Wow, really? I also digged 'The Master Sleeps' and 'Suffer The Masses' from the get-go. And 'Deviation' as well! I loved the vibe of that song
I got the CD from the library first and taped it. It was in my walkman for several months, especially when I went to soccer practice, which was quite a long ride on my bike. It wasn't until months later that I got an original copy.

I might have to rewrite my review, it's 14 years old already and rather short.

Funny thing about gasmask's writing for the latest Altars of Rebellion (other than the fact that he beat me to it lol, mine still has a long way to go) - he mentions the use of a drum machine and 'obviously unreal blastbeats', and understandably so, but truth is, they actually hired Lord Marco as a guest for some tracks, obviously the most insane ones. That man is really out of this world.

The review is pretty much accurate nevertheless, impressive moments abound yet rarely translate into all-around amazing songs. But again, to my ears it's not an uncommon issue with tech death

How? He describes what's going on and talks about why he doesn't like it. I am also not a fan of Archspire and would highlight the exact same stuff Grumpy Cat did if I was reviewing it. Furthermore, he's written reviews for other things giving them praise. You can't get someone's account deleted because they have different taste than you, sorry bud.

Thanks, I really wanted to like that album more - but on repeated listens, I just couldn't.



I've never heard this band/album before but I think that is a good review, makes some interesting points and comparisons. It also describes the album and the music well. I'm listening to the album now and I can see where the reviewer is coming from, regardless of whether I agree of disagree with them.

Ah shooooooot, you just added those drummer details now, right? I literally got sent the promo package by the band and nowhere does it seem to mention their guest drummers.

I will obviously fix that; meanwhile, what's your take on it?

It was a joke, about deleting his account, but seriously throw away that review, those are not opinions but plain lies, you just can't say that that album is "rock radio material" with "harmless guitars and drums", it's low rate trolling

The last review of Stained Class is one of the worst I have ever read about this album.

Dude really needs to come to terms with his irrational hatred towards cover songs

While I disagree, he has every right to dislike them and write about it.
Just another review, another p.o.v.

Yeah lol, I guess I *could* have done it before recently I found out that a '80s thrash album I was reviewing contained a bonus track with a guest solo by none less than Michael Angelo Batio, yet there was nigh to none mention of it on the net (let alone on MA), I discovered it totally by chance when I was scrolling the booklet on Discogs for no exact reason. So I may have developed a tendency to double-check several times who's really playing since then

I think my review will end up touching very similar aspects (arguably with a slightly higher rating, but I'm gonna make the final decision after a couple more listens). The Fleshgod Apocalypse parallel was in the plans (and admittedly far too evident), but I couldn't quite pinpoint another band incorporating so many groovy moments (due to my ignorance regarding the tech death field, mainly), so the Biomechanical mention is both surprising and adequate. This one is luckily way less annoying than Cannibalised, if nothing else.

Hahaha it's annoying when stuff like that comes late and your review ends up looking stupid, so I appreciate the heads up. I actually could have given Altars Of Rebellion a lower score but I feel like there's something there that deserves to be recognized; it's not just the mash of crazy ideas that you rightly say Cannibalised was, but also it doesn't have any of the ecstatic crazy-gone-right moments from The Empires of the Worlds either. AoR basically buried some good ideas for me. If you're thinking something similar but like it more than me, then I'm glad because it probably means I haven't overlooked something obvious.

I'm always open to negative points of view about albums I love, but everything he says feels forced, the irrational hatred of covers and calling Invader or Savage "poppy" because they have a repeating chorus don't even seem to me serious points to criticize the album.

To be completely sure, let's see if somebody else will open up our eyes, then...

Hard agree overall, I mostly remembered the same moments you mentioned in the review, but surely TEotW managed to be flat-out brilliant way more often. Even with its downsides, it was an impressive example of pulling off an album of this kind.

Absolutely; that one ("TEotW") is one great album.

I can't be the only one who waits the whole album for the 11 second solo in 'Regenerated' though.

I can't be the only one who waits the whole album for the 11 second solo in 'Regenerated' though.

Well, this one is surely a treat but man, if you tell me that you don't gape in at least semi-awe on the dystopian tech-thrash grandiloquence of "Truth Denied", I'm going to lose a tiny percentage from my respect for you...

Interesting Amid Its Hallowed Mirth review from Robotiq. I do agree that the album lacks some serious classic, knock-out tunes, but I still think the album deserves a higher score than a 67. I'd give it a mid/high 70 score myself.

Interesting to get another review for Project Arcadia. I like the album a bit more, but it's a good writeup. That thing had a very special place for me when it came out - just that specific time of life.

So it used to be a joke that all of Bayern’s scores were super high, and now he’s giving out 46% and 63% on the same day. How times have changed

Well, it seems like all the great music has already been covered, mate... more or less.

I guess so...that makes almost 1866 great releases you've already recommended then. You'll have to start a series telling us what to stay away from now. A little early to say it, but I'm looking ahead to you becoming the 3rd most prolific reviewer here and passing the 2000 mark. That would be quite a feat!

For sure, sometimes it's like I'll get critical more easily once I've noticed a few poor points, but also I'll write less formally and probably make more jokey references, especially if the album is kind of boring. For a release that I want to like but can't bring myself to compliment, maybe a bit of sorrow and hand-wringing.

Btw Colin I'm not ignoring your messages, just lost my VPN temporarily

Yes true, I'm mostly commenting because I had realized for a while that you were awarding lower scores, but it struck me suddenly that those 2 on the same day were exceptionally low, and I considered that you had changed your habits. It might be a while before you crack the 2000 target, but it seems like a whirlwind of writing since you first came here, and a great contribution to the site.

Only bayern can give Black Hole's Evil in the Dark an 87%. Although I am very happy at least SOMEBODY reviewed it AND Living Mask FINALLY.