As Light Dies - Ars Subtilior From Within The Cage

Not the stuff you usually see here (because the stuff you usually see here is ABSCENCE get it -snort snort-). This is progressive gothic metal, or something along those lines.They mix a whole lot of styles. Complex songs, dramatic vocal delivery (male clean & growl, female clean sometimes), violins. But not in your usual "gothicslash folk metal" way when the violin is just used to repeat a simple catchy melody from time to time. No. As Light Dies, and G-d blesss 'em for it, use the violin as a real instrument. Way to go!

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Skeleton of God - Primordial Dominion

A weird one. Skeleton of God released an EP "Urine Garden" ages ago, then vanished, only to reappear in 2008 with this kick-ass mix of psychedelia and brutal death metal. Yepp, and it's indeed psychedelic, it's not just a tag. I don't usually listen to death metal, but this album I like a lot.
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Letargy Dream - 2

One of my favourites from 2008... and 2009, as this album was released on 29th of December. So obviously I only got it in 2009. Yeah. Three lengthy compositions are presented here, a mix of death-doom, doom, traditional, with psychedelic overtones, great quality, good musicianship. And great lyrics (in Russian). A truly talented band. Get this album from Solitude Productions, it's totally worth it.
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KHLYST - Chaos is my Name

Guitar drone/ambient (James Plotkin, ex-Khanate) with female death growls (Runhild Gammelsaeter, ex-Thorr's Hammer). Wow. This is truly disturbing stuff. Thorr's Hammer is one of the groups I simply can't listen to... The vocals are too much for me. Strange, in this format (without doom metal), it's more interesting and, uhm, pleasent? No that's not the right word. Whatever. KHLYST's Chaos is my Name is good. Especially tracks "I", "III" and "VII". Sadly, this is the only release.
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