The only legitimate 'dark metal' release
926792
During the early days of Darkthrone, they knew they wanted to not be death metal as it was practiced by others, but had not yet found the religion of Bathory and Celtic Frost that opened their eyes to black metal. Thus "Soulside Journeys" was created in a style of death metal technique and black metal presentation that is best described as "dark metal."
Tempos are generally slower or mid-paced, and riffing uses the abrasive Swedish-Sunlight-Studios-style distortion to mask contemplative melodic riffs which unfold slowly into themes across the course of each song. Mood is regulated with graceful poise in rhythm and cadence, and delivery on the level of the subtle building to the intense, a reversal from how death metal sees things. Vocals are low but rasping, as a precursor of black metal to come, and the avant-prog drumming of wizard Fenriz (Hank Amarillo) is impressive in its own right.
This album rests against the other Darkthrone albums on my shelf but is not of the same ilk, nor the same mood - where blackmetal is perfect for a dark midnight fury, this album is best suited to the calm hours of the night when all things are ambiguous, and mortal fear can be understood in its only meaningful context, isolation.
1152543
man. I usually would never give a Black/Death metal CD a 4 or 5. The genre is just too limited. Usually lacking in production and sound quality. gets old, fast. But I still have a place for it. Enhances many of my moods.

So took a chance on this. I do have a few Immortal CD's scattered in my thousands of discs, and they were ok. But lacked in quality, though EXCELLENT musically. But yet, there they sit, un-listened to. So I won't compare this to anything they did because i had not bought an Immortal CD in over a decade. As I said, I like some death metal, but it has to be different and of good sound quality. The only other Death metal band that actually sounded good with bad production was Bathory back in the day. This has a lot of Bathory vibe.

I like this a LOT because the Vocals at many times sound like the (immortal) Quorthon in his Death Metal days. But this CD is GREAT sounding. The riffs are clear, Drumming thunderous and the songs themselves have real staying power. Some excellent Guitar solo's. Not 100% thrash, some good interludes. But its just done right on here. Sounds fresh and complete. Even the Priest cover of 'Riding on the Wind' is done well.

As I said, Black Metal is a limited Genre, this doesn't recreate anything. But its AWESOME nonetheless. Highly recommend to any Metal enthusiast. It does Black Metal right. Excellent CD with no real throw out tracks.

When in the mood, if you like Death/Black Metal, you will like this as I do.
2359060
This is exactly what "true" black metal should sound like. Lotsa the BM bands I hear aren't really all that intense--buzzing bee guitars, cardboard drums, "oh dear I've got a tummy ache" vox. "VVorld VVithout End" is just insanely heavy. The guitars are screaming. Screaming. The drums aren't the most sophisticated thing in the world, but they've got punch and don't rely on the not even particularly fast blasting that dominates some influential records. (Transilvanian Hunger, if you didn't guess.) And Drakh's vox are insane, easily the best I've ever heard on a BM album, perhaps the best on any extreme metal album. About a quarter of it is just wordless screaming, though his conventional, distorted rasp is first rate too. All taken together, this is some of the most ferocious, unrelenting metal I've heard.

This album is not about songwriting, though they do mix it up between hyper-speed blasting and some midpaced stuff. Oddly enough, it most reminds me of "Reek of Putrefaction." Not that they sound very similar, but that they're carried by pure noise. Flatout aural violence is the attraction. Still, individual tracks stand out. Opener "Eden Belovv" starts with perhaps the strongest riff on the album, while "VVytchdance" manages too pound away at the same crunchy, midpaced riff for about an eternity w/o getting old. (If it's truly intense enough you can get away with that.) "Ascent From Ghoulgotha" has the tiniest scraps of melody in the middle section, and the title track is a true endurance test. (I mean that in the best way possible.) 16 straight minutes of pounding, black metal madness. You wouldn't think they could up the ante at this point, but they pull it off.

