Albums most popular in the United States●Death Metal/Black Metal

Tracks: 17 Release date: 2009-04-17 $10.99

Tracks: 8 Release date: 2023-03-24 $8.99

Tracks: 3 Release date: 2008-02-01 $3.99

Tracks: 7 Release date: 2023-03-20 $6.93

Tracks: 11 Release date: 2023-03-24 $9.99

Tracks: 6 Release date: 1996-01-31 $5.99

Comments

1. very experimental compared to before.. - compared to his last album which wad typcial in musical quality to his last two outside Varg being the sole contributer this album contains much more of an even amount of Black Metal and Dark Ambient. This helps to blend with typical pagan rooted and for Varg politically motivated lyrics because this has by far the longest songs out of his entire discography so far.
2013-03-22

2. Deepest album of Black Metal! - This album just is awe-inspiring. ESPECIALLY Dunkelheit, catchy memorable riffs and sound, this album is the ultimate escapist album. It gives the pleasure of the desolate, and the cold fearlessness of death. This is BURZUM's strongest album that you will ever listen to. Black Metal fans, it is the dark-bred of a "suicide" album. this is an automatic on your playlist.
2012-10-20

3. Definitely not for newcomers to Black Metal - As most Black Metal is raw and intentionally lo-fi, "Filosofem" is no exception. The drums are compressed to death, the guitars are all treble and beyond fuzzy (apparently plugged direct into a boom-box, rather than an actual guitar amp)...however for seasoned fans of Black Metal this is bliss. His processed vocals are haunting and the synth parts contrast uniquely. Decrepitude I and II (here listed as "Gebrechlichkeit") sound nearly identical, with creepy dungeon sound effects in the background. Track ("Rundgang") is certain to appeal only to devoted fans of Ambient/Drone influenced BM; Varg subsequently takes the listener on a -minute journey into the center of the ancient Norwegian forests (definitely a track one can fall asleep to). An outstanding Black Metal number, perhaps Burzum's greatest "release" (no pun intended - Varg has waited patiently for his). Check it out.
2012-02-12

4. Great record! - This is by far the best Burzum record out there. Say what you want about Varg, the guy makes great music. This is a very atmospheric album. I can't find a single fault in this album. If you like your metal black and ambient, then check Filosofem out. If not, go away and don't come back.
2011-02-20

5. Thinly disguised nazi crap - So Varg owns a distortion pedal and a guitar, who cares? His music is mediocre, there are for more interesting acts if you want to hear dark metal, dark ambience, etc... Besides the fact that he is a new-age racist putz, his music is not that interesting, and neither sobriety nor drug use makes his music any good. Bleh...
2010-07-30

6. Filosofem - I bought this album some time ago and have listened to it several times since. It really is the sort of thing that never gets "old" and is always capable of delivering profound meaning. Even for those who aren't especially fond of black metal, anyone could easily appreciate this work, assuming you don't absolutely detest "harsh" vocals...oh, and there is the production quality as well, but I find this only adds to the atmosphere! Anyways, I also wanted to say that the sticker in the bottom left hand corner of iTune's artwork for this album appears to say "Burzum- Norwegian version". "Jesus' Tod", though a German title, plays with norwegian lyrics, and if you wish to change the track titles to their appropriate, "definitive", english/Nor. titles, then you can simply do so. Great album, a must buy! Hails
2010-04-24

7. / guilty pleasure, / sheer torture - Disclaimer: I'm a bit conflicted over listening to Burzum at all, as I consider Varg Vikernes to be undeniably talented yet a bit over-the-top at best. (Not to mention that I despise him for being a revolting racist jag-off ... but let it go, after all we're talking music here.) That said, I enjoy most of Filosofem for its rawness and sheer sonic intensity (check out the opening track "Dunkelheit") and the odd subtle details that turn up amidst all the chaos ... you wouldn't normally think of metal as "meditative", but then you wouldn't have heard this album yet. Sad to say, though, track is a MAJOR faux pas. If minutes of new age music bores me to death, then why in ANY GODS' NAMES would I suffer through minutes of ONE percussive/synth loop over and Over and OVER ... Opera Winfrey's comparison to minimalism and Philip Glass is spot on, and that's NOT a point in the album's favor. Without that self-indulgent foulup, I might have felt generous and rated this stars. As it is, it's a good half-an-album by a decidedly flawed genius.
2009-12-17

8. Hypnotic - This takes many listens to truly enjoy, but it is well worth it. One of the most abyssmal, bleak and beautful black metal albums ever. The first time i listened to Rundgang Um DIe... i honestly thought it was a joke. Many listens later, it has become one of the most enchanting things i have.
2009-06-21

9. An Amazing Masterpiece. - This CD is a little more mainstream than the other Burzum CDs... but in some ways it's not (yes Im talking about the minute song of nothing). Even though, this CD is one of the classics that all Black Metal fans should own. Dunkelheit is one of the best songs I have ever heard. Now all iTunes Needs is the Dunkelheit video.
2009-05-11

10. Godly to say the least - This album, all Burzum albums and Varg are remarkable.This music is original and yet pure,beautiful but dark and dissonant. I would recomend this album to anyone seeking serious tones of metal music that ultimitely just kick as. Highlights re Jesus Tod, Erblicket Die Tochter Des Firmaments and especially Gebrechlichkeit II, but this album should most definetly be listened to in its entirety.
2009-04-29

11. A Masterpeice of Something More than Metal - This album transcends metal: it's more like a minimalist/philip glass/wall of noise sound that's truely mysterious and deep. It's so unique that it may take some time to get into it. But it's way beyond the cheesy fantasy kitch of most black and death metal.
2009-01-18

12. Possibly his Best Album. - This is a great album. Its a black metal classic. For those who don't know Filosofem means Philosophy in the norwegian language. Again for those who don't know Burum means darkness in orcish or the black speech of mordor. Burzum's lyrics are mostly about the fantasy world of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.
2008-10-05

13. A little more accomplished - The first Burzum album was extremely rough around the edges, almost laughable, Varg certainly put some more focus in on this one. Doesn't stray from his original sound too much, a decent piece of work, especially considering the ridiculous beginnings of black metal. Give 'Lords of Chaos' a read for a good look into the world of early black metal.
2008-09-24

