05)  Misery Index, Rituals of Power (Season of Mist)

I’ve made a regular ritual of listening to this record! Every song on this record is beyond quality and this band is able to keep their signature sound while also progressing. Of course, still angry as ever and that’s the way we want it.

Key Track:  “Naysayer”

04) VLTIMAS, Something Wicked Marches In (Season of Mist)

Black metal meets death metal meets just plain magical. Fantastic record and severely underrated. No idea why this has flown under the radar in the US.  Take a listen, seriously. This is ground breaking stuff.

Key Track: “Diabolus Est Sanguis”

03)  1349, The Infernal Pathway (Season of Mist)

Possibly this band’s greatest record, though I’m still very keen on Massive Cauldron of Chaos. Call it a tossup. Either way, you can’t go wrong with this band and these Norwegians demonstrate a great deal of diversity on this record that shows just how far this band has come.

Key Track:  “Abyssos Anthithesis”

02)  Cattle Decapitation, Death Atlas (Metal Blade)

A jarring, pulsing, devastating critique on our global society. And that’s just the first song! Dark, dreary and depressing – we wouldn’t expect anything less from this band. This is their greatest record. Honestly, not sure how they can top it.

Key Track:  “Bring Back the Plague”