TOP 16 MOST POPULAR ALBUMS OF 2018 SO FAR.... THE SOUR 16 (JAN - JULY 2018)

It has been hectic 2018 to say the least, so forgive me readers for I have sinned, it has been 6 months since our last SOUR 16, and our usual presentation of the 16 most popular albums of the month.  So given that I have failed to deliver the chart for the last six month, I’ve decided to present not only the most albums of the 7 months , but also the individual charts for the months you missed.  So by my reckoning that 112 albums for you to check out.  So apologises normal services is resumed, here is our TOP 16  MOST POPULAR ALBUMS OF 2018 SO FAR and the SOUR 16 (JAN - JULY 2018)

Here’s a quick recap, each month you the reader are unwittingly compiling a list of the top 16 records of the month, covering all genres of metal.  Is it not a chart, in which reviewers or contributors extol their opinion about their favourite music.  To put it simply, the SOUR 16 are the records that have been trending the most at SLUDGELORD HQ.

The results are compiled based on the amount of page views the reviews have received and are then calibrated into the list below. (Total views are highlighted in brackets)

16). Black Label Society, “Grimmest Hits” (2134)

15). Tribulation, “Down Below” (2249)

14). Harakiri for the Sky, “Arson” (2504)

   
13). Phantom Winter, “Into Dark Science” (2532)

12). Fu Manchu, “Clone of the Universe” (2657)

 
11). Verheerer, “Maltrer” (3504)

   
10). Somali Yacht Club, “The Sea” (3651)

   
9). Witchcryer, “Cry Witch” (3884)

   
8). Earthless, “Black Heaven” (4071)

7). Monster Magnet, “Mindfucker” (4744)

6). Forktail, “Forktail” (5194)

5). Sleep, “The Sciences” (5931)

4). Hooded Menace, “Ossuarium Silhouettes Unhallowed” (5924)

   
3). Winterfylleth, “The Hallowing of Heirdom” (9958)

   
2). Amorphis, “Queen of Time” (15574)

1). Wolftooth, “Wolftooth” (19820)

June/July 2018

16). Aseethe / Snow Burial, “Split” (413)

15). Witchsorrow, “Hexenhammer” (415) 

14). Drug Cult, Drug Cult” (451)

13). Witch Mountain, “Witch Mountain” (463)

12). Grave Lines, “Fed Into The Nihilist Engine” (503)

11). Uniform & The Body, “Mental Wounds Not Healing” (517)

10). Smock, “Interstellar Nobody” (520)

9). Wytchhazel, “II: Sojourn” (535)

8). Yob, “Our Raw Heart” (649)

7). Tomb Warden, “Reflection of the Mistake” (690)

6). Dopethrone, “Transcanadian Anger” (702)

5). Acid Priest, “Drop Out” (771)

4). Orange Goblin, “The Wolf Bites Back” (1097)

3). Cult of Occult, “Anti-Life” (1129)

2). Churchburn, “None Shall Live...The Hymns of Misery” (1305)

1). Bongripper, “Terminal” (1963)

May 2018

16). Tunguska Mammoth, “Breathless” (465)

15). Garganjua, “Through The Void” (477)

14). Mol, “Jord” (500)

13). Behemoth, “Messe Noire” (521)

12). Skinless, “Savagery” (580)

11). Cist, “The Frozen Casket” (581)

10). Iron Void, “Excalibur” (615)

9). Bong, “Thought & Existence” (709)

8). Wychhound, “Earth Orbiter” (730)

7). Chrch, “The Light Will Consume Us” (847)

6). Barst, “The Endeavour” (909)

5). LLNN, “Deads” (942)

4). Morag Tong, “Last Knell of Om” (997)

3). Nibiru, “Netrayoni” (2018) (1040)

2). Speedclaw, “Beast In The Mix” (1123)

1). Amorphis, “Queen of Time” (15574)

April 2010

16). Vomitor, “Pestilent Death” (428)

15). Boss Keloid, “Melted on the Inch” (438)

14). My Silent Wake, “There Was Death” 510)

13). Beneath Oblivion, “The Wayward & The Lost” (537)

12). Conjurer, “Mire” (565)

11). Will Haven, “Muerte”(610)

10).Foehammer, “Second Sight” (641)

9). Judas Priest, “Firepower” (721)

8). Hashteroid, “Hashteroid” (975)

7). Lychgate, “The Contagion in Nine Steps” (1000)

6). Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard & Slomatics, “Totems” (1084)

5). Eagle Twin, “The Thundering Heard” (1090)

4). Ulvesang, “The Hunt” (1189)

3). Aerosol Jesus, “Failure” (1444)

2). Sleep, “The Sciences” (5931)

1). Winterfylleth, “The Hallowing of Heirdom” (9958)

March 2018

16). Vile Creature, “Cast of Static & Smoke” (498)

15). Blheg, “Solarmegin” (527)

14). Dead Empires, “Designed To Disappear” (598)

13). Ilsa, “Corpse Fortress” (617)

12). Mournful Congregation, “The Incubus of Karma” (668)

11). Hemelbestormer, “A Ring of Blue Light” (683)

10). Solleme, “The Infinite Violence” (888)

9). Rivers of Nihil, “Where Owls Know My Name” (969)

8). Leechfeast, “Neon Crosses” (1053)

7). Ministry, “AmeriKKKant” (1210)

6).Blaze Bayley, “The Redemption of William Black (Infinite Entanglement Part III)” (1308)

5). Coilguns, “Millenials” (1437)

4). Ancst, “Ghosts of the Timeless Void” (1727)

3). Earthless, “Black Heaven” (4071)

2). Monster Magnet, “Mindfucker” (4744)

1). Forktail, “Forktail” (5194)

February 2018

16). Marriage + Cancer, “Marriage + Cancer” (763)

15). Cultus Profano, “Sacramentum Obscurus” (845)

14). Lowered, “Lowered“(890)

13). Oryx, “Stolen Absolution” (897)

12). Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals, “Choosing Mental Illness Is A Virtue” (926)

11). Green Lung, “Free The Witch” (962)

10). Mammoth Grinder, “Cosmic Crypt” (1264)

9). Keiji Haino & Sumac, “American Dollar Bill - Keep Facing Sideways, You're Too Hideous To Look At Face On” (1336)

8). Necrophobic, “Mark of the Necrogram” (1394)

7). Windhand / Satan’s Satyrs, “Self Titled” Split (1431)

6). Against The Grain, “Cheated Death” (1507)

5). Visigoth, “Conquerer’s Oath” (1709)

4). Harakiri for the Sky, “Arson” (2504)

3). Phantom Winter, “Into Dark Science” (2532)            

2). Fu Manchu, Clone of the Universe” (2657)

1). Verheerer, “Maltrer” (3504)

January 2018

16). Greber, “Cemetary Preston” (731)

15). Corrosion of Conformity, “No Cross No Crown” (751)

14). Greyfell, “Horsepower” (786)

13). Agrimonia, “Awaken” (805)

12). Haunt, “Luminous Eyes” (EP) (826))

11). Possessor, “The Ripper” (872)

10). Come to Grief / Fistula & Fistula / (16) Splits (946)

9). Druid Lord, “Grotesque Offerings” (956)

8. Watain, “Trident Wolf Eclipse” (999)

7). King Buffalo, “Repeater” (1397)

6). Black Label Society, “Grimmest Hits” (1665)

5). Wolftooth, “Wolftooth” (1723)

4). Tribulation, “Down Below” (2047)

3). Somali Yacht Club, “The Sea” (2388)

2). Witchcryer, “Cry Witch” (3676)

1). Hooded Menace, “Ossuarium Silhouettes Unhallowed” (5646)

TOP 16 ALBUMS: THE SOUR 16 (January 2018)

Hooded Menace

It has been hectic to say the least during the last 7 weeks or so of 2018, so forgive for the delay in our usually presentation of the 16 most popular album from January, but here it is your SOUR 16. 

You know the drill by now, each month you the reader are unwittingly compiling a list of the top 16 records of the month, covering all genres of metal.  Is it not a chart, in which reviewers or contributors extol their opinion about their favourite music.  To put it simply, THE SOUR 16 are the records that have been trending the most at SLUDGELORD HQ.

The results are compiled based on the amount of page views the reviews have received and are then calibrated into the list below.  All reviews can be viewed by clicking the artwork and we have included album streams wherever possible. (Total views are highlighted in the red)

16). Greber - “Cemetery Preston” (704)

 
Greber’s pursuit of intricate heavy music pays off immensely, creating a consuming sonic experience. “Cemetery Preston” will be one of the most unique and layered experiences of this year.

15). Corrosion of Conformity - "No Cross No Crown" (751)

Dissipated is the more prevalent punk and thrash of "IX" in favor of the sound that made CoC its name, but done in a contemporary way. As such, this is Corrosion of Conformity's finest work in many years.  "No Cross No Crown” is something Corrosion of Conformity fans can rejoice in.

14). Greyfell - "Horsepower" (786)

 

“Horsepower” is an interesting and accomplished album – a wonderful piece of doomy, gloomy, ritual rock – which should please fans of Greyfell’s previous work, and no doubt introduce many new listeners to the band.

13). Agrimonia - "Awaken" (805)

 
 'Awaken' is a tour-de-force of genre hopping doom. It should see the band gain ground on their contemporaries and even surpass them.

12). Haunt - "Luminous Eyes" [EP] (826)

 
 Fitting in squarely with the likes of Cauldron, this is heavy metal of the old school done correctly and with affection. If you want traditional sounds with a dark edge to the songs, this is most assuredly for you.

11). Possessor - "The Ripper" (872)

     

"The Ripper" is one of the most pleasing releases to wrap 2017 and open up 2018. Possessor's massive sound and brutal composition make it one of the more intimidating listens on the scene, and one you should get to know now, if you aren't already down.

10). Come to Grief / Fistula & Fistula / -(16)- [Splits] (946)

   
9). Druid Lord - "Grotesque Offerings" (956)

   
Fans of Hooded Menace, Serpentine Path and traditional Florida death metal like Obituary or Malevolent Creation can't go wrong here; this is a great example of the doom/death genre and surely one of the musically darkest albums you could pick to play out the winter.

8). Watain - "Trident Wolf Eclipse" (999)

“Trident Wolf Eclipse’ is an album that’s both diverse, but also does a better job of staying within the band’s established wheelhouse.  The album’s opening track is a perfect statement of intent: “Nuclear Alchemy” is the sort of thrashy, high-energy hellstorm that sets the stage for the rest of the album

7). King Buffalo - "Repeater" [EP] (1397)

 
 The band sounds confident as they play through the dreamy plucking of the guitars, the perfectly enunciated vocals, and that sweet meditative groove that drummer Scott Donaldson brings with him. The tunes are mellow, meditative, groovy, and best of all, heady. As a short release, “Repeater” does what it’s intended to do and offers the hungry fans just a taste of what the main course is going to bring. Bring on that sophomore release!

6). Black Label Society - "Grimmest Hits" (1665)

“Grimmest Hits” is a Sabbath-esque listen with bluesy inflections and is chock full of riffs and solos.

5). Wolftooth - "Wolftooth" (1723)

   
If you were disillusioned by The Sword after their first three albums, and if you loved Earth Witch then don't delay and get hold of this album as it is a riffing stoner metal delight.

4). Tribulation - "Down Below" (2074)

I’ll stop short of calling this Tribulation’s defining masterpiece, if only because the band seem to keep outdoing themselves. For that same reason, it’s hard to imagine the band won’t have even more to show us as the years go by, and that’s a thrilling prospect.

3). Somali Yacht Club - "The Sea" (2388)

   
Basking in sonic emersion and drawing from an Elder influence, Somali Yacht Club succeeds in taking the listener on that well-known ride of warm tones and meandering melodies. In the world of progressive psych-rock, confidence is key and these Ukranians hold that key and open every door with it that they can.

2). Witchcryer - "Cry Witch" (3676)

 
The riffs are infectious, the grooves hit you right in the gut and their well written songs are accentuated by climatic dynamics and impassioned performances by all members of the band. Witchcryer have created something really quite special on “Cry Witch”, a debut surely worthy of addition to the doom metal cannon.

1). Hooded Menace - "Ossuarium Silhouettes Unhallowed" (5645)

Hooded Menace, is the quintessential death-doom metal band and this album is a crawling behemoth with so much gloom and doom that it feels like a slimy dense fog is pouring out of your speakers and into your unsuspecting lungs.

A big thank you as always to our amazing writers, your dedication knows no boundaries and for that I am truly grateful.  January 2018’s “SOUR 16” features reviews by:  Richard Maw, Andre Almaraz, Daniel Jackson, Ben Fitts, Ernesto Aguilar, Mark Tremblay &Victor Van Ommen

ALBUM REVIEW: Somali Yacht Club - "The Sea"

By: Victor Van Ommen

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 28/01/2018

Label: Robustfellow |

Kozmik Artifactz

Basking in sonic emersion and drawing from an Elder influence, Somali Yacht Club succeeds in taking the listener on that well-known ride of warm tones and meandering melodies. In the world of progressive psych-rock, confidence is key and these Ukranians hold that key and open every door with it that they can.

“The Sea” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Vero
2. Religion Of Man
3. Blood Leave A Trail
4. Hydrophobia
5. 84 Days
6. Crows

The Review:

Rolling down the road from the musical hotbed that is Eastern Europe, Somali Yacht Club gives 2018 one of its first releases. Released on January 28th, the new album, “The Sea,” follows the band’s preceding output rather seamlessly in both name and sound alike. Musically, “The Sea” is a logical next step. Sonically, it’s the sure-footed performance and the resulting vibe that these tunes exude that makes the album what it is. In the world of progressive psych-rock, confidence is key and these Ukranians hold that key and open every door with it that they can.

If you were to put on “The Sea” and close your eyes, you’d be taken away by the music. It’s all about the mood. Whether it’s the upbeat, kraut-rocking opener “Vero” or the swirling “Hydrophobia” – which takes a stoner-rocking twist there at the end, “The Sea” is an album that delivers quality psych for its full duration. Like its gorgeous cover art, “The Sea” flows gently, travels freely, and traverses many realms of the stratosphere. No single sound or melody actually stands out, but that’s ok, because the album as a whole works well. The tunes and grooves may fade to the background, but do so in such a way that they set the mood.

With “The Sea,” Somali Yacht Club tries their hand at the formula of combining heavy-prog with psychedelic, stoner riffing. Though the bar for this formula was set pretty high with Elder’s “Lore” in 2015, Somali Yacht Club doesn’t shy away from taking a stab at it themselves. Basking in sonic emersion and drawing from an Elder influence, Somali Yacht Club succeeds in taking the listener on that well-known ride of warm tones and meandering melodies.

“The Sea” is available on CD//DD here and LP to follow

Band info: Facebook || Bandcamp || Twitter

Somali Yacht Club - The Sun (Album Review)

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 16/9/2014

Label: Robustfellow / Transubstans Records

‘The Sun’ CD/DD/LP track Listing

1). The Loom (08:20)

2). Sightwaster (08:02)

3). Up In The Sky (08:12)

4). Signals (10:52)

5). Sun (7:19)

Bio:

Somali Yacht Club is a stoner rock trio from Lviv, Ukraine. The band mixes elements of stoner rock, psychedelic rock, shoegazing and post-metal in their music.

Formed in 2010 as a jam band, they evolved quickly to a main band for its members. In August 2011 they self-released their first four-song EP “Sandsongs”.

In late 2014 Somali Yacht Club are releasing first LP ‘The Sun’ on Bilocation Records. They played numerous shows in Ukraine and shared the stage with Red Fand, The Machine, Stoned Jesus, Belzebong, Bong and many others.

The Band:

Mez | Guitar, vocals
Artur | bass
Lesyk | drums

Review:

Somali Yacht Club definitely were able to make an interesting genre mash-up with their newest full length, ‘The Sun’. Until this point all they had out there was their debut EP, ‘Sandsongs’ from 2011 and a single they put out last year. As a fan of both those releases, this newest one was certainly a surprise. While their earlier albums were very riff laden, fuzzed out, to the point stoner metal, ‘The Sun’ is a much more abstract piece of work. The goal of this clearly is different from their earlier releases- it’s about half as heavy, half the speed, but with twice the amount of thought put into how the album would work as a whole.

After listening to the first track, I thought I had about settled into the album. It seemed like one of those openers that would define the whole album. That nice, atmospheric opening track prepares the listener for a contemplative, almost relaxing experience. The main riff is catchy, but not too in your face. There is a lot of background noise throughout the whole song, a lot of effects, and those great trippy vocals chanting “I can feel it in my bones” over and over.

The fact that Somali Yacht Club started as a jam band becomes very evident by the second and third tracks. This is where they start to go all over- you can tell that a lot of this was written just during a straight up jam session- riffs that came right from the heart without an excessive amount of thought put into them, and even some dub sections. However, it also avoids being incohesive as a lot of jam bands can be- it is still a very well arranged album that flows throughout.

They definitely took a risk with this album- there are so many points in the album that they could have easily just taken the easy route (which they may have done on their first EP) and just gone from one to another, keeping the same attitude the whole song, but ‘The Sun’ has a multitude of attitudes and emotions going on.  ‘The Sun' manages to find the perfect middle ground of psychedelic rock. Just the right amount of riffs, right amount of abstract atmospheric jamming, the vocals are relaxing, but intense and emotional at the same time. There is so much emotion on this album that I feel like you could listen to it in any mood and relate to it. They manage to be all over the place, but still not sound frantic and unorganized.

All-in-all, a great, well put together album. Go spend the 5 bucks and get it on Bandcamp.

Words by: Alex D.

You can pick up a copy here and here

For more information:

https://somaliyachtclub.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Somaliyachtclub