Tag: metal

2022 Best of Metal: #6 Elder-Innate Passage

Release date: 11/25/2022

Origin: Berlin, Germany, by way of Fairhaven, MA

Personnel: Nick DiSalvo-vox/guitar, Mike Risberg-guitar, Jack Donovan-bass, Georg Edert-drums

These guys are simply one of the most consistent bands out there. They don’t wait years to release new material and when they do release new music, it is always of superior quality. Lead dude Nick DiSalvo manages to continually craft unique riffs and leads that sound exactly like Elder, but never feel stale or repetitious. They are the leaders of the stoner/psychedelic side of the metal world. Innate Passage is another gem in their catalog.

4.5 flip flops out of 5

The list so far:

6. Elder-Innate Passage
7. King’s X-Three Sides of One
8. Psychonaut-Violate Consensus Reality
9. Eric Wagner-In The Lonely Light of Mourning
10. SpiritWorld-Deathwestern
11. Psycroptic-Divine Council
12. My Diligence-The Shape, Form and Power
13. Blind Guardian-The God Machine
14. Ghost-Impera
15. Jungle Rot-A Call To Arms
16. High Command-Eclipse of the Dual Moons
17. Soilwork-Overgivenheten
18. Messa-Close
19. Ty Tabor-Shades
20. Lamb of God-Omens

2022 Best of Metal: #7 King’s X-Three Sides of One

Release date: 9/2/2022

Origin: Katy, TX

Personnel: Doug Pinnick-bass/vox, Ty Tabor-guitar/vox, Jerry Gaskill-drums/vox

The album I thought would never be. It really seemed like King’s X had hung it up as far as putting out new music. All three members had releases numerous solo and side project albums since the last proper King’s X album was released. From what I can tell, the biggest hurdle was overcoming their own fears of tarnishing their legacy with a sub-par album. Well, luckily, those fears did not come to fruition. Three Sides of One is a lovely addition to the catalog. Granted, it is not their best album, but it still has the same vibe and rapport the three members have always had. The one difference on this album is that there has been a bit more sharing on the lead vocals front. Leads are fairly evenly split between Doug and Ty and Jerry even gets in on the action on three of the songs. This is a special one to me. It’s probably higher on the list than it should be based purely on merit, but the mere fact of having new King’s X music simply results in quite a few bonus points.

4.5 flip flops out of 5

The list so far:

7. King’s X-Three Sides of One
8. Psychonaut-Violate Consensus Reality
9. Eric Wagner-In The Lonely Light of Mourning
10. SpiritWorld-Deathwestern
11. Psycroptic-Divine Council
12. My Diligence-The Shape, Matter and Power
13. Blind Guardian-The God Machine
14. Ghost-Impera
15. Jungle Rot-A Call To Arms
16. High Command-Eclipse of the Dual Moons
17. Soilwork-Overgivenheten
18. Messa-Close
19. Ty Tabor-Shades
20. Lamb of God-Omens

2022 Best of Metal: #8 Psychonaut-Violate Consensus Reality

Release date: 10/28/2022

Origin: Antwerp, Belgium

Personnel: Stefan de Graef-guitar/vox, Thomas Michiels-bass/vox, Harm Peters-drums

The Belgium metal scene really stepped up in 2022. This is the second Belgian entry on the list so far. Psychonaut has made a very significant statement in the post-metal world with their second album. This three piece has crafted an interesting sound scape with Violate Consensus Reality. You’ve got the trademark long non-linear song structure and a combo of clean harmonizing and harsh vocals. These guys remind me quite a bit of the other “Naut” band, Intronaut. It’s gotta be just a matter of time before these two bands end up on a tour together.

4.5 flip flops out of 5

The list so far:

8. Psychonaut-Violate Consensus Reality
9. Eric Wagner-In The Lonely Light of Mourning
10. SpiritWorld-Deathwestern
11. Psycroptic-Divine Council
12. My Diligence-The Shape, Matter and Power
13. Blind Guardian-The God Machine
14. Ghost-Impera
15. Jungle Rot-A Call To Arms
16. High Command-Eclipse of the Dual Moons
17. Soilwork-Overgivenheten
18. Messa-Close
19. Ty Tabor-Shades
20. Lamb of God-Omens

