Metal Review Community

Demonaz

Kettle Peacevalley — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:21:00 GMT

The definite favorite album of mine for 2011 is Demonaz March Of The Norse. Kind of stumbled upon it by looking for Immortal stuff. This is blackened heavy metal with juicy guitar riffs and pungent drumming, clear and strongly produced. Not one poor song on this album if you ask me, excellent in any way!

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My top metal albums of 2011

Dutchman — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:39:00 GMT

1. The Crevices Below - Below The Crevices
2. Esoteric - Paragon of Dissonance
3. Theocracy - As The World Bleeds
4. Vyrion - Vyrion
5. Negative Plane - Stained Glass Revelations
6. Petrychor - Effigies and Epitaphs
7. Wolves in the Throne Room - Celestial Lineage
8. Isole - Born From Shadows
9. Earth Flight - Blue Hour Confessions
10. Midnight Odyssey - Funerals from the Astral Sphere
11. Thy Catafalque - Rengeteg
12. Dornenreich - Flammentriebe
13. Blut Aus Nord - 777 The Desanctification
14. Wolverine - Communication Lost
15. Voyager - The Meaning of I
16. Forefather - Last of the Line
17. Anubis Gate - Anubis Gate
18. Leprous - Bilateral
19. While Heaven Wept - Fear of Infinity
20. SubRosa - No Help For The Mighty Ones

21. Haken - Visions
22. Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events
23. Eumeria - Rebel Mind
24. Beyond Creation - The Aura
25. Insomnium - One For Sorrow
26. Raventale - Bringer of Heartsore
27. Twisted Tower Dire - Make It Dark
28. Riot - Immortal Soul
29. Mitochondrion - Parasignosis
30. Thurisaz - The Cimmerian Years

31. Antediluvian - Through The Cervix of Hawwah
32. Havok - Time is Up
33. Memory Driven - Animus
34. Pestilential Shadows - Depths
35. Woods of Desolation - Torn Beyond Reason
36. Onyx - Ava Inferi
37. Redemption - This Mortal Coil
38. Pagan's Mind - Heavenly Ecstasy
39. Primordial - Redemption at the Puritan's Hand
40. An Autumn For Crippled Children - Everything

big_red's Top 20 of 2011

big_red01027 — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:48:00 GMT

There are two ways to look at 2011 from a musical perspective: it was really long, and it was compressed into what seems like a very short period of time. That sounds paradoxical, but I think it makes sense upon further examination. The year itself was indeed long; my musical journey through it was basically crammed into the last five months. Since I found this site, I've been on quite the odyssey of discovering new music that I had no idea was out there previously. It's been quite invigorating, for sure! Not only that, but I have a barrel full of bands to be on the lookout for in the upcoming years. So again, I have to thank everyone here at MR for introducing me to the awesome metal that was released in 2011, as well as a couple of choice releases in prior years that I just picked up in the last few months.

In preparation for writing this list, I listened to over 190 albums, which is a far cry from the last three years, in which I listened to an average of 40 (or less). I thought I was going to get crushed by the massive wave of new releases at a couple different points, and I had to take a step back in October when it looked like I was going to be overwhelmed entirely. Still, I persevered (honestly, I had nothing better to do) and came up with what seems to be a decent representation of what I enjoyed most in 2011. Obviously, with that comes the caveat that my list most likely looks a lot different than "yours". Or "yours". Or "yours". You get the point; my particular view is informed by things that perhaps other people do not consider. Maybe there are things that I fail to consider when putting together something like this, or in my listening habits in general. I don't know for sure. But I do know that of all the lists I've looked at, mine seems quite different.

With that, I have to get a bit pretentious and explain the criteria that I used in putting this together (besides the general ear test; if I enjoyed something a lot, it likely found its way on here in some respect). I've been thinking about it for a while now, and with the reading and listening I've done I think I can now name the three things most important to a metal record: riffs, energy, and execution. I don't think these concepts are so foreign as to require a massive amount of explanation, so I will briefly summarize them. The first seems to be the most misconstrued. A riff, as I understand it, is a rhythmic construct. What does that mean exactly? Well, a guitarist plays notes that are arranged in a pattern defined by the rhythm that's being played. Or they can be played like Meshuggah, ignoring the rhythm behind it or playing around it in order to confuse the listener. Basically, a riff has a clearly defined rhythm and is generally played on the bottom strings of the guitar (i.e. the thicker ones). Generally, palm muting is involved, but not always. A good riff to me is usually percussive, includes some staccato notes, and is syncopated. If anything is too "straight" (i.e. 8 eighth notes in a bar of 4/4), it bores me. Thanks to this view of riffs (and indeed, playing and writing a number of them myself), I often fail to understand others' definition. Not only that, I fail to understand how certain bands move other people when the guitar playing involved is 180 degrees away from my definition and doesn't include anything remotely "riffy". But that's my problem, not yours.

Energy and execution are both more obvious and more easily noticeable. In this sense, energy refers to the "feeling" demonstrated in the playing. Most bands worth their salt have cultivated an individual sense of who they are, and that is reflected in their playing. Even when the tempo starts to drag, energy can stand out. Execution is something that I had previously downplayed and/or overlooked. Let's be honest, one can't expect everything to be innovative. So the other side of this particular coin is execution; how well is a record played? Is it technically proficient? Does it demonstrate a high standard of playing and writing, even if it doesn't "reinvent the wheel", as it were?

I hope that was reasonably clear. OK, enough of that bullshit, let's get down to business.

Red's Top 20:

1.) YOB - Atma (Standout Track: "Adrift in the Ocean")

Simply put, the best record of 2011. From the opening beatdown that is "Prepare the Ground" to the end of fucking epic closer "Adrift in the Ocean", Mike Scheidt and company demonstrate the highest knowledge of riff-craft and songwriting. Every song on the record contains a bruising riff that is sure to set heads a-banging. Even with the comparably less awesome "Upon the Sight of the Other Shore", Scheidt still succeeds where lesser musicians would likely fail. Without doubt one of the most awesome doom records written and a new personal triumph for the band; it's their best since Catharsis and my clear choice for Best of 2011.

2.) Absu - Abzu (Standout Track: "Skrying in the Spirit Vision")

This might be a surprise (and somehow, a recurring theme), but I'd never heard Absu before I checked out this record. So I had no preconceptions or expectations for the absolute monster that this record is. Were it not for the mighty YOB, it'd be the best of 2011. Opener "Earth Ripper" is a highlight, with guitarist Vis Crom (a.k.a. Matt Moore from Rumpelstiltskin Grinder, among other projects) setting shit aflame from the get-go. The heart of the band may rest on Proscriptor's drum sticks, but it's Crom's guitar that really takes the cake here. My pick for standout track, "Skrying in the Spirit Vision", is an undeniably awesome force that is both brutal and catchy. They work the intro riff into the chorus, somehow maintaining the intensity from beginning to end, and even increasing it in the chorus iterations. It's a fucking incredible use of a badass riff. Perhaps I should've included "experience" above in my pretentious bullshit discussion; these guys clearly have it and it shows in the songwriting. Closer "A Song for Ea" contains several awesome riffs and ends the album appropriately.

3.) Krallice - Diotima (Standout Track: "The Clearing")

I had heard Krallice before; my appreciation of Colin Marston's virtuosity was established by listening to the last two Dysrhythmia records. Whether on guitar or bass (or even better, the Warr), Marston is an incredible musician. As it turns out, he found a more-than-capable tag team partner in Mick Barr, and a rhythm section that can keep up. I think what really separates this record from the previous two is the "step up" that bassist/vocalist Nick McMaster has taken. His influence on Diotima is both undeniable and inescapable. He does the majority of the "singing" now; his guttural bellowing is a nice counterpart to the treble-laden guitar parts and Mick Barr's black metal rasp. McMaster's vocals seem influenced by death metal; I don't know of many black metal vocalists who go that low. That aside, Diotima is really the sum of two tracks: "The Clearing", and "Diotima" itself. That's not to say that the rest of the record is utter crap (it isn't, though "Litany of Regrets" does try really hard), but it's obvious that these two tracks are the center and the greatest that the band has written since "Timehusk". I'm a bit biased there, since "Timehusk" is my favorite Krallice song. For most of the last couple months I had intended to write a post just on "The Clearing" and "Diotima" alone, that's how effective those two tracks are. Honestly, the structures are pretty simple; they play a riff, then set it off with another riff, then move on. There's also a bit of what I call "tone painting" under Barr's first verse; the guitars are evoking chaotic feelings that are not riff-based. The real strength of "The Clearing" comes after the solo (which is mixed rather low): the band goes into a more improv-esque section that contains some of the more fiery and energetic playing to be had. The track concludes with one of many tremolo-picked riffs that utilizes pull-offs to great effect. There's a certain feeling evoked by the intervallic change from pulling-off 3rd to root as opposed to 2nd to root. It sounds like they're working in D minor and then bending the string when they tremolo the F (i.e. the 3rd in the key of D minor) and pull off, so it sounds more "stretched out" than it would otherwise. This section is also a bit slower than the previous, so the emotional effect is greater. That means the head-banging is greater too, at least from my perspective. "Diotima"'s standout section involves arpeggiated melodic playing over a sparse rhythm that then changes on a dime to a very fast sprint. The energy they put out here is tremendous; it leads into the solo, which is a bit higher in the mix and easier to hear clearly. After this section they go further and lower with the riffs, including a couple nice palm-muted parts when the tempo slows down just before the conclusion. And as usual, the concluding riff is a beast. In short, a great record that is really bolstered by these two tracks.

4.) Tsjuder - Legion Helvete (Standout Track: "Voldsherskeren")

I've referred to this as "Tsjuder's mountain of riffs", which is pretty apt. Throughout Legion Helvete, Tsjuder shows a proficiency for riff-based guitar playing that is too often absent in black metal. It is most definitely the exception rather than the rule. Especially in the case of standout track "Voldsherskeren", which utilizes thrash's "gallop" rhythm to tremendous effect. That kind of surprise is something I really enjoy; it changes the feel of the song from merely good to great. Other tracks like opener "The Daemon Throne" and especially "Slakt" bring the riffs and the heaviness too, so they're not a one-trick pony by any means.

5.) SubRosa - No Help for the Mighty Ones (Standout Track: "Attack on Golden Mountain")

It's hard to know what to say about this record. There's the obvious fact that it was released by Profound Lore, a label I've come to greatly respect over the last 12 months. There's the doomy songwriting, the three vocalists, and of course, violins. There's even a weird a capella track. No Help for the Mighty Ones combines doom with washes of melody (via those violins mostly, though I get the feeling the singing is intended to be a melodic counterpart, even when it fails) admirably at a pretty slow pace. There are no tempo changes and the music rarely goes faster than a slow walk. The production is also pretty gloomy, rendering everything into shades of gray. But once this record takes hold, holy shit. Opener "Borrowed Time, Borrowed Eyes" takes inspiration from Cormac McCarthy's The Road and generally lays out the blueprint for the rest of the record. But at the same time, there are subtle variations present, such as the opening narration (in Russian, no less) in "Stonecarver", the closing piano part of "The Inheritance", and that aforementioned a capella track. It's hard to know what to make of "House Carpenter", other than the fact that singer/violinist Kim Pack should have been given more room to shine. Her vocals are probably the best of the three, but she performs a capable back-up nonetheless. The obvious highlight is "Attack on Golden Mountain", which is a raging riff-filled delight. The vocal melody is set off nicely with "death growls"; the riffs are sharp as well. It's really one of the better songs to come out in 2011.

