1. The Black Dahlia Murder- "Everblack"
For my money the best death metal band around today. They don't follow the trends of their contemporaries. They are old school melodic death metal. Period. Trevor Strnad (vocalist) continues his incredible (and downright disturbing) lyrical themes such as self mutilating, nymphomanic twins (Map of Scars), sadistic serial killer and part time zombie experimenter, Jeffrey Dahmer (Control), and sexual gratification through bodily dismemberment (Phantom Limb Masturbation). There is something here for the whole family! Its a sick, heavy, and damn awesome album.
Best songs- "Raped In Hatred By Vines Of Thorns", "Every Rope A Noose", "Map Of Scars"
2. City and Colour- "The Hurry and The Harm"
Now, at the complete opposite end of the spectrum, this is a beautiful album. Dallas Green continues his journey from simple acoustic guitar driven songs to incorporating a full stock of instruments. He uses everything perfectly and weaves a gorgeous tapestry. This is certainly his most grand and epic album to date. His backing band swells and moans in great complement to his moving voice. Nobody does melancholy, introspective lyrics like Dallas. Here's to hoping he keeps on this path of being this generations Neil Young. Such a great, relaxing work.
Best Songs- "The Lonely Life", "Two Coins", "Death's Song"
3. Ghost- "Infestissumam"
Sweden's favorite Unholy sons are back. The ever mysterious Ghost put out another Satanic masterpiece that King Diamond would be proud of. Capitalizing on the massive praise they got with Opus Eponymous, they pushed their sound into a more defined and unique place on this. The perfect soundtrack for a Black Mass.
Best songs- "Ghuleh/Zombie Queen", "Body and Blood", "Year Zero"
4. Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats- "Mind Control"
The best doom metal album of the year. This band is going to be huge. The best non-Sabbath, Sabbath sounding band. They sound like they are straight from 1970. They are what Tony/Ozzy/Geezer/Bill would sound like if they put out an actual good album now and hadn't let drugs ruin things. Total, badass doomness, and the rad story concept of "a cult leader who comes down from the mountain and brainwashes his desert disciples through drugs, love, violence, and intimidation" is pretty sweet.
Best Songs- "Mind Crawler", "Evil Love", "Devil's Work"
5. Defeater- "Letters Home"
One of my favorite hardcore bands around today. This album actually surprised me how much I liked it. I loved this band's first two albums but this one took things to a whole new level. It is a continuation of their post WWII, working class New Jersey story arc. My favorite aspect of this album is Derek Archambault's vocals. He absolutely kills it. His voices sounds even more shredded and mean as before.
Best Songs- "Bastards" (great opening track), "No Shame"
6. Touche Amore- "Is Survived By"
Deathwish had a great year, putting out some of the best releases of any label. This is my favorite of their stable. While Deafheaven has been getting much of the praise for "Sunbather", and deservedly so, I think Touche was the best of the bunch. I was somewhat hesitant before this came out, I wasn't sure if they could live up to their previous album "Parting the Sea Between Brightness and Me" which is an all-time favorite. But this is a very worthy successor.
Best Songs- "Anyone/Anything", "Harbor", "Social Caterpillar"
7. Har Mar Superstar- "Bye Bye 17"
The biggest surprise of the year. I had no idea who this guy was a few months ago but dammit he's brilliant. You wouldn't know from looking at a picture of Har Mar (seriously google him. Wow.) but he has an incredible voice and is a damn entertaining artist. Total throwback to the sexy, jazzy, 70's bluesy singers. Great album. Perfect for a party soundtrack or a night of wine by a fire. Baby making music at its finest, and strangest.....if that makes sense.
Best Songs- "Lady, You Shot Me", "Restless Leg", "Rhythm Bruises"
8. Twitching Tongues- "In Love There Is No Law"
While I still think Sleep Therapy is their absolute best work, this is a great album by a goddamn heavy band. The Hardcore- Type 0 inspired riffery here is golden. I love this band. I love the call backs to past songs in the lyrics. This whole record is a headbanger. Crank it. Thrash the fuck out and pour our some red wine for the almighty Peter Steele. He would approve of these guys for sure.
Best Songs- "Preacher Man", "World War V"
9. Church of Misery- "Thy Kingdom Scum"
Japanese Doom metal band who's every song is about another serial killer or mass murderer. What the fuck more do you want!? Probably the most pure Doom you can find. These guys are like the crazed, mushroom tripping, Asian cousins of Sabbath. Heavy goddamn riffs, murder, and mayhem. Some of the heaviest riffs you will hear from a band not named Electric Wizard. Japan knows how to do Doom correctly. Psychedelic metal that I defy you to not bob your head to the whole time. Epic.
Best Songs- "B.T.K. (Dennis Rader)", "Brother Bishop (Gary Heidnik)", "All Hallow's Eve (John Linley Frazier)"
10. Watain- "The Wild Hunt"
I'm still rather pissed that I didn't get to see these guys in Chicago with Behemoth (fucking passport problems), I still love this group of Satan worshiping psychopaths. This album shows definite growth and their skill in not just fitting the stereotypical Black Metal mold. A lot of people bitched about them doing acoustic driven, clean vocal tracks but fuck that. It's evil sounding as all Hell and totally works. Great album from beginning to end from on of the best true, pure Black Metal bands around. Besides all of the controversy and hoopla surrounding their live shows, they actually write great music. They aren't just another gimmick band. They back all the crazy shit up.
Best Songs- "All That May Bleed", "They Rode On" (Fucking. Epic. and Creepy)
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