Albums of interest: 2013
Albums of interest: 2013
These are the albums I've enjoyed so far this year to which I've given an approximate rating and organised in a rough order of preference. As the year progresses I'll add some descriptions to them as well. EP's are also included.
Recent additions: Armory, Russian Circles, Ulver, Tad Morose, SubRosa, Almah, Blood Bright Star, Autumnblaze, Ayreon, Chthonic, Darkestrah, God Is An Astronaut, Képzelt Város, Lodz, Månegarm, Obscure Sphinx, Caligula's Horse, Sky Architect, Keldian, Monster Magnet
Recent additions: Armory, Russian Circles, Ulver, Tad Morose, SubRosa, Almah, Blood Bright Star, Autumnblaze, Ayreon, Chthonic, Darkestrah, God Is An Astronaut, Képzelt Város, Lodz, Månegarm, Obscure Sphinx, Caligula's Horse, Sky Architect, Keldian, Monster Magnet
1.
Vulture Industries
- The Tower
(9) Avantgarde/Progressive: This peculiar enterprise specialises in an approachable avantgarde metal made specifically for your inner eccentric. Indulge in instrumentally unique and vocally engaging curiosities.
|
2.
The Moth Gatherer
- A Bright Celestial Light
(9) Post/Sludge: A debut designed to stagger with powerful melodies which defy genre classification. The great mix of sludge, post and avantgarde metal absolutely blew me away and makes for a streamlined listen; everything flows effectively and the experimentation with contrasting cacophonous and tranquil sounds makes it a must hear.
|
|
3.
Walrus
- Walrus
[EP] (9) Progressive/Kraut Rock: With the cover looking like something Blue Oyster Cult would use I was naturally drawn into this one. I've since been frozen solid by this Swedish twist on the German prog rock sound. Icy fresh psychadelia.
|
4.
Clutch
- Earth Rocker
(9) Hard Rock: It's not often that an album so completely blasts it's way through all my reservations. This is so thoroughly addictive and a well captured energy is at Clutch's disposal in a very consistent set of hard rock greats.
|
5.
Oranssi Pazuzu
- Valonielu
(9) Psychedelic Black/Avantgarde: Third times the charm and Oranssi Pazuzu have found themselves a core solidarity removed from their black metal origins. Without this dependency the album is less of a collation of bizarro black and more of a rhythmically focused and avantgarde rock driven voyage into space.
|
7.
Fughu
- Human: The Facts
(9) Progressive Rock/Metal: You know you have an interesting album when a guest performance from vocalist Damien Wilson doesn't become the album's most notable feature. This distinctive set of songs features an incredibly varied performance from Santiago Bürgi with his accented rendition of Fish-like lyrical turns and Patton-like eclecticism with an operatic strength. Appropriately the music is thick with a synthy prog atmosphere on a symphonic stage. It works on an excellently blurred line between progressive metal and progressive rock.
|
8.
Kongh
- Sole Creation
(9) Sludge/Doom: Under a heavy moon emanating a progressive lunar light a heavy and doomed sludge awakes to make it's presence felt. With a beating. Prepare to be savaged.
|
10.
Kingcrow
- In Crescendo
(8.5) Progressive: Much like the lyre bird Kingcrow are adept at mimicry of distinctive sounds. Pain Of Salvation remains a major influence in their sound but less so in terms of compositional style for this album. An alluring collection of some of the easiest listening available from progressive metal, thanks to an unparalleled aptitude for songwriting.
|
12.
In Solitude
- Sister
(8.5) Heavy: Don't get too carried away with the sudden change in style as this is the same band in a new gothic guise. Firmly rooted in heavy metal traditions Sister channels a dark heritage from the genre's most sinister crevices.
|
13.
Progenie Terrestre Pura
- U.M.A.
