Bring on the Haters... It's time for A Best of Year end list from Cult.
It's been a rather busy year for this Scribbler. Many events have transpired in the last twelve months, some have made my life a little easier, others I'm still pondering the ramifications of. It's been a busy year in both Metal and Horror as I'm sure you can tell from the increased amounts of submissions to the site, for a brief while we had a few more scribblers added to our ranks (though who knows if that'll continue on into the future). The site has improved gaining more views in leaps and bounds, mostly due in part to the posting genius of Feind.
As a collective we've expanded our horizons to include more articles, shit, I'm scribbling upon celluloid releases that aren't even Horror themed. But most of all let's not forget the triumphs both Feind and myself can boast. Feind has had his voice and opinion heard on a metal themed podcast (Metalheads Podcast thanx again George, Buke and the guy who sounds strangely like a very blue comedian, Dave Attelle *Hope you take that as a compliment Jay!) as well as having a few pieces published (one, Hell Awaits, in a collection that's still garnering amazing reviews). As for myself I've had a short (1000 word) story, A Dinner Invite, published albeit in a free ebook, Flashes of Darkness: Halloween Special 2015, from Dark Chapters Press but it's a fantastic start (now if only I can tear myself away from all this reviewing malarkey and find time to write more fiction). In regards to the music scene this year, in a word has been outstanding.
As a collective we've expanded our horizons to include more articles, shit, I'm scribbling upon celluloid releases that aren't even Horror themed. But most of all let's not forget the triumphs both Feind and myself can boast. Feind has had his voice and opinion heard on a metal themed podcast (Metalheads Podcast thanx again George, Buke and the guy who sounds strangely like a very blue comedian, Dave Attelle *Hope you take that as a compliment Jay!) as well as having a few pieces published (one, Hell Awaits, in a collection that's still garnering amazing reviews). As for myself I've had a short (1000 word) story, A Dinner Invite, published albeit in a free ebook, Flashes of Darkness: Halloween Special 2015, from Dark Chapters Press but it's a fantastic start (now if only I can tear myself away from all this reviewing malarkey and find time to write more fiction). In regards to the music scene this year, in a word has been outstanding.
Seriously I'm sure Feind can attest to this, there's just too much damn good stuff out there to choose only a handful from. And to make matters that much more difficult Feind has had to sift through both his reviews and the ones that I've chose to scribble upon. He posts everything, I'm the lazy business owner who tosses bread for close to seventy hours a week then returns home to fall asleep while watching a movie's opening credits or better yet face down on the keyboard after only done scribbling a few nonsensical phrases.
I can't say the following enough, though I know I've said it more than a few times during the last three hundred and fifty odd days, thanks Feind for everything you do and all the late articles you bite your fingernails over from yours truly, the excuses and numerous other things that have transpired that aren't meant for public consumption. Everything. Well that's enough of that, my tongues getting chaffed (*And so is Feind’s buttocks. Stop it! LOL). Now onto the fun stuff. Be prepared for this year, quite unlike the last I will not phone it in, and bang it out at the last second, I have notes.
And before any of you bastids jump in and wanna say that sucks, you suck, this is my opinion not fact. Keep in mind at all times an opinion is like an asshole, everyone has one and unless you're a blonde with huge breasts and a face that could turn a continent I really don’t care to study yours in depth. Suffice it to say this is mine, take it or leave it...
I can't say the following enough, though I know I've said it more than a few times during the last three hundred and fifty odd days, thanks Feind for everything you do and all the late articles you bite your fingernails over from yours truly, the excuses and numerous other things that have transpired that aren't meant for public consumption. Everything. Well that's enough of that, my tongues getting chaffed (*And so is Feind’s buttocks. Stop it! LOL). Now onto the fun stuff. Be prepared for this year, quite unlike the last I will not phone it in, and bang it out at the last second, I have notes.
And before any of you bastids jump in and wanna say that sucks, you suck, this is my opinion not fact. Keep in mind at all times an opinion is like an asshole, everyone has one and unless you're a blonde with huge breasts and a face that could turn a continent I really don’t care to study yours in depth. Suffice it to say this is mine, take it or leave it...
*Cult has a mountain of Honorable Mentions which I'll include at the bottom. All are worthy of your little earholes but to cut to the chase a bit I've rearranged Cult's order. I beg my awesome partner's forgiveness. - Feind
Without futher ado...
*Apologies to Cult but he neglected to mention his biggest milestone this year... his 40th Birthday at which his sister made this awesome cake which I can attest tasted as good as it looked! - Feind
Onwards to my top picks...
