My 2012 Metal Highlights!6 Best Death Metal Albums 1.
Aeon - 'Aeons Black':
http://youtu.be/lRpELRu4au0 From: Sweden
I have always been a big Aeon fan so this was much anticipated. This album represents a progression in their sound, much to my delight. The
guitar tone is thick and the riffs are a little less complex then on the other albums with the intent of grooviness over sheer technicality. It has
the usual fast tremolo-picked riffs as well as excellent guitar solos. It contains a few interludes, which I enjoy. The drumming is straight forward and akin to 'Rise to Dominate'. The vocals are less 'hooky' than previous Aeon albums yet still catchy, anti-Christian and discernible. The album has 15 tracks all of which are quality. I enjoyed it more than 'Deathhammer', 'Torture', 'Endless Procession Of Souls', and 'Odalheim'. This was a big slab of death metal deliciousness. (Sounds like Deicide)
2.
Dying Fetus - 'Reign Supreme':
http://youtu.be/E3Td8FXlOIo From: United States
Excellent record which is chalk full of meaty and technical riffs, face-melting solos, and intense drumming. This is the best record they have done in a long time. (Sounds like Suffocation)
3.
Desecravity - 'Implicit Obedience':
http://youtu.be/8XPBjqiAJms From: Japan
I don`t typically listen to Japanese bands but this album was recieving high praise so I checked it out. The sheer speed and technicality of this
album is praiseworthy. I like the experimentation with guitar sounds as well. The solos are quite good and the vocals are solid. Very solid debut
release. (Sounds like someone with tourette syndrome smoking meth or a more death metal sounding Origin)
4.
Resurgency - 'False Enlightenment':
http://youtu.be/Na421kxDU8g From: Greece
Mid-paced death metal with a good bevy of groovy and tremolo-picked riffs, quality drumming which is uninterruptive(a good thing), and a solid
vocal performance. (Sounds like Incantation)
5.
Asphyx - 'Deathhammer':
http://youtu.be/IXhyzGc7_pc From: Netherlands
This album is high-quality old-school death metal and a visit to their older material. Rarely are bands so consistent as Asphyx. For those not
familiar with Martin van Drunen`s vocals, they are unique and are summarized by being raspy yet discernable. (Bow down to the Deathhammer; or Hail of Bullets and Grand Supreme Blood Court)
6.
Grave - 'Endless Procession of Souls':
http://youtu.be/xZpW-mODvJw From: Sweden
A trip down memory lane for me. This album hearkens back to the 90`s and the plethora of bands who played death metal in the 'Swedish' vein.
This album embodies all that makes the 'Swedish' sound good. (Sounds like Dismember)
6 Best Thrash Metal Albums 1.
Angelus Apatrida - 'The Call':
http://youtu.be/FZcpiT1A1rY From: Spain
There are many bands that play thrash metal but most of them sound unoriginal . This band, though not unique in the sound, are better in their
presentation than the vast majority of the bands I have heard. The riffs are awesome, the solos compliment the songs very well, and the pace is great. Truly an awesome album. (Sounds like Annihilator)
2.
Kreator - 'Phantom Antichrist':
http://youtu.be/ojpQ3LCeQTY From: Germany
Good ol` Kreator. Consistently good and still fresh on ideas. This album is a bit slower than I would like because of the implementation of melodies into this album but surprisingly, they are good. The solos as always, are top notch and there are a few sing-along tracks which should make anyone sympathetic to their cause feel good. (Sounds like Sodom)
3.
Ketzer - 'Endzeit Metropolis':
http://youtu.be/e8f9Ewl-o1Y From: Germany
I checked this out through a recommendation on a forum and am thankful I did so. This album is, in my opinion, one of the better blackened thrash metal albums I have heard in awhile. It is varied, full of riffs, and has a nice vocal performance. The solos are well placed and the drumming is solid. (Sounds like Desaster)
4.
