Hardcore, Punk & Heavy Metal > D Hardcore, Punk & Heavy Metal > Black Metal

Advantages: Exellent album extremely well packaged.
Disadvantages: Some may not like the vocal style

...Nowadays that's all changed. In Sorte Diaboli has a truly bombastic sound. The production is fantastic, and the musicianship is technically stunning. It's all a bit like Wagner goes metal, and it's stunning. This album is a bit of a rarity these days, as it's a concept album. The story is set in the middle ages about a man who tries to follow the new religion sweeping through Europe (Christianity), but has a lapse of faith due to what he sees as ...
...he will be tried and in all probability burned at the stake as a heritic. The songs tell his story, from the lapse of faith to his eventual execution, the final track ending with the sounds of flames. The album is consistently good, with no single track falling below par. There is a strong orchestral sound and you feel that this album would sound stunning live if the keyboards were replace with an actual orchestra. The packaging for the limited ... Read review

Advantages: Great musicianship, classic songs, clear production
Disadvantages: Some weak tracks

"Enthrone Darkness Triumphant" is yet another fantastic album from Symphonic Metal masters, Dimmu Borgir. I found this album to be highly enjoyable and bursting with talent and originality. The band clearly demonstrate that they are masters of their craft, with the majority of the songs here being laced with catchy guitar hooks, beautiful keyboard passages and empowered blast beat drumming, all tightly and flawlessly executed. This album supplies ...
...the form of the tracks 'Mourning Palace" "In Death's Embrace" and "Master Of Disharmony" There are, of course, a few duds to be found here, in particular "Relinquishment of Spirit and Flesh" The production on this album is excellent, providing some of the raw energy necessary for the execution of this style whilst maintaining clarity of sound. Each instrument is distinct and clearly audible yet the band fuse seamlessly together into a single musical ... Read review

Advantages: good production and sound, catchy songs
Disadvantages: different from the older albums

This release was something totally unexpected (except the fact that the full-length album was preceded by a EP "Too Old Too Cold" which gave people a decent surprise) and came like rain from clear sky. With this release Darkthrone have evolved from good old norwegian black metal to motörheadesque and quite heavily punk influenced thrash metal band and I absolutely adore it. Actually the change is rather small, it could be considered big only because ...
...band, but considering that Darkthrone started as a death metal band (their first album is basically a death metal release) turning into black metal after their first release "Soulside Journey". So it's not that big surprise. Compared to their previous full-length "Sardonic Wrath" this release is much more listener-friendly. The vocals, done by Nocturno Culto, are somewhat less harsh, not so much screech as in more like harsh singing familiar to ... Read review

Advantages: Amazing presentation, captivating Black Metal from start to finish, unique sound.
Disadvantages: None

Snazzy packaging,emblazoned with occult signs and satanic imigary aside, this is one truly melodic master-piece. Recorded with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and with special guest vocals on two of its tracks by Immortal\'s Abbath, this album stands out among Dimmu\'s other releases as a satisfying slice of Black Metal. Consisting of twelve tracks, \'Death Cult Armageddon\' will enthrall you with its dark, empowering lyrics. Shagrath\'s (Lead ...
...There may be other bands out there who try to sound like Dimmu, but there are none who have matched their ingenuity and understanding of the musical composition that is, Black Metal. Track list: 1.Allegiance 2.Progenies of The Great Apocalypse 3.Lepers Among Us 4.Vredesbyrd 5.For The World To Dictate Our Death 6.Blood Hunger Doctrine 7.Allehelgens Dod I helveds Rike 8.Cataclysm Children 9.Eradication instincts Defined 10.Unorthodox Manifesto ... Read review

Advantages: Good if you like deathmetal, i suppose...
Disadvantages: My god, its boring hearing 11 tracks of trempicking

Argh. I bought this album on a whim, and fairly regret it. I'd heard some death metal such as slayer and thought this might be of similar vein - how wrong I was. This entire cd is pretty much just growling and trempicking, which i find incredibly boring. The cd opens with some trempicking interspaced with some samey groove sections, and this sets the feel of the album. Listening to it now, I can't say the vocals are awesome, as I can't really hear ...
...death metal" sound to it, which consists of lots of trempicking (fast picking), atonal solos and screaming. At least in its favour this album isn't tremendously heavy - it is still fairly listen able, and im sure if your really into death metal they're probably passable. I just find them so monotonous, the trempicking is yawn worthy, and the attempts at a groove are nothing in comparison to bands like slayer and Pantera. They simply do not make ... Read review