I sometimes wonder why this is so fun to make these lists. Anyway, this year was very good year, I found again many new favorites and made a personal record buying new albums during one year.
Here are a few albums that deserves mention:
Best albums of the 2012
Testament - Dark Roots of Earth
The best metal album from the best thrash band at the moment. While some dinosaurs are less successful, Testament keep delivering and actually improving. De luxe -version contains three brilliant cover versions as well.
Down - Down IV, part I: The Purple EP
Highly anticipated first EP of new Down package of four EPs. Smoky, crushingly heavy and groovy stuff from the New Orleans sludge gods. Anselmo sounds better that in a long time. Featured track: Misfortune Teller
Witchcraft - Legend
With this album Witchcraft steals the leading position in Swedish retro rock scene from Graveyard. Great comeback album with superb production and brilliant songs.
The Gaslight Anthem - Handwritten
Definitively my summer album of 2012. They seem to have finally found their own style (the Springsteen worship times are almost over), and I think they're better than ever. Such a great rock album and de luxe -edition contains two nice bonus songs as well. Featured Track: Keepsake
Hot Water Music - Exister
Chuck is fine folk singer, but somehow to me he sounds better while fronting HWM. I just love how his vocal performance kicks so many punk singers' asses and give a whole lot more street cred to the message. Definitively my training album of the year.
Corrosion of Conformity - Corrosion of Conformity
The original line-up from Animosity era put out such a tough album. It takes only three to rock 'n roll, or so it seems. Interesting mixture of old and new, the self titled album took some more listening before really opening up. It also seems that the power trio is enough to put out intensive live performance as well. Later, It was informed that Pepper Keenan decided to join Down full-time, but luckily the future seems to be bright for C.O.C.
Katatonia - Dead End Kings
New Katatonia is always an important event. Interestingly, the release seems to be dark and rainy fall/early winter, which is actually a perfect time to listen to Katatonia. Nothing new or groundbreaking here and they continue in the spirit of their former album Night is the New Day. I don't mind. Dead End Kings is not a straightforward album, it doesn't contain obvious hit songs. Instead, its beauty is in the details and nuances that make it more interesting. All the important Katatonia elements are still there, if you're willing to discover them.
Neurosis - Honor Found In Decay
Another important and highly anticipated album for me. In a way, this sounds like a synthesis of Eye of Every Storm and Given to the Rising, both albums I particularly like. Neurosis isn't the easiest music and usually need a certain mood. Only time will tell, will this be my favorite album, but all the needed elements are present.
The Sword - Apocryphon
I wasn't aware of this until it came out. Why, I really can't tell. I loved their previous record and I guess I just couldn't believe they'd put out next so soon. Anyway, Apocryphon is out and it sounds great. I haven't had enough time to listen it more carefully, but pretty similar stuff as Warp Riders.
Orange Goblin - Eulogy For The Damned
One of the early year releases I almost forgot. Brilliant stoner album from the UK based veterans. Listen to The Fog and you'll understand why this album is listed here. The rest of the songs ain't bad either.
High On Fire - De Vermis Mysteriis
Heviest album of the year? Maybe not, but getting close at least. Slight problem of this album (and as a matter of fact of previous one too) is slight unevenness. There are many brilliant songs but also some more mediocre ones too. Nevertheless, when you need to consume some beer and whiskey, this album is your soundtrack of choice. Featured track: King of Days.
Lee Ranaldo - Between The Times and The Tides
Better known from his band Sonic Youth, Lee Ranaldo is a gifted songwriter. Here he experiments with more traditional rock in the spirit of Neil Young. Yes, influence is clearly present, but where Neil sounds, well...Neil, Between the Tides and the Times expands and explores more. I probably started to listen to this, because it sounded like Neil, but later I found it to be a great addition to my playlist. Good rock record, that's what this is.
Van Halen - A Different Kind of Truth
One interesting comeback was the return of the Diamond Dave. He is a showman from the beginning and hasn't lost his edge. I think that A different Kind of Truth is actually quite good record. It rocks, it rolls and it grooves. It is entertaining and makes you wanna party. Welcome back Eddie. Welcome back Dave. Rock 'n roll needed you. We needed you. Featured track: China Town.
Dead Can Dance - Anastasis
I usually don't listen to this kind of music (I actually don't even know why, since it seems to be rather good). I bought this album solely after I read a review written so that it got me interested. This epic ambient/electronic/whatever masterpiece has given so many hours of enjoyment during this year. I learned that this is also one of the comeback albums of this year. Featured track: Opium.
Nate Hall - A Great River
This found its way to my list on the eleventh hour. Nate Hall is (perhaps) better known as a front man and guitarist of U.S. Christmas. His has very distinct voice and he usually uses echo to tune his singing. The result is unique. Every listening is a journey to world beyond, to "the other side". I don't know where, but I like to be there.
Other albums worth mentioning:
Bob Mould - Silver Age, OM - Advaitic Songs, Paradise Lost - Tragic Idol, Soen - Cognitive, Neil Young - Psychedelic Pill, Mark Lanegan Band - Blues Funeral, Six Feet Under - Undead, Graveyard - Lights Out
Best EPs of the 2012
Down - Down IV, part I: The Purple EP
Corrosion of Conformity - Megalodon
Agalloch - Faustian Echoes
Dark Tranquillity - Zero Distance
Best Gigs of the 2012
Agalloch @ Korjaamo 7.4.2012
Judas Priest @ Jäähalli 22.4.2012
Brice Springsteen @ Olympiastadion 31.7.2012
Corrosion of Conformity @ Tavastia 14.8.2012
The Revival Tour @ Tavastia 30.10.2012
Here are a few albums that deserves mention:
Best albums of the 2012
Testament - Dark Roots of Earth
The best metal album from the best thrash band at the moment. While some dinosaurs are less successful, Testament keep delivering and actually improving. De luxe -version contains three brilliant cover versions as well.
