Immortal - Sons Of Northern Darkness (SOtD CDXCIX)

Sons Of Northern Darkness was the last release of Immortal, before their split in 2003.
In 2006 the Norwegian Black Metal band would return, with a new bass player, and is currently active.

Immortal - Sons of Northern Darkness

Opeth - Deliverance (SOtD CDXCVIII)

In 2002, Opeth released Deliverance, their last Extreme Progressive Metal album.
Somewhat a deception after Blackwater Park, but still a great album.

Opeth - Wreath

Symphony X - The Odyssey (SOtD CDXCVII)

The Odyssey marked the fading of my following of Symphony X.
I don't know if it's something they changed (or the fact that they didn't change) or if my musical taste changed, or if simply I stopped having the time to listen to Symphony X's albums enough times so they can strike me with all their power.

Anyway, The Odyssey is still a great Progressive Metal album.

Symphony X - Inferno (Unleash The Fire)

Dark Tranquillity - Damage Done (SOtD CDXCVI)

Not yet on vacations, but definitely already on vacations mode.
This is a great season to go back 10 years in time, and remember the great albums that were released in 2002.

Damage Done is still one of the best albums ever released by Dark Tranquility. This is a serious Gothemburg Metal masterpiece.

Dark Tranquillity - Monochromatic Stains

Zonaria - Arrival Of The Red Sun (SOtD CDXCV)

Arrival Of The Red Sun is the third full length of the Melodic Death Metal Swedish band Zonaria.

Zonaria - Arrival Of The Red Sun

Corvus (SOtD CDXCIV)

Corvus is a Melodig Metal band from the Ukraine.

Corvus - Watching You

Huldre (SOtD CDXCIII)

Huldre is a Folk Metal band from Denmark.

Huldre - Brandridt

Crown (SOtD CDXCII)

Crown is a Doom Metal band from France.

Crown - The One

Synestesia - Nereus (SOtD CDXCI)

Nereus is the second full length release from the Finnish Gothemburg Metal band Synestesia.

Synestesia - Juurelle Majakan

Sun Devoured Earth - Sounds Of Desolation (SOtD CDXC)

Sun Devoured Earth is Vadim Vasilyev's one man band. The Latvian musician started in 2009 and was extremely productive in the two following years, but without caring much about the quality or the coherence of his work. Just experimenting in the Atmospheric Black Metal and Shoegaze genres.
Then in September of last year, he finally struck gold in their experiences, with the EP Day After Day, Year After Year, When Will It End.
Sounds Of Desolation, his release from this year, is a more thought and mature work.

Sun Devoured Earth - Chorus of Passing

Chrome Waves (SOtD CDLXXXIX)

Chrome Waves is an Atmospheric Black Metal band from the USA.
They have just released their homonymous first EP.

Chrome Waves - Height of the Rifles

The Matador (SOtD CDLXXXVIII)

The Matador is a Ambient Progressive Metal band from Australia.
(Aussies are high on the blog lately, but that's not my fault, it's just their Metal scene that is completely on fire!)

The Matador - Kingdom Of Glass

In Elegance (SOtD CDLXXXVII)

In Elegance is a Metalcore band from Australia.
As you may already know, Metalcore is not really my thing, but these guys really throw some melody into their music.

In Elegance - Chances

Huaska (SOtD CDLXXXVI)

Huaska is a Bossa Metal band from Brazil.
Another great example from Brazil on how traditional music genres can be successfully mixed genres with Metal.

Huaska - Ainda Não Acabou

Immensity (SOtD CDLXXXV)

Immensity is a Doom Metal band from Greece.

Immensity - Adornment

Dünedain (SOtD CDLXXXIV)

Dünedain is a Power Metal band from Spain. Spanish singing of catchy chorus and epic music ahead!

Dünedain - La rosa negra

Vergeltung (SOtD CDLXXXIII)

Vergeltung is a Cyber Metal band from Russia.
For those of you unfamiliar to the genre, Cyber Metal is an evolution of the Industrial Metal to an even more electronic sound.

Vergeltung - Spatial Cold

Teramaze (SOtD CDLXXXII)

Teramaze is a Progressive Metal band from Australia.

Teramaze - Anhedonia

Tenebrarum (SOtD CDLXXXI)

Tenebrarum is a Gothic Metal band from Colombia.
(Yes, looks like I'm on a Spanish singing bands strike...)

Tenebrarum - El Velo

Nasson (SOtD CDLXXX)

Nasson is a Suomi Metal band from Chile. The Spanish language actually suits Suomi Metal much better than I expected.

Nasson - Reflejo

Magika (SOtD CDLXXIX)

Magika is a Power Metal band from Argentina. They sing in Spanish.

Magika - Sobre el final

Munruthel (SOtD CDLXXVIII)

Munruthel is a Folk Black Metal band from Ukraine.

Munruthel - The Brilliance Of The Thundering Swords

Addaura (SOtD CDLXXVII)

Addaura is an Atmospheric Black Metal band from the USA.

Addaura - City Light (In Still Dark Forenoon Silence)

Another Perfect Day (SOtD CDLXXVI)

Another Perfect Day is a Progressive Melodic Death Metal band from Germany.

Another Perfect Day - The Lullaby (Come Step Closer)

Sekoria (SOtD CDLXXV)

Sekoria is a Melodic Black Metal band from Germany.

Sekoria - Zu Den Sternen

Nidhøgg (SOtD CDLXXIV)

Nidhøgg is a Viking Metal band from Germany.

Nidhøgg - Der Tod Des Baldur

Plug-In (SOtD CDLXXIII)

Plug-In is an Instrumental Progressive Metal band from France.
Highly recommended for Dream Theater fans that think the voice is not essential.

Plug-In - Texas Instruments

FateScorn (SOtD CDLXXII)

FateScorn is a Melodic Death/Industrial Metal from Russia.

FateScorn - Phoenix

Öxxö Xööx (SOtD CDLXXI)

Öxxö Xööx is a Avantgarde/Gothic/Doom band from France. They have a quite unique sound, and are definitelly worth a listen.

Öxxö Xööx - Ägörth

Thou Shell Of Death (SOtD CDLXX)

Thou Shell Of Death is an Atmospheric Black Metal band from Estonia.

Thou Shell of Death - A Burden of Desire

The Forsaken - Beyond Redemption (SOtD CDLXIX)

The Melodic Death Metal band, The Forsaken, has finally released a new album, titled Beyond Redemption. The fourth ful length of the Swedish band arrives after a silence that lasted 9 years.

The Forsaken - Beyond Redemption