2013 was a fantastic year for metal releases, so many good ones that it was difficult to narrow it down. So here they are in (almost) no particular order, along with my 2 sentence reviews of each:
VOIVOD – Target Earth
Amazing and refreshing return from my all-time favorite band,
full of creativity and soul. It instantly claimed a spot next to my favorite
VOIVOD records.
GRAVE UPHEAVAL – Untitled
The murkiest and cavernousiest death metal record of
all-time. Makes “Onward to Golgotha” sound like power metal.
INQUISITION – Obscure Verses For the Multiverse
The perfect culmination of form and a graceful step forwards
for this Satanic duo. Glorious riffs from master craftsman Dagon.
BÖLZER – Aura
Insanely unique Swiss band, it’s rare to have a band burst
forth with this much personality and style. To me they sound like old NEUROSIS
playing atmospheric death metal.
CLOUD RAT – Moksha
Shoegaze grindcore, emo power-violence, whatever you call it
I absolutely love this band and this record. The Neil Young cover chills me to
the bone.
BEYOND – Fatal Power of Death
Excellent German death metal, hard hitting with a great
atmosphere. This one grew on me big time and now it’s been playing on repeat
for weeks.
DARKTHRONE – The Underground Resistance
These guys aren’t just paying homage to the great sounds of
the 80’s…they are taking those styles and aesthetics and writing some truly
great and well-crafted songs. My favorite is “Valkyrie”.
JESU – Everyday I Get Closer To the Light From Which I Came
If you like the previous JESU material this will not
disappoint. The prolific Mr. Broadrick always delivers and this is some of his
best material thus far.
MORTIFERA – Bleüu de Morte
A great new album from this French depressive/atmospheric
black metal band. Slower tempos than previous releases but still totally raw
and creative.
KNELT ROTE – Trespass
Pitch black terror! KNELT ROTE crafts a horrifying
amalgamation of black/death metal and bestial grindcore into the most fearsome
and intimidating release of the year.
