November is Doom -The Top 10 Stoner Rock Albums of 2023

Living in Florida reminds me why I do not like reggae. It's too happy, and all sounds the same. But you do not have to get stoned to music that sucks. In fact here are ten examples of albums you can break out the bong to. After I sort through the top 10 albums of all the respective genres, I use those lists to compile the top 10 albums of the year. 2023. 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 the audio on these guys. Anyway here are the top 10 Stoner Rock albums of 2023.

 10- Bongzilla -"Dab City" 

Carrying on the long-running tradition of delivering some of the best sonic baked goods, this stoner metal band rumbles on with no less enthusiasm as they had in the 90s when they started this.This album shows a band still doing what they do best, it has enough ebb and flow for me to keep my interest when something that normally drones on the kinds of jams they do might lose me. If you are a fan, then they surely will deliver what you love about them. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/06/bongzilla-dab-city.html

 

9-Dozer -"Drifting into the Endless Void" 

Sweden is not the sort of place I would expect bong-inspired hymns to descend from. But here we are. I should look to Europe for this sort of thing, since aside from Kyuss I am not big on the desert rock thing. These guys are darker than most stoner rock, they have a tense drive to them but steer away from allowing a retro sensibility to haunt them. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/11/november-is-doom-dozer-drifting-into.html

 8-Gozu-"Remedy" 

 I was wondering before I pressed play what this band did to get signed on Metal Blade Records. The answer is to write vocal-oriented songs that stand out from the pack. The vocal harmonies recall Alice in Chains, while the guitars have more of a Black Label Society grit to them. To their credit, they keep things pretty dynamic. Perhaps their influences are worn on their sleeves, but it all comes together better than most, riding a middle ground that is neglected in heavy music these days.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/11/november-is-doom-gozu-remedy.html

 

7- Stoned Jesus- "Father Light" 

This band from Ukraine falls along the more bong blazing styles of hard rock. Given the nature of their lives the lyrics are  apocalyptic in tone,  I am surprised bands there are still making music at all. Last July was their first rehearsal since the invasion took place. The current events influencing the tone of the songs, without preaching to you about them.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/02/stoned-jesus-father-light.html

 

6-High Priest - "Invocation" 

This band from Chicago brings it in a manner that pays homage to many bong-savvy genres. The first song strikes an effective balance of atmosphere and beefy rock riffs with a punch. that does not rely on Sabbath too heavily. I can hear the post-grunge strains of early Foo-fighters, mixed with a more surreal current running through it. They seem to always serve the songs. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/11/november-is-doom-high-priest-invocation.html

 

5-Strange New Dawn- "New Nights of Euphoria"

This Norweigian band features members of Green Carnation and In the Woods. The opening track has progressive elements but with an aggressive pounding propelling it. The sung vocals have a somewhat maniacal feel to them. The attack of the guitar is a little more black metal than doom, but you can hear how these elements are fighting against one another in harmonic chaos. Gloomy prog that grows on you with it's brand of weird. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/11/november-is-doom-strange-new-dawn-new.html

4-Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs - "Land of Sleeper"  

The newest album from the British stoner/sludge outfit finds the more punk undercurrent that ran through their previous album smoothed out in favor of a more Sabbath like lumber. This was an element of their sound before, but this album is refined into a more metallic direction. I like the sonic heaviness  in play , that balances out the fact they are more of a metal band now. That is not to say there are not some burly moments that lean into more of a Motorhead like rumble when they step on the gas.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/02/pigs-pigs-pigs-pigs-pigs-pigs-pigs-land.html

 

3-Haurun- "Wilting Within" 

The shadows sway with the bong-laden haze of this band's gloomy dirges. There is a great deal of maturity possessing the debut from this Oakland-based band. One of their most apparent strengths lies in the voice of  Lyra Cruz. Eliot Rennie's drumming certainly helps to keep things moving in a fluid manner. I really love what is going on here, aside from the deliberate choice to sacrifice the metallic heft of guitars, I think they make perfect choices in a flowing organic fashion.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/09/haurun-wilting-within.html

 

2- Rezn- "Solace" 

