Album of the year - 9th place

Gojira - Magma

Four years. Four long, barren, desolate Gojira-less years since L'Enfant Sauvage was released. Since we first heard the latest in a stream of masterpieces, and possibly their magnum opus. Oh sure, we had a couple of live releases in Les Enfants Sauvages and an exceptional split live EP with Kvelertak to bide the time. But when you heard something as magnificent as L'Enfant Sauvage then you become addicted to Gojira, and four years becomes a very long time.

Thankfully, the wait is over, and Magma is everything us addicts need. The Sixth studio album from them and a real beginning of evolution from the band. Still fundamentally brutal in its approach, Magma additionally incorporates an increase in clean vocals and a decrease in schizophrenic song arrangements and riffs, instead being replaced with a more controlled and direct approach to crushing your skull. The riffs are still fantastic, like always, but Magma is so streamlined it sounds almost contemporary to other metal bands. And this is in no way a criticism. Gojira have in the past created unbelievably epic music, however the song which garnered most attention on L'Enfant Sauvage was 'The Gift of Guilt', the most accessible song on the album.
Magma is a more considered and direct approach then Gojira have usually taken, and just as impressive from a true modern powerhouse of metal.

Album Of The Year

9 - Gojira - "Magma"

10 - Boss Keloid - "Herb Your Enthusiasm"