Sexta-feira 25 Mai 2012, 13h:03
Personal top 10 of 2012:
a fucking disappointing and soulless year
1) Anaal Nathrakh - Vanitas
2) Die Sektor - The Final Electro Solution
3) Sabaton - Carolus Rex
4) Delain - We Are the Others
5) Lunar Aurora - Hoagascht
6) Blut aus Nord - 777 - Cosmosophy
7) Grendel - Timewave : Zero
8) Raventale - Transcendence
9) A Forest of Stars - A Shadowplay for Yesterdays
10) Elysian Blaze - Blood Geometry
Disappointments of 2012:
1) Darkspace - Dark Space -I reissue ;_;
2) Trencadis - Ödelagt
3) Burzum - Umskiptar
Awaited:
Burzum - Umskiptar
4/10, I believe Varg is not a metalhead anymore. It all feels used and weak with slightly prominent moments. "Something to expect of third-grade Ukrainian pagan metal band." His current mind condition would suit some more sophisticated forms like ambient or neoclassical.
Grendel - Timewave : Zero
7/10, despite half of the (good) songs are destroyed by some lousy elements I can't stand, second half is as good, as expected, if not more.
Sabaton - Carolus Rex
9/10, objectively, it's another copy of the same Sabaton's style as on two previous albums, even melodies are recycled, but it has a new, even more powerful strike and becomes very addictive, with no song skipped.
Delain - We Are the Others
9/10, objectively, it's another copy of the same Delain's style as on two previous albums. But isn't it what made me like them so much? Thanks.
Die Sektor - The Final Electro Solution
6/10, there is no original power anymore, they still have the special, advanced construction which is characteristic for this band, but songs feel used and it's not the dubstep elements' fault.
9/10, the trailer was too perfect. It contains the very best moments of the album, mixed together well, so listening to the whole thing was just meh, nothing new, like some cheap fillers, at least to me. These tracks are slowly regaining their quality in my eyes.
Blut aus Nord - 777 - Cosmosophy
8/10, would be full if not the inconsistent part in Epitome XV, that sort of ruins the final impression for me. Nonetheless, Epitome XVI and XVII are something indescribable I've been craving to hear for a long time. They both remain me speechless.
Anaal Nathrakh - Vanitas
9/10, Constellation v2, not as catchy as two previous ones, which I miss. Still, an annihilation and a remarkable proof they're the best in what they do. A grower for me.
Darkspace - Dark Space -I
3/10, They never disappoint(ed before). I was expecting no failure, enhancement of their previous work, but instead I received a better-quality version of what I used to love, purged of emotions, sounding like these people got new expansion pack of electro kicks and space ambiance. Huge disappointment. Shift+delete, no purchase. But maybe it's good it was released, so the musicians may realize what they did wrong before recording Dark Space IV, which must be as outstanding as the rest of their material, unless the world would suck even more.
Raventale - Transcendence
7/10, apparently it's when there is less atmospheric than black metal. The album feels a bit inconsistent, mostly because of vocals, that anyway fit to the album sound. I love "Without Movement", the rest is just fine. No exaltation, but a good addition.
Prominent, but not awaited:
Wilds Forlorn - We, the Damned
6/10, among Nachtreich and A Forest of Stars, the most prominent pioneer of neoclassical/atmospheric black metal sound. This album adds another gem to the discography.
Annorkoth - Annorkoth, A Light in the Dark - Disharmony, A Light in the Dark - From One Day To Another
7/10, BM keeps on improving the unique sound he developed and he's damn good at it. Woods of Desolation / Grey Waters worship. Enthusiasts must be pleased.
Lunar Aurora - Hoagascht
9/10, The album objectively is a killer, but I never liked their cold and heavy style. This happened to change with this release, which is something I wanted to hear in a long time. Im Garten is a masterpiece I will remember for the rest of my life. A grower also.
Elysian Blaze - Blood Geometry
7/10, what an atmosphere… It feels kind of like Darkspace in an ancient temple, despite many differences in their style. Unique position, worth checking, maybe not for catchiness, but for the atmosphere itself.
A Forest of Stars - A Shadowplay for Yesterdays
7/10, the weirder it gets, the better it is. I love how diverted it is, how it affects my imagination. A Prophet for a Pound of Flesh and Corvus Corona both parts especially. So with pigs in Gatherer of the Pure. Quality stuff.
Sterbeklang - Cosmoderne / Körper und Organ
6/10, I must say I like a lot these Neptune Towers influences. First two Sterbeklang releases were prominent, his best work to me is 2010's 24k EP and these two 2012 releases are a very interesting ambient vision of brutal death metal musician. It's not something I can listen to everyday, but still very noticeable.
Neurotech - Decipher vol.1
7/10, how many symphonic, industrial metal bands do you know? What if they are catchy and very entertaining in addition? Neurotech is and continues to be better with each release.
Germ - Wish
7/10, similarly to above. I think Tim is a key to Woods of Desolation and Grey Waters being amazing. His presence makes the tracks epic, innovative and catchy. Despite trance arpeggios sounding cheesy sometimes, it's a very interesting combination of ambient, post-black metal and electronic music. One of a kind, someone had to be first.
Pravus Abyssus - Demo
7/10, if you like space black metal, more like Astral Silence, not Darkspace or Trist's
"Hin", you must be pleased with this release. Especially "Eden" is a mindblowing and inspiring journey. Great debut.
Basarabian Hills - Spirit of the Native Land
7/10, Lustre-clone, must-hear position for its fans. The guitar sounds like a haircutting machine, drums are weak as hell, but the whole composition is very atmospheric, dreamy and catchy, mostly because of the bells usage.
Wintersun - Time I
8/10, what to introduce? A legendary one. My expectations were bigger than huge when I heard it's finally out after all these years. 8 years of waiting must return something groundbreaking and Wintersun definitely is. Incredibly complex and diverted, not entirely in my taste, but the impression is big.