LISTMANIA 2016: VONLUGHLIO’S OTHER FAVORITE EXTREME METAL ALBUMS OF 2016

 

(This is the third and final 2016 year-end list prepared by our friend Vonlughlio, which compiles favorite extreme metal albums in genres other than Brutal Death Metal — which was exclusively the subject of Part 2 of his lists yesterday.)

As I explained in my previous list of favorite BDM albums, this year I wanted to separate that genre from the others since it’s my favorite. In this list are the albums by bands from other extreme metal genres that I liked the most.

And here it goes:

 

 

50. Christ Agony – Legacy

A band that’s been releasing great black metal for over 25 years. Five years after the release of Nocturn comes this new opus that just has top-notch musicianship and vocals.

 

 

 

49. Imperium – Titanomachy

Amazing band from the UK who released their sophomore album, which is musically precise and technical. With Mr. Anderson (drummer of Unfathomable Ruiniation) on vocals, which is another great aspect of this release.

 

 

 

48. Wormrot – Voices

I do listen to some grind (even if it’s not one of my favorite genres), and this band keeps getting better and better with each release. This album is full of vocals, guitar, and drums with the kind of energy that just pumps you up.

 

 

 

47. Phobocosm – Bringer of Drought

Such a talented death metal band from Canada. They released their new album last year and it displays the quality of their music even further. I enjoyed this more than their debut album.

 

 

 

46. Scoched – Echoes of Dismemberment

This band I discovered by looking through the Unspeakable Axe Bandcamp page. This album is great death metal with great song structures. My favorite aspect is the vocals.

 

 

 

45. Auroch – Mute Books

This album is full of killer drumming, guitar riffs, and vocals that I feel go along with the music. I personally liked this even more than their second album.

 

 

 

44. Sentient Horror – Ungodly Forms

A debut that just blew me away from the first listen, with production on this release that enhances the songs. Favorite aspects are the guitars and vocals.

 

 

 

43. Ghoulgota – To Starve the Cross

They released their first album last year and I liked it, but on this new one they went even further with their sound, and the result is fantastic.

 

 

 

42. Ribspreader – Suicide Gare , A Bridge to Death

A project of Mr. Rogga Johansson that I adore, and this album for me is one of their finest works. The guitar and drums are done very well, and Rogga’s vocals are killer.

 

 

 

41. Vader – The EMPIRE

This band is so consistent in releasing good music and have again combined Death/Thrash with great taste.

 

 

 

40. Echelon – The Brimstone Aggradizement

Musically this album is very good Death Metal, and Mr. Ingram on vocals is at the top of his game with this performance. The man can do no wrong.

 

 

 

39. Fatalist – Bitter End

An old school influenced death metal band that released their debut album. I just love the guitar tone and how it meshes with the vocals and drum performances.

 

 

 

38. Ash Borer – The Irrepassable Gate

Even though Cold of Ages is my favorite release from Ash Borer, this is a great album. For me it’s is different, but it showcases how good the songwriting is and how talented the musicians are.

 

37. Church of Disgust – Veneration of Filth

I found out about this band thanks to my friend Mr. Armijo and decided to check their album. Glad I did, ’cause it’s Death Metal done right. The vocals and guitar performances are the highlights for me.

 

 

 

36. Dawn of Disease – Woship The Grave

A band that should get more recognition for the amazing work they are doing. For me, this is my favorite of their three albums. Fantastic Melodic Death Metal.

 

 

 

 

35. Ripper – Experiment of Existence

I have to say that this is my favorite Thrash album of the year. Great musicianship in each department, though I have to say that the bass and drum performances are the highlight of this release.

 

 

 

34. Vanhelgd – Temple of Phobos

I’ve always enjoyed this band’s work, and this album is no exception. It’s full of great music in each of the songs, with vocals that go hand-in-hand with the instrumental work.

 

 

 

33. Vermin Womb – Decline

Vermin Womb released an album that just transmits hate, despair, and loss through the powerful vocals, and the music is at the same level.

 

 

 

32. Asphyx – Incoming Death

For over 20 years (with breaks) this band has given us great Death Metal. This album comes after 2012’s Deathhammer and I enjoyed this one even more.

 

 

 

 

31. Ruinous – Graves of Ceaseless Death

With band members who have deep experience in Death Metal, Ruinous produced a killer release, highlighted by the guitar work (though I love the vocals and drum performances as well).

 

 

 

30. Rebaellium – The Hell’s Decree

This band made their comeback after 15 years. I was fortunate to do a small write-up about them here at NCS.   This album is not as raw as their first and second albums, but the fire and energy are there — the guitar, vocals, and drumming are all outstanding

 

 

 

29. Warfather – The Grey Eminence

Mr. Tucker gives us an amazing vocal performance on a sophomore release of this project that’s even better than the debut, in all the departments.

 

 

 

28. Brutally Deceased – Satanic Corpse

With members of Heaving Eearth I decided to check them out and sure they are way different in sound I like their song structure of their songs. Vocals and guitars are my most favorite aspects.

 

 

 

27. Abnormality – Mechanisms Of Omniscience

The second release from this band, and it excels in the way they mix the brutal and the technical elements in their song structures. They stepped it up with this album big time, and the vocals are simply mesmerizing.

 

 

 

26. Vacuus – Eternal Continuum Hallucination

This debut album has a special place in my heart. This project was started by Mr. Chrosciewicz with a clear vision of what Progressive Death Metal should be.

 

 

 

25. Embalmer – Emanations From the Crypts

This album just crushes (in a good way) from start to finish with a tight drum performance, vocals that are on point, and guitars riffs for days.

