It’s getting to be that time of year, the time when we dive head first into the polluted sea of year-end listmania. Our listmania extravaganza comes in four parts. First, we re-print assorted lists of the year’s best albums, leeched from other web sites and magazines. Second, we collect our readers’ lists of the songs they enjoyed the most from the year that’s rapidly drawing to a close. Third, we post the year-end lists of our own staff and assorted guest writers. And fourth, we roll out our list of the year’s Most Infectious Extreme Metal Songs.
And that last list is the subject of this post (we’ll be inviting you to give us your lists of the year’s best albums as we get closer to the actual end of the year — so start thinking about that).
In case you’ve forgotten, or you’ve become an NCS reader since this time last year, here’s what this is about:
To repeat, this isn’t a list of the best metal albums of the year. It’s not even our list of the best individual extreme metal songs of the year — though some of the songs might actually be among the best of the year. Instead, ours is a list of the most infectious extreme metal songs we’ve heard this year. We’re talking about songs that might produce involuntary physical movement, songs that have got catchy rhythms, memorable melodies, sweet grooves, or anything else that sticks the song in your head and makes you want to keep listening to it.
To be one of the most infectious songs of the year, it’s got to be something that worms its way into your brain to such an extent you can’t get it out (and wouldn’t want to) — you mentally replay it at unexpected times and you go back to the song repeatedly for listening.
Maybe it’s the kind of song that has become one of your favorites for some kind of activity — whether it be drinking or smoking, working out, humping, rolling down the road in some kind of wheeled vehicle with the volume turned up, trying to drown out your kids, doing your laundry, doing school work, doing actual paying work, pleasuring yourself while gazing at a photo of me, getting into the right kind of mood or out of the wrong one, or even just day-dreaming.
I’ve already got my own working list of candidates and I’m going to collect suggestions from our regular writers, but no doubt we will overlook some gems. So, here’s what I want: Please leave comments to this post with your suggestions — or e-mail them to: islander@nocleansinging.com
I’ll then pick what I think are the most infectious tracks of the year and start playing those songs for you in groups of two as we get closer to year-end. The first year we did this, I limited the list to 10 songs. In 2010, I expanded it to 30. In 2011 it grew to 39. Last year it topped out at 56! As you can see, I have a really fuckin’ hard time making decisions. I have no idea how many songs we’ll feature this year.
So, reflect on the music you’ve really been enjoying this year and please let us hear from you. By leaving your favorites in the comments, this post will also become a way for other metal fans to find new music.
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Beastwars – Realms
How could I forget Beastwars – The Sleeper’s riff is crazy.
This.
Every track on Serpents Unleashed!
{artist-song)
Black Dahlia Murder – Raped In Hatred By Vines of Thorn
Anciients – Raise the Sun
Kingcrow – The Hatch (the chorus is mad catchy)
Ghost – Year Zero
Satan – Life Sentence
Arsis – Handbook For The Recently Deceased
Thrawsunblat – Lifelore Revelation
Red Fang – Blood Like Cream
These are some picks after a quick cycle through the library
I second ‘Lifelore Revelation’ and ‘Raise the Sun’
I second that vote for Skeletonwitch, the title track and This Evil Embrace really stood out to me. Also, Blood Like Cream is an excellent choice.
Caligula’s Horse – Atlas
Nekrogoblikon – Powercore
Altar of Plagues – Remedy And A Fever
The Amenta – Obliterate’s Prayer
Benea Reach – Empire
Soilwork – Tongue
Shade Empire – Ruins
TesseracT – Nocturne
Dark Tranquillity – The Science of Noise
Castevet – As Fathomed By Beggars and Victims
Arsis – Choking on the Sand
Black Dahlia Murder – Raped In Hatred By Vines of Thorn
Children of Bodom – Halo of Blood
Exhumed – Necrocracy
Fleshgod Apocalypse – Elegy
Soilwork – Spectrum of Eternity
Soilwork – Tongue
Suffocation – Pinnacle of Bedlam
Wormed – Xenoverse Discharger
Whoretopsy – Nature’s Pocket (The album is not out yet, but this single is kickass.)
Gorguts – The Battle of Chamdo
Eibon – The Void Settlers
Bring Me The Horizon – And The Snakes Start To Sing
The Body – Bearer of Bad Tidings
The Body – The Ebb And Flow of Tides In A Sea Of Ash
Rivers of Nihil – Rain Eater
Portal – Curtain
Guttural Secrete – Deadened Prior to Coitus
Locrian – Return To Annihilation
Yeah I know, the Gorguts one isn’t metal at all, but the whole album is really amazing, so choosing one would be really hard.
