Reaper's Favorite Albums of 2012

[Chiefspants]

Any chance that the new albums from Katatonia, BTBAM, and The Contortionist are all in your top ten?

[Reaper16]

Originally Posted by Chiefspants

Any chance that the new albums from Katatonia, BTBAM, and The Contortionist are all in your top ten?

I really love one of those bands.

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

I really love one of those bands.

Considering your love for Opeth (with Heritage being an exception), I'm going to wager that Katatonia will be making the appearance. With that said, however, have you heard the latest work from The Contortionist? Intrinsic is heavily influenced by cynic/other progressive metal artists and offers a major contrast from TC's previous offerings. It's definitely worthy of a listen, as it may be the album of the year for me thus far. (Though I'd still hold your opinion in high regard if the work was not to your liking.)

[Reaper16]

Originally Posted by Chiefspants

Considering your love for Opeth (with Heritage being an exception), I'm going to wager that Katatonia will be making the appearance. With that said, however, have you heard the latest work from The Contortionist? Intrinsic is heavily influenced by cynic/other progressive metal artists and offers a major contrast from TC's previous offerings. It's definitely worthy of a listen, as it may be the album of the year for me thus far. (Though I'd still hold your opinion in high regard if the work was not to your liking.)

I listened to Intrinsic earlier in the year, but rarely found myself wanting to return to it. It sort of ended up in the same position for me as Ne Obliviscaris' Portal of I in that they are albums that, on paper, I should be totally into. But something didn't connect fully for me, and the album never got past "appreciation" and into "love."

Also, I liked the new Katatonia OK but was more disappointed in it than anything. High expectations, I guess.

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

I listened to Intrinsic earlier in the year, but rarely found myself wanting to return to it. It sort of ended up in the same position for me as Ne Obliviscaris' Portal of I in that they are albums that, on paper, I should be totally into. But something didn't connect fully for me, and the album never got past "appreciation" and into "love."

Also, I liked the new Katatonia OK but was more disappointed in it than anything. High expectations, I guess.

I can respect those opinions, Anathema has always been in that "Portal of I" position for me. In regards to Katatonia, I felt like their effort did not exactly advance them from their sounds in TGCD and NITND, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless.

As always, fantastic list, Reaper. Loved the inclusions of Alcest, Panopticon, Devin Townsend, Seers and Enslaved. I also made a note to check out Kamelot and Mgla's new releases.