II was the first one I heard so it has that nostalgia pull for me, although Nola is the better album, and I'd still have a lot of time for Over the Under, although it's more hit and miss. Never listened to the EPs
Diary of a Mad Band is one of the worst live albums I've ever heard
Diary of a Mad Band is one of the worst live albums I've ever heard
Ya, first one for sure. Second one was cool but never felt the need to go back to it in the last 20 years or so and never checked out anything after it bar the odd tune.
Static Abyss - Labyrinth of Veins 9/10
Back to this diabolical debut while awaiting the new one to darken my doorstep. Chris Reifert and Greg Wilkinson dredging the sewers and spewing up an album so grotty that even Autopsy themselves would be proud.
Hesperia - Picenum (True Marchigian Black Metal Renaissance) 8.5/10
Discovered this one man project from Italy last year and was immediately hooked. This is more of the same and that's fine by me, a rich, sprawling tapestry of ice cold Black Metal complemented by myriad Medieval and Folk interludes. Perfect for a night by the fireside.
Clairvoyance - Chasm of Immurement 8/10
These young Poles made a pretty compelling case for being a band to keep an eye on last year with this oppressive Death Metal debut in the vein of Incantation, Phrenelith, Tomb Mold etc. Paolo Girardi's stunning, spiralling artwork was strikingly similar to his cover for the Ordh debut earlier this year. Both are killer.
Chalice - Divine Spear 7.5/10
New one from Finland's Chalice (there are currently ten Chalice's listed on the Archives) out on Dying Victims this year, very enjoyable listen, like a more mystical, subtle version of Sumerlands with a vocal style that hearkens back to a 70's prog rock sound, blending with, rather than soaring over the traditional riffing style.
Urn -Soul Destroyers 7/10
Back to 2008 for some good ol' nasty Black Thrash heavily and poignantly indebted to Venom. Bishop Len Brennan ain't faring so well on the front of this one.
Kreator - Krushers of The World 6/10
Revisiting this to see if there's any sliver of a chance of it making an end of year list....Nope, it's alright but no, the bar is way above this festival friendly fun . And that title just fucking kills me, how bad it is . Mega Kringe Mille.
Back to this diabolical debut while awaiting the new one to darken my doorstep. Chris Reifert and Greg Wilkinson dredging the sewers and spewing up an album so grotty that even Autopsy themselves would be proud.
Hesperia - Picenum (True Marchigian Black Metal Renaissance) 8.5/10
Discovered this one man project from Italy last year and was immediately hooked. This is more of the same and that's fine by me, a rich, sprawling tapestry of ice cold Black Metal complemented by myriad Medieval and Folk interludes. Perfect for a night by the fireside.
Clairvoyance - Chasm of Immurement 8/10
These young Poles made a pretty compelling case for being a band to keep an eye on last year with this oppressive Death Metal debut in the vein of Incantation, Phrenelith, Tomb Mold etc. Paolo Girardi's stunning, spiralling artwork was strikingly similar to his cover for the Ordh debut earlier this year. Both are killer.
Chalice - Divine Spear 7.5/10
New one from Finland's Chalice (there are currently ten Chalice's listed on the Archives) out on Dying Victims this year, very enjoyable listen, like a more mystical, subtle version of Sumerlands with a vocal style that hearkens back to a 70's prog rock sound, blending with, rather than soaring over the traditional riffing style.
Urn -Soul Destroyers 7/10
Back to 2008 for some good ol' nasty Black Thrash heavily and poignantly indebted to Venom. Bishop Len Brennan ain't faring so well on the front of this one.
Kreator - Krushers of The World 6/10
Revisiting this to see if there's any sliver of a chance of it making an end of year list....Nope, it's alright but no, the bar is way above this festival friendly fun . And that title just fucking kills me, how bad it is . Mega Kringe Mille.
The Album Of Colour
Nola smokes them all. There is no comparison.
Quote from: Carnage on October 13, 2026, 04:12:46 PMDown II is shit.NOLA is perfect,less of that absolute heresy. Down II has some absolute bangers on it. When over the under is good, it's really good but most of it's middling
NOLA is ruined by the vocals, musically it's mighty. Down III is the best of both worlds, and the first EP is also great. The second one didn't make any real impression, for good or ill.
I don't know what put it in my head but I found myself listening to the first Epica album yesterday on the way into town. I'm not a fan of 'symphonic metal' in general (file under: Eurovision Shite) but I actually enjoyed it at the time.
I'm not sure I'll go back to it much but I was pleasantly surprised not only by the occasional heavier vocals, but that I considered them an unwelcome interruption.
Now for ya.
I'm not sure I'll go back to it much but I was pleasantly surprised not only by the occasional heavier vocals, but that I considered them an unwelcome interruption.
Now for ya.
Quote from: ochoill on October 13, 2026, 05:13:36 PMKulk - "Choosing To Die"
This is savage. I suppose it is the usual combo of noise rock/sludge but it is ragged, violent, and blunt. Can't leave it alone. Bleak and angry.
That is just lovely, great stuff...my kinda noise. Cheers
I dunno man, like trying to be apolitical when ICE are murdering people on the streets is fucked, it's like cunts saying look let's not talk about bloody Sunday because both sides are lurks and we should just bang our heads.
BUMP this sat