This list is meant to be an extensive, but by no means exhaustive, collection of the greatest (modern) metal albums and eps. Running the gamut from avant-garde to trve norweigan black metal. *As someone who is young in age, my tastes tend to revolve around the period of the 80s to the present.* Although certain metal albums from before will certainly be featured, the period of the 60s-70s will be under-represented. I refer you to this excellent list to gain a better appreciation for some of the best metal from that period: https://rateyourmusic.com/list/freis/martin_popoffs_the_top_500_heavy_metal_albums_of_all_time/

1.Faal - The Clouds Are Burning

2.Façade - The Eternal Dance

3.Facínora - Hell Is Here

4.The Faceless - Autotheism

5.Faceless Burial - Speciation

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1.Moonspell - Wolfheart

2.Heavenwood - Diva

3.Desire - Infinity... A Timeless Journey Through An Emotional Dream

4.Moonspell - Irreligious

5.Bizarra Locomotiva - Bestiário

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Because I reached the word limit on the previous list, and don't want to lose my quite excellent in-depth descriptions. Those without descriptions are from my other list.

1.Sylosis - Monolith

2.Be'lakor - Of Breath And Bone

3.In The Silence - A Fair Dream Gone Mad

4.Abigail Williams - Becoming

5.Rodrigo Y Gabriela - Area 52

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2012 running list... my version

1.Sigh - Somniphobia

2.Sutekh Hexen - Larvae

3.Lunar Aurora - Hoagascht

4.Mondstille - Seelenwund

5.Motorpsycho and Ståle Storløkken - The Death Defying Unicorn

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8+ shit only

1.Grave - Endless Procession Of Souls

2.Process Of Guilt - Fæmin

3.Krallice - Years Past Matter

4.Thy Art Is Murder - Hate

5.Pallbearer - Sorrow And Extinction

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1.The Gathering - Disclosure

2.Xandria - Neverworld's End

3.Moonspell - Alpha Noir/Ómega White

4.Epica - Requiem For The Indifferent

5.The Foreshadowing - Second World

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A list, much like my list of good 2011 albums. Ranging from great to good. Snapshot of 2012 for me. No longer editing.

1.Lurk - Lurk

2.Everything Went Black - Cycles Of Light

3.Murder Construct - Results

4.3 Inches Of Blood - Long Live Heavy Metal

5.Hail Spirit Noir - Pneuma

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My list of favourites and interests for this year ordered roughly in descending order. My new years resolution is to branch out a bit and listen to new and unfamiliar genres, metal and non-metal.

Edit: Anything above about a 7/10 I'll keep here. Now with approximate rating in a .5 scale and ordered according to **replay value** i.e how often I listen to them. AND now with some comments, adding them gradually.

1.Enslaved - RIITIIR

2.Pharaoh - Bury The Light

3.Anglagard - Viljans Öga

4.Overkill - The Electric Age

5.The Foreshadowing - Second World

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One of likely hundreds of these, more for self-enjoyment (or something) above anything, but if it helps someone find a good album/albums they wouldn't've otherwise heard I'll be happy.

1.Sylosis - Monolith

2.Be'lakor - Of Breath And Bone

3.In The Silence - A Fair Dream Gone Mad

4.Abigail Williams - Becoming

5.Enslaved - RIITIIR

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Personally I find Black Metal to be a very difficult genre to get into, hence the meager length of my list which contains all the albums I've really enjoyed to date, in no order. Recommendations are most welcome, nay required!

Note: Be sure to let me know if any of these aren't actually Black Metal

1.Potentiam - Bálsýn

2.Grabnebelfürsten - Dynastie Oder Wie Man Herrschaft Definert

3.Deathspell Omega - Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice

4.Sigh - Hangman's Hymn- Musikalische Exequien

5.Sigh - Imaginary Sonicscape

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