2012 will go down as somewhat of a lost year for me, with
my writing taking a backseat for the better half of the year to spend time with
my family. But while I’ve been absent on the written word front, it hasn’t
meant that I’ve totally tuned out any of the countless album’s released
throughout the latter half of the year.
As in life, the music offered up throughout 2012 has been
a mix of jubilation, disappointment, and unexpected surprises. Suffice to say
that if this year is anything to go by, the business model of music may have
changed dramatically over the course of the last twelve months, music seems to
be in abundance within the metal scene.
Anyway, that’s enough of my cryptic rambling. Below I
humbly offer up my final thoughts on the best, the worst and most surprising
releases from 2012.
Top Ten Albums For 2012
1. Killing Joke – MMXII (Spinefarm Records/Universal Music
Australia)
I’m a big fan of Killing Joke, but not the kind of fan
that believes everything that has emerged from the band is pure genius. But I
will go as far as to say that this is without a doubt one of the band’s finest
releases in years. Unlike their scattered ‘Absolute Dissent’ from 2008, Killing
Joke sound more focussed, driven and inspired than they have done in years, and
it certainly shows on their latest release. Not bad for a band that’s been
around for more than thirty years.
2. Europe – Bag Of Bones (Hell & Back/earMUSIC/Edel
Germany)
Since reforming in 2003, Swedish hard rock outfit Europe
just seem to be making stronger and more confident sounding releases. 2009’s
‘Last Look At Eden’ was always going to be a challenge for the band to follow
up, but to everyone’s surprise, the band traded in the orchestral elements of
the past, threw in a heap of blues influences and come up with a serious
classic hard rock album that easily ranked as one of the band’s finest to date.
Ginger Wildheart is without a doubt one of the most
underrated singer/songwriters in the rock scene today. In fact, I would go far
as to say the guy is a living legend. Few would release a triple album in this
day and age, let alone cover virtually every genre known within the music realm
the album’s thirty tracks. Only someone like Ginger would. It’s an album that
takes time to fully absorb (It is a triple album after all!), but well worth
the time invested. A must have for Wildheart fans everywhere.
Is Katatonia capable of making a disappointing album
these days? On the strength of their latest album, the answer would be a
resounding ‘NO’! Although not straying too far from the sound the band have
called their own for the last decade, ‘Dead End Kings’ has just enough
differing elements and influences to prove the Swedes aren’t going through the
motions and churning out the same old music for those already converted. This
is another first class release in a long line of classic efforts from the
moody/melancholy/depressive rockers.
In recent years, there’s been a heightened awareness of
Rush. And with good reason – Rush are legends. The band have weather the ups
and downs of their four decade career like true gentlemen, and their music for
the most part has been nothing short of perfection. With the years getting
longer between releases, every new release from the band is an absolute gift
from the Gods. And ‘Clockwork Angels’ is another absolute masterpiece from the
band. While the Canadian trio are getting on, their passion for making music
hasn’t diminished one bit. If this is Rush’s swansong, then all I can say is
that it’s one hell of a way to go out.
Borknagar is one of those bands that seem to divide
opinions amongst fans as to which album most consider to be their most
acclaimed. But I think most fans would agree that ‘Urd’ is without a doubt one
of their strongest in years. With bassist/vocalist ICS Vortex back into the
fold after a decade away, Borknagar sound reinvigorated and more inspired than
they have done in years. Diverse, progressive, cinematic and blackened in equal
measure, ‘Urd’ is classic Borknagar at their best.
U.K. grindcore/punk/death metal pioneers Napalm Death are
one of the few acts that seem to buck the trend of slowing down and relying on
past glories to maintain their existence in the scene as the years roll on.
‘Utilitarian’ is yet another crushing and unbelievably heavy release from the band,
and showcases their determination to continually push their sound forward
rather than remain idle. With its brief forays into experimentation, relentless
passages of all-out grind, death metal template fused with a distinct punk edge
and lashes of melody amongst the entire platter of chaos, ‘Utilitarian’ is
every bit as essential to Napalm Death fans as any one of their early classic
releases.
8. Converge – All We Love We Leave Behind (Epitaph Records)
Converge are one of the few metallic hardcore outfits
that have pushed their sound with every new release. After a string of near
perfect albums (Everything the band have released since 2001’s ‘Jane Doe’ has
been amazing), I had high expectations of ‘All We Love We Leave Behind’. And
sure enough, it lives up to them. The album is raw, aggressive and live
sounding, and yet is full of depth and feel. Converge is without a doubt one of
the best acts in today’s saturated metallic hardcore genre, and their latest
album is solid proof of their continued relevance and importance.
9. Skunk Anansie – Black Traffic (100% Records)
After eight year apart, U.K. alternative punk/metal
rockers Skunk Anansie returned in 2010 with ‘Wonderlustre’. And if the truth be
told, I was bitterly disappointed with the album. So with their second
post-reunion release, I was a little concerned that the band’s best days were
behind them. But lo and behold, the band have rediscovered their hard edged
sound (And cut down on the slower/ballad direction of the past), and released
one of the surprise kiss-ass rock albums of 2012.
10. Paradise Lost – Tragic Idol (Century Media Records/E.M.I.
Music Australia)
Paradise Lost’s new album is a bit of a no-brainer for my
top ten albums for this year. After a few years spent in the wilderness (In which
time the band produced some great albums I might add), the Halifax legends
marked an almighty return to form a few years ago with ‘In Requiem’ (2007).
Since then, the band has maintained their heavier sound and consistent song
writing, right through to their latest effort. There’s no real new territory
unearthed by the band on this latest release, but if you enjoyed their last
couple of releases, you’ll understand just how enjoyable ‘Tragic Idol’ is.
Top Ten Songs For 2012
O.K., just for the record, this isn’t really a collection
of my favourite songs of 2012. Instead, this is rather a collection of acts
that didn’t make it into my top ten releases for the year (I’m someone who
listens to an album, rather than individual songs). So for this category, I’ve
decided to pick my favourite tracks from my favourite runner up albums. Anyway,
here it goes...
1. Silversun Pickups – Skin Graph (From 'Neck Of The Woods')
Silversun Pickups’ third full-length album was something
new for the band, with the album taking a bit of work from the listener to
fully appreciate. And while I was disappointed upon a first listen, the album
has won me over with repeated runs. Album opener ‘Skin Graph’ is a clear
example of the band’s rather adventurous sound, but a rocking effort nonetheless.
If you like this song, you’ll definitely enjoy the album as a whole.
2. Tremonti – So You’re Afraid (From 'All I Was')
Creed/Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti stepped out on
his own this year with ‘All I Was’, and what a great little album it was. ‘So
You’re Afraid’ is fairly indicative of what listeners can expect from the
album, with Tremonti delivering some harder edged riffs, strong and likeable
vocals and plenty of memorable melodies to sweeten up the whole package. Of
course, we’re not talking about anything remarkably ground breaking, but it
does rock.
3. Pharaoh – The Year Of The Blizzard (From 'Bury The Light')
I’m not really a huge fan of power metal, but I do enjoy
some bands that do it well. And one of my favourites is U.S. act Pharaoh. ‘Bury
The Light’ is another great effort from the band, and ‘The Year Of The
Blizzard’ is a perfect example of the band’s ability to incorporate ‘70’s
inspired progressive rock into their familiar modern power metal framework. This
is definitely one of my favourite tracks on their latest release.
4. Lostprophets – Bring ‘Em Down (From ‘Weapons’)
O.K., so ‘Weapons’ is a bit patchy in places, but a great
song is still a great song right? ‘Bring ‘Em Down’ is the huge opening track on
the Welsh alternative/hard rocker’s newest release, and it’s a killer.
Everything from the clever build up at the start, the huge shifts in tempo (The
transition from hard rock verses to stadium inspired choruses), the mix of
electronic elements and the clever use of guitar riffs is well put together,
and overall represents Lostprophets at their best.
5. Feeder – Hey Johnny (From 'Generation Freakshow')
Much like Lostprophets’ latest effort, Feeder’s new
effort is frustratingly patchy, and probably not top ten material. But like the
Lostprophets, when they get it right, Feeder can really hit the mark. ‘Hey
Johnny’ is without a doubt classic Feeder with its catchy choruses, simple
guitar solo and infectious vibe throughout. It’s taken Grant Nicholas a long
time to pay tribute to original drummer Jon Lee, but this track has been well
worth the wait.
6. Municipal Waste – New Dead Masters (From 'The Fatal Feast
(Waste In Space)')
After missing the mark with ‘Massive Aggression’,
Municipal Waste made sure that their latest effort ‘The Fatal Feast (Waste In
Space)’ hit the mark in a major way. ‘New Dead Masters’ is classic Municipal
Waste with its fast thrashing riffs, humour lyrics and distinctive vocals from
Tony Foresta. If there’s one thing this track makes clear, it’s that few do
crossover thrash as good as Municipal Waste these days.
