Summing up the 2013...

Here's my very subjective list containing my favourite albums of the last year. Those albums are really great in my opinion - I'm sure I will be enjoying them for many, many years!
By the way - I'm sure that there are propably still some great albums that I haven't listen to, but as for this moment my favs are:

Caladan Brood

'Echeos of Battle'

A very cool debut. Caladan Brood is hailing from States and playing epic/atmospheric black metal. Fans of old Summoning and epicness in music in general - this music is made particulary for You!

Read a review here (by the way - it is my first review ever done. Please be understanding).

You can also read an interview with a band here.

Carpe Noctem 

'In Terra Profugus'

Another great debut album. Carpe Noctem, an icelandic black metal band, had recorded an insane music. Pure insanity in a form of sonic landscape... Fans of extremity should appreciate much this release.

Read a review here and the interview with a band here.

 

Darkthrone

'The Underground Resistance'

Well, this band doesn't need any introduction, does it? In my opinion 'The Underground Resistance' is another good move in Darkthrone's 'career'. A very good example how the passion can e forged into a great songs.

There is no review yet - it's a bit embarrasing, but I started to listen to this album very late. Yet you can expect some of my thoughts about it soon!

Falkenbach

'Asa'

Many people were complaining that Vatyas has again recorded the same music. But since I am a great fan of Falkenbach, I must say that I feel perfectly OK with that. 'Asa' is a great album that I will be surely torturing for a very long time!

Read a review here.

Rotting Christ

'Κατά τον δαίμονα εαυτού'

Generally speaking there are two types of Rotting Christ fans - those who are spitting on the new albums and keep being kvlt and trve, and those who enjoy new stuff anyway. I defenitely belong to the latter category. In my opinion Greeks recorded great album, much better than a bit boring 'Aealo'.

Read my review here.

Summoning

'Old Mornings Dawn'

Yeah, I know that many fans are complaining about new Summoning releases. 'Too modern they are' - say ones. 'Too sweet it is' - say others. Personally I don't care. Beside a terrible intro I worship this album - and I return to it veeery often. One of the most important albums of 2013 for me.

Read my review here and the interview with whole band here.

The Flight of Sleipnir

'Saga'

Those Americans know how to create an awesome mix of doom/stoner/viking metal with some acoustic motifs. A very original piece of music, sadly I have a feeling that it's at the same time very underrated.

My review is here.

You can also read what the band have to say about their work - here. 

Daemonia Nymphe

'Psychostasia'

And now some of neofolk albums that I was enjoying in last year. 'Psychostasia' is a first of them. It's onirique, ethereal atmosphere and the lyrics based on old, greek hymns hailing ancient gods creates a fantastic music. Everyone who had never heard it - it's time to correct this mistake!

Read a review here.

Wardruna

'Runaljod - Yggdrassil'

And last but not least - Wardruna. Everybody who had heard this album knows how fantastic it is. A norse folklore, runes and shamanistic rituals - that are the key-words. 'Yggdrasil' is a great, spiritual journey through the meaning of norse runes deep into your soul (how poetic I am by the way).

Read my review here.

Daemonia Nymphe - "Psychostasia" (2013)

Daemonia Nymphe

"Psychostasia"

Prikosnovenie

2013

Deamonia Nymphe is from Greece (although now they reside in London) and was founded in 1994 in Athens. The band is playing music inspired by ancient tunes and old greek poems praising Zeus and other olympic gods. "Psychostasia" is their 5th full-length album.

As you might guess looking on the title the music of those Greek is not a jolly melody but more soulful kind of playing. We can find here some more happier moments (with best example - "Deo's Erotas") but it always keeps some kind of dignity. Most of the time Daemonia Nymphe's creativeness is in many parts full of theatrical relish like e.g. very sensual track that I am listenning in this moment - "Selene's Awakening  Horos". Or the next song "Politeia of the Unnamed" with beautiful vocals performed by Evi Stergiou. Her voice is here the most important - it is creating an amazing, oneiric atmosphere. Sometime it can be even a bit disturbing ("Nature's Metamorphoses") and sounds like a soundtrack to some old mysteries. In those moments I am stunned and can't think completely about anything. I just listen to the music like hypnotised. I am not some kind of scatterbrained pussy but this music really stimulates reflections... The only problem with "Psychostasia" is that it's way too short - only 40 minutes. Come on guys, you spent five years to record this album! But from the other side I can simply press a replay button (which I do very often) so this can be forgiven. 

"Psychostasia" proves also once again that sometimes simple yet well played music can be much more interesting than some indistinct, complicated and avantgarde crap. The instrumental section based on greek folk instruments sounds really good. It perfectly cooperates with the voice of the female singer (and from time to time also male). And by the way - it's interesting to hear instruments that you have seen on vase paintings in school during history lessons :)

Daemonia Nymphe recorded again a perfect album, taking you back in time to the mysterious, ancient times... If you liked their previous works or you are simply a fan of  neofolk you should immediately get this album. It's a good alternative for all those celtic and nordic folk albums that are so popular these days.

Rate: 10/10

Vladyka

Tracklist:

1. Zephyros's Enlightening Anemos

2. Nemesis Rhamnousia 

3. Thracian Gaia

4. Selene's Awakening Horos

5. Politeia of the Unnamed

6. Deo's Erotas

7. Nature's Metamorphosis

8. Enchanting Oneiro

9. Psychostasia

10. Hypnos