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The Interdimensional Vortex of Conspiratorial Tastemaking is the ultimate resource for staying abreast of musical developments and refining your critical taste.

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Tarbeaux's Almostopster: Hammers of Misfortune - Dead Revolution

Tarbeaux's Almostopster: Hammers of Misfortune - Dead Revolution

by Tarbeaux on Mon, Aug 5, 2024

We had to finish the project on a high note

As we approach the conclusion of this project, I must say it has exceeded my expectations. I am deeply grateful to everyone who contributed their time and tolerated my relentless teasing. Special thanks go to Abso for the visuals, and to Snyde, Meri, Goldi, and ferd for their proofreading. Ultimately I think we discovered some pretty interesting albums. Initially, I feared most would be worse than the ones at the bottom of the reliquary, but that wasn’t the case (with a few exceptions - I’m looking at you, Gadunka).
almostopster
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Skamz's Almostopster: Vessel of Iniquity - The Doorway

Skamz's Almostopster: Vessel of Iniquity - The Doorway

by skamz on Thu, Jul 18, 2024

skamz try to rate albums coherently challenge (impossible)

In trying to come up with my reliquary, I had to reconsider what it meant to rate an album. An album that introduced a new sound or style, that was, perhaps, monumental - how does this compare with one that was less innovative, but I actually enjoy listening to more? It can feel unfair to exclude such groundbreaking material. For example I totally dig the gorenoise of Last Days of Humanity’s Putrefaction in Progress, but is this a good “album”?
almostopster
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Snyde's Almostopster: Hell - Human Remains

Snyde's Almostopster: Hell - Human Remains

by Snyde on Mon, Jul 15, 2024

If you truly believe in what you do...

This won’t be an off-kilter, deep cut, adolescent fling kind of almostopster. I have mentioned, praised and deconstructed this record a bevy of times, so while some may find it to be thoroughly predictable, I could think of no pick more fitting than this fascinating piece of metal history. Thus, I’d be so very pleased if you’d allow me to be the Dante to your Virgil, as I take you on a winding tour through the twisted trails and tortuous tales of Hell.
almostopster
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Dethjesta's Almostopster: About Tess - Beautiful

Dethjesta's Almostopster: About Tess - Beautiful

by Dethjesta on Mon, Jul 8, 2024

Unlike some people, DJ understood the assignment

When deciding what part of the brief to focus on when making my pick I decided to hone in on the idea of a flawed gem; an album I love but has one or two flaws that would likely always prevent it making my topster. Preamble aside, let the amble commence… A few years ago a bass playing friend of mine introduced me to a really cool Taiwanese band called Elephant Gym.

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