 | The Haunted...spawned from At the Gates. The sound is a lot different from what I expected. Turns out to be 'old Slayer-like' stuff. It took me quite a number of listens before I figured out there was actually music under all of the gibberish (of instrument playing). The over-aggressive lyrics kind of turn me off. The thin sound of the guitars turn me off. But I still like it. These guys definitely have a lot of talent. The melodies are broken in many places...but somehow manage to fit together...like a coathanger or something. I don't know....It's good alright. That's all you need to know. (The next review compares it to the newer one) Playing time: 41:00 Tracks: 12 Favorite: 3,4,6,8,10,11 Earache Records/Frederick Nordstrom
"When all else fails, there's nothing left" | ||||
 | Now this is much better than their first one. I'm not saying their first one is bad by any means...but the thing is I have to be in a certain mood to listen to it. In contrast, I ALWAYS feel like listening to 'Made Me Do It'. The title, by the way is 'The Haunted Made Me Do It'...but I prefer 'The Haunted: Made Me Do It'. Not much of a difference...but I think it sounds a little more mysterious. The music is better constructed. The sound isn't as thin. The melodies are very good, and the guitar solos are worth buying the CD for. The vocalist from the first is replaced, as well as the drummer (Erlandsson...went to Cradle of Filth). The new vocalist has that 'Goteburg' sound that I hear some talk about...similiar to Arch Enemy or Gardenian. He attempts some clean vocals...but I find them more annoying than complimentary (which is VERY much the case with Gardenian). I highly reccomend this one to ANYBODY who REMOTELY likes metal. Playing time: 36:09 Tracks: 11 Favorite:2, 3,4, 5, 10 Earache Records/Frederick Nordstrom
"There is no end to the secrets I pour into your hate-polluted veins. Now I drain the fetus that I grew in you, Bred for abuse. Now watch as I dominate your pathetic life." | ||||
 | I can't really figure out what genre this fits into. I want to say Power Metal...But I'm not sure..Maybe Gothic metal? Hmm... No matter. I have a few Iced Earth CD's..but this is the only one I like. From beginning to end, all of the songs don't annoy me. That's very rare for any band. Megadeth is just about the only other one to do that (Countdown to Extinction album). Very melodic. Very clean. A SGT Hysell pointed out to me once, the overuse of the double bass. I have to agree with him somewhat. That thing is almost going constantly. I don't mind so much, though...just thought I'd let you know. A thing I find somewhat strange is that they are from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Yes, another American band that has variety in their music and style...and a unique one at that. That's what....two so far? Playing time: 43:49 Tracks:10 Favorite: ALL Tim Morris, Jon Schaffer/Century Media
"I'll beat you with your spinal cord. Split your skull in two. I'll feast on your intestines. There's nothing I can't do" | ||||
 | The oldest In Flames I can get my hands on, The Jester Race lays down the platform to which this kind of music is based. It emulates to a 'T' the Swedish Death Metal 'sound', although I can't think of another band to compare them to. There are more guitar solos here than I've heard in at least 99% of all my CD's. The vocals are somehow weak and rough at the same time. The melodies are varied and plentiful...with the occasional heavy beat. My favorite is in Dead Eternity...lasts about a minute and a half in the middle of the track. I can't help but wonder..if Johan Larsson (bassist) is related at all to Martin Larsson (At the Gates guitarist). This is my second favorite CD of them... I'm still trying to find a place that will let me order Lunar Strain.. Playing Time: 40:14 Tracks: 10 Favorite: 3, 6, 7, 11 Nuclear Blast/Frederik Nordstrom
"Tried of dull ages, I walk the same ground, collecting the tragedies still, Hollow ambitions in a hollow mind, carried my cross to the hill." | ||||
 | This is the first one I bought...Food For the Gods was on the sampler that introduced me to the band. The songs on the CD all seem to have something annoying about them. Track one carries on for too long. Track two has the word 'ectoplasma' in it. Track 3 is too slow and See-Saw like, etc, etc. But at the same time..for the most part..these are good songs. I get annoyed too easily, I know. It's part of why I hate the radio..you can't skip songs or commercials. The acoustic title track is a welcome break from the (seemingly monosound) first ten songs or so. As much as I complain...I reiterate..I LIKE THIS ALBUM..it's just not In Flames' best. Playing Time: 42:31 Tracks: 11 Favorite: 1, 6, 8, 11 Frederik Nordstrom/Nuclear Blast
"And when I wake up, I imagine being crushed by one, imagining it's weight, it's silence, and the abscence of excuses for a havoced life, and the privilege of a 22-kilometer tombstone" | ||||
 | Easily my favorite from the band. There's a couple of annoying songs, mind you (3,5)...but disregarding that this album is pure goodness. There's a little bit of clean vocals here and there...AND IT ACTUALLY FITS!!! Which is a first and only as far as I'm concerned...remembering Gardenian, The Haunted, and Soilwork. Even the piano is done right. Amazing. Purely. Yep. Amazing. The lineup has changed a little..mainly the bassist is replaced by Peter Iwers. Sounds great...their best I've heard... Did I mention this is my favorite? Yes, I did. The songs are well-planned, with each part leading in to the next. Solos are very well placed. There's very little chops and frantic drum-beating (good thing). The sound is awesome...Vocals are perfectly done. I hate to say it...but sounds identical to At the Gates (different style of course). Playing Time: 41:35 Tracks:11 Favorite: 2, 4, 8,9, 10 Frecerik Nordstrom/Nuclear Blast
