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Yes, it has to happen. The inevitable, ever-growing, and completely generic overview of this year in music is here. Well, it's a work in progress, seeing as we're not even half way through the year. I will be updating this list as I listen to more albums, so it's far from done. I will also be adding mini-reviews to those that I have neglected to write for.

Here's a breakdown of the ratings:
4.5-5: Near-perfect; essential in my book
3.5-4.25: Excellent; highly recommended
2.5-3.25: Average; decent, but lacking
Anything below 2.5: Mediocre; don't waste your time with

Updated 6.11.09

Edit: I've re-listed the albums in alphabetical order and removed the images so I could fit all this in one post. I've also shortened the mini-reviews. More suckage.

*= Pleasant surprise
**= Disappointment
***= Need to listen to again

1349- Revelations of the Black Flame**
Dark Ambient, Black Metal
2.25

Arguably the most stereotypical band in black metal attempt to shift their image and try some uber-grim dark ambient on for size. Do they succeed? No, not really... but at least it's a change!

Absu- Absu
Black Metal
3.75

As expected, Absu come back with high-quality blackened thrash metal that's full of rage and character.

Amesoeurs- Amesoeurs**
Post-Punk, and... uh, maybe a tinge of black metal??? 0_o
2.25

I was expecting great things from Amesoeurs' full-length and swansong, but I ended up being incredibly disappointed. The songwriting is decent enough, but the lyrics are truly abysmal, and it just doesn't work well as a complete work. I'll just forget this happened and stick with their wonderful EP...

Amorphis- Skyforger
Progressive Metal
3.75

Amorphis prove that they're one of the most consistent acts in metal by sticking with their typical folk-laden progressive metal sound, except this is a vast improvement over the well-written but lifeless Silent Waters.

Animal Collective- Merriweather Post Pavilion
Neo-Psychedelia, Psychedelic Pop
4.25

Still trying to get into this album. It's quite possibly the most hyped album of the year, but I can see why. While their previous albums have mainly been unfocused to the point of being unlistenable, this album hones down their psychedelic sounds, and becomes what they should've released in the first place.

ATB- Future Memories
Trance
2

ATB has never been my favorite trance producer, but this is truly generic in every sense. Still, it's not the worst thing he's come up with...

autopy- Horrific Obsession
Death Metal
3

Another death metal band is resurrected from the dead, except Autopsy have decided to remain faithful to their original sound 20 years on.

Beherit- Engram
Black Metal
3.25

Another extreme metal band to reform, Engram is another homage to the early 90s. It's great straight-forward black metal, and while it's no where near as daring as their previous work, it's quite enjoyable.

Bigott- Fin
Folk Pop, Freak Folk
3.25

Mildly interesting, highly characterful, and rather entertaining. Not the kind of album I'd be compelled to listen to on a regular basis, but it's got more than enough flair, good vibes, easy simplicity to satisfy my ears when in need of something with an organic and unique feeling.

Blut aus Nord- Memoria Vetusta II: Dialogue With the Stars
Atmospheric Black Metal
4

After 12 years, this revolutionary black metal establishment is back with the second installment of the Memoria Vetusta series. It's a much more straight-forward black metal affair than his/their recent works, which makes it appropriately reminiscent of Memoria Vetusta I, except this album has a clearer, more aggressive, and equally effective sound.

Brutal Truth- Evolution Through Revolution
Grindcore
3

Grindcore has never been my thing, but Brutal Truth have always been one of the better grindcore bands, and here they don't disappoint. It's nothing revolutionary- sorry, had to-, but it's definitely a decent effort.

Boxcutter- Arecibo Message
IDM, Dubstep
3.5

His previous album- Glyphic- is definitely one of my favorite dubstep albums, and Boxcutter's latest effort doesn't disappoint me. It displays more IDM influences than anything, but it's still well produced and quite enjoyable.

Candlemass- Death Doom Magic
Traditional Doom Metal
3.25

Armed with yet another new vocalist, Candlemass return with a predictably epic album. This album has received a significant amount of praise, and while I can't seem to appreciate their more power metal oriented sound and the new vocalist as much as many others, it's no doubt a worthy addition to their discography.

Cattle Decapitation- The Harvest Floor
Deathgrind, Death Metal
3

This is band I've tried avoiding until now, as curiosity has gotten the best of me. To my surprise, this isn't the completely generic shitfest I was expecting. Actually, it's relatively well composed and produced deathgrind with a rather ridiculous style.

