The metal albums we enjoyed most in 2016

2016 was a great year for metal music. When you are working in music industry and being part of a record label, store, magazine and website, you are associated with musicians, labels, promoters and editors daily, so metal besides of music, is your reality. One more year, I had the opportunity to listen to many new albums, but still, no one can say that listened everything. Everyone who claims that, is wrong. Also, you need to check the physical format to have the complete experience of an album, and not just have a quick listen on social networks, downloads or whatever. There are also the unlucky ones (the albums that released during December) that haven't got all the proper attention, since a few plays are not enough.

Below you will find (for start) 10 albums that I enjoyed most in 2016, and some of them (like 'The Eternalist') will follow me for the years to come, as pure classics.

1. AGATUS - The Eternalist
14 years have passed since the last Agatus album ('The Weaving Fates', 2002) but this long wait worth’s every single day, because with this release we witness history in the making. 'The Eternalist' is a genre-breaking album that captures the soul and passion of metal music through the visionary mind of its creator, Eskarth The Dark One. The Dark is without doubt a pure artist, a multi-instrumentalist, a creator with original ideas and vision. With the precious help and creative input of Vorskaath (Zemial), The Dark is offering to the metal universe an artistic creation that combines elements like the passion of Bathory, Warlord and ’70s-inspired prog melodies (in the vein of Eloy); epic majesty and pure metal that through the eyes and heart of The Dark transcends to a unique soundscape of dark heavy metal.

2. ETERNAL CHAMPION - The Armor Of Ire
Hammers, balls, guts and epic metal. One of the underground metal highlights of 2016 inspired by the Legends.

3. SUMERLANDS - Sumerlands
Genuine 80s metal worship and Phil Swanson on mic. Catchy, inspired, riff-driven and passionate, this is the kind of heavy metal we are looking (and praying) for, in the years to come.

4. FATES WARNING - Theories Of Flight
A great album by an old 80s established band. This is not something you see very often but Fates is not an ordinary band. 'Theories Of Flight' is the band's best album since 'A Pleasant SHade Of Gray' and it is filled with melody, their "regular" top notch songwriting, the best Ray Alder since ages and the heavy presence of Bobby Jarzombek. 

5. TAROT - Reflections
Do you miss Pagan Altar? 'Reflections' is the first full-length album of Tarot from Australia, after 'The Warrior's Spell', that was actually a compilation of the band's EPs. Nostalgic and beautiful, 'Reflections' is made of dreams, eerie landscapes and poetry, transformed in pure artistic music.

6. ASSASSIN'S BLADE - Agents Of Mystification
Another great debut album for 2016. A Swedish mob join forces with singer Jacques Belanger (ex-Exciter) and deliver us a pure metal offering inspired by Judas Priest, Mercyful Fate, Manilla Road and the spirit of Heavy Metal.

7. KHEMMIS - Hunted
Just a year after their debut full-length album ('Absolution'), the doomsters from Denver, Colorado, return with the perfect follow-up keeping their momentum strong. Once again, a great cover catches your eye before you even listen to the five songs herein. 'Hunted' is dominated by melody, the emotional vocal performance and along with gigantic riffs and the menhir-solid rhythm section it is irritant bizarre and defies the borders of traditional doom metal. 

8. THE TEMPLE - Forevermourn
Doom metal is perhaps the hardest sub-genre of our precious music sphere to get right. It really needs spirit and true passion to achieve the right result. All the songs on 'Forevermourn' seem to be forged and conceived from sorrow, regret and struggle, inspired by bands like Solstice, Warning and Isole. This is true doom metal indeed and so few new bands can truly claim that heavy crown.

9. SPELLCASTER - Night Hides The World
These guys, from Oregon, USA, have a great evolution and you won’t believe how good their third (and best so far) album is. 'Night Hides The World' is diverse and full of catchy, feel-good melodies. It might bring you in mind to a few of the (real) greats in metal, from bits of the Alder-era Fates Warning to Queensryche and Iron Maiden.

10. SACRED STEEL - Heavy Metal Sacrifice
Well, if you want to experience Heavy Metal in its purest form, you can't go wrong with Sacred Steel. Every time I listen an album by this German metal armada, I pray to transferred in their live shows at once.

