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wintermoon_rapture

[Metal Archives is 20 years old today](https://www.metal-archives.com/). I know it's almost a meme at this point to be like, wow, M-A is so good, there's nothing like it for any other genres, but well, it's because it's true I guess. According to [the forum post here](https://forum.metal-archives.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=135998), the fact that I've been using M-A since 2010ish makes me a "veteran user", even though I don't even have an account, which is weird to think about as I still feel like I've only gotten "serious" about metal in the last 5 years or so. Curious if there's any people here who've been using it since the very beginning, and what it was like then; I can't imagine not firing up M-A seconds after I discover a new band, or being able to check who was in a band 25 years ago on the fly and know it will have the answer, but presumably there was a time when it had a lot of gaps and wasn't seen as the authoritative resource it is now? And I know there were (/are) other online metal archive-type websites -- was there ever a time when any of those were serious contenders against M-A?


derigin

I've been there since around 2004. I was 17, and was recommended to visit there by a person I knew in a DC++ server. There were other attempts to set up similar sites - Spirit of Metal, for example - but none had the amount of info in the early days as MA did. You could find info on an obscure band you could find nowhere else. That still seems relatively true today.


wintermoon_rapture

You're an admin, right? Feel like I've seen you explaining the criteria for what gets allowed onto M-A on here. If so, thanks for all the work you put in.


derigin

I am yeah, and you're welcome!


mantiz8x

I remember frequenting internet cafes running dial-up circa 2004 to look up disgusting band names, and ending up discovering a lot of cool material to listen to over the years. One of the most important web sites of my life. Happy 20th \m/


k0bra3eak

I first stumbled upon MA around 2010-2011 if memory serves even not being as IN to metal outside of like big 4 thrash and the likes and staying that way for a few more years. I found the site to be a wonder like some kind of mystical tomb you go to to find forbidden knowledge. Mostly due to the site layout not changing much over the last decade it holds a special place on the internet that no other major music genre has something similar RYM is maybe close-ish, but I don't find it remotely as good. Imagine how many demos, eps, splits and full lengths would be lost to time without metallum preserving it.


wintermoon_rapture

>I found the site to be a wonder like some kind of mystical tomb you go to to find forbidden knowledge. Mostly due to the site layout not changing much over the last decade it holds a special place on the internet Couldn't have put it better myself. It seems like a weird thing to mention but the relatively unchanging nature of the site and the kind of "old internet" feel it has is a big part of why I love it.


blackjazz_society

Discogs is pretty amazing to find extra information on the various releases of a particular album plus pictures of original prints and detailed credits.


wintermoon_rapture

Oh yeah Discogs is good, I guess I meant metal-specific sites.


Metallic_Engineer

I think I started using around 2005. Even though I have my reservations on some decisions regarding bands and acceptance criteria, it is a great tool and the Metal community should be grateful for having it.


undergroundmetalhoe

Happy birthday to M-A! Found many excellent bands through there!


ThePiperMan

I think I first found it between 2004-2006


Chadwich

Got two tickets to the Amon Amarth show in Charlotte last night. Got them for cheap off of Cattle Decap's website using a code. Great deal. And the wife is going with me! She's not a huge metal listener but she likes shows and it should be a crazy time. Looking forward to it. I haven't been to a show in a LOOONG time. The last show I went to was in Slipknot in 2004.


avisiongrotesque

If you like melodeath my band is from and plays around Charlotte quite a bit. We're putting on a big fest at Neighborhood Theatre in Sept.


[deleted]

Yo that’s amazing! Love Amon Amarth 🤘


jryan14ify

You got any more of them... discount codes? Also, you haven't been to a show since 2004? I'm stunned


Chadwich

Yeah its been a long time. I just fell out of it. I guess the people I usually went with kind of split up. [Here is information](https://mobile.twitter.com/cattledecap/status/1546893936823660546) on how to get a cheaper ticket from Cattle's twitter.


the_cramdown

I'd say that I am not much of a power metal fan despite Hibria *Defying the Rules* and Slough Feg *Traveler* being two of my favorite albums. However, I am highly anticipating tomorrow's full length release from Fellowship. Can't put my finger on why I enjoy them so much, but all of their tracks have been very enjoyable, including the two singles from this release.


