For the next edition of our end of year guest posts, we have El, bassist of Incite, and all-around good dude and his Top Albums of 2018. Incite drops their new album, Built To Destroy next month from minusHead Records. We’ll be sharing more lists like this one, 2018 memories, and other shenanigans from our favorite bands, partners, music industry peers, and other folks we respect across the globe all month-long.
El says:
I had a pretty busy year that centered around the recording of our upcoming album Built To Destroy and a bunch of touring. I’m sure I missed some killer releases, but here’s ten albums that caught my ear and I thoroughly enjoyed this year. In no particular order:
1. Sleep – The Sciences (Third Man)
After nearly twenty years between releases, the Godfathers of whatever Doom sub-genre you want to tag them with return with the monolith that is The Sciences. It’s everything you’d want from a Sleep album; massive riffs, power groove, & far out lyrics. Fire up the bong!
2. Tribulation – Down Below (Century Media)
I’ll be the first to admit that I wanted Children of the Night pt. II & was slightly bummed I didn’t get it, but after I shook my disappointment I soaked this album up and it grew on me immensely. They’re killing the Black n’ Roll game.
3. Zeal & Ardor – Stranger Fruit (MVKA)
You’d definitely raise an eyebrow or two when describing Zeal & Ardor. One wouldn’t think that Black Metal & slave hymnals would go together but if you listen with an open mind, you will be extremely rewarded. Don’t sleep on this.
4. Extremity – Coffin Birth (20 Buck Spin)
Straight up, raunchy, Death Metal… that is all!
5. At the Gates – To Drink From The Night Itself (Century Media)
For me, the resurgence of ATG has come at a perfect time; when all the Metalcore bands that should have been paying ATG royalties for all the riffs they’ve been ripping off have, for the most part, fallen by the wayside. Now a whole new generation of Metalheads can enjoy a band that truly changed the game.
6. Judas Priest – Firepower (Epic)
What can you say about one of the greatest Heavy Metal bands of all time, that hasn’t been said a million times? Not much other than, while I feel like the album is a bit long, and has a song or two too many, it’s hands down one of the band’s best efforts since Painkiller (Columbia) and ranks high amongst their vast catalog.
7. High On Fire – Electric Messiah (eOne)
Guitarist/Vocalist Matt Pike has been super busy and prolific as of late, releasing two albums with both Sleep and High on Fire, while touring for both. While Sleep is a return to stoner riff bliss, HoF is its speed-fueled alter ego. Pike & Co. seem to have gone back to the well and drawn inspiration from their earlier albums that made them a force. Riffs on riffs on riffs!
8. Khorada – Salt (Prophecy)
Another Metal luminary turning in two killer releases this year is Aesop Dekker. A man of many projects, he not only found time to record Coffin Birth with Extremity but formed Khorada with his bandmates from Agalloch along with GiantSquid’s Aaron John Gregory. You would be hard pressed to categorize Khorada or define its genre as it draws on so many styles, but it definitely creates something unique. The album is raw and full of complex emotion. It will stay with you.
9. Lago – Sea of Duress (Unique Leader)
This is somewhat of a sentimental pick as these dudes are friend of mine and are from my hometown. That doesn’t take away from the fact that they put out one of the best Death Metal albums this year! It’s Morbid Angel worship at its purest. Paying homage to their influences while putting a spin on it that makes it completely their own. To me Death Metal can get redundant and even cheesy at times, but Lago has a fresh take on a watered-down genre. They are a band to be on the lookout for.
10. Dead Can Dance – Dionysus (PIAS)
While this is in the opposite end of the spectrum, and in no way “Metal” at all, Dead Can Dance are just one of those bands that anyone can find something to enjoy. Their ninth studio album is another vast soundscape of lush instrumentation and ethereal vocals that will take you on a sonic journey. When I want to be mellow and introspective, I throw on some Dead Can Dance, and get lost in thought.
Pre-order Incite’s new album here:
