garas
Gary the ghost
Staff

Reviews 94
Soundoffs 1,918
News Articles 67
Band Edits + Tags 912
Album Edits 1,156

Album Ratings 3325
Objectivity 80%

Last Active 01-01-70 12:00 am
Joined 01-01-70

Review Comments 8,497

Average Rating: 3.41
Rating Variance: 0.61
Objectivity Score: 80%
(Well Balanced)

Chart.

Sort by: Rating | Release Date | Rating Date | Name

5.0 classic
Andavald Undir Skyggðarhaldi
Arnaut Pavle Transylvanian Glare
Punkthrone lives!!! This is the way!! The riffs, the sound, the aesthetics, the black punk energy... it's perfection! This is one ultimate garascore album... a flawless black metal release.
Black Sabbath Sabotage
One of the best outputs of Black Sabbath.
Blut Aus Nord Triunity
Why wasting three masterpieces for a split release?? If they'd extend this material to a full-length, then it'd be the pinnacle of the Blut Aus Nord discography. Gorgeously polished dissonant (avant-garde) black metal with the best kind of death metal influences. Seriously, this is the very best of the black/death genre.
Burzum Hvis Lyset Tar Oss
Burzum Hlidskjalf
Burzum Filosofem
Celtic Frost To Mega Therion
One of the most influental albums in metal.
Celtic Frost Monotheist
Incredible work, Celtic Frost's most amibtious work. The overall twisted, dark, and liturgical atmosphere in unmatched, and putting a genre tag is technically impossible to describe what is this. But one thing is for sure: this is heavy, and not an easy listen.
Darkthrone The Underground Resistance
Purest form of metal. Any rating on this under 4.0 is invalid. Sorry, I did not make the rules.
Darkthrone Too Old, Too Cold
Darkthrone Ravishing Grimness
Deafheaven Sunbather
Depressive Silence Depressive Silence II
The absolute pinnacle of dungeon synth music: epic, melancholic and magical. The best album I've ever heard.
Depressive Silence Depressive Silence
Dodheimsgard 666 International
Dodheimsgard Black Medium Current
Impetuous and rich in stimuli, yet gentle and minimal. An astonishing avant-garde metal record, an unforgettable experience.
Evilfeast Elegies of the Stellar Wind
No atmospheric black metal album will ever get any better than this. Period.
Fief IV
Grausamkeit Pink Green 666
I'm not going to lie: this is amazing! Fantastic synth/piano-driven raw black metal (which is more ambient than metal in the first place). The sound-quality is definitely not horrible, sounds like a typical '90s tape demo. At first it sounded like another super raw BM demo, but as the blossomed out, it totally blew my mind. These majestic and mystical synth melodies are overwhelming! It feels like listening to a less melancholic Depressive Silence (German old-school dungeon synth legends), but with some guitars and with simple drums in the background. Brilliant. I literally stood in awe in the second half of "Krätze"!
Havukruunu Uinuos Syömein Sota
Insanely good Bathory-worship and Finnish meloblack... ON SPEED! Riffs after riffs, awesome shredding and a more folkish (kinda Ulver-ish) sound: all these together is just simply fantastic, Havukruunu leveled up.
Howard Shore The Fellowship of the Ring
Immortal Pure Holocaust
Riffs cold as ice.
Joe Hisaishi Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
The perfect sci-fi soundtrack. It was a really memorable and emotional, so I can't help myself and dropped a 5.0 on it, because I'M SO FUCKING BASIC, I KNOW.
Morrigan Headcult
Flawless record: bombastic riffs surrounded by an epic, vitalizing and uplifting atmosphere. The grittier and "opalesque" production is not an issue here, since it perfectly serves its purpose: it's a black/viking metal after all. Hell, I daresay: this is on the same level with the best Bathory releases! This records makes me feel strong, triumphant - while it also evokes sometimes the "dark" essence of albums like Under the Sign of the Black Mark, but sometimes (mostly due to the clean vocals and choruses) it bears quite folk/post-black marks too - it's hard to describe. All in all: this is a shiny forgotten gem.
Mort Garson Mother Earth's Plantasia
Paysage d'Hiver Schattengang
Best Paysage album. Period.
Pentagram First Daze Here (The Vintage Collection)
"No band can sound as good as Sabbath did... Now hol' up!" An incredibly fun and great album, which embodies everything you may know about what is old-school. Pentagram rules m/
Richard Strauss Tone Poem: Also sprach Zarathustra
Ah, it is so good. The ever-changing flow of moods and atmopsheres make this a 5/5 classical piece (for me).
Samael Ceremony Of Opposites
Sargeist Let The Devil In
The lineup contained most members of Behexen, so it was a guaranteed success. Basically a flawless record - even though it's not a revolutionary in any sense, but perfectly executed.
Satanic Warmaster Carelian Satanist Madness
Skarpseian Fragmenter Av Trolldom
Blending the past with the present, 'Fragmenter Av Trolldom' is another perfect album from the modern age of dungeon synth. Each song has its own aura, and the overall gloomy and magical atmosphere is simply perfect. *garas's seal of approval*, of course.
Summoning Let Mortal Heroes Sing Your Fame
Best Summoning; and a genre classic.
Thangorodrim Taur​ nu​ Fuin
The most magical Tolkien-inspired album ever existed. Charming, unforgettable and epic.
Trouble Trouble
Is this doom? Is this thrash? Is this heavy metal? Is this stoner? Trouble's (second) self-titled piece is a classy mix of all of these, a very easily-flowing and brilliant album. Good time guaranteed.
Ulver Bergtatt - Et eeventyr i 5 capitler
Zakk Wylde Book of Shadows
The very best rock ballad album ever. (Also shame on Tobias Forge for stealing ideas from this album for Ghost.)

4.9 classic
Amorphis Tuonela
Bathory Bathory
Bathory Under the Sign of the Black Mark
Blut Aus Nord MoRT
Here it goes: I'd consider this as a classic. This is such an extremly unforgiving, ruthless, madly chaotic (yet organized on certain levels, but one must sink really deep into this release to notice them) piece of art. This is not one of those albums that I or anyone would jam very frequently, but when one does 'feel it', then it becomes an undeniable masterpiece. I have no idea how could they write something so... mad! The production is gorgeous, you can feel every "scratch" and resonance on it.
Burzum Det Som Engang Var
Carpathian Forest Defending the Throne of Evil
Carpathian Forest always stood out from the BM scene because of their uncanny self awareness, and with this one they created the heaviest (kinda symphonic) atmoblack album ever. Tons of crushing and massive riffs, majestic synths, and gruesome vocals. Thuggish, yet elegantly sinister.
Celtic Frost Morbid Tales
Celtic Frost Tragic Serenades
Hello, mini To Mega Therion.
Deafheaven New Bermuda
Demolition Hammer Epidemic of Violence
This is among the most violent records I've ever heard. Fucking desctruction with endless riffstorms.
Depressive Silence The Darkened Empires
Depressive Silence Twenty-Five Years
Dodheimsgard A Umbra Omega
Fief I​-​IV
One of the shiniest gems in my collection. The title says it all: the whole Fief collection on double CD. Exceptionally good medieval ambient music, a must-have, an absolute classic.
Howard Shore The Lord of the Rings: Complete Trilogy
Immortal At the Heart of Winter
Marduk Those of the Unlight
The classic Swedish black metal album.
Minenwerfer Alpenpässe
Absolutely phenomenal record. 50-50% melodic post-black and ultra fast blast beat-fueled "Mardukian" warfare. I think they perfectly captured the feelings of both the glory, and the crushing terror of The Great War on this album, and created a flawlessly immersive experience. I can't say anything just praises: gorgeous production, perfect amount of samples, the artwork, and yeah: these riffs and bass lines are on fire! Meisterwerk.
Obituary Slowly We Rot
Heaviest and best death metal album written in standard tuning.
Paysage d'Hiver Das Tor
"Ewig leuchten die Sterne" alone is one gorgeous creation. Cold, mysterious, menacing yet melancholic, and huge.
Rotting Christ A Dead Poem
Gothic-era Rotting Christ #2: This takes the crown without a doubt. Fantastic riffs, not a weak song at sight, each one of them has its own flavour. I dig the production here as well, it really helped the guitars stand out. A flawless gothic/melodic black metal record.
Satanic Warmaster Opferblut
Satyricon Dark Medieval Times
Ulver Shadows of the Sun

4.8 classic
Antestor The Forsaken
Oh well, I have to admit I love this album. Cheesy, riffs hard and they had Hellhammer behind the drumkit - the album speaks for itself. Unblack or not, this is definitely an outstanding release, and a unique piece of black metal with the Christian lyrics and concept behind it. Also: hey, it has a purple cover, which makes it instantly a great atmoblack album.
Aura Noir Black Thrash Attack
The title says it all.
Bathory Blood on Ice
Beherit Drawing Down the Moon
A pioneer release of the black-death division, a some sort of a classic. This one can bite!
Black Sabbath Heaven And Hell
Candlemass Nightfall
Candlemass Epicus Doomicus Metallicus
Carcass Surgical Steel
Without "Thrasher's Abattoir" & "Cadaver Pouch Conveyor System", this would be one of the best death metal albums of all time. (Those two somehow doesn't fit in there.) How do we deserve something so good like "Noncompliance to Astm F899-12 Standard"???
Coroner Mental Vortex
Even the roadies of Celtic Frost make better thrash metal albums than most thrash bands... Jokes aside, the Swiss trio behind Coroner is a really talented bunch, and this album is amazingly good in any sense.
Darkthrone Panzerfaust
Darkthrone Sardonic Wrath
Evilfeast Wintermoon Enchantment
Elegies of the Stellar Wind v0.5. If the subsequent album wouldn't be so perfect, this could also take the atmoblack crown. Gorgeous synth work accompanied by grim and frostbitten riffs and atmosphere.
Gustav Holst The Planets, Op. 32
Hellvetic Frost Misanthropic Devotion
Immortal Sons of Northern Darkness
Joe Hisaishi Princess Mononoke
As Starchild2242 has already pointed out, it is impossible to entirely separate the movie and the soundtrack from each other, especially if we are talking about such a perfect creation. But this soundtrack is really special, as I felt an intense emotional touch from even the very-very beginning. Unforgettable experience.
Kvelertak Meir
Lamentation As Shadow Kingdom Comes To My Sight
Mayhem Deathcrush
Mayhem Grand Declaration of War
Megadeth Rust in Peace
Old Sorcery The Escapist
Masterpiece. The Escapist brings you the very best sounds and styles of dungeon synth (old-school, spacey, folky, Summoning worship -- and more!). A truly escapist album!
Samael Rebellion
The epitome and quintessence of Samael's style. Rebellion contains and mixes all elements from both eras of their works: you can hear good old groovier black metal and heavily industrial-influenced metal (and electronic music) as well. Incredible EP, incredible sound! Meisterwerk.
Satyricon Nemesis Divina
Thy Catafalque Geometria
Vemod (NO-2) Demo 1998
Atmospheric black metal meets... neo-classical dungeon synth, and the main instruments are the synths! Gorgeous, mystical, cold... this is a shiny hidden gem.
Werendia Urheimat
Majestic brilliance. This is one of the best atmoblack releases for me, as it perfectly mixes the styles of Summoning and Lustre, thus creating something triumphant yet melancholic.

4.7 superb
Black Sabbath Paranoid
Burzum Aske
Caladan Brood Echoes Of Battle
Carcass Heartwork
Carpathian Forest Journey Through The Cold Moors Of Svarttjern
What a beautiful demo! I instantly fell in love with it: the atmopshere, the aesthetics, the melancholic melodies... simply perfect!
Darkthrone Under a Funeral Moon
Dodheimsgard Satanic Art
Perfection. Truly evil, mysterious, grinding, unorthodox. Indeed, this is a piece of art, a really one of a kind release. Black metal which imitates the "mechanical" feel of industrial without truly relying on its elements. Listening to "Traces of Reality" and "Symptom" feels like zooming out of reality and gazing into a chaotically organized abyss.
Forest Silence Winter Circle
This the greatest example of black ambient. A dense, dark, and sinister atmospheric masterpiece.
Grausamkeit Fucking Goat Horness
One of the most badass raw black metal releases - "Engulfed in Blackness" is a genre classic.
Johann Sebastian Bach Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565
Moonlight Sorcery Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle
An extremly melodic sympho-black metal album, which runs on high tempo and delivers crazy solos (and so many of them!) and some proggy experiments (see the beginning of "Y?nsilm?", for example). This album is full of stimuli and shreds down your pants! Finnish meloblack meets power metal, and it feels good. One of the greatest surprises of the year.
Mur (IS) Múr
Probably the best debut album I've heard in years. Brilliant post-metal, with a strong influence from the Icelandic black metal scene. Grim atmosphere, a bit proggy but sharp riffing, and an amazing vocalist (the growls, screams and clean singing are really good). The album cover is ridiculous, though.
Necrophobic Darkside
Old Sorcery Realms of Magickal Sorrow
Ornatorpet Fordomdags
Meisterwerk. Örnatorpet has just stolen the crown of 2024 with this magical album. Crystal clear, bright production and enchanting melodies. Examplary dungeon synth release.
Sunn O))) Monoliths and Dimensions
Tormentor Anno Domini
How do we deserve Tormentor?
Triptykon Eparistera Daimones
Less liturgical and more "alien" than how Celtic Frost ended, and I totally understand why does Tom believe this is more close to what he has done with Hellhammer than [i]CF[i]. Basically this felt like a refreshed continuation of his musical path which deserves all the admiration.
Ulver ATGCLVLSSCAP
Vaa Ur sägen och hävd
AOTY contender neoclassical / dungeon synth. I have no words to describe how beautiful is this...
Wolves in the Throne Room Black Cascade
I was too harsh on this for a very long time. But now, feeling down and broken, the dark beauty of this release could fully embrace me. I get it now.

4.6 superb
Alestorm Captain Morgan's Revenge
Atlantean Sword All Is Dust
Man, I got the goosebumps from this... epic old-school dungeon synth which delivers that magical feeling... this reminds me to Thangorodrim so much! This is a guaranteed grower.
Bathory Blood Fire Death
Black Label Society Catacombs Of The Black Vatican
Black Label Society Sonic Brew
Badass album with tons of huge, fuzzy riffs. Also everything comes with a hints of gospel too. "Born To Lose" was my favourite on it + the iconic album cover.
Blut Aus Nord Hallucinogen
Inaccurate title aside (this is not psychedelic at all), this album is brilliant! This sticks out the Blut Aus Nord discography, since there were no hints in the past about stepping onto the path of cosmic black metal -- but who cares, if the result is this amazing! "Nomos Nebuleam" was definitely the pinnacle on this album (10/10 song), so that should have been the closer track, in my opinion.
Blut Aus Nord Ethereal Horizons
Hello there Hallucinogen 2.0! Gorgeous cosmic/atmoblack with especially strong midtempo parts and top-tier mix/mastering. Bravo!
Carcass Necroticism: Descanting the Insalubrious
Craft Void
The slowest Craft, and "Void" rules in every aspect. Very creative, and their interesting take on the genre is more than satisfying. Sometimes it really-really sounds like mid-era Darkthrone, even the vocals sounds similar to Nocturno Culto's style. Pure of anger, and brilliant riffing.
Deafheaven Roads To Judah
Dimmu Borgir Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia (Remixed...)
Excellent album by default, but through the remix/remaster Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia finally sounds as it deserved it. Instead of the original stupidly dry sound, the album finally sounds meaty, as you can see its flesh and bones working and moving. It is still one of the peak performances in the entire Dimmu discography, and this is a great example of: production matters.
Drudkh Shadow Play
Isengard Høstmørke
Joe Hisaishi Pom Poko
John Williams Star Wars, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
John Williams Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope
John Williams Star Wars, Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Judas Iscariot Thy Dying Light
Kekht Arakh Pale Swordsman
Albums like this are the highest reward for the dwellers of the underground. I haven't heard a classic old-fashioned black metal/ambient release quite a long time. It has everything I love: the eerie melancholy, the contrastinc romanticism, the endless love for the sound of the early '90s, and of course: the riffs.rI'm really loving this.
Lustre (SWE) The First Snow & Reverence
This is... beautiful.
Morbid December Moon
Nemedian Chronicles The Savage Sword
What a bombastic album! The very best Conan, The Barbarian-inspired album I've ever heard. Epic and cinematic intros, some narrations and samples, lots of 🔥fiery🔥 riffs and solos, pleasant additional oriental melodies and instruments (see in "Black Lotus/The Curse of Thog"), and also: absolute professional mix and mastering. The entire release sounds huge, the balance between the vocals and the instruments is spot on, and of course: it's about Conan, which is epic by default.
Saidan Visual Kill: The Blossoming of Psychotic Depravity
Bloody hell, this is amazing! It's still their own very punky, "upbeat" style of black metal, but now they added some thrash and heavy metal into the mix too. The result? Just listen to the second half of "Sick Abducted Purity", and see.
Sunn O))) Black One
Slow grower, and almost "too fast" for Sunn O))) standards. But this monster delivers the expected "if you stare into the Abyss long enough the Abyss stares back at you"-feeling.
Thorns Thorns
Ulver Teachings In Silence
Ulver Silencing the Singing
Urfaust Untergang
It took me a few listens to fully digest this one; but I can feel this could still grow on me. Raw, sharp and both the "standard" and unorthodox ideas and elements of black metal could be work together in Untergang. I love the guitar tone a lot with the Burzum-ish and Peste Noire-ish sound. A dignified farewell.
Windrikje Frostland
This is it, the most perfect winter synth album ever made. The mysterious, ancient and powerful aura which fills the entire album is indescribable. Magical.

4.5 superb
...and Oceans Cosmic World Mother
Outstanding atmoblack release. Thuggish, heavy, great synths, perfect runtime - everything is given. They kept a tiny little dose of industrial as well, but I liked this modern ...And Oceans more, I think. Cathartic 'til the end.
Abhor (ITA) Occulta Religio
Damn, I totally have not expected this to be *this* overhelmingly good! This a purely perfect theatratical black metal album. The atmosphere is so elegantly mysterious and sinister... simply nails my ideal in the genre. Fantastically well produced album, many bands could learn from this sound. Church organs, strongly heavy metal influenced (first wave-ish) black metal, and a beautifully pleasing and organic production...
Abigail Williams A Void Within Existence
I totally did not see this coming... Now, with A Void Within Existence these are in a new league. The album is unexpectedly brilliant: dark, agressive, very well-written album. Also "No Less Than Death" is the song of the year.
Abigor Taphonomia Aeternitatis - Gesänge im Leichenlicht
Very aggressive, uniquely interesting and the entire album sounds massive. My only issue with the album is the closer track... it feels totally all-over-the-place. But the rest... amazing work.
Acid Bath When the Kite String Pops
Aequorea Dim
DIM offers everything I carve for: the riffs, the atmosphere, the emotional tone; moreover it combines genres like doom metal, shoegaze, black metal and post-metal. All the four lenghty songs are exciting and have a dream-like flow, not to mention the album has a fascinatingly clean and dynamic production.
Akercocke Renaissance in Extremis
Amebix Arise!
Incredible! Despite it's "just" a crust punk release, this feels so progressive and complex...! Songs like "Largactyl", "Soils of Victory" or the title track... are all amazing. Heavy but playful riffs, groovy bass lines (+ that bass tone is really something!), simplistic punk drumming and finally: vocals which could really scratch and energize like battle roars - but not flawlessly consistent... like why ruin the first half of "The Darkest Hour" with those bad cleans? Anyway, still an amazing record.
Amorphis Tales From The Thousand Lakes
Maybe the album's production is a bit flat, but the quality under the gorgeous cover is beyond fantastic. A captivatingly atmospheric melo-death album, which also riffs incredibly hard. You won't forget this album. Also there is nothing wrong with the clean vocals, focus on the vibe instead!
Anti (DEU) Beatam Mortem Exspectans
Kind of a "Best Of Anti", containing basically my favourites songs. With the less known song, "Beatam Mortem Exspectans", the final tracklist is one of the strongest DSBM packages.
Anti (DEU) The Insignificance of Life
A fantastic DSBM album - more on the traditional second wave side. The album delivers tons of fast, tight tremolo riffing accompanied by a superb guitar tone, somewhat standard styled vocals, and exceptionally good production (but with programmed drums?). The album has a very uniquely agressive atmosphere - and I loved it! The bonus track "Death into Life" is a crushing masterpiece.
Antonin Dvorak Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, B. 178
Anubis (Fr) Cradle of Civilization
Apoxupon How the Garden Grows
Archgoat The Luciferian Crown
More sophisticated, improved sound quality and production - Archgoat reached a new level with this release. This is a well-balanced, filthy riff storm, and I love it. Their signature style really shines in this release, and stands as an excellent example how to create a nasty black-death album in the old-school way.
Archgoat Worship the Eternal Darkness
Incredibly well-made release by the Finnish veterans. Only some minor changes (more synths, some doom or even grind and occasionally newer approach in vocals) were introduced to their original filthy black-death formula, and as a result, Worship the Eternal Darkness became the most mature Archgoat album to date. Turning to a more atmospheric approach had a great impact on the classic Archgoat formula: the album sounds brutal, menacing and evil. In Worship the Eternal Darkness the band showed clear signs of improvement and creativity in probably in 2021's best (old-school) black metal record. They aged just like fine wine.
Arcturus Constellation
Cheesy as fuck!! This contains just traces of black metal, extremly synth dominant album. Here and there it sounds "funny", but it is still manages to stay somewhat majestic. Very unique and so much fun. I love it!
Avox Desolate Land
Awesome (real) old-school dungeon synth album. Something is truly magical in this one.
Ball Like You Are…I Once Was…Like I Am – You Will Never Be
This is what you get if you cross acid rock from the '60s, with some Black Sabbath and a little touch of blues rock. One of the most fun albums of 2020, an amazing fuzzy psychedelic rock journey.
Basil Poledouris Conan The Barbarian
A really memorable soundtrack. Even though it is impossible to separate it from the overall experience, but still an excellent piece.
Bathory Nordland I
Bathory Nordland I & II
Double albums means double effect. The Nordland I-II double LP stands as a perfect epitome of viking metal, which cannot be outmatched.
Be'lakor Stone's Reach
Finest melodeath album I've ever heard.
Black Anvil As Was
Still one of my favourite meloblack albums, and the way how much I find this an "easy listening" says a lot. The clean vocals are easily the most memorable component, and the way they insterted them into their sound is really original, and has an oddly "uplifting" feel time to time, meanwhile the harsh vocals and the more sinister (yet really heavy metal-ish) riffs bring a certain elegant vibe and atmosphere into the picture - and in my opinion, this makes it a very memorable, pleasant album, a rare kind of modern black metal release which really ages well.
Black Anvil Miles
Such an elegant, wonderfully diverse EP, excellent presentation of the band's talent: crushing/proggy black metal, bluesy moments, a great Merciful Fate cover... EP of the year.
Black Breath Sentenced To Life
Now, this is real brutal hardcore/Swedish death metal mixture! The mix is simply lovely.
Blasfeme Black Legion
One of the surprises of 2024. Even though this might seem like "yet another old-school black metal album", this is something extraordinary. Black Legion is definitely "OSBM" due to its sound and song structures (pretty punk- and heavy metal-inspired), but things like the perfect production (raw sound with the best-sounding reverb effect in years) and the whole medieval topic (medieval Hungary FTW) and aestethic made this release... memorable. This has grown on me a lot!
Blue Oyster Cult Fire of Unknown Origin
"After Dark" was always a bit meh for me, but the rest is an album you gladly return back to - and you're going to do so.
Blut Aus Nord Disharmonium - Undreamable Abysses
Dissoblack riff vortex covered by thick layers of reverb, spiced with droney synths, distant vocals and Lovecraftian vibes. The atmosphere is definitely deep. Into The Woods really stood out for me, superb track.
Blut Aus Nord Disharmonium – Nahab
More nightmarish, more diabolical, more complex... the second chapter of Blut Aus Nord's Disharmonium is an absolute monster of a record. Frightening spirals of disharmonic flow, which will drag you to unknown realms of abysmal nightmares. (Good headphones are recommended!)
Blut Aus Nord Odinist: The Destruction of Reason by Illumination
What's wrong with everyone with these low ratings? This album is really massive, and delivers the typical "Blut Aus Nord oddity factor" along with some sick grooves and dark, spiralling riffs. One of the best pieces in the band's discography. Especially the song, "Odinist" amazed me the most... such a mystical and evil atmosphere!
Blut Aus Nord 777 - Cosmosophy
"Hi, it's Blut Aus Nord, and we will teach you, how to write a superb post-black metal album."
Blut Aus Nord/Aevangelist Codex Obscura Nomina
Sick industro-black / psychedelic split. I daresay: this is the peak of indsutrial-era Blut Aus Nord.
Bolzer Aura
That's how to make unique-sounding black/death! "Entranced by the Wolfshook" is a classic.
Botanist VI: Flora
Burzum Belus
Candlemass Tales Of Creation
Typical Candlemass-greatness. The guitarwork is legendary (I love the aggressive, fuzzy guitar tone a lot!), and the rhytm section, especially the drums, sound lot better than in the previous albums - a small change, but it means a lot. (But Nightfall is still their unbeatable masterpiece.)
Carpathian Forest Black Shining Leather
Carpathian Forest We're Going to Hell for This - Over a Decade ...
Carpathian Forest Through Chasm, Caves And Titan Woods
Carpathian Forest Morbid Fascination of Death
Carpathian Forest produces awesome albums like it's nothing - yet somehow they're criminally underrated... I can't help it: I'm in love with this hard rock influenced style of black metal. And when the synths are involved...ah, sounds evil and sinister, which is fantastic! And as usual, there are some greatly experimental songs as well like "Cold Comfort" which sounds like Carpathian Forest-Ulver collaboration (if only...). And saxophones in black metal never sounded so good.
Celestial Bloodshed Ω
Fantasic album, and I totally didn't expect this greatness. It feels like this album mixes several styles of black metal together, like listening to Mayhem, Carpathian Forest, Gorgoroth etc. at the same time! The vocal performance is outstanding, and also pretty interesting as well - like fusing the vocals style of Per Yngve Ohlin and Attila Csihar together, which results a passionate, overwhelming and horryfing sounds - and I love it, Steingrim Torson was a fantastic vocalist.
Coffin Storm Arcana Rising
Super fun thrash/doom record. A funny-sounding Fenriz combined with a bunch of great old-school riffs gave this album a charming character.
Conan Existential Void Guardian
This is a quite simple, yet very effective release: true caveman sludge/doom which will break your neck. The tempo changes, along with the super tight drumming and that sweet guitar tone are Conan's strength, and they brought the maximum out of it. "Eye To Eye To Eye" was especially fantastic.
Cosmic Wheels Cosmic Wheels
Craft Total Soul Rape
A pleasant total soul rape. An agressive, filthy black metal release fueled by hatred. While on paper this album offers literally nothing revolutionary, somehow this band clearly stands out from the army of similar artists through their very own style. I regularly spin this pure hate-flow on stressy days.
Craft Fuck the Universe
Darkspace Dark Space III I
Heavy stuff. (Those Dodheimsgard-ish electronic beats were super cool addition to their sound.)
Darkthrone Arctic Thunder
Darkthrone Soulside Journey
Darkthrone Total Death
Deadwood Picturing a Sense of Loss
Sunny vibes. This is probably the best blackgazey album I've heard since Deafheaven's stuff.
Deafheaven Demo
Deafheaven 10 Years Gone
My "secondary-AOTY". Even though I know them "only" for 5 years, this was a very memorable compilation with a tracklist which has almost all of my most favourite songs by them. The dynamic, dreamesque blackgaze masterpieces flow perfectly together, and there is nothing to complain about. (Maybe the odd feeling when I've heard no pianos in "The Pecan Tree", but that's alright.) Listening to "10 Years Gone" is an extraordinary and great pleasure to hear/feel our favourite Deafheaven songs, and especially the pink noisy hug through the two songs at the end felt the most precious. Thanks for everything.
Demonaz March of the Norse
Re-rated: This is an excellent viking metal album! It definitely bears some Bathory-esque traits and Demonaz's past in Immortal left a mark on this record too, but it's unique! Plus, even if we measure this album under the most strict "rules" of the viking metal categorization: this is it! This makes me want to grab an axe and fight my enemies! I daresay, songs like "Where Gods Once Rode" are genre classics!
Desolate Moon Phases Heathenstones
Best drone album this year (so far). Interesting, it feels sci-fi-esque and ancient in the
same time...very-very atmospheric.
Devil Master Manifestations
DIM (CA) Compendium Reliquiae
Deeply relaxing, minimalistic medieval ambient - probably the best one of its kind. First, I didn't get the charm of it, but now, a few years later, this was a critical hit.
DIM (CA) Dark Age Decadence
Well, this is a woah!-tier record. DIM switched to a new avant-garde dark folk/raw black metal/dungeon synth style... and I'm totally into this! Very dark, atmospheric and unique. The tasty textures (noise) make this album very "living" and "organic"; also the lots of string instruments, plus the hurdy gurdy and nickelharpa, adds a lot to the atmosphere. Sometimes it's like a strange soundtrack for a dark art film... which is cool, I guess.
Dio The Collection
Dio Holy Diver
Dunjon Magik Dunjon Magik
Brilliant. Exciting blend of modern dungeon synth and synth music from the '90s. The atmosphere is uniquely sinister and magical - true dungeon music!
Emglev Noz Veil
Mesmerizing work, a truly overlooked (and kind of hidden) dungeon synth gem. The atmosphere is exceptional, the synth sounds are gorgeous - I was really surprised when I found out this is from '96! Wonderful work, I fell in love on my first listen.
Emperor Wrath of the Tyrant
Erang Kingdom Of Erang
Absolutely beautiful dungeon synth. Rich, diverse, masterfully produced. Shame on me for overlooking it for years... very close to a 5.0. (Terrible album cover tho, haha!)
Erik Wollo Infinite Moments
Creating layers of oddly harmonic feelings, Erik Wollo delivers top quality drone ambient using only electric guitar.
Esoctrilihum The Telluric Ashes of the Ö Vrth Immemorial Gods
Esoctrilihum Saopth's
This surprise LP might be my most favourite Esoctrilihum after all. It's more melodic (like Inhüma, in the same weird-fashioned-way) and the album contains lots of synths, so Saopth's definitely deserves the "atmospheric" tag. The song "Furfhüth" is probably one of the best songs of the year too: cold, mysterious and alien. Saopth's is such a wonderful eldritch avant-garde atmo-black/death album... and all these genre tags make sense together!!! AOTY 2022 candidate.
Ethereal Shroud Trisagion
Not much I can say here. The gentle flow, the atmosphere along with a perfect production are the traits of true professional's work.
Exhumed Anatomy Is Destiny
Massive, groovy and has sick solos in it: I was sold almost instantly. It feels a kinda thrashy, but in the most positive way. "Anatomy Is Destiny" is one of the most dynamic goregrind album I've ever heard, with near infinite replay value.
Felvum Fullmoon Mysticism
This is pretty much 50% Darkthrone and 50% Burzum with a little touch of Ukranian romantic black metal. Phenomenal stuff, if this album would come from the '90s, it'd be considered a genre-classic.
Fief III
Fiendish Imp Fiendish Imp
Gaahls Wyrd GastiR - Ghosts Invited
Strong AOTY candidate for me. Fantastic performance, very creative (and progressive) songwriting,
and phenomenal vocals. And yeah, the drums are totally impressive. How dares this band to be THIS
good?
Gatecreeper An Unexpected Reality
Super fun mini album, and again: this band NEVER disappoints. Basically 7 short deathgrind song and one long doom riff fest (yes, it's pretty much doom). A perfect album to start a day with.
Ghoest The Majestic End
Pinnacle of dungeon doom. Perfect synths, perfect sound, perfect mix. It must be really hard to surpass this level of quality!
Gnoll Music for Dungeons
Gnoll Zargo's Lords
I have no idea how can Heimat Der Katastrophe put out so many awesome releases... I sense some serious magic behind this - especially about artists like Gnoll. The mysterious project's recent output is simply brilliant, top tier dungeon synth music. I simply can't get enough about this kind of fantasy-inspired releases like this, because these keep constantly blow my mind. "Zargo's Lords" is probably the very best what Gnoll ever released. The progression of each song is phenomenal, every melody and instrument is exciting, and the whole package flows like a dream. Just listen to this already, you'll understand.
Goblin Profondo Rosso
Simply top notch spooky progressive rock.
God Seed I Begin
High quality progressive black metal album. The dark, spiralling riff orcane and Gaahl's performance instantly sells it.
Gospel of the Horns A Call to Arms
This is how black-thrash should sound. This is one of those records, where you can certainly feel how much fun these guys had making this. Killer riffs and solos, simple and straight-forward songs. Unholy and old-school!
Gothmog (GER) Medieval Journeys
A subessential dungeon synth piece from the past. Gorgeous old-school synths and great variety within. For the hardcore dwellers.
Grausamkeit Stardust
Incredible raw black metal release. Not just the typical Grausamkeit brilliance on the synths, but the riffs are also pure fire - for example, "Something About Spacebase" goes super hard!
Green Lung Woodland Rites
Grieve (FIN) Grieve
This might be the EP of the year? This is some top tier melodic/atmoblack, presented by an insanely strong lineup. Members of Horna, Satanic Warmaster and Vargrav? Most impressive what they could come up with together.
Hades Almighty Alone Walkyng
Hajduk Природа
This is 100% my taste in lo-fi black metal: strong folk and ambient elements, minimalist riffing, distant and grim atmosphere. Very nice. One spot in my year end list is taken. *garas's seal of approval*
Hallas Excerpts From a Future Past
This album is just simply fantastic. I see why does Fenriz love them so much. The 70s have been born again, and this doesn't sound any dusty at all. These guys are super talented - the proggy touch and those synths are fascinating. And I must confess: I fell in love with 'Star Rider' on my very first listen.
Hallas Conundrum
Another beautiful album by the Swede retro-band. Mesmerizing creation, exciting and adventurous! Wonderful album, and deserves lot more attention! Hällas rules m/
Hallas Isle of Wisdom
Consistency is the key: another 4.5 worthy album by the Swede adventure rockers. As they've finished telling the fantastical stories of the fictional hero, Haellas (from whom they've choosen their band name as well), a new chapter has arrived, and Isle Of Wisdom is more than a promising start for a "new era". New favourite songs: "The Inner Chamber" and "Gallivants (Of Space)".
Havukruunu Tavastland
Havukruunu never disappoints, simple as that. An epic, true riff orcan.
Hellripper Warlocks Grim And Withered Hags
Well, this is a ripper!! Fast, furious, fun, catchy and very balanced. There is no single weak or filler track here, only the focus on the style varies during the album (more emphasis on speed or thrash or black in a song/section), which makes this release very entertaining all the way through, perfectly solving the problem what bands like Midnight could never pass... it never gets samey, there is alway a little extra in the right time to shake up the listener (like: a bagpipe melody inserted into the layers of frenzy guitar riffs, or a Tom Araya-alike scream, or a Motrhead-style bass line, or a "slice" of acousitc guitar etc-etc.) Very cleverly written album with near infinite replay value + best black/speed album I've ever heard.
Hexenwood Witchthrone
Fantastic fusion of ancient Hungarian folk music and crushing black metal. Pretty straightforward, insanely riffs and guitar tone, simple yet effective song-structures, the mix is spot on and the folk parts & lyrics are enchanting. Perfect score.
Hexenwood Regevándor
Another damned good album: perfect mix of the old Hungarian pagan folk music and the raw, harsh black metal. Only thing is a bit annyoing is the weaker mixing compared to the first album. But the riffs are just as crushing!
High on Fire Luminiferous
The very best of High On Fire. Heavy, exciting and offers nice variety. The trio of "The Falconist" + "The Dark Side Of The Compass" + "The Cave" is a phenomenal experience.
Hooded Menace The Tritonus Bell
This is some super easily digestible death-doom with hints of heavy metal. Sweet riffs and guitar tone, good production: I'm satisfied. Might be a grower.
Horna Sanojesi Aarelle
Punching riff-fest. Seemingly they aimed for writing longer tracks for this one, and personally I do believe it was a rather succesful approach, and it gave plenty of place to certain songs to "bloom out". Filled with raw energy, it was a simply fantastic straight-forward black metal release. Title track is easily among their best songs.
Horna Envaatnags Eflos Solf Esgantaavne
A peak in the band's discography, Envaatnags Eflos Solf Esgantaavne is all about great melodic riffs in the spirit of the old-school ways. Songs like 'Kirous Ja Malja' are easily in the same league with Satanic Warmaster's best outputs.
Horna Perimä Vihassa Ja Verikostossa
Mega EP! This is a purely massive piece of black metal release from the more meloldic branch of the genre. RIFFS!! I wish they could have recorded this in a better quality, because it is near-classic material.
Immortal Damned In Black
Internal Rot Mental Hygiene
Simply mad, super massive riff fest. Absolute grindcore [2]
Iron Monkey 9-13
Iron Reagan The Tyranny Of Will
This is THE pinnacle of crossover thrash. Mega fun, mega riffs, mega energy.
John Mayall Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton
Kasjchq / Siege Tower Split
Kataxu North
Extremly overlooked atmoblack greatness. Raw, very synth-dominant - that's how I like it.
Korhadt VTTCK
A slow, massively doomy and gloomy, horroric release. This is not an easy listen, very close
to what I experienced with 'Black One' by Sunn O))) - and this is just as heavy.
Krampusnacht Krampusnacht
Lunar Womb The Sleeping Green
Macabre Omen The Ancient Returns
Yes, this is EPIC! Riffs on fire, melody overdose, triumphant yet sinister atmosphere: this is an absolute win. This is like a viking-era Bathory mixed with Rotting Christ and Immortal, also with some early Burzum vocals.
Marduk Here's No Peace
Now, this is what I call a forgotten gem! Starts with an interesting intro with a really Filosofem-alike vibe, then two bangers from the Dark Endless LP, but with black metal production (I loved it). The two Bathory covers in the end are also great (even though "In Conspiracy With Satan" is quite meh song in general), especially "Woman Of Dark Desires", which sounds more agressive this way - really Mardukian!
Mastodon Cold Dark Place
Mayhem Out from the Dark
Mayhem Live in Leipzig
Mayhem Wolf's Lair Abyss
Mayhem De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas Alive
Mayhem Henhouse Recordings
Megadeth Risk
Not really a 4.5 but since it has infinite replay value I gave it. If you have no expectations you can truly enjoy this album. They took risk, and I'm glad they did: each song stands well on it's own and pretty fun to listen to. The mix is great, the song length's are spot on, and Dave's singing is exceptionally good. I enjoy this a lot lately.
Metallica No Life 'til Leather
Midnight Odyssey Biolume Part 3 - A Fullmoon Madness
That's how you write a gigantic atmoblack album, everyone! It's not flawless though... sometimes the clean vocals were truly horrible... that's why you should skip the album opener "As Darkness Dims The Fire" entirely! (It's like Tom G. Warrior's lifetime mistake: Cold Lake.) The rest is beyond excellent! (Okay, "As One We Grow, As One We Fall" has some quite bad clean vocal sections too.)
Mightiest Whatever Ground We May Roam
This is probably the one of the best black metal demos I've ever heard. Diverse, heavy, epic.
Mirthquell Return of the Ancients
I'm in tears of pure joy (I mean, literally). A dungeon synth greatness for sure, with a perfectly apt title. "Return of the Ancients" resurrects that specific epic and enchanting magic what Depressive Silence and Burzum conjured to this world in the '90s. By this wonderful creation, Mirthquell continued the tradition and blended just the necessary amount of modern elements into this album. And the results is a joyful and magical journey on the frequencies of high fantasy.
Misthyrming Með hamri
Monstrous and evil. Misthyrming's dissoblack meets Mayhem's melodicity and Marduk's "martial" rhythmicity. Me hamri is pretty much the "dark horse" of the year. I believe it's amazing to witness the uprise of the Icelandic scene in the past few years, and Misthyrming has proved here that they are in their prime.
Monolord Your Time To Shine
Beautiful album, probably the finest stoner/doom record this year. The balance between the heaviness and the smooth melodies is true masterwork.
Mooncitadel Night's Scarlet Symphonies
Meloblack done right. Fascinating riffages, epic and a little bit folkish atmosphere. Honestly I can barely find the words to describe this, since it's not revolutionary at all, simply just incredibly well-written.
Mortiis The Stargate
Murgrind The Power of Yourself (EP)
Fantastic EP! Murgrind single-handedly created one of the best DS releases of the year with this one long track. Masterfully produced and composed, super exciting and inspiring, with strong LoTR vibes... the atmosphere is also spot on!
Murgrind Stronghold in the Mountains
Shame it was featured on a split that noone cares about. But Stronghold in the Mountains stands well on its own - and not just "well", since songs like "A Kingdom in Days of Old" are probably among the best dungeon synth songs ever written. Magnificent, gorgeous, truly magical work.
Murmuure Murmuure
Mycologia Assorted Mushrooms of New England
Exceptional album, both in style and concept: Berlin-school dungeon synth about various mushrooms in New England? A winner combo. Definitely one of the best DS albums this year.
Myrkur Folkesange
I really needed this. Beatiful nordic folk + Amalie Bruun's heavenly voice = pure gold. Productionwise speaking, the album is excellent, the instrumentation really matches to her singing, and all those uplifting melodies make this a perfectly relaxing album. Great year for folk music!
Mysticum In the Streams of Inferno
N'Zwaa Maha Kali
Unexpectedly fantastic blackened death metal (with some psychedelic and drone elements). Horror vocals, killer riffs and the production is spot on. (4.7)
Napalm Death From Enslavement to Obliteration
This slays. Brutal, savage, a napalm bomb of RIFFS. Also, this has a surprisingly great production (that bass tone is ultra thicc, not to mention the drums sound pretty tight as well). Definitely highest quality grind you can find.
Narsilion (SPA) Nerbeleth
Necrophobic The Nocturnal Silence
Brilliant black/death album, a seemingly endless source of RIIIIIIFFS!
Necrophobic Dawn Of The Damned
One word: professionalism. Extremly precise, well-rounded supremely diverse blackened melodeath album. It's really awe inspiring as they cannot be challenged in their craft.
Null (USA) Hiraeth
Extremly long (110+ minutes!), yet consistently awesome atmoblack release. The production is outstanding, especially since we're talking about a one-man band. I loved the very melodic riffing style (which is sometimes steps pretty much into the viking metal territory), the tons of neo-folk infulences and instrumental sections, and the epic dungeon synth elements. Hiraeth masterfully blends these elements together, and the result is a charming and most enjoyable atmo-folk black metal album.
Old Sorcery Dragon Citadel Elegies
How do we deserve Old Sorcery? I was already in love with the sound of this dungeon synth act, but this is on near flawless level. Huge portion of the true old-school epic dungeoneer spirit, brewed with the sweetest Berlin school electronics and neo-classical majesty. (And bits of neo-folk too!) My biggest problem with Dragon Citadel Elegies is: it's just f*cking 38 minutes long; how could my addicted spirit consume enough from this?! In the top3 of 2022, easy!
Om Advaitic Songs
Om God Is Good
Orsartag Found Wisdom: Symphonic Tribute To Burzum
Excellent, but not quite perfect. The concept of reimaging many Burzum pieces to classical/folk compositions is brilliant, yet certain songs lost some of their magic (like I already knew without listening that Tomhet will remain better as it is); while in other cases, these covers could add something to the atmosphere of the originals. I became instantly addicted to the cover of Der Tod Woutans, since now it sounds like it's taken from Howard Shore's legendary soundtrack of The Lord Of The Rings... or this form of Moti Ragnarokum sounds like an outtake from the Witcher 1 soundtrack. I do love this, but I'm not entirely satisfied with all covers.
Oublieth À l'Ombre du Royaume en Cendres
Finally, this album delivers that specific feeling I fell in love with dungeon synth! The beautifully flowing, mystical soundscapes, eerie drones and an icy and cobwebby atmosphere...! I literally got the goosebumps.
Paysage d'Hiver Im Wald
The best Paysage d'Hiver after Schattengang. This is a lengthy, a bleak and icy atmospheric riff blizzard accompanied by the typical dark ambient elements we all know and like. 'Im Wald' requires some patience, but still a very enjoyable musical experience. The aesthetics and the atmosphere are both satisfying, BUT: there are not enough lo-fi wind noises!
Paysage d'Hiver Das Gletschertor/Das schwarze Metall-Eisen
It was an interesting discovery how great these 'Schattengang' outcut songs are. Especially "Das scwarze Metall-Eisen" song was an exciting "new" side of Paysage d'Hiver: old-school battle samples, industrial elements, disco beats etc??. The atmosphere of this compilation is outstanding, most impressive.
Paysage d'Hiver Winterkälte
The lo-fi wintry black metal album. Everything is here: sinister riffs, pulsating blast-beats, lo-fi wind samples and ghostly but calming ambient sections. Meisterwerk.
Pentagram Pentagram
'Pentagram' / 'Relentless', you name it, is an excellent old-school doom record. Personally I was surprised how Sabbathy it was (I didn't know this band earlier). Tasty riffs!
Pentagram Be Forewarned
That's how one does make an outstanding doom album! Many bands could learn from this release. Simply awesome.
Pest [FI] Hail the Black Metal Wolves of Belial
Judas Priest goes to black metal??? Seriously overlooked and forgotten.
Peste Noire La Sanie des Siècles
Peste Noire L'Ordure a l'etat Pur
Such a weirdo album. The variety (and the lolz) left me no other option than 4.5 this. I have no idea from where did Ludovic pull this out... mad.
Rage Against the Machine Rage Against the Machine XX
Rage Against the Machine Rage Against the Machine
Red Fang Murder The Mountains
Red Fang Red Fang
Rotting Christ Triarchy of the Lost Lovers
Gothic-era Rotting Christ #1: Very-well balanced, melodic and delivers the riffs. Excellent album, maybe a bit weaker on the production side, but it counterbalances it with the quality within.
Sacrilegious Impalement III - Lux Infera
A shockingly overlooked and truly fantastic second wave-worship album. This riffs insanely great - constant rotation of classic arpeggios and killer thrash sections spiced with momentary psychedelia or DSBM-ish slowness (f.e. "For Sins of the Pigs" is really similar to the best Shining songs, and that's really something!). Also the production is very pleasing (I really love the guitar tone here), and not to mention: the vocal performance is really good, and quite diverse too. Most impressive work.
Sadistik Exekution The Magus
Fantastic. Hellish riffs covered in a thick evil atmosphere, coming from the deepest abyss. The
terrific vocals and the bass are in the spotlight, and the production is raw and tasty. Sadly, the
whole album is not even 36 minutes long... (recorded in '88!!)
Saidan Onryo II: Her Spirit Eternal
These riffs are fire! Riffs like on a top tier Finnish meloblack release, with some extra blissful blackgazy vibes and also some punk energy too. Strengths: many excellent major chord riffs and creative songwriting. "Kissed by Lunar’s Silvery Gleam" is one of the best songs of the year already.
Sakis Tolis Among the Fires of Hell
Not really different from Rotting Christ, even numerous melody fragments sounded familiar - however, this is a very-well executed album! It's more gothic metal than black metal, but one thing is for sure: Sakis wrote tons of great riffs and catchy melodies, such as what you can hear in "Ad Astra" or "We the Fallen Angels". One of my most favourite releases of 2022.
Samael Blood Ritual
Underrated majesty. Samael's sophomore album is far more focused and well-planned than their other legendary album, Worhsip Him. With this album, they took a huge step forwarid in forging their unique groovy and doomy style. Definitely standing at the slowest end of black metal's spectrum, Blood Ritual delivers the finest riffs and salutes to the doom legends such as Candlemass or Celtic Frost.
Satanic Warmaster Strength & Honour
Satanic Warmaster Fimbulwinter
Much clearer production, killer riffs, some acoustic instruments, beautiful synths - the not raw Warmaster also rules.
Satanic Warmaster Black Metal Kommando
Satanic Warmaster We Are The Worms That Crawl...
Collection of (almost) all the split appearances: an epitome of raw black metal. The cover greatly illustrates the album's overall sound. Every song is killer.
Satanic Warmaster Aamongandr
Secret Stairways Enchantment of the Ring
"Reflections on the Lake" is one of the best dungeon synth songs ever made. The perfect background album for reading and just for regular relax. I have to admit it took some time to finally get the charm of it, but now I just can't have enough of it.
Selvhat Den Svarte Tid
Shining (SWE) V - Halmstad
Silencer (SWE) Death - Pierce Me
Terrific. An unsettling piece of metal history, which is a quite challenging listen, but it's also very rewarding to fully dive into this suffocating vortex of dark riffs and agonizing screams... because it's something special.
Skaphe and Wormlust Kosmískur Hryllingur
A spiralling sonical nightmare - blunt, but I can't really describe better how does it feel listening to this release. "Kosmskur Hryllingur" is a madly chaotic creation, which captures the listener's interest by an oddly captivating charm - no matter how malformed actually it is. Most impressive.
Skeleton Skeleton
Alright, I had no choice, but to 4.5 this bad boy. I loved everything about this album: the mixture of first wave black / punk / thrash sounds amazing, filled with raw energy! The production is nice and crispy, the mix is really well balanced (the drums sound is really sweet). Slayzzzzz m/
Slayer Show No Mercy
Slayer South Of Heaven
The very best of Slayer?
Sleep The Clarity
Sodom In The Sign Of Evil
Solstafir Svartir Sandar
Very moody post-rock/metal record with some experiments in it. I love simply love the melancholic atmosphere, the slowly blooming songs, the "palpable" organic and "honest" sound of this album... "Fjara" and "Melrakkabls" were my favourites.
Spectral Wound Songs of Blood and Mire
One of the best trad. black metal release in years. Great sound, the reverb on the drums makes it sound "cavernous".
Splendorius From the Ashes
Epic, majestic, exciting and very well composed. This album was a great surprise - the best kind.
Stellar Master Elite Hologram Temple
Storm Nordavind
Summoning Oath Bound
Sunn O))) (初心) GrimmRobes Live 101008
Synth Bard Beyond the Crystal Cave
Taake Stridens hus
Taake Avvik
Hoest has released this and pretty much nobody noticed it... but they should! I don't mind compilation albums if they are [this] good. I was especially sold by the fantastic acoustic version of "Nattestid ser porten vid I" which was gorgeous like any song from Ulver's Kveldssanger (minus the vocals). The cover songs were pretty damn solid as well, just as Hoest's own songs.
Takatoshi Naitoh In The Forest
This album masterfully blends together (old-school) uplifting, dreamy synths and field recordings into a dreamy and beautiful musical journey.
Terrorizer World Downfall
Not much to say here. Ageless grindcore masterwork for darker days. Iconic.
Thangorodrim Gil-Estel
Thangorodrim The Darkening of Valinor
Finally, the lost album by Thangorodrim!! The distinctive aesthetics can be found here, and the album sounds just as wonderful as expected. Interestingly, "The Darkening of Valinor" has the most diverse atmosphere from the whole discography: it is like all the unique winter synth, epic old-school and medieval styles are mixed together - which is extremly exciting. Wonderful album.
The Betrayed Kingdom On the Land of Myth
Oh sweet melancholy, embrace me. Outstanding Hungarian product, perfect choice for the gloomy days.
The Devil and the Almighty Blues The Devil and the Almighty Blues
The Obsessed The Obsessed
Mighty gorgeous doom album. Full of charming and catchy melodies. Wino and co. put this together amazingly well. This is not a techincal record, but this has "soul".
The Rolling Stones Out of Our Heads
The Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers
The Wonders Of Atomic Mutations Tunguska
Thorns Grymyrk
What an overlooked demo...I can understand why was it such a huge inspiration for Burzum & Mayhem
as well: one of the most important demos in the genre.
Thorns Thorns vs Emperor (split w/ Emperor)
Thorns Stigma Diabolicum
Thy Catafalque Vadak
The complexity and the variance within is same in Naiv, but this less folky and Vadak riffs much HARDER. Personally I got nice Geometria vibes from this, which is was a very positive surprise. "Ml" is one of the best Thy Catafalque songs ever, hands down. Congrats to Ktai Tams and Co., you make me a very proud Hungarian.
Thy Catafalque Alföld
Less experimental, but I still feel this is still very balanced and unique. The Hungarian Great Plain is my home as well, therefore some of these lyrics could touch a fragment of my soul - I can't describe this to y'all. You must live here to understand.
Triptykon Requiem
This is far-far-far better than what I expected! A superb classical AND metal co-production. This is a really colorful and vivid creation, but it also invokes the desired dark atmosphere. By having Safa Heraghi as co-lead singer, they managed to blend a quite gothic vibe into the whole thing, which was also very great.
Tsjuder Desert Northern Hell
Ulvegr Arctogaia
Ulver Silence Teaches You How to Sing EP
Ulver Messe I.X-VI.X
Ulver Perdition City
Ulver Metamorphosis
Ulver Hexahedron
Here it is ATGCLVLSSCAP 2.0. These "live" albums from Ulver are the real treat. Very relaxing, yet still very dinamic and easy flowing release, with surprisingly tight production. A real pleasure for the ears, seriously.
Urfaust Trúbadóirí Ólta an Diabhail
Insanely good live album. Very trve, yet pleasantly odd -- just as expected from Urfaust. Side Two is especially great!
Urfaust The Constellatory Practice
Urfaust: the Ulver album.
Urfaust Compilation Of Intoxications
Slow (quite like the mix of black metal and doom) experimental metal, which brings together the horrifying atmosphere of disharmonic riffs (pretty much like what Blut Aus Nord does in the Disharmonium series... and it existed years before BAN releases those Lovecrafitan nightmares) with crushing, (sludgy) black metal assaults. Also the whole thing is spiced up with strange synths and the whole released is soaked in a dark, ritualistic atmosphere. And of course this wouldn't be an Urfaust release without the the strange clean vocal chantings.
Usnea Portals Into Futility
Vampirska Vermilion Apparitions Frozen in Chimera Twilight
This is a very-very good old-school meloblack release. Sounds like something straight out from the '90s, stylistically well-balanced (pleasantly groovy, melodic and straight-forward at once), and you can hear many resemblances to bands like Darkthrone, Satanic Warmaster, Judas Iscariot. Bonus points for the the a e s t h e t i c s.
Vindkaldr Enchantments Of Old Lore
Warmoon Lord Burning Banners of the Funereal War
Werendia Werendia
Werendia's debut album sounds like a moody, wintry, sombre mixture of Lustre/Caladan Brood with some Summoning elements. Well, this is definitely something I love!
White Death White Death
Wilson Tanner 69
Wormsblood Bounds Beaten
What a demo, a raw black metal greatness! I'm impressed.
Xasthur Suicide in Dark Serenity

