HMaM Global Mod
Post by GL on Dec 31, 2010 13:38:38 GMT -5
Death Metal- Since this New Year turning over is actually the end of the decade, let's take a look at the last decade in Death Metal:
2000-
10. Mental Horror-Proclaiming Vengeance
9. Krisiun-Conquerors of Armageddon
8. Obscenity-Intense
7. Dismember-Hate Campaign
6. Immolation-Close to a World Below
5. Nile-Black Seeds of Vengeance
4. Krabathor-Unfortunately Dead
3. Vader-Litany
2. Dying Fetus-Destroy the Opposition
1. Amon Amarth-The Avenger
Granted, this wasn’t an impressive year, but giving it to these guys wasn’t that hard a challenge. One of the more impressive Scandinavian newcomers, these guys are rather unique in that, while they delve into similar lyrical territory as their fellow Swedes in exploring Viking lives and times in more traditional Death Metal territory. There’s still plenty of Black Metal on display here, an obvious influence from their heritage, but there’s far more Death on display here, and that makes them a refreshing and unique listen. Due to the fact that there’s far faster tempos on display than traditional Black Metal, it allows the songs a lot of room to breathe and create an impressive aura and atmosphere, especially during the breakdowns which aren’t so much associated with Black Metal. The guitars are razor-sharp and vicious, the drums are just relentless and the vocals are as caustic and vicious as other Scandinavian groups. These guys should be around for a while, especially if they can get a cleaner production-job in the future.
2001-
10. Skinless-Foreshadowing Our Demise
9. Benediction-Organized Chaos
8. Rebaelliun-Annihilation
7. Abhorrence-Evoking the Abomination
6. Diabolic-Subterraneal Magnitude
5. Vomitory-Revelation Nausea
4. Kataklysm-Epic (The Poetry of War)
3. Behemoth-Thelema.6
2. Sinister-Creative Killings
1. Blood Red Throne-Monument of Death
Never before has a band’s debut album ever been awarded with the Album of the Year ranking, so just keep that in mind and realize the importance of me putting them here. This is some of the tightest, most vicious Death Metal recorded in years, and you can clearly tell the best of the early Floridian groups reached the Norwegian shores, as this could’ve come out ten years ago and been lost in the mire. By mixing in unparalleled songwriting, absolutely killer compositions and thunderous playing with one of the most commanding mixes in the genre, it makes this so much more impressive that it came from a debut act. With those infamous guttural growls making for a killer sound and an absolutely essential amount of great songs make this even better. Granted, it’s somewhat of a super-group, but to be this good this early is quite a shock. Absolutely no song is a filler, it’s just a non-stop mix of high-quality Death Metal from one of the finest acts to come along in a long time, and will be one to watch in years to come.
2002-
10. Fleshcrawl-Soulskinner
9. Malevolent Creation-The Will to Kill
8. Obscenity-Cold Blooded Murder
7. Houwitser-Rage Inside the Womb
6. Vader-Revelations
5. Kataklysm-Shadows and Dust
4. Decapitated-Nihility
3. Cannibal Corpse-Gore Obsessed
2. Nile-In Their Darkened Shrines
1. Grave-Back from the Grave
Perhaps the best of the old-school Swedish groups, these guys always impressed me and never really had a bad album, and it was surely fun to see them come back together, especially since they narrowly won out in an extremely competitive field this year. Mixing in their penchant for the Swedish-style Death (raspy vocals, chainsaw-buzzing guitars, thunderous drumming and a killer production mix) for a slight ease-up on the throttle and letting the songs breathe a little bit makes this a great, hard-hitting album that’s far more punishing than their earlier albums and makes it that much more impressive that they missed as much time as they did and still put out quality. If they promise us more like this, they’ll be in for the long haul and I won’t complain about that.
