katharsys Banned

 "The true essence of the Manics' new musical course lies precisely in combining few, almost sparse, components, in that magical and sublime way."

 "'To Repel Ghosts' is the best piece of the album, delivering a shiver down the spine with its perfect mix of riffing and keyboard."

Lifeblood by Manic Street Preachers is a profound and emotional album marked by a clear, almost cold guitar sound and subtle effects. Though different from their classic work, songs like '1985' and 'To Repel Ghosts' stand out with nostalgia and unique sonic blends. Some tracks fall short, but overall it shows the band’s continuing evolution. The album balances simplicity and depth, delivering a spiritual and memorable listening experience. Dive into Manic Street Preachers’ Lifeblood and experience a unique blend of emotional depth and sonic clarity today!

 His voice is probably one of the best of the 'true Norwegian black metal' generation, consisting of beastly screaming, dirty, lacerating, acute.

 An album that grazes the pinnacle of cruelty and expressiveness, albeit too short and sparse to constitute the inverted crucifix to hang at the entrance of churches to be desecrated.

Gorgoroth's Antichrist is hailed as a quintessential example of true Norwegian black metal with an outstanding lineup featuring Pest's iconic vocals. The album delivers raw, expressive, and relentless black metal with minimalistic yet powerful riffs, driving drums, and occasional melodic touches. Though brief, it stands as a masterpiece alongside its successor Under the Sign of Hell. The review highlights each track's unique contribution and praises the album's brutal atmosphere and vocal prowess. Explore Gorgoroth's Antichrist and experience one of the most intense and authentic black metal albums ever made.

 "Wolves, Lower" is fresh, seemingly carefree, reminiscent of high school and genuine spontaneity.

 Great start for a career that would continue on the same, excellent, coordinates for another decade and a half...

This review revisits R.E.M.'s debut EP Chronic Town, highlighting its fresh and carefree college rock sound. It praises standout tracks like "Wolves, Lower" and "Gardening at Night," emphasizing the youthful energy and emotional depth. The band's raw talent and promising start are celebrated, acknowledging the EP as a foundational piece in their impressive career. Overall, it encourages rediscovery of R.E.M.'s early essence beyond their later works. Listen to R.E.M.'s Chronic Town and rediscover the roots of college rock brilliance!

 In 1998 this little masterpiece is born, complete with a fresh and appealing sound, less acidic, extreme, or cruel than that of most 'true black' bands.

 The outro 'Legacy of the True (Death Embrace Me III)' glides along like a requiem, like a gentle and cold wind of abandonment, of farewell.

Ophthalamia's Dominion showcases a less extreme, more melodic side of black metal, diverging from the harshness of All and Abruptum's usual style. The album features solid riffing, well-maintained tempos, and evocative melodic insertions. Highlights include the atmospheric opener and piano-driven outro. The record balances refinement with brooding intensity, standing out within the Swedish black metal scene. Explore Ophthalamia's Dominion now and experience a melodic, atmospheric black metal journey like no other!

 "Dance of December Souls stands as the expressive apex of the Swedish group."

 "Velvet Thorns...undoubtedly reveals it to be the best of the entire Dance."

Katatonia’s Dance Of December Souls stands as an expressive high point in their discography, blending technical riffing with deep, emotive atmospheres. Unlike their later work, this album trades hypnotic slow tempos for powerful, Black Sabbath-like riffs and clean, evocative soundscapes. Highlights include 'Velvet Thorns' and 'Tomb of Insomnia,' which combine chilling melodies with memorable guitar work. Overall, it is an essential, masterful album respected for its sincere, balanced expression within the black metal genre. Dive into Katatonia’s Dance Of December Souls and experience a black metal classic rich in emotion and masterful craftsmanship.

 A little opera in six acts, of pure raw black, unadorned, extremely rough, contaminated in some parts by that dark-ambient that would become its driving force in the future.

 Without a doubt not a fundamental chapter in the Burzum saga, but interesting to listen to in the (not futile) attempt to identify the germs and grains of sand that would become the gigantic pearl Vikernes has represented for music up to today.

Burzum's debut work, released under the pseudonym Count Grishnackh, showcases raw and unpolished black metal. The album delivers six relentless tracks with a hypnotic, harsh quality. It highlights early dark ambient influences and contrasts with later, more complex Burzum releases. Despite poor audio quality, it remains an essential listen for fans interested in black metal's formative years. Dive into Burzum's raw black metal beginnings and experience the dark roots of an iconic legend.

 Discovering in 2008 the bootleg father of the early Ulver years remains an unmistakable thrill.

 A MASTERPIECE.

The review praises the raw and mystical qualities of Ulver's 1993 bootleg cassette Ondes Triumph, highlighting its importance to black metal enthusiasts. Despite poor audio quality, the release delivers an intense and hypnotic atmosphere. The reviewer explores differences in lineup and tracks compared to official releases, ultimately calling it a masterpiece and an invaluable glimpse into Ulver's early years. Explore Ulver's early raw black metal bootleg and dive into a legendary underground masterpiece today!

 A naive mini-double, still strongly immature, which nevertheless contains the seeds of what would become the guiding lines of the two Norwegian bands.

 The disc is worth a listen, but the style is not worth the genre.

This split album by Ulver and Mysticum serves as a promotional release showcasing early raw black metal sounds from both Norwegian bands. While the recording quality is poor and the tracks add little new to their discographies, the release captures the atmospheric and violent essence that would shape their future works. Fans seeking rare pieces may appreciate it, but overall, it falls short for lovers of the bands’ later refined styles. Discover the roots of Norwegian black metal with this rare split featuring Ulver and Mysticum—listen now and explore their early sound!

 The pseudo-pacifist and politicized echoes of the flower children’s era were reflected in one of the artists who had made the most genuine part of the beat generation great, ruining the social and mental setup of an undoubtedly influential man.

 Honor to John Lennon’s assassin. He freed us from a criminal and much other socialist and repetitive music.

This review offers a highly critical and controversial perspective on John Lennon's Imagine album. The author condemns its socio-political messages, associating them with harmful ideologies and questioning the intellectual merit of the music. The review challenges the widespread cultural reverence for the album and its themes, calling for a reexamination of its role in education and society. Explore this bold critique of John Lennon’s Imagine and challenge your perspective on its cultural legacy.

 The growl inserts itself even slower, more spasmodic, quickly slipping into a new Death-Anguish union, made colder and sadder by the new element.

 Pain turns red and almost palpable in 'Descend The Lifeless Womb,' a marathon along a linear riff that unleashes blood, dotted with slowdowns and screams making it all an unbearable solution of acid in hatred, cold in anguish.

Evoken's 'A Caress of the Void' is a profound exploration of Funeral Doom Metal, marked by oppressive atmospheres and deep nihilistic themes. The album melds hypnotic slow riffs with melancholic melodies and harsh vocals to evoke despair and numbness. Each track offers a unique progression, immersing the listener in a bleak yet captivating soundscape. The review highlights the band's mastery in combining death, doom, and black metal elements with profound emotional depth. Dive into Evoken's haunting Funeral Doom world—listen to 'A Caress of the Void' and experience profound darkness and melancholy.