Cobalt- Gin
Black Metal
3.75

I suppose that this is a sign of the future of black metal. I suppose this could be described as a mix of more "straight-forward" black metal with progressive elements and lots of sludge/post-metal influences. The results are somewhat impressive, as their influences work well together, and they execute their sound with enough character to pull it all off with stride.

Dereleech- Servant of Entropy
Dark Ambient
4.25

Dereleech is one of my favorite dark ambient artists as of late, as he utilizes interesting techniques and creative concepts to create truly compelling and powerful atmospheres that immerses the listener in a world all of his own making. While I prefer Downstream, this album is just as accomplished.

Eminem- Relapse
Hip-Hop, Pop Rap, Hardcore Rap
3.5

Oh shit, did I just give the new Eminem album a respectable rating? Yes, I did. Encore was a laughable piece of shit, but Eminem has really rekindled his creative juices with Relapse. The production is as good as its been since Marshall Mathers LP, and so is his rhyming- not to mention the actual content of his rapping. This is definitely one of the most surprising albums of the year for me.

Eternal Tears of Sorrow- Children of the Dark Waters
Melodic Death Metal, Symphonic Metal
3

This being my first EToS album, I am mildly impressed. There's a lot of emotion and power behind their music, though I can't help but feel that it's all a bit melodramatic for my taste. Nonetheless, their song-writing is strong and their execution is impressive. Maybe I'll bump the rating up in time.

Fen- The Malediction Fields
Atmospheric Black Metal
4.5

Many will probably disagree with me here, but I see this as the best black metal album of the year thus far. It certainly is one of the least aggressive BM albums to hit the scene this year, but, it's struck me like no other. Some complain that the vocals are subpar, but they are performed much like that of Primordial's- not much in the way of polish, but full of passion. The songwriting is truly epic, and I honestly can't find a significant fault here. Plus, their atmosphere is truly captivating. This is the pinnacle of atmospheric BM in '09 for me.

Fleshgod Apocalypse- Oracles
Technical Death Metal
3.5

Great production, excellent musicianship, and interesting composition separate this album out from the rest of the technical DM crowd. It's not starkly innovative, but it sounds great and is produced just as well as any other death metal album I've heard from this year so far.

Funebrarum- The Sleep of Morbid Dreams
Death Metal
3.75

While bands like Fleshgod Apocalypse and Obscura explore death metal through cleaner and more clinically precise methods, others like Funebrarum get back to the heart of the genre.

The Gathering- The West Pole
Alternative Rock, Dream Pop, Pop Rock
3.5

With the departure of Anneke van Giersbergen, this great band now ventures on into questionable territory, as a definitive element of their band's sound- her wonderful vocals and lyrics- are not absent. Fortunately, their new vocalist is up the job, and while her voice doesn't strike me as being quite as powerful, she fits the band's sound very well. Here they go for a more mainstream rock affair, which might seem a bit awkward for them, but they perform very well in doing so. It's not quite as impressive as their last several albums, but it's still a very worthwhile album.

Graveland- Spears of Heaven
Viking Metal, Black Metal
2.25

Graveland has been creating viking-laden black metal for over a decade now, and while he's produced some fine albums- specifically Immortal Pride-, his music is completely redundant now. His sound here is not disappointing in and of itself, but it accomplishes absolutely nothing new. Graveland fans should appreciate this album, but if you're not a hardcore fan than you really shouldn't give a shit... especially considering that his last album was far superior to this effort.

Great Lake Swimmers- Lost Channels
Acoustic Rock, Indie Rock, Folk Pop
3.5

Great Lake Swimmers are a relatively new discovery of mine, having started with their previous album. Whereas that album was more folk-oriented, Lost Channels is more of an acoustic rock album, which makes it a little more lively, though somewhat less atmospheric. It's still a very enjoyable work though, proving once again that there is beauty in simplicity.

Grizzly Bear- Veckatimest
Psychedelic Folk, Chamber Pop, Indie Rock
4.25

2009 is turning out to be a great year for psychedelic pop/rock, and Grizzly Bear are certainly at the forefront of this scene. I'm still not exactly sure what to make out of this one, but all I know is that it sounds fucking great. A very intriguing work, it has a very deep and interlaced sound that leaves me rather blown away.

