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Emeritus
Reviews 98
Approval 95%
Soundoffs 87
News Articles 7
Band Edits + Tags 1,020
Album Edits 588
Album Ratings 848
Objectivity 69%
Last Active 12-30-22 11:40 am
Joined 09-27-13
Review Comments 12,008
| Scuro's Top Albums Of 2014
Just a list of my favourite albums of 2014. It's been a great year and some fantastic ralbums were released, rhere's my take on them: | | 15 |  | Villagers of Ioannina City
Riza
I'm not quite sure how to describe Riza. I mean in basic terms it's a combination of psychedelic rock
music fused with traditional greek folk music and folklore, including spoken word passages and
variety of samples, plus the incredibly effective use of clarinet which without a doubt steals the
show. You really need to hear this album to understand it and you can do just that here:
http://vicband.bandcamp.com/album/riza | | 14 |  | Flower Face
Funeral Kid
Funeral Kid isn't the most upbeat album in the world, however, it does manage to be one of the
most emotional journeys of the year. Despite it's size, this album packs the best elements of the
bedroom pop style into it's brief duration while also exceeding the artists full-length release
Homesick in quality. There are artists that make me want to become better musically and 16 year
old Ruby is one of them. Grab this awesome little EP here:
http://flowerface.bandcamp.com/album/funeral-kid-ep | | 13 |  | Thou
Heathen
This is another album that didn't quite hit me when I first heard it, but again, after peristent
listening it became clear that this album is something special. One of the finest sludge albums of the
year and here it is on this list. Give it a listen here: http://thou.bandcamp.com/album/heathen | | 12 |  | Agerasia
Headlines
Just a small EP that packs a big punch (cliches right?). Of course if deathcore isn't your thing there's
little that Agerasia will change about that but if your willing to give them a little over 10 minutes of
your time you may be surprised. Eschewing the usual reptition that often plagues the genre,
Agerasia display an intriguing variety in all of their songs that maintains the listeners attention and
leaves you yearning for more after this insufficient taster. It's been a regular go-to album for me
when I just want something quick and heavy. Check it here:
http://agerasia1.bandcamp.com/album/headlines | | 11 |  | Ymyrgar
The Tale As Far
You really like folk metal don't you? Yes, I do. Sure, The Tale as Far is yet another folk metal album
but this time it's different. These guys have something strang going on here. With gravelly, black-
metal-esque vocals, a piratical Norse vibe permeating the album and a concoction of tradition folk
instruments this mix shouldn't work but just does. It just does okay. Find out for yourself here:
https://ymyrgar.bandcamp.com | | 10 |  | Marblewood
Marblewood
Mixing blues with rock and psychedelic influences, these Swiss musicians have created a very
intersesting and unique album that works very well. With tracks lasting between 8 and 20 minutes
(if you count the bonus track), the strange combinations pays off and the album itself never loses
the listeners attention. Give it a listen here: http://marblewood.bandcamp.com | | 9 |  | Slugdge
Gastronomicon
The concept may be insane and humourous but the album itself is a great example of sludge done
right. At first the album didn't quite hit me. I knew it was good but it seemed to be missing the
spark I was looking for, however, repeated listens improved my opinion of it greatly and, well, here
it is in the top 10. Everything just seems to work on this album, and while it isn't anything game
changing the blokes in Slugdge know how to make a bloody good album. Check it out here:
http://slugdge.bandcamp.com/album/gastronomicon | | 8 |  | Behemoth
The Satanist
Behemoth blend death metal with a generous dose of black metal to create a truly evil sounding
album with undeniable musical merit. It's dark, it's heavy and its exactly what you'd expect from an
album called The Satanist, done to the best of the bands ability. The end product is something to
marvel for sure. | | 7 |  | DragonForce
Maximum Overload
Right. A Maximum Overload of cheese you may be thinking, and you'd not be incorrect in that
assumption for DragonForce are still heavy with the weight of off-yellow dairy products, but don't
brush them off quite yet. This album showcases the skill of the musicians while toning down the
masturbatory nature of most power metal. The songs have a newfound brevity which helps keep the
tracks moving forward instead of losing focus. What becomes immediately apparent is that the
musicians know their instruments very well. The guitarists are excellent, the drumming is insane,
the bass guitar is impressive when it creeps through (which is quite frequently actually) and the
vocals soar beautifully. The album becomes a little choked near the end and it's repetitive at times
but at every other opportunity the band shine with an infectious energy, and that is why they've
made this list. | | 6 | | Mastodon
Once More 'Round The Sun
This isn't exactly the Mastodon of Crack the Skye, but no matter what style they incorporate into
their sound or what apprach they take, it seems Mastodon just know how to make a capivating
album. Sure, it could be said that they have become more accessible, but that shouldn't be taken as
a negative thing as OMRtS proves. The album combines the classic Mastodon sound with a
somewhat lighter attitude and a simpler approach that yeilds an incredibly enjoyable album in the
end. | | 5 |  | Horsehunter
