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~~MicShazam~~ · 12-08-2018, 01:14 AM

I bought a few new metal albums this year, but most of what I checked out, I didn't even want to get on CD. Of the ones I bothered buying, 3 are legit amazing albums.

So, according to me, these are the three best metal albums of 2018.

Album:The Insulated World
Artist:Dir En Grey
Song: Downfall

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMtVZeTLJD4
This time around, the band goes for simpler, shorter songs and the album leans very hard on fast, heavy tunes. At first I was disappointed, but this album proved that sometimes the artist knows more what you want than you do yourself. It's one of those albums where I simply have to hear the whole thing every time. It just goes down so smooth and it's so much fun. I love how ridiculously loud the bass is in the mix too. This one will rumble your mind out of alignment on a good set of speakers or headphones.
Nothing too complex, and the mix is overcompressed to hell and back, but the album has personality and the songs quickly become truly infectious with a few listens.

Album:Khram
Artist:Arkona
Song: Shtorm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WXUq9q5RZc
Kind of opposite of that Dir En Grey album. Super nicely mixed. Super long and complex songs. Takes a while to settle in, but these songs are incredibly well put together. So many shifts in dynamics, but it remains fluid the whole time. The album is quite busy, but has several strategically placed breathers so you don't burn out. I'd say this album is a bit of hard work to listen to, but it pays off dividends.

Album:Taival
Artist:Stam1na
Song: Taival

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhSsM6wAVQE
Feels like Stam1na by the numbers in most ways, but there's a very nice added element of multi layered choruses that tend towards feeling big and beautiful. There's also an interesting mid section with a 3 song cycle that takes you through some interestingly varied vibes.
This album feels like the band is putting the furthering of their musical chops on the shelf for a moment to take greater care of the aesthetic side of things. I feel like all harmonies, sound effects, vocal overdubs and the mix in general does a lot to create an immersive listen, broken up by a few short straight forward headbangers.

I'm not sure which of these three albums I like more yet. They're all very satisfying to listen to.

Good but not quite impressive metal albums I bought this year were the newest from Ihsahn, Thy Catafalque and Kobra and the Lotus.

12-08-2018, 01:14 AM	#6679 (permalink)
~~MicShazam~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Aalborg Posts: 7,636	I bought a few new metal albums this year, but most of what I checked out, I didn't even want to get on CD. Of the ones I bothered buying, 3 are legit amazing albums. So, according to me, these are the three best metal albums of 2018. Album:The Insulated World Artist:Dir En Grey Song: Downfall https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMtVZeTLJD4 This time around, the band goes for simpler, shorter songs and the album leans very hard on fast, heavy tunes. At first I was disappointed, but this album proved that sometimes the artist knows more what you want than you do yourself. It's one of those albums where I simply have to hear the whole thing every time. It just goes down so smooth and it's so much fun. I love how ridiculously loud the bass is in the mix too. This one will rumble your mind out of alignment on a good set of speakers or headphones. Nothing too complex, and the mix is overcompressed to hell and back, but the album has personality and the songs quickly become truly infectious with a few listens. Album:Khram Artist:Arkona Song: Shtorm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WXUq9q5RZc Kind of opposite of that Dir En Grey album. Super nicely mixed. Super long and complex songs. Takes a while to settle in, but these songs are incredibly well put together. So many shifts in dynamics, but it remains fluid the whole time. The album is quite busy, but has several strategically placed breathers so you don't burn out. I'd say this album is a bit of hard work to listen to, but it pays off dividends. Album:Taival Artist:Stam1na Song: Taival https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhSsM6wAVQE Feels like Stam1na by the numbers in most ways, but there's a very nice added element of multi layered choruses that tend towards feeling big and beautiful. There's also an interesting mid section with a 3 song cycle that takes you through some interestingly varied vibes. This album feels like the band is putting the furthering of their musical chops on the shelf for a moment to take greater care of the aesthetic side of things. I feel like all harmonies, sound effects, vocal overdubs and the mix in general does a lot to create an immersive listen, broken up by a few short straight forward headbangers. I'm not sure which of these three albums I like more yet. They're all very satisfying to listen to. Good but not quite impressive metal albums I bought this year were the newest from Ihsahn, Thy Catafalque and Kobra and the Lotus. Last edited by MicShazam; 12-08-2018 at 01:24 AM.