The Top 10 Rock Albums of 2024

Rock music continues to be one of the last vestiges of picking up instruments and playing songs the artist has written.  With metal having a more loyal market, it feels like less straight-up rock music is coming out, but then again it's not something I always look for. There is a very specific feel of moodiness, melody, and underlying mental health issues I seek out from rock music, and these albums touch on varied corners of that sound.  In fact, this year's list is more varied than last year's list. After I sort through the top 10 albums of all the respective genres, I use those lists to compile the top 10 albums of 2024. 

 The fact these bands made it on the list speaks to how great these albums are, so it's not a slight that the number 8 album is above the 9th album, there is something that just gives it an edge that makes me want to listen to it more. After all, we can try to look cool and pick the hippest bands for a list, but at the end of the day what makes an album the best is that it makes you want more, you look forward to listening to it again. You might find your next favorite on this list. I included links to reviews of these albums if you want to check out the audio on these guys. Anyway here are the top 10 Rock albums of 2023.

10-The Jesus Lizard -"RACK" 

There is much more of a rock n roll feeling possessing this album. Yow's voice sits back in the mix, though when he comes to the forefront it's evident he still has his voice. There is a cool tension lurking under the surface of the rock facade. The rock n roll direction takes some getting used to at times,  but it's still better than the bulk of rock music coming out these days, thus earning its place here. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/09/the-jesus-lizard-rack.html

             

9 -Rope Sect -"Entrangement" 

As a big fan of this band, we have covered every release from this German band, and they have yet to disappoint, so when it popped up in the old inbox there was a great deal of excitement. This project has never been content just settling for one sound and milking it. The album opens with a more familiar sound that picks up closer to where they left off marrying the metallic energy of their picking hand with the melancholy of post-punk. This comes with a cleaner guitar sound and not the overdriven metal tone. They are not metal, though this album does go in a more rock direction. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/03/rope-sect-enstrangement.html

 

8-Solstafir - ""Hin helga kvöl" 

I'm old enough to remember when this band from Iceland used to be black metal. They have been on this more rock n roll road for some time, so the direction never surprises me. The vocals are emotive and have more edge than your average rock band, The use of atmosphere works really well, as they start off the album with a strong dynamic balance.I like the direction they are going here, and think the more weed-influenced songs are better than when they try to rekindle the metal fires. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/11/solstafir-hin-helga-kvol.html

7-Bruce Dickinson -" The Mandrake Project" 

Despite being a huge Iron Maiden fan, I have never paid much attention to Dickinson's solo work. Sure I have heard and once owned "Tattooed Millionaire" and am marginally familiar with "Chemical Wedding". When he sings, he is unmistakable. It sounds like a more rock n roll take on Iron Maiden. It has more in common with Deep Purple or other proto-metal bands like Uriah Heap most of the time. 

 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/02/bruce-dickinson-mandrake-project.html

6-Brume- "Marten" 

I really liked this band's 2019 album. This time around things are darker and more organic with less of the atmosphere which previously reminded me of the Gathering. Thanks to Jackie Gantz bringing her cello to the party there are sweeping post-rock dynamics expanding the sonic zip-code way past the normal Sabbath pandering of the genre. It's a gripping listen. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/09/brume-marten.html

5-Poppy-"Negative Spaces" 

Some people want to call this album metal. They obviously do not know what metal is and their opinions are equal to the sound of a toilet flushing , when it comes to the subject, not only is this album not metal but other albums on this list are heavier than this album, and they are also just rock albums  This album is fun, it would be on the pop list but there is more guitar on it than most pop albums this side of Linkin Park have , who is another pop band have, so here it is since it's not even hard enough to make the hard rock list, but it's fun music. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/11/poppy-negative-spaces.html

4- Pearl Jam -"Dark Matter" 

This album comes closer to what you expect from them than some of their more recent albums that found the band taking more chances. Granted if you think of these guys as a grunge band, then you might find this album lacking in grit, however, this is their 12th album, and only their first two albums should really be considered grunge, as the band has ventured off into varied forms of rock and Americana since then in the 10  albums that followed these guys have a pretty basic formula to follow to be successful and please their fan base. Eddie sings and the rest of the band supports him allowing Vedder to do what he does. Side note great guitar playing .