2003-
10. Kabbal-Synthetically Revived
9. Beheaded-Recounts of Disembodiment
8. Callenish Circle-My Passion//Your Pain
7. Behemoth-Zos Kia Kultus
6. Arch Enemy-Anthems of Rebellion
5. Vital Remains-Dechristianize
4. Diabolic-Infinity Through Purification
3. Amon Amarth-Vs. The World
2. Krisiun-Works of Carnage
1. Dying Fetus-Stop at Nothing
A fast, vicious slice of technical Death/Grind, this here is easily their best album and manages to win out here despite some stiff competition this year. Filled with their trademark dual vocal assault, the punishing blasts, those guitar sweeps that add, if not melody, at least some tonal variety, to the band's attack, there’s an inherent intensity here marked by the inclusion of some of the most insanely technical riffs and arrangements they’ve ever done. It even manages to retain their groove-centered origins and makes for some really catchy moments amongst the whole blasting going on. The whole thing is a rather short affair, if you could find a flaw here, but it’s not that detrimental at all and really seems to work well, the length making this all that much more devastating. This was a close race, but these guys here deserve it.
2004-
10. Vomitory-Primal Massacre
9. Decapitated-The Negation
8. Malevolent Creation-Warkult
7. Deicide-Scars of the Crucifix;
6. Grave-Fiendish Regression
5. Necrophagist-Epitaph
4. Vader-The Beast
3. Suffocation-Souls to Deny
2. Cannibal Corpse-The Wretched Spawn
1. Bloodbath-Blasphemy Made Flesh
Well, it was a tough choice, but I eventually have to go with this one. Easily the best of the various Death Metal supergroups around, these guys finally struck it right with this very fine and technically proficient splatter of Swedish Death. Raging with those vicious and flesh-ripping guitars driving home plenty of melody and brutality, a classic trademark, with thunderous drumming and a typically amazing production job, this here is a classic example of what made them so good in the first place and why this genre is so good, and with the songs displaying a variety of tempo and mood-changes, it makes the songs that much more of a fuller experience rather than just a collection of singles and offers a more cohesive feel overall. With the personnel responsible for this, it wasn’t much of a surprise why it’s so good either, since each one gets plenty of chances to showcase their wares, yet another example of why this is the best supergroup in the genre and why they’ll be a force to be reckoned with for years.
2005-
10. Beheaded-Ominous Bloodline
9. Kaamos-Lucifer Rising
8. Origin-Echoes of Decimation
7. Immolation-Harnessing Ruin
6. Divine Empire-Method of Execution
5. Arch Enemy-Doomsday Machine
4. Nightrage-Descend into Chaos
3. Vile-The New Age of Chaos
2. Hate Eternal-I, Monarch
1. Nile-Annihilation of the Wicked
.jpg)
A controversial choice this year, but frankly, this was such a blast to get into that it deserves recognition regardless. From a stand-point of offering up something besides the usual blood-and-gore lyrics, this is definitely an innovation with the themes presented here, but also from a stand-point of offering up a series of songs that fit into that lyric theme and yet staying within the realm of Death Metal. And those songs are just simply devastating, with an almost-perfect amount of brutality and infusion of Egyptian imagery through the instruments and lyrics that it’s impossible to put down, with a core grouping of songs all providing their own share of fireworks from the ravenous guitar work, blistering drumming and remorseless inhuman brutality. Even the three all-mighty epics manage to stay interesting through the course of their combined 25 minutes of time, something very few epics can do, even in the course of this genre. A breath of fresh air, and definitely one that needs to be heard.
2006-
10. Goatwhore-A Haunting Curse
9. Misery Index-Discordia
8. Obscenity-Where Sinners Bleed
7. Sinister-Afterburner
6. Spawn of Possession-Noctambulant
5. Grave-As Rapture Comes
4. Vader-Impressions in Blood
3. Krisiun-AssassiNation
2. Deicide-The Stench of Redemption
1. Cannibal Corpse-Kill
Who makes the album of their career 11 albums in? What is quite possibly the best band on the planet, and this here is their magnum opus, filled with just about everything you could possibly ask for. You want groovy, memorable singles that showcase what the band is about for those who don’t know while not being so far removed from the rest of their sound it’ll alienate the hardcore fans? They’re here. How about dizzying displays of technical competency that shows they know more than just three simple chords that make it seem simple and easy? Yeah, they’re here. How about a sense of variety amongst the collection of songs, so they’re not all samey-sounding and just get repetitive? Yep, they’re in here, ranging from some of the absolute fastest material they’ve ever done to more melodic, mid-tempo selections and even a solid instrumental to round things off. Never before has the band been this ferocious in its delivery, immediacy and intent to damage, though, and that’s what makes this disc so insanely catchy and replay-able, with just about everything in here at the peak of their ability, with it’s absolutely relentless and frantic drumming, riffing so chaotic and controlled it’s just absolutely addictive, and perhaps one of their best vocal performances of all-time, as even with lyric sheets it’s almost impossible to catch up with them in singing along at times. Then, on top of all these other elements is one of the greatest production jobs ever put down for an album and it just makes the whole affair that much more devastating.
