Fester's Lucky 13: 2018 Year-End Summary
http://fastnbulbous.com/lucky-18/
Spotify Mix |
2018 Breakdown: Genre Lists |
Shows, Videos |
Movies, Television & Books
Another Krampusnacht has come and gone, and our demonic helper of Santa has had his claws full. For the most part, villains have been left unprosecuted as laws protecting our land, wildlife and rights are being systematically dismantled before our glazed eyes. Music certainly isn’t going to save us, but it’s still a hugely important part of life. At it’s best, it can be rejuvenating and inspiring, and at the least, help us make it to the next day. So let us dig into Dr. Fester’s sack and see what kind of nasties await us.
http://fastnbulbous.com/lucky-18/#heavy-metal
Last year I mentioned being disappointed that
Slough Feg‘s
The New Organonhadn’t come out since it was announced that summer, and year later, still nothing. Nevertheless, metal marches on, and
Wytch Hazel had a great second album full of engaging ren faire twin guitars. Husband-wife road warriors
Castleremains consistently great, while
Rough Spells put out the most immediately captivating, raw, energetic metal EP I’ve heard since Christian Mistress debuted in 2009. And look at the geezers in
Judas Priest, winning hearts and minds across genres and generations! It doesn’t hurt that there’s a rash of charming reaction videos to “Painkiller” and “Victim Of Changes.”
- Wytch Hazel – II: Sojourn (Bad Omen) | Bandcamp
- Castle – Deal Thy Fate (Ripple) | Bandcamp
- Rough Spells – Modern Kicks For The Solitary Witch EP (Rough Spells) | Bandcamp
- Judas Priest – Firepower (Columbia) | Buy
- Satan – Cruel Magic (Metal Blade) | Bandcamp
- Haunt – Burst Into Flame (Shadow Kingdom) | Bandcamp
- Gatekeeper – East Of Sun (Cruz Del Sur) | Bandcamp
- Tempelheks – Midnight Mirror (Cursed Tongue) | Bandcamp
- Cauldron – New Gods (The End) | Buy
- Professor Black – Sunrise (High Roller) | Bandcamp
- Hammer King – Poseidon Will Carry Us Home (Cruz Del Sur) | Bandcamp
- High Priestess – High Priestess (Ripple) | Bandcamp
- Lizzies – On Thin Ice (The Sign) | Bandcamp
http://fastnbulbous.com/lucky-18/#doom
The doom is strong this year, hence the extended list.
Messa was featured in the Lucky 13 above, and
Ancestors make a triumphant return six years after their last album. The band’s sound has evolved on every album, and the new one more emotional and dramatic than they’ve ever been, along the lines of
40 Watt Sunand
Pallbearer.
Khemmis remain consistently strong on their third album, while
Windhand has incorporated some grunge hooks that reminds me of
Snail. Approved!
Pale Divine also return from a six year absence with their best album.
Witch Mountain’s self titled is their first with new singer Kayla Dixon, though she’s been with the band since 2015. The result are heavily road tested songs that show how much better suited for the band she is than previous singer Uta was (don’t get me wrong, Uta is an amazing singer and I’d love to see her do a solo album). Special props goes to
Beastmaker, who put out ten (10) EPs (the first 8 available for just $8!) to clear the cobwebs for yet new material for their next official album with a new label. That’s some prolific songwriting, and shockingly consistently good material.
- Messa – Feast For Water (Aural) | Bandcamp
- Ancestors – Suspended In Reflections (Pelagic) | Bandcamp
- Khemmis – Desolation (20 Buck Spin) | Bandcamp
- Windhand – Eternal Return (Relapse) | Bandccamp
- Pale Divine – Pale Divine (Shadow Kingdom) | Bandcamp
- Witch Mountain – Witch Mountain (Svart) | Bandcamp
- Moab – Trough (Falling Dome) | Bandcamp
- Alastor – Slave To The Grave (RidingEasy) | Bandcamp
- High Reeper – High Reeper (Heavy Psych) | Bandcamp
- The Wizards – Rise Of The Serpent (High Roller) | Bandcamp
- Dunbarrow – Dunbarrow II (RidingEasy) | Bandcamp
- Black Moth – Anatomical Venus (Candlelight/Spinefarm) | Buy
- DMBQ – Keeenly (Drag City) | Bandcamp
- Holy Grove – Holy Grove II (Ripple) | Bandcamp
- Alms – Act One (Shadow Kingdom) | Bandcamp
- The Skull – The Endless Road Turns Dark (Tee Pee) | Buy
- Iron Void – Excalibur (Shadow Kingdom) | Bandcamp
- Hua†a – Lux initiatrix terrae (Music Fear Satan) | Bandcamp
- Age Of Taurus – The Colony Slain (Rise Above) | Buy
- Beastmaker – EPs (Church Records) | Bandcamp
- Solstice – White Horse Hill (White Horse) | Bandcamp
- Domkraft – Flood (Blues Funeral) | Bandcamp
- Alunah – Amber & Gold EP (Svart) | Bandcamp
- Brimstone Coven – What Was And What Shall Be (Brimstone Coven) | Bandcamp
- Conan – Existential Void Guardian (Napalm) | Bandcamp
:-
:-
Yuri Gagarin. 
Howlin' Sun