Best of 2018? - a best of list, I guess!
Earlier this year I started compiling all my notes about Homebrewing and started to “blog” them out. That’s my term nerd, don’t steal it. In doing so I’ve been relearning theory and playing guitar a lot more and for the first time in 4 years I’ve been happy with my guitar playing. So as I thought about maybe doing a best of list this year, I thought what would be better is if I do a best of list for all the years I’ve missed, Since "Best of 2013" list was the first post on my blog and was supposed to be the jumping point for it, I thought I'd catch up.
Instead of 40 top albums, 10 per year, I’m going to give a list of the top albums that I found I've been listening to over the past 4 years. One thing about these lists are sometimes I get too hung up on the term "Best of" as if the best of lists will hold up in 10 years. At the end of 2014, I didn’t feel I gave music enough attention to give a good opinion about the records of that year. 2015, 2016, 2017 all the same. I've grown a lot over the last 10 years of my life generally speaking and have been able to grow past the mentally of this album is greatest of all time, to being more open and accepting this is one of the best records of this year. which duh, I get it, I’m not a music writer nor a music blogger, so I never thought like that, I picked albums that moved me and sometimes the newer music wasn’t. I was listening to new to me stuff, but albums that came out years and years ago. So when I'm listening to Wes Montgomery all year and then have to think of the best albums of that said year, well I don't know because they didn't move me like Wes albums did. I'm a musician too, so I sort of have to ignore those emotions and take a listeners/fans approach to it, something I did before I was serious about my instrument. So here's my year-end list but first, the following artist are ones I've been growing with every release they put out. Even though I don't mention them in the Best of Year list all their albums belong their too.
Intervals:
In 2014 Aaron Marshall added Mike Semesky on vocals and I couldn't have been happier. I love Mike's voice in The HAARP Machine and on his covers so his addition to the band was a plus. I was also excited to hear Intervals with a singer as before I felt it was lacking something musically. Well I missed that tour and I missed out on hearing Intervals with Mike on vocals live. That album cycle was short and Aaron shortly after that tour completely rebranded his band. In 2015 Intervals released Shape of Colour and I was admittedly heist at first, but after the first listen all that was out the window. Aaron seems to really be writing honestly on The Shape of Colour and The Way Forward, ignoring genre and just playing music from his heart. You can really feel and hear it in his playing.
The Contortionist:
Language is still my favorite album by The Contortionist and is just a masterpiece. The album brought a new life into The Contortionist without altering their signature sound. It could be the addition to Mike Lessard on vocals or rather a growth in the band as a whole. Either way, if there was a number 1 for 2014 that would be it. Everything about that album is what I wanted out of them but better than I expected. Then in 2017 these bastards came back with a killer, emotional record Clairvoyant and hit so hard! The flow of that record is amazing, another masterpiece by an incredible band. I find myself going back to both these records all the time.
Fallujah:
Fallujah's first album came out in 2011 and I was hooked. This band though wasn't a one note act, every release brought something new to their brand of Death Metal and that is one thing I can say about them is it's uniquely their sound. Dreamless is a incredible album with emotions and movements that no other death metal band has given me. Fallujah has this ability to go from spacey dreamy sections to hard hitting, heart pumping sections of syncopated drums and guitars that doesn't feel forced or out of place. Just listen to Scar Queen and listen to how hard these guys hit... Masters!
Periphery:
My relationship with Periphery is an odd one, On one end I love the band for what they are and on the other I could name #'s of bands that do what they do better. That is really a lie though, because I love Periphery at face value and when I'm not trying to compare them to say Tesseract than I enjoy them more than Tesseract. In 2012 P2 was released and it made my top list because it was complete breath of fresh air compared to the first record, which admittedly has grown on me but isn't as polished as P2. In 2014, The Clear EP was released and I really enjoyed hearing all the members write their own songs and it really gave an insight to their songwriting. Then in 2015 Juggernught was released and at the time it wasn't my jam. I couldn't get into all of it, though I enjoyed the direction they were taking it musically, I felt that the "pop" sense was in the background and the more prog was the center. It seemed to be attempts at being a progressive metal band that though the sections didn't feel forced it just seemed out of place. To me Periphery isn't really a "prog" band, they are a pop metal band that leans more towards the progressive side rather than say the radio friendly side. They write catchy, pop style melodies/chorus, but they also have progressive elements that work too. Periphery doesn't have a lot prove on their newest record as with P3 they sort of reclaimed their sound, the question though Is "Periphery 4" going to be a banger? Or just another Periphery album? This is where bands like Periphery start to create their voice and we sort of see what type of band Periphery is. P3 fucking ruled, Clear was great, I'm not too sure how Juggernught was written but if P4 seems to have everyone in the fold writing I think we are going to get something special.
