Controversial opinions on metal

[Sophii]

After liking Agalloch for a while, I can say now that their shit doesn't hold up anymore. Its a damn chore to even sit through a song.

 

[no country for old wainds]

Bergtatt has plenty of good black metal on it. The folk elements were well integrated and, given the Scandinavian old tale style of the lyrics, it makes all the sense to add instruments like flutes and baroque styled guitar pieces. It's folk/classical Scandinavian songwriting, not indie shit. Burzum used similar chord progressions until Fallen, Kampfar and Windir did it too and you can tell that those bands actually sound "Norse". Even Satyricon did it until Nemesis Divina.

don't really disagree that this applies to much of bergtatt, but there's definitely some indie shit there too, such as the blatant MBV-aping i mentioned. isn't really a criticism, i like bergtatt and i like some shoegaze too.

 

[Oblivious Maximus]

Not sure how controversial it is these days but I tend to prefer Ulver's stuff from William Blake onward. Perdition City is fucking heavenly and I'm really fond of Shadows of the Sun too.

 

[Einherjar86]

Yeah, late Ulver is pretty cool. Love Garm's vocals.

 

[J.]

I actually agree as well. I like the trilogy but the mid period stuff fits my mood these days

 

[Allfader]

After liking Agalloch for a while, I can say now that their shit doesn't hold up anymore. Its a damn chore to even sit through a song.

The blatant ripoff from Ulver and Empyrium is way too much for my taste. And the vocals are a joke.

About Ulver, the only weak album to me is War of the Roses. The rest are all ranked from good to excellent.

 

[Krow]

Ulver after the first three is awful boring hipster trash for the limpest of wrists.

 

[Einherjar86]

The blatant ripoff from Ulver and Empyrium is way too much for my taste. And the vocals are a joke.

About Ulver, the only weak album to me is War of the Roses. The rest are all ranked from good to excellent.

I originally fell out of interest after William Blake, but went back a couple years ago to reconsider some of their later stuff, starting with ATGCLVLSSCAP. That shit reeled me back in, and now I'm fond of most of their catalog.

 

[crimsonfloyd]

Ulver's discography after the first three is mixed. William Blake has some cool moments, but also some totally forgettable tracks. There's a good 40 minute album within a 100 minute album. However, I really like the next era: Perdition City, the Silence EPs, Lyckantropen Themes, Svidd neger. They were really good at these atmospheric electronic sounds with jazz and/or classical elements. However, they lost me when they went to more conventional song writing with Blood Inside, Shadows of the Sun, Wars of the Roses. I lost interest after that, so I have no idea what they're up to these days. I do appreciate that they were always trying something new.

 

[Allfader]

Ulver's discography after the first three is mixed. William Blake has some cool moments, but also some totally forgettable tracks. There's a good 40 minute album within a 100 minute album. However, I really like the next era: Perdition City, the Silence EPs, Lyckantropen Themes, Svidd neger. They were really good at these atmospheric electronic sounds with jazz and/or classical elements. However, they lost me when they went to more conventional song writing with Blood Inside, Shadows of the Sun, Wars of the Roses. I lost interest after that, so I have no idea what they're up to these days. I do appreciate that they were always trying something new.

They are less ambient and more song based lately, but it's well done. The Assassination album features (IMO) a HUGE Depeche Mode/Kraftwerk Influence (Mostly Electric Cafe/Techno Pop, some Tour de France, MFTM, Violator, SOFAD, some Ultra).

 

[Oblivious Maximus]

They are less ambient and more song based lately, but it's well done. The Assassination album features (IMO) a HUGE Depeche Mode/Kraftwerk Influence (Mostly Electric Cafe/Techno Pop, some Tour de France, MFTM, Violator, SOFAD, some Ultra).

Assassination is one of their best albums. The upcoming album seems to be in the same vein based on "Russian Doll" and "Little Boy". Fine by me.

 

[J.]

However, I really like the next era: Perdition City, the Silence EPs, Lyckantropen Themes, Svidd neger. They were really good at these atmospheric electronic sounds with jazz and/or classical elements. However, they lost me when they went to more conventional song writing with Blood Inside, Shadows of the Sun, Wars of the Roses.

This 100%

 

[EspaDa]

After liking Agalloch for a while, I can say now that their shit doesn't hold up anymore. Its a damn chore to even sit through a song.

Why? A good band. Even though their last album was not a good swan song, their previous full-length offerings were top-notch stuff. This album rocks in particular.

 

[Sophii]

Why? A good band. Even though their last album was not a good swan song, their previous full-length offerings were top-notch stuff. This album rocks in particular.

I mean their early stuff is pretty good as far as that melo-black /post-black stuff goes, but I can't dig any of their newer stuff prior to the split. I'll stick to those first few and maybe The Mantle every once in a while.

 

[Der Morgenstern]

The only Agalloch album I have time for anymore is Marrow of the Spirit. It's the only one I can listen to all the way thorugh and still thoroughly enjoyed.

 

[crimsonfloyd]

Why? A good band. Even though their last album was not a good swan song, their previous full-length offerings were top-notch stuff. This album rocks in particular.

The criticisms on here are overstated. Their primary “indie” influences were European folk, 80s goth rock, and post-rock. It‘s not like there are passages inspired by The Shins or something. They released four great records that all did something distinct from its predecessor. And yeah, their last album was pretty pedestrian, but at least they had the sense to end the band before releasing 20 albums rehashing Pale Folklore.

 

[EspaDa]

I mean their early stuff is pretty good as far as that melo-black /post-black stuff goes, but I can't dig any of their newer stuff prior to the split. I'll stick to those first few and maybe The Mantle every once in a while.

The Mantle is definitely a great album, but it's Ashes Against the Grain that does the job for me. It's their creative apex tbh. Pale Folkore is great as well. And The Mantle has Agalloch's best track - In the Shadow of Our Pale Companion. Otherworldly stuff.

 

[Sophii]

The Mantle is definitely a great album, but it's Ashes Against the Grain that does the job for me. It's their creative apex tbh. Pale Folkore is great as well. And The Mantle has Agalloch's best track - In the Shadow of Our Pale Companion. Otherworldly stuff.

Tbh, these days if I were to look into folk-influenced black metal stuff, my go to is definitely Panopticon. Mainly because I relate to the bluegrass style they incorporate (being from GA, hearing actual bluegrass is good shit.)

 

[SonOfNun]

The B side of Paranoid is better than the A side.

 

[CiG]

Oof that's a tough one. My two least favourite songs are each on different sides, as are my favourite two songs...