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/04/pearl-jam-dark-matter.html

          

3-Choke Cherry -"Messy Star" 

This band carries a raw grunge edge to their otherwise trippy take on "dream pop' that leans into the pop hooks. The opening song rocks out more and the dense guitar riffs pack more of a punch Their frequent use of subtle hooks that are highly effective. The loud-to-soft formula is very 90s but cements their songs as being authentic to that era which they pay homage to. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/10/choke-cherry-messy-star.html

2-Marilyn Manson - "One Assignation Under God Chapter 1"  

Manson is back. Vocally sobriety seems to be doing him favors. His upper range is not as strained. His 12th album is once again produced by Tyler Bates. It sounds like Code Orange's Rebe Meyers is playing for him and lending backup vocals, which makes sense as she has been a part of his most recent touring band. Lyrically this album is interesting and honest, it grew on me as it might not have the edge of his earlier work yet, but there are still a few glances back at his legacy, his voice sounds great and it's dark enough to work for me. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/11/marilyn-manson-one-assignation-under.html

 

1-Planes Mistaken For Stars - "Do You Still Love Me ?" 

The late Gared O'Donnell recorded this album while undergoing Chemo, before succumbing to his chance at 44. They were always too gritty and real to break through to the mainstream. Their take on rock n roll still pounds the song into you. Unless you share in the inner darkness with which these songs were conceived you might not know what to make of the brooding. To my ears it's beautiful. Some brighter guitar tones on this album than in their previous work, it's clear he was ending things in a manner that still pushed their sound forward. Gared you are missed

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/11/planes-mistaken-for-stars-do-you-still.html

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March's Top 10 Albums

We now continue on to March's top 10 albums. Staying abreast on the month's highlights might help casual readers see what they missed, and give this the option to check these artists out. I am not doing little blurbs on them, just linking the reviews. This will help me organize my lists for the end of the year, by listing the genre of music the album falls under. This does not mean that these albums have been released this month, but it is a list of new or upcoming albums I have enjoyed the most, I have albums in my in-box that are not coming out til June, so I am normally way ahead of the curve in this regard. They are ranked in order of what I have listened to the most. This month there is a wide variety from indie pop to punk to Thrash, so perhaps you will find your new favorite among them. Here are the Top 10 albums for March 2024.

10- Rope Sect - "Enstrangement" 

Rock 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/03/rope-sect-enstrangement.html

9- Bleakheart -"Silver Pulse" 

Doom Gaze 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/03/bleakheart-silver-pulse.html

8-My Dying Bride-  "A Mortal Binding" 

Doom

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/03/my-dying-bride-mortal-binding.html

7-Atrophy- "Asylum" 

Thrash 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/03/atrophy-asylum.html

6- Waxahatchee-"Tiger Blood" 

Country

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/03/waxahatchee-tigers-blood.html

5-Jesus and Mary Chain -"Glasgow Eyes" 

 Post-punk 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/03/jesus-and-mary-chain-glasgow-eyes.html

4- Faye Webster - "Underdressed at the Symphony" 

Indie  Pop

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/03/faye-webster-underdressed-at-symphony.html

3-O Zorn ! - "Vermillion Haze" 

Grunge 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/03/o-zorn-vermillion-haze.html

2-Chapel of Disease - " Echoes of Light" 

Death Metal 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/03/chapel-of-disease-echoes-of-light.html

1-Gouge Away- "Deep Sage" 

Punk 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/03/gouge-away-deep-sage.html

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Rope Sect : "Enstrangement"

As a big fan of this band, we have covered every release from this German band, and they have yet to disappoint, so when it popped up in the old inbox there was a great deal of excitement. This project has never been content just settling for one sound and milking it. The album opens with a more familiar sound that picks up closer to where they left off marrying the metallic energy of their picking hand with the melancholy of post-punk. This comes with a cleaner guitar sound and not the overdriven metal tone. They are not metal, though this album does go in a more rock direction. 

