Summer is not usually a season associated with metal. We tend to usually think of autumn and winter, with its grey clouds, freezing winds, and overall dreariness. Summer is usually just too damn happy and light of a time; and the same usually goes for spring, except that here in eastern Washington, our spring has been more like autumn (it was snowing in mid-April for fucks sake!). Of course that doesn't usually keep us from blasting onslaughts of brutality from our speakers, car stereos, etc from dawn till dusk, but sometimes (if you are like me), there is a certain degree of wanting to listen to music that fits your surroundings. Or maybe not, maybe it just seems that way to me, but whatever...
Here in no particular order, are my top 10 albums to rock out too during the lazy days of summer. The criteria for this list is pretty simple. These are albums that either have some sort of groove factor to them, have more of an upbeat feel, give of some sort of feeling of being in warm climates, or just sound good blasting from your car stereo while you cruise down the freeway on a sunny day with your windows down. You get the idea...
Enjoy!
(1) Kyuss - Welcome to Sky Valley
In my opinion, the quintessential summer metal band. Might be a bit obvious since they're from the desert, but oh well. Really you could probably pick any of their offerings here, but 'Sky Valley' is probably just the one I go to the most. Queens of the Stone Age also warrants consideration, but there's more debate on whether or not they can be classified as "metal" so I went with Josh Homme's earlier work instead.
(2) Windir - 1184
Wait... a Norwegian band, for a top ten of summer list? "Really," you say? Yes really. Here's why. Although they're put into the "black metal" genre, Windir have a very unique sound that combines Scandinavian folk music with grim black metal. Okay maybe its not that unique nowadays, but Windir were one of the best at what they did. 1184 is a vibrant and lively trance through a land of wonder and fantasy, and one that just sounds summery to me. Call me crazy, but this album just seems like it would be perfect to take on a summer nature hike.
(3) Finntroll - Jaktens Tid
*sigh* Okay yes, I realize that I'm putting another Scandinavian band up here. Sorry, can't help it, Finntroll fits the list all too well. Much like Windir, Finntroll use traditional folk music mixed with fantasy lyrics in their unique brand of metal. The main difference being that Finntroll are a little bit less serious in their music and a bit more fun. Not that Windir aren't fun, well.... whatever you get the idea. Finntroll's sophomore effort 'Jaktens Tid' might not be as popular as its follow up 'Nattfödd', but its one of my personal favorites.
(4) Pantera - Far Beyond Driven
In my opinion, Pantera gets a bit of a bad rap in the extreme metal community. The major complaints are that they are too commercial, too groove oriented, and are loved by jocks and rednecks. As far as the last complaint goes, I can understand, and that is fair. On the other hand, the same could be said for Slayer and those same people will still back Slayer up, so...... I get it, but come on, unless you're still in high school, a certain demographic liking a certain band shouldn't be a reason to blow off said band. As far as the music goes, all I can do is argue Pantera's merits muscially. So I'll just say if you don't like it, try giving it another chance. This disc SCREAMS summer to me. The beginning track 'Strength Beyond Strength' has an almost punk rock feel to it.
(5) Agalloch - Ashes Against the Grain
I've made little secret of my love for this band. I'll just say it again.... I LOVE THIS BAND!!! Some people might categorize Agalloch in the 'folk-black metal' genre, but I disagree. They definitely have folk elements, but 'Ashes Against the Grain' has several different musical elements that make it totally unique. Blending indie rock, doom, black metal, and folk elements, Agalloch's third offering is dark, but still has a very triumphant and warm feeling making it a great album to listen to on a sunny day.
(6) Children of Bodom - Follow the Reaper
Yes, back to Finland again. This one may not seem very summery, but its infectious grooves, blistering solos, and relentless aggression are what make it a perfect album for summer. Another one that is great for cruising down the highway with. CoB are another band that kinda gets knocked on for being too commercial, but again, I base my tastes on the merit of the music, not how popular they are (or are not).
(7) Kreator - Extreme Aggression
Speaking of relentless aggression, we have 'Extreme Aggression' from German thrash masters Kreator. By most fans' accounts, this is Kreator's best work to date, and I would have to agree - even though Kreator have put out great records on a consistent basis. If you are unfamiliar with Kreator (and you shouldn't), they basically make Metallica look like U2. Not that I have anything against U2, but you get my point.
(8) Faith No More - The Real Thing
I have such weird love/hate relationship with this album. I love it because.... well.... it fuckin' rocks! But the reason I hate it? One word: Epic. Not the kind of Epic used to describe the album (which it does), but Epic as in the second track on the album which turned into a radio hit. Don't get me wrong, its actually not a bad song, but...well let me give you an example: I have a Faith No More t-shirt with this exact logo on it, except on a black background. Everytime I am out and about some douchebag looks at my shirt and goes "Yeah! Those guys rock!" and proceed to belt out "Yooooooou waaaaaaant it aaaaaal but you can't have it..." and I go, "Yeah, Zombie Eaters is awesome too," which usually elicits a confused look from said douchebag. But I digress. Listen to the lyrics of the title track, its fuckin' poetry man!
(9) Napalm Death - Scum
Arguably the first grindcore album ever, 'Scum' is a 33 minute pummeling to the cerebral cortex. It makes me want to go burn down a McDonalds..... or maybe a Bank of America. Okay not really, only kidding. (if the FBI comes and takes me, then tell me wife I love her, and my kids I love them too... 'now go to bed!') From the beginning growls of "MULTI..... NATIONAL...... CORPO...... RATIONS........ GENOCIDE........OF THE......... SOVEREIGN.......... NATIONS!" you know that this is an band that doesn't fuck around. What better way to kick off summer than blasting a record that is essentially a huge middle finger to the establishment?
(10) Electric Wizard - Dopethrone
Kinda like Black Sabbath on pot.... and even dirtier. Electric Wizard are a band that I am just finding out about and pretty much think all their stuff is gold. This album was voted "Album of the decade" by Terrorizer magazine and made Decibel's top ten of the decade in their top 100 albums of the decade. Great to listen to after (ahem) a little 'tobacco' smoking and sitting out on your porch on a warm summer night looking up at the stars.
There ya have it. If you have any comments, disagreements, or amendments to this list, feel free to leave a comment. I love to talk about this stuff, and I totally value others opinions and views on metal, so please feel free to let me know if there is an album you think I should have included here, or if you totally disagree and think that any of the aforementioned albums are in fact NOT good for summer listening, or even if you just think I'm totally full of crap and don't like summer at all and think that the world should just live in a perpetual state of winter and darkness, with nothing but the bitter cold blackness surrounding us all.
In which case if that's you..... I think someone needs a hug!
-J
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