#1 - Top of 2018

A Perfect Circle - Eat the Elephant (BMG)

2018 was a shitty year all-around for humanity. Hell, the whole decade of the 2010s was probably one of the low points of  the post-WWII era in terms of the fall in the quality of life of people, the rise of xenophobia, religious extremism, regressive values, and consumerism frenzy. Maynard and Howerdel in this album distil the turd that is the world of today and bottle it in one truly great album that's not pulling any punches. Going in depth into the songs, "Eat the Elephant" was written as a tribute to Chester from Linking Park, with lyrics emphasising a "you can be the change" message, and soft alternative rock music undertones. "Disillusioned" discusses technology addiction and alienation through  incredibly haunting vocal lines from Maynard in a quiet and solemn warmth that increases in tone as the song progresses. Musically, the song is probably the one closest to older APC albums. Next up, "The Contrarian" examines politicians and their duplicity using a subversively menacing tone, while musically dipping in a territory more closely linked to Keenan's other band [Puscifer]. "The Doomed" has an almost doom/prog feel to it with quite heavy riffing for the band's standards, while at the same time discussing how there has been a subversion of values exalting greed and violence while decent people are essentially fucked. "So long and Thanks for All the Fish" references the famous expression from "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" told by the dolphins as they flew away from earth ,shortly before its destruction.The song itself alludes to the end of the world and how in our current apathetic state not even that would make us move. It is a beautiful song with beautiful orchestral arrangements and a very catchy main melodic line that follows through as the world burns and people just stare at their TV to learn how the world ended. "TalkTalk" is about faith/thoughts & prayers over action accompanied with an alt metal vibe and a very APC riff smack in the middle. "By and Down the River" has been around since 2011 (!) and was added here, despite not being so consistent thematically with the rest of the album as it is mostly about friendship/adoration and the flip-side of those concepts. "Delicious" draws from Mer de Noms (which does makes sense as it was first conceived around then) with fresh lyrics added to it, again alluding to current politic climate. "DLB"here, serves as an instrumental bridge to the latter part of the record composed of 3 songs that act in unison. The first, "Hourglass" is a very dynamic track using a lot of electronic sounds and revealing a very different side to APC, with Maynard announcing that time is running out and the system is breaking down. "Feathers" is not only about refugees but also about self-imposed differences between individuals and the difficulty of connecting, but through tragedy. Finally, "Get the Lead out" plays out like a hypnosis exercise with a beat hypnotically repeating while a pop melodic line is faintly heard ushering into action. Again the electronic elements are prominent, but that time in a soft faded out way. APC have truly returned with one of the best records of this decade, a contemporary work of art that truly stands above genres and music labelling.

99/100

Below are the music videos for "The Doomed",  "Disillusioned" and "So Long and Thanks for All the Fish".

#2 - Top of 2018

Visigoth - Conqueror's Oath (Metal Blade Records)

The epic heavy metallers Visigoth are back with their second full-length album, Conqueror's Oath, which is definitely a worthy successor to The Revenant King (which graced our 2015 top and the "decade so far" epic metal favourites). Right from the first guitar riff of "Steel and Silver" you can feel the epicness that will flow throughout the whole album and, by Crom, you won't be disappointed! The awesome vocals by Jake Rogers along with heavy male choruses definitely hit the mark and create songs that will still sound fresh even after the 9000th replay! "Warrior Queen" is one of the album highlights that gets the listener hooked before reaching an unbelievable sing along that starts out low-key before  bursting into a epic hailing of the warrior queen's adventures! While "Outlive Them All"starts with a quick-paced tempo and blasting drums by Mikey Treseder, it is definitely not lacking of a catchy chorus and another excellent mid-song twist which is my personal favourite moment of the album! The melodic "Hammerforged" takes a different turn being more guitar based but not missing any heaviness in either guitar riffs or vocals asking the listener to "HEAR OUR VOICES!!!". However, the more melodic riffs by Jamison Palmer and Leeland Campana stand out in the "Traitor's Gate" giving an almost a-capella vibe to Jake Roger's epic vocal intro! A more groovy & straightforward "Salt City" gives way to  "Blades in the Night" that ups the speed again to a galloping tempo and (with another interesting mid-song twist) acts as a bridge to the titular song. "The Conqueror's Oath" is a worthy centrepiece of the themes presented here, wrapping the record with EPICNESS oozing from the music, vocals and lyrical themes! Visigoth are here to stay and keep forging great epic HEAVY METAL music! In case you still want more after listening to this album (and who wouldn't?), they have since released an EP under the title "Bells of Awakening" which has two more  songs!


