Cult of Luna - Somewhere Along the Highway (2006)

Holy shit, what can I say about this? In 2006 Cult of Luna released this monumental post-metal/atmospheric sludge metal album. This might very well be my favourite post-metal album, let alone being among the best metal albums of all time in my book. It's the kind of album that when I feel like listening to a particular song off it, I can't help but continue all of it, though I usually always start it from the start. A deep, self-contemplative emotional trip parallel to a religious experience which I highly recommend to everyone to experience, whether you like metal or not.

I was spoiled enough to witness them resurrect this masterpiece to life at Roadburn 2016. It was the very first band at the four-day festival - after finishing the set, I was so shaken, and thinking "Now what? I could go home happy now." It was life-shattering to say the least.

According to guitarist Erik Olofsson, SATH is about "Male loneliness - I was very inspired by a book by J.M. Coetzee [Life & Times of Michael K] about a man in South Africa with a hare lip. [The character] escapes from everything and lives off the earth eating only pumpkings. Johannes Persson [guitar, vocals, lyrics] had similar ideas for the lyrics about loneliness, it has a countryside vibe to it." The latter is further highlighted by banjo in some moments. If you missed it in the first paragraph, I highly recommend this.

Let me dream if only for tonight, that we leave together in the first morning light. 
 Alone and forgotten. I bow my head in shame. 
 Before you all answers reveal. So I sink my sorrows in the sea.

Drudkh - Anti-Urban (2007)

This little EP by Ukrainian black metal cult leaders Drudkh consists of two tracks. The first being Fallen Into Oblivion, a slow-paced instrumental. The second, which highlights this release for me is riff-laden Ashes. It's more upbeat compared to the former. Atmospheric, simple, sorrowful and raw.

People think that talking is a sign of thinking. It isn't, for the most part' on the contrary, it's a mechanical dodge of the body to relieve oneself of the strain of thinking, just as exercising the muscles helps the body to become temporarily unconscious of its weight, its pain, its weariness, and the foreknowledge of its doom.

Healer - HigherGrounds (2004)

Lovingly pinched from Ektoplazm:

'HigherGrounds is the second full-length release by Healer, the downtempo and ambient project of Swedish producer Michael Andresen. Originally released in 2004, this lightly mixed album is an elegant example of soothing melodic downtempo filled with evolving soundscapes and deep, luxurious rhythms.'

Ektoplazm

Les Claypool's Duo De Twang - Four Foot Shack (2014)

Claypool needs no introduction, and if the name doesn't ring a bell to you, maybe today is your lucky day because this album is a great vehicle to familiarize with the bass wizard. Four Foot Shack is an acoustic bass country/hillbilly/americana album with bluegrass tinges. The album contains one original and fourteen covers, although most of the 'covers' are Claypool and Primus songs.

She got paint above her eyeballs and powder on and up in her nose. She got tits made out of recycled bottles, her hair flipped up in a twirl

Impulse Manslaughter - He Who Laughs Last... Laughs Alone (1987)

When I started getting into metal and punk, I discovered and got into this one at about 13 on a blog. Since then, it had remained among my favourite crossover releases. I never recall anyone really mentioning or talking about it after discovering it, online or irl. Recently I found a physical of this and my jaw literally dropped. A few days ago I fucking acquired it and to make it sassier it was a sexyass green vinyl. So I'm celebrating the occasion of having it (and christmas) by sharing this gnarly kickass crossover thrash gem with you. Enjoy!

DESTROY POPULATION

Demilich - Nespithe (1993)

As weird as Finnish death metal gets. Warped riffs, angry toad vocals, schizophrenic lyrics and overall atmosphere that'll turn you into one of the blokes on the album art. Essential. One of the best metal albums. Highly recommended.

All christians and satanists you see must be crucified before they flee. You're allowed to eat every soul. You avoid it, they are too foul. You know there's no God or Belial. You mission's to show the only way is denial.

Jessica Pratt - On Your Own Love Again (2015)

I don't remember how this one slipped into my library but I checked it out a few days ago and I'm enjoying it more everyday. Contemporary acoustic folk with soft vocals. Great tracks throughout and nice to mellow out to in winter.

People's faces blend together like a watercolor you can't remember in time

Nuclear Devastation - Inferno (2016)

Amsterdam-based motorcharged thrash/death/black metal crust. Relentless riffing, shreds and remorseless drumming that'll obliterate your ass to oblivion, with occasional sludgy/doom moments. May be my favourite band from the Netherlands, at least among the currently active ones. Fans of Black Breath would dig. Fucking great live too.

THRASH

If you like this, check out:
Invincible Force - Satan Rebellion Metal (2015)

Dead Can Dance - Dance Can Dance (1984)

God-tier ethereal post-punk / darkwave complimented by contagious melodies, tasty riffs, Lisa Gerrard's soulful (Frontier, Musica Eterna), sometimes-demented (Ocean), but nevertheless far-out vocals, and Brendan Perry's magick. Highly recommended. I hope someone gets into DCD and the immersive world of their music through this post. If you've got recommendations based on this album, feel free to drop a comment!

As the wheel spins and turns the fortunate ones are seen to emerge.

Brand X - Morrocan Roll (1977)

Jazz fusion that's sometimes lumped with progressive rock from the UK. Been previously familiar with Unorthodox Behaviour (which I highly recommend) until I found this at the record store and it's been getting daily spins from me almost everyday I work there - and I always get asked 'what's playing?' so you know it's good. This record also features some slick sitar on some tracks. Overall masterful and inspired instrumentation. If you're into instrument porn, then you should hear this. I mean it's jazz fusion from 77, cmon.

Why should I lend you mine when you've already broken yours?