This album is simply monstrous. Highly recommended.
4342123
What is this laughable garbage???  Unblack metal??  Using black metal and satanic anti Christian black metal music styles to mock and spread your poison?  Once again you prove Satan is the church's best friend because he keeps them in business.  All this garbage is is simply black stain metal on the fabric of music, it's nothing but a pathetic, watered down, bastardised version of a pure, raw style of real music.  Christians aparently need Satan to spread their lies and garbage....see you no talent, disgusting rip offs in hell.  Hail real a Black Metal.
605813
If you have never heard Solitude Aeturnus, you don't know what you are missing.  This is one of the most criminally underrated metal bands of all time.  I didn't take them too seriously until recently and I'm extremely glad I did.  I think most people assume (as I did) that they are just a Black Sabbath copy, but they go far beyond anything Iommi & Co ever accomplished - and not just because they have two guitarists.
They definately have the heavy doom atmosphere of Sabbath, but they go quite a few steps heavier.  Plenty of killer leads, heavy-as-cement riffs, vocals that can go from dark and gritty to high and soaring, and some awesome song writing that is unique and technical while still remaining melodic and fairly accessible.  To top it all off, the production is killer.  They keep the doomy feeling of the 70's era while still having the intensity and heaviness that only modern production is capable of.  Basically, I can't imagine any metalhead listening to this without drooling.
This album is 100% metal and absolutely essential.  OK, so their vocalist doesn't bite the heads off of doves, but no band is perfect.
596361
yes, so it was low porduction, but its not that bad, this was truely amaizing; however, i soo wish it was on dvd. dead is the most reconized voice in REAL black metal, listening to this, almost feels like the ohlin's ghost is sitting right next to you.

 i would not recomend it to people who are not already big into mayhem, but if you are a true mayhem fan, this is a must. the reason that that is the sound is a little bit of a mess, but true fans....how could it not be their favorit recording by them? I also recomend that you get this other cd titled "de mysteriis dom sathanas" along with it.

I still can't get over how much i wish this was on dvd, but if it is...PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

i think they screwed up funeral fog a lil bit, but pure f**king amagedon, wow, it sounds better than the origional.

let me also add that early mayhem was more of death metal than black metal,infact i say that de mysteriis dom sathanas was there first actual black metal recording. so that is why i put death/black metal at the top.

infact really, the fact that this is black metal barely shows up on the cd, but this cd really kicks ass, i defently recomend it.
4502923
This is a solid effort from God Module.  Its full of the things that God Module fans expect:  dark music, aggressive beats, creepy lyrics, and spooky samples.  Its definitely worth checking out if you are already a fan of the band.  If you don't like God Module, then "False Face" will not convert you over to the band's brand of darkness.
3535248
Ok kiddies, it's time to sell your Korn, Slipknot, and Disturbed cds and pick this beauty up! This German 5-piece have been around since the 80's and have been serving up some dark and truly heavy Metal since. Don't let the 80's thing scare you though. (not that 80's music is bad) Remember Metallica came from the 80's too. Contrary to what the last reviewer said, this album is crushingly HEAVY and a few songs contain some awesome sing along choruses. This is what TRUE Metal is all about. Thrashing rhythms, screaming and roaring guitars and growling vocals - almost death metal-ish in their extremity, but the singer is quite able to sing actual melodies through the harsh gruff vocal scraping. Very unique sounding. And did I mention it was DARK? I could call it Gothic Metal but I don't want people to think this sounds like My Dying Bride, Type-o-Negative or Moonspell. They use really spooky sounding keyboards on songs like Son Of Evil, and that bone chilling pipe organ on Raven. Awesome... And Funeral Procession is one of the darkest and most sinister sounding Heavy Metal songs since early Candlemass and Black Sabbath! I'll tell you why Nuclear Blast signed this band; Because they rock!
1677316
Are you ready for some Wild West Metal? Well, ready or not here it is Huckleberry!

I'm pretty certain that Dezperadoz is the only Western/Wild West Metal band out there, which if so puts them all alone in their obscure self-created Metal sub-genre. I do know that Dee Snider fronted the Western bent outfit Desperado after Twisted Sister disbanded. But their 1996 CD 'Bloodied, But Unbowed' is only loosely and partially based in Western themes, and is without any kind of a "Western sound" to the music. Whereas with this release Dezperadoz is full-on sixguns a blazin' Wild West Metal! And they've pulled it off more effectively than you might expect. But maybe that's because this band is from the Southwest. Only it's not the Southwest that you're thinking of, they're from the badlands of southwest Germany.

