Top 15 Records of 2019, With Derek Soto
With the decade coming to a close and 2019 bringing us another great year of music, it is time I open up the deepest recesses of my brain and turn your world upside down. My top 15 ranges across genres, countries and may even divide many of you. But, that is where I smile from ear to ear and tell you “Enjoy!”
15. Periphery – Periphery IV: HAIL STAN
When I think of Sumerian Records, I think of Periphery. That was my mentality back in 2011 when I first discovered the group along with Veil of Maya. After announcing their departure from Sumerian back in 2018 and establishing 3Dot Recordings, Periphery created one of the biggest turnarounds in progressive metal with Periphery IV: Hail Stan. The record was a HUGE turnaround in style for the band, almost immediately noticeable with their first single “Blood Eagle”. Everything felt more serious, from the execution of the music to the final sound, but the Periphery feel was still present. Songs like “Satellites,” “It’s Only Smiles,” “Reptile” (THE MONSTROUS 17 Minute song that’s first), and “Follow Your Ghost” hit me hard, but then again, so did all the music in their records. It has warranted a thought provoking observation, that the band has matured far beyond anyone in their genre. As someone who has been listening since Periphery II, I have matured alongside them.
14. Northlane – Alien
ARIA award recipients Australian act, and New York City GUARANTEED SHOW SELL-OUT, Northlane composed Alien with absolute intentions to make a record out of this world. With three singles (funny enough the first being called “Bloodline”), Alien peaked at #3 on the Australian record charts, and won the band their THIRD ARIA Music Award under the Best Hard Rock or Heavy Metal Album. It’s no surprise that the trifecta of records, starting with Node in 2015 and Mesmer in 2017 have all won ARIA’s. Northlane is poised to continue the winning tradition, AND IT CONTINUES TO SUCCEED FLAWLESSLY.
13. Life of Agony – The Sound of Scars
Time Machine time… Life of Agony was my very first concert at New York’s now closed Highline Ballroom in 2011 (excluding local events). With songs like Honeycomb, Lost at 22 (becoming one of the most paramount songs of my life), River Runs Red, and a ton more, LOA is highly regarded by Rolling Stone magazine for having the 48th most important record of all time and Decibel magazine naming the 4th overall band into their Hall of Fame. With the sequel to RRR, The Sound of Scars ushered in as the second record under the Napalm Records banner. The continuation of the story-telling device found in River Runs Red is the main focus here, as the atmosphere is painted unlike any New York HardCore album this year. With Mina Caputo’s poetic style and the dialogue sang throughout, the songs are centerpieces without taking away from the story. They perfectly co-exist and envelop the listener. Top that off with an open to interpretation end, and you have a sequel that was well worth the 26 year wait.
12. Shadow of Intent – Melancholy
Connecticut’s own Shadow of Intent made waves when I first discovered this record back in August. It was a twist as I had never previously heard of this band, and then they ended up on one of my most anticipated tour bills of 2019: Despised Icon, Suffocation, and Kublai Khan. Disappointment was completely absent from my brain, with a live performance (AS AN OPENER REMIND YOU) that would put MANY opening acts to shame. With two previous records under this active group since 2013, Shadow of Intent’s Symphonic/Melodic Deathcore breakthrough record Melancholy is a massive breath of fresh air and a unique audio sound unheard of in the Eastern Seaboard, let alone the United States.
11. Angelmaker – Self-titled
I have walked the plains of Deathcore; I have seen live performances for 10 years in my career. But, NOTHING prepared me for Angelmaker. Being introduced to the group by Matt Perrin (Ex-Threat Signal and shred nation ambassador), who toured Summer Slaughter 2017 at New York’s Webster Hall, Angelmaker opened the afternoon with one of the craziest and completely eye-opening performances of the tour. I was NOT prepared for the self-titled record, even though I ASSUMED I knew what I was getting myself into. Canadian Deathcore has an ambassador with Despised Icon, and now Angelmaker becomes the newest member to fill in the cabinet of Canadian metal. If you have yet to experience Angelmaker, GET TO IT, EH!
10. Leprous – Pitfalls
LEPROUS, LEPROUS, LEPROUS…… every single damn person I know was so excited for this underrated group from Norway. I asked myself “Why?”, then I asked myself “Where the fuck have I been?” “Below” is what brought me into the band’s world. Goodness, it’s so catchy and full of emotions that overflow my cup. I sing with that damn song as if the entire world is watching AND BOOING ME CAUSE I SUCK AT IT. That is how good Leprous is, Einar Solberg reminds me of Daniel Tompkins of Tesseract, except Norwegian. I have many great singers I respect and expect amazing performances from, Leprous and Einar have peaked my interest for 2020, in anticipation for a potential U.S. Tour. Bring on the SOUL and love!!!
9. Born of Osiris – The Simulation
January 2019 was beautiful for the resurrection of Born of Osiris. Albeit a 30 minute record, I felt that this product was one of the most cohesive and expansive sounding albums since Discovery back in 2011. The four year wait for a new record included a major shakeup, with the departure of bassist David DaRocha in 2018. The fifth studio record under the Sumerian banner proclaimed the return of the BOO CREW, and their domination in the progressive metalcore/djent scene. From their live performances, to their studio work, to who they are as people, Born of Osiris showed the fuck up to 2019 saying “We mean business”. “Cycles of Tragedy”, “The Accursed” and the eight songs co-existing in The Simulation record start your 2019 with a feeling of awe. Born of Osiris just keeps getting better and better.
8. Car Bomb – Mordial
Long Island has their own Meshuggah, and they’re called Car Bomb. Lets get that out the way now, this band has toured and shared the stage with many a legendary group in its now becoming 20 year career. Gojira, Born of Osiris, Oceano, Periphery, Animals as Leaders, to even Meshuggah themselves, Car Bomb’s amazing and vast career has spanned continents and cities worldwide. With the release of Mordial, Car Bomb exploded out of Fall 2019 with a record that surpasses all of their past work, and that says ALOT to continuously reinvent a wheel that can transcend performances and influence musicians alike. Xoxoy is all you need to know, along with the entire record.
7. Cold – The Things We Can’t Stop
Year of The Spider: the flood of memories to my high school days will ALWAYS remind me of how important that record was to the shaping of my personality. Scooter Ward and co. would not be experienced by my own eyes until I was 22 at New York’s Gramercy Theater. The band would eventually disappear for years, with scarce details on their return and future projects being addressed all over social media. When The Things We Can’t Stop was announced, along with two singles, I immediately returned to my roots. Funny enough, Scooter Ward DID NOT leave anything to chance and stuck with his own roots, as this record is the turning point and triumphant return for the band after an eight year album cycle absence. I can honestly thank Napalm Records for signing them, as COLD has always had a special place in my heart. With incredible ballads and even a cover of Snow Patrol’s “Run”, this one is a true keeper in the memories of the fans of the COLD ARMY.
6. Death Angel – Humanicide
Thrash Metal legends Death Angel return with the final chapter of the Wolf trilogy, and the first Grammy Nomination in their 22 year career. Humanicide lit the tires on fire with Humanicide and The Pack showcasing the album as the first two singles, we were immediately delighted to introduce our ears to the news. With Relentless Retribution, and The Dream Calls for Blood, Death Angel close a three album chapter (excluding The Evil Divide) on what ultimately relaunched back into the Thrash Stratosphere.These are great men, THRASH men, remind you. Death Angel is and belongs up there in the plateau of titans like Slayer, MegaDeth, Metallica, Exodus, Testament. BOTTOM LINE…. 2019 was insanely kind to these gentlemen, and you would be insane not to listen to the Wolf trilogy.
