Booze, Bitches, and Bullet Belts

BAD RELIGION - How Could Hell Be Any Worse [CD/1982] 7/10=This album kills because it sets up their entire style, I'd argue that even today's Bad Religion still sounds like this to some extent.
BAD RELIGION - Into the Unknown [CD/1983] 2/10=I have no idea what they were doing on this one, it's like they decided to abandon punk right after they started and perform whacky space rock, which unfortunately sucked.
BAD RELIGION - Suffer [CD/1987] 8/10=A great album and their first with the modern Bad Religion sound, the tirade of intellectual punk rock begins.
BAD RELIGION - No Control [CD/1989] 10/10=Perhaps the best intellectual punk record to ever grace these ears.
BAD RELIGION - Against the Grain [CD/1990] 9/10=Another great, intellectual outing from the punk band with brains.
BAD RELIGION - Generator [CD/1992] 7/10=Musically, not as good as the two previous records, but still stimulating.
BAD RELIGION - 80-85 [CD/1992] 4/10=A bunch of early recordings and some stuff done around their first few albums, for diehards only but worth it for the songs you can't get anywhere else.
BAD RELIGION - Recipe for Hate [CD/1993] 7/10=This album never stood out much for me personally, but now that I listen back on it, I do enjoy it.
BAD RELIGION - Stranger Than Fiction [CD/1994] 7/10=Punk was getting pretty big again thanks to the Offspring and Green Day and shit like that, so naturally Bad Religion was flirting with the majors too, but it didn't hinder their music, another solid outing.
BAD RELIGION - All Ages [CD/1995] 1/10=Of all the bands out there to put out a career compilation, I am most shocked that Bad Religion would succumb to corporate cock rape and do this.
BAD RELIGION - The Gray Race [CD/1996] 8/10=Their best album since Against the Grain, some great music and melody here and one of their strongest releases.
BAD RELIGION - Tested [CD/1997] 4/10=You can do worse than a Bad Religion live album, but it's a fucking live album and that's twice they'd succumb to corporate cock rape so far.
BAD RELIGION - No Substance [CD/1998] 6/10=A very dense production on this one, also the least punk except for Into the Unknown, still has good rock album and perhaps a change of pace was needed.
BAD RELIGION - Raise Your Voice [CD/1998] 1/10=I hate shit like this but I figure, knowing Bad Religion, the proceeds probably went towards some fund or movement or charity.
BAD RELIGION - The New America [CD/2000] 7/10=They were doing new things with digital recording on this album and it shows, like No Substance this is a change of pace but still a good album, and better than that one.
BAD RELIGION - The Process of Belief [CD/2002] 8/10=A lot of good music here, this is their best album in a long time.
BAD RELIGION - Punk Rock Songs - The Epic Years [CD/2002] 0/10=Again? What the fuck is wrong with you? Again?
BAD RELIGION - New Maps of Hell [CD/2007] 9/10=Absolutely killer, the best album they've done since the reignign period of No Control and Against the Grain.

BAL-SAGOTH - A Black Moon Broods Over Lemuria [CD/1994] 6/10=They were somewhat more of a death metal group here, but already you can see they hyper-fantastic cheese qualities setting in.
BAL-SAGOTH - Starfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule [CD/1996] 7/10=As far as quality, they have little to offer. As far as cheese, they are almost unparalleled. Far more fun for me than other cheese like Dio or Manowar.
BAL-SAGOTH - Battle Magic [CD/1998] 7/10=It's Bal-Sagoth's strongest album. Is that saying much? It's up to you to decide. But even more of the super long song titles and cheesy sci-fantasy concepts.
BAL-SAGOTH - The Power Cosmic [CD/1999] 8/10=More entertainment, I really enjoy listening to their albums while playing Magic the Gathering and other dork amusements.
BAL-SAGOTH - Atlantis Ascendant [CD/2001] 7/10=Hahahha, by now you know my fascination with this band is entirely based on just how terrible they really are, but fortunately they are terrible in a great way.
BAL-SAGOTH - The Cthonic Chronicles [CD/2006] 8/10=I'll say it now...this is the best Bal-Sagoth record ever, all the cheese is retained but the music here is actually quite good to stand forth on its own. Fabulous.

BALFLARE - Thousands of Winter Flames [CD/2005] 8/10=Along with Galneryus, Balflare make up the top tier of symphonic power metal acts out of Japan. I actually like this album more than the newer sophomore effort.
BALFLARE - Tempest [CD/2006] 7/10=Melodic power metal from Japan, these guys are on their 2nd album now and already delivering some decent, semi-memorable tunes.
BALFLARE - Sleeping Hollow [DVD130/2008] 7/10=I think their first album is still the best, but I derived some enjoyment here. Melodic Japanese metal.

