The Hawk's Nest - Part 2

Just as I promised, I'm back today with the second version of The Hawk's Nest!

1. Equilibrium - Sagas

Ahhhh this takes me back to the glory days on Sputnik (early/mid 2008). This was one of the first albums that Sputnik really helped me find, and thank god it happened. Sagas is a completely over-the-top, cheesy, symphonic black metal/folk metal album. Sadly, I find it to be the only Equilibrium album worth coming back to over and over again, but it's worth it for sure. Think of power metal-esque themes, only being played as black metal and you'll pretty much know what to expect.

2. Mayhem - De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas

Don't really think this needs an introduction. One of the best, most classic black metal albums to ever come out of Norway, or anywhere else for that matter. The controversy surrounding Mayhem in the 90's is unmeasurable, but I'm not gonna get into that right now. This album, and really this band, is completely hit or miss for a lot of people, but I think this embodies everything black metal is about and that makes it one of my favorite albums ever.

3. Orphaned Land - Mabool: The Story of the Three Sons of Seven

Again, one of my favorite metal albums. I first heard about this band while watching Global Metal, which is a great movie and highly recommended. Orphaned Land mix Israeli folk instruments and Jewish themes with progressive death metal sound and elements of doom here and there. Really great stuff.

4. Kvelertak - Kvelertak

Just an extremely fun album to listen to. Kvelertak take elements of black metal and hard rock and put them over their hardcore sound to make for one hell of a listening experience. You'll find yourself banging your head to this entire album and you'll most likely have it stuck in your head for days because it's so damn catchy.

5. Tim Hecker - Ravedeath, 1972

I was pretty surprised with how much I liked this album. I'm a noob when it comes to ambient music, but this just flat out rules. Not really too sure how to describe this, I just know it's best to listen to this album in the pitch black when nothing else is going on around you because you need to concentrate while listening to this. If you do, you'll most likely fall in love with this album...and it will probably scare you as well. The best part about this is that it's very, very haunting, but beautiful at the same time.

6. Der Sturmer - Transcendental Racial Idealism

Look at the title of the album. It's just a bunch of racist fucks playing very Marduk-esque black metal. Not too much more to say lol.

7. The Weeknd - Thursday

I'm convinced that this guy can do no wrong. First it was House of Balloons, and then it was Thursday. This has a different feeling than the first mixtape. Thursday is more upbeat and less dark. I'd say this is more trippy than House of Balloons as well. Still, it's amazing. Can't wait for Echoes of Silence to drop.