[Cactus]

Speaking of Baroness, guitarist Peter Adams is also in an awesome band called Valkyrie.

[Ixion]

I've listened to some more albums...



Wintersun - Wintersun (2004)



Genre: Melodic Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Power Metal, Folk Metal

Rating: 4.5 / 5

This band has only released one album in 2004 and it's already considered a metal classic. It basically takes the speed and epic feel of power metal, the vocals and melody of melodic death metal, the atmosphere of black metal, and creates a perfect synthesis. Some may find this too cheesy, but I feel it never goes overboard. They are actually coming out with a second album this summer, which has been in the making for years.



Kyuss - Blues For The Red Sun (1992)



Genre: Stoner Metal, Heavy Metal, Psychedelic Metal

Rating: 4.5 / 5

This is Kyuss' second album and along with Welcome To Sky Valley it's considered one of their two classic albums. Overall, this album is just as good as the proceeding album, but I wasn't a fan of The Thong Song. It's pretty boring, which prevents this from being a perfect album. All in all though, the riffs are great and there's a nice dash of psychedelic rock in here as well.



Animals As Leaders - Animals As Leaders (2009)



Genre: Progressive Metal, Instrumental Metal, Jazz Fusion

Rating: 4.5 / 5

Now this is some fresh stuff. There are no vocals, but the music will draw you in anyway. It's very complex, varied, and experimental, but it should be quite accessible as well. There's a ton of melody and this album will occasional get pretty heavy as well, but the pacing is never too exhausting. A couple boring filler songs aside, you can't go wrong with this. I can't wait to hear their second album.



Estatic Fear - Somnium Obmutum (1996)



Genre: Death Metal, Folk Metal, Symphonic Metal, Gothic Metal

Rating: 5 / 5

I thought A Sombre Dance was a perfect album, but this is even better! It's heavier than the proceeding album and contains more touches of doom metal and gothic metal. The structure of the album is not very accessible though, as it consists of two short passages and two extremely long songs (30 minutes and 18 minutes respectively). There is never a poor section of this album though, so don't worry.

[faridmon]

I see there are a lot of melodeath fans like myself out there :) If you're interested in finding out about more unknown melodic metal bands, please take a look at my YouTube channel :) Some of the stuff might sound a bit too "soft" for some, I suppose, and it's not melodeath only... http://www.youtube.com/user/ReConstructDe4d

Looks good. Will Check it out more later.

[Gr1mLock]

Not sure how popular they are but here's a song by Dozer. They got a stoner vibe to them

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVWMRxxy8Nk

[squidhands]

Not sure how popular they are but here's a song by Dozer. They got a stoner vibe to them http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVWMRxxy8Nk

I like Dozer a lot, found out about them last year through Pandora. They remind me of a hybrid of Queens of the Stone Age and Mastodon.

[HammerOfThor]

I've listened to some more albums... Wintersun - Wintersun (2004) Genre: Melodic Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Power Metal, Folk Metal Rating: 4.5 / 5 This band has only released one album in 2004 and it's already considered a metal classic. It basically takes the speed and epic feel of power metal, the vocals and melody of melodic death metal, the atmosphere of black metal, and creates a perfect synthesis. Some may find this too cheesy, but I feel it never goes overboard. They are actually coming out with a second album this summer, which has been in the making for years.

Fucking sold halfway thru the first song. Any time death or black metal gets a power metal treatment I get a happy. Needless to say, this gave me a happy.

They're like Children of Bodom if Children of Bodom stayed good.

[ShaneB]

Kinda funny seeing people checking out Wintersun, given the joke that the album 'Time' has become. :p

[HammerOfThor]

Kinda funny seeing people checking out Wintersun, given the joke that the album 'Time' has become. :p

It's like metal's Detox.

[Verano]

Fucking sold halfway thru the first song. Any time death or black metal gets a power metal treatment I get a happy. Needless to say, this gave me a happy. They're like Children of Bodom if Children of Bodom stayed good.

[faridmon]

Apart from their first two album, they have sucked so hard its just crazy. I never seen any other band falling harder than them. Even their fans seem to agree that only 2 albums was being produced by them.

[Doomshine]

Apart from their first two album, they have sucked so hard its just crazy. I never seen any other band falling harder than them. Even their fans seem to agree that only 2 albums was being produced by them.

First 3 + Tokyo Warhearts are pretty good, Hate Crew Deathroll also has its moments, but anything after that is mediocre at best.

