System Of A Down - "Toxicity" (2001)

Hmm to me it's a 4/5. Mostly consistent but I think Sabotage is as perfect as 70s Sabbath would be.



I DON'T
Actually I do, as, I guess, they moved on with the times and there's nothing really ''90s''ish about their sound anymore, right?

NP: Sepultura - Morbid Visions

I'd go with a 3.5/5 personally. I've never really warmed to "Vol. 4" as much the rest of Sabbath's classic 70's albums. I think it's probably due to the fact that it has more groovy stoner material which is a sound that I've never had much time for. "Paranoid" would be my pick for 70's Sabbath (well.... Sabbath overall really).

Volume 4 is probably a 4 for mine if I'm trying to be objective, but that initial six album run is a golden age, and would be in most band's catalogue. Probably the least of the first six (and the debut probably only jumps it by being so influential and being Year 0), but it is still a great album. Master of Reality is my personal favourite.

Now Playing:

Actually I don't care much for Master of Reality - save for ''Into the Void'' and ''Children of the Grave''.

NP: Black Sabbath - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

Yes, they moved with the times, beefed up their sound and got an image makeover, for better or worse.


JUDAS PRIEST Painkiller

Btw isn't this basically the case with pretty much all those early atmospheric whatever death/black/doom bands?

Slayer - Hell Awaits

Like who? SF reinvented themselves for a new generation. It was quite a drastic makeover. Other bands just changed slowly over time.

Eyehategod - Take As Needed For Pain

Ah, nevermind then.

NP: Absu - The Sun of Tiphareth

Mercyful Fate - Melissa

I'd give it a 3/5 rating - honesty, ''Evil'', ''Curse of the Pharaohs'' and ''Satan's Fall'' are all perfect but the rest just doesn't do much for me. Don't Break the Oath on the other hand, is pretty much flawless.

^^^I had the same impression at first, but Melissa is a serious grower. Stick with it.

Re: ABSU The Sun of Tipareth. I was obsessed with that album in 1995. They weren't popular then. The Absu train didn't really get going until Tara, which I didn't like nearly as much as their previous work despite the fact that it's generally considered their best album. I did like their last two albums though.

Sepultura - "Beneath The Remains" (1989)

"Melissa" is my favourite Fate release which is mainly due to the incredible atmosphere that the strange production (particularly the rhythm guitars) gives it & the wealth of amazing riffs. The drum sound is quite brilliant too. I'd also put the self-titled E.P. ahead of "Don't Break The Oath". I think the more progressive approach to the composition (with loads of Rush worship), the glossier production job & the additional neoclassical influence saw Fate losing a little bit of the dark aura they'd created. "Don't Break The Oath" certainly sounds more accessible than it's older siblings even though it's also more consistently complex. I still like it but think it's a step down for their first two records.

After years, my opinion still hasn't changed I'm afraid.

NP: Entombed - Clandestine

EDIT: I like it more than before. Doesn't go for the throat as often as LHP does, as I guess it's a little bit more ''progressive'' for lack of better term, but still a solid effort.

Production's a bit 'dry' on Clandestine IMO, and the vocals aren't the best either, but the experimentation in the writing is admirable. LHP pisses all over it, though.

I would also place Melissa and the debut E.P. above DBTO, without hesitation.

Afflicted - Prodigal Sun

I'm the opposite really. "Clandestine" is comfortably my go-to Entombed record. I actually love the production. Especially the drums. And the added complexity makes for a much more rewarding listen. I don't have any problem with the vocals at all. It's one of my all-timers.

A super group of sorts featuring members of Dub Buk, Khors, Drudkh, and Nocturnal Mortum - in particular Varggoth and Roman Saenko. It's basically a homage to early 90's swedish death metal. So in a sense it's not essential, but a the same time it's a pretty solid listen.