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I know a lot of people are doing these lists for the decade but I can’t be bothered, despite the fact that this past decade saw me transition from a metal newbie (the mainstream shite like Pantera and Machine Head) to what I am now. 10 years ago I was just beginning to get into Extreme Metal, I thought Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth and In Flames were good bands. Now I know better of course. 10 years ago I was just starting to explore classical music, I became aware of Godspeed You Black Emperor and Nick Cave, two artists who’ve contributed a lot to my musical development. Earlier this decade I began my introduction to prog with King Crimson. 5 or 6 years ago I began getting into jazz and electronic music. Although I’m still taking babysteps with electronic music. I consider myself permanently damaged by the crappy dance/techno “music” I was exposed to in my early teens, I feel I’m beginning to appreciate it fully, from noise stuff of Merzbow and Kylie Minoise, to the abstraction of Aphex Twin and Autechre, to the blissful ambient of Robert Rich and Raison d’etre, to early industrial artists like Einsturzende Neubauten and Skinny Puppy and the pioneering work of Tangerine Dream and Kraftwerk.

Anyway, I seem to be going off on a tangent. Without further adue, and in no even remotely coherent order, here is my list of highlights and lowlights of the musical year 2009 of the Gregorian Calender of the common era.



Highs

Albums


Sunn O)))-Monoliths and Dimensions: Recent work from this band had begun to suggest to me that they were perhaps better off releasing experimental live albums than experimental studio work. Then they released this. This is their best studio effort alongside their early work and Black One. Despite the various collaborators and different things going on, it remains a strongly focused album. Sunn O))) are proof of just how far drone can be taken and further proof that even when one takes things back to their roots and simplifies, the possibilities remain endless.

The Chasm-Farseeing the Paranormal Abysm: The Chasm are now comfortable within their own skin. No longer a Doom band searching for a new direction, they are the perfect embodiment of a visionary band with their own identity. The Chasm are the greatest Melodic Death Metal band in the history of the genre. Bands like Soilwork and Dark Tranquility aren’t fit to be a turd in this band’s toilet. Given the mediocrity that this style is synonymous with, it seems sacrilegious at best to associate such a great band with such a term. You won’t find anything new on this album, basically just further refinements in this bands unequallable style. The last three songs on this album are among the best this band’s ever written.

The Gathering-The West Pole: When news came that Anneke was leaving The Gathering and going on her own, and the band was continuing in her absence, many were skeptical. I too was skeptical but not because of the departure of Anneke, more because I’ve found their output since the brilliant How to Measure a Planet? album to be inconsistent in quality. I can honestly say that this is the band’s best work since that monumental work. The experimental elements are still there, but these have not been sacrificed for writing good songs. Silje Wergeland is a more than adequate replacement, she has a lovely voice and range, but she clearly isn’t an Anneke wannabe.

Ahab-The Divinity of Oceans: Ahab are among the best new bands in Doom. This album further solidifies their reputation and builds upon 2005's The Call of the Wretched Sea. Not content with setting to music Melville’s literary masterpiece, the band chose to go the source of the Melville’s novel: the tale of the Essex, a whaling ship attacked and sunk by a large sperm whale. The survivors landed on the Pitcairn islands and soon exhausted all natural food sources and then resorted to cannibalism to survive. Ahab’s music is as grim as the tale itself.

Blut Aus Nord-Memoria Vetusta II: Dialogue with the Stars: Ever since this band’s transformative (sorry) release The Work Which Transforms God, this band has been dabbling further and further into the industrial field. While these releases haven’t been terrible, they also haven’t been matching in quality to this band’s earlier output. So now we come to an album which blends the past with the present, and the results are quite impressive. Simply, this is the best BAN album since The Work. Wether they can sustain this remains to be seen.

Portal-Swarth: Asides from The Chasm, this was the album that held the most anticipation for me. Portal’s unique style of Death Metal shows that Death Metal doesn’t have to go the route of Job for a Cowboy to evolve. This album is just more of what we've come to expect from this singular band.

Altar of Plagues-White Tomb: Another winner from Profound Lore records. While not the most original release ever, its without a doubt one of the stronger BM releases this year. Quite epic song construction adds to the quality.

The Lord Weird Slough Feg-Ape Uprising: The only thing better than a new Slough Feg album, is a Slough Feg album inspired by Planet of the Apes. Slough Feg’s newest release incorporates some Doom influences but otherwise maintains the fun spirit and great riffing that this band is rightly renown for. Dr. Zaius, you finally made a monkey out of me.

