2019 blew my mind with the albums that came out. I can say, for what crossed my path, I think there have been some of the best releases in over a decade. It's been so good that I've got to do some honorable mentions and take this list up to 13 with 3 bonus albums. I'll still put my top 10, but the bonus ones are albums that certainly would have made my top 10 any other year. It's just been so good. Anyway, here goes... In no particular order...
1. The Hu - The Gereg
Providing a heavy dose of traditional instruments, The Hu have released a metal album that sounds unique from anything I've ever heard. The closest thing I can think of is when Fintroll made some music with traditional instruments. Anyway, this one was long on the anticipation as the couple videos that came out last year were awesome. Well, the whole album delivered. The driving rhythms and riffs, with the chant like vocals, make for a mesmerizing package of intensity that even non metal heads can enjoy to the fullest. Favorite track: Yuve Yuve Yu
2. Claypool Lennon Delirium - South of Reality
I had a chance to see Les Claypool and Sean Lennon tour this year and it was an excellent experience. It has long been knowledge to me that Les can shred, however I was not aware that Sean also could shred... and shred he did. These two worked hard to create a psychedelic rock album different from anything either had created prior. It's synergy at it's best. Lennon's voice is reminiscent of his dad's and it's a welcome sound. Claypool's bass playing is as perfect and distinct as ever. And, Lennon's guitar playing is refreshing. The album is tightly constructed and as good as one could expect. Favorite track: South of Reality
3. Altin Gun - Gece
This album was a Bandcamp find for me, but I quickly proceeded to order the vinyl. From Amsterdam, Altin Gun have a multi cultural background that shows in their music. Many describe the band as "disco" but the stereotype of that genre doesn't do this album justice. It's got jazz and funk and rock, and a world music sound that is addictive. I had a chance to play a couple songs off this the final time I played records at Skip's CD World and was able to see how others appreciated this sound as much as I do. Favorite track: Vay Dunya
4. Devin Townsend - Empath
Devin Townsend can pretty much do it all and has. On Empath, I feel like he took all his different musical tastes and talents and combined them into one massive force of an album. It is immediately evident that he spent a ridiculous amount of time on this album making sure it was just right. What he created, I'm expecting to be doomed to forever be underrated, but that's okay. He made it. It's epic, metal, rock, jazz, experimental, and more. It's a lot of album and I found myself taking a week to digest it, repeatedly playing disc 1 in my car multiple times before being ready to move on to disc 2.
Favorite track: Genesis
5. Acid Mothers Temple and the Melting Paraiso UFO - Sacred and Inviolable Phase Shift
With so many albums out there under their belt, sometimes it's hard to imagine that Acid Mothers Temple could come up with something new and fresh, and exciting, and unexpected. This album has done that for me. Somehow it retains their signature sound, but it's a little more catchy and delicious. They have a new vocalist and I think he brings some fresh energy to the Melting Paraiso UFO. Whatever it is, I like it. This is another band I was fortunate enough to see this year and picked this vinyl up at the show. It's psychedelic weird stuff, listen to at your own risk. Favorite track: Astrological Rendezvous
6. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Infest the Rat's Nest
Well, they're back, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard... the most prolific band I can think of for recent years... has made another album that I simply can't get enough of. This is straight up metal, all the way. It still sound like them and has an undeniable Sci Fi theme that hits home for my tastes. Good riffs, a bit psychedelic, and jams that are done right. Metal doesn't get much better than this, folks.
Favorite track: Planet B
7. Omar Souleyman - Shlon
Admittedly, I know pretty much nothing about Syrian pop music, but I like this a lot. Shlon is an album I came across on Bandcamp and it was the beats that hooked me initially. But, the poetry and sound of the vocals kept me interested. The songs were more interesting and took twists and turns I'm not used to in the pop music I like or have heard, and it was a welcome change. So, I can't be sure of how this compares with other music in it's specific genre, but it sure sounds good to me. And there's these instrumental shreds that are darn good, enhancing the tracks. Favorite track: Shi Tridin
8. Gygax - High Fantasy
Somehow, three albums in, Gygax has continued to improve at an exponential rate. Wow. This album displays fantasy themed metal at its finest, bridging rock and metal. The solos and riffs match up nicely and the guitar work is the kind that might not be the most shredding in the world, but it is damn tasty. The lyrics and themes of the songwriting are excellent and a template for anybody who thinks they can write fantasy metal. Nice guitar tone, as well. Favorite track: Mage Lust
9. Blackwater Holylight - Veils of Winter
It has been a long while since I've heard doom that was interesting in a new way. Now Blackwater Holylight have released a gem of an album. I had the fortunate chance to see them open for Yob and Earthless, and they fit in well with the styles of those two bands. The blending of instruments, including the keyboard, along with solid vocals have made for something that stands out among others trying to play this kind of music well. Favorite track: The Protector
10. Riot City - Burn the Night
Definitely a throwback to 80's style metal, Burn The Night delivers on all accounts. These guys have studied the masters and then made the music their own. It's crisp and clean, and fast, and shredding with quality songwriting. Hitting the high notes! Favorite Track: 329
BONUS
11. The Black Keys - Let's Rock
I've been a Black Keys fan for a while now, but nothing has gripped my attention as hard as Brothers until this release. The songs stand out from each other more than on the past couple releases. The album has everything you'd come to expect from the Black Keys, that stoner blues tone with nice riffage, but it sure feels like they put a little extra TLC into this songwriting.
12. Haunt - If Icarus Could Fly
Haunt has been one of my favorite bands the past couple years, and I enjoy Beastmaker quite a bit, as well. They just do so much right when it comes to what I want out of metal. This album is really, really good. If I was going to have an issue with it, it's that it sounds a lot like Burst Into Flame. That isn't necessarily a bad thing (it's actually a good thing!), but it just didn't do anything extra for me. Still rock solid straight up metal and highly recommended.
13. Caustic Casanova - God How I Envy The Deaf
Caustic Casanova is another band that I look forward to hearing each release from. I never know what they're going to bring to the table. This is what you'd want from them, the rock/metal hybrid sound with good riffs and songwriting. Check it out.
Other releases I enjoyed greatly this year...
Saint Vitus - self titled (stoner doom rock metal)
Jon Pardi - Heartache Medication (pop country with lots of songs about drinking)
Iron Kingdom - On the Hunt (epic metal with an 80s sound)
Toxic Holocaust - Primal Future (thrash punk/metal with a sci fi theme)
Dark Throne - Old Star (less black metal, more just metal)
Sleater-Kinney - The Center Won't Hold (pop rock mixing the personal and political)
Willie Nelson - Ride Me Back Home (country legend does what he does best)
Henry's Child - I Have Become (always 90s reminiscent, rock/metal prog)
Amon Amarth - Berzerker (puts the HEAVY in heavy metal)
Baroness - Gold and Grey (metal. It's just good good metal)
Shook Twins - Some Good Lives (harmonies, folk, country, fun)