 
Top 5 + 1 EPs / singles

1. SOLSTICE - To Sol A Thane
Loud uncompromised epic metal. Not for cunts.

2. WATCHTOWER - Concepts Of Math: Book One
Decades in the making, the line-up of 'Control And Resistance' cannot fail.

3. THE DOOMSDAY KINGDOM - Never Machine
The Doomfather (Leif Edling) with Niklas Stalvind (Wolf) on vocals, deliver us 4 tracks from the Sabbath catacombs. 

4. ASCALON - Reflections
UK vigilantes and probably the best newcomers of the so called "new wave of traditional heavy metal"

5. MAUSOLEUM GATE - Metal And The Might
A unique blend of 70s sounds, obscure metal and personality.

+ BLACK SABBATH - The End
Available only during their first live shows of the final tour, this is a special edition that contains 4 new studio tracks and 4 live recordings. Those 4 new tracks are in the usual Sabbath standards. Meaning, best of the best.

2016 was a great year for metal music. After many many years, QUICKSAND DREAM released their second album 'Beheading Tyrants' and that was a really nice surprise for 2016! Doomy epic metal with beautiful melodies and a great aura surrounding the songs. Portoguese metal warriors RAVENSIRE released their best effort yet, 'The Cycle Never Ends', in the beginning of 2016 and this is what you need before the battle in order to destroy your enemies and drink blood from their skulls.

DANG 'Monstrum Ex Machina' is the absolute outsider of 2016. A great multi dimensional album with 70s rock and prog elements, doom metal, heavy atmosphere and monsters from the underworld. Completely "outside of the box" is also the latest artistic creation of ZEMIAL 'The Repairer Of Reputations' that is available only digital at the moment, but you need to check it yourself.

Two classic US power metal acts had a killer comeback. HELSTAR with 'Vampiro' and METAL CHURCH with 'XI'. The latest album of METAL CHURCH was marked by the return of vocalist Mike Howe and even if few of the previous albums with Ronny Munroe on vocals were really good, it seems that this album was what fans wanted. On the other hand, the latest HELSTAR albums were not really good and had a more aggressive edge, that wasn't welcome by many of their fans, but 'Vampiro' is their best effort since their golden years in the 80s.

From older bands, the line-up change in German power metal legends RAGE was a relief for captain Peavey and 'The Devil Strikes Again' was indeed a strike we were looking for, from this great band. However, the real captain Rock n' Rolf returned with RUNNING WILD and 'Rapid Foray', and even if there are some strongs ideas and songs in the album, he really needs to consider again the band's line-up. I think that a call to Jorg Michael (drums) will be something that fans will really appreciate.

New (or close to "new") bands had also their share in 2016 with cool and enjoyable albums like MONUMENT ('Hair Of The Dog'), DEXTER WARD ('Rendezvous With Destiny'), HIGH SPIRITS ('Motivator') BLAZON STONE ('War Of The Roses'), HITTEN ('State Of Shock'), MONASTERIUM ('Monasterium') and WYTCH HAZEL ('Prelude') but few other not so new bands like SPIRITUS MORTIS ('The Year Is One') and WIDOW ('Carved In Stone') were nearly to the very best.

Besides what I really liked in 2016, there were many more albums and bands that must be mentioned if you want to have a right and correct retrospect, but this is not the point here. However, it is always important for the metal universe when a brand name like METALLICA or MEGADETH has a new album out there, but let's keep this for other sites.

What should we expect in 2017? A new album from the other few brand names is needed. Let's say that in my dreams I am expecting an album from OZZY in the vein of 'Bark At The Moon' and 'The Ultimate Sin' but let's stay on earth, where we are waiting for new albums from HEIR APPARENT, SOLSTICE, PAINFUL PRIDE and SAXON.

News are expected on the MANILLA ROAD family, too. Three albums are ready and scheduled for release during 2017. The new MANILLA ROAD album, the new HELLWELL album where Mark Shelton is working again with Randy 'Thrasher' Foxe on drums, and also a project where Mark Shelton is working with Rick Fisher on drums.

While BLACK SABBATH is coming to an end, Tony Iommi will probably compose music easier and according to some rumors he will might write few songs with Tony Martin that probably will be part in the future (?) reissues of albums like 'Headless Cross' and 'Tyr'. Meanwhile, since he already wrote a song like 'How Good It Is', we are expecting more surprises.

Have a great, healthy and lucky 2017.

