Metal Awards

Neill's Top 15 albums of 2013

  1. Windhand - Soma
    Just discovered this band this year, but all their albums, and their live show is just amazing. For any fans of Doom and Metal in general.
  2. Subrosa - More Constant Than The Gods
    Right up there with Windhand. Just an incredible record for each and every second.
  3. Lumbar - The First and Last Days of Unwelcome
    My review stated this would be number 2, but that was before I had heard Subrosa. However, all 3 of these records are so close to call, and each deserve any and every bit of attention and praise they get
  4. City and Colour - The Hurry And The Harm
    I love some good Singer/Songwriter/ Folk style music, and City and Colour has been at the top for me for a long time.
  5. Man's Gin - Rebellion Hymns.
    The vocals in "Inspiration" may be my favorite delivery of the year. An incredible, whisky soaked slab of dark Americana.
  6. Starbomb - Starbomb
    A comedy Rap album based around video games? Yes, and it's amazing. Egorapter and Ninja Sex Party are here to rock your socks off.
  7. Altar of Plagues - Teethed Glory and Injury
    Took a while for me to appreciate the change in style, but so worth it. Just bombastic, and chaotic in the best way. RIP to an amazing band.
  8. An Autumn For Crippled Children - Try Not To Destroy Everything You Love
    This album was everything and more that I wanted. Nevermind "Sunbather", this is where it's at.
  9. Scale The Summit - The Migration
    Just technical instrumental awesomeness.
  10. Castevet - Obsian
    A big step from their first album, which I thought was amazing. Not easy to do, but they have done it.
  11. Mourning Beloveth - Formless
    Doom masters released an album under my nose, and it has become a great addition to an already stellar discography.
  12. Morne - Shadows
    Doom, Sludge, Post Metal. Call it what you will, it slays.
  13. Grave Miasma -
    Death Metal destruction, and some of the dirtiest (in the best way) songs I've heard all year
  14. Portal - Vexovoid
    Another example of dirty, old school death metal done the right way. Portal deserve much more recognition than I feel they get.
  15. Cult of Luna - Vertikal
    One of the first albums to come out this year, and still gets many plays. Incredible work, and hopefully they return sooner than later.
Neill's Top 5 surprises of 2013

  1. Black Sabbath - 13
    Don't get me wrong, I love Sabbath. But in 2013, and at their age (and minus one member) I have a lot of doubts. It's not a classic, but it was a lot better than I ever imagined.
  2. Sahg - Delusions Of Grandeur
    I had never heard of these guys until 2013. I was instantly a fan and have enjoyed the album quite a bit.
  3. Extol - Extol
    I liked the early Extol quite a lot. "Synergy" and "The Blue Print Dives" had some great work, but felt like let downs. This album was met with some hesitation from me, but it kicks major ass.
  4. In Vain - Ænigma
    Another example of a band I had never heard until this year. "Hymne Til Havet" is one of my favorite songs of the year. So catchy and came out of nowhere.
  5. Vhol - Vhol
    Given the band members, this should be on the top 15. It's only not because no one knew what to really expect until the album came out. It's amazing, but as not gotten as many spins as some othe Profound Lore albums this year from me.
Neill's Disappointment(s) of 2013

  1. Steven Wilson - The Raven That Refused To Sing (And Other Stories)
    Easily number one. I loved Porcupine Tree and the first Steven Solo album. But this, his last solo release and "Strom Corrosion" have just been big back to back disappointments to me. I hate to say it, but this labum was boring, and I don't see myself getting into it.
  2. Ihsahn - Das Seelenbrechen
    Another band/artist I have the utmost respect for from prior works. This labum just fell sort for me in so many ways. In a year with some incredible music coming out, this just could not stand up close to the rest.
  3. Dark Tranquillity - Construct
    What the hell happened? Just dull, uninspired and cliche. Such a sad state.
  4. Gorguts - Colored Sands
    Don't get me wrong, the album is killer. However, given the members involved, I expected more. If Carcass can comeback and kill it, this album should have as well. Not a bad record at all, but one that I expected so much more from.
  5. Philip H. Amselmo and the Illegals - Walk Through Exits Only
    Pretty much the same feeling as any of the above albums, I just expected so much more from this.
Neill's Joke(s) 2013

  1. Megadeth - Super Collider
    I'll just say this: Fucking seriously?
  2. Six Feet Under - Unborn
    Sorry,no matter who is in the band or how much the "improve", Chris Barnes' vocals area joke and ruins any good this bad does.
  3. Avenged Sevenfold - Hail to The King
    No description needed.
  4. Toxic Holocaust - Chemistry of Consciousness.
    I don't understand this band, or how/why they keep making music.
  5. The Black Dahlia Murder - Everblack
    Again, I've never understood the appeal of this band. Just cliche, rip off nonsense.
Neill's words about 2013
  1. For anyone with issues with the top 15: The list was really heavy with Profound Lore records bands/albums. I'm not trying to kiss ass, but the last 3 years or so, I really feel Chris Bruni has been releasing some of the best albums of that given year. Such an incredible roster. Now, This year had some ups and downs, musically and personally. No need to get into the personal, but musically was very surprising. I got to discover new bands that have quickly become some of my favorites, and some bands/artists have released albums that made me almost cringe at how mediocre or just bad they are. I still don't understand the love for "Sunbather". It's not a bad record, but I feel there was so much out there this year that outshines that album in so many ways. I will say, a highlight of my year has been being able to join the MetalReviews Team. I look forward to see what 2014 has to offer, and Thank you all for the chance to do this, and taking the time to read my opinions.