Well June is almost over, and that means half the year has passed us by. Where does the time go? Anyway, the amount of quality music that has been released this year is staggering really. Over the horizon some hopefully great albums are in the works as well. In an effort to make the task easier at the end of the year I've compiled a list of my favorite releases thus far. Enjoy.
Classic Sabbath style doom that is drenched in riffs and whiskey. Really no one is doing this style better than Saint Vitus, and this is one hell of a comeback album. Wino is on vocals again, and Chandler is just as crunchy and fuzz soaked as ever. This album is more or less what you'd expect Vitus to do, but that is exactly what makes it so great.
Rush is back with their 20th(!) studio album, "Clockwork Angels", and it will blow you away. This is easily their best effort in more than a decade, hell some say their best in three decades. Either way it's Rush, it's prog, it's great!
Saint Vitus - Lillie F:65
Classic Sabbath style doom that is drenched in riffs and whiskey. Really no one is doing this style better than Saint Vitus, and this is one hell of a comeback album. Wino is on vocals again, and Chandler is just as crunchy and fuzz soaked as ever. This album is more or less what you'd expect Vitus to do, but that is exactly what makes it so great.
Astra - The Black Chord
Do you wish all the 70s progressive rock bands didn't go all new wave in the 80s? I know I sure as hell do! Astra is as close to that dream as we'll ever come. Think Pink Floyd, Yes, and King Crimson and you're almost there. If those bands had kept playing that 70s style one of them may have written "The Black Chord" Far from just a retro rehash though, this band has improved upon and expanded their sound since their debut. This is one of the absolute best prog rock albums to come out in long time.
Electric Wizard - Legalise Drugs and Murder
If the cover art reminds you of a certain third album by a certain legendary band, well that's intentional. Electric Wizard play that same kind of slow, fuzzy, doom with the distinct smell of weed coming off every note. While this is technically a single(both sides are only just over 12 minutes), "Legalise Drugs & Murder" cannot be neglected. Crushingly heavy riffs, and a real tangible atmosphere make this one of the contenders for sure.
Rush - Clockwork Angels
Rush is back with their 20th(!) studio album, "Clockwork Angels", and it will blow you away. This is easily their best effort in more than a decade, hell some say their best in three decades. Either way it's Rush, it's prog, it's great!
Ancestors - In Dreams and Time
The first half of 2012 has been phenomenal for progressive rock and doom metal, so here is an album that combines the two of course! This is the trippiest and progiest doom I've ever heard, like Pink Floyd and Kyuss had a baby. I dare you to click on the video above and claim you've heard anything really like it before.
Aura Noir - Out To Die
And now for something completely different. Aura Noir never fail to deliver down and dirty, straight forward, kick your ass metal. Occupying that same area between thrash and black metal that Sodom and Kreator did in the 80s, "Out To Die" blends the two genres beautifully. This one has been kicking my ass for months.
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