Orchid - The Mouths Of Madness
In the same year as a new Black Sabbath album, this completely out-Sabbath'd it. Dark atmosphere, catchy groovy tunes, thick bass and great energy in the vocals. Not a bad song on the album. I don't like to keep coming back to Black Sabbath as this is truly its own, but if ever a contender for best Black Sabbath album that Black Sabbath never made, this is it.
Kvelertak - Meir
This was no where near as good as the debut. But that is because the debut album was the most amazing thing ever! So point is, this was still an excellent album. Sticking to more of a rock/black metal/hardcore hybrid this time around and a little 'less daring', 'Meir' still had an abundance of memorable moments and mixes and even at times, could do enough to have an arena filled audience on their feet.
In Solitude - Sister
Easily the bands most mature album to date. Almost heading in a more rock direction than keeping it metal, but the best album they have made so far. Dark, serious, deep and with plenty of emotion and feel in the brooding melodies and vocals. Production may be a bit too muddy at times, but it only adds to bleak atmosphere the album portrays. A lot of Swedish bands surprised me with their direction in 2013, and this was one of the best.
Deafheaven - Sunbather
Only two bands have written the perfect post black metal album, Miserere Luminis, and these guys. A passion on here that merges chaos with beauty. Destructive drumming and riffs that then bleed out into dripping post rock tremolos and melodies. Black metal for the hipster brigade or not, it still is sheer quality. Even the majority of black metal bands from early on who have modernized their sound today have not even come close to as good as this.
Tribulation - The Formulas Of Death
I never would have thought that Tribulation would release an album that would be my favourite of the year. An almost pitch black atmosphere, gloomy melodies that evolve into dirty heavy plods or black metal tinged tremolo break outs. Epic nods that are laced with sorrow but also met with a touch of evil in the blackened harsh voice of Johannes. I keep being reminded of Dissection when I hear this, not because they sound alike, because they sound nothing alike, but more because Dissection was unique in their own right in terms of sound and atmosphere. Tribulation has now carved their own sound and atmosphere and I cannot wait to watch this band evolve further.
Welcome 2014
Ikil