Leon Bridges:
Holy shit, who the hell is this kid from Texas singing classic R&B/Soul in 2018? I first saw Leon on SNL in 2015 and was instantly hooked. If there was an album of the year in 2015 it was Coming Home. Every song tells a story that just seems to be lost in modern R&B which nowadays seems to rely on deep bass grooves and four on the floor "lock" phrasing. Leon does not, rather giving us a taste of the old school but with modern lyrics. He has this slickness with his words that really calls back to a different period in music. With his newest album "Good Thing" he only expands on his sound. What makes Leon in my opinion one of the best R&B artist in the last 20 years YEAH I SAID IT, is it doesn't feel dated, even though it might seem like it is, I feel you could travel back in time (lyrics might be an issue) and Leon would fit in right next to Etta James on a bill at the Jazz Fest or could be released in the 90's R&B boom. So be on the look out because this kid is going to bring the soul we are missing currently. The music really feels timeless.
Black Crown Initiate:
In 2013 an EP was released by a little known band called Black Crown Initiate. Little did I know that after this release I'd be excited by any news about this band. This is the brand of Death Metal (DM) that I wanted to be apart of, wishing I was writing this style of DM. Wreckage of the Stars and Selves We Cannot Forget - both of these records furthered this band and I can't wait for the next record. This band provides a lot of tension and release in there music sometimes even relying on a clean singing part as the tension only to be released 3 minutes into the next song which is what I love about these records, Listen to them as a whole piece of art, not singles, you won't get the same emotional response on a single song.
Eidola:
Blend progressive metal/rock with Circa Survive and you get Eidola. I heard this band in 2016 after looking at non-metal releases and found them. Holy shit, I remember listening to Circa while I was running and thinking - this is like prog-indie music, I wonder if they upped the riffage but had the soreing vocals of Anthony Green. 6 years later it happen I heard Eidola!
Real Friends:
My cousin introduced me to them in 2014 with their release of Put Yourself Together, later that year while being in LA "Maybe This Place is the Same and We're Just Changing" was released and holy shit did this album just completely sum up my emotions about the last 6 plus years of how I've been feeling. This band is close to home for as they are an IL band, they have the sound of my BMX days and I can relate to a lot of what they are talking about being a kid in IL around the skate/bmx/punk scene. This is just catchy, sing-a-long sad/happy pop punk for sad Illinois kids and I love it. With every release this band grows and oddly enough I feel like I'm growing with them. Read more here:(link coming soon).
Chon:
So far every record has brought something new, somewhere between jazz-hip/hop-rock-r&b-guitar-instrumental - these kids bring a bright and new sound to an ever emerging Instrumental rock/metal/djent scene, doing something completely different, fresh and honestly completely top 40 palatable. These kids have only just begun, if you think Polyphia is bringing the "fire" you're not listening to Chon!
Genres:
Synth-wave:
I've gotten super into synth-wave over the last few years, a genre I wouldn't expect to even enjoy but thanks to Myrone and FM-84 I found a love for this style. Now get in your car and drive! Spotfiy Playlist
Fusion Jazz:
Jazz is my favorite style of music to listen to that I have no idea what's going on. Fusion guitar is my favorite but I've been listening to guys like: Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, Mile Davis, John Coltrane etc moving away from the 80s/90s rock fusion and going further back. It's been amazing.
Now to the list - short little things on why I enjoyed the records. All the years are linked to my playlist. In 2019 I'm changing it up though.
