As usual, my favorite metal albums of 2019 represent a mix of longtime favorite artists and acts that I'd previously never heard of (but who absolutely deserve the spotlight). Anyone who's read my writing before will not be surprised by my top choicesespecially my #1 pick, as much of a fanboy as it may make me seemwhile the later selections came out of nowhere and blew me away (including one band whose latest colors turned me into a fan despite none of their earlier collections leaving any impression).
As always, I'm curious to knowyour favorites of 2019, so please share them in the comments below!
Californian progressive metal septet Artificial Language introduced themselves masterfully with their unforgettable first venture, 2017's The Observer. Thankfully, its follow-up, Now We Sleep, finds them doing an even better job of evoking titans like Karnivool, Native Construct, Between the Buried and Me, and especially Leprous while also upholding their own identity. Right away, the effort defies the dreaded "sophomore slump" by making "The Back of My Mind" a towering display of unfaltering determination that veers away from its initially tranquil and organic impetus to offer a stampede of lustrously uncontrollable melodies and music. While much of the remaining set maintains that persona, other tracksnamely, "Pulses" "The Wild Haunt," and "Trail of Lights"achieve for a more meditative and atmospheric environment. Also, the title track finishes the disc with support from guest singer Michael Lessard (The Contortionist), whose softer tone complements the lower and richer register of lead vocalist Shay Lewis exceedingly well. Although they're only two records in, Artificial Language are already climbing to the top of today's most indispensable progressive metal bands, and Now We Sleep is a must-hear for fans of the style.
As impressive as their first two collections were,An Embarrassmentof Riches is surely The Night Watch's greatest trek thus far. After all, the Canadian instrumental progressive metal quartet (violinist Evan Runge, bassist Matthew Cowan, guitarist Nathanael Larochette, and percussionist/pianist Daniel Mollema) push themselves further than ever to craft emotional and cinematic narratives through expansive journeys of dynamic sound." In particular, its combustible influx of acoustic guitar decorations, symphonic heft, and general playfulness means that it's always unpredictable yet welcoming. Starter "Land Ho!" conveys the mounting tension of the album's conceptan explorer who's forced to face an overwhelmingly perilous situation without being crushed by the weight of their own doubt and lonelinesswhile also incorporating Pirate-esque cheers and sea shanty antics. Later, "Mendoza" is more introspective, delicate, and patient, whereas the two-part "The Summit" alone packs a plethora of variety, technicality, and allure. There's also Dance of the Mountain People, a danceable and jazzy number with appealing interlocking vocal harmonies and a clear nod (intentional or not) to the theme of The Addams Family. Clearly, An Embarrassment of Richesis charmingly self-aware and captivatingly daring and demanding at the same time.
Boston's Wilderun have a stupendous formula that commonly fuses classical, folk, metal, and rock into staggeringly dramatic and vibrant concoctions. Thankfully, Veil of Imagination totally capitalizes on those idiosyncratic elements. It even works as a continuous seventy-minute piece, never letting up from its relentlessly colorful clusters of genre-melding fineness. By its nature, Veil of Imagination is difficult to highlight in segments. That said, its glorious trajectory contains some very remarkable features. For one thing, it starts and finishes with spoken narration, automatically gives it weighty continuity and purpose. Likewise, the gentle evolution of "The Unimaginable Zero Summer"from an acoustic ballad with bucolic strings into absolute progressive death metal theatrics and back againis exceptional. Afterward, "Sleeping Ambassadors of the Sun" makes great use of piano and operatic chants within its tidal wave of minimalist monologues and roomy complex hedonism. Then, lavish instrumental "Scentless Core (Budding)" uses a larger scope of classical timbres prior to the turbulently hectic yet accessible "The Tyranny of Imagination". All in all, Veil of Imagination validates the fact that some of the most notable progressive music comes from relative newcomers.