(8.5) Progressive Black: Each song is it's own rendition of the same world, a world far distant and removed from our own by time and space. A tricky one to categorise as it is a dazzling array of a progressive atmospheric black and industrialized effects which slowly evolve from a primordial ambience. It's certainly progressive in the sense that it extends black metal into unfrequented atmospheric centres by way of a style of songwriting compliant with the atmospheric black genre but with so much more built in to render such a style anew.
|
14.
Steven Wilson
- The Raven That Refused To Sing (And Other Stories)
(8.5) Progressive Rock: An album organised neatly into six tales which alternate from longer and thoroughly progressive tracks (1,3,5) to those captivating easy listeners (2,4,6). All of it oozes charm and character in a more accomplished way than Wilson's previous solo efforts.
|
15.
New Keepers Of The Water Towers
- The Cosmic Child
(8.5) Stoner/Progressive: Taking a progressive approach to stoner metal this band creates lengthy and compelling songs with purposeful rhythm and the guitar works in melodies which easily keep me revisiting.
|
17.
Enshine
- Origin
(8.5) Atmospheric/Melodic Doom: The promise of something along the lines of Slumber had me in high anticipation of this record. I find it closer to the sound of Atoma than Slumber as it is quite light on the doom aspect, bearing a gothic tinge, and is largely another atmospherically focused effort. Its melodies are constructed in metal rather than Atoma's post-rock association.
|
19.
Cult Of Luna
- Vertikal
(8.5) Atmospheric Sludge/Post: Sometimes I find that "atmospheric sludge" is a bit of misconception so I consider its usage somewhat sceptically as it largely used synonymously with any kind of post-metal with strong sludge elements. That is not the case here, as this is both a sludge and a particularly atmospheric recording from one of post-metal's finest.
|
22.
Satan
- Life Sentence
(8.5) Heavy: Evidently reclaiming an old sound is a simple process with the aid of decades of experience. This particular sound hasn't been revisited for some time yet there is just as much quality heavy metal here as in their debut from '83.
|
25.
Procession
- To Reap Heavens Apart
(8.5) Doom: Doom metal tried and true. The Procession may move in a traditional and expected direction but they do so with obvious conviction and a uniquely charismatic vocalist.
|
26.
Terra Tenebrosa
- The Purging
(8.5) Avantgarde: Having left behind the confines of the tunnels which were sure to ostracize the claustrophobic in you the open plains of this new record are challenging to traverse yet something to behold.
|
27.
Obsidian Tongue
- A Nest Of Ravens In The Throat Of Time
(8.5) Melodic Black: Absolutely stunning melodies of a long sweeping black metal with varied pacing. Things get hectic then slow down for an atmospheric approach. Rarely does it fail to grip and when things seem to slip it works in some psychedelic or folky touches to consistently diversify their sound.
|
28.
Scale The Summit
- The Migration
(8.5) Instrumental/Progressive: It can be difficult working in a progressive habitat without a guiding voice. This band proves once again that they don't fall short of crafting truly natural and memorable songs. Vibrant and fascinating.
|
29.
Witherscape
- The Inheritance
(8.5) Progressive Death: As you would expect Swano makes his mark on progressive metal with another extension of his death metal fed style, moving things under a gothic shade.
|
30.
Nocte Obducta
- Umbriel (Das Schweigen Zwischen Den Sternen)
(8.5) Avantgarde Black: Surprisingly soothing as it fixates on unusual atmospheres within most tracks. You get more the obvious instances where it retains the cold recesses of black metal but for the most part it is one really absorbing listen. Can feel a little stretched at points.
|
31.
Amorphis
- Circle
(8.5) Melodic/Heavy: The clear focus on this album makes repeated visits rewarding. There is less here to uncover than on previous albums, owing in part to the shorter playing time as well as the less inclusive approach to songwriting yet the stunning conviction speaks for itself. Well balanced.
|
34.
