HLB has shifted dramatically from their older material. They used to be heavy in terms of just straight up brutal instrumentals, now they're brutal in the sense of the dark atmospheres they cultivate, and I love that they've matured in this way.
Ive gotta say man. I appreciate you curating and exposing me to new heavy music. During a time when we lack even like a review radio show (much less tv), its nice to have you and other channels like yours to help review and curate whats going on.
I am personally obssessed with this song. I adore Earthless, and I was so pumped when this came out. I listened to it for the first time at like 1:30 in the morning in the dark of my room, and that first experience was incredible. This band just keeps getting more artistic and atmospheric as time goes on. I love the complex rhythms and super heavy riffs on the first few minutes of the song, but that ending is definitely the highlight for me. I love doom metal, and like the ambient style of "black metal" used by bands like Agalloch and Alcest, and that ending reminded me of that. Like you said, extrememly refreshing. These guys have become one of my favorite bands 🤘💪
My track of the year isn't even metal, it is a 12-minute synthwave ambient piece called "Body That Orbits a Star" by Rashida Prime. He is an incredibly underrated artist, and this song is a wonderful example of his wonderful sense of slowly-building ambient. If you do have the chance to check it out, I hope you enjoy it!
Wow that ending sounds really epic! I already knew this band, but not this song, so I wasn't expecting that. Does anyone knows bands who are similar to that ending part? Let me know please.
Mostly the china, hi hat etc are keeping the tempo with some pauses, so if you listen closely or repeat it few times - you can easily find groove and rhytm in HLB songs :) i love this band to death, but i respect your opinion
I never checked out this band for the exact reasons you mentioned at the end of your review. But I still really appreciate the talent, I was very close to skip this one, but I was curious to actually hear a whole song from them for the first time. I’m not personally into those sort of satanic stuff haha so it doesn’t really appeal to me, but like I said, the talent is there and I also understand why some people are obsessed with these guys.
Where did the Satanic shit come from tho? I don't see how you got that from the song. The lyrics of the song aren't even about Satanism of any kind. They always write about the demise of humanity and how we are killing the earth, but in a way more graphic and brutal way
@@thedonsz9186 I didn’t mean to imply that the lyrics were satanic or that the members of this band are satanists.. But it’s clearly some sort of weird ritual going on in the video clip. It’s dark and moody and it simply not something I’m personally appealed to. I understand your point and maybe the way I phrased it is not ideal.
@@GamingSaurusRexYTube Not quite. The only shared members are the vocalist, Calle Thomer (guitarist for both), and Buster Odeholm (guitar in HLB, drummer in Vildhjarta)
Perhaps it is just me, but this song had a very Orbit Culture style feel to it, akin to Nensha. I absolutely dug it, as that style is right up my alley.
I like it, but as you say need to be in the mood. I tend to listen heavier stuff while working out, although I feel this would be hard to exercise to as there's not much of a rhythm until the ending? I did really like that bit though, and with all the hooded figures I thought Vessel from Sleep Token was going to do a cameo in the video.
@Stephen j im genuinely curious about what's some of your fav songs of the year... I was gonna insult you big time but I realised this is just an opinion thing and honestly, when I don't like a band I talk much worse about them than you did. I have to disagree tho with architects... They literally ARE the genre, for a few years every bands goal was to write riffs like them (although I agree, with holy hell it started to become repetitive) As for Spiritbox, I'm actually not a big fan of Courtney's cleans, that's why Constance did nothing for me, but I enjoy her screams a lot and also their instrumentals (although their instrumentals could be more unique)
@@MrRaven420 I LOVE Spiritbox, but Holy Roller is literally so boring, there aren’t lyrics it’s the same chorus and not an interesting or impressive riff repeated over and over and over again with electronic shit thrown in. That is LITERALLY all the song is. It’s like a 30 second part of a normal song repeated for an entire track instead with NO deviation whatsoever. I don’t think people are dumb or anything for liking the song, but I just truly don’t get it with that one.
Hey dude, just found your content (via Vola, Head Mounted Sideways, which is incredible) and really like the vids. I disagree a bit about HLB, Earthless; proper good song to listen to while driving round town as it feels like me driving through rush-hour; slow and angry and hanging out of the window shouting and an idiot in a Prius feels doubly meaningful with Earthless blasting out. So that's always good. Would be curious to see your reaction to Origin of Escape by Monuments and/or Matter by Arcane Roots. Older stuff but both bands do a full send on these.
