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It doesn't get worse than the Monstrosity eggs.

Hi Graham I was at a loose end so thought I'd have a go at this, hope you can find 5 minutes for a quick scan! •Hype : New AVATARIUM album (next week!) •25th Album: A fairly new one in my metal collection, AD INFINITUM "Abyss" •Overdue: Not that old, but finally got round to NWOTHM band ENFORCER •Feeding Monkey: Like you, cheapest I can find! •Enigma : UK band THE WILDHEARTS - is it metal, power-pop, punk, thrash... all of the above! New album Satanic Rites of The Wildhearts coming out in a couple of months •Eating Crow - nothing springs to mind • Impulse : actually, the new IOTUNN album • Collectors scum : again, like yourself, only usually hang on to one copy of anything • Grail : Really only get new releases these days. •Grail, Please Find! Hmm... actually, this would come from my AOR loving alter ego, possibly the 2 BREATHLESS albums from around 1980... •Boomerang: n/a I only get rid of things very rarely and they never come back •Reunion : Another headscratcher, but possibly RIOT... really like the new Riot V album, despite there being no original members left... •Upstart : SAVAGE OATH Divine Battle •Influencer : IRONFLAME Kingdom Torn Asunder (Sea of Tranquility review, but I vaguely remember you mentioning it too!) •Don't Judge A Book : PANTERA I Am The Night (my favourite Pantera album with album art by a 3rd grader) •Rembrandt : MAGNUM On A Storyteller's Night, art by Rodney Matthews, legend! •Please Reissue : probably those BREATHLESS albums from before... •Other genre : I've been banging on to anyone that will listen about the 2024 album by BOBBIE DAZZLE, "Fandabidozi", a female fronted British act that pays homage to and sounds like a mixture of The Runaways, Suzi Quatro, The Sweet, The New York Dolls, T Rex and 70s Slade and Status Quo. Fun with a capital F. •See live : Bobbie Dazzle actually! Plus Epica are rumored to be releasing a new album and I haven't yet had the pleasure of a live encounter... •2 other channels Don't watch many regularly, but Sea Of Tranquility is my main other go to, and you'd find a lot of common ground with a Scottish channel, The Heavy Metal Journal, which does mostly your kind of very heavy thing, Lindsay, the young lady who presents it, introduced me to some great Scottish stuff like SAOR and, more recently, Hand Of Kalliach and Sgaile, bearably growly for me and musically mind expanding stuff... Well, that passed the time! Take care, mate and happy listening!

Thank you for the shoutout man, super appreciate it!

Helms Deep excellent cd

I think I might have been the one who helped you remember Dark Forest. Haha Absolutely mandatory pagan black metal. Love the Kris Verwimp artwork on Aurora Borealis. Have you ever listened to England's Dark Forest? Really killer traditional metal.

Oh man, 2nd question already bringing up tahoma. One of my fave albums in black metal history! I was lucky enough to see them live in 2017. I’ve seen that heavens gate album cover before, I gotta check that out! Speaking on new opeth, what do your take on in caude venenum or however it’s spelled? I was really impressed with it honestly. That myrkgrav album took me like 7 years to actually get a copy of. I wound up getting a crap version that’s just the disc and I printed out the covers, so an upgrade is needed but I do have the music. I just got the dark forest album last year it’s so good! Dude, I gotta see evil invaders I dint see the tour. Great tag dude 🍻

