As the summer came to an end, an extra breath of entertainment from this blog, as we bid it farewell with some of the best albums of the decade so far. We begin with the broadly (and maybe too broadly defined) epic metal genre. For variety, only one album per band was chosen, but if you like something, assume the rest of their catalogue is also worth exploring unless otherwise noted! So without further ado:
21. Valhalore - Journey Into Eternity (Independent - 2017)
In number 21, as we begin our epic journey, is the debut album (and only release so far) of the Viking/Epic Australians. It is quite an unexpected offering, especially given the origin of the band, but by Odin they really do sound like the genuine article! A very good release and hopefully there's more to come!
88/100
20. Wizard- Trail of Death (Massacre Records - 2013)
Next up, Wizard from Germany are a long standing metal band from Germany playing a mix of Manowar and Iced Earth. The band has consistently produced good records for over 20 years and "Trail of Death" is by far their best output of the decade. Their personal style, developed over their career will truly bring joy to old school metallers.
88.5/100
Again a debut album from a Viking Metal band, albeit here, the genres truly blend into something unique and new. There are songs with elements from all brands of viking metal ranging from epic/power metal songs to heavier more gritty ones, symphonic elegies and even some doomier passages. An album that could serve as an excellent introduction to the genre as it contains pieces from all its aspects and yet it succeeds in bringing them all cohesively together, while sounding truly epic in the process.
One of the newest entries on this list, Held in Contempt is the debut full-length from High Council. The band has been around for almost 15 years, but were able to release their debut album a couple of months ago (as of this writing) and the wait was truly worth it! An epic sound with power/heavy elements, vocals that fit within the context of the epic music and riffing to bang your head.
Isole have released other exceptional Doom/Epic records before, but to my humble opinion, The Calm Hunter is their best release by far. Here, they grow out of their influences and leave behind their Doomier side in favour of a more epic approach, though there are definitely elements that hint at the origins of the band. There are songs that have a more progressive structure ("My Regret", "Into Oblivion") , while others adopt a more straightforward doom approach ("Dead to Me"), but overall the album works pretty well and creates a sombre atmosphere that will haunt you every time you have a go at it.
16. Sabaton - The Last Stand (Nuclear Blast - 2017)
Probably the most popular among the bands listed, it is true that Sabaton are usually classified as Power metal by most but go ahead and listen to the "Lost Battalion" below and tell me you did not feel an epic aroma (aka mansweat) emanating from every fiber of the track. The rest of the album is pretty much like this, with a personal highlight being "Shiroyama", as each track references famous battles of the past.
91/100
A back-breaking masterpiece of the epic/doom sound; check out the full 2017 review here.
Recent Darkthrone releases had changed their sound into a more heavy/crust kind of music, but nothing prepared their fans for the release of Circle The Wagons and its successor The Underground Resistance that truly belong in the old-school Heavy/Epic genre.
Read the 2013 review here
Another epic doom/epic release that dabbles into the occult but retains a healthy amount of heavy metal epicness. The full review is here.
An inspired heavy/epic debut from the lads from Yorkshire, a fresh air of epicness from a scene that usually is more focused on "core" bands. Read the full review here.
An older choice before breaking into the top 10 albums, Atlantean Codex are a Heavy/Doom band, with more emphasis on their heavy side. Their first album features gargantuan riffing, long epic songs with melodic choral vocals and a tendency to remind the audiences of bands like Manilla Road AND Bathory at the same time! This is truly a great release that hasn't been as popular as it should have been and Atlantean Kodex are a band definitely worthy of the support of heavy metal warriors. The song below ("Temple of Katholic Magick") is indicative of the band and the awe-inspiring epicness of their music.
THE TOP 21 Epic Metal Albums of 2010-18
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21. Valhalore - Journey Into Eternity (Independent - 2017)
In number 21, as we begin our epic journey, is the debut album (and only release so far) of the Viking/Epic Australians. It is quite an unexpected offering, especially given the origin of the band, but by Odin they really do sound like the genuine article! A very good release and hopefully there's more to come!
88/100
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20. Wizard- Trail of Death (Massacre Records - 2013)
Next up, Wizard from Germany are a long standing metal band from Germany playing a mix of Manowar and Iced Earth. The band has consistently produced good records for over 20 years and "Trail of Death" is by far their best output of the decade. Their personal style, developed over their career will truly bring joy to old school metallers.
88.5/100
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19. Heidra - Awaiting Dawn (Mighty Music - 2014)
Again a debut album from a Viking Metal band, albeit here, the genres truly blend into something unique and new. There are songs with elements from all brands of viking metal ranging from epic/power metal songs to heavier more gritty ones, symphonic elegies and even some doomier passages. An album that could serve as an excellent introduction to the genre as it contains pieces from all its aspects and yet it succeeds in bringing them all cohesively together, while sounding truly epic in the process.
90/100
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18. High Council - Held in Contempt (Via Nocturna - 2018)
One of the newest entries on this list, Held in Contempt is the debut full-length from High Council. The band has been around for almost 15 years, but were able to release their debut album a couple of months ago (as of this writing) and the wait was truly worth it! An epic sound with power/heavy elements, vocals that fit within the context of the epic music and riffing to bang your head.
90.2/100
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17. Isole - The Calm Hunter (Cyclone Empire - 2014)
Isole have released other exceptional Doom/Epic records before, but to my humble opinion, The Calm Hunter is their best release by far. Here, they grow out of their influences and leave behind their Doomier side in favour of a more epic approach, though there are definitely elements that hint at the origins of the band. There are songs that have a more progressive structure ("My Regret", "Into Oblivion") , while others adopt a more straightforward doom approach ("Dead to Me"), but overall the album works pretty well and creates a sombre atmosphere that will haunt you every time you have a go at it.
90.5/100
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Probably the most popular among the bands listed, it is true that Sabaton are usually classified as Power metal by most but go ahead and listen to the "Lost Battalion" below and tell me you did not feel an epic aroma (aka mansweat) emanating from every fiber of the track. The rest of the album is pretty much like this, with a personal highlight being "Shiroyama", as each track references famous battles of the past.
91/100
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15. Below - Upon a pale Horse (Metal Blade - 2017)
A back-breaking masterpiece of the epic/doom sound; check out the full 2017 review here.
92/100
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14. Darkthrone - The Underground Resistance (Peaceville - 2013)
Recent Darkthrone releases had changed their sound into a more heavy/crust kind of music, but nothing prepared their fans for the release of Circle The Wagons and its successor The Underground Resistance that truly belong in the old-school Heavy/Epic genre.
Read the 2013 review here
92.5/100
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13. Revelations - Gatekeeper (2017- Independent)
Another epic doom/epic release that dabbles into the occult but retains a healthy amount of heavy metal epicness. The full review is here.
92.7/100
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12. Sellsword - And Now We Ride (2016 - Independent)
An inspired heavy/epic debut from the lads from Yorkshire, a fresh air of epicness from a scene that usually is more focused on "core" bands. Read the full review here.
92.9/100
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11. Atlantean Kodex- The Golden Bough (Cruz Del Sur - 2010)
An older choice before breaking into the top 10 albums, Atlantean Codex are a Heavy/Doom band, with more emphasis on their heavy side. Their first album features gargantuan riffing, long epic songs with melodic choral vocals and a tendency to remind the audiences of bands like Manilla Road AND Bathory at the same time! This is truly a great release that hasn't been as popular as it should have been and Atlantean Kodex are a band definitely worthy of the support of heavy metal warriors. The song below ("Temple of Katholic Magick") is indicative of the band and the awe-inspiring epicness of their music.
93/100
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Stay Tuned For Part 2!
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