Mick's Töp 15 Albums of 2018

It's been a much quieter back half of the year here then we typically are accustomed to, but life has taken over the driver seat for us : I was busy getting hitched, Durf was busy welcoming a new addition to his family, and as for Tom I do know those New York football Giants have been having a less than stellar year so I can only assume he's been finding some other ways to grieve. Despite all of these momentous event we had going on, we've kept up on all of what 2018 had to offer as best we could.

So without further ado, check out my Top 15 Albums of 2018 after the break!

Durf's Töp 15 Albums and 5 EPs/Splits/Demos of 2018

2018 was a pretty momentous year for me personally, as the Durfette and I packed up and moved from Chicago, IL, our home for over a decade, and moved out west to Boise, Idaho.  It's been a great move, but owning a home and finding a new job have definitely brought with them their own challenges, as has the addition of the Durfling just a few short weeks ago.  Because of this most recent addition, my year end lists are a bit scaled down this year; I won't be listing my favorite concerts (Fire in the Mountains, not even close), non-metal albums (Panopticon's The Scars of Man on the Once Nameless Wilderness, Part 2, similarly a Crimson Tide-level blowout), or songs (Marche Funébre's "Darkness" or Panopticon's "At the Foot of the Mountain"), because it's taking all of the limited time I have to put together this admittedly half-assed list of what I consider to be the best EPs/Splits/Demos and Metal Albums of the Year.  I hope that 2018 has been good to you and yours, and that big things are on the horizon for your 2019.  Let me know if you agree with my selections or think I missed something obvious in the comments, but don't fucking talk to me about Prequelle.  That record sucked and I'm pretty sure Ghost blew their load in two albums and is running on fumes.  Here are some albums that didn't make me want to bash my head in with a square hammer.

Exclusive Interview - J.R. Hayes (Pig Destroyer)

My my, it's great to be back.  After a winter of isolation due to a multitude of mitigating factors, this past Friday I found myself returning to the world of the concerts, by way of legendary, seminal (but not legacy act!) grindcore masters Pig Destroyer.  While our Brutalitopia cohort Jack ventured toward the Decibel Music Tour that was sadly the same day, my erstwhile colleague Mick and I headed to Reggie's Rock Club for an evening of musical cocaine that was a bit outside our comfort zone; longtime readers and casual viewers alike can attest that grind is not really a Brutalitopian forte.  But sometimes a concert catches your eye and piques your interest and won't let go, and so you take that musical road less traveled.  And how lucky for Mick and I that we did, because in addition to having our neck muscles sorely tested from headbanging, we were lucky enough to snag an exclusive two on one conversation with Pig Destroyer's immensely talented lyricist and vocalist J.R. Hayes.  Check it out below to hear our conversation, during which we talk about Pig Destroyer's continuing evolution, touring and recording as a part time band, and the joys and wonders of conducting interviews under train tracks.

EPs from 2014 Worth Checking Out

Laziness is something that's too often easy to give in to, especially when it comes to writing reviews.  In an effort to rectify the late dry spell I've had with said reviews, I figured it would be worthwhile to list out some EPs that have been released this year that are more than worth your time to check out. 

Check out the five selections I have for you all after the break!