Lloyd James
@emplloyd.bsky.social
Dad of two
Reformed research chemist
Heavy metal enthusiast, esp. extreme prog.
Occasional reviews at mostly-metal.net
Amateur runner
Rural NSW, Australia
Reformed research chemist
Heavy metal enthusiast, esp. extreme prog.
Occasional reviews at mostly-metal.net
Amateur runner
Rural NSW, Australia
Nov 14
Anubis - The Unforgivable (2024)
Fantastic prog rock. An album to get swept up in, where the tracks flow effortlessly into one another across 47 mins.
Concept album ✅
Outstanding vocals (multiple vocalists) ✅✅
Earworm melodies ✅✅✅
#AusMusicMonth
Anubis - The Unforgivable (2024)
Fantastic prog rock. An album to get swept up in, where the tracks flow effortlessly into one another across 47 mins.
Concept album ✅
Outstanding vocals (multiple vocalists) ✅✅
Earworm melodies ✅✅✅
#AusMusicMonth
November 14, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Nov 14
Anubis - The Unforgivable (2024)
Fantastic prog rock. An album to get swept up in, where the tracks flow effortlessly into one another across 47 mins.
Concept album ✅
Outstanding vocals (multiple vocalists) ✅✅
Earworm melodies ✅✅✅
#AusMusicMonth
Anubis - The Unforgivable (2024)
Fantastic prog rock. An album to get swept up in, where the tracks flow effortlessly into one another across 47 mins.
Concept album ✅
Outstanding vocals (multiple vocalists) ✅✅
Earworm melodies ✅✅✅
#AusMusicMonth
Nov 13
Illyria - Wanderlust (2024)
A highlight from last year, Wanderlust showcases a compelling melting pot of progressive metal with aspects of post-black, metalcore and melodic death. Third track Pragma is particularly powerful
#AusMusicMonth
Illyria - Wanderlust (2024)
A highlight from last year, Wanderlust showcases a compelling melting pot of progressive metal with aspects of post-black, metalcore and melodic death. Third track Pragma is particularly powerful
#AusMusicMonth
November 13, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Nov 13
Illyria - Wanderlust (2024)
A highlight from last year, Wanderlust showcases a compelling melting pot of progressive metal with aspects of post-black, metalcore and melodic death. Third track Pragma is particularly powerful
#AusMusicMonth
Illyria - Wanderlust (2024)
A highlight from last year, Wanderlust showcases a compelling melting pot of progressive metal with aspects of post-black, metalcore and melodic death. Third track Pragma is particularly powerful
#AusMusicMonth
Nov 12
Skyborne Reveries - Skyborne Reveries (2025)
Another melodic/atmospheric black metal project. This one fits nicely into the ‘night time’ black metal mould for me, with some lovely synthy ambient sections and a melancholic sheen, particularly on the latter tracks.
#AusMusicMonth
Skyborne Reveries - Skyborne Reveries (2025)
Another melodic/atmospheric black metal project. This one fits nicely into the ‘night time’ black metal mould for me, with some lovely synthy ambient sections and a melancholic sheen, particularly on the latter tracks.
#AusMusicMonth
November 12, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Nov 12
Skyborne Reveries - Skyborne Reveries (2025)
Another melodic/atmospheric black metal project. This one fits nicely into the ‘night time’ black metal mould for me, with some lovely synthy ambient sections and a melancholic sheen, particularly on the latter tracks.
#AusMusicMonth
Skyborne Reveries - Skyborne Reveries (2025)
Another melodic/atmospheric black metal project. This one fits nicely into the ‘night time’ black metal mould for me, with some lovely synthy ambient sections and a melancholic sheen, particularly on the latter tracks.
