As another year came to it’s inevitable end, we, Din
Intunerec staff decided to make our own top releases from
2016. From the cold icy lands of Sweden all the way to the sun blasted lands of
Colombia, from Experimental Metal all the way to Depressive Black Metal and
Doom Metal, from Progressive Metal all the way to Ambient Metal and Death Metal
we proudly present you our top releases so far. Fair warning as we couldn’t
decide how to rank the releases we will only list them and let you decide who
it’s most suitable for the majestic number one. I would also like to add that
we arranged the bands by alphabet just so it would be easier for you to read it
,so without any more talking let’s get straight to the subject:
Akral Necrosis-Underlight
Akral Necrosis is a band from Bucharest, Romania and this
year they totally managed to amaze the Romanian public by releasing one of the
best albums this year ,simply titled “Underlight”.Being that they are around
the scene for a little while now(8 years) we can assure you that this can be
seen on the production and overall quality of the album. We recommend you to
check out their album and let us know what do you think!
Alcest-Kodama
I don’t think you guys need any more introduction to this
particular band, having more than 15 years of activity ,going from black metal
to post metal/shoegaze and counting thousands fans worldwide Alcest released on
the 30th of September their new full-length titled “Kodama” through
Prophecy Productions. Make sure to check out the album and surely you will be
left with a special feeling about it.
Antaeus-Condemnation
Released on the 18th of November through Norma
Evangelium Diaboli by the infamous French band known as Antaeus the album was
received with warm by some fans and with hate by the others. While we can all
agree that there is a big difference between this release and let’s say their
previous one “ Blood Libels” it still stands as a strong album, just depending
on who you ask.But we advise you to give it a shot,you will not regret it.
Ars Veneficium-The Reign Of The Infernal King
While this project itself hasn’t been around for a long time
,it’s members had been involved in a number of projects like Eratomania,Lost
Inside,Plaag,Wounds that is clearly shown on this album.Released on the 26th
of September through Immortal Frost Productions it was an instant hymn of
Hell.With a perfect balance of both filth and purity and with a constant
barrage of raw strong vocals we can say that this album is one of the best
releases this year ,just give it a listen and tell us what you think.
Behexen-The Poisonous Path
This Finnish satanic trio managed by shock us once again
with their latest release, “The Poisonous Path” on the 27th of May
through Debur Morti Productions . Some tracks of these album feels like some
Inquisition tracks and the fans will surely observe that,but overall this is
one hell of a piece.Be sure to check it out!
Bethlehem-Bethlehem
One of the biggest surprises of this year came from the
German masters of Bethlehem , one of the most acclaimed albums of this year and
one of the most recent ones, being launched on
the 2nd of December through Prophecy Productions it was an
instant success. We strongly advise you to listen it and support them.
Blutrina-Looney Fuckin' Grind
Best newcomer from Romania regarding the Death/Grind Metal
scene. These crazy guys will surely fill your demand for your daily grind. Make
sure to check them out either on Bandcamp or through Loud Rage Music,the label
which was used to launch this debut album.
Bölzer-Hero
What an awesome year for this swizz duo with the launch of
“Hero” on the 25th of November through Iron Bonehead and a number of
live shows( great show at Rites of The Black Mass Fest where we attended),
where most fans praised to more clean polished sound than the previous demo and
EP’s there is no question that this album is a must listen if you haven’t done
it already!
Clouds-Departe
One of the best Doom/Funeral Doom albums this year. Released
on the 1st of November it was simply perfect for everyone who enjoys
Doom/Fuenral Doom and for the new fans as well.A release depicting strong
emotions, a must for Doom or Funeral Doom listeners.
ColdWorld-Autumn
A true masterpiece by the german master known as Georg
Börner,a record that will surely bring you to another universe where pain and
life and one and the same thing, where darkness conquers light, where
melancholy reigns over all.Released on the 15th of July through Cold
Dimensions it stands as a mark for any band involved in the Depressive Metal
Scene.Just listen to it and remain numb, it’s as simple as that.
Dark Funeral- Where Shadows Forever Reign
Another craft from the Swedish masters of Black Metal,Dark
Funeral came in full force with this new full length, having a new vocalist, Heljarmadr , who is
also responsible for projects such as Grá, Cursed 13 and Domgård, they really
proved us once again that they really are The ineffable Kings of Swedish Black
Metal.Being released on the 3rd of June through Century Media
Records this album holds the place as one of the most well received albums of
this year.
Furia-Księżyc Milczy Luty
Hailing from the pagan lands of Poland, Furia took by
surprise the Black Metal scene with their latest release, a well balanced release
between raw Black Metal and Avantgarde elements in the vein of Deathspell
Omega.It was brought through Pagan Records on the 14th of November
and it was instantly very well received by the public.
Grave Miasma-Endless Pilgrimage
Previously known as Goat Molestör, standing as one of the
best Black Metal acts from UK, Grave Miasma released upon us their new album
on the 6th of May through Sepulchral Voice Records and what a blast
it was indeed.Just give it a try you won’t regret it.
Harakiri for the sky - III: Trauma
This Austrian duo has been around for a while on the Post
Rock/Black Metal scene and they amazed us by their newest release, taking the
vibe created by bands such as Alcest or Amesoeurs and adding to it Black Metal
riffs and tones this band surely deserves it’s place among projects such as Der
Weg Einer Freiheit or Agrypnie.Released by Art of Propaganda on the 22th of
July.
Hteththemeth – Best Worst Case Scenario
Another band from our country to feature on this top is none
other than the unhuman Avant-Garde metallers of Hteththemeth,oone of the best
metal acts from Romania.Best Worst Case Scenario was launched on the 1st
of April and it became an instant must listen.Check them out!
Inquisition-Bloodshed Across the Empyrean Altar Beyond the Celestial
Zenith
Even if very little of the music here is surprising to any
fan, it's probably the most encompassing experience I've yet heard from this
band. Of course, most debates around this album will resort to the love-or-hate
traits they've had from the start. Detractors be damned in hellfire: Dagon's
voice sounds even more foreboding now than ever, and the pair have drawn from
an ever-deeper depth of atmosphere.
Katatonia- The Fall of Hearts
This band clearly needs no introduction… After more
than 25 years of full activity and after the extraordinary success with Dead End Kings in 2012, they released a new awesome album called "The Fall of Hearts". The tenth studio album was released on May
20, 2016.
Netherbird- The grander voyage
Released on the 28th of October through Black
Lodge Records, you will be instantly amazed both by the art of this album and
it’s melodic riffs will surely take you on a dreaming journey.
Neurosis – Fires Within Fires
While it didn’t seem outstanding to me, it’s a good listen for
the fans of Neurosis.
Oathbreaker – Rheia
Oathbreaker is one of the most interesting bands reunited
under Amenra’s Church of Ra collective. Unlike the previous 2 albums, the
vocalist Caro Tanghe makes more use of clean vocals, not just growls. Their music
is a highly innovative mixture of black metal with elements of hardcore, crust
punk, post metal to name a few.
October Tide-Winged Waltz
With more than 22 years of activity, October Tide is one of
the best melodic doom metal bands. After the extraordinary success with “Tunnel
of no light” in 2013, 3 years later “Winged Waltz” was again in top.
Oranssi Pazuzu – Värähtelijä
A surreal fusion of black metal and psychedelia.
Skuggsjá - Skuggsjá: A Piece for Mind & Mirror
The band is a collaboration between Enslaved and Wardruna,
started in 2014 with the aim to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the
Norvegian constitution. The band’s name translates as “mirror” in Old Norse,
and their release represents a perfect blend between traditional Norse
instruments and the brutal riffs and drumming, Enslaved style.
Subrosa – For This We Fought the Battle of Ages
Inspired by the dystopic novel We, by Yevgeny Zamyatin. It’s
a solid doom/sludge album, with haunting female vocal and violin passages.
Thenighttimeproject- Thenighttimeproject
A pleasantly nostalgic road for those more familiar with his work in Katatonia, Fredrik Norrman together with Tobias Netzell of In Mourning fame along with Nicklas Hjertton, formerly of Mandylon, formed this awesome band. With plenty of melancholic notes, this album is a masterpiece.
Trees of Eternity- Hour of Nightingale
This international
project has been born in 2009 and featuring members from bands such as October
Tide,Wintersun,Swallow the Sun, and their latest release is something truly
amazing on the Ambient/Doom Metal scene.
Terra Tenebrosa – The Reverses
Released through Debemur Morti Productions on the 17th
of June it quickly became an instant hookup for any Avant-Garde Metal fan.
UADA- Devoid of Light
Released on the 8th of April through Eisenwald
Tonschmiede it has received worldwide acclamations from all Black Metal fans
around the world. One of the best releases coming from the USA.
Ulver – ATGCLVLSSCAP
These are not just random letters, but the initials of each
12 signs from the zodiac, from Aries to Pisces. It’s an album born under the
sign of live improvisation the band performs, including rearrangements of some
songs form Messe I.X-VII-X or Perdition City.
Urfaust – Empty Space Meditation
An album that owes his name, an introspective mix of dark
ambient and metal that invites the listener to reflection. A journey within.
Urgehal – Aeons in Sodom
Having as guest vocals emblems such as Nattefrost, Hoest,
Nocturno Culto and Niklas Kvarforth among many others it stands as one of the
best releases coming from the ice cold lands of Norway.
Void Meditation Cult-Utter the Tongue of the Dead
Merciless attack of pure raw lo-fi black metal from the
USA.Be advised this record isn’t suitable for anyone but it stands as one of
the best releases on this side of Black Metal.A truly misanthropic masterpiece
for the diehard metal fan.
Wardruna - Runaljod – Ragnarök
Released in October 2016 through By Norse Music, closes the trilogy
Runaljod, inspired by the 24 ancient runes of the Elder Futhark. The album is
an exquisite journey into the Norse mythology , named after the battle that
left on two survivors to repopulate the world.
Worm Ouroboros – What Graceless Dawn
Dark, introspective ambient / doom. On a personal note, I
first listened to it around Christmas. Delicate and fragile whispers of
Lorraine Rath (ex Amber Asylum) and Jessica Way (Barren Harvest), mixed with
Aesop Dekker’s (ex Agalloch) drumming. A haunting masterpiece.
Zhrine-Unortheta
After numerous name changes, from Gone Postal to Shrine and
finally to it’s current name, Zhrine, the Icelandic Black/Death metallers of
Zhrine successfully delivered quite a big surprise with their latest album.
Unortheta is an very well produced album conveying a wide array of emotions and
soundscapes, we strongly recommend to try it out.
