Listen to these today. I limited later Enslaved releases, as they become less and less "black metal" as time goes on. That is not to say you should not check them out.

1.Immortal - Sons Of Northern Darkness

2.Enslaved - Mardraum - Beyond The Within

3.Enslaved - Isa

4.Gorgoroth - Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam

5.Absu - Tara

      View entire list ››

After much deliberation and re-listening, this is my top 10 of 2014. I stand by it. What a great year, here's hoping 2015 is even better.

EDIT: Added a few more latecomers.

1.Behemoth - The Satanist

2.Septicflesh - Titan

3.Vader - Tibi Et Igni

4.Mastodon - Once More 'Round The Sun

5.Aspherium - The Fall Of Therenia

      View entire list ››

The following is a list of hip hop albums I feel give me the vibe closest to metal albums I listen to. Sometimes it's in the delivery, a particularly ominous beat, or the harshly violent lyrics. I have listed the track I feel to encapsulate my point most for each album as well.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

      View entire list ››

I tried to steer clear of pretty much anything that uses distortion, and really rock in general. For instance, Zombie by the The Cranberries is pretty metal in its own way, but not pop enough for this list. I did make an exception for Say Anything as they swing a bit further in the pop direction despite the distortion. No rap either, or this would be a very different monster (Bone Thugs, Gravediggaz, Wu-Tang, etc.). These are the songs that for one reason or another give off a dark, metal vibe without actually going there. Comments should be interesting.

1.Dave Matthews Band - Halloween/The Stone/Last Stop

2.Mumford & Sons - Broken Crown

3.Fiona Apple - On the Bound

4.The Cure - Pornography

5.Jewel - Daddy/Pieces of You

      View entire list ››

I feel these are the top ten albums that you must listen to if you consider yourself a fan of the genre. This list could have been dominated by Amon Amarth and Enslaved in particular if I hadn't made the restriction.

1.Bathory - Blood Fire Death

2.Amon Amarth - With Oden On Our Side

3.Borknagar - The Olden Domain

4.Enslaved - Blodhemn

5.Ensiferum - Ensiferum

      View entire list ››

My rundown of Lamb of God's discography.

1.Lamb Of God - As The Palaces Burn

2.Lamb Of God - Ashes Of The Wake

3.Lamb Of God - Resolution

4.Lamb Of God - Burn the Priest

5.Lamb Of God - New American Gospel

      View entire list ››