Post by GL on Jan 1, 2010 14:26:06 GMT -5
Granted, a lot of the bigger names in here either had bye-years (touring for their previous albums and thus not in the studio to create something) or crafting releases for early next year, this might seem like Black Metal had an off-year, which I suspect some might have based on the selections offered here. However, this was still an incredibly fun time as it allowed the young guns to come charging at the masters with their best shot since the spotlight shined on them through sheer chance, and while the few veterans who did pump something out managed to make the list, like Traditional Heavy Metal, this will be an incredibly strong scene for years to come.
10. Marduk-Wormwood
With a fantastic wave of momentum spurned by several great albums in a row, Marduk now makes it three in a row of fantastic, utterly chaotic blast-beat riddled albums that, maybe not their best effort but right up near the top. As this one is perhaps their most cohesive effort, with everything flowing together divinely as they’re alternated between those pedal-to-the-metal speedsters they’re known for or they’re insanely enjoyable funeral march-esque dirges that are nothing short of spectacular, the atmosphere here is perhaps the best they’ve ever accomplished. Though some of the experimentations don’t work (a few songs tend to bleed together when they attempt at creating that morose atmosphere they perfected earlier) this is still an utterly fun and enjoyable album.
9. Bleeding Fist-Bestial Kruxif666ion
One of the more impressive ‘Chaotic Black Metal’ bands out on the scene, these Slovenian newcomers make one hell of a gloriously Satanic racket that first, seeks to shock the system, then to disembowel the body and wildly fling the parts about the room like a deranged, drug-addled pack of chimpanzees. Raw to the bone, with an off-the-rails intensity that recalls grand masters like early Gorgoroth and Impiety, yet the songs here are memorable and the more you listen the more you pick up in the way of sonic subtleties and arrangement twists. On offer are flesh tearing dive bombings, outstanding vocal changeups, including gripping militaristic and shouted/spoken sections, frightful dissonance, and some surprisingly tuneful leads, all played at either breakneck pace or calamitous cruising speed, all interrupted now and then with a moment of melody in a wall-of-sound vibe. With a reckless disregard for order and civility, this is one promising debut album.
8. Immortal-All Shall Fall
Some might call it a disappointment, others a return to form, I say you’re both right. Frankly, the best and worst parts of the album are the same factor: it sounds like the kind of songs these guys can write in their sleep. While it’s not necessarily a bad thing at times, these are the kinds of songs that sound like leftovers from the ‘Sons of Northern Darkness’ sessions and really don’t do a lot to distinguish themselves. That said, we have all the characteristics of the band’s signature sound on display the whole way through, with those freezing-cold riffs, torturous creeks and groans and those glorious marches they do so well. While this would be a phenomenal record by anyone else’s standards, this falls a little short of what they’re capable of, but it’s still a very fun ride.
7. Chthonic-Mirror of Retribution
With the controversy about their political standings not merely an issue here, these guys are one of the better examples of the Symphonic Black Metal style. Thrashing away on abandon, with their keyboards not nearly as up-front as most others do but still audible, they manage to create a slightly more Asian feel to that style, obvious because of their heritage, but still no less potent and damaging, filled with a lot of rather wicked riffs and tempo changes that leave a lasting impression. Due to the more accessible-sounding vocals (this isn’t a band to inundate the listen with those torturous groans and shrieks the way so many of their contemporaries practice) and slightly more melodic-sounding production, this isn’t really a disturbing listen, just a rather fun one, and it comes as highly recommended.
6. Belphegor-Walpurgis Rites-Hexenwahn
Quite simply one of the most unheralded acts still going strong, the amount of albums they’ve done recently of very high quality is simply staggering and suggests that they’ve hit pay-dirt. With a simply bludgeoning Death/Black Metal style, replete with those brilliant Symphony-for-Satan harmonies that never get old, that form the foundation for their style, this one just screams forth with a pure relentlessness that harkens back to their earlier stuff yet maintains that melodic touch founded in their last few that really manages to hold this one up. A little faster, a few less interludes and a rather more defined approach are what keep this one so high on the list.
5. Absu-Absu
After such a long lay-off, it was bound to disappoint compared to the masterwork it was up against, but even second-tier Absu is better than most other bands. The Progressive brand of Black Metal attempted here isn’t my cup of tea, but frankly, when they mix in the brutality as they do here, it’s with such a glorious return to form that there’s just a feeling of nostalgia reacquired. There’s still the more traditional thrash-infused Black Metal that has been their trademark in rampant amounts throughout, and it’s those that stand out as the better tracks rather than the more experimental stuff, despite those songs being good in and of themselves. They just aren’t as good as they’re more familiar stuff, and while it would be nice to see them explore this later on, it’s still going to serve as a fantastic launching pad for their next album, whenever that comes out.