[Ixion]

Apart from their first two album, they have sucked so hard its just crazy. I never seen any other band falling harder than them. Even their fans seem to agree that only 2 albums was being produced by them.

I personally like all of their albums except for the last two. I don't see how anyone can't like the first four. As for Are You Dead Yet?, I feel it's a solid mix of melody and heaviness, while the proceeding albums just abandoned the melody too much.

[fallout]

I think my biggest gripe with early Children of Bodom is that a lot of it sounds like it was ripped off from boring classical music that I played as a kid on piano.

[DieNgamers]

This is a little off-topic but I've got a strange feeling these days. The enlightenment came on my way to the supermarket, headphones on, listening to this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWLDyj6AH0A
Music really covers my head right now, like a layer of wrappings. It's becoming more than just stuff I listen to at this point of my life! A really strange feeling of music being a soundtrack of my current life; synchronized to my feelings, situations, body, everything. Cathedral, High on Fire, Black Sabbath, Zappa, Sleep, Orange Goblin...I can't stop feeling it for one second! Awesome!

[Spectral Glider]

I interviewed Megadeth and Rob Zombie band members today and now I'm having a fucking awesome time at their concert in Scranton, PA.

I was at the show, it was awesome. Second time for me seeing Megadeth, last time was way back in 1991. Was my first Zombie show, he puts on a fantastic display...and the stuff from Hellbilly 2 really kicks ass live.

[ShaneB]

Apart from their first two album, they have sucked so hard its just crazy. I never seen any other band falling harder than them. Even their fans seem to agree that only 2 albums was being produced by them.

In Flames puts most metal bands to shame with how much they've changed for the worse.

I still dig most of CoB's discography. 'Are you Dead Yet?' is absolute garbage, and I pretend that one doesn't exist, but everything else of theirs I've enjoyed, even right up to the latest, 'Relentless Reckless Forever'.

Granted, they'll never be as good as they were with Hatebreeder and Follow the Reaper, but they're still putting out solid stuff in my opinion.

[faridmon]

In Flames puts most metal bands to shame with how much they've changed for the worse.

OK, that one tops it, but man, I am really dissapointed by thier albums post Hatebreeder. They just went of tangant.

[Hydranockz]

Saw COB live last February and it was a pretty awesome gig but man does their latest stuff suck. I bought the new album and liked it quite a bit but the video the had for "Was it worth it?" was so shit. The only reason thee was a skateboarder was thee was because COB's manager was also this dude's manager. That's an absolutely shit reason to have such a terrible video.

[Doomshine]

OK, that one tops it, but man, I am really dissapointed by thier albums post Hatebreeder. They just went of tangant.

What don't you like about Follow the Reaper?

[RDreamer]

In Flames puts most metal bands to shame with how much they've changed for the worse. I still dig most of CoB's discography. 'Are you Dead Yet?' is absolute garbage, and I pretend that one doesn't exist, but everything else of theirs I've enjoyed, even right up to the latest, 'Relentless Reckless Forever'. Granted, they'll never be as good as they were with Hatebreeder and Follow the Reaper, but they're still putting out solid stuff in my opinion.

I still really love In Flames :(

Well, I guess I didn't dig A Sense of Purpose so much, but everything else I really loved...

I also rather like Are You Dead Yet? At first I was kind of down on it like you, since I enjoyed Follow the Reaper and Hatecrew Deathroll so much more, but it's grown on me quite a bit.

I think I'm one of the few that doesn't mind these band changes, and I happen to like both old and new versions of the bands' sounds.

[HammerOfThor]

On the topic of CoB, I HATED their latest album, the one before the wasn't good in terms of their previous stuff.

I also can't stand some of their covers. I applaud any band who does their own take on a song, but their cover of Metallica's One is an awful cover of a 'classic' metal song.

[strafer]

Mark your calenders.

‎Testament's new album, DARK ROOTS OF EARTH will be released on July 27, 2012 (Europe) and July 31, 2012 (North America) via Nuclear Blast Records.

[ShaneB]

I still really love In Flames :( Well, I guess I didn't dig A Sense of Purpose so much, but everything else I really loved... I also rather like Are You Dead Yet? At first I was kind of down on it like you, since I enjoyed Follow the Reaper and Hatecrew Deathroll so much more, but it's grown on me quite a bit. I think I'm one of the few that doesn't mind these band changes, and I happen to like both old and new versions of the bands' sounds.

