The Best Doom Metal Albums of the Decade (Part 1)

As the winter settles in and the current decade is ending, we at Metal and Prog tops wish you happy holidays releasing:

The TOP 31 Doom Metal Albums
 of the 2010s

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31.  Thronehammer - Usurper of the Oaken Throne (Church Within Records - 2019)

In number 31, as we begin our journey into doom, is the epic international trio, we are proud to present Thronehammer with their first full length album. Filled with heavy tunes all throughout the record with epic guitar riffs in "Conquered and Erased", awesome choruses accompanied by the booming echoing sounds of a hammer in "Thronehammer" and wrapping up with "Usurper of the Oaken Throne"s amazingly heavy and groovy guitar riff that will stick with to any fan of melodic low-end heavy tunes. Definitely a band to keep an eye on and a great mood piece for this list!

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30. Church of misery - And then there were none (Rise Above - 2016)

Coming off the depth of hell and despair, Japanese Doomsters Church of Misery released in 2016 a true monolithic gem of a doom/stoner metal. With clear influences from Cathedral in their sound and Scott Carlson in a one-off appearance as their vocalist, the band deliver their message in doom and gloom. If you fancy their sound here, you can also check their past releases with 2009's "Houses of the Unholy" being unquestionably their best effort to date (and barely missing this retrospective).

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29. Whatever End - A birth of Loss (Independent - 2017)

The sole output of relatively unknown Greek prog doomsters Whatever End, "A birth of Loss" is a unique blend of avant-garde operatic vocals (that at times sound almost SOAD-like), prog metal rhythmic  switches, doomy riffs and symphonic influences, rendering them one of the most "out there" choices for this list. Among the highlights of the album are the titular song and the labyrinth-like "Evershift". A stunning release from a very promising band with hopefully many more to come!

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28. The Obsessed - Sacred (Relapse - 2017)

The Obsessed finally returned after a silence of 23 years delivering 2017's Sacred. A much more rock-oriented record than the previous outputs of Wino under The Obsessed banner, it retains a sweet blend of their trademark sound with later influences from Wino's other projects showing that even among the most monolithic among us there is such a thing as progress.

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27. Nekromant - The Nekromant Lives (Ripple Music - 2018)

Nekromant is another excellent doom/psychedelic band from Sweden, who after releasing a more average debut in 2017, returned with an excellent doom elegy the following year, releasing "The Nekromant Lives". Drawing influences from classic doom and 80s hard rock/heavy metal, this is a very interesting release full of melodic lines that transcend doom but still draw inspiration from it, with tracks such as "Eye of the Sky" veering further away from the doom formula while others (eg. the superb "Blood for Walpurgis") stay faithful to it.

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26. Blood Ceremony - Living with the Ancients (Rise Above - 2011)

Blood Ceremony add a psychedelic note to doom and a groovy vibe that perfectly blends with female vocals. "Coven Tree" has a classic 70s feeling to it that is mixed with Ian Anderson-inspired flute notes giving a fresh vibe. The perfect mix of hard rock, doom and psychedelic tunes can be heard in "My Demon Bother" which has great Black-Sabbath-like guitar riffs and travels the listener back to the classics with a nod to the future.

You can also read our review of the more rock-oriented "The Eldritch Dark"from 2013 here.

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25. Orchid -  Mouths of Madness (Nuclear Blast - 2013)

Largely almost a Black Sabbath tribute band, Orchid in their second full length release, show that despite having a sound and vocal vibe that feels as a direct continuation of Sabbath  (including Oh-yeas from singer Theo Mindell and being named after a "Master of Reality" track), they can still deliver the goods. With songs like  "Mountains of Steel", Nomad" and  "Leaving It All Behind" that Iommi himself would be proud of, there is nothing fake about the love of this band to the grand-fathers of metal. And when you are really devoted to something that always shines through!

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24. Mist - Free me of the sun (Soulseller Records - 2018)

Mist is another proof that powerful female vocals are a perfect fit for heavy doom riffs if you know what you're doing. Free me of the sun is the first full-length album of the promising Slovenian band (with four out five members being female!) and is certainly one of the bands to keep an eye on when you looking for something that has that uniquely sounding Candlemass buzz! With amazingly catchy songs such as the "White Torch" showcasing a wide vocal range of the lead singer and a catchy chorus what more can anyone ask?

