10) Seven Spires, Live At ProgPower USA XXI (Frontiers)

A live album featuring the return of fantastic US-based melodeath / symphonic metal masters Seven Spires to one of my personal favorite festivals. Slightly biased because some of my photos appear in the CD liner art.  

Recommended Track: “Dare to Live (Live)”

09) Celestial Wizard, Winds Of The Cosmos (Scarlet)

Great melodeath release from Celestial Wizard, hailing from Denver, Colorado. Heavy on power metal moments.

Recommended Track: “Ice Realm”

08) Fires In The Distance, Air Not Meant For Us (Prosthetic)

Absolutely GORGEOUS melodeath with heaps of melancholy, brilliant melodies mixed with incredibly crunchy guitar, and a sharp production.

Recommended Track: “Harbingers”

07) Ignea, Dreams Of Lands Unseen (Napalm)

This album tells the story of Ukranian photographer Sofia Yablonska’s journey through Asia and the Middle East, and features a variety of stringed and woodwind instruments. Ignea’s music always has a wonderfully dark vibe, and lead singer Helle Bohdanova’s voice has a uniquely ethereal tone to bring the music to the next level.

Recommended Track: “Dunes”