Spotify's Lossless Experience and Metal Album Recommendations

Tried the new lossless tier from Spotify on my setup with a Philips SHP9600 and Apple Dongle (yes, it measures that well).

Only when listening attentively, I heard a touch more instrument separation and space. Some added ‘texture’ to the snare drums and distorted guitars. But it’s subtle—expectation bias is a real thing.

If you have more sensitive ears and a good setup, I can recommend the following metal albums:

Opeth – Damnation (2003) / Pale Communion (2014) / Ghost Reveries (2005)
Produced and mixed by Steven Wilson, these albums feature sophisticated dynamic range and warm analog textures rare for metal, with clean vocals and layered acoustics shining through.

Blood Incantation – Absolute Elsewhere (2024) Recorded in a old-school studio. Mostly played together in a room. For a progressive death metal band obsessed with vintage synths, this album brings you back to the 70s. Great layered synths and ‘real’ percussion. Engineering and mastering sublime.

Tool – Fear Inoculum (2019) / Lateralus (2001)
Exceptional dynamic mastering, ambient layering, and detailed percussion. The album tests the ability of headphones to resolve complex soundstages, with highlights like “Descending” and “Pneuma” offering both quiet and heavy passages.

Gojira – Magma (2016)
Modern, punchy production with massive low-end and clear separation. Slicker than the previous albums. “Silvera” features precision engineering for impact and detail.

Metallica – The Black Album (1991/2021 Remaster)
Considered a benchmark for metal production, the remastered editions offer bold, balanced sound that is both powerful and refined.

Devin Townsend – Empath (2019)
Known for “wall-of-sound” mixing, extreme layering, and epic dynamics, all captured with clarity. “Genesis” is recommended for its complex textures.

Ghost – Impera (2022)
Stadium-style production with pristine layering and strong separation of instrumentation making it a modern audiophile choice.

Rivers of Nihil – Where Owls Know My Name (2018)
Combines jazz and death metal influences, resulting in a balanced, clean, dynamic mix that rewards detail-oriented listening.