6.) The Gates of Slumber - The Wretch (Standout Track: "The Scovrge ov Drvnkenness")

Upon my first five times through The Wretch, my prevailing thought was "This isn't better than Hymns of Blood and Thunder, what the fuck"!? The band threw us a bit of a curveball by releasing a record that highlights the doom and puts the quicker and more melodic playing off to the side, for the most part, much like Unearthly Trance did last year with V. Sure, standout track "The Scovrge ov Drvnkenness" and "Coven of Cain" move pretty quickly, but the real meat of this one is in the slow doom of "Bastards Born", the title track, and closer "Iron and Fire", which seems repetitive at first, but later becomes quite invigorating. All in all, one of the stronger doom records of the year and one that shows how the sub-genre is just better in 2011 than most others.

7.) The Atlas Moth - An Ache for the Distance (Standout Track: "An Ache for the Distance")

I'm not sure that I get this record even now. There are a lot of details packed into the nine tracks that make up An Ache for the Distance, with three guitarists, two vocalists, and texture-based keyboard. It could have turned into a fucking mess, but somehow they keep it together. The strength of this record is the melodic vocals that enhance a number of the tracks, especially "Gemini" and the title track. There's a certain sense of subtlety and restraint that I really appreciate. Rather than be like Mikael Akerfeldt and spew pop-inspired drivel all over the place, the melodic vocals on this record are appropriately metal. It's hard to explain clearly, but suffice it to say that singing in metal is a hit-or-miss prospect (usually miss). These guys nail it. The only problem is that the screamed vocals can be grating. Other than that, a great record from beginning to end, and one that has me appreciating this band as a force, even if I don't quite get where they're coming from or why this record is so awesome, exactly.

8.) Griffar - Monastery (Standout Track: "Monastery")

In my pretentious bullshit discussion above, I mentioned execution being one of the central things required on a metal record. Griffar embodies this quality extensively; they do nothing on Monastery that hasn't been heard before, but they do it so fucking well that this record basically forced its way into my top ten. It's the fucking riffs, man! Opener "Blessed in Lava" is full of 'em, as well as the standout title track, and "Relentless Infamy". These guys can play any style of riff you can think of: pedal tone, gallop, groove, etc. The record does flag a bit toward the end, though "Last World" is a pretty strong closer.

9.) Blood Ceremony - Living with the Ancients (Standout Track: "Oliver Haddo")

Imagine what would have happened if Black Sabbath added a female vocalist when Ozzy left, then added some flute and organ to the mix. You might get something like Living with the Ancients, a doomy Sabbath-worshiping beast that probably isn't as "metal" as the others on this list, but kicks just as much ass. Once again, it's all about the riffs, and this record has them in spades. There's also an epic closer, a couple instrumentals, and plenty of flute and organ to counter-balance the heavy. The singing might leave a little to be desired, but compare it to the vocals on the new Witch Mountain or the Wounded Kings, and you might be inclined to say that Blood Ceremony does it better with the subtle approach. I guess I just like female vocals, too, especially when they're sung in this manner.

10.) Hammers of Misfortune - 17th Street (Standout Track: "Going Somewhere")

Hail Cobbett! The man is a fucking unstoppable riff-crafting, songwriting machine. After last year's The Tenant, my choice for Best of 2010, Cobbett and his "main" project (according to Wikipedia, at least, so take that with a grain of salt) return with a record that is quite good, but falls just short of great. For me, it has mostly to do with the vocals. Joe Hutton is a strong singer, without a doubt, but his precise range seems a little grating on my ears; I don't really enjoy the "sound" of his voice, though he's obviously proficient. I'm getting used to it little by little, I guess. The chorus to "The Grain" is especially galling to me, as it seems really poppy. If not for that, 17th Street would be much higher. But aside from that ugly chorus (which mars a pretty damn good song, actually), there is a lot to love about this record. Cobbett and Leila Abdul Rauf make a great team (much like Cobbett and Cather did in Ludicra), playing solid melodies and riffs that don't get overbearing. They're underpinned by a strong rhythm section and some keyboards too. I feel like the drumming is a hidden strength; Chewy Marzolo won't be confused with Gene Hoglan or Danny Carey, but he's got a knack for keeping shit interesting and moving in the right direction, which is just as important. The songs don't become stale or fly off into some power-prog hell, thanks to the drums. Closer "Going Somewhere" also rampages over my face with an outro riff that is just fucking perfect. It's got some staccato, some stop-start action, and some rhythmic in-your-face ass-kicking to it. I kinda gave Hutton shit earlier for "The Grain", but his singing on "Going Somewhere" (and the surprisingly good "Summer Tears") is goddamn effective. If he can avoid the Akerfeldt-ian trap of thinking he's too good and stretching his range to places it shouldn't go, he should be very capable for this band now and in the future.

11.) Grayceon - All We Destroy (Standout Track: "A Road Less Traveled")
12.) Altar of Plagues - Mammal (Standout Track: "Feather and Bone")
13.) Aenaon - Cendres et Sang (Standout Track: "Psychonautic Odyssey")
14.) Infestus - Ex Ist (Standout Track: "Down Spiral Depersonification")
15.) Nader Sadek - In the Flesh (Standout Track: "Of This Flesh")
16.) Argus - Boldly Stride the Doomed (Standout Track: "A Curse on the World")
17.) Klabautamann - The Old Chamber (Standout Track: "Black Rain")
18.) Krisiun - The Great Execution (Standout Track: "Descending Abomination")
19.) Wolves in the Throne Room - Celestial Lineage (Standout Track: "Woodland Cathedral")
20.) Cormorant - Dwellings (Standout Track: "Funambulist")

Honorable Mentions (or, "Shit I Liked, But Not Enough to Knock Out That Other Good Shit"):

Burzum - Fallen
Decapitated - Carnival is Forever
Leviathan - True Traitor, True Whore
Monachus - Out of the Blue
Premonition 13 - 13

The Best EP's of 2011:

1.) Giant Squid - Cenotes
2.) Immolation - Providence
3.) Sepulchre - I
4.) After Oblivion - Vultures
5.) Negura Bunget - Poarta de Dincolo

Best Reissue (and it's not even close):

Death - Human

My favorite Death album (and one of the greatest death metal albums of all time, yes?) finally gets the production that it deserved. With this newfound clarity comes two things: 1.) Sean Reinert is a fucking awesome drummer, and 2.) Steve DiGiorgio's playing is even more complex than it seemed. Of course, my attention goes to the fucking amazing riffs that are littered throughout, as well as Schuldiner and Masvidal's soloing. Of the tracks here, "Lack of Comprehension" and "Vacant Planets" rank among my favorites. To hear them sound like this is fucking amazing, too. I was tempted to include this in my Top 20, because it's that good. Of course, that wouldn't be fair.

Negative Nancy Corner (or, "Disappointments"):

Opeth - Heritage
Mastodon - The Hunter
Relapse Records
Machine Head - Unto the Locust
Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events

Not a whole lot of disappointments, but these four records (and one entire label, yeesh) didn't really do it for me. To clarify on Relapse: while they did have Tombs and the excellent Death reissues, most of the rest was crap that I ignored or didn't care for. Better luck next year, I guess?

The Eternal Shrug (or, "Shit I Couldn't Figure Out Even If I Had Another Year To Do So"):

Flourishing - The Sum of All Fossils
Hate Eternal - Phoenix Amongst the Ashes
Loss - Despond
Mitochondrion - Parasignosis
Peste Noire - L'Ordure a l'Etat Pur
Ulcerate - The Destroyers of All

For whatever reason, I just couldn't get behind any of these, but I didn't actively dislike them either.

Negative Nancy Corner 2 (or, "Shit I Disliked"):

40 Watt Sun
Aosoth
Ash Borer
Azarath
Hell
Liturgy
Midnight
Mournful Congregation
Negative Plane
Primordial
Vektor

One caveat: my dislike for these is by no means equal. For example, Azarath, Mournful Congregation, and Vektor really aren't "bad", per se. Their inclusion is more of a reaction to how other people have elevated them, I guess.

So that's it. Was it too fucking long?

Yeah, probably. Leave a comment if you like, especially if you agree with any of this bullshit.

Sorry if the formatting sucks. This is about as good as it'll get, it seems.

2011: Some Words

PolarBear — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:50:00 GMT

2011 was a fuckin' year. I don't know how to describe it. It just fucking happened. The year kicked off with some tough shit that almost literally killed me. The months after were me just trying to recover, earn back trust, and make sense of things that can't be understood. I went back to college, finally. And I hate college. It's high school that puts you in a massive pit of debt. So then things started looking up finally, and a world-shattering tragedy hit my life.

But there was music. It's simple to say, but the fact that you're exploring (and maybe writing for) a website dedicated to the medium shows that you agree. Relationships may fail you, but music never does. Unless your computer crashes and you didn't back up your hard drive and you lose hundreds upon hundreds of albums. Did I tell you yet how much this year sucked?

I'll stop with that talk now. 2011 year was a tremendous year for music and especially for metal. People who complain about the quality either aren't looking or just completely put all their hopes in to Morbid Angel. I had fun with some of the debates taking place, no matter how petty or mindless they got. I still stand by Liturgy. I'm still speachless over the mess Mastodon dropped. And the new Leviathan album blew me away. I hope the dude didn't do it...

It was definately a banner year for both death metal and black metal. Picking albums from those two genres to put in my top ten was simply a toss up, and no matter which ones I picked I was always unsattified. Gigan didn't make it, despite my declaring Quasi-Hallucinogenic Sonic Landscapes to be the best death album of the year at one point. Obscura delivered a classic they had shown the potential for sinse they formed. Tombs didn't make it. Despite some borderline unlistenable production, I eventually fell hopelessly in love with the latest and last album from Caina. And lately I've become obsessed with the new WOLD. It's either the most amazing thing I've ever heard or the worst. I have to find out which...

Looking at other lists, I saw plenty missing. So I just want to close out this post with a short list of what I think were sadly overlooked and probably unheard. Either because they were EPs or splits or whatever. And while I almost only listened to metal this year, I'll also throw in some non-metal stuff I became smitten with this year. So here goes...

Elks- Destined for the Sun: This album will rock your brain out of your skull, and you'll thank it for doing so. A hyper-aggressive, sludgy hardcore-ish assault. With some thrash thrown in here and there. 6 tracks, and each one is a barn burner.

Irons/Pulling Teeth- Grey Saviour: The Irons side of this split was one of my biggest disapointments this year. When guys from Integrity and Converge meet up, I kind of want more than ambient music that's void of emotion and atmosphere. But the Pulling Teeth side? Holy shit. Two eight minute tracks of what may be the greatest music they've ever recorded. If you ignored Pulling Teeth because you thought they were just another Integrity clone, you need to hear this. They do the blazing hardcore thing as well as any 90s metalcore band you want to mention. But when they venture in to doom territory... seriously, go download it.

Starkweather/Overmars- Split: When I heard that this record came out in Europe, I lost my shit and spent money I didn't have to get it imported. Then Deathwish released it this year in the States. Starkweather do their thing. Strange, dark, even a little scary metalcore that everyone should be rockin' on a daily basis. Maybe it's not the greatest thing they've done. For that, go pick up Croatoan or This Sheltering Night. Immediately. But it still kicks ass. Then Overmars take over. Let's just say that if they had added a couple more tracks and released it as a full length, it'd not only be my album of the year but one of my favorite albums of all time. They do dark, epic sludge that might recall Neurosis, less in sound than in atmosphere and tone. It's kind of grimy and blacker-than-black, but also achingly beautiful. Not sure how, but it is. You guys keep worshipping Blut Aus Nord and Deathspell Omega. Sure, they deserve the respect, but the most terrifyingly powerful force in France is Overmars.