In no particular order or style breakdown
Aetherian – Tales of our Time
Mesmerizing, beautiful, sorrowful, epic, melodic death from Greece.
Mesmerizing, beautiful, sorrowful, epic, melodic death from Greece.
Inculter – Persisting De-evolution
Blistering fast thrash that made me more excited than a fat kid in a pie shop.
Blistering fast thrash that made me more excited than a fat kid in a pie shop.
Godsleep – Thousand Sons of Sleep
This psychedelic stoner rock release knocked me on my arse, amazing stuff.
This psychedelic stoner rock release knocked me on my arse, amazing stuff.
Division Speed – self titled
Think Sodom mixed with Marduk. A blistering fast good time.
Think Sodom mixed with Marduk. A blistering fast good time.
Lost Souls – Atlantis: The New Beginning
A late addition that I had to include as it's so damn good (review forthcoming)
A late addition that I had to include as it's so damn good (review forthcoming)
Unleashed – Dawn of the Nine
Easily the best Unleashed album in aeons, highly recommended!
Easily the best Unleashed album in aeons, highly recommended!
Tribulation – Children of the Night
An amazing mixture of styles, NWOBHM and melodic black, an amazing listen.
An amazing mixture of styles, NWOBHM and melodic black, an amazing listen.
My Dying Bride – Feel the Misery
Sorrow, beauty, melody and everything in between. Best of British Doom!
Sorrow, beauty, melody and everything in between. Best of British Doom!
At The Gates - At War with Reality
Theres no doubt if I'd have discovered this earlier in the year it would’ve placed higher. Remarkable melodic metal from arguably one of the founders of the genre. Thanx for reminding me about it Chris (Werewolves in Siberia).
*Just a quick aside: this album actually came out in late 2014
Theres no doubt if I'd have discovered this earlier in the year it would’ve placed higher. Remarkable melodic metal from arguably one of the founders of the genre. Thanx for reminding me about it Chris (Werewolves in Siberia).
*Just a quick aside: this album actually came out in late 2014
Carnivorous Veracity - The Impious Doctrine
Listened to this after a suggestion from a total stranger, it paid off. This is downright amazing. Technical brutality at the top of the sickening heap.
Listened to this after a suggestion from a total stranger, it paid off. This is downright amazing. Technical brutality at the top of the sickening heap.
Sunless Rise – Unrevealed
Not usually my cup of tea, but unignorable in it's scope, depth and guitar wizardry, riffs upon and within riffs. Complex and epic.
Not usually my cup of tea, but unignorable in it's scope, depth and guitar wizardry, riffs upon and within riffs. Complex and epic.
Metal Worthy of the Gods '15
Cult's dream of his gf... METAL!!
It was well worth the wait. Easily my favorite Slayer release since Divine Intervention. Fkin' Sssllllaaaaayyyyyeeeeerrrrrrr-!
Need I say more?
Need I say more?
*Slight note of disagreement here but not about Repentless but Divine Intervention is Feind's least favorite Slayer album. The best is God Hates Us All... Haters, the comments section is below.
Honestly it's been a while since I've last heard Cradle and endured the same feeling since Cruelty and the Beast first lovingly invaded the space between my ears. Having transformed in more ways than one since that release they've kept their style somewhat constant though have added a 'light' touch incorporating their take on gothic themed pop tracks (wait wha-). Now that all that silliness is through (fingers crossed) Cradle can return to my most abused of playlists. On behalf of all the fans going as far back as Dusk and her Embrace Welcome back Dani.
*Again let it be noted Feind does not like any CoF release ever, Cult is insane!
From the very get-go this release had me pounding every flat surface within sight. Technical, tight, intricate and more melodic than Granma singing in the shower (trust me she's quite good..pass the soap sonny. Wait wha-!) this is one of the very few technical acts to follow from 15' onwards.
Not so much an album as a journey. This album demands your full attention and more than merely a few spins. Doom does not get more emotional, powerful and epic than this. Be prepared to get lost in reverb and the unfathomable depths of melancholy.
Deathcore, black and doom metal have never played so well as in this dark treat I discovered as if by accident. This will find heavy rotation in my play-lists on account of its depth, catchiness and stunning dark atmosphere.
Blistering blackened death in a similar vein to Septic Flesh and Noctem.
This is exactly what the doctor ordered, an assault of face melting evil that hits the spot! I best turn this off lest I destroy everything in the house not nailed down!