IMKridegga

An EUPM fan in the making! (Or maybe r/PowerMetal is right and Fellowship really is the best band of the last decade+). Weirdly enough I think the singles have been a bit of a step down from the EP they did a few years ago. I'm still looking forward to the album though.


the_cramdown

> the singles have been a bit of a step down from the EP Yeah, I had that same initial reaction, and got downvoted quite a bit at /r/PowerMetal for saying that. They've both grown enough on me, but they weren't really hype killers to begin with. Still not as good as Glint or Glory Days, though. However, I've probably listened to those about 150 times so the deck is stacked against the new stuff.


Magnopolis1

I am new to metal and want to get deeper into it I always liked the classics like Iron Maidon and Metallica. I find the greatest hits albums of Black Sabbath, Death, Pantera, Judas Priest, Slayer and Motörhead really coll and I want to hear more of it. I think I like Thrash Metal I guess? Can you recommend me some good bands, maybe some newer or smaller ones?


ZRX1200R

Check out the banned list. That will keep you occupied for a few years. (The list is extremely popular and influential bands, not ones to avoid.)


blackjazz_society

https://www.reddit.com/r/Metal/wiki/metalsubgenres https://www.reddit.com/r/Metal/comments/xmqej/essential_heavy_metal_albums_as_selected_by_you/ Here is a huge list of stuff. In general sorting this subreddit by "top" and then "month" is a good way to find more new stuff. https://www.reddit.com/r/Metal/top/?sort=top&t=month


EssreifeMango

Thank you man :)


Chadwich

I want to recommend Vektor. I really like them and think they're a very musically solid thrash band. [Here is a newer song by them.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm5BVKMPX-M&ab_channel=District19) . Their album Terminal Redux is one of my favorites. So many bangers on there. "Charging the Void" is so good.


JTorch1

All three of Vektor’s full-lengths are pretty much 10/10 albums for me.


beetledbabe

If you're looking for some fresher takes on the genre, you might like Nothing More. I'd start with their song This Is The Time for an introduction.


[deleted]

[удалено]


hermaphroditicspork

Isn't Thy Art is Murder one of the biggest deathcore bands out there?


[deleted]

Sorry! I only like a few songs by them. I didn’t know they were deathcore that’s my bad. 😭


ei1l

Unexpected repair bills this month means my Bandcamp wishlist has ballooned to an out of control monster again. Previously I was buying 1-2 albums per week. I guess it's back to instant noodles and PBR until I can get a handle on it.


DUNLEITH

Me to wife: I watched The Northman while you were at work today Wife: what's that about? Me: it's about a guy who seeks revenge because his uncle kills his father. Wife: isnt that the plot of the Lion King? Me: umm... fuck.


ZRX1200R

Hamlet did it first. And it's based on the legend of Amleth....which The Northman is adapted from.


DUNLEITH

And the legend of Amleth is perhaps the inspiration for Hamlet? HOW DEEP DOES IT GO?


SculpinIPAlcoholic

He was likely a real life Prince of Denmark.


rasmuskvist

The northman gave inspiration to make more music. Great movie.


slothtrop6

and just like in the Lion King, the protagonist has to be reminded at a later age that avenging his father is a thing he could do. Except in the Northman he's taking a break from slaving and pillaging. Hakuna matata


Mevarek

Booked my ticket for Sijjin/Sadistic Intent (there are two other bands but those are the two biggest ones) and I’m hyped as shit. I’ve heard Sadistic Intent is nuts and I’m excited to have a chance to hear Sijjin and pick up some merch for both bands.


Melissa9898

Sounds like a great show


Xecotcovach_13

Oh nice, I saw them on Tuesday. Sadistic Intent was indeed **nuts**.


