Heavy Load - Death or Glory (1982)

 Back again with yet another heavy metal gem, this time made by the Swedish epic metal pioneers Heavy Load.In this album the Wahlquist brothers and co. took the 70's proto-metal/hard rock sound of the first album and pushed it in a direction similar to that of the NWOBHM which was of course at the height of its popularity during the early 80s.Some argue that Heavy Load is the first heavy metal band to come out of Sweden.True or not they are certainly one of the best, standing proud next to legends like Bathory and Candlemass and if that doesn't persuade you just listen to tracks like ''Heavy Metal Angels (In Metal and Leather)'' and ''The guitar is my sword'' and you'll see that Heavy Load has influenced a lot of the bands in the contemporary traditional heavy metal scene like In Solitude or White Wizzard and epic metal bands like Domine or Wotan alike.It is also noteworthy that Heavy Load was one of the first -if not the first- bands to incorporate the use of lyrics about fantasy and norse mythology,although at the time when Death or Glory was released most of their songs were odes to the glory of heavy metal.Depite that fact the epic element is still here as most of their riffs and solos follow in a much similar vein to bands like Manowar and Stormwitch.The lead guitar is also mindblowing with dual melodies and solos that still give me goosebumps when I listen to them.The vocals are sloppy but great and are a perfect example of how true heavy metal should be sung.
 So to summarize, Death or Glory is just pure fun to listen to and in my honest opinion it's the best album of one of the best heavy metal bands to come out of Europe and that's not something easy to say because Europe and especially Sweden currently has the some of the best contemporary -and old school of course- traditional heavy metal bands to offer.If you're an old school fan the record will captivate you from the first second to the last.

Find info here : Metallum Page
Download here : Torrent Link (Whole Discography)

Darkthrone - The Underground Resistance (2013)

 Raw epicness coming out of the nest of those two people in this album that stunned me from the time I listened to the first song of the album...Darkthrone did it again, ladies and gentlemen! A new album, a new, more heavy metal style, a return to the roots...BUT STILL(!) Darkthrone's genuine style!
 That return after Circle the Wagons is surely something for which we should be thankful! The songs from the first to the last, flood with epicness and the well-known rawness (obsolete) of Darkthrone. Also, in this album both Fenriz and Nocturno Culto are on vocals, something that we have already seen in the previous 5 albums, I think. Leave No Cross Unturned, the last song of the album, which lasts about 14 minutes is something to be surprised of, as it has been a long time since Darkthrone made such a long track, as they used to focus more on punky-like styles.
 In more detail, in this album Fenriz takes the epic/power vocal parts and Nocturno takes the more brutal/black parts, as always...Some change is that Nocturno's voice isn't as it was some years ago...I mean OK, it's harsh, but not as it was...It's fine though! Darkthrone fans you should not be disappointed! The Underground Resistance is hell of an album that you should, I mean you SHOULD check out! Alright, I won't hold you in impatience anymore! Listen to the album, rate it and hail Darkthrone!
...And do not forget...Leave No Cross Unturned!!!
Support Darkthrone if you like them and pre-order/buy their new album!
Download it here: (File Deleted - You can find the album searching rockbox)

Album info: Metallum Page, Darkthrone Official Site

Dolorian - When All the Laughter has Gone (1999)

