Les Discrets

alphaandomega's favourite Albums of 2010: #24

Track: L'échappée
Artist: Les Discrets
Album: Septembre Et Ses Dernières Pensées
Genre: Post-Rock/Shoegaze
Similar Artists: Alcest, Lantlôs ,Amesoeurs

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?mm52a2m2z5g

Les Discrets' newest album has a dream-like quality to it, it's just beautiful. The instrumentation and the vocals complement each other really well.

Nest

alphaandomega's favourite Albums of 2010: #25

Track: Far From Lands
Artist: Nest
Album: Retold
Genre: Ambient/Neofolk
Similar Artists: October Falls, Neun Welten, Vàli

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?q2m1y3mnzmd

Retold is an ambient masterpiece. I always feel that ambient music gives one the sensation of floating through space and being in another dimension- this album does just that. Nest's previous albums have a more folk-y sound, but those are enjoyable as well. The split with Agalloch is highly recommended.

Burzum

alphaandomega's favourite Albums of 2010: #26

Track: Glemselens Elv
Artist: Burzum
Album: Belus
Genre: Black metal/Atmospheric black metal
Similar Artists: Darkthrone, Mayhem, Gorgoroth

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?e3ymnhtcoj3

Belus doesn't sound anything like older albums such as Det Som Engang Var, which have a more raw sound. This album definitely sounds more produced, but it's enjoyable nonetheless. A new album is currently in the works!

Belenos

alphaandomega's favourite Albums of 2010: #27

Track: Skorn Ha Tan
Artist: Belenos
Album: Yen Sonn Gardis
Genre: Black metal/Folk metal/Pagan black metal
Similar Artists: Epheles

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?gv0lw4eqbar

Belenos' music has really impressed me ever since I first listened to their album Notre Amour Éternel. I really think that the best black metal comes from French regions.

Kylesa

alphaandomega's favourite Albums of 2010: #28

Track: Cheating Synergy
Artist: Kylesa
Album: Spiral Shadow
Genre: Sludge
Similar Artists: Baroness, Torche, Zoroaster

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?heokhua4mulibec

Black Tusk

alphaandomega's favourite Albums of 2010: #29

Track: Embrace the Madness
Artist: Black Tusk
Album: Taste the Sin
Genre: Sludge/hardcore
Similar Artists: Torche, Kylesa, Baroness
--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?j1j7kzee1jx

I really prefer their older albums but this album is quite good as well. They're one of those bands that sounds even better live.

Darkthrone

alphaandomega's favourite Albums of 2010: #30

Track: Stylized Corpse
Artist: Darkthrone
Album: Circle the Wagons
Genre: Black metal
Similar Artists: Burzum, Mayhem, Gorgoroth

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?emqhzocmikd

Darkthrone's sound has evolved from a raw, traditional black metal sound into something more inspired by punk. This album took a bit of getting used to considering their older music, but it's begun to grow on me now. For the record, I still do prefer their older albums.

Immolation

Spaceman Dave's Favourite Albums of 2010: #16

Track: A Glorious Epoch

Artist: Immolation

Album: Majesty and Decay

Genre: Brutal Death Metal

Similar Artists: Ulcerate, Gorguts (early)

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?jnjtwymzwdz

In a musical career of over 20 years Immolation have yet to release a sub-par album. They are, beyond any shadow of a doubt, the most consistent musical ensemble in death metal. Majesty and Decay certainly takes a high place in their discography. That being said, this is still no standard album and remains a great introduction to their work--just don't forget to check out their opus, Close to a World Below before moving on.

Nitberg

Spaceman Dave's Favourite Albums of 2010: #17

Track: Nagelreid (part 8)

Artist: Nitberg

Album:Nagelreid

Genre: NSBM

Similar Artists: Forest, M8L8TH

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?xfmgnzyty0x

Russia seems to produce a great deal of excellent NSBM as of late. One long track showcasing atmospheric elements as opposed to their original, rawer, style.

