Albums That Kept Me Alive 2 0 1 8
BETTER KNOWN AS 'END OF YEAR LIST 2018' Music is the best isn't it? Consistently enough of it to continuously bury my head in near enough every damn day and find gold nuggets after gold nuggets because Im lucky to have a lot of free time. Year after year. No matter what is going on outside. I've developed a brain disorder which has messed my vision up over last few years, It sucks hard, but sometimes I try and be thankfully it isn't my ears. Because it really would be game over. |
| 50 |  | Death Grips
Year of the Snitch
Oh you crazy Death Grips kids. So I kinda snubbed this and its made a late comeback.
https://youtu.be/rX3rmlHG4XM |
| 49 |  | KEN mode
Loved
A fine return to form. Those sexy saxes for the win.
https://youtu.be/fxdhocldZuA |
| 48 |  | Jon Hopkins
Singularity
If I wrote music inspired by my DMT trips like Hopkins did here it would probably be some Harsh, Psych, suffocating, clown noise/grind with artwork of a praying mantic puking mathematical equations into my eyeballs. But thats me and this is far more beautiful. Not quite up there with 'Immunity' but still a top album.
https://youtu.be/6MiCLh_j2aY |
| 47 |  | Earthless
Black Heaven
I struggled with the Vox on the new Earthless at first. It's not like they weren't sparingly used before of course but this is a more accessible Earthless while still making room for those smoked out, Psych Jams and insane Solo work from Isah the God.
https://youtu.be/Py4excFPdVI |
| 46 |  | Hprizm
Magnetic Memory
High Priest of Anti Pop Consortium with a record fitting to what you would expect of him. Some top shelf
APC style grimey beats that definitely pays off the more time you spend with it despite its briefness.
https://youtu.be/rnG6ybK6iaE |
| 45 |  | Abraham
Look, Here Comes The Dark!
A monster run time of 1 hour and 51 mins separates the intepid from the casual from the get go. With nods to post metal, Sludge, Post metal, hardcore, some great synths. Pelgaric records had a great year with this LLNN,Ancestors.
https://youtu.be/CVnlqBtiJoY |
| 44 |  | low
Double Negative
Pulsing, gloomy, static-laced Indie rock. Not a band i've ever cared for before but this is beautiful.
https://youtu.be/TzMo-EpWcPA |
| 43 |  | Hermit and the Recluse
Orpheus vs. The Sirens
Brownsvilles KA is another one of the most interesting MC's around today for me. His last 2 records fantastic but this new one based around Greek Mythology is possible my favourite of his yet.
https://youtu.be/aPzyQXR1XG8 |
| 42 |  | Nils Frahm
All Melody
Nils is a such master musician. Sometimes I think I'm not feeling this then suddenly be in awe again by his compositions. A stellar composer.
https://youtu.be/lBjfxGY1OsA |
| 41 |  | Mirrors for Psychic Warfare
I See What I Became
The man, the legend that is Scott Kelly along with Sanford Parker (buried at sea) with the second (and better ) MFPW album. Production is superb and the electronics not simply sounding like Corrections House throw aways (not that the first record did) But finding their own sound as a project.
https://youtu.be/BLCbKszn1WA |
| 40 |  | Nigredo
Flesh Torn - Spirit Pierced
Thrashy throw back Old School feeling Black Metal from Greece.
https://youtu.be/VFS8dVnom2U |
| 39 |  | JPEGMAFIA
Veteran
.....................
https://youtu.be/PO3mri47s7M |
| 38 |  | Wiegedood
De Doden Hebben Het Goed III
By far their best record. Really developed into a top BM band now.
https://youtu.be/j5fECeGxkEw |
| 37 |  | Bismuth
The Slow Dying Of The Great Barrier Reef
Massive Beastly Doom monolith on Dry Cough UK. First track is a 32 minute monster of harsh doom perfection.
https://youtu.be/YbkS7FKObPo |
| 36 |  | Currensy, Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist
Fetti
Always had potential to be great if Curren$y didn't hold it back. Im a fan of the guy but he can be hard work but regardless this was a treat. Freddie Kane is the man. When he's on , He's on. Fuck 'Now and Later gators' though. That shits WACK.
https://youtu.be/i9ueuvwdAJQ |
| 35 |  | Black Milk
Fever
Smooth as hell neo-soul hip hop. Massively slept on this year. Black milk is the man. Good vibes.
https://youtu.be/II426W5D3aE |
| 34 |  | Ommadon
End Times
End of the road for these boys. A monolithic slab of atmospheric drone doom to leave with. Its planets colliding. Its devastating. A colossus but it takes patience. Sit in. Close your eyes. ADD wont help you here.
https://youtu.be/Vx7B3mIL4Yw |
| 33 |  | The Body
I have fought against it, But I can’t any longer
Another one of the most consistently prolific bands that somehow never fail to become stale because you never know what you're going to get with them. Another fine Body release. Still harrowing and like the last record the Vox of Chrissy and Kristin add so much to the whole.