4.0 excellent
0 (Null) Entity
Super heavy, post-DSBM with massive atmosphere and with lots of clean vocals - Iceland constantly produces excellent quality metal music lately, and this is no exception.
1000MODS Repeated Exposure To​.​.​.
This is how to write a diverse stoner metal/psychedelic rock album! Amazing textures, lovely warm sound, great singing, bluesy solos and of course thick riffs: what's not to love?
1000MODS Cheat Death
Enjoyable stuff.. I totally didn't expect it to be this cool! It's just simply a very-well executed album, but especially the singer adds a very tasty favour to it. Some songs are punchy punkish energy bombs, some others are quite mellow, some others are pure old-school.
1349 The Infernal Pathway
Simple, but very effective: the typcial 1349 riff-tornado, but with a super balanced production. Nothing new, but the execution is immaculate.
1349 Hellfire
Hellfire is pretty much the mix of the previous albums: fast and sharp, and pleasantly technical as well. Plus, the vocals are also much more interesting than what we heard on the previous albums. This is a simply a very-well written black metal record with a bit techy vibe.
1349 Massive Cauldron of Chaos
1349 introduces a little bit of thrash guitarwork into their originally very rhythm-heavy style, and the result is this absolute killer release.
1914 The Blind Leading the Blind
Unforgiving black/death assault, which brilliantly captures the feeling of war and the strange, chaotic world during WWI. Excellent album!
1914 Viribus Unitis
Even better than the expectations! 1914 dropped their best album so far. Killer riffs all the way through, and the production is also satisfying.
200 Stab Wounds Manual Manic Procedures
I see quite a few dumb ratings already... I don't know what's wrong with some of you, but I've been waiting for this one and this album did not disappoint. New guitarist, more brutal sound, still massively energetic. They show marks of similarities to Fulci now, which is a great thing!
200 Stab Wounds Slave To The Scalpel
As the band's name indicates: their first LP is pure straight-forward fun. Who cares about technicality, if "less" is enough for the desired effect? Massively riff oriented work, and not a weak track on sight.
I'm impressed!
200 Stab Wounds Piles Of Festering Decomposition
This EP is mega filthy. 5 tracks of ultra nasty, borderline goregrind riffs - this band fucking slays.
36 and Zake Stasis Sounds For Long​-​Distance...
Very-very good drone album with a minimalistic approach. As the title indicates, this is a concept album about space travel, and the album fits to the expectations. Ethereal pads, pretty phasing noises - ready for space travel!
A Compendium of Curiosities Heaven Feels Like Floating Around in a Golden City
Dreams embodied in marvelous synth music.
Abduction (UK) Black Blood
Slapper. Prominent guitarwork (this leans towards the progressive branch of the genre, like Shining), great vocals (I've noticed Attila Csihar's style here and there), good production. The best thing about this release, that they focused on writing midtempo-centric songs, which is pretty much my favourite in black metal.
Abhor (ITA) I.gne N.atura R.enovatur I.ntegra
Great symphonic black metal release, and I totally fell in love with the synth section... sounds exactly like an old-school videogame, and matches perfectly to the album's atmosphere. The production is pretty dull, having the vocals as the sharpest component. But since the album has great variety within, alltogether I am very pleased with the overall package. I guess I have a new favourite band now.
Abhor (ITA) Vocat Spiritum Morti
Perfect atmosphere + I loved the drone ambient piece at the beginning, and I the Goblin cover songs.
Abigor Fractal Possession
Very sharp, very proggy tech-black. "The Fire Syndrom" is one example for masterclass songwriting.
Abyssic Hate Suicidal Emotions
That buzzsaw guitar sound in this is one of a kind... this atmosphere sends shivers down my spine~
AC/DC Highway To Hell
Adrasteia Hymnes de Glaciers
Outstanding, highly atmospheric (raw) black metal / drone fusion demo, which elegantly mixes the two genre's best sides: ethereal and icy drones meet distant, sinister black metal tremolos and fearful shrieks. I loved the tiny experimentations with field recordings and (wintry) synths - I wish this would contain more of them. But I'm greatly impressed!
Adventum Diaboli/Donarhall Cemetery Of Hopes (Split)
Aeberassath Sphaera Aquae
Aerekaer Avindskjold
Afsky Ofte Jeg Drømmer Mig Død
Black metal with emotions.
Ager Sonus Mithra
Ahab The Call of the Wretched Sea
Akercocke Antichrist
Akhlys Melinoe
Alcest Spiritual Instinct
Alcest Kodama
Alcest Les Voyages De L'Âme
This is a lovely sonical hug for the soul. Best Alcest.
Alestorm No Grave But the Sea
Alice Cooper Billion Dollar Babies
Amorphis Queen of Time
Lengthy but rewarding listen. A super creative and exciting album, which is definitely requires several listens to fully digest, but not due to the heaviness! Adventurous, and you simply can't get enough of Tomi's brilliant vocal performance.
Amorphis Under the Red Cloud
Captivating and colorful - and the folk is especially strong in this one (= instant obsession). Fantastic album which will stuck in your ears for weeks.
Amorphis The Karelian Isthmus
A fairly balanced, somewhat standard, but excellently executed death metal album. This delivers exactly what it supposed to do: killer riffs.
Amystery Grim Satanic Blessing
Ancient Boreal Forest Where Dragons Dream
Magical and mysterious melodies with BM aesthetics - just how I love it. Also, nice Summoning and Thangorodrim vibes! *garas's seal of approval*
Ancient Boreal Forest/The Cold Domain In The Land Of High Fantasy
Ancient Death Ego Dissolution
I didn't see this coming. Midlly proggy OSDM, which brings backs a little bit of Death's essence into the "current style" of death metal. The song "Breathe - Transcend" was my favourite, such an impressive piece of work!
Ancient Mastery Chapter One: Across The Mountains Of ...
I like atmocheese. Perfectly balanced album, too bad it has only 4 songs in it.
Ancient Sword Ars Antiqua
Very-very good dungeon synth album. The combination of spacey drone and adventurous synth soundscapes works great; and especially the usage of some rless typical (sometimes odd) synth sounds makes this an outstandingly enjoyable album.
Antestor Omen
Anti (DEU) Anti
What a shame I've missed this out from 2021... Anyway, this is a sick straight-forward DSBM album with extra punchy riffs. [garas's seal of approval]
Antlers (DE) Beneath.Below.Behold
Anubi Kai pilnaties akis uzmerks Mirtis
This is a very unorthodox release, maybe this is something which could be tagged as avant-garde? Not sure. Anubi's one and only LP is a really exciting listen, since this combines many different styles and genres, which makes this an extraordinary and original album. Very atmospheric, and surprisingly, a pretty much bass driven release, which is one of the least usual things in BM in general. I especially loved the folk elements (traditional Lithuanian, I guess?) and the very unusual synth sounds. This sounds like a wild dream, tbh.
Aornos The Great Scorn
Very strong atmoblack release - I might 4.5 it later. The production quality is spot on, nice and heavy riffing (the solos here and there are also very nice), the bass sounds HUGE which is fantastic, and the synths... ahhhh SO good! Hard to find a pinnacle, since the whole album is consistently massive and enjoyable. I shall grab it on tape as well.
Arcanist Poseidonis
Very good Berlin-school-inspired dungeon synth piece. It reminded me of the golden days of Jim Kirkwood, but with a different atmosphere (influenced by the American Weird Fiction movement). Very-well produced record, and if you're looking for gorgeous synth sounds - then it is for you.
Archgoat Whore of Bethlehem
Filthy debut, for sure. Simple and effective riffs (lots of Hellhammer and Beherit love) are truly memorable, such as the interesting and unique vocals. The production is pleasantly crispy, which might please the old-school fanatics. The heaviest songs like "Lord of the Void" were instant love-at-first-jams.
Archgoat The Apocalyptic Triumphator
Filthy mix of oldie black metal and death-doom, which means tasty riffs and excellent replay value. The OSDM-type of vocals seemed a bit odd at first, but by the end of the album I totally dug it. Their primitive approach is their strongest weapon (sweet Celtic Frost, Beherit, Darkthrone and general OSDM influences), and I was hooked by it right instantly.
Arcturus Aspera Hiems Symfonia
It is pretty, and I loved the atmosphere - however not every song was that really memorable for me. But still I really-really liked this one.
Arkhtinn 二度目の災害
This is peak cosmic black metal. Very Darkspace-alike, but I don't mind that, since it is awesome!
Arkhtinn 三​度​目​の​災​害
Peak cosmic atmoblack with stellar production too. Meisterwerk.
Armagedda Only True Believers
Wow, this is massive! It's like the mixture of Craft and late (groovier) Gorgoroth. "Poetry from a Poisoned Mind" and "F.T.W" were my favourites.
Arnaut Pavle Arnaut Pavle
Asattarn An Old Beginning
Ashes (POL) Ashes
Aura Noir The Merciless
Simply excellent. The production is also far better than most of their other releases, but especially better than Deep Tracts of Hell.
Aura Noir Deep Tracts of Hell
"Blood Unity" is probably their very best. Interesting to note that they recycled lots of songs from their debut EP.
Aura Noir Dreams Like Deserts
Very solid debut from the black-thrashers. Severely overlooked release!
Autumn Nostalgie Esse Est Percipi
Wonderful blackgaze album. Flows slowly like a dream, full of sweet melancholia. The entire album is what I say about the best blackgaze albums: feels like a warm noisy hug for your soul. Also I'm super happy to know the lyrics are in Hungarian, it means a lot. "Fallen Leaves" is a huge mood, I love it.
Azaghal Omega
Azelisassath In Total Contempt of All Life
Azelisassath Evil Manifestations Against Mankind
B. Ashra Music For Growing
Another very pretty album. The constant, deep sine bass and the pulsating, ethereal pads together builds a calm and uplifting atmosphere... very hypnotic! And using wind bells as a percussion instrument is simply brilliant.
Balance Interruption Door 218
Ball Ball
This some real sweet '70s psychedelic rock / heavy metal worship right there! Catchy riffs, hot solos... this is out and out rock'n'roll!
Barbarian King Barbarian King
A terrible cover art hides great excellence: Barbarian King's debut is a very-well written and produced fantasy-inspired musical journey. Various instruments, and percussions and exciting melodies - this is all about.
Barbaric Frost Against the darkness
Baroness Red Album
Barrowmound Undreamed Worlds
A truly excellent dungeon synth album. A rarely pleasent mixed bag (thanks to the diverse instrumentation), but the real strength of the album is the perfectly captured essence of winter synth and the additional old-schoolish elements.
Basic Dungeon Perils in the slums scenario 1: the orcs commune
Bathory Katalog
This is a very odd compilation. Some songs sound better than the originals, and some others were the complete opposite... but generally the changes are on the positive side. However, this is a pretty decent compilation album - under that I mean a satisfying tracklist.
Bathory The Return of the Darkness and Evil
Bathory Nordland II
Batushka Hospodi
Well, this is very different from the original Batushka, and I have to say: I enjoyed this one probably lot more than the others. I don't care about the story behind the split-up because I rcan't be 100% objective in this case. But again, this is a very-very good album. Hospodi is more on the post-metal side, very heavy, the mix is spot on, and I really enjoyed the the overall ratmosphere of this album.
Beherit Live in Praha CZ
The very first Beherit live album... and it is more important than you'd think. Most played songs are from the infamous Drawing Down the Moon album, and here, we could hear a new, modern, refined sound which kind of reinvented the entire (old) Beherit-sound: more synths, more diabolical vocals, new guitar sound, new sound samples -- and the results is insanely good! This is how Drawing Down the Moon should have sounded!! The mixing on this recording is also superb, I'm very satisfied (low audience noise, each instrument sounds sharp, etc.).
Beherit Engram
Beherit Bardo Exist
Another twist in Beherit's discography: another electronic/dark ambient album! And it is also among the best works of Nuclear Holocausto. Dense, dark and cryptic atmosphere, crispy textures, great analog synths and great vocals... looks like Beherit follows the Ulver-path now.
Behexen The Poisonous Path
Rips you apart.
Behexen Rituale Satanum
"Here is the raw black metal album with massive riffs and throat-wrecking vocals you've ordered." Behexen's debut LP is always a good jam.
Beketh Nexehmu De Svarta Riterna
Belong October Language
Beltaine Rockhill
This is what I could call simply as: lovely. Very nice and jolly folk album. Am I the only one who gets happy late-summer vibes from this? Beautiful instruments, beautiful production.
Belzebubs Pantheon of the Nightside Gods
Beorn's Hall Estuary
Billy Odal ...and the search for Agartha - Part 1
Lots of creative ideas can be found in this psychedelic/post-punk/gothic rock mixture release (I'm not sure if I could decribe Billy Odal's music very well this way), and honestly I'm in love with the atmosphere of this release. It's a bit spooky, but very-very groovy as well, with a pleasantly "rusty yet still clean" production. Bonus points for the harsh vocals, I think a bit more could have been better, but still: I'm satisfied.
Birdflesh Sickness in the North
This is a shockingly good grind album! I like how 'colorful' is it, as they blended other genres into some songs - my favourite is the very black metal-ish Mongolations of Desolation. Also I love the production on this a lot: beefy, full and perfectly balanced. Super fun, killer riffs, great runtime...!
Black Curse Endless Wound
This album ended pretty fast... *hits replay* Seriously, this is some nicely filthy death metal, which really deserves the attention. Well balanced, and most importantly: ~heavyyyyyyyy~
Black Curse Burning in Celestial Poison
Filthy fun record. A succesful continuation of the Black Curse formula.
Black Label Society Grimmest Hits
Black Label Society Hangover Music Vol.6
This feels more close to his solo stuff (the Book of Shadows albums), since it's slow-paced, the acoustic guitar is in the spotlight, very melodic stuff. I'm a big fan of his solo albums, so this was an easy win to me.
Black Magick SS Kaleidoscope Dreams
Black Sabbath Master of Reality
Black Sabbath Headless Cross
A damn fine heavy/power metal album. Catchy songs, and the typical great Iommi riffs. Tony Martin deserves zero criticism, his performance is great and fits to this album.
Black Sabbath Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath Born Again
All the hate aside, I believe this is an excellent album. Huge load of the good ol' Iommy riffage paired with a very interesting and sinister aura. It took me a few minutes to get used to Ian Gillan's vocals, but in the end I think it was a great match. Really nasty album.
Black Sabbath Mob Rules
Technically, every Sabbath album having Dio means instant excellency. Not as stunning as Heaven and Hell, but behind the bloody and brutal artwork there is yet another very memorable heavy metal-doom record.
Black Sabbath Tyr
This goes very hard, actually. This delivers good riffs and some of Tony Martin's best performances, all the way through. "Jerusalem" is such an earworm!
Bleach Birth Caesarean Tapestries
blink-182 Dogs Eating Dogs
blink-182 Greatest Hits
Blood Incantation Absolute Elsewhere
Excellent atmospheric(?) death metal / progressive rock record - it worked really well as background music during work. Not repetitive, not just the usual prog guitar wankery, and the synths are super smooth.
Blood Tower Clock Dreams
Excellent dungeon synth release. Clock Dreams delivered exactly what I hoped for: dense and mysterious atmosphere, interesting instrumentation & effects, and notable variety in ideas and styles presented. I loved it.
Bloodbath The Arrow of Satan Is Drawn
Oh yes, the sound of the classic HM-2 pedal pleases my ears!!
Bloodbath Survival of the Sickest
Straight-forward death metal as expected. Survival of the Sickest has a less "chainsawy sound" and feels noteworthily dynamic, not to mention Nick's vocals sound actually great here, (at least his peformance is better than in The Arrow of Satan Is Drawn was). Excellent "everyday death metal" release, and if you don't expect anything revolutionary from this, you'll have great fun with it. Potential grower.
Bloodlord Serenaden der Wälder
What a forgotten gem! Very solid work, great riffs and eerie atmosphere. The song "She" is mega!
Blue Oyster Cult Agents of Fortune
Lot more than just "(Don't Fear) The Reaper". Other highlights: "E.T.I.", "Sinful Love" and "Morning Final".
Blue Oyster Cult The Symbol Remains
Lovely record. So many catchy melodies and fine production. I wonder why isn't it more popular... "Tainted Blood" and "Edge Of The World" are my favourites, absolute earworms!
Blue Oyster Cult Secret Treaties
A damn catchy album, full of great songs. Nothing crazy here, "just" a gorgeously smooth rock gems. I don't get why is it their top-rated album, though.
Blue Oyster Cult Mirrors
Severely underrated record. A super consistent lovely and catchy album. "In Thee" is however a massively outstanding song, I'm in love with those tunes.
Blue Oyster Cult Club Ninja
I honestly don't get the general dislike for this album... sounds good, has a very positive vibe all over it. Sure, "Dancin' In the Ruins" is the absolute pinnacle of this record, but the rest is solid as well, imo.
Blut Aus Nord The Work Which Transforms God
Excellent dissoblack release. I hoped for more stuff like "The Choir of the Dead" (which is absolutely phenomenal), but it's still an outstanding album in general.
Blut Aus Nord 777 - The Desanctification
"Hi, it's Blut Aus Nord, and we will teach you, how to write a post-industrial metal album."
Blut Aus Nord Lovecraftian Echoes
Forget that nonsense which says this supposed to be the continuation of the experiment phase started with The Work Which Transforms God. Hell no. This is actually the "trailer" of the Disharmonium-era. Chaotic and dissonant brilliance, true Lovecraftian work.
Blut Aus Nord Memoria Vetusta I - Fathers Of The Icy Ages
The only truly excellent melodic Blut Aus Nord album. In my opinion, the quality of the Memoria Vetusta series drops by 0.5 by each album -- and not just because this has the best production (which is still thin).
Body Asphyxiation Science Gravitational Blood Art
I'm very surprised, in the most positive way. Very promisimg stuff, I dig this rusty and cavernous twist on techy death metal. The haunting vocals are fantastic: atypical for this style, I'd expect it from a black/death record instead - but it works here perfectly!
Bolzer Roman Acupuncture
Straight-forward and original: Bölzer was really killing it even with their very first EP. The little bit crispier sound really fits to these songs. Especially "Zeus / Seducer of Hearts" is really strong with those tempo changes.
Bolzer Soma
More dissonant than Aura was, and while it is a bit predictable sometimes, it is sill damn strong!
Bonobo Black Sands
Borg The Triumph of Spring
Spring inspired folk music. Very rich in sounds, 100% medieval / renaissance music. You don't hear something like this very often.
Borg Woodland
Another honest and beautiful medieval (neo-)folk album, by the Swede bard. I think there is some improvement from the debut, but it is hard to describe why. I just simply enjoyed this one more. The various instruments, various moods and melodies are astonishing and enchanting, but one thing is sure: it is lovely! So simple, so touching... this makes my heart melt.
Borg The Sacred Mound
Probably the best Borg album. Very well composed and more complex, with the typical lovely and magical aura.
Borg Medieval Dreams
An immersive medieval experience. Sometimes spooky, sometimes playful, sometimes idyllic. Grab yer sword and explore the sound of strange lands and times.
Borgne Y
This is super massive. Heavy riffing atmoblack with nicely placed industrial elements... I'm sold.
Boru Kyth Wylag Felleyn
"Kyth Wylag Felleyn" was an interesting experience, and I definitely enjoyed it. This album can be described as mix of the psych-black sound of Mystískaos with a bit doomy post-metal, which is quite an instant win for me. The album flows slowly and heavily and they built a dark and captivating atmosphere, and maybe they could have recorded one or two extra songs. Bonus points for the excellent studio work and for the great vocal performance.
BowelFuck Appetite Comes With Killing
Savage, excellent quality grindcore. This offers the two most important factors I love to hear in a grind record: massive riffs (very satisfying guitarwork) and perfect production (the guitars sound huge, both the vocals and the drums are not overly loud). A bit more variety could have been nice especially on the vocal front, but still excellent stuff as it is.
Brodequin Harbinger of Woe
Probably the biggest strength of this release is the production. Tight riffing with some reverb, organic and easily perceptible drums, and vocals just a little bit in the background (more screams like in "Suffocation In Ash" could have been a nice bonus, tho'). The result? A ferocious brutal death metal record which sounds absolutely enormous.
Burzum Umskiptar
Burzum Burzum/Aske
Burzum Demo II
Burzum Thulêan Mysteries
Lots of familiar melodies and sounds, but still something new and exciting. The new (and probably last) Burzum album combined every strength of all the dungeon synth / ambient releases, making it one of Varg's strongest ambient outputs. A lengthy, but highly atmospheric release, which mostly builds on old-school synths and folk instruments. Fortunately this is lot more similar to ...Yore than Sol austan.... I wish songs like "The Sacred Well", "Gathering Herbs", "The Ettin Stone Heart", etc. would be longer...
Cain (RUS) Child of Cold
Cal Tjader Fried Bananas
Cal Tjader Stretchin' Out
Basically a best-of Cal Tjader album. A super chill and relaxing latin jazz compilation by the greatest. (The typo on the album cover is pretty annoying.)
Camarde Camarde
Very nice lo-fi dungein synth release. Respetful to the old-school: melancholic and enchanting melodies recorded straight to tape (I assume) - and that's it.
Candlemass King of the Grey Islands
Noone could fully replace Messiah, but Robert Lowe did a pretty decent job. It has some really bad songs, but most of the time the album sounds excellent. The production could have been "fullier" but it's not bad this way either.
Cannabis Corpse Nug So Vile
This is so much fun, way better than what I expected!
Carbon Based Lifeforms Twentythree
Carcass Torn Arteries
Through "Torn Artieries" Carcass gave us a lesson, how to make an entertaining and colorful modern metal album. The groovy, thick base and the momentary "softness" (like the solos in "In God We Trust") forms an interesting synergy, but each song and section focuses around nothing but melodies.
Carcass Swansong
Such a weird, "go-as-you-please" death'n'rock album. It's great fun, and punchy too.
Carcass Reek of Putrefaction
Flawed, but essential release - great even, since we are speaking about a debut album, which actually aged quite well. (The full dynamic range edition really slays.)
Carcass Symphonies of Sickness
...and this is the point where Carcass became an iconic band, and haven't released nothing but pure excellence. (= Everything after this is a 4.0 at least!)
Carpathian Forest Bloodlust And Perversion
Carpathian Forest Fuck You All!!!!
Carpathian Forest Strange Old Brew
Criminally underrated! This album really represents why does Carpathian Forest deserve a place among the very best black metal acts ever. Personally, I really enjoy their daring attitude for not giving a fuck about the genre's standards - next to the
fantastic Celtic Frost-ish black metal songs, they added several exciting tracks: "Thanatology" (slowtempo atmospheric BM masterpiece), "House Of The Whipchord" (JAZZ and horror music mixture with BM vocals - yes, you read it right!) or "Theme from
Nekromantikk" (something I would consider dungeon synth). All in all, this is an outstanding and exciting record.
Castle Zagyx Doors to the Battlefields of Ertbe
Howard Shore plays Mount & Blade: the album.
Cattle Decapitation Death Atlas
Caustic Wound Grinding Mechanism of Torment
This album destroys. Simply top notch grind. I love the production (and bass sound) so much.
Celestial Bloodshed Cursed, Scarred and Forever Possessed
Exciting and original: this is a typical Norwegian (somewhat standard) BM album with an interesting production. The theatrical and passionate vocals are the most original element in the package, which clearly stood out and I loved it. The additional chain sounds (for real) were pretty bizarre first, but it brought a very interesting element in to the album's overall sound. Not a revolutionary release, but the result is fairly memorable, a very enjoyable black metal record.
Celtic Frost Emperor's Return
Celtic Frost Parched With Thirst Am I and Dying
Just great Celtic Frost songs thrown together. Isn't it all what matters?
Chaucerian Myth Chaucerian Legends: The Epic of Beileag, Part III
Chaucerian Myth Sir Orfeo
Level up. Chaucerian Myth just gets better and better with each release. This album is astonishing, and I think this is a huge improvement. Very classical music inspired style, accompanied by old-school synths - an enchanting combination.
Church of the Cosmic Skull Is Satan Real?
Church of the Cosmic Skull Science Fiction
Cirith Ungol Half Past Human
Good to see Cirith Ungol still kickin', and this EP was a very pleasant and fun listen. I don't care if it is "just" a re-recording session because I had great fun. The riffs in "Shelob's Lair" really kick ass!
Cirith Ungol Dark Parade
One word: enormous. Brilliant studio work, mega riffs. This is real metal!
Cobalt Slow Forever
This is the best black-sludge album of all time. RIP Erik.
Conan Live At Freak Valley
A perfectly executed live-album: sharp and huge sound.
Conan Horseback Battle Hammer
CO)))NAN. Incredibly heavy thick and low-heavy distortion surrounds everything in this record. Generally just a bit faster than a Sunn O))), but when they strike out from the sound monolith stage, it hits brutally hard. High volume, headphones on: bring it on!!
Conan Evidence Of Immortality
Heavy as expected, caveman doom intensifies. Potential grower, let's start with a 4.0!
Convulsing Perdurance
Exciting disso-death album, delivering not just the riffs but a melancholic and eerie atmosphere as well. Pretty much you can feel the better kind of Ulcerate-ish vibes in this album, but the result is definitely less fierce -- and personally I find this direction more appealing.
Coroner Punishment For Decadence
Simply excellent.
Coroner No More Color
This kinda fell in between the others, and didn't hook me that much as Mental Vortex, for example. However, the closer track ("Last Entertainment") was one of their most phenomenal works - atmospere and riffs.
Coroner Grin
Super interesting album, where they took a huge step away from their tech thrash style and entered into the sinister realms of progressive/groove metal. 'Grin' has a very interesting aura, and had probably the best studio work from their whole catalog.
Coroner Dissonance Theory
Fairly strong, but not near as good as their earlier materials. But it's acceptable: they have changed. The riffs are awesome, the solos are good, the production is acceptable, and it still feels like Coroner. So I'm happy!
Corrosion of Conformity No Cross No Crown
What a diverse-sounding release! Like listening to Black Sabbath, Mastodon, The Possessed, Black Label Society, and sometimes a little bit of thrash too. Now, this is something I would call true fun!
Corrupted Temple of Moss Demo I
Corrupted Temple of Moss ​Ancient Magicks Uttered by the Winds...
Cosmic Ground Cosmic Ground 5
Cowl Strange Divinity
Beautiful, simply beautiful. A very atmospheric old-schoolish dungeon synth release, with gorgeous folk and strong drone elements. "Strange Divinity" is a captivating and exciting release, which flows like a slow, melancholic and sometimes nightmarish dream.
Craft Terror Propaganda - Second Black Metal Attack
Craft White Noise and Black Metal
Crafted from hatred - tight riffing, fantastic production, evillllllll atmosphere. Small disappointment they didn't include a harsh noise wall track representing the white noise part, hahaha!
Criptadel Extended I
I'm greatly impressed about this EP. Very original sound, even though the sound of some instruments are a bit similar to other projects. Ah. I'm so into this atmosphere! A portal for the ears to transfer the listener to an underground fantasy world - at least, this is how I felt. Very strong focus on the ryhthm section, which gives a certain dynamism to the release. Similar to Mortiis, but lot more energic and "moving" - it's quite hard to describe. Alltogether, I loved this release because it really fired up my imagination.
Criptadel The Inverted Tower
Excellent, excellent, excellent. Exciting underground fantasy based dungeon synth with strong percussions and with a very original style.
Criptadel The Goblin Market
Underground dungeons, creatures of the dark tunnels, Criptadel's market: welcome to The Goblin Market. The percussion-oriented dungeon synth maester fine creation, exciting in any moment.
Crusty Old Toad King Cryptid
This was shocking. Shockingly good! A very groovy mixture of heavy metal and black metal (sometimes even a bit post-black), with pretty solid raspy croaking vocals. The title-track is an especially outstanding track - earworm alert! Don't let the funny artwork scare you away, because this really delivers the riffs!
Cryptosis Bionic Swarm
This is some really tasty stuff, and finally: some good new thrash! They (perfectly?) blended some death metal, crossover thrash and bits of prog into this thing. The album really just flew by, and I caught myself constantly nodding to the rhythm. The album closer "Flux Divergence" really got me, I love it. (More Tom Araya shrieks, please!)
Curse Upon A Prayer Infidel
Simply awesome black metal release. There is some real intense vocal work, and my beloved Finnish melodic riffing too. Especially the second half of the album is outstandingly good, I loved the combination of thuggish, straight-forward black metal with dark acoustics, and the more experimental tracks as well. (And damn, this concept... this band has balls.)
Curse Upon A Prayer Rotten Tongues
Now, this is an outstanding modern black metal release! This is heavy, theatrical and exciting. I'd say this is pretty similar to Shining's style, but with that "Finnish touch" on the melodies etc.
Daevar Sub Rosa
This is lovely. Finally some good stoner stuff with female singer, and they aim for a more "ethereal" style than most typical groups. (Is this post-stoner? Is that a thing?)
Daoine Sidhe Daoine Sidhe
Dark Angel Darkness Descends
Excellent old-school thrash record. The production and the speed sold it to me. Banger!
Dark Funeral Vobiscum Satanas
Ultra fast, killer and very solid riffs. It's not overcomplicated at all, a very "simple" meloblack album, but a very well executed one. Sometimes that's all you need.
Dark Funeral In The Sign...
Another very balanced piece from the gravediggers. Their own stuff is great as well, but their Bathory covers are awesome!!
Darkeater Что помнит лес
Darkeater Иней чёрного рассвета
Darkspace Dark Space I
Darkspace Dark Space II
Darkspace Dark Space III
Darkspace Dark Space -II
This time Darkspace goes for a slower, quite ambient- and industrial-heavy sound, with lots of small sci-fi soundeffects thrown around for adding extra texture to this long-single-track album. I loved it, excellent record if you can catch the flow.
Darkthrone Plaguewielder
Darkthrone The Cult Is Alive
Darkthrone A Blaze in the Northern Sky
Darkthrone Hate Them
Darkthrone F.O.A.D.
Darkthrone A New Dimension
Darkthrone Old Star
This Old Star still shines brightly: the new doomy Darkthrone kicks ass.
Darkthrone Frostland Tapes
The full catalog of the early Darkthrone demos and live recordings: it is very interesting to hear the band's progression in time, how they experimented with styles and forged their own sound. Everyone should hear them once.
Darkthrone Astral Fortress
Data Garden Quartet: Live at The Philadelphia Museum of Art
Exciting "plant-generated" experimental drone piece. Very elegant implementing, the album sounds gorgeous. 116 minutes of vibrating and ever-forming drone music, and I have to admit, that Schefflera plant on the bass synth did a fantastic job, haha! The only problem is that the two main tracks are a bit overlong and the composition gets a little bit samey after a while, maybe a few shorter tracks with different compositions could have been much better, but after all I can't really complain: this is art.
Deafheaven Lonely People With Power
This feels nostalgic... on purpose. The new noises are very cool too. (Also, they should write more songs about trees, ehehe.)
Deafheaven/Bosse-de-Nage Split
Death Infernal Death
Denever (HUN2) A Verivok Kronikai
Really good raw / melodic black metal from Hungary. Despite the very sawy sound, the whole record feels "full" (I'm very satisfied with the mix!), and it also took some bonus points for being Hungarian. Everyone who digs "vampyric black metal" will enjoy this one too, I'm sure.
Deorc Weg The Chateau of Unrest
I really liked this one, probably the very best by the artist behind Deorc Weg. It has a very modern sound, and perfectly demonstrates the latest trends within the dungeon synth genre lately - and moreover, it executes it with a very elegant way.
Departe Failure, Subside
Departure Chandelier Satan Soldier Of Fortune
Raw melodic black metal (think about the style of the Finnish scene here) meets mid-era Darkthrone, but with lyrics about Napoleon. Such a ripper album!! Raw but balanced (heyho Unholy Trinity?), and delivers the tastiest riffs with the raspiest vocals along with some old-school synth lines too. Awesome record, huge level-up for the band in terms of quality.
Depressive Silence Medieval Demons MMXIX
Excellent live album. It was very odd to hear those familiar melodies in a modern context, but it was the same excellent quality like in the old days. Respect.
Desolate Moon Phases As the Dark Empire Burns Around Them
Even though how minimal it is, this album has a very dense and sinister atmosphere: like walking in an evil sanctum or a dungeon. Very cinematic.
Desolate Shrine Fires of the Dying World
Simplier, sometimes quite doomy death metal record, thickly covered by a hanuntingly evil atmosphere. Sometimes a gets a bit loose, but the overall quality is still at an excellent level.
Despondent Moon A Spectral Descent
Dethklok The Dethalbum
Dethklok Dethalbum II
Devil Master Satan Spits On Children Of Light
DIM (CA) Compendium II
DIM (CA) Compendium I
Like a second Fief! Mellow medieval melodies, which can take you to an another world. Simply excellent.
Dimmu Borgir Inn I Evighetens Mørke
Dimmu Borgir Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia
Ultimate early 2000s style, but hey, it's great fun. Probably will slay even harder if the remaster comes out.
Dio Sacred Heart
Fine work, Sacred Heart is one of the catchiest Dio albums. One of those "just sit down and relax"-type of heavy metal albums.
Diplodocus Slow And Heavy
Dino synth... my inner kid is super happy right now, haha! Jokes aside, this is pretty good:
very atmospheric with a certain "ancient" vibe. Nice demo.
Diplodocus Slow And Heavy (B-side)
Discordance Axis The Inalienable Dreamless
Pure rage.
Disfear Live the Storm
Damn, I've never thought that D-beat can be this good. I love the death metal-ish guitars, and the super simple d-beat drumming with lots of great fills. This record is probably the best in its league.
Dismember Like An Ever Flowing Stream
Excellent "every-day-old-school-death-metal" album.
Dissvarth Between The Light And The Moon
This sounds like atmoblack but without the metal - but just because that's what I expected this to be. Very sweet cosmic ambient album, I loved it right after the first seconds... *garas's seal of approval*. Pretty interesting, since I can't really remember if I've heard something like this before...
The album is basically a combination of cheesy and ethereal synths, with some extra vocals and acoustic guitars here and there. And this combination works pretty well! (However, personally I would pair this type of sound instantly with some black metal, which would result probably a second Evilfeast project...)
Dodheimsgard Supervillain Outcast
I had to re-rate this thing, since I've neglected it for so long. After some years, I still believe this is far from their best outputs, but still a damn fine work: especially speaking about riffs. The tech-black-thrash-industrial side of the album is amazing, fast and furious. Oh and don't forget to listen to the instrumental bonus songs too, those are all rippers.
Drachenfeuer Realm Of Light
Drastus La Croix de Sang
Dream Division The Devil Rides Out
Halloween hit us early this year... An exciting release with great variety within. Spooky atmospheres, great synths and textures and excellent production - perfect.
Dream Unending Song of Salvation
This goes hard. Enjoyable and creative death/doom record with an extra strong psychedelic flavour. The production is pleasant too, so yeah... *slaps a 4.0 to it
Dream Unending/Worm Starpath
Really pleasant release, probably the best split in this year. Both sides are a bit different from what I expected beforehand. If you're seeking a great psychedelic album and don’t mind a bit of death/doom or black metal, then Starpath is something you should try.
Druadan Forest The Lost Dimension
Super fun and entertaining dungeon synth/atmoblack/folk album. Probably this genre combo wouldn't say much, so I think it's my duty to highlight: The Lost Dimension is definitely a super pleasant listen, and would serve as a great "entry" album for those who didn't like f.e. Summoning at first.
Drudkh Autumn Aurora
The best Drudkh album... by far. Dreamy ("The First Snow" FTW), atmospheric, and pleasantly melodic. I really loved the Hvis lyset tar oss-like sound of this album (at least, that's how I feel).
Drudkh Blood In Our Wells
Less atmospheric and more folkish: I guess this is the Drudkh that everyone else likes the most.
Drudkh A Furrow Cut Short
Drudkh All Belong to the Night
That's how I like it! Even though I always prefer the old-school sound in my black metal, Drudkh could show here that they still got it, delivering a very strong, cold and melancholic album.
Drudkh/Paysage d'Hiver Somewhere Sadness Wanders/Schnee (IV)
Essential winter-season black metal jam.
Dungeontroll Labyrinth of the Golden Princess
Enchanting, beautiful and relaxing. The clipping in the mix is a bit annoying, but still: I love it.
Dungeontroll A Fervent Call from Atop Gorgaltier Mountain
Very simple, but very balanced old-school dungeon synth. Even the choosen instruments are simple and traditional, yet this album avoided the cheesiness.
Dust Drinker Sky Burial
Very cool drone/noise release, with interesting textures and samples. Also, this release has a noteworthy production, with its clean sound. Meditative, dark and exciting.
DVVAD MRKLB
Top notch post-black/death metal album from my hometown. Great flow, heavy riffages, immersingly dark atmosphere and great production = it's a win for me!
Dying Fetus Make Them Beg for Death
Ballsy death metal with the tastiest grind flavours. Mandatory workout album.
Dying Fetus Purification Through Violence
Massive debut, with sharp riffs with a quite "early-Carcass vibe" - this probably comes from the production, but I dig it a lot.
Eagle Twin The Feather Tipped the Serpent's Scale
Eagle Twin The Thundering Heard (Songs of Hoof and Horn)
Earth Earth 2: Special Low Frequency Version
Elderflower Elderflower
Eldur Siggja
Electric Wizard We Live
They went very-very doomy with this one, especially with that dro)))ne tone. This is a quite unique piece in the discography, tbh.
Electric Wizard Let Us Prey
The most evil-sounding Electic Wizard album. Agressive stuff, and I love the studio-work on this one.
Electric Wizard Electric Wizard
Downtuned and savage Black Sabbath riffs with some chill parts. Amazing album all the way through.
Elffor Dra Sad
Elffor Unholy Throne Of Doom
Tradition. Elffor never disappoints.
Elffor Condemned to Wander
Elffor is still unstoppable. The atmoblack overlord delivers constantly excellent material year by year, and Condemned to Wander is no exception. Riffs cold as ice, epic and cinematic synth-driven melodies: I was instantly sold.
Embryonic Slumber In Worship Our Blood Is Buried
One of the best cosmic/atmoblack releases of the year. The album runs at the slowest pace possible from a black metal album (but there are some blast beat sections, don't worry). Most interestingly the album is built upon the droney space ambient sections instead of the riffs, so it feels like every other element is just immersed into that. Next to the gorgeous droney synth sounds, the additional little instruments as tinklers and tribal drums also had a great impact in creating the album's thick atmosphere. I need more!!
Emperor Emperor
Emperor Emperor / Wrath of the Tyrant
This is trve kvlt. This compilation is my favourite, the very best of Emperor.
Emyn Muil Elenion Ancalima
The better Emyn Muil record. The album flows really well, and even though the guitars are covered by reverb a bit too much, the overall atmosphere is great. A pleasant Tolkien-atmoblack album.
Emyn Muil Afar Angathfark
In the steps of Summoning, Emyn Muil delivered another enchanting album which sucessfully creates an epic, adventurous and in the other times mellow and pleasing atmosphere. The female vocals sounded especially good, along with the nice and clean production. Excellent album!
Encloaked Encloaked
Enforcer Nostalgia
Wasn't expecting this to be so fun. [2] What an awesome heavy metal album! The sound, the riffs, the vocals... all so much like in the '80s, and it's not gimmicky at all. Plus, the title track is one of the best songs of the year, a flawless heavy metal ballad!
Eos (CAN) Les Corps S'Entrechoquent
A worthy new member to the Mystískaos family. Les Corps S'Entrechoquent excellently presents the most interesting black metal psychedelia combined with sweet melancholia. A cold and dissonant metamorphosis.
Epileptoids Epileptoids
A full instrumental psychedelic surf rock EP? Yes please. A little bit spooky and that vibrato effect on the guitars gives an interesting "shaking" feeling to the overall sound. Also, the production is just simply perfect, very nice and light and every instrument sounds livid and sharp.
Eric Wagner In The Lonely Light Of Mourning
Let's have it at 4.0. The good: the instrumental side and the production is *phenomenal*, one of the best stuff I've heard in this year so far. Very best kind of old-school doom, so you can guess it: it comes with ultra thick riffs! The bad: some moments in Eric's performance. It really hurts to say, but I have to: he was sometimes out of sync... The conclusion: masterful songwriting and production, but not flawless.
Eschatology Eschatology
This band has great potential, I'm very impressed by this EP. Of course everything was given just by the background of the members, but still, this is some very-well executed black metal. Sawy guitars, sometimes punky riffs and a moderately haunting atmosphere - I like it!
Esoctrilihum Pandaemorthium
Esoctrilihum Eternity Of Shaog
Best Esoctrilihum so far, not far from a 4.5. Weirder and more adventurous than ever, I love it. (Bonus points for the synths!)
Esoctrilihum Dy'th Requiem for the Serpent Telepath
More and more synths, violins and the usual crazy Esoctrilihum madness. Quite long but very rewarding riff-storms and mystical atmosphere. Also this might be the best album art of the year.
Esoctrilihum Urionhsol (Seven Demons)
I don't know if these are "leftover" songs or what, but this little EP slaps. Like the most concise version of the band's overall sound, Urionhsol is a very straightforward riff storm, with the typical otherworldy atmosphere. My personal favourite is "Zi Dynh Gtir", which is the most synth-driven Esoctrilihum song so far.
Esoctrilihum Consecration of the Spiritus Flesh
Agressive, chaotic and savage - yet the album still contains semi-psychedelic and melodic moments, but it definitely puts more emphasis on the heaviness. Lots of death metal chugging here, but oh boy, it feels so gooooood!
Esoctrilihum Inhüma
Less weird and more melodic, still an extraordinary black metal album.
Esoctrilihum Luadimmerantia
An EP too in 2022?! Not as brutal as Consecration of the Spiritüs Flesh was, this more of a mixture of the sound of Inhüma and Dy'th Requiem for the Serpent Telepath. It's more BM than DM, it has thunderous blast beats, otherworldy melody structures and demonic atmosphere. Especially "Lifeless" goes mega hard.
Esoctrilihum Funeral
We couldn't have asked for a better start for 2023. Funeral is a special piece in the discography, since it comes with quite a lot of clean vocals and folk elements. It often evokes different atmospheres: Sometimes it feels bizarre and unsettling (twisted riffs, monstrous vocals and spooky synths); other times immersive and epic from being quite catchy (Funeral contains some surprisingly "light riffs) but, for example "Paithas" brings a very epic and "ancient" vibe into the picture as well (believe it or not: Celtic melodies played on nyckelharpa and kantele). Like other avant-garde metal albums, this requires a couple of spins. But if you're unsure, just try the aforementioned song, "Paithas".
Esoctrilihum Astraal Constellations of the Majickal Zodiac
Three monstrous pieces compressed into one: the Esoctrilihum Deluxe Experience™️ - with all its strengths and weaknesses. The runtime is tiring, still: this is another solid addition to the Esoctrilihum discography.
Eternal Champion The Armor Of Ire
I've slept on this for quite a long time, but I'm glad I finally I've given this a listen... because this is an exceptionally excellent power metal release! I instantly fell in love with this because it contains top class and epic riffs (the guitarwork really outshines everything) - the vocals are a bit odd at first, but in time it's easy to get used to it. Amazing debut.
Ethereal Shroud They Became the Falling Ash
However I've missed the "original", I loved the new remastered version from the very beginning. Fantastic sound, perfect amount of reverb and I loved the "Summoning-vocals" as well. Great album.
Evilfeast Mysteries of the Nocturnal Forest
Evilfeast Lost Horizons of Wisdom
Evilfeast Isenheimen
Perfect balance between the ethereal synth pads and raw and wintry blackened riffs.
Evilfeast / Marblebog Isenheimen / Abyss Calls...
This is good split. The Polish-Hungarian cooperation was rather strong, both artist did an excellent work. I liked the coid and mysterious atmosphere, and the ratio of the dark ambient and black metal sections were just spot on.
Evilfeast / Uuntar Odes to lands of past traditions
Exhorder Slaughter in the Vatican
It felt like "listening to the melting pot": thrash metal which later influenced both groove and death metal. Excellent album.
Exhumed Gore Metal
This rips! Perfectly riff centered chaotic madness. I feel this is a grower, might bump up my rating later.
Exhumed Red Asphalt
I did not see this one coming: probably their best one so far! Killer Carcass-worship album, with a spot-on production.
Faetooth Labyrinthine
Super cool post-doom with sludge elements crowned by dreamy female vocals. This is a super balanced album, the flow is absolutely masterclass! A tasty grower?
Falaise A Place I Don't Belong To
Fall Of Man Between God & The Devil
Fattyu Az Alföld sötét szíve
One of the most interesting albums of the year, a pretty doomish folklore-inspired black metal piece. I highly appreciate the variety within, and I really enjoyed the lyrical concepts and the production - the bass is super tasty! Currently one of the best Hungarian black metal projects.
Fattyu Hagyaték
Faustian Pact Outojen Tornien Varjoissa
Very interesting album, the rather unorthodox sounds/instruments made it a very exciting experience. You can hear female choruses, flutes, odd synths and many other rarely used sounds mixed into some classic second wave black metal. Sometimes it even sounds pretty... happy(?). Very unique stuff!
Fen Walker The Totem Wilds Call Thy Name
Fen Walker Sojourns in the Realm of the Undermoon
One of the most exciting releases of the year. Fen Walker masterfully mixes verious genres and influences together, creating a really unique fantasy-inspired Berlin-school electronic / dungeon synth / dark ambient piece.
Fen Walker Fare Thee Well Battle Winds
Another excellent quality album by Fen Walker as expected. Lots of dynamism, vareity and creativity can be heard from every minute of it. Maybe not that atmospheric like the previous one, but still very finely crafted release, with a gorgeous instrumentation. I loved listening to this while gaming and reading.
Fen Walker / Scrying Glass Behold! Visions From the Scrying Pool!
Phenomenal Berlin school (prog) electronic / dungeon synth release, with hints of new age elements. I dig the Fen Walker side a bit more (it's more "dungeon spirited"), but side Scrying Glass was also brilliant, especially in And the Ztheradox Watches... because it runs on a very similar "sound-set" as my beloved album, Plantasia (by Mort Garson). Gorgeous and playful tracks and flawless production: [garas' seal of approval]
Feral Spectre Crepuscular Evil
Great old-school sounding raw black demo: primitve, harsh and evil. These guys surely love the early Darkthrone albums!
FesterDecay Reality Rotten to the Core
A Japanese goregrind release which delivers not just the heaviness, but some actually groovy riffs, moreover: it has surprisingly well-balanced production (very bass-heavy, and the guitars sound very good). Solid headbanging material.
Fief II
Fief I
Fimnur Wintertide
Lovely modern winter synth album, which comes with nice textures and crystal clear production. This album generally invokes a rather idyllic atmosphere, but in songs, such as "Dark Sky White", the colder and darker side of winter is blended into the vibe. Highly recommended for working, reading or relaxing.
Fimnur Tales from Frostreach Tower
Playful and relaxing winter synth EP, probably the best Fimnur release in 2024.
Fires in the Distance Air Not Meant For Us
Very well executed and super balanced melodeath release which often steps into doom/gothic metal territories as well. Six lengthier tracks, but the overall package feels very strong and punchy, yet this albums is pleasantly colorful and charmingly melancholic too.
Firienholt Beside the Roaring Sea
Very nice atmoblack/dungeon synth blend in a short EP, but a very high quality output. Nice Summoning and Caladan Brood vibes.
Foetus Flow
Foglord Hymns of the Winterlight
Very pleasant winter synth release - the ethereal and "icy" sound companied by a very slow pace (pretty much drone, sometimes) was a winner combo for me.
Forest Shrine Secrets of the Forest
This is pretty much like a modernized version of Hlidskjalf. Similar melodies, similar synths, but more!. I really like it!
Forest Silence The Eternal Winter
Forgjord Ilmestykset
Forgotten Woods The Curse of Mankind
Forgotten Woods Sjel av natten
This sounds pretty much like early Burzum and early Ulver combined. Simply excellent.
Forgotten Woods As the Wolves Gather
This post-punk Burzum goes hard. Also this is lot more balanced than The Curse of Mankind.
Forlesen Hierophant Violent
I might be a bit late, but it really worth the time to check out. An interesting blend of drone/ambient and (mostly) doom metal. The additional stoner and black metal influences also brought an interesting flavour into this, just as the female vocals - not to mention the awesome Alcest spice from the second song (yummy!) The mystical and kind of spacey (but still full in sound!) atmosphere was very captivating for me, and it was a refreshing experience as well. Bonus points for the good samples(?) and the stunning artwork.
Fostartaly Return of the Jani
Frederic Chopin Nocturnes, Op. 9
Frost (HU) Voices From Beyond The Gates
Frosten With Sigils and Infernal Signs
Really great work, and the diversity witihin is noteworthy the least. Great riffs, and even a full acoustic song, moreover: excellent production! Especially loved the bass work, nicely carries the rhythm section. Nicely done, Frosten!
Frozen Shadows Dans les Bras des Immortels
This sounds like a "synthy Immortal" (and a bit like Emperor), therefore I enjoyed it a lot. Even though the mix could have seen some improvements (guitars shouldn't be this quiet), this is quality material. Frosty atmosphere and intense riffing - that's all I needed!
Fulci Tropical Sun
Riffs like simplified Dying Fetus, vocals like Nathan Explosion from Dethklok (Metalocalypse), fun samples and synth, plus a thick, agressive and punchy production. Excellent death metal album.
Fulci Duck Face Killings
This should have been the continuation of Tropical Sun. Fun OSDM record: nothing overdone, just plain kick-ass riffages with some old-school horror ambiance. The hip-hop track was a bit weird, but acceptable.
Further Down The Zone Tapes
Gatecreeper Sonoran Depravation
Gatecreeper Deserted
Alright, this slaps. This band never disappoints. m/
Gehenna First Spell
An atmospheric black metal hidden gem. A gloomy and mysterious mid-tempo riffer album (very groovy), which comes with gorgeous organ melodies and a surprisingly clear production. I love it.
Gehennah Hardrocker
"If you wear short hair you better beware
This is metal warfare
I'll make you bleed, that's what I need
I gonna crush your jaw just because I'm raw
Learn the metal law
Your legs I will chop, If you listen to pop"
m/
Genesis Selling England by the Pound
Very-very pretty album.
Ghoest In Eternal Sleep
The very first Ghoëst EP does not disappoint: sombre dungeon doom with a very melancholic and
mystical atmosphere.
Ghoest Compilation I
Excellent, gorgoeus compilation. The In Serene Sorrow demo is a special beauty! Dungeon doom FTW!
Ghoest Compilation II
Dungeon doom FTW part two!
Ghoest Compilation III
Dungeon doom FTW part three!
Ghost (SWE) Popestar
Ghost and Tape Vár
Calming drone/ambient with a minimalistic, yet effective approach. Meditative and ethereal. I needed this.
gift of gods receive
Gjallarhorn Ranarop – Call of the Sea Witch
Gjallarhorn Sjofn
Glorior Belli The Apostates
Goatsnake 1 + Dog Days
Goatsnake Black Age Blues
Goatsnake Flower Of Disease
Gordon Bok A Tune for November
Simple and humble - matches perfectly to my moody spirit. I need this on vinyl.
Gorgoroth Promo '94
Gorgoroth Instinctus Bestialis
I really liked this one. Atterigner's vocals really did fit into the overall sound, and this "prog/black" style (with death metal production!) was exciting through the entire album. This has grown on me a lot.
Gorgoroth Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt
Huge jam, even though it's absolutely not an extraordinary release. I was sold by the consistency within.
Gorgoroth Under the Sign of Hell 2011
Unimaginative dorks, this record sounds way better with this production.
Gospel of the Horns Eve of the Conqueror
Great fun blackened thrash EP from the more melodic branch of the genre. Nice flow (blink twice and it is over!) and catchy riffs.
Grab Kremess
Perfectly executed atmo-meloblack with hints of folk-black. The riffs are sharp, the atmosphere feels sinister, and every song feels memorably strong in general, and the production is just as clear as needed. Excellent album!
Grausamkeit Angeldestruction
This riffs! Super awesome lo-fi black metal demo with a dark and dense atmosphere. Primitive riffs, crispy production... yeah, totally garascore.
Grausamkeit Nostalgia - Okkultes Blut
Fantastic blend of old-school black metal and dungeon synth music. It has a quite raw production, and it is very synth dominant - technically these two aspects made me fall in love with this release. There were a few less great songs on the album, but whenever the synths step into the spotlight: it's magical.
Grave Into the Grave
*The* golden standard OSDM album from every aspect.
Graven The Shadows Eternal Call
Green Druid At the Maw of Ruin
A real mixed bag, but this colorful sound palette was this album's strongest advantage. Sometimes heavier, sometimes sometimes they go full funeral etc.-etc. Fun record.
Grol the Goblin King of all Goblins
Some very exciting stuff, but just only for those who are into the musical style of old-school video games, or are dungeon crawlers like me.
Grouper Ruins
Hajduk Хвърковата Чета
Finally, the riffmaster's debut is here, and it doesn't disappoint! Raw black greatness, with the usual very catchy Easter-European melodies and the little bit punkish vibes - accompanied by the usual very sharp production. While this brings nothing new to the table, this album is very well-written!
Hallas Hällas
Beautiful proto-heavy metal (is this a thing?). Super retro, super fun.
Hallas Panorama
This is gorgeous. I sense a grower, but I can confidently say: the flow is incredible.
Halm The Emerald Disk of Eternity
Diverse and has so much in it! I mean, it reminded me to lot of things, like videogame and movie soundtracks, other dungeon synth albums... so all in all, the overall atmosphere felt very mixed, but mixed from the best components, I'd say: a bit from everything, yet the combination is something new, fresh and adventurous.
Hammock Elsewhere
The sweet melancholy...the expected Hammock greatness and a bit more? Guitars, pianos and the strings are perfectly immersed into the very much ambient/drone focused atmosphere: and the result is magical. Perfect album to relax, think or just to slow down a bit and feel.
Harbinger (US) The Consecrated Barrow
Harbinger (US) The Convocation of Forgotten Gods
Hasard Malivore
Very challenging listen, basically the combination of avant-garde black metal and (often dissonant) classical music. Absolutely diabolic work, an audible nightmare. I love it.
Hate Forest Against All Odds
This is like a single-edged sword: it has one purpose, and it does it very well. Simple, merciless black metal assault. And yeah, the song titles are definitely sending a certain message.
Haunted Realm Kingdom of Ages Past
I found this one surprisingly enchanting. It has a calm and melancholic, yet still cold and mysterious atmosphere, which I found very enjoyable. Very modern sounding samples and instruments, but this type of sound is what I also greatly enjoy. "The Knight and the Maiden" was a very pleasant highlight for me even though it kinda reminded me to the music you can hear in saunas or spas, hahaha!
Havukruunu Kelle Surut Soi
How the fuck did I sleep on this so far?! These guys are outstanding, even from the extremly tight Finnish BM scene.
Hellbastard Ripper Crust
Pretty much a hidden gem: a really crispy crust release. A killer no filler demo, and the quite lo-fi sound actually sounds sick here. The guitars sound very rusty and chainsawy, and I loved the simplistic rumbling bass, and the just as simplistic yet very clean-sounding drums (perhaps the cymbals are a bit quiet though). Altogether, this raw and "organic" sound was an instant click. Only the vocals are a bit meh, but at least those were kept at the bare minimum. If only there'd be harsh vocals in this...!
Hellhammer Satanic Rites
You can't go wrong with Swiss black metal, especially with first wave stuff. Simple yet effective.
Hellhammer Demon Entrails
Hellripper Black Arts and Alchemy
Sick. Second half of the EP is exceptionally good.
Hermodr Vinter
Hessian Crucible Morbidity Demo
This is still a tasty death metal demo, with some awesome riffs. It was more than great hearing this again after a few years...
Hexenwood Bloodspring
Hiemal Werifesteria
The title literally means "forest bathing", and this album delivers exactly that kind of feeling. Good drones, pleasant foresty sound samples... sold!
Hiemal Winterscape
Hiemal Septentrional Tales
Basically: the very best of Hiemal.
Hiemal Altar of Eschaton
Very-very good record with deep atmosphere. From a technical view, this is among the more interesting albums in the Hiemal discography since it kinda mixes the two sides of the project: ethereal drones with the super minimalistic and slow melodic flows. Pretty lenghty, but somehow it doesn't get boring. Simply excellent, and I want to give bonus points for the artwork choice as well.
Hiemal The Stars, the Snow, the Fire
This has became one of my regular drone ambient albums. The icy, windy, wavey textures with the two-three layers of minimalistic synths are the perfect blend of everything I need. Very eerie and ethereal.
High on Fire Death Is This Communion
High on Fire De Vermis Mysteriis
High on Fire Electric Messiah
High on Fire Snakes For The Divine
High on Fire Blessed Black Wings
Hell yes, this slaps hard! High On Fire never disappoints.
High on Fire Art Of Self-Defense
One of the best High One Fire albums. These riffs are pure fire! I didn't know that Cletic Frost cover exists, so it was a very pleasant surprise.
Hillsfar Jewel of the Moonsea
I greatly enjoyed this one. Despite the obvious and humble worship of the old-school DS, it also brings something new and unique without sounding generic and lifeless - and I greatly respect that. A bit more on the slower side of the genre, with serious atmosphere. Adventurious!
Hjelvik Welcome To Hel
I'm loving this. I didn't expect much from this album, but I just love how jammy it is. And damn, Erlend is a tricky guy! Inserting the "Necromansy" riff by Bathory (or in "War" by Burzum, you decide) in 'Kveldulv' really got me. Another excellent album which hides behind a very cheesy artwork, but the riffs and the solos speak for themselves. A super positive surprise, and I think it really has a good replay value as well.
Hooded Menace Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration
More leads, more synths, but less chugs. In conclusion, Hooded Menace does not disappoint and we could witness a new step in their style's evolution. Also, the album closer "Into Haunted Oblivion" is amazingly good, 10/10.
Horde Hellig Usvart
Horna Hengen tulet
Massive album, even though this is "just" straight-forward Finnish black metal. But this band just really feels it how to write good albums. 'Nekromantia' and 'Puhdas' are superb jams.
Horna Sotahuuto
Another riff-fest, very close to the style of early Bathory. Good stuff.
Horna Kuolleiden Kuu
Horna rules, and it was especially true with this EP, showing how strong they are if they aim for writing more mid-tempo material. I loved this. > "Captures of the essence of pure black metal without feeling like a rehash." [2]
Horna Kohti Yhdeksän Nousua
The perfect epitome how a second wave black metal album should sound.
Horna Sudentaival
(My rating is based on the 2017 remastered version) Super good riff fest, and especially the second half rules! It's not far from a 4.5 too. I love the artwork as well.
Horna Nyx (Hymnejä Yölle)
It takes a while to properly warm up, but at "Hymni III" the album reaches its peak. Solid, simple second-wave riffing and a little Kveldssanger-ish bonus song at the end: I think this is a great package.
Hostlov When Night Falls
Hovert Sol
A beautiful post-metal/DSBM mixture. The additional cello and clean vocals adds a lot to the overall atmosphere. I was surprised how good it was.
Hulder Verses In Oath
Nothing extra, just a very-well executed black metal album. Still: needs more clean vocals...!
Hypothermia Självdestruktivitet född av monotona tankegångarIV
Ihsahn Ihsahn (Orchestral)
I daresay: this is the better version of the self-titled album. These themes worked much better this way. I believe Ihsahn should really consider writing film scores or something in the future, because this was really good!
Ikotka Порча
I was a bit sceptical at first, but after a few songs in it became clear: this slaps! Slumbery atmoblack with a quite post-black edge, and builds up a dark atmosphere. The 5. song was the album's absolute pinnacle, but generally it is enjoyable all the way through. A bit less reverb could have been good (I personally think it was a little bit too much from the "bathroom-effect"). Also this has the creepiest album cover of the year.
Immortal Battles in the North
Immortal Northern Chaos Gods
Slightly disappointed: half of the tracks are really great, and the others are just average. Not better than Abbath.
Immortal Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism
Immortal All Shall Fall
Immortal War Against All
A pretty consistent ("Wargod" is the only weak track here), energic riff-storm - just like expected. It's probably less melody-centric than Northern Chaos Gods was, but it feels more colorful and varied in return. The album starts with the classic late-Immortal styled fast riffages; then comes the mid-paced middle section with some outstandingly excellent songs (I'm thinking about the bit dissonant "No Sun", and the epic "Return To Cold" - the latter has synths in it!!!); and after a fully instrumental jam ("Nordlandhir"), the album delivers both some really energic fast songs ("Immortal"), or either epic, cold and "atmospheric" greatnesses ("Blashyrkh My Throne"). The production is well balanced, the guitars sound very beefy. And oh my God, we need more Immortal songs with synths!!!
Impaled Nazarene Tol Cormpt Norz Norz Norz
One of the most interesting BM albums I've ever heard (even though a few songs are straight up old-school death metal). This is wild - more precisely: very wild. The most outstanding component are the vocals, which is simply madly...evil. Productionwise speaking, the album is very exotic: the typical first and second wave black metal aesthetics can be heard in the very same time, and oddly enough, there are obvious similiarities to the early Slayer, and Sadistik Exekution albums.
Despite the very short song lengths, the album feels very diverse, probably due to the highly experimental aspects. The album has a great riffs, and an uniquely evil atmosphere, so alltogether: this slayz m/
Impaled Nazarene Taog Eht Fo Htao Eht [Demo]
Now, this is one of the most impressive demos I've ever heard. Just pure old-school blackened death metal. Riffs after riffs, and the production is super sweet. And not to forget to mention the evil atmosphere!
Impaled Nazarene Suomi Finland Perkele
Impaled Nazarene Goat Of Mendes
Hyped.
Impaled Nazarene Absence of War Does Not Mean Peace
This was so much fun. Perhaps it is more thrash than black metal, but this riffs incredibly hard! Far more melody-centered album than anything from the Impaled Nazarene discography before, and it was a very welcomed change. The production is also far better than expected, and I especially enjoyed the guitar tone. Speaking of guitars, the various extra influences which come from trad. heavy metal and grind made this album really memorable. Very well executed album.
Impending Doom Baptized in Filth
In Aphelion Moribund
Didn't hit that hard as some Necrophobic album do, but it's still a very a massively promising debut for the new band of two guitarists from the legendary blackened melodeath band. It's more of a black-heavy metal blend, but it does the trick: RIFFS.
Inoriand A World Frozen
Calm and ethereal - frosty dungeon drone just how I like it! Additionally, I think it is Inoriand's best so far.
Internal Rot Grieving Birth
Alright, this almost broke my neck... a very straight-forward massive riff-flow. Pure fury.
Internazionale Elegy for the Victors
Iron Monkey Spleen & Goad
Dirty ol' sludge for those days when you feel that you had enough. This is generally bit slower than their returning LP was (9-13), but the typical "Relapse effect" can be heard on the sound of this album too: it's massive and bity!
Iron Reagan Crossover Ministry
Iron Reagan Worse Than Dead
Excellent album, cool riffs - maybe a little bit short. But the mix! Give the sound engineer a
cookie: every instrument and the vocals sound good!
Isegrimm / Ornatorpet The Heathen Kingdom
Wonderful and hypnotic split! Flows like a dream, it has exciting synths and percussions, and has a very adventurous feeling. Both artists really shines in this record.
Isengard Vinterskugge
Fenriz is such a great and talented songwriter! I love the great variety: folk/black, dungeon synth, old-school death metal, rock... he is a real deal, and this album is just another proof why he is my favourite.
Jan Grunfeld Music for plants
Very pretty and relaxing, and outstandingly great for a fully improvised album. The light and ethereal ambiance is a great base and the fusion with the slightly alt rock-ish and experimental elements makes this release especially enjoyable. Maybe it is just me, but I think the last few songs are somewhat similar to the modern Ulver's sound, especially to the live jamming in ATGCLVLSSCAP, for example. This *should* exist in physical formats too!
Jim Hall and Pat Metheny Jim Hall & Pat Metheny
Jim Kirkwood Master of Dragons
Jim Kirkwood Tower of Darkness
Jim Kirkwood King Of The Golden Hall
Joe Hisaishi The Wind Rises
John Carpenter Halloween
John Carpenter's super minimalist style was absolutely nailed the atmosphere in both the sound and the whole movie. His "less can be more" motto is purely brilliant, and for me it gets bonus points for heavily influencing e.g. the dungeon synth genre and horror music in general.
Jon Hopkins Immunity
Joseph Haydn Symphony No. 93 in D Major
Judas Iscariot The Cold Earth Slept Below
Riffs cold as ice...
Judas Iscariot Heaven In Flames
Judas Iscariot Dethroned, Conquered and Forgotten
Judas Priest Rocka Rolla
Vintage blues rock with bits of heavy metal - what's your problem? Oh boy, this album is so much fun!
Kanonenfieber Menschenmühle
Kaouenn On the Day of his Death​.​.​.
Kaouenn Secrets of the Stone Circle
Kataxu Hunger of Elements
Keygen Church ░█░█░░█░█░█░
I guess ???????????? stands for "Chiptune Bach and industrial metal". This is amazing.
Keys of Orthanc Dush agh Golnauk
Keys of Orthanc A Battle in the Dark Lands of the Eye​.​.​.
Khand The Sage of Witherthorn
Wonderful. A very-well composed and adventurous album. Very original sound and samples with an excellent production. Each song is very dynamic, which makes the album constantly "fluid" and dreamy.
Khemmis Deceiver
A dynamic and smoothly flowing heavy/doom record with occasional harsh vocals. A pleasant time guaranteed.
KHNVM Cosmocrator
Such a pleasant surprise! Savage black/death assault with a nicely sharp sound. Energetic, aggressive, very-well done.
King Diamond Fatal Portrait
Mega solid album.
King Diamond "The Eye"
A prodigious heavy metal album, with an interesting concept and fueled by excellent riffs and melodies.
King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard L. W.
Ye, it was actually far better than expected, and I can see myself jamming this in the future too. *visible shock* Anyway, "K.G.W.L." is among the best K.G.W.L. songs, which is an oddly satisfactory discovery.
King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard Live In Milwaukee ’19
Very fun live recording! Great setlist, and the extra crispier sound of certain songs had a really good impact on the listening experience. Honestly, these guys sound actually better live. The thrash songs in the end were killerrrr, and generally all their older material became better in time.
King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard Omnium Gatherum
Connected by... the same weirdness. Omnium Gatherum is the Aussie chameleons' most diverse album so far, since there are no two songs in the same style after each other. Sometimes you can hear funky jams, sometimes their signature crazy garage-prog rock comes next, but in other times the album contains trip-hop(?) / weird '60s-'70s spirited psychedelic pop / (latin) jazz / rusty stoner-thrash metal songs too (Fuck yeah!). Interestingly, this massive diversity didn't hurt the album's flow at all, and even more interestingly: the almost one-and-a-half-hour-long runtime felt super light as well. Good time guaranteed, and a possible grower. (Give this a couple of spins, my dudes!)
King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard Phantom Island
Best King Gizz' album since Omnium Gatherum, by far. Great sound, great Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band vibes (so my wife likes this too). A perfectly careless, easy-listening summer-jam!
Klaus Schulze Trancefer
This is... wonderful! Complex, yet Trancefer has such a smooth and easy flow, and not to forget: the gorgeous sounds of a Yamaha CS-80 is your guide on this kosmische sonical voyage. Only one complaint: the runtime is too short!
Kobold (IT) The village in the frozen mountains
A very pleasant and magical release. I love concept albums (and most of HDK releases are story-driven), because it gives a certain extra excitement to the listening - same case with this Kobold album, I really enjoyed this the adventure in the icy mountains of the Huk Valley.
Kostnateni Přílišnost
This goes hard! Psychedelic black/death metal, with bits of... Turkish(?) musical influences. Oddball, but in a good way!
