Atmospheric, emotive, blistering, consistent. I could go on. This is one of the few albums that deserves the hype.

A lot of people cast this off as a retread of The Great Mass. I disagree. While it's in the same vein, the ideas are taken even further. The vibe is more bombastic and brutal than its also-amazing predecessor.

"Surprise...it's Vader" read more than a few reviews. This is not Vader by numbers. The increased compositional focus, consistency, and catchiness made this their best record since Litany.

Masters of prog metal, and now working towards a mastery of alt metal. Huge redemption from The Hunter.

Thank you sputnik for finding this gem for me. Melodeath is played, but these guys do it so right. Not perfect, but excellent given the scope.

Latecomer. I cheated anc added this later. Dark, grim, and grippingly vile.

This album is an exercise in sadomasochistic nihilism...and I love it. Blackened sludge. The vocals violated me.

Not on par with Monotheist or the previous album, but few do the gothic, brooding anger as well as Tommy G.

I was lucky enough to find this while doing reviews for Sensless Life Records. Excellent, understated symphonic BM from Poland.

Holy fuck. Easily the best industrial metal of the year and the best I have heard in a LONG time. Throat-rippingly intense and more extreme than what I am used to from the genre.

Most eclectic mix of disparate tunes to grace a singular progressive concept. Excellent aggressive prog metal.

Best folk of 2014. Viking metal, but with Mongolian warriors. Breathe of fresh air, and with throat singing!?

Another big surprise. It's a decievingly simple peice of metalcore/post-hardcore, but within you will find strong musicianship and tons of conviction. This is like that girl I know I shouldn't date, but the sex is just too good.

Another melodeath album that deserves more respect than the crybaby tunes of Insomnium. Killer riffs. This was my favorite MDM album of the year until I heard Aspherium.

Amazing guitar work paired with lyrics about comic book characters. How could you want more?

Excellent doomy progressive metal with a lot of different influences and sounds.

Another under-respected album this year. The addition of more melodic riffs and tightening of the musicianship in general made this a must-have. I bought it about an hour after I listened to it.

This album is not NEARLY as good as some of their mid-career albums. It lacks cowbell. But the compositions and level of technical prowess here are worth your respect.

Neoclassical shred fest over 2 albums that never becomes boring. Every song has a slightly different flavor.

Crunchy instrumental post-metal full of energy and emotion.