Best of May 2018

June is on the horizon, but let's take a look back at the albums memorialized in May. These are my favorites from last month. Enjoy!

Honorable Mentions:

"I Have Fought Against It, But I Can’t Any Longer" - The Body

"Look, Here Comes the Dark!" - Abraham

"The Monuments of Ash & Bone" - Wolvhammer

"IV" - Grayceon

"Light Will Consume Us All" - Chrch

"Amr" - Ihsahn

"The Colony Slain" - Age of Taurus

5. "World’s Blood" - Wayfarer

I've been a fan of Wayfarer since their atmospheric 2014 debut "Children of the Iron Age". Their previous effort "Old Souls" was exceptional, and "World's Blood" continues the group's trend upwards. It's infinitely listenable with lucid shoegaze tempered with crushing riffage and battle-cry beats. Album outro "A Nation of Immigrants" deserves mention as it's one of the more emotional tracks I've heard so far this year. The album might admittedly be overly melancholy for some listener's but it hits home whenever I press play. They're a group I look forward to hearing from each and every time, and hopefully this album garner's the following they rightly deserve.

4. "You Bastard!" - Professor Black

Chris Black is inarguably the hardest working person in modern hard rock/heavy metal. Most widely known for his solo project High Spirits and the recently disbanded Dawnbringer, Black has also featured in a plethora of other acts including Aktor, MetalUSAfer, and Superchrist. "You Bastard!" is Chris' first outing under his long-assumed Professor Black moniker, and it's a straight up six song headbanger. The album stays true to the elements spearheaded in his previous works, most notably High Spirits, and while it doesn't change up the formula too much, Chris continues to prove that honest lyrics and solid instrumentals is all it takes to make a hard hitting song. Black's vocals also aren't revolutionary, but there's emotion and intensity behind each word. Overall, "You Bastard!" isn't going to shake up the foundations of rock and heavy metal, but instead it sticks to those foundations and offers the escapism lost in much of today's popular rock scene. As I said at the start, Chris is undoubtedly the hardest working individual in the genre today, and he deserves all the recognition he can get. So show it to everyone you know and play it loud for all to hear.

3. "Witch Mountain" - Witch Mountain

Witch Mountain have had an interesting few years. After the departure of vocalist Uta Plotkin after 2014's "Mobile of Angels", it seemed the band was over. Thankfully, rather than shelve the band, guitarist Rob Wrong and drummer Nathan Carson took it as a welcome opportunity to find their next voice. Then they found Kayla Dixon. Kayla almost instantly clicked with the band's style, and her crooning is indelible. The band reborn decided to name their first outing together "Witch Mountain". It continues the group's signature blend of bluesy doom featuring Rob's heatseeking guitarwork with the addition of more violent vocalwork from Dixon; whose growls infect "Burn You Down". The album could have used another song or two since it consists of five tracks, including a cover of Spirit's "Mechanical World" and the short escapist track "Hellfire", but it's enough to show that Witch Mountain are back, and better than ever.

2. "Queen of Time" - Amorphis

Amorphis has been producing top notch melodic death metal since their inception in 1990. Over their nearly 30 year career the quality only dipped a bit with 2003's "Far From the Sun". Since then and the induction of Tomi Joutsen, the group has been hitting higher and higher notes. 2015 saw the release of "Under the Red Sun", which saw it's name slapped across plenty of best of the year lists, and was arguably the band's best album to date. Not only has "Queen of Time" matched the expectations set by this previous album, but completely blown them away. It's a triumph of an album featuring intricate musicianship, composition, and a perfect, simply perfect, vocal performance by Joutsen. Amorphis continue to outdo themselves, and one wonders what their 30th year will bring.

1. "Geometria" - Thy Catafalque

Tamas Katai is Thy Catafalque. On the new album "Geometria", Katai integrates a substantial variety of genres. It's actually nearly impossible to name them all with elements of folk/jazz/electronica/pop/crust/classical, and sprinkled within is always the black metal foundations. The opening track "Hajnali csillag" intros with a psychedelic and ambient soundscape, and slowly transitions to folk-infused metal. This track is followed by the scorcher "Szamojéd freskó" demanding the listener respect the ebb and flow of Thy Catafalque's style. "Tenger, tenger" is the standout track for me with Misha Doumnov's excruciatingly emotional violin work. It's a fantastic track, which might be a little straightforward given the rest of the proceedings, but there's still a lot of texture in the instrumentation and vocal work, and I find myself returning to it again and again.

- The Catalyst

Best of April 2018

As we head into May, let's take a listen back at the shower of solid soundscapes April allotted us. Below are my favorites from this past month. Enjoy!

Honorable Mention: "Hugsjá" - Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik

In 2016, the duo of Ivar Bjørnson (Enslaved) & Einar Selvik (Wardruna) released, "Skuggsjá"; an incredible compilation of folk and extreme metal. Their followup "Hugsjá" is a stripped down album where choral and acoustic elements take center-stage. The album maintains the adventurous, story-driven lyrics and the instrumentation provides gallant background to the seafaring themes. If you happen to have a galleon, then this is your soundtrack.

Honorable Mention: "Tid" - Fedrespor

Fans of Heilung, Forndom, or other Scandanavian groups going for organic folk need to listen to this immediately.

5. "The Sciences" - Sleep

Sleep released this LP out of nowhere on the gospel 4/20. It's been roughly 20 years since, "Dopesmoker", graced grassy knolls and these guys still know how to impress with a piece of sci-fi stoner perfection. Below is one aptly titled track from the album.

4. "East of Sun" - Gatekeeper

Epic power metal performed exquisitely.

3. "Stars Swept into the Sea" - Unreqvited

A gorgeous synthesis of atmospheric black metal with symphonic and folk-infused undertones.

2. "Melted on the Inch" - Boss Keloid

Grizzled vocals and heavy chords converge with progressive components.

1. "The Scars of Man on the Once Nameless Wilderness Pt. 1 and Pt. 2" - Panopticon

Panopticon (Austin Lunn) has released a breathtaking double LP that goes above and beyond anything I've personally heard a solo artist release before. Part one is filled with aggressive, atmospheric black metal injected with Lunn's brand of Americana, while part two contains primarily country-folk flourishes. Take two hours and either go for a hike or drive through the countryside and let this album become you.

- The Catalyst

Weekend Playlist: September 1st, 2017

This week we have the stateside release of a magnetic female japanese power metal effort, the next album in Gothic metal band Paradise Lost's catalog, the new Anubis Gate, a desert trip with Red Mountains, a symphonic death metal epic by Septicflesh, and an ambient pop outing by White Moth Black Butterfly. Before we start though, I try to find posts by the band or label on Youtube, the Official Bandcamp page, or some other venue, but Mary's Blood is hard group to nail down as their YouTube currently only showcases tracks that are 3+ years old. Instead of posting nothing, I wanted to post a Deezer playlist, but that comes with its own issues. Hit the "expand" button in the top right corner to play and view the album. Deezer is a great service... when it works. They use old protocols for just about everything web-based so it's hard to get it to work. I am looking into getting a Spotify account instead to make this a bit easier. Of course, if you have an account on a streaming service I highly recommend checking these tracks out in full. Enjoy!

The Playlist

"Fate" - Mary's Blood

Mary's Blood released "Fate" back in October 2016 in Japan, but it took until this past week for the album to be officially released to the rest of the world. For those unfamiliar with Mary's Blood they are an all-female japanese power metal band -made up of several ex-Destrose members- with incredible talent, particularly Saki, whose guitarwork is up there with the leading talent in the genre; seriously, Gus G, Marty Friedman, and Kai Hansen might need to take down some pointers here. The band absolutely kills it, and deserves far more spotlight from genre aficionados and fans of heavy metal music as a whole.

"Medusa" - Paradise Lost

Over the years, Paradise Lost, has had plenty of variations on their gothic metal brand from more hardcore outings to more pop-gothic signatures. On "Medusa", the follow-up to 2015's incredible, "The Plague Within", the group nestles itself right in the middle of it's diverse catalog. "Medusa", could be seen as a "greatest hits" of sorts as songs vary from the high tempo "Blood and Chaos" to the slower ballad-esque "The Longest Winter". It's another solid outing from a band that continues to experiment without alienating.