As I Lay Dying- Decas: I don't blame you for ignoring anything from As I Lay Dying. They're the poster boys for mall-core, right? But in case you haven't noticed, they've actually started to become pretty damn talented musicians and songwriters. Here, they have the balls to try to cover the Descendants, Slayer, and not one, but two tracks by Judas Priest. And all three of them are pretty sick. Especially Slayer's "War Ensemble". The three origanal tracks are surprisingly awesome too. But what really steals the show is the "medley" track, "Beneath the Encasing". I guess it's some earlier material re-recorded and mashed together, but it shreds. There are some bullshit remixes tacked on as well, because apparantly metalcore bands can't resist that shit, but overall, this EP kicks some ass.

Non-Metal:

Colin Stetson- New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges: I hate jumping on bandwagons, but damn, this shit is amazing. The stuff this dude does with a bass sax? Absolutely stunning

The Antlers- Burst Apart: This is one bandwagon I never jumped on. The hype machine went full speed on his Hospice, which I never got in to. Turns out, a love album revolved around a hospice is just as depressing as you'd expect. But on Burst Apart, every song hit my heart.

The Mountain Goats- All Eternals Decks: John Darnielle is maybe my favorite songwriter ever. Every song he writes I think he was writing just for me. But apparantly a lot of people feel the same way. This new album is one of his best. And Erik Rutan, of Hate Eternal and fuckin Florida death metal fame, produced a bunch of these songs. John is a pretty huge metalhead, and this album is amazing.

M83- Hurry Up, We're Dreaming: M83 mastermind Anthony Gonzalez does nothing but aim for the stars. And the scary thing is, he almost always reaches them. This double album is a heart-wrenching success, an epic and beautiful album which only comes once in a lifetime.

Jeff the Brotherhood- We Are the Champions: I love guitar-centric indie rock. There'll never be enough of it. And Jeff the Brotherhood perfect it, and do a bunch of other things right too. They're almost like a combination of Weezer, Dinosaur Jr., and T. Rex. But comparisons are too easy, and frankly unfair. Because these guys rock, and have fun doing so. They're one of the best bands I've experienced in a while.

F*@& !!! Another year end list. Who cares...

middleclassgallows — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:01:00 GMT

Yep. I'm gonna do it again. But does anyone ever really care about this list I'm ready to drop. Prolly not. Does it match up with the Metal Reviewers top 25? Not really, and thats why I'm posting. All right, lets cut to it.

1. The Atlas Moth - An Ache For Distance

2. Mastodon - The Hunter

3. Benighted - Asylum Cave

4. SubRosa - No Help For The Mighty Ones

5. Midnight - Satanic Royalty

6. Vector - Outer Isolation

7. Across Tundras - Sage

8. Castle - In Witch Order

9. Russian Circles - Empros

10. Cloudkicker - Let Yourself Be Huge

11. Today Is The Day - Pain Is A Warning

12. Book of Black Earth – The Cold Testament

13. The Black Dahlia Murder – Ritual

14. Black Spiders – Sons of the North

15. Red Fang – Murder The Mountains

16. Insomnium – One For Sorrow

17. Graveyard – Hisingen Blues

18. Skeletonwitch – Forever Abomination

19. Black Tusk – Set The Dial

20. Vallenfyre – A Fragile King

Honorable Mentions:

Anthrax – Worship Music, Bastard Priest – Ghouls of the Endless Night, Ghost Brigade – Until Fear No Longer Defines Us, Glorior Belli – The Great Southern Darkness, New Keepers of the Water Towers – The Calydonian Hunt, Havok – Time Is Up, Premonition 13 – 13, Protest The Hero – Scurrilous, Rwake – Rest, Scale The Summit – The Collective, Terra Tenebrosa – The Tunnels, The Devil’s Blood – The Thousandfold Epicenter, Volbeat – Beyond Heaven Above Hell, Yob – Atma.

Biggest disappointments:

Trivium’s In Waves. A solid metalcore release in a genre that is as tired as a Parisian whore circa Nazi-occupied Europe. Boys, bring back the boundry-pushing wankery of Shogun, it suits you better.

The Haunted – Unseen. WTF guys? Seriously?

And finally, the release that I wish I had discovered earlier:

Turbid North – Orogeny

And there ya go. Tear into it, curse at it or just completely ignore it.

Whatever.

Metal to save the World

Max Terrateya — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:08:00 GMT

Things go well, our new Band TERRATEYA rocks realy hard, the rehearsals work out better than we've ever expected, the CD is out now and the digital release is done. But what to do now?

It's Synphonic Metal, every song is special and tells a story, that's what we want to do. Telling storries, with the lyrics as well as with the music itself. Our topics deal about Nonviolent Communication, Anti War and Pro Nature.

But how do I make the Band more known?... surely we will work on that. meanwhile I'll practise my moshing \m/

cheerz

Max

Mini-Update

big_red01027 — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 06:10:00 GMT

What am I looking forward to? Mastodon, Lamb of God, Meshuggah, Opeth, Machine Head, Disma, YOB, and Wolves in the Throne Room.

It seems a little weird that I wrote that almost five months ago. Musically, at least, it's been an eventful five months! In fact, it's been all I could do to keep up with the tidal wave of releases that hit through September and October. Obviously, without MR I wouldn't have found the vast majority of what I've enjoyed since I last blogged. So I just want to give a loud and sincere THANK YOU to everyone here at MR for bringing my attention to the awesome metal I've heard in 2011.

Now, to the point of this mini-update: I noted my intent to do a top ten for 2011 back in July. I'm going to try to stick to that and have it out sometime before Christmas. That's the plan, at least, and we all know how the best laid plans, blah blah blah. I just wanted to make a quick point about the statement at the top that I quoted from the previous post.

Apparently, I had heightened expectations for things that I shouldn't have. And somehow, what started out as a top ten has ballooned into a top twenty, with honorable mentions, possibly a section on EP's, and maybe even more. Sounds like a pain in the ass, actually. Yet there seems to be enough good music in 2011 to highlight. I'm finding it difficult to write up a top ten for the MR Community Top Twenty; in part because there's been a lot of good stuff, and partly because I can't decide what to stand behind totally.

Anyway, I don't want to get too negative or too long-winded, but it's safe to say my expectations were skewed. Lamb of God and Meshuggah won't be releasing new records until 2012. Wolves in the Throne Room was quite good, but for some reason I didn't listen to it as much as other stuff. YOB is legitimately awesome; I feel like it should top quite a few end-of-year lists. Mastodon, Opeth, and Machine Head were huge disappointments. Disma didn't turn out to be as good as I hoped it would, but it seems that's how death metal has been as a whole, really. Krisiun and Nader Sadek put out good shit. Mitochondrion and Ulcerate? Not sure, as their take on death metal kinda goes over my head. Much of the rest has either been unimpressive or overrated.

I certainly didn't anticipate that black and doom would be the foremost sub-genres in 2011. I think that will show in my Best of 2011 list. What should definitely be apparent is my affinity for great guitar playing, no matter what sub-genre it inhabits.

Best of 2011

musicfiend — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:12:00 GMT

Ok so here it is. Not really presented in any sort of order, but I'll try to make a few comments on each one.

Mastodon - The Hunter: Never reviewed this one, but definitely my favorite album of the year. Upon first listen I thought "is this it?" Simplified songs with no unifying concept, nothing deeper than the music itself? Yep, that was it and it was one of the more "fun" albums I've heard in a while.

Trap Them - Darker Handcraft: Dominated the earlier half of the year for me. These guys keep getting better. Still have to get out to a show sometime.

Anaal Nathrakh - Passion: Nothing new style-wise for several releases now, but the songwriting keeps getting better. Thought this would be a bit boring when I heard the first song released from the album, but found myself going back to this again and again.

Entrails - The Tomb Awaits: Great death metal with the HM-2 used to maximum effect. If you want some early 90s Swedish sounding stuff, this is it.

Dark Castle - Surrender To All Life Beyond Form: Loved the first album, loved this one even more. Great album to listen to when you have time to just listen.

Red Fang - Murder The Mountains: Awesome band, awesome album, awesome dudes. Not that I know them personally, but as a fan on Facebook, having seen them live and recognizing their killer sense of humor from their videos, I feel it's safe to make such conclusions. Although their first album had a few more stronger songs, this one is a solid listen from start to finish, remedying the unevenness of their debut.

Today Is The Day - Pain Is A Warning: Not at all what I expected. Was never a huge fan of TITD and felt their back catalog to be hit and miss on a good day... this album dominated my summer. Some great riffs and lots of groove.

Tombs - Path Of Totality: Ever feel like it's winter after listening to an album, even though it's the middle of July? For some reason, this album did that for me. Much stronger songs and very effective atmosphere on this one.

Foo Fighters - Wasting Light: Not metal and I don't care. Their best album since There Is Nothing Left To Lose and one of the best sounding albums I've heard in a long time. Still listen to this semi-regularly.

Exhumed - All Guts, No Glory: My first exposure to Exhumed and I dig it. Seems like a theme running through this year's list is fun. Can death metal be fun? Oh well, this is fun.

Albums that would have made my 2010 list (if they didn't, can't remember if I put them on there and I'm too lazy to look if I even made a list last year):

Kvelertak (S/T); Ghost - Opus Eponymous; Electric Wizard - Black Mass

Other albums that I enjoyed this year and that you should check out:

Acephalix - Interminable Night: SF-based band. Dirty awesome music.

Amon Amarth - Surtur Rising: Hard not to include this as I think it's a great album. Just don't find myself going back to it as often as the others listed above, and kind of a letdown after Twilight Of The Thunder God.

Anthrax - Worship Music: Great comeback for them, even if it did sound a little awkward. On point musically, but sounded like Joey singing songs meant for John.

Azarath - Blasphemers' Malediction

Hammers of Misfortune - 17th Street: I live in SF and walk my dog around 17th street now and then. Just thought you'd want to know.

Hate Eternal - Phoenix Amongst The Ashes

Indian - Guiltless: Saw these guys live when they opened for High On Fire in Portland last week. Loved the album, but almost didn't list this here after seeing the show. Not that it was bad... they killed it, but take themselves way too fucking seriously. If the dude in the hat punched himself in the face one more time... Sense of humor badly needed.

Peggy Sue - Acrobats: Again, not metal but I don't care. Found out about this band on NPR while driving to see the wife for Thanksgiving. Great, haunting melodies and sparse indie-rock songs. Beautiful stuff.

This Has Been A Crappy Year

musicfiend — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:00:00 GMT

Not in my personal or professional life, as those have been pretty good. I got married over the summer and my job is okay. I'm talking about music. I was going through my iTunes a little bit ago, trying to prepare a list of my favorite albums for 2011 and came up with a total of 21 titles that I listened to with great regularity. Just 21! And 3 of those were released last year (US releases in 2011), so they don't count. Maybe I listen to so much music that it becomes background noise and I'm getting better at picking out the albums that I really enjoyed, rather than giving something the benefit of the doubt. As I read through the list I found myself saying "yes" or "no" as to whether I'd even consider it for a Top Whatever list; in past years I had given some albums a "maybe" and they made the preliminary list anyway.

There's lots of stuff I haven't listened to yet (Wolves in the Throne Room, Krallice, Junius, Insomnium) and other stuff I haven't spent enough time with (Hull, Giant Squid, Fleshgod Apocalypse). Not to mention the albums I can't really stand to listen to b/c I've read/heard too much about how awesome they are that it makes me NOT want to like them (Opeth, Machine Head, Autopsy). But seriously, the new Opeth album sucked. It wasn't that the music was bad b/c the band took a new direction... it's bad b/c NOTHING HAPPENS! It's just there.

I digress...

Anyway, anyone else feel like this was a pretty weak year for music in general? It's pretty obvious that sales are down b/c of a change in the industry and how people acquire music, but could part of it be that music just flat out sucks nowadays? Any thoughts?

The list to come. Working on it now.

