Metal Reviews

DM madness continues with great passion.

Domineering BM violence. Quintessential and intimating. Bathed and born from fire and ice.

Rain Upon the Impure just edges out Exuvia to be my favorite Ruins album. I actually was listening to it last night too unbeknownst that you were as well--50 Forts Along the Rhine's furious opening places the listener in the middle of the Roman invasion of Germany and the atmospheric sections which follow don't lessen the intensity. Meilenwald's use of watery guitar effects is more restrained here than on later albums, and his leads and keys are very well balanced against the riffs.

Favorite Immortal? That's a tough choice. I could make arguments for Pure Holocaust, Battles in the North, At the Heart of Winter, and Sons of Northern Darkness, but I'd agree with you both that the latter two would be in the top half.

Quite right, North. You hit the mark, exactly on you analysis of Ruins' guitar tonalities and the atmospherics he generates with his marvelous music. And yes, Immortal is difficult to rank by album, with precision, since there are so many great ones, one after another. Additionally, I greatly appreciated your reference to history. Just phenomenal. I understand the composer has a degree in history, or perhaps has taken quite number of courses in it.

This recording is constructed of the finest musical elements, all in effortless co-existence, without the slightest cause of nuisance for one another. Perhaps my favourite of theirs. Musical poetry in its highest possible expression, materialized.

The previous time in which this recording was played I was most definitely was not in the right state of mind to fully engage with it. This evening, I believe, is a different case, and I think I can enjoy it more thoroughly this time. Last of BM's evening playing time, and then I shall be retrieving back to something more somber and sober.

An early return to an all-time favourite. A plentiful musical theater abundant with many different colours, shades, and moods. It has been a splendid and gratifying musical night. Onto another tomorrow.

Most fun I've had with these guys in years.

This morning I listened to At The Heart of Winter once again and also this recording:



My second time listening to this album. I definitely like it but certainly not one of the recordings I would choose to replay repeatedly, like quite a few of their other recordings. By no means an average album, and contrary to it, an accomplished album. However, I came to know the band through a different period of time, when they were recording their prime classics and this recording certainly does not give me the same satisfaction. I am sure there is disagreement and no dispute in that at all.

Renewing acquaintance with a very old and dear friend. This recording was played countless times by me, and I cannot say I ever grew tired of it. I simply moved on, and now it is time for a strengthening return to it. May the bonds become unbreakable. One of many Maestro Swano's masterpieces.

I always enjoy the aural audio experience that a good DM provides. Brilliant and livens the senses.

Most unseemingly. An outstanding BM release that I return to not very frequently but this release never leaves my listening cycles completely. Certainly not a recording I could listen to every other week but definitely every few months, at that. This album, crawls, whispers, laughs diabolically and fades into oblivion once again.