I thought it would be top 20 at least
― Algerian Goalkeeper (Odysseus), Monday, 5 February 2018 15:25 (six years ago) link
I gotta admit, this is the one metal vocal style I've never been huge on
― Simon H., Monday, 5 February 2018 15:26 (six years ago) link
Never got round to Akercocke, don't know if this is a good starting point, didn't expect something this proggy. Reminds me a bit of a more pacey/techy Opeth, even down to the slightly random song construction.
― scroot gyte (ultros ultros-ghali), Monday, 5 February 2018 15:27 (six years ago) link
Pretty good though I should say.
it's definitely not much like their earlier material
― Hi diddley dee, hen fapper's life for me (Neanderthal), Monday, 5 February 2018 15:28 (six years ago) link
another heavy hitter
88 The Body & Full of Hell - Ascending a Mountain of Heavy Light 106.0 Points, 4 Voteshttps://thrilljockey.com/spree/products/2162/product/447_900.jpg
https://open.spotify.com/album/4SXIysQ9zTWimy9uo5GMy8?si=Z4YjL9pLSm2wimbqtWEFiQ
Ascending a Mountain of Heavy Light bests its predecessor by doing something much different—acknowledging the fundamental rift between the bands’ respective styles and flooding the valley between them with all kinds of stunts, risks, and tricks. Lightning Bolt’s Brian Chippendale, for instance, helms a drum orchestra during “Our Love Conducted With Shields Aloft,” a riot of sound so aggressive it would make John Zorn blush. Full of Hell bassist Sam DiGristine even adds squawking soprano saxophone at the close of “Light Penetrates.” Harsh noise outbursts, stroboscopic electronic editing, drum & bass beats: The Body and Full of Hell lace them throughout Heavy Light, unexpected oases in a disorienting musical minefield. If Ache was an obvious intersection between these two prolific and restless bands, Heavy Light documents wild detours taken to get back to the same place.
https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/the-body-and-full-of-hell-ascending-a-mountain-of-heavy-light/
― Simon H., Monday, 5 February 2018 15:31 (six years ago) link
you jumped the gun, i still have the controversial album at 89 to post first!
― Algerian Goalkeeper (Odysseus), Monday, 5 February 2018 15:33 (six years ago) link
89 Zeal & Ardor - Devil Is Fine 105 Points, 3 voteshttps://i.imgur.com/huwAAkB.jpghttps://open.spotify.com/album/5Oc87gybQZkVeqogIFXzMd?si=x-joj0OSSUyGQnpdAwVxkAhttps://zealandardor.bandcamp.com/http://www.themonolith.com/music/review-zeal-ardor-devil-fine/
It’s always tempting for musicians wanting to make their mark on a genre to take their chosen framework and mash it together with something seemingly out-of-place. This is a go-to tactic for folk metal with its prevalence of zithers and hurdy-gurdies, and it’s worked well there. Let’s not forget that this philosophy has also left us with the questionable legacy of rap metal.The key difference is how artful the blend is. This doesn’t need to be subtle; Shining‘s use of saxophones is hardly understated and it’s a good look on them. The philosophy falters where bands are too self-conscious in their mash-ups, looking at the 40+ years of metal history and despairing that everything has seemingly been done, then frantically trying to recruit members to their acapella vaporwave project.Zeal & Ardor have been the focus of a lot of press, a lot of which has been bemused. Broadly, Devil Is Fine is a mix of black metal, blues & gospel, and electronica – but the album covers an astonishing amount of ground, constantly haunted by spreading itself too thin or being too affectedly weird. On the flipside, there’s a sense that something like this could be a Big Thing. On paper it should work; blues and black metal have Strong Opinions on The Devil. Electronic music and black metal are strange bedfellows but it’s not sacrilegious to mess with them.Expectedly, this record is by and large a mixed bag. Even though my experience improved on multiple listens, the record never settles on a consistent tone. I can’t claim to be much of an authority on gospel but the black metal elements are heavily influenced by the recent wave of blackgaze/post-black metal acts. A little disappointingly, the guitars sit low in the mix so they often come across as just angular shoegaze rather than black metal. I often found myself wondering if the record would work better leaning more towards dark ambient influences than incorporating occasional frosty bursts.Also, for black metal fans this is likely to be a disappointment. A lot of the tags for this record have suggested this is primarily black metal and it’s not, not really; there’s a frequent creepy haunting tone but it’s only occasionally that the black metal elements are used