onsdag 31 Mar 2010, 22:06
Well, it's April Fool's Day, and I'm just now getting my Best of 2009 list up. Like last year, there seems to be a trend forming. Anyway, those of you who are actually interested, feel free to comment, criticize, and suggest any albums that you may have heard that I might have missed in any of the heavy metal or hard rock genres.
I'm open to any listening suggestions!
Also, if you are interested in other genres of music aside from heavy metal, feel free to visit my Best of 2009 journal entries on Neofolk / Martial / Dark Ambient styles, as well as my entry on Indie / Electronic / Etc.
Enjoy! :-]
+ Best In Heavy Metal / Hard Rock in 2009 +
1.) Katatonia - "Night Is The New Day"
Night Is The New Day is a rather controversial choice for my number one metal album, and in some ways it is out of place. It’s not exactly the most aggressive or original work they have released to date, and it’s clearly evocative of the downcast and utterly dismal sound on their last several records. As an avid Katatonia fan for well over a decade, and Night Is The New Day was without doubt my most listened to metal album of 2009. Renkse and Nyström have been responsible for some of the most despondent, engaging, and absolutely original music in the metal scene since the Jhva Elohim Meth… the Revival EP in 1993. However, their masterly 2009 offering was among their greatest to date. While possessing an ideal and absolutely crystalline production, the material is tremendously addictive and forebodingly memorable. Some of my favorite Katatonia tracks appear on Night Is The New Day, such as “Forsaker,” “The Longest Year,” “Nephilim,” “Liberation,” and “Departer.” Overall, this was an outstanding release from one of my most favorite artists, and I will be spinning it regularly well into 2010.
For fans of: Swallow the Sun, October Tide, Anathema, My Dying Bride, Novembre, Opeth, Daylight Dies.
Homepage: http://katatonia.com/
MySpace: www.myspace.com/katatonia
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2.) NDE - "Krieg Blut Ehre Asche"
Great debut!
Krieg Blut Ehre Asche is the debut from this strange and unknown Belgian duo. Absolutely chaotic, cruel, and positively cold, NDE achieved a unique smelting of malevolent, deafening Black Metal that coalesces with pounding and anthemic martial drums, which then violently merge with a wretched Death Industrial sound – all in eight acts. It must be heard to be understood. However, Krieg Blut Ehre Asche is not for the faint of heart, yet was easily my favorite debut in the metal genre this year, even if in some ways it isn’t metal at all. Most metal fans won’t get it, won’t like it, and some will even hate it. That’s just fine by me. Cold Spring FTW again.
For fans of: Blacklodge, Aborym, Folkstorm, NON, Borgia.
Homepage: http://coldspring.co.uk/
MySpace: www.myspace.com/voidofhatende
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3.) Absu - "Absu"
Finally, after eight long years, the Cythraul Klan returns! Absu’s self-titled release after such an extended hiatus is an enormous triumph for the band and for the entire metal genre. More reminiscent of the Third Storm of Cythraul than Tara, Absu finds itself balancing a fine line between the schizoid and frenzied riffing found on its predecessor, while rediscovering the mid-paced and keyboard accompanied orchestrations that represented earlier records in their discography. Absu is the type of ancient Egyptian and Sumerian obsessed record where you will find yourself hearing something entirely new and unusual upon each listen. The production lends itself to the brand of frantic and possessed blackened thrash that only Absu is capable of writing, and each track is absolutely incredible. The roll call of guest musicians on the record is also impressive: Ashmedi (Melechesh), Blasphemer (Ex-(Mayhem/(Ava Inferi), David Harbour (Ex-(King Diamond), Michael Harris (Darkology), Mindwalker (The Firstborn), Nornagest (Enthroned), Vorskaath (Zemial) and even Ex-Guitarist/Bassist Equitant makes an appearance. Welcome back.
For fans of: Deströyer 666, Melechesh, Gospel Of The Horns, Abigor, Nifelheim, Razor of Occam.
MySpace: www.myspace.com/absu
4.) Nokturnal Mortum – “Голос Сталі”
Абсолютно фантастичну. Можливо найкраща наша альбом хто група має які я бачив записаний. Блискучий робота!!!! [Basically, it’s very, very fucking good]. That’s all.
For fans of: Temnozor', Kroda, Drudkh, Hate Forest, Graveland.
MySpace: www.myspace.com/nokturnal-mortum
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5.) Myrkr - "Black Illumination"
Great debut!