If Im being honest, I could never get into Baronessthat is, until Gold & Grey. For some reason, this one instantly and continuously struck a chord with me. The addition of guitarist/backing vocalist Gina Gleason is certainly a major factor, as she adds plenty of engaging nuances to flesh out the formula. Likewise, the forceful drive, subtly intricate musicianship, and sheer hookiness of songs like opener Front Toward Enemy, Throw Me an Anchor, Borderlines, and Seasons make them instantly unforgettable. Naturally, lighter and/or more emotional and ornamented inclusions"Im Already Gone, Tourniquet, and Id Do Anythingwonderfully reveal Baroness wider range. What elevates Gold & Grey even further, though, are the interludes and transitions that help foreshadow and/or connect pieces, suggesting a more seamless sequence. For instance, the brief Sevens is basically an unassuming hypnotic loop of wavering piano notes, whereas Anchors Lament cleverly sets up its successor with a mix of bellowing chants, modest strings, and a descending piano progression that wouldnt feel out of place on a Pineapple Thief record. Far more than just a raucous rocker, Gold & Grey is a work of art.
Touted as "the biggest production and musical departure we've done" by Leprous frontman Einar Solberg, Pitfalls moves significantly away from their heavier roots and toward sweeping synths and faint moodiness. That's not to say that it's a lesser effort compared to its precursors; rather, it's a winning concession between the qualities fans love and a crucial need to innovate. Primarily, it finds Solberg openly dealing with his battle with anxiety and depression. Therefore, tracks like the intensely fragile "Below" and the irksome heavenly "Alleviate" give listeners a front-row seat to his stunningly pure pain. There's a more robotic but danceable charm to "I Lose Hope" and "Be My Throne"; conversely, "Observe the Train" is pacifyingly quiet, "At the Bottom" swells with morose strings and bursts of angelic annoyance, and "Foreigner" rests upon striking guitar work. As a result, Pitfalls may just be the thematically darkest and most worthwhile record Leprous has done.
Norwegian progressive/black/folk metal outfit Borknagar deserves to be a household name. For nearly twenty-five years, they've resourcefully combined hellish and angelic passages within abundantly precise instrumental twists and turns. While 2016's Winter Thrice remains immensely popular among fans, its frostier and more focused successor, True North, likely tops it. Bassist Simen "I.C.S. Vortex" Hestns takes up vocal duties once again, aiding the dynamo of icily emotive splendor. "Thunderous" establishes the record's vibe with hysterical rhythms, guttural outcries, cascading clean verses, and piercing guitar lines. It does a great job of showcasing Borknagar's fluid and compressed approach to majestic temperamental shifts, a trademark that's also present on later standouts like the more keyboard-driven "Up North", "Mount Rapture", and "The Fire that Burns." Along the way, the sparser "Lights" requires you to sing along, "Wild Father's Heart" soothes with sophisticated rustic tapestries and remorseful songwriting, "Into the White" impresses due to its mesmeric stacked singing, and the tribal "Voices" is a calming and succulent way to finish. Really, True Northis a perfect introduction to Borknagar.
American quintet Periphery's knack for mixing djent, symphonic atmospheres, climbing melodies, self-reflective bridges, and weird textural coverings makes them an essential part of modern progressive metal. While Periphery IV: Hail Stan doesn't outright surpass its closest predecessorsthe two-partJuggernautandPeriphery III: Select Difficultyit's still a gratifying demonstration of Periphery fortes that any fan of the style will adore. At nearly seventeen-minutes in length, opener "Reptile" is an epic onto itself, with the band's textbook harshness and transcendental beauty ruthlessly intertwined. Its chorus is also very strong, and the same can be said for the outright demonic"Chvrch Bvrner" and the purifying "Sentient Glow." In-between, "Garden in the Bones" is dynamically decorated with wonderfully engaging timbres, "Crush" paints a modestly straightforward metal method in sleek electronic beats before suddenly morphing into a cinematic symphony, and "It's Only Smiles" is complex yet almost radio-friendly. From start to finish, then, Periphery IV: Hail Stanstillrepresents the peak of Periphery's prowess.
