Emmure - Eternal Enemies.
While Emmure's albums have fluctuated in quality over the years, I was highly impressed with their latest release, which was a hard hitting "break everything in the vicinity" album
Mastodon - Once More Round the Sun
While Mastodon might be my least favorite metal band, they did release such a good record that even non metal fans would fall in love with.
Behemoth - The Satanist
I have to admit, I refused to Listen to about 4 songs off this album. It targets only Christianity, and the lyrics get dull VERY fast, and its not because I am a Christian, its because, don't Behemoth have anything else to sing about besides bashing Christianity? I mean can you have a few songs about vikings and medieval stuff for once? With that being said, this is one of Behemoth's best albums, and is one of their heaviest to date. Lyrics aside, I enjoyed this release.
Caliban - Ghost Empire
One of my favorite German bands, Caliban relased a great album this year. Most metal sites skipped right over these seniors of the metalcore scene. This was a great well put together album that deserved at least a nod.
Benighted - Carnivore Sublime
I am not a big fan of pig squeal vocals, but Benighted can be my exception. They have truly out done themselves with this great Death metal / Death Grind release. Again, no metal site acknowledged them.
I Killed the Prom Queen - Beloved
My personal favorite album of 2014. IKTPQ has proven to be one of the best most under-appreciated metal acts. Their return album Beloved flew under the radar, but should be a album EVERY metalhead should own.
Demon Hunter - Extremist
Demon Hunter has become a well respected Christian metal act. They have played with numerous secular acts and have even collaborated with Killswitch Engage. Their 7th release "Extremist"
had some heavy and catchy tracks, littered with all that Demon Hunter sound you know and love.
Devil You Know - Beauty of Destruction
Speaking of Killswitch, Howard formed his own band, who released their debut album this year. The album has some catchy tracks and is a good taste of what is yet to come.
Aborted - The Necrotic Manifesto
One of my favorite death metal acts, Aborted, also released an amazing album this year. The record has some intense tracks they almost make your nose bleed.
Misery Index - The Killing Gods
What can I say, Misery Index is amazing. A lot of people do not know this band. This album, is the exact reason why you should know Misery Index
Vader - Tibi Et Ingi
While we're on the death metal kick, Vader released an awesome album this year as well. The albums hits Hard and is sure to entertain the most hardcore death metal fans.
Goatwhore - Constructing Rage of the Merciless
Another good death metal release of 2014. Man, this must be a death metal year. While Goatwhore adds a sprinkle of Black metal into their songs, this album is sure to impress.
As Blood Runs Black - Ground Zero
Took ABRB a long time and a good amount of drama to release their final full length album. Still, the only band to be considered "melodic deathcore" and for a good reason, Only ABRB can pull it off with such style.
Darkest Hour - Darkest Hour
Darkest Hour has been around for a century or two (thats a joke obviously) their new album was REALLY good and did not get any recognition, but should be on the top of any best of 2014 list.
Obituary - Inked in Blood
Yet another Death metal album that was amazing. Obituary came out somewhere in the 1700's and are considered one of the masters of the genre, and their 2014 album certainly showed off what they are made of.
Saving Grace - The Urgency
A magnificent release by New Zealands best metal act. The album is crazy heavy and each track gets better and better. What more can you want from a album?
Fallujah - The Flesh Prevails
Like my review said, beautiful should never be used to describe a death metal album, but it works perfectly to describe the Bay Areas Fallujah's lastest release.
For Today - Fight the Silence
With Metalcore on the decline, its hard to find bands that really stand out. However For Today have more than shown us that they have what it takes to stand with the greatest such as August Burns Red, Unearth and Killswitch Engage. Their 2014 album "fight the silence" shows just how good they can be.
Exodus - Blood in Blood Out
Anyone want Exodus to replace Anthrax on the big 4 lineup? No offense to Anthrax, but Exodus is a amazing band who deserves the title. Their new album is one of the best Thrash Metal relases of the decade.
Unearth - Watchers Of Rule
Like I said, metalcore has been on the decline over the years, but Unearth show us that it will never fade away. Their new album shows us that the one of the originators of the metalcore genre still have what it takes to stay on top.
Machine Head - Bloodstone & Diamonds
Easily the best album of 2014. Sad thing is Machine Head flew under the radar with this one causing it to be the most over looked album of 2014. Please everyone go listen to this record...like NOW
Well, there it is MY best of 2014 list. These albums are all good and definatly should not be skipped over. As we have learned, 2014 was the year for death metal. So sit back, put on some Beats by Dre and listen to some good old Obituary.
