Blog

Top 10 albums of 2009:

1.) Wodensthrone - Loss

2.) Exivious - Exivious

3.) Obscura - Cosmogenesis

4.) Reaktor 4 - Reaktor 4

5.) Sworn - Bastards and Conquerors

6.) Lifelover - Dekadens

7.) Have a Nice Life - Deathconsciousness

8.) Den Saakaldte - All Hail Pessimism

9.) Karl Sanders - Saurian Exorcisms

10.) The Moon and the Nightspirit - Ösforrás



Best EP of 2009:

Barren Earth - Our Twilight

2009 Honorable Mentions: (in no particular order)

The Few Against Many - Sot
Katatonia - Night Is The New Day
Ablaze in Hatred - The Quietude Plains
Black Sun Aeon - Darkness Walks Beside Me
Drudkh - Microcosmos
Ensiferum - From Afar
Mythology (US) - Tepes
Senmuth - Madinat al-Mayyit
Nile - Those Whom The Gods Detest
Augury - Fragmentary Evidence
If These Trees Could Talk - Above the Earth, Below the Sky
Mistur - Attende
Dreaming Dead - Within One
Arkona - Goi, Rode, Goi!
Fleshgod Apocalypse - Oracles
Amesoeurs -Amesoeurs
Guilt Machine - On This Perfect Day
Vreid - Milorg
Krallice - Dimensional Bleedthrough
Skitliv - Skandinavisk Misantropi
Long Distance Calling - Avoid The Light
PANTHEON I - Worlds I Create
Unholy Matrimony - Croire, Décroître
Between the Buried and Me - The Great Misdirect
Scale The Summit - Carving Desert Canyons
Men Enter Tavern - Kampflieder
Vargaskri - Den tappres frånfälle
Fen - The Malediction Fields
ArthemesiA - a.O.a.
Hammer Horde - Under The Mighty Oath
Skaldic Curse - World Suicide Machine
Wolves in the Throne Room - Black Cascade
Om Mani - Apology
Ahab - The Divinity of Oceans
Wardruna - Runaljod - gap var Ginnunga
Nastrandir - Prayer to Earth
Devin Townsend Project- Ki
Mournful Congregation - The June Frost
Criminal - White Hell
Shining - VI: Klagopsalmer
Absu - Absu
Týr - By the Light of the Northern Star
Miseration - The Mirroring Shadow


Disappointments (from least to worst):

8.) Freak Kitchen - Land of the Freaks

7.) Insomnium - Across the Dark

6.) Swallow the Sun - New Moon

5.) Diablo Swing Orchestra - Sing-Along Songs for the Damned & Delirious

4.) Scar Symmetry - Dark Matter Dimensions

3.) Agua de Annique - In Your Room

2.) Hypocrisy - A Taste Of Extreme Divinity

1.) Porcupine Tree - The Incident

Some albums, eps and demos I've listened so far this year.

Favourites

Ahab - The Divinity Of The Oceans [Funeral Doom Metal]
Aorlhac - Aorlhac [Black Metal]
Arckanum - þþþþþþþþþþþ [Black Metal]
Asphyx - Death... The Brutal Way [Death Metal]
Blut aus Nord - Memoria Vetusta II [Black Metal]
Claws - Absorbed In The Nethervoid [Death Metal]
Drudkh - Microcosmos [Black Metal]
Excoriate - On Pestilent Winds... [Death Metal]
Funebrarum - The Sleep Of Morbid Dreams [Death Metal]
Goatmoon - Goatmoon (EP) [Black Metal]
Ignivomous - Death Transmutation [Death Metal]
Impetuous Ritual - Relentless Execution Of Ceremonial Excrescence [Death Metal]
Infected Disarray - Disseminating Obscenity [Technical Brutal Death Metal/Grindcore]
Isis - Wavering Radiant [Post-Rock/Sludge]
Jesu - Infinity [Drone/Ambient Post-Rock]
Katharsis - Fourth Reich [Black Metal]
Krallice - Dimensional Bleedthrough [Atmospheric/Progressive Black Metal]
Krypts - Open The Krypt (DEMO) [Death Metal]
Lifelover - Dekadenz (EP) - [Black Metal/Depressive Rock]
Månegarm - Nattvasen [Folk/Viking Metal]
Monarque - Ad Nauseam [Black Metal]
Lie In Ruins - Swallowed By The Void [Death Metal]
Peste Noire - Ballade Cuntre Lo Anemi Francor [Black Metal]
Skagos - Ást [Atmospheric Black Metal]
Slugathor - Echoes From Beneath [Death Metal]
Sólstafir - Kold [Post-Black Metal/Psychedelic Rock]
Teitanblood - Seven Chalices [Black Death Metal]
The Austrasian Goat - Witch (EP) [Funeral Doom/Black Metal]
The Chasm - Farseeing The Paranormal Abysm [Death Metal]
The Devil’s Blood - The Time Of No Time Evermore [Psychedelic Rock]
The Ruins of Beverast - Foulest Semen Of A Sheltered Elite [Atmospheric Black Metal]
Todeskult - Apathy [Depressive Black Metal]
Tribulation - The Horror [Death Metal/Thrash Metal]
Trist - Ve Snech Nekrvácím (DEMO) [Depressive Black Metal]
Urfaust - Einsiedler (EP) [Atmospheric Black Metal]
Wolves in the Throne Room - Black Cascade [Black Metal]
Wormlust - Seven Paths (DEMO) [Atmospheric Black Metal]
Yoga - Megafauna [Dark Ambient/Psychedelic Black Metal]


