2018 was another year of great metal releases with both the major acts and the underground sharing a piece of quality musical pie that metal fans ate up vigorously. We here at The Rockpit always enjoy the latest in the heavy music genre and were swamped with so many great bands, new and old that as always, made our top list difficult to compile. Here then is what we thought stood out and highly suggest checking out if you have not done so already.
1. Metal Allegiance – Volume II: Power Drunk Majesty
After the success of the first album, Metal Allegiance didn’t waste any time in getting back together to start work on the follow up which culminated in “Volume II: Power Drunk Majesty”. Led by the core 4 of legendary artists Dave Ellefson (Megadeth) Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater, The Winery Dogs, Sons Of Apollo) , Alex Skolnick (Testament) and Mark Menghi and featuring a who’s who of the metal elite, Metal Allegiance have once again showed the power of good music done in just the right way. [Review] [Interview with Dave Ellefson]
2. Burn The Priest (Lamb Of God) – Legion: XX
There isn’t a song on here that isn’t fun to listen to at some level. It’s the ultimate punk/crossover covers album in quite some time but done with some serious metal muscle, purists might see it as blasphemy but isn’t that always the case with genre specific groups? Whatever, go listen to this especially if you are a fan of both Lamb Of God and the bands covered. [Review]
3. Gama Bomb – Speed Between The Lines
Northern Irish thrashers Gama Bomb are back with their sixth album where speed, thrash, punk and metal all combine together in their now trademark sound that thrash metal fans love them for. All in all “Speed Between The Lines” is exactly what you would expect from the Irish thrash act. It’s fun, it’s catchy, it will get your head banging. It’s thrash metal at it’s best. [Review]
4. Thrashist Regime – Carnival Of Monsters
“Carnival Of Monsters” is truly like a circus act full of twists and turns and all contained within a tongue in cheek element of good old fashioned thrash metal. It’s a wonderfully fun album to listen to, in every way possible and while it’s not going smash the charts and break open new grounds in genre defining moments by any means, this is still a worthy chunk of metal to wrap your ears around. [Review]
5. Orange Goblin – The Wolf Bites Back
“The Wolf Bites Back” is a sign that the band aren’t ready to lay down just yet, instead showcasing how relevant their music still is. A great solid album by a band that hasn’t seem to have lost any soul or knack for putting out quality music. Stick this one in the to do pile if you haven’t got it yet, it’s well worth your time. [Review]
6. Hidden Intent – Fear Prey Demise
The Adelaide thrasher’s latest is a continuation of what’s becoming a trademark sound for the Aussie metallers who seem hell bent on breaking the market with their brand of thrash. If you are going to check out some new thrash metal this year, start with this one as it’s bound to give you some enjoyable listening sessions for some time. [Review]
7. SetYourSails – Enough
The sheer energy that this band exude is mesmerizing and refreshing, relying on pure musicality and attitude rather than than just noise and aggression, a trait that surprisingly is lacking in a lot of bands in this genre. This may be melodic hardcore at it’s best but it is so much more at the same time. [Review]
8. Corrosion Of Conformity – No Cross No Crown
“No Cross No Crown” is exactly what rock and metal needs right now, it will kick your ass and then some and will most definitely appease the hardcore COC fans out there that keep going back to those 90’s albums that delivered blow by blow punches but with a real album-like feel to it all. The fact that Pepper returns here is cherry on an already awesome bloody cake but there’s no denying what many will know after hearing this album, Corrosion Of Conformity are well and truly back! [Review] [Interview with Mike Dean]
9. Revocation – The Outer Ones
“The Outer Ones” is the continuing evolutionary step for Revocation and one that is going to keep fans on their toes and that is exactly the way it should be. Once again they push things forward in new directions and is a stark reminder why this band is one of the top acts in modern metal. [Review]
10. Alice In Chains – Rainier Fog
The new AIC album is a great blend of their trademark sound together with some newer elements that carefully treads lightly on the roots of the band’s core sound. Longtime fans will appreciate that and newcomers will wonder why they never picked up on Alice In Chains earlier, thumbs up for the new AIC record once again. [Review]
STIX PIX – ALTERNATIVE TOP METAL RELEASES
Our underground metal specialist Steve Monaghan curated this list of the extreme and beyond, many of which fly below the radar of many.
1. Leeched – You Took The Sun When You Left
2. Conan – Existential Void Guardian
3. Abysmal Torment – The Misanthrope
4. Monotheist – Scourge
5. The Lion’s Daughter – Future Cult
6. Dysmorphic – An Illusive Progress
7. Dali Thundering Concept – Savages
8. Frontierer – Unloved
9. Wolf King – Loyal To The Soil
10. Architects – Holy Hell
SHORT & HEAVY – TOP EP RELEASES
Extended Plays that didn’t make the albums list but come highly recommended!
1. Cryptopsy – The Book Of Suffering: Tome II
2. Murkocet – Epidemic [Review].
3. Bayview Suspect – Survival Or Ruin [Review].
4. 20 Watt Tombstone – Death Blues vs The Dirty Spliff [Review].
5. Massive Scar Era – Color Blind [Review].
SPOTIFY PLAYLIST
