Metal has yet again spoken beautifully with metalcore records such as Erra & Ice Nine Kills or even the highly praised Aborted piece. And if those albums weren’t exactly for you then the long awaited Underoath will for sure do you right. It doesn’t matter how you put it, 2018 has been a fantastic year for metal!
After releasing one of 2018’s finest hunks of retro-rock (the downright dazzling Ain’t No Shame), Norwegian flower-power trio Friendship are kicking off the new year with the re-release of their 2012 debut single. Both “Alpha Male” and its corresponding b-side “Give It Time” show that the band’s knack for funky and fluid, sexy and soulful sunshine rock was in place from the start, whip-tight power-pop filtered through a kaleidoscopic lens of swaggering psychedelia.
Today we bring to you German melodic death/doom metallers NAILED TO OBSCURITY‘s all new music video, “Tears Of The Eyeless“, off their upcoming album, ‘Black Frost‘. The new album is releasing this January on the 11th, Friday, out via Nuclear Blast Records. The music video for their new single is directed and produced by Vesa Ranta & Aapo Lahtela.
States vocalist Raimund Ennenga, “Tears Of The Eyeless’ tells the story of a woman, who has almost buried her true self, but her soul eventually finds a way out of this apparently hopeless situation…“
You can also buy the track here.
Just as every year seems to do 2018 was filled with tons of tremendous albums by music veterans and also new up and coming bands. It seems to get harder and harder every year to narrow it down to 10 albums that really impressed you when you have heard an innumerable amount albums. Some of the albums that almost made my list varies from some old school legacy acts to some up and coming acts that are more on the underground side. Greta Van Fleet’s album ‘Anthem of the Peaceful Army’ was great but just didn’t make the cut with so many other great albums released this year. Sleep put out an amazing album but I’m much more of a High On Fire fan. Another band that has made my top 10 in previous years is Shit The Cow, their new album ‘When In Caracas’ was still amazing but a slight step away from what I thought was near perfection on their previous records. Of course there was also some heavy hitters that released albums that I loved like Behemoth, Judas Priest, At The Gates, Parkway Drive and Architects. I think sometimes the unknown or new bands have an advantage because you go into the listening experience with no expectations and they blow you away, versus these legendary acts who have to one up their previous masterpieces. My personal taste in music is very varied, what on my list do you agree with or what do you think is missing?
2018 was just like every other year. It felt like it went by at the pace of molasses, and then all of a sudden it’s October. But seriously, this was my first year writing for Metal Nexus and it has been a blast. Reviewing sick albums, interviewing some fabulous people and having to immerse myself into music, helping me enjoy it more and more each day. Honestly, my top 10 list came together a lot easier than I anticipated. Having a handful of metalcore records this year built the 10, basically upon their release. I’m just such a sucker for that sound- hence my #1 pick. Often times I box myself in with what I listen to but keeping an ear open all year helped me to realize that there is beauty and fun in a diverse palette. The Spotify yearly wrap up did a hilarious job of reminding me of just that. So with all that said, here are my picks (begrudgingly without any of the country music I loved this year) for the top 10 rock and metal albums of 2018. Thank you for taking the time to read not just this, but any of my work this year published on Metal Nexus. It sincerely means the world. Metalcore 2019!
I thought 2018 was impressive year for releases in metal music. I didn’t matter what genre of metal was your particular taste, there was something for everybody. Every year shows us some promising young talent, bands continuing to climb the ladder, and musical veterans still proving their value in metal hierarchy. This list was extremely difficult as I left out some great stuff by bands like Avatar, Underoath, and Parkway Drive. They say there is Black Sheep in every family, and my list just might be that lost black sheep of the Metal Nexus family. However, I live in Minnesota and wool is a fiber of warmth, and its cold outside, so I’ll deal with it. Continue reading
Exclusively at Metal Nexus, Heartsick premieres their brand-new music video today for the emotional ballad “Loveletter” off the band’s upcoming album ‘Sleep Cycles,’ scheduled for release on February 1st, 2019. The clip predominantly features vocalist Alfonso Civile, in a distinctly heartbroken state, roaming the cold streets in search of new direction. Just in time for winter, the song which was produced by Josh Schroeder and the music video which was directed by Zach Bridges, are the perfect melancholic mood and chilling atmosphere for those long, late-December nights. Continue reading
Today would have marked the 73rd Birthday of Motorhead founder and metal legend Lemmy Kilmister. In his honor the Brazilian rock n rollers Veneno have released a song in tribute of the late great Lemmy. From the very get go they were inspired by Motorhead and their mission statement is something that all bands should take notice of. It states: “We have two choices: to raise up our horns to the young bands of our generation, or say goodbye to our legends, while letting go of their legacy! Which road are we going to take? We will RAISE UP OUR HORNS – of course!!! And spread it everywhere to inspire children and young people to do the same!” Continue reading
Finnish heavy metal act Battle Beast have finally dropped the news about their upcoming studio album ‘No More Hollywood Endings,’ scheduled to be released March 22nd, 2019 via Nuclear Blast Records. The band also recently announced a six-week headlining European tour with power metallers and fellow countrymen Arion for Spring, 2019 to support the new record. Continue reading
Rebel Wizard just premiered the brand-new video for “Mother Nature, Oh My Sweet Mistress, Showed Me the Other Worlds and It Was Just Fallacy,” off of the new album ‘Voluptuous Rapture of Worship and Response’ via Prosthetic Records. Continue reading
