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I stole this idea from a metalzine website (metalreview.com), and like them I will be going over all the albums that I know which I deem as must haves for this first decade of the 21st century. I was just going to do metal but decided to open it up to other types of music too, although I will say that the majority of the albums are still within the metal genre simply because I know it better than everything else. The only rule here is that there is no more than one album per band. EPs and demos were fair game for me also. I haven't ranked any of these so no need to complain about a certain album being higher than another. Enjoy.

Decapitated- Winds of Creation


The debut album from these insanely talented Polish guys, who were all extremely young when they recorded this, is a modern death metal classic. I think the thing that really makes this album stand out is the thick as cement guitar tone, inventive riffs, and near flawless drumming of the late Vitek. They came out of the gate with something to prove and forever made their stamp in the ever growing death metal scene.

Extol- Undeceived


An obscure band, even for the metal undeground, Extol were ever changing during their career and this album (while unlike any of their other albums) is their best effort. Their sound is a blend of death metal, progressive metal, even a bit of black metal. Their songwriting has no method at all and that's a good thing. They do things their way and end up sounding like no one else in the metal scene.

In Flames- Clayman


Ah, this is what In Flames is all about. Those sweet, melodic, harmonious guitars. Not only is this one of their best albums, it's the perfect album for new fans to start with and get themselves into the melodic death metal genre. The songwriting is practically flawless. Unfortunately, In Flames took a bit of a nosedive immediately after this work of theirs. They're just not the same.

Morbid Angel- Gateways to Annihilation


Given the grandeur of their earliest works, it seems this later effort of the death metal gods is often forgotten. That's a shame, because this release exudes confidence that only a veteran band can show. The guitar sound on this album has the thickness of sludge and Steve Tucker’s vocals are extremely befitting of the assault that Morbid Angel were going for at this point in their career, and will likely remain their last great album.

Nevermore- This Godless Endeavor


This appears to be the last Nevermore album of this decade, and it’s been five years since its release. When the new album is released is uncertain, but what is certain is that this remains maybe the best in their quality catalogue of work. The bar was raised extremely high on this album and they managed to blow everyone away upon its arrival. It essentially combines all the band’s best attributes into one mind blowing 57 minute journey.

Nightwish- Wishmaster


You better believe Nightwish have made this list. Like it or not, what the band does they do well. Tarja’s soprano vocals never sounded better than she did on this third release for the band, and the production is sheer perfection, bringing out the entire band the way they were meant to sound. Tuomas’ creative juices were working overtime and some of the best songs the band has written to date are on this album. The title track, ‘Wishmaster’, remains a staple in all their live shows.

Opeth- Blackwater Park


I can’t tell you how difficult it was just choosing one Opeth album. All of Opeth’s recent albums easily deserve a spot on this list, but I feel that Blackwater Park perfectly encapsulates what this band is about more so than any release of theirs this decade. Simply put, the band is firing on all cylinders here, with just about every single song on the album becoming a masterpiece in its own right. This is about as close to perfection as albums get.

Anaal Nathrakh- The Codex Necro


Absolute chaos is what this debut is all about from the industrial/grindcore influenced black metal of Anaal Nathrakh. This will test the tolerance of your ears and you will either relish in every second or run away in terror. The vocals are incomprehensible and ugly. The guitars buzz with malevolence and the drums pound your ears into dust. I think a lyric from one song perfectly sums up the response you should have listening, and that is “Down on your knees!”

…And Oceans- A.M.G.O.D.


One of the best mixtures of music that I’ve yet to hear, …and Oceans seemingly perfected the art of integrating electronics into their brand of black metal. There are hooks galore, especially on the infamous “Tears Have No Name”, and the guitars move forward with reckless abandon. The best thing about this album though is the songwriting and how they pull all their influences together to make one tight and cohesive work of experimental black metal.

Ensiferum- s/t


As debut albums go, this certainly ranks near the upper echelon of the crowd. While this band has always put out great material, they’ve never quite matched the power of this first album. There are so many standout tracks that it’s almost ridiculous a new band can have this much creativity and songwriting skills. Even today, this stands as one of the best folk metal albums and I don’t see it being shoved aside in the future.

Lost Horizon- Awakening the World


By the metal gods, what is this band? From out of nowhere, this band called Lost Horizon delivers one of the great power metal albums of all time, led by the immortal vocal talents of Daniel Heiman. This band is bursting with vibrant energy and their performances reflect their obvious enthusiasm for the metal. They understand that at its roots, it’s about fun and this is as good a traditional metal album you’re bound to find anywhere and anytime.