Really Good

A Place to Bury Strangers - Exploding Head [Shoegaze/Noise/Post-Punk]
Abhordium - Declaration Of Perdition (EP) [Death Metal]
Abigail - Sweet Baby Metal Slut [Blackened Thrash Metal]
Absu - Absu [Black/Thrash Metal]
Acrimonious - Purulence [Black Metal]
Aggression - Moshpirit [Thrash Metal]
Ahamoth Aeternus - Great Darkness Ahamoth [Black Metal]
Austere - To Lay Like Old Ashes [Depressive Black Metal]
Aldrlag - Aldrlag (DEMO) [Atmospheric Black Metal]
Amesoeurs - Amesoeurs [Post-Punk/Black Metal]
Amorphis - Skyforger [Melodic Death Metal/Rock]
Andacht - Chapter I [Black Metal]
Angmar - Zurück In Die Unterwelt [Black Metal]
Arizmenda - Within The Vacuum Of Infinity... [Depressive Black Metal]
Asaru - Dead Eyes Still See [Black Metal]
Ascended - Temple Of Dark Offerings [Death Metal]
Asenblut - Aufbruch [Blackened Thrash Metal]
Asphyxiate - Anatomy Of Perfect Bestiality [Brutal Death Metal]
Axegressor - Command [Thrash Metal]
Balnasar - Ein Kalter Natchgedanke [Ambient/Depressive Black Metal]
Baroness - Blue Record [Progressive Sludge Metal]
Bergraven - Till Makabert Väsen [Experimental Black Metal]
Black Wreath - A Pyre Of Lost Dreams [Death/Funeral Doom Metal]
Bleeding Fist - Bestial Krucifix666ion [Black/Thrash Metal]
Bliss Of Flesh - Emaciated Deity [Blackened Death Metal]
Bloody Panda - Summon [Experimental/Sludge/Doom Metal]
BLUT - This Burden (DEMO) [Drone/Noise]
Bone Gnawer - Feast Of Flesh [Brutal Death Metal]
Bornholm - March For Glory And Revenge [Black Metal]
Burial Ritual - Tower Of Silence [Death Metal]
Candlemass - Death Magic Doom [Doom Metal]
CANIS DIRUS - A Somber Wind From A Distant Shore [Depressive Black Metal]
Capitis Damnare - Ex Regnum Spiritus In Manifestus [Black Metal]
Carrion Wraith - Carrion Wraith [Depressive Black Metal]
Chaos Inception - Collision With Oblivion [Brutal Death Metal]
Church of Misery - Houses of the Unholy [Stoner/Doom Metal]
Cobalt - Gin [Black Metal]
Code - Resplendent Grotesque [Avant-Garde Black Metal]
Claustrofobia - I See Red [Death/Thrash Metal]
Claws - The Funeral Barge (EP) [Death Metal]
Crucifier - Trampler Under Cloven Hooves (EP) [Black/Doom/Death Metal]
Cry of Silence - Wandering Through Pagan Times [Black Metal]
Dead - Hanging Illusions (DEMO) [Depressive Black Metal]
Deströyer 666 - Defiance [Death Black Thrash Metal]
Depressive Years - Failing To Confront Suicidal Toughts [Depressive Black Metal]
Devourment - Unleash The Carnivore [Slam Death Metal]
Disgorgement - Chamber Of Depravity [Death Metal]
Dreams of the Drowned - Thanatotropic Principle [Post-Black Metal]
Dying Fetus - Descend Into Depravity [Brutal Death Metal]
Eagle Twin - The Unkidness Of Crows [Drone/Stoner/Sludge Doom Metal]
Embryonic Depravity - Contrained By The Miscarriage Of Conquest [Brutal Death Metal]
EndName - Dreams Of A Cyclops [Instrumental Post-Rock/Sludge]
Entrails - Entrails (DEMO) [Death Metal]
Ensiferum - From Afar [Epic Folk Metal]
Ex Dementia - The Red Mass [Grind/Death Metal]
Faceless and Descending - Endless Reign Of Suffering [Atmospheric Black Metal]
Feral - Welcome To The Graveyard (DEMO) [Death 'N' Roll]
Fjoergyn - Jahreszeiten [Experimental/Epic Melodic Black Metal]
Flagellant - Morbus Nefastus (EP) [Black Metal]
Formaldehyde - God's Will [Death Metal]
Fornicatus - Omnium Animalis Terminus [Depressive Black Metal]
Furia - Grudzién Za Grudniem [Black Metal]
General Surgery - Corpus In Extremis [Brutal Death Metal/Grindcore]
Gorgoroth - Quantos Possunt Ad Satanitatem Trahunt [Black Metal]
Gnaw Their Tongues - All The Dread Magnificence Of Perversity [Black Metal/Noise/Industrial]
Grave Miasma - Exalted Emanation [Black Death Metal]
Gravehill - Rites Of The Pentagram [Death/Thrhas Metal]
Gravenloch - Gravenloch [Death/Thrash Metal]
Graveyard - One With The Dead [Death Metal]
Grigori - Principivm Et Finis [Black Metal]
HAT - The Demise Of Mankind [Black Metal]
Helcaraxë - Broadsword [Melodic Death Metal]
Illdisposed - To Those Who Walk Behind Us [Melodic Death Metal]
Immortal - All Shall Fall [Black Metal]
Infested - 1000 Doors [Brutal Death Metal]
Inanition - Eternal Beauty Of The End (EP) [Ambient/Drone/Funeral Doom Metal]
Irepress - Sol Eye Sea I [Instrumental Post-Rock/Metal/Sludge]
Isole - Silent Ruins [Epic Doom Metal]
IXXI - Elect Darkness [Black/Thrash Metal]
Karlahan - A Portrait Of Life [Folk/Melodic Death Metal]
Katatonia - Night Is The New Day [Depressive Rock]
Keeper of Dreams - Taste Smashed To Pieces [Technical Death/Thrash Metal]
Khanate - Clean Hands Go Foul [Sludge/Drone/Doom Metal]
Kladovest - Escape In Melancholy [Depressive Black Metal]
Kulde - Heart Of The Northern Depression (DEMO) [Atmospheric/Depressive Black Metal]
M8L8TH - Nepokolebimaja Vera [Black Metal]
Managarm - Poems Of The Shadows Disappointment [Depressive Black Metal]
Masske - Masske [Shoegaze/Instrumental/Post-Rock]
maudlin of the Well - Part The Second [Avant-Garde/Progressive Metal]
Methadrone - Better Living (Through Chemistry) [Industrial/Drone Doom Metal]
Mindwork - Into The Swirl [Progressive Death Metal/Fusion]
Moss - Tomb Of The Blind Drugged (EP) [Drone Doom Metal/Sludge]
Mourning Dawn - For The Fallen [Black/Doom Metal]
Muldjord - Hate Breeds Hate (EP) [Death Metal]
Murder Therapy - Symmetry Of Delirium [Technical Brutal Death Metal]
Nadja - Belles Betes [Ambient/Drone Doom]
Nahar - La Fascination Du Pire [Black Metal]
Naumachia - Black Sun Rising [Melodic Death Metal]
Nazxul - Iconoclast [Melodic Black Metal]
Necrophobic - Death To All [Melodic Black Death Metal]
Nidhogg - Siegeszug Der Götter [Viking Metal]
Nile - Those Whom The Gods Detest [Technical/Brutal Death Metal]
Nomans Land - Farnord [Black Metal/Folk]
Obitus - The March Of The Drones [Black Metal]
Oblomov - Communitas (Deconstructing The Order) [Avant-Garde/Melodic Blackened Death Metal/Folk]
Old Forest - The Kingdom Of Darkness (DEMO) [Ambient Black Metal]
Pale Mist - From A Cruel Obscurity (DEMO) [Depressive Black Metal]
Pelican - Ephemeral (Ep) [Post-Rock/Sludge Drone]
Pelican - What We All Come To Need [Post-Rock/Sludge Drone]
Pyramids with Nadja - Selt Titled [Ambient/Drone Doom]
Portal - Swarth [Post Death Metal]
Prejudice - Megalomanic Infest [Technical Brutal Death Metal]
Process of Guilt - Erosion [Death Metal/Doom]
Putrefy - One Nation Under Gore [Slam Death Metal]
Putrid - Morbid Awakening (DEMO) [Death Metal]
Quintessence - Le Fleau De Ton Existence [Black Metal]
Lathspell - Reborn In Retaliation [Black Metal]
Laudanum - The Coronation [Noise Drone Doom Metal]
Locrian - Drenched Lands (EP) [Noise/Psychedelic]
Los Sin Nombre - Blind Leading Blind [Melodic Death/Thrash Metal]
Lividity[artist/] - To Desecrate And Defile [Brutal Death Metal/Grindcore]
Lustmord - [B E Y O N D] [Dark Ambient]
Obscura - Cosmogenesis [Technical Death Metal/Jazz Influences]
Ravens Creed - Albion Thunder [Death Metal]
Revocation - Existence Is Futile [Technical Death/Thrash Metal]
Ribspreader - Opus Ribcage [Death Metal]
Rimfrost - Veraldar Nagli [Black Metal]
Russian Circles - Geneva [Instrumental Post-Rock/Metal]
Sarsekim - Fathom The Spheres [Technical Death Metal/Black Metal]
Self-Inflicted Violence - A Perception Of Matter And Energy [Shoegaze/Depressive Black Metal]
Seven - Cymatics [Ambient/Math/Progressive Rock/Metal]
Skady - Eyn Raunen Im Tannicht [Viking Black Metal]
Skeletal Spectre - Tomb Coven [Doom/Death Metal]
Skogen - Vittra [Black Metal]
Skullflower - Malediction [Drone Doom/Noise]
Smashed Ruins - Silence [Instrumental Black Metal]
Slavland - Lechita [Pagan Black Metal]
Stench Of Decay - Where Death And Decay Reign (Demo) [Death Metal]
Strandhogg - Ritualistic Plague (Evangelical Death Apotheosis) [Black Metal]
Stworz - Po Szasu Kres [Black Metal]
Spiculum Iratus - Summa Anti-Theologica [Black Metal]
Sun of the Blind - Skullreader [Atmospheric Black Metal]
Sunn O))) - Monoliths & Dimensions [Drone Doom Metal]
Survivors Zero - Cmxcix [Death/Thrash Metal]
Templestowe - Cimmerian [Progressive/Melodic Death Metal]
Thanatos - Justified Genocide [Death Metal]
The Beast Of The Apocalypse - A Voice From The Four Horns Of The Golden Altar [Black Metal]
The Project Hate MCMXCIX - The Lustrate Process [Industrial Death Metal]
These Are They - Who Linger [Death Metal]
Trist - Za Hranicí Skutecnosti (EP) [Depressive Black Metal]
Thy Flesh Consumed - Unrepentant [Death Metal]
Tombs - Winter Hours [Post-Metal/Sludge]
Ulcerate - Everything Is Fire [Death Metal]
Ulvhedner - For I Tida [Black Metal]
Vader - Necropolis [Death Metal]
Velvet Cacoon - P Aa Opal Poere Pr. 33 [Ambient Black Metal]
Vesano - Sangue Seco (DEMO) [Depressive Black Metal]
vindicator - Outbreak (EP) [Thrash Metal]
Viscera Trail - Humiliation - Riden Evisceration [Brutal Death Metal/Grind]
Vomepotro - Liturgy Of Dissection [Brutal Death Metal]
Vomitory - Carnage Euphoria [Death Metal]
Waldgeflüster - Herbstklagen [Black Metal]
Wardruna - Runaljod - Gap Var Ginnunga [Ambient Folk]
Warmarch - Pactum Cum Diabolicus [Black Metal]
West Wall - Conquest Or Death [Death Metal]
White Mice - Ganjahovahdose [Experimental/Sludge/Noise Rock]
Witching Hour - Rise Of The Desecrated [Black Metal/Thrash Metal]
Wodensthrone - Loss [Black Metal]
Wolves in the Throne Room - Malevolent Grain (EP) [Atmospheric Black Metal]
Woods of Desolation - Sorh (EP) [Depressive Black Metal]
Xasthur - All Reflections Drained [Depressive Ambient Black Metal]
Yogth Sothoth - The Dark Waters Are Shaken (EP) [Death Metal]
Zamak - Hate Dominion Revenge [Melodic Death/Thrash Metal]
Аркона - Гой, Роде, Гой! [Folk/Pagan Metal]