to convey this. If you dig Alcest and their ilk this will be an unusual departure, and certainly worth investigating.My initial notes for this review were super-negative. One of them just reads “Devil Is Fine is fine,” which I’ll never get to use in its intended context. The truth is the more time I spent with the record, the more I was drawn to it. Firstly, Zeal & Ardor’s songwriting chops are well-explored in key moments; opener and single “Devil Is Fine” is absolutely superb and genuinely chilling, mixing chants with thunderous percussion and an unnerving gothic aesthetic. In addition, so much of this record works even though you get the sense the goalposts are constantly moving; the electronic sections are proper cool, “Children’s Summons” sounding almost chiptune-y. “In Ashes” flirts more obviously with some metal influences. In the end it seems futile to tick off all the genre engagements; it’s a soup, but against the odds it works.I hear a lot of Björk‘s Debut in this record. There’s a lot of raw experimentation and unfiltered courage. Devil Is Fine is certainly novel, and thought it’s a little unfair to compare this to Debut‘s innovations they both have a kind of naive hubris which makes them charming. That’s probably the best feature of the record; Devil Is Fine is so singular and odd that it occupies a different space to any of the records it’s influenced by, and by virtue of its charm demands to be considered differently. It might not change the face of metal forever but it might just stick out enough to be cited as an off-beat influence a little further down the line.To the cynics, Devil Is Fine doesn’t rest on novelty. It doesn’t work like any record in any of the genres it borrows from and it’s fickle enough to frustrate anyone trying to draw themes through it – but of all the records that will get fancy label re-releases this year, this is among the most deserving.
The key difference is how artful the blend is. This doesn’t need to be subtle; Shining‘s use of saxophones is hardly understated and it’s a good look on them. The philosophy falters where bands are too self-conscious in their mash-ups, looking at the 40+ years of metal history and despairing that everything has seemingly been done, then frantically trying to recruit members to their acapella vaporwave project.
Zeal & Ardor have been the focus of a lot of press, a lot of which has been bemused. Broadly, Devil Is Fine is a mix of black metal, blues & gospel, and electronica – but the album covers an astonishing amount of ground, constantly haunted by spreading itself too thin or being too affectedly weird. On the flipside, there’s a sense that something like this could be a Big Thing. On paper it should work; blues and black metal have Strong Opinions on The Devil. Electronic music and black metal are strange bedfellows but it’s not sacrilegious to mess with them.
Expectedly, this record is by and large a mixed bag. Even though my experience improved on multiple listens, the record never settles on a consistent tone. I can’t claim to be much of an authority on gospel but the black metal elements are heavily influenced by the recent wave of blackgaze/post-black metal acts. A little disappointingly, the guitars sit low in the mix so they often come across as just angular shoegaze rather than black metal. I often found myself wondering if the record would work better leaning more towards dark ambient influences than incorporating occasional frosty bursts.
Also, for black metal fans this is likely to be a disappointment. A lot of the tags for this record have suggested this is primarily black metal and it’s not, not really; there’s a frequent creepy haunting tone but it’s only occasionally that the black metal elements are used to convey this. If you dig Alcest and their ilk this will be an unusual departure, and certainly worth investigating.
My initial notes for this review were super-negative. One of them just reads “Devil Is Fine is fine,” which I’ll never get to use in its intended context. The truth is the more time I spent with the record, the more I was drawn to it. Firstly, Zeal & Ardor’s songwriting chops are well-explored in key moments; opener and single “Devil Is Fine” is absolutely superb and genuinely chilling, mixing chants with thunderous percussion and an unnerving gothic aesthetic. In addition, so much of this record works even though you get the sense the goalposts are constantly moving; the electronic sections are proper cool, “Children’s Summons” sounding almost chiptune-y. “In Ashes” flirts more obviously with some metal influences. In the end it seems futile to tick off all the genre engagements; it’s a soup, but against the odds it works.
