Sure, Dream Theater (sic) may have just released their latest record, but Haken has been doing it for me ever since they released The Mountain in 2013. Fun, catchy, technical. Good stuff! #metalsky

hakenofficial.bandcamp.com/album/fauna-...

I'm in a good mood today yet can't stop listening to Amenra, which seems quite contradictory. Possibly one of the heaviest bands in existence today, not because of blastbeats or blistering riffs, it's just of the oppressive atmosphere. They're grand! #metalsky

amenra.bandcamp.com/album/de-doorn

Best place for an After Burner cabinet I've seen so far. #shenmue

With all the talk in time being about Opeth, I decided to give The Fathomless Mastery by Bloodbath yet another spin. I know the group started out as a homage to the genre, but this album (and the Unblessing EP) are right up there for me. #metalsky

peaceville.bandcamp.com/album/the-fa...

How better to start the week by listening to my favourite Brummies? A beautiful homage to David Cameron's petting zoo adventures. Released during the height of the pandemic and all the more furious because of it. #metalsky

anaalnathrakh.bandcamp.com/album/endark...

I've always enjoyed The Vision Bleak, but this year's Weird Tales feels like a perfection of their formula. Anyone remotely interested in gothic metal and all things horror should give it a spin! #metalsky

the-vision-bleak.bandcamp.com/album/weird-...

Listening to the new Opeth. Almost sounds like they've gone full Ayreon! I like a bit of cheese but I'll reserve judgement for now. #metalsky

Can't believe it's been 8 years since Terminal Redux from Vektor came out! I'm not that big on thrash, but this space-blasting epic absolutely smashed it and featured some terrific album art to boost. #metalsky

vektor.bandcamp.com/album/termin...

Another AOTY contender for me: Friend of a Phantom by VOLA. Think Caligula's Horse, Voyager, Porcupine Tree. I was initially a bit underwhelmed as it felt a bit like a poor Witness, but five listens later and I might even prefer it to that record. #metalsky

volaband.bandcamp.com/album/friend...

Another contender for my album of the year is Die Urkatastrophe by Kanonenfieber. Some excellent lyrics and diverse song-writing. Overall an anti-war album that seems more pertinent than ever. #blackmetalsky

noisebringer-records.bandcamp.com/album/mensch...

I feel I'm the only one who's slightly disappointed with the Silent Hill 2 remake. My main gripe is that it's way too long, as it stretches the thin gameplay and adds way too many enemies. At points it felt like RE4, not a psychological horror. Sound design and score were exquisite though!

Some of my favourite current bands:

- Agalloch
- Paradise Lost
- Winterfylleth
- Anaal Nathrakh
- Kanonenfieber
- Vola
- The Vision Bleak
- Katatonia
- Tribulation
- Haken
- Wilderun

Some of my favourite games from the top of my head:

- Super Mario Bros 3
- Shenmue
_ Starcraft
- Subnautica
- Silent Hill 2
- Legend of Zelda Wind Waker
- Super Castlevania IV
- Metroid Prime
- Into the Breach
- Skies of Arcadia
- Homeworld
- Advance Wars
- Final Fantasy VI
- Bloodborne
- Yakuza 0

Started The Ascent (PS5) just now. So far it seems like an enjoyable Cyperpunk Diablo, but it's yet another modern game with a font so tiny I need a set of binoculars :/

Just finished Super Mario Land on my new Analogue Pocket. Still delightful, it took me all of 34 minutes. Can't believe that costed me about £40 back in the day!

Listening to the latest Nile record The Underworld Awaits Us All. I like the new elements such as the female vocals but as always with a new Nile record I probably need to listen to it about 10 more times to really get a grip on it.

Just finished the Final Fantasy 7 remake (yes. I know I'm late to the party). Not bad at all actually, although it did get a bit OTT and longwinded near the end.