It's a wrap! 2019 is almost sealed and done and with the very last few releases seeing daylight, it can be said that this year had been one of the most convincing and luminescent years for heavy music, with the most buoyant amongst the many genres that flourished this year being Melodic Death Metal. With so many exciting and refreshing records released by both the obvious heavyweight bands and the inspired newcomers, this year was definitely a year to appreciate, and one to look back upon with a smile and a pack of beers. Here's a hoping for an equally strong year in the new decade that approaches us.

1. LEPROUS
"Pitfalls"
Inside Out Music

If there is one band that constantly keeps me excited every time I hear there's a new album in store for us, it's LEPROUS. With "Pitfalls", their music took an interesting turn from their previous record, "Malina", and took the role of Einar Solberg's memoir. It is a heart-wrenching and beautiful yet eclecticism-savvy and rich album. LEPROUS also decided to risk it with this release: unlike many other artists, and frankly, themselves, they have entwined their already-nonconformist songwriting knack with a more modern twist, creating what can be perhaps described as "when Progressive Metal meets EDM".

Read my full review for this record here.

2. INSOMNIUM
"Heart Like A Grave"
Century Media Records

There's something very beautiful with the approach INSOMNIUM have taken on this album - the music is more atmospheric and melancholic. It really does create a musical surround that few bands manage to create. The addition of the third guitarist, Jani Liimatainen, to the band's ranks did not harm the output, but rather aided developing a tighter and heavier guitar tone - that can easily be heard throughout the record. The album closes with the instrumental masterpiece, "Karelia", which is just about the best and more emotional instrumental track I've heard this year.

3. BRYMIR
"Wings Of Fire"
Out Of Line Music / Ranka Kustannus

I promised this year was full of excellent Melodic Death Metal, didn't I? BRYMIR, unlike their fellow countrymen in their genre, took the opportunity to create a more modern outtake to their previous Extreme Folk Metal thing with "Wings Of Fire". It is a terrific album, simple as that. It's a bombastic, cleverly-composed and well-produced album - and must be seen as a valuable record. This is especially true given this is the band's third album to date. One can only expect even better releases as this band takes its place amongst the best of the current Finnish Metal artists.

4. LORD
"Fallen Idols"
Dominus Records

Speaking of 'bombastic' records, LORD's newest release, "Fallen Idols", deserves credit for being this year's strongest candid in the 'constant headbanging' award. It's an album in which every riff chases another, leaving only short moments to catch breath just before tailgating a heavier riff section. Not only that, but LORD managed to make sure that no track would turn the record dull, and added new elements to every track as far as the album keeps playing.

Read my full review of this record here.

5. RICHARD HENSHALL
"The Cocoon"
Hen Music

RICHARD HENSHALL, better known as one of the guitar players of the UK-based Progressive Metal band HAKEN, turned 2019 into the year in which he would release his debut solo album. This, rather last-minute addition to my best-of-2019 list, is what I personally can best describe as 'what HAKEN should've released instead of 2018's "Vector"'. It is, essentially, the second best Progressive release of the year. Comprising a total of seven multifarious tracks and featuring such names as band-mate Ross Jennings, DREAM THEATER's Jordan Rudess and multi-instrumentalist David Maxim Micic, just to name a few - this record must not go unheard.

6. RIVERSIDE
"Acoustic Session"
Inside Out Music

RIVERSIDE, the Polish catatonic trio, can sometimes best be referred as their country's 'best heavy music act', but due to recent tragic and hard-to-swallow events, including the death of beloved guitarist Piotr Grudzinski back in 2016, the remaining three opted to pay a rather toned-down tribute in the figure of 2018's "Wasteland" and this year's "Acoustic Session" - an EP comprising a total of five beautiful and sentimental acoustic remakes of some of the band's finest works since conception. Three of the tracks are "Wasteland" remakes, while the other two are acoustic remakes for "Out Of Myself" and "02 Panic Room" - two of the band's best tracks in their discography.

7. AKTAION
"Above Empires"
Independent

AKTAION are a Melodic Death Metal band from Halmstad, Sweden. I chose AKTAION's third output, "Above Empires" as, much like in BRYMIR's case, they deserve a much bigger credit than what they receive, and in some aspect, even more so than the others - given they released this magnificent album independently. It is an album filled with dissonance-causing phases and motions, which, in the band's credit, is done in a fantastic and engaging manner. Check them out.

Read my full review of this record here.

8. TÝR
"Hel"
Metal Blade Records

If you are looking for this year's best Folk Metal release - look no further. Hailing from the Faroe Islands, TÝR, went through a couple of line-up changes between 2016 and 2018, and currently consisting of two of the original Faroese members Heri and Gunnar, but also two Hungarian recruits: Tadeusz Rieckmann (previously from DALRIADA) and Atilla Vörös who up until joining TÝR, toured with such acts as SATYRICON and SANCTUARY. Together, with the help of the now-former guitarist Terji, completed "Hel" - an album filled with Faroese Folk melodies and chants, such as the band's own rendition of the Faroese Saga, "Ragnars Kvæði".

9. THE DARK ELEMENT
"Songs The Night Sings"
Frontiers Music Srl

Fans of cheesy Metal, assemble!
It doesn't frequently happen, but this year's top-10 albums contains no less than two Jani Liimatainen records - the first being as part of INSOMNIUM, while the second is a different release. Joining Liimatainen on THE DARK ELEMENT project is the previous NIGHTWISH singeress, Anette Olzon. While their debut album was more of an intention-prober release, sophomore effort "Songs The Night Sings" sees the band coming into full form and the best of their mutual performances. In short, this Melodic/Symphonic Power Metal record, is, much like Jani's previous works - a sentimental and poetic release, driven by the most infectious of ear-worms in terms of melodies, while also keeping tight and heavy, the way Anette herself personaly asked this record to be.

Read my full review of this record here.

10. SWALLOW THE SUN
"When A Shadow Is Forced Into The Light"
Century Media Records

The third and last highlighted Melodic Death Metal record of 2019 is also the first record that was released, seeing daylight as early as January 25th. This was perhaps the best indicator as to how prolific 2019 is going to be in terms of this particular genre. Much like the later INSOMNIUM record, SWALLOW THE SUN's latest input dependent on a wall of atmospheric resonance, instead of the typical heavier tone bands of the genre use. It is the darkest and heaviest of the lot of this year, though - and for that reason, it made itself up on this list.

Honorable Mentions: