Klingel's Ranking of January 2019
Just a little ranking and write up of every new release I've listened to this month. Note that the rating portraits my personal enjoyment of the Record and can differ from my objective ratings. Thoughts and Recs are welcome. |
| 22 |  | Bring Me The Horizon
Amo
Rating: 3/10
Gerne: Alternative Rock
This was my first time with BMTH. Every moment I was tempted to bop my head a little I was quickly disrupted by awkward sound effects or cringeworthy lyrics. Some people may have fun with this record, and that’s good for them. |
| 21 |  | OOMPH!
Ritual
Rating: 3/10
Gerne: Industrial
Between the lines, this record of “Neue Deutsche Härte” pioneers Oomph! has some pretty nice social and political statements I can approve. Unfortunately, the lame instrumentation and primitive delivery couldn’t convey the message. |
| 20 |  | Shrezzers
Relationships
Rating: 4,5/10
Gerne: Post Hardcore
features a decent modern prog / djent guitar sound. Only liked it in rudiments though. |
| 19 |  | Better Oblivion Community Center
Better Oblivion Community Center
Rating: 5/10
Gerne: Indie Rock
Album lives mainly of the interplay between the two singers. While the music is good the lyrics felt pretty pointless. Couldn’t really grab my attention. |
| 18 |  | Legion of the Damned
Slaves Of The Shadow Realm
Rating: 5/10
Gerne: Thrash Metal
The embodiment of an average album. Ok vocals, ok riffs. There’s not much else about it. |
| 17 |  | Flotsam and Jetsam
The End of Chaos
Rating: 5,5/10
Gerne: Thrash Metal
Overall higher quality than “Slaves Of The Shadow Realm”. Not really a fan of the vocals. |
| 16 |  | Born of Osiris
The Simulation
Rating: 5,5/10
Gerne: Death Metal / Metalcore
Short treat for Deathcore lovers. |
| 15 |  | Aver
Orbis Majora
Rating: 6/10
Gerne: Progressive Stoner Metal |
| 14 |  | The Twilight Sad
It Won/t Be Like This All the Time
Rating: 6/10
Gerne: Alternative Rock |
| 13 |  | Ouzo Bazooka
Transporter
Rating: 6/10
Gerne: Alternative/Stoner Rock
Highlights: It’s a Sin, Sleep Walk
The record starts strong with three catchy and fun songs. It sadly falls flat in quality after. |
| 12 |  | Nailed To Obscurity
Black Frost
Rating: 6,5/10
Gerne: Death/Doom Metal
A step down to the great “King Delusion”. Lacks the atmosphere and heft of its predecessor. Nonetheless, it got some enjoyable moments. If your mid 2000’s Opeth spot is itching really hard you should give this a try. |
| 11 |  | A Swarm of the Sun
The Woods
Rating: 6,5/10
Gerne: Post Rock
Beautiful and heart-wrenching post-rock that demands all of your attention while listening. |
| 10 |  | Swallow the Sun
When A Shadow Is Forced Into The Light
Rating: 6,5/10
Gerne: Doom Metal
Swallow the Sun is delivering another collection of atmospheric and melancholic doom Tracks. The shifts from soft to harsher vocals and some memorable melodies make this a great listen. Although, even if this album isn’t 5465 minutes long like the other StS records, some songs extend their welcome for 1 or 2 minutes. |
| 9 |  | Mono
Nowhere Now Here
Rating: 6,5/10
Gerne: Instrumental Post Rock
Mono is still capable of conveying great emotion. “Breath” features vocals of bassist/pianist Tamaki and provides some fresh air in an otherwise familiar environment. |
| 8 |  | Malibu Ken
Malibu Ken
Rating: 6,5/10
Gerne: Hip Hop
Highlights: Acid King, Tuesday
First notable hip-hop record this year. The psychedelic instrumentals work fantastic. The flow feels a bit quirky on some songs. |
| 7 |  | De Staat
Bubble Gum
Rating: 6,5/10
Gerne: Alternative Rock
Highlights: Phoenix, Tie Me Down
Definitely one of the most interesting and unique sounding records you will find this month. From heavy synth parts in “Phoenix” to catchy and danceable songs like “I’m out of your mind” to ... whatever “Pikachu” is. You won’t get bored with this one. |
| 6 |  | Puppy
The Goat
Rating: 7/10
Gerne: Alternative Rock / Doom Metal
Highlights: Demons, Entombed
“The Ghost without the Gimmick band”. Great guitar tone, insanely catchy choruses. A promising debut; now we have to wait if Puppy is able to evolve to a more unique sound. |
| 5 |  | Rival Sons
Feral Roots
Rating: 7,5/10
Gerne: Hard Rock
Highlights: Shooting Stars, Do Your Worst
I am a bit confused why this gets next to no recognition on this site with currently only 9 votes. Yes, the blues/classic/hard rock genre is nothing new and Rival Sons are def no inventors here either, but the overall quality of this record is just too high not to be recognized. ”Shooting Stars” may be my fav song of January with its choir and corny but uplifting lyrics. |
| 4 |  | Evergrey
The Atlantic
Rating: 7,5/10
Gerne: Progressive Power Metal
Highlights: Weightless, End of Silence
Next to all reviews or comments to this contain the word “mature”. Which is a kind of remarkable thing to call an album. But it actually makes sense if you listen to it. Dramatic and sentimental, yet always in a stylish way. The vox is key and brings this to another level, although the riffs are very delicate too. Still, the longer tracks, especially Track 1 could have taken some more trimming. Overall an exciting Prog Album. |
| 3 |  | Phlebotomized
Deformation of Humanity
Rating: 7,5/10
Gerne: Progressive Death Metal
Highlights: My Dear, Chambre Ardente, Deformation of Humanity
After “Malibu Ken” already the second strong contender for “Worst Cover Art of 2019”. The more surprising, how excellent the compositions are crafted. Exceptional songwriting, most notably in the longer songs. |
| 2 |  | Soilwork
Verkligheten
Rating: 8/10
Gerne: Melodic Death Metal
Highlights: Arrival, Stalfagel, The Wolves are Back in Town
Soilwork remain the kings of super catchy, yet still aggressive melodeath. This record is just fun listening to, sometimes it’s as simple as that. |
| 1 |  | Spidergawd
V
Rating: 8,5/10
Gerne: Hard Rock
Highlights: All and Everything, Green Eyes, Do I Need a Doctor…? … and everything else
By far the biggest surprise this month. After the first listen I was like “Meh, sounds good but nothings special, will be another 6,5 or so”. However, the record unfolded as a true grower. The remarkable achievement is the fact that you can’t make out a single weak track or moment. All 8 songs are on an equally high level. The Sax like in “Green Eyes”, delicate solos and memorable riffs like in the Iron Maiden Debut reminiscent intro of “Do I need a Doctor...?” provide enough variety and the great flow makes you want to listen again after you finished. One of the most consistent recs I heard in a long time |
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