Not So Fast and Some Evile

musicfiend — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 01:25:00 GMT

I was fully expecting/planning to update this more regularly when I started posting again a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately, "real life" always seems to get in the way. Needless to say, if anyone is even reading this, I'll try to post whenever I can or feel inspired to. The original objective to doing these posts was to share my thoughts on new(er) music that I was coming across, and write my honest, usually unbiased opinions of said releases. The biggest issue I've found lately is that very little music has come my way that's inspired me to either praise or bash it here. I'm not sure if anyone else feels this way, but a lot of the stuff I've been hearing lately has given me nothing more than a reason to "meh". Which brings me to...

Evile - Five Serpent's Teeth (7/10): After having heard OF Evile for a number of years, I finally decided to listen TO Evile recently. This is their third album, and I really don't know why I hadn't listened sooner, as there is certainly nothing all that off-putting here. Indeed, the band play a very competent version of modern thrash, with enough tempo changes to keep things interesting. I can't compare to earlier albums, b/c I haven't listened yet so I can't comment on how this stacks up to earlier releases. I do, however, know that this is the first release with bassist Joel Graham, who replaced Mike Alexander (who passed away in 2009). What would be nice here would be a little more dynamics... it feels and sounds like the band is playing at the same volume/intensity from start to finish. A minor complaint for sure, and not one as big as my gripe with vocalist Matt Drake. The guy has a decent enough voice, but far too often comes across as either a weak James Hetfield or Tom Araya clone, often times reminding me of Matt Heafy circa The Crusade. Overall a decent effort, but lacking that special something to push them to the top of the newest wave of thrash metal--or whatever they're calling it nowadays.

I'm back?

musicfiend — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 18:04:00 GMT

Even though I visit the site on a daily basis, it's been over two years since I've logged in and looked at this blog. It took me about 15 tries to remember my username/password combination. Anyway, since I've been in a writing mood and feeling overly opinionated lately, I figure I might as well submit my thoughts on the music I've been listening to. There's been a lot...

Miles of Ash FULL VERSION RELEASED FOR FREE!

Something Left Unsaid — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 22:29:00 GMT

We decided to let it go and get it in the hands of our friends and fans.
Hope you like it! If you do, hit us up at CD Baby, where the rest of our 2011 EP can be heard.

Requiem

PolarBear — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 00:59:00 GMT

We can always try to explain things and come to terms with trajedy. We can find ways to move on and rise again. But sometimes a trajedy is simply too great, too all-encompassing, and too heartbreaking to ever explain, and often move on from. We know who the villains of 9/11 were, that much we have come to terms with, and even the death of Al Quaeda's leader has provided a sort of closure for some. And we surely know who the hero's were, and still are. Office workers who refused to leave, and instead helped hundreds of total strangers get to safety. Officers and firefighters who charged in to those doomed towers, knowing full well there was a good chance, maybe even a certainty, that they would never see their friends and families again. And the thousands who worked and will continue to work towards picking up the peices. But beyond this, the truth of that day is not so clear. Our world and our individual lives changed, we just couldn't understand how, or how to go forward. Yet we did try to explain.

I remember the music of those months and years that followed 9/11, and it was so neatly divided in to three groups. Those that were sad and lost writing mournful songs. Those that were deeply patriotic, that looked to give America strength and confidence when America was at its weakest. And those that were angry. Angry at a harsh, angry world that had finally reached our shores, and angry at our impulsive government taking us in to two wars we hardly understood. I was only 11, but even then I knew nothing was this simple. With the image of dark smoke rising from the skyline still haunting me, how could I simply take to these musicians, who seemed to just want me to either be hopelessly sad, staunchly proud and strong, or blindly angry? I, like everyone, felt an array of emotions, all of them intense, but at the end of the day, I was confused. Everything had collapsed around me and the world I had grown up in and found security in was gone, and I was blind in this dark new world.

Of course I, like all Americans, including those that had lost so much more on that day than I had, moved on. Personall, I stopped looking for answers, I stopped looking back and rejected even the simplest of acknowledgement of 9/11. But years later, an album fell in to my hands.

I vaguely knew its story at the time. That the band's name was Explosions in the Sky. That on the album's cover was the image of a plane beaming a light down onto an angel, with the shadows of soldiers along the bottom. On the inside were the words "This plane will crash tomorrow". And that this album was released right before it's seemingly prophetic images and words became real. This album was Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever. So years later, I put this album on, and even with all this in the back of my mind, not a thought of 9/11 came to me as I hit play. But mere minutes later, I was crying. I didn't cry on 9/11, I didn't so much as tear up as I sat through the news coverage showing unbelievable devestation or watched countless heart-wrenching comemmerations and funerals. Yet here I was, and everything was so clear, and I couldn't stop crying. I saw my friends who had suddenly disappeared from my life when they lost fathers and mothers on 9/11, who had left with their families to try to rebuild and start a new life. I saw everything that was now gone. I saw the world as it had been, and what it had become after.

The album had been recorded before 9/11, and yet it captured everything all the other musicians I had been looking to for comfort had been missing. It didn't try to offer answers for why life falls apart. It didn't try to comfort. Like much of the post-rock at the time, it was the soundtrack to the end of the world. But not the dark end that Godspeed sought to capture, or the mysterious, sometimes violent one of Mogwai. It was not the sound of the epic and destructive end embodied by Neurosis and Isis. Instead, it was the sound of our security, innocence, and hope leaving. The world we thought we knew and blindly lived in was gone. The world we found ourselves in was dark and sorrowful. It was this transition that the album embodied. Yet in the sorrow and in the collapse, there was still beauty and still distinct glimmers of hope. Sitting there, hearing this album, I knew that even through the loss and uncertainty, there was something worth believing in and living for. Even in such a bleak time, there was still beauty to find. We can be sad, we can be angry, and can know that we will rise again. There may be no answers, but there is a promise that we will find comfort in moving on, and the best way to honor our heroes is to not wallow in the shadows, but to keep going forward until we're back in the light again.

I'm not writing this to put Explosions in the Sky on a pedestal they never wanted to be on. Ultimately, I'm writing this as a thank you, to them and the other artists who in response to trajedy, whether it be 9/11 or something more personal, have set out not to provide answers, but to provide a kind of truth. We may not always accept the truth we are offered, but occasionally, an artist will connect with us and we will hear and experience what we need to at that particular time in life, and we will find the strength to move on and live. This is why music is more than entertainment, and why it has helped myself and countless others find a way to live when we are completely lost and hopeless. I thank every musician and artist who display bravery in their ability to go beyond simple sentiments and explore these truths. And most of all I thank all the heroes of 9/11 and the ensuing wars and their families, who have given up and endured more on our behalf than I can ever imagine. There is something else written in the booklet to Those Who Tell the Truth. "Help us stay alive". By continuing to create art like this, and continuing to find happiness and hope, we will help the fallen stay alive. God bless.

new stuff

Blackgaze — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 03:01:00 GMT

here: http://www.archive.org/details/megastar

including two remixes from the one-man french metal band Fragment.

Some Thoughts on Metal in 2011 (so far)

big_red01027 — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 05:08:00 GMT

Over the last week or so, I've made it my mission to digest as much metal as I can.

My first challenge was finding out what was out there, exactly. Apparently, I have a fairly "ordinary" taste in metal; I like bands that are well-known, that generally operate in the death/thrash/"extreme" sub-genres. I'm not a huge fan of black or doom, though I can certainly appreciate releases from those genres if I put the effort in. But to be honest, my top two favorite bands are Rush and Tool; both of them are heavily progressive, with a lot of variety in each song, as well as copious amounts of melody and headbanging riffs. Of course, when I say "melody", I mean as far as it goes in metal. I don't like pop and have no patience for it. And I generally don't like female singers, unless they're really good (Julie Christmas and Ihriel are the two best examples). I like variety in the music I listen to, and that means shifting tempos, time signatures, dynamics, etc.

Checking out HTC on stereogum.com and then eventually Metal Review, I was stunned to find just how much metal is out there that I had NEVER HEARD OF. Shocked the hell out of me, really. My response to the recent Top 26 Metal Albums of 2011 (so far) list on HTC was "what the fuck is all this"? There's a lot of black metal on there (as usual) and most of the stuff is really obscure to me, because I don't have sources for the true underground shit. Now I know where to look, more or less. I'm sure there's stuff that I'm missing out on still, but I'd like to think that someone who knows better will cover it either as it comes out or at the end of the year.

So, basically, I had just a few albums from 2011 in my collection. This includes stuff like Abysmal Dawn, Believer, Bloodiest, BTBAM, Cavalera Conspiracy, The Gates of Slumber, Obscura, and Tombs. Is there a thread here? Well, a few of those were released by Relapse, which has long been one of my favorite labels. By "long", I mean since 2003. So I guess it's not really that long...it just seems that way to me. Then I was checking out some reviews on Sputnik Music, which led me to listen to some industrial-tinged stuff that really isn't worth mentioning.

That leaves the list that I referred to above. As I said, most of the stuff on there is really obscure to me. I had literally never heard of 18 of the 26 bands on there. Where the fuck have I been? Hiding in my hole, I guess, without proper sources to feed my addiction to metal. I had only heard 3 of the 26 on there before reading it, too. So it was clear that I had some work to do.

I think the ones that most impressed me were BTBAM, Cavalera Conspiracy, and The Gates of Slumber. Tombs was good on the first listen, but multiple listens haven't really done much for me. I seem to have backslid on it. Why do I like BTBAM, Cavalera Conspiracy, and The Gates of Slumber? Well, most of it has to do with the riffs. Riffs are everything to me; I play guitar, so I want to hear other guitarists bring the meat when it comes to riffing. BTBAM's "Specular Reflection" does that in spades, plus it has quite a bit of variety to it. The other two tracks are kind of meh, but it's still a notable release to me. Cavalera Conspiracy has an interesting trio of songs inspired by two historical figures and the Branch Davidians. Admittedly, it's simple music with simple lyrics. And Max Cavalera has been writing songs like that since...what, 1991? So it's not terribly original either. But for some reason, it resonates. Probably because, as I noted before, I really like thrash. The Gates of Slumber is a bit different; honestly, I don't think The Wretch is a step forward from Hymns of Blood and Thunder. But it's a powerful fucking record, nonetheless, especially the first three tracks and the epic closer "Iron and Fire". I've been listening to Hour of 13's The Ritualist quite a bit as well, but I'm confused as to whether that came out in 2010 or 2011; the sources are unclear and contradictory.

Back to the list. Between it and the albums reviewed here on Metal Review...well, let's just say it's quite a lot. I guess for the ease of reading, I'll divide what I've heard so far into three categories: what I like, what I dislike, and undecided.

What I like: KEN mode, Maruta, Burzum, Autopsy, Peste Noire, Altar of Plagues, Necros Christos, Krallice, Batillus, Book of Black Earth, LIK, Mitochondrion, Pale Chalice [EP], Vastum, Vreid, Decapitated

What I don't like: Portrait, Ash Borer, Sonne Adam, In Solitude, Gridlink, Morbid Angel, Trap Them, Ulcerate

Undecided: Liturgy, Loss, 40 Watt Sun, Indian, Blut Aus Nord, Morne, Assaulter, Dark Castle, Deafheaven, Desolate Shrine, Embers, Fen, Grayceon, Monachus, Primordial, SubRosa

Phew. What a mess.

What am I looking forward to? Mastodon, Lamb of God, Meshuggah, Opeth, Machine Head, Disma, YOB, and Wolves in the Throne Room. I've heard rumors of a new Tool record, but nothing substantial. The first five are bands that I generally enjoy. Disma is another new one to me that I look forward to devouring. And YOB and Wolves in the Throne Room represent my effort to branch out from what I usually listen to.

