2010: Albums Of The Year (And Other Opinions) - Progressive Rock Music Forum

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Negoba

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Posted: January 07 2011 at 12:44

I'm going to do 5 for now...

5. Haken - Aquarius Newcomers made an album that takes the formula of Scenes from a Memory and improves it. A little humor, more focus, and better energy make for a great sci-fi prog metal concept album.

4. Univers Zero - Clivages UZ is the originator and masters of their style. An average UZ album is better than most band's best work. Clivages is for the most part another great example of dark chamber rock. Though one of the advantages is that it's not so oppressive this time around, uses some electric guitar, and I think they might have actually hit a major chord once or twice.

The following three could all be my #1, all high 4 star albums.

3. Jaga Jazzist - One Armed Bandit This album is modern, happy, and complex at the same time. Electronica, some math-y moments, and obviously jazz combine to make music you could put on at a party or sit and listen to every detail.

2. Shaolin Death Squad - Five Deadly Venoms Mash up Pain of Salvation, Mr. Bungle, and a little Devin Townsend and you get a quirky prog metal feast. Great textures, wierd lyrics, very strong singing. Best metal album of the year

1. Frogg Cafe - Bateless Edge Being a Zappa cover band guarantees you got to have chops. But these guys ooze love of their music and span from modern eclectic prog to UZ styled chamber rock. And they nail it all. One of the few bands I picked up simply from the charts that delivered.

Edited by Negoba - January 15 2011 at 10:17

You are quite a fine person, and I am very fond of you. But you are only quite a little fellow, in a wide world, after all.

Man With Hat View Drop Down

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Posted: January 07 2011 at 12:42

I am sadly no where near ready to make such a list. It's already the new year and I still have a dozen albums I need to buy from 2010 (let alone ones I need to listen to [again]). Of those 12 about 5 have a chance to make my top 10, so I suppose I better get going.

Of course, at this point I already have a list, yet incomplete. Which means I'll probably have to rearrange things even more than I anticipated.

Dig me...But don't...Bury me
I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive
Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect.

Padraic

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Posted: January 07 2011 at 12:35

I mentioned precisely zero metal bands.

Triceratopsoil View Drop Down

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Posted: January 07 2011 at 12:34

zravkapt wrote:

I still want to hear that Yugen album.

you should, it's wonderful

paganinio wrote:

I'm assuming all these are metal albums, since I only recognize two bands and they're both metal.

Wait... I think it means that I'm only familiar with metal bands. :)

only 4 of the ones on my list are metal

paganinio

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Posted: January 07 2011 at 10:22

I'm assuming all these are metal albums, since I only recognize two bands and they're both metal.

Wait... I think it means that I'm only familiar with metal bands. :)

Negoba

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Posted: January 07 2011 at 09:27

Nice lists guys...I may work on mine. I'm surprised Shaolin Death Squad didn't make your list Conor. I actually like Beacons of the 3 works by Cloudkicker I have.

You are quite a fine person, and I am very fond of you. But you are only quite a little fellow, in a wide world, after all.

Padraic

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Posted: January 07 2011 at 09:09

Need more listens to everything I've obtained, but in my opinion as of right now, I think Coyote and Yugen's Iridule stand above the other 2010 releases. Probably not far behind are Xing Sa, Jean Louis, Rouge Ciel, Rational Diet, and Aranis.

zravkapt

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Posted: January 07 2011 at 08:50

Only two albums really caught my attention(so far) :

Jaga Jazzist - One-Armed Bandit

Frogg Cafe - The Bateless Edge

I still want to hear that Yugen album.

sleeper

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Posted: January 07 2011 at 08:18

Nice lists there guys, glad I'm not the only one that likes Deathspell Omega and Yakuza.

10) Ihsahn- After: Epic Black Metal mixed with prog metal results in an excellent album, heavy and powerful with some of the best use of sax in metal that I've ever heard.

9) Yakuza- Of Seismic Consequence: Not as Schizophrenic as Transmutations but OSC shows a much greater strength in depth thanks largely to a much improved ability to develop their songs (and they werent exactly lacking in that department to start with). Their mix of sludg and post metal gives a really big, powerful feel to their music and they have the best use of sax in metal.

