Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives :: View topic - Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)

I’m obsessed with the Zeal and Ardor album. Devil is Fine felt like a proof-of-concept, but it got me interested. Stranger Fruit is fully realized and evocative. I only wish they were on the top site so I could write a full review!

Norwegian band OVÁTE debut s/t album on Soulseller Records is out now

https://soulsellerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/ov-te

The band members are scene veterans, who employ 5 different vocalists (1 per track), including Hoest, V'gandr (Helheim, and Eld (Gravdal, Aeternus). The result is a highly accomplished and exceedingly good offering. More than worth your time.

Anyone else have both Varathon and Asphagor in their top 5 so far for 2018? What spectacular albums by both bands!

dusty, atmospheric black metal with very satisfying Drudkhish production. It has that desert dynamic, full of windswept tumbleweed builds.
A thick haze blows in from the west and enrobes the plains in dusk.

Spoiler: show

https://wayfarercolorado.bandcamp.com/a ... ds-blood-2

A debut ep from an Iranian Post Black Metal band. https://forelunar.bandcamp.com/releases

thewrll wrote:

A debut ep from an Iranian Post Black Metal band. https://forelunar.bandcamp.com/releases

I think this is the same guy behind Etheraldine and Erancnoir - the latter of those I quite enjoyed. Seems to be very active.

I don't quite get the hype for this Hoth band. Their new album is basically The Forest Seasons with worse songwriting.

Wombbath - The Great Desolation

So this is the year that OSSDM has its revival peak or what? These guys has been around since 1990 and this year they release this monster album. Impressive! Well I haven't given this too much time yet, but I like it and when I quickly read some reviews, it seems like a lot of other people like it as well. Give it a spin!

I haven't noticed anyone post about NONE's album "Life has gone on long enough".

Depressive Black Metal release out of Oregon, USA. Nothing genre breaking or re-inventing, but the songs really great. The drum production is more like epic doom than the usually DSBM.

jimbies wrote:

As far as modern dsbm goes, these guys are about all thats left for me. I agree they're nothing spectacular, but should please anyone of the genre. Nice to see someone still chugging along the dsbm flag as most have disappeared.

jimbies wrote:

Author:	WingedOctopus [ Mon Jun 11, 2018 8:50 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
I’m obsessed with the Zeal and Ardor album. Devil is Fine felt like a proof-of-concept, but it got me interested. Stranger Fruit is fully realized and evocative. I only wish they were on the top site so I could write a full review!

Author:	pfk505 [ Mon Jun 11, 2018 9:35 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
Norwegian band OVÁTE debut s/t album on Soulseller Records is out now https://soulsellerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/ov-te The band members are scene veterans, who employ 5 different vocalists (1 per track), including Hoest, V'gandr (Helheim), and Eld (Gravdal, Aeternus). The result is a highly accomplished and exceedingly good offering. More than worth your time.

Author:	Pitiless Wanderer [ Mon Jun 11, 2018 10:27 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
WingedOctopus wrote: I’m obsessed with the Zeal and Ardor album. Devil is Fine felt like a proof-of-concept, but it got me interested. Stranger Fruit is fully realized and evocative. I only wish they were on the top site so I could write a full review! I've read interesting and positive reviews about that album. The debut wasn't my thing at all, and I thought it only garnered attention due to it's "slavery" theme. I'll check this out, but I'm not expecting much.

Author:	ObservationSlave [ Mon Jun 11, 2018 11:22 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
Has anyone checked out Solitary Men by Refuge? It's basically Rage, but for whatever reason they chose a different name comprised of almost the same letters. This isn't Soundchaser or anything, however it is still a lot of fun and should appeal to any fan of Rage.

Author:	~Guest 226319 [ Tue Jun 12, 2018 7:08 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
pfk505 wrote: Norwegian band OVÁTE debut s/t album on Soulseller Records is out now https://soulsellerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/ov-te The band members are scene veterans, who employ 5 different vocalists (1 per track), including Hoest, V'gandr (Helheim, and Eld (Gravdal, Aeternus). The result is a highly accomplished and exceedingly good offering. More than worth your time. Nice to hear some black metal this year!

Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives https://forum.metal-archives.com/

Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released) https://forum.metal-archives.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=120221	Page 13 of 33

Author:	Amber Gray [ Tue Jun 12, 2018 7:28 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
dusty, atmospheric black metal with very satisfying Drudkhish production. It has that desert dynamic, full of windswept tumbleweed builds. A thick haze blows in from the west and enrobes the plains in dusk. https://wayfarercolorado.bandcamp.com/a ... ds-blood-2

Author:	true_death [ Tue Jun 12, 2018 7:58 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
I've been really enjoying (Canadian) The Blood of Christ's new album Unrelenting Declivity of Anguish. Really nice death metal, like a fusion of Sinister and Suffocation with a little Deicide thrown in. Really, I might have passed it off as another decent but unremarkable death metal release if not for the vocal performance...he doesn't do anything super special or unique, but what he does do - he fuckin' owns, it's extremely brutal and intense, reminds me a lot of Frank Mullen's performance on Pierced from Within. Apparently, this band has been around since the early 90's but I've not heard of them until right now (only the Ohio band of the same name). Kind of curious to hear what their first three albums sound like.

Author:	miskatonic79 [ Wed Jun 13, 2018 10:45 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
Pitiless Wanderer wrote: Anyone else have both Varathon and Asphagor in their top 5 so far for 2018? What spectacular albums by both bands! The new Varathron is by far my favorite bm release of the year. Their best since Walpurgisnacht.

Author:	Sick6Six [ Wed Jun 13, 2018 8:03 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
Amber Gray wrote: dusty, atmospheric black metal with very satisfying Drudkhish production. It has that desert dynamic, full of windswept tumbleweed builds. A thick haze blows in from the west and enrobes the plains in dusk. Spoiler: show https://wayfarercolorado.bandcamp.com/a ... ds-blood-2 This completely blew me away, love it. Listening to their previous album now, damn I have been missing out!

Author:	jimbies [ Thu Jun 14, 2018 9:02 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
I haven't noticed anyone post about NONE's album "Life has gone on long enough". Depressive Black Metal release out of Oregon, USA. Nothing genre breaking or re-inventing, but the songs really great. The drum production is more like epic doom than the usually DSBM.

Author:	~Guest 226319 [ Thu Jun 14, 2018 5:16 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
Due to the way the band logo misrepresents their name, I will never not refer to that band as No Ne.

Author:	pfk505 [ Fri Jun 15, 2018 12:09 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
Well the Hoth album is out now and, surprise, it fucking destroys.

Author:	thewrll [ Fri Jun 15, 2018 2:05 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
Two I am really enjoying are A new Bloody Tyrant album. Based on this I wish their other albums were more available. Eastern Tinged Folk Melodic Black Metal https://bloodytyrantband.bandcamp.com/album/hagakure A debut ep from an Iranian Post Black Metal band. https://forelunar.bandcamp.com/releases

Author:	ButcherBarve666 [ Fri Jun 15, 2018 5:16 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
DOWN AMONG THE DEAD MEN just released an album today. It's definitely worth a spin. It has Dave Ingram on vocals! Bandcamp - https://downamongthedeadmen.bandcamp.com/

Author:	true_death [ Thu Jun 21, 2018 11:04 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
I got the new Torture Rack CD today, "Malefic Humiliation". It's nice and simple, old school death metal...kind of sounds like a fusion of Barnes-era Cannibal Corpse with classic Autopsy. Not super original stylistically - very meat & potatoes, but there's a really cool dark, kind of 'barbaric' vibe to the music, that sort of 'caveman' approach that Jungle Rot are famous for but a lot more savage and 'evil' sounding, which helps it stand out. I also got Ghastly - "Death Velour". This one is a bit harder for me to pin down. On first listen, I can tell it's Autopsy-ish death metal with an occult/psychadelic tendency, not too far removed from the gods Morbus Chron (R.I.P.), but altogether it feels pretty unique. Very weird lyrics as well, not sure what to make of that...I expect that it'll take a few listens before I really digest it, but so far color me impresed. P.S. that new Skeletal Remains is still fucking god-tier, holy shit does that album ever smoke!!! Better with each listen!!

