2016

2016 was a shitty year in many ways, but not when it came to new metal releases. I usually argue that there's no such thing as a bad year for metal, but 2016 certainly proved that some years are better than others. I had the hardest time ripping out pages of my diary, there were just so many great releases that made me want to yell "you gotta listen to this too!".

But here we are again. Similar to last year these are 12 pages (and a special chapter) from my Bandcamp diary, containing some of the albums that stuck with me the most (only time will tell if they are all true keepers). Genre wise they are all over the map, I take it as another indication of the bountiful of great metals in 2016. And without further ado:

January 26th, 2016.

January 29th, 2016.

February 1st, 2016.

February 12th, 2016.

February 18th, 2016.

April 8th, 2016.

August 12th - August 14th, 2016.

Video by Islander from No Clean Singing

An entire chapter in my 2016 diary is dedicated to the Migration Fest in Olympia (south of Seattle). A metal festival curated by the nice folks from 20 Buck Spin and Gilead Media, that was a stunning success in every way. Great music, great atmosphere, very well organized; it was a fest that I and, I'm sure, all other attendees look back on with fondness.

One of the highlights was a spellbinding set by False on day three. It was my first time seeing them, and I was left both drained and stunned by the intensity of their performance.

A special shout out to Burial Grounds, the friendly coffee shop just opposite the main fest venue. Staying upright throughout three days of metal, at my age, was helped by a copious amount of their iced Zombie Defenders with four shots of espresso and "secret flavors".

Another highlight was Dead to a Dying World (also on day three). Expansive blackened sludge/doom with an unique sound due to violin being one of the lead instruments. No video, so here's the next best thing, a recording of their set from the 2016 Roadburn Festival.

August 15th, 2016.

August 18th, 2016.

August 26th, 2016.

Isn’t it beautiful
To know exquisite remorse,
To see the truth that drives men fleeing into early graves,
To be wise, to dream every day of a great escape, of a Houdini blade?

"Black Majesty"

September 16th, 2016.

October 14th, 2016.

October 21st, 2016.

Thanks to all of you out there for reading and listening. See you around in 2017, enjoy the year while it is still new and shiny.

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