Well, if you know, you know. Overkill are probably the best and most consistent thrash band out in the USA, and god damn, are they showing it on Wings of War. Their last album was NOT near their finest hour, but trust me, as soon as Last Man Standing starts playing, you get what you came in for. A great industrial intro and a ripping riff are exactly what you'll get for the next 50 minutes, times a hundred. The album is full of highlights just like that.
If you remember Nocturnus and their legendary album The Key, you're in luck because Mike Browning remembers as well. 19 years after their most famous death metal declaration, he continues the concept with his new band, during 50 minutes of some of the most authentic technical death metal you'll hear this millennium, made like momma used to make it in the 90s. Maybe this record isn't as revolutionary as The Key was back then, but you can feel the hunger these guys have for making new music, and I can't wait to hear what they put out next.
Best song: Precession of the Equinoxes
Nocturnus AD - Paradox
#6. Devourment - Obscene Majesty
Look, I have a really big problem with the boys at Devourment. Last year, when some asshole made a video about the death of slam via the MeAn, bIg deathcore revolution in the genre, Devourment also shared that and expressed their approval. If you invented a genre, why in the FUCK would you choose to gatekeep who's allowed to play it? Just because the new album's good, it doesn't mean I'm happy with the boys. Actually, I was so biased against them I didn't even like the record at first, and the constant high praise from others didn't help. However, as soon as some smart guy said that the damn record sounds like an Incantation album, the thing clicked. Suddenly I was all over this damn thing, and it hasn't stopped yet. Incantation saved yet another thing, in my eyes.
Best song: Sculpted in Tyranny
Devourment - Obscene Majesty
#7. Батюшка - Панихида
I know Batushka is a joke and a meme at this point, with a thousand different humorous incarnations (my favorite being the mighty BatUWUshka), but this doesn't change that Панихида (Panihida) is a glorious statement of atmosphere, songwriting and black metal riffing. I'd say this proves Krzysztof Drabikowski was the real mastermind behind the original band, but this was pretty obvious from the start. I also don't think the new Faketushka album Hospodi is the worst thing it the world, far from it, it's pretty fun and the atmosphere is still well used. However, it simply doesn't hold a candle to the 8 songs on this monster.
Best song: Песнь 3
Батюшка - Панихида
#8. Exhumed - Horror
Exhumed are cooler than you. They are probably one of the most lovable groups in all of death metal and goregrind. Last time they were around, we saw them killing it with a Schuldinery melodic death metal opera, taking on the vicious grave robbers in 19th century London. This time, the boys are back in business and on their familial turf too! With a self-built studio and almost 30 minutes of vicious grindcore and death metal smoothie, this is a real success story. Songs end quickly, but my absolute enjoyment of this album still lasts. It won't change your life and it probably won't whisper the secret of life in your ear while the boys are blasting some sick riffs, but god damn is it a nasty piece of deathgrind.
Best song: Rabid
Exhumed - Horror
#9. Vitriol - To Bathe From The Throat Of Cowardice
This record is unbelievably heavy. I know it's technically tech death, but the atmosphere is so incredibly oppressive and the riffs are so punishing... non-stop. I might complain about the length of this record, but this band is just so savage, so unapologetic, that I think it would be useless to say anything. Can't forget how menacing some of these song titles sound. The Parting of a Neck? What the fuck? And not to forget my favorite track off this album, namedropped below. Bow before the merciless attack of Vitriol.
Best song: The Rope Calls You Brother
Vitriol - To Bathe From The Throat Of Cowardice
#10. Paganizer - The Tower of the Morbid
Rogga Johansson is a god damn underground Swedish hero! Counting the incredible number of projects this guy is involved in surpasses high school math, no joke. What's also unbelievable is that most of them are great, but honestly, none made an impression as strong as Paganizer this year. The artwork is stunning, courtesy of the unmatched and iconic Dan Seagrave, the riffs are fast and unforgiving and the atmosphere is heavy and suffocating. This is such a fun and enjoyable album, it's no wonder Paganizer also made one of my favorite 2017 swe-death albums, these guys are just among the most talented in the scene right now.
Best song: Rot Spreads
Paganizer - The Tower of the Morbid
#11. Wolfbrigade - The Enemy Reality
This record came out late in the year and still made an incredible impression on me. These guys simply know how to have fun while playing some ripping crust punk and D-Beat. Their song are exactly what you would hear in your head if you pictured a mosh pit in a dirty forgotten punk club out in the middle of wherever. I don't even know what more to say, other than no matter how little of an energetic person you might be, you'll catch yourself headbanging by yourself to this damn album.