Lightning Swords of Death

Spaceman Dave's Favourite Albums of 2010: #18

Track: Damnation Pentastrike

Artist: Lightning Swords of Death

Album: The Extra Dimensional Wound

Genre: Black Metal

Similar Artists: Angelcorpse, Bathory, Valdur

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?rzmm0mzinrz

This album should probably be a tad lower on the list, but I suppose there's no turning back now. Lightning Swords of Death stick to the building blocks of black metal, despite vocal variation and a thunderous bass tone. If you're looking for some traditional evil, then look no further. I am endlessly pissed that I missed their live show this summer. . .I did order a shirt however, which is excellent.

Coffinworm

Spaceman Dave's Favourite Albums of 2010: #19

Track: High on the Reek of your Burning Remains

Artist: Coffinworm

Album: When All Became None

Genre: Blackened Sludge

Similar Artists: Fistula, Dark Castle

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?ztyubez2du0

Described to me as "South of Heaven on cough syrup", and that's not too far off the money. Perfectly mixed Sludge, spare the slightly underwhelming kick drum. Certainly my favourite sludgy album of 2010, and perhaps for a while. Coffinworm melt shit.

Defeated Sanity

Spaceman Dave's Favourite Albums of 2010: #20

Track: Consumed By Repugnance

Artist: Defeated Sanity

Album: Chapters of Repugnance

Genre: Brutal Death Metal

Similar Artists: Suffocation, Devourment, Decrepit Birth (old)

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?m54jn2qxmmc

Defeated Sanity are the true heirs to Suffocation's crown, presenting an album that features stellar drumming in the vein of Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy), jazzy interludes, surprisingly crisp production, and first class slamz--if such things exist.

git stok'd

Jumalhämärä

Spaceman Dave's Favourite Albums of 2010: #21

Track: Storm is Coming

Artist: Jumalhämärä

Album: Resignaatio

Genre: Avant-Garde Black Metal

Similar Artists: IC Rex, Deathspell Omega (early)

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?cszf17v6f854vwd

Black metal that doesn't resemble Darkthrone in the least. A fascinating album by these relatively unknown Finnish lads. Definitely worth a listen. While the term "Avant-Garde" may be a tad inappropriate, doing your own thing in Black Metal certainly deserves something, funnily enough.

Monarch!

Spaceman Dave's Favourite Albums of 2010: #22

Track: Sabbat Noir II

Artist: Monarch!

Album: Sabbat Noir

Genre: Drone, Doom

Similar Artists: Sunn O))), Whitehorse

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?uhyqul87w5i2j8g

Monarch! may just be my favourite drone band.

I find myself preferring them over Sunn O))) occasionally. There, I said it.

My official reading album of 2010. Reading the 2001: A Space Odyssey books wouldn't have been quite the same without it.

Enforcer

Spaceman Dave's Favourite Albums of 2010: #23

Track: Midnight Vice

Artist: Enforcer

Album: Diamonds

Genre: Speed Metal/Heavy Metal

Similar Artists: Cauldron, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?2gk02cp70zcmng3

Speed Metal revival? Sounds good to me. I played this album to death this year, this song especially. Olof's vocal performance, the bass lines, and solos are outstanding.

. . .I fucking hate Steel Panther. . .Enforcer bring the subtle satire.

Blasphemophager

Spaceman Dave's Favourite Albums of 2010: #24

Track: Altar of Quantum Immortality

Artist: Blasphemophager

Album: . . .for Chaos, Obscurity and Desolation. . .

Genre: Bestial Black Metal

Similar Artists: Blasphemy, Morbosidad, Black Witchery

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?1wdmznwzoym

Italian war metal played by fellows in gas masks. Lyrical themes include death, nuclear apocalypse, and quantum mechanics.

1349

Spaceman Dave's Favourite Albums of 2010: #25

Track: Atomic Chapel

Artist: 1349

Album: Demonoir

Genre: 3rd wave Black Metal

Similar Artists: Mayhem, Satyricon, Marduk

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?zttnkmdyqft

I have always been partial to 1349. Frost's (Satyricon, Gorgoroth, Zyklon-B, etc.) and Archaon's riffs go together beautifully, and seeing them perform earlier this year with Triptykon really took the cake. The tracks on this album are separated by ambient intros of sorts--to the horror of trve kvlt black metal fans. I, however, like the effect.