With the second song, things begin to shift into an almost progressive rock zip code. There is a more angular mathematics to the way the riffs wind around The vocals remain at a steadfast yet modest croon. The guitar solos that surface are pretty impressive in their melody addition to the song. This album takes multiple listens to sink in and is best digested through headphones, due to where the vocals in the mix. "Nefelibatas' clicked as it had a darker throb amid the wall of jangling guitar encircling the more delicate vocals. The vocals almost have a folk cadence at times. This sets it aside from the typical post-punk adjacent acts that use a starker delivery. It almost reminds me of Opeth's "Damnation" album in this regard, but the drums are more driving there. 

"L'Appel Du Vide" is more driving almost to a punk extent., with the vocals offsetting this mood. The bass playing is more melodic on this one and the song pauses for room to breathe at times."Mementote" finds the band at their most metallic on this album so far, opening with a great deal of bombast before locking into a riff you might expect on a Judas Priest album. The vocals anchor it in their identity. They even lock in plenty of harmonized guitar lines to drive the metal mood home. They continue with palm-muted tension pushing "Massenmench" forward. The vocals play a more subtle back seat to the guitar, making it a little less compelling than the previous song. 

There are more shadows to the sound with which "Hindsight  Bias" is painted. I appreciate the fact they do not follow traditional songwriting structures, while still working subtle hooks into the melodies. The pace picks up for the last song. King Dude lends his voice to it, leaning the song in a more typical post-punk direction. Things do build into a more black metal-influenced passage with harsh vocals set back in the distance, so the guitar melody might prevail.. I will give this album a 9.5, as it is more obtuse with the hooks buried more subtly requiring more time to sink in, but a logical step forward to a band that deserves much more recognition. 

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Gothtober- the Top 10 Post Punk Albums of 2021

It's that time of year again.  It might seem early to start these now, but record labels have pretty much sent me most of what this year has to offer already, by the time I am done sorting through the top 10 albums of all the respective genres, I will use them, to compile the top 10 albums of the year. As I predicted last year 2021 was not much better than 2020, as things continue on a downward spiral ug dark music more important as a soundtrack for this.   As far as 2021 goes for post- punk, musically I think these albums are better than last year. Some faces that appeared on last year's list reoccur, and three new bands on this year's list.  The very fact these bands made it on the list speaks to how great these albums are, so it's not a slight that the number 8 album is above the 9th album, there is something that just gives it an edge that makes me want to listen to it more. After all we can try to look cool and pick the hippest bands for a list, but at the end of the day what makes an album the best is that it makes you want more, you look forward to listening to it again. Perhaps you can find your next favorite on this list; and have included links to reviews of these albums if you want to check out audio on these guys. Anyways here are the top 10 post-punk albums of 2021 

10- Flood Twin - 'S/T" 

They have the tension part right and are dark enough to make it work, vocals are their weak spot , but they make up for it with the aggression in the guitar that keeps an unsettling tone going that works for me. 

Abysmal Hymns: Gothtober- Flood Twin : "S/T"

9-Fotocrime - "Heart of Crime"

Uber-retro synths and more spoken vocals caught me off guard, guitars and more actual instruments come in on the second song things begin to feel more familiar. There is a touch of Sisters of Mercy, though at time the guitars make me think of Bruce Springsteen. Often early80s moods creep in and get dancey seeing a progression from post-punk into this

Abysmal Hymns: Fotocrime : "Heart of Crime"

 8- Pink Turns Blue - "Tainted"  

Here is a comeback album I did not expect. Less creepy than their early years, they are less dark wave and starker post -punk. The album sounds great, alongside bands like the Cure and Joy Division these guys have been doing this since the 80s so it is pretty much like riding a bike. Much like riding a bike they allow themselves to coast along on songs that are really easy on the ears.

Abysmal Hymns: Gothtober- Pink Turns Blue : "Tainted"

7-Liars - "the Apple Drop" 

The 10th album from this experimental project whose only consistent member is the founder Angus Andrew. They continue to throw electronic music against post-punk and see what happenings. Each album has a different result, this one is no different in that regard. Perhaps equal parts moodier and darker. At times conforming more to conventional song writing than previously expected. His melodies range in shades of depression and unhinged tension. 

