Records I Discovered Too Late To Include in my Year End List
Making a list of best records for the year is hard labor. Especially when you keep in mind you will probably regret a couple of choices later on. With the incredible avalanche of music being released each year there is always the category: had I heard this record in time, it would have made it to my list. Well, here are a few choice cuts I heard too late for them to be included in my year list. I do think that at least a couple of these records might just have been on my list had I only heard it earlier.
Blood Command - World Domination
Hassle Records
First impression: I only discovered this band last year and it was love at first sight. However, despite my love for them, this band managed to fly under my radar once again. Part of why I like them so much is how they combine influences from all over the place into catchy, coherent hardcore-punk tunes. This album again sounds like my vinyl-collection mixed together. There's influences from all over the spectrum. I do feel slight disappointment that there is separate techno-track and a separate hip-hop track. This band is so strong in mixing all those influences into one seamless whole, so why the separate tracks? Perhaps the focus was more on the flow of the whole album (because, believe it or not, that still sounds amazing). The energy is still there and it is still catchy as hell!
Tetem - Tetem
Self-released
First impression: Once upon a time, in an era we now know as the past, a friend of mine exposed me to Vengeance, the second Tragedy album. It was my first introduction to crust and I loved it. I am a bit picky when it comes to that scene though. It must have enough melody and enough grit to keep me onboard. These Hungarian crusties appear to walk that edge perfectly and the album scratched an itch I didn't even know I had. Upon first listen I was at the edge of my seat immediately. I contemplated a bit of including it in my yearlist, but to be completely honest, it is a bit too early for that. I will spend some more quality time with this album and probably regret not having included it in my yearlist. We'll see.
Allochiria - Commotion
Venerate Industries
First impression: This Greek band is new to me. I only found out about it when I found it in someone elses yearlist. After a quick spin I understand why it was included there. The band plays sludge with some post-metal influences. So you know what we get: music that sounds like a land-slide trying to kill you. Not too fast, but incredibly dangerous. What separates them from the flock are the vocals that have great range from deep grunts to high pitched screams, all used to evoke more emotion, and great bass presence. This really is an album I need to spend more time with to fully grasp what is going on.
Aortes - Devouring Gloom
Self-released
First impression: I do enjoy doomy and gloomy music and one of the scenes that does this best is the post-metal scene. Aortes can be found in that dark corner of that scene where bands like Amenra dwell (vocal-wise especially, but music-wise I am reminded a bit of Mass IIII). Aortes is a bit more (post) hardcore oriented though, think adding a bit of Celeste influences. This album sounds harsh and unforgiving. Once it has its claws in you it will drag you down with it. Wether it is with slow build ups or by harsh explosive music or the almost hidden melodies.
Tomáš Palucha - Rauš
Day After Records
First impression: Like Blood Command this album sounds like a music collection mashed together. It is a different music collection though, as this one is more focused on post-hardcore, but adding in math rock, post-rock and psychedelic rock. These styles are mixed together not so much throughout the album and not so much throughout the songs. The end-result is gripping and beautiful. I only found out about the existence of this album this week, so I am in no place to judge the replay value, but I am guessing that's just fine!
Accidente, Nightwatchers - Split
Stonehenge Records
First impression: Out of the blue (for me at least) this split was released late December. It is really too short notice for me to really appreciate what we have here, but my expectations are high. This split is a match made in heaven with two energetic and highly melodic bands. I have listened to this a couple of times already and it filled me with joy. I did not have enough time with it yet to make an estimated guess about it's staying power, so I am happy to be able to include it in this list. I will for sure spend some extra time with it here.
- Dennis
