This year has seen a great number of amazing releases. As we reach the half way point of 2014, it seems only fitting we compile a list of our top albums for 2014 (so far)…in no particular order.

Mitch Booth

Agalloch – The Serpent & the Sphere [USA – Profound Lore Records]

Agalloch simply don’t faulter. Sure, their 2010 album Marrow of the Spirit definitely wasn’t up their with it’s predecesessors, but it still blows most other similar bands out of the water. The Serpent & The Sphere sees a welcome return of their folkier roots, including a few truly beautiful acoustic pieces. It’s also a bit simpler than Marrow, letting their knack for creating atmosphere really shine through. Listen to “Dark Matter Gods“.

Separatist – Closure [TAS – Subliminal Groove Records]

Where this lost-in-time album (read the story here) succeeds is that is simply has a bit of everything in a neat package. There’s the tech-explosions, the catchy riffs, the dissonance, the big grooves, brees and cleans, and a bit of a post-metal vibe here and there; but from beginning to end, it still sounds like Separatist. This Tasmanian band getting a signing with Subliminal Groove Records is well deserved. Listen to “Closure”,

The Mire – Glass Cathedrals [UK – Independent]

There’s nothing overly special about the debut full length from the UK’s The Mire, it’s just really well done. It’s built around massive sludge riffs with that little shimmer of hardcore, dropping back for more atmosphere-driven moments now and then. It’s a classic post-metal album with that balance between beauty and the beast; one of those albums to nod with your eyes closed to. Listen to “Stone Devils”.

Have A Nice Life – The Unnatural World [USA – Enemies List Home Records]

While Have A Nice Life might not be metal in the slightest, they reach deeper levels of darkness than anything else I’ve listed. Sitting in that void between drone, shoegaze, noise, etc. There’s something eerily honest about the music these guys produce, which can be unnerving at times and calming at others, but either way it gets inside you and that’s what the best music should do. Listen to “Burial Society”.

Crib45 – Marching Through the Borderlines [Finland – Supreme Chaos Records]

The oddly titled Crib45 have absolutely nailed the brief this style of music. Huge melodic, plodding riffs, moments of post-rock bliss, faultless vocals in both harsh and clean territory, and undeniably written to be listened to as a whole, it’s a 75 minute masterpiece. It’s up there rivaling Cult of Luna, Year Of No Light and the other gods of the genre. Listen to “Borderlines”.

Anwar Rizk

Triptykon – Melana Chasmata [Switzerland – Century Media Records]

Thomas Gabriel Fischer, praised by many as the innovator of metal’s various bleak and avant-garde sub genres returns with Melana Chasmata. Fans will find familiarity in the album as it retains much of its predecessors strengths, offering that unmistakeable Triptykon experience with new and unexpected twists throughout. Infectious doom laden grooves with moments of sheer terror. Listen to “Breathing”

Sabaton – Heroes [Sweden – Nuclear Blast Records]

When it comes to war inspired lyrics Sabaton win by a landslide. The Swedish war machine returns with their strongest album to date. Heroes delves into the heroic deeds of various individuals during WWII who fought in some of the bloodiest battles, including the exploits of Leslie “Bull” Allan, an Australian stretcher bearer who saved 12 American soldiers on Mount Tambu. Sheer emotional power from start to finish. I can’t get enough of this album! Listen to “To Hell and Back”.

Equilibrium – Erdentempel [Germany – Nuclear Blast Records]

German folk metallers Equilibrium return with their fourth studio album Erdentempel. A refreshing album, carrying with it typical Bavarian musical influences and a heroic dose of world music influence. An extremely catchy and joyful album. Listen to “Wirtshaus Gaudi”.

Voyager – V [WA – IAV / Bird’s Robe Records]

Expanding upon their progressive and power metal lineage with hints of djent, electro and pop music. V is definitely Voyager’s strongest album to date and a pinnacle in Australian heavy music. Listen “Breaking Down”.

Vader – Tibi Et Igni [Poland – Nuclear Blast Records]

I don’t think you can get much heavier than this! Combining thrash and death metal like only Vader can. Listen to “Where Angels Weep”.