Unfortunately, this Irish group didn’t stick around for very long. Shortly after the debut of Black Illumination, their first full length album, Myrkr quickly disbanded. However, they left listeners with a scathingly heavy and stripped down black metal maelstrom – one that is blistered and besmirched, teeming with an ominous desperation in its veracity and violence. Every year it seems the occasional black metal band proceeds to shock and entirely exceed my expectations. Myrkr was one of these artists, and Black Illumination turned out to be an Irish indulgence that is essential for exploratory fans of the genre who enjoy a challenging and unforgiving listen.
For fans of: Glorior Belli, Katharsis, Portal, Slidhr.
MySpace: www.myspace.com/blackillumination
6.) Anaal Nathrakh - "In The Constellation Of The Black Widow"
If you aren’t wise to this band by now then you probably shouldn’t be reading this journal entry. As with virtually every Anaal Nathrakh release, every facet of the musicianship found on their newest offering is nearly flawless in delivery, and absolutely chaotic in its sonic production. You should know what this band sounds like - I don’t have to tell you. The only difference on this ’09 effort is that there is more mayhem, more clean vocals, and more Codex Necro-esque black metal riffing going on then what was found on their last couple of releases. It is an implicit certainty that each time these two diabolical British bastards release new material that they will undoubtedly end up in my top ten of the year. With In The Constellation Of The Black Widow, nothing has changed. Anaal Nathrakh’s latest is – like always - an exceptional album and one that every metal fan with any semblance of respectable taste will appreciate.
For fans of: Aborym, Akercocke, The Axis of Perdition, The Berzerker, Mistress.
MySpace: www.myspace.com/anaalnathrakh
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7.) Austere - "To Lay Like Old Ashes"
To Lay Like Old Ashes has been the recipient of mixed reviews since its release, but for the duration of 2009 it has been among my most listened to albums. The predominant reason I laud it as one of the best records of the year is that these Aussies were able to achieve a strange balance between a simultaneously crushing and depressive vibe with a oddly uplifting ambiance. Equal parts Bethlehem and Burzum, Austere also found a way to coalesce the bleak hopelessness and tortured wails characteristic of the depressive black metal style with a melodic stirring of clean vocals, a sparse milieu of keyboards, and the crushing tome of inevitable decay. My only criticism is that the record feels entirely too short. Nonetheless, To Lay Like Old Ashes is an superb release.
For fans of: Darkspace, Shining, Trist, Lantlôs, Sombres Forêts, Nyktalgia.
MySpace: www.myspace.com/bandaustere
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8.) Luctus - "Jaučiant Pabaigą Arti"
Great debut!
Usually when I see that a bands sound is classified as “black/thrash” I tend to ignore them, and for good reason. Most of the artists in that particular subgenre of black metal are exceedingly tedious, uninventive, and basically pilfer riffs from thrash bands that are far better than they are. I’m not exactly sure why I decided to give Lithuania’s Luctus a try, but holy fuck am I glad that I did. Jauciant Pabaiga Arti is filled with an inexorable collection of punishingly fast blackened thrash that is able to effectively ignore the old cliché’s of the genre while still paying homage to the original purveyors: old Sodom, Impaled Nazarene, Bulldozer, Assassin, Venom, Sarcofago, and Bathory. Simply put, this is ripping release that any fan of the aforementioned bands would be sure to enjoy.
For fans of: Argharus, Altorių Šešėliai, Aura Noir, Necrodeath, December Wolves, Immortal.
MySpace: www.myspace.com/luctus
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9.) Amesoeurs – Amesoeurs
Misunderstood.
A love/hate controversial release.
Unusual and hauntingly peculiar female vocals.
Flawless instrumentation, production, and distinctly emotive.
A symbiosis of aggression, despondency, hopelessness, and introspection.
Genre-bending, coalescing several sounds into a bleak and depressive ambiance.
Unique, innovative, and unusual without sounding pretentious or forced.
Undoubtedly one of the best releases of 2009.
For fans of: Alcest, Les Discrets, Lifelover, Lantlôs, Peste Noire.
MySpace: www.myspace.com/amesoeurs
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10.) Shining - VI - "Klagopsalmer"
Many black metal purists and “tr00” Shining fans aren’t wild about this album, and to an extent I can understand why. The band obviously went into a more progressive and exploratory direction with their sound rather than regressing or returning to the depressive and suicidal nature of their past (albeit excellent) work. Even as a fan of their preceding records, VI… kept me coming back more than any other album in the Shining discography aside from V - Halmstad. While still tongue-in-cheek – at least to me – in their abysmal, suicidal, and at times depressively addictive way, Shining are obviously on an artistic path that could cost them some of their earliest and most ardent fans. Not that it matters. The inclusion of clean vocals, acoustic interludes, lead guitar, and jazz-influenced riffing is fine by me, and I look forward to VII - Född Förlorare. Excellent release.
