Top Metal Releases of 2008

Horna - "Sanojesi Aeaerelle" Seven years after initially hating this band, I never thought I'd be this enthralled with Horna. This album has so much to offer, everything about it is impressive.


Dead Congregation - "Graves of the Archangels" Christ is dead because of this ugly slab of death metal. Grab a fork and get ready to eat some fucking riffs.

Baptism - "Grim Arts of Melancholy" This was such a surprise, nothing else was this overbearingly desolate in 2008. These guys got way better and will continue to get better.

Nachtmystium - "Assassins" This is a thoroughly experimental melding of pop / rock and metal. Its a very ecclectic and accomplished feat for these guys.

Braindrill - "Apocalyptic Feasting" This album is out to deflesh you, and it accomplishes just that. Insanely technical and bludgeoning, you cant help but get suckered into thrashing to this album's unbelievable fury.

Deathspell Omega - "Manifestations 2002" So glad this was released. Its a nightmarishly misanthropic slab of unholy bleakness. This is real black metal.

Virus - "the Black Flux" We are all lucky to have such an geniously composed album. There arent many bands out there that are this forward thinking and tolerable.

Leviathan - "Massive Conspiracy Against All Life" Finally, a good Leviathan album. This is one raging beast of a record. Very diverse and yet focused in its direction and execution.

Deathspell Omega - "Chaining the Katechon" See my review below.

Darkspace - "III" Though I prefer II to III, this is another bleak glimpse into the blackest void ever imagined. This album will consume you!

Honorable Mentions:
Coffins - "Buried Death"
Miserys Omen - "Hope Dies"
The Black - "Alongside Death"
Morbosidad - "Profana la Cruz del Nazareno"