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1.
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Behemoth - The Satanist
Atmospheric, emotive, blistering, consistent. I could go on. This is one of the few albums that deserves the hype. |
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2.
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Septicflesh - Titan
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. |
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3.
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Vader - Tibi Et Igni
"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. |
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4.
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Mastodon - Once More 'Round The Sun
Masters of prog metal, and now working towards a mastery of alt metal. Huge redemption from The Hunter. |
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5.
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Aspherium - The Fall Of Therenia
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. |
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6.
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Emptiness - Nothing But The Whole
Latecomer. I cheated anc added this later. Dark, grim, and grippingly vile. |
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7.
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Lord Mantis - Death Mask
This album is an exercise in sadomasochistic nihilism...and I love it. Blackened sludge. The vocals violated me. |
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8.
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Triptykon - Melana Chasmata
Not on par with Monotheist or the previous album, but few do the gothic, brooding anger as well as Tommy G. |
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9.
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Srogość - W Szaleństwie
I was lucky enough to find this while doing reviews for Sensless Life Records. Excellent, understated symphonic BM from Poland. |
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10.
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Tyrant Of Death - Ascendancy
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. |
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11.
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Torrential Downpour - Truth Knowledge Vision
Most eclectic mix of disparate tunes to grace a singular progressive concept. Excellent aggressive prog metal. |
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12.
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Tengger Cavalry - Ancient Call
Best folk of 2014. Viking metal, but with Mongolian warriors. Breathe of fresh air, and with throat singing!? |
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13.
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Architects - Lost Forever // Lost Together
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. |
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14.
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Mors Principium Est - Dawn Of The 5th Era
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. |
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15.
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Within The Ruins - Phenomena
Amazing guitar work paired with lyrics about comic book characters. How could you want more? |
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16.
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Bast - Spectres
Excellent doomy progressive metal with a lot of different influences and sounds. |
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17.
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Cannibal Corpse - A Skeletal Domain
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. |
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18.
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Every Time I Die - From Parts Unknown
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. |
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19.
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Mendel - SHWTD + Subliminal Colors
Neoclassical shred fest over 2 albums that never becomes boring. Every song has a slightly different flavor. |
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20.
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Telepathy - 12 Areas
Crunchy instrumental post-metal full of energy and emotion. |
