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Since the end of the decade is coming up shortly, and there has been a number of these threads in the last.fm forum already- I wanted to list with an explanation, what I would consider my favorite albums of this decade.

First, the explanation: I want to focus on original music here. There is no sense listing "Best of" albums or compilation albums that merely repackaged tracks from the 90s or 80s. I also didn't want to include live performances because those albums so rarely include new material, or albums that consist mostly of remixes of old material.

Second, I am really not talking about any particular genre here- this is just "of the stuff I listen to," so its going to be a mix of Neue Deutsche Todeskunst, symphonic metal, gothic rock, and a few other genres here & there. Realistically it would be hard for me to do a "top 20 albums of 2000-2009" pertaining to gothic rock only anyway using my criteria because most of the stuff I listen to from that genre is from the 90's.

So that aside, this is my list:
1. Untoten - Vampire Book
2. Flowing Tears - Thy Kingdom Gone
3. Switchblade Symphony - Sweet, Little Witches
4. Theatre Des Vampires - Desire Of Damnation
5. Lacrimosa - Lichtgestalt
6. Bloodflowerz - 7 Benedictions 7 Maledictions
7. Darkwell - Metatron
8. Sirenia - At Sixes and Sevens
8. The Sins of Thy Beloved - Perpetual Desolation
9. Flowing Tears - Serpentine
10. Bloodflowerz - Dark Love Poems
11. Sirenia - An Elexier For Existence
12. Whispers in the Shadow - Into The Arms Of Chaos
13. Elusive - looked doors, drinks and funerals
14. Star Industry - Last Crusade
15. Evig Natt - I Am Silence
16. Flowing Tears - Razorbliss
17. Mortal Love - Forever Will Be Gone
18. Elis - Griefshire
19. Akoma - Angels Of Revenge
20. Mandragora Scream - Madhouse


I can think of several releases of this decade that were great- but lacked enough new material for me to want to include it in my "20 most memorable albums" list. This would include in no real order:
-Lichtjahre by Lacrimosa
-Tragic Years: A Collection of Early Releases & More by Sanguis et Cinis
-Karneval: Best of by XIII. Století
-Vampyres, Witches, Devils & Ghouls by Nosferatu
-Wenches, Wytches And Vampyres by Two Witches
-The Best of Nosferatu, Vol. 1 by Nosferatu
-Sinister Nostalgia: A Switchblade Symphony Remix Collection by Switchblade Symphony
-A Retrospective, a box set from Empyrium

I'm sure many people would disagree with my list, I really don't care. If it means that much to you, make your own list.

Tags:
gothic rock, gothic metal, gothic symphonic metal, symphonic metal, neue deutsche todeskunst

* Rome - Flowers From Exile

* A Forest of Stars - The Corpse Of Rebirth

* Carbon Based Lifeforms - Hydroponic Garden & World of Sleepers

* Pain of Salvation - The Perfect Element I

* Coil - Musick To Play In The Dark, Vol. 2 & The Ape of Naples

* WHY? - Oaklandazulasylum & Alopecia

* cLOUDDEAD - Ten

* Little Dragon - Machine Dreams

* Slint - Spiderland

* Sweet Trip - You Will Never Know Why & Velocity : Design : Comfort

* Cocteau Twins - Treasure & Heaven or Las Vegas

* Dead Can Dance - Within the Realm of a Dying Sun & The Serpent's Egg

* Lifelover - Erotik & Pulver

* M8L8TH - By The Wing Of Black

* Empyrium - Songs Of Misty Moors And Fields

* Isis - Wavering Radiant & Oceanic

* Verdunkeln - Einblick in den Qualenfall

* Sigur Rós - Takk

* Anoice - Remmings

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

* dredg - El Cielo

* Moving Mountains - Pneuma

* Novembre - Materia

* Lullatone - Plays Pajama Pop Pour Vous

* Dornenreich - Hexenwind

* Ef - I Am Responsible & Give Me Beauty... Or Give Me Death!

* Frank Zappa - We're Only in It for the Money

* Air - Talkie Walkie

* Jesu - Heartache

* Naphini - Get Your Pretense On

* Sunn O))) - White1 & Monoliths & Dimensions

* Burial - Untrue

* Kauan - Lumikuuro

* A Lily - Wake:Sleep

* Slowdive - Just For A Day & Souvlaki

* Autumn's Grey Solace - Over the Ocean

* My Bloody Valentine - Loveless

* Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea

* Dmitri Shostakovich - OMG I LOVE YOU <3

* Sergei Prokofiev - I love you too :(

* M8L8TH - By The Wing Of Black

*Alcest - Souvenirs d'un autre Monde

*School of Seven Bells - Alpinisms

*Have a Nice Life - Deathconciousness

*Death - Symbolic

*Gris - Il était une forêt...

*The Daysleepers - The Soft Attack EP

*Tenhi - Väre & Maaäet

20. Rufio - Perhaps, I Suppose... (2001)
Rufio spielen leicht eingängigen Pop-Punk und befassen sich auf ihrem Debüt (nach einer EP, welche hier komplett mit aufgenommen wurde) vorwiegend mit dem Problemen junger Liebe. Und das geschieht auf eine so charmante Weise, dass man sich die Songs immer wieder gerne anhört. Der Bandname ist Programm, ist er doch inspiriert von der Geschichte Peter Pans, und was der nie wollte, wissen wir ja ;) Besonders der erste Albumtrack "Above Me" ist für mich der bedeutendste Song dieser Band überhaupt, weil er eine wunderschöne Aussage mit einer so unschuldigen Ungezügeltheit in die Welt trägt, dass ihm einfach eine unglaubliche Ausstrahlung innewohnt.
Reinhören: Above Me

19. Katatonia - Viva Emptiness (2003)
Ich habe mich schwer getan, dieses Album in die Top-Liste mit aufzunehmen. Nicht, weil es das nicht voll verdienen würde, sondern weil ich es mittlerweile schon fast totgehört habe. "Viva Emptiness" elektrisiert mit seiner Mischung aus Melancholie und Aggressivität, eben durch seine Art, mit dem Leben in einer verkommenen Gesellschaft zurechtzukommen. Stark im Fokus der Aufmerksamkeit befinden sich Themen wie Einsamkeit, Verrat, Verlust, Hoffnung und Verzweiflung. Jonas Renskes Stimme passt perfekt zu dieser Musik und macht die Songs erst so intensiv, dass einem bei jedem einzelnen Durchlauf der Scheibe mehrfach ein Schauer über den Rücken läuft.
Reinhören: Evidence

18. Origin - Antithesis (2008)
"Die Musik Origins erzeugt schwarze Löcher im Universum", so lautete sinngemäß ein wahrlich passendes Zitat aus der last.fm-Shoutbox. "Antithesis" ist die vertonte Vernichtung der Welt, die vollständige Auslöschung allen Lebens durch einen Handstreich einer Macht, die nicht im Ansatz aufzuhalten wäre. Vom ersten Ton an wird keine Gnade gezeigt, die Welle, die da auf den Hörer zurast, ist nicht einfach nur unaufhaltsam, sie ist unmenschlich und einfach nicht von dieser Welt. Nach dem Durchlauf der Scheibe bleibt nicht ein Stein auf dem anderen. Zurück bleibt eine Staubwolke, die nur noch mager davon zeugt, was von diesem Monstrum unbarmherzig überrollt wurde. Origin spielten schon immer am Limit des Machbaren. Doch mit "Antithesis" ist bisher die absolute Obergrenze in Sachen Geschwindigkeit, Technik und Präzision erreicht worden: Dieses Referenzwerk ist mit höchster Wahrscheinlichkeit der Gipfel extremster Klänge in der gesamten Musikwelt der Gegenwart und wird außer vielleicht von Origin selbst so bald nicht im Ansatz erreicht werden können.
Reinhören: Finite (Video)

17. Negură Bunget - Om (2006)
Die Rumänen von Negură Bunget kreieren keine normale Musik. Es klingt immer etwas spirituelles, magisches, übernatürliches und unbekanntes mit in ihren Werken. Die Basis bildet zwar Black Metal, aber der größte Teil dessen, was man beim Hören vernimmt, ist der ganz eigene Geist der Band, der sie so authentisch macht. Es fließt spürbar viel Persönliches in die Musik mit ein. Umso bedauerlicher, dass das mystische "OM" wohl nie wieder erreicht werden wird, da die Band im Streit zerbrach und nie wieder so sein wird wie zu den Zeiten, als einzigartige atmosphärische Tonkunst wie dieses Album und alle seine Vorgänger erschaffen wurde.
Reinhören: Cunoaşterea Tăcută (Video)

