#2 - Top of 2020

 Avatar - Hunter Gatherer (Century Media)

On the second place of the best albums of 2020, a very interesting band that never settle and always experiment with their sound leading to intriguing albums (including entries in the 2016 and 2018 Tops). Blasting its way into the top, the album starts with the brutal "Silence in the Age of Apes", an excellent specimen of  Swedish Death Metal with the obligatory melodic guitar riffs and impressive brutal vocals. This is rapidly followed by the equally great and different "Colossus" which has one of the catchiest heavy bass riffs of the year mixing an industrial vibe with clear theatrical vocals showing Johannes Eckerstrom's amazing vocal range. In the "A Secret Door" the balance is shifted towards the more melodic side with no loss on the heavy side that comes together with a memorable whistling sound that introduces and wraps up the song. Other highlights include the  melodic "Child" (with a great guitar solo ending), the groovy "Justice" (which will stick to your mind forever) and the sorrowful acoustic "Gun" with its bleak lyrical themes. After the angry "When All but Force Has Failed", we get the impressive "Wormhole" wrapping up the album with some seriously heavy riffs plummeting into an abysmal wormhole.

Hunter Gatherer is made for Avatar fans, including those who might have felt let down with the previous album, that leaned more on the melodic side. A well structured album with twists and turns that keeps interest high and is packed with tribal riffs, brutal vocals and that touch of threatrics that make Avatar's sound unique.

97.4/100

 

Below are the music videos for "Silence in the Age of Apes", "Colossus" and "A Secret Door"

#13 - Top of 2020

Mekong Delta -  Tales of a Future Past (Butler Records)

The dark Lovecraftian magic of Mekong Delta returns to our bewitchment for a 12th time, in perhaps their most prog-metal infused record yet. Drawing on the style they have created with their latest few albums, Mekong Delta once again produce a great album. The speed is lower this time round, using the patterns they have established throughout their work, creating asymmetrical dark music pieces, with the basslines of their leader Ralph Hubert, featured prominently in the mix. Martin LeMar is by far the most controlled singer to ever have graced the band combining an excellent tone and attitude with a loud and clear voice  "Mental Entropy",  "A Colony of Liar Men", "Mindeater" and "When All Hope is Gone" have certainly a place among to the best compositions by Mekong Delta. The latter, reaching almost  the ten minutes mark will impress the listener with changes in style and a very rich orchestration.  Tales of A Future Past is  a "must" album for all the band's friends and at the same time an excellent and relatively accessible occasion to introduce someone to the mysterious music world of Mr. Hubert and his companions.

94.7/100

Below is the audio track for "A Colony of Liar Men"

#19 - Top of 2019

Borknagar - True North (Century Media Records)

Despite the title, cover and premise, misleading the hapless listener for a probable regression to black metal paths,  for  Borknagar,  north and has been transformed here into a more philosophical place with appearances deceptive of its true nature. The meaning of the above phrase is not immediately apparent as "The Fire Burns" is more along the lines of a "typical" song of  the band with progressive and Viking black metal alternations, heralding the return of ICS Vortex to the band. However all that changes as soon as track #2 ("Up North") starts. I think that what one can hear in this track is how the future of the band looks like: Guitars that have a reason to exist,  riffs that sound aggressive without being too extreme, a belief that old-school aesthetics can be aggressive but also thought provoking and deep. Of course, Vortex's vocals are in the spotlight, a driving force throughout the disc, almost  reminiscent, through the scattered rhythmic alternations, of Arcturus. Borknagar, once more, manage to release another album with a multitude of great songs. The concept of the album is quite  cohesive, culminating in the nine-minute nautical epic "Tidal", which acts as a mirror and a finale at the same time. "True North" is an endoscopic, almost solemn in its way, album - a result of true artistic collaboration among its creators.

94.35/100

Below are the music videos for "Up North" and "Voices".

#8 - Top of 2018

Church of the Cosmic Skull - Science Fiction (Independent)

 Church of the Cosmic Skull are one of those rare gems you hope to find while searching for new music and sticks with you from the first moment you give them a listen. This is perfectly complemented with weirdly "cultish" music videos that encapsulate the feeling that the band is trying to convey,  enticing the listener to enter the Inner Sanctum and join the Cosmic Family. Right off the bat, you become immersed in that retro 70s feeling with "Science Fiction", with an awesomely feel-good vibe serving as an introduction to the members of the Church. A bluesy tone is added in "Go By The River" along with some peaceful vocals and classic 70s guitar riffs reminiscent of Deep Purple, which are also prominent in "The Cards That You're Playing" with its gospel choir vocals & melodies. "Revolution Comes With An Act Of Love" is a ballad with the added spice of a Hammond organ, as melodic guitar riffs join a great choral symphony which invites the hapless listener , "all we've got to do is sing along". The catchiest song of the album has got to be "Cold Sweat" (accompanied by a uniquely strange music video), managing to combine even more groovy tunes with musical vibes emanating from the chorus. "The Others" is a tribute to that special Pink Floyd feeling, taking you on a trip to receive the Cosmic Transmission. "Timehole (Gonna Build A Rocket Tonight)" returns to the 70s hard rock sound, with a surprisingly heavier mid-song switch, while "Paper Aeroplane & Silver Moon" is a psychedelic rock song mixed with some the best guitar riffing on the album. "Science Fiction" wraps up with "The Devil Again" that features some excellent church organ and low-key soothing vocals in complete contrast with the lyrical theme of the song, thus ending this spectacular journey through the 70s and re-emerging in the present relaxed and ready to join the family of the Church.


