Bear

I'm going on my first date in 4-5 years today (as I was in a 4-5 years long relationship that ended earlier this year), a tinder date. That'll be interesting. Plans for the evening? Baking! We're gonna bake buns, something which I suck at. I love baking, and i'm quite skilled at baking, but I fucking hate baking with yeast. I'm not good at it at all actually. So this is gonna be fun.

Anyone else heard Cultes des Ghoules's "Coven, or Evil Ways Instead of Love"? This has to be one of the most impressive black metal albums since Katharsis released "VVorldVVithoutEnd" back in 2006. They've gone a bit back to the sound of Häxan, with a strong Mortuary Drape and Necromantia vibe to the music, but it sounds hella lot more massive then the brilliant Häxan did. It sounds huge. A monster of an album! 1 hour and 40 minutes of evil, ritualistic and eerie black metal of the highest order. If you like black metal, then this is one of those albums you need to own. It's that good.
 
Might be the album of the year for me, and that says quite a lot at the moment. And he's already back in the studio to record another album. Hell fuckin' yeah, bitches!
 
 

Mono was nothing short of brilliant. Four people on stage and no playback, yet it was like hearing 30 men playing. Immense, massive, majestic and intense.
 
Alcest was great as usual too. Might be the best Alcest gig I've seen till now.
 
 
Both bands had perfect sound, too. Could hear every instrument clear as day. I've heard a lot of people talk about Parkteateret as the best stage in Norway, and based on this gig that's probably right. Amazing!

Bolt Thrower is amazing, and every single release it top notch. One of the most, if not THE most consistent (death) metal band ever. Can't really choose a favourite album, but their debut, the grindcore classic In Battle There Is No Law!, might be my favourite. But it's very close between In Battle There Is No Law!, Realm of Chaos, War Master, The IVth Crusade, ...for Victory and of course the fantastic The Peel Sessions 1988-90. The rest is great too, and Those Once Loyal is one hell of a way to end a (30 year long) career, even though it was released 11 years ago now.  Superb album!
 
 
If you want more Bolt Thrower, check out these bands:
 
Warmaster
War Master
Trenchrot
 
They all worship the altar of Bolt Thrower, especially the two War-bands. I think all three bands are very good.

Mono was nothing short of brilliant. Four people on stage and no playback, yet it was like hearing 30 men playing. Immense, massive, majestic and intense.
 
Alcest was great as usual too. Might be the best Alcest gig I've seen till now.
 
 
Both bands had perfect sound, too. Could hear every instrument clear as day. I've heard a lot of people talk about Parkteateret as the best stage in Norway, and based on this gig that's probably right. Amazing!

I'm not gonna lie, I am not a fan of newer Sodom, Destruction or Kreator at all, but all three bands have released several of the best thrash metal albums ever.
 
Destruction were amazing from 84-86, then good from 87-90and decent from 00-01. But I can't remember the last time I bothered listening to anything they released beyond 86. It's just such a difference in quality and style to me. But they've done decent things beyond the classics too.
 
Kreator were amazing from 83 (as Tormentor!!!)-90, and decent from 99-01. But other than that I think they've been godawful. But I do enjoy Endorama, though. I'm one of those who actually appreciates it.
 
Sodom were amazing from 82-94, and decent from 99-01. But I think their newer stuff has been godawful, but I have yet to check out their newest album. Didn't like Sacred Warpath at all, but the little I've heard outside of that track's been fairly good. Less melodic thrash influence and less modern sounding than their other recent albums.
 
 
But while you're into German thrash metal, be sure to check out these albums:
 
Exumer - Possessed by Fire
Tankard - Zombie Attack
Deathrow - Riders of Doom
Deathrow - Raging Steel
Darkness - Death Squad
Assassin - The Upcoming Terror
Violent Force - Malevolent Assault of Tomorrow
Living Death - Vengeance of Hell
Living Death - Metal Revolution
Minotaur - Power of Darkness
Vendetta - Go and Live ... Stay and Die
Vendetta - Brain Damage
Necronomicon - Necronomicon
Necronomicon - Apocalyptic Nightmare
Protector - Golem
Protector - Urm the Mad
Protector - A Shedding of Skin
Protector - The Heritage
 
 
All these might not be classic, but if they're not they're at worst semi-classics. But all of them are fantastic albums, and a lot of them no less than brilliant (the bolded).
 
