Metal Reviews

We've all been captured by the majestic or rather infernal sounds of our favorite respective metal subgenres. While aesthetically a respective artist may have envisioned a certain landscape, and a certain landscape may be stereotypically invoked AKA the frozen peaks of Norway, the murky swamps of Louisiana, or some urban wasteland. What are some albums that genuinely create visions of another place or world?[/i]

Well listening to ROF takes me to a place where I fight dragons and french kissing maidens in distress.

And listening to Tankard makes me feel I'm at a bar drinking college kids under the table and getting slapped by bar maids.

Agalloch's The Mantle makes me feel like I'm walking all alone in the snow, but somehow the music has this warm feeling.

At least half of the great Norwegian albums.

Also a number of the Greek albums (Rotting Christ, Elysian Fields, On Thorns I Lay) have a watery, Hellenic sound to them).

Negura Bunget's 'N Crugu Braduli is based on the four seasons passage in Transylania.

Agreed on the Mantle, Milan. I always felt like I was in a creaky English castle when playing MDB's Turn Loose the Swans, particularly during the title track. Imagine how appropriate it sounded to be playing that track while traveling up a rolling hill towards a haunted old English castle!

Vinterriket makes me feel like I'm on a frozen mountain every time I listen.

Same as Vhernen and Paysage D'Hiver.

Hergest Ridge by Mike Oldfield is named after some Hill in Wales.

Agalloch's The Mantle was the first thing that came to my mind. I also agree with Emperorblackdoom on a lot of Norwegian BM and Greek BM. Necromantia, Old Enslaved, Emperor's ITNE, Moonsorrow, Primordial, Drudkh, and Tenhi also come to mind.

Congrats on being the first person ever online or off that I've seen even mention The Elysian Fields Good band and fairly unique feel to them. I've got both We...the Enlightened and 12aBlaze, but haven't listened to them in a very long time. The lyrics to The End Shall Be Tragically Fulfilled particularly give off a strong landscape inspired vibe.

When I first read the topic description the first albums that came to mind were:

Hades Almighty - Again Shall Be
Windir - Everything
Enslaved - Vikingligr Veldi

Speaking of Elysian Fields, I also have their first album, Adelain, which has a more pure doom death feel. Happy to share if you are interested.

I guess they also released a fourth album, which was impossible to find, and has since proved to be their last.

We...The Enlightened and 12Ablaze were really unique, inspired albums, a shame that band never received the accolades it was due.

Bathory....duh!

If you want bleak fjords, winter twilight and evergreen forests, look no further than albums like Hammerheart or Nordland I and II.

Yeah, Twilight of the Gods too.

Speaking of Nordland, "Ring of Gold" is one of the most naturally evocative songs ever written. I miss Q.

Old Ulver, Dornenreich, Drudkh, Lugubrum and Hate Forest each portray very different landscapes of very different levels of emotion. I'll second Enslaved, Frost especially for the frozen north.

Moving towards more urban or post-apocalyptic landscapes, Godflesh, Einsturzende Neubauten, The Axis Of Perdition, and Jesu are all worth a listen, again each with a very different take.

Interesting that no-one's mentioned Post-Rock - Red Sparowes one suggestion of many possibilities. Isis and Neurosis shouldn't be discounted either, nor Cult Of Luna.

Haven't heard Adelain, but sounds just as worth checking out.

It is a shame they never received much attention. Though I think it just may be that beyond Rotting Christ Greek bands never seem to garner much attention, unfortunately. At times I think it really is geography in part that can make or break some bands.