Best of 2018

I predicted that 2018 would be above average what comes to new releases based on speculations or solid knowledge from the record companies. Some must buy albums were to be expected. I can already reveal that some of those really delivered. Then there were some surprises that I either did not expect or I was completely unaware that they were about to released. Looking back now, I have to say that 2018 were indeed great year. My top ten album charts were almost entirely composed of albums released this year. Let’s see what was left on hand this time!

Corrosion of Conformity - No Cross, No Crown

Corrosion of Conformity has become one of those bands that whatever they put out I buy. As expected, “No Cross, No Crowns” was a damn good album. NCNC was released during the first quarter of the year and it collected formidable amount of listening, way above anything else and I’m not even bored with it. Although I liked their previous albums, it is so good to have Pepper back. I adore his vocal performance, absolutely one of my all-time favorite singers. He isn’t a bad guitarist either. NCNC kind of continues where this band left things after In the Arms of God. “Wolf Named Crow”, “E.L.M” and “No Cross, No Crown” are amongst those pearls. Instrumentals songs were doomed as fillers by some reviews, but I think they have a certain function: they give a short break to breathe in and they are important contributors to the overall sound and especially to the feeling of this album. Maybe this is not the best album, but the dearest of them all. 1700+ plays verify that.

Voivod - The Wake

The one that was the biggest surprise of 2018 was Voivod’s new release “The Wake”. This could be the best album and without NCNC, my pick for number one. But hey, Second position isn’t that bad. “The Wake” is by far the most interesting album released in a long time and easily one of the best in Voivod’s discography (which, to be honest, contains many shitty albums as well). I’m one of those fans that love The Outer Limits and was thrilled then Post Society EP came out. This also sets the stage to my hype toward “The Wake”. I completely understand that if progressive elements are not your cup of tea, The Wake might be too obscure and not heavy enough. It could be progressive thrash or whatever. I’m so tired to that genre jerking. Decide yourself what you want to call it. The Wake is one of those albums that should be listened in a linear order following the story. I really think that the story plays an important part here. It brings all those progressive elements into life and gives them the meaning. Another thing that is worth mentioning is Chewy’s brilliant guitar playing. That was even more evident during Voivod’s live performance last summer. Besides being technically flawless, his way of playing has a soul rarely seen. Go figure what that means as we are talking about metal guitar playing. That was just my thoughts while watching the gig. I don’t know maybe I should have put this as number one.

The Crown - Cobra Speed Venom

Besides the Corrosion of Conformity, The Crown is one of those bands whose new albums go directly to my waiting list and I buy the album the very day it is released. Cobra Speed Venom is absolutely fantastic metal album. It wins also the coolest album art prize. That skeleton wave is simply brilliant making me regret that I went and sold my vinyl player. CSV art would be awesome in vinyl size. Some call The Crown a thrash band, some death metal, I really don’t care. These guys are past forty and they are still able can compose this kind of music. The very existence of the CSV proves that magical metal is not born only when you are young and abusing narcotics. It is born from the attitude and devotion to metal music. I saw these guys playing lase summer and their live performance was second to none. Many younger performers should attend and learn. I remember that I was so thrilled then Johan Lindstrand’s return to the Crown was announced couple of years ago. Their first reunion album “Death Is Not Dead” was pretty good, but they really nailed things with CSV. 

Clutch - Book of Bad Decisions

It seems that Clutch is unable to release a bad album. I saw them performing some of the songs from this album in the summer before it was released this and those songs were flawless. “In walks Barbarella” could be the best song of the year. If not, it is weaponized funk at its best. Clutch songs have that magic groove that makes their live performances so enjoyable. In addition, their lyrics are fun. I’m looking forward to see them again. 

Immortal - Northern Chaos Gods

Immortal was supposed to be dead and buried deep, but somehow Demonaz found energy to reanimate the band. I like his vision of “The Post-Abbath-Immortal”. Northern Chaos Gods is a return toward their older sound, which is a good thing. More importantly, NCG again captures that mystical atmosphere that I loved so much in “In the Heart of winter” -album. Just listen to the “Mighty Ravendark” song and you’ll understand what I mean. For me that is the thing in black metal and Immortal does that well. 

    

Amorphis - Queen of Time

Amorphis might have reached their bombastic upper limit with Queen of Time -album. For the first time, they have a symphony orchestra and choirs impeded. The end result is big and glorious. QoT contains lots of hits and always so wonderful Anneke Giersbergen as guest appearance in Amongst Stars. Production is flawless, Jens Borgen did good job. So everything should be OK, but I still found a bit difficult to develop a relationship with this album. I honestly liked Under the Red Cloud more, maybe because it is not that big and glorious. Amorphis performed their first Old Ice Hall -gig utilizing the Black Box concept. I think that venue did justice to hhe music of QoF. It is really made for a big context and as such it outperforms Nightwish.

Black Label Society’s The Grimmest Hits, Orange Goblin’s The Wolf That Bites Back, Fu Manchu’s Clone of the Universe, and finally Monster Magnet’s Mindfucker are four similar albums that I have been playing a lot in 2018. Besides Fu Manchu, all three, in my opinion, made better album than their previous ones and were therefore quite positive surprise. Together with CoC’s NCNC, these albums themed this year. 

    

Lik, Baest and Bloodbath represented the death metal department. I mostly listened to Lik, managed to see Baest live and just bought Bloodbath’s new album. Lik is very potential old school death metal band hailing from Sweden (where apparently most good death metal is made). Baest is interesting band. For starters, they are from Denmark. Secondly, their music is a fresh take on death metal. Thirdly, they are great live performers. Bloodbath does not need introductions. Nick Holmes second appearance fronting this institution wasn’t perhaps as good as the debut album, but this opinion is strongly influenced by the fact that I haven’t listened to The Arrow of Satan Is Drawn enough to really get into it. It might be a good thing if songs open up more slowly. For now it remains to be seen (or heard).

      

Judas Priest, Ghost, The Ocean, Tribulation and Obscura belong to the "honorable mention" -group. Albums that are great but I simply listened to them too little to justify listing them to my top charts. Something can still be said about them. The Ocean’s new album is very interesting, post metal that plays with lyrical themes about evolution. Ghost was once again able to combine those catchy pop elements to heavy metal and the end result is at least enjoyable. Judas Priest made one of their best albums in a long time. I liked that a lot without even being a Priest fan. Obscura plays technical death metal which is always great, but in this album the production is one of the best I’ve heard. Tribulation has so unique sound ad I simply forgot this as it was released in January and so much other stuff came afterwards.

I have to mention Bruce Springsteen's Springsteen on Broadway. The performance was the cultural event of the year, one of the most enjoyable 2,5 hours I've had in a long time and reminder why I worship the Boss. It is available in the Netflix, check it while it lasts!

Best EP of the year is Deströyer 666's Call of the Wild. Although I don't agree with KK Warslut's political agenda, I do agree that the man can make music. Solid continuum and guarantees that I'll get their next album.

Best gig was Voivod's autumn performance in Tavastia Club. I was completely blown away by their performance ans I'll regret forever that I did not buy a T shirt.