Metal Reviews

Good man

Stay away from Krallice and Panopticon!

Work you way from the roots, start with some good ole Emperor, Ulver and Darkthrone.

When I started exploring it very briefly a couple of months ago, I think I already figured out the old, super raw stuff isn't for me. I think that's the kind of stuff that has actually kept me away from it for so long. When I tried out a couple of trapt's more experimental suggestions, I found them much more interesting.

But who knows. I'll be much more thorough this time, and we'll see what happens.

I don't find Emperor and Ulver "super raw stuff", especially Ulver. If you are into more melodic and epic stuff I can suggest some bands. What are you looking for in BM?

I don't know yet! My experience with the genre is extremely limited to say the least. Aside from a few black/thrash acts, my knowledge is next to nothing.

I sent you a PM. Do what thou wilt with it.

Starting to dislike questions like this because I a) don't really view bands as good as much as particular releases and b) think it's all really so objective that it doesn't matter. If I'm in the mood, stuff like Krallice is interesting and mind-expanding, if I'm not it's boring and I'd rather throw some Darkthrone on. How do I make a list out of that?

But this thead has reminded me that I really must check Blood Red Fog out again, only heard a little from them.

Yeah, but that's kind of why some bands are so special. A good band might make one or two albums that are really worth listening to, and which remain continually listenable over the years. A brilliant band forges a discography with many albums worth listening to again and again. Putting together a great discography is such a difficult, monumental achievement.

I think that's why a top 5 list like this can still be interesting. We're not just talking about who has made one or two good album, we're talking about which bands have put together the finest discographies. At least, that's the way I see this sort of thing.

that actually makes this list harder, it's much easier to compile a list of essential albums as opposed to bands with solid overall discographies

I know I harp on alot about the other forum I'm on but in this case Thrash I think it may be able to really help you out, I started a thread over there trying to regenerate my black metal collection and one particular forum user was helpful enough to create a video list, I'd put the link in here but last time I tried that it didn't work

i could pm you a link to this forum and instructions on how to find this particular thread if you like

The thing about all those expansive lists you have is that if they're not catered to what you like already, you just have a huge waste of time that might actually turn you away from said genre.

Ludicra, Krallice, Oakhelm, Iskra, and Teen Cthulhu are cool.

Oakhelm? I didn't realize you like Teen Cthulhu. That shit is awesome. Their ability to make two minute tracks epic is so fun while being overly theatric in an enjoyable way. Iskra is badass but I never give them enough listens.

Oakhlem are a folky black metal band whose folkiness doesn't sound particularly sincere or well incorporated into their music, but for some reason I keep returning to their albums. Like a bunch of dudes who like playing pirate shanty melodies on distorted guitars.

when I first started the thread looking for suggestions I was having a major issue with harsh vocals, I hadn't listened to any black or death metal for about three years to it starts out with a bit of black/thrash and first wave bands like Bathory and Dissection, it may be a bit hit or miss and I didn't like everything on that list, can't stand Burzum for example, but the list is aplhabetised and has a brief description of the band under each song

Hmmm. Whatever, guy. I feel like sticking to a canonical list knowing that you like doom metal hence atmosphere and emotion and clean vocals or at least clear vocals makes me think that the wealth of knowledge on this forum could give you more personalized recs than everyone and anyone's personal favorites that might be classic or canon. That's why I love these forums. Everybody knows their shit.

that was the point of me starting those threads looking for stuff that would be suited to my tastes and they've yielded some great stuff, but yeah whilst I'm not opposed to harsh vocals I do like them to be clearly enunciated

Which frankly, is one of the oddest preference I've heard expressed on these forums. Explains your like for Arch Enemy, I suppose.

I'll really have to wrack my brain for clearly enunciated recommendations in black metal. Would this discount something clearly sung in a language you don't understand?

Don't really understand exactly what entails "contemporary"... anything from the past five years? Ten? Less?

Anyway, current favorite black metal is the Blazebirth Hall stuff, don't know how "contemporary" that is. Most of the worthy bands that are around today have been around for a while, so...

The first line of the thread says ten years. I don't think that you should discard bands that have been around for longer than ten years, e.g., Enslaved, but if they were putting out worthless albums for the last ten years, e.g., Darkthrone, then I wouldn't say they are one of the best bands in the last ten years.

This is really hard for me to decipher, been much more into doom than black metal of late.

Negura Bunget/Dordeduh
The Ruins of Beverast
Horna
Elysian Blaze
Wodensthrone

Liked Mgla, Burzum, Drudkh, Nocturnal Mortum, DsO, Inquistion, and maybe a couple American offerings too.