LIVE REVIEW: OATHBREAKER + SVALBARD & PIJN - MANCHESTER

Oathbreaker's latest album 'Rheia' landed itself in the #1 spot on my best albums of 2016 list (which you can read here) so it's safe to say I was very excited about seeing their sold out show in one of Manchester's very finest gig venues, The Star & Garter!

PIJN

Pijn (I previously thought it was pronounced like "pigeon", but apparently it is actually pronounced "pine"... Hope I've got that right) are one of the latest signings to an already stellar Holy Roar Records roster. The new band have been building up a lot of momentum over the past six months and since I last saw them perform as a trio with Pelican, their live show has added two extra members, playing violin and lap guitar/electronics respectfully. Considering over ten people performed on their debut EP 'Floodlit' (which was released on this very day), perhaps the Pijn live experience could end up expanding even more in the future?!

Their show tonight was belting, with pounding and rumbling drums that gave the lengthier compositions fantastic energy and transitions. The guitars were suitably sludgy and swampy tonight, with an array of dark and textured chords that were heavy and dreamy at the same time. Pijn performed some new material that felt darker, slower and at times really menacing, with elements of hardcore and sparingly used screaming vocals seemingly left over from their previous incarnation Old Skin. It was EP opener 'Dumbstruck & Floodlit' that left the biggest impression on me, journeying from major key Post Rock and chugging riffs in the vein of Pelican, and gradually transitioning into something more akin to Neurosis at their most raging. The addition of the violins and the lap steel guitar only enhanced the impact of their songs tonight, with massive crescendos that nearly reached Godspeed levels of epic! Pijn are a band that are growing and moving forward and I feel like the best is yet to come! 8/10.

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SVALBARD

"WE'RE FUCKING SVALBARD FROM BRISTOL!!!" Guitarist and vocalist Serena Cherry shouted before ripping apart the Manchester crowd with their ferocious and emotionally charged blackened Hardcore. The Bristolians play hard and fast, suitably taking the epic shoegazey tremolo guitars recently favoured by headliners Oathbreaker and combining them with an insane display of pounding thrashy drums and blastbeats, giving the quartet a pinch of crusty Punk attitude. 

Svalbard came at the crowd fiercely, with their breakneck speed and dual screaming vocal trade offs reminiscent of Circle Takes the Square, but their songs also evoke some achingly beautiful moments too, whether it is in the epic Post Rock inspired melodies of opener 'Perspective', or the sheer earnest honesty of their lyrics and vocal delivery. Svalbard are a band whose music cuts through your soul. They not only have the ability to pack a mighty punch with their blistering force, but their melancholic chord progressions and the sheer impact of their collective sound is enough to leave a lone tear streaking down your face. 9/10.

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OATHBREAKER

Unfortunately all of Oathbreaker had come down with a nasty case of flu whilst touring the UK, but you would never have even guessed it based on tonight's performance. A sold out crowd waited silently and awestruck as frontwoman Caro Tanghe snuck onto the stage, draped in long black robes, her face obscured by her hood and long hair. She began singing all on her own as the opening siren of '10:56/Second Son of R.' began their set. Atmospheric clean guitars soon sprang to life building up to one of the most impressive openings to any show I've seen. The band erupted into glorious thundering tremolo riffs, insane blasts and vicious, primal screams that open their stunning album 'Rheia'. The sold out crowd were instantly drawn into a hypnotic headbanging frenzy, and chills went down my spine just witnessing such magnificence.

Oathbreaker mainly performed songs from their latest album, and rightly so. Their sound has really evolved and transitioned from their Sludgy Hardcore upbringing, and it was amazing to hear their mixture of intense Black Metal and dreamy, shoegazy, atmospheric guitar parts in full force. Even through illness, the band gave it 110%, pouring so much emotion, energy and sheer intensity into their performance, as if the world would end tomorrow. As Oathbreaker have gone on, they have just got better and better at their craft, perfecting and tightening... In particular Caro Tanghe has never sounded as good as she does right now. Her screams tore the Star & Garter apart as if a malevolent force was haunting the old building, and her clean vocals rang out like an alluring siren.

After a selection of some of 'Rheia''s heaviest and most powerful songs, including 'Needles in My Skin', 'Being Able to Feel Nothing', 'Where I Live/Where I Leave' and 'Immortals', the quintet left us with a classic from their first album, 'Glimpse of the Unseen'. When THAT riff kicked in, the crowd just lost their shit, erupting into manic headbanging and circle pitting. This blackened Doom epic recalled Darkthrone's 'In the Shadow of the Horns', leaving us with a monument as dark and gritty as the Star & Garter itself. 9/10. 

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January 27th 2017 @ The Star & Garter, Manchester.

PLEASE NOTE: Because of the very dark conditions in the Star & Garter, the photographs used have been taken by me at different shows at Gullivers, Manchester and Brudnell Social Club, Leeds, taken on the 26th and 29th of January respectively.

DOUBLE LIVE REVIEW: MESHUGGAH + THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN - LIVE IN MANCHESTER

In a rare alignment of the planets, Manchester was treated to a back to back visit from the two masters and pioneers of Tech/Math Metal as we know it. On the 19th of January 2017, Meshuggah performed at the 02 Ritz, with The Dillinger Escape Plan performing the day after at Academy 2 on what is likely to be their last ever show here. It was fantastic to see many of the same faces attending both shows in this irresistible double bill.

THE HAUNTED

(02 Ritz)

Opening for Meshuggah were fellow Swedish legends The Haunted, a band with just as much collective experience if you take into account them being an offshoot of Melodic Death Metal pioneers At the Gates. The Haunted frontman Marco Aro even joked that they aren't so bad for a bunch of old men! On paper, The Haunted did everything right tonight: They showed a true passion for their craft on stage, with plenty of high energy, which got the circle pit swirling. However their setlist tonight felt far too much like Thrash by numbers... They played plenty of tracks from their "classic" 2000 album 'The Haunted Made Me Do It', including fan favourites 'Bury Your Dead', 'Hollow Ground' and 'Trespass'... Songs I used to happily bang my head to as a teenager!

Perhaps it was because of the anticipation of Meshuggah delivering supreme brain twitching tech mastery, but The Haunted felt more like a leave your brain at the door act tonight. The endless barrage of chugging riffs, and melodic grooves soon became monotonous, and rather than feeling a hit of nostalgia, their riffs just sounded dated and old hat. 6/10.

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PRIMITIVE WEAPONS

(Academy 2)

Kicking off the night at Academy 2 was New York Post Hardcore band Primitive Weapons, signed to Dillinger's own Party Smasher Inc. label. Primitive Weapons had a strong energy and presence on stage tonight, with their lead vocalist lamenting on the woes of having Trump as president. Their sound clearly had a Dillinger influence, but was much more relaxed and less jagged. Their sound also mixed in some Stoner Metal influenced tones, at times recalling the high energy stomp of Clutch on 'Ashes or Paradise'. Primitive Weapons didn't particularly come across as anything vitally original or new, but had enough solid riffs, screams and raw energy to provide an entertaining warm up slot, leaving with a stirring and noisy finale. 7/10.

