For the love of God, please do not inflict 4 more years of Russiagate on the rest of us.
February 26, 2025 at 12:25 AM
For the love of God, please do not inflict 4 more years of Russiagate on the rest of us.
1. BLOOD INCANTATION, Absolute Elsewhere
It me, the soyjack pointing at the Pink Floyd homages between brutal death metal riffs and, especially, "THAT'S THE TANGERINE DREAM GUY!" It me, the aged stoner who's been waiting for Blood Incantation to hit for a decade only to see them nail the dismount.
It me, the soyjack pointing at the Pink Floyd homages between brutal death metal riffs and, especially, "THAT'S THE TANGERINE DREAM GUY!" It me, the aged stoner who's been waiting for Blood Incantation to hit for a decade only to see them nail the dismount.
December 6, 2024 at 10:21 PM
1. BLOOD INCANTATION, Absolute Elsewhere
It me, the soyjack pointing at the Pink Floyd homages between brutal death metal riffs and, especially, "THAT'S THE TANGERINE DREAM GUY!" It me, the aged stoner who's been waiting for Blood Incantation to hit for a decade only to see them nail the dismount.
It me, the soyjack pointing at the Pink Floyd homages between brutal death metal riffs and, especially, "THAT'S THE TANGERINE DREAM GUY!" It me, the aged stoner who's been waiting for Blood Incantation to hit for a decade only to see them nail the dismount.
2. MELVINS, Tarantula Heart
What makes a classic Melvins record? What sets it apart from the band's prolific release schedj? I can't properly articulate it, but I can point one out when it arrives. Tarantula Heart is top shelf Melvins, both poppier & fucking WEIRDER than they've been in a while.
What makes a classic Melvins record? What sets it apart from the band's prolific release schedj? I can't properly articulate it, but I can point one out when it arrives. Tarantula Heart is top shelf Melvins, both poppier & fucking WEIRDER than they've been in a while.
December 6, 2024 at 10:16 PM
2. MELVINS, Tarantula Heart
What makes a classic Melvins record? What sets it apart from the band's prolific release schedj? I can't properly articulate it, but I can point one out when it arrives. Tarantula Heart is top shelf Melvins, both poppier & fucking WEIRDER than they've been in a while.
What makes a classic Melvins record? What sets it apart from the band's prolific release schedj? I can't properly articulate it, but I can point one out when it arrives. Tarantula Heart is top shelf Melvins, both poppier & fucking WEIRDER than they've been in a while.
3. Tyler, The Creator; CHROMAKOPIA
Like Bando Stone, Chromakopia is maximalist as fuck. But where Bando Stone can be tiring, Tyler makes a complete, massive document that you want to hear in total every time. No shortage of bangerz, but Chomakopia is another important piece of Tyler's golden age.
Like Bando Stone, Chromakopia is maximalist as fuck. But where Bando Stone can be tiring, Tyler makes a complete, massive document that you want to hear in total every time. No shortage of bangerz, but Chomakopia is another important piece of Tyler's golden age.
December 6, 2024 at 10:11 PM
3. Tyler, The Creator; CHROMAKOPIA
Like Bando Stone, Chromakopia is maximalist as fuck. But where Bando Stone can be tiring, Tyler makes a complete, massive document that you want to hear in total every time. No shortage of bangerz, but Chomakopia is another important piece of Tyler's golden age.
Like Bando Stone, Chromakopia is maximalist as fuck. But where Bando Stone can be tiring, Tyler makes a complete, massive document that you want to hear in total every time. No shortage of bangerz, but Chomakopia is another important piece of Tyler's golden age.
4. ERSHETU, Yomi
A side project of Blut Aus Nord guitarist Vindsval, Ershetu released their debut, Xibalba, last year. It's very good, full stop. Yomi - another examination of another culture's interpretation of death - is the masterpiece I thought their debut would be. Lush and fucking massive.
A side project of Blut Aus Nord guitarist Vindsval, Ershetu released their debut, Xibalba, last year. It's very good, full stop. Yomi - another examination of another culture's interpretation of death - is the masterpiece I thought their debut would be. Lush and fucking massive.