Damn, had no idea the Myrkgrav record had any value. I've had it for many years. As a collector, I never sell stuff though, sorry! 1. Hype: Name a release you’re eagerly anticipating in 2025. - The second album by Dark Sonority, a Trondheim based black metal band. I believe they played from it when I watched them last weekend (their first show in like seven years) and it sounded great. To be released in spring/early summer. 2. Show the 25th item (LP, CD… your choice) in your collection. - My 25th release, according to Discogs sorted alphabetically: Abigail Williams - In the Shadow of a Thousand Suns (CD). 3. Overdue: Name an older band that you checked out for the first time in 2024 and loved. - Núll. Admittedly, I checked them out right after first reading their name in the second half of 2024. It's a band established in 2012, so I was late to the party. Núll/0 is a great depressive black metal band from Iceland. The album Entity is phenomenal and the vocals are fucking amazing. I listen to them pretty much on a daily basis now. 4. Feeding the Monkey: How do you purchase most of your music (local store, Bandcamp, specific online site, etc)? - There are no local stores, so I use online stores (bandcamp, labels like Aftermath Music, Amor Fati Productions, Ván records (who sell the releases of my favorite label Terratur possessions). I also order a lot from the Norwegian store Duplicate records, where I save a shit ton compared to ordering from other countries where I have to pay tolls. 5. Enigma: Show a heavy metal album that musically is really hard to place in a heavy metal sub-genre. - Seigmen - Total. It does have metal elements, but also some other weird stuff. I've never been able to categorize them. Nonetheless, it's a Norwegian classic. 6. Eating crow: talk about an album you used to hate, but after years it finally clicked and now you can’t get enough of it. - I didn't hate, or even dislike it, but I did consider bands like Deep Purple to be hippie music when I was a kid. Now I absolutely love them. So I'll say Deep Purple - In Rock. 7. Impulse: Show an album that you blind bought in 2024. - Fear Factory - Aggression Continuum. I know one song by them, and I've seen half a concert with them. I got this one because it was on sale very cheap, so I figured why not give them a go. Still haven't listened to it... 8. Collector Scum: Show a title that you own more than one pressing of on the same format (CD, LP, etc). - Imma big ritard, and buy different formats/pressings of a lot of stuff. My biggest failure of self-discipline was buying every vinyl edition of the previous Djevel album, Naa Skrider Natten Sort, which the label to may dismay decided to split up in different color variants exclusive to single countries in 100 ex. each. When the label (which is Norwegian) got a few copies of each in their store, I bought one of each like an idiot. At least I only had to pay shipping once, and no tolls. 9. Show off a grail (something you really wanted) that you acquired in 2024. - I was about to answer Stormblåst (Dimmu) on LP, but that was in january. I guess I could call the physical (picture disc) copy of Something Wicked This Way Comes by Iced Earth that I finally got late last year a grail, as I didn't have that one in any format, and it's my favorite album of theirs. 10. A plea! What is a grail item you are on the hunt for? - I still would like to get Stormblåst on solid black vinyl (preferrably a less costly new pressing), as the picture disc sounded quite bad. 11. Boomerang album: show an album that no matter how many times you purge it from your collection, another copy returns to you. - I don't purge anything from my collection, and if I do get rid of stuff (ac/dc albums I've been given against my will) I sure as hell won't buy them again. 12. Reunion: Name an artist that you had lost track of over time but reconnected with in 2024. - Koldbrann. They blew me away with their 2024 album, which is easily the best they've ever made in my opinion. I like some songs from the debut, but never really cared for the in-between albums. Now I've even started listening a bit to those. 13. Upstart: name a new band whose debut album really impressed you (the debut didn’t have to come out in 2024, but recently). Two answers on this one, as I changed my mind when I remembered Syn: - Syn - Villfarelse. It was originally close to my top 10 for AOTY, until I realized it was released in december 2023. So this is a good excuse to mention them. The album is superb, as is their live shows. - Sól án varma. A project by Misþyrming and some other dudes from the awesome Icelandic black metal scene, commissioned for a single festival performance in 2018. Released as an album in 2023, and it's a masterpiece. 14. Influencer: Show a band/release that you bought in 2024 as a direct result of watching someone’s TH-cam channel. - Old Horn Tooth - Mourning Light. Mr Jamie Laszlo from Sea of Tranquility sang it's praises, and he sure didn't lie. Fantastic doom metal from London. And I listen to doom quite rarely. 15. Don’t Judge a Book By Its Cover: Show a great album with bad cover art. - Moonspell - Irreligious. Not atrocious, but also not a great artwork at all. The album is an absolute masterpiece though. 16. Rembrandt: Show an album whose cover art was created by one of your favorite artists. - Burzum - Hvis Lyset Tar Oss. Anything Kittelsen related is so fitting for Norwegian black metal. 17. Name an album that you would like to see reissued on vinyl or CD (your preferred medium)? - Dark Sonority - Kaosrekviem. I know this one will be reissued on vinyl when the new album is released this spring/early summer. 18. Name an album from a genre that you typically do not listen to very much. - Amynedd - 16-Bit Adventure. This is literally the only 16-bit music I listen to on a semi-regular basis. It's superb. 19. What band do you hope to see live in 2025? - I'm seeing Koldbrann for the first time at Beyond the Gates in August. One of the best live bands around today, Misþyrming, are also playing there. That's enough of a reason to go, even if the rest of the lineup contains old people who probably need assistance to get up on stage at this point... 20. In closing, tell your viewers about 2 new (to you) TH-cam channels you discovered in 2024, or just shout out 2 channels you enjoy - I don't think I found any new ones. I'm very picky when it comes to youtube channels, and find most of the ones I try watching very annoying and just never return to them. I'll check out your recommendations though! My personal favorites are Sea of Tranquility (absolutely love the entire crew, even though they've stagnated a bit as they talk about the same 70s bands over and over again, while not giving enough (imo) attention to the more extreme types of metal, so I don't watch them nearly as much as I used to anymore) and Roger Kjørvik. Edit: I remembered one channel: That Metal Bloke. Even though I don't enjoy the same music as him, I find him quite entertaining to listen to. Great guy. I postponed making dinner after work to answer these, and now I'm at death's door due to hunger lol