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Ho99o9

(Academy 2)

Now here was a surprise and a half! Where do I even begin to describe Ho99o9 (pronounced "Horror" I assume)???! So this New Jersey trio consisted of a live drummer, a tattooed dreadlocked man wearing a dress and a balaclava (yes really!) triggering samples and electronics as well as doing vocals, and another tattooed dude on lead vocals. Ho99o9 were seriously unpredictable and hard to pin down. They could go from a slow, eerie, bass heavy Hip Hop track one moment, to lightning fast Bad Brains inspired Hardcore Punk the next! Their setup as well as their crazy attitude definitely showed a strong Death Grips influence, with the use of noisy samples, ominous synths and half-rapped half-shouting vocals. Their drummer also reminded me of Zach Hill, as he absolutely battered the kit with a mixture of slow Hip Hop influenced grooves, and ferocious blasting hardcore!

Ho99o9 very much delivered that insane, deranged live energy that Dillinger Escape Plan fans crave, but also felt incredibly fresh and surprising. They also managed to get a raging circle pit going, with their frontman often coming into the pit to cause chaos whilst hurling open boxes of cereal into the crowd (YES REALLY!) Ho99o9 will go far with their chaotic antics and I forsee that this band will soon be getting hyped up by more popular reviewing publications than myself! ;D 8/10.

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MESHUGGAH

(02 Ritz)

The Ritz was plunged into darkness as an ominous piercing rumble of noise gradually escalated. Five silhouetted figures took the stage with their many stringed guitars, as mad applause threatened to drown out the electronic noise. From the moment Meshuggah launched into 'Clockworks' the crowd ripped into a headbanging fury and I had chills down my spine. There are certainly other fine Tech Metal (or Djent) bands doing the rounds, but when Meshuggah are before your eyes, they leave all of their peers in the dust!

Meshuggah could be accused of being a little static on stage, but compared to the insane antics of The Dillinger Escape Plan, they bring an entirely different type of intensity. Whilst the members largely stay still during their performance, it's the sheer precision of their playing that manages to mesmerise the crowd. Every single note is not only pitch perfect in delivery but utterly mindblowing. People in the crowd struggle to headbang in time to their constantly shifting odd time signature grooves, but their music leaves more of a hypnotic, trance-like feel on the fans. Some of their eerie, disonant quiet breakdowns like in 'Lethargica' summoned awkwardly placed walls of death amongst the more blood hungry in the crowd, but this is a band that left me standing in awe (and perhaps a little bit of drool).

Meshuggah's setlist tonight favoured their last three studio albums, aside from jaw dropping renditions of 'Stengah', 'Perpetual Black Second' and their Thrashy finale of 'Future Breed Machine'. As someone who has been listening to Meshuggah for over ten years now, I was slightly disappointed not to hear as many of their golden era tunes (their more experimental works from 'Chaosphere' to 'Catch Thirty Three' being their peak period for me), but I still walked away with my mind blown and goosebumps. Meshuggah are not only the masters of their own craft, but pioneers of an entire Metal subgenre, and to witness them work their magic in the flesh was an unforgettable experience! One of the tightest live bands I will ever see! 9/10.

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THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN

(Academy 2)

Shortly before the release of their latest album 'Dissociation', The Dillinger Escape Plan announced that they would be disbanding, but thankfully not before rolling out one last world tour. Naturally the tickets for this show sold out very fast after the news broke, and rightly so as Dillinger are built on a reputation of being one of the most exciting live acts to ever grace a stage (as well as gracing the crowd as well!) This would be my fourth time in a row seeing the Matchcore pioneers play Manchester and a show I had been highly anticipating.

From the second Dillinger hit the stage, the crowd erupted into a whirpool of chaos. As the madness of new single 'Limerent Death' ensued, out of nowhere I found myself being flung about and smashing into strangers, as the harsh strobe lighting made it difficult to even tell which way the stage was! By the time they launched into one of their ultimate tunes 'Panasonic Youth', crowd surfers were already flying over my head. This is the sheer beauty of a Dillinger show because nothing can stop that huge ball of energy from igniting. The band themselves rush all over the stage, climb over amps and walls and dive into the pit, somehow still managing to play those mind-boggling staccato riffs and jagged rhythms. A complete stranger grabbed me and kissed me on the forehead, donning the biggest smile I've ever seen, because that is the sheer rush of feelings and energy that a Dillinger show manages to evoke. Even during the most raging circle pits, everybody is connected and looking out for each other.

Dillinger raged through what was basically a "best of" setlist, playing material from all the albums (sadly I've never got to hear 'Unretrofied' or much of 'Irony Is a Dead Scene' live). A huge highlight for the older fans was an absolutely brutal rendition of 'Sugar Coated Sour'. It wasn't just the insanely brutal songs that slayed tonight though, as some of their more accessible songs with clean vocals, such as 'Black Bubblegum' and 'Milk Lizard' were equally as magical. Fans in the crowd had their arms reaching for the sky singing along at the top of their lungs. It reminded me just how eclectic Dillinger's music is, not just aimed at ultimate carnage, but they had the ability to write catchy hits too!

Dillinger didn't bring it quite as hard as on previous occasions I've seen them, but they really are suited to playing smaller venues where they can truly cause havoc. But the setlist was fantastic, and they still stand as one of the greatest live acts you will ever witness, even 20 years on. Their thirst for chaos has never relinquished and attending a Dillinger show is a life affirming experience. 9/10.

In a sad end to Dillinger's final Manchester show, the encore had to be halted during a pivotal moment of 'Sunshine the Werewolf' as a fan reportedly fell ill to some kind of seizure or fit. The music was cut off instantly and all the lights came on, as Greg Puciato let the crowd know what was going on. The response from the band, the crowd and the Academy staff was exemplary. People in the pit cleared a space and there was a rapturous round of applause as the medical staff arrived. Eager fans waited silently for at least fifteen minutes in the hopes that Dillinger would be able to finish the show (probably playing their anthem '43% Burnt'), but unfortunately because the curfew had been exceeded, the rest of the show had to be abandoned. During these tense moments I heard nobody moan and barely anyone wanted to leave. Everybody in that room knew that nothing was more important than making sure the well being of the fallen fan was taken care of, and reports suggest that he was conscious by the time he made it to the ambulance. The band came out and apologised for not being able to finish the show, saying that they love the fans and it means the world to them. The night ended with a thunderous applause in what was a truly emotional send off...

