Matt's Top 10 Albums of 2013

Another year has come and gone, so before I go out to my New Years Party (Which is, sadly, not metal) I figured I would hit you guys up with my top ten records of the year. It's been a pretty crazy twelve months and obviously far more good records came out this year. I actually tend towards death metal here because SO MUCH good stuff was put out this year.


1. Carcass-Surgical Steel
It's Carcass, it's their first record in 17 years, they're basically one of the best bands in the world and this is quite literally a top 10 all time death metal record. The lords of gore are back and quite honestly, better than ever. I was nervous for a while as to how this album would turn out, but from the opening bars of the leak of Captive Bolt Pistol I knew it would slay. This record is definitely on par with Heartwork and suggests that the band could really bring it in the future. Suffice to say, I am begging for a sequel, the second part of Carcass's career might end up being the best!


2. Windhand/Cough-Reflections of the Negative
When I saw Windhand live a few months ago, it was basically a religious experience, their music is magic, powerful and simply almighty. Cough, who provide the first half of the split are actually the highlight for me, their contribution blows my mind every time. This is doom metal at its finest, a split between two of the greatest doom metal bands on the scene, a scene where doom is really dominating. With the promise of more from Cough next year I am psyched.


3. Windhand-Soma
Yeah, yeah, same band two entries in a row, but Soma is simply THAT good. The 30 minute closer Boleskine has actually made its way to being one of my favorite songs of all time. These guys create progressions that are simply out of this universe, masterpieces that you fall into with no restraint. There is an undying and holy power here that will not be tamed Be careful when listening to Soma you might never find your way out.


4. Gorguts-Colored Sands
Their first record in ten years, dude, this album, THIS ALBUM, Gorguts did something very different from previous records, but by god is it awesome. Backed up by a dream team of musicians Luc Lemay has created a powerful artistic statement. I can not wait to hear more from this new and exciting iteration of Gorguts. Not a lot of bands can get a record this varied that still sounds like it is a part of a whole, just listen, you won't regret it.


5. Bloodmoon-Voidbound
Yes, this is kind of my pet band, I love Bloodmoon so much and I will defend them with every bone in my body. There debut Orenda made my top 10 list last year and lets just say, Voidbound is a huge development on that record. With a third release already in the works and due out in 2014 I am anticipating great things from these dudes, they are bringing the doom across America, watch out for them to become huge in the next few years.


6. Rivers of Nihil-The Conscious Seed of Light
Simply put, Rivers of Nihil are the 2010's answer to Revocation (More on them later) The Conscious Seed of Light is a positively stunning debut from the harsh growls to the top notch bass playing there is a lot to love about this record, it even has some sick cover art! What I love about this record is that it fuses the old with new, an old school death metal record that could not have come out any other year than 2013, this will cause necks to snap, lets leave it at that.


7. Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats-Mind Control
Sure this record has an 'old school' sound, but it is so much more than vest metal. You see, these guys don't go for the easy trap of 'classic' riffs, instead they create mysterious droning soundscapes that somehow still fit into the good old Black Sabbath style. Now, my dad has seen them live and told me they are excellent, I can't wait to catch them in 2014. If you want something sludgy, heavy, and strangely brutal, Mind Control is the record for you!


8. Revocation-Revocation
The thrash gods in the making are back with another top notch record. Although it may be weaker than 2012's Chaos of Forms there is still a lot to love about this release. I get the feeling Revocation are still building their sound, every record they put out has something different and the way they are going seems very exciting. Look for more crazed development from these guys, they have a lot of promising ideas and I'm thrilled to see where they will be going!


9. Orphaned Land-All is One
Now here is one that I haven't seen on a lot of top ten lists and I can't really fathom why. There is mainstream appeal here (I got my mom to listen to a side) and the performances are all stellar. Maybe it's just because the lyrics are too Jesus-centered? This is one of the very few non Satanic 'religious' metal records I can tolerate and I demand more. Orphaned Land have just put out their best release to date and I think their future will be very bright.


10. Nails-Abandon All Life
Ready to get your bones smashed to a pulp in under twenty minutes? Nails is quite literally, the new Carcass. They have a lot going on and their music is ridiculously brutal. Yet it's pretty clear that these guys have some RIDICULOUS technical chops. There is no way that Nails won't become huge, they practically already are. This is one of the bands who people will remember twenty years from now, so prepare yourself for the downbeat of a lifetime!