[u]Not Bad...[/u]

Abraxas - Promo 2009 (Demo) [Death Metal]
Abysmal Torment - Omnicide [Brutal Death Metal/Grindcore]
Aeternam - Disciples Of The Unseen [Melodic Death Metal]
Anaal Nathrakh - In The Constelation Of The Black Widow [Black Metal/Grindcore]
Altar of Plagues - White Tomb [Experimental Black Metal]
Archgoat - The Light-Devouring Darkness [Black Death Metal]
Augury - Fragmentary Evidence [Progressive Death Metal]
Auspicium - Dawnland [Atmospheric Black Metal/Neo-Folk]
Autopsy - Horrific Obsession (EP) [Death Metal]
Avulsed - Nullo [Brutal Death Metal]
Axis Powers - Marching Towards Destruction [Death Metal]
Azaghal - Teraphim [Black Metal]
Azarath - Praise The Beast [Blackened Death Metal]
Be'lakor - Stone's Reach [Melodic Death Metal]
Behemoth - Evangelion [Blackened Death Metal]
Beherit - Engram [Black Metal]
Belphegor - Walpurgis Rites - Hexenwahn [Blackened Death Metal]
Benighted In Sodom - In Hora Maledictus - Part 2 [Depressive Black Metal]
Black Boned Angel - Verdun [Drone Doom/Noise]
Black Vomit - Jungle Death [Psychedelic/Noise Black Metal]
Blodkalt - Demo 2009 (DEMO) [Black Metal]
Blood Red Throne - Souls Of Damnation [Melodic Death Metal]
Brooding - Shower Of Ageless Light [Black Metal]
Cannibal Corpse - Evisceration Plague [Death Metal]
Carcharoth - Antiversum [Black Metal]
Carnal - Re-Creation [Doom/Death Metal]
Circle of Ouroborus - Tree Of Knoweldge [Experimental Black Metal]
Circle of Ouroborus - Islands [Experimental Black Metal]
Coffinworm - Great Bringer Of Night (DEMO) [Sludge/Doom/Black Metal]
Craniotomy - Catharsis [Death Metal]
CSSABA - Toxic Cssaba [Industrial Black Metal]
Cultes Des Goules - The Story Of Dagon [Ambient/Gothic Rock]
Dark Funeral - Angelus Exuro Pro Eternus [Black Metal]
Dark Paranoia - Dark Paranoia (DEMO) [Ambient/Depressive Black Metal]
Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult - Saldorian Spell [Black Metal]
Decrepidemic - The Void Of Un-Existence [Brutal Death Metal]
Denial - Catacombs Of The Grotesque [Death Metal]
Demonium - Nothing Is Truth Everything Is Allowed [Death Metal]
Depravity - Litanies For The World To Suffer [Death Metal]
Devastator - Underground 'N' Roll [Crossover Thrash Metal]
Diablo Swing Orchestra - Sing Along Songs For The Damned & Delirious [Avant-Garde/Operatic Metal]
Diamatregon - Crossroad [Black Metal]
Die Hard - Nihilistic Vision [Death/Thrash Metal]
Ditchcreeper - Rotting Repugnancy [Brutal Death Metal/Grindcore]
Drained - Solutions [Depressive Black Metal]
Drapsnatt - I Denna Skog [Folk/Black Metal]
Drowning the Light - A Pact With Madness [Depressive Black Metal]
Dodsengel - Visioner [Black Metal]
Dysperium - Dysperium [Black/Doom Metal]
Ea - Ea II [Funeral Doom Metal]
Elysium - Nine Ways To Leave [Thrash Metal]
Engaged in Mutilating - Population: Zero [Technical Death Metal]
Enoid - Ataraxiis [Black Metal]
Embedded - Beyond The Flesh [Brutal Death Metal]
Evile - Infected Nations [Thrash Metal]
Eyecult - Morituri Te Salutamus [Black Metal]
Faceless Hulk - ...It Was The Wettest Thing I Had Ever Felt (EP) [Technical Death Metal/Sludge/Grindcore]
Fatum Elisum - Fatum Elisum [Doom/Death Metal]
Fen - The Malediction Fields [Black Metal/Post-Rock]
Festered - Flesh Perversion [Death Metal]
Flame Of War - Transcendence [Black Metal]
Fleshgod Apocalypse - Oracles [Technical Death Metal]
Fleshworks - The Deadventure [Death Metal]
Fondlecorpse - Creaturegore [Death Metal]
Folkearth - Rulers Of The Sea [Epic Folk/Viking Metal]
Folkstorm - De Stemmen Van Het Woud [Black Metal]
Fuck Buttons - Tarot Sport [Post-Rock/Drone/Electronica]
Fukpig - Spewings From A Selfish Nation [Grindcore/Black Metal]
Funeraille - Dis Pater [Black Metal]
Funeral Feast - Genocide Ad Nauseam [Death Metal]
Funeral Goat - Mass Ov Perversion [Black Metal]
Funeral Mist - Maranatha [Black Metal]
Gama Bomb - Tales From The Grave In Space [Speed/Thrash Metal]
Garden Of Sadness - Travesty Of A Human Being [Depressive Black Metal]
Giant Squid - Ichthyologist [Ambient Progressive Post-Rock/Metal]
Goatwhore - Carving Out The Eyes Of God [Blackened Death Metal]
God Dethroned - Passiondale [Melodic Death Metal]
GOG - Mist From The Random More [Drone Doom Metal]
Goreaphobia - Mortal Repulsion [Death Metal]
Gnostic - Engineering The Rule [Technical Death Metal]
Glorior Belli - Meet Us At The Southern Sign [Black Metal]
Gorod - Process Of A New Decline [Technical Death Metal]
GRAJ - Полынь трава [Pagan/Folk Metal]
Graveland - Spears Of Heaven [Black Metal]
Hackneyed - Burn After Reaping [Brutal Death Metal]
Hail of Bullets - Warsaw Rising (EP) [Death Metal]
Hellwitch - Omnipotent Convocation [Death/Thrash Metal]
Hetzer - Fall Of The Holy Cult [Black/Death Metal]
Hinsidig - Bak Og Forbi... (DEMO) [Black Metal]
Hirax - El Rostro De La Muerte [Crossover/Thrash Metal]
Horncrowned - Casus Belli Anticristianus [Black Metal]
Horseback - The Invisible Mountain [Ambient/Drone/Psychedelic]
Human Rejection - Decrepit To Insanity [Brutal Death Metal]
Hypocrisy - A Taste Of Extreme Divinity [Melodic Death Metal]
Hypomanie - Hypomanie (EP) [Post-Rock/Black Metal]
Impious - Death Domination [Melodic Death/Thrash Metal]
Infernal Revulsion - Dead But Breathing [Brutal Death Metal]
Infidel - Ejaculating Chaos [Black Metal]
Instinct of Survival - North Of Nowhere [Death Metal/Crust]
Iskra - Bureval [Crust/Black Metal]
Kinit Her - Glyms Or Beame Of Radicall Truthes [Psychedelic Neo-Folk]
Kreator - Hordes Of Chaos [Thrash Metal]