...BUT WHO WAS THE BETTER BAND I HEAR YOU ASK!? Well there really wasn't a lot in this one as both headliners are pioneers of their craft, yet also quite different in their approach too. I enjoyed the overall Dillinger show more if you count in the support acts, but Meshuggah for me just had that slight extra touch of magic that left me in awe and I genuinely had chills for much of the show. Dillinger was also a hell of an experience, but I can honestly say it's not the best I have seen them (their Club Academy shows in 2010 and 2013 stuck in my heart even more than this one). I actually wasn't quite as hyped for Meshuggah beforehand, but they delivered something mindblowing, but it's splitting hairs really. Seeing two of my favourite bands back to back will go down as one of my finest moments as a gig addict! And whilst many fine Mathcore bands have emerged taking Dillinger's influence, the fact that they are going away is going to be hard to take!

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Meshuggah - January 19th 2017 @ 02 Ritz, Manchester.
The Dillinger Escape Plan - January 20th 2017 @ Manchester Academy 2.
Photography by F & M.

FILM REVIEW: ASSASSIN'S CREED

2017

Directed by Justin Kurzel

Video Game Adaptation, Action, Sci-Fi.

There are some movies that are so bad they are good, so inept at getting the simplest things right that they can't even suspend the audience's disbelief that the characters and settings aren't just cheap cardboard cut outs. Films like the now legendary The Room and Troll 2 may serve as a guide on how NOT to make a film, but at least they are memorable, enjoyable and something that books and documentaries have been made about...

Assassin's Creed is the latest in a series of mediocre video game film adaptations. Funnily enough, this ISN'T a film that is completely inept and laughably constructed. The visuals, set pieces and script are all competent... Acceptable... Maybe even pleasant?! The cast is ace! Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson and Michael K Williams have all done some fine work in their careers. 

The biggest problem with Assassin's Creed is that is absolutely fucking vaporous!!! The whole film is like watching dust particles shimmer in the air. It's rare I have seen a film that lacks so much in ambition, creativity and any kind of hook or punchline. Everything about this film is the most painfully (below) average that they could have made it. The biggest problems are that none of the characters are properly fleshed out. I can't remember any of their names, or one meaningful word of dialogue any of them spoke. I had no care whether these characters lived or died, succeeded or failed, because they were all generic stock characters who mumbled their way through the 2 hour + running time. A total waste of a good cast. The action scenes are so forgettable, I couldn't even tell you who was fighting who, it all just flashed by in a blur. The action scenes here just lacked any passion, excitement or decent choreography. I've seen films 30 years older that had a better understanding of how to make good action scenes.

Anything else that happened in this film, I'm genuinely struggling to remember. The whole experience just flew over my shoulder. And it's not like I was trying to find flaws in the film. Even a brainless action/martial arts Matrix clone with a bit of humour and daft personality would have been preferable to what made it into this final cut. I genuinely would have had more fun being asleep, or in a coma! But the proof is in the pudding that it's way better to watch a hilarious inept film that it is to watch the most painfully average and boring film in existence. I'm amazed I managed to find this much to say about it. I hope one day I will live to see a GOOD video game adaptation film! 3/10.

TOP 25 LIVE PERFORMANCES OF 2016

Let's get the obvious out of the way. I can only count bands I have seen live in the flesh. Since I am based in Manchester this will mostly be the area covered. I've easily seen over 100 bands this year so here are the performances that knocked me sideways in 2016!

HOUSEWIVES - Gorilla, Manchester

25. DUKATALON
Rebellion, Manchester

The Noiz Alldayer ended up overrunning by about 2 hours, and this band that came all the way from Tel Aviv, Israel had waited patiently to play, finally coming on at 2am and devouring what was left of the crowd with their insanely high energy Sludgy Hardcore. They played with a real menace and their drummer was pumping up the crowd between each song, commanding them to get moving. The show ended in a fantastic stage invasion that saw nearly the whole crowd take to the stage in a moment of sheer bliss.
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24. RICK ASTLEY
HMV Manchester

I'm not Rick-rolling you at all here. I had practically no expectations when I arrived at this show, but Rick Astley really blew the crowd away, not necessarily with his songs (although a finale of 'Never Gonna Give You Up' was obviously incredible) but through his sheer passion and excitement. The man had a really good funk band behind him and delivered an incredible vocal performance. But it was his stage charisma, his fantastic sense of humour and the fact that he looked like he was having the time of his life on that tiny stage that really made this performance special. I'll never say a bad word about this man.
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23. JOHN CARPENTER
Victoria Warehouse, Salford

There was a lot of controversy about the arrangement and venue of this show, which sadly does taint the gig a little. I'm going to try and brush this aside and focus on the actual performance, which I thought was great since I managed to get there early and actually get a good spot in the room. It was incredible to see John Carpenter, the Horror maestro in the flesh with his excellent band that play on his 'Lost Themes' records. Not only did he play some of the best tunes of the two solo records, but of course many of his greatest film themes. Hearing the likes of 'Halloween' and 'The Thing' in the flesh was awe inspiring. Carpenter had a crazy charisma on stage and one of the best highlights was when the whole band put on sunglasses during the performance of 'They Live'. There were also scenes from each film playing on a big screen behind him, so that atmosphere was just right, and I had chills for almost the whole performance!
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22. ACxDC
Rebellion, Manchester

The news that US Grind/Powerviolence legends ACxDC are calling it a day became twice as sad after witnessing just how astonishing this band are live. They must have blitzed through about 50 tiny tracks, absolutely seamlessly with full on rage, venom, sweat and agony. There was no time to catch your breath as the band just raged and battered through blistering, lightning fast song after song. A blur of utter chaos and madness that was as beautiful as it was terrifying!
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21. SPACE WITCH
Rebellion, Manchester

This band don't come around my way often enough, but whenever they do it is an unmissable spectacle. As you probably know I have a bit of a fetish for Extreme Metal bands that implement electronics into their sound, and Space Witch are at the forefront of this in the British Metal scene. Psychedelic tinged droning Sludge riffs bludgeoned the Manchester crowd over their heads, as piercing electronics added deep, spacey textures to the mix and taking their sound to the next level of the spectral ether. Mindblowing from start to finish, seriously one of the most exciting bands in the UK right now!
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20. DESTRUCTION UNIT
Islington Mill, Salford

Without a doubt the loudest performance I heard this year, even with ear plugs in, this was painful and left my ears ringing. With a drummer, a bassist and about four guitarists crammed into the tiny Islington Mill stage, their sound was bigger than the entire venue. The aptly named Destruction Unit powered through pounding Garage Noise Rock with so much sweat and menace. The massive wall of tremolo guitars was intense and agonising... And EAR DESTROYING!
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19. MONO
Gorilla, Manchester