5. Despised Icon – Purgatory
Ah yes, Canadian Metal once again livens up the top list, as Despised Icon’s seventh studio album “Purgatory” was released two months ago. This is one of those truly “We do it when we want to” groups, meaning they rarely tour, rarely do music. But, when they do, they do it BIG. Candian Deathcore reigns supreme, and funny enough, I would not be surprised if I see a tour with them and Fit For An Autopsy one day. The kings of deathcore. This record has everything in their previous record “Beast” amplified times 10. Beast was essentially the warm up for this record. With the mileage of the classic records like The Healing Process and Day of Mourning, D.I hit us with a record that belongs up there, EASILY. Death Slam is welcomed with open arms, except this record has me running away as I am being chased to death by it. I love this record, And it belongs in my top five.
4. Bad Omens – Finding God Before God Finds Me
A band who has always been a guilty pleasure for my ears, Bad Omens returned to the fold with Finding God Before God Finds Me almost three years after their self-titled debut record under Sumerian Records. With less aggression in this record compared to the debut, Bad Omens traverse the post-hardcore and even symphonic metal genres as compared to metalcore prior to. I love this record top to bottom, but this Sophomore adventure only proves the malleability of the band. They can take on anything, and you hear it all. Favorites such as “Running in Circles” and the last song “If I’m There”, to the 100% moshing, hard- delivery hitter “Dethrone”, you can sense how Noah Sebastian and crew have matured so young into their career. Here’s to the success of this group, and the anticipation to record #3.
3. Fit For An Autopsy – The Sea of Tragic Beasts
There is no doubt in MY MIND that Fit For An Autopsy are the Deathcore band to defeat for the current throne of the genre. Having jumped ship from EntertainmentOne with three previous records under their belts (Hellbound, Absolute Hope Absolute Hell, and also The Great Collapse), FFAA found their footing with the discovery of vocalist Joseph Badolato (AKA Joe Bad). The group literally STOMPED into the mudhole that is their sound, and with producer Will Putney creating the records, the rest was history. Now, we look at the group uniting with Nuclear Blast Records, and their long anticipated fourth record The Sea of Tragic Beasts, the wait was worth every second salivating over. This year was a titan year, with groups like Slipknot, Rammstein, TOOL, Killswitch Engage all dominating their respected charts and Billboard including. But here, Fit For An Autopsy have asserted their dominance in the Deathcore genre, utilizing a sound so scary, so thought-provoking, and so concise, that we here at Bloodlines can usher the words of the great Joe Swanson…. BRING IT ON!!!!
2. Cattle Decapitation – Death Atlas
Travis Ryan…. The most unique, The most recognized, The most prolific front-man of the Grindcore/Tech Death genre’s in the last well, since the band started. Death Atlas begins with an almost military style intro, reminiscent to the music of the incomparable Harry Gregson-Williams and the espionage style OST’s that represent cinema. From there, we are taken to a cacophony of sounds, clear as day messages, and a reminder that the best is truly saved for last. Death Atlas was released just a month ago, and yet I feel as if this record needed to be released years ago due to the many important messages concerning the abuse and neglect of this planet and its inhabitants. Musicians have a force within themselves, to steer their fan-base and genre of people into a direction where they can further educate themselves and the severity of the world events around them. Cattle Decapitation succeeded in doing this. 2019 closed out with a BANG INDEED.
1. Kublai Khan – Absolute
THE MOST VIOLENT, IN-YOUR-GODDAMN-FACE RECORD OF MY 2019! Kublai Khan is disgusting live, end of the damn story. I have seen this band tour with their previous record Nomad and now Absolute. It was this group alone, that made the Despised Icon/Suffocation/Shadow of Intent tour ULTRA BEEFY. Matthew Huneycutt and Nolan Ashley have gone above and beyond with such aggression and frustration with society’s ethical code, that Absolute manages to make it into my FIRST PLACE SLOT. With songs such as “High Hopes,” “Absolute,” and my personal favorite “Us & Them” Kublai kicked the door in, removed it off the hinges and fucking threw it at all of us, and we still applaud. This is the record that gets me aggressive, the record I blast in large crowds knowing the lyrical content will have heads turn. The perfect package is ABSOLUTE.
