Top 20 Albums of 2009

Welcome, everyone, to my newly formed blog. As a writer, and a fellow music enthusiast, I decided to take my chances in creating a page dedicated to music, whether it's metal, post-rock, hip hop, electronica, etc etc... No profits made, strictly personal opinions, and something for anyone who loves music. Anyways, as my first blog post, it seems logical that I give you my best of 2009 list, which I just finished last week. I hope you enjoy this little write up and perhaps you'll find something to your liking:

So another year has passed means another year for music has descended upon us, waiting to be played on our music players and into our eager ears. Unfortunately, there was just so much mediocre and just plain garbage material vomited out of 2009 that the quality pieces had a good chance of being lost amidst the pile of trash. However, I’m going to make a sharp 180 on you as the reader and tell you that it was a pretty solid year for music, metal or not. Actually, it was a surprisingly good year. Personally, 2009 was the year that brought back my love for the black metal scene, as it has been a very bland, unexciting adventure for the genre, with the exception of a handful of albums (Lurker of Chalice – 2005, Negura Bunget – OM 2006, Wolves in the Throne Room – Two Hunters 2007 among them). As you read through the list, you’ll notice a good amount of black metal releases, all of which I believe to be solid to stellar albums. But don’t think it was just the black metal scene that shined in 2009. There were tons of albums I had to consider from several different genres, electronica, post-rock, hip hop and indie to name a few. Hope you enjoy this list. Took me awhile to make it…


20. Mos Def – The Ecstatic

Everyone should know Mos Def to be one of the main figures that represents the true hip hop scene, spanning incredible albums and collaborations year after year. “Black on Both Sides” still remains one of the absolute best hip hop albums of all time and one of the reasons why I love hip hop so much. As many of you know, Mos Def finally released his latest album “The Ecstatic” after three years and let me tell you…it does NOT disappoint. This album is literally all over the place but manages to tie in together like some sort of organized chaos. Mos Def’s flows are as smooth as ever, and his beats, although at time can be frantic, still seem to come naturally. I thoroughly enjoyed this release, and I hope that anyone who hasn’t listened to it will take my word.


19. Shining - VI Klagopsalmer

When Shining – “VI - Klagopsalmer” came out, I was trying to keep my expectations a little low, considering I found the previous effort “V – Halmstad” to be an incredible achievement from a band labeled “Suicidal Black Metal” where although the music was engaging in a depressing sense, a lot of it sounded way too similar from one another. That is the problem with a lot of black metal in general however, and “V – Halmstad” showed that a band such as Shining can experiment with their music while creating something memorable. So like I said, I did not have my hopes too high with the next release. Fortunately, the second I began playing the first track “Vilseledda Barnasjälars Hemvist,” I got hooked and I think that is thanks to me not hyping it up for myself. While the album is not as memorable as V, Shining has taken what they had previously created and decided to adventure further into the style, which I think was the right move. I’ve read a handful of reviews about this album from fans and critics alike and the opinions seem mixed. I found a lot of reviewers taking away points by comparing it to V and I just thought it was unfair. “VI – Klagopsalmer” is still highly entertaining and, at times, very engaging, spawning some soft, acoustic filled passages with haunting keyboards, while still being able to transition into those raw black metal sections and filthy vocals. Pretty damn good, if you ask me.


18. Funebrarum – The Sleep of Morbid Dreams

Oh man, there is nothing better than listening to a devastatingly raw death metal album when you are just not in the mood. I remember coming home from a hard day of work and deciding to play this album, as a friend of mine excitedly told me that Funebrarum finally came out with a new release. I popped in “The Sleep of Morbid Dreams” I ended up falling to sleep to it…and when I woke up, I felt refreshed and the album just repeated itself all over again. So I decided to give it my full, undivided attention and I’m glad I did. What an absolutely br00tal album! You don’t get many death metal albums like this, as most bands in the genre have tried the more modern and technical approaches. Funebrarum challenges to bring back that old-school, extremely raw death metal sound, and shit, does it sound fuckin’ good. This is like…sex to my ears! Well…bloody grotesque sex, I guess…