Kult Ofensivy - Radikální Ateismus [Black Metal]
Laconist - Adveniat Infernus (EP) [Death Metal]
Liturgy - Renihilation [Experimental Black Metal]
Livsnekad - Den Sociala Vanforheten [Doom/Black Metal]
Lordamor - Lordamor [Funeral Doom/Black Metal]
Marduk - Wormwood [Black Metal]
Martyrdöd - Sekt [Blackened Crust]
Massachist - Death Fury March [Death Metal]
Master's Hammer - Mantras [Experimental Black Metal]
Mastodon - Crack The Skye [Progressive/Technical Groove Metal]
Maim - From The Tomb To The Womb [Death Metal]
Maithungh - Lust In The Kingdom Of God [Death Metal]
Man Must Die - No Tolerance For Imperfection [Technical Death Metal]
Mass Infection - The Age Of Recreation [Death Metal]
method - Spiritual Reinforcement [Melodic Thrash Metal]
Miseration - The Mirroring Shadow [Death Metal]
Misere Luminis - Misere Luminis [Ambient/Depressive Black Metal]
Mono - Hmn To The Immortal Wind [Instrumental Post-Rock]
Morrah - Sense Of Brutality [Brutal Death Metal]
Morte Lune - Into The Depths Of The Mind [Depressive Black Metal]
Mournful Congregation - The June Frost [Funeral Doom Metal]
Mr. Death - Detached From Life [Death Metal]
My Cat Is an Alien - Mort Aux Vaches [Experimental/Drone/Noise]
Nadja - Clinging To The Edge Of The Sky (EP) [Ambient/Drone Doom Metal]
nailed god - Glorification Of The Unborn [Black Metal]
Nargaroth - Jahreszeiten [Black Metal]
Nachtvorst - Stills [Depressive Black Metal]
Nebelkorona - Des Nachts In Tristen Nebeln (EP) [Dark Ambien/Neo-Classical]
Oak - Oak [Death/Doom Metal]
Of Raven & Ruins - Bound To Prophecy [Melodic Death Metal]
One Master - The Quiet Eye Of Eternity [Black Metal]
Orcustus - Orcustus [Black Metal]
Ordo Templi Orientis - Dysphory Part 1 [Depressive Black Metal]
Ossadogva - Born From A Tomb [Depressive Black Metal]
Osoka - Caustic Smoke [Ambient/Sludge/Drone Doom Metal]
Otargos - Fuck God-Disease Process [Black Metal]
Pandemia - Feet Of Anger [Death Metal]
Panopticon - Panopticon [Black Metal]
Pathology - Age Of Onset [Brutal Death Metal]
Planning for Burial - Leaving [Shoegaze/Drone/Post-Metal]
Pus Vomit - Degrade The Worthless [Slam Death Metal]
Putrid Pile - House Of Dementia [Brutal Death Metal]
Randir - Kampfes Lohn (DEMO) [Folk/Black Metal]
Repulsive Dissection - Cut Open The Aberration [Technical/Brutal Death Metal]
Reverence - Inactive Theocracy [Industrial Black Metal]
[artist]Ritualmord[artist] - Booze Up [Punkish Black Metal]
Rome - Flowers From Exile [Apocalyptic Neo-Folk]
Sacrarium - March To An Inviolable Death [Black Metal]
Sanctification - Black Reign [Death Metal]
Saprophagous - Dimensions Of Diverse Brutality (EP) [Death Metal/Grind]
Savage Messiah - Insurrection Rising [Thrash Metal]
Scourged Flesh - Welcome To The End Of The World [Death/Thrash Metal]
Scythian - To Those Who Stand Against Us... [Death/Thrash Metal]
Sejtane - The Burning Cold [Black Metal]
Sepsism - Distorting The Mortal Visage [Brutal Death Metal]
Sjenovik - Zephaniah [Industrial/Folk/Black Metal]
Skeletonwitch - Breathing The Fire [Blackened Thrash Metal]
Skogen - Todesrune (DEMO) [Black Metal]
Slayer - World Painted Blood [Thrash Metal]
Sorgeldom - Innerlig Formorkelse [Atmospheric Black Metal]
Sound Asleep - Sound Asleep [Sludge Doom Metal]
Spawn - The Wicked Reincarnation [Death Metal]
Splatter Whore - City Of The Sleazehounds [Death Metal/Grind & Roll]
Storhet av Morke - Grandeur Of Eternal Cold [Black Metal]
Suffocation - Blood Oath [Death Metal]
Supreme Pain - Nemesis Enforcer [Brutal Death Metal]
Swallow the Sun - New Moon [Melodic Death/Doom Metal]
Switchblade - Switchblade 2009 [Sludge/Drone Doom Metal]
Temple Of Baal - Lightslaying Rituals [Black Metal]
Tenet - Sovereign [Death Metal/Thrash Metal]
Teloch - Morbid Prayer [Black Metal]
The Accüsed - The Curse Of Martha Splatterhead [Crossover Thrash Metal]
The Cumshots - A Life Less Necessary [Death Metal/Hard Rock]
The Faceless - Planetary Duality [Technical Death Metal/Deathcore]
The Grotesquery - Tales Of The Coffin Born [Death Metal]
The Nihilistic Front - Total Disgust For Mankind [Doom/Death Metal]
The Red Chord - Fed Through The Teeth Machine [Technical Deathcore]
The Ordher - Kill The Betrayers [Brutal Death Metal]
Thronum Vrondor - Vrondor II [Black Metal]
The Cleansing - Poisoned Legacy [Death Metal]
Through the Pain - Time Heals Nothing [Depressive Black Metal]
TIRAN - Demonia [Thrash Metal]
Tormented - Rotten Death [Death Metal]
Total Negation - Zeitenwende [Depressive Black Metal]
Treha Sektori - Sorieh [Industrial/Dark Ambient]
Unanimated - In The Light Of Darkness [Melodic Death Metal]
Undivine - Into Dust [Blackened Death Metal]
Urgehal - Ikonoklast [Black Metal]
Urheimat - The Gates To An Elder Constellation [Atmospheric Black Metal]
Urna - Iter Ad Lucem [Black Metal/Funeral Doom]
Valborg - Glorification Of Pain [Atmospheric Doom/Death Metal]
Vahrzaw - Defiant [Blackened Death Metal]
Varathron - Stygian Forces Of Scorn [Melodic Black Metal]
Veér - The Measure Of Waste [Black Metal]
Vemoth - The Upcoming End [Black Metal]
Vengeful - The Omnipresent Curse [Death Metal]
Vinland - Ancestors' Age (EP) [Viking Metal]
Vociferian - Glorificia Bestials [Black Metal]
Vomit The Soul - Apostles Of Inexpression [Slam Death Metal]
Vorgus - Hellfueled Satanic Action [Blackened Thrash Metal]
We Are Legion - The Institution Of Disharmony [Death Metal]
Witchmaster - Trücizna [Black Metal/Thrash Metal]
Wrnlrd - Myrmidom [Experimental Black Metal]
Zimierzch - Wicher (DEMO) [Ambient/Depressive Black Metal]