Heaven and Hell- The Devil You Know
Heavy Metal
3.25

It's great to see such an older and practically legendary outfit still producing solid music today. After almost 30 years, the Heaven and Hell-era Black Sabbath are back at it, still producing the same kind of heavy metal. Their first album until this moniker is just as theatrical and immense as their other efforts, though with a more polished sound. It sounds good, though I can't say it's something that I will come back for many repeated listens.

Tim Hecker- An Imaginary Country
Ambient
4

Continuing on with his noise-infested ambient soundscapes, An Imaginary Country finds Mr. Hecker creating more simplistic and accessible sounds, with a more drone-oriented approach. The results are as impressive as ever, and while it doesn't quite grab me in the way Haunt Me, Haunt Me Do It Again does, it's still a compelling work of art.

I Shalt Become- The Pendle Witch Trials
Atmospheric Black Metal, Depressive Black Metal
3.25

After making a come-back with last year's excellent Requiem, this one-man project has churned out yet more material. It continues on the same oppressive, repetitive, and refined sound presented on Requiem, and makes little- if any- changes. It's just as satisfying of an album as his previous one, but it doesn't accomplish anything that Requiem didn't. It's very enjoyable, but a bit redundant.

Isis- Wavering Radiant
Atmospheric Sludge Metal
4.5

Honestly, I found In the Absense of Truth to be somewhat underwhelming, so I wasn't expecting very much from this one. Maybe it was my slightly lowered expectations, but Wavering Radiant absolutely blows me away. It is textured in the same way Panopticon is, combining their sludge onslaught with post-rock and even ambient influences. The diversity and complexity in their songwriting here is truly crushing, and I'm confident in saying that this is just as solid of an album as Oceanic or Panopticon. Probably my favorite of the year thus far...

Katharsis- Fourth Reich
Black Metal
3.25

Despite being among the countless number of bands who practically imitate Darkthrone's black metal classics, Katharsis have always brought something different to the table. Their last album was a complete mind-fuck, taking the sounds of A Blaze in the Northern Sky and dismantling all sanity that lied therein. Here, they accomplish pretty much the same thing, but it just doesn't feel as chaotic or challenging as VVorldVVithoutEnd. It's still a good effort, but just somewhat lacking in comparison.

Kreator- Hordes of Chaos
Thrash Metal
3.25

Kreator has never been one of my favorite outfits, but their latest effort solidifies their position as thrash legends. After 25 years, they still have enough power and aggression in their music to maintain my interest, except here their approach is somewhat more refined, thanks to the advances in recording. It's a fairly basic and predictable thrash affair, but enjoyable nonetheless.

Lamb of God- Wrath
Groove Metal, Thrash Metal, Metalcore
1.5

Boring, generic, and predictable. These are a few words that can be used to describe this album. I'm not a Lamb of God hater, though I've never been a fan, but this album just seems to be made from recycled bits and pieces of all their previous albums. Nothing new has been accomplished here. Yes, the energy and aggression is here in full-force, and there's plenty of delicious riffing, but that alone does not make for a good album. Quite underwhelming, although not completely hopeless. A few tracks are actually quite good in my ears, but overall it's just a truly weak effort.

LaZarus A.D.- The Onslaught
Thrash Metal, Groove Metal
2.25

This album has been hailed by many as a saving grace for thrash in '09, but I honestly don't see what's so great about this one. Yes, there's a lot of kick-ass riffing to be found here, along with some impressive drumming, but beyond that there's nothing of any interest for me here. The vocals are reminiscent of all those wannabe-thrash metalcore bands, and the lyrics are downright distasteful- even for thrash. The music- aside from the vocals- isn't terribly mediocre for the most part, but this kind of thing has been done before, and has been done a lot better. At least it's better than most of what The Haunted have disgraced themselves with...

Mastodon- Crack the Skye
Progressive Metal, Stoner Metal, Sludge Metal
3.75

This is another album that has been hyped up like crazy this year, much like Blood Mountain was in '06. I really enjoyed that album, and while Crack the Syke is much in the same vein as their previous release, it just doesn't strike me as being as accomplished. The first few tracks are really impressive, but after that it kind of dies down, repeating the same general sound without much progression. They've still got a lot of energy and delectable grooves going on here, and I have to say that it's a very good album overall, but it's just not as impressive as their previous stuff. Best album of '09? Not by a long shot... but still worthwhile.

maudlin of the Well- Part the Second
Progressive Rock, Experimental Rock, Art Rock
4.5

As expected, this is pure brilliance. After 9 years, a lot has changed, and the maudlin of the Well have become more a mixture between their former selves and their following incantation, Kayo Dot. This makes for an infinitely amusing concoction, and while it lacks some of the energetic passion that made Bath and Leaving Your Body Map so intoxicating, it makes up for this with experimental spirit. Those expecting the same sludgy progressive/avant-garde sound of their previous works will be disappointed here, as their sound is much more tame here, but I don't see this as a band thing. Part the Second once again displays the musical genius of this outfit, and shows that they are true musicians who are driven by the yearning to create beautiful music.

