Fuck Brumpxit its the 2016 Metal and Hard N' Heavy Rock Poll Results Thread (With spotify and bandcamp links)

Firstly thanks to all who voted we were 20 or so ballots down on recent years but hopefully the results will be ok.

I don't actually have them yet but seandalai said I'd get them on Saturday and he closed voting a few hours ago so I'm sure he wont be too long. Big thanks to seandalai for doing all the hard work in the poll.

But the purpose of starting the thread is because of Simon H's offer of a prize.

oh btw I reiterate this pledge if anyone feels up for an extra layer of tomfoolery

FYI everyone I will be offering a **special metal mystery prize** to whoever most accurately guesses the top 20

*N. Americans only, fuck intercontinental postage

― (Simon H.), Thursday, 15 December 2016 20:30 (two days ago)

I'm sure he would still send it outwith North Americanada if you pay the postage so please make your predictions.

Subscribe to The Spotify Results Playlist here

What do you think of the state of metal in 2016?

Stereogum dude wasn't impressed

I could go either way on this one, but I think I’m primarily sort of dispirited by the fact that nobody in metal appears to be having the same conversation as anybody else. (Incidentally, by my count, 10 titles from Decibel’s list are included on our own top 40 below.)
I think music benefits from having ubiquitous figures inspiring universal debate. I think prominent artists push forward the entire art form. I think metal today lacks standard-bearers — and maybe even standards — and as such, it fails to meaningfully engage with the culture at large.
Right now, it barely seems to understand how to substantively connect with its most-devoted community members. You can be a serious metal enthusiast and probably not give a shit about a single one of the 40 albums on Decibel’s list — or our list, for that matter. And while I understand how we got here, I think that’s ultimately probably not a great development for metal.

Stereogum’s own Tom Breihan summed it up pretty damn well in his late-November review of Worm Ouroboros’ What Graceless Dawn, saying:

Underground metal is a funny thing. These days, it feels less like a genre and more like a loose constellation of vaguely connected mini-scenes … Seriously: Sometimes I think metal is less a kind of music and more a design sensibility.

It’s hard to argue with that, except perhaps to say that even the design aspect is pretty inconsistent at this point. Notably, a number of metal bands enjoyed brief periods of commercial success in 2016. Anthrax’s For All Kings debuted at #9 on the Billboard 200. Both Korn’s The Serenity Of Suffering and Volbeat’s Seal The Deal & Let’s Boogie debuted at #4. Megadeth’s Dystopia debuted at #3. Deftones’ Gore debuted at #2.

In a different world, that would mean something — those albums would be central to our collective understanding of this music. But in this world? Nah. None of those albums were included on Decibel’s list. None of them are included on our list. But, like, then you see that two of them were included on Rolling Stone’s list. So, I mean, I dunno. I’m not trying to single anybody out here. I’m pretty egalitarian in my view. Nobody’s right, nobody’s wrong, but mostly, my point is, nobody’s talking about the same music.

You can read the rest here
http://www.stereogum.com/1914718/the-40-best-metal-albums-of-2016/franchises/2016-in-review/

What are your thoughts on metal in 2016?

No metal album this year connected with me like several metal albums from 2015 and 2014. Maybe I wasn't listening closely enough, maybe I just didn't reach far enough. Most of what I really liked in those other two years I discovered through this poll, so I've got my fingers crossed 2016 pulls through.

As long as we've been friends you've always been playing catch up. Tom. Hopefully you can discover more as we roll out the results.

Care to predict the top 20 so you can win Simon's prize?

eagerly waiting to quit with the silly articles and get on with the metal listening. tt is playing the guitar next to me, that'll have to do for now

nothing stopping you listening to metal and joining in thread conversation

Vektor
Oranssi Pazuzu
Aluk Todolo
Jute Gyte
Chthe'ilist
Virus
Schammasch
SubRosa
Gorguts
DSO
CoL/Julie Xmas
Sumac
Bolzer
Asphyx
Abbath
Khemmis
Wormrot
Furia
one of the Mesarthims (but only one, prob the morse code one)
and the obvious number one, MOON TOOTH

I have no opinion about the state of metal in 2016 but jfc that Stereogum article...

I refuse to believe that someone who actually reviews metal hasn't heard more than 5 records on that Decibel list. I've been absolutely terrible at listening to new music this year and I've heard 10 and I didn't even listen to the big ones (Meshuggah, DEP, Neurosis...)

I don't think I could even begin to guess beyond the top 3 (though I would really like to win the prize).

Do you know how many ballots you ended up with, Kerr?

top 20

1. metallica
2. vektor
3. oranssi pazuzu
4. idk i'm lost now. some shit like inter arma
5. sumac
6. thy catafalque
7. idk idk darkthrone
8. howls of ebb
9. GOAT
10. GOATESS
11. GOAT GYTE
12. GOATGUTS (GORGOAT?)
13. sub rosa
14. furia
15. schammasch
16. ulcerate
17. nails
18. aluk todolo
19.hail spirit noir
20. wormed

wormrot, dillinger, deathspell, xoth all probably in there somewhere but instead of what i do not know

moon tooth will have received a massive boost in the last day or so of voting, but a top-20 boost? we'll see

lol at tom leaving out metallica. if only we all could

As for the state of metal this year... I don't know. I feel like metal suffers more than most genres from a vaunting of tradition and all the defiance in the face of experimentation just means that a lot of really great, boundary-pushing stuff gets buried in obscurity. Maybe that's true for a lot of genres, idk.

What I'm saying is that I've found a lot of the more interesting things I've heard this year just during the voting process for this poll. I doubt there's a dip in quality or a lull in progression, just that it is not immediately as obvious.

imago's list is perfect, but I'd definitely switch 1 and 2

actually forgotten spell will win this whole damn poll, it cannot fail

I want a drum kit

it's not about chops. it's about unleashing the metal within, as frantically as your little legs and arms can carry you

George I'm not sure because of people resubmitting ballots but I think around 40. Will need seandalai to confirm

I thought it was a pretty good year for metal? Like, I bought a lot of metal. So it was a good year for it.

Id swap out Metallica for Neurosis tbh in your list imago (which looks a lot like mine lol), but I think Vektor's probably comfortably #1

My guess is Metallica in the 30s? I want to believe Varahtelija is top 5, but part of me thinks there's no way it isnt hanging out with its bloghype twin Voix in the 7-10 range

Not seen the results so I can comment freely but id be shocked if vektor, and metallica werent miles ahead of others but as adrien,phil etc didnt vote who knows.

they didn't vote?

demote metallica forthwith

One thing with metal poll is that it's never been predictable

Metallica could do well just from having been heard by the most people, even without being in many top 10s.

"No drum kits for anyone!" xp

especially lars?

fwiw neither tt nor i have heard the metallica yet

Aye, you dont necessarily need loads of #1s if everyone has it in the top 10.

No idea what points weighting seandalai is using

Jute gyte for instance often get a couple of #1s but get nowhere near the top 10

sub-genre wise has it been a good year for death, black,doom, thrash metal etc?

oh shit megadeth did an album as well didn't they. probably enough to get it in the top 20 regardless of how bad it is

how do you know it was bad? It got good reviews I think

xp black metal seems to have done well this year, although the subgenre stuff like blackgaze or black-krautrock and so forth are the things that seem to have gotten all the attention. The thrashy old-school sounding stuff I haven't seen on any lists. I assume that's the way of black metal, though, tr00 kvlt underground grim frostbitten necrodeath etc

Yeah, I voted for one black metal album and it's the arty krautrock one.

It seems to have been a great year for SPACE

Also grindcore

It seems to have been a great year for SPACE

― dance band (tangenttangent), Saturday, December 17, 2016 9:58 PM (fifty-two seconds ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

this, this above anything else

are Metallica really going to do that well? I thought most people were saying it was surprisingly good for Metallica in 2016, but that doesn't read to me like a great album better than most other metal albums of the year.

rolling metal thread folk raved about it

at this point i think theres a huge willing for metallica to be great again

2016: the almighty throes of reactionism

:P

SAVE US SEAN

Terrorizer wasn't impressed

50. TESTAMENT ‘Brotherhood Of The Snake’ NUCLEAR BLAST
49. KRYPTS ‘Remnants Of Expansion’ DARK DESCENT
48. SABATON ‘The Last Stand’ NUCLEAR BLAST
47. THE WOUNDED KINGS ‘Visions In Bone’ SPINEFARM
46. SLABDRAGGER ‘Rise Of The Dawncrusher’ HOLY ROAR
45. HORSEBACK ‘Dead Ringers’ RELAPSE
44. KVELERTAK ‘Nattesferd’ ROADRUNNER
43. WARDRUNA ‘Rudaljod – Ragnarok’ SEASON OF MIST
42- WRETCH ‘Wretch’ BAD OMEN
41. KATATONIA ‘The Fall Of Hearts’ PEACEVILLE
40. DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT ‘Transcendence’ HEVY DEVY/INSIDE OUT
39. CONAN ‘Revengeance’ BLACK BOW
38. DÄLEK ‘Asphalt For Eden’ PROFOUND LORE.
37. BÖLZER ‘Hero’ IRON BONEHEAD
36. GRAF ORLOCK ‘Crime Traveller’ VITRIOL
35. ROTTING CHRIST ‘Rituals’ SEASON OF MIST
34. INTERMENT ‘Scent Of The Buried’ PULVERISED
33. INTER ARMA ‘Paradise Gallows’ RELAPSE
32. DARKHER ‘Realms’ PROPHECY
31. BOSSK ‘Audio Noir’ DEATHWISH
30. GADGET ‘The Great Destroyer’ RELAPSE
29. SWANS ‘The Glowing Man’ MUTE
28. IHSAHN ‘Arktis’ CANDLELIGHT
27. INQUISITION ‘Bloodshed Across The Empyrean Altar Beyond The Celestial Zenith’ SEASON OF MIST
26. DESTRÖYER 666 ‘Wildfire’ SEASON OF MIST
25. ALCEST ‘Kodama’ PROPHECY
24. PURSON ‘Desire’s Magic Theatre’ SPINEFARM
23. THE BODY ‘No One Deserves Happiness’ THRILL JOCKEY
22. BOSS KELOID ‘Herb Your Enthusiasm’ BLACK BOW
21. GOJIRA ‘Magma’ ROADRUNNER
20. WORMROT ‘Voices’ EARACHE
19. URFAUST ‘Empty Space Meditation’ VÁN.
18. GRAVES AT SEA ‘The Curse That Is’ RELAPSE
17. ANAAL NATHRAKH ‘The Whole Of The Law’ METAL BLADE
16. OPETH ‘Sorceress’ NUCLEAR BLAST
15. VEKTOR ‘Terminal Redux’ EARACHE
14. BLOOD INCANTATION ‘Starspawn’ DARK DESCENT
13. DISCHARGE ‘End Of Days’ NUCLEAR BLAST
12. THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN ‘Dissociation’ PARTY SMASHER INC.
11. DEATHSPELL OMEGA ‘The Synarchy Of Molten Bones’ NORMA EVANGELIUM DIABOLI

