Cobalt - Gin (Profound Lore Records)

Every once in a while an album comes along that is so good it makes all other music simply not enjoyable.  One such album causing me to experience this phenomenon is Cobalt's, epic black metal masterpiece, 'Gin'.  Words cannot describe the ferocity and destructiveness conjured up by this 2-piece as they belt out ten songs of exteme metal.  'Gin', released in 2009 through Profound Lore, is a must listen for all exteme metal heads. 

Fav Tracks:  'Pregnant Insect', 'Dry Body' and the non-metal track 'Man Who Lied for His Entire Life'

My Rating:  10 / 10

SardoniS - SardoniS (Self Released)

Today's special is Stoner/Doom Metal served w/o vocals, courtesty of the 2 man wrecking crew known as SardoniS.  SardoniS self-titled debut album, released in 2010, received high praise from many critics in the Doom/Sludge Scene.  I'm not sure why the band capitalizes the final letter in their name, nor do I really care.  I do care that SardoniS play brutally heavy riffs at a blisteringly fast and hypnotically slow pace, all in equal measure.     

Fav Tracks:  'March of the Masses', 'Wolf's Lair', & 'More Severe Things Await'

My Rating: 9 / 10

White Lung - Sorry (Deranged Records)

I think now is as good a time as any for a non-metal daily review.  With that in mind, allow me to introduce, 'sorry', the second studio album by the punk rock/post-punk band, White Lung.  Released last year, I'm quite puzzled as to how this album escaped the radar of many mainstream music reviewers (i.e. pitchfork, spin, pop matters, etc).  Regardless, this album is raw gritty aggresive post-punk with each track clocking in under 2.5 minutes and several under 1 minute.  Really good music, check it out!

Fav track:  'I rot' & 'Those Girls'

My Rating:  9.5 / 10

Order of the Owl - In the Noon of the After Day (Self Released)

A runner up for my favorite 2012 'debut album' is, 'In the Noon of the After Day' by Order of the Owl. 

I first heard of these lads through one of my favorite DJ/blogger/metal-heads who goes by the moniker of 'The Wicked Lady'.  If you're into the Doom/Sludge/Stoner metal scene, do yourself a favor and check out her weekly podcast here. 

Anyways, some good ole fashioned dirty sludge metal coming by way of Order of the Owl. 

Fav track:  'In the Noon of the After Day'

My Rating:  7 / 10

Top 20 of 2012

Its better late than never I suppose.  To any fellow bloggers reading this; I would like to know how you manage to listen to so much music?  Even now, mid February, there are dozens of albums on my radar from 2012 I have yet to hear.  Perhaps the trick is to listening to only new music. 

Without further ado, here it is......

p.s.  I've linked each album title to the appropriate bandcamp/record label/amazon web page. 


#20 Ice Dragon - Greyblackfalconhawk (Self-Released)

#19 Lumerians - Transmission from Telos Vol. IV (Permanent Records)

#18 Cloud Nothings - Attack on Memory (Carpark Records)

#17 Christian Mistress - Possession (Relapse Records)

#16 John Talabot - ƒIN (Permanent Vacation Records)

#15 Swans - The Seer (Young God Records)

#14 Baby Woodrose - Third Eye Surgery (Bad Afro Records)

#13 From Beyond - One Year EP (Self-Released)

#12 Windhand - Windhand (Self-Released)

#11 Aqua Nebula Oscillator - Third (Tee Pee Records)

#10 Orange Goblin - A Eulogy for the Damned (Candlelight Records)

#9  Jess & the Ancient Ones - S/T (Svart Records)

#8  White Lung - Sorry (Deranged Records)

#7  Goat - World Music (Rocket Recordings)

#6  Beak> - >> (Invada Records)

#5  Creature with the Atom Brain - Birds Fly Low (Sacred Love/Waste My Records)

#4  Royal Thunder - CVI (Relapse Records)

#3  Horseback - Half Blood (Relapse Records)

#2  Early Graves - Red Horse (No Sleep Records)

#1  High on Fire - De Vermis Mysteriis (E1 Music)

         








Thoughts?  As I mentioned in the open, I still haven't had a chance to hear the new Converge, Neurosis, Ancestors, and a lot of other albums that received generally positive reviews. 

Windhand - Windhand (Self Released)

Probably my favorite 'debut album' released in 2012 belongs to Windhand's self-titled full length.  If you're craving some seriously heavy and slow riffs to go along with clean vocals, look no further than this brilliant 5 piece.   Nod your head and obey the riff! 

Favorite Tracks:  'Summon the Moon' & 'Winter Sun'

My Rating:  9 / 10

Royal Thunder - CVI (Relapse Records)

So it has been a little over 2 months since my last post and I am seriously considering changing the name/frequency of posts to 'Album of the Week' or maybe 'Album of Every Other Week'.  

Fortunately, during the time between my last post and now I was able to sit down and digest Royal Thunder's new album 'CVI' released late in 2012  What a brillaint album!  Every track has a sort of modern doom metal sound with a bluesy/garage rock twist.  Oh and Miny Parsonz kills it on vocals! 

Every track kicks ass!  Check em out asap.

My Rating: 9.5 / 10