This is exactly what the doctor ordered, an assault of face melting evil that hits the spot! I best turn this off lest I destroy everything in the house not nailed down!
Another release in a style that really doesn't feature much, if at all, in my wheelhouse. Strange then that I like this as much as I do. Blues, doom, stoner, desert rock a fantastic mixture of all and a sprinkle of others too and let's not forget the darkly humorous lyrics.
I can't stop spinnin' this!
I can't stop spinnin' this!
Honestly it's been a long while since I've spent more than a minute listening to these guys (not much, if anything, since Tales of a Thousand Lakes in fact).
So imagine my surprise when I found my jaw on the floor after spinning this for the first of many times. A virtual tapestry of styles interwoven to form many complex patterns to blanket near the entire metal spectrum. Here is an epic album you can enjoy with others that may not quite appreciate the growly stuff (yet)...lead them in gently is what I often say (ouch!).
So imagine my surprise when I found my jaw on the floor after spinning this for the first of many times. A virtual tapestry of styles interwoven to form many complex patterns to blanket near the entire metal spectrum. Here is an epic album you can enjoy with others that may not quite appreciate the growly stuff (yet)...lead them in gently is what I often say (ouch!).
Yet another comet to hit me out of nowhere. To say that this is a catchy album would be to call a hungry tiger a tiny bet peckish. (not to worry he likes to be rubbed behind the ears. From the inside of his mouth. Damn! That fuckin' hurt kitty-!) Hardly death, in now way thrash, miles from black metal this is a great cornucopia of styles that pushes me around the house like a vacuum handled by a cracked out housewife with naught better to do. Call it a guilty pleasure, call it whatever the hell you wish I'm diggin the shit outta this.
Finally my top pick...
The BEAST that slays them all!
The BEAST that slays them all!
Trampling the starting gate with a Metallica (Justice for All) riff this is an album that traipses a wide spectrum of genres and delivers that which no other release has even come close to doing. Fluid and seamless transitions between progressive, doom and punk passages leave me wanting more and only hoping there were more hours in the day to enjoy this.
Tapping my appendages like a maniac I can honestly state that from the very first listen I was more than hooked. This is goosebumps raising, hairs on the back of your neck chilling good!
If three hundred and some odd days ago someone would've told me my favorite album of 15' had an entire track dedicated to a manhandled piano (above) I probably would've smiled and say 'Sod off'. Nevertheless here it is the full album...
Tapping my appendages like a maniac I can honestly state that from the very first listen I was more than hooked. This is goosebumps raising, hairs on the back of your neck chilling good!
If three hundred and some odd days ago someone would've told me my favorite album of 15' had an entire track dedicated to a manhandled piano (above) I probably would've smiled and say 'Sod off'. Nevertheless here it is the full album...
Cult's 2015 Honorable Mentions in Metal
Grindcore/Death/Crust/Black:
Zombieslut – Undead Commando
tbh with a moniker like theirs I didn't expect much but groovy grind blew me away
VHS – Hifi Horror – Uncut edition
Horror themed, humorous and metal as fuck!
Black Tongue – The Unconquerable Dark
I had nothing to go on with this I was taken for a hell of a journey
The Grotesquery – Curse of the Skinless Bride
Melodic death metal with a Lovecraftian storyline, fuck yes!
Bloody Tyrant – The Legacy of Sun Moon Lake
I didn't expect this intricate black mastery from Taiwan of all places.
Thy Art is Murder – Holy War
So much more than mere deathcore, this was the shit!
Rivers of Nihill – Monarchy
Melodic brilliance in the same vein as Psycroptic.
Just Before Dawn – The Dead and Those About to Die
A death supergroup with the chops and talent to prove it.
Grave – Out of Respect for the Dead
IMO sporting a better sound than they have had in years, an amazing return to the metal fold.
Necrowretch – With Serpents Scourge
This is black metal as I would order it – melodic, evil and vile.
BattleCross – Rise to Power
A fantastic melodic powerhouse of an album.
LIK – Mass Funeral Evocation
The Gothenburg sound done right!
Bastard Grave – What Lies Beyond
Gothenburg,Groove, Crust and genius.
Thorns of Sin – Destroy the Light
Excellently executed melodic blackened thrash with great production.
Sadism – Alliance
Blistering in your face riffs, altogether an amazingly fluid album.
BodyFarm – Battle Breed
Death just the way the Doctor ordered, be prepared to move!
Supreme Carnage – Sentenced by the Cross
Solid groove laced death metal with great vocals.
Down Among the Dead Men – Exterminate! Annihilate! Destroy!
