Wayback Machine: Best of the 2010s (2014-15)
Featuring Wolves Like Us, Don Broco, He Is Legend, Royal Headache, and more.
Well, this is where things get really interesting. Hypnagogic synthwave up against Québecois death metal? Sure. Norwegian post-hardcore next to Australian atmospheric black metal? Yeah, why not? Two albums featuring an Indiana-based MC rubbing shoulders with a British rock powerhouse? Abso-fucking-lutely. Enjoy.
2014:
Woods of Desolation – As The Stars
Despite what the “trve” black metal fans will tell you, atmospheric black metal is a completely valid sub-genre bifurcation and As The Stars is up there with the best of it. Cribbing from post-rock and -metal stylings, Aussie outfit Woods of Desolation combine austere vocals and icy drums with a swirling guitar mix, that makes for a palpably bleak and forlorn auditory experience.
Choice Cuts: “Unfold” and “Anamnesis”
Wolves Like Us – Black Soul Choir
Speaking of black metal, you’d probably expect a band from Oslo, Norway to embody the harsh frost-bitten north in their musical craft. Instead, Wolves Like Us rock out with all the style and grace of a road-sick Midwest post-hardcore act. Black Soul Choir was my first introduction to these guys and I still spin it regularly, savouring every gruff hook, shimmering guitar lead and fist-pumping anthem.
Choice Cuts: “Three Poisons” and “I Don’t Need To Be Forgiven”
Pallbearer – Foundations of Burden
With lumbering riffs, gorgeous textures, and lofty hypnotic vocals, Pallbearer’s sophomore LP is more than just a doom album; it’s an art form. From the painstaking precision in transition and pacing to the beautifully rendered harmonics and layer upon layer of rich, guitar-driven euphoria, Foundations of Burden never fails to resonate. Oh, and it’s loud as fuck too.
Choice Cuts: “Worlds Apart” and “Watcher In The Dark”
The Gifthorse – Give My Body To This Town
It’s hard to listen to this record and not think about the passing of frontman and all-round good bloke Shane Collins in 2018. And yet, despite the unintentional sadness evoked, the Brisbane quintet still manage to crank out huge choruses on their second album, with driving riffs and more punk rock sing-a-longs than a carton of piss rightfully deserves.
Choice Cuts: “One More Night In Brisbane” and “More Than Life”
He Is Legend – Heavy Fruit
Five years is almost a lifetime between records. After a period of absence, Carolinian rockers He Is Legend eventually returned to the fold with Heavy Fruit and seemed as if they were mulling this notion over with a bottle of fine wine and an overflowing ashtray. Much like the album’s namesake, the band’s rollicking fourth LP managed to couple sugary sweetness with massive stomping riffs and plenty of Southern swagger.
Choice Cuts: “I Sleep Just Fine” and “Time To Stain”
The Hotelier – Home, Like No Place Is There
Sweeping across 90s emo, alt-rock, indie and screamo, The Hotelier weave together nine intricate tales of sorrow, funeral closure, one-sided regrets, and animistic love. Home, Like No Place Is There feels like a conversation that’s been accidentally overheard; one that you’re not immediately privy too, yet something that still contains secrets dark enough for understanding and overwhelming empathy. The definitive ‘lights off, headphones on’ record of 2014. Hell, maybe even the decade.
Choice Cuts: “Your Deep Rust” and “Dendron”
Pianos Become The Teeth – Keep You
Keep You as a record represents a turning point for Pianos Become The Teeth, clearly demarcating their transition from angsty screamo to not-so-angsty, indie-inflected post-hardcore. Gone were vocalist Kyle Durfey’s shouty, larynx-shredding wailings, replaced instead by soft, delicate croons and a brooding instrumental background.
Choice Cuts: “Repine” and “Ripple Water Shine”
Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Piñata
With gripping, hard-as-nails lyricism from Indiana rapper Freddie Gibbs, alongside producer and multi-instrumentalist Madlib’s soulful blend of funk-fusion, grimy beats and sonic escapism, Piñata was an enthralling listen from start to finish. If that wasn’t enough, the duo also mixes things up with solid features from hip-hop legends like Scarface, Raekwon, and hype-machine Danny Brown.
Choice Cuts: “Thuggin” and “Shitsville”
The Menzingers – Rented World
With their fourth full-length album, Rented World, the fix was in for The Menzingers, as they successfully turned down their working-class punk intensity without sacrificing anything in the way of addictive choruses or bar-fly existentialism. The vocal interplay between guitarists Tom May and Greg Barnett was further refined and perfected, allowing future live gems to shine through rich and glorious production.
Choice Cuts: “Transient Love” and “Nothing Feels Good Anymore”
Unearth – Watchers of Rule
As we approached the midway point of the 2010s, it became clear that much of the metalcore old guard had run out of steam. Once prominent groups were either on indefinite hiatus, disbanded entirely, or coveting stadiums, energy drink endorsements and the “butt rock” crowd. That is, except for Unearth. They took the old ideas and made them new again, in turn making Watchers of Rule one of the most vital metalcore records of the decade.