'The Legend And The Truth' is a concept CD based on the bitter rivalry between the "Law" and the "Outlaw Cowboys", which on October 26, 1881 culminated in the now legendary skirmish known as the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. The fight pitted the Earps and Holliday against the Clantons and McLaurys. The gunfight resulted in one Clanton and both McLaurys being killed.

As concept CD's go this one is a definitely more cohesive than most, and tells the folklore-steeped story fairly well. As for the music and musicianship, while not stunning, it is written and executed to a respectable level.

In conclusion, while I can't say that this CD is essential, I can say that it is a very good CD, and one that should add a bit of enjoyment and diversity to anyone's collection of Metal CD's.
2834737
Sweden based metal band NIGHTRAGE have been a going concern for 15 years at the time of writing, formed back in 2000 and with six full length studio productions to their name starting with "Sweet Vengeance" in 2003. "The Puritan is their most recent studio effort, and was released through Swedish label Despotz Records in April 2015.

When reading up on this band, I see that they have chosen to categorize themselves as a melodic death metal band, and after having given their latest album a listen I really wonder why. Now I'm an aging metal fan and does regard such matters in the context of someone growing up in a time and an age where people discussed if Possessed's classic album "7 Churches" was intense enough to merit a description as death metal, and given that particular context I'd say that at least this specific album by Nightrage falls short in that department. Apart from the songs Son of Sorrow and When Gold Turn to Rust, both of which have that intense feel I expect from a band describing themselves as death metal, I'd describe Nightrage as of 2015 as a band hovering on the borderline between thrash metal and heavy metal, with aggressive growl-oriented guttural vocals adding that touch of extreme metal to the proceedings.

The opening cuts on this disc didn't impress me all that much, and for me those are weak points on this production. Tight, energetic affairs, but not the kind of songs that manage to entice me by way of mood, atmosphere or intensity as such, so I'd advice those who feel a need to sample this album to skip those tracks straight away. More importantly, their stronger focus on what I'd describe as a primarily thrash oriented style isn't all that revealing for the remaining material either.

But starting with Desperate Vows a more compelling album starts to reveal itself. Nightrage excel at switching back and forth between a more thrash oriented expression and one firmer rooted in what I'd describe as closer to heavy metal, and utilize power riffs, melodic overlays and occasional acoustic driven, frail interludes to good effect to maintain drive, intensity and variation from this point and onwards. Harmony guitar soloing of the kind that can be traced back to Iron Maiden as a likely point of inspiration are added to good effect, fluctuating and circulating riff patterns with a basic melody oriented expression is a key feature too, and on occasion we're also treated to a galloping riff and rhythms basis that again may be traced back to Iron Maiden as a likely point of if not inspiration than at least origin. Liberally flavored with steroids in the manner in which this is employed here obviously. There's also room for an instrumental affair of the more careful kind, Lone Lake, a carefully majestic affair creating a compelling melancholic, dreamladen landscape.

If I should select a specific com[position to check out first on this CD, my choice would be Fathomless. A short, tight affair that combines all the elements Nightrage appears to execute in the best manner, up to and including an elegant melody based flowing guitar solo and a gentle, acoustic based interlude alongside more intense thrash-oriented escapades and effective use of power riffs.

While I wouldn't recommend this album to those looking for the next great death metal album, those who might enjoy a band residing on the border between heavy metal and thrash metal, with a few detours into the more intense death metal territories, should take notice of this production. A certain fondness of aggressive, hoarse vocals that may or may not be described as growling is needed however, as far as vocals are concerned these do reside safe and sound within the extreme metal department.

My rating: 78/100
568097
Marduk's "Serpent Sermon" is the band making yet another case for being called the planet's best black metal band. While most(or all) of the old guard of black metal either no longer exists or are twiddling around in some sort of metal limbo, creating music that can barely be defined(Hello, Ihsahn), what was once a second or third tier black metal band has risen to fill the void, and stake their claim as the best.

