| 2013 |
| 1 |  | Amorphis
Circle
This is such a perfect "pop metal" album. The songs are short, catchy, melodic, heavy and emotional. Listening to it truly feels like an inspiring, powerful journey. Time and time again, it proves you don't have to be the heaviest, the fastest or the most complex album to shine above the rest - this album is simple, effective, and does everything right. I absolutely love this one. |
| 2 |  | Haken
The Mountain
A simply fantastic prog album. Their style is very unique and while it doesn't always fits my taste, almost everything works here. It got some unforgettable progressive masterpieces and is overall just a fucking great album. Definitely deserves a good place at the top. |
| 3 |  | Earthless
From The Ages
Not much to say other than that it's a wonderful album. Each song feels like an experience all on its own. They feel like jams, but still sound so tight and flow so well. |
| 4 |  | Enshine
Origin
Really great time. This album mixes elements from both melodic death metal and post rock to create a very interesting blend. It's moody, atmospheric and powerful. |
| 5 |  | Alter Bridge
Fortress
It's an Alter Bridge album. You know what to expect. I guess it's on par with their other albums, simply due to how little difference there is between them.
Still, a pretty enjoyable record. I have a very warm spot in my heart for Alter Bridge, I think they're very very talented musicians (Mark Tremonti is one of the best modern guitarists out there in my opinion, and one of my overall favorites). Production here is top notch and everyone sounds great. Just wish to get something a little more than "enjoyable". They're more than capable of achieving that. |
| 6 |  | Evile
Skull
This album is in a constant battle against its own genericity, and for the most part, I'd say it somewhat succeeds. Even though it really is more of the same as all of their other stuff, some songs definitely stand out. Overall, I think this is one of their stronger albums, along with the first one, |
| 7 |  | Steven Wilson
The Raven That Refused to Sing (And Other Stories)
This album is simple in nature, but oozes with creativity and complexity. Each song is a fascinating and unique piece of prog excellence. Great album. |
| 8 |  | White Wizzard
The Devil's Cut
Even though the new vocalist here is not as good, musically it's probably their best album - at least since Over the Top. Nothing amazing, but I'm pretty used to being disappointed by this band, and this album was actually delightfully surprising. |
| 9 |  | Gloryhammer
Tales from the Kingdom of Fife
A really fun album by a band that is not quite "there" yet. This is somewhat of an introduction - both musically and lyrically - to their real masterpiece, which is their next album. |
| 10 |  | Heaven Shall Burn
Veto
Super excellent album for sure, everything just works. All of the songs here are as powerful as they are inspiring, as original as they are impactful, as brutal as they are emotionally-charged. It even features a cover song - to a classic power metal anthem, of all things - and manages to completely ace this test: Valhalla feels like it was written for them to cover it, and they unflinchingly rise to the challenge, collaborating with Kürsch himself to produce a magnificent new musical piece, not even slightly overshadowed by the original. Fantastic stuff - easily one of the best albums of 2013. |
| 11 |  | Mercenary
Through Our Darkest Days
I absolutely love this band and almost everything they've done - including this album for sure. Everything that makes Mercenary so great is also present here in some shape or form. That being said, this one's a little weaker compared to the other ones - none of the songs here is especially memorable or unique enough to shine brighter than the other. It's a good album, but it lacks in the "soul" department. |
| 12 |  | Volbeat
Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies
Nice album I guess, but honestly I find Volbeat to be unbelievably boring. It's not a bad album at all, but I just find nothing here that will make me want to listen to it ever again. |
| 13 |  | In Vain
Aenigma
Loved this one - it's got the right balance of heavy aggression and emotional melodies to create a phenomenal piece of epic, meaningful progressive death metal music. |
| 14 |  | Avenged Sevenfold
Hail to the King
Fun album, even if it's not terribly memorable. |
|
