Rolling Metal 2018

Godspeed

Rather him than me looool.

Lugubrum sneaked an album out in late December btw:

https://thoseopposedrecords.bandcamp.com/album/wakar-cartel

I made it about halfway through the Therion thing. I didn't abandon it because it sucked - it's actually really good and well produced - but because life got in the way. Like I say, it's good, but three hours is a lot.

All rape and kidnapping charges against Decapitated have been dropped.

I am so digging this new Necrodancer 'Void' record - like brainbombs/monoshock mixed with sludgy hardcore - fun record.

The new Agrimonia (out 1/26, I think) is really good. It got me revisiting their back catalog.

xp ok u got my attention going to have to check that out

coming off more like the Arabrot of a few albums ago to me but feeling this, thx

Feel like the new Watain is an obv reaction to the fans that hated the last one

I quite liked Sworn to the Dark but am unable to recall a single second of their subsequent releases. The new one can't possibly be worse than The Wild Hunt, though.

It's much more like their previous albums

Necrodancer is reminding me of Okkultokrati and I have no problem with that at all.

OK I have a problem in that I don't think this got nominated for the poll? But otherwise it's all good.

New Summoning album is out now, With Doom We Come. These two trailers do not sound promising at all though.

Kim Kelly did a great interview with them:

https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/3k5vew/summoning-is-the-best-tolkien-obsessed-anti-fascist-metal-band-in-the-world

I really hope Napalm Records somehow screwed up those clips because they sound like complete ass, and while I'm one of the biggest Summoning fans in the world, there's absolutely no excuse for production that bad, after twenty years on a big label.

That is a good interview indeed. I wonder if we'll ever see another Ice Ages or Kreuzweg Ost album, these were fantastic projects.

the summoning album is fucking amazing.

and yeah the YouTube compression is severe - I listened to it on living room speakers having bought AACs through Bandcamp and it sounded very good. I do suspect that Summoning works at home mainly now, and bands working at home, in the metal world, has fucked up the fidelity in a general sense - studios exist/ed for a reason and should be utilized when the budget's there. but it's a great record, better than Old Morning's Dawn to my ears.

I do suspect that Summoning works at home mainly now, and bands working at home, in the metal world, has fucked up the fidelity in a general sense - studios exist/ed for a reason and should be utilized when the budget's there.

Just discussed this issue with Nortt for an upcoming Bandcamp Daily piece.

oh wow -- I like the Nortt record and am very eager to read this piece, to me his record sounds pretty great

I understand the gripe about the Summoning production but liked the songwriting I heard in the snippets so bought a copy....haven't had a chance to play yet

New Chaos Echoes is growing on me after initial mistrust.

Yeah, I don't love it as much as Transient. But they've also got another album coming out this year - a collaboration with Mats Gustafsson - and that one's wild.

Power Trip and Sheer Mag are touring together - I'm struggling to think of another co-headlining tour with less audience overlap

The new Visigoth video is appropriately silly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raBpZfbSX10

Turns out my quest for icy synthy black metal has led me to Paysage d'Hiver

new Drudkh in March on Season of Mist

Anybody wanna own up to still being a Destroyer 666 fan?

My favorite part is when Lil bb Keith admits he doesn't eat pussy by using "cunt suckers" pejoratively

OG article: https://t.co/3OcnDZZHXE pic.twitter.com/2XMd0C2Asn

— Lucretia Boredgia (@KelseyChapstick) January 12, 2018

people liked that shit? oh yeah they did. lol

surprised you didn't know them/him already Gott Punch -- if you also don't know, check out Darkspace asap

xxp Never heard them, never will, fuck that. On a related note I loooooove how much promotion (Swe) Shining's latest pile is getting straight up ignoring how much of a piece of shit that guy is.

when metal musicians turn out to be fuckheads, 95+% of the time their music is turgid bollocks

nokturnal mortum guy and varg are a rare breed

Deathspell are the ones in my collection that I have to kind of uncomfortably ignore how much of a fuckhead the vocalist is.

I can remember the relief I felt when I finally listened to a couple of Burzum albums for the first and last time before deciding that they were tepid bollocks.

This is unfortunate, I’m not a big fan of the older stuff but he last few Destroyer 666 albums are excellent.

The new Destroyer 666 EP is a load of cobblers though, it should be said. I was profoundly untroubled by deleting it from iTunes this morning.

Unperson: that collaboration sounds amazing - I'm failing to find anything online about it though - is it on UTECH, via that connection? Any info would be welcome.

I don't know if any of you out there still like Primordial, but the new album is splendid and powerful. I can't think of a better band that can reflect the societal chaos of 2018 than these guys.

The new Gnaw Their Tongues (Genocidal Majesty, Consouling Sounds, Feb 9) is intolerable after coffee and provigil. In a good way. Had to turn it off after four songs - giving me a full on nervo.

I don't know if any of you out there still like Primordial, but the new alb...

OMG THERE'S A NEW PRIMORDIAL ALBUM???

hey ultros, i'm curious to know what you find odious about M1ko (i assume he's the DSO dude you're talking about). i'm not going to defend him in any way as i tend to assume most all bm dudes are problematic on some level though there's nothing in DSO lyrics that i take issue with. now if you're talking about Clandestine Blaze then i see that and more so if you're thinking of his noise/pe projects like Grunt and Nicole 12. he certainly puts out dodgy stuff on his 2 labels. haha, i guess i've answered my own question. to his credit, i find him smarter and more considered in his thinking than warrants a wholesale dismissal.

Primordial is one of those bands where every time I put on their record, I'm super glad I did

Japanese art-metal weirdos Dir En Grey have a new 3CD best-of out, with all songs chosen by fans and re-recordings of three tracks; I wrote about it for Burning Ambulance. I saw them open for Deftones in 2008 and have been a fan ever since. Deftones were sluggish and dull; DEG were amazing.

xxp he's a racist and possible peadophile is my problem. I don't have an issue with the stuff that he contributes to Ds, his lyrics and vocal performance for them are fine in themselves but I'm not as good as other people at looking the other way when the performer is a shithead. The way I rationalise it is that MA has very little to do with what I really like about DsO which is the riffs and the drumming. I wouldn't mind one bit if MA was replaced, but, I mean the other members might be even worse but they at least keep their gobs shut whoever they are :/

new track from the next Portal -- album out in a couple of days

https://profoundlorerecords.bandcamp.com/track/phathom

clean/non-cavernous production, tried & true Portal guitar sound/riffing -- rhythmically angular, but still manages to drive forward. at the moment, hitting me like Beefheart death metal

Fabio Lione and Alessandro Conti have teamed up for an album coming out next week. Here's the first single/video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZW8Cj22KXtM

We never talked about Satan's Holllow did we? On the retro NWOBHM tip.

https://satanshallow.bandcamp.com/

I nominated them for the 2017 poll. Good album!

Jute Gyte/Spectral Lore split streamed a day early:

http://www.invisibleoranges.com/jute-gyte-spectral-lore/

Haven't been able to get that working on Chrome at all today. The streaming window keeps disappearing and turning into an advert. I can wait a day maybe

Nice idea. Senyawa and Julia Holter are definitely in my favourites.

