!!!!!!!! ILX METAL ALBUMS of 2009 POLL RESULTS!!!!!! (FINAL RESULTS NOW IN! LISTENING TO THESE ALBUMS WILL MAKE YOU STRONGER FRAIL INTERNET PERSON!)

Yeah, Skeletonwitch made it into my Top Fourteen (tied with Revocation).

the Candlemass is on Spotify.
Shall I continue with more albums tonight before I go to bed or keep them for tomorrow?

you should go to #60 at least, surely!

That Candlemass CD is a good one. It's rare that a band can replace its lead singer so late into its career and sound better than they have in years. They're on a huge roll with the Aeturnus guy.

and Solitude Aeturnus still exist which is just as great!

#66 , 73 Points , 4 votes

http://bastonate.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/melvins.jpg
Melvins - Chicken Switch

Love the Melvins but remix albums? No ta.
-pfunkboy

Um no, Need more Melvins in my life thanks.

― you gone float up with it (jon /via/ chi 2.0),

Haha, funny pull form me since I heard one track and decided quickly that, after all, I did NOT need this in my life.

"from"

I just dont care for remix albums generally. You can get great remixes on singles but very few great albums IMO. Especially in rock.

I liked the last two "real" Melvins albums a lot but that remix thing was awful.

#65 , 75 Points , 4 votes

http://www.golivewire.com/forums/img.cgi?i=70387
Hacride - Lazarus

really digging the new Hacride album today! serious riff after serious riff! by the end track, you've got something totally majestic.

― scott seward,

Second the Hacride love. BIG step up from Amoeba, and I really liked that album. Amoeba got kind of monotonous after a while, but the new one switches it off the lot. I'd say more, but I reviewed it for Decibel, which frames my thoughts in a more coherent way.

― Kickstart My Heartwork (J3ff T.),

The new Hacride really sounds strong, alright. I'm always a week behind the rest of you guys when it comes to new arrivals. Thanks, Canada Post!

― A. Begrand,

The new Hacride is pretty swell

― unperson,

Hacride aren't very metal <winking thing> they recommended me some goats cheese last week.

― Doran,

After seeing Gojira completely destroy last month, I'm surprised I didn't find out about Hacride sooner. Downloaded it last weekend, loved it, bought the CD at Metal Haven last night. Nice packaging too.

― Fastnbulbous

If you like Gojira, you'll really enjoy France's Hacride. Their last two albums are superb.

― A. Begrand,

#64 78 Points, 5 votes
http://www.20buckspin.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/spin028_lp400-300x300.jpg
Nadja and Black Boned Angel - S/T

The idea for a collaboration between Canadas prolific neo-doom duo Nadja and New Zealands pitch black droners Black Boned Angel was first hatched in conversations between 20 Buck Spin and Nadjas Aidan Baker around the time Nadja released their Truth Becomes Death EP on Alien8 Recordings in 2006. 20 Buck Spin ran the idea by Campbell Kneale of Black Boned Angel, who at that point was unfamiliar with Nadja. After hearing their material, the complimentary potential was realized, and the groups began their cross-continental collaboration sending music back and forth digitally.

Time passed and both groups, along with Campbells altar-ego Birchville Cat Motel, were extremely busy releasing their own material. By the end of 2007 the collaborative effort had realized three fully formed tracks. One more accessible track that included vocals called Christ Send Light was released in 2008 as a CD EP on Kneales own Battlecruiser imprint. The other two long tracks were combined for a full length release for 20 Buck Spin. With the album being a collaborative effort 20 Buck Spin also convinced two close comrades, David DAndrea and Stephen Kasner, to collaborate on some artwork. Again, artistic collaborations take a great deal of time, and finally in 2009 both art and music have finally come together for this much anticipated release.

The two 20+ minutes tracks contained on this self-titled collaboration have a less accessible vibe then the Jesu-like track on last years Christ Send Light EP. There are no vocals to be heard. They are comprised in equal parts of Nadjas fuzzed-out, lurching and hazy dream-doom, and BBAs razor-sharp metallic riff-shards. Extended passages of riff-static noise bleeds one track into the next while deep space eerieness looms ever present in the shadows. Finally the whole thing collapses under the weight of its own self-created black hole. This is the end.

That Hacride album is really a grower. I'm finding new exciting details every time I hear it.

Not heard it, anything you can say to tempt me?
I still haven't heard the BBA & Nadja. Not had the money to buy it.

