As the year comes to an end there was so much to pick from I could have done a 25 list in Black, Death, Thrash, and Traditional Metal seperately. Records are still being released this month that I’ve yet to sit down with. Who knew my town Brooklyn was gonna dominate. But for this fantastically prolific year, let’s jump into the pit:
10) Blood Red Throne, Siltskin (Soulseller Records)
Norway’s Blood Red Throne has been dropping Death Metal destruction for 30 years. Siltskin is their 12th full length album and it is infused with the kind of relentless pit fuel we all crave with menacing gutturals, pounding breakdowns, slamming riffs, and chilling leads.
Key Track(s): “Necrolysis”
09) Blood Court, The Burial (Independent)
German Death Duo Stefan and Mike’s second scorcher of an album is packed with breakneck speed, wild but inventive solos, grim and gripping scenarios of extinction, pain and despair. The verdict is Death, say the duo. The Burial is 31 minutes of pure Death Metal insanity. A Cannibal Corpse cover and a Sodom cover, and a guest appearance by the formidable Sabina Classen makes this album worthy of more than one listen.
Key Track(s): “Mutilate”
08) Contempt, Portal (Neoeucharist Productions)
Slovakian Brutal Death Metal crew Contempt has given us their fourth full-length album and by far its their most deeply brutal piece yet. Picture yourself being thrown into a woodchipper.
Key Track(s): “Kill”
07) Teitanblood, From the Visceral Abyss (Norma Evangelium Diaboli)
Black Death wonderfully dissonant and void of any distinctive melodies just incoming crushing sonic rocket hellfire, from the Madrid masters.
Key Track(s): “Strangling Visions”
