OzzyRotten

Well, well. I had asked you for it, and you did it. The result is excellent regarding the content. I certainly wouldn't have done better, especially since I understand little about Brutal and stick to those three or four "facade" bands of which Nile are the top tier.
So, the rating for your review, as far as I'm concerned, remains excellent. I have more than a few hesitations about the opinions you've expressed (but you and I already knew it would be this way), since I actually liked it a lot, and I must tell you that I found greater "heaviness" and cohesiveness here than in the previous one. But these are trivialities if we want to be honest: the truth is that the Nile perhaps reached the peak of expressiveness with "Annihilation..." or possibly even earlier. This is an album that reaffirms their great class, their acrobatic virtuosity. Again, it has many atmospheres that are nonetheless "traced" from those already past. Praise to Nile, then. But only for this other time. If they continue on this path, for their next release I believe many won't be so kind to them. Regards.

Damn, as a fan of Therion and their background, I ABSOLUTELY MUST own this album.
I promise that once I've listened to it, I'll come back and vote for it. In the meantime, I’m voting for your review, excellent.

I also find amusing the non-satanic mystics who pontificate without first knowing what they are talking about. It would be like stating that the sky is clear of clouds and serene while being locked in a dark box without windows...

OleEinar: You picture it well. After all, I believe that for the Draconian, the alternating angel/beast vocals are an inseparable trademark. Regards.

I really like this record precisely because it is sprinkled everywhere with growl. And what a growl!
If the new Doom is represented by Swallow the Sun, then there's nothing to fear: it may never be fashionable, but it will always be of excellent quality.
Well done, Norvheim.

Dear Death, actually it's the opposite, since it was Skepticism that inspired Tyranny and not the other way around. And anyway, no. Negative. Not even close. Tyranny has a different appeal, which has little or nothing to do with Skepticism, except for the slow pacing. But that's a long discussion. Speaking of classic Doom: I've been getting high on Solitude Aeternus lately. Do you like them?

If I have to be honest, dear Lethe, no. I can't say that "Farmakon" is better than "Lead and Aether." That's why I rated the album four stars instead of five. It's a beautiful example of what Funeral Doom is or should be, but it doesn't reach the exceptional levels of their aforementioned masterpiece.
Sure, the production is more "polished" (that's just a euphemism: readers should not be misled. The mixes are all approximate. Deliberately approximate.), certain atmospheres come across better, but I believe that "Farmakon" concerns another aspect of the abyss of Skepticism. Whereas "Lead..." has no other interpretation but tragedy, this one contains the seeds of evil, and not just resignation. I convinced myself of this after listening to "The March and the Stream." Sublime. And that says it all.
Maybe take a look. I've tried to pay tribute to a band that not many know, and I hope I've succeeded. My judgment is worth what it's worth. I hope I've expressed it honestly.

Dear Death, I read your review with interest and, although I agree with many of the things you write about, I cannot say I share all of them. I’ve listened to the album several times, and even though the vocals are absent, it remains the cornerstone of one of the most devastating Black Metal albums in the history of Metal. The fact that Burzum is featured here might not be essential after all. Listening to "Funeral Fog" and enjoying it, even without Attila's voice (which has always irritated me. Am I the only one in the world who despises it?), is always a pleasure.

Regarding Folk influences, there are plenty of bands that mix Viking with Folk. I recommend Turisas. Their latest album "The Varangian Way" is very nice. As for the "harsh" vocals, I think you’ll have to settle for what you get. Most bands make extensive use of them (derived from Bathory, of course). Best regards.

I would suggest Borknagar, Moonsorrow, Vintersorg, and perhaps even Amorphis. Especially the latter, who have nothing extreme left anymore, but in terms of content, they might just be the best band in the genre. However, if you're looking for something extremely melodic, then you have no choice but to go with Ensiferum. For quite a while, they were the flagbearers of Viking metal ("Iron" and the self-titled debut), thanks in part to the old singer Jari, who is now in Wintersun (also beautiful and powerful). Anyway, I've written a few reviews of some of these artists. If you're interested, go ahead and read them.
P.S.: Manegarm are also excellent. Their latest album is one of the best of 2007. Great advice, Vincent. Best regards.