[u]Meh[/u]

... - Somebody Save Me (EP) [Depressive Black Metal]
1349 - Revelation Of The Black Flame [Black Metal]
Abaddon Incarnate - Cascade [Black/Grind/Death Metal]
Ad Hominem - Dictator - A Monument Of Glory [Black Metal]
Aluk Todolo - Finsternis [Ambient/Noise/Instrumental Rock]
Amputated Genitals - Family Bloodbath [Slam Death Metal]
Ancient Plague - Demo (DEMO) [Ambient/Drone]
Arallu - Desert Battles [Black Death Thrash Metal]
Arckanum - Pyrmir (EP) [Black Metal]
Astral Luminous - Lunaric Tide [Atmospheric Black Metal]
Au Sacre des Nuit - Anti-Humain [Funeral Doom/Black Metal]
Blood Mortized - Blood Mortized [Death Metal]
Burial Ground - The Horror Has Just Begun [Black/Death Metal]
BRIGHT OPHIDIA - Set Your Madness Free [Avant-Garde/Progressive Metal]
Cannabis Corpse - Weeding (EP) [Death Metal]
Cerebral Incubation - Asphxiating In Exrement [Slam Death Metal]
Cristalys - Surémincence [Black Metal]
Crucifist - Demon Haunted World [Blackened Thrash Metal]
Cumulo Nimbus - Totensonntag [Folk Metal]
Dark lay still - Through Hell [Symphonic Un-Black Metal]
Defiance - The Prophecy [Thrash Metal]
Despondency - Revelation IV (Rise Of The Nemesis) [Slam Death Metal]
Drowning the Light - The Fading Rays of the Sun (EP) [Black Metal]
Echoes Of Yul - Echoes Of Yul [Drone/Sludge/Post-Rock]
Egemony - Baptism Of The Unborn [Brutal Death Metal/Grindcore]
Embrace Damnation - Glory Of A New Darkness [Black/Death Metal]
empty - The House Of Funerary Hymns [Black Metal]
Endstille - Verführer [Black Metal]
Epitome - Superotic Experience [Grindcore/Death Metal]
Eternal Grave - Arquitectura Del Horror [Brutal Death Metal]
Eternity (Arg) - In The Corner Of Your Silent Soul (EP) [Black/Doom Metal]
Feeble Minded - Pernicious Intergrowth [Brutal Death Metal/Grindcore]
Fields of Elysium - Unraveling Arcane Dynamics [Technical Death Metal/Grindcore]
Forest Stream - The Crown Of Winter [Doom Metal/Black]
Fuelblooded - Off The Face Of The Earth [Melodic Death/Thrash Metal]
Genocide of Prescription - Corporal Violence (EP) [Technical Deathcore]
Genocide Winter - Monastica Holocaust [Depressive Black Metal]
Glittertind - Landkjenning [Viking Folk Metal]
Gravewürm - Funeral Empire [Blackened Thrash Metal/Doom]
Gravsorg - Visions Of Depression [Depressive Black Metal]
Happy Days - Happiness Stops Here... [Depressive Black Metal]
Havohej - Kembatinan Premaster [Experimental Black Metal]
Havok - Burn [Thrash Metal]
[artist]Hollow[artist] - Hollow [Raw Black Metal]
Hyadningar - The Weak Creation [Black Metal]
Hugin Munin - Viking Brothers [Viking/Black Metal]
ID:VISION - X-Ray Sun (EP) [Industrial Black/Death Metal]
Incursus - Eternal Funeral Trance [Black Metal]
Ingested - Surpassing The Boundaries Of Human Suffering [Slam Death Metal]
Insidious Decrepancy - Extirpating Omniscient Certitude [Brutal Death Metal]
Ilkim Oulanem - Iblisbilim (EP) [Black Metal]
Kalisia - Cybion [Progressive Metal]
Korpiklaani - Karkelo [Folk Metal]
Kraanium - The Art Of Female Sodomy [Slam Death Metal]
Kult ov Azazel - Destroying The Sacred [Black Metal]
Kuturlat - Where The Crows Reign [Black Metal]
Lamia Culta - Patre Satane [Symphonic Black Metal]
Leichengott - Cyrograf [Black Metal]
Livimorket - Dark Totally (DEMO) [Ambient/Depressive Black Metal]
Moroghor - ...And Space As Chaos [Instrumental/Ambient Black Metal]
Myrkr - Black Illumination [Black Metal]
Nazarene Decomposing - Demonic Inquisition [Black Metal]
Nebukadnezza - There Is No Revolution [Thrash Metal]
Nefandus - Death Holy Death [Black Metal]
Negativity - Life Is A Dead End [Black Metal]
Nocturnes Mist - Southern Storms (DEMO) [Black Metal]
Obituary - Left To Die [Death Metal]
Oranssi Pazuzu - Muukalainen Puhuu [Experimental Black Metal]
Pensées Nocturnes - Vacuum [Depressive Black Metal/Neo-Classical]
Pestilence - Resurection Macabre [Death Metal]
Pigsty - Planet Of The Pigs [Death Metal/Grindcore]
ProRok - Satanisticka Krv [Black Metal]
Psilocybe - Psilosophy [Death Metal]
Sadomator - Infinity Goatsower (EP) [Black Death Metal]
Savaoth - Whispers Often Bleat [Industrial Symphonic Black Metal]
Scar Symmetry - Dark Matter Dimensions [Melodic Death Metal]
Schrei aus Stein - Talus [Ambient Black Metal]
Scolopendragon - Minden Elet Hanyagolva (DEMO) [Noise/Experimental Black Metal]
Sepultura - A-Lex [Thrash Metal/Groove/Hardcore]
Shining - Klagopsalmer [Experimental Depressive Black Metal]
Sickening Horror - The Dead End Experiment [Experimental Death Metal]
Skitliv - Skandinavisk Misantropi [Experimental Doom/Black Metal]
Slagmaur - Von Rov Shelter [Psychedelic Black Metal]
Slartibartfass - Funkenfeuer [Viking/Folk Metal]
Solarward - As The Sky Stares Down [Melodic Black Metal]
Sombre Présage - Seul... (EP) [Drone/Dark Ambient/Black Metal]
Striborg - Perceiving The World With Hate [Ambient Black Metal]
Tenebrae in Perpetuum - L'eterno Maligno Silenzio [Black Metal]
The Axis of Perdition - Urfe [Industrial/Noise/Black Metal]
Thesyre - Résistance [Black Metal/Thrash Metal]
Tracedawn - Ego Anthem [Melodic Death Metal/Power Metal]
Trismegisto - Eerie Black Path [Black Metal]
Týr - By The Light Of The Northern Star [Viking Folk Metal]
Sarke - Sarke [Black Metal/Thrash Metal]
Veirg - Ragnarok [Depressive Black Metal]
Velvet Cacoon - Atropine [Dark Ambient]
Vociferous - Vociferous [Black Metal]
Voqkrre - Palans In Pestilens [Black Metal]
Way to end - Desecrated Internal Journey [Experimental Black Metal]
Won - La Nebbia Dell'antica Religione (EP) [Black Metal]
Wolfdusk - Down Of Christianity [Black/Thrash Metal]
Whiplash - Unborn Again [Thrash Metal]
White Static Demon - Decayed [Ambient/Noise]
Whorethorn - Under The Veil Of Darkness [Black Metal]
Zebadiah Crowe - The Many Deaths Of The Great Beast [Black Metal]



Feel free to recommend me some music.

Okay, first off, dramatic title, but I know myself that on this website I skim down artist pages, and only bold titles grab my attention. Hell, there's a good reason for it; journals here have went mostly to piss since every user and their mate decided it would be a good idea to post 'My top albums' lists ad infinitum.

It's been a while since I vented my thoughts, and looking through past journals and comments, it invigorated me, to an extent where I wish to share something that's been driving me crazy for quite a while.

The X-Factor, never off our red-banner tabloids (What's Afghanistan matter when Tiger is about, eh Sun?) or TV screens was angry to discover this week that the funk/rap metal band Rage Against the Machine's classic song Killing in the Name had been chosen to spoil the fun.

On Facebook, the group is hundreds of thousands strong, a casual look at the shoutbox here on Last Fm tells us a similar story, and every rock/music blog and magazine has been shouting about it. Now, I'm all for a shake up of the mainstream charts and system. It's refreshing to see the 'alternative' music scene get their share of the publicity pie.

What annoyed me was that arrogant, smug bastard Simon Cowell's reaction. For all his millions, that man has no class - he argued that such an online movement was 'stealing' his TV show competitor's chance at a big hit. The way he said it made him sound as though he feels that every Christmas, the X-Factor winner has a divine right to a Number 1 hit. His shown has been denying EVERYONE for YEARS.

If you look at what I listen to, you'll realise I've never cared for what's top of the charts, I couldn't name you a Mika song and I detest Nickleback. That's all and good, everyone has non-subjective tastes. But what I hate is programs like the X-Factor, that manufacture talent, that water down original versions, pollute any sense of artistic meaning in music, and ram their own views down the throats of millions. This show is an abomination; a macabre mixture of the freak-show auditions, ratings squeezing rounds and then what is usually a vastly overrated, unprepared winner. How many have swam, not sank? JLS? I personally wouldn't call that talent, but each to their own.

In short, The X-Factor, and to a certain extent shows like 'I'm a Celebrity...' and 'Big Brother' are mindless, inane shows, devoid of meaning or a context in reality. Every year, I watch masses of people turn into cogs in a greater industry machine. Call me a typical black metal 'Grim' person but it disgusts me.

Buy the RATM single, hell, buy two. It's about time such trivial filth gets a slap in the face, and the X-Factor has got one, whether they get their coveted number one or not. I just hope that in result of this competition, people stop taking what they are given for granted, and look for some real, tangible meaning in what they listen to. I know some people will argue otherwise, but I can't imagine being emotionally connected to Gimme More without being a little shallow. When with others, particularly in a school, or social environment I feel such disparagement at what goes for meaningful music in popular culture.

Is there a difference between a musician and an artist?



PS: Hope that was coherent and better than another '20 Questions about your top 50' journal. Opinions are welcome. Thanks.