BARATHRUM - Battlecry [CD/1992] 6/10=An interesting demo of simple, dark, plodding black metal, with almost Satanic Chant vocals. Probably an experiment, thought it does show some of the style they would adopt later on.
BARATHRUM - Hailstorm [CD/1995] 5/10=This and Eerie have both been remastered and reissued together, I have the original. A strange CD, I'm not sure there are even guitars, all you can hear is that distorted bass. Maybe...
BARATHRUM - Eerie [CD/1995] 6/10=Fucking Barathrum! Come forth my allies! Slow, plodding, simplistic, gut-punching evil motherfucking metal, sure, black if you wish. The first album that truly showcases this talented Finnish act.
BARATHRUM - Devilry [CD/1997] 5/10=An EP, I'd score it higher but some of the tracks re-appear in better versins later. Five tracks, five points.
BARATHRUM - Infernal [CD/1997] 8/10=Simply barbaric, simplistic black metal. There are only two sides of the fence, you'll fucking love this or you will fucking hate it, and that is entirely the point of this type of thing.
BARATHRUM - Jetblack EP [CD/1997] 3/10=Two cuts, I'll give it three points because it's Barathrum, not highly impressive though, due to the production.
BARATHRUM - Legions of Perkele [CD/1998] 9/10=Barathrum are simply one of my favorite bands. I love the sound, clear but primal and pounding, simple black metal that manages to capture the genre's essence perfectly...'Warmetal' is one of the best songs ever!
BARATHRUM - Saatana [CD/1999] 9/10=This is one of my favorite black metal bands here, and I approve of its simplicity and gut-wrenching. I'm not sure they put out a bad album once they hit their stride in the late 90s. Kills.
BARATHRUM - Okkult [CD/2000] 9/10=Another album of slow black metal that feels like a punch to the abdomen. This one has some diverse moments, some of them epic and some bordering on goofy, but it's all vintage, excellent Barathrum.
BARATHRUM - Black Flames and Blood [CD/2002] 2/10=Limited edition single, with a great song from the upcoming Venomous album, and a Manowar cover that is quite nice.
BARATHRUM - Venomous [CD/2002] 9/10=Again, this band would have a hard time doing wrong by me with their full-length albums, more of their excellent and simple black metal with a classic heavy metal thunder appeal.
BARATHRUM - Anno Aspera: 2003 Aftr the Bastard's Birth [CD/2005] 7/10=Sadly, this is the last album from Barathrum, and it's a bit stranger than past few releases, more death metal here but still good, check that bass sound!

BATHORY - Bathory [CD/1984] 7/10=A good record, speed/thrash with nasty vocals, this and the next few albums had a profound influence on the entire black metal movement.
BATHORY - The Return [CD/1985] 8/10=Even better than the first, this had more than just that great influential, it had some killer tunes to back it up.
BATHORY - Under the Sign of the Black Mark [CD/1987] 8/10=Another punishing, early album of the legend Quorthon, this one just drips of malevolence.
BATHORY - Blood Fire Death [CD/1989] 10/10=The cornerstone and probable birth of 'true' Viking metal, this is true genius and so raw and beautiful that I actually felt I was sailing on a longship when I used to listen to it.
BATHORY - Hammerheart [CD/1990] 4/10=Another revolutionary album, he uses those folkish clean vocals here, rekindled by many Scandinavian bands later like Emperor, Borknagar, and Einherjer, but he cannot fucking sing.
BATHORY - Twilight of the Gods [CD/1991] 4/10=I really think he went a bit overboard on the clean singing here...this sounds like a terrible Manowar album mixed with Bathory. Gets points for still retaining some cool atmosphere.
BATHORY - Jubileum I [CD/1992] 0/10=Worthless attempt to cash in on the cult legend that is Bathory, all songs here are on previous releases.
BATHORY - Jubileum II [CD/1993] 0/10=Another one? What the fuck Black Mark, are you really in such dire straits?
BATHORY - Requiem [CD/1994] 6/10=A boxy sounding thrash album with clean production, something I'm not quite accustomed to from Bathory. Some great guitar riffs here, but I'm not into the vocals on this album.
BATHORY - Octagon [CD/1995] 6/10=Another pretty straightforward thrashfest, albeit groovier, with a different production than Requiem and obvious drum machine?!? Still some good riffs here to make for an enjoyable listen.
BATHORY - Blood on Ice [CD/1996] 5/10=Bathory flipflops once again back into Viking mode, but it's no longer nouveau-culture, at least the clean vocals are a bit improved.
BATHORY - Jubileum III [CD/1998] 0/10=Gee, they've had another three albums since we last raped their fans up the ass, so we'll put out yet another miserable compilation of previously released material.
BATHORY - Destroyer of Worlds [CD/2001] 6/10=This was actually a pretty interesting listen...succeeds most of the time with its mixture of Viking march anthems and more melodic rock tracks.
BATHORY - Nordland I [CD/2002] 6/10=The first half of the grand finale for Quorthon and Bathory, in both music and life, somewhat modernized, with elements like Mortiis and a similar overall style to Destroyer of Worlds.
BATHORY - Nordland II [CD/2003] 6/10=Liked this second half a fraction more, and this would be the end of the journey for Bathory. R.I.P. Quorthon and thanks for all the metal.

