Best of 2012

7) Anaal Nathrakh - Vanitas

Listen, I'm pretty skeptical when it comes to catchy chorus lines in death grind. I want my death grind to be brutal, unrelenting, and razor sharp. After a full spin I want my nerves to burned out, frayed beyond the prospect of healing. So when a noticeable sing-along part comes up in death grind I'll be the first to say, "Get this pansy shit out my ears." I don't know where this senseless hatred for a hook in this context comes from, but it's there. Given that sentiment, I have no idea why Anaal Nathrakh is immune to this requirement. This is death grind, no doubt, and there are hooks, big memorable hooks, hooks that in the context of a crowded dimly lit venue would force the unworthy fans to... sing along. I don't want to speculate too much on what makes them different from the rest of the pack. I'll just say that Anaal Nathrakh has blown me away with Vanitas for the mere fact that they got me to sing along gleefully to searing death grind.

Best of 2012

8) - Vaura - Selenelion

Nothing is original. The concept escapes us completely. For every action taken there is a conflict with multiple possible solutions which we review based on our experience with previously made decisions. It may feel like we could pick the decision out of thin air but there are myriad influences that operate outside of our immediate consciousness that guide us. The artist faces these conditions and tries to choose the path that most effectively projects the emotions that he feels. Music that we may consider original isn't original in definition but it can still feel remarkably so. Each new composition is a collection of previously explored ideas expressed from a perspective that's foreign to us. It's this view from someone else's perspective that is the beauty in all artistic expression. If we can see someone else's perspective then it gives us texture and context to better understand our own perspective.

Having said that, if I were to pick an album that embodies what original music feels like, this is it. Vaura is a collection of artists with dramatically different backgrounds, all bringing their vastly unique understandings of music into one cohesive album. I can't begin to imagine the creative process that was employed during the writing of this album, but all involved obviously worked well together incorporating as many previously traversed ideas as they could, displaying them in fresh new ways. If we are in the age of the narcissist, of self-promotion, of ego over selfless contribution, this album makes a good argument to the contrary. 

Best of 2012

9) Eagle Twin - The Feather Tipped The Serpent's Scale

You can look at your guitar amplifier as a tool. You can look at it as a means to an end, a fancy piece of equipment that expresses exactly what you tell it to express. You can also look at your amplifier in awe, suggesting a riff and then waiting for it to spit back raw sludge, razor blades, and acid. I wouldn't say many bands worship their amplifiers, in fact I'd go as far as calling amplifier worship a very small genre of doped up, filthy scoundrels. This is how I see Eagle Twin. Their music isn't the most intricately composed or thought provoking. But they wouldn't want those things. They want crushing tone accompanied by a whiskey soaked, lurching message and they want for you to sit back and worship as they obviously did while recording this. I have no problem with that.

Best of 2012

10)  Svartidauði - Flesh Cathedral 

I need to get this list started with something and this seemed like a good place. I'll explain. Anyone who knows me knows my favorite black metal band is Deathspell Omega. I am of the opinion that since they showed up on the scene nothing else has been able to hold a candle to the expertly crafted cacophony they consistently create. Other bands can try and I'll of course give them a chance. Svartidauði gave it the old college try this year. Flesh Cathedral is their first full-length and because it's a debut they earn some extra credit in my book. This album is expansive, it's evil, it's got a swirling void of an atmosphere. I love the unorthodox vocals, sort of half-way between a death growl and a black metal rasp with plenty of reverb. There's some real passion in the vocal delivery. I can picture him being absolutely exhausted both physically and emotionally at the end of a tracking session. The guitars have a nice tone on them, playing melodies with enough dissonance to cause disorientation without losing the focus of each track. I don't want to name faults because this band has a bright future. I'll just say that unlike my aforementioned favorite black metal band, I was an observer, not a participant.