Top 10 Industrial Albums of 2015

Industrial is getting it's own top 10 list this year. While this list took a little more searching and broadening of the definition than the goth list did, it's hear for your reading enjoyment none the less. Some of the projects carrying more of a edm vibe, but that is nothing new since so does Skinny Puppy these days. Some rock out more than other and a couple are more rooted in rock than electronic music. The stark atmosphere of industrial was one of the most important qaulities an most are ranked by what I listened to the most this year. If you want a listen most have review links there was only one I never got around to reviewing. So here are our top 10 Industrial albums of 2015.
  10-Chant : "Brave New Apocalypse"

 This is more of an honorable mention, since I did not get to spend much time with this one. They were impressive when I saw them live, obviously the album can not pack the same punch as the live show, but it's a decent substitute. Fans of older Nine Inch Nails...Pretty Hate Machine era, will really dig these guys.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/12/chant-brave-new-apocalypse.html

9-Prodigy : "the Day is My Enemy"

 Never got around to reviewing this one. These guys have aged well and adapted to the times, not just trying to re-kindle the fire starter. While their energy is more industrial than many of the sounds they make, if I remember the 90s , they got played in industrial clubs so they belong here.

8-God Module : "Prophecy"

 Dark ebm with distorted vocal that typifies the post-90s industrial. There is plenty of Skinny Puppy influence , but also moments most suited for the dance floor. Its aggressive without being heavy as metal. Production wise everything is on point. The vocals sit where they need to and the beats are dirtied up enough to not sound poppy. These are dark anthems for goth clubs in the wee hours before last call.It is more like aggressive edm to me, but if that where industrial music wants to go, that's cool there is room for different brands and these guys do a good job of it.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/10/god-module-prophecy.html

7-Ego Likeness : "When the Wolves Return"

 My primary experience with Ego Likeness has been from Dragon-con and some of the State of the Goth Scene panels, their music taps into a very dramatic and romantic vein of dark-wave. One thing that gives them the edge is the use of of guitar to give the pulse of the songs more drive. The sultry syrup of her voice drips off the banging synths. If you are into dark wave their is more to like than not on this album, I give them big props for not just ripping off Faith and the Muse or Siouxsie , but still acknowledging those influences. If you are already a fan it might be their perfect album.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/07/ego-likeness-when-wolves-return.html

6-Pinkish Black: "Bottom of the Morning"

 The new one from the Fort Worth synth drone duo, who really defies most genres , but that won't stop me from trying to peg one onto  there dark brand of synth drive post-punk. On their debut for Relapse Records , the vocals are even more prominent coming out from behind the wall of murky effects and over driven synth swirl that dominated previous releases. Due to this the lyrics are more discernible than previous releases. Before you are too quick to compare them to Joy Division they are much more like a darker version of "Obscured by Clouds " era Pink Floyd. I read one review of this album where Mike Patton was brought up and I wonder what album they were listening to.If anything there is sometimes more of a Josh Homme feel to the melodies.  They take on a heavier drive with "Special Dark" that finds their singer dropping down into a more ghoulishly goth croon. It's pretty murky even with the hammering pulse of sounds like a bass, but knowing these guys is more likely over driven synth. If you are a fan of their previous work, they have not sold out by a long shot. If you have never given them a listen, this album is a decent entry point.

http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/10/pinkish-black-bottom-of-morning.html

5-Corrections House: "How to Carry a Whip"

While it was an enjoyable listen , I was not blown away by their first album, however Their second album gets off to a much more industrial start. I like this more than the first album since its darker. Even the samples that begin bubbling up from behind the jagged guitar sound like they could have been on a 90s Neurosis album. A vast improvement from the first album and I want to hear them dig further into the darkness on the next one.

4- Die Krupps: "Metal Machine Music"

 If bands like KMFDM have become to edm for you, here is an industrial album that makes no bones about it and kicks you in the teeth like its 1990. Before you try to compare them to Rammstein, take note that these guys beat them to the punch by ten years.  I first became aware of the band after they put out a Metallica  tribute album in the 90s . Then in the 2000s when it seemed every year another industrial tribute to something was coming out , these guys showed up on their fair share of those. There riffs have remained just as tough, and benefit from better production today's technology allows. This album will sucks you in and weaves a sonic world around you that finely tuned, well composed industrial music can. These guys are not just pushing buttons and tossing samples around.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/07/die-krupps-metal-machine-music

 

3-the Soft Moon : "Deeper"

I was so impressed by the first glimpse of this band that I had to hunt their label down.The album starts off with very industrial ambiance. The first single "Deeper" is pretty damn dark, it might remind you of "Pretty Hate Machine" era Nine Inch Nail, though these guys have put a glossy glaze of weirdness over that formula. the vocal arrangements tend to be more chanted and droning than anything Reznor does. They have a really good and dense synth sound that has the metallic edge of a guitar to it.Fans of bands bands ranging from Cold Cave to Skinny Puppy can find something to move them on this album.   Overall it's a pretty incredible listen.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-soft-moon-deeper.