Well you are quite the rarity :p

Agree to disagree on In Flames. I can't stand them anymore, and it's a shame since I loved them so much as they were a big stepping stone for me into more types of metal when I first heard them way back in 99 around the time Colony came out.

And I have no problem with a band changing it's sound, evolving is great. But there is certainly a difference between evolving and just writing shit music. Blind Guardian have evolved their sound, but still has a distinct tone that makes it still be Blind Guardian.

[zedge]

Mark your calenders. [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/MbwZp.jpg[IMG]

Fuck ya

[Verano]

I think my biggest gripe with early Children of Bodom is that a lot of it sounds like it was ripped off from boring classical music that I played as a kid on piano.

[MetalGuardian]

The new Saint Vitus album is available for streaming on NPR, and it is a glorious crushing beast. The vocals have such an excellent "raw" quality to them, you can hear the pain. Good stuff

http://www.npr.org/2012/05/13/151959...us-lillie-f-65

[maxxpower]

OK, that one tops it, but man, I am really dissapointed by thier albums post Hatebreeder. They just went of tangant.

IMO Synergy is better than Children of Bodom.

[DanaInPurple]

Mark your calenders.

Now, THAT is a pretty sick cover, and coming from Testament, I can only guess that it will totally sick as well.

In other news, I am really curious and can't wait to listen to new Sonata Arctica's stuff... but soon, as for Wintersun, Mr. Jari made an amazing work there, one of my fave albums out there, and we can tell how comfortable he sounds in this album, clearly, he wasn't that happy in Ensiferum, and I think the fact they parted ways was the best for both sides, as I love Ensiferum with Petri Lindroos in The vocals, and Jari does an amazing work with Wintersun.

About COB, the past album Bloodrunk was like a very bad attempt to sound 'catchy' but I thought they learnt the lesson, sadly, they didn't, even though Relentless Reckless Forever sounds pretty cool to me and yeah, Hydranockz is right, the video of "Was it worth it?" was soooo shite. However I still like their stuff and live they are pretty awesome as far as I know.

[HammerOfThor]

Mark your calenders.

YES. PLEASE.


NOW GIVE ME A SINGLE!!!!!!!

[Ecrofirt]

I just want to point out that today is the anniversary of Dio's death.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmSt1oEIshE

:-(
It always brings me down.

[DanaInPurple]

I just want to point out that today is the anniversary of Dio's death. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmSt1oEIshE :-( It always brings me down.

Yeah my dad told me that last night, DIO was my dad's inspiration, I grew up listening to him, and I can't believe it's been 2 years already without him. R.I.P. The Holy Diver! Our Rainbow in the Dark.

[HammerOfThor]

I just want to point out that today is the anniversary of Dio's death. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmSt1oEIshE :-( It always brings me down.

RIP

[HammerOfThor]

Here is the Dark Roots of Earth Track List:


"Dark Roots Of Earth" CD/DVD track listing:

01. Rise Up
02. Native Blood
03. Dark Roots Of Earth
04. True American Hate
05. A Day In The Death
06. Cold Embrace
07. Man Kills Mankind
08. Throne Of Thorns
09. Last Stand For Independence

Bonus:

10. Dragon Attack (QUEEN cover)
11. Animal Magnetism (SCORPIONS cover)
12. Powerslave (IRON MAIDEN cover)
13. Throne Of Thornes (extended version)
+ Bonus DVD


Powerslave cover?!?!?!?! SWEEEEEEET!!!!!!

[fallout]

I just want to point out that today is the anniversary of Dio's death. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmSt1oEIshE :-( It always brings me down.

\m/

[Enosh]

I think my biggest gripe with early Children of Bodom is that a lot of it sounds like it was ripped off from boring classical music that I played as a kid on piano.

that's kinda the whole point of it ^^

I just want to point out that today is the anniversary of Dio's death.

damn, it's already a year?

[Flynn]

Stream: Coffinworm -- "The Great Bringer of Night"

[Ecrofirt]

damn, it's already a year?

Two years :-(

[faridmon]

What don't you like about Follow the Reaper?

