Top 10 Albums of 2015

Not sure why I even bother doing this but these are my favourite metal albums from 2015.

 

10.) Horrendous - Anareta

      Everyone loved Ecdysis except me.  I listened to it over and over hoping to see something about it that really excited me.  The songs weren't that bad but they felt unfocused, I wasn't sure what they were trying to do but I could respect their artistic effort, even if I didn't understand it.  Anareta is a different story, I really enjoy this release and I am impressed that they managed to release it so quickly after their last one.  This band is passionate about creating music and I can hear it in this release.  The vocals threw me off a bit at first but I eventually got used to them, if you're looking for OSDM with a progressive edge, this is it.

9.) Cradle of Filth - Hammer of the Witches

     Yeah, I know, everyone hates this band.  I haven't given a shit about this band since I was 15 (pretty much the age you would have to be to take this band seriously.)  The songs here are catchy, epic, melodic and thrashy.  If you have even a passing interest in this group, buy this album, you won't be disappointed.

 

8.) Skepticism - Ordeal

     Skepticism are a bunch of assholes, who do they think they are?  Releasing nothing for seven years and coming back with a live album?  Really?  Luckily enough these are all new songs and the live recording is very good.  Some fans have complained about the lack of low end on the recording but shit like that doesn't bother me.  The album is excellent.  Funeral doom requires a certain suspension of disbelief that is promptly shattered when a soul crushing funeral dirge ends with clapping and applause.  Still a cool release.  Make sure your version includes the DVD.

 

7.) Black Breath - Slaves Beyond Death

     This album wasn't at all what I expected, I would imagine that many fans are disappointed but I haven't bothered reading any reviews.  Sentenced To Life was a wicked Death/Thrash release without any frills, nuance or excess (I mean that in the best way possible.)  This new release features mid paced songs, the average song length is double and they even included a seven minute instrumental. (Lolwut?)  You might think that this is a bit of a letdown and it would be if the songs sucked.  Fortunately the songs are great, buy this album.

6.) Drowning the Light - From the Abyss

     Normally I don't listen to these type of bands.  You know what I'm talking about.  One man black metal bands that release eleven albums in six years.  The dude behind DTL has been incredibly busy pumping out an impressive amount of releases, some of them might even be good!  The only reason that I even bothered listening to this album is the cover.  The songs are brilliant, I'm pleasantly reminded of bands like Vinterland, Bathory and early Immortal.  This is traditional epic black metal that sounds like it just came out of the early nineties.  There isn't anything particularly new or original on this release but there doesn't need to be.  This is what the metal world needs, bands that are self-aware of the music they want to play and good at playing it.  It's been a long time since I've been this excited about a new black metal release.  Well done!

5.) Revenge - Behold.Total.Rejection.

      Revenge have sold out; never listen to them again.

 

 

4.) Blind Guardian - Beyond the Red Mirror

     Blind Guardian's latest offering is very good and shows that BG are still a competent band and a long ways away from being washed up losers.  The songs are all excellent but I feel like they were trying too hard to make the most bombastic, epic, over-the-top, symphonic metal album.  While the songs are all good songs, I have always preferred the first five albums.  The first five albums are also attempts at playing the most epic, over-the-top, metal albums ever but they didn't have the resources to make something this grandiose. In my opinion they more than made up for it with more infectious choruses, stronger riffing and songs that I feel held together better.  Despite these criticisms I really love this album and will listen to it for years to come but when I get the urge to throw on a newer BG album I will almost always pick At the Edge of Time.

3.) Symphony X - Underworld

     Symphony X have outdone themselves.  This might be their best album since Twilight in Olympus.  I don't really have much to say about the release but I love it and think you should buy it.

 

2.) Crypt Sermon - Out of the Garden

     This is Crypt Sermon's first album and it is incredible.  The band plays traditional doom metal in the same vein as Candlemass, Trouble and Solitude Aeturnus.  Although they wear their influences on their sleeves they still manage to sound unique.  Each song on this release is well written, well produced and well performed.  My favourite tracks are Temple Doors and Master's Bouquet but every song is a good song on this album.

