06) Lord Mantis – Spawning The Nephilim (Seventh Rule Recordings)
In a churning blackened-sludge frenzy, Chicago’s Lord Mantis kicked off their turbulent career with vim and vigor. Rather than employing the plodding tempos of sludge, Spawning The Nephilim is varied, engaging, and most importantly, it never lets up on the aggression. Down-tuned experimentation flows from one song to the next with staggering finesse, taking the world by storm with an end product that’s ruthless and raw, yet still musically solid.
07) Oranssi Pazuzu – Muukalainen Puhuu (Svart Records)
While their career was defined in 2016 with the acclaimed release of Värähtelijä, Oranssi Pazuzu’s first album was no less of a game-changer. Muukalainen Puhuu was recorded in drummer Korjak’s family cabin, where warped, atonal riffs, rock-based grooves, cosmic sound effects, and detached-yet-meticulous musicianship came together to transcend the limits of everything metal. 1970s avant-garde tangents keep listeners on their toes, though they forgo the spastic impulses of other bands that tout the “avant-garde” modifier in favor of a much more cohesive sound.
08) Red Fang – Red Fang (Sargent House)
Now a household name in the world of stoner metal, Red Fang’s full-length debut was really the fusing of two EPs that came out during the band’s first years on the road. The result is a lively, riff-centric ripper with subtle musical complexities that will stand out to the discerning ear, but otherwise blend right in among the fuzz.
09) Shrinebuilder – Shrinebuilder (Neurot Recordings)
When I first encountered this band, based off the name, I was expecting something along the lines of esoteric transcendental black metal malarkey. Instead, I was met with first-rate Sabbath worship — which makes sense, considering the supergroup features members of Neurosis, Sleep, Melvins, Saint Vitus, and Om. However, Shrinebuilder have been dormant since their debut, with no other releases in the past decade.
10) Worm Ouroboros – Worm Ouroboros (Profound Lore Records)
Graceful. Haunting. Delicate. More often contemplative than crushing, Worm Ouroboros is a harrowing journey into the core of human nature. Classical influences and operatic vocals make appearances throughout, with bassist/vocalist Lorraine Rath serving as a grounding force to the otherwise ethereal, ambient work. While the record is overall minimalistic, those wanting something with more weight will find solace in the occasional bout of doom-laden heaviness.
