*NOTE* I wish I was able to publish this way sooner, but I had a issue with my laptop and I had to get ready for a Diclonius gig. Thanks for being so patient. I was really bummed out that I didn't post anything in January. But hope to make it up.
This year we've seen albums by bands we haven't heard for many years. Bands trying to break the sophomore jinx. And bands trying to catch a break. I've been very active on Bandcamp this year, and found a lot of great bands on that site. Sadly, from out of all the music that I've purchased and listened to, I can only pick 20 that stood out to me. There's also some smaller bands that I feel like they should get some attention. Hopefully with their name being on the same list of a major act, some people will check those unheard artist. So with that being said, I present to you, my "TOP 20 ALBUMS OF 2015".
#20 BLEAK - WE DESERVE OUR FAILURES
Right when I was about to do my list, this album just comes charging at the "TOP 20" list, full speed ahead. An album full of intensity and creativity, We Deserve Our Failures isn't your typical Metallic Hardcore record. Bleak is a huge reminder of why I love this music.
#19 INSECT WORSHIP COLLECTIVE - AL AZIF
What the Insect Worship Collective have accomplished is getting a few experimental/noise artist, with different sounds, and making them become ONE. What is presented on Al Azif is a World of darkness and anarchy. Or at least that's what I hear. Looking forward to seeing some of the artist at Insect Worship Fest in January.
#18 SLANDERS - FLANDERS' DOZENTUPID F
One of the most funnest albums I've heard in 2015. As I've mentioned on my Flanders' Dozen review, this ska band from Fullerton, CA, bring back some awesome memories from my high school days. Highly recommend some Stupid Flanders for your New Year's Eve party.
#17 GIRLFLESH - ALMOST HUMAN
2015 was a busy year for Girlflesh mastermind, Roxxxie Wallace. And it all started with Almost human. Applecart and OZZLE were great entries, but I always come back to Almost Human. It was a fun year to see Girlflesh growing up with it's sound.
#16 JOY SHANNON AND THE BEAUTY MARKS - MO ANAM CARA
Wish I had spoken about this project, a long time ago. I didn't get to hear Mo Anam Cara til I bought it (along with The Oracle) at the OCCCA in Santa Ana. It's a well written album with a a well composed atmosphere to accompany it. Need something to listen to around the fireplace? Mo Anam Cara is perfect for this winter.
#15 LIGHTS AND THE WINDOWS - LIGHTS AND THE WINDOWS "EP "
Lights and the Windows came in to the game to start a "New Rock Revolution", and are doing just that. Despite losing two members, later n the year, LATW are continuing to finish what they started. Their s/t EP is something that today's rock scene needs. And it's bands who play with heart. Fuck your cookie cutter standards.
#14 SWARTWOUD - NUSQUAM
One of Lord Orgun's best work to date. This is what experimental Black Metal should be about. Not afraid to mess around with different sounds, what Ogun did with Swartwoud is create a atmosphere so dark, that you might get lost. What ever Ogun was feeling, he sure let it out with Nusquam.
#13 KANTATION - NEPHILIM
One of the my most anticipated albums of 2015, and Kantation's sophomore album did not disappoint. Nephilim did get things started with me with songs like "Walk Through Desire", "Tragedy", and their kick-arse cover of Saxon's "The Power and The Glory". Traditional Metal is very strong with this one.
#12 DEAFHEAVEN - NEW BERMUDA
Despite the tag "Hipster Black Metal", Deafheaven's brand of Black Metal and Shoegaze was a breathe of fresh are for me. Especially when it comes to American Black Metal. New Bermuda may not be Sunbather, but it sure takes things to a much heavier level. Once you get this album spinning, you can't help but start headbanging.
#11 J.C. SATAN - J.C. SATAN
J.C. Satan was an awesome find this year. These guys have been rocking out for a while now, and I'm glad that they've found their way into my ears. Their s/t album is a great slab of catchy tunes and attitude. If you never heard anything out of France, J.C. Satan is a perfect gateway.
#10 MYRKUR - M
For Myrkur, 2015 was a great year and a tough year. M as been getting a lot of phrase by Metal publications and blogs. M has also been getting a lot of criticism by a lot of "trve" Black Metal fans. Calling Myrkur "generic" and "hipster". For me, Myrkur brings a ambient atmosphere to it's sound, which I'm a huge fan of. And that's why M is in my year end list.
#9 PUBLICIST UK - FORGIVE YOURSELF
Never knew that someday, I'll have a huge love for Post-Punk. And Publicist UK takes it even deeper. As soon as I heard "Levitate The Pentagon", I knew that Forgive Yourself was gonna be a special album. A great Post-Punk album done by members of Revocation, Municipal Waste, and Goes Cube.
#8 ROYAL THUNDER - CROOKED DOORS
It may not be CVI, but Crooked Doors is still a rock'n album. The songwriting is very well done. Mlny tells one hell of a story with her lyrics. With album #2, Royal Thunder showed everyone that they are here to stay.
#7 BEHOLD THE MONOLITH - ARCHITECT OF THE VOID
When you lose a bandmate, you also lose a friend and a brother/sister. Yes, this may have been said about Behold! The Monolith many times, but I'm so glad they were able to put out one of the most heaviest records of 2015. Void of the Architect is everything you expect from a B!TM record. When you put the volume way up, it feels like a horde with their swords and axe, are about to charge you.
#6. SHEPHERD - STEREOLOTHIC RIFFPOCALYPSE
Who would have known that the most talked-about band in 2015 came from India. Shepherd got many praises by The Sludgelord, Doomed & Stoned, and I believe made the Doom Charts. And because of this, I had to take a listen to Stereolothic Riffpoclaypse, which has been blasting in every metalheads headphones. Make room, everyone. Shepherd is here to stay.
#5 GOATSNAKE - DARK AGE BLUES
Goatsnake continue to kick arse with their brand of Doom & Blues. The songwriting for Dark Age Blues is just amazing. A lot of stuff here to sing along to, also. If you call yourself a fan of music, then you should really dig this album. Goatsnake really do have a awesome sound, and I hope many people will start taking notice.
#4 CHELSEA WOLFE - ABYSS
Who knew that sleep paralysis would be responsible of making Abyss, Chelsea Wolfe's most darkest and heaviest record. As soon as you give this a spin, you know that Wolfe has created an album that will be passed around from generation to generation.
#3 GHOST - MELIORA
If there's one thing that Meliora says about Ghost, it's that Ghost are gonna be here for a long time. As long as they continue to write songs that we can bang our heads and sing along to. Their 3rd album may not be Opus Eponymous, but as soon as I heard "Cirice", I knew that Meliora was gonna be a enjoyable hard rock album.
#2 RUBY THE HATCHET - VALLEY OF THE SNAKES
Oh, such a voice.Jillian Taylor has. And it meshes really well with the psychedelic sounds that her bandmates in Ruby The Hatchet churn out. Valley of the Snakes is everything I like about the whole psychedelic rock/vintage revival. But trust me, they don't sound like everyone else in that scene. That modern touch is what makes Ruby The Hatchet stand out. And "Tomorrow Never Comes" is such a crushing track.
# 1. LEVIATHAN - SCAR SIGHTED
One of the most personal records I've heard in 2015. I was really glad to see that Wrest was in a good place when recording Scar Sighted. Because of that, he was able to focus on making the next Leviathan record very crushing and intense. What ever True Traitor/True Whore lacked, he was able to make up for it on Scar Sighted. You can hear that so much was put forth to make what the album is. And for that, Scar Sighted is my top pick for 2015.
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