BAUHAUS - In the Flat Field [CD/1980] 8/10=Peter Murphy and co set the bar pretty high as far as art-goth which they singlehandely invoked into being (The Cure were more accessible). Not my fave Bauhaus but a cult classic.
BAUHAUS - Mask [CD/1981] 9/10=Poppier and more dancy than In the Flat Field, also some 'spookier' tunes...for me these were not bad things and it remains one of my favorite records from the seminal goth act.
BAUHAUS - The Sky's Gone Out [CD/1982] 9/10=Probably the best Bauhaus record, a nice balance of the surreal ('The Three Shadows' trilogy) and the more accessible style of Mask.
BAUHAUS - Press the Eject and Give Me the Tape [CD/1982] 6/10=Frankly this is one of the best live albums I've listened to, Bauhaus seems like one of the rare bands that is possibly better live than in recordings.
BAUHAUS - Burning from the Inside [CD/1983] 8/10=Still a damned interesting band, though this is not one of their finest hours there is a lot of good material to consume 'She's in Parties' etc.
BAUHAUS - Best of Bauhaus [CDx2/1986] 3/10=Lot of material here, probably a good introduction to the band but fuck it just get all the records.
BAUHAUS - Swing the Heartache: The BBC Sessions [CD/1989] 7/10=Very much worth having as it provides alternate versions to a lot of the album tracks, some of which are even cooler.
BAUHAUS - Rest in Peace [CDx2/1992] 4/10=So it wasn't their last concert even though that was the selling point for this double album. Decent live set but I prefer their old live album.
BAUHAUS - Crackle [CD/1998] 1/10=Pretty much worthless, just get the albums, you don't need a collection when all their albums are so good.

BEHEMOTH - And the Forests Dream Eternally [CD/1994] 6/10=The band have since distanced themselves from this raw pagan black metal style...but I for one really enjoyed it when they were doing this stuff.
BEHEMOTH - From the Pagan Vastlands [CD/1995] 6/10=More of that cult Polish black metal that I found irresistable at the time.
BEHEMOTH - Sventevith: Storming at the Baltic [CD/1995] 7/10=Pretty kickass Polish black metal album from one of the originators in that scene.
BEHEMOTH - Grom [CD/1996] 8/10=An excellent record, the culmination of their first few releases into an epic. Not what many will think of when referencing Behemoth, but quite damn good.
BEHEMOTH - Pandemonic Incantations [CD/1998] 7/10=It was almost inevitable, this mighty evolution of sound...the best produced album of their black metal phase, with only minor death metal leanings.
BEHEMOTH - Satanica [CD/1999] 7/10=And here Behemoth have incarnated into an intense black/death hybrid, with competent musicianship and a lightning pace, adding up to another good album.
BEHEMOTH - Thelema.6 [CD/2000] 8/10=A nice intro sample and we're off on another Polish black/death metal ride, this with a bit more dynamic variety than the last, their strongest record yet.
BEHEMOTH - Antichristian Phenomenon [CD/2001] 3/10=Behemoth making a few extra bucks off their fans with some covers and unreleased album tracks, and a reboot of their old 'From the Pagan Vastlands'.
BEHEMOTH - Zos Kia Cultus [CD/2002] 8/10=As an album, it's quite strong...but I should mention that the idiotic posturing and generic imagery of the video for 'As Above So Below' is utterly retarded.
BEHEMOTH - Conjuration [CD/2003] 3/10=An original, NIN and Venom covers, and then the obligatory EP-filling live bullshit.
BEHEMOTH - Demigod [CD/2004] 8/10=It's yet another in a series of brutal, excellent Polish black/death metal albums...it's just lacking that extra something.
BEHEMOTH - Slaves Shall Serve [CD/2005] 4/10=I love Behemoth but the EPs are getting tired, you get an album track, an unreleased track, and some live material. Yay.
BEHEMOTH - Demonica [CDx2/2006] 4/10=A compilation that includes some of their demos. A fan package for n00bs.
BEHEMOTH - The Apostasy [CD/2007] 8/10=Another brutal special delivery steeped in mysticism and middle eastern metal flair.

BELPHEGOR - Bloodbath in Paradise [DVD41/1992] 4/5=Their original EP release, pretty fucking savage even then. Evil band.
BELPHEGOR - Blutsabbath [CD/1997] 8/10=Absolutely insane, technical, death/black/grind metal with a good balance of speed and dynamic tempo shifts, they use a combination of growling and snarling vocals.
BELPHEGOR - The Last Supper/Obscure and Deep [CD/1999] 7/10=A reissue of their first album and an EP, together on one disc. While I don't like this as much as all the albums that come after, it certainly sets the pace and tone for its successors, and its still quite good on its own.
BELPHEGOR - Necrodaemon Terrorsathan [CD/2000] 8/10=More insanity from these consistently sick Austrian motherfuckers, not really a weak tune in the bunch.
BELPHEGOR - Infernal Live Orgasm [CD/2002] 5/10=Reasonable quality here, the band can pull off their amazingly fast black/death style live, but it's still just a live album.
BELPHEGOR - Lucifer Incestus [CD/2003] 8/10=Yet another solid entry from this Austrian band, and a great sounding album, the only weakness is that they seem to stick to the same types of riffs and chords too often.
BELPHEGOR - The Goatreich Fleshcult [CD/2005] 8/10=This band have been plugging away at their hyperblasting death/grind for years, never once putting out a subpar studio album. Hopefully this gets them the notice they deserve.
BELPHEGOR - Pestapokalypse VI [CD/2006] 8/10=Belphegor have arrived once more to crush your head with their twisted Austrian sickness.
BELPHEGOR - Bondage Goat Zombie [CD/2008] 8/10=Can Belphegor do any wrong? This album is actually quite a bit more 'glorious' and reined in than some of their previous efforts, but it's still every bit as good.