16. Аркона - От сердца к небу (2007)
Arkona - Ot serdza k nebu
Als Kontrast zu den seichten Veröffentlichungen auf dem völlig überschwemmten Pagan/Folk Metal-Markt veröffentlichen Аркона schon seit Jahren hochkarätiges Material. Zunächst für den Rest der Welt im Verborgenen, drangen lange Zeit doch nur spärlich Informationen aus der russischen Metalwelt nach außen. Mit "От сердца к небу" hat sich das zumindest für Аркона geändert. Man merkt, dass die Musik mit Herz und Liebe zum Detail entstand. So wurden auf diesem Album besonders viele traditionelle Instrumente verwendet, um ein (wie auf den Vorgängeralben auch schon) stark slawisch geprägtes Klanggerüst zu erzeugen, auf dem die harten Teile aufbauen oder diese Klänge übernehmen. Die Texte werden intoniert von der kräftigen Stimme der Sängerin und Bandchefin Masha, die schon seit jeher für Аркона verantwortlich zeichnet.
Reinhören: Слався Русь Slawsja Rus' (Video)

15. Kataklysm - Serenity in Fire (2004)
"Serenity In Fire" ist ein mächtiges Album und stellt zusammen mit dem starken Vorgänger "Shadows & Dust" zweifelsohne den Höhepunkt im Schaffen der Band dar. Mit dem nach diesem Album ausgestiegenen Drummer Martin Maurais, einem der Schnellsten seiner Zunft, wurde hier ein rasend schnelles Death Metal-Teil eingehämmert, das nur so vor Kraft strotzt. Das Album steckt so voller einprägsamer Melodien und Riffs, dass es einem gar nicht mehr aus dem Gehör geht. Damit besitzt es eine sehr eigene Identität, die wie ein Monolith aus dem riesigen Angebot an Death Metal-Platten heraussticht. Maurizio Iaconos Stimme glänzt in allen Tonlagen und steht seit jeher mit für den Wiedererkennungswert der Band. "Serenity In Fire" ist also in vielerlei Hinsicht ein bedeutendes Stück harter Tonkunst und kaum zu umgehen, wenn man sich in dieser Materie bewegt.
Reinhören: As I Slither (Video)

14. Anathema - A Natural Disaster (2003)
Ein trauriges und dunkles Meisterwerk hält man mit dieser Scheibe in den Händen. Von der Grundstimmung an "Alternative 4" erinnernd, weben Anathema einiges an Besonderheiten in die Songs mit ein. So finden sich einige elektronische Nuancen in den Stücken wieder, wobei hier besonders "Closer" mit dem stark entfremdeten Gesang auffällt. Und auch der weibliche Gesang im Titelstück weiß sehr zu überzeugen. "A Natural Disaster" ist ein sehr melancholisches, mit einer sanften Schwere versehenes Album, dessen Lieder einem den Hals zuschnüren. Den Gefallen an der Traurigkeit kann hier nur gefunden werden, wenn man selbst in guter Verfassung ist, andernfalls könnte einen das Material schutzlos mit sich reißen in eine Welt voll Tränen...
Reinhören: Closer

13. Empyrium - Weiland (2002)
"Weiland" ist die Definition für Melancholie. Man könnte beinahe meinen, dass dies die einzig mögliche Definition dieses Gefühls darstellt. Empyrium haben hier ein Meisterwerk erschaffen, das zeitlos ist und für immer einzigartig bleiben wird. Die Band gibt es schon seit Jahren nicht mehr und somit bleibt "Weiland" der ewige Höhepunkt der Bandkarriere, mit dem zentralen, über alle Maßen erhabenen Stück "Waldpoesie". Empyrium ist derart intensiv, dass es selbst seine eigenen Schöpfer nicht unbeschadet ließ und diese sich von diesem Projekt lösen mussten. "Weiland" muss mit dem Verstand und mit dem Herzen zugleich gehört werden. Diese Musik zieht den Hörer in eine andere Welt, die durch und durch traurig ist, aber auf eine wunderschöne Weise. "Weiland" ist Herbstmusik, für die Zeit, wenn die Landschaft in Nebel gehüllt ist und die Sonne schon zu schwach ist, durch die Wolken zu brechen, wenn Nießelregen die von sanftem Wind berührten langsam fallenden Blätter benetzt. "Weiland" ist ein Hauch von Ewigkeit.
Reinhören: Die Schwäne im Schilf (Video)

12. Kettcar - Von Spatzen und Tauben, Dächern und Händen (2005)
Was Kettcar auf diesem Album abliefern, hat wahrlich poetische Züge. Nicht übertrieben, nicht vor Pseudogeschwafel triefend, sondern einfach glaubhaft. "Von Spatzen und Tauben, Dächern und Händen" erzählt Geschichten, wie sie das Leben schreibt, auf wundervolle und behutsame Weise. Da wirkt das Nachfolgeralbum mit seinem Versuch, verrucht und rebellisch zu sein, schon fast ein wenig wie ein Ausrutscher, der gerade nochmal gut ging... Die Hamburger machen hier keine komplexe Musik, was aber auch gar nicht passen würde. Die Musik ist vielmehr die Unterlegung der Texte, die das Album so lebendig machen. Hier findet sich ein zeitloser Song nach dem anderen, und nicht nur "Balu" muss auf jedem ordentlichen Kettcar-Konzert angestimmt werden...
Reinhören: Deiche (Video)

11. destophobia - ex sententia - a journey through thorough thoughts (2006)
Viele Bands schaffen es in ihrer Karriere, einen eigenen Stil zu entwickeln, der es dem Hörer erlaubt, dass sich deren Musik dauerhaft und unterscheidbar in dessen Gedächtnis festsetzt. Nur ganz Wenige schaffen es, ihre Eigenarten nicht nur auf musikalischer Ebene bis zur Einmaligkeit zuzuspitzen. Mit diesem Werk untermauern destophobia ihre Sonderstellung als wirklich bemerkenswerte und sprichwörtlich eigen-artige Band im positivsten Sinne. Die Musik ist deutlich spürbar geprägt durch jedes einzelne involvierte Individuum. Jedes in die Lieder gelegte Gefühl scheint bedingunsgslos ehrlich zu sein, und das ist genau das, was diese Scheibe so stark macht und die Live-Auftritte zu unvergesslichen Momenten werden lässt. Musik um der Musik willen ist das ganze Geheimnis... für destophobia war das schon immer das Erfolgsrezept und wird es sicherlich auch bleiben.
Reinhören: turn

10. Beneath the Massacre - Mechanics of Dysfunction (2007)
Diese Kanadier sind eine technische Killermaschine. Mit unglaublicher Präzision und Geschwindigkeit werden hier ein Frickelpart nach dem anderen runtergezockt, ohne dabei jedoch fette Grooves vermissen zu müssen. Angereichert mit einigen wirklich sehr dezenten Breakdowns geht dieses Album heftig nach vorne. Es handelt sich um gnadenlos brutales Material, welches aber so glasklar produziert ist, dass einem nicht ein Ton abhanden kommt. Dem ausgeklügelten Songwriting ist es zu verdanken, dass die Scheibe bei jedem Durchlauf von neuem ein Gefühl der Zufriedenheit zurücklässt und Lust auf noch mehr macht. Vorausgesetzt man kann mit solcherlei Technikattacken etwas anfangen.
Reinhören: Society's Disposable Son

9. Kronos - The Hellenic Terror (2007)
Die Titanen aus Frankreich überrollen mit ihrem Monstrum "The Hellenic Terror" einfach alles, was sich nicht rechtzeitig in Sicherheit gebracht hat. Ungezügelte Raserei prallt mit einer derartigen Wucht auf die Trommelfelle des Zuhörers, dass diesem nur noch der Kiefer auf die Brust fällt, um sich danach ein ungläubiges Grinsen einfach nicht vernkeifen zu können. Zweifelsohne ist dieses Album eines der absoluten Highlights im extrem brutalen Death Metal-Sektor der letzten und nächsten paar Jahre. Zu schade, dass der Sänger Kronos', der mit seiner wirklich grandiosen Gesangsleistung sowohl im tiefen Growl- als auch im höheren Kreischsektor auf dieser Scheibe brilliert, die Band vor kurzem verlassen hat. Somit bleibt es spannend, wie weitere Erscheinungen der Band wohl aussehen mögen.
Reinhören: The Road of Salvation

8. Ahab - The Divinity of Oceans (2009)
Der Titel des Albums zeigt unmissverstänlich an, worum es auf dieser Scheibe geht: Die Göttlichkeit, die Unbarmherzigkeit, die Unbezwingbarkeit des Ozeans. Die Schleppenden, düsteren Kompositionen Ahabs reißen den Hörer wie ein Malstrom mit in dunkle Tiefen und unendliche Hilflosigkeit. Man kann dieser bedrohlichen Atmosphäre nicht entkommen... aber man will es ja auch gar nicht. Die Wellen des Meeres scheinen einen zu zermalmen wie einen Wurm, aber was ist das? Im nächsten Moment Windstille, Frieden... Was machen Menschen auf weiter See, ohne Aussicht auf Rettung, ohne Nahrung, aber mit einem kleinen übriggebliebenen Rest Hoffnung... ?
Reinhören: The Divinity Of Oceans