17. Khanate – Clean Hands Go Foul

Some of you may know that Khanate actually disbanded quite a few years back and left this album unreleased…well, until 2009 of course. It’s kind of weird putting this in a 2009 list when I know it was supposed to be released a long time ago, but I had to no matter what. Khanate still remains to be one of the filthiest, most depressingly suicidal, fucked up bands to ever be formed. Khanate continued with Clean Hands Go Foul, giving their fans more reason to feel like their lives are about to end any moment. From the long, droning sounds of despair, to the haunting echoes of Alan Dubin’s nasty vocals, Clean Hands Go Foul is actually more of the same from their previous releases, but that’s not a bad thing at all. Their poetic lyrics, from suicidal to grotesque, almost as if a serial killer had written it…this aspect will probably scare more than half their listeners and turn off newcomers, but to those such as me, who have found something they like, every Khanate album has been a gripping, albeit shocking experience.


16. The Chasm - Farseeing the Paranormal Abyss

Well, talk about sudden revivals! Like Funebrarum, The Chasm seemed to have been in a long hiatus, in which their last album “The Spell of Retribution” was released 5 long years ago. But here they are, pumping out an incredible album, adding more fuel to the raw death metal style while adding a bit of a doomy touch. While The Chasm’s doom influence has taken a backseat to what now is mainly a raw death metal album, “Farseeing the Paranormal Abyss” is an intimidating effort and a death metal fans wet dream. Using subtle ambient noises that leave a haunting feel in the background, The Chasm has become quite reminiscent to classic Morbid Angel, mainly tracks from the great “Altars of Madness” while still managing to separate themselves from other death metal bands. The Chasm has always been one of the more interesting, and entertaining death metal bands out there and it’s great to see them back on the map. A worthy album to the name CHASM.


15. Gnaw Their Tongues - All the Dread Magnificence of Perversity

Remember when I said that Khanate is one of the filthiest bands to ever be formed? Well, be prepared to get even filthier, as Gnaw Their Tongues is the epitome of what filth is. Seriously, this one man project’s music is like a giant room full of chaotic filth, somehow organized into disgustingly filthy compositions. FILTH! Alright, I overreacted there, but this is truly what Gnaw Their Tongues “All the Dread Magnificence of Perversity” sounds like. The experimental black metal/noise act does not hold back with what I can describe as the most disturbing horror soundtrack I’ve ever listened to. Oh, and disgustingly filthy, if I haven’t said that yet…every song is filled with chaotic noise and distant horror like strings, accompanied with screams of terror and despair. The churning of bells makes the experience even scarier and the black metal screams add more to this terrifying experience. I’d say if the video game Silent Hill can become as disturbing as it already is, than this would be the perfect soundtrack. Otherwise, Silent Hill is child’s play compared to this. Plus, the cover is absolutely frightening.


14. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion

Alright, so enough of all that disgustingly grotesque, and extremely raw material. Some of you are probably getting exhausted because of it. Or if you’ve listened to Khanate or Gnaw Their Tongues, you’ve probably already committed suicide. All jokes aside, it’s time to jump into the opposite side of the music spectrum and introduce to you Animal Collective, an incredibly talented electronic/indie rock band. Combining some very organic electronic music with well written indie rock music, “Merriweather Post pavilion” is another album that has won me over into the indie genre. I still believe that most of the genre is pure garbage, but when a band like this comes out, you just can’t turn away. Listening to “Merriweather Post Pavilion” gave me the same feeling as when I first listened to Belle & Sebastian. There are points when the electronic elements are subtle and points where it just overtakes everything in the tracks, while still leaving room for the vocals and other instruments. While the combination of electronica and indie isn’t relatively new, Animal Collective manages to release an album that sounds fresh and beautiful to the ears.


13. Eagle Twin – The Unkindness of Crows

I saw Eagle Twin live last year when a friend and I drove to the Brookdale Lodge in Santa Cruz, eager to experience Sunn O))) for the very first time. Eagle Twin played first, a two man band, a drummer and a guitarist, who absolutely wrecked the stage. The second they ended their set, I ran to the merchandise section and immediately bought their album “The Unkindness of Crows,” a very meaty musical experience full of devastating sludge riffs accompanied with drone elements. This sludge album is absolutely devastating. If a band such as Sunn O))) made love with Neurosis, Eagle Twin would be their disgustingly beautiful love-child. The tracks can be excessive long at times, but the epically devastating sound of this album easily keeps you engaged. While the drone elements may turn some listeners off, as I know very well that drone, or sludge for that matter, is not for everyone, I urge you to check this album out. The song “10,000 Birds of Black Hot Fire” is absolutely incredible.