#AusMusicMonth
Nov 11
Zeolite - L'Appel Du Vide (2025)
Crushing death metal/deathcore that leans more on the former than the latter. They back it up live too
Zeolite - L'Appel Du Vide (2025)
Crushing death metal/deathcore that leans more on the former than the latter. They back it up live too
November 11, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Nov 11
Zeolite - L'Appel Du Vide (2025)
Crushing death metal/deathcore that leans more on the former than the latter. They back it up live too
Zeolite - L'Appel Du Vide (2025)
Crushing death metal/deathcore that leans more on the former than the latter. They back it up live too
Nov 10
Fierce Deity - Power Wisdom Courage (2021)
A fantastic slab of groovy melodic metal with tremendous vocals. The grand concept plays out with cohesion across the three powerful tracks and 32 mins and invites much singing along
#AusMusicMonth
Fierce Deity - Power Wisdom Courage (2021)
A fantastic slab of groovy melodic metal with tremendous vocals. The grand concept plays out with cohesion across the three powerful tracks and 32 mins and invites much singing along
#AusMusicMonth
November 10, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Nov 10
Fierce Deity - Power Wisdom Courage (2021)
A fantastic slab of groovy melodic metal with tremendous vocals. The grand concept plays out with cohesion across the three powerful tracks and 32 mins and invites much singing along
#AusMusicMonth
Fierce Deity - Power Wisdom Courage (2021)
A fantastic slab of groovy melodic metal with tremendous vocals. The grand concept plays out with cohesion across the three powerful tracks and 32 mins and invites much singing along
#AusMusicMonth
Nov 9
Northlane - Node: Reloaded (2025)
A re-recording of their 2015 album released on Friday. I don’t enjoy much modern metalcore, but these guys have always hit the spot for me. I listened to this one a lot during a tricky time in my life so enjoyed hearing the band renew it.
#AusMusicMonth
Northlane - Node: Reloaded (2025)
A re-recording of their 2015 album released on Friday. I don’t enjoy much modern metalcore, but these guys have always hit the spot for me. I listened to this one a lot during a tricky time in my life so enjoyed hearing the band renew it.
#AusMusicMonth
November 9, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Nov 9
Northlane - Node: Reloaded (2025)
A re-recording of their 2015 album released on Friday. I don’t enjoy much modern metalcore, but these guys have always hit the spot for me. I listened to this one a lot during a tricky time in my life so enjoyed hearing the band renew it.
#AusMusicMonth
Northlane - Node: Reloaded (2025)
A re-recording of their 2015 album released on Friday. I don’t enjoy much modern metalcore, but these guys have always hit the spot for me. I listened to this one a lot during a tricky time in my life so enjoyed hearing the band renew it.
#AusMusicMonth
Nov 8
Barriers - Decay (2025)
A recent release I’ve been enjoying - a tight 28 min slab of heavy mid tempo sludge. Their Bandcamp page has several core tags, but there’s not really much of that here, just moody, riffy heaviness. The closing track is a highlight of their best.
#AusMusicMonth
Barriers - Decay (2025)
A recent release I’ve been enjoying - a tight 28 min slab of heavy mid tempo sludge. Their Bandcamp page has several core tags, but there’s not really much of that here, just moody, riffy heaviness. The closing track is a highlight of their best.
#AusMusicMonth
November 8, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Nov 8
Barriers - Decay (2025)
A recent release I’ve been enjoying - a tight 28 min slab of heavy mid tempo sludge. Their Bandcamp page has several core tags, but there’s not really much of that here, just moody, riffy heaviness. The closing track is a highlight of their best.
#AusMusicMonth
Barriers - Decay (2025)
A recent release I’ve been enjoying - a tight 28 min slab of heavy mid tempo sludge. Their Bandcamp page has several core tags, but there’s not really much of that here, just moody, riffy heaviness. The closing track is a highlight of their best.
#AusMusicMonth
Nov 7
Suldusk - Anthesis (2024)
One of my favourite albums of last year, dynamics are the name of the game. Melancholic, explosive, introspective & entrancing are some of the adjectives that come to mind, wrapped up in a sublime vocal performance.
#AusMusicMonth
Suldusk - Anthesis (2024)
One of my favourite albums of last year, dynamics are the name of the game. Melancholic, explosive, introspective & entrancing are some of the adjectives that come to mind, wrapped up in a sublime vocal performance.
