Top 5 Albums of 2013

5. ALTAR OF PLAGUES - "IN TEETH GLORY & INJURY"

"Mammals" was such a killer album.  It made me a become a fan of this band.  Altar of Plagues are one of the bands that really keep extreme music interesting.  So when "Teethed Glory & Injury" came out, I was looking forward to hearing their new material.  And what an awesome album.   The album has been praised by many music publications.  2013 has been great to these Irishmen.

4. WINDHAND - "SOMA"

After hearing Cough, it's great to hear another Doom band from Virginia.  I heard of Windhand from the split they did with Cough.  Windhand bring in more of a traditional Doom sound, which right now is breathe of fresh air.  If you're a fan of early Doom Metal bands, then "Soma" is your kind of album.

3. DEAFHEAVEN - "SUNBATHER"

If you read my review of this album, then you shouldn't be surprise that it made my Top 5.  I really don't know how much more I can give praise to this album.  Everything I loved about Deafheaven, they did it twice as better on "Sunbather"  Their cross of Post-Rock and Black Metal is really amazing.  Totally pick this up for your New Year's Eve party.

2. GHOST B.C. - "INFESTISSUMAM"

Oh, boy.  This album started my 2013 with a bang.  Of course I've been waiting for this album since I've heard their first single "Circular Haze".  And just like the first album, this album is even more catchier.  Seeing that this band is on a major label, I'm glad they didn't water them down.  And even though they've added the "BC", these Swedes will always be Ghost to me.

1. SUBROSA - "MORE CONSTANT THAN THE GODS"

It was awesome when I heard that SubRosa was putting out a new album in 2013.  "No Help From The Mighty Ones" was one of my favorite Sludge albums.  With "More Constant Than The Gods", everything sound more heavier, more catchier, and just more kick arse.  Since it's release, I can not stop listening to this album.  Violins are the best thing to happen in the Sludge genre.  And if these kids from SLC continue to push themselves, then don't be surprise if their next album is #1 on my list again.

Top 5 Albums of 2012

Well, I hope everyone is going to have a awesome NYE.  2012 was a great year for music.  Found some new bands that I now love.  And enjoyed some new music from my favorite bands.  Hope 2013 brings us some more great music.

#5. Pig Destroyer- Book Burner

I have been waiting for Pig Destroyer to make a new album forever.  After listening to this album so many times, it gets more intense.  The deluxe version made my day with the bonus disc of punk covers.  And J.R. Hayes short story, The Atheist, was a good read.

#4. Evoken- Altra Mors

Oh how I heart death/doom.  And Evoken continue to make that sub-genre awesome.  Very dark and brutal.  These guys never disappoint.  If you're a fan of doom and it's many micro-genres, you have to pick this up.  A great listen when reading The Walking Dead.

#3. Author & Punisher- Ursus Americanus 

This album was also very intense.  Harsh and brutal.  Tristan Shone is one of the few pioneers of this generation.  His shows are even much intense.  A lot of my co-workers who are into dub-step became really huge fans of Ursus Americanus.  More bands/artist should be very creative like Mr. Shone.

#2. Royal Thunder- CVI

My favorite new band of 2012.  CVI, Royal Thunder's first album is one rocking album.  "Whispering World" is my favorite song of 2012.  It was nice seeing these kids get some great reaction.  It was really refreshing to see a more hard rock band (compared to the more extreme).

#1. Unsane- Wreck

I've been a huge fan of these guys since I saw the video for "Scrape".  And since then I've been a fan of noise rock.  Chris Spencer and Co. have made another great album for me to rock out.  Got see them withe Melvins, which was awesome.  Their cover of Flipper's "Ha Ha Ha" was the greatest cover I've heard in a while.  This is the album I recommend people to pick up.