Honestly, the "what I like" column doesn't contain anything that hit me as hard as some of the great music from last year. And the "undecided" ones...well, it's a mess. Those will all take careful consideration, probably weeks worth. So I doubt I'll have any conclusions on them for awhile, but once I do I'll probably update this here blog thing. I hope to also contribute a top 10 or whatever at the end of the year. Though at the rate it's going now, it's going to be difficult. I think I could fill two or three slots comfortably at this point, and they'd still fall short of 2010.

Zeke

zé — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:44:00 GMT

I'll be moving out of my current place this week so in the past few days I've been trying to make some headway with the dreadfully boring task of organizing my stuff. Dissembling cheap Swedish furniture that isn't' worth the wood it's made of is not my idea of a good time, except maybe if done with an axe. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Since whining and complaining about it didn't seem to get any work done, a change in strategy was in order. People will seek motivation just about anywhere to overcome the lack of will to do such mundane, everyday tasks. Hard drugs, going to church, Dr Phil's audio books (I'm not here to judge), and so on. Most of the time, I turn to music for a pick-me-up, especially the hard-hitting stuff. Fast and furious will do fine. ZEKE will do better.

I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay

I rock all night and I drink all day

Here's a bunch of fellows that don't like to beat around the bush, 2 seconds in and you'll know exactly what they're aiming at: to entertain your primitive self by playing some nasty, gritty, capital letters ROCK. They sound like they've been on a steady diet of Motörhead and amphetamines for years. Vocalist/guitarrist "Blind" Marky rasps like an angry Lemmy Kilmister gone full punk, the riffs sound like they were spewed out by the Dwarves and the rhythm section of Jeff "The Kid" Matz (bass) and Donny "Paycheck" (drums) would make Discharge proud. Even their aliases cry out Rock n' Roll. Music nowadays needs bands like ZEKE, who remind us of the urgency that defined the early stages of punk and hardcore and that should have never gone out of style (thanks a lot, Green Day). Their booze-drenched tunes pack enough punch to make you want to hit the road, this stuff reeks of cheap fuel and burned rubber. Kings of the road indeed.

Hell yeah.

So, the next time you're in the mood for some "Ace of Spades", tune in some Zeke. If all the name-dropping made you the least curious, chances are you're going to like it. Go grab their latest output, Till The Living End, play it loud and antagonize your neighbours. Next time a cup of joe just isn't enough to get you through the day, you know where to turn to.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

In Defense of Liturgy

PolarBear — Tue, 17 May 2011 16:39:00 GMT

I am a metalhead. I've been hopelessly devoted to metal ever since picking up Mastodon's Remission and hearing those crushing riffs of "March of the Fire Ants" and the distant, haunting intro to "Ol' Nessie". I've been chasing that high ever since, looking for more music as cathartic, musically complex, and adventurous. And almost every time, this search has sent me down the path of metal instead of say, indie or electronic music. High on Fire, Pig Destroyer, Isis, Converge, Atheist, Deathspell Omega, Wolves in the Throne Room, Cobalt, Sunn, Harvey Milk. I can keep going listing all the bands that have given me that life-affirming high, and like I said, almost all have been metal bands. I say all this as an introduction only because a certain band's credibility within the metal community has been under frequent attack over recent months, and because I can't for the life of me understand why. I'm no expert, but will go as far to claim that I know real, sincere METAL when I hear it. When I first heard Liturgy, I knew they were a game changer, maybe not in the entire black metal scene but atleast on a more personal level in the way I percieved what black metal could be. And I know I'm not the only one, as Liturgy has since that time won over the hearts of many fans and critics.

Yes, Renihilation was imperfect. They were a young band and some of their songs tended to blend together a little too much, giving only a few truelly memorable moments. But here was a band that had a genuinely unique vision and sound. Their songs found a middle ground between the metalgaze of Agalloch and Tombs and the complex musicianship of Krallice. And while too many bands had started following the post-metal songstructures and slow build up of black metal acts influenced by Weakling, here was a band that could skip the pleasantries and go straight for the climax and successfully stay there for over 5 minutes. That's right, a climax that lasts over 5 minutes. That was the greatest strength of Renihilation and the main reason I keep going back, because it's music that does not feel tied down by tradition or style.

And now their newest effort has dropped, Aesthetica. In case you haven't noticed, it's already been a pretty big deal, garnering rave reviews from the likes of Pitchfork and TinyMixtapes. Now you've noticed that by the "likes of Pitchfork and TinyMixtapes" I mean indie publications. Or as many would like to refer to that crowd as, hipsters. Why have Liturgy been so embraced by indie kids and the avant garde crowd? I can't really say. I don't know how they got picked up from underground metal label 20BuckSpin. Maybe they played one too many colleges and word spread around an unlikely source, I don't know, I don't live in the north where they're located. All I know is that not for a second did I listen to Liturgy and think that they fit in to the subgenre of metal I refer to as "really heavy indie", which is where I would put Torche, Helms Alee, and Kylesa, three bands which have been embraced whole-heartidly by the metal community despite their non-metal influences.

But in case you haven't heard it, Aesthetica is a stunning album. Maybe not quite my album of the year (it's early yet, and Primordial, Mitochondrion, and Hate Eternal are making that a tough field), but it's an album that builds upon their strengths (subtle, complex, and trance-inducing guitar work) and creates strengths they did not have before. I've always said, if you have a talented drummer, give him some room to work, and Liturgy does, as the percussion is now a highlight where once it was just passable. The album is a little more melodic, allowing far more riffs to stick with you for longer than the album plays for. And the experimental bits, like a capella and electronic intros, actually feel relevant and not tacked on like they would with a lesser band (i.e. most metalcore/deathcore/Sumeriancore). It's epic without trying too hard, and these guys aren't forcing atmosphere like many of their black metal peers.

I'm not saying these guys haven't made a few bad decisions that have hurt their image. We've all seen and cringed to the interviews on YouTube. But honestly, do I disagree with their stances? No. I don't want all my black metal to be about death and frozen soundscapes and satanism. So while it may sound ridiculous to hear them describe, I appreciate the fact that they have found more inspiration from trancendentalism and romanticism. Do I really know what that means? No. But I don't care. When the end result is unique, it's a good thing that their influences are unique too. And give them credit for actually talking about their music openly. Am I the only one who has grown tired of black metal bands that hide behind secrecy, cheap shock tactics, and forced satanism? I'm glad they look like hipsters. It's refreshing. And they're not the only ones. What about the guys in Woe, Agalloch, and Primordial? Are they out there in blood and corpse paint and spiked wrist bands? Nope. Are the three of them constantly attacked on message boards and metal review sites? Nope. Are Deathspell Omega insulted over their absolutely ridiculous, too-complicate-for-even-them-to-understand philosphy? Nope.

I don't know who I'm preaching to at this point, but my hope is that atleast a few people will read this and give Liturgy an honest chance, which like any talented and sincere band they deserve. The dialogue on Liturgy and any other band that may not fall clearly in to one scene or another should be less about them being hipsters and more about their music. That's all I'm saying. Maybe we'll start seeing some earnest conversations on metalcore? And bands on Sumerian? And, who knows, even deathcore? I can only hope to change the world in such a positive way. And yes, I am that full of myself. Thanks for reading.

Of Darkness and Shredding: Non-Metal for Metalheads Pt. 2

PolarBear — Sat, 07 May 2011 07:19:00 GMT

Daniel Menche

As a huge fan of noise, drone, sound collage, and dark ambient, Daniel Menche's work hits a ton of sweet spots for me. Two of his recent albums especially have been pretty stunning. Terre Paroxysm on Utech Records (http://www.utechrecords.com/Releases2.html) is a powerful work built with sounds from nature and captures the harsher characteristics of the earth. Kataract, meanwhile, was recorded solely with sounds captured at waterfalls, which may sound like some kind of cheap ambient cd you'd find at Bed, Bath, & Beyond, but the end result is a crushing, dark, and engulfing listen, a very easy album to lose yourself in.

Implodes- Black Earth

Kranky may have lost their best bands with Low, Deerhunter, and obviously Godspeed You! Black Emperor, but they continue to bring up solid post-rock and experimental bands at a stunning rate. One of their best new bands is Implodes, a dark ambient outfit whose core sound is built from black metal. The album may not get very harsh or even very dark, but fans of elemental black metal like Wolves in the Throne Room and Agalloch should do themselves a favor and check it out.

Bill Orcutt- A New Way to Pay Old Debts

This album shreds. To call it an acoustic guitar record may bring to mind guys like James Blackshaw and Jack Rose, but Bill Orcutt, of noise rock group Harry Pussy fame, has more attitude, less elegance, and just as much talent as any of those guys. Complex, largely improvised songs that in the end is simply just great blues, but played like you've never heard before.

http://www.handmadebirds.com/

The new record label run by R. Loren of Pyramids and Sailors with Wax Wings that has already boasted releases from Blut Aus Nord, Black Boned Angel, and William Fowler Collins and has a release from the essential Human Quena Orchestra on the horizon. Also they released the paper by Liturgy's Hunter Hunt-Hendrix on transcendental black metal as a book. I kid you not. The cover is worth a laugh or two, atleast.

my will to power

Blackgaze — Thu, 05 May 2011 17:34:00 GMT

new shit here http://www.archive.org/details/awaken_251

Trust Me on This: Non-Metal for Metalheads Pt. 1

PolarBear — Sun, 01 May 2011 00:25:00 GMT

Possibly the most frustrating aspect of having chosen metal as not just a musical preference but also as a lifestyle is that I find myself constantly being asked "How can you only listen to metal?" Because the truth is, the more I talk to other metalheads (not a derogatory term, by the way, it's time to embrace the title) the more I see that they are far more willing to explore music beyond their comfort zone than are people who listen mostly to say dance music or pop. So with that in mind, I've decided to start sharing some of the things I've stumbled across within the musical underground that I believe will have a strong appeal within the metal community. And first up...

V/H/S (http://videohorrorshow.com/)

To call V/H/S a record label is more than a little misleading. It's time to go digging in your garage, because these guys are utilizing maybe the most illogical media format of all. Yep, as their name implies, V/H/S releases music on VHS. Obviously, there's some dark, trippy imagery to accompany your journey, because apparantly the music wasn't dark and trippy enough. Their first release was from black metal project Suffer the Shards of the Lost Cult of Silence, which features Matt Moore and Chris Grigg of Woe. Unfortunately, it sold out immediately, but the second release was bumped up to a whopping 100 copies. The Five Wounds from Mascara (normally spelt with triangles for a's and stuff) is a single dark electro track that builds up in tension and unease over 15 minutes and never gives you the pleasure of a satisfying climax. Which may sound like a jab but is actually a compliment because this one will be haunting you. Follow this label, buy everything they release, and tell your friends, because I want the videos to keep coming, and so will you.

Prurient- "Many Jewels Surround the Crown" (Hydrahead)

I make no secret of what my most anticipated album of 2011 was and still is; the Hydrahead full length debut of Dominic Fernow's Prurient. I've been a huge fan ever since And Still, Wanting and I knew Hydrahead would be the perfect home for Fernow as he explored new terrain. And his debut EP for the label, a 7" with two versions of the same track, does not dissapoint. It's essentially spoken word (aside from the b-side) and harsh noise driven by John Carpenter-esque synths, and it's glorious. Pick it up before it sells out or find it on your choice digital store and you'll be as psyched for the LP as I am. Guaranteed. Also check out his work with black metal band Ash Pool.

People in a Position to Know (http://piaptk.com/)

PIAPTK is not even remotely a metal label. What they are is a label that presses the majority of their releases on plastic dinner plates. They're always super limited, they're tough to get to play (they tend to get stuck and stop playing on my turntable) which means you'll have to stand there and make sure it plays smoothly. The kind of obsession it takes to be a fan of this label is straight-up metal, man. And the best part is that they have a great ear for talent, as everything I've bought from them has been ace. Download their free sampler, and you'll be hooked too.