14. Buy this. Burzum is great. - Burzum is killer, one of my favorites of all time. Varg is actually a very talented musician despite all the negative press, prison, ect... He made a wealth of good music at a very young age (before prison). This album is the best Burzum album I think but they are all good. This album is not typical metal. Very dark and heavy, but atmospheric. Like Dead Can Dance mixed with black metal. All Burzum is minimalist (one man band) and has low budget production but that is what makes it so great. Do it yourself, forget all the bells and whistles high tech studio crap. Great stuff.
2008-09-16

Tracks: 11 Release date: 1993-03-01 $9.99

Comments

1. Read the Book, too! - Read the book called "Lords of Chaos" for an unbiased look at this genre of music. I was skeptical at first (from reading the book's back cover) thinking this was just another book promoting another obscure type of metal music. I've now read the book and have listened to snippits of music. As a result, I have also bought some of the music here on iTunes, including Aske (Ashes). I urge you to purchase Aske as a start. You should also listen to Ulver, another very interesting band. Remember, Varg (sole member of BARZAM, now in prison for murder) was not well-liked amongst his peers. To be blunt, they felt that he was/is a hypocrite. But, you'll have to judge for yourself. The book: I liked it - it was something I was not remotely aware of. This music: I love it - gets me amped. Really quite exciting to crank!
2012-07-15

2. The World"s Tragedy is Served at my Feast - The Ghost alone in the fog. This image which graces the cover of the debut album by infamous Norwegian black metal project Burzum could not depict more accurately the man behind the music, Varg Vikernes (Count Grishnackh). He has always seemed to walk the path less trodden, for better or worse throughout his career as many of his actions and statements have demonstrated. Indeed, the whole purpose of Burzum was to seperate from the percieved mediocrity of extreme metal at the time. The whoring out of labels such as Earache, Roadrunner, and Peaceville to sign any band with guttural vocals and buzzsaw guitars. Burzum was a reaction to increasing technicality and decreasing memorability. No, this is minimalism at its best. The production, engineering, tone quality, and heck, even visual aesthetics are minimal. Varg's philosophies are refreshing for the time and This album is proof that minimalism can translate into memorable, meaningful music. And the album is very memorable. It is primal, yet very structured. The thrashiness of Venom or the first several Bathory albums are not apparent here. Instead, there are flowing melodies which remain distinctly simple. Also Varg's vocals are vastly different than anything else at the time. There are no Dead-esque shouts or Darkthrone-y yells. Instead, he has high-pitched, very painful sounding shrieks. It almost sounds as if he is stubbing his toe over and over, howling out his pain into Grieghallen's studio microphone. The drums are slow to mid-paced, focusing more on cymbals and snare than bass. They are desolate and dramatic, and repititious. There are also several awesome lead lines, as in "Ea, Lord of the depths". The bass too is simplistic, sticking close to the guitar riffs. The one place where this album suffers is in aout the last fourth of this album, where the songs get longer. I find 'A Lost Forgotten Sad Spirtit" (which is for some reason missing here, replaced by the inferior Aske version) and "My Journey to the Stars" to become boring and overwrought. However, this is not the case for "Feeble Screams from Forests Unknown". The album also features two ambient excursions; "Channeling the Power of Souls Into a New God" which is just a pair of primitive synth lines droning alongside like a creepy boss level on some old NES game. "Dungeons of Darkness" is more interesting, dark noise slowly creeping into violent percussion as the listener slowly journeys further into some implied underground medieval torture chamber. On the Aske EP, we are treated to Samoth of Emperor performing bass on "A Lost Forgotten Sad Spirit" and "Stemmen Fra Taarnet". As I'm not crazy about the first version of the former, That track is not one of my favorites here either. "Dominus Sathanas", however, is a curious departure by Vikernes, comparable to "A Crying Orc", it's pretty much just a guitar and bass instrumental, almost like Candlemass if you added bombastic drums and operatic vocals. In the end, I am in love with about of the minutes of the first album, and the "Aske" mini-album is a nice addition. And although this may not be Burzum's greatest album in hindsight, it did help to lay the groundwork for my favorite works: Filosofem and Hvis Lyset Tar Oss.
2012-04-22

3. This is black metal! - Ignore the iTunes reviewers who gave this album low ratings. Those people are not fans of black metal. On the other hand, fans of black metal should love this album because Burzum is the king of this dark, cold genre. Everything you expect from black metal you will find here, crafted with the skill that only Burzum can exhibit.
2011-12-10

4. Varg, master of early black metal - Possibly one of the most famous of the Burzum albums (and now more so that Varg was released a while ago, people are revisting his old work) due to the fact that it is an utter masterpiece. Burzum was at the frontline of Black/Pagan/Blackened Death Metal when it started in Norway and Sweden and for good reason, the one-man-band project that is Burzum is one of the most influential and better of Black Metal bands in the history of the genre To remark specifically on this album, it is a masterpiece. The lo-fi production sounds like he recorded it in Satan's bedroom closet, it is eerily hellish (very much in tune with the genre) the vocals are pretty good as far as 's lo-fi production go, the song lyrics are dark (as is typical), the musicianship is superb, Varg plays all the instruments and is quite proficient. My personal favorites if you cannot buy the whole album for whatever reason would have to be Spell of Destruction, War and Dominus Sathanas...the best songs on the album (if not a tad bit repetitive) are the epics: Feeble Screams from Forests Unknown and A Lost Forgotten Sad Spirit (which is unfortunantly album only for you nitpickers but a great reason to buy the full album) as they demonstrate the full range of Varg's ability Overall: /...definently one of the best albums of Buruzm and the whole black metal genre
2010-07-14

5. This really is a priority album For Black Metal fans - It's really brutal because of the production yet over whelmingly beautiful and thought provoking. If you've never heard Burzum, the vocals will surprise you, and possibly annoy you, as they did I, but I have grown accustomed to them. I especially recommend Spell of Destruction.
2010-06-11