Patrick Emmett

Bateman – Smut [VIC – Independent]

Break out the champagne, break out the wine and dig your teeth into this album. Its fun, abrasive, groovy, heavy and most importantly – free!
Check out the music video for “Red Wine Blues”.

Body Count – Manslaughter [USA – Sumerian Records]

Disillusioned with the current state of hip-hop, Ice-T and co brings back the heavy for the first time since the disastrous Murder 4 Hire in 2006. This is one brutal return to form, with songs equally hilarious and violent. And if you talk shit about it…

Dead City Ruins – S/T [VIC – Independent]

52 minute onslaught of exciting, no-bullshit rock’n’roll with a vocalist that channels Ozzy Osbourne at his prime better than Ozzy himself. Fans of Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Thin Lizzy will drool over this. Listen to “Dio”

The Kremlings – Whole Earth Cleansing [VIC – Desperate Records]

Sludge-infused punk rock that sounds like the love child of Black Flag and The Stooges. This album is chaos from start to finish.
Listen to “Freakin’ In”.

Shrapnel – The Virus Conspires [UK – Candlelight Records]

Modern thrash metal doesn’t get much better than this. And as a big thrash fan, it’s hard to find a newer band that excites you this much. Most exciting thrash bands I find are Melbourne locals (eg. Harlott, In Malice’s Wake, MetalStorm), but these English thrashers caught me by surprise with their debut album. This will probably be one of my favourite albums at the end of the year.
Listen to “Titan”.

Jonathon Besanko

Envenomed – Evil Unseen [VIC – Independent]

Just like Mason and Harlott before them, Envenomed prove again why Australia is steadily becoming a hub for excellent new thrash metal bands. Evil Unseen hits hard from the very first galloping rhythm on the title track and for the next 45-odd minutes doesn’t once let up. Driven by inventive guitar and drum patterns, as well as a relentless desire to create something melodic and different, Evil Unseen is a rare diamond hidden in a mass of zirconia. Listen to “Burn the Sun”.

Within Temptation – Hydra [Netherlands – Nuclear Blast Records]

Hydra was as equally surprising as it was exciting for me. Containing a multitude of elements I would have never expected of a Within Temptation release, Hydra got to me in the sense that such elements as the blending of rap and symphonic metal worked extremely well. I can hear you now, ‘GTFO. That’d never work!’ Well, I’m going to put this to you now. Keep an open mind when you approach this album and I can almost guarantee you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Listen to “And We Run”.

Epica – The Quantum Enigma [Netherlands – Nuclear Blast Records]

With a sound that challenges the boundaries of symphonic metal, Epica’s latest release lives up to the band’s name. The Quantum Enigma is one of the finest produced and equally exhilarating metal albums I’ve heard in quite some time. Every element that has established Epica’s trademark sound is given light over the course of the record. The entire album serves as both a celebration of Epica’s music as well as an invitation to all that has made them great over the years. I can’t speak enough of this album. Listen to “The Essence of Silence”.

Amon Sethis – Part II: The Final Struggle [France – Dooweet Records]

With lyrics centred upon the Seventh Dynasty of Ancient Egypt, as well as its accompanying mysticism and mythology, Amon Sethis arrive with their sophomore album, The Final Struggle; the second part to 2011’s The Prophecy. With a strong progressive attitude to their sound, at times Amon Sethis channel the likes of Angband, where at others Orphaned Land. With oriental stylings blended by a combination of English and foreign vocals and soaring Iced Earth-esque moments, it all builds to a beautifully atmospheric and innovative record. Listen to “Ateravis the Commander”.

Eye of the Enemy – The Vengeance Paradox [VIC – Independent]

After the promising first step that was 2010’s Weight of Redemption, Eye of the Enemy return with an album that completely blows all previous efforts out of the water. The Vengeance Paradox is a pinnacle of the groove metal genre, and I can say that with the utmost confidence. Eye of the Enemy have truly outdone themselves with this one. The music is sharp and only seems to resonate further with each listen through. A brilliant album. Listen to “The March”.

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