Author:	~Guest 226319 [ Sat Jun 23, 2018 6:35 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
Found them browsing the archives advanced search checking random things, otherwise never heard of them, but Eunoë put out a really cool black/death/accoustic/folk metal album this year. Very Mexican sounding, of the pre-Columbian vibe that is popular with latin american post-black lately, but this album has an almost greek first wave bm vibe to it with the free mix of black, death, and heavy metal riffs, the thin, airy production, and the rockisms here and there. According to MA the members aren't in any other bands and their pictures look quite young and amateur. Very cool, creative work for these up'n'comers! Available on bandcamp: https://eunoemexico.bandcamp.com/album/ ... yaocuicatl for 60MXN, which is only a couple bucks USD.

Author:	pfk505 [ Sun Jun 24, 2018 10:56 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
Those of you in for the Dungeon Synth / Black Metal crossover works and who are fans of the niche created by Summoning all those years ago, behold: Out now on Wolfspell: https://wolfspellrecords.bandcamp.com/a ... e-trumpets Responsible for the mastering on this is apparently none other than Henri Sorvali (what a legend, by the way - he helps out a large number of underground outfits of similar stature). In my view one of the better examples of this style, of which I am admittedly a dedicated fan. This particular project is heavier on the DS side of things but everything is very, very competently done. I know there are a few of you here who will dig this one.

Author:	e_ddi_e [ Fri Jun 15, 2018 6:45 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
Garganjua – Through the Void This album har four tracks of progressive doom. And this could easily fit in the top ten album of 2018. I find the four songs absolutely stunning. This, along with the forthcoming Khemmis album will probably be the two top doom albums of 2018.

Author:	pfk505 [ Fri Jun 15, 2018 9:33 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
thewrll wrote: A debut ep from an Iranian Post Black Metal band. https://forelunar.bandcamp.com/releases I think this is the same guy behind Etheraldine and Erancnoir - the latter of those I quite enjoyed. Seems to be very active.

Author:	thewrll [ Fri Jun 15, 2018 2:38 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
pfk505 wrote: thewrll wrote: A debut ep from an Iranian Post Black Metal band. https://forelunar.bandcamp.com/releases I think this is the same guy behind Etheraldine and Erancnoir - the latter of those I quite enjoyed. Seems to be very active. Thanx, I will have to check his other two bands out.

Author:	~Guest 354281 [ Fri Jun 15, 2018 4:58 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
Enblood - Cast to Exile https://enblood.bandcamp.com/album/cast-to-exile This is really good. Haven't been this excited about a DM band from Portugal since Genocide in the 90's.

Author:	Sick6Six [ Fri Jun 15, 2018 7:23 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
This Hoth album is God.

Author:	Xenophon [ Mon Jun 18, 2018 1:45 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
I don't quite get the hype for this Hoth band. Their new album is basically The Forest Seasons with worse songwriting.

Author:	Pitiless Wanderer [ Mon Jun 18, 2018 5:09 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
I don't either. It decent but not much more.

Author:	ObservationSlave [ Mon Jun 18, 2018 11:15 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
Xenophon wrote: I don't quite get the hype for this Hoth band. Their new album is basically The Forest Seasons with worse songwriting. Could you elaborate on that at all? I find very few similarities between the two albums. Each song on The Forest Seasons is unnecessarily long and repetitive, and Astral Neromancy is basically the opposite. Changing topics, Coldbound's latest album is awesome. It's Finnish melodeath/doom metal to the very core, similar to Insomnium, Wolfheart, etc.

Author:	Xenophon [ Tue Jun 19, 2018 12:05 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
Hoth's songs aren't as long, but are also repetitive (in fact, I think more so), and the riffing style and vocals are very similar. The highly consonant melodies and very clean production with a slightly murky/clouded guitar tone also strike me as similar. I suppose Wintersun's album is also more ornate, which can be seen as a good or bad thing.

