THE BEST ALBUMS OF 2009 – TOO SOON? (AXL’S PICKS)
Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 at 4:00pm by Axl Rosenberg
Where the hell does the time go? The year is more than half over already! Sheesh.
ANYWAY, here are, in alphabetical order, albums that have really knocked my socks off so far this year…
Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Agorapocalypse (Relapse)
Baroness, Blue Record (Relapse)
Behemoth, Evangelion (Metal Blade)
Brutal Truth, Evolution Through Revolution (Relapse)
Cannibal Corpse, Evisceration Plague (Metal Blade)
Chimaira, The Infection (Ferret)
Coalesce, Ox (Relapse)
Daath, The Concealers (Century)
Darkest Hour, The Eternal Return (Victory)
Goatwhore, Carving Out the Eyes of God (Metal Blade)
God Forbid, Earthsblood (Century)
Havok, Burn (Candlelight)
Heaven & Hell, The Devil You Know (Rhino)
Hull, Sole Lord (The End)
IWRESTLEDABEARONCE, It’s All Happening (Century)
Jesu, Infinity (Avalanche/Daymare)
Mastodon, Crack the Skye (Reprise)
Magrudergrind, Magrudergrind (Willowtip)
Napalm Death, Time Waits for No Slave (Century)
Suffocation, Blood Oath (Nuclear Blast)
And we still have new albums from Converge, Slayer, Living Colour, The Red Chord, The Black Dahlia Murder, and tons others to look forward to.
Making my year-end list in December is gonna be a bitch, I can feel it…
-AR
here’s another list for people to bitch about, keep up the good work Axl.
If people are bitching, then you must be doing something right.
Or maybe his list is crap.
IT’S ALL CRAP!! YAH, RUBBISH!
::he screams into his comicly oversized cell phone as he roams a silent, cold museam::
Care to explain in detail why you think that?
u r the physical representation of st. anger
Im gonna add, It hates You from He is Legend, and Cycle of Pain from the homonimous band
Good call, It Hates You is awesome!
wheres Obscura’s Cosmogenesis and Drudkh’s Microcosmos (both awesome albums everyone should check out)?
Microcosmos is great…… ..the reason its not on this list is because the moderators of this site don’t seem to dig into the underground to find bands that don’t have the marketing machines to place banner ads on this site. I still doubt Drudkh will ever top “Blood in our Wells” though.
This site is actually the first place i ever heard of obscura. so im gonna say its because that record just wasnt that great
yup
Please scratch off half of these….most of the list is built on hyped records.
Very few of those deserve an honor.
Fucking IWABO?? Really, Axl??
Chimaira’s The Infection was shit.
Don’t insult shit like that.
ziltoid, at some point could you inform as as to what you actually DO like for a change, rather then just writing semi snarky disses that don’t even say why these bands are shit?
Now shit’s going to file a defammation (sp) of character lawsuit against you! Hope you have a good lawyer, bud!
Ahhh…..no.
…At least he didn’t number it.
I actually agree with most of those, but Iwrestledabearonce? Really?
Huh, to think I’ve only heard about half of this, I wonder if that means I can deduce the quality of the other half.
Like I couldn’t just guess.
Is there a new Necrophagist record coming this year?
Apparently it was delayed to 2010, which sucks
It’s been a longgg time, 5 years since Epitaph? I don’t think they’ve updated their website since ‘04
Artillery – When Death Comes
The best thrash metal of the year. Obviously.
My list so far (in no particular order), since anyone who doesn’t like my complaining will undoubtedly ask:
Batillus–s/t
Vortech–Posthumanism
\\\Maytag–The Saga of the Frostbitten Lands of Frigidaire
Synestesia–Feeniks
Amorphis–Skyforger
maudlin of the Well–Part the Second
Suidakra–Crogacht
Anaal Nathrakh–In the constellation of the Black widow
Kalisia–Cybion
Anubis Gate–The Detached
Tyr–By the Light of the northern Star
I haven’t yet heard a few new albums that would probably make my list (Devin Townsend’s Ki immediately comes to mind), but I plan on getting them really soon. For the rest of the year, I’m looking forward to:
Cormorant–Metazoa
Immortal–All Shall Fall
Katatonia– I forget the title, but whatever it is, it’ll be good
FUCK, I FORGOT BARONESS. Add that to my list of albums for the rest of the year.