"Covered in Black" - Anubis Gate

Anubix Gate is dead. Or alive. Er... kinda both. The band has been through so much trauma over the years from record contracts to health issues that no original member exists. Still, the group's overall sound hasn't suffered. Sure, "Covered in Black" could be considered a bit of a retread for the band, albeit with some heavier doses than usual, but it never once gets dull. The band may expand their horizons (pun intended, look up the band's discography) with future albums, but for now the group is sitting just fine sticking with what they know best and playing the hell out of it.

"Slow Wander" - Red Mountains

Red Mountains open "Slow Wander" with a slow torrential riff that pours over the listener like the setting sun in a hazy desert. The album breathes both psychedelic moments and romping desert/stoner rock, with vocalist/guitarist Magnus Riise, guitarist/vocalist Jostein Wigenstad, bassist Sverre Dalen and drummer Simen Mathiassen striding meaningfully towards the top of the peak. This is a triumph of a sophomore album. For now I only have a link to the debut single "Rat King", but will update with the full album once they post it so keep an ear on this space. Edit: Full album is up!

"Codex Omega" - Septicflesh

On their tenth album, "Codex Omega", Septicflesh offer another solid symphonic death metal outing. Besides the addition of a new drummer, Kerim "Krimh" Lechner, the outfit remains the same, along with their signature use of a real orchestra and chorus to back up the pulverizing death metal. This is a major step up from "Titan", and worth a look for fans of death and symphonic metal genres.

"Atone" - White Moth Black Butterfly

Founded by Daniel Tompkins (TesseracT) and Keshav Dhar after forming Skyharbor, White Moth Black Butterfly follows a different musical course from those two aforementioned groups. A passionate progressive pop outing, "Atone" continues where "One Thousand Wings" left off but with a bit more flair; branching out from the ambience that defined the first album. Acoustic guitar drives "The Serpent", and "Tempest", while more in line with "One Thousand Wings", glides with a pounding drumbeat. The whole album builds on the original sound with rich textures and addicting lyricism. If you need a bit of a break from the earlier albums in this post, or need something to relax to, White Moth Black Butterfly has you covered with their gorgeous, ethereal sophomore effort.

Hope you found something to listen to and have a great weekend!
- The Catalyst

Weekend Playlist: August 25th, 2017

This week we have a new summer soundtrack by Queens of the Stone Age, a crushing return from The Haunted, a magnificent farewell from Pagan Altar, a folktronica album by relative newcomer Gordi, a journey into space with Howling Giant and another with Ruby the Hatchet, and plenty of others. This is a big weekend so let's get to it!

The Playlist

"Villains" - Queens of the Stone Age

When the singles for "Villains" released I was skeptical as the mastering seemed to hide the guitars low in the mix. Luckily, that seems to be a fluke, and streaming it upon release Homme's and Leeuwen's licks are as prevalent as ever. Homme's vocals at times feel almost Bowie-like as some tracks filter through space rock stylings; synth is utilized more than on previous QOTSA outings. The tracks are the perfect mix of fuzzy and frenetic, and despite coming the last week of August the album might easily be considered the soundtrack of the summer. Play it now, play it loud, repeat. See below for the complete playlist on Youtube posted by the band.

"Strength in Numbers" - The Haunted

The Haunted has always been on the precipice of greatness. 2004's "Revolver" was the closest they got when Peter Dolving took over vocals from Marco Aro who then returned to the group with a brand new lineup in 2012. "Strength in Numbers" shows the new band coming together nicely after a couple of releases with crushing riffs and solid song structure. Fans of melo-death/groove should plug this one in asap. Check out the music video for "Preachers of Death" below posted by label Century Media Records.

"The Room of Shadows" - Pagan Altar

Pagan Altar have had a fairly obtuse career starting things off with a demo in 1982, then laying dormant for nearly 20 years to return with a decade string of some of the best NWOBHM/Classic Doom albums ever released (1998-2006). In 2014, the group was to release another masterpiece, but things were put on hold when singer Terry Jones was diagnosed with cancer. He eventually succumbed in 2015, and the album seemed lost forever. Thankfully, the band didn't want to see Jones' legacy end on such a note so they pieced together the vocals he had recorded for the 2014 album, and re-recorded the accompanying music. From this process, "The Room of Shadows" was built, and it is as glorious an album as one could expect. While there are times the limitations of such an effort show up with some repeated lyrics, the music is so well composed and performed that it feels like a minor footnote. Alan Jones (Terry's son) fires on all frets, while Diccon Harper (bass) and Andy Green (drums) keep the momentum moving. It's a stellar release that not only shows the talent of those involved, but acts as the perfect swansong for Terry and Pagan Altar as a whole.