2022 Best of Metal: #9 Eric Wagner-In The Lonely Light of Mourning

Release date: 3/4/2022

Origin: Chicago, IL

Personnel: Eric Wagner-vox, Dave Snyder-guitar/drums, Chuck Robinson-guitar, Sean McAllister-bass

This album works on two levels. First, it’s a nice slab of classic doom metal crafted by one of that genre’s true greats. Eric Wagner was the long time front man of Trouble and later Trouble offshoot, The Skull. His world weary voice was one of those that just got better with age. His voice conveyed a life thoroughly lived. Second, this ended up being a posthumous release. He passed away in 2021 due to complications after contracting Covid. So, in retrospect, this became the very definition of a poignant release. Fittingly, he went out with a very solid release and one that reflects nicely on his passing. Lyrically, there is a lot of contemplation of death and what comes after. I hope that he’s found peace on the other side.

4.5 flip flops out of 5

The list so far:

9. Eric Wagner-In The Lonely Light of Mourning
10. SpiritWorld-Deathwestern
11. Psycroptic-Divine Council
12. My Diligence-The Shape, Form and Power
13. Blind Guardian-The God Machine
14. Ghost-Impera
15. Jungle Rot-A Call To Arms
16. High Command-Eclipse of the Dual Moons
17. Soilwork-Overgivenheten
18. Messa-Close
19. Ty Tabor-Shades
20. Lamb of God-Omens

2022 Best of Metal: #10 SpiritWorld-Deathwestern

Release date: 11/25/2022

Origin: Las Vegas, NV

Personnel: Stu Folsom-vox, Randy Moore-guitar, Matt Schrum-guitar, Justin Fornof-bass, Thomas Pridgen-drums (guest)

Well, ever since Riley Gale’s passing, I’ve been looking for a band to fill the void of Power Trip’s blend of old school thrash, crossover punk and death metal. It looks like SpiritWorld has stepped up to the plate. They’ve got a strange little gimmick going on as evidenced by the album art and title. Very much a spaghetti western themed death metal album. Hell, from the live videos I’ve seen of these dudes, they are taking the whole western theme to their live show with matching outfits straight out of ZZ Top’s Fandango days. Lyrically, it almost has a similar feel to White Zombie and their obsession with horror movies. Musically, you’ve got a cross between Power Trip and Slayer. Guitar-wise, this thing definitely worships at the altar of King and Hanneman.

4.5 flip flops out of 5

The list so far:

10. SpiritWorld-Deathwestern
11. Psycroptic-Divine Council
12. My Diligence-The Shape, Form and Power
13. Blind Guardian-The God Machine
14. Ghost-Impera
15. Jungle Rot-A Call To Arms
16. High Command-Eclipse of the Dual Moons
17. Soilwork-Overgivenheten
18. Messa-Close
19. Ty Tabor-Shades
20. Lamb of God-Omens

2022 Best of Metal: #11 Psycroptic-Divine Council

Release date: 8/5/2022

Origin: West Hobart, Tasmania

Personnel: Jason Peppiatt-vox, Joe Haley-guitar, Todd Stern-bass, David Haley-drums

There has been a slew of bands that have sort of carried the thrash sound created in the 80s to its next logical form. The resulting mass has resulted in this hybrid highly technical mash of thrash and death metal. Psycroptic, hailing from the far reaches of Tasmania, has been on the forefront of this movement for quite some time. Led by brothers Joe and David Haley on guitar and drums respectively, they have crafted an unbelievably technical attack that still manages to craft enough melody and groove over top to keep things engaging. Divine Council might actually be their crowning masterpiece. This is a concise and straightforward statement of pure metal.

4.5 flip flops out of 5

The list so far:

11. Psycroptic-Divine Council
12. My Diligence-The Matter, Form and Power
13. Blind Guardian-The God Machine
14. Ghost-Impera
15. Jungle Rot-A Call To Arms
16. High Command-Eclipse of the Dual Moons
17. Soilwork-Overgivenheten
18. Messa-Close
19. Ty Tabor-Shades
20. Lamb of God-Omens

2022 Best of Metal: #12 My Diligence-The Matter, Form and Power

Release date: 5/23/2022

Origin: Brussels, Belgium

Personnel: Cedric Fontaine-vox/guitar, Francois Peeters-guitar, Gabriel Marlier-drums

My Diligence is another one of these bands that I had never heard of prior to listening to this album. And I’m firmly a supporter of their cause. I know virtually nothing about these guys except that they are a three-piece and they hail from Belgium. Their sound in an interesting mixture of Torche’s brand of post-punk and Intronaut’s blend of post-metal. Very much a “post” sort of release…whatever the hell that means. At any rate, the guitar sound is very warm and inviting and the songs are simply catchy tunes that will worm their way into your brain.

