Every year the same misery… at least it’s sort of a good thing: too much great music being released the whole year through. Those people who dare to say that new music can’t offer anything good, interesting or creative anymore, just have their ears clogged up. So I underwent the difficult task of sifting though the releases I’ve listened to, reviewed, didn’t check out yet, possibly missed,… to figure out who was going to get a spot in my 10 best albums of the year 2018 and here it is!

3. Zeal & Ardor – Stranger Fruit

Manuel Gagneux and his band proved that Zeal & Ardor definitely is here to stay. On Stranger Fruit they continue using the same formula, but more focused and honed down to a sleek and wonderful piece of music. The release actually sounds as if a proper band has been writing it and it definitely benefits the overal sound and feel. This is a band that will go far and blow people’s mind for a long time ahead, just like they’ve done everywhere they brought their music live on stages all around the world. I can barely wait to hear and see what else the future holds for them. For my full review go here.

2. Alien Weaponry – Tu

At first when I saw the words “Maori metal” pass by, I thought “ah, just another silly gimmick” and just let it pass by. Little did I know that not much later Alien Weaponry would actually get back on my radar and after checking out a track immediately hit home with me. These young dudes from New Zealand bring a level of quality to their music that we haven’t seen or heard in quite a while with a young band! They remind me of that time Sepultura was huge in the development of so called “tribal metal”, thrashy stuff with tribal elements and damn strong melodies. Alien Weaponry does all of that and much more! With strong songwriting skills and a theme that clearly is close to their heart since they have Maori ancestors, singing about the violent history of the original people of the island. This is a band that proves that metal is still very much alive and they very well might be the future of metal, they’re going to kill it!