"Reservoir" - Gordi

On her debut EP, "Clever Disguise", Gordi melded electronica and folk, and with her first LP shows how powerful and mesmerizing lyrics can mean more than the music behind it. This isn't to say that Gordi's approach isn't also musically inclined with inventive takes on percussion in "Heaven I Know" backed by powerful piano chords. The album's a very personal journey from an artist who's just beginning a strong career.

"Black Hole Space Wizard: Pt. 2" - Howling Giant

Begin Transmission: Howling Giant are simply massive as they travel the galaxy creating rich textures with their instrumentation and combating the evil forces bent on destroying time, space, and fun. Join them on their quest to bring the breakdowns of the Druids to those less fortunate, and spread knowledge across the 'verse of this extremely brave and talented band: End Transmission.

"Planetary Space Child" - Ruby the Hatchet

Ruby the Hatchet continues to push the boundaries of psych rock, and "Planetary Space Child" is chock full of spacy riffs, psychedelic grooves, and plenty of satisfying synth. Not to mention Jillian Taylor's epic croons which blend splendidly with the music and continue to be a highlight.

"Amain" - Crimfall

A sweeping folk metal epic with very good production values and impeccable storytelling. Be warned there are death growls, but the band melds choral and female vocals alongside it so don't let it steer you away.

"Finisterre" - Der Weg einer Freiheit

"Finisterre" is an album full of atmospheric black metal that hits hard; if that makes any sense. Der Weg einer Freiheit knows when to slow things down, when to add in a few driving riffs, and when to let all hell break lose.

"Ett Fjärran Kall" - Fornhem

Fornhem executes a more traditional take on black metal intertwining folk elements similar to groups like Bathory. The dichotomy produces an album that's both cold and warming. If you're a fan of classic black metal stylings give this one a listen.

"Burn the World" - Portrait

In case you didn't have enough NWOBHM with Pagan Altar's release here's a more straight up heavy metal album in the vein of Judas Priest. Portait shred, and sometimes that's all it takes.

Hope you found something to listen to and have a great weekend!

- The Catalyst

Weekend Playlist: August 18th, 2017

Last week I was out of town and unable to put together a post. To make up for that we luckily have a very solid week of releases. Before I post those, however, I definitely recommend you check out Pyrrhon's "What Passes for Survival", Incantation's "Profane Nexus", and Dawn of Disease's "Ascension Gate". Yeah, last week was great for death metal. In case you missed it, Poison Blood's S/T debut EP is also worth a look. Now without further ado here's the breakdown of this week's picks.

We have a Canadian prog-death outfit's first full-length, Cloakroom's latest, another phenomenal release by Ripple Music, a Mastodonian love affair, a grunge-era callback, Steve Wilson's next brush, and Necrolytic Goat Converter's self-released debut LP, which is as good as the band name preclude's. Enjoy!

The Playlist

"Paleblood Sky" - Becomes Astral

Becomes Astral's debut full-length formulates fiery fretwork and magnificent mélange to produce a phenomenal outing for death connoisseurs and the casual observer alike. Also, for fans of Dark Souls the final track has a special treat in store for you.

"Time Well" - Cloakroom

Cloakroom's latest album is a posty doom-laden shoegaze adventure interweaving floaty riffs with fuzzy drops. Recommended for folks looking to throw something on in the background that isn't too distracting but packs a wallop when your focus turns to it.

"Servants of the Salem Girls" - The Necromancers

Ripple Music continues to be a top choice for fans of the stoner and doom genres, and the latest from The Necromancers holds to that standard. The group harkens back to the classic doom of yore combining Luciferian lyrics with gutteral vocals. It's a head-boppin' good time.

"Lupus Metallorum" - Old Iron

Mixed and recorded by Matt Bayles (Mastodon, The Sword, ISIS), Old Iron's sophomore effort proves the group has the gusto to run the Seattle heavy music scene. The first half of the album hits hard with a sludgy mixture of heavy riffage, while the second half slows down and pours out doomy refrains.