https://youtu.be/A3EAujCdfJ4 |
| 32 |  | Panopticon
The Scars of Man on the Once Nameless Wilderness
Austin decided to mix things up showcase half of this record as a rural folk/country record. That takes some balls. Whether its that or his more openly used atmospheric black metal it owns as Panopticon always does. I really like the bluegrass side. So consistently badass even when mixing things up.
https://youtu.be/Syf8wEckcRg |
| 31 |  | UN
Sentiment
Funeral doom album of the year and then some (pipping Mournful Congregation)and quite possibly artwork of the year also.
https://youtu.be/VLlvQxg5YH4 |
| 30 |  | Portal
ION
It's Portal. You know what to do. Dive in or Hide. Their best production to date only gleams the madness that little bit more. Go hard or go home.
https://youtu.be/uiVrkjA2Lyc |
| 29 |  | Lorn
REMNANT
Im a huge Lorn fan but this took a while to grow on me. Always that Lorn sound and that Lorn atmosphere but 'Remmant' Gives of a Science Fiction, dystopian score feel to it as times. Worth the time to get to know it.
https://youtu.be/9-AaXabKenA |
| 28 |  | Atrium Carceri
Codex
"Deep in the roots of the citadel a sea of white robes ever flows. Those Fallen from Elysium kneel here, with blissful smiles and fearful eyes. ' A dark ambient record 3 years in the making from one of the absolute kings of the genre and maybe one of his majestic best.
https://youtu.be/70MA0XKfSxg |
| 27 |  | Wolvennest
VOID
This ones a real trip. Heavy guitar loops sweep along amongst 70s Psych leanings while Krautrock plays within a black metal atmosphere. A real surprise.
https://youtu.be/SEI8g4GHX_g |
| 26 |  | Toby Driver
They Are the Shield
Toby is a genius. I don't think theres much argument to that fact. Saying that I do sometimes drift off with his solo recordings. I don't know why. I love them all but I do. This is another excellent release though possibly my favourite outside the Live recording. The strings that lace through every track on here are so damn good.
https://youtu.be/s5LkZiboJy0 |
| 25 |  | Cult Of The Damned
Part Deux: Brick Pelican Posse Crew Gang Syndicate
UKHip Hop supergroup of utter scumbags. Throwing buds at your windows and pissing in your garden.
https://youtu.be/fzvSoCU_yAI |
| 24 |  | Sleepwalkers (JPN)
一期一会
Psychedelic, avant-garde, mental, Japanese black fking noise metal. I did not appreciate this as much as a should have until playing through headphones.
https://youtu.be/MU5-vY7iiSU |
| 23 |  | Johann Johannsson
Mandy
Despite being a soundtrack this should also be in here as despite it being phenomenal after his death one of my most favourite Musicians (Belgium's Kreng) Completed the score. And yeah I love it. So engulfing and sinister and a dope film.
https://youtu.be/PKZEBhRX-TU |
| 22 |  | Visions & Phurpa
Monad
Dark Ambient/Ritual Ambient Soundscapes and throat Singing. Not for the weak. But if you like this type of thing its a perfect meeting of the those 2 sides of Dark Ambient.
https://cycliclaw.bandcamp.com/album/monad |
| 21 |  | Benny The Butcher
Tana Talk 3
A dirty, no frills, raw, 90's throwback record. Alchemist/Daringer production providing a perfect platform for Benny's street talk. Flashbacks to east coast classics. Absolutely killer.
https://youtu.be/trrZWOnKpvM |
| 20 |  | Horrendous
Idol
Sounds of a simpler time. Echoes of Chuck, Atheist even parts of Nocturnus and that old prog DM sound. One of the biggest surprises this year. That bass sound be transporting me back to my teens and Bolt Thrower sweat pants.
https://youtu.be/UkHG8VSah3k |
| 19 |  | Spectral Wound
Infernal Decadence
My favourite black metal record of the year from Canada along the lines of MGLA. Melodic but fierce as hell still.
https://youtu.be/3oo9DXKQPfI |
| 18 |  | Hundred Year Old Man
Breaching
Some of my favourite bands play post metal but I can also find much of it lifeless, boring and formulaic. I wasn't immediately blown away but this has become more and more of a staple throughout the year. A real grower and really good debut. |
| 17 |  | Ital Tek
Bodied
The latter, darker, Sci-Fi esque Ital Tek is my favourite style of his by some margin. And I do love his early stuff. But these much darker, brooding almost dark ambient at times recordings are so deep and haunting. Almost score like. Hope he carries on with these as they've all been top notch. As is this one.
https://youtu.be/G1AoPp3PNmo |
| 16 |  | LLNN
Deads
Denmark's LLNN make a follow up to go along with their massive first record. I saw these guys live and the singer had a Cave in tattoo and a Kiss It Goodbye shirt on. Im easy from then on in. Massive bulldozing,Chugging riffs. The Synths add a huge layer or 'oomph' to this band and their atmosphere but especially those huge drops. World ending.
