And so the time has come, I reveal my final pick of 2016. It’s been a good ride! We’ll have coverage as usual for anything we deem Metal worthy! See you on the other side of Christmas! Make it Metal!!
- Iamthemorning – Lighthouse
- Myrath – Legacy
- Touche Amore – Stage Four
- Ghost/Aeon – Metanoia
- Meshuggah – The Violent Sleep Of Reason
- Avantasia – Ghostlights
- Gojira – Magma
- Devilment – II : The Mephisto Waltzes
- The Dillinger Escape Plan – Dissociation
- Periphery – III : Select Difficulty
- Opeth – Sorceress
- Epica – The Holographic Principle
- Katatonia – The Fall Of Hearts
- Twilight Force – Heroes Of Mighty Magic
- Revocation – Great Is Our Sin
- Equilibrium – Armageddon
- Deftones – Gore
- Rage – The Devil Strikes Again
- Fallujah – Dreamless
- Zhrine – Unortheta
- Metallica – Hardwired…To Self Destruct
- Haken – Affinity
Known for his affiliation with the avant garde Ihsahn is a master that most elusive art of song writing. Moving away from his more altruistic release of Das Seelenbrechen, Ihsahn opted for a more accessible route with new release Arktis. Forgoing the left field vision for a hyper focused new record Arktis saw the components brought together, a catalogue that would at first hand seem incompatible lies idiosyncratic qualities.
Lending a hand both Matt Heafy and vocalist Einar Solber bring their pipes into the equation on Arktis. Tracks arc in character ranging from the quasi-Hair Metal “Until I Too Dissolve” to skronking saxophone of “Crooked Red Line”. Inherent in Ihsahn’s vision is the art of being fearless, key to the man’s seemingly limitless creativity. Unifying genres that would normally create a negative reaction, Ihsahn’s genius lies in his ability to convey his often lofty ideals with some absolutely fantastic and ever forward thinking ideals. No exception to the rule, Arktis stands as one of the man’s highest achievements.
Well that’s my lot for the year! We have had some absolutely incredible releases to come out this year and I would add an honourable mentions list but lets face it, we would be here until December next year.
I have had the most fun bringing all the (mostly) current news, (hopefully) interesting features and (maybe) insightful reviews. No doubt 2017 can’t be as shit as 2016, of course not, Steven Wilson is releasing a new album.
