Classic death metal with enough variety to stay interesting but enough consistency to keep a brutal sound throughout the whole album. Definitely deserves the cult classic reputation built around it!

What performing with Robert Smith does to a person

A great mix of 80s style gothic rock with doom metal, my favourite thing I’ve heard from Katatonia so far. The choice to scrap screaming for deep, gloomy vocals that could easily fit a Sisters of Mercy or early The Cure song makes this a standout record in the Swedish metal scene of the time. The instruments, even down to tone and tuning, are not only fitting for gothic metal but so perfect for the sound the band created. I Break is easily my favourite song, but every track could easily ... read more

I liked it, I just expected a bit more honestly. With songs like July and Leaders, which are dramatic and atmospheric in such a unique sounding way, it’s hard to imagine that the weaker tracks on the album are even made by the same band. The sound is consistent (maybe a bit too consistent at points) and manages to mix aspects of prog, gothic rock and alternative metal in quite a well done way - but some tracks fall flat and end up forgettable while others could’ve easily made their ... read more

NIN might be the “basic bitch” of the industrial scene, but their fame and popularity is well deserved (this album being proof of just how much they deserve it). Twisting 80’s inspired electronic music into something that’s honestly crushing, with synths usually reserved for dance music adding to the dark sound. The lyricism is great too, living up to the theme of a downward spiral by covering different ways of descending into pain.

My introduction to electronic music and I love this! The way this album blends club influences with an almost rock sound genuinely makes it such a fun listen, I also find Keith Flint’s vocals super unique and perfect for this type of music

Blackgaze is an overhated genre within the metal community and this album is proof it’s actually much better than people say. Ethereal at times, chilling at others, but constantly heavy. I love Deafheaven’s fresh take on black metal.

Progressive metal at its peak, honestly. I had wanted to get into Opeth for a while when a friend recommended me this album, and I regret not listening to it sooner. The way Opeth manages to make even low-pitched screaming sound melodic is so impressive. I also love how folk is mixed in with death metal, two genres that rarely even get mentioned in the same sentence - it adds to the uniqueness of this album, ethereal but bleak at the same time.

Considering quitting AOTY to focus on listening to We Are Charlie Kirk.

An aggressive, fast paced female fronted thrash record which leans into its punk influences almost as heavily as its metal influences. While it has the average flaws of 80’s American metal (production, a couple cheesy lyrics, etc) it stands out from a lot of generic thrash records that popped up in the scene with its unapologetically political lyrics and heavier than average sound!

EDIT: 79 —> 89

An album with a lot of great ideas and potential, unfortunately let down by production, budget and their very small following in the metal scene of the time. Debbie Gunn honestly has killer vocals, with a more feminine voice adding a fresh twist to 80s thrash metal. I also really enjoyed how a lot of songs were linked together with repeated motifs (especially with the dog motifs)

Classic heavy metal at its peak, unapologetically fast with just the right amount of groove to keep things fun. The speed metal influences work perfectly mixed with Judas Priest’s already iconic sound

Yeah sure, it’s repetitive at times. But the ethereal goth sound really stands out for me, especially with Monica’s vocals adding that mysterious feel. Drown is the stand out track and sounds exactly how I imagine sirens to sound like.

Proof that pink is actually a pretty metal colour

For one of the first female fronted death metal acts (1988), Derkéta deserves SO much more love.

I’ve been trying to explore thrash metal outside of the big 4 and this was a great way to start that actually!! I can definitely see why it’s a classic, it’s a fun album that keeps the energy up for its full runtime. The production is honestly pretty bad, but it fits the album in a way

Just remembered this existed

0/10 I’ve been learning this song on bass and it’s annoying me how I can’t get a specific part of it down

Jokes aside, best Metallica song

Not my usual thing at all but oh my god.

I try and give indie pop a go every now and again. I always end up hating indie pop. I don’t know why I do this.