https://youtu.be/25pehCdzrFk |
| 15 |  | Chaos Echoes
Mouvement
No one does discordant, dissonant death metal like the gold Ol' French. But they've evolved from being just that. This doesn't play like track by track album but an immersive whole. Totally slept on this year. Another that took a long time to hit home.
https://youtu.be/juctYYrH1k0 |
| 14 | | BARST
the
Belgian Dynamo, Whirlwind, Mad Scientist. A concoction of Electro, Post Rock, Post Metal, Ambient and a million other things. Such a fun and constantly interesting record from the man again but even more so with the more heavily featured electronics.
https://youtu.be/JeUKLIm7lC8 |
| 13 |  | Erdve
Vaitojimas
Experimental, dark, hardcore sludge with a hint of the 'post' from Lithuania. A regular through out the year this one. Dark with no let up.
https://youtu.be/xjqNHuhK9iI |
| 12 |  | Coilguns
Millennials
This is a phenomenal record. Leaning on bits of old Hydrahead bands with a touch of early mathcore bands and the likes of Knut and Breech (Especially Breech) This is refreshing to hear done well but with a fresh twist also. Three of these guys are in The Ocean I believe. Supposed to be insane live. Aggressive and experimentally in your face.
https://youtu.be/z_TVr9jS2WM |
| 11 |  | Armand Hammer
Paraffin
Two of my fave MC's in the game and therefore obviously one of my fave projects in the game. Nothing they've done under the Armand Hammer banner is anything less than Stellar. They're the perfect,dense beat laying, gruff word playing, couple. I feel its easy to just heap praise on Billy like all do (rightfully) But Elucid is such an incredible MC in his own right and becoming a better and better producer too. The best.
https://youtu.be/f_CLyOpS4G4 |
| 10 |  | Anna von Hausswolff
Dead Magic
Belgian Dynamo, Whirlwind, Mad Scientist. A concoction of Electro, Post Rock, Post Metal, Ambient and a million other things. Such a fun and constantly interesting record from the man again but even more so with the more heavily featured electronics.
https://youtu.be/JeUKLIm7lC8 |
| 9 |  | Rolo Tomassi
Time Will Die And Love Will Bury It
Band Ive never enjoyed or really cared about now find themselves buried in my top ten. 'Aftermath' Makes me want to hurl. The rest of it is stellar. Cant deny it. I find the reward in this comes as a whole listen back to front. No denying 'Flood of Light' as one of the tracks of the year either. Fair play to them.
https://youtu.be/g0XU6V-bghA |
| 8 |  | Convulsing
Grievous
He seems to HATE the words 'Dissonant death metal'....Thats what it is though. A front seat ride through those dissonant sounds that I love so. Incredible songwriting and technicality from Sloan again. Even a Porcupine Tree cover thrown in. Definite slight Ulcerate feels at times which is always a winner for me.
https://youtu.be/pMuWI8Yk30A |
| 7 |  | Emma Ruth Rundle
On Dark Horses
Took much longer to truly hit me than her other records but love is love right? x (insert fluttering heart emoji)
https://youtu.be/1JKAoIYGhX8 |
| 6 |  | Thou
Magus
The wait was long. But its not like we weren't given healthy experimental crumbs in between right? Most consistently prolific band out there and at such a ridiculously high level for what they do. I think 'Heathen' Just edges it in a fight but regardless. Top shelf Thou as It always was going to be. Lyrics on point it goes without saying and really should be chased down if you don't own this in physical form.
https://youtu.be/UAzlwyM_wwU |
| 5 |  | YOB
Our Raw Heart
Mikes near death experience is felt throughout ‘Our Raw Heart’ making it even touching and emotional. There less of the 'heads down and Go for it' Massive riffage of old yet the other side of that is They're also now the undeniable kings of doom ballads. A poignant record for the kings.
https://youtu.be/cMSkqOO6pNA |
| 4 |  | Tim Hecker
Konoyo
The absolute DON. Nothing else to say. Late coming to this and was absolutely floored. Johann Johannsson not only left us with a stellar score this year but also left his mark Introducing Hecker to the gagaku and inspiring this piece of beauty.
https://youtu.be/8Ycj9jUH5As |
| 3 |  | SUMAC
Love In Shadow
Learning how to be more confident with their improv after the Heino record. Sumac aren't coming with anything less than a top 5 records from here on in for as long as you live. Get used to it.
https://youtu.be/WJM1lTioiB4 |
| 2 |  | Daughters
You Won't Get What You Want
8 year absence and come back sounded as fresh as ever. Incredible comeback. Like a glitch in your brain in audio form. Spazzed out, relentless, I'm gonna kill someone music. Lyrically incredible and in general just absolutely Fking Phenomenal.
https://youtu.be/TIpPpEBCV0o |
| 1 |  | Imperial Triumphant
Vile Luxury
'A beaten down, drug addicted, burdened lower class peasant wandering the streets of this 20th century Art Deco Utopian city draped with golden lush gleaming brilliance hearing the likes of experimental, no name jazz artists improvising in rundown bars and clubs.' A randomer youtuber summed this up better than anyone else I've seen with that paragraph.
https://youtu.be/ZkisK98J5i8 |
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