Best Metal Albums 2018
The Holiday season is always a favorite time of mine, as it's filled with celebration, and new beginnings; but the thing that I look forward to most, is all the year end lists that begin to pure out around December. Every year, I check with my favorite bloggers and review sites to see if their were any new releases I might've missed, and to see what ones we all agreed on. In fact, I love it so much, I spend the majority of the New Year creating a compilation Playlist that outlines the best of the best. This year however, I started a resolution, that I would no longer drool over the works of other's, but instead, toil over my own! So, with no further introduction, I present to you, my top 25 Metal Albums of 2018; here's to another great year of Metal!
Top 25 2018 (Ranked)
1. Amorphis - The Queen of Time
(Melodic Death/Doom)
Amorphis' 2018 release "Queen of Time" is a departure from the sound that built their core fan base, but one that defines a progression to a more marketable style. Describing something as marketable in the metal scene is generally a condemnation, but in this case, its a testament to how listenable the album really is. Tracks like "The Bee" and "Amongst Stars" could easily find a place amongst heavy metal radio hits; while tracks like "Daughter of Hate", keep things grounded to Amorphis' Doom Metal roots. Drawing from the Finnish folk poem "The Kalevala", Queen of Time weaves a tale of death and rebirth, through soaring rifts, and epic melodies, in a fashion that can be enjoyed by casual listeners and extreme metal fans alike.
2. Altars of Grief - Iris
(Blackened Funeral-Doom)
"Iris" is only the second full release from Canadian based Doom metal band Altars of Grief, and it has set a pretty high standard for their future albums. Following the story of a father dealing with the illness and eventual death of his daughter in the frozen prairies of Canada, Altars of Grief address the pain of loss, and the struggle of faith in such difficult times. Even amidst the blasting drums, and tormented screams, the poignancy of their storytelling is never lost in the chaos, but instead is communicated in the only way a mourning father could display. Beautiful and vicious, those who can withstand the oppressive weight of this album will be rewarded with one of the best concept albums released in years.
3. Panopticon - The Scars of Man on a Once Nameless Wilderness (I & II)
(Atmospheric Black Metal + Folk Metal)
Solo-project Panopticon is never one to shy aware from experimentation, and that unique process has never been more on display than with the latest dual release "Scars of Man on a Once Nameless Wilderness pts I & II". Drawing from his usual well of North American folk inspiration, Panopticon captures the essence of man in his role with (and against) nature. The first part being barren and savage, and the second mournful and introspective, there is a great deal of diversity to the two albums, and if someone wasn't in the know, they may not even realize they're listening to the same band. Fitting the themes of each part, album I leans very heavily to Panopticon's usual black metal sound, however, on part II, things shift drastically to folk/country music with only tinges of metal. As jarring as the transition is, it all blends together nicely in a package that can at the very least, be appreciated by any listener.
4. Ursa - Abyss Between the Stars
(Doom Metal)
"Abyss Between the Stars" is the debut LP from Doom Metal side-project Ursa, featuring members of progressive Doom-ers Cormorant. This album is a sludgy, psychedelic romp through a fantasy realm of wizards, dragons, and magic, as showcased by album opener "Wizard's Path". While many LPs are generally exempt from the core list, this release feels so complete, it more than earns its place at the top. An excellent album for are of D&D, or other works of fantasy fiction!
5. Uada - Cult of a Dying Sun
(Melodic Black Metal)
Fans of haunting atmospheres and dark pagan themes in their Black Metal, will find Uada's "Cult of a Dying Sun" to be the glimmering black gem they've been looking for. Showing a level of polish and refinement not usually found in Black Metal, Uada crafts a bleak and chaotic album, full of shrill riffs, blazing drums, and howling vocals. Equal parts heavy and melodic, it is a beautifully produce piece that will find a long term home amongst many metalheads' collections.
6. Khemmis - Desolation
(Doom Metal)
Continuing the tradition of fantasy inspired Doom Metal, Khemmis once again blends themes of grief and loss, with those of fiction and grim adventure. At any given point, the listener may feel compelled to raise their sword and stand against their foe, or mourn for past transgressions. Transcending genre tropes, "Desolation' can swing organically between radio friend heavy metal, melodramatic sweeping vocals, or grinding Doom. Its an epic piece that showcases the continued growth of Khemmis as a band.
7. Darksworn - Human I & Human II: The Ascension
(Melodic Death Metal + Progressive Metal)
Darksworn is the solo effort of Alan Blaidell of Oregon, and for one man, this is a HUGE sound! On "Human", listeners are treated to a precision Death Metal offering that, while not necessarily unique, is an example of the genre done right. Its not until "Human II" that Darksworn's versatility is put on display. Progressive at many spots, "Human II" is often almost electronic or metal-core inspired, but it never strays so far as to not be Death Metal. When taken as two parts of the same release, the vision begins to take it's own shape, and loses the repetitive nature found in most death metal, and is far less exhausting. Sci-fi lyrics, transcedant riffs, and whispered cleans create a spiraling atmosphere that is very palatable.
8. Thou - Magus
(Sludge/Drone/Doom Metal)
Thou's prolific career spans an enormous number of collaborations and singles, and several top rated full albums, yet they still manage find areas to improve and refine their sound. "Magus" to many, may become the defining album of their career (so far), and there's plenty of shining examples to be found throughout the release. In particular, the single "The Changeling Prince" is a diverse and emotive example of what Blackened Doom can achieve when not constrained by traditional genre sensibilities. An album that's as easy to jam to, as it is to zone out and chill with.
9. A Forest of Stars - Grave Mounds and Grave Mistakes*
(Psychedelic Blackened Doom)
While not reflected in it's position on this list, A Forest of Stars' "Grave Mounds and Grave Mistakes" is, for me, *Album of the Year! Featuring some of the most poetic writing of any album listed here, and probably the most unique vocal leads in the industry, A Forest of Stars pushes the limit of Black Metal, while almost achieving a Spoken Word appeal. Doubling down on front man Mister Curse's unique sound was absolutely the right choice, leaving as much chaos as astonishment in it's wake. If you are seeking an avante-garde approach to Black Metal that doesn't resemble anything else in the genre, this is a must hear album.
10. Craft - White Noise and Black Metal
(Black Metal)
Craft's album "White Noise and Black Metal" deserves a spot in every Top 10 list that appears for 2018, not just for its refinement of the Black Metal formula, but mainly for it's ability to make Black Metal approachable to the casual listener. "White Noise and Black Metal" is one of the best Black Metal productions you'll hear, and for that reason, it should become a fantastic entry point for anyone trying to get into extreme metal devoid of the basement recording sound usually found in genre. Don't be fooled by the quality, this is still every bit the biting Swedish frost you'd expect from Craft.
11. Sigh - Heir to Despair
(Avante-Garde Black Metal)
12. Ihsahn - Amr
(Progressive Black Metal)
13. Panegyrist - Hierurgy
(Avante-Garde Black Metal)
14. Svavelvinter - Morkrets Tid
(Melodic Blackened Death Metal)
15. Skeletonwitch - Devouring Radiant Light
(Melodic Death Metal + Thrash Metal)
16. Sulphur Aeon - the Scythe of Cosmic Chaos
(Death Metal)
17. River of Nihil - Where Owls Know My Name
(Progressive Metal + Technical Death Metal)
18. The Ocean - Phanerozoic I: Paleozoic
(Progressive/Atmospheric Sludge Metal + Post-Hardcore)
19. Dire Peril - The Extraterrestial Compendium
(Power Metal + Thrash Metal)
20. Judicator - The Last Emporer
(Power Metal)
21. Immortal - Northern Chaos Gods
(Black Metal)
22. A Sound of Thunder - It was Metal
(Power Metal + Heavy Metal)
23. Eternal Candle - The Carved Karma
(Progressive Death/Doom Metal)
24. Slugdge - Esoteric Malacology
(Blackened Death Metal + Sludge Metal)
25. Unreqvited - Stars Wept to the Sea
(Depressive Black Metal + Post-Rock)
Honorable Mentions:
- Void Ritual - A New Ritual
- Horehound - Holocene
- Mournful Congregation - The Incubus of Karma
- Oubliette - The Passage
- Oceans of Grief - Nightfall's Lament
- Horrendous - Idol
- Augury - Illusive Golden Age
- Imperialist - Cipher
- Extremity - Coffin Birth
- Doomed - 6 Anti-Odes to Life
EPs/LPs
- Space Ghoul - Space Ghoul
- Horna - Kuolleiden Kuu
- Aerith - Aerith
- Mortiferum - Altar of Decay
- Haunt - Luminous Eyes
And there it is folks, the 2018 Best of Metal List! As you can see, Black Metal and Doom Metal had a year, and really began to blend over into other sub-genres. This isn't to say Death Metal, Thrash, and Power Metal didn't have some great releases too, but it does show the sheer strength of composition for the releases that made the ranks. Can 2019 continue this positive trend for Metal? Or will things begin to fall off?
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