6. aske e.p. burzum f/l - the first songs are from the burum full length release but is missing track , "a lost forgotten sad spirit". the last songs are from the aske mini ep and that is the version of A Lost Forgotten Sad spirit you get. "war" features oystein aarseth, whom varg vikernes was convicted of murdering, on the guitar solo
2010-06-09

7. This music is a gift... - Vikernes' music is some of the most beautiful I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. Hearing and studying this album is prompting me to write this... My first Itunes review!!! This album is the combination of his self-titled debut album "Burzum" along with the mini-EP "Aske" (Ashes). Keep in mind this is NOT the radio-friendly music you might be accustomed to. Vikernes recorded this music to be a rebellion against good production/over-processed music you hear on MTV etc. The vocals are tortured and may be off putting to some (I wasn't expecting to hear these kind of vocals so it caught me by surprise) but they are EXTREMELY unique and original... I've really grown fond of them. The lyrics are amazing and I encourage you to read them to get the full experience! The way his songs play out on this album is simply magical. This album will take you to another world if you allow it!
2010-05-26

8. Reasonable, warm garage organic production. - Early black metal from Count Grishnack defines some of the characteristics of the genre in a lengthy and powerful release. Although simple, and often suffocatingly feral with ghoulish distorted screams garbling any message but the mood: sadness, the music evokes a dark and emotional despair that is suppressed fear within human existence. The simple virus of Burzum communicates the dissatisfaction, misery, and anger of a generation that wants only to dream, as reality is a waste -- forget living outside the head, retreat within. No satisfaction with life here, only a despairing suicidal reclusion and self-withdrawal. The Count chose to project this feral, nihilistic, ambiguous music into our consciousness to stimulate fantasy. These memetic messengers resonate at intellectual and emotional levels in the brain, working deconstructive code into the machine and consoling the spirit with a harmonized disharmonious voice that refuses to quell the torment of the soul and acknowledges the deep pain and moral stupidity of living in a modern world. This is the mocking spirit of nihilism that encourages mortals to value their freedom by urging them toward lawlessness abandonment of the material in favor of the ethereal. For those who seek darkness because it will set them free.
2009-04-19

9. here's the deal - All this hoopla about murders and church burnings and whatnot boils down to this. There will always be some amount of teenage boys just dumb enough to pull these stunts and, of course, they will gravitate towards the absolute dumbest and corniest music they can find...metal. This music is just plain silly. It's not "evil", or "angry" or "threatening". It's simply the soundtrack for goofy little boys who like to dress up like monsters.
2008-09-03

Tracks: 8 Release date: 1993-08-01 $7.92

Comments

1. Wow! - Because the last time I talked about a black metal band from Norway with Mayhem and said negatives that Eurynomous ruined most of the music im calling Burzum THE exception. Here Varg displays a perfect of traditional black metal and dark ambient the genre I contend that he created. Not only that but his lyrics also acknowledge other themes outside satanic imagery. Bringing in Tolkien's work right away he also manages without direct references to take a lot of the pagan and christian mixtures of mythology from the books.
2012-09-26

2. Burzum. Nuff said. - If you don't know Burzum, how did you get here? If you DO know Burzum, then why are you bothering to read reviews? This is for those in between, who have heard of what black metal was and should be, and want to find out more. Check out anything from the first four albums from this man, and know that this is a review of the MUSIC, not the PERSON. I am a big fan of the music he produced, but Varg needs to realize the importance of being able to admit that you changed your mind about your views when they change, not pretend that was how it always was. But I digress. Det Som Engang Var is probably one of the single best albums I own, and it is a regular play at night when the purity of the moon overtakes me. It is what burns my soul clean of the scum of Earth at the end of the day, and it is what centers me on who and what I am. It is not the only, but it is certainly high on the list of albums that make me forget the trials of every day life. Highly recommended for those who like to put on some candles, put on a cd, and just zone out in a dark room. It will certainly make you forget the issues that cause you strife as you listen to such well-crafted expressions of catharsis as Lost Wisdom and Key to the Gate. For lovers of what black metal should be, and what it hopefully will become again. Also see Hvis Lyset Tar Oss.
2010-09-02

Tracks: 4 Release date: 1994-05-01 $9.99

Comments

1. u dont know what ur in for - i remember i bought the original release and a year later it was destroyed. still have the case and music but it is unplayable. it was a devastating loss since i havent found another original copy since... this is one of the best all around musical albums u can buy. i know the comparison is strange but think of it as a darker, more ambient version of opeth's morningrise album. EPIC music from an Epic person
2012-12-25

2. The definitive Black Metal album. - Whatever your opinion of Vikernes, you cannot deny the genius and legacy of this album. Everything from the Synths to the underlying sounds and vocals is absolutely perfect, and I believe this album should be more than just a Black Metal album, it should be an album that everyone owns, just like Back in Black by AC/DC because is encapsulates a whole genre in songs that play for a little under minutes. You can hate Vikernes because he murdered Euronymous, he's anti-Semitic, and he has put down just about every other Black Metal band in the world, but you cannot deny the importance and crushingly droning beauty of this album.
2011-05-09

3. nd best - Well, it's true what they say: Hvis Lyset Tar Oss is a classic. This, in my opinion, is the nd best black metal album in existance behind "Lord Satan's Secret Rites" (DMDS) from Mayhem. The first songs are great, well-produced heavy metal songs with a little bit of overlying ambience that adds an extra bit of feeling to the catchy riffs. The fourth song, Tomhet, is what really makes this album great. Imagine if "A Warm Place" from nine inch nails went for minutes: that's basically what it's like. Very powerful stuff. Yes, by the way, this album was made by a paranoid, psychopathic, unsympathetic, racist killer who single-handedly ruined what could have been a legendary career for Mayhem, and still expresses pride for killing a "coward" (Euronymous). But, despite Varg's universally unlikable personality and background, his music is still good enough that one could move past the person and just focus on the music.
2011-05-05

4. Remember Animals? - Remember Pink Floyd's Animals? Animals has only three songs and is one of the best albums of all time. Well kids, THIS IS IT. In the black metal scene, Hvis Lyset Tar Oss is the best there is. In only four songs, Hvis Lyset Tar Oss will take you on one hell of a journey if you let it!
2011-04-28

