Top 20 metal albums of 2018
As above, so below. |
| 20 |  | Metal Allegiance
Volume II - Power Drunk Majesty
I love Alex Skolnick along with many of the artists on this album, but I wouldn't say that it's greater than the sum of it's parts. |
| 19 |  | Hatchet
Dying To Exist |
| 18 |  | Ultra-Violence
Operation Misdirection
Another album that didn't excite me as much as I'd hoped, but it is a well crafted and intricate thrash metal. |
| 17 |  | At The Gates
To Drink from the Night Itself
This album isn't as great as I had hoped, but it turned out to be a grower, getting better and better with multiple listens. |
| 16 |  | Revocation
The Outer Ones
Revocation has been one of the most interesting bands in metal for a long time, mixing technical skill with thrashy death metal. This album goes full on sci-fi. |
| 15 |  | Ihsahn
Amr
Ihashn is reigning supreme as a solo artist, making music that's arguably more revolutionary than those he released with the legendary Emperor. |
| 14 |  | Harakiri for the Sky
Arson
Absolutely amazing album. They play post-black metal. |
| 13 |  | Tantara
Sum of Forces
Norwegian Thrash metal. Not as good as their previous album, a gold mine of modern thrash, but still a great release. |
| 12 |  | Rivers of Nihil
Where Owls Know My Name
Progressive death metal buy a bunch of guys who like Pink Floyd and Saxophones. |
| 11 |  | Gruesome
Twisted Prayers
This band is pure, unabashed Death worship, and I for one veru much welcome it. It's unbelievable how well Matt Harvey can harness the sound Chuck Schuldiner. Can't wait to hear more. |
| 10 |  | Orphaned Land
Unsung Prophets and Dead Messiahs
One of the leading bands mixing metal and Middle Eastern music together (along with Melechesh). They were once a death/doom metal band, they now play a more accessible style. This album brings back some of the heavier elements they left behind in their previous effort. |
| 9 |  | Beyond Deth
The Age of Darkness
Crushing album that rides through elements of thrash, black, and death metal. |
| 8 |  | Dragonlord
Dominion
Testament's Eric Peterson releases a new album under his black metal side project. Well, not black metal, but symphonic black metal. Dragonlord holds a powerful punch, with amazing drumming by Alex Bent. It essentially Testament riffs through a Dimmu Borgir filter, and I mean that in the best way. |
| 7 |  | The Crown
Cobra Speed Venom
Amazing Swedish thrashy death metal. |
| 6 |  | Necropanther
Eyes of Blue Light
Another band from the fertile Denver scene. They combine all the greatest elements of death, thrash, and black metal, similar to Vektor or older Skeletonwitch, but with a heavy melodic punch! Mastered by Fredrik Nordstrom at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden. One of the leading bands of the local Denver scene. |
| 5 |  | Khemmis
Desolation
Khemmis are one of the most iconic bands of recent time. Born of the amazing Denver metal scene, these guys play a melodic form of doom metal that was unique to them and bound to influence many in the future of doom. |
| 4 |  | Angelus Apatrida
Cabaret de la Guillotine
Angelus Apatrida leading NWOTM band from Spain. This album continues there Melodic Thrash Metal dominance. |
| 3 |  | Skeletonwitch
Devouring Radiant Light
Tie for #1: with a new vocalist, Skeletonwitch have moved into a new era of their career. Stripping much of the thrash metal from their previous albums, they've taken on a stronger black metal aesthetic. Apothic Gloom was an amazing EP, and this album continues in that vain. |
| 2 |  | Horrendous
Idol
Tie for #1: Horrendous' last album, Anareta, was my 2nd favorite album of 2015.The greatest modern death metal band in the game! Just like Black Fast, these guys move into a proggier direction. Also like Black Fast, their last album, Anareta, is a must hear album! |
| 1 |  | Black Fast
Spectre of Ruin
Tie for #1: Black Fast released my favorite album of 2015. These guy are ever evolving. Amazing, unique band playing progressive thrash metal with a death and black metal vibes. This album moves into an even more proggy direction then their previous album, and is produced by the one and only Eric Rutan! Everyone must hear their previous album Terms of Surrender. |
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