LES GET DIS PARTY STARTED
feel free to skip the intro although you may miss out on a chance to win a free iPod
I passionately love listening to music, but sometimes I also really hate it. I tend to checkout if i’m writing music myself or if things feel oversaturated. I have gone from months to years avoiding new music because of lack of interest (not the band). However, due to isolation caused by the pandemic of 2020 that some of you may have heard about, I found it easy to indulge in searching for music. Almost like the days of soulseek (which still exists in many of our hearts). I am happy to say I found some stuff that I’ll jam years from now– it was honestly one of the best years for Blackened Death Ska ‘n’ Roll I’ve ever seen.
It should be noted that the caliber of my reviews are that of a professional critic. Without further ado, and in no order whatsoever, my favorite releases of this year:
ROLEX – Self-titled EP (September)
AKA All the songs from the R through X tapes but re-recorded and faster EP. So essentially a series of cassettes each titled a letter to spell out, ROLEX, which coincidentally is the band's name. This is some totally bonkers hardcore punk. Emphasis on punk because there are some moments that just musically say "fuck you". And when punk is good, it's really good. Go out of your way to see them live if shows happen again. Necrot – Mortal (August)
Good ol' evil death metal. I already consider this and Undergang's new LP to be classic DM albums. This album could have been sold out over and over again, but Tankcrimes knows what's good. RTR – Symmetriades (December)
Acid Drum 'n' Bass from Madrid with many modes and moods. Some tracks are soft, others abrasive. Some tracks are melodic, others are darker or more atonal. The strangest track is "VBSVBSWG.AQ@mm", a title that rolls off the tongue. Anyway, this might sound like a jarring experience, but it has a good flow. I rarely skip tracks on albums like this. VUAL – To End All Life (March)
If one was forced to describe this they'd probably say "Blackened" at some point, but I just love the flavor of the heaviness and it's overall fucked up nature. Zimbabwe3000 – Living Hell EP (February)
I have a hard time finding good Noir influenced Jazz. Stuff like what Badalamenti did for Twin Peaks or "Sunset Mission" by Bohren & der Club of Gore. Thankfully, Zimbabwe3000 successfully achieves that atmosphere. Now excuse me, I have a murder investigation to solve. Witchtrap – Evil Strikes Again (October)
I've been listening to this shit when I wake up in the morning to pump me up. Evil and aggressive Heavy Metal. An insanely catchy album by Colombian metal veterans. I won't go back to hell either, man!Doug McKechnie – San Francisco Moog: 1968-72 (October)
"In 1968, a young singer named Doug McKechnie got hold of one the very first Moog Modular Series III synthesizers ever made—serial number 004—and began experimenting with it. Soon, he was hauling its many components around the Bay Area, performing improvised concerts for audiences whose minds had been opened by psychedelia but whose ears were often unfamiliar with electronic sounds."City Morgue – Toxic Boogaloo (July)
Apeshit heavy beats with gunshot hi-hat and beatdown guitar riffs. They don't have a bandcamp, but they made videos for every song, so here's that because i'm not linking spotify.Dorotheo – EP II (July)
Beautiful psychedelic rock, that captures the smoother side of the 70s. Dreamy ethereal melodies, delicate yet intricate guitar, solid drums, groovy bass, and wavering synth layers. I appreciate the production quality. A common approach would be to make this sound like it came directly from the 70s, but this recording is clean and polished which helps showcase the musicianship here. Phenomenal.Fleshrot – Unburied Corpse Promo (November)
Although this is pretty much what you'd expect from a current death metal band, that doesn't take away from how PUMMELING it is. Chonky guitars. Looking forward to the full length.Morwan – Zola-Zemlya (October)
Truly unique post-punk with a slight World Music feel. Soul Devourment – Eternal Perdition (April)
A nice and heavy DM EP that ends with an amazing cover of "Sign of Evil" from the Doom OST. I will not mention the distortion pedal this band uses, but they will!Gucci Bass – Miami Bass Jamz Vol. 1 EP (October)
Send me modern Miami Bass recommendations. I love the old school stuff, but I need new blood like Gucci Bass. This track bumps/slaps/fucks/etc.Church of Disgust – Consumed by Slow Putrefaction EP (February)
I will not use modern jargon to describe this band. It's just really fucking good death metal that demands headbanging. Musicianship is on point. I await a full length. Violent Change – S/T EP (July)
Beautifully lazy lo-fi 70s inspired pop rock. Their song writing approach is simple and is effective in making it pleasantly accessible. Doubt anyone will know what i'm talking about, but there are songs I like from the 70s that have a reverbed crash cymbal that sounds like a bottle of beer opening. That's one of the small things I like about "Squandered"; it's very catchy. I hate typing stuff like this, but this EP is a good one to smoke to. Heh, hell yeah. Carroña – Lucha Necia (September)
This shit rips. "Immigrant Caos Punk" from Melbourne. Nasty, dark, raw dbeat with a metallic tinge at times. Great album that deserves a physical release.Powerplant – A Spine/Evidence (April)
I'd like to say thanks to my friend Kyle for showing me this band, but if you aren't reading, fuck you Kyle. Anyway, you could call Powerplant a post-punk band and not be wrong, but they are more punky than they are...posty. They are unusual. Strange and catchy melodies, fluctuating vocals, freak-out moments. Pretty rockin' stuff as the kids say. Looking forward to more.Undergang – Aldrig I Livet (December)
Absolutely crushing. Phlegm and lots of it. Like I said earlier about "Mortal", this is already a classic album to me.Reacción Violenta – Autodestrucción (August)
Energetic hardcore punk with a raw production. Fast and angry. Various Artists – 20/20 FOX V.9.3 (November)
A compilation put out by Clan Destine Records (AKA Clan Destine Click). 12 tracks "featuring thee raddest producers making techno, acid, experimental electronics, breakcore, speedcore, electro and industrial techno worldwide today." And while I have no real way to scientifically quantify that claim I can at least vouch that this is good shit, which is super rare for labels with a prolific output. If nothing here tickled your fancy, check out Machine Gun Kelly, for some REAL music!
Astonishing Mysteries 