5. Sylvaine – Atoms Aligned, Coming Undone

The third album by Sylvaine could be (should be!) a turning point in Katherine Shepard‘s career as it delivers the most personal sound of her project up to date. While previous reviews often simply referred to “the female Alcest“, her third album delivers much more. It gathers elements that reminisce of Solstafir or Myrkur, but the overall whole breathes so much of the solo-artist’s timid and reflective personality. From the dreamy Abeyance over the darker Mørklagt, Atoms Aligned, Coming Undone offers a cathartic listening experience that makes you replay it over and over again, searching for that hope that faintly shines through the songs beneath an atmosphere of solitude. There is beauty in darkness!

4. Skeletonwitch – Devouring Radiant Light

Admittedly, I had never paid much attention to the name Skeletonwitch before. It was because I saw the single Fen of Shadows passing by on Facebook on a friend’s profile that I decided to give it a listen. Boy, am I happy I clicked that link… I guess the reason I turned them down in the past was because of the focus on the thrashier aspects in their sound. On Devouring Radiant Light, however, a sublime layer of black metal influences has crept toward the forefront. Without neglecting the roots this stylistic change offers a more layered overall sound compared to the more straightforward thrash genre. Another factor that increased my affection for their newer sound is the new vocalist Adam Clemans (after the drama surrounding the departure of Chance Garnette). His more feral vocal style further channels the raw energy that Devouring Radiant Light offers. I will definitely keep my eyes open for this name from now on.

3. Harakiri For The Sky – Arson

The 2016 album III: Trauma easily made it to my top 3 of that year and the Austrians of Harakiri for the Sky easily repeat that feature again with their newest installment Arson. There are quite some intense albums in this top 10 and JJ‘s vocals always cut the deepest. It amazes me how he manages to write off such dark and deeply personal lyrics on both Harakiri and Karg records at this insane tempo. Take that as an honorable mention to Karg‘s album Dornenvögel, by the way. The songs are lengthy, but never bore and suck you in for an immensely emotional trip that gives that cathartic experience one needs to stay sane in the crazy world we live in.

Read the full review by Sam here.

2. MØL – Jord

MØL. Remember that name. Holy Roar Records. What a discovery. This Danish post-metal/shoegaze/atmospheric black/whatever outfit delivered some of the rawest sounds I’ve heard this year blended with intense emotional melodies. Dreamy, yet aggressive. Ethereal, yet punch-in-the-face down to earth. Singer Sternkopf‘s raspy vocals cut through to the bone and throw me back to desolate beaches in the harsh Scandinavian weather. This debut album (!) reminds of some of the best work of older Alcest, Lantlos and Harakiri For The Sky. If you’re down for an emotional trip, this one is a must listen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHlZA5OYj2I

Question: is it a given that when the videoclip features a woman pulling a coffin that the song is amazing? I present thee exhbit B: Gojira – Vacuity and exhibit C: Sólstafir – Fjara.

It seems, compared to last year’s progressive one-man projects, this year a lot more bands with black metal influences have crept into my top list. Number 1, however, is something totally different! Ready to find out which album dominated my speakers in 2018? Find out on the next page!