Another year, another list.

1.Enslaved - RIITIIR

2.Kreator - Phantom Antichrist

3.Mgła - With Hearts Toward None

4.A Forest Of Stars - A Shadowplay For Yesterdays

5.Neurosis - Honor Found In Decay

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This year was quite interesting as far as releases go. All-in-all, it was a GREAT year for good albums, but not a GOOD year for great albums. Usually, there are about 40 albums fighting vigorously for a spot in my lists. This year, there were ten clear cut favorites and a bunch of better-than-average arm arm wrestling for the rest of the final spots. Although my duties at metalreview.com prevent me from spending too much time around these parts, I was still a vicious lurker and enjoy being a part of this community (albeit somewhat silent). To anyone with similar tastes that may have had a good album or two fall through the cracks, I hope this list or any of my others will be of good use to you.

1.Blut Aus Nord - 777 - The Desanctification

2.40 Watt Sun - The Inside Room

3.Sorgeldom - ...From Outer Intelligences

4.Lifelover - Sjukdom

5.Mournful Congregation - The Book Of Kings

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For those interested in discovering only the finest and most pure German Black Metal, you need search no longer. This list was comprised with the help of Michael "Captain" Wuensch, and has been carefully curated to fit the needs of anyone with an open ear. The albums are listed chronologically, and are limited to one per band.

1.Nagelfar - Srontgorrth

2.Katharsis - Kruzifixxion

3.Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult - Nocturnal March

4.Negator - Old Black

5.The Ruins Of Beverast - Unlock The Shrine

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What a harsh year this has been to fans of metal. We're not even through December and I'm still fearing that another one of our beloved musicians might get sick and die. The year certainly wasn't as massive as 2009, but luckily had quite a strong finish. If there's one thing that the albums have in common, it's that they're all completely unique. Bands that try something different will always score more points in my book. Here are the ones that I believe will continue to have the biggest impact on the way metal will evolve in the coming decade. Without further ado, I present to you my top 20 albums of 2010. Enjoy, minions!

1.Agalloch - Marrow Of The Spirit

2.Ihsahn - After

3.Les Discrets - Septembre Et Ses Dernières Pensées

4.Alcest - Écailles De Lune

5.Sorgeldom - Inner Receivings

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My top Metal picks for 2009. It was in interesting year and a good transition into what I feel will be a decade of progression as never seen before.

If you don't agree with my list, make your own. I obviously don't have time to listen to 5,000 albums every year. Magazines that do, such as Decibel or Terrorizer, usually have trouble conjuring up 40 quality albums to throw on their yearly lists, so cut me some slack...I am not working with a team of people, and I don't get paid. I'm sure there are plenty of great albums that I have yet to discover or that I have just not been able to listen to...but all of those that are listed have been personally approved by me. The numbers are not as important to me. I would greatly appreciate some "Thumbs ups", as I have put a lot of my personal time into this list, and also into reviewing these great albums.

1.Wodensthrone - Loss

2.Mastodon - Crack The Skye

3.Anaal Nathrakh - In The Constellation Of The Black Widow

4.Krallice - Dimensional Bleedthrough

5.Napalm Death - Time Waits For No Slave

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