You are the Vessel

VADER - The Ultimate Incantation [CD/1992] 8/10=There was nothing amazing about this album, or particularly interesting. It was just a straightforward, asskicking slab of death metal, and it still is.
VADER - The Darkest Age Live '93 [CD/1993] 2/10=I'm bored already, thanks for fucking your fans' wallets.
VADER - Sothis [CD/1994] 8/10=Liked the sound on this EP better than the debut, and these songs are great.
VADER - De Profundis [CD/1995] 9/10=Strongest album so far, riff after riff of dark death metal goodness, a real classic.
VADER - Future of the Past [CD/1996] 5/10=Vader, we know you grew up listening to some good metal, k? You've got metal credentials, and thanks for raping us to let us know that. Five points for the good selection.
VADER - Black to the Blind [CD/1997] 9/10=Another amazing death metal record from Poland's finest at the time, and another classic.
VADER - Live in Japan [CD/1998] 3/10=Good live set, good selections, but if I want to experience you live, I'll go see you LIVE...you see, it makes a sort of sense?
VADER - Kingdom [CD/1998] 7/10=An EP with some cool songs and some decent remixes.
VADER - Litany [CD/2000] 6/10=There are some good tracks on here for sure, but there are also quite a few boring filler tracks.
VADER - Reign Forever World [CD/2001] 4/10=Once again, I have to question this...a few new songs, some covers, some live tracks that have already been live tracks?
VADER - Armageddon [CD/2002] 2/10=A fan package, with a 'greatest hits' selection of sorts and some covers and demos, just about everything here is previously released so even for fans it is not quite worth it.
VADER - Revelations [CD/2002] 8/10=This is a good album with a nice, punchy sound to it, and I was quite satisfied and smoked a cigarette afterwards.
VADER - Blood [CD/2003] 7/10=An EP here with a bunch of good songs, and one cover at the end. Vader loves cover songs.
VADER - The Beast [CD/2004] 6/10=Some people seem to like it, some don't. I'm on the median here, I enjoy the music but it's not at the level of some of their early works.
VADER - The Art of War [CD/2005] 8/10=Though it's only 4 tracks and 2 intros, this EP is better than their last full length and the previous EP. Absolutely amazing, can't wait for the next full-length if it sounds like this.
VADER - Impressions in Blood [CD/2006] 10/10=An absolute triumph...the EP was but a teaser...Vader have returned to show you just how fucking DEATH METAL should sound like. Brutal yet simple at the same time.
VADER - v.666 [DVD109/2008] 3/3=New Vader single, and sure enough it kicks major fucking butt. Both tunes.
VADER - Lead Us [DVD114/2008] 4/5=A new EP, 4 tunes including a Slayer cover, it's Vader, it's good, can't wait for a new album.
VADER - XXV [CDx2/2008] 5/5=Two discs full of re-recorded Vader classic tracks? Totally fucking worthwhile fan package here. Acquire. Must.

VAN DYK, PAUL - 45 RPM [CD/1994] 6/10=Wasn't a big fan of this album, but it's not bad, and sets up his style nicely.
VAN DYK, PAUL - Seven Ways [CDx2/1996] 7/10=A very good album, but not as impressive as what he would pull out of the hat next.
VAN DYK, PAUL - Out There and Back [CDx2/1999] 9/10=I was especially shocked at how such simple electronic dance fare could be so damn good...van Dyk knows his strength and that is to catch the listener's emotions in a subtle way.
VAN DYK, PAUL - Columbia EP [CD/2001] 5/10=It's pretty forgettable, a remix or two and some other tracks.
VAN DYK, PAUL - The Politics of Dancing [CDx2/2001] 9/10=Amazing that his career high is a double mix album featuring his own songs and those of others, but it comes out really well and there are so many excellent subtleties, probably my favorite mix album. Docked a point because it's not all his music.
VAN DYK, PAUL - Reflections [CD/2002] 5/10=The vocals, agggh, the vocals. They suck. So do the lyrics. Paul Van Dyk does not NEED vocals over his music, it was great already. A damn shame here, mediocre at best.
VAN DYK, PAUL - Zurdo OST [CD/2003] 7/10=The lack of vocals for the most part here makes this a return to form, he's a little more diverse on this than his actual albums, this is a soundtrack to some flick we've never seen.
VAN DYK, PAUL - Re-Reflections [CD/2004] 6/10=Some Reflections remixes and van Dyk leaves out many of the vocals that destroyed the albums.

VEHEMENTER NOS - Vehementer Nos [CD/2007] 9/10=Fascinating new French black metal band on Osmose, cool style, amazing record.