Yob + Voivod + Amenra on tour next year:

Mar. 26 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line
Mar. 27 - Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall
Mar. 28 - Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups
Mar. 29 - Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
Mar. 30 - Toronto, ON @ Phoenix
Mar. 31 - Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom
Apr. 02 - Portland, ME @ Geno’s
Apr. 03 - Boston, MA @ Royale
Apr. 04 - Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw
Apr. 05 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
Apr. 06 - Richmond, VA @ Broadberry
Apr. 07 - Raleigh, NC @ Kings
Apr. 09 - Knoxville, TN @ Concourse
Apr. 10 - Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Hell)
Apr. 11 - New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jack’s
Apr. 12 - Houston, TX @ Warehouse
Apr. 13 - Austin, TX @ Barracuda
Apr. 14 - Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey
Apr. 16 - Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater *
Apr. 18 - Phoenix, AZ @ Club Red +
Apr. 19 - San Diego, CA @ Brick by Brick +

* No VOIVOD
+ YOB only

Yo shout out to Elkhorn on that list

Sunwatchers rule

http://thequietus.com/articles/25831-columnus-metallicus-20-best-heavy-metal-albums-of-2018

1. The Body – I Have Fought Against It But I Can’t Any Longer
2. Thou – Magus
3. Mournful Congregation – The Incubus of Karma
4. Sleep – The Sciences
5. Yob – Our Raw Heart
6. Svartiðaudi – Revelations of the Red Sword
7. Fórn – Rites of Despair
8. Imperceptum – Heart of Darkness
9. Sargeist – Unbound
10. Svalbard – It’s Hard To Have Hope
11. Kriegsmaschine – Apocalypticists
12. Deafheaven – Ordinary Corrupt Human Love
13. Infernal Coil – Within A World Forgotten
14. Cultes Des Ghoules – Sinister, Or Treading The Darker Paths
15. Closet Witch – Closet Witch
16. Slugdge – Esoteric Malacology
17. Agrimonia – Awaken
18. Evoken – Hypnagogia
19. Zeal & Ardor – Stranger Fruit
20. Vile Creature – Cast of Static and Smoke

Here's my Top Albums list which Invisible oranges just published:
http://www.invisibleoranges.com/brian-oneills-top-albums-of-2018

Something to look forward to in 2019!

The awe-inspiring Finnish metallic psychedelicists Oranssi Pazuzu and their Tampere cohorts Dark Buddha Rising, known for their grandiose slug-paced ritualist doom metal, have recorded a new album, which will be released on Svart Records on April 5th, 2019. The amalgam of these two entities is melted as one on Syntheosis, to be released under the moniker Waste of Space Orchestra.

oh hell yeah

speaking of 2019

You thought it was over, it's not over... Tomb Mold pic.twitter.com/lgiuuTKdpk

— 20 BUCK SPIN (@20buckspinlabel) December 21, 2018

Nice.

oh hell yeah [2]

Having fun with Nergal off stage:

https://scontent.fewr1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/48408358_1978857618850126_5488018629968527360_o.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ht=scontent.fewr1-3.fna&oh=ae81a714aa3a3d1052585be5a07e99e9&oe=5C9F7DE7

My management team today received this email below from Ben Umanov and Matt Rosenberg @ Metal Sucks. •
What we have here is a media outlet trying to create a controversial story in order to get clicks by whatever means they can. In this case they are trying to interpret comments, posts, photos and even t-shirts to paint me as something I’m not. For profit. They wanted me to give them a quote for their story to tell my side of things. But, I don’t feel compelled to help them with their news business. Instead, I will address the issues that they imply with my own statement in my own words direct to those who care to read it. •
First I will say this - I am my own person and am against any form of racism, fascism, discrimination or hate. As many of you know, I say a lot of crazy stuff, but I am prejudice against no human-being. I’m a controversial character, I’ll admit it…it’s part of me and sometimes I like to stir things up on purpose. When will I learn? Likely never. But, the simple fact is, I am an open-minded, loving, loyal person. •
Rob Darken - I took some photos recently backstage in Poland after a Behemoth show with Rob from Graveland, a buddy and fellow Pole. I have known Rob for many years since 1992 and we hang out sometimes in Wroclaw. He did some recordings on our first and second demo tapes. He also has a photo published in my book “Confessions Of A Heretic”. Rob and I share a love of black metal and its rich history. But aside from that, I don’t condone Rob’s personal ideals and agenda because I don’t know them. I can’t take responsibility for every person I take a photo with. •
Bölzer - We’re friends and we’ve toured several times. I don’t have to say much more myself about Okoi and Bolzer other than what Okoi says himself - go to Bölzer’s page for more! •
Eugenics – I have little knowledge and no interest in the subject. I made a comment about my countrymen not being suited to play football. It’s true, the post was removed, but I reposted moments later (still there) with an image more appropriate to the text as the previous was misconstrued. Story of my life!

