MetalReviews

Awards 2019

2 reviewers shared their picks for 2019.

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Goat

Top Albums

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
  3. 1.
    Devin Townsend - Empath — A "midlife crisis" album from Devin that is his best in years. A surprising, heartfelt, experimental, progressive, tear-inducing musical hug from everyone's favourite crazy Canadian uncle, this is a wonderful album.
  4. 1.
    Devin Townsend - Empath — A "midlife crisis" album from Devin that is his best in years. A surprising, heartfelt, experimental, progressive, tear-inducing musical hug from everyone's favourite crazy Canadian uncle, this is a wonderful album.
  5. 1.
    Devin Townsend - Empath — A "midlife crisis" album from Devin that is his best in years. A surprising, heartfelt, experimental, progressive, tear-inducing musical hug from everyone's favourite crazy Canadian uncle, this is a wonderful album.
  6. 1.
    Devin Townsend - Empath — A "midlife crisis" album from Devin that is his best in years. A surprising, heartfelt, experimental, progressive, tear-inducing musical hug from everyone's favourite crazy Canadian uncle, this is a wonderful album.
  7. 2.
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  9. 2.
    Cult of Luna - A Dawn to Fear — A masterpiece that continues to grow with every listen, the Swedes have outdone themselves.
  10. 2.
    Cult of Luna - A Dawn to Fear — A masterpiece that continues to grow with every listen, the Swedes have outdone themselves.
  11. 2.
    Cult of Luna - A Dawn to Fear — A masterpiece that continues to grow with every listen, the Swedes have outdone themselves.
  12. 2.
    Cult of Luna - A Dawn to Fear — A masterpiece that continues to grow with every listen, the Swedes have outdone themselves.
  13. 3.
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  15. 3.
    Borknagar - True North — These Viking stalwarts have made a majestic album that gets better on each listen.
  16. 3.
    Borknagar - True North — These Viking stalwarts have made a majestic album that gets better on each listen.
  17. 3.
    Borknagar - True North — These Viking stalwarts have made a majestic album that gets better on each listen.
  18. 3.
    Borknagar - True North — These Viking stalwarts have made a majestic album that gets better on each listen.
  19. 4.
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  21. 4.
    Deathspell Omega - The Furnaces of Palingenesia — Dark, intense, passionate fury, Deathspell Omega are at the top of black metal yet again.
  22. 4.
    Deathspell Omega - The Furnaces of Palingenesia — Dark, intense, passionate fury, Deathspell Omega are at the top of black metal yet again.
  23. 4.
    Deathspell Omega - The Furnaces of Palingenesia — Dark, intense, passionate fury, Deathspell Omega are at the top of black metal yet again.
  24. 4.
    Deathspell Omega - The Furnaces of Palingenesia — Dark, intense, passionate fury, Deathspell Omega are at the top of black metal yet again.
  25. 5.
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  27. 5.
    Inter Arma - Sulphur English — Experimental sludge at its best.
  28. 5.
    Inter Arma - Sulphur English — Experimental sludge at its best.
  29. 5.
    Inter Arma - Sulphur English — Experimental sludge at its best.
  30. 5.
    Inter Arma - Sulphur English — Experimental sludge at its best.
  31. 6.
  32. 6.
  33. 6.
    Evergrey - The Atlantic — This was the year I discovered Evergrey properly, and what a superb album to stumble across! Weightless alone is the single of the year.
  34. 6.
    Evergrey - The Atlantic — This was the year I discovered Evergrey properly, and what a superb album to stumble across! Weightless alone is the single of the year.
  35. 6.
    Evergrey - The Atlantic — This was the year I discovered Evergrey properly, and what a superb album to stumble across! Weightless alone is the single of the year.
  36. 6.
    Evergrey - The Atlantic — This was the year I discovered Evergrey properly, and what a superb album to stumble across! Weightless alone is the single of the year.
  37. 7.
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  39. 7.
    Esoteric - A Pyrrhic Existence — Another funeral doom monolith from the British masters.
  40. 7.
    Esoteric - A Pyrrhic Existence — Another funeral doom monolith from the British masters.
  41. 7.
    Esoteric - A Pyrrhic Existence — Another funeral doom monolith from the British masters.
  42. 7.
    Esoteric - A Pyrrhic Existence — Another funeral doom monolith from the British masters.
  43. 8.
    Altarage - The Approaching Roar — Dark, brooding, chaos.
  44. 8.
    Altarage - The Approaching Roar — Dark, brooding, chaos.
  45. 8.
    Altarage - The Approaching Roar — Dark, brooding, chaos.
  46. 8.
    Altarage - The Approaching Roar — Dark, brooding, chaos.