December 6, 2024 at 10:06 PM
4. ERSHETU, Yomi
A side project of Blut Aus Nord guitarist Vindsval, Ershetu released their debut, Xibalba, last year. It's very good, full stop. Yomi - another examination of another culture's interpretation of death - is the masterpiece I thought their debut would be. Lush and fucking massive.
A side project of Blut Aus Nord guitarist Vindsval, Ershetu released their debut, Xibalba, last year. It's very good, full stop. Yomi - another examination of another culture's interpretation of death - is the masterpiece I thought their debut would be. Lush and fucking massive.
5. THE CURE, Songs of a Lost World
Leave it to Robert Smith to wait until the perfect time to drop an album as a soothing balm for the mass despair & helplessness we're living. A proper sibling to Disintegration filtered through Jesu-esque sludgegaze, The Cure put out one of their best 45 years in.
Leave it to Robert Smith to wait until the perfect time to drop an album as a soothing balm for the mass despair & helplessness we're living. A proper sibling to Disintegration filtered through Jesu-esque sludgegaze, The Cure put out one of their best 45 years in.
December 6, 2024 at 10:02 PM
5. THE CURE, Songs of a Lost World
Leave it to Robert Smith to wait until the perfect time to drop an album as a soothing balm for the mass despair & helplessness we're living. A proper sibling to Disintegration filtered through Jesu-esque sludgegaze, The Cure put out one of their best 45 years in.
Leave it to Robert Smith to wait until the perfect time to drop an album as a soothing balm for the mass despair & helplessness we're living. A proper sibling to Disintegration filtered through Jesu-esque sludgegaze, The Cure put out one of their best 45 years in.
6. JACK WHITE, No Name
But if we were giving out a Back to Their Roots Award - which we are NOT - the prize would go to Jack White, septupling down on recreating Zeppelin riffs from the source (blues records by black people) with a joyful stomp that he may not have conjured since The White Stripes.
But if we were giving out a Back to Their Roots Award - which we are NOT - the prize would go to Jack White, septupling down on recreating Zeppelin riffs from the source (blues records by black people) with a joyful stomp that he may not have conjured since The White Stripes.
December 6, 2024 at 9:55 PM
6. JACK WHITE, No Name
But if we were giving out a Back to Their Roots Award - which we are NOT - the prize would go to Jack White, septupling down on recreating Zeppelin riffs from the source (blues records by black people) with a joyful stomp that he may not have conjured since The White Stripes.
But if we were giving out a Back to Their Roots Award - which we are NOT - the prize would go to Jack White, septupling down on recreating Zeppelin riffs from the source (blues records by black people) with a joyful stomp that he may not have conjured since The White Stripes.
7. JERRY CANTRELL, I Want Blood
Bonkers that I'm saying this again since it's been almost 30 years, but I always forget how fucking good Jerry Cantrell's solo stuff is. After Brighten - maybe my favorite so far - JC's returning to his roots, i.e. big blues riffs played with Judas Priest gravitas.
Bonkers that I'm saying this again since it's been almost 30 years, but I always forget how fucking good Jerry Cantrell's solo stuff is. After Brighten - maybe my favorite so far - JC's returning to his roots, i.e. big blues riffs played with Judas Priest gravitas.
December 6, 2024 at 9:51 PM
7. JERRY CANTRELL, I Want Blood
Bonkers that I'm saying this again since it's been almost 30 years, but I always forget how fucking good Jerry Cantrell's solo stuff is. After Brighten - maybe my favorite so far - JC's returning to his roots, i.e. big blues riffs played with Judas Priest gravitas.
Bonkers that I'm saying this again since it's been almost 30 years, but I always forget how fucking good Jerry Cantrell's solo stuff is. After Brighten - maybe my favorite so far - JC's returning to his roots, i.e. big blues riffs played with Judas Priest gravitas.
9. DOEDSMAGHIRD- Omniverse Consciousness
A new project with members of DHG put out an even weirder record that builds on last year's phenomenal Black Medium Current. More of a bedroom BM project - oh, those Logic Pro drum machine presets! - OC finds expansiveness through their insular songwriting.
