blandy Posted December 23, 2023 Moderator Share Posted December 23, 2023 On 22/12/2023 at 12:15, MakemineVanilla said: I am curious to know whether these picks of the year are actual purchases or streams. Thanks! Actual purchases for me (CDs + 1 Vinyl). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarethRDR Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 On 22/12/2023 at 12:15, MakemineVanilla said: I am curious to know whether these picks of the year are actual purchases or streams. Thanks! All physical purchases i.e. CDs for me, wherever possible. Not a huge fan of digital only releases, I only do vinyl if I absolutely have to, and I don't use Spotify. If I want to listen to something I've not heard before on a kinda try-before-buy basis, I tend to do that from Bandcamp (he said, nervously aware of all the bullshit going on over there at the moment ). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyrusr Posted December 24, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted December 24, 2023 On 23/12/2023 at 12:55, GarethRDR said: All physical purchases i.e. CDs for me, wherever possible. Not a huge fan of digital only releases, I only do vinyl if I absolutely have to, and I don't use Spotify. If I want to listen to something I've not heard before on a kinda try-before-buy basis, I tend to do that from Bandcamp (he said, nervously aware of all the bullshit going on over there at the moment ). Was not aware of any problems at Bandcamp and now looked this doesn’t look great Really like it as a platform and throughout the pandemic they did so much for artists/labels with the Bandcamp Fridays. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xann Posted December 24, 2023 Share Posted December 24, 2023 Bandcamp, Spotify and Discogs have all recently been fecked over by the suited scum. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisp65 Posted December 24, 2023 Share Posted December 24, 2023 The sooner we’re all content to just pay a subscription to rent some AI generated music the better and more convenient for the big guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarethRDR Posted December 24, 2023 Share Posted December 24, 2023 7 hours ago, cyrusr said: Was not aware of any problems at Bandcamp and now looked this doesn’t look great Really like it as a platform and throughout the pandemic they did so much for artists/labels with the Bandcamp Fridays. The news about the lay-offs broke about a week after I'd gotten £100 in Bandcamp vouchers as a birthday gift, I panic-burned through that pretty quickly! In terms of mechanics, not a great deal seems to have changed as of yet, but I'm dreading the inevitable full-bore enshittification. If you've a sizeable collection, it'd be worth downloading it all at some point and storing locally. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyrusr Posted December 25, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted December 25, 2023 17 hours ago, Xann said: Bandcamp, Spotify and Discogs have all recently been fecked over by the suited scum. What's happened with Discogs?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xann Posted December 25, 2023 Share Posted December 25, 2023 1 hour ago, cyrusr said: What's happened with Discogs?! Quote Discogs’ vibrant vinyl community is shattering A home for music diehards has been fractured by increased fees that are pushing sellers and shoppers to other platforms. Verge It's also actually not working very well. The database hasn't clicked on the transition to the new format. Lots of incomplete searches. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyrusr Posted December 25, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted December 25, 2023 36 minutes ago, Xann said: Verge It's also actually not working very well. The database hasn't clicked on the transition to the new format. Lots of incomplete searches. Thanks. I had thought it had gone up in costs etc but I thought that was more to do with Brexit and import fees/tariffs more than anything. Shame as Bandcamp and Discogs had been my recent favourite online music shopping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xann Posted December 25, 2023 Share Posted December 25, 2023 The majority of the fat price rises in the UK are down to the Brexit mugs, but elsewhere the margins have been nibbled at to the extent it's not worth sellers listing the cheap stuff. How good an album is isn't directly linked to the price. Some of the greatest albums were produced in great numbers, and aren't expensive. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post cyrusr Posted December 28, 2023 VT Supporter Popular Post Share Posted December 28, 2023 Right then, list sorted, gone through and realised how many I had forgotten that were released this year! A lot of good albums from both new and established bands as well; meaning there needs to be a very deserving “honourable mentions” list. That is as follows (no particular order): - Swans – The Beggar Myrkur – Spine Katatonia – Sky Void of Stars Krypta – Outo Laakso F*cked Up – One Day Mutoid Man – Mutants Pigs x 7 – Land of Sleep Primordial – How It Ends Frozen Soul – Glacial Domination Bell Witch – Future’s Shadow 1 – The Clandestine Gate Kvelertak – Endling Cannibal Corpse – Chaos Horrific Boris/Uniform – Bright New Disease Church of Misery – Born Under a Mad Sign Autopsy – Ashes, Organs, Blood and Crypts Foo Fighters – But Here We Are Cybertronic Spree – Ravage Handcuff – Handcuff The Ocean – Holocene Che Aimee Dorval – The Crowned Going Off – What Makes You Tick? OHHMS – Rot Enslaved – Heimdal I say no particular order, the last 4 nearly made the top 10 and are definitely worth checking out. Those with a singer/songwriter