"We Won't Get Out Of Here Alive" - Transit Method

Transit Method harkens back to 90's grunge with a heavy metal tint. It's fast, frantic, and most definitely fun.

"To The Bone" - Steven Wilson

Steven Wilson's work is hard to come by for free even on the internet and it's very hard to determine if something posted by a third party will be taken down. For now here's an informative interview with Wilson done by The Telegraph UK. The album in full can be found on nearly all streaming sites including Deezer, Apple Music, Spotify, etc as well as via physical distribution at all major outlets. Watch the interview here.

"Isolated Evolution" - Necrolytic Goat Converter

Sometimes a band's name is enough to do a double-take. Thankfully, Necrolytic Goat Converter and their creator Chris Voss have the talent to back up the title with depressive lyrics filtered through impressive instrumentation.

Hope you found something to listen to and have a great weekend!

- The Catalyst

Top Albums of 2016

Here it finally is! I apologize for the super long wait. It's been a busy few months. 2016 -despite all the not-so-good- brought us some excellent musical candy. Let's kick things off with the top EPs/Splits!

EPs/Splits

While EPs and splits make up a comparatively smaller margin of what I listen to, I found myself consistently coming back to a few throughout the year.

Runner-Up: "Resonance: Crimson Void" - Mare Cognitum / Aureole

Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Release Date: August 10th

"The Rigel Axiom" - Dynatron

Genre: Darksynth/Retrowave
Release Date: November 4th

Honorable Mentions

2016 had so many incredible releases it's hard to give each it's due. As it stands I have dwindled the list of honorable mentions down to just 25 (yes 25!) albums that barely fell out of the top 10. In alphabetical order by artist:

Title	Artist	Genre	Link
"Kodama"	Alcest	Blackgaze/Shoegaze/Black Metal
"Command Your Weather"	Big Business	Progressive Sludge/Stoner Rock
"Welcome to the Graveyard"	Castle	Heavy Metal/Doom Metal
"Honest Life"	Courtney Marie Andrews	Country
"Arctic Thunder"	Darkthrone	Black Metal
"Landless"	Eight Bells	Doom Metal/Black Metal
"Old Terrors"	Esben and the Witch	Post-Rock/Gothic Rock
"Non Paradisi"	GosT	Darksynth/Synthwave
"Dead Revolution"	Hammers of Misfortune	Progressive Metal
"Motivator"	High Spirits	Hard Rock/Heavy Metal
"衷赤​/​Oath of Allegiance"	Holyarrow	Epic Black Metal
"Seraphical Euphony"	Hyperion	Melodic Black Metal
"Bloodshed Across The Empyrean Altar Beyond The Celestial Zenith"	Inquisition	Black Metal
"Paradise Gallows"	Inter Arma	Post/Sludge/Black/Death Metal
"Luminiferous Aether"	Mare Cognitum	Atmospheric Black Metal
"Epsilon Aurigae (2015) / Zeta Reticuli (2016)"	MONOLITHE	Doom Metal
"Mother Feather"	Mother Feather	Pop/C*ck-Rock
"Tired of Tomorrow"	Nothing	Shoegaze/Post-punk
"The Uncanny Valley"	Perturbator	Darksynth/Synthwave
"Ezekiel's Hags"	Seven Sisters of Sleep	Sludge Metal
"A Piece for Mind and Mirror"	Skuggsjá	Neofolk/Progressive Black Metal Influence
"Chained in Oblivion"	Spirit Adrift	Doom Metal
"Meta"	Thy Catafalque	Avant-Garde
"Terminal Redux"	Vektor	Progressive Thrash Metal
"Mystical Future"	Wildernessking	Atmospheric Black Metal/Blackgaze

The Countdown

10. "Dauðra Dura" - Forndom

Genre: Scandanavian Folk
Release Date: January 29th

Forndom is a solo project focused on recreating traditional Scandanavian folk music with few embellishments. "Dauðra Dura" (and debut EP "Flykt") both accomplish this task with simple, yet provocative, tracks which focus the listener in a time long passed. Simple drums, choral elements, and traditional instrumentation including strings and horns guide the listener through the wilderness. It's an undemanding listen, but the emotions brought up through the pure arrangement of these instruments are powerful and undeniable. A necessary listen for fans of the genre, or those looking to plant themselves in another world for a while.

