This is pretty much one of my favorite albums of all time, so in an effort to do it justice and highlight why this is as special as it, I will not spare any words in describing it and the circumstances that created it, buckle up...

Every once in a while, there emerges a band with a particular artist whose genius enchants the ears and eyes of the audience. Those artists often find their way into other bands that lead to legendary lineups wherein each and every member is irreplaceable by virtue ... read more

Dragged Into Sunlight manages to find the interface between the malevolent, the chaotic, and the grotesque to produce the quintessential sound of violent misanthropy. To think that this came out in 2009 is honestly mind blowing because albums produced nowadays don't have a mix nearly as subjugating as this typically. I mean for crying out loud, something as heavy and grotesque as Lord Mantis' Pervertor sounds *light* (under huge asterisks I might add) as compared to Hatred For ... read more

While I'm fairly new to Thou's output, I do find myself enjoying this album quite a bit. The punk proclivities of the genre shine through in lyrics moreso than the instrumentation, which is very much partial to doomier and more metal influences with some parts even being somewhat reminiscent of the groovy riffing found in Stoner Doom. This creates a soundscape which envelopes around you like a constrictor and tightens its grasp the deeper you get into the album; while still being ... read more

A dirge few would dare to write, Bell Witch's Mirror Reaper is one of the monoliths of Funeral Doom and one of the worthy champions of the genre alongside the ranks of Ahab's Call of the Wretched Sea and Thergothon's Stream from the Heavens, though a considerably less accessible album than the aforementioned pair. How the hell am I supposed to try and convince someone that "Trust me bro, 32 minutes in it becomes otherworldly bro, the song just evolves bro, you gotta be ... read more

Probably one of the most memorable releases I have heard in a while and my introduction to Jón Aldará. Excellent production, tremendous talent across the board with of course no shortage of that talent coming from Jón's soaring and controlled highs that are deliberately tastefully juxtaposed with bellowing growls. If I spoke Faroese and related to the historical aspect of the albums subject matter, I imagine the album would resonate even more profoundly with me. For ... read more

Rating History: (75 -> 85)

Neige's usually exceptional blend of harsh and clean vocals shine here with the dreamy and yet still grounded instrumentation of Herbst (Markus Siegenhort). The two of them manage to create a soundscape reminiscent of a concrete jungle on a rainy, busy day: flocks of people moving around from place to place, never interacting, never stopping. The fruit of this soundscape is a romanticized agony that, whether described through an overdose on the bathroom floor ... read more

While this is the often overlooked link in the great trilogy that is Agalloch's first three albums, nothing Agalloch did since quite sounds like Pale Folklore. This album gives a focused, emotionally driven, and raw exploration of the ambitiously vast soundscape that erupts beautifully into that great vastness. While one could say that the band had a bit more room to mature and further refine their craft in places, this is nonetheless a classic worthy of your attention.

Had this been the ... read more

Hearing this for the first time as a teenager showed me the phenomenal creativity, atmospheric mastery and beauty that black metal could capture. Bergtatt is the touchstone for much of what would follow in the realm of atmospheric black metal. While the creative wellspring of Ulver is storied with several triumphs, this remains their most beloved endeavour to date.

Very strong and inspired compositions throughout from start to finish. Elden Ring is beloved for a reason (and while I am personally more partial to Bloodborne and Dark Souls' Lore), Bloody Valkyria proves that The Lands Between can be a powerful sounding board for modern artists similar to how Tolkein's Middle-Earth and Moorcock's Multiverse has been for many prominent musicians.

If I can make a single complaint, it would be that the mix across many tracks songs could use a ... read more