P H I L M N O I R's Best Albums of 2012

Well it's that time of the year. Time to give props to the best of the best.  Today I'll start with my fav albums of the year.  And like clockwork my brain goes from "what the hell came out this year, I can't think of anything!?" to "Crap! too many albums to choose just 10!" Bah! Anyhoo, here are my top 11 (because I couldn't decide on just 10) albums of 2012 .

Here we go!

11. Opera IX - Strix Maledicte in Aeterum (Agonia Records)

This album tugs at my late 90's symphonic black metal heartstrings. In a sea of hipster black metal it is so refreshing & nostalgic.

http://www.operaix.it

10. Wodensthrone - Curse (Candlelight Records)

These guys duked it out real hard with Opera IX to make it as #10. Just listen... you'll understand.

http://www.wodensthrone.com/

9. Hung - Hung (ReThink)

It's like a layered progressive death metal biscuit topped with violin butter sauce.
http://hungrocks.com/

8. Vattnet Viskar - Vattnet Viskar (Broken Limbs Recordings)

Surprisingly great album, despite being from.. I dunno New Hampshire or something.

http://vattnetviskar.bandcamp.com/

7. Ihsahn - Eremita (Candlelight Records)

Let me tell you.. I tried really hard (REALLY REALLY HARD) to avoid putting this on the list. It's very typical of me to put this on just because it's Ihsahn and he can do no wrong.  But honestly it's too awesome! Seriously.. End of story.

http://www.ihsahn.com/

6. Woods 5: Grey Skies & Electric Light - Woods Of Ypres (Earache Records)

Probably my favorite of all Woods of Ypres albums.  Hauntingly beautiful. RIP David Gold.

http://earache.bandcamp.com/album/woods-5-grey-skies-electric-light

5. Obolus - Lament (The Flenser)
Drown me in epic black metal-y goodness.

http://theflenser.bandcamp.com/album/lament

4. Evoken - Atra Mors (Profound Lore)
Evoken never fails to deliver.. ever.. This album is elegant yet soul destroying. OMG soo good.. Buy this now!

http://www.profoundlorerecords.com/products-page/plr-items/evoken-atra-mors/

3. Abnormality - Contaminating The Hive Mind (Sevared Records)
Dear Abnormality,
Here are all my medical bills. My neck has been hurting ALL YEAR because of this album! \m/ OW \m/ Brutal!
K Thanks.

http://www.reverbnation.com/abnormality






2. Wintersun - Time I (Nuclear Blast Records)
8 YEARS!.. I WAITED 8 YEARS FOR THIS STUPID ALBUM TO COME OUT! BUGGING THOSE POOR PEOPLE AT NUCLEAR BLAST EVERYDAY!.. FOR THE LAST 3
YEARS! FINALLY! (can die happy now)

http://www.wintersun.fi/

1. Kalopsia - Amongst the Ruins (Godeater Records)
The winner.. at 9 YEARS in the making!!... Just remember kids THAT'S A WHOLE 9 YEARS TO POWER-UP THE BRUTALITY! Be Warned.. The Awesome might do this to your face:
          

                       http://kalopsia.bandcamp.com/

Ok that's it for the list.  Don't forget: please support the artists! Buy their CD's, fancy limited edition vinyls and mp3 downloads so they can continue to make more great music! Wee!!

Kalopsia & Cannabis Corpse @ Dingbatz 9/6/12

Another awesome death metal show at Dingbatz.  A bunch of bands on the bill playing throughout the night. I really wished I stuck it out for Dying Fetus, but by the time they started it was almost 1am (I know I've turned into such an old lady).  Regardless, I did manage to snaps some shots of Kalopsia & Cannabis Corpse. Kalopsia took everyone by storm.  The room went from 8 ft of empty space in front of the stage to full blown mosh destruction!!  Cannabis Corpse also brought the raucous & hilarity.  Anyhoo, enough talk look at these:  

Ermahgerdd Kalerpsier!

Kalopsia @ Dingbats 4/15/12

So, this was my first show at Dingbats is AGES! I applaud them for still being around after all these years (as every other venue in NJ, and NY for that matter, has closed down)  Also, super excited to say I got to catch Kalopsia's first show in like 4 years.  Anyhoo, I only got a few pics of Kalopsia who opened for Suffocation & Waking the Cadaver (gotta say they gave both bands a run for their money).  Saying it was a great show would be an understatement!  Of course my camera battery died within the first 2 songs so I didn't get as many photos as I would have liked. Wish I could have gotten some better shots, ..but there's always next time!

The majority of these photos have been brought to you in Blurrivision!