Marduk has completed what will probably go down as one of the great black metal album trilogies of all time. Starting with "Rom", and continued with "Wormwood" and "Serpent Sermon", Marduk have shown a consistency of quality that other bands, particularly ones playing music THIS extreme, would certainly sell their souls to the devil to achieve. Add into that the worlds best metal vocalist(how can anyone think to debate this? Mortuus is absolutely terrifying on his own), and you have a band taking the throne by force.

"Serpent Sermon" is, overall, a faster record than "Wormwood", but all of these reviews rambling on about parts of the album blowing by through pure speed and being forgettable are simply not listening. Marduk often blast by during verse parts of the songs, offering up the same speed and chaos that was their trademark through the first 3/4s of their career, only to stop and offering pounding, menacing choruses that would leave lesser men cowering in fear. This is where the brilliant vocal talents of Mortuus truly shine - when he is given room and allowed to show off the nuances of such a tortured voice. While this happens a little less often on "Serpent Sermon" than on "Wormwood", there is still clearly an effort being made by the band to utilize the "voice of the depths" as much as possible, a clear nod from Morgan that he KNOWS what he has, and he is going to take full advantage.

As far as album highlights go, I'd simply say that the first song that I even considered "skipping" was "MAMMON", and even that thought was put to rest by the creepy, slow, soft spoken "chorus." However, if I had to pick three, I would definitely check out "Souls for Belial", "Damnations Gold(the albums best track)", and the terrifying "World of Blades".

While it seems impossible to assume Marduk can keep up this level of quality much longer, one has to ask - can this band currently do any wrong? The strong songwriting, the absolutely menacing atmosphere, and the worlds best metal vocalist make this band far too much for lesser acts to compete with. While I give this album 4.5 out of 5 simply because I don't believe its QUITE as strong as "Wormwood", know that I recommend this album as another mandatory purchase for black metal fans, and that for any other band, this is clearly a 5 out of 5.

In summary, its more outstanding work from a group that has staked its claim at the top of the metal heap. Long live what has become the planets best and most sincere black metal band, Marduk!
4869821
Finally, a band with an absolutely INSANE amount of talent that still can appeal to the masses. Firstly to all the metalkid snobs out there complaining that they're trying to emulate the Gothenburg sound, you don't know how wrong you are. I'm a big fan of those bands too, but the talent of these guys is far far beyond the level of In Flames, Soilwork etc. And has it ever occured to you that the screaming might not be as heavy and death metallish because they just don't want to sound like that? M. Shadows blows away any other metal vocalist, be it death metal, black metal, thrash, whatever. Screaming really isn't all that hard, it's a lot more difficult and requires a lot more talent to sing well. At the end of I Won't See You Part 1, Shadows demonstrates his amazing range, hitting notes 2 octaves above middle C without sounding like a whiny girl. Never will you see a Gothenurg scene vocalist pull off something like that.
Also, there are a lot of awesome death metal guitarists but none of them come close to matching the talent of Synyster Gates. All of his solos are amazing, not just the speed but how awesomely smooth they are, it's almost a blur. The solo at the end of Second Heartbeat, one of the best ever, PERIOD! Not only is it insanely technical and fast, (i get eargasms everytime i hear it) it is also daammnnn catchy. It's not just a bunch of notes in a certain key strung together and played really really fast (which is what most death metal solos are like, though there are none that are picked as fast as Syn's solos), it has been excellently composed and the notes just fit together so damn well. The drummer is a god, but to see how good he really is, download the old version of Second Heartbeat, off the Hopelessly Devoted To You Volume 4 compilation. Nowhere in Waking The Fallen is he anywhere near the limit of his talent, which is a shame i guess.
Anyway, my point is that this album is the future of metal. It is far above the level of any other death metal or heavy metal band out there, both in technical talent and in mass appeal. People who write them off because of how they dress, or because they aren't hardcore enough are a disgrace to music fans everywhere, they obviosuly care more about image and what is 'cool' (face it people, hardcore/hXc/whatever kids are the teenyboppers of today) than the talent and sound that a band has. Don't waste your time settling for second best, buy this album!
2657371
...A small circle of people raving to like-minded individuals about their neighbour's fantastic new band, that played real cool metal in a way few others in the world managed, proved their statements by sending a...tape with a rehersal from last week. This cd consists of several such tapes, maybe the publishers have tried to make the sound a bit crisper and less cloudy, but listening to it I have my doubts.
Anyway, these elements constitutes "Bloodlust & Perversion" to a real old school black metal album with a honest-to-god necro sound.
The cover is black and unclear, except on the right top corner where you see a shadow-silhouette of a raven perking in a tree, a foggy harbinger of what Carpathian Forest will offer the listener inside.
Many of the tracks here sound like a blueprint of black metal done the raw way. However, when norsemen Carpathian Forest made these songs there was no blueprint - they only had the old Hellhammer albums that they took the inspiration and spirit from - and tried to create their own patch of land on the still fertile field of black metal. (Also covered on this album are one Bathory-song and one Venom-song, further unveiling their forefathers.)
Some of the tracks here are acoustic bits, quite atomspheric in comparison to the Carpathian Forest that we see nowadays, but it worked quite well on the tapes, and still works on the cd-format. No doubt that they tread country that's both cheesy and not directly frightening, but that's nothing new in this genre, and compared to nowadays big-selling bands that try to imitate them it's nothing to feel embarrased about.
All in all, "Bloodlust & Perversion" should be in any serious collectors vault if one want to trace down black metal to its naked, blood-chilling roots.
1730801
What would my discography reviews of Ozzy's albums be without reviewing his Black Sabbath stuff too? Incomplete that's what.