Krampusnacht Superstar
Great album. But: not just Christmas songs - the self-titled was slightly better.
Krampusnacht Krampusferatu
Good to hear Krampus returned to the right path. Let us forget that awful trilogy, and enjoy the darkened Christmas melodies again. ("Coquito del Diablo" was really WTF track though. Latin music in DS?!)
Ksiezyc Ksiezyc
This could make a great soundtrack for a folk horror movie. Chilling, obscure and very original.
Kvadrat The Horrible Dissonance of Oblivion
Maybe not innovative disso-black/death album, but still I really appreciate it if I see something so pretentiously well-written! It delivers the riffs, it builds up a cold atmosphere, and the production is spot on as well. Impressive release from a one-man band.
Kvelertak Kvelertak
Kyvon Frozen Grimoire
Slow, icy and chramingly beautiful. Kyvon's debut is a gorgeous piece, which builds upon the classic winter synth sounds, and adds a melancholic atmosphere which I really enjoy.
Lamentation Grabens Symphonie
Despite the plague, 2020 brought us some sweet compilation albums. Releasing the entire Lamentation discography on vinyl was a massively kind gesture from Werewolf Records.
Lamentation Eine Symphonie Der Nacht
Lamp of Murmuur Melancholy Howls in Ceremonial Penitence
You can find the full album here: http://mortuusinsomnis06.blogspot.com/2019/07/lamp-of-murmuur-melancholy-howls-in.html
Lamp of Murmuur The Burning Spears Of Crimson Agony
One of the best BM releases I've heard this year. Great riffs, sweet production and a crispy overall sound.
Lazer Throne Tomb of the Lunar Oracle
A really pleasant surprise! Tomb of the Lunar Oracle is a quite straight-forward atmoblack album, perhaps a bit more melodic than the average. But it stands out with its modern(-ish) sound, plus with the virtuoso guitar and synth solos within. I'd expect a sci-fi/space-themed black metal album to be more synth-driven, but I actially dig this beefier riffing too, since the atmosphere and the heaviness is well-balanced. Very strong for a debut album!
Legion of the Damned The Poison Chalice
Bloody hell, this is MEGA! Absolute straight-forward thrash mixed with clear Vader-influences, and performed creatively! Not a single boring filler song, even! the song "Skulls Adorn the Traitor's Gate" is one of the best songs I've heard this year... feels like thrashy Immortal and the aforementioned Vader influences mixed into this banger thrash... I loved it!
LEM Twelve Who Stole The Rain
Really great blackened death album, with some doomish vibes here and there. I love the variety within: tempo changes, cool interludes and acoustic sections, great vocals and heavy riffs (with a tasty guitar tone)... hats off, I loved it. It might me a grower too.
Les Abysses Reveal the deep
Licht des Urteils Demo 2019
Life's Question A Tale of Sudden Love & Unforgettable Heartbreak
Lemme slap a 4.0 on this. Shame, it's so short album, because this RIPSSSS! Super fun hardcore/crossover/sludgy thing. Kinda reminded me to the early Mastodon materials - at least this radiates the very same energy.
Limbonic Art Ad Noctum - Dynasty Of Death
Linkin Park Meteora
Linkin Park Hybrid Theory
Lord Bakartia The Final Boss
Very colorful release, which blends together the traits of the old-school and the modern era's style of dungeon synth, or even: sometimes it's more than dungeon synth!! (F.e.: electronic dance music influences and whatnot.)
Lord Wolf Darklands Of Hate
Lorgren Benirus Tome of Unlife
Lovi Kirmukarmu
Gorgeous album. A perfectly relaxing and interesting neo-folk/medieval ambient album which combines nordic folk with a living and charming atmosphere. Unique work, and great concept.
Lugburz (ESP) Behind the Gates of Black Abyss
Magical, a forgotten gem. Behind the Gates of Black Abyss is an absolutely epic very early dungeon snyth/neoclassical album, outstandingly 'colorful' both in sound and themes. I really liked the well placed vocals on this release too, which is kinda like a mixture of Summoning's simplistic black metal shrieks and Windir's battle hymns (clean singing, obviously).
Lugubrum De Vette Cuecken
This is like a lost early/demo-era Darkthrone album, but from a more progressive branch of raw black metal. The production is ass on speakers, but with earphones/plugs: this is so nicely balanced even though it's very raw.
Lumiere Jaskółczy Niepokój
Calm and mellow, droney, and the field recordings are perfectly placed and aren't over-used.
Lunar Spells Demise of Heaven
Greetings, "Carelian Satanist Madness 2.0", haha! While it offers basically nothing new, it's still one marvelously well-written raw (melodic) black metal album. It as everything I need: infinite replay value, punkish energy and a mystical atmosphere. " Damnation of the Heavenly Sun" gives me the goosebumps on every listen!
Lunar Spells Where Silence Whispers
Super strong debut album from the "Greek Satanic Warmaster band".
Lustre (SWE) A Thirst for Summer Rain
Pretty black ambient with chunckier riffs and sound.
Lustre (SWE) Wonder
Pretty much like Summoning, but without the epic sound and instruments -- this feels more like the melancholic and always sleepy alternative.
Lycanthropus Lycanthropus
Lykotonon Promethean Pathology
I'll try my best to summarize what to expect from this exceptionally diverse and weird (in the best way) record: Novices of Dodheimsgard (think of their trance-infused monster, 666 International) and Blut Aus Nord and Wormlust (for the slower kind of psychedelic black metal). Haunting riffs, odd time signatures, weird additional rhythmical elements which often include hard techno and industrial synth sequences, vibrating noises and whatsoever... oh, and oriental melody sections too here and there! Imagine these all at once! Potential grower.
Macabre Omen Anamneses
Excellent compilation, even though the demo songs in the middle are not that polished. However, the epic start and finish of this releases counterbalances them, and all-in-all: satisfactory guaranteed. This is epic!
Magic Moss Volume 1
I demand more!! A super fun, uh... acid punk/psychedelic rock EP! I like the punkish vocals choruses, the organ is crazy fun, and alltogether: this is catchy AF!
Magnum Lost On The Road To Eternity
Majestic Mass Savage Empire of Death
Nasty and filthy, the bastard child of psychedelic punk and black metal. This was insanely catchy, dirty production with sweet and sinister organs for the right atmosphere... what can I say? I'm sold!
Make a Change...Kill Yourself Fri
Top-quality DSBM. Perfectly balanced: crushing and melancholic riffing, ghastly ambience, tortured vocals and fitting production.
Malfet Alban Arthan
Not far from a 4.5 by the Grumpy standards. The most well-layered Malfet record so far with top quality production. I have no idea what's the secret behind that choir sound, but it is one of the greatests I've ever heard within the DS genre. The spoken lines didn't add anything to the listening experience for me, and maybe the rainy/watery samples were almost too much, but I'm only complaining because I'm Grumpy. I loved the atmosphere, the medieval instruments etc. - I'm more than satisfied.
Malfet The Snaking Path
Another fine piece of dungeon synth which should have been known for many.
Malfet The Way to Avalon
Very strong release, even though I expected something more "wizardy" based on the cover and
the song titles. This album is very enchanting, and has a very folky side (sometimes like
early Fief), and I liked it a lot. But: too many field recordings to my taste since it's not
building mostly on atmosphere (this is much more melodic), and alltogether: I felt it was too
short. Still, one of the greatest DS releases this year.
Mammoth Grinder Underworlds
This one slays. Huge sound, great mix of plain simple death metal and crust/hardcore.
Mammoth Grinder Undying Spectral Resonance
EP of the year? A filthy, gritty, stomping death metal/hardcore beast. The ambient parts add some nightmarish atmosphere, and the cavernous sound (great reverb!) makes it sound huge. I wish this wasn't just an EP...
Manilla Road Crystal Logic
Mannveira Vitahringur
Jaws dropped. A really heavy and disturbing album, yet another excellent creation from Iceland. Generally this sounds like the faster sibling of Andavald's masterfully executed debut - but this is not as emotional and shocking. However Vitahringur is an excellent dissonant and wild sonical experience, and deserves some more recognition.
Manowar Hail To England
Power metal's pinnacle, I guess.
Marduk La Grande Danse Macabre
Groovy black metal, with a thick (bit death metal-ish production). I don't understand the average score on this one, since it's a pretty solid album all the way through.
Marduk Frontschwein
Marduk Dark Endless
A super massive BM/DM cross album. Fantastic sound and the finest riffs - a true gem from the early '90s.
Marduk Panzer Division Marduk
Blink twice and you'll miss half of the album. Truly a black metal album on speed.
Marduk World Funeral
This death metal production really suits Marduk's style. I can't help it, I always prefer mid-tempo slaying riffs over the ultra-fast second wave assaults. However, if a band can fuse these two together in a release: that's a winner combo.
Marduk Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered
(Purple album cover always indicates excellent material!) Fast, straight-forward, moderately melodic and invokes a certain evil atmosphere (...it even contains a Mussorgsky sample!). Delivers exactly what I'm always looking for in black metal.
Marduk Opus Nocturne
Very solid trve old-school black metal release with near infinite replay value. The fast paced songs pretty much sound like if they'd be taken from an early Immortal album - and I love that. Nothing to complain about here, this is a perfectly executed album.
Mare Cognitum Solar Paroxysm
Nice space-black album. I wish the synths would be more dominant, but for example the blackgazey vibes from "Luminous Accretion" were a very cool surprise and I enjoyed it a lot. It was a refreshing listen, and I'm glad we have modern BM bands like Mare Cognitum.
Maria Warner Amanita Musicaria
Martrod Draumsýnir Eldsins
This is brutal. I rarely say this, but I don't mind this short (36 minutes) runtime, because this is very dense. A dark, psychedelic, dissonant vortex of hellish riffs surrounded by a diabolical atmosphere. I feel this is a grower.
Massacre From Beyond
OSDM, as I like. I dig every aspect of this album: the riffs (it has a kinda proto-BM edge, what I really love), the production (it is somehow enjoyably "rusty"), the dungeon synth interlude in "Chambers of Ages", and of course: the stunning artwork. Make more death metal album covers like this.
Master Boot Record C:\>DEFRAG
I really love this. It is mostly some really well-written synthwave, but with some really cool "distorted guitar emulations" which are very similar to the old DOS machine sounds. It has some really nice heavy metal inserted into it, but the more "classical" compositions are also really well flowing and quite rhapsodic, like what you'd hear from a Beethoven piece. Very creative stuff, you won't find something like this very often.
Mastodon Emperor of Sand
Mastodon Once More 'Round the Sun
Mastodon Leviathan
Mastodon Crack the Skye
Mastodon Blood Mountain
Mastodon Medium Rarities
It was a fun album, especially the mastering was great. Great variety within, and all the live songs sounded just as good as the studio recordings. Fun fact: they managed to play 'Orion' better than Metallica(!). And believe, everyone has to hear the full instrumental version of 'Asleep in the Deep'. Perhaps a bit unnecessary release, but definitely worths the time for a few listens.
Mayhem Chimera
Mayhem Dawn of the Black Hearts
Mayhem European Legions
Mayhem Life Eternal
Mayhem De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas
Mayhem Daemon
Mayhemic Truth Cythraw
Savage, raw but melodic and enchanting: the first proper release by Mayhemic Truth (later: Morrigan) is a respectful nod towards the Bathory legacy. This feels like if the black metal and the viking era would be mixed together. So uh, it's "raw viking metal?" All I know is: I love it.
Medieval Rites Prologue
Fief fans, assemble! This fills me with great joy. Beautiful and relaxing medieval ambient release.
Medieval Steel The Dungeon Tapes
Okay, this is catchy as hell. At first I wasn't a big fan of the vocals, but in the end I more or less liked it. If power metal would sound mostly like this, then maybe I'd dig it more often.
Megadeth Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?
Megadeth Countdown to Extinction
Megadeth Youthanasia
Men I Trust Oncle Jazz
Merciless The Awakening
Tasty Swede death-thrash assault. Tight and fierce riffs, quite great production accompanied by the sweet old-school aesthetics which brings a certain flavour into the whole thing... I love it. Is it just me, or is it kinda similar to Morbid's "December Moon"?
Merculistarya Áradó fájdalom a tűnődés medrében
This is defnitely peak meloblack! Diverse sound, cool atmospheric elements, and even some clean vocals too - I'm more than satisfied.
Mercyful Fate Don't Break The Oath
Meshuggah obZen
Metal Church Blessing In Disguise
Bangers after bangers...impressive!! Songs like "Of Unsound Mind" should be listed among the best heavy metal songs ever. (That particular one radiates totally a "Painkiller"-like energy, similar even, but released just a year earlier!)
Metallica Creeping Death
Metallica Garage Inc.
One of the few Metallica albums which actually matters. Great jamz.
Methadone Skies Different Layers Of Fear
Mgla With Hearts Toward None
The only Mgla release which truly matters. Excellent riffs-riffs-riffs all the way through!
Mightiest & Depressive Silence Recreation of the Shadowlands
Minenwerfer Feuerwalze
This is crazy good. Super fast and agressive black metal (remember Panzer Division Marduk?), but also this comes with tons of screaming guitar solos (yes, I'd say very Slayer-ish). Despite the rather simple formula, this record feels pretty diverse, and uses just a small amount of samples. Feuerwalze slaps an insane amount of massive riffs into your face!
Mirkwood (AUT) Demo
Misthyrming Söngvar elds og óreiðu
This is good album. The riffs are fire, and the ambient interludes gave more depth to this creation. This deserves a better production, though.
Molis Sepulcrum Left For The Worms
Crushing and ultra thick-sounding OSDM. Impressive debut, and these guys slay live!
Mondfinsternis Lokabrenna
Wow. Some otherworldy high production right here! Cinematically atmospheric, easily outshines many movie's soundtracks. Fantastic quality... the vareity of styles blended together, the production and composition...very well done, I'm impressed. *garas's seal of approval*
Moonless Nights In Old Chambers Of Castle Wewelsburg (Album)
Moonlight Sorcery Piercing Through the Frozen Eternity
Brilliant EP, excellent material all the way through. The synth intro is my personal favourite moment on it!
Moonsorrow Jumalten Aika
Morast Fentanyl
Sick black-death-doom-sludge assault. Primitive riffs with diabolical atmosphere = ideal result.
Morbid / Mayhem A Tribute To The Black Emperors
An essential compilation album which immortalizes Per Yngve Ohlin/Dead's works. Even though this is an extremly bootlegged release, it's still the most precise collection of this set of songs from the best and trvest vocalist in black metal.
Morbid Saint Spectrum of Death
Pretty much what GamamJ said. Only the vocals are kinda not exactly my taste, but... the riffs man, the riffs!!!
Morbid Saint Destruction System
This had no right to be this good!! Coming back after 25 years and delivering an absolute banger album like this one... how?? Huge respect.
Morbid Vomit Doctrine of Violence
Massive, groovy Finnish death metal - this album does not disappoint!
Morbific Squirm Beyond The Mortal Realm
Bloody hell, just go to a studio already! This screams for a re-recording, because it's one of the tastiest death metal albums I've heard all year. Groovy and punchy riffs, just as melodic as expected from a Finnish band, BUT this lo-fi production annoys me A LOT! I'm very curious what they'll deliver next time, because this band is very good. Such an underrated gem.
Morgul Blade Heavy Metal Wraiths
This is the way: Tolkien-inspired black-heavy metal with crytsal clear production.
Mork Katedralen
Solid, and somewhat "standard" black metal album, but sometimes all you need is a consistently good album. The combination of Darkthrone and Horna type of riffage was most pleasant. "Morkthrone" rules.
Mork Den Vandrende Skygge
Sharp, punky old-school black metal. Production is spot on as well.
Mork Syv
Progressively old-school, gorgeous yet harsh, minimalistically creative but colorful: Syv is a black metal record to be remembered.
Morketsvind Forest Ride
Morrigan Anwynn
Tastiest viking-era Bathory worship I've heard quite a while. Epic, atmospheric, and every Bathory aesthetical factor is present (even the not-so-great-but-oddly-charming clean vocals too, lol). Impressive stuff, the riffs are especially strong, but I loved those diabolical harsh vocals, like what you can hear in "Blind Witch".
Morrigan Celts
The entire album is a huuuge jam! Riffs after riffs, very cool on the vocal front (Beliar really nailed the shrieks, they sounded like they were taken from any of the early Bathory records). Highlight: "Through the Halls of Ice". It's so simple, yet so great song!
Mortiis Født til å Herske
Mortiis Ånden Som Gjorde Opprør
Mournful Moon .​.​.​As Shadows Fall Over Zenitheaen
It is one of those albums I fell in love with within a few seconds. Despite being a Lamentation "copycat", this is a very sophisticated album with a charming atmosphere, which respectfully invocates the old-school era of dungeon synth. Beautiful reverby piano sections, melancholic and magical songs, and some black metal vocals here and there... everything is spot on!
Mulla ا​ل​ا​ص​ا​ب​ة
Oh yes, probably the best anti-islamic black metal release so far. It's raw (but far-far-far more polished than their previous album - I daresay, it has a quite post-black-alike sound), energic (agressive, straight-forward black metal), and still, pleasantly spiced with oriental melodies: yeah, this is definitely a Mulla record, and we need more stuff like this.
Municipal Waste Hazardous Mutation
Municipal Waste The Last Rager
Municipal Waste Electrified Brain
The boys are back on top, hell yeah! This is easily on the same level with Hazardous Mutation (which is their very best, imo). The production is great (ultra balanced mixing), and Ryan's riffs will please even the old-schooler thrash maniacs too.
Murgrind Inheritor of the Forest Throne
Mutiilation Black Millenium (Grimly Reborn)
My Useless Life My Useless Life
Such a forgotten gem! Excellent DSBM which perfectly captures the vibe of addictive, sweet melancholy. "Melancholic Overdose" is a 10/10 song.
Myrkur Juniper
Myrkur Mareridt
Mysticum Piss Off
Nadsvest Slovo meseca i krvi
Pretty unorthodox black metal record. Sometimes it leans towards the more progressive branch of the genre; but other times it feels more connected to the punk-fueled side of black metal. But one thing is for sure: Stefan Todorovic is a beast. His vocals are amazing. Very evil, experimental such as Attila Csihar - that's how to do it!
Napalm Death The Best of Napalm Death
Napalm Death Utopia Banished
A brutally punishing, killer death metal album. They really nailed this one for sure!
Napalm Death Throes of Joy in the Jaws of Defeatism
A consistently good neck-workout. I loved the variety within, and the album just flew by: bangers after bangers, and even the "rest" songs like 'Amoral' were great. Moreover, the more experimental tracks like the industrial 'A Bellyful of Salt and Spleen' were simply awesome. I really liked the mixing and mastering as well, fits perfectly to the album's punchiness.
Napalm Death Resentment is Always Seismic...
The art of innovation; also a truly modern, truly progressive release. Other than Napalm Death's doing what they're known for, in this mini-album they expressed so much more, an absolute power play. Crushing, heavy and sometimes even: a t m o s p h e r i c ! The new noise, industrial, and the quite "liturgical" elements (the overall feel is really like Monotheist-era Celtic Frost was!) are very welcomed, and perfectly fit in.
Nargaroth Rasluka Part I
Nargaroth Rasluka Part II
Nargaroth Herbstleyd
Excellent atmospheric black metal. Also, probably the strongest Nargaroth album ever.
Nargaroth Unity (Rasluka, Pt. I + Rasluka, Pt. II)
The melancholic german Transylvanian Hunger. The pinnacle of the entire discography.
Necrodeath Fragments of Insanity
Massive riff-storm by the Italian black/thrashers. The production is very good, the album contains tons of heavy riffs. Slaps m/
Necrom All Paths Are Left Here...
Nice straight-forward OSDM from Ukraine with a quite punkish edge. I really liked the production here, especially the guitar tone they have chosen for this record (do you remember to Dethklok?). The slower and mid-tempo riffs are their biggests strengths, but I really dug the solos too! For a debut LP, this is most impressive.
Necrophagist Epitaph
This is solid. And damn, that's a lot of solos...!
Necrophobic Slow Asphyxiation
Killer death/thrash/black metal demo! Straight-forward, massively riff-centric, and it has that magical early '90s metal underground vibe.
Necrophobic Hrimthursum
(Let's start with a 4.0 on this.) Amazing blackened melodeath release, with incredibly variety within! Solos, riffs, very audible harsh vocals, very balanced production... really, can't say anything bad about it. Perhaps the only thing is that I don't click with it instantly like I did with Darkside, however I still adore whatever Necrophobic has released.
Necrowretch Swords of Dajjal
Crushing black/death metal, but the very sophisticated kind! It's totally like an early Necrophobic record, with bigger emphasis on black metal for achieving an absolutely devilish/hellish atmosphere. The production is spot on as well, tight, balanced... altogether really good!
Negativa (ESP) 04
Devilish spiralling darkness: yep, this is definitely a Mystskaos release. If you dig the Icelandic scene's sound, then this will most definitely click with you. Grim atmosphere, slowly flowing dissonant chords with a DSBM-ish edge and heartbreaking shrieks: yup, that's what I'm talking about!
Nehemah Shadows from the Past...
Such an overlooked release (and band, shame they split up). Grimmest riffs, atmosphere, and outstanding vocal performance: I loved it. (Many huge AAAAAAAAAAAAARGHs, but especially the one on the Bathory cover is the best.)
Neptune Towers Caravans To Empire Algol
Nest (FIN) Woodsmoke
I think I've just found a new favourite for background music. Incredibly relaxing folk / ambient stuff (with an interesting old-school vibe).
Neverlur / Sequestered Keep Under Nordljosets Straalar / Quests in the North
It was a great introduction to Neverlur's music for me, and I wasn't disappointed. Sequestered Keep was just perfect as always. Such a great, magical split.
Nicatas Drumer Impure Grandeur
Very-very good melodic (thrashy) black metal, thanks for the rec, park! I love when traditional black metal albums which are just simply good. Nothing is overdone, just what I needed: great riffs and the classic BM aesthetics.
Nico Georis Shirley Shirley Shirley!
Now this is a really outstanding experimental album: an album created from a plant's electrical biosignals converted into MIDI! This is an uplifting and mind-blowing experience, and the album has beautiful droney soundscapes and interesting melodies. An ethereal journey on nature's frequencies~
Nightmare Puppy Canal
Nightmare Puppy Nara Nara Voltsong For Shower
Super entertaining album. Thank you for sharing this with us, and hats off Johnny!
Nightwing Black Summer
Nirvana Nevermind
Nirvana MTV Unplugged in New York
Nirvana Bleach
Bleach contains probably Nirvana's greatest riffs, filled with desperate rage and darkness. This is heavy, so I love it.
Nite Voices Of The Kronian Moon
Super fun blackened death metal which comes with great spacey production, tons of riffs and sweet solos (also the vocals sound exactly like Nocturno Culto's vocals covered with tons of reverb).
Nocternity Harps Of The Ancient Temples
Nokturnal Mortum The Voice of Steel
Brilliant folk-black release, with some true earworms included (e.g. "Ukraine"). Moonsorrow-tier stuff.
Nordgeist Frostwinter
Cold as the Siberian winter, a very cool Paysage "clone". Very enjoyable album, where the combination of ice cold riffs, the well programmed drums and the shrieks recreates a very similar atmosphere to Paysage d'Hiverr's classic demos/albums.
Nostalghia (MEX) Au Milieu de l'Hiver
Very creative and a bit unorthodox (I mean, it is really jazzy sometimes) DSBM/atmoblack release. Great riffs, good flow, interesting ideas, but a slow grower.
Nostalghia (MEX) Duelo
This album found me in the right time... An excellent DSBM/post-black album which delivers the feels, and builds up an embracing and melancholic atmosphere; while it delivers some ice cold riffs as well. A bit stronger in the beginning and at the end (first two and last two songs), and maybe the album could have a bit more low end, but altogether it's still very-very demonstrative. Bonus points for the savage and tormented vocal performance, I totally felt every resonance in it.
Novembre Annoluce
Novembre Words of Indigo
Like those 9 years were nothing! Novembre continues to deliver that sweet melancholy, accompanied with great riffs (congrats to the new guitarist), as expected.
Null (USA) Lore of a Sleeping Forest
Perfectly spot on atmoblack release from the more grim side of the genre. The production quality and the melodic riffing is outstanding, and I loved the overall mood of this album.
Null (USA) Origin
A smoothly flowing meloblack release. Exactly as AmbushReality has said it: it's not exactly like Hiraeth. Forget the mellow forest worship vibes, it's time to get into frosty riffs! Origin contains far less folk elements and focuses on delivering the tastiest meloblack riffs. (I'm still amazed everything was written by only one guy!)
Obscura A Valediction
Real smooth. Obscura's latest is a truly virtuose and well-balanced release, with an exceptionally easy flow - despite the enormous amount of technicality. Really exciting, yet perfectly appreciable for any metal listener.
Obsequiae The Palms of Sorrowed Kings
Obtained Enslavement Soulblight
Woah, this is extremly cheesy - and I love it! Lots of melody (impressive guitarwork and synths), interesting classical music influences are inserted into a very grim atmosphere, which makes this band sound quite unique.
Octobeast / Synthosaurus Mega Clash of Creature Worlds
Holy shite, what a split! This is some really cinematic dino synth split, which sometimes kinda sounds like Fief... and hints of black metal.
Odium (NOR) The Sad Realm of the Stars
Very solid sympho-atmoblack. It delivers the riffs and evokes a mystical atmosphere too, just how I like it!
Odium Humani Generis Zarzewie
[garas's seal of approval] This is some pleasantly frosty Polish black metal, mixed with a bit of post-black to make it more interesting. The mix was...okay, but this band has great potential and I like this EP.
Old Forsaken Realm Relics Of A Sunken Past
One of the best dungeon doom releases out there! Especially the rhythm section is noteworthy, as it is more complex than the usual. The old-school-ish sound is a good addition too.
Old Man's Child In Defiance of Existence
Old Man's Child Born of the Flickering
Raw meloblack -- the best kind! Mastering done by Garm... so you know it's good.
Old Sorcery The Path Lies Hidden
Old Sorcery Strange and Eternal
Old Sorcery Tales of the Old Kingdom
The master has returned and cast another enchantment spell: Tales of the Old Kingdom has been created. It's a compilation release compiled from materials from the latest splits and singles. Even though it is not an LP, hey, it's an Old Sorcery release! It is magical.
Old Sorcery The Lost Grimoire
If Realms of Magickal Sorrow would be an EP: colorful, playful, catchy, magical, very diverse sounding dungeon synth release. One of the most pleasant surprises in this year.
Oldlands Source of Eternal Darkness
Outstanding lo-fi black metal demo from Brazil. The classic traditional lo-fi BM aesthetics are super sweet, and in my opinion, alltogether it sounds very similar to the early Norwegian releases, especially to the Euronymous-era Mayhem (it has SOLOS!). This slaps m/
On Graves All Must Go
Ontrothon, Saga of the Ancient Glass Ontrothon, Saga of the Ancient Glass
The artist behind Spectral Lore really proved his talent with this release: enchanting, calm yet exciting piece of medieval ambient mixed with dungeon synth. Maybe this could worth a better rating as well, but hearing the same VSTs again and again with so many artists is getting a bit boring... at least, the fusion of different elements in this release could create a different atmosphere. Also, this would be a great soundtrack to a DnD game too - which is always means some bonus points for me.
Opeth Orchid
Describing 'Orchid' with one word, I'd go with: elegant. I loved the old-schoolish (yet clear) sound, the slower sections, and the sweet guitar tone. I think it is a bit lengthy, but otherwise very pleasant album. Perhaps a grower?
Opia I Welcome Thee, Eternal Sleep
I like Draconian. This sounds like Draconian. So, I liked this album too.. More seriously: very relaxing, pleasantly polished gothic doom release, which doesn't bring new thins to the table, but for a debut album: this is exceptionally strong!
Order of Nosferat The Absence of Grace
Embracingly melancholyic, synth-dominant sound (even some dungeon synth tracks too) and very sharp (quite DSBM-ish) riffs. The atmosphere this album evokes is exactly my type. Perhaps the vocals felt here and there a bit repetitive. But it's so charming...! Did I fall under vampyric spell?
Oromet Oromet
Brilliant and beautiful funeral doom debut. Huge sound, dreamy flow (the droney synths had a massively positive impact on that), and good metal:ambient ratio. (And the pretty cover art is a nice bonus for me.)
Ossa Coronata A Candle
Dark, melancholic, spooky and dreamy. I love the atmosphere the album creates.
Ossa Coronata One With Weariness
Oublieth Arcanes
Ethereal, slow and magical. Not exactly dungeon synth, it's more of an ambient/electronic release in the vein of Klaus Schulze and Vangelis. But it's still brilliant!! Especially I'm in love with "La Frontire de la Nuit".
Outer Heaven Infinite Psychic Depths
Pleasant death metal riff salad. Varied in sound: sometimes techy, sometimes simple and straight-forward, sometimes bit slower -- nothing extraordinary, but it sounds like a well-written album. The production is great and balanced as well. I just a good all-around death metal experience.
Owls Woods Graves Citizenship of the Abyss
Super tasty black metal/punk served raw. Maybe it's not the best, but surely one of the most fun
albums of the year.
Owls Woods Graves Strix
The Polish blackened punks did it again: punchy punk/black with a pleasantly grim atmosphere, but also, full of fun tracks! For example, "Nightshifts" is a full banger, while "Black Flame In Our Hearts" still odds me out with that pop punk/black metal crossover.
Ozzy Osbourne Ozzmosis
Ozzy Osbourne No More Tears
Pagan Altar Pagan Altar
Pretty much the same case with Witchfinder General's debut, but with a different vocal style. Pure fun, good time guaranteed.
Paradise Lost Ascension
Well, Paradise Lost ages like fine wine. Well done! (Maybe a bit too long, though?)
Paysage d'Hiver Im Traum
Riffs cold as ice of a glacier, 'Im Traum' is something like an extension of 'Im Wald', where Wintherr managed to find something more - something haven't heard or not properly expressed yet. I think this EP outshined the black metal giant in certain aspects, and presents a more ethereal, cold and grim atmosphere thanks to the greater involvement of synths (choirs, pads, or maybe something more?). If you want to experience the "Im Wald-experience" in mini, then 'Im Traum' shall not disappoint.
Paysage d'Hiver Paysage d'Hiver
Paysage d'Hiver Kerker
I'm starting to really enjoy this. Maybe the new headphones helped, but now I don't mind the droney noise textures which overshadow everything else in the mix. Strange album.
Pentagram Last Rites
Powerful, energic and of course: riffs hard. Last Rites is clearly among the best albums in Pentagram's discography, even though it brought some steps away from the classic old-school sound Bobby stood out for a long time.
Pentagram Show 'Em How
Funny album art hides an amazingly catchy album. Most of the songs came from their '70s material, and the result is a really fun blend between doom metal and rock.
Pentagram Review Your Choices
Oh man, this RIFFS. Songs like 'Change of Heart' are phenomenal. Too bad, Bobby kinda feels out of sync sometimes, and I did not like the "rewritten" classic songs that much as the originals. Really good doom album, nonetheless with such an iconic album cover.
Pentagram First Daze Here Too
I can echo exactly what DDD said. Too bad the great difference in the production quality between the two halves, but nothing dampens the fact: Pentagram rules. Personally I loved the Rolling Stones cover and 'Much Too Young to Know' the most. Pure rock 'n' roll / a bit doom 'n' roll, huh?
Pentagram Sub-Basement
First of all: I love the creepy artwork. Also, I think Pentagram just can't write a bad album. The guitar tone is incredible, and the riffing feels so "full". When the album goes really-really slow, it hits the hardest. Not far from 4.5.
Pentagram Day Of Reckoning
Consistently massive old-school doom album. Pentagram rules m/ (A better production could have been nice though.)
Perihelion (HU) Örvény
Perihelion (HU) Agg
'Agg' is their most cinematic work so far, and I'm glad they kept their artistic "bipolar" shoegazey style. I especially loved the lyrics, the droney sounds (not sure if synths or tons of effect pedals), and how good the bass sounds in the whole album. Maybe they could have gone a bit more heavier, and damn, Gyula's vocals were way too quiet in the mix! Also, the title track is amazing, probably the best I've heard from them. Excellent album, I'm a proud Hungarian!
Peste Noire Folkfuck Folie
French "sewer" black metal. Nice.
Peste Noire Ballade cuntre lo Anemi francor
This is simply crazy good.
Phantom (MEX) Handed to Execution
Ripper! Old-school thrash/speed metal from Mexico. These guys really feel how to make good ol' thrash. Fierce riffing and a superb vocalist - that's the way (in the style of old Sodom, of course).
Pig Destroyer Head Cage
Pig Destroyer Terrifyer
Oh yeah, this is heavy. Those riffs...! I especially liked the second half of the album, those songs are really punchy.
Pig Destroyer Natasha
The creepy sludge/doom Pig Destroyer also slaps. Highly atmospheric piece, and this style worked for them surprisingly well. (The clicking bass drum sound is disgusting, though.)
Pig Destroyer Phantom Limb
Yay, this is heavy as well. I don't know why, but I feel that the second half of the album was stronger than the other (- same case with Terrifyer)... Pretty straight-forward album, very well done.
Pink Floyd The Wall
Poems About The Forest Schwarzes Licht
Beautiful work from (very probably) the members of Depressive Silence/Mightiest. An enchanting, magical, and easily flowing 31 minutes long single track demo with the most beautiful synth sounds and great samples. Most excellent atmosphere, I'm glad I discovered this.
Poison (DE) Into the Abyss
Massive first wave black / thrash album, it has a killer sound. Great ideas, great riffs, and since it's old-school it means an instant +0.5 on my rating. (Thanks Fenriz!)
Power Trip Live in Seattle: 05.28.18
E n o r m o u s sound from a live album!
Power Trip Nightmare Logic
Power Trip Opening Fire: 2008-2014
Okay, this fucking RIPS m/ To be honest, I did not expect such a strong compilation about a bunch of B-sides and rarities, but looks like this band can't produce anything bad. Crossover thrash which melts your face off. Bonus points for the sick artwork.
Prurient Frozen Niagara Falls
An exciting many-faced record, which navigates you through ethers and hell in a noisy dream.
Psychonaut Unfold the God Man
Finally something great under the post-metal tag, not just another trendy hyper-annoying shoegazey boredom. The influences are all crystal clear, and I think they formed them into something, which is their own "flavour". Great jam.
Purl Form Is Emptiness
Beautiful drone/ambient album. This really represents my overall taste within the genre.
Quantic Magnetica
Queen Greatest Hits
Quest Master Obscure Power
Obscure Power is a very lovely modern, beat-driven dungeon synth album with an enchanting atmosphere. Relaxing, yet quite energetic in certain ways. I loved it.
Qwalen Unohdan Sinut
Good to see the classic old fashioned black metal spirit in action. A most impressive debut album from Qwlen hailing from Finland. Punkish elements combined with the good ol' black madness of the '90s resulted a really crushing album, and I fell in love with this material almost instantly. Bonus points for the really sinister throat killer vocals - most perfect combination to the instrumentals.
Raathgard Twilight Over Forgotten Realms
Very old-schoolish dungeon doom, but this bears a Örnatorpet-like vibe too. I like to listen to this while walking, especially good musical companion for "touching some grass".
Rage Against the Machine The Battle of Los Angeles
Rammstein Untitled
Ausländer, Sex & Puppe on repeat, rest is great, but Radio was a mistake. = Strong 4.0
Rat Domain Mystical Rodent Underworld Vol 1 : Warfare
Very cool beat-driven dungeon synth. The relaxing/mystical atmosphere and the old-school sound is 10/10 spot on!
Realm of Wolves Hegemon of cold seas
Very strong post-black release with hints of doomy gloom/melancholy. I sense a grower.
Reason (HU) The Divine Rest
Why I haven't heard about this earlier? Most pleasant mixture of gothic and progressive metal, which delivers not just super melodic riffs and that certain autumnal mood, but The Divine Rest offers fantastic vocal melodies as well. I hear a bit of Amorphis, a bit of Khemmis and bit of Mastodon here, and believe me: this feels good.
Red Helen Trading Past For Pathways
Redhorn Gate Demo I-II-III
Nice compilation of 3 raw demos: old-school dungeon synth done right.
Repulsion Horrified
Good ol' Repulsion, nothing beats that. Timeless grindcore classic.
Return to Forever Romantic Warrior
Revelation Images of Darkness
This was a hell of a demo!! The riffs are amazing, a real doom demo which almost sounds like what is later known as blackened doom. I feel like this technically predicted the sound of the modern Darkthrone albums. (Damn it Fenriz, how did you find this??)
REZN Solace
The flow is so smooth that you'll reach the end of the record without even realizing it - and that's how a psychedelic doom album should work! These guys know how to craft a groovy record.
Rhandir Vagabond's Call
Rota Fortunae Hinterland
Alright DungeonBoy, you gave me no other option, so I had to 4.0 this beauty. " Instrumental dark folk, done just right" - Sunny said it right!
Rothadas Kopár Hant... Az Alvilág Felé
Simply excellent. 40 minutes of pure death-doom delight.
Rothadas Rothadás
Impressive old-school (doomy) death metal demo from a local band I don't know anything about, haha! The 'a e s t h e t i c s'! Ahhh, exactly how I like my DM. I'm definitely looking for some more in the future.
Rothadas Töviskert... a kísértés örök érzete.. Lidércharang
Cobwebby death-doom done right. Massive as a collapsing mountain.
Rotting Christ Pro Xristou
It's an entertaining record. A bit slow-paced one, but still an excellent Rotting Christ release, as expected.
Rotting Christ The Heretics
Rotting Christ Aealo (Re-recorded)
Usually, I'm not a big fan of re-recordings. But this one is really well-made, and while the album itself doesn't changed much (I noticed newer solos), but the general quality of the album has improved a lot! Excellent stuff.
Rotting Christ Sanctus Diavolos
Brave, yet very rewarding experiment. In this album, the Greek duo managed to present a very atmosphere-centric release, richly spiced with numerous elements. The braver vocal approach (far-far more diverse than on a regular Rotting Christ album), often accompanied by choirs and opera-like singing was very impactful on the album, often pushing it towards a quite liturgical direction - at least that's how I felt. The daring mindset is clearly observable on the instrumental factors as well. For example horror sample-alike, ambient and classical sections can be heard in most of the songs, and the guitarwork definitely falls into the experimental side of the genre too. It's very proggy, and perhaps bits of industrial elements can be heard blended into their signature blackened-gothic sytle.
Not an easily digestable record, but for those who enjoy such unorthodox black metal albums it'll be a gourmet snack for their ears.
Rotting Christ Thy Mighty Contract
Took me a while to fully get understand the charm of this record... Such a grower!
Rotting Christ Khronos
Super solid "post-gothic" album. It has grown on me a lot, and now I'm really enjoying this release. Khronos bears a very autumnal atmosphere and delivers some of the best melodic riffs they have ever written. Gorgeous album.
Rotting Christ The Apocryphal Spells, Vol. I + Vol. II
It was totally unexpected release, a very good compilation of unreleased songs / rarities. Collected from almost all eras of their career, so it's a very diverse package as expected. High quality material, for sure.
runescape斯凱利 runescape​.​wav符文風景骨架
runescape斯凱利 runescape​​.​​wav2戰利品的戰爭
Sadistik Exekution We Are Death... Fukk You !
Saint Vitus Saint Vitus
Straight-forward and very simple doom record, but it does the trick!
Samael Passage
"The Ones Who Came Before" is my jam. Shame their black metal phase is over, however this album could also deliver some mighty good riffs!
Samael Worship Him
Samael Exodus
This should have been extended to an LP, ffs! Pure excellence, where their black metal- and the industrial era could smoothly overlap.
Samael Lux Mundi
Damn, this one sounds angry! Absolutely crushing industrial-black metal stuff, especially the second half of the album feels outstandingly good, definitely their best one in the industrial era (along with Passage, of course).
Sanguine Moon What Shadows Once Hid...
Saor Origins
Not enough flutes! More seriously: I really like the very instrumental-oriented structure, or even: I could totally see this work as a 100% instrumental album. It delivers the riffs, it has a positive and upbeat vibe. Perhaps I just really needed this, but felt really good.
Sarke Gastwerso
This slaps. The simple and heavy riffs, and the really exotic synths and guest vocals make this album very memorable, and I might bump up my rating later because I feel this is a grower.
The album is beautiful: the production is spot on, the songwriting is very intelligent and creative (somewhat proggy?) and the overall package offered lot more than what I expected.
The Darkthrone guys are just simply unstoppable!
Satan Cruel Magic
Satanic Warmaster Nachzehrer
Satanic Warmaster Revelation ...of the Night
Oh yeah, this is a max score on the trveness scale. Very solid album, the remastering did wonders with the songs: the biggest change is the quality of the vocals, which drastically improved. Furthermore, both the drums and guitars sound more sharp and agressive. (Fenriz would love the drum sound - so organiccccc!) The only problem with this album is a specific contrast between some of the songs presented: some of them are overlong and less exciting, while others are fantastic and one of Werwolf's best works. If all the songs could punch equally, then it could be a BM classic.
Still, the last (rare) song, "The Will" is one of the best black metal songs ever written.
(If you wouldn't want to listen to the whole thing, at least listen to only that song!)
Satanic Warmaster/Archgoat Lux Satanae
Saturne I
Satyricon Now, Diabolical
Satyricon Volcano
Satyricon My Skin Is Cold
Extremly overlooked, and way better than the average score! Except of the title track, you can find great songs from different albums presenting some of the best songs from the band's discography. And 'Mother North' performed with a backup orchestra is unbeliveably amazing - best version EVER.
Satyricon Rebel Extravaganza
I had to re-rate this. To be honest, I never really got into this album, but today the realization just hit me: this is actually brilliant! These riffs are fire, the atmosphere is evil, and it is Satyricon! Especially good stuff when the synths kick in.
Scary Larry Scary Larry
Scorpions Comeblack
Summer vibes. This comp. grew on me a lot and in the end I can say: I really like this band now. Tbh, the remastered version of 'Rock You Like A Hurricane' is just simply perfect.
Sear Bliss Heavenly Down
Prog-black done right, and as expected: the trombone adds a lot of epicness to these songs. "Watershed" and "Feathers in Ashes" are brilliant songs: magically captivating thanks to their unique atmosphere.
Seax Speed Metal Mania
Secret Stairways Turning Point
Selvnatt Empty Life
Kekht Arakh v2.0, but this one is less melancholic and more punkier! Shame it's just an EP... I need more!
Sepulchre Psalms Unto Caesar
Spectral Wound, but with some synths! This album is a blast! Incredible riffing, savage, sharp, very balanced, pure old-school black metal assault. Super massive debut album, top-list worthy stuff.
Sequestered Keep Wandering Far
The very best of Sequestered Keep. A truly magical experience, relaxing yet adventurous medieval ambient / dungeon synth. This particular album is a great companion for long walks.
Sermon of Flames I Have Seen the Light, and It Was Repulsive
Crushing black/death/noise beast, with lots of creative ideas within. I loved it from start to the end. Really heavy stuff, definitely not for everyone.
Serpent Column Ornuthi Thalassa
Serpent of Old Ensemble Under The Dark Sun
On paper, this is not that extra, but boy, it's very heavy! Insanely strong black/death debut album: endless waves of sick riffs (both melodic and dissonant), spiced up with some proggy flavours. The production is massive - hits like a bus!
Serpent's Isle The Quiet Lakes
Shining (SWE) Fiende
Shining (SWE) Redefining Darkness
Shining (SWE) 8 ½ - Feberdrömmar i vaket tillstånd
This goes mega hard: a cold, sharp, dark and immersive black metal album. (My opinion based on the 2024 re-master.)
Show Me A Dinosaur Plantgazer
Finally, some blackgazey stuff which I don't feel endlessly boring. The solos were a bit meh - often out of place, but generally the album was enjoyable, especially songs like "Selva" were outstandingly great. More or less copycat sounding release, but I liked how it does sound.
Shum Lebegő klaszter
Really cool drone metal album. Interesting textures, additional instruments etc. Really reminded me to the " Void" and the "Prylocasts" album by Sunn O))), which is a great thing.
Skaphe Skáphe³
Wild, chaotic and gorgeously distorted: the Icelandic formation's third creation has a really dense and dark atmosphere which flows in a very unpredictable manner - and I love it. It has a bit Dodheimsgard-ish edge I can't really explain (maybe the vocals?), but I'm certainly hooked.
Skaphe Untitled
Spooky, evil demo. Not an easy listen, but very good.
Skarpseian Tan Gil
Skarpseian Skygge Slottet
Slayer Reign In Blood
"Angel Of Death", and every song after "Jesus Saves" are absolute classics.
Slayer World Painted Blood
Slayer Seasons In The Abyss
Standard Slayer greatness. Lyrically a step away from the previous albums, but still their super solid riffstorm. Hot take: Dead Skin Mask is not even the best song on the album.
Slayer Soundtrack to the Apocalypse
Soundtrack for a good time. The perfect choice for casual Slayer jams.
Slayer Undisputed Attitude
All of these are pretty much better than the originals. And "Gemini" has a quite spooky atmosphere too. Pure energy, just blast this loud during workout!
Slayer Haunting The Chapel
Sleep Dopesmoker
Sleep The Sciences
Slift Ummon
Finally, I can get behind the hype about something here (duh). This was a very cool psychedelic/stoner/whatever jam. Crispy sound, sweet Sleep influences etc. - well done!
Slytherin When the Darkness Comes
This is really good stuff. A great blend of dungeon synth and Summoning-worship black metal, inspired by... the Harry Potter franchise. The album flows really nicely, the riffs are spot on, and the synths are gorgeous. It was like an instant 4.0.
Sodom Obsessed By Cruelty
Fun and nasty old-school thrash attack.
Sodom In War And Pieces
Ripper straight-to-the-point thrash release. Full of energy and full of riffs, and sometimes that's all I need!
Sol Distorsion Sol Distorsion
Sol Kia Zos Ethos
What the hell is this, and what have I become? Seriously, this is nightmarishly shocking, yet I'm enjoying this wild ride.
Solanum (GER) Spectral Poetry (Demo)
Exciting, and majestic album, just what I expected from B. S. (half of Depressive Silence).
Solanum (GER) Spheres of Time
Solanum (GER) .::Worlds::.
Incredible album! Adventurous, colorful and enchanting dungeon synth from one of the founding fathers of the genre. It's a real shame this isn't available on all streaming platforms...!
Sourcerior My Eternal Tyranny
This is the way: old-schoolish dungeon synth with lots of enchanting melodies (with hints of medieval elements), also here and there some black metal vocals.
Spectral Voice Sparagmos
Massive death/funeral doom record. Heavy riffs, great tempo changes, cavernous vocals...hell yeah, this is good stuff.
Spirit Adrift Divided by Darkness
Oh hello doom-Mastodon, nice riffs you have there.
Splendorius Tearful Misty Woods
Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto Getz/Gilberto
Alright, here it goes another 4.0. It was lovely chill "jazz" album (I'm too noob for the whole bossa nova thing). It feels like the melody pulls the percussions with it, and the result is a calmly flowing album + interesting to hear the piano almost always in the "background". Too bad I don't speak Portuguese.
Sterbend Dwelling Lifeless
Stirge Stirge vs. Dungeon Altar
Stormkeep Tales of Othertime
Another disciple who outshined its master, Emperor. An extremly well-balanced and finely written album lies behind the gorgeous artwork. Simply there is no reason to complain about - maybe it is not so "captivating" like other atmoblack acts like Evilfeast, Vargrav etc., but it is excellent work as it is!
Strid Strid [7'']
Way too short, but awesome EP.
Strid End of Life
Good to know that the first ever DSBM recording was excellent quality material.
Stygian Ruin Sulfuric Vapour From the Depths
"Exotic" sounds and old-schoolish atmosphere. Stygian Ruin's debut is a very interesting and somewhat charming release, covered by some sort of weird magic which gives a certain spooky feeling to this release.
Summoning Dol Guldur
Summoning Lugburz
Summoning Stronghold
Sundrugs Low
Sunn O))) Pyroclasts
Sunn O))) Flight of the Behemoth
Huge and earthshaking guitar drones and exciting noise textures: a behemo)))th indeed.
Sunn O))) ØØ Void
Sunn O))) Agharthi 09-10
Sunn O))) Metta, Benevolence BBC 6Music...
The best Sunn O))) release since Monoliths and Dimensions, which is a really big thing. The album behind the terrible title is a truly gigantic slow-motion catharsis. Lots of experimentation, great guests (Anna von Hauswold should tour with them more often, and please invite Attila Csihar too). Prepare for a deep relax, and the usual high-volume brain-massage through the walls of drones and distortion.
Sunn O))) Eternity's Pillars b/w Raise the Chalice & Rever…
Pretty much Pyroclasts v2.0: awesome textures, good feedback-loops, and of course: massive as a storm.
Sunn O))) Meets Nurse With Wound The Iron Soul of Nothing
Sventovit Longing for the Past
Pretty little album, with a humbly magical atmosphere. Very relaxing!
Synth Bard Gold Box Renditions
Synthosaurus Gigantic Throne
Taking dino synth to the next level, 'Gigantic Throne' is a super fun album.
System of a Down Hypnotize
System of a Down Toxicity
Taake Hordalands Doedskvad
Taake Noregs Vaapen
Taake Taake
Taake Kulde
Taake Nattestid Ser Porten Vid
Super groovy, melodic and has a very enjoyable crispy production. Hoest is a trve riff master.
Taake Over Bjoergvin Graater Himmerik
Taake Et Hav Av Avstand
One of the "jammiest" Taake albums (along with Stridens hus, for example). Great flow, good riffs, weird samples, and a quite post-black-like vibe. Yeah, this is an excellent release.
Tarot (AUS) The Warrior's Spell
It was a very fun psychedelic / progressive rock album, with awesome guitar leads (+tone), Hammond organs and so on.
Tarot (AUS) Reflections
Taste Taste
Tenhi Kauan
Not far from a 4.5 - maybe more synths could have done the trick, but it is still a marvelous dark folk album. "Hallavedet" and "Niin Auer Hiljaa Vie" were my most favourite songs.
Terveet Kadet Kaikki kaikkia vastaan
This is a sick really heavy Finnish harcore punk record, with some extra flavours like D-beat and even metal (yeah for real, even black metal tremolos and galopping thrash riffs). And damn, this band is active for 40 years now???
Thangorodrim Prologue
All the early Thangorodrim-works have been remastered, and the result is very pleasing, and really have been brought together. This is a more ripe, and fullier complex, which certainly has its own highs and lows, but alltogether this is a fine and valuable musical experience for all the enthusiastic fans of Tolkien's work, and the dungeon synth genre.
The Atomic Bitchwax Scorpio
Some kind of groovy heavy rock / stoner metal, which is extremly entertaining. Each song is catchy, energic and may stuck in the listeners head. I'm sold.
The Avalanches Since I Left You
Bar background music: the album.
The Cold Domain Barbaric Dark Ages
The Devil's Trade Vidékek Vannak Idebenn
What an album!! Gorgeous, deep, pleasantly polished mix of neo-folk and post-metal (because sometimes it is quite metal). Plus I love that Dávid decided to write and sing some of his lyrics in Hungarian.
The Flamingo Jones The 5th Floor Of The Tree
Pretty awesome psychedelic rock collection. Most of this is just a huge live jamming, and you can really feel how much these guys love what are they doing.
The Gates (CAN) .​.​.​Of the River Styx
Damn, this "safe BMSS" band goes mega hard! "Disco Mefisto" is a certified banger! This band may become big one day.
The Gitas Garland
Grunge is rarely this exciting. I know this band quite a while, but the re-discovery of this album was a rather nice feeling, and I pretty much love all of the presented songs 'ere.
The Haxan Cloak Midsommar (Original Score)
The Kovenant Nexus Polaris
Cheesy as hell, but damn this riffs mega hard. Also the heavy synth driven and bass heavy production, and Hellhammer behind the drumkit makes this impossible to not love. 'Planetary Black Elements' and 'Cariots of Thunder' hit all the right spots...!
The Moon and Saturn The Moon and Saturn
The Necromancers Servants of the Salem Girl
The Rolling Stones Singles 1965-1967
The Rolling Stones Their Satanic Majesties Request
The Rolling Stones Singles Collection: The London Years
The Spirit Sounds from the Vortex
That kind of meloblack I really like. Reminded me a bit to Antestor: constantly flowing riffs, even some solos too. Solid output.
The Sword Warp Riders
The Sword Age Of Winters
This album is huge. "Freya" and "Iron Swan" will rip your head down. An absolute riff-storm. (Oh and now I see from where did the King Gizz' guys take some inspiration for their thrashy stuff.)
The Terrible Fates Pursuing Thaumaturges
Very diverse and exciting dungeon synth release. Tons of different styles and instruments can be heard through these 10 songs, each one tells a chapter from a tale. If you love the soundtracks of The Witcher, the Zelda games or many other RPGs: this album is for you.
The True Werwolf Devil Crisis
Werwolf showed again with this release he's still relevant and remained as a standard point, a pillar within the Finnish BM scene. Tbh, I don't know why did he release this under The True Werwolf because this is full BM album~ Slaps nonetheless.
Thorns Trøndertun
Thorr's Hammer Dommedagsnatt
Thos Aella Sempiternal Mobocracies
Oh man, this riffs so hard! It mostly sounds like a blackened heavy/thrash record, but it has some death and heavy metal in it as well. Definitely that agressive as the cover art would suggest, it's more of a super awesome jam with plenty of earworm riffs and elegantly executed solos. Absolutely a love at first sight record. The only problem is with this: the overall volume is unnecesarily low!!
Thousand Foot Krutch The End Is Where We Begin
Thunderbolt / Kataxu Beyond Christianity / North
Thy Catafalque Zápor
5 tracks reworked from 'T?n? id? trlat' - it was technically guaranteed this will be good, and yet I was surprised how much the re-master meant. Such a pretty EP! And the heavier songs slap too!
Thy Catafalque Meta
Thy Catafalque Roka Hasa Radio
Thy Catafalque Naiv
What an exciting album! The variety within is incredible, and the albums feels really "colorful" - like serious Belus (by Burzum) vibes on the first track and nice Berlin school synths in "V�t�" or "A valóság kazamatái" for example. Great guest vocals and so on, and the lyrical themes are very pretty. I expected something more lot more folk oriented, but the result was something more: lots of styles blended together embodying something never heard before.
And I feel guilty about the fact that I didn't really enjoyed every song, so I have a bit mixed feelings about this, but absolutely dominated by the positive side.
Thy Catafalque Mezolit - Live at Fekete Zaj
I wish I could've been there... However, this is easily the best live album of the year. Excellent tracklist, all excellent musicians and excellent recording-quality.
Til Det Bergens Skyggene Til Det Bergens Skyggene
Timothy Fife Transcommunication
Gorgeous blend of Berlin-school electronics and drone music, executed perfectly with a super sweet production. I loved the analog synth sounds, and how dynamic the album is...!
Titan (US) I
Tom Petty Full Moon Fever
Thanks for the YouTube algorhythm for showing me this. Such a cool rock album!
Tomb of Annihilation End of Time
Dungeons and Dragons in my death metal? Hell yes!
Tomusz Escape
Tormentor 7th Day Of Doom
trauma ray Chameleon
Shoegaze-alt stuff, but in the best way. Not a boring song in sight, very balanced and dreamesque.
Treasure Seeker Quest for the Secrets Beyond Time
Very nice, I'm impressed. Great medieval ambient release, very playful and adventurous, with pleasant Fief-ish vibes.
Tribulation Where The Gloom Becomes Sound
Catchy gothic black'n'roll? Yes, please!
Trist (GER) Willenskraft
Tristengrav II - Nychavgé
Triumph (RUS) Triumph
Trouble The Skull
Trouble Psalm 9
Interesting and amazing album, a bridge between the Candlemass-alike epic doom's and the thrash metal's realms. For a debut, it is shockingly well executed, and contains tons of massive riffs.
Trvth Inordinate and Surpassing
Tsjuder Norwegian Apocalypse
Tsjuder Throne of the Goat (2018 Version)
Uada Cult of a Dying Sun
Simple but effective - meloblack done right. Perhaps the secret is to surpass the simple second-wave style - which means more heavy metal influences? There is nothing new under this dying sun, but this is a very-well executed album.
Ulaidh Provincial Kingdoms of Éire
Beautiful debut from Ulaidh, I'm most impressed. Soundwise, this respectfully follows to the old-school traditions, but has a slightly modern edge - and together the album builds an enchanting and mystical atmosphere... Very relaxing.
Ulcerate Shrines of Paralysis
Ulk Ulk (demo)
Ulthar Providence
It is a really good blackened death metal album, it has a perfect runtime, nice riffs and production. And bonus point for those Immortal-vibes.
Ulver Kveldssanger
Ulver The Assassination of Julius Caesar
Ulver Sic Transit Gloria Mundi
Ulver Themes From William Blake's The Marriage of Heaven and Hell
Ulver Drone Activity
So Ulver stepped into the territories of drone ambient music. 'True North' was a rather weak track, but the album builds up itself nicely, and finishes with the brilliant and meditative 'Exodus'. It was a pleasant and interesting experience.
Ulver The Norwegian National Opera
Ulver Childhood's End
Ulver Lyckantropen Themes OST
Ulver Vargnatt
Ulver Scary Muzak
The Norwegian Wolves reimagined and modernized John Carpenter's iconic spookscapes from the '78 classic, moreover they've sprinkled some Ulver-esque studio magic onto the whole thing and dropped some of their own compositions as well into the cauldron. "Scary Muzak" perfectly blends the mysterious and pumpkin-spiced spook with their smooth and dancey synth-pop.
Umbria Follow the ghost hand
Urfaust Empty Space Meditation
Thank you YouTube algorhytm for showing me this. This is insane...insanely good experimental metal release. Dark, emotional, wild and elegant.
Urfaust Teufelsgeist
This gets heavier by each track. An absolute oddity in the whole discography, which is not even metal most of the time. The album opener "Offerschaal der astrologische mengvormen" is one of sneaky grower, a weird and enchanting synth+drum... thing (song) which "mimicks" a slow and cheesy orchestral piece. I don't know why, but I truly love the eerie, mystical and twisted nature of this thing. It's some sort of dark magic, or I don't know...! One thing is for sure, the previously mentioned first track is a 5/5 masterpiece... the rest remains a challenge, even for me.
Urfaust Ritual Music for the True Clochard
The essential Urfaust release: odd, often ritualistic clean chantings and screams, and tons of Burzum-like or other perfectly executed simple riffs, strange synths and effects, and a crispy raw sound. "Der halbtoten Dichters Schein-Existenz" is an absolute masterpiece.
Urthrax Cantrips
Uruk-Hai / Burzum The Fighting Uruk-Hai / Wotans Verhängnis
Vader Thy Messenger
Vagtazo Halottkemek Eletzuhatag
Hard to describe this. It the Hungarian etnopunk, where punk and ancient shamanic music could co-exist. Weird lyrics, weird "live" sound, but this album has its own unique charm. Just give it a go after a long day and enjoy the Attila Granpierre's chantings and the flow of punk-and traditional folk melodies.
Valdrin Throne of the Lunar Soul
Moonlight Sorcery, but it's actually USBM. Very melodic atmoblack, and interestingly with a vocalist who sounds exactly like Johannes Andersson from Tribulation.
Vale Minstrel Warden Of The Vale
Very-very strong folk ambient debut album, I really liked it. The production is very pleasant, it has nice instrumentation (especially the flutes are the most lovely) and has adventurous but relaxing atmosphere.
Vali Forlatt
It takes me back, when little garas was learning the ways of acoustic guitar in the music school. Atmospheric and very-well executed (dark) folk album - the "dark" is a bit uncertain, as it's not so gloomy, and a some sort of hispanic impact can be heard in some songs. Excellent album, nonetheless.
Vampyric Desolation Wolf Howl, Blood and Nightfall
Exactly my taste in dungeon drone: mysterious and very atmospheric. I got those Amnesia vibes, perfectly spooky.
Van Halen Van Halen
Vandalorum Flagellum Dei
Vangelis Antarctica
If the artic atmosphere could be emobdied in one album, this could be a strong contender for that role. Lovely soundscapes.
Vangelis L'Apocalypse Des Animaux
Amazing & beautiful. Fantastic ambient album with gorgeous instrumentation.
Vargrav (FIN) Dimension: Daemonium
This band never disappoints. Awesome symphonic black metal album brewed with good ol' Dimmu' spices. The flow is incredibly smooth here, and I also love the mastering too - good dynamics!
Vargrav (FIN) Netherstorm
Vargrav (FIN) Reign In Supreme Darkness
Vargrav (FIN) The Nighthold
Vargrav never disappoints. Consistent atmoblack with excellent synth melodies and epicness.
Various Artists Back in Black (Redux)
We must have been really good this year, otherwise I don't think we deserve this miracle. I never thought an entire album of AC/DC covers can be so much fun. This is about nothing but pure fun! Red Fang's take on "Hells Bells" the best cover ever.
Ved Buens Ende Written In Waters
Veligor Shadow of forgotten Realm
Venom Warhead
Huge single, and a very important one. Why am I saying this? Because the song, "Warhead", is basically birthed the "essence" (or quintessence?) of the sound of Bathory!
Venom Prime Evil
The "Demolition Years' had a great start with this release, which not just sounds really good, but also showcases the band's 'refreshment': braver and punchier songwriting (not to mention that Tony's lyrics are a lot better! Mega album!
Venom The Waste Lands
One of my favourites fromin their discography. I love the synths and the oriental-ish melodies here and there and the more "layered" structure of the songs presented here. The production is not as thick like on the first two Demolition-era albums, but it's still a very-very well-executed NWOBHM album! All songs starting with the letter "C" are one of their best songs! "Crucified" is my jam!
Venom Inc. Avé
Vindland Hanter Savet
Vinterdvala Historien om de sju trollgubbarna
True to burzumish traditions. It's like the early Burzum meets the modern ambient albums, with some extra field recordings. Fantastic, what a gem!
Vitamin X About To Crack
Vlad Tepes / Belketre March To The Black Holocaust
Probably the best release from the Les Légions Noires, a definite icon in the raw black metal genre. These riffs are fire, and altogether the whole split feels very balanced, and bears all the characteristics of an outstanding black metal record from the early '90s. I daresay: in terms of quailty, this is in the same league with the Unholy Trinity.
Vlakolak Mekrevtrozmbreh
Despite the minimalistic approach, Vlakolak stands as a really effectively scary project within the dungeon synth scene. This type of spookiness is really original, and I was hooked by its dense and cryptic atmosphere instantly.
Voslaarum Spirits of Xavara
Wake Confluence
More of this please - whatever is it! Post-metal with some... uh, grind? Anyway, this EP with the weird Windows logo is great.
Wallachian Cobwebs Hearken to the Moon Whisper
Wampyric Rites Reflections Of A Frostbitten Moon
Wampyric Rites Demo II
Wampyric Rites .​.​.​In The Desolate Forest of Eternity
Warmoon Lord Battlespells
Warmoon Lord/Lord Vrajitor effortlessly made yet another atmoblack masterpiece, like it's nothing. Trve '90s worship both in style and in production. LOTS of synths and the finest riffs you can find... among the best atmoblack releases in this year.
Warmoon Lord Sacrosanct Demonopathy
Damn, this goes mega hard! This is peak atmo-meloblack... the riffs and the atmosphere is so elegant, evil and triumphant! This is a grower.
Warmoon Lord / Vultyrium Pure Cold Impurity
Split of the year everybody. Two very similarly and consistently good projects found each other, and the result simply slaps. The slightly atmospheric, traditional second wave heavy-riffing yet melodic style worked really well for both of them, and the album doesn't leave you anything to complain about.
Weakling Dead as Dreams
Wehmut Wehmut
Great DSBM album, which blend a little post-rock into the overall picture.
West End Motel Bad with Names, Good with Faces​.
White Stones Kuarahy
Great jam! I really dig the guitars, the overdrive matches surprisingly well to the album's old-schoolish style. Great riffs (the proggy parts are tasty!), great production.
White Ward Love Exchange Failure
Willie Colon Lo Mato
Wilsumnes Upon the Altar of Sacrificial Blood
Windir 1184
Super solid, riff-centric meloblack release with just right amount of synths involved.
Windir Sogneriket
Windir Likferd
Very solid meloblack release, and soundwise the least "Windirish" album in the discography due to the more riff-centric compositions and the better production. Also a side note: I'm pretty sure Rune Eriksen's style influenced some riffs on this album, which is a great thing. (I could be wrong though, I just feel this way.)
Windir Det Gamle Riket
Short but ripper demo. Valfar's vocals were the most powerful in this demo in the entire discography. Moreover, it's quite pleasant to hear how the earliest versions of certain songs sounded like in a more raw and grim way.
Windir Valfar, Ein Windir
Very nice compilation which greatly summarized the Windir discography, and added some shockingly surprising fun into it. (Yes, I'm speaking about E-Head's cover of "Mørkets fyrste", haha.)
winter woods Bewitched In Black Moonlight
winter woods Mountain Of Unknown Gods
Winterlandschaft L'obscurité
Witan Alchemy
Very relaxing, minimalistic, sometimes drone-ish generative ambient release, with bits of dungeon synth elements and aesthetics. The usage of reverb is very gentle, yet everything sounds huge - which is a rare thing! If you'd like to have an ethereal, relaxative, yet not exactly monotonous ambient record to ease your nerves - then you can't go wrong with this one.
Witch Witch
Super fun stoner metal/droom record. Simply: a good time guaranteed.
Witch Tomb Witch Tomb
Witch Tomb Incantation
Witchfinder General Death Penalty
(Nice cover). Really fun blend of doom and NWOBHM, a good time guaranteed.
Witchfinder General Friends Of Hell
So much fun!
Witchfinder General Soviet Invasion
Raw and unpolished ancient doom. Yes, it is doom! A little time capsule from a transitional age where true doom metal wasn't born yet - at least, before the emergence of the big four of doom. Short but sweet EP with a truly charming old-school vibe.
Wobbler Dwellers of the Deep
Wolves in the Throne Room Thrice Woven
Wolves in the Throne Room Celestial Lineage
Wolves in the Throne Room Celestite
Wolves in the Throne Room Primordial Arcana
Best Wolves In The Throne Room release, without a doubt. They managed to mix their earlier sound and their more modern sound, which resulted in a synergy. This turned out to a bit folkish, bit heavier (the similarities to the punchiest Scandinavian riffs are very obvious), yet a very modern-sounding release (hats off for the great production). However, sometimes it felt they could have cut some of these songs shorter and add one or two other songs, because in my opinion there were some clear filler parts in songs like "Through Eternal Fields" and "Underworld Aurora", for example. And as the most positive thing: the song "Masters of Rain and Storm" near perfection! Probably their very best song too? Also, I'm happy they closed the album with an enchanting ambient piece. I'm satisfied.
Wolves in the Throne Room Crypt of Ancestral Knowledge
Excellent material, just as expected. Shame it is so short. "Beholden to Clan" is one of their best ones!
Wolves in the Throne Room Demo
Finally this is available on the streaming platforms. Guess what? WitTR is good in raw black as well.
Wongraven Fjelltronen
Worm Bluenothing
Awesome atmo-death/black EP, with lots of solos and spacey atmosphere.
Wormrot Hiss
Super solid, consistent and very balanced grindcore release. The album has a certain terrifying atmosphere too (sometimes DSBM-ish as well, weird take I know), especially when the chaotic violins make an appearance. Lots of pinnacles: "Seizures", "Grieve", "Sea Of Disease" and "Glass Shards" are all fascinating. Might be a grower.
Wraith (USA-IN) Absolute Power
Wretched Lament A Portrait of the Plague Age
The "plague synth" album of 2020. In the steps of Foolish Fire, Wretched Lament presented the perfectly depressed, empty, mysterious and "shockingly real sound" of a pandemia. Personally I loved the classical gregorian chant samples, they gave it a certain liturgical and sacred touch, plus the deep dones made this release somehow... doomed.
Wyrmwoods No Sun nor Moon
Mind: blown. This is very hard to digest, some kind of mixture of modern jazz and extreme metal (mostly atmospheric black metal. A very complex, bizarre (schizophrenic even) release, which somehow manages to maintain an insanely smooth flow. Terrific, I've never heard anything like this before. (What a year for avant-garde!)
Xasthur Telepathic With The Deceased
Xasthur Nocturnal Poisoning
Xasthur A Darkened Winter
Mysterious and haunting. Very impressive for a first demo.
Xasthur To Violate the Oblivious
" Walker of Dissonant Worlds" could be part of the "soundtrack of my life" unpleasantly often... yet I feel connected to it. Outstanding DSBM release, and definitely one of the bests in the Xasthur discography.
YOB Our Raw Heart
Yoshiko Sai Taiji no Yume
Zabbeth Zabbeth
Sick Bathory-worship album, the highly similar riffs and sound immediately sold it for me. Malta's one-man band respectfully followed Quorthon's legacy and presented one of the most fun records in 2022. ONLY FIRST WAVE IS REAL!
Zake zakè (扎克)
Humble little drone piece, which greatly represents my overall taste in the genre. The light, spacey, dreamy tracks with minimal and pulsating textures make this a pleasant massage for the mind!
Zoltan Kodaly Summer Night & Concerto for Orchestra
It's been a while the last time I listened to Kodály, and it felt great to do that so. 'Nyári este' is especially awesome.
Zulu A New Tomorrow
Shockingly entertaining "mess".
Zyklon-B Blood Must Be Shed
Aldrahn, Samoth, Ihsahn, and Frost in the same album... Mad riffs, machinegun drums, insane and terrifying lyrics, and haunting synths - all together, an uniquely evil atmosphere has been created. Essential BM demo.

