Now that we have seen all twenty four days of Christmas with each album it’s time that we both at The Metalist chose our defining album of the year. Representing a combined effort our previous list was a more rounded affair, this separates the men from the boys. My personal album of the year goes to :
Behemoth – The Satanist
Although some will say that choosing this album as my favourite of the year would be a cop out. Choosing one of the most predictable choices in the metal genre, however here’s a reason why. It is absolutely faultless. The album as a concept is one of self affirmation, being at peace with who you are and understanding your identity as a human. After his cancer scare Nergal clearly had an epiphany or two. The result is the best record of Behemoth’s career.
Engulfed in malice the album oozes dread, acting like the leech that cancer is, on the unsuspecting host. Creating a truly oppressive atmosphere The Satanist melds emotive melody, truly abrasive aural punishment and the best and most experimental song writing this year. Simultaneously sounding nothing like Behemoth have ever before, but exactly what you would expect them to sound like introducing an almost hard rock feel, that compliments the fantastic ambient hellish haunts of the slower numbers. With a totally cohesive album, understanding it’s purpose this is the album that Behemoth have been slowly crafting for years. Embracing their black metal roots to create some of the most thought provoking music,not big or brash. Using the apocalypse beckoning horns sparingly the album retains a refined element not overly insistent on itself, The Satanist merely exists.
Choosing to enter its blackened, pessimistic world with each forty five minute listen the album latches onto not only your ears but your entire being. Among the plethora of other bands that just missed the cut The Satanist is a truly punishing statement of intent and could well be the paradigm of Behemoth’s career that might not be able to top.
Honorable mentions, in no particular order :
Decapitated – Blood Mantra
Revocation – Deathless
Opeth – Pale Communion
Mastodon – Once More ‘Round The Sun
Job For A Cowboy – Sun Eater
Beyond Creation – Earthborn Evolution
The Devin Townsend Project – Z2
Black Crown Initiate – The Wreckage Of Stars
At The Gates : At War With Reality
Fallujah – The Flesh Prevails
