Michel Beauchemin

I didn't know Deafheaven, blackgaze, or much black metal for the matter but got to listen to the song Winona on a Spotify playlist and I was instantly hooked and thought, oh my, I wonder what the rest of the album sounds like? Then I gave Lonely People With Power a thorough listen, and a second one, and ordered two different vinyl pressings, listened to it on Spotify a bunch more while waiting, then to one vinyl copy, back to Spotify a bunch, and then the other vinyl copy. If you don't get it already, I am absolutely addicted to the awesomeness of this perfectly composed, written and executed blackgaze. If you like a ton of emotion in your music, this is it. The perfect mix of beauty and ugliness, of peace and violence, of light and darkness, etc. I've read many (very positive) reviews since my first listen and have discussed with a few Deafheaven and blackgaze connoisseurs and what I understand is that this is Deafheaven's best album, it is also the epitome of blackgaze, and a very strong AOTY contender in the metal genre, and for many, in the overall category. The singing, outside of a few clean vocal moments, is very harsh, the way black metal influenced music should be, and might not be everyone's cup of tea. But if you can appreciate it, it tastes oh so delicious. This will spin on my turntable for years if not decades. Enjoy!

Like many other fans, I was a little worried upon learning that Hippie Death Cult's original singer had left the band. And then, it was the drummer's turn to fold in. What was going to happen to this excellent Portland stoner band that I had come to loke so much since their first release? What a pleasant surprise Helichrysum ended up being to my ears! Not only these major events didn't cause any loss in the music's quality, it actually led to the opposite. Laura lending her harmonious, powerful, angry, and at tines eerie voice to fill all singing duties while still playing a mean bass, has brought some absolute magic to the band's overall sound. In a similar manner, Eddie's guitar playing has knocked the ball out of this world on this album with his absolute greatest riffs and solos so far. On the drum, Harry is hitting in a way reminiscent of Bill Ward on the first few Black Sabbath albums, i.e. powerful and convincing with just the right amount of subtleties. And now, what to say about the songwriting? Here again, it is difficult to fully grasp the magnitude of the change that has happened since the band's last two offerings. This is no doubt the finest songs Hippie Death Cult has ever slated. To round all this greatness out, the recording and mixing of this album are absolutely top notch. All this to say that this is without a doubt Hippie Death Cult's greatest work so far and it might be a difficult one to better. An absolute must!

As much energy as one can possibly pack in a single album. Yes, they were still teenagers and it shows here and there, but can anyone blame them for it? Absolutely not. KIill 'Em All is the undisputable thrash metal album's blueprint. If this album has a single drawback, it is that Dave Mustaine did not get to record his own solos. But, at least, it has pushed Kirk Hammet to outdo himself while he still could. With Megadeth's Rust In Peace, Kill 'Em All, might be one of the two best trash metal albums ever recorded. While Rust In Peace has more or less marked the end of the thrash era, Kill 'Em All has started it all.

Taylor literally poured her heart into this album. Is she hypersensitive or has she really had a tremendous amount of heartbreaks? Who cares? All of her songs sound truly deeply felt, and as always with Taylor's work, it is all extremely well written, composed, arranged, played, sang, recorded and produced. My initial let down feeling from most songs being absolute downers, has changed with more listens and I am now truly enjoying getting to know this much less superficial side of Swift. How did she manage to make this album while in the midst of the biggest engrossing tour the world has ever known remains a real mistery to me. I suppose that passion, creativity, discipline and endless energy have a lot to do with it. Bravo Taylor, you made it exceptional for all of us, once again!

Incredible mix of aggressivity, technical prowess and excellent sogwriting. Every musician in this band displays outrageous virtuosity, including the vocals with lightning speed rap growl delivery. Their Drone Corpse Aviator and Bleed The Future videos are also excellent works of art and very entertaining to watch. Archspire should easily be in your top 10 technical death metal bands.

Best Metallica album since And Justice For All. Some real thrash metal songs mixed with a few catchy riffs, it's all there. Sleepwalk My Life Away is undeniably inspired by Enter Sandman but yet has its own identity. Some riffs are reminiscent of Seek And Destroy and there's even a little Megadeth in there if you listen closely. This would be a great ending to their discography but is so good that it makes me wonder what else they could come up with. 9/10