𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞
The World Without Us by Bonjour Tristesse
No doubt makers of our own demise, a post-human vision of a decaying Earth being reclaimed by the unstoppable beauty of natures fecundity. With heartbreak comes hope
#AOTW
𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯
From 180k+ minutes of listening, these are my favourite albums of 2023.
Many fell just short, but these are the ones that kept calling, that kept me interested & that stood out from the rest.
#ListSeason
#AOTY2023
𝔸𝕝𝕓𝕦𝕞 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜
Air Not Meant for Us
by Fires in the Distance 🇺🇸
Melodic Death/Doom
Uplifting keys glitter like stars above tar thick riffs & melancholic vocals. A masterclass in merging beauty & the beast
Choice cut: Wisdom of the Falling Leaves
𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞
Sparagmos by Spectral Voice
Taking its name from a ritual of tearing a body apart, the suffocating doom passages are the tortured wait before the frenzied violence is unleashed. Horrifyingly, addictively good!
#AOTW
𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞
Suffer & Become by Vitriol
Sadistically intent on filling every conceivable “space” with sound, Suffer… is a savagely technical tour de force of how to push everything to the extreme whilst still maintaining coherence 📈
#AOTW
𝔸𝕝𝕓𝕦𝕞 𝕆𝕗 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜
Inward to Gethsemane by Vastum
Coming at you like the self-aware walking dead, the stench of decay is overpowering, but the hidden intelligence leads to a devastating attack. Sinister, cavernous goodness
𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞
Cerebral Purgatory by Resin Tomb
Unashamedly heavy dissonant death sludge from Australia. No glimmer of light or joy to be found. Lovely stuff!
#AOTW
𝔸𝕝𝕓𝕦𝕞 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜
Black Royal Spiritism
by Ruïm 🇳🇴
Black metal
A ritualistic tapestry of traditional black metal & sinister atmosphere inspired by Brazilian witchcraft. Take the left hand path & let the mayhem consume you…
Choice cut: The Black House
𝔸𝕝𝕓𝕦𝕞 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜
Ensemble Under The Dark Sun
by Serpent of Old 🇹🇷
Moody dissonance blended with elements of black & death metal woven through complex yet engaging compositions. A stunning debut to get thoroughly lost in.
Choice cut: Unsaturated Hunger…
𝔸𝕝𝕓𝕦𝕞 𝕆𝕗 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜
The Rime of Memory by Panopticon
Encapsulating the beauty & cruelty of winter, this is an embittered, solitary journey through unforgiving frozen lands, life hanging in the balance. Nature is the cruelest of mistresses.
𝔸𝕝𝕓𝕦𝕞 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜
In But Not Of by Afterbirth
Like the artwork, this album is a musical collage. Firmly rooted in brutal death metal, the wandering trajectories taken to other genres results in a compelling, unique & rewarding listen 🔁
𝔸𝕝𝕓𝕦𝕞 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜
Eternal Sorcery by One of Nine
A celebration of second wave black metal from a new generation. Atmospheric, rousing & sorrowful, it proudly walks in the frozen footsteps of kings.
𝔸𝕝𝕓𝕦𝕞 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜
Leprous Daylight by Fossilization 🇧🇷
Enter a world of filth with a barbaric battering ram of slimy, churning riffs & vicious battery shifting from feral attack to a disgustingly insidious crawl in a heartbeat. Glorious!
#ListSeason
- > AOTW Edition <
My first major end of year list, every week I picked an album of the week based on 7 days listening between
#FFF
’s. 50 weeks later, here are the results:
𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗨𝗣
2024 has arrived! Big releases from Vitriol, Olhava, Knoll & Rhûn to name a few. Standout EP’s from Numen Noctis & Tartarus Horde plus three excellent splits. Plenty more listening ahead…
Support
@KManriffs
#FFFJan26
𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞
Satan Soldier of Fortune
by Departure Chandelier
Raw, historical black metal from Québec with deliberately old school sounding synths & engaging compositions.
