01) Rolo Tomassi, Where Myth Becomes Memory (MNRK Heavy)
Sometimes, an album just comes along at the right time. That’s a big deal, because I’m not in the mood for every kind of sound all the time. However, I do always want to find albums that truly sound beautiful. That word is subjective, especially with music, but in my case a beautiful album balances harshness and harmony, rage and tenderness, screams and caresses. That’s what it felt like listening to Rolo Tomassi’s Where Myth Becomes Memory, a superb mix of mathy experimental post-hardcore that had me hooked the moment I heard Eva Korman’s hypnotizing voice on album opener “Almost Always.” From there, the album dips back and forth into different pools of sound like a painter’s palette, moving from heavy to melodious to mathy to hardcore. “Drip” exemplifies this melding of sounds with its tireless opening snare beat, the thunderous middle, and beautiful piano lines overlaying it all towards the end. At the time this album came out, I wasn’t listening to a lot of music, but then I heard this one and…well, sometimes an album comes along at the right time.
Key Track: “Drip”
Honorable Mentions:
Midnite Hellion, Kingdom Immortal (Power Chord)
Cult of Luna, The Long Road North (Metal Blade)
SpiritWorld, DEATHWESTERN (Century Media)
