THE BEST OF 2011 - PART III

Finally... just in time for the End of the year.

And so, here we are again, and before I start, i know that at this point everyone is just sick and tired of "Lists", around the corner there's a List, under that stone there's another List.. Every music site/blog is making their own list unless you're like Cvlt Nation that shoots a List every 5 minutes. But while we're still digesting all the crap we ate at Christmas but there's nothing better to cure that stuffed sick feeling than the albums that I bring you today in the third part of the Best of 2011, also known as the Great List of Awesomeness! These are the releases.. the fucking RELEASES man! The releases that gave me the goose-bumps as the first notes sounded... the music that made caused me a shiver from head to toes. Were, and are, indeed outstanding releases that will absolutely mark an era. So, without further delay, here it is the Best among the Best, enjoy.

- 25 -

Thantifaxath - "Demo"

I heard a lot of good Demos this year, but there was one in particular that got me hooked since the first time i heard it. Thantifaxath are a mysterious Black Metal band from Canada that play this unique beautiful and obscure Black Metal with some french Black Metal influences. This is by far, the most interesting and real Black Metal, i heard this year. Can't wait for a full length.

- 24 -

Aosoth - "III"

Intense, unsettling riffs and hoarse vocals. "III" is one of the heaviest Black Metal albums you will ever hear. Unusually low-tuned guitars and thunderous drums that we are not used to hear in the BM realm. Besides "III", Aosoth have also released an instrumental version of this album called "Variations Of Violence" and according to Metal Archives, they already have a brand new EP on the stove. I say bring it!!

- 23 -

Corpsessed - "The Dagger & The Chalice"

This was almost the year of the Finnish, the quantity and quality of the releases that came out of that cold country could easily result in a "Best Finnish Releases of 2011".. Straight from the catacombs comes this release, "The Dagger & The Chalice", and as soon as you start hearing that intro you cannot guess what you're about to testify. Dark ritualistic blood boiling Death Metal. Like my friend JGD said at his awesome blog The Living Doorway... "if you think you like death metal but don't have Corpsessed's "The Dagger and the Chalice" yet, you are 100% blowin' it."

- 22 -

Mournful Congregation - "The Book Of Kings"

One of the most, if not, the most beautiful Funeral Doom Album of the year. Mournful Congregation really know how to create really heavy and thick atmospheres. An amazing, majestic and sorrowful work.

- 21 -

Negative Plane - "Stained Glass Revelations"

An epic and haunted album... filled with obscurity in every detail, every riff, every drum beat, every scream. It's like an epic musical inspired by HP Lovecratf. You look into that cover and it feels like you're really there. Amazing.

- 20 -

Ulcerate - "The Destroyers of All"

Fucking New Zealand... don't know what those guys are taking over there, because more and more devilish Death Metal acts seem so emerge every 5 minutes... and the next band that appears is always more brutal than the previous one. Ulcerate have proved with their third full length, "The Destroyers of All", that they are one of NZ finest in the DM scene. "The Destroyers of All" shreds. A wave of destruction coming your way, crushing everything and impaling every last remaining soul.

- 19 -

Terra Tenebrosa - "The Tunnels"

From the ashes of one of my favorite hardcore bands ever, Breach, emerged Terra Tenebrosa with this brilliant piece called "The Tunnels". As soon as i heard that some Breach members were involved in some new project it became my daily obsession to discover what it was, and most of all what it would sound like. And sure it was no disappointment at all. "The Tunnels" is one dark journey into Sweden's tenebrous and deep woods.

- 18 -

Dephosphorus - "Axiom"

From Greece arrives one of the best releases of 2011. "Axiom" from Dephosphorus. Before it was even released there was a lot of talking about this band. And after some tracks were unveiled, we had reasons to believe that this was going to be a blast. An powerful blast of fury. Mixing sludge with grind and other sub genres, "Axiom" is undoubtedly one of the freshest releases of 2011. The good news is that the band is already working on a new album "Night Sky Transform", and judging by the quality of the tracks, something very powerful will be soon unleashed upon the Earth, just can't wait for that.

