Saunders and Felagund demand to have their Top Ten(ish) lists heard across the land. We obliged.
Cave In
TheKenWord’s and Carcharodon’s Top Ten(ish) of 2022
TheKenWord and Carcharodon bring their special sets of skills to Listurnalia and things get…interesting.
Cave In – Heavy Pendulum [Things You Might Have Missed 2022]
“Although well aware of their revered reputation, I largely came to Cave In via the awesome Mutoid Man. I have since come to deeply respect and appreciate chunks of the band’s diverse catalog, and solid crossover appeal. Final Transmission, 2019’s heart-wrenching tribute to their fallen brother Caleb Scofield, who tragically passed away in a car accident in 2018, was a stripped-back and poignant album, featuring Scofield’s final musical contributions. Rather than shut up shop on the back of a tragic loss, Cave In discovered newfound inspiration and forged on.” Still swinging.
Disparager – Existential Dread Review
“Wisdom is a recluse, shunning most who seek it and often ignored when it crawls from out from its shade. Few of us possess it and those that claim so are the least likely to present proof of its mantel. I’m neither a sage nor an oracle like the priestesses of Delphi: the words of the divine do not flow past my lips, at least as far as I’m aware. If I was the Pythia, however, and my wisdom was sought by a band then you can be sure that I would stress in no uncertain terms to never name yourself or your music in such a way to invite jibes and self-satisfied one-liners from critics looking for an easy zinger.” Mistakes were made.
Daze of June – Heart of Silver Review
“Thank you for registering your interest for the Daze of June – Heart of Silver Situational Response Kit. Here at Anodyne Metalcore Industries™ we pride ourselves on delivering products that are designed for any delicate occasion in need of a solution. Below you will find a number of scenarios that outline the efficacy of our product. With its polished delivery and muted dynamics, Daze of June – Heart of Silver can be counted on when a calming, neutered experience is called for, no matter how fragile the circumstances. Be assured that this Danish-made item is professionally engineered and focus-tested to give you exactly what you expect with no surprises or unwanted excitement.” Fake Placid.
Mutoid Man – War Moans Review
“The sound of Mutoid Man is not something easily explained. The best I can come up with is ”80s metal mashed up with Nintendo game music, but with more hooks and a ton of guitar effects.’ Formed in NYC by Boston expats Steve Brodsky (Cave In) and Ben Koller (Converge), Mutoid has cranked out two and a half albums of catchy, hyperactive metal within a short span of time. 2015’s excellent Bleeder gained some recognition here at AMG, and now the band returns with that crucial third album, entitled War Moans.” Kiss the war.
Things You May Have Missed 2015: Mutoid Man – Bleeder
“For those unfamiliar, Mutoid Man began in 2012 as a two-man project featuring vocalist/guitarist Steven Brodsky (Cave In) and drummer Ben Koller (Converge). Their debut EP Helium Head displayed a love of gigantic riffs, effects pedals, and 1980’s video games (the band’s very name comes from the boss of the NES classic Smash TV).” Big money! Big prizes!
Failure – The Heart Is A Monster Review
“1990’s alt-rockers Failure tend to rank high on headbangers’ lists of non-metal pleasures, due in no small part to dark, dissonant songwriting and sonic girth that could rival any doom band. Those qualities produced two excellent records, Magnified (1994) and Fantastic Planet (1996), followed by an opiate-fueled breakup in ’97.” And now we get their hopefully opiate-free return!
Baroness – Yellow & Green Review
Metal band tries to write actual songs?! Has no one learned ANYTHING here?!