I don't mind your opinion. I see you respect it even if you don't feel like it's the best song. Hell most of the time you have to explain why metal is so great to normal pop people. So at least you already understand it haha. And I feel like HLB taps into this very niche sound. Same thing with doom metal. It's down tempo, slow, and most people can't really get into it. Obviously HLB has some uptempo deathcore elements but mostly that down tempo slug sound. The same way I don't expect everyone to love Draconian as much as I do, same thing with Humanity's Last Breath. But great reaction man.
HLB does a great job at making deathcore interesting, but not TOTY. The new Before I Turn album that came out two days ago is album of the year for me. They do melodic deathcore/metalcore the best imo
This is hands down my tops. Bu really it depends on what you like. I want a song I have to chew. Ya know? Repeatability be damned. However. If that’s what I was after. Toss up between darko and carcosa. Lol. Just pick a song
Yeah man this band doesn't do it for me for pretty much the same reasons. Sure they're heavy and technical, and I respect that, but it's not for me. As far as toty, that's a really tough one because there have been plenty of great songs that dropped this year, but it's honestly a toss up between Aviations, Spiritbox, and Silent Planet for me. The band Captives were signed recently to Sharptone and put out a good track called Glass Heart. I know you've reacted to a couple songs from them before, they're a band I'm looking forward to hearing more from next year.
@@residentevilclone I'm generally a big fan of melody as well but there's something about this band's original sound that grabs my attention. Took a while to grow into their music but I can really appreciate them now
Metalbirb I know you receive a million comments with the same favors of asking to do reactions to certain bands but there’s this band called indighxst they’re a very unique group with no screams but they’re instrumentals are so heavy and bouncy. It makes me upset how an amazing band like that gets little recognition and the with the support of your channel I feel like they’d be able to grow a lot more with your reaction and support. Give them a listen? They just put out a brand new song called Limbo. Indighxst - Limbo
I dunno man, this song was great, but that cinematic ending shouldve been ended off with an absolutely massive breakdown. My favourite tracks of the year are between: Afflicted from Hollow Front, the “EVERYDAY” before the final chorus gives me chills every time Torchpassing from Kardashev, which is just a truly beautiful song Blindsight by Allt, which is from their first EP and is just great Or the Shadowing from Orbit Culture, the epic part in the middle just gets me everytime
They are my fave band these days but this aint SOTY, Earthless is better. My song of the year would maybe Aviations one. Id have to really sit down and think. May i suggest Castaway Angels by Leprous mate, it just dropped and its perfection
First time I hear this... this song confuses me. It was like they wanted to showcase that they are capable of creating different heavy styles, but mashed everything on one song. I'll search other songs of them to see If can understand what they are trying.
@@Frank-sd8xr i agree a song being heavy does not always mean that its good. but to say that something isnt good because its too heavy is just saying that its out of your own personal comfort zone
@@bicasualtea7563 i didn’t say it’s too heavy. I said it’s painful to listen to what sounds like busted office equipment. If that’s what you’re into then by all means lmao
Probleby good that not everyone has the same taste in music... i dont like the Aviation song at all... try to like it and Spirit box new is boring as hell to... but everyone like different things .. I love this track and listen alot to To the grave and Enterprise Earth 👍👊🏼
I just can't get into hlb. Their old stuff was cool. Their recent songs sound like the soundtrack to a game and it's all an interlude track with little song structure. I don't get the hype over this band, metal is my main genre but this just sounds like boring droning noise to me.
They're closer to bands like Ulcerate and Mitochondrion than to any deathcore band now. It's kinda some sort of "Djent Deathspell Omega" . Not everyone's cup of tea. Personally I love it, but it depends on the person's taste.
I'm genuinely curious what's your TOTY? Maybe something I missed.
Probably HLB - Vittring. or if you consider Death portrait as coming out this year then most likely that
Either Earthless by HLB or Uninvited Guests by Methwitch for me!
My Home, My Grave by Mors Principium Est. Loved the whole new album Seven that came out just few months ago🤘🏻
Insects by DARKO.
I gotta give it to Shrouded Sun by Before I Turn. You should check out their album "Lovelorn" which they just dropped like two or three days ago.
Stoked u get it. Even though its not really ur style, u still caught the beauty in the chaos. A contender though. There were alot of em this year 😁
Gotta love seeing my two favorite reviewers sharing music and opinions! Love you both!
HLB has shifted dramatically from their older material. They used to be heavy in terms of just straight up brutal instrumentals, now they're brutal in the sense of the dark atmospheres they cultivate, and I love that they've matured in this way.