Tribulation
- The Formulas Of Death
(8.5) Death/Black: You know that label "Death 'n' Roll"? I'd apply it to the general melodic style of this only it doesn't just borrow its elements from a good old fashioned bout of rock 'n' roll but works in an abundance of psychedelic components. Some of these are applied to a diverse mix of death and black metal driven tracks. It's "Psychedelic 'n' Black 'n' Death 'n' Roll 'n' stuff"
|
|
38.
Fughu
- Human: Tales
(8.5) Progressive Rock/Metal: Of the two albums this one is the more cohesive and substantial yet less varied. More time is put into each track to acclimatise listeners and the album as a whole is not quite as vocally centred as Human: The Facts.
|
39.
October Tide
- Tunnel Of No Light
(8.5) Melodic Death/Doom: Conjuring images of hallowed halls and light devoid passages this is another excellent offering from this Katatonian rebirth.
|
|
40.
The Flaming Lips
- The Terror
(8.5) Electronic/Psychedelic: Somehow this album radiates a cold feeling yet, at the same time, it sounds so warm and affectionate. What does that mean? I dunno, listen for yourself.
|
41.
Riverside
- Shrine Of New Generation Slaves
(8.5) Progressive Rock/Metal: Having undertaken a refurbishment of their sound this band demonstrate once again how to make a richly atmospheric progressive rock relevant to modern metal.
|
|
50.
The Black Heart Rebellion
- Har Nevo
(8) Post
|
60.
Angizia
- Des Winters Finsterer Gesell
(8) Gothic/Avantgarde: This album has a very chilly gothic atmosphere embedded in avantgarde structure. Metal elements are sparse with the use of instrumentation such as the cello or accordion fulfilling as much of a role. Many tracks have great rythymn with the piano and vocals in particular being emphasised within the mix, forming an intimate if unsettling presence which follows you throughout the album to it's bitter trudging end.
|
|
63.
Képzelt Város
- Anatolij
(8) Post Rock
|
|
72.
Blood Bright Star
- Solar Infinite
(8) Psychedelic/Drone: A Horseback derivative if I've ever heard one, but a good one. Subjugating in its repetition in the best way possible and broken up by warped spoken interludes.
|
|
77.
Ghost B.C.
- Infestissumam
(8) Heavy
|
80.
Aosoth
- IV: An Arrow In Heart
(8) Black: Other than the artwork there is something about this wall of black metal that makes me pay attention. Black metal of the more traditional sort is rarely something that I feel like listening to in preference to other genres. Yet in this case there is something of a melodic structure which reaches through at times. It occurs often enough to pull things together for me in this album with a thick and almost deathlike aesthetic. Pure evil.
|
81.
Stonehenge
- Bunch Of Bisons
(8) Heavy Psychedelic Rock: The sound of Potsdam's Stonehenge is psychedelic/stoner rock with a prog flavour. I love this mostly instrumental album for its healthy appetite for memorable riffs and organ key fixation. Fairly longwinded but I don't mind.
|
|
88.
The Cosmic Dead
- Orbiting Salvation
(7.5) Ambient/Drone
|
96.
Acolyte
- Alta
(7.5) Progressive Black: Acolyte are devotees of a straightforward melodic black metal with progressive persuasions. Despite effective riffing, Alta operates along a single dimensional and would be tiresome if not for the cogency of its melodies.
|
|
98.
Amplifier
- Echo Street
(7.5) Progressive Rock
|
104.
Avantasia
- The Mystery Of Time
(7.5) Heavy/Symphonic Power: A bit more of a rock opera feel this time around brought to the table (or clockface) by the excellent yet less diverse vocal lineup and memorable guitar work. Something comparatively different to previous records with an operatic tendency closer to the original two part Metal Opera. A nice change.
|
113.
Entropia
- Vesper
(7.5) Post/Blackgaze: One of those albums which takes up the shoegazing thing in a post metal context. It is by no means light and airy in sound as the post metal elements grant it a core solidarity and the interplay with atmospheric black passages gives it much substance. The elements which bring about the reference to shoegaze are tastefully used and not overtly shoved in front of you.
|
119.