Abysmal Hymns: Liars : " the Apple Drop"

6- Spectres - "Hindsight"

This is not a return to the kind of goth infused sound they gave us on "Nothing to Nowhere", but it is their best album since then, even if some of the punk moments, keep it being just shy of perfect there are enough almost Smiths like moments to compensate for it and put it at the number 8 spot here.  

Abysmal Hymns: Gothtober- Spectres : "Hindsight"

5-Johnny Marr- "Fever Dreams pt 1 "

"I Can't Stand Morrissey but Johnny Marr is a great guitarist. While it is true Marr is great this is a common phrase uttered by many a poseur to afraid of what people think of think them to admit to listening to the Smiths. Funny enough the press release by BMG does not mention the Smiths but calls him a legend, which is funny because The The, Electronic, Modest Mouse and the Cribs did not make him a legend. What he did in the Smiths works here. 

 Abysmal Hymns: Gothtober- Johnny Marr : "Fever Dreams pt 1 "

4-Rope Sect-  "Proskynesis"

The German lords of gloom are back. This time we only get 6 songs, but I will take whatever I can get. This album finds them going down the dark road. Less aggressive than their previous offering in terms of the guitar attack, the mull on the melodies more and give the vocals room to breathe. This album is odd as the first three songs are three parts of the title track. 
 

Abysmal Hymns: Gothtober - Rope Sect :" Proskynesis"

 3-Old Moon- "Altars"  

This album beat out Rope Sect for the number three spot which says a lot. While Rope Sect continued to be themselves, this project carved its way into the world with modest ambition and roughhewn charm in their sound that is familiar enough to still be different. 

Abysmal Hymns: Gothtober- Old Moon : "Altars"

2- Viagra Boys - "Trailer Park Jazz"

This is another band that makes solid argument for Scandinavian post-punk. This album is also a stylistic shift for the band in many ways. Punchy yet still manages to be very danceable. The horns that crop up bring the Stooges to mind  at times even though the groove has a more electronic feel.

Abysmal Hymns: Viagra Boys : " Welfare Jazz"

1- Black Country New Road- "For the First Time" 

This album reminds us post-punk can span from many things. It emerged in the 1970s as a more artful way to add thought from a somewhat cruder punk rock movement. It is thinking man's punk in many ways. Not content with being a Joy Division cover band, This band is an example of how the best of the genre seems to be now comings from England. This group embraces the tension and inner darkness and explore how to convey starkness with more sonic colors

Abysmal Hymns: Gothtober- Black Country, New Road : "For the first time"

Gothtober - Rope Sect :" Proskynesis"

 The German lords of gloom are back. This time we only get 6 songs, but I will take whatever I can get from these guys.  I have been a fan since their inception and this album finds them going down the dark road . Less aggressive than their previous offering in terms of the guitar attack, the mull on the melodies more and give the vocals room to breathe. This album is odd as the first three songs are three parts of the title track. I am reviewing them as 3 separate songs since that is how they track out. The first one has some rock drive in the guitars as the vocal lay back in a mellow croon. The vocals sit back against the guitar. The second part I had to listen to a few times to fully absorb, it starts off more doomy, though kicks into a more death rocky riff that has punk drive to it without forsaking the room for melody as they slow down to allow the vocals to emote. They are more melodic thought starkly plaintive, though this guys has improved as a singer over the years. There is a lingering metal feel that bridges some sections of the song. 

While of the 3 parts it all works the 3rd part is just the hookiest and stands on it's own the best. It also serves as a suited bridge to the other three songs. "Handsome Youth" has a less organic feel when it comes to the drums, but as a song , composition wise is it really strong. The melodies are all very gray which I can appreciate. Lyrically it is nice too. Images of empty souls and such.  The contrast between the bass and the guitar on "Lava" is really great. Lyrically I am not sure what it has to do with the title but oh well. I know these guys are from Germany but there is something Irish feeling to the mood. 

