0. "Album title" Band (Genre) [score out of 10]
description. Recommended tracks: (If any particularly stand out.)
1. Split "Retaliator"/"Vigilance" by Gatekeeper/Eternal Champion (Epic Metal) [10]
I’m only including the new material in the score for this album. So this is basically reviewed as 2 singles. Both songs “Retaliator” and “Angelus Noctium” are incredible songs and have me very excited for a full length album from each of the bands.“Retaliator” sounds like a mix of Manilla Road, and Sacred Blade/Othyrworld. And “Angelus Noctium” sounds like a more straightforward Atlantean Kodex song.
2. "Opus" by Adramelch (Progressive Metal) [10]
I almost didn’t pick this one up because nothing jumped out at me when I previewed some of the tracks on YouTube. But when I actually sat down and listened to the full album I realized what an incredibly well crafted album this was. An awesome goodbye from an amazing band. Given they broke up for 17 years after the release of their first album I wouldn’t be surprised if they resurfaced again someday. At least I hope they will.
3. "Ithaca" by Dark Quarterer (Progressive Metal) [9]
This is the first Dark Quarterer album I have listened to and I really need to check out more of their stuff soon. The music is great and Gianni Nepi has a very unusual voice. The best way I can describe his voice is how I would imagine Sterling Holloway would sound if he tried to sing power metal.I wanted to give this album a 10 but I didn’t because “Rage of The Gods" wasn’t as strong as the rest of the album and the final track just felt like filler.
Recommended Tracks: "Night Song", and "Escape".
4. "The Boats of the Glen Carrig" by Ahab (Funeral Doom Metal) [9]
Funeral doom metal tends to be a genre that is fairly easy to pull off, but very difficult to make a truly outstanding song . While most of the tracks on this album are very good the one that truly stands out is “The Weedmen”. It’s a monstrous song with pats of the lyrics written as if someone recounting a horrific event. The whole song builds up to one of the best climaxes I’ve heard in a funeral doom song.
5. "Retributive Justice" by Gotsu Totsu Kotsu (Death Metal) [9]
I tend to be very particular when it comes to death metal and most of what I come across I tend to find very boring. But Gotsu Totsu Kotsu is one of the most inspired sounding death metal bands I’ve heard in a long time. Overall a very fun album with awesome guitar solos and crazy slap bass throughout. My only complaint would be that a few of the tracks sound sort of similar in the music and vocal patterns, I can’t comment on the lyrics since I don’t speak Japanese.
6. "Vessel" by Trial (Heavy Metal) [9]
Album has a fairly unique and haunting sound that’s difficult to describe.
Recommended Tracks: "To New Ends", "Through Bewilderment", and "Restless Blood".
7. "Spillage" by Spillage (Heavy/Doom Metal) [8]
Overall a very good debut but a bit front loaded after "The Road" the rest of the album just isn't as strong.
Recommended Tracks: "The Darkness", "Live in Fear" "The Road"
8. "Obsidian Dreams" by Mark Shelton (Folk Rock) [8]
Preferred this one over the new Manilla Road album; I tend to prefer the slower songs on their newer albums as they seem to work better for Mark Sheltons voice in the state that it’s in. As worn as it is he still has a magic voice, and while Bryan Patrick is an acceptable replacement live on the studio albums he just doesn’t hold up. So an album full of ballads sung by Mark Shelton is great.
Recommended Tracks: "Falling Off The World", "Love Is Cruel", and "Tree Of Life"
9. "The History of Genesis" by Jupiter (Neoclassical Power Metal)[8]
There’s a bit of variety on this album; for example the third track is a melodic death metal song. Most of the tracks are good. A few tracks aren’t that strong and some I just didn’t like because of personal taste.
Recommended Tracks: "The Birth of Venus", "Darkness", Track 9, and "The History of Genesis"
10. "Shadows" by Valkyrie (Heavy/Doom Metal) [8]
It’s a good album but I preferred “Man of Two Visions”. This album sounded more like their self titled.
11. "Fantasy Empire" by Lightning Bolt (Noise Rock) [8]
I have know about Lightning Bolt for many years but never purchased any of their albums. So upon seeing they had a new album out and previewing “The Metal East” on YouTube I decided to pick this one up. Overall a good album but a few tracks get kind of dull in parts.
Recommended Tracks: "The Metal East", "Horsepower", and "Dream Genie".
12. "Autumn Eternal" by Panopticon (Post Black Metal) [8]
I like it better then the last one but it isn’t nearly as good as “Kentucky”.
Recommended Tracks: "Into the North Woods", "Autumn Eternal", and "The Winds Farewell".
13. "ExtermiNation" by Raven (Heavy Metal) [8]
Actually just found out about Raven last year when I saw them play a show with Manilla Road. Was really impressed with them so I pre-ordered this album through their kickstarter campaign. Overall very satisfied with my decision.
14. "The Revenant King" by Visigoth (Epic/Heavy Metal) [7]
Not a bad debut but some of the tacks are kind of tired sounding . And at times Jake Rogers vocal delivery is kind of boring; this especially shows on their Manilla Road cover.
Recommended Tracks: The Revenant King, Dungeon Master, and "From the Arcane Mists of Prophecy".
15. "Second Storm" by Lancer (Power Metal) [7]
It’s a good album but felt front loaded, the album starts with its best track and then the last 3 tracks just felt like filler. Was also hoping for a song as whimsical as “Mr. Starlight” off the last album. Would still recommend this album to fans of Iron Maiden and early Helloween.
Recommended Tracks: "Running from the Tyrant", "Iwo Jima", and "Children of the Storm".
16. “Beyond the Red Mirror” Blind Guardian (Symphonic Power Metal) [7]
I don’t usually make a big deal about production but it does hurt this album and there are a few tracks on it that are dull and annoying. Some of the more outstanding tracks save it though.
Recommended Tracks: “The Ninth Wave”, “Ashes of Eternity”, and “Distant Memories”.
17. "Paranoia" by Aktor (Hard Rock/Heavy Metal) [7]
Has a unique sounds that’s new yet somewhat familiar. Unfortunately a lot of the album just doesn’t seem to hold up. It feels like a bunch of good ideas that just didn’t meet their full potential.
Recommended Tracks: "Devil and Doctor", "Too Young to Die", and "Six Silver Suns"
18. “The Blessed Curse” by Manilla Road (Epic Metal) [7]
Really couldn’t get into this one, overall felt it was a step down from Mysterium.
Recommended Tracks: "The Blessed Curse", "Falling", "Life Goes On",and "All Hallows Eve".
19. "EP2: Hammer of Botany" by Botanist (Post Black Metal) [6]
Nothing really grabbed me on this one, it all felt to similar to past Botanist albums.
20. "Decadent" by U.D.O. (Heavy Metal) [6]
Has a few good songs and a lot of mediocre ones that are quite forgettable.
Recommended Tracks: "Speeder", "Pain", and "Under Your Skin".
21. "Motel of Infinity" by Leeches of Lore (Experimental) [6]
I was really disappointed in this one. The whole album felt underdeveloped. There was good ideas scattered throughout the album but ultimately the tracks all felt like jam sessions and test tracks. Hope they return to the kind of material they wrote for "Frenzy, Ecstasy" on their next album.
22. "Prometheus, Symphonia Ignis Divinus" by Luca Turilli's Rhapsody (Symphonic Power Metal) [5]
Boring pretentious tripe, that’s all I really have to say about this one. And usually I really like Luca Turilli's work but this was just dull. When viewing the lyric video for “Prometheus” with all that science fiction gibberish, I really thought it was just teaser for better things to come. I did not expect it to be a highlight of the album.