Summoning- Oath Bound


One of the truly original and unique bands in metal has always been Summoning. Even within the constraints of black metal, they have found a way to make a name for themselves, and an epic one at that. This is perhaps the best work they’ve ever put forth. The kinds of emotions evoked are many and they all touch the soul equally. To experience Summoning is to experience art in music form.

Windir- 1184


When one thinks of tragedy within metal, it’s hard not to think of the heartbreaking and somehow almost appropriate death of Windir’s Valfar. He died in the midst of a blizzard, and given the icy feel of Windir’s music on 1184, it’s rather ironic. Nevertheless, this album is one of few that can go toe to toe with just about any album you can think of and annihilate it in terms of its success. Perfect songwriting, memorable melodies, and passionate vocals…this is Windir’s magnum opus.

Agalloch- The Mantle


There are few bands in music today that have a perfect track record and Agalloch is one of them. This, their second release, is no less amazing than any of their other works. In fact, each of their albums ranks as some of the best material to ever spew forth from the metal scene. But on The Mantle, Agalloch perfected their already perfected sound by adding in elements from post-rock and a more doom-filled atmosphere. The only other thing I can say is, this is on many “Favorite albums of all-time” (including mine) lists for good reason.

Bloodbath- Resurrection Through Carnage


A glorious ode to the sounds of yore, Bloodbath resurrected the Swedish death metal assault of bands like Entombed and Dismember with this debut album and impressed many with their flawless execution. One might believe this album was a lost gem from the early 90s if not for the production clarity. Did I mention Mikael Akerfeldt sounds more brutal here than ever in his career? That’s saying a lot.

Dark Tranquillity- Damage Done


Without a doubt, Dark Tranquillity are the longest enduring band of the melodic death metal scene from the early 90s, and have long surpassed In Flames in terms of consistent quality across their entire career. While their mid-era albums saw more experimentation, Damage Done is a revitalization of sorts where they found their current calling. Damage Done succeeds with a kind of charm that I can’t explain. Perhaps it’s Stanne’s particular vocal styling on this album, or perfect melding of electronic elements the band introduced? All I know is that this is one album that will stick with you.

Darkspace- Dark Space III


Much like Negură Bunget, Darkspace are at the forefront of black metal in terms of progressing the genre in ways previously unexplored. Unlike Negură, Darkspace are the current masters of ambient black metal, taking their influence from the vast blackness of the universe. The atmosphere is so rich and otherworldly that the band becomes hypnotic in their unforgiving performances that defy what makes music usually work. Minimalism is the name of the game and Darkspace utilize it masterfully.

Immortal- Sons of Northern Darkness


Immortal were always considered a classic band due to their involvement in the burgeoning black metal scene in Norway in the early 90s, but after At the Heart of Winter was released, I think everyone was taken by surprise. This album picks up the pieces that were laid out for that album and arranges them into easily one of the best black metal albums of the decade. The production is frigid and even with the crystal clear sound the band’s brutality and grimness comes just as well as any time before. This album proved why these guys truly are the “Sons of Northern Darkness.”

Negură Bunget- Om


I’m not sure any band has taken the concept of progressive black metal to the heights that Negură has on their latest and greatest effort, Om. To even attempt to analyze this beast of an album is to realize your own mortality. In just the three years it’s been out, I feel this to me a monumental album in the black metal genre and one that will influence many bands in the future, though I doubt any will conquer a style like this in the way Negură has here.

Nile- In Their Darkened Shrines


As great as Annihilation of the Wicked is, In Their Darkened Shrines is Nile’s best work thus far for a couple reasons. For one, I’ve never heard a death metal album have this much atmosphere. It captures the Egyptian feel better than any work from the band. Also, the songwriting is extremely focused on this album and there are many standout tracks. No matter how you take in this album, the fact that it’s a masterpiece rings loud and clear.


Well, that's just the first of five volumes that I'll be assembling before the year is up, which means there's still 80 albums to go if you were counting. It might take me awhile before I get all five up because of school and work. So keep checking back periodically to see the rest of the list.

Hmm, weird, this entry was deleted, I'm not sure why... Re-posting.