A new project with members of DHG put out an even weirder record that builds on last year's phenomenal Black Medium Current. More of a bedroom BM project - oh, those Logic Pro drum machine presets! - OC finds expansiveness through their insular songwriting.
December 6, 2024 at 9:41 PM
9. DOEDSMAGHIRD- Omniverse Consciousness
A new project with members of DHG put out an even weirder record that builds on last year's phenomenal Black Medium Current. More of a bedroom BM project - oh, those Logic Pro drum machine presets! - OC finds expansiveness through their insular songwriting.
A new project with members of DHG put out an even weirder record that builds on last year's phenomenal Black Medium Current. More of a bedroom BM project - oh, those Logic Pro drum machine presets! - OC finds expansiveness through their insular songwriting.
10. THE JESUS LIZARD, Rack
Like nothing ever stopped. The aforementioned/sorely missed Steve Albini wasn't even behind the boards but they sound like early '90s vintage Jesus Lizard. They never would have made another record if this weren't the result, but even then, Rack is a damn near perfect.
Like nothing ever stopped. The aforementioned/sorely missed Steve Albini wasn't even behind the boards but they sound like early '90s vintage Jesus Lizard. They never would have made another record if this weren't the result, but even then, Rack is a damn near perfect.
December 6, 2024 at 9:37 PM
10. THE JESUS LIZARD, Rack
Like nothing ever stopped. The aforementioned/sorely missed Steve Albini wasn't even behind the boards but they sound like early '90s vintage Jesus Lizard. They never would have made another record if this weren't the result, but even then, Rack is a damn near perfect.
Like nothing ever stopped. The aforementioned/sorely missed Steve Albini wasn't even behind the boards but they sound like early '90s vintage Jesus Lizard. They never would have made another record if this weren't the result, but even then, Rack is a damn near perfect.
11. CHILDISH GAMBINO, Bando Stone and the New World
Donald Glover's 3rd (?) final Childish Gambino release is a full hour of maximalist fervor. It's hit or miss, but when it hits... Jesus.
Now that he's getting back to acting like I wanted him to a decade ago... you really gotta stop making music?
Donald Glover's 3rd (?) final Childish Gambino release is a full hour of maximalist fervor. It's hit or miss, but when it hits... Jesus.
Now that he's getting back to acting like I wanted him to a decade ago... you really gotta stop making music?
December 6, 2024 at 9:19 PM
11. CHILDISH GAMBINO, Bando Stone and the New World
Donald Glover's 3rd (?) final Childish Gambino release is a full hour of maximalist fervor. It's hit or miss, but when it hits... Jesus.
Now that he's getting back to acting like I wanted him to a decade ago... you really gotta stop making music?
Donald Glover's 3rd (?) final Childish Gambino release is a full hour of maximalist fervor. It's hit or miss, but when it hits... Jesus.
Now that he's getting back to acting like I wanted him to a decade ago... you really gotta stop making music?
12. SHELLAC, To All Trains
& why was it such a sad year in noise rock? Why, the loss of its patron saint, of course. Albini had a Shellac record in the chamber for all us sad, snarky nerds. After the underwhelming Dude Incredible, it ends with as fitting an epitaph one could write about themselves.
& why was it such a sad year in noise rock? Why, the loss of its patron saint, of course. Albini had a Shellac record in the chamber for all us sad, snarky nerds. After the underwhelming Dude Incredible, it ends with as fitting an epitaph one could write about themselves.
December 6, 2024 at 9:12 PM
12. SHELLAC, To All Trains
& why was it such a sad year in noise rock? Why, the loss of its patron saint, of course. Albini had a Shellac record in the chamber for all us sad, snarky nerds. After the underwhelming Dude Incredible, it ends with as fitting an epitaph one could write about themselves.
& why was it such a sad year in noise rock? Why, the loss of its patron saint, of course. Albini had a Shellac record in the chamber for all us sad, snarky nerds. After the underwhelming Dude Incredible, it ends with as fitting an epitaph one could write about themselves.
13. CHAT PILE, Cool World
The noise rock band that it's cool for metalheads to like (whatever that means). In a very, very sad year for noise rock, Chat Pile stepped up, as repugnant as it is heavy with nothing but wonderfully acrid air in between.