- 17 -

Desolate Shrine - "Tenebrous Towers"

Again from Finland arrives another amazing release, "Tenebrous Towers" from Desolate Shrine. Like i talked about in the post of this release, a band that makes of this their first release, and shows such quality and caliber deserves to be here. This blend of Black/Death is so good, so good, so good... i go almost speechless when i have to talk about this. Since the first audition i knew that this had to be one of Best releases of this year. Keep your eyes and ears on Desolate Shrine and lets wait what the future holds for them.

- 16 -

Batillus - "Furnace"

Batillus, with "Furnace", deliver one of the most crushing Sludge/Doom albums of the year. A beautifully crafted album full of sonic details that just makes me wanna hear it over and over and over... Fucking awesome.

- 15 -

Mitochondrion - "Parasignosis"

What Mitochondrion achieved with "Parasignosis" can be considered a Death Metal Classic. It's one of those albums that people will remember and talk for years. Atmospherical and authentic Black/Death is what you get here. An impressive bleakness void that will suck you in. Remarkable. 

- 14 -

Void Meditation Cult - "Sulfurous Prayers"

Blasphemous and Bestial Black/Death metal from a one man band from Ohio. This could be the incarnation of Sperm Of The Antichrist but in a more demoniacal form. Down tuned guitars with some really creepy atmospheres layered in... the perfect soundtrack for your late night satanic rituals.

- 13 -

Encoffination - "O' Hell, Shine in Thy Whited Sepulchres"

Ghoat and Elektrokutioner did one hell of a job with "O' Hell, Shine in Thy Whited Sepulchres" that is a authentic monument to Death Metal. Slow and sepulchral deep Death Metal with church bells announcing a funeral march on every track. I love this album/band.

- 12 -

Wolves In The Throne Room - "Celestial Lineage"

Wolves In The Throne Room returned this year with another colossal atmospheric, and most of all, epic album. "Celestial Lineage" also gathers all the conditions to be considered a Classic in the genre. Too bad is the last of this dying breed, at least they leave in style, leaving us this remarkable piece.

- 11 -

Disma - "Towards The Megalith"

Now this, ladies and gentlemen, is Death Metal in its most pure essence. After a great Demo, an awesome full-length. "Towards The Megalith" is a real monster. Featuring Craig Pillard as the throat, it could only result in some crushing, slow/mid paced (almost doom like) suffocating DM. Love the artwork of it and judging by the cover of this "book" expect nothing but real Death Metal.

- 10 -

Indian - "Guiltless"

I like Sludge, therefore i like Indian. Ever since "The Unquiet Sky" that I'm more than alert to everything that this band makes. And with "Guiltless" they gave birth to one of the heaviest albums of 2011. Dirty soaked Sludge Doom that will crush you into dust. 

- 9 -

Altar of Plagues - "Mammal"

Now this album created many discussions, some people who loved "White Tomb" were expecting another copy of it and got disappointed with "Mammal" because it's a little bit more atmospherical and experimental than "White Tomb". I personally, became in love to this album at the first audition... the track "Feather and Bone" man.. those first minutes are fucking epic! It even gives me goose-bumps. I really like the way Altar Of Plagues created this masterpiece. You just can't miss this.

- 8 -

Aldebaran - "Buried Beneath Aeons"

Aldebaran simply delivered one of the most ground breaking releases of the year. Although it's an one track only EP, "Buried Beneath Aeons" is one of the most beautiful things i had the pleasure to hear in 2011. An amazing hypnotic trip into a Lovecraftian world. Beautiful.

- 7 -

Tombs - "Path Of Totality"

By now, everybody knows the name Tombs, i dare say that they were one of the pioneers in mixing the bleakness of Black Metal with the heaviness of Sludge Metal. When i heard their 2007 Demo i could never expect that this band would grow like this and would become the monster that is today. "Winter Hours" was one of my favorite albums of 2009 and with "Path Of Totality" they hit the bulls-eye again. Tombs are a remarkable band that conceptually can create an sonic experience by putting all these details together, from the music to the artwork. A superb piece.

