THAT DRUMMER GUY'S TOP 100 ALBUMS OF 2015 PART II: 100-81

I know I said I was going to do these 10 at a time, but with a quick change in an album I just received today and the fact that I have been starting the Top Albums of 2015 on the radio show, I'm going to do these quicker to match up with the show.

I can't ever stress this enough! For the average person, 100 albums sounds like a daunting task and the average person doesn't have time *or care enough * to listen to 20 albums in a year. at this time, without getting any more 2015 albums this year, 111.56GBs of 2015 music of 192K-320K quality promos and albums I bought this year. Way more than I count off the top of my head would probably take a couple hours to count out. So as I point out every year, if an album makes my top 100, that means I love it! A LOT! Yes, the higher up in the ranking the more I love it, but when you look at the ratio, this is essentially, the top 10% or less of music I've checked out this year that I feel is worthy of everyone's attention. And I really hope no matter what genre of Metal and Rock you enjoy, you'll find at least one discovery that you really like!

So let's get started shall we?




100.) Remnants Of Winter- Remnants Of WInter
FFO- Black Metal,  Atmosphere, Symphonic Metal

An album that wouldn't normally be in my top 100 albums to be honest mainly because the production leaves a bit to be desired (VERY raw), but the music behind it more than makes up for it! The whole album is filled with a great mix of Black Metal, Symphonic Metal and the more I think about it, the raw production gives a great atmosphere to the music and makes it sound a bit different than other bands trying to pull this style off. It's mainly harsh vocals but when the clean vocals come in as well, it adds for a great combination of vocal styles. With this being the first album, I expect these guys to become even better with the next album, which I really hope so because these guys deserve love. Hope you dig them as well.


99.) Stormy Atmosphere
FFO- Progressive Metal, Orchestral. Art Metal

Much like I talked about with Orpheus Blade in my Honorable Mentions list, Stormy Atmosphere proves once again that Israel is a hot bed for Progressive Metal. while the female operatic vocals will definitely not be up everyone's alley, if you can get past it or find a way to enjoy it, it makes the experience very enjoyable. The music behind the album is absolutely stellar and the male vocals might be my favorite part of the album. I also thoroughly enjoy that the bass (provided by Max Mann) is actually audible and extremely well played. If you can enjoy a band like Orphaned Land with the type of Israeli style Progressive Metal, this should be more than up your alley.


98.) Kardashev- Peripety
FFO- Atmospheric Death Metal

Much like how Fallujah has blown everyone away with their style of Atmospheric Death Metal, Kardashev is doing their spin on the genre and doing an absolutely amazing job with it. Imagine Cynic's Focus made in 2015 and no vocoder vocals. I only just started getting into the album deeply and if it wasn't for that, it would be much higher up on my list. These guys are going to be huge I can feel it.


97.) Myrkur- M
FFO- Atmospheric Black Metal, Post Rock

Myrkur is arguably the most notorious Black Metal project going right now this side of Deafheaven. Myrkur is a a one female project that incorporates a good mix of Black Metal and Post Rock, while not the most groundbreaking album of 2015, it is without question a solid album. M focuses more on the Post Rock/Post Metal side than the Black Metal of her first release, much like Alcest did before going full blown Post Rock and Indie Rock but still enough Black Metal to make it evil and sinister at the right moments. That's how you do it!


96.) Deadly Circus Fire- The Hydra's Tailor
FFO- Progressive Metal, Hard Rock

All the way from London, Deadly Circus Fire is doing their take on Tool inspired Progressive Metal mainly showcased in Australia, but doing something that you don't hear from Tool inspired bands or from Tool themselves anymore....DYNAMICS! While being almost radio friendly enough and proggy enough to showcase their skills. The band is doing an amazing job of blending their styles together to form a cohesive style that should be showcased more in this light.