The majesty of seeing Alcest would have been more than enough to cover the ticket price, but we still had an epic MONO performance to enjoy. Equally as stirring as Alcest before them, their instrumental rock often started soft and melodic and built into loud, thunderous climaxes that were intense and overwhelming to the senses. True magic from the heart of Japan!
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18. ALCEST
Gorilla, Manchester

It's not often that you need to bring tissues to a Metal show but the double impact of Alcest and MONO would certainly reach deep into the souls of Metalheads. Alcest played a wondrous, dreamy set of buzzing shoegazy guitars, sweeping melodies and harmonious vocals, with a few shrieking Black Metal parts for good measure. Alcest really hit the sweet spot with a momentous performance.
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17. CONJURER
The Alma Inn, Bolton

The crowning kings of another incredible Riff Fest lineup, a free annual Metal festival in the heart of Bolton. Conjurer are a seriously wild bunch and a stage can barely contain the energy and immense heaviness of this band. As their set goes on these lads get angrier and more explosive to the point where the band and the audience can barely take it any more and the wheels fall off!
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16. HOUSEWIVES
Gorilla, Manchester

This was my first time seeing and even hearing this mysterious English Drone/Noise Rock band. They played in near darkness with strobe lights blaring as they played what seemed like one giant 40 minute composition of super atonal rock that almost felt like an incredibly minimalist and deconstructed version of Joy Division, complete with noisy saxophone and deranged screams. It was such a regimented and tense performance. This band had an entire crowd hanging on every note and even when they just jammed one note for 5 straight minutes it felt like the most intense thing that ever existed!
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15. UNDER
The Boulevard, Wigan

Under are a menacing and creepy Doom Metal/Drone Rock kind of hybrid band that have built an exceptional reputation over the year for their jaw dropping live performances. I've probably seen them about 10 times this year alone and they just get better and better. Under constantly change up their setlists, hinting at a well of new and unreleased material, so every performance of theirs feels fresh, exciting and unpredictable. This was the last time I saw them in 2016 and I am incredibly excited to just be a part of their wacky journey, just as a member of the crowd!
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JOHN CARPENTER - Victoria Warehouse, Salford

14. CAINA
Fuel Cafe, Manchester

Hands down one of the most extreme things I have ever witnessed. In what sadly looks like one of Caina's very last shows, the duo performed incredibly loud with dense layers of noise pedals and cold synths grinding away as the two screamed at the top of their lungs. Vocalist Laurence Taylor was terrifying, topless with a balaclava and cuts on his body. He got right up into the faces of the crowd, screaming nihilistic words and wrapping the microphone cable around his neck like a noose. This is what happens when a band take the performance aspect all the way up to 11!
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13. THE RIVER VERSUS
Rebellion, Manchester

Few things put as big a smile on my face as when I am watching The River Versus. They tantalise the Prog Rocker inside me with their virtuoso fusion of Neo-Classical verging on Post Hardcore. TRV are still a band that I am championing and sadly they don't quite play as often as I'd like or quite get the acclaim that they so sorely deserve. This band have the ability to leave newcomers completely speechless and the atmosphere at one of their shows is full of sheer joy and awe. Just go listen to them and never miss them live!
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12. SVALBARD
Damnation Festival, Leeds University

I was so excited to see Svalbard perform once again and they certainly didn't disappoint. In fact they just get better. It feels like the band are continuing to perfect their craft, delivering emotively resonant Blackened Hardcore with so much passion, energy and raw feeling. Playing in front of a packed out Damnation stage may well have been their biggest crowd and most defining show yet.
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11. FULL OF HELL
The Ruby Lounge, Manchester

This US band absolutely knocked me sideways. Bouts of lightning fast, brutal Grindcore suddenly evaporated into 0bpm electronic drones that were deafening and very intense, bringing a huge tension. The way Full Of Hell combine the slowest and fastest of Metal genres is really something special, and the way they switch between the two seamlessly is not only incredibly tight, but completely fucks with the audiences head. Absolutely astonishing.
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10. MAX RICHTER
RNCM, Manchester

The master of modern Ambient Classical performed his 'Blue Notebooks' and 'from SLEEP' albums in full with an ensemble and vocalist. Truly one of the richest and most beautiful performances I saw this year, with every note and instrument travelling through my body. It felt like a healing process and was incredibly moving.
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9. DEATH GRIPS
Manchester Academy

Perhaps the most anticipated show of the year, that sold out in mere seconds. Death Grips slammed through all of their best discography highlights, with MC Ride's maniacal grunts, Zach Hill's pounding drums and Flatlander's noisy synths sounding supreme, with so much energy and violence. This will remain one of the most talked about shows of the year.
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8. CULT OF LUNA & JULIE CHRISTMAS
Damnation Festival, Leeds University

To think that these musicians said they didn't get time to even rehearse properly is absolutely staggering! I think many who attended Damnation Festival in Leeds this year will agree that this performance was the crowning achievement of an already magnificent festival that seems to get better ever year. With about 7 people on stage, Cult of Luna absolutely pummeled the Damnation main stage with crushing, dense and emotionally draining riffs and textures, Julie Christmas was a bundle of energy, dancing, moshing and belting out powerful vocals. An absolute marvel from start to finish that we may never see performed again.
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7. AUTECHRE
Old Granada Studios, Manchester

The first time I saw Autechre live I didn't enjoy it so much, but I think it was let down by a poor sound and venue choice. No such problem this time as they performed in pitch darkness in a massive room where you could hear every blip, beep and rumble perfectly. They played a continuous hour long piece of music that was rather slow and doomy, with lots of discordance and alien textures. The lack of light allowed the music to really enter my body and take over my thoughts. Things got metaphysical and even though this band have no lyrics and use total discordant sounds, there was much emotion and expression.
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6. STEVEN WILSON
02 Apollo, Manchester

The master of Prog treated us to a 3 hour performance. In the first half he played the entirety of his fantastic 'Hand Cannot Erase' album, synced up to a film that ran on a big screen above the band with amazing visuals, helping to tell the story behind the lyrics. His band was incredible, including Marco Minnemann on drums and Dave Kilminster on guitar. The second half showcased songs from his latest release '4 1/2' and songs from his previous albums including a tear-jerking rendition of 'The Raven That Refused to Sing'. He even threw in some stunning Porcupine Tree songs, including 'The Sound of Muzak' and 'Lazarus' which he dedicated to David Bowie who had only just passed.
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5. SHOBALEADER ONE
Gorilla, Manchester

This quartet is a side project of Tom 'Squarepusher' Jenkinson, where he focuses solely on his virtuoso bass playing. This is one of the tightest bands I have seen perform all year. The music they played really reminded me of 70s Blacksploitation Funk. There were some seriously infectious grooves going on here, but with techy and jazzy parts thrown in also. A few renditions of Squarepusher classics were also performed. The band all dressed in black cloaks with masks on that had neon lights on them. How on earth they managed to perform to such a level was wearing them is anyone's guess!
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4. YOB
The Ruby Lounge, Manchester

A truly mindblowing performance from the US Doom trio. Guitarist and vocalist Mike Sheidt is mesmerising on stage. His guitar playing looks effortless, whether he is churning out massive slabs of Doom or clean, emotive arpeggios, and he pours so much passion into his vocals. The performance of 20 minute "ballad" 'Marrow' was something really special, completely captivating an entire room into stunned silence.
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3. EMPLOYED TO SERVE
Damnation Festival, Leeds University

Truly one of the most angry, visceral and energized performances I've seen all year. Mathcore maniacs Employed to Serve showed us how to fucking BRING IT!!! Like this was a "COME AT ME BRO" meme in it's most literal and musical entity. The stage was like a warzone and there was some seriously crazy pitting, crowd surfing and stage diving as they tore into the Damnation crowd with a relentless barrage of aggressive screaming and jagged staccato riffs, that ended in the destruction of a bass guitar letting out it's final battle cry (and I was lucky enough to catch a piece of it thrown into the crowd)! ISS BYOTIFUL!!!
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2. SLABDRAGGER
The Alma Inn, Bolton

In this very special one off performance, Slabdragger performed the entirety of their new album 'Rise of the Dawncrusher', and it was a FREE entry show! Damn! The packed out crowd were truly knocked sideways by the loud, crushing and technically mind blowing riffs. Constant twists and turns looked seamless in these 10+ minute epics. A true testament of great musicianship, high energy and sheer headbanging delight!
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1. KAMASI WASHINGTON
Manchester Academy

Damn, this was more than a show, it was an experience, a journey, a transformation! Kamasi Washington and his insanely talented Jazz band are more than a band, they're a family unit. With most of the players having grown up together as kids and learning their instruments from a young age, and it really shows. This band is beyond tight, and have a spiritual chemistry together on stage. The show was full of raw talent, insane musicianship, fantastic storytelling between the songs, and a lot of emotion too. 'Henrietta Our Hero' left people in the audience in tears. This was not only the best live music experience I had this year, but one of the best shows I have ever witnessed!
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KAMASI WASHINGTON - Manchester Academy

FRENCHIE'S TOP 50 ALBUMS OF 2016

2016 may have been a pretty terrible year for legendary musicians dying and world politics, but I actually think it has been a very strong year for music releases. In fact one of the finest of this decade. I have a feeling the rise of vinyl as a dominant format once again has really contributed to this. In the days where digital music ruled, artists could get away with making just one or two great tracks and succeeding, but I feel like the focus on making an ALBUM with multiple sides of music has lead to an even greater focus on creativity and consistency.

I listened to a couple of hundred albums this year, but obviously I can't hear them all, so there are probably some huge albums I've missed out on. I've been hearing nothing but praise for the latest De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest albums, but I haven't found the time to give them a listen yet! But here is a top 50 of the albums that have rocked my world this year!

50. KARG - WELTENASCHE
Black Metal, Post Rock. Art of Propaganda.

A fine pick in the year of epic post-Black Metal. Austria's Karg is just a one man project, but sounds far more ambitious and well recorded than his peers. 'Weltenasche' reaches truly epic heights combining furious black metal with melodic Post Rock in fine fashion.
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49. MARS RED SKY - APEX III: PRAISE FOR THE BURNING SOUL
Stoner Metal, Psychedelic Rock. Listenable Records.

France's Mars Red Sky have delivered a powerful and stirring third record, praising slumberous, atmospheric Doom riffs with beautiful textures. The album is a little bit of a slow burner, but one where your patience will pay off in the end.
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48. BOYCOTT THE BAPTIST - BASH THE BISHOP
Grindcore, Powerviolence. Self-Released.

Raw as fuck, no nonsense grindcore that can't decide if it is political activism ('Fuck Off Trump') or utter foolish absurdity ('Eels Up Inside You'). Whatever the case, this is a raging and exciting slab of Grind and Powerviolence that sounds genuine and is suitably over in less than 20 minutes!
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47. ANIMAL COLLECTIVE - PAINTING WITH
Psychedelia, Noise Pop. Domino Records.

YES I'M INCLUDING IT!!! The most critically panned album of the entire decade so far from a once untouchable band. The Quietus had the audacity to call it "total dogshit from start to finish", but I just can't see how anyone without a massive bias (or chip on their shoulder) could possibly listen to this and think it has no merit. Animal Collective successfully deliver the spiritual follow up to their classic 'Merriweather Post Pavillion', by once again combining Beach Boys-esque vocal harmonies with noisy layers of ADHD synthesisers. The result is a pleasant, dreamy and summery marvel that will bring a huge smile to your face! I have no idea why the critics have turned so badly on a band that are still at a creative peak, but I'm not buying into that bullshit!
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46. THE COMET IS COMING - CHANNEL THE SPIRITS
Fusion Jazz, Electronic. Leaf Records.

New exciting sounds in Jazz, combining with modern electronic sounds and frantic playing, existing in the same realm as FlyLo and Squarepusher, but favouring more natural timbres.
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45. WARPAINT - HEADS UP
Alternative Rock, Dream Pop. Rough Trade.

Warpaint are 4 albums in now and I didn't have too high expectations from this one, but I think they have actually delivered their best yet. I find 'Heads Up' to be their most consistent and varied release yet. There are plenty of their trademark hypnotic grooves going on, but they also throw in some faster, more upbeat numbers and do it rather well.
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44. BOSSK - AUDIO NOIR
Post Metal, Post Rock, Sludge Metal. Deathwish Inc.

I've kind of drifted out of the Post Rock and Post Metal sounds a bit in the last few years, but if any band was to re-spark my interest it would be Bossk. Here they have crafted something that feels fresh and doesn't adhere to the set blueprints, packed full of weight and emotion.
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43. BRIAN ENO - THE SHIP
Ambient. Warp Records.

Damn, the master of Ambient music is still making his mark. Eno hasn't sang on a record since the early 90s, but after rediscovering a love for his voice after the two collab albums with Karl Hyde, Eno has decided to combine his minimalist Ambient works with his soothing vocals. 'The Ship' is a real trip, ethereal and brooding like a ghost ship drifting over icy waters. The album builds marvelously to an emotional finale in tribute to the late, great Lou Reed. Heartbreaking stuff.
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42. GNOD - MIRROR
Drone Rock. Rocket Recordings.

The ever shifting Gnod machine delivers their angriest, most anarchic and hate fueled release yet, trading psyched out electronics for crushing Drone Rock.
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41. VODUN - POSSESSION
Garage Rock, Hard Rock. Riff Rock Records.

