A weaker showing from previous albums if we exclude the heavy experimentation of the last album, which actually had higher highs than this. The most glaring weakness is a lack of uniqueness and production. The production is centered on putting most of the audio on the background, in contrast to their previous lush mixing, which felt way more fitting for the instrumentation. A bit too ethereal and basic for Ashbringer standards, but still a fine listen. I recommend their 2019 album Absolution.

Downfall. Their last album was stellar from the first song, oozing energy and catchiness. This on the other hand is dreadfully bland with near to zero good hooks to latch on to. The band has clearly lost their passion to write good songs.

A weaker, but still ultimately good US power outing from their last album. The clear production was their #1 selling point last album and this follows the trend. My gripes are the less unique songwriting, bloat and weaker drums. Although the guitarwork and stellar vocal performance makes the album very enjoyable. I highly recommend their previous album over this.

Cave sermon makes a stylistic change to more progressive songwriting. In its entirety, the album is uplifting and serene, but still dense instrumentally. Although definitely more streamlined and less eclectic tonally. The songwriting is more refined and forms more concise songs, whereas the previous album had long songs, which coasted on the amazing instrumentation. In conclusion, Fragile Wings is A less intense version of the last album with more musical prowess.

Pure musicianship, with varied soundscapes ranging from prog rock to quite hard-hitting technical death. There are so many layers and instruments that take a lot of time to figure out. Four listens in, and I definitely haven't grasped the album enough, but I can confidently praise its quality. In its entirety, the album is a very dense experience that merits some listening commitment. I recommend listening to at least Anathema, since it encapsulates the entire album well

I was and am a huge fan of their last album. Beyond Obsidian Euphoria somehow exceeds my expectations by bringing in one of my other favourite genres in tandem with the previous progressive black metal style. The biggest differences are the production, which is clearer and less black metal coded, and a combination of blackened/growls/clean vocals, which I love. It is simply a more varied and refined version of Ash in Realms of Stone Icons, with no faults.

A bit slower than the last album, which was great. This is good as well, but lacks the same passionate female vocal driven US power the last album excelled in

Amazing instrumentation, shit vocals.

Unique showing of epic metal with slow atmospheric sections that build into classic heavy/US power metal. The guitar riffing is great and bridges the gap well between the instrumental build-ups into vocal sections. Much of the album is very slow and about building a strong atmosphere and a kind of heaviness/triumph, while still keeping the heavy metal core. A nice and fresh take on epic metal.

A wonderfully written and performed progressive rock experience with influences of prog metal, art rock and symphonic prog. All which combine into a beautiful atmosphere where elements of serene piano melodies to the heavier guitar solos all hit the mark. The instrumentation is varied, focusing on the classic band instruments, acoustic guitars and pianos with some symphonic flavor from violins, saxophones, etc. Simply a wonderfully varied and immersive prog-rock album

DIM is great at making serene and medieval-sounding ambient/dungeon synth music. However, this black metal + dungeon synth combination doesn't resonate with me nearly as much as his previous work. It's way too all over the place without having a clear, defined soundscape. Old Sorcery by Sorrowcrown is a good example of what this album tried to achieve.

Solid atmoblack with nice, clear melodies, but lacking something special to stand out among the rest

Quite an interesting listen. Somehow it reminds me of last year's Fossil Gardens by Hail Spirit Noir, but a bit more grounded and better, but still more on the experimental side. The features are refreshing, especially Ember Belladonna's style of flutes + metal, which sounds considerably better than in her solo album. A serene and calming progressive metal album with the usual extreme metal flourish (in this case atmospheric black metal)

From the Yearning to Burst the Perpetual Circle is the most unique and the best instrumental (metal) album I've listened to. No other band (maybe Wilderun) has achieved this quality of actual classical music combined with metal. The album isn't just metal with some orchestration or choirs as an addition, rather they're the main focus along with the usual guitars and drums. Simply laying down and listening to this album in full is an experience almost no other album can achieve

Underrated masterpiece of maximalist conceptual power/progressive metal. Every song showcases pure technicality in the instrumentation combined with staggering vocals and stunning choruses. Combining power, progressive, symphonic and folk metal this album's musicianship is off the charts. Simply listening to the opening "Demon Desire" is the best way to understand my point. I'll ramble on more here, but my main point is: listen to this album.

The basis of the album's ... read more

The Skies Above Eternity could never rival Their debut, The Saberlight Chronicles, the greatest power metal album ever. Nevertheless, Fellowship has changed thematically into The Skies Above Eternity by increasing the symphonic elements and changing the production style. The mix is purely focused on making a veil of symphonies, which sometimes drown out guitars, which isn't necessarily bad, just different. Fellowship's emotional, meaningful, and simply incredible lyricism and singing ... read more

IOTUNN once again impresses with a grand sounding progressive metal and melodeath combination. This time with less of a power metal influence, which is sidelined by more refined songwriting with some pleasant prog metal compositions. Very similar to last album, but having a bit more potent musicianship while still giving the same kind of grandiose pummeling last album excelled in

The last album was a mix of Medieval folk and black metal. This album is full-on folk metal with polished production and clean vocals. Although there still are some of the usual Curta'n Wall black metal in some songs. I like the full commitment to the medieval and folk themes, which complement each other very well. More folk, more fun, but Curta'n Wall's black metal fans will be disappointed

Galneryus has possibly the greatest power metal discography, and they deliver once again with The Stars Will Light the Way. There are a lot of melodic and instrumentally less busy sections that revolve around a keyboard and/or symphonic elements with Sho's amazing vocals. Although their signature neoclassical flourishes and virtuoso instrumentation are certainly still the focus. Galneryus has made an amazing back to form showing with a less chorus driven album, while still sounding like ... read more

Unto Others focus more stylistically on Goth Rock/Metal than ever before. The songs are edgier, are more rock than metal, and mor mellow. I loved Unto Others' previous albums and how energetic and catchy songs they could make with a unique goth twist that is uncommon today. This is even more Gothic, which isn't the main reason I loved them. The album is still good, although it doesn't focus on the style Unto Others does best.