YOB-The Great Cessation: I was disappointed like a lot of other people when it was announced this crushing band were breaking up. It came as a shock to me to discover they’d gotten back together and had released a new album. The Great Cessation does not disappoint and fits in very well with this band’s crushing discography.

God Dethroned-Passiondale: I’d given up on them since 2001's very disappointing Into the Lungs of Hell. I’d heard a few songs from the next 2 albums and wasn’t very impressed. So I barely noted it when they released Passiondale earlier this year. But then I began to read very positive reviews, and other details, mainly that it was a concept album and that the groove approach had been jettisoned. So I finally tracked down a copy and without a doubt, this is their best since Bloody Blasphemy. Hell, it may even be better than that. An album of equal mix intelligence and brutality, showing that it is possible to make intelligent music without toning anything down.

Honourable Mentions

Morphine-At Your Service

Alice in Chains-Black Gives Way to Blue

Ruins of Beverast-Foulest Semen of a Shattered Elite

Arckanum-ÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞ

Funebrarum-The sleep of Morbid Dreams

Diablo Swing Orchestra-Sing Along Songs for the Damned and the Delirious

Whisper Room-Birch White

Master Musicans of Bukkake-Totem One.

Jamie Saft-Black Shabbis

Candlemass-Death Magic Doom

Black Sabbath-The Devil You Know

Musical discoveries of the year:
65days of static
Venetian Snares
Kylie Minoise
Morphine
Faustcoven
Circle of Ouroboros
Bal-Sagoth
Firebird
Mael Mordha


Best gigs of the year:
Esoteric in Derby, January.
Supersonic, July
Hellfire Fest November
Firebird & Church of Misery. April


Worst

A random selection of what disappointed me this year.

Amesoeurs-Amesoeurs. Takes everything that was good about the Ruines Humaines EP and chucks it out the window.

Slayer-World Painted Blood. Further proof that Thrash is dead

Pestilence-Resurrection Macabre: You mean Resurrection Mediocre

Jesu-Infinity & Opiate Sun: Broadrick’s starting to stretch himself too thinly

Various Artists-And in the Darkness Bind Them: A Tribute to Summoning: I know, I know, expecting a tribute album to be good is far too much to ask. But on this double album there are only 2 decent songs, it even features two bands covering the same song. All this album does is demonstrate how wide the void is between your average BM band and Summoning. Props to Morgan The Bard’s cover of Mirkwood, who realized that Summoning’s sound cannot, and should not, be imitated, and with this stripped down cover provides a fresh perspective on a wonderful song.

Augury-Fragmentary Evidence: In the words of Shakespeare, this was the cruellest cut of all. I had high hopes for this band, one of very few new DM bands to make an impression on me with their debut when it was released a few years ago, an album that showed chops, intelligence and potential. Now they sound like a novelty band.

Katatonia-Night is the New Day. The greatest of Last Fair Deal Gone Down is but a distant memory now. Proof that heavier does not equate with better.

Devin Townsend-Ki. About as coherent as a paraplegic deaf mute reciting Homer in ancient Greek.



Gigs I missed thanks to this wonderful recession and the phrase “you’ve been made redundant.”

Bloodstock August
Nadja August
Sunn O)) & Om December


Those are all the musical high and low-lights of this past year. I hope you enjoyed it and may next year be better.






SlayerAugurySunn O)))OMNadjaWhisper RoomBirch WhiteBlack SabbathHeaven and HellKatatoniaDevin TownsendJesuPestilenceMorgan the BardFirebirdChurch of MiseryThorr's HammerBal-SagothMorphineFaustcovenVenetian SnaresKylie Minoise65daysofstaticCandlemassCircle Of OuroborosBlack ShabbisDeath Magic Doommaster musicians of bukkakediablo swing orchestraThe Sleep Of Morbid Dreamsfoulest semen of a shattered eliteBlack Gives Way To BlueAt Your ServicePassiondaleThe Great CessationApe UprisingWhite TombSwarthNord-Memoria Vetusta II: Dialogue with the StarsThe Divinity of OceansThe West Polefarseeing the paranormal abyssmMonoliths and dimensionsMorphineThe ChasmThe GatheringKatatoniaAhabThe GatheringSlough FegThe Lord Weird Slough FegArckanumSlough FegThe Lord Weird Slough Feg