UlverKatatoniaOpethSlayerSodomAnaal NathrakhMetallicaExodusArcturusMastodonJesuIsisNeurosisAnthraxGod Is an AstronautAnathemaParadise LostDevilDriverCarcassDarkthroneDeathspell OmegaDark TranquillityDownHead Control SystemIron MaidenNapalm DeathNilePanic CellSanctitySatryiconAbigail WilliamsSlipknotTriviumStone SourTestamentVenomMardukBurzumSolefaldIhsahnAudioslaveGodfleshShiningLifeloverGnaw Their TonguesSuicide SilenceWaking The CadaverBring Me the HorizonEvilePanteraNecrophagistDeicideCannibal CorpseEntombedDaathThe Bloody BeetrootsAngels & Airwavesblink-182MaeOneRepublicDarkthroneThe BeatlesRadioheadSleepOMIntronautSnow PatrolThe KillersBritney SpearsLemarLady GaGaMuseOasisLamb of GodLeviathanMeshuggahMorbid AngelAgallochChristina AguileraMichael JacksonMariah CareyManic Street PreachersIan BrownP!nkMichael BubleAlexandra BurkeEarthSunn O)))CobaltDimmu BorgirParamoreMy Chemical RomanceCeline DionDashboard ConfessionalMy Bloody ValentineBullet For My ValentineAvenged SevenfoldNirvanaMadonnaRobbie WilliamsSusan BoyleABBAPink FloydBlack Eyed PeasKanye WestTaylor SwiftJay-ZEminem50 CentNasDarkspaceRosettaScar SymmetrySolitude AeturnesTexturesTaake

Didn't want to sound pretentious, and for those who tl;dr'd...

2econd Class Citizen - A World Without
A Storm of Light - Forgive Us Our Trespasses
Altar of Plagues - White Tomb
Alpinist - minus.mensch
Ambiente - Ambiente
Amesoeurs - Amesoeurs
Archgoat - The Light-Devouring Darkness
Archives - Decline
Arckanum - ÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞ
Austere - To Lay Like Old Ashes
Awol One and Factor - OWL HOURS
Beherit - Engram
Bike For Three - More Heart than Brains
Blakroc - Blakroc
Breakestra - Dusk Till Dawn
Brother Ali -Us
Cage - Depart From Me
Castevet - Summer Fences
Celeste - Misanthrope(s)
Converge - Axe To Fall
Clutchy Hopkins & Shawn Lee - Fascinating Fingers
Cyne - Water For Mars
D-Sisive - Let The Children Die
Dancing on Debris - ...of our self-made collapse
Daïtro - Y
dälek - Gutter Tactics
Deep Rooted - D.E.E.P.R.O.O.T.E.D.
Def 3 and Factor - Drumbo
Diamond District - In The Ruff
Dinosaur Jr. - Farm
Dishammer - Vintage Addiction
Dissent - Strength Through Chaos
Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) - What It Takes To Move Forward
Eyedea & Abilities - By The Throat
Fakkelbrigade - Colucci Era
Fashawn - Boy Meets World
Girolamos Walk - Girolamos Walk
Glorior Belli - Meet Us at the Southern Sign
The Gift of Gab - Escape 2 Mars
The Returners - Break Up Your Make Up Web
Hilltop Hoods - State Of The Art
Hyder Ali - Careless Talk
Jazz Liberatorz - Fruit of the Past
JR and PH7 - the standard
Kaospilot - Shadows
Katatonia - Night Is The New Day
Kidcrash - snacks
Kultiration - Kultiration
Kylesa - Static Tensions
Lifelover - Dekadens
Long Distance Calling - Avoid The Light
Marduk - Wormwood
Maths - Descent
Mos Def - The Ecstatic
Microfilm - The Bay of Future Passed
Mono - Hymn To The Immortal Wind
Move.meant - Meant To Move
Mr. Lif - I Heard It Today
Myka 9 - 1969
O.S.T.R. - O.C.B.
Oranssi Pazuzu - Muukalainen Puhuu
Orcustus - Orcustus
P.O.S. - Never Better
People Under the Stairs - Carried Away
Peste Noire - Ballade cuntre lo Anemi Francor
Pezet - Muzyka Emocjonalna
Polemarch - A Static Future
Prop Dylan - Crossing The Bridge
Q-Tip - Kamaal The Abstract
Sole and the Skyrider Band - Plastique
Soul Assassins - Intermission
Soulution - Shine Through
Thavius Beck - Dialogue
The Impellers - Robot Legs
The Regiment - A New Beginning
the town of machine - the town of machine
Tombs - Winter Hours
Totalt Jävla Mörker - Söndra & Härska
True Live - Found Lost
Unknown Prophets - Le System D
Xasthur - All Reflections Drained
YOB - The Great Cessation
Zwart Licht - Bliksemschicht
Грубый Ниоткуда - Посути
Ленина Пакет - Нас спонсирует Зюганов
РЖБ - Сны

My own top 50!

• 1. Lifelover - Dekadens

• 2. Bone Gnawer - Feast Of Flesh

• 3. Minsk - With Echoes in the Movement of Stone

• 4. General Surgery - Corpus In Extremis: Analysing Necrocriticism

• 5. Dying Fetus - Descend Into Depravity

• 6. Tides From Nebula – Aura

• 7. Shining - VI – Klagopsalmer

• 8. If These Trees Could Talk - Above the Earth, Below the Sky

• 9. Paradise Lost - Faith Divides Us - Death Unites Us

• 10. Blindead - impulse

• 11. Tormented - Rotten Death

• 12. Funebrarum - The Sleep Of Morbid Dreams

• 13. Secrets of the Moon - Privilegivm

• 14. Cobalt - Gin

• 15. Katatonia - Night Is The New Day

• 16. Blut aus Nord - Memoria Vetusta II - Dialogue with the Stars

• 17. Xasthur -All Reflections Drained

• 18. Den Saakaldte -All Hail Pessimism

• 19. Waco Jesus - Sex, Drugs & Deathmetal

• 20. Pestilence - Resurrection Macabre

• 21. Sickening Horror - The Dead End Experiment

• 22. Arckanum - ÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞ

• 23. Jungle Rot - What horrors await

• 24. Vomit The Soul - Apostles Of Inexpression

• 25. Absu - Absu

• 26. Brutal Truth - Evolution Through Revolution

• 27. Fukpig - Spewings from a Selfish Nation

• 28. Armagedon – Death Then Nothing

• 29. Heaps of Dead - Deceased Dismembered And Left To Decay

• 30. Slayer - World Painted Blood

• 31. Gigantic Brain - World

• 32. Gigantic Brain - I swallow 16 red planets

• 33. Gigantic Brain - Betelgeuse

• 34. Human Rejection - Decrepit To Insanity

• 35. Teitanblood - Seven Chalices

• 36. Acheron - The Final Conflict

• 37. Antigama - Warning

• 38. Lost Soul - Immerse In Infinity

• 39. Blackwaves - 0130

• 40. Obituary - Darkest Day

• 41. Furia – Płoń!

• 42. Furia - Grudzień za Grudniem

• 43. Krig - THMD

• 44. Mumakil - Behold the Failure

• 45. Portal - Swarth

• 46. Nile - Those Whom The Gods Detest

• 47. Napalm Death - Time Waits For No Slaves

• 48. Tools Of Torture - Faith - Purification - Executioner

• 49. Trigger the Bloodshed - The Great Depression

• 50. Despised Icon - Day of Mourning

If I make a mistake... just write;)

So I decided to reset my charts... again (after about 23,000 scrobbles). Here are my top artists and albums from early January up until late November. It seems I can't go more than 25k scrobbles without resetting... I would probably have over 100,000 scrobbles if I never reset my charts (combined with my scrobbles from my old account).


