Albums Of 2008!

It's taken ages, because I'm busy/lazy... But finally here we are...

Being so submerged in the music scene, many would think that I would have a rather expansive knowledge of new music coming out and what was going on generally in the 'metal' scene. A good proportion of the time that is true, but at the same time I must acknowledge that I feel I'm not as knowledgable of the music scene I love as I was when I arrived at university.

Ironically, it is the very fact I am more involved with the record label that has seemingly caused this. I must concentrate so much on my releases and am so caught up in that bubble that I have missed things even in the niche scene I occupy.

Anyhow, after a good think, I still did manage to arrive at a decent sized list that needed cutting down. First of all I have removed three albums released on my own label - I am proud of them, but it would be a little egocentric of me to have them in my own personal list. For reference though they are Ehnahre's The Man Closing Up, Fall Of Efrafa's Elil and Seven Nautical Miles' Every Ocean Reversed.

I have also ommited Amenra's Mass IIII, due to their association with SD, from our 2xLP release of Mass III. I have left one band in my list who SD might be working with on a vinyl release of said album. However, at the time of writing, we have agreed nothing, so I have decided to keep it in. You can probably easily guess who they are.

I've linked places to download them. I'm not advocating it though... ;)

10) MELVINS - Nude With Boots (Ipecac)

Melvins, with an optional 'the', produce a second album with the Big Business duo handling the rhythm section. The question is whether they could really recreate the amazing comeback, quality album that was (a) Senile Animal? The answer is yes, with the start of the album leading on from where the last opus left off.

Let's face it, when it comes to Melvins you want sludgy hard rock that's just about face rippingly heavy and loud to satisfy the metal fan in you, and unbelievably catchy to make you want to shimmy about and love the odd pop sensability that surrounds them. These guys are responsible for the vast majority of the acts in this little list, and that needs to be paid tribute.

Download Here.

9) HARVEY MILK - Life... The Best Game In Town (Hydrahead)

Although quite not as old as the Melvins, Harvey Milk are just about as influential, especially when it comes to the more extreme ends of metal. However, there is only THAT album (Courtesy And Good Will Toward Men) that can properly be attributed to contemporary experimenters in all things heavy. Their other albums deal in hard and classic rock. Despite going for many years, this is actually only Harvey Milk's fifth album, having had a nine year hiatus/break-up between albums 3 and 4.

Come back album Special Wishes was an absolute stormer, and I couldn't really imagine the new one, despite moving to Hydra Head, being any better. And it isn't. But IT IS Harvey Milk, so it's still wicked. Taking a heavy turn again, the band rattle through instant classics like 'Death Goes To The Winner', 'Decades' and 'Motown'. They're a real rock band - they do what they want, when they want and they don't give a shit whether you like them or not. I love them and you should too!

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8) KAYO DOT - Blue Lambency Downward (Hydrahead)

Ah, my beloved Kayo Dot. 2006's undeniable album of the year was Dowsing Anemone With Copper Tongue. Unsurprisingly, Kayo Dot followed in the footsteps of all the best Robotic Empire artists, and have hopped over to Hydra Head's glittering and perhaps flattering roster (considering they hardly ever do any grass roots work).

Blue Lambency Downward was not what anyone was expecting. This is, however paradoxically, exactly what one should expect from Kayo Dot. Having lost five members in the interrim period (from a line-up of seven to just two plus guests), one must be greatful another KD album has emerged. It was sure to estrange some fans, annoy others, and absolutely cement themselves as genius' to other music aficionados. It has done somewhat of the latter two for me.

BLD is definitely NOT a metal album, by any stretch of the imagination. It incorporates a much more complex orchestral approach and revels in Toby Driver's love of jazz. There are some great moments on the album, but it just feels like the album is missing the punch that is needs to make it more memorable. Despite being placed highly, it is perhaps the least played of the albums listed in my top 10.

Download Here.

