Brendan’s Top 50 Albums of 2018: Part 1 (50 to 41)
2018 has been another supreme year for the rock and metal world. So many amazing albums came out from old and new band’s alike. It made this list really hard to complete. Even more so when you think we have reviewed over 500 albums here at GBHBL alone. Difficult or not, it is complete and this marks the first set of albums from my Top 50 of the year.
To give each album the focus it deserves we decided to break the list into 5 articles with ten albums in each counting down from 50. These are the best albums of 2018 from numbers 50 to 41.
Number 50: Harm’s Way – Posthuman (Metal Blade Records)
What we get with Posthuman is a really powerful, really heavy album with strong vocals and musicianship in all corners. The lyrics are meaningful and there are little tracks that switch direction that break up the album a bit too. Posthuman, is a great album, with heaviness at the forefront but plenty of intelligence on show too.
Read our full review of the album here.
Number 49: BillyBio – Feed the Fire (AFM Records)
What really makes Feed the Fire such a great album is that even if you’re not a fan of Biohazard or Powerflo chances are you might like this. It’s got all his influences but it’s not restricted by them. A top production job really hits the mark too. Feed the Fire is every bit as satisfying as giving the middle finger to every bit of negativity that comes at you from all walks of life. BillyBio has your back.
Read our full review of the album here.
Number 48: Saarkoth – Jera (MSH Music Group)
Saarkoth have a signature style of bleak heaviness while retaining gorgeous rhythm across the whole of this incredible debut album. Saarkoth have it. They are leading the pack for the next wave of black metal bands. Not just in the UK but the world.
Read our full review of the album here.
Number 47: A Forest of Stars – Grave Mounds and Grave Mistakes (Prophecy Productions)
Sit down. Draw the curtains. Close all the doors. Light a solitary candle to soften the darkness. Now you’re ready for On Grave Mounds and Grave Mistakes. What an epic effort this is from A Forest of Stars. Glorious in how unusual it is but still drawing heavily from the well of black metal throughout the years. An album of experimental atmospheric darkness that delivers a deep, varied and fresh sound.
Read our full review of the album here.
Number 46: Chaos Over Cosmos – The Unknown Voyage (Self Released)
The Unknown Voyage is an exciting bit of metal. It sounds fresh and exhilarating, taking you on a journey. The multiple layers within each track add depth where you would maybe expect a two-man band (who have never met) to lack but it goes to show what you can achieve if you are dedicated and ambitious enough. What you get here is exciting music with strong vocals. The songs are well structured with strong riffing and an absolute masterclass in guitars and soloing.
Read our full review of the album here.
Number 45: Watain – Trident Wolf Eclipse (Century Media Records)
Trident Wolf Eclipse is a crushing & streamlined effort. Dropping the experimental side of the last couple of albums for uncompromising bloodshed. Watain keep things interesting & fresh sounding throughout. The black metal trio prove that once again that they are masters of this genre.
Read our full review of the album here.
Number 44: Avatar – Avatar Country (Century Media Records)
Avatar have started 2018 off strongly, delivering a hard-hitting & heavy release that is filled with epic metal melody. This is going to be a huge year for them so make sure you’re on board & take a trip to Avatar Country!
Read our full review of the album here.
Number 43: Architects – Holy Hell (Epitaph Records)
Holy Hell is a banger and not a step back for the band. Few would have survived the loss of such an important member and this is clearly an album that Architects had to do. Emotion drips through every single riff, hook and scream.
Read our full review of the album here.
Number 42: Soulfly – Ritual (Nuclear Blast)
There are few surprises here (but there are some), Ritual is just another great Soulfly album. A solid slab of heavy metal with plenty of leanings towards death, thrash and groove.
Read our full review of the album here.
Number 41: Our Hollow Our Home – In Moment//In Memory (Hollow Music)
In Moment//In Memory is a truly remarkable album in many regards. It is genuinely a band laying their feelings out in the open for all to see and for that I am truly grateful. I find the album to be immensely well structured. You absolutely feel the journey the band have been on but I also really appreciate how the anger and despair eventually gives way to acceptance and coping. This is the sort of album that will help other people.
Read our full review of the album here.
