I Am the Intimidator is really cool except for that one song that kinda sounds like Ministry.

I wouldn't say that it's the best album this year so far, but it's definitely very fresh and enjoyable. It's such a nice melo black and crust mixture. I used to hate any punk in my metal but as time goes on I seem to enjoy it mixed in with every genre, like for example Turbocharged.

This is a strong contender for aoty for me so far, soul crushingly heavy with hauntingly beatuiful melodies and song. Depressing lyrics aswell

This one's been out since January, but damn does the debut album from Secrets hit hard. Towards the Nightside, especially considering the album title is a nod to Emperor, is probably the best symphonic black metal album I heard in a long while. Features members from Ars Hmu, Chaos Moon, and a few others.

https://amorfatiproductions.bandcamp.co ... -nightside

Dissonant black metal. Great.

https://nuclearwinterrecords.bandcamp.c ... f-oblivion

Another fine example of the Polish black metal scene. Second album by Czernina showing the weird side of the black along the likes of Odraza, Furia and others.

https://czernina.bandcamp.com/album/na- ... -usidlenia

Yes it is. This dude's previous record was already monstrous if short, but nonetheless impressive given it's a one man band (I believe).

It's such a wild concept that it finally grew on me.

Haven't noticed anyone mention these yet:

Toadliquor - Back in the Hole
https://toadliquorsl.bandcamp.com/album ... n-the-hole

An ancient sludge metal band making a comeback. Never heard their previous stuff but this is really good. Heavy as hell.

Writhen Hilt - Ancient Sword Cult
https://writhenhilt.bandcamp.com/album/ ... sword-cult

Best heavy metal I've heard all year. A bit doomy, a lot epic. Just an EP but all four songs are great.

Canadian space thrash should be appealing enough for most on the second album by Slave Agent. Silent Universe was released a couple of weeks ago. Great lead work and all-around great album.

https://slaveagent.bandcamp.com/album/silent-universe

Really interesting. Nice find.

Great shout, I love the weird Poland BM scene.

For the black/speed metal crowd, Demonslaught 666 - Endless Witchcraft is one I'm really liking.

https://demonslaught666.bandcamp.com/al ... witchcraft

heard a band on Liquid Metal this weekend called, O Zorn!. Song was called 'Slow Mood'. Great stuff.

had a very COC / AIC feel to it. Heavy, great vocals. Radio friendly but without the big radio friendly hooks that AIC had.

Verberis - The Apophatic Wilderness

For DsO fans who don't mind shameless rip-offs. And since it's better than the last DsO album, I also don't mind. Last track is a killer.

Today The Vision Bleak - Weird Tales has been released, their first in eigh years. It sounds The Vision Bleak and it is good. The entire album is a single work "that ebbs and flows" and requires more of your attention in a single sitting than other albums would. The transitions between parts are at times marvelously smooth.

Nimbifer just released their first album after a couple great demos. Raw yet melodic and medieval black metal

I am not all that familiar with the band's previous releases, but this is pretty good. Flows really well and at 40 minutes it's pretty easy listening. Thanks.

The new Tyr album that came out today is unbelievably good. One of the better albums in their already stellar, consistent discography.

https://tyrband.bandcamp.com/album/battle-ballads

The new Aborted is very good. These guys are nothing if not consistent.

New Benighted album Ekbom is a worthwhile listen, consistently engaging French grindcore.

Mallephyr deliver a great black/death album. Has some similarities to Blasphemer-era Mayhem, in fact, the riffs here and there sound very much like him. Given the added death metal elements, I thought this sounds like how Vltimas might sound if they got more adventurous and progressive with their songwriting.

Another soul for the cause, glad you like it! If you want some advice, check out Carpathia next. From there you into their entire discography.

Surprised no one's mentioned the new Replicant album yet. Easily one of the best dissonant death metal releases of this year. As technical as this gets there's also tons of groove.

Eh, I found it sounding completely uninspired and by the numbers. For me, easily the worst in a while.

You beat me to it, actually.

For some reason I don't thinks these guys get a lot of attention over here. This new one is excellent, as I expected it would be. For me, AOTY material, easily.

+1 for the new Replicant. I've sleepwalked through my first listen last night, but on a second listen now with fresh coffee-powered ears, it's a monster. This one is a keeper.

Also for the death/black crowd, new Heresiarch is out now. Quality crushing from New Zealand.

https://heresiarchofficial.bandcamp.com/album/edifice

Aequorea - Departure

Recommended for fans of post/doom metal. Not quite as good as the previous album, but still great. More doomy and less post than "Dim." First listen got me a bit confused but it grows on me on every listen.

Achelous - Tower of High Sorcery

5+ listens and I would say this is one of the best albums of the year so far. Truly epic and at times it sounds downright hypnotic. Great vocalist and the female vocals deliver exotic atmosphere and contrast. Everything is well thought out, well placed and executed perfectly.

I've been listening to this as well and totally agree.

I listened to it because of both of your reactions, and agree as well. Thanks for making some noise for them!

Best I've heard so far:

Blood Red Throne - Nonagon
Exhorder - Defectum Omnium
Master - Saints Dispelled
Necrophobic - In the Twilight Grey
Vulture- Sentinels

Le Clo​î​tre by Givre, atmospheric/post-black metal with a unique lyrical focus on female mystics and their divine inspiration through suffering. It's not groundbreaking but I've been listening to it a lot over the past few weeks. Something about it just resonates with me -- maybe the tight compositions and anguished-sounding vocals.

https://givremetal.bandcamp.com/album/le-clo-tre

This is pretty good, I'm liking it so far (third song in) and the concept is intriguing. Thanks.

New album of Hideous Divinity and Hour of Penance is fantastic and worthwhile.

The new Satanic North debut is incredible! Really brutal, great riffs. Possible AOTY contentder, but still early (only heard 2 times)

The debut album from Maryland death/thrash outfit Nuclear Tomb is really really great. Has an organic, old-school thrash vibe with death metal parts and killer songwriting that really gives the album a fresh sound.

Selbst - Despondency Chord Progressions
https://selbst.bandcamp.com/album/despo ... ogressions

Easily and by a good margin the best album I've heard this year.

Yeah, this is really good. I had no idea it was coming and now I'm kinda floored.

Maere's "...and the universe keeps silent" is also very much worthwhile for those into sweet, juicy, blackened dissonant death metal.

Both of these are good but Hideous Divinity is clearly superior, in my opinion.


I love dissonant death metal but I'm finding it harder to grab hold of this one. I'll keep trying.