5. My Opinion - I love metal, but hate black metal. So, this is by far the best black metal band out there, because I like him. It's too bad that Varg hasn't planned any further albums for Burzum, even though he is on parole. The first song i heard was "Det Som en Gang Var" which, honestly, I cannot go to sleep after listening to. Not because of the catchy keyboarding, blast beat drumming, throat-bleeding vocals, or distorted shredding, but because it scares me. And that is why I rated this album -star.
2009-06-29

6. A true black metal classic... - This is one of the greatest black metal releases of all time. It is the album that got me into black metal in the first place. If you are a metal fan, and you don't own this album, GET IT NOW! Or better yet, get the vinyl re-release (I did, and couldn't be happier). Anyway, Det Som en Gang Var is one of the best black metal songs ever written; the best adjective I can come up with for it is epic. One of my favorite riffs of all time! The next songs, Hvis Lyset Tar Oss and Inn I Slottet Fra Droemmen are solid, and some of Varg's most solid and well-polished tracks. Plus, Tomhet is probalby the best ambient track that Varg ever made, until Der Tod Woutans off of Hliðskjálf. If you only get one Burzum album, make this the one.
2008-10-13

7. One of the best - ever written black metal albums. Phenomenal ambient black metal from the screwy mind of Kristian Vikernes (yes, thats his real name.) songs of raw, repetitive, drony black metal, and an excellent ambient closing. Enjoy this album and expect greatness only "If the Light Will Take Us"
2008-09-02

8. Thank You iTunes! - I am glad for the addition of Burzum on iTunes, I honestly did not think that iTunes would put Burzum on ever! This is definitedly a good ALBUM, which means that it works best as a single entity than individual songs. It still is a great listen and worth the the money. If you only want a taste, then get the title track.
2008-08-24

Tracks: 8 Release date: 2021-10-29 $9.99

Comments

1. Album of the Year material - ’s Relentless Mutation is legendary, a release I can come back to time and time again and never cease enjoying it. So I was beyond excited for Bleed the Future, which didn’t disappoint. Still has blistering fast vocals and lightning speed instrumentation, but remains fresh. Absolutely maniacal in its intensity, yet takes it’s time to have moments of haunting beauty. Listen to it right now
2021-10-30

2. Immaculate - One of my favorite things about Archspire is that they always shatter their own limits. They're like a freaking anime protagonist or something, I swear. Each album gets better, faster, and more technical than the last, while still maintaining their signature sound. It's unbelievable to me, in the best way.
2021-09-14

3. I would have bought this album - But who mixed this? It’s so awful, I wouldn’t stream this free on youtube. Where are the vocals? Even for black metal, the vocals are so muddled and buried behind layers of absolute incoherently written guitar verses that I cannot fathom that a band would walk out of the studio with this as their final mix. Just go listen to something else. Anything else.
2021-09-01

Tracks: 8 Release date: 2010-03-08 $9.99

Comments

1. Amazing album. A modern classic. - This album is amazing. I loved it when I first heard it and it has grown on me even more since it's release. Sverddans and Morgenroede have become of my favorite songs. It fits in nicely were Filosofem left off, but with a bit more mature sound. Great music. If you are open minded and can think for yourself, it's very good music.
2011-02-13

2. True Norwegian black metal is back!!! - This is a great album from start to finish. Varg did a great job on this. Bands like darkthrone, satyricon and even the always terrible dimmu borgir ( except for stormblast and for all tid) should take a cue from varg and rewind their sound to when black metal actually meant something. ive stars.
2010-06-28

3. Back with another solid release - This is Burzum's first album after Varg got out of prison and the first one to feature real instruments since Filosofem. I wasn't really much of a fan of the last two ambient MIDI albums. They both had their moments, but they just didn't have that Burzum sound in my opinion. Now this album is nothing revolutionary or different, but it's still darn good stuff and a must have for any Burzum fan. The introduction track is just seconds of what sounds like ping pong, but after that's over with "Belus' Dod" begins. This sounds very similar to "Jesus' Tod" from Filosofem and sounds pretty much exactly like the title track of Dauldi Baldrs. The next track, "Glemselens Elv" is easily the best track on the album. It's very slow paced with a lot of atmospheric riffing. "Sverddans" throws you off a little bit. It's a fast minute song in the same vein as "War". But then the album gets back on track with "Keilohesten" and from there it's flawless.
2010-03-22

4. Great! Another Burzum classic. - Great album. I was very excited for this album to come out and it does not let down. Belus continues the Burzum journey perfectly and fits in seamlessly with the sound of Filosofem and Hvis Lyset Tar Oss. The only complaint is that I wish there was a little more synth like on those albums. But overall a great album. Great music.
2010-03-10

5. Burzum is back! - Although, Varg Vikernes's new album doesn't sound like ASKE or DET SOM ENGANG VAR, it's still an amazing album. I would recommend it to anyone who can appreciate this style of music, it's not about the image or trend, it's about the atmosphere the music creates. That's what seperates Burzum's music from any other form of Black Metal. I'm glad to see he is still making new albums after his sixteen year sentence for the murder of Oystein Aarseth and the arson of three churches in Bergen.
2010-03-08

6. A Welcome Return - Whether you view Varg as a living contradiction or see him as someone who stands for what he is regardless of any other situation, it is hard to deny the music of Burzum is very intriguing and inspiring metal. Beyond the arrogance of the man lies a keen ear for true composition, combining artistic substance through personal reflection and interpretation, and the blending of multiple layers, culminating in hypnosis of the listener. To me, Belus is more like sitting down to a storyteller, becoming entangled in their presentation, but always being a bit separated. Unlike Aske, which rips open the fabric of reality, transporting you to a completely different dimension within the first seconds, Belus is easily digestible. From the first listens, I have heard nothing truly groundbreaking, and it definitely lacks the dramatic tension of Aske. What Belus does contain is a beautiful assembly of layers, culminating into a hypnotic album that is pure trance in some parts. The layered quality of Belus are comparable to My Bloody Valentine's "Loveless". It is beautiful. I think Belus is an important album, simply because it is the first true Burzum album since prison. Highly anticipated and artfully conceived, it is definitely a welcome addition to the Burzum catalogue. Truthfully, although I certainly don't rate it above Aske or Hvis lyset tar oss, it is a great album and I think it opens a new door for an even better future release. On the other hand this could also be a great finish. The flip side is this... After listening to De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas a few more times in the past few days, I keep thinking that it's too bad Euronymous had to die for this. Varg is extremely intriguing but he completely alienated the community, with his utter naivety which evolved into stubborn arrogance. Burzum's music is good, maybe great, but I can't help but contemplate his playing of the media factoring into this equation. Burzum sounds like Bathory, and if it weren't for Euronymous, Varg would likely be just another RPG wanker. Too bad he is a part of the entertainment industry but refuses to perform...
2010-03-08