4. Satyricon-The Age of Nero
Now, some may call these guys the ‘Metallica’ of the Black Metal scene for becoming so simplistic in recent releases compared to their far better earlier classic masterpieces, but this one is simply one of the best of their new wave of releases. The simplistic nature of the riffs allows this set to be as memorable and catchy as anything they’ve ever done, as they’ve finally got their sound down to a tee after their shift following ‘Diabolical.’ Perhaps the most negligible, and most impactful, change has been to finally allow the drums to mix the power of their old style with their newfound dynamic, so with the old-school flair added in this one this one creates a strong, focused effort that is just utterly convincing.
3. Old Man’s Child-Slaves to the World
One of the grandfathers of the Norwegian’s second coming, these guys take a more melodic stance on the sound but still keep that old-school fire intact here. The riffs absolutely blaze forth, unleashing a series of catchy and memorable songs that come off like a hellstorm of intensity, yet never once sacrifice anything in terms of melody. The drums are again a highlight, as are most of the OMC back-catalog, and they keep the album’s intensity and pace up and blaring all the way through, even when they introduce a few atmospheric touches on the intros. Even the gritty vocals prove their melodic worth, raspy without being overly unrecognizable and adding in the perfect touch with their sound. Perhaps the most accessible of these bands, they’ve always been counted on to deliver quality and they have done so here again. Might not be their best, but it’s a fun ride nonetheless.
2. Ensiferum-From Afar
Unlike most other Viking/Pagan Black Metallers, these guys are much more accessible and catchy, due mainly to the fact that they make it much more Symphonic in nature with some of the most liberal use of keyboards for the genre, and at times is sounds a little like they’re from an epic movie soundtrack. It allows for a never-ending sense of majesty and grandeur that most of their compatriots never attempt and makes for an exhilarating listen at times. When they pile on the Black Metal, though, there’s certainly no stopping them as they’re mix of Thrash riffs in Black Metal tempo and tone is a wonderful mix, and with a more accessible vocalist at the helm as well, these guys are going to be big if they continue on this path they’ve started with a bang here.
1. Hermh-Cold Blooded Messiah
If my friend hadn’t sent me a gift with these guys in there, I wouldn’t have known about them so I have to say thanks for that. This is just an utterly brutal album, sounding like Symphonic Death/Black Metal, kinda like modern-day Behemoth with keyboards, creating one of the heaviest and most bombastic releases of the year. The Gregorian Chants in the background are simply atmospheric to say the least, the vocals are caustic and incredibly raspy, again mixing in the two different styles and the keyboards are a great mix to the tidal wave the rest of the band utilizes. From the frenzied drumming and catchy guitar-playing, there’s no shortage of areas to like on this one and it makes for one of the most promising bands to come along in the style in a long time.
10. Marduk-Wormwood
With a fantastic wave of momentum spurned by several great albums in a row, Marduk now makes it three in a row of fantastic, utterly chaotic blast-beat riddled albums that, maybe not their best effort but right up near the top. As this one is perhaps their most cohesive effort, with everything flowing together divinely as they’re alternated between those pedal-to-the-metal speedsters they’re known for or they’re insanely enjoyable funeral march-esque dirges that are nothing short of spectacular, the atmosphere here is perhaps the best they’ve ever accomplished. Though some of the experimentations don’t work (a few songs tend to bleed together when they attempt at creating that morose atmosphere they perfected earlier) this is still an utterly fun and enjoyable album.
9. Bleeding Fist-Bestial Kruxif666ion
One of the more impressive ‘Chaotic Black Metal’ bands out on the scene, these Slovenian newcomers make one hell of a gloriously Satanic racket that first, seeks to shock the system, then to disembowel the body and wildly fling the parts about the room like a deranged, drug-addled pack of chimpanzees. Raw to the bone, with an off-the-rails intensity that recalls grand masters like early Gorgoroth and Impiety, yet the songs here are memorable and the more you listen the more you pick up in the way of sonic subtleties and arrangement twists. On offer are flesh tearing dive bombings, outstanding vocal changeups, including gripping militaristic and shouted/spoken sections, frightful dissonance, and some surprisingly tuneful leads, all played at either breakneck pace or calamitous cruising speed, all interrupted now and then with a moment of melody in a wall-of-sound vibe. With a reckless disregard for order and civility, this is one promising debut album.
8. Immortal-All Shall Fall
Some might call it a disappointment, others a return to form, I say you’re both right. Frankly, the best and worst parts of the album are the same factor: it sounds like the kind of songs these guys can write in their sleep. While it’s not necessarily a bad thing at times, these are the kinds of songs that sound like leftovers from the ‘Sons of Northern Darkness’ sessions and really don’t do a lot to distinguish themselves. That said, we have all the characteristics of the band’s signature sound on display the whole way through, with those freezing-cold riffs, torturous creeks and groans and those glorious marches they do so well. While this would be a phenomenal record by anyone else’s standards, this falls a little short of what they’re capable of, but it’s still a very fun ride.
