7/10 Starting the year of with some kicking death metal. The riff work is undoubtedly really good but it doesn´t reach amazing hights all the way through.

8/10 I have to say that this was one of my most anticapated releases. While this did impress me, I would say that is not through out entertaining. Cutting one or two would be a benefit, though all in all a really solid addition to their catalog.

6/10 While it is played very well, this melo-death offering of the workaholic Tuomas Saukkonen is unmemorable and carries the word "side-project" on it´s forehead.

8/10 After the uninspired "Inspirations" the british legends rise again to deliver a slightly weaker album than "Thunderbolt" but it is indeed remarkable how after 24 albums they still manage to impress me with most of the tracks. Some specific NWOBHM bands should take notes here.

7.5/10 It took me a few spins to really enjoy the new material and I cannot shake of the fact that it reminds me to much of the two previous offerings. Tuomi is relying more on his growls, which was unexpected. The excellent tracks outweigh the boring cuts but it is their weakest for a decade.

6.5/10 I cannot understand the eternal praise it receives, but some songs are really amazing even though it overstays it´s welcome halfway through it´s runtime.

5.5/10 I only listened to the main 11 songs and I am presently surprised. In the middle of their seventies, these legends manage to write some catchy and pretty heavy songs (by their standards). You can feel the enjoyment they seem to have with recording new material. Worth checking out if you like "Blackout" or "Love At First Sting.

9/10 I do not understand how these guys flew under my radar for so long, but after checking out a few older songs, I have to say this seems like their most varied and lyrically hitting material to date.

8/10 Back after their longest gap between studio albums, these norwegians deliver another raw and fast-ripping slab of blackened-speed metal. Pure fucking armageddon.

6/10 The same old Sabaton formula with interesting enough historical material which is being presented in easy to sing along lyrics. The only thing that saves their already tenth studio album from being a complete snooze-fest are the guitar-solos.

7/10 Not more than I expected but in the end a really solid proto-black/speed metal record that benefits from it´s trimmed-down runtime.

8/10 The first enjoyable OSDM record of the year. A 51-minute record of continuous heavy riffing and death growl can easily grow stale, but this kept me entertained throughout. Highly recommended.

8.5/10 The 80s bands seem to be on a roll this year. I do not understand how this energetic heavy/power metal offering received such a low rating. Maybe I have a soft spot for this band and yes, the Iron Maiden influence is very present on their "reunion-albums". I have to say, the 41 minutes flow past me and every song had something going for it. The last two songs are weaker than the rest but this is miles better than Maiden´s last opus.

8/10 This female-fronted doom act has a great atmosphere and vocals are phenomenal. Even though some songs did not do much for me, I was pleasently surprised.

8/10 As expected this is another slab of good old heavy metal in the veins of Maiden and Manowar, really love the singer and the songs sound tight! Maybe the best of it's kind this year so far.