I hear a lot of Björk‘s Debut in this record. There’s a lot of raw experimentation and unfiltered courage. Devil Is Fine is certainly novel, and thought it’s a little unfair to compare this to Debut‘s innovations they both have a kind of naive hubris which makes them charming. That’s probably the best feature of the record; Devil Is Fine is so singular and odd that it occupies a different space to any of the records it’s influenced by, and by virtue of its charm demands to be considered differently. It might not change the face of metal forever but it might just stick out enough to be cited as an off-beat influence a little further down the line.
To the cynics, Devil Is Fine doesn’t rest on novelty. It doesn’t work like any record in any of the genres it borrows from and it’s fickle enough to frustrate anyone trying to draw themes through it – but of all the records that will get fancy label re-releases this year, this is among the most deserving.
https://noisey.vice.com/en_au/article/6wqvnb/zeal-and-ardor-interviewhttp://www.metalstorm.net/pub/review.php?review_id=13957http://www.angrymetalguy.com/zeal-and-ardor-devil-is-fine-things-you-might-have-missed-2016/
oh balls lol
― Simon H., Monday, 5 February 2018 15:34 (six years ago) link
On the guitar solo in "Stillborn Knowledge" from the White Ward album: yeah, I like this. Steely Dan seems like the wrong comparison for the softer passages with sax, though; will think. Based on the first two tracks, I sometimes wish these were better integrated with the metal passages, with a stronger sense of unity to the compositions. The shifts can seem at times like they come out of nowhere. Still, there's definitely something interesting going on.
― No purposes. Sounds. (Sund4r), Monday, 5 February 2018 15:39 (six years ago) link
I forgot to vote for Z&A since I considered it a 2016 release I think... It's an interesting idea but needs more refinement. A second album should be very interesting I reckon.
― scroot gyte (ultros ultros-ghali), Monday, 5 February 2018 15:40 (six years ago) link
I like how the sax is used in "Homecoming".
― No purposes. Sounds. (Sund4r), Monday, 5 February 2018 15:48 (six years ago) link
I saw it as a 2016 release tooxp
― Algerian Goalkeeper (Odysseus), Monday, 5 February 2018 15:53 (six years ago) link
87 Anakim - Monuments to Departed Worlds 107.0 Points, 2 Votes, 1 #1 Votehttps://f4.bcbits.com/img/a2531453059_10.jpghttps://anakimuk.bandcamp.com/releases
― Simon H., Monday, 5 February 2018 15:53 (six years ago) link
first #1 vote!
Y'all should check out how that Z&A album came to be! Really heartwarming stuff
― imago, Monday, 5 February 2018 15:55 (six years ago) link
based on how little info I could find, this Anakim record wins the obscurity prize so far
― Simon H., Monday, 5 February 2018 16:02 (six years ago) link
https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/6wqvnb/zeal-and-ardor-interview
"That's just 4chan"
― imago, Monday, 5 February 2018 16:04 (six years ago) link
86 Dodecahdron - kwintessens 108.0 Points, 4 Voteshttps://f4.bcbits.com/img/a2147776909_5.jpghttps://open.spotify.com/album/4fzqMZL3CNsKwiECMf2xZK?si=yBhM4H6wRM-t20t_wrkYVA
Kwintessens‘ long-form composition is one of gradual collapse, and sounds become more alien and obtuse as the album progresses. “Tetrahedron” sounds close to a Deathspell Omega cut, but the band experiments with brighter sounds, dense sound editing and reversals of previous themes past “Hexahedron.” “Dodecahedron” uses bright leads and custom instrumentation to create an atmosphere that’s split between the heavenly and the vulgar, ending with a snap-in block of harsh noise. The incongruously placed “Finale” takes an approach that I’d most comfortably call black-metal musique concrète, and is largely a collage of droning sounds, that heavenly atmosphere, and heavily distorted vocals which presage the album’s real finale.
― Simon H., Monday, 5 February 2018 16:09 (six years ago) link
Nice. I liked this better than Deathspell Omega, barring Paracletus.
― pomenitul, Monday, 5 February 2018 16:14 (six years ago) link
I'm not always in the mood for this sort of thing but it's a very good example of the style
― Simon H., Monday, 5 February 2018 16:17 (six years ago) link
First thing I voted for to place! Good stuff. Also very impressed with the Anakim album so far, never even heard of it before.
― scroot gyte (ultros ultros-ghali), Monday, 5 February 2018 16:19 (six years ago) link
Really enjoying the Cloud Rat!
― imago, Monday, 5 February 2018 16:28 (six years ago) link
everyone's faves!!
85 Nokturnal Mortum - Verity 113.0 Points, 3 Voteshttps://www.metal-archives.com/images/6/4/8/9/648929.jpghttps://open.spotify.com/album/1U0NTxLdTGaZNcSHp4o1AB?si=dhZT6H8_SNiIQ64BkiPRKg
― Simon H., Monday, 5 February 2018 16:31 (six years ago) link
the anakim record is so fun, y'all, please check it out if you remotely like proggy death metal where everyone sounds like they're having the best time playing it
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Monday, 5 February 2018 16:31 (six years ago) link
lmao i was like "this white ward record can't be my thing, it's way too boilerplate black metal" and then i heard the sax
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Monday, 5 February 2018 16:32 (six years ago) link
also the drummer is doing crazy shit, i love this
Will check out Anakim.
This NM is totally hateful and I voted for it sorry everyone. At least it isn't Z&A eh?
― imago, Monday, 5 February 2018 16:33 (six years ago) link
the cloud rat comp of all their split tracks is prob gonna be my album of the year this year lol
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Monday, 5 February 2018 16:34 (six years ago) link
Last time I checked there were still two splits to come so I wouldn't be surprised if that comp doesn't even arrive this year, but yeah they're one of the best bands on the planet right now
― Simon H., Monday, 5 February 2018 16:36 (six years ago) link
white ward is blowing my fucking mind
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Monday, 5 February 2018 16:38 (six years ago) link
The other two splits are with World is a Vampire and Test, apparently. The comp has a cover and title so I guess it will be out before too long. xp
― Simon H., Monday, 5 February 2018 16:39 (six years ago) link
err I guess it already exists on cassette?!
https://www.discogs.com/Cloud-Rat-Clipped-Beaks--Silk-Panic-MMXVIII/release/10560905
― Simon H., Monday, 5 February 2018 16:42 (six years ago) link
sorry still talking about white ward but it really keeps up the tradition of me hearing my favorite metal album of the previous year during the poll
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Monday, 5 February 2018 16:43 (six years ago) link
considering how many albums I bought last year there's a ridiculous amount of metal I didn't hear
― Hi diddley dee, hen fapper's life for me (Neanderthal), Monday, 5 February 2018 16:43 (six years ago) link
the drummer is SO good
brad I'm thrilled you had the same reaction I did (and am still having)
― Simon H., Monday, 5 February 2018 16:43 (six years ago) link
brad i recommended the white ward album to you last year
― Algerian Goalkeeper (Odysseus), Monday, 5 February 2018 16:47 (six years ago) link
84 Wiegedood - De Doden Hebben Het Goed II 114.0 Points, 3 Voteshttp://www.angrymetalguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/wiegedood_cover_web-500x500.jpghttps://open.spotify.com/album/1DwMKkGWd3LMwOolq5mn3B?si=nT87ebj3SC-vogi-h436Gg
Wiegedood‘s debut may not be as pretentious as a band like Deafheaven (hallelujah!), but it’s thick with atmosphere and post-black attitude. The sequel hints at this heavy atmosphere, but De Doden Hebben Het Goed II never lets it meander for long. II, instead, unleashes a brutality fitting to a second-wave Norwegian outfit like Gorgoroth. The amount of hate and emotion set forth from II is enough to burn a hole right through your black heart. And it’s complimented by seamless fluidity. The seamlessness from beginning to end makes the record feel like one continuous song, with transitions appearing in the most unlikely of places. This keeps the disc from feeling long and it has the listener on their tippy toes. The transitions from one song to the next are so novel that Wiegedood are sure to come to mind if I ever hear anything like it again in the black metal world.