The fourth album from this amazing band out of Chicago. They often drone with a trippy vibe that carries exotic chord phrasings that make you feel like the drugs are already kicking in.  There are lots of well-layered sounds that sit in a much darker place than what you expect from psychedelic music, which is perfect for me. This perfection multiplies when they stop jamming around a get into the swirl of their songs which finds an androgynous tenor vocal weaving melodies around this concoction. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/02/rezn-solace.html

1-Royal Thunder - "Rebuilding the Mountain" 

 It's been seven years since their last album and the band went through some personal shit before returning reconfigured with drummer Adam Diprima back in the fold. This album took several listens to really grow on me, but was a worthwhile journey. They can not be accused of doing more of the same and the lengthy break brought a fresh coat of sonic musing to the table. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/05/royal-thunder-rebuilding-mountain.html

The Top 10 Rock Albums of 2023 so far

As the Doomsday Clock races, time speeds up, finding  2023 already at it's midpoint. These  lists serve as a decent snap shot of where the year is heading in terms of music. I have already received  promos for albums dropping as far out as August in my in-box, so they are really going to need to bring it in order to compete with the top five albums on this list. Rock is being defined here as  basically anything that is not metal, pop, or goth. It might be a little darker or heavier than what you listen to , so we are going by my definition since yours's can't be trusted. 

"But wait that is M....,"

Shut up... in 2023 if you are not bringing it at least as hard as Pantera , it's not metal .We are in a darker and heavier world so the soundtrack even when it is only rock n roll, should still fit the times.  I have included links to full review if you want to check these out and with all that said here are the top 10 Rock albums of 2023 so far. 

10- LA Guns - "Black Diamonds" 

 As long as both Phil Lewis and Tracii Guns are on board then I am fine with LA Guns. This album finds them  continuing to kick ass while their arena packing peers are fat floundering fools. If these guys can still do it with dignity then we should be expecting the same from the Motley Crues of the world. They open this album with a more Zeppelin like groove. At 66 Phil Lewis sounds incredible. They stay true to the era they are from, while not sounding dated .

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/04/la-guns-black-diamonds.html

9-Riverside -"ID. Entity" 

This album is very impressive and not too prog for its own good. These guys remember that they  are songwriters first and foremost. They are also songwriters with something to say that goes a long way with me. More speculation than shredding is a lesson todays prog bands could learn from. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/01/riverside-id-entity.html

 8-Tigercub- "the Perfume of Decay" 

This trio from England plays a glammed out style of rock that feels like a darker , more androgynous take on what Muse does. This is displayed on the title track opens the album. A trickle of angle guitar cascades of the groove, as the vocals coo over it all. They work more of tense groove rather than feeling the need to glitter bomb everything with grandiose choruses

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/06/tigercub-perfume-of-decay.html

 

7-Narrowhead- "Moments of Clarity"

Now  this band coats their songs with the glaze of shoegaze . The vocals are more introspective. The title track has a harder syncopated jangle, as they remind you, they did not leave their distortion pedals at home. The vocal lines pack a hookier punch hookier, as their song writing has been sharpened this time around. They use a similar formula, but with more dynamic ebb and flow 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/03/narrow-head-moments-of-clarity.html

  6- Queens of the Stone Age - "In New Times Roman..." 

The band does what they to well, though upon a  casual listen all the key elements are in place , though  perhaps due to the almost too pristine production, they sit weird together. Homme's vocals are in his normal cadence, but the highly compressed guitars have odd effects on them.  Though not a huge departure for the band, it perhaps does not rely on grooves as heavily as "Villains" .  

