Album Rating: 4.0

Whenever I check out some modern BM, I'm actually praying (to Satan) that isn't like the traditional 2nd wave stuff - raw and nihilistic, but recorded using a mouldy potato.

Album Rating: 4.5

@Spirit I hear you man, but I also find myself gravitating more towards the romanticism inspired side of black metal. Bands like Ulver (Bergtatt), FoR, Agalloch, Woods of Desolation, Ifing, Kauan, October Falls, WITTR are always going to be my preferred listen compared to Black Metal that is aimed at the cold, blasphemous side of things. I actually prefer the warmer stuff dude.

Album Rating: 4.5

I love raw second wave stuff as much as the next guy but I also like variety.

Album Rating: 5.0

>Who exactly has done this?



Demon, I'm not sure why you are asking this, but you've been in this thread. You've seen the strange attempts to objectively dismiss this album. and now you've seen this needs ~10 listens before it can be judged.

Album Rating: 4.0

I've seen attempts to dismiss this, none that actually stated how many spins they'd given it though - perhaps you're being presumptuous? Regardless of this, I'm now sure how you've managed to prove it definitely requires 10 listens, that's absurd. You can't place a definite number on these things. Yes, give it time, make sure you've taken it all in, return to it a few times, but 10? Arbitrary number - one which on the surface looks excessive for someone who isn't enjoying it.

Album Rating: 4.5

I wouldn't say it necessarily requires multiple listens to give an honest rating, but I personally do find this album all the more rewarding after several spins.

Fine. You've all convinced me to give this a third spin.

Album Rating: 2.0

Fwiw (as I'm likely a candidate of his ire, though feel free to prove me wrong here), my critical comments were made after two spins, and my rating after five. I do not like the record any more now that I have seven spins under my belt than I did when I first listened to it. In fact, learning today that a large bulk of the record was strung together in two weeks, that the band largely constructed the album with members isolated from each other, that they only spent around six weeks together as a band polishing before hitting the studio, and that



'Melodies and layers came to fruition without much feedback from bandmates, a good deal of “arrangement sorting” was done on the spot in the studio, or verbally before going in to record the following day' (quote taken from Aaron's interview with Decibel, prior info from an Invisible Oranges interview)



only seems to have deterred me from the idea that this is a meticulously constructed record that's innumerable intricacies will positively reveal themselves to me with time. Obviously more power to anyone who stands for the inverse, and the discourse is great. But that's just it. It is discourse. What is there to gain from calling people who disagree with you sub-average?



One thing I should note that I haven't really seen anyone (reviewer included) mention itt is the emphasis on counterpoint in the lead writing. My rating probably reflects how I feel about it in the grand scheme of things but I would have guessed it'd be more heavily emphasized by people dropping high ratings. Credit where it is due; it is different and cool to see within the genre.

if it makes you feel any better, the counterpoint is exactly why this stood out to me

e; and the overall sound quality

Album Rating: 2.0

nah dawg u have made me hella angry now >:/

i love u

e; I just resumed listening and it immediately jumped out at me that the mixing/mastering is obviously Colin Marston. no fucking wonder.

Album Rating: 2.0

you are tearing me apart

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

Oh I'm heading to this one now and I sense I'm gonna love it, and this time not because ramon. hates it, but because I just came from a TRUE POOR EXPERIENCE with that Wolves at the Gate's release (still don't know why I still try stuff like these).

Album Rating: 4.5

Ramon you’re killing me bro. I used to think this band was boring but god damn this album is just a heart wrencher.

yeah this is brilliant and I'm worried about the older records disappointing me

Album Rating: 4.5

Light That Dwells is the only other one that I dig somewhat. The album before this and the debut bore the hell out of me. I still gotta hear Shore though.

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

Hmmm, i didn't know this was constructed so sporadically. I don't personally get that impression, but it is interested to note as I would have definitely assumed otherwise they would have all been very close during the writing of this.

Album Rating: 4.5

Maybe I'm missing something, but to me that sounds like even more a reason to love this, the fact that they were able to improvise such interesting/captivating songs seems like a plus to me.

Album Rating: 3.0

nice another overrated usbm album...



jk, but I don't find this particularly outstanding (after 2 listens). It fails to grab me somehow.

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

I'm impressed no matter what, but I'm sure for people who didn't end up likeing this as much the fact that it was improvised can maybe seen as a mistake.