Die verbannten Kinder EvasSee Volume I for description.
M83- Before the Dawn Heals Us
Just staring the the album cover will give you a great indication of the kind of atmosphere being strived for on this album. It's that feeling of the night, and the inescapable mood that it brings to even the most ordinary places. On this album, which is the best effort of the band, though the two other albums come close, we hear Anthony experimenting with shoegaze and ambient elements that mix beautifully with his entrancing electronic-based music. We also get some very ethereal vocal work as well. Some moments of this albums are simply stunning in how they're pulled off. The last song will leave the listener in bliss as melodies crash all around you. Pick this up.
Asobi Seksu- Citrus
Had this band been around in the early 90s, we'd be putting them alongside the greats of the shoegaze genre like My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive. But alas, they are relatively new, and carrying the torch for that nostalgic shoegaze sound. With influence from indie rock as well, Citrus is a masterful effort that sits comfortably with any of the classic albums of the genre. The singer's voice will also hook you the second she begins to sing. Modern shoegaze at its finest.
Die verbannten Kinder Evas- Dusk and Void Became Alive
Die Verbannten Kinder Evas have been a consistent band on their first three albums, taking some of the finer and more delicate sounds of Summoning, and creating a style that stands on its own in the neoclassical realm of music. Dusk and Void Became Alive, however, marks a decidedly dark turn for the band, the atmosphere being very solemn and melancholy. Not to mention, a new female soprano was added, and could very well be one of the best female vocalists in any genre right now. You will get lost in these songs and listen in wonder as DVKE takes you on a journey into the depths of your soul and you will love every second of it.
The Knife- Silent Shout
From the cold northern lands of Sweden comes The Knife, and their best work, Silent Shout. Unlike other electronic based bands, The Knife applies a cold atmosphere to their music, which is no doubt inspired by their home. There's also a strong 80s vibe on certain songs, and wouldn't sound too out of place among the new wave bands of two decades ago. And, the songs here are memorable and full of hooks. The vocals are also unique in that they are sometimes tweaked to the point of sounding digitalized, but not in a cheesy way...not an easy thing to accomplish. As danceable as it is relaxing, Silent Shout shows a band at the peak of their performance.
Neun Welten- Vergessene Pfade
If there's any band that can come close to mastering the neo-folk genre alongside Tenhi, it's surely this upcoming band. Here we have one of the strongest debuts on the year, and the talent coming from all the members is astounding. Neun Welten is a vocal-less band, and believe me, the instruments do all the work they need to enthrall the listener. Songwriting is very strong with not a dull moment to be had. It's just constant melodies that are warm and delightful. Any fan of acoustic guitar as well would do well to hear this band. Don't let this one go overlooked.
Tenhi- Maaäet
Few bands match the rich and masterful talents of Finland's Tenhi, and while they exceed most of their peers in the neo-folk genre, it's Maaäet that assured their place as gods. This album, much like others in this list, has a much darker sound to it overall. Some of these songs sound downright tragic, but in the most beautifully depressing way you can imagine. The album even escapes the genre of folk music at times, and remains as the band likes to call themselves, just "progressive music". Certainly, Tenhi have set no boundaries for themselves and continue on the path to immortality without breaking a sweat.
Crystal Castles- s/t
This is one of the bands that has helped me get into the electronic music genre, and it's easy to see why. Their songwriting is top-notch, and for just two people, the variation in sound among all the songs is quite diverse. Plus, it's so hard not to love the eccentric personality of singer Alice Glass. Her vocals have several different styles, which once again lends more variety. I dislike dancing, but this band makes me want to do it anyway. Even if electronic music isn't your thing, this might be the album to sell you. Let's hope that Crystal Castles continue on the path of greatness, because with a debut as good as this, it won't be easy to follow it up.
Camera Obscura- My Maudlin Career
This band has been around for awhile not, and although they may have been deeply inspired by Belle and Sebastian, they've recently come into their own, and on this newest album of theirs, you'd that you'd be hard pressed to find a more well put together album of indie pop and memorable melodies. The singer has such a hypnotic voice that you'll hang on every word she says. Pretty much every song on the album is well written and filler is nowhere to be found. Camera Obscura have a bright future with albums like My Maudlin Career under their belt. Might very well be my favorite album of 2009 as well.