Tracks: 10 Release date: 1984-12-31 $8.99

Comments

1. This is FREAKIN GARBAGE - Like bro this is the freaking DEVIL talking to you. Who tf actually likes that. The song devils curse, dude, you want to be cursed by the devil!!!??? I’m not sorry that I’m putting this, I literally can’t listen to this for seconds because I’m a Christian, and I like metal music, METALLICIA life!
2020-07-07

2. Drop everything and get this now! - This is it; where death metal, thrash metal, and black metal all coalesce into something so dark, so evil you'll be mindblown before you can blink! Timeless, ageless, and as relevant now as ever. This is darkness, devastation and The Devil all in one skull-splitting package. No collection is complete without it!
2016-05-14

3. The missing link - A lot of people cite this as the first death metal album, but I think that distinction actually goes to Morbid Angel's Abominations of Desolation, which saw a very limited release in before being shelved until the s, or Death's Scream Bloody Gore. This album, like Celtic Frost's Morbid Tales, is a missing link between thrash metal and death metal, and Seven Churches is probably the seminal missing length. This album helped set many of the precedents for what would come to define death metal, particularly the vocals. There are still far too many Slayer influenced thrash metal riffs and drum beats for this to really sound like out and out death metal, but it comes awfully close. With moments of chugging guitar and the occasional blastbeat drumming, some of the songs define many of the elements of what would become the death metal genre. This is a classic of the burgeoning extreme metal movement, and it is to death metal what Bathory's debut was to black metal.
2016-01-28

Tracks: 8 Release date: 2016-02-05 $9.99

Comments

1. Great - Another great album from an insanely talented band. Lightning fast guitar riffs, backed up with melodic harmonies, insanely complicated drumming, and incredible bass riffs. As for "Bassin" making the comment about the vocals, and giving this one star? Guess what? It's technical progressive DEATH METAL! If you don't like it, keep listening to Dragon Force, or Hammerfall or whatever band you like that has castrated guys singing like little girls if that floats your fishing boat. Why bother reviewing a genre you don't like other than to troll? Just as an aside, I listen to Obscura all day when I fish for bass. Then I use the bass as bait for Musky! I TROLL when I do it too. True story.
2016-02-11

2. Breathtaking. - To be honest, I never really was a fan of Obscura. I had major repsect and admiration for them because they are incredibly talented. But, with this album, my admiration and respect has increased by %. I just listened to the stream last night, and I am proud to say this is the album that got me officially into Obscura. I am making it imperative that I make it to my local record store and pick up a copy. This album BEAUTIFULLY mixes technical wizadry, with heaviness and atmosphere. Great job guys.
2016-02-03

Tracks: 4 Release date: 2019-11-22 $7.99

Comments

1. Lost In Paradise - The random internet dude who gave a one star stating this is death metal for millennials, is absolutely wrong, personally I have been listening to death metal since (Leprosy, Reign in Blood, Mortification, ND’s from enslavement to obliteration, Hypocrisy penetralia) in addition to many of my year old friends, who have found Blood Incantation to be absolutely refreshing and ingenious... Can’t wait to hear more upcoming releases from these talented bunch.
2021-04-13

2. It’s very good. - Don’t listen to the people saying “ oh the hype didn’t live up to this” No! This album is very good and I’m already getting the physical record I love it so much. It’s very technical, brutal, and beautiful. Art work is very cool too. The art shows the vibe of the music. Just listen to the whole thing.
2019-12-16

3. Death Metal for Millennials - I just don’t get the hype. Maybe I’m just too old school. These guys are certainly talented, but the songs just meander along without amounting to much (just like most millennials!) The vocals are just downright abysmal. Good DM vocals need to be dynamic and change it up a bit as the music goes through its various twists and turns. This is just monotonous growling, and actually detracts from the intensity of the music. A word of advice from a veteran Death Metal listener and musician: Put the bong away when you are in the recording studio.
2019-11-25

4. buy it....drop out ......and listen - i had seen Blood Incatation on tour with Necrot and the live show was and both bands were awesome to see live. Blood Incantation are a stand alone band that you should listen to while working in the garage and or taking the trip to other instellar demensions.So take some advise from this year old dude and buy it and support bands that you like and go see them live when you have the chance,so these bands can continue to make music that will blow your mind..............thank you Blood Incatation.....fyi...........i will buy in Itunes and also the cd.
2019-10-18

Tracks: 9 Release date: 2011-03-01 $8.91

Comments

1. Melodic death metal at its finest - It's always a great feeling to discover a new metal band. OG is certainly not new to the metal scene but I just recently checked them out, and it was well worth it. OG is a mix of Swallow the Sun and Insomnium with a dash of Opeth. If you like any of these bands you will like OG. The music is heavy, melodic, and epic at the same time. If you like your death metal to have just the right amount of melody, check New World Shadows out. Great band, fantastic CD. It is destined to be on many year end "best of" lists.
2011-04-16

2. Get this!!!! - If you are in anyway a fan of melodic, progressive death metal then you owe it to yourself to have this album. And even if you're not, it's great! Its something refreshing even when I thought this genre was reaching the edge of it's creativity. While not a completely new kind of sound, its done VERY well. These guys have written some very well thought out songs. The kind that you go around with in your head all day. The kind that inspire you to want to write an album like this(if youre a musician of any kind) Everfields, Ego, New World Shadows, Nova Flame, and The Distance are my favs so far on here. Beautiful, amazing album. I hope there are more like it this to come...... .....like new Opeth this year(fingers crossed).
2011-03-06

