Proscriptor

 What sense does it make to do a celebratory tour of the ’80s by offering rearranged versions of old classics with the sound of the current Litfiba, thus stripping them of their typical new wave sounds?

 It is pleasing to see gems like 'Versante est', 'Pierrot e la luna', 'Re del silenzio', and 'Gira nel mio cerchio' on the setlist, although the significant absence of songs that would have been the icing on the cake of an operation like this is felt.

Litfiba’s 2013 live album celebrating their 1980s work offers rearranged versions of classic tracks with a modern sound that fails to capture the original energy. The vocals feel listless, and several key songs are missing from the setlist. While a few tracks benefit from the new style, overall the album disappoints early fans who cherished the original new wave vibe. The review suggests that the only live album truly worth hearing from this era remains 'Viva Litfiba Live.' Explore Litfiba’s classic era and decide if the new live album hits the mark or misses the mood!

 The tracks present on this CD are indeed magnificent, but decidedly too many!

 The album manages to cause more than a chill down the spine with flutes, choruses of bearded Vikings and Luciferian screams.

Folkearth's 'By The Sword Of My Father' is a promising folk metal album featuring collaborations from about 30 musicians. While many tracks shine with Viking and folk influences, the album suffers from excessive length, filler songs, and some misplaced tracks. Despite these issues, the quality of key pieces remains high, revealing a potential masterpiece had it been more tightly curated. Discover the epic sounds of Folkearth's folk metal journey—listen now and decide if this ambitious album hits the mark for you!

 This is not just a debut album, but the first masterpiece of this incredible band.

 The production is very raw but couldn’t be better for creating an atmosphere that gives you goosebumps.

Behemoth's debut album 'Sventevith (Storming Near the Baltic)' delivers cold, raw Black Metal heavily influenced by Norwegian bands. The well-structured tracks evoke the Scandinavian scene and create a powerful atmosphere despite raw production. It's regarded as a foundational masterpiece for both the band and Polish extreme metal, recommended for Black Metal enthusiasts. Key songs like 'From the Pagan Vastlands' and 'Hidden in a Fog' stand out as classics. Listen to Behemoth’s iconic debut and experience raw Black Metal mastery today!

 This is not the case with Heol Telwen! With this debut, they offer us 12 highly enjoyable tracks sung in Breton (!!)...

 The group’s inspiration is admirable, never a drop in tone or repetition, truly remarkable!!

Heol Telwen's debut album 'An Deiz Ruz' offers 12 tracks that blend Celtic traditional instruments with extreme black/death metal. Sung entirely in Breton, it stands out in the crowded French metal scene by delivering consistent quality and authentic inspiration. The use of pan flute and occasional bagpipes creates a genuine ancient Celtic feel. Recommended for fans of Viking metal, extreme metal, and Celtic music alike. Explore Heol Telwen's 'An Deiz Ruz' for an intense and authentic Celtic extreme metal experience!

 Darkthrone are back to the origins that bear the names of Venom, Celtic Frost, and the like, and they want to headbang and make us headbang quite a bit!

 The most surprising thing... is the variety of the songs, never repetitive or boring, and especially the superb way in which they have managed to blend all their influences.

Darkthrone's F.O.A.D. marks a clear shift from their grim black metal past toward a blend of classic 80s metal influences. The album features varied songs that mix old school black metal with inspirations from bands like Venom and Celtic Frost. Fenriz takes a more prominent role both vocally and in songwriting. While not perfect, the album is an enjoyable addition to Darkthrone's discography and recommended for fans of their recent work. Discover Darkthrone's raw and energetic F.O.A.D. — a must-listen for metal fans craving classic influences with a modern twist!

 Just listen to the first seconds of the opener 'Precious Jerusalem' to understand that the music has changed... and a lot!!

 The 14-minute suite 'And Then There Was Silence' alone is worth the purchase of the CD and our guys are forgiven for some slightly excessive experimentation.

Blind Guardian's A Night At The Opera boldly shifts away from their previous sound, embracing orchestration and experimentation. While some fans may miss the guitar prominence, the album offers epic moments and diverse influences. Highlights include the dramatic 'And Then There Was Silence' and the enchanting 'The Maiden and the Minstrel Knight.' This release is recommended for open-minded metal fans seeking epic and adventurous music. Dive into Blind Guardian’s epic journey—listen to A Night At The Opera and experience their bold new sound!

 The essence of pure Swedish Death is here, encapsulated in 11 battle tracks + bonus track.

 Honor and glory to Unleashed and their 'deus ex machina' Johnny Hedlund.

Unleashed's 'Where No Life Dwells' is a seminal Swedish Death Metal album from the early '90s, showcasing cold, powerful battle tracks with excellent production. Led by Johnny Hedlund, the album captures the raw essence of the genre. The bonus demo tracks are a mixed addition, but the release overall is essential for extreme metal fans. The review honors the album's lasting influence in metal history. Listen to Unleashed's 'Where No Life Dwells' and experience the roots of Swedish Death Metal!

 "Imago Mortis isn’t guilty of being too rock and commercial, but simply of being ugly and pointless."

 "Those who love Marduk love the cold Black Metal and that’s what they expect from them. Not progressive and experimental songs."

The review critically evaluates Marduk's album Rom 5-12, noting a slower pace and some experimental tracks that divide fans. While there are standout fast songs recalling earlier works, several tracks are considered tedious and ugly. The album partly satisfies but falls short of previous highlights like Plague Angel. The reviewer cautions fans who prefer classic black metal might be disappointed by the deviations. Discover the full review and decide if Marduk's Rom 5-12 matches your black metal taste!

 Regardless of the beauty of the CD, which I emphasize is truly fantastic, does it seem reasonable to spend 18€ for a CD containing a 30-minute song where the first ten minutes are an introduction?

 Listening to the first song, it does not initially seem like you are listening to Moonsorrow, also because the traditional instruments are almost entirely absent.

Moonsorrow's V: Hävitetty is a beautiful and exciting album featuring two long epic tracks. While praised for its intricate melodies and folk elements, the unusually long track durations and minimal song count raise questions of value. The band shows continued evolution, and the album evokes vivid imagery despite some initial listener disappointment. Listen to Moonsorrow's V: Hävitetty to experience epic folk metal journeys and decide if the long tracks resonate with you!

 It is one of the most thrilling releases of Swedish-style Death/Black that I have ever had the pleasure to listen to.

 Never a filler, never a drop in style.

Abyssos' album 'Together We Summon The Dark' delivers a thrilling Swedish death/black metal experience with lengthy, diverse songs full of impeccable riffs. The album excels in creating atmosphere with minimal keyboard use, showing clear influences from bands like Dissection and Dawn. Notable tracks include 'Banquet in the Dark (Black Friday)' and 'I've Watched The Moon Grow Old.' Fans of traditional Swedish metal will find this release a masterpiece. Listen to Abyssos' 'Together We Summon The Dark' and experience one of the finest Swedish death/black metal albums!