TeethoftheDivine Staff Picks for 2013!!!
It seems like every year is the better than the last and 2013 was no exception. From anticipated reunions like Gorguts and Carcass to the rise of so-called hipster metal in mainstream circles thanks to bands like Deafheaven, to grizzled veterans like Suffocation, every aspect and sub-genre of metal was firing on all cylinders. As usual, the TOTD staff had to be beaten into getting their lists submitted in time, and luckily, the many new staff members understood the imminent threat of physical violence.
This year we have even included a few ‘celebrity’ lists from some of the people responsible for making and releasing 2013’s great material, so be sure to check out the last page to see what folks like Kevin Quiron of Deicide voted as his favorite albums of 2013. As usual, thank you to all of YOU, the readers of this intimate little site, and stay tuned for more great metal in 2014.
Without further ado, we give you the 2013 Teethofthedivine.com staff picks:
Kevin E
1) Soilwork – The Living Infinite(Nuclear Blast) – A melodic death metal masterpiece, one that’s stretched over 2 discs but never gets old or wanes in the songwriting department. Musicians at the absolute top of their game.
2) Gorguts – Colored Sands (Season of Mist) – A haunting, dark atmospheric tour de force that blew me away with how good it was. I’m still spinning this one.
3) Katalepsy – Autopsychosis (Unique Leader) – The new blueprint for brutal death metal. Strong songwriting and crushingly brutal. The perfect combo.
4) Secrets of the Sky – To Sail Black Waters (Kolony Records) – Absolutely blown away by this debut that took all that was great about Opeth, and made it heavier while adding their own twist to it. These guys are going to be a band to watch.
5) Ulcerate – Vermis (Relapse) – Continuing their ambient, brooding death metal style as only they can. A band that continues to amaze.
6) Logic of Denial – Atonement (Comatose) – Killer tech-death from a band that’s on the rise.
7) Saprogenic – Expanding Toward Collapsed Lungs (Willowtip) – Gloriously heavy slam death with very well written, catchy songs to boot.
8) Immolation – Kingdom of Conspiracy (Nuclear Blast) – Solid death metal from top to bottom.
9) Unbirth – Deracinated Celestial Oligarchy (Amputated Vein) – Killer tech/slam death that is right up there with the Katalepsy album.
10) Suffocation– Pinnacle of Bedlam (Nuclear Blast) – I hope it’s not their last album, as they’ve proven that like a fine wine, they just keep getting better with age.
Most Disappointing Albums of the Year:
1) Devourment – Conceived in Sewage – A flat, uninspired album from the slam death masters, who need to make a comeback in a BIG way after this one. Multiple 2013 releases from the underground scene ran circles around this one.
2) Hatebreed – Divinity of Purpose – It wasn’t bad, but for one of my favorite bands, I was expecting more and was left quite underwhelmed.
3) Mumakil – Flies Will Starve – Terribly boring output from one of the best little-known grind bands.
Top Drum Performances of the Year:
1) John Longstreth – Gorguts
2) Jason Trecazzi – Necrotic Disgorgement
3) Daniele Costa – Logic of Denial
Best Slam/Brutal Death Metal Albums of the Year:
1) Katalepsy – Autopsychosis
2) Torturous Inception – The Parable of Scorched Earth
3) Scordatura – Torment of the Weak
4) Necrotic Disgorgement – Chronicles of Dementia
5) Saprogenic – Expanding Toward Collapsed Lungs
Deathcore Album of the Year:
1) The Walking Dead Orchestra – Architects of Destruction
Heaviest Album of the Year:
1) Overthrower – Our Cruel World EP – If you’re a fan of heavy music, go find this album NOW. You’ll thank me later.
Song of the Year:
1) Gorguts – “Forgotten Arrows” – Listen to the 3:40 mark onward. One of the best, most moving part of a metal song I have ever heard in my life.
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Satan are from England, not Germany (hence being a part of the NWOBHM). Killer album,either way! Check out their debut, “Court in the Act”… Life Sentence is basically part two of that album. Same lineup, 30 years later too.
on Jan 2nd, 2014 at 10:55Thanks again buddy! Well appreciated!
on Jan 2nd, 2014 at 19:13My bad. Thanks for the heads-up Biff. Not sure where i got the German connection from. Although, hypothetically a band could be a part of the NWOBHM scene and have relocated to England. Court in the Act rules as well.
on Jan 2nd, 2014 at 21:56I agree with Erik, Sunbather is the best album this year.
on Jan 3rd, 2014 at 09:05new Pestilence and Carcass were awesome , too
on Jan 3rd, 2014 at 21:04and…despite the critics…i enjoyed the new Broken Hope and Deicide , too …can’t wait for the new Deceased album
on Jan 3rd, 2014 at 21:06I would add Hideous Divinity and Antropofagus for exciting 2014 releases coming up!
on Jan 4th, 2014 at 12:05yo Giovanni-my interview with Hideous Divinity will be posted in a few weeks on here!!
on Jan 9th, 2014 at 15:01