One major strength of this album is the history behind it. This is probably metal's first album, right here. You won't hear me giving out any glowing praise on the production. Frankly I'm not a fan of the Black Sabbath sound at all. Generally I find that any covers I've heard have much better sounds, even Ozzy's live album, Speak Of The Devil, but fortunately I can look beyond that. This thing was probably the darkest album ever released, at its time.

The playing is solid, as you'd expect. Iomi is known for his riffs. The drummer seems to mix in a bit of a jazzy style at times. In addition to drums standing out, which really doesn't happen often enough, the album also has very noticeable bass, and it's played very nicely. Everyone has the opportunity to shine on this disc. Ozzy sounds fairly interesting, and probably slightly more normal than he would later, but I like his style from say Never Say Die through No More Tears. He has a very unique voice, and actually he's had several unique voices, because he's changed so much over the decades. Most vocalists today can't come up with 1 unique vocal style.

Overall this is a landmark album, and a very good one. My main complaint is its presentation. It seems several versions group tracks together, when they shouldn't be. N.I.B. should be its own track. Otherwise this is a very solid album.

Black Sabbath 8/10 classic tune, very slow and dark. There's a very sinister feel to it. I like the faster part which comes in later. There's a cool effect on the guitars during this part as well.

The Wizard 9/10 is a catchy song kind of up tempo, with actually an interesting tempo, not like most songs. Love the drumming in this one. Ozzy's vocals are solid, and Iomi's riffs are good. The harmonica adds something different to the song as well. Overall another Sabbath classic.

Behind The Wall Of Sleep 7/10 is a decent trackNot heavy, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Ozzy uses an effect on his vocals, which was probably inventive at the time.

N.I.B. 10/10 is another Black Sabbath classic. The riff is classic, and catchy, if for some reason you haven't heard it. The vocals are solid, with a good melody. The drums again add their own flare to the mix. Overall a very good song.

Wicked World 8/10 is a solid rocker, mid tempo ish I gues. There are more jazzy drum beats, and a catchy riff played in parts of the song.

The Warning 6/10 is a slower song, with some great melodies. Again the drums stand out. Iomi fills in with some nice guitar licks. Myy reason for giving this middle of the road marks instead of a high rating is the instrumental which lasts forever, way longer than it should.

Evil Woman 7/10 is a decent up tempo rocker. It's a bit simple, especially in the chorus, but it's pretty enjoyable.

