THESE SEANS' BEST OF 2009

10~

Iron Age
The Sleeping Eye [Amazon]
(Tee Pee Records)


Thrash and hardcore paced evenly, Iron Age never try to outplay themselves. Great songs, tons of power and bluesy leads combine for a record that is an easy, enjoyable listen but has enough depth for serious staying power.

Crucial Cut: "A Younger Earth" [MP3]


9~

Suffocation
Blood Oath [Amazon]
(Nuclear Blast)


Blood Oath is unrelenting, but a lot of death metal is. What really sets this album apart is that it is uncompromising. Mike Smith's drumming displays his signature style but involves new creative choices that apply an (almost) minimalist approach to some of these songs. There is nothing better than a band who has operated in the extremes for twenty years and still continues to expand their sound. Within this record there is plenty of the technical death metal that makes Suffocation great as well (especially some intricate (and hey, memorable too!) guitar riffs).

Crucial Cut: "Cataclysmic Purification" [Video]


8~

Converge
Axe To Fall [Amazon]
(Deathwish Inc.)


I am the biggest Converge fan-boy I know. But alas, I (and apparently I alone) was disappointed with Axe To Fall. To me this record feels like Converge doing everything that they've done before, all at once, better than they've done it before. Which is great, but one thing I've always loved about this band is that I've felt each album was a creative growth. I don't feel that way here. All that said, Axe To Fall still rules, and was one was best records of this year. Just wasn't what I wanted. (That's my problem, I know).

Crucial Cut: "Dark Horse" [MP3]


7~

Brutal Truth
Evolution Through Revolution [Amazon]
(Relapse)


Brutal Truth gave me my most physically and mentally punishing live set this year (playing for roughly 90 minutes after Pig Destroyer and Repulsion). Evolution Through Revolution on the other hand comes close to being too much, but knows just when to end. Despite Erik Burke's questionable guitar tone (what is with Lilker projects and weird tone? Crucifist?) Evolution Through Revolution sees Brutal Truth attack grindcore with renewed clarity. Instead of the "if we did it, it was grind" mentallity of albums like Animal Kingdom, Evolution gets experimental and weird, but does so within the normal chaos of grind. Surprisingly satisfying.

Crucial Cut: "Sugar Daddy" [MP3]


6~

Archgoat
The Light-Devouring Darkness [Amazon]
(Blasphemous Underground)


At times simple and slow, often bone chillingly scary. Deep bending riffs hang over the fastest moments. By far the most "evil" album on my list, with black metal sounds of yore. Archgoat's music is more sludge and punk than any modern black metal sounds.

Crucial Cut: "Goat and the Moon"


5~

Amesoeurs
Amesoeurs [Amazon]
(Profound Lore)


Black metal, meet pop rock. Simple as that? Well, no, but the result is just so damned enjoyable! Vocalist/bassist Audrey Sylvain's voice drifts over the blackened compositions with ease, while Neige (Alcest) keeps everything dark without sounding like a band genre jumping to "save face."

Crucial Cut: "Heurt" [MP3]



4~

Isis
Wavering Radiant [Amazon]
(Ipecac)


Isis missed the mark with their last record, In The Absence Of Truth, but on Wavering Radiant all their goals and ideas are realized and fulfilled. Melodies are incorporated in a way that adds to the songs instead of distracting. Drummer Arron Harris finds the happy medium between his stoic minimalist playing and his ever growing ability behind the kit. While Aaron Turner might be singing about his dreams, there is not a moment on Wavering Radiant that will put you to sleep.

Crucial Cut: "20 Minutes/40 Years"


3~

Magrudergrind
Magrudergrind [Amazon]
(Six Weeks Records)


One of the best grind records I've ever heard. Hands down. A great example of something done right. The recording is perfect. The lone guitar sounds massive, with dueling layers of thickness. The drums are spot on. The songs bounce between kick you in the face fast, sludge that is better than most sludge bands, and down right catchy moments. Song writing? You bet your ass. Like a professional sports team winning a championship, Magrudergrind do all the little things right, the resulting awesomeness is undeniable.

Crucial Cut: "Lyrical Ammunition For Scene Warfare"


2~

Tombs
Winter Hours [Amazon]
(Relapse)


One of the most exciting records to come out this year. Tombs mix hardcore, black metal and genuine shoe-gaze rock. Winter Hours offers escape, punishment, exhilaration and wonder. Instead of sounding like a band who is mixing or jumping genres, on Winter Hours Tombs sound like three men who understand their common goal.

Crucial Cut: "Gossamer" [MP3]


1~

Coalesce
OX [Amazon]
(Relapse)


Like a lot of other records on my list, on OX Coalesce recognize what they are good at and execute perfectly. While the record does offer some "growth" in the addition of sparse melodic vocals and the embellishment of guitarist Jes' Americana interests, nothing ever feels out of place. Growth, or change in direction, with bands is often met with fan resistance, but when groups are able to realize what is working and what isn't, greatness can happen.

Crucial Cut: "Wild Ox Moan" [MP3]

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Notable 7"s/EPs

The Hope Conspiracy - True Nihilist

Coalesce - OXEP

Howl - Howl

~~~~~~

Honorable Mentions:

Anaal Nathrakh - In the Constellation of the Black Widow

Asphyx - Death... The Brutal Way

Gaza - He Is Never Coming Back

Mammoth Grinder – Extinction of Humanity

Marduk - Wormwood

Merrimack - Grey Rigorism

Narrows - New Distances

Nile - Those Whom The Gods Detest

Sunn O))) - Monoliths & Dimensions

~~~~~~

Favorite Punk Rock Listens:

The Bomb - Speed Is Everything

Reminds me of early R.E.M. meeting mid-era Fugazi. Ex- Naked Raygun frontman Jeff Pezzati is consistently good, the band is effective in melody, minimalism, atmosphere and structure.



Dear Landlord - Dream Homes

Pop punk that is actually punk rock. Repeated, repeated listens.





Heartsounds - Until We Surrender

Remember that band Light This City? No? Well, don't bother. Ben and Laura leave the remains of an average metal band to form an excellent skate punk band with huge chorus's, big hooks and awesome drumming.



The Lawrence Arms - Buttsweat and Tears

Dont't let the EP's name send you running (it's an inside joke of sorts), The Larry Arms make quality pop punk. Like one of my favorite bands good. Brenden's songs lean a little towards the big pop buried in whiskey moments of his side project The Falcon. Chris comes in with one of his best songs "The Slowest Drink At The Saddest Bar On The Snowiest Day In The Greatest City." This song has the duality of being heavy and depressing while reaching a moment of joyous pop rock gold in the build up, post-bridge.

No Friends - No Friends

Tony Foresta (Municipal Waste) teams up with 3/4 of New Mexican Disaster Squad to create old school hardcore punk. This record walks so many fine lines in 2009, but in the 80's this would have just been hardcore punk. Sounding energetic and pissed off, No Friends also create a record that is fun and enjoyable start to finish. Did I just sing along? I didn't even realize I knew the words yet!