Hypomanie - A City in Mono

Band : Hypomanie
Album : A City In Mono
Genre : Post-Rock , Blackgaze
Year : 2011

Tracks :

1	You Never Gazed at the Clouds		8:20
2	She Couldn't Find a Flower, But There Was Snow		7:17
3	Smile		4:32
4	A City in Mono		10:20
5	A City in Stereo		8:55

Review : This album is thoroughly impressive from start to finish . Its a sublime mix of moody , dark and light atmospheres that can make the listener traverse distant dreamy lands in his / her imagination while plugged into this record . The production is just perfect . While this is not entirely black metal music it does possess flavors from the genre in the right quantities which when blends with post rock elements sounds awesome . I couldn't find anything boring or mundane with this album . The atmosphere is so gripping specially when you listen to this on a cold winter morning . Fans of Post-Rock / Blackgaze this one is a must own for you !

Rating : 4 Outta 5 . 

Metallica - Ride The Lighning

Band : Metallica
Album : Ride The Lightning
Genre : Thrash Metal / Heavy Metal  / Speed Metal
Year : 1984

Tracks :

A1	Fight Fire With Fire		4:45
A2	Ride the Lightning		6:41
A3	For Whom the Bell Tolls		5:09
A4	Fade to Black		6:59
B1	Trapped Under Ice		4:08
B2	Escape		4:24
B3	Creeping Death		6:35
B4	The Call of Ktulu		8:55

Review : Fight Fire With Fire .

Metallica's 2nd studio release is a monster album . Loaded with electrifying riffs , great solos and some intense thrash drumming this is an exceptional dose of Heavy Metal for anyone who has got the ear for it . Yes , back in the day when Metallica used to play Thrash Metal and not Trash Metal, they were actually great . The onslaught starts with  Fight Fire With Fire quite possibly Metallica's fastest riffing ever . The intro is classy then the killer riffs steal the spotlight . James Hetfield's vocals are just superb throughout the album . Most of the tracks on this record are flawlessly executed and are rightfully noted and preserved as classics today . " Fade To Black " is an unforgettable ballad . Creeping Death , Trapped Under Ice and Fight Fire With Fire are perfect songs to mosh . The Call of Ktulu is an awesome instrumental track . While Ride The Lightning  is not as intense as their first full length release Kill 'Em All its still really great . 

Rating : 4 outta 5 .

Opeth - Damnation

Band : Opeth
Album : Damnation
Genre : Progressive Rock
Year : 2003

Tracks :

1	Windowpane		7:43
2	In My Time of Need		5:49
3	Death Whispered a Lullaby		5:49
4	Closure		5:15
5	Hope Leaves		4:29
6	To Rid the Disease		6:20
7	Ending Credits		3:38
8	Weakness		4:07

Review : Opeth's seventh studio release Damnation marks a drastic change in their signature sound . While recognized and respected earlier by the metal community and fans alike for their heavy and dark approach to progressive music  , this time however they have mellowed down and settled with a more accessible , progressive rock sound while still maintaining some of their dark elements and abstract poetry intact . Though this is not my favorite Opeth record of all times it surely is a good one . Very relaxing and soothing side of Opeth . Mikael Akerfeldt's clean vocals are of top notch . No death growls . No abrasive tones here , just blissful Opeth songs to enjoy and maybe hum along once you are acquainted with it . Like recent Opeth albums it’s a grower . I guess Opeth wanted to appeal to a wider variety of listeners with this release and they have succeeded in putting up a record that sublime , dark and enjoyable by any fan of progressive music and beyond .


Rating : 4 outta 5 .