7. Primordial - To The Nameless Dead (2007)
Ein Urgestein der irischen Metalszene, und eine der ganz großen Bands, was intelligente und erhabene Musik angeht. Schon immer auf den Spuren ihrer irischen Vorfahren wandelnd und durch die Geschichte streifend, präsentieren uns Naihmass Nemtheanga und seine Mitstreiter mit "To The Nameless Dead" ein Werk, welches sich um den irischen Befreiungskampf und dessen Opfer, um Glaube und falschen Stolz, dreht und regen mit trauernder wie mahnender Stimme zum Nachdenken an. Ein episches Meisterwerk!
Reinhören: Heathen Tribes

6. Heaven Shall Burn - ICONOCLAST (2008)
"Iconoclast" übt Gesellschaftskritik auf hohen Niveau. Das haben HSB mit ihren Werken schon immer getan. Es ist nicht ihre Art, mit dem Vorschlaghammer zu Werke zu gehen (zumindest textlich gesehen), man wird vielmehr zum Denken animiert, um von selbst drauf zu kommen, was in dieser Welt so verdammt falsch läuft. Faschismus, soziale Ungleichheit, die Freiheit eines jeden Menschen sind Themen, derer sich die Thüringer auf dieser Scheibe annehmen. Ein bedeutendes Album mit bedeutenden Botschaften. Deutliche, mit einer ordentlichen und durchschlagenden Portion Energie hervorgebrachte Botschaften, die zum gehört werden bestimmt sind...
Reinhören: myspace -> Endzeit

5. Helrunar - Frostnacht (2005)
Helrunar ist eine Band, die so gekonnt mit der deutschen Sprache umgehen kann, dass sich die Liedtexte wie hohe Poesie lesen. Die Art, wie auf diesem Album mythologische Themen behandelt werden, zeugt von tiefgehender Kenntnis der Materie. Aber auch die Auseinandersetzung mit tiefsten menschlichen Abgründen wird nicht gescheut. Die Musik versprüht klirrende Kälte, die einem das Blut in den Adern gefrieren lässt, blanker Hass lässt einem die Nackenhaare zu Berge stehen. nur um im nächsten Moment der Windstille ein wenig Zeit zum Atmen geschenkt zu bekommen. Wohl dem, der den Weg aus dem Moor noch rechtzeitig findet...
Reinhören: myspace -> Frostnacht

4. Mael Mórdha - Gealtacht Mael Mórdha (2007)
Die Mannen von Mael Mórdha kreieren Klänge, die man nur mit purer Erhabenheit und reinster Epik beschreiben kann. Die Lieder handeln von alten irischen Schlachten, von Ehre und Ehrlosigkeit. Man merkt diesem Werk an, dass es mit Liebe und absoluter Ehrlichkeit erschaffen wurde. Die Stimme von Roibéard Ó Bogail passt einfach so perfekt zu dieser Musik, dass gerade er zu einem großen Teil dazu beiträgt, Mael Mórdha unverwechselbar zu machen. Das Album erzeugt eine vom ersten Moment an einnehmende Atmosphäre, der man gar nicht mehr entweichen will. Zu wundervoll episch und kräftig ist das, was sich da vor dem geistigen Auge abspielt.
Reinhören: myspace -> Curse of the Bard

3. Opeth - Damnation (2003) & Deliverance (2002)
Manch einer mag mir an dieser Stelle Schummelei Vorwerfen, handelt es sich doch um zwei Alben, die den gleichen Platz in Anspruch zu nehmen scheinen. Ich habe diese beiden Meisterwerke der progressiven Tonkunst aber noch nie als alleinstehende Alben betrachtet, sondern stets als untrennbare Einheit. Denn erst aus dieser Perspektive erkennt man, welch Geniestreich einem da präsentiert wird. Opeth schaffen es, mit ihren komplexen Kompositionen zu polarisieren. Der Zugang ist für jeden Einzelnen erst zu erschließen, um diese Klänge in vollen Zügen genießen zu können. Das trifft insbesondere auf das ruhige "Damnation" und das mächtige "Deliverance" zu...
Reinhören: Windowpane & Wreath

2. ムック - 是空 (2003)
MUCC - Zekuu
Es gibt nur noch wenige Bands, die einen so hohen Output wie MUCC vorzuweisen haben und dabei nicht einen einzigen Rohrkrepierer dazwischen haben. Und es gibt nicht viele Bands, die so gekonnt so weitreichende Stilwandel durchgemacht haben und das Gesamtwerk dennoch in sich absolut schlüssig wirkt. "Zekuu" stammt noch aus den düsteren Tagen von MUCC. Tatsurous Gesang auf diesem Album zieht den Hörer in eine Welt aus Verzweiflung und Angst, Trauer und Melancholie, Wut und Verrücktheit, zeugt aber auch von noch nicht verlorener Hoffnung und Lichtblicken für diese Welt, ja sogar von fröhlichen Momenten.
Reinhören: 9月3日の刻印 Kugatsu mikka no kokuin (Video)

1. Sigur Rós - ( ) (2002)
Sigur Rós machen nicht einfach Musik, sie erschaffen Kunst, die sich mit normalen Maßstäben nicht messen lässt. In ihrem Schaffen steckt eine Energie, die kaum von dieser Welt stammen kann. Woran das liegt, ist nicht zu bestimmen. Doch es ist kein Zufall, dass all die Klänge, die aus Island schallen, so ganz anders sind als die, die man im Rest der Welt von "ähnlichen" Künstlern vernimmt. Es ist schwer, die Musik zu beschreiben, könnte sie ebensogut von engelsgleichen Gestalten gemacht worden sein. Jónsis hoher Gesang, der hier nicht zur Wiedergabe eines Textes, sondern als weiteres Instrument dient, weitere Außergewöhnlichkeiten wie der Einsatz von E-Gitarren als Streichinstrument, selbstgebaute Instrumente oder die Unterstützung durch ein Streicherensemble erschaffen solch schöne Klänge, die sowohl traurig als auch fröhlich und verträumt sein können, wie man es einfach nicht für "nur" von Menschen gemacht halten kann. "( )" wird sicher nicht nur das bemerkenswerteste Album der letzten zehn Jahre bleiben. Mit ihrer Kunst sind Sigur Rós nur einen Schritt entfernt von der absoluten Vollkommenheit...
Reinhören: Untitled VIII (Video)

Unlike my best of 2008 list where I didn't even finish it until April of 2009 I've decided to start my 2009 list early as to try and not forget any releases or be the last one on this site to post there lists for that matter. Also I've decided to just post a short review for every single new album I heard in 2009 whether it be great or garbage. I'll probably update this list once a week from now with some fresh albums so stop on by again and read the new stuff I've posted.

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Ajattara – Noitumaa
I've only heard the first two Ajattara albums and while I find them to be just decent it seems the general consensus has been that they've repeated themselves constantly and have generally left behind the quality of those first two releases. Noitumaa could very well be the result of completely running out of ideas. Ajattara goes acoustic on this one and the results are not exactly pleasing. Black metal is not meant to be played acoustically and it would seem even if they had good intentions they ultimately failed to escape the natural ugliness that black metal has. The music consists of a guitar, some percussion, Pasi's growled and clean vocal styles, and various other odd vocal sounds, noises and instruments. The whole thing sounds silly even laughable in some places and completely eschews the beautiful soothing sound that acoustic music probably should have. But maybe the band wasn't trying to sound pretty. I really don't know. Finntroll made an acoustic album a few years ago and sure it too was silly and ugly sounding in certain places, but it was totally fun. This isn't fun. Its just kinda, well, not to good. If you're looking for something that will bring a grin to your face then this might be it, however if you're actually looking for enjoyable music you'll have to look elsewhere. 2/5

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Amorphis - Skyforger
Basically this is the best Amorphis ever not to mention the best album in 2009. Hey what can I say. I love Tales and Elegy, but my god they freakin' destroyed their old masterpieces with 'Skyforger.' From the beautiful opener 'Sampo' to the ultra catchy 'Silver Bride,' and even the closer 'From Earth I Rise' perfection is present for over fifty minutes. No major sound changes are to be found here as it sounds just like the past two Amorphis releases, but just like those two the band sounds completely re-energized after falling behind a little with old vocalist Pasi. Speaking of vocalist's Tomi's singing on this record is absolutely breathtaking and even though he has always sounded great he sounds godlike on this one. Really nothing more to say as the whole record is great and there isn't a bad song to be found. However I should mention that its worth your time to track down the 'Silver Bride' single for the amazing b-side called 'Seperated,' which was unfairly left off from an already perfect album. 5/5


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Anaal Nathrakh - In the Constellation of the Black Widow
'Hell is Empty, and all the Devils are here' was (at least for me) the crowning achievement in the Anaal Nathrakh discography and by far one the better records in 2007. So I figured it would be a challenge to follow up with another immense record, and initially I thought otherwise, but after a few spins the new album has really grown on me. Musically the band has stayed true to their previous work though this album seems generally more brutal and just far more pissed off. Its the bands signature mix of black/death metal with grind influences and it works better than you'd expect. This band has always had that unique ability to get me charged up like none other and if need be to cleanse my mind of all the horrible thoughts that roam around in my head when I'm irate with someone or something. Enough said, go listen to this record!