No contest, this wins Album of the Year. It’s not even a competition, there’s just no chance for anything else, and look how good it was. This is now the forerunner for Album of the Decade as well, and it’ll be a hard, hard task of taking Album of the Millennium away from this one as well.
2007-
10. Defeated Sanity-Psalms to the Moribund
9. Malevolent Creation-Doomsday X
8. Dying Fetus-War of Attrition
7. Arch Enemy-Rise of the Tyrant
6. Blood Red Throne-Come Death
5. Paths of Possession-The End of the Hour
4. Nile-Ithyphallic
3. Vomitory-Terrorize Brutalize Sodomize
2. Aeon-Rise to Dominate
1. Vital Remains-Icons of Evil
Technically-extravagant brutal Death Metal fronted by a rabid Glen Benton, overstuffed to the point of extravagance and loaded with more time-changes, virtuoso guitar soloing and utterly devastating double-bass blasting, this here is pretty much one of the best at the style out there. Rampaging over everything like a tank, this here is a brutal album yet it still shockingly manages to retain a sense of direction instead of following the norm and just blasting away with abandon, mainly due to the fact that there’s so much to love about the musical performances. The highlight here is the inhuman drumming, as it’s eons better than most of the style and makes it fit in with the brutality on display, with a crushing mix from the guitars than are a lot more memorable and catchy than would be expected from a band of the style and makes this seem all the more impressive. This one was just a bulldozer than ran roughshod and pummeled itself to the top of this list, and easily marks the highpoint of their career thus far. Now let’s see what Glen’s main band does, as he’s on a roll right now that’s really fun to see.
2008-
10. Origin-Antithesis
9. Misery Index-Traitors
8. Decrepit Birth-Diminishing Between Worlds
7. Brain Drill-Apocalyptic Feasting
6. Grave-Dominion VIII
5. Hate Eternal-Fury and Flames
4. Deicide-Till Death Do Us Part
3. Krisiun-Southern Storm
2. Amon Amarth-Twilight of the Thunder Gods
1. Katakylsm-Prevail
Yet another year with a blasting Katakylsm album, you know exactly what’s going to happen here, heavy guitars that are just absolutely crushingly heavy, filled with melody and that just amazing groove they ride out that makes their songs so memorable and groovy at the same time. With an increased emphasis on the melodic aspects of their music though, this one comes off as a more mature effort especially in the sense of keeping all the usual blasting parts. Making it feel all the more cohesive is the usual quality mix afforded them, which allows their manic drumming and vicious guitar riffs to stand out a little more and makes for some truly atmospheric moments throughout the album. There’s also the effect of the album getting better the further it goes since the album has the more melodic songs up front while the more brutal ones are towards the end, and it gives the album a rather interesting effect. Another high quality release from a rather impressive band.
2009-
10. Cattle Decapitation-The Harvest Floor
9. Suffocation-Blood Oath
8. Goatwhore-Carving Out the Eyes of God
7. Hypocrisy-A Taste of Extreme Divinity
6. Vader-Necropolis
5. Nile-Those Whom the Gods Detest
4. Dying Fetus-Descend into Depravity
3. Fleshgod Apocalypse-Oracles
2. Behemoth-Evangelion
1. Cannibal Corpse-Evisceration Plague
.jpg)
Now, this might be the fan boy in me talking, or it could be because Cannibal Corpse has always delivered time and time again, but they once again have made the best Death Metal album of the year, and are one of the rare bands that have won this rating for their genre for back-to-back releases. Despite slowing down on the throttle that earned them the spot last time, they still manage to keep the brutality amongst it all, making all the usual Corpse elements in fine order. With the rabid drumming, flesh-ripping guitars and once-again just utterly inhuman Death Metal growling topping off a fine selection of material that never manages to stay in memory like last time but feels more solid and cohesive as a whole, this one is just a blast to listen to. Coupled with yet another outstanding and devastating production, this is just as good as anything they’ve done before. Eh, I’m in a good mood this year, I’ll award them overall Album of the Year for their second straight album.
