CTODP TOP 13 -I- BEST OF 2020

I - ABIGOR
"Totschläger - A Saintslayer´s Songbook"
World Terror Comitee

Almost in the dying breath of the year ABIGOR pierce the flesh of 2020 with this masterpiece. Great black metal riffs and classical music. As great as unexpected, this is definately the album of the year. 

II - GÖDEN
"Beyond Darkness"
Svart Records

GÖDEN is the musical continuation of WINTER, whose cult debut album was reissued early this year. "Beyond Darkness" is als o top quality and follows up to "Into Darkness" with a modern approach, yet still dark, gigantic and heavy.

III - VÖLUR
"Death Cult"
Prophecy Productions

A very talented band that created this outstanding album. I hope "Death Cult" have the full impact it deserves. An avant-garde work,  full of technique, a great and sometimes eerie atmosphere, and haunting darkness. It has been a great surprise to come across this album and I´m very excited about future releases of VÖLUR.

IV - EURYNOMOS
"From The Valleys Of Hades"
Iron pegasus Records

EURYNOMOS never disappoint, after the fabulous trilogy of 7" I was longing for this debut album. It is as good as one could expect. Pure old-school metal merciless attack.

V - SODOM
"Genesis XIX"
Steamhammer

Good old SODOM! Genesis XIX has a great late 80s vibe. Probably one of the best albums of the german thrashers in the last two decades.

VI - NECROPHOBIC
"Dawn Of The Damned"
Century Media

It´s no surprise, but NECROPHOBIC released a good album once again. Not as brilliant as previous efforts. but it is solid, consistent and dark as always.

VII - TRIPTYKON
"Requiem - Live at Roadburn 2019"
Prowling Death Records/Century Media

Perhaps I expected a litle more from this recording, or perhaps I expected more from "Grave Eternal". Even so, this is something amazing created by Celtic Frost,  my favorite band ever, and  the fact that Tom Warrior could fullfill his dream and the dream of many fans to see this opus complete, performed so brilliantly and perfectly...it is truly special. Eternal gratitude.

VIII - ONDSKAPT
"Grimoire Ordo Devs"
Osmose Productions

Sinister black metal. Hateful, morbid, blasphemous.  A great album like their previous one. I hope we don´t have to wait another ten years for a new release, which will surely be gloriously dark.

IX - MÖRK GRYNING
"Hinsides Vrede"
Season Of Mist

A great comeback album. It definitely sounds like Mörk Gryning and it is performed with a great level of intensity. The old roots are there and yet it sounds fresh and new.

X - DROWNING THE LIGHT
"On Astral Wings Of Wamphyric Shadows"
Dark Adversary Productions

The great album cover gives you a hint of what you are going to find here...ugly, primitive, atmosferic black metal. No sophisticated vampirism, just hideous winged beings sucking every last drop of blood from hundred rotting corpses.

SASS

XI - VAMPIRE
"Rex"
Century Media

I like their debut album and the demo. I wasn´t entirely satisfied with their second abum but with Rex Vampire caught my attention once again. Wild Deathrhash!!!

XII - SVARTKONST
"Black Waves"
Trust No One Recordings

Yeah, kind of "traditional" Swedish black/death with raw sound and old-school feeling. A very good album!

XIII - ARMAGEDDA
"Svindeldjup Ättestup"
Nordvis Produktion

This album shows an evolved version of ARMAGEDDA. It sounds raw but clear at the same time. A very mature album that perhaps opens the band new horizons to explore.