1. Steve Roach- 504
2. Boards of Canada- 490
3. Agalloch- 377
4. maudlin of the Well- 343
5. Autechre- 324

6. Mayhem- 273
7. Bethlehem- 269
8. The Prodigy- 259
9. Organized Konfusion- 256
9. Tiesto- 256
9. Aphex Twin- 256
12. Stars of the Lid- 233
13. OutKast- 227
14. Enslaved- 202
15. Slowdive- 198
16. Global Communication- 183
17. Stendeck- 181
18. Gorguts- 179
18. Drudkh- 179
20. Sun Kil Moon- 177

21. Bjork- 174
22. Burzum- 168
23. Hypocrisy- 167
24. Emperor- 166
25. Biosphere- 163
26. J-Live- 160
27. Cannibal Ox- 157
28. Harold Budd- 156
29. Warning- 155
30. Have a Nice Life- 152
31. Bathory- 147
31. Isis- 147
33. Robert Rich- 145
34. Deepspace- 143
35. Tool- 142
36. Low-140
37. The Cure- 136
38. Darkthrone- 134
39. Venerean- 127
40. Katatonia- 124
40. Air Liquide- 124
42. Cryptopsy- 122
43. The Future Sound of London- 120
43. The Smashing Pumpkins- 120
45. dälek- 119
46. Wolves in the Throne Room- 117
47. Death- 115
47. Squarepusher- 115
49. diSEMBOWELMENT- 114
50. Red House Painters- 112

51. Thomas Köner-107
52. Jesu- 106
52. Atheist- 106
54. Nine Inch Nails- 105
55. Above & Beyond- 104
56. Ulrich Schnauss- 101
57. Devin Townsend- 100
58. Tenhi- 97
58. CunninLynguists- 97
60. Edge of Sanity- 96
61. Eluvium- 94
61. Jóhann Jóhannsson- 94
61. Tiamat- 94
61. Amorphis- 94
61. Lykathea Aflame- 94
61. The Orb- 94
67. Walknut- 93
68. Opeth- 92
68. DJ Shadow- 92
68. Pestilence- 92
68. Negură Bunget- 92
72. Jeru the Damaja- 91
72. Nas- 91
72. Shining- 91
72. Aesop Rock- 91
76. In the Woods...- 90
77. Harold Budd/Brian Eno- 88
78. Smif-N-Wessun- 86
79. Natural Snow Buildings- 81
80. Arcticology- 80
80. Proem- 80
82. Deep Puddle Dynamics- 79
83. Jedi Mind Tricks- 76
83. Ulver- 76
85. Neurosis- 75
86. Dereleech- 74
86. Lifelover- 74
86. Boris- 74
89. Morbid Angel- 73
90. In Flames- 71
90. Radiohead- 71
92. Antonio Vivaldi- 70
93. M83- 69
93. Carbon Based Lifeforms- 69
95. The Flaming Lips- 68
95. Depeche Mode- 68
95. Satyricon- 68
98. Weakling- 66
98. Wu-Tang Clan- 66
100. The Marcia Blaine School for Girls- 65
101. Genelec & Memphis Reigns- 64
102. Fen- 63
102. Blut aus Nord- 63
104. Dolorian 62
104. Elliot Smith- 62
104. Nadja- 62

Albums
1. Boards of Canada- Geogaddi- 283
2. The Prodigy- Music for the Jilted Generation- 251
3. Bethlehem- Sardonischer Untergang Im Zeichen Irrelioser- 249
4. Agalloch- The Mantle- 246
5. Steve Roach- Mystic Chords & Sacred Spaces- 243
6. Organized Konfusion- Stress: The Extinction Agenda- 240
7. maudlin of the Well- Leaving Your Body Map- 227
8. Slowdive- Souvlaki- 192
9. Global Communication- 76:14- 166
10. Stendeck- Faces- 162

11. Stars of the Lid- The Tired Sounds of...- 159
12. Sun Kil Moon- April- 157
12. Cannibal Ox- The Cold Vein- 157
14. Warning- Watching From a Distance- 149
15. Bjork- Vespertine- 139
16. Mayhem- De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas- 136
17. OutKast- ATLiens- 120
18. Gorguts- The Erosion of Sanity- 118
19. diSEMBOWELMENT- Transcendence Into the Peripheral- 111
19. Mayhem- Wolf's Lair Abyss- 111
19. Autechre- Amber- 111
22. The Future Sound of London- Lifeforms Disk 1- 109
23. Steve Roach- Dreamtime Return- 107
24. Biosphere- Substrata- 103
25. Harold Budd- The White Arcades- 101

26. Red House Painters- Red House Painters [Rollercoaster]- 100
27. J-Live- The Best Part- 97
27. Tool- Lateralus- 97
29. Air Liquide- The Increased Difficulty of Concentration- 96
30. Ulrich Schnauss- Far Away Trains Passing By- 95
30. Low- I Could Live in Hope- 95
32. Lykathea Aflame- Elvenefris- 94
32. Eluvium- Copia- 94
34. Walknut- Graveforests And Their Shadows- 93
34. dälek- Absence- 93
36. Tiamat- Wildhoney- 92
36. DJ Shadow- Endtroducing...- 92
38. Hypocrisy- The Final Chapter- 91
38. Boards of Canada- Music Has the Right to Children- 91
40. Emperor- Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk- 89
40. Jeru the Damaja- The Sun Rises in the East- 89
42. Enslaved- Below the Lights- 88
42. Nas- Illmatic- 88
44. Tiesto- Magik, Vol. 7: Live in Los Angeles- 87
45. Bathory- Under the Sign of the Black Mark- 84
46. maudlin of the Well- Bath- 83
47. Negură Bunget- Om- 82
48. In the Woods...- HEart of the Ages- 81
49. Deep Puddle Dynamics- The Taste of Rain... Why Kneel- 79
49. Aphex Twin- Drukqs Disk 1- 79

51. Atheist- Unquestionable Presence- 77
51. Deepspace- World Ocean Atlas- 77
51. Smif-N-Wessun- Dah Shinin'- 77
54. Jedi Mind Tricks- Violent By Design- 76
55. Tenhi- Kauan- 75
56. Johann Johannsson- Fordlandia- 74
57. Have a Nice Life- Deathconsciousness- 73
57. Agalloch- Ashes Against the Grain- 73
59. CunninLynguists- Strange Journey Volume One- 70
60. Death- Human- 68
60. Natural Snow Buildings- The Dance of the Moon and the Sun- 68
62. Pestilence- Testimony of the Ancients- 67
63. Wu-Tang Clan- Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)- 66
63. Weakling- Dead as Dreams- 66
65. Amorphis- Tales From the Thousand Lakes- 65
65. Thomas Koner- Nuuk- 65
65. M83- Saturdays=Youth- 65
65. Drudkh- Autumn Aurora- 64
69. Genelec & Memphis Reigns – Scorpion Circles- 64
69. Devin Townsend- Ocean Machine- 64
71. Fen- The Malediction Fields- 63
71. The Orb- The Orb's Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld Disk 1- 63
73. Have a Nice Life- Voids- 62
74. Burzum- Filosofem- 61
75. Drudkh- Forgotten Legends- 60
75. Arcticology- Eternal Now- 60
75. J-Live- All Of The Above- 60
79. Cryptopsy- Blasphemy Made Flesh- 59
79. The Marcia Blaine School for Girls – Halfway Into The Woods- 59
81. Sodom- Persecution Mania- 58
82. GZA/Genius- Liquid Swords- 57
82. The Higher Intelligence Agency & Biosphere- Polar Sequences- 57
82. Isis- Wavering Radiant- 57
82. Lifelover- Konkurs- 57
86. Stars of the Lid- Avec Laudenum- 56
87. Proem- Socially Inept- 55
87. Burzum- Det Som Engang Var- 55
87. OutKast- Aquemini- 55
87. Edge of Sanity- Purgatory Afterglow- 55
87. Elliot Smith- Either/Or- 55
93. Isis- Oceanic- 54
93. Jesu- Jesu- 54
95. The Cure- Pornography- 53
95. ColdWorld- Melancholie- 53
95. Terrorizer- World Downfall- 53
98. Enslaved- Blodhemn- 52
98. Massive Attack- Mezzanine- 52
98. Aphex Twin- 52
101. October Tide- Rain Without End- 51
101. Carbon Based Lifeforms- Hydroponic Garden- 51
103. Depeche Mode- Black Celebration- 51
103. Wolves in the Throne Room- 51
103. Robert Rich- Calling Down the Sky- 51
103. Darkthrone- A Blaze in the Northern Sky- 51

See Volume I for description.

Blut aus Nord- The Work Which Transforms God


The title of this album alone hints that you are about to journey through something not of the ordinary. What we have here is an experimental form of black metal, taking nods from industrial and ambient as well. The dissonance of the guitars is unlike any other band, and aids in the eerie atmosphere the band is attempting. The vocals, also, are distant and threatening. They invite and repel at the same time. This album stands as a template for black metal in this new century.

Gojira- From Mars to Sirius


Gojira took on a topic rarely heard of in metal music, an ecological concept that revolves around trying to preserve the sanctity of our planet. And the band delivers this concept through their massive sound of progressive death metal. Riffs are thunderous and the syncopated rhythm with the drums is hypnotic. The songs also range between all out assault to grooving to reflective. Their progressive bent helps Gojira to stand in a niche all their own. Creativity in metal is far from dead.