  47. 8.
    Altarage - The Approaching Roar — Dark, brooding, chaos.
  48. 8.
    Altarage - The Approaching Roar — Dark, brooding, chaos.
  49. 9.
    Nile - Vile Nilotic Rites — Egyptian excellence, as (nearly) always.
  50. 9.
    Nile - Vile Nilotic Rites — Egyptian excellence, as (nearly) always.
  51. 9.
    Nile - Vile Nilotic Rites — Egyptian excellence, as (nearly) always.
  52. 9.
    Nile - Vile Nilotic Rites — Egyptian excellence, as (nearly) always.
  53. 9.
    Nile - Vile Nilotic Rites — Egyptian excellence, as (nearly) always.
  54. 9.
    Nile - Vile Nilotic Rites — Egyptian excellence, as (nearly) always.
  55. 10.
    Arch/Matheos - Winter Ethereal — Prog excellence that has only grown and grown on me.
  56. 10.
    Arch/Matheos - Winter Ethereal — Prog excellence that has only grown and grown on me.
  57. 10.
    Arch/Matheos - Winter Ethereal — Prog excellence that has only grown and grown on me.
  58. 10.
    Arch/Matheos - Winter Ethereal — Prog excellence that has only grown and grown on me.
  59. 10.
    Arch/Matheos - Winter Ethereal — Prog excellence that has only grown and grown on me.
  60. 10.
    Arch/Matheos - Winter Ethereal — Prog excellence that has only grown and grown on me.
  61. 11.
    Hannes Grossmann - Apophenia — Yet another excellent release from the sticksman.
  62. 11.
    Hannes Grossmann - Apophenia — Yet another excellent release from the sticksman.
  63. 11.
    Hannes Grossmann - Apophenia — Yet another excellent release from the sticksman.
  64. 11.
    Hannes Grossmann - Apophenia — Yet another excellent release from the sticksman.
  65. 11.
    Hannes Grossmann - Apophenia — Yet another excellent release from the sticksman.
  66. 11.
    Hannes Grossmann - Apophenia — Yet another excellent release from the sticksman.
  67. 12.
    Lacuna Coil - Black Anima — The Italians' best in decades! Reckless is still lodged firmly in my head.
  68. 12.
    Lacuna Coil - Black Anima — The Italians' best in decades! Reckless is still lodged firmly in my head.
  69. 12.
    Leprous - Pitfalls — Poppy, sure, but so, so beautiful.
  70. 12.
    Leprous - Pitfalls — Poppy, sure, but so, so beautiful.
  71. 12.
    Leprous - Pitfalls — Poppy, sure, but so, so beautiful.
  72. 12.
    Leprous - Pitfalls — Poppy, sure, but so, so beautiful.
  73. 13.
    Deus Mortem - Kosmocide — One of many, many excellent black metal releases to come out this year.
  74. 13.
    Deus Mortem - Kosmocide — One of many, many excellent black metal releases to come out this year.
  75. 13.
    Deus Mortem - Kosmocide — One of many, many excellent black metal releases to come out this year.
  76. 13.
    Deus Mortem - Kosmocide — One of many, many excellent black metal releases to come out this year.
  77. 13.
    Deus Mortem - Kosmocide — One of many, many excellent black metal releases to come out this year.
  78. 13.
    Deus Mortem - Kosmocide — One of many, many excellent black metal releases to come out this year.
  79. 14.
    Wormwood - Nattarvet — A terrific mixture of black metal styles.
  80. 14.
    Wormwood - Nattarvet — A terrific mixture of black metal styles.
  81. 14.
    Lacuna Coil - Black Anima — The Italians' best in decades! Reckless is still lodged firmly in my head.
  82. 14.
    Lacuna Coil - Black Anima — The Italians' best in decades! Reckless is still lodged firmly in my head.
  83. 14.
    Lacuna Coil - Black Anima — The Italians' best in decades! Reckless is still lodged firmly in my head.
  84. 14.
    Lacuna Coil - Black Anima — The Italians' best in decades! Reckless is still lodged firmly in my head.
  85. 15.
    Tool - Fear Inoculum — It's far from perfect, but Maynard and co's comeback is a more than solid album that touches greatness at points. Invincible alone is one of their best ever songs.
  86. 15.
    Tool - Fear Inoculum — It's far from perfect, but Maynard and co's comeback is a more than solid album that touches greatness at points. Invincible alone is one of their best ever songs.
  87. 15.
    Tool - Fear Inoculum — It's far from perfect, but Maynard and co's comeback is a more than solid album that touches greatness at points. Invincible alone is one of their best ever songs.
  88. 15.
    Tool - Fear Inoculum — It's far from perfect, but Maynard and co's comeback is a more than solid album that touches greatness at points. Invincible alone is one of their best ever songs.
  89. 15.
    Tool - Fear Inoculum — It's far from perfect, but Maynard and co's comeback is a more than solid album that touches greatness at points. Invincible alone is one of their best ever songs.
  90. 15.
    Tool - Fear Inoculum — It's far from perfect, but Maynard and co's comeback is a more than solid album that touches greatness at points. Invincible alone is one of their best ever songs.