 

 

 

24. Defeated Sanity – Disposal of the Dead //Dharmata

This is a Brutal Death Metal band, but with this release they decided to experiment in the Dharmata part. Overall, the end result is fantastic.

 

 

 

23. Dark Funeral – Where Shadows Forever Reign

After seven years this amazing band released a new album that has become one of my favorite release from them, after The Secrets of the Black Arts. I hope they continue along this path.

 

 

 

 

22. Aborted – Retrogore

I’ve always loved this band’s work, and out of their last three releases this is the best of them all. A perfect mix of brutal and technical elements. All the musicians are very talented and work very well together creating new music.

 

 

 

 

21. Zealotry – The Last Witness

I became fan of this band back in 2013 with the release of their debut album. Flash forward to 2016, and we get their second effort, which is filled with stellar guitar and drum performances.

 

 

 

20. Irkallian Oracle – Apollyon

One of my favorite Black/Death releases of this year with great atmosphere and raw production. Haunting vocals, mesmerizing guitar, and the drums are perfectly executed.

https://nuclearwarnowproductions.bandcamp.com/album/apollyon

 

 

 

19. Inquisition – Bloodshed Across The Empyrean Altar Beyond The Celestial Zenith

A black metal band who have never released a bad album, and this one has become one of my favorite. The vocals and guitar work are top-notch, and the drum work is done perfectly.

 

 

 

18. Altarage – Nihl  

This mysterious Black/Death Metal band released their debut album, and it’s full of addictive riffs in each of the songs. The vocals and drums are also well-done.

 

 

 

17. Darkthrome – Arctic Thunder

This band has a special place in my heart. They can take whatever musical direction they wish, and I would dig it. This album has great guitar and vocals, which have always been my favorite aspects in each of their music efforts.

 

 

 

 

16. Obscura – Akróasis

For me this album showcased great songwriting skills from all the musicians involved. The guitar solos are to die for. The bass and drum performances are precise and one of things I enjoyed the most.

 

 

 

15. Mare Cognitum – Luminiferous Aether

A one-man Black Metal project that with each release keeps evolving and creating new music that doesn’t resemble its past self. This album is by far my favorite release from all of his albums.

 

 

 

14. Katatonia – The Fall of our Hearts

A band that has been around for more than 20 years, and it’s fascinating how through time their music has evolved and how it brings peace to my mind every time I listen. One band that I simply wish would go on forever.

 

 

 

 

13. Forteresse – Themes Pour la Rebellion

I wasn’t aware of this Black Metal band from Canada until I saw a post from a friend on FB. I liked what I heard from the get-go.

 

 

 

 

12. Temple Nightside – The Hecatomb

I found out about Temple Nightside last year, and boy, I wish I had discovered them back in 2013 with the release of their debut album (great Black/Death ). This time around there are some dooms elements in the songs that work perfectly with their sound.

 

 

 

11. Ulcerate – Shrines of Paralysis

Ulcerate never cease to amaze me with each of their releases. The vocals and guitars are top-notch and the drums are just insane in each of the songs.

 

 

 

10. Vektor – Terminal Redux

I’ve been a fan from them for a while — they have been my favorite Progressive Thrash Metal band. The vocals are very distinctive, and the album displays astonishing guitar, bass, and drum work.

 

 

 

9. Cultes des Ghoules – Coven, or Evil ways instead of Love

This band right just released their best work to date for me. I loved Henbane, but it has gone to second place. Over an hour this album lasts, and you need to relax and enjoy the music.

 

 

 

 

8. Antaeus – Condemnation

It has been a ten-year wait for this album, and once you listen, it’s like they never went away. Black Metal that is relentless and in your face with the raw sound, haunting vocals, and amazing riffs.

 

 

 

7. Blood Incantation – Starspwan

Their EP last year was in my favorites from 2015, and now this debut album has become one of my all-time favorites. The hype is real — this band is one of the best at what they do.

 

 

 

6. Anciients – Voice of th Void

I have a soft spot for this band. I love how they combine the progressive elements with metal. Guitar riffs for days, and the mix of clean and harsh vocals is just the best. Their debut was spectacular, but this album is far better.

 

 

 

5. Gevurah – Halleujah!

A mysterious Black Metal band that I found thanks to Mr. Armijo. The vocals, the guitars, and the drums along with the atmosphere in each of the songs makes this an addictive album.

 

 

 

4. Deathspell Omega – The Synarchy of Molten Bones

One of my all-time favorite bands, ever, have now released one of the shortest albums in their catalogue and yet one of their best. The songs leaning toward Death rather than Black.

 

 

 

3. Chthe’ilist – Le Denier Crepuscule

A lot of people (including me) were anticipating this album, and it is one of the best Death Metal releases of 2016. These guys are talented as hell.

 

 

 

2. Krypts – Remnants of Expansion

I enjoyed this album very much and believe it is a step up from their wonderful 2013 debut album — shorter, butt I found it more effective. I hope that this band continues on this path and has a long career.

 

 

 

1. Unfathomable Ruination – Finitude

I’ve been a fan of Unfathomable Ruination since their demo. They have a perfect mix of Technical and Brutal elements. Their first album was fast and full of blast, with guitar work that blew me away. Now, with their second album, they have evolved, and the songwriting is much better, mixing Death, Technical, and Brutal Death with precision, while adding feeling to each of the songs in a way that gives them their own entity, while adding to the lyrical theme of the album.

They are a bunch of talented lads no doubt, and happen to be my favorite UK band. They show great skill, and I hope their music continues. The vocals go well with the songs, the riffs and solos are to die for, and the drumming is superb.