Velvet CacoonHere are the next 20 entries in this epic five part journal journey. For more explanation, see my Volume I.
Arcturus- The Sham Mirrors
When it comes to avant-garde treatment of metal, this stands as one of the shining examples of how to do it right. Oh, and an all-star lineup of Norwegian royalty, including Garm as your vocalist, helps too.
Drudkh- Blood in Our Wells
Autumn Aurora could easily have been on this list, but I think it’s Blood in Our Wells places itself just a tiny bit above it. This album will leave its mark upon you over and over again.
Isis- Oceanic
Isis is a behemoth in the controversial “post-metal” genre, and became legends quite early on in their career, largely due to this album.
Devin Townsend- Terria
If you have the faintest idea of who Devin Townsend is then chances are you love his music or can’t stand him. For those of us who do appreciate this genius, Terria is an exceptional work of progressive metal that is not to be missed.
Boris- Pink
Although it seems everyone has their particular favorite from the band, you’d be hard pressed to find many, if any, faults on this absolute jewel of an album. The energy and power that resonates from this band, particularly this album, is impressive to say the least.
Xasthur- Nocturnal Poisoning
Another band that people love to hate, or simply adore, this is easily the best work of Malefic. Although the quality of the EP Suicide in Dark Serenity matches this, Nocturnal comes out ahead just slightly. The dread and depressive atmosphere of Xasthur is more palpable here than any work thus far, largely due to the pitch perfect production.
Akercocke- Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone
This unique English band delivered their magnum opus on this, their fourth album, and it combines the band’s influences of death metal, black metal, progressive metal, and all the rest, into a whirlwind of listening pleasure.
Amon Amarth- Versus the World
Not only did this album catapult the band into a broader fan base, it stands as their defining work in their career. Many seem to prefer With Oden On Our Side, and I can’t argue with them. However, Versus the World has a certain charm that’s hard to place your finger on.
Ásmegin- Hin Vordende Sod & Sø
As debuts go, they rarely sound this good. Asmegin came out of nowhere and blew almost everyone away. Although primarily folk metal, they sound like no other folk metal band out there. It’s a shame their sound changed drastically (for better or worse) on the follow up.
Blut aus Nord- The Work Which Transforms God
A bold album title to be sure, but the band was not far from the truth. What they have done is transform the dull stereotypes of what is considered black metal and turned it completely on its head. The dissonant guitar sound and inhuman vocals are the driving forces behind this industrialized and avant-garde black metal tour de force.
Gojira- From Mars to Sirius
Ah, now this is refreshing. Not only is the concept behind the album not a common issue within metal, but the band’s sound itself was also a revitalization of the usual death metal formula. Their progressive sound is just the kind of music we need to hear in this day and age where metal all too often eats its own tail.
Jesu- s/t
Perhaps they’ve become a little too experimental and accessible as of late, but none can argue just how powerful their sound is on this debut self-titled work. Mixing so many influences that pegging them becomes arbitrary, Jesu is mandatory for any self-respecting music fan.
Enslaved- Ruun
As good as the albums before this were, Ruun was as close to perfection as albums get. Taking their Pink Floyd meets black metal approach, Enslaved show how progressive metal can be done when applied to extreme metal.
Pelican- The Fire in Our Throats Will Beckon the Thaw
The Fire in Our Throats is a multi-faceted beast of an album. Pelican are able to engage the listener without having to rely on vocals to lead the songs. This frees up the band’s creativity as they churn out sludge-like riffs that clash with atmospheric post-rock moments of pure beauty.
Deathspell Omega- Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice
Albums don’t come much more epic than this, both conceptually and musically, but somehow Deathspell Omega know something that other bands don’t. While they tended to adopt a more old school approach on early works, it was this work that propelled them to the elite class of black metal…and they show no signs of losing that momentum.
Wolves in the Throne Room- Diadem of 12 Stars
The eco-friendly black metal band for the 21st century, Wolves in the Throne Room have gained much praise since this, their debut. It’s easy to see why, given their epic compositions and songwriting seem to flow like a river, taking any direction they need. They spare no expense enthralling the listener and in doing so created a black metal album for the ages.
The Ruins of Beverast- Unlock the Shrine
Out of the ashes of Nagelfar comes The Ruins of Beverast, the solo project of Alexander von Meilenwald. Apocalyptic sounds of war, battle, and the stench of death permeate this release. You would never guess one guy was responsible for an album as rich as this one. No ears are left unscathed here, this is modern black metal at its finest.
Therion- Lemuria/Sirius B
I find it impossible to choose between these two albums, mostly for the fact that they seem to be attached to one another musically and thematically. While you could choose one over the other if you had to, it would not be a welcome decision. One needs to hear both albums of this double release because Therion are the epitome of symphonic and bombastic metal in this current age of music. It’s almost scary how well crafted this stuff is.
Velvet Cacoon- Genevieve
The extremely controversial Velvet Cacoon are not without their share of detractors. While it’s true they essentially stole the work of others early on, Genevieve is pure Velvet Cacoon and proves the point that there was absolutely no need not to utilize this kind of talent from the get go. Think of Filosofem but taken to the next level and you have an idea of how ingenius this album is. Also, it’s probably good that this album was conceived through the magic of hallucinogens.
Wintersun- s/t
More than five years later and we are still waiting for that damn second album. Ah well. It’s time for us to remember exactly why that said album is so anticipated. While many were devastated that Jari left the brilliant Ensiferum, those doubts were soon shattered when he released this (essentially) solo project on the metal world. Aside from the drumming, this is all Jari. With a plethora of influences making up the work of this album, Wintersun escapes classification.
