Artists That I Discovered In 2019

Given that we're rapidly approaching the end of the year, I'm going to mix it up this week. I was thinking of doing a top ten albums of the year. 

But then I realized I haven't listened to ten new albums end to end.  This was a year where I really branched out musically and started listening to more country, rap and everything other than metal. And I discovered some cool artists. So why not talk about the artists that I discovered this year, instead? So without further adieu here are the coolest artists I discovered in 2019 -

Ghostemane 

I've liked $uicideboy$ for a little while now. Ghost is featured on a good bit of their songs. I was surprised at how fastly he could rap and then transition into his signature nasally delivery. Initially I thought it was studio effects. But I gained mad respect when I found it was all him. Also he talks about some shit that you'd probably be more likely to hear in a metalcore or Black Metal band. The guy has a song named after Euronomyous. Nothing is trver. 

Songs I'd recommend -

1. Gatteka
2. 1000 Rounds
3. Mercury Retrograde

Toby Keith

I was listening to Rodney Carrington while studying one day and 'I Love This Bar.' autoplayed. I've loved Keith ever since. I've been called a poser for listening to him but I don't care. The songs can be funny or relateable and he can always carry a tune. Anyone who shits on Toby for not being 'real country' needs to get Nashville's dick out their mouths and be honest with themselves.

Songs I recommend - 

1. I Love This Bar
2. Who's That Man?
3. Wish I Didn't Know Now

Elvis Presley 

Yes, I already knew who Elvis was before 2019, don't insult me like that. I was listening to Danzig and everyone in the comments kept compari him to Elvis so I thought ,"Why not check it out?" And this may be a shocker but Elvis isn't overrated in the slightest. The stage presence of God. A voice I can only describe as masculine. And the songs are about something. Somehow Elvis crept onto my playlist.

Of course I recommend 'Suspicious Minds' but Elvis' discography is so varied I'd just start with that and explore.

Dethklok

I watched Metalacolypse when I was younger. But not being a metal fan back then, I couldn't really appreciate it. I just thought it was ridiculously violent.

But around New Year's 'I Ejaculate Fire' kept popping up in my recommended feed and I gave it a listen. Then I rewatched the show. It's chock full of metal references and cameos. But most of all Dethklok slaps. The guitars are always on point. It really says something when a joke digital band is better than most straightforward metal bands.

Songs I'd Recommend -

1. Awaken
2. Murmaider
3. Better Metal Snake

Bill McClintock

Bill McClintock is a mashup artist. As in he takes parts of songs and mixes them together with other songs in ways you'd never think of. And he's damn good at it. And guess what? He releases everything he does for free. It may not be everyone's cup of tea but the stuff he comes up with always manages to blow my mind. If you watch on YouTube make sure to read the comments. They're a riot.


Songs I recommend - 

1. Everything She Wants Is South of Heaven
2. Eminence of Holy Wars and Creeping Death
3. Mother Was A Rolling Stone

DJ Cummberbund 

DJ Cummerbund is another mashup artist. Except as Bill was tame and told you what to expect right in the title of the song. DJ Cummerbund is a zany. I've heard Megadeth mixed with Chris Brown. And the guy characterizes himself as Randy Savage. Also he is an actual DJ that you can request songs from, so expect a DJ tag before every song. But be warned this is a rabbithole that if you go down,you might not want to come back up.

Songs I recommend - 

1. That Which I Desire
2. Earth, Sand, and Fire
3. WarMCA

Burt Bacharach 

Burt Bacharach (you may know him from that scene in Austin Powers) is a songwriter who's been making hits for people like Dionne Warwick, BJ Thomas and the Platters since the 60s. I used to listen to Raindrops Keep Fallin on My Head every morning and YouTube would autoplay more of his songs after that. They're not called easy listening for nothing. His songs will get stuck in your head the first time you hear them.

Songs I recommend - 

1. What The World Needs Now
2. This Guy's in Love With You
3. Close to You (I prefer the Michael Bolton version)

$uicideboy$ 

Some time this year I typed the words 'kill yourself' into YouTube and found the banger that is Kill Yourself Part 3. I always found myself coming back to it. Then early in this semester I made some friends that were diehard fans of $uicideboy$. Then we met a couple of other dudes that listened to them. So now I find myself listening to them every other day. They're different in a good way. They have a style that's distinctive and genuine at the same time. I fuck with it. 

Songs I recommend - 

1. Vices
2. Runnin Thru The 7th With My Woadies
3. $outh $ide $uicide

Bob Marley 

Once again, yes, I already knew who Bob Marley was. I just never cared to listen to him. During the summer a friend introduced me to Rebelution and Iration ( some good bands I'd also recommend). I been hooked on reggae ever since. You already know Marley has to come in there some time.

Same as Elvis I'd recommend you listen to the essentials then dive a little deeper -

1. Is This Love?
2. Could You Be Loved?
3. Jammin'

Other Bands

Most bands I can't really say I'm a gigantic fan of but I'll admit they have one or two good songs. Some that come to mind are -

1. Vile
2. Defilement
3. Gamma Sector
4. Left to Suffer
5. Cattle Decapitation
6. Fallujah
7. Gorgoroth
8. Raheem DeVaughn
9. Iration
10. Rebelution
11. Danzig
12. Eddie Money
13. Alan Jackson

Join us next week when we resume our regularly scheduled review series with All Hail the Yeti!

I don't own any of the above pictures. All media is owned by the respective copyright holders.