10 Big Business: Mind the Drift
09 Helcaraxë: Broadsword
08 Memory Driven: Relative Obscurity
07 Slayer: World Painted Blood
06 Serpent Throne: The Battle Of Old Crow
05 Impious: Death Domination
04 OM: God Is Good
03 SOIL & "PIMP" Sessions: 6
02 Tim Hecker: An Imaginary Country
01 Goatwhore: Carving Out The Eyes Of God

resenhas, video playlist e mixtape em
http://www.verbeat.org/blogs/impop/2009/12/impop_melhores_de_2009.html

Here is my list:

http://www.sputnikmusic.com/list.php?listid=35508&memberid=421471



Artists in order:

Sunn O))),Church of Misery,OM,Cobalt,Mono,Glorior Belli,Ulcerate,The Assemble Head In Sunburst Sound,Doomriders,Gaza,And So I Watch You From Afar,Black Math Horseman,Shrinebuilder,Magrudergrind,Converge,Kylesa,Clutch,Isis,Hatred Surge,Astra,Brutal Truth,Baroness,Weekend Nachos,Pelican,Do Make Say Think,Tombs,Black Cobra,Altar of Plagues,The Chasm,Dark Castle,Asphyx,Revocation,Mastodon,Wolves in the Throne Room,Chylde,Nile,Agoraphobic Nosebleed,Funebrarum,Them Crooked Vultures,Burnt by the Sun

Way to many records this year. I can't decide.
Allright, a few of them.

Beak> - Recordings 05/01/09 > 17/01/09

Works good on the record, live a bit disappointing.

Best Coast - Art Fag 7"

So many cool songs on different small releases. Next year I need a proper LP.

Coalesce - OX

Comeback record of the year.

Fuck Buttons - Tarot Sport

In the beginning I had some problems with the dancebeats but now I can't go on the dancefloor without them.

Graf Orlock - Destination Time Today

How many movies do you recognise? I think they really like "Shooter".

Julian Lynch - Orange You Glad

A lot of similar artists like Ducktails, Sun Araw, ... . This one escaped of attention.

Kreidler - Mosaik 2014

Put "Kraut" into 2009. Timeless.

Mapstation - The Africa Chamber

My autumn record. Its getting cold outside.

NODZZZ - Nodzzz

I think its from 2008 but anyway. 10 songs in 15 minutes. All killer.

OM - God Is Good

2 guys. 1 bass. 1 drumset. Little indian influences. Breathless.

Six Organs of Admittance - Luminous Night

Sounds like a masterpiece to me. Bar-Nasha justify everything.

Jenz Steiner - Wie er singt und lacht

The summer record. Probably you don't get if you're not from Berlin.

Sunn O))) - Monoliths & Dimensions

What can I say?

Sylvester Anfang II - Sylvester Anfang II

A bunch of hippies. Released by Aurora Borealis Records. My favorite label this year.

Tortoise - Beacons Of Ancestorship

Not their best, but this one stands for all the established artists in my collection like Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo. All good records this year.

Woods - Songs Of Shame

I miss Meneguar so much. This one comes really near. I still miss Meneguar.

Zola Jesus - The Spoils

I follow her on twitter!

Okay, first off, dramatic title, but I know myself that on this website I skim down artist pages, and only bold titles grab my attention. Hell, there's a good reason for it; journals here have went mostly to piss since every user and their mate decided it would be a good idea to post 'My top albums' lists ad infinitum.

It's been a while since I vented my thoughts, and looking through past journals and comments, it invigorated me, to an extent where I wish to share something that's been driving me crazy for quite a while.

The X-Factor, never off our red-banner tabloids (What's Afghanistan matter when Tiger is about, eh Sun?) or TV screens was angry to discover this week that the funk/rap metal band Rage Against the Machine's classic song Killing in the Name had been chosen to spoil the fun.

On Facebook, the group is hundreds of thousands strong, a casual look at the shoutbox here on Last Fm tells us a similar story, and every rock/music blog and magazine has been shouting about it. Now, I'm all for a shake up of the mainstream charts and system. It's refreshing to see the 'alternative' music scene get their share of the publicity pie.

What annoyed me was that arrogant, smug bastard Simon Cowell's reaction. For all his millions, that man has no class - he argued that such an online movement was 'stealing' his TV show competitor's chance at a big hit. The way he said it made him sound as though he feels that every Christmas, the X-Factor winner has a divine right to a Number 1 hit. His shown has been denying EVERYONE for YEARS.

If you look at what I listen to, you'll realise I've never cared for what's top of the charts, I couldn't name you a Mika song and I detest Nickleback. That's all and good, everyone has non-subjective tastes. But what I hate is programs like the X-Factor, that manufacture talent, that water down original versions, pollute any sense of artistic meaning in music, and ram their own views down the throats of millions. This show is an abomination; a macabre mixture of the freak-show auditions, ratings squeezing rounds and then what is usually a vastly overrated, unprepared winner. How many have swam, not sank? JLS? I personally wouldn't call that talent, but each to their own.