4.5 flip flops out of 5

The list so far:

12. My Diligence-The Matter, Form and Power
13. Blind Guardian-The God Machine
14. Ghost-Impera
15. Jungle Rot-A Call To Arms
16. High Command-Eclipse of the Dual Moons
17. Soilwork-Overgivenheten
18. Messa-Close
19. Ty Tabor-Shades
20. Lamb of God-Omens

2022 Best of Metal: #13 Blind Guardian-The God Machine

Release date: 9/2/2022

Origin: Krefeld, Germany

Personnel: Hansi Kursch-vox, Andre Olbrich-guitar, Marcus Siepen-guitar, Frederick Ehmke-drums

Man, this one was a breath of fresh air. Blind Guardian was one of the true keepers of the flame during the metal wastelands of the 90s. I wore the shit out of From the Other Side and Nightfall in Middle-Earth. I will say that I haven’t been as enamored with their post-2000 work past A Night at the Opera. Of course, I always kind of thought this had more to do with power metal wearing thin with me over the years more than the quality of their output during this time. However, with the release of The God Machine, I’m kind of thinking something has been missing on a good chunk of their later releases. This new album has a urgency and a ferocity that I haven’t heard from these guys in a long time. The riffs are right in your face from the get-go. Hansi just continues to be one of the best and most versatile vocalist in metal. Ultimately, this one was a really nice surprise and it was nice to see an old favorite rise to the occasion again.

4.5 flip flops out of 5

The list so far:

13. Blind Guardian-The God Machine
14. Ghost-Impera
15. Jungle Rot-A Call To Arms
16. High Command-Eclipse of the Dual Moons
17. Soilwork-Overgivenheten
18. Messa-Close
19. Ty Tabor-Shades
20. Lamb of God-Omens

2022 Best of Metal: #15 Jungle Rot-A Call To Arms

Release date: 5/13/2022

Origin: Kenosha, WI

Personnel: Dave Matrise-vox/guitar, Geoff Bub-guitar, James Genenz-bass, Spenser Syphers-drums

Yeah. This one is death metal. Probably couldn’t guess based on that cover art. Jungle Rot is one of these blue collar death metal bands that just keeps plugging away and release outstanding album after outstanding album. I seriously do not understand why they aren’t in the same conversation with Cannibal Corpse, Obituary and Exhumed as the great gore obsessed American death metal bands. If I’m being honest, I think Jungle Rot might be my favorite of the bunch. These dudes just know how to make it groove. I challenge you to listen to this album and not bang your head a little. Hell, we might need to create a new subgenre called Gore Groove to to cover what these guys do. Death metal from the Heartland. Get on it!

4.5 flip flops out of 5

The list so far:

15. Jungle Rot-A Call To Arms
16. High Command-Eclipse of the Dual Moons
17. Soilwork-Overgivenheten
18. Messa-Close
19. Ty Tabor-Shades
20. Lamb of God-Omens

2022 Best of Metal: #16 High Command-Eclipse of the Dual Moons

Release date: 11/25/2022

Origin: Worcester, MA

Personnel: Kevin Fitzgerald-vox, Ryan McArdle-guitar, Mike Bonetti-guitar, Chris Berg-bass, Ryan Pitz-drums

This one is a nasty little beast. The opening track sounds like it starts mid-stream of a lead. I seriously had to take a beat and check to make sure the disc didn’t just skip ahead to the middle of the song. That basically gives you a taste of what to expect here. This is an absolute frenetic mess of thrashy and deathy metal that kept bringing to mind Paul Baloff-era Exodus crossed with Bolt Thrower. The crunch of the guitar riffs on here brought a grin to my face immediately. And it is just riff after riff after tasty riff for the entire album. This is unapologetic metal.

4.5 flip flops out of 5

The list so far:

16. High Command-Eclipse of the Dual Moons
17. Soilwork-Overgivenheten
18. Messa-Close
19. Ty Tabor-Shades
20. Lamb of God-Omens