Deathcore Mitochondrion or djent Portal? Who wins?
just when i thought they couldnt top earthless they bring out this masterpiece what an absolute amazing band!!!
topped Earthles XD no but close yes
Seems like with every track and album HLB goes darker and heavier.
Ive gotta say man. I appreciate you curating and exposing me to new heavy music. During a time when we lack even like a review radio show (much less tv), its nice to have you and other channels like yours to help review and curate whats going on.
Their new album they just dropped yesterday is a fucking masterpiece
Getting Black Tongue and Cabal vibes. Took me until the double time groove came in to figure out the time signature and rhythm. Loving this!
Black tongue, cabal and HLB are actually touring northern europe together next year! I'm going to see them live in copenhagen.
@@mikkelmadsen9776 Distant will be there too
I am personally obssessed with this song. I adore Earthless, and I was so pumped when this came out. I listened to it for the first time at like 1:30 in the morning in the dark of my room, and that first experience was incredible. This band just keeps getting more artistic and atmospheric as time goes on. I love the complex rhythms and super heavy riffs on the first few minutes of the song, but that ending is definitely the highlight for me. I love doom metal, and like the ambient style of "black metal" used by bands like Agalloch and Alcest, and that ending reminded me of that. Like you said, extrememly refreshing. These guys have become one of my favorite bands 🤘💪
My track of the year isn't even metal, it is a 12-minute synthwave ambient piece called "Body That Orbits a Star" by Rashida Prime. He is an incredibly underrated artist, and this song is a wonderful example of his wonderful sense of slowly-building ambient. If you do have the chance to check it out, I hope you enjoy it!
Never heard of it, so I'm gonna go check it out! Thanks!
@@FantasticDimensions hope you enjoy it! Please let me know what you thought of it when you listen to it :)
no one stonks as hard as HLB do. pure filth
Fact
Try listening to Ulcerate... You'll get used to this kind of circular, fluid and cinematic playing.
They are like a mixture of Behemoth and Black Tongue. It's a masterpiece
Right!??!? I'm getting that too
This song didn't top Earthless for song of the year, but it ties with Pernicious by Signs of the Swarm for my #2 spot
absolutely
That song was FIRE!!
Agreed earthless is still my top. I’ll check out that other one
This track made me buy the album. I really can't wait for it to come out. Definitely AOTY 2021 already for me
Wow that ending sounds really epic!
I already knew this band, but not this song, so I wasn't expecting that.
Does anyone knows bands who are similar to that ending part?
Let me know please.
I'd say black tongue
That ending was just .... wow.
It’s definitely not for everyone but I like listening to the soundtrack to the V O I D so it’s a banger for me! It’s like down tempo prog.
Mostly the china, hi hat etc are keeping the tempo with some pauses, so if you listen closely or repeat it few times - you can easily find groove and rhytm in HLB songs :) i love this band to death, but i respect your opinion
This will be AOTY. Such an inspirational album!
I discovered this song 7 hours ago, and have already listened 5- 6 times. good god its epic.
Their videos are up there with behemoths when it comes to artistry. I love it.
absolutely incredible!!! LOVE THIS BAND
I never checked out this band for the exact reasons you mentioned at the end of your review. But I still really appreciate the talent, I was very close to skip this one, but I was curious to actually hear a whole song from them for the first time.
I’m not personally into those sort of satanic stuff haha so it doesn’t really appeal to me, but like I said, the talent is there and I also understand why some people are obsessed with these guys.
Where did the Satanic shit come from tho? I don't see how you got that from the song. The lyrics of the song aren't even about Satanism of any kind. They always write about the demise of humanity and how we are killing the earth, but in a way more graphic and brutal way
@@thedonsz9186 I didn’t mean to imply that the lyrics were satanic or that the members of this band are satanists.. But it’s clearly some sort of weird ritual going on in the video clip. It’s dark and moody and it simply not something I’m personally appealed to. I understand your point and maybe the way I phrased it is not ideal.
@@adecakaship2486 I'm glad you're so cool about it and I understand you better now. To each their own! I can't wait to own the album!
Vildhjarta anyone...?
Lol they share members with HLB
@@garrettcampbell204 ...oh haha thall on.
@@garrettcampbell204 Pretty sure its the same exact members if I’m not mistaken
@@GamingSaurusRexYTube Not quite. The only shared members are the vocalist, Calle Thomer (guitarist for both), and Buster Odeholm (guitar in HLB, drummer in Vildhjarta)
@@matthewbratton5003 Filip is in Vildhjarta?