98.5/100


Below are the official music videos for "Warrior Queen" and "Traitor's Gate".

#3 - Top of 2018

Judas Priest - Firepower (Columbia Records)

JUDAS PRIEST are back. While its predecessor felt like a middle of the road album for the metal gods, "Firepower" is really a great Swansong and a very metal "FUCK YOU" way of closing their illustrious career with a truly awesome and brutally metal farewell. When the band lost the classic guitar duo of Tipton and Downing (with Downing retiring all together and replaced by Richie Faulkner and Tipton not going on tour anymore and using producer Andy Sneap as a stand-in), everybody wrote them off. There was a widespread sentiment that following the lukewarm response to "Redeemer of Souls", the band would make a tour or two and then retire. But Halford and Co here raise their middle finger and unleash a metal apocalypse in what is probably one of the really rare exceptions of a historic band sounding so fresh and unapologetic for their music in their twilight years. Most (ecstatic) fans have agreed that the band has not sounded that good since Painkiller, twenty-five years before Firepower and it is here where they finally re-establish themselves in he pantheon of metal and reclaim their name as metal gods for now and forevermore. The album kicks off with heavy metal anthems "Firepower" and "Lightning Strike", grabbing the audience by the balls and keeps going with "Evil never Dies", only taking a small breather with "Never the Heroes" before putting the petal to the metal with "Necromancer". "Children of the Sun"' kicks off as power ballad breaking into a heavy metal crescendo around midway through the song and never looking back. "Guardians/Rising from the Ruins", starts with a piano  intro leading to the pretty epic "Rising from Ruins" part, which draws influences from the Nostradamus era of the band. "Flame Thrower" is a pretty fast and heavy song while "Spectre" has an exceptionally melodic solo in its middle part which is bound to follow the listener like a spectre (excuse the pun). "Traitor's Gate" is a fucking behemoth of an epic song with Halford howling and doom-like riffing pounding, while "No Surrender" is the fuck you of the band to all those saying that they should quit. The next track "Lone Wolf" has a more modern sound to it. bearing more resemblance to the solo Halford albums and is probably the weakest moment of the album. However finisher "Sea of Red"more than makes up for this, as it is once again an instant classic mid-tempo Priest song with all the emotional range that Halford can evoke through his amazing voice. If this is to be the final Priest album, they will go out with a hell of a bang!

98/100

Below are the music videos for "Lightning Strike", "Spectre" and "No Surrender" and the lyric video for "Never the Heroes".

#4 - Top of 2018

Orphaned Land - Unsung Prophets and Dead Messiahs (Century Media)

After a 5 year break following the critically acclaimed "All is One", Orphaned land returned last January with another masterpiece from the land of milk and honey. Coupled with the aforementioned "All is One", the band has veered away from the more prog wanderings of "The Neverending Way of ORwarrioR" and their middle-eastern influences are once again prominent to the compositions presented. However, they wear these older influences on their sleeve and one can hear prog leanings in "Left Behind" and "Chains Fall to Gravity", while "We do not Resist" and "Only the Dead Have Seen the End of the War" bring to mind the very early days of the band while re-enforcing that style through a more diverse approach, Kobi Farhi (vocals)  remains at the top of his game while the rest of the band also delivers on every possible metric. There are a number of notable guests on the album with Hansi Kursch (Blind Guardian) lending his voice on the power ballad "Like Orpheus" and Thomas Lindberg (At the Gates) joining in for the aforementioned "Only The Dead Have Seen the End of the War". Finally, Steve Hackett (Genesis) joins in for the probably best bit of the album in "Chains Fall to Gravity".  Overall a sensational middle eastern experience, drawing influences from all over the range of previous outings of the band and distilling it into something new and fresh.