For fans of: Bethlehem, Austere, Den Saakaldte, Forgotten Tomb, Skitliv, Carpathian Forest, Lifelover, Sterbend, Make A Change... Kill Yourself.
MySpace: www.myspace.com/shininghalmstad
11.) Altar of Plagues - "White Tomb"
Like Amesoeurs before them, White Tomb succeeds in creating an apocalyptic fusion of dissimilar techniques – resulting in a shattering of musical frontiers and a stylistically extreme offering wholly unlike anything else that was released in 2009. Yet another Irish band, Altar of Plagues seamlessly coalesce an austere and ruinous post-rock requiem for a diseased humanity with the burgeoning hatred and putrefied passion of pure black metal. While easily one of the best records of 2009, it seems obvious that this band has yet to reach their absolute potential. That’s really all you need to know. Get it.
For fans of: Wolves in the Throne Room, Alcest, Cobalt, A Forest of Stars, Weakling.
MySpace: www.myspace.com/altarofplagues
12.) The Ruins of Beverast - "Foulest Semen of a Sheltered Elite"
Unlike their previous releases, this record was more challenging, and it took awhile for me to really get into it. If anything, the challenging nature of the record was perhaps the greatest indicator of the quality of music found on it, and by the second or third listen, I was absolutely hooked. In many ways, this was one of the most ambitious, original and innovative releases in the black metal genre in 2009. There were virtually no standard black metal riffs to be found on the record, and the tempo was usually downtrodden, nearly reminiscent of a sludge band. The tormented and almost suffocating claustrophobia on the album is brilliant. Hence, the band essentially pushes the boundaries of black metal further than any other band in 2009, creating something that is as intricate and complex as it is punishingly evil and adventurous. While it rests at number 12 on my countdown here, I wouldn’t be surprised if by the middle of 2010 this happens to be one of my top five favorite releases from 2009.
For fans of: Paysage d'Hiver, Nagelfar, Lunar Aurora, Verdunkeln, Urfaust.
MySpace: www.myspace.com/theruinsofbeverastfanpage
13.) Black Math Horseman - "Wyllt"
Great debut!
LA based psychedelic/stoner-rock/doom metal band aren’t exactly what I expected, especially since their lead vocalist happens to be female. I was pleasantly surprised with what I found on “Wyllt,” especially since I usually don’t find psychedelic doom to be that interesting. However, Black Math Horseman found a way to coalesce a calmly dark and almost relaxed bleakness with an ambiance that eventually breaks like clouds letting a storm of murky stoner-rock sludge rain down on the listener. This is all accompanied by female vocals that are at once hypnotizing and relaxing, and yet entirely unpredictable in their aggression. The musicianship on the release is excellent, has abundance of great hooks and for this style, and perfectly fits the almost desolate and airy vibe that runs throughout the entirety release. I can’t wait to see what this band does next.
For fans of: YOB, Ancestors, Church of Misery, Ufomammut, Witchcraft, Baroness.
Homepage: http://blackmathhorseman.com/
MySpace: www.myspace.com/blackmathhorseman
14.) Katharsis - "Fourth Reich"
Nothing new to see here. Nothing innovative or original, nothing progressive or pioneering. So why does Fourth Reich belong in the company of these other records? The answer is simple: Because this is Katharsis. Arguably at their finest. That is all.
For fans of: Archgoat, Funeral Mist, Ondskapt, Deathspell Omega, Black Witchery, Craft, S.V.E.S.T., Clandestine Blaze.
MySpace: www.myspace.com/katharsis66
15.) Fen - "The Malediction Fields"
Fen’s sophomore release, The Malediction Fields was certainly impressive. Channeling elements of Agalloch, Drudkh, Empyrium, In the Woods…, and perhaps even the great Negură Bunget, Fen found the perfect balance between atmospheric black metal and a folk-intrinsic post-rock approach. Most importantly, the UK-based Fen has unquestionably established a sound that is solely their own and that with any luck will serve them well with their future releases. The Malediction Fields was a highly addictive and enjoyable release. Basically, if you enjoy any of the aforementioned artists or just want to try something new, you should get your hands on this excellent album right away.
For fans of: Skagos, Primordial, Walknut, Krohm, Velnias, Gris.
