But for now, let's start it.
15. The Sword-Gods of the Earth.
I've been having to defend this band for a little while now, from cries of "hype band" or "they don't LOOK like a stoner metal band" and various other quips which shouldn't take away from their music. Hopefully the naysayers will be silenced when they listen to this bad boy. The riffs are stronger, the lyrics are a little more in keeping with stoner and sludge metal's territory. J.D.'s vocals could still use some work, but hopefully they'll get better with time.14. TIE: Indifference-Impression, Depression and At Half-Mast-Fathers and Sons.
I couldn't value one band over the other, since they're both full of great guys, and making just as great music. Both melodic hardcore, both from the same area, but taking influences from different camps (one from One King Down and Unbroken, the other from Modern Life is War and Shai Hulud). It's rare when you can say that your surrounding areas produced two of the best records of the year.
13. Origin-Antithesis.
I've already stated how ridiculously awesome this tech death cd was, and how Origin are probably one of the few bands doing it that are worth a shit. But hell I'll say it again: this cd was awesome, and Origin are one of the few technical death metal bands on the planet who aren't boring as fuck.12. Rotten Sound-Cycles.
This would have ranked higher, had I not listened to it so late in the year. I can credit my friend Eric for really getting me into this band, and I now have another reason to like Finland again (I sure as hell got bored with their melodeath scene). Fusing the best of crust, grindcore, punk, death metal, and a whole lot of groove, this could be the best thing they've done to date. Short and sweet (like all grind needs to be), but with still enough time to get their points across.11. Fight Amp-Hungry for Nothing.
It's still kind of hard to believe that this band is from New Jersey, considering how much of a hardon they seem to have for the south. Hell you could almost call them Kylesa Jr. A good amalgam of sludge, doom, crust, hardcore, noise rock and some good vocal tradeoffs to boot. They apparently have to plans to record and release a followup some time this year. It should be interesting to see where they go from here.
10. Misery Index-Traitors.
One of my most anticipated collaborations of the year turned into one of my top albums. Kurt Ballou isn't just one of the most awesome guitarists in the world, but he has a knack for bringing out the best in bands. Heck quite a few of the albums on my list were produced by him. But enough Kurt ass kissing. Misery Index is almost too intelligent to be called a death metal band, yet they're too technical to be considered grind. Whatever the case, they're just plain awesome. The guest vocals from Guy of The Red Chord and Tomas Lindberg only add to this incredible release. Wonder what the new presidency will bring for their future albums?9. Annihilation Time-III: Tales of the Ancient Age.
Again, I don't really need to explain this one since I already did in a previous entry. But just in case, the following is a list of what you may need to be a fan of in order to enjoy this: beer, weed, Black Flag, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Partying, Municipal Waste, good times, riffs, punk rock.
8. Trash Talk-s/t.
After some falling out with Deathwish Inc. (over what I'm still not sure), these California mad men made what could be considered the most pissed off album of 2008. It's over in nearly the blink of an eye, but that was kind of the point. Plus you may be too busy hitting repeat to notice. The production is dirty and there are several points which dabble with sludge, giving it an almost HHIG sound. They're already at work on a new EP set for release this year as well. GET PISSED.7. Trap Them-Seizures in Barren Praise
As I've mentioned in previous postings, TT is one of my favorite bands I've discovered in the past couple of years or so. Their third release with Kurt Ballou, and their overall 2nd full length, this one is a mindfuck. Ryan McKenny's vocals sound like he's gargling with glass and Mike Justian's (The Red Chord, Unearth) addition on drums solidifies and strengthens the blasting. The most surprising addition to this disc though is the final track "Mission Convincers," which slows things down to a crawl and ends up being one of the strongest points of the disc. Good job gentlemen. If this crust/grind/death thing doesn't work out, giving sludge metal a shot wouldn't be a hard task for you.