7. Chthonic-Mirror of Retribution
With the controversy about their political standings not merely an issue here, these guys are one of the better examples of the Symphonic Black Metal style. Thrashing away on abandon, with their keyboards not nearly as up-front as most others do but still audible, they manage to create a slightly more Asian feel to that style, obvious because of their heritage, but still no less potent and damaging, filled with a lot of rather wicked riffs and tempo changes that leave a lasting impression. Due to the more accessible-sounding vocals (this isn’t a band to inundate the listen with those torturous groans and shrieks the way so many of their contemporaries practice) and slightly more melodic-sounding production, this isn’t really a disturbing listen, just a rather fun one, and it comes as highly recommended.
6. Belphegor-Walpurgis Rites-Hexenwahn
Quite simply one of the most unheralded acts still going strong, the amount of albums they’ve done recently of very high quality is simply staggering and suggests that they’ve hit pay-dirt. With a simply bludgeoning Death/Black Metal style, replete with those brilliant Symphony-for-Satan harmonies that never get old, that form the foundation for their style, this one just screams forth with a pure relentlessness that harkens back to their earlier stuff yet maintains that melodic touch founded in their last few that really manages to hold this one up. A little faster, a few less interludes and a rather more defined approach are what keep this one so high on the list.
5. Absu-Absu
After such a long lay-off, it was bound to disappoint compared to the masterwork it was up against, but even second-tier Absu is better than most other bands. The Progressive brand of Black Metal attempted here isn’t my cup of tea, but frankly, when they mix in the brutality as they do here, it’s with such a glorious return to form that there’s just a feeling of nostalgia reacquired. There’s still the more traditional thrash-infused Black Metal that has been their trademark in rampant amounts throughout, and it’s those that stand out as the better tracks rather than the more experimental stuff, despite those songs being good in and of themselves. They just aren’t as good as they’re more familiar stuff, and while it would be nice to see them explore this later on, it’s still going to serve as a fantastic launching pad for their next album, whenever that comes out.
4. Satyricon-The Age of Nero
Now, some may call these guys the ‘Metallica’ of the Black Metal scene for becoming so simplistic in recent releases compared to their far better earlier classic masterpieces, but this one is simply one of the best of their new wave of releases. The simplistic nature of the riffs allows this set to be as memorable and catchy as anything they’ve ever done, as they’ve finally got their sound down to a tee after their shift following ‘Diabolical.’ Perhaps the most negligible, and most impactful, change has been to finally allow the drums to mix the power of their old style with their newfound dynamic, so with the old-school flair added in this one this one creates a strong, focused effort that is just utterly convincing.
3. Old Man’s Child-Slaves to the World
One of the grandfathers of the Norwegian’s second coming, these guys take a more melodic stance on the sound but still keep that old-school fire intact here. The riffs absolutely blaze forth, unleashing a series of catchy and memorable songs that come off like a hellstorm of intensity, yet never once sacrifice anything in terms of melody. The drums are again a highlight, as are most of the OMC back-catalog, and they keep the album’s intensity and pace up and blaring all the way through, even when they introduce a few atmospheric touches on the intros. Even the gritty vocals prove their melodic worth, raspy without being overly unrecognizable and adding in the perfect touch with their sound. Perhaps the most accessible of these bands, they’ve always been counted on to deliver quality and they have done so here again. Might not be their best, but it’s a fun ride nonetheless.
2. Ensiferum-From Afar
Unlike most other Viking/Pagan Black Metallers, these guys are much more accessible and catchy, due mainly to the fact that they make it much more Symphonic in nature with some of the most liberal use of keyboards for the genre, and at times is sounds a little like they’re from an epic movie soundtrack. It allows for a never-ending sense of majesty and grandeur that most of their compatriots never attempt and makes for an exhilarating listen at times. When they pile on the Black Metal, though, there’s certainly no stopping them as they’re mix of Thrash riffs in Black Metal tempo and tone is a wonderful mix, and with a more accessible vocalist at the helm as well, these guys are going to be big if they continue on this path they’ve started with a bang here.
1. Hermh-Cold Blooded Messiah
If my friend hadn’t sent me a gift with these guys in there, I wouldn’t have known about them so I have to say thanks for that. This is just an utterly brutal album, sounding like Symphonic Death/Black Metal, kinda like modern-day Behemoth with keyboards, creating one of the heaviest and most bombastic releases of the year. The Gregorian Chants in the background are simply atmospheric to say the least, the vocals are caustic and incredibly raspy, again mixing in the two different styles and the keyboards are a great mix to the tidal wave the rest of the band utilizes. From the frenzied drumming and catchy guitar-playing, there’s no shortage of areas to like on this one and it makes for one of the most promising bands to come along in the style in a long time.