2014 - Standouts:
Darkest Hour - Darkest Hour
I might get some shit but this record is an awesome. A lot of die-hards I think didn't like this album, but this albums has songs! I love Darkest Hour songs but I've always felt like I didn't like their albums as a whole (8 out of 10 I guess is liking the full album). This album though I really enjoy and it has some of their best songs on it. Before this album my favorite song was "No God", I think Rapture In Exile is my new favorite! "Fuck waiting around to die"
Job for a Cowboy - Sun Eater
This is a great progressive death metal album for sure, I'm not the type of person to go man I wish they'd release another album, but JFAC left everyone speechless with Sun Eater too only disappear into obscurity. Davey, lets start a band dude! your vocals are killer!
Behemoth - The Satanist
What can I say that's not already been said. This is a masterpiece for Behemoth.
Soreption - Entering the Void
Love this bands style to the death metal game. This band has super catchy and technical riffs without comprising the song. The album is the perfect length, I'm always left wanting more.
A Sense of Gravity - Travail
This band reminds me a lot of a young BTBAM if BTBAM was writing more progressive metal elements rather than the hardcore elements. This band has a bright future and think this is still their best effort.
Inferi - The Path of Apotheosis
Talk about noodle melodic death metal goodness. This band is every melodic death band I listened too all wrapped in one. Not that they sound like them all but rather you can hear the influences in the music. I think this is their strongest release thus far.
Sons of Aurelius - Under a Western Son
This album is a complete 180 from The Farthest Reaches and most likely is the last album we will hear of Sons of Aurelius but I hope not. They aren't known for releasing tons of albums, in fact as of 2018 - they have two albums and both are great. From a more straight forward technical death metal band that had progressive tendencies, Under A Western Sun took those progressive elements and went full force with them. This album along with Language by The Contortionist is a head to head fight for First. If I were to argue for a number one it would be Language as I feel Under a Western Sun needs to be 10 to 15 minutes shorter - but again - it doesn't, it's perfect the way it is, Language is just stronger. If Sons ever comes back Riley or a comparable person needs to hold the reigns on vocals.
2015:
Coheed and Cambria - The Color Before The Sun
The album is just super catchy, sing a long type pop metal/rock - its a good running record for me. Even though I'm a prog fan I enjoy the more straight forwardness to this record.
Riverside - Love, Fear and The Time Machine
Prog-Rock/metal gold, Steven Wilson fans come get some.
Rest Among Ruins - Fugue
Though he's not in Intervals- Mike Semesky released his solo project and I love it.The production reminds me of HAARP Machine and the music reminds me of The Human Abstract at times.
Native Construct - Quiet World
Modern Progressive Metal. Queen meets BTBAM meets even weirder than that.
Steven Wilson - Hand Cannot Erase
A little change from the sadness of Raven.
2016:
Sean Ashe - Flux
I have been following Sean for sometime but this was his first full release and it's more than a guitar instrumental album. FFO - Intervals, Chon, Nick Johnston, I'd highly suggest following this dude.
Nick Johnston - Remarkable Human.
Imma be honest this record brought Nick Johnston, this awesome guitarist that I love, to Nick Johnston this musician that I love. This isn't just a guitar shred record, this albums has so much more. Nick's playing is one of the best, I just love his technicality on the instrument, how he chooses to attack the guitar. You simply couldn't just play the notes, you have to FEEL the note and cover that feel. He's such an inspiration on the instrument.
Astronoid - Air
Airy-Spacy, Shoegaze, Black metal style blast beats, atmospheric elements? This band has a really fresh sound and I enjoy the clean airy/soaring vocals mixed with a melodic wash of happiness. Just listen, complain if you want, write about how they don't have harsh vocals and I will say what a wise musician once said: MUSIC OWES YOU NOTHING. I'm just waiting for their next album because this was on repeat for weeks after it came out.
The Dillinger Escape Plan - Dissociation
It was their last and it's my favorite behind the self-title. That is all. Dillinger never released a bad album.
Allegaeon - Proponent for Sentience
This is their best album to date, it could be the addition of Riley on vocals but this has everything I wanted out of Allegaeon and I usually only listen to Allegaeon albums like twice then I don't re-listen but I still spin this record. ALL HAIL SCIENCE!