Death Metal 1985-1995

Wanderer — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 10:59:00 GMT

Chronologically ordered, click for sound.

1985

Death- Infernal Death

Possessed- Seven Churches

Death- Back from the Dead

Sepultura- Bestial Devastation

Terminal Death- Faces of Death

Warhammer- Abattoir of Death

Savage Death- Mass Genocide

1986

Necrophagia- Nightmare Continues

Sepultura- Morbid Visions

Death- Mutilation

Hatred- Drowning in Afterbirth

Morbid Angel- Abominations of Desolation

Bestial Death- Suicide of the Immortal

Corpse- Black Dawn

1987

Necrophagia- Season of the Dead

Necrovore- Divus De Mortuus

Carcass- Flesh Ripping Sonic Torment

Death- Scream Bloody Gore

Merciless- Behind the Blackdoor

Azagthoth- Shredded Flesh

Massacra- Legion of Torture

Sepultura- Schizophrenia

Slaughter- Strappado

Macabre- Grim Reality

Necrodeath- Into the Macabre

Devastation- Dispensable Bloodshed

Obscurity- Damnation’s Pride

Leviathan- Legions of the Undead

Morbid- December Moon

1988

Legion of Death- Legion of Death

Nihilist- Premature Autopsy

Bolt Thrower- In Battle There Is No Law

Mutilated- Psychodeath Lunatics

Autopsy- Critical Madness

Carcass- Reek of Putrefaction

Death- Leprosy

Deceased- Birth By Radiation

Num Skull- Ritually Abused

Psychic Possessor- Toxin Diffusion

Exmortis- Descent into Chaos

1989

Darkthrone- Thulcandra

Mortem- Slow Death

Xysma- Swarming of the Maggots

Autopsy- Severed Survival

Cannibal Corpse- Cannibal Corpse

Morbid Angel- Altars of Madness

D.V.C.- Descendent Upheaval

Repulsion- Horrified

Obituary- Slowly We Rot

Dead Horse- Horsecore: An Unrelated Story That’s Time Consuming

Treblinka- Severe Abomination

Blood- Impulse to Destroy

Sorcery- Unholy Crusade

Nihilist- Drowned

Sepultura- Beneath the Remains

Necro Schizma- Erupted Evil

Bolt Thrower- Realm of Chaos

Atrocity- Blue Blood

Carcass- Symphonies of Sickness

Godflesh- Streetcleaner

Pestilence- Consuming Impulse

Deceased- Nuclear Exorcist

Asphyx- Mutilating Process

Macabre- Gloom

Necrodeath- Fragments of Insanity

Atomic Aggressor- Bloody Ceremony

Sempiternal Deathreign- The Spooky Gloom

Burnt Offering- Burnt Offering

Ripping Corpse- Splattered Remains

Disciples of Power- Powertrap

Exmortis- Immortality’s End

Dr. Shrinker- Wedding the Grotesque

Atheist- Piece of Time

1990

Paradise Lost- Lost Paradise

Massacra- Final Holocaust

Death- Spiritual Healing

Merciless- The Awakening

Impetigo- Ultimo Mondo Cannibale

Carnage- Dark Recollections

Abhorrence- Vulgar Necrolatry

Sinister- Perpetual Damnation

Necrophobic- Slow Asphyxiation

Pungent Stench- For God Your Soul… For Me Your Flesh

Cancer- To the Gory End

Toxodeth- Mysteries About Life and Death

Morgoth- The Eternal Fall

Entombed- Left Hand Path

Tiamat- Sumerian Cry

Deicide- Deicide

Napalm Death- Harmony Corruption

Nirvana 2002- Disembodied Spirits

Abhorrence- Abhorrence

Cannibal Corpse- Eaten Back to Life

Nocturnus- The Key

Disharmonic Orchestra- Expositionsprophylaxe

Grotesque- Incantation

Benediction- Subconscious Terror

Obituary- Cause of Death

Atrocity- Hallucinations

Cadaver- Hallucinating Anxiety

Master- Master

Thanatos- Emerging From the Netherworlds

Hellwitch- Syzygial Miscreancy

Atrocity- Infected

Nuclear Death- Bride of Insect

Obliveon- From This Day Forward

Abomination- Abomination

Deathcore- Spontaneous Underground

Sadistic Intent- Impending Doom

Chronic Decay- Ecstasy in Pain

Delirium- Zzooouhh

Winter- Into Darkness

Xysma- Above the Mind of Morbidity

1991:

Darkthrone- Soulside Journey

Therion- Of Darkness…

Interment- Where Death Will Increase

Asphyx- The Rack

Autopsy- Mental Funeral

Morgoth- Cursed

Malevolent Creation- Ten Commandments

Unleashed- Where No Life Dwells

Suffocation- Human Waste

Cancer- Death Shall Rise

Dismember- Like An Everflowing Stream

Ripping Corpse- Dreaming With the Dead

Nuclear Death- Carrion For Worm

Necrony- Mucu-Purulent Miscarriage

Bolt Thrower- Warmaster

Cannibal Corpse- Butchered At Birth

Morbid Angel- Blessed Are the Sick

Edge of Sanity- Nothing But Death Remains

Immolation- Dawn of Possession

Grave- Into the Grave

Atheist- Unquestionable Presence

Tiamat- The Astral Sleep

Pestilence- Testimony of the Ancients

Gorguts- Considered Dead

Benediction- The Grand Leveller

Death- Human

Suffocation- Effigy of the Forgotten

Carcass- Necroticism- Descanting the Insalubrious

Morpheus- Adipocere

Entombed- Clandestine

Sentenced- Shadows of the Past

Deceased- Luck of the Corpse

Sorcery- Bloodchilling Tales

Master- On the Seventh Day God Created… Master

Imperator- The Time Before Time

Fatal- A Somber Evocation of Nihilism

Massacra- Enjoy the Violence

Revenant- Prophecies of a Dying World

Thormenthor- Dissolved in Absurd

Assorted Heap- The Experience of Horror

Cynic- Demo 1991

Mega Slaughter- Call From the Beyond

Skeletal Earth- Eulogy For a Dying Fetus

Carbonized- For the Security

Funebre- Children of the Scorn

Mortuary- Blackened Images

Corpus Rottus- Rituals of Silence

Sororicide- The Entity

Viogression- Expound and Exhort

Gorefest- Mindloss

Jumpin’ Jesus- The Art of Crucifying

Demigod- Unholy Domain

Leprosy- Wicked Reich

At the Gates- Gardens of Grief

Demilich - The Four Instructive Tales... Of Decomposition

Agonized- Gods…

1992:

Darkified- Sleep Forever

Atrocity- The Art of Death

Therion- Beyond Sanctorum

Belsebub- Elohim

Malevolent Creation- Retribution

Obituary- The End Complete

Assorted Heap- Mindwaves

Timeghoul- Tumultuous Travelings

Grave- You’ll Never See

Unleashed- Shadows in the Deep

Baphomet- The Dead Shall Inherit

Incantation- Onward to Golgotha

Disharmonic Orchestra- Not to Be Undimensional Conscious

Monstrosity- Imperial Doom

Cianide- The Dying Truth

Séance- Fornever Laid To Rest

Fleshcrawl- Descend into the Absurd

Deicide- Legion

Asphyx- Crush the Cenotaph

Napalm Death- Utopia Banished

Massacra- Signs of the Decline

Cemetary- An Evil Shade of Grey

Furbowl- Those Shredded Dreams

Edge of Sanity- Unorthodox

At the Gates- The Red in the Sky is Ours

In the Dark Pit- In the Dark Pit

Vital Remains- Let Us Pray

Bolt Thrower- The IVth Crusade

Fear Factory- Soul of a New machine

Atrocity- Todessehnsucht

Cannibal Corpse- Tomb of the Mutilated

Miasma- Changes

Hypocrisy- Penetralia

Sorrow- Hatred and Disgust

Autopsy- Acts of the Unspeakable

Benediction- Dark is the Season

Accidental Suicide- Deceased

Asphyx- Last One on Earth

Cadaver- …In Pains

Amorphis- The Karelian Isthmus

Gorefest- False

Chemical Breath- Fatal Exposure

Polluted Inheritance- Ecocide

Afflicted- Prodigal Sun

Nocturnus- Thresholds

Marduk- Dark Endless

Armoured Angel- Stigmartyr

Thanatos- Realm of Ecstasy

Blood- Christbait

Merciless- The Treasure Within

Eternal Dirge- Morbus Ascendit

Impetigo- Horror of the Zombies

Disgrace- Grey Misery

Necrophiliac- Chaopula- Citadel of Mirrors

Disastrous Murmur- Rhapsodies in Red

Sinister- Cross the Styx

Convulse- World Without God

Eructation- Demo 1992

Transgressor- Ether For Scapegoat

Cenotaph- The Gloomy Reflection of Our Hidden Sorrows

Dark Millennium- Ashore the Celestial Burden

Pan. Thy. Monium.- Dawn of Dreams

Demigod- Slumber of Sullen Eyes

Purtenance- Member of Immortal Damnation

Altar- Ex Oblivione

Cartilage- The Fragile Concept of Existence

Headrot- Among the Remains

Sarkasm- Inner Flame

Liers in Wait- Spiritually Uncontrolled Art

Usurper- Demo ‘92

Belial- Wisdom of Darkness

Adramelech- Spring of Recovery

Morpheus Descends- Ritual of Infinity

1993:

Gorguts- The Erosion of Sanity

Desultory- Into Eternity

Demilich- Nespithe

Demented Ted- Promises Impure

Unanimated- In the Forest of the Dreaming Dead

Soulstorm- Darkness Visible

Disincarnate- Dreams of the Carrion Kind

Wombbath- Internal Caustic Torments

Macabre- Sinister Slaughter

Pestilence- Spheres

Dissection- The Somberlain

At the Gates- With Fear I Kiss the Burning Darkness

Depravity- Silence of the Centuries

Suffocation- Breeding the Spawn

Bloodsoaked- Frost Image

Violent Dirge- Elapse

Divine Eve- As the Angels Weep

Sentenced- North From Here

Cynic- Focus

Death- Individual Thought Patterns

Morbid Angel- Covenant

Deteriorate- Rotting in Hell

Brujeria- Matando Güeros

Mordicus- Dances From Left

Necrophobic- The Nocturnal Silence

Benediction- Transcend the Rubicon

Krabathor- Cool Mortification

Pathologist- Grinding Opus of Forensic Medical Problems

Hypocrisy- Osculum Obscenum

Carcass- Heartwork

Loudblast- Sublime Dementia

Kataklysm- The Mystical Gate of Reincarnation

Vader- The Ultimate Incantation

Amorphis- Privilege of Evil

Dismember- Indecent and Obscene

God Macabre- The Winterlong

In Flames- Lunar Strain

Brutality- Screams of Anguish

Obliveon- Nemesis

Order From Chaos- Stillbirth Machine

Sinister- Diabolical Summoning

Carbonized- Disharmonization

Suffer- Global Warming

Edge of Sanity- The Spectral Sorrows

Horrified- In the Garden of the Unearthly Delights

Rottrevore- Iniquitous

Disembowelment- Transcendence into the Peripheral

Ceremony- Tyranny From Above

Phlebotomized- Preach Eternal Gospels

Eucharist- A Velvet Creation

Antropomorphia- Necromantic Love Songs

Supuration- The Cube

Excruciate- Passage of Life

Electrocution- Inside the Unreal

Morta Skuld- Dying Remains

Anatomy- Twisting Depths of Horror

Utumno- Across the Horizon

Séance- Saltrubbed Eyes

Resurrection- Embalmed Existence

Ceremonial Oath- The Book of Truth

Morgue- Eroded Thoughts

Pyrexia- Sermon of Mockery

Crypt of Kerberos- World of Myths

Crucifixion- Desert of Shattered Hopes

Rippikoulu- Musta Seremonia

Necrony- Pathological Performances

Belial- Never Again

Mythic- Mourning in the Winter Solstice

Burial- Relinquished Souls

Creepmime- Shadows

Illdisposed- Four Depressive Seasons

Pale Unearthed- The Attributes

Spina Biffida- Ziyada

Skeleton of God- Urine Garden

1994:

Scum- Mother Nature

Sarcasm- A Touch of the Burning Red Sunset

Incantation- Mortal Throne of Nazarene

Gutted- Bleed For Us to Live

Oppressor- Solstice of Oppression

Cannibal Corpse- The Bleeding

Gorement- The Ending Quest

Napalm Death- Fear, Emptiness, Despair

Desultory- Bitterness

Insanity- Death After Death

At the Gates- Terminal Spirit Disease

Brutality- When the Sky Turns Black

Gorefest- Erase

Cenotaph- Riding Our Black Oceans

Amorphis- Tales From the Thousand Lakes

Furbowl- The Autumn Years

Edge of Sanity- Purgatory Afterglow

Hypocrisy- The Fourth Dimension

In Flames – Subterranean

Bolt Thrower- For Victory

Cryptopsy- Blasphemy Made Flesh

Hetsheads- We Hail the Possessed

Armoured Angel- Mysterium

Thormenthor- Abstract Divinity

Pavor- A Pale Debilitating Autumn

Timeghoul- Panoramic Twilight

Suffer- Structures

Morta Skuld- As Humanity Fades

Septic Flesh- Mystic Places of Dawn

Gomorrah- Reflections of Inanimate Matter

Uncanny- Splenium for Nyktophobia

Korpse- Pull the Flood

Dominus- View to the Dim

Mangled Torsos- Drawings of the Dead

Morpheus Descends- Chronicles of the Shadowed Ones

Infester- To the Depths in Degradation

Banished- Deliver Me Unto Pain

Gangrena- Infected Ideologies

Nuctemeron- A Time the World Forgot

1995:

Imprecation- Theurgia Goetia Summa

Kataklysm- Sorcery

Unanimated- Ancient God of Evil

Death- Symbolic

Deicide- Once Upon the Cross

Morbid Angel- Domination

Molested- Blod-Draum

Suffocation- Pierced From Within

Adramelech- The Fall

Sinister- Hate

Incantation- Upon the Throne of Apocalypse

Dismember- Massive Killing Capacity

Benediction- The Dreams You Dread

Disaffected- Vast

At the Gates- Slaughter of the Soul

Dissection- Storm of the Light’s Bane

Vader- De Profundis

Deceased- The Blueprints For Madness

Order From Chaos- Dawnbringer

Phantasm- The Abominable

Experiment Fear- Assuming the Godform

Caducity- The Weiliaon Quest

Septic Flesh- Esoptron

Scum- Purple Dreams and Magic Poems

Xenomorph- Empyreal Regimes

Gorelust- Reign of Lunacy

The Chasm- From the Lost Years

Crystal Age- Far Beyond Divine Horizons

Rhadamantys- Labyrinth of Thoughts

Wicked Innocence- Omnipotence

Negation and other releases

Blackgaze — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 03:28:00 GMT

free electronic music made by me. shoegaze, drone, ambient, minimal. here is my last "record":

http://www.archive.org/details/negation

http://impostor.bandcamp.com/

You should find my other releases on this page by looking for "Impostor":

http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=creator%3A%22Impostor%22

thanks for checking

My Top Metal Albums of 2011

opy666 — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 16:07:00 GMT

Deleted

Black Metal 1991-1997

Wanderer — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:40:00 GMT

Chronologically ordered, click for sound.

1991

Samael- Worship Him

Thorns- Grymyrk

Arcturus- My Angel

Goatlord- Reflections of the Solstice

Beherit- The Oath of Black Blood

Master’s Hammer- Ritual

Burzum- Demo I

Malfeitor- Malfeitor

1992

Darkthrone- A Blaze in the Northern Sky

Burzum- Burzum

Grand Belial’s Key- Goat of a Thousand Young

Bestial Summoning - The Dark War Has Begun

Beelzebub- Apotheosis

Throne of Ahaz - At the Mountains of Northern Storms

Satyricon- All Evil

Baxaxaxa – Hellfire

Immortal- Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism

Emperor- Wrath of the Tyrant

Mystifier- Wicca

Impaled Nazarene- Tol Cormpt Norz Norz Norz…

Graveland- Drunemeton

Samael- Blood Ritual

Katatonia- Jhva Elohim Meth

Perdition Hearse- Mala Fide

Von- Satanic Blood

Thorns- Trøndertun

Enslaved- Yggdrasill

Malfeitor- Pandemonium

Azhubham Haani- On A Snowy Winternight

Carpathian Forest- Bloodlust and Perversion

Incarnator- Nordic Holocaust

Sigillum Diaboli- Descent Into Hell

1993

Behemoth- The Return of the Northern Moon

Burzum- Aske

Abruptum - Obscuritatem Advoco Amplectére Me

Satyricon- The Forest is My Throne

Bethlehem- Thy Pale Dominion

Gorgoroth- A Sorcery Written in Blood

Dissection- The Somberlain

Emperor- Emperor

Graveland- In the Glare of Burning Churches

Mithotyn - Behold the Shields of Gold

Primordial - Dark Romanticism... Sorrow's Bitter Harvest...

Darkthrone- Under a Funeral Moon

Blasphemy- Gods of War

Mystifier – Göetia

Mayhem- Live in Leipzig

Moëvöt – Abgzvoryathre

Burzum- Det Som Engang Var

Varathron- His Majesty at the Swamp

Countess - The Gospel of the Horned One

Marduk- Those of the Unlight

Acheron Gates - Forests of Dark Mayhem

Denial of God - The Dawn of Aemizaez

Immortal- Pure Holocaust

Ulver- Vargnatt

Rotting Christ - Thy Mighty Contract

Beherit- Drawing Down the Moon

Arckanum - Demo 1993

Impaled Nazarene- Ugra-Karma

Demoncy- Faustian Dawn

Sigh- Scorn Defeat

Decayed- The Conjuration of the Southern Circle

Disharmony- The Gate of Deeper Sleep

Enslaved- Hordanes Land

Ungod - Circle of the Seven Infernal Pacts

Asmodeus- Garden of Eden

Berserk- War Metal

Mortiis - Født til å Herske

Bhaobhan Sidhe- The New Order

Hades- Alone Walkyng

Helheim- Helheim

Isvind – Nivelheimen

In the Woods…- Isle of Men

Fulgor - To Be One With The Stars

The Fallen- Rebirth of the Ancients

Yamatu- Awakening of the Knights

Ugluk – Hveralundr

Manes- Metamorphosis

Manes- Demo 1993

Lord Foul- Killing, Raping, Burning

Vlad- In the Mist

Thule- Der Vinterstormene Raste

Grimm- Nordisk Winter

Astral- We the Unclean Shall Flourish

1994

Dawn- Nær Sólen Gar Niþer For Evogher

Einherjer - Aurora Borealis

Darkthrone- Transilvanian Hunger

Emperor- In the Nightside Eclipse

Enslaved- Vikingligr Veldi

Samael- Ceremony of Opposites

Behemoth- From the Pagan Vastlands

Vlad Tepes- Celtic Poetry

Isengard- Vinterskugge

Abruptum - In Umbra Malitiae Ambulabo, In Aeternum In Triumpho Tenebrarum

Satyricon- Dark Medieval Times

Martyrium- L.V.X. Occulta

Burzum- Hvis Lyset Tar Oss

Mayhem- De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas

Graveland- The Celtic Winter

Dark Funeral- Dark Funeral

Nahash - Nocticula Hecate

Xibalba- Ah Dzam Poop Ek

Azmael - The Legend of the Eastern Land

Arcturus- Constellation

Enslaved- Frost

Behemoth- And the Forests Dream Eternally

Bethlehem- Dark Metal

Infernum - ...Taur-Nu-Fuin...

Satyricon- The Shadowthrone

Naglfar- Stellae Trajectio

Rotting Christ - Non Serviam

Gorgoroth- Pentagram

Impaled Nazarene- Suomi Finland Perkele

Abigor - Verwüstung / Invoke the Dark Age

Tartaros- The Heritage from the Past

Vlad- Yggdrasil

Marduk- Opus Nocturne

Dimmu Borgir- For All Tid

Grand Belial’s Key- Triumph of the Hordes

Desaster- Lost in the Ages

Countess - The Return of the Horned One

Graveland- Carpathian Wolves

Hades- Again Shall Be

Ophthalamia- A Journey in Darkness

Obtained Enslavement- Centuries of Sorrow

Christ Agony - Daemoonseth - Act II

Sacramentum- Finis Malorum

The Black- Priest of Satan

Mütiilation - Hail Satanas We Are The Black Legions

Forgotten Woods - As the Wolves Gather

Thirst - The Might of the Pagan Belief

Fleurety- A Darker Shade of Evil

Perished- Through the Black Mist

Necromass - Mysteria Mystica Zothyriana

Fimbulwinter- Servants of Sorcery

Mortiis - Ånden Som Gjorde Opprør

Mock - Cold Winter

Primigenium - As Eternal as the Night

Gehenna- First Spell

Strid- Strid

Kawir – Eumenides

Nåstrond – From A Black Funeral Coffin

Mithotyn- Meadow in Silence

Manes- Ned I Stillheten

Yamatu- Shakugu’s Genesis

Inflabitan- Demo II

Bestial Warlust - Vengeance War Till Death

Branikald- Stormheit

Setherial - A Hail to the Faceless Angels

Zephyrous - Entrance and Wandering on the Seven Zones

Nidhoggr- Ravens Over the Roads of Kings

Suffering- Sowing the Seeds of Suffering

Ved Buens Ende- Those Who Caress the Pale

Silexater - Mad Sorcer

Faun - Into the Wed of Winter

Dies Irae- Circle of Leth

Landscape- A Trip Through A Monotonous Atmosphere

Nauthis- The Allmighty

1995

Dødheimsgard- Kronet Til Konge

Blut aus Nord- Ultima Thulée

Branikald - To Kampf

Mayhem- Dawn of the Black Hearts

Malignant Eternal- Tårnet

North- Thorns on the Black Rose

Absu- The Sun of Tiphareth

Abigor - Orkblut - The Retaliation

Funeral - Black Flame of Unholy Hate

Old Man’s Child- Born of the Flickering

Summoning- Lugburz

Nazxul- Totem

Svartsyn- A Night Created By the Shadows

Moonblood- The Winter Falls Over the Land

Enthroned- Prophecies of Pagan Fire

Behemoth- Sventevith(Storming Near the Baltic)

Trelldom- Til Evighet…

Pervertum - Creature of Ungod

Immortal- Battles in the North

Arckanum- Fran Marder

Naglfar- Vittra

Troll- Trollstorms Over Nidingjuv

Ragnarok- Nattferd

Darkthrone- Panzerfaust

Wongraven – Fjelltronen

My Infinite Kingdom - Ecstasies Over Dreaming Lady

Deinonychus- The Silence of December

Veles- Night on the Bare Mountain

Morsun Diaboli - ...I Zmieni Sie Rzeczywistosc

Abigor - Nachthymnen (From the Twilight Kingdom)

Funeral Mist- Darkness

Fleurety- Min Tid Skal Komme

Primordial – Imrama

Tha-Norr – Wolfenzeitalter

Brenoritvrezorkre – Nèvgzérýa

Moonblood – Siegfried(Die sage Vom Helden)

Gehenna- Seen Through the Veils of Darkness

Summoning- Minas Morgul

Sigh- Infidel Art

Ved Buens Ende- Written in Waters

Voluspaa- T.Å.E.M.E.N.