10. NAILS ‘You Will Never Be One of Us’ NUCLEAR BLAST
9. ORANSSI PAZUZU ‘Värähtelijä’ SVART
8. CULT OF LUNA AND JULIE CHRISTMAS ‘Mariner’ INDIE
7. COBALT ‘Slow Forever’ PROFOUND LORE.
6. SUBROSA ‘For This We Fought The Battle of The Ages’ PROFOUND LORE.
5. 40 WATT SUN ‘Wider Than The Sky’ SVART
4. TRAP THEM ‘Crown Feral’ PROSTHETIC
3. OATHBREAKER ‘Rheia’ DEATHWISH
2. DARKTHRONE ‘Arctic Thunder’ PEACEVILLE
1. NEUROSIS ‘Fires Within Fires’ NEUROT

Decibel

Decibel
40. The Dillinger Escape Plan - Dissociation
39. Eternal Champion - The Armor of Ire
38. Venomous Concept - Kick Me Silly VC III
37. Aluk Todolo - Voix
36. Inverloch - Distance | Collapsed
35. Eerie - Eerie
34. Sumac - What One Becomes
33. Child Bite - Negative Noise
32. Inquisition - Bloodshed Across the Empyrean Altar Beyond the Celestial Zenith
31. Cult of Luna & Julie Christmas - Mariner
30. Graves at Sea - The Curse that Is
29. Chthe’ilist - Le Dernier Crépuscule
28. Phobocosm - Bringer of Drought
27. Testament - Brotherhood of the Snake
26. SubRosa - For this We Fought the Battle of Ages
25. Bölzer - Hero
24. Neurosis - Fires Within Fires
23. Mizmor - Yodh
22. Wretch - Wretch
21. Virus - Memento Collider
20. Oathbreaker - Rheia
19. Ghoul - Dungeon Bastards
18. Diamond Head - Diamond Head
17. Meshuggah - The Violent Sleep of Reason
16. Destroyer 666 - Wildfire
15. Crowbar - The Serpent Only Lies
14. Funeral Moth - Transience
13. Blood Ceremony - Lord of Misrule
12. Asphyx - Incoming Death
11. Trap Them - Crown Feral
10. Cobalt - Slow Forever
9. Gorguts - Pleiades Dust
8. Hammers of Misfortune - Dead Revolution
7. Inter Arma - Paradise Gallows
6. Gehennah - Too Loud to Live, Too Drunk to Die
5. Abbath - Abbath
4. Oranssi Pazuzu - Värähtelijä
3. Blood Incantation - Starspawn
2. Nails - You Will Never Be One of Us
1. Khemmis - Hunted

Kerrang

Kerrang top 50

50 Electric Century - From The Night To Control
49 Alcest - Kodama
48 Vodun - Possession
47 Pup - The Dream Is Over
46 Descendents - Hypercaffum Spazzinate
45 Billy Talent - Afraid Of Heights
44 Black Peaks - Statues
43 Against The Current - In Our Bones
42 The Pretty Reckless - Who You Selling For
41 Swmrs - Drive North
40 With Confidence - Better Weather
39 Brian Fallon - Painkillers
38 Cane Hill - Smile
37 Bury Tomorrow - Earthbound
36 Sum 41 - 13 Voices
35 Russian Circles - Guidance
34 The Amity Affliction - This Could Be Heartbreak
33 Beach Slang - A Loud Bash of Teenage Feelings
32 Modern Baseball - Holy Ghost
31 Letlive - If I'm The Devil.
30 Weezer - (The White Album)
29 Waterparks - Double Dare
28 Alter Bridge - The Last Hero
27 Asking Alexandria - The Black
26 Lonely the Brave - Things Will Matter
25 Beartooth - Aggressive
24 A Day To Remember - Bad Vibrations
23 Jimmy Eat World - Integrity Blues
22 Hellions - Opera Oblivia
21 The Black Queen - Fever Daydream
20 Nails - You Will Never Be One Of Us
19 Milk Teeth - Vile Child
18 Muncie Girls - From Caplan to Belsize
17 The Dillinger Escape Plan
16 Biffy Cunto - Ellipsis
15 Gojira - Magma
14 Moose Blood - Blush
13 Blink-182 - California
12 Pierce The Veil - Misadventures
11 Every Time I Die
10 Twin Atlantic - GLA
9 BABYMETAL - Metal Resistance
8 Panic At The Disco - Death Of A Bachelor
7 Deftones - Gore
6 Against Me - Shape Shift With Me
5 Avenged Sevenfold - The Stage
4 Frank Iero And The Patience - Parachutes
3 Architects - All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us
2 Metallica - Hardwired... To Self-Destruct
1 Green Day - Revolution Radio

Not really for this thread, but that Milk Teeth album is great in its way

Hardly surprising Kerrang loves the Metallica and its no surprise if the casual ilxor voting who doesnt hang out in rolling metal thread loves it that metallica are back in form.

keep the top 20 guesses coming folks, the more guesses the metalllller

btw here's my guess - I reserve the right to beat you all and treat myself to something nice instead

1. Oranssi Pazuzu
2. Vektor
3. Khemmis
4. Hammers of Misfortune
5. Cobalt
6. Sumac
7. Metallica
8. Deftones
9. Subrosa
10. Blood Incantation
11. Inter Arma
12. Kvelertak
13. Moon Tooth
14. Jute Gyte
15. Neurosis
16. Destroyer 666
17. Nails
18. Darkthrone
19. Asphyx
20. Ulcerate

Metal lists do seem the least predictable. In the last installment of the Metal Sucks podcast, they featured many odd choices, and both agreed on #1 and said it wasn't even close, was Astronoid - Air. Which hasn't been on any other list that I'm aware of.

http://www.metalsucks.net/2016/12/05/the-best-of-2016-on-the-metalsucks-podcast-173/

WAIT NEVERMIND I FORGOT ALUK TODOLO xp

1. Oranssi Pazuzu
2. Vektor
3. Khemmis
4. Hammers of Misfortune
5. Aluk Todolo
6. Cobalt
7. Sumac
8. Metallica
9. Deftones
10 Subrosa
11. Blood Incantation
12. Inter Arma
13. Kvelertak
14. Moon Tooth
15. Jute Gyte
16. Neurosis
17. Destroyer 666
18. Nails
19. Darkthrone
20. Ulcerate

Astronoid RULES

I hope we got enough votes for a top 100. The 100-51 tends to be where I discover new to me things. Will be a pity if good albums are outside of the top 100 though.

would be happy with a top 50 and a slow-paced rollout tbh, give us all time to listen

top 100 is fine too though

The Astronoid is Name yr price: https://blood-music.bandcamp.com/album/air

was there a bandcamp metal list this year?

lol I'm sure there's more than enough fodder for a top 100

Is it too late to change my ballot? I want to write in Lustmord - Dark Matter.

voting closed hours ago

Is that a yes or a no?

I assume when seandalai closed the voting he was starting the tabulation

1 Vektor
2 Oranssi Pazuzu
3 Sumac
4 Jute Gyte
5 Khemmis
6 Sub Rosa
7 Metallica
8 Inter Arma
9 Schammasch
10 Aluk Todolo
11 Darkthrone
12 Furia
13 Hammers of Misfortune
14 Nails
15 Gojira
16 Ulcerate
17 Thy Catafalque
18 Virus
19 Neurosis
20 Hail Spirit Noir

Tough to figure out the last few, as Zao, Cult of Luna/Julie Xmas, The Body, Cobalt, Deftones, Goat, Kvelertak, Gorguts, Asphyx, Moon Tooth and more are possibilities.

Out of curiosity, how is accuracy being judged here? Does order matter?

I would have thought that was the point

guess the order of the top 20 and the closest guess gets the prize

astronoid are basically deafheaven x devin townsend. not sure about the songwriting but the sound is pretty intense

lol I haven't thought of the criteria too hard, probably whoever gets the most slots correct, then accuracy in case of a tiebreaker

1. Vektor
2. Oranssi Pazuzu
3. Khemmis
4. Aluk Todolo
5. Metallica
6. Sumac
7. Jute Gyte
8. Sub Rosa
9. Mesarthim
10. Thy Catafalque
11. Virus
12. Destroyer 666
13. Hail Spirit Noir
14. Schammasch
15. Cult of Luna & Julie Christmas
16. Wormed
17. Hammers of Misfortune
18. Moon Tooth
19. Gorguts
20. Wormrot

surely its gotta be in order as you said guess the top 20

yeah I might have to get fancy cause these lists are mostly pretty damn similar lol

^ xxp That was my guess, if it wasn't obvious.

Astronoid are just some amazing emo afaict

Moon Tooth sound exactly like I'd expect a Tom pick to sound

I remember how excited he was that time I told him to check out Chiodos

moon tooth is some nifty prog-thrash-pop-sludge hyperactivity

That was Dan who loved Chiodos. Still does.

I'm excited to see people getting behind Moon Tooth, it's really fun. My #1 (spoilers)

no spoilers! (tho im sure everyone guessed anyway)

there's no difference between you and dan (I think dan may have posted once or twice here like a dozen years ago)

I stick by my description of Astronoid as Mew gone death metal

You've just won sund4r over by saying mew

it was inside my top 10 (more spoilers) xxp

now wondering why i didn't put it in my prediction. oh well

mew is def the vocal approach here. astronoid yet to record anything as monstrously kickass as 'rows' on this evidence but i'm reasonably impressed tbh

oi

sorry ;_;

I guess its proof that campaigning/boosting really works. Maybe you could get it into the 77 if you campaign on that thread?

Which reminds me seandalai does the tabulation on that poll too so please go nominate lots of metal from this poll and campaign for it. We got uncle acid in the top 10 one year
ILM's 2016 End of Year Albums & Tracks Poll / NOMINATIONS THREAD

this is going to sound v false & vnkvlt but only my top 5 metal albums are scheduled to be in my 25 ballot positions for the main show this year, sorry everyone. it's just been such a good year all-around

fuuuuck I forgot Hail Spirit Noir on my list. i weep.

this is why RYM exists, folks

i'd love to say "no way do deftones not place in the top 20" but i've never successfully predicted a metal poll. psyched to see deafheaven at no. 1

I feel like maybe I should have campaigned for Skuggsjá, it came out early in the year so now I'm worried it'll be forgotten.

the closest points of comparison i can think of for moon tooth are faith no more and shudder to think. but harder and faster

"what if shudder to think were a metal band" is a question i didn't know i needed answered

I didn't forget Skuggsjá! (At least I don't think so...) I've had the song Skuggeslåtten on repeat all year.

"what if shudder to think were a metal band" is a question i didn't know i needed answered

Haven't got around to listening to the Moon Tooth yet but I am very much interested in the answer to this!

Oathbreaker sound nothing like deafheaven (listening on Spotify) . Presumably people say this because they are on the same record label?