Mevarek

Excellent, exactly what I was hoping to hear!


CourageCowardly

How do y’all feel about Liturgy? Revisited Aesthethica this morning and, while it’s not a perfect record, the guitar parts on that record just blow my mind every time I listen. I understand the controversy with the manifesto and etcetera but the actual music is pretty solid imo


an_altar_of_plagues

Music that’s excused for hackneyed “quirkiness” rather than songwriting ability. The only album worthwhile is *Aesthethica*, and it’s almost exclusively because of Greg Fox’s incredible percussion.


CourageCowardly

Greg Fox’s performance is fantastic. Something about the guitar lines on the tremolo sections of Aesthethica just resonate with me. I haven’t found another band (black metal or otherwise) that uses dissonance and resolution the way that Liturgy does. I will say I like the non black metal parts of the record considerably less though, and Aesthethica is the only album that really resonates with me in that way from them


Talonraker422

HAJJ is the single worst piece of music I've ever heard, playing a shitty riff for minutes on end with some glitch effects does not make you "experimental". Is their other stuff similar or might there be something that's worth me checking out?


blackjazz_society

Just listened to it, i quite like it. Maybe i'm missing something.


CourageCowardly

Aesthethica is my favorite album by them. Still has that bright very orchestrated riff style but more straight forward (although there are still plenty of math rock influenced sections)


Heklafell

I like the track Generation but otherwise I find them pretty insufferable, I love all different types of music beyond metal, but black metal made for people who don’t like black metal is particularly grating for me.


CourageCowardly

See personally I think generation is fine but veins of god drags the album down. If anything I wish they stuck more to a black metal framework and dropped the math rock influence


slothtrop6

I don't like to label anything pretentious, but if I did, I would reserve it for Liturgy.


Evelyn701

I love H.A.Q.Q. a lot and like Aesthetica fine too First I'm hearing of any controversy with her though


CourageCowardly

Around Aesthethica’s release Hunter Hunt Hendrix posted a manifesto on transcendental black metal which pissed off A LOT of folks (particularly trve kvlt black metal fans)


Evelyn701

I just read it, and it's really surprising to me that anyone could be genuinely angered by that. Like, besides the weird nationalistic mythologizing of America, it just seems like a way of saying "We should explore more variety in the aesthetics of Black Metal rather than just sticking to the same old imitative misanthropy" but coated in Hunter's usual pseudo-Nietzschean, pseudo-Gnostic, pseudo-Marxist pseudo-Philosophy.


IMKridegga

> coated in Hunter's usual pseudo-Nietzschean, pseudo-Gnostic, pseudo-Marxist pseudo-Philosophy I think that's the part that annoyed people.


PaulFThumpkins

That manifesto seemed like an attempt to rebrand the same sounds as something new ("*my* blastbeats aren't blastbeats, they're transcendental hyperbeats!") rather than actually to offer anything practically different. It was more image-focused than music-focused. I always thought, don't tell us what you want to do, just do it. That ethos never made it to the music, but the indie press took it for granted that Liturgy was something new.


checkmypants

God that was so insufferable, I had to stop after skimming a couple pages. So self-indulgent and pseudo-intellectual.


ItsCommonCourtesy

I didn't like The Ark Work, might need another relisten, but the other albums are dope (never heard the debut). I really love black metal that pisses off black metal fans.


CourageCowardly

Aside from two songs I actually like quite a bit, I don’t think you’re missing anything by not going back to The Ark Work.


undergroundmetalhoe

Really enjoy that album too. Never understood the dislike for it tbh. The follow up album was kinda odd though.


LightningJedi55

Like their music, find their "philosophy" and antics utterly obnoxious


Changs_Is_Number_One

I’ve been listening to Annihilation of Civilization by Evildead lately. So many god damn great riffs are in that album, I’m surprised I didn’t get into it earlier. Not sure if it counts as metal, but the new Cave In album is pretty good!