12. Sunn O))) – Monolith & Dimensions

Speaking of the great drone band Sunn O))), I knew their latest album would unmistakably make it into this list. “Monolith & Dimensions” is easily Sunn O)))’s best album to date, as Stephen O’Malley and co has constructed something special, while experimenting with some new elements. We’re talking haunting choirs in the background of this drone-filled nightmare, the distant sounds of violins, English horns, and percussions, and that haunting atmosphere that Sunn O))) is so good at doing. This is a dreadfully delightful album, and by far the greatest drone album I’ve ever listened to. I still remember that fateful night I mentioned where my friend and I saw Sunn O))). That live show was the most intense experience I’ve ever witness. The whole place was shaking like an earthquake and I literally threw up on the way home. The sound of drone was repeating in my ears into my mind for about a week…GOOD TIMES!


11. Nile - Those Whom the Gods Detest

There is one thing I must say about “Those Whom the Gods Detest”, Nile’s latest death metal opus. It fuckin’ SLAYS! I just noticed now that death metal actually has a pretty large role on this list, and Nile is the perfect band to top them off. Continuing with their Egyptian-esque style of death metal, Nile has once again proven that they are one of the best of the best in what they do, composing some truly monstrous riffs, while being able to transition into those interesting Egyptian passages. There’s really not much else to say about how great this album is. Everything about it obliterates anything their previous album ever attempted, and I think it is on par with their earlier epics such as Amongst the Catacombs and Annihilation of the Wicked. By the way, the title track to this album is destroying me at this very moment. Don’t be surprised if I have a black eye, a lost tooth, and praying to Anubis.


10. Secret Chiefs 3: Traditionalists: Le Mani Destre Recise Degli Ultimi Uomini

Secret Chiefs 3 is a relatively unknown band at this point, and some of you may know that I’ve been trying to sort of “promote” them since their album “Xaphan.” So here’s my next attempt in getting you music lovers to give them a try. “Traditionalists: Le Mani Destre Recise Degli Ultimi Uomini” is a very interesting album, far more different than “Xaphan” and “Book of Horizons.” Instead of those eclectic passages filled with unique instrumentation, you have what I would call a perfect soundtrack to a B-Horror film. Full of beautiful keyboard passage followed by suspenseful tracks, enough to have someone jump out of their seat if this was partnered to the perfect 70’s horror flick, I urge you to check this out. And check out their previous albums as well. They are worth every minute of your time.


9. Gorgoroth - Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt

To many black metal fans, Gorgoroth’s latest would certainly be a main subject of discussion, as the court case regarding Gaahl and Infernus had finally ended, giving Infernus the rights to the name Gorgoroth. So with the separation of the two, Infernus invited former Gorgoroth vocalist Pest back into the fold, and thus began a new, yet old era for the band. And might I add, “Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt” is incredible. No offense to Gaahl, who I believe to be a great black metal vocalist and gave Gorgoroth some really good years, but Pest certainly fits the bill of what Gorgoroth truly sounds like. Exit the overproduced, highly layered black metal pieces that Gaahl helped in creating, and re-enter the raw pure black metal that the band was once known for. While it’s not as good as “Under the Sign of Hell” in my opinion, you can definitely place the album as one of their very best. However, while their music fits their older style more, you won’t have those hyper-fast guitar riffs and battering drums anymore. In their latest effort, a more mid-paced black metal is played and even though I would have loved to hear another album in the vein of “Under the Sign of Hell,” this is totally fine with me. Long time Gorgoroth fans should be pleased.


8. Converge – Axe to Fall

There isn’t more I can say about Converge, except that they are one of the most memorable bands to enter the music scene, with their frantic hardcore approach to what is ultimately incredible metal music. You don’t agree with me that they’re a part of the metal genre? Pfft, Like I fuckin’ care. Go write to metal-archives, who don’t even have them listed in there. Pure bullshit, I tell you. Anyways, as you all know, I love their album “Jane Doe”, and while I do like their other efforts as well, they don’t even come close. Enter “Axe to Fall,” Converge’s latest offering. I must say, while I still think “Jane Doe” is their greatest album, “Axe to Fall” does a great job in keeping up. I can say that it is definitely on par with Jane Doe without hesitating or slurring my words. The frantic guitars are back and work well with the soaring guitar solos. I was incredibly impressed from start to finish and I am absolutely positive that you will be as well.