Choice Cuts: “Never Cease” and “The Swarm”
2015:
Don Broco – Automatic
On their sophomore album, Bedford’s finest were looking to expand and refine the alt-rock template established on their 2012 debut. Switching out proggy riff-fests for slick and polished pop, bolstered by a heavy dose of 80s synth and funk, Don Broco delivered some of the catchiest hooks of their career with Automatic. Every track here is a Big Vibe—groovy, fun, infectious—and practically demands repeat listening.
Choice Cuts: “Money Power Fame” and“Wrong Place Wrong Time”
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes – Blossom
“Considering the band’s genesis, rehearsals, first show, and first release all came to be within the space of eight months, you know that Frank Carter had something simmering deep down inside of him—a melting pot of lyrical attacks and incendiary phrases just waiting to boil over—and Blossom is the direct result of all of it.” (Punknews)
Choice Cuts: “Primary Explosive” and “I Hate You”
Gunship – S/T
Synthwave can be hit and miss as far as genre mashups are concerned. Thankfully, as the side project of Alex Westaway and Dan Haigh, one half of British post-hardcore act Fightstar, Gunship locked firmly on target with a kamikaze knock-out of massive 80s retro sounds. The duo’s self-titled debut was far more intoxicating than anything in their back catalogue and featured some of the most addictive melodies and stratospheric choruses that I’ve ever heard.
Choice Cuts: “Tech Noir” and “Shadow Fury”
Royal Headache – High
Following up their 2012 self-titled debut, Royal Headache returned to the stage with the raucous High, a record that combined the best elements of garage rock, soul and punk into one of the most sincere and succinct listening experiences of 2015. Carried through ten tracks by angular guitars, punctured drumming, and the possessive vocals of enigmatic frontman Shogun, the Sydney quintet sounded nothing short of electrified through bursts of cheerful rock balladry, infectious pop, and snotty punk ragers.
Choice Cuts: “Love Her If I Tried” and “Need You”
Turnover – Peripheral Vision
On their previous full-length effort, Turnover were crafting punk/post-hardcore songs that would have sounded fine as Title Fight B-sides. But with Peripheral Vision, you could easily think you were listening to a completely different band. By embracing influences from shoegaze, pop, and indie, the band consequently forged a sound entirely their own. This record is nothing but back-to-back bangers, filled with soaring choruses and catchy verses, destined to be the summer record for many a road trip.
Choice Cuts: “New Scream” and “Dizzy On The Comedown”
Baroness – Purple
“Baroness are fortunate enough to have found the silver linings born from tragedy, and they’ve nurtured them into a triumphant return to making world-class heavy music. It’s clear that their recent independence has freed the band of any remaining creative restrictions and allowed them to write the most direct and captivating record of their career, without compromising on the edge and vitality that has made their back catalogue so engaging.” (Killyourstereo)
Choice Cuts: “Kerosene” and “The Iron Bell”
Rosetta – Quintessential Ephemera
“Strictly by definition, Quintessential Ephemera means ‘the most perfect example of a quality, that exists for only a short time,’ and across nine tracks, Rosetta manage to cultivate a listening experience that echoes this sentiment with utter conviction. Bookended by lush instrumentals, the record leaps through seven untitled songs, with a focus on haunting and pained screamed vocals, interspersed with melodic singing.” (Punknews)
Choice Cuts: “(Untitled II)” and “(Untitled V)”
Outre Tombe – Répurgation
Death metal isn’t exactly the most ‘accessible’ of musical genres. For some, it’s the Devil’s Music; others might consider it an acquired taste. Thankfully, what Québecois outfit Outre Tombe achieved with Répurgation effectively streamlines the entire process. In seconds you know exactly what you’re in for: throttling rhythms, double-kick barrages, serpentine guitar leads, hell-spawn vocals—all pushed at breakneck speed down your ear cavity. You’ll either get it, or you won’t. Either way, your loss.
Choice Cuts: “L’Antre De L’Horreur” and “Carnage Mentale”
Freddie Gibbs – Shadow of a Doubt
Freddie Gibbs is nothing if not restless. Off the back of his excellent collab effort Piñata, Gibbs dropped his second album and proved why he’s one of the best in the game. Catchy singles, cold-ass bars, mighty feature lists, smooth flows, and an assortment of eccentric beats, all stacked up to make Shadow of a Doubt one of the best underground rap records. Period.
Choice Cuts: “Fuckin’ Up The Count” and “Freddie Gordy”
Black Breath – Slaves Beyond Death
“Admittedly, this reviewer was never a big fan of Sentenced To Life, and our biggest critique of the band has always been their lack of staying power. But exploration from under and out of their hardcore roots has seemingly opened many doors for Black Breath, allowing diversity and dynamics to take centre stage, as they deliver a well-paced, interesting and engaging death metal record with Slaves Beyond Death. What they may have sacrificed in intensity, they have clearly traded in for soaring melodies, vicious riffs and an overwhelmingly bleak and unforgiving sound.” (Killyourstereo)
Choice Cuts: “Reaping Flesh” and “Pleasure, Pain, Disease”
You can find all these tracks on the TPD Best of the 2010s playlist.