Leading up to the end of the year, Revolver has asked some of our favorite artists to pick their Top Albums of 2012 and tell us why each record rules. Here, Jamie Hanks (pictured left), vocalist of the death-metal band I Declare War, selects his faves.
5. Haarp, Husks
“I can pretty much sum this album up in one hour or simply one word. I will meet in the middle and just say take a bong hit, sit back, and doom out. It’s a slow-moving record, but that really is the best part about it. New Orleans breeds yet another heavy-metal band for the ages.”
4. Whitechapel, Whitechapel
“A blistering pace and incredibly heavy leads are setting this band apart in the death-metal world right now. Not to mention the ever-developing range of the singer Phil Bozeman. Dare I say this band is the next career death-metal band? If they keep putting stuff out like this, it’s a lock.”
3. Cannibal Corpse, Torture
“Cannibal Corpse has been writing the same record for close to 20 years, it feels like. The thing is though, it’s a really, REALLY fucking badass record. Difference is this record really pumps up the production and tone a lot. ‘Scourge of Iron’ could be the heaviest song I have ever heard. Ever. For real.”
2. Converge, All We Love We Leave Behind
“Converge does it again. Dark, angry, fast, and uncomfortable are a few words that I can think of to describe this record. If you have had a reason to dislike Converge in the past, give this record a chance. You my be pleasantly surprised by this record. You get a little bit of everything along with a new thrash feel, too. Good record for a rainy day.”
1. Gaza, No Absolutes in Human Suffering
“This without question is my favorite heavy record of the year. Between the relentless pace, tasteful technicality, and bellowing vocals that would make even Death himself shit his robes–this record blends the prefect mix of grind, death metal, and punk. Perfect for someone that doesn’t have their head stuck in the sand.”
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Leading up to the end of the year, Revolver has asked some of our favorite artists to pick their Top Albums of 2012 and tell us why each record rules. Here, vocalist JR Hayes (pictured far right) and guitarist Scott Hull (pictured second from left) of the grindcore band Pig Destroyer, select their faves.
JR Hayes:
5. Haarp, Husks
“More subtle and moody than their ultra brutal debut. This one took a while to grow on me, but now I’m hooked. Shaun Emmons has one of the most intense roars in all of extreme music.”
4. Testament, Dark Roots of Earth
“A powerful and triumphant statement from these thrash metal lifers. The riffs, the leads, the drumming, the production, even the artwork–this record kills it all the way around.”
3. Author & Punisher, Ursus Americanus
“Just when I thought I’d heard it all, here comes Author & Punisher to blow mind into a thousand pieces. If an evil super computer started a metal band, it would probably sound like this.”
2. NON, Back to Mono
“This was my most anticipated record of the year, and it did not disappoint. Mr. Rice even throws in a couple raw live performances from the ’70s just to show off.”
1. Killing Joke, MMXII
“The Joke have been on a roll for quite a while now, but this album is as good or better than anything they’ve ever done, and they have a list of classic albums as long as your arm.”
Scott Hull:
5. Converge, All We Love We Leave Behind
“Had I gotten this a little sooner, it probably would be the first on my list. I’ve only listened to it once and it is amazing. It’s inspiring to see a band that’s been around continue to improve on themselves and move forward.”
4. Serpentine Path, Serpentine Path
“This CD is super dense. Also kinda like old school. Heavy, loud. This one goes to 11.”
3. Hooded Menace, Effigies of Evil
“Gnarly cross between Celtic Frost and Iron Maiden. I like when old school becomes the new school again.”
2. The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza, Danza 4: The Alpha–The Omega
“I suppose this leans more towards the metalcore end of the spectrum, and I hate to use labels. Let’s call them neighborhoods. Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza are close to that neighborhood and I’m not generally there much, but this CD is as catchy as it is heavy. Wasn’t expecting it. Very pleasantly surprised.”
1. Gaza, No Absolutes in Human Suffering
“Everything I had hoped for in a new CD from these guys. Absolutely ripping. Absolutely dark. Gaza doesn’t give a fuck what you think.”
It’s Tuesday–the day that music comes out–and this one sees shit from Down, Vision of Disorder, Becoming the Archtype, Devin Townsend, and more hitting stores. Check out the list of releases below and let us know which ones you have already or are planning to pick up.
- All Human – Catholic Guilt or the Queerest of Thoughts
- The Amity Affliction – The Amity Affliction
- Bad Powers – Bad Powers
- Becoming The Archetype – I Am
- The Devin Townsend Project – Epicloud
- Down – Down IV Part I – The Purple EP
- Ensiferum – Unsung Heroes
- Fear and the Nervous System – Fear and the Nervous System
- haarp – Husks
- Hexvessel – No Holier Temple
- James Iha – Look to the Sky
- Letters from the Fire – Rebirth
- Liv Kristine – Libertine
- Local H – Hallelujah! I’m a Bum
- Lowtalker – The Marathon
- Norska – Norska
- Projected – Human
- Rabbits – Bites Rises
- Rival Sons – Head Down
- Ufomammut – Oro: Opus Alter
- Vision Of Disorder – The Cursed Remain Cursed