Albums #6-10 here. Albums #11-15 here. Check out this Spotify playlist for the full list, honourable mentions, singles and a few not-metal releases. 5 – EQUINOX VIGIL – INEXORUM (USA) June 17, 2022 The most death metal band on this list, it’s whiplash inducing fast with just the right amount...
Albums #11-15 Check out this Spotify playlist for the full list, honourable mentions, singles and a few not-metal releases. 10 – CATHARSIS – HIGH FELLS (USA) November 25, 2022 A completely outstanding debut release from this Texan quartet; who knew something so cold and icy could come out of The Lone Star...
With the explosive return of live music this year, it was nice to have a slightly smaller selection of albums to sift over, and the opportunity to see a few pandemic discoveries live. I rounded up some of the albums I enjoyed and present them to you as my annual recommendations....
5 – Trisagion – ETHEREAL SHROUD (UK) December 10, 2021 A depressive cloud of black metal with doom elements, “TRISAGION” is thoughtful, miserable and frigid. From the clean melodic vocals to the anguished screaming it surrounds the listener with layers of complexity. Thundering drums, and funeral riffs are highlighted with...
10 – Bellum I – AQUILUS (Australia) December 3, 2021 Gentle classical piano paired with tragic, rasping black metal vocals. The caress of soothing choral-laden instrumentals soften the clamour of crashing symbols and resolute drumming. An album that is expressive, relaxing, intense and mysterious all at the same time. A...
15 – The Zornheim Sleep Experiment – ZORNHEYM (Sweden) October 22, 2021 The single “Slumber Comes In Time” was my most played new track of the year. I absolutely loved the chipper chorus, and upbeat rhythms that complimented the dark themes of being in a mental institution. The rest of...
20 – Hädanefter – JORDFÄST (Sweden) May 7, 2021 The two man black metal project of JORDFÄST has been around since 2017 but this is their first release. Two tracks total just over half an hour, and vary between mournful guitar work, frantic drumming and harsh vocals. Delivering varying tempos,...
As expected, Two Paths begins with the typical Ensiferum intro that starts every album, building the anticipation for the thrust into the moshing music defined by the double kicks, the fast guitar riffs and the gang chants. Brass fanfare and hoarse vocals bring us full circle into the standard Ensiferum album. The...
Piano? Check. Growls? Check. Epic clean vocals? Check. Well-written lyrics that you’ll be singing to by the second listen? Check. Ovary exploding arrangement of guitar solos and melodies? Check. This is easily one of the best albums Amorphis has come out with. 9/10 Originally published on extrememetal.tv