Patterns, yay! I think the end of the year is making me crave shorter albums and greater efficiency—so yes, expect more of these in threes. Here’s “Evermore Darkly”, “Carbon-Based Anatomy”, and “Dromomania” for intensifying your holiday season.

“the longing never ends—not while you’re human”

That’s how I read it anyway. Also, a quick question or two about those ambiguous “death metal record sales” stats.

Rating: 2.5/5
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Questions of “correctness” and “intent” and “artistry” abound, but the more I listen, the more I hear a band baring itself to the moment, refusing compromise, accepting pillory. I may not like it much, but my respect is true.

Rating: 4.5/5
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This fusion keeps the album growing after several listens and it’s taking its rightful place among my most cherished records. If you like blackened metal with a twist, do yourself a favour and buy “Paracletus”. It’s a classic!

Rating: 3.5/5
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If you are looking for something purely new and innovative then you may want to keep digging, but if you want some solid death-obsessed black metal, then “Lawless Darkness” is for you.

Looks like Robin and Tymon will return to Exivious, with Paul and Sean planning for a new Cynic release in 2011, as well as another remixed re-release of “Focus”.

Rating: 4.5/5
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I am thankful for the return of passionate yet coherent technical death metal—a balance attempted by few and achieved by fewer. Atheist have always been bar-setters, and “Jupiter” is yet another defining chapter in their evolution.

Rating: 4.5/5
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It’s one thing to mature with grace, but to both retain and amplify vibrancy, THAT radiates across generations.

Behemoth releases cover artwork and title of upcoming DVD. Band to hit the road with Watain, Withered, and Black Anvil as support; tour starts this November!