No. 10:
Band: Spiritworld
Album: Deathwestern
Genre: Death/Thrash/Hardcore
General Information:
Year of Formation: 2017
Label: Century Media Records
This album has a fun concept, and it is also brilliant in its intensity. The hardcore vocals mixed with the thrash and death metal instrumentation are a winning combination.
No. 9:
Band: Aeviterne
Album: The Ailing Facade
Genre: Experimental Death Metal
This album is highly technical without being too mind melting. It also pushes against the boundaries of what death metal can be. The utter brutality of it is what keeps me coming back for more
General Information:
Year of Formation: 2015
Label: Profound Lore Records
No. 8:
Band: Threshold
Album: Dividing Lines
Genre: Progressive Metal
General Information:
Year of Formation: 1988
Label: Nuclear Blast
I haven't heard progressive metal this good in ages. Not a single note is wasted. This is the album you use to introduce your friends to this subgenre.
No. 7:
Band: Kampfar
Album: Til Klovers Takt
Genre: Pagan Black Metal
General Information:
Year of Formation: 1994
Label: Indie Recordings
Sometimes you just want a solid, traditional pagan black metal album. Kampfar delivers this perfectly. These Norwegians have continually honed their style from the very start, and this album is the culmination of these efforts.
No. 6:
Band: Kardashev
Album: Liminal Rite
Genre: Progressive/Atmospheric Deathcore/Post-Metal
General Information:
Year of Formation: 2012
Label: Metal Blade
It takes a lot for an album to surprise me. This new one from Kardashev has managed to keep me enthralled from the first note. The genre blending is exceptional.
No. 5:
Band: Judicator
Album: The Majesty of Decay
Genre: Power Metal
General Information:
Year of Formation: 2012
Label: Prosthetic Records
Power metal doesn't normally deal with the emotions present on this album. This one is a master class on just how evocative this style of metal can be. This is an album that moves the subgenre forward.
No. 4:
Band: Wilderun
Album: Epigone
Genre: Symphonic Progressive/Folk Metal
General Information:
Year of Formation: 2008
Label: Century Media Records
When this album dropped in January of this year, I knew that few albums would reach the level of greatness that Wilderun have achieved with Epigone. This is the album that you play for people who say they don't like metal.
No. 3:
Band: Disillusion
Album: Ayam
Genre: Melodic/Progressive Death Metal
General Information:
Year of Formation: 1994
Label: Prophecy Productions
This new release from Disillusion exceeds the already high bar that they have established. This album has zero filler and every track brings something new to the table. I find something new to love with every listen.
No. 2:
Band: High Command
Album: Eclipse of the Dual Moons
Genre: Thrash Metal/Crossover/Hardcore Punk
General Information:
Year of Formation: 2016
Label: Southern Lord Recordings
I really appreciate it when I come across an album that maintains intensity from start to finish without compromise. This is one where every track is as fun as metal can be. The songwriting is next level, and the music never drops below amazing.
No. 1:
Band: Zeal and Ardor
Album: Zeal & Ardor
Genre: Experimental Black Metal
General Information:
Year of Formation: 2013
Label: MVKA Records
With this album, Zeal and Ardor have redefined the criteria that makes an album fall under the umbrella of metal. It's thought-provoking, progressive, innovative, and should be required listening for any metal fan.
