DIVINE HERESY - Bringer of Plagues (2009)

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Desperately uncool as it may be to like this band, I really don't give a shit. This is great. Like Fear Factory given a massive kick up the arse and blasted into the Deathcore / Death Metal realm. I love the drumming on this album, it's so clinical and intense, but everything about it is great, the production, the singing, the riffs, the chorusses, just a brilliant album, and bollocks to anyone who disagrees. 

DIVINE HERESY - Bleed the Fifth (2007)

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Opinions are divided on this over at Metal Archives, it's either 'Dino's Triumphant Return' or it's absolute garbage cock metal! Well, I must say I tend to agree with the former. Bearing in mind this was Dino's first album since the weak 'Digimortal' (Fear Factory), this is a lot more impressive than anyone could have expected. I was going to mark it a four, but on reflection that is a little generous, perhaps a little too much goodwill spilling over from the majestic follow up 'Bringer of Plagues'!

OBITUARY - Slowly We Rot (1989)

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Definitely a very high three this one, and a very enjoyable blast of primitive Death Metal bludgeon. I remember buying this when it came out and cracking up as the intro gave way to the gurgling vocal. Obituary really don't do subtle and feeding as they did off the grinding riffs of Celtic Frost circa 1984, it's no surprise that Obituary quickly found themselves propelled to the top of their chosen genre.

DEATH - Symbolic (1995)

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Truly teetering on the edge of true greatness (and a 5M review) this is possibly the best Death Metal album ever made, and certainly the best Progressive Death Metal album ever made. A crystal clear production assists the cause as Chuck takes everything he's learned from the two previous albums and moulds it into a more coherent and accessible whole. You could really tell Chuck was into Fates Warning too, especially on the incredible 'Crystal Mountain'. If only this could have been his epitaph.

MORBID ANGEL - Illud Divinum Insanus (2011)

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Universally slated by everyone except Metal Hammer, this is nowhere near as bad as it's made out. Oh sure 'Radikult' is shit, but there's plenty of 'proper' Morbid Angel tunes on here, and in 'I Am Morbid' the band finally have an anthem for the live arena.