Trust me dude, if you don't listen to an album a substantial (for claiming it to be a classic) amount of times, people here will ridicule you to no end. I used to do the same thing, slap 5s on albums after two or three listens, and got mad just like you when everyone made fun of me, but I realized two things.
1-Taking anything on teh internets seriously does you way more harm than good.
2-Just try to listen to album a lot before giving it a 5. If you have to rate something highly go with a 4.5, then raise it later, like a lot later.

Album Rating: 4.8

Thanks dude. At least there's a couple people that arent assholes.

Album Rating: 4.0

It's true what insect is saying, but I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that sputnik happens to have the term "Classic" attached to the highest or perfect rating. If the term was instead say, "Spectacular" or "Incredible" (which sound better than "excellent" and "superb") I don't think there could be an argument against it. I've always felt like sputnik should have quarter-point ratings, so one could differentiate say Ulver's Bergtatt (which many consider to be a black metal classic) from like Disillusion's Back to Times of Splendor, which really deserves the highest rating one can give (at least I believe so) but isn't really a classic in any sense.

Personally, I give 5's to albums that just totally blow me away. This came close (4.75).

Just to add to the above content, a classic in my books has to do with the replay value. You might fall in love with an album now, but you might not feel the same way about it a year from now. Is it still a 5 if you feel this way? Probably not! Hawks10Pec, you will in time see what I mean.

Album Rating: 4.0

^^^Excellent point.

Album Rating: 4.8

That could be true, but for now i feel this album deserves a 5. It might change later, but for now its staying.

im loving this more and more everyday...some of the best vocals in metal..

also, perfect description of the album

This didn't really thrill me upon first listen, but the vocalist is a fucking monster.

Listen to it more metalikane

Album Rating: 4.0

Yeah, this needs a few to sink in, the atmosphere is really strong and cohesive, and is the heart of this album, so it can easily just blow past you. Played this through about 6 times before I rated, then another 4 after that just to make sure I was confident in my score. This Message Edited On 03.20.08

Haha! A very slow "blow past". I'll listen to it some more.

Album Rating: 4.0

^^^Uhh...yeah, you know what I mean lol. The first time I listened to this I didn't really get it either cause I didn't really pay attention to much else besides the instruments (seems logical to a certain extent). Now, for example, the beginning of Below the Sun just pulls me right in, and the creepy piano in The Hunt like hypnotizes me. Doom is definitely an acquired taste though.

metalikane, if you don't like funeral doom it's understandable you won't really enjoy this. Still, give it a few listens, it could easily pull you over.

but the vocalist is a ****ing monster.

Album Rating: 4.0

Still...

the vocalist is fucking insane!!

Album Rating: 4.0

Our two statements make one

...and quite a true statement they both make.

Album Rating: 4.8

This album is so fucking awesome. I haven't listened to it in about a month, but I'm listening to it right now and I'm starting to remember why I gave it a 5.

I actually listened to this the other day as well and my opinion of it has changed considerably. No where near as good as I had originally thought. I guess it doesn't have much lasting power.