Hear why Michel loves “War and Pain” and he even sets Wikipedia straight on some facts. Willie also inquires about the Montréal metal scene, thoughts on Pink Floyd, fond memories of Iron Maiden, the ‘family’ feel of Voivod and their near three-decade evolution, with insight into the future of this incomparable band. And for the first time, Away gets asked to pick a favorite song to close out the talk!

Wolves in the Throne Room are first-rate third-wave black metal. Just as Scandinavia was itself intrinsic to the genre’s original sounds, the Pacific Northwest U.S. gives spirit to these American luminaries.

Rating: 2.5/5
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No band exemplifies the desire to tinker around with black metal more than Avignon’s Peste Noire. But on their latest effort, “L’Ordure à l’État Pur”, the egotism has reached heights beyond what may be considered an enjoyable climb.

Rating: 4.5/5
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Over the course of the last decade, no band has constructed a sound as meticulously unique as the mighty YOB. They have landed in the strange middle ground between Burning Witch and Electric Wizard, all while sounding absolutely nothing like either of those bands.

Rating: 4.5/5
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A Dragged into Sunlight listening experience is akin to watching a Coen Brothers film: you can never tell where they’ll take you next, and will surprise you every time.

Rating: 4/5
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Back in 1993 when “Earth 2″ hit the streets, nobody would have said that Earth would end up a psychedelic country outfit, but look where we are now. “Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light 1″ may not be a landmark for the band, but it stands with its two predecessors as a strong statement for any artists who wish to redefine themselves. In this case, it took a suicide and drug addiction, but that doesn’t necessarily mean there isn’t another way.

Rating: 3.5/5
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Moving forward, Titans Eve are already ahead of other bands on their debuts. While most artists have hardly started building their foundation, these guys have the whole house built. The only work left is painting and furnishing—purely cosmetic procedures. “The Divine Equal” is a good debut, but it will take time before they release anything to gawk over.

Rating: 4/5
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In the ten years since “Dopethrone”, it’s hard to believe few similar bands have emerged. Maybe the revolution has been delayed, as Adrift for Days slowly floated over from their Australian homeland. Well they’ve landed, and I know I’ll be spinning “The Lunar Maria” for a while.

I haven’t heard any of the honorable mentions, but Willie’s Top 10 Metal albums are pretty sweet. That’s him behind the guitar there, and wearing a Death shirt (if you can’t tell).

Rating: 4.5/5
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Agalloch builds music that stands as a strong and fortified structure, with every little piece working to create something mesmerizing in the end. You want a good album to listen to this winter? Well, here it is, staring you straight in the face.