3.5 great
Heaume Mortal Solstices
...and Oceans The Symmetry of I - The Circle of O
...and Oceans As in Gardens, So in Tombs
Pleasant symphonic black metal album, however it's definitely not as punchy as Cosmic World Mother was - and I kinda miss that.
1349 The Wolf and the King
It was supers strong in the beginning, but it lost a bit of punch towards the end. Otherwise this was a pretty good continuation of their recent albums (previous two).
1349 Liberation
Fast, fierce mosquito-guitar black metal. Very solid debut album!
36 Music for Isolation
The title says it all: this is a simplistic, and comfortably melancholic drone album. And I think it captured really well that certain mood the artist aimed for.
77 Bright Gloom
A Compendium of Curiosities The Resting Place of Dreams
A very pleasant chiptune dungeon synth. I kinda sensed both old-school and neo-medieval elements in this album, which is a great thing.
Abandoned Places The Funereal Call
Abbath Abbath
Abehrum Ineffable
Abigor Leytmotif Luzifer
Great album, I also dig this concept too. Sounds great, but not that "amazingly great", or technical.
Abime Échos de Gloire
Absurd (GER) Der Fünfzehnjährige Krieg
Punk black metal with bits of... German folk influences, I guess. There is nothing brilliant here (pretty much just a bunch of songs with 2-3 chord riffs), but the production quality and the great mixing of the vocals adds a lot to the album's quality. And yeah, "Mourning Soul" is a sneaky earworm, dammit!
Abul Mogard Above All Dreams
I love the minimalist conception, the great textures and the ethereal sound.
AC/DC High Voltage
AC/DC Live At River Plate
Act of Impalement Infernal Ordinance
Gritty death/thrash/crust filth... with some absolute hidden gems like Specters of Unlight. Nasty!
Aequorea Tellurian
Pretty good mostly instrumental-centric album. Tons of solid riffs, but "not quite there yet".
Aerials 4 dead flies
I need more Castlevania C64...!
Afsky I Stilhed
Afsky switched to "Kveldssanger-mode", but without vocals. Only acoustic guitar and the feels, so be ready for heavy melancholia.
Aftoktonia Through Nebulae of the Empyrean Aether
Quite synth-driven atmoblack, but interestingly, this album "opposes" the average very dense sound. Much more dynamic, contains numerous breaks (quite droney-spacey parts), so the riffing feels kinda more impactful. I liked this album. (I think this is a grower.)
Agriculture Agriculture
Promosing start for a blackgaze project. Keep up the good work! (Just please don't follow the ultra cringe Liturgy path...)
Ahab The Coral Tombs
Long and gigantic songs and... a super cool-looking cover. More seriously, The Coral Tombs is built from a quite a mixed bag of influences, varying and blending doom, sludge and post-metal. My biggest issue with it is the way too high ratio of cleaner/quieter sections, which makes it a bit hollow. Not bad, but I think they could have offered a bit more.
Ahriman Osko
Alestorm Curse of the Crystal Coconut
Not their best one, but I had great fun so there is no way I could give less than a 3.5. "We are the pirate metal drinking crew, F*CK YOU!"
Alestorm The Thunderfist Chronicles
Surprisingly decent. it definitely has some fillers, but it's generally heavier and more agressive than what they've done in the past years. And not gonna lie: the album closer banger "Mega-Supreme Treasure of the Eternal Thunderfist" feels like more like a Wizardthrone song, which is a good sign.
Alloch Nathir The Emerald Grotto
Very calm and relaxing forest synth. Worked perfecty for reading, and I think it is a great match to any other activites as well to lift up a tired spirit.
Alloxylon Still and Sombre Death
Alluste Electric star
"Let's turn on the arpeggiator and hope for the best". Quite minimalistic, has a quite melancholic and bittersweet atmosphere, and perfectly avoids turning into purple-neon cheesiness - solid Berlin school release.
Alpha Chrome Yayo Spectral Hands
When retrowave, jazz, dark ambient, electronic, classical and dance music meet... the result is this album.
Alphagohm Oneiros
This is not an easy listen. This is like an atmospheric horror soundtrack. Deep; very well done.
Amorphis Halo
Under the Red Cloud 2.0, but less colorful and meant to be too "safe".
Ancient Trolltaar
Ancient Eerily Howling Winds Demo
Ancient Svartalvheim
It was a great atmoblack album. Not flawless, but presented some good ideas and contains some really good riffs. It's a good jam time to time.
Ancient Boreal Forest A Relic From The Sands of Time
So the second release of ABF this year is another great piece even though it follows a different concept, more of a medieval and black ambient mixture... still exciting one, though.
Andariel The Coldtears of Monolith
Apogean Cyberstrictive
Pretty solid tech death album with lots of synths and it fortunately contains numerous "breaks" (little bit of ambient sections here and there). Usually I hate this style, but this was actually a really pleasant experience.
Aran Maahan Laskettu
Very pleasant wintry atmoblack release, with a (bit DSBM-ish) melancholic vibe.
Arapaima North
An interesting, noisy, haunting soundtrack of a nightmare.
Arcana Liturgia Follow the old path
God bless Arcana Liturgia for still making great dungeon synth... This album is a well composed and polished piece of magic for the ears.
Arcane Voidsplitter Voice of the Stars
Archgoat Black Mass XXX
Sick live album. Simply there is nothing to complain about: the recording quality is excellent, the crowd is barely audible and each instrument sounds crisp and alive. It is a super long set, but the track order and the general structure is very good- it is a pleasant jam. Headbanging guaranteed.
Archgoat Eternal Damnation Of Christ
Short but sweet jam. A few more song could have been better, though...
Archgoat Heavenly Vulva (Christ's Last Rites)
The Archgoat EPs are slightly less fun compared to their full-lengths, but otherwise it is still a great jam.
Ard Take Up My Bones
A quite unique post-doom record which blends a huge amount of Ulver worship into its sound: very interestingly, you can hear some elements from both Kveldssanger AND Shadows of the Sun by Ulver here, which might be a bit risky thing, but I'm really digging it. Let's start with a 3.5, but I think it's a grower.
Arkaeon Parasit
Very fast paced blackened death metal record, which probably requires several listens to fully get digested. So much stuff is going on, and they really haven't slowed down - okay, only once in the middle of "Evig Trods". This kind of music needs these slow moments, in my opinion, that's why I can't rate this higher than 3.5.
Armagedda The Final War Approaching
Very strong debut filled with old-school lots midtempo riffs. It contains some bangers like "Skogens mörka djup", "Unholy Sacrifice", "Undergång".
Armus Valley of Shadows
Ashenspire Hostile Architecture
Impressive work, finally some good wild avant-garde. However, it was a bit too hardcore-ish for me sometimes, the vocals felt out of place at certain moments (like in "Apathy as Arsenic Lethargy as Lead") and the mix is a bit strange... I mean, it doesn't feel that "full". Also: for anyone how enjoyed this, please give a go to Dodheimsgard's A Umbra Omega from 2015. That's the hot stuff. (Btw, these guys definitely have learned a thing or two from DHG, that's for sure.)
Athame (HU) Hódító (Conqueror)
Atlantean Sword Realmwalker
Pleasant album. I expected something more epic (especially from a project named like this!), but I stayed for the melancholic and wintry vibes. I also noticed some Thangorodrim elements here and there, which was also nice.
Audn Audn
It wasn't that really atmospheric, to be honest. More of a very enjoyable kind of post-black metal, and I'm really glad it exist. The self-titled track was clearly my favourite, but the whole album makes a generally strong release (the production is really nice and clear, big like for the audible bass) but it's not exactly my thing. Great debut, nonetheless.
Audn Vökudraumsins fangi
Aura Noir Hades Rise
It has some "fillers" but songs like "Unleash the Demon", "Death-Mask", "Shadows of Death" and "The Stalker" are all brilliant rippers.
Aura Noir Out to Die
Just a little bit below the excellent-mark. Aggressor's vocals are definitely not as strong as Apollyon's, which is the strongest drawback factor here. Otherwise the riffs are fire, and I'm super happy this album contains slower tracks like "The Grin from the Gallows" too. The production may feel a bit thin, but the edge of this rusty guitar-sound really counterbalanced this issue. The runtime is also perfect, so it's a great black-thrash-for-every-day album.
Autopsy Morbidity Triumphant
Pleasant old-school death metal album with a little touch of some moldy doom.
Avenged Sevenfold Life Is But A Dream...
This was instrumentally and conceptionally interesting, and personally I wholeheartedly welcomed this stylistic "shapeshift". Finally, they could step out from the "below mediocre" status with this quite unique record. I agree with everyone about the negative effect of the ...rather interesting... vocal performance, which is sometimes indeed not that good.. On the contrary, especially in the second half of the album, these vocals were quite fitting to the stylistic shift on the instrumental front. So all in all: the overall record feels surprisingly coherent, and it is a quite memorable experience (...and that something I've never thought I'd say about an Avenged Sevenfold release. Especially in a positive way.) Bold, and acceptable.
Axeman Arrive
Aylwin The Arch Holder
Pretty impressive stuff, despite it is just one 30 minutes long track. It is a "simple", yet effective, a very sweet listen - but that's all.
Azarath Diabolic Impious Evil
Ba'al The Fine Line Between Heaven and Here
Pretty good post-metal album, with some really clear Deafheaven-inspired moments. I don't really feel that sludge was the best choice to mix into the mix, though.
Bad Magick Superstition
It was a pretty fun hard rock EP, and damn, 'Cold Trip' was an extremly catchy song! I really hope these guys will come up with an LP soon, because they have great potential.
Baerdcyn Naegling
Lovely neo-folk stuff. Half improvised, half composed. It's really relaxing. If you dig Borg, you'll dig this too.
Baerdcyn The Bard's Fireside Tales
A really good instrumental neo-folk album, with strong medieval infulences. Colorful and immersive, 10/10 would jam this during D&D sessions.
Bagg Tussa баґґтусса
Bakt Hadeano
Dungeon doom with a very diverse sound. I loved the little tweaks and tricks done in the mix/master.
Baptism V: The Devil's Fire
Great riffs, and the clean vocals here and there sounds especially good - however the overall package package lacks something which would make it really memorable. Still, this is a great modern black metal release.
Basalte Vertige
Basmu Infernal Circles of the Sabbat
Bathory Twilight of the Gods
Bathory Hammerheart
Batushka Litourgiya
Batushka Raskol
A pleasant surprise, I'd say. On the slower side of the genre, and the modern edge is still in Bathuska's sound since their member-split - and personally I enjoyed it. Hospodi was more exciting in my opinion, even though I can't say it was boring or anything, especially because the vocals sound pretty interesting all the way through due to the different styles, but the overall atmopshere was great also.
Batyushka Апостол
Begging Palm Accursed Abnormal
Beherit Electric Doom Synthesis
Beherit At The Devil's Studio 1990
Filth.
Behexen By the Blessing of Satan
Besvarjelsen Frost
This is a pretty fun band. A female singer with strong soul elements combined with psychedelic doomy rock is a surprisingly great combination. Not bad-not bad, but I think they can do better too.
Bewitcher Cursed Be Thy Kingdom
Cursed Be Thy Kingdom is a quite pleasant record, it offers a slightly bluesier/playful take on the usual sound of black-speed metal. Great production, good riffs and solos and tons of fun. It really-really reminded me to Gehennah sometimes, which is a great bonus.
Bill Fisher Mass Hypnosis and the Dark Triad
Very nice doomy stoner rock album, which sometimes blends heavier tones into the overall sound. However, not every song hits that hard, but generally it is a pleasantly heavy jam, and presents Bill Fisher's other creative side - proving he can write "more metal" riffs as well. Solid bobbing material.
Black Breath Heavy Breathing
Black Label Society The Blessed Hellride
First half is a big snoozefest, but oh boy, the second half is truly special! Songs like "Blackened Waters" or "We Live No More" were absolute hits! So soulful, so... real.
Black Magick SS Rainbow Nights
Black Magick SS The Black Abyss
With a better production this could be easily another solid 4.0.
Black Magick SS Panzerwitch
Black Sabbath Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
Black Sabbath Vol. 4
Black Sabbath Live Evil
Great jam, "Live Evil" is a generally great live album. (Hearing Dio singing "Paranoid" was a really odd experience, but most of the time he performed the Ozzy-era songs well.)
Black Sabbath Dehumanizer
This riffs very hard, an aggresive album which was a surprising twist from Sabbath. Sometimes it felt more like on the Pentagram-side of doom/heavy metal, to be honest. But the production is great, the riffs and solos are spot on, and Dio's vocals are fantastic as usual. Too bad it was their last one together.
Black Usurper Shadows Of The World
Blasphemy Fallen Angel of Doom
FILTH.
Blissful Stream Dead Religious
Blood Incantation Timewave Zero
Sci-fi vibe? Check. Good flow? Check. Drones and textures? Check. I really dig the quite "winter synth"-ish slow and somnolent flow. ("Ea: Third Movement" is especially great.) Good for relaxing, or just simply played in the background for mild activities.
Blood Incantation Luminescent Bridge
More polished. Their music went through a level up here, both in death metal and ambient as well.
Blood Lord Unwelcome Guests
Blue Oyster Cult The Revölution By Night
The general "spookier" twist on this album is so charming! This is a very underrated album with overlooked gems like "Feel The Thunder" and memorably weird lyrics like in "Veins".
Blut Aus Nord The Mystical Beast of Rebellion
Blut Aus Nord Deus Salutis Meae
Blut Aus Nord Memoria Vetusta II - Dialogue With The Stars
Enjoyable melodic/prog black metal album. It's quite great, but surprisingly "inoffensive" and the mix is a bit too thin for my taste.
Bo Hansson Music Inspired by Lord Of The Rings
It was so relaxing I almost fell asleep. Interesting jazzy prog rock/electronic/ambient/whatever album.
Bolzer Lese Majesty
Probably the most experimental piece in the discography, and to be honest: not every element was a succesful decision (e.g. I hated the whistling so much, and this EP contains way too much clean singing). However, adding ambient to the overall sound was an excellent idea, it adds a lot to the atmosphere, and of course: the riffs are superb as usual.
Bone Awl An Obelisk Marks the Line
Boru Inertia
Botanist Ecosystem
Brii Sem Propósito
When you want to listen to a minimal techno, a black metal and a psychedelic rock album at once. It doesn't make much sense, but actually it kinda does.
Bronze Hall Honor & Steel
Strong debut, great mid-tempo black metal black metal with strong viking-era Bathory vibes and riffs.
Budgie Impeckable
Black cat on the cover guarantees that I'll like it. It's a very pleasant, soft hard rock album with bits of 'Sabbath elements.
Burzum Fallen
Burzum Daudi Baldrs
Burzum The Ways of Yore
Burzum Burzum
Burzum Draugen - Rarities
Burzygory Burzygóry
Very mixed bag, but sounds very nice! Some mellow folk here and there, more epic soundscapes and sinister sections - Burzygory's self-titled has them all! A bit short, but the variety within is exceptional.
Butcher 666 Goats Carry My Chariot
It was fun. Especially the title track slaps hard. Sometimes felt a bit samey, but it was nice to hear the good ol' speed metal spirit alive.
Cain (RUS) Notforgiven
Cairdeas Fala Sons of the North
Pretty coold Scottish (/Australian?) black metal, which somewhere in between atmoblack and midtempo second wave stuff. It's pretty good, however a few songs feel a bit long and samey after a while, but it is surely a the better kind of BM.
Calderum The solace path
Pretty good punkish raw black metal / old-school dark ambient album. Great riffs, dense atmosphere.
Calderum Mystical Fortress of Iberian Lands
Solid raw black metal / dungeon synth record. Truly old-school work, this will hit harder during winter! "The enchanted forest" is the best (Gothmog / Depressive Silence / nostlagic oldie RPG soundtrack vibes).
Candlemass Candlemass
Less exciting than their first few, but alltogether this is HEAVY as fuck. Messiah was the best singer of Candlemass.
Candlemass Ancient Dreams
Carach Angren Dance and Laugh Amongst the Rotten
Carpathian Forest Rehearsal 1992
Carpathian Forest Likeim
The clean Nattefrost also rules. Despite the general strong criticism about this short EP, this is still a nice output. Heavily hard rock influenced BM, which always highly appreciated by me.
Casimir Liberski Cosmic Liberty
NES soundtracks meet some sweet jazz. Great stuff!
Castellan Demo I
A dungeon synth album which embodies exactly what I do love in dungeon synth. Very well done.
Castlesiege The Council of Trees
Lovely dungeon synth release, which could easily work as a soundtrack for an old-school videogame. (Do you guys remember to the Cultures games?). Playful, but not cheesy, and don't expect epic moments here: just the blissful aura of a magical forest.
Caustic Wound Death Posture
100% what Bedex said. Not far from a 4.0 though.
Caverna Passages of the Endless Quest
Droney soundscapes and bits of Berlin-school electronics: I really like this branch of dungeon synth. Finally some original sounds, and the result could work well as a soundtrack for an RPG videogame (very garascore!). I didn't like the mastering, because everything was unnecessarily quiet for some reason - but on higher volumes this sounds very-very good.
Celtic Frost Into the Pandemonium
Great riffs and all, but there is way too much filler on this album.
Cepheide Les Echappées
This is definitely among the better kind of blackgaze releases. Les Echappées is a quite colorful album with plenty of atmosphere. While it suffers from the typical post-metal-boringness a little bit, but fortunately the album balances that flaw with great dissonant chords (Mystískaos worship?), deep reverby production (also synths! and not to mention the very pleasant flow, and good drumming. The album closer, La Nausée, is an especially great blackgaze piece.
Chat Pile God's Country
Damn, this was filthy and very uneasy to listen to: I like it! No fillers, just the vortex of noisy rock with punchy industrial/sludge metal(?) and shockingly audible lyrical content.
Chaucerian Myth The Canterbury Tales
Chaucerian Myth Troilus and Criseyde
Chaucerian Myth Chaucerian Legends: The Epic of Beileag, Part II
Chaucerian Myth The Faerie Queene
Chaucerian Myth St. George and the Dragon
A bit back to the eariler style: more odd synths and neo-classical themes. I didn't like "The Dragon" that much as the other two compostions, but it was still a pleasant album. Good to see that Chaucerian Myth is still active!
Chihei Hatakeyama Minima Moralia
Very well made ambient album, which could help me relax a bit in very stressy times. I especially liked the involvement of real instruments, and many other artists should do that, imo. I couldn't pay full attention to it, but I think I will eventually bump up my rating in the future.
Cholosus Way Of Life
Cimerion Contresort
Truly great dungeon synth album, which combines the old-school style with some light Berlin-school electronics. Excellent background music for reading, gaming and working.
Cimitir Bloodcurdling Sounds
Very solid cryptwave / dark ambient album with tasty spooky melodies and noises. Bonus points for that worn-tape-sound, which makes this stuff extra haunting.
Cirith Ungol Forever Black
This was pretty exciting! Too bad that the vocals and the drumming is a bit boring after a while... But the riffs, gentlemen, the riffs!!!
Cirith Ungol Paradise Lost
Strong album, but it feels a bit weaker at the end. Don't get me wrong, this is a truly great album which is especially strong in the middle. The production could have been a bit more polished, though.
Civerous Decrepit Flesh Relic
This is like Gatecreeper and Spectral Voice combined: brutally slapping yet very atmospheric death/doom with hints of black metal in it! "Spiral of Eyes" is pure masterclass (the psychedelic vibe in the clean section with the string instruments is majestic af). These guys have lots of potential!
Civerous Maze Envy
Slapper, huge sound, nice synths. Great modern death metal album - and that's it, I guess(?)
Clairvoyance Chasm of Immurement
Absolute unit of every-day-death-metal. Great mix, great balance between the slower and faster parts, great runtime. Nothing mind-blowing here, though.
Cobalt Gin
Songs like "Stomach" go very hard, but I'm not feeling the album itself that much.
Conan Monnos
Slow and really heavy. Conan's debut is a really slow sludge/doom record, which sometimes steps into drone metal territories too. Risky direction, as this might feel very boring for many listeners (and honestly in some moments it is kinda boring). Not perfect, but still an enjoyable album.
Conan Blood Eagle
Concubia Nocte Mohyly
I love every moment of this EP: starts with an old-school dungeon synth song, and turns into a fantastically well-flowing second wave BM worship. Shame they split-up according to Metallum.
Coniferous Myst To Vast Overseas Castles
Very dreamesque dungeon synth with a very slow, droney flow and raw, old-school sound - so in the usual Coniferous Myst style. This is a very relaxing album, which helps to slow down a little bit.
Conqueror's Mourn No More for the Battletrance
Dungeon (synth?) music, especially focusing on real instruments and various samples. Through the modified/stretched/whatever sounds this project's mastermind managed to present an exciting and very unique product. Personally No More for the Balltetrance meant a very refreshing listening experience even though it contains melancholic tunes most of the time. A very nice farewell album.
Converge Axe to Fall
Coroner R.I.P.
This was great fun. Not their strongest, but still a mega solid tech thrash album. (I loved the opener so much! More ambient, please!)
Cream Disraeli Gears
It was great, literally. I wouldn't say it was the very best from what I've heard from Clapton, though. (It'll be a great background album when some friends come over.)
Crimson Tower Aeternal Abyss
A really great quality debut, with some shockingly fantastic songs. Especially I mean "Witching Me" and "Candelabrum" - the melodies, the riffs, that medieval folk section in the former and the super fun vocals...! It sounds a bit cobwebby and bit low-budget, but the album offers is pure FUN. Whenever they'll enter the studio, I'm sure their next creation slay - still, very-very promising debut.
Crippled Fox In The Name Of Thrash
This is some real fun crossover thrash. Perfectly straight-forward, spiced with weird samples, but most importantly: these guys riff hard!
Criptadel / Toadlickers Tabernaculum
Finally, one of my favourite dungeon synth acts is back! Exactly those vibes I really hoped for, the same satisfying "underground" music with goblins and trolls! 5/5 barf at the end of the title track. But man, this was too short!
Crowbar Zero And Below
At first this seemed to be a strong 4.0, but the second half of the album was less memorable as expected (except the closer track, that was great!). Alltogheter 'Zero And Below' offers a really strong package, it just comes with a few hit'n'miss tracks, but hey, this got the riffs!
Crypt Master Reign of Decay
Cult of Luna Cult of Luna
Curse Upon A Prayer The Three Woes
Modern black metal rarely sounds this good - but this "theatrical" sound convinced me.
Dahlia's Tear Through the Nightfall Grandeur
Damaar Triumph Through Spears Of Sacrilege
Filthy, unlimited anger. Listen to this instead of Revenge, dudes.
Dark Cavern Dungeon Of Solitude
Dark Fortress Spectres from the Old World
Good stuff, the similarities to the Blasphemer-era Mayhem's and Mastodon's style are nice. Not bad!
Dark Funeral The Secrets of the Black Arts
Very consistent, "you get exactly what you wanted" type of meloblack.
Dark Funeral Where Shadows Forever Reign
A well-executed Dark Funeral album, with some really good songs, such as "Unchain My Soul" or "Beast Above Man". Another proof that the "blue era" albums are better than the "red ones".
Dark Vestige Songs From Saint Andrews Chapel
This is a dark, yet somewhat relaxing and highly atmospheric release, and I especially liked the medieval and middle-Eastern influences.
Dark Watcher Dark Watcher
This is pretty cool. Americana and black metal? I did not expect this could work so well together.
Dark Watcher Hymns Of A Godless Land
Normally americana is not exactly my thing - but Dark Watcher did it again: presenting it in the form that I can truly enjoy: black western! The clean(er) guitars always deliver the targeted "spice" (I am a big fan of that), and of course: this riffs! Grab your hat and your revolver, because things will get serious!
Darkthrone Circle the Wagons
Darkthrone Sempiternal Past - The Darkthrone Demos
Darkthrone Transilvanian Hunger
Darkthrone Thulcandra
Darkthrone Eternal Hails
Other than the expected "doomthrone" riffs, Eternal Hails turned out something really new. The Norwegian duo put together a very exciting old-school metal record, and induced some unexpected elements into their sound (bits of clean guitars and SYNTHS for example). But of course: riffs which will be remembered eternally.
David Edren Music For Mimosa Pudica & Codariocalyx
Great plant-insipred electronic release! Greatly dinamic, a very enjoyable listen.
Deadlife Monotonous Sounds of Sadness
Death Scream Bloody Gore
Deathfiend Beyond Life
Nasty, gritty crust/death/black mixture. A bit short, but that specific Hellhammer flavour is my Achilles-heel... 10/10 would break my neck if I could see 'em live.
Demolition Hammer Tortured Existence
It's a nice thrash album, but isn't that exciting as their masterpiece from '92.
Dengue Dengue Dengue Siete Raices
Dethklok Dethalbum III
Deviants Legion
Quite fun album from Chile(!). The duo's attempt to resurrect the sound of a very early era of death metal was a quite challenging, aaaaand I think they actually succeeded. Very old-scool, and sounds cool.
Devil Master Ecstasies of Never Ending Night
Interesting to note their singles were the least interesting songs on the album. It's still fun, especially the last three songs were my favourites, but in my opinion the observable tendency of getting more and more "polished" isn't the right path for this band. I miss the gritty, cobwebby raw spook like what was in the Manifestations demo compilation.
Deviser Evil Summons Evil
At the doorstep of excellence. The Greek black metal veterans have finally presented something after a twelve years-long break with a very enjoyable modern melodic black metal release. The amazing catchy riffs are something really special (for example "When the Lights Went Out" is such an earworm like a Rotting Christ classic), but unfortunately the final product is not completely balanced. I'd say, especially the extra symphonic elements and choirs were absolutely unnecessay and discouraging... just like in the latest Dimmo Borgir releases: these elements are clearly not good and feel very kitschy. Unbalanced, but despite these flaws, it's a promising release.
Diablery Candles
Really diverse work from the Greek black metallers. Lots of influentes can be heard, organized into a very straight-forward meloblack attack. Bits of melodic bridges, bits of dissonant chords, bits of folkish chants, bits of solos and a somewhat great production. However, it's a bit too long as well (above the one hour runtime) so it felt tiring after "The Piercing Ice".
Diabolicum The Grandeur of Hell (Soli Satanae Gloriam)
Pretty good early industrial/black metal album, which gets more atmospheric (and better) towards the end.
DIM (CA) Steeped Sky, Stained Light
Very relaxing, minimalistic, ethereal ambient album. But with a twist: with a female church chorus in the spotlight. Cool samples!
Dio Dream Evil
Dio Lock Up The Wolves
Distressor Momentary
Simply lovely shoegaze record. Nothing fancy here, just simply very-well written music with a very pleasant mix.
Dodheimsgard Monumental Possession
Great album, but somehow I feel "less could have been more".
Dohlmen Dohlmen
Yes, some great doom! The obvious Sabbath, Pentagram etc. influences are clear from the very beginning, however the vocal front really stood out for me, because it felt so thrash metal-ish, but it worked out well with this style as well. Good production and generally I liked their style. (But stuff like jumping between minor and major chords f.e. in the first song was not gusta.)
Dolch Yggdrasil...Nature...Anthems
Dopelord Reality Dagger
Dopelord Sign Of The Devil
Basically another fuzz-fueled stoner/doom jam, with some earthworm songs, like "Heathen". It's fun, nothing else.
Dormant Ordeal Tooth and Nail
This is cool and all, but we've heard many more albums like this. These guys have great songwriting-skills, but this album wasn't that exciting for me. (And I don't get the cover art - where and what is the concept?)
Dracula Black Wings Over Transylvania
Sweet heavy metal EP, sounds exactly like unreleased Mercyful Fate stuff.
Dragged Into Sunlight Terminal Aggressor II
Super sinister noise/doomblack combo, whichwas a bit too short (even though it is 28 minutes long)! I could listen to some more, tbh. Anyway, it was definitely an interesting listen, and I'll keep an eye on these guys in the future.
Dream Division Legend Of Lizard Lake
Your soundtrack for a casual dungeon-dwelling AD&D campaign is here.
Driftloss Derealization
Sweet dark ambient album with richly textured sounds and noises. The more rhytmical sections were quite nice, and positively affected the album's flow. Definitely a great one.
Drowning the Light A Gleam in the Eye of Set
Druad Vast Beneath the Skies
Druadan Forest The Loremasters Time
Drudkh They Often See Dreams About The Spring
Modern sounding Drudkh, with strong riffs and a darker atmosphere, but it still lacks something, though... very enjoyable, nonetheless.
Dubioza Kolektiv Happy Machine
Dwalin Sorcery & Might
Tbh, this is the first Dwalin album I enjoyed all the way through. Basically the album sounds like Summoning, but just only the percussions and synths - and I really-really liked it!
Dying Fetus Destroy the Opposition
Sounds much better than Killing On Adrenailne, but it still falls behind to the debut in terms of excitement.
Earthencloak Commune of the Gnomes
Ecclesia Ecclesia Militans
Very fun power/doom metal with an unique conception and a very exciting sound (it's kinda proggy, I swear). I sense a grower.
Echoes of Oblivion The Fall of All Morality
Very nice dungeon doom album. Despite this has a very grim atmosphere, the music itself is quite ethereal, pleasantly straight-forward - excellent music for daydreaming or reading.
Edoras Lands of Shadows
It may seem very boring, but I really liked the minimalistic perspective of this album.
Elder (USA-MA) Omens
Electric Wizard Dopethrone
Elffor The Black Sentinel
One of the better Elffor releases! Freezing cold riffs, and a pleasantly "dim" sound - like standing in a blizzard!
Elyvilon Drums in the Deepwood
Good dungeon synth album with a strong focus on percussion. Soundwise, it's somewhere between Morttis and Criptadel, but perhaps a bit closer to Mortiis' neo-classical side.
Emperor In the Nightside Eclipse
Emperor As the Shadows Rise
Empyreal Forest Divinations
The resemblances in style and in aesthetics to Depressive Silence made me like this instantly. Feels really old-school!
Emyn Muil Túrin Turambar Dagnir Glaurunga
Enforced At The Walls
Arh, this breaks my neck!! But it was basically: *Enforced:* "Can I copy your homework?" *Power Trip:* "Yeah just change it up a bit so it doesn't look obvious you copied."
Enforced Kill Grid
Super solid riff storm, with tight production. However, I felt this didn't really have outstanding songs, which in some way means it is consistently great, but in the other hand, it also means a certain "boredom" encoded in the album's DNA. Great fun, though.
Enslaved Yggdrasil
Erang Tome I
Erang A Blaze In Time
Erang's latest is a mix between dungeon synth and neoclassical, but the very "retro VHS" vibe and sound connects it all together. A personal/emotional concept album, which managed to capture the intended flow of feelings: starting from the upbeat dreamy and fantastical soundscapes, to arrive to deep melancholy (of course with lots of pianos). Might be a grower.
Erzebet La Ira del Infierno
You don't hear black metal albums from Columbia really often, but it turns out: Erzebet is a great band, which deserves some attention. Nice raw black metal EP with a really '90s-ish sound and great riffs.
Esoctrilihum Ghostigmatah – Spiritual Rites...
Ghostigmatah ? Spiritual Rites of the Psychopomp Abxulm is another gigantic Esoctrilihum release, but not another flawless one. Ashtagul should finally admit: he can't sing well, and it feels awkward to listen to his efforts. Otherwise, this album doesn't feel that new as expected, but still, it contains some really brutal ("The Cosmic Deathbringer Comes, Riding A Bloody Horse Of Goshenite") or interesting ("Supplication Of The Veiled Saint From The Secret Book Of The Ghostigmatah Rites") songs too. But in general: this album feels a bit samey, but still delivers the typical Esoctrilihum-level madness!
Esoteric A Pyrrhic Existence
Estve Az enyészet ajtaja
Nice raw black metal demo, especially the "passionate" vocals are somewhat extraordinary. Generally, this band has some potential!
Eternal Champion Ravening Iron
Fun, but far less energic than the previous LP. Still worths to give this a few spins, because the guitarwork is excellent (=tons of tasty riffs).
Eternal Fear Ancient Woods
Europe War of Kings
Evilfeast Funeral Sorcery
Evilnox Songs Of Oblivion
Evilnox's latest is an exciting, strongly folk-oriented dungeon synth release, and I liked it. Lots of interesting folk instruments, deep drones and sound samples from old videogames... I bet it was lots of fun making it!
Evoken Antithesis of Light
Excilibrius Haunted Lands
Good stuff, it has that lovely Fief-ish vibe, but with more dynamic and dramatic / kinda cinematic sound. If there is an album which wound be perfect for a Diablo-copy, then this is it.
Exhumed Slaughtercult
Less fun than the debut, but still a damn solid goregrind album. The last songs slap really hard!
Exhumed Worming
That "Heartwork"-alike riff and guitar tone in the beginning... awesome! Fun little EP, but that's pretty much everything I could say about this. Go and make an LP instead!
Exhumed To The Dead
This goes very well with Necroticism: Descanting the Insalubrious by Carcass. Fun and riffs hard = strong 3.5.
Exhumed/Gruesome Twisted Horror
Eximperitus... Sahrartu
Unlike other bands with such "meme" names, this is actually fairly entertaining. Also, the "atmospheric death metal" tag is pretty accurate: it has some slower, ambient/doom moments, which fires up the usually boring chug-chugs, like in "Inqirad". Surprisingly good stuff.
Expander Neuropunk Boostergang
This sounds like punk, prog metal mixed together having Bryan Giles on vocals from Red Fang. It was fun, and definitely some original material, but in the end it gets a little bit too samey - especially because each song uses the same formula. That crust punk riff in the s/t track slaps so hard...!
Fabled Black Rider In The Garden Of The Wizard
A short yet very interesting release. Very minimalistic: two tracks of super chill synth music, and the rest is like some form of "music ASMR" - perhaps some xilophone/marimba-like instruments with noises made with some sticks(?), I'm not sure, but it was a very relaxing experience.
Falls of Rauros Patterns in Mythology
False Figure A Promised End
Fattyu Ritu Paganorum
Fief V
Fief VI
Fief never disappoints. The expected medieval ambient greatness with a little "extra" at the end.
Fiendish Imp All Hallows Eve EP
Fire Magic Memories of Fire
Pretty great meloblack with some heavy metal influences. Mostly the album contains fast tremolo riffing and blast beats, but here and there you can hear some additional galloping riffs or acoustic parts - which is a significant spicing! I think e.g. more mid-tempo sections could have been better, because half of the album is kinda samey. But this is a very pleasant release. What's next?
Firienholt The Crownless
Firienholt By the Waters of Awakening
A very relaxing atmoblack journey to the unknown lands. The Tolkien-inspired Firenholt's debut is massively synth-driven, has a gorgeous, uplifting and magical atmosphere, with bits of Summoning and Caladan Brood-worship.
Firtan Marter
A better kind of modern black metal release. Fortunately Marter isn't one from the a post-metal-soaked-bullshit-type, so it was quite enjoyable. However, it felt a bit "hollow", so I rarely felt those outstanding moments when I could think "damn, this slays" (ofc there are some, like the second half of "Odem" or the closer track); but altogether it was still enjoyable since the riffs were cool, and the vocals reminded me to WitTR.
Flail Snail Spring Awakening
Fluisteraars Bloem
The cover art tempted me to check this, and was no disappointment. I liked the interesting mix having the bass so loud, and the post-black-ish vibe fortunately did not blunt the listening experience. One last note: personally I feel a little bit more gain could have been better on the guitars.
Foetus Nail
Great album, not that weird like what I expected. The full instrumental songs were the best imo (the opener was SO great!), and I liked the rest of it too, however I found one-two songs a bit annoying and overlong. The vocals are nice and wild, fits very well to this style. And the various samples sounded simply awesome, nice work!
Fogweaver Fogweaver
Fogweaver Spellwind
The comfortably melancholic atmosphere which fills the album is very captivating, and personally I found it very relaxing. A rather slow dungeon synth release, which even tough is very well composed, suffers from being a bit too samey.
Foolish Fire The Culture of Loss
Very moody, melancholic and depressing - yet an enjoyable listen, has a very unique atmosphere. The "plague synth" tag is very accurate.
Foolish Fire Grief as a Passion
Forest Altar Contemplation
Forest Shrine Forest Shrine
Very relaxing dungeon synth (and a bit of atmoblack) release. It was a very enjoyable listen, I liked the production but most especially the overall (kinda old-school) atmosphere of it.
Forest Silence The Third Winter
Forest Wanderer A Tribute To Burzum
Forgjord Ruumissaarna pt. 2
Since I have no idea what's the main concept of the album, I'll focus only on what can be heard here... But I really like it! Cold and savage, and you can never predict what comes next: that's what I like about Frgjord. Raw and more or less unorthodox. The haunting synths were exceptionally effective.
FossaDelRumore Tafari
This was a very interesting album, very unique: a shady mix of classic drone music with industrial elements, with a strong rhythm section which is very close to tribal music. The whole thing is a pulsating, hypnotising mixture. Very interesting.
Frost (HU) Deathtree Mystery
Frost (HU) Consecratus Ad Mortem
Solid meloblack usually running on mid-tempo. It's a pleasant background music, but I believe these guys are much better live.
Frost-Rimed Iron The Fire of Conquest
This sounds exactly like the soundtrack of an old-school RPG. Each instrument brings back that special vibe of the early 2000s, and that's the only down-side of the release as well: it gets a bit samey after a while. (One extra note: some instruments sound a bit tweaked reaching higher octaves, which was weird.)
Frozen Winds Necromantic Arts
Fulci Opening The Hell Gates
Pretty great debut, but too slammy here and there, and the pig-squels are meh. But the guitars sound huge!
Funeral Tears The World We Lost
Fustilarian All This Promiscuous Decadence
The example for a well-executed modern-sounding black metal release. The riffs speak for themselves, while the production is very-very tight and clean. A very straight-forward work, so don't expect atmospheric passages or whatsoever. A noteworthy debut!
Gaahls Wyrd Bergen Nov '15
Gargoyle (IT) Hail to the Necrodoom
Great blend of Devil Master, Mortuary Drape and Darkthrone. Bits of death rockish, bit punky black metal-kind-of-an-album.
Gatecreeper Sweltering Madness
Gatecreeper Gatecreeper
Gelure The Candlelight Tomes
This is a fine dungeon synth album. I have heard better and worse, but the essential magical aura is present. I had a very odd feeling listening to this, like a constant deja vu, as it felt I've heard this previously but I certainly didn't.
Ghost (SWE) If You Have Ghost
Ghost (SWE) Opus Eponymous
Ghost (SWE) Impera
Let's start with a 3.5. Impera is a very two-faced album: it's either very good, or embarassing, but definitely the good side weighs more. When the '80s worship is in action (where you'll hear classic heavy metal, hard rock and pop rock) the album delivers ultra catchy melodies, and re-creates that sweet old-school vibe. But there is the bad side... other than "Call Me Little Sunshine", the singles are shit. For real, those songs are not great at all. Also there is "Darkness at the Heart of My Love" which is a shockingly cringe pop song and totally feels out of place. Not to mention, the James Bond soundtrack wannabe classical sections totally broke the flow as well. If this could have been an entirely "'80s magic worship" album by Ghost, then there'd be nothing to complain about. But when it's good, it's *very* good!
Ghost Veil Sleeping Garden
Glass Sigils Self​-​Titled
Glistening #38 'Half Empty'
Glory In The Shadows Glory In The Shadows
Gloryhammer Space 1992: Rise of the Chaos Wizards
Gloryhammer Legends From Beyond the Galactic Terror.
Gnipahalan / Evilfeast Split
Raw atmoblack 2021 edition. Previously, I never heard about Gnipahalan eariler, but in this split I think I have a good reason to find out more. Evilfeast presented another fantastic and majestic piece with strong riffs and splendid atmosphere. (Please release a new LP already!)
Goblin Priest Dank Vision Sewer Crawl
Super good chiptune dungeon synth release, probably one of the bests I've heard. Sounds exactly like an old video game soundtrack. Very energic and the old-school aesthetics are spot on.
Gorgoroth Pentagram
There is a quite big contrast between the two halves of this album: personally I found the first half quite boring, meanwhile I greatly enjoyed the second half - more variety, especially in tempo and simply better riffs. However, Hat's vocals were solid all the way through.
Gorgoroth Incipit Satan
Braver attempt, but personally I totally dig this experimental / death metal blend in black metal. Gaahl's performance adds an extra spicy flavour to it. If only they'd have dared to make this weirder...
Gorgoroth Destroyer
Standing between 3.5 and 4.0, Destroyer... is a very standard black metal release, which combines pretty much all the stereotypical traits of black metal. Still an enjoyable release which sometimes gets really heavy through delivering some really solid riffs.
Gorgoroth Antichrist
Gorgoroth pretty much forged the sound of the second wave into this album. It's a very strong album, but not that original.
Gospel of the Horns Realm of the Damned
Great LP, but interestingly I found the EPs more exciting and fun than this. Great jam, though.
Gravebomb Rot In Putrid Filth
Graven Perished and Forgotten
Green Lung Black Harvest
Super fun stoner album, however it's not that great as their debut was since it feels a bit samey and personally I hoped for some experimentation. Black Harvest offers some great jams though, such as "Graveyard Sun", and the album's last two: "Doomsayer" and "Born to a Dying World". Tom Templar got some extra points from me, as his performance was simply excellent, I really liked his singing in this one.
Grim Horn Chronicles Of The Forest Temple Siege
Pleasant slow-paced neoclassical dungeon synth album, which radiates a very slumbery, mystical and sour melancholic atmosphere. Quite dreamy experience.
Gris Il Était Une Forêt...
Gruesome Twisted Prayers
Guild Of Lore Autumn Macabre
Guild Of Lore Winterstead
Guild Of Lore Storm Haven
Guild Of Lore Leaving Winterstead
Guild Of Lore Wandering Tales
100% the typical Guild Of Lore quality.
Gullinbursti Mythical Metallurgy
Nice album, sounds like the mixture of Fief and Criptadel. I kinda prefer the latter in this specific concept, but this is still a very enjoyable album!
Hajduk Свобода
Hasperim Here Lies A Kingdom In Ruins
Hate Forest Justice
Solid, but too short -- pretty much the usual flaw of any EP.
Hauntologist Hollow
Pleasant (proggy) post-black album done by Mgla's "Darkside" and "The Fall". They cleverly avoided the curse of unoriginality via shepperding the album's style towards post-rock as well. This resulted in a rather slower flow and a pretty haunting and depressing atmosphere. You can absolutely feel this album was written by a drummer and a bassist, since the album is especially strong on the rhythm-front, which is really great. On the other hand, sometimes the record contains a few "gaps", which were put there to build atmosphere, but sometimes these moments felt rather hollow instead of thickly covered or embraced by the atmosphere they tried to evoke. Still great, but I this project hasn't reached its full potential. Yet.
Have Mercy (Thrash) Armageddon Descends
Havukruunu Kuu Erkylän Yllä
The old and new unites. "Kuu Erkylän Yllä" pretty much showed the entired Havukruunu's spectrum as in it they presented the band's earlier sound with additional elements which were introduced in ""Uinuos Syömein Sota"". Enjoyable release, but due to the possibly high expectations (yeah, ""Uinuos Syömein Sota"" was something really special) this might feel "a bit out of breath". However, this EP also contains some typical fiery Havukruunu riffs, so there is no reason to complain.
Hedge Wizard McDonald's Corporation, doing business a
Helheim Rignir
Great blackened viking prog rock, I'd say. Great riffs, great vocals and great ideas. One or two songs were a bit dull compared to the others, but generally this is a very good album with an interesting melancholic atmosphere.
Hell (USA) I
Diabolic filth. The overall atmosphere is so heavy in this one - this hits like falling stones, which can push you under the nine hells. I liked the huge sound, and the "very well dosed chaos" (-I can't word this feeling better). This kinda reminded me to Sunn O))) (feel the distortio)))n!!), also I think some Sleep influences can be heard in here.
Helleruin War Upon Man
Finally, some good old-fashioned black metal. Simple setup, but the riffs speak for themselves. I can't highlight any specific element why is it so great - it's simply very-well made. Noteworthy debut, I hope we can hear more stuff like this in the future.
Hellhammer Apocalyptic Raids
The remaster is such a sweet listen, but I kinda prefer the grittier sound of Demon Entrails over this. Still an iconic release, with near infinite replay value.
Hellripper Coronach
Hell yeah, this delivers the riffs and radiates energy! So it's great, but it's not even close to the quality of its predecessor, Warlocks Grim And Withered Hags.
Hermith Dernier souffle
Dungeon synth with an immersive atmosphere: I felt really inspired by this. Like soundtracks for deep catacombs or emotional scenes etc.
Hexelwir Honey Moon And Blackened Stars
Great, strongly folk-medieval oriented dungeon synth album. A bit lengthy, but very-well composed work.
Hiemal Best of Hiemal
Hiemal Afterglow
Hiemal Wanderings Within Forests of Despondency II
Hiemal The Long Road Back
Hiemal Arcane Ruins Become Spruce and Moss
Hiemal Éphémère
I'm happy about that Hiemal still releases music. These ethereal drones can be really addictive - especially in the shape of "shorter" tracks (5-8 minutes, generally). I could rate this higher if every track would countain such subtle textures/samples like "Familiar Dreamscape" or "Night Falls on Silent Giants" does, but it still does the job: I felt relaxed.
Hiemal Nimbe d'Aurores
Windy, cold, eerie... you can almost feel a cold breeze on your face while listening to this.
Hiemal Cascapedia
Very pleasant flow, a little bit of windy noises here and there with a most perfect runtime: definitive drone ambient album of "great" level.
Hiemal Solar Arch
A standard for the great-level of quality in the Hiemal discography.
High Command Eclipse of the Dual Moons
Riffs like Power Trip, which is nice. However, the production is a bit... thin/shallow. I hoped for a "fullier" sound, but altogether it's still pretty good!
High on Fire Bat Salad
Title song is a huge jam, the covers are great fun. Alltogether very fun EP. (Plus I love this
artwork!)
High on Fire Cometh The Storm
Well, this definitely wasn't the best HoF record. It's a bit overlong, a little bit repetitive after a while; yet it contains some great bangers such as "rTrismegistus" or "Tough Guy". (These were little bit Celtic Frost-y, that probably explains why did I dig 'em). The production is thick and fuzzy, as expected. Matt's vocals are generally a bit eh, but his lower growls are pretty sick, though!
High on Fire Surrounded By Thieves
Hiidenhauta Noitia on Minun Sukuni
Hiroshi Yoshimura Green
Great ambient/electronic piece, with pretty old-school synths and with a gentle touch of field recordings. Alltogether the album has a rather slower tempo, which makes it very pleasant for reading, studying, relaxing etc.
Hirsi These Foreign Shores
Hobbit Places In Middle Earth (demo)
Holy Fawn The Black Moon
Super chill shoegaze EP. If the right amount of ambient music is involved, then it makes everything better - and that was proven true, again. I greatly enjoyed it, too bad it was just 3 songs long.
Hope Drone Void Lustre
Horna Musta Kaipuu
Horna Askel Lähempänä Saatanaa
The first half wasn't that memorable, however the second half is amazing. When they go mid-tempo... ah, that is really punchy! Alltogether it was a great experience, definitely would revisit it later.
Horna Pimeyden Hehku
Horna Kuoleman Kirjo
Horna / Peste Noire Horna / Peste Noire
Horna / Pure Split
Hostlov Perpetual Darkness
A bit samey, but it has some real banger songs! A pretty good early-Burzum clone.
Hostlov Til Sorg Tar Oss
Hour Of Thirteen A Knell Within The Crypt
Hulder Godslastering: Hymns of a Forlorn Peasantry
Pretty cool black metal album, with some synths here and there and an overall demo-ish sound. Not enough clean singing though!
Hyperdontia Harvest of Malevolence
Does the job done: a great every-day-death-metal-album.
I Am A Lake Of Burning Orchids Innocence
A great mixture of noise and ambient music, definitely not a prosy album. The high contrast between the rough and harsh noise and the eeire (and kinda light) ambiences is very exciting, and combining them was a brave attempt, but it turned out very good.
Ice Golem Quest To The Ice Castle
Igorrr Spirituality and Distortion
It has its highs and lows: for example the (gated) drums are getting a bit annoying after a while, since they sound pretty much the same... and yeah, way too modern for my taste. But the experimental side of the album is pretty fun.
Ihsahn Ihsahn
Actually, it was pretty cool. Maybe a few times the flow was sacrificed for achieving "grander progressiveness" (=annoyance). But hey, since it happened just a few times, I can't complain because this is already better than how I feel about most of Ihsahn's solo albums. Oh and his clean singing was way better than his harsh vocals.
Immortal Blizzard Beasts
Immortal The Seventh Date of Blashyrkh
A very enjoyable live album by one of the greatest black metallers from Norway. Pretty nice sound and recording audio, Abbath is funny as always, and the setlist is beyond fantastic.
Impaled Nazarene Vigorous And Liberating Death
Crazier album cover = the better type of Impaled Nazarene album. Cool black-tharsh release, which is fortunately more melodic than many of the previous albums. They should finally accept the fact: this is the direction they should follow (the main riff of the title track is so damn good!) Also, I'd like to give some extra bonus points for the sick bass lines and tone, more BM albums need that.
Impaled Nazarene Ugra-Karma
Impaled Nazarene Eight Headed Serpent
One of their better ones. They more or less turned back to their more grind-ish sound - and because of that, the album runs on reeeeeally high speed. Good studio quality (the drums sounds really tight!), and tons of riffs = I'm satisfied.
Impaled Nazarene Nihil
Fairly standard black metal album which runs on high tempo from the very beginning until to the very end (so pretty much like an Immortal album). Quite melodic and they even did some fine solos too. Moreover, this had some really De Mysteriis-alike moments, which was a huge improvement from the previous few albums. Alexi Laiho was great (RIP). I have no idea why did they include "Assault The Weak", because that song was simply horrible...
Impending Doom Death Will Reign
Imperium Dekadenz Into Sorrow Evermore
Willie said it all. Pretty good, but bit far from being excellent.
Inoriand The First Warm Day
Insomnium Anno 1696
It's a very pleasant album, and sounded perfectly in the background while I was working. It doesn't have that much pinnacle points, the whole release feels really smoothly balanced all the way through, with just a few fillery points (but "The Unrest" acoustic song was definitely a filler, despite it sounds quite good). I liked "The Witch Hunt" the most, that song has an amazing flow.
Inter Arma Paradise Gallows
Alright, finally decided my rating. It's great but amazed me only a few times, so a rational 3.5 is what I feel fair. It was a nice rec-present from DDD, and I'll surely come back to this time to time. I especially loved when they went full Mastodon-mode!
iNTICE Ceraphim
"James Bond-music" inserted into polyrhythmic prog/death metal with hardcore and psych-rock clean vocals... or something like that. Very challenging album... it was a wild ride! If you're unsure if you could handle it, start with "Weeping" or "Wailing" and then start from the start. Musically, these lads are incredible, but the album itself isn't entirely my thing, but for those who like avant-garde metal: yer must listen to this one.
Irithyll The Foreshadowing​
Iron Reagan Dark Days Ahead
Iron Reagan/Gatecreeper Split
Isengard Traditional Doom Cult
11 minutes of pure fun representing why is Fenriz one of the greatest blessings for humanity ever. Especially the second song "The Fright" is the special: Fenriz went full death rock in that one!! I must get this vinyl sometime...
Isengard Vårjevndøgn
It was super fun album, and surprisingly: not even a single black metal song at sight! Death rock, heavy metal, punk and even an indie folk song in the end... just woah. The Pentagram/Sabbath worship songs were clearly my favourites, but generally it was a very pleasant old-school mix of various styles and influences presented by Fenriz.
Izmor Лютовѣй
Jaaportit Kauan koskematon
Jackyl Jackyl
Jim Kirkwood Tenebrae​-​A Presence of Light
I'm a little bit disappointed. The album has a gorgeous sound, but probably due to the very long runtime I became less and less interested. However, the more droney sounds and sections brought great new "colors" into the overall atmospere - and to be honest, I loved them the most. Still a very nice Berlin school dungeon synth album.
Jo Wandrini Governor Of The North
Joe Hisaishi My Neighbor Totoro
Joe Hisaishi Howl's Moving Castle
Jon Hopkins Music for Psychedelic Therapy
Lit and incense, lay/sit down and enjoy these frequencies. Jon Hopkins' latest offering is a very lovely, slow meditating album, building from excellent ethereal drones, vocals, pianos and samples. The title says it all. The only weaker part is the talk in "Sit Around The Fire", but that's just nitpicking from my side.
Judas Iscariot To Embrace the Corpses Bleeding
Judas Priest Killing Machine
So Judas Priest has learned a thing or two from Blue Öyster Cult, and it shows -- and it's a good thing!!!
Judas Priest British Steel
The biggest strength of this album is the catchiness. Simplier (slower) techniques, better guitar tone, no annoying high screams, etc. I don't mind the Queen-ish rock hymns like "United" too.
Kal-El Astral Voyager Vol.1
Fuzz-fueled old-metal worship. The flow is solid, and the singer totally nails the style of Ozzy. Great stuff to listen to while chilling.
Kal-El Astral Voyager Vol. 2
Less "catchy" than Vol. 1, but these riffs are lot more heavier. Massive fuzziness for a good time.
Kalmah Kalmah
Great Finnish melodeath release, especially strong on vocals (...so powerful!). It felt a little bit long though, however that was quite counterbalanced with the perfect amount of folkish elements in it. Might be a grower?
Karmiciel Wszy Torre Bert
Kate Teague Kate Teague
Kawir Father Sun Mother Moon
Kawir Adrasteia
Kayo Dot Moss Grew on the Swords and Plowshares Alike
When the vocals are not terribly annoying and totally out of place... it is actially a quite pleasant album.
Kekht Arakh Night and Love
Kkht Arkh's debut LP is quite muddy atmoblack album, where the ambient sections are the real treats. Outstandingly calm and enchanting synth melodies, and great samples. My favourite was the song "Love" which feels like listening to a melting glacial and frozen heart...beautiful.
Khull Call to Arms
Pretty cool epic-ish dungeon synth album from the more neo-classical oriented vein of the genre. Not groundbreakingly good, but still delivers the desired vibe.
King Diamond The Dark Sides
King Diamond Abigail
King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard Infest the Rats' Nest
King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard Live in Sydney '21
It was a very cool set, and sounded pretty damn tight. Even if you're not so interested about it, at least check "K.G.L.W." live, it's awesome.
Klanen Yours Is the Light by Which My Spirit Is
Finally a non-potato-kvlt release by this artist = basically the only listenable one, which is actually pretty cool. Sharp-sounding riffage, I wish more USBM bands could write something this potent.
Klaus Schulze Moondawn
Knell of Dawn We Are Made Of Stars
Kriegsmaschine Apocalypticists
The better Mgla and/or Deathspell Omega. At least this doesn't suck.
Krigere Wolf Infinite Cosmic Evocation
Krolok Your Soul is Mine / Towards the Duskportals
Whenever I see Bla Lugosi on the cover = instant like.
L'Acephale L’Acephale
Interesting album, but sometimes gets very boring. The last two songs are superb, I'd like to
hear more like those!
Labored Breath Dyspnea
Pretty good psychedelic black metal / drone mixture, in a Wormlust-alike style. The more melodic sections were really good additions to the overall soundscape, and it could elevate the listening experience. Pretty short work though, I'm curious what comes next.
Laetitia In Holocaust I Fall With the Saints
Great modern-sounding black metal EP. I really liked the overall sound the excellent riffs plus a pleasant production. Also bonus points for the stunning artwork.
Lamentation Fullmoon Over Faerhaaven
Lamp of Murmuur Cursed Deambulations of the Nocturnal Entities
It was great, the artist behind LoM showed us he can write some really good dungeon synth if he wants to.
Lamp of Murmuur Saturnian Bloodstorm
It's a very entertaining album, but not near as good as the main inspiration of this album was. But hey, I'll gladly jam any """tribute""" albums, if those can bring back the sound and the atmosphere of Battles In The North and At The Heart Of Winter!
Lander Boreal Tactics
Pretty cool raw black metal, which doesn't want to follow the standard second-wave formula. More proggy, but just a little bit, so the flow doesn't feel plastic at all. But somehow, something is missing...
Lantlos .neon
This is cool.
Lathliss Demo II
Leander A Journey Lost to Time
Sweet, relaxing fantasy-inspired release. It was kinda like a soundtrack from a long-lost old-school videogame (or movie?) mixed with lo-fi ambiences and a tiny bit of classical music. I can highly recommend it as a background music for reading.
Lichmagick Lichmagick
Limp Bizkit Still Sucks
Guilty pleasure album of 2021? The first half is unironically pretty damn good, and the lyrics genuinelly made me laugh sometimes. All these + that certain nostalgia factor kinda sold it to me.
Living Colour Vivid
It was such a nice album. Funky hard rock meets '80s metal? Whatever, this was great. The gap between the big hits and the filler songs was huge, but the better songs will stuck in your head for sure.
Lord Lovidicus Autumnal Winds And Times Of Yore
Lord Mantis Death Mask
Ah~ this is filthy. Pretty heavy and unique, but I think it is not exactly my taste. I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Lord Mountain The Oath
Pretty good debut, I enjoyed it! The groove is great, the mix is great (the bass sounds especially fantastic), the vocal style was also great (really similarly to Ozzy's style in the early Black Sabbath records, but lower). However, it was a bit short for my preferences and maybe some more experimental jams could have made this record more colorful (like "Planet Caravan" was back then).
Lord of Pagathorn Age of Curse
Another great band from Finland. Tight riffing and a good time, in the vein of the faster branch of the genre - I sensed some Immortal and perhaps Havukruunu (the less folky) in here, which is nice.
Lothric Adversarial Light
Lunar Spells Sacraments of Necromantical Empires
This was a stepdown from the previous one, even the production felt a bit boring. Still a very-very solid atmoblack from the Greek blacksters. (Who yet again forgot that they're not from Finland... this is very melodic!)
Macabre Omen Gods Of War - At War
This is great stuff, but I enjoyed the debut lot-lot more. "Alexandros - Ode B" is one of the band's shiniest masterpieces, though.
Madball Hardcore Lives
Madball Set It Off
Nothing amazing but its not mediocre either. [2] Yeah, alltogether the album was a great listen, but nothing really stood out for me.
Magic Lantern (DS) Skeleton Key
A pleasantly melodic dungeon synth piece, which strongly builds upon 8-bit music elements. Anyone who's into old-school videogame soundtracks may like this as well.
Make a Change...Kill Yourself Make a Change...Kill Yourself
At first it seemed like a very standard DSBM album, but it has some extra elements here and there (like female vocals, good "phase out" synth sections etc.) which makes it a bit more memorable. The atmosphere is there, I feel terrible.
Malauriu Morte
Strong release - from the beginning to the end. Sadly, it's way too short...
Malokarpatan Krupinské Ohne
That stolen Scorpions riff in the "Na černém kuoni sme lítali firmamentem" is the most fun thing ever I've heard in black metal. Very mixed bag, and I really enjoyed the various influences presented, but somehow it kinda lacks some punch. Bonus points for the great samples, and for the Carpathian folk elements (plus on the cover).
Malokarpatan Vertumnus Caesar
Simply great fusion of heavy metal and (quite atmospheric) black metal. There were certain parts I really liked, but I don't think if I'd return to this very often.
Marblebog Kietlen
Rather slow and melancholic, 'Kietlen' is a pretty good BM release with obvious early-Burzum influences.
Martrod Transmutation of Wounds
A bit underwhelming EP from some *really* big names. Still a good experimental black metal release to jam sometimes.
Mary Lattimore Goodbye, Hotel Arkada
It was a great surprise for me, but I totally fell in love with the vibe of this release. It's a quite minimalistic, harp-driven ambient release with very gentle choruses in it (without any lyrics). Ethereal, dreamy and not really droney -- so it was quite good background music for me.
Master's Hammer Jilemnický Okultista
Some songs are a bit too monotonous, but alltogether it was a fun album! I love the cheesy synths. Pretty nice old-school first wave BM stuff, especially the last two tracks were my favourites.
Mayhem Psywar
Mayhem Esoteric Warfare
Mayhem Live in Zeitz
I feel this could be a grower, since compared to the other live releases with the legendary lineup, this sounds arguably the best. Very "reverby", but despite that I think this is a very enjoyable one.
Mayhem Atavistic Black Disorder / Kommando
It was pretty fun. The first part was a pretty logical continuation of Daemon, and the punk side brought more speed into the whole thing. It was gret to hear Maniac and Billy again, both of them sounded great!
Mayhemic Truth In Memoriam
Two releases compiled to one: their demo from '96 with the Cythraw EP, and there is no surprise how it turned out: the demo materials are definitely not that good, even though they contain some cool Bathory-esque moments, but the EP side clearly outshines everything else. Shame they didn't re-wrote everything for a complete album.
Meadow Grove Nyctophilia
Colorful winter synth release! The beats in "As I Walk Into the Winter Night" are oddly charming, but the best thing in this was hearing a good amount of different instruments. Good stuff, I will return to this one for sure.
Medieval Rites Norse Mythology: A Viking Saga
A heartwarming piece of medieval folk music with ambient vibes. Great producion and pretty melodies. This is one of those albums you want to play in the background when you're about to read a book.
Megadeth Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!
Megadeth So Far, So Good... So What!
Megadeth Dystopia
Megadeth Cryptic Writings
Meshuggah I
Metallica The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited
Metallica ...And Justice For All
Midieval Midieval
Midnight Odyssey Forest Mourners
Pretty good atmoblack release. More or less reminded me to Summoning and to the early Xasthur releases.
Midnight Odyssey / Aeon Winds Aeon Odyssey
Very nice split, both parts sound great! Perhaps I liked side Aeon Winds a bit more, especially their cover of "Journey Across the Stars" was my favourite.
Misertus Outland
Mithridatum Harrowing
Finally some disso-black/death I can dig! It has great flow (=not annoyingly technical) and very consistent. Very impressive debut!
Mizmor Cairn
Moaning Shadows From The Darkest Heritage (EP)
Moaning Shadows Between the Lines
Monosymbiosis 1
Slow, dense, deep and sinister. Very good horror drone!
Mooncitadel Moon Calls to Wander the Winter's Majesty
Moonfall (FI) Odes to the Ritual Hills
Very old-school black-doom album, with lots of cobwebby synths. Actually, I'll call this an atmoblack release, but from the very doomy side of the spectrum. Also, it's a quite unique record due to the lack of guitars: all I could hear one or two bass tracks, which is quite cool, actually.
Moonless Nights In Old Chambers Of Castle Wewelsburg
Moonsorrow Suden Uni
Is this Alestorm in black metal disguise? Damn, those pirates! Jokes aside: this is just some harmless fun. Not that memorable as expected, but definitely fun.
Morbid Carnage Glory To Satan Soldiers
Morcolac Drawbridge to Citadel of No More Dawn
I wasn't entirely convinced at first, but when the cover of "The Chant Of Barbarian Wolves" arrived~ Solid atmoblack, but it feels very "digital" and overprocessed.
Mork Eremittens Dal
Morrigan Plague, Waste and Death
Behold Blood Fire Death 2.0. Like two siblings, really: harsh and aggressive black metal fused with escapist and epic viking metal compositions. Maybe copying the main riff of "A Fine Day To Die"'s was a bit bold move, but the second half of the album dispels all negative aspects of it. "Where The Angels Keep Silence" is a solid masterpiece!
Mors Verum Canvas
Cool Ancient Death-like proggy death metal. Maybe the flow wasn't that captivating as I'd like, but the production (and that sweet guitar tone) is top-tier.
Mortiis Blood And Thunder
Moukeprabbeli Bogs And Frogs And Nightly Fog
This sounds VERY-VERY similar to Krampusnacht, but with a different concept. (Same artist, maybe?) Anyway, I loved the atmosphere (which is a bit creepy, but playful at the same time) and simply the sound of this release.
Moulderyawn From Whence the Woods...
Mr. Bungle California
Entertaining album, for sure. I get it why do people *love* it, but that's why I "just like it". Playful and exciting, but maybe it's a bit too much at once. I can totally see myself returning to this time to time, but it won't become a regular jam for me.
Mulla جن
I dig this exotic / Eastern take, and in general this album has an interesting atmosphere. Raw and angry and has surprisingly cool bass lines. The stunning artwork caught my interest, and I'm glad I stayed for a complete listen.
Municipal Waste The Art Of Partying
Municipal Waste Slime And Punishment
Mutiilation Vampires of Black Imperial Blood
It's pretty straight-forward BM as it is. Super raw, but in the best way. Personally I dug probably the vocals the most.
Mutiilation Remains Of A Ruined, Dead, Cursed Soul
This was pretty bad at the beginning, but it got drastically better from the second half of the album.
Myrkur M
Myrkur Ragnarok (Original Soundtrack)
I'd be really curious how it'd match to that theater play it was written for, but half of the album (the metal songs, like the epic viking metal track "Krigersang") is great on its own. The ambient pieces felt more like unnecessary fillers if we rate this release as a standalone album, but if we focus on its strengths, then I'd say it's one of the best things Myrkur has ever released. Write more viking metal stuff, please!!
Myrkur Spine
One of the ugliest artwork of the year... [*disgruntled noises*]
The album itself is actually pretty nice, however I think some songs are kinda like "fillers" to give it a longer runtime (e.g. "My Blood Is Gold"). It's a bit shame to admit: two of the already released singles were the pinnacles of the album ("Like Humans", and especially "Valkyriernes Sang") - but sadly, even these are not flawless...damn, why was it good to ruin certain parts with those loud and lame blast beats?! However, songs like "Blazing Sky" and "Devil in the Detail" are pretty convincing and really catchy. In the end, one thing is sure though: I still love her voice.
Mythmaker The Hero's Journey
Despite the dungeon synth tag on Bandcamp, I won't count this as a DS release. This is basically programmed folk/classical music, exactly what you hear in modern video games, or movies. And this is a very good release! The production is spot on, everything sound nice and clean. Exciting themes, dense cinematic atmosphere - kinda reminded me to the good ol' Gothic's soundtrack (the videogame).
Nachtjaeger Night Hunters
A short, calm and melancholic dungeon synth release. Maybe if it'd be longer then I could give it a better rating.
Nameless Mist Nameless Mist II
This is some real good DSBM, which delivers the expected emotional tone along with great riffs and the sombre atmosphere.
Nanowar of Steel Stairway to Valhalla
Nanowar of Steel Dislike to False Metal
This is simply hilarious! Some absolute gems of metal parodies. Sometimes a little bit of this won't hurt.
Napalm Death Harmony Corruption
Nasty death-grind album, which falls most of the time to the territory of in-yo-face type of death metal.
Napalm Death Apex Predator - Easy Meat
It's all over the place, but still riffs mega hard.
Nargaroth Black Metal Ist Krieg (A Dedication Monument)
Nargaroth Era Of Threnody
Nargaroth Geliebte des Regens
Nargaroth Amarok
I had no expectations about this comp., and it really surprised me how great it is: a simple old-school black metal release + I loved the more experimental "style" of the band's early phase. Unique sound.
Nargaroth Spectral Visions Of Mental Warfare
Neckbeard Deathcamp White Nationalism is for Basement Dwelling Losers
I'm not even mad, but this surely has some cool riffs, and better than tons of lo-fi bm bands.
Necrophobic Mark Of The Necrogram
Entertaining, but significantly unbalanced release. The better moments on this album are on masterclass level, while the rest isn't bad, but far less memorable than the good parts. TSAAAR BOMBBBA!!
Needless The Cosmic Cauldron
I'm not feeling this that much, since it's a rather technical death/thrash thing with just a small amount of BM inside. Perhaps it contains bit of metalcore elements too here and there, so it wasn't my thing after all. Definitely not bad album though, the last 3 songs were the best here.
Neptunian Maximalism Le Sacre Du Soleil Invaincu
Very cool drone album, which utilizes pretty much all important sides of the genres. The Sunn O)))-alike drone metal tracks were my favourites, but I liked the entire release too. Perhaps it was a bit overlong release, and at certain eastern parts felt sometimes lazy and broke the flow for me. Still very great, tho'.
Nifheldhur Of Wolf and Battle
Strong debut, and I don't really get the '90s-vibes despite what's written in the project's description on Bandcamp... The overall sound is like an exciting mixture of Olgerd + Murgrind + Thangorodrim, which is very nice.
Night Foundation Way of Life
Night of the Vampire Eternal Night
This demo really has some style. It's an ultra tasty mixture of black metal, post-punk, gothic and darkwave! Yes, for real, all that once!
Night Tapes Dream Forever In Glorious Stereo
Nimbifer Demo I
Nimbifer Demo II
Great second wave worship demo, it has everything what makes a release stand out from the other boring BM albums on Bandcamp: good riffs and the aesthetics (cover, lo-fi production etc.).
No Point in Living Last Promise
Great atmo-DSBM album with some original attributes. The additional string intruments and the groovier riffs blend together surprisingly well.
NONE Life Has Gone On Long Enough
Nosy Arcade The Black Armor
Quite impressive debut, especially since the 8-bit influenced branch of the genre often falls into the "not-very-easy-to-listen-to" category of dungeon synth. (At least, for me.) The Black Armor contains numerous songs which could perfectly invoke an intended feeling (like the song "Black Aura Attack" definitely sounds uneasy - like what I'd expect from a song entitled like that), and the generally fast-paced flow, thanks to the blast beats-inspired drum instruments, were quite creative and I totally enjoyed these. However, I'd be very nice to have some lengthier tracks too, and I believe this lacks certain cathartic moments too. Still a very good chiptune release!
Nothingness Supraliminal
Great and very balanced death metal album. It's punchy (f.e. "Temple of Broken Swords" is massive), but there is a more melody-centric side of this album too, like the quite death-doom-ish "Beacon of Loss". Even though it's not that savage and "sharp" as I expected: it's still a great record, though.
Nthng Shine
Really nice stuff. I especially loved the first song, "Shine". Such ethereal (aquatic?) ambient pieces are my weaknesses, I just deeply love 'em. The rest was also good! I wasn't really aware this kind of techno exists, so it was a nice surprise for me. The additional noises added a nice texture to the whole thing, but those reverby pad synths outshined everything.
Obituary Obituary
Obituary Frozen in Time
The album had an awesome start with "Redneck Stomp", but it becomes quite boring towards the end.
Obsidian Gate The Nightspectral Voyage
"Impressively baroque" sympho/atmoblack with Emperor-alike riffing and very synth-heavy, cold, old-schoolish atmosphere.
Odd Person The flowers of arcadia
The cover art catched my attention, and the music turned out to be pretty good as well. A nice, playful experimentation with the effects on tape loops and small keyboard melodies.
OLD (US) Modern Scum
Old Forsaken Realm Eerie Apparitions Upon A Path Long Forg
Very cool continuation, but the debut album was better in every aspect.
Old Sorcery An Inkling of Void
A rather slow, dreamlike, and I think pretty winter synth-ish EP. A perfect choice for a gloomy day - a relaxing experience.
Old Sorcery Sorrowcrown
It contains more synths than black metal, but to be honest, I dig his Warmoon Lord project over this if we are speaking about metal.
Old Tower The Rise of the Specter
Old Wizard Old Wizard II
Medieval ambient and charming atmospheres: the second Old Wizard album delivered everything I needed.
Olgerd Dagor-Nuin-Giliath
Oranssi Pazuzu Muuntautuja
Strong psych-disso-black release, but some parts feel like fillers (so without them it could have been even more nightmarish).
Orkenblut Mysteria Arkana, Bd. II
Deep, dark and mysterious. Orkenblut's second release is a very interesting one with odd sounds and noises with an omnious atmosphere.
Ornatorpet Vid Ett Berg Uti En Dal
Ornatorpet Bergtagen
Perfect background dungeon synth album: very easy listening with a magical, mysterious atmosphere for the most relaxative experience.
Owlbear Chaos to the Realm
A correct heavy metal album centered around the Dungeons and Dragons universe. This delivers some truly tasty riffs!
Owls Woods Graves Secret Spies of the Horned Patrician
Ozzy Osbourne Blizzard Of Ozz
Pagan Altar Mythical & Magical
Pantera Cowboys from Hell
Probably the best Pantera album.
Pantera Power Metal
This shits on most of their discography, LOL. This is a very well executed heavy metal album. And the Judas Priest-worhsip parts are damn good! (Also I wouldn't consider this as glam...)
Panzerfaust The Suns of Perdition - Chapter I: War, Horrid War
Pathway Песни смерти
Paysage d'Hiver Geister
Harsh and wintry, but Project: Paysage took a bit different direction where Wintherr's most most punkiest riffs (early Carpathian Forest influences?) have been covered by freezing cold and thick snow.
Paysage d'Hiver Einsamkeit
Paysage d'Hiver Die Berge
After a couple of listens, I'll anchor at a 3.5 rating. This is... great, but not as great as the two other albums from the LP-era. It works well in the a background when you catch a riff or two, but in general, this doesn't cut that deep. I liked the latest Darkspace lot-lot more.
Paysage d'Hiver Die Festung
This is considered a winter synth classic, but in reality, this is far from perfect: "Eishalle" is brilliant, but the rest feels kinda low-effort outputs. Still, it is a pleasantly relaxing album altogether.
Pentagram Curious Volume
It was basically the only album in the band's discography I did not like that much - and it is surprising, since it contains Bobby's better performances. Unlike in Last Rites, Curious Volume's more modern approach isn't exactly that exciting, strong heavy rock influences aside. Interestingly enough. I had the exact same feeling with the latest Candlemass albums as well: there is nothing particularly bad about this, simply the overall package lacks some sparks - the lack of more doomy songs like "The Devil's Playground" leaves this album more...empty. It's an enjoyable album for a few listens, though.
Peste (IT) Peste
Peste Noire Le Retour Des Pastoureaux
Smells like Camembert cheese? Le Retour Des Pastoureaux is a wild ride, but that's the default option for a Peste Noire album. The result is a less black metal, but more post-punk-with-a-rooster-vocalist oriented release - which sounds KINDA thrash-ish or post-rock-ish or even shoegaze-ish in certain moments. I can honestly say I can't understand shit, but I still dig Famine's riffs.
Pestkraft Ancestral Sounds
Instrumentally: very strong, diverse old-school black assault. But the quite boring vocals took back from the value of this album. Still, this is a very cool and overlooked release. (Wihtout looking, I was so sure these guys are from a Spanish-speaking country. I was right, ehehe.)
Pierre Schaeffer Cinq études de bruits
This is amazing in a very weird way. Doing this stuff in '48 more than revolutionary!
Pig Destroyer The Octagonal Stairway
It was great! The Pig Destroyer dudes created another more experimental EP, with a fresh and exciting sound. The first half contains more typical grind tracks, including their latest singles, accompanied by a huge punch in the second half which contains lots of noise, drones and sound samples - hats off, Blake Harrison!
Praise the Plague The Obsidian Gate
Pretty good sludgy doom/post-black mixture. Nothing extraordinary, this just simply delivers numerous enormous riffs with cool tempo changes.
Precious (USA) He Has Abandoned Us
Profanum Vulgaris 2009​-​2012
Profecium Socialismo Satánico
Hesitantly, but here it goes a 3.5. This sounds great: tasty black/thrash metal riffs, and oh my, that beautiful old-school bass tone!! Hats off to the guitarist and the bassist, they sounded exceptionally good in this record. *But the biggest problems are: the vocals are very-very weak, the synths are a bit annoying and I can't take these guys seriously... just have a look on the album's title or the antifa lyrics... and it sounded pretty funny in Spanish*. But I love old-school stuff BM, so alltogether it was a very great listen.
Pumpkinlord Tricks 'N' Treats
Pupil Slicer Mirrors
Solid work, I like this. Despite a few forgettable songs, the whole package is quite slappy and was an interesting listen. The "Husk", "Vilified", "Worthless" trio and the closer, "Collective Unconscious" were my absolute favourites from this.
Queen Hungarian Rhapsody: Live in Budapest
Rabor Боги и Герои / Gods and Heroes
Realm Endless War
Great album, perhaps it's not exactly my taste nor in thrash or power metal... but I can also admit: it's a pretty well-written album.
Red Fang Only Ghosts
Rings of Saturn Dingir
Rings of Saturn Dingir (Instrumental)
Tbh, I totally missed the fact that most of their albums exist in instrumental versions, but ngl, I really wanted to hear this one this way. Guilty pleasure or not, but I really dig it.
River Tiber Indigo
Rivers Ablaze Blood Canvas
Pretty cool progressive... blackened death metal kind of thing! It has atmosphere, it has the riffs, it has the modern and old-school elements too... yeah, this is just simply great, enjoyed it.
Riviere de Corps Tout est chaos
It was some super cool noise / ambient album, with an interesting punkish attitude. Unique stuff.
Rotting Christ Genesis
Very solid record, but they were "not quite there yet". The more thrashier Sanctus Diavolos - alpha version.
Rotting Christ Sleep of the Angels
Gothic-era Rotting Christ #3: This wasn't that solid like the others. Quite similar style on guitars like in Triarchy of The Lost Lovers, but the overall result isn't that strong. It has some amazing songs though! "Der perfekte Traum" is definitely a classic piece in their discography, for example.
Ruin Dweller Brasov
Runeshard Dreaming Spire
Running Wild Under Jolly Roger
Great album, I really enjoyed it. Maybe with a better production this could have punched harder, but since I have no info about how the album was made, I accept it in this way. The vocals were very interesting to me, because sounded like a mixture of Dave Mustaine's vocals presented in Summoning'a style and it worked really well in this record. 80s heavy metal never disappoints.
Running Wild Gates To Purgatory
This album is the perfect example of what "great" (3.5) means.
RuYYn RüYYn
A great black metal release with a clear modern edge (which falls close to being post-black without being post-black, got it, huh?).
Rvbbervvitch Mastvrbations Malveillantes
This is among the most diabolical and horrifying albums I've ever heard - like an audible anxiety attack. Madly sinister and noisy atmosphere... but from the very similar elements what elevated Paysage d'Hiver or Darkspace to a legendary status. But this is FAR more terrifying.
Sabbra The Sun​,​The Moon​,​The Stars
It took me too much time to realise why did I find it so odd: no guitars. Interesting
technique, and the result is great. This is punky, this is black, and...this is very short.
Slightly under 4.0.
Saint Vitus Born Too Late
This was reeeeeeally slow! Wino's singing was a cool change. I'll drop a 3.5 on this first, but I think it will grow on me later.
Sakis Tolis The Seven Seals of... (as χξς')
It was underwhelming, but still very enjoyable. Especially if I look how much more "riffier" Among The Fires Of Hell was, plus this feels a bit too "recycled" at certain parts. However, the choirs added a lot to this album's deep and mystical atmosphere! Quite liturgical, I'd say.
Samael Solar Soul
Very entertaining and groovy album. I especially enjoyed the additional oriental / Eastern melodies and instruments (for example in "Quasar Waves"). To be honest, I could like this album even more if they would have experimented more with the aforementioned elements, since I think it was a superb combination with their own style.
Samael Era One
Turns out, the black sheep in the Samael discography is actually... great! It's a very pleasant EDM/industrial/gothic album -- I was really surprised how much I liked it; even though is that one song which I really hate... ("Voyage"). Also one of my all time favourite album covers - idk why though, I just like it a lot.
Saor Forgotten Paths
Saor Amidst the Ruins
Pretty cool, but nothing extra. Also it felt just a bit too long. Each song is very well written, but the overall package may feel boring after a while. Perfect as background music, and that's it.
Sargeist The Rebirth of a Cursed Existence
Strong compilation, stronger than many solid full-length releases. It's a consistently good and quite standard black metal release, which works best as background music.
Satan Earth Infernal
It offers plenty of great riffs and good ideas, but I feel less impressed by this compared to Cruel Magic. The reason behind this might come from the lengthier songs, shorter runtime for them could have been more fitting, in my opinion. Still a very entertaining NWOBH album though, and might be a grower too.
Satanic Warmaster Revelation
Satanic Warmaster Exultation of Cruelty
A more or less "back to the roots" record: Exultation of Cruelty is a raw black metal album, but far less melodic than the first few albums in the discography. This album is more like a respectful nod to bands like Judas Iscariot and the icons from Les Légions Noires (Mütiililation, Vlad Tepes). So yeah, it's great. Update: the raw version is generally better, just slightly below 4.0.
Satyricon Deep Calleth Upon Deep
Satyricon The Age Of Nero
Satyricon The Forest Is My Throne
Satyricon The Shadowthrone
Satyricon Intermezzo II
Pretty cool EP, with lots of experimentation. The last industrial/dark ambient song is one of the most among of the most exciting stuff the band ever released, and tbh, it really sounds exactly like a Thorns-song...
Satyricon Live At The Opera
Fancyricon: The opera album.
Scalp Black Tar
Good, slapper deathgrind. (Thank you for not filling this up with so much cringe samples.) (Is this really an LP?)
Scary Larry Demo 2
Scorpions Rock Believer
These guys are ageless, especially Klaus Meine's vocie. Incredible! Steady rock'n'roll album with some really catchy songs and some less interesting ones too. If only the cover wouldn't be so damn ugly... lol.
Seeds of Iblis Anti Quran Rituals
Pretty simple yet enjoyable black metal release. It has a charming old-school vibe with a certain exotic aftertaste. Also bonus points for the classical piano sections.
Seep Hymns to the Gore
Fun, filthy "gore/doom"-like record, with additional samples and some synths here and there. This exactly that kind of death metal releases which yields nothing but pure entertainment and you'll catch yourself enjoying lot more than expected. (At least, this is how I felt.)
Selbst Despondency Chord Progressions
Falls kinda in between the style of Dodheimsgard and Blut Aus Nord, but this album is not as captivating as DHG, and not as horrifying as BAN - so reh; still a great avant-garde BM record.
Selvhat Gjennom mørket famlende
Selvnatt / Draugveil Blades & Roses
Sentio Ergo Sum For her frozen hands
Pretty solid death/doom EP. I especially liked their Black Sabbath cover!
Sequestered Keep The Vale of Ruined Towers
Sequestered Keep Magic Amidst the Falling Leaves
Serment Chante, O Flamme de la Liberte
Great atmoblack release with great production and Cascadian-vibes (a bit).
Serpent Column Mirror In Darkness
Serpent Column Invicta
Serpent's Isle Tales of Frigid Waters
Serpent's Isle Archaic Oceans
Seth La Morsure du Christ
Good atmoblack stuff. It kinda lost a bit of steam in the end, but it is still a perfectly executed release. Might be a grower.
SevenSins Legends Of Kazakhstan
Strong, but a bit short (33 minutes) debut. This rather thrashy BM was the very first one I've heard from Kazakhstan, but it definitely won't be the last. I expected some folky interludes or something, but sadly there wasn't any. Anyway, the riffs are solid, so I can't complain.
Seventh Circle (US) Cycle of Violence
Ahhhh, this is a filthy beast and I love it! Really heavy death/doom with hardcore elements. Shame it is just 3 songs long...
Shadowland (RUS) A
Shield Roar Single Combat
Very nice old-school black metal and dungeon synth EP. The ambient pieces are very atmospheric and I pretty much enjoyed them, however the black metal songs are pretty great as well - they have that certain early-Burzum vibe and style I really like. More of this, please.
Shining (SWE) X - Varg Utan Flock
Even though this is considered a "safe" album, this is far better than countless of others. Songs like 'Jag r Din Fiende' are solid jams.
Shithammered Atomic Sodomizer
Sweet debut EP. Nothing extra, just a very-well executed black/speed storm with a good Bulldozer cover. This band has some potential, I can feel it!
Sick Puppies Dressed Up as Life
Sidereal Fortress The Hermit's Hole
Nice concept album, I found especially the atmosphere captivating, and the folk parts are very enjoyable as well. These more simple compostions fit better to this project, imo.
Sign Of Evil Psychodelic Horror
Pretty fun death rock/black metal album with exciting sound samples. Even though it masterfully captured that certain atmosphere what (usually) can be found at similar bands, but it was a little bit too short for my taste and a few songs were rather weak.
SiJ Floating Clouds
Skeleton Pyramid Of Skulls
Sick demo. It is more punkier and generally less exciting than their s/t LP, but also riffs hard.
Skhemty Sunrise on the Old Kingdom
I miss Anubis... But at least we have Skhemty! Sunrise on the Old Kingdom is also one interesting piece following the ancient Egypt-inpsired path within dungeon synth, so by default it deserves some attention due to its very exotic sound. Altogether, I believe if it'd be a bit more consistent (some songs were a bit less memorable), then I could love this record much-much more.
Slayer God Hates Us All
Sleep Dealer Aurora
This hits hard. Very emotional, melancholic post-rock. Nothing revolutionary, but this got the feels.
Sodom Better Off Dead
Very-very fun jam, lots of great riffs, solos and a quite enjoyable prodution. I sense a grower here, but based on my first impressions, this was a good "everyday thrash" record. Also it deserves some bonus point for the artwork, I really like it.
Solstafir Í Blóði og Anda
Pretty and unorthodox record, but it's hard to describe the true nature of it... Experimental (post-)atmoblack with lots of clean guitar melodies, perhaps? All I know: this record offers very-very cold and ethereal experience, which can bite you when "needed".
But the vocals though...
Soltri XV. Atra Mors
Soltri The Rising of the King Arthur
Soraksan When tigers smoked pipes...
Sorcery (US) Sinister Soldiers
Interesting mixture of heavy metal and proto-doom with a pleasant psychedelic rock flavour. And the fact it is from '78 is crazy!
Sound of Orion Cuirasse de Sons
Not sure what is this exactly... Cosmic black metal combined with electronics and perhaps with bits of post-rock? I don't know!! All I know this kinda riffs, has a very weird spacey atmosphere, and makes me want to dance.
Spectral Castle I've always been here, as far as I remember​.​.​.
Spectral Lore and Mare Cognitum Sol
Pretty cosmic black metal album (maybe a bit blackgazey?) The amount of reverb in the mix was a little bit too much for my taste and the second song was a bit weaker than expected. Around 40 minutes in, I felt the album is getting a bit overlong. The long space ambient song in the end was very pleasing though, finishing the album with great elegancy.
Stabbing Eon of Obscenity
Not a Dying Fetus in terms of quality, but damn, this is really heavy stuff. Hats off to Bridget Lynch, her vocal performance is easily better than most people's!
Stara Rzeka Cień chmury nad ukrytym polem
Very mixed bag of experimental sounds, which somehow forms a coherent picture. It offers interesting electronics, post-rock and even bits of metal, so if you want to try something weird, Stara Rzeka is for you.
Steel Bearing Hand Slay In Hell
Nasty and punishing speed-death album with incredible guitar tone. They perfectly inserted the speed metal into old-school death metal. The tempo changes and some of their riffs kinda reminded me to Darkthrone as well, but anyhow: this is a great album. Not the most exciting thing you'll hear this year, but surely you can have a good time with this.
Stirge Stirge
Stirge Stirge II
Stone Axe Stay of Execution
Easy to digest, lightweight but greatly entertaining hard rock release. You will hear some Sabbath, Lynrd Skynyrd, AC/DC here, so you can expect riffy, ballady, and bluesy stuff within and everything in between. Nothing extraordinary here though, just some careless fun.
Stone Marrow Messiah, Deceiver
Storhet av Morke Black Wings
Super fun D-beat EP with a little touch of dungeon synth. 100% garascore.
Stormkeep Galdrum
Very-very nice "atmoblack" album - like in having 50-50% of dungeon synth and black metal. They kinda riff for sure, but I think the synth-play was far nicer than everything else. Also, it was a way too short release, in my opinion.
Striges Verum Veterum
Everything about this screams "this is a Shatraug project!" - which is a great thing. However, I somehow feel he kept his best riffs for Horna, and he gave less effort into this band. The production is very modern, and to be honest I liked it, and most importantly each song flows well. However, alltogether the release feels a bit overlong which dampens the listening experience, and aiming through a 5 minutes longtime per song was also a bit overconfidient. Needless to say, this is a very enjoyable album, and anyone who enjoys the more traditional second wave direction filled with melodies shall like this album.
Sulphosfurous Solitary Key
Great first-wave-ish black metal with strong stoner and black'n'roll influences. Great jam.
Summoning Old Mornings Dawn
The title track is a bombastic masterpiece, but the rest of the album gets a bit tired towards the end. Great album, though.
Sunn O))) Solstitium Fulminate
Sunn O))) Oracle
Sunn O))) Dømkirke
Sunn O))) The Grimmrobe Demos
Sunn O))) Life Metal
Sunn O))) 2023.11.26, The Belasco, Los Angeles, CA
Very pleasant live release, the 100% instrumental side of Sunn O))) is well captured: the recording is clean, the textures feel vivid, the audience is barely audible... ya, all good.
Sunn O))) and Ulver Terrestrials
Sunsunmoon Demons in Medieval Times
Svaltvinter Hädangången
Somewhere between 3.0 and 3.5, but decided to give the better for the riffs. And this album really reminded me to an other one, but I can't remember which band was it... anyway, solid work.
Svarograd Magical machinery
Svartheim Black Metal Finland
A noteworthy debut, which was an excellent background music-material, where the old-school vibes and the wintry atmosphere triumphs. It reminded me quite a lot to Selvhat-type of DSBM through a very specific melancholic and cold feeling, whick hooked me instantly. It offers nothing groundbreaking - it is "just" a very-well crafted black metal release. Sometimes that's what I need!
Svrm Розпад
It mostly just flew by. Basically, the album has a very consitent flow and atmosphere, with nearly zero "pinnacles". So, yeah, very good for atmosphere, but for me it lacked something "punchy"(?). Perfect background black metal album.
Synthosaurus Rise of the Synthosaurs
Synthosaurus Reptical Wrath
Synthosaurus Secret of the Lost Land
Synthosaurus Metalosauric Crush
Synthosaurus Prehistoric Gods
System of a Down Protect The Land/Genocidal Humanoidz
Good to hear them again, Genocidal Humanoidz was clearly superior (a black metal-ish riff?!) but both songs felt emotional enough for me. I'm just glad they're back. (...but I feel kinda sad too. Best wishes to the people in Artsakh, 2020 is very rough for them.)
Szivilizs Ds Tagtroumschtärbä (demo)
Taake Kong Vinter
Taake / Deathcult Jaertegn (Split)
Great split, Hoest is awesome as usual - and surprisingly, the cover songs were the real treat! Deathcult didn't really convince me, but their Beherit cover sounded awesome. Nice jam! m/
Taake / Helheim Henholdsvis
I really like how this turned out. Both sides showed what are they all about, and especially the Helheim side meant some surprises. Cool stuff, but due to the short runtime, I can't give more than 3.5.
Talog Ukleta Kotlina
Tangorodrim Justus Ex Fide Vivit
Tar'Goraan Hollow Hearts
Tardigrada Widrstand
Some really fine DSBM. Interestingly enough, I liked the shorter tracks more, especially songs like "Leere" - where some ethereal synths can be heard in the background, giving the album a certain atmospheric depth. If it would be less reverby (why blunting the riffs this much?!), it'd be a solid 4.0 too.
Teen Daze Four More Years
Teitanblood From the Visceral Abyss
This feels like Celtic Frost - Morbid Tales, but more modern, and in the style of the industrial Blut Aus Nord albums.
Temple of Void The World That Was
Yup, this is good. I dig the vocals, pretty standard but fits to the whole thing pretty well. The riffs are good, (yes it chugs m/), but I felt the guitars get a bit boring after a while... these solo-kinda-things weren't that great, tbh. But I'm glad it has some pretty synths in some songs, great addition to the sound!
Tender Defender Tender Defender
Tentacult Lacerating Pattern
Crispy stuff. I always enjoy the more straight-forward approach in death metal, and this delivers exactly that with some extra features, like bits of disso-elements, or the very "atmospheric" doomier intro.
Terminal Nation Echoes Of The Devil's Den
I totally did not expect such a level up from this band. The are some real fine smooth brain caveman death riffs -- spiced up with some really good guest contributions!
Terrorizer Caustic Attack
Not much to say here. This is the closest one to World Downfall, but the amount of vocals is a bit too much, and the mix isn't very good either. Solid album, though.
Thangorodrim Towers of the Teeth
The Cursed Cold One The Hag Of The Sea
Great diversity in a quite short release. Lots of very good ideas, and original sounds - especially the percussions.
The Devil's Trade The Call of the Iron Peak
Gorgeous dark, gloomy, sometimes droney soundscapes combined with Dávid Makó's powerful and soulful singing (quite in a traditional Hungarian folk style)... it's really special. Hard to describe how unique it is. I gave it "only" a 3.5, since I've heard the singles from Vidékek Vannak Idebenn, and having a drummer + synths brought a huuuuuge level up.
The Future Sound of London Yage 2019
The House of Capricorn The Rivers and the Rain
The Mothers of Invention One Size Fits All
It was...quite fun. When it got prog, jazzy and bluesy I really liked it. The rest was...okay.
The Noisy Freaks Straight Life
The Obsessed Gilded Sorrow
Wino still has it! One ultimately fun stoner/doom album, with some incredible bombastic riffs in it. "Jailine" was the absolute pinnacle of the record... it's so massive and catchy! The last third of the album was clearly stronger than the rest, but it's great all the way through. Wino's voice is not that good as it used to be... still not bad, though.
The Obsessed Sacred
The Police Reggatta de Blanc
~Sending out an SOS~ The album is mostly super catchy, and the bass is incredibly good, tbh: one of the greatests I've ever heard. The second half of the album lacks some spark, shame... but alltogether this is a great and light album, relaxing background music for working and so on.
The Rolling Stones Aftermath
The Rolling Stones Blue and Lonesome
Back to their roots, and it sounded very good. If you got bored by this, then you have problems.
The Sisters of Mercy Vision Thing
Solid gothic jam.
The Soviet Space Dog Project History of Radio
The Trees Community Christ Tree
The True Werwolf / Druadan Forest Split
Thokkian Vortex Thy Throne Is Mine
Pretty diverse release, especially in the second half. The riffing is absolutely follows the "typical" Norwegian style, and some melodies sounds really familiar (not recycled though!). The non-BM songs are fun and/or pretty - good addition. And I think they definitely made this album more memorable than otherwise.
Thornwing Solitary Madness in Crystalline Caverns
Thule thule Under the spell of
Thy Darkened Shade Liber Lvcifer I: Khem Sedjet
Alltogether this is a great black metal album, but I couldn't rate it above 3.5. The reason is simple: even though I dig the riffs, the overall album gets a bit samey and overlong after a while. The chanting vocals are great addition, but the harsh vocals are very-very boring. And despite the fast speed, somehow it wasn't "snappy" enough.
Toadeater Bexadde
Quite strong release, especially the more atmospheric black metal aspects of it are noteworthy. The more harcore-related elements of it were less interesting, more precisely: some vocal sections were definitely bad. But I felt the sweet nostalgia in the atmosphere they created, so altogether I liked it. Not perfect yet, but this band has potential.
Torgeist Time Of Sabbath
Great raw black metal gem, one of the best outputs from the Les Légions Noires. Also, have I mentioned they one of the best logos?
Trvth A Galvanizing Derivation
Trvth Process of Adaptation
Great black metal from the Captain, as usual. "Acceptance" is one of my most favourite Trvth track.
Tsjuder Demonic Possession
Just slightly under 4.0. Tons of heavy riffs (some are pretty DM alike) -so the usual high quality Tsjuder. The only problem is the mixing: the vocals and the drums are chocking the guitar, and the bass is nearly inaudible.
TSM aka This Soft Machine On & On / This Place Was Meant For Me
Uada Interwoven
Ulver Wars of the Roses
Umbria Demo
Umbria The Sleeping Wizard
Pretty, dinamic and enchanting work from Umbria - less folk/classical oriented than the previous LP, more on the fantasy synth side. And I sensed some similarities to Mirkwood, and Chaucerian Myth, which is very welcomed. Also: bonus points best artwork of the year, so far.
Unholy Vampyric Slaughter Sect Order of the Rose Cross
Uppstigning Heros (An ascension in 4 chapters)
Pretty good, and really massive dungeon synth album (9 songs, and like the half of them are over 15 mintes long). A slowly flowing, meditating and operates mostly with the old-school sound palette. The longer songs get a bit repetitive after a while in my opinion, maybe cutting a few mintes down on them could have been better. A relaxing listen nonetheless.
Ur Pale Sea Synth Ensemble
Ur Pale Water Tombs & Crimson Horizons
Urfaust Apparitions
Very ambient-focused EP/mini-album, with one definite highlight song: "The Healer". That one particular song carries the entire release on "its shoulders" in terms of quality and interest, as it evokes a deeply mystical and strange atmosphere via droning, doomy riffs, ritualistic chantings and odd synths... and all of that comes with a nice amount of oriental melodies. The rest of the EP is alright, not very interesting dark ambient experiments, but they didn't ruin the atmosphere after all.
Urrnil Killer of malevolence (demo)
Urrnil Fabularum
Utred Tribute
Utred Forest
Utred Citadel
Uuntar Voorvaderverering
Nice atmoblack album, really reminded me to Evilfeast but these guys have a bit different style. This release a bit "blunt" sound, putting the guitars more into the background was a bit strange at first but I think it work really well in building up the atmosphere. The album has a pretty nice, organic drum sound and the chanting type of vocals sounded also great. Talented band, took me some time to get into their sound.
Vader Dark Age
Vaelastrasz Adventures of the Red Whelpling
Vagtazo Halottkemek A semmi kapuin dorombolve
This is really wild stuff. Ethno-punk/shaman-punk or whatever is it, one thing is sure: this band has a very unique sound. Not an easy listening, (especially if you don't get the lyrics...) but this is an unforgettable experience. The album slowly crawls inside your head if you give it the required patience...
Vampirska Torturous Omens of Blood and Candlewax
Feels like in the '90s. Raw black metal which manages to stay quite enjoyable. Going for such old-school recording style (directly to tape) was a bit of a risk, but in the end it turned out good. If you want to experience the re-discovering of a forgotten black metal tape from an untouched box from a long-closed record store's basement - then this album is for you.
Vampyric Tyrant Das Schwert Der Sterne
1: Second wave worship done right. 2: Black metal album cover done right.
Vangelis The Dragon
The Dragon is like listening to electronic, psychedelic, folk and ambient music at the same time. It has an interesting atmosphere for sure, and it's just simply hard to describe these tones. However, the result is quite charming.
Vangelis Earth
Such a relaxing progressive rock / world fusion album! Only "Ritual" and "The City" were a bit meh, but everything else is very good.
Various Artists (Ambient) Healing Sounds II: A compilation for those in need
Varvitos Forbidden Lost Lore
Finally something noteworthy greatness. Built on sonical atmosphere of the old-school and hints of medieval melodies - eactly what I like in dungeon synth. This also reminded me a bit to the soundtrack of Gothic (my favourite RPG of all time), so the additional nostalgia factor also had an impact why did I like this.
Vauruva Mar da Deriva
This was pretty cool, but it's a little bit "too proggy", which broke the flow for me. Otherwise, this is an impressive atmo-prog-black album.
Velnias Scion of Aether
Album is a continous proggy doom riff-fest, with a small amount of black metal influences. Great jam!
Venom Temples of Ice
Pleasant, but this is not so consistent album like the first Demolition-era release was. It's a weird one, because I can't really put my finger on it what I do -, and what I don't like about this one... too all-over-the-place, perhaps?
Venom Resurrection
It was a huge surprise for me, and an absolutely positive one! It sounds drastically more agressive than any of their previous albums, since it bears a kinda industrial-feel here and there. Antton behind the drumkit killed it, but the best elements here is the Mantas' guitarwork! Generally I'm impressed by this album, but sadly it comes with numerous filler tracks too, so the overall result is flawed. But each song delivers some punch, and I like that.
Venom Inc. There's Only Black
There's Only Black is actually lot heavier and far more colorful than what I expected. It's not "black" genre-wise (maybe the guitar tone?), since what Venom Inc. has put together here is a big pile of old-school thrash/speed metal riffs spiced up with various heavy metal melodies. Since it's a quite long release (53+ minutes), it might seem a bit tiring at first. However, as the faster and slower sections/songs are very carefully positioned all the way through, I'd say the overall package is very-very balanced and has great replay-value (=not boring at all!). Turns out these veterans still had some unseen tricks up their sleeves, so for me it's clear "which Venom is the better Venom."
Vetur Vist
A pretty black metal/folk release - but a hard riffing one! Iceland's output is super massive lately.
Vile Haint Ol' Hatchie Haint
It was pretty cool! The (kinda) lo-fi production generated a thick atmosphere, and I really enjoyed the riffs as well - I believe some of the more experimental Mayhem albums were impactful influences for this band. However, personally I found the vocals way too oppressive in the mix, which was quite tiring after a while. They should have cut back from the volume and there was no need for this kind of enourmous reverb as well. All in all it was great, an impressive debut.
Vinterriket Winterschatten
This could be the definition of "great". Great winter synth / black ambient release with some very ambient-oriented black metal tracks added.
Vitamin X Age Of Paranoia
Very-well made hardcore release, not exactly that good as "About To Crack" was, but still, this is a heavy and fun album.
Vlad Tepes War Funeral March
Exactly what Scuro said. It is some more great and original raw BM.
Vltimas Something Wicked Marches In
It was a definitely great album, but looking at the overall package: it has its downsides. Especially the often mentioned vocals, which was clearly the weakest aspect in my opinion. It just felt simply out of pace a little bit, maybe a different vocal style could have been a better option. Also, I'm still not a big fan of these modernish drum sounds, but fortunately Blasphemer's insanely good riffs outshined everything.
Void (BRA) The Realms of the Unreal
Vorga Striving Toward Oblivion
Not bad, not bad! Very straight-forward Mardukian ultra-fast riffages, (so it kinda lacks peak moments), and this is a very-well balanced release. Maybe "Fool_s Paradise" stood out the most for me, that song is a mega banger.
Voslaarum Secrets from Darklight Tower
Voslaarum Immortal Blood
Vulthum Shadowvoid
A surprisingly good album. It could be summarized as "the Brazilian Immortal", showing clear resemblances to Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism for example.
Wake Devouring Ruin
Whatever is this: this is heavy. The different songs lengths are pretty odd, I feel some songs could have been shorter.
Wampyric Solitude Carpathian Melancholy
I'm a simple man, and I do really enjoy these kind of ethereal drone/ambient albums!
Warlock Triumph And Agony
Heavy metal bands with female vocalist tend to be terribly boring, but it's good to find some exceptions time-to-time. Quite entertaining hard rock/heavy metal mix, with some truly earworm melodies included. Not shockingly exciting, but I could totally dig this on occasional jams or as background music on a summery afternoon with beer in hand.
Warlock Corpse Return of Dark Sorcery
Very fun (raw) old-school dungeon synth / tänzelcore / black ambient stuff.
Wasted Space exsanguination
Weather Report Mysterious Traveller
It was a surely nice and lovely album, but it felt a little bit "hollow" to me. But it still had a nice impact on my mood while working, though - so it stays as a pretty background music for me.
Werendia Småland
Werendia Folkvandringen
A kinda "one trick pony" type of band, but they perform that trick very well. I love these rather slow and melancholic atmoblack releases, and Werendia is very good at it. It was the best one (so far) from all the 3 releases, slightly more varied and interesting than the others. Pretty calm, and it was great background music for working. Great band!
Whispering Mirrors The Stuff of Old Dreams
It was really nice, but some songs (I assume both sides are seamless mixes of several songs) felt a bit out of place = less inspired / magical. However, this is an interesting album which mixes old-school and modern sounds.
Whitesnake Slip Of The Tongue
The cheesiness and the catchiness of this album is fantastic - I liked it.
Winding Hallways Beneath the Seventh Deep
Dwarf-themed dungeon synth, but with chiptune, synthwave elements. And the sound is quite... retro? I mean, most instruments feel like everything was played on a super cheap toy synth. But the result is really convincing: most of these songs are really well-written (but a few of them felt like fillers).
Windir Soknardalr
Rvhaugane!! Rest is pretty good as well, but Walfar's style yet had to be polished.
Windir Arntor
It was the least convincing Windir release for me, even though it is still a great release.
Winter (USA-NY) Into Darkness
Nasty sound, depressing aura. Funeral Hellhammer?
winter woods Adirondack Evil
winter woods Adirondack Evil 2
Witch Claw Summoning of the Heksevin
Witch Haunt A Full Moon Shone On Hallows Eve
The best halloween dungeon synth album of the year award goes to Witch Haunt!
Witch Tomb Lord of Blizzards
Witchsteel Mountain of the Red Flame
I'm a bit disappointed. I'm a big fan of the artist, since he brought many great releases into the scene - but this is a straight-up Thangorodrim "copy"... and the spoken lines are quite meh. However, the album's aura and the aesthetical elements are damn fine and enjoyable. Plus I love the artwork.
Wizards of Aldur Magician's Gambit
Wode Wode
Great mix of heavy metal and melodic black. Very pleasant listen, the guitars have some extra, making this band sound original.
Wolves in the Throne Room Diadem of 12 Stars
Wooden Memory The Lost Stories
Wydraddear The Castle Above The Mist
Slowly flowing, grim and melancholic and most importantly: unique. Wydraddear's debut is something else, a dungeon synth album which built covered itself with an atmosphere I haven't heard before, and built it from old-school-ish sounds. It's not easy to capture what is it exactly by words, you have to experience it by yourself.
Xasthur Subliminal Genocide
I wish this had a better (=less gritty) production. Very haunting, very lethargic (and probably the slowest one?), and I dig the dissonant riff progressions and the bass lines too. A slumber, numb and dark "dreamscape" album.
Xibalba Años En Infierno
I was tempted by the sick cover, stayed for the riffs.
Yellow Eyes Rare Field Ceiling
Yith Passage
Imagine a slower, much doomier Paysage d'Hiver with hints of sludge, yet still operating with a similarly cold and grim atmosphere: this is that album.
YRRE Luhlae x The Witch
Pretty good black ambient album with some extra sludge, and of course spiced with a really dark atmosphere.
Ysengrin Parergon
It was a great dungeon synth release, the overall sound perfectly imitates the old-school aesthetics, so generally it sounds like something from straight out from the '90s. A bit repetitive, and not each song is that exciting, but definitely worth the time.
Zakk Sabbath Vertigo
Exactly what manosg said. His take on 'The Wizard' is: a w e s o m e.
Zemial For the Glory of UR
Very cool second-wave album with strong proto-black vibes, and a sweet super old-school sound. Bonus points for the mythological themes.
Zmyrna Zmyrna
Very cool debut EP. A trvely old-school sound, and cold atmosphere - I'm curious what comes next.
Zombi Shape Shift
Zombi ZOMBI & Friends, Volume 1
Ultra chill collection of '70s pop/rock/soul covers. While they kept it very respectful to the originals, but the improvement in studio quality made a huuuuuuuge difference.