Vodun's debut full length delivers blistering garage rock riffs, tribal grooves and powerhouse vocals in a really exciting package that commands you band your head!
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40. CLARK - THE LAST PANTHERS
Ambient, Original Score. Warp Records.

Clark is an artist who likes to make every album different, and he always succeeds in his vision and making a great work of art. This is Clark's first trip into pure Ambient territory for a full album, largely putting away the pulsing, wonky beats in trade of swelling strings and minimal pianos, with his unique voice still coming through the music.
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39. CLIFF MARTINEZ - THE NEON DEMON
Ambient, Electronic, Original Score. Milan Records.

I heard the score before I watched the film, but hearing this amazing score made me more excited to see the film. In fact it's one of the strongest elements of the film. Pulsing Industrial Techno crossed over with dreamy, neon ambient. Cliff Martinez is one of the most important soundtrack composers of this millennium and this is one of his finest works yet.
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38. THE AVALANCHES - WILDFLOWER
Hip Hop, Electronic. XL.

I don't know why it took The Avalanches 16 years to follow up their debut album, but they've done it in style. 'Wildflower' sounds very fresh and one of the most positive and uplifting sounding Hip Hop albums of the decade. The Hip Hop influences feel a little stronger than on the debut, with a little less sampling density going on. It has that Stones Throw kind of vibe to it and flows remarkably well from start to finish with a rich and diverse palette of sounds. Hip Hop with flowery psychedelic moments ala early De La Soul!
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37. IGGY POP - POST POP DEPRESSION
Alternative Rock. Caroline International.

People are saying this is Iggy Pop's best album since his 70s heyday. Whilst I haven't heard all of his stuff since then, I'd find it hard to disagree. This album packs a real punch, with a vocal that almost channels his late sparring partner David Bowie. Choosing Josh Homme to crack out the riffs was a wise idea, and the album is exceptionally well produced. Iggy Pop sounds revitalised and hungry once again.

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36. BADBADNOTGOOD - IV
Fusion Jazz, Neo Soul, Funk. Innovative Leisure.

Everyone has been talking about Kamasi Washington being the saviour of modern Jazz, and don't get me wrong he is incredible from a nostalgic point of view, but I think BadBadNotGood deserve as much credit. This band sound much more modern in terms of production and fusing Funk, Hip Hop and Soul into the mix. I think I preferred this to their breakthrough album 'III' and their collab with Ghostface Killah. It's up, up and up for these guys!

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35. VENETIAN SNARES - TRADITIONAL SYNTHESIZER MUSIC
Electronic, IDM. Timesig/Planet Mu.

You'd think Mr Funk might end up restricting himself by sticking to just using a modular synthesiser to create this album, yet somehow he just pushes his art further. One of his most consistent full lengths of recent times, and mad as a badger!

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34. KYLE DIXON & MICHAEL STEIN - STRANGER THINGS (VOLUMES 1 & 2)
Electronic, Ambient, Original Score. Lakeshore.

The one soundtrack that got nearly everybody pumped up this year. S U R V I V E members do 80s nostalgia perfectly well with some sublime John Carpenter worship and some chilling Dark Ambient too.

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33. MAMMOTH WEED WIZARD BASTARD - Y PROFFWYD DWYLL
Doom Metal, Sludge Metal. NHS.

I have a real thing for Metal bands that implement electronics, and this was one of my favourite surprises of the year. This quartet from Wales combine slow, crushing Doom riffs with washed out synths and buzzing electronics piercing and boiling on top. Also vocalist Jessica Ball tops it off with her angelic banshee vocals. If you thought you were in for a typical Stoner band you will be gravely mistaken.

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32. CRYSTAL CASTLES - AMNESTY (I)
Electronic, Witch House. Fiction Records.

The critics have eaten Crystal Castles' comeback album up and quickly spat it out, with a wave of mediocre reviews, but I have to calmly tell them to get to fuck! So Crystal Castles have had a 4 year break, and had to introduce new vocalist Edith Frances into the band. One thing the critics have got right is that this isn't anything particularly new or daring, but this is the sound of a band finding their feet again. But however you want to analyse it, I can't deny that I enjoy every track on this album and I've been listening to it over and over in my car. Crystal Castles still manage to sound innovative, hard and exciting in 2016 where they could have easily tailed off into commercial drivel by now.

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31. DANNY BROWN - ATROCITY EXHIBITION
Hip Hop. Warp Records.

I'm still not completely sold on Danny Brown's voice and lyrical content (he seems to work much better as a guest spot), but this album has really won me over. Something told me that the fact Warp Records wanted to put this out, meant it would be worth a listen and I really enjoyed it from start to finish. It feels like the right cross between the modern Hip Hop production sound and that wonky, abstract Warp sound. A great selection of guest spots and off kilter moments keeps things fresh.

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30. WINTERFYLLETH - THE DARK HEREAFTER
Black Metal. Candlelight/Spinefarm.

By stripping things back a little and making a shorter album, Winterfylleth have actually come across as more consistent. 'The Dark Hereafter' is an emotionally rich and thorough black metal album that exists in the same realm as Ulver's 'Bergtatt', from the cover to the cover!

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29. AMERICAN FOOTBALL - AMERICAN FOOTBALL

Emo, Alternative Rock. Witchita.

Scathing reviews be damned, I freakin' loved this. Of course it is going to sound a bit different 17 years since their first album, but the honesty, vitality and genuine heartfelt songwriting still shines through for me! Didn't get what all the uproar is about but I only discovered the first album about the same time too!

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28. CAINA - CHRIST CLAD IN WHITE PHOSPHORUS
Black Metal, Industrial, Noise. Apocalyptic Witchcraft.

Caina was one of the first acts in Black Metal to start thinking beyond the genres constrictions. 'Christ Clad In White Phosphorus' will possibly be his last record. It makes for a fitting nadir, as this goes to the furthest reaches of what a post-Black Metal band can achieve to the point where the listener isn't even sure whether this is Black Metal, or if they even know what Black Metal is any more. A wild and eclectic ride that strips Caina down to the bone, relying less on guitars and much more on ambient synths, layers of noise pedals, furious hazy vocals and pounding industrial drum machines. This is the sound of travelling down a pitch black tunnel and never quite reaching the glow of light at the end.

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27. MARK PRITCHARD - UNDER THE SUN

Ambient, Progressive Electronic. Warp Records.

This album was a big surprise for me considering Mark Pritchard's last album under the guise of Harmonic 313 was one of the funkiest, most upbeat Hip Hop albums of recent times. Pritchard has decided to follow it up with an exact opposite album of super slow, quiet, languid droning ambient. However he is still a master of his craft, delivering beautiful alien textures and sweeping modular arpeggios.

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26. CROWHURST - II
Post-Hardcore, Black Metal, Sludge Metal. Broken Limbs.

