The end of 2018 is creeping up on us, and that means making a personal top ten of all releases from this year. This year was a great year for music, at least in my opinion. With so many releases it’s almost impossible to narrow it down to ten favourites. This year will also be the first time I make one of the top ten lists, since I am only writing for this website since March. While being excited to make the list, I also hope that I include everything that I think is worth mentioning. The music in this list is mostly as hectic as this year was for me, loads of (technical) death metal, some progressiveness and some traditional releases.

6. Psycroptic – As The Kingdom Drowns

Ah, and there’s more tech death! The Tasmanian band Psycroptic released their seventh album As The Kingdom Drowns on November 9th through Prosthetic Records. The album is only 34 minutes long but you do not feel like you are missing something, everything fits. They combined some amazing guitar work with catchy groove. I do not think they added really fancy time signatures or unexpected turns. This is just a straight forward album with some great punch. The emphasis is clearly on the guitar work, which is not a bad thing at all since the guitar work is really good.

In my opinion this might be one of their best releases, after Symbols Of Failure (2006). Psycroptic are back in the game and really show what they are capable of and I hope they will step up their game even more after this release. I feel like they have some potential to show, and that is the reason it is in my list.

5. Soreption – Monument of the End

As I mentioned, this list was going to include hectic music, so here is another technical death metal release that you definitely should check out. Soreption released Monument of the End on the 3rd of August, through Sumerian Records.

Soreption are not new to the tech death world and that surely shows off on their latest release. Monument Of The End is a perfect combination between technicality with some groovy riffs and dynamic vocals. The overall tight playing on the album also goes for their live performance. Overall this is an album I really enjoy listening to, Soreption did a great job. I would also really recommend checking them out live if you have the chance!

4. Beyond Creation – Algorythm

Canadian band Beyond Creation released their third full-length Algorythm on the 12th of October through Season of Mist. What amazes me so much about this band is that within such a short time span and only three albums, they have grown and evolved a lot. They continue to discover all the different aspects about technicality and progressive elements within metal. Especially the more progressive elements are dominant in Algorythm, which I can really appreciate. While there are plenty of moments where clean playing is is used, they always come back with solid guitar work and growling vocals on top.

Personally I love music which is almost a experience on itself to listen to, and I feel like Algorythm did that for me. The amazing talent and diversity in this album makes sure I keep returning to it.