Felt a little more distant from music this year. There were a lot of other albums that probably could have made the list if I had spent more time with them. That said, I particularly enjoyed this year's top 10-ish.
Trimmed of any fat, Trophy Scars offer a leaner take on their bluesy, supernatural saga. More moving than a record about killing your family has any right to be, find your local saloon and strap in for gravel-set-to-max vocals, jaunty keys, and daddy issues.
A double-album showcase of near-perfected mainstream(-ish) metal. The blistering belters, the power ballads - its all relentlessly top-notch. Catchy. Fun. Surprisingly soulful.