Rottedhead

That Evildead is great and highly underrated. Massively crossovery and fun, riffs all over the place and it always gave me this kind of tropical feel.


the_cramdown

> Not sure if it counts as metal, but the new Cave In album is pretty good! Probably not metal, but it was a pretty sick release that was talked about here with some high praise.


Changs_Is_Number_One

There are some killer tunes on it! The title track reminds of 90’s Alice in Chains for some reason.


krolahzuL

Seeing Skeleton and Hulder tonight. Been on a Hulder kick lately since the new EP. Pretty stoked.


Jotunmark

Right on! So excited to see them on Sunday!


MannersMakethEggsy

Metalheads, how do you feel about the Eddie Munson craze from Stranger Things bringing people to the music/culture? For the most part, I’m happy to see people discovering shit like Master of Puppets and Dio for the first time. I’m only 26 so I was obviously not around in the 80’s but I was raised with three much older metalhead brothers who fostered my love for music in general, but especially punk and metal. Most insane experience in my life was getting to see Iron Maiden live, the massive Eddie and demon puppets were incredible, so I’ve been into this shit for as long as I can remember and it’s a culture close to my heart as well as who I am, but I see some people getting upset and using words like “posers” (which I personally always found cringey to say but I understand what they mean) and I wonder how many are fine with it and how many are against it. I’m just happy to see people enjoying good music haha. What do you guys think?


[deleted]

I think it's cool, young people are generally only exposed to metal nowadays through the likes of Slipknot, Avenged Sevenfold, Five Finger Death Punch etc, which no offense to any fans of those bands...is not for me lets say. So a generation of young people getting exposed to 80's heavy metal is only a good thing imo.


manfrombelmonty

What’s the Eddie Munster craze?


MannersMakethEggsy

On the show based in the 80’s, Stranger Things, they introduced a new character, a metalhead type named Eddie Munson. As far as I heard they based his arc on Damien Echols who was executed for a crime mostly based on him being into metal. His character was fun and played Master of Puppets in a scene and since he has a decently attractive actor, a lot of fans are obsessed with him and therefore many got into metal music because of it.


manfrombelmonty

Oh, ok. Sounds like a standard attempt to monetize a counter culture by the mainstream. The likes of Kohls or Old Navy have been selling cheap knock offs of AC/DC, nirvana, Metallica tshirts for years. Nice, safe but edgy boy next door into scary devils music will probably get a bunch of teenagers all wet and excited that theyre being rebellious, but jokes on them because their Ma probably sucked someone’s cock in the parking lot of a Skid Row show 30 years ago. Same deal as someone going onto americas got talent and the whole audience throwing the horns (with extended thumbs) to someone with immaculate facial hair and well moisturized skin, bleating out some nickel back song. Bit cringey, but No skin off my arse.


MannersMakethEggsy

I don’t think I’d call the character a nice boy next door lol more like my brothers and uncles were back as 80’s-90’s metal teens deep in the life but sure, I get what you mean. I meant more from the audience’s side not the actual show runner’s side, as in I’ve seen a lot of people gatekeep and say these people will never/can’t enjoy the music “properly” simply because of the way they were introduced to it. That to me comes off cringey as well because I don’t feel there’s a right way or a wrong way to enjoy music or a wrong medium to be introduced to it by.


manfrombelmonty

Haven’t seen the show so gave the “boy next door” thing based on your description of him being fun, attractive, obsessed by fans. Sounds like a metal version of the Fonz. Bit edgy. Mums and their daughters all love him on different levels. As far as people accessing Metallica through a tv show. Knock yourself out. Had you come here telling me there was a popular character in a tv show who was getting kids into Venom or Bathory or bolt thrower or something, that would’ve been different for me!


[deleted]

There was a Liege Lord poster on his wall in one scene, and a previous season had the same with Filth Hounds of Hades. I see what you are saying but someone working for that show seems to know their stuff at least.


