In the past year, I've had a pretty big resurgence in my interest in metal. I wonder why. Maybe it's because I'm way more super tough this year. Maybe it's because I moved to Kentucky. Who knows?
Anyway, I'm gonna be a giant nerd and list some of my favorite metal records from the past year.
Black Breath - Heavy Breathing (Southern Lord, Apr 19, 2010)
I checked this band out this year because they share members with one of my favorite hardcore bands, Shook Ones. Shook Ones are a hyperactive, Kid Dynamite influenced melodic hardcore band. Black Breath is not. Black Breath is evil. And wonderful. Heavy Breathing is also produced by the King of hardcore and metal production, Kurt Ballou. So, it sounds awesome. These songs are fast, angry, blasphemous, and heavy. Probably my favorite new discovery of the year. I'm listening to it right now. It's awesome. Trust me.
Favorite track: Eat the Witch.
Atheist - Jupiter (Season of Mist, Nov. 8, 2010)
So, 2010 saw old school death metal monsters, Atheist, getting back together for their first album in almost twenty years. Hey, guess what? This album shreds way hard. Bands like this can sometimes bore the heck outta me, but this stuff is super interesting and well put together. My only complaint is the vocals, as they're a little forced sounding, but it's no biggie, Atheist. I forgive you. Your riffage more than makes up for it.
Favorite Track: Faux King Christ (the intro nails it).
Envy - Recitation (Temporary Residence, Oct. 12, 2010)
Yeah, so it's a little teeny bit of a stretch calling these cats metal. If you haven't heard Japanese post-hardcore stalwarts, Envy, you should get on it. I think they have something to offer to everyone. Nicola really likes bands like Sigur Ros and the Album Leaf who play atmospheric, swelling music, and there's a lot of that to Envy's approach. The music builds so well that by the time everything falls into an intense, throat grinding passage, you don't even realize that you're listening to something so abrasive. There's a symphonic element, for sure. So if you're into that, check this out, nerd. I LOVE THIS BAND.
The Abominable Iron Sloth - The Id Will Overcome (Black Market Activities, Apr. 27, 2010)
This band is crazy! They sneak up behind you, rip your brain out of your head, tie a rusty chain around it, and slowly drag it (obviously, your brain is still a conscious entity at this point) through gravel. This album is vicious. Slowed down, sloppy-in-an-awesome-way, heavier than shit metal. This one probably doesn't have the cross-over listener appeal that Envy does, but TAIS does not fucking care. And good for them, I say. Side note: features dudes from Will Haven, if you're into that.
Favorite track: A Nation of Ignorants.
The Chariot - Long Live (Good Fight, Nov. 22, 2010)
The Chariot are a christian band. Let's get that out of the way. Not that it matters that much. You can't understand the words, dummy. Until they start doing Jars of Clay covers, I'll ride it out. They're also a mildly trendy metalcore band. This doesn't sound very positive, does it? Hear me out. Remember Botch? Did you like that band? I did. Boy howdy, did I ever. The Chariot remind me of them a whole butt-load, but without quite sounding like Botch-worship. These homies play super-noisy, atonal, chaotic songs with a hell of a lot going on. Also, features that dude who sang on Norma Jean's first album. Yeah, I know that album was bad. Oh, well. Fuck it. I like this album. I don't have to explain myself to you.
Favorite track: Andy Sundwall
Coliseum - House With A Curse (Temporary Residence, Jun 21, 2010)
Coliseum is great. They always have been. My friend, the Legendary J Tice, once called this type of music Death 'n' Roll, which works for me. Imagine giant dudes with sleeve tattoos, bald heads, and luscious, luscious beards. Now imagine them getting off their motorcycles, holstering their sawed off shotguns, picking up some instruments, and doing whatever they want. I love it. Pretty catchy stuff, with a little bit of a crust influence, but not enough to make me think about assholes that hop trains and force dogs to panhandle with them. Ugh. Anyway, this album continues what Coliseum has always been about. Short, fast, heavy, simple, downtuned metal with a ton of rock and roll balls to it.
Favorite track: Everything to Everyone.
Trap Them - Filth Rations EP (Southern Lord, Jun 6, 2010)
Trap Them are super intense, super talented, super violent, and super awesome. These dudes are pissed. The vocals sound pissed, the guitars sound pissed, the bass sounds pissed, the drums sound pissed. Just technical enough to be impressive. Not technical enough to be irritating. These four songs fit right in to the Trap Them catalogue, which is a damn good thing. For me.
Favorite track: Digital Dogs with Analog Collars.
Torche - Songs for Singles (Hydra Head, Sept 21, 2010)
Torche is probably my favorite melodic metal band. Sweet vocal harmonies, excellent riffs (some bordering on pop-style catchiness), wicked drumming, just a really good feel to everything. When Torche plays shows, they smile the whole time. That is awesome. Everything about this band is good. These songs rank right up with my favorites that they've ever done. Good job, Torche. Keep it up, will ya?
Favorite track: Hideaway.
I put a playlist over there on the right, if you want to hear these songs!
Anyway, I'm gonna be a giant nerd and list some of my favorite metal records from the past year.
Black Breath - Heavy Breathing (Southern Lord, Apr 19, 2010)
I checked this band out this year because they share members with one of my favorite hardcore bands, Shook Ones. Shook Ones are a hyperactive, Kid Dynamite influenced melodic hardcore band. Black Breath is not. Black Breath is evil. And wonderful. Heavy Breathing is also produced by the King of hardcore and metal production, Kurt Ballou. So, it sounds awesome. These songs are fast, angry, blasphemous, and heavy. Probably my favorite new discovery of the year. I'm listening to it right now. It's awesome. Trust me.
Favorite track: Eat the Witch.
Atheist - Jupiter (Season of Mist, Nov. 8, 2010)
So, 2010 saw old school death metal monsters, Atheist, getting back together for their first album in almost twenty years. Hey, guess what? This album shreds way hard. Bands like this can sometimes bore the heck outta me, but this stuff is super interesting and well put together. My only complaint is the vocals, as they're a little forced sounding, but it's no biggie, Atheist. I forgive you. Your riffage more than makes up for it.
Favorite Track: Faux King Christ (the intro nails it).
Envy - Recitation (Temporary Residence, Oct. 12, 2010)
Yeah, so it's a little teeny bit of a stretch calling these cats metal. If you haven't heard Japanese post-hardcore stalwarts, Envy, you should get on it. I think they have something to offer to everyone. Nicola really likes bands like Sigur Ros and the Album Leaf who play atmospheric, swelling music, and there's a lot of that to Envy's approach. The music builds so well that by the time everything falls into an intense, throat grinding passage, you don't even realize that you're listening to something so abrasive. There's a symphonic element, for sure. So if you're into that, check this out, nerd. I LOVE THIS BAND.
The Abominable Iron Sloth - The Id Will Overcome (Black Market Activities, Apr. 27, 2010)
This band is crazy! They sneak up behind you, rip your brain out of your head, tie a rusty chain around it, and slowly drag it (obviously, your brain is still a conscious entity at this point) through gravel. This album is vicious. Slowed down, sloppy-in-an-awesome-way, heavier than shit metal. This one probably doesn't have the cross-over listener appeal that Envy does, but TAIS does not fucking care. And good for them, I say. Side note: features dudes from Will Haven, if you're into that.
Favorite track: A Nation of Ignorants.
The Chariot - Long Live (Good Fight, Nov. 22, 2010)
The Chariot are a christian band. Let's get that out of the way. Not that it matters that much. You can't understand the words, dummy. Until they start doing Jars of Clay covers, I'll ride it out. They're also a mildly trendy metalcore band. This doesn't sound very positive, does it? Hear me out. Remember Botch? Did you like that band? I did. Boy howdy, did I ever. The Chariot remind me of them a whole butt-load, but without quite sounding like Botch-worship. These homies play super-noisy, atonal, chaotic songs with a hell of a lot going on. Also, features that dude who sang on Norma Jean's first album. Yeah, I know that album was bad. Oh, well. Fuck it. I like this album. I don't have to explain myself to you.
Favorite track: Andy Sundwall
Coliseum - House With A Curse (Temporary Residence, Jun 21, 2010)
Coliseum is great. They always have been. My friend, the Legendary J Tice, once called this type of music Death 'n' Roll, which works for me. Imagine giant dudes with sleeve tattoos, bald heads, and luscious, luscious beards. Now imagine them getting off their motorcycles, holstering their sawed off shotguns, picking up some instruments, and doing whatever they want. I love it. Pretty catchy stuff, with a little bit of a crust influence, but not enough to make me think about assholes that hop trains and force dogs to panhandle with them. Ugh. Anyway, this album continues what Coliseum has always been about. Short, fast, heavy, simple, downtuned metal with a ton of rock and roll balls to it.
Favorite track: Everything to Everyone.
Trap Them - Filth Rations EP (Southern Lord, Jun 6, 2010)
Trap Them are super intense, super talented, super violent, and super awesome. These dudes are pissed. The vocals sound pissed, the guitars sound pissed, the bass sounds pissed, the drums sound pissed. Just technical enough to be impressive. Not technical enough to be irritating. These four songs fit right in to the Trap Them catalogue, which is a damn good thing. For me.
Favorite track: Digital Dogs with Analog Collars.
Torche - Songs for Singles (Hydra Head, Sept 21, 2010)
Torche is probably my favorite melodic metal band. Sweet vocal harmonies, excellent riffs (some bordering on pop-style catchiness), wicked drumming, just a really good feel to everything. When Torche plays shows, they smile the whole time. That is awesome. Everything about this band is good. These songs rank right up with my favorites that they've ever done. Good job, Torche. Keep it up, will ya?
Favorite track: Hideaway.
I put a playlist over there on the right, if you want to hear these songs!
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