2012 has been a year of reflecting for me. It has also been a nonstop shitfest. But musically there hasn't been too much "new" stuff that I have gotten into. So this list reflects me getting into some classic metal bands that I should have years ago & some newer rap music that I discovered this year. I hope it is diverse enough to keep you interested.
1. Flatbush ZOMBIES - S.C.O.S.A. - Flatbush ZOMBIES are like if you took all the kooky spiritualism out of Gravediggas & replaced it with weed & strippers. Shit is straight stupid but I enjoy the hell out of it. They finally put out a mixtape this year with like five good tracks. This is my favorite.
2. Manilla Road - Crystal Logic - This is one of the metal classics that I finally got into. Like a Michael Moorcock tale come to glorious metal life. Totally over the top vocals. Can't get enough of this record.
3. Abysme - Formless - My favorite local band that also happen to be good friends of mine & a sick death metal outfit. Nothing groundbreaking. Just really well executed. For fans of Autopsy, Dungeons & Dragons, & all things awesome. Check out the album art by Putrid for this, it is fucking nutzoid.
4. Riot - Feel the Same - Another band I am kicking myself for not getting into sooner. A perfect blend of NWoBHM & NYC dirtiness. That opening riff gets stuck in my head for weeks & it isn't even the catchiest part of this gem.
5. The Lord Weird Slough Feg - High Passage/Low Passage - My good friend Mike Bolam turned me onto this band. This song is from the album Taveller. This is from Wikipedia "The album is based on GDW's 1977 science fiction role-playing game, Traveller.". Why are you still reading this? You should be rocking out & rolling dice.
6. Killer Mike - Regan - I
fucking hate Ronald Regan. So does Killer Mike. I have never felt more
vindicated in an opinion. This song kicks ass & the whole album Killer Mike
did with El-P has to be on every top ten list for hip-hop.
7. Morbus Chron - Red Hook Horror -
Swedish baby death metallers making insane music based on one of Lovecraft's
most racist stories. Enjoy.
8. Death Grips - Beware - I know
I am very late on this record. I don't know if it is hip-hop or experimental
rock. Shit is just good. I am the Beast I worship.
9. Dio - Hungry for Heaven -
This one is a cheat. I have known & loved this song for years. This past
year I went through a period where I was listening to this every morning before
work. It gets me pump. It will dothe same for you. I am just sharing the love.
10. Action Bronson - Double Breasted -
Lastly I give to you Action Bronson. Imagine a kid from NYC of Albanian descent
that raps exactly like Ghostface about the subjects of food, sex & drugs.
Stop imagining & live that dream. His mixtape "Blue Chips" is
great & yes it is named after the movie starring Nick Nolte.
Honorable mentions for 2012: Pallbearer(you beat me to it Josh), Lake Mungo, Kill List, the fiction of Joe Abercrombie, Todd & the Book of Pure Evil, Labyrinth Lord & amazing friends that support me through thick & thin.
No thanks list: Poseurs & cancer.
