Hard choices this year for top 10. It’s my first time doing this also. Not all of them are metal, which is different... [Shane also runs his own metal label: MSH Music Group!]
10. ABBATH - DREAD REAVER
Let’s start off with Abbath’s attempts at being solo. For me, it’s basically Immortal with a twist. Instrumentally a lot more in your face than Immortal and it’s just a rage from start to finish as you’d expect. However, it’s hard for me to not be impressed.
9. MOTIONLESS IN WHITE - SCORING THE END OF THE WORLD
MIW are usually a band I keep an eye out for with new releases. This album seems more of a concept album whilst they keep the heavy numbers, they also seem to sway towards a more pop vibe in their track Werewolf and it’s welcomed.
I would recommend the album for those who are starting their metal/gothic journey if I had to.
8.
OZZY OSBOURNE - PATIENT NO. 9
WE HAVE THIS!
Oh Ozzy! There were a few tracks I had on repeat throughout the year from this album, including the title track. I really enjoyed it. The fact that Jeff Beck came in again and helped shaped the sound for a well-aged Ozzy seems to bode very well.
7. GHOST - IMPERA
WE HAVE THIS!
My love for Ghost isn’t ending anytime soon. This isn’t like their previous albums and I did enjoy itslightly less. However, there are tracks on this album that really make up for that for me. The Darkness at the Heart of My Love is a track that was so unexpected when I first heard it.
Beautifully dark and the musicianship (as always) really boasts the skills this band has. As a whole, the album is enjoyable throughout, just different.
6. WEDNESDAY 13 - HORRIFIER
A Wednesday 13 album release is ritual for me. I’ve followed him for over 10 years! I was really looking forward to hearing this album this year, it’s the bump I needed. It feels like an extension of the last album he did, which seems nothing new.
However he does go back to his original sound with the track Good Day to be a Bad Guy. If you love your Horror theme turned up to 11 and tongue in cheek lyrics you’d love this. I’d recommend The Other Side as the track of the album, as it’s a warm-hearted send off for Joey Jordison and isn’t your atypical depressing RIP song.
5. JOJI - SMITHEREENS
I’ve been listening to Joji for the last 2 years and at first I thought it would be a one off type of thing, as he came from YouTube stardom. However, his music completely melts me at times. This album is nothing short of great.
One for those who wear their hearts on their shoulders and simultaneously and simply enjoy “good vibes”.
4. BLOODBATH - "SURVIVAL OF THE SICKEST"
The first band that took my soul and stamped death metal on it. Pure adrenaline from start to finish. I’d recommend not drinking energy drinks to it!
Number four on the list simply because it’s Bloodbath and I’ve been waiting for something new for a long time. Essential death metal.
3. GAEREA - MIRAGE
I can’t recommend this album enough. Vocally it fits so well to the madness of instrumentation behind. Not your average black metal album, neither is it structured that way.
It has a lot of schizophrenic undertones in their sound that really make you believe they are committed to giving you an experience rather than simply creating an album. For lovers of black metal that can accept hybrids.
2. SHAPE OF DESPAIR - RETURN TO THE VOID
Nothing says happy like Funeral Doom! I’m in love with Shape of Despair. It’s pure emotion!
I personally think it’s something to be embraced if you feel comfortable with this genre. The clean vocals create such an atmosphere – it’s like a bird being let out of a cage into a grey world. Delightfully melancholic. Emphasis on the Doom.
Now being in Wales, there is nothing I’d enjoy more than blasting this album and being in my own thoughts near some ruined castle or nature. Spot on!
1. ORVILLE PECK - BRONCO
Genre: Country
Songs: C'mon Baby, Cry, Curse of the Blackened Eye, Daytona Sand.
WE HAVE THIS!
Nobody or nothing will change my mind, this album is a masterpiece. Since being recommended it at Tangled Parrot – I’ve had it on repeat since. It’s hard not to sing along with, really hard.
I love everything about this album and what Orville Peck is doing as a performer. I would ask people not to shy away from this album on the basis that it’s country. It’s a whole journey of an album and I’m grateful that It was brought to my attention. I’m not crying, you are! - 11/10