- 6 -

Craft - "Void"

Another album that couldn't miss, after an awesome "Fuck The Universe", Craft deliver their hatred upon mankind with this superb release "Void". You just can't be indifferent to a release like "Void". Craft makes his sound unique by using some formulas that many BM bands just refuse to use or just don't know how to use them. But Craft how the secret to that formula and created, undoubtedly,  just one of the Best releases of the year.

- 5 -

Sonne Adam - "Transformation"

So what have we got here? One of the best Death Metal Albums of the Year? From Israel? Yes! Sonne Adam's first full-length was quite a surprise... It moves within the shadows, slowly, cloaked and faceless, the only thing we see are the shining red eyes of the Beast. The artwork is simply astonishing and it breathes the doomy Death Metal music of Sonne Adam. One of my favorite tracks is the interlude "Solitude In Death" it brings this image to my mind of a huge black snake with red eyes, moving slowly through the holes of an ancient olive tree in an israeli field and into the rotting carcass of Christ... that's the image i picture Sonne Adam's music.. they walk among us.

- 4 -

Acephalix - "Interminable Night"

San Francisco-based Acephalix spew forth a stripped-down and tonally obliterating old-school Nihilist/Entombed death metal style infused with crustpunk angst. Featuring members of Depressor and other hellish Bay Area acts including three members who also do time in Vastum, another act currently gaining worldwide attention from the death metal underground, Acephalix already have a diehard cult following, and plan to take their terror worldwide now under the dark wing of Southern Lord. "Interminable Night" is a one hell of an album, since it came out that it's on my iPod weekly playlist.

- 3 -

Whitehorse - "Progression"

If i could describe this album in one word, that word would be "Haunting". "Progression" from the aussies Whitehorse is an amazing piece of fear. It only features 5 songs but every song is a slab of doom that will turn you inside out. It's got some cavernous deep growls that almost makes Craig Pillard blush also some Black Metal shrieks and to help the party there's some cool sampling sounds, something industrial to create a whole crushing and dense atmosphere. An absolutely amazing album.

- 2 -

Ritual Necromancy - "Oath of the Abyss"

Ritual Necromancy easily achieved this position by bringing to the light of day one of the most brutal, barbaric, vicious Death Metal albums of all time. I was waiting for this with great expectations and it didn't disappointed at all. "Oath of the Abyss" is just the perfect Death Metal Album for me, brutal, chaotic, filthy guitars with some primeval drumming and guttural growls. I love this... Fuck yes. Thank you so much RN for existing.

- 1 -

Leviathan - "True Traitor, True Whore"

Finally, we reached number 1. Of all the releases represented here this is probably what i was most eager to hear... "The new Leviathan!" What a great album. "True Traitor, True Whore" is a true essay in horror. The atmospheres created here by Wrest are truly strange but beautiful. Not to speak that wrest performs one of the most peculiar voices in BM. Some of you might think that this one doesn't surpass some of Levianthan's previous releases. I don't care. What i care is that i love every second of this release. An amazing work that has the ability to haunt my conscience is definitely worthy of earning the title of Album Of The Year. Finis coronat opus!

And that was it... 2011 was one amazing year in music but unfortunately,  to many people, it was a hell of a year due to the economical/political scenery. Dark clouds are here to stay and 2012 isn't going to be easy either. But let's not bow down our heads and let all of that negative energies strike us down. A simple smile, a simple "Thank You" can make a difference and light up your day. To all you people out there, and to all your beloved ones, i wish you a Happy Good Year.

Have fun.

Later.

H.

Hell

Today i bring you a late Christmas gift... the second release of Hell, simply entitled "II". For those who don't know this beast, i suggest you to first pass by through my first post (still in my native tongue) about this horribilis band. I don't need to say that i totally dig this band's sound. Doom, Sludge, Drone and Black Metal all in one? Oh my God... Yes!! I find "II" to be quite different from "I", it's more atmospheric, filled with some acoustic parts. But don't expect it to be something pleasant.. no, Hell brings anything but pleasure to your ears. It will fill them with the most vile blackened and putrid sludge doom you ever even dreamed of. And that bass... man.. the BASS!! Those chords must reach the ground to make a sound like that.. This is so good man. This is a personal cassette rip of mine so i hope you enjoy it like i am enjoying every note, every detail of "II".