Overall this is in a way the reason I like music today. Not that it was the first album I heard, but it was the album to start the hard rock, heavy metal genre, and for that alone, plus being a very solid album this will go down in history as a landmark achievement. And this is also a must own for any Sabbath, Ozzy, or rock or metal fan. Know your history, and it all started here.
2990936
i don't really get that into black metal, and i can be very picky about the genre.  this record is very good, with decent production, good druming, melodic and harsh guitars, and weird wrenched vocals.  at first i was detered by the vocals, but i was able to get over it.  the atmosphere is interesting on this record because simple guitar strums are played in such a way that atmosphere is created by the simplest of chord progressions, and some of them are some what complex (perhaps accidentaly).  it reminds me a bit of folk in that sense.  i'm just going to add that this is not craddle of filth, and if you only listen to borknagar and dimmu borgir you may not like this.  this record is pure metal, no keyboards, no drum machines, no fake strings.  my favorite track is the near doom metal "Freazing Moon."
4556666
Geez, how this album has been ignored on here baffles the mind.  This album/band has all of the qualities necessary to have the same degree of success of a band like Arch Enemy (ok, except for a pretty female singer).  Shatter Messiah play a blend of death metal, traditional melodic metal and thrash.  They tune very low and employ the occasional blast beat.  The vocals are very raspy and tend to generally stay within a melody with harmony regularly utilized. But the vocals don't sound much like power metal vocals. I'd say some type of very aggressive thrash would be a better description.
  Seriously, this is a great album.  It should appeal to fans of everything from death metal to heavier power metal to thrash.
3879872
Review originally written for The Metal Archives:

Those who would regard this as the finest Drudkh album, hasn't obviously listened enough to the some of the other great albums by this band... at least in terms of technicality. That being said, what makes this album special is the sheer innovation of adorning black metal with a whole new dimension which is far from being cold and bleak, as typically this genre is characterized by. This is perhaps the one and only black metal album I've listened to which actually sounds "happy" and has plenty of elements of the spring season, as evident from the album name Autumn Aurora. Sadly though, very few bands took to this dimension of rather warm and joyful atmospheric black metal, which makes this album stand out as a classic in it's own glory.

The album starts with the intro track "Fading" which heralds the advent of spring with plenty of elements of the atmosphere entwined with a short guitar solo. This track, it should be noted, is in sharp contrast with the last song of the album "The First Snow" which announces the phasing out of the warmth as nature gets ready for winter (the first snow). "Fading" almost automatically leads to the second song "Summoning the rain" which richly melodious. Although this song, and the remaining ones in the album, sound very pleasing to the ears one quick thing to note is that there is a serious lack of riffs in the entire album and it never reaches the point-of-no-return or climax in any of the songs. That's perhaps my only complaint about this album, but nevertheless each song is great in it's own merit. Agreed that atmospheric black metal typically consists of repeated sound patterns, the ears feel a little dull in that aspect when listening to Autumn Aurora.

"Summoning the rain" ends with the sound of falling rain and leads to the "Glare of Autumn." This song and the next two songs "Sunwheel" and "Wind of the night forest" are where the album reaches the zenith of good musicianship. Once again, not any of these songs carry with them the cold rawness of typical black metal. "Sunwheel" for example, representing the pagan sun cross, seems to offer a multitude of melody to the pagan sun god. Though the vocals are quite minimal in this album compared to other Drudkh albums, the growls of Thurios falls right in place with the other instruments and conceives a holistic package suited to impress amateur as well as experienced black metal listeners or any heavy metal music fan for that matter. The album ends with the song entitled "The First Snow" which in my opinion is too long of a songs and perhaps could be shortened. It has a very short unique riff which is repeated far too many times through the song. This song typically marks the end of autumn and the beginning of winter and perhaps is the only song is the album with a sad and melancholic feel given the warmth of the atmosphere is slowly fading away.

All in all, Autumn Aurora, the second studio album by Drudkh is a great listen and a worthy follow up of their first album Forgotten Legends. Unlike other black metal albums which require several listens before the intricate musicianship starts to coherently make sense, Autumn Aurora has its hooks on you right from the beginning because it is very difficult not to like this album. But then, once you start liking it and dig a little deeper for uniqueness it disappoints a bit. I would believe this album has given traditional black metal a new dimension, a rather happy and positive dimension which no other band seemed to have followed up with. Despite the lack of an abundant number of riffs, this album goes down as a classic in the history of black metal because of ingenious new dimensions.