2000-
10. Mental Horror-Proclaiming Vengeance
9. Krisiun-Conquerors of Armageddon
8. Obscenity-Intense
7. Dismember-Hate Campaign
6. Immolation-Close to a World Below
5. Nile-Black Seeds of Vengeance
4. Krabathor-Unfortunately Dead
3. Vader-Litany
2. Dying Fetus-Destroy the Opposition
1. Amon Amarth-The Avenger
Granted, this wasn’t an impressive year, but giving it to these guys wasn’t that hard a challenge. One of the more impressive Scandinavian newcomers, these guys are rather unique in that, while they delve into similar lyrical territory as their fellow Swedes in exploring Viking lives and times in more traditional Death Metal territory. There’s still plenty of Black Metal on display here, an obvious influence from their heritage, but there’s far more Death on display here, and that makes them a refreshing and unique listen. Due to the fact that there’s far faster tempos on display than traditional Black Metal, it allows the songs a lot of room to breathe and create an impressive aura and atmosphere, especially during the breakdowns which aren’t so much associated with Black Metal. The guitars are razor-sharp and vicious, the drums are just relentless and the vocals are as caustic and vicious as other Scandinavian groups. These guys should be around for a while, especially if they can get a cleaner production-job in the future.
2001-
10. Skinless-Foreshadowing Our Demise
9. Benediction-Organized Chaos
8. Rebaelliun-Annihilation
7. Abhorrence-Evoking the Abomination
6. Diabolic-Subterraneal Magnitude
5. Vomitory-Revelation Nausea
4. Kataklysm-Epic (The Poetry of War)
3. Behemoth-Thelema.6
2. Sinister-Creative Killings
1. Blood Red Throne-Monument of Death
Never before has a band’s debut album ever been awarded with the Album of the Year ranking, so just keep that in mind and realize the importance of me putting them here. This is some of the tightest, most vicious Death Metal recorded in years, and you can clearly tell the best of the early Floridian groups reached the Norwegian shores, as this could’ve come out ten years ago and been lost in the mire. By mixing in unparalleled songwriting, absolutely killer compositions and thunderous playing with one of the most commanding mixes in the genre, it makes this so much more impressive that it came from a debut act. With those infamous guttural growls making for a killer sound and an absolutely essential amount of great songs make this even better. Granted, it’s somewhat of a super-group, but to be this good this early is quite a shock. Absolutely no song is a filler, it’s just a non-stop mix of high-quality Death Metal from one of the finest acts to come along in a long time, and will be one to watch in years to come.
2002-
10. Fleshcrawl-Soulskinner
9. Malevolent Creation-The Will to Kill
8. Obscenity-Cold Blooded Murder
7. Houwitser-Rage Inside the Womb
6. Vader-Revelations
5. Kataklysm-Shadows and Dust
4. Decapitated-Nihility
3. Cannibal Corpse-Gore Obsessed
2. Nile-In Their Darkened Shrines
1. Grave-Back from the Grave
Perhaps the best of the old-school Swedish groups, these guys always impressed me and never really had a bad album, and it was surely fun to see them come back together, especially since they narrowly won out in an extremely competitive field this year. Mixing in their penchant for the Swedish-style Death (raspy vocals, chainsaw-buzzing guitars, thunderous drumming and a killer production mix) for a slight ease-up on the throttle and letting the songs breathe a little bit makes this a great, hard-hitting album that’s far more punishing than their earlier albums and makes it that much more impressive that they missed as much time as they did and still put out quality. If they promise us more like this, they’ll be in for the long haul and I won’t complain about that.
2003-
10. Kabbal-Synthetically Revived
9. Beheaded-Recounts of Disembodiment
8. Callenish Circle-My Passion//Your Pain
7. Behemoth-Zos Kia Kultus
6. Arch Enemy-Anthems of Rebellion
5. Vital Remains-Dechristianize
4. Diabolic-Infinity Through Purification
3. Amon Amarth-Vs. The World
2. Krisiun-Works of Carnage
1. Dying Fetus-Stop at Nothing
A fast, vicious slice of technical Death/Grind, this here is easily their best album and manages to win out here despite some stiff competition this year. Filled with their trademark dual vocal assault, the punishing blasts, those guitar sweeps that add, if not melody, at least some tonal variety, to the band's attack, there’s an inherent intensity here marked by the inclusion of some of the most insanely technical riffs and arrangements they’ve ever done. It even manages to retain their groove-centered origins and makes for some really catchy moments amongst the whole blasting going on. The whole thing is a rather short affair, if you could find a flaw here, but it’s not that detrimental at all and really seems to work well, the length making this all that much more devastating. This was a close race, but these guys here deserve it.