 

But isn't that a good thing? Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events is Jim Carrey's last superp performance, and not even in his wildest dreams will Neil Patrick Harris be close to doing something as good as that. And by going with a different Count Olaf you'll get something way different, rather than a remake of a good film. It's an excellent choice IMO! And you have to remember that Count Olaf was a humorless villain in the books. He was the opposite of Jim Carrey's version in the film.
 
But as far as I know, A Series of Unfortunate Events will be much closer to the novels with its dark, dramatic mystery-approach, rather than the dark comedy of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. I think this sounds good. It's got massive potential and I am really looking forward to it.

But isn't that a good thing? Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events is Jim Carrey's last superp performance, and not even in his wildest dreams will Neil Patrick Harris be close to doing something as good as that. And by going with a different Count Olaf you'll get something way different, rather than a remake of a good film. It's an excellent choice IMO! And you have to remember that Count Olaf was a humorless villain in the books. He was the opposite of Jim Carrey's version in the film.
 
But as far as I know, A Series of Unfortunate Events will be much closer to the novels with its dark, dramatic mystery-approach, rather than the dark comedy of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. I think this sounds good. It's got massive potential and I am really looking forward to it.

But isn't that a good thing? Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events is Jim Carrey's last superp performance, and not even in his wildest dreams will Neil Patrick Harris be close to doing something as good as that. And by going with a different Count Olaf you'll get something way different, rather than a remake of a good film. It's an excellent choice IMO! And you have to remember that Count Olaf was a humorless villain in the books. He was the opposite of Jim Carrey's version in the film.
 
But as far as I know, A Series of Unfortunate Events will be much closer to the novels with its dark, dramatic mystery-approach, rather than the dark comedy of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. I think this sounds good. It's got massive potential and I am really looking forward to it.

I agree. Let's speak about your love for me. How you think of me, dream of me and even picture me during sex. That's what this thread should be all about.

I agree. Let's speak about your love for me. How you think of me, dream of me and even picture me during sex. That's what this thread should be all about.

I am actually 55 years old. No joke.

I agree. Let's speak about your love for me. How you think of me, dream of me and even picture me during sex. That's what this thread should be all about.

Honestly, let's not even dignify this fiasco anymore by continuing to speak on it.

I am actually 55 years old. No joke.

I've been very into the Quebec black metal scene again lately (which I always am when winter is coming), and this have to be the most unique and interesting scene within black metal for the past 16 years? While a lot of the bands like Forteresse, Csejthe, Grimoire, Ephemer, Brume d'Automne, Déliquescence, Ur Falc'h, Maléfices, Délétère has their own thing going on, they still have that Quebecian feeling to their music. It's very similar to how Poland, Greece, Sweden, Finland, USA, Norway and more had their own, unique style back in the early to mid 90's.
 
 
 
This has to be one of the very best black metal songs ever written. That atmosphere, the feeling, the melodies. Absolute perfection! Well, the entire album is. But oh well...

I am actually 55 years old. No joke.

Eximperituserqethhzebibšiptugakkathšulweliarzaxułum
 
That's one hell of a bandname. And for their debut they've chosen the interesting title "Prajecyrujučy sinhuliarnaje wypramieńwańnie Daktryny Absaliutnaha j Usiopahłynaĺnaha Zła skroź šaścihrannuju pryzmu Sîn-Ahhī-Erība na hipierpawierchniu zadyjakaĺnaha kaŭčęha zasnawaĺnikaŭ kosmatęchničnaha ordęna palieakantakta, najstaražytnyja ipastasi dawosiewych cywilizacyj prywodziać u ruch ręzanansny transfarmatar časowapadobnaj biaskoncaści budučyni u ćwiardyniach absierwatoryi Nwn-Hu-Kek-Amon, uwasabliajučy ŭ ęfirnuju matęryju prach Ałulima na zachad ad ękzapłaniety PSRB 1620-26b"
 
I'll add the tracklist as well, just for the hell of it:
 
 
Not even sure if that's all, or if some of them are cut off.
 
Yeaaaaah... well. Jesus.

Yes, finally a new album from these guys. Al Azif is very good and Tekeli-li is very, very good, and judging by this song this will be very, very, very good. Lovely cover art as well.

