MikesMusicBuffet

These lists seem to become more difficult to make with every year. 2015 had a lot of ups and downs in the metal world but one thing is for certain – it was a great year for music! I somehow managed to narrow down a large list down to 61 entries and further narrow it down to a top 20 albums, 11 EPs, and a boat load of runner ups in the buffet. So without further adieu, here are my favorite metal / prog / hardcore type releases from the year of our lorde 2015… Though the lorde may not approve. Bon appétit.

Top 20 Albums

20. Frontierer (dudes from Sectioned) – Orange Mathematics

Nothing can prepare you for this madness.

Links: Facebook // Bandcamp

19. Iron Maiden – The Book of Souls

Every year Eddie arrives is a better year.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes // Official Website

18. Gods Of Eden – Self-Titled

Left hook towards the end of 2015. Well played, Gods of Eden.

Links: Facebook // Official Website // Bandcamp

17. MISÞYRMING – Söngvar Elds Og Óreiðu

Exhilarating, terrifying, original Black Metal right here.

Links: Facebook // Official Website // Bandcamp

16. Nightwish – Endless Forms Most Beautiful

They’re back with their new and possibly best singer. This was an ambitious release gone right.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes // Merch

15. Gruesome – Savage Land

The best Death tribute band of all time.

Links: Facebook // Merch // Bandcamp

14. Rivers Of Nihil – Monarchy

Stronger than ever before.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes // Merch

13. MESTIS (Javier from Animals As Leaders) – Polysemy

The whale song is strong in this one.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // Official Store

12. Our Oceans (aka Exivious) – Self-Titled

Oh no. Emotions.

Links: Facebook // Official Website // Bandcamp // Merch

11. Veil Of Maya – Matriarch

So catchy it’s contagious.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // Official Website

10. WRVTH (formerly Wrath of Vesuvius) – Self-Titled

Damn! Looks like the name change was appropriate.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // Bandcamp // iTunes

9. Gorod – A Maze Of Recycled Creeds

Gorod does things with music that can’t be put into words.

Links: Facebook // Official Website // iTunes

8. Jakub Zytecki (from Disperse) – Wishful Lotus Proof

This man is a genius with a guitar in his hands. It shows.

Links: Facebook // YouTube // Physical Copy // Bandcamp

7. Cattle Decapitation – The Anthropocene Extinction

Absolutely brilliant and damn near relentless.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // Merch // YouTube // Metal Blade Records

6. TesseracT – Polaris

God level groooooovin’. Oh, and Dan Tompkins is back.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes // Merch

5. August Burns Red – Found in Far Away Places

These are The Circle Pit’s local champs. Nothing but love for ABR.

Links: Facebook // YouTube // Merch

4. Periphery – Juggernaut: Alpha & Omega

The infamous Juggernaut finally set foot. It was heard in kind.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

3. David Maxim Micic – EGO & ECO

These are what emotions sound like.

Links: Facebook // Bandcamp // iTunes

2. Agent Fresco – Destrier

One of the most creative bands I can think of. Period.

Links: Facebook // Official Website // Twitter // iTunes

1. Alkaloid – The Malkuth Grimoire

Some of my favorite musicians got together and made an albun. Roll Necrophagist, Obscura, Aborted, Spawn of Possession and Blotted Science up and smoke it. They didn’t lie when they claimed to be the world’s “most extreme prog metal band!”