Surprises of the Year

  1. 1.
    Drastus - La Croix de Sang — One of many excellent black metal releases of the year, I could have filled this section twice over easily.
  2. 1.
    Drastus - La Croix de Sang — One of many excellent black metal releases of the year, I could have filled this section twice over easily.
  3. 1.
    Drastus - La Croix de Sang — One of many excellent black metal releases of the year, I could have filled this section twice over easily.
  4. 1.
    Drastus - La Croix de Sang — One of many excellent black metal releases of the year, I could have filled this section twice over easily.
  5. 1.
    Drastus - La Croix de Sang — So much excellent black metal this year, I could have filled this section twice over easily! Each has much to recommend it.
  6. 1.
    Drastus - La Croix de Sang — So much excellent black metal this year, I could have filled this section twice over easily! Each has much to recommend it.
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  30. 5.

Disappointments

  1. 1.
    Opeth - In Cauda Venenum — Opeth continue to make music that I enjoy but cannot love as much as their older material. Each new release manages to raise my hopes then let me down anew.
  2. 1.
    Opeth - In Cauda Venenum — Opeth continue to make music that I enjoy but cannot love as much as their older material. Each new release manages to raise my hopes then let me down anew.
  3. 1.
    Opeth - In Cauda Venenum — Opeth continue to make music that I enjoy but cannot love as much as their older material. Each new release manages to raise my hopes then let me down anew.
  4. 1.
    Opeth - In Cauda Venenum — Opeth continue to make music that I enjoy but cannot love as much as their older material. Each new release manages to raise my hopes then let me down anew.
  5. 1.
    Opeth - In Cauda Venenum — Opeth continue to make music that I enjoy but cannot love as much as their older material. Each new release manages to raise my hopes then let me down anew.
  6. 2.
    !T.O.O.H.! - Komous (EP) — A long time to wait for a mere reflection of past glories, drowned in bizarre choices.
  7. 2.
    !T.O.O.H.! - Komous (EP) — A long time to wait for a mere reflection of past glories, drowned in bizarre choices.
  8. 2.
    !T.O.O.H.! - Komous (EP) — A long time to wait for a mere reflection of past glories, drowned in bizarre choices.
  9. 2.
    !T.O.O.H.! - Komous (EP) — A long time to wait for a mere reflection of past glories, drowned in bizarre choices.
  10. 2.
    !T.O.O.H.! - Komous (EP) — A long time to wait for a mere reflection of past glories, drowned in bizarre choices.
  11. 3.
    Candlemass - The Door to Doom — The Langquist comeback resulted in a solid but strangely lacking album that couldn't help but be something of a letdown.
  12. 3.
    Candlemass - The Door to Doom — The Langquist comeback resulted in a solid but strangely lacking album that couldn't help but be something of a letdown.
  13. 3.
    Candlemass - The Door to Doom — The Langquist comeback resulted in a solid but strangely lacking album that couldn't help but be something of a letdown.
  14. 3.
    Candlemass - The Door to Doom — The Langquist comeback resulted in a solid but strangely lacking album that couldn't help but be something of a letdown.
  15. 3.
    Candlemass - The Door to Doom — The Langquist comeback resulted in a solid but strangely lacking album that couldn't help but be something of a letdown.
  16. 4.
    Lice - Woe Betide You — Kvarforth plus Teitanblood should be a winning formula, but this missed the mark and is hard to recommend.
  17. 4.
    Lice - Woe Betide You — Kvarforth plus Teitanblood should be a winning formula, but this missed the mark and is hard to recommend.
  18. 4.
    Lice - Woe Betide You — Kvarforth plus Teitanblood should be a winning formula, but this missed the mark and is hard to recommend.
  19. 4.
    Lice - Woe Betide You — Kvarforth plus Teitanblood should be a winning formula, but this missed the mark and is hard to recommend.
  20. 4.
    Lice - Woe Betide You — Kvarforth plus Teitanblood should be a winning formula, but this missed the mark and is hard to recommend.
  21. 5.
    The Meads Of Asphodel - Running Out of Time Doing Nothing — For a project I once worshipped, Metatron and the boys are running very low on gas indeed.
  22. 5.
    The Meads Of Asphodel - Running Out of Time Doing Nothing — For a project I once worshipped, Metatron and the boys are running very low on gas indeed.
  23. 5.
    The Meads Of Asphodel - Running Out of Time Doing Nothing — For a project I once worshipped, Metatron and the boys are running very low on gas indeed.
  24. 5.
    The Meads Of Asphodel - Running Out of Time Doing Nothing — For a project I once worshipped, Metatron and the boys are running very low on gas indeed.
  25. 5.
    The Meads Of Asphodel - Running Out of Time Doing Nothing — For a project I once worshipped, Metatron and the boys are running very low on gas indeed.

