2018 albums ranked
All the albums I listened to this year ranked in order from best to worst. |
| 1 |  | Judas Priest
Firepower
I can't think of a single album this year that has brought me such unbridled joy. Easily one of the best metal albums in the past decade. A masterpiece from top to bottom.
10/10
Best Track - Sea of Red |
| 2 |  | Ghost (SWE)
Prequelle
If Meliora hadn't been my favorite release of 2015, this could have easily been the single greatest album the band has ever produced. I'm so glad these guys are around, and are finally getting classic-style metal back onto the radio.
9.5/10
Best Track - Faith |
| 3 |  | Saxon
Thunderbolt
This record was exactly what I was looking for in a Saxon release. Heavy riffs, catchy choruses, and fantastic Andy Sneap production. Probably my most played record of the year.
9/10
Best Track - Predator |
| 4 |  | White Wizzard
Infernal Overdrive
White Wizzard ends their 11 year run on easily their best record, and one of my absolute favorites this year. I really love the Maiden-style guitar work, and Wyatt Anderson gives the vocal performance of his career. It's a shame we wont be hearing from them anymore.
9/10
Best Track - Critical Mass |
| 5 |  | Turnstile
Time and Space
The fact that a hardcore band has made it into my top 10, let alone my top 5 is something to be said. I'm not a huge fan of the genre, but I'll be damned if this album didn't deliver in every way possible. Wish some of the songs were a little longer, but that just comes with the territory.
8.5/10
Best Track - Right to Be |
| 6 |  | Striker
Play To Win
A well deserved comeback from one of my favorite modern bands. They really needed a barn burner after their disappointing eponymous 2017 record, and boy did they deliver the goods this time around. Filled to the brim with fantastic production, fist pumping anthems and some damn good ballads, "Play to Win" is easily the most fun you will have with a metal record this year.
8.5/10
Best Track - The Front |
| 7 |  | Gama Bomb
Speed Between The Lines
I think Gama Bomb truly found who they were, and really hit their stride on this LP. I've never really dug their comedic lyrics or their truly unique vocalist, but the two components play off each other very well on this release. Coming in at a brief 35 minutes, Gama Bomb shows up, gets the job done, and leaves you satisfied.
8.5/10
Best Track - Faceblaster |
| 8 |  | Powerwolf
The Sacrament Of Sin
In my opinion, the strongest release Powerwolf has to offer at the moment. Larger than life hooks and delightfully cheesy atmospherics help make this one of the most enjoyable records of the year.
8/10
Best Track - The Sacrament of Sin |
| 9 |  | Primal Fear
Apocalypse
A solid chunk of power metal bookended by two of the greatest song the band has ever released. Although not perfect by any stretch of the word, Primal Fear shows they can remain a force to be reckoned with.
8/10
Best Track - Cannonball |
| 10 |  | Nekrogoblikon
Welcome to Bonkers
I have no idea how this Goblin shtick hasn't gotten old yet, but Goblikon delivers another masterful piece of synth driven melodic fury. Perfect record for the Halloween season, or any time of year to be perfectly honest.
8/10
Best Track - The Magic Spider |
| 11 |  | Toxik
III Works
Although this technically isn't comprised of entirely new material, it is the first time we've been able to hear music they've had on the back-burner for a while, and it's pretty killer. I am however docking points for the inclusion of the "Breaking Class" EP, which is pretty lackluster to say the least.
7.5/10
Best Track - Subverter |
| 12 |  | Alice in Chains
Rainier Fog
I was genuinely surprised how much I dug this album. The more listens I give it, the more I like it. The dual lead vocals of Cantrell and DuVall sound great, and I really like that they've expanded their sound since their 90's heyday.
7.5/10
Best Track - All I Am |
| 13 |  | U.D.O.
Steelfactory
Going back to his traditional metal roots, Udo manages to channel his classic output with Accept and release a sold metal record for the first time in years. His son is a damn good drummer too.
7.5/10
Best Track - Eraser |
| 14 |  | Corrosion of Conformity
No Cross No Crown
Pretty commendable sludge/doom release from the good old boys in C.O.C. Nothing revolutionary, but definitely worth repeated listens.
7.5/10
Best Track - E.L.M. |
| 15 |  | Artillery
The Face Of Fear
While not quite as good as their previous release, "The Face of Fear" is still a fun, fast-paced power/thrash record from the well respected Danish titans.
7/10
Best Track: The Face of Fear |
| 16 |  | Cauldron
New Gods
Don't have much to say about this one other than it's my favorite Cauldron release to date. Some good shit on here.
7/10
Best Track - Drown |
| 17 |  | Tribulation
Down Below
I know I really dug this record upon my initial listen, but as time progressed I slowly forgot about it's existence. A good album, albeit a tad forgettable.
7/10
Best Track - The Lament |
| 18 |  | Metal Church
Damned If You Do
I'll be honest, I was kind of disappointed with this one. I thought that "XI" was a fantastic comeback, but this record feels a little stale. I still enjoy it quite a bit, but it just doesn't have the same punch that their previous release had.