3. A true masterpiece - I was absolutely blown away upon the first listen of Omnium's latest release. Their previous release (The Redshift) is one of my favorite albums of all time & this one just may be right up there with more listens. This effort shows a bit more progressiveness than anything they have released before & it works. Give it a listen & you will not be disappointed.
2011-03-02

Tracks: 13 Release date: 2017-09-01 $19.99

Comments

1. Outstanding - Im , metal has been my favorite genre of music since i was , i love all types of metal, if its good, its good. I have a job were i can wear earbuds n listen to music all day long so i buy a lot of new stuff, albums a week at least. Im usually not a big death/black metal persons but if it catches my ear im in, love gojira n black crown initiate is top bands for me right now but i usually dont seek the genre out so i missed this album on its release n that was a mistake. Its amazing. Top of . If ur into hard music do urself a favor n buy this. The atmosphere of the music alone is worth a listen. Ive never checked this band out before but i will def dig into their back catalogue. Buy it
2018-01-10

2. Buy It - A seamless blend of metal and classical music. I don't find many bands that can pair these two genres well with one another, but Septicflesh have crafted a thing of soaring, emotional beauty with this album. My personal favorite from Codex Omega would have to be Enemy of Truth -- such an intoxicating chorus!
2017-10-25

3. The Apex of Metal. - This is an absolute masterpiece. Codex Omega is not mearley the best work of one of metal's more crushing bands, it is a gift to music period. This shows what can be done by very talented people of many disciplines with a vision and the right resources. Since their return with 'Communion', every pice of music they have made thus has been in preparation for this, their masterwork; an hour and a half of face crushing tone married harmoniously to symphonia that could stand up on its own right as being both innovative and true to the form of Wagner and Verdi. I downloaded the first songs available prior to release and thought they were amazing but upon my first listen at the realease, I literally was stopped in my tracks and had to re-compose myself; Something that hasn't happened to me since 'Nile's th Ara of Dagon' (which this crushes, by the way). This album melted my face like when they opened the Ark of the Covenant in raders. Sonnically, I did not think they could out do Titan, but this shadows Titan on a whole new dimension and the lyrics are poignant and too relevent to the times while also being archetypal and just very metal. If I clould give Codex omega more stars, I would.
2017-09-02

4. Highly underrated masters of Symphonic Death Metal - I've never understood why Septicflesh isn't even more popular than they already are. Every album since Communion has been top notch - and Codex Omega continues that trend. Every song on this album is extremely well crafted from writing to actual execution. It's brutality is accented by moments of quiet and grace, and every song leads into a spiraling crescendo that feels like being trapped in a cyclone. Codex Omega is easily my favorite release of , not just because Septicflesh is my favorite band - it's also a solid th album by men who have mastered their craft after more than years. My favorite tracks are Portrait of a Headless Man and Dark Art.
2017-09-01

Tracks: 12 Release date: 2015-08-21 $10.99

Comments

1. Something Different, Something Great - Contrary to popular belief, Burzum fans like myself (despite not being a Varg fan) can enjoy beautiful music like this too! This carries you on those "mental journeys" that only few artists can produce, in this case black metal which is something that I love about this genre. Buy this if you love the genre, want to try something different (one woman project!), and enjoy the journeys that music can take you through.
2017-04-03

2. THAT'S A FREAKING GIRL!!!!!!!! - Yes, this is a one-WOMAN black metal band. A lot of bands with women fronting them, let's face it, aren't that heavy. This is, however, the ultimate exception! First track "Haevnen" has very atmospheric and heavy vibe, almost like the ways of Xasthur. Very very brutal. The next track "Odne Born", isn't as grinding, but the composition is BEAUTIFUL! It's sounds anywhere between Enya and Agalloch. STELLAR! Myrkur may not be the black metal band of choice for certain black metal purists, but if you're looking for a little something different, this album should be $ well spent.
2015-07-18

Tracks: 15 Release date: 2014-06-23 $12.99

Comments

1. Good but not great - Not quite as good or memorable as The Great Mass but still better than most other stuff out there. Unfortunately the st half of the album is better than the second, which starts to drag a little. Still a very cool, well written and creative album. If you're getting a little tired of tech-death like myself, this is a nice, refreshing listen.
2014-06-24

2. Good use of orchestrals! - Most of the time I'm skeptical of bands that use symphonics or orchestra in their music. Often it sounds like two different songs being played at the same time and is distracting but this band manages to use them just enough to create an atmosphere and finishes with solid metal musicanship.
2014-06-24

Tracks: 8 Release date: 2023-03-08 $7.92

Tracks: 9 Release date: 2016-02-12 $8.91

Comments

1. star album - There is only a single one star review at this point for a reason! This album absolutely crushes. That guy either doesn't like the band or the style they play.... simple as that! This album is a nice blend of deathcore and slam. Personally, I think Within Destruction does it better than just about anybody out there!
2019-01-24

Tracks: 8 Release date: 2015-10-16 $9.99

Tracks: 10 Release date: 2019-10-25 $10.99

Comments

1. Perfect progression - This album goes full tilt into the sounds they flirted with on the previous outing and the result is a much more fleshed out and cinematic album. Each song stands on its own but also lends to the whole experience. Some moments on here sound a bit like if Gojira did deathcore but it works without sounding too much like they’re ripping off another bands sound. They make it their own. Great album beginning to end
2020-06-29

2. This was reuploaded? - I don’t understand why it seems only Nuclear Blast does this, but with SO many of their albums they take them down and reupload them. I don’t know if it’s for better ratings or to try and get people to buy them again... either way, this album is a beautiful progression for the band and was in my top AOTY last year.
2020-02-14

3. Excellent album - I’ve loved their previous two albums. This album is a little more moody and progressive. It’s still got a fast pace but there are a lot of clean guitars and atmospheric background sounds. There are more clean/rock vocals. It seems to me they have plenty of their signature sound while introducing some new ideas for them. One of my favorite albums!
2020-02-07

