Early End of Year List cos I'm going to Thailand..
...in 4 days. Didn't do one last year cos I was in Cambodia off my face and can barely be bothered this and wont be when I'm knee deep in debauchery. SO....no long explanations. Top 40 and Top 5 Eps. Not a lot of 5's this year strangely, still lots of great music though innit bruv X. P |
| 45 |  | Fatboi Sharif and Roper Williams
Planet Unfaithful
Solid af Fatboi and Roper EP.
https://youtu.be/xBt9un3iLZo?si=NDo512msiFWmUR8G |
| 44 |  | Fucked For Life
Fucked For Life
Killer Sludgy PxV
https://youtu.be/ybC4YSh5Mpw?si=ezGAfHWwLTf2KtDh |
| 43 |  | Crouch
EP
Massive EP from 2/3 of Wiegedood or Half of Oathbreaker doing their best Crowbar impressions.
https://youtu.be/VXhwGQ781K4?si=5HUGaJkOf3fya1Gl |
| 42 |  | She The Throne
Orion
A magnificent precursor to their superb second album. Heavier, Noisier, Dystopian as fk, Lead single 'Orion' finishes like a Dune soudntrack.
https://youtu.be/yGLnrVcS1wk?si=episHJ1C1zm2j-M0 |
| 41 |  | Corrupted
Mushikeras
Corrupted come back after a mega hiatus, only half of the original, and release an absolute beauty of an EP given the changes and Sput is silent. Speaks volumes. Virgins.
https://corrupted1994.bandcamp.com/track/mushikeras |
| 40 |  | Stiff Meds
Tales From the Slab
Raging HxC Punk from one of the UKs best right now.
https://youtu.be/xd1Mwth1bes?si=m-GNE0PWyfAHFqRY |
| 39 |  | Pest Control
Don't Test the Pest
Just a fun as hell thrash record. Great to see them blowing up. Great live too.
https://youtu.be/VxEAIZfMe9g?si=ct_he-_EIFe8eOzj |
| 38 |  | James Holden
Imagine This Is A High Dimensional Space Of All Possibilities
His last couple of projects didn't really do it for me unlike the legendary 'Interiors' so was good to have a new Holden record I can vibe with. Flashbacks to younger days with nods to old Techno.
https://youtu.be/yzq8JA2TCRs?si=Qi0TPy6jmg2KzNfH |
| 37 |  | Ital Tek
Timeproof
One of my fave Electronic artist. Consistently great, minimal, dark electronica.
https://youtu.be/EsVGZFpGNq8?si=jdgCBCc1_roDdKmF |
| 36 |  | Bolt Gun
The Tower
Always experimental offerings from Aussies Bolt Gun. Sludgy post metal to soft sax ambient then Black metal bursts out of nowhere. I love how fluid they are with there song writing the general feeling they conjur on this record.
https://youtu.be/Xr40Qyb_8ww?si=L48HE6Gaj9ivcI46 |
| 35 |  | Mizmor
Prosaic
Liam never disappoints. Took a few goes for it to go down as well as his previous works of which I love but we got there. The video for 'No Place To Arrive' Is gold also. I think Mizmor/Hell/Thou all have my fave low end.
https://youtu.be/-TH57EBpDDg?si=sxxfxtbAiniA7MK3 |
| 34 |  | Sol An Varma
Sol an Varma
Icelandic Black Metal super group. Was lucky enough to see the commissioned project of this at Roadburn a few years back and finally a studio recording. Everything thats good about this scene is wrapped in this album.
https://youtu.be/LOjhrIpuC_k?si=xsorPIWyXoQXh4bz |
| 33 |  | Fossilization
Leprous Daylight
Finally their debut album after much promise and man It's disgusting.
https://youtu.be/pplqg984HJ4?si=X_zng-M9MrvF6_QO |
| 32 |  | Endless Swarm
Manifested Forms
Tremendous dose of Grind/PxV/Core fun from Scotlands madmen. So good.
https://youtu.be/moY05Ori-PQ?si=QopSpeBxNRUSmjG_ |
| 31 |  | Chepang
Swatta
Fantastically fresh and fun Grind record from NY by way of Nepal. The Guest list on this too man Tashi Dorji, Marston, Dave Witte. Crazy.
https://youtu.be/rj3yT5AFdnQ?si=inCKK0d8azjfTwDO |
| 30 |  | thisquietarmy
Hiatus
Beautiful dark ambient live session from a consistently great and ridiculously prolific stalwart of the genre.
https://youtu.be/5YOv5b47Ou4?si=vbOyxt5LWZ8huR5P |
| 29 |  | Ex Everything
Slow Change Will Pull Us Apart
Members of wonderful Kowloon Walled City among others, You can hear that tone in it but in a more Mathy Noise rock take. Superb debut on Neurot.
