This past year was one of high anticipation around here as far as new metal albums go. In addition to expected releases from Deafheaven, Periphery, Intronaut, and Between the Buried and Me, among others, there was some legitimate thirst for long-overdue tunes from the likes of City of Ships and Baroness. (Seriously, check out this footage below my friend took of me refreshing City of Ships’ Facebook page for updates:)

Conversely, you have bands like Thou that let one out big peppery sneeze each year and like nine new songs come flying out.

In addition to those well-knowns already mentioned, there was a fair share of delightful new bands that I stumbled upon this year, several of which made 2015’s top ten, which you can find below.

Horns up for 2016. 🤘🏼

10. Cult Leader – Lightless Walk
🔑 track: “How Deep It Runs”

9. Between the Buried and Me – Coma Ecliptic
🔑 track: “Turn On the Darkness”

8. Slugdge – Dim and Slimeridden Kingdoms
🔑 track: “Flying Snails”

7. Baroness – Purple
🔑 track: “If I Have to Wake Up (Would You Stop the Rain?)”

6. Minsk – The Crash and the Draw
🔑 track: “Within and Without”

5. Intronaut – The Direction of Last Things
🔑 track: “The Pleasant Surprise”

4. Thou/The Body – Released From Love / You, Whom I Have Always Hated (split)
🔑 track: “The Wheel Weaves as the Wheel Wills”

3. City of Ships – Ultraluminal
🔑 track: “Preeminence”

2. Kowloon Walled City – Grievances
🔑 track: “Backlit”

1. Deafheaven – New Bermuda
🔑 track: “Luna”