MetalReviews

Awards 2019

2 reviewers shared their picks for 2019.

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Goat

Top Albums

  1. 1.
    10108
  2. 1.
    10108
  3. 1.
    10108 — 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.
    10108 — 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.
    10108 — 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.
    10108 — 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.
    10199
  8. 2.
    10199
  9. 2.
    10199 — A masterpiece that continues to grow with every listen, the Swedes have outdone themselves.
  10. 2.
    10199 — A masterpiece that continues to grow with every listen, the Swedes have outdone themselves.
  11. 2.
    10199 — A masterpiece that continues to grow with every listen, the Swedes have outdone themselves.
  12. 2.
    10199 — A masterpiece that continues to grow with every listen, the Swedes have outdone themselves.
  13. 3.
    10212
  14. 3.
    10212
  15. 3.
    10212 — These Viking stalwarts have made a majestic album that gets better on each listen.
  16. 3.
    10212 — These Viking stalwarts have made a majestic album that gets better on each listen.
  17. 3.
    10212 — These Viking stalwarts have made a majestic album that gets better on each listen.
  18. 3.
    10212 — These Viking stalwarts have made a majestic album that gets better on each listen.
  19. 4.
    10142
  20. 4.
    10142
  21. 4.
    10142 — Dark, intense, passionate fury, Deathspell Omega are at the top of black metal yet again.
  22. 4.
    10142 — Dark, intense, passionate fury, Deathspell Omega are at the top of black metal yet again.
  23. 4.
    10142 — Dark, intense, passionate fury, Deathspell Omega are at the top of black metal yet again.
  24. 4.
    10142 — Dark, intense, passionate fury, Deathspell Omega are at the top of black metal yet again.
  25. 5.
    10158
  26. 5.
    10158
  27. 5.
    10158 — Experimental sludge at its best.
  28. 5.
    10158 — Experimental sludge at its best.
  29. 5.
    10158 — Experimental sludge at its best.
  30. 5.
    10158 — Experimental sludge at its best.
  31. 6.
    10192
  32. 6.
    10083
  33. 6.
    10083 — 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.
    10083 — 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.
    10083 — 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.
    10083 — 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.
    10230
  38. 7.
    10230
  39. 7.
    10230 — Another funeral doom monolith from the British masters.
  40. 7.
    10230 — Another funeral doom monolith from the British masters.
  41. 7.
    10230 — Another funeral doom monolith from the British masters.
  42. 7.
    10230 — Another funeral doom monolith from the British masters.
  43. 8.
    10073 — Dark, brooding, chaos.
  44. 8.
    10073 — Dark, brooding, chaos.
  45. 8.
    10073 — Dark, brooding, chaos.
  46. 8.
    10073 — Dark, brooding, chaos.
  47. 8.
    10073 — Dark, brooding, chaos.
  48. 8.
    10073 — Dark, brooding, chaos.
  49. 9.
    10226 — Egyptian excellence, as (nearly) always.
  50. 9.
    10226 — Egyptian excellence, as (nearly) always.
  51. 9.
    10226 — Egyptian excellence, as (nearly) always.
  52. 9.
    10226 — Egyptian excellence, as (nearly) always.
  53. 9.
    10226 — Egyptian excellence, as (nearly) always.
  54. 9.
    10226 — Egyptian excellence, as (nearly) always.
  55. 10.
    10173 — Prog excellence that has only grown and grown on me.
  56. 10.
    10173 — Prog excellence that has only grown and grown on me.
  57. 10.
    10173 — Prog excellence that has only grown and grown on me.
  58. 10.
    10173 — Prog excellence that has only grown and grown on me.
  59. 10.
    10173 — Prog excellence that has only grown and grown on me.
  60. 10.
    10173 — Prog excellence that has only grown and grown on me.
  61. 11.
    10141 — Yet another excellent release from the sticksman.
  62. 11.
    10141 — Yet another excellent release from the sticksman.
  63. 11.
    10141 — Yet another excellent release from the sticksman.
  64. 11.
    10141 — Yet another excellent release from the sticksman.
  65. 11.
    10141 — Yet another excellent release from the sticksman.
  66. 11.
    10141 — Yet another excellent release from the sticksman.
  67. 12.
    10208 — The Italians' best in decades! Reckless is still lodged firmly in my head.
  68. 12.
    10208 — The Italians' best in decades! Reckless is still lodged firmly in my head.
  69. 12.
    10250 — Poppy, sure, but so, so beautiful.
  70. 12.
    10250 — Poppy, sure, but so, so beautiful.
  71. 12.
    10250 — Poppy, sure, but so, so beautiful.
  72. 12.
    10250 — Poppy, sure, but so, so beautiful.
  73. 13.
    10206 — One of many, many excellent black metal releases to come out this year.
  74. 13.
    10206 — One of many, many excellent black metal releases to come out this year.
  75. 13.
    10206 — One of many, many excellent black metal releases to come out this year.
  76. 13.
    10206 — One of many, many excellent black metal releases to come out this year.
  77. 13.
    10206 — One of many, many excellent black metal releases to come out this year.
  78. 13.
    10206 — One of many, many excellent black metal releases to come out this year.
  79. 14.
    10164 — A terrific mixture of black metal styles.
  80. 14.
    10164 — A terrific mixture of black metal styles.
  81. 14.
    10208 — The Italians' best in decades! Reckless is still lodged firmly in my head.
  82. 14.
    10208 — The Italians' best in decades! Reckless is still lodged firmly in my head.
  83. 14.
    10208 — The Italians' best in decades! Reckless is still lodged firmly in my head.
  84. 14.
    10208 — The Italians' best in decades! Reckless is still lodged firmly in my head.
  85. 15.
    10194 — 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.
    10194 — 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.
    10194 — 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.
    10194 — 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.
    10194 — 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.
    10194 — 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.
    10153 — One of many excellent black metal releases of the year, I could have filled this section twice over easily.
  2. 1.
    10153 — One of many excellent black metal releases of the year, I could have filled this section twice over easily.
  3. 1.
    10153 — One of many excellent black metal releases of the year, I could have filled this section twice over easily.
  4. 1.
    10153 — One of many excellent black metal releases of the year, I could have filled this section twice over easily.
  5. 1.
    10153 — So much excellent black metal this year, I could have filled this section twice over easily! Each has much to recommend it.
  6. 1.
    10153 — So much excellent black metal this year, I could have filled this section twice over easily! Each has much to recommend it.
  7. 2.
    10114
  8. 2.
    10114
  9. 2.
    10114
  10. 2.
    10114
  11. 2.
    10114
  12. 2.
    10114
  13. 3.
    10233
  14. 3.
    10233
  15. 3.
    10233
  16. 3.
    10233
  17. 3.
    10233
  18. 3.
    10233
  19. 4.
    10135
  20. 4.
    10135
  21. 4.
    10135
  22. 4.
    10135
  23. 4.
    10135
  24. 4.
    10135
  25. 5.
    10151
  26. 5.
    10151
  27. 5.
    10151
  28. 5.
    10151
  29. 5.
    10151
  30. 5.
    10151

