MetalReviews

Awards 2018

3 reviewers shared their picks for 2018.

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Alex

Top Albums

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
    Arkona - Khram — Transformative album, both for the band and for the listener. So disappointed I could not catch them live on the US tour
  3. 1.
    Arkona - Khram — Transformative album, both for the band and for the listener. So disappointed I could not catch them live on the US tour
  4. 1.
    Arkona - Khram — Transformative album, both for the band and for the listener. So disappointed I could not catch them live on the US tour
  5. 2.
    Selvans - Faunalia — Gripping wall of emotion
  6. 2.
    Selvans - Faunalia — Gripping wall of emotion
  7. 2.
    Selvans - Faunalia — Gripping wall of emotion
  8. 3.
    Primordial - Exile Amongst the Ruins — Not capable of disappointing
  9. 3.
    Primordial - Exile Amongst the Ruins — Not capable of disappointing
  10. 3.
    Primordial - Exile Amongst the Ruins — Not capable of disappointing
  11. 4.
    Judas Priest - Firepower — I'm begging the gods I am as good at my craft when I am 65+ as this venerable band that got me into metal 35 years ago
  12. 4.
    Judas Priest - Firepower — I'm begging the gods I am as good at my craft when I am 65+ as this venerable band that got me into metal 35 years ago
  13. 4.
    Judas Priest - Firepower — I'm begging the gods I am as good at my craft when I am 65+ as this venerable band that got me into metal 35 years ago
  14. 5.
    Sargeist - Unbound — My black metal album of the year. Intensity unmatched
  15. 5.
    Sargeist - Unbound — My black metal album of the year. Intensity unmatched
  16. 5.
    Sargeist - Unbound — My black metal album of the year. Intensity unmatched
  17. 6.
    Orphaned Land - Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs — More commercial, no less appealing
  18. 6.
    Orphaned Land - Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs — More commercial, no less appealing
  19. 7.
    A Sound of Thunder - It Was Metal — If you are interested in supporting both independent vision and quality at the same time, look no further
  20. 7.
    A Sound of Thunder - It Was Metal — If you are interested in supporting both independent vision and quality at the same time, look no further
  21. 8.
    Arstidir - Hvel — Progressive folk album of the year
  22. 8.
    Arstidir - Hvel — Progressive folk album of the year
  23. 9.
    Battleroar - Codex Epicus — Forgot about these Greek epic metallers, so they sent me a strong reminder
  24. 9.
    Battleroar - Codex Epicus — Forgot about these Greek epic metallers, so they sent me a strong reminder
  25. 10.
    Scald - Will of Gods is a Great Power — Re-release, but discovery of the year
  26. 10.
    Scald - Will of Gods is a Great Power — Re-release, but discovery of the year
  27. 11.
    Ashes of Ares - Well of Souls — And I didn't even know Matt Barlow was back
  28. 11.
    Ashes of Ares - Well of Souls — And I didn't even know Matt Barlow was back
  29. 12.
    Isenordal - Spectral Embrace — Last year's blackened doom was impossible to beat, but this darkwave neofolk album is solid
  30. 12.
    Isenordal - Spectral Embrace — Last year's blackened doom was impossible to beat, but this darkwave neofolk album is solid
  31. 13.
    Evoken - Hypnagogia — Funeral doom masters deliver
  32. 13.
    Evoken - Hypnagogia — Funeral doom masters deliver
  33. 14.
    Barren Altar - Entrenched in the Faults of the Earth — Blackened doom album of this year
  34. 14.
    Barren Altar - Entrenched in the Faults of the Earth — Blackened doom album of this year
  35. 15.
    Soliloquium - Contemplations — And more epic traditional doom
  36. 15.
    Soliloquium - Contemplations — And more epic traditional doom

Surprises of the Year

  1. 1.
    Khors - Beyond the Bestial — My favorite Ukranian beyond black metal band lives
  2. 1.
    Khors - Beyond the Bestial — My favorite Ukranian beyond black metal band lives
  3. 2.
    Rithiya Henry Khiev - Eviscerated Realm — Instrumental music done so well
  4. 2.
    Rithiya Henry Khiev - Eviscerated Realm — Instrumental music done so well
  5. 3.
    Lutharo - Unleash the Beast — Energy & thrash
  6. 3.
    Lutharo - Unleash the Beast — Energy & thrash
  7. 4.
    Sanctrum - Walk with Vermin — Energy & melodic death thrash
  8. 4.
    Sanctrum - Walk with Vermin — Energy & melodic death thrash
  9. 5.
    Liholesie - Fables — Peace & ambiance
  10. 5.
    Liholesie - Fables — Peace & ambiance