Just been given the results, not even looked at them yet. Anyone still around? I can post a few to get us started/give you something to listen to

DON'T TALK ABOUT

ALL YOU GOTTA DO IS

DO IT

DO IT

Just post up through Moon Tooth (which is #1)

Top 101 like previous years

heh something big was #103 if only their biggest boosters had voted, eh?

does it end in 'llica'?

Bring on the main act!

\m/METAL POLL\m/
\m/METAL POLL\m/

101 Khthoniik Cerviiks - SeroLogiikal Scars (Vertex of Dementiia) 108 Points, 4 Votes, One #1
http://i66.tinypic.com/16li7ma.jpg
https://ironboneheadproductions.bandcamp.com/album/khthoniik-cerviiks-serologiikal-scars-vertex-of-dementiia

I'm guessing a dominique leone vote here

Low on my list, but it was on there. It lost points for the idiosyncratic spelling.

It's on my to-listen-to list since a bunch of folks repped for it, but the name kinda put me off.

v siilly name but this sounds really good, damn

42 ballots btw think it was either 63 or 67 last year

Maybe the metal bubble's deflating.

I have theories as to why that # is down but maybe let's hash that out another time

no, please elucidate

3-way-tie
98 Lord Vicar - Gates of Flesh 109 Points, 3 Votes
http://i63.tinypic.com/10ejyg7.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/4WZNPNhSgusM0wsHXHmB4W
spotify:album:4WZNPNhSgusM0wsHXHmB4W

98 Blood Ceremony - Lord Of Misrule 109 Points, 3 Votes
http://i68.tinypic.com/2cibjhl.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/5ZxI30AGxfMgiyDH29bWaa
spotify:album:5ZxI30AGxfMgiyDH29bWaa

98 Abbath - Abbath 109 Points, 3 Votes
http://i63.tinypic.com/2bbkli.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/200ZiLtbhXnT33RI8PILqY
spotify:album:200ZiLtbhXnT33RI8PILqY

I thought Blood Ceremony and Abbath would both be higher. I haven't heard either one myself, but I thought there was a lot of talk about them on the rolling metal thread.

Probably was but a lot of people didn't vote this year

97 Dawnwalker - In Rooms 109 Points, 4 Votes
http://i63.tinypic.com/118n0xg.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/4eZVVmoVadvHlVqdsUCyIL
spotify:album:4eZVVmoVadvHlVqdsUCyIL

https://dawnwalker.bandcamp.com/

l0u1s jagg3r I once made this guy sit through a Whit Stillman movie naked against his will and he's repaid me by making one of the best metal albums of 2016. There's no justice Favorite track: Reflecting Pool.

He gets his pal into the poll but isn't even around to comment!

Some metal noob beat Abbath? This is madness.

The Abbath album's great btw.

oh my god

i will text him

it's really good!

:) glad i could persuade two of you (not including my gf) to listen! have repaid the compliment with many things yet to come obv

literally ten people on this earth have heard his music, four of them in this poll. it's great obv - indie-leaning sludge-doom with good production values and songwriting. sounds a bit like if mansun made a metal album (in a good way)

TIE
95 Madder Mortem - Red In Tooth and Claw 110 Points, 4 Votes
http://i66.tinypic.com/2qleffd.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/2odxQG8alGQ2CkAWjq7bpl
spotify:album:2odxQG8alGQ2CkAWjq7bpl
https://maddermortem.bandcamp.com/album/red-in-tooth-and-claw

95 Wardruna - Runaljod - Ragnarok 110 Points, 4 Votes
http://i68.tinypic.com/2ak0ifa.jpg

https://open.spotify.com/album/7jd4fRf4g2BfmifRRQJIxT
spotify:album:7jd4fRf4g2BfmifRRQJIxT

Does that Wardruna album come in a wooden chest??

If I hadn't voted for both of these then Dawnwalker would have been even higher!

94 Sunwatchers - Sunwatchers 112 Points, 3 Votes
http://i67.tinypic.com/15xtx0g.jpg

dunno what this is nor can i find any music. maybe several bands of the same name?

ok i have to hear this

tom - im guessing a very expensive version of it does

Oh, looks like it's part of a trilogy, maybe the box holds all three records. Can they be listened to out of order, or should one start with the 2009 album and move on from there?

xpost re the Wardruna

It's part 3 of a trilogy I think, so maybe they all feature in the treasure trove, hopefullly with a set of runes too. It's really nice dark folk. Or as imago put it: 'like the in-between bits on a black metal album'

Oh xp, sorry - posting from phone. Any order is fine

93 Truckfighters - V 116 Points, 4 Votes
http://i63.tinypic.com/117scd1.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/2st5WC99waH8DaN3naNq32
spotify:album:2st5WC99waH8DaN3naNq32

still researching Wardruna, that's the other guy from Skuggsja!

Oh I voted for Truckfighters. One of the bands I discovered in the lower reaches of a previous year's poll. Not as good as Conan or Wo Fat, but still pretty solid.

You can listen to the Wardruna in any order. I wrote about how they make their instruments here.

I'm happy just to see Lord Vicar, Blood Ceremony and Madder Mortem make the top 100. I've seen lists with either Blood Ceremony or Purson but rarely both, which is odd, as I think they're both great and very close in quality. I saw them both live this year, a couple of my favorite shows. Truckfighters are one of my top five all-time favorite live bands, and am stoked that I'll see them again next month.

Sunwatchers stream: http://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/premiere_sunwatchers_sunwatchers_album_stream/

That Wardruna writeup kinda lost me at "sunwheel necklace" :/

92 Atomikylä – Keräily 118 Points, 3 Votes
http://i65.tinypic.com/122hlzl.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/3G8lcItKRyUFlKloluvrU1
spotify:album:3G8lcItKRyUFlKloluvrU1

https://atomikyla.bandcamp.com/album/ker-ily

will take it down to #90 tonight

That Atomikylä record looks intense, I'm gonna check that out after the Wardruna.

xxp I've missed a couple of Madder Mortem records but they're a great band who deserves some goddamn recognition.

Atomikyla record's great, Oranssi Pazuzu dudes (I think?) doing super heavy psych doom.

this section has always been known as the george section fir a reason

Sunwatchers may not be metal, but they have some super heavy psych fusion jamz, which functionally work a bit like super heavy psych doom maybe so go for it

Sunwatchers reminds me a little of, like, Lightning Bolt. Not metal, per se, but well within bounds of this poll. (Of course, I think Tanya Tagaq is too, and now that I see Dalek made the Terrorizer list, I would've fought harder for him)

91 Wo Fat - Midnight Cometh 121 Points, 4 Votes
http://i67.tinypic.com/o8cmj6.jpg

https://open.spotify.com/album/0evEp1io20rWIF32pQ3hSt
spotify:album:0evEp1io20rWIF32pQ3hSt

https://wofat.bandcamp.com/album/midnight-cometh

My first top 10 to place! I didn't even know this was out until a couple weeks ago but it's really good. I think it's a step down from the last album, but I need to hear it a few more times to be sure.

Wo Fat and Truckfighters are generally solid. You wont get anything new from them but you wont be letdown.

Last one for tonight up next. Will resume around lunchtime

Who is volunteering this year to post the recaps at the end of the day?

90 Grand Magus - Sword Songs 122 Points, 3 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/CHFz0aa.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/2PUPnMAPQ6zuTu2KzTwfKF
spotify:album:2PUPnMAPQ6zuTu2KzTwfKF

Descriptors boastful, fantasy

I called them as Swedish from the album cover alone btw. What an adorably surly eagle!

They have been around for years. They used to be an awesome doom band. They went in a more metal direction after the 1st couple and had a decent amount of success. Another band who wont let you down really.

Forgot to listen to that Madder Mortem album after being told they had gotten harder/heavier. I'm so out of it this year that besides the Blood Ceremony I don't know any of the albums posted so far. Lots of ties... that usually means low ballot count. :(

big drop this year. 42 ballots 60 odd last time. Still waiting on the reason theory promised upthread

Maybe the metal bubble's deflating.

― rudy githyanki (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Sunday, 18 December 2016 01:53 (one hour ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

I have theories as to why that # is down but maybe let's hash that out another time

― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Sunday, 18 December 2016 01:54 (one hour ago)

nows the time

Recap
101 Khthoniik Cerviiks - SeroLogiikal Scars (Vertex of Dementiia) 108 4 1
98 Abbath - Abbath 109 3 0
98 Blood Ceremony - Lord Of Misrule 109 3 0
98 Lord Vicar - Gates of Flesh 109 3 0
97 Dawnwalker - In Rooms 109 4 0
95 Madder Mortem - Red In Tooth and Claw 110 4 0
95 Wardruna - Runaljod - Ragnarok 110 4 0
94 Sunwatchers - Sunwatchers 112 3 0
93 Truckfighters - V 116 4 0
92 Atomikylä - Keräily 118 3 0
91 Wo Fat - Midnight Cometh 121 4 0
90 Grand Magus - Sword Songs 122 3 0

I like metal, but trying to keep up with the rolling thread is like trying to hold back the tide. Props to those who can be in the know. Most of the metal I see is more local/regional music. All I can say, is The Stonecutters are my favorite Louisville metal band and are worth checking out. Their guitarists can really rake. Devil to Pay's new LP was good too.

If you ever want to pop in on Rolling Metal and say "hey, I feel like listening to stuff that sounds like ______" we'd be happy to help, I'm sure! It is kind of a flood there sometimes.

if i'd heard blood ceremony in time maybe they'd have made my ballot since i really love em (tbh i still haven't heard this album.)

I love Wo Fat, my favorites being Psychedelonaut (2009) and The Black Code (2012). Some people don't like the vocals, but I always felt Rowlf from the Muppets should front a stoner/blues/psych band. I didn't listen to the new one as much as the others, and I think the Truckfighters album is way better, but it did make my ballot. Fun fact, the Texas band have toured Europe multiple times, but never did a proper U.S. tour, and have never played Chicago.

That is an interesting point about heavy rock. It does seem like there is a whole lot more interest on the other side of the pond than in the US. Kinda sad in a way.

Reason for lower turnout isn't simply that we had less time to nom/rep/vote? I don't remember exactly how long it was last year but this felt super abrupt (not blaming it on the pollrunners, I understand that there was no other way).

I voted for Wardruna but it's really only metal by association. Love it though, slight step down from the second album.

Reason for lower turnout isn't simply that we had less time to nom/rep/vote? I don't remember exactly how long it was last year but this felt super abrupt (not blaming it on the pollrunners, I understand that there was no other way).

Yeah I think it was a combo of not enough time + more metal available than ever via bandcamp etc. And frankly I don't think the nomination policing helps, either.

Most of the lurkers who have voted for years didn't vote this time.

...and I think one or more of those factors contributed this time.

