Well, it's been a long year, and a lot has happened in the world. A LOT of great, and once great bands have released albums this year, and it's been harder to keep up than in the past...
...but I've finally finished listening to all the releases I needed to, and here's what I liked best this year (many of you assume NeO must be my top pick, but it simply didn't even make the cut)!
Top honors go to a band that has consistently been impressing me since being introduced by some floppy headed maple chuggers I know... I've thoroughly enjoyed their entire discography, and this year I really feel they simply released the best record of all the hundreds I've listened to... Thank you, Unleash The Archers, for the highly enjoyable "Apex" that I spent most of my summer rockin' to, full volume, in my car, windows and pedal down!!!
1. Unleash The Archers "Apex" (Napalm)
2. Mors Principium Est "Embers Of A Dying World" (AFM)
3. Black Kirin 黑麒麟 "Nanking Massacre" (Self Released)
4. Alestorm "No Grave But The Sea" (Napalm)
5. Vintersorg "Till Fjalls, Del II" (Napalm)
6. Warbringer "Woe To The Vanquished" (Napalm)
7. ORDEN OGAN "Gunmen" (AFM)
8. River Black "River Black" (Season Of Mist)
9. WITCHERY "I Am Legion" (Century Media)
10. Lich King "The Omniclasm" (Self Released)
I'd also like to just make a special mention to Dyscarnate, their record "With All Their Might" (Unique Leader) is noteworthy as such a solid, supremely heavy, pummeling release... It definitely deserves your attention!
So, get out there and enjoy some metal \m/