This is so I can keep track of what I've liked this year and then I'll polish it up at the end of the year. In other words, it's a constant work in progress until the year ends.
AOTYC=Album of the year contender.
Blut aus Nord- Memoria Vetusta II - Dialogue with the Stars
A step away from the industrial and avant-garde direction their music took on The Work Which Transforms God, and styled a bit more on the folk and symphonic side. Let's just say the result is an extremely worthy album and is worth your time and energy.
Amesoeurs- Amesoeurs
Perhaps I was a bit premature on my judgment for this album, since further listenings have only served to increase my enjoyment of it. Yes, I'll admit, I still like Ruines Humaines more but this in no way diminishes the quality music Amesoeurs have put together here. One of my only qualms with this album now is that the production (while good) would have been better served with having the production on Ruines Humaines. I feel it does the band more justice with what they're going for. That being said, do not miss out on this album. Black metal and post-punk have never sounded so well together.
Steven Wilson- Insurgentes (AOTYC)
Certainly one of the most impressive albums this year. Steven Wilson is a music god as far as I'm concerned. Although I'm a big Porcupine Tree fan, I must admit I've not heard a lot of their albums. But I feel certain that any fans of Wilson's work or progressive music in general will eat this up.
Camera Obscura- My Maudlin Career (AOTYC)
A band that I just got into this year, and let me tell you 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 this year.
Fen- The Malediction Fields (AOTYC)
Right up there with Camera Obscura, this is one amazing album. Fen's promising EP released in 2007 was but a taste of the quality that this band was capable of. Everything that was promised has been delivered in spades as The Malediction Fields is one of the finest black metal albums released in some time. Bringing in influence from post-rock and folk, Fen are one of the better atmospheric black metal bands around these days. Do not miss these guys.
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart- The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
I'll make this very simple for you. Do you like shoegaze? Skeptical about a new band delivering the classic shoegaze sound from the days of yore? Give this band a try. They're not original, but damn they can write good songs.
Mastodon- Crack the Skye (AOTYC)
One of those albums that takes a little while to sink in. It's insane to think this is the same band from Remission. They've really taken their progressive brand of metal to new heights on this one. It's both more accessible and more complex than their previous offerings I'd say. Plus, you've got not one but two 10+ minute epics here. Nothing but quality here, so listen for yourself.
Altar of Plagues- White Tomb
On the first go around, I wasn't sure what to think. They sounded too similar to Wolves in the Throne Room. Then I listened again. Now I think that they may be better Wolves in the Throne Room, at least in comparing each band's releases this year. But really, it's rather unfair since the folk aspect of Wolves is not a part of Altar's sound at all, which alone separates them. Comparisons aside though, it's only taken a second listen of White Tomb to discover just how well done it all is. The artwork on the cover is striking and it's a perfect representation of their sound.
Au Revoir Simone- Still Night, Still Light
A new band that I got into this year. Ironically, they played this album at my workplace. This band lies somewhere between electronic and indie pop. It's a female trio and their style is mostly upbeat and quite charming. At the same time, there's an apparent sadness that shows up throughout the album in the lyrics and certain melodies which is good since it serves as a great contrast to the overall result. Best of all, I can see myself enjoying this album even more upon repeated listens.
Black Moth Super Rainbow- Eating Us
What a lovely find this was. Just hearing the band's name made me excited. Black Moth Super Rainbow's Eating Us is an interesting and experimental blend of psychedelic electronic sounds, and they sound unlike any band I've heard before. What's even more impressive is the vocalist uses a vocoder and it doesn't sound like shit, in fact it's one of the reasons this band sounds so unique. At times, the band is downright beautiful and the music lets your mind drift with the clouds. Oh, and I hear the album before this one is just as good (if not better). Highly recommended.
Sun of the Blind- Skullreader
Skullreader also took me a handful of listens to appreciate, even though I immediately knew I liked this band the first time I heard this album. Created solely by one of the masterminds behind Darkspace, this is extremely atmospheric black metal that has a very dark aura about it. Synth is used minimally and to great effect. While you can certainly hear some influence from Darkspace, this release very much stands on its own. I would say this has more of a dreamy/psychedelic vibe. Fans of atmospheric black metal would do well to check this out, as it's one of their finer albums in the genre this year I think.