But hey 40+ ballots for a niche poll with a week for voting is still pretty damn good imo

89 Rotting Christ - Rituals 123 Points, 4 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/mZaSopi.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/4N5BHS8X27bX5wMqVCk83x
spotify:album:4N5BHS8X27bX5wMqVCk83x

It is easier for stoner/doom bands in particular to tour Europe than the U.S. However, there are road warriors who manage it, like Truckfighters, Kadavar, Horisont, Mars Red Sky, Ufomammut (finally for the first time ever last year) etc. All the more impressive because many of the members of those bands hold down day jobs. The first tour can be tough, also for more obscure European metal bands, but if they're good enough, it gets easier on subsequent rounds, like for Enforcer. So when bands like Motorpsycho, Colour Haze, Blues Pills, Goatess, Spiders, Jess and the Ancient Ones, Dead Skeletons, Lola Colt, Messenger, Avatarium, Mansion (now there's a festival lineup I'd like to see) never set foot in North America, it's a shame. Has 40 Watt Sun ever come over? Another U.S. band I wish would tour, Magic Circle. Labelmates Khemmis all have full time jobs or are in Ph.D. programs, so they're just playing a few dates in January, Denver in 1/7, Reggie's in Chicago 1/13, St. Vitus in NYC, 1/14, and Fillmore in Philadelphia 4/23 (that's the Decibel Beer & Metal Fest with Sleep, Crypt Sermon, Withered, etc).

Here's the Stoner Hive slow roll so far:
http://stonerhive.blogspot.com/

20 The Re-Stoned – Reptiles Return
19 Komatsu – Recipe For Murder One
18 Baroness – Purple
17 Mos Generator – Abyssinia
16 Mars Red Sky – Apex III (Praise For The Burning Soul)
16 Baby Woodrose – Freedom

Have to admit I haven't heard the Rotting Christ yet, it's always been a good band.

so far this is the best new discovery for me

Can we vote for the Glenn Branca thing?

88 Wrong - Wrong 124 Points, 3 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/pJ5BmFH.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/4M8OATaZhcuAuPlkCQ7Kmu
spotify:album:4M8OATaZhcuAuPlkCQ7Kmu

Fans of Meantime era Helmet need to check the Wrong album

87 Melvins - Basses Loaded 126 Points, 4 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/RxcwDh3.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/4GyFbBMotFFGxqNu2jodxl
spotify:album:4GyFbBMotFFGxqNu2jodxl

https://melvinsofficial.bandcamp.com/album/basses-loaded

lol the only song I've heard off of this is their version of "Shaving Cream"

I saw the Melvins on this tour because any show from them is worth seeing, but this album is a throwaway.

86 Batushka - Litourgiya 127 Points, 3 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/EmQA6GY.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/06JF5y4HEpmHioTWcqIsBK
spotify:album:06JF5y4HEpmHioTWcqIsBK

https://witchinghourproductions.bandcamp.com/album/litourgiya

Dunno this at all

Never heard of it. I was hoping to listen to Wrong before voting closed but didnt happen, oh well. Maybe for the main poll...

I'd totally forgotten about that Batushka. I thought it was a 2015 release, though. The novelty of those chanted vox kind of wore off and there wasn't much else to get excited about.

Black metal with christian orthodox-like chanting, supposedly a Mgla side-project. Nice concept but musically a bit bland.

yeah Batushka was rep'd pretty hard last year. It's alright.

Are they Christian?

Came out Dec 2015 apparently so as it wasnt in last years poll it counts I guess

85 Bloodiest - Bloodiest 128 Points, 3 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/jVlgamH.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/2QiJFoxGtQvMteVLnsK6Vo
spotify:album:2QiJFoxGtQvMteVLnsK6Vo

https://bloodiestband.bandcamp.com/album/bloodiest

84 Wretch - Wretch 128 Points, 4 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/sceucBv.jpg

https://badomenrecords.bandcamp.com/album/wretch

Lest we forget, doom metal stands for much more than merely a collection of Sabbathian riffs, funereal tempos and enormous amp-stacks. It’s a form of music that issues forth from the heart, the soul, and the gut. It can be an alchemical force that functions as a process of catharsis in times of need. What’s more, few know more about the power of this music than Karl Simon, formerly of the titanic and much-respected The Gates Of Slumber, and now of Wretch, whose debut carries on valiantly with the mission he began some eighteen years ago.

The making of this self-titled album marked both a renaissance and a crucial tonic for Simon himself - in the wake of the death of his close friend and The Gates Of Slumber bandmate Jason McCash, he was forced to make sense of a profound loss, and the making of this debut formed a crucial part of this process,

The new power-trio he formed with drummer Chris Gordon and bassist Bryce Clarke rose above their circumstances to issue forth a fearsome salvo of cast-iron riffage and heartfelt traditional metal heraldry, shot through with a steely conviction instilled by the experiences of recent days. “It is a new beginning, but I am what I am. I don't set out to write a style of music.” notes Simon, “This is what happens when I pick up a guitar”

“Making this record has been the hardest thing I've ever done” he adds. “Jason and I met just out of school and instantly became best friends. All of my memories as an adult feature him. All of the songs on this record are about him, about me, about our drug use and his death. I'm not close to getting over the grief. In a lot of ways I've lost my mind. I hope that people are touched by the record - I am often on the verge of tears while playing..It's tough reliving those moments”

Heavy in sincerity and emotion rather than in pitch and tone, these gritty yet grandiose songs may follow in the lineage and spirit of classic crusaders like Saint Vitus, The Obsessed and Cirith Ungol, yet the eerily thundering ‘Running Out Of Days’ and the downcast yet groove-laden ‘Icebound’ reach pinnacles of soulful intensity and emotional resonance. Meanwhile, a heroic essaying of Judas Priest's early classic 'Winter' sees Simon & Co. connect with Heavy Metal's most gnarled and vital roots. Defiant against all adversity, this debut stands proud as a fiery testimony to an indomitable spirit, one finding its way with grace and honesty through the trials and travails of the everyday.

“The days of swords and sorcery are pretty much over for me” notes Karl”. “No more giant spiders or Iceworms, There are real horrors that occupy my mind these days.”
credits
released August 26, 2016

Bloodiest - Great Chicago sludge orchestra supergroup with members of Yakuza, Minsk, 90 Day Men, Atombombpocketknife and more. Bruce Lamont on vocals.

Wretch rose from the ashes of The Gates Of Slumber after the death of Jason McCash.

I think I have an Atombombpocketknife cd somewhere

83 Urfaust - Empty Space Meditation 128 Points, 4 Votes, One #1
http://i.imgur.com/TKKSaQE.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/0PyLx8UYerknEQQdRcW2S7
spotify:album:0PyLx8UYerknEQQdRcW2S7

https://urfaust.bandcamp.com/album/empty-space-meditation

meant to vote for wrong, forgot

My number one.

After giving time for it to sink in I don't like this as much as Der Freiwillige Bettler but it still delivers on the whole. And that cover!

82 Mare Cognitum - Luminiferous Aether 128 Points, 6 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/zNhjsz6.jpg
https://i-voidhangerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/luminiferous-aether

81 ColdWorld - Autumn 129 Points, 3 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/Gu1B9mA.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/2PRvY4gZgfJLToefe9Jw1N
spotify:album:2PRvY4gZgfJLToefe9Jw1N

I totally forgot to check out the Urfaust

Mare Cognitum: also good

80 Void Meditation Cult - Utter the Tongue of the Dead 131 Points, 4
http://i.imgur.com/HsyGVtU.jpg
https://voidmeditationcult.bandcamp.com/album/utter-the-tongue-of-the-dead

No one around eh?

Void Meditation Cult - the best band name of the countdown so far

79 Car Bomb - Meta 134 Points, 3 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/MSIJcay.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/2VXwYjBFtwA3PF8OVyGs5w
spotify:album:2VXwYjBFtwA3PF8OVyGs5w

https://carbomb.bandcamp.com/album/meta

released October 28, 2016
tags
tags: metal animals as leaders deftones ion dissonance meshuggah tony danza tapdance extravaganza

djent I guess?

My #4. The album that I've always wanted Meshuggah to sound like. The best album called Meta released this year. A feast for the senses. Check out track 4 (Gratitude) especially if you like crazy melodies in your mathcore.

78 Anciients - Voice of the Void 137 Points, 4 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/0fuSCZX.jpg

https://open.spotify.com/album/3m6aQUzU5OtUCebQt1kExQ
spotify:album:3m6aQUzU5OtUCebQt1kExQ
https://anciientriffs.bandcamp.com/

Hey, I voted for this I believe! A big step up from the debut imo

ANCIIENTS return with their long-awaited sophomore album 'Voice of the Void'. A heavier and harder-hitting album than their debut, 'Voice of the Void' raises their game with mind-melting, frenetic guitar work and a more explosive percussive attack. Tracks such "Serpents", "Pentacle", "Incantations", and more are prismatic; bursting with heavy riffs in every shade and color without sacrificing the quartets heavy rock roots. ANCIIENTS are the archetype of a modern, progressive heavy band and 'Voice of the Void' is a dynamic listen carrying the spirit of metal's forerunnners.
credits
released October 14, 2016
tags
tags: metal progressive rock pschedelic Vancouver

Re: Carbomb, I remember thinking to myself a few years ago about how I wished that there was a band like Meshuggah but with actual melodies; then the whole djent thing happened and I realised that was a terrible idea.

It was, and it's certainly NOT the best album called Meta this year

77 Wormrot - Voices 138 Points, 4 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/SSkkoFW.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/1uvVgNgiiHhAz5pYODbCkl
spotify:album:1uvVgNgiiHhAz5pYODbCkl

https://wormrot.bandcamp.com/album/voices

Think this ended up at 2 in my ballot. I liked this far more than I ever could have imagined. It's much weirder and more discordant than any other grindcore I've ever heard. It's such a short album but has great reach. It is perfect for running to.

Lower in my ballot, but yeah it brought the noise

Car Bomb also high in my ballot. It sounds like Oceansize to me, which everything has a tendency to do, but this was no exception.

the Wormrot album rules

76 Saor - Guardians 138 Points, 6 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/jGcQOmX.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/5dymAjByvfPsuDfCzLT7nQ
spotify:album:5dymAjByvfPsuDfCzLT7nQ

https://saor.bandcamp.com/album/guardians

judging by the cover, this has to be black metal

tags: metal atmospheric atmospheric black metal black metal celtic celtic metal folk folk metal folk rock post-black metal post-metal scottish scottish metal ukbm United Kingdom

released November 11, 2016

All music composed and performed by Andy Marshall unless stated below.

Session musicians:
Bryan Hamilton - Drums
John Becker (www.johnbeckermusic.com) - Strings
Meri Tadić (www.irijmusic.com) - Fiddle on "Guardians" and "Hearth"
Reni McDonald Hill - Bodhrán on "The Declaration"
Kevin Murphy - Highland bagpipes

It's good, not cheesy at all

I voted for Basses Loaded (many xposts) but I certainly wouldn't hold it in the same regard as Ozma or Houdini or whatever. The lower fifth of my ballot was stuff I was relatively cool on, but liked enough to point it out at least.