Disappointments

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
    10202 — 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.
    10202 — 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.
    10202 — 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.
    10202 — 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. 1.
    10202 — 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.
  7. 2.
  8. 2.
    10227 — A long time to wait for a mere reflection of past glories, drowned in bizarre choices.
  9. 2.
    10227 — A long time to wait for a mere reflection of past glories, drowned in bizarre choices.
  10. 2.
    10227 — A long time to wait for a mere reflection of past glories, drowned in bizarre choices.
  11. 2.
    10227 — A long time to wait for a mere reflection of past glories, drowned in bizarre choices.
  12. 2.
    10227 — A long time to wait for a mere reflection of past glories, drowned in bizarre choices.
  13. 3.
  14. 3.
    10085 — The Langquist comeback resulted in a solid but strangely lacking album that couldn't help but be something of a letdown.
  15. 3.
    10085 — The Langquist comeback resulted in a solid but strangely lacking album that couldn't help but be something of a letdown.
  16. 3.
    10085 — The Langquist comeback resulted in a solid but strangely lacking album that couldn't help but be something of a letdown.
  17. 3.
    10085 — The Langquist comeback resulted in a solid but strangely lacking album that couldn't help but be something of a letdown.
  18. 3.
    10085 — The Langquist comeback resulted in a solid but strangely lacking album that couldn't help but be something of a letdown.
  19. 4.
  20. 4.
    10186 — Kvarforth plus Teitanblood should be a winning formula, but this missed the mark and is hard to recommend.
  21. 4.
    10186 — Kvarforth plus Teitanblood should be a winning formula, but this missed the mark and is hard to recommend.
  22. 4.
    10186 — Kvarforth plus Teitanblood should be a winning formula, but this missed the mark and is hard to recommend.
  23. 4.
    10186 — Kvarforth plus Teitanblood should be a winning formula, but this missed the mark and is hard to recommend.
  24. 4.
    10186 — Kvarforth plus Teitanblood should be a winning formula, but this missed the mark and is hard to recommend.
  25. 5.
  26. 5.
    10163 — For a project I once worshipped, Metatron and the boys are running very low on gas indeed.
  27. 5.
    10163 — For a project I once worshipped, Metatron and the boys are running very low on gas indeed.
  28. 5.
    10163 — For a project I once worshipped, Metatron and the boys are running very low on gas indeed.
  29. 5.
    10163 — For a project I once worshipped, Metatron and the boys are running very low on gas indeed.
  30. 5.
    10163 — For a project I once worshipped, Metatron and the boys are running very low on gas indeed.

