End Of Year Top 20 - 2014
I could make an argument for any of the top 7 for the number one slot really.... |
| 20 |  | The Body
I shall die here
Typically dark and dense record with added Haxan Cloak. Feels like getting chased through the forest with something after you that you know will tear your skin off if you stop running. |
| 19 |  | death grips
The Powers That B - Part I: Niggas on the Moon
Death grips and Bjork samples=Win. |
| 18 |  | Ratking
So It goes
Not a perfect album but a great record showcasing how much they have evolved. Sporting Lifes production especially.I believe they have a classic record in them. This will more than do for now. |
| 17 |  | Animals As Leaders
The Joy of Motion
Another album that probably could and should be higher. For some reason I don't listen to AAL as much as I should. Probably my favourite AAL since the debut. |
| 16 |  | Artificial Brain
Labyrinth Constellation
One of the most outstanding death metal albums of the year. Tech Sci-Fi death at its finest. Relentless. |
| 15 | | TMFSE & AOI
Franklin Gothis Green
Underground Hip hop at its best from the hugely slept on Slangcorp crew. They have fractured into different groups now but the depth of quality hip hop that they have released that people don't know about is ridiculous. Tame One absolutely murders 'Word Play'. My verse of the year. |
| 14 |  | Dead Congregation
Promulgation of the Fall
I grew up on death metal yet nowadays bar the classics I can barely listen to it. Which makes me sad. This record I can. Superb death metal. |
| 13 |  | White suns
Totem
An uncomfortable sonic blast of noise. I love this band. 'Clairvoyant' maybe my track of the year. Like years of therapy in one record. |
| 12 |  | Freddie Gibbs and Madlib
Pinata
One of the greatest ever hip hop producers alongside Freddies gangster tales. Whats not to like?
'Generic Blaxpoitation film on wax' |
| 11 |  | Panopticon
Roads to the North
Black metal can be hit or miss for me but there have been a few records this year I cannot deny. Mainly this,Thantifaxath & Saor (I need to listen to the spectral Lore album). Lunn is clearly a beast. The drumming is insane on this release. |
| 10 |  | Indian
From All Purity
Indians best record for me. Pulverizing. I love the tone to the album too. Filth |
| 9 |  | Monarch
sabbracadaver
You either love or hate Monarch. I love them. Pure emptiness and despair. They create an apocalyptic atmosphere that just hits my black heart every time. |
| 8 |  | Clipping
CLPPNG
Its always great hearing artists/groups trying new things in hip hop. I loved 'Midcity' and even though, this is more accessible it's still fresh with ideas. There are a few cons on this record. That hook on 'Tonight 'is the worst part of any album I'm fond of this year! But CLPPNG also includes Possibly the greatest opening track of 2014 and the good more than outweigh the bad. The album gets stronger on the second half too. I can see how you wouldn't be down with this but its definitely top 10 for me. |
| 7 |  | thantifaxath
Sacred white Noise
The title says it all. Amazing record. Progressive black metal with almost an evil psychedelia type atmosphere. Like a harsh DMT trip. Brutal record. |
| 6 |  | Run The Jewels
Run The Jewels 2
Many people including myself thought the first record couldn't be topped. They did it. Its so good to hear El have someone to bounce off again ala Big Juss. They are each others hype men. They go head to head lyrically on every track and Mike and El-Ps overall chemistry is something you just cant buy. I cant even tell you how it makes me feel to see El-p get the recognition he deserves after being a fan for over a decade. |
| 5 |  | Thou
Heathen
Everything about 'Heathen' should really place it higher on the list. Ive always had a problem with Thou's vocals. I am one of few. Its not the style its the delivery. And that's ultimately why its not higher because everything else is perfect. Huge Bleak riffs,The thickest bass sound, balanced with beautiful,clean,melodic passages and soul searching lyrics. |
| 4 |  | Pallbearer
Foundations of Burden
Doom 101. The hype went through the roof but its deserved on the back of 2 awesome doom records. Bretts Vocals on this album are outstanding. I cant believe in the UK we got to see Yob and Pallbearer tour together after 2 classic albums. Its hard for me to say either record is better than the other. |
| 3 |  | Yob
Clearing the path to ascend
One of the best doom bands around doing what they do best. I have heard it said that they aren't reinventing the wheel with this record but Its Yob doing Yob. And I'm good with that. "Marrow" is unlike anything they have recorded before. Well worth the wait and better than 'Atma'. That few minutes after the Alan Watts sample in 'In Our Blood' is simply crushing. |
| 2 |  | Kayo Dot
Coffins on Io
I am a massive fan of Kayo Dot so will always have a slight bias but this more 80s gothic, synth heavy album took a while to really hit me. As with many I love the heavier elements of KD but this album has real heavy parts just not in your standard 'metal' style. Incredible album with the standard incredible songwriting as is Kayo Dots signature. Proggy excellence. |
| 1 |  | Slugdge
Gastronomicon
I have been going backward and forward on this one for a while.I never would believe an album about Slugs from outer space would be near the top of my list. I actually think there have been better albums this year (Kayo Dot, Thou, Yob) but this album, more than anything, is just so much fun that I find myself keep coming back to it. It gives me flashbacks to being a young teen and why I fell in love with metal in the first place. Influences clearly from all over the genre. At times it sounds like a death metal Mastodon. Then droplets of black metal, even hardcore. I generally like music more 'serious', But the concept shouldn't take away from the musicianship on this album.It is Infectious. And they are unsigned???? Crazy |
|