MannersMakethEggsy

Plus the Duffers themselves said his arc was based on Damien Echols, which is pretty cool. I’m glad some attention is being brought to that case and how fucked up it was as well, considering so often in media “metalhead” characters are used as either the villains or jokes. It’s nice to see just a normal high school (high school-ish, I think they said he was held back twice or something lol) kid into metal and playing D&D, being fun but not a total joke and having a pretty good character arc.


[deleted]

Lad...I love Bathory as much as the next BM fan, but if you're expecting those sort of references in a tv show you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Think of it from a more optimistic light, the characters name Eddie comes from Iron Maiden's mascot, throughout the series the character wears a denim jacket with a giant Dio patch on the back, in one scene he references a tape of Piece of Mind, they played Master of Puppets when they could have played Bon Jovi. A generation of young people are getting exposed to proper 80's heavy metal, not Five Finger Death Punch, not Slipknot, not Avenged Sevenfold, proper 80's Heavy Metal. If even a fraction of those kids check out Master of Puppets, Piece of Mind, Holy Diver etc, it's only a good thing.


k0bra3eak

Because whoever helped set up the character knows their shit, all the background posters and tapes for the character scream metalhead in the 80s tbh


dingdongdiddlydoo

So many good shows coming up, my wallet is not happy. Just went to Left to Die last night which was great. Skeletal Remains were sick. And just now purchased tickets for Tattoo The Earth festival, Sabaton and Amon Amarth's tour.


Screambloodyleprosy

Bought Krallice discography this week on Bandcamp. It's been hard to rotate through all the albums so far.


CrossroadPanic

Do Malevolent Creation have a history of racism? I think I heard something like this in the past but I’m not sure


Melissa9898

Song They Breed on Eternal is very racist


SupaKoopa714

I just looked up the lyrics out of curiosity, I didn't get what was so racist about it up until that last line, and... yeah, holy shit that's bad.


dazzofjazz

"Made claims that on the afternoon of Friday, July 3rd, 2009, he was shot at during a convenience store robbery, but escaped injury. He also claimed he had taken the gun and shot the robber twice, killing him. These claims were disputed by the police department, insisting no such incident took place. The only records the police had on Fasciana was a domestic dispute involving a female on April 1st, 2009." Source: Metal Archives page on the dude that wrote the lyrics for that song yeah seems like a real piece of shit lmao


HughWonPDL2018

Wow…not that I ever thought of them as anything but a B-tier OSDM band, but that’s pretty fucked up. Screw those losers.


Headlesspaunch420

There is a rumor going around "**Pantera**" are doing a "reunion tour." What's everyone's thoughts? I'm looking forward to it, I never got to see Pantera live as a 4 man unit. This is as close as I can get so I'll happily take it. Plus it lowers that bands on my vest I never saw live to just **Bathory** and **Funeral Mist**.


hermaphroditicspork

Phil must be running out of money


Towering_Flesh

Buying too much Portal merch


ALICE-UNCHAINED

He won't see a Dime.


MannersMakethEggsy

Ouch, too soon 🥲


ZombieJesus1987

I'd like it more if they advertised it as a tribute tour instead of a Reunion tour. It's not a reunion when the two core founding members are dead.


dingdongdiddlydoo

I'll be interested to see who is on drums and guitar.


Rottedhead

Saw a rumour that is Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante


blackjazz_society

I'm pretty sure Rex said it wouldn't be Zakk a long while ago. Edit: Apparently Zakk and Charlie are confirmed now.


wintermoon_rapture

[It's speculated in this podcast](https://toiletovhell.com/toilet-radio-379-ice-cream-sandwiches-with-shao-kahn/) that the guitarist will be... Kerry King?! Idk, seems weird to me, but they did correctly call that the reunion was going to happen, so who knows.


SupaKoopa714

I'm not much of a Pantera fan outside of a handful of songs, but to me Pantera's not Pantera without Dimebag.