Fimbul- Det Siste Slaget

Parnassus - In Doloriam Gloria

Deströyer 666 - Violence Is the Prince of This World

Dissection- Storm of the Light’s Bane

Vlad Tepes/Belketre- March to the Black Holocaust

Belketre/Vlad Tepes - March to the Black Holocaust

Wiccan Rede - From Transilvanian Forests

Branikald - Varg Fjerne a Tornet

Demoncy- Ascension of a Star Long Since Fallen

Legion of Doom- Kingdom of Endless Darkness

Abysmal- The Pillorian Age

Mütiilation - Vampires of Black Imperial Blood

Throne of Ahaz – Nifelheim

Forgotten Woods - Sjel av Natten

Capri Sancti- The Witches Sabbath Land

Vintersemestre – Jääverisaatana

Ildjarn - Det Frysende Nordariket

Ildjarn- Ildjarn

Graveland- Thousand Swords

Carpathian Forest- Through Chasm, Caves and Titan Woods

In the Woods... - Heart of the Ages

Helheim- Jormundgand

Maniac Butcher – Barbarians

Apollyon- Troldeskovens Aander

Mock – Vinterlandet

Belthan - Carpathian Curse

Algaion- Oimai Algeiou

Nåstrond – Digerdöden

Nåstrond - Toteslaut

Aura Noir- Dreams Like Deserts

Darkstorm- The Past Forgotten

Mörk Gryning - Tusen År Har Gått

Nashehrhum - Remember The Shining Moons Of The Black Autumns

Aeternus- Dark Sorcery

Black Murder- Feasts

Amestigon - Through the Ages We Preserve

Wanderer- Surrounded By These Firs

Fafner- Trolskust

Octinomos - On the Demiurge

Faun - Betrothed Unto Death

Baltak- Macedonian Darkness and Evil

In Deum Maledicus- Acies

Aghast- Hexerei im Zwielicht der Finsternis

Lunar Aurora - A Wandering Winterdream Beneath the Cold Moon

Grom- Na Granicy Dwoch Swiatow

Parnassus- Receive My Dying Spirit

Zyklon-B- Blood Must Be Shed

Secrets of the Moon - Unearthed Arcana

I Flow in Depths – Demo 95

Brenoritvrezorkre – Vèrmyaprèb

Tenebras Omnia Vincit- Hostility, Violence, Imagination

Rex Infernus- Triumphalia Ornamenta

1996

Burzum- Filosofem

Kvist - For Kunsten Maa Vi Evig Vike

Behemoth- Grom

Funeral Frost- Queen of Frost

Darkthrone- Total Death

Dimmu Borgir- Stormblast

Dark Funeral- The Secrets of the Black Arts

Branikald – Rdjandalir

Rundagor - Stronghold of Ruin

Abhorer - Zygotical Sabbatory Anabapt

Troll- Drep De Kristne

Vinterland- Welcome My Last Chapter

Setherial- Nord

Moonblood- Blut Und Krieg

Sacrilegium- Wicher

Satyricon- Nemesis Divina

Desaster- A Touch of Medieval Darkness

Bethlehem- Dictius Te Necare

Nokturnal Mortum - Lunar Poetry

Ancient Rites - Blasfemia Eternal

Nefandus - The Nightwinds Carried Our Names

Arcturus- Aspera Hiems Symfonia

Gorgoroth- Antichrist

Dødheimsgard- Monumental Possession

Marduk- Heaven Shall Burn

Ildjarn- Forest Poetry

Lord Wind- Forgotten Songs

Falkenbach - ...En Their Medh Riki Fara...

Abigor - Opus IV

Countess - The Book of the Heretic

Tsatthoggua - Hosanna Bizarre

Limbonic Art- Moon in the Scorpio

Borknagar- Borknagar

Sear Bliss- Phantoms

Gehenna- Malice

Sólstafir - Til Valhallar

Profanum- Flowers of Our Black Misanthropy

Lucifugum- Path of Wolf

Branikald – Kveldulv

Nahash - Wellone Aeternitas

Introitus - Skies of the Unholy Departed

Avzhia- Dark Emperors

Lunar Aurora – Weltengänger

Diabolical Masquerade- Ravendusk in My Heart

Negură Bunget - Zîrnindu-să

Mayhem- Out from the Dark

Zemial- For the Glory of UR

Holy Death- Triumph of Evil

Dawn- Sorgh på Svarte Vingar Fløgh

Sacramentum- Far Away From the Sun

Forgotten Woods - The Curse of Mankind

Vintersemestre - Kirkkokyrpä

Ildjarn- Strength and Anger

Isvind - Dark Waters Stir

Judas Iscariot- The Cold Earth Slept Below

Judas Iscariot- Thy Dying Light

Necrofeast- Necrofeast

Grand Belial’s Key- A Witness to the Regicide

In the Woods... - A Return to the Isle of Men

Maniac Butcher - Lucan-Antikrist

Helheim – Fenris

Vargavinter- Frostfödd

Werwolf- Zeitenwende - Only the Strong Survive...

Ulver- Kveldssanger

Mysticum- In the Streams of Inferno

Aura Noir- Black Thrash Attack

Poccolus- Poccolus

Ancient Wisdom - For Snow Covered the Northland

Paragon Belial - Hordes of the Darklands

Northland- Czernoboh

Melechesh - As Jerusalem Burns...Al'Intisar

Dark Storm- Four Lucan Emperors

Blut aus Nord - Memoria Vetusta I: Fathers of the Icy Age

Lunar Aurora - Auf Dunklen Schwingen

Taake- Koldbrann I Jesu Marg

Det Hedenske Folk- Northland Rules Supreme

Sort Vokter- Folkloric Necro Metal

Niden Div. 187 - Towards Judgement

Gravferd - Av hedensk blod

Diaboli- Mesmerized by Darkness

Warloghe - The Black Tower

Depressive Silence- Depressive Silence II

Gnome- Under the Black Moon

Joyless- Unlimited Hate

Azag-Thoth - Reign Supreme

1997

Absu- The Third Storm of Cythraul

Nox Intempesta - Die Lieder von Tod und Ewigkeit

Profanum- Profanum Aeternum - Eminence of Satanic Imperial Art

Forgot- Misanthropy

Arckanum- Kostogher

Ancient Wisdom- The Calling

Ulver- Nattens Madrigal

Enslaved- Eld

Midvinter - At the Sight of the Apocalypse Dragon

Abigor – Apokalypse

Aeternus- Beyond the Wandering Moon

Bishop of Hexen - Archives of an Enchanted Philosophy

Ragnarok- Arising Realm

Dimmu Borgir- Enthrone Darkness Triumphant

Tartaros- The Grand Psychotic Castle

Nokturnal Mortum - Return of the Vampire Lord

Emperor- Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk

Kampfar- Mellom Skogkledde Aaser

Solefald- The Linear Scaffold

Borknagar- The Olden Domain

Enthral- Prophecies of the Dying

Sacramentum- The Coming of Chaos

Vulpecula- Fons Immortalis

Veles- Black Hateful Metal

Niden Div. 187 – Impergium

Burzum - Dauði Baldrs

Gorgoroth- Under the Sign of Hell

Arcturus- La Masquerade Infernale

Mayhem- Wolf’s Lair Abyss

Nagelfar - Hünengrab im Herbst

Osculum Infame - Dor-Nu-Fauglith

Obtained Enslavement- Witchcraft

Legion of Doom- For Those of the Blood

Graveland- Following the Voice of Blood

Judas Iscariot- Of Great Eternity

Grand Belial’s Key- Mocking the Philanthropist

Hades- The Dawn of the Dying Sun

Helheim- Av Norrøn Ætt

Lord Belial- Enter the Moonlight Gate

Forlorn- The Crystal Palace

Diabolical Masquerade- The Phantom Lodge

Sorhin - I Det Glimrande Mörkrets Djup

Enthroned- Towards the Skull Throne of Satan

Mörk Gryning - Return Fire

Gontyna Kry – Welowie

Keep of Kalessin- Through Times of War

Deströyer 666 - Unchain the Wolves

Windir – Sóknardalr

Forest- Like a Blaze Above the Ashes

Order of the Ebon Hand - The Mystic Path to the Netherworld

Parnassus - Let the Stars Fall and the Kingdom Come

Enochian Crescent – Telocvovim

Bak De Syv Fjell- From Havaardstun

Old Wainds- Where the Snows Are Never Gone

The Eye – Supremacy

Dornenreich - Nicht um zu sterben

2009 Revisited

middleclassgallows — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 18:23:00 GMT

Quite the interesting year, 2010. You pretty much bored me to death the first half and then blew the whole load in the latter. Of course the second half of the year is when my life got really crazy, marriage, collared-shirt management job and meetings! Endless meetings! But I always look forward to the time after a year of stellar releases, as it really does show me what is good enough to stick around. So, without further word wankery, here's my Best of 2009 2.0:

*The parentheses are where I ranked them last year*

1. Kylesa - Static Tensions (12)

2. Mastodon - Crack The Skye (1)

3. Pelican - What We All Come To Need (2)

4. Cobalt - Gin (3)

5. Alice In Chains - Black Gives Way To Blue (9)

6. Insomnium - Across The Dark (not listed)

7. New Keepers Of The Water Towers - Chronicles (10)

8. Converge - Axe To Fall (20)

9. Municipal Waste - Massive Aggressive (not listed)

10. Birds of Prey - The Hellpreacher (6)

11. Clutch - Strange Cousins from the West (not listed)

12. Baroness - Blue Record (not listed)

13. Poison The Well - The Tropic Rot (not listed)

14. Agoraphobic Nosebleed - Agorapocalypse (5)

15. Priestess - Prior To The Fire (not listed)

16. Count Raven - Mammon's War (7)

17. Asphyx - Death...The Brutal Way (11)

18. 3 Inches of Blood - Here Waits Thy Doom (not listed)

For the most part, a fairly stable top five, with the sleeper that was Static Tensions coming out of left field and blowing me away in the last year. Kylesa was my go-to band for the most part of 2010 and I can't believe how much I have fallen in complete lust with Static Tensions. Songs like Scapegoat, Unknown Awareness, Running Red and To Walk Alone are the reason I love music and I will admit that I eagerly awaited the release of Spiral Shadow like a high schooler awaits loosing his virginity: sweaty palms, fevered look in his eyes and damn near ready to blow after the first minute.

Baroness' Blue Record somehow got overlooked in 2009. Not sure how that really happened. This album has some of the band's career standouts, but having really put this one through the wringer I've come to the conclusion that it's just so . . . inconsitant. Filter in the choice cuts from Blue to supplement the behemoth that was Red and dammit you've got a helluva live show, which is exactly what I saw when they came through my hometown.

Poison The Well's The Tropic Rot didn't even get an honorable nod from me this time last year, and that's understandable. The Tropic Rot is definitely not their strongest release, just as it is a departure from my favorite album of theirs; The Opposite of December. Perhaps lineup changes can be cited for the slight left step in sound but, the news that PtW were going on hiatus was a punch to the gut for me. So perhaps this one sneaked in out of my hunger for them not to leave so soon, but it definitely grew on me. I know its not for everyone but, hey, I like it.

Numbers six through ten are a helluva mix up from when I first picked em, but I like that. The more you listen, the deeper you dig into an album, if it is a good one of course, the more you're going to get out of it, and all these have paid off in time well spent. I think this list is fairly indicative of where my tastes lie, but I must say that there were so many releases in 2009 that I'm pretty sure I haven't even come across albums that will knock some of these down a peg or two.

So there you go. These were the albums that stuck with me, especially through the drought of the first half of 2010. My hats off to the staff and members of MR, as you have been an absolute essential resource for me this past year. Although I may not agree with you all the time, dammit it sure is nice to fly this metal flag with you. Cheers!