2010 will see albums by the following bands

A Silver Mt Zion - "Kollaps Tradixionales" - February
Agalloch - Title and date TBA
Alcest - Title TBA - January
Current 93 - Title TBA - Around March
Kayo Dot - "Coyote" - February
Les Fragments de la Nuit - "Demain c'était hier" - Date TBA
Murder by Death - Title TBA - Spring
The National - Title and date TBA
Ne Obliviscaris - Title and date TBA
Radiohead - Title and date TBA
Red Sparowes - Title TBA - March
Rome - Title TBA - March

Hello there,

as a part of a presentation I am to do, I invite everyone to a free-form and by no means official discussion on the following question(s):

Do you think the fans (and artists) of neofolk make up a 'scene/subculture' of its own? If yes, what do you think are the characteristics of such a scene (and the people in it).

Feel free to draw examples from your own personal experience.

Artist connections for proper distribution.

Current 93
Death in June
Sol Invictus
Backworld
Agalloch
Empyrium
Tenhi
Ulver
Sieben
Of the Wand and the Moon
Blood Axis
Nest
Rome
Forseti
Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio

Well well, where do we begin...

The expectation. I've been waiting for this album for at least two years. I'm sure the feeling was mutual for many others. And The Great Cold Distance is by no means an easy act to follow.

The hype. The album was built up, the down-loadable single, Forsaker, the mini-site, the eventual track-listing, Mikael Akerfeltd's comments....

The eventual goods? For my humble opinion, read on.

Night Is the New Day - Tracklist
1| Forsaker
2| The Longest Year
3| Idle Blood
4| Onward Into Battle
5| Liberation
6| The Promise of Deceit
7| Nephilim
8| New Night
9| Inheritance
10| Day and Then the Shade
11| Departer

Track One - Forsaker
This was the first hint of what Katatonia had created on this album. Dark, pulsating and lively, this song is like My Twin mixed with Dave Lombardo.
As we can expect from Katatonia, it's in one word 'majestic'. Great album opener, fantastic melody, melancholy, and really, what a great song! This song is right up there with other Katatonia album openers - Leaders, For My Demons and so on, and it shows Katatonia are again an evolving, and at this point, rather angry beast. 9.5/10

Track Two - The Longest Year
They don't let us down. The Longest Year keeps up the high standards of the opening track, and again reminds me of a mix of the TGCD style, and a more personal, metallic sound that seems constant throughout the album. The chorus and bridge here are first rate. The lyrics again are of such a high standard. One of the best songs on the album for me. Would highly recommend. 9/10

Track Three - Idle Blood
I may as well review the Damnation album by Opeth, because this is uncanny. Jonas sounds like his friend Mikael so much here I mistook them! Still, it's a pleasingly slow, melodic song, and it cools the album down after two fast (For Katatonia) and slick sounding songs. It's nice. 8/10

Track Four - Onward Into Battle
I'll start by saying a lot of songs on this album remind me of Unfurl. This is one of them, mainly because of Jonas's vocal delivery. That slow, saddened, thoughtful almost, voice is amazing. Some quite refreshing guitar riffs are present too. Great song, could well become a favourite. 7/10

Track Five - Liberation
Another early favourite. Starts with the urban-esque beat found in Unfurl (again) in the background, but soon emerges as one of the heavier tracks on the album. The song breaks into heavy chopping riffs, and a pick up in tempo, but again, recedes. Picks up later, with a real feel of Increase and The Itch, among other TGCD songs. The lyrics are delivered well, and quickly by Jonas. Solid song. 7.5/10

Track Six - The Promise of Deceit
Interesting intro to the song - Jonas sings in a removed, echo like voice, soon breaking into more melodic singing. The song builds and builds, and as Jonas sings 'When did you come to think...' the song gets heavier. A pleasing chorus follows, and the song calms down somewhat, then builds again after a pause. The lyrics here are direct, and provoking. Despite the dark subject matters, you'll sing along. 7.5/10

Track Seven - Nephilim
Possibly another early favourite. Nice intro, spellbinding vocals. Katatonia are really in their groove by now, and this is another hopeless, bleak, but amazing song. The chorus is delivered with a slow, crushing drum beat, with Jonas's long, emotive vocals soaring above the music. Interesting guitar as the end of the song nears keeps us in touch. 8/10

Track Eight - New Night
Very much similar to TGCD era songs here. The rhythmic beat of the drums, and sad, laid back guitar work is a welcome hail-back to songs like July. The song is very finished, with the flourish of a keyboard piece in the background adding to the sound. The song stops and starts, going between building and heavy. With fear of repetition of myself, great lyrics. A song to be deciphered, and that will grow on me. 7.5/10

Track Nine - Inheritance
Jonas is incredible here. His voice fades in and out of melancholic guitar, a slow beat played in the background by Liljekvist on the drums. The vocals pause for a small symphonic bridge, and the song is slightly faster as it moves on. Another pause, then the vocals rejoin us. A nice guitar riff is to be heard near the end too. A good calming pause as we leave several heavier, dynamic songs behind. 8/10