8) Deathspell Omega- Paracletus: The third album in their trilogy exploring the relationship between God, Satan and Man; it carries on where Fas--Ite... left off, with dissonant, avant-guard Black Metal but served up in shorter blasts rather than the long tracks of the last two albums. Each track works on its own, but the album flows to creat almost a single long piece, demonstrating that they seem to have come into the hight of their powers.

7) In Lingua Mortua- Sona des Refuses: Another Black Metal album! Its been a long time coming this album, in progress for much of the last deacade, but Lars Fredrick Froisle (sorry for poor spelling) has delivered a diverse and unique aproach to the genre. He blends his prog sensibilites into the music along with the wind instruments of Jorgen Munkeby brilliantly, creating something unique and highly enjoyable I cant wait to see what he does next.

6) Pain of Salvation- Road Salt One: Its a long time since their classics of The Perfect Element and Remedy Lane, but Gildnelow continues to surprise and amaze at every turn. After the Linoleum EP I was expecting the 70's hard rock/metal sound to be prominent but the almost total lack of metal on this album came as a surprise. Initially I was disappointed with this album as it appears to be almost poppy compared to previous works, including Scarsick, but this album truly does reward repeated listens. The depth in the compositions and the layering of the arrangments shows the typical careful, hardwork that we expect from DG, an excellent album.

5) Rolo Tomassi- Cosmology: The UK seems to be finally catching up in the prog metal stakes and this young band are part of the reason. Similar to The Dillinger Escape Plan, but far far better, they take the tenants of metalcore and mix it up into unusual song structures complete with keyboard solos (a rareity outside the more traditional forms of prog metal) and a great dynamic range.

4) Intronaut- Valley of Smoke: The follow up to the highly acclaimed Prehistoricisms, it contains all the elements that made its predecessor such a great album but its not just a rehash. The unrelenting heavyness has been turned down and clean vocals have been added, giving a much greater breadth and depth to their music. The title track is particularly brilliant, with Tools Justin Chanceller guesting on bass and a guest drummer as well, this is the double trio concept performed as King Crimson could only dream of (and no, I'm really not exagerating).

3) Ciccada- A Child in the Mirror: Debut album from this Greek band that sounds like a cross between Renaissance, Gentle Giant and Jethro Tull but without sounding like they are obviously borrowing from those bands and so creating their own identity. Brilliantly composed and brilliantly performed, one of the biggest surprises of the year for me.

2) Universe Zero- Clivages: Dark, dense, complex and everything you'd expect from chamber rock masters UZ, but with an accesibility that could easily catch newcomers but keep them enthralled for years.

1) Kayo Dot- Coyote: Toby Driver is a genious, and one of the very few. I have no doubt about this statement as his music, whether its KD, Tarta Lamb or maudlin of the Well, always seems to strike such a strong chord with me and Coyote is no different. The lyircs were written by close friend Yuko Suetta detailing the last days/weeks of her life as she was strugling with terminal cancer and the music and performance conveys this sense of pain and dispondancy brilliantly. I dare anyone to listen to it knowing this and not be affected. The fact that Driver has once again re-invented himself is extra spice.

Honourable mentions to:

Alcest- Ecailles de Lune

Drudkh- Handful of Stars

Enslaved- Axioma Ethica Odini

Kayo Dot- Stained Glass

Lesbian- Stratospheria Cubensis

Shinning- Blackjazz

Edited by sleeper - January 07 2011 at 08:20

Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005

Triceratopsoil View Drop Down

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Posted: January 06 2011 at 00:42

10. The Cozmik Orkestrah - Blackhawk ()
-Yes, my own band, but damned if this isn't my most listened album of 2010. The great thing about being a 100% jam band is that I hear new things every time I listen, and the chemistry my bandmates and I have always blows me away.

9. Yakuza - Of Seismic Consequence
-Just some really kickass sludge metal, plus saxophones. Their singer has a voice I absolutely love, and basically what this band is - one of my friends says it best - "Profound Lore Records' answer to Baroness"

8. Jaga Jazzist - One Armed Bandit
-Really groovy, this album flows more than near anything else I've heard from this past year. Time flies by when you are listening to this.

7. Kayo Dot - Stained Glass EP
-Kayo Dot is the most exciting band of the 21st century, it's always fascinating to see where they are heading musically. I really enjoyed this one, short as it was.