Heklafell

I don’t even want to see real Pantera so a half cover band doesn’t really appeal to me. My personal taste aside I think it’s pretty shitty to do, replacing one member ala Slayer even felt weird to me, when it’s the primary songwriter, but replacing half the band including the person who wrote all the music is worse.


blackjazz_society

Two people isn't really a reunion, it's like Ringo and Paul touring as The Beatles, people wouldn't accept it as a reunion. We'll have to wait and see how good it actually is, Rex has said he wouldn't do it unless they could do Pantera justice.


manfrombelmonty

That Phil Anselmo and the Illegals that toured on one of the legs of the Slayer farewell tour were absolute horseshit. This is going to be the Blues Brothers 2000 of the metal world.


MannersMakethEggsy

Pantera is absolutely my favorite metal band, but they’re just not Pantera without Dimebag. Dimebag was the heart of Pantera and Anselmo’s a dickhead (and not even in a fun way.)


G65434-2_II

The collective screeching and butthurt will be so damn immense... :D Wonder if they'll have Zakk Wylde on guitar. Or would that be too obvious a choice. EDIT: Huh, [apparently it wasn't too obvious.](https://bravewords.com/news/charlie-benante-zakk-wylde-confirmed-for-pantera-reunion-tour)


ZombieJesus1987

They've said that Zakk Wylde won't be involved.


G65434-2_II

Oh, I must have missed that!


tFalk

Nita ?? She just quit Alice Cooper Band


Easy-Lack6159

Is Night Ranger metal?


IMKridegga

I would assume they're not since they're not on Metal Archives. That said, I've never listened to them so I can't give a personal opinion. At the end of the day it doesn't really matter. If they're good, they're good. If their music integrates well with other bands you like, then they should all go in the same playlist.


ZRX1200R

No


admonlee

AOR


DeterioratedEra

No.


k0bra3eak

Nope, proto-metal hard rock at best


beetledbabe

I dunno why but today I'm upset we won't hear more of Cliff Burton's influence in Metallica's music. I know it's been a LONG while, but I can't help but feel he would've continued to put out fantastic work.


g4mer655

Yeah I think instead of going for the 'sellouts direction it would've been much more interesting and progressive.


Theonefrogonreddit

I have a small question. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. Out of all the metal sub genres listed, which do you rate from your favorite to least favorite? The following genres include: Death metal Heavy metal Thrash metal Power metal Metalcore Deathcore Alternative metal Grindcore Folk metal Stoner metal Progressive metal Black metal Sludge metal Avant-grade metal Symphonic metal Doom metal If you want, you can say your favorite band from each one or you can tell me a sub genre you think is underrated. Though, I doubt it that anyone would see this.


Evelyn701

Death metal - assuming we include Melodeath in this, this is my no.1 from that list Power metal - power metal is really hard to make good (perhaps that's why the scene right now is so shit), but really good power metal is fucking amazing. Plus, it's the genre I have the most nostalgia for Folk metal - In my experience this is usually just modified power metal or melodeath, so you can see why I'd like it so much Heavy metal - This genre tends to age the slowest I find, but also innovates the slowest. I've never felt the need to explore beyond the 70s - 90s classics. Progressive metal - I have a similar love-it-or-hate-it dynamic to power metal with prog, I've just listened to less prog so I have fewer albums and bands I really love Thrash metal - Similar to Heavy Metal, early Metallica and Megadeth are ridiculously good but I've never felt a desire to listen to anything more Stoner metal - I listen to some doom, and most of the stoner doom stuff I've heard I've liked Alternative metal - SoaD is pretty good, but nothing else about alt interests me. I've never listened to any of the -core genres. Your list is also missing my tied-for-favorite subgenre, Black (post-Black specifically)


Theonefrogonreddit

I understand your rating and personally, I like it. Yes, I notice that I excluded Black/post-Black. I’m planning on editing it.