The first song that stands apart as a newer sound for these guys while being true to what they do is the last one. The vocals are slightly softer , though the Irish thing can be felt here as well, despite them being German, not sure why this gets stuck in my head but it does. Despite this fact I would not say it grips you like the other songs, in fact the more sedate vibe , makes it less catchy than the more driving songs where the melody counterbalances things.  Moodier as a whole for sure. These guys have really come into their own since the last album and I am glad to hear them continue the path here.  I will give this album a 9.5 as I allow it to grow on me, and look forward to hearing more from them in the future. 

Gothtober - the Top 10 Post Punk Albums of 2020

 

It's that time of year again .  It might seem earlier to start this in November , but record labels have pretty much sent me most of what this year has to offer already , by the time I am done sorting  through the top 10 albums of all the respective genres, I will use  them, to compile the top 10 albums of the year. I know many of you are ready for 2020 to be over with. Hate to break it to you but nothing is getting better next year.  As far as 2020 goes for post- punk there are only two new bands on this years list .  The very fact these bands made it on the list speaks to how great these albums are, so it's not a slight that the number 8 album is above the 9th album, there is something that just gives it an edge that makes me want to listen to it more.

After all we can try to look cool and pick the hippest bands for a list, but at the end of the day what makes an album the best is that it makes you want more, you look forward to listening to it again. Sure you can bitch and complain about your favorite band not being on the list. However  I listen to five new albums a day so yes I heard your favorite album and was not impressed. No,  I do not care what you think about it.   I do hope you can find your next favorite on this list  and  have included links to reviews of these albums if you want to check out audio on these guys. Anyways here are the top 10 post-punk  albums of 2020  

10- Protomartyr- "Ultimate Success Today" 

This more streamlined approach is a continuation of the thri more current sound, while it might lack the edge of their earlier work, it does show they have more than enough song writing chops . 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/07/protomartyr-ultimate-success-today.html

9- Deep Tissue - "Patience or Fear" 

Most of the time when I look for 'post- punk" bands I want something that is more goth than punk. I do like actual post -punk that is tense sprawling and sonic , but as with most music I want it to be dark. Here is a band that strikes the dark chords for me. They do have punk drive to them as well.

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/10/gothtober-deep-tissue-patience-or-fear.html

8- Fotocrime - "South of Heaven"

 A solid release as Ryan from Coliseum continues down the dark road he began with this project. He is joined by the drummer from Metz . There is more of a dancey groove that makes this feel more like Love & Rockets than Joy Division. There is less of the punk like tension that colors most of the more modern takes on this genre. 

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/03/fotocrime-south-of-heaven.html

  7-Death Bells - "New Signs of Life" 

 This band a great song writers with focused and intentional sound they still care about the songs. Not as stark and monotone as Ian Curtis. The grim narrative of their singer doesn't add as much melody as the other instruments. Thise album sounds great and serves as a triumph on their end.

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/09/death-bells-new-signs-of-life.html

-

6-Wailin Storms - "Rattle" 

 These guys have evolved their sound into something darker and more sonically intense. Their best work to date. If you like your post punk with more of a drunken ramble to it then this album is for you.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/05/wailin-storms-rattle.html

5- Uniform - "Shame" 

 There is no shame in the risks they took with this album as they paid off. They ventured from their noisy brand of post punk, that was heavier on the punk to begin with and gave a pinch of industrial, it was the twist they needed as this album is much more inspired than anything else I have heard from them. 

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/09/uniform-shame.html

4-Team Picture - 'The Menace of Mechanical Music"

 These Brtis have excelled at not only capturing the sounds , but cared enough to turn them into songs while they were at it. Moody in the right ways with enough tension to remain compelling.

