Eternal Champion - Ravening Iron (No Remorse Records)
And the top of the 2020 list is conquered by Eternal Champion who released their 2nd full length album under the title Ravening Iron. This is a worthy sucessor to Armor of Ire which rightfully made it to the Top 3 of 2016 (and the Best of Epic Metal Top). Hailing from Austin, Texas, the band is part of a very promising wave of epic heavy metal bands from the United States, with Visigoth being another great example, that know what Epic Heavy metal is really about. This is also evident from their name, which is a reference to Michael Moorcock's reincarnating hero living in a sword and sorcery multiverse.
Moving further from the concept, the album is packed with awesometracks that ooze EPICNESS while also manage to stick to your mind and can be played on repeat without growing old. This can be heard from the introductory track of the record, "A Face in the Glare" which sets the bar high with its eerie vibe about our hero facing demonic entities(or red demonic eyes) and a very catchy chorus. Speaking of catchy songs with an epic twist, "Ravening Iron" has to be one of the best songs of the band and a highlight of the album which rightfully acts as the titular song. But do not be wary, there are no dull moments in the rest of the album with songs like the super melodic "War at the Edge of the End" and the heavier "Coward's Keep"! The glorious journey into fantasy and swordplay comes to end with the instrumental "The Godblade" that lets you take a breath adding a touch of synth sounds, before jumping into the excellent ""Banners of Arhai" (with some amazingly chilling vocals by the lead singer Jason Tarpey) which kicks off with a ominous oriental riff and showcases how the band is not afraid to delve into the mystic atmosphere of dark magic without sounding corny or dated. Overall, a unique and memorable album that doesn't waste time on pointless ambient tracks or long riffs but blasts its way to the top of 2020 like the warrior blasts his way through his enemies in his quest for glory!
Arrayan path - The Marble Gates to Apeiron (Pitch black records)
Moving up through the 2020 Top, we find another band which has repeatedly appeared in our list of 2016, 2018 and the Best of Epic Tops. They are none other than Arrayan Path, the epic power metal band from Cyprus who released their 8th album. The Marble Gates to Apeiron from beginning (with its title track) to end is packed with blasting drum bits, memorable choruses and melodic guitar interludes. Once again, the songs are elevated by the front vocalist, Nicholas Leptos and his one of a kind voice which only seems to get better as time goes by. A personal favourite and highlight of the album is "Metamorphosis", a great example of great musicianship and memorable lyric-writing. The more theatrical and dark "Virus" which is eerily relevant to the past 2 years of the COVID era, the positive "To Live Another Day" with its romantic touch and the amazingly melodic "Mask of Sanity" are also great tracks that provide a interesting change of pace while the perfect ending is given with the even more catchy "A Silent Masquerade" and the epic "Black Sails (The Nemean Ode)" which is impossible to get un-stuck from your mind!
Sorcerer - Lamenting of the Innocent (Metal Blade Records)
The epic doometallers from Sweden are are no strangers to our annual lists of best albums, previously entering our 2015, 2017 and the Best of Epic Tops. Their 3rd full length album is a worthy follow up to their track record with all the favourite characteristic elements, including memorable heavy doom riffs and amazing mellow and powerful vocals by the one and only Anders Engberg. There is no time wasted and after a short instrumental intro the listener is stuck with the full force of "The Hammer of Witches" which is packed with heavy and at the same time melodic riffs (with an awesome midsong interlude) and perfectly blended with majestic vocals! This is followed by track which gives the title to the album and is one of its highlights "Lamenting of the Innocent" which starts by building an eerie ceremonial mood that encompassed this more toned-down and sorrowful song that spans almost 9 minutes but does not have a dull moment! If you are here for the straightforward tracks the heavy and doomy "Where Spirits Die" and "Age of the Damned" (with one of the catchiest choruses of the year) are just what you are looking for. The menacing chimming bells of the "Condemned" and the verses in latin of the "Dance with the Devil" further enhance the epic doom vibe that permeates all the song. This beast of an album is another release worthy of the Sorcerer record track which despite being short has already developed a unique and memorable identity that keeps evolving with each album becoming even more refined!