My Hails To: Accept "The Undertaker" / Akhlys "Melinoë" / Beherit "Bardo Exist" / Balmog "Pilars Of Salt" / Benediction "Scriptures" / Cirith Ungol "Forever Black" / Cold Earth "Your Misery, My Triumph" / Cultum Interitum "Poison Of Being" / Cultus Profano "Accursed Possession" / Deus Mortem "The Fiery Blood" / Diamond Head "Lightning To The Nations 2020" / Domjord "Sporer" / Domjord "Gravrost" / Funeral Leech "Death Meditation" / Ieschure "Cold Stars Of Eternity" / Ieschure "Phantoms Of God" / Inner Sanctvm "Like A Perpetual Past" / Invocation "Atunement To Death" / Isengard "Varjevndogn" / Konvent "Puritan Masochism" / Körgull The Exterminator "Sharpen Your Spikes" / Lik "Misanthropic Breed" / Lifvsleda "Det Besegrade Lifvet" /  Malokarpatan "Krupinské Ohne" / Messiah "Fracmont" / Mork "Pesta" / My Dying Bride "The Ghost Of Orion" / My Dying Bride "Macabre Cabaret" / Myrkur "Folkesange" / Necrophiliac "No Living Man Is Innocent" / Necrot "Mortal" / Necrowretch "The Ones From Hell" / Occult Burial "Burning Eerie Lore" / Paradise Lost "Obsidian" / Putrid "Antichrist Above" / Scáth na Déithe "The Dirge of Endless Mourning" / Sinster "Deformation Of The Holy Realm" / Solothus "Realm Of Ash And Blood" / Soulburn "Noa´s D´ark" / Thanatos "Violent Death Rituals" / Urfaust "Teufelsgeist" / Vader "Solitude In Madness" / Varathron "Glorification Of The Latin Moon" / Voivod "Lost Machine - Live" / Whoredom Rife/Taake "Pakt" / Whoredom Rife "Ride The Final Tide" / Yoth Iria "Under His Sway"

13 CANDLES -I- CTODP TOP 13 -I- BEST OF 2019

I - TEITANBLOOD
"The Baneful Choir"
Norma Evangelium Diaboli

Music from the tomb, from the kingdom of worms, from the mud...Infernal, Ugly, EVIL music...beyond darkness, beyond death, beyond this fucking universe...Horror Inhumano...That´s "The Baneful Choir".

II - NOCTURNUS A.D.

"Paradox"
Profound Lore Records

The release of "The Key" in 1990 was a milestone in death metal and extreme metal history. Now in 2019 we have the sequel of that masterpiece. "Paradox" is a perfect follow-up the debut album and a reminiscence of those elements that raised Nocturnus as an avant-garde cult band, slowed down by the mistakes of the second album "Thresholds".

Mike Browning, a visionary musician, must be proud of his achievement, "Paradox" is a comeback album that crowns the band as the originators and kings of science fiction themed Death Metal in this galaxy...and also in the distant ones. Seizing the throne.

III - PENTACLE

"Spectre Of the Eight Ropes"
Iron Pegasus Records

Pentacle never disappoint. Every release sound as fresh and powerful as in the early days. "Spectre of the Eight Ropes" follows the same path. Powerful, old-school, skull crushing metal.  Don´t forget the ancient spirit...it still rules!

IV - DARKTHRONE

"Old Star"
Peaceville Records

This album shares the podium at #3. Riffs, riffs and more riffs! That 80s nostalgia, that "analog" sound, the "TomWariorresque" vocals of Nocturno Culto and the high Celtic Frost influence circling in the air. Awesome! ..."Mankind dies in a shroud of introvert mumbling"...

V - FUNEREAL PRESENCE

"Achatius"
Sepulchral Voice Records

A few months went by since the album was released until I finally heard it. It was a great discovery since I had not heard Funereal Presence´s previous works.  "Achatius" is a solid album, with a great and diverse songwriting that reflects reminiscences of classic heavy metal to primitive black metal, all in a vintage vibe. "Achatius" is a truly dark gem.

VI - USURPER

"Lords of the Permafrost"
Soulseller Records

The return of Usurper 14 years after the previous album was indeed great. "Lords of the Permafrost" embodies the mighty elements that the Chicago metalheads have been performing since the early days, powerful black-thrash influenced by the sound of the 80s and yeah...the mighty Frost!! And I got the cool vinyl version next to "Diabolosis..." and "Skeletal Season" LPs. Ough!! 

VII - MAYHEM

"Daemon"
Century Media Record

I didn´t like Mayhem´s latest works, neither those of the Maniac era, Bu I really liked "Daemon" at the first listening.  Not only because it instantly reminded me of the atmosphere and style of DMDS, but because it is probably the best since the debut album (imho). So considering it as the successor of DMDS there´s no need to say more. Another Mayhem´s classic!