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/08/team-picture-menace-of-mechanical-music.html

 

3-the Damned - "the Rockfield Files"

 Yes they have kept up with the times and are not just living off nostalgia. They are great musicians and solid song writers even if it leaves me wondering who passed Captain Sensible the bong. The songs did grow on me and it's a fun easy listen even if it's not exactly as dark as I want it to be

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/10/gothtober-damned-rockfield-files.html

" 

2-We Choose Forever - "True Love" 

 The genre is rooted in an era so recreating that time period seems to be one focal point, they dial this in without being to tied with the conventions that come with it. There are the drab baritone vocals , but here is where they are not satisfied with remaining complacent .We need as much dark music as we can get this year making this album a must.

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/07/we-chose-forever-true-love.html

1-Rope Sect - "The Great Flood" 

I often say in reviews, I will give this whatever score and see how it sits with me. This album went from a 9.5 to 10. They exceded expectations. A bands I have enjoyed to one of the best bands this year. This is one of the rare perfect albums that blends an almost metal aggression with melancholy darkness. There is not enough words to ecxpress how much this album rules. No one came close in this race at all.  

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/06/rope-sect-great-flood.html

Rope Sect : "the Great Flood"

This German band has more aggression that you other so called death rock revivalists . Their is a metallic drive to the verses of the opener than are give an add juxtapostion of the calm baritone croon to offset this. In Solitude comes to mind when the two styles are combined like this. The vocals are better than I remember them being on previous releases. They do not stick with this sound instead opting for a more frantic rock jangle . This sound owes more to punk. Things continue to mellow from this point which is fine as long as it serves the songs. The plainitive vocals are pleasing, yet flatten the range of dynamics. It is when Khvost lends his voice to "Prison of You" that you hear what this could be with a wider range of colors. Even then he does not belt it out in his proto Danzig, but does emote more than what happened in the first three songs.

Things improve on the ghostly vs palm muted tension of " the Underground Paradise" . The guitar harmonies even more metal... think Judas Priest of early Maiden. From this point they go with a more dusty western jangle. The guitar tone does kept this from going in a total metal direction. The vocal keep their cool even in the moments where explosion might be impending. I think midway in the album is where I begin to need a dynamic shift so the sullen uniformithy . Khvost returns on "Flood Flower". Rope Sect's singer did take some notes after working with him on this album as there are times between this on "Prison of You' where I had to listen closer to see if it was him. The haunted desert mood continues. I do want a new Grave Pleasures album as Hex Vessel is getting too hippy, this however serves as a decent replacement. "Non Serviemus" is a chugged instrumental that is a weird fit for the flow of the album. It is not out of place as a whole, it might just be where it sits on the album .

"Issohadores" is a return to the more brooding indie rock flavoured post punk. It is not as tensed with more room for the storm clouds to move in. There is a more melancholy shadow over the last song. I will round this up to a 9.5 as I think this is going to grow on me. The direction they took making this almost metal was unexpected for it to come about like this , but I am for it. This is being released on Iron Bonehead Records.

The Top 10 Goth / Industrial Albums of 2017

Goth is never just one genre so this is music too dark to fall into indie rock or punk. Industrial is too heavy to be electronica or edm. Over the years various artists have bounced from one list to another. Chelsea Wolfe focuses more on rocking out these day to fall here with her latest and the new Nine Inch Nails not being heavy enough. The old school legends continue to hold their claim to the genre, though six to four leaning in favor of newer acts. The ranking this year was determined by what I listened to the most. I defaulted to my LastFm page for this data. If you require further explanation I included a blip at the end of each entry to clarify why one album beat out the other. So lets get dark I am pressing publish to this baby at Midnight so we stay goth as fuck going into the Top 10 Goth and Industrial albums of 2017.

10-Glaare -"To Deaf and Day"

If you took some shoe gazing guitar and married to female fronted dark-wave it would result in something similar to the California band Glaare. I can appreciate the Siouxsie influence is there but it doesn't define the totality of their existence. At times this album is emotionally powerful and possesses some captivating beats with varied amounts of hypnosis mixed in with post-punk.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2017/12/glaare-to-deaf-and-day.html

9-Lock Howl -"Pareidolia"