Mentions:
There was a lot of great records this year, Megadeth released a good album, probably the last good one since World Needs a Hero, Polyphia released their catchest song to date - something they still haven't been able to top, Below are great records but I don't have much to say about them, they all have their strengths but I just don't have as much to say. I'm still trying to connect with them, anyways check out the Spotfiy list for all the artist - Great year.Thank you Scientist - Stranger Heads Prevail
Destrage - A Means to End
Animals As Leaders - The Madness of Many
Best release since Self titled
Gojira - Magma
Terminus - Safe Travels, See you Never
Hit play and enjoy
The Zenith Passage - Solipsist
Haken - Affinity
From soaring epic Dream Theater prog to fun 80's prog - I'll take it - fun record.
Vektor - Terminal Redux (Progressive Thrash Metal)
2017: Ugh - well this is going to be a little crass as I've been in a different mindset since 2016 and as I'm writing this nothing much as changed. In 2017 I finally decided to get my ass back in gear and start Homebrewing again that's all I really cared about.
Pain of Salvation - In The Passing Light of Day
This is album of the year for me. I love this band, I love all their records and this one is amazing and something I didn't expect to hear. They are a progressive metal band with "PROGRESSIVE" holding true with this band. Their last two records were completely different, still loved them. This is back to the classic POS style and sound...
I could just stop here because Pain of Salvation is the only thing ever worth listening to... but that's not fair. I love this band they always win!!!!
Adagio - Life
I did not expect this one either, They really kept up with the modern progressive metal sound without losing their signature sound and its fantastic. I'm not the biggest Kelly "Sundown" Carpenter fan but felt like he did a great job here. Don't get me wrong the dude is an amazing singer, I just feel like I've heard him in too many bands and it was bland. To be honest Gus was their best singer and no one will out do Gus's vocals on Dominate, but this has all the classic stuff you'd expect from Adagio. I do like all their albums though!
White Moth Black Butterfly - Atone
After hearing this album, I wanted more of this album, more of this music. Dan Tompkins is an amazing vocalist, happy to hear a different side from him. Not Metal and I love it... I'm a musician not a metal only person, but yes Metal is the path, it leads me to stuff like this. Seriously, EVERYONE should give it a chance! it's "epic"
Caligula's Horse - In Contact
Modern Prog - I don't have much to say about this band but I really enjoyed this album. Don't let my lack of words persevere my lack of excitement, it's just 2017 gave me a lot of newer prog bands and they all have something a little different to offer.
Cyhra - Letters to Myself
I fell in love with this record after it's first spin. Its just so fun. It's got this old Inflames sound but not, like imagine the melodic sense of Inflames in a Hard Rock band! Folks this is why American Top 40 is boring - can we mix it up - WHY IS THIS BAND NOT BEING PLAYED ON AMERICAN RADIO.
Without Waves - Lunar
Just hit play. This album will take you on a journey.
Steven Wilson - To the Bone - Steve Wilson always gets a spot on my list. This album is nothing like Raven nor Hands. I wasn't going to add another video by Steven, but since all his albums are different, this song is nothing like what's above. He can have a different fan base for each album! wow, I'm a fanboy - everything is great.
Exist - So True, So Bound
There's a lot going on in this record, something familiar and something new.
Comeback Kid - Outsider
(Just a Banger of a record)
2018:
You've made it - you actually read it this far, WHY? J/K, Thank you for going through this journey with me, If you took the time to check out some of the bands/artist above or below, thank you! Anyways let's wrap this mess and get at it.
Rivers of Nihli - Where Owls Know My Name
This album is a masterpiece for Progressive Death Metal. Rivers of Nihli completely did a 180 on this record, with all the heaviness still in tact, this band really evolved with massive moments of tension and release. Look, DeathBore bands think their heavy slow shit was tension and release, it wasn't - they are just a little uneducated on what good music is: Fight me! Rivers of Nihli released a better album that all those bands have or ever will.
Azusa - Heavy Yoke
Just Listen, this is really a refreshing release from an unique band. Normies will hate it because they are ranch dressing. Azusa is anything but ranch dressing.