95.2/100
Below is the official music video for "The Hammer of Witches".
For the fans of pure FOLK metal, 2020 was a great year as these pagans from Lithuania released their 3rd full length album, The Baltic Crusade. Romuvos are an excellent example of a band which knows how to mix EPIC melodies with strong male vocals and folk sounds including a range of instruments such as flutes, bagpipes, mouth harps and nyckelharpa. Straight from the first song, you know this is going to be a great album as "Saule 1236" hits all the right points with amazing sounds and its lyrics falling within the album concept inspired by historical events entailing the fight of pagans against Christianity which ended with the Christianisation of Lithuania (or Courland as described in the lyrics) in 1387. The chronicle carries on with the more melodic "Memel 1257" and the battle-anthem ""Skuodas 1259" (a personal favourite and worth checking out for fans of epic sing along choruses) which continue the saga of Romuva in line with the Romuva movement back to Baltic pagan traditions and customs. There are refreshing changes of pace from more mellow folk like "Pokarwis 1261" and a healthy dose of melodic guitars mixed with other instruments in the title song "The Baltic Crusade" that keeps you on your feet waiting for the next track. Overall, this is an album worth checking out both in terms of musicianship as it is packed with epic chants and folk instruments without losing their heavy sound, but also in terms of lyrical themes on the interesting tale of pagans of Romuva that is not well known.
Ironsword - Servants of Steel (Alma Mater Records)
Portugal's truest band of brothers returns after a 5-year gap. The band had its start back in 1995 and have had a very sporadic output since then. Most original members beyond singer/guitarist Tann have departed, while he continues his solitary treck into the hidden crevices of true epic metal (Think Manilla Road meets Visigoth). "Servants Of Steel" is an album that can be easily dismissed as "simplistic" but at the same time it is a truly rich and majestic in its straightforwardness. For it is not the complexity of the compositions that makes this album interesting, but the fact that in its simplicity, barbarism, grandeur and a feeling of Robert E Howard at its best, gush forth. There are no excess interludes here, only heavy metal cut and sewn from the flesh of the enemies to be performed live as the earth is trembling. Tan's voice is a classic case of love or hate - his voice is a perfect fit for the genre, but non-fans would easily dismiss it. However Ironsword are like that; with uncompromising heavy metal anthems like "Rogues In The House" or "In The Coils Of Set", baptised in a personal sound. They are unwavering in what they do as they continue their solitary journey; their manner makes sure that only those worthy of the blessing of Crom will follow!
93.25/100
Below is the lyric video for the song "In the Coils of Set"
Welcome to another list of best albums, counting down the best among 2020 records. Before we get to the meat of the list, we will present some records that came out that while great, didn't quite get there. Without further delay, we are presenting:
2020 HONOURABLE MENTIONS (In no particular order)
Lucifer - Lucifer III (Trooper Entertainment)
Lucifer, released their 3rd full length album in 2020 and it doesn't lack anything from what makes their sound unique including a retro dark feeling and amazing female vocals which steal the show. The band is not afraid to move between different sounds and styles, from atmospheric tracks like “Leather Demon”, to the more energetic “Flanked by Snakes” and the title-track “Lucifer” without missing out on their doomy beginnings. Worth a listen for those who are into that occult-inspired heavy rock.
Merkfolk is a an interesting folk band from Poland who released their third full length album in 2020. All songs are in the band's native language which fits perfectly with a mixture of flute, fiddle and accordion melodies. The record is pure folk with many tracks having a traditional but yet unique sound like "Dwa wina". A great listen by "the bringer of folk" (as the band's name loosely translates)!
Italian Neoclassical Rockers Moon Reverie truly impressed us with their debut outing from Rockshots last year. Their combination of technical musicianship with beautiful vocal lines and lengthy neoclassical instrumental pieces that demonstrate their virtuosity and their passion for music, was enough to stand out from the rest of the releases in their genre this year, exciting everyone regarding possible future music outputs from the band and showing how a mildly contrived genre can get new ideas and directions from young and energetic artists that pay tribute to its past while shaping its future.