 Although you would easily guess the type of music and mood of this album, you won't be able to guess that easily the amount of darkness and despair that overflow through these 53 minutes. This is Dolorian's debut album, released in 1999. It is a combination of  synth-led black metal and slowed down doom heaviness. Of course, they're not the very first band to combine those two genres, but their approach is undoubtedly unique.
  Each track tends to progress in the same way, as they begin with mournful, slow-paced, lurking riffs (mostly on clean guitar or enhanced by echo) and then transform into a massive darkened cloud of sound which is about to unleash its storm of blackened light. There is so much sorrow present thoughout every song, in every single pattern, in each "movement" that by the end of your listening you'll be probably left hopeless and soaked in anguish. In some cases, things get more aggressive and fast, setting the record far from being boring, the doomy elements dominate every track though. Also, they did use some acoustics, not something that you might except from a blackened-doom release.
  Maybe the factor that adds on this album being unique and creative is the constant use of synths. They make the -already- dark approach even darker and grimmer with their cold as ice, yet gentle touch. The vocals are nothing but typical black metal rasps, solid performed but nothing special or innovative.
  In a nutshell, this album will have your mind changed about what blackness really means. Was I to describe the emotions  I get while listening to this masterpiece in colours, I'd need something blacker than the cover art's black, something close to the desolated colours described in the omonymous opener. Although it gets a bit monotonous after a couple of hearings, I recommend to let yourselves to be drown in its grimness and you won't regret it. " So silent, yet attractive.. "

Standout tracks: "Desolated Colours", "My wWeary Eyes", "A Part of Darkness", "Fields"

Acid Bath - When The Kite String Pops (1994)

 Sickness, sadism, torture, anomalies, madness and even romance, are all expressed through this album...yes, this is Acid Bath , Dax Riggs' band in their youth and bloom and that's of course one more reason to admire this person's imagination (in the lyrics, even though they are sick) and creativity in music.
 When the Kite String Pops is a fusion of a variety of genres such as sludge, doom and death combined with the great bluesy voice of Dax and those lyrics of death, sickness and all those that have been mentioned above. This album focuses on the intensity through the riffs, drumming and those incredible bass-lines of Audie Pitre (RIP), making the whole album overdriven with rage!
 Despite those full-of-rage songs though, songs like Scream of the Butterfly and The Bones of Baby Dolls make you forget that deepness and rage of the previous songs, taking you to another atmosphere consisted of calm and serenity...That is the great part of the album, when the wrath meets the calm and in reverse. That is what made Acid Bath a great band, which can give away a great deal of inspiration.
If you haven't check the album out yet, you really should!
Support them if you like their material! (RIP Audie Pitre)
Album info: Metallum Page
Download here: Mediafire Download

Ramesses - Misanthropic Alchemy (2007)

The official anouncement that Ramesses called it a day really was on of the most saddening news to appear on my screen lately. After ten years of success and productivity the legendary doom trio split up and left us wondering why with our jaws dropped. Anyways, life goes on..
 "Misanthropic Alchemy" is Ramesses' debut full-length, released in 2007, following the success of their "We Will Lead You to Glorious Times"  EP. In "Misanthropic Alchemy" Ramesses reached as high as they'd ever go, and believe me, they did go very high..
 7 tracks, two of them being instrumental. What makes this album that great is the diversity among each song. They do combine faster parts with ultra-doomy sections and ambience. The opener (Ramesses Pt. 1) is an extremely aggressive, up-tempo track, an onslaught that suits perfectly with the epicness of the lenghty Ramesses Pt. 2  that follows. Lords Misrule, an absolutely devastating piece of doom that slowly evolves into a journey in darkness and obscurity. Coat of Arms  really separates itself from the rest of the album from the very beginning with its mezmerizing and sorrowful guitar and thick basslines that complete the atmospheric soundscape created by the guitars, a trully occult scenery. Before the Jackals  continues in the same vein as Lords Misrule, being heavy and doomy.
 Apart from the diversity, this album shines because of the overall feeling and atmosphere, which are present throughout the whole 48 minutes. This is the reason that makes it almost inevitable for the listener to hear it at once. The production fits perfectly with the heavy and dense guitars and the thick basslines. Vocally there's also variety as they range from death growls, to more shrieky and even clean vocals. Drumwise there's nothing to be told, as it is widely known that Mark Greening is a fuckin' beast behind it's tortured drumkit with the weirdly tuned snare drum.
 So, overall this is their magnum opus, an essential album for everyone that loves doom, sludge, black or death metal. A nmasterpiece of the Underground, a tombstone. A filthy deformed titanic slug crawling behind you, willing to consume your soul..so, beware!

R.I.P. Ramesses 2003-2012

Thank you.