Editor’s note: This top 5 albums of 2014 list is from Dan Schoenberg, guitarist for Primal Waters. Primal Waters released their debut album, Dichotomy, this year.
Keep up with the band here.
This year there has been a TON of awesome new music and a lot of those tunes are from groups that I either have never heard of before or have never really caught my attention. Which is f*cking great but the only problem I have is that I haven’t been able to listen to it all! From what I have heard there are a few albums that I haven’t completely digested leaving me unable to give them the appreciation they truely deserve. Also meaning, I still only just scratch the surface with this list. So, that being said, I’m going to talk about a few albums and end the article with an “honorable mentions” list. Which will be more like a list of albums spanning from “bonertastic but everyone else has talked about them” to “it’s good/interesting but I haven’t spent enough time with it”. These are not in any particular order. Here goes…
Judas Priest • Redeemer of Souls
Of course this is going to be on my list. I have an insatiable lust for Judas Priest. I will admit though, when March of the Damned was released as a single I listened to it and thought, “Oh no, this whole thing is going to sound like the new Ozzy Osbourne effect laden crap.” Then I bought it anyway and it f*cking rocks. Richie Faulkner is alright in my books. He apparently has pumped some new blood into those old guys. Not only have Rob and Glenn said that they feel more energized on stage and in the studio with Richie around but I guess they are getting ready for another album! I’m excited! In the end it’s a great mix of classic Priest riffage with a new twist here and there.
Exmortus • Slave to the Sword
Holy balls….These guys shred. Then they shred even more on each others guitars. Slave to the Sword is their first full length and their debut on Prosthetic Records, which is a perfect addition to Prosthetics roster. The production on this album is phenomenal, everything is clear and punchy where it needs to be and the overall mix is exactly what I think most albums should shoot for. I can’t wait for their next record.
Behemoth • The Satanist
I was going to skip writing anything about Behemoth because sooo many people have already but I can’t help myself. The Satanist is simply great. Nergal said he wanted an organic feel mixed into his sheer brutality and that is certainly what he did. I think after his bout with leukemia Nergal has had a little different outlook and from that spawned The Satanist. (Apparently his new outlook also spawned a new barber shop. Haha.) As with the previous two, I am excited to see what comes next from these dudes.
Job for a Cowboy • Sun Eater
Until Sun Eater I never really knew/cared for Job for a Cowboy. When I kept reading all the hype for Sun Eater I really began to get curious. At first it took me a little while to comprehend everything that was going on because there is just SO MUCH happening ALL THE TIME. The guitar licks are all over the place but that is nothing compared to the the bass lines! Good god! Nick Schendzielos is a beast! He has some killer tone too. I am totally a fan of Job for a Cowboy now and maybe I will get into the rest of their discography soon. Continuing with the trend I have developed, I really look forward to another record.
Primal Waters • Dichotomy
With their debut album, Dichotomy, I think Primal Waters is really setting the bar high. Maybe too high, for they may not be able to write anything as perfect and masterful again. I really think that this is the best album I’ve ever heard and probably the last. Actually, I may just give up music and life all together now. Those dueling guitars and grooviness throughout the record, let alone the awesome story line, really get me going in my bathing suit area. Come on, how could I have left my own album off my list?
Part 2 to Dichotomy will be coming before long…
Primal Waters – Dichotomy v.i.a. iTunes
Honorable Mentions:
- Xerath • III
- Overkill • White Devil Armory
- Destrage • Are You Kidding Me? No.
- Iron Reagan • Tyranny of Will
- Mastodon • Once More ‘Round the Sun
- Devin Townsend • Z2
- GoatWhore • Constricting Rage of the Merciless
- Cannibal Corpse • A Skeletal Domain
- At the Gates • At War with Reality
- Revocation • Deathless
- Tombs • Savage Gold
- Crowbar • Symmetry in Black
- Obituary • Inked in Blood
- Orange Goblin • Back from the Abyss
Dan Schoenberg
-Primal Waters