Another debut album, this time from Mexican speed/glam metallers Jet Jaguar. A breakout act from Wacken 2017's Open Air Metal Battle, they were able to take full advantage of that fact, by signing to a label (Pride and Joy) that is very good at showcasing new acts in a wider audience, and released a killer debut album, which includes not only hooky songs (such as "Blinding Lights"), but excellent compositions of pure speedy heavy metal!
Magnum is one of those bands who still remain "true rockers" and ALWAYS deliver on their releases (making it into a number of our earlier Tops including 2016, Hard Rock Top and 2018). Armed with Bob Catley's unique voice, The Serpent Rings (the 21st full length album by Magnum!!!), has all the great traits of band including catchy tunes that are bound to be instant classics like "Where Are You Eden?" and chorus that are made for sing alongs like "Not Forgiven". Definitely worth a listen while waiting to see them live sometime in the future.
In their 4th full length release, German Doomsters completely flipped the script, and presented a record that differs quite considerably from their previous releases, approaching their doom metal through the lens of the Dio-era albums of Black Sabbath and adding a very distinct 80s Neon/Scifi aesthetic to their distinct epic doom sound. Their experiment was successful for the most part and while we may miss the epicness oozing from their previous releases, this is still a great album unveiling a different aspect of the band, showing that the band is way more than a one-trick pony.
Aether Realm - Redneck Vikings from Hell (Napalm Records)
Aether Realm are one of those releases you hear about randomly and gets you hooked right away. Coming from the US, the band has a melodic death sound with a more "radio-friendly" twist that makes them memorable. The album has a number of great tracks including the super-catchy "Goodbye" and the fanbase-dedicated "TMHC" (standing for the Tiny Metal Hand Crew) making it enjoyable to listen through the album. It is worth having this band in mind as they show some great traits differentiating themselves from the classic melodic death metal sound.
Mike LePond's Silent Assassins - Whore of Babylon (Silver Lining Music)
In their third offering, the personal band of Symphony X's bassist continue playing unadulterated pure heavy metal with touches of speed. prog, power and epic metal sprinkled in at different quantities throughout the record. Lepond has developed over these three releases a personal sound and this is even more evident here, where almost any composition could easily be a hit single, with almost no filler chaff mixed in. Among the best tracks of the album are "Ironborn", "Ides of March" and "Dracul's Son", but virtually any song has the potential to grow into a mega-hit. Highly recommended for all metal-heads with an affinity for late 90's power/heavy metal sound!
Italy is known for a breadth of melodic heavy metal bands but not many are as successful in creating memorable and catchy tunes like Temperance. The album is packed with with tracks that stick to your mind and you are bound to listen on repeat with examples like the pumping "I Am the Fire", the melodic "My Demons Can't Sleep" and last but not list the Mission-Impossible2-inspired "Mission Impossible". With the bonus of a blend of great female and male vocals complimenting each other, Viridian makes for an uplifting release worth checking out.
It might have been some time since we last heard from French folk band (previously in the 2013 Top) but they still got this unique sound that fits perfectly with their mixture of French and regional Occitan dialect. Straight from the first track "Lo pèla pòrc" to the memorable "Libertat", the album is packed with traditional sounds (including hurdy gurdy, flabuta, boha and accordion). A very interesting 2020 release from the French folk scene, making us wish there were more bands like them!
What a debut album! Greyhawk show signs of great things to come in the future with their Keepers of the Flame. Riding on the wave of great heavy metal bands coming out of the US in the past couple of year, Greyhawk sound like a band to keep in mind with great clear vocals which along with heavy metal riffs make for some memorable EPIC tracks like "Frozen Star" and "Keepers of the Flame". Definitely worth a listen for all those true heavy metal fans!
Another year, another great release from Roine Stolt and company this time around, just one short year after the release of the excellent Waiting for Miracles! While not as masterful as its predecessor, Islands manages to be another highly enjoyable release in the long list of beautifully crafted albums by one of the most consistently good prog rock acts out there. Highlights of the record include the single "Broken" and "Tangerine" which interweaves the vocals of Hasse Fröberg with those of Stolt in a truly magical vocal interplay worthy of any previous release of the band!