VIII - MEFISTO

"Octagram"
GMR Music Group

Mefisto gets darker and darker on every album. Except for the 2016 "The End of It All..." album, the self-titled album released two years ago and "Octagram" are a good exercise of looking for the extreme with a dose of blackened death-thrash, with a lot of different influences. Improving all what they recorded so far and walking on the right (left hand) path.

IX - POSSESSED

"Revelations of Oblivion"
Nuclear Blast

A comeback album, but not exactly Possessed if you ask me. Obviously I didn´t expect it to sound like 80s Possessed (yeah, too obvious). Jeff Becerra´s vocals haven´t changed, and that´s a great fact, that´s something that bring the memories of the glorious times of "Seven Churches". But without being exactly the old musical style, "Revelations of Oblivion" is a great Death metal album, wrapped in the old-school vibe. The production is clean but heavy, all tracks are good, the lyrics are dark and the album cover is one of the best of the year. Pure gold!

X - THRONEHAMMER

"Usurper of the Oaken Throne"
The Church Within Records

This is Doooom. Heavy weight riffs. "Usurper of the Oaken Throne" is the impressive debut full-length of Thronehammer giving us a dose of slow epic doom metal (with touches of funeral doom). The sound is heavy as hell and the vocals of Kat are as melodic as heavy. Did I mention that this sounds heavy? Besides, you can´t go wrong with a band name like Thronehammer. Let the Warhorn sound... 

 

XI - OPPROBRIUM

"The Fallen Entities"
High Roller Records

"Supernatural Death" (demo), "Serpent Temptation" and "Beyond the Unknown" are in my opinion death metal classics and among the best released between the late 80s and early 90s, when this band was known as Incubus. "The Fallen Entities" is the third full-length recorded under Opprobrium´s name (not counting Serpent Temptation 1996 re-recording) and in my opinion their best one so far. Furious and classic old-school death-thrash. Highly recommended.

XII - ANGEL WITCH

"Angel Of Light"
Metal Blade Records

Angel Witch´s "Angel of Light" may be not their best release, but considering the monumental album debut it´s quite understandable. However, this fifth full-length is an outstanding heavy metal album and I hope the Sorcerers carry on waving the flag of classic heavy metal for long time.

XIII - SARTEGOS

"O Sange da Noite"
I, Voidhanger Records

Among the many releases of the prolific Galician black metal scene comes the debut full-length of Sartegos. "O Sangue da Noite" is one of the finest albums of black thrash, but with a wide source of influences. Evoking the ancient spirits, the dark, the galician roots, perfectly executed with passion and strength. 

My Hails to: 1349 "The Infernal Pathway" / Atomic Aggressor "Invoking the Primal Chaos" / Candlemass "The Door to Doom" / Chevalier "Destiny Calls" / Cianide "Unhumanized" / Concatenatus "Unfathomable Depths" / Concrete Winds "Primitive Force" / Death Worship "End Times" / Deathspell Omega "The Furnaces of Palingenesia" / Denial Of God "The Hallow Mass" / Die Kunst Der Finsternis "Revenant in a Phantom World" / Dikasterion "Stavelot 1597-Rome 897" / Dioivo "II" / Drastus "La Croix de Sang" / Dreadful Fate "Bringer of Damnation" / Exhorder "Mourn the Southern Skies" / Exumer "Hostile Defiance" / Gorgon "The Veil of Darkness" / Graveyard "Hold Back The Dawn" / Holocausto "Diario de Guerra" / Impiety "Versus All Gods" / Imprecation/Black Blood Invocation "Diabolical Flames of the Ascended Plague" / Krypts "Cadaver Circulation" / Midnight Priest "Aggressive Hauntings" / Mystifier "Protogoni Mavri Magiki Dynasteia" / Mystik "Mystik" / No One Alive "The Grim Reaper" / Overkill "The Wings of War" / Pentagram Chile "Past, Present, Future" / Pheretrum "Inwards Lunacy" / Possession "Passio Christi Part I & II" / Profanatica "Rotting Incarnation of God" / Protector "Summon the Hordes" / Ripper "Sensory Stagnation" / Saint Vitus "Saint Vitus" / Sodom "Out of the Frontline Trench" / Sorcery "Necesary Excess of Violence" / Thanatos "Blind Obedience-Thanatos" / Trajeto de Cabra "Supreme Command of Satanic Will" / Undead "Existential Horror" / Urn "Iron Will Of Power" / Vader "Thy Messenger" / Vectis "The Executioner" / Venefixion "Necrophagous Abandon" / Vircolac "Masque" / Vitriol "Chrysalis" / Wolfbrigade "The Enemy: Reality" 