Arsis - Visitant
As Rust In Piece is to Megadeth, We Are The Nightmare is to Arsis. What I mean by that is those records are so good that they are super difficult for a band to top and both haven't. The few outputs after We Are The Nightmare were what seemed to be by numbers and was only to fulfill the contract commitment. This album is great though, almost bringing back the old Arsis sounds and technicality. You could tell that James wanted to write a King Diamond/80's metal album and I'm happy he has his other band now to do that because Arsis again sounds like Arsis and not mix bag of thrash, death and 80's ness! Honestly go back and listen to Forced to Rock and Unwelome, it sounds like a band developing rather than a developed band and sound. We are the Nightmare heighten Arsis's "sound" in a way and Visitant returns Arsis back to form. If you like We Are The Nightmare and all the releases before, this album is for you, if you loved Forced to Rock and Unwelome, I suggest listening to this album, the songs are way better than those records. Visitant is the Countdown to it's We are the nightmare. For this interested Necromancing the Stone is his other band I was referencing.
Jason Becker - Triumphant Hearts
This albums is fantastic and is so inspiring considering everything Jason had to go through to create this album. Hearing some of Jason's guitar from recording he did when he could play was so moving, listening to others play Jason's music is something to be said about this incredible player that left our ears too early. Read Jason's Story here.
Scars of Armageddon - Dead End
Big congrats to Scars for getting signed and releasing their first album under the label. This is pretty much what I was listening to in high school and college, straight forward power metal. These guys have similar influences to me and it can be heard throughout: Children of Bodom, Iced Earth, Helloween, name any other power metal band. Why this album is on my list is it really helped me kick a funk I had and I had a great time listening to this album all year.
Mentions - Look If you actually listened/read up until this point, than you must be drained. These are all great records, I just don't want to talk anymore about them - Just listen if you want.
Thrailkill - Everything That is You
This album will have your ears searching for days!
Rolo Tomassi - Time Will Die and Love Will Bury It
Truly a unique band that I'm starting to really love.
Jacob Collier - Djesse Vol 1
If you don't listen too or even know who Jacob Collier - you don't listen to music. This kid is way too talented and his music is fucking excellent. Not rock, not metal, not r&b, not soul, it's Jacob Collier!
The Intersphere - The Grand Delusion
Sarah Longfield - Disparity
This songs doesn't do this album justice, go check it out.
Ryan Knight - Sunbelt Bliss
Anyone that was surprised that Ryan Knight would release an album like that, didn't know Ryan's playing - Just fucking listen to his solos and his phrasing in his previous bands - sometimes Metal heads are stupid as fuck! Ryan is a southern boy, country guitar can be heard throughout is instagram and FB and his solos!
Into Eternity - The Sirens
Happy to see Into Eternity back.
Beyond Creation - Algorythm
Does this band release bad music? Nope, no they do not.
Freak Kitchen - Confusion to the enemy
Super fun band and amazing guitarist. I once listened to only this band until I heard all their songs at least twice for about a month or so.
Michael Romeo - War of the Worlds, Pt. 1
I wasn't excited about a Romeo solo album at first. Don't get me wrong, Micheal Romeo is one of favorite players, but wasn't sure if I'd get Symphony X 2.0/Leftovers. Well, what I got was War of the Worlds pt. 1 and it's great. Catchy, technical and is a little different from Symphony X.
Judas Priest - Firepower
I don't think anyone expected this album from Judas Priest. This album is the album that should have been released after Painkiller. This isn't just a good album because Judas are old, this is a good Judas Priest record through and through. I don't listen to Judas Priest much any more these days, but this record will be one that I play for years to come when I want a little Judas... I did enjoy Nostradamus when it came out, but I haven't gone back to it. I may have enjoyed it because its like, it's good for a Priest record in 2008, but Firepower is one of Judas Priest great records in their career...
Welp, that is all - seriously though if you actually read all that mess than thank you, it does mean a lot. Like I stated earlier on this post music just hasn't been ringing the same with me and it's been difficult to get excited enough to care about it, I probably won't be posting about new music in 2019 but rather focus on the past and focus on my musical present. I missed a lot of releases as I reflect back which is sort of why I avoided the idea in the first place, For full lists just get spotfiy and go to my year playlist, that's pretty much the new releases I was listening to in that given year. I am going to do things different this year about new music, sort of try something different and see if going back to my roots will change anyhing. The truth is....
I really miss being in a band!
