Previews have me hyped more than before, I wasn't expecting such energy in the opening tracks. This is gonna be great I think. Leatherfield and Dunes sound like a powerful intro, kind of like Soshaku-Uroko on Arche
This is what I would spontaneously recommend to check out in the realms of extreme metal (as bear mostly posts of), just my share of the cake:
Hour of Penance - Paradogma
A great mixture of brutal death metal and epic melodies, gregorian chorals and subtle symphonies. This is when I got notice of this italian behemoth (not literally), it's a band that deserves much more credit for their work!
Songs to recommend: Thousands of Christs, Incestuous Dynasty of Worms, Spiritual Ravishment
Behemoth - The Satanist
Their latest release, and by far their strongest. More BM elements than in their last few albums, very natural production, atmosphere and total seriousness. If the music video to "Blow your trumpets, Gabriel" hasn't amazed you enough, this record definitely will. And in all honesty I could say that this is what they could end their carreer with. It just doesn't get better than that.
Song recommendations: BYTG, Ora pro Nobis Lucifer, Amen, In The Absence Ov Light, O Father O Satan O Sun
Cannibal Corpse - Tomb Of The Mutilated
Disgusting cover, even more disgusting song titles and a production that goes far beyond its time. This classic from 1993 is Cannibal Corpse in a nutshell. Fast, heavy chugs with lots of pace changes, hammer blasts, great grunting vocals and a versatile, well audible bass.
Recommendations: Hammer Smashed Face, I Cum Blood, The Cryptic Stench, Post-Mortal Ejaculation, Entrails Ripped From A Virgin's Cunt
Fleshgod Apocalypse - Agony
The right way of combining extreme metal with symphonic elements. Nuff said.
Recommendations: The Inquisition, The Deceit, The Violation, The Forsaking
Immolation - Unholy Cult
Dark Death Metal featured with epic solos, raw production and an absolutely evil atmosphere. This is as close as death metal can get to black metal, without actually being black metal. Despite being around for over 20 years now, Immolation is not common knowledge in the death metal scene, which is sad.
Recommendations: Unholy Cult, Of Martyrs And Men, Bring Them Down, A Kingdom Divided
Nile - Those Whom The Gods Detest
Great technical, fast death metal with aegyptian-inspired harmonies.
Recommendations: Kafir!, Those Whom The Gods Detest, The Eye Of Ra
Opeth - EVERY DAMN ALBUM!!!!
(even the newest one, Pale Communion ..and maybe not Heritage)
I don't think Opeth needs to be introduced to many heavy metal fans, but still recommending this band is necessary at all costs. Great progressive death metal with an average song span of ~9 minutes and a fuckton of great ideas, genre jumps and just pure epicness.
Vader - De Profundis
Back in the times when their thrash metal influences were still very present. As every other album basically, this one is just a great example of death/thrash metal with probably the most iconic growling voice of all time.
Recommendations: Silent Empire, Blood Of Kingu, Incarnation, Sothis, Of Moon And Dream And Me