I know 2018 isn't over just yet, but it's been such an incredible year for music (at least for me) that I'm ready to jump the gun a little on this "let's share our favorite music of 2018" thread.
Before I get into my favorite albums, let's get some side stuff out of the way:
A) My Favorite music video of 2018: Dream State "New Waves"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-HxW40mKDUIt's a simple, yet powerful video. I love how the band is in a bright room with all the positive affirmations and it occasionally cuts to CJ in a dark room fighting with all her negative thoughts.
B) Most notable music news (to me) of 2018: Rush deciding to disband back in January and call it a night. Rush was one of the best bands to ever walk the Earth. Geddy Lee was a bass god, Neil Peart was a drum god, Alex Lifeson was one of the finest guitarists out there, and their music was always evolving. I'm sad that I never got to see these masters live.
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Now, my favorite albums of 2018:
1) Graveshadow "Ambition's Price" (metal)
https://graveshadow.bandcamp.com/album/ambitions-priceI can't stop listening to this album. I haven't been thrilled with Graveshadow's past work, despite being a fan of Heather's incredible vocals. However, I'm all about second chances and am glad I gave Ambition's Price a listen. This album straight up crushes like it's spent 3 years at the gym and gained several kilograms of Hulk muscle.
2) Dream State "Recovery" (rock)
https://dreamstate-uk.bandcamp.com/album/recoveryNot only can I not stop listening to this album, I wish I had the magic to have every student in the high school I teach at listen to this. Dream State has poppy hooks, raw heaviness, heartfelt lyrics that send sincerely positive messages, and the palpable heart and soul in CJ's voice is a gut punch. I also like that she doesn't wear ridiculous "sex kitten" outfits. She's a jeans and t-shirt gal who lets her music do the talking. Definitely one of the coolest new bands I've come across.
3) Skeletonwitch "Devouring Radiant Light" (metal)
https://skeletonwitch.bandcamp.com/album/devouring-radiant-lightI respect 2007's Beyond the Permafrost as a modern metal classic, but I vastly prefer listening to this album as it's more my style of metal. I love the direction Skeletonwitch is going in with their new vocalist.
4) Raymond Strife "Go For The Gusto" (hip-hop)
https://raymondstrife.bandcamp.com/album/go-for-the-gustoI've known Ray for years and he's always been a unique voice in hip-hop. This accidental concept album that sees Ray at his most ambitiously creative is simply unreal.
5) Rivers of Nihil "Where Owls Know My Name" (metal)
https://riversofnihil.bandcamp.com/album/where-owls-know-my-nameThis album was less an album and more of an esoteric spiritual journey
6) Bangladeafy! "Ribboncutter" (genre= a deaf bassist and a south-Asian drummer playing whatever they damn well please)
https://bangladeafy.bandcamp.com/album/ribboncutterBangladeafy!'s already mind-melting music is taken up several notches with this crazy-nuts album that will liquefy your brains into soup.
7) TIE: Dysmorphic "An Illusive Progress" and Apophys "Devoratis" (metal)
https://uniqueleaderrecords.bandcamp.com/album/an-illusive-progresshttps://ultimatemassacreproductions.bandcamp.com/album/devoratisI haven't been a fan of 2010's era technical death metal. A lot of it was just soundalike technical-wankery-riff-salad. However, Dysmorphic and Apophys both showcase intriguing and well thought-out songwriting chops here along with musical complexity. Both albums are pretty much on equal footing, though I prefer Dysmorphic's bass and Apophys' vocals.
8) KR Arguelles "Seeker" (solo guitar in the vein of Joe Satriani)
https://krkups.bandcamp.com/album/seekerI love guitar. I love video games. I love guitar music inspired by video games. This guy needs to be on a legit video game soundtrack.
9) Damian Coccio "Inner Ponds" (jazz/new wave)
https://damiancoccio.bandcamp.com/album/inner-pondsThese solo bass guitar compositions are the kind of music you just want to let wash over you and inspire deeper thoughts while you're sitting in a parlor contemplating.
10) Diamante "Coming in Hot" (power pop/rock)
http://diamanteofficialmusic.com/This was my biggest surprise of the year. Somehow, the song "Bulletproof" caught my ear and said, "give this artist a chance." I'm glad I did. I thought it would be a decent power-pop album I could jam with every once in a while, but it turned out to be a totally rocking record! I feel like Diamante occupies that limbo where it's too heavy for the radio/top-40 pop crowd but not heavy enough for the "rawk!" crowd.