J3ff's write-up for decibel does a better summation than I can:

Hacride - Lazarus

I guess I would say I don't like much of anything that could possibly be categorized as death metal, but they really won me over. I liked Gojira's last one quite a bit but think this is even better.

Death metal isn't usually my thing either bar coffins and entombed usually but i might give it a go if its on spotify.

#63 , 78 Points , 5 Votes, One #1 Vote

http://www.auralexploits.com/ebay_images/lp/Keelhaul_TriumphantReturnToObscurity_180g_1.jpg
Keelhaul - Triumphant Return to Obscurity

Keelhaul is like the one friend that you're actually looking forward to seeing when you fly home for the holidays... Still smoking weed in the parent's basement, but, try as you might, you can't fault him for doing it because ultimately you're fucking convinced he's got some shit figured out that you're still years away from. Basically, this guy Keelhaul is a solid dude and maybe part of you wants to be him, no shame in it... most people are susceptible to societal pressures... you wanted to be an adult and you thought you knew what that meant... trips to the wine store... you should kick your own ass.

Keelhaul's Triumphant Return to Obscurity, is not just a clever name for an album title marking a band's return from obscurity, it's an album title for a band's release marking that same band's return from obscurity. init? Chris Smith, Aaron Dallison, Dana Embrose, and Will Scharf have been at it as Keelhaul for over ten years and it shows. This record picks up on the band's progression as if they were steadily releasing records throughout their six year hiatus. The pace is precise, the instrumentation is masterful and the guitar tones are absolutely appropriate. Look, your old pal Keelhaul knows what he's doing and he ain't affiliated with no williamsburgers, so he feels no need to overcompensate by adding strings, vibes, horns, boners (well maybe boners), harps and/or electric flutes... to his compositions... which is a god damn breath of fresh air if you ask me.

Didn't hear that in 09, poor show i swear on my life i feel so powerfull (musically) (DJ Mencap)

Also until just now I thought that the Nadja/BBA thing was just a straight vinyl reissue of the 2008 CD (which I really liked) - should prolly get on that too then

#62 , 79 Points , 4 votes
http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com/store/images/anaal_nathrakh_myspace.JPG
Anaal Nathrakh - In the Constellation of the Black Widow

i never pay attention to metal lyrics but the quality of the vocals matters a lot to me--timbre, timing, style, and just generally fitting in well with the music. a lot of solid bands are dragged down by a boring singer, but most of my favorite bands have a singer who is really trying to do something interesting. for example anaal nathrakh is to me a sort of forgettable band without their singer.

― call all destroyer,

Anaal Nathrakh also solid but nowhere near career best.
― Siegbran,

Not career best but better than the last couple of albums IMO ^^^

I will always have a sweet spot for 2006's Eschaton, but these guys have never made a mediocre record, I love every one of their albums. And yeah, some of the most amazing vocals in all of metal, def a big part of what makes this band so special. This was in my top 10.

I really dug that one, too. That album's nuts...and incredibly hooky.

Does blurbs mean we're supposed to write stuff?

Anyway, here's what I wrote about the three albums I voted for at the time. (And yes, I know it doesn't necessarily paint me in a good light . . .)

I'll try and keep up with the rest.

Gnaw

“Have you ever noticed how as horror movies get less and less scary, the opposite is happening in computer games? This has everything to do with the glut of talent in the games industry mirroring a dearth in mainstream cinema. Sonically titles such as the ‘Silent Hill’ series lean heavily on the most forward thinking advances in electronica and metal. With Gnaw the inspiration actually flows both ways. As well as Alan Dubin (Khanate) and Jamie Sykes (Burning Witch), the group contains two soundscape artists who work with field recordings and electronic manipulation. This provides more grist for the gore mill than most could cope with. ‘Heaven’s Vault’ is howling white noise and harsh blackened vocals but the centrepiece is ‘Feelers’ whose remorselessly increasing bpm could drive a sensitive person to tears. Horrifically effective.

