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Last Active 01-01-70 12:00 am
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| MMXIX - Grump's year end list
My most favored albums in 2019 - with genre tags and descriptions. What a great year for black metal! I had to tighten the limits for this list just for the 4.5s and 5.0s because otherwise one list wouldn't be enough to name all those massive albums I've heard. It was a great year for dungeon synth as well, not surprisingly with the second most participants here. The first 3 are all 5.0s, the rest are 4.5s. | | 1 |  | Andavald
Undir Skyggðarhaldi
Icelandic black metal.
The absolute pinnacle of the year, and the strongest debut, and the best vocal performance as well. No album grabbed me like this one before... especially the song "Hugklofnun" was a very strong experience for me. This album grabbed me in the throat, clawed inside my brain and summoned something dark from the deep unknown, and left me behind like a dried out shell. This album is like if the essence of constant suffering, insanity and pure agony would be embodied in a twisted form of music. A very-very hard listening, and not recommended for everyone.
But the overall effect is something which makes me say: this is art. | | 2 |  | Vaa
Ur sägen och hävd
Neoclassical / dungeon synth.
I have no words to describe how beautiful is this... the best composed album in this year. If Mortiis and Howard Shore would make an album together, the result would be very-very similar to what Vää created in this one. A mellow, and calming yet exciting and adventurous release, which also came out of nowhere. | | 3 |  | Mayhem
Henhouse Recordings
Raw black metal.
Shortly before the infamous masters of black arts released their newest daemon, with a reissue series Peaceville Records released this vinyl-only album about the legendary rehearsal demo, which is a historical piece now. For being very raw and honest, the iconic lineup's performance, and a previously unreleased (and untitled) song which later was used by Emperor, gave me no choice just to 5.0 this beauty. Only for the hardcore fans! m/ | | 4 |  | Darkthrone
Old Star
(Black) metal ('80s worship).
And the riff of the year goes to Darkthrone for "The Key is Inside the Wall". The veteran duo of Fenriz and Nocturno Culto is just simply unstoppable, and they are still key figures in metal. (I might be a little bit biased since Darkthrone is one of my most favourite bands of all time, haha!)
YOU CREATE YOUR OWN DESSSSSSTINY! m/ | | 5 |  | Gaahls Wyrd
GastiR - Ghosts Invited
Progressive black metal.
For a while, it seemed Gaahl and Co. will take the crown, but... well, the first four happened, haha! It is still one of the pinnacles of the year with its unique style and atmosphere. Gaahl's vocal performance really shines in this record, and I loved his experimentations with his voice. And the whole package is also exceptionally good: the mix and production is tight and totally spot on, and I'd like to highlight how good the proggy black metal riffs and the drums are. | | 6 |  | Warmoon Lord
Burning Banners of the Funereal War
Melodic black metal.
The very best second wave, '90s worshipping black metal act of the year. Huge thanks to Hawks for spotlighting this for me. Everything is just right, and resembles my preferences generally in black metal: great riffing, the lo-fi(ish) production, heavy synth presence and those reverby shrieks. That magical touch of the Finnish artists on black metal is also very close to my heart - I just simply love how they forge melodies. Impressive debut, I can't wait for more. | | 7 |  | Dunjon Magik
Dunjon Magik
Dungeon synth / Berlin-school electronic.
Impressive and very adventurous release, I hope I can get my hands on a copy. Easily the best in Heimat Der Katastrophe's whole catalog. Magical and phenomenally composed. (And nerdy as hell, haha!) | | 8 |  | Mycologia
Assorted Mushrooms of New England
Dungeon synth / Berlin-school electronic.
One of the biggest surprises in this year - I mean, who would expect such a majestic album about mushrooms??? Very old-school, and kind of cute as well. Really hard to describe, because it is SO unique in concept. The relax factor is infinite! | | 9 |  | Kasjchq / Siege Tower
Split
Dungeon synth / noise electronic.
The most obscure release of the year. Unusal synth sounds and tempos, experimental composing, exceptional diversity... And the result? An exciting and oddly relaxing album. Super addictive, I have the goosebumps on every listen! | | 10 |  | Desolate Moon Phases
Heathenstones
Drone ambient.