 

1.) Archgoat - Apocalyptic Triumphator

     This is my favourite album this year, I probably love it way more than I should but I can't help it; every riff they play is gold.  There is a real symmetry between Side A and Side B which really helps make the album feel complete.  My favourite songs is Grand Luciferian Theophany, the slow riffs on this song absolutely crush!  I love it.  The dynamic between the speedy tremolo riffs and groovy mid-paced sections is absolutely flawless.  The two intros that separate side A and B set the mood brilliantly and are just long enough that they don't overstay their welcome.  To describe the sound I would have to say Darkthrone meets Incantation, the very best of black and death metal fused into one.  This is how blackened death metal should sound. 

Look forward to next year.  Hopefully Hell release a new album... that'd be cool.

New years resolution (Part 1)

Remember last year when I apologized for not reviewing anything and said that I would waste more of my life blogging but didn't actually do anything aside from review three painfully obvious albums from 2014.  Well, I am back with more lies.  My intentions are good but I will probably only post a couple of times this year if I am totally honest. 

I will start by talking about the albums that were released in 2014 that I found noteworthy.  Some of these releases I haven't quite listened to enough to write proper reviews but I have listened to enough to talk about my first impressions.

Pallbearer - Foundations of Burden



In 2012 I was vaguely aware that the album, Sorrow and Extinction had been released but I never listened to it or really paid attention.  I am definitely going to listen to it now because I am thoroughly impressed by Foundations of Burden.  I was always into the band Warning but I had trouble listening to their full length do to the lack of truly crushing riffs but Pallbearer manages to take that same atmosphere and infuse some undeniable heaviness and variation, perfect for a doom metal project.  There are a lot of influences at play and Pallbearer have a truly unique sound but if I were to compare them I would say that they sound like a modern version of "Into the Depths of Sorrow" which is a pretty high complement.   This is an album worth anyone's purchase, sweet cover, cool lyrics and kickass music. 

Origin - Omnipresent
 I've never listened to Origin.  To be perfectly honest I have always viewed technical death metal as a stupid genre filled with talent but devoid of soul.  I appreciate skilled musicianship as much as the next guy but I've always felt that the majority of technical death metal bands spent too much time learning guitar techniques and not enough time actually writing good songs.  Origin seems like an exception to that rule; I was legitimately impressed by this album and it has a lot of really catchy moments and decidedly non technical riffs that serve the songs rather than the musician's egos.  There is also an unprecedented amount of variety, for example:  The song "Redistribution of Filth" sounds like it could have been lifted from one of Napalm Death's newer albums and the SOD cover as a bonus track is also really cool.  Even the sweep picking interludes are enjoyable to listen to.  I don't know why this album has received such lousy reviews because I really liked it.  Maybe it pails in comparison to their earlier releases?  I guess I will have to hit up my nearest CD store and find out for myself! 

Linkin Park - The Hunting Party

Okay, you probably weren't really expecting this one to be on here, fair enough.  Linkin Park were one of the bands that got me interested in heavier music.  When I was a kid and I heard Chester screaming, something within me resonated with the expression of anger within the music and there was no looking back for me.  In hindsight Linkin Park comes across as quite shallow compared to Burzum but I still receive nostalgic feeling whenever I listen to them that I've never been able to shake.  This new album is the first new release that I have listened to since Meteora and a lot has changed musically for the band.  Apparently a lot of these songs were composed in the studio rather than written before hand which may explain why many of the compositions deviate from your standard verse chorus formula that the band was so fond of  decade ago.  The vocals are as processed as usual but the guitars are surprisingly raw and aggressive, just give the song War a listen and you will see what I mean.  This albums sports some wicked cover art, a really unique and cool production job and some legitimately awesome riffs.  Don't write this band off as another manufactured plastic pop act, I really do believe that the band members are trying to create something artistically valid and relevant in everything they do.

