I have been completely swamped with requests to give a mid-year list of what albums I like that have been released this year. It's insane. I kept putting it off, but now some are getting quite violent, so I will acquiesce and post a simple list. I hope this will placate ... well you know who you are! A more detailed list will arrive in December. Be calm and listen to metal.
Koldbrann - Vertigo (black)
October Falls - The Plague of a Coming Age (folk/doom/black)
Essence - Last Night of Solace (thrash)
Procession - To Reap Heavens Apart (doom)
Ade - Spartacus (death)
Abomnium - Coffinships (black)
October Tide - Tunnel of No Light (melodic doom/death)
Immolation - Kingdom of Conspiracy (death)
Inferior - Unsoiled (thrash)
Exeloume - Return of the Nephilim (thrash/death)
Agathodaimon - In Darkness (gothic/black)
Throne of Heresy - Realms of Desecration (death)
Intronaut - Habitual Levitations (progressive)
Sonic Reign - Monument in Black (black)
Lychgate - Lychgate (black)
Hela - Broken Cross (stoner/doom)
(All available on Spotify if you want to check any out)
Since I made the above post about 4 months ago I have added the following albums to my 2013 playlist:
Havok - Unnatural Selection (thrash)
Sons of Aeon - Sons of Aeon (melodic death)
Seth - The Howling Spirit (black)
Orpheus Omega - ResIllusion (melodic death)
Acacia - Tills Doden Skiljer Oss At (atmospheric doom/black)
Thrawsunblat - Wanderer on the Continent of Saplings (melodic folk/black)
Kryptos - The Coils of Apollyon (heavy/thrash)
Stellar Master Elite - II: Destructive Interference Generator (black/doom)
The Vision Bleak - Witching Hour (gothic)
Necrophobic - Womb of Lilithu (death/black)
I may or may not try to do a top 10 (or whatever number) around Christmas.