#AusMusicMonth
November 7, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Nov 7
Suldusk - Anthesis (2024)
One of my favourite albums of last year, dynamics are the name of the game. Melancholic, explosive, introspective & entrancing are some of the adjectives that come to mind, wrapped up in a sublime vocal performance.
#AusMusicMonth
Suldusk - Anthesis (2024)
One of my favourite albums of last year, dynamics are the name of the game. Melancholic, explosive, introspective & entrancing are some of the adjectives that come to mind, wrapped up in a sublime vocal performance.
#AusMusicMonth
Nov 6
Freedom of Fear - Nocturnal Gates (2019)
Simply one of the best purveyors of that sweet blend of proggy-techy melodeath going around. This debut rips, with a super-replayable in-and-out 30 min runtime.
#AusMusicMonth
Freedom of Fear - Nocturnal Gates (2019)
Simply one of the best purveyors of that sweet blend of proggy-techy melodeath going around. This debut rips, with a super-replayable in-and-out 30 min runtime.
#AusMusicMonth
November 6, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Nov 6
Freedom of Fear - Nocturnal Gates (2019)
Simply one of the best purveyors of that sweet blend of proggy-techy melodeath going around. This debut rips, with a super-replayable in-and-out 30 min runtime.
#AusMusicMonth
Freedom of Fear - Nocturnal Gates (2019)
Simply one of the best purveyors of that sweet blend of proggy-techy melodeath going around. This debut rips, with a super-replayable in-and-out 30 min runtime.
#AusMusicMonth
Nov 5
Voyager - Ghost Mile (2017)
I’d enjoyed Voyager’s albums before this one, but this is the one where it finally ‘clicked’ for me. Top tier, synthy, poppy prog metal, and this album has a slightly darker bent to the melodies.
#AusMusicMonth
Voyager - Ghost Mile (2017)
I’d enjoyed Voyager’s albums before this one, but this is the one where it finally ‘clicked’ for me. Top tier, synthy, poppy prog metal, and this album has a slightly darker bent to the melodies.
#AusMusicMonth
November 5, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Nov 5
Voyager - Ghost Mile (2017)
I’d enjoyed Voyager’s albums before this one, but this is the one where it finally ‘clicked’ for me. Top tier, synthy, poppy prog metal, and this album has a slightly darker bent to the melodies.
#AusMusicMonth
Voyager - Ghost Mile (2017)
I’d enjoyed Voyager’s albums before this one, but this is the one where it finally ‘clicked’ for me. Top tier, synthy, poppy prog metal, and this album has a slightly darker bent to the melodies.
#AusMusicMonth
Nov 4
Osaka Punch - Mixed Ape (2023)
I’ve posted about this album a bunch before, a real highlight from one of Australia’s most fun bands. Their blend of groovy, funky rock/metal is so catchy and wills you into a sense of enjoyment (even if some ideas don’t quite stick!)
#AusMusicMonth
Osaka Punch - Mixed Ape (2023)
I’ve posted about this album a bunch before, a real highlight from one of Australia’s most fun bands. Their blend of groovy, funky rock/metal is so catchy and wills you into a sense of enjoyment (even if some ideas don’t quite stick!)
#AusMusicMonth
November 5, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Nov 4
Osaka Punch - Mixed Ape (2023)
I’ve posted about this album a bunch before, a real highlight from one of Australia’s most fun bands. Their blend of groovy, funky rock/metal is so catchy and wills you into a sense of enjoyment (even if some ideas don’t quite stick!)
#AusMusicMonth
Osaka Punch - Mixed Ape (2023)
I’ve posted about this album a bunch before, a real highlight from one of Australia’s most fun bands. Their blend of groovy, funky rock/metal is so catchy and wills you into a sense of enjoyment (even if some ideas don’t quite stick!)