Trve d00d fucking trve omg.
kvlt 4 lyfe
Wat, no Funeral Mist?
Maranatha slayed.
Still on the fence with that album. One minute I like it, the next minute I hate it. Not judgment yet.
It was fantastic if nothing else for the opening track and Jesus Saves!
Chilling as all getup, especially when trying to go to sleep.
“IT’S THE BLOOD! IT’S THE BLOOD! IT’S THE BLOOD!”
Amorphis? wow,, their last 2 albums arent great, but I Guess I´ll check it out
this one isn’t much different
the new Katatonia is called “Light is the New Day”.
Hope it’s better than the last one, which had a some killer tracks, but also a few too many Tool and Nu-metal flourishes.
I checked out Synestesia and found them to be quite enjoyable.
I was really shocked when I found Synestesia. they have two EPs on their website for download, and they’re both very enjoyable. Their album just perfects and expands upon everything on those EPS.
They remind me of Edge of Sanity quite a bit, which is good
The new Kataonia is titled Night is the New Day.
I fully agree with Amorphis and Suidakra… Vortech was just kinda meh, Tyr doesn’t do anything for me, I haven’t gotten to Anubis Gate yet but it’s queued up, and I haven’t really heard the rest.
My list thus far:
Clutch – Strange Cousins From The West
Gorod – Process Of A New Decline
Amorphis – Skyforger
Obscura – Cosmogenesis
Animals As Leaders – Animals As Leaders
Dååth – The Concealers
Supercommuter – Supercommuter
NOFX – Coaster
Lamb Of God – Wrath
Suidakra – Crogacht
Devin Townsend Project – Ki
No particular order beyond the first two. I’m probably forgetting some. There have been a LOT of albums this year that I’ve enjoyed.
Also, stuff I’m eagerly anticipating:
Baroness
Slayer
Megadeth
Celldweller
HORSE The Band
Ensiferum (I had no idea they were almost done with their new album already!)
Diablo Swing Orchestra
Eluveitie (Evocation II)
And I’m probably most excited about the new EP/album that Powerglove is currently recording. They’re fucking phenomenal and I love Metal Kombat For The Mortal Man.
New Skeletonwitch too!
Missing: Absu-Absu, Amesoeurs-Amsoeurs, Anaal Nathrakh-In the Constellation…, Beherit-Engram, Cobalt-Gin, Drudkh-Microcosmos, Funeral Mist-Maranatha, MDB-For Lies I Sire, Peste Noire-Ballade Cuntre lo Anemi Francor
Cobalt’s “Gin” deserves to be album of the year so far, without a doubt. Haven’t heard the new Peste Noire yet…didn’t like “Folkfuck Follies” or whatever it was called, but loved the first album.
Teitanblood’s “Seven Chalices” is unstoppable as well.
The new converge…Amazing.
Devy? Not quite sock-knocking?
There are some greats missing…
Back To Tennessee – Billy Ray Cyrus
Greatest Hits – Aqua (not an actual studio album, but definitely worth mentioning)
No Regrets – Dope
Scream – Chris Cornell
21st Century Breakdown – Green Day
Music For Cougars – Sugar Ray
You win the humor award.
He forgot Emmure.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d142/wEEman33/ghoulsdinocomic.png
for once a list that i actually agree with
iwrestledabearonce?
nope, sorry. you managed to have a wrong opinion, and i didn’t know that was possible
Hell yes, it’s too soon! Flaming Tusk isn’t even recording their new album until next month!
The Devil Wears Prada- With Roots Above and Branches Below
I win.