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/06/queens-of-stone-age-in-new-times-roman.html

  5-healthyliving- "Songs of Abundance, Psalms of Grief"

Bringing together musicians from Scotland , Germany and Spain, this trio kicks up an impressive melancholic brand of driving rock that borders on metal. This keen sense of dynamics is what I listen for in music from all genres. The stark alto of Amaya is expressive. While  she is not a Siouxsie clone, you can hear traces of that influence. She proves to be a powerful singer capable of belting it out as needed.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/03/healthyliving-songs-of-abundance-psalms.html

4-Deathvalley Girls- "Islands in the Sky" 

This album is darker than their previous once ,as the band firmly adheres to creating astounding layers of sounds, but still serving the songs with them. They combine the 60s pop ballad feel with their more psychedelic pondering  creates something closer to Siouxsie and the Banshees than you might expect. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/03/death-valley-girls-islands-in-sky.html

   

3-Royal Thunder- "Rebuilding the Table" 

It's been seven years since their last album and the band went through some personal shit before returning reconfigured with drummer Adam Diprima back in the fold.  They can not be accused of doing more of the same and the lengthy break brought a fresh coat of sonic musing to the table. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/05/royal-thunder-rebuilding-mountain.html
 

 

2- Metallica- "72 Seasons" 

Sure there is  is some recycling and clock punching, to keep it from being perfect, but if you are a Metallica fan and wish the "Black Album' was more metal and power ballad free then this album is for you. It's fun which has earned it repeat listens . 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/04/metallica-72-seasons.html

1-Spotlights - "Alchemy for the Dead" 

 This trio's sound has continued to evolve, as it not places them some where between the shoe gazing side of post-hardcore and sludge. This album  gets better with each listen, and the shadows of it's mood seep into your head.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/03/spotlights-alchemy-for-dead.html

Royal Thunder : "Rebuilding the Mountain"

 I have been looking forward to this one. It's been seven years since their last album and the band went through some personal shit before returning reconfigured with drummer Adam Diprima back in the fold. The album opens with a more introspective feeling, before roaring back with the first single from this album, "The Knife". Things get darker and heavier on " Now Here Nowhere" . The heaviest element of the album might be the lyrics. Their lyrics have always felt personal, but this time around there is more emotional catharsis to them which empowers Parsonz vocal performance. This time around it's a case of when you point the finger, three are pointing back at themselves. 

"Twice" finds her doing some interesting things with her voice to dip down for a note and come back up in her head register. There is an almost country feel to how some of the chords are picked out. "Pull" finds the more soulful aspects of who they are coming to the forefront. The stripped-down approach to songwriting means the band gets to the point. The more economic arrangements reflect this as every minute counts. "Live to Live" allows Miny's voice the space to wander, before they build the song up to soar off rather than explode. They do stomp on the volume and rock out more with "My Ten" which is driven by Parsonz's bass line. 

"Fade" grew on me by the second listen. It's a smoky rock tune that breezes by, but it reminded me of the conversation I have seen online regarding who should replace Chris Cornell in the event of a Soundgarden reunion, and her performance on this song is a good argument for Parsonz to fill the role. She belts out even harder on "the King". Once again the reverb-tinged phrasing of the guitar brings hints of country to mind.  "Dead Star' closes the album. More riff-oriented than the bulk of the album that slithers around you like a fever dream, it is a reminder that they are at least influenced by metal bands, an influence that fades further in the horizon. I will give this album a 10 for now to give it more time to grow on. They can not be accused of doing more of the same and the lengthy break brought a fresh coat of sonic musing to the table. 

The Top 200 Greatest Rock Singers-130- to 121

Digging deeper into our list of the top 200 greatest rock singers, inspired by the travesty that was Rolling Stone's supposed list. Where they got it wrong, this list hopes to be more effective, but not only focusing on rock singers and those adjacent to the genre, while placing the spotlight on the singer's technical vocal ability, in terms of range and power, as well as their dynamics, phrasing and the overall character of their voice. Can they emote from different places? How well does their voice hold up live? All factors are being considered here, lyrical content and the instruments they play do not factor in as these ranking is based on vocal merit alone. How they control a crowd or their entertainment value as performers is also not a factor; there are some great front men who are also sub-par singers.  