Track Ten - Day And Then The Shade
Another single in the making. Great melody here, the drums, guitar work and of course the vocals immediately grab our attention, with the tempo change after Inheritance obvious. As the chorus starts, the lyrics of the song 'Every waking hour...' are drilled into our minds. Overall, a fast, polished, very slick sounding song. And another one with very good delivery and lyrics. Great, great song. 9/10

Track Eleven - Departer
When I first heard it I thought - this is Unfurl part two, more so than ever before on this album. A slow, ambient intro for around 40 seconds leads to thoughtful, sad vocals, complemented nicely by pleasing keyboard work. The song gains momentum, but is all just a stage for Jonas's vocals. The tempo changes again, and as Krister Linder (guest vocals on this song) sings:

Brother
In your eyes I was the stronger

We realise we are being given such an emotional piece, and journey from this band. A fitting, introspective end to a fascinating album. A really fitting album closer. Perfect. 10/10.

-Remember to try bonus song Ashen -

All in all, this album is similar to The Great Cold Distance, but is not as well rounded, and does not contain the huge singles (July, My Twin...) of TGCD. This is rawer, but polished, and more refined. The album is hopeless, apathetic in places, but still has that unique, uplifting feel to it that, upon inspection, every Katatonia album has. To start with, try Forsaker or Day And Then The Shade. It will grow. Watch this space. This is a potentially huge album.

Overall, a good initial 88/100

Also read:
Katatonia: A Discography Review
Revised: Ulver, A Discography Review


KatatoniaMy Dying BrideUlverAnathemaAgallochDarkspaceDarkthroneParadise LostIron MaidenAnaal NathrakhOpethOctober TideSwallow the SunTestamentFenToolCult of LunaIsisNeurosisHead Control SystemDaathDark TranquillityIn FlamesSoilworkIron MaidenMetallicaSlayerDownDarkspaceDarkthroneNileDeicideSatyriconPanic CellVenomDeathspell OmegaDiametragonLifeloverEarthSunn O)))Shining

align=center]Last.FM Milestones1st track: (04 Nov 2007)
Godsmack - Bleeding Me
1000th track: (01 May 2008)
Turbo - Fabryka Keksów
2000th track: (12 Aug 2008)
Fields of the Nephilim - Dead But Dreaming
3000th track: (24 Oct 2008)
Disturbed - Voices
4000th track: (21 Jan 2009)
Led Zeppelin - Thank You
5000th track: (17 Mar 2009)
Dead Can Dance - Spirit
6000th track: (05 May 2009)
William Basinski - Melancholia 3
7000th track: (05 Jun 2009)
Borknagar - The Witching Hour
8000th track: (08 Jul 2009)
Agalloch - In the Shadow of Our Pale Companion
9000th track: (05 Aug 2009)
Eluveitie - Of Fire, Wind & Wisdom
10000th track: (26 Aug 2009)
Wiślanie 69 - Do przerwy 0-1
11000th track: (14 Sep 2009)
Grzegorz Turnau - Melankolija
12000th track: (02 Oct 2009)
Apocalyptica - Stroke
13000th track: (30 Oct 2009)
Yngwie Malmsteen - Heaven Tonight
14000th track: (16 Nov 2009)
The White Birch - Air
Generated on 16 Nov 2009
Get yours here

