 |
1.
|
Blind Guardian - Beyond The Red Mirror
This album continues in essentially the same vein as the three previous albums, however it ramps up those elements considerably, especially the choirs and orchestras, which play a more dynamic role than before. Despite this, the band is still front and center on its own album, and not pushed to the fringes like Rhapsody of Fire and a lot of other bands that incorporate symphonic elements. Definitely a fantastic release that showcases a band at the top of its game. This album will indeed be hard to top. |
 |
2.
|
Steven Wilson - Hand. Cannot. Erase.
Probably Steven Wilson's greatest achievement as a solo performer (if not one of his greatest period). This is a nearly perfect release from front-to-back and I have literally nothing bad to say about it. This is one to check out. |
 |
3.
|
Enslaved - In Times
Another fantastic work from one of the great black metal bands going. Much like albums such as Axioma Ethica Odini, there are many layers in each song that sound good on first listen and like fine wine become better with repeated visits. Highly recommended. |
|
4.
|
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly
Up till now, I never gave rap music any consideration, but this album really spoke to me. The lyrics are truly thought provoking and poetic, it's almost philosophical at times (listen to the outro in the last song). The jazz and ambient music and samples are used exquisitely and paint a picture that is both beautiful and depressing to witness, it can be hard to listen to at times because of how upfront it can be with controversial topics. This is truly a work of art and I have to thank Lamar for expanding my musical palette and perspective with his music. |
 |
5.
|
Paradise Lost - The Plague Within
A very solid, well-rounded release from this veteran doom metal act. It's a pleasure hearing Nick Holmes bringing back his older death growls alongside with melodic cleans and gruff shouts as well. This is the type of album that has something for every metal fan to enjoy really. |
|
6.
|
Tame Impala - Currents
This is quite different from the previous album in that it has more electronic influence, and a bit less of that rock sound, but it still works really well and shows a band experimenting with what it's capable of doing. It is a fascinating blend of different sounds within a primarily electronic palette and certain artists that come to my mind when I hear this are Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk, Ulver, Daft Punk, and Michael Jackson among others. Some people might be put off by the change in direction and style, but I always love it when artists explore their boundaries (I try to do that with my own music as well). Not sure if it may top the previous album or not, but I still highly recommend this for psychedelic and electronic fans everywhere! |
|
7.
|
My Morning Jacket - Waterfall
This is the first time I got to listen to this group and am very impressed! They have a nice blend of folk, blues, and psychedelic rock that makes for a unique listening environment. It is a trippy and introspective album that I highly recommend everyone gives a listen. |
 |
8.
|
Iron Maiden - The Book Of Souls
Iron Maiden has never sounded better with this release. After the release of The Final Frontier and the multitude of events (both good and bad) to have taken place in the five years since, the band sounds reinvigorated and revitalized on this newest work despite the increasing age of the members. When you hear a band this tight and concise as well as Bruce giving another amazing performance after three decades as the "Air Raid Siren," it goes to show that age really is just a number and this is the fastest hour and a half I've experienced thus far. This is hands down my album of the year and it's one of Iron Maiden's best albums to date. You owe it to yourself to buy this album and listen to some incredible heavy metal music from one of the genre's greatest forerunners. Up the Irons! |
 |
9.
|
Queensrÿche - Condition Hüman
After a messy ordeal back in 2012-2014 involving this band splitting into two different groups (Geoff Tate and some hired guns/the original band with Todd LaTorre on vocals), the band releases its first album following the resolution of that conflict with Condition Hüman. The last album showed that the band still has much creative energy in their bones and can continue writing great songs without longtime vocalist Geoff Tate being with them, in fact it was the tension between frontman and band that stymied the creative process and led to the band's split in the first place. But now with this album, Queensrÿche is officially working on a clean slate and not being hindered by a whirlwind of controversy, which could explain the improved mixing and sound quality, along with a more appropriate album length (some of the main criticisms of the last album). Condition Hüman continues Queensrÿche's renaissance after having brought Todd LaTorre into the fold and features even better songwriting than the last album (with highlights like "Just Us", "Hellfire", "Guardian", "Hourglass", and "Arrow of Time" just to name a few). I highly recommend that people check this album out. Good to see Queensrÿche doing well again! |
 |
10.
|
Amorphis - Under The Red Cloud |
 |
11.
|
Drudkh - A Furrow Cut Short
- |
 |
12.
|
Barren Earth - On Lonely Towers
- |
|
13.
|
Sun Kil Moon - Universal Themes
- |
 |
14.
|
Between The Buried And Me - Coma Ecliptic - |
|
15.
|
Steve Hackett - Wolflight
- |