VENDETTA - Go and Live...Stay and Die [CD/1987] 6/10=A promising debut, the songs weren't as good as the next album but the tone of the record was more serious overall. Teutonic thrash.
VENDETTA - Brain Damage [CD/1989] 8/10=Really a great German thrash record, it's diverse, sounds great, has a lot of memorable riffs, I was going to dock it another point for the not so timeless humor in places, but fuck it.
VENDETTA - Hate [DVD73/2007] 7/10=After 18 years they return and the sound here is if they never left, vocals sound great but there are some cheesy lyrics thrown in for good measure. Pretty good comeback.

VENOM - Welcome to Hell [CD/1981] 10/10=You do not seriously require me to say a single thing about this album. The very first kvlt record, ever.
VENOM - Black Metal [CD/1982] 10/10=I love reading reviews of this by metalheads who just broke into metal with Soilwork albums at the shopping mall. 'It is terrible.' 'It sounds like shit.' Noone will miss you when you are dead.
VENOM - At War With Satan [CD/1984] 8/10=(cont.) 'Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out, stay the fuck out of metal, forever.'
VENOM - Possessed [CD/1985] 7/10=Well, the mighty started to falter here, they are still the same Venom but I am unsure the glory of the first two records will ever be captured, by anyone.
VENOM - Calm Before the Storm [CD/1987] 7/10=The start of a more commercial Venom, but truth be told, even this stuff wasn't so bad.
VENOM - Prime Evil [CD/1989] 6/10=This was not particularly good though, but still worth owning for any Venom collector.
VENOM - Temples of Ice [CD/1991] 8/10=This is certainly the best Venom album with Tony Dolan on the vocals/bass, it's quite underrated and of course if it had just had Cronos' name on it it would have been exalted.
VENOM - The Waste Lands [CD/1992] 6/10=I love the production here and some of the songwriting, but it's probably the weakest overall Venom album I own, and it is STILL not that bad. Solid.
VENOM - Cast in Stone [CDx2/1997] 6/10=I just don't like it as much as everyone else did. The comeback album. Modern Venom is just not something I want.
VENOM - Resurrection [CD/2000] 7/10=A bit better. Again, it's a modern sound, but gravelly and visceral, and dirty and relentless. Which is all we could really ask for. Well, we COULD ask for Black Metal Part II!
VENOM - Metal Black [CD/2006] 7/10=Crazy, they even went back to the SOUND of Black Metal...and the songs are good but clean, though you can tell that it's a pretty forced attempt at the lower production standards.
VENOM - Hell [DVD127/2008] 6/10=It's another decent new effort, not unlike Metal Black in style, nice and dirty oldschool production.

VICIOUS RUMORS - Digital Dictator [CD/1987] 9/10=Still stands as my favorite album by this band...'Towns on Fire' is just one of the reasons why, a great classic metal album and one of the best ever from Shrapnel Records.
VICIOUS RUMORS - Vicious Rumors [CD/1990] 8/10=They are signed to Atlantic with this and sure it has a big label production but VR retain their brand of heavy metal with some great vocals, another good record.
VICIOUS RUMORS - Welcome to the Ball [CD/1992] 8/10=I can't really comprehend why this band was so overlooked by the metal scene in favor of a Megadeth or Metal Church, these guys were just as good at what they did and pretty fucking consistent.
VICIOUS RUMORS - Plug In and Hang On: Live in Tokyo [CD/1992] 4/10=You know what I think about this live shit but it's Vicious Rumors, and it's in Tokyo, and that is just really metal...so I'll toss some points on it and recommend it to the diehards.
VICIOUS RUMORS - Word of Mouth [CD/1994] 7/10=Here comes that album where the band slightly changes...in this case, they just inject more rock elements into their heavy metal, and still come up with a pretty good record.
VICIOUS RUMORS - Something Burning [CD/1996] 5/10=The first song is utterly retarded, lyrically and musically, so it lost a few points immediately, but it does have a few good songs. They are just too slow and bluesy on most.
VICIOUS RUMORS - Cyberchrist [CD/1998] 5/10=Cheesy album title, and some extremely lame songs, but there are also some great numbers on this record so I'm on the cusp and could go either way.
VICIOUS RUMORS - Sadistic Symphony [CD/2001] 4/10=Well, they tried...but the vocalist here is just too fucking much and the record is too cheesy, nothing compared to their first bunch of excellent records.
VICIOUS RUMORS - Warball [CD/2006] 8/10=Their last three records stunk to high heaven, but finally Vicious Rumors have released an album worthy of their legacy, re-capturing the oldschool flavor even with a new vocalist.