Mono- Hymn to the Immortal Wind
Post-Rock
3.75

This is truly epic post-rock. While You Are There was epic enough, they've included some orchestration here, which adds another layer of texture to their already immense sound. This album progresses slowly but surely- as its predecessor did-, and while they still come off as being a bit too similar to Explosions in the Sky's better works- which can be seen as either a good thing or a bad thing-, there's no denying the emotional weight of the music presented here. Unfortunately, it drags on a bit too long for my taste, and doesn't seem quite as effective as You Are There. Nevertheless, this is a great post-rock album, and it shouldn't disappoint any fans.

Nachtmystium- Doomsday Derelicts
Black Metal
3.25

Their past two LPs have given a new dimension to the USBM scene, adding psychedelic rock- primarily in Instinct: Decay, which I see as their most accomplished effort by far- into their rawer and otherwise simplistic black metal formula. With this EP, they return to their pure black metal onslaught as seen on Demise, which means is gritty, unrefined, and somewhat catchy. It still has some of the rock-leanings of Assassins, which helps it be a bit more accessible than their early efforts. It's nothing that's incredibly innovative, but it makes for a good black metal blasting.

Nadja- When I See the Sun Always Shines on TV
Shoegaze, Drone Doom Metal
3.25

After releasing some of the most impressive drone doom albums I've had the pleasure to listen to, Nadja get down to their shoegaze roots. Yes, this album still involves their trademark heavy-as-fuck guitar drones and distortion, but here their emphasis on their shoegaze influences is undeniable- especially due to them covering tracks by My Bloody Valentine, The Cure's "Faith", and a few other notable tracks. It's certainly not as entrancing as their other albums, but it's rewarding in a different way.

Napalm Death- Time Waits for No Slave
Deathgrind, Grindcore
3.5

Napalm Death are back for another deathgrind bashing, and they certainly do not hold anything back here. It's just as crushing and aggressive as anything they've released in recent times, and while there's really nothing new presented here, it's still an ace effort.

Necrophobic- Death to All...
Blackened Death Metal, Melodic Black Metal
2.75

Necrophobic have been one of the better Dissection followers since day one, producing brilliant albums like The Nocturnal Silence and Darkside. They've remained true to their original sound since, and while that has worked for them before, Death to All marks the point where their sound has just become redundant. It's still got the same elements from their previous albums, but the production is a bit flat, and this really lets their sound down. In comparison, it sounds rather bland and uninspired. Fans might enjoy this more than I have, but I would just recommend listening to Hrimthursum or Darkside instead.

Obscura- Cosmogenesis
Technical Death Metal, Progressive Death Metal
3.5

You know, it really irks me when bands- usually metal bands- take song titles or album titles- Gorguts' Obscura, in this case- as their own band name. I understand the allure, but it tends to demean the band's potential originality. Regardless, this is rather good, albeit unoriginal, technical/prog death metal. The production is very clean, and while I would prefer their sound to be a bit heavier- the bass is a bit too low in the mix for my taste-, this fits their overall sound well. There's lots of tasty riffage and "complex" drumming, and the bass grooves in way that is reminiscent of Cynic's masterful Focus at times. Their technique is quite impressive- as to be expected from such a band-, and this album really gets better as it goes on.

Old Man's Child- Slaves of the World
Melodic Black Metal
3

Old Man's Child is one of those bands like I really am ashamed to like. Despite Galder's ridiculous theatrics, he's produced some fine melodic black metal- mainly In Defiance of Existence. Slaves of the World carries on the same sound, and while the first two tracks are almost abysmal, the rest of the album retains the epic melodies and finely-tuned production that made In Defiance of Existence so effective. This happens to be a bit too repetitive and generic in comparison, but it's a lot better than most melodic black metal out there today, and it's not the completely pathetic waste of time and effort that I thought it would be.

Pestilence- Resurrection Macabre
Death Metal, Technical Death Metal
2

2009 seems to be the year of extreme metal comebacks, and Pestilence's new album was definitely up on my list of anticipated albums. After over 15 years of silence, what the fuck happened to these guys?? Yes, they've still got some catchy yet subtly technical songwriting here, but it's a completely ordinary release. Nothing about this album is special, and thus it is a terribly boring affair. Okay, so it's not absolutely lacking in merit, as its produced well enough, and their songs are rather fun at times, but it's still terribly generic, which is a damn shame.

The Prophecy- Into the Light
Doom Metal, Death Doom Metal
4

Honestly, I don't really know what to say about this album. At first, it seemed like a fairly ordinary doom metal effort with clean vocals that almost resemble those from R.E.M. (wtf?), but, within a few more listens, I really became hooked. It's got a very unique sound, and I actually dig both the clean and harsh vocals. What else to say? I'm sure there's a lot, but all I know is that I am really enjoying this album, and the only thing keeping from me giving this a 4 is that it drags on a bit too much at times. Aside from that, I see no significant flaws.

Samael- Above
Black Metal, Industrial Metal
2.5

So, Samael are getting back to their black metal roots? In a sense, yes. Their last real black metal album was Ceremony of Opposites, which probably marked their creative peak in terms of their extreme metal period- though my favorite is easily Worship Him. While this album certainly is heavy, aggressive, and rapid enough to be classified as black metal, it seems to preoccupied with being a black metal album, rather than presenting worthwhile material. It sounds like a combination of Dimmu Borgir's past few albums- the symphonic styled riffing and keyboards in the background- with Keep of Kalessin's last album- blastbeats and vocal delivery-, which doesn't stack up to anything that impresses me. It's truly average material, and while it's certainly more crushing than anything they've released since Worship Him, it seems inconsequential in comparison to anything they've put out since.

Steve Roach- Dynamic Stillness
Ambient
4

After experimenting with his progressive electronic roots with Arc of Passion and Landmass, as well as with exploring dark ambient soundscapes with A Deeper Silence, Roach returns to more familiar territory with the aptly named Dynamic Stillness. The title is appropriate, as this album of slowly progressing and shifting atmospheres that emit a feeling of peace and stillness. It's a compelling release, as to expected from the most prolific artist in the realm of ambient music, but it's not quite as epic or diverse as I had hoped it would be.

Sepultura- A-Lex
Groove Metal
2.5

Being that this once revered metal outfit continues to follow the groove metal road they paved with Roots, this album is bound to be bashed as pathetic. Is it? Sure, it's not Beneath the Remains or Arise, but it's not meant to be, and it certainly isn't pathetic. This is groove metal done well; it has the energy, aggression, and force necessary to avoid it from being a piece of shit. Unfortunately, it doesn't have much else going on for it. I feel like I've used the word redundant far too many times in this list thus far, but it's a pretty useful word in describing A-Lex.

Spiritus Mortis- The God Behind the God
Doom Metal
3

Squarepusher- Numbers Lucent EP
IDM, Drum and Bass, Jazz Fusion
3.75

After Just a Souvenir, I was pretty sure Tom Jenkinson had run out of captivating ideas- that album just did not fit my tastes whatsoever. Numbers Lucent was exactly what I was hoping for in '08, and while he released this short-but-sweet package a few months later, the wait was well worth it. In contrast to the rather boring noodlings of his last LP, Jenkinson brings out his arsenal of the drum kit, bass guitar, and drum machine to create another intense hit of drill and bass/IDM/jazz fusion madness. Compared to his earlier works, this is fairly contained, which makes it approachable to less adapted listeners, but it still demands your full attention. Simply put, this is what I've been waiting for since Ultravisitor, and he has finally delivered.

Sunn O)))- Monoliths & Dimensions
Drone Doom Metal
3

Telefon Tel Aviv- Immolate Yourself
Synth Pop, IDM, Ambient Pop
4

Devin Townsend- Ki
Progressive Rock
3.75

Venetian Snares- Filth
Breakcore, Drill and Bass
3

Wardruna- Runaljod - gap var Ginnunga
Neofolk, Dark Ambient
4

Wine From Tears- Through the Eyes of a Mad
Death Doom Metal
3.25

Wolves in the Throne Room- Malevolent Grain EP
Atmospheric Black Metal
3.75

Wolves in the Throne Room- Black Cascade
Atmospheric Black Metal
4.25

Xasthur- All Reflections Drained
Atmospheric Black Metal, Depressive Black Metal
2.5