Disappointments

  1. 1.
    Therion - Beloved Antichrist — Why? I couldn't wait for this triple monster to end
  2. 1.
    Therion - Beloved Antichrist — Why? I couldn't wait for this triple monster to end

Joke of the Year

  1. 1.
    Men in Metal - Let the Soul Spread Its Wings — It's not how you name your band, it is what you play that counts
  2. 1.
    Men in Metal - Let the Soul Spread Its Wings — It's not how you name your band, it is what you play that counts

Words / Final Thoughts

  1. 0
    — This has not been an easy year for me, personally or professionally. I got pretty seriously sick early in the year because of all the work stress, sleepless hours, etc. The company sale, having to work with the new arrangements, all the fundamental changes running the company, almost endless expansion, personnel pressures - all took a toll on my metal listening posture. I constantly found myself looking for old acquaintances, and many of my favorite bands had 2018 releases. Thus, a lot of names on my list aren't new discoveries. Thankfully, old friends delivered and then some. Arkona, Primordial, Judas Priest, Sargeist, Orphaned Land, Khors, A Sound of Thunder made my list before, and they did it again in 2018. Only Therion disappointed (in a major way). Next, the word doom, or at least sadder music, was the word of 2018 for me. Anything doomy seemed to hit the spot. Thus, preponderance of those are probably reflected in the list as well. My older child left for college this year, and due to work I had to travel more, so I had less opportunities to listen, and missed probably a few more weeks than I normally do. Also, when you are worried about what is happening with your college freshman, the writing just doesn't flow well. Thanks a bunch to Andy and Zad, who provided the voice of sanity. What I want to promise to my two remaining compatriots that #1 - I will try sticking it with them to the end, and #2 - I need to listen to every entry on their year end lists. Thanks to all promoters, labels and bands who still keep sending the material to me. I know, I could have been doing more, but doing this for 16 years now - the times have changed and I am adapting. May 2019 bring the best of everything to everybody who continues reading MR!
  2. 0
    — This has not been an easy year for me, personally or professionally. I got pretty seriously sick early in the year because of all the work stress, sleepless hours, etc. The company sale, having to work with the new arrangements, all the fundamental changes running the company, almost endless expansion, personnel pressures - all took a toll on my metal listening posture. I constantly found myself looking for old acquaintances, and many of my favorite bands had 2018 releases. Thus, a lot of names on my list aren't new discoveries. Thankfully, old friends delivered and then some. Arkona, Primordial, Judas Priest, Sargeist, Orphaned Land, Khors, A Sound of Thunder made my list before, and they did it again in 2018. Only Therion disappointed (in a major way). Next, the word doom, or at least sadder music, was the word of 2018 for me. Anything doomy seemed to hit the spot. Thus, preponderance of those are probably reflected in the list as well. My older child left for college this year, and due to work I had to travel more, so I had less opportunities to listen, and missed probably a few more weeks than I normally do. Also, when you are worried about what is happening with your college freshman, the writing just doesn't flow well. Thanks a bunch to Andy and Zad, who provided the voice of sanity. What I want to promise to my two remaining compatriots that #1 - I will try sticking it with them to the end, and #2 - I need to listen to every entry on their year end lists. Thanks to all promoters, labels and bands who still keep sending the material to me. I know, I could have been doing more, but doing this for 16 years now - the times have changed and I am adapting. May 2019 bring the best of everything to everybody who continues reading MR!