It became too much of Power Metal to me. Also, the music was less brutal and they used a lot more synthesis in their music. I really don't mind synthesis in Melodeath, but when it comes to CoB, one thing I really liked about them was how much they incorporated the Black Metal part into the Melodeath and their emphasis on brutalism differentiated them from other great Melodeath bands. However, they just became too washy with different attributes in this album. I really liked some of their songs, but it never game the satisfaction I wanted from them.

[fallout]

Ha ... that's such a weird contrast. I've always described early CoB as "cheesy and fun".

[faridmon]

Ha ... that's such a weird contrast. I've always described early CoB as "cheesy and fun".

I don't know, mate. They seemed very metally to me. There were some signs of camp going on, but I thought about as a diffrent take on the genre.

[ReConstructDead]

The list of great melodeath releases this year lacks a few great albums, so I thought I'd share them :)

Tracedawn - Lizard Dusk
Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5-65ObAruw

Elysian - Wires of Creation
Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwP767rKhHU

Words Of Farewell - Immersion
Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtzsrxFzFgA

Deals Death - Elite
Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nIBKug92sM

Midnight Realm - Polarissima
Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaD3NlDKNWc

Sangre Eterna - Asphyxia
Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChWMj5C8blM

And that's only a fraction of great releases this year, I hope you enjoy \m/

[DanaInPurple]

The list of great melodeath releases this year lacks a few great albums, so I thought I'd share them :) Tracedawn - Lizard Dusk Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5-65ObAruw Elysian - Wires of Creation Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwP767rKhHU Words Of Farewell - Immersion Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtzsrxFzFgA Deals Death - Elite Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nIBKug92sM Midnight Realm - Polarissima Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaD3NlDKNWc Sangre Eterna - Asphyxia Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChWMj5C8blM And that's only a fraction of great releases this year, I hope you enjoy \m/

Actually Tracedawn are quite good, didn't know they'd have a new album out this year, cheers for the info!

[Doomshine]

I forgot another 2012 album, Barren Earth - The Devil's Resolve:

http://youtu.be/G3pGYDAfgW0

[viewtifulsub]

The Ne Obliviscaris debut album is all sorts of awesome

[ReConstructDead]

The Ne Obliviscaris debut album is all sorts of awesome

Yep, probably debut album of the year so far for me.
So many awesome Australian bands popping up lately!

[faridmon]

The list of great melodeath releases this year lacks a few great albums, so I thought I'd share them :) Tracedawn - Lizard Dusk Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5-65ObAruw Elysian - Wires of Creation Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwP767rKhHU Words Of Farewell - Immersion Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtzsrxFzFgA Deals Death - Elite Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nIBKug92sM Midnight Realm - Polarissima Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaD3NlDKNWc Sangre Eterna - Asphyxia Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChWMj5C8blM And that's only a fraction of great releases this year, I hope you enjoy \m/

Too many, if you would reccomend 1 or 2, which one would that be? Also, I don't to listen to the tracks just so the Albums would dissapoint me.

[MetalGuardian]

Getting ready to head out for this soon. Virgin Steele, Brocas Helm, Wizard, Skull Fist, Pharaoh, Blacksmith, and a bunch of other smaller yet awesome bands. I've never been to an actual metal festival before, so I am incredibly stoked. Also the ticket came with a bumper sticker of the image I posted, which is now proudly displayed on my vehicle for all to see. Oh how I love metal show days

One nation, one kingdom, one shall survive!

[ReConstructDead]

Too many, if you would reccomend 1 or 2, which one would that be? Also, I don't to listen to the tracks just so the Albums would dissapoint me.

Ooooooooooooh, that's way too hard...

Elysian and Words Of Farewell contain some progressive elements and might sound a bit more unique than the other ones.
Tracedawn and Midnight Realms are more modern sounding melodeath (With some cleans and lots of synths), and also, the Midnight Realms album is just a short EP...
Deals Death and Sangre Eterna are more traditional sounding albums, but still top notch.

If I had to choose two, it would Sangre Eterna and Words Of Farewell, but again, that's just my personal opinion.
Each bands deserves at least a listen, and most of the albums are probably already on YouTube anyway, so one wouldn't have to rely on just on song to decide whether to buy or not.
Well, that's my two cents.
Hope it helped!

[Ravager61]

Stream: Coffinworm -- "The Great Bringer of Night"

Fuck. Yes.

[Blackheim]

Confessor should be live streaming their concert tonight in Raleigh, NC 30 mins to an hour from now here. The recently released CD of their demos is awesome, by the way. Here's a song from it :) First pressing comes with a DVD for those interested...