6. Opeth-Watershed.
This album had one (well technically two) giant thing going against it: the departure of two prominent members, Peter Lindgren and Martin Lopez. The Swedes managed to conquer any doubt though and released, to me, their best album since Blackwater Park. The melodies are stronger than ever. "Burden" in particular has shot it's way into my top Opeth songs. Seeing them live twice in support of it helped seal the deal too.5. Torche-Meanderthal
Yeah yeah, I know this is taking top spots damn near everywhere but I don't give a fuck. This record ROCKS. Nearly every song is perfect, and each guitar riff is memorable. It really IS like Foo Fighters meets Mastodon. Hell listen to "Healer" and "Across the Shields" and tell me you couldn't hear those played on the radio. Steve Brooks is the coolest dude sucking cock in the metal world. Yes even cooler than Halford. Mainly because he didn't try to release a concept record about Nostradamus.4. Paint it Black-New Lexicon
Again, this would probably be even higher had I gotten around to listening to it earlier. But alas, it still made top 5. Dan Yemin is the man. He's not writing the typical bullshit punk rock/hardcore lyrics. Hell the dude has a degree in Clinical Psychology, so you know he isn't some imbecilic moron. This is another record that seems to end just as fast as it started, but it's odd use of ambiance and interludes help make this stand out from the pack.And now we get into the top 3. The ones that will be remembered for quite a while...
3. Cursed-III: Architects of Troubled Sleep
Cursed's swan song is ultimately their best effort, showing that the furious Canucks were one of the few bands in hardcore to get better with each and every release. Everything here is dark, evil, and pissed, just the way you should like it. And if you don't like that, don't support this band. The artwork from John Dyer Baizley is only an added bonus. The chants at the end of "Friends in the Music Business" will be stuck in your head for quite some time. It's shame that a terrible incident with theft overseas caused them to disband before they could truly become legends. R.I.P.
2. Disfear-Live the Storm
Well how about that! My current favorite band from Sweden somehow managed to actually top their 2003 masterpiece "Misanthropic Generation!" How did this happen? Well, let's see: ex-Entombed guitar player in the fold? Kurt Ballou producing? Tomas Lindberg going more raw? The rock n roll vibe increased while still keeping it's crust/d-beat roots intact? Hell yeah! Every song was a winner here and just makes you want to drive down a highway fast. Or something. Now give me a full U.S. tour damn it!
1. Blacklisted-Heavier Than Heaven, Lonelier Than God
Taking a gander at the cover for Blacklisted's latest might give you a slight idea of what is in store. It is sure as hell bleak, and singer George Hirsch probably wouldn't make the best motivational speaker, but he sure as hell makes a great writer. The rest of the band is giving their all as well, throwing out tighter playing and, like PIB, adding in ambient interludes that only add to the despair found here. It's over in less than 20 minutes, which makes better sense than one would realize. Again, I can't stress enough about how poignant these lyrics are, with each one sticking out in your mind almost like a mini suicide note (opener "Stations" for example, opens with "Peace Is Just A Warm Gun Away..."). The last track "Wish" isn't likely to put you in a great mood, but it's one of the most heart-wrenching songs I've ever heard in hardcore, or hell for ANY genre of music for that matter. I'm almost afraid to hear the follow up to this, but then again I'm really hoping the band doesn't implode and I might be able to hear them perform these songs live.
Now for some minor mentions.
Favorite EP: The Carrier-No Love Can Save Me. I wasn't too ecstatic on this band's full length "One Year Later", but I did see a lot of promise. It seems like they're getting better with their approach to melodic hardcore, and this EP is solid proof. From the slow emotional dirge or "No. 51" to the singalong of "Epilogue: Forgiveness," this is more than likely to turn you into a full fledged fan. Should be interesting seeing them in March.
Favorite Splits: TIE: Disfear/Doomriders and Hour of the Wolf/Lewd Acts. Both were just as good as the other, though every band has their roots in punk rock and hardcore (with Doomriders showing their love for stoner rock as well). While the Disfear song is apparently an outtake from Live the Storm, Doomriders gave us their first new material in a couple of years, and it rocks harder than most of their older tracks. Which is saying a lot considering how awesome "Black Thunder" is. Lewd Acts are pretty pissed off, and don't seem as intent on partying or raging like HOTW does, but that odd mix doesn't really come across as bothersome or anything like that. Check both of em out. Unfortunately the first one is only available as a 7" so you might have to d/l that one.
That's part 2. Part 3, which will deal with movies (best AND worst) will be up in a couple of days or so.
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