Top 12 albums of 2012: Numbers 12-10

Picking the top albums of any year can be a tricky business, especially when you don't ascribe to any one genre of music.  Literally thousands of new albums are released every year, and from such a large pool, every list will be very different.  The following few posts will be my picks for the top 12 albums of 2012.  I will pick the very best of each full-length album I have heard (in my opinion) and briefly review it here, as well as embed players of a select song from each album.  This is a fun activity both to write about and to read about.  So, without further ado, here are numbers 12 through 10 on my end-of-year list.

12. Sybreed-God is an Automaton.  Sybreed has, over the years, crafted a unique sound the embodies elements from both extreme metal and new wave music.  This new genre is dubbed 'deathwave'.  Vocals switch between uplifting and soaring clean vocals to vicious screams amid chugging metal riffing, blast beats, and near constant synths to give the music a powerful, epic vibe.  Sybreed has released three full-length albums, and this is their best effort yet.  The music sounds dark and is extremely riveting.  The eye-catching cover art was created by Seth Siro Anton of Septicflesh, who has a distinctive style.  Check out the track I have selected below.  This illustrates what Sybreed is all about in my opinion.

11. Between the Buried and Me-The Parallax II:Future Sequence.  This full-length album is a follow-up to the band's previous EP, "The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogs".  This disc is a progressive behemoth that is flush with energy and emotion.  From face-ripping roars to melodic cleans, the vocals are as good as any progressive metal band.  The energy of the music is powerful progressive metal with death-like leanings and peaceful melodic passages.  Upon listening to the song below, you should understand why this album made my year-end list.  It was highly anticipated from the get-go and did not disappoint.


10. Katatonia-Dead end Kings.  Katatonia has roots in mostly solemn, doom metal.  The new dist presents these elements of doom and mixes them with more refined progressive rock tendencies.  This album is fantastic from start to finish and does not contain a single poor track,  Each song is rich with melancholic melody and strong baritone vocals unlike any other band.  This Swedish band knows how to make high-grade music that toes the line between genres.  The track below is indicative of the entire record's sound.  You will be hooked. 


Thanks for reading, everyone and stay tuned for part two of my list coming tomorrow!

Seven Remixes you gotta hear

If you are not familiar with the term 'remix' it is possible you have lived under a rock for the duration of the computer age (just kidding).  For those of you uninitiated, a remix is an original song that another artist rebuilds.  I prefer remixes to covers in most instances because I find that the process of remixing a song is much more creative than just performing a cover version.  Thankfully, there are a lot of great remix songs out there today.  Here are seven of them.

Omega Lithium-This Croatian alternative metal band writes synthy, dancy rock tunes with electronic sounds to add flair.  Perfect target to remix.
Dance With Me (Darkstep Remix):


Active Child-Active Child is an indie electronic musician who specializes in incorporating the harp into his music. 
Playing House (Chad Valley Remix):


Bush-Bush reeased a remix album in the late 90s called "Deconstructed."  Some of the tracks were throwaways, but some were excellent.  Among the better ones was this gem.
In a Lonely Place (Tricky mix)


David Bowie-Bowie dabbled in electronic and synth music himself for part of his career.  As part of the deluxe edition of his album "Heathen", there was a second disc with rarer recordings.  This track was on that second disc.
A Better Future (Remix by Air)


Deadlock-Deadlock is a German extreme metal band that incorporates lots of electronic and dance beats into the grinding metal.  Their latest album "Bizarro World" includes two remixes.  This is the better one.
State of Decay (S.U.N. Project remix)


Natalie Walker-She is an excellent electronic jazz/trip hop artists.  Her EP "Quicksand" contained the original single plus four alternate version remixes.
Quicksand (Bautista remix)
Quicksand (Bautista Remix)

Sybreed-This Swiss metal band is sometimes referred to as deathwave music, which intends to mix extreme metal with new wave music.  I really like this band.  Their EP "Challenger" includes the original version of the track and four different remixes.
Challenger (Voician remix)


Thanks for reading and enjoy!