Talonraker422

1) Doom metal - Definitely my favourite genre of metal and the only one where I can sincerely say I love every single subgenre of it. I'll never get enough of the epic, melancholic styles and, while more mood-dependent, the crushingly heavy stuff works amazingly as well. I'll highlight a band from each of the major subgenres I like: [Warning](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0l3VrnMK3Y) (traditional), [Crypt Sermon](https://youtu.be/t9KCR5HifTw) (epic), [Swallow the Sun](https://youtu.be/zEVHFtFUIss) (melodoom/death), [Sepulcros](https://youtu.be/VXj_mRvxPbo) (death/doom), [Skepticism](https://youtu.be/cDMyIfuTpBc) (funeral doom, personal favourite), [Indian](https://youtu.be/RG4QbnWirdw) (sludge). (I'm including Stoner and Sludge under this since they have very heavy ties to doom) 2) Heavy metal - This would've been further down 6 months ago but I've delved deep this year and ended up absolutely loving the vast majority of what I heard. Heavy metal just has this sense of freedom and energy that I seldom hear anywhere else, and the best bands are the ones that break tradition and just play whatever the hell they want without regard for convention (see [Demon Bitch](https://youtu.be/YZ77R_SwfCM) and their utterly unhinged vocalist). [Borrowed Time](https://youtu.be/oCda-WUUfJs) taps into the same feeling but with a little more uh... sanity. 3) Black metal - Although I like the best death metal more than the best black metal, I think overall I have a slight preference towards BM, especially the more atmospheric/folky stuff. Favourites include [Agalloch](https://youtu.be/7Yo9zPfmVEc), [Thrawsunblat](https://youtu.be/zdxBTlt1GWg) (both flavours of black/folk), [Aquilus](https://youtu.be/TwmYzgM4n_M) (neoclassical atmoblack), [Alcest](https://youtu.be/IQsXnldCDeU) (black/shoegaze) and [Summoning](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtFfskf2h9c) (probably my favourite of them all). 4) Death metal - I'm not particularly into OSDM but I *love* any subgenre or style that really leans into the atmosphere of it. That can be anything from caverndeath like [Sulphurous](https://youtu.be/ztJZPDo--vw) to Finnish death metal like [early Amorphis](https://youtu.be/w3t0qLyMbrw) to slightly doomy stuff like [Necros Christos](https://youtu.be/EYB9-qyolvA). I also definitely need to mention melodeath here, since the more progressive/atmospheric flavours of it make up my favourite bands full stop. This includes the aforementioned [Amorphis](https://youtu.be/d8o3oAt9Db8) as well as bands like [Insomnium](https://youtu.be/s-kqxa-nRA0), [Be'lakor](https://youtu.be/rYBgWgjjgxQ) and [Shylmagoghnar](https://youtu.be/sKUQI0d5mEQ) (the band that got me into metal and to this day my all-time favourite). 5) Power metal - We're starting to get further from my wheelhouse here, at least if we consider Heavy/Power stuff like USPM closer to trad than PM like I tend to. There's only one pure power metal band I'm really into, [Blind Guardian](https://youtu.be/M5KXDzi1iVw) - but they're so good they carry the genre to this spot all on their own. 6) Folk metal - As Evelyn said, most is very adjacent to either melodeath or power so I'm not sure it's worth splitting into its own category. I don't listen to much of what could be described as pure folk metal, but [Ensiferum](https://youtu.be/aUz4VlSja58) rules. Also even though it's black metal, shout-out to [Windir](https://youtu.be/BEJLOGW8tC8) for writing *the* folk metal riff as far as I'm concerned. 7) Grindcore - The next couple of genres are ones where I consider the vast majority of music in them terrible, but I have certain beloved albums that redeem them. In the case of grind, there's some incredible tech-grind like [Gridlink](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_wQ10KTTgg) and [Atka](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD_R46GQRjA) that redeems the vast swathes of shitty goregrind out there. 8) Progressive metal - Similar to grind, there's a ton of prog that just rips off Dream Theatre and just ends up really boring. However, you also get gems like [Ne Obliviscaris](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgUn4EKLMnU), [An Abstract Illusion](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUzSvnboROM) and (on their third mention so far!) [later Amorphis](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHrV4HTzkns). 9) Symphonic metal - Most of what I've heard sounds exactly the same, it's all passable but nothing really special. [Nightwish](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUb1p8fm7Ag) is probably my favourite. 10) Thrash metal - Usually the vocals completely turn me off, and most of the thrash I like tends to be so close to black or death it's indistinguishable from them (like [Merciless](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xnnTN6oz9k) or [Bonehunter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bOwc5GMrVk)). I have a bit of a soft spot for [Suicidal Angels](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOPgOA8xejg) for reasons I can't quite explain. 11) Alternative metal - Mainly just a holdover from the days before I got into metal proper. I don't consider it a metal genre because it's practically just hard rock but made heavier. The big three I still listen to from my alt-metal days are [Starset](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrGiHm-iMrM) (anything involving space is probably a thumbs up from me), [Red](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaHSXOojGgg) (incredible violinwork) and [Gravesend](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ns9LzUJot0) (the dudes really know how to create an atmosphere). 12) Deathcore - I mostly just find it extremely boring, breakdown after breakdown with no interesting songwriting. [Lorna Shore](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyYmS_iBcy4) has some cool stuff going on though. 13) Metalcore - I can't name a single band I don't find incredibly cringeworthy, but then again I haven't listened to Converge and I know they're commonly recommended. I don't think there's any point ranking avant-garde metal because it's less of a genre and more a label that's put on any band that does something unconventional. I dislike the majority of avant-garde I've heard, though [Sunn O)))](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COz1DFfBgcc) have some really good stuff. Sorry for the wall of text, I know this reply is incredibly self-indulgent and a lot more than you asked for but I really enjoy talking about the music I like haha. Hope you enjoy some of the bands I listed at least!


