So what have you guys been listening to this year? It can be an album or favorite song. Share the tunes, I'm always looking for new music to explore. Also it doesn't have to be music released in 2015, just anything you've discovered recently. All genres welcome! Most of my favorite albums this year came out a while ago. I'm never up to date on the new music.
I tried to put them in order or which I liked best, so here's my top 5.
#1: Ne Obliviscaris - Citadel
This has been without a doubt my favorite album discovery this year. I had never heard of this band before and found them randomly while exploring Youtube. I was instantly intrigued when I first heard it. However after multiple listen I really grew to love it. The songs are very instrumental and quite unique. There are a lot of bands out their trying this style of music but none I have heard so far have the talent this band does. If you like this style at all I highly suggest you get a good pair of headphones and listen to this album without other noise distraction. There is a lot of depth in this music IMO. I seriously love this album and listen to it constantly. The songs are much longer than traditional radio music, but every song is deserving or every second, and they don't drag on unnecessarily.
Sample Track:
#2: In Mourning - The Weight Of Oceans
This albums was leading the pack by a mile until I found my number one pick. It has a very Cthulhuesque style and the lyrics merge very well with the music. The second I heard the opening track I knew I was going to love this. It creates a very good atmosphere and really builds up the tension. I had a very hard time deciding which track to post. That one or the second. I went with the second because it starts off much faster and it's a close tie for my favorite track on the album. This album like my #1 pick really needs to be heard in it's entirety to be appreciated. It's another one that really grows on you more and more after each listen. It always wins the award for coolest cover art.
Sample Track:
#3: Hardcore Superstar - Hardcore Superstar
This album is straight up 80's Hard Rock. It's a retro party in modern times, and I find it hard not to feel happy listening to this. It's not a mockery, like a lot of other bands out their. This is legit, and you can really feel the passion. These guys crafted this album lovingly. It's a return to the style of music that they loved to play when they first started the band over 20 years ago. It was very hard choosing a song. The variety track to track is so large that no one song can give you a sample of their sound. Every track is unique, good, and fits in with the rest of the album somehow. HCSS is a party no doubt. I'm going to pick the opening track since it is the only one with a video.
Sample Track:
#4: Periphery - Juggernaut: Alpha/Omega
This one is a double album, and it needs to be included together. The interesting thing is how the tracks merge, elements from one song are in another. Sometimes large chunks of lyrics and music appear again later on the other album having evolved into something else. The level of "cross referencing" or whatever is crazy. Every song is part of the larger whole and adopts elements of another song or album, and more so somethings might just be Easter eggs of sorts. You notice elements of other songs each time you listen. This is a genre of music I'm not too familiar with but I quite enjoyed it. Once again my favorite track has no video, so I'll pick the official music video.
Sample Track:
#5: Avatar - Hail The Apocalypse
This is a strange band, with a cool look. I heard they put on a hell of a live show. I really enjoy their style. I'm not their biggest fan but I find myself enjoying their latest album quite a bit. This one took much longer to grow on me, but it really has. I don't have much to say on this one, just watch.
Sample Track: