Top 15 Albums of 2014
.15.
Still My Darling
A Few Years From Now
metalcore
A record that few people know about. Which should not be the case. Still My Darling sent us off with a goodbye with this album. They had a special style of versatile metalcore that separated themselves from your typical metalcore band today. There is something in this record for everybody, and though they are done, don't let this record go unnoticed. It shreds, has some of the best breakdowns, and the vocals are top notch.
.14.
Nothing Till Blood
Still Standing
hardcore/metalcore
Nothing Till Blood released a really enjoyable record for me. This record is heavy hardcore that is fun and energetic. The lyrics are perfectly uplifting and Christ-centered.
.13.
A Hill To Die Upon
Holy Despair
blackened death metal
Today it is extremely difficult to find a good blackened death metal Christian act. And tho it is hard for me to get into the genre, I can easily say A Hill To Die Upon is on top of that short list. Holy Despair is the standard for Christian blackened death metal.
.12.
Dissimulator
This Is Darkness
deathcore
Jared Dines has had quite the viral year in 2014. But so did his band Dissimulator, with the release of This Is Darkness. Dissimulator has quickly established themselves as a wrecking force of Christian deathcore madness. One of the heaviest releases this year that is relentless from beginning to end.
.11.
Darkness Divided
Written In Blood
metalcore
What a year for Darkness Divided! Signing with Victory Records, releasing a strong debut full length, and touring the country non stop. This album has implemented DD as one of metalcore's strongest rising bands.
.10.
Eyes Of The Defiled
Enslaved In Exile
deathcore
Enslaved In Exile is a crushing release from EOTD. A lot of deathcore bands are one dimensional and repetitive... not the case here. Anything heard in their respected genre can be heard on this record. If there is one record you were to immediately check out after reading this list, it should be this one.
.9.
Comrades
Safekeeper
post rock/indie
Usually there is at least one record that surprises me and instantly makes the list. Comrades comes at you in so many musical directions. With a beautiful mixture of post rock, alternative, indie hardcore, post hardcore, and instrumental it is hard to pin point an explanation, but to just take it all in and enjoy.
.8.
Fit For A King
Slave To Nothing
metalcore
I believe FFAK made huge strides with this album. They strayed away from the style they portrayed in their first two releases and added some refreshing elements to their metalcore roots this time around, and it results in a more versatile and mature record. And coincidently they are blowing up and being featured on bigger tours.
.7.
Forevermore
Telos
metalcore
Sojourner was one of me favorite albums of 2012, so automatically it was going to be hard to top for me. But Forevermore clearly made a strong case this year. Bringing on ex Onward to Olympas vocalist, Kramer Lowe, was a strong move. They mastered their sound heard on Sojourner, added Kramer's intense vocals, and made a fantastic record. Strong Solid State Records pick up.
.6.
Beartooth
Disgusting
hardcore/hectic rock
This is the year that Caleb Shomo shed his Attack Attack image and became one with his band Beartooth. Being together 2 years now, Beartooth has taken huge strides in popularity. This record has anthem after anthem for the broken teens far and wide. Positive lyrics that clearly point to a loving God, with in-your-face loud, hardcore mashed rock is the recipe for Beartooth's success.
.5.
Anberlin
Lowborn
rock/alternative
The end was inevitably in sight for Anberlin. And this year they ended their storied career, released Lowborn, and kicked off a final tour. They went out with incredible fashion with Lowborn. It is a soothing blend of classic Anberlin and experimentation in alternative rock seen on their previous album.
.4.
Silent Planet
The Night God Slept
metalcore
Silent Planet released The Night God Slept and it took everyone by storm. It was highly anticipated and worth the hype. This record hits emotional topics and creates touching stories, all with precise musicianship from each member. Solid State Record's signing of them may be the smartest move the label has done in a long time.
.3.
Separatist
Closure
technical death metal
I discovered them over the summer, and Separatist immediately exploded onto the Christian circuit. Now a solo project, Separatist packs one brutal tech death punch. Closure is a dark imaged story of a man going through the times of revelation. If I was more into tech death metal this record would be the top spot. Near perfect album.
Re-released, at the same time Closure was released, is a re-mastered version of their debut album, Monuments.
.2.
Saving Grace
The Urgency
metalcore
The Urgency has received high praise in New Zealand and Australia. And for good reason. Saving Grace releases an onslaught of aggressive metalcore mayhem from start to finish. Throw in some old school thrash and hardcore elements with solid Christian lyricism, and you have double peddle Jesus metal at it's finest.
.1.
Prepared Like A Bride
Overcomer
progressive metalcore
Prepared Like A Bride released an incredibly strong, honest, and emotional album in Overcomer. Heavy personal lyrical content is the foundation of this record. With many songs dedicated to the vocalist Ryan's, father's death, making it heavy in heart, but preaches on overcoming those dark adversities. Musically it goes hand-in-hand, matching the lyrical atmosphere of the record. It has it's heavy moments, atmospheric elements, and it is full of beautiful melodies and choruses. The bar was set, now watch their career catapult to the next level.
Honorable Mentions
Blood Thirsty - Sanguine River Absolution, Colossus - Badlands, Demon Hunter - Extremist, For Today - Fight The Silence, Mouth Of The South - Struggle Well, Nine Lashes - From Water To War, Silence The Ocean - Broken Vessels, Those Who Fear - Death Sentence, War Of Ages - Supreme Chaos, With Increase - Death Is Inevitable, Wolves At The Gate - VxV
Other Notable Releases
Akissforjersey - New Bodies, Armory Infirmary - Live Again, The Autumn League - Concept of Irony, Beware The Neverending - Times of War, Bruised But Not Broken - Fragment, Disciple - Attack, Fire The Sun - An Evolution In The Creation Of A New Self Being, Gideon - Calloused, Hotel Books - Almost Happy Here, But I Never Feel At Home, Lookin Up - Reborn, Memphis May Fire - Unconditional, Monolith - Monolith, Nigh Is The Hour - Decalogue, The Old Timers - Soli Deo Gloria, The Overseer - Rest And Let Go, Raze The Idols - Dominion, Reformers - Abolish, The Saving - David Star, The Scarlet Lie - Sonorous, Sleeping Giant - Finished Love, Type (A) Alert - Into Depths First Light, Uglytwin - Oh The Cost, Without A Hobby - God's Machine
This concludes my Top of the year lists for 2014. It was a fantastic year in music with witnessing a lot of growth from a lot of bands.
I thank everyone for all their involvement and support of bands!
If your band (or a band you know ) did not appear, be sure to contact God's Love For Hardcore throughout the year with your future releases to secure a submission for the annual Top 15 lists.
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