7) OXBOW - The Narcotic Story (Hydrahead)

Oxbow have been a band that have slipped under my radar for quite some time. Initially I didn't get it at all, and considered my purchase of Love That's Last: A Wholly Hypnographic & Disturbing Work Regarding Oxbow, (a retrospective collection of outtakes, live performances, jams from past album recording sessions) as wasted money. I have Hydra Head to thank for my recent metamorphosis as an adict of Eugene Robinson & Co's works of genius.

I check out most of the label's new releases, and having heard Oxbow had joined the ranks, I decided to give them another shot, as The Narcotic Story was fully streamable. It blew me away. The raw aggression and emotion, the beautifully arranged pieces of free jazz, rock, metal music accompanied by nihilistic, outraged, passionate, loving, confused, poetic lyrics and vocals by man-mountain, Mr. Robinson. Sure his vocal takes some getting used to, but it's so distinctive and original and just seems to... work. Pieces such as 'Down A Stair Backwards' and 'Frankly Frank' are just breathtaking.

Download Here.

6) THOU - Peasant (Autopsy Kitchen/Level Plane)

Thou are a band that have come from nowhere, and in a short period of time, have commanded the respect of the sludge and doom scene. Their debut Tyrant is a good piece of work. I discovered them before the aforementioned furour and was impressed, but not bowled over. However, I kept an eye on them, and was pleased to see them getting recognition. Then, all of a sudden, the internet went into hyperdrive as it can do, and Thou was on the tips of every tongue of those who love feedback driven loudness. Tyrant was reissued by Gilead Media on CD, and crucially, will be reissued on LP by home of all things doom, Southern Lord.

The band are ridiculously productive and have completed a set of EPs and splits destined for multi format on multiple different labels, both big and small. In amidst this crazy release scheduling, Peasant, the band's second album, could have almost been missed. Had it not been for the fact that it's fucking amazing, far outstripping its predecessor, building and perfecting on the template it set out. Blending their stripped down, primal, sludgey doom, Thou have added a peppering of melody and dynamics to the preceedings, thus creating a intriguing and very listenable sound, despite their over arching heaviness.

Download Here.

5) INTRONAUT - Prehistoricisms (Century Media)

Intronaut are another band that have more than pleasantly suprised me this year. Unlike Thou, Intronaut have, for a few years, steadily built up a fan base and clearly defined back catalogue. First came the long-playing EP Null which was instantly raved about and then came debut full length Void which vastly increased their already rabid fan base, and also received even more critical acclaim.

It is at this point, that I'll interject, and say that despite liking them there was nothing especially special that made me stand up and take note, like so many others were doing. Challenger came next - a three track EP with some remixes and live performances stuck on the end. Again, nothing astouding in my opinion, but another very solid release that I would happily release and find moments that were excellent.

Now, having moved from Goodfellow Records (and Translation Loss, who released Challenger), Intronaut had caught the attention of large metal label Century Media. An interesting choice by the label, and one that is perhaps a reaction to some indies rising through the underground, off the backs of successful 'post-metal' bands. Well, they struck gold either way. Prehistoricisms is absolutely outstanding. Always infamous for their unbelievable bass driven work, Intronaut's talent shines through, with a pummelling, driving, technical bass, and shimmering, complex guitar and drum groove.

The vocals are perhaps the weakest part of Intronaut in general, but a standard mid-low 'metal' vocal compliments the music perfectly, and I feel adds to their sound. An instrumental Intronaut (as they often were on previous releases' tracks) tend to stretch the listener's patience. Prehistoricisms catches the balance perfectly. These guys are a force to be reckoned with. Check out 'Any Port'.

Download Here.

4) BLACK SHEEP WALL - I Am God Songs (shelsmusic)

"The truth of the matter was that it wasn't so much that I wanted to die, but that I just didn't want to go on living."
"The truth of the matter was that it wasn't so much that I wanted to die, but that I just didn't want to go on living."
"The truth of the matter was that it wasn't so much that I wanted to die, but that I just didn't want to go on living."
"The truth of the matter was that it wasn't so much that I wanted to die, but that I just didn't want to go on living."

OK, happy, happy. Ahem. So, Black Sheep Wall, as you may have guessed are - a) Depressing, b) Nihilistic and, you probably guessed, c) FUCKING HEAVY.