95.) Hate Eternal- Infernus
FFO- Technical Death Metal, Brutal Death Metal

As much as I do enjoy Death Metal, Death Metal records just don't make the top of my top lists often compared to other genres. So even the most enjoyed Death Metal album is almost always low on the top 100. Hate Eternal is a great example of that. This album is completely solid! While it does start to blend together after a while ( much like every band of this style *recommended listening in segments*) You see how well crafted Erik Rutan and company are in 2015. And I can't stress it enough because it couldn't possibly be more true. Chason Westmoreland was and will be the best drummer Hate Eternal will every have. Every drummer needs to be able to blast without a trigger like he does! But back on the album, Absolutely insane moments willed with the right amount of Melody, Harmony and Brutality! Hate Eternal brings it to us once again with no signs of slowing down!


94.) Mouse On The Keys- The Flowers Of Romance
FFO- Instrumental, Experimental

I couldn't really find another way to describe this album. It's Drums, Piano and Keyboards and each instrument goes absolutely insane with their talents. The album is done in a Post Rock-ish way where it has many peaks and valleys. The most insane instrument is by far the drums, essentially doing a drum solo throughout the whole album, but it is done in such a musical way that it feels natural. Japan proves once again how innovative the country is. As far as technology, and music. Japan is always top notch!


93.) The Winery Dogs- Hot Streak
FFO- Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Hard Rock

Ritchie Koontz, Billy Sheean and Mike Portnoy are at it again with their Supergroup trio, The Winery Dogs. While every supergroup suffers from the 2nd album lull. If this is the worst it gets for the band, they will continue to be a legendary band for years to come! While the album does suffer from very cheesy lyrics that a band like this would definitely put on an album, the music is far more killer than the debut album. The band has found their niche and they are doing it marvelously. Now, let's hope for a Minnesota date in 2016! Just tell me who I gotta call to book a show!


92.) Angellore- La Litanie Des Cendres
FFO- Doom Metal, Atmospheric Metal

Imagine Alcest being inspired by Candlemass! This project is another sufferer from being discovered too late in the year to be able to fully enjoy it by the time I made this list, but this incredible album that would have probably jumped up 80 spots if given the chance. Simply beautiful music. While some growls and screams are used for effect, it is almost all clean vocals. Very symphonic, doomy, atmospheric and Post Rock-ish. It sounds strange on paper, but upon one listen, you'll be sold!


91.) Deluge- Æther
FFO- Atmospheric Black Metal

Simply one of the oddest combinations in Metal. One of the members of The Ocean with person responsible for bands like Oceano, The Acacia Strain, and Born of Osiris making Atmospheric Black Metal. The music is very impressive and well thought out! While the constantly, unrelenting blasts do get old for some people. It starts to become a natural part of the listening process. From this combination, I wouldn't have expected this to be as impressive as it is. Is this a sign of what's to come in Black Metal?


90.) Trivium- Silence In The Snow
FFO- Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Hard Rock

I can see a lot of people getting angry that I compared Trivium to Power Metal...well, this album has some Power Metal in it! Just slower! Trivium has done away with screams on this album and focused on all cleans. The riffs have a lot of Radio friendly potential and some very, well, Power Metalish tinges that make this a better experience than any other Trivium album I've ever heard. If you already hate Trivium and will never give them a chance, this won't win you over. But if you enjoy the genres listed and feeling adventurous, give this a shot. if it can impress me this much, it could very well impress you as well!


89.) Ahab- The Boats Of Glen Carrig
FFO- Post Metal, Doom Metal, Sludge Metal

The most I listen to this album, the more and more I find something new in it and become very impressed with what I hear. If you dig the early day Mastodon sound and wish they went slower, Ahab is the band for you. I've heard someone say Ahab is a mix of Mastodon and Godspeed You! Black Emperor, I can totally see it! Some of the songs are pretty long, but if you dig that, you'll love this. The soundscapes of peaks and valleys really make this album flourish. It's one hell of an adventure!