Not a bad list. Glad to see Coalesce on both lists. That album grows on me more everyday. I am going to have to go with schokakola from the other page and point out the glaring omission of Kylesa’s Static Tensions.
Very much agree with Magrudergrind newest release as well AnB but why is there no mention of YOB’s “The Great Cessation”?
What a shitty list, nothing but over hyped trendy crap that will be forgotten next year……..with the exception of “The Devil You Know” and “Crack the Skye”, both of which were over-hyped, but great none the less.
Diversify your tastes!
New Coalesce > All
yup.
Is anyone else excited to hear the new 3 Inches of Blood album? Other than Baroness, that is probably my most anticipated album for the rest of the year.
I already heard the new Baroness record, and it smokes I’m sure many hipsters will eat it up. It is light years better Crack the Skye. New 3 Inches of Blood with Jack Endino producing has to be raw and good.
THY WILL BE DONE “In Ancient Of Days” should have been on the list… damn it axl
At least someone had the good sense to include magrudergrinds record
My list maybe its too soon
1). Coalesce – Ox(best fucking album of the year)
2). Dysrhythmia – Pyschic Maps
3). Clutch – Strange Cousins From The West
4). Brutal Truth – Evolution Through Revolution
5). Kylsea – Static Tensions
6). Wino – Punctuated Equilibrium(Pick this up if you like DOOM metal)
7). Obscura – Cosmogenesis
8). Zororoaster – Voice of Saturn
9). Gorod – Process of a New Decline
10). Suffocation – Blood Oath
11). Augury – Fragmentary Evidence
12). Napalm Death – Times Waits For No Slave
13). AnB – Agorapocalypse
14). Behemoth Evangelion(Hahaha yes I know, terrible makeup, corny lyrics, but fun to listen too)
15). Obituary – Darkest Day
Now I’m sure there will be plenty more great albums I’ll be looking foward too. Sorry if Blow Job For a Cowboy, Suicide Silence, CKY, Shitmaira, didnt make the list.
Throw in the new Absu record also, and of course probably the new Baroness. The new Baroness in a few months might actually challenge Coalesce for the #1 spot.
About fucking time someone mentioned the new Gorod album… Way fucking cool in my book & should be on any top 10 list by now. That and (again) Gnostic – “Engineering the Rule”.
Are you seriously waiting for Living Colour?! And you listed Chimeira & God Forbid?? Gimme a fucking break already with this watered down shit….
new george strait is better than almost everything on this list, im fucking serious. WHY THE FUCK IS IWRESTLEDABEARONCE ON HERE THEY ARE FUCKING AWFUL. i agree with the behemoth, brutal truth, napalm death, and agoraphobic nosebleed though. seriously, when country artists put better records out then metal bands pretty much all year it signals the end of metal at the hands of wiggerslamcore bull shit
I appreciate the balls it takes to nominate iwrestledabearonce. But as much as I like them, there’s just too much great stuff this year for them to make the top ten.
Animals As Leaders – s/t
Baroness – Blue Record
Black Math Horseman – Wyllt (Really? Nobody came up with this one yet?)
Coalesce – Ox
Cobalt – Gin
Khanate – Clean Hands Go Foul
Kylesa – Static Tensions
Mastodon – Crack The Skye
Sunn 0))) – Monoliths & Dimensions (Oh, come on. Somebody has to agree with me on this one.)
Wolves In The Throne Room – Black Cascade
New Behemoth is growing on me, but it’s too early to tell. Anaal Nathrakh, Obscura, YOB and S.W.W.A.A.T.S. are definitely honorable mentions.
And I’m really digging that Iron Age disc, too. That might sneak in there by the end of the year. That and the dozen other great records yet to come. It’s a great year so far, and I can’t wait to see the rest.