96.25/100

Below is official music video for "Cold Sweat".

#40 - Top of 2018

Avatar - Avatar Country (Century Media)

After their excellent previous effort (Feathers and Flesh), Avatar released their 7th album on January 2018, going again for a unifying album concept! The story here revolves around the King of Avatar Country and his rule over its dominion. The album kicks off with acoustic interlude "Glory to the King" and breaks into the melodic death metal "Legend of the King", which is about the most straightforward track you are gonna find in the album. "The King Welcomes You To The Avatar Country” leans towards Country rock avenues with clear influences from AC/DC, while "King's Harvest" sounds like a bastard son from the backlog of The Haunted that got remastered from Devin Townsend while hanging out with members of Faith No More. "The King Wants You" is more within the melodic range of a "typical" Avatar song, but remains a very groovy and upbeat piece of music. "The King Speaks" is a REALLY weird and random interlude that acts as a break before the second part of the album.  The next two tracks "A Statue of the King" and "King after King" are probably the best bit of the album combining elements that have made Avatar such household names in the last years, mixing melodic passages with sheer guitar brutality and the theatrical flair that has truly elevated Avatar above the rubble of the current music scene. The album closes with two awesome instrumental passages and clocks at under 45 minutes. This is probably the only fault of the album, it sounds truly awesome, but feels as just the first part of something bigger. Nevertheless it is a must listen for fans of the band and a worthy follow-up to Feathers and Flesh.

92.1


Below are the music videos for "The King Welcomes You To The Avatar Country” , "The King Wants You" and "Statue of the King".

#12 - Top of 2017

Diablo Swing Orchestra - Pacifisticufs (Spinefarm Records)

Diablo Swing Orchestra (DSO) are back after a long break following the release of "Pandora's Pinata" with a new album which once again challenges the boundaries of genres and ventures boldly to new styles of music featuring genres from bluegrass to disco.  There are only a few bands with as unique a sound as DSO and despite rumours of disbandment after the break-up with ex-singer Ann-Louise Loegdlund, the band returned with a worthy follow-up to its equally excellent predecessor.  There are, as always symphonic prog, swing and metal elements to the record but they are enhance by new musical ventures as well. In particular one might hear elements of Balkan folk, tango, country, disco and string compositions all mixed in a frantic melodic ensemble. Some of the most intriguing tracks include "The age of vulture culture" which combines Balkan music with waltz elements, "Jigsaw Hustle" which is a clear tribute to cheesy disco bands and "Knuckleheads", which features a crossover of a musical with bluegrass music.  Of course there are tracks that are throwbacks to previous eras of the band ("Karma Bonfire", "Interruption") but these not only don't distract from the newest elements, but blend perfectly within the complete musical package that is Pacifisticufs.

94.8/100

Below is the bass play-through for "The Age of Vulture Culture"

#41 - Top of 2017

Vulture Industries - Stranger Times (Season of Mist)

The top albums of 2017 open with yet another excellent album from the Norwegian avant-garde scene. Here, in their 4th album, Vulture Industries evolve from their previous endeavour (2013's The Tower), which while also superb, bore many similarities to Arcturus. Here, the band makes their sound even more distinct from the rest of the scene, borrowing influences from other great bands of the genre (like D.S.O. and Ghost) and producing an end result that establishes the band as one of the most important of the avant-garde scene this decade.
This time the Vultures experiment, moving away from the style of the previous albums and reducing their speed,  focusing on the theatricality of the tracks. In Stranger Times, the Norwegians create nine compositions with quite a variety,  passing through doom trails, escaping from the "typical" avant-garde metal framework. Good examples of this direction of the album include "As The World Burns", "Strangers" and "Something Vile".  The former ("As The World Burns") is a rock opera where Bjørnar's vocals dominate throughout, leaving  you with a heavy metal aftertaste. "Strangers"incorporates a trumpet track, which provides a perfect showcase of the band's evolution.
 Finally, "Something Vile" with its doomy riff and surrealist video brings to mind the late Woods Of Ypres and creates a dark an uneasy atmosphere. Recommended release for all fans of the scene.


90/100

Below are the music videos for "Strangers" and "Something Vile".