 Driven by gothy crooned vocals have more of a Beastmilk feel to them. These guys ride the fence between goth and metal sometimes becoming more progressive with a neo-classical tone in play that works with the over all sound it is weird hearing this in the context of the more lo-fi production. More influenced by the revivalist bands than actually pulling from Sisters of Mercy or Bauhaus like some reviews might suggest. There is a more 80s metal guitar tone to "Into the Darkness, Into the Unknown" which sometimes flirt with an Emperor direction the chorus flirts with. 'Graveless" is the first song that really turns to older goth . It also collides with metal and it's that drive that powered this out over Glaare.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2017/02/lock-howl-pareidolia.html

8- Stoneburner - "the Agony Box"


 One half of Ego Likeness, this album often finds samples standing in the place of where vocals would normal be the focus is more on the beats and mood than Ego Likeness. This album is a tribute to Frank Herbert's Dune book series which is not horror , though dark for sci-fi. He keeps the spice flowing with the grooves and sometimes chanted vocals. I really like the middle eastern vibe that drives many of of the songs as the exotic nature of add a darker tone, like a techno version of Dead Can Dance.It's this dynamic range that propelled this album over Lock Howl.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2017/10/gothtober-stoneburner-agony-box.html

7-Death of Lovers- "the Acrobat "

 Their first album was darker falling somewhere between death rock and shoe-gaze. Their sophomore release finds the band now  growing up through the 80s into new wave. You can here touches of Flock of Seagulls on the opener, then on the second the synths take over. It bouncy and upbeat, detached but happy. The vocals show signs of improvement as the melodies slide smoother over the arrangements and they are singing out rather than allowing the vocals to lose themselves in the murky mix. Despite not being as dark as their previous album the songs are well written enough to put it over Stoneburner.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2017/11/death-of-lovers-acrobat.html

6- Night Sins-"Dancing Chrome"

 The first thing that hit me about the Philly act's new album is the depth and maturity. By the second song it's apparent there is more of an electronic thing going on here. It's less Sisters of Mercy then their previous releases though the vocals are still uttered from a coffin and mixed back behind the new wave synths. There is a more experimental edge to it. The album grew on me with repeat listens and will not disappoint any one who is already into them though they stick pretty true to who they are up to this point so I don't see it really wining over a larger audience either

. http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2017/04/night-sins-dancing-chrome.html

5-Black Mare- "Death Magick Mother"

 Despite the p/r around this project trying to give it a political slant, this is ethereal goth with an organic band behind it. This project is the work of Ides of Gemini member Sera Timms. It is less inclined towards metal than her other band. Imagine Switchblade Symphony with a dark indie rock band behind them rather than synths and drum machines. I am not sure that drum machines are not involved as it sounds like they certainly could be.I was fully prepared for this to be a Chelsea Wolfe knock off , but aside from being female singers with a ghostly approach to dark atmospheric music there is not much common ground.<

http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2017/08/black-mare-death-magick-mother.html

6-Rope Sect -"Personae Ingratae"

 Lyrically this album carries a fair share of bleak death worship. For a trio they kick up a pretty big sound. Combining many different sonics from the grunge pound of the drums to a hollow guitar that cries out into the desert night. The vocals are too dead pan in their croon to strike me as death rock. this is dark enough overall to earn it's place on this list and it's the drugged attitude that strikes the loudest chord for it's the real life grit that put it over Black Mare.


 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2017/06/rope-sect-personae-ingratae.html

5-Godflesh -"Post Self"

 Justin Broadrick's flag-ship project has been many things over the years some heavier than other's . This time around should please fans of the earlier incarnation as it is heavier. The vocals have a snarl to them. Moving with more of a metallic stomp,this return to the more to industrial side of the based will induce an involuntary head bob with it's machine driven heaviness. These grooves are what powered it over Rope Sect.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2017/11/godflesh-post-self.html

4-Gary Numan - "Savage"


In many ways Numan is the forefather of the brand of dark wave/ future pop or whatever else you want to label what goth kids are dancing to these days. In his day it was a darker take on what was being called new wave. Numan did not go back and try to re-create the sounds that made his hits grace the radio. He has chosen to take a stark look at the world around him and translate it into his own vision of musical science fiction. Numan's voice sounds great At times this album shows what he learned from his time spent with Fear Factory as there is a more industrial slant to it.