97.5/100


Below are the lyric video for "We do not Resist" and the music video for "Like Orpheus".

#5 - Top of 2018

Gatekeeper - East of Sun (Cruz del Sur Music)

Finally, reaching the Top 5 of 2018 (with some delays), we find these extraordinary Canadian heavy metallers with their first ever full length album titled "East of Sun". Initially created as a solo project back in 2009 by Jeff Black who now provides the rhythm guitars and backing vocals, the band is comprised of Jean-Pierre Abboud with his epic voice, Kenny Kroecher with some amazing guitar riffs, Tommy Tro in gallping drums and last but not least David Messier in the bass blending everything together into a unique and awesome release! Blasting in with a high pitched scream "Blade of Cimmeria" narrating the bloody deeds of the warrior yielding the blade of Cimmeria (the fictional land of Robert E Howard!) the record has a raw epic feeling that can be heard across all the songs. The low chanting in "North Wolves" along with heavy guitar riffs (and an acoustic mid-song interlude) add even more depth creating a grand vibe that is followed up by the highlight of the album "Warrior Without Fear" with an AWESOME epic chorus that is bound to stick to your mind! "Ninefold Muse" has a heavier doom rhythm that highlights the rough vocals and the melodic guitar riffs while the pace picks up again with heavy and speed metal riffs in "Bell of Tarantia" (and vocals during the song being surprisingly reminiscent of Falconer!). The titular track "East of Sun" starts like a power-ballad quickly developing into an epic heavy metal song worthy of gracing the album with its name. The epic warrior tale continues with "Swan Road Saga" (another album highlight) which has a great guitar interlude that is accompanied by ominous choirs and high pitched vocals and finally "Oncoming Ice" which showcases some breathtaking melodic riffing bidding an epic "farewell" to the listener! The album also has with two  interesting covers of "Death Rider (Omen)" and "Hall of the Mountain King (Savatage)". If you are a fan of epic heavy metal and  epic tale-spinning this is a highly recommended release!




97.3/100


Below is the official music video for "Blade of Cimmeria" and the official audio for "Warrior Without Fear".

# 6 - Top of 2018

Powerwolf - Sacrament of Sin (Napalm Records)

What can be said about the German power metallers other than they know the secret formula behind making a symphonic power metal catchy and epic at the same time while also being able to expand on their horror themes! Powerwolf are definitely among the top choices for fans of that genre. "Sacrament of Sin" is their seventh full length album continuing a streak of excellent releases (with 2015's Blessed and Posessed being almost as good).

The album is full with blasting epic tunes, with examples like the galloping "Fire & Forgive" that showcase Attila Dorn's imposing vocals, the amazing supporting choirs and booming drums by Roel Van Helden. There are also more theatrical songs that are based on dramatic keyboards like "Demons Are a Girl's Best Friend" which was created for sing-alongs live shows and blends perfectly with the equally pompous "Killers with the Cross" and its VERY catchy chorus, ominous vocals and melodic guitar interlude. "Incense and Iron" is the highlight of the album and one of the best songs of Powewolf so far as it combines all the elements that make the band's song recognisable and memorable including quick-paced tunes, bagpipes, a heavy male chorus and a horror lyrical theme that bring an epic feeling to this ode to holy war! While the dramatic piano-based power ballad "Where the Wild Wolves Have Gone" lets the listener catch a breath by slowing down the pacing, the impressive "Stossgebet" ups the heaviness by succeeding in combining latin and german. The title-song "The Sacrament of Sin" takes a turn towards more classic German power metal puick-paced riffs without losing anything from the characteristic Powerwolf extravagant feeling present in other songs like "Nightside of Siberia". "Venom of Venus" is another personal favourite as it focus on Attila's amazingly clear and heavy vocals and melodic guitar riffs with the addition of some eerie sounds! Finally the imposing church-organ intro and the simple but still effective chorus of "Nighttime Rebel" along with the choir heavy "Fist by Fist (Sacralize or Strike)" create the perfect ending for an incredible release by Powewolf!