#AOTW
𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜𝕖𝕟𝕕 ℝ𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕦𝕡 ℝ𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕦𝕡 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟛
It’s been an amazing year for metal. Even with my tunnel vision listening habits (thanks
@darkirondwarf
), there have been numerous great albums, EP’s, splits & demo’s I have enjoyed. Here’s a snapshot of my year.
𝔸𝕝𝕓𝕦𝕞 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜
Ardor for Black Mastery by Auriferous Flame
A battle cry against humanities obsession with oppressing & destroying itself. Like any conflict, it’s scathing, vicious & chaotic. Raise the banners & prepare for war ⚔️
#ListSeason
- >
#AOTY
1-40 <
Ok, time for the big one.
@aai_swe
take the top spot. Even now, this album gives me goosebumps like nothing else this year.
@HathBandNJ
are a very close second. The rest are roughly in order, but all are amazing. Well done metal ‘22 🔥🤘🏻
𝔸𝕝𝕓𝕦𝕞 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜
Evenfall of the Apocalypse
by Ascended Dead 🇺🇸
Death Metal
A lethal dose of controlled chaos that’s as complex as quantum theory & abrasive like a bath of acid. It clings to sanity by a fragile thread
Choice cut: Ungodly Death
𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜𝕖𝕟𝕕 ℝ𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕦𝕡
Lots of interesting releases this week vying for attention including obscure treats from Xasthur, EJXA, Erensyrah, STENCHED & Ævangelist. Plenty of listening ahead!
#FFFJun25
Support:
@KManriffs
𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗨𝗣
Interesting week with lots of further listening required. Special mentions: Sjálfsmorð af Gáleysi, Vivere Sin Vivere, Spornburg, Царетворец, Bogobes, Warorath, Fugit, Den Edele Dood & Uhripuu.
Support
@KManriffs
#FFFJan19
𝔸𝕝𝕓𝕦𝕞 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜
Lux Morte by Reverence to Paroxysm 🇲🇽
The Mariana Trench of death metal: unflinchingly deep, overwhelmingly crushing & so dark there’s not even the faintest glimmer of light. Another monster from
@mesacounojo
𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜𝕖𝕟𝕕 ℝ𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕦𝕡
A heady mix of death & black metal this week: Fossilization, Excarnated Entity, Dantalion, Valravn, Devouring Famine, Hanging Fortress & Downcross/Vobiscum Inferni are early standouts.
#FFFSep8
CEO:
@KManriffs
Support: …
𝔸𝕝𝕓𝕦𝕞 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜
Panpsychism by Acausal Intrusion 🇺🇸
Chaotic madness that evolves with each listen. Subtle, atmospheric interludes give pause for reflection amongst the complex dismantling of form that otherwise engulfs the senses.
𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗨𝗣
This weeks special mentions go to: Calgacus, Leprous Vortex Sun, Trijumf, Gardenjia, Eden’s Decay, Tombstalker, Chymist, Azatoth/Cryptic Hatred & Namebearer.
Support
@KManriffs
#FFFMar1
𝔸𝕝𝕓𝕦𝕞 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜
Richtfeuer
by Rană 🇩🇪
The death knell of a world in tatters expressed through a crust fuelled blackened assault. A beacon of fire signalling the end or the hope of a new beginning?
Choice cut: Our Smouldering Grief…
𝔸𝕝𝕓𝕦𝕞 𝕆𝕗 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜
Genesis of Malignant Entropy
by Ceremonial Bloodbath
Hold on to your face, Ceremonial Bloodbath want to rip it off like a tornado of nails.
@sentientruin
delivering the vitriolic madness once again!
𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗨𝗣
*NEW* Roundups now include midweek releases
Special mentions: Elegý, Motljus, Berylium, Infant Island, Asphalt Grieving & EJXA
Support
@KManriffs
#FFFJan12
𝔸𝕝𝕓𝕦𝕞 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜
Worst Case Scenario by Altarage 🇪🇸
You know it’s coming, that moment of unhinged violence. Then, without warning a barrage of unmitigated chaos rips your face off & you finally understand what the worst case scenario is…
#AlbumOfTheWeek
Heimdal
by Enslaved 🇳🇴
Progressive Black Metal
Album 16 is a cohesive melting pot of everything past, present & future Enslaved have & will be. Although constantly shifting, everything flows seamlessly. Brann!
Choice cut: Caravans….
𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜𝕖𝕟𝕕 ℝ𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕦𝕡
The weekend Twitter went to hell, at least the soundtrack was good! Serpent of Old, Ofnus, Lucifixion, None & Vengeful Spectre are all 🔥, but lots more to explore. Stay strong
#MetalTwitter
#FFFJun30
Support:
@KManriffs
Reviews:
@marybaphomet
𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜𝕖𝕟𝕕 ℝ𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕦𝕡
To name a few: Cromlech, Rorcal, Dismal Aura, Part of the Anima, Ruin Lust, Svartkonst, Disguised Malignance & Wells Valley.
Late additions: Ὁπλίτης, Waśn, Dispar & Primodrial Serpent
#FFFSep29
CEO:
@KManriffs
Support: …
𝔸𝕝𝕓𝕦𝕞 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜
Disharmonium - Nahab
by Blut Aus Nord 🇫🇷
Transcending genre boundaries to an otherworldly, densely complex & dissonant astral nightmare, what at first appears unfathomable heralds it’s mysteries the further you delve…
𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞
Nothing Should Exist by Calgacus
Described as a “plunge into the chaotic realms of odd death metal”, Calgacus go from cavernous to cosmic via dive bomb solos & sludgy dirges. Strap in!
#AOTW
𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜𝕖𝕟𝕕 ℝ𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕦𝕡
Another week where some great releases have been overshadowed by the big hitters: Θλίψις/ Thlipsis, Tumultuous Ruin, Gestos, Bolt Gun & My Dearest Wound in particular have stood out.
#FFFSep15
CEO:
@KManriffs
Support: …
𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗨𝗣
This weeks special mentions go to: Pathogenesis, Aelvica, Petit Nuage Noir, Chapel Perilous, White Dawn, 1228, Multa, Vurkolak, Triste, Woodcult, Rite, Grave Alter & Frelser.
Support
@KManriffs
#FFFFeb16
𝔸𝕝𝕓𝕦𝕞 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜
Silence by Rorcal 🇨🇭
Silence by name, deafening silence by nature! Rorcal have unleashed an album full of bile, abusing the listener with caustic, pitch black soundscapes utterly devoid of hope.
𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜𝕖𝕟𝕕 ℝ𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕦𝕡
No point stating the obvious ones, so this weeks less hyped highlights include Odz Manouk (twice), Voidmïlker, Astral Tomb, Plagues & Eudaemon.
#FFFJul7
Support:
@KManriffs
Reviews:
@marybaphomet
𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗨𝗣
In addition to
#FFF
releases, mentions go to: Hail Conjurer, Amimia, Cinereous Rain, Kasturn, Worhs, Crushing the Scepter, Observer, Wolf-Rayet, Frost Pisse & Elend, dodenbezweerder & Mertykhuwar
Support
@KManriffs
#FFFFeb2
𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜𝕖𝕟𝕕 ℝ𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕦𝕡
The last roundup of 2023 is unexpectedly strong. Sulphuric Hatred(🤯), Crust, AFRA, Feral Forms & Hinsides to name a few. Time for a break before 2024 kicks off!
#FFFDec15
CEO:
@KManriffs
Support: …
𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜𝕖𝕟𝕕 ℝ𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕦𝕡
Festering DM courtesy of Desekryptor starts proceedings, with other highlights being Boötes Void, Izrod, Surghiun, Nara, Odium & spiritual magic from Heáfodbán. Don’t sleep on the EP’s!