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Beherit – Engram
Upon hearing that Beherit had reformed I more or less just sat here in my computer chair scratching my head thinking, “Why?” I mean don't get me wrong. Its cool when bands reform, assuming they still have the right motivation and drive to make the same music they did in their heyday. In the case of Beherit, well they are for one thing considered to be one of (if not) the first black metal bands from Finland, and besides that their brand of ugly raw blackened death metal violence has served as inspiration for countless bands since. I'm sure I don't need to tell you that 'Drawing Down the Moon' is one of the best black metal records ever conceived either. And so its fourteen years later and Beherit is back on the scene. Riding along with Holocausto is original drummer Sadomatic Slaughter as well as Sami Tenetz (Thy Serpent) handling guitar and Twisted Baptizer (Chaosweaver) with bass duties. The music as you might expect is raw and barbaric at times and brings to mind those old demos, but it also has a strong atmospheric quality to it which makes me think back to DDTM era. 'Engram' is a strange record though, at times it sounds like classic Beherit, but perhaps more modernized and actually the production is a bit better than those old cult demos and albums. I must admit at first this album didn't do much for me, but after about five or so spins its really started to grow on me, in fact songs like 'Pagan Moon' and 'Axiom Heroine' are goddamn excellent. The vocals are delivered quite well too ranging from Holocausto's classic growled shrieks to hypnotic sounding clean vocals, which sound like some sort of spirit from the beyond speaking to you. As I understand it this album charted and sold like a motherfucker in Finland upon its release. I suppose that makes it all worth while then. While Engram may take a few spins to get it into I do still recommend checking out the Beherit of 2009 and beyond. 4/5

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Behexen – From the Devil's Chalice
Originally released in early 2008 as a three 7” LP box set, 'From the Devil's Chalice' received the CD treatment back in June through Woodcut Records. Altogether we have six songs here which combine for just a little over thirty minutes of raw and relentless Finnish black metal. Musically this release doesn't differ from previous or current Behexen releases much since its raw in production, fast and brutal with some rockin' riffs here and there, and harshly screamed vocals fueled by all things grim and evil in this wonderful world of ours. Although this is just thirty minutes of music I find myself enjoying this more so than the first two Behexen releases or even their most recent full-length. In any case if you missed the box set, which I'm sure is long sold out and if you should be craving some Satanic themed black metal then surely this is the release for you. 3/5

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Betray-Ed - An Everlasting Drift
Since the Betray-ed's inception a few years ago the band has been very productive by releasing a number demos, EP's and full length albums, all of which have had a slightly different sound and feeling to them. Generally improving upon the previous one. Although François is the main composer of Betray-ed there has been a host of guest musicians aiding him on his path thus far. The music has ranged from melodic ambient to acoustic folk, piano ballads, and even medieval style songs, however on this latest release we see a much more prominent metal influence, but most songs are in the previously mentioned genres. 'Merry Tune from the Castle Court' as an example has a heavy electric guitar riff paired with bouncy folky keyboards that reminds me of some of the old Falkenbach stuff while 'Quiet Agony' is a lovely piano piece. 'A Scent of Forlorn Love' sounds a lot like the old Empyrium songs complete with Schwadorf-ish vocals too, however the finest moment of this album is the final song 'And All Shall Turn Back to Oceans,' which happens to be a really beautiful and melancholic piano/acoustic piece. Perhaps the albums only faults would be the underground production and the diversity of the music might make it an odd listen, but all in all this is fairly good release worth hearing. For those that are curious this album as well as all previous Betray-ed releases are fully streamable on last.fm. Check them out. 3/5

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Bloody Woods - Colour
Bloody Woods is a Chinese one man affair (with guest musicians) whose music is somewhere between the medieval/renaissance sound of Estampie, Faun or Corvus Corax, plus with a few songs, which would fall into the neo folk genre. The neo folk songs generally feature soft acoustic guitars, percussion, flute, and both male and female vocals. These songs are of course a bit calmer and melancholic sounding while the songs that have the medieval/renaissance style sound a bit livelier, but its not the sort of thing thats going to make you hop out of your seat and start drinking and dancing too. While there are quite a few good songs on this recording I find that 'The Warriors Return' tends to stand out since the duel vocals sort of remind me of Halgadom's 'Verdunkelung Des Gottlichen' album. As a whole though with rich instrumentation, strong vocals, and an overall great performance I find there to be little fault with this recording save for the fact that its only thirty nine minutes, but besides that Bloody Woods proves to be an exciting new band in this genre. 4/5

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Cities Last Broadcast - The Cancelled Earth
Cities Last Broadcast is a new project from Pär Boström the man behind the much sought after dark ambient project Kammarheit. His 2009 debut The Cancelled Earth is a collection of field recordings from airports, train stations, tunnels, and bridges that have been treated and turned into absolutely desolate sounding dark ambient music. This music really sounds like an empty city or a post nuclear explosion, which took down most of the world in the process. In any case everyone is dead and there's just the slightest bit of sound left which has created a very creepy dark ambient sound. Basically though this is dark ambient perfection and frankly I wouldn't expect anything less from this man. 5/5

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Embrace of Thorns – Atonement Ritual
If you have any love for such ancient kvlt musical terrorists as Beherit, Blasphemy, Von, Manticore, Archgoat or Sarcofago then this Greek three piece's latest 'Atonement Ritual' is not one to be missed. Archfiend Devil Pig, Herald of Demonic Pestilence and Nuctemeron Bestial Ravisher of the Divine Harmony assault the listeners ears with forty minutes of absolutely cryptic sounding black/death war metal. The music is raw uncompromising blasphemic evil that hankers back to the glory days of the black and death metal scene and while its nothing new and for all I know this recording may even sound exactly like the bands previous efforts, but their brand of archaic evil is simply better than a lot of bands out there currently performing in this style. 4/5

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Forgotten Winter - Dialéctica Transcendental
Forgotten Winter is a relatively new (2004) and most likely completely unknown band from Portugal. With a few demos, a split, and an EP last year these Portuguese musicians released ‘Dialéctica Transcendental’ through Nordsturm Productions. Upon pressing play and listening to the first song you’re really not sure what you’ve bought. At first it would appear to be an ambient album, but then after this nearly nine minute introductory track it’s finally revealed that Forgotten Winter’s music is in fact within the black metal genre. In fact it’s quite good too. The band has a heavily symphonic black metal sound that reminds me of the finest moments of Limbonic Art, Sirius, Tartaros, Obsidian Gate and Odium. The guitars are raw and trebly, the keyboards have a very epic, orchestral, and cosmic sort of feel to them, and the singer screams out in a whispery black metal rasp. I’ve always been something of a sucker for this genre and Forgotten Winter proves to be a great new comer to this genre. Do check it out. 3.5/5

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Horna – Musta Kaipuu
The story behind the latest Horna album is that its actually left overs from the 'Envaatnags Eflos Solf Esgantaavne' sessions back in 2005. So not technically newly recorded music but still new nonetheless. As usual with Horna the band is playing raw black metal with a trebly guitar sound that has its fair share of dark sinister riffs but plenty of grooving rocking riffs that will surely get you charged up a bit after listening. I wouldn't say these extra recordings are mandatory by any means, but in case you happen to be a big fan of this sort of mid-paced raw black metal or just a Horna fan in general then you'll most likely find yourself enjoying this album. 3/5

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Mag Mell – Revival
Mag Mell is the solo venture of one Seaghdha Aodhan who resides in Minnesota, USA. Musically this is a mixture of raw fast paced black metal with a strong Irish folk influence in both the guitar and also with the addition of several folk instruments like the bodhran, tin whistle, fiddle, and bagpipes to name but a few. Generally I do dig a lot of folk metal bands, but the problem with Mag Mell is that everything seems chaotic and nothing coalesces at all. Typically the idea with the folk instruments would be to enhance the music and make it more colorful but instead they seem to just completely clash with the metal portion of this bands music. It certainly doesn't help any that the album has a weak bedroom like production and that the vocals lack power and diversity too. While I do find it to be admirable that this guy can play so many instruments (ten of them to be exact) I do however believe in the end that this album is really only for the obsessive folk/Irish metal bands. 2/5