Goat

Top Albums

  1. 1.
    YOB - Our Raw Heart — A truly beautiful doom album that has grown on me with each listen, rightfully deserving to be no 1.
  2. 1.
    YOB - Our Raw Heart — A truly beautiful doom album that has grown on me with each listen, rightfully deserving to be no 1.
  3. 2.
    Judas Priest - Firepower — A tremendous return to classic form for the legends.
  4. 2.
    Judas Priest - Firepower — A tremendous return to classic form for the legends.
  5. 3.
    Voivod - The Wake — An album that has grown and grown, I underscored this in my review. Fantastic work from a fantastic band.
  6. 3.
    Voivod - The Wake — An album that has grown and grown, I underscored this in my review. Fantastic work from a fantastic band.
  7. 4.
    Riverside - Wasteland — A late entry, but a stunning album.
  8. 4.
    Riverside - Wasteland — A late entry, but a stunning album.
  9. 5.
    Portal - ION — These mysterious other-dimensional beings continue to terrify.
  10. 5.
    Portal - ION — These mysterious other-dimensional beings continue to terrify.
  11. 6.
    Abigor - Höllenzwang (Chronicles of Perdition) — Twisted black metal perfection that still puzzles many listens later.
  12. 6.
    Abigor - Höllenzwang (Chronicles of Perdition) — Twisted black metal perfection that still puzzles many listens later.
  13. 7.
    Uriah Heep - Living the Dream — Another ancient band proving they still very much have it, Uriah Heep continue to rock the hell out despite being nearly 50 years old!
  14. 7.
    Uriah Heep - Living the Dream — Another ancient band proving they still very much have it, Uriah Heep continue to rock the hell out despite being nearly 50 years old!
  15. 8.
    Drudkh - They Often See Dreams About the Spring — The best from the Ukrainians in years.
  16. 8.
    Drudkh - They Often See Dreams About the Spring — The best from the Ukrainians in years.
  17. 9.
    A Forest Of Stars - Grave Mounds and Grave Mistakes — An excellent addition to these Victorian mentalists' discography.
  18. 9.
    A Forest Of Stars - Grave Mounds and Grave Mistakes — An excellent addition to these Victorian mentalists' discography.
  19. 10.
    Immortal - Northern Chaos Gods — Winter truly has returned. A majestic return to nineties' form for these blizzard beasts.
  20. 10.
    Immortal - Northern Chaos Gods — Winter truly has returned. A majestic return to nineties' form for these blizzard beasts.
  21. 11.
    Alkaloid - Liquid Anatomy — A death metal supergroup that lives up to its billing.
  22. 11.
    Alkaloid - Liquid Anatomy — A death metal supergroup that lives up to its billing.
  23. 12.
    Primordial - Exile Amongst the Ruins — Some were disappointed by this, but the band have done something different and just as compelling here.
  24. 12.
    Primordial - Exile Amongst the Ruins — Some were disappointed by this, but the band have done something different and just as compelling here.
  25. 13.
    Aura Noir - Aura Noire — These Norwegians came back to paint the town black, and made a very underappreciated album.
  26. 13.
    Aura Noir - Aura Noire — These Norwegians came back to paint the town black, and made a very underappreciated album.
  27. 14.
    Funeral Mist - Hekatomb — Far better than Marduk's outing this year, I hope this project continues to produce albums this good.
  28. 14.
    Funeral Mist - Hekatomb — Far better than Marduk's outing this year, I hope this project continues to produce albums this good.
  29. 15.
    Necrophobic - Mark of the Necrogram — Another album I was a little harsh to in my review, Necrophobic have made a great album here.
  30. 15.
    Necrophobic - Mark of the Necrogram — Another album I was a little harsh to in my review, Necrophobic have made a great album here.

Surprises of the Year

  1. 1.
    Etienne Pelosoff - Trve Brutal Black Jazz (EP) — Blackjazz as a concept continues to delight
  2. 1.
    Etienne Pelosoff - Trve Brutal Black Jazz (EP) — Blackjazz as a concept continues to delight
  3. 2.
    Imperial Triumphant - Vile Luxury — Swarming opulence indeed, this was another fine combination of genres.
  4. 2.
    Imperial Triumphant - Vile Luxury — Swarming opulence indeed, this was another fine combination of genres.
  5. 3.
    Merlin - The Wizard — Could doomjazz become as big as blackjazz?
  6. 3.
    Merlin - The Wizard — Could doomjazz become as big as blackjazz?
  7. 4.
    Sleep - The Sciences — Narrowly missing out on the top 15, a very welcome surprise return from the doom legends.
  8. 4.
    Sleep - The Sciences — Narrowly missing out on the top 15, a very welcome surprise return from the doom legends.
  9. 5.
    The Lion's Daughter - Future Cult — Pulsing synths are as fine an addition to extreme metal as the saxophone.
  10. 5.
    The Lion's Daughter - Future Cult — Pulsing synths are as fine an addition to extreme metal as the saxophone.

Disappointments

  1. 1.
    Alice In Chains - Rainier Fog — Not a bad album, but one that was something of a let-down after the previous two re-established the band so well.
  2. 1.
    Alice In Chains - Rainier Fog — Not a bad album, but one that was something of a let-down after the previous two re-established the band so well.
  3. 2.
    At The Gates - To Drink From The Night Itself — A reunion that has failed to produce anything other than solid yet unexciting repetitions of past glories so far.
  4. 2.
    At The Gates - To Drink From The Night Itself — A reunion that has failed to produce anything other than solid yet unexciting repetitions of past glories so far.
  5. 3.
    Deicide - Overtures of Blasphemy — Yet another Deicide album that satisfies without filling. Hyped as something special, decidedly typical.
  6. 3.
    Deicide - Overtures of Blasphemy — Yet another Deicide album that satisfies without filling. Hyped as something special, decidedly typical.
  7. 4.
    In Vain - Currents — I was disappointed with this at first and hoped it was a grower. It wasn't!
  8. 4.
    In Vain - Currents — I was disappointed with this at first and hoped it was a grower. It wasn't!
  9. 5.
    Marduk - Viktoria — After the excellence of Frontschwein this is a step backwards in every respect.
  10. 5.
    Marduk - Viktoria — After the excellence of Frontschwein this is a step backwards in every respect.

