Goth Mark’s Album of the Year
Another year on, and the world feels as segregated as ever and we live in precarious uncertain times – irrespective of which part of this blue marble dominated by shaved apes referred to as ‘The World’ you live on. However, with such uncertain times and political unrest it has a positive effect on the metal scenes at it gives the bands plenty of thing to rant about; to fuel their vital spark and ire that keeps the scene alive. We only have to look to the 1980s for this, with thrash bands often writing the best material whilst the emerging goth scene was equally at the height of its powers with some absolutely monumental bands that have left an indelible print that has echoed through the decades. The late 2010s often feel like the new 1980s to a person like me, who’s been shuffling around for four decades – and seen things come full circle (high tops, skinny jeans, thrash metal) which at times is deeply amusing and ironic whilst ‘The Kids’ act like it’s new. I’ve unwittingly become like my parents; with a cynical eye on the world acting like I’ve seen it all before – because more often than not, it has. Nevertheless, it can be argued that imitation is a sincere form of flattery and people are suckers for a nostalgia trip – even though they weren’t around the first time.
This year sees the addition of some post punk bands, as it’s a scene that’s become close to my heart along with metal that often fights for playback amongst my collection – notably the incredible French post punk band Rendez Vous, that has stayed in constant rotation that harnesses the spirit of bands such as The Clash, Sigue Sigue Sputnik, and 1970s punk that will remain stuck in your head for days on end. Also, nods to Ash Code, Kælan Mikla, Weathered Statues and Traitrs for keeping the spirit of post punk alive – and in ruder health than ever before.
We hope you enjoy my somewhat eclectic 2018 selection.
1. WIEGEDOOD – De Doden Hebben Het Goed III
Century Media Records
Release date: 20 April 2018
2. RENDEZ VOUZ – Superior State
Artefact/Crybaby
Release date: 26 October 2018
3. ASH CODE – Perspektive
Swiss Dark Nights
Release date: 18 May 2018
4. 1914 – The Blind Leading The Blind
Archaic Sound
Release date: 11 November 2018
5. PANOPTICON – The Scars of Man on the Once Nameless Wilderness
Bindrune Recordings
Release Date: 6 April 2018
6. BORN TO MURDER THE WORLD – The Infinite Mirror of Millennial Narcissism
Extrinsic Recordings
Release date: 24 August 2018
7. AT THE GATES – To Drink From The Night Itself
Century Media Records
Release Date: 18 May 2018
8. KÆLAN MIKLA – Nótt eftir nótt
Fabrika Records
Release date: 9 November 2018
9. WEATHERED STATUES – Borderlands
Svart Records
Release date: 11 May 2018
10. WATAIN – Trident Wolf Eclipse
Century Media Records
Release date: 5 January 2018
11. IMMORTAL – Northern Chaos Gods
Nuclear Blast
Release Date: 6 July 2018
12. THRASHIST REGIME – Carnival of Monsters
Fat Hippie
Release date: 28 April 2018
13. THE CROWN – Cobra Speed Venom
Metal Blade Records
Release date: 16 March 2018
14. BEHEMOTH – I Loved You At Your Darkest
Nuclear Blast
Release date: 5 October 2018
15. GAMA BOMB – Speed Between The Lines
AFM Records
Release date: 12 October 2018
16. AMORPHIS – Queen of Time
Nuclear Blast
Release date: 18 May 2018
17. TRAITRS – The Butchers Coin
Pleasence Records
Release date: 5 October 2018
18. ANNAL NATHRAKH – A New Kind of Horror
Metal Blade Records
Release date: 28 September 2018
19. JUDAS PRIEST – Firepower
Sony Music
Release date: 9 March 2018
20. GHOST – Prequelle
Loma Vista Recordings
Release date: 1 June 2018
Goth Mark
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