"Egoism dictates human relations, A world whee fashion outshines morality, Here is success written in blood-red colours, designed by the thirst for power." | ||||
 | Now what the hell happened here? I know I've only listened to it a few times...but I don't remember liking ANYTHING about it. From the first song to the last...all seems to be mindless drivel. Tuneless, substanceless, plain sounding drivel. Not a horrible CD...but very unnoticable and unrememberable. Playing time: 43:44 Tracks: 11 Favorite: NONE Frederik Nordstrom/Nuclear Blast
No good. Sorry. | ||||
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A friend of mine that used to be in 327th introduced..nay..suggested this band to me. I didn't trust him at first...but eventually I had money burning a hole in my pocket..so I had to get rid of it of course...And I bought this CD. Unfortunately they haven't intrigued me enough to buy more. I can't categorize it with any of the CD's on these pages...it has some sort of different sound...almost classic rock? but with lizard-man vocals? Hard to explain, but it's good nonetheless. Production is kind of thin...but I can deal with it no problem. If you can get over the vocals, you will like the music. If you like music, that is. Playing Time: 47:23 Tracks:13 Favorite: 2, 7-13 Vincent Wojno/FAD Records (no link available) ©1997
"So they walk together into a silent war, Though it seems to take forever this generation is finally headed for, A better tomorrow" | ||||
 | I think I found out about these guys from a Metallurgy compilation... Shine, I think was the name of the song. I didn't like it...but when I saw the bands name on the shelve I got this CD anyway. I didn't like it at first. It has a very muddy sound. After relistening to it a few times over... I liked it more and more. This is some really deep music. Not death metal by the way. Kyuss is from Arizona. They have a HUGE fanbase outside of America, especially in Australia (I think). They are defunct now... broke up more than a few years ago. Giggleman told me he didn't like the vocals... I asked him if he liked Smashing Pumkins. He said something to the effect of 'That's like--my favorite band' and I said that the vocals aren't much different from each other. He replied with something like "I guess I'll just have to get used to it". Crazy phuqer. Anyway this CD should be a classic. But it's not. At least not in America. I swear the General American Public has the worst taste in music in the world. Playing Time: 51:00 Tracks: 14 Favorite: 1,4, 5, 9,10, 11 Chris Goss/Dali Records (no link available) ©1992
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 | Three tracks total. Well, four actually...but the last one is a bullshit track, so don't worry about it. This is as experimental as they come, while still managing to be good all around. As far as how much I like it, it ties Blues for the Red Sun. It sounds a little better-cleaner. Still muddy, though...I think they do it on purpose. Still a masterpiece, like the former one. Oh, and by experimental I mean...new sounds, styles, etc. The middle of the second track sounds kind of Indian (country, not Native American). It's amazing what can be done with a guitar. There's a few blues sounds as well. Playing Time: 51:54 Tracks: 3 or 4 (depending on how you look at it) Favorite: First 3/4 of 1, ALL of 2, Beginning and end of 3 Chriss Goss/Elektra, Dali ©1994
Lyrics...working on it. | ||||
 | There were two songs on the Hideaway soundtrack from this CD. I liked them very much. This of course, isn't death metal either. The 'band' consists of two female vocalists and two male instrument players... plus others.. varying from bass to drum to violin to glockenspiel to all kinds of other stuff. Each song has it's own setup and style. Some are not worth two cents...some are worth buying the CD for... Some fast, some slow, some nearly completely silent, and others noisy. Very varied. Their voices are beautiful...but all thin and high pitched. There's a couple of times where they show strengh, but that's it. Playing Time: 54:23 Tracks: 14 Favorite: 1, 3, 6 Ingo Krauss/Mute Records ©1994
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 | Another one of those 'hard to find' CD's. I beleive this is the first one Night In Gales came out with. From a distance this is damn good music. Sounds good when you can't quite hear everything. There's not much variety between songs, or within them. The vocals are very distinct and (original?). Overall a solid album. I haven't listened to it much... I've tried many times, but I get easily distracted from it. Playing Time: 37:39 Tracks: 9 Favorite: Haven't decided yet :-/ Wolfgang Stach/Nuclear Blast ©1997
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 | Without a doubt the coolest looking album I own, Thunderbeast kicks arse, then lets it rest, and then kicks it again. My only problem with it is that some of the songs sound too happy. I liked it a lot when I first bought it, but after a time it's undergrown me. I now rarely listen to it. It sounds a little better than the first one.. There's a LOT of treble in there. The vocals are still very distinct.. Sort of a high pitched distorted scream kind of thing. Everything is played very professionally...and fast. The clean vocals fit well. They usually have a good little melody to them. The lead guitars seem to be guiding the general course of the songs, which is a completely forgotten style nowadays. Playing Time: 54:18 Tracks: 13 Favorite: 1, 2, 6 Wolfgang Stach/Nuclear Blast 1998
