DIMMU BORGIR - Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia (2001)

MMMM

Easily my favourite Dimmu album, this one is leagues ahead of everything else they've ever done in my opinion. Chiefly the reasons for this are the improved songwriting and the phenomenal performance of drummer Nick Barker (ex- Cradle of Filth, among many others). Barker impresses right from the off as the band steam into the first track proper 'Blessings Upon the Throne of Tyranny', with his insane blasting snare and precise footwork. This album also benefits from another two essential components which set it above the run of the mill, ICS Vortex's incredible clean vocals and an excellent production courtesy of Studio Fredman in Gothenberg. As an added bonus, if you get the box CD you also get a romp through Twisted Sister's classic 'Burn in Hell', which is quite amusing. 

IMMORTAL - Blizzard Beasts (1997)

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When I got hold of this I was so disappointed. 1995's 'Battles in the North' was amazing, but this, this just plain sucked. Mostly it was the fault of the God-awful production, but in truth most of the material on here just wasn't that great. Incredible to think that they would bounce back with the incredibly polished 'At the Heart of Winter' and win themselves a legion of fans!

BATHORY - Bathory (1984)

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I can't in all honesty give this 5/5, but this scores a high four indeed. Horrible production, total Venom rip-off/worship (whichever way you want to look at it) but undeniably evil and utterly classic. Not quite essential though, and Quorthon made a few albums that bettered this before he died.