3.0 good
0 (Null) Null & Void
It has its moments, but somehow it lacks a consistency. The atmosphere is alright, but time to time it loses from the magic and becomes a bit boring. However, it was a very promising debut. (And I'm glad to see the improvement in their first LP.)
1349 Beyond the Apocalypse
1349 got more technical, but the entira package kinda lacks from the energy they presented in their debut album. But this one contains some damn solid songs like "Singer of Strange Songs", for example.
1349 Demonoir
Solid record. Like pretty much every 1349 album: this delivers fast riffs as well.
A Monumental Black Statue Aere perennius
A Swarm of the Sun The Woods
It was good, I liked the dark atmosphere, but the album did not offer anything extraordinary. The vocals were really awkward, which is a huge minus.
Aara Eiger
It's good, but we've heard many albums like this one before... It was quite good, but I don't think if I'll ever return to this one.
Abbath Outstrider
Abysa Searemony
Ethereal, calm and relaxing. I can't get enough from these aquatic-inspired droney releases!
AC/DC Black Ice
AC/DC Power Up
Adiaphora Nebra
The reason why was this tagged as dungeon synth is a mystery to me, however it was a pretty chill guitar-centered ambient release, which varies between calm ambiences and darker atmospheres.
Aeternam Heir of the Rising Sun
Stronghold Crusader nostlgia, and way too much kitsch in... something which is definitely not melodeath. (Bit too power metal-ish, I guess?) I liked the concept and some moments in this, but otherwise it's meh.
Afsky Om Hundrede År
Acceptable, but far from my expectations. I miss the emotions, and this way it's just like a "Danish Taake" album (esp. the vocals sound very-very similar to Hoest's style).
Agnes Obel Myopia
It's alright.
Akercocke Words That Go Unspoken...
Akerius Arcanum Hermeticum
It was nice, the album flows very nicely but I always had that certain feeling of "did I hear this somewhere before?".
Alcest Shelter
Alcest Écailles De Lune
Alcest got better later.
Alestorm Black Sails at Midnight
Alestorm Sunset on the Golden Age
Alestorm Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum
...Magyarország, Te olyan csodás vagy... Oh my... as a Hungarian, I have to confess they won my heart instantly with this chorus! Album is alright, it has some really uninspired songs (the Tortuga remake and Come To Brazil were really-really bad), but some really cool ones too like Under Blackened Banners and ofc Magyarország, but in the end due to the fun factor I still say it was a good one.
Alpha Drone Alpha Drone
Amiensus Restoration
Amn Lands of Intrigue
I loved the analog synth sounds and effects, but this album was too hollow for me... Very nice concept (please, more Faern-based dungeon synth!), but the some of the song titles sound more exciting than certain tracks, and I'm quite sad about to say that.
Amn Shadows of Amn
Unusual and interesting dungeon synth album. The D&D inspired themes and the oddly new age-like sounds made it a definitely unique piece, yet, I'm not sure how much did I like it. It was nice, but I don't think if I'll return to it very often.
An Old Sad Ghost Speertraeger - A Rotten Compilation
Ancient Det Glemte Riket
Ancient Boreal Forest Grim Ages
Ancient Empire Priest of Stygia
I have to agree with manosg here. Everything is given for a cool USPM release (I was lured by the Conan reference in the title, for example), but it's definitely not brave enough and follows the ancient formulas without adding anything noteworthy. It's nice, but wouldn't say it's great.
Ancient Mastery The Chosen One
This was still fun, especially the cheesy synths are simply perfect. But I can't understand the change in the production... bass full, no mids, low high? RIP guitars :[
Ancient North The Woods of Samael
I would say, this is a huge improvement for them. Solid raw black metal with obvious De Mysteriis Sathanas influences.
ANCST Zorn
Fairly standard modern black metal with a very little post-metal in it. (Not bad, but please remove the "raw black metal" tag from Bandcamp.)
Antichrist Siege Machine Vengeance of Eternal Fire
Good for once, but this is not a very exciting (bit too monotonous) black/death/grind assault.
Aodon Portraits
Quite alright blackgaze, but nothing extraordinary here. Stylistically, this is a good release... but it lacks that special emotional ingredient to reach at least the "noteworthy" level. It's a generous 3.0, because it's still a little bit better than the average.
Aquilus Bellum II
Pleasant background music. It's pretty and all, but this kind of atmoblack/neo-classical combo isn't that interesting.
Arcanist Avero​í​gne
Very pleasant and bit spooky dark ambient/Berlin-school dungeon synth release with a little surprise: a little instrumental atmoblack section was added to the closer track. I don't think if I'll return to this one very often, though.
Archgoat The Light-Devouring Darkness
The only sligtly worse Archgoat album. It also delivers their signature styled riffs and flith, however this felt their least memorable work, in my opinion.
Archgoat All Christianity Ends
"Let's travel back in time to when they have released The Light-Devouring Darkness!" A pretty fast and heavy riffing, and quite unnecessarily raw EP... It's good - for once. Their '21 LP was far-far better.
Archosaur One Million Years B​.​C.
This was an okay-ish concept-demo, but hey: more dino synth is always good.
Argol Six Spells
Arkhaaik Uihtis
Bölzer, but with more chantings and far less aggressive sound. It's okay, while the concept is brilliant.
Arkham Hearse The Starry Wisdom
A dungeon synth LSD trip? It was a wild one, but pretty interesting.
Arkhtinn 最初の災害
A promising debut album! But in retrospective, it was just a "forewarning".
Ars Magna Umbrae Throne Between Worlds
Not exactly that original, but it's still a good disso-black album with hints of psychedelia within.
Arthuros Ithildin
Arthuros Goddess
It's nice, I guess.
Artificial Brain Artificial Brain
It's cool, I guess? But not definitely not best-metal-album-of-the-year-level-of-good... but ya'll vote for this anyway, I accept that.
Asagraum Dawn of Infinite Fire
Nice second wave worship, but forgettable. Each song stands very well on its own, but the overall package is very-very samey.
Ashmadai Symphonies for the Kings
Askeregn Brennende Åkres Gr​ø​de
Seemed awesome in the beginning, but by the end it went a bit flat. Not bad, but this kind of punkish black metal needs more catchy (Carpathian Forest-alike) riffs to remain interesting, like in the album's opener song.
Augie March Sunset Studies
Azusa Loop of Yesterdays
While I acknowledge these guys talent and great ideas they showed in this album - but I did not enjoy this as much as I expected. I might be way too eclectic, but... I have no intention to change about this, haha! The riffs and the song structures are fairly interesting and exciting ("Kill / Destroy" is a great jam m/), but on the other side I'm not entirely satisfied with the vocals (I mean the harsh vocals, I loved the clean sections), and with the production. (Those "clicking" and overly compressed drums are the most horryfing thing ever in modern metal...)
Balrog [FRA] The Dark Tower
Barad-Dur Druid's Grove
I expected something greatly different (because the project's name in the first place), but I liked this. A pretty neo-folkish ambient piece.
Bathory Octagon
Bathory Destroyer of Worlds
I gave this another spin, and mos surprisingly: I felt I must re-rate this, because it was actually so much better than how I remembered. Too bad the atmosphere was gone after the 3 songs, but at least the heavy riffs remained. With better vocals, this could have been a very good record.
Batushka Panihida
Beartooth Aggressive
Behexen Nightside Emanations
Behexen My Soul For His Glory
It has few weaker songs, but still a pretty solid black metal release. Closer track is mega good, though.
Belliciste Deathsworn (demo)
Nothing extraordinary, it is just a trad. black metal demo (kinda copies Satanic Warmaster). Good for a listen.
Beneath Ancient Branches Demo 1
Berdische Demo
A charming little piece of dungeon noise. I loved those old-school Yamaha synths from the very beginning, and the minimalistic percussion (which sounds like it was sampled from some cans or I don't know) was oddly cool.
Bibio Phantom Brickworks
Pretty. The piano wasn't always a good addition though.
Big|Brave A Gaze Among Them
Bill Fisher Hallucinations of a Higher Truth
Interesting change after the heavier stoner metal album. Entirely psychedelic/soul focused work, where the piano and the vocals rule over everything. Next to some cool "covers" of Church Of The Cosmic Skull songs, this offers a handful of mega chill tracks, which I found quite relaxing. And that's quite the downhill as well, since I nearly fell asleep during the album, hah! Not exactly my territory, but I can totally see the appeal of this release.
Black Altar Black Altar
Black Anvil Regenesis
I really wanted to love this record, but I'm afraid their As Was greatness is the past now. I still do believe they should have kept their clean-singing focused style. (OK, we had songs like "NYC Nightmares" but that's not enough) The record feels a bit too "all-over-the-place", and I kinda miss some coherency here, despite it combines great kind of melodic black with other genres such us post-metal, industrial and I even daresay some sludge too - which normally would be a postivie trait (=diversity). It's not bad in any means though, I do believe many people will enjoy this record a lot, but at least for me, their previous LP remains their best output yet.
Black Flag Damaged
Black Label Society 1919 Eternal
This time Zakk went for a weird mix of thrash, groove and southern rock. Definitely not the shiniest gem in the discography, but the bluesy and ballad songs are pretty damn good.
Black Magick SS Burning Bridges
Not going to lie: it was really surprising. Not just the out of nowhere-feel of this release, but also the very significant change in the band's style. It's a lot less riff-oriented release (fortunately still tons of awesome guitar solos packed into this album), the synths and clean vocals are far more emphatic than before, plus the new sounds of synthwave and disco brought a totally new vibe for this band - and I'm not sure if I dig it.
Black Sabbath 13
Black Sabbath: the nostalgia album. Nostalgic for musicians, nostalgic for the fans. And pretty much that's all.
Black Wound To the Endless Depths (demo)
Filthy sounding death/doom, but they're still clearly in demo phase. This needs some polishing, as it is not "memorable enough" yet. This has some potential, though.
Blackmage Baader-Meinhof
Well, this is not bad at all. I expected an epic failure from Ghostemane, but this is in exactly in the same league with the hordes of one-man BM bands on Bandcamp. Only the last track stood out for me, but it was nice.
blink-182 California (Deluxe Edition)
Blood Ceremony The Old Ways Remain
Riffs and drum style taken from 'Sabbath classics, add female vocals and a few other instruments like violin or flute, synths or organs: and there you'll have The Old Ways Remain. It's an alright record, felt a bit overlong.
Blood Incantation Hidden History Of The Human Race
Bloodbath Nightmares Made Flesh
It is tasty, but somehow the second half feels drastically better than the other half, which made me lower my overall rating.
Blut Aus Nord Memoria Vetusta III - Saturnian Poetry
Rather unexciting.
Blut Aus Nord 777 - Sect(s)
"Hi, it's Blut Aus Nord, and we will teach you, how to write an avant-garde/post-metal album."
Blut Aus Nord Debemur MoRTi
A rather "breathless" resurrection of the sound of the MoRT LP. It's a respectful gesture towards the label, though.
BLVCK CEILING THRONE
Bolzer Hero
This feels "soft". The style is still there, but it's not punchy enough or something like that.
Borg Ugglor i Mossen
The "darker" Borg was enjoyable as well, but it wasn't that captivating for me like the others.
Brutus Greenshield Sharpened Buds Like Lances
It was more of an experimental electronics album than dungeon synth... it had dungeonish elements here and there, but I wouldn't say they had anything more in common. It has nice textures and a very melancholic vibe, but after a while it was a bit tiring for me. It was good for once.
Burzum Balders Død (Dauði Baldrs demo)
Burzum Sol austan, Mani vestan
Burzum From the Depths of Darkness
Cabaret Voltaire Micro-Phonies
This didn't revolutionized my music taste, but this is pretty nice. Those synths are tasty!
Candlekeep The Death of the Gatekeeper
It was lovely, but I think it wasn't that exciting to deserve a 3.5. Hopefully the next release shall have it!
Candlemass Green Valley
Good to seem them still kickin', but I'm a bit doubtful about its replay value. It's a good listen, and the hardcore fans will enjoy this anyway.
Cannibal Corpse Chaos Horrific
It's exactly like the expected. Sounds good, consistent, no filler.
Captain's Lair Weird Travels
Like the half of the album is really interesting, while the other part is unexpectedly unspectacular. The old-school synths were still enough to satisfy me.
Cara Neir Portals to a Better, Dead World
It's fine I guess. The last two songs were probably the best, but the opener was so awful that almost made me skip the entire thing. And I really disliked the guitar tone in the whole album... NOT ENOUGH GAIN! But the more audible bass melodies are nice.
Celestial Conjuration Demo I
Celestial Conjuration Demo II
It's alright. Nice lo-fi atmoblack, but too short and lacks some fantasy. Good for one listen, but that's all.
Celtic Frost Vanity/Nemesis
Surely very far from being the best album in the Celtic Frost discography, but Vanity/Nemesis is a... kinda good album. A more of a mixed bag in terms of quality, but let's focus what came afterwards.
Chainmail Chainmail
Pretty cool debut with a lovely old-schoolish atmosphere.
Chelsea Wolfe Birth of Violence
Children's Book When Fate Was Fair
(Terrible band name.) It's an okay dungeon synth album. I liked the overall sound of it, but the songwriting is all over the place, there is no driving concept or theme within plus most of these tracks are way too short, so it gives almost no opportunity to get into the atmosphere.
Church of the Cosmic Skull Everybody's Going to Die
Well, it is clearly their weakest. Not bad, but the songs are way less exciting and memorable like in the previous albums. Nyeh. I think it could have been much better if they would give more time for this record to "polish" these songs a bit more.
Still, this is a very good classic psychedelic rock album.
Church of the Cosmic Skull There Is No Time
It was sooooo unbalanced! Far less exciting than their first two LPs, but fortunately it has its great moments too. The album's opener seemed like a great start, but it was quite a downslide... but the last three songs totally saved it from being a disappointment. Especially Last Words of a Dying God impressed me, with its elegantly omnious atmosphere (bit like if ABBA would meet early Ghost) (Oh that choir line could send down shivers down your spine..!) Generally not bad, but sadly far from their best outputs in terms of entertainment (...and grooviness. Give us more distorted guitars!)
Cisza If It Is True What the Prophets Write
Clown Core Toilet
Clown Core van
It was rad. Their typical weirdness is still entertaining. I sensed some improvement: more and better sax solos, and very nice "rest" songs, like 'tears of god' and 'end' - the latter was especially very sweet for me, because I love such ethereal drones. Alltogether, the experimental grind-jazz-whatever duo still makes interesting music, but I don't see myself jamming it very often though.
Coffin Moth Night Of The Witch
Coldworld Melancholie²
Coniferous Myst Forest Rehearsal 5​.​20​.​19
Conjurer Mire
Corpus Hibernus As The Blood Freezes In My Veins
Count Raven The Sixth Storm
While it has some really cool moments, most of the time The Sixth Storm fell way too often into the hard rock territory for my taste. Moreover, it had some songs which were simply really boring.
Count Shirintsu Welcome home, Count Shirintsu
Count Shirintsu Spirit of the Earth
Criptadel Brutal Imperium
It was alright, I was really curious about this one, but it was a little bit disappointing. Still has some great ideas and atmosphere, but it felt too long and sometimes the vocals stood out from the mix in a negative way.
Cult of Frey By The Blood of Odin: Part 1 - Midgard
A traditional viking metal album with pleasant old-school vibes, but a little bit cheesy.
Curta'n Wall Siege Ubsessed!
It's actually quite... fun. Black metal played on medieval instruments? Gregorian chants? Medieval ambient tracks in the style of Fief? Some atmoblack stuff? In Siege Ubsessed!, you can enjoy these all at once!
Cyhyraeth (UK) Cyhyraeth
Nice little old-schoolish DS EP, very harmonic and peaceful. But way too short to have a strong impact on me.
Dagor-Nuin-Giliath First Age
Dark Ages Chronicle of the Plague
Dark Funeral Attera Totus Sanctus
Slightly above average. Not great, but definitely not bad either.
Dark Funeral Diabolis Interium
Tight, but gets very samey after a while. After the super consistent and sharp 'Vobiscum Satanas', this is a bit disappointing. Less variety, but at least it offers great bangers too. "Thus I Have Spoken" is awesome (and again, their cover songs are very fun too - see: bonus tracks).
Dark Funeral We Are the Apocalypse
"Hey, I've seen this one!" Please greet "Where Shadows Forever Reign 2.0." - this is pretty much the continuation of their previous release, even the song structures seem very familiar. Nothing extraordinary here at all, just brutal drumming (I really don't want to be their drummer, that is a killer task!) some very casual tremolo-centric riffs and Heljarmadr's ultra-audible vocals (I mean, you can hear out every single word from the lyrics, that's quite rare in black metal). It's definitely not bad, but not great either. If you don't expect much from this, then good time guaranteed.
Darkspace -I
It's okay. Side "Dark -1.-1" is great, it delivers the expected Darkspace-vibe and some very fierce riffs. But side "Dark -1.0" though... that beat is very irritating, as it overly loudly pushes everything to the background and ruins the entire track.
Darkthrone Land of Frost
Darkthrone Dark Thrones and Black Flags
Darkthrone NWOBHM
Darkthrone Cromlech
Dead To A Dying World Elegy
Deceiver Legion Varjoissa
The riffs are good, but the fillers aren't. The unnecessary noisy parts / weirdo vocal experiments really broke the flow of the album. Still, this riffs hard, so I can't say I didn't like it.
Deepforest Blackvalley
Deftones Ohms
It was a good listen, but I don't really think I'll come back for this more than a few times.
Delmak-O Cerulean Tomb
Nice Berlin-school/drone mixture album. I especially liked the concept behind it, but alltogether the music wasn't that exciting to me... Bonus points for the awesome cover, though.
Demolition Hammer Time Bomb
I think it's quite good, and I would never call it an ugly album. But it is a definite "one-trick-pony" though, since it lacks variety. However, it kinda riffs but it's far from their best works in terms of quality. But: I dig this more groovy/hardcore-ish sound.
Deorc Weg The Sleepwalk Sessions
Det Eviga Leendet Reverence
Definitely not bad, and I quite dig the blackgazey sections within, but generally the album just goes by, and doesn't really builds up cathartic moments I'd really want to hear. At least it's not boring, just the flow never gets there where I thought it'll go to.
Dethklok The Doomstar Requiem
Digre (SWE) Saint Moses the Black
DIM (CA) Compendium III
A very different DIM album. It's more grim and has an interesting sound which accompanies the regular medieval ambient sounds - not really dungeon synth-ish in my opinion. It was a pleasant listen though, nothing is wrong with it, just not my style.
Disciple of Dagon Demo
District Unknown [Anatomy of a 24 Hour Lifetime]
Dodheimsgard Kronet Til Konge
Donny Benet Mr. Experience
The 5.0 album art. + Damn, this guy is the master of the bass. I love those cheesy synths... too bad the vocals are a bit lame, however the choruses are very catchy.
Dragon Tomes Roar From The Underground Temple
DS in the mixed style of Old Sorcery and (if you remember to) Anubis, but definitely not that cinematic. It was good.
Dream Unending Tide Turns Eternal
It's... alright. (-said by someone who listened to Songs of Salvation first)
Dream Widow Dream Widow
Other than the last two songs, this barely entertained me despite it's not bad at all. Maybe the movie will be more successful.
Druadan Forest Portals
A relaxing (but sometimes maybe a little bit spooky) dark ambient, ethereal drone album. The extra little noises and textures were enjoyable, but I preferred the short and repetitive melody structures like in the second half of "Paint My Demons Black" - maybe more of those could have been a nice addition.
Drudkh Forgotten Legends
It was an okayish debut, but far from their peak.
Drudkh Songs of Grief and Solitude
Quite an oddball, since it's not exactly a folk album, but something deeply folk-inspired - at least, that's how I could describe this. It was a surprisingly charming experience, for me.
Drudkh Microcosmos
This was a bit better than the rest, but not folky or atmosphereic enough to stand out. But I gave a bonus point for the cover art, which I found very pretty.
Drudkh Eternal Turn of the Wheel
Post-black Drudkh, which is better than its predecessor, but... damn, this album gets way too repetitive and the runtime is unnecessarily long.
Drudkh Handful of Stars
Drudkh goes post-black, at least they tried to do so. The album starts strongly, but it runs out of fuel towards the end.
Dungeon Altar The Hunter
Quite good little EP - anyone who likes chiptune dungeon synth would enjoy this.
Dungeontroll Journey through the Forest of Uzohr
Even though this was made as a joke, to form the "epitope" of those shitty 11 minute dungeon synth demos: this is good one. Just some minimal, well composed melodies.
Dungeontroll Tales from the Northern Chamber
Dungeontroll From the Shining Kingdom of Uzohr
Dvne Etemen Ænka
It's alright, I guess.
Dying Fetus Killing on Adrenaline
Despite the very unbalanced mix (loud vocals and very muffled guitars) it's pretty good, but the last third of the album clearly overshines the rest.
Dying Fetus Stop at Nothing
Solid riffing, but somehow this album sounds... hollow.
Earth Machine Clad in a Forest of Dark Fir
I definitely enjoyed this DS demo from the modern branch of the genre. The techno-ish elements are odd, but sounded nice.
Ecdelegost Erebor
Quite good Tolkien-inspired release. Not really outstanding, but noteworthy.
Edoras Doors of Moria
Ekthelion Under A Mournful Moon
It is pretty and has an uniquely interesting atmosphere, but tends to be very boring after a while...
Eldamar The Force of the Ancient Land
Eldritch Archways Twilit Woods of Yore
My only problems with this release is that every song sounds like an interlude or intro before something "extra", so it is a bit "hollow" but the melodies and the instruments are all good, so it's not bad.
Electric Wizard Time to Die
It has some truly irritating moments and some really uninspired songs too... but I still can't name this as a bad album (none of their albums are bad). Simply this isn't that interesting in any sense next to its weaknesses.
Electric Wizard Wizard Bloody Wizard
Good one, but not the greatest... but definitely passes the vibe-check! Compared to the rest of the discography, this is almost like an "easy-listening" album, with tons of 'Sabbath-alike riffs. Personally I really like this one, and I can see myself jamming this lot more frequently than e.g. Dopethrone, because the mix/master is so good - excellent background album for anything.
Elffor Kaosaren Mendi Odoltsuetan
Not the most exciting Elffor release... I had the exactly the same thoughts about this as manosg: solid yet unspectacular.
Elgra Forest Kingdom
Ellende Triebe
A somewhat better kind of post-black release. The production is nice, but this EP lacks... soul, something exciting what could make me listen to this again. Boring wouldn't be a good word for this, but kinda it is the case.
Elminster MIDIeval
How to make sure your dungeon synth albums sell out immediately in two steps: 1. make it sound like Thangorodrim and Fief at the same time. 2. profit. Done.
Eminem Kamikaze
Eminem The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)
Musically: average. References: plenty. Humor: savage.
Empeiria The Ascent: Szenen der Katharsis
A quite colorful (esp. in instruments and vocals), but still rather uninteresting black metal album.
Emperor Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk
In the Nightside Eclipse part II, but kinda ruined with bad production and lots of unnecessary prog parts and Ihsahn's heinously bad clean singing.
Empire of the Moon Έκλειψις
A "standard" black metal release, with slightly more exciting riffing.
Empyrium Über den Sternen
I wasn't really my thing - however it had some potential. While the album had some *really* excellent moments, the overall package coulnd't impress me that much, despite all the key elements were given for my likings. Real shame, but it happens sometime.
Enid Enid
Ente (MEX) Vida y Muerte
Erdstall Caverns of Endless
Ereb Altor Vargtimman
They just wish to be that good as Moonsorrow. The clean vocals are absolutely mood-killer, yet the instrumental side of this release is quite good (even though I hoped for more punch).
Erreth-Akbe A Lantern Swathed
It was a bit of a mixed bag (in terms of themes and mood), but generally it was a quite good very neoclassical-oriented dungeon synth release, which comes with an amazing cover art.
Erykah Badu New Amerykah Pt. One: 4th World War
Esoctrilihum Döth​-​Derni​à​lh
The 12-string guitar is a great new element, and the very ambient "Zilthuryth (Void of Zeraphal)" was another brilliant song (definitely the highlight)...but altogether it was a bit eh. Ashtagul's singing is... not really great, tbh.
Eternal Axe Endless Fantasy
Nice little demo. I liked the old-schoolish vibes and the atmosphere.
Eternal Axe Wizard odyssey
Pretty diverse, and atmospheric - too bad some tracks were a bit too flat and boring compared to others. The last two neo-folk songs are outstandingly good though!
Eternal Champion Friend of War
I'm happy and sad at the same time: EC has finally returned with new material, but damn: this is just an EP, and the second song is 100% ambient... But the long "atmospheric heavy metal" title song was just as epic as possible. I liked that they pushed the vocals a little bit towards the background. Still: come on, you had 6 years to write something, this is half-assed!
Eternal Valley The Falling Light
Evoking Winds Bald Mountain
Kitschy, "overly narrated" meloblack, with neoclassical elements. While the production is great on this record, but there is way too much frippery thrown into the mix... In the end: there is nothing sharp, and nothing to deliver a truly captivating atmosphere. Just kitsch, like a geh sympho-metal album.
Ex Eye Ex Eye
Exhibito In Nobis
Very interesting album, the overall sound and atmosphere is something what an alien spaceship-centered horror movie could have. Otherworldy sounds, dungeon noises, pulsating synths + impossible to predict where it goes, however the album flows nicely and kept me interested all the way through.
Fanebaerer Fra Hånd Til Jord
Fantomas Delìrium Còrdia
Fimnur Journey Home
A chill dungeon synth song, a dreamy winter synth piece, and an okayish dark ambient loop track: it's a good little EP.
Foglord Celestial
Forgjord Laulu Kuolemasta
Forlorn Citadel Ashen Dirge of Kingslain
Fornicus Sulphuric Omnipotence
It's alright. Bonus point for the sick cover art.
Fortress Of The Pearl Fortress of the Pearl
Wow, this was a weird one. Odd synths, electronic noise loops and very reverby (kinda cosmic) atmoblack combined... not sure if I truly liked it, but it was, at least, a memorable experience for sure.
Frayle The White Witch
Frozen Crown Winterbane
I expected something far-far-far-FAR worse, so it was a quite pleasant surprise. This... actually riffs (the cute lead guitarist chick is pretty good), and surprisingly this doesn't annoy me to death like most power metal bands do. They still have to kick out their singer, because her performance is extremly boring.
Fugitive Wizard Obscuri Æternum
Pretty solid EP/demo. The synthwork is especially noteworthy, while the black metal parts were inserted well. Interesting listen, but I don't think if I'd come back to this later.
Fulci Exhumed Information
The synths were pretty much the best here, since the metal part was pretty much ruined with that lame and blunt (fuzzy) distortion... not punchy at all...
Further Down The Next Last Day
Pretty cool, but since it is more noise-oriented... not exactly my cup of tea. But the drone ambient textures are very-very nice!
Gaahls Wyrd The Humming Mountain
The Humming Mountain offer some really good moments, especially where Gaahls and Co. turned back to their exciting progressive black metal jams like what they presented in their debut LP. "The Dwell" and Awakening Remains - Before Leaving" are killer tracks, while the rest was a bit forgettable, chill Saruman-vocals aside.
Gabestok Én Gang Rådden, Altid Rådden
It was pretty fun fusion of black metal and heavy metal. A bit Mercyful Fate-ish, but it is mostly that kind of nasty death-rockish thing which riffs pretty well. The production was intentionally muddy, perhaps a bit too much muddy because I felt I could have enjoy the sweet guitar tone more if they could have sounded cleaner, in my opinion. Interesting stuff, good jam.
Galdur Age of Legends
Garadrak Loremaster
Garadrak Cyclopean Sorrows
Light and melodic, but not charming enough for me. It's good for a listen, but I'm a bit disappointed.
Gatecreeper Dark Superstition
Not as punchy as expected, and far less interesting as it should have been. They wrote a death/doom masterpiece like "Emptiness" in 2021, and now this? Underwhelming, to be honest.
Genocide Pact Genocide Pact
Not bad, but definitely not a very exciting record.
Germfood Night Of The Consumers - OST
It was pretty fun. The great soundtrack was a key factor in the game's succes for me, because it is not just kinda creepy but respectfully evokes that special atmospere I love(d) so much in old-school video games.
Ghost (SWE) Seven Inches Of Satanic Panic
Gire Gire
This record is an interesting one, and I honestly can't say it sounds great. However, Gire sounds exceptionally heavy and massive live and these songs work out much better that way. ("Trjn testnk!" is mega, tbh.)
Glemt Animus (demo)
Gnipahalan Vannalosa Urskepnader
Goatsnake Breakfast With The King b​/​w Deathwish
The 10/10 guitar tone. Pretty nice EP, I definitely enjoyed it, but it's barely more than nothing...
Goblin Contamination
It was nice. But except a few songs, it wasn't really memorable.
Gonemage Mystical Extraction
I'm a bit doubtful about the "synergy" here, but inserting the old-school arcade video game soundscape into black metal is a noteworthy effort the least. Weird stuff, but for me it offered far less enjoyment than the classic method of mixing (true) dungeon synth into atmoblack. Interesting experiment, but that's all I could say.
Gorgoroth A Sorcery Written in Blood
Goropsy Drawing Pictures in the Dark because I Miss You
Grausamkeit Christenschmähung
Gravetemple Ambient / Ruin (demo)
Green-House Six Songs for Invisible Gardens
It is good, but nothing really outstanding or noteworthy. A handful of chill ambient/electronic tracks about plants, but that's all.
Grey Aura Zwart vierkant
Pretty okay avant-atmo-black-kind-of-thing. It had some cool Ddheimsgard-alike moments, but personally I felt the album really just flew by. It wasn't a bad one, but couldn't grab maintain interest that much.
Gudsforladt Friendship, Love and War
It was a quite lovely upbeat black metal album. Not mind-blowing, and I'm not particularly satisfied with the production, but it was enjoyable.
Hajduk Кръв
Halfling Rune Squire
Hate Forest Purity
Not bad, but it lacks its own character. This is pretty much just a Drudkh "sidequest" in this form.
Hayley Williams Petals for Armor
Hey, it wasnt't half as bad as I expected. It has some pretty nice and catchy songs but there are pretty awful ones there as well. And oh my... some lyrics are soooo AWKWARD! Oh, and the nice bass lines worth some bonus points! But minus point for the overlong runtime.
Hellvetic Frost Towards a Distant World
Herbie Hancock Head Hunters
I liked the "slower" sections the most, and sadly I can't rate this higher than 3.0 since I did not like the two songs in the middle. So it is literally a "good" album.
Hermodr The snow
Cute little melancho-BM EP, the second track was a bit letdown.
Hiemal Summoning the Hall of Stars
Pretty good but incredibly long release. A little bit more variation could have been better for this one.
Hiemal Cathedral Rocks
Hiemal Haze of Old Valleys
Hiemal Yukon
Hiemal Wanderings Within Forests of Despondency
Hiemal Empyreal Woods
Hiemal Celestial Odyssey
Quite pleasant space ambient voyage, but maybe a little bit more noise could have drastically increase the depth of the album's sound.
Hiemal Astray
More on the minimalistic side, which is still quite okay.
Hiemal Guarding Eternity
It was alright. The standard Hiemal method: one single very long ethereal drone track. Relaxing.
Highland Spokesman Sounds
Pretty ethereal drones.
Hirotaka Shirotsubaki slowdance​,​lowtide
It was pretty and relaxing, but that's all. So, here it comes yet another 3.0 rating~
Hole Dweller flies the coop
Hole Dweller Returns to Roost
A better Hole Dweller album, but I'm still not particularly excited about this project... it is nice, but I don't want to jam this repeatedly.
Holokaust 2001 A Death Odyssey
So, the drummer from Slstafir made a DSBM/black ambient album? It's alright, and has its moments, but it's not the most memorable album I've ever heard.
Homselvareg Catastrofe
Horna Hiidentorni (demo)
Horna Haudankylmyyden Mailla
A surprisingly rather forgettable album, but at least it contains many great riffs. But the weakest vocal performance in the band's history is a huge minus. Shame.
Horna Viha Ja Viikate
Hornwood Fell Damno Lumina Nocte
Hour Of Thirteen Feast And Flame
Human Tetris Memorabilia
I'm not really into post-punk, but I liked this. Perhaps I was just in the mood for this, or I don't know~ The darkwave elements are the best.
I Should've Been A Lighthouse Keeper You Will Be Forgotten
ian b. dead space demoes vol. 2
I'm no expert in this type of music, but my dude Ian wrote some really nice beats (with ambient and techno vibes). Maybe some work on the vocals for fuller sound could help, but it is still good as it is!
Igorrr Savage Sinusoid
"So, what genre do you play guys?" ... Basically, YES.
Illusory Gates Dusk in the Old​-​Woods
Illyria The Carpathian Summit
Impaled Nazarene Road to the Octagon
It was good, I think their thrashier side is far better, and the songs where they built upon that more felt superior. It's not bad, but a bit far from their best works - it is still a fun listen, though.
Impaled Nazarene All That You Fear
It's good for a listen.
Impending Doom Hellbent
Yeah, it was good. The second half was especially strong.
Inferno (NO) Utter Hell
Pretty standard old-school thrash album. Sometimes it gets a bit samey, and I felt some songs are overlong. However, it had its moments where the great riffs could really kick in.
Inoriand Touch Of Frost
Irithyll Frozen in Time
It's a calm and easy listen, I found it particularly good whilst reading.
Iskandr Vergezicht
When the folkier parts could shine, the album got that certain warm melancholic vibe as Ulver's Bergtatt does. However, the black metal parts didn't really offer that much excitement. It is still a pleasant album though!
James Knott Tantamount
Jesus Piece ...So Unknown
It's OK. Didn't mind this "kick" next to my morning coffee, but this record couldn't really grab my attention on the long term.
Jim Kirkwood Where Shadows Lie
Joe Hisaishi Spirited Away
Joe Hisaishi Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea
JOFI Lafcádio
Jorvvik Jorvvik
Judas Iscariot An Ancient Starry Sky
Judas Priest Invincible Shield
This was a pretty good one, but in the end I don't think it'll return to this one very often. It's good for a few listens, but it wasn't that fascinating for me. I admire their energy, and the fact that Judas Priest has released so many quality albums. Maybe a few pinnacles: "Gates of Hell" or "Escape From Reality" - I sensed some additional Ozzy and Europe "spices" in these songs, which is pretty cool, and these make them catchier.
Judas Priest Sin After Sin
Great and catchy Judas Priest album with some remnants of blues rock in their style.
Kaleidoscope (UK) Tangerine Dream
Sweet psych pop/rock from '60s. Kinda "one-trick-pony" album with a handful of outstanding (brilliant, even!) songs.
Kalmankantaja Nostalgia II: My Kingdom
Somewhat better than most of the Burzum copycats I've heard, especially the synths are really close to what you can hear in Varg's albums - someone did some research, eh? The riffs are very-very similar, sometimes almost the same, to some Burzum riffs, probably just a few changes here and there to make it different. Furthermore, the vocals sound extremly close to the iconic Filosofem-type of sound, so hats off, someone did the homework right. But allogether, I can't give a better score than a 3.0 because it wasn't really original and the lack of progression is getting boring after some time - but the aesthetics are spot on, which is this release's only, but notewrothy strength.
Kathaaria The Complex Void of Negativity
Pretty good proggy black metal, with especially strong instrumental sections. It is surprising to see that it was released in 2008... they were kinda ahead of their time!
Kauan Ice Fleet
Good album, but I didn't feel entirely hooked by it. (Despite the fact I loved the firt two singles, but sadly they've already unveiled their best shots with 'em.) To be honest, I think I'd be more excited about the RPG book they released with this one.
Kensington Vultures
Kensington Rivals
Kensington Control
Kill Your Idols This Is Just the Beginning
This riffs. m/ The vocals kinda drags it down, though.
King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard Nonagon Infinity
The high average rating was a bit misleading, because I don't think this would be the best KGTLW album. But it's good, I guess?
King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard Ice, Death, Planets, Lungs, Mushrooms and Lava
It's OK. I mean, I could like this as background music when I'm out drinking with my friends; otherwise it's not that special. Cover art is sick though!
King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard K.G.
I had to re-rate and re-phrase my opinion about this... because it is actually quite good. It has some really forgettable/annoying tracks (*cough* Some of Us *cough*), but it has some excellent and clever compositions as well. Honey is especially interesting and surprisingly catchy.
King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard PetroDragonic Apocalypse; or, Dawn of Eternal Night: An Annihilation of...
Thrash metal for the lizardfolk? Hell yes, subscribed. (Turned out to be quite alright.)
Kormorg Dungeon myths
Korog Mumus
Korpituli The Ancient Spells Of The Past
Other than the title-track (which had really good riffs and notably great vocals), this album meant no more than just some mild entertainment. It is literally just "good" since it doesn't offer much excitement, but still riffs.
Krallice Demonic Wealth
The only Krallice album I did not hate, which is: something. The synths are cool.
Krolok Flying Above Ancient Ruins
Kvelertak Splid
I'm disappointed. Most of the tracks turned out pretty lame... "Br�tebrann", "Fanden ta dette hull!" & "Delirium tremens" were outstandingly awesome. But the rest? Uninspired (and not black enough!!!!) - pretty much the same case like it was with 'Nattesfred'. And this really saddened me because I'm sure they still have the potential to write something like the self-titled or 'Meir'. Also, I'm satisfied with the new singer, he's a fuckin' awesome screamer (but please, do not try to sing...).
Lantlos Lantlos
The first three songs didn't really impressed me, but 'Kalte Tage' and 'Ein' delivered exactly what I previously expected from this album.
Legend of the Seagullmen Legend of the Seagullmen
Limbonic Art Promo Rehearsal '95
Linkin Park Reanimation
Lobby Boxer Eugene's Preference
Longsword Longsword
Lord Einsamkeit A Most Certain Death
Lord Einsamkeit Intolerant Tyranny
Lord Einsamkeit Eternal Suffering
Lord Orots Latzineko Erresumaren Itzulera
Lucifer (DE) Lucifer V
Very well written and performed heavy/doom/hard rock album (yeah, all that once). Personally I wasn't that hooked by it, but I admit it's a good one. I think I have identified a few melodies which was inspired by Europe, which is nice.
Lugubrum Bruyne Kroon
What the actual f*ck is this?! Superb Peste Noire/Urfaust-level clever riffs with a tasty-crispy raw sound, but they had to ruin it with f*cking fart and shart sounds, literally...
Lumiere Pieśni Miłosne i Żałobne
Lunacy (US) Melancholic Invocations
Nice atmoblack/black album, this band has some potential.
Lustre (SWE) A Glimpse of Glory
Lycanthropic Depression On Wings of Bats
It was surely something interesting, but not exciting enough for more than one listen. The atmosphere is spot on - like how I'd expect it from a black ambient album - but even as an EP is is very-very short, and with a slightly more effort it could have been much more and much more exciting. But I dig the aesthetics and the main concept.
Lye The Imprisoned Plague Dance
Magnum The Serpent Rings
It's good for a solid jam, but it is kinda punchless and not really exciting or "atmospheric" enough to make me want to jam this repeatedly... + their previous one was lot more catchy than this.
Maladia Demo
Maletum Reckless Age
The strong neo-classical and medieval ambient vibes are nice, but for me the more epic and adventurous song, "Hearth", was clearly the best (awesome Thangorodrim vibes!). No bad for a debut.
Maletum Chosen
Malignant Altar Realms of Exquisite Morbidity
It's alright, some fairly good riffs, but the album's biggest strength was its murky and rusty atmosphere. Definitely not bad, yet it got pretty samey after a while despite the ambient sections were perfectly placed.
Mammoth Grinder Cosmic Crypt
Marblebog Ermitus
A grim and moody black metal/ambient release. In production and riffs this EP shows a strong similarity to the very early Burzum demos/albums, which is something I always enjoy. The vocals are completely not my taste, though...
Marduk Nightwing
It's okay, but not that consistent. "Dracole Wayda" is the absolute pinnacle of the release.
Marduk Plague Angel
Especially good on vocal front (new vocalist, Mortuus) which sometimes gets really Aldrahn-ish here and there, which is quite an achievement. More slower, mid-tempo riffs are really great, but I kinda miss the death metal production from World Funeral. This could have been on the same level in quality or even better(?)
Marduk Serpent Sermon
Not bad, but very-very unbalanced record. Like "Temple of Decay" or "World of Blades" feels soooooo much better than the rest of the album.
Marillion Fugazi
Good stuff! Maybe not really my taste (especially the vocals), but it was enjoyable! Pretty synths, and guitars. It is one of those albums I'd use as background music when some friends come over.
Marrasmieli Between Land And Sky
Nice folkish BM, and a pretty strong debut. The second half of the album was especially good (the songs: "Karakorum" and "The Ardent Passage"). I'm not the biggest fan of the production and the drumming though: the whole package sounds flat. Blast beats over blast beats with some extra blast beats, oh and the bass is barely audible - and probably programmed. But the rest is cool: great riffs, the folky stuff is alright, so definitely not bad.
Massacre Necrolution
It's a good "regular" death metal album. Not an outstanding one, maybe except the unusual structure.
Mastodon Hushed and Grim
Well, it is definitely a Mastodon album. Shame I found it only momentarily captivating, most of the songs just flew by.
Mayhem Pure Fucking Armageddon
Mayhem Liturgy of Death
Yeah, this is definitely a Mayhem album. The sad truth is: Attila is still awesome, but looks like the rest of the band forgot that they should write something new, not just recycling older material. The production is alright, not as dynamic as expected.
Medieval Rites Epic Viking Battle
Not that epic, but still a nice bunch of medieval-inspired "battle" tracks.
Medieval Rites The Celtic Tavern
I expected more positive vibes. Not really tavern music...
Memoriam Rise To Power
OK-tier background-music death metal (lyrically ultra boring -- thanks to the tons or repetitive lines). I doubt if I'll ever return to this for just a handful of great riffs.
Menace Ruine Cult of Ruins
Mercury Rev Yerself Is Steam
It was an interesting one. I'm not the greatest fan of it, because I didn't like especially the first half, and some of these songs were a bit too long for my taste. One other thing which lowered my final score is the vocals... too much false notes, man. The slower, mellow sections were pretty enjoyable though, and that made it a quite relaxing listen while working.
Mesarthim The Density Parameter
Meshuggah Immutable
Well, this was a Meshuggah album for sure, but to be honest: Milo's review is far more enjoyable than the album itself. Not bad, but I doubt if I ever want to give this a re-listen. Minus points for the disastrous album cover.
Metallica Beyond Magnetic
Mgla Exercises in Futility
Mgla Age of Excuse
Well, this is: ... ... ... ... ... standard black metal.
MHOR Vichr v haluzích
Midnight Farewell to Hell
Heavy great riffs and all, but this is rather forgettable than revolutionary.
Midnight Odyssey Master Of The Nebulous Reach
Midnight Odyssey goes post-rock/ambient/drone: no metal detected. This wouldn't be an issue this album wouldn't turn very samey after the second track... it's good as background music, but not very exciting.
Mimico It's Dead
A greatly interesting debut EP, pretty diverse and has lots of interesting sounds - but it makes it hard to judge because there is a huge contrast between songs - and there is only 4 of them. I'm curious what comes next.
Miscreance Convergence
Quite alright. The instrumental side is pretty cool, sometimes I felt "lost" though since some technical parts broke the flow for me, but nothing serious, and I have wooden ears for tech. However, the vocals (oh damn) are soooo boring in a really mood-killer way!! Not a big fan, but at least the cover art is a solid 9/10.
Misotheist For the Glory of Your Redeemer
It was alright. A very-very standard modern BM release which really reminded me to the Polish scene's output - so nothing really new and not that memorable, but at least I enjoyed it more or less.
Misthyrming Algleymi
Mol Diorama
It is... enjoyable. At first I thought this is something like listening to Sunbather and New Bermuda together, but in the end the satisfaction factor was a bit dulled. Diorama is a really well-played blackgaze album without sounding the exact same way like most other bands do. It offers a good listen, but it didn't affect me so much.
Molder Engrossed in Decay
Strong old Obituary-esque death metal - which inherently would be a good thing, but to be honest this felt a bit overlong, and lacks some "kick" here and there.
Moloch The Forest Kingdom
Pleasant winter synth stuff. Perhaps a little bit samey, but it has flow.
Moon Panda What on Earth
Ultra chill, slow and groovy. 10/10 would jam this in a bar.
Moonless Nights Reaching for divinity
Moonlight Sorcery Nightwind: The Conqueror From The Stars
Sick songwriting, but horrible drum sound.
Morbid Saint Swallowed By Hell
It's okay, I guess.
Morbus Chron Sweven
I have mixed emotions about this one: I liked half of the album (more or less), but the other half was basically boring or average. I think this is overrated.
Morgal Nightmare Lord
It is a quite fun rippingly fast black metal album. The riffs are great, but the overall album lacks some "fantasy". It gets very samey after a few tracks.
Morgul Blade Fell Sorcery Abounds
It's good, but "not quite there" yet.
Mork Dypet
It's good. I bet these song slay live, but I expected a bit more from these guys.
Morketsvind Wandering to Nether World
Morrigan The Damned
Far-far more in the vein of "classic" black metal than the viking line. It's not bad, but not great either. A good listen for one or two times, but it I could hardly maintain my attention while listening to this one.
Mors Certa The Ever​-​Turning Wheel
Mortiis The Song of a Long Forgotten Ghost
Mortuary Drape All the Witches Dance
Motorpsycho The All Is One
Muknal CN-22
Pretty standard blackened death metal.
Mullbeck The Boy And The Demon
It was alright, but projects like Fiendish Imp are far better in this style of dungeon synth.
Mysticum Wintermass
Nahadoth The Trial of Oda Thahn / Dathonah's Prescription
Started really well, ended up pretty meh... shame.
Nameless Hero A Gothic Tale
Napalm Death Scum
Decent. I think that says a lot if I say "You Suffer" is the most essential part of it.
Nargaroth Prosatanica Shooting Angels
I'm not entirely satisfied with this release, but it has its moments. The title and song titles are horribly bad, and the lack of bass guitar is a bit distrurbing. However, the production is really pleasing for those who might be into the lo-fi aesthetics. Especially the guitars sound pretty good, and in some songs they sounded just as perfect like they'd be taken from the legendary Unholy Trinity - and that's quite an achievement. The tiny bit of industrial elements and additional sound samples are nice, but they feel a little bit forced and unnecessary, however the more ambient centred tracks sounded really great.
Nature Morte Messe Basse
"Mom, can we have Sunbather by Deafheaven?"
"We have Sunbather at home."
Sunbather at home:
(not bad, but not great either)
Necrot Mortal
It was good, but did not became my all time favourite death metal album. A bit samey.
Nightmarer Deformity Adrift
Smooth disso-death album, with a pleasantly thick sound. I like that the records often runs on a moderated tempo, plus the importance of the bass each song's structure. It's hard to wrap up why is it so good, since it's very consistent from the very beginning.
Nocturnal Departure Cathartic Black Rituals
Not evil enough...
By the way, this is a solid raw (a bit punkish) black album. The slower/midtempo parts are
super massive, but as the tempo jumps up it becomes much less interesting and quite boring.
Nocturnal Effigy The Moonlit Branches of Powder
There are some good or interesting tunes in this album, but alltogether it was rather flat. However, I really liked the old-school production, he nailed that tone perfectly - it made me pleasantly sleepy.
Nocturnal Graves Titan
NONE Damp Chill of Life
Good as DSBM, very boring as atmoblack. The lower tempo, and the depressing mood is in the same vein with the genre's other artist (especially the US line) and works well, but on the other side... it really failed building an atmosphere: way too repetitive, and sounds thin and hollow. The album represents a specific mood, but I really couldn't dive into this, so basically most of the album just went by without delivering something extraordinary.
NONE Inevitable
It's alright, very fuzzy and dense DSBM - but it comes with waaaaaay too much ambient fillers, and those totally broke the album's flow for me. I'm slightly disappointed.
Nostalghia (MEX) The Last Path
Inferior compared to Duelo, despite it's more experimental and steps out of the genre boundaries more often.
Nothing Dance on the Blacktop
Odraza Rzeczom
If Mgla and Peste Noire would have been mixed together. Too bad it sounded mostly like Mgla - so let's slap a generous 3.0 on this. Note: the vocals were mega good.
Oh Bellissima The Light is Ever So Futile
Old Nick Flying Ointment
Somewhat nice (super) lo-fi black metal release. The toy keayboard here and there was a bit funny, but alltogether it was okay. Reminded me to the Satanic Warmaster demos.
Old Sorcery Dreams of the Old Kingdom
Old Sorcery The Outsider
This should have been a Warmoon Lord album instead...
Old Tower Stellary Wisdom
Old Tower Seelenasche
Fairly safe output from Old Tower - I don't mind minimalism, but this was barely more than nothing... the atmosphere was awesome though.
Om Pilgrimage
One with the Riverbed Absence
Some chill post-(atmo)black-kind-of-thing with lots of additional post-rock elements in it. Not exactly my type, but it was a rather enjoyable album, which served very well as background music for working. The closer song outshined the rest of the album through the more varied guitarwork in it, so I really dug that one.
Oozing Wound We Cater To Cowards
Noisy, angry, mid-tempo driven...punk, with extra guitar droning and pulsating drum+bass patterns. Yeah, it was good.
Ophidian I Desolate
It was... good.
Oranssi Pazuzu Mestarin Kynsi
After the first listen, well, I wasn't really hooked at all. On the second run though, I liked what I've heard, but especially from the third track. This is pretty, highly atmospheric, but I don't know, it didn't really grab me for some reason...
Order Of The Sacred Light Meditations in Lemuria
Orkenblut Mysteria Arkana, Bd. I
Ornatorpet Vid Himinsenda
Ozzy Osbourne The Ultimate Sin
Ozzy Osbourne Ordinary Man
The songs in the middle of the album are all really good jams, but the rest is below average. (Especially "Straight to Hell" and "It's A Raid" were extremly awful compared to the others.) The album is a very mixed bag, quality-wise. The title track, "Under the Graveyard" and "Eat Me" are showing Ozzy still got it and are outstandingly good, but on the other side most of the other songs are screaming the opposite: they're boring, and the enormous amount of auto-tuning makes them kinda irritating to listen to. I'm still giving a 3.0 to the album, because it is pretty strong output from a 71 old man and, as I mentioned, the songs in the middle are all great hits and personally I can see myself jamming those a lot in the future. Hats off, Prince of Darkness, and best wishes. Ozzy still rocks m/
Panopticon The Rime of Memory
It was okayish, good for one or two listens but not much more. The intro was gorgeous, the actual black metal parts were OK, but nothing extra -- I kinda disliked the production too. Also severely overrated.
Pantera Vulgar Display of Power
This is punchy stuff, but holy cow, this is soooo horribly overrated. Also the production is idiculously flat.
Pantera The Great Southern Trendkill
Experimental? - in general: nah, from their perspective: kind off yes. Putting together an album with a more diverse sound was a good tactic for them.
Panzerfaust The Suns Of Perdition - Chapter IV: To Shadow Zion
It's okay, but I probably won't re-listen this ever again. "Occam's Fucking Razor" is pretty cool because it reminds me to Blut Aus Nord (but BAN is so much more interesting...)
Panzerwar Pale Whispers Of A Writhing Moon
The riffs are good, but the mix is too hollow, and I hear no bass here. But generally it's not bad, I particularly liked the early Satyricon-alike riffs and melodies.
Paramnesia Paramnesia
Pathworn Pilgrim Beauty Of The Bitter Coast
It's literally what the rating says: good. The production is superb, yet it kinda lacks that spark which could have grabbed my interest. Good for once, or essential for Elder Scroll fans (I'm not).
Paysage d'Hiver Steineiche
Paysage d'Hiver Nacht
Quite uneventful Paysage album. Being unable to find any memorable highlight from a record is really annoying. However, it functioned as a quite OK background music, but I expected lot more.
Pentagram When The Sreams Come
The bad recording quality really drags it down...
Pentagram (CL) The Malefice
It's good, kinda Slayer-ish death/trash album. It's heavy, has good riffs but it gets a bit samey after a while - at least, in my opinion. Otherwise the production is good, and I like the riff-centered approach and the old-school influences.
Peste Noire Dieppe : Livre II
This has its moments, but as my wife asked: "are you really enjoying this?" -- and I had to admot: it's not really that good. Interesting, but also I don't speak French.
Peste Noire Peste Noire - Split - Peste Noire
Side "Traditional" actually riffs hard. Side "Degenerate" though... I've heard worse, but not a big fan.
Pig Destroyer Prowler in the Yard
Piva Fragments of Nights
Interesting Depressive Silence-wannabe-styled dungeon synth combined with bits of Burzumish elements. The sampling wasn't entirely perfect, but hopefully in the upcoming release(s) that could be fixed.
Popol Vuh In den Garten Pharaos
It gets a bit tiring after a while, but it's still a good album.
Poppy I Disagree
Post Malone Hollywood's Bleeding
Pretty bad lyrical expressions and the half of the songs are bloody awful. But the album has some great hits, songs which I pretty much enjoyed, so altogether it was good and definitely worth the time to listen to
this. And Ozzy is still killing it!!
Primordial How It Ends
This record is...alright. Sounds good (mix is very pleasant!), and worked well as background music, but it didn't really catch my attention.
Psudoku Psudoktrination
This is some mega weird avant-prog grindcore with mind-twisting song structures and odd chord progressions. I have no ideo how does one write an album like this...
Pumpkin Witch Hovel of the Pumpkin Witch
Qrixkuor The Womb of the World
This was an interesting experience, but I'm not a biggest fan of this death metal-orchestral music chimera. And to be honest, the orchestra was more stronger than the riffing.
Quest Master The Twelve Castles
Radioactive Mausoleum Radioactive Mausoleum
Ramihrdus The Sorrow of the Evergreens
Pretty alright melancho-atmoblack album. Very-very similar to the Russian project, Darkeater, which was more than a welcomed surprise.
Rannoch Conflagrations
Bit like Meshuggah, but more proggier and with clean singing. The closer track is fortunately not djenty, and absolutely overshines everything else here. Not bad, but in general: not the most exciting record.
Realms in Exile Anghabar: Iron Delvings
Really enjoyable fantasy drone album. Deep drones and minimalistic percussions: perfect background music for working.
Rem Poklade
Replicant Infinite Mortality
Pretty alright tech-death release. A bit choppier than the rest, which is good.
Revered and Reviled Above All Others Swinevoid
This was weird, but I kinda liked it. "Doomviolence" they say, and this is quite accurate: slow, stomping, noisy and disgusting. (The vocals are gooooooood.) Interesting experiment which is actually far more enjoyable than a regular powerviolence record, but it could have been "thicker" in my opinion - it still bears a demo-vibe. Only for those who hunger for really extreme stuff.
Rhapsody of Fire Power Of The Dragonflame
Badass riffs and solos, overdone synths a cheesy vocals - yeah, it's definitely a power metal album. Not bad though.
Rings of Saturn Lugal Ki En
Riot City Electric Elite
Instrumentally quite good, but the whole package gets a bit tiring after a while. And oh lord, why so much screaming?? Since the singer has a pretty good voice though.
Runecaster The Sleeping Sword
The diversity in this release is outstanding: all the 12 song has its own sound and atmosphere! I greatly respect albums like this, because it really helps me to get into the artist's concept. I especially liked the slower and more droney songs, but each one is great and the kinda old-school sound is also very pleasing. Sadly, most of the songs are very short, and here and there feel a bit unpolished.
Sacred Outcry Towers of Gold
I'm not very into power metal in general, but this is really good stuff. I could enjoy it more if the vocals wouldn't jump so high that often, though. Towers Of Gold was more like: This Song Is Made Of Gold - such a banger with ballsy riffs and solos!
Sacred Son Sacred Son
Sacrilege (UK1) Behind The Realms Of Madness (Reissue)
It was a fine experience, but nothing really stood out for me. But: the riffs were fine!
Sadistik Exekution Fukk
Saidan Jigoku: Spiraling Chasms of Blackst Hell
Still a bit blunt, but Saidan is on the right path with this one!
Saidan Onryo: Vengeful Spirits in Eastern Night
Lo-fi punky black metal with some mellow clean guitar sections and lots of noisy screaming. It's okay, but just because it's a great jam.
Samael Eternal
This is a quite good 'electronics-driven industrial metal' album (is that correct?), but man... waaaaaaaaaaaaay toooooooooo loooooooooooong!
Samael Hegemony
Comparing this to Passage is quite pointless, since it's definitely much less interesting. It contains some bangers, but the album feels way too long and gets a bit samey after a while -- so pretty much like Eternal.
Sanguine Eagle Storm Mysticism
Sanguisugabogg Tortured Whole
Even though I love this kind of straight-forward nasty death metal, it was kinda boring after a while. But in small "doses", this band rips.
Sargeist Flame Within Flame
It was still good, but far behind in quality compared to what they could do "just" a decade ago.
Sasquatch Fever Fantasy
Not the most diverse stoner metal album on the planet, but at least it kinda riffs. It was good for once, but I'm afraid that's all.
Satanic Warmaster ...of the Night
Satanic Warmaster Black Katharsis
Scary Larry Sounds of Isolation
Scorpions Love At First Sting
Secret Shame Dark Synthetics
Sequestered Keep The Fortress in the Timeless Fog
Serpent Column Endless Detainment
Serpent Column Kathodos
It was interesting, but I think I enjoyed this one the least from the Serpent Column discog (so far). The noisier and wilder direction could have been great, but some songs were clearly "hit and miss" for me, and I felt indifferent about some others. It had some real slappers though, like 'Pathlessness' and 'Offering Tounges', but alltogether I don't think I'll jam this very often. And 'Desertification' was a very bad joke...
Serpent Column Katartisis
I still miss the "Ornuthi Thalassa" form of Serpent Column. It's not bad, but I doubt if I want to return to this in the future.
Serpent's Isle Legends of The Ancient Bay
Shining (SWE) Divided You'll Stand & United You'll Fall
It's a mixed bag: some covers are really good (Entombed and Alice Cooper) while others are quite irritating (Danzig). Same case with the original Shining songs: "Ugly And Cold" is a banger, while "Joakims hghussng" is utter garbage. Eh, it is what it is.
Sickness (Finland) Nidus Diaboli
Sidereal Fortress Racconti Del Focolare
Siege Tower Siege Tower
Sielunvihollinen Ruhonkantaja
Silvanthrone Forbidden Pathways to Ancient Wisdom
Generally speaking: this was alright. Sometimes the guitar duos were a bit wonky, but alltogether it is a good second wave worship album. It's good for a few listens.
Skillet Unleashed
Slayer Hell Awaits
Hell Awaits is the bridge between the oldie Show No Mercy heavy metal/thrash era and the "classic Slayer sound". Personally I believe this is the least good album from the Slayer catalog in the '80s.
Slayer Divine Intervention
Slayer Christ Illusion
Slayer Repentless
Slidhr The Futile Fires of Man
Slime Golem The Short But Touching Tale Of Slime Golem
It was a good concept album, with this swampy, hypnotic theme. But I can't say it is among of the best releases this year.
Sodium Seconal 6677713
Harmless little instrumental psychedelic rock album. Nothing really extra, and most of the songs are quite short, but I'm not going to lie: I was tempted by the cover, but I'm glad I gave this a listen.
Sodom Bombenhagel
It's okay. Pretty harmless little EP.
Soen Memorial
A rather inoffensive rock record which kinda fails to achieve being either "progressive" or "metal". It's pleasant as background music, though.
Sol Tenebra The Inevitable
Solitude Aeturnus Beyond The Crimson Horizon
I'm not sure if "power doom" is my thing...
Sombre Arcane Sombre Arcane (Demo)
Spectral Lore and Mare Cognitum Wanderers: Astrology of the Nine
Great continuation of their previous split, and I liked the improvement in the production. Otherwise, the album is an interesting cosmic BM piece, which has stronger (Venus, Jupiter) and not-really-good songs (Saturn, Uranus) as well. Personally I think the albums suffers from its length, because it gets a little samey after a while - even though each song has its own theme and melodies, but well... I simply felt some songs just went by.
Spectral Voice Eroded Corridors of Unbeing
Spectral Wound A Diabolic Thirst
Very solid blackness. Consistently good flow, great riffs and good performance, which was sadly somewhat dull in a few aspects. First of all, the album feels waaaaaay too short (barely hit the 40 minutes runtime), so perhaps keeping a few tracks running longer could have been more effective delivering the desired effect. Additionaly, these 6 songs were way to similar to each other, and I cannot name any pinnacle from the album since it mostly "just flew by". Even though I greatly enjoyed the riffs and the production, this didn't really hook me as I hoped for.
Sperm Angel Life is Poison
Despite the most horrible band name... this EP is actually pretty good. A jammy mixture of black metal and heavy metal - with shireking vocals and rusty sound samples.
Splendorius Norfaragell​-​Thul
Stillness My Snow Princess
Stirge Stirge III
Stone Garden Existential Futility
Suhnopfer Nous sommes d'hier
It's a good, really fast black metal release with a few unorthodox ideas. Not that extra or fancy, to be honest.
Sumerlands Sumerlands
Summoning Minas Morgul
Sunken Grove Binding Branches
Nice old-school-ish dungeon synth release. Quite enchanting sound, but perhaps it is a little bit dull for me - however, I really enjoyed the atmosphere it captures!
Sunken Totem Ox Eye
Sunn O))) White2
Super Snake Leap of Love
Synthosaurus Dino War
Taake/Whoredom Rife Pakt
I did not know Whoredom Rife from eariler, so his side was new to me, but I'm impressed. The standard Taake song and the cover were very good, but alltogether it was a good listen for once and that's all.
Taur Nu Fuin The Mountain Path
Telepathic Moon Astral Elegance
Tempte Urðr
Terminal Nation Holocene Extinction
"Basically a hardcore band playing smooth brain caveman riffs for an entire album." [2] Some lines in these lyrics are...lol, but damn, this sounds really good! (I'd cut back on the vocals though... Man, let those riff stand out!)
Terrorizer Hordes of Zombies
A fast deathgrind record, which consists of some really average songs and some pretty decent ones (like "Radiation Syndrome" or "A Dying Breed").
Thangorodrim Akallabêth
The 3rd Attempt Egocidal Path
The Beatles Please Please Me
The Crevices Below Below the Crevices
It's pretty, but not that exciting I hoped for. "Whispers Of Sorrow" is pretty cool, but it is also an example how annoying some additional vocals can be.
The Crippled God Deadhouse
It was quite good. The album is a really mixed bag, as it mixes the sound of old-school video games with minimalistic ambient music (where the piano dominates the melodies). It is well written, however I wasn't entirely hooked by this.
The Cure Songs of a Lost World
Yeah, it was quite good.
The Devil Wears Prada ZII
This takes me back. Pretty alright, but not that overwhelming I hoped for. It was good to hear some synths!
The Devil's Trade Nincs Szennyezetlen Szép
Shortly: Vidékek Vannak Idebenn was much-much better, in my opinion. This one kinda tried to replicate the essence of its predecessor, but the final results somehow lacks "power" - even though, this is entirely a post-doomgaze-whatever thing. So it's pretty metal.
The IXth Key Dungeon
The IXth Key Moon
The Night Eternal Fatale
This is pretty cool heavy metal, in which the band succesfully implemented the insertion gothic rock elements into their sound. But unfortunately, this is mixed pretty badly... the singer is way too loud so most of the time we can barely hear the instruments, which is real shame since the band itself is lot better than their singer. Just shut up man, let the others jam a little bit.
The Noisy Freaks The Sixth Sense
The Police Outlandos d'Amour
Not bad for a debut, but I didn't enjoy the first half of the album. Nor 'So Lonely' or 'Roxanne' are that really memorable.
The Rolling Stones Bridges to Babylon
This is good.
The Sorcerer (IT) Echoes of Distant Times
Thorvroht Frostbound Reveries
Very-very chill dark ambient / winter synth release, which flows in a slow pace. (From this aspect, I dug this lot more than Aindulmedir, for example.)
Threshing Spirit Into The Light
An alright ambient/lo-fi black metal demo(?), but the overall package isn't that captivating. The (bit droney) ambient pieces are good though, I liked this minimalstic yet effective approach.
Thy Darkened Shade Liber Lvcifer II: Mahapralaya
It's... OK. Feels too long, and while the basslines are amazing, the overall instrumentalization doesn't feel so synergic to me, and the vocals are definitely "too much".
Toad Sage The Long Forgotten Realm
Interesting release, but I'm not that particularly hooked by it. It was sure fun listening while gaming, but I'm afraid that's all.
Torchlight Haunting Dreams for the Dying King
Torgeist Devoted To Satan
Triptykon Shatter
It was good, but a bit far from the debut LP in terms of quality. Both Celtic Frost live songs sound totally different than how we know them, but I'm not sure the change was for the better... Fun little EP though.
Triptykon Melana Chasmata
Unlike Triptykon's impressive debut, Melana Chasmata has far less excitement to offer. I can't say it is not any good, because Tom G. Warrior rarely wrote anything boring. This album just doesn't have that spark, that spirit what I expected. Other than songs like "Altar of Deceit" and "In the Sleep of Death" this was a rather forgettable experience.
Trvth Black Horse Plague
Tryglav The Ritual
It was alright. A quite good meloblack album, really reminded me to modern Dark Funeral both in its strengths and weaknesses: it's good, the production is OK too, but not very exciting. Works well in the background if I do very boring work. One more thing: a vocals are a bit too much, too much duplicated parts - I want to hear the riffs not the vocals!
Uada Crepuscule Natura
It's... alright, in the most positive way! Sounds good, and doesn't sound sterile "idea-wise" either. It's just... a very standard meloblack album. It's a good one though, especially because I dig the production a lot: it has an interesting stoner/death-infused black metal metal sound (if that makes any sense), and the mixing feels really pleasant as each instrument + the vocals are perfectly placed. No fillers here, just not that exciting I hoped for.
Uhtceare El Genocidio Primordial Llevará El Nombre Infinito
Ulcerate Stare Into Death and Be Still
(Shrines of Paralysis is still lot better.) I found the little bit more "melodic" sections the deepest, but overally this is a perfectly standard Ulcerate record. The enormous hype probably damaged and dampened my experience, because I think it's not worthy for the average score. Still a pretty heavy album, though.
Ulfberht Vikingr
This is not the best dungeon synth release of the year, but a very memorable one: full of samples from battle ambiances taken probably from movies and videogames, and interesting lo-fi synths which mostly focus on building an atmosphere rather than playing any melodies.
Ulver Nattens Madrigal
Ulver Blood Inside
Ulver A Quick Fix of Melancholy
Ulver Flowers of Evil
"Oh, a bad song. Oh a good song! Oh, another bad. Wait, another good!" [repeat this] To be honest, I'm somewhat disappointed, this wasn't *that* new I expected it to be, more like an Assassination B-side album...? It wasn't hard to sit through, but I don't feel I want to have this on an infinite replay. Last track was clearly my favourite - bringing back those Shadows Of The Sun vibes (for a short time) caught me totally off-guard.
Umbria Farwalker
Upyr The Four Seasons
Ur Pale Crystal Waves Orchestra
Ur Pale New Dawn
Urfaust Hoof Tar
It was a quite nice mega single, but their most interesting release. The "Spaced Out Mix" was quite terrible, but the song itself and the "Radio Edit 666" plus the synthwave-ish turbo "Lueur Verte Version" was really good, though.
Urn Iron Will of Power
Ururdhagaz När Mörkret Tog Över Makten
Sounds awkwardly similar to Thangorodrim: both in sounds and melodies. I wouldn't mind it, if it would be similarly good as well, but this one sounds kind of "hollow" and less exciting... Not bad, but the comparison is unavoidable.
Utred Gothic
Valtyr Töframaðurinn og Mærin
It was a pretty good. Some serious Burzum-worshipping was going on here, which was mostly a pleasant and easy listening. However, nailing the Burzumish secret of nailing the repetitive and hypnotic magic doesn't work for all, and that was the case here: some songs became too samey. But I think there is a great potential in this project.
Vault Of Horror Chapter 1: Vintage Horror
Veilburner Lurkers in the Capsule of Skull
It wasn't as wild as expected. It has a good flow though, but it rarely lured my interest to listen to it more actively. Sometimes it felt like it is Aldrahn behind the mic, because of a perfect imitation. It was good for once, but that's all for me.
Venom Welcome to Hell
First half of the album is a pretty fun, while the second half of it kinda lacks some punch. It's a quite good, and historically very important heavy metal album which contrubuted a lot to the birth of thrash. The production quality is ass, but the bass sounds really nice!
Venom Black Metal
The icon, the ugly devil... Black Metal is a legendary release: but I'll agree with that mostly because of its historical importance. I say 'mostly', because the first half of the album doesn't really offer that much excitement. However, from the #7 song, "Sacrifice", things get quite interesting. The first hints of extremity will make their check-in, foreshadowing the birth and the sounds of first Bathory releases. (Come on Quorthon, you liar, you clearly were inspired by this album!)
Venom At War with Satan
Instrumentally, this is a big level-up -- yet, the guitar sound is paper thin... which is very irritating. On the vocal side, Cronos was pretty bad on this one, in my opinion and his vocals were way too loud in the mix. So, while their songwriting skills greatly improved, the bad production kinda counterbalanced it.
Venom Calm Before the Storm
Finally good production on a Venom record! Moreover, this contains bunch of mega catchy songs such as "Black Xmas" or the title track. The biggest downside are the clean vocals... but despite this flaw, this is a pretty good record! Not a "raw" heavy metal type, but it's still Venom with more melodies in it.
Venom Cast in Stone
Groovier and thrashier than ever. Instrumentally it's decent, but Cronos sounds a bit annoying after a while... It's good for a few listens, but on the long term, it's not very exciting.
Vexing Grand Reproach
Not bad disso-death/sludge which often rolls on a doomy tempo. Highlights: The quite melodic "The Invisible Hand" and the dreamy interlude, "Howling".
Vindalv Æptir Pushende Ar demo
Vindkaldr Sword Of Moss
Vindkaldr Their Ships Sail from the Moon
Vinterriket Hinweg
"Sehnsuchtsglanz" is absolutely gorgeous, but the rest of the album feels too samey. I liked the way how the vocals are added to the mix, though.
Vitriol (USA) Suffer & Become
Massive and ferocious modern death metal, but it could have been much-much better if it'd contain more instrumental/slower pieces or sections, like "Survival's Careening Inertia" (which was absolutely the best track on this album). The high "octane number" (intensity within) is convincing (poor drummer, this must be a killer task!), but it's a bit too much.
Vomir Claustration
This is probably my weirdest rating I ever gave...
Voronmrak Battles of Winter Winds
Voronmrak Silver of Winter
Voslaarum Forgotten Vale
Voyages of the Old Oak Home
Very interesting album. Not exactly that medieval folk ambient I expected: this is much more: very unusual/odd songwriting, instruments and melodies. There are song which are like some folk metal programmed in MIDI(?), I'm not sure, except the fact that I liked this release.
W.E.B. Colosseum
It's good for once, since it has some really immersive moments and pretty decent riffing. (If you can overlook their lyrics...). This is pretty much like a bit chuggier Dimmu Borgir and but more symphonic like Cradle Of Filth - which is still better than anything CoF ever made, lol.
Wall Painted Black Ache
Weeping Sores False Confession
West End Motel Don't Shiver, Your're A Winner
Whoredom Rife Den Vrede Makt
A "good background music" black metal album. The slow album closer was good, though.
Windrikje ... Des Waldes Ruh
Wine Drinkers Warmth
winter woods Forest Of Mysterious Evil
winter woods Cavern Of Obscure Sacrifice
Wintercry Swords and Magic
Winterfylleth The Reckoning Dawn
It's okay. Tbh, 'In Darkness Begotten' was the only really memorable track here. The album is consistently alright, it worked nicely as a background album, but nothing really catched my attention. The production was nice, though.
Wintermoon (FIN) Reh. Demo 1/1995
Witch Vomit Funeral Sanctum
Good every-day-death-metal release, but nothing really extraordinary.
Wolfbrigade Run With The Hunted
Wolfsschrei Rise Dead Ember
Wolves in the Throne Room Two Hunters
Wolves in the Throne Room Malevolent Grain
Wolvhammer The Monuments of Ash and Bone
Worm Necropalace
It's alright, I guess? It has its moments (like the main riff of "Dragon Dreams" is killer), but in general: the flow is really bad. The entire album feels too tryhard - don't get me wrong, I admire their virtuosity - but man, it's too much.
worms as blind as dirt worms as blind as dirt
Wretched Inferno Cacophony of Filth
Well, it was an album. A bit samey, but since we're speaking about goregrind here, this is actually okay. However, if we consider it was made by a bunch of teenagers, then I have to say: it's impressive!
Wulkanaz Wulkanaz
Wurdulac Dungeon Lord (demo)
Xasthur Xasthur
Not the most inspired Xasthur release, but still good for a few listens.
Xasthur Nightmares at Dawn
An acceptable compilation with some really good but previously never released songs... and also some dreadful ones too.
Xathristis All Hope Has Vanished From This Heart
Xibalba Itzaes Ah dzam poop ek
Ygg Ygg
Yoshihisa Hirano & Hideki Taniuchi Death Note Original Soundtrack
Some truly fantastic melodies, but as an album it's not that groundbreaking. However, it functioned perfectly as the soundtrack of the show. "L's Theme" is one of the best character-themes ever.
ZAUM Eidolon
Zeke Hellbender
Zmarlym Wielkie Zanikanie
Proggy BM with odd clean vocals and superb mastering. This won't hurt once, but it kinda lacks some "primal punch".