#AusMusicMonth
Nov 3
Echoes of Gloom - The Mind's Eternal Storm (2025)
A release from this year I've quite enjoyed. Riffy, melodic atmoblack, it starts strong but has some of its best work tucked away at the back, with the huge 10 minute title track a particular highlight.
#AusMusicMonth
Echoes of Gloom - The Mind's Eternal Storm (2025)
A release from this year I've quite enjoyed. Riffy, melodic atmoblack, it starts strong but has some of its best work tucked away at the back, with the huge 10 minute title track a particular highlight.
#AusMusicMonth
November 3, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Nov 3
Echoes of Gloom - The Mind's Eternal Storm (2025)
A release from this year I've quite enjoyed. Riffy, melodic atmoblack, it starts strong but has some of its best work tucked away at the back, with the huge 10 minute title track a particular highlight.
#AusMusicMonth
Echoes of Gloom - The Mind's Eternal Storm (2025)
A release from this year I've quite enjoyed. Riffy, melodic atmoblack, it starts strong but has some of its best work tucked away at the back, with the huge 10 minute title track a particular highlight.
#AusMusicMonth
Nov 2
Oar - The Blood You Crave (2022)
A recent discovery - I saw this band live in a tiny room at a festival and they were utterly captivating. Crushing post-black, with a sludgy, doomy bent, dripping with atmosphere.
#AusMusicMonth
Oar - The Blood You Crave (2022)
A recent discovery - I saw this band live in a tiny room at a festival and they were utterly captivating. Crushing post-black, with a sludgy, doomy bent, dripping with atmosphere.
#AusMusicMonth
November 3, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Nov 2
Oar - The Blood You Crave (2022)
A recent discovery - I saw this band live in a tiny room at a festival and they were utterly captivating. Crushing post-black, with a sludgy, doomy bent, dripping with atmosphere.
#AusMusicMonth
Oar - The Blood You Crave (2022)
A recent discovery - I saw this band live in a tiny room at a festival and they were utterly captivating. Crushing post-black, with a sludgy, doomy bent, dripping with atmosphere.
#AusMusicMonth
Nov 1
Daysend - Within the Eye of Chaos (2010)
A longtime fave of mine, a tight 40ish minutes of ripping melodic death. Great riffs, supreme solos and big choruses. Nothing new, just the basics done really well.
Had the pleasure of seeing them at a reunion live show recently too 😊
#AusMusicMonth
Daysend - Within the Eye of Chaos (2010)
A longtime fave of mine, a tight 40ish minutes of ripping melodic death. Great riffs, supreme solos and big choruses. Nothing new, just the basics done really well.
Had the pleasure of seeing them at a reunion live show recently too 😊
#AusMusicMonth
November 3, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Nov 1
Daysend - Within the Eye of Chaos (2010)
A longtime fave of mine, a tight 40ish minutes of ripping melodic death. Great riffs, supreme solos and big choruses. Nothing new, just the basics done really well.
Had the pleasure of seeing them at a reunion live show recently too 😊
#AusMusicMonth
Daysend - Within the Eye of Chaos (2010)
A longtime fave of mine, a tight 40ish minutes of ripping melodic death. Great riffs, supreme solos and big choruses. Nothing new, just the basics done really well.
Had the pleasure of seeing them at a reunion live show recently too 😊
#AusMusicMonth
Looks like you both agree…sort of
October 17, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Looks like you both agree…sort of
Spent a good chunk of my weekend at the fantastic Essence festival. Growth, Nontinuum, Golgothan Remains & Oar were particular highlights, but Convulsing closing out the festival was based af
October 6, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Spent a good chunk of my weekend at the fantastic Essence festival. Growth, Nontinuum, Golgothan Remains & Oar were particular highlights, but Convulsing closing out the festival was based af
April 16, 2025 at 1:52 PM
I’d wondered how I could surmise their impact on me, but really, the band said it best when announcing the tour.
Loud Forever
Loud Forever
February 16, 2025 at 1:12 PM
I’d wondered how I could surmise their impact on me, but really, the band said it best when announcing the tour.
