Slow, but still the best week of music we’ve had so far this year:

Within Temptation – Hydra

Symphonic metal represents some of the most compatible and contradictory forces in music. It’s gorgeous and grand, yet it remains relatively hidden from the masses in the states. The slow build seems to be less appreciated these days (See: “Dog Days”).

Within Temptation is at the top of this craft and their legendary status in the Netherlands is warranted. Even in 2014, they’re still slaying it.

How Xzibit showed up on here, I have no earthly idea.

Behemoth – Satanist

This is a stark contrast from the above listing. DEATH metal.

This kind of music has no place in society today, which is sad. I have always been on the “it all sounds the same” side of the fence, but it represented a backbone of music that balances out the spectrum.

But, much like the horror movies today, we’re still looking for metal albums worthy of our time. Behemoth was once the Halloween of Polish metal, but this could be just an aimless, umpteenth sequel. You be the judge.

Broken Bells – After The Disco

Danger Mouse can do no wrong but somehow, I was never a fan of the first Broken Bells album. That said, everything I’ve heard from their return lifts me to higher spirits. I so badly want this to be one of the great albums of the year, but we’ll have to see how the filler tracks round out the album.

I have my reservations while waiting until the album hits Spotify.

Updated Best of 2014 playlist:

Slowly but surely.