TOP 75

75 Asphyx - Incoming Death 139 Points, 3 Voteshttp://i.imgur.com/nK7KiLg.jpg

https://open.spotify.com/album/0sI8fNf0NkTsaLPJ5GpCyS
spotify:album:0sI8fNf0NkTsaLPJ5GpCyS

I was about to post how most of the albums that make metal poll are also on bandcamp and that isnt the case for the general EOY poll but of course this album just had to be not on bandcamp LOL

Awesome record, I now feel this is the best of the three post-comeback albums.

I was just listening to Asphyx in the car! It's pretty good, I probably would have voted for it in the lower chunk of my ballot if I'd heard it in time.

New drummer (also in Desaster) may have replaced the only original dude left in the band, but he's clearly a better player and the record is better for it.

current favourite song off the album

you mean there's nobody left from the original line up??

Bahasphyx

74 The Body, Full of Hell - One Day You Will Ache Like I Ache 139 Points, 5 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/EO7CTXG.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/10e41w7nH2uvjbHCwq7mYZ
spotify:album:10e41w7nH2uvjbHCwq7mYZ

https://neurotrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/one-day-you-will-ache-like-i-ache

I saw both of those bands individually this year, but have yet to hear this album

73 High Spirits - Motivator 140 Points, 4 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/3EnWlb8.jpg
https://highspiritsmetal.bandcamp.com/album/motivator

tags: hard rock metal rock heavy metal Chicago

you mean there's nobody left from the original line up??
Indeed, although you can count Martin van Drunen as 'near-original' since he joined after the demos years and the (shelved) first album, he did feature on the official debut. All the other dudes are post-2007 comeback.

that's not quite as bad then

if youre on the official debut that's good enough Id say

personally I have never cared about that ish as long as the music rules, see also: Napalm Death

Next one up I thought would be in the top 30

alcest?

c'mooon Schammasch

Well for the first 20 years of the bands existence, he was in it for a grand total of 2 years (and two albums).

But the current situation around Asphyx is very fluid/incestuous, with all kinds of current and former members happily rotating between Asphyx, Hail Of Bullets, Soulburn and Grand Supreme Blood Court.

That High Spirits album is so fun. My first vote to get in.

I can never get over what a fucking great name Grand Supreme Blood Court is.

TOO LOW FOR HIGH SPIRITS!

debut full release by some members of a legendary band

72 Inverloch - Distance | Collapsed 141 Points, 4 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/08z9H0n.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/5FzIKMAZkGpQwiX7rTHedD
spotify:album:5FzIKMAZkGpQwiX7rTHedD
https://inverloch.bandcamp.com/album/distance-collapsed

Melbourne, Australia’s INVERLOCH, featuring 2/4 of the legendary diSEMBOWELMENT, return with one of the most anticipated full-length debuts the metal underground has seen in years. After releasing a highly lauded EP in 2012, INVERLOCH have created another masterpiece with Distance l Collapsed, a 5-song, 40-minute LP of absolutely crushing death/doom. Buzzsaw death metal riffs and bowel splitting vocals mix alongside earth shaking dirges and blasting percussion, all wrapped together in a haunting yet beautifully dreadful atmosphere. With Distance l Collapsed, INVERLOCH prove that they are one of the finest bands making extreme music today.
credits
released March 4, 2016

I have to say, I completely missed the memo on this.

TIE

70 Occult Burial - Hideous Obscure 142 Points, 4 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/sqkj0th.jpg
https://invictusproductions666.bandcamp.com/album/hideous-obscure
released April 18, 2016
tags
tags: black metal death metal metal thrash metal Ireland

70 Testament - Brotherhood Of The Snake 142 Points, 4 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/IHNcd4Q.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/0xck9hcR4dsJbR5ic4nra8
spotify:album:0xck9hcR4dsJbR5ic4nra8

That Testament record surprised me, I think I was expecting something like late 80s Megadeth.

I'm looking forward to imago listening to the testament,asphyx, metallica, megadeth, and all the other old timer bands that released albums this year

Inverloch was part of Whiney/Rolling Stone's list of Great Albums You Didn't Hear

69 Horse Latitudes - Primal Gnosis 143 Points, 4 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/dN34XKF.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/2Lbh0Eu0q6zOuu4ecyR2KO
spotify:album:2Lbh0Eu0q6zOuu4ecyR2KO

https://ritualproductions.bandcamp.com/album/primal-gnosis

Horse Latitudes are known for their slow, primordial and powerful music, combining suffocating doom, black metal and hypnotic psychedelic repetition to form their colossal vision. Primal Gnosis marks the first studio contribution with Antti (Moog & noise), bringing a new dimension of dark synth into Vellu (bass), Heidi (bass) and Harri’s (drums & vocals) song-writing process.

Over the vasts spans of their tracks, the doubled-up bass guitars assail and attack notions of sparsity with a complex sense of melancholia and aggresion that, combined with the smashing constant of percussion, attain a disturbing momentum. They display their avant-ferocity in a refracted manner, confronting monastic chanting with necro savagery, leading clinically detached post-punk queues of notes in to noise-rock crevasses, all the while finding more fuel for their greedy, churning engine. A highpoint in their outré discography, and an impacting occasion for denizens of unconventional and epic heavy music.

The album was recorded in two sessions during Autumn 2015, the first taking place at Studiogenes, Ikaalinen (engineered by Kalle Nurmi), and the second at Audiospot, Helsinki (engineered by Kimmo Tyni). The album was subsequently mixed by Kalle Nurmi and mastered by James Plotkin.

CD available at www.ritualproductions.net/rites/horse-latitudes-primal-gnosis-cd/

12" DLP available at www.ritualproductions.net/rites/horse-latitudes-primal-gnosis-dlp/
credits
released April 16, 2016
tags
tags: rock doom doom metal drone stoner rock London

I kept seeing that name, Inverloch, but I sure didn't see any mention of who was in the band. Weird how that wasn't talked up much. I'll need to dip into it.

68 Howls of Ebb - Cursus Impasse: The Pendlomic Vows 148 Points, 5 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/yqkBeEP.jpg
https://i-voidhangerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/cursus-impasse-the-pendlomic-vows

Within a very short period of time, Howls Of Ebb have spawned a creative surge of ominous might. Under the sign of I, Voidhanger Records, came 2014's debut “Vigils of the 3rd Eye” LP, and the wide brave expanse of 2015's “The Marrow Veil” MLP. These transcendental relics have surely left no doubts: this, in true form, is an incorporeal fetid and morbid darkness; yet, left to burn a long and wicked light.

And now, with immense pride and fortune, we introduce “Cursus Impasse: The Pendlomic Vows” LP! We welcome you to inhale this horrifying drug while gazing upon the visionary painting by Italian master Agostino Arrivabene. Sully your minds by attempting to explain what the sounds of The Sour Bogs of Mars spilling upon vapid flesh is like; or perhaps, wondering if its possible to explain the sound of psychic cadence bombing your deep synapse?

For Howls Of Ebb's “Cursus Impasse: The Pendlomic Vows” is one more step beyond “Vigils of the 3rd Eye” and “The Marrow Veil”--it is a master pendulum of transgressive osmotic reign! All Hail!
credits
released April 15, 2016

The limbonic hymnists of HoB are Zee-Luuuvft-Huund (vibrations, low auras, polysyllabic morbid mysticisms) and Roteen' Blisssss (cadence of limp and duress, bronze aura)

Music & lyrics - ZLH
Final arrangements - HoB

Recorded, mixed and produced at Bell Collars Bizarre
Mastered at Mike Wells Mastering

Cover art: "Theoin II" by Agostino Arrivabene

Cassette version out now via Caligari Records:
caligarirecords.storenvy.com/collections/277955-all-products/products/16413183-howls-of-ebb-cursus-impasse-the-pendlomic-vows-cal-045

Vinyl version out later via NWN! Prod.
tags
tags: blackened death metal metal usa black metal death metal limbonic death black Italy

I voted for Anciients, High Spirits and Testament. I'm wondering now if the Metallica didn't make the top 100.

the death metal sections are always imago's least fave part of metal poll
along with the trad metal sections of course ;)

oh and older established band sections...

wheres dominique leone this year btw?

Cool art. Did the heads explode, or just dissolve into another dimension?

http://www.agostinoarrivabene.it/paintings.php?idP=185

I voted for Howls of Ebb but I keep reading it as "Circus Impasse." Not sure what that would sound like.

67 Sumerlands - s/t 154 Points, 6 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/DAqCVea.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/3ILk1oFpYr8mTnZIliNjDZ
spotify:album:3ILk1oFpYr8mTnZIliNjDZ

https://sumerlands.bandcamp.com/releases

Should I go on tonight? there's a tie at #63 which is due up soon and it features an album that I thought was a surefire top 10 and possible #1 contender

or would you prefer me to stop at 65 to preserve the suspense into tomorrow?

SUMERLANDS explode onto the scene with their incredible self-titled debut album of classic heavy metal. Inspired by the timeless guitar-driven sound of the 70's & 80's, SUMERLANDS feature former Hour of 13 / Atlantean Kodex vocalist Phil Swanson and renowned producer Arthur Rizk (Inquisition, Power Trip, Pissgrave) on guitars and behind the boards! Powerful guitar riffs and galloping rhythms meld flawlessly together with soaring vocals and pristine production to create strong, hook-filled, moody anthems. This is a new wave of American Heavy Metal at its finest!
credits
released September 16, 2016

2016 Relapse Records
www.relapse.com
www.relapserecords.bandcamp.com

go down to 61 imo

howls of ebb seem quite interesting?

Howls of Ebb is very interesting, as is pretty much everything on I, Voidhanger Recs.

And I don't have a preference for the rollout timetable. This Inverloch has zoned me out in a pleasant way so, uh, yeah, do what thou wilt.

down to 61 today and then 20 per day thereafter seems right

interlock was in my top 5, thought it would be a little higher.

Inverloch

ok howls of ebb is by a distance the best discovery so far (although i was also digging urfaust and saor)

(and rotting christ)

dang i also forgot to vote for inverloch

66 Eight Bells - Landless 156 Points, 5 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/xAYUtS7.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/5dfi3L9UmI9vaHBjNyfTb2
spotify:album:5dfi3L9UmI9vaHBjNyfTb2

https://eightbells.bandcamp.com/album/landless

I still need to buy this

65 Anicon - Exegeses 160 Points, 4 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/Ekf7USR.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/2wspUSjeld7jT7WRFi30my
spotify:album:2wspUSjeld7jT7WRFi30my

https://avantgardemusic.bandcamp.com/album/exegeses

"Exegeses" is Anicon (New York City) debut album after an handful of eps and demos!
The band comprises members from the raging outfits of Krallice, Trenchgrinder, Geryon.. to name a few of their past and present CVs.

