Clandestine and Left Hand Path are both amazing albums. I've probably listened to Clandestine more than any other Entombed album and if you would have asked me 10-15 years ago I would have picked Clandestine hands down, but Wolverine has grown on me so I "prefer" it currently. I'm not saying it is better.
This list is probably as close to mine as there is here. Of course I might move a few things around but this is pretty on point. I also prefer Wolverine Blues to Clandestine. Nice work.
What an amazing body of work. Personally, while I get the arguments against Harmony Corruption, it is easily in my top 3. I loved it when it came out and I can still go back to it over and over again. I prefer their early stuff and the later period myself. The period from Inside the Torn Apart through Smear Campaign did less for me but I have to admit that I have spent the least time with this part of their catalogue. This list did make me go back and listen to Time Waits For No Slave again and for that I thank you. While I don't think it deserves the top spot I'm glad I went back and gave it another chance. I think I lumped it into the bunch of albums that came before it because production-wise that period is pretty samey. I think Utilitarian stood out to me because the production was a little darker and grittier and the songs were shorter. I'm suprised to see it at #3 considering it did not make the Stereogum list of best metal albums of 2012. Anyway, great job on all the write ups. ND deserve all the coverage and respect they get.
Crowds in general have gotten weak as fuck as far as I can tell. I've been to a few shows where the crowd was really into it but it has mostly been metal shows where the fans respect the music they are there to see. People are too worried about dropping their phones or looking aloof.
It probably didn't help this show that they came out to Queen. Mike had to WORK to get that crowd going.
This album is a monster. One of the things I have always loved about Sleater Kinney is how each of their albums sounds unique, yet still sounds like them. This one fits perfectly into their discography by doing just that. I don't think there is a weak track on the record and they are easily one of the greatest rock bands of the last 20 years.
A few random thoughts. I love that music videos are still a thing. I'm also glad the whole "videos are dead" discussion has seemed to die down. Not really a fan but that Haim video is still really good. I was on the bus tonight and the guy sitting in front of me was watching that Grid video and that was kind of weird. Where is the Turn Down for What video? That shit was cray. Also, fuck you for making me watch/listen to Blank Space again. Thought I had got that out of my system.
Thanks again for doing this column and covering this music. I have been a metal fan for a long time now and it is still music that means so much to me. Due to alot of crazy stuff going on in my life the past two years I have not had as much time or money to dedicate to music as I would have liked. But I have always found time for metal and actually NEEDED it as much as I did when I was a teenager. You have turned me on to several albums that I would have otherwise missed and supported many artists that I think truly deserve it. Thanks again. Looking forward to what 2015 has to offer.
I applaud Michael for sticking to his metal guns. I too had a certain #1 and the rest are hard to rank. Here are the 10 songs that I played over and over again this year or stuck with me for some reason.
1. Oxygen - Swans
2. YOB - Marrow
3. Kitty - marijuana
4. Aphex Twin - CIRCLONT6A [syrobonkus mix]
5. Liars - Vox Tuned D.E.D.
6. Millie & Andrea - Stay Ugly
7. Rustie - Attak
8. Shellac - Gary
9. Thou - Feral Faun
10. Run The Jewels - Oh My Darling Don't Cry
I must say I listened to Blank Space more times than I care to admit but cannot bring myself to rank it.
Seriously bad move on apple's part. I (sort of) understand the business reasons for this but I was really bummed when this news came out. I take my 160 with me wherever I go and I'm at the point that when I buy an new album I have to decide which one I have to take off. EVERY TIME! I still can't believe they have no plans to even fill the gap that is left for people who just want a high capacity music device.