ZEMIAL present "The Repairer Of Reputations"

Three years after their last full-length album (Nykta), ZEMIAL present a new 14min track in two parts under the enigmatic title "The Repairer Of Reputations". ZEMIAL is in talks with various labels for a vinyl release and the song is already available for digital purchase and you can find it in the band's bandcamp page here. 
Archon Vorskaath, the multi-instrumentalist genius behind ZEMIAL, steps into new dimensions and breaking away from the norm with this new artistic creation. Far beyond the early days of Black Metal, he now transcends into progressive paths converting to music, fairytale images, dark lullabies and Tim Burton-ish nightmares.
 
Meanwhile, on the AGATUS camp, where Vorskaath handles the drumset, "The Eternalist" is already available on CD format by Hells Hedbangers Records and the band is rehearsing for upcoming live shows, so stay tuned...
 
You can read a review for "The Eternalist" I've done for Iron Fist here.
 
You can also read a new interview with The Dark talking about AGATUS and "The Eternalist" again on Iron Fist, here.  

AGATUS Interview - The Dark One speaks...

AGATUS... A legendary band from Greece that dwells in Black Metal with many traditional metal elements, epic atmosphere and great musicianship. After many years, Eskarth The Dark One and Archon Vorskaath are back in Greece and recently the performed a return live show in Athens, supporting Primordial. This year, they released a new EP entitled "Gilgamesh" and a remastered version of their first album "Dawn Of Martyrdom" is on the way. Crystal Logic took the opportunity to exchange a few words with The Dark One...

So, you are back! After a few years of absence, first last year with “Night Mares” EP and this year with “Gilgamesh” EP. What have you done these years?

Indeed we are. I have been busy with various diverse projects over the last few years. The pre-production of the new Agatus album was recorded, (hopefully available next year). I toured with Zemial, did various shows and recordings with Raven Black Night and composed and recorded bits and pieces for my solo acoustic project. Over summer I was involved in the recording sessions of the next Zemial album “NYKTA” which is anticipated for release in 2013 through Hells Headbangers Records. 

Early 90s and the cult begin… Give us a brief bio of Agatus.

Formed in 1992 in Athens, Greece. Recorded and released our first demo “A Night of The Dark Ages” in 1993 and our debut “Dawn of Martyrdom” in 1994 with the line-up, Archon Vorskaath, Eskarth The Dark One, Prince Korthnage. The same year Vorskaath and myself moved to Australia where we re-established the band. In 1996 we recorded the 7EP “Rite of Metamorphosis” with our new member Dracon (Destroyer 666, Razor of Occam). In 2001 Vorskaath and myself recorded our second album “The Weaving Fates” with of Jimmy Petkof (Raven Black Night) as guest vocalist. Due to other commitments the band remained dormant until 2009 which was when I re-incarnated Agatus in order to participate in Hell’s Pleasure where we shared the stage with Pentagram (US), ABSU, The Devil’s Blood and many other great bands. In 2010 I recorded songs for the 7”EP “Gilgamesh” which was released in 2012 by Those Opposed Records and marked the band’s return and new stylistic direction.   

What I can see, is two brothers with unique musicianship and each one has a band as his main vehicle. Yours is Agatus, and Vorskaath’s is Zemial. But each one completes the other one sometimes. How didn’t you come up with one band?

Thank you for your kind words. As a matter of fact we do have a couple of bands in which we both share all duties, these being Alpha Centauri and The Watcher.  We are both contributors musically, lyrically and arrangement wise. Besides, both Agatus and Zemial are evolving into something entirely different from each other and all that we did in the past.

“Gilgamesh” EP is your latest release (earlier this year) and I can see that your Heavy Metal influences are more obvious than ever. Which are these influences and what is the next step?

I am a huge fan of  70’s - 80’s Rock and Heavy Metal Music and I felt the urge to combine some of my influences in the music of Agatus. From the very beginning the music contained a lot of Heavy Metal elements, however in a lesser dose due the fact I was trying to keep the band sounding more in the Black Metal vein but with melodic elements. The fact was that my skills at the time didn’t allow for many elaborations, hahaha. That was so cool... Creativity was so intense due to the fact that I had to somehow compensate with mood and melodies for all those parts that I wanted to compose but simply couldn’t. 

Where do you live now? Are you back in Greece?

Yeah, I am back in Greece again after nearly two decades of living Down Under.

Recently, in November 24, we witnessed a live show of Agatus supporting Primordial. How did you felt playing in your homeland almost 20 years after Agatus’ birth?