The same can be said of song writers which is why most Bob Dylan songs sound better covered by someone else. Needless to say, ole Robert Zimmerman is not making the cut. Most pop singers won't appear here, but there are a few country or jazz singers who crossover just enough to qualify for this list, while having a significant influence on rock music. Don't expect rappers on this list or metal vocalists who just scream or growl, but never actually sing. I am keen on singers who are derivative of other singers. The bulk of these are doing their own thing, the few paying tribute to other artists have still made enough of an impact with their music. Having a unique vocal quality is going to be one of the most important factors often trumping technical ability. If they sound too much like Steve Perry from Journey after listening to their vocal coach rather than developing their own style, it is also not going to fly. Some of these might have been ignored by mainstream music media, but by the time we get to the top 10, I am sure it will all make sense, so here are the Top 200 greatest rock singers.   

130 -Brett Campbell 

 Campbell's bright tenor brings a soaring contrast to his band's doomy crunch. He manages to do this with little pretense keeping power metal comparisons at bay. he has a great deal of power but uses it smoothly to allow his mournful melodies to ache rather than command.

   

 129-Zola Jesus

 Dark wave and post punk revivalists have been keen on emulating the voice of Siouxsie and when Nika Danilova first emerged from the witch house scene there was a hint of that to her voice her throaty belt has gain more colors as her career progressed into dancey regions of sound.

   

 128-Jarboe 

 Her most classic work is during her tenure lending her ghostly voice to Swans but has since sung on a wide variety of other dark music projects. One of the more influential singers of the dark music scene.  

127- Libby Lux 

 Her voice is what separates the Bridge City Sinners from the other punk rock train kids who picked up banjos in the last decade. She can go from a 20s jazz croon to black metal rasp all in the course of a song.

   

126-Eric Wagner 

There was something fragile and desperate to his voice when Wagner shrieked over the doom riffs of his band Trouble. There is more soul to his voice than most of the singers he would later inspire.

   

 125-Jeremy Enigk 

 He was way ahead of his time developing his style of singing that would be later thought of as emo. Three albums into the career of Sunny Day Realestate his range double along with the vocal colors he employed.

   

 124- Imogen Heap 

 Her vocal style is characterized by layers of harmonies. Something best left in the context of the studio which is why despite being influential she is not ranked higher. She does get credit for throwing her voice around in a less than mainstream manner.

   

 123-Farida Lemouchi 

 The singer of the Devil's Blood took what bands like Coven did before her and her brother and did it better.One of the few band's that were actually sincere in their desire to sing praises to darkness, Farida did so with passion and power.

   

 122-Miny Parsonz 

 The front woman of Royal Thunder utilizes her tremendous range with a great deal of power, that recalls metal singers of the 80s, but run through a filter of cigarette smoke and cheap hotel rooms.

   

121-Ike Willis 

 Frank Zappa was known for only employing the highest tier of musicians. Not being much of a singer himself, many of these tremedous talents had to step up to the mic on behalf of Frank, but Ike had the best pipes of them all with husky soulful voice that could easily flip over into a falsetto.

The Top 40 Female Artists of All Time : 20 - 11

It's 2020 we are making a bigger deal out of how wet the nether regions are rather than the quaity of music being made. Granted the people doing this must have never heard of Lil Kim. This also gives me the chance to take  break from the lists of androgynous guys and  makes this one.The top 40 hottest female artists, might come one day  I am bored at some point but right now we are just focusing on the music. After all if you are writing good songs that stick in my head I do not care what you look like. You are not going to see artists here that I feel are covered by those who do what they do better or are such originators in their genre why listen to imitators. Not only does this list give commonly under rated artists their proper place, but I dig into as expected from me both harder and darker artists not mentioned in the same breath as pop artists. Speaking of that is covered by a handful of ladies as more would be redundant. There is one big one here in particular that takes care of everything . Only one rapper, and they are unique , and this is about their impact on music as a whole so iconoclasts not strippers with prodiucers or entertainers alone. Since this the Abysmal Hymns list there will of course be a darker slant and singer's with any gospel leanings that are blasphemous are obviously disqualified. So here we go...




20- Beth Gibbons - Portishead




This is a case of where an artists greatness is truly revealed in the number of artists they went on to influeced. While I love Beth's haunting passion, it is the impact she has that earns her place here.






19-Miny- Parsonz-Royal Thunder

Parsonz does what Lizzy Hae does better. With has more of a Joplin like grit and one of the best female rock voices going today .