Adora Vivos
- Toward The Empyrean
(7.5) [EP] Gothic Doom: A promising EP which features three sets of lungs, each of the guitarists and bassist lending some vocal work. Collectively their voice is quite strong, and the instrumentation isn't too far behind. They refer to their sound as "progressive doom" but I prefer to think of it as diverse mix of doom styles with a penchant for melody.
|
|
130.
Olde Growth
- Owl
(7.5) [EP] Stoner/Sludge/Doom
|
|
142.
Starving Daughters
- We Were Eggs
(7) Psychedelic Rock
|
|
143.
Semantic Saturation
- Solipsistic
Instrumental/Progressive
|
157.
Deus Ex
- Corrosive Genesis
(7) Industrial: One guy from the US playing some industrial metal which is melded with black and thrash at various points. He knows how to work in the atmospheric effects very well.
|
|
160.
Red Rebel Patriots
- Dominion
(7) [EP] Progressive/Technical
|
|
162.
Cosmoskelet
- Retreat
(7) [EP] Alternative/Progressive
|
|
164.
Amber
- Lovesaken
(7) Post
|
|
166.
Lodz
- Something In Us Died
(7) Post/Hardcore
|
169.
Andy Winter
- Incomprehensible
(7) Avantgarde: The thing about this album is that the instrumentation is not of the captivating sort and seems like it's there merely to serve as somewhere to frame the broad range of vocal talent. Not to mention the lack of flow between tracks, though each are identifiable as each presents a new voice. I had hoped for more from Andy.
|
Disclaimer: All top lists are unofficial and do not represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
[ More lists by R'Vannith ]
[ More lists by R'Vannith ]
Comments page 2 / 2
- 1
- 2
Comments:
37
Visited by
228 users
|
Posts: 1334 |
Posts: 1334 Written by R'Vannith on 11.01.2014 at 04:30 I agree with your sentiments on prog...it was a very weak year for prog for me. I think it was a strong sludge/post-metal/death metal year.  I'm optimistic 2014 might be a little bit better; I have a love affair with Headspace's debut and Dissona's debut, so I'm highly anticipating those albums. Maybe To-Mera might release a new album as well...who knows? To be honest, though, I've been finding my tastes shifting to sludge and post more and more nowadays; I find those genres pretty consistent year to year (at least as far as I can remember as a metal fan).I actually heard Sky Architect very recently and I've given it a listen. I do remember thinking positively about the record, even if it was very light and sometimes dragged on a bit too long. I would rank it about the same as you do on the list, actually.
Loading...
|
 Posts: 3099 |
Posts: 3099 Written by Diverge on 11.01.2014 at 04:43 This is something I can very much relate to, those two genres seem more and more interesting to me by the day.  And Sky Architect do the "long prog" deliberately I think, that start with a massive 18 minute track, they've got no remorse for those after quick fix prog, it seems. 
Loading...
|
| mz
Account deleted |
|
| Posts: 3099 |
Posts: 3099 Written by [user id=110592] on 11.01.2014 at 16:53 Glad to see you found it nice as well, the melodies of this one are unequalled in terms of their power. No album I've heard this year hits as hard as that one did, for me at least. As far as debuts go, it shows immense potential I think.
Loading...
|
| mz
Account deleted |
mz
Account deleted Written by R'Vannith on 12.01.2014 at 03:16 Definitely agreed. You are a staff and I think must make some fuss about if 
Loading...
|
| Posts: 3099 |
Posts: 3099 Written by [user id=110592] on 12.01.2014 at 11:19 Some fuss you say? Now that I can do, I'm on it. 
Loading...
|
| mz
Account deleted |
mz
Account deleted
Loading...
|
- 1
- 2
Hits total: 7790 | This month: 3