MySpace: www.myspace.com/fenband
16.) Impetuous Ritual - "Relentless Execution of Ceremonial Excrescence"
Yet another band from down under, Aussie death metal act Impetuous Ritual features two members of the band Portal. That alone should give you a pretty good idea of what Relentless Execution of Ceremonial Excrescence is going to sound like. Aside from the obvious Portal influence, the tyrannical foundation of their oppressive discordance of destruction is rooted in the likes of Incantation, Teitanblood and even Mitochondrion. What the band achieves is loathsome wall of swarming death metal dirge that relentlessly pummels the listener with a cacophony of dirty death metal riffs, but moreover a genuine atmosphere of malevolence and wickedness – something that has been absent in death metal for eons. For myself, the genre of death metal has been devoid of interesting releases for quite some time, becoming as tedious, stagnant and essentially irrelevant as thrash eventually became in the early 90’s. However, Impetuous Ritual demonstrates that there are those few who are able to dredge up concentrated evil and still sound interesting.
For fans of: Blasphemophagher, Incantation, Dead Congregation, Blasphemy, Abscess, Bestial Warlust.
MySpace: www.myspace.com/impetuousritual
17.) The Chasm - "Farseeing The Paranormal Abysm"
GASP! Another death metal release!?! Yes. Hailing from Mexico, The Chasm are arguably the single most criminally underrated band not only in the genre of death metal, but within the entire metal underground. This long awaited masterpiece is exactly what made prior releases from the band so great: Complex and challenging death metal passages energized not only by their raw and visceral force, but also by the dirge and dissonance that encompasses each and every track. Easily one of the single best releases the death metal genre has had in years – perhaps since the last The Chasm release! Like The Ruins of Beverast record, a year from now Farseeing The Paranormal Abysm could easily end up as one of my revised top five releases from 2009. Yet again, the underappreciated and unabashedly brilliant Death Cult from Mexico has achieved greatness. Take notice.
For fans of: Demilich, Gorguts, Arghoslent, Asphyx, Nocturnus, Autopsy.
Homepage: www.enterthedeathcult.com/
18.) Absentia Lunae - "Historia Nobis Assentietvr"
Yet again, the obligatory Italian black metal band makes my list. I have to say, I really enjoyed this sophomore release a great deal, and for an array of reasons. Virtually every aspect of the musicianship is a progression over their debut, and the band made considerable improvements in the production, which opened up a cacophony of crystalline chaos, allowing for audible bass, the slightest percussion shift and a razors edge to the onslaught of cutting black metal riffs. Absentia Lunae, like Sturmkaiser in 2008, is proof positive that the black metal scene in Italia is not entirely void of innovation, aptitude and just good plain ole’ evil. I’m probably slightly biased, but I spun this record entirely too much for it not to find a place on this list. Killer album.
For fans of: Spite Extreme Wing, Janvs, Locus Mortis, Tenebrae in Perpetuum, Melencolia Estatica.
MySpace: www.myspace.com/absentialunae
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19.) Urna - "Iter Ad Lucem"
Ironically, the primary band member in Urna, who is known only as ‘MZ’, is also a featured member in Absentia Lunae. It seems reasonably obvious where a large portion of talent in the Italian metal underground is coming from, doesn’t it? With Iter Ad Lucem, Urna have exceeded any expectations that I would have had for the band after first hearing them three years ago, and even after Sepulcrum, their outstanding sophomore release. A blacked doom death masterpiece, Urna seamlessly unite a guitar tone reminiscent of a thick wall of blackened funeral dirge, complete with tortured death metal shrieks and hopelessly plodding percussion - resulting in a death knell for the ages. While not a record for everyone, this is an album thick with depressing funeral hymns, all of which are overwhelmingly oppressive in atmosphere and intimidation. Above all, this work is a monumental and impressive masterwork for such a relatively young band. If you are into any kind of doom, you must hear Iter Ad Lucem.
For fans of: Evoken, Until Death Overtakes Me, Skepticism, Void of Silence, Catacombs, Esoteric, Blood of the Black Owl.
MySpace: www.myspace.com/urnaproject
20.) Nazxul - "Iconoclast"
Fourteen years after unleashing their influential debut Totem, seminal purveyors of Australian black metal Nazxul return to completely blow the lid off of the black metal scene with their monster of a record “Iconoclast.” In an era when it seems as if a number of old school black metal groups are getting back together with mediocre or downright terrible results (see: Beherit, Burzum, etc.), Nazxul are the exception. In many ways, this extraordinary release sounds as if it should have been released in the early 90s alongside Emperor’s In The Nightside Eclipse, yet it Iconoclast doesn’t sound dated or redundant whatsoever. The songcraft and musicianship on the record is simply outstanding, but what I really love most about the record is how strangely nostalgic it feels, even if it is a 2009 release. With the unholy reunion of the blackened Aussie-cult complete, Nazxul has achieved something uniquely special and moreover very rare. Iconoclast should be heard by any discerning and respectable metal fan.