Testament - 'Dark Roots of Earth':
http://youtu.be/l5Ibm8mjSek From: United States
Testament carried the American(North or South) torch this year with a barnburner. This album has a variation in melodic/slower songs and fast
tracks, with 'Native Blood' being possibly the best thrash metal song this year. The limited edition carries some solid covers of Queen, Scorpions, and Iron Maiden as well. (Sounds like Metallica, good Metallica)
5.
Black Breath - 'Sentenced to Life':
http://youtu.be/W7wgq7n-gSk From: United States
This should be good enough ----> (Sounds like a punky/thrashy Entombed)
6.
Aura Noir - 'Out to Die':
http://youtu.be/nS4NKhq_7iA From: Norway
Another blackened thrash metal album I enjoyed this year. It is more black than Ketzer, yet provides qualitive listening experience nonetheless. It is good to see so many veterans still putting out good material. (Sounds like newer Darkthrone)
5 Best Black Metal Albums 1.
Anaal Nathrakh - 'Vanitas':
http://youtu.be/b3lhmCabGYA From: England
This album is not as good as their others but I am a fan of their chaotic blend of black metal and grindcore. The vocals are unique and provide an overwhelming listening experience. Many times one can feel the emanation of sheer horror through the vocals alone. The riffs are still great but the composition of the album feels a little off. (Sounds like ear rape)
2.
Enslaved - 'RIITIIR':
http://youtu.be/YoMInT2Ysi0 From: Norway
Again, another great band with yet another great release. I personally adore their fusion of prog and black, as well as admiring their consistency, which I believe is a true testament to their talent. The drumming always fits nicely with the music, the solos feel like something out of Pink Floyd`s playbook, the harsh vocals are what you would expect from Kjellson, and the cleans add the cherry on top. This album is similar to their recent releases. (Sounds like Pink Floydish black metal)
3.
Marduk - 'Serpent Sermon':
http://youtu.be/EUWOqr_AJvI From: Sweden
Constant blastbeating, fast paced, quality riffage, evil atmosphere and lyrics, and Mortuus' oh-so-suiting vocals. Sounds like Marduk. Sounds
gooood. (Sounds like a 1349)
4.
Carach Angren - 'Where the Corpses Sink Forever':
http://youtu.be/DeYHq8kaeos From: Netherlands
The aim of this band is to take you through a journey; one of intriguing storytelling behind a wall of symphonic black metal. I really like the
composition and concept of this album. It reminds me sort of a classical composition and presents many nice ebbs and flows. I do want to emphasize the lyrical content which is about war, which is not new subject material but is presented in a highly engaging matter. (Sounds like an intelligent Dimmu Borgir)
5.
Mgla - 'With Hearts Toward None':
http://youtu.be/TbSpg0q1q_Q From: Poland
There is nothing overly complex about this album but what it does, it does well. The riffs are fairly simple mid-paced tremelo-picked riffs but the
guitar lines are damn good. The guitars and the atmosphere they create are what seperates this album from other. The production is something
which draws me to the album as well. It is not raw, yet not clean. (Sounds like good black metal)
5 Best Folk/Viking Metal Albums 1.
Heidevolk - 'Batavi':
http://youtu.be/Wm1h3hz-4VA From: Netherlands
I really like the Dutch lyrics and the melodic, yet darker tone of this album. Especially compared to a lot of other folk releases this year. The vocals are one of the strengths of this album and I find that this album is quite catchy. (Sounds a little like Tyr.)
2.
King of Asgard - '...to North':
http://youtu.be/ONcF4GDiSUI From: Sweden
This album was not as good as their first, yet it was still solid and folk/viking metal is not my strong suit. They went with longer tracks and the
implementation of more solos, the latter of which was nice. This band has a high ceiling but is missing their potential by not being consistent.
Indicators of their talent can be found in tracks like 'Einhärjar' and 'The Nine Worlds Burn'. (Sounds like folky Amon Amarth)
3.
Hel - 'Das Atmen der Erde':
http://youtu.be/nKnCGAMWdFQ From: Germany
Not very folk sounding but enough to warrant its inception me thinks. This is a varied record full of rich melodies whose intent is more melancholic than many other folk bands whose music centers around something more upbeat., e.g. drinking, partying, etc. (Sounds like Pagan Black Metal with German lyrics)
4.