Definitely the best track that has come out this year in my opinion
There's a lot of great songs. But yeah. This is hard top of the list
My AOTY is between Invent Animate’s Greyview or Currents’ The Way It Ends but my TOTY is Lost Cause by Novelists.
Such an amazing song
Check out Diamonds To Dust - Corpus Christi
Perhaps it is just me, but this song had a very Orbit Culture style feel to it, akin to Nensha. I absolutely dug it, as that style is right up my alley.
I like it, but as you say need to be in the mood. I tend to listen heavier stuff while working out, although I feel this would be hard to exercise to as there's not much of a rhythm until the ending? I did really like that bit though, and with all the hooded figures I thought Vessel from Sleep Token was going to do a cameo in the video.
Exercises with the cymbals and snares lol
The cleans remind me of a band called Novembre. If you wanna get obscure check out Ursa by Novembre. BEAUTIFUL music
Holy Roller is definitely banger of the year, toty over all im not sure
@Stephen j not at all just because you like this kind of style doesn't make the others boring and people find this music boring too
@Stephen j im genuinely curious about what's some of your fav songs of the year...
I was gonna insult you big time but I realised this is just an opinion thing and honestly, when I don't like a band I talk much worse about them than you did.
I have to disagree tho with architects... They literally ARE the genre, for a few years every bands goal was to write riffs like them (although I agree, with holy hell it started to become repetitive)
As for Spiritbox, I'm actually not a big fan of Courtney's cleans, that's why Constance did nothing for me, but I enjoy her screams a lot and also their instrumentals (although their instrumentals could be more unique)
@@MrRaven420 I LOVE Spiritbox, but Holy Roller is literally so boring, there aren’t lyrics it’s the same chorus and not an interesting or impressive riff repeated over and over and over again with electronic shit thrown in. That is LITERALLY all the song is. It’s like a 30 second part of a normal song repeated for an entire track instead with NO deviation whatsoever. I don’t think people are dumb or anything for liking the song, but I just truly don’t get it with that one.
Lol yeah right. Gimmicky bullshit song
@@rippermalone lemme know whats your toty then?
The ending almost feels like an early 2000s Jesu track
Hey dude, just found your content (via Vola, Head Mounted Sideways, which is incredible) and really like the vids.
I disagree a bit about HLB, Earthless; proper good song to listen to while driving round town as it feels like me driving through rush-hour; slow and angry and hanging out of the window shouting and an idiot in a Prius feels doubly meaningful with Earthless blasting out. So that's always good.
Would be curious to see your reaction to Origin of Escape by Monuments and/or Matter by Arcane Roots. Older stuff but both bands do a full send on these.
I would say Insects by Darko US is my track of the year ❤️
This is some nasty filthy music right here....AND I LOVE IT
Song is so fucking good! Idk if I’d consider it my song of the year, but it’s easily my THALL of the year
This track isn't my TOTY, but I still think it's a great one. TOTY for me is either Within Destruction - Kings of Darkness or Defamed - Doves
I don't mind your opinion. I see you respect it even if you don't feel like it's the best song. Hell most of the time you have to explain why metal is so great to normal pop people. So at least you already understand it haha. And I feel like HLB taps into this very niche sound. Same thing with doom metal. It's down tempo, slow, and most people can't really get into it. Obviously HLB has some uptempo deathcore elements but mostly that down tempo slug sound. The same way I don't expect everyone to love Draconian as much as I do, same thing with Humanity's Last Breath. But great reaction man.
That new novelists track be up there for me
I could be wrong but isn't Buster a drummer first? Which would explain how he is able to play and write with these odd timing etc?
„It‘s so random, but it‘s so structured.“ lol
check out the new Slice the cake- homecoming" track
HLB does a great job at making deathcore interesting, but not TOTY. The new Before I Turn album that came out two days ago is album of the year for me. They do melodic deathcore/metalcore the best imo
"Pawn" by Antipath
Brand new hardcore band just dropped a sick music video.
Their guitarist plays a left handed just that’s strung upside down lol
Checkout the band Genus Ordinis Dei!!