I do have that Myrkgrav album, but I'm not selling - sorry! I've seen that it's expensive, which goes for many older albums on small or dead labels. This is fun, so if you don't mind, I'll do this here since I don't have a channel. 1. Hype: The upcoming Ancient Bards for sure 2. Show the 25th item (LP, CD… your choice) in your collection: On the metal shelf, it's Alestorm - Black Sails At Midnight (I miss when they were somewhat serious) 3. Overdue: Savage Grace 4. Feeding the Monkey: Everywhere really, depends on where stuff is available 5. Enigma: Adding some Seven Spires with A Fortress Called Home (and you're right, it's very diverse, but it feels completely natural) 6. Eating crow: Pass, but I should try Arion - Life Is Not Beautiful again. I didn't care for it when it came out, and I haven't heard it since 7. Impulse: Theoden's Reign - Mitheithel. I often blind buy Tolkien related music... 8. Collector Scum: Blind Guardian - Nightfall In Middle-Earth (original, remastered, in a box set, 2018 version) 9. Show off a grail (something you really wanted) that you acquired in 2024: Illumishade - Eclyptic: Wake Of Shadows. Super expensive on Discogs, but I found a regular priced one at Napalm. Must have been the last copy they had... very lucky! 10. A plea!: Sad Legend - s/t. Maybe I'll just go for it this year... 11. Boomerang album: I never get rid of anything (unless duplicate)! 12. Reunion: Borknagar. It had been like 20 years, but decided to try Fall. It's pretty good, so I may have some catching up to do! 13. Upstart: Prydain - The Gates Of Aramore (2023.) Excellent epic power metal! 14. Influencer: Lunar Aurora - Weltengänger (Wyattxhim) 15. Don’t Judge a Book By Its Cover: Gamma Ray - Heading For Tomorrow (the original, very lazy cover lol) 16. Rembrandt: Blind Guardian - Somewhere Far Beyond (Andreas Marschall) 17. Name an album that you would like to see reissued: Sad Legend again! But for another one, Lutharo - Hiraeth 18. Name an album from a genre that you typically do not listen to very much: Cyndi Lauper - She's So Unusual. Sometimes I just want some classic 80s pop! 19. What band do you hope to see live in 2025?: Vintersorg would be great. They've played two shows recently, so more could be possible

I agree on King Diamond's 'The Eye.' For how much I love the album, the cover art is so... MEH... lol

I just recently got into the Elric saga. After years of seeing great artist interpretations of the character the curiosity finally got too big to ignore. Wish I would have pulled the trigger 30 years back, but...better late than never!

Thanks for the video! Is it just me or does their vocalist have a very unique voice? Maybe I just don't know many bands with the same style of singing, but I always thought it stood out somehow.

I'll give a couple of these a shot, cause why not. Ugly album cover: wormwood - the star. Looks like 'the wolf among us' fan art. Doesn't reflect the sound at all. Very good record, btw. Great debut: no longer human - carrion. My aoty for 2023. Really really really excited for whatever comes next from this project. Album I used to hate: hostblod - morkrets intag. Didn't like it at all first time I heard it. Now it's one of my all time favourites. An album I love from a genre I don't listen to: jay munly - jimmy carter syndrome. It's gothic country. Very good stuff.

Very cool you jumped on this Tag Graham! I love that Helms Deep album great great choice for that question. Great job!🤘👍

Tony Martin Sabbath was what was going on when I was in high school. I bought Headless Cross on cassette weeks after in was released in '89. Tyr is probably my fave, though! I've been in a doomy mood lately, so I've definitely got to check out Cross Vault!

Hi Graham, Your reflection appearing on the wall, me pressing the like button. Thanks for the Video. I didn't know this band and I'll check them out.

Jake Rogers of all people turned me onto these guys probably 13 or 14 years ago. Good stuff. Absolutely love their artwork.

Hey Hammerheart, I’ve not heard this band! I’ll check em out for sure. Thanks for the recommendation 👍☕️

You introduced me to these guys with their newest albim last year, and i loved it. I definitely have to check out the rest of their discography.

Me: - Tier 1: Sad Wings of Destiny + Stained Class - Tier 2: Screaming for Vengeance + Defenders of the Faith Great review!

Cool video dude! Heard these guys back in 2021 when Blayne from Banger put them on ‘Metal Monthly’ and the Eventide album rocked! Last album was good too but kind of slept on it. I need to get better at listening to albums and just jam the entire album for a day or 2 long! I check out the rest of their discography. Cheers!

