10 Overlooked Extreme Metal Albums From 2013

1. Obliteration - Black Death Horizon (Relapse Records)

http://youtu.be/Ufm0ZEMnZsI The Lowdown: One of 2013s lauded releases was Autopsy's "The Headless Ritual", a real comeback from the one godfathers of death metal. What was not on many year ends lists was the third album from this young Norwegian death metal band. Norway isn't really known for its death metal, and certainly not for the full on Autopsy impersonation the band delivered with Black Death Horizon. Though being familiar with the band and knowing they had a touch of Autopsy worship in their sound, I wasn't expecting this. And I think that's why fans really didn't latch on. And Relapse never really pushed the release hard amid all of their bigger 2013 releases. Also, it was released in the dreaded November time frame, when most meal critics have already put their year end lists together. But even so, prior to this, these guys were just another death metal band with an unreadable logo, and admittedly, the two previous albums were nothing special. But on Black Death Horizon these guys went full Autopsy and some; same sinewy, throbbing bass lines and scrawling riffs, full on out of control Chris Reifert vocals and an extra dash of psychedelia and unpredictability which made the album a visceral, layered treat. Recommended If You Like: Autopsy, Accidental Suicide, Autopsy.

Honorable Mentions:

ADE "Spartacus". (Blast Head Records) Though I did see this surface on a few lists, it didn't get nearly enough recognition in larger death metal circles. Noumena "Death Come Walk With Me". (Haunted Zoo Productions). We had the next Insomnium album right here, this year, under our noses. Feared "Vinter". (Self Released). A lesson in why you don't release 2 albums in one calendar year. Furor Incarnatus was awesome. No one hardly knew Vinter came out 8 months later. Hypnos "The Fall". (Self Released). French version of Morne meets Mindrot. Sacriphyx "The Western Front". (NWN! Productions). It seemed to be a darling of the in the know critics (myself included), but didn't get much larger acclaim. Maybe the Arghoslent comparison hurt these burly, earthy Aussies?