I've had Moonsorrow's Varjoina Kuljemme Kuolleiden Maassa on repeat for a couple of weeks now. Also currently listening to Jordpuls by Vintersorg. Devin Townsend's Deconstruction is set to be released 20th June. Should be a good year for metal...

So guys, which albums are your favourites so far? And which releases are you most looking forward to this year?

I don't listen to Slipknot but I always thought of myself a metalhead. I guess I don't qualify after all...

Mayhem is one of the better pop bands around.
Deathspell Omega are top notch too.

Anyone into doom metal? Been listening to a lot of Electric Wizard and Bongripper lately... Real good stuff..

I'm jealous.
Which part of the world are you located in? Was it quite hard to secure tickets?

Speaking of Indian bands, check out this one-man djent band from New Delhi. More demos available at his Soundcloud page.


(starts getting good at the 0:42 mark)

I've just recently become more open towards djent and realised there was more to the music than ripping off Meshuggah. Shame on me.

Djentlemen, do you prefer your djent instrumental or complemented with vocals? On some days I can really get into TesseracT, but mostly instrumental (Animals as Leaders, Cloudkicker, etc.) on other days for me.

Does anybody know how much Darkthrone vinyls are worth? I recently obtained a first press of Darkthrone's Ravishing Grimness at a price which I thought was a bargain. However, I'm not really sure how much it's worth... Any input is greatly appreciated.

So, Devin Townsend's Deconstruction has leaked and the full album is available on youtube for streaming.

Playlist: Deconstruction

From the album cover, you could guess that the the record would have a 'carnival' feel to it (at least to me anyway) and that indeed was the case. The guest musicians and the use of the opera really make the album interesting throughout. I had been resisting to check which guest musicians featured and was pleasantly surprised when I heard Ihsahn and Joe Duplantier's vocals. The Mighty Masturbator and the title track are lyrically ridiculous and had me chuckling to myself. Sumeria is probably the catchiest track on the record and is my favorite so far along with Juular. Overall, I think some songs like Pandemic and Poltergeist were reminiscent to Strapping Young Lad (which isn't really a bad thing) but it is still a thoroughly enjoyable release. Hats off to you, Mr. Townsend.

What are your thoughts on the album?

So... What else are you guys listening to these days? [insert Loutallica joke here]

Esoteric's new album available for streaming here: Paragon of Dissonance

Blut aus Nord's follow-up to 777 - Sect(s) available here: 777 - The Desanctification

Just been browsing through some news and saw this. Anyone else excited for this?

New Borknagar track from their soon to be released album. I thoroughly enjoyed their last album and this new track sounds very promising indeed.

A track off Ihsahn's album is streaming at Guitar World. Can't wait for the release.