Best And Worst Of 2014

[Otomo_Hava]

It may be a little early but i'd like to open this topic once again discussing about some of the best and worst musical albums or other subjects such as live concerts, books, movies and many others.

[Cementimental]

Best me worst all u

[eyestrain]

Francisco Meirino Notebook (Techniques For Self-Destruction)

[ssvv]

daniel löwenbruck & marcellvs l. — stallgewitter lp (ideal)

phil julian — trace lp (harbinger sound)

sewer election — nära lp (järtecknet)

v.a. introverted formula lp (järtecknet)

morton feldman — two pianos and other pieces 1953-1969 cd (another timbre)

michael pisaro / miguel prado — white metal lp (senufo editions)

vanessa rossetto — whole stories lp (kye)

arv & miljö ‎— antropocen cs (lust vessel)

neutral — grå våg gamlestaden cs (omlott)

lettera 22 — subsequent teeth cs (monorail trespassing)

skullflower — draconis cd (cold spring)

v.a. ten jin lp (urashima)

v.a. the barley bridge cs (penultimate press)

moniek darge & graham lambkin — indian soundies cd (kye / penultimate press)

abdulla rashim — unanimity lp (northern electronics)

bmb — live in tokyo 12" (downwards)


reissue

joris de laet — sem etc. lp (metaphon)

small cruel party — unroof the house of the fishes lp (harbinger sound)

xx committee — network lp (harbinger sound)

[Ganesha23]

BEST (in alphabetical order):

Bizarre Uproar - Live Humiliation CD
Rises the par for live noise recordings to levels most never reach.

Cazzokraft - Integrity Of The Preconscious System CD
Surprisingly great collaboration of pure industrial filth.

Concrete Mascara - The Pursuit Of Hedonism In A Police State CAS
Takes special/conceptual packaging to next level. Musically total rotten power electronics violence.

Encephalophonic - Alone 7"
Easily the strongest harsh noise 7" in 2014, if not the whole 2010s (or 2000s).

Kazumoto Endo And Emanuele Bonini - Rumore Da Ritorno Audio Metallico CD
Supreme cut-up madness.

Forza Albino - Black Dog 12"
Insane, filthy p.e.

Gnawed - Feign And Cloak CD
Strong and dark power electronics industrial.

The Haters - Live! DVD
Obviously not all of it is genius, but an irreplaceable document of one of the most important noise bands.

H.C.O.D - Coarse Defect CAS
Concrete sounds, scrap metal and tape murk combined in the way many hyped Swedish and Danish artists only dream about.

Hal Hutchinson - Wreckage Installations And Metalworks CD
Metal junk purity of the most obsessed kind. Heavy listening, in the best possible sense.

Shift - Altamont Rising CD
Maybe the most accessible Shift material this far, yet not losing a bit in darkness and heaviness.

Theologian & STROM.ec - Hubrizine CD
Most welcome reissue of nightmare ambient and mentally unstable electronics.

Trepaneringsritualen - Perfection & Permanence CD
Best industrial MUSIC since ages.

Vassbotn - Besøk Fra Italia CAS
Very little noticed, but maybe the best harsh noise tape this year?

Womb C - s/t CD
Blackened occult industrial (horrible description, but that's what it is)  by combined forces of Will Over Matter, Blutleuchte and Cloama. Full of surprises.

Various - Hard Panning CD
Maybe not the "ultimate cut-up compilation" as it was described, but a strong compilation of HARSH NOISE with many artists emphasising cut-up methods.

[yosef666]

Hmmm... as far as noise/PE/industrial goes these are my favorites so far:

Trepaneringsritualen "Perfection and Permanence" LP
Shift "Altamont Rising" LP
Wolves of Heaven / Nyodene D split tape/LP
S.T.A.B. Electronics "Instrument for Operating on Mutant Women" LP
Nyodene D "Mouths that Reap the Harvest" LP
Puce Mary "Persona" LP
Bizarre Uproar "Vihamediataatio" LP
Forza Albino "Black Dog" LP
Cremation Lily "Fire Frames the Silhouette" LP
Private Archive "Honey Aspic Enema" tape

I know I'm forgetting some things I'm sure, and of course there are still plenty of releases I need to hear, but all of these got plenty of repeat listens this year.

Oh, and I'm not including reissues or compilations of older material, although there were plenty of great ones this year, especially the N. 4xLP box on Urashima.

[RyanWreck]

These lists are always way too difficult for me to actually conceptualize. If I am just sitting around and thinking about this in my head it's a different story and I could probably form quite a list, but when I put it to "paper", per-se, it's totally ruined. So I won't even try that. Instead I will just say that 2014 has been a great year for Noise specifically American Harsh Noise, and acoustic Noise (field recordings/found sounds/tape manipulation) that's saturating labels in Denmark, Italy, Sweden, etc.

