Before we get to the all important AOTY post, we’ve got one more standard monthly playlist for you, with our thoughts on our picks below and all the tracks in a handy Spotify playlist.
Richard – Bass
Porcupine Tree – Sleep Together
I know i’ve had PT on here recently, but I can’t not include them again after seeing them last month in London – something I never thought would happen. It was three hours of prog bliss, with most of the classics aired, but I was surprised at how much this song stood out; I’ve always enjoyed it, but it’s never been at the top of my favourites list. Live, though, it was absolutely majestic, with its simple, heavy chords and bubbling synth part. Magic.
Abraham – Maudissements
I have Nick to thank for alerting me to this Swiss sludge/post metal outfit. Their album from this year is great all round, but this song in particular really stands out, with its incredibly weird production effects causing everything to gradually phase in and out of tune with itself at different rates, creating a really disorientating, queasy effect.
clipping. – Nothing is Safe
clipping. were another excellent recent live experience, and right from the opening of the set with this song, it was immediately apparent that Daveed Diggs is an absolute powerhouse in the live arena. I’ve seen some great rap shows in my time, but nothing compares to the consistent clarity of delivery he displayed, no matter the insane pace of the bars or the amount he was jumping around. Not only that, but he seems like a lovely guy, and is absolutely jacked. Unfair, really.
worriedaboutsatan – The Tower and the Steward
Since diving into his catalogue as part of my ArcTanGent homework over the summer, I’ve been really enjoying worriedaboutsatan’s ambient techno vibes, and this track in particular marries those modern, subtle beats with a little retro space ambient feel.
bigLOVE – Harnessing the Nectar from the Queen Bee
Do you like Crowbar? Do you like Alice in Chains? Do you like Godflesh? Well, if you want all of those things mashed together and produced by members of Employed to Serve, then look no further. Chonky, slow riffs, a battery of programmed drums, and shrieking – simple pleasures.
Joe – Vocals
The Antichrist Imperium – Vilest of Beasts
Featuring members of Akercocke, Voices and The Berzerker it’s no surprise that The Antichrist Imperium conjour some wonderfully crafted experimental metal with a strong theme of Satan and boobies. This is a stand out track from their latest offering.
Audn – Veröld Hulin
I’ve just witnessed this Icelandic atmospheric black metal power house pull off an awe inspiring live show here in Sheffield, so it would be silly not to include them. This track handily replaced the theme tune to early 90’s gameshow Big Break as the tune I couldn’t get out of my head.
Constellatia – Adorn
Somehow this glorious post black metal band with a billion other cool elements flew under my radar until just now. Absolutely loving everything they do and it’s right up my street.
Torture Killer – I Bathe In Their Blood
This is a good old school death metal track and I like it.
Ageless Oblivion – Anvil Chorus
The best kept secret on the UK underground, it would be a disservice to call Ageless Oblivion a death metal band because they are so much more. Lengthy technical songs that never overstay their welcome, there’s echoes of early Mastodon amongst the precise riffing and well thought out structures.
Chris – Guitar
Paul Leonard-Morgan, Mogwai – She’s A Pass (Mogwai Remix)
It’s frankly criminal that we never got a follow-up to the 2012 movie Dredd, with Karl Urban fully embodying everyone’s favourite fascist Judge. The soundtrack was a particular highlight – filthy, pulsating synths and sharp pads galore. For the 10th anniversary of the movie, post-rock pioneers Mogwai have done this remix of one of my favourite themes from the movie and it’s just very good – it retains the atmosphere and vibe of the original but coats it in Mogwai goodness. 10 years in the iso-cube, perp!
An Abstract Illusion – In The Heavens Above, You Will Become A Monster
Atmospheric/progressive death metal is always fun, and this is a very well executed cut of that particular genre. I don’t have a lot to say other than that this album slaps and you should listen to it 
Master Boot Record – 8086
I’m a sucker for good chiptune, and when you smush it together with metal you get a very pleasing result – MBR have put out some great records over the years and this latest one continues the trend of bludgeoning synth riffs programmed with the ferocity of a mid-00s death metal band.
Borknagar – Up North
It’s rare that a band I’ve loved for… jesus, probably around 18 years at this point manages to put out a new track which reaches the lofty heights of their back catalogue. It’s human nature – you’re more attuned to stuff you grew up with, before your brain ossifies and it’s harder to latch onto new music. That aside: this song is an absolute fucking masterpiece. Anthemic riffs and soaring vocals about nature and the seasons (from golden-throated wizard ICS Vortex) are squarely in my wheelhouse. Listen to this, but be warned – you will get the chorus stuck in your head!
Ghold – Chaos Reigns
I was recommended this band by a friend from the comics scene at Thought Bubble Comic-Con this month, and I’m glad for it – grimy, glitchy, noisy sludge with vocals that sort of put me in mind of Nirvana, with a similar tonality and tortured feel. Definitely a “surrender to the riff until it’s firmly lodged in your brain” kind of band.
Nick – Guitar
Perfume Genius – Eye In The Wall
Sublime song from a sublime album. Every sound, every timbre on this track is so delicate, each one could have it’s own 4 hour ASMR loop and I’d listen to each and every one nightly.
DVNE – Towers
The best thing to happen to progressive sludge since maybe Boss Keloid like a year or so before them, which is still quite the fucking achievement. Riffs for days.
Ellende – Unsterblich
This album is every bit as good as the hype promised. Potentially my black metal album of the year…potentially, there’s a lot of competition this year.
Whitechapel – Possession
One of the many exemptions to the supposed rule of deathcore being crap, which I personally don’t think has any merit. Sure there are some crap deathcore bands but no more than any other genre, metal heads are just fragile about their own tastes and need something close to home that they can project their insecurity onto. Also breakdowns are great so stfu.
Carcass – The Scythe’s Remorseless Swing
I hope this song…. can bring some comfort to you all. Amen.
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