― Simon H., Monday, 5 February 2018 16:49 (six years ago) link
such a good album
― Algerian Goalkeeper (Odysseus), Monday, 5 February 2018 16:49 (six years ago) link
― Algerian Goalkeeper (Odysseus), Monday, February 5, 2018 9:47 AM (one minute ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
i am so sorry i did not immediately follow up, bless u k3rr
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Monday, 5 February 2018 16:50 (six years ago) link
No one has mentioned anything about The Body & Full of Hell, so I will...it's pretty good. More of what you'd expect, but they've amped up the electronic feedback and it's all sounding like a wonderful cyberpunk dystopia. I think maybe I'm beginning to tire of The Body guy's vocals though
― Launch of new ILM school business management programmes! (tangenttangent), Monday, 5 February 2018 16:50 (six years ago) link
the Wiegedood album didn't pop out at me before but it sounds great now, some truly excellent riffs and v little waste
― Simon H., Monday, 5 February 2018 16:53 (six years ago) link
When they played in Edinburgh the locals were shocked it wasn't just one guy playing solo
― Algerian Goalkeeper (Odysseus), Monday, 5 February 2018 16:55 (six years ago) link
"huh, I was expecting the Wiege dude..."
― Simon H., Monday, 5 February 2018 16:57 (six years ago) link
the snaps and rhodes piano in "rain as cure"! somebody invented this band for me
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Monday, 5 February 2018 17:03 (six years ago) link
lmao I was waiting for you to hear those snaps. just you wait for the closing minutes....
― Simon H., Monday, 5 February 2018 17:03 (six years ago) link
TIE82 Dreadnought - A Wake in Sacred Waves 116.0 Points, 4 Voteshttp://www.angrymetalguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/dreadnoughtcover-500x500.jpghttps://open.spotify.com/album/4seSirz4qfUvkYDQqbhRPD?si=LAwRN_DeQaeYjAlxWqoYXw
On its brilliant boundary-annihilating upcoming third full-length A Wake in Sacred Waves — out vial Sailor Records in October — Denver quartet Dreadnought delivers a deftly executed, completely entrancing sonic amalgamation that calls to mind everything from Bergtatt-era Ulver, Wolves in the Throne Room, and Kate Bush to Slint, June of ’44, and Sabbath at its psychedelic doom-iest. This particular brand of Rocky Mountain High has got the raining-fire-in-the-sky blast beats, guttural vocals, and fuzzed out nasty riffs, yes, but also serious post-punk groove and softer-than-a-lullabye ethereal croons, mandolin, flute, and saxophone.
82 Obituary - Obituary 116.0 Points, 4 Voteshttps://media.pitchfork.com/photos/5929c1f9ea9e61561daa7e6f/1:1/w_320/558dd4cf.jpghttps://open.spotify.com/album/07xZ3ekk1HHTTdoYSwlGsm?si=pbLFg-lISsq0wl0SHxtftA
Some of Obituary’s best work has come from letting flashiness creep in. In 1990, for example, Cause of Death had its sludge punctured by James Murphy’s divebombs and neoclassically-influenced soloing. That album contained their most developed songwriting in terms of leads. Likewise, thanks to Ken Andrews’ lead work here, Obituary is their most energetic record since reforming in 2003 (they originally disbanded in ’97). On “shredder” records, the disconnect between the fireworks of the guitarist and the tepid rhythm section can be jarring. But Peres and Donald’s strong foundation keeps that from happening.
― Simon H., Monday, 5 February 2018 17:07 (six years ago) link
Wiegedood means 'cradle death' btw, album title is aptly 'The dead have it good'. Good to see it place, I forgot to vote for it.
― Le Bateau Ivre, Monday, 5 February 2018 17:07 (six years ago) link
agree with Obituary album being their best since reformation....
― Hi diddley dee, hen fapper's life for me (Neanderthal), Monday, 5 February 2018 17:08 (six years ago) link