2004-
10. Vomitory-Primal Massacre
9. Decapitated-The Negation
8. Malevolent Creation-Warkult
7. Deicide-Scars of the Crucifix;
6. Grave-Fiendish Regression
5. Necrophagist-Epitaph
4. Vader-The Beast
3. Suffocation-Souls to Deny
2. Cannibal Corpse-The Wretched Spawn
1. Bloodbath-Blasphemy Made Flesh
Well, it was a tough choice, but I eventually have to go with this one. Easily the best of the various Death Metal supergroups around, these guys finally struck it right with this very fine and technically proficient splatter of Swedish Death. Raging with those vicious and flesh-ripping guitars driving home plenty of melody and brutality, a classic trademark, with thunderous drumming and a typically amazing production job, this here is a classic example of what made them so good in the first place and why this genre is so good, and with the songs displaying a variety of tempo and mood-changes, it makes the songs that much more of a fuller experience rather than just a collection of singles and offers a more cohesive feel overall. With the personnel responsible for this, it wasn’t much of a surprise why it’s so good either, since each one gets plenty of chances to showcase their wares, yet another example of why this is the best supergroup in the genre and why they’ll be a force to be reckoned with for years.
2005-
10. Beheaded-Ominous Bloodline
9. Kaamos-Lucifer Rising
8. Origin-Echoes of Decimation
7. Immolation-Harnessing Ruin
6. Divine Empire-Method of Execution
5. Arch Enemy-Doomsday Machine
4. Nightrage-Descend into Chaos
3. Vile-The New Age of Chaos
2. Hate Eternal-I, Monarch
1. Nile-Annihilation of the Wicked
A controversial choice this year, but frankly, this was such a blast to get into that it deserves recognition regardless. From a stand-point of offering up something besides the usual blood-and-gore lyrics, this is definitely an innovation with the themes presented here, but also from a stand-point of offering up a series of songs that fit into that lyric theme and yet staying within the realm of Death Metal. And those songs are just simply devastating, with an almost-perfect amount of brutality and infusion of Egyptian imagery through the instruments and lyrics that it’s impossible to put down, with a core grouping of songs all providing their own share of fireworks from the ravenous guitar work, blistering drumming and remorseless inhuman brutality. Even the three all-mighty epics manage to stay interesting through the course of their combined 25 minutes of time, something very few epics can do, even in the course of this genre. A breath of fresh air, and definitely one that needs to be heard.
2006-
10. Goatwhore-A Haunting Curse
9. Misery Index-Discordia
8. Obscenity-Where Sinners Bleed
7. Sinister-Afterburner
6. Spawn of Possession-Noctambulant
5. Grave-As Rapture Comes
4. Vader-Impressions in Blood
3. Krisiun-AssassiNation
2. Deicide-The Stench of Redemption
1. Cannibal Corpse-Kill
Who makes the album of their career 11 albums in? What is quite possibly the best band on the planet, and this here is their magnum opus, filled with just about everything you could possibly ask for. You want groovy, memorable singles that showcase what the band is about for those who don’t know while not being so far removed from the rest of their sound it’ll alienate the hardcore fans? They’re here. How about dizzying displays of technical competency that shows they know more than just three simple chords that make it seem simple and easy? Yeah, they’re here. How about a sense of variety amongst the collection of songs, so they’re not all samey-sounding and just get repetitive? Yep, they’re in here, ranging from some of the absolute fastest material they’ve ever done to more melodic, mid-tempo selections and even a solid instrumental to round things off. Never before has the band been this ferocious in its delivery, immediacy and intent to damage, though, and that’s what makes this disc so insanely catchy and replay-able, with just about everything in here at the peak of their ability, with it’s absolutely relentless and frantic drumming, riffing so chaotic and controlled it’s just absolutely addictive, and perhaps one of their best vocal performances of all-time, as even with lyric sheets it’s almost impossible to catch up with them in singing along at times. Then, on top of all these other elements is one of the greatest production jobs ever put down for an album and it just makes the whole affair that much more devastating.
