5) Goatwhore, Vengeful Ascension 

America’s hardest working metal band worked even hard this year to create a masterful record and tour in nearly every major city in America at least once.

Suggested  track: “Forsaken” 

4) Belphegor, Totenritual 

This record features some of Belphegor’s most mature songwriting. It’s not just pure blast beats and furious riffing here, rather some really nice layering, original drum work and a bit of experimentation with the vocals. It takes a few listens, but its undoubtedly a grower and the band gives us a complete work that demonstrates that this band is actually much more than you may have thought it was.

Suggested track: “Baphomet” 

3) Taak, Kong Vinter 

Bergen, Norway’s Taake shows us that even after seven studio records and countless singles and EPs, there is so much more to discover. Hoest shows us that he can compose prog just as well as anyone but with more bite and greater unpredictability.

Suggested track: “Inntrenger” 

2) Morbid Angel, Kingdoms Disdained

“D.E.A.D.” is the best death metal song recorded this year. Period. But wait, there’s more! Morbid Angel shows us that they can come back from 2011’s foray into confusion with a solid, down to earth, angry death metal album. If you thought Morbid Angel was finished and is now a mere relic of death metal’s former glory, Kingdom’s Disdained demonstrates that they glory is actually happening now.

Suggested track “D.E.A.D.” 

1) Enslaved E (Nuclear Blast)

I can’t think of a record I’ve listened to more times this past year than E. For years I’ve thought that Enslaved is the greatest live metal band out there today. After listening to E I’ve come to the conclusion that Enslaved is probably the greatest metal band out there today.

Suggested Track” The River’s Mouth”

 
morbid angel deade Mentions:

Overkill Mean Green Killing Machine

Dying Fetus Wrong One to Fuck With

Sarke Viige Urh

Danzig Black Laden Crown