Mars 23/5: All the Goodies
The last time I did something like this was... 2016? Maybe? With my listening activity at an all-time peak (if last.fm is to be the judge), I figured why not join in on the fun! Here be some gems, and among them you hopefully find something you enjoy or at least find worth talking about :^) List is in no particular order. |
| 1 |  | Tenhi
Valkama
Cool vibey atmospheric dark folk music. Something to sit down and chill to on a rainy day.
RATING: 3.8
LISTEN TO: "Hele" |
| 2 |  | McKinley Dixon
Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!?
Surprise find of the year. Up-and-coming rapper that dazzles with some of the smoothest jazz beats in the biz. Music that feels like a warm hug while tackling pertinent social issues.
RATING: 4.5
LISTEN TO: "Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!?", "Run, Run, Run" |
| 3 |  | De Staat
Red Yellow Blue
Goofy band makes goofy singles and puts them on an album and it's a good time for goofs. Punchy dance-punk with heavy synth presence, janky guitar tones, heavy sarcasm, and a devil-may-care vibe.
RATING: 4.3 (fanboy-influenced, mind)
LISTEN TO: "Burning the Flag," "Bompti," "Roots" |
| 4 |  | Unfurl
Ascension
Post-metalcore that keeps things blackened and heavy until transforming into a progressive beast. Courtesy of a Sputnik user!
RATING: 4.2
LISTEN TO: "Longitudes & Leylines" |
| 5 |  | Einar Solberg
16
Leprous frontman goes solo and, while sticking to tropes, makes a compelling album marred by only one particularly bad track. A grower, for sure.
RATING: 3.7
LISTEN TO: "Remember Me," "Over the Top"
DON'T LISTEN TO: "Home" (lmao) |
| 6 |  | Phoxjaw
notverynicecream
Long-awaited follow-up that gets zanier, more varied, and knows when to throw down. Fun blend of post-hardcore and alt-rock. Very Bri'ish.
RATING: 4.5
LISTEN TO: "sungazer," "lastmancalledjohn" |
| 7 |  | Kostnateni
Úpal
An absolute titan of experimental black metal; a natural continuation of dissodeath's rise to prominence that doesn't rely on familiarity to succeed and actually does some novel stuff. Metal AotY contender.
RATING: 4.6
LISTEN TO: whole damn thing |
| 8 |  | Amun
Spectra and Obsession
Nearly 2-hour long black metal album that no one will listen to but hey, I liked it so here it is. Cool blend of ambience, melody, industrial/glitch influence, all that neat nice stuff. Rewards patience.
RATING: 4.5
LISTEN TO: "Spectra and Obsession" (20 minutes long lol and it's not even the longest song) |
| 9 |  | The Ocean
Holocene
The conclusion of the epoch series, and a bold departure from what has been expected from the German lads. A powerful, albeit polarizing work.
RATING: 4.4
LISTEN TO: "Unconformities," "Parabiosis" |
| 10 |  | Sacred Outcry
Towers of Gold
Surprisingly strong modern power metal. Bides its time in slow-to-mid-tempo tunes that are more atmospheric and gentle, less up-front in their approach. Culminates in a beastly 14-minute epic and is buoyed by a strong vocal performance.
RATING: 4.3
LISTEN TO: "Towers of Gold (Tempus Edax Rerum)" |
| 11 |  | Horizon's End
The Great Destroyer
Also surprisingly strong modern prog metal with a bit of a power metal lean to it when regarding its dramatic symphonics and vocal performance. Lacks punch, makes up for it in pure heart.
RATING: 3.8
LISTEN TO: "Postcards from War" |
| 12 |  | Siul Hughes
Hueman Too
Something no one else will like, but I found this guy's work on bandcamp and his energy/lyrics/etc. are incredibly relatable to me. No BS hip-hop with strong, genuine bars.
RATING: 4.1
LISTEN TO: "Character," "Strong Friend" |
| 13 |  | Omnerod
The Amensal Rise
Surprise metal AotY contender. Bombastic, sometimes to a fault, proggy as hell, heavy, delightfully over-dramatic, and propelled by monstrous, ever-changing vocals. Patience counts.
RATING: 4.5
LISTEN TO: "Magnets"
(praise sp0der m/ ) |
| 14 |  | Quasarborn
Novo Oružje Protiv Bola
Thrash in 2023 that's actually worth a damn. Casavir nod of approval. Jam m/
RATING: 4.0
LISTEN TO: "Novo oružje protiv bola" |
| 15 |  | Vintersea
Woven Into Ashes
Good lil slice of prog/melo/power if you're in need of some prog/melo/power.
RATING: 3.7
LISTEN TO: idk I kinda forget |
| 16 |  | Billy Woods and Kenny Segal
Maps
Strong effort from billy woods as he continues to assert himself as the big name in abstract hip-hop. Lyrically impressive, although the beats are not as strong as the amazing Hiding Places.