#FFFJul16
CEO:
@KManriffs
Reviews:
@marybaphomet
𝔸𝕝𝕓𝕦𝕞 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜
I by Blood Abscission
Whilst creator & origin remain an enigma, what’s not is the exhilarating 30 min joyride this takes you on that all too soon leaves you needing more. Blood is the drug & the drug is good.
𝔸𝕝𝕓𝕦𝕞 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜
Total
by Entropia 🇵🇱
Genre: ထ
Entropy - a scientific concept most commonly associated with a state of disorder, randomness, or uncertainty. Just listen, it will all make sense in the end.
Choice cut: Orbit
𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜𝕖𝕟𝕕 ℝ𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕦𝕡
Instant gratification comes from Cruciamentum, Absque Cor & Уводь (Uvod), but there’s plenty of others here to delve into. ‘23 might be nearing the end, but the metal keeps flowing!
#FFFNov24
CEO:
@KManriffs
Support: …
𝔸𝕝𝕓𝕦𝕞 𝕆𝕗 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜
Extirpation Dirge by Abyssal Rift
Death doom done right: cavernous subterranean hell spliced with marauding sections of vicious riffs. Nightmarish sonic savagery courtesy of
@sentientruin
once again
𝔸𝕝𝕓𝕦𝕞 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜
Ծուռ / Բոսորագազան
by Odz Manouk 🇺🇸
Travel through a distant realm filled with malevolent dissonance & harrowing atmosphere. Exploration is the key to surviving the chaos that engulfs you…
Choice cut: Requiem For A Kingdom
𝔸𝕝𝕓𝕦𝕞 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜
Feral Legion - Invultation 🇺🇸
Fully rabid, foaming at the mouth audio violence. Vicious, biting riffs rip & tear whilst the bludgeoning drums obliterate the remains. The ground is well trodden, but the pain is real.
𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜𝕖𝕟𝕕 ℝ𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕦𝕡
November is go: Tetragammacide, Ch’ahom, Nahasheol, Penitence Onirique, Ildskær, Pa Vesh En, Nerumia, Suffocation, Obscene Worship, Carnal Tomb, Veruta & Final Eclipse to name a few…
#FFFNov3
CEO:
@KManriffs
Support: …
𝔸𝕝𝕓𝕦𝕞 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜
Uten Nådigst Formildelse
by Ekrom 🇳🇴
Black metal
A frosty, windswept album of classic black metal celebrating the legacy of its homeland’s founding fathers. Lame nerds rejoice!
Choice cut: Misanthropy Void
🎧 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜𝕖𝕟𝕕 𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕦𝕡 🎧
Choir, Lamp of Murmur, Aphotic, Mork & Molstand have all garnered the most of my attention. Liturgy is a challenge I’m willing to pursue & Shores of Null was a pleasant surprise.
𝔸𝕝𝕓𝕦𝕞 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜
Triade III: Nyx
by Aara 🇨🇭
Atmospheric BM
Refined & thoughtful whilst maintaining aggression, every track has multiple layers to explore & with each listen a new detail reveals itself. An album to get lost in over & over.
Choice cut: Moribunda
𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜𝕖𝕟𝕕 ℝ𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕦𝕡
So much for a quiet December: Abyssal Rift is nasty death doom whilst Mahr, Voidsphere, Arkhtinn, Pharmakeia & Demoncy all bring some astral darkness to the mix. Lots more to explore…
#FFFDec1
CEO:
@KManriffs
Support: …
𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜𝕖𝕟𝕕 ℝ𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕦𝕡
Lots of talk about the obvious already, so shout out’s go to Venomous Echoes, guttered, Baring Teeth, OWDWYR, the really long one, Eternal Starvation & Loathe.
#FFFOct20
CEO:
@KManriffs
Support: …
New additions:
Second shout out of the day to
@xdeathenginex
for highlighting Woman Is The Earth. Excited to listen to Crust & Tribal Gaze for the first time on vinyl. Anybody who missed Crust last year should definitely check them out. BC links in ALT 🤘🏻🔥