All the hard-hitting, experimental, cinematic bois :
1.) Rolo Tomassi - Where Myth Becomes Memory :
The way this album is woven together is something special and the stark sound/mood shifts are so tastefully executed. Visceral, beautiful and emotionally heavy ; this is perhaps Rolo Tomassi's finest work to date, or at least their most mature and refined, what an album this is!
2.) Conjurer - PÃ thos :
Mire had no rights being as good as it was for a debut and set up a bar so high it would be very challenging to surpass. PÃ thos however, sets out to accomplish something different and although it's not as big of a riff-fest (although it's definitely not lacking in that department), it definitely feels more mature in the themes and topics it touches upon and the way the album is structured.
3.) Psychonaut - Violate Consensus Reality :
Combining the "spiritual" progressive metal style of Tool with sludgy post-metal ;
Psychonaut are rising stars of the genre and one listen of this albums explains why that is.
What a journey!
4.) Brutus - Unison Life :
I wasn't completely over the moon with this one at first but as I came back for repeat listens, I found myself remembering the lyrics to most songs and subconsciously singing along to them. Brutus are making punk influenced post-metal catchy and anthemic and I absolutely love them for it.
5.) Russian Circles - Gnosis :
After the thunderous Blood Year and based on the first single (Conduit), I expected a bit more of a punch from Gnosis, which is why it isn't ranked higher sadly. I didn't particularly enjoy the album's pacing at first, but after coming back to this record a good few times, things eventually started clicking and making more sense and once that occurred, I got way more enjoyment out of it.
6.) Cult of Luna - The Long Road North :
Probably a bit of a controversial move not ranking this among the top 3 (which I did consider at first) but ultimately, although there's no denying the intricacy, the details and the cinematic sense of journey that emanate from this album ; based on personal enjoyment, The Long Road North didn't touch me half as much as Cult of Luna's last three releases did and didn't awaken that same sense of wonder and bewilderment; which didn't encourage me to revisit it all that much since the prospect of going through a long, lonesome journey through a barren icy wasteland felt more tiresome than appealing.
7.) Cave In - Heavy Pendulum :
I know, this doesn't qualify as 100% post-metal with its mix of prog, groovy southern rock, stoner and alternative metal ; but Heavy Pendulum was such a treat to discover upon first listen! Some of the songs could have been bonus tracks in my opinion but the overall final product is a very enjoyable listen in which it is easy to loose yourself into and marks the return of a staple band after much trial and tragedy.
8.) Playgrounded - The Death of Death :
Progressive sludgy post-metal meets cinematic synths and electronics ; a refreshing twist on the sub-genre!
9.) Codespeaker - Codespeaker :
Pretty much sticking to the meat & potatoes of what it takes to make sludgy post-metal that hits like a freight train, but hey, most people love meat & potatoes. (Shit analogy I know, but I'm exhausted, please forgive me).
10.) Mountaineer - Giving Up The Ghost :
Not as compelling or complete as their previous output, the emotionally stirring Bloodletting, but still a very potent mix of post-metal and doomgaze.