Discovered this band through your Top 25! Also, I think it's awesome you're doing a ranking video about a lesser known band. I've grown a bit tired of seeing the same bands in ranking videos of other channels.

I have the album 'Skadi' on vinyl, this band was new to me, and the cover took my attention ! so I bought it , it has a poster from the cover art work. I must listen to it again , and for sure I'm gonig to listen more albums from this band, thanks to you.., they have some great album covers ! "Sleipnir" is the name of the 8 legg horse from Odin. but you might no that aswel

what are you trying to do to me , youre saying theres a band ive never heard of with Agallochian greatness with doom n psych wierdness AND theres 8 great albums . oh dear ... ill try a middle ranked one to start .. am i the only one who never starts wth number 1 in case its amazing and then each album i try after is not as good .. or just me lol ..

Authenticity. And you’re it, and we love it

Discovered them through Forgemaster Reviews back in 2021 and it was love at first sight. Their evolution from Stoner Metal to this Agallochesque Doom Metal sound was executed flawlessly. V and Eventide are tied as my favorites from them.

Weakling! Oh man ❤️❤️❤️

I'll definitely check them out!

Hi Graham hope you are well. These guys only got the latest one must get the rest . Cheers Jonathan

Darkthrone are deities among mere mortals 🖤 Awesome video!

We really like your content! Hey it would be a huge honor and favor if you would listen to our new 20 track album Eviscerate! You can stream it everywhere! 🙏 🤘🌪🤘 kickass video dude! music.th-cam.com/play/OLAK5uy_moeanw5ZW2a_705aIdPtE89fo_13PGxus.html&si=jdGqTMQbgNi36TsY

....but hadn't the band dismember after Garm's departure?

Morbid Angel's 'Covenant' gives me so much nostalgia.. good pick! :D

been meaning to try cross vault in forever .. i will do so now .. i saw sabbath on the headless cross tour in the uk , they were getting up some steam again with this lp but sadly it all fell apart as usual ..tyr is ok but then it got messy again with dio in then out n most of my mates just lost interest ..great video

These are so cool to watch Graham really enjoy the variety of Genre! I'm doing own favorite song from 1970 -2024 which I hope to do later next week, which of course I'll give you 100% credit for the idea in the video and description!

Cross Vault is awesome!! Thank you 🤘🤘

Covenant and Under a funeral moon….Absolute classics. Part of our cultural metal heritage and a reference for future generations!

Agree Graham Avantasia i love those Metal Opera but recently gone a bit poppy . I love Catley Scheepers Roy Khan not keen on Eric Martin lol. Will see what new album is like don't think Kiske on it shame

Hi Graham Just ordered Cross Vault cd cheers for the recommendation my friend 👌💯🤘🤘🤘💯🤘

Agreed, while I enjoy the newer stuff, the old Metal Opera is far superior. Love the addition of the legendary Bob Catley on Part II! I'm debating seeing Avantasia live in spring; it should be a fun and memorable experience. I gotta pick up Covenant someday! While I'm not the biggest death metal fan, I enjoy albums from the early days a lot. I think that's because the vocals (among other things) were very varied and unique back then, Vincent being a great example.

Apologies mate, my reply has been added as a reply to another comment (apologies to SardonicWrath fir crashing your conversation!) rather than separately as intended! Getting old...

Amazing picks. Headless Cross is an underrated and great album and I think that the Tony Martin era is under appreciated. Covenant is my favorite Morbid Angel album. Under a Funeral Moon to me isn’t as good as A Blaze in the Northern Sky or Transilvanian Hunger but it’s still a great album in Darkthrone’s unholy trilogy. Avantasia is amazing. Very operatic power metal from the Edguy frontman himself.

Nice variety in your picks, and I love the t-shirt! Five Discogs randomizer picks: * Alestorm - Sunset on the Golden Age (ltd. 100 ex. blue navy LP) * Black Sabbath - Vol. 4 (CD) * Dismember - Misanthropic (ltd 250 ex. black vinyl LP. Actually my last purchase of 2024) * Nile - Worship the Animal "1994 the lost recordings" (CD) * Departure Chandelier - The Black Crest of Death, The Gold Wreath of War (LP)

Thanks for turning me on to The Flight of Sleipnir! Never heard of those guys, but I’m a sucker for that style of black metal. Great listen, can’t wait to check out the full discography. Also, that Liminal Shroud album is excellent… definitely a slept on release this year. Cheers 🍻

My all time fav…Blind Guardian - Mirror Mirror

Great picks man 👍 have a great new year 🍻🍀

Great video😸

I discovered Evilfeast in 2010 with lost horizon of wisdom. It's my favorite album from him and the best thing I've heard since Emperor and Obtained Enslavement