7. Anathema – Untouchable Part 1/Untouchable Part 2 (From 'Weather
Systems')
Anathema are undoubtedly peaking right now, with
everything the band releasing sounding nothing short of amazing. ‘Weather
Systems’ isn’t quite up to the same level as their former effort (2010’s ‘We’re
Here Because We’re Here’), but it does come close. The two part opener
‘Untouchable’ is one of the album’s truly beautiful efforts, and one of my
definite favourites. Quite simply, this eleven minute epic has everything you
could have possibly asked for from Anathema.
8. Chris Cornell – Call Me A Dog (From 'Songbook')
I’ve never been overly excited by live albums, but I do
enjoy the odd unplugged effort. And while ‘Songbook’ is a good album, it’s
Cornell’s rendition of Temple Of The Dog’s ‘Call Me A Dog’ that really stands
out. Cornell’s voice may not be what it once was, but I’ll be damned if he
didn’t hit every note here on the night. This version can proudly stand
alongside the original as an absolute classic.
9. Steven Wilson - Luminol (From' Get All You Deserve')
What we have here is a new track from Steven Wilson’s
upcoming third solo effort which has made its debut on his latest live D.V.D.
‘Get All You Deserve’. ‘Luminol’ is quirky, jazz influenced at times,
progressively edged throughout and dark and melodic in equal measure
(Especially towards the tail end). I’ll be curious to see how different the
studio version is on ‘The Raven That Refused To Sing (And Other Stories)’, but
if it’s half as cool as this take, it should be something else.
10. OSI – Wind Won’t Howl (From 'Fire Make Thunder')
As this point, I don’t expect Kevin Moore to radically
change direction or sound with his music. And nor should he. He has a unique
sound, and it works well for him. Album number four for OSI wasn’t a huge
departure from the band’s familiar minimalist/progressive rock sound, but it
did reveal a few new ideas to fans. One of those few new influences and ideas
to emerge on the album came in the form of ‘Wind Won’t Howl’, which featured
some rarely used layered backing vocals from Moore alongside some highly
effective piano and guitar work. This is one of the real gems to be found on
‘Fire Make Thunder’ for sure.
Biggest Surprise Of 2012
T&N – Slave To The Empire (Rat Pak Records)
The idea of a band re-recording some of their older hits
is hardly a new one. And if history tells us anything, it’s rarely a good idea.
So when I heard that three original members of Dokken had plans to re-record
some of their best known tracks alongside some originals, I wasn’t overly
enthused. After all, I’m one of the few who actually bought a copy of Dokken’s
‘Anthems’. But T&N (Tooth And Nail) have managed to breathe some new life
into the old classics. Sure, there’s nothing here that surpasses the originals
(Although Jeff Pilson’s take on ‘Into The Fire’ is an interesting twist on the
original), but overall the album was an unexpectedly fun listen, and one that
I’m sure I’ll return to from time to time.
Best Newcomer Of 2012
Call Me No One – Last Parade (7 Bros. Records/Asylum
Records)
In the early days, I was a big fan of Sevendust. But as
the years roll on, I’m hearing less and less progress in the band’s sound – so
much so that their albums tend to all sound the same these days. So with that
mindset, I wasn’t holding out for anything remarkable on Call Me No One’s debut
effort. Man, was I wrong. The project formed by vocalist/guitarist Clint Lowery
and drummer Morgan Rose is really something quite different from their work in
Sevendust, and in all honesty, a damn sight more enjoyable than anything that
band has come up with in years. I can only hope it’s not a one off effort.
Biggest Disappointment Of 2012
Stone Temple Pilots - Alive In The Windy City (Eagle
Vision/Eagle Rock Entertainment Ltd./Shock Entertainment)
Fans have been waiting for a live D.V.D. from this band
for a long time, and now that we have one, all I can say is that it’s a bit
late coming, and a wasted opportunity at that. The concert is good, but far
from depicting a band in their prime. And the so-called extras are quite thin
on the ground. The interviews are painful to watch (Aside from being released a
year before this release), and seem tacked on. And bands and labels wonder why
people aren’t forking out their hard earned cash on music these days.
Most Anticipated Album Of 2013
Ginger Wildheart
The albums I’m most looking forward to next year are the
impending new releases from Ginger Wildheart – namely his heavy sounding double
Mutation effort (‘The Frankenstein Effect’ and ‘Error 500’) and his ‘noisy pop’
side-project Hey! Hello! alongside vocalist Victoria Liedke. Hell, if Ginger’s
next album was a spoken word effort based on readings of the phone book, I’d be
a first day buyer!
© Justin Donnelly
© Justin Donnelly
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