Every time I see Dimmu posted somewhere, I reflexively post this image:
26.
The Link by
GojiraHeavy, technical and brutal. These are the three simplest words I have to describe Gojira's album "The Link". While not as highly celebrated as their third album, From Mars to Sirius, I firmly believe "The Link" deserves 100000 times more credit than it actually gets. Gojira have always been one of the most excellent bands for taking the groove metal and death metal genres and keeping them interesting and original. They take that standard death metal brutality and put their own bizarre spin on it. And it totally works, especially on this album. The riffs on this album are not only powered by complete brutality, but honestly are like nothing I've ever heard from another band. Same goes for the vocals. Joe Duplantier has an extremely distinguishable voice in metal, though his harsher (less gutteral) vocals did take some time to grow on me.
Also, Mario Duplantier. Nuff said.
Highlight Tracks -
The Link, Death of Me, Dawn25.
Once Upon The Cross by
DeicideI think I can sum up this album in on word: Absolutelyfuckingbrutalasfuck. This album definitely takes the prize for one of the greatest achievements in death metal to this day. The incomparable brutality, the overly blasphemous themes and Glen Benton's voice all come together to create one of the most evil 28 minutes you'll ever listen to. Honestly, I felt a little bit dirty after hearing this album for the first time, out of a feeling that I was doing something wrong simply be witnessing the amount of hate this music represents. But man, nothing gets me more pumped up and excited than that main riff to "When Satan Rules His World" (i.e. greatest death metal song ever recorded). Seriously, I don't think there is much else to say about this album. It's hard enough to really convey just how brutal and absolutely wicked this album is.
Highlight Tracks -
Once Upon The Cross, When Satan Rules his World, Trick or Betrayed24.
In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3 by
Coheed and CambriaAlright, over half way through this list, and we finally hit an album by one of my all time favourite bands. What could I possibly say about this masterpiece of a record? Well, just that really. It's absolutely incredibly put together first off. And the amount of creativity flowing through this record is rather incredible. There really is not much else like it out there. You have elements of prog, rock, punk, pop, etc. all being used in a very original manner. This album really has a bit of everything, to be perfectly honest. There are moments that are just straight up hard rock sounding, moments that sound very catchy and poppy and moments that simply just come off as epic. And you know, I am aware that a lot of people don't give this band enough of a chance because of Claudio's vocals. But fuck the haters, the man's voice works extremely well for the style of music played. And there is a lot of talent in this band that tends to get very overlooked. Which I feel In Keeping Secrets demonstrates rather flawlessly.
Highlight Tracks -
In Keeping Secrets, Three Evils, A Favor House Atlantic, The Light & The Glass