I am currently 6 episodes into The Expanse and I am currently loving the shit out of this series. It's a beautiful mix of melodramatic space opera and dark, gritty and grim neo-noir, and unlike most space operas I've seen this is actually R-rated, with some stunning violence and use of blood. Unique cinematography (for a TV-series), classy set-designs and so far an interesting story and nice characters. So far, so fucking good!

^ Yep! I love all of them kind of equally. Actually, I just re-listened to the first two again before diving into the new one.  Still great stuff.

Cool picks, guys! Unfortunately I'm still in the process of digesting the many many potentially great releases that were released in October, but once I feel like I've listened to everything I wanted, I'll be sure to check back here with my picks.
 
Till then, all I can comment is HELL YEAH, that new Hail Spirit Noir album hits the spot! I'm not even through my first listen, but I already know this is one of my favorite things this year. I'm just here listening and grinning from ear to ear, it's so much fun. I gotta listen to these guys more frequently.

Hail Spirit Noir - Mayhem in Blue
Psychedelic rock/progressive black metallers Hail Spirit Noir continues to blend psychedelick and progressive rock with progressive black metal, and they do it in a most unusual way, this time adding some carnival-esque elements to their music. You won't find a single band out there that sounds like these guys, and Mayhem in Blue is surprisingly a step up after the excellent Oi Magoi. Not quite as good as Pneuma though.
 
I Mean You Harm
The most straight-forward and easy-listening song on the album, but brilliant nonetheless.
 

Furia - Guido
Guido is Furia's 9's proper release, and their best one yet. It's experimental and far from straight-forward, but it's still fairly easy on the ear. Great release!
 
It should be said that the EP is recorded live 320 meters underground in the old coalmine "Guido" in Zabrze, Upper Silesia.
 
2
 

Urfaust - Empty Space Meditation
I haven't followed Urfaust too closely after the phenomenal Einsiedler as the following release Der freiwillige Bettler never caught my attention. But Empty Space Meditation sees Urfaust returning to form, and it's an excellent album. Reminds me a lot about Einsiedler, especially the use of synth, but without copying it. The vocals are better than ever before, and this might be Urfaust's best album so far.
 
Meditatum II
Listen to those clean vocals that kicks in about 3 min into the song. It's just too good!
 

Gatecreeper - Sonoran Depravation
Gatecreeper brings nothing new to the table, just good, ol' swedish death metal worship to the fullest. Think old Grave, Dismember and Entombed  and you're there. Good album, if far from excellent.
 
Craving Flesh
 

Agatus - The Eternalist
It's been no less than 14 years since Agatus released their last album, and with only two short EPs inbetween I was not quite sure what to expect here, but I expected black metal at least. But that's not what we got, no, because in the 14 years of silence Agatus have changed into a power metal band. But it's not usual power metal. It sounds like a Hellenic black metal band playing power metal, which is what it is. Sounds like epic USPM with a Hellenic twist.
 
The Oath (of Magic and Fire)

Alcest - Kodama
Hexenslaught - Demo 2016
Abigail - The Final Damnation
Cradle of Filth - Dusk... and Her Embrace - The Original Sin
Satan's Vomit - Back to the Beginning
Ithaqua - The Black Mass Sabbath Pulse
Moonsorrow - Jumalten aika
Blood Ceremony - Lords of Misrule
Ripper - Experiment of Existence
Uada - Devoid of Light
Occult Burial - Hideous Obscure
Vektor - Terminal Redux
Hail Spirit Noir - Mayhem in Blue
Demon Bell - Steel Sorcery
Nuctemeron - Knights of Hell
 
I've probably forgotten a lot of great albums, but I'm pretty sure I'll keep listening to these release for many, many years from now on. Awesome stuff!

Alcest - Kodama
Hexenslaught - Demo 2016
Abigail - The Final Damnation
Cradle of Filth - Dusk... and Her Embrace - The Original Sin
Satan's Vomit - Back to the Beginning
Ithaqua - The Black Mass Sabbath Pulse
Moonsorrow - Jumalten aika
Blood Ceremony - Lords of Misrule
Ripper - Experiment of Existence
Uada - Devoid of Light
Occult Burial - Hideous Obscure
Vektor - Terminal Redux
Hail Spirit Noir - Mayhem in Blue
Demon Bell - Steel Sorcery
Nuctemeron - Knights of Hell
 
I've probably forgotten a lot of great albums, but I'm pretty sure I'll keep listening to these release for many, many years from now on. Awesome stuff!