Hacride

Near death experiences cut straight to the heart of the third, fantastic album by the Gallic four piece. After all it is called ‘Lazarus’, named after an unfortunate character from the bible. After a life of hardship Larry was on his deathbed and word was sent to his best mate, Jesus of Nazareth. The long-haired rabble rouser was so late in going round to his pal’s house that not only was he dead when he got there but he’d been buried for nearly a week. Instead of just apologizing to the grieving family for his lamentable behaviour, Jesus brought the terrified guy back to life, which was great for the Son Of God’s rep but not so good for the nerves of poor old Lazarus, as John 12:5 reveals: “And lo, all the Bethanites did think Jesus a most righteous dude but poor old Lazarus was less sure saying ‘Christ, that was fucking terrifying. Eh? What’s that? I have to die again after he leaves? WTF!!! Jesus, you’re such a cunt . . .’” Basically, Hacride are yet more proof (if any were needed) that les Francais sont formidable! Vive Overmars! Vive Gojira! Vive Mistaken Elements! Vive Klone! Et vive Hacride!

Sub Arachnoid Space

When the dishes are done, the lady wife is at bingo and the kids have been sent to play by the burnt out car at the end of the road, Subterranea likes to kick back with some hydroponic science smoked through a bong constructed from a bucket of weapons grade anal relaxant and a horse’s shin bone. And what better sonic accompaniment than Sub Arachnoid Space, who take the prize for most satisfying exploration of inner madness this month with their tenth album ‘Eight Bells’. The continued success, of these San Franciscans lies in the fact that they obviously love cauterising their connections to reality but underneath all the churning guitars is the fearsomely pounding heart of a thunderous yet razor sharp rock band. No matter how much elephant tranquilizer they’ve had.

Really didn't get on that well with the Keelhaul album.

Keelhaul was my number one, I love it. I wish it placed higher, of course, but I can't complain too much.

xxxpost Candlemass was pretty high on my list too. It's kinda frontloaded but man, those first three tracks are *so* good. With all the dronedoom-y stuff nowadays I've come to appreciate old fashioned heavy doom metal more than ever in recent years (Grand Magus, Hammers of Misfortune, Heaven & Hell).

I especially like it when bands like that do uptempo stuff and *still* manage to make it sound like DOOOOOM, like Candlemass "If I Ever Die".

Candlemass was on mine I think.

Doran, thanks for that, look forward to seeing more!

Grand Magus have kinda moved away from doom to more trad heavy metal I think. Still good, just not as good as they were.

#61 , 81 Points , 4 votes

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UzANGJamcNE/SyylcdqrFcI/AAAAAAAAH4I/HdFzRq29lE4/s400/Lifelover+-+Dekadens+%2812%29.jpg
Lifelover - Dekadens

I'm liking this new Lifelover "EP" (7 songs, 26 minutes) Dekadens. I'd somehow never heard this band, or else never quite paid attention. Somewhere between black metal and HIM, which I assume means it pisses somebody off a lot.

― glenn mcdonald,

Not heard it but I quite liked their other albums.

Grand Magus have kinda moved away from doom to more trad heavy metal I think.

Exactly, that's what I meant with 'heavy / doom metal', love that stuff. Iron Will is one of my favorite albums of the 2000s. No, really.

#60 , 82 Points , 5 votes

http://theobelisk.net/obelisk/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/ahabcover.jpg
Ahab - The Divinity of Oceans

i want the new Ahab album! i didn't even know there was one until i saw an ad for it.

― scott seward, Wednesday, 24 June 2009 21:17 (6 months ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

I didn't know there was either!

― the sideburns are album-specific (jon /via/ chi 2.0),

whoa! had no idea that there is a new ahab coming out. sick!

I still play call of the wretched sea pretty frequently. like I'm doing RIGHT NOW.

― picture me lolin' (Alan N),

listening to the new Ahab. sounds like Ahab!

― scott seward,

I have to give the Ahab a spin. Their last album was cool, but those darn beeped Napalm promos are never fun.

― A. Begrand,

man, that Ahab record is something else! i do dig it.

― all you need is love vs. money (that's what i want) (Ioannis),

Yet another album I've been unsuccessfully trying to find! I suppose I'll just break down and get it off iTunes.

awesome record cover & ILX metal thread recommendation--I'm going to check this one out

man, I loooove me some call of the wretched sea but I played divinity of oceans many times over the course of last year and very little stuck.

the very low key clean breaks (w/clean vox) were pretty cool, I suppose.

I eventually just shelved it. will probably come back sometime down the road.

this thread is making me want to check out so many records, btw. I really slept on new metal last year.

#59 , 82 Points , 6 votes

http://www.auralexploits.com/ebay_images/lp/Xasthur_AllReflectionsDrained_1.jpg
Xasthur - All Reflections Drained

Got the new Xasthur, but haven't played it. Haven't been feeling miserable enough yet.