You can achieve this cassette here but the best news is that the boys at Pesanta Urfolk have already forged this beast in wax, so what are you waiting to get your claws on this outstanding piece of pure evil? Support Hell and also the hard working guys at Eternal Warfare and Pesanta Urfolk, all great guys to deal with. Don't need to say that this is Highly Recommended..

forged in Hell

(link updated! Now for a better sound quality and correct song split, enjoy!)

War Master

Fuck yes! Finally the full length of this Texas Death Metal war tank! After two killer Demos, "Pyramid Of The Necropolis" is the awaited debut of this Texas band. With this debut, War Master, continue their campaign of dystopian dismembering death metal demolition. Terminating sonic necropocalyptic carnage forged into the grave of ancient masters and sharpened down the left hand path. "Pyramid Of The Necropolis" delivers 8 ritualistic skull crushing offerings to the maddening altar of the chaos realms. Being a great Bolt Thrower and Benediction fan, i really could not this one pass by. Buy it here.

facebook | marching tanks over a filed of skulls

Amnis Nihili

From Greece comes Amnis Nihili, a new Black Metal band that features Panos Agoros from Dephosporus on vocals. "Christological Escalation" is the stunning debut release from this Greek band that merges the most memorable moments of Norwegian Black Metal bands and contemporary French BM bands, with a real dark and esoteric touch that end in a raw, eerie, dark, sonic landscapes. Expect something splendid in the vein of early Watain, Antaeus, Leviathan or even Lurker Of Chalice. You can't miss it with that artwork, once again made by the great Viral Graphics, who have already worked for Desphosphorus. You can buy in CD format directly from the band here, or in vinyl format here. Recommended!!

website | Christ is dead

Abaton

Where the hell did these guys came from? Now here is a great surprise for this nearly ended year, from Italy arrives Abaton. They have just released their debut entitled "Hecate" through the label Lo Fi Creatures. And as they say on their Facebook page:

The characteristics of the sounds are a mixture of obscure and gloomy doom and sludge, with powerful harcore openings and dreary references to black. The ultimate purpose of the band is to create dark and meditative atmospheres, alternating with malice and anger, until to scratch the most introspective and oniric side of every individual.

Abaton plays an awesome blend of blackened sludge metal,  think Altar Of Plagues-meets-Tombs-meets-The Secret, and add an extra dose of heavy bleakness, get the picture? This band is relatively young, formed in 2010, i presume they skipped also the Demo phase, head straight into this dark vortex that is "Hecate". This album exudes darkness in every single note.. it's filthy HEAVY. For a first full-length, these guys have thrown the bar pretty high, so high i was caught with surprise with this... as the first notes start in "My Helvete" i get a "Holy shiiiiiiit..." cringing in fear in my head. The sound is good, the voice is great and the production of it all, is just awesome. The best way to picture "Hecate" would be like a sudden dark cloud that appears out of nowhere, the air thickens and Darkness overcomes the Earth.. life as we know it, is about to end. This is really, really good. The formula of combining Black Metal, Sludge or Doom isn't new... the success of that formula lies in the final result, add some interesting details to that and voilá! I can assure you that Abaton holds the key to this very unique formula. One of the best revelations of the year. Buy it here before it gets sold out, i already got mine, and it's a-w-e-s-o-m-e. Highly Recommended!

facebook | dark necromancy awakens

Ride For Revenge

New album from these crazy blackened finnish metalheads, "Under the Eye" was recorded in different locations around southern Finland during this year. It's a little bit different from their previous releases, but still very recognizable as being from Ride For Revenge. It's filthy, claustrophobic and daft Black Metal. You can buy it here.

preview | eye see you

THE BEST OF 2011 - PART II

Moving on... now i bring you the second part of my Best Of 2011. It's time for some metal. It's essentially compost of releases i found out to be really great, read that as great with a capital "G", here you'll get some new releases from bands i already knew and other i had the pleasure to discover this year. These releases pleased me so much.. like a young boy lost in a candy store. I've put them in alphabetic order (because it was more easy) although i love them all as an only child (love you son!) Hope you enjoy it.

