BravePicks 2016 - SUMERLANDS' Sumerlands #29

December 3, 2016, 7 years ago

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BravePicks 2016 - SUMERLANDS' Sumerlands #29

Another gruelling year of heavy metal mastery is almost over! And all the votes are in and the compiling is complete! It's time to celebrate the winners and call out the not-so winners! So who will be our #1? You’ll find out as we count down the BravePick Of 2016 throughout December! And once again our devout scribes put their collective metal minds together to build the ultimate lists including individual Top 20s (new studio albums ONLY),  Top 5 Brave Embarrassments, Top 3 Concerts, What/Who Needs To Stop In 2017? and Metal Predictions For 2017. All will be showcased come the New Year!

'Tis the season to commence the good, bad and ugly of 2016! Let’s rock!

BravePicks 2016

29) SUMERLANDS - S/T (Relapse)

Formed by an all-star cast of scene veterans, heavy metal force Sumerlands released their debut in September. Inspired by the timeless guitar-driven sound of the 70's & 80's, the band features former Hour Of 13 / Atlantean Kodex vocalist Phil Swanson as well as renowned producer Arthur Rizk (Inquisition, Power Trip, Pissgrave) on guitars and behind the boards.

And scribe Jason Deaville loves them to death: "What do traditional, old-as-your-fuckin-dad heavy metal bands have in common? Yep, they all share a balls out attitude that is certainly not short on both zeal and over-the-top showboating that borders on cheeze. Perhaps this is why I've never really - TRULY - fell in love with many of those antiquated, spandex-and-leather wearing metal gods. Well, the Phil Swanson-led Sumerlands takes every beautifully articulated old-school nuance and drives it home with a humble and reverential tonality that no other new-school imitation band (yeah, I'm looking at you, Sweden!) has ever done. I kid you not. All it takes is a single listen to the opening riff off track number two, "The Guardian", from their debut, self-titled full-length to become hooked for life. Do it!"

Additionally, Sumerlands features artwork by the legendary Jos. A. Smith, the renowned and prolific artist who originally created the Bathory goat in the '70s!

 

BravePicks 2016 Top 30

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29) SUMERLANDS - S/T (Relapse)
30) RUNNING WILD – Rapid Foray (SPV)
31) AVANTASIA – Ghostlights (Nuclear Blast)

 



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IVY GARDENS - "Stoic"

IVY GARDENS - "Stoic"

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