And in number one, we could have none other than Grand Magus, the heavy metal Swedes who throughout the years have never ceased releasing albums which are instant classics while gradually evolving from their doom/stoner origins to a more and more EPIC sound (check out Top 2012, 2014, 2016 and the Best of Epic metal!!!). In another solid release, the Wolf God starts off with an amazing acoustic track accompanied by a folky cello, while "Gold and Glory, sets the mood in an album that it gets really hard to pick a favourite song. From heavy and more slow-paced tracks like "To Live and to Die in Solitude" and "Glory to the Brave" to amazingly melodic and catchy songs like "Brother of the Storm" and "
Dawn of Fire" the record doesn't slow down with the small exception of filler track "Spear Thrower", which nevertheless is catchy as fuck. There are also tracks like the "Wolf God" and "He Sent Them All to Hell" that have that extra layer of HEAVINESS that has become a distinct feature of the band that flawlessly fit in creating the most enjoyable 2019 release! As always, the album is made unique and memorable thanks to the awesome JB, who provides both lead vocals and guitars (both on studio and in live shows)! The album and, the band in general, are perfectly summarised in the final track "Untamed", where we can sing along with JB:
From the north
Now hear us roar
From the north
Now hear our call
98.5/100
Below are the official music videos for the songs "Untamed", "Wolf God" and "Brother of the Storm".
Twisted Tower Dire - Wars in the Unknown (No Remorse Records)
It might have been a while since we last heard from the US heavy/power metallers Twisted Tower Dire but they have not lost their magic touch! With Jonny Aune taking over the lead vocals (since the 2011 Make It Dark) the album blasts its way in with "The Thundering" and its uplifting attitude. There are a lot of melodic additions including "True North" and the memorable "Tear You Apart" which are a great change from the more rough/heavy sounds. "Light the Swords on Fire" is without a doubt that one of the album's highlights and the catchiest track that make you think: "what can they do to top this up?", but the you listen to the "And the Sharks Came Then" which has some of the best guitar riffs in the mid-song interlude and you can hear that Twisted Tower Dire know what their doing when it comes to heavy metal! The album is full of surprises with different tones and styles, with examples like "A Howl in the Wind" which slows down the rhythm while succeeding in creating a more epic vibe with its awesome chorus! The final track "These Ghosts Can Never Leave" is the perfect heavy/power ending to a great release worthy of 2019's Top Tier Albums!
96.2/100
Below are the lyric videos for the songs "True North" and "Light the Swords on Fire".
Atlantean Kodex -The Course of the Empire (Ván Records)
Atlantean Kodex know the secret of Epic Heavy metal and their 3rd full length album adds an EPIC touch to the top and 2019 overall. Their first 2010 release, The Golden Bough, previously seen in the Best of Epic Metal Top, showed that they have the potential for great things from the beginning! The Course of the Empire shines from the amazing intro "The Alpha and the Occident" which transitions into the awesome 9-minute journey that is "People of the Moon", the album is packed with HEAVY guitar riffs, great drumming and interesting clear vocals with a touch of roughness that is exactly what is needed for this epic ride through history! There are different changes across the record between symphonic heaviness (like in "Chariots") and doom gloominess (which can be heard in "A Secret Byzantium") without losing in epicness with some tracks bringing memories of Bathory. When even the shorter transition tracks like the slow-paced "The Innermost Light" and the eerie "Spell of the Western Sea" are that EPIC it is hard to choose a highlight from the album, though the melodic "He Who Walks Behind the Years" with its melancholic vibe would be a worthy candidate. Finally, the massive "The Course of Empire" perfectly compliments the epic intro with its amazing mid-song changes with the 6minute mark being made for sing-alongs! This a solid 1-hour release in the age of barely 40minute heavy metal albums which does not drag out but instead each track adds something different making this worthy of the 6 year wait!
95.6/100
Below is the official video for the song "People Of The Moon (Dawn Of Creation)".