seems legit, sorry 2 bother u Nergal

It's a very old discussion but I don't think Okoi is a racist. He got shit for a tattoo, his explanations showing massive naivety but not intolerance.

Honestly the pictures of him and his dad in his Facebook post on the subject were adorable and makes me think he dad was pretty cool (and definitely not white).

https://www.facebook.com/erosatarms/posts/it-is-disgusting-totally-infuriating-and-frankly-embarassing-the-lengths-some-pe/1637456716287584/

He did manage to be a total dick to the organisers of the small Swiss festival where I saw Bölzer play a couple years ago.

And yes that is a completely separate issue, I know.

I concur with the Bolzer issue. I know people who know people who know Okoi, and they vouch for him being not a racist, so I take them at their word. My own opinion is that Bolzer are edgelord bullshitters who don't take too well to being called out on such.

I forgot about Striker, cuz I haven't managed to find a digital dl to buy yet. Road Warrior's grown on me too, in the heavy metal list:

05. Striker – Play To Win
12. Road Warrior – Power

Ironflame - Tales Of Splendor And Sorrow: Second album from Brimstone Coven's Andrew D'Cagna. Some songs address Greco-Roman mythology, and closer "Our Great Defender" is an allegorical tribute to DIO!
https://tribunalrecords.bandcamp.com/album/tales-of-splendor-and-sorrow

For those who are interested my top (mostly) albums of the year.
http://www.invisibleoranges.com/brian-oneills-top-albums-of-2018

New Swallow the Sun EP, along with a video about the majesty of winter and shit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6mgM7szaWY

Favorite movie over the holiday weekend: Heavy Trip, the epic tale of Finland’s greatest symphonic post apocalyptic reindeer-grinding-Christ-abusing extreme war pagan Fennoscandian metal band, Impaled Rektum. Bottoms up to Jynkky in Valhalla! Also watched completely bonkers horror flick Mandy, which uses King Crimson's "Starless and Bible Black" as the theme song. Nick Cage is at his most unhinged since Vampire’s Kiss (1988), complete with a chainsaw battle. Lots of creepy, psychedelic horror. I’m traumatized.

Pretty interesting story pertinent to our photojournalist friends:

How I Got Banned from Photographing the Band Arch Enemy

that is disgusting. Angela Gossow's page is getting lit up with people calling her on it, too.

you expect more out of a popular band? *hollow laugh*

A lot of stuff I never heard of, and he also rattles off a long list of honorable mentions.

20 NWOTHM Albums of 2018

#20: Sign of the Jackal - Breaking the Spell
#19: Wytch Hazel - II: Sojourn
#18: Eliminator - Last Horizon
#17.1: Shadowkiller - Guardians of the Temple
#17.2: Ancient Empire - Eternal Soldier
#16: Evil-Lÿn - Disciple of Steel
#15: Lucifer's Hammer - Time Is Death
#14: Steelballs - Thunder Strikes Again
#13: Seven Sisters - The Cauldron and the Cross
#12: Espionage - Digital Dystopia
#11: Gatekeeper - East of Sun
#10. Manacle - No Fear to Persevere
#9. Lizzies - On Thin Ice
#8. Blackslash - Lightning Strikes Again
#7. Toledo Steel - No Quarter
#6. Striker - Play to Win
#5. Snakebite - Rise of the Snake
#4. Silver Talon - Becoming A Demon
#3. Haunt - Burst Into Flame
#2. Hitten - Twist of Fate
#1. Visigoth - Conqueror’s Oath