7. Isis – Wavering Radiant

Isis are a tough band to categorize. Some say they’re a sort of atmospheric sludge? Sludge metal? Post-metal? Hell, sometimes it’s hard to consider them as a metal band. But there’s one thing most of us can agree on…that they do what they do REALLY well. Their latest album “Wavering Radiant” is an excellent release continuing their trend in combining post-rock elements to their metal counterpart, playing in a somewhat organic scope. For a lot of people, this band, like many other “post-metal” bands, can be quite exhausting, as they challenge the listener to dive deeper into the music and enter a sort of isolated space. The duration of their tracks aren’t necessarily forgiving either, spanning from 8-`10 minute epics that push for full focus and concentration on each and every track. But don’t let that discourage any of you, as this is pure nirvana in musical form: A beautifully well done masterpiece and definitely worthy of any spot on a top 10 list.


6. Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Part II

I just found out a few days ago that Raekwon finally released “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Part II” and all I ask…why didn’t ANYONE tell me??? Well, the past is the past, and I managed to find out myself and finally listen to it. I have been playing this album in particular nonstop the past two days and it is literally kicking my ass! Raekwon has always been one of the best Wu Tang members and his solo releases prove that. Part II has that stylish blend of intricate flows and techniques combined with some of that kick-ass martial arts sampling. Raekwon never ceases to impress. Songs like “House of Flying Daggers,” “Black Mozart,” and “Mean Streets” are few of the great songs on this album. Let’s also not forget about the collaborations on this album with fellow Wu Tang members such as Inspectah Deck, Rza, Method Man, and Ghost Face. This album is raw.


5. Fuck Buttons – Tarot Sport

I just recently got into this ingenious electronica band and I am sooo glad that I stumbled across them one day, surfing the internet out of sheer boredom. I was on some music forum that posted a link to this bands review on the infamous pitchfork website, and while those snobby journalists tend to put quality material down more than they should, I found their review of “Tarot Sport” intriguing so I immediately gave it a shot. Talk about the perfect build-up and climax to a song. And this is not just one song, but every single song on this album. Fuck Buttons has created an incredibly ambitious masterpiece with soaring electronic crescendos full of beautifully created soundscapes. I haven’t necessarily delved into the electronica genre, but if there are bands that can fuel tons of emotion from me like Fuck Buttons has done with this release, than I’m certainly game. First off, the intro track to this, “Surf Solar” is as perfect an intro as Glosoli was to Sigur Ros’ “Takk…” And speaking of the post-rock genre, I’m sure Fuck Buttons can handle the best of them in terms of greatest build-ups. Absolutely amazing.


4. Oranssi Pazuzu - Muukalinen Puhuu

Hmm, how should I describe this clever piece of black metal? Some have said Enslaved meets Pink Floyd. And you know what? I think I’ll have to agree with that. Oranssi Pazuzu and their debut album “Muukalinen Puhuu” has won my heart over, introducing a strange, creative style of psychedelic black metal that I have never heard before. This is great for a long time black metal fan like me because a genre such as black metal doesn’t necessarily have as much creativity as one would hope. And while Oranssi Pazuzu has certainly been inspired by fellow black metallers Enslaved, their music is absolutely refreshing, as they use their spacey, atmospheric nature to lead their raw guitar and drum-work, while still striking a balance between the two. I’m loving the organic tones they incorporate with the keyboards and I surely think It’s a great touch to what I already think is some really good black metal. Everyone should go check this band out if you haven’t, and I’m sure many haven’t since they’re relatively unknown. Some awesomely haunting stuff.