Risen Prophecy - Voices from the Dust (Metal on Metal Records)
Risen Prophecy have risen from the English countryside and have mastered an interesting blend between rough heavy metal tunes and true touches of epicness that makes them sound unique and memorable. They have evolved their sound across their three releases while developing their own musical identity. Masterful melodic guitar riffs are blended with rough but at the same time clear vocals by the lead vocalist (Dan Tyrens) who captures the attention with his performance at every track by mixing singing with epic narration. From heavier and slow-paced tracks like the menacing "The Waters" oozing a Manowar-like feeling of grandiosity and "The Ancient Curse" with its EPIC Bathory-like intro to the more quick-paced and theatrical "The Tower in Shinar" with its blasting drumming & guitar interludes, the band keeps surprising the listener without hesitating to shift between styles and speed! The best example of their true heavy metal sound is the memorable "The Eye of Hades" which has an awesome chorus daring to focus primarily on clear vocals. The band has further added a
couple of breathers in the form of instrumental interludes which despite
being short, succeed in binding together all the tracks from the
simple/quick-paced ones to the more grandiose epics, like the incredible magnum opus "Voices from the Dust", which breaks the ten minute mark! Risen Prophecy are one of those bands that are worthy representatives of real heavy metal music that fans are always on the lookout for!
95.4/100
Below is the audio track for the song "The Eye of Hades".
Now that we are slowly moving into autumn, Monasterium's second full length album fits with the weather and the mood due to its gloomy doom sound. The Polish epic doometallers who also graced our 2010s Top Doom Metal albums are back having stepped up from their debut album and they do not shy away with the first track "Church of Bones"
showcasing that they know how to play traditional doom metal with a touch of Messiah-era Candlemass thanks to the lead singer's (Michał Strzeleck) clear and theatrical/operatic vocals! The doomy awesomeness is continued throughout the record with high pitched vocals and memorable guitar riffs in the imposing "La Danse Macabre" and an amazingly catchy chorus in the melodic "Liber Loagaet". But do not fear! The second part of the album does not lose momentum and is equally heavy and epic both lyrically and musically with the most shining example of an instant classic doom metal song being "The Order of the Dragon" which is another EPIC highlight of the album for all band members (though the lead singer tends to outshine them following in the steps of Messiah Marcolin). Wrapping up the album, "The Last Templar" with its narration around the Crusades (and the struggle between Grand Master of the Knights Templar Jacques De Molay and King Philip IV) is last but not least as it is packed with amazing riffs, a catchy sing-along chorus leaving the listener wondering when they are planning to release their next album! Overall, Monasterium succeed in mixing the classy epic doom sounds which create an eerie atmosphere with interesting lyrical themes including stories about the knights templar, magic and ancient Greece, differentiating themselves from stock Candlemass-copy bands and leaving their epic/heavy mark in the doom scene!
94.85/100
Below is the official lyric video for the song "The Last Templar".
Going to number 25 of the best albums of 2019, we have the seventh outing from Swedish Doomsters Isole, aptly named "Dystopia". Previously featured in the best Doom & Epic albums of the past decade with Dystopia's predecessor The Calm Hunter, their newest effort might be their tightest release yet. Through the past 15 years and 7 albums, Isole have evolved their sound while succeeding in creating an epic atmosphere. Daniel Bryntse's clear and sorrowful vocals play an important role in conjuring the perfect doom feeling throughout the album. The opening track, "Beyond the Horizon" has a memorable chorus both lyrically and melodically, though it doesn't take long for the album to take a heavier turn, with songs like "The Beholder" and its "oriental-like" riffs, the interesting addition of rough brutal vocals blending with the menacing chimes of bells in "You Went Away" or the darker "Galenskapens land" telling the eerie tale of the land of madness in Swedish. In "Dystopia", dark undertones of heavy doom guitars dominate all the songs blending with lyrical themes that take the listener on a journey through tales of sorrow and loss!
94.1/100
Below is the official video for "Beyond the Horizon"
It is indeed rare to meet new bands that have something new to offer to traditional heavy metal forms. Especially when a new band attempts to blend genres it is often the norm that the end result sounds more as a vomit-inducing thought experiment and less like real music. However Axxios in their debut release offer a blend of traditional/power metal with black metal that transcends the boundaries of thought experiment and goes into the territory of pioneering new ground for metal while at the same time churning out some unforgettable music! The band members are not well-known musicians with decades of experience but young upstarts with their eyes burning aiming to set ablaze current music trends! Dan Baggarly(vocals) does an excellent job of balancing melodic elegies with guttural growls, while Dave Matthews and TJ Fernandez (guitars) provide back-up with a never-ending stream of killer riffing. This is a unique hidden gem among last year's releases!
