There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man’s fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call Evan’s Favorite Records of MMXV.
Click on the band – album for the review link (if applicable). Click the cover art for music.
T H I R T Y
Nile
What Should Not Be Unearthed
“Dallas sacrificing his hair has paid dividends.”
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T W E N T Y – N I N E
Ufomammut
Ecate
“Cosmic doom that brings the world one step closer to complete disclosure.”
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T W E N T Y – E I G H T
Gravitational Distortion
The Void Between Worlds
“Solar system slam heavy enough to shake the firmament.”
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T W E N T Y – S E V E N
Unbreakable Hatred
Ruins
“Inexorable Canadian death with nightmarish Zig artwork.”
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T W E N T Y – S I X
Rivers of Nihil
Monarchy
“Polish-heavy progged-up tech-death that smashed any doubts about these Penn state brutes.”
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T W E N T Y – F I V E
Castrensis
Hierarchies
“Demented brutality bred from the underground – Ulcerate meets Suffocation.”
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T W E N T Y – F O U R
With the Dead
With the Dead
“An emphysemic head-banger of grave-robbing doom.”
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T W E N T Y – T H R E E
Magic Circle
Journey Blind
“Another faultless doom showcase with a spring in its step and Radigan singing to the back of the music hall.”
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T W E N T Y – T W O
Sulphur Aeon
Gateway to the Antisphere
“I think we found the source of the ‘bloop.'”
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T W E N T Y – O N E
Author & Punisher
Melk En Honing
“Caution: mad genius at work.”
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T W E N T Y
Skraeckoedlan
Sagor
“Take your myths and shove’em – fantastical stoner metal draped in a heavy prog cloak.”
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N I N E T E E N
Disgrace
True Enemy
“When death metal and hardcore work in magnificent, obliterating harmony.”
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E I G H T E E N
Legion of Andromeda
Iron Scorn
“A boiler room brawl between C.H.U.D. and The Blob.”
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S E V E N T E E N
Pro-Pain
Voice of Rebellion
“Tougher than your grandfather.”
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S I X T E E N
Monolord
Vænir
“Fuzz-caked doom of the highest and lowest order.”
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F I F T E E N
Mutoid Man
Bleeder
“As infectious as sepsis – a wild child burst of run-around riffs and ADHD pacing.”
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F O U R T E E N
Slugdge
Dim & Slimeridden Kingdoms
“Not your garden variety DIY duo – about as creatively intense as
death metal can be before falling into some slug-obsessed caricature.”
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T H I R T E E N
Tank86
Obey
“Thunderously well-played instrumental metal capable of bridging borders.”
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T W E L V E
Pitbulls in the Nursery
Equanimity
“When medication only makes you weirder.”
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E L E V E N
Ouroboros
Emanations
“Pick your jaw off the floor when you’re done shaking your head.”
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T E N
Dawn of Azazel
The Tides of Damocles
“A gritty comeback album that tightens around you like a tourniquet.”
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N I N E
Elder
Lore
“So many riffs, so little time.”
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E I G H T
Black Breath
Slaves Beyond Death
“The bully of the bunch, and about as metal as metal gets.”
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S E V E N
Black Sheep Wall
I’m Going to Kill Myself
“A challenging barrage of dark thoughts and stunning rhythmical punishment.”
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S I X
Arcane
Known/Learned
“Cloud-erasing modern prog rock/metal with ambition to spare.”
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F I V E
Cave of Swimmers
Reflection
“Just two dudes intent on blowing your fucking mind.”
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F O U R
Grime
Circle of Molesters
“Conan and Lord Mantis playing tug-of-war with a vampire bat.”
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T H R E E
Caligula’s Horse
Bloom
“Jim Grey’s second stop on the list, and an album that’s equivalent to prog metal geocaching.”
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T W O
Agent Fresco
Destrier
“This year’s great unexpected guest – hide their keys, you’ll want them to stick around.”
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O N E
Leprous
The Congregation
“Imperfect and beautiful and novel – capable of pulling you apart and then putting you back together.”
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