Crowhurst (the project of Jay Gambit) is constantly releasing noise, drone and dark ambient releases on his Bandcamp page, so much so that it can be hard for the most dedicated fans to keep up to date. For 'II' though he has enlisted an entire band to perform his songs for a full on Metal album, which you can tell most of his writing efforts have gone into. 'II' will forever stand out as one of the main attractions in his massive discography, inhaling influences of Converge, Darkthrone and Neurosis and then spewing it out in a varied and consistent racket!

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25. DEAD TO A DYING WORLD - LIVE AT ROADBURN

Black Metal, Post Rock. Roadburn.

A testament to a band that started off as one man and expanded to seven band members! We have a new contender in the envelope of bands pushing the boundaries of modern black metal. Dead to a Dying World are one of the most epic and emotionally stirring, combining monolithic riffs with beautiful string sections. Excited to see where they go from here!

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24. ALCEST - KODAMA

Post Rock, Shoegaze, Black Metal. Prophecy Records.

After being slightly underwhelmed with previous album 'Shelter', which cut out the Metal elements for a more shoegazy, dream pop direction, it would have been easy to brush Alcest off. Fortunately after the glowing reviews, I decided to give 'Kodama' a go and I am very glad I did. Alcest have not only implemented the heavier elements back in but they sound far more focused. My second favourite album of theirs after their classic debut.

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23. THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN - DISSOCIATION
Mathcore, Technical Metal, Progressive Metal. Party Smasher Inc.

The Dillinger Escape Plan go out with a bang. 'Dissociation' is perhaps my favourite record of theirs since the genre classic 'Miss Machine'. The album plays like a best of, made of all new material, and draws from everything they have learnt over their incredible career. They say it is better to burn out than to fade away... Well here is to a band that have been a constant burn out since day one!

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22. JOHN CARPENTER - LOST THEMES II

Progressive Electronic, Synthwave, Ambient. Sacred Bones Records.

With any great Horror film, a sequel will emerge the year after, and so was it was the same with the master of Horror's second Lost Themes album. Whilst it sort of delivers more of the same, the first one was so damn impressive that more of that gold was very much welcome. 'Lost Themes II' doesn't fall short of those incredible pioneering synthwave sounds that made the first one such a knockout!

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21. THE FIELD - THE FOLLOWER

Minimal Techno, Electronic. Kompakt.

The Field continues to perfect his craft and be one of the leaders of the Berlin Minimal Techno scene. These lengthy compositions take minimalist blips and bleeps to new atmospheric and epic heights, with a constant pulsing backbone charging through.

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20. PARQUET COURTS - HUMAN PERFORMANCE
Post-Punk, Noise Rock, Jangle Pop. Rough Trade.

Parquet Courts sound at their most inspired here, and also at their laziest and most laid back. Pure slacker vibes crossed with jangly Velvety goodness. A thoroughly entertaining mess!

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19. WEEZER - WEEZER [THE WHITE ALBUM]
Alternative Rock. Atlantic Records.

Well... I really liked it! Weezer have become a parody of themselves in recent times, but I would happily place this as the true successor to Pinkerton. It feels like Weezer have finally managed to channel back the sound, charm and songwriting that made them so good in the first place!

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18. NEUROSIS - FIRES WITHIN FIRES

Sludge Metal, Post Metal. Neurot Recordings.

Neurosis are a band that have kind of done everything by this point, so they have gone for a less is more approach with 'Fires Within Fires'. Running at just over 40 minutes, Neurosis have made something much more direct and immediate. I do love their long Post Rock inspired builds up and crescendos, which are still kind of present, but stripping back their sound still makes them sound really inspired. The masters deliver the goods once again!

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17. ULVER - ATGCLVLSSCAP
Progressive Electronic, Ambient, Space Rock. House of Mythology.

The wolves are still evolving and Ulver keep shifting genres, never seeming to run out of innovative ideas. Part live album, part studio work, this record explores spacey, Tangerine Dream-esque electronics and atmospheres. Probably my favourite album of theirs since 'Shadows of the Sun'!

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16. RADIOHEAD - A MOON SHAPED POOL

Alternative Rock, Art Rock. XL.

I've heard nothing but negativity about this album in my circle of friends, but I have been championing 'A Moon Shaped Pool' since my first listen. Rather than trying to constantly take a step forwards like this band are known for, Radiohead take a big step backwards, stripping away the wonky electronics and distorted guitars completely. What is left are beautiful, heartfelt and stripped down songs favouring natural acoustics, sombre vocals, pianos and strings. There is something so beautiful and admirable about this coming from a band who sometimes left their wilder ideas run loose. Radiohead at their most subtle and I like it.

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15. AUTECHRE - ELSEQ 1-5
Electronic, Ambient, IDM. Warp Records

To be honest, I'm still making my way through this! I'm absolutely loving just the first two discs and I am in no rush to move on yet. This record will keep me occupied for a while! Every time Autechre makes a new release they just seem to push the boundaries further and further. This 4.5 hour long album sees the duo express total unrelenting freedom, where they can take 20-30 minute avant garde compositions and just run with it. Obviously if you have not explored their vast discography yet, this certainly shouldn't be a starting point, but seasoned veterans will experience nothing but pure bliss listening to this!
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14. IRON WITCH - A HARROWED DAWN

Sludge Metal. Secret Law Records.

Liverpool based Iron Witch have gone through many lineup changes, but on the way have really evolved their sound. If you've heard their earlier NOLA inspired works, you might be surprised to hear they have delivered a far darker, gnarlier and tougher bunch of songs than ever before. Iron Witch channel the crushing weight of Neurosis and Cult of Luna, combined with the agonising misery of EyeHateGod to create something that will not only crush you, but make you feel feelings too!

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13. DAVID BOWIE - BLACKSTAR
Art Pop, Jazz Rock. Sony Columbia.

This is how you go out with a bang. I'm convinced that Bowie knew it would be the last shining star in one of the most impressive discographies of any recording artist to ever live. It's cryptic, forward thinking and truly belting. People will still be listening, discussing and lamenting this album in years to come. RIP David Bowie. Innovative til the very end!

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12. SLABDRAGGER - RISE OF THE DAWNCRUSHER

Sludge Metal, Doom Metal, Technical Metal. Holy Roar Records.

For their second album, Slabdragger combine monumentally crushing riffs with a Sci-Fi aesthetic, sounding like a killer robot spiraling out of control. Even with songs that near 20 minutes, the trio have composed a true behemoth of an album that really takes you on a journey of winding, technical riff mastery.

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11. GOAT - REQUIEM
Psychedelia. Rocket Recordings.

