Every year I like to go through all the albums I was listening to , came out the same year and pick my favorites . This time I'm going to share it in the community .Finally I'll add an honorable mention section for the albums/EP that didn't make it to my list . It's going to be long so take some popcorn and enjoy . 🧋
You are welcome to share yours in the comments.
Sylosis - A sign of things to come ( Metalcore/Melodic Death Metal -UK)
The sixth studio album of the British band
The album comes 3.5 years after the previous one (and to my taste excellent).
The new album continues the line of Cycle of suffering with kicking, groovy, powerful, and well produced metalcore. I love the riffs on this album. The songs that did this to me the most are Pariah and the closing song of the album A Godless Thorne which reaches its climax in a simply addictive solo.
It took me a while to like the album. I didn't immediately fall in love with it like I did with its predecessor, but now I absolutely love it. Still think it's less good than its predecessor.
Anima Hereticae - Descended from the Mountains (Melodic black Metal-Finland)
The band plays atmospheric melodic death that is fun and terrifyingly contagious. I kind of feel like I'm in the middle of the sounds of the sea when I listen to this album (but I don't really dive in life lol).
My favorite song is Cimmerian Darkness with such fun riffs. The cover is stunning.
Tyranex - Reasons for the slaughter(Trash Metal – USA)
This is a thrash album with a serious eighty's vibe. Fast tempo, wonderful solos and one female singer who makes a crazy voice and reaches wonderful heights.
If you want a thrash album with a nostalgic flavor and great production, this is the album for you. The cover is colorful, interesting, and one of the most beautiful I've seen this year, which is very important to me.
Polaris – Fatalism(Metalcore-Australia)
The album symbolizes Ryan's sudden death ( The band didn't really mean it but Rayn death took place just 3 months before the album set to be released .
In the past I didn't really connect with the band but that changed a few months ago with their second album and I was really looking forward to the new album which did not disappoint. The songs are great, the choruses are addictive, and everything just sounds great. Metalcore album by the book. I have no recommendation for specific songs. The whole album got me.
SpiritBox – The Fear of Fear(Metalcore\Djent Metal-Canada)
I usually don't like the concept of EP, mainly because if it's good then 5-6 songs are not enough and leaves a desire for more. The epic that entered the list is just so good that I couldn't leave it out.
Every song on this ep is wonderful. In my opinion, what adds to the album is the addition of former As I lay dying bassist Josh Gilbert.
The best songs are Ultraviolet, Jaded and The Void.
Courtney sounds wonderful, the production is very good and after the last song I just want more! And there is no more, and it sucks. I can only hope that the next album will arrive before long.
I would have liked it if the cover was a bit more interesting, but I can forgive that given the fact that there is purple here, my favorite color.
BLOOD STAR - First sighting(Trash metal – USA)
The band was founded in 2017 in Salt Lake City - Utah and this is their first album as mentioned.
The album has a very eighties sound, also in terms of production and mixing. The production sounds good and very reminiscent of the heavy metal of the eighties. The singer sounds great and so do the instruments. The album has a lot of wonderful solos that just bought me. The best songs are Going home, Cold moon, wait to die.
The only drawback is that the album is too short. Only 32 minutes. Leaves a taste for more!
Stortregn – Finitude(Melodic black – Swaziland)
technical death/black metal band from Swaziland
I debated whether to put it on the list, not because I didn't admire it but because it is so versatile, so packed that I just wasn't sure I was able to absorb all the elements in this album to decide if it was enough to decide about it. When I heard him for the last time, I realized that it didn't matter. This album is so good, so interesting that it would be an injustice not to include it. There is technical death here, black, influences from Spanish music, wonderful melodies, and the pleasure of guitar work. As one piece, this is an excellent album, but the song that closes the album is perhaps the most melodic song on it and a wonderful ending to this album.
I mostly hope that this band will get even more love than they are getting now because in my opinion the new album is even more successful than the previous one.
If you've considered trying more extreme things though You want to do it gradually, this is a great album for you. It is melodic to a level that will allow you to enter the world of technical religion in a relatively relaxed way.
A day to remember - For those who have a heart(Metalcore-USA)
This is not really a new album, it just got a remix, not just any remix.
This is the second studio album of the metalcore band ADTR
The album, originally released in 2007, received a remix by none other than Adam. D the guitarist of killswitch Enage.
Why should a Remastered album be included in the list of albums of the year? Because the remixing works wonders with the album. I've always loved this album, but the remix just adds so much. More segments of Jeremy were added, he sounds much better here vocally, the guitars with a fatter sound. Everything just sounds better compared to the original and the extras that weren't there in the original add so much interest to me.
A metalcore album from the time when this band was still doing serious metalcore.
