ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Graveyard
Peace
The worst thing to happen in music (in my opinion) in the last decade or so was when Graveyard announced they were splitting up. The best news was when the following year Graveyard rose from the ashes like a phoenix with new drummer Oskar Bergenheim and their most ambitious and best work to date, Peace. Opening track “It Ain’t Over Yet” was such a bold statement from the band and Peace is without a doubt an indication that this band stronger and more determined than they’ve ever been.
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The Exploding Eyes Orchestra
The Exploding Eyes Orchestra: II
This Jess and the Ancient Ones side project birthed an album that came so very close at the heels of Graveyard for album of the year which shows the strength of this band. While very sadly overlooked, this is a band that can make you cry, make you feel like you’re flying, and even make you feel as if your heart has been torn out and shown to you. From the gothic Cure inspired “Those of Us Left” to the ethereal psychedelic epic “Love Eternal”, Exploding Eyes Orchestra will take your breath away only to have you go in for more.
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Electric Citizen
Helltown
Electric Citizen returned in 2018 with Helltown which I feel is their best work yet. If Higher Time was an album that was almost there, Helltown has Electric Citizen crossing the finish line and breaking through the ribbon. This is a band that has grown before my very eyes and the band that I hear on Helltown is a band that is confident, full of fire, and tight as a fucking drum. The unique and distinct vocals of Laura Dolan are without a doubt the secret weapon of this band but honestly, this band is a fully functioning rock and roll machine where all parts are necessary. An outstanding album from a band who has only begun to show us what they are capable of.
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Marillion
All One Tonight: Live at Royal Albert Hall
My biggest regret this year was that after falling head over heels for Marillion I wouldn’t have an album of theirs to include. In 2018, Marillion released All One Tonight: Live at Royal Albert Hall from their 2018 tour behind their 2016 masterpiece, FEAR. The live album is a companion to the visually stunning DVD but the performance is so fucking amazingly heartfelt and full of passion and emotion that it stands on its own without any help. Lead vocalist Steve “H” Howarth is without a doubt one of the most outstanding frontmen on the planet and just listening to him perform takes you to places you never even imagined you’d be able to go.
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Marissa Nadler
For My Crimes
Dark, melancholy, ethereal, and dreamy are just a few words that can be used to describe the sound of Marissa Nadler’s music. My mother heard her and she said, “I bet this is what angels sound like when they sing.” That’s pretty deep shit but seriously, Marissa Nadler never ceases to amaze me but her 2018 release For My Crimes took her to a whole new level and pretty much have hear donning a crown and the queen of dark folk music. From the murder ballad title track to the sad feeling of loss in “Are You Really Moving to the South?” and all else to the end, For My Crimes is the perfect 2am album. Marissa Nadler has replaced Mazzy Star as my perfect late night jam and trust me, that’s a huge feat to accomplish! Sorry Hope but there’s a new girl in town and her name is Marissa.
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Walking Papers
WP2
With the swagger of Mick Jagger and the unexpectedly brilliant lyrical stylings of Jim Morrison, Jeff Angell and Walking Papers put out one of the singles greatest rock albums that I’ve all year. Scratch that. It’s one of the best albums I’ve heard in decades. All I have to say is that if you can’t listen to “Death on the Lips” and see the greatness that this band has to offer there is absolutely no help for you and you just need to stop listening to rock n’ roll in general. Leave your rock card at the door, keep walking and don’t look back. Walking Papers is the real fucking deal and Jeff and the boys just don’t give a fuck about anything but captivating you and for the time you are listening to them to own you and all of your attention. WP2 is a brilliant fucking album and one that I am so thankful to have in my collection. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for us from this mastermind and his band of monstrous musicians.
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Once Blue
Live at the Handlebar
Once Blue was a 90’s jazz quartet that was fueled be the creative nucleus of singer/songwriters Rebecca Martin and Jesse Harris (who would later go on to write for Norah Jones). In the 90’s they were definitely a bit of an oddity releasing only one album and doing a few tours. The band disappeared into obscurity but not before building a pretty large cult following (including yours truly). In 2018, Rebecca Martin found a box of tapes while renovating her home w/ her husband and in that box was this soundboard recording from the Handlebar in 1996. It’s the only known board recording of this amazing band and this recording is definitely lightning in a bottle. It’s fragile, it’s beautiful, it’s truly live, and it’s a moment that I’m glad I get relive over and over not having ever seen them live.
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Striker
Play to Win
Canadian NWOTHM masters came swooping in out of nowhere with their latest album Play to Win. Not only is it one of my favorite releases of 2018 but it’s by far the band’s strongest release to date. Lead vocalist Dan Cleary continues to solidify himself as one of the best fucking metal singers on the scene today while Striker as a whole puts out some of the best music of the genre. The first single from the album “Play to Win” is such a great way to set this album up for both long time Striker fans and for those that are just hearing them for the first time. If this was the 80’s, these guys would be playing arenas at this point but even in clubs, Striker gives an arena level performance so pick up this album and go see them live. You’re welcome.
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King Crimson
Meltdown (Live in Mexico)
King Crimson is a band that I never thought in a million years that would grow to be so close to my heart. After witnessing them live for the first time last year in Atlanta, I have since become a devout honoree of the King! Meltdown (Live in Mexico) captures the eight headed beast devouring the audience with a performance that is every bit as mindblowing, emotional, intense, and even at times uncomfortable (in all the best of ways). Like I’ve said before, a King Crimson concert is no fucking joke and the more live releases I can get from this chapter of King Crimson the better! This is an absolutely stellar release and one that should definitely not be passed up.
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Dream Child
Until Death Do We Meet Again
When I heard that former Dio members Craig Goldie, Rudy Sarzo, and Simon Wright were forming a band, I honestly rolled my eyes. I mean, they were already doing the Dio Disciples thing and the Dio Hologram thing and I was honestly just not having it. Dream Child was something I was not excited about until I finally gave them a listen. Upon the first listen, I thought, “This sounds like Dio.” Of course it does. It’s Dio’s long time guitarist/best friend and with the recruitment of Diego Valdez on vocals, it took it totally over the top. What I loved most about this album is that while Valdez sounds like Dio, lyrically and even musically this band is doing their own things and solidifying themselves and a tried and true band. I can only hope that this is something that will keep going and maybe even bury that crappy Last in Line band. This is a stellar album. Give it a chance and long live Dream Child!
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Lucifer
Lucifer II
Coming off the heels of the debut masterpiece Lucifer I, Lucifer lead vocalist/songwriter Johanna Sadonis returned with a completely revamped lineup featuring her now husband Nicke Andersson on drums and Saturn guitarist Robin Tidebrink. This totally change the dynamics of the writing and honestly I feel it was for the better. Lucifer II is a much more versatile album. While there are still elements of their signature Sabbath doom influence, other influences such as KISS, Deep Purple, and even Lucifer’s Friend have found their way into these songs. Lucifer II is an amazing follow up to a truly fantastic album but I can only hope that Sadonis can lock down this line up because on this album, they really seem to be onto something special.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Amigo the Devil – Everything is Fine
Dorian Sorriaux – Hungry Ghost
Icarus Witch – Goodbye Cruel World
Leaves Eyes – Sign of the Dragonhead
Violent Night – Brave New Holocaust
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