Best song: Human Beast
Wolfbrigade - The Enemy Reality
#12. Human Menu - Cannabinoid Fermented Human Mutations
I have a soft spot for a band like Human Menu, because it perfectly reflects the current golden age of underground music we are living in. These are just two guys that probably love slam more than anything and they obviously show this with their two albums this year. They are now a part of Midwest Brutality and are currently in the middle of a violent takeover of this scene by sheer hard work and dedication. Their slams are also forceful as fuck, so do yourself a favor and start following these guys if you want to be up to date with the latest stars.
Best song: Charred Cadaver
Human Menu - Cannabinoid Fermented Human Mutations
#13. To The Grave - Global Warning
Out of all the more traditional deathcore albums this year, this is the one I feel like I'll be remembering for longer. These guys are new around here and this is their first record, and it's very similar to what you'll be expecting.The difference with these boys is that they are extremely vicious and don't always present the same cliches and trappings this genre usually brings. All in all, I can't say THAT much about To The Grave, but they are an extremely violent deathcore band and their song titles are really great.
Best song: Ecocide
To The Grave - Global Warning
#14. Pathology - Reborn to Kill
Pathology are clearly one of my favorite slam bands out there, along with Kraanium and Gorepot. Their simplistic style, rhythmic vocals and melodic sensibilities make them unique in the scene and a great introduction to slam for anyone that's curious. Mine was their self-titled album, which came out in the summer of 2017 and changed the course of my musical journey. Now, Matti Way is out as a vocalist and the great Obie Flett is in. What more can I say? The riffs are fresh and the whole album is refreshing in this saturated scene.
Best song: The Beast Within
Pathology - Reborn to Kill
#15. Mayhem - Daemon
We're all on the same page that Mayhem is the best black metal band, right? I mean, name any band as prolific as them who changed their style so many times and painted the genre they helped create from so many different perspectives across their career. Last time, they were creating somber occult anthems on Esoteric Warfare, which is still among their best albums. After a couple of years of paying their bills off De Misteriis, they came back and presented hell in 50 minutes of ripping black metal, a perfect companion to their classic all those years ago. Attila is still the perfect Mayhem vocalist, with his whining shrieks and chanting vocals. Mayhem never disappoints, in my opinion.
Best song: Daemon Spawn
Mayhem - Daemon
#16. half·alive - Now, Not Yet
This album is just so cute and enjoyable, optimistic and fun, well sung and joyous, that I can't help but hopelessly love it. These guys are a young indie pop group from California and this sweet record was recorded across multiple Airbnbs, after the lead singer was challenged to write 50 songs. The ones on Now, Not Yet are incredible and fun, reminding me of my darlings at Saint Motel and making for one of my go-to records of 2019. There is a clear focus on creative songwriting, which makes this a great foray into something different for any metal fan.
Best song: TrusT
half·alive - Now, Not Yet
#17. Darkthrone - Old Star
I mean, what can you say about Darkthrone that hasn't been said yet? They are clearly one of the best bands in all of metal. Their early black metal albums are classics, their crust punk phase is a lot of fun and now they keep putting out incredible music. Their slow, methodical riffs are absolutely great, establishing a bleak atmosphere that's drenched in blackened spirit. The vocals, oh boy, I can hardly recall a time in the band's history when they've been better. This one, again, won't change you world or make you want to start burning churches in the wild, but it sure did make me want to include more slower riffs in the music I'm working on these days. Can't forget to mention that the artwork is just so well done...
Best song: The Key is Inside the Wall
Darkthrone - Old Star
#18. Rings of Saturn - Gidim
Did they steal some riffs? Maybe. Does THAT part of Mental Prolapse sound like the theme song of Game Theory? Absolutely. These iffy elements that are tied to Gidim don't manage to change my enjoyment of it. I'm not the biggest deathcore fan out there, but I can't deny that Rings of Saturn are unique in this scene and are making really interesting music and albums. Their alien themes and meme-savvy personas make them really likeable to me, that's why I don't really understand how they, and by "they" I mean Lucas Mann, manage to get in all sorts of troubles with the internet community. All in all, Gidim is great, fun, technical and a worthy record for this year.
Best song: The Husk
Rings of Saturn - Gidim
#19. Enbilulugugal - We Hope You Fvkken Hate It
These guys are probably the most challenging band on my list, but I fully encourage you to give tem a shot. Their style is simply named "Black Noise Armageddon" and that's pretty much self-explanatory. Sometimes they play black metal, sometimes noise, sometimes I don't even know how to describe it, but it's always apocalyptic. Also, their lyrics aren't really lyrics, just chaotic shrieks and pained yells. By all means, indulge in the mastery of Enbilulugugal, after you learn to type their name...
Best song: Lard of the NekrObese
Enbilulugugal - We Hope You Fvkken Hate It
#20. Rammstein - Rammstein
Trust me, I don't even like Rammstein. This time last year, I doubt I had ever listened to a full album from them, and if I had, that must have been in passing, because the idea of their self titled album didn't joy me at all. Now, after being drawn so often to this damn record, I can say that Rammstein (the album) is a marvel to listen to. It all started when I noticed how fucking catchy Radio is and my anticipation actually started to exist. Afterwards, it was love at first listen, this album is so great. Every song has something to pull me in or to make me want to listen to it again, even the tender ballad Diamant. The fact that the lyrics are in German, a language I'd be supposed to know by now (if you go by my school record, that is), only makes me enjoy this album more thanks to the variety.
Best song: Ausländer
Rammstein - Rammstein
#21. Whitechapel - The Valley
I have all the respect for these guys, I mean it. They have always been hunted by the shitty metal community and couldn't catch a break once they introduced Phil's clean vocals, yet still managed to release what I think is their best album in 2019. The songs on The Valley are emotional, personal and display a variety of emotions, having good riffs and diverse vocal styles from our man Phil. He has apparently suffered a lot at the hand of his family, and this topic is beautifully explored in this album, plus, it's always better than ole' Jack the Ripper.
Best song: When a Demon Defiles a Witch
Whitechapel - The Valley
#22. Violation Wound - Dying to Live, Living to Die
I know there's not really a lot of punk music on this list, but Violation Wound are here to solve that problem for good. In case you don't know, this is the great, great Chris Reifert's hardcore punk band, and they play it the old fashioned way, in an 18-track attack on your sensibilities. I have long said that Chris is one of the best vocalists out there (and listening again to The Headless Ritual these days has only strengthened that idea), but this beast is entirely different. I'm honestly shocked it didn't get more attention, and I'd love to see more death metal dudes try their hand at this kind of thing.
Best song: The Day Lemmy Died
Violation Wound - Dying to Live, Living to Die
#23. Sorcery - Necessary Excess of Violence
These guys are among my favorite Swedish death metal bands. They were one of the first bands to introduce me to this style and their post-reunion albums are incredible, the highlight being Arrival at Six, in 2013. Now, this album is a little longer than I usually take them, my ideal length being around half an hour, but this still is ripping, fast-paced, punk-drenched and morbid all the same. I really like the state this band is in right now, with 3 incredible and strong records released just in this decade, and I love having a reliable unit like Sorcery pushing out material for our listening pleasure.
Best song: I'll Be Gone in the Dark
Sorcery - Necessary Excess of Violence
#24. Rotten Feces - Vaginal Recreation
Not all of you may know about Rotten Feces, and that's a real shame. The boys play slamming brutal death metal, and best of all, they're right from my home country, Romania. I know these dudes personally and I'm endlessly impressed by the dedication and skill they have. They are so inspiring for me and I love seeing less popular genres like this bloom in my country's underground. This record is a perfect debut for such a band, and the only problem is that it didn't get the attention it deserved. I mean, I was expecting a damn storm! However, it seems that the typical Romanian metalhead is too busy listening to the 10th Negura Bunget ripoff or, I don't know, folk metal, to give Rotten Feces their share in the spotlight. I encourage everyone to check this out at on Bandcamp.
Best song: Purity Of Disfiguration
Rotten Feces - Vaginal Recreation
#25. Sabaton - The Great War
Now, don't bully me too hard for this one. I am not the biggest Sabaton fan, but most of the time it seems I love them more than most. I'm a fan of history, and I appreciate the surface level information about different things you get from this Swedish group. The songs are simple, but insanely catchy. I haven't been able to get the out of my head yet and I'm not even mad, the boys really put a lot of effort in this album. Add to this that I love WWI (sometimes even more than WWII), and that the artwork is incredible, and you've got one of my favorite albums of the year.
Best song: Seven Pillars of Wisdom
Sabaton - The Great War
Download Sabaton - The Great War
Well, we're now done with that. Next year, I'm very excited for a new Suffocation album, the new albums from Diphenylchloroarsine, Klysma and Abominable Putridity, the new Megadeth, the Gorepot remasters in February, and quietly hoping for new stuff from my darlings Cannibal Corpse and Morbid Angel. Merry Christmas! I'll see you soon.