Tracks: 10 Release date: 2015-04-21 $9.99

Tracks: 7 Release date: 2014-09-16 $9.03

Comments

1. Promising - I'll freely admit to having been slightly sucked into the pre-release hype on this record, so if you detect a note of disappointment in my review, that's partly just my wild expectations being dashed on the rocks of reality. First and foremost, I think this is a very good, and likely important, record. Myrkur has successfully melded the ambient and ethereal sounds of something like Cocteau Twins with several of the musical signatures of black metal (blast beats and tremolo picking). Her clean singing (which is probably % of the vocals) is angelic, and several of the slower, acoustic parts have a distinctly medieval slow to them (I swear I detect both Greensleeves and Scarborough Fair in Frosne Vind and Ulvesangen). This feels new, fresh, and exhilarating. The metal parts show similar inventiveness, with shifting tempos and non-clichéd chord progressions. Unfortunately, this record is marred by inconsistent production. After several listens, I convinced that the volume is uneven to the point of distraction. Worse, the metal sections somehow sound both too muddy and too thin. Frankly, much of the record sounds like a demo tape. Additionally, I think many if the songs stop just short of true greatness. There several amazing riffs that sound like they're headed someplace completely mind-blowing that just kind of peter out and fail to turn the corner. I think this record shows incredible promise, and I hope Myrkur will reach for the next run by releasing a full LP that exhibits her full potential.
2014-09-18

2. Myrkur - Myrkur is an impressive debut album by this solo female black metal artist. The album balances beauty and brutality. Songs are cold and relentless, creating that sinister ambient mood that is typical of black metal. But it also uses beautiful melodies to add a whole new element to the music.
2014-09-17

Tracks: 11 Release date: 2017-02-10 $10.99

Comments

1. Frisson - I found out about MPE from satelitte radio - it's amazing to find a band with this kind of discography available that I knew nothing about. MPE rocketed to my top bands with the release of "Dawn of the th Era", and this album keeps them firmly there. Amazing guitar work with vocals to match. I put them in with Scar Symmetry as some of the most talented bands currently on the scene. If you experience Frisson, this album is spine-chilling.
2017-02-13

2. Hit and miss - This is the first album by MPE that I don't "love." There are some great songs, with some incredible guitar work on just about every track, and the death vocals are spot on. However, I can't get into the overuse of bombastic keyboards, or the operatic backing vocals. I realize bands need to evolve to keep their sound fresh, and they like to incorporate new elements as artistic statements, but I just don't think it fits with this band. The female vocals are ok, but once again, I feel they brought the material down. Overall, it's a good album, and these guys are incredibly gifted musicians. I'm not saying that some change isn't good, but in my opinion, they drowned out the incredible guitar riffs with very loud, unnecessary keyboard orchestration, and took raw power out of the songs with the operatics. Just my opinion. I like the album, but not as much as their past material.
2017-02-10

Tracks: 9 Release date: 2018-04-20 $7.99

Comments

1. Absolutely amazing - AOTY so far for me! I loved this so much I bought it on two different platforms. (iTunes and Bandcamp because I wanted the CD.) I’ve been listening to it every day since it came out. I don’t have all the fancy words to describe it but just know this, if you liked Path of Apotheosis you’ll love this! Buy it today!
2018-04-29

2. Eargasmic! - There are so many styles and labels under the moon like melodicdeath and techdeath or even melodic-techdeath, but when it comes to Inferi, "Virtuosic Music" flashes in my mind like an other-worldly lightning bolt tearing deep into the planet's crust searing through the core igniting the star into an illuminating display of celestial destruction! That's the kind of thing you get when you give Inferi a listen.
2018-02-20

Tracks: 8 Release date: 2021-09-10 $7.92

Comments

1. Insta-buy - This is their best album since Path of Apotheosis in my opinion. Every single song is good, and the ones which maybe aren’t AS good as the best ones are still really good. It doesn’t have any long epic songs, like a long ender or opener (which I love), but every single song is great so it doesn’t matter. I haven’t listened to anything else since it came out.
2021-10-20

Tracks: 10 Release date: 2018-04-27 $9.99

Comments

1. AOTY ’ - Picked it up on a wim really, had seen it posted a few times in a Death metal group on Facebook, glad I did. As you can tell by the description this is got my vote over Rivers Of Nihil /Slugdge/Alkaloid amazing releases this year, but hell who knows there’s still months left in the year.
2018-06-08

Tracks: 10 Release date: 2018-10-12 $9.99

Tracks: 12 Release date: 2021-02-12 $8.99

Comments

1. Dread metal - Why are people like the one star review guy here? At least explain a little on what you don’t like about the album. These are reviews, not a YouTube comments section. Another great album from Humanity’s Last Breath. The guitars, drums and vocals are at some of their best and the atmosphere is fantastic, along with the amazing use of symphonic elements. Pick this one up. Support these dudes! Probably my favorite album from them yet!
2021-02-12

Tracks: 10 Release date: 2014-10-27 $9.99

Tracks: 7 Release date: 2015-06-02 $8.99

Tracks: 8 Release date: 2015-10-30 $7.92

Comments

1. On a roll! - How they managed to crank out two albums of such quality retro death in as many years is beyond me. Hot on the heels of their previous effort, Anareta sees Horrendous take yet another massive leap forwards with what is quite possibly their most impressive album yet. They managed to scratch both my itch for old school Sweedish death metal AND my itch for progressive metal. To top it off, they maintained the absurdly high audio quality of their sophomore effort, ensuring that you get to hear every glorious detail with impressive clarity. The end result is an album that I'm going to have on rotation for the forseeable future, and most likely a long time after that.
2015-10-30

2. Will be on a ton of Best of Lists. - This album continues Horrendous’ take on the modern evolution death metal. A definitive move forward from their previous excellent albums this is a band that uses old school death metal as a platform to deliver their own unique interpretation. I love this band and love this album.
2015-10-12

Tracks: 8 Release date: 2021-08-20 $9.99

Tracks: 7 Release date: 2016-02-26 $9.99

Comments

1. Not Your Generic Black Metal Band - If Pink Floyd wore corpse paint and had a love child with Emperor this is what you would get. It is very atmospheric. I could see how some might find this a little boring but I holds my interest being a big fan of both those bands. The songs slowly build with lots of peaks and valley's. Overall I this is a very solid album.
2016-10-26