RATING: 3.8
LISTEN TO: "Babylon by Bus," "Year Zero" |
| 17 |  | Susanne Sundfor
Blomí
Kinda gave this a 4 as a meme when this only had 4.0 ratings, but also this is some seriously soothing, relaxing folksy pop (is that a thing?) that perfectly complements a warm, sunny day.
RATING: 4.0
LISTEN TO: "Alyosha" |
| 18 |  | Enforced
War Remains
Grr grr grr hardcore that goes for the jugular, tries nothing new but it'll slam your face into the pavement so take that.
RATING: 3.8
LISTEN TO: "STARVE" |
| 19 |  | IER
物の怪
Some frankly strange black metal that can and will try random things regardless of if they work or not. It's actually an unexpectedly entertaining romp, even when things don't stick.
RATING: 3.8
LISTEN TO: whole thing, it's fun |
| 20 |  | Kill Bill: The Rapper
Fullmetal Kaiju
Fun video-game cover that disguises some abstract beats surrounding depressed-as-fuck lyrics. Relatively inventive as a bonus!
RATING: 4.0
LISTEN TO: "Scales," "ALL DUNGEONS NO DOORS" |
| 21 |  | Scenario
When All is Said and Done
Underground skramz that takes a heavily melodic approach to their songwriting. Still retains a punch, but mainly flourishes off of its surprisingly gentle nature.
RATING: 3.8
LISTEN TO: "Ceremony" |
| 22 |  | Dozer
Drifting in the Endless Void
Some stoner-influenced rock that grooves and bangs harder than you might expect. It's got some serious OOMPH.
RATING: 4.1
LISTEN TO: "No Quarter Expected, No Quarter Given" |
| 23 |  | Dodheimsgard
Black Medium Current
A fantastical black metal odyssey with touches of industrial, post-punk, and other fun spices. One of the must-hear destinations of the year.
RATING: 4.5
LISTEN TO: "It Does Not Follow" |
| 24 |  | VoidCeremony
Threads of Unknowing
Some nice spiraling, proggy dm for your proggy dm needs.
RATING: 3.8
LISTEN TO: "Forlorn Portrait: Ruins of an Ageless Slumber" |
| 25 |  | Cursebinder
Drifting
A death metal album with a helping of black metal, some doom-inspired riffs, and ethereal synth work that give it a distinct character from most albums of its kind.
RATING: 4.0
LISTEN TO: "Drifting," "Shred by Shred" |
| 26 |  | Alcyone
Cult Of Kukulkan
Some strong, riffy black metal, it's a good time.
RATING: 3.7
LISTEN TO: "The Throes Of Entrapment" |
| 27 |  | Sermon
Of Golden Verse
Strong prog rock/metal that delivers atmosphere and hooks in equal measure while maintaining a concise runtime.
RATING: 4.3
LISTEN TO: "Light the Witch," "Departure" |
| 28 |  | Stegosauro
Stegosauro
Cute lil emo mathy goodness. Standard done well.
RATING: 3.7
LISTEN TO: iirc it's super short so just take it all in, matey. |
| 29 |  | Lucidity (RUS)
The Minsk Sea
S K R A M Z that will tear your body up no take-backs buckle up
RATING: 3.8
LISTEN TO: it is skramz, it is short, listen in full or u poopy |
| 30 |  | The HIRS Collective
We're Still Here
The grindcore equivalent of a metal opera lol. No seriously, look at all these features. It's not as entertaining as said feature list may make you believe, but it bangs and presses the right buttons for the most part
RATING: 3.8
LISTEN TO: "A Different Kind of Bed Death" |
| 31 |  | Endless, Nameless
Living Without
This is picking up some underground cred; deservedly so, for how well it pulls off a throwback post-hxc style with earnest, if flawed, experimentation tossed in.
RATING: 3.8
LISTEN TO: "Propaniac" |
| 32 |  | Basil's Kite
Shooting Tsars
Entertaining carefree post-hardcore jams to cure you on a bad day
RATING: 3.9
LISTEN TO: "Baroque Obama" |
| 33 |  | Lankum
False Lankum
Crushing somber folk/drone monolith. Takes time, but it clicks.
RATING: 3.8
LISTEN TO: "Go Dig My Grave" |
| 34 |  | ICECOLDBISHOP
GENERATIONAL CURSE
MC with a chameleon-like delivery performs vocal acrobatics on top of some seriously capital g gangster lyrics that paint a bleak, repeating portrait of street life. Underrated.
RATING: 4.0
LISTEN TO: "Candelight," "Cursed" |
| 35 |  | 23wa
RORSCHACH
Some emotional rap backed by lightly-glitched/hyperpop-esque soundscapes. Has a certain vibe to it that makes it engaging and soothing.
RATING: 3.7
LISTEN TO: the "FAREWELL" songs |
| 36 |  | Triumpher
Storming The Walls
Standard PM but done justice. Will supply headbanging and dragon-killing motivation when needed.
RATING: 3.8
LISTEN TO: "The Thunderer" |
| 37 |  | Maruja
Knocknarea
A potential lightning-in-a-bottle encapsulation of the best traits of the Windmill scene and adjacent acts. Trims the fat, beefs up the good, and goes buck fuckin wild with a charismatic sax performance.
