Enslaved -
RIITIIR (2012)
I don't know how Enslaved have done it, but they've managed to knock out another masterpiece, which for those keeping track is 8 since 2000. I can't think of another band who is so consistent while still managing to sound new each album. This album is pretty far removed from
Axioma Ethica Odini (2010), while still sounding like it's building up off what they did before. Is this kvlt black metal? Heavens no, there's lots of clean passages, loads of melody, and a really effort to sound like the progressive rock bands of the '70's that inspired them. Lots of death growls on this too, less of the high pitched shrieks commonly associated with black metal. This sounds more like Mikael Åkerfeldt in the mid '90's/ early '00's. If you've enjoyed previous Enslaved releases than you were already going to get this anyways, but if you're sorely lacking on metal albums for 2012, I highly recommend this album, and hope it opens your ears and makes you curious to look up their previous albums.