes occured since the riffs were so repetitive. Originally the drums were meant to be very simple, like “Brave Murder Day” but that changed once it was decided that the drumming needed more heft and aggression.

7. Fire Above, Ice Below (2004 demo)

John’s original demo of this song. It was intended to continue where “The Mantle” left off but the arrangement just didn’t work with the other songs once they had taken shape. Unfortunately the source 4-track tape for this couldn’t be found to fully remove the click track but we were able to minimize it using a track separation program.

8. Falling Snow (original intro, push mix)

This is the first version of the song, based from the demo, that we started recording before deciding that the intro was stupid and needed to be changed. Thankfully Don wrote a different part the following weekend and it was re-recorded. This is still painful to listen to."

Album Rating: 5.0

That's interesting. Summerisle Reprise without the sample seems strange indeed. On the other hand, it's nice to see the last two Fragments get a physical release not limited to very few copies like The Compendium Archive.