Digital and cd (digipack) preorder will start in mid June, for a release set on 07/07 (cd)

Vinyl will be released in late August 2016 by Gilead Media
credits
released July 7, 2016

Nolan Voss - Guitar & Vocals
Owen Rundquist - Guitar & Vocals
Alex DeMaria - Bass
Lev Weinstein - Drums

Recorded, Mixed, and Mastered by Colin Marston
At Menegroth, Queens, NY, November 2015

All Photography by Kari Greer
tags
tags: black metal colin marston metal avantgarde metal dark metal doom metal krallice sund4rmetal Italy

I think I listened to a couple Anicon tracks last year but the full length totally eluded me.

I liked it a lot more than I thought I would; thought it was gonna be some kind of Cascadian or even avant-garde USBM, but it's just really well done melodic black metal. Nothing original but good enough to make my top 20.

yeah this album rocks

weirdly I only learned about it via the Steve Hoffman forums -- or at least via the meager metal thread that slithers around between the discussions of Steely Dan reissues

i can't even remember why i heard it

the end of the howls of ebb album gave me a vision of the winning manager of a football match taking the ball and destroying it so it can't be used again

so that tie at #63...

TIE
63 Cadaveric Fumes - Dimensions Obscure EP 164 Points, 5 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/U48LjqP.jpg
https://cadavericfumes.bandcamp.com/album/dimensions-obscure

tags: cadaveric fumes death metal dimensions metal obscure Rennes

you sure you want to know the other part of the tie tonight?

oh i would've voted for that but i only voted for one ep. it's great

this was cute! didn't vote for it but did enjoy it :)

bring on the other part of the tie, yes

Metallica?

It's one of the best reviewed albums of the year high in the rym list too

ulcerate

is my guess

63 Nails - You Will Never Be One of Us 164 Points, 5 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/ZEVuCxf.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/1Wk98w43t7axsezT1GAgR6
spotify:album:1Wk98w43t7axsezT1GAgR6

http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/21982-you-will-never-be-one-of-us/

7.8

Nails make music for when you look at life and see little of value, for when you're feeling bitter and alone. On their latest, they make a little room for others to stare at the void with them.

Over the course of their seven years in action, Nails have dedicated themselves to exploring the isolating nature of existential malaise. They’ve called their two full length LPs Unsilent Death and Abandon All Life, and on those two records, the Oxnard, California trio have perfected their defiant approach to the yawning void. They preach fatalist atheism or enact brutal masochism while diving headfirst into hardcore's darkest corners (grindcore, powerviolence, and d-beat just to name a few), and that’s all in the course of just a minute or two. It's music for when you look at life and see little of value, for when you're feeling bitter and alone in the face of chaos. Vocalist Todd Jones made his intentions clear at the peak of the 2012’s “No Surrender”: “My goal/Cause you pain.”

To that end, You Will Never Be One of Us will live up to the expectations of anyone who’s experienced a Nails album before. Eight of the record’s ten tracks are under two minutes long, and each is built around monochromatic blasts of distortion, double kick drums, Jones’ paper-shredder growls, and depressing track titles to match (see: “Life Is a Death Sentence,” “Violence Is Forever”) . The high-speed anxiety of tracks like “Made to Make You Fail” are as volatile and propulsive as jetfuel. It’s as hard as ever to make out Jones’ lyrics, but producer Kurt Ballou (of Converge, who also produced the band’s other two efforts) has gotten better at shaping his guttural abstractions. Even if it’s unclear exactly what he’s saying, the effect is crystal: he hurts and so will you.

Even in the record’s title, however, Nails have made it clear that their darkness is now just a little more complicated than the music they’ve made in the past. The video for the record’s title track opens with a host of friends (including Baroness’ John Baizley) uttering the ominous phrase, but it sounds natural regardless of who says it, as if anyone is capable of owning the sentiment as long as they’re willing to get in the right mindset. Though it’s a negative statement, defined in opposition, Jones has said in an interview that he intends it as “inclusive.” Each track on the record can be read as an invitation to join him in his unsettled meditations.

Knowing that you’re welcomed in, some of the differences between this record and those that preceded it become apparent. You Will Never Be One of Us feels less like a brick wall. This is most evident in the eight-minute closer “They Come Crawling Back,” which experiments with al sorts of unfamiliar sounds for Nails: There's frosty tremolo picking, bleak doom riffs, and siren-like leads before building into the sort of off-to-the-races hardcore they’re known for. It’s all of metal’s most downcast corners shoved together into a single eight minutes that fades slowly to nothingness. It’s a little something for anyone included in the “us” in the title, for everyone who’s ever found meaning in a flurry of fists in a mosh pit.

sorta glad it placed this low. this record sounds great but there's not v much to it

glad you said it tbh

from the rolling metal thread reaction i assumed it would be top 10

did everyone just forget about it in the end?

#10 in Terrorizer

think it made the Kerrang top 20 too

#20 in Kerrang

#2 in Decibel

The other night I watched the yearly embarrassment that is the Revolver Metal Awards and Nails was up for best new band. They didn't win. (I'd never even heard of the one that did: Avatar). But then no one watches the Revolver Metal Awards for the metal; we watch for the utter lack of direction, the nonfunctioning teleprompters, the soundchecks simultaneous to the reading of nominations, and the production staff constantly scrambling around and whispering into the ears of presenters and performers because SOMETHING HAS GONE WRONG.

On the plus side, they let bands play 3 or 4 songs, which is pretty cool for an awards show.

did they have a swimsuit section for their chicks in metal 'winners'?

xpost re: Nails: My reaction to seeing that it existed was basically "oh look, more Nails, ok"
I actually listened to it the other day, it was pretty good but that Absolute Power record was probably better.

There was a "Most Metal Athlete" award. Some WWE dude won. Honestly it should have been the UFC fighter who comes out to Bolt Thrower.

62 The Body - No One Deserves Happiness 165 Points, 6 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/zHvYGGg.jpg

https://open.spotify.com/album/2AZyaHEO6VDLb9NLOkNoz3
spotify:album:2AZyaHEO6VDLb9NLOkNoz3

https://thebody.bandcamp.com/album/no-one-deserves-happiness

RIP Zsa Zsa Gabor

61 Woman is the Earth - Torch of Our Final Night 166 Points, 4 Votes , ONE #1
http://i.imgur.com/1c8jYiL.jpg
https://womanistheearth.bandcamp.com/

released April 15, 2016
tags
tags: metal ambient black metal progressive metal Rapid City

I wear my No One Deserves Happiness shirt to work w pride

yet it brings you happiness?

a true paradox

enjoying the The Body; yet to see whether it'll stick. it's enjoyably twisted but i do wish there was a bit more to the songs. just a bit.

Recap

101 Khthoniik Cerviiks - SeroLogiikal Scars (Vertex of Dementiia) 108 4 1
98 Abbath - Abbath 109 3 0
98 Blood Ceremony - Lord Of Misrule 109 3 0
98 Lord Vicar - Gates of Flesh 109 3 0
97 Dawnwalker - In Rooms 109 4 0
95 Madder Mortem - Red In Tooth and Claw 110 4 0
95 Wardruna - Runaljod - Ragnarok 110 4 0
94 Sunwatchers - Sunwatchers 112 3 0
93 Truckfighters - V 116 4 0
92 Atomikylä - Keräily 118 3 0
91 Wo Fat - Midnight Cometh 121 4 0

90 Grand Magus - Sword Songs 122 3 0
89 Rotting Christ - Rituals 123 4 0
88 Wrong - Wrong 124 3 0
87 Melvins - Basses Loaded 126 4 0
86 Batushka - Litourgiya 127 3 0
85 Bloodiest - Bloodiest 128 3 0
84 Wretch - Wretch 128 4 0
83 Urfaust - Empty Space Meditation 128 4 1
82 Mare Cognitum - Luminiferous Aether 128 6 0
81 ColdWorld - Autumn 129 3 0

80 Void Meditation Cult - Utter the Tongue of the Dead 131 4 0
79 Car Bomb - Meta 134 3 0
78 Anciients - Voice of the Void 137 4 0
77 Wormrot - Voices 138 4 0
76 Saor - Guardians 138 6 0
75 Asphyx - Incoming Death 139 3 0
74 The Body, Full of Hell - One Day You Will Ache Like I Ache 139 5 0
73 High Spirits - Motivator 140 4 0
72 Inverloch - Distance | Collapsed 141 4 0

70 Occult Burial - Hideous Obscure 142 4 0
70 Testament - Brotherhood Of The Snake 142 4 0
69 Horse Latitudes - Primal Gnosis 143 4 0
68 Howls of Ebb - Cursus Impasse: The Pendlomic Vows 148 5 0
67 Sumerlands - s/t 154 6 0
66 Eight Bells - Landless 156 5 0
65 Anicon - Exegeses 160 4 0
63 Cadaveric Fumes - Dimensions Obscure EP 164 5 0
63 Nails - You Will Never Be One of Us 164 5 0
62 The Body - No One Deserves Happiness 165 6 0
61 Woman is the Earth - Torch of Our Final Night 166 4 1

p fucking good so far says I

No one had said that so i was wondering if people didnt think that this year. Usually people say the just inside the top 100 is their fave part or theyve discovered loads

and seriously missing dominique leone saying his entire ballot already placed :D

I'm not really bowled over by much of this, but I do know there's loads of truly killer stuff yet to place, so *shrug*

and there are ALWAYS cool things to discover like howls of ebb. it's always worthwhile going through all these albums

Imago killing zsa zsa clearly the big news of the day though

the Anicon record is great, glad others voted for it

I voted for The Body, but listening now and it's way better than I even remembered. And I want that t-shirt!

I've had a lot of things place already so I'm inclined to think it's a great roll-out. Favourite find is probably Eight Bells, but I'll need to dedicate time to get into it.

Their shirts were stupid cheap too, I think 10 bucks CAD each? I also bought one of the Futility and Despair skull/heart shirts xp

Nails was #14 in my prediction, doh! Like I said, unpredictable. I'd think there would be some gnarly crust punk/post-hard/grindcore option up there. Maybe Trap Them or Zao?

Nails and/or Wormrot screwed most of us lol

its that time of the poll where everyone gives up on obscure things placing too as big names start to appear

or is it?

Find out in the next episode of S.O.A.P.

RIP Sun Worship & Oneida/Chatham

RIP Comet Control, you're not even metal any more but I love you more than ever

Anicon is pleasant. (A state to which every metal aspires, obv.)

*metal band

RIP Comet Control, you're not even metal any more but I love you more than ever

Second side of the latest album is amazing space rock. Shame about the boring ass psych pop tunes on the first side.

aw I like the little psych pop tunes! but I do agree that tracks 5-8 >>>>>>>>> 1-4. closing track is just about my most-played thing this year

i'm the #1 vote for Woman Is The Earth, for the record!

also voted Anicon way up high

Im gonna have to put Comet Control back on my phone, I guess

LJ - The closing tune will be high on my tracks ballot here. It made my Village Voice (nee Pazz & Jop) ballot.

:) high on mine too!

Well I think five of mine have appeared so far, including my numbers 2 (Horse Latitudes) and 5 (Howls of Ebb). Void Meditation Cult was my number 20 but probably should've been top 10, I was just cutting and pasting stuff around in a frenzy to get my ballot done.

