Lycus - Tempest (2013)

Epic, mournful funeral doom. Happy holidays and may the new decade bring us more doom.

and may our planet be more peaceful

Alphonse Mouzon - The Man Incognito (1976)

Released on Blue Note, The Man Incognito is Alphonse Mouzon's fourth album. Largely instrumental jazz/funk, trippy space vibes.

O boi

JK Flesh - New Horizon (2018)

New Horizon is one of Justin Broadrick's latest efforts. In this record, and as is the case with the majority of the JK Flesh moniker, this record brings punishing industrial numbers tinted in minimal techno. Justin's love for dub remains underlined throughout the record, presented in his own demented and twisted take. Justin comments on this record: "I actually reduce things down so they sound more like a machine for me, not like a musical instrument. It's somewhat trying to remove myself from the music and remove all shred of humanity."

Human manufacturing process

Chelsea Wolfe - Birth of Violence (2019)

Chelsea does it again, this time in the form of gothic folk rock. This presents a melancholic and quiet vibe. Plenty of growers on this record. Perfect for the autumn time. Definitely among my best of the year list.

You will forgive me if I'm lean 
Or comatose on codeine

Miroslav Vitouš - Emergence (1986)

ECM ambient jazz from double-bassist Miroslav Vitous, whose instrument is the only present component in this record. Passionate and skillful playing.

I normally like to share youtube links from songs to give a taste of the album, but I can't find anything on youtube from this one.

Yep this is it

King Diamond - The Eye (1990)

Wishing I had more time to share more albums, but time and life getting in the way. Here's my favourite Kind Diamond record. Like most of his albums, each track is solid, especially on this one.

From Wikipedia:
His two prior concept albums had been told from the perspective of the protagonists; this one is told from the view of a narrator. The themes of Christian atrocity with the persecution of alleged witches and sexual abuse against nuns are present. The story starts off with an unnamed character finding a necklace called "The Eye", that allows him/her to see the events the necklace was witness for in the past. They see an accused witch named Jeanne Dibasson being tortured and burned at the stake. Next they see two little girls finding the necklace in the ashes at a stake, and what they see when they look in the eye kills them. Finally there is the story of Madeleine Bavent, a nun working in the Louviers convent, who finds the necklace and decides to put it on. After being raped by Father David, she uses the necklace to kill him by making him look into it. Shortly after, the new Chaplain, Father Picard, arrives and starts bringing everyone to communion. He winds up lacing their communion wine with some substance that lets him control their minds, and uses a group of nuns including Madeleine to ritually torture and kill children. In 1642 all are arrested and imprisoned.

The main parts of the stories told on this album are true, and took place during the French Inquisition, 1450-1670. All of the following characters are real and from that period of time:

Nicolas de la Reynie (spelled "Nicholas de La Reymie" in the lyrics): Head investigator of the Christian Burning Court (Chambre Ardente), in Paris, France.
Jeanne Dibasson: Supposed witch.
Madeleine Bavent: 18-year-old French nun who entered the convent at Louviers in 1625, after having been seduced by a priest. Died in 1647 in prison.
Father Pierre David: Chaplain of the convent at Louviers till his death in 1628.
Father Mathurin Picard: Chaplain of the convent at Louviers from 1628 to his death in 1642. [See also Louviers possessions.]
This marked the first King Diamond album without Mikkey Dee recording the drums. The drummer on this album was Snowy Shaw (despite popular belief, King said that no drum machine was used on the album, Snowy actually played on drum pads instead of proper drums). Falcao wrote "Two Little Girls" with King Diamond, but wasn't credited.

In the dungeon blood is everywhere

Globular - Entangled Everything (2018)

"Globular (Morison Bennett) brings us his fourth full-length album, the fan-funded Entangled Everything, demonstrating a natural and welcome progression from his previous works. This album features an eclectic blend of all things dubby, drippy, and trippy, endlessly layered and bursting with emotional crescendos that will have you coming back time and again. All music written and produced by Morison Bennett. Piano and flute on “The Chalice” by Chris Charles (AKA Geoglyph). Design and artwork by Incedigris. Inspiration on “Dasein”‘ from Light Wizard. Mastering by Kevin Metcalfe. Physical media versions of this album are also available from Bandcamp!"

Iron lion

Domains - Sinister Ceremonies (2014)

Spanish death metal in the vein of Morbid Angel and Immolation. One of my favourite death metal records of the decade.

RIFFS

מזמור (Mizmor) - Yodh (2016)

A blackened doom metal behemoth. Mizmor is a one-man project executed by the drummer of Hell (US sludge/doom). I love how representative the artwork is of the music. Heavy, gloomy, MASSIVE. This is shared in high anticipation for the upcoming record.

To be human is to hurt 

Pain, a condition for life

Merciless - The Awakening (1990)

One of Sweden's finest death metal outputs. Evil, fast, vicious, thrashy rifffest. This was released through Euronymous' Deathlike Silence Productions.

Don't let the bastards grind you down

Skee Mask - Compro (2018)

Breakbeat-infused ambient/dub techno accompanied by nocturnal synths.

A pony is a small horse

Jóhann Jóhannsson - Mandy OST (2018)

Can't emphasize enough how stunning this future cult classic film is. The way the visuals, story, emotions, the soundtrack (!!) blend is out of this world. The fucking soundtrack enriches the whole experience so much. It's such a pity Jóhann Jóhannsson OD'd on a combination of cocaine and medication even before the film was even released (R.I.P.). This soundtrack also features contributions from Stephen O'Malley of Sunn O))) and Hildur Guðnadóttir, whose impressively growing portfolio most recently included Chernobyl's OST and the latest Sunn O))) album, Life Metal. If you haven't seen the film yet, I highly recommend watching it. Soon. And if you inject marijuanas, treat yourself with one while at it.

Horns of abraxas

██████ - Demo (2013)

██████, or NIC, or NOTHING, is a post-black metal from Pilsen, Czech Republic. Great blend of black metal with emotional post-rock and hardcore influences.

Too much water can kill you

Tribes of Neurot - Grace (1999)

Tribes of Neurot is a sideproject consisting of all the members of Neurosis. Despite doing numerous standalone records, this one is intended to be simultaneously played along with Neurosis' Times of Grace for maximum effect. There are versions that combine both of the original and the TON interpretation together. On its own though, this creates a very ominous sound, sending the psyche to contemplative and dark places.

Standing in the doorway

El Ten Eleven - Every Direction Is North (2007)

Two-piece uplifting post-rock that would make a great Sims soundtrack. What makes it more impressive is that one member uses a guitar/bass doubleneck and another drums and plays keys. Lot of looping and cool effects.

As an aside, it is interesting to note that a ton of marijuana, sold as green manure because of its nutrient content, was only $5.50 in 1917