I've been delving into the uber-heavy side of metal lately. Along with the usual Opeth albums, I've ventured into some dark stuff as of late....

Mastadon:Laviathon - I'll need more time with this one, much more. For a conceptual piece based on well known classic literature, it sure is hard to follow, what with the hardcore vocalization and near-death (but not quite) metal growl. Too much of the songs have a sameness to them.

Lacuna Coil: In A Reverie // Unleashed Memories // Comalies - I'm not blown away by these guys. They show so much promise, but they just aren't quite there yet. I do like the vocal interplay of both female and male lead singers, if only the male lead was as good as the female. She's the real deal, he's a poser. The writing is spotty, the playing is good, but not great. I think if I gave some thought and effort, I could make a good 79 minute comp out of these three and a half albums (UnleashedMemories has the Halflife EP tacked-on as a bonus).

Ayreon:The Universal Migrator Pts 1 & 2 - I can't stop playing disc one, but I'm glad that I found the re-issue with both Pts 1 & 2, because I would have felt disappointed paying full price for disc two (Flight Of The Universal Migrator). Not that its a bad album, but because it just pales in comparison to the first disc (The Dream Sequencer). So tell me...which of these two discs is most representative of other Aryeon albums?

and from the 'something borrowed' department:

Soilwork:Stabbing The Drama - I think one deathmetal band in my collection is enough for a while; while these guys are ok, they don't bring as much to the table as Opeth does. This is a band I'll look for in the 'used' section.

Killswitch Engage:End Of Heartache - same here

I've heard that Soilwork's Figure #5 is better than their latest, maybe I'll find out next week.

I showed you mine, now show me yours.