And to all the dumbasses who don't "get it". What if you suddenly couldn't get pepperoni pizza? They just don't make it anymore anywhere. You don't need peperoni pizza. You COULD live without it. Why not just eat plain cheese? Or try sausage. I like pepperoni!!! I want it on my pizza, end of story. I don't want a fucking iphone. I don't want to play fucking candy crush on my music player. I just want to be able to take most of my music around with me like I have been able to do for the past 7-8 years. I accept that the market is moving in a different direction or you can't get the parts or whatever but I don't have to be happy about losing what is one of my top 5 favorite possessions ever and having no suitable replacement for it. Is that really so hard to comprehend?
Here goes, really tough to pick a top 10:
1. Swans - To Be Kind
2. Run The Jewels - 2
3. Shellac - Dude Incredible
4. Aphex Twin - SYRO
5. Godflesh - A World Lit Only By Fire
6. Pharmakon - Bestial Burden
7. Perc - The Power and the Glory
8. Thou - Heathen
9. Millie & Andrea - Drop the Vowels
10. Liars - Mess
Also a special mention to the Unwound rereleases boxes. Spent a lot of time with those and it rekindled my love for a truly great (and underrated) band.
Duly noted. I was alternately interested and annoyed at this beef but you guys were there before, during, and after. I can be snarky at times and I believe some snark was deserved but this was a nice cherry on top.
Great list btw. There is a really great variety even in the top 10 and it really goes to show the range of music you all cover and appreciate. Spent the last few days listening to that Nux Vomica album and glad I finally caught up.
That Horrendous album is really great too. I love these year end metal lists because they help me catch the things I may have missed. Their top 10 is actually pretty impressive and I'm really looking forward to the Black Market list.
My favorite "cover" of this song was done by some drunk dude at a karaoke bar in Portland. It was the day before easter and he changed the lyrics to be a song about Peeps. I guess that technically make it not a cover but it was well done and hilarious at the time.
Love seeing Napalm Death back at it. I never thought Utilitarian got enough love and it sounds like they are continuing their run of quality albums. Also thanks for the heads up on Cretin and The Crown. Really dug those two.
I loved Sorrow so much and although I really grew to like Foundations too it never surpassed Sorrow. Interesting choice for #1 and I can see the argument for it. This list and the conversation so far about what's missing just shows what an amazing year for metal this is.
Speaking of long songs, this year probably had more albums with 8+ minute songs that I absolutely love than any other year. With Thou, Pallbearer, Usnea, Triptykon, Swans, YOB, etc. 2014 is the year of the long song for me.
The White Stripes comparison is appropriate if only for how minimal this sounds compared to Arcade Fire. After being in a band with 10 or so members it sounds like he is enjoying the freedom of a simpler rock and roll setup.
Don't get me wrong. I thought it was hilarious and pretty brilliant. It's just the first couple of times I got about 5-6 minutes in and that song was just drilling into my brain. I had to put it away but I really wanted to see where it was going. I just associate all my most enjoyable adult swim time with being stoned. I'm positive I'm not alone in this.
I like the AC/DC comparison and I agree this is the best thing they have done in a while. The drums do have their issues (the toms are the worst) but there are good riffs and the vocals are awesome. I'm not upset the album didn't get mentioned, I just wish there was more coverage of non-black metal infulenced records sometimes. I'll freely admit that I think that black metal is kind of a "thing" right now and everyone is jumping on the bandwagon so I'm a little anti. I also just hate the millions of sub genre tags that get thrown around. A lot of bands are getting the black metal label right now and it does not always fit for me. It reminds me a lot of "grunge" and how bands like Soundgarden, Mudhoney, and Melvins all got thrown in the same boat. Anyway, rant over, I love metal and I do enjoy this column. Maybe this black metal phase is just not for me. It wouldn't be the first time I was out of the loop.
I noticed this as well. I do like a narrow slice of what is considered black metal but I also like so much other metal. Maybe it is just my perception but it seems like this column leans heavily toward black metal most months. I was hoping for some coverage or mention of the new Obituary or Godflesh (among other things). I do appreciate that this column turns me on to a lot of new music but the bias toward black metal seems evident.
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