Top 30 Albums of 2014 - Part 1: 30 - 21

30. Tengger Cavalry - Ancient Call

Ethnic / Folk Metal doesn't have to be a mere gimmick. When done right it can really capture the spirit of a country and its people...which is the case with Beijing's Tengger Cavalry. Playing traditional instruments and using Mongolian throat singing as a backing vocal, this band brings something genuinely new and interesting to the party and with Ancient Call being their sixth album in four years, show no signs of running low on inspiration or quality.

29. Slipknot – 5: The Gray Chapter 

Following the sudden drug-related death of bassist Paul Gray in 2010, many questioned if Slipknot could or even should rebound from it...fast forward to early 2013 and the band suffered yet another potentially devastating blow with the departure of drumming powerhouse, Joey Jordison. Despite these setbacks and the rising tide of negativity (apathy) from their fans, the band nevertheless began to write and record new material, leading to the release of the first album in six long years. Needless to say, the band defied any and all expectations and delivered one of their strongest collections of songs to date.

28. Iced Earth – Plagues Of Babylon

 

To quote my own review from earlier this year "Plagues…” has everything you could want from Iced Earth or from any modern metal album. All in all, this is a classy, solid and intelligent metal concept album in the vein of such classics as Iron Maiden’s “Seventh Son…”, Queensryche’s “Operation: Mindcrime” and Nevermore’s “Dreaming Neon Black” and I don’t think there is any higher praise than that." 'nuff said.

27.The Dagger - The Dagger

If you're looking for cutting edge, modern Metal, please move along - there is nothing for you here. The Dagger are the latest in a seemingly endless line of retro-inspired Swedish bands, but whereas most of these hapless acts try and fail to emulate their heroes, The Dagger seem to have tapped into the very essence of Classic Rock and have released an album that sounds like it could have been recorded by a supergroup consisting of members of bands such as (but by no means limited to) Kiss, (early) Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, AC/DC and Thin Lizzy. That they have succeeded with such aplomb is worthy of respect and with songs as strong as these, I can even forgive the blatant plagiarism on display. Leave your serious head at the door and just enjoy this for what it is - A great, old-school Metal / Hard Rock album.

26. Entombed A.D. – Back To the Front 

Back with a new name and an almost entirely new line-up, it could be argued that this isn't really an Entombed record at all but is a cynical move by LG Petrov to shift copies of a solo album. Well, even if that is the case, this is still the best Entombed have sounded for years. Fans of the band should find plenty of interest here.

25. The Skull – For Those Which Are Asleep

A potent and powerful marriage of Southern Rock, Doom Metal and rumbling Stoner Rock grooves - imagine Candlemass jamming with COC with elements of Alice In Chains - that manages to sound both classic and fresh at the same time. Of course, as the band is pretty much Trouble with a new name, you'd expect nothing else and they definitely don't disappoint. This is a mid-paced tour de force of an album.

24. MaYan – Antagonise 

Don't let the fact that this band was formed as a side-project by the chief song writer of Epica or the words Symphonic Metal put you off as this is more Dimmu Borgir than it is Within Temptation. MaYaN are heavy, yet progressive - the vocals are varied, the riffs are crunchy and the keyboards are as bombastic as you might expect. Despite the occasional tendency to veer into OTT territory, this is definitely worth a click on the link below.

 

23. Killer Be Killed – Killer be Killed 

 
I think we all know what I think of "supergroups", but this is far more than just a collection of B-musicians as KBK features no less then Max Cavalera (ex-Sepultura / Soulfly), Greg Puciato (Dillinger Escape Plan), Troy Sanders (Mastodon) and Dave Elitch (The Mars Volta). With a stellar line-up like that you might well expect the album to be a massive disappointment - but you would be wrong. This is a cracking album that deserves your attention.

 

22. Sólstafir – Ótta 

 With all of the lyrics sung in the band's native Icelandic, this was always going to be an interesting prospect. If you are already familiar with Sólstafir then you might well find this album to a bit of a suprise. TheViking Metal of old has given way to a more progressive, Post Rock style and much like older Alcest, the band's sound can be both harsh and beautiful at the same time, with icy Black Metal riffs and throat-ripping vocals giving way to sublime acoustic guitar and clean singing - there is even room on here for a banjo riff or two. Yes. Really.

21. Eastern Front – Descent Into Genocide 

Already promising UK Black Metallers, Eastern Front take a huge creative leap forward on their second album and where they may have sounded a little generic on their debut, this time they are carving their very own brutal niche. That said, if you are a fan of Thus Defiled, I would you expect you to find this album to be right up your street.