Don't expect a repeat of their previous album, or of their earlier work. This is a different beast.

Grave Miasma

Spaceman Dave's Favourite Albums of 2010: #26

Track: Ritual Lair

Artist: Grave Miasma

Album: Realm of Evoked Doom (EP)

Genre: Blackened Death Metal

Similar Artists: Dead Congregation, Sarcofago, Incantation

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?9hulqxyec0h7vtg

Grave Miasma make filthy, filthy death metal. Considering they previously went under the moniker of Goat Molester, how could they not?

Giraffes? Giraffes!

Track: When The Catholic Girls Go Camping, The Nicotine Vampires Rule Supreme
Artist: Giraffes? Giraffes!
Album: More Skin With Milk-Mouth
Genre: Math rock/instrumental/experimental
Similar Artists: Hella

---> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?aptdhmcdsgb

The Men

Spaceman Dave's Favourite Albums of 2010: #27

Forgive me for the absence of a sample track. Youtube is behind the times.

Artist: The Men

Album: Immaculada

Genre: Noise Punk, Shoegaze

Similar Artists: A Place to Bury Strangers, Nomos, My Bloody Valentine (a tad)

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?mfr1nnijdtl

Immaculada takes the cake this year for the most genre violations in 30 or so minutes. The Men go from being punky and energetic one moment, to drone-y the next, yet seem to take no qualm in making sure that everything is nicely saturated in a wealth of guitar effects. Nevertheless, The Men have produced an overwhelmingly consistent album, especially considering that one track may not sound exactly like the one prior.

Ufomammut

Spaceman Dave's Favourite Albums of 2010: #28

Track: Eve Pt. 1

Artist: Ufomammut

Album: Eve

Genre: Doom/Sludge Metal

Similar Artists: Ramesses, Electric Wizard

---> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?f4yzngyytgy

This album was already posted on this blog. . .but not this year. Another album I can read to. Relaxes and crushes listeners not quite like anything else released in 2010.

Dispirit

Spaceman Dave's Favourite Albums of 2010: #29

Track: Ixtab's Lure

Artist: Dispirit

Album: Rehearsal at Oboroten (demo)

Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal

Similar Artists: Weakling, Ash Borer

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?b7u7b16uuq73k5t

I can have a demo on this list if I want to. I really liked Weakling, and I have high hopes for whatever becomes of Dispirit.

Electric Wizard

Spaceman Dave's Favourite Albums of 2010: #30

Track: Venus in Furs

Artist: Electric Wizard

Album: Black Masses

Genre: Stoner Doom, Psychedelic

Similar Artists: Sleep, Acid King, The Jimi Hendrix Experience

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?8t84x086qpztf60

As a band who, for the most part, only continue to develop more cleaner sections with each release, Black Masses was essentially what I had expected it do be. Gone are Jus Oborn's tortured vocals from Dopethrone, and I do find myself noticing passages I believe could be done without, but then again this is a doom album by none less than Electric Wizard--and it's certainly nothing to shake a stick at.

Isis

Track: In Fiction
Artist: Isis
Album: Panopticon
Genre: Sludge/post-rock
Similar Artists: Rosetta, Cult of Luna, Pelican

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?klyzzpej3ic

Sad that these guys split, but they had a good run, having created a solid discography.

I'm happy that I got to see them live three times, including for their final show in Montréal, which is where their first show ever also occurred. Unforgettable show, Aaron Turner was getting a bit teary eyed when he was thanking everyone.

Anyways, it's difficult for me to decide on a favourite album, but this is definitely one of my favourite tracks of theirs.

Hooded Menace

Track: Grasp of the Beastwoman
Artist: Hooded Menace
Album: Fulfill the Curse
Genre: Doom metal/sludge
Similar Artists: Ramesses

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?klyzzpej3ic

I cannot wait to see these guys at MDF!