---


Oathless - Seen Through Reflection
As far as I'm concerned Oathless is one of the best bands on this site thats offering up free music to all of us. This UK based solo project began back 2006 as an acoustic/neo folk styled entity, but recent releases has seen Oathless move onto a pure ambient style, and 'Seen Through Reflection' continues in this vein. STR is a short twenty two minute EP that brings to mind Ildjarn-Nidhogg's 'Hardangervidda' duo of albums. The music is light, slow, relaxing, melancholic, trance inducing and absolutely beautiful for the EP's entire duration. I think you'll find that playing Oathless' music while in a somber mood or when you just want to relax with a good fantasy novel that this is a perfect match. Do yourself a favor and discover one very interesting and talented musicians music soon. 4.5/5

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Pagan Blood – The Last Empire
Pagan Blood is a new solo project from Frenchmen Julien who previously played in a band I fancied called Heathen Dawn. HD only released a demo and a single EP back in 2002 and it seems Julien took a few years off from music since he didn't play in any other bands or create any new solo projects until 2008 when both Pagan Blood and his other band DRACHENFELS were set in motion. Although I'm not sure if it was entirely intended it seems like Pagan Blood is a continuation of Heathen Dawn, which basically means melodic epic sounding Pagan themed black-ish metal. The music is mostly mid-paced and as I said melodic with some interesting solos and catchy riffs while only a few times does it shift in speed to a full blown black metal style. Although not as clean cut sounding as say Ensiferum or Falkenbach, Pagan Blood still offers up a tasty little thirty five minutes of music here, which will more than likely set your heathen soul ablaze as you listen. 3.5/5

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Spiculum Iratus – Summa Anti-Theologica
After a split release a few years ago Spiculum Iratus returns in 2009 with their debut recording titled 'Summa Anti-Theologica.' On this album the band has been joined by vocalist Os Miserum whom has made appearances with Xasthur and Chaos Moon as well as being the mastermind behind the ambient/industrial band Nostalgia. Spiculum Iratus' music is generally very chaotic, fast, and raw in its execution, but it still has a very dark, atmospheric, creepy, and occult like characteristic to it, which makes it stand out from other black metal bands within this style. There are also some calmer ambient sections, samples, and even some cleaner sounding guitar harmonies present too. The vocals definitely stand out as they sound like deep venomous cries from a demon within the very bowels of hell itself. There's quite a bit of echo an effect placed on them, but they manage to sound very original and hellish as they are screamed out. There isn't any single song that truly stands out, but at thirty five minutes the whole thing proves to be an exciting and fresh sounding release within the USBM underground that is definitely not one to be missed. 4/5

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Stormheit – Kvenland
Stormheit has been active since 2005 and has thus far released two albums. This Finnish two-man band plays a style of epic Pagan metal that's quite similar to Bathory's epic/Viking works or even the French band Pagan Blood. The music is slightly raw in style and features entirely cleanly sung vocals that once again sound quite similar to Bathory's. So there not really great vocals but they fit the music just as Quorthon's did. Kinda. Anyway the guitars are fairly well performed with plenty of melodic variety (see 'Snake and Thunder') and the occasional synth passage is not unheard of either. The music itself is mostly mid-paced and slow in its execution and there's never any sudden bursts of speed or raging drum work. All in all if you prefer your epic viking metal in the true Bathory vein than this is not one to be missed. In fact I recommend it. 3.5/5

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Týr - By The Light Of The Northern Star
It seems like no matter how much I listen to this band they just don't seem to click with me. That is of course a bit of a disappointment on a personal level since generally I dig just about everything folk and Pagan related in music, but Týr's brand of progressive Pagan influenced heavy metal just never seems to hit home with me. I'm sure many would disagree with me, but I find there to be something terribly annoying about Heri's voice. Likewise the average riffs in this album are rather, well, just average sounding. On the other hand there are some cool solos to be found but they hardly save each song they appear in. If you've heard these guys in the past and enjoyed them than you'll enjoy this record but if your still trying to get into them like I have for three albums now then don't expect much to happen. 2/5

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Urfaust - Einsiedler
'Einsiedler' is my first experience with this Netherlands based band called Urfaust and while I think some of their older releases are within the true raw black metal vein this new EP is definitely worlds away from that. At just nineteen minutes this EP offers up a more progressive post black metal sound on the first song with plenty of synth and for the most part a rather slow moving song structure but still having a very epic like quality to it. Although the second song is still rather slow in speed it does away with the synths completely and the guitars have a strong raw black metal quality to them while the vocalist screeches and yelps throughout the songs seven minute duration. If you're looking for something a bit more experimental then definitely check out this first song, but ultimately the second is completely boring in less you really have a thing for slow Burzumic dirges. 2.5/5

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Wyrdstone - Cuffern
'Cuffern' is the debut album from West Sussex England native Clive Murrell. Cuffern is a acoustic/folk album with a theme around the Wickerman, though the album is completely instrumental, save for what I believe is a sampled voice on the first song. Musically the feel of this release is more within a traditional folk vein rather than say within the neo folk genre, but even so the music has a timeless or heathen sort of aura to it and it remains quite beautiful from the first to the last song. Generally the only instrument used is an acoustic guitar, though some flutes and shakers are used and there is even one song that falls in the ambient genre. The sixth song and title track is the absolute highlight for me as it is breathtakingly gorgeous in its delivery and becomes trapped within my mind every time I listen to it. I'm also quite fond of 'Cam Ye 'er Frae France' since this one makes use of the flutes and shakers I mentioned earlier and it almost has a medieval like vibe to it. All in all quite an impressive release that comes housed in a cardboard sleeve in CDr format and unfortunately limited to just a 100 copies. Definitely act fast if you don't want to miss this stunning release. 4.5/5

Folk Radio
Adorned Brood // Aes Dana // Agalloch // Alestorm // Alkonost // Amorphis // Arafel // Arkona // Asmegin // Balkandji // Bilocate // Borknagar // Butterfly Temple // Cadacross // Cruachan // Dalriada // Distorted // Eluveitie // Elvenking // Empyrium // Ensiferum // Equilibrium // Falconer // Falkenbach // Finntroll // Folkearth // Glittertind // Heidevolk // Holy Blood // In Extremo // Kampfar // Kivimetsän Druidi // Korpiklaani // Letzte Instanz // Lumsk // Lunarium // Mael Mordha // Mago de Oz // Manegarm // Melechesh // Metsatöll // Midnattsol // Mithotyn // Moonsorrow // Moonspell // Morgenstern // Nokturnal Mortum // Obtest // Orphaned Land // Otyg // Primordial // Raud // Ants // Salem // Saltatio Mortis // Schandmaul // Schattentantz // Silent Stream of Godless Elegy // Skyclad // Skyforger // Slechtvalk // Stille Volk // Storm // Subway to Sally // SuidAkrA // Summoning // Svartsot // Tanzwut // Temnozor // The Lord Weird Slough Feg // Thyrfing // TrollfesT // Tuatha De Danann // Tumulus // Turisas // Týr // Ulytau // Vintersorg // Waylander // Windir // Wintersun // Wolfchant // Wuthering Heights

Many of those who consider themselves and declare that they're anti-modern in spirit decide, naturally, to deal with the end - with death, or with Décadence. Clarification: The end is certain, it is certain from the very beginning of organismic life. Décadence is a product of life, and it appears to be the strongest argument people have against their subject of their hate: Civilization or “Modernity”. But we must examine these phenomenons life, hear them breathing, inquire about their origins and lively conduct in order to comprehend and understand why they are fallacious and what is missing in our equation. This is what is left for us, this is what can we call virtue” -- It is a virtue to deal with life. Existence, mere existence, without actual life, is death by its own 'merit'.

******

Try to break the chains of your own individuality, gain a concrete right of opinion through heightening your point of view; examine life as a whole, be used to look at it from mountain tops and not from the blurriness of fishily vision underwater - it is a great thing to examine and inquire the mechanisms of life, and to seek the answers to the question "how things [such as cultures and civilizations] becomes themselves?".

******

To do so one has to sharpen his mind and abstractly visualize and comprehend paradigms and patterns, possibilities, causality, innovation, traits, Geist -- The first principle of the examiner is a pessimistic one: (almost) all things undergoing the process of "becoming-a-thing will reach their terminal state or "status-quo-ex-prope-mors" (status quo out of near-death) which is passivity or exhaustion. The next maxim is yet another realization: some civilizations/cultures aim at passivity, some cultures are better (consciously or unconsciously) because they live upon and become themselves as they adhere to traits and phenomenons that keep this world and history alive: Virtue, vice, goodness, sin, war-peace dynamics, poetry and art, wisdom, innovation, intuition, knowledge. Nevertheless, after all of which had become a matter of casualty and are taken for granted or lose their organic identity or true deriving force (behind every action and thought) and what we can call the "inner form" - cultures and civilizations deteriorate and rot, but only to be replaced by forces with a greater "libido" for life; cultures who fundamentally aspire to conquer life are triumphant. Some cultures or civilizational grouping only pretend to, they aim at passivity from possibility - The option or "freedom" of something is also its imprisonment. Every single trait and field mentioned above as derivative “life-forces” work in relation to Power. So when power is distributed awrong, when it dies out or reaches its point of singularity and when the main streams of life are drained into a singular point – a point where it has a single aim or target (or better to say: being target-less because of singularity) a state of passivity is in action, until the next irruptive abruption.

******

Being essentially life-oriented is not living only the physical life or adhering only to the physical Being. Hedonism, for example, is almost always a conclusion of civilizational life - a window to a sickened soul, that desires no longer to explore, to think, to live - but retires into its evidential conclusiveness: life is about carnality.

******

In many ways, that which creates a culture and a civilization is also their source of destruction. Nevertheless, there's a whole life between genesis and death. A Nietzschean evaluation of human capabilities is vital in a case life examination - to pursue a higher degree of living, to overcome our manliness. In a sense this is also taking Toynbee's approach rather Spengler's regarding the death of civilizations and cultures - Cultures and Civilization can survive and evolve rather than die out and cling verbally to a yellowing page in a history tome. Nevertheless, history proves that Spengler is right, and he's probably metaphysically right as well - regardless of the future and of the possibility Toynbee presents.

******

History carried in its womb a new age and a new civilization out of the pairing of industrialism and the 1789 revolution made the western civilization was born; the western civilization had its moments, now it has reached fatigue and it'll die. Industrialism, Colonialism, Puritanism, Christian values secularized (and Secularization in general), the Death of God, Capitalism, Marxism-Communism-Socialism, Americanism; the manifestation of Enlightenment; Democracy, Individualism, Feminism, Liberalism, Fascism, Scientism / the rise of Science and the method of certification, New-Age, Technophilia and the Digitalized world. HEDONISM and Permissiveness are the final state of this civilization, they are finality, they had materialized after a conclusive victory (regardless of Truth or Reality - it is a 'reality') of some ideals and strives - they are here, and this civilization will die. The organic form of the our aging civilization was experimental more than any other civilization throughout history - it was the age of voyages that concluded themselves in the ultimate triumph of exhibitionism, the visual and the physical - like in many previous cultures/civilizations - in opposition of the chaotic but systematic power to conquer. Now things will emerge from this civilizations death as the West will shatter into numerous cultural units. The alternative is a global federation - this depends on whose triumph will it be.

******

All arguments against civilization in favor of the abolishment of violence and the endeavoring of peace and tranquility are nonsensical, since vendettas or proto-warfare existed long before civilization. Stability? bringing us back to an ape like status won't make us more resilient. To reduce mankind back to a primitive state is to abandon things is to undo discovery, to heighten weakness and to repress power, "power itself in man".To put this in proper phrasing: It is the involution of man to ape.

******

What everyone in the anti-civilizational host fail to see it that every insight they have about civilization is yet another product of civilization itself - our ability to see its' misfortune and self-negation. It's absurd to frame civilization as the entity which destroys m the things which gives man a his life, behind all of the above there's one motive and motif - the will to power.

******

One of the most disturbing thing about it is the human bulk's inability to find a syncretic point, a point in which things which appear contradictory can actually exist and work coherently. So they turn into the past, and when the past repulses them - they go further back or further ahead ("Progress").

******

When they go further back - they believe things that worked in the ever-expanding horizontal-linear time will work once again while ignoring the crucial speculation that these thing weren't exactly what they think they were, and that they can work once more after they already vanquished to be replaced by things which have a greater magnitude.

******


"Thinking is a wondrous illness, to suspend it is to be healthily dead."

_____________________________--

Possibly interesting for:
Burzum Bathory Blood Axis Arditi Von Thronstahl black metal martial industrial neofolk dark ambient ambient Ofermod Bathory Death in June Beherit Ildjarn Of the Wand and the Moon Ain Soph Dark Tribe Sol Invictus Falkenbach Empyrium Nachtfalke Drudkh Burzum Dark Funeral Havohej Mayham Throne of Ahaz Xibalba Wolves in the Throne Room Averse Sefira Emperor Enslaved Tartaros Varathron Graveland Lord Wind

Some of these artists I don't listen to. Some were extremely difficult to insult. But if anyone feels the necessity to defend an artist here, realize they all have over 700 plays in my library, so I must respect them somewhat.


20. Amon Amarth
Credited as viking metal when they're really a melodic death metal band who sing about Norse mythology to appeal to a broader audience. Also, every song sounds the same.

19. Pink Floyd
Should really get over their band drama and just play their music, cause it's so fucking good.

18. City and Colour
A bit repetitive. I can only listen to straight-acoustic for so long.

17. Gorguts
Impossible to listen to when you're not pissed. Sometimes come off as technical for the sake of technicality.

16. Yann Tiersen
A fucking asshole cause he came to Vancouver and played an 18+ venue. :'(

15. Ludovico Einaudi
His songs seem to be hit or miss. If they're not orgasmic they're slumber-inducing.

14. Eluvium
Uses unnecessary filler tracks. That's about all I got.

13. Empyrium
Impossible to listen to when you're not depressed. Some of their early stuff is unimpressive.

12. Killswitch Engage
Fucking gay band that should really get off my charts.

11. Ulver
Change their style faster than the Gap. As for Nattens Madrigal, shitty production is shitty.

10. Estatic Fear
Really wish they had broken up Somnium Obmutum into tracks < half an hour so I could get more scrobbles.

9. The Beatles
60% of their song titles have 'love' or some variation of the word in them. Usually very rudimentary lyrics and riffs.

8. Neil Young
Some of his work is downright boring. Mostly the last decade. And he's kind of a redneck.

7. Hammock
Name rhymes with cock.

6. Frédéric Chopin
Really don't have anything bad to say about him. I still don't think he knew whether he was Polish or French though.

5. Pearl Jam
Some of their songs are fillers and don't seem as meaningful. Also, there are more formidable enemies than Ticketmaster.

4. Explosions in the Sky
Often adhere to the same style and don't experiment with their sound. It works, but it would be nice to get some variety.

3. Opeth
Mikael's voice can get irritating after repeated listening. And their sound is too predictable.

2. Iron Maiden
Choose a vocalist. Lame videos (except Holy Smoke). They seem to fuck up when they try something new.

1. Agalloch
Play on the same themes a lot...nature, nature, and nature. Also, name rhymes with cock.

As the title says: this is my complete music collection, well, the part of it I physically own at least. I'm too lazy to start adding lots of stuff to rateyourmusic of discogs, as that would take ages with the amount of more or less obscure releases I own. Thus, I've decided to throw this list on last.fm. I'm doing this mainly for my own convenience, but feel free to comment anyway.

Last update: November 1, 2009

- Formatting: artist - release - format & additional info.
- Order: alphabetical, then chronological by artist.
- Artists releasing music under their own name (for example Bob Dylan) have been arranged according to their last names.
- Split releases have been listed once for each artist.
- More info about anything metal enough to be included on metal-archives.com can be found here: click.
- I think I still forgot stuff, but I'm too lazy right now to verify that, as it would be a rather time-consuming process.



1-2-3-whatsnot
(V.E.G.A.) - Alienforest - A Sick Mind's Hologram Tape

A
A Forest of Stars - The Corpse Of Rebirth CD, digipack
Abyssmal Sorrow - Lament CD
AC/DC - Let there be Rock LP
AC/DC - If you want blood you got it CD, digipack
AC/DC - Who Made Who LP rerelease
Aes Dana - Formors CD
Agalloch - Pale Folklore CD, signed
Agalloch - The Mantle CD, signed
Agalloch - Ashes Against the Grain CD, slipcase, signed
Agalloch - The Demonstration Archive 1996-1998 CD
Aguynguerran - Perverting The Nazarene Cult Promo CD
Alcest - Souvenirs d'un Autre Monde CD, digipack
Amesoeurs - Ruines Humaines CD
Amesoeurs - Valfunde/Amesoeurs 7 inch split with Valfunde
Amesoeurs - Amesoeurs CD & DLP (die hard edition)
Amorphis - Black Winter Day CD
Anaal Nathrakh - Domine Non Es Dignus CD
Anaal Nathrakh - Hell Is Empty, And All the Devils Are Here CD
Ancient Rites - Dim Carcosa CD
The Angelic Process - Weighing Souls With Sand DLP
Antimatter - Planetary Confinement CD
Apocalypse Now OST CD
Arch Enemy - Dead Eyes See No Future CD
Arcturus (Nor) - La Masquerade Infernale CD
Arcturus (Nor) - Sideshow Symphonies CD, digipack
Arkona (Rus) - Lepta CD
Arkona (Rus) - Vo Slavu Velikim ! CD
Arkona (Rus) - Ot Serdtsa K Nebu CD
Arno - French Bazaar CD
Artillery - Deadly Relics CD
Austere (Aus) - Only the Wind Remembers / Ending the Circle of Life CD, split with Lyrinx
Austere (Aus) - To Lay Like Old Ashes CD, digipack (40/300) & LP (green edition, 226/250)