96.65/100


Below are the official lyric video for "Incense & Iron" and the official music videos for "Fire & Forgive", "Killers With the Cross" and "Demons Are a Girl's Best Friend".

#7 - Top of 2018

Coheed and Cambria - Vaxis Act I: The Unheavenly Creatures (Roadrunner Records)

Coheed and Cambria have done it again! if there wasn't for a certain someone gracing us with an absolute masterpiece (see number 1 of the year), this would qualify as the best prog rock album of the year. However, as they (he) did, Claudio Sanchez and co will have to settle for number 7. But despair not dear progster! For in the latest album of the band we find again all elements that made music fans love (and hate) the band. The epic story! The catchy music! The intricate prog moments! The thrill of singing along "oh oh oh oo" with resident music genius, Mr Sanchez. And remember the thing that made the band huge: real ingenuity in their music which transcends individual genres (from prog to pop and back again).
The album, announced as part 1 of a new pentalogy, introduces new characters in the universe of Armory Wars and as Claudio himself put it "this is about a man and a woman trying to rediscover each other, both in love and in tangible existence. And they’re kind of being guided by the hand of their unborn son. The idea is that they need to help him secure his position as the father of the new universe in which all of these new stories will take place."

As for the songs themselves, there is an abundance of epic anthems to wet your ears for days! From space anthem opener, "The Dark Sentencer", where Vaxis, the son of the protagonists introduces us to the plot. "Unheavenly Creatures" kicks off with a synth and develops into an emotional pop/prog, always banking on the great vocals of Claudio and a very infectious main choral part. "Toys" feels like a mid-00s radio rock power ballad, with an A Capella break leading to a great release in the last chorus bit. "Black Sunday" is a darker song with metal riffing being more predominant here, while "Queen of the Dark" continues on the same vein using more mid-paced melodies, bringing about the energetic and almost aggressive release of "True Ugly". "Love Protocol" veers towards more a more prog-oriented approach while "The Pavilion" has an epic stadium rock feel and Night-Time Walkers experiments with a more electronic approach. "The Gutter" mixes aggression and melody in yet another masterpiece from the band,  while "All on Fire" continuous the same premise but becoming more personal while adding some awesome riffing. "It walks among us" feels like an interlude to the crescendo of "Old Flames", probably the best song of the album and one of that will stand the test of time. "Lucky Stars" which concludes the album, is a  quiet ballad where after the trials and tribulations of the album, the parents of Vaxis are together and happy, leading the way to the 2nd album of the new pentalogy. 


96.4/100

Below are the music videos for "True Ugly", "Old Flames" and "Unheavenly Creatures"

#8 - Top of 2018

Church of the Cosmic Skull - Science Fiction (Independent)

 Church of the Cosmic Skull are one of those rare gems you hope to find while searching for new music and sticks with you from the first moment you give them a listen. This is perfectly complemented with weirdly "cultish" music videos that encapsulate the feeling that the band is trying to convey,  enticing the listener to enter the Inner Sanctum and join the Cosmic Family. Right off the bat, you become immersed in that retro 70s feeling with "Science Fiction", with an awesomely feel-good vibe serving as an introduction to the members of the Church. A bluesy tone is added in "Go By The River" along with some peaceful vocals and classic 70s guitar riffs reminiscent of Deep Purple, which are also prominent in "The Cards That You're Playing" with its gospel choir vocals & melodies. "Revolution Comes With An Act Of Love" is a ballad with the added spice of a Hammond organ, as melodic guitar riffs join a great choral symphony which invites the hapless listener , "all we've got to do is sing along". The catchiest song of the album has got to be "Cold Sweat" (accompanied by a uniquely strange music video), managing to combine even more groovy tunes with musical vibes emanating from the chorus. "The Others" is a tribute to that special Pink Floyd feeling, taking you on a trip to receive the Cosmic Transmission. "Timehole (Gonna Build A Rocket Tonight)" returns to the 70s hard rock sound, with a surprisingly heavier mid-song switch, while "Paper Aeroplane & Silver Moon" is a psychedelic rock song mixed with some the best guitar riffing on the album. "Science Fiction" wraps up with "The Devil Again" that features some excellent church organ and low-key soothing vocals in complete contrast with the lyrical theme of the song, thus ending this spectacular journey through the 70s and re-emerging in the present relaxed and ready to join the family of the Church.