Caged In Flesh
Not to quote my own review but the best way to describe these guys is that they are what would
happen if Kyuss went doom metal. With monolithic stoner influences and a dense atmosphere
combined with a groove that makes this album impossible to ignore, Caged in Flesh is simply
amazing. Check it out here: http://horsehunter.bandcamp.com | | 4 |  | Equilibrium
Erdentempel
Yet another folk metal album but this time the size has increased. Equilibrium have crafted an
album of incredible size; it just sounds HUGE, but everything comes together beautifully. Despite all
thats going on the atmosphere isn't suffocating or just a big wall of sounds (which has previously
been an issue for me when it comes to enjoying symphonic elements in heavier genres). Each
component of Equilibriums sound comes together but they never clash with each other. Even the
bass guitar is, not only audible, but prominent which is a gigantic plus considering how neglected
the instrument seems to be in metal of any kind, let alone an album as immense as this. A
fantastastic album for fans of symphonic, folk or black metal to enjoy. | | 3 |  | Run The Jewels
Run The Jewels 2
This album surprised me. Not having delved too deeply into the hip-hop genre I didn't expect to
enjoy this anywhere near as much as I did. Not only did it become one of my most played albums of
the year, I found myself more compelled to discover what else the genre had to offer. While I'm still
toiling and progress has been slow, this album remains one of the most entertaining of the year and
certanly deserves it's place here. | | 2 |  | Eluveitie
Origins
I'm a sucker for folk metal and this album might be my favourite in the genre. Summed up in the
incredible highlight Celtos, this album takes the traditional celtic influences that Eluveitie are known
for and pairs them with their melodic death metal side, achieving a balance that has been lacking in
their previous work (such as Everything Remains As It Never Was which leaned more towards the
heavier side). The concept itself lends this album a cohesion that is mirrored by the songwriting
which is more impressive considering each song seems to have an identity of its own, from the
thunderous King to the melodic Call of the Mountains, this album just kicks anachronistic ass. | | 1 |  | Green Novice
Padebesi
My favourite album of the year for sure. When I heard this album I immediately knew it would
appear on this list eventually, and as time went on it grew on me more and more. The band
members are awesome guys too, and thanks to them I'm lucky enough to own a signed physical
copy of what is turning out to be one of my favourite albums period. Fantastic blend of metal and
folk influences. There are no flutes or fiddles here, instead these Latvians tie their influences into
the songwriting. The guitar playing is top notch, the vocals are unique and fit the music incredibly
well. The rythm section takes this album to another level and everything is just perfect in my
opinion. Check it out here if you're interested: http://greennovice.bandcamp.com | |
ScuroFantasma
12.14.14 | Honourable mention to Casey and Cora which narrowly missed out. | Jasdevi087
12.14.14 | Good list. Do you want to know a secret? I find that if the first time you post submit the list, if you don't capitalise 6 (so: mastodon once more 'round the sun) the artwork shows up. | manosg
12.14.14 | Glad to see 15 on here! 10 is also a great album. | Archelirion
12.14.14 | Damn fine list. I expected to see 5 on here (it's growing on me the more I hear it) but I'm surprised at all the folk metal. In a good way, of course. Pleased you stuck with 9 too! | Tunaboy45
12.14.14 | 8 and 6 yeah | Voivod
12.14.14 | Very nice list, bookmarked for further inspection. | ScuroFantasma
12.14.14 | Thanks guys.
@Jas, cool tip man thanks. I'm too worried to edit though but it's definitely something I'll keep in mind when I innevitably put OMRtS on a list again.
@manosg I have Mad to thank for those two.
@Aaron glad you're liking Horsehunter too man, album is awesome. | Jasdevi087
12.14.14 | @Scuro yeah it won't work if you edit it and I'm pretty sure that if it does come up, and you then edit the
list, it will disappear (which is why I haven't edited my latest list even though there's a huge formatting
problem in it). | Lord(e)Po)))ts
12.14.14 | ew | Calc
12.15.14 | deleted my comment lol why? i was being nice | Lord(e)Po)))ts
12.15.14 | wait he didnt d mine | ScuroFantasma
12.15.14 | Wasn't me, I didn't delete anything guys | argonaut
12.15.14 | Cool list. Awesome to see 10 on here, that album rules. | ScuroFantasma
12.16.14 | Thanks man. Yeah i love that album, the whole vibe is just really cool. | ZombicidalMan
12.16.14 | 9, awesome | Lord(e)Po)))ts
12.16.14 | didnt think so u arent a knob like that scuro | cryptside
12.17.14 | 13, 8, 6, 3 all rule. Nice list, looks like I have plenty to check. | ScuroFantasma
12.18.14 | Thanks sig, I think you'd dig 5 and 9 | YakNips
12.18.14 | ay!
im glad flower face is here
shes wonderful as heck | Deez
12.18.14 | Ive been playing around with the idea as number 9 as my number 1. It seems so ludicrous an album about slugs from out of space. It just works and all though better albums Ive probably had most fun listening to that. | ScuroFantasma
12.18.14 | Agreed Yak, it's such a good album, I like it more that Homesick tbh.
Yeah deezer 9 is heaps of fun for sure. | ksoflas
01.02.15 | Kudos for 15 man.
Way to go. | ScuroFantasma
01.04.15 | Glad you like it too ksoflas |
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