NEILL JAMESON CAN’T SHUT THE FUCK UP: 2023 LIST I

photo by Hillarie Jason

(One of the perennial highlights of our year-end LISTMANIA series are the articles Neill Jameson has contributed, and we’re very happy that he’s doing so again this year. This one is the first of a handful of Parts we’ll be publishing. To be clear, Neill wrote the title of this feature himself. And hey, you should check out Krieg‘s new album Ruiner too.)

I’m getting a later start on these this year, meaning I’ve already seen a lot of year-end lists, mostly due to checking to see if my last album made any of them. And because of this I could easily make the joke that most journalists have Helen Keller’s musical taste. I’d like to think I’m above such low hanging fruit, however.

In years past I’ve sectioned these lists off by demos, albums and dungeon synth. This year I’m ignoring that format in favor of dumping a ton of unrelated genres together outside of the final one, which will be the traditional “best of” list. Why am I doing this? I’m glad you asked and showed sincere curiosity: in the customer service industry we’ve begun using the phrase “surprise and delight the customer” and I’d like to take this wonderful philosophy into my writing. 

Or I’m just lazier than usual this year. Because fuck the customer. 

Keep in mind, these lists are my opinion and are meant to help showcase some of the music I’ve spent the last twelve months listening to. It does not serve as an invitation for the “but you forgot..” discourse, especially since my memory is pretty fucking good. Don’t like the list? That’s fine, make your own. 

A final note before we get started: thanks and hello to all of the bands and labels who have added me on social media starting mid-November and will unfollow me come mid-January. It’s become a holiday tradition in my household.

 

Peace Vaults “I & II” (Crypt of the Wizard)

I & II | Peace Vaults | Crypt of the Wizard (bandcamp.com)

Sometimes you get your wish. In this case, mine was to have both Peace Vaults demos in my collection and on vinyl. Thankfully, the good folks at Crypt of the Wizard have made that a reality.

Peace Vaults is what you would imagine a mixture of Ildjarn and New Order would sound like, sitting comfortably near their fellow countrymen in Brånd. Austria produces excellence when it comes to black metal melded with punk/post punk and this was the finest the scene offered this year.

 

Häxanu “Totenpass” (Amor Fati)

Häxanu – Totenpass | Amor Fati Productions (bandcamp.com)

Alex Poole had a pretty busy year, much like the last decade or so, and while every project has been worth paying attention to, I think my favorite has been Häxanu. Totenpass builds solidly on the foundation laid down on 2020’s Snare of All Salvation while continuing to push further.

I hate to use the term “catchy” to describe anything non-sexually transmitted but Totenpass is rife with earworms. If traditional Swedish style black metal (think mid-’90s, Setherial, Algain, Svartysn… you get the idea) with extremely memorable riffs and punishing vocals are your thing then you’d be a dullard for not giving this a listen.

 

Anonymous Skull “Oh to be Forgotten” (Deathful Lust)

Anonymous Skull | Anonymous Skull | Deathful Lust (bandcamp.com)

For the three demos before this debut full-length Anonymous Skull has taken genre convention and buried it deeply in the woods. From post-punk black metal dreariness to haunting spectral dark ambient to filthy harsh noise, he never seems to stand in one shadow too long.

For Oh to be Forgotten we find a mixture of everything the project has done in the past, with more of a focus on harsh black metal structure. This is a fucked up project that continually produces fucked up listening experiences, with Oh to be Forgotten continuing the tradition. 

 

Púca “Demo” (Moonworshipper Records)

Demo | Púca | Moonworshipper Records (bandcamp.com)

This was somewhat of a surprise because judging by the cover you’d think it would be some kind of folk inspired campfire shit but I guess that’s why you’re not supposed to do that. Based on it’s pedigree, however, I gave it a shot and was surprised with anthemic VON (pre-VON Goat and VON™ Group LLC) worship with soaring fucking solos. Totally crushing and not the last time you’ll see Púca on this list.

 

Agonize “Agonize” (Self released)

Agonize. | Agonize. (bandcamp.com)

This was one of the most interesting demos I heard this year. The first half is distant and haunting dark ambient that fades away into solitary, sparse piano arrangements for the rest of the recording. I found myself obsessed with it during the late winter months. It’s a shame it never saw a physical release but if you’re looking for spiritual loneliness, Agonize is a nice stop on that search.

 

Ruin Trajectory/Chevalier Skrog “Hampshire Bohemian Horde” (Pant Y Meddegon)

Hampshire Bohemian Horde | Ruin Trajectory / Chevalier Skrog | Ruin Trajectory (bandcamp.com)

Having been possessed by the Heraldic Scourge Anthem demo from Ruin Trajectory earlier this year, the news of this split caught my attention instantly. Here Ruin Trajectory performs four tracks of late period Rudimentary Peni meets Ildjarn black/punk and is easily the project’s best work.

Chevalier Skrog has one song of rotten punk infused black metal and was my introduction to the project. One of the best splits in black metal this year and a vinyl version is on the way via Legion Blotan.

 

Absolute Key “The Third Level of Decay” (Signal Rex)

Music | Absolute Key (bandcamp.com)

Sure, this was released at the very end of 2022 but I didn’t listen to it until January, so that counts. Don’t like it? Fuck off, I don’t make the rules. The Third Level of Decay is an absolute mindfuck, outsider black metal meets harsh noise in a disturbing, challenging listen. Antti Klemi (Circle of Ouroborus) is extremely active with this project and has released at least half a dozen recordings since this, each their own entity, but The Third Level of Decay has been the most infectious to my mind yet oddly soothing to my soul. 

 

Herrgottsblick “XII-XXI” (Tour De Garde)

Herrgottsblick XII-XXI | Herrgottsblick (bandcamp.com)

As I get older I find that I need more out of the dungeon synth I spend my time with, especially as the genre is so bloated with absolute bullshit. Which means when I find something that speaks to me, that makes it all the more special to me. Herrgottsblick is one of those rarities. With this third demo it feels as though the project veered into old churches and archaic hymnals, a very religious feeling overall. This is a very special demo from a project that continues to mesmerize me.

 

Dødheimsgard “Black Medium Current” (Peaceville)

https://peaceville.bandcamp.com/album/black-medium-current

Ever since Satanic Art it’s felt that Dødheimsgard has wandered, sometimes straying too far from their path for me to follow. I’ve always appreciated their willingness to take risks and experiment, even if it wasn’t for me, but until Black Medium Current nothing had really gripped me the way their early work did. But this album is a fucking megalith. It feels like it pulls from every era of the band without any whimsy, and a jet black focus. Vicotnik’s vocals are incredible here and it finally feels like Aldrahn’s departure isn’t a setback but an opportunity. Exceptional album.

 

***

And so these nine end the first wave. If you haven’t seen your band mentioned yet, don’t worry, you won’t. I’ll be back soon with the next batch of choice releases from 2023, try not to miss me too much.