Reggie’s Top 15 Albums of the Year + Honorable Mentions

Well, here we are again, another end of year list.  First, big thanks to you for reading and engaging with us.  I have to say, this year’s list is more well-rounded than previous year-end lists.  I guess it is because I continue to get exposed to new bands and others that have been out a while, but are new to me.  Take my #1 for example.  I knew they were out there, but took it took me a while to sit down and have a serious listen.  I am glad I did.  One major difference between this year and my other lists is the (almost) absence of thrash metal bands.  While there are a few, not as much as I would normally have on my list.  Seems as though my taste in progressive based metal is expanding.  I guess it’s time to see for yourself.  Enjoy, and let’s have another great year in metal.

Mik’s Top 20 Albums of 2015

 

Couldn’t fit Royal Thunder – Crooked Doors on the list. Also, switched Claret Ash – The Cleansing with Moonspell at the last second… now it looks like this:

20. Moonspell – Extinct (gothic metal)
I’m surprised too. Moonspell? Well, this band has been with me from the beginning of my metal years, and even though I’ve kind of lost interest in their music, with “Extinct” I’m back on their side again. Maybe the dark, slightly cheesy songs bring back old memories, or maybe it’s just that Fernando Riberio’s voice is spell-binding me. He sounds just as gorgeous as he used to 20 years ago! Listen here.

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19. Misthyrmning – Songvar Elds og óreidu (mysterious black metal)
Soulful, deep black metal from Iceland, with a tiny touch of rhythmic folk music, wrapped in a mind twisting atmosphere.

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18. Outre – Ghost Chants (eerie black)
Wicked is good… “Ghost Chants” is bizarre, freaky and uncomfortable.

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17. Pyramids – A Northern Meadow (fresh ambient metal)
Layers upon layers, endlessly complex textures and soaring vocals. It changes shape every time I listen, from black metal to David Bowie, and it melts my heart.

Matt’s Top 15 Albums of 2015

Hello all you lovely readers!!!  Thanks for sticking with us during this very quiet second half of 2015.  While we may have been quiet it by no means we haven’t been digging on glorious, glorious metal.  And ho boy, what a hell of a year this was.  So many great releases from so many great bands.  Since there is so much great music I enjoyed this year and it being 2015 and all, instead of my usual ten best albums of the year I’m bumping it up to 15 plus 5 quick honorable mentions.  Too keep things still interesting I will only be ordering my top five and splitting the rest up into tiers with albums presented in no particular order.  I hope you find some kick ass tunes to check out here ass every one of these albums deserves your attention and time.

Best of wishes to your holidays and to your 2016!  May it be filled with loud grinding guitars, pulverizing drums, and people screaming in your ears!!!  PEACE LOVE AND METAL!!!!

Honorable Mentions

• Out of the Garden by Crypt Sermon (Doom Metal)
• Graveward by Sigh (Avant-Garde Black Thrash Metal)
• The Boats of Glen Carrig by Ahab (Doom Metal)
• Beyond the Red Mirror by Blind Guardian (Power Metal)
• One Man Army by Ensiferum (Folk Thrash Metal)

Matt’s Favorite 2015 Albums… so far. In No Particular Order.

As expected, 2015 is shaping up to be yet another stellar year for us metal fans.  And with Iron Maiden, BtBaM, The Sword, Deafheaven, Avatarium, and Ghost releasing new material in the coming months, it’s only up from here.  Here’s a selection of some albums I’ve enjoyed quite a bit in the past half of the year.  Check ’em out and share what you’ve been digging on.  Peace Love and Metal!!!!