94/100
Below is the audio track for "Conquests of the Insatiable". If you enjoy the band, consider supporting them in their Bandcamp page!
Sanhedrin have released their second full-length album in 2019 and succeed in showing how female vocals can truly elevate a traditional heavy metal record. Straight from the first track, "Meditation (All My Gods Are Gone)", you can hear the awesomely galloping guitars by Jeremy Sosville which fit perfectly with the rough but crystal clear vocals of lead singer Erica Stolz. There are also some tracks like "For the Wicked" that are more quick-paced & heavily drum-based adding a more gritty & old-school sound. However, the songs that will get you hooked from the first to the last riff are definitely the groovy "Wind on the Storm" and the catchy "Saints and Sinners"! "In from the Outside" is a worthy epic closer (clocking at about 7 minutes) that wraps up the album with some great Maiden-like tunes and craftsmanship. Overall, "The Poisoner" combines old-school sounds with a unique voice, with the band creating their own unique soundscape and overcoming its (also very interesting) predecessor, A Funeral for the World. A great and unique record that combines the old and the new, setting a new benchmark by which new "old school" heavy metal releases should be judged!
92.9/100
Below is the audio for the song "Meditation (All My Gods Are Gone)".
15. My Dying Bride - A Map of all failures (Peaceville Records - 2012)
Gothic/Depressing doom legends My Dying Bride were less active this decade, releasing only 2 "real" full-length albums, due to a number of personal misfortunes. However, one can still hear the already familiar desperation in "A Map of our Failures" and plunge into the depths of depression and exasperation that only My Dying Bride are capable of producing. Their other release "Feel The Misery" is also recommended, however "A Map of All our Failures" epitomises what My Dying Bride are and therefore is an essential release for anyone enjoying a brooding dark night.
Doom's Day prove that the past couple of years have given us some awesome doom albums that are worthy of this list. Their 2019 record adds a rough edge in the classic doom metal tunes. DooM's lead vocals definitely fit with the edgy vibe with "Kill the priest" having one of the catchiest and memorable choruses of this year that you are bound to get stuck in your mind for a while! The Canadian band has something to say with their fourth album and it is definitely worth listening to their message!
13. Cruthu - The Angle of Eternity (The Church Within Records - 2017)
Cruthu, meaning creation in Gaelic, may sound like a classic 70s doom metal band butthey only formed in 2014 and have released one album, "The Angle of Eternity", that showcases a classic heavy doom sound fitting for our list. From the first gloomy guitar riff and the sound of clear and majestic vocals (Ryan Evans) you feel the chills and haunting vibe which perfectly displayed in the mesmerising "Lady in the Water" and the groovier "Seance" with one of the catchiest guitar riffs in this list! An instant doom metal classic record!
12. Venomous Maximus - No Warning (Shadow Kingdom Records - 2017)
Venomous Maximus have an eerie vibe that is achieved through both haunting and imposing vocals and dark and groovy acoustic & electric guitar riffs. The heavy/doom metallers from Texas also succeed in blending their sound with an epic feeling with "Pray For Me" being the perfect example! They seem to have found the secret into mixing rough sounds with a dramatic sound/attitude and some melodic accoustic twists!
11. Revelations - Gatekeeper (Sliptrick Records - 2017)
Revelations who have previously graced our 2017 top and our Best of epic metal top, are also definitely worth a spot in the best doom metal albums of the decade. The Swedish band have created the perfect blend of NWOBHM and classic doom metal tunes without missing on the melodic aspect of heavy metal or the darker vibe of early Sabbath-like eeriness.
Reaching the top 10, the psychedelic doomsters from Sweden with album Legend (see 2012 top) are here to add a psychedelic hard rock twist to the classic doom sound with a lot of memorable tracks like "It's Not Because of You". The change in the band's line-up following the release of their previous album, Alchemist gave them a breath of fresh sound and ideas which can be heard in this album, making Legend stand out!