In no particular order…
1. Sannhet- Absecon Isle (http://sannhet.bandcamp.com/track/absecon-isle)
2. Deafheaven- Dream House (http://deafheavens.bandcamp.com/album/sunbather)
3. Falls of Rauros- All That Howling Fog (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEc89wpMu3g)
4. Vulture Industries- The Tower (https://soundcloud.com/vulture-industries)
5. Russian Circles- Memorial (http://russiancircles.bandcamp.com/track/memorial)
6. Red Fang- Crows in Swine (http://redfang.bandcamp.com/track/crows-in-swine-2)
7. Lord Dying- In a Frightful State of Gnawed Dismemberment (http://lorddying.bandcamp.com/track/in-a-frightful-state-of-gnawed-dismemberment)
8. Cult of Luna- Passing Through (http://offtherecord.fi/cult-of-luna/)
9. The Ocean- Bathyalpelagic II: The Wish in Dreams (https://soundcloud.com/metalbladerecords/the-ocean-bathyalpelagic-ii)
10. Battlecross- Flesh & Bone (https://soundcloud.com/battlecross/flesh-bone)
11. Shining- I Won’t Forget (https://soundcloud.com/user3105090/i-wont-forget?in=user3105090/sets/the-shining-one-one-one)
12. Ihsahn- Hiber (https://soundcloud.com/candlelight-records/hiber-1)
13. ASG- Blood Drive (https://soundcloud.com/relapserecords/asg-blood-drive)
14. Noctum- Temple of the Living Dead (https://soundcloud.com/metalbladerecords/noctum-temple-of-the-living)
OK, I’m getting carried away. I’ll stop now.
Love that version of “Passing Through”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08wDvS1YT0A
Listen to the brand new track from Upon Your Grave’s Eponym album coming out November 28th ! here is ” Life Simulator ”
Decaying – The Ardennes Offensive http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dozD_o_EQZk
Hail of Bullets – Pour le Merite http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KiGFsj_RP8
Manegarm – Hordes of Hel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6XALmSHJek
Manegarm – Sons of War http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZECY3zFQQQ
Maniac – Corrupted Moon http://maniacband.bandcamp.com/
Procession – To Reap Heavens Apart http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgY4iRXBpwM
Convulse – Unholy War http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgBt2-NOGVc
Holy shit. On the one hand, I’m glad I invited other ideas, because I overlooked so many of these or haven’t heard them at all. On the other hand, my list is now growing like mushrooms after a heavy rain.
(1) Skeletonwitch – “From a Cloudless Sky”
(2) Sockweb – “Werewolf”
(3) In Solitude – “Death Knows Where”
(4) White Wizzard – “Strike the Iron”
(5) Exhumed – “Dysmorphic”
(6) Carcass – “316L Grade Surgical Steel”
(7) Toxic Holocaust – “Salvation is Waiting”
(8) Warbringer – “The Turning of the Gears”
(9) Havok – “It Is True”
(10) Kataklysm – “Like Animals”
(11) Skeletal Spectre – “Serpent Moon”
(12) Dark Tranquillity – “For Broken Words”
(13) Fleshgod Apocalypse – “Minotaur (The Wrath of Poseidon)”
(14) Heaven Shall Burn – “Hunters Will Be Hunted”
(15) TOAD – “Taste of the Grave”
(16) Darkthrone – “Leave No Cross Unturned”
(17) Wormed – “Stellar Depopulation”
(18) Scale the Summit – “Atlas Novus”
(19) Within the Ruins – “Ataxia II”
(20) Kalmah – “Wolves in the Throne”
(21) Immolation – “Kingdom of Conspiracy”
(22) Revocation – “Fracked”
(23) Amorphis – “The Wanderer”
(24) Soilwork – “Spectrum of Eternity”
(25) Black Fast – “Obelisk”
Would you recommend Amorphis’ new album???
Well, if you are in the mood for some light and melancholic metal music, you should definitely get it.
Love the mention for Sockweb, but obviously the Sockweb track is “Bullies Are Mean.”
This is tough to just spit out, but I’ll give it a go. Besides, it figures that the most infectious songs are those that are sticking with me at any given moment.
In no particular order:
Shade Empire – Nomad
In Vain – Floating on the Murmuring Tide
Dark Tranquillity – None Becoming
Altar of Plagues – A Remedy and a Fever
Wolfheart – Routa pt. 2
Hanging Garden – Ash and Dust
Fleshgod Apocalypse – Minotaur (Wrath of Poseidon)
The Ocean – Signals of Anxiety
Omnium Gatherum – Formidable
I must have missed dozens but these are the ones that come to mind just now.