2.9 good
Darkthrone It Beckons Us All
First two tracks are some of their worst songs... With "Black Dawn Affiliation" it gets better (actually this is the best song on the album, by far) and remains consistently great until the end of "The Bird People Of Nordland". But again, the album closer duo of "The Heavy Hand" & "The Lone Pines Of The Lost Planet" really kills the mood... Honestly, more than the half of the album feels unfinished, tired and flat. The very old-school production can't save this from being disastrous. Biggest disappointment of the recent years.

2.5 average
1349 Revelations of the Black Flame
This had some potential, but the exectution turned out to be far too boring. The actual black metal songs are great, the more experimental, groovy other songs are interesting too, but the way too many uninteresting ambient tracks kinda killed the enjoyement of this release (and the intro with the screamings was very irritating).
A Wandering Spirit Lost And Forgotten
Abhor (ITA) Sex Sex Sex (Ceremonia Daemonis Anticristi)
Sadly, it was disappointing. It was very samey, even though the synths/organs never sounded so good like in this one (Juuso Peltola from Old Sorcery/Warmoon Lord did an amazing job, as usual).
Abigor Höllenzwang - Chronicles Of Perdition
Absolute Hell Rememberance
Absurd (GER) Werwolflicht
Fairly average mildly melodic black metal. The lame AI-generated artwork is a big yikes too.
Acid Witch Rot Among Us
Death metal where? It's just heavier type of stoner/doom with hints of psychedelia within. On paper, I should dig this, and I kinda do: I love the guitar tone and the silly flutes and other stuff here and there. ...But this lacks variety, most songs sound waaaaay too samey, and around the 4th song I felt quite bored.
Ad Nauseam Imperative Imperceptible Impulse
I guess it is good, but I'm just not hooked by it. I sensed some Esoteric Warfare era Mayhem in this through the sinister, dissonant and slow chords - too bad I did not like the tech-death parts that much.
Agalloch The Mantle
Aindulmedir Star Lore
I understand this supposed to be relaxing, but damn, this is so uninteresting...!
Allegaeon Damnum
Almofar C'est la Peste! Sauve Qui Peut!
Amun Spectra and Obsession
If they wouldn't fuck up the whole thing with unnecessary glitchy nonsense (they could have go with more industrial stuff instead), and the stupidly repetitive Al Cisneros-alike chantings (from Sleep, y'know) combined with terribly overlong songs lengths... then it could have been a good recod. But it is as it is: I could truly enjoy like the 50% of it, the rest should have been cut out, straight to the bin.
Ancient Mastery Chapter Two: The Resistance
Phew, this was an interesting experience. So, this was an extra cheesy Dimmu Borgir if they'd turn into a half-power/half-black metal band, plus they'd have a second a female singer (who actually sings well), but her lines make everything very cringy. Too much power metal, too much female singing.
Anfortas Far Below the City
Anthene Long Formations +4
Arcane Cavern Sorcery of Chaos
Arcane Hand Hohe Bäume
Arch Enemy Deceivers
Not a painful record in any sense, but I didn't feel entertained or excited either.
Arcturus My Angel
Argenthorns The Ravening
Disappointment of the year. Like I can't believe it's from Juuso Peltola... it's so lame. (Production is fine though!)
Arthuros Kosmos
This kinda bored me. Nice Depressive Silence aesthetics, but that's all.
Arvernien Plenilunio
Arxura Delving
Astrophobos Malice of Antiquity
At The Altar Of The Horned God Through Doors Of Moonlight
They forced this way too much... it has great ideas, but it has an extremly lame production, and most of the chantings etc. are just simply boring and not inspiring at all.
Attila Chaos
Auld Ridge Folklore From Further Out
The acoustic parts are very lovely, the rest is just... boring.
Aura Noir Aura Noire
Baazlvaat The Higher Power
Sadly, "The Higher Power" is an average release even if I feel less grumpy and more generous than otherwise. Where the album tried to turn towards the BMSS, Assassination or Edelweiss alike psychedelic-black-punk direction, the result was far more convincing than the rest and managed to offer some fairly enjoyable moments. However, the whole creation smells like cheap glue: it feels like a cheap copy version of the aforementioned bands and bit like Burzum at certain moments (the vocals really sound similar to young Varg here and there, I had to admit that). Moreover the recording quality is way-way too sloppier than it should be - I get it, recording on a half-rotten potato is "kvlt af", but after a while it gets really ridiculous and dampens the experience. (Even Judas Iscariot could record a better quality audio in the '90s...)
Barak Tor Silent Passages And Hidden Realms
Bavingr Warrior Bard
Bavingr Bycirce
Baxaxaxa De Vermis Mysteriis
Beketh Nexehmu De Dunklas Sorgeakt (Ett Nordiskt Afvsked​.​.​.​)
This album has its moments, but generally feels very samey and I really-really hated the production, which pretty much ruined this experience for me.
Beleriand February
I really wanted to rate this higher, because it is actually well-produced and the atmosphere checks out, but... the opera singing really killed the mood for me. It's like the Amnesia:Machine for Pigs soundtrack was inserted into an atmoblack album. Some may like it, and some other don't - I'm from the latter group.
Berghof Fount of Life
Besatt Anticross
"Did I hear this before?" - this is not a bad album, but too boring to my taste.
Bespin Moons A Binding Force
I wanted to like it, but in the end I felt disappointed every time. It's not bad, but it's very far from being good too.
Big Black Songs About Fucking
Black Brunswicker Hidden Amongst the Trees and Foothills
Black Label Society Stronger Than Death
This gets very samey after a while...
Black Label Society Doom Crew Inc.
Other than "Gospel Of Lies", this is a really soulless and very boring album. Real shame... Zakk is better than this.
Black Label Society Mafia
This is a very forgettable piece in the BLS discography.
Black Mysterium Demo I
Black Sabbath Cross Purposes
It's not Tony Martin's fault: this album blows. The only (really) good song on this is "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle", the album is just the result of purely sloppy songwriting. Shame on Iommi, this should have been stayed in the forgery for longer.
Black Wound Warping Structure
I don't hear any progression in this release compared to their first demo - and this makes me sid. Raw sludge/doom recorded in a cave? The interest-factor in this concept is not long-lasting.
Blackbraid Blackbraid II
"yep another modern bm attempt that doesnt really go anywhere" [2] Exactly. It's just not interesting enough to justify the hype around it. It sounds okay, but generally: very forgettable songs, boring lyrics, boring artwork etc.
Blaze of Perdition The Harrowing of Hearts
Blogmal Blogmal
Blue-Ghost Coral Sea
Blut Aus Nord Ultima Thulee
I don't care how early this is, or how historical is this release: it's not very good. Thin, often feels out of sync (not in the good "avant-garde way"). Certainly, this was just the beginning, and it's interesting to note how much this band has improved over time!
Bog Wizard From The Mire
Promising start, but very forgettable after midpoint... Real shame.
Bogwitch A Tale of Vengeance
Borknagar True North
Bosque Cleansing
Lifeless and boring lo-fi funeral doom. Throwing a few good riffs into the bowl didn't work for me.
Bosse-de-Nage All Fours
Brendan Wells Plant Music Music For People & Their Plants Vol 1
Brendan Wells Plant Music The Right Side of the Grass
Sadly it was very disappointing. Half of the song sounded very flat and boring, and the rest is was just some lame Mort Garson-copies. Shame...
Brian Eno Discreet Music
Shortly: I'm not really into this. While the first very long track was quite good meditative composition, the rest was more annoying than relaxing.
Bruxa Omat
Okayish winter synth release, sadly the production takes back from the experience (it feels hollow and very quiet).
Candlemass The Door to Doom
Candlemass Death Magic Doom
Unlike its predecessor, Death Magic Doom doesn't have that spark what was expected. The whole album generally feels a bit flat, even Lowe's performance too. "The Bleeding Baroness" and "Clouds Of Dementia" are clearly the best songs in the entire thing, but I doubt I'll re-visit this album again.
Candlemass Psalms for the Dead
This kinda riffs, but everything feels recycled. Boring album - real shame!
Carach Angren Franckensteina Strataemontanus
Disappointment of the year. 'Franckensteina Strataemontanus' is the most forgettable Carach Angren record, which wasn't really interesting at all. Each song suffers from being too flat and uninspired, filled with terrbily out of place synth sections and the final result doesn't really feel "heavy" at all. There are some nice riffs here and there, but the overall songwriting is all over the place and the album feels very incoherent despite the clear concept - and that's very frustrating. Additionaly, even though the production is clear and nice, and the vocals are still very-very good, that awfully overcompressed drum sound ruins the listening experience, because it feels very negligent and uninspired, and that disturbingly bad "clicking" bass drum simply makes me mad...
Castillo Castillo
Cauldron of the Sun The Passage Home
Celebdil The Tower
Celtic Frost Prototype
Actually, this is not that horrible. If you sit down and listen to this properly, you'll notice that this demo is indeed a prototype, the prototype of their final masterpiece, Monotheist and some Triptykon songs. You can hear many of the same lyrics and same melodies from the aforementioned examples - and from this aspect, I believe it's a fascinating experience having the opportunity to hear these early early versions of those songs. Plus, it's also very interesting to hear some of these rather unsuccesful experiments, because these were also part of their evolution. Not every experiment is a succesful one, and this release is not painful as most people said. (Not good, but not painful either.)
Chained to the Bottom of the Ocean Obsession Destruction
Post-sludge which tested my patience. I personally hate this kind of boring wankery, especially the closer track was the worst. Altogether it's not bad though (because "Hole in My Head" exists), but it contains way too much irritating factors to be categorized as good. Oh yeah, the worst thing: those fucking distorted vocals are godawful! Monotonous, boring, way too loud in the mix - fire the vocalist and that moron who thought that adding a distortion effect will make the vocals sound better... bleh.
Chapel of Disease Echoes of Light
Mom, can we have some Tribulation?
We have Tribulation at home.
Tribulation at home:
Chaucerian Myth The Book of Margery Kemp
Chaucerian Myth Chaucerian Legends: The Epic of Beileag, Part I
Claire Cronin Big Dread Moon
Cloud Rat Threshold
Conjurer Pathos
This is *yawns*, uh, boring.
Converge Bloodmoon: I
Damn, I really lost it at "Lord of Liars". This simply doesn't work... This is Converge AND Chelsea Wolfe - both sides are seemingly play and focus on their own stuff with minimal overlap. The result? A very all-over-the-place album, which constantly shifts between Converge's and Chelsea Wolfe's side, with just a few kinda good songs, and with more some really annoying/boring ones.
Cornoctuan Beyond the Polaris
Long, steady tempo melodic riffing with mellow female singing. It's OK in the background for once, but it's too "light" for me.
Cradle of Filth The Principle of Evil Made Flesh
Cradle of Filth Bitter Suites to Succubi
Cradle of Filth Cruelty and the Beast
Cradle of Filth Existence Is Futile
Just no.
Crypt Sermon The Ruins of Fading Light
Cryptworm Spewing Mephitic Putridity
Behind a sick cover hides a very average album. Not essentially bad, but it's very uninteresting.
Cult of Luna A Dawn to Fear
Dark Funeral Angelus Exuro pro Eternus
"My Funeral" is really dope, but the rest was kinda meh... too safe, too sterile.
Dark Sanctuary Royaume Melancolique
Dawn of Ouroboros Velvet Incandescence
Post-snoozefest.
Deafheaven Ordinary Corrupt Human Love
Deafheaven Infinite Granite
The good: Great Mass Of Color, Villain, and the second part of Mombasa (RIP that climax, though. Nice try.) The bad: Everything else. The awful: Lament for Wasps. Final words: it is good once, but not surprised it was worse than Ordinary Boring Human Snoozefest.
Death Worship End Times
Deathspell Omega Paracletus
Deathspell Omega The Furnaces of Palingenesia
Departure Chandelier Antichrist Rise to Power
Der Weg Einer Freiheit Noktvrn
Real shame that I only liked the song "Morgen" from this... next to that song, the rest was just the regular mega boring post-black with the typical "emotional tone". I'm not impressed.
Destroyer 666 Call of the Wild
Devilgroth Svyatogor
Perhaps I'm just not feeling it... feels like the album (or the songs) are just not going anywhere, which led me to feel very bored. It has sometimes an avant-garde-ish edge, but it's not interesting enough.
Dimmu Borgir Eonian
Diocletian Doom Cult
Dodsferd Suicide And The Rest Of Your Kind Will Follow II
It has everythig what a regular DSBM album could offer, except that little extra what could make a band interesting. Very boring album.
Draconic Regicide Shadowrealm
Very uneventful dark ambient release. Very drone-orineted soundscapes, but the feel is quite hollow.
Drudkh The Swan Road
Drudkh Estrangement
Dunkelbot Angerbach
Ecdelegost Old Souls
Edelweiss Nomen Est Omen
Ekud Tun Ekud Tun
Elador Drowned Dreams
Elyvilon Versebound
Emma Ruth Rundle and Thou May Our Chambers Be Full
Dull sputcore stuff.
Emperor IX Equilibrium
Overplayed mess.
Enisum Forgotten Mountains
I'm not going to lie: this was pretty boring (and at certain points I felt it's not even on a decent level qualitywise), but the thing which made me 2.5 this was those... embarassing vocals. Man, those cleans were really bad.
Ensiferum Winter Storm
Epitome of "average". Other than "Long Cold Winter of Sorrow and Strife", the album fails to deliver.
Enslaved Nema
Enslaved Hordanes Land
Enslaved Heimdal
Other than "The Eternal Sea", it wasn't my thing at all. I didn't get it, and I didn't like it.
Erang Imagination Never Fails
Erang presents: "The Leftover Album". Personally I was disappointed, because I feel this lacks consistency, and feels way too random. I miss that charming atmosphere I know the genius behind this project could cast otherwise... Despite that, I liked this concept (and cover art), but it was more of a missed opportunity.
Erang TOME ZERO
Incosistent garbage. Just because it has Old London font on it... that doesn't mean it is any good...
Erdstall Temple of Ancients
Ereb Altor Hälsingemörker
Incredibly uninteresting, also the mix is absolutely f*cked up.
Erferis Hyena Queen
Erythrite Throne / Seregost Black Order of Vampyric Blood
This is INCREDIBLY BORING. Side Erythrite Throne is flat and lifeless, but at least was side Seregost was better yet still not really captivating.
Etchings Wound Demo I
Evanescence The Bitter Truth
It was a quite painless encounter, but still very-very boring.
Fallujah Xenotaph
Fantavras Down Below
Feminazgul No Dawn for Men
The music itself is totally average, but the idea behind it is retarded. It's just waste of time... So it has everything be be worshipped on sput! (Avoid it at any cost!)
Flaekingur Fairy Tales
Fleurety A Darker Shade of Evil
Flughund Shimmering Figure Of The Black Lake
Foal Denu of Wind | Tome of Old Winter
Forest Temple Twilight Within The Ancient Wood
Forgotten Passage Demo
Forgotten Sword Funeral Castle
This is not bad at all, but I couldn't name any highlight from the album, and this kinda lacks some spark. The old-school soundscapes are really nice though.
Forlorn Kingdom Distant Apparitions
Some good ideas, and I liked the lo-fi aesthetics, but every song gets very boring after a few minutes.
Fossilization Leprous Daylight
This is so booooooooooring. There are far more interesting death/doom albums out there.
Fraudort Dark Dungeon
Fulador The Realm of the Great River
Full of Hell Coagulated Bliss
First of all: awful album cover. Secondly: it wasn't that coherent as expected. Kinda slaps, but not that memorable for me.
Gaerea Mirage
Ugly ass cover on a typical boring post-black release. What are you chewing on this?
Gaerea Limbo
"Gaerea challenges the archetype of black metal" Pffff, my ass. Just throwing some post-metal into their sound doesn't revolutionize anything. This album is a simply boring and forgettable.
Garadrak A Questing Knight
Gatewatcher Blind Eternities
Gavella Glan A Silent Vigil for Oncoming Plagues
It was just unexpectedly boring.
Gehennah Too Loud to Live, Too Drunk to Die
Ghost (SWE) Prequelle
Glistening #37 'Dying'
Glistening #36 'Fragments'
God Disease Apocalyptic Doom
Other than the supermassive black hole track Futile Effort to Breathe, the rest was sadly quite forgettable. The production is heavenly, but something is missing here... perhaps the expected Finnish melodic approach.
Godflesh Purge
This was definitely something -- but not for me, I think.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor G_d's Pee AT STATE'S END!
It was so boring.
Also I still believe these are two Crinoids on the cover:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crinoid#/media/File:Crinoid_anatomy.png
Gomorra Dealer of Souls
This literally does nothing and feels boring right after the second song.
Gondar Sword of Gondar
Grandma's Cottage Grandma's Cottage
Grelin Greenclan Grelin Greenclan
Grenadier Trumpets Blare in Blazing Glory
Grieve (FIN) Funeral
Very disappointing. After the very promising EP, they completely abandoned the atmospheric approach and turned towards a 100% pure second wave direction - which kinda riffs, but the result is very boring.
Grima Rotten Garden
These post-black bands sound so unoriginal... at least, they added accordions as a kinda interesting extra instrument - too bad I wasn't hooked by it at all. Call me a gatekeeper, whatever, but this is most generously a 2.5 album. Except the accordions, literally nothing stood out for me.
*yawns*
Gronoc Sanctuary Chronicles vol. 1
Grot Donker
Haemorrhage We Are the Gore
Hail Conjurer Satanic Phenomenology
Falls between black and doom, without properly mixing them together. Hollow, boring album.
Hamferd Men Gu​ð​s Hond Er Sterk
Honestly, the most interesting factor in this was the Faroese language. Pass.
Hammerhedd Nonetheless
Sadly, I believe the cover art is more entertaining than the album.
Harrod and Funck Live
Hath Of Rot And Ruin
Herman Frank Two For A Lie
Even though this contains numerous good riffs, the overall result is a really tiring and unexciting hard rock/heavy metal album. It'd make good background music in a rock pub.
Hermit Knight Upon The Dawn of the Vermilion Glaive
Rather forgettable neoclassical / ambient mixture. Shame the cover art is better than the album itself.
Hexengrab Schrei der Sirenen
Hiemal The Illusion of Permanence
Hiemal Siberian Horizons
Hiemal L'Exil
Hiemal Alone in Temporary Places
Hiemal Contemplation
Hiemal Leaving The Stars Behind
Hiemal Hinterlands
Hiemal Insomnia
Hiemal Rêves Acadiens
Hole Dweller With Dreams of Hereafter
Sounds more like a kitschy jRPG soundtrack than actual dungeon synth. I never understood the hype for this project.
Hoppo Frogs & Diamonds
Horna Aania Yossa
The only Horna album which didn't reach my expectations. It was simply forgettable, and too generic. Some tasty riffs flashed here and there, but otherwise it was a rather unsuccesful release for me.
Horrendous Idol
Horrendous Ontological Mysterium
Grumpy take: my interest was lost after "Chrysopoeia...". Why are these ratings so high? For example, "Exeg (en) esis" was so annoying! At least the runtime of this album was relatively short... yay.
I Shalt Become Wanderings
Some songs could really evoke an atmosphere, but altogether it's a very amateurish release... with lots of awkward mistakes.
Illuminator In Ictu Oculi
Ilsa Corpse Fortress
Immolation Acts of God
This is pretty boring, ngl. I'm not familiar with the band at all, but this album didn't really impress me at all. Just some pretty regular death metal here that I will probably forget after a week.
Impaled Nazarene Latex Cult
It's very far from their greatest, and this album suffers from the low production (however, the bass still sounds pretty cool), and being too samey.
Impaled Nazarene Rapture
Impaled Nazarene Pro Patria Finlandia
Ingvarr The Hopeless Resistance Of Emberdrin's Army
Inoriand Howling Wind
Inoriand Winteridyll
Inoriand Till The Winter Comes Again
Inoriand Frozen Memories
Inoriand Bringer Of Cold Winter
Inoriand Dwelling In Frost
Inoriand Wintermagick
Integrity/Krieg Split
Isole Anesidora
Istapp Sól Tér Sortna
This was a "we have Havukruunu at home" release.
Jared Hart Past Lives & Pass Lines
Joe Hisaishi Kiki's Delivery Service
Joe Hisaishi Castle In The Sky
Judas Priest Stained Class
Very samey, uninteresting album. The only thing I could remember that how much I hated that echo effect on Halford's vocals.
Kalmankantaja Nostalgia I: Bones And Dust
Kathaaria To Be Shunned By All … As Centres Of Pestilence
Ladies and gentlemen, I present you the absolute mood-killer vocals on a black metal release.
Keygard Arboreal Swamp
Keys of Orthanc Unfinished Conquests
I greatly respect Dorgul's work in black metal, but honestly this dungeon synth album is not even close to the first LPs... uneventful, hella lot and boring percussions and pretty samey songs. I'm disappointed.
Khandra All Occupied by Sole Death
Another snoozefest post-black album.
Kharon (GR) Kharon
There is potential in this band, but we have to wait for it to bloom out.
King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard Butterfly 3000
"but it's an improvement over KG and LW." Lol, what? Butterfly 3000 was a really weird ride, and some parts of it were pretty nice, but the most of it felt boring - "shock factor" aside. "Interior People" was the album's pinnacle without a doubt.
King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard Made in Timeland
King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard: The lo-fi dance / disco music album.
Klaneth Liberate The Moles
Knife Wizard Dark Mountain Peaks
Knight of Pluto Chamomile
Kommand (USA-WA) Savage Overkill
Korhadt demo 1
Krallice Crystalline Exhaustion
Not feeling this at all... Only the synths (=title track) saved it from a 2.0 rating. Terrible flow, doesn't feel coherent.
Kroda Навій схрон
Kvelertak Nattesferd
Kvelertak Endling
It's definitely a Kvelertak album because the style is there, but the content is... just alright. I miss the anger and the edge from their music. "Fedrekult" was actually great, but bad songs like "Skoggangr" ruined it for me.
Lamp of Murmuur Thunder Vigil and Ecstasy
Lares Towards Nothingness
Soundwise, this is the "most-2020-metal-album". The space theme is cool, otherwise this bored me.
Le Code White
Linarian Sigil Promo 2020
Lookfar Tales From The Disc
A very generous "average" on this one. Not that irritating as the previous one, but I can't understand why is it again a best-selling dungeon synth release...
Lord Einsamkeit Ancient Oak
Lord Einsamkeit Ancient Oak Part II
Lord Moth Demo I
Loth Apocryphe
Lustre (SWE) The Ashes of Light
Magusai Roy Bowers Servitor Magusai Roy Bowers Servitor
This ambient albums is not bad, and the "average" word it totally inaccurate for describing this album - for me, it was just a mixed bag of ideas and sounds, I liked some parts and I didn't others...
Maldoror In Saturn Mystique
Holy cow, this was intense. Bit of Samael, bit early sympho-BM elements, but in a proggy way. It feels too dense... quite suffocating experience, I'd say.
Marblebog Csendhajnal
Marduk Rom 5:12
Marduk Memento Mori
Very mid. It's pretty much like a weaker descendant of Frontschwein. It bears the typical Mardukian traits, and has its moments - like the Sear Bliss-like brass in "Blood Of The Funeral", the slow and melodic part in "Charlatan", or the slower marching "As We Are". But the rest? Very uninteresting, uninspired, hollow. Same ol' riffs with super fast blast beats (ahem, Panzer Division Marduk) simply cannot satisfy me anymore.
Marilyn Manson Heaven Upside Down
Master Saints Dispelled
Sounds good, but bores me to death.
Matt Elliott Farewell to All We Know
Oh no... the vocals ruined the whole thing for me :[ Otherwise it would be very nice acoustic album with nice production. But damn, I really hated the vocals...
Mayhem Deathrehearsal
Mayhem Daemonic Rites
Ever since De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas Alive has been released, basically there is no point releasing a live album like this. Straight recording with a unpleasant dull sound, which makes it powerless/punchless.
Mayhemic Truth R.I.P.
Just a forgettable compilation of some moderately melodic raw black metal songs. Not much of Bathory-esque elements here.
Medieval Rites Attila the Hun
Mefitis Offscourings
I don't like this. The whole thing feels like a mishmash where they tried to mix way too much ingredients together. Checking out this "tech-black" thing was at least an interesting experience, but this is not for me.
Megadeth Super Collider
Megadeth United Abominations
Metallica S&M2
Tbh, this sounds pretty good without Metallica. It's good for one listen, but it is the most unnecessary release of 2020.
Metallica Six Feet Down Under Part II
Metallica Live at Grimey's
Mgla Groza
Midnight Odyssey Echoes Of A Celestial Ruin
Minneriket Gjennom Meg Går Ingen Til Hvile
I'm not really feeling this. It's cheesy but definitely not my favourite type.
Monster Magnet A Better Dystopia
This is not really good... It was a fun idea though.
Mooncitadel Stardawn Usurper
What a flop. Biggest disappointment of the year(?)
Moongates Guardian Cold Waters Of Anduin
Mora Prokaza By Chance
One of the weirdest albums of 2020... This is like a crazy mixture of black metal, hip-hop and trap music - and the result is something like a blackened Igorrr. It kinda riffs, but the electronic elements are more vibrant, and the vocals are the most dominant - which sounds very odd: super fast BM vocals and some clean lines here and there, but it is not that good, tbh. Bonus points for the "shock value".
Morbid Angel Altars of Madness
This really bores me.
Morrigan Enter the Sea of Flames
Disappointing, pretty "soulless" release without any pinnacles or memorable moments. + The production is ass.
Morrigan Welcome to Samhain
A 100% (quite raw) black metal album from Morrigan. I could just copy-and-paste my opinion on the R.I.P. compilation by their Mayhemic Truth era: it's a quite forgettable, somehow melodic release. Plus, the opener "We Are Possessed" was a quite painful experience.
Morrow (UK) The Quiet Earth
This was a very underwhelming and quite forgettable release... I pass.
Mortiis Spirit of Rebellion
High hopes - big disappointment. Come on Mortiis, that's all...?
Mountain Warlock Malefic Wizardy
Mutiilation Majestas Leprosus
Nargaroth Jahreszeiten
Natasakaa EP01
It was alright, but it was too short and the lack of vocals did not work for me.
Necrophobic In The Twilight Grey
Shockingly boring and featureless album. It's not essentially bad, since the riffs and the solos are nice, but the overall package doesn't sound interesting.
Nifelheim Nifelheim
No... In an Illusion of Happiness
Nocturnal Depression Four Seasons to a Depression
Nodding God In A Foreign LandScape
Numenorean Adore
Obscura A Sonication
While A Valediction was pure awesomeness, this one feels like it was made in a "let's do that again" manner, which shouldn't be an issue... but the production here is quite meh, and I can't overlook the scandalous riff-ripoff. Building an album from "stolen" material is not okay.
OLD (US) It's Called Murder
Ondal's Wisdom The Forbidden Lore of Arcane Magic
This is not going anywhere... I like the synth sounds, but I believe I miss something. *sad noises*
Ontborg Following The Steps Of Damnation
The sweet tone of HM-2 is not enough, I'm afraid. Feels a bit basic, and that wouldn't be an issue if they'd have kept it shorter. And damn, at the end of the album I felt I'd pay to the vocalist just to shut up for a while - I want GUITARS not mid-decent howls all the time!
Ostrogoth Feelings of Fury
It could have been a pretty nice album, but the extremly generic and forced vocals ruined the whole thing for me... the riffs couldn't balance that out...
Outer Heaven Realms of Eternal Decay
Pafund Til rigets ende
Pagan Spell Demo MMXIX
Pale Our Hearts In Your Heaven
'core vocals... eww!
Pale Knight Heathen Kings
Pallid Bloom / Withering Presence Their Verdant Reclamation
Panopticon The Scars of Man on the Once Nameless Wilderness
Pantera Reinventing the Steel
This kinda riffs hard, but the vocals are... shit.
Path of Giants Path of Giants
Pathology Unholy Descent
Pepper Proud Water
Peter Laws The Lonely Tower
Pilori (FRA) Quand Bien Meme l'Enfer et le Deluge S'Abattraient
Plutonian Winter Plutonian Winter
Pretty alright winter synth debut-demo. The first song was a but too droney, but the rest had an okayish flow. More texture could have been nice, but it's a good start.
Poison Ruin Poison Ruin LP
Somewhere between a 2.5 and 3.0. This has its moments, but this is a rather disappointing attempt in general. The vocals sometimes really killed the mood for me.
Poison Ruin Harvest
The synths sound, but still very uninteresting punk with especially irritating "grizzly" vocals - I feel disappointed yet again.
Power Paladin With the Magic of Windfyre Steel
The band name, the cover (it's so bad, it's almost good), the title... yes, it is another power metal album. It's cheesy as fuck (not in a good way), it is unnecessarily fast sometimes, and yes, it has ballkicked screams as well... Talented bunch, but I don't see how would it be any interesting.
Primitive Man Immersion
*fuzz* *beat* AUHGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH [repeat] Sorry, but it was a nope for me.
Pulling Teeth Vicious Skin
Puritas Virginum Black Arts
Quin of the North True Might
I have an odd feeling I've already heard most of these songs somewhere... Are the half of the songs transported from an church's song book to MIDI? It was okay with Krampusnacht, but it is a nope for me. The rest is fine, but nothing outstanding.
RaevJager Raevult!
Rammstein Zeit
Nicht so gut... Zeit is not bad, but sadly it's far away from being good. The previous untitled album was better in every aspect, especially since it contained numerous grandiose songs, while Zeit... doesn't have any. Most songs are quite forgettable, or quite uninspired, maybe "Zick Zack" and "Giftig" were the best ones, but they're not flawless either. Und oh mein Gott, what the fuck were those autotuned vocals? (Fortunately not much, but those were questionable moments.)
Red Fang Whales And Leeches
Red Fang Arrows
I'm disappointed. As a band, they evolved and discovered heavier and more dissonant territories, but due to the quite annoying production and of course the change: this didn't turn out any great. A few good songs aside, "Arrows" is more of a mess. Their most colorful and heaviest record so far, but sadly this doesn't offer that much fun as their previous releases.
Rhinocervs RH-08
Rings of Saturn Gidim
Way better than 'Ultu Ulla' was, some great ideas here and there, otherwise sadly this album tends to be boring. Basically 10 song of "guitar flexing". The last instrumental track is still very great, as usual.
Robin Goodfellow Elphame's Wood
Roly Porter Kistvaen
It's been a while the last time when I heard something I felt so divided about: part of me liked it, other hated it. The more ethereal and spacey sections felt really nice, but when it got more noisey I often felt it was too much. It sensed the potential in this, however I couldn't enjoy it that much I hoped so.
Rowen Ashen Spirit
This is somehow terrible and somehow amazing at the same time...
Ruohtta Reetessä
Weid post-rock/experimental/black metal mixture, with a very unique atmosphere. But what's the problem with this? It lack coherency: the EP flows very badly. The badly inserted ambient / (too much) spoken word sections totally ruined the experience, but I still want to give a cookie for the interesting atmosphere. Maybe next time.
Rwake The Return Of Magik
Productionwise, it's a quite enjoyable record, but the content within really bores me... sludge still doesn't go very well with black metal.
Saeva I Hope You've Healed From All You Wouldn't Say
Sanguisugabogg Homicidal Ecstasy
Sadly, I'm not really feeling any improvements compared to Tortured Whole. It's OK, I guess?
Sarcofago I.N.R.I.
Sargeist Satanic Black Devotion
It was disappointing.
Sarke Endo Feight
It had its moments (like "I Destroyed the Cosmos" was cool), but in general: this is not really interesting at all.
Satanic Warmaster Luciferian Torches
Satyricon All Evil
Satyricon Megiddo - Mother North in the Dawn
The only real interesting one on the EP is the first song, 'The Dawn of a New Age', which sound like something Ulver would do: weird noises, trancey beats, odd vocals and experimental synths... it's a pretty exciting song! The rest is very forgettable.
Satyricon Satyricon & Munch
Seemed interesting at first, but in the end this is barely more than a regular dark ambient album decorated with occasional blunt riffs and some pretty classical instruments. The original idea is good, but the execution is very shallow. (The crown for being the best ex-black metaller ambient composer remains at Beherit.)
Savage Master Those Who Hunt At Night
While I think this is an instrumentally excellent album, but I can't give a better rating than a 2.5. They need a new vocalist if they want to earn their next level up. She's... annoying, definitely not a good singer and totally dampens the overall experience.
Scardust Souls
Scary Larry Demo 1
Scath Na Deithe Virulent Providence
This sounds like if Ulcerate would be a black metal band - even the production is similar. Otherwise it's an OK background album without no concrete outstanding moments.
Schammasch Hearts of No Light
Scrying Glass Wyrmhole
I'm not vibing with this at all. I like Berlin-school, but the instrumentation of this release is real mood-killer.
Shelter Ov Shadows Within the Halls of Oblivion
Shining (SWE) Submit to Selfdestruction
Shining (SWE) Shining
Shining - Yawning (Comes with a bloody -edgy- album cover.)
Sidereal Fortress Bogatyr
Sidereal Fortress Odissea
"...one of the best dungeon synth releases in recent memory" according to the Bandcamp Daily, August 2019.
LOL and hell no. Extremely average.
Sidereal Fortress Advanced Steel
It was simply boring and some track were really annoying.
Skin Tension Machinic Impulses Of The Hyperreal
Skogsguud The Spirit of a Thousand Lakes
Slayer Diabolus In Musica
This is so uninspired. The first song and the last few are quite acceptable, but the rest is just "meh".
Sodomy (BR) Sodomy
We have Bathory at home. + Come to Brazil.
Sojourner The Shadowed Road
Sol Peregrin The Inevitable
The atmosphere was pretty nice, and I liked the overall melancholic mood, however the solos were disturbingly bad... terrible, so it really dragged down my general rating.
Solefald The Linear Scaffold
Solus Ritual Solus Ritual
Sombre Arcane Realmsong
I really wanted to like this (and not just because I'm a Dungeons and Dragons nerd), but it... didn't do the trick for me. It had some pretty good tracks like "Moon Sphere of The Dancing Court" or the closer, but the rest was either boring or really bad.
Sorcier Des Glaces Snowland MMXII
Sorry... Failure Years of Neglect Apathy
Spectral Lore 11 Days
I'm afraid, it was too one-dimensional for me. I don't think if I'll ever come back to this one, because it felt so boring.
Spire Temple of Khronos
Spirit Adrift Angel & Abyss Redux EP
It's alright, a chill little jam - however, it couldn't deliver much more...
Spirit Of The Old Wood Spirit Of The Old Wood
Stangarigel Na Severe Srdca
I don't see the point for starting yet another band by those Slovakians, if it'll sound almost identical to their other ones... Also the irritatingly blunt production really kills the mood as well.
Sturmgeist Meister Mephisto
Stygian Ruin The Blackened Temple
Stygiofilia Barren Crops of Heavenly Deception
Sunn O))) Kannon
Svalbard The Weight of the Mask
Svartar N/A
Svartidaudi Revelations of the Red Sword
Very forgettable disso-black album, which contains some melodies too. The production is okay, but in general it's not that interesting.
Talog Objava Sablasne Tiranije
Talog Drakulin Sud
I guess this is an official soundtrack for a vampyric crypt.
Talog Ona Kojoj Tama Se Klanja
Tamas Madhyandina 1
Tau Cross A Pillar Of Fire
Telaestheticist Roter Tod
Temple of the Fractured Light Psychadelic Witchcraft (And the Groovy Occult)
Interesting psychedelic ambient album, but sadly like the half of the songs were very uninteresting and "hollow". The synths sounded very sweet though, so I believe this project has a great potential but it definitely needs some polishing to make it more interesting. And bonus points for the cover art, I love it.
Terrorizer Darker Days Ahead
It wouldn't be that bad, if the album could avoid being overy repetitive and uncreative. Solid deathgrind, but it lacks creative songwriting.
Terrortron Orgy of the Vampires (Original Soundtrack Recordin
Thangorodrim Dagor Bragalloch
Thantifaxath Hive Mind Narcosis
Incoherent and bleak. Without the drums, it'd have absolutely zero flow, just random riffs thrown together - I know it supposed to be avant-garde, but something feeling so random is a hard turn-off for me.
Tharmazegethuzan Revelations Of The Necroglyph
The Atlas Ghost Silent Hill
The Blood Mountain Black Metal Choir Folklore (Demo I)
It's okay, I guess? But way too standard for me, not very memorable.
The Motion Mosaic Avant-Garbage
Dry.
The Obsessed The Church Within
It is a very forgettable release. Despite the cool guitar tone, the riffs etc. this feels really lifeless compared to their debut.
The Oscillation Droneweapon
The Rolling Stones Beggars Banquet
Damn, it was probably the worst Stones record I've ever heard. What's this average score...?
The Skaldic Fungi Apparition Parallel Realm and Deeds of Ethereal Heroism
The Sway of Mountains All the Colour Stains the Light
Interesting decision to make a 100% instrumental death/prog(/post) metal album, and I'm not entirely convinced about it. This way, this is not much more than background noise, and the production is quite flat too.
Theodor Die Prinzessin und der Troll
Theophonos Ashes in the Huron River
Black metal meets sludge, but sometimes dissonant? Sounds interesting on paper, but I kinda lost my interest after the third song or so.
Theory of a Deadman Savages
Thorgnyr Depths
Thou Heathen
It was building up slowly, until reached "Clarity", but right after that song it went downhill very fast... and the album's length was terrible.
Thou Umbilical
"I Feel Nothing When You Cry" & "Unbidden Guest" were really cool, but the rest is just a big meh, at best.
Thou Magus
Thousandth Cave Ancient Hearsay
A not really convincing Vindkaldr-wannabe project, despite the creator of this release (Colin Marston) is a really talented person. It's okay, but nothing really extra or noteworthy here.
Throne of the Ice Goblin Descending Into Black Hypnosis Through the Ritual
Thy Catafalque XII: A Gy​ö​ny​ö​rü Álmok Ezut​á​n J​ö​nnek
Very-very disappointed. "Piros Kocsi, Fekete j" and the title-track are super-super awesome, but the rest is... either way too "modernish" for my ears ("Mindenev?" or "Alhulls"), or simply way-too-out-of-place... why the hell is "Lydihoz" on this album? I don't get this Balkan music in the concept or style for this album at all. The lyrics are however very-very pretty, but altogether the album was my biggest disappointment.
Tiny Mouse The happiest mouse alive
Tomarum Beyond Obsidian Euphoria
Overplayed, horrible flow. Perhaps these dudes are great musicians, but this album is a big nope from me.
Tomb Mold The Enduring Spirit
Tomb Mold plays faster Dream Unending. I'm not feeling this, it was a quite boring album.
Tomhet (SWE) Tomhet
Tool Fear Inoculum
Tsjuder Throne of the Goat
Turment Nocturn Sense Misericòrdia
Started well, ended up boring.
Un Sentiment
Started very well, but in the end it became very samey. They had an unique touch on funeral doom, but in my opinion this album needed far more variety - especially some additional tempo changes could have looked well. Not bad though, but was a bit too boring for my taste.
Undeath It's Time...To Rise From the Grave
Definitely not bad and has its moments... but it's a surprisingly boring album.
Unholy Vampyric Slaughter Sect Canticle Bound In Spirit-Faith In Vampyric Blood
This is some very divisive stuff: mostly I hate it, but: the ambient part in the middle is something I enjoyed a lot. Otherwise I don't get noise music at all...
Urfaust Drei Rituale Jenseits Des Kosmos
Ushangvagush Mntu
Shut the fuck up. The constantly present really lame vocals pretty much killed my patience after the 6. song. No, noone likes it, that is not the key element of making an atmoblack album "emotional". I was struggling to sit this through, despite it had some good moments, but generally it is very tiring.
Usnea Bathed in Light
Disappointment. It's not any close to Portals Into Futility in terms of quality...
Valar The Arrival Of The Dragonlord
Valtyr Draumar Baldurs
It was alright, but every second song felt painfully long. However, the overall sound is pretty nice, but it became boring and cutting those songs shorter could have been lot better...
Vampirska Liminal Heart Paints the Deepest Shade of Serenity
Compared to Vermilion Apparitions..., this feels staring at an empty wall: it's so bland and boring. Very disappointed.
Vanha Melancholia
Vanhelga Enfin Morte
Not a big fan of this, I do not enjoy this kind of vocals (...especially if there are so many sections filled with them). The artwork lured me, sadly it was a hit'n'miss.
Vehemence (FRA) Ordalies
This band isn't that good as the hype suggest it... Ordailes is an okay-ish album, but most of the time it really just bores me.
Venom Possessed
Not having "Nightmare" was a quite stupid decision. This album is really flat -- both in songwriting and production. Just quite faceless, really.
Venom Fallen Angels
It's actually not that bad. Even though it contains tons of lame filler tracks, there are a few pretty decent songs here. "Sin", the very good acoustic track: "Lest We Forget", "Valley Of The Kings" etc. are pretty good -- so basically at the end it doesn't feel so bad, but most of the album is garbage. At least the production is good on this.
Venom From the Very Depths
It's not that bad, but very unbalanced record. It has outstandingly good songs ("Smoke", "Evil Law", "Mephistopheles"); but it offers some extremly dumb ones too ("The Death Of Rock N Roll", "Long Haired Punks", "Stigmata Satanas"). The rest of the songs feel numb too. Very thrash/speed fueled stuff with a quite death metal-ish production. Shame only a few songs were truly good.
Verberis The Apophatic Wilderness
Yeah, the drummer from Ulcerate is a brilliant musician, but most generously, this album is just "alright". Overrated.
Vermicide Violence The Praxis of Prophylaxis
Vindicator Dog Beneath the Skin
Nice speed metal comp. album. Even though the music itself wasn't that really exciting, but listening to songs in different "settings" (studio-demo-live) is kinda cool.
Vindkaldr Stone as Flesh
Violet Cold Empire of Love
This is definitely a post-metal album. Personally this really bores me, and perhaps the "hype" didn't help me enjoying this, since I've seen this cover pretty much everywhere. Ye-ye, brave and whatnot, but sadly this is just another post-metal album which is could be a good only as background noise.
Vltimas Epic
Eh. Without Eriksen, this would band would be a hard pass. His riffs are fierce, but the rest of the band kinda sucked on this release - especially David Vincent's actual singing.
VoidCeremony Threads of Unknowing
The guitar solos are insanely good (Philippe Tougas is a brilliant guitarist)... but the rest is brutally tiring. The old-school production is great, but man, this gave me a headache: soulless technicality.
Vonlaus Röð Slæmra Ákvarðana
Voronmrak Glares
Vreid Wild North West
A meloblack album in the style you probably have heard numerous times before...
Vrorsaath Moonlight's Wrath
Waeltaja Heremite
Bland, unoriginal, boring and sometimes badly mastered dungeon synth release, focusing on rather slow and relaxing soundscapes - but not in a very enchanting way...
Wallows Spring
Watain Trident Wolf Eclipse
Wayfarer American Gothic
An okayish post-metal album in leather boots.
Wilderun Epigone
I almost stopped it after the first two songs, they were horrible. I don't mind cheesy stuff, but it wasn't really good. Not big fan of the vocals here at all, and the smoothness doesn't go well with the heaviness, even if it tries to be catharctic, it becomes flatly predictable. Only the first three Distraction songs + the second half of Distracion Nulla hit my expectations, the rest was ultra meh.
Wintaar Deathentrance
Solid riffs, but unspectacular result.
Winterblood (IT) Foresta impenetrabile
Winterhearth (US) Beneath the Stars
Not bad, but due to the super short length it is hard to really get into this one. But I see potential in this project.
Worm Nights in Hell (demo)
Wyldpfad 1931
Wynter Myst Frore
Xanthochroid Of Erthe and Axen: Act II
Xasthur Defective Epitaph
Xavlegbmaofffassssit.... Gore
Xuthal The Reclusive Dynasty
Yablonya Звёздный зверь
Okayish post-black EP. Bonus points for the gorgeous cover art - too bad, the EP itself wasn't that good. The second song, a cinematic dark ambient piece, was probs the better part of it.
Yes Tales from Topographic Oceans
I wasn't a big fan of this. When the mellow very new age-ish synths could blossom I certainly enjoyed what I've heard; but most of the time the record felt really uninspired and "incoherent".
Ziggurath True North
Minimalistic dungeon synth meets... fantasy world background noise? It'd be good as background noise for a D&D session, but otherwise it's not very exciting.