The only drawback here is the cover. She is casual and boring. The figure is emblazoned on it which is emblazoned on almost every album of the band (except for the album in question in its original version), but it's just a boring cover with boring colors. If I didn't know the band this cover really wouldn't interest me to check it out.
Beartooth - The surface(Metalcore-USA)
This is the fifth studio album by the American metalcore/rock band.
I came quite late to Beartooth, I only started listening to them on the third album that came out five years ago. It took me a while, but it was worth it.
The new album comes two years after its predecessor and continues the line of the band. Kicking, fun, bouncy and groovy metalcore just the way I like it. Caleb the singer (former ATTACK ATTACK keyboardist) is simply wonderful. Caleb's charisma and the way he presents the songs simply make them fun to listen to. As an album it sounds good, the mix and the general production are good and overall, it is an album that is fun to listen to. In some of the songs, Caleb suddenly blurts out a deep growl, something he usually doesn't do, since he usually screams. I would love to hear more of these growls because when he brings them to a song you can notice his abilities.
The colors of the cover are wonderful, and I really connected with it at the design level.
Gaz Coombas – Turn the car around (Indie rock -UK)
It took me time to get used to the sound but once I did, I can say this is one of the best indie rock albums that came out this year . Fantastic emotional songs blend with delicate rock sound . Gaz is a fantastic writer and performer .
Ayron Jones - Chronicles of The Kid (Rock- USA)
Ayron jones is a fantastic artist I got to know last year when I found out about his previous album .
The album that came this year is probably his best effort to date . Rock songs with beautiful guitar solos and emotional songs . Seeing black artists playing rock music is something I personally haven't seen much so I was happy and surprised to find out about him.
Paramore – This is why (Alternative rock – USA)
When the lead single "This is why" came out I was a bit skeptical. I didn't like the band's previous album . I wanted a good pumping rock but got something more dancy in my opinion . I felt like the lead single from the new album didn't change it , but honestly, I was wrong . The new album feels like the old and good Paramore . Very nice alternative rock album with a few highlights that shines above the rest like C’est Comme Ça , you are first and Liar
Sigir – Rainmaker(Heavy/Melodic Death metal-Finland)
The debut album of the melodic death metal band from Finland.
This is an album that combines a wonderful Melodic Death together with heavy metal solos and keyboards.
I really enjoyed this album so much that I'm really waiting to see what else they will release.
The songs that grabbed me are Depraved and Oath
Meg Myers – TZIA (Electro-Pop – USA)
Meg Myers is a unique artist in my opinion . Electro Pop is not a new genre, but the way Meg brings her feelings and the very bombastic sound on her latest effort makes it special . This is the third album by her and while all the albums have electro -Pop motive , the new album is a few levels up in terms of electronic sound . This album also feels very private as Meg singing about the fact she want to touch someone in the song I JUST WANNA TOUCH SOMEBODY and MY MIRROR . The album is a bit long and the cover for NUMB by Linkin Park feels like a filler . It doesn't bring anything interesting. Overall, very good effort by Meg Myers
Sleep Token – Take me back to Eden (\Rock\Post Metal\Prog Metal-UK)
On the latest effort by Sleep Token, I wrote in the link below so I don't think anything should be added in this thread :
https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/87212/Sleep-Token-Take-Me-Back-to-Eden/
Honorable mentions
Soen – Memorial (Progressive metal-Sweden)
Orphaned Land – Heaven you may create – Live in Tel Aviv ( Oriental\Melodic Death Metal – Israel)
Svalbard – The weight of the mask (Post hardcore – UK)
Peter Gabriel – i/o ( Electro-Pop – UK )
Post Profit – Self Defeater( Rock – USA )
Lacey Sturm – Kenotic Metanoia (Rock – USA)
TILL LINDEMANN – Zunge (Industrial Metal – Germany)
Silva – Forgotten Sanctuary ( Melodic Black Metal -USA )
Within Temptation – Bleed Out (Symphonic metal -Netherlands)
BulletBelt – Burn it up (Black metal -New Zealand)
Void -Horrors of reality (Old school heavy metal)
Graveripper – Seasons Dreaming Death (Blackened Trash- USA)
Orbit Culture – Descent (Melodic death metal – Sweden )
From Ashes To New – Blackout (Metalcore-USA)
Avdagata – The faceless one (Blackened death metal – Sweden)
Gloryhammer – Return to the kingdom of fife (Power metal – Scotland)
Bebe Rexha – Bebe (Pop – USA)
Temtris -Khaos Divine (Old school heavy metal -USA)
Metallica -72 Seasons (Heavy metal -USA)
Bury Tomorrow – The Seventh Son (Metalcore -UK)
Unearth - The Wretched; The Ruinous (Metalcore-USA)
Miley Cirus - Endless Summer Vacation (Pop – USA)
