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Waken Eyes - Exodus
Quite a latecomer as it was only released at the end of October, but my word it's a good 'un. At times dancing the lines between prog metal and power metal but always providing good musicianship, soaring vocals and of course the obligatory epic track (19 minutes long, glory!) It's an album about standing up against fear, fighting it and about hope. An album with a message that transcends politics and religion and will speak to a young generation of metal fans. Not too heavy that would put off those on the edge of heavy metal either! I really like it and it has been pretty much on repeat for the past month.
Standout tracks: Defening Thoughts, Exodus
Kamasi Washington - The Epic
Some would call it a bold or perhaps arrogant move to call a debut album "The Epic" yet saxophponist Kamasi Washington has made a masterpiece that lives up to it's name in multiple ways. First, the length. It is 3 discs long, weighing in at 173 minutes long. Secondly, while it is undoubtedly a jazz album, it incorporates a vast swathe of styles, conventions, instruments, musicians and singers/vocalists. It truly does feel epic! It is not one for the faint hearted but it is definitely worth it if you put the time in - there will be something on there to suit everyone!
Standout tracks: Seriously just listen to the whole thing!
VOLA - Inmazes
I chanced upon this Danish band through a promoted post on Facebook, drawn by the fact that you can download their album legally for free on their Bandcamp and that they were being lauded as a "new sound in prog metal". I was initially sceptical of such a claim (every new artist is a new sound of something these days...) but after only 1 listen I was hooked. The sound, upon starting the album, is somewhat djenty but it soon departs from the generic djent style and with the soft vocals and atmospheric overtones, creates a fantastic blend of heavy and soft, dark and light, furious and emotional.
Standout Tracks Inmazes - click on the Bandcamp link to hear the whole thing but the title track is my favourite.
Leprous - The Congregation
Leprous' previous album "Coal" is one of my favourite albums. Like, ever. Their unique progressive sound cannot be found anywhere else (at least I haven't found anything quite like them) and their vocalist, Einar Solberg (yup, Norwegian band if you were wondering...) is, in my opinion, the best vocalist out there (with the dude from Soen a close second). So I was pretty excited for this years effort. And it is good! It took me a long time to get into it (pesky unfair comparisons to "Coal") but once I got right into it, I was pretty blown over. It is not an easy album to listen to, especially if you aren't aware of their style, but it is just an astonishing musical accomplishment. It's kind of hard to describe so I'll just tell you that I love it and you should give them a go!
Standout Tracks: Differs every time I listen to it! Website - Forum won't let me post that many media links...
THE "DIDN'T QUITE MAKE IT" CUT
Enslaved: In Times Perhaps it is due to their previous album, RIITIIR being that good, but it just feels a bit half-hearted. No real passion or drive in this one. Sure, it's Enslaved, so it's good but there's nothing that really matches up to the ferocity and tone of RIITIIR. "Thousand Years of Rain is the best track.
Soen: Tellurian Again, much anticipated, but didn't quite deliver up to standard. I perhaps need to listen to it more often but it didn't inspire and excite me like their debut did.
THE "NOT FROM THIS YEAR BUT I ONLY DISCOVERED THEM THIS YEAR AND OH MY DAYS THEY ARE FLIPPING IMMENSE" AWARD
Persefone: Spiritual Migration Obsession is dangerous. Addiction is not good. Constant repetition can be a drag on the ears and the soul. I know all this, but why can I not stop listening to this utter masterpiece by the progressive death metal band from (of all places) Andorra? I have also listened to their previous albums but this one clicks with me on just about every level. I figure they are probably due a new album as this came out in 2013 and I look forward to it (if they are actually making one!) Probably has my all time favourite instrumentals on it too. Do yourself a favour and get this album!
THE "MOST LIKELY TO APPEAR ON THIS LIST IN A YEARS TIME
H4ken - The as-yet-unnamed 4th album from the stupendous epic prog metallers from Britain. I love every single thing Haken have done so I am very excited about it.
EDITED For formatting.
This post has been edited by Tiste Simeon: 30 November 2015 - 04:09 PM