Paysage d'Hiver- Einsamkeit
Best. Ambient. Ever. Not convinced? Well, Paysage d'Hiver is primarily ambient black metal that's inspired by winter, but every once in awhile we get pure ambient from this one-man project, and while he's always had a knack for making extremely atmospheric material, this has to be the apex of the kind of rich atmosphere that he, or anyone, can create. Trust me when I tell you that ambient music hardly gets better than this.
Weakling- Dead as Dreams
Lurker of Chalice- s/t
Leviathan- Tentacles of Whorror
Neurosis- The Eye of Every Storm
Pagan’s Mind- Enigmatic: Calling
When studying up on progressive metal for 2009, this album is probably one of the best examples of how and where to start. While the band was already impressive on previous albums, this release is massive. Every song is written to near perfection, exploding with melody and strong guitar and vocals. The riffs themselves are some of the best you're likely to hear anywhere. And that tone...wow. Do yourselves a favor and do not miss this if you didn't catch it the first time. It's a must for prog metal enthusiasts, and metal fans in general.
Strapping Young Lad- Alien
That's right, more Devin Townsend for you all. Strapping Young Lad has been his project to unleash every ounce of aggression and angst that seeps through the man's veins, all while keeping his tongue firmly in cheek. On Alien, we have what is maybe the band's best. The production is pitch perfect, the performances are all practically flawless, and the songs are just the kind of insane amount of noise (I use that term loosely) one expects one a Strapping Young Lad record. What maybe sets it apart is the inclusion of some progressive elements from his solo project, particulary clean vocals. While this may not sit well with some, it serves this album well and makes it richer than it already is. It's also probably the best album of the band to start with for newcomers.
1349- Hellfire
Relentless. Brutal. Hellfire is both of these things and more. You almost expect to see smoke rising from the CD while you listen to it. But it's not just the speed of Frost's inhuman drumming that's impressive, it's their surprisingly strong nack for writing solid riffs, and the extremely impressive vocal work. Hellfire manages to capture the classic Norwegian black metal sound without sacrificing a hint of credibility, and the modern production of the album only enhances the experience.
Lunar Aurora- Andacht
Lunar Aurora are not a very well known band, despite their relatively long existence. Though I've not heard previous outputs, Andacht shows the band firing on all cylinders. They deliver modern black metal that not only has strong production values, but also keeps the atmosphere thick and juciy. Unorthodox songwriting also helps the band to stand out, as they write the song in any way they see fit. One other highlight would certainly be the vocalist. He's able to switch from harsh growling rasps to choir-like vocals that resemble the chanting one hears in a cathedral. The music as a whole is quite dark too. This is a very impressive output of black metal that not many bands these days are able to produce. Do not miss this band.
Primordial- To The Nameless Dead
A band that exudes the quality of being "epic", To the Nameless Dead is one great song after another. Unlike most bands, Primordial do not easily fall into any sub-genre. Although their greatest inspiration is clearly folk metal, there is much more seriousness in their approach and one can garner a great appreciation by solely hearing the vocals, easily one of the most distinguishable voices in metal at this time. This album has everything one can want from a metal album in this modern day.
Shining- V: Halmstad
An album that took the underground by storm, Shining became a household name among metalists with this fifth effort. While not entirely too far off from the last two albums, still there's a noticeable sharpness and clarity which the new production job has brought. Also, we have some progressive and non-black influences showing up as well, but never losing the dreadfully depressing atmosphere the band excels at. Couple that with some well written guitar solos and Kvarforth's one of a kind vocals, and you have what seems to be the best work of the band's career.
Walknut- Graveforests and Their Shadows
A complete atmospheric gem from Russia, Walknut released one of the better black metal albums of recent years on this debut of theirs. Already the band seems to have found a unique sound for themselves. Free flowing songwriting and a dark aura are but two of Walknut's strengths, and if this is only their first album, one can only imagine the genius that awaits.
