Controversial Metal Opinions

[Ducky]

Mesmerizing, exactly. Something achieved by creating atmosphere, not by stringing riffs together and hoping atmosphere happens. Jaws theme music, y'know: What's the atmosphere that's being created here? Not, I wonder are they going to use any other notes?

Yep, 100% fair observation. Defo a band for my "should like them but for some reason don't" pile.

[open face surgery]

I think Burn in Hell is sublime. The riffs, vocals, drums, production, atmosphere... to me it sounded unearthly when I first heard it twenty something years ago. Total mesmerising transcendence. I had never heard a doom record like that at that point and when I listen to it now, and the rest of the album, it still transports me to another world.

I get this buzz listening to something like Opaque Divinity by Solitude Aeturnus, which is obviously broadly similar to RB, but RB leaves me cold.

Even broadly, there is very little similar between the two. Both class but worlds apart.

[vinterland]

Clandestine is a far better album than Left Hand Path. The second half of their debut tails off badly whereas their sophomore is consistently amazing throughout. LHP would also be the weakest of all the debuts of the Swedish Big Four.

[Carnage]

Blasphemy! My second favourite DM album and I don't hear a second half dip at all. A punky DM classic made by lads who were still in school, you can hear the enthusiasm overtaking the skill without it sounding sloppy.

As a counter (and fitting the thread) Clandestine is a seriously subpar album IMO. With a couple of exceptions, the songs just aren't there. The production is cold and lifeless and the vocals are completely shit. One of the first metal CDs I bought but I got rid of it years ago.

[Paul keohane]

Both are class albums,but for years i was almost afraid to say i prefer Clandestine!

[Maggot Colony]

I agree with Clandestine being the superior album.

Here's another controversial opinion - Like an Ever Flowing Stream is the best Swedish DM album.

[vinterland]

I agree with Clandestine being the superior album.

Here's another controversial opinion - Like an Ever Flowing Stream is the best Swedish DM album.

Nothing overly controversial there but very difficult to separate it from Into the Grave. As close to a dead heat as you're likely to see.

[Carnage]

Like an Ever Flowing Stream is the best Swedish DM album.

Second after LHP for me, Dark Recollections or Indecent And Obscene in third.

Never took to Grave. They're good alright, just never grabbed me.

[Paul keohane]

I agree with Clandestine being the superior album.

Here's another controversial opinion - Like an Ever Flowing Stream is the best Swedish DM album.

It is the best!

[ijnjnijnilijbibbjknkjbjkk]

Volahn - Aq'Ab'Al. the best black metal album of the last 10 years.

[Eoin McLove]

I have the first Volahn album and I really liked it but haven't listened to it in ages. I'll stick it on later. Must check out the one mentioned above as it passed me by.

[astfgyl]

Like an Ever Flowing Stream is the best Swedish DM album.

Second after LHP for me, Dark Recollections or Indecent And Obscene in third.

Never took to Grave. They're good alright, just never grabbed me.

Left Hand is where it's at

[Necro Red]

Like an Ever Flowing Stream is the best Swedish DM album.

Second after LHP for me, Dark Recollections or Indecent And Obscene in third.

Never took to Grave. They're good alright, just never grabbed me.

I was on a mad Dismember buzz years ago and was really into Indecent And Obscene. I should revisit them actually.

[nukeabuse]

Volahn - Aq'Ab'Al. the best black metal album of the last 10 years.

It's definitely up there. Shame there's been no output since that le tigre del sur (excuse the half forgotten Spanish title) ep.

[Carnage]

Not metal as such but Whole Lotta Love is a fucking terrible song. To the point that I can't listen to LZII. Worst album of the first four by a mile for me.