- 25 -

Ajattara - "Murhat"

One of my finest discoveries this year, the finnish Ajattara. Although is is their 7th release(!) it's funny how i never heard about this band before. In "Murhat" we get a great production and great sound, songs that have an exclusive personality of their own. You just don't get bored of listening to this.

- 24 -

Antediluvian - "Through The Cervix Of Hawaah"

Finally, 2011 was the year that these Canadian hellbent Death Metal monsters delivered us a full-length. Great expectations were delivered upon this and it didn't disappointed at all. Insane and primitive drumming allied to sick Incantation riffs and a guttural voice deeper than Mariana's Trench! A must have for absolute deadly Death Metal fans.

- 23 -

Aphrenous - "Ravaged By The Incessant Scourge Of Deception"

What i like the most in this album, and the big reason i brought it up to here, is specially the sound of it. It brings me back to the years in my youth when i was starting to discover Black Metal. That good and nostalgic Old School Black Metal. Great cold atmospheres that will turn a blizzard into your ears.

- 22 -

Ash Borer - "st"

Definitely one of the most claimed and important bands of the Cascadian Black Metal scene. True emotional and passionate Black Metal with raw riffs that will crawl and carve deep into your flesh, freezing your soul.

- 21 -

Battle Dagorath - "Ancient Wraith"

I love this album. It took me only one or two listening to it to be totally surrendered to this Black grim and frostbitten from Battle Dagorath. The sound, the voice.. the voice... damn. That's gotta be one of the most creepiest voices i've heard into Black Metal. That guy surely spits stalactites of ice, its like a fucking banshee from Hell. Like it!

- 20 -

Blut Aus Nord - "777 Sect(s)"

What can i say about these french madmen? Blut Aus Nord have given us some of the best BM releases in the history of Black Metal music. And this album is no exception. "777 Sect(s)" is just a freakin' trip in a serpent shaped roller-coaster. Devilish riffs that swirls around leaving us sometimes confused. This album gathers all characteristics to be classified as a classic. People, years from now, will still speak about this.

- 19 -

Corrupted - "Garten Der Unbewusstheit"

Hated by many, through disappointment, and loved by some. In this last minority, I'm included. Quite different from the other stuff Corrupted used to bring but still i find it a splendid, intimate and beautiful album.

- 18 -

Destroy Judas - "Wake"

Practically unknown, Destroy Judas are a Long Beach sludge/doom band that made their debut with "Wake". And what a debut ladies and gentlemen.. "Wake" is an incredible release filled with crushing-emotions in every note. Their sound resembles a lot to a band i also love, Mouth Of The Architect. Really good stuff here.

- 17 -

False - "st" 12''

False are a new promising Black Metal act that also made their debut this year, through the hands of the great DIY label Gilead Media. False present powerful visceral vocals and blistering riffs that will tear your skin off from thy flesh! Impressive.

- 16 -

Flourishing - "The Sum of All Fossils"

Great album this one brought by Flourishing. Although i'm not a big fan of technical death metal, this release really caught my attention due to the sound of it.. what a great fucking sound "The Sum of All Fossils" has a very keen technical/experimental/grind sound. It's fresh, it's invigorating, it's great.

- 15 -

Heresiarch - "Hammer of Intransigence"

Bestial Death Metal from New Zealand. After the Demo "Obsecrating the Global Holocaust" that turned all eyes on these guys, the announcement of a full length left everybody restless to see what would come out of this barbaric band. And this is the result, one of the most chaotic Death Metal albums of the year. 

- 14 -

Leucosis - "Pulling Down The Sky"

Leucosis basically delivered one of the best new Black Metal albums of the year. Although they're a young band, this "Pulling Down The Sky" is quite remarkable. They don't fit in the "satanic" or "paganism" circles, instead they deliver a lot of rawness and passion on this work. And every time i listen to it, it's like the first time. Great album.

- 13 -

Loss - "Despond"

Depression, anxiety, failure, illness, disease, despair, pain, fear and Loss. All of this resumed in one whole album. A total monolith of despair. Too good to let it pass by.

- 12 -

Miasmal - "Miasmal"

In for some Old School Swedish Death Metal? Fuck Yeah! One of the best Old School Death Metal albums that came out, no bullshit, no Entombed copycats, just "in-your-face" Death Metal. Where others tried and failed, Miasmal won.. fo' sho'.

