BEST OF 2013 (SO FAR)

It’s the start of July already. We’re already over halfway through 2013. Jeez time really does fly. The amount of metal of the highest quality that has hit the stores already is astounding. We've been doing our best to keep up with all the notable releases of the year and I think we've been doing a pretty decent job. Not too much has flown under the radar and I’ve personally had time to digest mostly everything I was excited for at the beginning of the year. I’ve been surprised by a lot of the music I’ve really been enjoying, some of which is a lot lighter than I ever would have predicted. Without further ado, here are the Best Of lists and some song highlights from our four main writers starting with my own (albums in no particular order). If you’ve missed any of these, definitely check em out.

Trisolino's List

Albums

Intronaut - “Habitual Levitations (Instilling Words With Tones)” [LISTEN HERE]
Coheed and Cambria - “The Afterman: Descension” [LISTEN HERE]
Wormed - “Exodromos” [LISTEN HERE]
Anciients - “Heart of Oak” [LISTEN HERE]
Leprous - “Coal” [LISTEN HERE]
Arsis - “Unwelcome” [LISTEN HERE]
Heaven Shall Burn - “VETO” [LISTEN HERE]
The Ocean - “Pelagial” [LISTEN HERE]
The Monolith Deathcult - “Tetragrammaton” [LISTEN HERE]
A Pale Horse Named Death - “Lay My Soul to Waste” [LISTEN HERE]
Tesseract - “Altered State” [LISTEN HERE]
The Black Dahlia Murder - “Everblack” [LISTEN HERE]
Scale the Summit - “The Migration” [LISTEN HERE]
August Burns Red - “Rescue & Restore” [LISTEN HERE]
Palms - “Palms” [LISTEN HERE]

EPs

Fallujah “Nomadic” [LISTEN HERE]

Mike Thall's List

Albums

Pomegranate Tiger - "Entities" [LISTEN HERE]
Oblivion - "Called To Rise" [LISTEN HERE]
Arsis - "Unwelcome" [LISTEN HERE]
Scale The Summit - "The Migration" [LISTEN HERE]
Intronaut - "Habitual Levitations (Instilling Words With Tones)" [LISTEN HERE]
Tesseract - "Altered State" [LISTEN HERE]
Ade - "Spartacus" [LISTEN HERE]
Means End - "The Didact" [LISTEN HERE]
The Dillinger Escape Plan - "One Of Us Is The Killer" [LISTEN HERE]
Immolation - "Kingdom Of Conspiracy" [LISTEN HERE]
August Burns Red - "Rescue & Restore" [LISTEN HERE]
Disperse - "Living Mirrors" [LISTEN HERE]
The Black Dahlia Murder - "Everblack" [LISTEN HERE]
Killswitch Engage - "Disarm The Descent" [LISTEN HERE]
The Schoenberg Automaton - "Vela" [LISTEN HERE]
Nemertines - “Death, My Love” [LISTEN HERE]
Amon Amarth - "Deceiver Of The Gods" [LISTEN HERE]
Northlane - “Singularity” [LISTEN HERE]
No Consequence - “IO” [LISTEN HERE]
Within The Ruins – “Elite” [LISTEN HERE] 
The Bridal Procession - "Descent Into Arcologies" [LISTEN HERE]
Anup Sastry - “Ghost” [LISTEN HERE]

EPs

Fallujah - "Nomadic" [LISTEN HERE]
Uneven Structure - "8" [LISTEN HERE]
Plini - "Other Things" [LISTEN HERE]
Polyphia - "Inspire" [LISTEN HERE]
CHON - "Newborn Sun" [LISTEN HERE]
Auras – “Panacea” [LISTEN HERE]

Mattia's List

Albums

Coheed And Cambria – “The Afterman: Descension” [LISTEN HERE]
The Holy Guile – “FSU” [LISTEN HERE]
Dreamshade – “The Gift Of Life” [LISTEN HERE]
Soilwork – “The Living Infinite” [LISTEN HERE]
Within The Ruins – “Elite” [LISTEN HERE]
Atlantis Chronicles – “Ten Miles Underwater” [LISTEN HERE]
Anup Sastry – “Ghost” [LISTEN HERE]
Nemertines – “Death, My Love” [LISTEN HERE]
The Ocean – “Pelagial” [LISTEN HERE]
Northlane – “Singularity” [LISTEN HERE]
Benea Reach – “The Possession” [LISTEN HERE]
No Consequence – “IO” [LISTEN HERE]
Tesseract – “Altered States” [LISTEN HERE]
Lifeforms – “Multidimensional” [LISTEN HERE]
Liferuiner – “Future Rvisionist” [LISTEN HERE]
Damned Spring Fragrantia – “Divergences” [LISTEN HERE]
Letlive – “The Blackest Beautiful” [LISTEN HERE]

EPs

Bend The Sky – “Observatory” [LISTEN HERE]
Sylar – “Deadbeat” [LISTEN HERE]
Mask Of Judas - “Axis” [LISTEN HERE]
After The Burial – “This Life Is All We Have” [LISTEN HERE]

Tyler's List

Albums

Disperse – “Living Mirrors” [LISTEN HERE]
No Consequence – “IO” [LISTEN HERE]
Scale The Summit – “The Migration” [LISTEN HERE]
Warp Prism – “Infinite II” [LISTEN HERE]
The Schoenberg Automation – “Vela” [LISTEN HERE]
Intronaut – “Habitual Leviatations” [LISTEN HERE]
Killswitch Engage – “Disarm The Descent” [LISTEN HERE]
Northlane – “Singularity” [LISTEN HERE]
Of Glaciers – “Heart Museum” [LISTEN HERE]
Tesseract – “Altered State” [LISTEN HERE]
Within The Ruins – “Elite” [LISTEN HERE]