In short, The X-Factor, and to a certain extent shows like 'I'm a Celebrity...' and 'Big Brother' are mindless, inane shows, devoid of meaning or a context in reality. Every year, I watch masses of people turn into cogs in a greater industry machine. Call me a typical black metal 'Grim' person but it disgusts me.

Buy the RATM single, hell, buy two. It's about time such trivial filth gets a slap in the face, and the X-Factor has got one, whether they get their coveted number one or not. I just hope that in result of this competition, people stop taking what they are given for granted, and look for some real, tangible meaning in what they listen to. I know some people will argue otherwise, but I can't imagine being emotionally connected to Gimme More without being a little shallow. When with others, particularly in a school, or social environment I feel such disparagement at what goes for meaningful music in popular culture.

Is there a difference between a musician and an artist?



PS: Hope that was coherent and better than another '20 Questions about your top 50' journal. Opinions are welcome. Thanks.

UlverKatatoniaOpethSlayerSodomAnaal NathrakhMetallicaExodusArcturusMastodonJesuIsisNeurosisAnthraxGod Is an AstronautAnathemaParadise LostDevilDriverCarcassDarkthroneDeathspell OmegaDark TranquillityDownHead Control SystemIron MaidenNapalm DeathNilePanic CellSanctitySatryiconAbigail WilliamsSlipknotTriviumStone SourTestamentVenomMardukBurzumSolefaldIhsahnAudioslaveGodfleshShiningLifeloverGnaw Their TonguesSuicide SilenceWaking The CadaverBring Me the HorizonEvilePanteraNecrophagistDeicideCannibal CorpseEntombedDaathThe Bloody BeetrootsAngels & Airwavesblink-182MaeOneRepublicDarkthroneThe BeatlesRadioheadSleepOMIntronautSnow PatrolThe KillersBritney SpearsLemarLady GaGaMuseOasisLamb of GodLeviathanMeshuggahMorbid AngelAgallochChristina AguileraMichael JacksonMariah CareyManic Street PreachersIan BrownP!nkMichael BubleAlexandra BurkeEarthSunn O)))CobaltDimmu BorgirParamoreMy Chemical RomanceCeline DionDashboard ConfessionalMy Bloody ValentineBullet For My ValentineAvenged SevenfoldNirvanaMadonnaRobbie WilliamsSusan BoyleABBAPink FloydBlack Eyed PeasKanye WestTaylor SwiftJay-ZEminem50 CentNasDarkspaceRosettaScar SymmetrySolitude AeturnesTexturesTaake

Didn't want to sound pretentious, and for those who tl;dr'd...

The obligatory end of the year journal with my favorite albums and all that.

Favorite albums of 2009

1. Isis - Wavering Radiant (my favorite so far)
2. Sonic Youth - The Eternal
3. maudlin of the Well - Part the Second
4. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
5. OM - God Is Good
6. Drudkh - Microcosmos
7. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

Other albums I liked a lot

8. Emilie Simon - The Big Machine
9. dälek - Gutter Tactics
10. Kylesa - Static Tensions
11. 10-20 - 10-20
12. Dinosaur Jr. - Farm
13. Amesoeurs - Amesoeurs
14. Alamaailman Vasarat - Huuro Kolkko
15. Epica - The Classical Conspiracy / Design Your Universe
16. Sunn O))) - Monoliths & Dimensions
17. Cobalt - Gin
18. Silversun Pickups - Swoon
19. Marilyn Roxie - New Limerent Object
20. SND - Atavism
21. Katharsis - Fourth Reich
22. Mountains - Etching
23. The Bronzed Chorus - I'm the Spring
24. Orthodox - Sentencia
25. Metric - Fantasies
26. Supersilent - 9
27. Indukti - Idmen
28. 椎名林檎 - 三文ゴシップ
29. Thy Catafalque - Róka Hasa Rádió
30. Candlemass - Death Magic Doom
31. Animals as Leaders - Animals as Leaders
32. Bat for Lashes - Two Suns

and a few others, got tired of listing them.

Best musical discoveries this year

1. Negative Approach, my new favorite band.
2. Infest, my other new favorite band.
3. OM, a name that I've read many times and never paid attention to, now I regret I didn't listen to them before
4. Can
5. Cannibal Ox
6. Kamelot, decided to listen to them after many years of hearing how good they are, it's the only power metal band that I can listen to without being bored after five or six songs.
7. Леонид Фёдоров, another new favorite.
8. Belle and Sebastian
9. The Magnetic Fields
10. Einstürzende Neubauten
11. The Fall, another band I finally listened to, after a couple of years of many people recommending them to me.

Other releases that caught my attention..

Dream Theater - Black Clouds & Silver Linings, I think this is slightly better than Systematic Chaos, which means it's still bad, but I wasn't expecting anything from them so it was bit of a surprise. Still, I wish they went back to do demos before going in the studio, maybe get an outside producer, and please don't let Portnoy sing anymore.

Nightwish - Made in Hong Kong... this has to get the award for the most pointless release this year, a live album with only new songs and an audio quality that sounds like a badly recorded bootleg, the band's performance isn't very impressive either. Don't see why anyone would buy this.

Slayer - World Painted Blood, a bit of a surprise I suppose, this album is not very special, but it should've been much worse than it is, not only is not completely bad, but it also has some good songs (Psycopathy Red, Unit 731). Sure it's more of the same, but it'd be foolish to expect otherwise from Slayer.

Blut aus Nord - Memoria Vetusta II: Dialogue with the Stars. I have mixed feelings about this one, this was my first non-Industrial Blut aus Nord album, I like it and I think it's very well done, but I still prefer their weird industrial/dark/creepy sounds from The Work Which Transforms God or Odinist.

Inferi - The End of an Era. This is a good album from a genre that I don't like very much, that's why I don't include it among my favorites, however I have to recommend this one to any melodic death metal fan.

Sonata Arctica - The Days of Gray. Didn't like it, I understand that they'd want to change or evolve their sound, (they don't seem to be taking many risks but whatever) I respect that, but this new "Prog" sound is boring, I think the world doesn't need more Power/Prog metal bands. So unless they go back to the cheesy/repetitive/Stratovarius-like sound of the first albums (which I doubt) I won't be listening to any new releases from them.

Ken Snyder - By Request Only. I'm both happy and sad that this album leaked, it's nice to finally be able to listen to it, but now it's lost some of the legendary status it had. However, the album is quite good and Modern Religion is great song.

Delain - April Rain, this was fun to listen to for a while, the music's good and Charlotte's voice is very nice, don't know when or if I'll listen to this again, but it is a good album, and better than the first one in my opinion.

The Agonist - Lullabies for the Dormant Mind. This was a big improvement from their previous album, it is a bit generic and I wouldn't call it good, but if they keep improving like this I imagine that by their fourth or fifth release they could become a very good band.

Lily Allen - It's Not Me, It's You, silly, catchy pop music with nice hooks, don't know if I should like it, but I do.

Immortal - All Shall Fall. left me indifferent, it's not bad but I find it a bit lifeless, maybe it's my fault for expecting something else from them (as a rule I try to listen to an album without expectations of how should it sound), maybe it needs a couple more spins, but so far I don't like it much.

This year releases from Obscura, Hiroshima Will Burn, Trepalium, Black Sun Aeon, Hieronymus Bosch, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Ignominious Incarceration, Centaurus-A and Ulcerate, they all sounded the same to me, I'm not the biggest death metal fan, but it's starting to sound very boring, just an opinion, I don't consider those albums bad and I liked Centaurus-A and Ulcerate's releases, but I'm losing interest in the genre.

That's it for this year, I think.... there are a couple of albums I didn't get the chance to listen to, but overall I think it was a good year.

Sun 6 Dec – Sunn O))) Monoliths & Dimensions UK Tour

HEAVY. AS. FUCK.

(((O)))

Sunn O)))Black SabbathGrand MagusTriangle TheoryFu ManchuHyatariSumaEarthElectric WizardGoatsnakeTeeth of Lions Rule the DivineStebmobongKTLMayhemWarningPelicanIsisSunn O))) & BorisBorisOMUfomammutThe Funeral OrchestraKhanate

15.Shrinebuilder - Shrinebuilder


14.The Gathering - The West Pole


13.Alice in Chains- Black Gives Way To Blue


12.Paradise Lost- Faith Divides Us - Death Unites Us


11.Baroness - Blue Record


10.OM - God Is Good


9.My Dying Bride-For Lies I Sire


8.dredg - The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion


7.Amorphis - Skyforger


6.Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest


5.Isis - Wavering Radiant


4.Kylesa - Static Tensions


3.Devin Townsend Project - Addicted


2.Mastodon - Crack The Skye


1.Katatonia - Night Is The New Day