BESTIAL MOCKERY - Chainsaw Demons Return [CD/1998] 4/10=This is the third demo from Bestial Mockery, it wasn't exactly very good but it had some raw charm.
BESTIAL MOCKERY - A Sign of Satanic Victory [CD/2002] 5/10=A primal, punishing EP from the band who were about to put out their great album Christcrushing Hammerchainsaw. Filthy ass black metal.
BESTIAL MOCKERY - Christcrushing Hammerchainsaw [CD/2002] 8/10=How do you NOT like this band and then call yourself a man? Thrashing Swedish brutality, essential for fans of bands like Nunslaughter and Maze of Torment.
BESTIAL MOCKERY - Evoke the Desecrator [CD/2003] 7/10=As straightforward, flesh-rendingly brutal as this record is, I simply prefer the other two that I have. However, it is still worth hearing.
BESTIAL MOCKERY - Gospel of the Insane [CD/2006] 8/10=Another brutal thrashing attack from these old-schoolers, any fan of early Kreator and Sodom needs to hear this stuff, though they do step outside that circle on occasion.
BESTIAL MOCKERY - Slaying the Life [CD/2007] 8/10=Can one ever really get enough of this filthy blackened thrash fist in the rectum?

BETHLEHEM - Dark Metal [CD/1994] 9/10=This record, was frankly, sick for its time. Depressing, gloomy, atmospheric black doom. I need to re-purchase the next two records, which were also amazing.
BETHLEHEM - Dictius te Nectare [DVD46/1996] 8/10=It was evil as fuck, but the my favorite of this extremely cult trilogy of records before they turned into an ambient/even weirder band.
BETHLEHEM - Reflektionen aufs Sterben [CD/1998]
BETHLEHEM - S.U.I.Z.I.D. [CD/1998] 9/10=Amazingly haunted and twisted suicidal black metal album, this one used to actually frighten me.
BETHLEHEM - Profane Fetmilch Lenzt Elf Kra [CD/1999]
BETHLEHEM - Schatten Aus der Alexander Welt [DVD52/2001] 8/10=Very experimental album, kind of a gothic atmosphere on some tunes, some ambient tracks, but still some evil Bethlehem metal too. Great.
BETHLEHEM - Suicide Radio [CD/2003]
BETHLEHEM - Alles Tot [CD/2004]
BETHLEHEM - Mein Weg [CD/2004]

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME - Between the Buried and Me [DVD42/2002] 6/10=This wasn't a bad album, better than most metalcore, but still reeked of the many Swedecore/mosh hybrid cliches many metalcore bands sucked for.
BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME - The Silent Circus [DVD42/2003] 8/10=A huge improvement, this is really where their evolution into this progressive metalcore juggernaut begins, very good but it will be topped.
BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME - Alaska [DVD42/2005] 9/10=Fantastic third album, rifftastic and extremely progressive, probably the best metalcore record I've heard in the 21st century, no word of a lie.
BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME - The Anatomy of [DVD42/2006] 4/10=An album of cover tunes, they are trying to be eclectic here and pretty much fall on their faces...please, another Alaska.
BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME - Colors [DVD68/2007] 9/10=It's another marvel of incredibly diverse metalcore with elements of progressive rock and metal, world music, jazz, and other contempary forms. Simply astonishing.

BEWITCHED (SWE) - Diabolical Desecration [CD/1996] 8/10=May not be their best album looking back, but they were off to a great start with their hybrid of evil thrash, heavy and black metal. Highly enjoyable debut.
BEWITCHED (SWE) - Pentagram Prayer [CD/1998] 9/10=An excellent record from this Swedish band, retro-thrash with black metal tendencies, highly enjoyable and probably the best they had done.
BEWITCHED (SWE) - At the Gates of Hell [CD/1999] 7/10=The band sounds even more oldschool here, with a different production and slightly different vocals. Still worth checking out for retro buffs, they have a refreshing, simple style.
BEWITCHED (SWE) - Rise of the Antichrist [CD/2001] 8/10=Once again Bewitched rock Sweden and the world with their fueled, devastating oldschool speed/thrash attack.
BEWITCHED (SWE) - Spiritual Warfare [CD/2006] 9/10=It may have been five years in the making but it was well worth the wait, the best Bewitched record sinec Pentagram Prayer.

BEYOND TWILIGHT - Devil's Hall of Fame [CD/2002] 7/10=A pretty good prog metal album with Jorn Lande's vocals all over the place, he sounds nearly identical to his work in Ark, but the music of Beyond Twilight is darker.
BEYOND TWILIGHT - Section X [CD/2005] 8/10=My first exposure to this seminal prog metal outfit, they have spawned a great many skilled musicians and one listen to this, you can see why. Dark prog metal...cool for a change.
BEYOND TWILIGHT - For the Love of Art and the Making [CD/2006] 9/10=An overall amazing concept album, one track split into 43 pieces. The music is fantastic, I just wish there were more of specific pieces within the movement.

