Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Ampast
Title
Of Patterns
Type
LP/EP
Company
Independent
YOR
2006
Style
Death
7/2/2006 - Review by: Veritas
More boring version of Opeth
“Of Patterns” is a three song demo from Ampast, apparent newcomers to the Norwegian metal scene. They classify themselves as prog-death metal, and I would have to say this classification is pretty accurate. You may be thinking, “Wow, prog-death metal! This is something I have never heard before! I should check them out!” Well… if you’ve heard Opeth before, then you have in fact heard this style done to death. In fact, there really isn’t much point to checking this band out at all. They’re just a more boring version of Opeth (this should especially repel those of you who think Opeth are boring to begin with).

I will give Ampast credit for executing well. Despite being recorded on the guitarist’s laptop computer, the sound quality of this demo is pretty good. In addition, all of the band members play their instruments very well – it’s obvious that they know what they’re doing. It’s such a shame that they turn out sounding like stunted Opeth clones, minus the clean vocals. The heavier parts transition to the proggy and/or acoustic parts in the same exact manner as Opeth’s. The vocalist growls in the same exact manner as Mikael Akerfeldt… albeit less skillfully and with less range. The songs range vaguely in length from six to eleven minutes… sound familiar? There are more similarities, but I don’t want to waste my time, nor yours.

If Ampast want to succeed, they must re-assess their musical goals and direction. As I mentioned before, they’ve got playing skill, just no writing creativity. Anyone interested in this style should go pick up “Ghost Reveries” instead; it’s still better than the monotony of “Of Patterns.”
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ALL REVIEWS FOR: AMPAST
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Of Patterns
2006
Independent
Veritas7/2/2006
-

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: AMPAST
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