Greetings, Decibel readers!
Ah, it’s that time of year again. That magical time when we put out our list of the top 40 albums of the year, and everyone on our socials complains about it. In many cases, the gripes amount to not satisfying 20% of people. Ten percent have what I call “obscurity bias,” wherein they consider something good if barely anyone likes it. And sure, great art is often overlooked in its time, and it can be satisfying years later when you can say you were ahead of the curve. After all, I’ve been a huge fan of Hulder since the demo years, and so it’s great to see her at #12 on this year’s list. But “Bestial Form of Humanity” was a great track because of the riffs, vocals, and atmosphere — not because your average normie didn’t know who she was or would be repulsed by her music. Also keep in mind that, sometimes there’s a good reason something is obscure beyond “people just don’t get it … maaaaaaaaaaaan.”
Likewise, a lot of people complain about “seemingly obvious” bands that we fail to include year after year. In the inverse of my previous point, just because a bunch of metal sites are hyping a band (probably to get their PR buddies to stop flooding their inbox about it) and said band is blowing up on social media doesn’t mean there’s some onus on us to cover them to make you happy. Social media engagement now mostly rewards “vibes” over compelling and infectious songwriting, and thus much of the heavy music that’s reached near-mainstream-crossover status since about 2012 is as exciting as cold butter on stale bread in retrospect. So before you create a bunch of content somewhere without getting paid for it (the ultimate loser move in any context), you could consider just liking what you like and getting a life.
And while you’re at it, check out the new releases below.
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Burial Oath – The Cycles of Suffering
Dark and menacing black metal, infused with melancholy riffs and thrilling vocals that grab the listener and keep their attention from start to finish. This is a really impressive get for Redefining Darkness records, and we’re very much in Thomas’s debt for bringing wider exposure to this band. And as with many bands I list here, this is big discovery for me as well, as the band has two previous albums to explore. This is modern black metal at its best, raw in energy but clear in delivery, aggressive and melodic in equal measure, and dark as hell but rousing as the rising sun. I mean, anyone who follows this column knows I’m going to dig this.
Streaming: Apple Music
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Mammoth Grinder – Undying Spectral Resonance
Love the direction Mammoth Grinder is taking on this EP. Their hardcore roots are toned down a bit here and the band gives themselves some space to explore other influences like Demigod, Bolt Thrower, Vader, Demoncy, and other dark and demonic sounds. Can’t wait to hear an entire full-length with this kind of energy.
Streaming: Apple Music
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Nekus – Death Apophenia
From our debut of “Accursed Murmur”:
For those of you who are passionate about haunting, cavernous, doom-laden death metal — listen up. Nekus has returned with a new song from their upcoming album, Death Apophenia. Clearly the band has been on a creative warpath, as this follows up last year’s Sepulchral Divination and their split with Ceremonial Bloodbath. As a publication that’s happy to traffic in such sounds, Decibel is proud to bring you “Accursed Murmur.”
Streaming: Apple Music
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Paysage d’Hiver – Die Berge
For those of you following along at home, this album finds Wintherr basically splitting the difference between the long, emotive compositions of Im Wald and the punchier, more immediate vibes of Geister. While it doesn’t have quite the same highs as Im Wald, it still acts as a fine addition to the saga of “The Wanderer.” Pay particular attention to “Verinnerlichung” and “Asstieg.”
Streaming: Apple Music
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Primal Code – Opaque Fixation
Meanwhile, if you just want something really heavy and badass, check out what this Chicago-based powerhouse has in store for you. Definitely a strong “Yes!” for fans of bands like Jungle Rot, Vomitory, and the most recent Bloodbath album.
Streaming: Apple Music