B
Bal-Sagoth - A Black Moon Broods Over Lemuria CD
Bal-Sagoth - Starfire Burning upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule CD
Bal-Sagoth - Battle Magic CD
Bal-Sagoth - The Power Cosmic CD
Bal-Sagoth - Atlantis Ascendant CD
Bal-Sagoth - The Chthonic Chronicles CD
Barbatos (Jpn) - War! Speed and Power CD
Belgian Asociality - Astamblief 2CD
Bethlehem (Ger) - Gestern Starb Ich Schon Heute 7 inch split with Joyless (white vinyl)
Black Sabbath - Paranoid CD & picture LP
Black Sabbath - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath CD
Black Sabbath - Sabotage CD
Blazing Eternity - Times And Unknown Waters CD
Bosse (US) - III CDr & Tape
Bosse (US) - Echoes of the Forgotten CD
Brutal Obscenity - It's Because Of The Birds And The Flowers... CD
Brutal Truth - Sounds of the Animal Kingdom CD
Bütcher - Excessive Use of Force CDr

C
Candlemass - Black Dwarf 7 inch picture disc
Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues CD
Celtic Frost - To Mega Therion CD
Celtic Frost - Monotheist CD
Channel Zero - Black Fuel CD
ChthoniC - Seediq Bale CD, digipack
The Coffinshakers - The Coffinshakers CD, digipack
Count Nosferatu Kommando - L’Hymne à la Joie Promo CD
Cradle of Filth - Damnation and a Day CD
Creature (Bel) - Dying Nation CD
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Best of 2CD Bonus Edition
Cruachan - Tuatha Na Gael CD
Cruachan - Folk-Lore CD

D
Dark Tranquillity - The Gallery CD
Dark Tranquillity - Haven CD
Dark Tranquillity - Character CD, digipack
Darkestrah - The Way To Paganism EP (244/300)
Darkestrah - Epos CD, digipack
Darkestrah - The Great Silk Road CD, digipack
Darkflight - Perfectly Calm CD
The Darkness - Permission to Land / One Way Ticket To Hell CD, 2 in 1
Darkspace - Dark Space III CD, slipcase
Dauden (Bel) - Demo I CDr (16/50) & tape (13/20)
Dead Inside - Dead Inside CD
Dekadent Aesthetix - Joyless/Dekadent Aesthetix 7" split EP with Joyless
Dekapitator - The Storm Before the Calm CD
Deliverance OST
Destruction - D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N. LP
Dimmu Borgir - Godless Savage Garden CD
Dissection (Swe) - Storm of the Light's Bane CD, Ultimate Reissue
The Doors - The Doors CD
DragonForce - Sonic Firestorm CD, my very first metal album. I've been younger too.
Drudkh - Forgotten Legends Picture LP
Drudkh - Autumn Aurora CD & Picture LP
Drudkh - Lebedynyy Shlyakh (The Swan Road) Picture LP
The Dubliners - The Wild Rover 2CD
The Dubliners - 2CD Box
The Dubliners - The Best vol. 1 CD
Bob Dylan - Hard Rain CD

E
Eikind - Vargtime CD
Elend - A World in Their Screams CD, digipack
Eluveitie - Vên CD
Eluveitie - Spirit CD, slipcase
Eluveitie - Slania LP, 089/?, blue vinyl
Empyrium - A Wintersunset... CD
Ensiferum - Ensiferum CD
Ensiferum - Iron CD
Ensiferum - Dragonheads CD
Ensiferum - Victory Songs CD, digibook
Equilibrium (Ger) - Turis Fratyr CD
Equilibrium (Ger) - Sagas CD, LE Digipack with DVD
Evoken - Quietus CD
Evoken - Antithesis of Light CD
Explosions in the Sky - How strange, innocence CD rerelease
Explosions in the Sky - The earth is not a cold dead place CD
Explosions in the Sky - The Rescue CD
Explosions in the Sky - All of a sudden, I miss everyone CD

F
Faarthkrag - The Station, The Passenger and the Vast Chasm Tape (85/150)
Fall of the Leafe - Volvere CD
Fen - Ancient Sorrow CD
Finntroll - Midnattens Widunder CD
Finntroll - Jaktens Tid CD
Finntroll - Visor Om Slutet CD
Finntroll - Nattfödd CD
Finnugor - Darkness Needs Us CD
Fleurety - Min Tid Skal Komme CD, 2003 rerelease
Flogging Molly - Alive Behind the Green Door CD
Flogging Molly - Swagger CD, digipack
Flogging Molly - Drunken Lullabies CD
Flogging Molly - Within A Mile of Home CD, digipack
Flogging Molly - Float CD, digipack
Forgotten Tomb - Songs to Leave CD
Forgotten Woods - Sjel Av Natten CD
Frail - Brilliant Darkness Tape
Funeral Mourning - Emission Through Self Infliction CD & tape, split with Kilte (91/300)

G
Galar - Skogskvad CD
Garmenhord - De Strijdlust van het Zwijn CD, split with Wapenspraak & Drinkgelag
Ghremdrakk - Sterrenpracht CD
Ghremdrakk - Je m'exalte CD
Gojira - From Mars to Sirius CD
Graveland - Raise Your Sword ! CD
Graveworm (Ita) - Scourge of Malice CD
Graveworm (Ita) - Engraved In Black CD
Harry Gregson-Williams - Kingdom of Heaven OST CD
Gris - Il Etait Une Forêt... DLP (bloodwood edition, 120/333)
Guardian Heliotrope - Guardian Heliotrope I CDr
Guardian Heliotrope - Guardian Heliotrope II CDr

H
Häive - Mieli Maassa CD
Hearse (Swe) - Dominion Reptilian CD, digipack
Hearse (Swe) - Armageddon, Mon Amour CD
Hearse (Swe) - The Last Ordeal CD
Heidevolk - Wodan Heerst CD
Heidevolk - Walhalla Wacht CD, digipack
Heimat - Sibbevader CD
Helloween - Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II CD
Horna - Horna / Woods of Infinity 7" split with Woods of Infinity (219/666)
Hypocrisy (Swe) - The Final Chapter CD
Hypothermia - Köld LP
Hypothermia - Rakbladsvalsen CD & DLP (72/110)
Hypothermia - Gråtoner LP, black vinyl
Hypothermia - Kaffe & Blod LP, black vinyl

I
Ikuinen Kaamos - The Forlorn CD, digipack
In Gowan Ring - The Twin Trees CD, digipack
In the Woods... - Heart of the Ages CD, digipack
Insomnium - Above the Weeping World - CD, slipcase
Instil - Heartopsy CD, split with Kyds vs Columbus
Instil - Stalking Death CD
Interpol - Our Love to Admire CD
IXXI - IXXI CD

J
The Jesus and Mary Chain - Darklands CD
Joy Division - Digital CD
Joyless - Wisdom & Arrogance CD
Joyless - Uppgivet Hjärta/Eidyllion 7" split with Woods of Infinity
Joyless - Wild Signs of The Endtimes CD
Joyless - Urfaust / Joyless 7 inch split with Urfaust(black vinyl)
Joyless - Gestern Starb Ich Schon Heute 7" split with Bethlehem (white vinyl)
Joyless - Joyless/Dekadent Aesthetix 7" split with Dekadent Aesthetix


K
Katastroof - Jubilee Ceedee 2CD
Katatonia (Swe) - Brave Murder Day CD
Kawir - Ophiolatreia CD, digipack
Kilte - Absence CD, tape (14/100) & LP (311/333) incl. misprint cover
Kilte - Emission Through Self Infliction CD & tape, split with Funeral Mourning (91/300)
KISS - Love Gun CD
Kludde - Elegy of Despair / De Verdoken Waarheid CD, split with Wanhoop
Kludde - In Den Vergetelheid… CD
Knokkelklang - Kalk & Aske Tape
Korpiklaani - Spirit of the Forest CD
Korpiklaani - Voice of Wilderness CD
Korpiklaani - Tales Along This Road CD
Korpiklaani - Tervaskanto CD, LE Digipack with DVD
Krakow - As The Heart Is CD, slipcase
Kreator - Endorama CD
KromleK - Kveldridhur CD
KromleK - Strange Rumours... Distant Tremors CD
Kyds vs Columbus - Heartopsy CD, split with Instil

