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 CoCits name, but done in a contemporary way. As such, this is Corrosion of Conformity'sfinest work in many years.  "No Cross No Crown” is something Corrosion of Conformityfans 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’sprevious 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 Pathand 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 Swordafter 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’sdefining 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. Witchcryerhave 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: Tribulation - "Down Below"

By: Daniel Jackson

Album Type:Full Length

Date Released:26/01/2018

Label:Century Media Records

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.

‘Down Below’ CD//DD//LP track listing:

01. The Lament

02. Nightbound

03. Lady Death

04. Subterranea

05. Purgatorio

06. Cries From The Underworld

07. Lacrimosa

08. The World

09. Here Be Dragons

The Review:

By this point, most of you reading this are going to be familiar with the transformation Tribulationhas undergone over the last decade or so. Beginning as a more traditional, yet unique and creative Swedish death metal band, and over time moving further and further into a lush, blackened goth metal kind of sound. That’s not exactly a common trajectory for a band, but then Tribulation isn’t a common band.

While I’m sure there are still people holding out hope for something closer to ‘The Horror’ or ‘The Formulas of Death’, 2015’s ‘The Children of the Night’ was a definitive clean break from the thrashy, progressive death metal of the band’s early years. The glowing reception with which the album was received by both critics and a large number of new and current fans of the band probably wouldn’t have dissuaded them from continuing on their current course.

All of that is to say that ‘Down Below’ is a further exploration of the sound Tribulation established with ‘Children of the Night’, leaning into the accessible nature of their previous album and further toying with the subjective boundaries each of us set as to what counts as metal vs. hard rock. In that sense a good comparison point might be a band like Ghost, even if the two are pretty different, stylistically. This correlation is particularly evident on “Subterranea”, with its subtle inclusion of classic heavy metal elements in the verse, and the theatrical nature of the song’s opening moments.

Tribulation’s current modus operandi is straddling the fence between commercial accessibility and the underground’s love of artistic indulgence and morose aesthetics. Johannes Andersson’s vocals—as decipherable as they may be—are still very much in a black metal vein, and will continue to limit the pace at which they can grow their fanbase. Looking at them purely as an artistic choice, it works for me, but I love vocals in that style to begin with. But it also means their ceiling will remain at a certain level.

Instrumentally and compositionally, it’s clear as day that the band is continuing to appeal to a larger audience, but Andersson’s vocals keep them tethered to their point of origin, and interviews the band has done in the past indicate that it’s a conscious choice. It’s a part of their identity that they value more than whatever potential growth might come from making a vocal change as drastic as their musical changes have been. The vocal situation illustrates that Tribulationis remarkably comfortable with who they are. Sure they could probably bring in a singer like Pelle Åhman (who I’ve been advocating for on twitter for a couple of years now), but then it wouldn’t bethem. The songs are immediately catchy, the vocals are caustic and grim. That’s who Tribulation are.

Time has a funny way of proving statements like this next one wrong, but in this moment, ‘Down Below’ feels like an improved and stronger version of the vision they brought to life on ‘The Children of the Night’. This album is a refinement rather than another great leap forward, and I think that’s exactly what was needed. ‘The Children of the Night’ had the benefit of leaving an immediate impression because it was so different, and time has not been as kind to parts of that album because, in retrospect, the whole experience would have been much better served at forty minutes than at fifty-six. ‘Down Below’ is more concise, and the songs here are better realized and written, outside of the previous album’s opening pair of songs. 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.

‘Down Below’ is available a digitally here and on CD/LP here.

Band info: Official Site|| Facebook