For Harsh Noise there have been a few really good compilations such as Resistance And Self-Destruction Are Synonymous , Summer Scum Harsh Noise (a 4-way split tape put out on New Forces featuring Ahlzagailzehguh, Brad Griggs, Breaking The Will and Developer), Hard Panning and the Skeleton Dust comp Contemporary Harsh Noise Vol. IV - Apathy. Developer, specifically the split with Custodian and a tape collaboration between Developer and Ahlzagailzehguh called Ahlzadeveloper. Some more obscure releases and new artists; Action/Discipline ‎– "Hard Lesson" put out on New Forces, Muck - "Concealed In The Ashes Of Enemies" and their live tape on Fusty Cunt, Wrong Hole ‎– "Sucking Wound", Redneck - "Silence".


Acoustic Noise, field recording type of stuff: Krokta Rum album, both Blodvite tapes are good I like the one that was put out on Jartecknet best, Sewer Election - "Nara", Lettera 22 - "Subsequent Teeth", Händer Som Vårdar ‎– "Depopulation", Mercury Hall ‎– "Civilization Year", etc.

Some experimental ambient and minimalist noise like  Corporate Park ‎– "Mise En Abyme", the Phil Julian / Ben Owen collab and City Medicine ‎– "Twins" .

For Power Electronics and Industrial there wasn't a whole lot of new artists or anything earth shattering but still a few quality releases. Mainly the usual suspects that put out great stuff every year like Filth & Violence (the Bizarre Uproar LP is definitely worth praise, and that Iron Clad tape is top notch), Freak Animal (Mania and Forza Albino), Untergeschoss, Hal Hutchinson - "Wreckage Installations And Metalworks", Shift - "Altamont Rising", etc. There were some really great re-issues like the Swastika Kommando box collection on Menstrual and the Urashima reprints of Mauthausen Orchestra and Taint - "Justmeat"

[eyestrain]

Phil Julian / Ben Owen collab

Received this Tuesday and it is a bruiser, indeed! Great disc with several repeats already.

[Zeno Marx]

Anyone watch the ambient and minimalist fields closer than I did?  That's a trick question.  As much as I enjoy them, I look back and realize I wasn't paying much attention.  Inade with a second collection, and LOKI Foundation not very active.  A new Terra Sancta album that was just a touch too busy for its own good, but still solid.  I've yet to hear the  Skorneg - Foehn, so maybe I'm missing something special there.  Anyone?

[Dr Alex]

Skorneg - Foehn

Try it. Great brooding minimal dark ambient album.

[Baglady]

My heavily biased take on this year:

BACKASVINET - Gevisol/Ivisol 2xC15
Their previous split with newcomer Phí was good, but this is something else. Muddy moving heavy harsh noise of a kind you rarely hear these days.

ALTAR OF FLIES - S/T LP
At first I didn't feel this was in the same league as Rabbit Hole, but given some time and spins, it's perhaps even better.

SEWER ELECTION - Nära LP
Very personal and, yes, tender. I get emotional about this record in a way I hardly ever get when it comes to this type of music.

ULSERS - Forget Them LP
Great australian weirdo punk recorded in the early eighties, never released until now. In the vein of early Fugs and such, but injected with extra spit and madness.

GOOD AREA - Pronunciation C30
There's something very hypnotizing about this tape. Shitty sounding rythms in the midst of fastforwarding tapes and seemingly pointless readings of various texts. Reminds me of a less drug soaked RJF.

TRERIKSRÖSET - Heteronormativ Musik För Att Stärka Medelklassens Självbild C30
Great, as expected! Not as open and wild as Venal, yet somehow still in the same vein. Don't know what else to say really. Just flawless harsh noise. Brilliant.

ARV & MILJÖ - Kropp LP
Having only given it three spins (I got it yesterday), I'm already taken by this one. Much in line with the Röset 2013 tape (some recycled and reworked material from that one here), this is another LP which puts me in a mood I'm not prepared for when it comes to noise music. Personal and emotional, a very much needed approach in this business.

[Scat-O-Logy]

The best releases I have heard this year...

INDUSTRIAL/NOISE/PE:
Amph - Terry/Framtid
The level of skill in composition of this Swedish duo never ceases to amaze me. Amph has yet to disappoint me!
Blodvite - Tänkta Dialoger
Blodvite - Dialektiska Bilder
Perfect murky noise from the wizard himself, Viktor Ottoson. You creative bastard!
Händer Som Vårdar - Depopulation
See what I wrote about Blodvite...
IRM - Closure...
Didn't expect anything less from these Swedish masterminds. One complain would be that IRM is getting too similar with Skin Area. I love both but would prefer these projects to have their own identities. IRM was always the noisier one...
Lettera 22 - Subsequent Teeth
First side of this tape is some of the best L22 material this duo has ever recorded! +See what I wrote about Amph...
Mania - Decrepit
This is - without doubt - the best Mania release I have heard to date... The sound of acoustic metals is so detailed that I can almost taste the rust. And the way those recordings are mixed with electronics and the distinctive manic screams of Mr. Brewer is just perfect.
Shift - Altamont Rising
So far the strongest work from this restless UK crew. Solid!
S.T.A.B. Electronics - Instrument For Operating On Mutant Women
This album sticks you like a knife slowly digging into your intestines. Mr. Stab has done it again!!!