Don't freak out (again) if you didn't see something you thought should have been listed, there are still 60 albums to go.
Arcturus- The Sham Mirrors
When it comes to avant-garde treatment of metal, this stands as one of the shining examples of how to do it right. Oh, and an all-star lineup of Norwegian royalty, including Garm as your vocalist, helps too.
Drudkh- Blood in Our Wells
Autumn Aurora could easily have been on this list, but I think it’s Blood in Our Wells places itself just a tiny bit above it. This album will leave its mark upon you over and over again.
Isis- Oceanic
Isis is a behemoth in the controversial “post-metal” genre, and became legends quite early on in their career, largely due to this album.
Devin Townsend- Terria
If you have the faintest idea of who Devin Townsend is then chances are you love his music or can’t stand him. For those of us who do appreciate this genius, Terria is an exceptional work of progressive metal that is not to be missed.
Boris- Pink
Although it seems everyone has their particular favorite from the band, you’d be hard pressed to find many, if any, faults on this absolute jewel of an album. The energy and power that resonates from this band, particularly this album, is impressive to say the least.
Xasthur- Nocturnal Poisoning
Another band that people love to hate, or simply adore, this is easily the best work of Malefic. Although the quality of the EP Suicide in Dark Serenity matches this, Nocturnal comes out ahead just slightly. The dread and depressive atmosphere of Xasthur is more palpable here than any work thus far, largely due to the pitch perfect production.
Akercocke- Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone
This unique English band delivered their magnum opus on this, their fourth album, and it combines the band’s influences of death metal, black metal, progressive metal, and all the rest, into a whirlwind of listening pleasure.
Amon Amarth- Versus the World
Not only did this album catapult the band into a broader fan base, it stands as their defining work in their career. Many seem to prefer With Oden On Our Side, and I can’t argue with them. However, Versus the World has a certain charm that’s hard to place your finger on.
Ásmegin- Hin Vordende Sod & Sø
As debuts go, they rarely sound this good. Asmegin came out of nowhere and blew almost everyone away. Although primarily folk metal, they sound like no other folk metal band out there. It’s a shame their sound changed drastically (for better or worse) on the follow up.
Blut aus Nord- The Work Which Transforms God
A bold album title to be sure, but the band was not far from the truth. What they have done is transform the dull stereotypes of what is considered black metal and turned it completely on its head. The dissonant guitar sound and inhuman vocals are the driving forces behind this industrialized and avant-garde black metal tour de force.
Gojira- From Mars to Sirius
Ah, now this is refreshing. Not only is the concept behind the album not a common issue within metal, but the band’s sound itself was also a revitalization of the usual death metal formula. Their progressive sound is just the kind of music we need to hear in this day and age where metal all too often eats its own tail.
Jesu- s/t
Perhaps they’ve become a little too experimental and accessible as of late, but none can argue just how powerful their sound is on this debut self-titled work. Mixing so many influences that pegging them becomes arbitrary, Jesu is mandatory for any self-respecting music fan.
Enslaved- Ruun
As good as the albums before this were, Ruun was as close to perfection as albums get. Taking their Pink Floyd meets black metal approach, Enslaved show how progressive metal can be done when applied to extreme metal.
Pelican- The Fire in Our Throats Will Beckon the Thaw
The Fire in Our Throats is a multi-faceted beast of an album. Pelican are able to engage the listener without having to rely on vocals to lead the songs. This frees up the band’s creativity as they churn out sludge-like riffs that clash with atmospheric post-rock moments of pure beauty.
Deathspell Omega- Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice
Albums don’t come much more epic than this, both conceptually and musically, but somehow Deathspell Omega know something that other bands don’t. While they tended to adopt a more old school approach on early works, it was this work that propelled them to the elite class of black metal…and they show no signs of losing that momentum.
Wolves in the Throne Room- Diadem of 12 Stars
The eco-friendly black metal band for the 21st century, Wolves in the Throne Room have gained much praise since this, their debut. It’s easy to see why, given their epic compositions and songwriting seem to flow like a river, taking any direction they need. They spare no expense enthralling the listener and in doing so created a black metal album for the ages.
The Ruins of Beverast- Unlock the Shrine
Out of the ashes of Nagelfar comes The Ruins of Beverast, the solo project of Alexander von Meilenwald. Apocalyptic sounds of war, battle, and the stench of death permeate this release. You would never guess one guy was responsible for an album as rich as this one. No ears are left unscathed here, this is modern black metal at its finest.
Therion- Lemuria/Sirius B
I find it impossible to choose between these two albums, mostly for the fact that they seem to be attached to one another musically and thematically. While you could choose one over the other if you had to, it would not be a welcome decision. One needs to hear both albums of this double release because Therion are the epitome of symphonic and bombastic metal in this current age of music. It’s almost scary how well crafted this stuff is.
Velvet Cacoon- Genevieve
The extremely controversial Velvet Cacoon are not without their share of detractors. While it’s true they essentially stole the work of others early on, Genevieve is pure Velvet Cacoon and proves the point that there was absolutely no need not to utilize this kind of talent from the get go. Think of Filosofem but taken to the next level and you have an idea of how ingenius this album is. Also, it’s probably good that this album was conceived through the magic of hallucinogens.
Wintersun- s/t
More than five years later and we are still waiting for that damn second album. Ah well. It’s time for us to remember exactly why that said album is so anticipated. While many were devastated that Jari left the brilliant Ensiferum, those doubts were soon shattered when he released this (essentially) solo project on the metal world. Aside from the drumming, this is all Jari. With a plethora of influences making up the work of this album, Wintersun escapes classification.
Don't freak out (again) if you didn't see something you thought should have been listed, there are still 60 albums to go.