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23. Lord Vigo - Six must die (No Remorse - 2018)

 Lord Vigo are truly an excellent Doom metal band, with both their records being criminally underrated by true purists of the genre, in my humble opinion. Six Must Die was chosen for this list as it marginally surpasses its predecessor in terms of replay  value, but both albums are true diamonds in the rough for epic doom metal fans. The power trio from Germany draw influences from both the epicness of Candlemass and the monolithic nature of the early Cathedral albums to present an almost perfect blend of epic doom  that renders this work among the best of the genre from newcomer acts this decade!

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22. 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.

 

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21. Destroyer of Light - Chamber of Horrors (Heavy Friends Records - 2017) 

Destroyer of Light is a Texan four-piece "horror" doom metal band that truly blossomed in this, their second release. Combining doom riffs and methodically building the melody over the course of the tracks, being willing to experiment with different vocal approaches even within the same tracks and some light influence from stoner/southern music that is barely noticeable but still manages to infuse their sombre doom with its own identity, the band achieved what other newcomers only dream of: to forge its own identity without reinventing the wheel!

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20.  Paradise Lost - Medusa (Nuclear Blast - 2017)

 The lords of British doom return triumphantly with an album that returns them to their roots. Taking inspiration from their earlier years and fusing elements that made them what they are over the years, Paradise Lost once more deliver a true masterpiece of doom/death(!). The last song from the predecessor of Medusa ("Return to the Sun") was a warning shot, however it is here that true DOOM masters return. The album acts as a celebration of that return, with Nick Holmes spewing poison with every word, Greg Macintosh tunes the guitars to the abyss and the trademark riffs of the band suddenly sound sinister and ominous, warning of death and horror at every turn. A fucking monolith of a doom metal album!

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19. Demon Head - Ride the wilderness (The Charming Man Records - 2015)

The Danes come down from the North with their amazing debut album, Ride the wilderness (which was followed by two equally engaging albums in 2017 & 2019).  If you are looking for an early Sabbath mood but with more rough Pentagram/Danzig vocals that reek of manliness, this is the album for you. You can read our full review of the album here.

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18. Burning Saviours - Death (Transubstans Records - 2018)

Blending Pentagam-influneced doom melodies along with  US heavy metal riffing, Burning Saviours from Sweden are a more metallic version of compatriot psychedelic/occult rockers Witchcraft. In their fifth full length, simply called "Death", they create an almost perfect blend of their various elements, from the doomy Draug, to the almost Doomsword-like "Crusade of Evil" and the infectious awesomeness of Häxnatten, this is a great album that at 35 minutes feels just about tight enough to not include any fillers at all, but deliver the goods!

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17. Dautha - Brethren of the Black Soil (Van Records - 2018)

Dautha are an epic doom project from Norrköping, which in their debut album impress by using a combination of epic vocals, My Dying Bide-esque riffing and violins with an overlay of traditional folk aesthetic. By examining tragic themes (like The Children's Crusade in the aptly named track), Doom here is not just in the music but in the essence of the band. Choirs, operatic vocals, any trick in the book is fair game for these guys as they forge their way into the darkest night howling "Memento Mori".

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16. Monasterium - Church of Bones (Nine Records - 2019)

Finally for this part, we proudly present Monasterium from Poland with their very recent second full-length release, "Church of Bones". Monasterium are a very orthodox epic doom band, which is bound to make whoever listen to their album have intense flashbacks of Messiah-era Candlemass, and you know what? They do it better than anyone out there right now! The album could easily be a proud successor to "Ancient Dreams", and with tracks like La Danse Macabre", "The Order of the Dragon", and "The Last Templar" which really kick motherfucking ass you  can be sure that these guys are here to stay!

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Part 2 is coming soon!

#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".