BJORK - Debut [CD/1993] 7/10=Her weakest solo album, and still a fine listen with a lot of unique elements. Hey, it beats the fucking Sugarcubes.
BJORK - Big Time Sensuality [CD/1993] 4/10=A single from the Debut album, it's okay but it's a waste of money at its import price.
BJORK - Venus as a Boy [CD/1993] 4/10=Ditto on this other single from the Debut album.
BJORK - Post [CD/1995] 8/10=A Bjork album, and a very good one, she's improved since the first album. Who can deny the power of 'Army of Me', and that's just the beginning.
BJORK - Telegram [CD/1996] 8/10=A collection of alternate takes of previously recorded songs, and a few other tracks, there is some great stuff here.
BJORK - Homogenic [CD/1997] 10/10=Perhaps one of the most visionary, original, and intense pop albums ever crafted, give this a chance and you will become raveled in its complex and unique soundscapes.
BJORK - Selmasongs [CD/2000] 8/10=This is from the Dancing in the Dark soundtrack I think...the movie was kinda boring but this music has that pure Bjork touch and as such, worthwhile.
BJORK - Vespertine [CD/2001] 9/10=Absolutely loved this album, a bit more restrained than Homogenic but it's very catchy and I've listened to it dozens of times.
BJORK - Medulla [CD/2004] 7/10=A curious choice here, to go with all sampled vocals for both the background music and the lead singing. Still, it's Bjork, and that means it's interesting and worth a listen.
BJORK - Drawing Restraint [DVD74/2006] 7/10=Experimental soundtrack to experimental film, performed by Bjork. Haunting and beautiful too.
BJORK - Volta [CD/2007] 9/10=Yay, Bjork with beats is back! Much better than Medulla, only slightly less cool than Vespertine.

BLACK SABBATH - Black Sabbath [CD/1970] 9/10=The album that essentially created doom metal, and had a had in the creation of metal in general.
BLACK SABBATH - Paranoid [CD/1970] 8/10=While I am sick of hearing just about every song on this album, there is no denying its importance in the history of heavy metal.
BLACK SABBATH - Master of Reality [CD/1971] 6/10=I wasn't a big fan of this album, but it's still got more of those riffs so often cloned in heavy rock music.
BLACK SABBATH - Vol. 4 [CD/1972] 6/10=Some good songs can be found on this album, but it's often too lethargic and boring for me.
BLACK SABBATH - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath [CD/1973] 8/10='A National Acrobat', 'Spiral Architect', the list goes on, a very good album.
BLACK SABBATH - Sabotage [CD/1975] 9/10=Without question my favorite Sabbath album, 'Symptom of the Universe' is clearly their greatest song and I could give a fuck about any popular opinion stating otherwise.
BLACK SABBATH - Technical Ecstasy [CD/1977] 7/10=This was a pretty good Sabbath album too but it's often overlooked.

BLIND GUARDIAN - Battalions of Fear [CD/1988] 5/10=This is well-done for its time, but not memorable at all.
BLIND GUARDIAN - Follow the Blind [CD/1989] 5/10=Rinse, repeat, another forgettable early album by this band.
BLIND GUARDIAN - Tales from the Twilight World [CD/1990] 7/10=And here, they take their musical prowess and begin making good tunes out of it.
BLIND GUARDIAN - Somewhere Far Beyond [CD/1992] 8/10=An awesome album, with their trademark original power metal sound, and 'Journey Through the Dark', my fave BG song ever.
BLIND GUARDIAN - A Past and Future Secret [CD/1995] 2/10=A nearly worthless single.
BLIND GUARDIAN - Mr. Sandman [CD/1995] 2/10=The jingle is entertaining, but overall value is nil.
BLIND GUARDIAN - Imaginations from the Other Side [CD/1996] 8/10=A solid motherfucking power metal album, 'Bright Eyes' is a great tune.
BLIND GUARDIAN - Nightfall in Middle Earth [CD/1998] 9/10=And another solid motherfucking power metal album, with a great Tolkien concept.
BLIND GUARDIAN - And Then There Was Silence [CD/2001] 1/10=Yeah, you get one foreign language version of a song from the upcoming album, and some songs from the upcoming album, rendering this EP worthless when you have A Night at the Opera.
BLIND GUARDIAN - A Night at the Opera [CD/2002] 8/10=I would have rated this even higher if not for the squealing guitar fills that get annoying after awhile, but the songs here are superb as is the musicianship.
BLIND GUARDIAN - The Bard's Song (In the Forest) [CD/2003] 1/10=A bunch of versions of an older Blind Guardian song. For purists only.
BLIND GUARDIAN - Fly [CD/2006] 4/10=Single for the new album, the new originals are good and the Iron Butterfly cover is passable. Don't like the fairy-themed lyrics for "Fly", but it's Blind Guardian, quality is assured.
BLIND GUARDIAN - A Twist in the Myth [CD/2006] 7/10=Another Blind Guardian album of good quality, but not quite as strong as the past 5 albums, there are moments of bland indifference and far too obvious anthemic elements.
BLIND GUARDIAN - Another Stranger Me [DVD29/2007] 3/3=Single for a great tune, plus 2 covers, 2 demo versions, and video for the title track.