Joke of the Year

  1. 1.
    Liturgy - H.A.Q.Q — I wish I could take this band half as seriously as it takes itself.
  2. 1.
    Liturgy - H.A.Q.Q — I wish I could take this band half as seriously as it takes itself.
  3. 1.
    Liturgy - H.A.Q.Q — I wish I could take this band half as seriously as it takes itself.
  4. 1.
    Liturgy - H.A.Q.Q — I wish I could take this band half as seriously as it takes itself.
  5. 1.
    Liturgy - H.A.Q.Q — I wish I could take this band half as seriously as it takes itself.
  6. 2.
    Pensees Nocturnes - Grand Guignol Orchestra — Clownful, and not altogether without demented charm, but a serious step downwards for this band.
  7. 2.
    Pensees Nocturnes - Grand Guignol Orchestra — Clownful, and not altogether without demented charm, but a serious step downwards for this band.
  8. 2.
    Pensees Nocturnes - Grand Guignol Orchestra — Clownful, and not altogether without demented charm, but a serious step downwards for this band.
  9. 2.
    Pensees Nocturnes - Grand Guignol Orchestra — Clownful, and not altogether without demented charm, but a serious step downwards for this band.
  10. 2.
    Pensees Nocturnes - Grand Guignol Orchestra — Clownful, and not altogether without demented charm, but a serious step downwards for this band.
  11. 3.
    Pissgrave - Posthumous Humiliation — Life is a joke, the Pissgrave boys say, so why not put a destroyed human face on the cover and watch Pitchfork fall over themselves to declare it profound?
  12. 3.
    Pissgrave - Posthumous Humiliation — Life is a joke, the Pissgrave boys say, so why not put a destroyed human face on the cover and watch Pitchfork fall over themselves to declare it profound?
  13. 3.
    Pissgrave - Posthumous Humiliation — Life is a joke, the Pissgrave boys say, so why not put a destroyed human face on the cover and watch Pitchfork fall over themselves to declare it profound?
  14. 3.
    Pissgrave - Posthumous Humiliation — Life is a joke, the Pissgrave boys say, so why not put a destroyed human face on the cover and watch Pitchfork fall over themselves to declare it profound?
  15. 3.
    Pissgrave - Posthumous Humiliation — Life is a joke, the Pissgrave boys say, so why not put a destroyed human face on the cover and watch Pitchfork fall over themselves to declare it profound?