EPs

The Obelisk – “Microcosm” [LISTEN HERE]
The Northern – “Imperium” [LISTEN HERE]
Auras – “Panacea” [LISTEN HERE]
Entities – “Aether” [LISTEN HERE]
Save Us From The Archon – “some things…..” [LISTEN HERE]
Mega Beardo – “Ledjent of Zelda” [LISTEN HERE]
Plini – “Other Things” [LISTEN HERE]
Fallujah – “Nomadic” [LISTEN HERE]
Sectioned “Outlier” [LISTEN HERE]
The Korea – “Saturnus” [LISTEN HERE]
Polyphia – “Inspire” [LISTEN HERE]
Bend They Sky – “Observatory” [LISTEN HERE]

DISPERSE "LIVING MIRRORS" ALBUM REVIEW

If I had to describe this band's sound in one word, it would be ethereal. Hailing from Poland, Disperse is a musical unit flaunting massive potential playing what they've dubbed as "Fantasy Music". Essentially this is done through a solid combination of Progressive Metal and Progressive Rock elements along with a fusion side, atmospheric greatness, and some of the tastiest musical segments you'll hear all year long. This is evinced in full on their newest album, "Living Mirrors" (released via Season of Mist).

The line-up is relatively young but the talent is generally stacked. First off you have Jakub Żytecki handling all the guitar work. If you listen to other artists such as David Maxim Micic or Gru, chances are you've heard this guy's awesome soloing before. When I first found out he had a band of his own I needed to listen. The results were satisfying to say the least. Next up there's Maciek Dzik handling the drum kit. This guy can hold a groove like no other, making the percussion a more than welcome element of their sound. He brings out some very interesting segments on this record. The bassist Wojtek Famielec delivers the rumble from down under like a pro with some stand out segments and a great tone. Finally Rafał Biernacki covers the exclusively clean vocals. Honestly, his approach is somewhat hit or miss for me. At times he REALLY makes the most of the music, bringing nothing but power with his voice. Other times it feels somewhat flat with his generally lower-middle range.

"Living Mirrors" itself is an experience. These are the kind of songs you may find yourself getting lost in as they provide passion, power, and pure taste. Also a touch of fantasy. The album starts off with the simple, yet effective instrumental intro "Dancing With Endless Love" which transitions smoothly into the first single "Enigma of Abode". This single is definitely one of the album's best (also comes with a cheesy, visually stunning music video). It could essentially be split into two parts, the first being the more technical side and the second being TASTY AS HELL. So damn good. Many other stand out tracks line the duration of this album. Some would have to be "AUM", "Be Afraid Of Nothing / Unbroken Shiver", "Butoh", "Profane The Ground", and "Universal Love".

At the same time, I recognize this album won't fit everyone's taste in music. Musically it's solid. But for a band mixed in with the metal world, they are considerably light. Also, as hinted before the exclusively clean singing can be hit or miss. For example, I guarantee some of you will hate "Unbroken Shiver" for it's inclusion of frankly unnecessary auto-tune. But other than a few small flaws, "Living Mirrors" is a winner.

This album is pretty much mandatory listening for all the prog heads out there. If you're looking for some creative, ethereal music, this album may be the key to your dreams. It weaves and twists aural pleasures in a way that you won't typically hear. If this sounds like good listening to you, be sure to check the tracks above and buy the album here! I have to mention the album artwork is amazing. It's so intricate I could probably stare at it for an hour and still pick out new details, similar to the music itself.

Links: Facebook // Official Website // Merch

DISPERSE "UNIVERSAL LOVE" DRUM PLAYTHROUGH

Coming out of Poland, Disperse has been doing some big things on the Progressive Metal front. The project of extreme talent and lead guitarist Jakub Żytecki, this band boasts one helluva lineup. The drummer, Maciek Dzik, is no exception. The band recently released a video of him grooooovin through the track "Universal Love". You can check it out below along with some more goods off the bands impressive recent release, "Living Mirrors".

Links: Facebook // Bandcamp // iTunes

DISPERSE "LIVING MIRRORS" ALBUM PREVIEW

It's great when a band has the ability to reach out and grab your full attention on the first listen. Poland's Disperse can do just that with their smooth, ethereal Progressive Metal sound, genius level compositional abilities, and experimental flair. I've heard of guitarist Jakub Żytecki through his work with artists such as David Maxim Micic, but didn't realize he had a band of his own until just recently. Needless to say, my ears were pleasantly surprised by an extreme fusion of taste and technicality.

Disperse released their debut "Journey Through The Hidden Gardens" back in 2010. It gained them respect and notoriety in the metal underground and now they're looking to go further. Currently, the band is gearing up to release their sophomore effort, "Living Mirrors". And if the music released so far is any clue, the new album should be amazing. It is scheduled for a February 15th release in Europe and February 19th in North America via Season Of Mist. Definitely stay tuned for our full review.

A couple days ago the band released a music video / new single entitled "Enigma Of Abode" in support of "Living Mirrors". It's sounding / looking phenomenal. Check out the single along with another track from the album below and get your ears ready for the release!

Links: Facebook // Bandcamp