I Am God Songs takes the blueprint of songs by Meshuggah and then just sticks the volume up ten fold, makes it more polyrythmic than your ears can handle, make it heavier by ten fold, more depressing than anything ever put to tape, and then just for a mind fuck, seem to have made one of the most uplifting and gorgeous metal releases I've heard in a very long time.

Why isn't this higher then? Good question. First of all, 2008 has been an awesome year for music. On top of this, I feel than despite it's brilliance, there is more in BSW's musical tank, and for that reason, I'm not giving them top spot, because 2009's list shall surely be theirs.

The whole album is amazing, but standout tracks 'Myolden', 'Modest Machine' and 'Ten Fucking Billion' scream underground classics to me. They must be fucking scary live.

Download Here.

3) A STORM OF LIGHT - And We Wept The Black Ocean Within (Neurot)

Ex-members of Neurosis, Red Sparowes and Unsane join forces? Neat. Result? Awesome. And We Wept The Black Ocean Within is a lovingly crafted album, with all the talent ascribed by the members' past bands showcased in the album's songwriting.

Dedicated to Greenpeace and all charities protecting the world's oceans from human interferance, AWWTBOW acts like the sea - calming and reassuring in the lulls of light, and swelling and crashing when the music bellows into storm. Opener 'Vast & Endless' is a perfect example - meditative and dirge-like one second, raging the next.

Many have ignored this album, claiming it to be just another 'post-metal' release. Why listen to this, when you can listen to old Neurosis and ISIS albums? Well, why listen to any new music if you're going to take that approach?! If something's good, it's good. End of. This is perfection, so take a listen.

Download Here.

2) TORCHE - Meanderthal (Hydrahead/Robotic Empire)

Number 2 on my list, but Number 1 on many, many lists across the internet and in magazines worldwide, is Torche's somophore record Meanderthal. Pop-sludge anyone? Hell no, would be the reply of me and thousands of others. Those just don't mix. Even genre mixing pioneers Boris haven't attempted that! C'mon. No way. Be serious. Really? Yes, fucking really. It shouldn't work, but Torche went away and in their crazy musical laboratory managed to mesh two totally conflicting genres to perfection.

The album whisks by in just over half an hour, with ten minutes of this attributed to the last two tracks. Classic songs just pop up everywhere, and these WILL be played for years and years to come, and WILL be the songs that young bands cover and that the crowd crow for. Torche ARE the band of this decade that, like Nirvana did in the 90's, made people pick up a guitar and form a band. They have that feel, that buzz about them. I will be astonished if even mighty metal indie Hydra Head manage to hang onto them for their next album.

How they top Meanderthal is a damn hard question. How they do it, with the very recent departure of guitarist Juan Montoya, asks an even harder question of the remaining three. Is it possible? If they do... if they do... Who knows? Superstardom for a band rooted in sludge? Hard to imagine, but if there was a band to do it, it would be Torche.

Download Here.

1) TRAP THEM - Seizures In Barren Praise (Deathwish)

This album came out very recently. Right at the end of 2008. Late last month in fact. So, how on earth has it skyrocketed past A Storm of Light and Torche to clinch the top spot and crown of 2008? Quite simply because this is the best hardcore album since Botch's We Are The Romans. It is cult, essential, perfection. Trap Them are the band. Despite past bands, TT are a young entity, and have quite simply risen through the hardcore ranks in just two years. An astonishing feat, considering they play in a genre reputedly known for giving new artists a hard time, and those artists having to gain the respect of fans, other bands and critics over a number of albums/tours/years.

Following hot on the heals of 2007's Sleepwell Deconstructor, and 2008 7" EP and Deathwish debut Seance Prime comes Seizures In Barren Praise. As an aside very quickly... Don't you just love the names? They just manage to sound iconic. Anyway, Sleepwell Deconstructor just totally blew the hardcore world open when it was released. How on earth could they top it? There was no way surely. Then comes Seizures In Barren Praise. It tops it. Trap Them don't reinvent the wheel with the album, but that great maturity in songwriting seems to have been bestowed upon them on only their second full length. All songs are equally important, the tracklisting is natural and correct, and all tracks are of the highest caliber. Not one disappoints.