VINTERRIKET - Det Svake Lys [DVD120/2001] 4/5=This is an ambient EP so I prefer it greatly to some of the grim black metal he spits out over the next few. I am oft polarized by his music. Some I worship, some sucks.
VINTERRIKET - Herbstnebel [CD/2002] 3/10=Another of those pretentious black metal guys who release a dozen tapes, 7", and CDs each year so you spend more time collecting them than noticing how mediocre the artist is.
VINTERRIKET - ...und die Nacht kam Schwere Schrittes [CD/2002]
VINTERRIKET - Winterschatten [CD/2003] 5/10=An actual album by this guy, I like it more than most of the other Vinterriket releases, but there are just so many bands who do this style better.
VINTERRIKET - Aura [CD/2003] 1/10=Two more tracks, and I simply can't hear them very much to comprehend what is going on. I'm sure this is the minimalistic intent the artist intended though. Congratulations.
VINTERRIKET - Landschaften Ewiger Einsamkeit [CD/2004]
VINTERRIKET - Der Letzte Winter - Der Ewigkeit Entgegen [DVD56/2005] 9/10=The material on this album is grim and stunning far beyond the limits of anything Vinterriket has conceived before...wondrous...
VINTERRIKET - Lichtschleier [DVD95/2007] 8/10=Another great, distant soundscape, beautiful and haunting our dreams. Glad he continues down this road as opposed to his black metal.
VINTERRIKET - Gebirgshohenstille [DVD120/2008] 9/10=Fucking excellent ambient soundscape, occasionally bursting into his grim black metal roots but the two really work well together on this album.
VINTERRIKET - Firntann [DVD124/2008] 4/5=Great new EP, two tracks over 20 minutes of his ambient side. Enjoyed it.
VINTERRIKET - Eiszwielicht [DVD127/2008] 4/5=I feel like I can always turn to this guy for yet more beautiful haunting ambientscapes.
VINTERRIKET - Zeit-los Laut-los [DVD136/2008] 5/5=Amazing single track EP, very spacious and breathtaking.

VINTERSORG - Hedniskhjartad [CD/1998] 6/10=Too appreciate Vintersorg, you have to be willing to accept the Swedish folk crooning of his delivery, although he will also break into black vocals at times. This is a very good 5-track EP.
VINTERSORG - Till Fjalls [CD/1998] 9/10=An excellent album of uplifting Swedish folk black metal, with lyrics centered in nature and philosophy, much better than his work with Otyg, and if you can accept his crooning you'll love it.
VINTERSORG - Odemarkens Son [CD/1999] 8/10=The bridge between his Swedish, folkish material and the more cosmic, philosophical direction he would take on future albums, almost as strong as Till Fjalls but not quite.
VINTERSORG - Cosmic Genesis [CD/2000] 9/10=The first of his albums with a serious Astrological bent to it, but excellent. The cover of 'Rainbow Demon' by Uriah Heep is a nice touch, and I saw him live for this and it was decent.
VINTERSORG - Visions from the Spiral Generator [CD/2002] 8/10=Here Vintersorg and Mattias start getting more creative in their compositions, a much more progressive album, with Asgeir Mickelson and Steve Digorgio guesting.
VINTERSORG - The Focusing Blur [CD/2004] 8/10=Even more diverse than the previous album, and bordering on the bizarre at times, Mickelson and Digorgio return, still great and I really respect these guys' direction.
VINTERSORG - Solens Roetter [CD/2007] 9/10=An excellent record, probably the best of his career, slightly edging out Till Fjalls and Cosmic Genesis. Great blend of his earlier folk metal and prog elements.

VIO-LENCE - Eternal Nightmare [CD/1988] 9/10=An intense Bay Area thrash album and a must-have, the vocals were somewhat similar to an Overkill style but the energy unleashed here was rare at the time. Timeless, but loses a point for its rather narrow scope.
VIO-LENCE - Oppressing the Masses [CD/1990] 8/10=Another solid effort by these Bay Area legends, this was a more reserved album than its predecessor, lacking that boundless energy.

VIRUS - Carheart [CD/2003] 8/10=Ved Buens Ende members return, with one of the most original metal albums I've heard in a long time. Voivod meets Ved Buens meets prog psychedelia, with an automotive theme?!? Fucked up and worth it.

VNV NATION - Advance and Follow [CD/1995] 5/10=Good old, thick synthesized EBM music for all you Teutonic goths to tear up the dark dance floor, but little else.
VNV NATION - Praise the Fallen [CD/1998] 6/10=Not bad, but the songs on this just aren't very memorable and I was never too fond of it.
VNV NATION - The Solitary EP [CD/1998] 6/10=Remixes and other tracks, for an EP I really enjoyed this.
VNV NATION - Darkangel [CD/1999] 5/10=Another of them VNV nation EP things, who do they think they are, KMFDM? First the anacronym, then the collectible EPs...
VNV NATION - Empires [CD/1999] 7/10=This has some really good songs and mood, but it's not as distinctive as their next full length.
VNV NATION - Burning Empires [CD/2000] 6/10=Nice remixes on this EP, some of which I prefer to the original tracks.
VNV NATION - Standing [CD/2000] 3/10=Three remixes of Standing and one other track, a pretty bum deal for the loyal VNV fans.
VNV NATION - Futureperfect [CD/2002] 9/10=A great EBM/synth pop album with a slight industrial edge, each song is distinctive and excellent, capturing an excellent atmosphere.
VNV NATION - Matter and Form [CD/2005] 7/10=Well, I thought the last album was just shy of perfection, this one has grown on me after a few listens but isn't remotely as memorable as Futureperfect. No knockout hits here, but good.
VNV NATION - Judgement [CD/2007] 9/10=A triumphant return to form, quite possibly the equal of Futureperfect, and at least a lot better than the last album.