BURNT BY THE SUN
i agree that Sunn 0))) is good but drone itself is still growing on me. i forgot about cobalt i still need to get that one as well as wolves in the throne room. but iwrestledabearonce i don’t understand these “ibrokethespacebarcore” bands one that’s definitely not funny anymore and two they blow metalcore is acceptable is small doeses and liberal amounts of grindcore are more than required for myself. Def love new napalm death and anaal nathrakh, heaven and hell is growing on me (eating the cannibals, hello). Mastodon is terrific with a capital F. does nobody like the Candlemass? i thought it was pretty well done. well all in all for the time being here are ten of my favs:
Napalm Death – From Enslavement to Obliteration
Mastodon – Crack The Skye
Candlemass – Death Magic Doom
Kylesa – Static Tensions
Daath – The Concealers
Heaven & Hell – The Devil You Know
ISIS – Wavering Radiant
Warbringer – Waking Into Nightmares
Clutch – Strange Cousins From The West
Anaal Nathrakh – In The Constellation Of The Black Widow
Special mention to Rumpelstiltskin Grinder – Living For Death, Destroying The Rest (Just some fun stuff)
Mastodon – Crack the Skye
He Is Legend – It Hates Me
Obscura – Cosmogenesis
Killswitch Engage – S/T
Isis – Wavering Radiant
Zao – Awake?
Hacride – Lazarus
Benea Reach – Alliviat
The Chariot – Wars and Rumors of War
Coalesce – Ox
SWWAATS
Still waiting for:
Baroness
Converge
Burnt By The Sun
Them Crooked Vultures
Dillinger Escape Plan
And i cant wait for as well:
Every Time I Die
and of Course:
ALICE IN CHAINS!
Maybe the new Augury album?
Still waiting on new btbam, dep, them crooked vultures, and muse before I make any decisions regarding album of 09. Protest the hero and the human abstract are writing new records as well
holy shit Evangelion is a beast. just fnished it
Demi Lovato-Here We Go Again
Come on people, get your heads out of your asses!
IWABO IS GOOD DONT HATE NIGGAS
I seem to recall a few months ago your review for Mantic RItual’s album Executioner. You said it was the best albums of the year so far. Why isn’t it on this list?
1. Mastodon- Crack the Skye
2. Ignominous Incarceration- Of winter born
3. Luna Mortis. The absence
4. God Forbid- Earthsblood
5. Darkest hour- The eternal Return
6. Obscura-Cosmogenesis
7. Lazarus A.D-The Onslaught
8. Submission-Code of conspiracy
9. Xerath-I
10. Susperia-Attitude
11. Lamb Of God-Wrath
12. Killswitch Engage-Killswitch engage
13. Mantic Ritual-Executioner
14. Gorod-Process of a New Decline
15. Fleshgod Apocalypse – Oracles
16. Woe Of Tyrants – Kingdom Of Might
17. Ex-deo-Romulus
18. Job for a cowboy-Ruination
19. Suffocation – Blood Oath
That isn’t a especific order!
how the fuck could you put IWABO and leave off Lamb of God and DevilDriver?
I agree with lkgf09. at least the LOG part.
What’s with you people and Daath? The new album is pretty blah.
For the most part the list looks good. not too many that i’ve heard and disagree with. at least with being kick ass. maybe not tops.
still missing Kylesa and Clutch. Boo.
I love the people with the “underground” Metal lists. This somehow makes you more legit. ahahahhaha
These are the same dudes who live with their parents at 28 and go “let’s go back to my house” to there friends.
Classic.
Another vote for Kylesa’s Static Tensions. This album is just sick on so many levels.
You left of Brokencyde and Emmure’s new records (at this point you probably know I am not joking)
where is arsonists get all the girls? portals was awesome
Awaitng:
HORSE the band
Orbs
Havok’s Burn gets my vote. Shocking to think this is their debut album.
Magrudergrind’s new album is outrageously great. GRINDCORE.
Ziltoid… No one cares
A few tunes missing masterpieces here…
Hacride – How did this beast of an album get left out…….
Kylesa
DevilDriver
ISIS
Clutch
Lamb Of God?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! C’mon man.
TDTP.
Otherwise ;) spot on.