Veldin's Favorite 2014 Metal Lps
Over the past two years I've been slowly digesting all that the "metal" genre has
to offer and enjoying (almost) every minute of it. I've noticed that 2014 in
particular has been an excellent year for all types of metal - from the lo-fi solo
projects to the big name AAA metal acts. I've (apparently) listened to about 60
metal albums this year, so here are the albums I enjoyed the most and thought
were worth sharing and talking about this year. There's still so much to be heard,
so feel free to leave recommendations for bands/albums I may enjoy. I'd say only
the top 10 are ranked, with the other 15 being more loosely ranked. Enjoy! |
| 25 |  | The Mire
Glass Cathedrals
Fuck the new Mastodon LP, seriously |
| 24 |  | Nero di Marte
Derivae
Fans of escapist music of any sort should find something to love about this. Maybe. |
| 23 |  | Ethereal Riffian
Aeonian
I'm a sucker for conceptualized music...but now that I think about it...what was this album
about? Who knows, but THAT RIFF right thurrr |
| 22 |  | Behemoth
The Satanist
I suppose with a name like "The Satanist", this would be a metal essential. |
| 21 |  | IDYLLS
Prayer for Terrene
My girlfriend showed me the artist who contributed this LPs artwork and their stuff is amazing.
If someone could remind me of the artist's name that would be sweet. |
| 20 |  | Agalloch
The Serpent and the Sphere
*cough*Underrated*cough* |
| 19 |  | Sparky
Humanimation
A true gem from this year. |
| 18 |  | Dir En Grey
Arche
sum guud j-pop |
| 17 |  | Execration
Morbid Dimensions |
| 16 |  | Pyrrhon
The Mother of Virtues
Album that sparked the idea for this list. |
| 15 |  | The Contortionist
Language
If Cynic hadn't come out as homosexuals and made the record everyone wanted them to. (p.s.
I fucking love Cynic's newest album) |
| 14 |  | Triptykon
Melana Chasmata
Is that Cthulhu? |
| 13 |  | Artificial Brain
Labyrinth Constellation
Sci-fi af |
| 12 |  | Darkspace
Dark Space III I
THERE IS NO LEAVING DARK SPACE |
| 11 |  | Fallujah
The Flesh Prevails
Not too dissimilar to "Earthbound Evolution", this album is an indulgent tech-y metal album,
but still retains a sense of melody and elegantly structured tracks. |
| 10 |  | Old Man Gloom
The Ape of God II
Isis fame. Converge fame. Cave In fame. Four tracks spanning almost 50 minutes of head
churning, mind bending riffs and chasms. Through peaks and valleys of horror - your ears
won't know what hit 'em! |
| 9 |  | Beyond Creation
Earthborn Evolution
I have a friend who loves to hate BTBAM. He enjoys them, but finds them a tad...lifeless. I on
the otherhand, keep a steady erection for BTBAM and indulge in any sort of music that
reminds me of the band I used to believe was one of the best metal acts. Now I had
remembered Beyond Creation's last LP, but it did not prepare me for this sonic assault of this
album's brilliant artisanry. Every track seems meticulously crafted with a careful ear on every
sound produced by each instrument. Sure, my friend might be right - this kind of music IS
"mechanical" and perhaps to an extent, "lifeless", but "Earthborn Evolution" is one of the most
self-indulgent, classy as fuck metal album this year has to offer. |
| 8 |  | Ne Obliviscaris
Citadel
Heavy AND Classy? You can't go wrong with "Citadel", an absolute treat from start to end. My
only qualm is that this already extensive LP (about fifty minutes) feels too short and is over
before I know it. Solid musicianship and a truly gorgeous atmosphere prove this album's worth
effortlessly. |
| 7 |  | Panopticon
Roads to the North
There is something remarkably familar and comfortable in Lunn's journey "to the North". His
last LP resonated with me due to my geographical location and it's blues/folk/bluegrass
influences, but "Roads to the North" is an absolute journey and one of the most fascinating
expeditions of the year, I might add. |
| 6 |  | Cormorant
Earth Diver
An early favorite from this year. A professionally stirred pot of interesting metal ideas
spanning multiple genres and generations. Whether it be the insanely memorable riffs or the
always-tight drumming OR THAT ARTWORK. Mah gawd. |
| 5 |  | Giant Squid
Minoans
This album was hard to place on this list, because it's "metal credibility" is questionable. Being
more of a "insert various eclectic genre here" kind of group rather than a Metal's metal band,
some people may not agree with this album, but I feel that attention washed over this gem. I
was a huge fan of their previous album, "The Ichthyologist" and didn't believe they could top
that LP, but in it's own right, "Minoans" is a confident work of grandiose effort, showcasing
just how good this group is at making meaningful art. You almost feel like you are a citizen on
the Island of Crete awaiting your demise as the final wave comes crashing down... |
| 4 |  | Every Time I Die
From Parts Unknown
I truly wasn't expecting much from this record, but soon found it to be my favorite album by
ETID and that is coming from a long-time fan of these dudes. From the stellar production and
added touch of Kurt Ballou to the astounding vocal performance of Keith Buckley and of course
some of the sexiest riffs these guys have ever produced, you can't go wrong with ETID's
magnum opus (opinions!), "From Parts Unknown". |
| 3 |  | Morbus Chron
Sweven
This LP took me by surprise, but goddamn, from the opening sound (backmasking mayhaps?)
the listener knows they're in for a journey. Surprisingly one of the most memorable albums of
the entire year, but in a weird "I feel I've known this forever, was this extracted from the
astral planes?" kind of way. Perfect all the way through and devilishly satisfying for all fans of
metallic music. |
| 2 |  | Animals As Leaders
The Joy of Motion
There is something seductively alluring about this album, starting in one place & ending in
another - oh, the joy of motion indeed! I believe Tosin and co. has successfully crafted the
album they've been working towards, with absolutely no filler and no drab entries. A solid
work of art that can easily be appreciated from beginning to end. |
| 1 |  | Spectral Lore
III
I knew nothing about this solo project going into it, but soon discovered it would be one of the
most captivating albums of the year. My inital impressions were: "Wow, these guys have really
good chemistry" (but it's only one dude), "These are some of the longest/coherent/epic metal
tracks I've heard in awhile, all compiled onto one LP" & "Damn, how do you even make that
sound!?". After listening to Spectral Lore's discography and his contemporary's, it's clear to
see that Spectral Lore is at the forefront of DIY music and appears to be an unstoppable force. |
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