9. Solstice - White Horse Hill (Dark Descent Records - 2018)
Solstice are an amazing UK-based epic doom metal band with a history spanning back to the summer solstice of 1990 and a long list of changes in their active band members. This hasn't stopped them from creating and releasingsome awesomely epic metal that deservedly gained them a place on this list. The album oozes epicness with the songs like the titular "White Horse Hill" showcasing epic & sorrowful vocals and monumental tunes that combine galloping drums with a pinch of the Primordial sound and along with a folk/ accoustic element.
8. Cathedral - The Guessing Game (Nuclear Blast - 2010)
Cathedral always felt like an experimental band, and this, their penultimate album (their final output "The Last Spire", was essentially a compilation drawing elements from all their previous albums) is where things got too experimental for some. Fusing classic doom elements with psychedelic prog and using vocal lines that were edging on recitation, this album is truly a weird one. But give it time and slowly but surely, the pure British non-sense of this album will start winning you over. Highlights of the record include "Funeral of Dreams" and "Journeys into Jade".
7. Iron Void - Excalibur (Shadow Kingdom Records - 2018)
Further up, we find Iron Void who realised an awesome album in 2018, about the legend of Excalibur. The record is packed with a mixture of heavy slow-paced and melodic NWOBHM riffs that are balanced by rough strong vocals giving every song an EPIC feeling! The most complex and intriguing song is the imposing "The Death of Arthur" which is an amazing example of epic doom song-writing that narrates the equally fitting theme of the demise of the King Arthur.
What can be said about Below who have managed to sneak both into our 2017 top and our Best of epic metal list? Upon a Pale Horse is definitely worth the merit and you can hear straight from the beginning of the album with the epic doom "The Plague Within" that this will be a memorable and unique journey into doom.
5. Angel of Damnation - Heathen Witchcraft (Shadow Kingdom Records - 2018)
Reaching the top 5, there is another 2018 epic doom release by Angel of Damnation that stands out for the awesomely epic vocals by Gerrit P. Mutz (ex-Battleroar), reminiscent of Messiah-era Candlemass. The album's slow menacing riffs are complemented with crystal clear vocals, though the most memorable song is without a doubt the final track, "Tear off the Veil off the Sun" that adds an epic Manilla Road vibe!
4. Baroness - Yellow and Green (Relapse Records - 2012)
Baroness released their heavy & psychedelic Yellow and Green during a challenging year (for more info see our 2012 top entry) but have nevertheless succeeded in creating another unique-sounding record which is packed with an interesting blend of different musical themes, while incorporating psychedelic and melodic vibes. Definitely worth a listen especially for those looking for something that is not strictly confined to doom metal and doesn't hesitate to sound different.
3. Krux - III He Who Sleeps among the Stars (GMR Music Group - 2011)
Armed with one of the most memorable and catchiest choruses ever heard in their 2011 album "He Who Sleeps among the Stars", Krux show the world how classic doom metal should really sound like! If you haven't heard this album yet, you are probably missing out on one of the best outputs of Leif Edling this side of the millennium.
2. Doomsword - The Eternal Battle (Dragonheart Records - 2011)
Italian epic doomsters Doomsword are certainly one of the most unique bands in the genre. This masterpiece of an album also made it to the top albums of its year and also into the best epic metal albums of the decade. There is still no updates on a successor album, but we hope that this is not the last we hear from Deathmaster and co.
1. Candlemass - Psalms for the Dead (Napalm Records - 2012)
When Candlemass released "Psalms for the Dead", it was supposed to be their last release. Thankfully, they recently reunited with original vocalist Johan Langquist and released another great album "The Door to Doom". However, upon internal deliberation in the team of the Blog, it was decided that Psalm for the Dead was, and still is the definitive doom metal album of the decade. The maturation of the symbiosis with Rob Lowe resulted in some of the best doom metal songs the band has written, including the groovy doom that is "The Sound of Dying Demons" and the soul-wrenching agony of "Black as Time". An immaculate release and a great number 1 DOOM metal album of the decade.
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".
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".