Joke of the Year

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
    10225 — I wish I could take this band half as seriously as it takes itself.
  3. 1.
    10225 — I wish I could take this band half as seriously as it takes itself.
  4. 1.
    10225 — I wish I could take this band half as seriously as it takes itself.
  5. 1.
    10225 — I wish I could take this band half as seriously as it takes itself.
  6. 1.
    10225 — I wish I could take this band half as seriously as it takes itself.
  7. 2.
  8. 2.
    10096 — Clownful, and not altogether without demented charm, but a serious step downwards for this band.
  9. 2.
    10096 — Clownful, and not altogether without demented charm, but a serious step downwards for this band.
  10. 2.
    10096 — Clownful, and not altogether without demented charm, but a serious step downwards for this band.
  11. 2.
    10096 — Clownful, and not altogether without demented charm, but a serious step downwards for this band.
  12. 2.
    10096 — Clownful, and not altogether without demented charm, but a serious step downwards for this band.
  13. 3.
  14. 3.
    10104 — 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.
    10104 — 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?
  16. 3.
    10104 — 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?
  17. 3.
    10104 — 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?
  18. 3.
    10104 — 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?
  19. 4.
  20. 4.
  21. 4.
  22. 4.
  23. 4.
  24. 4.
  25. 5.
  26. 5.
  27. 5.
  28. 5.
  29. 5.
  30. 5.

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
    — <p>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. </p> <p>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. </p> <p>Thanks to you for reading, and thanks to Alex and Andy especially for helping to keep the fires burning. </p> <p>RIP – Peter Hobbs, Richard Brunelle, Louis Dambra, Nature Ganganbaigal, Scott Walker, Daniel Rumbol, David Bellamy, Ginger Baker, Clive James, Sid Haig </p>
  5. 0
    — <p>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. </p> <p>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. </p> <p>Thanks to you for reading, and thanks to Alex and Andy especially for helping to keep the fires burning. </p> <p>RIP – Peter Hobbs, Richard Brunelle, Louis Dambra, Nature Ganganbaigal, Scott Walker, Daniel Rumbol, Ginger Baker, David Bellamy, Clive James, Sid Haig </p>
  6. 0
    — <p>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. </p> <p>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. </p> <p>Thanks to you for reading, and thanks to Alex and Andy especially for helping to keep the fires burning. </p> <p>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)</p>

Andy

Top Albums

  1. 1.
    10152
  2. 1.
    10152
  3. 1.
    10152
  4. 2.
    10197
  5. 2.
    10197
  6. 2.
    10197
  7. 3.
    10161
  8. 3.
    10161
  9. 3.
    10161
  10. 4.
    10205
  11. 4.
    10205
  12. 4.
    10205
  13. 5.
    10193
  14. 5.
    10193
  15. 5.
    10193
  16. 6.
    10067
  17. 6.
    10067
  18. 6.
    10067
  19. 7.
  20. 7.
    10079
  21. 7.
    10079
  22. 8.
  23. 8.
  24. 8.
  25. 9.
  26. 9.
  27. 9.
  28. 10.
  29. 10.
  30. 10.
  31. 11.
  32. 11.
  33. 11.
  34. 12.
  35. 12.
  36. 12.
  37. 13.
  38. 13.
  39. 13.
  40. 14.
  41. 14.
  42. 14.
  43. 15.
  44. 15.
  45. 15.

Surprises of the Year

  1. 1.
    10137
  2. 1.
    10137
  3. 1.
    10137
  4. 2.
  5. 2.
  6. 2.
  7. 3.
  8. 3.
  9. 3.
  10. 4.
  11. 4.
  12. 4.
  13. 5.
  14. 5.
  15. 5.

Disappointments

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
  3. 1.
    10089
  4. 2.
  5. 2.
  6. 2.
  7. 3.
  8. 3.
  9. 3.
  10. 4.
  11. 4.
  12. 4.
  13. 5.
  14. 5.
  15. 5.

Joke of the Year

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
  3. 1.
  4. 2.
  5. 2.
  6. 2.
  7. 3.
  8. 3.
  9. 3.
  10. 4.
  11. 4.
  12. 4.
  13. 5.
  14. 5.
  15. 5.

Words / Final Thoughts

  1. 0
  2. 0
  3. 0