It’s time for another Ghost Cult “End Of Year” Guest post! We’ll be sharing lists, memories, and other shenanigans from our favorite bands, partners, music industry peers, and other folks we respect across the globe. Today Tom Begley of Bossk shares ten albums that didn’t leave the playlist in 2019! Be on the lookout for a new Bossk album in 2020 via Deathwish Inc. label.
1. Tool – Fear Inoculum
The easiest end of year album choice that’s ever existed really. Truly pioneers of a sound that blew my mind from the very first listen 15+ years ago. This new album was everything I wanted it to be. Brilliant band and an outstanding album.
2. Cult Of Luna – A Dawn To Fear
One of my other fave artists ever, and a huge inspiration for our band. They constantly deliver only exceptional material, and still evolving as a band. Heavy, elegant, dark and brooding album that is fast becoming one of their strangest releases.
3. Alcest – Spiritual Instinct
Only discovered on their last record, which is an absolute belter. I was very curious as to how they were going to progress on from such a strong previous release. This new album takes their sound another few steps forward and also sees them head into new territory. Such amazing vocal melodies and epic post-rock sections.
4. Sleep Token – Sun Downing
Bit of an odd record all round, but I saw them live this year and the band really clicked for me. Very cool to see a British band being brave, and trying to do something a little different. Crosses multiple genre boundaries, huge melodies, and some very cool sounding dark brooding passages.
5. Whitechapel – The Valley
Slightly biased here as the boys are old friends of mine. But this album sees them stepping out from the death metal world and adding some amazing new elements that remind me of Tool and Deftones. Huge riffs too.
6. Torche – Admission
To be honest, I haven’t really been too bothered about their last few records, but this latest one sees them return to being kings of the riff. This album sounds fresh and reinvigorated. Very cool production fits the bands’ awesome guitar tones so well. Very happy to hear them still putting out awesome material.
7. Tyler the creator – Igor
While I’m not the world’s biggest hip hop fan, this record is very interesting sounding, and the first time id ever listened to this artist. Really cool vibe to the whole thing, catchy, meaningful and at times kinda dark. Love the way that Tyler portrays himself too, very unique in a scene dominated by artists trying to be the next cool thing.
8. Russian Circles – Blood Year
They have been one of my favourite bands for a very long time now, and they still somehow manage to out do themselves on each record. My fave bass player is Brian, monstrous tone at all times. The heavy riff in the last song might be the riff of the year for me….
9. Wear Your Wounds – Rust On The Gates Of Heaven
A huge progression on from the last record, so many more textures and sounds on this one than the previous. Heartfelt lyrics and some awesome pink Floyd worship lead parts that I really loved. I hope one day Bossk can share the stage with them. Can’t wait for the next step on their journey. My favourite release on DW this year.
10. Mizmor – Cairn
I only really got into this artist on the last album, but this new one really is something special. Brutally heavy, but has some edge of elegance that most bands like this don’t have. Very dark and brooding at times, amazing artwork. Not for the faint-hearted, but some serious tone on this release.
https://mizmor.bandcamp.com/album/cairn