Recommendations for Epic Death Metal?

[JayKeeley]

It's weird because I wouldn't necessarily call myself a death metal fan as such, but when it's done right, it tends to blow me away. For example, In Their Darkened Shrines (my top album of 2003) and Black Seeds of Vengeance still get me everytime: pounding, evil, mysterious, brutal, scary etc.

Change the riffs, speed it up, slow it down, grind it, slice it, throw in some ambience, scare me shitless, rip out my entrails...obviously there is a pattern here that I'd like to explore further. This year, Dechristianize seems to be leading the pack. "Straight up" death metal just doesn't do it for me, and I want to filter the "super size" from the "regular".

Can anyone help with finding me some more epic death metal? "Death" can be used loosely in this case.

:Spin:

Papa Josh - I read your INCANTATION review for Blasphemy. Sounds like that should fit the bill - what do you think bro?

 

[J.]

I've heard Lykathea Flame is good, if you like Nile. Never heard 'em myself, but I continually hear good things. Red Stream has it for $12.

Aeternus comes to mind. Don't know if you've heard these guys, but death metal don't come much more epic and downright pummeling. However, ONLY check out their first three releases, especially Beyond the Wandering Moon.

The Chasm is another good one. Like Nile is with Egypt, The Chasm are with ancient Mexican-type civilizations. Good stuff.

 

[NAD]

Morbid Angel - Formulas Fatal to the Flesh
Solefald - In Harmonia Universali
Hypocrisy - The Final Chapter

Hmm. That's all I can think of right now, and I think you already have Solefald.

 

[HarmonyDies....]

Lykathea Aflame!

 

[HarmonyDies....]

Solefald - In Harmonia Universali isnt death metal u_U?

 

[JayKeeley]

I've heard Lykathea Flame is good

I'll hunt down some MP3s.

Aeternus comes to mind....ONLY check out their first three releases, especially Beyond the Wandering Moon.

I've been wanting to get some Aeturnus since reading your Wandering Moon review - however, not too easy to find their earlier stuff. I haven't looked in a while so I might search for some this weekend.

The Chasm is another good one. Like Nile is with Egypt, The Chasm are with ancient Mexican-type civilizations. Good stuff.

Wow - I actually have Deathcult for Eternity...The Triumph but I've never listened to it yet. How is this particular album?

 

[NAD]

I know, but he said:

"Death" can be used loosely in this case.

:Spin:

 

[JayKeeley]

Morbid Angel - Formulas Fatal to the Flesh

I have Altars and Domination. How does Formulas differ would you say?

Solefald - In Harmonia Universali

Nah....serious? I mean, I have Neonism and Linear Scaffold, but I wouldn't throw them into this category. I've never heard Universali though...

Hypocrisy - The Final Chapter

Still getting my head around Abducted....but getting there.

 

[J.]

I've been wanting to get some Aeturnus since reading your Wandering Moon review - however, not too easy to find their earlier stuff. I haven't looked in a while so I might search for some this weekend.

Not a problem: http://www.martyrmusicgroup.com/catalog/

Get the first three for $28 brand new.

Wow - I actually have Deathcult for Eternity...The Triumph but I've never listened to it yet. How is this particular album?

That's actually not one of my favorites from them, but a lot of fans like it a lot. I'd go with Procession to the Infraworld or the new one, Conjuration of the Spectral Empire.

 

[NAD]

Formulas is Morbid Angel's only real epic album, especially Invocation of the Continuual Ones, which I guess Trey wrote back in 1984. Apparently it's the album that Trey need to make for the Ancient Ones he had hinted at for years, as it's almost like an offering. The backstory is very thorough with a ton of liner notes.

I'm not familiar with any othe rSolefald, but In Harmonia sounds pretty epic to me, and yes, death used very loosely as it is much closer to melodic. Lots and lots going on there, tons of instruments, ideas, etc. so that's why I call it epic.

Abducted is straight up shred, The Final Chapter is more grandiose sounding. Abducted and the self-titled are better, but some of the layering on TFC is very, well... epic. A Coming Race is to frickin' die for man, my favorite Hypocrisy song.

 

[bloodfiredeath]

I guess I just don't quite follow your personal definition of 'epic' death metal. I was following you with Nile, but I find Dechristianize to be straight up death metal (and amazing of course).

Maybe I'm not a good judge because the Egyptian crap is what I hate about Nile.

 

[Demonspell]

I think the new Solefald, which is an excellent album, has half of the qualifications for this list...most of the songs do possess epic qualities, but there isn't that much death metal left in their elaborate arrangements. And I would also hesitate to include Vital Remains as well, because the songs come across as the type that kick your ass for long periods of time instead of having epic buildups and refrains, at least to me...

 

[JayKeeley]

I guess I just don't quite follow your personal definition of 'epic' death metal. I was following you with Nile, but I find Dechristianize to be straight up death metal (and amazing of course).

Well I'm not really sure how to elaborate on what I've already described...let me see:

Epic Death Metal = Nile, Pestilence, Vital Remains
Larger than life sounding, ambient, aggressive, various tempo changes, not afraid to use various instruments...epic

Normal Death Metal = Hate Eternal, Bloodbath
Each song pretty much sounds like the next...not epic

I've got enough Amon Amarth and Bolt Thrower - I think I get their drift by now.

I'm sorted for Prog Death: Opeth, Edge of Sanity, etc

I don't need anymore melo-death.

Maybe I'm just crap at articulating this - if anyone else thinks they know what I'm striving towards, feel free to refine.

 

[Black Winter Day]

jaykeely, dreamlord is right. beyond the wandering moon is an absoulte necessity. did you hear me? i said an ABSOLUTE NECESSITY! do anything you can to get this! by the time "that part" kicks in on track 2 (dreamlord know what i am talking about) you will know without a doubt that you have made an outstanding purchase. what the fuck are you waiting for, numbnuts??? i said ABSOLUTE NECESSITY!!!

 

[J.]

jaykeely, dreamlord is right. beyond the wandering moon is an absoulte necessity. did you hear me? i said an ABSOLUTE NECESSITY! do anything you can to get this! by the time "that part" kicks in on track 2 (dreamlord know what i am talking about) you will know without a doubt that you have made an outstanding purchase. what the fuck are you waiting for, numbnuts??? i said ABSOLUTE NECESSITY!!!

Dude, I know exactly what part you're talking about on "Sworn Revenge", because that is my favorite Aeternus track. "Sentinels of Darkness" is also epic as fuck.

Jay, you'll enjoy the hell out of early Aeternus.

 

[JayKeeley]

jaykeely, dreamlord is right. beyond the wandering moon is an absoulte necessity. did you hear me? i said an ABSOLUTE NECESSITY! do anything you can to get this! by the time "that part" kicks in on track 2 (dreamlord know what i am talking about) you will know without a doubt that you have made an outstanding purchase. what the fuck are you waiting for, numbnuts??? i said ABSOLUTE NECESSITY!!!

So you think it's above average huh?

Sold.

 

[Black Winter Day]

you are learning well, my son

 

[JayKeeley]

Just found out that Martyr Music were all sold out of Beyond the Wandering Moon, but I found it at Red Stream...I swear it wasn't there last week!

Anyway, Martyr Music will be sending me "And so the Night Became" instead....as long as they have it in stock.

 

[Black Winter Day]

that's a goodun too

 

[JayKeeley]

Hey that Martyr Music label rules. She told me she didn't have anymore Wandering Moon's left so I ordered And so the Night became instead....so now I'm getting some special rare CD with a band signature on it.

Pretty cool service if you ask me. Thanks Dreamlord.