BLODSRIT - Supreme Misanthropy [DVD43/2001] 7/10=Wasn't quite at the level of their most recent albums, but Supreme Misanthropy was still a pretty grim start.
BLODSRIT - Ocularis Infernum [CD/2003]
BLODSRIT - Helveteshymner [CD/2004] 8/10=Wow, my first exposure to this band and I get a blast of excellent quality Swedish black metal...imagine a marriage of Dark Funeral to Darkthrone and Bathory and the result is great stuff.
BLODSRIT - The Well of Light Has Finally Dried [DVD43/2006] 8/10=Another great album of savage Swedish black metal.
BLODSRIT - Hinterland [DVD104/2007] 7/10=It bored me in a few spots, but overall another good album, there is this primal element to the songs here which struck me as unique among the Swedish black metal scene.

BLOOD CEREMONY - Blood Ceremony [DVD141/2008] 8/10=Great debut of retro doom from this female fronted Canadian band. Flute playing, total old horror doom vibes, good stuff here.

BLOOD OF THE BLACK OWL - Blood of the Black Owl [CD/2007] 8/10=Great black/doom with natural soundscapes, very Pacific Northwest in its execution, by Chet Scott of the noise band Ruhr Hunter. Fascinating.

BLOOD RED THRONE - Monument of Death [CD/2001] 8/10=Seriously kickass death metal from Tchort and crew (In the Woods, Green Carnation).
BLOOD RED THRONE - A Taste for Blood [CD/2002] 7/10=Tchort and crew continue to churn out the good stuff, unfortunately I'm a little tired of the same old shit so I rate this lower than their previous full lengths.
BLOOD RED THRONE - Affiliated with the Suffering [CD/2003] 8/10=Even more kickass old school death metal, the only downside to the band is it wears thin after a few listens, but when you first hear it...damn.
BLOOD RED THRONE - Altered Genesis [CD/2005] 7/10=Album number three from Tchort and crew, more of a Morbid Angel vibe to this one, but still enjoyable if not as great as the first two.
BLOOD RED THRONE - Come Death [CD/2007] 8/10=A great album, a bit more progressive than their prior releases, and I'm really liking it.

BLOODBATH - Breeding Death [CD/2000] 4/5=Definitely got my dick hard.
BLOODBATH - Resurrection Through Carnage [CD/2002] 8/10=A true return to old-school Swedish death, with that thick guitar tone. A smasher, even if its derivative, but then, some of these guys were the originals.
BLOODBATH - Nightmares Made Flesh [CD/2004] 7/10=Member changes made this somewhat disappointing, but it's still good, and I like it now after a few listens.
BLOODBATH - Unblessing the Purity [CD/2008] 4/5=Nice new EP, picking right up where they left off, committed to bringing the oldschool Swedish death metal into a modern and 'digestable' form. It works.
BLOODBATH - The Wacken Carnage [DVD130/2008] 4/5=A nice live set from the world's premiere metal festival.
BLOODBATH - The Fathomless Mastery [CD/2008] 7/10=The band has been active this year, and this is a solid new album, with a few boring moments.

BLOODY SIGN - Vana Vigala Loits [DVD37/2003] 8/10=Tight French death metal with catchy songwriting in the vein of Morbid Angel, awesome.
BLOODY SIGN - Explosion of Elements [CD/2007] 8/10=Great French band playing a black/death hybrid with great influences like Morbid Angel and Sacramentum, very promising stuff, a band to watch.

