metalhead gallery

(10) Abysmal Dawn - Leveling The Plane Of Existence
I admire the open-mindedness guys, but stick to death metal, it's what you're good at. The only issue I had was that while it is a very good album, in all honesty it doesn't really stand out from the rest of the genre. The whole time I was listening to (and enjoying) this album, I just couldn't shake the impression that it sounded like an American band doing what plenty of other European bands like Disavowed and Hour of Penance have already done. But in the end, it's still totally worth getting.

(9) The Boy Will Drown - Fetish
In terms of consistency, the band have it sussed. Every track on the album is listenable yet every track has its flaws as well. The two instrumental snippets on the tastefully named tracks (Josef Fritzl and Elizabeth Fritzl respectively) are quite strange and dream like - it appears as if it is just mindless, weird noodling but perhaps not. Plus it sounds like a tape player or old battered radio. But in conclusion, this is a contender for best debut album of the year. If you love technical music, you'll adore this. If you think Psyopus suck and want to give a similar band who have more structure a try, then get this. But you have been warned, it is an utter mindfuck.

(8) Annotations of an Autopsy - II: The Reign of Darkness
I am very impressed with this album, and feel that AOAA have advanced greatly. They are no longer amongst the ranks of the pig squealing deathcore runts: they are leaders of the scene and have wisely advanced their sound rather than remaining on the doomed deathcore bandwagon. I hope that they continue to advance and that I get to see them live again sometime soon, as these tunes are pretty immense live: really get the moshing and headbanging going!

(7) Origin - Antithesis
The album is really, really good. It doesn’t have a weak track, has standout riffage and doesn’t just all seem like one big song as is the case with many bands who kind of have “their own” sound. It is well played, well executed and pretty much great all round. The only criticism I have is the production. It sounds a little washy at times – don’t get me wrong, all the levels are there (despite the bass seeming slightly hidden), it just doesn’t seem quite as smooth as my ears would like. But this is a minor issue, and shouldn’t put anyone off pursuing what is a quality release from a great modern metal band.

(6) Abigail Williams - In The Shadow Of A Thousand Suns
Abigail Williams' "In the Shadow of a Thousand Suns” is quickly becoming one of those albums I have to hear daily, and with good reason. The mix of styles, instruments, aesthetics, and the overall structure of each song is so vastly unique, emotionally driven, heavy and brutal, symphonic and delicate, and epically colossal that I find myself craving more after each listen of this album.

(5) Soreption - Deterioration Of Minds
They are fueled by social and psychological lyrical subjects rather than medical carnage, and they are obviously well versed on the current state of death metal popular among younger crowds. But despite any prejudice for or against the style, they are a talented lot, and fast to constrict you, should you grant permission to their riff-oiled coils. Deterioration of Minds is a great debut, and I'm stoked to see how the band will progress and mature from here.

(4) Gorod - Process Of A New Decline
Process Of A New Decline plays as a soundtrack to the merciless hacking and total destruction of a main-frame computer database, a mechanical and impartial Ragnarok upon the whims of humanity's technological follies. Nobody ever thought technical death could sound this good. One of the best words I could use to describe this would be purpose - never do Gorod stop sounding like they have a mission to accomplish. It's very gratifying. Gorod have created a serious ass-kicking beast here, and if this is what they can do now, I shudder at how powerful they might grow in a few more years...

(3) Obscura - Cosmogenesis
Cosmogenesis is an instant keeper. If you were to mix post-1990 Death (especially with Steffen's banshee screams) with Atheist and Necrophagist, you'd get this album. This is exactly how progressive death metal should sound; heavy, atmospheric, technical, and with a strong vocal performance.

(2) Hour Of Penance - Paradogma
This album delivers an unrelenting sonic punch to the gut of Christianity with intensity, precision, and power. Old fans should be pleased. Hour of Penance has managed to make an album that retains the excellence of The Vile Conception, yet sounds just different enough from their previous releases to keep things interesting. To the uninitiated: Hour of Penance does not sound quite like any one band, but if a blend of modern Behemoth, Krisiun, Nile, and just a pinch of Cannibal Corpse sounds good to you, you owe it to yourself to check this out.

(1) Behemoth - Evangelion
I’m pleased to say that Behemoth has achieved a big feat here. Evangelion strides infinitely higher than their other releases due to its strong increase in quality within literally every characteristic. The band’s attempts at combining intelligent subject matter, the passion ov writing chaotic and cohesive music with a message, and worldwide influences musically and lyrically have finally been fully realized, so here’s hoping Behemoth can continue their stride in the future, but for now we can let those choir chants haunt our souls as they shout “Christians to the lions!”

I'm sure I left out your favorite band or got the order of my list screwed up, tell me whatcha think in the comments box. Remember, this list is my opinion. Hopefully you dig what you see!