9. "Northen" - SIG:AR:TYR

Genre: Folk/Pagan Black Metal
Release Date: April 15th

A solo project of Daemonskald up until 2012, SIG:AR:TYR, is now a full fledged studio band. With the added manpower, the group takes the more extreme styles adopted in "Godsaga", and push them to the apex. There is a definitive improvement not only in production, but in musicianship as solos rise above murky, trembling riffs. The acoustic intro to "Skraeling" slowly gives way to pounding riffs, and finally evolves into one of the most addicting riffs I've heard in a while from the genre outside of Inquisition's Dagon. Daemonskald's raspy vocals complete the onslaught. Following this adventure, "Krossanes" kicks things off with a windswept riff that moves along like a viking horde prepped for battle sailing across the sea toward the unknown. The album perfectly exemplifies a nordic journey; one that's not easy to return from without eventually venturing out once again.

8. "Pillars of Ash" - Black Tusk

Genre: Sludge Metal
Release Date: January 29th

Black Tusk hail from the Savannah, Georgia region which spawned household names like Kylesa, Baroness, and the all-mighty Mastodon. Each of these bands started sludgier, and slowly moved towards other genres, with Black Tusk infusing their sludgy, swamp metal with punk. "Pillars of Ash" is the band's best outing to date with incredible variations in riffs, and a step-up in the vocals department by the whole band. The album sears with intensity, and the song structure varies wherein repeat listens are welcomed if not encouraged; this has been an issue I found with their previous releases. "Pillars" is also a product of love as the group put the album together in the wake of bassist Jonathan Athon's passing in 2014. The anger and frustration is felt throughout the album, and everyone feels at top form trying to do right by Athon. The future of the band is still a bit of a wildcard, but "Pillars" definitely leaves the group open to continue to expand their horizons.

7. "The Fall of Hearts" - Katatonia

Genre: Depressive Metal
Release Date: May 20th

Katatonia have had a fair breadth of styles in their time as a band moving between black and death metal genres, and most recently with "Dead End Kings" the band has adopted a more depressive style. Not to say the music isn't filled with majestic choruses and musicianship. "The Fall of Hearts" builds on the style implementing more stylistic solos and acoustic accompaniments (more than likely influenced by the acoustic recomposing of "Dead End Kings" called "Dethroned and Uncrowned" which the band worked on between the two albums). Many may vie for a more extreme Katatonia, but the group has proven themselves with their new direction, and currently wear the crown.

6. "Winter's Gate" - Insomnium

Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Release Date: September 23rd

Insomnium are the epitome of melodic death metal. Ferocious with a keen sense of scope the group continues to improve. "Winter's Gate" is a 40 minute sprawling epic, which showcases the band at their very best. Utilizing spoken storytelling and grandiose symphonics alongside crunchy riffs and savage solos the group can't be touched when it comes to spectacle. Niilo Sevänen's rough bellow mixes with Ville Friman's clean howl to ignite a spark. The music is beautifully composed, and it's an album that's impossible to turn off once it starts; the listener like a child eagerly awaiting the tale to be told again and again.

5. "Värähtelijä" - Oranssi Pazuzu

Genre: Heavy Metal/Doom Metal
Release Date: February 26th

Oranssi Pazuzu have always been a bit of an off-kilter group with their original blend of extreme metal and space-rock psychedelia. Enter "Värähtelijä". A dark canvas. Pure blackened diabolical chaos. A light flickers. Fall into the shadow. Witness the luscious, thick, fuzzy space beyond the realm of space and time. Follow the whispers. They are waiting.

4. "The Death of All Things" - Beastwars

Genre: Sludge/Stoner Metal
Release Date: April 4th

In 2011, Beastwars released their eponymous debut to widespread acclaim for interweaving traditional sludge and stoner elements with primal drum beats and singer Matt Hyde's now signature howl to induce a sense of apocalyptic dread. The band's follow-up, "Blood Becomes Fire" solidified the band as a force in not only their native New Zealand, but internationally as well. Set to break free from the underground shackles with their third LP, the aptly titled "The Death of All Things", the band announced that one of the founding members, drummer Nathan Hickey, would be moving away and leaving the group. As a silver-lining, despite being the group's final album -at least for now- "The Death of All Things" finds them in top notch form. Opener "Call to the Mountain" sets the stage with hypnotic riffage interlaced with Hyde's howl. Hickey's simple drum intro into "Witches" pulls the listener in as hazy riffs slowly rise building to one of the band's finest denouements. "Black Days" picks things back up with a pummeling riff, and out of character for the band, "The Devil Took Her" offers an acoustic outing. Finally, "The Death of All Things" wraps up the album with melancholic fury. The album might be their last, but Beastwars put in their all.