BLUE OYSTER CULT - Blue Oyster Cult [DVD30/1972] 9/10=The debut from one of the greatest bands ever, they had a psychedelic edge on this record, like a geek Rolling Stones, "Then Came the Last Days of May" so great and bluesy.
BLUE OYSTER CULT - Tyranny and Mutation [DVD30/1973] 8/10=Rocks a little harder, "Hot Rails to Hell" rules, "Teen Archer" rules...a lot of Steppenwolf influence, or at least it seems that way, great but not a favorite.
BLUE OYSTER CULT - Secret Treaties [DVD30/1974] 9/10="Harvester of Eyes", "Career of Evil" and of course the great "Astronomy" make this third album the one to beat so far for the Cult.
BLUE OYSTER CULT - On Your Feet or On Your Knees [DVD30/1975] 4/5=Pretty cool live album, I love the live rendition of "Cities on Flame with Rock & Roll" here.
BLUE OYSTER CULT - Agents of Fortune [DVD30/1976] 10/10=Their first masterpiece, they were evolving into that amazingly catchy mid-career style. This of course has their most famous song "Don't Fear the Reaper". Amazing record.
BLUE OYSTER CULT - Spectres [DVD30/1977] 10/10=Let me just say this...it opens with "Godzilla", one of my favorite songs ever, about one of my favorite celebrities...and then proceeds through 9 other wonderful songs.
BLUE OYSTER CULT - Mirrors [DVD30/1979] 7/10=It got a harder rap than it probably deserved, but it's not among their best, does have the Michael Moorcock collaboration "The Great Sun Jester", and the cool "The Vigil".
BLUE OYSTER CULT - Cultosaurus Erectus [DVD30/1980] 10/10=Possibly my very favorite Cult album, I love every song here, "Black Blade" is awesome and about Elric, also co-written with author Michael Moorcock. Fucking killer album.
BLUE OYSTER CULT - Fire of Unknown Origin [DVD30/1981] 10/10=And if Cultosaurus wasn't my favorite, this would be. Amazing songs. "Veteran of the Psychic Wars" from Heavy Metal, and of course their huge hit "Burnin' for You".
BLUE OYSTER CULT - The Revolution by Night [DVD30/1983] 10/10=It might not go toe-to-toe with the last two records, but it's still pretty much perfect, and yet another killer album of geek-fueled bluesy rock & roll.
BLUE OYSTER CULT - Club Ninja [DVD30/1986] 8/10=This record gets so much shit b/c of the increased use of synths, trust me it's not that bad and in fact it's a better album than Mirrors. It's also called Club Ninja!
BLUE OYSTER CULT - Imaginos [DVD30/1988] 8/10=Though it's a failed rock opera with a lot of session musicians and a lot of band drama, it still rocks out with some great fucking tunes.
BLUE OYSTER CULT - Workshop of the Telescopes [DVD30/1995] 2/5=Double-disc collectors's set with some tracks debuting here that will appear on other records, covers material from before Imaginos.
BLUE OYSTER CULT - Heaven Forbid [DVD30/1998] 7/10=It sounds 10 years more modern, in fact it is 10 years more modern, but it's not a favorite of mine, not after 10 years with no album.
BLUE OYSTER CULT - Curse of the Hidden Mirror [DVD30/2001] 8/10=A better record for their 'comeback' phase, I enjoy "Old Gods Return", "Eye of the Hurricane" and "Stone of Love", rock and roll brothers.

BLUT AUS NORD - Ultima Thulee [CD/1995] 6/10=This may not have been as visionary as their more recent albums, but for 1995 it was quite interesting and aside from the oft over-tortured vocals, this was good.
BLUT AUS NORD - Memoria Vetusta 1: Fathers of the Icy Age [CD/1996] 7/10=This has a sharper edge to it than the debut album, this band really managed to sound unique in the blustering black metal eruption of the 90s.
BLUT AUS NORD - The Mystical Beast of Rebellion [CD/2001] 8/10=I very much enjoy the simple, charging assault employed by this French black metal band. There is a subtle grace to their style, an intangible glory. Great record.
BLUT AUS NORD - The Work Which Transforms God [CD/2003] 8/10=Another fine record from these French innovators of ambient black metal, one thing I'm not fond of is the occasional overdose of growling, kind of flattens the music.
BLUT AUS NORD/REVERENCE - Decorporation 10 [CD/2004] 5/10=Worth having if only for the new Blut Aus Nord tracks, freaky ambient black metal. But hey, Reverence is also decent if more straight forward. Five-track split EP.
BLUT AUS NORD - Mort [CD/2006] 9/10=This is truly a unique album, it will fuck your mind sans lube and then smoke a cigarette before fucking your mind again. Indescribable, and Blut Aus Nord's finest hour yet.
BLUT AUS NORD/BLOODOLINE/KARRAS/REVERANCE - Dissociated Human Junction [DVD77/2007] 7/10=Very cool 4-way split album with some of the best avant-garde black metal bands, Blut Aus Nord, Bloodoline, etc. A mighty split.
BLUT AUS NORD - Odinist [CD/2007] 9/10=Deathspell Omega set an insanely high bar in avant-garde French black metal this year, but Blut Aus Nord have come pretty goddamn close to matching it. Another total twisty killer of an album.

BOARDS OF CANADA - Twoism [CD/1995] 8/10=Gorgeous, relaxing, lush electrolite soundscapes, this was their first record, no two songs alike, covering an array of impulses.
BOARDS OF CANADA - Music Has the Right to Children [CD/1998] 8/10=Considered by many to be their magnum opus, but there are a few too many tranquil 'lulling' pieces for me to consider it anything more than just great.
BOARDS OF CANADA - The Peel Sessions [CD/1999] 5/10=Four tunes, an interesting live session (as most John Peel sessions are) from the UK.
BOARDS OF CANADA - In a Beautiful Place Out in the Country [CD/2000] 8/10=An amazing EP, each of the four tracks is fantastic, "Amo Bishop Roden" is possibly my favorite BoC song so far.
BOARDS OF CANADA - Geogaddi [CD/2002] 9/10=There are many shorter tracks on this record, but it is by far the most interesting work they had done by this point in their career. The most 'out there' and by 'out there' I mean awesome.
BOARDS OF CANADA - The Campfire Headphase [CD/2005] 10/10=A pure musical masterpiece. This is the best Boards of Canada record, the songs are distinct and wondrous voyages into the nature of casual sound.