96.25/100

Below is official music video for "Cold Sweat".

#9 - Top of 2018

The Night Flight Orchestra - Sometimes the World Ain't Enough (Nuclear Blast)

It's beyond belief that this album wasn't released back in the '80s.  It is almost as incredible as the way that NFO are able to convey the emotion and cheesiness of the 80s. Sometimes the World Ain't Enough, however, is not simply a tribute to the past, but a genuine contender among the best albums of the era. Let's not forget of course the polished Swedish music mastery of this supergroup, which brings a cinematic quality to every song! From the almost stereotypical AOR of "This Time" and "Turn To Miami", the album offers the epic "Paralysed" with its funk '70s disco vibe and the year's biggest chorus. While flirting with prog rock in the grandiose "The Last Of The Independent Romantics",  it revisits what love is in "Lovers In The Rain" and the dreamy and mysterious theme tune of " Pretty Things Closing In " leads to the incredible sing-along power of the chorus of" Can't Be That Bad ".  "Sometimes The World Ain't Enough" is a timeless classic album. It might truly be the ultimate AOR album for those who don't hear AOR. In other words...

The Night Flight Orchestra are simply the guiltiest pleasure of the year.

96.1/100

Below are the music videos for "This Time", "Can't Be that Bad", "Turn to Miami" and "Lovers in the Rain".

#10 - Top of 2018

Arrayan Path - Archegonoi (Pitch Black Records)

Reaching the top 10 of 2018, the epic power metallers, Arrayan Path, have released their 7th full length album, making it to our Top for a third time (following our Top of 2016 and our Best of Epic Metal list)! The record is split into two discs that are full with epic stories from Ancient Greece, entertaining and giving a taste of Greek lore to the listener at the same time. The melancholic and atmospheric violin intro of "Weaving the Web of Destiny" that turns into an imposing chorus accompanied by Nicholas Leptos' amazing vocals and melodic guitar riffs sets the mood of the album. We are introduced to heavier tunes in the equally majestic "Rod of Asclepius" flawlessly mixing battle cries with orchestral segments. "Seven Against Thebes" slows down the pacing sounding almost like an epic power ballad filled with melodic guitars, while ups the heaviness "Sins of Pandora" with an impressive chorus made sing-alongs! In contrast, "The Words of Menelaus" starts with a mournful tone in the style of "amanes" followed by an amazing guitar interlude and epic clear vocal before the galloping "Bellerophon (Forged by the Blacksmith)" which is packed with EPIC heavy metal guitar riffs. "Thisbe's Blooded Veil" serves as a musical interlude (that seems that is taken from the soundtrack of an adventure movie) gracefully leading to the second disc which blasts its way in with the dramatic "Lion of Amphipolis" the amazingly catchy and menacing "Blood of the Sphinx" with an awesomely simple but effective chorus!  The peak of the album has to be the theatrical "Nemesis" which shifts between melodic singing and songwriting to an unexpected mid-song tribute to "the thunder of Zeus the thunderer" that is bound to stick to your mind for quite a while! Moving on through the captivating album, "Eastern Sands" adds a symphonic tone that weirdly complements the middle-eastern-influenced "Where the Hydra Hides". The record wraps up with two equally majestic songs, the accoustic keyboard-based "King of Argos" that is reminiscent of Rhapsody's "The Magic of the Wizard's Dream" and finally the awesome "Thermopylae 480 BC" which narrates the well-known heroic deeds in Thermopylae, making everyone inpatient for their next epic album!


96/100

Below is the official music video for "Nemesis" and the official lyric video for "Sins of Pandora".