1. Mastodon – Crack the Skye
There really isn’t anything to say about this album that hasn’t already been said about a hundred times by a hundred crappy magazines and two good ones, so I will say that yes, it is that good and yes, you should seek it out immediately if you have not heard it yet.
2. Cage – Depart From Me
This is what I have wanted to hear in a hip hop record for so long without even knowing it. Cage hasn’t created the closest synergy of rap and rock (the oldest, stupidest cliché in music) ever - he’s gotten on a whole other level. This album is intense and introspective, pissed off and honest. And it sounds amazing.
3. Baroness – Blue Record
You had to have known Baroness had it in them to make this album, but upon actually hearing it the mind has little ability to really grasp its awesomeness. One of the keys to making a truly great metal album is being able to hold back on all the technical mumbo-jumbo when needed, and by doing so Baroness have nudged themselves into the pantheon of metal Gods.
4. OM – God is Good
Tambouras are rad. Emil Amos is rad. Playing fuzz bass through sixteen speakers is super rad. Singing about spiritual shit is pretty rad. Having a fifteen minute album-opener is rad. Pulling this shit off live is unbelievable. Om is rad.
5. Astra – The Weirding
The word ‘prog’ is getting thrown around a lot because of Mastodon, and yes, Mastodon is awesome and has lots of prog elements. But if you want to hear some prog in its purest sense, check this record out. Mellotrons galore and most of the songs pass the ten minute mark. It might as well have come out in 1969, but I assure you it is brand spankin’ new.
6. Converge – Axe to Fall
It would suck to be a band in the same genre as Converge, because you’d immediately realize you will never be nearly as good and have to quit. Good thing they are in a genre by themselves, a genre called ‘ass kicking shit developed behind closed doors by NASA’.
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7. Rammstein – Liebe ist fur Alle Da
Despite appearances, Rammstein is one of the smartest bands in metal. On the surface, they look like big, dumb Kraut rockers, until you realize every element of what they do, from guitar tones to cover art, is meticulously calculated. I just can’t refer to any album this good as industrial music.
8. Eagle Twin – The Unkindness of Crows
These guys blew me away when I saw them open for SunnO))). I got their album on the quick and became obsessed. It’s a very loud hour of sludge and shred, based on crows and (I think) American Indian mythology. Very listenable and very cool.
9. Mos Def – The Ecstatic
Hey, remember when hip hop albums were good? When it was a valid art form? Remember how the first Black Eyed Peas album was actually pretty good? Mos Def, the unofficial ambassador of the four elements, brings back all that and more on this album. It seems there are only a couple good rap records a year, and I am so glad this is one of them.
10. Hatebreed – S/T
Hatebreed are the best at what they do. To me, this is the furthest evolution of hardcore punk. Metal is largely a doom and gloom sort of genre, so it’s good to have Hatebreed out there getting folks amped to kick some ass with their fist-pumping self-empowerment anthems. This album is essential in the toolbox for surviving the constant beat down of these uncertain times.
There really isn’t anything to say about this album that hasn’t already been said about a hundred times by a hundred crappy magazines and two good ones, so I will say that yes, it is that good and yes, you should seek it out immediately if you have not heard it yet.
2. Cage – Depart From Me
This is what I have wanted to hear in a hip hop record for so long without even knowing it. Cage hasn’t created the closest synergy of rap and rock (the oldest, stupidest cliché in music) ever - he’s gotten on a whole other level. This album is intense and introspective, pissed off and honest. And it sounds amazing.
3. Baroness – Blue RecordYou had to have known Baroness had it in them to make this album, but upon actually hearing it the mind has little ability to really grasp its awesomeness. One of the keys to making a truly great metal album is being able to hold back on all the technical mumbo-jumbo when needed, and by doing so Baroness have nudged themselves into the pantheon of metal Gods.
4. OM – God is GoodTambouras are rad. Emil Amos is rad. Playing fuzz bass through sixteen speakers is super rad. Singing about spiritual shit is pretty rad. Having a fifteen minute album-opener is rad. Pulling this shit off live is unbelievable. Om is rad.
5. Astra – The WeirdingThe word ‘prog’ is getting thrown around a lot because of Mastodon, and yes, Mastodon is awesome and has lots of prog elements. But if you want to hear some prog in its purest sense, check this record out. Mellotrons galore and most of the songs pass the ten minute mark. It might as well have come out in 1969, but I assure you it is brand spankin’ new.
6. Converge – Axe to FallIt would suck to be a band in the same genre as Converge, because you’d immediately realize you will never be nearly as good and have to quit. Good thing they are in a genre by themselves, a genre called ‘ass kicking shit developed behind closed doors by NASA’.
.jpg)
7. Rammstein – Liebe ist fur Alle DaDespite appearances, Rammstein is one of the smartest bands in metal. On the surface, they look like big, dumb Kraut rockers, until you realize every element of what they do, from guitar tones to cover art, is meticulously calculated. I just can’t refer to any album this good as industrial music.
8. Eagle Twin – The Unkindness of CrowsThese guys blew me away when I saw them open for SunnO))). I got their album on the quick and became obsessed. It’s a very loud hour of sludge and shred, based on crows and (I think) American Indian mythology. Very listenable and very cool.
9. Mos Def – The EcstaticHey, remember when hip hop albums were good? When it was a valid art form? Remember how the first Black Eyed Peas album was actually pretty good? Mos Def, the unofficial ambassador of the four elements, brings back all that and more on this album. It seems there are only a couple good rap records a year, and I am so glad this is one of them.
10. Hatebreed – S/THatebreed are the best at what they do. To me, this is the furthest evolution of hardcore punk. Metal is largely a doom and gloom sort of genre, so it’s good to have Hatebreed out there getting folks amped to kick some ass with their fist-pumping self-empowerment anthems. This album is essential in the toolbox for surviving the constant beat down of these uncertain times.
The Astra record is friggin amazing, excellent choice! I'm a little late getting to it, but better late than never.
ReplyDeleteSweet, I love the lists. Don't have all of those yet but I won't be saying that for long. Love seeing that Mos album on there btw.
ReplyDelete"Hey, remember when hip hop albums were good? When it was a valid art form? Remember how the first Black Eyed Peas album was actually pretty good?"
ReplyDeleteLMAO. Compelling argument, esp the last bit.