2.0 poor
Ad Hominem Totalitarian Black Metal
I don't get the hype around this pocket-n*zi band. Stylistically, this is Panzed Division Marduk version-fuck-knows-how-many, with an awful concept (song titles, since the lyrics are not available... not surprised). The production is spot on, though.
Aindulmedir The Lunar Lexicon
I understand what was the main goal of this album, but the result is extremly boring.
Akercocke Rape of the Bastard Nazerene
Alice Boman Dream On
She wasn't even trying to sound any original or interesting.
Alkilith The Shores of Evermeet
I really hoped this will be good (I rarely see truly Dungeons and Dragons inspired dungeon synth), but it was rather disappointing. Like every second song consist melodies "played on the white keys" on the keyboard + some tape hiss... and that is extremly lazy, and I hate that attitude.
Among The Lights Sphere Of Solitude
Lifeless, blunt, shallow, plastic-sounding post-metal.
An Old Sad Ghost Fullmoon over Videna
I don't really get the hype around this... sometimes overly repetitive and generally has a bit amateurish feel.
Ancient North Berzerker
Poor effort. Very amateur work in every sense. I am truly shocked by the popularity of this EP...
Arvernien La Espada de Marak
Very-very repetitive and overused VST sounds. Nah.
Arxura The Sylvan Specter
Bathory Requiem
Behemoth A Forest
Beherit H418ov21.C
Beorn's Hall In His Granite Realm
After Estuary, they went downhills with this. Huge disappointment.
Billie Eilish Don't Smile at Me
Bitter Old Wizard Southern Grim
Black Sabbath Forbidden
Y'all are sheeps and deaf. Instead of slapping an instant 1.0 on it when you hear Ice-T, maybe try to actually listen to the record. Sure, it has bad songs, like "Shaking Off the Chains", but the entire package is not bad at all. Not the most interesting, so the right description is below average.
blink-182 California
Bonobo Fragments
This is very-very disappointing. I mean, it kinda does the job, but this is so BASIC (and...boring...uninspired...).
Bring Me The Horizon amo
Calderum Calderum
Celtic Frost Cold Lake
This kinda riffs, but sitting through the whole thing requires certain amount of patience. Why did I hurt myself this way?
Cineastre Auwald
This could have been a pretty good album: nice Kveldssanger vibes and sweet folk instrumentation, but the vocals and samples are terribly annoying...
Cloister Garth Memories from a portal
I don't know what's worse: the overused and boring VSTs or the lame "experimental" songwriting... at least the black metal vocals in the end are superb.
Darkthrone Goatlord
Defacing God The Resurrection of Lilith
More like: Facepalming God. Sterile, samey and uneventful below mediocre sympho-black-like stuff. Don't waste your time on this.
Despondent Gaze Wish
Dungeons of Irithyll The Dire Pass...
Boring. I get it, it is Dark Souls-inspired, but sadly the album couldn't offer anything more than that...
Eishalle Alone
Elyvilon The Shrouded Isle
Filler after filler... phew, this album has zero charm! I guess this tries to be very cinematic, but the final product is just a messy "sound-patchwork".
Emma Ruth Rundle and Thou The Helm of Sorrow
Not again...
Emperor Call from the Grave
Emperor Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire...
Irritating mess.
Empty (ESP) Vacío
Fallujah Undying Light
Fimbulwinter Servants of Sorcery
Finsternis Kloster der Verwüstung
Flesh Consumed Mutilate, Eviscerate, Decapitate
Folter The Aeon Of The Disembodied
Forest of Orthanc Forest of Orthanc
Forest Temple Spectral Threads Of A Cosmic Dream
It has some good moments, but most of the time it was either annoying or had zero direction in flow. Shame.
Freshwater Serpent Demo MMXX
Frog Concert Slumbering Sounds of the Frog Fellowship
The garbage horror movie from 1972, the "Frogs", made more sense than this, which is sad.
Full of Hell Garden of Burning Apparitions
I don't get it.
Haken Vector
Haudh Through Forgotten Lands
Hobbit Leaving the Shire (demo)
Horna Kun Synkkä Ikuisuus Avautuu
What the hell is this? It sounds like a totally different below average band... I'll pretend this never existed.
Ildjarn Landscapes
Despite its historical importance in the birth of winter synth, this album is weak, really.
Immortal Immortal (Demo)
Impaled Nazarene Manifest
It has a very annoying production. Also, the lack of melodies and the overly repetitive vocals really killed the vibe pretty quickly.
In Autumnus Intrusiveless
Jess Williamson Sorceress
Jinjer Micro
Judas Priest Sad Wings Of Destiny
Such an irritating album...! Without "Tyrant" and "Genocide" this would be just hot garbage. I don't care how influental it is.
Jute Gyte Mitrealität
When you want to be experimental so badly, your music ends up as a barely listenable creation. At least it is better than Liturgy...
Kendrick Lamar Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers
Klaaromtesterven Psychological Pain
Klanen I Command the Night to Fall
Korpiklaani Jylhä
Quite literally unlistenable.
Krallice Go Be Forgotten
Krampusnacht Trinity : I - The Father
Krampusnacht Trinity : II - The Son
Krampusnacht Trinity Part III : The Holy G​.​O​.​A​.​T
Lamp of Murmuur Heir of Ecliptical Romanticism
It was good, but most songs felt painfully overlong - maybe the title track was the strongest exception which was really enjoyable. The more death-rockish riffs were nice, but most of the album wasn't really memorable for me. Furthermore I'm not satisfied with the mix either - I simply don't care about the vocals this much, because they're not that exciting... it was too much. The demos were far better than this release, shame.
Lingua Ignota Caligula
Longsword Longsword II
Lord Rashnak Castle Of The Nameless King
Lore Liege A Break In A Harsh Storm
Lorna Shore Pain Remains
The concept of doing something as "sympho-blackened-deathcore" doesn't sound so bad, but holy shit, the production on this record is fucking disgusting! Especially this plastic drum sound makes me wanna puke. Not to mention, the record feels a bit one-dimensional.
Lurid Orb Folded Visions
Machine Head The Blackening
Majesty of Oceans The Pelagic Eternal Light
Marthe Further In Evil
"D-beat, Bathory, Crust" - these tags on Bandcamp are fucking LIES. It's a mix of distorted heavy/doom riffs, post punk-ish (quite goth) drums, and very tiring and weak black metal shrieks. It's mixed quite well, but it's pretty boring.
Mayhem Ordo ad Chao
Meat Loaf Bat Out of Hell
Megadeth The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!
This has no charm. Maybe just a few great songs here and there, but generally what I felt during listening: "man, do I really have to listen to this all the way through?"
Metallica Freeze 'Em All: Live in Antarctica
James forgot how to sing, Kirk couldn't even do a decent solo, Rob choosed the poorest distortion
pedal ever, and Lars...well, he was just the usual. It might have been awesome to be there, but
listening now was almost painful. Plus, missing the opportunity to play "Trapped Under Ice" is
super lame.
Metallica Some Kind Of Monster
Metallica The Unnamed Feeling
Moulderyawn / Robes of Snow When the Last Forest Has Died
"Let us maximalize the volume on the vocal channel and put everything in the background, people love lo-fi screams the most anyway." Especially I felt this way at Moulderyawn's half, as it was extremly annoying (and the paper thin production didn't help it either). Robes of Snow sounded generally better, but those two songs also suffered from the overuse of vocals. In addition, the whole split feels really uninspired and mostly unmemorable. The closer dungeon synth / medieval ambient song saved the release from being a total mess, but it can't compensate the bad impression.
Nargaroth Semper Fidelis
Nirvana Madrid 1992
The Nirvana live album that noone asked for... shitty quality, and definitely not an outstanding performance.
Norma Jean Deathrattle Sing for Me
The whole record feels extremly samey: Slower or noisy start - breakdowns - slow down again - breakdowns; and don't forget to scream like someone who just broke a finger. Repeat. Generally, I don't like metalcore and this record couldn't brake the ice either.
OLD (US) Campsite
Old Path Forgotten Stories
Old Tower The Last Eidolon
"The Specter meticulously crafted his own style of medieval dark ambient." Pfff... The Specter should take back from his arrogancy, because this style is not original, and he wasn't the one who invented it... I'm not impressed, not at all. Usually, I really like this type of music, however 'The Last Eidolon' was a fairly lifeless album, and definitely not deserved the hype around it - one of the biggest disappointment of the year, tbh. I really liked the artwork, though.
Pantera Far Beyond Driven
Patriarkh Prophet Ilja
incredibly boring album. Not a single good song, and even the production is below-average. I get it, they wanted to add more folk, but come on, the result is so boring. (Even the artwork is horrible.)
Pentagram Lightning In A Bottle
Far below expectations. Bobby, retire please, you're a meme now.
Pontifferasmus Husk the mountains
I'm very disappointed. This is the most uninspired album in the otherwise unsullied catalog of HDK, which is a real shame. Boring, and lifeless.
Powerwolf The Sacrament of Sin
Psyclopean The Outsider
Pumpkin Witch Final Strike of the Pumpkin Witch
At least there are few decent songs next to the awfully bad ones...
Pupil Slicer Blossom
Feels sablonic. Dissonant, a bit plastic, moody and very angry... I don't know, this is rather irritating (not to mention the overly loud vocals in the mix). "Language of the Stars" was nice, but because it was different and more ambient than everything else... what a waste of time!
Redig Narrow Gate
Revenge (CAN) Triumph.Genocide.Antichrist
"My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined."
Rings of Saturn Ultu Ulla
Rings of Saturn Rings of Saturn
It's quite bad most of the time, but to be honest, I've found certain moments quite enjoyable. For example Mind Palace and Shinigami are quite fun because they lack the awful trap elements, so the synths and the guitars are kinda...fun on a such instrumental release (plus I always liked the intrumentals in this band). Don't get me wrong, it's not any close to their early works in terms of quality. Half-assed, but not terrible.
Rotting Christ Rituals
The unga-bunga Rotting Chirst album that you want to forget once and for all.
Satanic Warmaster Gas Chamber (Rehearsal Demo)
Satyricon Satyricon
Did Sigurd let his kids write this album or what? Just a few tracks have real punch ('Walker Upon The Wind' has some sweet riffs though for example), but songs like 'Trog og Kraft' are extremly disappointing. With 1.5x playback speed, the album sounds twice better than otherwise... The only really good song is (the probably filler) 'Natt', which has a beautifully melancholc and catchy melody...
Scars on Broadway Addicted to the Violence
This destroys. Your nerves. In your ear. Horrible. Slop.
Shahin Souri About This Time
Very unpleasant drone-ambient piece. Even though it has interesting textures, I couldn't even finish it, it was so frustrating to listen to this.
Silent Thunder/Zmyrna Saeculum Mysticum
Shame on both sides for releasing something this bad.
Slaegt Goddess
I wonder why did Century Media sign them... because this was shockingly flat. The production is ass, and it brutally dampened the listening experience.
Slipknot We Are Not Your Kind
Sonnov Goqzo
Source Vibrations Vibrational Growth for Plants
I somewhat doubt the efficiency of the intent behind this project, but one thing is for sure: this is very flat and boring.
Suffering Hour The Cyclic Reckoning
This is lolbad. The hell are these ratings...?
Sunn O))) White1
Generally: pretty annoying album. But it has some cool moments too, like "The Gates Of Ballard" with the minimalistic programmed drums, for example.
Svart Solace A Night at the Spire
Snoozefest.
Taake Manndaudsvinter
Tanith Voyage
Huge hit'n'miss, and I particularly hated how it sounds.
Tauregorath The High King of Azurreich
Taylor Swift Folklore
This is not folk? Dammit. At least she could have wrote the music by herself...
The 69 Eyes Death Of Darkness
The Bloody Nun No Sleep 'til Walpurgis
The Darkness Easter Is Cancelled
The Knife Shaking the Habitual
I really don't like this one.
The True Werwolf Winternight - Demo VIII
Them The Angry Young Them
This Gift Is A Curse A Throne of Ash
Thulcandra Hail The Abyss
The same patterns and ideas over and over again... It's a damn' soulless album, nothing notable while showcasing all the necessary elements of a meloblack release. This band just as lame as late Dark Funeral.
Toby Driver and Nick Hudson Black Feather Under Your Tongue
Very forgettable experimental stuff. Started pretty well, but the the vocals killed the whole thing: I didn't feel the harmony between them and the instrumentation, and they were kinda forced. The idea was great though, but the result wasn't really impressive.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra The Lost Christmas Eve
Damn, filler after filler... one of the worst structures in any albums. The very few truly good songs can't do justice for the entire package.
Trelldom Til et Annet...
Trollslottet Evigheten
Random notes go brrrrrrrrrr. The production was nicely old-school, though, but the music itself is very half-assed and has no flow.
Tsjuder Helvegr
In one ear - out the other. The production is lame as well. Really disappointing.
Ulcerate Cutting the Throat of God
Strong 2.0 incoming.
Unfurl Ascension
Ewwwww... incoherent hardcore-based sludgy wankery, which tries to be so bruahtahwl. Please, give back my lost minutes from my life.
Uniform and The Body Everything That Dies Someday Comes Back
Uppsalan Temple Shrine of the Elements
Urne A Feast On Sorrow
Completely ruined by that lolbad hardcore vocalist. 'Just shut up, man, you're awful.'
Vaelastrasz Hope's End
Vaelastrasz The Faint Whispers of Sinister Squashlings
Venom Storm The Gates
Horrible mix, horribly uninspired songwriting, horribly stupid lyrics. Time to retire.
Venom Hell
Hot garbage. I've heard worse, though. Amateurish, uninspired, sounds bad.
Wartoad Wrath of the Mighty Wartoad
Watain The Agony and Ecstasy of Watain
Way too much sloppy songs, and awful production. Listen to Marduk instead.
Wiegedood There's Always Blood at the End of the Road
While I liked the vocals quite a lot, the rest was way too repetitive and uninspired. Especially the drums... literally the same blast beat patterns all the way through. Ultra lame, utlra boring, ultra overrated.
Winterblood (IT) Silenzio ghiacciato
Wizards of the Ivory Library Return My Body to the Ocean
Xasthur Inevitably Dark
Altogether, I think it doesn't deserve more than a 2.5. But some songs on this very lengthy release are actually really good! The good news: Xasthur play black metal again! Personally I dug these avant-garde compositions (some late Blut Aus Nord-alike stuff!) with odd guitar themes accompanied by haunting synths (f.e. "A Future To Fear II" and "Live Like A Broken Mirror"). The bad parts: this is a long 100% instrumental album, filled with some horrible (and a few not bad) dark folk songs, some "meh" death metal tracks and again, some soulless ambient tracks. This album is therefore contains songs from various styles, but I'm afraid: not for the better.
Ye Banished Privateers Hostis Humani Generis
Very uninteresting folk album about pirates, and basically that's all. The dialoges and "field recordings" are super awkward - I get it they wanted to make this sound cinematic, but it felt more of a bad joke than something I'd want to dig. But the album itself is not horrible or anything, just very uninteresting - something what anyone could record by hiring a few drunken guys from an Irish pub. In my opinion, an album should stand well on its own without any visuals - but in this case it was an epic fail... maybe it would make a decent soundtrack for a pirate movie, but otherwise just: nah.
Zaaar Magická Džungl’a
The Amnesia:The Dark Descent soundtrack with saxophones and tribal percussion. It has an atmopshere, but sadly it doesn't move anywhere, and feels painfully long.

1.5 very poor
Abbath Dread Reaver
It's hearbreaking to write this, but... Abbath, I think it's time to retire. This is not just bad, this is horrible! Feels like shockingly low-effort output, with horrible flow, disappointingly bad guitarwork... it's time to make peace with the others from Immortal, or stop beating this dead horse. I'm very-very disappointed.
Anachronism Meanders
This album has no flow at all. Incoherent guitar wanks and disso-chugs... what a waste of time...
Astral Tomb Degradation Of Human Consciousness
Well... this was horrible. Sloppy mishmash death-doom chaos with near zero entertainment factor.
BABYMETAL Metal Galaxy
Beherit WBRRR
Beherit goes harsh noise... I don't understand why. This album has zero appeal.
Block knight Block knight I
Candlemass Sweet Evil Sun
"if you don't like this album, then you don't like Candlemass" - Mats Bjorkman Sadly, this is not just uninspired as fuck, but the mix is also disgusting: no bass, weak guitars, plastic drums, way too loud vocals. Heartbreaking to say it, but this album shouldn't exist, it's embarrassing for the fans but even for themselves too.
Carreghud Dungeon Tales
Cherubs Immaculada High
Disgusting Cathedral Adventurers Despised and Rejected
"Let's record some lo-fi mess and call it a day". Despite this release it has some interesting tracks which worth to give a listen, the overall package is terribly weak.
Dystopian Present The Legend of Mr. Pumpkin
Ecclesiarch Beyond the Lychgate
Ridiculous. I don't mind minimalistic dungeon synth albums, but this is just pathetic work.
Eternal Night Abandoned by Hope, Embraced by Night
Gaerea Coma
Bbbbbbbbbboooooooorrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiinnnnnngggggg SHIT. This band sucks, as always did.
Gorillaz Humanz
Grandeburgo XIV
Hayley Williams FLOWERS for VASES / descansos
This is not just boring, this album is extremly lazy. "all instruments performed by Hayley" how is that any impressive?
Ibaraki Rashomon
Tagged as black metal and even death metal on bandcamp...? This was fucking embarassing.
Ignea Dreams Of Lands Unseen
Katie Shlon Play some songs to make the plants grow
Despite there is a great idea behind this, the album sounds terribly amateurish...
Keys of Orthanc Of The Lineage Of Kings
And I thought the previous album was bad... this was horrible. This goes nowhere, zero flow in the riffs, too much vocals, and a generally very low-effort feel. I'm extremly disappointed... how could a band fall so low who created such a fantastic album like Dush Agh Golnauk?! No words...
King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard The Silver Cord
Well. This is mostly just: EWWW.
Klanen Coerced Into Desolate Eternity
Klyvr Dragon of King Evergreen
An improved dungeon synth session? No mastering? Tons of half assed tracks with shitty production? Get the f--- out of here...
Kostnateni Oheň Hoří Tam, Kde Padl
This is not much better than what bullshitry a Liturgy release would contain.
Lana Del Rey Lust For Life
Lingua Ignota Sinner Get Ready
Hot garbage. Why'd you want to torture yourself with listening to this for 55 minutes?
Linkin Park One More Light
Loma Prieta Last
Disgustingly irritating on the vocal front, ruins the whole thing. Instrumentally I could vibe with it, but altogether... no thank you, I don't need this headache from this screamo bullshit.
Lookfar Beyond the edge of the world
How the f*ck is this among the best selling dungeon synth albums? This was nonsense, barely enjoyable, disgustingly overrated. Pathetic attempt.
Lothringen Penance and Spear
That's how do NOT make old-school dungeon synth.
Markarth Am Main Der Letzte Kreuzzug
Marsyas Zskin Echo and Narcissus
There is a few good tracks in this one, but the most of it sounds just like some randomly sequenced nonsense.
Metallica Six Feet Down Under
Moss Golem The Woods of Galdura
Serpent?s Sword Records nowadays just puts out the same stuff under different names...and gets away with it. Awful vocals also.
Nirvana Live in Rio '93
Not far from being completely unenjoyable.
Poison Path *YOU'VE BEEN POISONED*
Pumpkin Witch In the Frightful Gaze of the Pumpkin Witch
All the hype for this? I barely could enjoy a few songs.
Pyre of Black Roses Demo I
I don't get what's the point of recording an atmoblack demo to a rotten potato, intentionally... Lo-fi BM can have a magical aura, but when you rape your sound like this, that is unacceptable. Near zero enjoyment. Do you feel kvlt, soft shites?
Schatten Des Monds Blady sen
*lo-fi noise intensifies* The album offers nothing just loud lo-fi wind, rain, and other noises while someone playing major keys only on a synth. Zero progression and annoying mimicry of the old-school. Pathetic.
Stillbirth Homo Deus
Deathcore and slam and a disgustingly sterile sound... what could go wrong?!
Stirge Malarian Winds
Talog Vladavina Vampira
Teen Suicide Fucking Bliss
The Audient Void Dying Flesh In Immortal Shape
This could have been somewhat good, but due to the poor mix (f.e. way too much reverb) and the unbearably awful vocals it was a disaster.
Tradvarelse There Were no Gods in Their Legends...Only Heroes
Trha Vat Gëlénva!!!
This was a really painful disappointment. Moe, I'll need a Forget-Me-Shot, immediately.
Troghetstillstand Winter Mist
Ulver Rehearsal 1993
Venom Metal Black
No surprise Mike "Mykus" Hickey didn't get a second chance after this release. The production is awful, the album is sterile and boring. This is just one big pile of shit.
Vintlechkeit Isete Skoger Frostskymring​.​.​.
Lifeless Paysage copycat.
Von Satanic Blood (demo)
It is simply terrible.
Witchfinder General Resurrected
Heaven forbid... no-no-no-no-NOOOOO. Don't listen to this, this will ruin your day, your year, your life...! Let's pretend this never happened, m'kay? Seriously though: instrumentally this is excellent, but those vocals... [spits]... those are nasty and awful.
Xasthur Disharmonic Variations
Scott, please stop making this "dark folk" nonsense, it's awfully bad.

1.0 awful
Automatonus Among the Ruins of the Basilica of Saint Synthetic
Behemoth The Shit Ov God
Nergal really hates the "F" and "U" letters. That must be really satanic.
Billie Eilish When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
Bring Me The Horizon Music to Listen to...
Music to listen to... *pukes all over this* Great example of lifeless plaza pop music. *pukes again*
Castle Ov Yester Echoes From Hobgoblin Ha'
Cetati dacice din Munzii Orastiei The Seventh Obsidian Fortress...
Two kids made some extremly low-effort recording with a toy piano. And the whole process took maybe 20 minutes from start to finish.
Dark Sarah Grim
Deathspell Omega The Long Defeat
Alright, that's it, I've heard enough. Not surprisingly: this album, and this band sucks... (they always did)
Dio Strange Highways
What the hell is this ugly garbage? Did they forget to tell Ronnie that they're recording a different album since the vocals do not match to the instruments at all? This made me feel very uncomfortable, and I don't want to touch this ever again.
Draughash The Solar Order
One of the worst DS releases I've ever heard. Waste of time.
Epimetrius Mortal Feet had not Traversed...
Faron These Woods Which Turn Flesh to Bone
This was awful... My disappointment is inmeasureable, and my day is ruined. Seriously, this is some really upsetting waste of time, a 4 yo kid could come up with something better than this.
Fleshgore Carnival of Flesh
Looks like making slam is not cruel enough, so guess what: recorded on the intercom and mixed in the cement mixer.
Gaerea Loss
This is lolbad. This already cringe-worthy band has finally showed their true-self. I hope they'll be forgotten once and for all. Bye.
Galloping Shadow Winters Web
Such a piece of shit demo. Time: wasted. Incredibly amateurish punk garbage disguised as black metal.
Grandma's Catacombs Grandma's Catacombs
Alright, perhaps it's time to abandon the dungeon synth scene... this is a fucking awful trend. Awful for a meme, and awful as it is.
Greta Van Fleet Anthem of the Peaceful Army
Himmelriket Guds Trone I Himmelen
Okay, this is just lolbad, hahaha. Randomly hitting single notes and playing with the pitch button ain't any good...
Hoplites Π​α​ρ​α​μ​α​ι​ν​ο​μ​έ​ν​η
Please try grindcore instead or disband immediately.
Inquisition Veneration Of Medieval Mysticism And Cosmological
Just disband already.
Inter Arma New Heaven
The vocalist and the drummer had a blast, while rest of the band forgot to show up. It's incoherent, badly mixed, annyoing. Ugh, never again.
Linkin Park From Zero
Linkin Park written by... AI? Sterile, annoying, absolute waste of time. An irritating experience.
Liturgy Origin of the Alimonies
Waste of time. Ngl, the intro was kinda alright, but the rest... *painful* waste of time. Congratulations, the worst album and album cover of the year (so far)!
Liturgy H.A.Q.Q.
If this supposed to be revolutionary and the future of black metal then I'll quit. "HAJJ" almost made me cry how awful it is...
Liturgy The Ark Work
Liturgy Aesthethica
Liturgy As The Blood Of God Bursts The Veins Of Time
Longsword Longsword III
Manowar Highlights From The Revenge Of Odysseus
Extremly blunt, forced and sloppy cinematic-want-to-be piece of crap. I want my 15 minutes back.
Nekrohobbit Bastard Sword
New Years Day Unbreakable
OLD (US) Gross
Overkill Scorched
Man, this gave me an instant headache. Is this guy really a singer?!
Slayyyter Slayyyter
Stahlijazhamur Storming At Sunset
Incredibly sloppy, awful potato-level lo-fi Satanic Warmaster-wannabe project from Sweden.
Xasthur Victims of the Times
An extremly amateurish album. The guitars sound really detuned, horrible mic placements for the recordings and terrible vocals.

0.5
Old Tower The Old King of Witches
"Old Tower resurrects the dying breed of dark ambient with '90s deep electronics to conceive of a new form of DARK MUSIC" What the fuck are you talking about? This is among the most basic, uninteresting, amateourish dark ambient releases I've ever heard. ZERO depth, ZERO exciting parts. This guy is helpless... Spare yourself the time and avoid this. Forever.
Witch Club Satan Witch Club Satan
I wish I could go lower~
STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS // CONTACT US

Bands: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Site Copyright 2005-2023 Sputnikmusic.com
All Album Reviews Displayed With Permission of Authors | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy