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)

ALBUM PREMIERE & REVIEW: Phantom Winter, "Into Dark Science"

By: Ernesto Aguilar

Album Type: Full length

Date Released: 02/03/2018

Label: Golden Antenna Records

From the opening chords of "The Initiation Of Darkness," Phantom Winter create an experience that grinds into you relentlessly and the results are truly phenomenal.  You'll be thankful for this experience, harrowing though it may be.

"Into Dark Science" CD//DD//LP track listing

1. The Initiation Of Darkness

2. Ripping Halos From Angels

3. Frostcoven

4. The Craft And The Power Of Black Magic Wielding

5. Into Dark Science

6. Godspeed! Voyager

The Review:

Following 2016's well-received "Sundown Pleasures," German sludge/doom crew Phantom Winter rejoin the living in 2018 on its latest. Its six-song "Into Dark Science" are hereby your reminder that doom and sludge, like cold brew coffee, are best served pure and without flourish.

The subtle beauty of Phantom Winter's music has always been its truth in vision. It stands out because it isn't preening with the idea of being something more exceptional that a doom group. They do not need to: the performance is so unique and powerful that its presence is all that is necessary. Such focus on craft is freeing. What's more the sheer quality of the musicianship virtually guarantees that the band does not require a hyphenate sort of marketing. Instead, Phantom Winter, from the opening chords of "The Initiation Of Darkness," creates an experience.

"Into Dark Science" is effective because of its claustrophobic soundscapes and baleful vocals. Storytelling is very much part of this mood; Phantom Winter shares its lyrics with fans, and its misanthropic vignettes are certain to sit with you for awhile. "No god can help you here, no sun will ever shine," goes "Frostcoven." "We are usurpers of the night… the ghosts who haunt us scream in pain." " The Initiation Of Darkness " crashes against your head in fits and starts, with words inspired by poet Sylvia Plath and activist Adrienne Rich. "Ripping Halos From Angels" throbs with Full of Hell-style abandon. "The Craft And The Power Of Black Magic Wielding" sets a mood and grinds it into you relentlessly. In all, these are seem disparate, but share common bonds, sonically and lyrically. The results are truly phenomenal.

As you come to the album's conclusion, Phantom Winter present more of that harsh edge of doom it presented earlier. Broken-glass vocals and a tumultuous guitar sequence will leave you spellbound. You'll be thankful for this experience, harrowing though it may be.

"Into Dark Science" is available to preorder/buy here

Band info: facebook

A Storm Is Brewing - Interview with Andreas from Phantom Winter

Phantom Winter risen from the ashes of Omega Massif and have released a stunning debut album with Cvlt. A bleak, heavy and despairing affair that's winning praise within the Doom/Sludge Metal community for it's sheer brutality.

I was given the chance to interview Andreas (Guitar/Bewitched Screams) from Phantom Winter and ex-Omega Massif to see what inspired him to create such a heavy, brutal and poetic album.

So lets get started....

Hi Andreas. Thanks for doing this interview, how are things with you today.

Hi, even if no one would expect this from guys of a band called “Phantom Winter“, we are very happy that it is springtime in Germany and it is getting warmer.

Before we talk about your new album. Can you tell our readers a brief history on how the band came together.

About one week before Omega Massif ended, I started PW as a sideproject to write my own music. Christof liked, what he heard and he joined me. Then we recorded the song "Wintercvlt“ with Christian joining me on vocals, as I was sure, I could not sing everything live. After that recording I wrote more songs and we could win Martin for the band. We recorded the album as a 4-piece and David, our other guitarist, joined us afterwards.

Why did you choose the name Phantom Winter for your band. Though it perfectly matches the cold atmospheric feeling of your music.

I always wanted to make anything with"Phantom“, I like the spooky aspect of it. Suspense. Winter fits perfectly to give the band it's final touch, the Winterphantom everyone carries inside and wants to get rid of. Or that he or she loves.

Most people may of heard of Phantom Winter being the spin-off band or the new band featuring members from Omega Massif. Does that bother you all being compared to Omega Massif even though you are two very different bands.

No, well I am actually guilty of that aspect, because I posted every single news on the Omega Massif-facebook-page. It is ok, that the Omega Massif-fans know, this is not the end. This is the beginning. Everyone in the band walks on a new path and gives birth to something special, as Omega was.

Did you all know each other very well before Phantom Winter came together as a band. Did you know right away that this was going to be a good thing to do.