For fans of: Secrets of the Moon, Merrimack, Woods of Desolation, Negative Plane, Watain, Leviathan, Malfeitor.
MySpace: www.myspace.com/nazxul
LATE ADDITION…
Best Heavy Metal / Hard Rock Live Album!
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21.) Emperor - Live Inferno"
Absolutely killer live record. The best I've heard in quite awhile. Get it.
For fans of: Fucking black metal.
Homepage: www.emperorhorde.com
MySpace: www.myspace.com/emperorhorde
And now…
+ Heavy Metal / Hard Rock Honorable Mentions +
Ad Hominem - Dictator - A Monument of Glory
Aluk Todolo - Finsternis
Amorphis - "Skyforger"
Aosoth - Ashes Of Angels
Archgoat - The Light Devouring Darkness
Arckanum - ÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞ
Ashen Light - Кровь Апокалипсиса
Aves - Aves
Avulsed - Nullo (The Pleasure of Self-Mutilation)
Behemoth - Evangelion
Bloodline - Hate Procession
Blut aus Nord - Memoria Vetusta II: Dialogue With the Stars
Candlemass - Death Magic Doom
Cannibal Corpse - Evisceration Plague
Den Saakaldte - All Hail Pessimism
Deströyer 666 - Defiance
Devourment - Unleash The Carnivore
Diocletian - Doom Cult
Doomraiser - Erasing the Remembrance
Drudkh - Microcosmos
Ea - Ea II
Echoes of Yul - Echoes of Yul
Evile - Infected Nations
Foscor - Groans To The Guilty
Fukpig - Spewings from a Selfish Nation
Funeral Mist – Maranatha
Furia - Grudzien za Grudniem
Furia - Płoń
Glorior Belli - Meet Us At The Southern Sign
Goatwhore - Carving Out The Eyes Of God
God Dethroned - Passiondale
Gorgoroth - Quantos Possunt Ad Satanitatem Trahunt
Havohej - Kembatinan Premaster
Hellveto - Kry
Hjarnidaudi - Psyko:Stare:Void
Horna - Musta Kaipuu
Hypocrisy - A Taste Of Extreme Divinity
Immortal - All Shall Fall
Impiety - Terroreign (Apocalyptic Armageddon Command)
Isis - Wavering Radiant
Kreator - Hordes of Chaos
Kylesa – Static Tensions
Laho - Escape From the Dying Star
Les Discrets / Alcest - Les Discrets / Alcest
Lvpvs Infestvs - Post Fata Resurgo
Malfeitor (Ita) - Incubus
Månegarm - Nattväsen
Marduk - Wormwood
Metalucifer - Heavy Metal Bulldozer
My Dying Bride - For Lies I Sire
Necrodeath - Phylogenesis
Nile - Those Whom The Gods Detest
Onslaught - Killing Peace
Oranssi Pazuzu - Muukalainen puhuu
Paroxysmal Descent - Paradigm of Decay
Portal - Swarth
Process of Guilt - Erosion
Psoriasis - Lethal Treatment
Reaktor 4 - Reaktor 4
Rev 16:8 - Grand Tidal Rave
Sacrifice - The Ones I Condemn
Samael - Above
Siena Root - Different Realities
Sjenovik - Zephaniah
Skeletonwitch - Breathing the Fire
Slayer - World Painted Blood
Solar Wisdom - The Temple of Honour
Spiritus Mortis - "The God Behind The God"
Suffocation - Blood Oath
Sui Caedere - Thrène
Sun Of The Blind - Skullreader
Svart - Vanara, Vanmakt Och Avsmak
Svarte Greiner - Kappe
Teitanblood - Seven Chalices
The Black League - Ghost Brothel
1349 - Revelations of the Black Flame
Trist - Willenskraft
Urgehal - Ikonoklast
Vader - Necropolis
Vektor - Black Future
Vorkreist - Sickness Sovereign
W.A.S.P. - Babylon
Witchrist - Curses of Annihilation
Wodensthrone - Loss
Wolves In the Throne Room - Black Cascade
Wyrd - Kalivägi
Xasthur - All Reflections Drained
YOB - The Great Cessation
Fin ~*