Dave Ingram is back supported by kick ass salvo driven melody, nuff said!
Swarm of Serpents – Souls ov Hell
A local act recently signed, lots of talent in the melodic blackened arena.
Dagoba – Tales of the Black Dawn
Suggested by Feind and liked immensely by me.
The Apex – self titled
An amazing powerful treat in a similar vein to Meshuggah.
Eye of Horus – Infernal Calling
Technical death that could live in my CD player and never get old.
Once Human – The Life I Remember
Female fronted sporting diverse melodies and styles, great album.
Echelon – Indulgence over Abstinance Behind the Obsidian Veil
Groove laden melodic death with Mr Ingram puling vocal duties.
Ominous Ruin – Exiled (EP)
Technical as fuck, brutal, intricate death metal bliss.
Armageddon – Captivity and Devourment
Melodic death mastery from an Ammot Brother (Carcass, Carnage, Arch Enemy).
Scarab – Serpents of the Nile
Middle Eastern aura par excellence. An amazing album showing Nile how it's done.
Demonical – Black Flesh Redemption (EP)
The Gothenburg sound nailed!
Bone Gnawer – Cannibal Cremation
Kam Lee shredding it and pulling vocal duties.
Sonus Mortis – War Prophecy
A one man symphonic blackened death project that is unfathomably outstanding.
Fuck the Facts
Grindcore that grabs you by the throat tosses you around the room, picks you up to dust you off then unapologetically does it all over again.
Axis of Despair – Time and Again
Reeks of a vintage Napalm Death style with a new school edge.
The Hells – Brutopia
Hilarity and metal (from 'across the pond') what more could one want?
Psychostick - Revenge of the Vengeance
Hilarity and metal stateside. NSFW must be heard to be appreciated!!
Implore – Depopulation
Outstanding Crust/Grind with a Gothenburg edge, guaranteed to wake the dead!
Xul – Malignance (reissue 15')
Outstanding melodic death (reissue) so good it deserved a reprinting, nuff said!
No More Room in Hell – self titled
Horror, grind, sludge and crust all bended to create a monster release.
tbh with a moniker like theirs I didn't expect much but groovy grind blew me away
VHS – Hifi Horror – Uncut edition
Horror themed, humorous and metal as fuck!
Black Tongue – The Unconquerable Dark
I had nothing to go on with this I was taken for a hell of a journey
The Grotesquery – Curse of the Skinless Bride
Melodic death metal with a Lovecraftian storyline, fuck yes!
Bloody Tyrant – The Legacy of Sun Moon Lake
I didn't expect this intricate black mastery from Taiwan of all places.
Thy Art is Murder – Holy War
So much more than mere deathcore, this was the shit!
Rivers of Nihill – Monarchy
Melodic brilliance in the same vein as Psycroptic.
Just Before Dawn – The Dead and Those About to Die
A death supergroup with the chops and talent to prove it.
Grave – Out of Respect for the Dead
IMO sporting a better sound than they have had in years, an amazing return to the metal fold.
Necrowretch – With Serpents Scourge
This is black metal as I would order it – melodic, evil and vile.
BattleCross – Rise to Power
A fantastic melodic powerhouse of an album.
LIK – Mass Funeral Evocation
The Gothenburg sound done right!
Bastard Grave – What Lies Beyond
Gothenburg,Groove, Crust and genius.
Thorns of Sin – Destroy the Light
Excellently executed melodic blackened thrash with great production.
Sadism – Alliance
Blistering in your face riffs, altogether an amazingly fluid album.
BodyFarm – Battle Breed
Death just the way the Doctor ordered, be prepared to move!
Supreme Carnage – Sentenced by the Cross
Solid groove laced death metal with great vocals.
Down Among the Dead Men – Exterminate! Annihilate! Destroy!
Dave Ingram is back supported by kick ass salvo driven melody, nuff said!
Swarm of Serpents – Souls ov Hell
A local act recently signed, lots of talent in the melodic blackened arena.
Dagoba – Tales of the Black Dawn
Suggested by Feind and liked immensely by me.
The Apex – self titled
An amazing powerful treat in a similar vein to Meshuggah.
Eye of Horus – Infernal Calling
Technical death that could live in my CD player and never get old.
Once Human – The Life I Remember
Female fronted sporting diverse melodies and styles, great album.
Echelon – Indulgence over Abstinance Behind the Obsidian Veil
Groove laden melodic death with Mr Ingram puling vocal duties.
Ominous Ruin – Exiled (EP)
Technical as fuck, brutal, intricate death metal bliss.