I know Christian and Martin very long. Christian is a good friend, Martin is a good friend and an old schoolmate. Christof did not know them, but it worked out very well. We all did not know David, but he, even if he is ten to fifteen years younger than the others are, seems to fit in very well. Well I think I knew, that this is a good thing, yes.

Obviously you're sound is very different to Omega Massif. Your sound is heavier, darker and very more depressing. Did you know that you all wanted a different sound from what came before it.

We have vocals, samples, yes, the music might be a little bit more brutal, more in your face, more middlefinger. This might be the result of the change in songwriting. The Omega-songs were a collaboration, in PW I write the songs. So I can follow a very special path with every single song and I can connect the lyrics with the music as good as possible. And as we sing about everything that bothers me, the music has a darker, more depressing touch. Omega was a soundtrack to mountains, I like to call Phantom Winter a nightmare.

Let's talk about your new album - Cvlt. What can people expect from this album.

It has five songs with very different sounds."“Corpses Collide“ for example is kind of a wake up call at the beginning, it hammers it's way through your ears and has this piano and whispers – middle-part that sounds like Poltergeist meets weird fairytale."Finster Wald“ is nearly instrumental but has an highspeed-outbreak ending."Avalanche Cities“ has kind of a real song-structure with refrain and bridge and stuff and it is the only song with some more positive melodies to give it a big contrast within it's parts. If you are into heavy music, you might find something, you like.

Was it an easy or hard album to write and record for.

It was easy. I had so much energy inside my whole body and mind, because the death of Omega Massif struck me very hard. I used this force to unleash the winterphantom. It gave me peace with the loss of the other band which was a very central issue in my life.

Why did you choose the name Cvlt for the album and that particular spelling for it.

Because of the song"Wintercvlt“. Music can be kind of a"cult“ this song is describing. And even if we do not like cults, it seems that no one can stay away from every cult. TV, music, internet, work, this new way of nutrition, yoga, whatever. So this has an ironic touch. And the Vs instead of the Us are our middlefingers to the whole NSBM-scene, which often uses runes or old german mystic symbols to be evil or whatever (song "Finster Wald“). In our eyes this is nothing but kindergarden.

What influences you when writing and recording your music. As the album has a depressing vibe to it.

I use the music as kind of a reminder for myself that says: Don't become an asshole! Keep your integrity. The lyrics, the music sound very depressing, yes, but actually this is very positive music. I know, this world will stay an ugly place and PW will change nothing about that. But Phantom Winter is kind of a mirror or a symbol for the audience. No acceptance. No surrender. Grab your own winterphantom and throw it from the top of a skyscraper.

The album has started to receive some fantastic reviews so far. Has this surprised you in anyway. Did you expect the album to make this good of an impression.

This is fantastic, yes. I do not know, what I expected. I hoped, that anyone would understand Phantom Winter. And it seems, that it struck a nerve. We appreciate every single response to our work, this helps us to keep going our way.

Will you be doing an extensive tour in support of the album. If so will which areas will you be visiting in the future.

We will play some festivals like the awesome VOID and the STATELESS SOCIETY and there will be a lot of clubshows (Berlin, Cologne, Munich etc.) all over germany. It will be about 20 shows this year, that's a lot for us.

How important are physical products to a band like yourselves. Which musical format do you like releasing your music in. DD, CD, Cassette or Vinyl.

Some of us are into CDs, the others in LPs, Cassette is more like a gimmick, but a nice one. I prefer LPs with downloadcodes, something nice at home and the bits and bytes for the road.

What is the song-writing dynamic in the band. Is it down to a group collective or individual.

I write the songs and the others join me in the finishing process. This is a really good way to work straight, effectively and to follow one big vision for every song.

Apart from the new album release what other plans do you have in store for the next 12 months or so.

We will play our shows and write new songs, we think it would be nice to have new material very soon.

How would you class your music as. Sludge, Post-Metal, Blackened Sludge, Doom Metal, As your music has been called a lot of things. Do you take notice of musical terms such as those mentioned above.

We call it "Winterdoom“. We think this gives someone who does not know any song of PW an idea of what we might sound like. But anyone can call it as he or she wants. We don't care about such classifications much.

Well guys thanks for doing this. Best of luck with the album. It's a great album. Do you have any words of wisdom for your fans out there.

Thanks for supporting us, come to our shows, if possible, it will be very frosty.

Words by Steve Howe and Andreas from Phantom Winter.

Thanks to Magnus at Creative Eclipse PR for arranging this interview. Thanks to Andreas for taking the time out to talk to us here at Sludgelord HQ.

CVLT is now available to buy on Golden Antenna Records on CD/DD/Vinyl.

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