I know, I know, when the temperature drops and the Christmas decorations go up, every writes up a list of the “best” music from past 12 months. But hey, it’s fun to look back on the year (or the parts you remember) and reflect on the joyous tunes that got you through the dark winter, sweltering summer, and holidays with your family. This year, as I read through the multitude of other lists posted out there, I also notice how much music I’ve missed. Evidently, my theme for 2013 was to latch onto just handful of albums. I admit that I still have plenty of music from last year in heavy rotation. Even so, I decided throw together a little list of my own for your enjoyment while you’re finishing last-minute Christmas shopping (I wear a medium t-shirt, anything black). So here goes: a random list of five albums that I picked up this year and haven’t put down yet.
Katatonia - Dethroned and Uncrowned. Brooding with the dark elegance that Katatonia is renowned for, Dethroned embarks on a journey to reimagine the entire Dead End Kings album, stripping each track its gothic bones and building layers back up, gently guided by Jonas Renske sweet croon. The softer and more delicate that Katatonia’s sounds become the heavier they feel. Here’s hoping they bring their Dethroned tour to the US in 2014.
Soilwork - The Living Infinite. It’s hard to deny the ambition of Soilwork’s latest - a 20-song effort that showcases their driving, hard Swedish metal sound, tinged with subtle nods to some of the black and doom sounds that surely have served to influence them over the years. No, they didn’t need to put out such a lengthy record and certainly took a risk by doing so. Over the span of 20 songs, you could forgive (and probably expect) things to go soft somewhere around the middle. Hell, plenty of bands do it over of the course of 12 songs. Fortunately, Soilwork churn through each and every song with intent and passion, ensuring enough hooks and aggression to keep you battered track after track.
Amorphis - Circle. Departing from the epic Finnish folklore that served at the basis for past album, Amorphis choose to create their story with this year’s Circle. Blast beats, folk-tinged flourishes, and Tomi’s brutal growl make this a complete Amorphis album. The Finnish group continues to demonstrate the prowess and energy that years of crafting death metal can produce. The album is dense and rich, as the guitars are pushed forward, leaving the vocal to tear through the curtains - which Tomi achieves through guttural growls and distinctive harmonies.
DevilDriver - Winter Kills. I will be forever drawn to DevilDriver’s music. There’s something about the swagger and blistering rage that erupts throughout each song. Every album offers hints of different influences or directions that they could take, while swerving down the line of pummeling American death metal. Their relentless touring schedule means there’s always an opportunity to see how they do it all live and how songs, both new and old, consistently swirl into an inevitable circle pit.
Windhand - Soma. I read the reviews when this album was released and was intrigued enough to pick it up for myself. Soma is dark, dirty, and immensely isolating. The sound is gritty and scratches deeper with each passage. The repeated riff structures batter against you like a relentless wave, picking up the debris and sand from the ocean floor and showering it against your cold, bare skin. And while there is little daylight in this place, there is beauty buried beneath the noise. Just let it wash over you, to cleanse the ache away and start over again.
