Something a little different from the usual stuff found here, this time Pete, uh, plays music rather than video games. Not as much as I have in previous years but enough to form a pretty comprehensive top 10 list, including some metal, post rock and some pretty out-there electronic music too. I like to think I have a reasonably eclectic taste so hopefully there might be something here you can either relate to or better yet a totally new artist you might like the sound of. So without further ado, here are my top ten albums for 2015.
10. Panopticon – Autumn Eternal
Panopticon is a one-man metal band from the US fusing all sorts of genres together, starting Autum Eternal with a soothing country ballad before exploding into the more familiar black metal-esque sound that is prominent throughout the majority of the rest of album. It’s haunting and raw melodies are what make this album as good as it is and the drumming by Austin Dunn is as spectacular as his other work; he performs stellar guest drumming on Saor’s ‘Aura’ album which is what first drew me to his own project.
9. Ruby The Hatchet – Valley of The Snake
The best stoner metal release of 2015 by far, combining head-nodding riffs, catchy melodies and familiar grooves found throughout the genre going back to the 1970’s. Enjoyable from start to finish particularly for a debut album, the addition of an organ really makes Valley of The Snake stand out too.
8. Skeletal Remains – Condemned To Misery
One of the most anticipated death metal releases of the year, Skeletal Remains did not disappoint with the release of Condemned To Misery. It brings nothing new to the genre but when proper throwbacks to the heyday of the genre are hard to find this does what it sets out to do perfectly, with crushing riffs, pounding drums and vocals that compliment the chaos, Skeletal Remains comfortably take the crown of best death metal release of 2015.
Alan and Pete Play 