Peter Tomis of Bloodmoon shares his top 10 metal albums of 2012

Peter Tomis of Bloodmoon recently did me the honor of writing about his top 10 metal albums of 2012. Check it out!

Pallbearer - Sorrow and Extinction
Pallbearer's debut album undoubtedly blew everyone who heard it's mind this year, mine included. Bummed I only caught the tail end of their set at the Scion showcase, but i'll be strapped in for a full set come the Enslaved tour next year. This album is what music is all about, no expectations, no marketing plan, no ego, no bullshit. Just some dudes that got together with the goal of making a rad sounding album, im sure glad they did! Even with the recent doom trend consuming the black metal trend of yesteryear, Pallbearer remains a beacon of originality in this genre and I can't wait to hear more!

Nadja - Dagdrom
Surprise find at the tail end of the year. I have been listening to Nadja's Touched on a regular basis since high school and while I can appreciate the albums between, Dagdrom hooked me in again and will join Touched in heavy rotation for the remainder of my life. Much more natural sounding than the Nadja im used to, tone sounds fuller and less digital on all fronts while still retaining the melancholy, wall of sound Nadja is so well known for.

Deathspell Ωmega - Drought
Much more analog and raw sounding than previous releases in a very good way, a bit less angry and evil, a bit more brooding and dismal, but it's still Deathspell, and it still fuckin' rules.

Absvrdist - Illusory
Another Debut album! Featuring Faceless drummer Lyle Cooper, Illusory takes deathgrind to the next level, reminding us all that creativity has a role equal to technicality when it comes to brutal music.

Neurosis - Honor Found in Decay
All around amazing. Concept, design, sound, lyrics...everything about this album is just perfect. While not my favorite Neurosis release to date, this album is a great accomplishment especially considering that most bands that are together as long as Neurosis aren't doing anything near this awesome currently. Had a chance to hear these songs live as well last month and Neurosis honestly shames any other band with heavy tendencies...even bands I love, Neurosis just has the weight deep within themselves so it is constantly reflected through their projects.

Author & Punisher - Ursus Americanus
I was very stoked to hear some of the heaviest industrial music since Godflesh, but whats more is A&P's sole member, Tristan Shone, custom engineered his own electronic instruments AND speaker enclosures for this album. The time and care spent definitely shines through and this album really inspires me and gives me hope for music of the future. Not many people have the knowledge to build machinery like this, but even given the knowledge you would still need the passion, drive and talent that Shone obviously has to accomplish something this genuinely crushing.

Kayo Dot - Gamma Knife
Not only was this album recorded live, but even taken so far as to include organized audience participation in parts which is an amazing idea i'd love to see used more often. Aside from the recording process Kayo Dot prove yet again that they are a cut above the rest by seamlessly transitioning through countless absolutely baffling movements. If you are a musician that thinks you have it all figured out when it comes to writing, i'd suggest you listen to Gamma Knife and bring yourself back down to earth...you've got some work to do if you can ever come anything close to this.

Dysrhythmia - Test of Submission
Dysrhythmia are the pinnacle of what it means to be a musician. The structures are so interesting that vocals are never welcome or even necessary for that matter. I hope some fans of deathcore and djent get a chance to listen to this...and cry because the groove and rhythm are so vastly superior without trying half as hard. Has a similar effect as the Kayo Dot album, if you want to push yourself further as a musician, study this release...HARD.

Gojira - L'Enfant Sauvage
Probably my most listened to album of the year. When it comes to death metal(i dont even really consider Gojira death metal, but close enough...) they may not be the most technical band around, or have the most grotesque lyrics, or overindulgent drumming...but one thing they do have that most bands that employ the aforementioned tactics will never have is chemistry. The brotherhood between the Duplantiers shines through in the recordings, the way every musician is working within their own space yet still working toward the bigger picture. The lyrics have substance and meaning, every stroke of every note is played with 100% conviction. All of these factors have secured L'Enfant Sauvage in my collection til the end.

Old Man Gloom - NO
The long anticipated return of OMG did everything but disappoint, heavy, droney in parts(superiorly so, the feedback control is immaculate) fast and grinding in others. This album also contains my favorite lyrics of the year and i'll end this post on this existential thought: "Human vermin, human ants, we're no different. Don't forget. Mother nature's cruelest trick gorge ourselves until we're sick human tapeworms, human ticks, we're no different, don't forget"