Robert's Mid-year Report
Sometimes the influx of new releases become a double edged sword.
Some you hear after months of waiting, building your own personal hype
train before you find yourself wishing that album lived up to expectation.
In fairness, we only have ourselves to blame - - the bands are only
making the music they want to make. The listeners' expectation is a
fickle bitch. Despite all this rambled shite, here's my mid-year report. |
| 1 | | Luna
Ashes To Ashes
For the fans of that long, monolithic, cinematic doom metal. Think Monolithe, Eye
Of Solitude, Doom:VS etc. It may not have the steady hype that these somewhat
established groups have but it definitely worth a mention this early in the year. |
| 2 |  | Mastodon
Once More 'Round The Sun
If you've been around the block, chances are you've heard of a little band called
Mastodon. If there was a hype train Once More 'Round The Sun can withstand it. A
mix of old and new, streamlined into a coherent package of prog meets sludge. It's
a little more Crack The Skye than The Hunter |
| 3 | | Clouds
Doliu
Featuring doom royalty, Doliu is the love child of Eye Of Solitude growler Daniel as
well as a host of others. Meant as an emotional tribute of sadness for the passing
of love ones, the album itself has the ability to relate well to most listeners. It's
smooth, heavy doom that contrasts between gravel filled growls and crooning
cleans. So far, Doliu happens to best my most likely album of the year contender. |
| 4 |  | Killer Be Killed
Killer Be Killed
Dillinger, Mastodon, Mars Volta, Soulfly. It's hard to make one of these lists without
mentioning at least one "super-group". |
| 5 |  | Septicflesh
Titan
Over-bloated death metal done right. These guys have been around the block a
few times. Old fans know what to expect, new fans... sit back and enjoy a cliched
genre at its finest. |
| 6 | | Venowl
Patterns of Failure
I don't really know why by I'm a sucker for the depressive black metal, doom
inspired derp metal. For me it's just one of things that continues to interest me. I
like long-ish tracks. |
| 7 |  | Arkan
Sofia
Not as heavy as its predecessors, but holds a higher replay value. This female led
oriental death metal group from France highlights a range of influences conforming
to some not so simple stereotypes. If you liked the last record, Salam, you'll find
Sofia more Shakira than Nile. Regardless it's a favourite for 2014. |
| 8 |  | The Atlas Moth
The Old Believer
Again, it's just one of those genres that keeps me going. Nothing is really a stand
out but it goes to show that consistent can be great. |
| 9 |  | Origin
Omnipresent
2014 is great for the stuff you forget about. I mean who knew these guys were
going to drop another record? Either way it's good to see these guys doing what
they do. |
| 10 |  | PYRRHON
The Mother of Virtues
Death metal is still a ruling force in the underground, but it's better when the
underground surfaces for the masses to enjoy. |
| 11 |  | Saor
Aura
I love hearing these gems before others. Even with a weird mix (the drums were
way too overpowering) I could tell this would be a certain mention at the end of
the year. It's atmospheric black metal made for the hills, the wind - if you haven't
heard this you should bump it to the top of the list. |
| 12 | | Tamerlan
Ain
A promo I received tagged "acoustic black metal". Intrigued, yes I was. |
| 13 |  | Catapult The Dead
All Is Sorrow
More of that sludge-doom, All Is Sorrow is released as either one track which is the
album or that track broken into seven parts for the simple sake of accessibility.
Even interviewing these guys made the music stand out more. It's not ground-
breaking, it doesn't need to be. If you're a fan of the genre, this is something you
should check out. |
| 14 | | Contaminated
Pestilential Decay
Dirty, gritty, deep death. Short and to the fucking point. Give this a go. |
| 15 |  | Doom:VS
Earthless
A logical step after Dead Worlds Speak, this one man doom act is full of unsurprising
surprises. If you're at all familiar with the genre get this ASAP. It's not everyday
that doom will pop out an album refreshing in its simplicity. |
| 16 |  | Funeral Moth
Dense Fog
As above. Long run time, atmospheric doom with a flair for the bleak and
melancholic. I love this style of music and sweeping compositions. |
| 17 | | IDYLLS
Prayer For Tyrenne
Chaotic hardcore with a flair for the unusual. It's nice to break away from the
standard formats and try something different. |
| 18 |  | IMPETUOUS RITUAL
Unholy Congregation Of Hypocritical Ambivalence
Uber-long title, sexy murking death metal from Australia. Tops Portal's release from
last year. |
| 19 |  | Incantation
Dirges of Elysium
Not quite as solid as the band's last release but still trumps most bands from the
more modern scene. Incantation are still one of the most consistent groups to
wave the death metal flag. |
| 20 |  | Lethe
When Dreams Become Nightmares
Female led electro pop, doom, derp, something. It's hard to categorize without
lumping under an umbrella term. Lethe has made a standout album not just for
2014, but for many years to come. |
| 21 |  | Lantlôs
Melting Sun
I can't help but to feel slightly underwhelmed by this release. It's excellent, don't
get me wrong but that hype train, it's still a bitch. |
| 22 |  | Mordbrand
Imago
More pummeling death, nothing new, but it maintains the genre's relevance. |
| 23 |  | Skindred
Kill The Power
The lighter, fun side of metal comes in the form of this guitar driven "reggae metal".
Mixing elements of traditional metalcore with electronica and dubstep Kill The Power
is a testament to the fact that metal can still be fun. |
| 24 | | Sól
Black Mountain
You can't know them all right? This might as well be a recording, cause it's got
those long-ish track times and sweeping atmospherics to make the world go round. |
| 25 | | VUYVR
Incinerated Gods
Raw yet very listenable black metal. Short, to the point no frills. This has become a
steady listen this year when I need to come back from the atmospheric sweeping
funeral doom. This should be on every black metal fans "to listen" list. |
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