To be continued...
M83- Before the Dawn Heals Us
Just staring the the album cover will give you a great indication of the kind of atmosphere being strived for on this album. It's that feeling of the night, and the inescapable mood that it brings to even the most ordinary places. On this album, which is the best effort of the band, though the two other albums come close, we hear Anthony experimenting with shoegaze and ambient elements that mix beautifully with his entrancing electronic-based music. We also get some very ethereal vocal work as well. Some moments of this albums are simply stunning in how they're pulled off. The last song will leave the listener in bliss as melodies crash all around you. Pick this up.
Asobi Seksu- Citrus
Had this band been around in the early 90s, we'd be putting them alongside the greats of the shoegaze genre like My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive. But alas, they are relatively new, and carrying the torch for that nostalgic shoegaze sound. With influence from indie rock as well, Citrus is a masterful effort that sits comfortably with any of the classic albums of the genre. The singer's voice will also hook you the second she begins to sing. Modern shoegaze at its finest.
Die verbannten Kinder Evas- Dusk and Void Became Alive
Die Verbannten Kinder Evas have been a consistent band on their first three albums, taking some of the finer and more delicate sounds of Summoning, and creating a style that stands on its own in the neoclassical realm of music. Dusk and Void Became Alive, however, marks a decidedly dark turn for the band, the atmosphere being very solemn and melancholy. Not to mention, a new female soprano was added, and could very well be one of the best female vocalists in any genre right now. You will get lost in these songs and listen in wonder as DVKE takes you on a journey into the depths of your soul and you will love every second of it.
The Knife- Silent Shout
From the cold northern lands of Sweden comes The Knife, and their best work, Silent Shout. Unlike other electronic based bands, The Knife applies a cold atmosphere to their music, which is no doubt inspired by their home. There's also a strong 80s vibe on certain songs, and wouldn't sound too out of place among the new wave bands of two decades ago. And, the songs here are memorable and full of hooks. The vocals are also unique in that they are sometimes tweaked to the point of sounding digitalized, but not in a cheesy way...not an easy thing to accomplish. As danceable as it is relaxing, Silent Shout shows a band at the peak of their performance.
Neun Welten- Vergessene Pfade
If there's any band that can come close to mastering the neo-folk genre alongside Tenhi, it's surely this upcoming band. Here we have one of the strongest debuts on the year, and the talent coming from all the members is astounding. Neun Welten is a vocal-less band, and believe me, the instruments do all the work they need to enthrall the listener. Songwriting is very strong with not a dull moment to be had. It's just constant melodies that are warm and delightful. Any fan of acoustic guitar as well would do well to hear this band. Don't let this one go overlooked.
Tenhi- Maaäet
Few bands match the rich and masterful talents of Finland's Tenhi, and while they exceed most of their peers in the neo-folk genre, it's Maaäet that assured their place as gods. This album, much like others in this list, has a much darker sound to it overall. Some of these songs sound downright tragic, but in the most beautifully depressing way you can imagine. The album even escapes the genre of folk music at times, and remains as the band likes to call themselves, just "progressive music". Certainly, Tenhi have set no boundaries for themselves and continue on the path to immortality without breaking a sweat.
Crystal Castles- s/t
This is one of the bands that has helped me get into the electronic music genre, and it's easy to see why. Their songwriting is top-notch, and for just two people, the variation in sound among all the songs is quite diverse. Plus, it's so hard not to love the eccentric personality of singer Alice Glass. Her vocals have several different styles, which once again lends more variety. I dislike dancing, but this band makes me want to do it anyway. Even if electronic music isn't your thing, this might be the album to sell you. Let's hope that Crystal Castles continue on the path of greatness, because with a debut as good as this, it won't be easy to follow it up.
Camera Obscura- My Maudlin Career
This band has been around for awhile not, and although they may have been deeply inspired by Belle and Sebastian, they've recently come into their own, and on this newest album of theirs, you'd that you'd be hard pressed to find a more well put together album of indie pop and memorable melodies. The singer has such a hypnotic voice that you'll hang on every word she says. Pretty much every song on the album is well written and filler is nowhere to be found. Camera Obscura have a bright future with albums like My Maudlin Career under their belt. Might very well be my favorite album of 2009 as well.
Paysage d'Hiver- Einsamkeit
Best. Ambient. Ever. Not convinced? Well, Paysage d'Hiver is primarily ambient black metal that's inspired by winter, but every once in awhile we get pure ambient from this one-man project, and while he's always had a knack for making extremely atmospheric material, this has to be the apex of the kind of rich atmosphere that he, or anyone, can create. Trust me when I tell you that ambient music hardly gets better than this.
Weakling- Dead as Dreams
Lurker of Chalice- s/t
Leviathan- Tentacles of Whorror
Neurosis- The Eye of Every Storm
Pagan’s Mind- Enigmatic: Calling
When studying up on progressive metal for 2009, this album is probably one of the best examples of how and where to start. While the band was already impressive on previous albums, this release is massive. Every song is written to near perfection, exploding with melody and strong guitar and vocals. The riffs themselves are some of the best you're likely to hear anywhere. And that tone...wow. Do yourselves a favor and do not miss this if you didn't catch it the first time. It's a must for prog metal enthusiasts, and metal fans in general.
Strapping Young Lad- Alien
That's right, more Devin Townsend for you all. Strapping Young Lad has been his project to unleash every ounce of aggression and angst that seeps through the man's veins, all while keeping his tongue firmly in cheek. On Alien, we have what is maybe the band's best. The production is pitch perfect, the performances are all practically flawless, and the songs are just the kind of insane amount of noise (I use that term loosely) one expects one a Strapping Young Lad record. What maybe sets it apart is the inclusion of some progressive elements from his solo project, particulary clean vocals. While this may not sit well with some, it serves this album well and makes it richer than it already is. It's also probably the best album of the band to start with for newcomers.
1349- Hellfire
Relentless. Brutal. Hellfire is both of these things and more. You almost expect to see smoke rising from the CD while you listen to it. But it's not just the speed of Frost's inhuman drumming that's impressive, it's their surprisingly strong nack for writing solid riffs, and the extremely impressive vocal work. Hellfire manages to capture the classic Norwegian black metal sound without sacrificing a hint of credibility, and the modern production of the album only enhances the experience.
Lunar Aurora- Andacht
Lunar Aurora are not a very well known band, despite their relatively long existence. Though I've not heard previous outputs, Andacht shows the band firing on all cylinders. They deliver modern black metal that not only has strong production values, but also keeps the atmosphere thick and juciy. Unorthodox songwriting also helps the band to stand out, as they write the song in any way they see fit. One other highlight would certainly be the vocalist. He's able to switch from harsh growling rasps to choir-like vocals that resemble the chanting one hears in a cathedral. The music as a whole is quite dark too. This is a very impressive output of black metal that not many bands these days are able to produce. Do not miss this band.
Primordial- To The Nameless Dead
A band that exudes the quality of being "epic", To the Nameless Dead is one great song after another. Unlike most bands, Primordial do not easily fall into any sub-genre. Although their greatest inspiration is clearly folk metal, there is much more seriousness in their approach and one can garner a great appreciation by solely hearing the vocals, easily one of the most distinguishable voices in metal at this time. This album has everything one can want from a metal album in this modern day.
Shining- V: Halmstad
An album that took the underground by storm, Shining became a household name among metalists with this fifth effort. While not entirely too far off from the last two albums, still there's a noticeable sharpness and clarity which the new production job has brought. Also, we have some progressive and non-black influences showing up as well, but never losing the dreadfully depressing atmosphere the band excels at. Couple that with some well written guitar solos and Kvarforth's one of a kind vocals, and you have what seems to be the best work of the band's career.
Walknut- Graveforests and Their Shadows
A complete atmospheric gem from Russia, Walknut released one of the better black metal albums of recent years on this debut of theirs. Already the band seems to have found a unique sound for themselves. Free flowing songwriting and a dark aura are but two of Walknut's strengths, and if this is only their first album, one can only imagine the genius that awaits.
To be continued...