The noise rock band that it's cool for metalheads to like (whatever that means). In a very, very sad year for noise rock, Chat Pile stepped up, as repugnant as it is heavy with nothing but wonderfully acrid air in between.
December 6, 2024 at 9:03 PM
13. CHAT PILE, Cool World
The noise rock band that it's cool for metalheads to like (whatever that means). In a very, very sad year for noise rock, Chat Pile stepped up, as repugnant as it is heavy with nothing but wonderfully acrid air in between.
The noise rock band that it's cool for metalheads to like (whatever that means). In a very, very sad year for noise rock, Chat Pile stepped up, as repugnant as it is heavy with nothing but wonderfully acrid air in between.
14. GAEREA, Coma
Gaerea's Limbo was one of my favorites of 2020, but it's followup just didn't do it for me. But when Spain's mask-donning black metal kings started releasing singles off Coma, I was immediately back on board. While far from Norsecore, it's heavy as fuck for an album this diverse.
Gaerea's Limbo was one of my favorites of 2020, but it's followup just didn't do it for me. But when Spain's mask-donning black metal kings started releasing singles off Coma, I was immediately back on board. While far from Norsecore, it's heavy as fuck for an album this diverse.
December 6, 2024 at 8:23 PM
14. GAEREA, Coma
Gaerea's Limbo was one of my favorites of 2020, but it's followup just didn't do it for me. But when Spain's mask-donning black metal kings started releasing singles off Coma, I was immediately back on board. While far from Norsecore, it's heavy as fuck for an album this diverse.
Gaerea's Limbo was one of my favorites of 2020, but it's followup just didn't do it for me. But when Spain's mask-donning black metal kings started releasing singles off Coma, I was immediately back on board. While far from Norsecore, it's heavy as fuck for an album this diverse.
16. ODIOUS SPIRIT, Treason of Consciousness
Yet another triumph for I, Voidhanger Records even/especially after the last few years of releases. Odious Spirit hit all the blackened tech death marks, but the sheer ferocity of most of Treason of Consciousness is staggering.
Yet another triumph for I, Voidhanger Records even/especially after the last few years of releases. Odious Spirit hit all the blackened tech death marks, but the sheer ferocity of most of Treason of Consciousness is staggering.
December 6, 2024 at 8:16 PM
16. ODIOUS SPIRIT, Treason of Consciousness
Yet another triumph for I, Voidhanger Records even/especially after the last few years of releases. Odious Spirit hit all the blackened tech death marks, but the sheer ferocity of most of Treason of Consciousness is staggering.
Yet another triumph for I, Voidhanger Records even/especially after the last few years of releases. Odious Spirit hit all the blackened tech death marks, but the sheer ferocity of most of Treason of Consciousness is staggering.
17. KENDRICK LAMAR, GNX
Like the last entry (ALMOST A 3-WAY TIE?!), this is both pretty dense and dropped fairly recently. For the only rapper with Pulitzer Prize, it's nuts that THIS, after damn (lol) near 20 years, is Kendrick's year. And to cap it all off... a very good record with some filler?
Like the last entry (ALMOST A 3-WAY TIE?!), this is both pretty dense and dropped fairly recently. For the only rapper with Pulitzer Prize, it's nuts that THIS, after damn (lol) near 20 years, is Kendrick's year. And to cap it all off... a very good record with some filler?
December 6, 2024 at 8:11 PM
17. KENDRICK LAMAR, GNX
Like the last entry (ALMOST A 3-WAY TIE?!), this is both pretty dense and dropped fairly recently. For the only rapper with Pulitzer Prize, it's nuts that THIS, after damn (lol) near 20 years, is Kendrick's year. And to cap it all off... a very good record with some filler?
Like the last entry (ALMOST A 3-WAY TIE?!), this is both pretty dense and dropped fairly recently. For the only rapper with Pulitzer Prize, it's nuts that THIS, after damn (lol) near 20 years, is Kendrick's year. And to cap it all off... a very good record with some filler?
