Conflict - Decision Code

Still Fear Factory worship ... but with better songs and a better vocalist. Pleasantly surprised by this album.

Testament - Born In A Rut

A great modern Thrash album by one of my favorites of the genre. Not as good as the previous two albums but there are some great highlights on this album. A fun listen either way!

Rotting Christ - Ze Nigmar

Despite them being one of my favourite bands and masters of tapping into that sense of mythological mysticism that I love so much from the best metal, I hadn't given RC's latest two albums a go until recently. Some kind of idea that they had lost their way a little was floating around amongst friends but I can say I really disagree. This is brilliant and if The Heretics stands up to this album then I am quite happy for the band to continue down this wonderfully melodic and epic yet still heavy path.

I have to count myself in the "disappointed" camp. To me, everything Rituals onward just sort of meanders about in an attempt to be atmospheric but never actually resolves to anything. It feels like a pre-chorus bridge drawn out for the entire song (and I say this as a huge fan of minimalist/ambient music). There were even traces of this back on Kata Toi, but that album at least had a few standouts like In Yumen Xibalba (admittedly one of my all-time favorite RC tracks). I dunno, they've always been one of my favorite bands and I at least understand what they're trying to do, but I haven't had much hope for them in a while.

(And maybe I'm splitting hairs over this, but who thought it was a good idea to have a song that mostly narrates from "The Raven"? This isn't high school drama class ffs)

Now that is absolutely a fair point. I wonder if they somehow missed that it's one of the most well known pieces of gothic poetry ever written?
I also find it fairly ridiculous that they felt the need to give us songs titled 'Heaven and Hell and Fire' and 'Fire, God and Fear' after 'Fire Death and Fear' from Aealo. I am very much enjoying the music they're still coming out with but that does strike me as running out of steam a little.

At least the songs still rip

Rotting Christ - The Voice of the Universe

Gravediggaz - Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide

This has to be one of the craziest songs I've ever heard in my life. It's quite addicting though. I somehow stumbled upon this on youtube.

Threshold - March of Progress

Basically the heirs to Rush at this point. Love 'em.

Chrome Division - Raise Your Flag

Yeah, the first two albums are just marvelous! Can't say that for the rest of their catalog.

Nightwish - Bless the Child

I love the melancholic atmosphere on their "Century Child" album. It's a close second to "Oceanborn" for me. I'd consider both to be power metal favorites, really.

Signum Regis - The Seal Of A New World

High-quality power metal from Slovakia.

Crystal Viper - Still Alive

Talk about a band that lost the plot... pretty dull/weak.

Lugubrum - Acre II

Love this band, so weird and trippy.

Ningen Isu - The Golden Dawn, off The Golden Dawn

Man, I don't listen to the band nearly as much as I should. Love their jammy, eccentric take on Sabbathian metal.

Dio - Holy Diver

I haven't listened to this album in 5 years, which sucks, because it's great

Alice Cooper - Trash

One of those records, where you know almost every song without ever even owning it. Like it.

Exodus - Brain Dead

Such great old school Thrash Metal. Underrated album that was sadly stuck between two classics.

Father John Misty - Holy Shit

This is such a great album. The melodies are first rate and his lyrics are a shitload of fun.

That one is probably my favorite Exodus album. That one or Impact is Imminent actually.

"Seeds of Hate" is a great song in my book and "Chemi-Kill" is a thrash classic.

NOCTURNUS AD: Paradox

This is Nocturnus's greatest album.

Lizzy Borden - Visual Lies

It's quite cool. Maybe somewhat heavier than I expected.

That's their best album as far as I can see. Great songs.

Runemagick - Eyes of Kali

Anything with some Celtic Frost influence is always top tier extreme metal for me. I love this album. Gonna review it for the challenge coming up along with some of their other shit.

Heroin and Your Veins - The Lady

Perfect for chilling after work

NP: Goatlord - The Fog

You'd like this band. Nasty and evil, occasional Celtic Frost-y stuff.

Lunar Aurora - Mein Schattenbruder

Great BM, with nice synth that flows well.

Witch Vomit - From Rotten Guts

Nasty DM, love the guitar tone on this record

Gorgon - Cold Hearted Woman

Really cool Japanese heavy metal.
Love the vocals.

I listened (1996) Lunar Aurora - Weltengänger (2007 Cold Dimensions Rerelease) some days ago.

(2019) Obsequiae - The Palms Of Sorrowed Kings.

Wytch Hazel - The Devil Is Here

Love this, such a strong atmosphere.

Rendezvous Point - _Universal Chaos_

New release, modern prog metal but not djenty. Reminds me of a more metal late-period Leprous. Pretty solid.

Esoteric - Culmination

My Favorite Song on one of the best albums of the year. This is a Funeral Doom Masterpiece!!!

LIZZY RULES!!!!!

Wings - Greatest (Yup, it's pretty great)!
Neil Young - American Stars `N Bars
Rose Tattoo - Scarred for Life
Black Crowes - Lions (like the Psychedelic lion on the cover).
Gamma Ray - Insanity and Genius (Only 1 listen on this so far, but I think I like it. Certainly like the bonus track "Exciter" cover!)

LOVE THAT SONG!!!

The album it's on, not so much.

Blood Incantation - Hidden History of the Human Race

This just starts right off being fucking awesome. Shit, man. Killer riffs.

You've got a point - this is pretty damn good. Nice lo-fi, underground sound. I like how they put in the wind sound effects underneath the riffs. That's very cool.

Vöedtæmhtëhactått - Christ Promised Never to Return

Cool stuff, nice folky feeling to it.

Megadeth - Rust in Piece

The essential Megadeth album. Not much else to say that hasn't been said already. The other 3 classic thrash albums by Megadeth are good but more flawed. But this one is just flawless and timeless.

Running Wild - The Rivalry

Might be one of my favorite RW songs.
Love the opening riff!!!!!

Demon Bitch - Devil Love

High energy all the way, love the vocals also!

Kreator - Winter Martyrium

Renewal is quite underrated but i can see why people don't like it, still got plenty of great groovy/doomy riffs