 




18-Zola Jesus


She stands alone when it comes to modern dark pop. AHer sound has evolved yet her music remains distinct. I only wish she would put out a new album sooner than later.


 



17-Anneke van Giersbergen- the Gathering


Before female sirens adding a romantic touch to things became more common place in metal Anneke was waeaving a spell without even trying to be a witch like many of today's singers do. Having her on this list elimantes the need to include singers who followed in her steps such as Nightwish or Delain


.


16-Emma Ruth Rundle


This singer songwriter fronted the prog band Marriages before embarking on her darker solo venture. There is a great deal of depth to her voice, but it's her knack as a song writer that solidifies her place here





15 -Sinead O Connor



This singer become known for controversy and ecentric nature , in truth she has an amazing versitile voice and while I like the Cranberries , if Sinead is on the list then I have that base covered already and she does it better.



 



14- Chelsea Wolfe



If this was a list of todays female rock singers then she would top the list , this is more encompassing and the top ten has women who influenced her.


 

13- Taylor Swift 


She has grown past pop country and past pop stardom with her newst album really cementing her as not only some one to be taken seriously , but worthy of her place on this list.



 


12-Pj Harvey


Not punk enough to fall into the whole riot grrrl trend, too angry to fit neatly into the singer song writer thing. She has enough grunge to her sound and a dynamic enough voice to fil the gap where other people might gravitate to Patti Smith.



 

11-Jarboe - Swans


Yes she has done solo stuf, she has worked with Neurosis and other bands however her work with the Swans alone is enough to put her here. Granted the Swans are one of my top 10 bands of all times, so I might be dias but she provided the light to Gira's darkness , even Chelsea Wolfe counts her as an infuence so that why she is here and Chelsea is down where she is.

the Top 10 Albums of the Decade"

Pulling from all the other  best of decade lists to create this list of the top 10 over all albums of the  decade. The decade began before this blog was started , I can not just rely on sorting through previous reviews. I am just embedding video clips to support the reasoning for these albums to be listed as such, since I already did a best of the year list for each sub-genre.The decade found some gems by a broad range of artists from Country to Pop to Black metal and Doom.This might not be the most  hipster of the lists that say Vice puts out, what matters is the fact; these are the albums I listened to the most. Any ways here are the Top 10 Albums of the decade .






10-Chris Stapleton- 'the Traveller" 2015 










9-Clutch- Psychic Warfare 2015 













8-Health- "Death Magic"-  2015





 





7-Royal Thunder- "Crooked Doors" 2015



 





6-Pallbearer- "Foundations of Burden" 2014




 





5-Chelsea Wolfe - "Pain is Beauty"  2013 












4- Morrissey - "World Peace is None of Your Business" 2014 












3- David Bowie- 'the Next Day" 2013





 







2- Taylor Swift- '1989" 2014





 






1-Watain- 'the Lawless Darkness" 2010





 

the Top 10 Hard Rock Albums of the Decade

The decade began before this blog was started , I can not just rely on sorting through previous reviews. I am just embedding video clips to support the reasoning for these albums to be listed as such, since I already did a best of the year list for each sub-genre. Hard rock was created by splitting mainstream metal and rock off into more specialized categories. So these bands rock harder than rock n roll, but not hard enough to be metal This might not be the most hipster of the lists that say Vice puts out, what matters is the fact; these are the albums I listened to the most .&Any ways here are the Top 10 Hard Rock  albums of the decade.




10- O'Brother-- "Garden Window" 2011




 






9-Junius- "Days of the Fallen Sun" 2014 




 






8-LA Guns-" the Missing Peace" 2017










7-New Years Day- "Unbreakable"  2019 













6-Tomahawk- "Oddfellows" 2013






 




5-Kvelertak -"Meir"- 2013




 






4- Alice In Chains - "Rainer Fog 2018 "












3- Hopesfall - "Arbiter" 2018




 







2-Mindless Self Indulgence- How I Learned to Shut Up " 2012




 






1-Royal Thunder- 'Crooked Doors "- 2015 




 

Top 10 Rock Albums of 2017 ...so far

It's that time again as the year continues to fly by, for us to look at what they top ten rock albums of the year so far are. These are a wide jumble of varied genres that have one thing in common...they aren't metal. We have hard rock, indie rock, math rock, cock rock etc...they are ranked according to what Last FM said I listened to the most. So here you go.. If you wanna hear more just click onto the link to the full review of the album.