― glenn mcdonald, Friday, 29 May 2009 18:56 (7 months ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

You will be miserable enough after listening to it.

― slugbaiting (rockapads),

Latest Xasthur is a further step in the direction of BM as big 60's film themes. Great moments, but the drawback is that I can't see any structure or flow - just seems like "here's the last dozen things I wrote in chronological order. Back in six months."

― Soukesian,

I've been playing "All reflections drained" again over the last week, and I've convinced myself that there's one track that sounds exactly like Serge Gainsbourg backed by Einsturzende Neubauten. It's definitely not a generic Xasthur record.

― Soukesian,

#58 , 83 Points , 5 votes

http://www.boomerangshop.com/dvdcover/Imagecd105/BloodyPandaSummonBonusD580_f.jpg
Bloody Panda - Summon

Finally got my hands on a copy of the now-mastered unreleased Bloody Panda album. It definitely delivers on the promise of the first, featuring further realization, better production, and more tuneful singing (betwixt plenty of gut-wrenching screams).

― Nate Carson,

Echoing Nate's sentiments from a few weeks back, the new Bloody Panda is definitely as cool as expected. One of the more original doom bands out there, not to mention one of the most genuinely scary.

Terrific artwork on this album as well...

― A. Begrand,

much like the "gay witch abortion" issue for some, i have a really hard time listening to something called bloody panda

does "bloody panda" mean anything? I've heard loads complaining about the name.

no its not slang AFAIK, it just grates at me. every time i see the name i assume the band is going to look like paramore and sound like iwrestledabearonce

What a great cover on that Skeletonwitch album. That guy means serious business.

"nothing wrong with being sexy" "no, sexist!"

If all bands look like the singer of Paramore I bet they would get lots more votes.

i mean obv i'll give it a shot with that placing and those pull quotes, but ugh that name

i realize as the guy who likes bands named gay witch abortion and sleepytime gorilla museum i should prob STFU about that tho

i was gonna say..

Bloody Panda are really good fwiw

# 57 , 88 Points , 4 votes

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/reviewpics/ancestcd.jpg
Ancestors - Of Sound Mind

Also, was listening to the new Ancestors in the background while poking around the Internet just now, and holy crap, it totally just snuck up on me. "Bounty of Age" is pure Mellotron goodness.

― don't cry, emo hamster (J3ff T.),

uhh... is this the stoner/doom ancestors or the noisy black metal ancestors?

― self-aware psych tropes (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ),

Stoner/doom Ancestors. The ones on Teepee.

― don't cry, emo hamster (J3ff T.),

Another thing I like is the new/forthcoming Ancestors album. It's four long songs paired with/separated by four short interlude things, so clearly intended to be owned/heard on double vinyl, but they've really gotten a lot better since the debut. Big Uriah Heep influence, at least to my ear, and that's never a bad thing.

― neither good nor bad, just a kid like you (unperson),

unperson's review for AllMusic of the Bloody Panda is really accurate. Love this bit: "Vocalist Yoshiko Ohara shifts between an almost Gothic, monotone croon and a fierce scream, as organ, sludgy guitar, and throbbing bass shadow her. The drums combine tribal pounding with avant-rock improvisational sensitivity for a cumulative effect that recalls no wave as much as doom. Even when they come up with a somewhat normal song structure, as on "Pusher," a nonstop piercing keyboard tone manages to disrupt and keep the listener off-balance, unable to truly rock out with abandon."

And he did the review for Ancestors too! "Though there are no new ideas here, Ancestors have cherry-picked the best ones from 35 years ago, and longhairs who think rock music's been on a downward slide since 1975 will love this album."

I love both of these - my #2 and #7, respectively.

#56 , 88 Points , 8 Votes

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51m3Cj%2BwCDL.jpg
Greymachine - Disconnected

anyone hear greymachine yet? i like it a lot. i'm actually surprised by how much i'm liking it, as justin broadrick's stuff tends to bore me after awhile.

― borntohula,

Greymachine is the first time I've not been annoyed by Turner .
― Alex in SF,

I'm really digging that Greymachine. Harshest stuff Broadrick's done in ages.

― A. Begrand,

So much better than expected, this is top top stuff. Wonder what new Isis/Jesu fans will think of Turner/Broadrick getting "back to their roots!?

-pfunkboy

That's much lower than I thought it would be. I half-thought that would crack the top 10.