Wasn't supposed to make a list but since I already had pretty much complete list on my computer, I thought why not to publish it.
Noise album of 2013:
Jaakko Vanhala - Here Be LionsThe sound quality, the mixing, the compositions. Everything flows in perfectly and the puzzle is complete. There's nothing to add. Jaakko Vanhala hasn't been praised for nothing. He's truly a master of harsh noise!
FacebookBandcampNoise EP of 2013:
Secret Apex - Secret ApexJust couple months after the monumental "Here Be Lions" album Vanhala offered us another groundbreaking masterpiece by the name of Secret Apex. The apex might be secret but Vanhala's outstanding skill to create simply some of the best noise of all time is definitely not a secret. This man rules!
FacebookBandcampBlack metal album of 2013:
Carpe Noctem - In Terra ProfugusSpeechless...
FacebookBandcampBlack metal EP of 2013:
Devouring Star - Demo 2013As a huge fan of recent DsO albums, I can't but praise this recording. It might sound a tad too similar but since the material of this quality is so hard to find, I don't mind a few copycats. As long as they are making good job, I can't see no harm in it. Asked about physical release and the band told me there might be one in the future so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Promising band nevertheless!
FacebookBandcampDeath metal album of 2013:
Abyssal - Novit Enim Dominus Qui Sunt EiusFor me personally this is what perfect death metal album sounds like. Fine mixture between black and death metal with slight touch of noise and even some proge and jazz thrown in the mix. All that combined with smooth track flow and the feeling of unity and I think we have ourselves a masterpiece!
FacebookBandcampDeath metal EP of 2013:
Bölzer - AuraWow, what a surprise... Anyway, judging by their demo and this new EP, their debut is going to KILL!
FacebookBandcamp2nd place:
Noise:
Amph - Polar / Mongol or
Pogrom - Degancios Suros (simply too hard to decide)
LR - The Fragility Of HappinessBM:
Cultes Des Ghoules - Henbane with
Clandestine Blaze - Harmony Of Struggle and
Celestial Bloodshed - Omega close behind
Ondfødt - I (seriously, check this band out! Here's their
Facebook)
DM:
Irkallian Oracle - Grave Ekstasis with
Portal - Vexovoid close behind (this album felt somehow too short)
Mitochondrion - Antinumerology or
Malthusian - Demo MMXIII (simply too hard to decide)
Honorably mentions have been mentioned multiple times in this thread so no need to list them...
Didn't listen a lot of other genres in the past year so decided to leave them out of my list. In 2012 we had GY!BE and Swans so it's hard to compete with that. This year we're going to get a new ASMZ album but I already listened the leaked version and it didn't sound that amazing to be honest. On the other hand, I'm glad they included one track from the incredibly hard to find 2x7" tour EP.