3. "Hunter" - Khemmis

Genre: Doom Metal
Release Date: October 21st

Khemmis are one of the torchbearers of the current doom renaissance after releasing their debut album, 2015's "Absolution". Now, only a little over a year later, they have unleashed "Hunted". The album is soaked in riffage, indelible vocals, and hauntingly beatiful lyricism. "Candelight" opens with a pounding riff, but it's when Phil's vocals enter that the true magic happens. The chorus is incredibly catchy for a doom track, and the listener can't help but chant along. Soon, however, the darkness rises, and Ben's growl seeps in during a nearly two minute breakdown, which easily induces shivers. When the light finally resurfaces we are met with a slow rise towards Phil's chant over a fiery solo. Eventually we get back to that pounding riff, which slowly outros the song. Hit repeat. Hit repeat. Hit repeat. The following track, "Three Gates", picks up the pieces and blows out the door with a punk-infused galloping riff. The album finale, "Hunted", is nearly 15 minutes of perfection, which sets us up for an epic reveal. Some doom enthusiasts may look at "Hunted" and find that it plays it too 'safe' with the composition, but the album is so perfect in its execution on all levels that it shows that progressive music can come from perfecting that which already exists. And Khemmis, well, they're pretty damn perfect.

2. "Metachtonia" - Thrawsunblat

Genre: Folk Black Metal
Release Date: June 17th

Thrawsunblat was founded by Joel Violette and deceased Woods of Ypres singer David Gold. A few years after Gold's departure, Ray Amitay (Immortal Bird, Eight Bells) took his place on drums, and bassist Brendan Hayter (Blood of the Gods, Obsidian Tongue) joined the group for 2013's "Wanderer on the Continent of Saplings". Following a few EPs later, the band released their second full-lenght entitled, "Metachthonia", which takes a look at the "electric age" of man and his dream to move beyond the world he inhabits. Imbued with thematic folk musical elements exhibiting man's connection with nature, the group also heavily utilizes the extreme elements of black metal to display man's internal and external struggles with moving into a technological age. Each song is broken into three distinct parts wherein the lyrics tell the story with little use of a repeating chorus; instead using song structure to fit elements together. "She Who Names the Stars" stands as a triumph of song making. Opening as a hopeful outing with clean singing by Joel, it slowly evolves into an impasssioned internal struggle with a finale worth witnessing. "Metachthonia" is an incredible accomplishment, which moves beyond simple descriptions. The musicianship is exceptional, the composition impeccable, and the lyrics are emotional and perceptive. It's a journey I find myself repeating time and again.

1. "Hour of the Nightingale" - Trees of Eternity

Genre: Atmospheric Doom Metal
Release Date: November 11th

Trees of Eternity released their debut and final album this year entitled, "Hour of the Nightingale". Sadly, singer and songwriter Aleah Stanbridge (Swallow the Sun) passed away due to cancer during recording, but the group decided to release the album in her honor. A project between Standbridge and her partner Juha Raivio (Swallow the Sun) the album is an incredibly emotional record made even more so under the circumstances. Kai Hahto's (Wintersun) drumming is spot on, and brothers Fredrik and Mattias Norrman (October Tide) add plenty of dimensions to the music. It's Standbridge's vocals, however, that make this melancholic adventure so heartwrenchingly beautiful. She is sorrowful, mournful, but most importantly hopeful. It might be hard to judge an album based on the events that surround it, but when something as impassioned as this album is released and we get a look into the soul of such a phenomenal singer in her last moments, it's hard not to feel verklempt and want to wallow in her sonic embrace.

So there we have it. My Top Albums of 2016. What was your favorite last year? Comment below! Look forward to more reviews coming soon!

- The Catalyst