LJ - The closing tune will be high on my tracks ballot here. It made my Village Voice (nee Pazz & Jop) ballot.

― EZ Snappin,

I wish you had voted in this poll

I couldn't make my mind about No One Deserves Happiness this year. I mostly liked it but it always felt like something was missing. Ended up not voting for it for this reason.

It's good but I bought All the Waters of the Earth... a month after it and have listened to it way more. I felt like No One Deserves Happiness really highlights how boring the guy's vocals are, unfortunately.

was the Trees of Eternity album nominated? I just heard it and I feel like I would have Top 5'd it.

If I had voted it would have been a joke. I tried to make a metal list and couldn't get to ten albums. It wasn't where my head was at this year. I'm following along to try and find stuff I might have liked if I was paying attention.

60 Anaal Nathrakh - The Whole Of The Law 166 Points, 5 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/QRvpVgT.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/42Hqedxo0WHJ2K2gZxI1zP
spotify:album:42Hqedxo0WHJ2K2gZxI1zP

https://anaalnathrakh.bandcamp.com/album/the-whole-of-the-law

huh huh huh, you said 'anaal'

cannot even remotely begin to get with this stuff

Gotta try it with a ringing endorsement like that. It's not bad, there's a lot going on though, between the choral vocals and the distorted screaming and the rest. Blackened orchestral grindcore?

such a fun album

I haven't loved every Anaal Nathrakh album, but this one seemed really gripping and powerful to me, maybe as intense as anything since the first couple.

like Atari Teenage Riot meets Emperor

Hmm, that makes it sound almost alluring. May try

I mean the first minute of "Hold Your Children Close..." will tell you if you might be into it or not

59 Amon Amarth - Jomsviking 174 Points, 5 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/b9B7V6Y.jpg

https://open.spotify.com/album/79GLbXCHnsOG9TBzvtS3sy
spotify:album:79GLbXCHnsOG9TBzvtS3sy

speaking of fun

yeah, I'm kinda digging this so far. I have their first album somewhere but couldn't find it or remember what it sounded like.

The production on that AN is seriously offputting.

58 Chthe'ilist - Le dernier crépuscule 177 Points, 6 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/abPBdPH.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/1CMw0rLUVCNjvPQp7UKyhv
spotify:album:1CMw0rLUVCNjvPQp7UKyhv

https://profoundlorerecords.bandcamp.com/album/le-dernier-cr-puscule

Whoops, there goes another of my top 20 guesses.

wow I missed a lot of rollout! I voted for the above, though it was a last minute addition, and I personally like the Zealotry album (from same braintrust) better. Still, hard to complain about bands ripping off Demilich

This was the Killed By Cars' extreme metal pick (at least in their half-year list)(last year's was Ship of Theseus) so I wanted to give it a real shot for my ballot. Unfortunately, didn't happen. I'll probably queue it up over break, though

Simon H - I emailed my ILX metal top 20 guesses to you. Did you get them? I probably should have posted instead.

yep, I got 'em!

57 Mesarthim - Pillars [EP] 180 Points, 5 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/aPBVI8U.jpg
https://mesarthim.bandcamp.com/album/pillars-e-p

The Imago effect gets the EP into the rollout instead of albums

The Anaal Nathrakh is indeed an excellent return to form. I am usually not so much into this modern digitally-overdriven grindcore sound but this has some great hooks, I should jump into more conversations yelling SHOW ME THEIR GRAVES!!!

Gets the one that came out in 2016 into the poll (yes, I know three came out in 2016 but this one was the shiniest and sparkliest ergo loveliest)

56 Cult of Luna & Julie Christmas - Mariner 185 Points, 5 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/pKsSQiE.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/7Gys3aNZTqk5o0bXqcMZwv
spotify:album:7Gys3aNZTqk5o0bXqcMZwv
https://cultoflunaofsweden.bandcamp.com/album/mariner

Why on earth doesn't Julie Christmas sing on this whole album / all the things in general

Actually, FOUR Mesarthim releases in 2016 now! Is The Great Filter any good?

(for clarity, she sings on 3/5 of this) xp

Wow. 2 x lovely. I voted for both of these

I def need to catch up on my Mesarthim, no doubt

Blah blah blah Turzi blah

55 Lotus Thief - Gramarye 186 Points, 6 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/e12RK1Q.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/37aMZKvvzW36w3CZkn8SXd
spotify:album:37aMZKvvzW36w3CZkn8SXd
https://lotusthief.bandcamp.com/album/gramarye

Lotus Thief is a San Francisco band that merges post-black metal, space rock and ambient music, seamlessly blending the genres into a unique and greater musical whole. Originated by two members of celebrated "green metal" group Botanist - drummer Otrebor and multi-instrumentalist / composer Bezaelith - Lotus Thief is its own entity; a project with a stated purpose of "lauding knowledge and illuminating ancient words and art through song". Lotus Thief released its first album, "Rervm" in 2014 to strong fan and critical acclaim. The debut was hailed as "a splendid record" and "one that establishes Lotus Thief as a band to watch for the future".

Now, two years after the release of "Rervm", Lotus Thief presents its new album, "Gramarye", which significantly expands the themes defined on the band's debut.
Whereas "Rervm" set passages from Roman poet and philosopher Lucretius' "De Rerum Natura" to music and speaks to the science of learning, "Gramarye" explores yet another aspect of human knowledge: the realms of belief. The record's overarching theme is subsumed in its very title: the word "Gramarye" is a Middle English modification of a Middle French word meaning 'grammar book' or 'book of sorcery'.
"Gramarye" compiles five different antique source texts that span nearly two thousand years and five different civilizations, ranging from the ancient Egyptian funerary passage "The Book of the Dead", to Homer's "Odyssey" and the medieval "Merseburg Incantations" (one of the only pagan incantations still in existence in Old High German) through to the Aleister Crowley-penned early 20th century occult literature, "The Book Of Lies".

The lyrical depth that "Gramarye" possesses is mirrored in its music, which is more riffheavy, dynamic-laden and varied in both pace and mood than "Rervm", yet preserves and cements the trademark sound Lotus Thief has already achieved at this very early juncture of its career. During the writing sessions for the new record, the band promised "something entirely different and beautiful in its own new way" and with "Gramarye", Lotus Thief has delivered that guarantee tenfold.

Buy in our shop here:

en.prophecy.de/artists/lotus-thief
credits
released September 16, 2016

Bezaelith: bass, synth, guitar, vox
Iva Toric: synth, backing vox
Otrebor: drums
tags
tags: black metal metal ambient electronic dark ambient doom post-rock postrock psychedelic space rock spacerock San Francisco

TOO LOW

54 Ulcerate - Shrines Of Paralysis 187 Points, 5 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/Rdp3EAk.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/3F61xA8pQADnq1EHfM5vv8
spotify:album:3F61xA8pQADnq1EHfM5vv8

https://ulcerate.bandcamp.com/album/shrines-of-paralysis

TOO LOW

Wow I did not expect Lotus Thief to place

This Ulcerate may be my fave Tech Death record ever. If you're not into the genre, and / or it didn't make your ballot - I encourage a listen - really awesome drum and guitar work throughout. If there's another Tech Death record that gets a higher place than this one, I'm going to just be amazed.

53 Sabaton - The Last Stand 190 Points, 5 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/0wY0fDP.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/595sUNPxfUvsRpaX9Uw66e
spotify:album:595sUNPxfUvsRpaX9Uw66e

Cult of Luna/Julie Christmas was my #3, way too low, way lower than I expected. jeez

Boosting works folks. There's a lesson for you Tom!

I'm semi-firm in my commitment to take a linear/chronological route into Julie Christmas fandom, from Ruiner to Bad Wife to any sort of recent collaborations--sorry, TV

I had Cult of Luna at #6. Excellent stuff.

Lotus Thief isn't the Otrebor trio I voted for, but here goes

53 Skáphe - Skáphe² 195 Points, 6 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/Fj61G4m.jpg
https://skaphe.bandcamp.com/album/sk-phe-2

Tags: metal asphyxiating death metal Philadelphia

Ulcerate was my prediction for #16, oops.

wow, didn't expect Skaphe to place this high/at all. Clearly underestimated number of fucked up people on ILM

Its ok, I liked the other Otrebor trio much more though. Gramarye seemed almost like a cross between myrkur & Locrian's Infinite Dissolution

Re: imago

Xp hey! Skaphe!

Really enjoying the Lotus Thief so far!

Most of us had Ulcerate in there fastnbulbous, incl me...at #20.

Oh well there you go.

Skaphe is kind of diffuse-bordering-on-tuneless but it's pretty much the definition of "bad-trip" metal. My #7.

the ulcerate is a masterpiece probably

Actually, FOUR Mesarthim releases in 2016 now! Is The Great Filter any good?

― illbient microtonal poetry Surbiton (imago), Monday, December 19, 2016 9:57 AM (one hour ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

hell yeah it is

also glad sabaton placed even though i forgot to vote for it

oh yeah I listened to it since posting that, it's lovely xp

I probably have to give this Ulcerate album another try. I like them but it wasn't the right time for this music for me.

51 The Dillinger Escape Plan - Dissociation 196 Points, 6 Votes

http://i.imgur.com/fSGSdK5.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/52hA4AUoiCwTuXXuClt0SR
spotify:album:52hA4AUoiCwTuXXuClt0SR

every DEP album since Ire Works (which I maintain is their masterpiece) has been solid, this one is no exception

when I first heard this band, it was on Calculating Infinity, and then the EP with Mike Patton. Then, I didn't listen to them again until this album. Imagine my surprise.

I hope y'all got a chance to see them live at least once

I thought this was a rung up on most of their stuff, really good, voted

i have a couple of their old albums

http://i.imgur.com/YpMYyDk.jpg

Let's kick it off with a bang

50 Inquisition - Bloodshed Across the Empyrean Altar Beyond the Celestial Zenith 198 Points, 7 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/GNX5QsE.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/3nq6cJN3g6vTbBm57ql5sx
spotify:album:3nq6cJN3g6vTbBm57ql5sx
https://inquisitionbm.bandcamp.com/album/bloodshed-across-the-empyrean-altar-beyond-the-celestial-zenith

Ooh, I liked this! Not enough to vote for it but certainly enough to inspire future listens. One of Jute Gyte's favourite metal bands, fact fans

I loved this album, although I didn't hear it until a few weeks ago. It was my #6, although I didn't really think it would do all that well here.

i don't listen to these guys for reasons but they really knocked that album title out of the park

yeah, the title is all-time

are they assholes? I like to keep track of who the assholes are (incidentally, Nails are said to be assholes but I have yet to encounter the actual reason) xp

I've never been able to get into Inquisition. A lot of the riffs are good, the odd vox are pretty fitting, the production usually works, but it just seems like they use the same formula over and over. It's like ... LEGO songwriting or something.

controversy followed them for a bit when it was reported that they were nazi sympathizers and racists. they aren't, but the particular way in which they phrased their denial bugged the hell out of me and still does

Nails being assholes would be the literal non-shock of the year

the particular way in which they phrased their denial bugged the hell out of me and still does

ugh yeah this is so often the thing, bands are SO bad at shedding this stuff, to the point where it seems deliberate (and surely sometimes is)

new nokturnal mortum out soon folks!

