So, 2018 is coming to an end, it's time to compile some of the worthwhile crap that was released this year:
Metallum Gloriam
(Death) '
Blodshed and Triumph' by Atrocity; seems like Krull got bored of his avant-garde and experimental 90's-00's era. A return to simple buzz riffs and growls. Sure, there's some symphonic elements left, but I've been happy since '
Okkult', really.
(Death) '
The Abyss' by Night In Gales; not the blast from the past I expected when I saw the cover art, but it does sound somewhat like '
Towards the Twilight', but I really don't like the vocal approach. Sounds more metalcore than Gothenburgian. The glorious Iron Maiden riff-wankery is there however!
(Death) '
Burning the Nest' by Eternal Lies; I'll be honest, I still haven't heard their debut album from 2002. But this little release is a quite fine slab of melodic death nonsense. It's not '
The Red in the Sky is Ours', nor '
The Jester Race', neither is it fully related to '
The Left Hand Path'. Desultory's '
Into Eternity' or Unanimated's '
Ancient God of Evil' are the closest matches I can think of.
(Black/Death) '
Annihilation' by Unanimated; sorry, not uploaded to YouTube. Best EP of the year, probably the best album of the year as well. Mighty fine return.
(Black/Death) '
Selfdeceiver' by A Canorous Quintet; "Why don't we just re-record the album that was suppose forge our way to fame and fortune and dethrone Amon Amarth?". The debut remains my favorite offering from them, together with '
Strangeland' from the 'As Tears' EP and I do miss the angsty, angry teenage screeching of the vocalist. Good shit nonetheless.
(Black) '
Lisboa Under the Spell (Alma Mater outtake, Live)' by Moonspell; the live album was released this year, fuck off. I know that the track is ancient. Glória Antiga, volta a nós!
(Black) '
The Shadowed Road' by Sojourner; never cared about their first sacrifice, but this album is decent and this track is some fine Summoning worship, lacks the cheesy synths and samples however.
(Black) '
Silvertine' by Summoning; it's Summoning. It's cool.
(Black) '
Накрита неба бурим дахом' by Drudkh; it's Drudkh. It's cool.
(Black) '
Live at Kraken' by Mörk Gryning; I'll never get a chance to post something new from these fuckers ever again, so it has to be here.
(Black) '
Werwolf' by Marduk; it's Marduk, what else is there to say? '
The Last Fallen' sounds like a blast from the past however, almost
Opus Nocturne-esque.
(Black) '
The First Snow' by Lustre; our bubblegum vacuum cleaner is still running and I have a strong preference for its singles and EPs, as there tend to be less filler material. '
Spirit' remains the best sacrifice from our bubblegum vacuum cleaner, but this track is welcomed. Haven't heard much from his side-projects in a long time, but I can strongly recommend Nachtzeit's '
Där Föddes En Längtan'.
(Heavy) '
Firepower' by Judas Priest; what a glorious fucking album. I strongly believe that there's gold on every album since 'Painkiller', but this is almost as good as the early albums - 'Sad Wings of Destiny' to 'British Steel' - or even 'Painkiller' itself.
(Heavy) '
ReIdolized (Full Audio and Movie)' by W.A.S.P.; We Are Satans People, White Anglo-Saxon Protestants; hail misery. Why rework a magnum opus? Fuck knows, the audio samples are shit and the structure is weird, but the music is still some of the best shit ever crafted by human hands. Heat up the bathtub and end it.
(Heavy) '
Traitor's Gate' by Visigoth; not as good as the D&D-sweaty debut album, but there's gold to be found here as well. And I vomit a curse upon your name.
(Heavy) '
Stossgebet' by Powerwolf; best track on the album, and the borrowed elements from Neue Deutsche Härte makes me glad. They should stick to it despite the softer sound this time around. Not that they've ever been laden with crushing riffs or anything, but it sounds softcore this time around. I still love the thematic however.
Root Revival & Neo-Folk Dorkiness
'
Blodbylgje' by Rán; or is it L.E.A.F.? Kati Rán? RÁN? I don't know anymore, she keeps changing her band name, but it's damn good. Do yourself a favour and check out the album '
LYS' while you're at it.
'
Lifa' by Heilung; the full first album, 'Ofnir', live. Doesn't get much dorkier or better than this. Or, Wardruna might take the spot, I guess.
'
Voluspá (Skaldic Version)' by Wardruna; you really have to love Einar Selvik's voice to appreciate this new album. As long as this is an off-shoot album and not the way they want to progress, I'm all fine with this. Here's hoping that we one day return to the pure bliss that is '
Runaljod - gap var Ginnunga'.
Industrialized Pop & Electronic Nonsense
'
Only Happy When It Rains' by Misery Loves Co.; not a blast from the past, but more like '
Your Vision Was Never Mine To Share-continued'. Perfectly fine if you're a-okey with pop-industrial. I was hoping for a return to the
filthier beginnings, but I'm glad they're back.
'
WWIII (Live)' by KMFDM; live in United Soviet States of America. Damn, I wish they'd make
MDFMK Vol. 2.
'
Time's Up' by 3Teeth & Ho99o9; anarchist industrial nonsense, who could've thought? Good shit.
'
Break Me' by Lords of Acid; I want to sit on your face.
'
Need Some1' by The Prodigy; it's Prodigy. It's cool.
'
Cluster' by The Algorithm; any Djent-noob and IDM-wimp should love this. By law. Force. And brutal acceptance. Anyway, I like it.
'
redruM' by POGO; because I love sampled music and this is one of few sacrifices by POGO that has a neat atmosphere to it. Not a full album though.
Endziet |
June Bonus