taste should check out Che Aimee Dorval in particular as she has a cracking voice. Without further ado then (spoilers again the shorten the post length than anything in particular): - 10. Cattle Decapitation – Terrasite Spoiler With steady progression from a predominantly death/grind sound to a more technical death metal sound; the latest release continues with this and adding more “melody” than previous records (subjective point though for death metal). Probably the best of the death metal albums that has come out this year (with strong competition with Cannibal Corpse and Autopsy in particular releasing albums); they are definitely the best modern band and playing Birmingham in March. Sadly, not free to go as another band is playing the same day just in the bigger room (see below) but hopefully they will be back in Brum soon. 9. The Mars Volta – Que Dios Te Maldiga Mi Corazon Spoiler Whilst this is technically an acoustic version of their self-titled album the previous year which was good; however, I have found this version feels a lot more personal, detailed and I think suits the songs a lot more. I think I said of the “proper” version that it was a lot more stripped down than previous Mars Volta records, but this release makes me think that they wanted to release it in this format instead (given it is only 6 months later) but didn’t for one reason or another. Anyway, I am definitely glad for this and really great to hear. 8. Enforced – War Remains Spoiler Thrash, thrash and thrash some more. I can’t even remember why I got this or where the recommendation came from; but what it is an absolute barnstormer of an album. Catchy, heavy and whilst doesn’t necessarily do anything “new” is an absolute solid thrash album that is a great driving album (and staying within speed limits, obviously ). If you are a general metal fan, this should be right up your street. 7. Blood Star – First Sighting Spoiler This is a debut album from an American traditional metal band found through BangerTV (generally some great recommendations); this one just provides a good selection of catchy heavy metal songs that has particularly caught my earworm. Riffs a plenty, hooks galore, if you just need a good old fashioned metal fix then this will help. Great band and hopefully will cross the pond at some point in the near future! 6. Skindred – Smile Spoiler A great return to form for Skindred. Having found the last 2 albums lacking/more forgettable this was really good. Maybe it has been a reinvigoration of listeners thanks to TikTok this bizarrely nearly was a number 1 album but delighted for them. An album filled with catchy songs which just bring a smile to you (pun unintended). Worthy of your time if you haven’t already heard it and looking forward to seeing them again in March (despite missing out on Cattle Decapitation). 5. Empire State B*stard – Rivers of Heresy Spoiler You like Biffy Clyro? You like metal? Yeah get this. Simon Neil from Biffy along with the touring guitarist Mike Vennart as a (much) heavier side project to Biffy. Although described as grindcore, it is a more general metal sound with a political lyrical leaning. Its fast, heavy and really **** good. They also have been getting Dave Lombardo (of Slayer, for those not aware) on the drums for it as well which is just a delightful cherry on top. A must listen. 4. Svalbard – The Weight of the Mask Spoiler Following up their fantastic last record “When I Die, Will I Get Better?” will always be tricky but this gives it a good go. Furthering their post-metal/hardcore sound from previous records this continues along similar vein. Whilst this has not grasped me as much as the last album, the quality remains and there remains that intricate beauty within the songs. Excellent guitar work is really brought forth in the record and it is worthy or attentive listening. It is a shame that the last album was so good as it is really difficult to not compare them, but this remains a great record on its own right and will be awesome. Cannot wait to hear them live again in support of Enslaved. 3. Mansion – Second Death Spoiler Having not heard of this band until about a month ago following an “End of Year” review video this has been an absolute startling discovery. Based around a Finnish Christian cult during the 1920s – 50s, it is a dark, hauntingly beautiful record. Whilst it is dual vocals, the female vocalist (named Almo who was the cult leader) stands out providing that element. It is slow, heavy, melodic and just utterly stunning. What is most surprising is that they appear to be an unsigned band and the quality of the music is exceptional. Vinyl is currently still on route from sunny Finland, but this has been non-stop listening since discovered it. If I had discovered it earlier, it might be a little higher but absolutely cracking. 2. Pupil Slicer – Blossom Spoiler Following the debut Mirrors which I found decent but didn’t grasp me, this is a remarkable growth in record. What the band had done with the initial aggression on Mirrors is create more space for the sound to expand the ferocity they had previously and blending in clean vocals where appropriate. Whilst it remains fierce the whole album feels a really mature growth and just really impressed as to how much this record actually rocks. The fact that it ends with the title track being almost “alt-rock” in comparison suggests that there is far, far more to come from the band. I cannot wait. 1. Baroness – Stone Spoiler With any Baroness album, it is going to be very likely a top-notch record but this is truly something special. A real “grower” of an album, it is definitely worthy of investment of time to appreciate. For those unaware, Baroness are a stoner/progressive