Unknown to me until quite recently, Trap Them have (very oddly for a hardcore band) been following a plot and concept for their records. Sleepwell Deconstructor told the story of members of a fictional village called Barren Praise, who left the dying town in search for a better life. Some found it, some found the outside world too startling and hurtful and were destroyed as a result. Seizures In Barren Praise tells the story of those residents of the village who decided to stay. It recounts the slow transformation of the town from one of struggle to one of denial and inventual degredation. Only a ghost town and the story of their fall is left. It may sound arty farty, but I like that kind of shit. From 'Day Nineteen: Fucking Viva' with it's carrion-call (hehe), "The vertigo, the death threats, the funerals... They'll never end!" to the slow, pained death blow of 'Day Thirty-One: Mission Convincers', Seizures In Barren Praise is stunning.

Download Here.

Honourable mentions go to:

CURSED - III: Architects Of Troubled Sleep (Goodfellow/Reflections)
UNITED NATIONS - United Nations (Eyeball)
ROSETTA - Wake/Lift (Translation Loss)
MOUTH OF THE ARCHITECT - Quietly (Translation Loss)
GUAPO - Elixirs (Ipecac)
ASVA - What You Don't Know Is Frontier (Southern)
MAMMIFER - Hirror Ennifer (Hydrahead)
HELMS ALEE - Night Terrors (Hydrahead/Robotic Empire)
CAPSULE - Blue (Robotic Empire)

Hydra Head have had a very good year, and one I would call resurgent. 2007 left me kind of cold for a while, as they seemed to focus a lot on black metal (Xasthur, Bergraven, etc), which was cool, but just didn't hit the spot. Robotic Empire continued their awesome vinyl versions of Hydra Head releases, as well as putting out some very noteworthy releases of their own.

EPs haven't been included... Can't think of too many that have lit my world on fire. I don't tend to listen to too many anymore. Splits worthy of mention are certainly THURSDAY/ENVY. Beautiful set of songs that perfectly compliment each other. Really cool.

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Anticipated albums of 2009:

All upcoming SD releases, of course!! And...

CIRCLE TAKES THE SQUARE - Ritual Of Names (Robotic Empire)

The long awaited follow up to 2004's As The Roots Undo. They've certainly kept their fans waiting. Kings (and queens) of lyrics and conceptual songs/albums, CTTS have certainly laid down a gauntlet for themselves with such a protracted 5 year wait (AtRU came out early 2004, and there is still no word on a release date, as they are still rewriting/demoing the material of RoN!).

One song in seven parts is the only thing let slip aside from the album being the first of a number of recordss that tie together as a concept, as far as I can gather. It will doubtlessly be a masterpiece, the band having replaced previous drummer, with one of the best drummers in the world right now, ex-Mare Caleb Collins.

POISON THE WELL - tbc (Ferret)

Poison the Well are probably the most unusual band in hardcore now, and perhaps, ever. The reason for this is plain. Despite a ridiculous number of line-up changes the band still have the same core members and are still putting out records 11 years after they formed that sounds new, fresh and challenging. No small feat for a band who operate in a scene where a band's life mileage is about 4-5 years before they either split or start to repeat themselves.

They came from nowhere, where then picked up and were loyal to much respected US hardcore label Trustkill, only to be bizarrely courted by Universal. An offer that they surprisingly accepted and put out the fabulous You Come Before You, before being promptly dropped for not getting the sales expected (the album was a change of direction and some more xhardcorex kids naturally saw this as major label influence).

They then moved on and got picked up by Ferret, their home to this day. They released Versions, and blew everyone away by another lateral jump in style - still sounding like PTW but instilling a maturity into their sound and an even bigger lust to bastardize the hardcore template. God knows what the new record will sound like! I anticipate the mindfuck happily.