18. TIE (a first!!!)
18.5. SUMAC, The Healer
18.5. MITOCHONDRION, Vitriseptome
2 impossibly dense records - one I've had 6 months to sit with, the other dropped suddenly ~a month ago - are impossible to absorb via a shuffle playlist or etc. I've scratched the surface of both, and it's not enough.
18.5. SUMAC, The Healer
18.5. MITOCHONDRION, Vitriseptome
2 impossibly dense records - one I've had 6 months to sit with, the other dropped suddenly ~a month ago - are impossible to absorb via a shuffle playlist or etc. I've scratched the surface of both, and it's not enough.
December 6, 2024 at 8:06 PM
18. TIE (a first!!!)
18.5. SUMAC, The Healer
18.5. MITOCHONDRION, Vitriseptome
2 impossibly dense records - one I've had 6 months to sit with, the other dropped suddenly ~a month ago - are impossible to absorb via a shuffle playlist or etc. I've scratched the surface of both, and it's not enough.
18.5. SUMAC, The Healer
18.5. MITOCHONDRION, Vitriseptome
2 impossibly dense records - one I've had 6 months to sit with, the other dropped suddenly ~a month ago - are impossible to absorb via a shuffle playlist or etc. I've scratched the surface of both, and it's not enough.
19. THOU, Umbilical
Last time I'd checked in with Thou, it was almost a decade ago and they were full bore into sludge drone/doom territory (with the occasional Nirvana cover here and there). I was all set, but apparently they weren't: Umbilical is wonderfully focused, punky sludgy biliousness.
Last time I'd checked in with Thou, it was almost a decade ago and they were full bore into sludge drone/doom territory (with the occasional Nirvana cover here and there). I was all set, but apparently they weren't: Umbilical is wonderfully focused, punky sludgy biliousness.
December 6, 2024 at 8:00 PM
19. THOU, Umbilical
Last time I'd checked in with Thou, it was almost a decade ago and they were full bore into sludge drone/doom territory (with the occasional Nirvana cover here and there). I was all set, but apparently they weren't: Umbilical is wonderfully focused, punky sludgy biliousness.
Last time I'd checked in with Thou, it was almost a decade ago and they were full bore into sludge drone/doom territory (with the occasional Nirvana cover here and there). I was all set, but apparently they weren't: Umbilical is wonderfully focused, punky sludgy biliousness.
20. SLOMOSA, Tundra Rock
Little too soft to be called stoner metal, a little too metal to count as "stoner rock," Tundra (not stoner) Rock is 9 great expansive songs packed in 5-6 minutes each. Top notch riffs with top-notch fuzz.
Little too soft to be called stoner metal, a little too metal to count as "stoner rock," Tundra (not stoner) Rock is 9 great expansive songs packed in 5-6 minutes each. Top notch riffs with top-notch fuzz.
December 6, 2024 at 7:56 PM
20. SLOMOSA, Tundra Rock
Little too soft to be called stoner metal, a little too metal to count as "stoner rock," Tundra (not stoner) Rock is 9 great expansive songs packed in 5-6 minutes each. Top notch riffs with top-notch fuzz.
Little too soft to be called stoner metal, a little too metal to count as "stoner rock," Tundra (not stoner) Rock is 9 great expansive songs packed in 5-6 minutes each. Top notch riffs with top-notch fuzz.
21. ST. VINCENT, All Born Screaming
Daddy's Home was... fine. Masseducation was heavy, and not the Dimebag Darrell heavy Annie Clark has always said is part of her arsenal (and I believe her!) A solid, self-produced collection of great St. Vincent songs, which is really all I need from her.
Daddy's Home was... fine. Masseducation was heavy, and not the Dimebag Darrell heavy Annie Clark has always said is part of her arsenal (and I believe her!) A solid, self-produced collection of great St. Vincent songs, which is really all I need from her.
December 6, 2024 at 7:53 PM
21. ST. VINCENT, All Born Screaming
Daddy's Home was... fine. Masseducation was heavy, and not the Dimebag Darrell heavy Annie Clark has always said is part of her arsenal (and I believe her!) A solid, self-produced collection of great St. Vincent songs, which is really all I need from her.
