Korpiklaani – Manala (2012: Nuclear Blast)

lil’ dark & somber 
from party-prone past polkas -

still tops all comers

http://www.korpiklaani.com/index.php?id=96

Dark Tranquillity – Damage Done (2002: Century Media)

Swede melo-death runs

bit harsher than peers in kind

still a fun listen

http://www.darktranquillity.com/music/damage.html

Manowar – Louder Than Hell (1996: Geffen)

Dumber than boxed rocks

cheezier than Swiss fondue

loud’s no saving grace

http://www.manowar.com/

November17 – Trust No One (1997: Slipdisc)

Uncle Al’s hellspawn?

all plays from Ministry’s book

a decade removed

http://www.myspace.com/n17/music/albums/trust-no-one-12362380

Green Carnation – Light of Day, Day of Darkness (2001: The End)

One crazy long song

progs Therion-opera

thru Norse avant-grim

http://www.prophecy.de/front_content.php?idcat=258&idart=397&releaseid=15

Mayhem – Ordo ad Chao (2007: Season of Mist)

Hell’s own Petri dish

spawns more low-fi rumbledrone

primed for corpsepainting

http://www.myspace.com/officialmayhem/music/albums/ordo-ad-chao-10814953