Armageddon – Captivity and Devourment
Melodic death mastery from an Ammot Brother (Carcass, Carnage, Arch Enemy).
Scarab – Serpents of the Nile
Middle Eastern aura par excellence. An amazing album showing Nile how it's done.
Demonical – Black Flesh Redemption (EP)
The Gothenburg sound nailed!
Bone Gnawer – Cannibal Cremation
Kam Lee shredding it and pulling vocal duties.
Sonus Mortis – War Prophecy
A one man symphonic blackened death project that is unfathomably outstanding.
Fuck the Facts
Grindcore that grabs you by the throat tosses you around the room, picks you up to dust you off then unapologetically does it all over again.
Axis of Despair – Time and Again
Reeks of a vintage Napalm Death style with a new school edge.
The Hells – Brutopia
Hilarity and metal (from 'across the pond') what more could one want?
Psychostick - Revenge of the Vengeance
Hilarity and metal stateside. NSFW must be heard to be appreciated!!
Implore – Depopulation
Outstanding Crust/Grind with a Gothenburg edge, guaranteed to wake the dead!
Xul – Malignance (reissue 15')
Outstanding melodic death (reissue) so good it deserved a reprinting, nuff said!
No More Room in Hell – self titled
Horror, grind, sludge and crust all bended to create a monster release.
Doom, Sludge, Stoner & “Other”:
Diesel King – Concrete Burial
Groovy thick riffs with power enough to destroy your day.
With the Dead – self titled
outstanding Doom featuring the triumphant return of Lee Dorrian to form.
88 mile Road Trip – A Trip Through the Thickest Haze
Stoner, doom, emotional rock implementing a very intriguing vocal style.
Sorcerer – In the Shadow of the Inverted Cross
Somewhat traditional doom with great vocals and amazing melodies.
The Devil and the Almighty Blues – self titled
Captivating emotional blues and stoner laced doom
Out of the Earth – self titled
Stellar emotional stoner rock with powerful Chris Cornell-esque vocals.
Ghost – Meliora
My first taste of Ghost and I'm hooked. Supreme atmospheric laden doom.
Wicked Inquisition - self titled
Somewhat traditional melodic doom mixed with NWOBHM with great vocals.
Freedom Hawk – Into Your Mind
Solid NWOBHM rock with a stoner vibe.
Speedtrap – Straight Shooter
NWOBHM Maiden-esque melody and roots deeply embedded in the old school.
Southern Fried Genocide – Electric Mayhem
Hard to describe much easier to enjoy, get ready to boogie like one possessed.
Groovy thick riffs with power enough to destroy your day.
With the Dead – self titled
outstanding Doom featuring the triumphant return of Lee Dorrian to form.
88 mile Road Trip – A Trip Through the Thickest Haze
Stoner, doom, emotional rock implementing a very intriguing vocal style.
Sorcerer – In the Shadow of the Inverted Cross
Somewhat traditional doom with great vocals and amazing melodies.
The Devil and the Almighty Blues – self titled
Captivating emotional blues and stoner laced doom
Out of the Earth – self titled
Stellar emotional stoner rock with powerful Chris Cornell-esque vocals.
Ghost – Meliora
My first taste of Ghost and I'm hooked. Supreme atmospheric laden doom.
Wicked Inquisition - self titled
Somewhat traditional melodic doom mixed with NWOBHM with great vocals.
Freedom Hawk – Into Your Mind
Solid NWOBHM rock with a stoner vibe.
Speedtrap – Straight Shooter
NWOBHM Maiden-esque melody and roots deeply embedded in the old school.
Southern Fried Genocide – Electric Mayhem
Hard to describe much easier to enjoy, get ready to boogie like one possessed.
Stay with us MetalHeads!
That's it folks, I'm closing the year with a monolithic beast of an entry, I'll give Feind until a few days into the new year to forgive me then I'll hit him with my newest mammoth tale of sick humor, demons, blades and Bob the one eyed carth dweller. - Cult
*Feind would like to note that he predicted ahead of time that there would be little to no crossover between Cult's list and Feind's list and there is exactly 1, count it ONE, album that appears on both lists and that is Dagoba - Tales of the Black Dawn which Cult has as a mere honorable mention while it's much higher on Feind's list. Otherwise Cult listed over 60 albums that didn't make Feind's final cut (and vice versa but you know who's list is the proper one!) - Feind
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What do you think metalheads? What was your favorite metal album of the year? If somehow we missed it be sure to let us have it in the comments below!
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