2017 may have only just begun, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t already delivered some fantastic records (not to mention some spectacular cover art) already.
Kreator – Gods of Violence
by Larry Best
There are few albums where I can say every song is a highlight – but Gods Of Violence is absolutely jammed with substantial songs that each add variety whilst remaining stylistically loyal. High-speed thrashers like “World War Now” and “Totalitarian Terror” contrast beautifully with mid-tempo stompers such as “Satan Is Real” and “Side By Side”. It’s a beautiful summation of Kreator’s career so far, with that little bit extra to push it towards total triumph.
Nine Treasures – Wisdom Eyes
by Shawn Miller
A hearty mix of folk rock and rollicking heavy metal, Nine Treasures have often been referred to as just a Tengger Cavalry knockoff. However, with their latest album, the band has certainly begun to shoot of on their own trajectory. So-called Mongolian folk music, with horsehair fiddle and other ethnic instruments, interweaves seamlessly with a chugging, upbeat heavy metal style, not dissimilar to Korpiklaani’s discography. So basically Wisdom Eyes is a mix of Tengger Cavalry’s Mongolian folk metal and Korpiklaani’s Finnish forest metal, with a bit more of a rock bent than either of those, and it’s every bit as good as that description would seem.
Draugsól – Volaða Land
by Hans Rot
More than just another Icelandic black metal band, Draugsól invigorates the already fairly unorthodox approach with enough death metal panache (think Krisiun, Sulphur Aeon, and debut-era Myrkskog). Volaða Land‘s unique drum arrangements, psychedelic lead guitar lines, and a distinctly guttural rasp could make even a forward-thinking band like Sapientia look enviously toward this debut album.
The Great Old Ones – EOD: A Tale of Dark Legacy
by Nathan Hare
Few bands mix Lovecraft and horror as successfully as The Great Old Ones, and their brand of post-black metal is a potent force on EOD: A Tale of Dark Legacy. Conceived as a sequel to “The Thing on the Doorstep” EOD’s twisting tremolo riffs and slow doomy passages nails the cosmic horror aspect of Lovecraft. The imagery and atmosphere are just so spot on. I have some gripes with the production, but EOD cements the band’s place as one of the premier post-black acts—as if any further proof was needed.
Dopelord – Children of the Haze
by Jamie Cansdale
What better way to kick off 2017 than with some heavier-than-thou doom metal? Poland’s Dopelord return with album number three and like their previous outings this does not disappoint. Children of the Haze is not simply by-the-books Leccy Wizard worship: yes there are plenty of slow fuzzy riffs and yes the hazy vibes will space you out, but instead of feeling forced and deliberate the music constantly melts into itself, sinking with bong in hand, and is as relaxed as it is heavy. On top of that it is simply a joy to listen to – the free-flow of “Navigator”, and brilliantly mapped-out drums and evil vocals in “Scum Priest” and the totally ‘70s-esque solos that permeate into the mix are testament to this. In short, it’s good ol’ trippy doomy fun from start to finish! Doom as doom should be!
Run The Jewels – RTJ3
by Joshua Bulleid
The darkness and intensity of El-P’s production has always been something that has drawn me to his work, but RTJ3 really sees him doubling down on the heavier, predominantly electronic, elements of Run The Jewels’ sound, so that much of the album essentially sounds like Mikey and Jamie trading verses over Prodigy tracks.
They also managed to drag, ex-Rage Against the Machine frontman, Zach de la Rocha out of whatever utopian rogue state he’s defected to, again, to spit some fire over the record’s final track, which is quickly becoming the highlight of each new RTJ release.
Run The Jewels are not a metal band, and RTJ3 is not a metal album, but it’s getting kind of ridiculous at this point how good El-P and Killer Mike are getting at making rap records and to ignore such an effort is done only to your own detriment.
Follow the link to see what we were jamming last January.