10 - Cherry Glazer- "Apocalypstick"

 Here is a wacky indie rock band that works best off best clever, though they can build into a more punk infused punch on the opener "Told You I'd Be With the Guys". The lyrics are just as smart as the arrangements especially on "Trash People". This album is sonic and compelling indie rock that's familiar in some ways , but they are very much their own person.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2017/03/cherry-glazerr-apocalipstick.html

 

  9-Elder - "Reflections of a Floating World"

 The Boston stoner rock band is back. This is their third album. The guitar heroics really take the spot light three and half minutes in. The layered production is very lush and it's clear these guys are not far removed from progressive rock. Six minutes in and you are getting more surreal passages no quite Pink Floyd like in their trippy endeavors , but a slight hint they are wanting to steer the ship in that direction. They punch back in strong and you can already tell this album is going to be filled with interesting guitar tones.As a whole this album might no be 100 percent my thing , but I can appreciate where they are going here and can hear how talented they are.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2017/06/elder-reflections-of-floating-world.html

8-The Cloud Nothings- Life Without sound

It’s comforting to know that one of the scenes biggest indie rock band’s actually knows how to rock. They open the album with a more reflective tone that cruises  on smooth melodies, but by the second song they remind you that indie rock has punk roots. There is enough of a jangle to take you back to the days band's like the Replacements held a place on college radio. If you are too young and missed the boat on the first two Weezer albums or Jimmy Eat World’s early work, then these guys have got you covered. This is indie rock that knows where it came from and adds it’s own flavors.">




7-Steel Panther- "Lower the Bar" 

 Hair metal ...cock rock or whatever you want to call the metal from the 80's that held a glam tinge and packed arenas, is what Steel Panther is. These guys are more of a parody, but in the process make some good music by mistake.

http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2017/03/steel-panther-lower-bar.html

6-King Woman - "Created in the Image of Suffering"

The dream like haze cast over the doom-gaze of the band's debut full length has grown thicker than what  we found on their previous ep. This album hits a sweet spot for me,  once again proving you don't have to adhere to the typical trappings of metal in order to be heavy. Blues bubbles under the simmering cauldron of hypnotic riffs. Overall this album starts off with a dreamier coating and wakes into a more grounded powerhouse..Kristina's vocals pull the songwriting together and making it an album you’ll dig deeper into with repeat listens

. http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2017/02/king-woman-image-of-suffering.html

5-Crystal Fairy - s/t Holy shit! I had le Butcherettes confused with the Ravonettes going into this because this chick can fucking belt it out with rock god size balls, I know she is from Bosnian Rainbows but it didn't all click now.At times it feels like Rasputina as a punk band, but overall it rocks pretty solidly and this reminds me I need to give it more listens. http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2017/02/crystal-fairy-st.html

4- Mastodon - "Emperor of Sand" Living in Atlanta it's hard to gauge just how big of a deal a new album from Mastodon is outside of the microcosm here. It feels like more of a fully realized vision that the past two albums.Overall this might be the band's best album since "Crack the Skye" so it made the much envied trip over to my iPod and then I will see how it stands the test of time. Some of the songs that didn't hook me in as strongly as the groovier poppier numbers still have room to grow on me. http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2017/03/mastodon-emperor-of-sand.html

3- Gold- "Optimist"

 The Dutch band is back with more introspection to the gloom. The singer has really stepped up her game on this collection of more refined rock songs that succeeds in being sonically heavy without being metal.This one is still growing on me , but has gotten a generous share of repeat listens.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2017/05/gold-optimist.html

2-Royal Thunder- "Wick"