RATING: 4.0
LISTEN TO: "Thunder" |
| 38 |  | Harboured
Harboured
Cool debut from an Allegaon side-project sort of thing. Melodic death metal with no new tricks, but it can hit hard.
RATING: 3.7
LISTEN TO: "Atlas to Fall" |
| 39 |  | Lonnie Holley
Oh Me Oh My
Emotional, soulful epic that's an ideal vehicle for its artist. Falls a bit short for me, but at times it's utterly sublime.
RATING: 3.8
LISTEN TO: "I Am A Part Of The Wonder" |
| 40 |  | Dispirited Spirits
The Redshift Blues
Space Emo, as some have half-jokingly called it. A one-man project with a delicate atmosphere and plentiful musical elements at play that are managed expertly.
RATING: 4.3
LISTEN TO: "Methanol Fire," "Redshift Blues" |
| 41 |  | slowthai
UGLY
slowthai brings the fire, and it bangs, but could also be a bit better. IDK it's been a bit but it's good!
RATING: 3.7
LISTEN TO: *shrugs* Life is busy :^( |
| 42 |  | Witch Ripper
The Flight After The Fall
Mastodon-core but good
RATING: 3.7
LISTEN TO: "The Obsidian Forge" |
| 43 |  | Toumai
Tempus Fugit
Zany French dudes play some jazzy rhythmic core-influenced metal shiz and the vocalist just kinda does a theater kid shtick and maybe they're all theater kids, I am also a theater kid so it speaks to me.
RATING: 4.0
LISTEN TO: "Dead Animal Farmer," "Cold Carnival" |
| 44 |  | Hypno5e
Sheol
Another Hypno5e album that clicks when it clicks, drags when it drags, but overall is a good prog metal/post metal time. Djent that isn't obnoxious somehow is always a plus.
RATING: 3.7
LISTEN TO: "Sheol - Part II - Lands of Haze" |
| 45 |  | Model/Actriz
Dogsbody
I listened to this before it was cool to hate it, where's my commemorative t-shirt
RATING: 4.0
LISTEN TO: Whole thing on penalty of being filtered |
| 46 |  | Wretched Fate
Carnal Heresy
The no-thought-head-empty man's death metal.
RATING: 4.0
LISTEN TO: "Cry from Beyond" |
| 47 |  | Enisum
Forgotten Mountains
Cute blackgaze album that juggles the -gaze and -metal pretty damn well. Pleasant listening experience.
RATING: 3.7
LISTEN TO: "Pure Sadness" |
| 48 |  | Lotus Eater Machine
Prisoner to Seven Demons
PURE FUCKING INERTIA-core
RATING: 4.2
LISTEN TO: "Scrapmetal Dermatologist" |
| 49 |  | Theophonos
Nightmare Visions
Some kind of blackened Converge. Wears its influences on its sleeve in that regard, but doesn't prevent it from hitting like a truck.
RATING: 3.8
LISTEN TO: "Nightmare Visionary" |
| 50 |  | Asteriae
Gasnac
Post-metal shtuff
RATING: 3.7
LISTEN TO: "Lament" |
| 51 |  | Eyes (DK)
Congratulations
Silly stupid fun metalcore with a noise kind of aesthetic to it. Come in to party, don't take yourself seriously, and turn the volume up.
RATING: 4.1
LISTEN TO: "dull BOY," "The City," "Congratulations!" |
| 52 |  | Young Fathers
Heavy Heavy
Interesting blend of hip-hop/soul/kinda folk/etc. It's a veritable blender.
RATING: 3.9
LISTEN TO: "I saw" |
| 53 |  | SKECH185
He Left Nothing for the Swim Back
My reigning AotY across all genres. An album delivered with frightening intensity, an album that sounds as if it's vitally important and has its pulse on the zeitgeist, both in terms of its social commentary, abstract beats, and desperate tone. It will be underrated eternally, unfortunately, unless you ACT NOW!
RATING: 4.6
LISTEN TO: "Badly Drawn Hero," "Up to Speed," "Western Automatic Music Pt. 1 & Pt. 2" |
| 54 |  | Oozing Wound
We Cater To Cowards
Honestly forgot about this one, but it's some greaty punky/hardcore-y/noisy jams that have a ton of energy. Might get slept on as the year goes on, but it's a banger with bangers.
RATING: 4.0
LISTEN TO: "The Good Times (I Don't Miss 'Em)" |
| 55 |  | Anachronism
Meanders
Good time death metal with a dissodeath streak to it
RATINGl 3.8
LISTEN TO: "Meanders" |
| 56 |  | Liongeist
Liongeist
Loud, thick, heavy post-metal. No fat, only thrills, even if the thrills themselves aren't original.
RATING: 3.8
LISTEN TO: "Third Molar" |
| 57 |  | Hoplites
Ψευδομένη
I'm running out of gas on these blurbs because me no sleep, uh this is banging blackened core go listen
RATING: 3.8
LISTEN TO: one of 'em |
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