Torture Chain -The Ascent of Deimos vs
Nokturnal Mortum – Verity
Like I said in another thread, the previous two TC albums are superior, but I am happy they’re just in the tourney! Overall, still have to go with NK here though-
Ultra Silvam - The Spearwound Salvation vs Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult- Mardom
Initially I thought this would go to Darkened Nocturn (which is fine, but I’ve heard it before) but I really like the decadent sounding, bouncey riffing -- almost peste noire qualities of Ultra—
Mystras- Castles Conquered and Reclaimed vs
Vektor- Outer Isolation
One of the toughest ones for me—I really like the Mystras---but they do a style that has gotten a bit more popular over the last few years, and it’s done really well. I just don’t listen to that much like Vektor, so the freshness has pushed it over the top.
Hallas-Excerpts From a Future Past vs Nile- Vile Nilotic Rites
Eh, the Hallas was fun, and had some nice variety. The Nile had some great parts, but overall some of it sounded like generic dm that the band themselves have done a lot better.
Acid Witch-Evil Sound Screamers Vs ArchGoat- The Apocalyptic Triumphator
Between the Buried & Me Parallax II Vs Slechtvalk - A Forlorn Throne
I’ve never heard of this Slechtvalk band, but they sound pretty good. They’re like the H band that SubRosa were up against last round, just went up against something too good. I’m on team ken with BtBaM ---I hope the finals are Kayo Dot vs Between the Buried and Me
Blood Incantation - Starspawn Vs Sabbat-Sabbatrinity
Sabbatt is super fun, but BI remind me of a lesser Time Ghoul---but still a win—I think their best album is still ahead of them.
Thy Darkened Shade- Liber Lvcifer Vs Lake of Blood- Omnipotens Tyrannus
My own two picks, but clearly TDS is the better album. I do think the LoB is fairly underrated compared to some of the other American bm. Also Betrand, you have generally have great taste, how can you be so wrong here?
Even it weren’t my picks it would be a terrible take! The last four tracks along are worth the price of admission (which is actually something the album has going for it---not front loaded at all---and actually the back end make up the best tracks)
Black Magick-Spectral Ecstacy vs Ofermod-Thaumiel
Had never heard of Black Magick—a pleasant surprise---vocals remind me of like god tower with some urfaust—I’ll take it.
Vemod-Venter pa stormene Vs Funeral Mist-Hekatomb
Been a fan of this Vemod since it became a thing on this forum-easy pick.
Obsequiae- Aria of Vernal Tombs Vs Elder- Dead Roots Stirring
I am familiar with both albums, and do like the Elder, but I just like the style of Obsequiae a lot more.
Summoning-Old Mornings Dawn Vs
Alcest- Ecailles de Lune
I just can’t get all the excited for this summoning---I should really put an abigor album into the tournament, they have been so much better –how’s the toaster thread work now-
Ihsahn-Arktis Vs
Taake- Noregs Vaapen
Daughters - You Wont Get What You Want Vs Panegyrist- Hierurgy
This daughters album is awesome---I’ve heard a few tracks here before, but such great variety and dynamics—reminds me of a post punk the Body with maybe less industrial. I’ve listened to this Panegyrst before—didn’t do much for me—sounds like a poor man’s Esoctrilihum
Dead Congregation - Promulgation of the Fall Vs Stargazer - A Merging To the Boundless
I’ve always liked DC—they play my favorite style of dm—the good kind---it’s like an unholy mix of incantation and immolation- I must have skipped right over this stargazer because I really don’t remember listening to it. Before their most recent, I remember A great work of ages, and that being a mild step down from ‘scream’ In any case, awesome stuff here—and because I’m such a sucker for upfront bass, it almost pushed it over the top---but still went with DC.
Kayo Dot-Hubardo Vs Vola- Applause of a Distant Crowd
