IN ROTATION: Our most played albums in MAY 2019

COUNT VLAD’S DOMINIONS

May’s gone. Superb music released in the past month. I was very much in doubt when compiling the usual Top 15 list with releases from the respective month. Some very good returns, some great discoveries, and some excellent new albums by recent bands. I felt I listened to tons new music, and yet it wasn’t enough to catch with all the new releases. Not much time for old but gold stuff.

As usual, these five I present here are from the big overall pile of new and old record I listened in the past month. These five are “outside” the artists I listened for my works for the Zine; they are usually on top of all records released during the month and go into monthly top 15+ list.

IDLE HANDS – “Mana” (2019)

Yes, this is the album of the month for me, and for sure will stand very high in my AOTY list. All the goth/post punk influences, combined with melodic riffing + so much energy and that typical goth misery feeling…

IDLE HANDS reminded me about so many bands and in the same time they are so unique in 2019.

INCULTER –  “Fatal Visions” (2019)

Thrash with blackened taste at its best! So intense and so enjoyable. Fusa turned to be a great place for such bands. INCULTER definitely delivered one of the albums of the year with “Fatal Visions”

WINDSWEPT – “The Onlooker” (2019)

The Onlooker grew a lot in me since its release in February. Yes, it went straight to my top list for that month, but I haven’t stopped playing it. Is it a fast and frantic Drudkh? I think so. Roman’s signature of composing and riffing is so distinctive and it cannot be mistaken. This different expression of his talent is also very captivating. Absolute storm!

DRAWN INTO DESCENT – “The Endless Endeavour” (2019)

This is an album you can lost in. The atmospheric black metal/post black metal just grabs you and takes you to another place and time. Very emotional album, very intense and in the same time I can feel the hidden grief…

IRON VOID – “Excalibur” (2018)

I rediscovered IRON VOID in May. “Excalibur” suddenly got me very solidly and along with the new Saint Vitus’ brand new album, both shaped and outlined the traditional doom presence in my May’s playlist. 

Bonus Track:

DEATH – “Symbolic” (1995)

24 ago DEATH released this classic. Is there anyone, anywhere who hasn’t listened to it? It’s been a blast from the past. Literally for few days in May I couldn’t listen to anything else but “Symbolic” on repeat. 

Do I consider it the best DEATH album – no. I find “Human” untouchable, followed by “Leprosy” and “Spiritual Healing”. However since 1995 I haven’t stopped playing Symbolic all the way. I love the album, as it reminds me about my life and experiences which happened in that spring back then. 

Count Vlad