#11 - Top of 2018

Clutch - Book of Bad Decisions (Weathermaker Music)

What can be said about the latest endeavour of southern/stoner/slacker rockers Clutch? The album follows suit from previous releases "Earth Rocker" and "Psychic Warfare", continuing the trend of the band experimenting with different song structures and playfully dipping their toes in variations of the sound that made them famous. They can't go too wrong as the vocals of Neil Fallon and the riffing by Tim Sult, accompanied by the ever-present rhythm section of Dan Maines (bass) and Jean-Paul Gaster are a surefire guarantee of a good-time. And in the "Book of Bad Decisions", the band again delivers with another album good from the bottom to the top. Thus, the band seems to have found the recipe for success in creating groovy compositions that seem destined to dominate any live show they play! After all, they can write anthems effortlessly, with "How To Shake Hands" and "Weird Times" being two of the more distinctive compositions that confirm Clutch's excellence in this area and are distinguished for their functionality and simplicity. At the same time, as noted above, they continue to display a tendency to experiment and mix different stylistic elements. This results to a host of truly memorable compositions, with 'In' Walks Barbarella "(with the excellent use of wind instruments) and" Vision Quest "(with a fantastic piano orchestration) being perhaps the most stand-out tracks. Along with the aforementioned tracks,  "Emily Dickinson", "Ghoul Wrangler" and "Lorelei" (with a very .. soundtrack dynamic) are a set of compositions that would fit seamlessly in almost any previous band release, and once again reaffirm Clutch as one of the best rock acts of any kind out there.


95.5/100

Below are the music videos for "In Walks Barbarella", "Hot Bottom Feeder", "Give Me the Keys", "How to Shake Hands" and "Ghoul Wrangler".

#12 - Top of 2018

Amorphis - Queen of Time (Nuclear Blast)

On number 12, we have the new album by Amorphis, the Finnish melodic heavy metal band with a long history of amazing albums since the beginning of their career back in the 90's (with one of them previously gracing our Top of 2011). "The Bee" introduces what the band is skilful in, harmonically combining the melodic aspect of Tomi Joutsen's clear and mellow vocals with his heavier growls while the music perfectly follows in line those changes with some memorable guitar riffs. "Message in the Amber" has a more epic twist adding volume to its sound and showcasing amazing songwriting from Esa Holopainen,  while different members of the band contributing to different songs creating an overall unique outcome. "Daughter of Hate" adds a darker note to the record with a heavier sound that blends uniquely with an imposing chorus, saxophone sounds (by Jørgen Munkeby) and spoken words in Finnish (by Pekka Kainulainen), while "The Golden Elk" (with its mixture of violins, guitars and other traditional organs) and "Wrong Direction" (with a stronger keyboard sound) lean on the band's easily trademark melodic sound. The more atmospheric "Heart of the Giant" has a middle-eastern feel to it created using an orchestra and a chorus to expand on the sound in order to compliment the ever shifting vocals. The album is ever-changing with "We Accursed" and "Grain of Sand" being  more classic melodic death songs that are not lacking in twist with the former having a prog-ish mid-song twist full of keyboards and the latter being full of interesting melodic guitar riffs. The most "catchy" and memorable song of the record has to be "Amongst Stars" where we have a guest appearance by Anneke van Giersbergen (from more bands that I can count including The Gathering, Ayreon, Devin Townsend etc.), who blends wonderfully with Joutsen's clear and growl vocals adding an even more melodic touch to the record!
The ambient but pompous "Pyres on the Coast" might be the last track but there are two awesome bonus tracks, the imposing and melancholic "As Mountains Crumble" (constantly moving from acoustic to prog keyboards and epic tunes) and the equally atmospheric "Brother and Sister" for those looking a bit more of the Amorphis!


95.25/100

Below is the official music video for "Among Stars" and the official lyric video for "The Bee".

#13 - Top of 2018

Ghost - Prequelle (Loma Vista)

The journey of the weirdest superstars of the decade continues, as Ghost released their 4th full-length album, to critical and commercial acclaim. The album continues on the same creative vein with the previous work of the group, mixing 80s pop rock and metal - lite elements along with satanic imagery and lyrics, while preserving an overall fun factor that has made the band as popular as it is. The album has 9 tracks (+ intro), that keep the listener on its feet while at the same time the band successfully transcends mere imitation and establishes its own musical identity, more strongly than ever, clearly demonstrating that they are their own superstars right now.  Tracks like "Rats", "Dance Macabre", "Faith" and "Life Eternal", are among the best the band has ever written and while theatrics still remain a focal point for the band in this age of image, this would still be a great album regardless of all that. There are multiple superstar collaborators in the album (Mikael Åkerfeldt [Opeth], Vincent Portare [Avicii]) and a stellar production by Tom Dalgety (Royal Blood, Pixies), whose work might be the true superstar of the album as the production mixes modern and old-school evoking enthusiasm and nostalgia at the same time. Ghost are not overrated, nor are underrated. They are correctly rated as one of the hottest acts of this decade!

