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1.
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Ahab - The Boats Of The Glen Carrig
Funeralish Doom with some sludge sprinkled in - This was one of my most highly anticipated releases of the year. I've loved each and every one of their albums for different reasons, with The Divinity Of Oceans being my personal favourite. BitterCold's review says everything you need to know about this album, and I agree that it is a return to a style similar to that of The Divinity Of Oceans. I love Daniel's cleans, and he uses them nicely here, additionally his growls are as good as ever. As BitterCold said... this is not a "comeback" album, but I would consider it a return to form. Don't think I have a bad thing to say about it, other than I wish there was more of it. |
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2.
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Coheed and Cambria - The Color Before The Sun
Progressive Rock, Alternative |
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3.
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Enslaved - In Times
Progressive Black - Enslaved have fast become one of my favourite bands ever since I randomly bought Axioma Ethica Odini when it came out. At that point I wasn't really into "black" metal of any kind, and that album sort of broke the barrier for me. RIITIIR may have been a slight step away from the "Progressive Black" and more towards "Extreme Progressive", but It was a still a great/excellent album in its own right. This album definitely has more of a return to the "Progressive Black" sound. It has all the aspects of an Enslaved album that we've grown to love, and deserves the praises it has been getting. There a couple parts of this album that even give me chills they're so good, namely in Building With Fire and One Thousand Years Of Rain. |
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4.
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Leprous - The Congregation
Progressive |
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5.
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Cattle Decapitation - The Anthropocene Extinction
Deathgrind - I had heard a couple of the early tracks that were released for this album and thought it was going to be a pretty good release altogether, but what when I heard the album in its entirety, I was shocked at how good it actually was. This band has evolved considerably, and I have only listened from The Harvest Floor until this release. Across 3 albums I've seen growth. There are some great riffs on this album, the vocals are as wild as ever and great drum work (pretty sure its Mammals Of Babylon where there is some fantastic cymbal work) |
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6.
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Hate Eternal - Infernus
Brutal Death - I'll start this off by saying I'm going to be seeing their tour with Misery Index, Beyond Creation and Rivers of Nihil. Beyond Creation released my album of the year last year and Rivers of Nihil have pumped out two great albums. Hate Eternal is just the icing on the cake. I've liked their albums, but they kind of seem like a blur from time to time with the ruthless and relentless drumming. This album shows some variation and brings out the rest of the instruments and showcases all of the bands talents. Love the production, love the variation. This album has been creeping higher and higher as one of my favourite albums of the year. Eric Rutan really outdid himself with this release and I highly recommend it. Chaos Theory is a nice little instrumental treat if you want just a taste of the album's sound. |
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7.
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Gazpacho - Molok
Progressive Rock, Atmospheric Rock |
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8.
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Horrendous - Anareta
Progressive Death |
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9.
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Deafheaven - New Bermuda
Blackgaze |
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10.
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Volahn - Aq'Ab'Al
Quirky Black |
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11.
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Bell Witch - Four Phantoms
Funeral Doom - I still find it incredibly hard to believe that this is just a two man group. These two dudes are incredible, and after countless listens of both their albums I purchased some of their merch. This album is beautiful in every way imaginable. It provides some very high quality funeral doom, but it is also unique in that there are no guitars whatsoever. No matter, the bass work more than makes up for it and the clean and growled vocals are also incredibly well done. Suffocation, A Drowning: II - Somniloquy (The Distance Of Forever) would likely have to be my favourite track. It showcases the bands entire array of talent. |
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12.
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Nightfell - Darkness Evermore
Death Doom |
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13.
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Sulphur Aeon - Gateway To The Antisphere
Blackened Death |
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14.
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High On Fire - Luminiferous
Sludge - It's Matt Pike kicking ass and taking names. If you love High On Fire, you'll love this album. I don't need to tell you about what it will sound like, because well, it sounds exactly like you thought it would. |
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15.
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Minsk - The Crash & The Draw
Post |
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16.
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Desolate Shrine - The Heart Of The Netherworld
Blackened Death |
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17.
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Rivers Of Nihil - Monarchy
Technical Death - These guys are definitely a band to watch in the future, if you're a fan of Technical Death. Their vocals are less abrasive and may be more "accessible" for some. They have great bass work on all of their tracks and there are riffs coming out of your ears by the end of the album. Eager to hear them live in November. |
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18.
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Iron Maiden - The Book Of Souls
Heavy - I've seen Iron Maiden twice and love this band dearly, as Brave New World was some of the first metal I had ever really listened to and got me into this wonderful genre of music. The Final Frontier was an average to good album that was your standard Iron Maiden fair, but this album is several steps above. Yes it is distinctively Iron Maiden, but it is probably their best album since Brave New World, in my humble opinion. Empire Of The Clouds is an epic for sure and includes some wonderful piano work by Bruce. The length may be off-putting for some, but I definitely think this album should be given a fair shake. I think it'll end up being a climber. |
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19.
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Elder - Lore
Stoner, Rock |
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20.
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Cruciamentum - Charnel Passages
Death |
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21.
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Amorphis - Under The Red Cloud
Folk, Progressive, Melodic Death |
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22.
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Slugdge - Dim And Slimeridden Kingdoms
Blackened Death, Sludge |
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23.
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Tribulation - The Children Of The Night
Death, Black |
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24.
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Sunset In The 12th House - Mozaic
Post - I've listened to some of Negura Bunget and Dordeduh, so I'm familiar with the talent of these gentlemen. I expected to hear some vocals on this album, but never did. It didn't really matter that much, because the music was so captivating. This will likely be some of the best post you hear all year. |
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25.
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Royal Thunder - Crooked Doors
Stoner - I'm a bit of a stickler when it comes to female vocals, they need to be of a certain variety. I don't know why, I'm just picky. These are of the highest calibre, in my opinion. The music that accompanies them is pretty darn good too. |
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26.
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The Black Dahlia Murder - Abysmal
Melodic Death |
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27.
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Death Karma - The History Of Death & Burial Rituals Part I
Death, Black |
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28.
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Abyssal - Antikatastaseis
Blackened Death Doom |
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29.
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Ouroboros - Emanations
Thrashnical Death |
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30.
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Black Fast - Terms Of Surrender
Progressive Black, Thrash - Riffs galore and I love the Chuck Schuldiner inspired vocals. These guys have a fairly mature sound considering this is only their second LP. Plenty to look forward too from them. |
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31.
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Skepticism - Ordeal
Funeral as it gets Doom |
I thought it was incredibly cheesy, but it made me laugh. Thanks for the comment on the picks. I've been trying to get caught up on some albums that I missed while I was studying for an exam, but I'm pretty happy with what I've heard this year. Quite a strong year for most of the genres I enjoy.
