2020 Metal ’n’ Heavy Rock/Heavy Music Poll: RESULTS – Top 100 Countdown

nice one adam, now everyone knows your real name

We can google proof you to Anal N if you like?

yeah, good going Angus!

#12

Ulcerate – Stare Into Death and Be Still

381 points, 12 votes

https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a0118737312_10.jpg

https://ulcerate.bandcamp.com/album/stare-into-death-and-be-still

You’ve seen it happen. Your favorite band, who released some of the best records you’ve ever heard, who completely changed the way you thought about music, who could do no wrong, release a new record that you just can’t enjoy. You don’t know what to do. Maybe you lose some respect for the band. Maybe you lose some respect for yourself – for putting too much faith in your heroes or for failing to appreciate what must be a work of genius far beyond your understanding. It sucks.

At least, I imagine it would. You see, I can’t relate to your shameful feelings because the band that reshaped my understanding of music was Ulcerate. Everything Is Fire ignited my passion for their visionary re-invention of extreme metal, and every Ulcerate record thereafter has been an unqualified success. From the post/death metal synthesis of The Destroyers of All, through the ragged and ferocious take on that sound in Vermis, to the gradual introduction of melody in Shrines of Paralysis, each of the Auckland trio’s subsequent albums expanded the Fire sound into a modern classic. Their latest is no exception.

Stare into Death may be Ulcerate’s most approachable record, but it is unmistakably an Ulcerate record, and “approachable” for adherents of their winding, dissonant, and atmospheric death metal will still equate to “unlistenable” for most. It adventures into more melodic territory than Shrines of Paralysis did before it but retains the dense counterpoint and murky tonality of an Ulcerate record. The title track provides a perfect synopsis of Stare into Death and be Still; Michael Hoggard’s endlessly shifting phrases flow between atmospheric waves, driving riffs, and anthemic melodies, almost always in cross-motion between right and left. Cymbals shimmer and skins buckle under Jamie St Merat’s equally restless drumming, and an almost subsonic bass growls in Paul Kelland’s hands. At the song’s apex bleak melody completely takes over, harmonized only at the edges of phrases as Kelland roars the eponymous command.

https://www.angrymetalguy.com/ulcerate-stare-into-death-and-be-still-review/

Anal Nadswound

omg wtf this is like 12 places lower than I thought, are we really doing DM this wrong???

I'm sad that we didn't get any drive-by snipes from ILXors who disdain the very existence of metal.

This Thy Catafalque album is the business!

My #2, fucking phenomenal record. Could've been my #1 depending on my mood.

I agree that this is shamefully low.

I was sure this would be top 3! immense album

I voted for this, probably much too low. It's completely awesome. They are monsters, and they know when to hold back

voted for this one! liked this one better than some of the other Ulcerate I've heard (which I also like but not as much as this one)

Yeah, wow, I thought this would be higher.

I had some mind-warping experiences listening to this.

very good record. destroyers of all still the peak of mt ulcerate for me tho.

yeah, this placement feels low. I put this in the bottom third of my ballot cause I figured it didn't need my help, but it is incredible.

Black Curse is awesome btw, its simplicity of composition allows the sound and mood to pour forth unchecked

This level of intensity is almost psychedelic

(which Ulcerate also manage)

Is it possible that Sweven won the death metal category? That would make me very happy.

I think it's possible Sweven missed out completely, which would probably entitle Ultros to hunt me down and attack me with axes

Actually, Imperial Triumphant is still to come. Y'all liked that one.

IT aren't DM at all really though

will be sad and confused if Sweven isn't still up ahead.

okok Sweven will make it haha

but then...what won't? Paysage D'Hiver?

Well we can safely say one legendary band was 102'd. Not hinting at who though

omg we double FPed a band?

My guess is Testament got 102'd.

I said legendary

that'd be weirdly high for an album that was good but not really exemplary

if we don't get Slift even among the Top Ten Of Shit Imago Likes i will throw a mild wobbly lol

xpost - Neanderthal - the Testament was my guess for #102.

But I guess Oor Neechy would say they don't qualify as "legendary".

O wow, there is a perennial uncvlt fave that I now think may not place.

Well yeah, my man didn't do a metal album last year

there's no way paysage d'hiver doesn't make it in

#11

Slift – Ummon

391 points, 10 votes

https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a1086175569_10.jpg

https://open.spotify.com/album/0fq6gHjQJmkGatVu0SVZwW?si=ojcIeKW5Q8upfuDjyN7s_A

https://slift.bandcamp.com/album/ummon

Following up their debut full-length album, Slift return with another blast of their psychedelic fuzz-drenched space-rock and build on their previous releases to produce, once again, a dizzying journey beyond the stars. They open with the album title track and from the off they whip in alternating rhythms and grooves that blend as one. Moving on from their debut, the song’s vocals growl with more intensity, a threatening side that at once contrasts and compliments the shifting soundscape beneath the verses. When the fuzz pedal clicks on though, the band launch as one in a full-on attack. On their journey, they are switching between the sounds of them slamming on the rocket boosters and then lifting off to float off into the heavens.

It’s Coming links straight back to their previous album with its spinning arpeggios and filtered vocals, while lead single Hyperion pounds along on a driving beat that hold together the surging guitars, reining in the chaos. The energy of the band is garage-rock, but at their heart, they never stray too far from their Krautrock core and seem unafraid of allowing the songs to take control as they almost fall into freeform jams. It’s a feeling that you’re never completely sure of exactly where each song will take you, and that’s what keeps you inside their world.

On Dark Was Space, Cold Were The Stars, the band are drenched in pure 60s psych. The harmonies meld over wonderful brushes of sweeping guitars in total Pink Floyd homage. The song stands out from the density of what leads up to it and results in a shift in style that they continue on with Aurore Aux Confins, a blissful and almost choral instrumental. After spinning through hyperspace the band are drifting off to new worlds, but, as epic album closer Lions, Tigers and Bears ramps up at the end, again with the roaring vocals that open the record, it’s clear that the band are not sticking around here for long.

With new worlds to explore, Slift are taking off again.

https://louderthanwar.com/slift-ummon-album-review/

Didn't make the Top Ten = wobbly ;)

Lol I am not talking about our hessian lord.

I feel we should bask in the entire unfolded cover btw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJoLGNu5BFY

Anyway this was my #4. Just like...70 minutes of enormous, unrelentingly propulsive and thrilling spacerock. It's Coming and Citadel On A Satellite are two early highlights but I think the whole thing is worth hearing

Discovered from a random KEXP live recommendation on YouTube (which was tbf an insanely good performance).

I haven't heard this but I probably should've

yeah this was a random Youtube rec, put it on just wanting to sample, ended up watching the whole thing, boggling that three guys could make that much righteous Hawkwind racket

then the album was even better

Ummon might be the 2020 ILM recommendation I'm most thankful for. Amazing album. Was a perfect stoney escape during a shitty year. Really want to see them play these live.

yea, never heard of this one. but kinda burned out on space jams a while ago, so I haven't really been paying attention.

it's very...grounded for a space album. and their melodic sensibilities are weirdly austere, sounding like...idk, entrance music for an ancient ritual or something...but they work perfectly

that sounds cool & the enthusiasm is contagious, so think I'll take a return trip this afternoon!

returning the compliment, Black Curse album ended incredibly, those last two tracks were insane

Slift was my #5

Yeah I loved Ummon a lot. Def a top fiver for me. Great job of marrying the cataclysm of Rallizes with the kind of serene wanderlust of classic Yes