#21 - Top of 2016

Avatar - Feathers and Flesh (eOne)

The top albums of 2016 continue with the latest release from Avatar, a very unique avant-garde project from Sweden. Avatar have slowly but steadily been building a very devoted fan-base and
creating their personal sound by combining Swedish Death Metal motifs with a "circus" framework, along with very catchy and quirky songs. This is their 6th full-length release and the band continues refining their sound, even more than their previous very successful release (2014's "Hail the Apocalypse"). "Feathers and flesh" kicks off with a short interlude ("Regret") which transforms into "House of Eternal Hunt", a true epic hymn, with lyrics exploring the experience of hunting. The next song "The Eagle has landed" is a much more pompous song, almost sung from within a circus tent, complete with a catchy chorus and over-the-top lyrics.  The album is unrelenting in mood shifts, as "New Land" demonstrates clear 70's prog rock elements with a solemn atmosphere, while its successor "Tooth, Beak and Claw" combines groovy lines with a deep aggression, and an over-the-top chorus. "For the Swarm" is a frantic piece of circus madness, followed by dark and claustrophobic "Fiddler's Farewell". “One More Hill” is a chaotic piece of progressive extreme music, "Black Water" is a downbeat southern tune, while “Night Never Ending” is very upbeat with the vocalist leading the joyous parade. "Pray the Sun Away" is another piece of chaos, at time reminiscent of Messugah and others of soft esoteric prog rock. “When the Snow Lies Red” swings between true epic moments and sick beats that are close to the spirit of early Slipknot. The album closes out with “Raven Wine” and “Sky Burial”. The former fluctuates between sudden attacks and jazz interludes, while the latter is more solemn and quiet as the album comes to a whispering end, in stark contrast to some of its louder moments.

A very interesting and multifaceted release, that needs multiple hearings in order to be fully appreciated, but can still be a fun listen at face value.


93/100 

Below are the music videos for the tracks "For the Swarm", "The Eagle has landed" and "Night Never Ending".

#8 - Top of 2012

Diablo Swing Orchestra - Pandora's Piñata (Candlelight Records)

In number 8, we have one of the more unusual bands in this list that are certainly... very interesting although their accessibility to the average listener is debatable to say the least. DSO are an avant-garde band from Norway and they sure are pushing the boundaries of their music.The present is their third and last (to date) album with a new release upcoming(?). The album starts with "Voodoo Mon Amour", a jazzy/swing song with operatic vocals and a frantic rhythm. The album continues with "Guerilla Laments" with a lot of brass and rhythms that take you on a trip to Cuba or the carnival of Rio, and a highly dancing vibe to boot. "Kevlar Sweethearts" that follows, starts heavily with a string arrangement and drumming, before evolving into a lamenting latin melody with ethereal vocals and a folk-tale like feeling, before a mid-piece heavy metal/brass breakdown. "Black-box messiah" in sharp contrast has a very modern and avant-garde feeling, without engaging intertwining of male, female and "alien" vocals and an operatic feel. "Exit Strategy of a Wrecking Ball" is the next track, continues with the more modern and industrial feel blending it with an almost epic theatrical feeling in vocals and orchestral breaks. "Aurora", is an eerie song that is very close in feel to Chaostar and is highly operatic, feeling like a genuine opera piece. "Mass Rapture" has an oriental melody excellently blended with modern metal riffs and is at time reminiscent of the more quiet moments of Orphaned Land. "Honey Trap Aftermath" is a return to a jazzy/swingy song form with the brass section being again very prominent and n excellent tapping rhythm. "Of Kali ma Calibre" is the penultimate song of the disc and is another operatic piece with music and choral parts  resembling military anthems mixed with hints of industrial metal. The final song of the album,  "Justice for Saint Mary" is the pinnacling of the album with an epic haunting melody closing "Pandora's Pinata" with a whisper that sounds like a scream. This album is an experience!


96/100

Below are music videos for "Voodoo Mon Amour" and "Back Box Messiah"

#13 - Top of 2013

Vulture Industries - The Tower (Seasons of Mist)

On the lucky number 13 of the list, we encounter the incredible avant-garde progressive metallers from Norway, Vulture Industries. This is their third album, titled elegantly "The Tower", and is an exemplification of the best elements of the avant-garde Norwegian scene and all its elements as well as a vastly superior record, compared with the last two releases of the genre supergroup, Arcturus. Whereas there seemed to be a lack of inspiration in bands of the genre recently, Vulture Industries have that in spades! What's more, going beyond the fanfare and the lyric hyperbole that all albums of the genre are required to have, they actually have really good songs and excellent rhythms, sounding genuinely outlandish, without having to resort to cheap sound effect tricks. Standout tracks of the album include "The Dead Won't Mind", "Divine Appalling", "Lost among Liars" and "Sleepwalkers", but the album has an overall (in)consistent pessimistic and weird tone that keeps you on your tones making you feel like exploring one of the dark, weird and wonderful worlds in one of the Tim Burton movies. Essential album for all the fans of Avant-Garde Metal and an interesting album for proggers who would like to venture into the dark realms of that genre, due to its accessibility.



93/100

Below are two music videos from the album, Blood on the Trail & Lost Among Liars