Rolling Metal 2018

metal (enough) tour announcement worth posting here, i think:

Baroness x Deafheaven x Zeal & Ardor across much of America and Canada next year
http://www.metalinjection.net/tour-dates/baroness-deafheaven-zeal-ardor-team-up-for-2019-north-american-tour

that's such an awesome lineup that I kind of regret seeing Deafheaven this year minus a guitarist

props to the Angry Metal Guy crew for reminding me about the Paara album, which I will definitely vote for if we end up doing a poll this year

Likewise.

fuck, the Frontierer album just clicked for me and is *great*, very much in the vein of DEP's Ire Works and a few Shining (the Norwegian non-fashy one) albums ago

The new Metal Church is surprisingly good!

Also dig the fuck out of the depressive sounding Outer Heaven album, whose vocals sound like a chorale of grunters emulating a vacuum cleaner

Beastmaker is continuing his/its EP series; #s 9 and 10 popped up this weekend. He's now charging $4 each instead of $1.

Here's a neat record I discovered completely by accident today while trying to find a different band with a similar name. muscular and slightly mathy Melbourne metalcore-y stuff (I'm shit at subgenres) with killer female vox, convincing stylistic digressions, and a lyrical focus on the Indonesian genocide of the 1960s

https://hightensionband.bandcamp.com/album/purge

Oh wow, that High Tension is good.

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5l50jECqj1B8vSMOvdPrDH for the stream-minded...

Heavy Metal

1. Wytch Hazel – II: Sojourn
2. Castle – Deal Thy Fate
3. Rough Spells – Modern Kicks For The Solitary Witch EP
4. Judas Priest – Firepower
5. Satan – Cruel Magic
6. Haunt – Burst Into Flame
7. Gatekeeper – East Of Sun
8. Tempelheks – Midnight Mirror
9. Cauldron – New Gods
10. Professor Black – Sunrise
11. Hammer King – Poseidon Will Carry Us Home
12. High Priestess – High Priestess
13. Lizzies – On Thin Ice

Metal

1. High On Fire – Electric Messiah
2. Deadbird – III: The Forest Within The Tree
3. Zeal & Ardor – Stranger Fruit
4. Slugdge – Esoteric Malacology
5. Tomb Mold – Manor Of Infinite Forms
6. Sumac – Love In Shadow
7. YOB – Our Raw Heart
8. Drug Cult – Drug Cult
9. Voivod – The Wake
10. Dopethrone – Transcanadian Anger
11. CHRCH – Light Will Consume Us All
12. Mantar – The Modern Art of Setting Ablaze
13. URSA – Abyss Between The Stars

https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-best-metal-albums-of-2018/

The Armed - Only Love
Black Viper - Hellions of Fire
The Body - I Have Fought Against It, But I Can’t Any Longer.
Convulsing - Grievous
Deafheaven - Ordinary Corrupt Human Love
Dödsrit - Spirit Crusher
Ghastly - Death Velour
Horrendous - Idol
Ilsa - Corpse Fortress
Mammoth Grinder - Cosmic Crypt
Pig Destroyer - Head Cage
Portal - ION
Rebel Wizard - Voluptuous Worship of Rapture and Response
Skeletonwitch - Devouring Radiant Light
Sleep - The Sciences
Sumac - Love in Shadow
Thou / Ragana - Let Our Names Be Forgotten
Tomb Mold - Manor of Infinite Forms
Vein - Errorzone
Voivod - The Wake
YOB - Our Raw Heart

Hahaha I don't know how far this MAGA thing has infected Pitchfork, but these are nearly all American bands.

I count 8 non-US bands

but three of them are australian

Non-Metal For Metalheads

Here is an expansion on what I did in 2016. At first I figured my Avant list pretty much covered it, but then I got more into the idea and pulled in albums from a variety of genres, like Emma Ruth Rundle from the dream pop list. Metalheads seem to appreciate her Americana noir for it's intensity, much like Wovenhand has been a favorite in past years.  Rundle, <strong>Daughters, Anna von Hausswolff</strong> and others have shown up on a few year-end lists from metal publications. Hopefully mine has a few unique offerings. I excluded most obvious stuff like heavy psych/stoner, prog, hardcore punk, post-hardcore, industrial, noise, etc. A few things might have those elements, but rules are fuzzy for a hybrid list like this. Senyawa's Indonesian experimental psychedelic drone folk is intense, with Rully Shabara's gutteral vocals bringing to mind Tuvan throat singing. This is their fifth album. Check out this performance below. Speaking of Tuvan throat singing, it seems to have fallen out of fashion since the 90s when Huun-Huur-Tu and Yat-Kha toured the world, but Hartyga from Tyva Republic, Russia are doing great stuff, mixing in jazz fusion and prog on their third album. | Spotify

1. Senyawa – Sujud
2. Emma Ruth Rundle – On Dark Horses
3. Hartyga – Amyrsanaa
4. Jaye Jayle – No Trail And Other Unholy Paths
5. The Messthetics – The Messthetics
6. Secret Chiefs 3 – Malkhut
7. Pharaoh Overlord – Zero
8. The Mon – Doppeleben
9. Elkhorn – Lionfish
10. Beak> – >>>
11. Julia Holter – Aviary
12. Here Lies Man – You Will Know Nothing
13. Sunwatchers – Sunwatchers II
14. Lonnie Holley – MITH
15. A Place To Bury Strangers – Pinned
16. TVAM – Psychic Data
17. Wardruna – Skald
18. Daughters – You Won’t Get What You Want
19. Jungle By Night – Livingstone
20. Anna von Hausswolff – Dead Magic
21. Toundra – Vortex
22. Black Dresses – WASTEISOLATION
23. Jenny Hval – The Long Sleep EP
24. Caudal – Fight Cry Fight
25. The Skull Defekts – The Skull Defekts
26. Oneida – Romance
27. Nils Frahm – All Melody
28. Gnod – Chapel Perilous
29. The Garden – Mirror Might Steal Your Charm
30. Author & Punisher – Beastland
31. Anguish – Anguish
32. Sons Of Kemet – Your Queen Is A Reptile
33. The Oscillation – Wasted Space
34. Dance With The Dead – Loved To Death
35. Stieglitz – For The Love Of The Living Dead
36. Daniel Davies – Events Score
37. Isidor – Lord Of Synth
38. Dead Can Dance – Dionysus
39. Mind Over Mirrors – Bellowing Sun
40. Offermose – Mørk Forår
41. Immersion – Sleepless
42. Moodie Black – Lucas Acid
43. Death And The Maiden – Wisteria
44. The Lucid Dream – Actualisation
45. Misha Mishajashvili – 2018
46. Fire! – The Hands
47. Buzz Kull – New Kind Of Cross
48. Kemialliset Ystävät – Siipi Empii
49. Vessel – Queen Of Golden Dogs
50. Tyshawn Sorey – Pillars

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