Jesu- s/t


Jesu are one of those bands that will always escape categorization. One can claim to hear elements from many genres, but there's no one style Jesu sticks to. It's a mish-mash to the point of being recognizable and undecipherable simutaneously. So what makes the self-titled so special? For one, this is Jesu at their absolute heaviest. The drone/doom quality of their riffs is in full force here. There's a tremendous amount of weight behind them. Justin's voice is also extremely emotional and raw sounding. He's always had a genuine quality to his voice. The songwriting as well is expansive and covers nearly everything the band is known for all these years. Simply put, if you are to own one Jesu album, this is the one. Although, Silver ain't a bad choice either.

Enslaved- Ruun


Enslaved have been evolving throughout their career, and while debatable, their current incarnation is much like the melding of the progressive/psychedelic leanings of Pink Floyd mixed with the band's own brand of black metal. Ruun is the pinnacle of this evolution and not one song is weak. It's a wonderful thing when a band is able to keep consistency throughout the album, and that's exactly what has occurred here on Ruun. While there are many worthy Enslaved albums, Ruun, quite frankly, is their masterpiece.

Pelican- The Fire in Our Throats Will Beckon the Thaw


It's not easy to be a instrumental band and stay interesting, especially in the metal scene. Taking cues from post-rock, Pelican have crafted their special mix of very sludge-like and heavy metal. Allowing the guitar work to take lead, it opens up the songwriting and it really shines on this album. The dynamic quality of these songs is staggering, and when they turn on the distortion, it's akin to be smashed down into the ground after being hit with a bag of bricks. In contrast, the beautiful and acoustic moments on the album are that much more breathtaking. A shining example of the potential of post-metal.

Deathspell Omega- Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice


Deathspell Omega can easily be considered at the forefront of black metal in the last 5 or so years, and it started with this epic release. Moving forward without abandoning the core of what makes this style so powerful, they've found a way to keep the aggression without losing an ounce of evil or dread. The vocals are some of the best you will hear, and sound inhuman to these ears. The music itself trudges along, either beating you to a pulp or taking it back a notch in order to surround the listener in the near cathedral-like moments that are scattered throughout the album. This is one black metal album that will long be remembered.

Wolves in the Throne Room- Diadem of 12 Stars


While the brilliant Two Hunters is equally deserving, Diadem of 12 Stars has one thing going for it that Two Hunters does not, and that's the element of surprise. No one was prepared for this band's unique and epic approach to black metal. The folk influence heard would become a trademark element for the band, and the long duration of their songs (all 10+ minutes), ensured many twists and turns. They've not yet matched the passion this album yields, and it remains the band's best.

The Ruins of Beverast- Unlock the Shrine


The Ruins of Beverast is a juggernaut within black metal, and it began on this debut album. The lyrical concepts of war and death come across vividly through the music. What makes this album so special is its unique atmosphere. Much in the way Deathspell work, this album is deadly in its execution. This is a dark and bleak album, but also quite triumphant at times, when one hears horns that are played. While all albums are deserving, this created the landfill that has separated The Ruins of Beverast from others in the genre. It will be a long time before others catch up.

Therion- Lemuria/Sirius B


While both are distinct albums, they feel of a piece to me and it doesn't feel right separating them. There's a definite continuation you get hearing them both back to back as well. Here, Therion essentially set the benchmark for operatic and symphonic metal, and do it so convincingly. This is bombastic music but in the best possible way.

Velvet Cacoon- Genevieve


A controversial band from the start, even starting out as a band claiming the work of others as their own, many stopped taking Velvet Cacoon seriously. But I'm not sure many were prepared for the masterstroke that this album was. This was the ambient/atmospheric black metal Burzum had started on Filosofem taken to the next logical level. The atmosphere is the driving force behind the album's charm. Engaging riffs, all played on a guitar with as unique a tone as you'll ever hear. Not to be missed.

Wintersun- s/t


Jari leaving Ensiferum was a huge departure for some to swallow, but no one knew the music he was about to unleash would arguably overshadow his former band's. While not primarily a folk metal band like Ensiferum, Wintersun borrows from various genres and the style of music presented here has been argued to this day. What we can say is that every song is epic in its songwriting approach. Each successive song has a greater length and the emotions run from ferocious and orchestral, to somber and cold. All the more impressive is that this is essentially a solo work, the drums being the only element not done by Jari. We can only sit ever patiently for the follow-up, Time, who's release date seems forever put off.

Sunn O)))- Black One


Black One stands not only as the band's most popular work, but possibly their best. Each song is carefully crafted and shaped into its own entity. The tortured vocals from guests Malefic and Wrest fit perfectly into the despairing atmosphere Sunn O))) has created here. Drone metal is a force to be reckoned with, and look no further than Black One to start your journey. It's never too late.

Lifelover- Erotik


While Pulver was highly original and experimental, Erotik took Lifelover's unique brand of black metal and depressive rock to the next logical step. The production was improved, the songwriting became tighter, and the emotions even more depressing. It's arguable that the band is even metal, but that's maybe what makes the band so charming. They escape modern classifications, and that's a trait that many of the greatest bands do.

Alcest- Souvenirs d’un autre monde


As ingenius as Le Secret is, and equally deserving to take the spot here, Souvenirs was the album that introduced people to a modern take on shoegaze, coupled with the faint traces of Alcest's black metal past. The harsh vocals are gone, replaced by Neige's ethereal clean pipes. They glide over the music in a way that creates harmony and tranquillity, while also sounding extremely emotional. The inclusion of the occasional mid-paced blast beats are a nice touch. This music will appeal to just about anyone with a pulse, it's just that charming.

The Angelic Process- Weighing Souls with Sand


The Angelic Process were a true underground gem that died all too suddenly. Their music was both strikingly heavy and beautiful at the same time. An experimental blend of drone, noise and ambient, this final work of theirs will probably be seen as their best work. This is a difficult album to acquire but it's one that will eat its way into your pysche. The music is so atmospheric and dense that it will the reward listener with many repeated listens.

Ulver- Shadows of the Sun


Perhaps the most original band of the last 15 years, Ulver have transformed from their early black metal incarnation, experimented with electronic and ambient music, and now rest firmly in a sound that is uber relaxing and somber more akin to just ambient. There's certainly no denying down to earth quality possessed on Shadows of the Sun. Each song is led by its spacey atmosphere and Garm's wonderful emotional tone. Ulver's changeling quality continues to challenge the listener that is willing enough to accept. It's worth it.

Have a Nice Life- Deathconsciousness


Another highly original band rising from, essentially, the depths of obscurity. This was easily one of 2008's defining albums. Have a Nice Life is not the kind of music for sunny days. This is seriously depressing music. Taking nods from post-punk, drone, shoegaze and a host of other influences, Deathconsciousness sprawls two albums, each one of equal quality to the other. The genuine quality of Have a Nice Life is ultimately one of their most appealing features.

Bohren & der Club of Gore- Black Earth


Doom + jazz + ambient = Black Earth? Yes. If you have even the faintest interest in any of these styles, this is an album that will become an instant favorite. This is the sort of music that you expect to hear from a lounge band playing at 3am. Moody, dark, and all too satisfying.

Interpol- Turn on the Bright Lights


Probably one of the greatest indie rock records of all time, Turn on the Bright Lights does pretty much everything right. One of the reasons is their clear influence from the post-punk sound of the 80s, such as Joy Division, and mixing it with more modern sounds in a way that's fresh. Songwriting is spot on as well, being just as catchy and addicting as it melancholy. It's a shame that Interpol have not been able to match this debut, but as good as this album is, it'd be hard for even the greatest of bands to equal it.

Explosions in the Sky- The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place


God Is an Astronaut- All is Violent, All is Bright


Another post-rock album? It takes a special band to earn a spot amongst all the countless bands in this genre, but God is An Astronaut reached that status on this second album. One thing the band really has going for them here is their songwriting, which is around 5 minutes per song, allowing all the songs to cut right to the chase instead of "floating" around a repeated riff or melody. Not that it's a bad thing, but it's a nice change and helps them stand out. The music itself is gorgeous and grandiose, with climaxes coming early and often. If the first song doesn't have you hooked, then you might not have a soul.

As you can start to see, these lists will not be exclusive to any one genre but cover a solid range. To be continued...