Metal: Cult Classics Pt. XI
It's not over yet. This time you'll get 10. |
| 1 |  | Anata
The Infernal Depths of Hatred
Often thrown into the "tech-death" box, personally I always considered Anata as a band that has an unusual take on melodic death metal with an almost surrealistic twisting and swirling sense lead and riff playing. This debut already displays everything great about the band's sound with a touch of dare I say almost black metallish nastiness. On par with The Conductor's Departure, as far as I'm concerned. |
| 2 |  | Root
The Temple in the Underworld
The Czech dark metallers' first true cult classic. Instrumentation that's as crushing as it's atmospheric meet with Big Boss' varied vocals; from operatic baritones to hoarse crooning to growls and croaks...whatever comes to his I-don't-give-a-flying-fuck mind... Truly unique band no metalhead should sleep on. |
| 3 |  | Aeternus
...and So the Night Became
On their - if you count the superb first EP - third release Aeternus showcase another perfected display of their distinctive sound which instrumentally blends black, death and folk into a dooming haze. Essential listening. |
| 4 |  | Obliveon
From This Day Forward
Voivod, Coroner, Anacrusis...may all be considered the grandfathers of "weirdo-thrash" but these Canadians were equally eccentric and ruled all the same. And of course like their other brothers-in-arms they can't really be compared to anything else (some will probably scream "Vektor" but this won't really do justice to either). Atonal, almost surreal thrash with little helping of death. Check it. |
| 5 |  | Soilent Green
Sewn Mouth Secrets
Another great exponent of NOLA's sludge scene and like the others Soilent Green bring their own thing to the table. Complexly mixing bluesy sludge with grindcore the band exists to whoop your butt senseless. Best displayed on their personal high watermark Sewn Mouth Secrets. |
| 6 |  | The Meads of Asphodel
The Murder Of Jesus The Jew
Considered a "joke band" by many, this moniker doesn't take away from the bountiful creativity of the band. Elements of black metal, hardcore punk, ambient, medieval folk and experimental rock all come together in this doingwhateverthefuckwewannado career highlight. |
| 7 |  | Buzzov-en
Sore
Washington has Melvins.
Louisiana has Eyehategod, Acid Bath, Crowbar and Soilent Green.
Massachusetts has Grief.
North Carolina has Buzzov*en.
Legendary OG sludge band doing their thing creating a whirlwind of sludge played at hardcore punk intensity topped off with a shitload of truly disturbing samples (seriously some of the best sampling in metal right here). Don't sleep on this one or the follow-up. Grievous, vicious stuff.
"You want a ticket to hell?" |
| 8 |  | Mortuary Drape
All the Witches Dance
Probably one of the most obscure sounding bands out there. Occult, thrashy, gloomy and in a strange way humid as hell...like witnessing a satanic ritual on an Italian graveyard. |
| 9 |  | Pan.Thy.Monium
Dream II
Maybe I'm gonna be in the minority here, but personally I consider this to be the band's strongest work next to their brilliant swan song Khaooohs and Kon-Fus-Ion. A real uneasy sense of feverish "wrongness" that can't really be described nor compared to any other metal band in the business. |
| 10 |  | Manilla Road
The Deluge
We're not gonna forget this Manilla Road classic, now are we?
I mean...it's fucking Manilla Road. |
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