VO SKORBYAH - Vo Skorbyah [CD/2007] 10/10=Where the fuck did this come from? Flawless, beautiful Russian folk doom, great filtered vox that will completely ruin your day, great folk/symphonic elements, perfection.

VOIVOD - War and Pain [CDx3/1984] 7/10=The raw and brutal early Voivod, certainly before they hit their stride but entertaining nonetheless. I got the new version from Metal Blade with all the extra demos and live stuff.
VOIVOD - Power Metal Demos [LP/1985] 6/10=More of the same.
VOIVOD - Rrrroooaaarrr [CD/1986] 8/10=More raw and brutal shit, but they really start to rev up that sci-fi weirdness that would forge their career.
VOIVOD - Killing Technology [CD/1987] 10/10=Unbelievably good album, great songs, atmosphere, a classic and far ahead of its time.
VOIVOD - Dimension Hatross [CD/1988] 10/10=I don't want to start posting 11/10 scores, but this amazing bizarre concept album may just deserve it.
VOIVOD - Nothingface [CD/1989] 10/10=Beginning to see a trend? That's because Voivod rules, you bastards. This is a huge departure from their space thrash, much cleaner, psychedelic, even funky at times.
VOIVOD - Angel Rat [CD/1991] 9/10=A laid back, more standard album with more radio friendly song structures, still pretty amazing.
VOIVOD - The Outer Limits [CD/1993] 9/10=Heavier than Angel Rat, and the band is still amazing. Unfortunately, Snake and Blacky would leave after this.
VOIVOD - Negatron [CD/1995] 6/10=The more you listen, the better it gets, keep in mind this is their heaviest shit since the first few records, and new guy Eric has to replace two legends simultaneously.
VOIVOD - Phobos [CD/1997] 7/10=I liked this better than Negatron, they were getting back toward their stride.
VOIVOD - Kronik [CD/1998] 4/5=Remixes and rare tunes from Voivod, what more could you ask for?
VOIVOD - Voivod [CD/2003] 8/10=Snake is back on vocals, and Jason Newsted is playing bass...it's the most rock of their albums, and gets better after a few listens, but its nothing like their glorious past.
VOIVOD - Katorz [CD/2006] 9/10=Take the rockier elements of the last album and bring back some of that vibe from their classics like Angel Rat, Nothingface, and Hatross, and you have an awesome return to form for Voivod.

VOMITORY - Raped in Their Own Blood [CD/1996] 6/10=My least favorite album by this band, didn't like the production and the guitar riffs aren't as good as they will be later.
VOMITORY - Redemption [CD/1999] 8/10=What can I say, I am just a sucker for this band's style of unwavering pure European death metal filth, these guys are the best early Entombed since early Entombed.
VOMITORY - Revelation Nausea [CD/2000] 9/10=An excellent European death metal album, with all the right influences, their own take on the grinding Swedish guitar sound, this rocks hard.
VOMITORY - Blood Rapture [CD/2002] 8/10=No guess as to what you will find here, crazy Scandinavian roots death metal blasting away with abandon.
VOMITORY - Primal Massacre [CD/2004] 9/10=If hell is actually real, in which case I'd undoubtedly be ending up there, I'd like Vomitory to do the soundtrack. Fucking unstoppable.
VOMITORY - Terrorize Brutalize Sodomize [CD/2007] 9/10=They really don't skip a beat, do they? Another smoking asskick fest of 100% pure Swedish faceripping death metal.

VULTYR - Moment of Misanthropy [CD/2001] 6/10=Fuzzy and primal...if black metal were around in the 60s this is probably what it would sound like on 45 vinyl, I appreciate the vibe here but musically there is little to bring me back.
VULTYR - Bleed for Vultyr [CD/2002] 9/10=More memorable and highly improved, savage, unrelenting fucking evil Finnish black metal. Superb.
VULTYR - Suicide Propaganda [CD/2002]
VULTYR - Leviathan Dawn [CD/2003] 9/10=Another total scorcher, along with Bleed for Vultyr this makes up their best body of work. Total evil violation, fucking sick.
VULTYR - Philosophy of the Beast [CD/2004] 7/10=Still the same repressive tones, and at times I can barely hear half the drum kit, unique and primal fucking black metal.