Best drone release this year. Period. Interesting, and it feels sci-fi-esque and ancient in the same time! Great textures, enourmos atmosphere... loved it. | | 11 |  | Hajduk
Природа
Lo-fi black metal / ambient. [EP]
My soundoff says it all: "This is 100% my taste in lo-fi black metal: strong folk and ambient elements, minimalist riffing, distant and grim atmosphere." Bonus points for the Burzumish aesthetics. This band's full length will be legendary, I'm sure about it. | | 12 |  | Wormsblood
Bounds Beaten
Lo-fi black metal. [EP]
Very exciting and wild demo. Despite the lo-fi quality, this demo is a really exciting listen because it has a very wide spectrum of where did it take inspiration. | | 13 |  | Green Lung
Woodland Rites
Heavy stoner metal.
Sticking out of the rest, eh? One of the tastiest albums in 2019. Oh boy... this is SO much fun! The melodies, the guitar tone, the vocals... everything is spot on!! Very obvious and serious Sabbath worship. | | 14 |  | Owls Woods Graves
Citizenship of the Abyss
Black metal / punk.
Massive thanks to Papa Universe!! This is another extremly fun album, a perfect blend of raw black metal and punk. Infinite replay value. | | 15 |  | Synth Bard
Beyond the Crystal Cave
Dungeon synth / Berlin-school electronic.
Enormous album about a Dungeons & Dragons module. I think it says it all, haha! | | 16 |  | Black Anvil
Miles
Black metal. [EP]
One of my favourite modern black metal bands right now. I love their unique sound since their last LP (As Was) - especially their strong focus on clean vocals. It was a risky and brave change in their style, and I 100% support it. Super creative band. Keep it up Black Anvil!! | | 17 |  | N'Zwaa
Maha Kali
Blackened death metal.
Massive thanks to Papa Universe!! Unique concept and aesthetical representation. This slaps super hard! m/ | | 18 |  | Stellar Master Elite
Hologram Temple
Black metal / industrial.
Massive thanks to DDDeftoneDDD for bringing this to my attention!! Sick riffs, and the addition of industrial/electronic elements makes this album very unique and outstanding. And the atmosphere...! | | 19 |  | Apoxupon
How the Garden Grows
Neoclassical / dungeon synth.
Beautiful album, it is for ease your nerves - just lay down and enjoy the magical garden of sounds. | | 20 |  | The Wonders Of Atomic Mutations
Tunguska
"Berlin-school kosmische musik".
A wondrous and alienesque experimental synth album. (Very Tangerine Dream-ish!) | |
garas
12.07.19 | Alright, I did it! I had some free time and took the opportunity to make this list. | Gnocchi
12.07.19 | Niche end of year list, much love m/ | Papa Universe
12.07.19 | bump, bub | DDDeftoneDDD
12.07.19 | Thick list garas. We share 17 and 18. Will get to some of these plus I want to know what this dungeon synh is actually about. Hug | DDDeftoneDDD
12.07.19 | And damn tks for the props there! X) glad you dug it m/ SME is exquisite bm indeed! | Gyromania
12.08.19 | damn, can't find Vaa Ur sägen och hävd anywhere =[ | sixdegrees
12.08.19 | havent heard any of these | garas
12.08.19 | Thanks guys!! :]
Gyro, you can find Vää here: http://vaamusiikki.bandcamp.com/album/ur-s-gen-och-h-vd | TheNotrap
12.08.19 | I also dig Ghosts Invited | Trundle
12.08.19 | I really enjoyed 13 as well | garas
12.08.19 | Both 'Ghosts Invited' and 'Woodland Rites' deserves a lot more attention, imo. But they totally deserved to be on this list. | dedex
12.09.19 | Next year I'll follow more closely what you dig. Cool list garasbro | Dewinged
12.09.19 | Damn, that description of 1 made me doubt if I really need the suffering (I know I don't!) but now I am curious.
Great list, garas! | budgie
12.09.19 | are any of these black metal | garas
12.09.19 | Thankssss!
I hope I can rec you more interesting stuff next year, dedex!
Go for it Dewi! Even though that Andavald album is not an easy listen, but it is gorgeous. Full minor key midtempo black metal with demonic vocals + a sinister drone intro & outro. Masterpiece!
| garas
12.11.19 | Please someone buy 3, so I would have someone to talk about it, hahaha! | Bedex
12.15.19 | Goodness 11 is good | garas
12.16.19 | Hehe, that was the reason why me and dedex put it up on our year end lists! Hajduk rules m/ |
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