Sanguine_Sky's top albums (overall)
1. Darzamat - Solfernus' Path (91) 2. Diablo Swing Orchestra - Sing Along Songs for the Damned & Delirious (90) 3. Stream of Passion - The Flame Within (85) 4. Whyzdom - From the Brink of Infinity (84) 5. Dark Tranquillity - Fiction (80) 6. Echoes of Eternity - As Shadows Burn (75) 7. WitchBreed - Heretic Rapture (66) 8. Macbeth - Superangelic Hate Bringers (61) 9. Catafalque - Unique (60) 10. Beautiful Sin - The Unexpected LTD.Edition (60) 11. Krypteria - My Fatal Kiss (59) 12. Distorted - Voices From Within (59) 13. Anneke van Giersbergen and Danny Cavanagh - In Parallel (56) 14. Enslavement of Beauty - Megalomania (56) 15. Morbid Angel - Altars of Madness (56) 16. Pin-Up Went Down - 2 Unlimited (52) 17. Forgotten Tales - All the Sinners (51) 18. Immortal - Battles in the North (50) 19. Catafalque - Dialectique (50) 20. At the Gates - Slaughter of the Soul (48) 21. Emperor - Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk (48) 22. Arkan - Hilal (48) 23. Dead Can Dance - Aion (48) 24. Theatre of Tragedy - Forever Is the World (47) 25. Dawn of Destiny - Human Fragility (45) 26. Marillion - Marbles (45) 27. Penumbra - Seclusion (45) 28. Death - Symbolic (45) 29. Akphaezya - Anthology II (44) 30. Omega Lithium - Dreams In Formaline (44) 31. Taake - Taake (42) 32. Deströyer 666 - Phoenix Rising (40) 33. Anathema - Alternative 4 (40) 34. The Gathering - Mandylion (40) 35. Ambeon - Fate of a Dreamer (40) 36. Amorphis - Skyforger (40) 37. Octavia Sperati - Grace Submerged (40) 38. Amon Amarth - Fate of Norns (40) 39. Paradise Lost - In Requiem (39) 40. Agua de Annique - Air (39) 41. Imperia - Queen of Light (39) 42. Devin Townsend - Ocean Machine: Biomech (38) 43. Ulver - Themes from William Blake's The Marriage of Heaven & Hell (38) 44. Agalloch - The Mantle (37) 45. Distorted - Memorial (36) 46. Stolen Babies - There Be Squabbles Ahead (36) 47. Symphony X - The Divine Wings of Tragedy (36) 48. Stream of Passion - Embrace the Storm (36) 49. Behemoth - Evangelion (36) 50. Silent Cry - Darklife (36)

In response to a perfectly named journal by rbt: http://www.last.fm/user/rbt/journal/2007/04/24/mua_which_of_your_top_50_bla_bla_bla_who_gives_a_fuck%3F

Radiopuhelimet x2
Skyclad x1
YUP x7?
Viikate x5?
Entombed x3
The Dillinger Escape Plan x1
Joose Keskitalo x1
Machinae Supremacy x1
Tenhi x1
Risto x6?
Stam1na x5?
Gojira x2
Amorphis x5?
Nevermore x1
Isis x2
Converge x1
Soilwork x2?
Pestilence x1
Killing Joke x1
Gama Bomb x1
The Eternal x2
Dinosaur Jr. x1
Evergrey x1
Carcass x1
Cult of Luna x1
Omnium Gatherum x3?

so 26/50 plus i have a few pretty bad explanations why not more!

Never played in Finland as far as i know (which is pretty far, at least not in past 5 years):
Kat
Sol Invictus
Vampire Mooose
Agalloch
Nothing - also played only a few live gigs
Aarni - never played live i think
Sculptured - never played live i think
The Clan Destined - played only a few concerts and then split
The Fall of Troy - going to see them THIS NOVEMBER in Glasgow (btw In The Unlikely Event is clearly their weakest album, horrid and clicheic clean singing)
Godflesh
Candiria
Lawnmower Deth
Agathodaimon
Numen
Eldritch
Umbra Nihil - They play live? I dont think so.
Havoc Unit - They play live? I dont think so.
Sedän Näkemys

Cause i was short of money, too lazy or forgot:
Napalm Death
Primordial
Eternal Tears of Sorrow
Keep of Kalessin
Iiwanajulma

Broke up when i was about 5
Euthanasia
Intense Degree

Since last.fm is the best place on the web for stupid teenagers to vent about their petty meaningless lives, I'd thought I'd share my burden with you guys. It's something that's been bugging me for a while now, it's really been eating away at me...there's this guy at uni on my course, who is probably the most normal person you could ever meet, except for one small thing...right slap-bang on his chest he has a pair of breasts, and they're not round or perky tits, they're just more like two puppies in a burlap sack.

If he was overweight I would understand, but he's 6'2, slim build and cant weigh anything more than 80kg. Whereas most men walk with pride, chest out, back straight, head held high, he walks with his face tucked into his chest as if nobody will notice. Every time I talk to him, every time I just see him, I cant help but stare at his breasts. Please help me, how do I confront him so I can move on with my life?

Between the Buried and MeBurzumOpethDimmu BorgirNileDream TheaterNevermoreMastodonIsisNeurosisMeshuggahThe OceanMayhemDarkthroneEmperorSymphony XSikThAfter the BurialThe Dillinger Escape PlanBorisBehemothAgallochToolAyreonSlayerIn FlamesDeftonesLamb of GodNightwishChildren of BodomTriviumKatatoniaAmon AmarthDragonForceGojiraCradle of FilthArch EnemyDevilDriverStrapping Young Lad