BLOODY PANDA - tbc (Level Plane)

These guys came out of nowhere to do a split 12" with better known avant-doomists Kayo Dot, on UK Holy Roar. They were promptly snapped up for the release of their debut album by Level Plane. What came was Pheremone. A fantastic album, but flawed. It just wasn't long enough.

That isn't a flippant comment to say that what's there is great. It is great material, but just not enough of it, especially when one considered that they dropped two songs off their three track demo CDR. It would have been a kick in the face of Holy Roar to include one of them, as then both tracks on the 12" would have been featured on the album, so I can understand, but why 'Mizu' wasn't re-recorded is a mystery to me. Hopefully the album will be a little longer and more honed.

JODIS - tbc (Hydrahead)

Ex-Khanate bassist and all around musical prodigy James Plotkin and ex-Khanate and continual collaborator Tim Wyskida, team up with ISIS vocalist/guitarist Aaron Turner. How couldn't be excited by the prospect, especially when Plotkin describes it as a melodic but scarier Khanate?! Having heard the track 'Continents', I can also hear influence from Low and Mare. This could be amazing.

ISIS - tbc (Ipecac/Conspiracy/Daymare)

Hopefully a redeeming album. I've never been a huge fan of ISIS, but The Abscence of Truth was a disappointment even to me. However, it was met with positive press and a surge of popularity, and it has been a steady evolution of ISIS to turn away from heaviness. We shall see.

KYLESA - tbc (Prosthetic)

Again, I wasn't a huge fan of Time Will Fuse It's Worth. However, unlike the above, I am a much bigger fan of Kylesa in general - To Walk A Middle Course is a classic. Similarly to the above however is the fact that TWFIW was met to critical acclaim too. However, I still like it, so I hold hope that whatever magic sparkle I couldn't glean out of their last opus, will once again be present in their new effort.

NARROWS - New Distances (Deathwish)

Members of Botch, These Arms Are Snakes, Some Girls and Bullet Union. Erm, it was hardly ever going to be shit now was it? David Velleren returns to the hardcore mic again, as if Botch never ended. He sounds as fresh and as punishing as he always did. Their debut 7" is outstanding. The album has a lot to live up to - the 7"s glimpse at what we can expect, and all the hype that surrounds them. I think this has classic written all over it.

GNAW - tbc (Conspiracy)

As above, ex-Khanate vocalist Alan Dubin returns with his awe-inspiring, terror-inducing voice. However, unlike Narrows, Gnaw is a totally different direction musically, blending crushing drums with electronics that sound like the soundtrack to a cursed horror film. This will be interesting to finally hear, after a singular demo track made the rounds quite a while ago.

TOMBS - Winter Hours (Relapse)

Following their brilliant debut EP on Level Plane, Tombs are back with a full length on Relapse. Mike Hill carries on releasing with another fantastic band. Nothing really to add, except that a new track, 'Gossamer' has been previewed from the new album and outtake from album recording sessions featured on a split with the excellent Planks, 'Cheval Noir', both sound ace.

Quick note to actually put in writing what I've said to Hels lots, and also spoke to Clint (Heavy Sounds) a few days ago - Relapse released good shit but always with lots and lots of wank. About two years ago, something happened behind the scenes, and now they're really releasing some quality, quality stuff. There's still some guff from time to time, but boy has their roster got better.

KHANATE - Clean Hands Go Foul (Southern Lord?/Hydra Head?/Trust No One?)

Last ever Khanate album surfaces FINALLY. Sister-record to Capture & Release, laid down in the same recording session. Can't wait, but brings back the sadness that they're gone for good.

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Other possible albums are ones from RWAKE, YEAR OF NO LIGHT, MONARCH!, SIKA REDEM, ENVY, MINSK and WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM. None of these are confirmed but it would make sense for them to put something out sometime next year.

Anticipated albums to still come out or released in 2008 that I haven't heard are IREPRESS' Sol Eye Sea I, the follow-up to Samus Octology, ROLO TOMASSI's debut Hysterics, CULT OF LUNA's Eternal Kingdom and probably loads more I'm forgetting!