 |
1.
|
Saor - Guardians
[Atmospheric Black/Folk Metal] This is the true soundtrack to a walk through the Scottish Highlands. Trust me, I tried that myself. |
 |
2.
|
Oathbreaker - Rheia
[Black metal/Post-metal/Hardcore] Despite its neurotic nature, Oathbreaker's music is beautiful. In its own way, of course, owing much to Caro Tanghe's fantastic vocal performance. It tempts me to say that she reminds me of Julie Christmas. |
 |
3.
|
SubRosa - For This We Fought The Battle Of Ages
[Sludge Metal] Someone here described Subrosa as the "band that never disappoints". I don't think it can be said more accurately. This album is definitely not an easy listen, but the challenge is worth taking, for there are treasures ahead. |
 |
4.
|
Astronoid - Air
[Dream Thrash] If you're good, you're good. No need to fit in a particular genre when you know exactly what you're doing. And these guys do, such an album can hardly be the result of a coincidence. |
|
5.
|
Zeal and Ardor - Devil Is Fine
[Avant-Garde Black Metal] This music is so much fun despite its relative simplicity. Incredibly catchy, that is the first thing that comes to mind - I couldn't stop listening to 'Come on Down' for a couple of days. |
 |
6.
|
Terra Tenebrosa - The Reverses
[Avant-Garde Metal/Ambient] "They did it again." |
 |
7.
|
Urfaust - Empty Space Meditation
[Black Metal] Black metal you can meditate to. Gets catchier with each listen, definitely worth a couple of tries. |
 |
8.
|
Trees Of Eternity - Hour Of The Nightingale
[Doom Metal] Yes, there is a lot of hype around this album, much because of Stanbridge's death. BUT, the music itself is fantastic - you can almost touch the melancholy, wear it, and let your moods get swept away in huge, yet perfectly natural waves. |
 |
9.
|
Cult Of Luna - Mariner [Collaboration]
[Post-Metal] I didn't even know how much I wanted these people to come together and cooperate. If nothing else, 'A Greater Call' is a fantastic opener which uncovers and exhausts the potential of each and every person involved. I wish more collaborations ended up like Mariner. |
 |
10.
|
Thrawsunblat - Metachthonia
[Blackened Folk Metal] Though it has its weak moments, I don't think I've heard better folk/black metal in 2016. |
 |
11.
|
Anaal Nathrakh - The Whole Of The Law
[Industrial/Black Metal/Grindcore] Not nearly as much fun as Desideratum, but still a massive energy boost. Which is exactly why I need these guys in my ears on a regular basis. |
 |
12.
|
Allegaeon - Proponent For Sentience
[Melodic Death Metal] |
 |
13.
|
Inter Arma - Paradise Gallows
[Black Metal/Sludge] |
 |
14.
|
Fallujah - Dreamless
[Progressive Death Metal] |
 |
15.
|
Pensées Nocturnes - À Boire Et À Manger
[Depressive Black Metal] |
 |
16.
|
Cobalt - Slow Forever
[Black Metal] is that really black metal with country influences?? I was caught immediately as I heard that 'Hunt the Buffalo' guitar intro. The rest is not very easy to describe or stamp with a genre, but it is nonetheless a fascinating journey growing on you with each listen. |
 |
17.
|
Mesarthim - .- -... ... . -. -.-. .
[Atmospheric Black Metal] |
 |
18.
|
Obscure Sphinx - Epitaphs
[Post-Metal] |
 |
19.
|
Dark Tranquillity - Atoma
[Melodic Death Metal] Just whenI thought DT could no longer surprise or interest me, Atoma came out - an incredibly catchy melodeath (more of the melodic to be honest) album. |
 |
20.
|
Graves At Sea - The Curse That Is
[Doom Metal/Sludge] |