It was an excellent moment for us. Very much anticipated and almost surreal. It felt like I owed this show to the Greek fans who have supported us throughout the years and continue to enjoy and support what we offer with Agatus or Zemial. Simply put, the audience was brilliant! We do have a great fan base in Greece and we sincerely look forward to our next live endeavour where we can offer even more to the fans.

What Agatus stands for? Which is the essence of the band?

Movement. Throughout the years I have attempted to create a unique sound which I feel I have achieved. I exercise freedom in expression however in a more conservative manner in order to remain within the context of the genre I represent. In other words I am happy to mix elements together in order to create the picture I have in mind. 

Back I the mid 90s when you released your debut album “Dawn Of Martyrdom” you were somehow under the sign of Rotting Christ, Necromantia and Varathron, the leading forces of Hellenic Black Metal. Also your album then, released from Hypervorea Records had a limited press. How easy or difficult were those years and what do you remember from composing, recording and releasing your first album?

Indeed all three aforementioned bands where certainly well established entities within the Greek scene and appeared as a source of influence or inspiration in one way or another for many Greek bands. Certainly it wasn’t an easy thing to get a record deal, especially from labels outside of Greece. When we did the recording of the demo I recall the owner of the studio (and Molon Lave Records), expecting that we hand over the recording to him in order to release it through his label. Most bands did that. 
As far as the composition is concerned, the whole thing was taking place in my bedroom at home whilst studio rehearsals with Vorskaath, Korthnage and myself were less than a handful prior to the actual recording of the album. I was in Australia on the date of the release and I remember receiving a box of 20 or 25 CDs. I was hoping for more. That was it; never did I see anything more from the label that profited from my work. 

In “The Weaving Fates” album, you started moving slowly into the depths of a more traditional Heavy Metal sound, keeping though all the Black Metal elements that characterize Agatus. Again, for that album, do you have any interesting stories to share with us?

I remember recording the album preproduction minus the drums in my own studio on an Tascam 8-track cassette recorder. We rehearsed at my brother’s place with drums a few times and then we entered Mixmasters Studio for the big moment. The daily budget was around $800 AUS per day so there was no time for fucking around. We either knew the stuff or we didn’t. Very little time for improvisation and working things out on the spot. The entire album was recorded in 3 days and spent 2 days mixing it. We spent the biggest part of the first day setting up the drums and getting a sound. “The Weaving Fates” is a mostly a live album since the drums and one of the guitars were recorded live within just 90 minutes (I have the entire session recorded on video). Most pieces were one take. I invited Jimmy Petkof (Raven Black Night) to do a vocal part in the song “Conqueror of Fear” which worked out really well and that marked the beginning of a longer lasting collaboration on various fronts. The album was recorded and mixed using AMEK and SSL consoles and Studer multitrack reel to reel machines. Nice memories.

Give us a few words for all the other bands you participate in. As far as I know, Raven Black Night are going to release their album through Metal Blade Records, right?

Yeah, that’s right. The new album “Barbarian Winter” is scheduled to be released through Metal Blade Records in early 2013. 
I am also involved with the band Alpha Centauri that is moving in the realms of epic metal. Götz Kühnemund - chief editor for Rock Hard magazine once told me that he felt that Alpha Centauri was Europe’s answer to Warlorld. Subsequently he voted it number 1 in his list of personal favourites in Rock Hard Germany sometime in 2007? That was quite an encouraging statement for our work that to-date remains unreleased and has only been circulated in demos and through MySpace.

I am also involved in The Watcher which is a progressive rock band with inspiration drawn by bands such as Eloy, King Crimson, Marillion, Tangerine Dream, Socrates Drank The Conium, Änglagård, Camel, Rush, Mike Oldfield, Hawkwind and many others. We have only done 3 live performances –all in Australia. 
Music, lyrics and all arrangements  in Alpha Centauri and The Watcher are handled both by Vorskaath and myself. I also compose my own material which is more like NWOBHM as well as acoustic contemporary material that does not belong to the metal genre. 

And back in 2012. The last words are yours.

Thank you for supporting Agatus and for the fine interview. A re-mastered gatefold LP version of “Dawn of Martyrdom” will be available early in December 2012. Those interested in reserving a copy can get in touch with me directly via Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/agatus.thedark

Organisers wishing to book Agatus for selected shows are welcome to get in touch.

Many thanks,

The Dark