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| The Ham photo via @djmlysmn |
Simple
as it may seem, early on in the year I started a note on my phone to chronicle
every album that blew me away. Sure enough, I amassed 10 that really
moved and inspired me without much browbeating about rounding out the list.
What’s
notable is that several of the top records were created by politically aware
bands I loved throughout high school and college, who returned to the stage
seemingly as a direct reaction to America’s (and the world’s, really) farcical political
regime in the only way they knew how. Randy Blythe once said something about
shitty politics making for great protest records, and 2019 certainly proved
that theory to be true.
This
year has also been a boon for extreme music, especially in the realm of death
metal, which historically has not been my favorite subgenre. But there’s no denying Blood Incantation’s Hidden History of the Human Race will go down as
a classic; the same can be said for Gatecreeper’s Deserted. And at this point, it's safe to say we are all down with Lizzo.
A
few other adaptive behaviors I picked up this year included thinking one day at
a time in hopes of staying in the present moment (ie: not habitually thinking
of to-do items three days ahead), and avoiding upsetting triggers that might
pull me into a depressive funk. Unfortunately, that means I haven’t really
given Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds’ Ghosteen a proper listen, nor have I been able to
get through Dead to a Dying World’s Elegy in full. Surely, there’s still time
to discover them along with many new artists and songs.
On
that melancholic note, the below are my favorite albums of 2019, as well as the
most outstanding metal releases to have come out during the past 12 months.
My Favorite Records of 2019 (in no particular order):
Though
I’m still discovering the majority of Mary Timony’s musical output, this
sophomore release from Ex Hex features some of the best production I’ve heard
in ages, bursting with harmony-filled power pop tracks polished to a slick
sheen.
Key
Track: “Another Dimension”
I’ve wanted to make out with this record since first discovering it last summer. Unabashed
in its classic and power metal worship, there is not a single weak link among
the 10 bombastic tracks from the Swedish quartet (who also recorded the entire
album with Spanish vocals!).
Key
Track: “Die for the Devil”
Like
a Molotov cocktail comprised of stark electronica, austere noise, and punishing
performance art, this latest release from the Chicago duo pushes the listener’s
comfort level far more than last year’s Castration Anxiety in the best way possible.
Key
Track: “SSSD”
Not
only did the recently reunited L7 tour throughout 2019, they also put out one
of the best records of their career. Chock-full of their signature
surf-rock-meets-pissed-punk riffs and politically venomous lyrics, Scatter the
Rats was a most welcomed return.
Key
Track: “Fighting the Crave”
Feral;
primal; blistering. These are a few of the words that come to mind when considering
the Welsh crew’s latest offering. Samsara taps into a primeval energy that’s meticulously
refined into adept technical death metal compositions guaranteed to inspire
involuntary desk moshing.
Key
Track: “Uterine Industrialisation”
Peck’s unique shoegaze via Roy Orbison sound is about as alt-country
and sublime as it gets, eclipsed only by his fringed mask signature aesthetic.
From behind this disguise, Peck churns out haunting and intimate ballads to
drink and sway to.
Key
Track: “Buffalo Run”
Eilish’s
rise to fame has been inspiring to watch: a young and talented self-taught
musician who eschews sexually explicit imagery, letting her electronic-tinged
pop tracks do the talking instead. The result is a debut full-length that’s
as exhilarating as it is relatable at any age.
Key
Track: “Bury a Friend”
Truth
be told, I found out about this band after admiring the singer’s dog* on Twitter.
But I’m really glad to have discovered these British metalcore bashers and
their chugging debut—filled with angular breakdowns and banshee wails—that never
fails to make my heart race when used as a cardio soundtrack.
Key
Track: “The Language of Injury”
Atmospheric
noise rock has always been like catnip for my ears, yet the only album this
year to come close to emulating that intoxicating effect was this fourth
release from the Southern Lord artists. Raw, expansive and hypnotic, it’s
really easy to get lost in this Gaze.
Key
Track: “Holding Pattern”
This
solo effort from The Sword guitarist was a passion project in many
ways. Not only was it completely crowdfunded, but Shutt also played every
single instrument therein, as well as sang on every track, and
produced it himself. Though there is a shared DNA with his stoner rock roots,
the debut leans towards warm-toned, fuzzy garage rock with whimsical tangents
built in. Plus, it’s catchy as shit.
Key
Track: “Set You All On Fire”
*See photo above
Outstanding
Metal Records (in no particular order):
Blood Incantation - Hidden History of the Human Race
Cult of Luna – A Dawn to Fear
Big Business – The Beast You Are
Ringworm
– Death Becomes My Voice
Death Angel – Humanicide
Demon Hunter – War and Peace
Russian Circles – Blood Year
Sacred Reich – Awakening
Gatecreeper
– Deserted
Tomb Mold – Planetary Clairvoyance
Haven’t
listened to yet: Slipknot, Chelsea Wolfe, Possessed, Cattle Decapitation, Obsequiae.
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