ThegnJoy There are some absolutely unbelievable passages on this album that gave me full body chills making it a very addictive listen. Extremely high up contender for my favourite album of this year, and it may be hard to topple. Favorite track: Sway, Draped In Vague.

Harold N’Hiver If there was ever any doubt that AFoS is the most interesting and innovative band in metal - nay, in all of extreme music - (there wasn’t), this should settle that debate. The dramatics, the theatrics, the perfectly placed restraint… it’s all a recipe for excellence in composition and performance.

I don’t generally care anymore for “album of the year” talk, but this is going to be tough for any band to top.

And yes, please indulge in the deluxe edition. The 3 extra tracks are all phenomenal.

Archmage Orladin On this album the extreme metal elements are slightly more subdued, in favor of a more meandering/progressive approach. Nevertheless the band is in peak form and there are several very memorable passages on all the songs, which is impressive due to their length. It must be said that the vocalist once again steals the show, and the man is in a class of his own among metal vocalists. While I prefer the previous two albums, this might be their best. A stunning masterpiece, and worth the wait. Favorite track: Not Drinking Water.

Jonathan Campbell I got this and Laurentian Blue on CD but I literally rebought this on here just to say that The Eulogy is genuinely one of the best songs I've heard from Panopticon and that's saying something. Absolutely mind-blowing that B-sides and unused material still makes for an incredible (and cohesive!) entry into a storied discography, I haven't seen something like that happen since System of a Down's 'Steal this Album!'. Favorite track: The Eulogy.

Bart Seeing the growth of songs that were originally recorded about 15 years ago. You can hear the earlier Panopticon feel with the despondency and epic touches started to lay their roots. This isn't one of the best albums by Panopticon, but most can't even reach these heights. Favorite track: The End is Growing Near.

Nocturnal Egg (Jordan) Songs Of Hiraeth est aux antipodes de Laurentian Blue : à l'introspection douloureuse, cette compilation répond par un désir d'évasion ; l'americana à fleur de peau est contrebalancée par un black metal atmosphérique enflammé et expansif. Inspiré par ses voyages aux États-Unis et en Norvège, Panopticon nous fait accéder aux montagnes et imite leurs aspérités par des effets de chutes spectaculaires ; la vitesse frénétique prive d'oxygène — euphorie et peur de mourir dansent ensemble. Sublime ! Favorite track: From Bergen to Jotunheimen.

maxlphillips This feels like being forced to listen to the album of the year through a thin, muffling film. The compositional beauty is consistently and pervasively mind-blowing – never letting go of my ever-pleased attention – but the recording quality almost castrates it. Despite that, I came out of this thoroughly harrowed; unrelentingly pummelled with gorgeousness to the point of complete cleansing and reinvigoration. Favorite track: Ghost Eyes in the Fire Light.

Aimfri I'm not crying, you're crying! Favorite track: A Culture of Wilderness.

Joni Korpi Some damn good catharsis in here. Favorite track: Woodland Caribou.

Arachnid Saar (Spectral Damnation) Groupe phare de la scène deathcore. Pain remains avait mis la barre tellement haute qu'il m'était difficile d'imaginer meilleurs que ça. Ben ils l'ont fait, tout les morceaux sont des tueries, j'ai pas de morceaux préférés tous s'enchainent tellement bien. Un sans faute assurément Favorite track: Oblivion.

throughmyeyes9 This album is absolutely amazing. The progression as a band is clear in songs like Oblivion and Glenwood. Songs like The Darkness and Unbreakable are beyond heavy and touch on the true metal community. My favorite is by and far Prison of Flesh, its a grown up Hellfire with depth and is the heaviest song I have ever heard! Favorite track: Prison of Flesh.

drogo7 one of the Best epic song from this amazing band Favorite track: Forevermore.

kai_eerikainen Should have sent this masterpiece on Voyager instead of some hypocrite polished promo vinyl... Fav track whole album, plays two or few times on MPC auto-replay so easily.
~back dreaming in between the black and white~

Pears This album is nothing less than a masterpiece. you really need to listen to it from start to finish without interruption.
My friends and I go through it at least once every friday night. It has become an absolute classic.

11/10
my favorite song: the entire album.

elgogglo Just incredible. Listened to this for almost 1 year with little to no breaks. Keep coming back to the trilogy and need to listen to it every now and then. It's so darn good. Outside of the trilogy I really like Cursed to Die, Sun Eater and Soulless Existence. Favorite track: Pain Remains III: In A Sea Of Fire.