2. Pink Floyd meets Mayhem - I will be the first to admit: this stuff is out there. I mean, it's psychedelic black metal. It's eclectic, it's strange, and it's original. It has the avant-gardeness of Mayhem alongside the psychedelic prog of Pink Floyd. The synth works great with the black metal sound and the softer, proggier parts contrast quite well. I can understand what the other guy was saying when he thought that this was boring and underwhelming, but to those of us who like something different and strange, I would recommend this.
2016-02-21

Tracks: 10 Release date: 2014-06-10 $9.99

Comments

1. Stick with their first two records. - Three offerings from Tombs and they've already fallen from grace it seems. Upon listening to Savage Gold I had very high expectations. What I listened to was average, at times boring, and less eclectic than their previous efforts. A group that was once mesmerizing and eerily haunting has become a cookie cutter post/black metal outfit. How unfortunate.
2014-09-13

2. One Of A Kind! - Mike Hill is a mad scientist blending multiple sub genres together to create songs that are ever-evolving. Heavy and brooding, with thoughtful and intelligent lyrics Savage Gold is a journey into the darkness of the unknown.Brooklyn's boys have put out one of the best Metal albums of !!!
2014-08-17

3. Cosmic - Savage Gold is the solid. Every aspect of the record and all the tracks are empowering with a lot of highs and perfect down tempo sections. I have been exited for this album for quite some time and have not been disappointed! It is everything you could want to hear as a metal genre listener!
2014-06-14

Tracks: 9 Release date: 2018-10-26 $9.99

Tracks: 6 Release date: 2016-05-20 $6.99

Comments

1. Flawed but still good - This EP has some awesome songs on it. It's what you would expect after listening to their previous work. Gotta knock off one star for the decline in production. It sounds muffled like it's lacking treble. Overall, still a solid metal EP for fans of Death and death metal in general.
2016-06-02

Tracks: 11 Release date: 2015-08-21 $9.99

Comments

1. At times ethereal, at times violently beautiful - This is a gorgeous soundscape showcasing the way black metal should be. Ethereal and otherworldly, capturing the feel of the nature in Nordic lands, and then suddenly howling screams shatter the peace. The fact that this is one woman creating this music makes it all the more captivating. I watched a video in which she stated that when she screams, it hurts, but she feels when she finished screaming, she expelled something. It sounds spiritual for her.
2015-08-21

Tracks: 10 Release date: 2013-08-06 $9.90

Tracks: 9 Release date: 2023-03-17 $9.99

Tracks: 7 Release date: 2018-06-08 $7.99

Comments

1. The Sounds of Hell - I sampled some of the songs online and liked what I heard...cool riffs, ghoulish vocals that sound like they're coming from the halls of Hell, powerful drumming, and memorable songs that are heavy but with a headbanging groove. If you like death metal, you'll like this record for sure.
2018-06-11

Tracks: 8 Release date: 2020-04-24 $9.99

Comments

1. Stunning!!! - Ulcerate have always been one of those bands that are hit or miss with me. I started off years ago with Everything Is Fire which is an excellent album in its own right, but with the release of Stare Into Death And Be Still they attempt something they’ve never really done before by incorporating a bit of melody in the chaos. They nail it!! I believe this is Ulcerate’s best effort to date, the pinnacle of Ulcerate’s catalogue. It’s absolute perfection and I hope they continue with this sound in future releases.
2021-01-31

2. th Dimension - Breeched!! Instantly ripped to shreds just to be put back together in intricate fashion! Ulcerate are one of the most unique bands out there. No choruses or solos or groovy hooks. It’s a never ending build of adrenaline fueled chaos!! Only Ulcerate can hand this kind of power. The production on their albums is always stellar but this one in particular is fantastic!! Nothing overpowers one another and as always the drumming is just insanely good!!
2020-04-25

Tracks: 10 Release date: 2015-03-24 $9.99

Comments

1. Not even good enough to be Hipster. - So, I kinda dug their last album, at least a little bit and could see what they were trying to do. Wasn't good by any means but I was piqued enough to want to see if they could mature and come out with something that encapsulated their vision in a more cohesive manner. Sadly, this is just an all out mess. I love experimental, I love black metal, I could listen to Merzbow for hours but this just comes off as trying way too hard. Music should be music, in that it follows some semblance of that thought when being made or listened to. Music is also a form of art to a degree but not an art in itself. Describing music as art is basically giving it a free pass for sounding like crap. Liturgy are not moving music forward, the pioneers have been making what's recorded here for years only way better and this should be avoided at all costs.
2015-03-26

Tracks: 9 Release date: 2018-11-09 $9.99

Comments

1. Absolutely Ferocious - This album is jaw dropping. An evolution within a very tight stylistic niche. As a fan I’d say this may be their best work. The riffs are so deadly; they really take center stage. The breakdowns are unbelievable. Such a unique style and incredibly cool sounding. The rest of the band is super tight with awesome arrangements and everything just in the right spot due to incredible production. So ripping. My highest recommendation.
2018-11-09

Tracks: 9 Release date: 2003-01-01 $9.81

Tracks: 5 Release date: 2020-10-09 $4.95

Tracks: 8 Release date: 2017-06-09 $9.99

Tracks: 8 Release date: 2016-10-28 $9.99

Tracks: 9 Release date: 2019-03-29 $9.99

Comments

1. One of the Best Albums of - I know it’s March , and the whole album isn’t out yet. But dang!!! This album kicks major butt. I’m no Black Metal expert, but to me, this is what fast Black Metal is suppose to sound like. It crushes you with speed, but makes your head bob with awesome grove riffs. There is even some chant-like singing sprinkled in a few songs. These guys have struck gold with this album, and I’m glad David Vincent was included in the project. His bass and vocals really are the glue of this band. Make no mistake, Blasphemer & Flo Mounier did a great job putting their riffs and beats together. Get the debut album from VLTIMAS, you will not be disappointed.
2019-03-23