 |
1.
|
Riverside - ID.Entity
Exemplary synth-layered, progressive pop rock from these seasoned campaigners. Complex but accessible, does anyone do this better than Riverside? Nope. (Prog) |
 |
2.
|
Lord Mountain - The Oath
Nothing new to see here, just brilliantly executed epic metal tormented by the spirits of doom past. Oh, but they do it so well. Best debut so far this year. (Doom) |
 |
3.
|
Katatonia - Sky Void Of Stars
Lush, expertly-crafted gothy progressive rock/metal with a hint of doom. Superlative. (Prog) |
 |
4.
|
Obituary - Dying Of Everything
This crafty little nugget will have you moving your head in a vertical motion repeatedly before it falls off or you wind up in hospital with a broken cervical spine. Killer return from the Floridian death metal legends. (Death) |
 |
5.
|
Mansion - Second Death
Creepy, atmospheric epic doom metal resplendent with Hammer House vocals and spooky, gothic interludes. (Doom) |
 |
6.
|
The Lightbringer Of Sweden - The New World Order
Festooned with cheesy, cliched lyrics, over-the-top chest-out operatic vocals and exploding 80s power drums, I shouldn't like this anywhere near as much as I do. The only down side is they don't appear to like codpieces or lycra. Get yer lighters out, people. (Heavy / Power) |
|
7.
|
Samtar - Shadow Of The King's Charade
Well executed fun, folk-infused, alt-prog rock with a hint of lo-fi. Expansive. (Prog / Alt) |
 |
8.
|
Leper Colony - Leper Colony
Formed by the indefatigable Roger "Rogga" Johansson of Paganizer, this is pure old-school death with a distinctive Leprosy-era Death flavour and a hint of Slayer-ish thrash. Nice, wholesome fun for all the family. (Death) |
|
9.
|
Zeup - Mammals
Stoner with a smidgen of desert rock and a deft nod to 70's hard rock. Highly accomplished debut album from these Danish lads - even with the over-dubbed production. (Stoner) |
|
10.
|
Black Sky Giant - Primigenian
Four Italian astronauts take you on a spaced out, psychedelic moon dance. Turn on, tune in, drop out. (Instrumental / Stoner / Psych) |
 |
11.
|
Defy The Curse - Horrors Of Human Sacrifice
These Dutch punks seamlessly meld the thrashy punk spirit of Discharge with blackened death n' roll. Guaranteed to give you a right fucking headache. Sponsored by Nurofen. (Crust / Blackened Death) |
 |
12.
|
Ashen - Ritual Of Ash
Cocky little blokes from the land down under get all frosty with a highly enjoyable foray into old-school Swedish death metal. Chunky. (Death) |
 |
13.
|
Necrodeath - Singin' In The Pain
Seasoned campaigners, Necrodeath return. If you're a dozy barbarian twat like me, you'll enjoy this delectable serving of intensely stupid metal. (Blackened thrash) |