7/10
Best Track - The War Electric |
| 19 |  | Ninja Sex Party
Cool Patrol
There are many laughs to be had with this one. While it is much better than their cover albums, I think their charming original aesthetic has been lost due to the inclusion of their backing band TWRP. I would have much preferred this to more of a collaborative side project instead of an actual NSP release.
6.5/10
Best Track - First Date |
| 20 |  | Gorillaz
The Now Now
While not perfect by any means, it is still a huge step forward after the bloated and boring Humanz album. I really dig the synth driven sound that coats the record, even if some of the songs don't really land all that well.
6.5/10
Best Track: Souk Eye |
| 21 |  | Skull Fist
Way of the Road
It kills me to put a Skull Fist record so low on my list, but this album just isn't up to snuff with the band's previous material. It's alright, but nothing memorable, which may be the worst thing you can say about a band that has such an enormous personality.
6/10
Best Track: Better Late Than Never |
| 22 |  | Satan
Cruel Magic
While I do think there were bits and pieces of genius scattered throughout this record, I ultimately left wanting more. Love this guy's voice though.
6/10
Best Track - Death Knell for a King |
| 23 |  | Ice Nine Kills
The Silver Scream
I wont lie, I don't like the kind of music this band creates. But that being said, I did enjoy the record's concept and found a few tracks to be pretty fun. A decent homage to classic horror cinema.
6/10
Best Track - The American Nightmare |
| 24 |  | The Night Flight Orchestra
Sometimes The World Ain't Enough
The singles leading up to this release were pretty fantastic, making it on of my most anticipated of the year. Boy, was I ever let down. This record isn't the fun cheese that was presented in the singles, instead it is a straight up overly produced salty block of Velveeta. Not really what I was looking for, but I'm sure others might dig it.
5.5/10
Best Track - Turn to Miami |
| 25 |  | Seventh Wonder
Tiara
I really enjoyed a large chunk of the record, but holy shit, Farewell parts 1-3 are hot fucking garbage. The inclusion of that middle section ruins what could have been a pretty decent prog/power record.Oh yeah, the artwork is shit too.
5.5/10
Best Track - The Everones |
| 26 |  | Black Label Society
Grimmest Hits
This was a chore to listen to. There really wasn't anything bad about the record, other than the fact there really wasn't anything that good about it either. Devoid of any interesting ideas, Grimmest Hits excels at being the most "okay" release of 2018.
5/10
Best Track - Room of Nightmares |
| 27 |  | Greta Van Fleet
Anthem of the Peaceful Army
Even plagiarized Zeppelin is still listenable to me. Kinda like the vocalist too.
5/10
Best Track - Age of Man |
| 28 |  | Muse
Simulation Theory
Muse had been going through a major identity crisis for the past decade, and it shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. I enjoy the first 3 tracks quite a bit, the rest of the album is corny as hell.
4.5/10
Best Track - Algorithm |
| 29 |  | Turbonegro
RockNRoll Machine
The only time the record ever works is in the short moments where the band fully commits to the 80's synth-pop sound they try to shoe-horn in like every other band without an original idea tried to do this year.
4/10
Best Track - John Carpenter Powder Ballad |
| 30 |  | Melvins
Pinkus Abortion Technician
On par with everything Melvins have produced post-2008, which isn't saying much. I'd recommend skipping this one.
4/10
Best Track - Graveyard |
| 31 |  | Kamelot
The Shadow Theory
Never understood the appeal of this band, and I still don't. Really dislike how Kerevik always has his voice stuck in permanent lullaby mode.
3.5/10
Best Track - RavenLight |
| 32 |  | Disturbed
Evolution
Disturbed channels their inner Nickleback on their latest disaster, filled to the brim with boring songs and dreadful ballads. Low energy, low effort hard rock for an even lower common denominator.
3/10
Best Track - Are You Ready |
| 33 |  | Three Days Grace
Outsider
Meh
2.5/10
Best Track - The Mountain |
| 34 |  | Shining (NOR)
Animal
I'm shocked that a band with such a unique sound can stoop to this level. An embarrassing mistake to say the very least.
2/10
Best Track - Animal |
| 35 |  | Tenacious D
Post-Apocalypto
Absolutely useless "comedy" record, devoid of anything even slightly humorous. Good job guys.
2/10
Best Track - N/A |
| 36 |  | Fall Out Boy
M A N I A
"Are you smelling that shit?"
Yes Fall Out Boy, yes I am.
1.5/10
Best Track - N/A |
| 37 |  | Ministry
AmeriKKKant
The artwork says it all. If you want a good laugh, give "AmeriKKKant" a listen.
1.5/10
Best Track - N/A |
| 38 |  | Imagine Dragons
Origins
This should come as no surprise to anybody. Imagine Dragons continue to hold the title of "America's Worst Musical Act", and wear it as a badge of honor. While there isn't anything on the record as laughably bad as "Thunder", there simply isn't anything keeping you entertained either. While "Evolve" had some of the worst music written in the past decade, it was at least fun to laugh and poke fun at. This record on the other hand is just flat out boring, which is the worst attribute any Imagine Dragons album can be.
1/10
Best Track - N/A |
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