https://youtu.be/8AL6DDA1S70?si=p8do9HNpDah8_rWR |
| 28 |  | Torpor (UK)
ABSCISSION
Post Metal/Sludge goodness from the shores of Broken Britain. Their best and most consistent to date. Huge.
https://youtu.be/Gab2ScYJ4EE?si=MY4LarGoxoKqQqnc |
| 27 |  | Moni Jitchell
Unreal
Glasgows got a tremendous alternative scene at the minute. Noise rock duo Moni Jitchell are another fine example.
https://youtu.be/Sjux_PZq64g?si=WwSR0Xtv_MVe-REY |
| 26 |  | Skin Tension
Celebrant
Ferocious madness, Gnocci called it ' Kaleidoscope death metal' I think, on his review. Apt. Rager.
https://youtu.be/rrN5K0sOa2s?si=COm98cNxVcDbBXaB |
| 25 |  | Stomach
Parasite
Fk yes. This my world right here. Seething, dense sludge. No frills
https://youtu.be/vX0Rx7VjbAg?si=SvIc-trm5-84XlX- |
| 24 |  | Full Of Hell and Primitive Man
Suffocating Hallucination
The noise sections kill it in parts a little bit but in the large it crushes as you would expect and feels slightly underrated. Did not let me down.
https://youtu.be/7CG7hfEunS0?si=NChJv0rWsRYhBgFA |
| 23 |  | Victory Over The Sun
Dance You Monster To My Soft Song!
A fine follow up to 'Nowherer' Chock full of ideas, twists and turns. Another artist who really stepped forward with this one. The clean sections really remind me of Kayo Dots and I don't say that easily. Her songwriting now is coming into its own into a very unique experimental black metal act.
https://youtu.be/hzqcwFZUZJ8?si=Gu77CSKhfgEoBKX- |
| 22 |  | New Forms
As Dust Collects
Excellent emo violence release (always hated that term tbh) on the brilliant Zegema beach records.
https://youtu.be/_BLs9dOrX-g?si=7kz9wAc9IOhYAxe3 |
| 21 |  | SKECH185
He Left Nothing for the Swim Back
So good to see SKECH getting some shine after all these years. Backwoodz is really hawking back to a Def Jux era right now. Jeff Malarkys production is so fking dope too.
https://youtu.be/_BhUaeYOafk?si=sshB5g_BuedJIoPl |
| 20 |  | Jeromes Dream
The Gray In Between
So...... this is the ONLY Jeromes Dream I have ever enjoyed. S O Z. Happy to be here though. Always find their early well know and highly regarded stuff realllllly Irritating. This absolutely goes though.
https://youtu.be/UtoMUHIveJA?si=YrSr_DxiERDcej9C |
| 19 |  | Sprain
The Lamb As Effigy
Long as fk. Part Swans, some Daughters, Sprinkle of Chat pile even bits of Primus on the lead single but even then all its own beast. Its an event for sure and also absolutely brilliant.
https://youtu.be/nWNa3ZwvOqk?si=bkicRV1S-vIoKSMw |
| 18 |  | KEN mode
Void
Saw Ken Mode this year and they blew me away. Aways been a fan but they really killed it live. This album is no different.
https://youtu.be/8AL6DDA1S70?si=p8do9HNpDah8_rWR |
| 17 |  | Bell Witch
Future's Shadow I: The Clandestine Gate
Another monolith from two of Funeral dooms kings. Obviously these full 80mins long tracks are another you have to really be in the mood for. To sit down and inject it all. It's almost opposite to how we live our lives now but how rewarding if you make it. Consistently brilliant.
https://youtu.be/Mg8TLge8gUU?si=fFfvvran4lPIjBYe |
| 16 |  | Colin Stetson
When we were that what wept for the sea
An absolute pearl as usual from the worlds strongest lungs.
https://youtu.be/Gr62qrvwV74?si=eHer47pPdvjxHul1 |
| 15 |  | Khanate
To Be Cruel
The boys are back in town. Hand me the rope. Can't wait to see this in the Flesh at Roadburn. Have a feeling this will grow even more over the years.
https://youtu.be/4QAFDbJkJ_g?si=ZMn93wTejp4RF1I1 |
| 14 |  | Altarage
Worst Case Scenario
The Experimental death metal Spaniards back on TOP form after a few missteps. Back to their imaginative, cohesive, suffocating best.
https://youtu.be/1x9HjaOWyQs?si=tY0uLBTFH1culW47 |
| 13 |  | JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown
Scaring the Hoes
Not always been a big Danny Brown fan but this whole record is tremendous. Some of the best beats anywhere this year too. This one especially.