If you haven't already 😉
This is hands down my tops. Bu really it depends on what you like. I want a song I have to chew. Ya know? Repeatability be damned. However. If that’s what I was after. Toss up between darko and carcosa. Lol. Just pick a song
My TOTY is probably Phoenix Rise by TGI and „world_of_black“ by Born A New
One of my SOTY contenders is From the Bind, by Pathogen
Such a fantastic track! Love your review man, would love to hear your thoughts on our new track "Overdose" we just released
Yeah man this band doesn't do it for me for pretty much the same reasons. Sure they're heavy and technical, and I respect that, but it's not for me. As far as toty, that's a really tough one because there have been plenty of great songs that dropped this year, but it's honestly a toss up between Aviations, Spiritbox, and Silent Planet for me. The band Captives were signed recently to Sharptone and put out a good track called Glass Heart. I know you've reacted to a couple songs from them before, they're a band I'm looking forward to hearing more from next year.
Also not feeling it. Heard absolutely no melody until nearly 90 seconds in.
@@residentevilclone I'm generally a big fan of melody as well but there's something about this band's original sound that grabs my attention. Took a while to grow into their music but I can really appreciate them now
Metalbirb I know you receive a million comments with the same favors of asking to do reactions to certain bands but there’s this band called indighxst they’re a very unique group with no screams but they’re instrumentals are so heavy and bouncy. It makes me upset how an amazing band like that gets little recognition and the with the support of your channel I feel like they’d be able to grow a lot more with your reaction and support. Give them a listen? They just put out a brand new song called Limbo. Indighxst - Limbo
HARD REST - TERMINATED.EXE
I dunno man, this song was great, but that cinematic ending shouldve been ended off with an absolutely massive breakdown. My favourite tracks of the year are between:
Afflicted from Hollow Front, the “EVERYDAY” before the final chorus gives me chills every time
Torchpassing from Kardashev, which is just a truly beautiful song
Blindsight by Allt, which is from their first EP and is just great
Or the Shadowing from Orbit Culture, the epic part in the middle just gets me everytime
Whens metalbabe returning?
RIP HLB.
They are my fave band these days but this aint SOTY, Earthless is better.
My song of the year would maybe Aviations one. Id have to really sit down and think.
May i suggest Castaway Angels by Leprous mate, it just dropped and its perfection
Landmvrks - Lost in a Wave, check it out bud
Best song of 2020!
thats what happen when a high skilled drummer pick up a guitar... i dont know how he write these stuffs but man.. thats the shit
Good track, but not in my Top 20. I can see why Galactic Criminal loves it though, and certainly don't begrudge him his opinion!
React to Vittring by Humanity’s Last Breathe
Band is stupid good
React to their track Vittring
First time I hear this... this song confuses me. It was like they wanted to showcase that they are capable of creating different heavy styles, but mashed everything on one song. I'll search other songs of them to see If can understand what they are trying.
Dehumanize is feeeeiiiilthy
TOTY has to be SUPERNØVA by Ghøstkid
Ending sounds like Opeth but make it Thall
Felt more like Katatonia
Idk, TOTY should have more vibes than grrrr lol
THALL
Good track. Idk about TOTY though
better late than never
Honestly I just can’t even picture how this could be a song of the year contender at all. I got bored so quick.
I thought it was Thall of the year
there is no too heavy
“Heavy” doesn’t mean it needs to sound like a fax machine getting it on with a blender. Painful listen.
Very true.
i’m guessing you think black sabbath is the heaviest band to exist dont you
@@bicasualtea7563 No. Br00tal =/= good music. It literally sounds like broken machinery.
@@Frank-sd8xr i agree a song being heavy does not always mean that its good. but to say that something isnt good because its too heavy is just saying that its out of your own personal comfort zone
@@bicasualtea7563 i didn’t say it’s too heavy. I said it’s painful to listen to what sounds like busted office equipment. If that’s what you’re into then by all means lmao
AgonyCORE
React to ice nine kills bro, come on....
These guys are def the best downtempo band out there no question
Probleby good that not everyone has the same taste in music... i dont like the Aviation song at all... try to like it and Spirit box new is boring as hell to... but everyone like different things .. I love this track and listen alot to To the grave and Enterprise Earth 👍👊🏼
Trilogy by Silent Planet by FAR
I just can't get into hlb. Their old stuff was cool. Their recent songs sound like the soundtrack to a game and it's all an interlude track with little song structure. I don't get the hype over this band, metal is my main genre but this just sounds like boring droning noise to me.
They're closer to bands like Ulcerate and Mitochondrion than to any deathcore band now. It's kinda some sort of "Djent Deathspell Omega" . Not everyone's cup of tea. Personally I love it, but it depends on the person's taste.
Meh
Idk man. I got bored quick
Not toty. Sorry
Kinda boring. Uhh, nice deep guitar...