3) Ghost, Meliora (Loma Vista)

Every year there’s at least one album that I listen to all the way through and then just restart once it ends. Meliora was that particular album in 2015. Ghost have only gotten stronger since their inception and this album hits a real sweet spot. It’s certainly the band’s heaviest yet, but it still carries the distinct “70’s-horror-movie-fog-machine” feel of previous efforts. And the songwriting is just amazing, with “Cirice” and album closer “Deus in Absentia” standing out at the top. This is the album Ghost fans are going to point to a decade or so from now and say “That one. That’s the one that did it for me.”

Key track: “Cirice”

2) Steven Wilson, Hand. Cannot. Erase. (Kscope)

It’s not metal per se, but no prog lover worth his/her salt should miss Steven Wilson’s latest triumph. On his fourth solo outing, Wilson pulls from all corners of his expansive musical career for an album full of joyful peaks (“Hand Cannot Erase”) and absolutely miserable valleys (“Routine”). As usual, Wilson’s production and vocals are stellar, making for a listening experience that’s easy to fall into fan or no. While Porcupine Tree fans might be clamoring for the band’s return, I’m perfectly content with Wilson continuing on solo with material of this caliber.

Key track: Hand Cannot Erase”

1) Ghost Bath, Moonlover (North Silence)

Way back in January, I spotted this album on a list of most anticipated metal of 2015. I listened to last year’s Funeral and knew it was more than worth keeping an ear out for its successor. When Moonlover was released and “Golden Number” played, I could feel a glorious sorrow grow within me. A tapestry of endless night woven with tears and darkness blanketed my mind’s eye. If that sounds unpleasant or disturbing, I promise you it isn’t. It’s just a journey, a real emotional journey that I haven’t experienced in a long time. With, Moonlover, Ghost Bath have created an absolutely devastating but beautiful melancholy.

Key track: “Death and the Maiden”

Honorable Mentions:

Enslaved, In Times (Nuclear Blast)
For over two decades, Enslaved have delivered one great album after the next, and In Times is no exception.

TesseracT, Polaris (Kscope)
While TesseracT’s latest isn’t quite as good as 2013’s Altered State, it’s still an enjoyable album and worth giving a spin.

Mutoid Man, Bleeder (Sargent House)
Crazy fast rocking fun. If that’s what you want, that’s what you’ll get on Bleeder.