Best Albums of 2015
This year was overall a bit disappointing in comparison to the last few years. I admittedly didn't listen to the new Tribulation or Horrendous album, along with a few other supposedly can't miss albums. Regardless, several artists I usually rely on, didn't quite hit the mark. I'm not sure how Slayer's album has managed to land high spots on other reviewers lists. Though I didn't hate it by any means, it wasn't a great or even good album, outside a few songs it was mostly unmemorable. I was very disappointed with And So I Watched You From Afar's Heirs. Their first two albums were so strong that it was inevitable they would struggle to retain that level of artistic success but at least their previous album All Hail Bright Futures had some catchy and fun tracks. Heirs is almost entirely devoid of anything compelling. Nightwish's Endless Forms Most Beautiful is decent but I can't help but feel disappointed that they really haven't had a terrific album since Dark Passion Play. I'm not crazy about the new singer. Perhaps she's being held back by weaker songwriting but I preferred both Tarja and Annette over her. Children of Bodom's I Worship Chaos is okay but couldn't match Halo of Blood's intensity and solid songwriting. Iron Maiden's Book of Souls is a mixed blessing. I like to see them still making music but a majority of the album just didn't resonate for me. Initially, I was going to write off Between the Buried and Me's Coma Ecliptic as a total disappointment but after the last 6 months or so of listening to it, it's finally started to open up to me. I haven't quite decided where to place it but it has the chance to enter the top 10 over time.
Nile's What Should Not Be Unearthed was typically solid from the tech death metal band. Soilwork, Lamb of God, Scale the Summit, Coheed & Cambria, Atreyu and Stratovarius each put out unspectacular yet very good releases. Without further ado, here's my favorites of the year: |
| 1 |  | Steven Wilson
Hand. Cannot. Erase.
Steven Wilson's solo output has been outstanding and Hand Cannot Erase is one of his best. While it may not be as technical or proggy as Raven, it works really well emotionally.
Favorite track: |
| 2 |  | Angra
Secret Garden
Angra has always been one of those power metal bands that tends to fly completely under the radar but I've always loved them, even through their numerous lineup changes. Secret Garden is a top notch album and hopefully introduces them to many more fans.
Favorite track: |
| 3 |  | Deafheaven
New Bermuda
Deafheaven proves once again they are very good at what they do and defy categorization. Yeah it's not kvlt troo black metal but who fucking cares when it is this good.
Favorite track: |
| 4 |  | The Black Dahlia Murder
Abysmal
Favorite track: |
| 5 |  | Panopticon
Autumn Eternal
Panopticon continues their (or more accurately, his) journey into perfect black metal with the new album. This is even better than both Kentucky and Roads. Every track is so damn good.
Favorite track: |
| 6 |  | Queensryche
Condition Human
Favorite track: |
| 7 |  | Symphony X
Underworld
Favorite track: |
| 8 |  | Blind Guardian
Beyond the Red Mirror
Favorite track: |
| 9 |  | Rosetta
Quintessential Ephemera
Favorite track: |
| 10 |  | SUMAC
The Deal
Favorite track: |
| 11 |  | Anathema
A Sort of Homecoming |
| 12 |  | Katatonia
Sanctitude |
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