Alcest - Souvenirs d'un autre monde

Band : Alcest
Album : Souvenirs d'un autre monde
Genre : Shoegaze , Post-Rock , Blackgaze
Year : 2007

Tracks :

1	Printemps émeraude		7:19
2	Souvenirs d'un autre monde		6:08
3	Les iris		7:41
4	Ciel errant		7:12
5	Sur l'autre rive je t'attendrai		6:50
6	Tir Nan Og		6:10

Review : I really admire how this album blends so many neat ideas and tones to forge a drone-like moody sound slowly brushing by Black Metal borders but doesn't sound like either . The post-rock elements paint a celestial picture in the mind of the listener that lasts across the length of the album . Its truly a beautiful record . The vocals in the album are rather clean to suit this style of music . Its not for everyone but you don't have to be a Black Metal fan to enjoy this delicate yet masterful record . One look at the innocent album cover and you might be compelled to give this album a try . Its very moody stuff , very dreamy , well executed and highly recommend to anyone who appreciates good music and is not afraid to try something new .

Rating : 4 outta 5 . 

Jóhann Jóhannsson - And in the Endless Pause There Came the Sound of Bees

Artist : Jóhann Jóhannsson
Album : And in the Endless Pause There Came the Sound of Bees
Genre : Ambient / Modern Classical
Year : 2009

Tracks :

1	Theme		3:22
2	City Building		2:53
3	Entering the City		0:54
4	The Flat		3:27
5	Rainwater		2:10
6	Pods		3:14
7	The Gift		2:46
8	Dying City		3:42
9	Escape		5:44
10	Inside the Pods		1:51
11	End (Snowing)		6:39

Review : Sometimes words fall short to describe things . Such is the beauty of this record . All the elements used gel so indefinitely and create bleak soundscapes which display a vivid spectrum of beauty in isolation . Imagine a post-apocalyptic world . Earth is almost vacant and tranquil again . And an angel sitting on rock playing a mellow tune calling upon the rain . That's one of many ways of imagining what this album could sound like .The compositions are soothingly peaceful . Anyone looking for an album to enjoy in the silent hours of the night should try this one out . I also highly recommend this album to fans of Ambient Music . Its perfect !

Rating : 5 outta 5 .

Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone

Band : Slipknot
Album : All Hope Is Gone
Genre : Alternative Metal / Nu Metal            
 Year : 2008


Tracks :

1	Execute		1:49
2	Gematria (The Killing Name)		6:02
3	Sulfur		4:38
4	Psychosocial		4:42
5	Dead Memories		4:29
6	Vendetta		5:16
7	Butcher's Hook		4:15
8	Gehenna		6:53
9	This Cold Black		4:40
10	Wherein Lies Continue		5:37
11	Snuff		4:36
12	All Hope Is Gone		4:50

  

Review : Slipknot = Sh!T

This band is hopeless . No wonder how articulately they name their album All Hope Is Gone (since time immemorial) . Anyways coming back to the review all the songs on this album sound the same , bland and mundane . With the exception of Snuff , which is bearable . Its one thing to be a NU METAL band , which is an excellent choice to write more mainstream stuff but these guys display a whole new level of pseudo intellectuality . I don't want to disturb their fan base but what are they so crazed about ? Guys jumping on stage wearing masks ?  How is that music ? Forget it . That sums it up !

I could only listen to Snuff . Rest is garbage .

Rating : 0.5 outta 5

Ulcerate - The Destroyers Of All

Band : Ulcerate
Album : The Destroyers Of All
Genre : Technical Death Metal / Atmospheric Sludge Metal
Year : 2011

Tracks :

1	Burning Skies		7:34
2	Dead Oceans		7:01
3	Cold Becoming		6:16
4	Beneath		6:56
5	The Hollow Idols		6:06
6	Omens		8:26
7	The Destroyers of All		10:30

Review : The Destroyers Of All is not the most original record . But its one of the best in its genre . While the sound borrows heavily from bands like Gorguts and Blut aus Nord these guys have successful managed to put up a record that's gonna pummel your senses . Its dark , heavy and relentless at times . Something most Technical Death Metal bands are unable to adhere .The most recommendable part of the album is the striking atmosphere . Its chaotic . The sludge elements throughout the album really make this record stand apart from the rest of the lot . First the godlike Everything Is Fire and now this killer release . Ulcerate have made their point so evidently clear . They are here to stay \m/

Rating : 4 outta 5 .