49 Blues Pills - Lady In Gold 200 Points, 4 Votes, One #1
http://i.imgur.com/miD7Igk.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/5GesYfGXuFg6D7my26u8ZO
spotify:album:5GesYfGXuFg6D7my26u8ZO

I would have lol'd if Bolzer placed now

or Destroyer 666

Nails being assholes would be the literal non-shock of the year

Pretty assholish to go through 44 women, with only two lines for each.

Inquisition are not a band I really care about, but I do enjoy Abbath-style vocals.

blues pill merely seem like randy assholes

I loved the first Blues Pills album but couldn't get into this one. Also, how did this non-metal band get past the censors

obviously they're fronted by a woman, so I'm tapping out of the asshole chat here lol

read the interview where Inquisition attempts to deny they are racists, and it's rambling, tho honestly don't think they are. But I can also see an extreme metal band hating the thought of being PC, hence mixed messages

yeah that's the problem. it comes off really bad! fuck them imo but i'm not gonna like yell at anybody for listening to them

Some bands do have crazy right wing members

48 Megadeth - Dystopia 200 Points, 5 Votes, One #1
http://i.imgur.com/03yNWLw.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/7JymwRM9YyCjFklIbrgPqt
spotify:album:7JymwRM9YyCjFklIbrgPqt

I loved the first Blues Pills album but couldn't get into this one. Also, how did this non-metal band get past the censors

haha excellent segue xp

well that fits.

OMG what is this Skaphe

Its black metal as poison soup, is what it is!

47 Russian Circles - Guidance 200 Points, 6 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/V2d8wQo.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/2UskUDH7emQ3nBqhDgGhzj
spotify:album:2UskUDH7emQ3nBqhDgGhzj
https://russiancircles.bandcamp.com/album/guidance

never heard of megadeth

the skaphe was on my ballot, it hurts my head

^the correct approach xp

46 Astronoid - Air 201 Points, 6 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/nRLhDAs.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/2jo6mNNlHx8UnlSCdaTFsL
spotify:album:2jo6mNNlHx8UnlSCdaTFsL
https://blood-music.bandcamp.com/album/air

Nails being assholes would be the literal non-shock of the year

I think it's the singer - the bassist is a regular where I work and is a super nice dude (who would rather be playing Ramones-y punk I think).

Oh! We listened to this the other day (after the deadline) and in fact it was kind of lovely, in a way that deafheaven aren't

YESSS

listening to Astronoid now, I'm glad it exists even if not my cup. Like if Fleetwood Mac was an emo band who wanted to play blastbeats. I don't think these guys are even trying to be "metal", as those beats can belong to anyone, really.

45 Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard - Y Proffwyd Dwell 209 Points, 6 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/qBwixeK.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/55BrLShwHHCBWLLrztuIl3
spotify:album:55BrLShwHHCBWLLrztuIl3
https://newheavysounds.bandcamp.com/album/y-proffwyd-dwyll

Yay!

air!!!!! my no. 3 (iirc i forgot to save my ballot)

Psych-doom didn't know it needed vocal harmonies this heavenly, but it sure got them. Kickass band and lovely people too. My #7 but a total triumph. Wales has entered the building

lol Brad, Astronoid feels like it was devised with you in mind

Dominique otm re: Astronoid.

Would have been on the highest plane of my ballot had I found out about it in time.

MWWB was my #3. Space forever. A fresh sound and the songs really go somewhere (to space).

lol Brad, Astronoid feels like it was devised with you in mind

― illbient microtonal poetry Surbiton (imago), Monday, December 19, 2016 12:40 PM (eight minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

it was absolutely made just for me

Ok the MWWB sounds like a lot of fun

44 Deftones - Gore 215 Points, 5 Votes One #1
http://i.imgur.com/3yp17qi.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/3tsXyEbUQehXPaRFCS8K1n
spotify:album:3tsXyEbUQehXPaRFCS8K1n

I thought (for some hazy, unfounded reason of associative memory) that Deftones was a band I definitely didn't like, but I gave half of this a listen and it sounded kind of great. I still didn't vote for it because the experience confused me but I'll be more inclined to listen in future.

Home Nations representin'

Can anyone compare the vocals in Astronoid and MWWB? I didn't care for either record, not that the singing was bad, I just thought it didn't stand up to the music. Are they similar vocally, or do I just not remember MWWB very well?

ha, i was wrong. anyway that deftones record was my no. 1

I thought (for some hazy, unfounded reason of associative memory) that Deftones was a band I definitely didn't like, but I gave half of this a listen and it sounded kind of great. I still didn't vote for it because the experience confused me but I'll be more inclined to listen in future.

last three deftones records are the best of their career but also i don't think they've ever put out a bad record

ok mammoth weed wizard bastard sure surprised me

I'll definitely give Deftones the time I'm sure they deserve in the new year.

Astronoid = soaring pop harmonies, inspired by Mew

MWWB = floaty ethereal shoegazey vocals, more psych than pop

Both have excellent harmonies but I can understand how the softness might be offputting (insofar as it is soft - both feel quite overwhelming in their way)

Deftones also known for their harmonies I think? We'll listen at home (or in the new year lol)

Well yeah, both

Great album cover too

Kind of reminds me of those gifs Karl Malone made a little while ago!

i don't think deftones even have harmonies but they def have a shoegaze dimension

Wait, wait, Mew? Going to listen to this.

Love that MWWB record and I've sold at least two copies for them just by playing it in the store.

Sorry, Brad, I never checked out the Deftones album :(

it's good imo

Cool 🖒

I've really dug the last few Deftones records too - they kinda have a tragic story, and they're nice guys from what I hear from a couple of buds in the industry.

43 Blood Incantation - Starspawn 216 Points, 7 Votes
http://i.imgur.com/dAvWub5.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/75nL1UjHpFVOaaJfhXl3ZX
spotify:album:75nL1UjHpFVOaaJfhXl3ZX
https://darkdescentrecords.bandcamp.com/album/starspawn

After signing with the label prior to the August 2015 release of the Interdimensional Extinction EP, BLOOD INCANTATION returns with a 30-minute cerebral whirlwind of powerful atmospheric death metal. The intense and otherworldly technical/ambient/funeral death metal of Starspawn leaves the listener feeling transcendentally disembodied at the end of an unknown dimension.

Produced entirely in analog, the energy and magnetism of live BLOOD INCANTATION is tangibly melting through the speakers, and the songwriting, production and performance constellations have all fully aligned.

With appearances at California Death Fest and Covenant Festival (Canada) already on the horizon, and an even more extensive US tour this September, the worldwide spread of the BLOOD INCANTATION tentacles into all orbits is as inevitable as your own death and this galaxy's violent collapse.

Dark Descent Records will release the album on CD, vinyl, cassette and digital formats.

The Stargate opens 8.19.16 (August 19, 2016)
credits
released August 19, 2016

All analog recording at World Famous Studio - Denver, CO
Mixed/Mastered - World Famous Studio

great record

blood incantation and ghoulgotha were the center of my favorite conversation in the rolling metal thread this year about the proggier trend in death metal lately

Some bands do have crazy right wing members

― Cosmic Slop, Monday, December 19, 2016 6:50 PM (one hour ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

48 Megadeth - Dystopia 200 Points, 5 Votes, One #1

perfect

Haha

Love Blood Incantation, you can never pay tribute to Timeghoul enough for my taste. HAIL TIMEGHOUL.

42 Moon Tooth - Chromaparagon 219 Points, 5 Votes, One #1

http://i.imgur.com/5XbWed0.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/3UKIKGu1qUJPrT3X7ayF3E
spotify:album:3UKIKGu1qUJPrT3X7ayF3E

https://moontoothny.bandcamp.com/album/chromaparagon

"An undeniably strange, totally kick-ass beast."
–MetalSucks

February 5th, 2016 marks the release of Chromaparagon, the debut full-length album by Long Island, New York band Moon Tooth.

A fireworks display of melody and rhythm, Chromaparagon is more than that too – its progressive, aggressive sound is brimming with soul, riddled with hairpin turns, and delivered with the grace and swing of real virtuosos. Over the course of twelve songs, Moon Tooth mashes together rock, metal, and blues, into a fusion that bursts with color. There are few limits here. Moon Tooth possesses the imagination and skill to swerve into whatever musical direction it wants. But this band wanders without getting lost; it channels its wild dreaming and black-belt chops into an album that drives forward with purpose.

Frontman John Carbone carries forth the tradition of singers with the range and the courage to go for it. Like Jeff Buckley, Into Another's Richie Birkenhead or Shudder to Think's Craig Wedren, Carbone belts it out with a soaring voice that can command quiet subtlety as well as arena-rocking operatics. In poetic, modern-mythic phrases, his lyrics address themes of, in his own words, "trials, perseverance, victory... answering the call of adventure, following what you know to be your true purpose even in the face of danger, uncertainty and fear."

"I made love to my ordeals / By light of holy fire / A lion rearing under ash / All the beasts of un-days loomed / And I saw Mars stand," Carbone sings on the song "Igneous."

Guitarist Nick Lee (also the newest member of veteran heavy metal act Riot, now known as Riot V) extracts entire worlds out of his instrument. His dexterity is matched only by his soulfulness. Backing him are bassist Vincent Romanelli and drummer Ray Marte who glide swiftly from tasty grooves and rhythmic illusions to full-on metal muscularity.

Loosely speaking, some modern-day reference points include The Mars Volta, Mastodon, and Between The Buried And Me. But Moon Tooth is its own, unique, "undeniably strange, totally kick-ass beast" as one MetalSucks editor put it.

Chromaparagon was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Moon Tooth drummer Ray Marte. The vivid cover art was created by Jon Contino. It is preceded by the band's 2013 debut EP, Freaks.
credits
released February 5, 2016

John Carbone – Vocals
Nick Lee – Guitar & Vocals
Ray Marte – Drums & Vocals
Vincent Romanelli – Bass

Produced, engineered, mixed, & mastered by Ray Marte at Westfall Recording Company in Farmingdale, NY.

This album was not recorded to a metronome, quantized, or pitch-corrected in any way.

Additional vocals on ‘Vesuvius’ by Roz Raskin
Violin on ‘Snake Ryder’ by Derek Smith
Additional vocals on ‘Snake Ryder’ by Anthony Lopardo
Additional samples on ‘Snake Ryder’ provided by Michael McManus
Additional gang vocals on ‘Belt Squeezer’ by Steve Gomez
Didgeridoo on ‘Belt Squeezer’ provided by Garrett Kuppelmeyer
Organ on "Igneous" & "Little Witch" by Jess DeBellis