3-Author&Punisher : "Melk En Honing"

 Following "Women & Children" the bar is raised pretty high. Tristan Shore has been a one man wrecking crew when it comes to industrial by making music using a a complex system of  home made machines fitting for the genre. The first thing I notice is the vocals are not as distorted as pervious albums. He still has Godflesh like grit to his voice. It is dark and doomy with something that sounds like Arabian wailing floating over the droning rumble.This album was worth the wait there are a few moments that have to grow on me, I think this album is heavier than his last. He doesn't make the same album twice and retains the sonic intensity and his way of doing things .

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/06/author-melk-en-honing.html

1- Health :"Death Magic"

 I first questioned some of the reviews where this project referred to as industrial, they seemed more like edm with a dark and dirty slant to it and a kick , but Industrial ? Well it took many listens to convince me of this. This is their sixth album and it's been five years in the making, so no wonder  they  have become masters at layering some clever vocal melodies over yearning grooves to create some hooks that sink into your brain and pull you along for the ride. The first hint it might just be industrial came in the tribal pound of  drums that open " Men Today" that has some noise to it , while the sounds assembled are cool , for an album with such emphasis place on sex and drugs it feels sometimes like foreplay with no climax.Until the subtle hooks are latched into your brain. There's an old 80s dance feel to "Flesh World" the androgynous are very fey in the same manner of Sliversun Pick ups or Savage Garden. There are some glitch ridden sounds thrown into the sonic jumble. I have always wondered if the remixes are going to sound better than the originals , then why not just make the original songs sound like that in  the first place? Well the solve that by making "Flesh World" sound like it has already been re-mixed. This album made me want to go back and dig up their earlier stuff, which I was unable to do since I was so hooked on this one.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/08/health-death-magic.html

The Top 10 Stoner / Sludge Metal Albums of 2015

As the title of this list suggests some of these albums are stoner metal, some are sludge, but even within the confines of those two sub-genres these bands often push the bounds. Some also add elements of post-rock, doom, black metal and straight up rock n roll. While Sludge is heavier and grittier than stoner metal, we are not accepting just straight up Sabbath worship so there is more common ground than just sharing the bong, though that can not hurt to help ingest these albums to there full potential, though I can attest to the fact that they can be just as potent in an unaltered state. To get a taste click on the review link.

 10-He Whose Ox is Gored: "the Camel the Lion the Child"

 This Seattle band has been called progressive doom gaze, but progressive sludge is more apt to describe their sound. They often go from Isis like bellowing to a monotone chant that indie minded metal bands like Jesu use , but these are harmonized making them thicker. They have a great guitar tone and the album is really well produced with their drummer really knowing how to get the groove and play around it.They eventually come to a place of slinky atmospherics with higher androgynous vocals that bring to mind Circa Survive . At times this band comes across as a more mature and thoughtful version of the prog-minded emo bands that came out in the last days of Myspace. This albums takes a few listens to finally sink in, but when it does you will find it work the wait.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/08/he-whose-ox-is-gored-camel-lion-child.html

9- Sans Soleil: "A Holy Land Beneath a Godless Sky"

  Beautifully mournful in it's melancholy, my first impression of this band was that they bordered on funereal doom. This Texas band carries you off into a four song excursion  that flows like an  ocean of tranquil despair.The narrative voice of the album is a viola that drips off  of the riffs.If you were  digest this album as if it were  a strictly a metal affair, you might notice that the void left by the absent vocals. The  arrangements keep this missing component well hidden. If this was funereal doom band the guttural gravel of phlegm drenched vocal chords would actually be another layer to the bottom end. The viola instead of trying to replace the vocals occupies that space the lead guitar melody would sit in. The spacious sound could edge this towards being post-rock, as an instrumental project they ravish a similar sonic sphere as Godspeedyoublackemperor. As the aural journey progresses  their trip takes a  darker turn. The bass player drifts  into a stoned jam of his own wandering around under the guitar solo, that rips like 70's freedom rock.They lack the mournful tone of doom , but trippy and aggressive enough to belong here, though metal heads will need to have broadened horizons to embrace this album.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/01/sans-soleila-holy-land-beneath-godless.html

