Darkthrone (2)

spaceman dave's favourite albums of 2010: #6

Track: Circle the Wagons

Artist: Darkthrone

Album: Circle the Wagons

Genre: Blackened Crust

Similar Artists: Isengard, Manilla Road

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

I like new Darkthrone. Sometimes more than early Darkthrone. No lie. This albums was on my party playlist for the relative entirety of 2010, seeing as it came out early January or something. I am thoroughly convinced that more black metal bands should try and imitate Manilla Road, as it's hard to describe Circle the Wagons as any less than a bloody good time. This album reminds me of when concert venues dj Motorhead between bands and folks get real into it and sing along. Almost 20 years later, Darkthrone are still sounding as pissed off as ever, but perhaps with a touch of self-deprecating humility.

upx the crust

Agalloch (2)

alphaandomega's favourite Albums of 2010: #1

Track: To Drown
Artist:Agalloch
Album: Marrow of the Spirit
Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal/Folk/Doom Metal
Similar Artists: Drudkh, Alcest

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?1omrirl0itpk0er

Agalloch's newest album is so beautiful. The purely instrumental track is a great way to begin the album, and it ends with a purely instrumental clip too. There are more clean vocals in this album compared to past albums, and the tracks are lengthier. I think that this album has a very haunting quality to it, the ambient elements are a nice touch, as are the sounds of nature. Everytime I listen to their album or any other album of theirs, I envision images of nature, which has a very calming effect for me. That's probably why I love their music so much.

So psyched to hear Agalloch live in March, this will certainly be a concert highlight of the year.

And that concludes my list for my favourite albums of 2010. There are a bunch of albums I didn't get the chance to listen to, so looking back at the list I might have changed a few things. Hope you enjoyed the list!

Ludicra (2)

alphaandomega's favourite Albums of 2010: #2

Track: Truth Won't Set You Free
Artist:Ludicra
Album: The Tenant
Genre: Black Metal/Crust
Similar Artists: Krallice, Black Breath

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?q4zljmz1zdu

I'll be honest, I really didn't like this band much upon first listen. They've since grown on me considerably, and The Tenant remains my favourite album of theirs. The vocals still impress me, as do the riffs throughout this album. A must listen!

Kayo Dot

alphaandomega's favourite Albums of 2010: #3

Track: Abyss Hinge 1: Sleeping Birds Sighing In Roscolux
Artist:Kayo Dot
Album: Coyote
Genre: Avant-Garde/Experimental/Instrumental
Similar Artists: Toby Driver, Bloody Panda

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?3ynny0mfzmz

Kayo Dot's newest album is more jazz-inspired than any of their older albums. I think Toby Driver's a genius- I mean, he's in maudlin of the Well, and his solo project is pretty genius as well. A band you MUST see live to get the full effect of their music.

Panopticon

spaceman dave's favourite albums of 2010: #7

Track: A Message to the Missionary

Artist: Panopticon

Album: On the Subject of Mortality

Genre: Atmospheric/Raw Black Metal, USBM

Similar Artists: Ash Borer, Skagos

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?9aviey4omyrlzxg

A concept album about mortality that was originally distributed among a two split albums--one with Skagos, another with When Bitter Spring Sleeps; both recommended.

Split with Skagos: http://www.mediafire.com/?hx8r942ac7garno

Split with When Bitter Spring Sleeps: http://www.mediafire.com/?9cvj5zmz282tn77

Both splits constitute the album as well as the sides from the aforementioned bands, so obtaining the files from all three links might prove a tad redundant--unless you're like me, stupidly taking pride in my collection of underhandedly gained files. . .

On The Subject of Mortality features heavy use of clips from Ingmar Bergman's movie, The Seventh Seal, which happens to be one of my favourite movies. Per usual, we are presented with Panopticon's familiar--yet no less outstanding--bag of tricks: grimly-produced blastbeats to rival those of Frost, raw seas of screeching guitars, echoed shrieks, and folky interludes. Worth a listen for anyone who doesn't immediately dismiss usbm (a trend I still fail to understand.)

Deathspell Omega (2)

alphaandomega's favourite Albums of 2010: #4

Track: Have You Beheld The Fevers?
Artist:Deathspell Omega
Album: Paracletus
Genre: Black Metal/Avant-Garde
Similar Artists: Blut Aus Nord

--> Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?ad0dftsvrn3uqeb

Deathspell Omega are one of my all-time favourite bands. I didn't know what to think of Paracletus upon first listen, but it's grown on me considerably after a few more listens. This album sounds much more melodic in comparison to older albums, but there is still that sound of chaos and intensity that I've come to associate with DsO's music. It's a shame this band doesn't tour, because I'd love to see them live.

Ufomammut (2)

alphaandomega's favourite Albums of 2010: #5

Track: IV
Artist: Ufomammut
Album: Eve
Genre: Doom/Sludge Metal
Similar Artists: Ramesses, Electric Wizard, Sons of Otis

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

Ok so I admit that this is the only album I have listened to by Ufomammut so far, but I'm glad I started off with this album. It's incredibly crushing.