Albums I Dug In 2014
These are the most notable and memorable albums I listened to in 2014. It should be rnoted that most of these albums were released prior to said year, but I discovered rsome exceptional albums and believed their quality was worthy of this reflective rcompilation. |
| 16 | | Arcadia
In Ruins
Arcadia is a local metalcore band from my city. I don't usually enjoy the quality of local bands since they are often breakdown-driven deathcore
outfits making mockeries of each other, but the polish and professionalism of this début stood out to me. It's a fairly generic affair, but it offers
a pretty cool step into 2000 era metalcore retrospect. |
| 15 |  | In Flames
Siren Charms
Let's face it, In Flames will never create another Jester Race, Colony, Clayman or Whoracle. In fact I believe that In Flames post-2002 should
be considered a separate entity to their melodic death metal era. They're probably never going to go back there and as soon as that realisation
hit me, I accepted Siren Charms for what it was: an affair which reeled me in with it's dark atmosphere and driving grooves backed up by good
production and a clear definition of what kind of style In Flames intend to see their days as a band out with. |
| 14 |  | Dreamshade
What Silence Hides
This was a pretty cool album and what I thought was a very solid début. Atmospheric keys and a more progressive approach to modern melodic
death metal made me give this album more than just a couple of listens. |
| 13 |  | Misery Signals
Mirrors
As you'll probably figure out after you read further through this list, 2014 was the year I discovered Misery Signals and I'm not shy to admit
that they are probably my favourite band at this point in time. This album was a good listen but I don't think it really measures up to what else
the band has under their belt. That being said, it's one of the very few albums of this more "melodic hardcore" style that I was able to listen to
from start to finish several times. |
| 12 |  | Phinehas
The Last Word Is Yours To Speak
Phineas is injecting nostalgia back into modern metalcore. This album had some great old school riffs and some crushing breakdowns which I
couldn't help but headbang to. The song structures are pretty cliché and the album certainly does not explore uncharted territory, but the way in
which a tired old subgenre was executed on this album should is to be commended. |
| 11 |  | Wovenwar
Wovenwar
A very polished and enjoyable début release which shows that the AILD boys don't need a murderous frontman to achieve a high musical
standard. |
| 10 |  | Darkest Hour
Darkest Hour
A tasteful commercialisation of Darkest Hour's music with catchy guitar hooks and a variational but overused addition of clean vocals. "Hypatia
Rising" is an absolutely stunning track and was by miles my favourite on the album. |
| 9 |  | Unearth
Watchers Of Rule |
| 8 |  | Still Remains
Ceasing To Breathe |
| 7 |  | Opeth
Blackwater Park |
| 6 |  | Misery Signals
Of Malice And The Magnum Heart |
| 5 |  | Darkest Hour
Deliver Us |
| 4 |  | Machine Head
Bloodstone And Diamonds |
| 3 |  | Dreamshade
The Gift Of Life |
| 2 |  | Misery Signals
Absent Light |
| 1 |  | Misery Signals
Controller |
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