I have put together a list of my top 20 albums of 2018. You can check that out below. This is just for fun, and I know I probably left out some your favorites, but these are all the albums that I enjoyed the most this year:
20. Beartooth – “Disease”
“Disease” is a good album that pretty much has all the elements a Beartooth fan could want. It has a mix of styles, but the best tracks are the ones that are more heavy and melodic. A highlight from this one is “Enemy.”
19. Shinedown – “Attention Attention”
Shinedown have continued to evolve with every release and “Attention Attention” is no exception. The band’s latest music is as fresh as ever and it was catchy enough to score them their 13th No. 1 on Billboard‘s Mainstream Rock Songs airplay chart. A highlight from this one is “Devil.”
18. Behemoth – “I Loved You At Your Darkest”
Considering what a masterpiece Behemoth’s 2014 album “The Satanist” was, fans have been dying for a follow-up and “I Loved You At Your Darkest” was born. Though it did not necessarily top “The Satanist,” it is still a dark and dynamic album that will keep the listener engaged. A highlight from this one is “Bartzabel.”
17. Scars On Broadway – “Dictator”
Fans are still waiting for a new System Of A Down album, but the odds of that ever happening are still very slim. However, people still got some new music from Daron Malakian and Scars On Broadway with the release of “Dictator,” an album that is similar enough to System Of Down to help tide some of them over. A highlight from this one is “Lives.”
16. Breaking Benjamin – “Ember”
When Breaking Benjamin returned with “Dark Before Dawn,” fans were ecstatic to see that the band could still bring it after all that time and everyone was hoping “Ember” could keep up the pace. The effort did just that by presenting a heavier side of the group, both musically and lyrically, making for what some may see as one their best works to date. A highlight from this one is “Tourniquet.”
15. Black Stone Cherry – “Family Tree”
“Family Tree” is everything a Black Stone Cherry fan could want. It’s a bluesy, soulful, southern rock record with killer tracks all the way through. A highlight from this one is “Bad Habit.”
14. All That Remains – “Victim Of The New Disease”
“Victim Of The New Disease” sees All That Remains returning to their heavy and aggressive roots, much to the delight of fans. Sadly, it will be the group’s last album with the late Oli Herbert, but it is perfect gift to remember him by. A highlight from this one is “Fuck Love.”
13. Underoath – “Erase Me”
“Erase Me” is Underoath’s first album in eight years and it showcases a more mature band. The group have removed the Christian label, while taking on a new approach to create powerful, honest, and heartfelt songs. A highlight from this one is “On My Teeth.”
12. Godsmack – “When Legends Rise”
“When Legends Rise” provides fans with the dose of hard rock they would expect from Godsmack. Though not as heavy as earlier material, it still packs a punch while showcasing tracks that are perfect for contemporary active rock radio. A highlight from this one is “Take It To The Edge.”
11. Diamante – “Coming In Hot”
You may not have heard of Diamante yet, but you will. Her debut album “Coming In Hot” is a straight forward rocker that is a pretty fun listen all the way through. A highlight from this one is “Haunted.”
10. Nonpoint – “X”
Nonpoint seem to have tapped into a whole new level of energy with “X.” It’s heavy and catchy and proves the band still have a lot to say. A highlight from this one is “Chaos And Earthquakes.”
09. Judas Priest – “Firepower”
Judas Priest’s “Firepower” has everything a fan of old-school metal could ask for. The effort is solid all the way through and it will definitely be considered a classic in the years to come. A highlight from this one is “Lightning Strike.”
08. Amaranthe – “Helix”
Amaranthe are among the masters when it comes to pop metal and “Helix” drives that point even further. The effort has a dancey vibe, mixed with heaviness and fresh new vocals from new singer Nils Molin (Dynazty), who does a good job at complementing Elize Ryd’s angelic voice and Henrik Englund Wilhelmsson’s growls. A highlight from this one is “Countdown.”
07. Sevendust – “All I See Is War”
Sevendust have continued to crank out quality material for more than 20 years and “All I See Is War” only adds to their legacy. It’s a solid rock album with great musicianship and big choruses that hook the listener from the beginning. A higlight from this one is “Dirty.”
06. Bad Wolves – “Disobey”
Bad Wolves broke it big with their hit cover Of The Cranberries’ “Zombie”, which Dolores O’Riordan was supposed to sing on before her tragic death, but their debut album “Disobey” has so much more to offer than that track. It runs the gamut from hard rock to melodic metal making it something that a fan of any subgenre may enjoy. A highlight from this one is “No Masters.”
05. Chelsea Grin – “Eternal Nightmare”
“Eternal Nightmare” is Chelsea Grin at the top of their game. New vocalist Tom Barber (ex-Lorna Shore) breathed new life into the band and helped them create the best album of their career. A highlight from this one is “Hostage.”
04. Zeal & Ardor – “Stranger Fruit”
When Zeal & Ardor released “Devil Is Fine” their unique blend of black metal and slave spirituals took the metal world by storm and they were able to keep the momentum going with “Stranger Fruit.” It’s a soulful, heavy masterpiece that managed to top the first album and prove that the band aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. A highlight from this one is “Row Row.”
03. Bullet For My Valentine – “Gravity”
Admittedly, Bullet For My Valentine’s “Gravity” did not sit well with a lot of fans due to the changes in the band’s sound, but when you listen to it at face value without comparing it to older material, it is actually really good. Sometimes bands need to adapt and evolve to survive, and Bullet For My Valentine did just that while putting out what may be the most personal record frontman Matt Tuck has ever written. A highlight from this one is “Letting You Go.”
02. Halestorm – “Vicious”
With “Vicious”, Halestorm have continued to be a powerful force in the music world. It is hard-hitting rock and roll at its finest and it proves once again that Lzzy Hale is one of the best frontwomen in the business. A highlight from this one is “Uncomfortable.”
01. Ghost – “Prequelle”
With “Prequelle”, Ghost proved once again why they deserve to continue rising the ranks in the rock/metal world. The effort has some heavy elements mixed with catchy 80’s sounding hooks that make it hard not to listen to it over and over again. A highlight from this one is “Dance Macabre.”