6. Negura Bunget - Vîrstele Pamîntului
-Brilliant, but probably for fans of black metal only.

5. Alcest - Ecailles de Lune
-Conor put it better than I could possibly be bothered to

4. Kayo Dot - Coyote
-Beautiful agony, in form of music. Plus, as with all Toby Driver music, a dollop of insanity on the side.

3. Agalloch - Marrow of the Spirit
-Bleak, beautiful, and hella groovy; I never thought they could make an album better than The Mantle but here it is

2. Yugen - Iridule
-Italian avant-prog with strong stylings like those of Picchio dal Pozzo. Fantastic.

1. Jean Louis - Morse
Okay, I lied when I said Kayo Dot was the most exciting band of the 21st century. This avant-jazz three-piece explodes my brain every time

honorable mention:
Cloudkicker - Beacons
Elephant9 - Walk the Nile
Red Sparowes - The Fear is etc.
Extinction Algorithm - My Forest is Dead
High on Fire - Snakes for the Divine
Finntroll - Nifelvind
Intronaut - Valley of Smoke

Edited by Triceratopsoil - January 06 2011 at 01:02

Conor Fynes View Drop Down

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Posted: January 06 2011 at 00:19

10) Cloudkicker - Beacons

Originally coming to the attention of the metal underground for it's place in the up-and-coming 'djent' scene, one man math metal project Cloudkicker has broken out of the label of a Messhugah-soundalike, while retaining alot of the post-metal atmosphere and intelligence that impressed people in the first place. A little too repetitive, but the musical ideas here are top notch... What's more, Cloudkicker gives the album away for free at it's bandcamp.com page.

Oh, God - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmTr3eJNc1M&playnext=1&list=PLA2CE075EE2980FF7&index=8

We're Going In, We're Going Down - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDBBymiFoLA&feature=related

9) Lantlos - .neon

Better known as a side project collaboration of Neige (of the post-metal group Alcest), '.neon' blew me away from first listen onwards with it's absolutely jaw dropping, heart wrenching beauty. Despite being a beautiful piece of atmospheric black metal however, the album can't escape the feeling that this is just an extension of Alcest, and nothing really unique of it's own.

These Nights Were Ours - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pm-_mmc2Ts&feature=related

Pulse/Surreal - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=easr-7k4A88&feature=related

8) TesseracT - Concealing Fate (EP)

Now a frontrunner of the new 'djent' wave of progressive metal bands, TesseracT is one of the most promising acts of the newly created scene. Having first seen this band opening for Devin Townsend in Vancouver, I was amazed by their marriage of polyrhythmic intensity, and keen grasp of melody. Essentially one thirty minute epic, 'Concealing Fate' leaves a much greater impression than any other EP I've listened to this year.

Concealing Fate (Part I) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNQYskVULrs

7) Nachtmystium - Addicts: Black Meddle Part II

Being first introduced to me as 'disco black metal', this quirky yet undeniably inventive American black metal act can take some getting used to, but Nachtmystiums avant-garde take on a pretty uniform genre is refreshing, to say the least. Classic rock, psychedelic, and even pop influences abound here, but the sound is heavy and abrasive enough to be considered black metal. Suffice to say, Nachtmystium is one of the few 'black metal' bands that's ambitious enough to do something fresh, new, and exciting with the genre.

Addicts - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKqBQq-jCrs

Ruined Life Continuum - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZPjYKgGbVE&feature=related

6) Intronaut - Valley Of Smoke

Take your typical sludgy post metal and fuse it with jazz and some incredible musicianship, and you get Intronaut's 'Valley Of Smoke'. While filled with heavy-as-hell guitars and some killer riffs, there are melodies, beautiful intricacy and even some straight-up post-rock moments to behold here. Also, for fans of the band Tool; Justin Chancellor does a guest bass appearance on the album.

Elegy - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1LmYsCzAgw

Valley Of Smoke - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFYGL5qOt70&feature=related

5) Haken - Aquarius

The debut album of this promising young UK progressive metal band, 'Aquarius' introduces Haken with their best foot forward. Strong melodies, 10+ minute epics, technical mastery, and very proggy instrumentation all around. At this point, they may still fall under the category of a Dream Theater clone, but damnit, they are the best Dream Theater clone I've ever heard, often even surpassing the once-masters of progressive metal.

Point Of No Return - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D54J2vN9cc&feature=related

Celestial Elixir - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maU2kzZdbQY&feature=related

4) Agalloch - Marrow Of The Spirit

A band I have long been a fan of, there is no denying that I was immensely excited for my first listen of Pacific Northwest 'Cascadian' black metal act Agalloch's latest opus. The album certainly took a while to grow on me, and while I still don't think it tops 'The Mantle' (their greatest achievement), Agalloch has crafted an album that is equal parts intense, atmospheric, and beautiful. My only complaint is that this is the first Agalloch album that instead prefers to cover the styles of previous albums instead of progressing forward and finding a new sound, but that aside, 'Marrow Of The Spirit' is a large achievement for the Oregon-based band.

The Watchers Monolith - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlKzz78hj60&feature=related

Into The Painted Grey - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o0g2SIdnKw&feature=related

3) Deathspell Omega - Paracletus

What can I say about this album... Suffice to say, even before releasing 'Paracletus,' French avant-garde black metal ensemble Deathspell Omega had already staked a claim as one of the most inventive acts in black metal. 'Paracletus' only reaffirms this notion by giving some of the most chaotic and technical ever recorded. Part of a three album concept piece concerning the relation between Satan, Man, and God, this is certainly not an album to soundtrack any road trips or dance parties anytime soon, but while a very challenging record, the rewards of this calculated madness are immense.

Abscission - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpbXQpSYtUs&feature=related

Epiklesis I - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4KrbvLNVVg&feature=related

2) Oceansize - Self-Preserved As The Bodies Float Up

Feeling like a mixture of a thousand different progressive rock groups, Oceansize are if anything, eclectic. From a sludgy opener that could be likened to Mastodon more than anything, the album goes through a myriad of phases, ranging from metal to melancholic pop, to post rock and modern prog. After several engaging, dynamic and exciting listens to this incredible album, it's no wonder why this is Steven Wilson's (of Porcupine Tree) favourite album of 2010.

Silent/Transparent - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcWGCoUNU3s

Superimposer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPWNGZ2-Fx4&feature=related

1) Alcest - Ecailles De Lune

While I considered this record to only possibly grace the lesser half of my top 10 earlier on, Alcest's second full-length album 'Ecailles De Lune' had a strange way of only growing with each listen, the way that many other incredible albums do. Known for the act's mix of shoegaze/post rock and black metal, Alcest has strayed further away from the metal roots, in favour of a more atmospheric and melodic approach. While the scarce heavier sections of the album do leave me wanting alot more of the black metal material from Alcest, it's hard to compare them to the album's most beautiful mellow moments, which are literally jaw-dropping in their aesthetic beauty and near-romantic wash of emotion they have the power of giving. While some people may not like the arguably 'fragile' vocals of Neige, his voice works all too well for the melancholic, introspective approach this music takes, resulting in an album that is an inch away from perfection.

Ecailles De Lune (Part I) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS4FQKFHCvs&feature&p=0B0FC3ED8183F397&index=0&playnext=1

Sur L'Ocean Couleur De Fer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81piPtioDDQ&feature=related

Honourable Mentions

Kayo Dot - Coyote

Anathema - We're Here Because We're Here

Drudkh - Handful Of Stars

Enslaved - Axioma Ethica Odini

Altar Of Plagues - Tides

Burzum - Belus

Star One - Victims Of The Modern Age

Darkthrone - Circle The Wagons

Crippled Black Phoenix - I, Vigilante

Fleshgod Apocalypse - Mafia

Most Disappointing Album(s) Of 2010

Coheed & Cambria - Year Of The Black Rainbow

Three - Revisions

(Both albums I was very excited to listen to and each had a great album leading up to this one, but both turned out to be pretty shallow. However, it can be argued that 'Revisions' isn't even an album, because it's just a collection of previously written songs recorded and released as a new album. In any case, I was disappointed.)

Most Promising New Groups (w/ debut album released in 2010)

Haken (Great progressive metal group that reached my top 10 list.)

Fourteen Twentysix (Very atmospheric and dark alt/progressive rock group from the Netherlands, with a new album on the way for 2011!)

Until Sunrise (Young post-rock group from Maryland. Despite being my age and younger even, these guys have put together a pretty impressive album with their self-titled, and while being far from perfect, have easily shown themselves to be well beyond their years in musicality.)

Please give comments and feedback, and share with me some of your own favourites of 2010!

Edited by Conor Fynes - January 06 2011 at 15:33