2012 gave me heaps of really awesome albums. When it comes to what my favourites were? Far too many to put down. When compiling my end of year list, interesting to note for me was what albums surprised me most and what albums I was expecting to be in my best list, but ended up being a massive let down. I even haven't given some albums enough of a listen to really absorb how amazing they are and if I could sit down for a moment and really take it what I am hearing, then I would probably have these albums in my top 10. Namely Neurosis, Between The Buried And Me and Converge.
Anyhow, let me talk about my five favourite albums of the year. I decided to only talk about five given I liked so many and didn't wanna take anything away from the other albums. So:
Witchcraft - Legend
This album has grown on me so much. I went from not thinking much of it, to being amazed with it. A more modernized sound that teases progressive elements more than the psychedelic ones I heard on 'The Alchemist'. So many catchy riffs, so many memorable lyrics and vocal moments from Magnus. This should be the 'break out' album for them. We'll see.
Ne Obliviscaris - Portal Of I
Finally, after so many years, the NeO debut album finally arrived and it is beyond superb. The musicianship of these guys is one of the best out there. So many twists and turns. Beauty colliding with chaos. No album weaved an abundance of different emotions more than this one did in 2012. Code 666 should finally get them that overseas recognition and finally they will be making their way overseas. Deservedly so.
Unleashed - Odalheim
The biggest shock of 2012. What the fuck happened to Unleashed? This is the most barbaric, extreme thing they have ever done. This sounds scathing, evil, menacing. It was as if they laid a black metal sheet over their death metal sound and just made themselves 10 times more crazy. The berserker of any viking battle.
Burzum - Umskiptar
The most intriguing thing about Varg when it comes to his music is how after all these years, his time in prison, he still manages to create an album that is all his own. The only thing that is changing is the atmosphere from dark and evil to more sorrow scattering across the dawn. Overall, there is only one band you can compare this to and only one band that is clearly influencing this sound. That band is of course, Burzum.
Enslaved - RIITIIR
And a year finally came when Enslaved made my favourite album of the year. When these guys make an album that signifies their transition into change (eg: 'Monumension'), they nail it. 'RIITIIR' is a journey that will take you to many different places and each one of those places will be something special. Burzum still remains true to itself after all these years, Enslaved evolves but continues to use the elements from their beginnings to show they haven't forgotten where they have come from. Their best album in 10 years.
So now I look forward to what I will hear in 2013.
Ikil
