Frank Godla's Top 5 Albums Of 2018 (Thus Far)
Tribulation – Down Under
It should come as no surprise that one of my favorite bands released one of my favorite records this year. It’s grim, eerie, melodic, captivating and has tremendous repeat value in every listen. Why wait for October, when you can experience the bliss of horror all year round in one amazing package titled, Down Below.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvJQGOFltSk][/youtube]
The Armed – Only Love
80% amazing band, 32% art project, 11% “what the fuck?”, The Armed remain to be one of the most intriguing bands I’ve loved over the past decade. Masters of their craft, of which there are more than most bands I can think of, this Detroit group is on a glorious mission to make you question what a band should be in 2018, while writing some of the best music out there.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdT1CxS7DEE][/youtube]
Skeletonwitch – Devouring Radiant Light
Although I loves me some Skeletonwitch from the beginning, the new album might actually be my favorite album of theirs yet! With a tackle box filled to the brim with catchy hooks, I’m having a hard time putting this one down lately.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZdeKg109ig][/youtube]
Svalbard – It's Hard To Have Hope
There is so much to love about Svalbard from UK. From their deep seated messages in every song to the etherial warmness in their sound, they’re a young band with tremendous vision and a passion to make some moves with the power of music. If you enjoy captivating melodic music of any kind, give their new album a spin, if nothing else, it might slow you down long enough to think deeply about the bigger picture.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSomlCJliSY][/youtube]
Slugdge – Esoteric Malacology
This UK Blackened Death duo has been released some rippers over the last 5 years, but their latest album, Esoteric Malacology is in a class of its own. A ton of dissonant brutality mixed with more groove and hooks than you usually hear from this sort of band, Slugdge provides us with one of the best brutal albums we’ve heard thus far in 2018.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2Ojl7BzKmE][/youtube]