New Jersey septet Thank You Scientist's first two records2012's Maps of Non-Existent Placesand 2016'sStranger Heads Prevailsold them as masters implementing silly antics and high-pitched hooks into frenetically fun orchestral prog rock/metal and jazz fusion. Undoubtedly, however, their third venture, Terraformer, tops them in every way. For nearly ninety minutes, Terraformer astounds and intimidates, with instrumental starter "Wrinkle" offering a youthful explosion of intersecting horns, percussion, guitars, and more to welcome you in. Next, "FXMLDR" acts as a bipolar assault that sees catchy melodies and tasteful lulls permeating Mars Volta-esque structural madness. Beyond them, "Everyday Ghosts" embodies their treasurably irreverent songwriting, "Birdwatching" is a majorly luscious break from the chaos, and the concluding title track is amazing for its percussive tricks alone. Inarguably, Terraformeris the best example yet of why Thank You Scientist are the best at what they do.
Opeth's move away from progressive death metaland toward a retro '70s prog rock/jazz fusion aestheticduring the 2010s has left many longtime listeners unhappy. Despite In Cauda Venenum (their first to be recorded in both English and Swedish) feeling very much connected to its three nearest predecessors, its apparitional essence and gothic fury also make it seem like a throwback to the heights of their 2000s output. Thus, it should please diehard fans in ways that Heritage, Pale Communion, and Sorceress didn't. Its ghostly core is immediately apparent, with prelude "Garden of Earthly Delights" offering a chilling collage of choral chants, rising organ tones, programmed beats, church bells, whistles, and children's banter. Afterward, "Charlatan," "Dignity", and "Heart in Hand" encompass the compositional twists and melodic punches you'd expect from Opeth this decade. In contrast, "Lovelorn Crime" and "Continuum" are two of mastermind Mikael kerfeldt's most beautiful ballads ever, whereas "Universal Truth" is a sublimely orchestrated acoustic reflection with bizarre rhythmic changes and "The Garroter" presents pleasantly nightmarish jazziness. If not for 2014's Pale Communion, In Cauda Venenum would undoubtedly be Opeth's greatest album in a decade.
Few artists are more colorfully wide-ranging, bold, and consistent than Canadian virtuoso Devin Townsend, and in many ways, Empath is the full realization of his genius: a wildly multifaceted and all-encompassing look back on his career thus far. From beginning to end, it serves as an essential existential examination within a terrifically wild blend of styles. Specifically, the countrified grit of "Borderlands" evokes Casualties of Cool, "Hear Me" captures the comical viciousness of Deconstruction, "Evermore" houses the dense pop-rock glory of Addicted and Epicloud, and "Genesis" is itself a celebration of genre-shifts. Sure, his sardonic playfulness is definitely here, but it's his emotionally resonant introspection that reigns supreme. Tracks like "Spirits Will Collide", "Why?", and the ingeniously multifaceted epic closer, "Singularity", find him beautifully surveying self-doubt, hope, love, and other relatable issues. Thus, Empath is equally rewarding for its madcap musical cohesion as it is for its catharses about mental struggles.
What do you think? Leave a Comment
Read the rest here:
Jordan Blum's Top 10 Albums of 2019 - Metal Injection.net
- 10 best Reverse 1999 Arcanists to use and build - Sportskeeda - November 20th, 2023 [November 20th, 2023]
- The tightrope of 'Cabaret' - The Source - Washington University in St ... - Washington University in St. Louis - October 25th, 2023 [October 25th, 2023]
- Peter Schlesinger's Hedonistic Photos of Artists in 1970s Paris - AnOther Magazine - October 25th, 2023 [October 25th, 2023]
- Jonathan Baileys Long-Awaited New Drama Is Almost Upon Us Here's The Lowdown On Fellow Travelers - Yahoo Sport Australia - October 25th, 2023 [October 25th, 2023]
- Surusinghe 'Brake Fluid' EP review: every second hits as hard as a ... - NME - October 25th, 2023 [October 25th, 2023]
- Reformation Taps Model and Actress Camille Rowe for Holiday ... - Sourcing Journal - October 25th, 2023 [October 25th, 2023]
- Latest additions to the Halloween horror movie canon - Two Row Times - October 25th, 2023 [October 25th, 2023]
- Towa Bird Shares New Single And Video 'Drain Me!' - uDiscover Music - October 25th, 2023 [October 25th, 2023]
- We Asked AI to Rewrite the Eagles Hit "Hotel California" about ... - American Songwriter - October 25th, 2023 [October 25th, 2023]
- There's no such thing as normal mental health - The Medium - The Medium - October 25th, 2023 [October 25th, 2023]
- Use your voice, Luke: How Mark Hamill's anti-Jedi mind tricks gave ... - Salon - October 25th, 2023 [October 25th, 2023]
- Realms Of Ruin Finally Fixes A Major Problem With Warhammer ... - TheGamer - October 25th, 2023 [October 25th, 2023]
- Eric Nam and SG Lewis on Feeling Lonely and Getting Healthy - Interview - September 28th, 2023 [September 28th, 2023]
- Tom Ford Waxes Nostalgic and Prada Plays the Slime Card - The New York Times - September 28th, 2023 [September 28th, 2023]
- September Horoscopes - The New Paltz Oracle - SUNY The New Paltz Oracle - September 28th, 2023 [September 28th, 2023]
- Attracting Gen Z Workers and Future Leaders to Automotive - Ward's Auto - September 28th, 2023 [September 28th, 2023]
- C Pam Zhang on Relishing Pleasure, Observing Billionaires, and ... - Vanity Fair - September 28th, 2023 [September 28th, 2023]
- Paramount+: new shows and films streaming in October 2023 - ScreenHub - September 28th, 2023 [September 28th, 2023]
- At 2nd Debate, Rivals Laud Reagan, Trump Dances on His Grave - TIME - September 28th, 2023 [September 28th, 2023]
- Business is Key to Attaining Justice and Peace in the World - denvercatholic.org - September 28th, 2023 [September 28th, 2023]
- San Antonio filmmaker recalls time he recorded Jimmy Buffett ... - San Antonio Current - September 28th, 2023 [September 28th, 2023]
- The Will and Intensity of Marisol - frieze.com - September 28th, 2023 [September 28th, 2023]
- All Is (Boomer) Vanity - The American Conservative - September 28th, 2023 [September 28th, 2023]
- Slayyyter: STARFUCKER review - takes you on one hell of a night ... - The Line of Best Fit - September 28th, 2023 [September 28th, 2023]
- 10 Best Modern Movies Set in the 1990s - MovieWeb - September 28th, 2023 [September 28th, 2023]
- Condiments & sauces category propelled by natural colors and ... - Food Ingredients First - September 28th, 2023 [September 28th, 2023]
- Dumb Money director reveals fundamental difference with Wolf of ... - Dexerto - September 28th, 2023 [September 28th, 2023]
- How Janet Jackson, Lost in Translation, and Melbourne nights inspired Troye Sivan's new album - Yahoo Eurosport UK - September 28th, 2023 [September 28th, 2023]
- Outside the Box: Is Russell Brand a Victim of Groupie Culture? - Fair Observer - September 28th, 2023 [September 28th, 2023]
- Russia Lauds North Korea's 'Square-Headed Dude' and His Pauper ... - Center for European Policy Analysis - September 28th, 2023 [September 28th, 2023]
- Where to Watch and Stream 'Saw X': Showtimes - Collider - September 28th, 2023 [September 28th, 2023]
- Why I believe the question God, what is your will for my life? belies ... - Patheos - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Pleasure in the age of panic - Cherwell Online - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Dominique Larose: Northern Ballet's first soloist on bringing The ... - Luxury London - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Drew Barrymore reveals Kate Bosworth sent her flowers after ex Justin Long visited her show - Yahoo Entertainment - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Chris Holmes: I'm overlooked, sure. When I was in W.A.S.P., I was ... - Guitar World - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Sophie Ellis-Bextor on if she'd ever do Eurovision and her ... - NME - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- 10 Movies like The Social Network you must watch - Ready Steady Cut - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- The eternal paradox, and 'Quantum Criminals,' of Steely Dan - Wisconsin Public Radio - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Five Classic SF Novels Featuring Advanced Body Modifications - tor.com - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- From queer Westerns to Wes Anderson Here are HUNGER's most ... - Hunger TV - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- WGSN, Coloro Crown Moody Navy Alternative as 2025 Color of the Year - Yahoo Life - May 10th, 2023 [May 10th, 2023]