There are metal influences under the surface but this is not a metal album. By the album's third act it becomes obvious they have remembered who they are and what they should be doing. The album comes to a close with 'We Never Fell Asleep". There is a dagger like quality to how the lyrics are spit out on this one and they gain some punch as the song progresses.   Overall this one shows the band growing away from who they where and that takes some adjustment if you are invested in their old sound,but is worth the trip.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2017/03/royal-thunder-wick.html

 1- Minus the Bear - Voids

ts been awhile since I have caught up with Minus the Bear around 2004 they were one of my favorite bands. The last album I owned by the was 2007's "Planet of Ice" so it's been a decade since they were really on my radar. In that time frame they have releases a few more albums, I felt with "Planet of Ice" that the song writing was not as focused as the first album. Things have changed and there is a better balance. Overall the dream like qualties to these songs is very thoughtful and makes this album carry a lot of depth as well as being a fun ride for casual iPod listening and makes me want to go back and see what I might have missed out on from these guys. This marks a return to the band I want them to be. http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2017/05/minus-bear-voids.html

Royal Thunder : "WICK"

I really loved "Crooked Doors" I wore it out. This means the bar is held pretty high here. So I was uncertain of the slow droning riff that accompanies the more circular chant of the first song. They don't come out swinging like they did on the previous album. I went back and gave this song another listen after hearing the entire album, and it made a little more sense , but didn't really grab me. The snarl Parsonz summons on "April Showers" sounds almost like Blackie Lawless. This song snakes around but drones less than the opener and has more balls to it. She has a greater grit to her voice on this album for sure, but they have really backed off on the distorted when it comes to the guitars. Sure there is almost an "Amorica" like soul to "Tired". The only problem is they are not the Black Crowes. While she tries some interesting things with harmonies and less rock-centric melodies, it is not as focused as the previous albums. By the time we get "We Slipped" which is pretty uptempo, you might as well resign yourself that the metal trapping that gave intensity to other albums has been shed. The rock jangle is going to be hard pressed to grow on me in the same way the last album did.


 There is a more Led Zeppelin boogie to "the Sinking Chair". This is much closer to what I want from these guys. The distortion could have been more amped and taken the chugged section to a heavier place so this is production choice. She lets her voice go into more of harsher metal scream at some points, though this song is more of a mid seventies vision of metal that what metal is by today's standards. The very stripped down "Plans" marries a starker version of Janis Joplin to the Black Crowes. I like this one more than I thought I would when it started. Her soulful vocals really sell it. There is much more piano on this album than I remember them using in the past. I also have a much harder time envisioning how these songs would translate live than I do with their other work.

"Anchor" works for me right of the bat. It's not metal but has rambling moodiness that connects with me and feels more powerful. The vocals and guitar work together much seamlessly than what happens on some of the other songs. The atmosphere and the brooding that drives the title track both immediately work for me. It does kick into a harder rock direction. The shadows that color the mood are obviously of importance to me. There is a more stripped down intro to "Push" than what the song ambles into which feels more like a lost Jeff Buckley track. The vocal performance really sells this song. While it rocks more and moves pretty fluidly it seems like "Turnaround" is one of those songs that is going to need to grow on me.

The hypnotic winding western tinged riffs that these guys do so well are invoked on "the Well" . The doing go to the obvious big rock chorus off the back and build tension. There are metal influences under the surface but I would not say this is a metal album. By the album's third act it becomes obvious they have remembered who they are and what they should be doing. The album comes to a close with 'We Never Fell Asleep". There is a dagger like quality to how the lyrics are spit out on this one and they gain some punch as the song progresses.   Overall this one shows the band growing away from who they where and that takes some adjustment if you are invested in their old sound, but I'll around this one up to a 9.5.
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The Top 10 Vocalists of 2015

Often left as the icing on the cake or as an after thought these days , particularly with metal, vocals are what I scrutinize the most and is most often the deal breaker for me. Here we are talking about singing, there are a couple on the list who incorporated screaming in various degrees into what they do , but this list are the singers that went that really poured their hearts and souls into each note.

10-Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden

 This is almost more of an honorable mention as there is more strain on his highs which are not as high as well even a "Matter of Life and Death" , but then again being the Trooper , Bruce came back from a bout of cancer that could have made matter's much worse so that combined with taking his age into consideration, Bruce still does better than most.

 9- Lariyah Hayes of Khaotika

Hayes dominates "the Flame Unleashed" with a range that dips down into a urgent alto before soaring up into her more power metal soaring register. She manages to pull off a classic metal vocal without getting mired down in cliches of 80s metal yodeling. Even at her most melodic she doesn't take away from the heaviness of her band and can rough it up with the boys who provide most of the backing growls. Expect big things from her in the future and check out their most recent album if you have yet to give it a spin.
 



 

8- Joy Von Spain of Eye of Nix Joy

Von Spain  can belt out an operatic soprano, but isn't afraid to tighten up her vocal cords and give an anguished scream either. Her vocals set "Moros" ahead of the pack when it comes to bands experimenting with sludge encrusted metal. The dark back drop her band sets behind her compliments her voice and gives her the breathing room to belt it out as needed. Projects like Myrkur which might have gotten more press tried their hand and similar, Von Spain just executed it with a broader emotional range and a more expansive set of pipes.
 

7-Kennedy Ashlyn of Them are Us too

 While Ashlyn's style might wear it's influences on her black sleeves. To pay such homage to Elizabeth Fraser is a feat in and of itself and she nails. You can hear who she is and she doesn't sing in her own made up language so this is not a total hero worship affair. She bends her melodies with fey grace and really made "Remain" an album I keep returning to.
 

6-Ryan Adams

 It was a bold move to cover an entire Taylor Swift album. Up until this point I had respect for Adams and had a curiosity in regards to his stuff ,but the passion he injected into "1989" sealed the deal. He takes pop melodies and puts is heart into them blending a style that mixes Bruce Springsteen with Tom Petty, but much more melodious than either and allowing me to really hear his voice as never before.
 

5- Chelsea Wolfe

 "Abyss" found Wolfe stepping out of the ghostly shadows and baring her voice in a more vulnerable manner than largely shed the effects dripping approach she did so well and showing a lot of growth. Live she was even more impressive, and her praises have already been sung on this site a hundred times over, you are probably shocked that she is ranked higher and while she had the best album of the year , she worked well within the context of the songs and got the job, where the next four singers really caught me by surprise where I saw Wolfe coming a mile away. This is not to say she wasn't awesome after all anyone who made this list really accomplished something considering all the albums I heard this past year.
 

4- George Lewis jr aka Twin Shadow

 Here is where it gets really competitive , "Eclipse" hung tough on my iPod thought out thanks to smooth melodies Lewis had such mastery of . He was often dark yet very soulful and encapsulated everything I could want from a male pop singer as far as dynamics go, despite the fact he largely stays out his head register and I'm a sucker for a good falsetto, but we'll get to that one soon enough. His voice always goes to the perfect places in the song making for something very infectious.
 

3-Emma Beth Rundle - Marriages

 She really came into her own on "Salome" and displayed a more emotive power and greater range. At times she sounds like Tori Amos, but this speaks more to her willingness to cut loose and pour her heart out into the songs, which earned other singers like Ryan Adams a place on this list as well. Emma just managed to make my jaw drop a few more times than most.
 

2- Miny Parsonz of Royal Thunder

Miny  brought it on "Crooked Doors" taking her voice up into places where classic rock gods used to go. She not only flexed her pipes to a greater extent on this album , but really created melodies that stuck in my head and had me listening to this album in binges. She went to some grittier places and also back off and offered some more reserved lines that were just as emotional due to her willingness to get real lyrically and immerse not only herself in the experience , but the listener as well.
 

1- Abęl Makkonen Tesfayeaka aka The Weeknd

 When he preforms at the Grammys this year the secret will be out of the bag. I told you I'm a sucker for falsetto, by Abel comes with a Michael Jackson like tenor, but with more of a gangster lean to it. His music is darker than any soul music has been since Marvin Gaye's "Here My Dear " album, with Abel singing out drug induced antics in a tongue and cheek manner than has a passion to it that makes you wonder where his legend begins and life ends. "Beauty Behind the Madness" is what pop should be.