Catharist – At the Gates
Conducting from the Grave – Into the Rabbit Hole
Dark Tranquillity – The Science of Noise
Deals Death – Point Zero Solution
Kartikeya – Tunnels of Naraka
Man Must Die – Patriot
Spheron – Saturnian Satellites
I could lengthen the list, but these are the *most* infectious (that I can think of right now, without looking at others’ lists).
In no particular order:
Shade Empire – Ruins
Kuolemanlaakso – Minä Elän (Or any else from that album)
Wolfheart – Routa pt.2
Sons of Aeon – Wolf Eyes
Omnium Gatherum – The Unknowing
Kaunis Kuolematon – En ole mitään
‘The Unknowing,’ my favorite song on that album
Also, a helluva song live. Oh the headbanging!
I’ve been thinking about this list all year, and the two songs which stay on the list are:
Vreid – The Reap
Bölzer – Entranced by the Wolfshook
Right now, I would probably add the following songs:
Mitochondrion – Insummation (I think it is mostly the breakdowns in the last couple of minutes that are keeping this one in my head)
Thrawsunblat – Wanderer on the Continent of Saplings (I agree that the other Thrawsunblat pick above is infectious, but this one has been in my head for months)
Darkthrone – Lesser Men (I saw the “Leave No Cross Unturned” pick above, and I think that is also a good choice)
Exhumed – Coins Upon the Eyes
After I have had more time to listen to it, I think one of the songs from the new Carcass album would also make this list.
I will throw ALL my toys out of the pram if “The Reap” isn’t on the final list.
It’s not even the best song on the album, but my fucking god is it almost as catchy as that rash I’m suddenly developing. I should stop associating with pretty bar wenches.
I don’t negotiate with terrorists.
Yes, super catchy, but not the best song. What do you think the best one is? The entire album is so good I can’t make up my mind, but I think it is either the title song or Sights of Old.
I’m most partial to “Way of the Serpent” myself.
Agree with “Coins upon the Eyes” Was my fist thought when seeing the headline.
Definitely Arsis- Sunglasses at Night
I’ll think of more later
(Psychoparalysis) – The Numbers Become My Enemies
Exhumed – Dysmorphic
Feared – Vintersol
Solium Fatalis – Molecular Devices
Unhuman – Once Again
Soul Remnants – Incinerator
Darkane – The Sinister Supremacy
Soulfly – The is Violence
Suffocation – As Grace Descends
Dormant Ordeal – Days That Didn’t Make It
Megalodon – Dual Vision Triple Sonic
Carcass – Captive Bolt Pistol
Hard to say, I’m still waiting on a few albums to come out (Code ,DunkelNacht, Bliss of Flesh) and a few others to arrive – So far:
Twilight of the Gods: Fire on the Mountain
Shining: The Hurting Game / I Won’t Forget
Devin Townsend – Grace (Retinal Circus)
Entropia – Vesper
geÄst – NebellebeN
Thy Light – Wander of Solitude
Progenie Terrestre Pura – Progenie Terrestre Pura
Rotting Christ – Grandis Spiritus Diavolos
Manzer – Pictavia
This is unfortunately only a few. There is more, just can’t think of them at the moment.
Would also love to add other things that I’ve come across but are from previous years, that I only found out about this year: Agruss, Advent Sorrow, Doomsday, Chrome Waves, The Senseless and Nagelfar (Hünengrab im Herbst) to name but a few.
Good luck with the list
Yeah..Manzer!
Though Id have probably chosen either “Light of the Wreckers” or “Manzer” myself
Concrete- Batillus
Burnt Year- Altar of Plagues
I Am Rebirth- Ancient VVIsdom
In Exodus- Nails
Tears of Blood- Olde Growth
Rags- Primitive Man
Burned From Bone- Skeletonwitch
Khan- Tenggar Cavalry
Lifelore Revelation- Thrawsunblat
Another Fallen Brother- Tyr
To name a few… 🙂
…and just about any song of the new Rotting Christ album…
Uh… this will be my last one.
Sol Invictus- Atlantean Kodex
i’m terrible at these kind of lists, but here goes.