Eluveitie - 'Helvetios':
http://youtu.be/XM1v-00C6AM From: Switzerland
Sounds very similar to their previous stuff but they are masters at what they do so I cannot complain. There is nothing outstanding about this album but it is nonetheless a solid album. For a summary: quality melodic folk metal. (Sounds like Ensiferum)
5.
Skalmold - 'Born Loka':
http://youtu.be/9ZDi87UZhFk From: Iceland
Metal sounds awesome in Icelandic, just so you understand. This band has some chops for a folk metal band(no disrespect) and surprised me
multiple times with the guitar work. Listen to the guitar work in the song 'Midgardsormur' in the link. This is quality stuff/
5 Best Grindcore Albums 1.
Cattle Decapitation - 'Monolith Of Inhumanity':
http://youtu.be/6mgNLE4GHvk From: United States
This album truly is a masterpiece. This is one of the best grindcore albums I have heard ever. While everything is great on this album, I want to
point out that this is one of my favorite drumming albums of 2012. (Moves at the same pace I bang my girlfriend to)
2.
Pig Destoryer - 'Book Burner':
http://youtu.be/d6dycCqqZS0 From: United States
This is a no frills assault on your ear drums. From beginning to end this is a violent exhibition in quality grindcore. (You are most likely the monkey in this video and sounds kinda like Napalm Death)
3.
Absvrdist - 'Illusory':
http://youtu.be/l1iTULIImuQ From: United States
Everything flows smoothly in this album and they have no problem transitioning from one element to the next, which made this a beat of a debut album. The vocals are a nice median between grind and black metal and the amount of aggression the band exhibits makes the case even more believable. (Sounds like well done blackened grind)
4.
Plague Widow - 'Plague Widow':
http://youtu.be/AUNHufICeJ4 From: United States
This is merely an EP but definitely signifies things to come. Upon first listen I was blown away by how massive the guitar tone was and the pounding and prominence of the drums. The riffs are f `in good tremolo-picked ones and I am looking forward to a full-length. This band embodies brutal. (Sounds like Clinging to the Trees of a Forest Fire)
5.
Murder Construct - 'Results':
http://youtu.be/la-H6BVZhSU From: United States
Filthy and unrelenting brutality. Nothing overly technical but everything is solid. The drumming is very good as well and it is another one of my
favorite drumming albums of 2012. It was a good year for Travis Ryan, who has some rangy vocals. (Sounds like Cattle Decapitation)
4 Best Melodic Metal Albums 1.
In Mourning - 'The Weight of Oceans':
http://youtu.be/YZ4ioEQ7okM From: Sweden
Great melodies and guitar lines to be found throughout. No other melodic influenced band conveyed their message as clearly as In Mourning this
year. This was my first listen of the band and definitely makes me yearn for newer material. This was a showcase in melodic metal which few
bands can touch, minus Insomnium or Opeth. Many melodic bands have taken steps towards doom, this band has gone for something more progressive and as stated, it yields fine results. (Sounds a little like Opeth)
2.
Daylight Dies - 'A Frail Becoming':
http://youtu.be/r3QVPEUJYRg From: United States
Daylight dies presents another solid album, full of melancholic melodies and doomy passages. The lyrics are centered around death, depression,
and suicide which appeal to some but are not really my cup of tea. There are clean vocals to be found in the album, which adds a positive change. There are interesting riffs, layered guitar work, and solos but this is not their best work. The vocals fit the music nicely too. (Sounds like Swallow the Sun)
3.
Be'lakor - 'Of Breath & Bone':
http://youtu.be/mPHJycgRLN8 From: Australia
Another melodic death metal band with doom influences. This is overall a more varied and intriguing album than Swallow the Sun`s. The riffs are
interesting and paint a solid picture of the message they wish to convey. The lyrics are interesting as well. They deal more so with nature and paganism which helps keep my attention. Be'lakor also resemble a band I am quite fond of in Insomnium. This is their best effort to date. (Sounds like Insomnium)
4.