- Woo Girl Nails Life Balance For First Time Ever With Piss Up Friday ... - The Betoota Advocate - May 10th, 2023 [May 10th, 2023]
- Biden's Corruption Is What The Media Hoped For Trump - The Federalist - May 10th, 2023 [May 10th, 2023]
- Brandon Cronenberg Dives into the Deep End - FilmInk - May 10th, 2023 [May 10th, 2023]
- The 10 Best Movies of 1996, Ranked - Collider - May 10th, 2023 [May 10th, 2023]
- WFA: The Shits - Everything Is Noise - May 10th, 2023 [May 10th, 2023]
- 10 Things You Must Do On Your First Hedo Trip - Vacation Parties - January 23rd, 2023 [January 23rd, 2023]
- Epicurus | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy - January 23rd, 2023 [January 23rd, 2023]
- An All-Nude Vacation With My Boyfriend Taught Me a Ton ... - SELF - January 19th, 2023 [January 19th, 2023]
- What to Expect at Hedonism | Hedonism II - December 21st, 2022 [December 21st, 2022]
- HEDONISM II: HOTWIFING HEAVEN - Hedonism II - November 25th, 2022 [November 25th, 2022]
- Disco - Wikipedia - November 25th, 2022 [November 25th, 2022]
- Hedonism Resorts - Wikipedia - October 30th, 2022 [October 30th, 2022]
- What Is Hedonism? An Ethics Explainer by The Ethics Centre - October 21st, 2022 [October 21st, 2022]
- Eudaimonia - Wikipedia - October 21st, 2022 [October 21st, 2022]
- 'The White Lotus' season 2 trailer brims with love, murder and a whole lot of hedonism - Alternative Press - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Reconsidering the Good Life - Boston Review - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Alcoholic Drinks and the Spectre of Stagflation; A Wile E. - Euromonitor International - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- The Weeknd Brings Sex, Money, and Drugs to His New Series: The Idol - uDiscover Music - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- 7 of the Best Rock Bands of the '70s - American Songwriter - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV On The Radio, And More Featured In Meet Me In The Bathroom Trailer - uDiscover Music - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Is the new Porsche 911 GT3 RS the most extreme road car in history? - British GQ - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Charlies Good Tonight: Read an Exclusive Excerpt From the Authorized Biography of the Rolling Stones Late Drummer - Billboard - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Wreck cast on huge behind-the-scenes secret on BBC series: Can you imagine the chaos? - Express - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Four albums recorded in France and one song that should have been - The Connexion - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Twisted elegance: Janet Jacksons The Velvet Rope is a template for Black pop stars to embrace the darkness - TheGrio - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- On the futility of modern bureaucratic states - Catholic Culture - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Fall is the time towards the cranberry secure - DU Express - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- 1st October Weekend in Osijek Was Full of Life - Trust Us, Head On East - Total Croatia News - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- LSD, Dolly's and a Rolls Royce car chase: How Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones nearly came to blows - Far Out Magazine - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- I survived the sex, drugs, and misogyny of 90s Wall Street to make millions - New York Post - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- The Stars Advise: Dont Overdo It in Indulgence - astrosofa.com - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Procera rolls out vintage gins - The Spirits Business - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- How To Watch 'Hellraiser' In The UK: Horror Film Reboot Set To Terrify Audiences - Bustle - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Fresh blood brings new life to Interview with the Vampire - The Boston Globe - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Why do bankers love techno? - The Spectator - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Alice In Chains : Dirt - The heaviest grunge album at 30 | Treble - Treble - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- The simmering wickedness of Pentiment's dialogue is a delight - Eurogamer.net - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Gothic Gin Announced as Official Partner of Goodwood Revival - BevNET.com - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]