I recently encountered Lazer/Wulf for the first time during their Summer support run with Kylesa, although I was first tipped off by Kylesa vocalist/guitarist Phillip Cope, who has been working behind the boards with the band on their forthcoming full-length.  To say the experimental, genre defying trio captured my attention with their virtuosity and spitfire performance would be an understatement.  The fact that bassist Sean Peiffer was so gracious and hilarious during our post-set conversation sealed the deal.  I grabbed the band’s contact information (on a business card that proclaimed them “Attorneys At Rock”) and circled back with the band weeks later for an interview.
A few month after that, the band were back in Ohio supporting Orange Goblin, and I had the opportunity to introduce several members of the Ghettoblaster staff to Peiffer, and he and I had the opportunity to rekindle our bromance.  His band rules, and he rules, which made him a natural go-to for a year’s end albums list.  This is what he was digging.
No Particular order. Shit, couldn’t decide.
Ulcerate – Vermis
Another extremely dissonant, challenging album from Ulcerate. These New Zealanders’ riffs are a complete anomaly. Sometimes, I find myself going into a trance-like state when listening to this band. Eviscerating.
Gorguts – Colored Sands
I think it might be true. Call me a fanboy, but Luc Lemay might have conquered music with the addition of Dysrhythmia’s Colin Marston and Kevin Hufnagel to Gorguts. Brilliant record.
KEN Mode – Entrench
Been cranking this one pretty hard since its release. but, it was not until I saw them in Ottawa with Full of Hell that I was truly blown away by this band. Perfect mix of raw intensity and solid songwriting.
Kylesa – Ultraviolet
I heard these songs every day for six weeks when Lazer/Wulf was on tour with Kylesa. I’m still not tired of them. That says a lot. It’s hard to find a record that is super heavy and psychedelic while still being chilled out and groovy.
Carcass – Surgical Steel
Didn’t want to get my hopes up after being burned by reunion albums in the past. But, in my opinion, this is truly Carcass 4.0. An updated, well oiled, Frankenstein robot comprised of Carcasses old and new.
Dillinger Escape Plan – One of Us is the Killer
To me, Dillinger Escape Plan are the Michael Jackson of math metal, which means it is undeniable.
Suffocation – Pinnacle of Bedlam
Punishingly heavy and technical, while still being extremely listenable and not sounding over-produced. Suffocation are still slamming away at their genre-defining, distinct Death Metal sound. Frank Mullen rips harder than any death metal vocalist.
East of the Wall – Redaction Artifacts
Love this band. Every song I hear surprises me, which does not happen often enough. Giving newer progressive metal a good name. I even like the squeaky clean singing, which is usually hard for me unless you are Enslaved, Opeth or Dillinger (I might have left some out, shit maybe I do like clean singing).
Nails – Abandon All Life
Crushing. That’s about all I need to say.
And the last entry cheats because I really enjoyed:
Voivod – Target
Earth Autopsy – Headless Ritual
Anciients – Heart of Oak
All Pigs Must Die – Nothing Violates This Nature
(Visit Sean and Lazer/Wulf here: http://www.lazerwulf.com/.)