Joke of the Year

  1. 1.
    Ghost - Prequelle — I simply can't understand the wild praise for this. Definitely the band's weakest album to date, even without the disco.
  2. 1.
    Ghost - Prequelle — I simply can't understand the wild praise for this. Definitely the band's weakest album to date, even without the disco.
  3. 2.
    Shining (Nor) - Animal — What else can you call it when one of the most forward-thinking bands in metal decides to switch to the sort of pop-rock that makes the Foo Fighters sound exciting?
  4. 2.
    Shining (Nor) - Animal — What else can you call it when one of the most forward-thinking bands in metal decides to switch to the sort of pop-rock that makes the Foo Fighters sound exciting?
  5. 3.
    Therion - Beloved Antichrist — A staggeringly over-confident project that's utterly painful to listen to.
  6. 3.
    Therion - Beloved Antichrist — A staggeringly over-confident project that's utterly painful to listen to.
  7. 4.
    Neckbeard Deathcamp — Political black metal is as bad when the far-left do it as the far-right, you know.
  8. 4.
    NECKBEARD DEATHCAMP — Political black metal is as bad when the far-left do it as the far-right, you know.

Words / Final Thoughts

  1. 0
    — Another fantastic year for music, another fantastic year for metal, and another not-so-fantastic year for me. Some bands let me down, some passed my expectations, and some proved live that they can overcome disappointing studio material - Clutch especially putting on a great show that proved they're one of the best rock groups around. Other live highlights were the legendary King Crimson and Voivod, the former making me wish they would go back in the studio, the latter proving how great their studio material is. I'm mindful of Andy's encouragement of last time's awards to go to more live shows, and hopefully 2019 will see me at even more. I complain a lot, but the truth is that I'm grateful for so much; for the musicians who keep me sane, for the bands that make such tremendous sounds, and for you, dear reader, who somehow still finds what I have to say about this weird genre gratifyingly interesting over eleven years after I started writing about it! Thank you to all, and I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a truly happy New Year. RIP – Dave Castillo, Richard Bateman, Mark Shelton, Vinnie Paul, Ralph Santolla, Dave Holland, Tim Calvert, Eddie Clarke, Caleb Scofield, Frank 'Killjoy' Pucci

Andy

Top Albums

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Surprises of the Year

  1. 1.
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Disappointments

  1. 1.
  2. 1.

Joke of the Year

  1. 1.
  2. 1.

Words / Final Thoughts

  1. 0
    —

    2018's been a wildly good year in many ways. Amid all the craziness, longtime A-list bands pumped out some great albums. Judas Priest showed young upstarts a thing or two with what may be their strongest album since Painkiller; Sleep produced their first full-length in 15 years; and Summoning proved that they may not be entirely crazy in their choice of odd new synth-guitar work. Interspersed among the giants were a number of debut releases that show some strong possibilities for their bands; Greyhawk, Alkaloid, and Frozen Crown have been on my repeat list lately.

    It was also an exceptionally good year for business at my company, meaning that I've been buried. Between that and both my kids going to new schools, it's been a little hard to find time for as many reviews as I'd like; to find time to listen to as much as I can see passing by; or to finish the website redesign I started, and had to regretfully lay aside by February. Like being buried in profitable work, more good music available than listening time permits is a wonderful predicament to find myself in. If I was able to travel back in time, find my sixteen-year-old self rummaging in the used CD store for any releases containing logos smacking of metal, and tell him that someday not only would he be sent new releases on a regular basis for review, but that there would be so many new albums for the listening that he would not be able to get through them all, he would not be able to believe it. There are plenty of nasty aspects to living in this day and age, but being able to get new, good music literally on a daily basis is a heck of a consolation.

    Thanks to my colleagues here at MR, Alex and Zadok, for the great reviews and the encouragement; to all the kickass bands and labels who've sent us their material to check out; and to our readership, who make the little articles we put together late at night worthwhile

    .