Words / Final Thoughts

  1. 0
    — A truly spectacular year for metal, especially black metal. There was so much to listen to, and so much to write about, but you can't cover everything, and hopefully this site (and yours truly) helped introduce you to some new things, and gave you something good to read if you were already aware of it. The internet has been a boon for underground music in many ways, helping spread the word if not always provide deeper understanding - hopefully we at MR did both. On a personal note, it's been a better year for me. I'll hold off on calling it a great one, because we are about to face a new decade, and things can always improve. Here's to improvement in every walk of life, and may 2020 bring us all blessings both musical and otherwise. Thanks to you for reading, and thanks to Alex and Andy especially for helping to keep the fires burning. RIP – Peter Hobbs, Richard Brunelle, Louis Dambra, Nature Ganganbaigal, Scott Walker, Daniel Rumbol, David Bellamy, Ginger Baker, Clive James, Sid Haig
  2. 0
    — A truly spectacular year for metal, especially black metal. There was so much to listen to, and so much to write about, but you can't cover everything, and hopefully this site (and yours truly) helped introduce you to some new things, and gave you something good to read if you were already aware of it. The internet has been a boon for underground music in many ways, helping spread the word if not always provide deeper understanding - hopefully we at MR did both. On a personal note, it's been a better year for me. I'll hold off on calling it a great one because we are about to face a new decade, and things can always improve. Here's to improvement in every walk of life, and may 2020 bring us all blessings both musical and otherwise. Thanks to you for reading, and thanks to Alex and Andy especially for helping to keep the fires burning. RIP – Peter Hobbs, Richard Brunelle, Louis Dambra, Nature Ganganbaigal, Scott Walker, Daniel Rumbol, David Bellamy, Ginger Baker, Clive James, Sid Haig
  3. 0
    — A truly spectacular year for metal, especially black metal. There was so much to listen to and so much to write about, but you can't cover everything and hopefully this site (and yours truly) helped introduce you to some new things, and gave you something good to read if you were already aware of it. The internet has been a boon for underground music in many ways, helping spread the word if not always provide deeper understanding - hopefully we at MR did both. On a personal note, it's been a better year for me. I'll hold off on calling it a great one because we are about to face a new decade, and things can always improve. Here's to improvement in every walk of life, and may 2020 bring us all blessings both musical and otherwise. Thanks to you for reading, and thanks to Alex and Andy especially for helping to keep the fires burning. RIP – Peter Hobbs, Richard Brunelle, Louis Dambra, Nature Ganganbaigal, Scott Walker, Daniel Rumbol, David Bellamy, Ginger Baker, Clive James, Sid Haig
  4. 0
    —

    A truly spectacular year for metal, especially black metal. There was so much to listen to and so much to write about, but you can't cover everything and hopefully this site (and yours truly) helped introduce you to some new things, and gave you something good to read if you were already aware of it. The internet has been a boon for underground music in many ways, helping spread the word if not always provide deeper understanding - hopefully we at MR did both.

    On a personal note, it's been a better year for me. I'll hold off on calling it a great one because we are about to face a new decade, and things can always improve. Here's to improvement in every walk of life, and may 2020 bring us all blessings both musical and otherwise.

    Thanks to you for reading, and thanks to Alex and Andy especially for helping to keep the fires burning.

    RIP – Peter Hobbs, Richard Brunelle, Louis Dambra, Nature Ganganbaigal, Scott Walker, Daniel Rumbol, David Bellamy, Ginger Baker, Clive James, Sid Haig

  5. 0
    —

    A truly spectacular year for metal, especially black metal. There was so much to listen to and so much to write about, but you can't cover everything and hopefully this site (and yours truly) helped introduce you to some new things, and gave you something good to read if you were already aware of it. The internet has been a boon for underground music in many ways, helping spread the word if not always provide deeper understanding - hopefully we at MR did both.

    On a personal note, it's been a better year for me. I'll hold off on calling it a great one because we are about to face a new decade and things can always improve. So here's to improvement in every walk of life, and may 2020 bring us all blessings both musical and otherwise.

    Thanks to you for reading, and thanks to Alex and Andy especially for helping to keep the fires burning.

    RIP – Peter Hobbs, Richard Brunelle, Louis Dambra, Nature Ganganbaigal, Scott Walker, Daniel Rumbol, Ginger Baker, David Bellamy, Clive James, Sid Haig

  6. 0
    —

    A truly spectacular year for metal, especially black metal. There was so much to listen to and so much to write about, but you can't cover everything and hopefully this site (and yours truly) helped introduce you to some new things, and gave you something good to read if you were already aware of it. The internet has been a boon for underground music in many ways, helping spread the word if not always provide deeper understanding - hopefully we at MR did both.

    On a personal note, it's been a better year for me. I'll hold off on calling it a great one because we are about to face a new decade and things can always improve. So here's to improvement in every walk of life, and may 2020 bring us all blessings both musical and otherwise.

    Thanks to you for reading, and thanks to Alex and Andy especially for helping to keep the fires burning.

    RIP – Peter Hobbs, Richard Brunelle, Louis Dambra, Nature Ganganbaigal, Scott Walker, Daniel Rumbol, Ginger Baker, David Bellamy, Clive James, Sid Haig (and Neil Peart and Sean Reinert, of course)

Andy

Top Albums

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Surprises of the Year

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Disappointments

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