Album Rating: 4.5

"...they are the most relevant melodic DM band of the last couple of years, in my opinion..."



Agreed. Insomnium haven't released anything pioneering and powerful in almost 8 years now. The Winter Metal crown really belongs to Be'lakor. In terms of the competition, it's been about 10 years since Omnium Gatherum have been a contender and about 20 years since Kalmah even had a seat at the table. There's a few honorable mentions like Norther, Daylight Dies and Enter My Silence but I can barely see them in the rear view mirror anymore.

Album Rating: 4.2

I hope Kalmah release something soon, I love those guys. Despite being stylistically different, Canadians Aeternam are among the best melodic DM bands out there.

Album Rating: 4.5

Me too. I miss their swamp-themed sound. I'll have to check out Aeternam. Been on a bit of French Canadian kick lately so that'll tie-in nicely. Thanks for the rec.

Album Rating: 4.5

Great conversion gentlemen. May I suggest my other favorite mdm band on the planet:



Fractal Gates



Best growls in the business. Check out Enshine for more of Sebastian Pierre’s incredible vox.

Album Rating: 4.5

Great call. Fractal Gates is pretty good. Totally forgot about them.

Album Rating: 5.0

For those of us in Australia. From the band:



That's right, we're finally hitting the road again! The first leg of our 'Coherence' tour run is in Australia this August!



With special guests Orpheus Omega & Andy Gillion (playing his debut shows), we will be hitting the following cities:



- Saturday 6 August: Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide (18+)

- Friday 12 August: The Brightside, Brisbane (18+)*

- Saturday 20 August: Corner Hotel, Melbourne (18+)

- Friday 26 August: The Basement, Canberra (18+)

- Saturday 27 August: Crowbar, Sydney (18+)

*Orpheus Omega & Andy Gillion not appearing in Brisbane



We can't wait to see you at these shows!



Grab your tickets here: www.destroyalllines.com/tours/belakor

Album Rating: 5.0

Notrap does a lot of these tour announcements but I'm on the Be'lakor emailing list and just received this announcement m/

Album Rating: 4.2

The lads have to come to my country asap

Album Rating: 4.5

Finally getting an Aus tour yessssss.

Album Rating: 4.5

Excellent lineup! Going to be interesting to hear MPE's new material post-Andy Gillion BTW. Those remasters of old material don't count. Band owes him an incredible debt of gratitude for keeping their name and brand relevant+++

Album Rating: 5.0

Yeah dude, should be great. Locus came on in the car today and cranked it up. Fck Me

Album Rating: 4.0

" Insomnium haven't released anything pioneering and powerful in almost 8 years now."



wdym winter's gate was probably their best album ever lol. I always thought Insomnium were mad overrated, but then this album came out and I was like... wow

Album Rating: 4.5

Winter's Gate has its moments, but it's 1/4 stunning, 3/4 mediocrity. The consistency, memorable melodies and overall better writing of Above the Weeping World are long gone.

Album Rating: 4.5

Markus Vanhala contributed on Shadows of the Dying Sun but I've always felt like Winter's Gate is the first Insomnium album completely covered in his fingerprints. For some that's a good thing. For others it's not.



"...Despite being stylistically different, Canadians Aeternam are among the best melodic DM bands out there"



Checked out Aeternam. Super talented and unique. I could do without the cleans but they are definitely 100% original.

Album Rating: 4.2

The lads will be returning to Europe next year and already have a confirmed show in early August in Portugal at VAGOS Metal Fest. They're one of the few bands that can make me get my ass off the couch.

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

hot take but also true Winter's Gate is the best melodic death metal album ever

Album Rating: 5.0

Be’lakor > imo

Album Rating: 4.0

Excellent as expected, maybe not as stunning as the previous one but still really solid

Album Rating: 5.0

The lads filled the room the other night and crushed m//

The Dispersion

Foothold

Remnants

Sun’s Delusion

Valence

The Smoke of Many Fires

Abeyance

Fraught

Countless Skies

Album Rating: 4.5

Great album. I own the VINYL CAUSE IM COOL.