- 11 -

Midnight - "Satanic Royalty"

Wait a sec.. let me get my leather jacket and a can of beer for this one. That's right. one of the most expected albums of the year for me to hear. Great Old School Blackened Rock n' Metal. Every song on this one are a blast of pure energy and fun. These guys have the sound, the artwork and the looks. What else do you need?

 - 10 -

Norska - "Norska"

Another great revelation found. Oregon's Norska debut really impressed me through the high quality of the songs. Heavy and hypnotic riffs mixed with great post-rock atmospheres that will make your jaw drop to the floor. Great debut.

 - 9 -

Rotten Sound - "Cursed"

If you're into grind and dig bands like Nasum, Kill The Client and Napalm Death than the name Rotten Sound isn't strange to you. Another great expectation of the year for me. Being a great Nasum fan it's impossible for me to not love this band. "Cursed" is a fucking bomb full of blastbeats, precise and fast riffs that will not give truce to your ears.

 - 8 -

Seidr - "For Winter Fire"

Seidr, a band that contains several members of other bands like Panopticon, Below and Wheels Within Wheels. So what happens when we get all these guys together? Dooooooooooommmm... mixed with some post rock, folk, ambient... whatever you wanna call it. An amazing, amazing album.

- 7 -

Sutekh Hexen - "Luciform"

I love, love, love Sutekh Hexen. Some of you might think.. "Dude, that's just a bunch of noisy feedback". Honestly, i don't care. What i see here is an intelligent new breed of Black Metal, mixed with some furious ambient drone. The ability of these guys to pick up that and shape it into music is just unbelievable. Really proves what this band is worth.

- 6 -

Thou - "The Archer & The Owle" EP

Thou, these Baton Rouge doomster have grew on me every since i heard their Demo. Everything that they put out is just solid gold. Even having 3 covers on this EP, they have that Thou twist that only they can do. Every time this bands releases something, i swear, i almost leave a drop or two in my underwear. Really good stuff.

- 5 -

Thrall - "Vermin to the Earth"

Thrall's new hate essay on mankind is one remarkable piece. If this guys continues to set the bar so high.. i don't know where it will stop. In my opinion it's a little bit slower than "Away from the Haunts of Men" but there are some blastbeats to keep that Thrall's (evil) reputation. A solid release.

 - 4 -

Trap Them - "Darker Handcraft"

And yes. The masters of dirty, dark, and schizophrenic crust grind are back. The big soul of this band is Ryan's voice, i mean, it's unmistakable as we hear it. And every time we hear a new Trap Them album is coming out it's like a young boy waiting for Christmas Day to arrive. Oh yeah. Every young new dark hardcore band wanna sound just like Trap Them.. that's the impression i get. But just to say that these guys deliver like no one and are, at this point, a reference into this genre.

- 3 -

Wolvhammer - "The Obsidian Plains"

Ugly, twisted and a bastard son of a rat of an album. Filled with songs that will rip your eyes out and piss on your bloody sockets. If you’re tired of squeaky clean productions, bands welding generic Swedish death metal onto faceless American hardcore, etc, Wolvhammer’s got the cure for what ails ya. Viva hate.

- 2 -

Wreck Of The Hesperus - "Light Rotting Out"

Slow and dirrrrrty... That's how i appreciate my sludge/doom. And WOTH really know the formula to it. This primitive sludge/doom they bring on "Light Rotting Out" it's just one of finest, in this genre, i had the pleasure to fill in my ears into. Gruesome!

- 1 -

Yellow Eyes - " Silence Threads The Evening's Cloth"

A great surprise and revelation. I must confess i got a little disappointed with new Krallice (don't even try to argue that) but this album, from the unknown Yellow Eyes, really filled that space. This is a very good album, a fresh and modern Black Metal with some post-rock and hardcore influences. Yellow Eyes have definitely earned their place in the actual American BM scene.

And this it folks... for now. Keep your eyes sharped for Part III. Because even better releases will be featured. Hope you've enjoyed this part, and you know the drill. Start the (healthy) discussion!