this was such a strange year. I should have had time to listen to a lot, i wasn't yet working until mid October. And still there is little I actually did listen to this year. So this list is not very long this time. Let's get this started.
wardruna - kvitravn
Oh what can I say!! Ever since I saw them live i've been even more entranced by their music. how beautiful, how earthen, how shamanic, trancelike, with an ancient beat that flows through you. I love this even more since einar decided to give the whole album his former black metal name kvitrafn. this is simply beautiful and a circle closing, i guess.
yoth iria - as the flame withers
Yoth Iria, what a great new project!! it's jim mutilator from rotting christ and his newest musical output. I was so fortunate to meet him a few years back together with sakis and dayal. unforgotten memories there. I support this fully, this is doomy but also black and vicious and harsh, as it should be.
iselder - welsh nationalist black metal / Fe Godwn Ni Eto
this one is a conflicting one. there should have been a new full length, but it never came out because the welsh police confiscated everything due to accusations of fascism. i am very saddened by this, but it's awesome that we at least got some new music from this remarkable welsh project. everyone who loves their roots and speaks it freely is obviously a fascist..
aenos - the great shepherd (EP)
what a find!! this is one of the best atmospheric black metal i've ever heard, and it was recorded on my beloved and favourite greek island, kefalonia! how absolutely fantastic is this! I hope there is more to come, because this is way more than promising!
mortiis - transmissions / shadow of the tower
YES!! MORTIIS!! i can't count all the single songs that he released or gave snippets from to his loyal followers in the cult of thee black wizard. but these two need a mention! these are almost full albums, but yea.. being just one song each xD that is so old school and so against the stream and I love it. both are fantastic works, the first being a live recording of way back then, the second being a reworking of old material. beautiful, can't wait for all the new mortiis stuff the new year brings!!
darkthrone - eternal hails
YESSSS DARKTHRONE!! eh yea. well, every new darkthrone album is a party. because all their last three albums have tapped exactly into my vein. this is what i love and this is what I need from them! i cannot get into all their back catalogue, so I am even more delighted that they have found now this niche sound with basically bits from everywhere. black, death, doom, punk, trash, you name it!! it's perfection and I bow before the mighty fenriz.
tuhonsiemen - katkeransuloinen
finally some finns!! and here is a sad one. that is their last album and they decided to call it quits. what a great way to go. it's sad, but also a true testament they left behind. Kiitos.
darkwoods my betrothed - angel of carnage unleashed
I must admit i did not listen to this as much as I should have. this is such an interesting project, revived after so many years! they hail from kitee, a city I have been to!! tuomas from nightwish even rejoined their ranks! and this is quite bashing black metal, too! awesome. need to give it a few more listens.
havukruunu - kuu erkylän yllä
more finns! havukruunu have been a constant in my listening schedule, too. this is metal to bang your head to. this is heavy and black and pretty cool. been enjoying them also with this release a lot.
tyrant moon - eternal nightfall
this was a gift!! so i said, why not. and oh, this is nice! black metal as it should be. quite the punch in the face, right there.
lazy man's load - all hat no cattle
now i saw them live on christmas eve, together with nightstalker and suicidal angels. and of the three i liked them the most! immediately bought their album. southern rock meets metal and gets shot at with some doom and stoner rock. awesome stuff, absolutely love it!!
find of the year:
ered wethrin - tides of war
yep, this is not from this year. but i discovered it this year and its an album i come back to again and again. it is SO good!! i could listen to summoning 24/7, but sometimes you wanna know if there is something else out there as good as it. ok, there will never be anyone as good as summoning, but this comes close to it! awesome awesome album.
loss of the year:
swallow the sun - moonflowers
how dare i. my local heroes from jyväskylä, my drinking buddies in freetime and i did not listen to their new album!! shame on me. I am really sorry. I need to absolutely do this in 2022 then. i heard the best about this album.
song of the year:
wardruna - kvitravn
well, i had to. it is just too good. the song, the title, the band, the album. listen to it. get swept away by it. get sucked into it. brilliant.
live of the year
well.. there was not much. there was the festival where i saw livet i mørke, they are black metal. other than that it was just other metal i saw on two more occasions. the mini festival in summer with toxic pub which were great fun, and the christmas show i mentioned before. so.. that was all the live music this year. damn you you rotten virus! yep, that.
- Daedin