Loud Forever
Loud Forever
On Friday night I saw one one of the most formative bands of my teen years on their farewell tour - Shihad.
Although nowadays I don’t listen to them or ‘simpler’ hard rock/heavy metal often (the domino meme comes to mind) I’ve still enjoyed their new albums and seen their love shows.
Although nowadays I don’t listen to them or ‘simpler’ hard rock/heavy metal often (the domino meme comes to mind) I’ve still enjoyed their new albums and seen their love shows.
February 16, 2025 at 1:12 PM
On Friday night I saw one one of the most formative bands of my teen years on their farewell tour - Shihad.
Although nowadays I don’t listen to them or ‘simpler’ hard rock/heavy metal often (the domino meme comes to mind) I’ve still enjoyed their new albums and seen their love shows.
Although nowadays I don’t listen to them or ‘simpler’ hard rock/heavy metal often (the domino meme comes to mind) I’ve still enjoyed their new albums and seen their love shows.
This week's listening.
February 16, 2025 at 11:28 AM
This week's listening.
This week's listening.
![Topsters chart of albums/EPs I listened to this week (alphabetical)
Alder Glade - Holocene Extinction
Am I in Trouble? - Spectrum
The Archon Rift - The Arcane Chronicle (EP)
Atheist - Piece Of Time [Remastered]
Atra Vetosus - Undying Splendour
Bent Knee - Twenty Pills Without Water
Caelestra - Bastion
Ciconia - Synaesthetic Garbage
Cunabula - The Weight Of Sleep
Devin Townsend - Lightwork
Devin Townsend - PowerNerd
Emperor - Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk
Entheos - An End to Everything
Exuvial - The Hive Mind Chronicles Part I - Parasitica
Fleshbore - Painted Paradise
Gaerea - Coma
Greyember - Blooming in Antartica
Jake Weber - Jake Weber's Middle-Earth: Volume 1
Mesarthim - Anthropic Bias / Departure
Mirrors - Cold Sanctuary
Northlane - Mirror's Edge
Sallow Moth - Stasis Cocoon
Selvans - Saturnalia
Sight of Theia - The Great Dreamer
Shihad - Alive
Shihad - Love Is the New Hate
Shihad - All the Young Fascists
Shihad - Shot in the Head
Synestia - The Poetic Edda
Thy Catafalque - XII: A gyonyoru almok ezutan jönnek
Unreqvited - Perpetual Green of the Willow Groves
Unreqvited - A Pathway to the Moon
Uulliata Digir - Uulliata Digir
Velothian - Path of the Incarnate
Void of Hope - Proof Of Existence](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:3pvo6ollhmvptoovslgr3r2n/bafkreia2taddroigv5425xcku2uiosw42spkbkkb2jtht7wnf4eg7v6hue@jpeg)
February 9, 2025 at 11:20 AM
This week's listening.
Bandcamp Friday purchases.
Pretty sure the ciconia release was meant to be a pre-order but the whole thing is up already. So if anyone’s into shreddy instrumental prog, it’s pretty great.
Jake Weber’s Middle Earth is also an awesome piece of shreddy instrumental prog!
Pretty sure the ciconia release was meant to be a pre-order but the whole thing is up already. So if anyone’s into shreddy instrumental prog, it’s pretty great.
Jake Weber’s Middle Earth is also an awesome piece of shreddy instrumental prog!
February 8, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Bandcamp Friday purchases.
Pretty sure the ciconia release was meant to be a pre-order but the whole thing is up already. So if anyone’s into shreddy instrumental prog, it’s pretty great.
Jake Weber’s Middle Earth is also an awesome piece of shreddy instrumental prog!
Pretty sure the ciconia release was meant to be a pre-order but the whole thing is up already. So if anyone’s into shreddy instrumental prog, it’s pretty great.
Jake Weber’s Middle Earth is also an awesome piece of shreddy instrumental prog!
This week’s listening.
January 26, 2025 at 9:20 PM
This week’s listening.