Corpsessed - Abysmal Thresholds


Cool album art, crushing evil riffs, malevolent atmosphere, unholy vocals, wicked riffs and a suffocating atmosphere.  What more could you want?  I don't know maybe some originality?  I don't want to make it sound like I am running down this release or this band but I am a little bit disappointed by how generic it sounds.  I would be lying to you if I said this album wont get a lot of play from me in the years to come but probably not as much as if it had more of its own identity.  The band is talented at song writing and this album stands head and shoulders above the majority of Incantation worship out there but it still sounds too much like Incantation for me.  If your budget is limited and you need some evil ass death metal I would recommend the newest Incantation album but if you've already heard all ten million Incantation releases and still want more you should listen to this.  I am going to keep an eye on Corpsessed.  I am confident that they will develop their own identity over time; this is their first album after all and it is pretty awesome for what it is.  Solid album.

Incantation - Dirges of Elysium

Speaking of Incantation, some people forget that they are still a band that regularly releases consistent albums.  I haven't heard every Incantation album but it is a goal that I am striving towards.  They have approximately ten million albums that are probably all pretty consistent from the handful I have heard.  This album delivers as usual.  We are lucky enough to be treated to a 16 minute epic which is always a pleasant surprise (if it is good, which it is.)  The epic stays at a slow pace gradually building up toward a mid paced stomp, speeding up toward a climax and crashing back down into almost funeral doom territory, great song.  It's not easy to write long and interesteing death metal songs but Incantation are veterans that know what they are doing and haven't lost their touch.  Every song on this release is great but my favorite would have to be Carrion Prophecy, if that main riff doesn't get stuck in your head after first listen you probably have no business listening to death metal.  Great album from a great band.

Judas Priest - Redeemer of Souls

Judas Priest (along with Blind Guiardian) have been my favorite band for many years, I own every album and listen to them frequently.  Judas Priest always seem to know how to write quality music while constantly reinventing their style weather they're playing almost progressive metal on Stained Class, speed metal on Painkiller or pop rock on Turbo they've always been able to deliver the goods (sorry.)  When I listen to this album I can't help but get the feeling that they were trying to please fans which I appreciate, (being a fan.)  The problem is that you can tell the band is finished, as much as I hate to admit it, it's probably a good thing that they are ending their discography on this album because it IS a good album.  The songs we are treated with sound almost like a compilation, like they were trying to represent an era within their discography with each song on this release.  Needless to say, they did an excellent job.  On the previous album I saw a band that despite being as old as the dinosaurs still wanted to release something original and unique.  Who writes a concept album about Nostradamus?  Seriously?  It seems like something a new band would do, clouded with youthful enthusiasm but instead it came from a veteran band with 40 years experience that was still excited about creating something different.  Unfortunately we don't hear that same enthusiasm on this release, which is to be expected.  I enjoy this album because it gets me excited about the band and makes me want to listen to their older material again and again.  This album is the perfect chapter to end the book of Priest and every Priest fan will find something to love here.

Mysticum - Planet Satan

Your ship has been away from earth for quite sometime, you've drifted through space for eighteen long years.  You awaken from stasis to realise that you are being drawn towards a planet's surface at an unholy speed.  Flames fly from the wings of your craft as you fall through the atmosphere, the metal within you ship is hot to the touch.  You pray to God to give you a soft landing but God can't hear you in this place; you're entering Satan's planet now, bitch.  As you look out the window you see Lucifer in sky with demons, you keep descending until you reach the planets surface and somehow survive annihilation. While rebuilding your space craft you witness all sorts of horrible, unspeakable events.  All around you is disgusting, evil and ugly yet there is some strange dissonant beauty that keeps you enthralled for the 47 minutes that you remain within the gravitational field of Satan's world.  As the final track Dissolve into Impiety fades into silence you can see the planet growing smaller in the distance as you are gratefully free, yet longing to return to Planet Satan.