"I and pain, as one we bled of light, with blackened marble eyes, We cascade onto the impalers feet.. Harlots of splendor and tragedy." | ||||
 | Like their first one, I haven't listened to it much. I remember liking it a lot. I wish I could be more help. If I feel like it, I'll update this review when it would make sense. Playing Time: 44:02 Tracks: 11 No favorites yet. Harris Johns/Nuclear Blast ©2000
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 | I listened to a couple of their older CD's...I didn't like them much. When I went home on vacation, I saw posters for this album all over the Blockbuster music store. I got it simply for that. After listening to it once, I thought it was the same ole, same ole bland American 'screamatthetopofyourlungsonoccasion' metal. After two or three listens, I realized this was not the case. While it still had that all-too-common grungy, rough sound, it actually contained some good tunes. There are some clean vocals inserted in places, though I felt the whole CD could have done without it. The production is a little over-bassed, and I have to turn down the settings in my car because my door rattles if I don't. When I'm not expecting to hear this CD (such as when in random mode on a computer playlist, or when it's unexpectedly the next CD to play from my changer) I find that I don't skip past the song like I do with so many other albums. All in all, Violence is a very solid release. Playing Time: 49:33 Tracks: 12 Favorite: 4, 6 Drew Mazurek/TVT Records ©2000
"I know you inside. I know you're cold. I know you're saddened by the loss of those, They really loved you. And now you're cold. I'm sorry that you're next so go." | ||||
 | This is the earliest Opeth I've been able to get my hands on. Considering how the quality of music (as far as I'm concerned) is much better here than their next two...The CD's before this one are next on my list of things to spend my money on. From the beginning to end this collection is wonderful...It is my favorite, after all. Songs are long, average six minutes a piece. The music has the perfect blend of acoustic and electric guitaring, as well as good sounding singing vocals, along with perfect death vocals. This band has more fans than any other you see on this page or the last. And probably even the next two. Playing Time: 52:36 Tracks: 9 Favorite: ALL Fredrik Nordstrom, Anders Friden/Century Media ©1998
"It was me, peering through the looking glass. Beyond the embrace of Christ. Like the secret face within the tapestry. Like a bird of prey over the crest. And she was swathed in sorrow, as if born within the mask" | ||||
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Opeth was reccommended to me by Jeff Brubaker, creator of A Land Forlorn ... A music site that was well respected by many, as well as the one that inspired me to do these pages. This is the first CD that I tried out. If not for the first track, I would not like them at all. The first track is what showed me what the band was capable of. The rest of them get on my nerves very much. There's some really good parts, like the guitar solo in Godhead's Lament, and the beginning of Serenity Painted Death. But the music changes very often, and with no bridges at that. There's a lot of annoying non-music. Just a combination of notes that don't flow played repeatedly. It frustrates me that Opeth fans I talk to don't agree with me at all...and then proceed to get mad at me for raining on their parade. That happens to me a lot. I'm a hater. Playing Time: 62:37 Tracks: 7 Favorite: 1 Opeth, Fredrik Nordstrom/ Peaceville ©1999
"The sigh of summmer, upon my return, Fifteen alike since I was here, Bathed in deep fog, blurring my trail, Snuffing the first morning rays. Weary from what might have been ages, Still calm with my mind at peace, Would I prosper or fall, drain the past, The lapse of the moment took it's turn. I was foul and tainted, devoid of faith, Wearing my death-mask at birth, the hands of God, decrepit and thin, A cold caress and then nothing." | ||||
 | I've heard this one called a masterpiece and a milestone. I can see how some think that, but I don't nessecarily agree. It's very good, though somewhat subdued compared to the last installment. There's a lot more clean singing and acoustics. The pace is much slower as well. Songs are less catchy and more well-formed. Like I said, it's very good. If you want to introduce someone to the band, this is probably the album to use. Playing Time: 67:13 Tracks: 8 Favorite: ALL Opeth, Steve Wilson/Koch Records ©2001
"Breath comes out white clouds with your lies, And filters through me, You're close to the final word, You're staring right past me in dismay, A liquid seeps from your chest, and drains me away." | ||||
 | Introduced to me by a PFC Mangano (Probably 1st Lieutennant by now), Overkill is sort of a speed/death/glam rock. Yes, glam. Only because when there's long singing parts the way the vocals sound, and their hair...which is very long, curly, and big, with a couple of bald exceptions. The rest of the time is ultra-fast drumming and rhythym. The few people that I've made listen to it have liked it. Production is perfect for the type of sound it is. Everybody in the band seems to be at least somewhat of a veteran in music. They all look like their in their early thirties, and I know the band has been around for a while. I regret to say, that even though I like it, I can't bring myself to get more of their stuff. It's just not addictive music. Playing Time: 48:40 Tracks: 10 Favorite: All? Overkill/CMC Int. Records (no link found) ©1997
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