Well, this year has been crazy! I moved over a state! I quit one job and found two more! And I have lost somewhere around 50lbs and nine inches around the waist... Holy crap, its been a whirlwind!
But I know what you're thinking. "We're not here for that crap... WE"RE HERE FOR THE METAL!!!" Well, I understand... but do you have to yell? :)
So Its been a hell of a year for metal! So good I couldn't chop my list down to 10... Here are 16 amazing releases that if you missed out on you need to fix that now...
Well ,here we go, heads of metal... The Third of the Storms best releases this year!
16) Portrait- Crossroads:
If you slept on this release that's on you. This is a great occult heavy metal record that doesn't fall into the 70's trap most of the style does. You're served a steaming atmospheric dish of Mercyful Fate and Judas Priest... You're Welcome!
15) Ambush- Firestorm:
A fantastic straight forward Heavy Metal record... You can't do any better than this. Straight up rocking metal! Check them out!
14) Trenchrot- Necronomic Warfare:
Do you miss Boltthrower? Like Warmaster era Boltthrower? Well, I do and this album is a great salve... Classic and violent midpaced death metal for the monster in us all!
13) Omnivore- Self-titled:
Great Itallian death/thrash and the last record these dudes will releases! Uspeakable Axe knows their business!
12) Iron Void- Self-titled:
Amazing UK dooooom! You need this record... You really do... Barbarian Wrath does it again!
11) Algebra- Feed the Ego:
Monstrous and viscous tech thrash! A brilliant album that all should hear!
10) Wreodan Healh- Laecig:
One of the best demos to be released this year! Can't wait for the full length! Absolutely magnificent Atmospheric Epic Black Metal!
9) Phantasmal- The Reaper's Forge:
Prepare for a black/speed attack! The reaper's coming for you! If you haven't heard this stop everything you're doing and listen to this demo now!
8) Ogre- The Last Neanderthal:
The best doom/proto metal release that came out this year. They rock your skull and pound you into nothing... Dragging your body back to their cave! Hail and Kill!
7) Alitor- Eternal Depression:
I said these guys were my thrash release of the year and they were close! I think when they see who made it, they'll forgive me! :)
6) Countess- Ancient Lies and Battlecries:
Again if you don't like Countess this won't change your mind. However this is their most vital record in a serious of really fantastic records! A classic!
5) Vader- Tibi Et Igni:
Speaking of vital releases! Vaders wholesale burns the competition with this fiery Death/thrash masterpiece!
Horns up!
4) Incantation- Dirges of Elysium:
John Mcentee is a master! I love every record Incantation releases and adore the palpable darkness on this one... This is how you do it!
3) Overkill- White Devil Armory:
Here it is! My best thrash record for the year! Nothing kills like Overkill! Keep it up, lads!
2) Eyehategod- Self-titled:
After 14 years of silence who would've thought how good this would be... Sick, rotted and rollicking!!! Some many sludge bands need to take a listen to this to figure out how its supposed to sound!
ANNNNNNDDDDD ::Drumroll:: The best release in 2014 is
1) Blood Storm- The Stellar Exorcism
Mortuary Drape- Spiritual Independence:
These releases express the darkness that black and death metal can reach... These releases are transcendent... They take you into a netherworld darkness that so few bands can actually reach! That with an amazing songwriting ability that causes one to bang their heads like crazy! Truly worth the wait for both bands...
Honorable mentions: These are records I could not get a hold of that might have caused me to expand my list...
Warhorde- Kiss the Goat:
From the samples I imagine it would have been on the my list! Sounded killer!
Pyoveli- Still Underground:
No doubt this was awesome! Thrashing madness right here!
Hirax- Immortal Legacy:
The songs I've heard sound amazing! Will definitely purchase eventually!
Tyranex- Unable to Tame:
I couldn't find this one to buy... But again the songs sound awesome! Will definitely purchase!
Moshpit Justice- Justice is Served:
These guys had a great debut and from the samples this album was going to be better! Check em out!
Axattack- Toxic Wasted:
A fantastic local band! Great demo fellows!
Acid Age- Drone Shark Ethics:
Again the samples sound fantastic!!!
Well, there you have it! The best releases of the year according to me! Barbarian Wrath, Witches Brew and Unspeakable Axe won out for best labels! They release really quality stuff! I hope everyone has/had a great New Year's and you are careful! Have some beers and get home safe! Here's to a fantastic 2015! Next up My wish list of releases for 2015
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Portrait- Crossroads
Well... ahem... Its been a while... What can i say? I'm lazy...
I really like Mercyful Fate a lot! I mean a whole lot... Really more than most people can imagine... I love the black metal bands that use them as a primary influence( Root, Master's Hammer, Mortuary Drape) but more on that later.
But, to be honest, I don't enjoy many of the modern traditional takes on the formula. I despise Ghost. In Solitude bores me. And while RAM is pretty good, its missing something. Portrait, however, always seemed to resonate. Ever since their 1st record, I have championed them. I like this record as much if not more than the others.
First let me say that this is not a clone... There's plenty of other feeling in here. I personally hear quite a bit of early Judas Priest. Again, yes please! But the Fate influence is unmistakable. The power in the music is also unmistakable. The riffing is excellent in every song. The vocals, while influenced by King, have their own since of drama and magic. Everything on this record is well crafted and speaks of excellent heavy metal.
Unlike many of their peers, Portrait really uses atmosphere in the music. They actually have the slightly creepy air of Fate, something that many of these type of bands miss out on altogether. They also have the warm guitar tone that Fate had giving them a unique sound... Especially these days! Good show, gentlemen! Quite an enjoyable record! A shoe-in for my end of the year list!
Stand out tracks: In Time, Ageless Rites, Our Roads Must Never Cross.
https://www.facebook.com/portraitsweden
I really like Mercyful Fate a lot! I mean a whole lot... Really more than most people can imagine... I love the black metal bands that use them as a primary influence( Root, Master's Hammer, Mortuary Drape) but more on that later.
But, to be honest, I don't enjoy many of the modern traditional takes on the formula. I despise Ghost. In Solitude bores me. And while RAM is pretty good, its missing something. Portrait, however, always seemed to resonate. Ever since their 1st record, I have championed them. I like this record as much if not more than the others.
First let me say that this is not a clone... There's plenty of other feeling in here. I personally hear quite a bit of early Judas Priest. Again, yes please! But the Fate influence is unmistakable. The power in the music is also unmistakable. The riffing is excellent in every song. The vocals, while influenced by King, have their own since of drama and magic. Everything on this record is well crafted and speaks of excellent heavy metal.
Unlike many of their peers, Portrait really uses atmosphere in the music. They actually have the slightly creepy air of Fate, something that many of these type of bands miss out on altogether. They also have the warm guitar tone that Fate had giving them a unique sound... Especially these days! Good show, gentlemen! Quite an enjoyable record! A shoe-in for my end of the year list!
Stand out tracks: In Time, Ageless Rites, Our Roads Must Never Cross.
https://www.facebook.com/portraitsweden
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