https://youtu.be/ySSfdqlD4dw?si=zkUYMAuS2gbWnyGm |
| 12 |  | Body Void
Atrocity Machine
Stunningly crushing as usual from Body Void and arguably their heaviest yet. You know what you're getting, kinda similar with friends Primitive Man but just the slightest subtle changes can pay off big in this case the extra noise/electronic from Janys-Iren. Its been there on the last release but here its very prominent and massively adds the destruction. Hopelessness , my fave feeling.
https://youtu.be/olPYB-bABbM?si=7XA12_XwBdYH2X-5 |
| 11 |  | Fvnerals
Let the Earth Be Silent
Super atmospheric, dark ambient laden doom. Always loved this band but its a big step up. It's pretty bleak but has clean enough production to not make it truly filthy grim (which is usually how I like it )but it works perfectly on this. The kinda Chelsea Wolfe/Esben style vox just add to its grandeur.
https://youtu.be/ASDitNErd-Q?si=FIlNFVwpbuKFAUJy |
| 10 |  | Sleepwalker (JPN)
Skopofoboexoskelett
Incredible band. Nothing like them, have loved every single thing they've done as it is always wild and new and takes a multiple listens to even start to decipher it properly. No different here. So much packed into 25 minutes.
https://youtu.be/NqnvQC124wM?si=Svg1_hGOrFXpsPG8 |
| 9 |  | Sunset (USA-MI)
Sunset
Unreal, all encompassing Black metal. Headphones really bring it out as is does kinda have that Cavernous production but the vocal switch ups the Journey itself never gets boring while still feeling relentless. Surprise of the year.
https://youtu.be/4kTPbXeiosQ?si=kAyhfZ6pMNC2vRfT |
| 8 |  | She The Throne
NUNTIS
A perfect coming together of everything they have done so far. The kind of dystopian, Kubrick score feel they have with the added noise elements of their EP last year with the even more messed up manipulated Vox (Never thought I'd hear a full on scream on a STT record) There even Industrial elements in there and the production and writing is stellar. Superb.
https://youtu.be/gmv1o9tw-o0?si=goKHiMihIAoAr3mA |
| 7 |  | Otay:onii
Dream Hacker
Different and less Chaotic/Angry than 'Ming Ming' and more into a poppy sphere in parts but boy does it not Lose any of the magic. Lanes voice and songwriting just seems to find a home in me. I fell for her personal story this year and the music born from it. Shame it looks like there will be no more ECW though :(
https://youtu.be/bS_YONAT0C0?si=4LJXlf4wFeW6RGYY |
| 6 |  | Liturgy
93696
Absolutely ridiculous. I love latter Liturgy but I have to be in the mood for it thats for sure. When I am though I'm consistently blown away.
https://youtu.be/5uY3DmzVL4Q?si=pRBBg_nW-uLt6oV1 |
| 5 |  | Thantifaxath
Hive Mind Narcosis
Could have sworn this would be my number 1 but there is a slight lull midway and since everything they've done before has been faultless, It sticks out but its still close to perfect and Still better than your fave black metal bands record.
https://youtu.be/zF2FFxpIjMs?si=OBA7iDgF87wPF9tw |
| 4 |  | Painted Throat
The Clock Shaken From The Wall
Members of the almighty Ehnahre. If you know them you know what to expect. Disturbing noise/drone/experimental. Not for everyone. Definitely for me. Filth.
https://youtu.be/fUNKptZ0gUU?si=fwJsgGhXu1pTyndr |
| 3 |  | Billy Woods and Kenny Segal
Maps
Annual Billy Woods top three Job. What's more to say? Billy and Kenny are the dream team. Billy is in the conversation. You know it.
https://youtu.be/JC_AO9F6xTY?si=IXX6YyxVex7Ay_Yc |
| 2 |  | Armand Hammer
We Buy Diabetic Test Strips
Another supreme record from Armand Hammer. I just had to put this and 'Maps' side to side because theyre equally brilliant but my preference for the left field has this ahead as some of the beats on here are phenomenal ( I think at leat a third by JPEG?) but its neck and neck. Elucid is still one of the most underrated talents for me. AH can do no wrong. Legendary.
https://youtu.be/ZDclwsRRLlU?si=LOpjFVwU4mJFlulG |
| 1 |  | Big|Brave
nature morte
Saw it live at Roadburn and its just really stuck with me all year. Saw them go from the smaller stages all the way up and playing this in full with a bassist on the Main stage ruined me. THE best Big Brave record and my fave record this year. Phenomenal band.
https://youtu.be/BvrG7MDBZsI?si=vD835S5hlplQ0Zmm |
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