Global Domination

GD's verdicts - Best of 2012: The Duff

24/12/12  ||  The Duff

1. Spawn Of Possession: Incurso

The Duff (Stunted penis molester):

Probably the easiest choice I’ve had to make all year next to maintaining my at least one masturbation session a day. The tech Gods return after a long absence having not skipped a step; this record is majestic, catchy, complex, layered, heavy, spacious, euphoric, dark and foremost musically spotless.

2: Anathema: Weather systems

Still not sure whether this surpasses “We’re Here…” yet, but I’ve listened to it so much since its release for my feel-good fix and that connection with humankind I know is somewhere down there, near my asshole.

3: Evoken: Atra mors

A doom masterpiece, for long wintery nights absolutely ideal. The blend of crushing and euphoric, dark and despairing is impeccable on this record, I think they have actually surpassed themselves and the entire doom sub-genre to rank alongside masterpieces “The Maniacal Vail” and “the Divinity of Oceans”.

4: Terrordrome: This day of sacrilege

A band that was trademark brutal tech death has transformed over the course of three years to become an infectious brutal tech death band. The chops on this disc are heavy, head-spinning technical and of course catchy yet uncompromisingly so. Plus one of my favourite drum performances of the year and pretty killer artwork make this a band to develop an interest in now before hopefully their seminal third album masterpiece.

5: Malignancy: Eugenics

A playful, brutal death metal band. Catchy, bouncy rhythms, an unusual style to riffing, technical music, versatile(ish) vocals, and a drum performance to match Jamie St Merat of Ulcerate or Danny Walker of (to the least of my knowledge) Murder Construct, entertaining concept, this grew on me very, very quickly. Whether it was worth the wait, I can’t say, both albums are remarkable and “Eugenics” sees the band maturing, toning it down but bringing the fun back into brutal music. Or rather making brutal music fun.

Major disappointment of 2011:

Neurosis: Honour found in decay

My joint favourite band of all time, I think; “Given to the Rising” disappointed but having listened to it recently I’m flabbergasted as to why. Maybe this record will follow in the same footsteps. For now, I feel it’s too weak, not deep enough musically nor lyrically. Some great Neurosis moments, a solid album, but for an outfit that has consistently written music of such thought-provoking and emotional intensity, I can’t help but feel short-changed.