Wolves in the Throne Room- Malevolent Grain
A decent EP to wet the rabid appetite of WITTR fans for the forthcoming album, Black Cascade. There are only two songs but you get 23 minutes of music...not bad. The first song is a more reflective song than the second, and features madrigal vocals from I think the same woman that has done vocals with the band from the beginning. Repetitive in that signature style of the band, so while there's not much going on, the atmosphere more than makes up for it. The second song is very aggressive and has one of the best riffs I've heard from the band. It eventually fades in white noise ambience. These songs are both worth some decent listening time.
Phoenix- Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Another great one from France, this band (who was on the Lost in Translation soundtrack I recently learned) is a new favorite of mine. They have that hard to pull off blend of catchiness and songwriting depth. The songs can be simple, but in a way that makes you want to listen over and over without getting sick of hearing it. And for being a indie rock/pop band for the most part, they sure do tell my brain to start dancing quite a few times throughout the album. You can't go wrong with this release.
Wardruna- Runaljod - Gap Var Ginnunga
I really had to be in the mood to listen to this, and unfortunately I put if off for the majority of the year because of that. But no more! I had a solid listening (in this last October), and I am impressed. What we have here is a tribute to the ancient Norse culture in the form of neo-folk/ambient/ritualistic/pagan music. There's just no one way to describe this musical outfit, but you're getting a top quality effort nonetheless. This is ideal on a cloudy day. You can picture yourself overlooking a vast landscape, surrounded by green hills, fog, and running water. A must listen for the open minded listener.
Fever Ray- s/t
For some reason I thought I put this album on my list awhile back but I guess not. Anyway, this is a fine debut album from one of the members of The Knife, Karin Dreijer Andersson. Falling in love with The Knife, naturally I was curious to hear this solo effort and I'm happy to say it's a fantastic listen as well. Compared to The Knife, Fever Ray's debut feels a lot more laid back, relaxing and leans more toward an ambient sound overall. The danceable/electronic beats aren't as pronounced here and it works wonderfully for the music. Karin's voice is, of course, a highlight as well. I highly recommend this album if you are into The Knife or electronic music that's more subdued.
Behemoth- The Evangelion
I think it's safe to say this is maybe the best album Behemoth have ever produced. Although I've yet to hear the much lauded Zos Kia Cultus, I've heard the just about everything else and I've never heard Behemoth sound so imposing and threatening before. The excellent production certainly plays a part in this, but the songwriting this time around is extremely refined. Nergal is beastly, his riffs sound huge and heavy as...well, a behemoth. The drumming, needless to say, is flawless. There's also a very evil atmosphere in this album that is a welcome addition, especially felt on the closing song. Buy this album.
- Below are some more albums I've listened to at least once, but are still awaiting final judgment...
1349- Revelations of the Black Flames
Drudkh- Microcosmos
Mono- Hymn to the Immortal Wind
Vinterriket- Horizontmelancholie
Wolves in the Throne Room- Black Cascade
Immortal- All Shall Fall
Lifelover- Dekadens
Shining- VI - Klagopsalmer
- Everything else listed here are albums I hope to get to eventually but haven't heard at all yet...
Absu- s/t
Isis- Wavering Radiant
Isole- Silent Ruins
Katatonia- Night Is the New Day
Crom- Vengeance
Warbringer- Waking into Nightmares
Geist- Galeere
Battle Dagorath- Eternal Throne
Ahab- The Divinity of Oceans
Novembers Doom- Into Night's Requiem Infernal
Obscura- Cosmogenesis
Ulcerate- Everything is Fire
Augury- Fragmentary Evidence
YOB- The Great Cessation
Gwynbleidd- Nostalgia
Amorphis- Skyforger
Astra- The Weirding
Anaal Nathrakh- In the Constellation of the Black Widow
Porcupine Tree- The Incident
The Gathering- The West Pole
Astral Luminous - Lunaric Tide
Animal Collective- Merriweather Post Pavillion
The Ruins of Beverast - Foulest Semen of a Sheltered Elite
Colosseum- Chapter 2: Numquam
Pelican- What We All Come to Need
Velvet Cacoon- P aa opal Poere Pr. 33
Krallice- Dimensional Bleedthrough
Nile- Those Whom Gods Detest
Swallow the Sun- New Moon
There is still much to hear, so don't judge this list prematurely. It's simply serving as a platform from which to build for the end of the year. And since it seems like I'm listening to a good amount of albums this year for once during the actual year they're being released, I'll maybe being looking at every album that comes my way, even the ones that perhaps aren't so good. We shall see.
Vinterriket
