Help me decide what to listen to next!

As some of you know over the last year or so I've been working on listening to my complete music collection in as close to chronological order as I can get it, reviewing stuff along the way and generally refreshing myself when it comes to what I've got, what's hot, and what I can safely get rid of. Well, I've completed that project so now I'm ready to once again go forth and acquire new stuff. (Yes, this does mean the pace at which I do new reviews here will slow down a bit - sorry guys.)

I've already got some ideas about things I want to track down, but any suggestions of cool metal stuff to listen to would be appreciated. If you haven't read my reviews you can get a quick snapshot of what I do and don't like by just glancing at the five-star albums listed on my reviewer profile here:

Recommendations from all genres are appreciated but it'd be great to be able to explore some of the genres where I've not listened to much stuff - particularly folk metal, sludge metal, gothic and industrial metal (and grindcore, since I don't think I've ever listened to any) - since when it comes to genres where I've listened to a lot of things I tend to have a better handle on what I want to explore next.

 

I second that. One of the most important extreme metal acts. Personally I�m not too fond of the first two albums, but it�s probably an aquired taste. They are definitely what you�d call authentic though.

 

...in the same sentence this one might be interesting to you: http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/shrinebuilder.aspx?ac=shrinebu

http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/cruachan.aspx - The first and most recent album are folk/black metal. The rest are just folk metal of the celtic type. If you prefer folk/raw black metal, start with Tuatha Na Gael. If you rather more polished folk/black metal, start with Blood on the Black Robe. If you rather no or minimal black metal, start with Folk-Lore.

http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/arkona(russia).aspx - So called 'Pagan' folk metal. Start with anything from the third album onwards, they're all top notch. Just make sure you're okay with non-English lyrics, it's all in Russian.

http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/wolfchant.aspx - more guitar driven folk melodies than actual folk instrumentation here. A Pagan Storm is the best pure folk metal album but I slightly prefer Call of the Black Winds, which covers a range of styles.

http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/elvenking.aspx - power folk metal. Start with the first two albums or if you want something not really metal, try Two Tragedy Poets, their semi-acoustic album, it's actually one of their best.

http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/sig-ar-tyr.aspx - more of a unique sound here, sort of acoustic driven atmospheric folk metal which draws on ambient music and black metal. Beyond the North Winds is the best album IMO.

Wow, a great response, thanks guys!

That sounds like an awesome mix of sounds, and with you and UMUR both recommending them I'll definitely make them a priority.

UMUR - Wow, a pile of recommendations! Thanks. I'd already put Type O Negative on my "really ought to check these guys out" list but you've inspired me to move them up. (For what it's worth: Christian lyrics don't necessarily bother me - I mean, sometimes they can, but sometimes any lyrical subject matter can. On the other hand, I'm really not cool with NSBM.)

adg211288 wrote: You want folk eh?

And you've given me a ton, thanks. :)

Wilytank wrote: Here's some black metal you missed

I knew I could count on you to deliver! I'll have to ponder Nokturnal Mortum because I know that on NeChrist and elsewhere they veered into NSBM turf, but I'll definitely give all your recommendations consideration.

Great album. This is the most folk of the ones I've heard, but you'll find folk in moderation in most of their albums so definitely worth checking out on the folk metal front.