88.) Crypt Sermon- Out Of The Garden
FFO- Doom Metal, Heavy Metal

Early Day Doom Metal fans rejoice! In what I hope will be a resurgence of the genre, Crypt Sermon has put out an astonishing Doom Metal album for fans of the likes of Candlemass. All clean vocals here, so no, that the other kind of Doom Metal. While arriving extremely late on my listen to list, I am so happy I got to check it out because I am floored. It's not groundbreaking, just a nice throwback to the early days of Evil Metal before screams took over. These guys are only going to get bigger and better and I can't wait to see what's next!


87.) King Parrot- Dead Set
FFO- Grindcore, Hardcore, Punk

A band I absolutely love for their sheer power live, killer writing style and unique vocals. The band's 2nd album is a much more concise album than the debut, incorporate more Heavy Metal and Groove Metal elements and a great length to make you wanna hit repeat. It also helps that singer Matt Young is one of the coolest guys to grace the Metal World. I'm so happy these guys are getting they love they deserve. Let's hope the momentum doesn't stop!


86.) toe- Hear You
FFO- Instrumental Rock

Another listing from an incredible band out of Japan. toe is one of those bands that have been around for a long time, but outside the underground, no one knows about them. Which is a complete shame because these guys are beyond impressive. Much like my review of Mouse On The Keys,  and while more subdued, toe makes incredible instrumental music that captivates you from start to finish. A great take on instrumental Rock that proves it doesn't need to just be wanking off and scale worship.


85.) Spock's Beard- The Oblivion Particle
FFO- Progressive Rock

This is easily my favorite Spock's Beard album in YEARS! They really hit it right this time between the Prog, Rock, Instrumental, and subdued moments. It is a classic album from start to finish. Gotta make sure you are into 70's inspired Prog Rock before jumping into this one or else you'll never get it. If you do, check it out!


84.) Rivers Of Nihil- Monarchy
FFO- Technical Death Metal, Death and Cynic Style Progressive Metal

Of the three leading bands of the 2010's Metal scene (with Fallujah and Black Crown Initiate) Rivers Of Nihil is the least known of the pack. Monarchy is a HUGE improvement over their last release (Which was also awesome). The Death and Cynic worship comes in very strong on this album, and that is without question, a great thing. It still hits the moments of Tech Death they are known for, but it is always great to hear band not just be brutal the whole time and actually write music. Rivers Of Nihil hit it out of the park with this open and I hope they really break out within the next year, they earned it!


83.) Tribulation- Children Of The Night
FFO- Psychedelic Black Metal

FINALLY, Tribulation is starting to get the love they deserve wither their newest album, Children Of The Night. The album is an adventure into Sabbath worship, 60s70s psychedelic moments and of course Black Metal. This is not your every day Black Metal in any way. While still not the perfect description, if you want Ghost to have Black Metal screams, listen to Tribulation!


82.) Torche- Restarter
FFO- Sludge Metal, Pop Rock, Doom Metal

In all honesty, I was hoping to love this album a lot more considering Meanderthal is one of my favorite albums of all time. But that in no way is to say Restarter isn't a great album. It's a great mix of Sludge, Doom, and Pop Rock done in a way that doesn't seem like it'd work on paper, but upon listening, it all makes sense. It's a great starter album for those wanting to get into the band. Baroness meets U2!


81.) Publicist UK- Forgive Yourself
FFO- Shoegaze, Post Punk, Post Rock

Would anyone ever guess that this album is an offshoot supergroup featuring members of Revocation, Municipal Waste and Goes Cube? I sure wouldn't had I not read the press release. For those that love the mid to late 80's Shoegaze scene, this is perfectly done. It really captures the UK Shoegaze scene with modern production. A very subdued album, but that's exactly what it calls for. And considering who is in the band, I'm sure it was a more than welcome change for the band to do something slower for a change! A great night album to help you relax before going to sleep or if you caught your girlfriend cheating on you with a guy wearing an Iron Reagan T -Shirt on!


COMING SOON- PART III: ALBUMS 80-61!