2018 I didn't get to as many albums as I'd hoped, with a huge (spotify) pile of critically acclaimed left sadly unlistened for now. I did listen to 58 in total, and there was some crackers in there, a lot that continued to get better with more time. I don't think it reached the heights of some other years but a rpetty good one for metal anyway.
So, for anyone looking for something new to rattle their neighbours windows with, here's my top 10 from 2018 (+ a handful of others deserving a plug)
Noteworthy, honourable mentions,
Just missed the cut but quality albums, or obviously good but didn't have the time needed to properly sink in.
Gorod - Aethra
The Ocean - Phanerozoic 1: Palaeozoic
Orphaned Land - Unsung Prophets and Dead Messiahs
Tribulation - Down Below
Dire Peril - The Extraterrestrial Compendium
Soliloquium - Contemplations
Sulphur Aeon - The Scythe of Cosmic Chaos
The top 10
10 Judas Priest - Firepower
9 Necropanther - Eyes of Blue Light
8 Slugdge - Esoteric Malacology
7 Khemmis - Desolation
6 High on Fire - Electric Messiah
5 Amorphis - Queen of Time
4 Skeletonwitch - Devouring Radiant Light
3 Satan - Cruel Magic
2 King Goat - Debt of Aeons
1 Altars of Grief - Iris
An excellent year for doom, which isn't my usual go-to.
King Goat and Khemmis drop big 2nd and 3rd albums respectively while Altars of Grief put out an absolute stunner, showing off the best metal has to offer as a genre. BECOMING INTANGIBLE is one of the best songs i've heard in year.
High on Fire, Amorphis, Skeletonwitch as consistent as ever.
Necropanther bringing more Skeletonwitch to the table than Skeletonwitch themselves.
Slugdge are without doubt the best invertebrate themed death metal band currently going.
Satan continue their ridiculous run of 35-years-too-late perfect traditional heavy metal albums, and Judas Priest somehow still killing it after an absurd 50 years of performing.