Swallow the Sun - 'Emerald Forest and the Blackbird':
http://youtu.be/g6W5ScOEv2c From: Finland
To be honest, I did not listen to a massive quantity of melodic bands but this album was one of them. I am not in love with this album but there
are things that can be taken as worthwhile. The vocalist has range, from clean singing(which is more prominent than other bands I reviewed) to deep growls. There are some truly emotional pieces in here but the album is not varied and interesting enough to be highly regarded. The lyrics, like many who play similar sounding music, center around the bleakness of this world. This album was quality, though I know they can make better records. (Sounds like Daylight Dies but with more clean vocals)
Other Metal Albums 1.
Ne Obliviscaris - 'Portal of I':
http://youtu.be/aMorAdnCixg From: Australia
If one happens to be into extreme metal which encorporates a violin, long tracks, prolonged instrumental passages, growls, and quality musicianship across the board, then look no further. This album does things with metal which are quite unusual, yet in a hearty and tasteful dosage. Few bands create material in this vein(that I am aware of) and that is a good thing. (Sorta resembles Opeth)
2.
Gojira - 'L'Enfant Sauvage':
http://youtu.be/IV8z3H-9Dy0 From: France
Quantitative and qualitative riffs permeate this album. The groove induces head-banging for sure, with the progressive lines adding a characteristic of its own. The songs are well written and contain solid instrumentation across the board. This was my first experience with Gojira but it won`t be my last. (Sounds kinda like Meshuggah banged Mastodon)
3.
Meshuggah - 'Koloss':
http://youtu.be/UISjgLu8zBA From: Sweden
Meshuggah is a well known band and love them or hate them, they are pioneers. Though the bands that typically try and copy their sound suck, they continue to churn out quality albums and set the bar higher for any "djent" band wishing to nibble on their teet. This album is not their best work and gets a little repetitive, but it is the variation from their other albums which helps give it personality. They are outstanding musicians, especially Haake who writes memorable drum lines and some very interesting lyrics. Their style is not something I enjoy listening to constantly but I respect and understand their work. (Sounds like Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects)
4.
Rush - 'Clockwork Angels':
http://youtu.be/ZcFGrWjOX0EYes, that Rush.
5.
Spawn Of Possession - 'Incurso':
http://youtu.be/LlMsWdZtsB8 From: Sweden
Great vocals? Check. Numerous highly technical and hard to mimic riffs? Check. Fast-paced, tight, and varied drumming? Yes. Audible bass lines? I think so. This album is my second favorite tech-death album next to 'Antithesis'. I honest wish the guitar tone was closer to 'Cabinet' but there is no denying the immense talent the fuckers have. This album also makes it a point to be vary from song to song and the solos are performed by that one guy from Defeated Sanity, which helps broaden their game. The solos shred and take you by surprise. The added classical elements don`t hurt either. To add to that, the songs are long but sometimes feel like songs within songs. (Sounds like Necrophagist)
6.
Devin Townsend - 'Epicloud':
http://youtu.be/NraG_UFkkFY From: Canada
At first this reminded me of a sort of hyper Led Zepplin project but even if I am off my rocker, this shit is cool. I love the diversity in his vocal range and the interesting music this guy composes. (Not overly metal and sort of poppy but this is sure as fuck high-quality rock. And if you are not into metal you still may like this)
7.
Enabler - 'All Hail the Void':
http://youtu.be/VQZrCvc7VhI From: United States
Almost like maniacal hardcore music. It is fast, catchy, and definitely has metal influences. (It`s okay, try it)
Disappointment:
Hour of Penance-'Sedition': A few good songs but it feels like a stripped version of their other releases, only shinier. For it to receive two 100 ratings is ridiculous. The riffs are meh, the vocals are the same(no problem here), there is less variation and less compelling climaxes, and the drumming is less varied and not as tight.
* These are in no particular order even though they are numbered.
** This list is subject to change.