CTODP TOP 13 -I- BEST OF 2017

I - AUTOPSY

“Puncturing The Grotesque”
Peaceville Records

II - AKATHARTA

“Spiritus Immundus”
Pulverised Records

III - DEGIAL

“Predator Reign”
Sepulchral Voice Records

IV - MEFISTO

“Mefisto”
GMR Music Group

V - NECROWRETCH

“Satanic Slavery”
Season Of Mist

VI - HOLOCAUSTO

“War Metal Massacre”
Nuclear War Now!

VII - INFERNÄL MÄJESTY
"No God”
High Roller Records

VIII - VENENUM

“Trance Of Death”
Sepulchral Voice Records

IX - SPECTRAL VOICE

“Eroded Corridors Of Unbeing”
Dark Descent Records

X - POSSESSION

“Exorkizein”
Invictus/Iron Bonehead

XI - NECROT

“Blood Offerings”
Tankcrimes Records

XII - MEMORIAM

“For The Fallen”
Nuclear Blast

XIII - MORBID ANGEL
"Kingdoms Disdained”

Silver Linig Music

My Hails To...

ATTIC "Saanctimonius" / BARATHRUM "Fanatiko" / BEASTIALITY "Worshippers Of Unearthly Perversions" / BELL WITCH Mirror Reaper"  / BLACK BLOOD INVOCATION Aatavistic Offerings To The Sabbatic Goat" / BONEHUNTER "Sexual Panic Human Machine" / CHEVALIER "A Call To Arms" / COME BACK FROM THE DEAD Caro Data Vermibus" / CULT OF EIBON "Lycan Twillight Sorcery" / DEATH YELL "Descent Into Hell" / DIOIVO "O Espertar" / DRACENA "Cursed To The Night" / DREADFUL FATE "The Sin Of Sodom" / EKPYROSIS "Asphyxiating Devotion" / ENSEPULCHER "No Sanctity In Death" / EVIL "Rites Of Evil" / FUNERAL LEECH "The Funereality" / FUOCO FATUO "Backwater" / HATE MANIFESTO "To Those Who Glorified Death" / HELLWITCH "At Rest" / IMMOLATION "Atonement" / INCANTATION "Profane Nexus" / INCONCESSUS LUX LUCIS "The Crowning Quietus" / INSULTERS "Metal Still Means Danger" /  INTO COFFIN "The Majestic Supremacy Of Comsic Caos" / IRON MAIDEN "The Book Of Souls: Live Chapter" / LUCIFER´S CHALICE "The Pact" / MORK "Eremittens Dal" / NECROMANTE "The Magickal Presence of Occult Forces" / OBITUARY "Obituary" / OBSCURE BURIAL "Obscure Burial" / ORACULUM "Always Higher" / PARADISE LOST "Medusa" / PHERETRUM "Alienated Demons" / SAMAEL "Hegemony" / SATYRICON "Deep Calleth Upon Deep" / SCÁTH NA DÉITE "Pledge Nothing But Flesh" / SCHIZOPHRENIC DEATH "Schizophrenic Death" / SKELETHAL "Of The Depths..." / SOULROT "Nameless Hideous Manifestations" / SUMMON "Aesthetics of Demise" / TOL SIRION "The Ashes Of A Dark Heart" / UNAUSSPRECHLICHEN KULTEN "Keziah Lilith Medea (Chapter X) / UNDER THE CHURCH "Supernatural Punishment" / URN "The Burning" / VALLENFYRE " Fear Those Who Fear Him" / VAMPIRE "With Primeval Force" / VENOM INC. "Avé" / WEREGOAT "Pestilential Rites of infernal Fornication"