No contest, this wins Album of the Year. It’s not even a competition, there’s just no chance for anything else, and look how good it was. This is now the forerunner for Album of the Decade as well, and it’ll be a hard, hard task of taking Album of the Millennium away from this one as well.
2007-
10. Defeated Sanity-Psalms to the Moribund
9. Malevolent Creation-Doomsday X
8. Dying Fetus-War of Attrition
7. Arch Enemy-Rise of the Tyrant
6. Blood Red Throne-Come Death
5. Paths of Possession-The End of the Hour
4. Nile-Ithyphallic
3. Vomitory-Terrorize Brutalize Sodomize
2. Aeon-Rise to Dominate
1. Vital Remains-Icons of Evil
Technically-extravagant brutal Death Metal fronted by a rabid Glen Benton, overstuffed to the point of extravagance and loaded with more time-changes, virtuoso guitar soloing and utterly devastating double-bass blasting, this here is pretty much one of the best at the style out there. Rampaging over everything like a tank, this here is a brutal album yet it still shockingly manages to retain a sense of direction instead of following the norm and just blasting away with abandon, mainly due to the fact that there’s so much to love about the musical performances. The highlight here is the inhuman drumming, as it’s eons better than most of the style and makes it fit in with the brutality on display, with a crushing mix from the guitars than are a lot more memorable and catchy than would be expected from a band of the style and makes this seem all the more impressive. This one was just a bulldozer than ran roughshod and pummeled itself to the top of this list, and easily marks the highpoint of their career thus far. Now let’s see what Glen’s main band does, as he’s on a roll right now that’s really fun to see.
2008-
10. Origin-Antithesis
9. Misery Index-Traitors
8. Decrepit Birth-Diminishing Between Worlds
7. Brain Drill-Apocalyptic Feasting
6. Grave-Dominion VIII
5. Hate Eternal-Fury and Flames
4. Deicide-Till Death Do Us Part
3. Krisiun-Southern Storm
2. Amon Amarth-Twilight of the Thunder Gods
1. Katakylsm-Prevail
Yet another year with a blasting Katakylsm album, you know exactly what’s going to happen here, heavy guitars that are just absolutely crushingly heavy, filled with melody and that just amazing groove they ride out that makes their songs so memorable and groovy at the same time. With an increased emphasis on the melodic aspects of their music though, this one comes off as a more mature effort especially in the sense of keeping all the usual blasting parts. Making it feel all the more cohesive is the usual quality mix afforded them, which allows their manic drumming and vicious guitar riffs to stand out a little more and makes for some truly atmospheric moments throughout the album. There’s also the effect of the album getting better the further it goes since the album has the more melodic songs up front while the more brutal ones are towards the end, and it gives the album a rather interesting effect. Another high quality release from a rather impressive band.
2009-
10. Cattle Decapitation-The Harvest Floor
9. Suffocation-Blood Oath
8. Goatwhore-Carving Out the Eyes of God
7. Hypocrisy-A Taste of Extreme Divinity
6. Vader-Necropolis
5. Nile-Those Whom the Gods Detest
4. Dying Fetus-Descend into Depravity
3. Fleshgod Apocalypse-Oracles
2. Behemoth-Evangelion
1. Cannibal Corpse-Evisceration Plague
Now, this might be the fan boy in me talking, or it could be because Cannibal Corpse has always delivered time and time again, but they once again have made the best Death Metal album of the year, and are one of the rare bands that have won this rating for their genre for back-to-back releases. Despite slowing down on the throttle that earned them the spot last time, they still manage to keep the brutality amongst it all, making all the usual Corpse elements in fine order. With the rabid drumming, flesh-ripping guitars and once-again just utterly inhuman Death Metal growling topping off a fine selection of material that never manages to stay in memory like last time but feels more solid and cohesive as a whole, this one is just a blast to listen to. Coupled with yet another outstanding and devastating production, this is just as good as anything they’ve done before. Eh, I’m in a good mood this year, I’ll award them overall Album of the Year for their second straight album.