Down - Down IV, part I: The Purple EP
Highly anticipated first EP of new Down package of four EPs. Smoky, crushingly heavy and groovy stuff from the New Orleans sludge gods. Anselmo sounds better that in a long time. Featured track: Misfortune Teller
Witchcraft - Legend
With this album Witchcraft steals the leading position in Swedish retro rock scene from Graveyard. Great comeback album with superb production and brilliant songs.
The Gaslight Anthem - Handwritten
Definitively my summer album of 2012. They seem to have finally found their own style (the Springsteen worship times are almost over), and I think they're better than ever. Such a great rock album and de luxe -edition contains two nice bonus songs as well. Featured Track: Keepsake
Hot Water Music - Exister
Chuck is fine folk singer, but somehow to me he sounds better while fronting HWM. I just love how his vocal performance kicks so many punk singers' asses and give a whole lot more street cred to the message. Definitively my training album of the year.
Corrosion of Conformity - Corrosion of Conformity
The original line-up from Animosity era put out such a tough album. It takes only three to rock 'n roll, or so it seems. Interesting mixture of old and new, the self titled album took some more listening before really opening up. It also seems that the power trio is enough to put out intensive live performance as well. Later, It was informed that Pepper Keenan decided to join Down full-time, but luckily the future seems to be bright for C.O.C.
Katatonia - Dead End Kings
New Katatonia is always an important event. Interestingly, the release seems to be dark and rainy fall/early winter, which is actually a perfect time to listen to Katatonia. Nothing new or groundbreaking here and they continue in the spirit of their former album Night is the New Day. I don't mind. Dead End Kings is not a straightforward album, it doesn't contain obvious hit songs. Instead, its beauty is in the details and nuances that make it more interesting. All the important Katatonia elements are still there, if you're willing to discover them.
Neurosis - Honor Found In Decay
Another important and highly anticipated album for me. In a way, this sounds like a synthesis of Eye of Every Storm and Given to the Rising, both albums I particularly like. Neurosis isn't the easiest music and usually need a certain mood. Only time will tell, will this be my favorite album, but all the needed elements are present.
The Sword - Apocryphon
I wasn't aware of this until it came out. Why, I really can't tell. I loved their previous record and I guess I just couldn't believe they'd put out next so soon. Anyway, Apocryphon is out and it sounds great. I haven't had enough time to listen it more carefully, but pretty similar stuff as Warp Riders.
Orange Goblin - Eulogy For The Damned
One of the early year releases I almost forgot. Brilliant stoner album from the UK based veterans. Listen to The Fog and you'll understand why this album is listed here. The rest of the songs ain't bad either.
High On Fire - De Vermis Mysteriis
Heviest album of the year? Maybe not, but getting close at least. Slight problem of this album (and as a matter of fact of previous one too) is slight unevenness. There are many brilliant songs but also some more mediocre ones too. Nevertheless, when you need to consume some beer and whiskey, this album is your soundtrack of choice. Featured track: King of Days.
Lee Ranaldo - Between The Times and The Tides
Better known from his band Sonic Youth, Lee Ranaldo is a gifted songwriter. Here he experiments with more traditional rock in the spirit of Neil Young. Yes, influence is clearly present, but where Neil sounds, well...Neil, Between the Tides and the Times expands and explores more. I probably started to listen to this, because it sounded like Neil, but later I found it to be a great addition to my playlist. Good rock record, that's what this is.
Van Halen - A Different Kind of Truth
One interesting comeback was the return of the Diamond Dave. He is a showman from the beginning and hasn't lost his edge. I think that A different Kind of Truth is actually quite good record. It rocks, it rolls and it grooves. It is entertaining and makes you wanna party. Welcome back Eddie. Welcome back Dave. Rock 'n roll needed you. We needed you. Featured track: China Town.
Dead Can Dance - Anastasis
I usually don't listen to this kind of music (I actually don't even know why, since it seems to be rather good). I bought this album solely after I read a review written so that it got me interested. This epic ambient/electronic/whatever masterpiece has given so many hours of enjoyment during this year. I learned that this is also one of the comeback albums of this year. Featured track: Opium.
Nate Hall - A Great River
This found its way to my list on the eleventh hour. Nate Hall is (perhaps) better known as a front man and guitarist of U.S. Christmas. His has very distinct voice and he usually uses echo to tune his singing. The result is unique. Every listening is a journey to world beyond, to "the other side". I don't know where, but I like to be there.
Other albums worth mentioning:
Bob Mould - Silver Age, OM - Advaitic Songs, Paradise Lost - Tragic Idol, Soen - Cognitive, Neil Young - Psychedelic Pill, Mark Lanegan Band - Blues Funeral, Six Feet Under - Undead, Graveyard - Lights Out
Best EPs of the 2012
Down - Down IV, part I: The Purple EP
Corrosion of Conformity - Megalodon
Agalloch - Faustian Echoes
Dark Tranquillity - Zero Distance
Best Gigs of the 2012
Agalloch @ Korjaamo 7.4.2012
Judas Priest @ Jäähalli 22.4.2012
Brice Springsteen @ Olympiastadion 31.7.2012
Corrosion of Conformity @ Tavastia 14.8.2012
The Revival Tour @ Tavastia 30.10.2012
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