8- Serial Hawk -"Searching For Light"

 With the heavy legacy of grunge haunting their homestead, this Seattle takes an approach more akin to the Melvins and Tad than any of their flannel clad forefathers. The vocals are forced out in a throaty shout, with the guitars being the focus of more melody. The bass and drums work together as a punishing unit with machine like precision. They are oppressive like sludge rather than invoking the morbid sense of loss of doom. The pace lumbers with the liberate stomp of a juggernaut. They are heavy, but not weighed down with the typical trappings of metal.I think these guys captured what they do best in the studio and look forward to hearing where they go from here. These guys are just as good as anything else along these lines I have heard from bands backed by records labels so someone is really losing out on a ton of potential until these guys are picked up, I guess for what ever a record label is worth these days if anything.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/12/serial-hawk-searching-for-light.html

7- Vaee Solis:" Adversarial Light "

 This band from Portugal takes some of the most hateful vocals to touch a microphone and throws them against some depraved riffs to make for music that brings an uneasy feeling when you are listening to it alone .  The production that makes this possible is impeccable and milks the most anguish out of their performance as possible. The initial slap of this band is powerful, but how well can they you in this mental state for the duration of the album or do we just go back to color by numbers metal?  Equal parts sludge and doom. The have the disdain for melody that a band like Eyehategod possess , but less of the punk aesthetic and a heavier  emotional presence . They use some of  tricks from the ultimate book of  doom metal, but molest them with their malicious intentions. Though some of the songs seem to drag at times this is the only one that goes past the nine minute mark. I have gotten tired of some of the twelve plus minute epics so many bands to so these guys keep that normally reigned in, but if you are going to write a long song you have to have the dynamics to make it pay off. They beat the dead horse in manner that can be pleasing to morbid ears.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/04/vaee-solis-adversarial-light.html

- Wand: "Golem"

 I have been over the so called "occult rock" bandwagon for some time now,  which was also known as vest metal, the Devil's Blood influenced the sound of many of those bands, the formula was retro fuzzed guitar and a female singer. It was stoner rock of a different color and dressed up in pentagram etched bell-bottoms. So this California band, who might not fit neatly into that scene , though carries a similar sound, gets credit for grabbing my ear. Wand released  this album on an imprint of Ty Segall's Drag City label. The feature an ex-member of Pangea, if that matters to you. They get called garage rock and while there is that sort of sound to the drums, they are more entrenched in psychedelia with an almost metal thump to the bass lines. The real question you might want to ask yourself as how far down the rabbit hole do you want to go. It might not be your thing if you have never done drugs before, I recommend starting with pot and working work way up, but you don't have to plunge your self into a Fear and Loathing lifestyle to enjoy "Golem", but it would be a whole lot cooler if you did.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/03/wand-golem.html

5-Clutch: "Psychic Warfare"

 These guys have been at it for a while now and have developed more of straight up rock fee and less of the bouncing , chanting stoner version of nu-metal they came out with in the 90s. They know how to write a catchy chorus and doesn't take long to hear how these guys have made the name for themselves. Singer Neil Fallon throws his voice around with tons of personality.They knowingly wink at their influences ZZ- Top and If I still smoked pot I am sure they album would sound all the better , but even as is it grew on me as these guys really crafted this well.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/10/clutch-psychic-warfare.html

4- Windhand : "Grief's Eternal Flower"

 This is the third full length from a band who has been the darlings of the metal blog-o-sphere since hitting the scene. On this album they have begun to move out from behind the altar of  Black Sabbath not the fuzzed out but carrying a hypnotic quality to the rumbling drone they kick up . The melodies seem more secure in their languid state and provide the needed sheen over the blown out distortion coming from the amps. The powerful vibrations the first song hits you with causes a similar reach most extreme metal also solicits in that you are wowed by the power so it doesn't matter how good the actual song is if the sound that hits you is solid.They begin sounding less like doom and more like grunge , namely Screaming Trees. It actually benefits this band that level of Black Sabbath worship has decreased and singer Dorthia Cottrell is really coming into her own as a singer and finding her identity, I suppose the solo album helped get her to this place. While some might consider this band to be doom, I am so used to listening to darker drearier funeral doom, until it feel more like sludged out stoner rock. They impressed me this time around and I looked forward to hearing here they go from here.
 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/09/windhand-greifs-infernal-flower.html

3- Irreversible- S/T

 Even though these are guys are from my current city of residence I am not going any easier on them than I would any other band.The Atlanta sludge band has been around for  a decade now so they have time to hone their sound. Like most Atlanta metal bands they started off with more punk roots and later morphed into something more metallic until now they share a similar landscape to their sound as Isis. After a wash of atmospheric sounds the almost math rock of "Undertow" lurches into motion. This album is very well produced for an independent release. The first vocals to surface are some monotone Jesu like cleans.The drummer is not a slouch either.Some of the more chuggy moments, barrow from the pillars of the genre all the bands like Isis that engaged in Neurosis worship in the early 2000s. Some times the tightness even creates a Tool like feel.This is one of the few local bands that makes me want to leave the couch with this album and go check them out, fans of sludge and post-rock should not miss this one.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/04/irreversible-st.html

2- Ragana :"Wash Away"

 There is a slight touch of black metal to these gals , but it's when they lock into the crusty bong loaded grooves that this album soar. Sometimes tribal in it's lumber they coast into hypnotic riffs with the vocals screaming over it. The folkish vibe of the earlier work now gives way to more of an indie rock feel. There is a vast growth in their songwriting as it's both delicate and dynamic. At times it might remind you of Kylesa's more atmospheric wanderings, flowing back and forth from the slow to soft dynamic very smoothly despite the jarring nature.They pull very emotionally raw and organic tones out of their guitars in almost a grunge like manner , though this is mixed with almost early post hardcore while lingering around a melancholy throb of guitar. If you have not heard this band do yourself a favor and click on the link below, they will go down as the years most under rated band.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/08/ragana-wash-away.html

1- Kylesa : "Exhausting Fire" These Savannah rockers continue to evolve, in someways that makes them progressive , since they are not where I first found them when I picked up a copy of "To Walk a Middle Course" ten years ago. There sludge roots are still intact but they have enough dark psychedelics is place to appeal to the hesher sect. They used to cover Pink Floyd, so this side of the band should come as not surprise.  Laura's vocals which have continues to grow sometimes take on a more Siouxsie like croon to them. There are plenty of balls this times around injected to these heavy grooves. After a dazed and glazed cover of the Sabbath classic "Paranoid" the path of the band is best in explained in the lyrics of the closing song where Laura says she is throwing caution to the wind and taking her chances again here. Even when they wander off into a more heady direction the bass line holds down the fort, until they bring the smack down the happy ending that blazes out with solos in true rock god/goddess fashion. Another moment of triumph for this band. http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/09/kylesa-exhausting-fire.html

the Top Ten Mainstream Metal albums of 2015

 This is album more of an honorable mention since I only listened to this album once. They are generally a band that is not my thing as they are too straight forward for me. If I want to feel like I am strutting to the ring on Monday Night Raw while I'm working out, I'll put on Pantera. These guys surprised me with this one. For what they do, they have grown as song writers and are much more melodic than the last album I heard by them which was "Sacrament". Outstanding production which comes with the kind of budget they work with, brings a wall of mean guitar that slaps you in the face and challenges my golden rule, "Cool riffs alone do no make a good song' . Like these guys or not this album is hard not to head bang to .

 

9-Unleashed- "Dawn of the Nine"

  I remember when I saw these guys opening for the "Blessed Are the Sick" tour, they seemed heavy as fuck. Now they strike me as a death metal like version of Manowar. If you are a fan of their foray into viking metal, then you already own this album and have raised thy horn of mead to it already so I'm preaching to the Valkyries on this one. Didn't occupy my iPod for long , but it is still on my hard drive in case I need to storm the gates of Isengard or narrate a barbarian raid for our Sunday D&D game. As much fun as you can have without raping a shield maiden.

 

8-Paradise Lost- "the Plague Within"

 Here come the cries of why isn't this on the doom list. It's an impressive album and I applaud it's creation. However when it comes to how I like my doom it's darker and more depressing than what these guys dished out on this one. A vast improvement on the more Metallic turn they took on "Draconian Times" which is where I parted ways with these guys until "Tragic Idol" and one day I'll go back and see what I missed out on while we were broken up, but in the present His clean vocals a shine for most of the album. As a whole this album took me off guard and the band really proved themselves to me.

 

7-Enslaved -"In Times"

 Like Paradise Lost and Unleashed reconciling the past to the present was a them with some of the veteran bands, as Once upon a time when the long boats sailed east these guys were one of my favorite bands , even up til "Axioma Ethica Odini" they still had my attention and were killing it live. Then there was a bump in the road and sounded like they were following in Opeth's footsteps. This is not their triumphant return to black metal, it is an album that reconciles me with who they are today with it's stunning musicianship and evolved song writing, I am not OK with who they are again as they hey have hit one of the better balances between their more classic sound and the progressive angle they have been going for.

 


 6-Vattnet Viskar - "Settler"

It might have had the year's worst album cover, but inside was an impressive display of chops and arrangements. These guys are on top of their game Like Enslaved they take the songs through some interesting twists and turns. When they pound the point home and get mean on this album it feels meaner than the last album, despite the fact that as a whole this album is slicker If you miss when Mastodon wasn't writing radio songs and instead was  really heavy with a sense of adventure, then you will certainly dig this album.





5- Khaotika - This is where we cross the line into bands whose albums have remained in rotation on my iPod. This band from Atlanta is More noted for the tragic accident they were involved in which killed members of the band Wormreich, This album grew on me. If bands like In This Moment ;and Huntress actually played metal and committed to their more power metal moments then the result might be something more along these lines. But this is also serves as lesson in just because you wear corpse paint doesn't make you black metal Not black metal but a orchestrated mix of power metal to heavier and darker tones that hits the same sweet spot for me as Dimmu Borgir's symphonic circus act. It's my kind of fun, their singer has some killer pipes on her and never makes me think I'm listening to Night Wish.

 

4- Karyn Crisis - " Gospel of the Witches"

 Having been a fan of her work in the 90's this might not have the raw power of "Deathshead Extermination" but holds it's own creative merit. Back in the day the only other female fronted band that played music as dark and heavy as Crisis was the criminally underrated Fear of God. Both bands were ahead of their time, but it's evident the times have caught up with them. Karyn's melodies sound more assured and her voice is even more powerful on the more classic Crisis albums. Along with husband Epel Duath guitarist Davide Tiso who handles the bulk of the guitar on this album, she is backed by members of Tombs, Immolation, Vaura and Intronaut and the end result is like a mixture of those bands if they were fed on a steady diet of A Perfect Circle and the Cocteau Twins. This is the least heavy album on this list , but makes up for that with honest emotive power and convincing song writing.

 




3-Deafheaven- "New Bermuda"

 How could this band live up to the hype that surrounded this album is the question when I first pressed play. They have had the metal community very split and accusations of being hipster metal, they had something to prove and the point was well made. It now makes more sense why a band like Tribulation is opening for them. The dreamy parts on this album work better for me on this one than they did on the last album, due to the heavier moments and the fact Clarke's vocals are not the same old same old helps give this an edge over "Sunbather". This album doesn't pander to the mainstream, though the mainstream metal community might finally give these guys more of a shot if they actually bother to give this one a listen. Live the crowd might have been more like being at Modest Mouse show, but that is something I can try and forget while this is blaring in the car.

2- Killing Joke- "Pylon"
 Before you scream they are not metal, first listen to the album, secondly you have to admit they are much more metal than many bands I have seen on Metal lists thus far like Royal Thunder, Faith No More, Ghost and Strung Out. Not too mention the obvious influence that can be heard on this album that they have had on bands like Metallica, Voivod, Ministry,Amebix ,Neurosis, Faith No More, Tool...you can see where this is going. On this album they touch on the varied sounds they have collected through out their career, some heavier than others , but together give a broad range of dynamics. Some things are pretty constant like Jaz Coleman's voice which is smooth over the frantic drive of Youth's bass lines. This is more organic than most of their out put since "Pandemonium" . Flourishes of futuristic effects passing over the mix and some of their more tribal post-apocalyptic chugs would not have been out of place on the soundtrack for the last Mad Max movie.

 

1- Iron Maiden- "the Book of Souls"

 Right behind Black Sabbath when it comes being one of  the most revered classic metal bands  of all  time. This is for good reason as they have they have maintained tons of integrity over the years even if they did break down and use keyboards and made the poor choice of trying to replace Bruce with Blaze. This album upholds their legacy and I would not be surprised if it was their last as it feels they want to try everything they have yet to do and make the most of every solo. It would not be out of place if I decided to make a top ten power metal albums of the year or a top ten prog albums of the year... the latter being more likely as I doubt I listened to ten power metal albums this year, however they transcend both of those genres. Have done better and it might not be on the level of the albums that came before "Fear of the Dark", which is a bar held incredibly high, But they never outright miss the mark and even if this was just dialed in it would still be better than everything else. But that is the beauty of this they are still committed to putting their all into what they do and there is a lot of heart put into this, they are just older and wiser with that wisdom compensating for the fire that was in their music when they were a younger band, this is still an album made by one of the greatest bands ever.

 

Chant : " Brave New Apocalypse"

Found this while making my end of the year industrial album, so felt I should give this a good solid listen before proceeding because these guys kicked a lot of ass when I saw them KMFDM. The first has a more Pretty Hate Machine thing going on with some of the sound and song structure. The vocals are rather dry, he sings with a throatier tone than Reznor and his voice is a little lower as well. It's not total 90s throw back as there are some more modern sounds mixed in. On "Manifesto" They move into a more "Broken" era sound as the tempo. The guitar is not as forward in the mix beats tend to be right next to the vocals with not a tone of bottom in adding weight to their punch.Things slow down on "Repeat Repeat" into a more darkwave sound with more actual singing going into the vocals. The darker more brooding vibe continues on. the more tribal drumming I remember from seeing them live surfaces on "Universal". On the verse the melody line seems awkward , but it improves on the chorus.He claims he is not preaching , but observing on this song however the lyrics made me feel he was. His vocals are more dynamic on this one.

 A more rocking and catchy groove is captured on "Adoration". There is more KMFDM meets Duran Duran feel to "Dead Muse". The vocally are a little catchier on this one." Bring Me the Head of the Music Critic" drones on like something from the Down ward spiral" the vocals wait well half way through the song before coming in, I like how the beat shifts under it and the synths hold things down.There is a more "Head Like A Hole" feel to it , though never really bows down before the one it serves. The vocals take a more rock tone on "Create to Destroy". It could pack a little more punch but it mainly seems to be an issue with the very mid-ranged dry mix.

His voice reminds me of Alice Cooper on the power ballad that closes the album out. This is actually one of the album's best songs. This might not pack the sonic weight it carried live , but are pretty solid songs. The only real issue are in production that effect the over all sound , but the songs are strong, vocally the mix would really provide more variance if it was so allowed, they are a little too dry and i reminds me of God Lives Underwater.I'll round it up to a 7.5, if you are a fiend for early Nine Inch Nails then this is your jam.

the Top 10 Goth Albums of 2015

Goth has grown up her at Abysmal Hymns and gotten it's own top 10, this used to the top goth/industrial albums, now we can be tragic and alone. Some of these artists might not self indentify as goth, some might be post-punk, but if they are dark enough they are here, at least the best of the best are here. So here's the top ten goth albums of 2015, click on the review links for streams.


 10-Marilyn Manson :" the Pale Emperor"

 I told myself this is Marilyn Manson's last chance. It only took the first two songs to convince me it was better than his , not much could have been worse. He is back similar path he started down with "Eat Me Drink Me" . The guitar sound is still not metal... or industrial, he is taking a cue from Reznor in this regard though still more guitar focused than Nine Inch Nails.It does rock a little harder on "Deep Six" and he also screams a little more but it's a far cry from his hardest rocking moments. I like the theme song to the show "Salem", "Cupid Carries A Gun" that he included on this album  more than I like the show. Songs like "The Third Day of a Seven Day Binge" carry good groove, which ended up getting stuck in my head and thus allowing this album to grow on me in a big way.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/01/marilyn-manson-pale-emperor.html

9- Christian Death :" Root of all Evilution"

 Valor is a divisive name when it comes to this band, but lets face if even if we wanted to side with Rozz Williams , he is dead and truth be told valor's worse is still better than the noise that was Pre-mature Ejaculation. Maitri is still on board as is drummer Jason, who I am assuming was the same drummer I same them on tour with a few years ago. It has a bigger a more dramatic sound, they have grown out of death rock and this is closer to Siouxsie. Their are exotic instruments building the aural landscape behind them. Valor is using a weird more whispered than sung voice , that makes him sounds a little more like Rozz than his gothier baritone. In keeping with the religious imagery he asks if you are ready for the rapture. If you want me to compare this album to " Only Theater of Pain" its not happening. There are plenty of spooky sounds abounding, its a much different feel to the halloweenish punk rock of the dirty drug days and Halloween for the sake of Halloween. Maitri's voice sounds better than I recall it ever sounding. Three songs in and I would say she is surpassing Valor in this regard. Give these guys a chance even if you are hung up on Rozz.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/09/christian-death-root-of-all-evilution.html

8-Sonic Jesus :"Neither Virtue Nor Anger'"

My first thought on this project out of Italy a listen was ... Interpol. But this albums carries a dreamier drone than those guys normally dip into these days. When they T get louder than most indie rock you would might hear this side of Mogwai. The vocals stay at a bleak baritone, that reminds me of some of A Place to Bury Strangers more melodic moments. It comes close to being post-punk and if they rock any more than this they will cross the line over into it. Though the attitude doesn't strike me as quiet as sardonic. "Reich" even finds female vocals joining in to push it's shadowy shuffle over into more post-punk territory.These guys are onto something good, while their influences bubble to the surface they have created something that is there own.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/11/sonic-jesus-neither-virtue-nor-anger.html

7- Kesa : S/T

 America thank you for your gallant attempt at bringing post-punk back now it's time to hand things off to Northern Europe. Svart Records is branching out to bring you this Helsinki based band Kesa who has a wide range of sounds at their command to pay homage to 80s post-punk. From the first song it's bass propelled and slightly militant, the album cover looks like a joke but these guys are serious as all hell. "Tuuli kaantyy" they show they are able to balance out the cold stark march with some groove and atmosphere. The running joke in Europe is "What do you call some one who only speaks one language"..."an American" , but those of you who are stateside and expect your music delivered to you in English might balk at this album and that's fine you can miss out.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/03/kesa-st.html

6-Midas Fall : " the Menagerie Inside"

 These guys have assembled pieces of many genres and pasted them together into something that is very much their own.The dramatic piano intro was unexpected as I assumed this was going to be more of a indie rock thing than some weird progressive goth. I can hear a slight Tori Amos influence , but the vocally are very over wrought and passionate and not so Kate Bush tinged.No the same time she she is not a goth singer in the vein of Siouxise either, but more along the lines of a less operatic Nightwish or the Gathering. Her influences seem all over the place as their is even a country tinge to her voice on "After Fall". It is draped in majestic elegance. The guitar twinkle around the song rather than going for the typical chug. This a real solid listen that grows on me with every spin and will make its way over the the sacred iPod, fans of bands like Marriages ...this is a must.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/07/midas-fall-menagerie-inside.html

5->Grave Pleasures-"Dream Crash"
 It is time for me to put an end to my denial, Grave Pleasures is not Beast Milk just changing their name. They have broken up and this is the new band. Kvohst is in the band  and so is the bassist from Beast Milk. The new members are the former drummer of In Solitude  and the guitarists from the Oath and Oranssi Pazuzu. Despite the more metal pedigree, they do not have the heft in their drive Beast Milk had. They hit the "Edge of Seventeen" like beat that In Solitude used on the song "Crying Wolves." Kvohst takes on a higher wavering death rock tone to his voice on the opening song.But at this albums dark heart this is more of a goth band than a metal band. Calling them death rock would be a stretch as they are far too polished and it lacks the raw smacked out punk feel. Not all punk is abandoned they touch upon it on "Future Shock " that also collides into a metal pound as well. It might not be Beastmik but they are worthy in their own right.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/09/grave-pleasures-dreamcrash-album-review.html

4-Hard Reign : s/t

 Once you get past the fact that "Neo Folk" these days generally means owing the totality of their sound to Death In June , there's some decent stuff out there one of those being the mysterious duo Hard Reign. Hard Reign doesn't let the Death in June influence stop them in their tracks. They took it and ran to some dark drug drenched alleyways. In fact calling this doom folk might apply more to these guys even when the guitar picks it's strum up over a dirge like pace. The throw on a coat of noise on the songs and let it drip off the solemn melodies.Based of the fact this album keep getting played without me getting tired of it and Hard Reign does such a splendid job of delving in darker regions. From a songwriting perspective this this similar to Hateful Abandon in the way they layer more sounds on top of a single theme and keep building. However these guys are much more engaging in the manner they go about this.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/01/hard-reign-st.html

3- Rasputina : "Unknown"

A long time fan of these gals, to the point we were actually trying to get them to play our back when it was originally slated for Halloween. Right from the first song has all the elements that you could want from them. The smart lyrics and overlapping harmonies. The album was recorded in three weeks and is about how Melora was hacked and stalked through the Cloud.the songs are accessible enough to draw those not as familiar in , but still retain the sound long time fans want. Unless you find it otherwise this album is only available on cd and there are no bandcamping or sounds on clouds for it.

 http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2015/07/return-of-steam-punk-queen-rasputinas.html

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The Libertines : " Anthems For Doomed Youth"

 They got the band back together, after Doherty's tabloid worthy battle with addiction. I am not sure why I have never really given the band a shot until, now but what appeals to me is their admiration for the Smiths and Morrissey, which their sound winks at but is not dominated by. There is some crooning, but obviously they make no attempts to touch Morrissey...and really how could they?  Their is a driving punk edge still retained on the opener. The vocals are emotive and raw, but still sung. The guitar has a jangle to it at times. " Gunga Din" the first single off this album as a more drugged out swagger which would otherwise sound like the Clash. The lyrics to this are autobiographical.



The dandy turn they take on "Fame and Fortune" is a little too happy. It sounds like something little English boys clean their bum's too, not unlike Spinal Tap's "Cups  and Cakes" the kind of song that shows they had way too much time in the studio. The do achieve the 60s sound they were going for. Mike drops into more of a croon on the title track. His voice sound good on this one, it is somewhat poppy, but well handled. I get a little hesitant when they pull out the piano for "You're My Waterloo", but for a ballad things are pretty decent.  The Smiths thing surface , most notably in the bass line on 'Belly of the Beast". Like the Smiths they are able to incorporate varied styles into their sound almost building up into a gospel cadence. Things back down into the slower strum of "Iceman" , the ballad is hesitantly played. It's not until the drums and re-verb heavy guitar colors the background that it really feels like a more fully formed song. In the final minute the chorus builds into something more substantial.

They catch a more solid groove thanks to their bass player on "Heart of the Matter" . They begin to steer clear of the ballad with  the more ballsy rocking strut of 'Fury of Chonburi" . This returns to their older garage rock sound. While it might not launch them into their more punk sound"The Milkman's Horse" finds a better balance between their more melodic side , but with out killing the momentum and slowing into a sappy ballad. That punk side is indulged on "Glasgow Coma Scale Blues" . The piano returns on "Dead For Love" .  I can appreciate the emotion put into these moments , but it is not their. strongest side. Overall this album is pretty damn good I'll round it up to a 9, so the strong moments are pretty on point.

Black Tower : " The Secret Fire"

This kicks off in a decidedly metal with wavering 80's metal vocals that remind me of a cross between Death Angel and Diamond Head. They are not re-inventing metal here. But In Solitude is broken up so I'm open to having this in my life. "Black Moon" is not as strong as the opener, but the break down in the middle offers hope for the album as a whole and vocals continue to interest me as they don't commit to a full blown yodel. The lyrics are a bunch of fantasy gibber gabber. I hear the first hints of Danzig's influence on "the Dark Lord" which is strange set against the almost Geddy Lee tenor. "Riders"  allows more of a mood to be set and then goes into a mid paced chug. It speeds up, but the vocals go into a lower croon, judging by the credits it appears there are   handling the vocals or if it is overdubs. Being a huge King Diamond fan, I expect every one to have the range to do both registers, as I don't ask singer's to do anything I can't do myself. This often leads to disappointment. Here its not a deal breaker.


They speed up into more of a blast with "Shadows". More snarls come from the vocals on this one. Here the 80s metal thing is not as inspired. "Winter" is a mixed bag there is a melody some where in there that I like but when they play the faster part the song seems rushed. Rushed becomes the name of the game , but in a more punk fashion on "the Dragon Flies" , but the song lands on it's own two legs and is not so bad. They get more melodic for the intro leading into "Night Siege", but it speeds up into something more punk, but they still insist on adding the Iron Maidenisms , which sometimes fit better than others.  The title track closes the album out but it's pretty much just a strummed guitar outro so no biggie there.

These guys have some good ideas, and I think with a little more restraint on the next album they will be onto something truly great. This album on it's own merit does pretty well, I like the more assured vocal parts, sometimes things get a little cluttered here and there, but I think they are trying to throw a lot at you on purpose. If Coheed and Cambria never gave into their Rush aspirations and stuck to listening to the Misfits, it might have come out a little more like this in the early days. I'll give it a 7.5.