BLACK METAL:
Abigor - Leytmotif Luzifer
Abigor has never made a BAD release. Some are weaker than others but still a very consistent band. I was somewhat disappointed when I heard that they were going to limit themselves by cutting down the editing, programming, fx etc. but these guys are such studio wizards that you can barely notice any changes. Still, I liked the previous album more.
Bekëth Nexëhmü - De Svarta Riterna
Bekëth Nexëhmü - De Urtida Krafterna
Majestic black metal from Ancient Records crew. These guys have been producing some of the best black metal for quite some time now!
Darkenhöld - Castellum
Total 90's melodic BM worship.
Funereal Presence - The Archer Takes Aim
Very unique style (old-school?) black metal... I seriously have no idea what to say... Good album, short, but good!
Grav - Ohelighetens Pulserande Ondska
Negative black metal from AR crew. +See what I wrote about BN...
Grudom - Fjølkyngi
Chants, demented screams, cheap keys, outlandish guitar tunes and even some field recordings. Totally odd, yet absolutely amazing!
Hädanfärd - Destruktiva Reflektioner
Hädanfärd - Avoghetens Besvärtade Åkallelser
Isolated misanthropic black metal from AR crew. +See what I wrote about BN...
Kriegsmaschine - Enemy Of Man
MGLA taken to whole another level of technicality and skill. Something to worship!
Mons Veneris - Awakening My Dark Soul
LLN copy band against LLN copy bands. Totally over the top, totally awesome!
Nightbringer - Ego Dominus Tuus
MASSIVE!
Ondfødt - Hexkonst
The band managed to reach the same level of brilliance with their debut as with the demo they put out last year. Crazy black metal! Crazy good that is!
Skuggeheim - Fanga I Endeløyse
I haven't actually heard this but it's fucking SKUGGEHEIM! How bad can it be?!
Sühnopfer - Offertoire
Epic medieval black metal FTW!

DEATH METAL:
Dead Congregation - Promulgation Of The Fall
This mighty beast grabs you and doesn't let go until you have endured through its 40min playtime. Totally roaring death metal album!
Lvcifyre - Svn Eater
As a total worshiper of Mark of the Devil's vocal work, I can't but love this album. That guy brings so much character in bands/albums he's involved in.
Teitanblood - Death
I feel like a corpse dug out of dirt after spinning this slab of filth. Killer!
Temple Desecration - Communion Perished
Structurally this mini-album reminds me of Teitanblood's "Purging Tongues" with the combination of all those samples and furious black/death destruction, however, musically this record leans more towards classic Finnish sound with bands like Archgoat and especially Beherit in mind. Probably the best DM thing I heard all year... In other words: Recommended!

HIPSTER:
Swans - To Be Kind
Didn't know what to expect but SWANS delivers yet again!

Need to check:
Ævangelist "Writhes in the Murk", Arv & Miljö "Antropocen", Arv & Miljö "Kropp", Bölzer "Soma", Doombringer "The Grand Sabbath", Drowned "Idola Specus", Dödfödd "Demo 10" (I have the version w/o vocals and it's great so this should be an instant winner), Gzekhratüs "Masters Of Universal Mysteries", Ill Omen "Enthroning the Bonds of Abhorrence", Innsmouth "Consumed by Elder Sign", Joel Danielsson "The Death Of The Grey Wolf / Resurrection Of The King",  Kazumoto Endo And Emanuele Bonini "Rumore Da Ritorno Audio Metallico", Mortuus "Grape of the Vine" (actually played this couple nights ago and first play didn't really amaze me - good but not the best of 2014 - needs further plays), Mystruin "Gånget Äro Ljuset", Phobocosm "Deprived", Satanic Warmaster "Fimbulwinter" (already gave this multiple spins and could easily reach the best of 2014!), Sewer Election "Nära", Sinmara "Aphotic Womb", Sortilegia "Arcane Death Ritual", Swallowed "Lunarterial", The Deathtrip "Deep Drone Master", Various "Introverted Formula", Vetala "The Lord of Eternity", ZOM "Flesh Assimilation"

And many more...

[TS]

Skuggeheim - Fanga I Endeløyse

Skuggeheim is brilliant. Check out the demo "Vinterrikets Konge" from 2007 as well. Its my favourite of his.

[Scat-O-Logy]

Skuggeheim - Fanga I Endeløyse

Skuggeheim is brilliant. Check out the demo "Vinterrikets Konge" from 2007 as well. Its my favourite of his.

Actually I have it along with few of his EP. Judging by what I have heard so far, this new EP should be amazing. Sadly quite hard to get.

[Half Aborted]

Best noise release I've heard this year by some distance is Yellow Tears - Golden Showers May Bring Flowers. Manages to be goofy as fuck, deadly serious and completely original. It feels truly fresh and I can't recommend it enough.