95.2/100

Below are the music videos for "Rats"  and "Dance Macabre".

#14 - Top of 2018

Judicator - The Last Emperor (Independent)

Judicator ascend to 14 of the 2018 Top Albums with their fourth full-length release The Last Emperor. The US-based power metallers are reminiscent of Blind Guardian but succeed in adding their own twist by weaving an interesting quick-paced record that never lets the listener lose interest. Starting with the titular song "The Last Emperor" and its melodic guitar intro, the epic atmosphere is set as if told by warriors amidst a battle. "Take Up Your Cross" has a galloping drum bit (by Jordan Ecless) supporting it throughout the song blending perfectly with the sing-along chorus and strong clear vocals by John Yelland (giving off Hansi vibes)! The heaviness and volume are levelled up with "Raining Gold" which is also full of amazing guitar riffs (and an awesome mid-song guitar interlude blended with sword crossing sounds). "The Queen of All Cities" is one of the album highlights with more theatrical vocals, acoustic guitar interludes (that wonderfully connect different parts of the song) and great songwriting spanning over nine minutes of melodic epicness. And then during the song "Spiritual Treason", the perfect guest appearance is made by none other than Hansi Kürsch (of Blind Guardian) which is the ultimate counter-part for Yelland's vocals thus gracing us with an awesomely melodic power metal song with a chorus that will stick to your mind (like a classic Blind Guardian song)! "Antioch" is another personal favourite starting with an acoustic intro before blasting into galloping riffs and clear high pitched vocals. Wrapping up the record, "Nothing But Blood" is an instant classic power metal song with great electric guitar tunes while "It Falls to Jerusalem" has a more melodic vibe allowing for the focus on the storytelling by both amazing clear and group vocals! The power-metal epicness is flawlessly depicted by the cover artwork (Marc Whisnant) which wraps everything together for an excellent release!


95.1/100

Below is the official music video for the "King of Rome".

#15 - Top of 2018

Magnum - Lost on the Road to Eternity (Steamhammer)

It  comes as no surprise that Magnum know how to create a hit album adding more songs to their list of all time classics with their 20th (!!!) full-length album. Following their last release "Sacred Blood, "Divine" Lies", the band continues showcasing their musicianship and excitement for what they are doing. Kicking off with the amazingly catchy "Peaches and Cream" and followed up with "Show Me Your Hands", we are re-introduced to Bob Catley's uplifting vocals, great guitar riffs by Tony Clarkin and mellow keyboards by Rick Benton (replacing Mark Stanway who left the band following the release of the previous album) through two songs created for live sing-along situations. "Storm Baby" starts out with a power-ballad vibe but also has some heavier guitar riffs while "Welcome to the Cosmic Cabaret" has a more electric atmosphere and a great guitar fadeout at the end of the song. "Lost on the Road to Eternity" with its surprisingly fitting guest vocals by Tobias Sammet (of Edguy and Avantasia) is definitely among the album's highlights, with Sammet and Catley having previously collaborated in a number of Avantasia albums. If you are looking for a cheesy song with a designated sing-along section that can easily become an instant radio hit you don't have to look further than "Without Love". If you are into a more 80's aesthetic and sound "Tell Me What You've Got to Say" is your song. "Ya Wanna Be Someone" has a 60's-70's feel-good/ Deep Purple vibe,  while closer"Glory to Ashes" is a great melodic elegy with more depth in the sound and orchestration and of course the amazing vocals of Bob Catley! Magnum's secret formula has once again succeeded and the band once again release an album that has everything for everyone, young and old alike!


95/100

Below is the official lyric videos for "Lost on the Road to Eternity" and "Without Love".