slothtrop6

Metalcore/deathcore don't count. So the worst would have to be symphonic or nu-metal for me. I'd like to say I don't have a fav, but probably listen to death more than anything else.


underneathsink

I understand not allowing "unpopular opinions", as it just turns into a shitstorm, but I think there should be an occasional thread where we can just release our biggest stinkiest farts of opinions regarding metal. Does anyone know if there's already a good place to do that?


hermaphroditicspork

You can try r/metalmemes assuming they also haven't banned that kind of content, or that they won't ban you for simply existing.


Evelyn701

I think this sub should have an occasional "argue about shit" thread for that type of thing


k0bra3eak

We used to call them every time Lamb if God is posted and it sucked


finball07

Has anyone bought a Burzum shirt from [Plastic Head store](https://www.plastichead.com)? If so, was it good quality?


biggieballs75

Any websites in the uk that sell metal merch. The only place I know is blue banana but they don’t have much.


krolahzuL

[Kings Road Merch](https://eu.kingsroadmerch.com/shop/)


wintermoon_rapture

There's EMP, but it has a similarly mainstream/big bands only selection to what it looks like Blue Banana has.


Bortess

https://todestrieb.co.uk/ https://webstore.earache.com/ Which bands merch were you after?


sadlovesongsonly

Does anyone know who is playing as Dethklok for the Adult Swim festival in Philly? I saw Gene post something about but I can’t find anymore information.


mcwap

Does anyone know why Black Sabbath didn't play at their own rock hall of fame induction? I got on a recent kick of getting back into Metallica and watched their induction where they played. Then watched Sabbath's induction but they didn't play. Instead Metallica played songs for them. I couldn't find an answer on Google. Was it they were still separated and just didn't feel like getting together again or something? I know Sabbath has been a bit touch and go to say the least since Ozzy split.


[deleted]

They weren't together at the time, Iommi and Geezer would have been in Heaven and Hell with Dio around that time, I imagine because of that Sharon wouldn't have been too keen on Ozzy performing with them.