Greetings metal defenders, “Ironpriestess” here thank you for joining me on my top 10 metal albums of the year. There were a lot of amazing and questionable work out there and it’s been tough to narrow it all down to simply 10. Lets jump right in shall we? In no particular order….
1. Psycroptic – Divine Council
Ridiculous riffage and insane drummage whole album is solid gold baby, consistent sound through their discography. I mean shit speaks for itself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltfanxXAEdA
2. Animals As Leaders – Parrhesia
This is such an unworldly album Matt Garstka is a mind blowing drummer, guitar tones are epic. I’m in the cosmic void of bliss. This Red Miso is incredibly tasty and jazzy, makes me want to lock myself in my room for hours with my guitar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKMovulYHD8&list=OLAK5uy_mpowo9JKkEbG9YOyFjV_6_J3czWDK0By8&index=3
3. Revocation – Netherheaven
Revocation has been delivering the goods on a constant wavelength, no disappointment’s here. This album is dedicated to the great late Trevor Scott Strnad (Vocalist) of Black Dahlia Murder and also features some of his last recorded tracks along side George Corpsegrinder (Vocalist) of Cannibal Corpse. Naturally this album makes it on my list, so many talented people and we surely miss you Trevor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRyJ0gSvK5U
4. Katakomba – Katakomba
This self title brutal death metal band hails from Sweden, ya! Makes me want to grunt all over my living room in violence and plot against higher corrupted powers. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRY31OYV7CQ
5. Allegaeon – Damnum
Super fortunate and lucky to be acquainted with amazing vocalist Riley, whom i met at a show we were both performing at for charity at our local metal venue Brick by Brick. He blew me away then when I first heard him, so I had to make sure to check out his original work. The musicality of the band is equally as impressive and together they make a very unforgettable and powerful album (I mean have ya heard their Roundabout cover?). Unfortunately Riley has stepped away from this project, so look out for new stuff on both parties ends.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79pGsIxrNuc
6. Artificial Brain – Artificial Brain
Woah ok can’t believe I hadn’t heard of these guys after they were introduced to me by a friend of mine. This bands got some major skill under their belts, some ex members of Revocation, Abbath, and Aeverterne to name a few. Which is crazy since they have been around since 2011 formed in New York, with a blackend tech death brutal melodic sound. Leaving you wandering into the beautiful cosmic realms of your mind. Watch some of their live performances if you haven’t actually caught them live, fucking killer, truly sophisticated.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OrXJIUenXA
7. Fallujah – Empyrean
There is some serious technical, atmospheric, grooving tracks in this album. This ones seems perfect for a starry night or a road trip across the desert night.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfyZecH6jxE&t=261s
8.Destruction – Diabolical
So Mike left his band right, and although the guitar sound isn’t quite the same. This new album is pretty fucking wicked, thrashing reminds me of my younger days of chaos, drinking and partying. Raging hooligan headbanging till I concussed myself from galloping/swooping riffage and pounding drums. Anyway these guys are from Deutschland and I’m here for it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipsdscjfyos
9.Traitor – Exiled To The Surface
Teutonic Thrash from Germany, ok Germany…. coming in hawt, when I first heard Traitor I too heard remnants of OG Kreator less punk more thrash!! Also, I’m a big fan of the whole group shouting thing like Municipal Waste likes to do, some nice divebombs (a cover of Careless Whisper!!!! LOL which gave me COB vibes RIP Alexi <3) all in all they checked all the boxes for me. #Imnevergonnamoshagain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1mirfv4OLA
10.Evil Invaders – Shattering Reflection
I had to put a heavy fucking metal band of course, I hear so many of my favorite heavy metal influences in this band. From Exodus, Annihilator, to Priest, amazing harmonic guitar work keeping a traditional sound with some thrashy notes. I also really liked that there was a hit of an Irish/Celtic tone to track Die For Me specifically in the vocals/guitar (windpipe vibes lol)
.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSRHQup7M30
Again thank YOU for joining me on recapping this years with some of my favorite albums of the year and thank you Metal Swap Meet for including me I adore and appreciate ya’ll so much. I did want to go ahead and close out with a couple honorable mentions. Check out ATL’s heavy metal band Crossed Hearts fronted by my girl Carlee Jackson, and Ice War from Canada both dropped new albums really keeping the heart of heavy metal alive. Also saw Dark Funeral for the first time this year with Cannibal and they blew me way Drummer Niles is a monster check out their new album We Are the Apocalypse. Another band to look out for is Leather Church from Texas!! Coming at ya with some authentic speed/heavy metal in your face, cosmic EP The Chariot. And an all time favorite Municipal Waste keeping it’s OG Thrash roots alive and strong with their new album Electrified Brain Till next time my sweets, stay healthy and most of all stay METAAAAL!