Battlecross – Force Fed Lies
The Black Dahlia Murder – Phantom Limb Masturbation
Born Of Osiris – Absolution
Chimaira – All That’s Left is Blood
Exhumed – Dysmorphic
Facebreaker – Meat Freak
Grave – Morbid Ascent
Hail of Bullets – Swoop of the Falcon
Heaven Shall Burn – Hunters Will Be Hunted
Jungle Rot – Carpet Bombing
Just Before Dawn – Pulverised
Killswitch Engage – The Hell In Me
Kataklysm – Elevate
The Monolith Death Cult – Human Wave Attack
Portal – Kilter
Revocation – The Hive
Saprogenic – Choking Victim
Six Feet Under – Prophecy (i swear i hear this fucking song in my dreams, it’s so damn catchy)
Skeletonwitch – Burned From Bone
Svart Crown – Profane
Soilwork – Rise Above The Sentiment
Wormed – Nucleon
I may be a bit biased with this (being that it’s off my current AOTY), but “Eyes Become Black” by Voices is.. like, the perfect black metal song of 2013. There are definitely better songs on the album, but that one in particular has everything that’s great about the band on display. Even at 6 minutes, it’s way too short. I almost always replay it as soon as the song’s over.
Also I think it’s already been mentioned, but either “Serpent Moon” or “Bone Dust” by Skeletal Spectre. Both those songs are criminally infectious.
I might argue that “Eyes Become Black” is the best song on the album, and it’s one of my favorite songs/albums of the year. I’ll second this for the list, in part because I don’t think that album has gotten enough exposure.
1) Omnium Gatherum – “The Sonic Sign”
2) Dark Tranquillity – “Endtime Hearts”
3) Children Of Bodom – “All Twisted”
4) Kalmah – “Black Marten’s Trace”
5) Arsis – “Carve My Cross”
6) Soilwork – “Parasite Blues”
7) The Ocean – “Hadopelagic II: Let Them Believe”
8) Deafheaven – “Vertigo”
9) Altar Of Plagues – “Scald Scar of Water”
10) Intronaut – “The Welding”
11) Ihsahn – “Regen”
12) Ghost B. C. – “Per Aspera Ad Inferi”
13) Toxic Holocaust – “Rat Eater”
14) Skeletonwitch – “This Evil Embrace”
15) Onslaught – “Fuel For My Fire”
16) The Black Dahlia Murder – “Phantom Limb Masturbation”
17) Hail Of Bullets – “The Desert Fox”
18) Tribulation – “Wanderer in the Outer Darkness”
19) Watain – “De Profundis”
20) Gorguts – “Absconders”
21) Ulcerate – “Confronting Entropy”
22) Fleshgod Apocalypse – “Warpledge”
23) Fallujah – “Venom Upon The Blade”
24) Immolation – “Bound To Order”
25) Rivers Of Nihil – “Mechanical Trees”
Here’s a few:
American Sharks – Overdrive
Anciients – Raise The Sun
Arsis – Sunglasses At Night
Battlecross – Flesh & Bone
The Black Dahlia Murder – In Hell Is Where She Waits For Me
Clutch – D.C. Sound Attack!
Cult Of Luna – I: The Weapon
Death Angel – Caster Of Shame
Deicide – In The Minds Of Evil
Dethklok – Blazing Star
The Dillinger Escape Plan – Prancer
Exhumed – Coins Upon The Eyes
Exmortus – Immortality Made Flesh
Extol – A Gift Beyond Human Reach
Fleshgod Apocalypse – Minotaur (The Wrath Of Poseidon)
Fuck The Facts – l’enclume le et marteau
GWAR – Madness At The Core Of Time
Hail Of Bullets – Pour Le Merite
Hatchet – Fall From Grace
In Solitude – A Buried Sun
Kataklysm – Fire
Kvelertak – Evig Vandrar
Leprous – The Valley
Man Must Die – Antisocial Network
Noisem – Voices In The Morgue
The Ocean – Abyssopelagic II: Signals Of Anxiety
Orchid – Wizard Of War
Pyrexia – Thy Minion
Red Fang – Blood Like Cream
Revocation – Invidious
Shining – I Won’t Forget
Skeletonwitch – I Am Of Death (Hell Has Arrived)
Sockweb – Werewolf
Toxic Holocaust – Chemistry Of Consciousness
Tyr – Blood Of Heroes
Warbringer – Hunter-Seeker
Watain – They Rode On
Windhand – Orchard or Evergreen
I’m extremely decisive, as you can see.
I’ll say:
Saille- Runaljod
Aether Realm- Winter’s Grasp
Skineater- Stab
Impalers- Power Behind the Throne
Mechina- Elephtheria
Starkill- New Infernal Rebirth
Tristania- Number
Fetid Zombie- The Cold Grip of Death
Thou Art Lord- Artificial Malevolence and Πολιτεία Δαιμόνων
Sacriphyx- Buried Behind the Lines
Porta Nigra- Megalomaniac
Caladan Brood- Echoes of Battle
That’s probably enough.
Can we talk about how awesome that Caladan Brood album is? It’s what I was hoping Summoning would do to follow up Oath Bound (not that Old Mornings Dawn is bad, it’s just not what I expected)
I cant get past the Casio keyboard sound to those synths.