Goat have become one of the bands from this decade to impress me most. They have now delivered 3 knockout albums in a row. 'Requiem' is easily their longest album and the least heavy of the three. There aren't as many storming fuzz drenched riffs as before, but they have expertly substituted these moments with a more folky influence. Flutes and panpipes still sound just as groovy and psyched out, and this album is full of seriously infectious moments that will get you dancing and rocking out!

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10. JESSY LANZA - OH NO
Electronic, R&B. Hyperdub Records.

Jessy Lanza just has this amazing ability to just cut through my heart and soul. Sure there are similarities to the sound of Grimes and FKA Twigz, but Jessy Lanza doesn't need any of the theatrics and comes across more genuine, sweet and down to earth. Her songs are brilliant and this album in particular is much warmer and more confident than the (also excellent) debut. Jessy Lanza really gets her groove on here with strong Electro and 80s RNB vibes, fused with that modern bass heavy Hyperdub sound. A sheer delight from start to finish.

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9. ANDY STOTT - TOO MANY VOICES
Electronic, IDM. Modern Love.

DAMN! Andy Stott delivers his most direct and energised album yet! His trademark use of pitchshifting and choppy beats is on fire here with trippy vocal samples drifiting in and out. The album is a really shiny with a mad streak in the middle and a beautiful Enya like finale. One of the most exciting and addictive Electronic albums of the year!

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8. DEFTONES - GORE
Alternative Metal, Shoegaze, Dream Pop. Reprise Records.

One of the most consistent bands in all of Metal strike gold once more. Deftones continue to mature and craft a fine balance between hard hitting riffs, atmospheric textures and soaring choruses. 'Gore' delivers everything you could want from Deftones in spades!

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7. JESU & SUN KIL MOON - JESU/SUN KIL MOON
Folk, Shoegaze, Drone Metal. Caldo Verde Records.

Continuing the decade of weird collaborations is an album that combines intimate folk music with crunching metal riffs. And yet it suceeds. Both artists channel a lot of emotion, atmosphere and intimacy and the two artists really bounce of each other. The heavy parts allow Mark Kozelek to channel more of an anger and despair in his lyricism, allowing the more typical Sun Kil Moon sounding folk tracks to be more focused than last year's turbulent 'Universal Themes' album. Not everyone got it, but I personally loved it!

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6. DEATH GRIPS - BOTTOMLESS PIT
Electronic, Hardcore, Hip Hop. Harvest Records.

One of Death Grips' finest hours yet. I didn't think it was possible for this band to become even more crass, in your face and devoid of subtlety, but they managed it with the addition of roaring guitar riffs and blastbeats. 'Bottomless Pit' is just a crazy, noisy blast of sheer joy that asks you to leave your brain at the door!

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5. KATATONIA - THE FALL OF HEARTS
Alternative Metal, Gothic Metal. Peaceville.

Katatonia have always been a very consistent band, but I don't think anyone was expecting to drop arguably their finest work 11 albums in. 'The Fall of Hearts' delivers everything I love about this band, finding the right balance between hard hitting riffs and melodic melancholy. Lyrically and vocally it rings as one of their most emotive works that has kept pulling me back in for more and more. Absolutely spellbounding!

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4. BOSS KELOID - HERB YOUR ENTHUSIASM

Progressive Metal, Stoner Metal, Sludge Metal, Technical Metal. Black Bow Records.

Deeply spiritual, progressive tech as fuck Sludge/Stoner Metal from Wigan. Boss Keloid haven't just created an album, but an entire odyssey that grabs you from the first track and takes you on an inner pilgrimage, full of meaty riffs and off kilter rhythms. 'Herb Your Enthusiasm' will not only give you the neckache but give you the feels and the ponderings too whilst yer at it!

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3. BARBARIAN HERMIT - DEMO MMXVI

Sludge Metal, Stoner Metal. Self-Released.

It's basically an album... And it's glorious. This first demo of masterful Sludge/Stoner riffs doesn't feel like it was inspired by the likes of Down and Sleep, but feels like a complete refresh on that style, with plenty of great hooks and riffs so tasty they'll give you instant neck ache!

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2. 40 WATT SUN - WIDER THAN THE SKY

Slowcore, Folk Rock. Svart.

Genuinely one of the most beautiful, heartfelt and emotionally affecting albums I have heard all year. 40 Watt Sun deliver their softest album yet, favouring clean guitars over heavy riffs. The result sounds a lot like Red House Painters or early Sun Kil Moon ('April' especially). Lyrically and vocally this is just an explosion of real feelings. The album is very slow, long and repetitive but I have managed to get obsessed with it and listen over and over. I hope the physical copy comes with a free pack of Kleenex because you're going to need it!

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1. OATHBREAKER - RHEIA

Post-Hardcore, Black Metal, Sludge Metal, Shoegaze. Deathwish Inc.

2016 belongs to Oathbreaker. The belgian quartet deliver their longest and most ambitious album yet. I always knew they were a fantastic band, but 'Rheia' brings them into the league of the all time greats. Sometimes making an album twice as long as your other output can be the nail in the coffin, but Oathbreaker have used that extra space phenomenally well, adding more breadth to their sound with the use of folky and shoegazy elements. The music across this album really takes you on a journey and seamlessly blends different subgenres together. From the furious Sludge, Black Metal and Crusty Hardcore to the emotive beauty in the Folk, Shoegaze and Dream Pop moments. The album has similar blueprints to the works of Deafheaven and Alcest, and carries just as much emotional weight and intensity in the quiet moments as it does the raging heavy parts.

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HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Aphex Twin - Cheetah, Basement - Promise Everything, The Body - No One Deserves Happiness, The Body & Full of Hell - One Day You Will Ache Like I Ache, Cavern of Anti Matter - Void Beats/Invocation Trex, Conjurer - I, Corinth - Corinth, Cult of Luna & Julie Christmas - Mariner,Dam Funk - DJ Kicks, J Dilla - The Diary,  Esben & the Witch - Older Terrors, Future of the Left - The Peace & Truce Of, Garganjua - A Voyage In Solitude, Gilmore Trail - Twin Peaks, Tim Hecker - Love Streams, Ital Tek - Hollowed, Jega - 1995, Kendrick Lamar - Untitled Unmastered,Cat Le Bon - Crab Day, Lone - Levitate, Mogwai - Atomic, Moon Wiring Club - Exit Pantomime Control Mower - Meathead, Laura Mvula - The Dreaming Room, Negura Bunget - Zi, Perturbator - The Uncanny Valley, Pinegrove - Cardinal, Plaid - The Digging Remedy, Rolo Tomassi - BBC Sessions, Scrubber Fox / Sadistic Foxician - Core Tea Vicar?, Se Delan - Drifter, Ty Segall - Emotional Mugger, DJ Shadow - The Mountain Will Fall, Silverchild - Red Desert, Soulwax - Belgica, Suuns - Hold Still, Steven Wilson - 4 1/2

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