Author:	Sick6Six [ Tue Jun 19, 2018 10:00 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
I had only listened to about half a Hoth song before the new album and I wasn't hyped or expecting to even like it. I decided to give it a chance and ended up just loving it. It's got a perfect mix of badass-ness, beauty and mysticism and it just keeps chugging along. I enjoy the lyrics and vocals which are 100% understandable, I think it's just a great "escape" album with an overall uplifting feeling. I listened to it during my last 3 workouts and they were 3 of the best workouts I've had in awhile. I guess the album just works perfectly for me.

Author:	joppek [ Tue Jun 19, 2018 10:24 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
the new hoth is very good, but i do prefer oathbreaker over it - altho' i guess that might change with subsequent listens, but i doubt it not really among the very top albums for the year, but it's a hell of a lot better than the forest seasons

Author:	e_ddi_e [ Wed Jun 20, 2018 5:17 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
Wombbath - The Great Desolation So this is the year that OSSDM has its revival peak or what? These guys has been around since 1990 and this year they release this monster album. Impressive! Well I haven't given this too much time yet, but I like it and when I quickly read some reviews, it seems like a lot of other people like it as well. Give it a spin!

Author:	MeltedFace [ Wed Jun 20, 2018 4:39 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
Deathstorm has put out a hell of a soul crushing Death Metal album with The Unfathomable. There's a lot of variance between the songs that I'm discovering something new to appreciate every time I listen to it.

Author:	Xenophon [ Wed Jun 20, 2018 6:45 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
e_ddi_e wrote: Wombbath - The Great Desolation So this is the year that OSSDM has its revival peak or what? These guys has been around since 1990 and this year they release this monster album. Impressive! Well I haven't given this too much time yet, but I like it and when I quickly read some reviews, it seems like a lot of other people like it as well. Give it a spin! Yeah this album is pretty good. The title track in particular is very stirring actually.

Author:	rexxz [ Thu Jun 21, 2018 10:40 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
e_ddi_e wrote: So this is the year that OSSDM has its revival peak or what? These guys has been around since 1990 and this year they release this monster album. Impressive! Well I haven't given this too much time yet, but I like it and when I quickly read some reviews, it seems like a lot of other people like it as well. Give it a spin! A peak would imply that it's not going to get any better later on, or something to that effect. The only way to know is in retrospect, so I don't know if that's what you're really trying to say or not...

Author:	AcidWorm [ Thu Jun 21, 2018 10:45 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
Morfina - Deathrasher Along the lines of stuff like Bulldozer, Sarcofago, and Bathory. Blurs the lines between black/death/thrash really well. Wallachia - Monumental Heresy Excellent Norwegian black metal that has great use of melody.

Author:	Dooders [ Thu Jun 21, 2018 11:44 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
jimbies wrote: I haven't noticed anyone post about NONE's album "Life has gone on long enough". Depressive Black Metal release out of Oregon, USA. Nothing genre breaking or re-inventing, but the songs really great. The drum production is more like epic doom than the usually DSBM. As far as modern dsbm goes, these guys are about all thats left for me. I agree they're nothing spectacular, but should please anyone of the genre. Nice to see someone still chugging along the dsbm flag as most have disappeared.

Author:	pfk505 [ Fri Jun 22, 2018 8:57 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
At first I thought comparing Hoth to Wintersun was asinine, but when I thought about it I could see some faint similarities. In any case, I still love the new Hoth album, and I think it's better than their previous two (which I enjoyed well enough but not to any sort of special degree).

Author:	Xenophon [ Fri Jun 22, 2018 10:08 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
Dooders wrote: jimbies wrote: I haven't noticed anyone post about NONE's album "Life has gone on long enough". Depressive Black Metal release out of Oregon, USA. Nothing genre breaking or re-inventing, but the songs really great. The drum production is more like epic doom than the usually DSBM. As far as modern dsbm goes, these guys are about all thats left for me. I agree they're nothing spectacular, but should please anyone of the genre. Nice to see someone still chugging along the dsbm flag as most have disappeared. I liked the new Now Everything Fades album pretty well, about on par with the None one I would say.

Author:	hallowed78 [ Sat Jun 23, 2018 4:20 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Worthwhile Albums of 2018 (i.e. ones that have already been released)
I'm really enjoying the debut from Gaerea. Really solid piece of black stuff.