I didn’t plan to publish a list of my favorite albums of the year, but anyway, here they are.. in no special order. There are of course albums that could/should have made the list, but didn’t because I found them kind of boring or not as great as they should have been, like the new M83, Drudkh, Stars of The Lid, etc.

Wolves In The Throne Room - Two Hunters

Two Hunters was the big surprise of 2007. I never bothered to check out Wolves In The Throne Room’s previous album because of various reason. On a whim I gave this album a change though, and I’m glad I did. Wolves.. are picking up the torch In The Woods… dropped after their monumental debut album HEart of The Ages, and while not reaching those heights Two Hunters is still fabulous and probably my absolute favorite this year. Progressive without getting to technical and long, monotone tracks that doesn’t get boring. Now I just have to find the vinyl edition of this…

Deathspell Omega - Fas - Ite, Maledicti, in Ignem Aeternum

I really couldn’t decide if this would make the list or not, since I can’t decide what to think of it. It is a bit too over the top for me, with strange breaks and guitar solos all over the place. Still, it is a very fine example of progressive and avant garde Black Metal that still manages to summon an orthodox, satanic atmosphere.. whatever that is.
What finally made me decide to include it is the perfect production and the vocals, which are almost perfect. The cover is quite awesome too. Still, overall not as good as their previous fullength I would say.

Klimek - Dedications

This is just more of the same in a way, but still very enjoyable. It’s been in the stack of CD’s I keep next to the stereo and never bother to put back in the shelves since I play them so often since we got it.

Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - Fall, Fall, Falling

I don’t know what to say what hasn’t already been said by myself as well as others. It’s a brilliant album.

Kroda - Fimbulvinter

Epic and folkish Black Metal in a style that I usually don’t like, but this is the exception I guess. It’s hard to pick a favorite track, they all stand out equally I think. They are, together with Drudkh and maybe Graveland the standout East European bands.

Peste Noire - Folkfuck Folie

Raw, French and fucked up Black Metal. Best cover of the year.

Shining - Halmstad

This one came as a shock. While I have enjoyed their previous album to some degree they never stood out somehow. This is a huge leap forward though, and one that takes them out of the Black Metal genre I would say. Hard to pinpoint them though, which I guess is what I find appealing. A depressive mix of traditional rock a’la Blue Oyster Cult and more traditional Metal with over the top, but great, vocals.

Forgotten Tomb - Negative Megalomania

If Shining takes depressive Black Metal in a rock/metal direction, I guess you could say that Forgotten Tomb goes grunge, because this reminds me more of Alice In Chains than Abyssic Hate. Still, this is very catchy and hard not to like.

Efterklang - Parades

One of the few more pop oriented albums I’ve enjoyed this year, if not the only one. A spectacular but natural progression from their previous work, and a very impressive album in every way. I got to see them in concert during their tour when they played here in Gothenburg and it was one of the best concerts I’ve ever attended.

Mütiilation - Sorrow Galaxies

This is the only album I’ve bothered to check out since the comeback, but I think it is just as enjoyable as Vampires of Black Imperial Blood, though different. This is pretty straight forward in a way, but still there is something that keeps me listening to it again and again.