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So everybody needs to check out Ast by Skagos. The one review of it on MA gave it a 100%, which I thought was bold, but after having listened to the first couple of tracks, I must agree it is a pretty amazing album. Definitely a solid contender in the midst of other great albums released this year
http://www.myspace.com/skagos
I hope he's not really paralyzed.![]()
He's not. I think the wheelchair is supposed to serve as a sort of inverted metaphor...the wheelchair being reminiscent of a throne, suggesting the concept of 'grandiosity in depravity' or something to that effect. I think it's a pretty fitting representation of the aesthetics of the type of music that he and other suicidal-type BM bands play.
(also, the mangy-looking "mut" could be seen as a "trashy" version of the whole "wolves guarding the throne" imagery.
People who believe Marduk sucks and/or produce only generic blastbeast crap are ignorant. Marduk used to be a melodic black metal band back in days and they produced at least 3 masterpieces: Those of the Unlight, Opus Nocturne and Nightwing. That's why they're still popular these days. Give those a chance.
what are good black metal albums that are coming out this year?
Zemial
Agatus
Drudkh
Countess
is all i can think of.
I haven't heard either of the Manifestations compilations yet, so I can't speak on the quality of the music, but they're probably really good.
@unknown: I agree with you on Skagos. A friend sent me a link to that material a couple of days ago and I was totally blown away. Everyone needs to hear this band.
I agree with that assessment of SMRC. I think it loses steam after about the 5th song. The title track and Hetoimasia are not so special, and Carnal Malefactor is too long and redundant.Legends of Evil and Eternal Death is a fantastic and unique blend of melodic guitar work, ferocious vocals and epic passages. Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice has a lot of filler if you ask me, although it does have enjoyable individual songs. It would probably be a much better album if it was only about 45 minutes and they got rid of the more boring tracks.