15. Zeal & Ardor - Greif
Swiss prodigy Manuel Gagneux has gone from strength to strength with his (ostensibly) one-man project, Zeal & Ardor, since it's inception in 2013. With each successive album, the band has moved progressively further away from the Black Metal meets Gospel / "Slave music" roots of it's debut to the avant-garde act it is today. Each song is so stylistically unique that it's close to impossible to describe this album in a few lines. This is an overview rather than a review, so I'll let the music speak for itself.
Recommended track(s): Hide in Shade, Sugarcoat, Thrill.
14. Korpiklaani - Rankarumppu (Folk Metal)
For most of you, I imagine that Korpiklaani need absolutely no introduction. Having been mainstays on the Folk Metal scene for more than two decades, they have more than earned their status as scene legends. I'm usually fully supportive and engaged when a band pushes it's boundaries and experiments with it's established sound, but for the sake of complete transaprency I have to admit that I have struggled to bond with Korpiklaani for the last couple of albums. Rankarumppu finds them back on the form of their early releases, albeit with a hint of the experimental edge of the last decade. The result is a potent and vibrant combination of old and new. Korpiklaani are back where they belong at the top of the Folk Metal tree.
Recommended track(s): Aita, Saunaan.
13. South of Salem - Death of the Party (Goth / Sleaze Metal)
On this, their sophomore record, Bournmouth rockers South of Salem take the Sleaze Metal meets Punk of their debut and infuse it with a Goth sensibilty. From start to finish, Death of the Party is an all-out aural orgy of melodic riffs, infectious hooks and stadium-worthy choruses. This is good old-fashioned, good time hard rock, albeit with a dark edge. Turn it up to 11 and go along for the ride.
Recommended track(s): A life Worth Dying For, Vultures, Left for Dead
12. Earthtone9 - In Resonance Nexus (Alt Metal)
Earthtone9 have been mainstays on the British Metal scene since 1998 (albeit with a six year break between 2002 - 2008) releasing three brilliant and critically acclaimed albums between 1998 and 2000. In Resonance Nexus is only the second album the band has released since their comeback in 2008 (following on from 2013's IV), but yet again, it finds the band on impeccable form. From the opening salvo of The Polyphony of Animals, it is clear that this is a band revitalised. Karl Middleton's voice retains it's distinct roar / soaring power, the choruses are as luscious and memorable as ever and the riffs as deliciously dischordant. Long time fans will be delighted and newcomers to the band will have a top-tier back catalogue to discover. Just don't leave it another 11 years, guys.
Recommended track(s): The Polyphony of Animals, Oceanic Drift
11. Apocryphal - Facing the End (Melodic / Progressive Death Metal)
Coming a mere 25 years after it's predecessor, Apocryphal's second album is an absolute triumph. I wasn't aware of the band before, so had no pre-concieved expectations about this record. Well, what an album! This is top level Melodic Death Metal with a real flair for the progressive side of things. Admittedly, I may have buried the lead here, as the standout element of this album, the thing that really elevates it, is the vocals. And said vocals are provided by none other than Melodic Death royalty, Björn "Speed" Strid (Soilwork, Act of Denial, Coldseed, etc). That said, I only realised that after I had already fallen in love with this album. The songs speak for themselves and Björn's involvement (as a session band member) is just the icing on the cake.
Recommended track(s): All is Empty, My Hero Inside
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