 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2017/10/gary-numan-savage.html

 3-Street Sects-"Rat Jacket" 

 The first thing that stood out about this album was far the vocals have come. This puts it more in the realm of many of the industrial influenced bands from the 90s . The influences are all over the place though as some of the grooves even remind me Fugazi. The vocals to go into harsher yells and growls when the dynamics call for it. This is a more experimental turn for the band with the vocals holding it together as the arrangement oddly shifts in a very chaotic fashion. I think samples are used very well in this album, and add to the atmosphere, though I obviously have a soft spot when reminded of music from this era.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2017/09/street-sects-rat-jacket.html

2-Marilyn Manson-"Heaven Upside Down"

 I can celebrate the return of distorted guitar.It is a fact that this album is angrier than "Pale Emperor". Speaking of that album it's the same band that played on "Pale Emperor " which has returned for "Heaven Upside Down". The beats get a little more interesting as the album progresses. Some of the more bluesy undercurrents of the previous album begin to return. With Marilyn Manson  I want him to be as dark as possible but still have groove and melody. It seems like this is where he is going and when he does step back into the 90s it's some of the albums best moments.He is remembering who he is. It's his keen sense of songwriting that beats out the more avant garde Street Sects.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2017/09/marilyn-manson-heaven-upside-down.html

1-KMFDM- "Hell Yeah"

 The legendary act who walks the line between electro and industrial returns like a drug against war, stronger than maybe not ever before, but certainly more powerful than most of the albums since Tohuvabohu. I am glad the guitar is receiving more focus on this album which makes songs like the opening track sound more like their classic work. The vocals work really well over the groove and the guitar accents the chorus. It's not until the more dancey Lucia track " Freak Flag" that we begin getting mixed messages from the band who was just telling us only the tough with survive. They begin wanting you to embrace individuality. This would not be a problem if their name didn't mean "no pity for the majority". This is the band that once instructed us to free our hate. Aside from this is pretty much a flawless album that earns repeat listens with ease and stands right behind their classic material. When KMFDM is on their A-game, even Manson's best moments can't touch them.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2017/08/kmfdm-hell-yeah.html

Rope Sect : "Personae Ingratae"

When the low baritone croon comes in the first thing I think about is Beastmilk. Lyrically there seems to be a fair share of bleak death worship. For a trio they kick up a pretty big sound. Much like early Beastmilk there is a rock n roll sound . More so on the second song,where the drums have more of a Nirvana like pound. "Pretty Life' finds a dark more western flavored guitar sound ringing out like the desert at night. I am more impressed when I find out these guys are from Germany, as that is not the landscape I see when I hear this. There promo pack which is always deceptive , references them as being death rock. I don't hear that I do hear them being solidly post-punk. The vocals are too dead pan in their croon to strike me as death rock. I see death rock as being more indulgent in it's emotional excesses no matter how many drugs they are on.

There is a more straight forward indie rock feel to "King of the Night". The drums once again a more explosive drive to the song. "Recess" has a more exotic quality to it's chord progression that makes me think of Wovenhand. There is a darker harder rock feel to the ominous "Ochlesis" . The drummer continue to really bang away at their kick to give an explosive propulsion to these songs. The more melodic break down is one of the album's best moments vocally. Though his croon never really gets belted out it has a more velvety touch here.They are back to rocking harder with "Death is Your Lover" . The vocals sit back into the mix a little more here. Overall this song is a little straight forward. "Rattenkonig" has the first touch of metal coming out of the verse. The verses are more subtle and remind me of 60's psychedelic. In someways they are like a male counterpart to Purson, though less prog and more grunge.

Overall this album was a real surprise for me and has been already awarded with heavy rotation, So I'll give it a 10 and see how it grows on me . While it's not full on goth. It is darker and moody. If I am digging it like I am then it means something as I am pretty jaded when it comes to this sort of thing and I could have easily gotten defense for it to come to close to the place I hold as a sacred memory in my heart for Beastmilk.