Friday's Viking's Choice podcast was pretty good:
https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2018/12/28/674533914/vikings-choice-the-year-in-the-loud-and-the-weird

Chapel of Disease, ... And As We Have Seen the Storm, We Have Embraced The Eye
Four words: Death-metal Dire Straits. No, wait, come back! Metal has long reckoned with its rock and roll roots, from Entombed's Wolverine Blues to Tribulation's flamboyantly gothic King Diamond worship. Germany's Chapel of Disease may have started as a Morbid Angel homage, but on its third album it embraces '70s hard-rock swagger, proggy sorcery and, most surprisingly, the fluid melodicism of Mark Knopfler's guitar work, all atop death-metal growls and chugged riffs. There's no reason why this should work, and it's a testament to Chapel of Disease's heavily worn record collection, as the group now raises fists and beer to the storm.
https://chapelofdisease.bandcamp.com/album/and-as-we-have-seen-the-storm-we-have-embraced-the-eye

There's a lot of Tribulation in the first track on that album (the only one I've listened to so far). Might be worth giving them $7.

Broooootal slamz of the day: Habitual Depravity's Realms of Abysmal Servitude:

https://realityfaderecords.bandcamp.com/album/realms-of-abysmal-servitude

some nice discoveries from the AMG lists that have yet to be mentioned in this thread: lovingly gloomy doom-black hybrid Eneferens (The Bleakness of Our Constant); Woods of Ypres-influenced bleak alt-metal from Altars of Grief (Iris)l; very melodic, very extended (like, 6 songs in 70 minutes) doom, somewhat akin to what I recall of early Opeth, from the appropriately named The Eternal (Waiting for the Endless Dawn).

Where do you see those? They are not on this list: https://www.allmusic.com/year-in-review/2018/favorite-metal

AMG = Angry Metal Guy, I think?
https://www.angrymetalguy.com/

Ah I see

If there's no metal poll this year, do we all post our top 10/25/50 lists here?

I guess so. That would really suck, though.

been started!

We are doing metal poll this year!

ILX Metal n' Heavy Rock Poll 2018: NOMINATIONS thread - open till Jan. 19th, 2019!

Go ahead and nominate your favorite albums and talk about them at great lengths, if you so choise

Haha xp

Apparently nominations should be bolded. My mistake; I'm the new guy!

Yob - Our Raw Heart
Sleep - The Sciences
Ghost - Prequelle
Thy Catafalque - Geometria
Mournful Congregation - The Incubus of Karma
Pillorian - Obsidian Arc
Khorada - Salt
Evoken - Hypnagogia

Aw fuck

Four words: Death-metal Dire Straits. No, wait, come back!

― Fastnbulbous

why did i listen to this

in other news from now on whenever i see the acronym "amg" i will substitute in "angry metal guy" in my brain

Yay for the metal poll! I was getting worried.

Pretty interesting story pertinent to our photojournalist friends:

How I Got Banned from Photographing the Band Arch Enemy

this story - or, more specifically, the online reaction to it - is kinda crazy to me. is this photographer a particularly well-connected or widely read guy? i realize he has his own niche site and re-ran the story on a photography site, but i guess i'm surprised he has rallied this band's fans against it - quite vocally, it seems - over his own copyright claim ... which i would think is something very few people actually care about, especially enough to turn against a band they love!

what am i missing here?

i guess what i'm saying is, yes, he is right, and he did a good job of detailing his side of the story, and still i am amazed that the Arch Enemy FB is full of comments like "how dare you re-post an artist's work without credit, you are scum and i'm done supporting this band!" and not "whatevs, it's just a pic on the internet, the photog should be happy for the exposure, Arch Enemy rules"

Because of the missing counter narrative from the band?

Ah I see Angela Gossow did respond - in the dumbest way possible, in a whiny dramatic tone accusing the photographer’s factual statements as ‘highly emotionalizing’ the issue.

Rolling Metal 2019