Personal Top Lists & Rankings

Dear Douglas Taylor4,
I’d say the main distinction between death metal and black metal lies in the structure. In death metal, you usually run into irregular time signatures, more intricate arrangements, and riffing based on chromatic scales (unless you're listening to the melodic variety). Plus, the production tends to be quite polished or even sterile—meaning you can actually hear everything clearly. As for the vocals, they mostly feature those deep, guttural growls, though that isn't always a hard rule.
Black metal, on the other hand, feels much more stripped-back. You have guitarists layering melodies over drummers who are just trying their best to maintain a steady blast beat, and the production is... well, let's just say it's definitely unique (which is a polite way of saying you can barely hear anything!). The vocals usually sound like high-pitched shrieks. Of course, that really only applies to the raw, old-school style; those bands using keyboards and super clean production are a completely different story altogether.

Nicholas Perez33 said:death vs black

In reality:

Obituary - cause of death vs Darkthrone - hate them

Each one just dominates their own niche...

In my opinion, this guide is the definitive roadmap through the world of metal 🙂

I even went ahead and removed the stuff that Kevin Chavez3 said was just punk

I would personally suggest checking out Unleashed - Where no Life Dwells. 😬 Then there's Vader—honestly, I think I still have some old demo tapes stashed away somewhere in my house from back in the day... Metal at its finest! 🙂

Look, when I used the word "punk," I was using it more in its secondary sense—basically just as a synonym for "cool." 😬 But there’s definitely a punk edge to Vader; even more so in the absolute deathgrind-punk masterpiece, Terrorizer's "World Downfall." Go listen to that...

Since you're already in the middle of downloading everything, you might as well grab Impaled Nazarene while you're at it... 😁

Impaled Nazarene, you're such a tool.

My collection has never seen this much metal before.
Downloading now.

edit: These are the only two metal records I actually own.
Vader - The Calling
Terrorizer - Storm of Sress 🙂

I can't vouch for Impaled Nazarene; I caught one track and it just didn't click for me. But Terrorizer? They’re pure hits from start to finish. Plus, since they only have that one album, you can grab a quick download and instantly become as hardcore as it gets... 👍

Sandra Chase16 said:I actually even used a skin for what Kevin Chavez3 said was just punk

That sounds like a bad idea to me, I guess 😬

Have I made my position clear? I have. Napalm Death, White Zombie, and early Napalm Death are pure punk—I'm betting you'll agree on that one. 🙂

I’ve always had a soft spot for hardcore punk that incorporates some moderate metal elements.
The catch is, if it feels too "generic," I'm out.
As for Grind? It’s just not my thing. Most of it sounds like a muddy, chaotic mess that just hurts my ears.
I prefer that raw, gritty, fast crust sound—think along the lines of *Scum*.
Some of the smaller stuff from Discharge works for me.
That Siege record was also pretty solid.

I’m looking for something with the same level of intensity as these classics:
1. The Crosses
2. Void
3. Negative Approach
4. Black Flag of

Looking at more recent acts, his Hero is goniti Jebga seems like a great blend of styles.

Whatever, I guess I'm just more into the hardcore/punk side of things now.

Douglas Taylor4 said:Among the recent names, I thought this worked as a solid blend: his Hero is goniti Jebga.

Drinking water. Drop the tragedy.

Kevin Chavez3 said:Have I hedged my bets? Absolutely. I’d say Terrorizer, Extreme Noise Terror, and early Napalm Death definitely fall under the punk umbrella—I'm pretty sure you'll agree with me there. 🙂

I'm with you on that!

I honestly think Celtic Frost might be more your style. I've only listened to their first album, but man, it just blows everything I've heard from Void, Discharge, and GBH combined out of the water...

Ponor said:Vader

was at the show. I even spotted myself in some photos from it on some sketchy site 😲 😁

dmj said:Kaaaaaaaj?
Hockey makes zero sense if you aren't pulling for the Finc.
And then you've got the Czechs and Slovaks right behind them.
I like Canada, but I'm only rooting for them when they're playing against Russians, Americans, or Swedes.

The perfect bracket: Czechs vs. Slovaks in one semi, Finc vs. Swedes in the other.
Total chaos—everyone hates everyone, teeth and skin flying everywhere.
Blood, death, and total carnage.
Finc and Slovaks beat their way through, Finc takes the title, and the Czechs grab third.

I know it won't happen like that, but hey, a person can dream...

I don't respect the Czechs. It's all garbage🙂 if you ask me—they'd probably finish dead last. Screw them and their illegal sticks and Jaromir Jagr🙂

The Slovaks and Finc are alright; maybe they could battle it out for 4th or 5th.😁 They aren't exactly my absolute favorites or anything.

I'll admit, I put the Russians in 3rd just for sentimental reasons😳 it's not like they've been crushing it lately. I don't know, I guess I just have a soft spot for Russians😍

Since I haven't loved Canada for over a decade now, Sweden would be #1🙏 I didn't like them one bit back during that insane, hair-pulling, TV-kicking, head-biting final against Canada in Lillehammer, but when someone plays that well, you can't help but respect it🙂

Sweden... literal paradise... everyone is tall, blonde, blue-eyed, tanned, and plays hockey—*faint*😍 If only they weren't up in the Arctic Circle...

d.zelig said:I love it when things are filthy, crusty, and fast—like Scum.
Some shorter stuff from Discharge works for me.
That Siege record was alright too.

I’d also suggest checking out Terrorizer.

And yeah, you definitely have to hear the first Celtic Frost. Their second one is great, too, but the classic vibe—more mature, better musicianship, but fewer standout hits...

Kevin Chavez3 said:Impaled Nazarene—take your literacy lessons elsewhere.

Ultimately, it’s the sentiment behind it that matters, you poser... 🙂 Oh, and Extreme Noise Terror. To hell with the rest of them. 🙏

When you're finally done with all that death metal and black metal, switch it up with some prog: Voivod - Nothingface 🙏

Oh, and I've got this math rock single from a band out of Chicago/Berlin...

ENT/Patareni single 😂

I don't think I've ever heard a worse sounding recording in my entire life... 🙂

Man, as a die-hard fan of Finland, I’m always rooting against the Swedes—honestly, they can take it. They can keep their height, their blue eyes, their sex appeal, their fancy tables, their ladders, their pliers, and even their gas stations; they couldn't hold a candle to how much a Finn can drink. And obviously, when it comes to being the absolute best at sports, specifically ski jumping, it's all about them. Finns and Norwegians are the real heavyweights, both as jumpers and drinkers, whereas Sweden is just that little nothing caught somewhere between Ikea furniture and Army of Lovers... 🤮

Alright, look, maybe they aren't *that* much of an eyesore, but as any true ski jumping fanatic knows, you need a healthy dose of resentment toward the Swedes to really enjoy the sport... 😁