L
The Lamp of Thoth - Portents, Omens & Dooms CD
Lantlôs - Lantlôs LP (72/333)
Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amelie Poulain OST CD
Lemuria (Bel) - Tales, Ale and Fire CD
Lento - Earthen CD
Het Leugenpaleis - Het Lachendste uit Het Leugenpaleis CD
Lifelover - Pulver CD
Lifelover - Erotik CD & DLP
Lifelover - Konkurs CD
Loits - Must Album Promo CD
Longing For Dawn - A Treacherous Ascension CD
Lugubrum - Heilige Dwazen CD
Lugubrum - Albino de Congo CD
Lunar Aurora - Ars Moriendi (Alternate Version) CD
Lunar Aurora - Mond CD
Lunar Aurora - Andacht CD, digipack
Lyrinx - Nihilistic Purity CD, Those Opposed Records
Lyrinx - Only the Wind Remembers / Ending the Circle of Life CD, split with Austere

M
Månegarm - Vargstenen Promo CD
Make A Change... Kill Yourself - II CD
Mar de Grises - Draining The Waterheart CD, LE A5 Digipack
The McCarricks - The McCarricks CD
Melechesh - Emissaries Promo CD
Metallica - Master of Puppets CD
Mogwai - Batcat LP
Moker - Translating the Pain CD
Mono - Hymn to the Immortal Wind CD, digipack
Monster Magnet - Powertrip CD
Monty Python - Monty Python Sings CD
Mortifer (Bel) - Epitaph CD
Mortifera (Fra) - Complainte d'une Agonie Celeste CD, Dying Art Asian rerelease
Mortifera (Fra) - Vastiia Tenebrd Mortifera CD
Motörhead - Ace of Spades CD
Mournful Congregation - The June Frost CD
Mourning Beloveth - Dust CD
Mourning Beloveth - The Sullen Sulcus CD
Mourning Beloveth - A Disease for the Ages CD
Municipal Waste - Waste 'Em All CD
Muse - Origin of Symmetry CD
Muse - Black Holes and Revelations CD, digipack

N
Niall Connolly with Karl Nesbitt - Be There If I Have To Swim (Live at the Crane Bar, Galway) CD, digipack
Necrodeath - Draculea CD
Negură Bunget - Zîrnindu-să CD (Boxset ltd to 500 incl. patch & sticker)
Negură Bunget - Sala Molksa CD (Boxset ltd to 500 incl. patch & sticker)
Negură Bunget - Măiastru Sfetnic CD (Boxset ltd to 500 incl. patch & sticker)
Negură Bunget - From Transilvanian Forest CD (Boxset ltd to 500 incl. patch & sticker)
Negură Bunget - 'n Crugu Bradului CD
Negură Bunget - Om CD
Nokturnal Mortum - Goat Horns CD
Nokturnal Mortum - NeChrist CD
Nuclear Assault - Game Over CD, incl. 'The Plague' EP

O
October Falls - The Streams of the End CD, digipack

P
Pagan Altar - The Lords of Hypocrisy CD
Pagan Altar - Mythical & Magical CD
Pagan Reign (Rus) - Ancient Warriors CD
PANTHEON I - Atrocity Divine CD
Paragon Impure - To Gaius (For The Delivery Of Agrippina) LP
Pensées Nocturnes - Vacuum CD
Peste Noire - La Sanie des siècles - Panégyrique de la dégénérescence CD, Transcendental Creations
Peste Noire - Folkfuck Folie CD
Peste Noire - Mors Orbis Terrarum DLP
Peste Noire - Ballade cuntre lo Anemi Francor CD, digipack
Phobos (Bel) - Demo CDr
The Pogues - Hell’s Ditch CD
Primordial - Spirit The Earth Aflame CD
Primordial - Storm Before Calm CD
Primordial - Dark Romanticism CD
Primordial - The Gathering Wilderness CD
Primordial - To the Nameless Dead CD, LE Digipack with bonus CD & Picture LP (14/500)

Q
Quorthon - Purity of Essence CD

R
Rammstein - Reise, Reise CD
Red Sparowes - At the Soundless Dawn CD
Red Sparowes - Every Red Heart Turns Toward The Red Sun CD, digipack
Requiem for a Dream OST CD
Rhymes Of Destruction - Requiem / In Remembrance Of Your Gods... CD
Rotting Christ - Theogonia CD, LE Digipack with DVD

S
Sadistik Exekution - Fukk CD
Saxon - Power & The Glory LP
Secrets of the Moon - Antithesis CD, digipack
Shining (Swe) - III - Angst, Självdestruktivitetens Emissarie CD, A5 Digibook re-release
Shining (Swe) - IV - The Eerie Cold CD, A5 Digibook re-release
Shining (Swe) - V - Halmstad CD, digipack
Siebenbürgen - Darker Designs & Images Promo CD
Sigur Rós - Ágætis Byrjun CD
Simon & Garfunkel - Sounds of Silence CD
Sixteen Horsepower - Low Estate CD
Skepticism - Lead and Aether CD
Skyclad - The Wayward Sons of Mother Earth CD
Skyclad - Vintage Whine CD
Skyforger - Kauja Pie Saules (The Battle of Saule) CD
Slagmaur - Skrekk Lich Kunstler LP
Slint - tweez CD
Solitude Aeturnus - Adagio CD
Sólstafir - Til Valhallar CD, Oskorei
Sólstafir - Masterpiece of Bitterness CD
Sólstafir - Köld CD
Southern Voodoo - The Love Militia CD
Bruce Springsteen - The Rising CD
Steak Number Eight - When The Candle Dies Out CD, digipack
The Stone - Cujete li, smeju nam se mrtvi... 7 inch (274/500)
Svartsot - Ravnenes Saga CD
Sworn Enemy - Maniacal Promo CD

T
Tapetum Lucidum - Machteloos Bestaan CD
Temnozor - Sorcery of Fragments CD
Temnozor - Horizons... CD
Testament - Live At Eindhoven LP
Testament - The Formation of Damnation CD, LE Digibook
The Reckoning (Bel) - Deathlike Millennia CD
Thurisaz (Bel) - Scent of a Dream CD
Thurisaz (Bel) - Circadian Rhythm CD, slipcase
Thyrfing - Valdr Galga CD, digipack
Thyrfing - Urkraft CD
Thyrfing - Vansinnesvisor CD
Trancelike Void - Destroying Something Beautiful CD
Trancelike Void - Unveiling the Silent Arms of Despair CD
Trist (Cze) - Stíny CD

U
Urbanus - In ’t Echt 2CD
Urbanus - Ik ben een plastiek zakske CD
Urfaust - Geist ist Teufel CD
Urfaust - Urfaust / Joyless 7 inch split with Joyless (black vinyl)
Urfaust - Einsiedler CD

V
V/A - Classical: Chopin / Schubert CD
V/A - The Encyclopedia of Swedish Hard Rock and Heavy Metal 1970 - 1996 CD
V/A - The Lugburz Compilation III CD, two copies
V/A - New Release Highlights - Thrilling albums on Century Media Records in October 2007 Promo CD
V/A - No Sleep ‘Til September Promo CD, two copies
V/A - We Are The Underground Promo CD
Valfunde - Valfunde/Amesoeurs 7 inch split with Amesoeurs
Herman van Veen - Het Beste Van Herman Van Veen
Verloren (Bel) - In Zalvend Onmin CD
Vesperian Sorrow - Psychotic Sculpture CD

W
Wanhoop - Elegy of Despair / De Verdoken Waarheid CD, split with Kludde
Wapenspraak & Drinkgelag - De Strijdlust van het Zwijn CD, split with Garmenhord
Wapenspraak & Drinkgelag - Onder de banier van het gewei CD
Warning (UK) - The Strength to Dream CD
Warning (UK) - Watching from a Distance CD
Waylander - Reawakening Pride Once Lost CD
Wehrmacht - Shark Attack CD
Windir - Sóknardalr CD
Windir - Arntor CD
Windir - 1184 CD
Windir - Valfar, ein Windir CD
Wintersun - Wintersun Promo CD
Wolves in the Throne Room - Diadem of 12 Stars CD
Wolves in the Throne Room - Two Hunters CD, digipack & DLP
Wolves in the Throne Room - Live at Roadburn 2008 LP with DVD
Wolves in the Throne Room - Malevolent Grain Picture LP
Wolves in the Throne Room - Black Cascade CD, digipack
Woods of Infinity - Horna / Woods of Infinity 7 inch split with Horna (219/666)
Woods of Infinity - Hejdå CD
Woods of Infinity - Uppgivet Hjärta/Eidyllion 7 inch split with Joyless
Woods of Infinity - Ljuset CD
Woods of Infinity - Hamptjärn CD
Woods of Infinity - Hopplös Väntan
Woven Hand - Mosaic CD, digipack
Wyrd - Huldrafolk CD

Ö
Öde - Schimmenwoud CD

Total: 343
If I didn't miscount with all those splits and releases I own in more than one format, that is.