rock band who have been kicking around for best part of 20 years. Having released albums associated with colours (Yellow & Green being a particularly amazing record), this is the first album that is not associated with a specific colour (even though Stone is technically a colour). After being primarily a vehicle for John Baizley, this feels like at least Gina Gleeson has more of an input on things (along with delivery of more vocals) from “big hitting” songs such as “Last Words”, “Beneath the Rose” and “Shine”, there remains a wonderful flow to the record with tracks seamlessly blending into the next song. Just a masterpiece from start to finish. When I first heard this, it was pretty clear this would be within the top 10 but it is undeniably a phenomenal record that deserves every accolade. If you do 1 thing following this, set aside 46:02 minutes and just give this album a listen. It is fully worth your time. So there we are, thank you for reading my musings, hopefully you found something new to enjoy or reminded of great music 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hogso Posted December 28, 2023 Share Posted December 28, 2023 2023 became a year where Saetia, Pagenintynine, City of Caterpillar, Jerome's Dream and Orchid all played shows during the year or announced shows for 2024. That's a statement not many genre fans would have believed at the start of the year, with Saetia even playing a couple of shows in England (please Orchid do the same!!). It's for that reason that for the first time in about 15 years I've been more invested in skramz and emo - and adjacent sounds - than any other genre of music (the other highlight being Kristin Hayter's final performance as Lingua Ignota taking place in London which despite some technical issues was great). Fortunate then that there were 3 really great releases to coincide with the resurfacing of those bands who to many felt lost to the annals of history, gaining an almost mythic status, which shows that perhaps the genre has some legs in it yet. Loma Prieta - Last Portrayal of Guilt - Devil Music Home Is Where - The Whaler Loma Prieta and Portrayal of Guilt just make great music that I always would have enjoyed, but it's The Whaler that took me back to that time I thought long gone the most. It's classic mid west emo with The Pine and The Hated influence thrown in, and it's really great - it's also a concept album around the events of 9/11 which bearing in mind that the height of these genres in America was the late 90s and very early 00s only serves to make it feel even more poignant. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyrusr Posted December 28, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted December 28, 2023 That Portrayal Of Guilt album looks cool. Remember their debut(?) album came out on Holy Roar which was decent but not really checked in on them since so will give this a nose. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarethRDR Posted December 28, 2023 Share Posted December 28, 2023 2 hours ago, cyrusr said: OHHMS – Rot Though I tend to find their type of thing a bit of a struggle to get through, they once won me over with endearingly self-knowing patter, thus: [set opener ends] "...and now our second and final song!" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyrusr Posted December 28, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted December 28, 2023 5 minutes ago, GarethRDR said: Though I tend to find their type of thing a bit of a struggle to get through, they once won me over with endearingly self-knowing patter, thus: [set opener ends] "...and now our second and final song!" Yeah certainly with the earlier albums that is true, although with the latest album the longest track is just under 7 minutes (as the album closer) so a lot leaner! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarethRDR Posted December 28, 2023 Share Posted December 28, 2023 (edited) Ooh, I may have to jump back in then. Edited December 28, 2023 by GarethRDR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarethRDR Posted December 28, 2023 Share Posted December 28, 2023 On 22/12/2023 at 11:01, bickster said: Bonnacons of Doom Under the radar Scouse electronic metallic depresionists sophomore release that improves on their debut’s formula I've had about three days straight of just rinsing this one now, and yeah, superb. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjmooney Posted December 28, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted December 28, 2023 I must admit, I do envy you chaps who find so much new stuff to enjoy each year. I struggle to come up with more than two or three. Still discovering 'new old stuff', mind. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarethRDR Posted December 28, 2023 Share Posted December 28, 2023 (edited) Discovering "new" old stuff is great, too. Couple of occasions back of visiting my folks, my Dad put me on to Isao Tomita's Snowflakes Are Dancing. I'd never heard of it, loved it and genuinely had no idea that he was into that kind of thing, such was the totality of his musical consumption that I had witnessed growing up venturing no further than Dire Straits, Fine Young Cannibals or the Top Gun soundtrack. Edited December 28, 2023 by GarethRDR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickster Posted December 29, 2023 Author Moderator Share Posted December 29, 2023 Another one I forgot from this year. Yo La Tengo - This Stupid World. I said it at the time that it was very Sonic Youth, I stand by that. It probably goes in the honourable mentions section as opposed to the big list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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