A chill is in the air and leaves are beginning to fall, which means my favorite time of year is fast approaching…heavy metal season! Finally, listening to metal and not sweating. If you’re not familiar, heavy metal season is generally considered to be Fall and Winter, the seasons that in our climate most closely resemble the frozen tundra and frigid mountainous regions of Scandinavia where, if there were a heavy metal god (Thor or Odin, according to most), said heavy metal god would certainly reside. Never heard of it? Not surprising, given that I am making it up as I go. But, as many a heavy metal fan will attest, there’s nothing like cold winter nights and black winter days to get you in the mood for some seriously dark and heavy music. So take the Surfer Blood out of your CD player, grab a mug of hot cocoa, and fill it 50/50 with your liquor of choice (whiskey suggested), because without further ado, here are my picks for kicking off this year’s heavy metal season.
Agalloch – The Mantle and Ashes Against the Grain
Beautiful folk black metal from Portland, Oregon that is atmospheric and hypnotic, one of my personal favorites. Perfect for thinking deeply, walks through the forest, or rocking out. Your choice.
Songs to get started with: The Mantle: In the Shadow of our Pale Companion, You were but a Ghost in My Arms, …And the Great Cold Death of the Earth
Ashes Against the Grain: Limbs, Falling Snow, This White Mountain on Which You Will Die, Not Unlike the Waves
Amorphis – Tales from the Thousand Lakes and Elegy
Veteran Finnish metal legends that started playing death metal in 1990 but have since evolved to include folk metal, psychadelic rock, and progressive metal. Tales from the Thousand Lakes and Elegy straddle the point of Amorphis’ career when they went from being a death metal oriented band to developing a more diverse sound. Both are amazing and the lyrics are taken from the Finnish national epics the Kalevala and the Kanteletar, respectively. That’s really, really metal.
Songs to get started with: Tales From the Thousand Lakes: First Doom, Black Winter Day, Magic and Mayhem
Elegy: Better Unborn, The Orphan, On Rich and Poor, My Kantele, Weeper on the Shore
Children of Bodom – Hatebreeder and Follow the Reaper
Seriously heavy and fast melodic death metal headed by guitar wizard Alexi Laiho, whom Kirk Hammett of Metallica once called the greatest guitarist ever, along with Joe Satriani. Incredible solos, brutal breakdowns, and blasting drums. Just stay away from their new albums, which have taken a turn for the worse.
Songs to get started with: Hatebreeder: Silent Night, Bodom Night, Toward Dead End, Downfall
Follow the Reaper: Follow the Reaper, Everytime I Die, Mask of Sanity, Hate Me!
Dark Tranquillity – Character
Swedish legends that along with At the Gates and In Flames developed the so—called Gothenburg sound and were one of the key figures in the development of melodic death metal. Singer Mikael Stanne has an incredible raspy growl and the band was one of the first to integrate electronics into their mix, bringing a new element into heavy metal that has since become widely accepted.
Songs to get started with: The New Build, Out of Nothing, Lost to Apathy, Mind Matters, One Thought
Emperor – In the Nightside Eclipse
Black metal that will chill your bones. One moment sounding like something straight from Hell, a moment later Emperor will work classical melodies into the mix, leaving listeners in Limbo. Emperor were a key part of the infamous Norwegian Black Metal scene.
Songs to get started with: I Am the Black Wizards, Inno A Satana, Cosmic Keys to my Creations and Times
Summoning – Let Mortal Heroes Sing Your Fame
Epic atmospheric Austrian black metal. Summoning is comprised of just two members and they refuse to perform live, but they are considered luminaries of the genre. Just playing hard to get.
Songs to get started with: Runes of Power, Ashen Gold, Farewell