3. Mono – Hymn to the Immortal Wind

Well, here they are: The post-rock kings of climax. Owners of some of the greatest build-ups to music PERIOD. Mono’s music has always been about pure emotion, and grabbing the listener from reality and placing them into a world of imagination. That is what Mono does truly well. There are no lyrics to these exceedingly long tracks, yet each track tells a sad, yet beautiful story. “Hymn to the Immortal Wind” is no exception to this trend, throwing the listener into what I can only believe to be an eternal winter wonderland…a wonderland filled with violent snowstorms and the determination to survive. Well, that’s only what comes into my mind and you may quite possibly see something else. The difference of this album in comparison to their earlier works like “You Are There” is the change in instrumentation. Sure, the guitars and drums are still there, but Mono has become dependent on more bombastic elements, using a chamber orchestra with a string ensemble to compliment the emotional barrage of their music. While older tracks have depended on quiet intros building up into powerful climaxes, Hymn to the Immortal Wind has much more sure handed melodies and are somewhat more predictable this time around. This is not at all a bad thing, and their efforts have not been in vain, as they have succeeded in creating some of the most beautifully engaging music of 2009.


2. Mastodon – Crack the Skye

As time passes after this album’s release, it seems that the metal world becomes more and more divided with Mastodon. Half of the fans have embraced Mastodon’s latest, “Crack the Skye” complimenting their thirst for experimentation and their risks in delving deeper into the world of progressive rock music. Others have almost shunned it, saying that Mastodon has lost their edge, or that they have become complacent. Obviously, I’ve embraced Mastodon’s new approach wholeheartedly and find myself listening to this album a lot more lately. I just do not see any of the negative feedback in what I, otherwise think is a stellar reinvention of themselves. Yes, perhaps it’s not as heavy as Leviathan was but a band that chooses to experiment with different elements isn’t a doomed band. I hear a lot of snobby remarks about how they’re trying too hard to fit in more prog elements etc etc, and then I hear the dumbass remarks from metalheads saying that their music sucks because it’s not heavy, and of course, I’m sure them becoming a little more famous has something to do with it. Anyways, there is a lot to like with “Crack the Skye” and I mean A LOT, hence why it has peaked at number two. Songs such as “Divinations” show that although Mastodon aren’t the Leviathan they once were, they can still rock out. My favorite tracks, however, are the epic “Czar,” an 11 minute monster that has some of the best melodies on it. The title track is a monster as well, featuring a more than welcome guest, Scott Kelly from Neurosis, and it’s pretty fuckin’ heavy for the ones who said Mastodon lost it. So yes, this album, in my opinion, is an essential listen, and besides the division of fans, an album that will probably be talked about in the years to come.



And finally…











The number one spot goes to...











*drum roll*












1. The Ruins of Beverast - Foulest Semen of Sheltered Elite

This was quite a surprise indeed. I mean, the second album by The Ruins of Beverast “Rain Upon the Impure” was pretty great, although suffered from some of the worst production, but who would have known the they would come back with an album such as “Foulest Semen of Sheltered Elite”? Improved quality, production, and some incredibly epic tracks. This is some of the greatest black metal I’ve ever listened to my whole life. If I can recall correctly, the last black metal album to take the number one spot on my list was Negura Bunget’s “OM” in 2006 and that just felt like a long time ago (I graduated from high school that year!). But seriously, The Ruins of Beverast are able to combine their haunting black metal with a lot of doom influence, creating some pretty terrifying moments. The powerful chanting are another disturbingly great touch, as it slowly mesmerizes you from start to finish. There isn’t enough I can say about this album, except that it is an incredible release and well worth the number one spot on my list. If you’re in the mood for some ritualistic despair, I recommend this a thousand times over. Well done.



Well there you have it everyone. I’m pretty exhausted at this point so, once again, like every list, I apologize for any grammar errors that I did not catch. Anyways, here are the honorable mentions. Great albums that should also be considered for a top spot:

Honorable Mentions:
Pissed Jeans - King of Jeans
Ulverate - Everything is Fire
Weekend Nachos - Unforgivable
Klabautamann - Merkur
Church of Misery - House of the Unholy
The Lord Weird Slough Feg - Ape Uprising
Obscura - Cosmogenesis
Yob - The Great Cessation
Katharsis - Fourth Reich
Drudkh – Microcosmos



Biggest disappointments:
Wolves in the Throne Room – The Black Cascade
Immortal – All Shall Fall


Albums I've recently listened to, thought it was great, but haven't had enough time to review:
The Field - Yesterday and Today