Daddy's Home was... fine. Masseducation was heavy, and not the Dimebag Darrell heavy Annie Clark has always said is part of her arsenal (and I believe her!) A solid, self-produced collection of great St. Vincent songs, which is really all I need from her.
22. SLIFT, Ilion
More brilliant, burly post-rock from France's funnest band name to say: Slift! Is it a word? Is it a god? Should I have googled that in another tab before writing this? Probably!
More brilliant, burly post-rock from France's funnest band name to say: Slift! Is it a word? Is it a god? Should I have googled that in another tab before writing this? Probably!
December 6, 2024 at 7:44 PM
22. SLIFT, Ilion
More brilliant, burly post-rock from France's funnest band name to say: Slift! Is it a word? Is it a god? Should I have googled that in another tab before writing this? Probably!
More brilliant, burly post-rock from France's funnest band name to say: Slift! Is it a word? Is it a god? Should I have googled that in another tab before writing this? Probably!
23. babadnotgood, Mid Spiral
A collection of 3 EPs released throughout the year that amounts to a great display of the breadth of what BBNG are capable of. Building off their excellent previous record (Talk Memory), they're a world away from Ghostface Killah's one time backing band.
A collection of 3 EPs released throughout the year that amounts to a great display of the breadth of what BBNG are capable of. Building off their excellent previous record (Talk Memory), they're a world away from Ghostface Killah's one time backing band.
December 6, 2024 at 7:36 PM
23. babadnotgood, Mid Spiral
A collection of 3 EPs released throughout the year that amounts to a great display of the breadth of what BBNG are capable of. Building off their excellent previous record (Talk Memory), they're a world away from Ghostface Killah's one time backing band.
A collection of 3 EPs released throughout the year that amounts to a great display of the breadth of what BBNG are capable of. Building off their excellent previous record (Talk Memory), they're a world away from Ghostface Killah's one time backing band.
TOP 24 RECORDS OF 2024 IN ORDER OF VAGUE PREFERENCE
24. HIGH ON FIRE, Cometh the Storm
I can't properly rate Electric Messiah since it was the Matt Pike release that made 2018 year end lists instead of Sleep's The Sciences. Even then, Cometh the Storm's focus on heaviness makes it hard to brush off.
24. HIGH ON FIRE, Cometh the Storm
I can't properly rate Electric Messiah since it was the Matt Pike release that made 2018 year end lists instead of Sleep's The Sciences. Even then, Cometh the Storm's focus on heaviness makes it hard to brush off.
December 6, 2024 at 7:05 PM
TOP 24 RECORDS OF 2024 IN ORDER OF VAGUE PREFERENCE
24. HIGH ON FIRE, Cometh the Storm
I can't properly rate Electric Messiah since it was the Matt Pike release that made 2018 year end lists instead of Sleep's The Sciences. Even then, Cometh the Storm's focus on heaviness makes it hard to brush off.
24. HIGH ON FIRE, Cometh the Storm
I can't properly rate Electric Messiah since it was the Matt Pike release that made 2018 year end lists instead of Sleep's The Sciences. Even then, Cometh the Storm's focus on heaviness makes it hard to brush off.
It's YEAR END LIST DAY(s?)!
Some parameters:
-Music year is December 1 to December 1 unless I feel like making an exception.
-EPs don't count unless they do (which is to say they generally don't).
-Top 5 to 7 are basically interchangeable, and 24-15 are records I haven't spent a ton of time with.
Some parameters:
-Music year is December 1 to December 1 unless I feel like making an exception.
-EPs don't count unless they do (which is to say they generally don't).
-Top 5 to 7 are basically interchangeable, and 24-15 are records I haven't spent a ton of time with.
December 6, 2024 at 6:08 PM
It's YEAR END LIST DAY(s?)!
Some parameters:
-Music year is December 1 to December 1 unless I feel like making an exception.
-EPs don't count unless they do (which is to say they generally don't).
-Top 5 to 7 are basically interchangeable, and 24-15 are records I haven't spent a ton of time with.
Some parameters:
-Music year is December 1 to December 1 unless I feel like making an exception.
-EPs don't count unless they do (which is to say they generally don't).
-Top 5 to 7 are basically interchangeable, and 24-15 are records I haven't spent a ton of time with.