BOLT THROWER - Concession of Pain [CD/1987] 4/10=It's cool to hear Bolt Thrower with slightly different vocals, they were more of a thrash band on this demo and the vocals weren't really guttural, the music was great though!
BOLT THROWER - In Battle There is No Law [CD/1988] 6/10=The birth of their brand of mid-paced, chugging death metal, very effective even here though this is their sloppiest production.
BOLT THROWER - Realm of Chaos [CD/1989] 9/10=Probably the greatest and most influential 'war metal' album...there is but one downside to Bolt Thrower, their lack of dynamic ability provokes monotony after a time. The Warhammer 40K house band, of course.
BOLT THROWER - War Master [CD/1991] 7/10=For many, this was Bolt Thrower's career high but I preferred Realm of Chaos. More of the same here, with a brighter production. Warhammer Fantasy this time.
BOLT THROWER - The IVth Crusade [CD/1992] 8/10=I enjoyed this quite a bit, it just brought back that Bolt Thrower excitement, although I still prefer Realm of Chaos.
BOLT THROWER - ...For Victory [CD/1994] 8/10=Yet another high quality Bolt Thrower album...again with the slightly different production.
BOLT THROWER - Mercenary [CD/1996] 6/10=This is another pretty cool album, and has a decent sound to it, but by this time I was getting burnt out on their redundant style.
BOLT THROWER - Who Dares Wins [CD/1998] 5/10=Some odds and ends from Bolt Thrower's career, pretty good overall but not as good as any of their albums.
BOLT THROWER - Honour Valour Pride [CD/2001] 6/10=Their old singer got the hint and was tired of doing the same things, so they snagged Dave Ingram of Benediction, a good fit for their redundant style.
BOLT THROWER - Those Once Loyal [CD/2005] 8/10=Oh yes! It's the best Bolt Thrower record since ...For Victory and in fact I enjoy it more than that or IVth Crusade, this may be 2nd only to Realm of Chaos.
BOLT THROWER - A Tribute to Bolt Thrower [DVD136/2008] 4/5=A lot of bands I'd never heard covering Bolt Thrower tunes, many of them doing a decent job. A good band to pay tribute to.

BOOK OF KNOTS - The Book of Knots [CD/2004] 9/10=Amazing experimental rock with members of Pere Ubu, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, and others. You really must hear this, it is pretty fucking amazing.
BOOK OF KNOTS - Traineater [CD/2007] 8/10=There is more emphasis here on female vocals, that makes it no less interesting than the debut, but the music here is mildly less mindblowing.

BORKNAGAR - Borknagar [CD/1995] 5/10=Some like this the best, but I consider it just noisy, boring black metal.
BORKNAGAR - The Olden Domain [CD/1997] 7/10=Here they adopt their shimmering guitar sound and soaring vocals, this is a good album.
BORKNAGAR - The Archaic Course [CD/1998] 8/10=My favorite by them, but this is not easy to get into at first. Once it clicks though, you will never go back.
BORKNAGAR - Quintessence [CD/2000] 8/10=Heavier than the last two albums but still has the same elements, a really good album.
BORKNAGAR - Empiricism [CD/2001] 7/10=First album with Vintersorg singing, he fits in alright and the music here is good, but it could be better.
BORKNAGAR - Epic [CD/2004] 7/10=Vintersorg fits in a lot better now, but the album isn't that much more impressive than the last.
BORKNAGAR - Origin [CD/2006] 5/10=The obligatory Borknagar folksy record, the music itself is quite good, I liked hearing that style on 'Oceans Rise'. The problem here is some of Vintersorg's vocals, shitting on the record.

BOTCH - American Nervoso [CD/1998] 7/10=A great debut album, has a few weak spots but they would refine these later.
BOTCH - We Are the Romans [CD/1999] 8/10=Amazing and inspiring mathmetalcore, some very groovy elements and experimentation round it out.
BOTCH - Unifying Themes Redux [CD/2002] 3/10=Somewhat crappy, serves only to show just how much better they got later.
BOTCH - An Anthology of Dead Ends [CD/2002] 7/10=A decent finish to a good band, I would have liked more of course...this is just an EP.

BURZUM - Hvis Lyset Tar Oss [CD/1993] 8/10=You all know the controversial Varg Vikernes...murderer, black metal pioneer, pretty intelligent fellow. This is some of his earlier visionary necro black with glorious synths.
BURZUM - Det Some Engang Var [CD/1994] 7/10=Raw, discordant black metal. I admire Varg, he actually backs up what he says...in such an apathetic, PC world this is refreshing, regardless of the morality/immorality involved.
BURZUM - Aske [CD/1994] 8/10=Some of his most primal work, this I believe is actually earlier material than the last two albums. 'Ea, Lord of the Depths' is a great song as are the rest of them.
BURZUM - Filosofem [CD/1996] 7/10=Here he starts to wax mystical...it's still raw black metal but with more brazen synth atmosphere, Varg is the real, atavistic deal, dudes.
BURZUM - Daudi Baldrs [CD/1997] 6/10=The controversial Anti-Semitic cover art here, Varg always has interesting things to teach us...and some are quite true. No longer metal, Burzum is now a sort of unique Viking renaissance synth band.
BURZUM - Hlidskjalf [CD/1999] 7/10=His folk synth style is more refined here, this is a far better album than the last, Varg's nice conceptual take on some of the grittier Edda mythology.